Abstract: In one aspect, a virtual input device can be configured by detecting a language identifier associated with a selected data entry field, determining a key mapping corresponding to the detected language identifier, configuring a virtual input device in accordance with the key mapping, wherein the virtual input device includes one or more controls and the key mapping specifies a character corresponding to at least one of the plurality of controls, and presenting the virtual input device to a user. The language identifier can comprise one of an Extensible Markup Language tag and a Hypertext Markup Language tag. Further, user input selecting a second data entry field can be received, wherein a second language identifier is associated with the second data entry field, a second key mapping corresponding to the second language identifier can be determined, and the virtual input device can be configured in accordance with the second key mapping.

Abstract: Embodiments of the instant invention are directed to a system, apparatus and method for monitoring a user's activities and displaying and presenting unsolicited content to users over a wide area network. Embodiments of the instant invention include a monitoring system comprising an activity monitor and a content transfer and display means, wherein the activity monitor comprises an event identifier and a timer. The monitoring system monitors user activities, identifies trigger events, measures the elapsed time of inactivity of the user and initiates the presentation of unsolicited data, or content, to the user computer. In general, the monitoring system identifies trigger events and measures the elapsed time between trigger events. If the elapsed time between the trigger events exceeds a predefined time period the monitoring system causes unsolicited data to be presented on the user computer.

Abstract: A method includes, on a display of an electronic device, displaying a key layout, the key layout comprising a plurality of rows of keys and a plurality of columns of keys, displaying an indication of an active position at a first location for selecting one of the keys, detecting a directional input, and in response to the directional input, adjusting the key layout while maintaining display of the indication of the active position at the first location.

Abstract: A system for contextualizing machine indeterminable information based on machine determinable information may include a memory, an interface, and a processor. The memory may store an electronic document image which may include information determinable by a machine and information indeterminable by a machine The processor may be operative to receive, via the interface, the electronic document image. The processor may determine the machine determinable information of the electronic document image and may identify the machine indeterminable information of the electronic document image. The processor may contextualize the machine indeterminable information based on the machine determinable information. The processor may present the contextualized machine indeterminable information to the user to facilitate interpretation thereof. In response thereto, the processor may receive, via the interface, data representative of a user determination associated with the machine indeterminable information.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for scrolling a virtual keyboard on a touch screen device including a display. A first aspect allows detecting a user contact swipe motion in a predetermined direction along said keyboard, scrolling said keyboard across said display in accordance with said motion, and stopping said scrolling upon termination of user contact swipe motion. A second aspect allows scrolling of a virtual keyboard to snap to an intelligent position based on a song key or relative minor of the song key. A third aspect allows a note to be held when a user's finger remains in contact with the display even though the finger is no longer in contact with a key linked to the note on the keyboard as a result of scrolling.

Abstract: Text input is corrected on a touch-sensitive display by presenting a list of candidate words in the interface which can be selected by touch input. The candidate list can include candidate words having two or more character types (e.g., Roman, kana, kanji). In one aspect, the candidate list can be scrolled using a finger gesture. When a user's finger traverses a candidate word and the touch is released, the candidate word is inserted into a document being edited. In another aspect, characters can be erased by touching a key (e.g., a backspace or delete key) and making a sliding, swiping, or other finger gesture. A number of characters proportional to a distance (e.g., a linear distance) of the finger gesture across the display are erased. If there are characters in a text input area, those characters are erased first, followed by characters in the document being edited.

Abstract: A method includes, at an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface: concurrently displaying a first text entry area and an unsplit keyboard on the display; detecting a gesture on the touch-sensitive surface; and, in response to detecting the gesture on the touch-sensitive surface, replacing the unsplit keyboard with an integrated input area. The integrated input area includes a left portion with a left side of a split keyboard, a right portion with a right side of the split keyboard, and a center portion in between the left portion and the right portion.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a device displays content on a touch screen display and detects input by finger gestures. In response to the finger gestures, the device selects content, visually distinguishes the selected content, and/or updates the selected content based on detected input. In some embodiments, the device displays a command display area that includes one or more command icons; detects activation of a command icon in the command display area; and, in response to detecting activation of the command icon in the command display area, performs a corresponding action with respect to the selected content. Exemplary actions include cutting, copying, and pasting content.

Abstract: A method includes displaying a first keyboard on a touch-sensitive display of an electronic device, detecting a moving touch on the first keyboard, and, as the touch moves, changing the first keyboard into a second keyboard by moving keys of the first keyboard relative to other keys of the first keyboard, from first locations, along respective key paths, to second locations on the touch-sensitive display.

