Predictive Text Typing Employing An Augmented Computer Keyboard

Abstract

An augmented computer keyboard for inputting text into a computer is provided, where each character of the text being input is displayed on a computer screen in real time. The computer keyboard preferably has a QWERTY key layout, and has at least two additional keys which have selection functionality to select one or another of suggested text strings appearing in selected display fields on the computer screen. There is one display field for each provided additional key. The suggested text strings are presented in the respective selected display fields dynamically and in real time as each keystroke is made, and are chosen using predictive text software running on the computer. In a preferred embodiment, the additional keys are physically placed so as to be near the space bar on the computer keyboard.

Claims

1. An augmented physical computer keyboard for inputting text into a computer, where each character of the text being input is displayed on a separate computer screen in real time as each keystroke is made on the physical computer keyboard; wherein the physical computer keyboard has a pre-designated key layout; wherein at least two additional physical keys are provided on said physical computer keyboard, each having selection functionality to select one or another of suggested text strings appearing in selected display fields on the separate computer screen, there being one display field for each provided additional physical key; wherein the suggested text strings are presented in the respective selected display fields dynamically and in real time as each keystroke is made, and are chosen from predictive text software running on the computer; and wherein said additional physical keys are physically placed so as to be near the space bar on said physical computer keyboard.

2. (canceled)

3. The augmented physical computer keyboard of claim 1, wherein the suggested text strings which appear dynamically in said selected display fields on said separate computer screen are chosen from the group consisting of words, predetermined phrases, predetermined sentences, predetermined paragraphs, and combinations thereof.

4. The augmented physical computer keyboard of claim 1, wherein the placement of said additional physical keys is such that any one of them may be actuated by a thumb of the physical computer keyboard user.

5. The augmented physical computer keyboard of claim 1, wherein if there are two additional physical keys provided, then there are two selected fields on said separate computer screen corresponding with one or the other of said two additional physical keys; and if there are four additional physical keys provided, then there are four selected fields on said separate computer screen corresponding with one or the other of said four additional physical keys.

6. (canceled)

7. The augmented physical computer keyboard of claim 3, wherein said additional physical keys are physically placed below the space bar thereof.

8. The augmented physical computer keyboard of claim 1, wherein there are four additional physical keys provided, and there are four selected fields on said separate computer screen corresponding with one or the other of said four additional physical keys; and wherein each of the four additional physical keys is colour coded with a mutually distinctive colour, and each of the four selected fields on the separate computer screen is also colour denoted with the same colour as the corresponding one of said four additional physical keys.

9. The augmented physical computer keyboard of claim 1, wherein said physical computer keyboard is a QWERTY keyboard.

10. The augmented physical computer keyboard of claim 9, wherein the region ordinarily occupied by a space bar on a QWERTY keyboard is, instead, occupied by a reduced length space bar and seven additional physical keys chosen from the group consisting of at least two additional physical keys and at least four additional physical keys.

11. The augmented physical computer keyboard of claim 9, wherein the region ordinarily occupied by a space bar on a QWERTY keyboard is, instead, occupied by four additional physical keys, each having an assigned selection functionality; and wherein space bar functionality while inputting text is achieved by simultaneously actuating any two of said additional physical keys.

12. (canceled)

13. The augmented physical computer keyboard of claim 3, wherein a predetermined text string may be chosen from a selected field on said separate computer screen by first typing an acronym for said predetermined text string, and actuating the corresponding additional physical key.

14. The augmented physical computer keyboard of claim 3, wherein drop-down lists of synonyms or antonyms for each suggested text string appearing on said separate computer screen may be invoked by pressing at least one indicated secondary key on said augmented physical computer keyboard, and wherein selection of a desired synonym or antonym may be invoked by pressing the requisite additional physical key simultaneously with said at least one secondary key on said augmented physical computer keyboard.

15. The augmented physical computer keyboard of claim 3, wherein actuation of a selected additional physical key will result in the selected predetermined text string being displayed on the separate computer screen in the text being typed, and presentation of a new set of suggested text strings will appear in the respective display fields on the separate computer screen, whereby extended text composition may be achieved without the necessity for additional character keystrokes.