Abstract: In general, this disclosure describes techniques for moving a graphical selector. In one example, a method includes activating, by a computing device, a graphical key that is displayed with a presence-sensitive interface of the computing device. Upon activation of the graphical key, the method also includes receiving gesture input corresponding to a directional gesture using the presence-sensitive interface of the computing device and moving a graphical selector displayed with the presence-sensitive interface from a first graphical location to a second graphical location by at least one selected increment based on a property of the gesture input.

Abstract: A user interface (UI) for a text editing application executing on an electronic device, such as a wireless communication device, partitions a touch-sensitive display into two functional areas, a user input area and a text composition area. The UI displays text output in the text composition area and allows a user to scroll “user documents” through the input area. From an active user document displayed in the input area, users can automatically copy-and-paste text directly into a text area without having to exit the text editing application.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing calculations in a character input mode of an electronic device. Character input is received in the character input mode, and input characters are displayed in a character input window. If determined that an arithmetic expression is present in the displayed input characters, the arithmetic expression is evaluated, and an evaluation result is displayed. A calculation enabling condition may be satisfied prior to, or after, the arithmetic expression identification. The method may be applied to character input modes of a text messaging or email application, or of a word processing application.

Abstract: Embodiments, relating to the field of virtual keyboard technologies, of the present invention provide a method for acquiring a virtual keyboard key. The method includes: receiving layout of a universal virtual keyboard and a mapping relationship between terminals and universal virtual keyboard key value mapping tables from a server; acquiring a corresponding universal virtual keyboard key value mapping table according to the identifier of the terminal and the mapping relationship between terminals and universal virtual keyboard key value mapping tables; and acquiring a universal virtual keyboard according to the layout of the universal virtual keyboard and the universal virtual keyboard key value mapping table of the terminal.

Abstract: A mobile terminal is provided that includes a touch input unit and a display. A method of operating the mobile terminal includes operating the touch input unit of the mobile terminal in a normal mode, detecting a first multi-touch signal from the touch input unit, switching the touch input unit from the normal mode to a direction input mode in response to the first multi-touch signal, detecting a second multi-touch signal from the touch input unit while the touch input unit is in the direction input mode, determining a direction represented by the second multi-touch signal based on the tap signal, and scrolling at least one object displayed on a screen of a display of the mobile terminal in the determined direction. The second multi-touch signal may include a tap signal.

Abstract: A method includes, at an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface: concurrently displaying a first text entry area and an unsplit keyboard on the display; detecting a gesture on the touch-sensitive surface; and, in response to detecting the gesture on the touch-sensitive surface, replacing the unsplit keyboard with an integrated input area. The integrated input area includes a left portion with a left side of a split keyboard, a right portion with a right side of the split keyboard, and a center portion in between the left portion and the right portion.

Abstract: Methods and devices for discontinuing the presentation of a virtual keyboard or dismissing a virtual keyboard in response to the receipt of input are provided. More particularly, input entered outside of an area of a screen comprising a touch screen display can cause the presentation of a virtual keyboard to be discontinued. The discontinuance of the virtual keyboard display can be performed simultaneously with an operation indicated by the received input.

Abstract: A method includes, on a display of an electronic device, displaying a first virtual keyboard of a set of available virtual keyboards, detecting a touch, when the touch is associated with a keyboard changing function, displaying previews of virtual keyboards of the set of available virtual keyboards, detecting selection of a second virtual keyboard of the set of available virtual keyboards, and displaying the second virtual keyboard in response to detecting the selection.

Abstract: A system and method for the inputting of characters for processing by very small electronic devices based on correlated movement of such a device by the user to access groupings of certain characters and the subsequent choice by said user of the proper character to be entered by touch screen input. In the preferred embodiment each of the twenty six letters of the Roman alphabet are intelligently marshaled into a default grouping and three selectable groupings, each of which being easily accessible by a user simply by moving the electronic device in a prescribed manner.

Abstract: A digital broadcast receiver may display virtual keys on a screen, the virtual keys may be provided in a plurality of regions, each region having an identifier and characters that are unique from other regions. The digital broadcasting receiver may receive at least one input corresponding to selection of the identifier for selection of a desired character, wherein the desired character and at least one other character in a different region are displayed differently on the screen.

Abstract: A portable device includes a touch-screen display configured to allow a user to interface with the portable device, and a user input mechanism configured to enable a note-taking mode. Upon entering the note-taking mode, an electronic keypad is displayed in a first area of the touch-screen display, a note-taking window is provided in a second area of the touch-screen display, and a multimedia window for outputting multimedia information is provided in a third area of the touch-screen display.

Abstract: A method for operating a user interface on a system using gestures that initiate or terminate on a soft-key or is disclosed. One or more keys or buttons may be displayed on a user display. A user provided tap on a key causes a function indicated by the key to be performed. A user provided gesture that originates or terminates on the same key may be detected. An additional key function may then be presented on the user display in accordance with the detected gesture. The additional function may be a palette of key functions, in which case the system responds to a user choice from the palette of functions.

Abstract: Example apparatus and methods concern improved input of radicals. Example apparatus and methods facilitate more efficiently inputting Chinese radicals using a touch screen. One example method includes displaying a labeled soft key on a touch screen device. The label may represent all or a portion of a radical. The example method includes accepting a touch input associated with the soft key and then taking an action based on the label and the touch input. The action may include inputting a radical or updating the display on the touch screen. Updating the display may facilitate iterative and intuitive progress through radical construction leading to radical selection and input.

Abstract: A character input mode of a mobile terminal permits easier viewing of characters being entered on a virtual keyboard. An apparatus and a method permitting detection of misprinted/omitted character when performing a special character input mode An output manager outputs a character input screen including a virtual keyboard region and a character input field region when entering a character input mode, and outputs an auxiliary character input field showing information of currently input data on the virtual keyboard region. A display unit outputs the auxiliary character input field, the character input field, and the virtual keyboard. When an input of the virtual keyboard is detected, the output manager outputs information of data corresponding to an input position on the character input field and the auxiliary character input field. The character input mode preferably includes a mode for inputting at least one of text data, symbol data, and emoticon data.

Abstract: A method for providing data associated with an object displayed on a touch screen display, the method including detecting a physical contact with the object displayed on the touch screen display, detecting a given finger gesture generated following the physical contact and providing data associated with the given finger gesture and the object displayed.

Abstract: A keypad displaying method is provided. The keypad displaying method includes displaying a plurality of keys in a predetermined first display area, and upon receiving a signal corresponding to a request to cyclically shift the plurality of keys, cyclically shifting the plurality of keys in response to the request. The proposed keypad displaying method enables a user to conveniently enter text into a media device while holding the media device with one hand.

Abstract: A mobile terminal and a displaying method thereof are provided. The mobile terminal includes a first touch screen which displays a first object, a second touch screen which displays a second object, and a controller which controls display of a virtual keypad on the second touch screen when a touch input is applied to the first touch screen.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for altering a key function of a software input panel (SIP) of an electronic device and a recording medium thereof are provided, wherein the SIP includes a plurality of keys, and the number and layout of the keys are fixed. In the present method, first, an operating interface of an electronic device is switched, wherein the operating interface includes the SIP. Then, each key of the SIP is switched to an input word corresponding to the operating interface. As a result, the input word corresponding to each key of the SIP is automatically altered according to the current operating interface, and accordingly inputting through the SIP is made very convenient.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for altering pitch of a note played on a musical instrument keyboard of a touch-sensitive electronic display. An exemplary method includes playing a note of a key of the keyboard on the touch-sensitive display touched by a user. The method includes continuously altering the pitch of the played note as the user slides a point of contact on the touch-sensitive display horizontally from the key being played across adjacent keys to a second key, in accordance with the keys being contacted during the sliding of the point of contact. In a further aspect, the method includes detecting motion of user contact in a direction other than horizontally across keys of the keyboard, such as vertical, and activating a sound effect in addition to pitch alteration in response to the detection. Example sound effects include tremolo, vibrato, echo, and sound filter effects.

Abstract: A apparatus includes a touch-screen display. A virtual keypad is displayed wherein the keys are sized in accordance with their location. Keys located in a corner of the display are smallest, keys located on an edge but not in a corner are larger, and keys not having any contact with an edge are largest. A user can easily select keys for entering a text message using multi-tap or predictive text algorithms.

Abstract: A method for automatically hiding keypad, an electronic device, and a digital data storage medium are provided. The keypad automatically hiding method is applied to an electronic device having a touch screen. The method includes the following steps. Firstly, an input field and a keypad are shown on the touch screen. Next, an item of data is received from the keypad and inputted to the input field. Then, a search list is shown on the touch screen according to the data. Afterwards, the keypad is hidden when the input signal for checking the search list is generated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and electronic device for a gesture-based key input and, more particularly, to a method and electronic device for a gesture-based key input, wherein an input region corresponding to a virtual keyboard is set according to any one of a single-hand typing mode and a double-hand typing mode and a key input is obtained based on gesture for the set input region. A gesture-based key input method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes displaying a virtual keyboard, setting an input region, corresponding to the displayed virtual keyboard, according to a typing mode selected from among a single-hand typing mode and a double-hand typing mode, recognizing gesture for the input region, and obtaining a key input based on the recognized gesture.

Abstract: An interface system for facilitating human interfacing with a computing device is provided. The interface system comprises an input device arranged to detect touch based inputs made by an object and to communicate the detected inputs to the computing device. The interface system also comprises a position detection system arranged to obtain positional information indicative of a position of the object relative to the input device. The interface system is arranged to use the positional information to facilitate display of visual information on a display of the computing device, the visual information being indicative of a position of the object relative to the input device so as to assist a user in operation of the input device.

Abstract: An electronic device with a touch-sensitive display and one or more sensors displays an application interface on the display, detects an input that corresponds to a command to display a virtual keyboard in the application interface, detects one or more sensor inputs from the one or more sensors, and in response to detecting the input that corresponds to the command to display the virtual keyboard: in accordance with a determination that the sensor inputs satisfy one or more first criteria, displays the virtual keyboard as a split keyboard on the display; and in accordance with a determination that the sensor inputs satisfy one or more second criteria, distinct from the first criteria, displays the virtual keyboard as an unsplit keyboard on the display.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a technical field of touch input and discloses method and device for controlling a mobile apparatus having a touch screen including: generating a virtual keyboard which is larger than a virtual keyboard displaying area in the touch screen; and moving the virtual keyboard in response to a sliding of a touch point, where at least one direction component of a moving direction of the virtual keyboard is opposite to a direction component of a sliding direction of the touch point. With the technical solution of present application, the input experience for the user can be improved.

Abstract: A mobile terminal device, method, and program that displays, on a display unit, an image indicating an operation unit corresponding to a physical operation unit and used to navigate in place of the physical operation unit, detects a touch operation performed on the display unit, and changes the image indicating the operation unit according to a trajectory of the touch operation.

Abstract: A method of operating a multifunction device includes displaying a soft keyboard having a plurality of unconditionally enabled buttons and one or more conditionally enabled buttons, detecting a first input with a first button at a first time, and responding to detecting the first input by activating the first button. In response to detecting a second input with a second button at a second time, when the first button is an unconditionally enabled button and the second button is an unconditionally enabled button, the second button is activated. When the second button is a conditionally enabled button, and when the period of time between the first and second times is above a predefined threshold, the second button is activated; and when the period of time between the first and second times is equal to or below the predefined threshold, the second button is prevented from being activated.

Abstract: A virtual keyboard apparatus and method for forming the virtual keyboard apparatus are provided. The virtual keyboard apparatus may include a touch-sensitive display surface configured to detect a touch signal including at least a finger touch and a palm touch by a hand of a user, and a controller configured to generate a virtual keyboard having a layout determined based at least in part on a distance between the detected palm touch and the detected finger touch. The method for generating a virtual keyboard may include detecting with a touch-sensitive display surface a touch signal including at least a finger touch and a palm touch formed by a hand of a user, and generating a virtual keyboard having a layout based at least in part on a distance between the detected palm touch and the detected finger touch.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods for deciding whether to display a keyboard on a touchscreen device are provided. In one aspect, a method includes receiving, on a touchscreen device, a request to load a display comprising an input field and selectable content, and determining, based on prior user behavior, the probability of whether the user will enter content into the input field or select the selectable content. The method also includes controlling whether to display a keyboard when the determined probability indicates that the user will enter content into the input field or hide the keyboard when the determined probability indicates that the user will select the selectable content. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.

Abstract: A display device includes a touch screen having a display surface that displays images. The touch screen outputs a signal indicating a position on the display surface that has been touched. The display device also includes a first sensor that senses a position of an object relative to the display surface. The display device further includes a controller that generates a virtual keyboard image including a plurality of virtual keys for display on the display surface. The controller generates a left side portion and a right side portion of the virtual keyboard image, and chooses, as a display portion, one of the left side portion and the right side portion of the virtual keyboard image corresponding to the position of the object relative to the display surface as sensed by the first sensor. The controller controls the touch screen to display the display portion on the display surface.

Abstract: A method for duplicating and using virtual keys includes displaying a virtual keyboard that includes a plurality of keys. The method also includes detecting a first input to the device that activates a key cloning mode. The method further includes: while in the key cloning mode, detecting selection of a first key on the virtual keyboard; and in response to detecting selection of the first key, displaying a duplicate of the first key. The method further includes detecting activation of the duplicate of the first key; and, in response to detecting activation of the duplicate of the first key, performing an action in accordance with the first key.

Abstract: Method, computer program product, and system for performing an operation to facilitate selection of user interface (UI) elements on an interactive display, the operation including providing at least a first UI element on the interactive display, defining an input area which, when selected, activates the first UI element, determining a first likelihood of the first UI element being selected, and modifying the input area of the first UI element, based on the first likelihood.

Abstract: A communication device, which is capable of presenting one or more of a plurality of virtual keyboards, may be operable to receive application content. The application content may require a user to enter particular data via one of the plurality of virtual keyboards. The plurality of virtual keyboards may comprise a system keyboard and one or more third-party keyboards. The communication device may be operable to determine whether the particular data to be entered by the user may comprise sensitive personal information associated with the user. Based on the determination of the personal information and/or based on a configuration option communicated from the user, the communication device may be operable to determine whether to cause presentation of the system keyboard for the user to enter the particular data. The communication device may cause presentation of the system keyboard by disabling the one or more third-party keyboards.

Abstract: Method, computer program product, and system for performing an operation to facilitate selection of user interface (UI) elements on an interactive display, the operation including providing at least a first UI element on the interactive display, defining an input area which, when selected, activates the first UI element, determining a first likelihood of the first UI element being selected, and modifying the input area of the first UI element, based on the first likelihood.

Abstract: A method of text entry for an electronic device comprising: receiving a sequence of keystrokes performed over a plurality of keys of a keyboard of the electronic device, wherein a single keystroke enters a single letter location in a word, and wherein the set of the keystrokes comprises a first set of keystrokes for single letter entries that select single letter in an alphabet and a second set of keystrokes for letter group entries that selects a group of possible letters from the alphabet for a single letter location; creating list of possible words the user intends to enter based on a priori database of words by searching in the word database words having letters that match the sequence of letter entries; and displaying the list of possible words to a user, receiving the user selection of a desired word and providing the selected word for further processing.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device includes a reduced QWERTY keyboard and is enabled with disambiguation software that is operable to disambiguate text input. In addition to identifying and outputting representations of language objects that are stored in the memory and that correspond with a text input, the device is able to employ contextual data in certain circumstances to prioritize output.

Abstract: In general, this disclosure describes techniques for selecting alternate keyboard characters via motion input provided by a user. One example method comprises displaying a graphical keyboard via a user interface and receiving, via the user interface, initial user input specifying a selection of a key on the graphical keyboard, wherein the initial user input comprises an initiation of a contact with the user interface. The method further includes displaying alternate characters via the user interface, wherein each alternate character is displayed to indicate at least one corresponding selection direction that is associated with that alternate character, and receiving, via the user interface, additional user input specifying a selection of at least one of the alternate characters, wherein the additional user input comprises motion in the at least one selection direction corresponding to the at least one selected alternate character, and a release of the contact from the user interface.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-storage media having computer-usable instructions embodied thereon, for displaying and inputting symbols are provided. Bopomofo symbols are phonetic representations of Chinese characters. To accommodate all the Bopomofo symbols on a mobile device keyboard without sacrificing key size, the Bopomofo keys are dynamically disabled based on grammar rules and user inputs. For example, a symbol that is not eligible to follow an input symbol is disabled such that it does not distract a user searching for a symbol in the keyboard. Further, specific keys on a keyboard are dynamically replaced with tone keys once a user inputs a symbol. A user interface for displaying the symbols is, thus, consistent and easy to navigate for a user.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for devices, methods, and programs for reducing key input errors. An example device includes a detector to determine characteristics of a detected input and an arbiter to reject the detected input that has characteristics of an input error.

Abstract: An approach is provided for displaying interactive preview information in a location-based user interface. A content mapping platform determines to render, at a device, a user interface for a location-based service based, at least in part, on a field of view. The content mapping platform determines one or more items outside of the field of view and then determines to render one or more user interface objects in the user interface. The one or more user interface objects present, at least in part, preview information associated with the one or more items.

Abstract: A character input method is implemented in a device with a plurality of keys. If a key is activated by a first operation matching a first input pattern, a first route is selected to traverse a plurality of characters corresponded by the key during presentation of the plurality of characters. If the first key is activated by a second operation matching a second input pattern, the plurality of characters corresponded by the first key are orderly retrieved and presented according to a second route in response to operations on the first key. The order for presenting two characters corresponded by the first key in the first route is reversed in the second route.