16. The augmented physical computer keyboard of claim 3, further including an additional phrase completion physical key on said physical computer keyboard, wherein said further additional phrase completion physical key has selection functionality to select a predetermined phrase that is embedded in said predictive text software after a requisite initial text string of any predetermined phrase is input into said predictive text software in real time, whereby a specific predetermined phrase may be selected by actuation of said additional phrase completion physical key at the instant in real time that the entire specific predetermined phrase is displayed on said separate computer screen when said required initial text string for that specific predetermined phrase has been input.

17. The augmented physical computer keyboard of claim 1 wherein the computer includes at least a processor, memory means and cache means, and said predictive text software is running on the computer in the memory means and cache means.

18. A method of inputting text into a computer, wherein suggested text strings are continuously being displayed in real time on a separate computer screen as each keystroke is made using predictive text software running on said computer, comprising the steps of: (a) typing sequential keystrokes on an augmented physical computer keyboard having a predesignated key layout and at least two additional physical keys which are provided on said physical computer keyboard, where each additional physical key has selection functionality to select one or another of suggested text strings appearing in selected display fields on the separate computer screen, there being one display field for each provided additional physical key; and wherein the suggested text strings are presented in the respective selected display fields dynamically and in real time as each keystroke is made, and are chosen from predictive text software running on the computer; (b) actuating a respective one of said additional physical keys when a required text string appears on said separate computer screen in the selected display field corresponding to the respective additional physical key to be activated; and (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) until the intended text composition is completed.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the suggested text strings which appear dynamically in said selected fields on said separate computer screen are chosen from the group consisting of words, predetermined phrases, predetermined sentences, predetermined paragraphs, and combinations thereof.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein a predetermined text string may be chosen from a selected field on said separate computer screen by first typing an acronym for said predetermined text string, and actuating the corresponding additional physical key.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein drop-down lists of synonyms or antonyms for each suggested text string appearing on said separate computer screen may be invoked by pressing at least one indicated secondary key on said augmented physical computer keyboard, and wherein selection of a desired synonym or antonym may be invoked by pressing the requisite additional physical key simultaneously with said at least one secondary key on said augmented physical computer keyboard.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein actuation of a selected additional physical key will result in the selected predetermined text string being displayed on the separate computer screen in the text being typed, and presentation of a new set of suggested text strings will appear in the respective display fields on the separate computer screen, whereby extended text composition may be achieved without the necessity for additional character keystrokes.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein said physical computer keyboard is a QWERTY keyboard.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS;

[0039] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

[0040] Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of example in association with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0041] FIG. 1 is a representation of a typical Prior Art QWERTY computer keyboard ;

[0042] FIG. 2 is a typical embodiment of an augmented computer keyboard in keeping with the present invention, where the additional keys are placed below the space bar;

[0043] FIG. 3 is a further embodiment an augmented computer keyboard which is functionally similar to the embodiment of FIG. 2, except that the additional keys and the space bar are contiguous;

[0044] FIG. 4 is a still further embodiment an augmented computer keyboard similar to that of FIG. 3, except that the space bar has been removed from the keyboard;

[0045] FIG. 5 shows an augmented computer keyboard in use, with typical text being shown on a computer screen, along with suggested text which has been invoked by the last keystroke on the augmented computer keyboard;

[0046] FIG. 6 shows an augmented computer keyboard in use, where alternative synonyms are being suggested as well, each being relative to one of the suggested text words as noted in FIG. 5;

[0047] FIG. 7 shows an augmented computer keyboard in use, wherein each of the additional keys has a different colour, and each of the colours of the additional keys is mutually distinctive from each of the other colours; and

[0048] FIG. 8 shows an augmented computer keyboard in use having an additional phrase completion key below the other additional keys that are provided.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:

[0049] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following discussion

[0050] In the following discussion, the reader will understand that reference to a computer is not intended to be limiting; however, the present invention particularly lends itself to computers that are known as laptop computers or desktop computers. As is well known to those skilled in the art, a laptop computer is usually relatively lightweight, comprising a computer screen on one half of a folding chassis and a keyboard on the other half of the folding chassis, which are such that when the two halves are folded together the computer screen and computer keyboard are protected, and the device is portable. Desktop computers generally comprise a computer tower in which a processor, memory, cache, disk drives, cooling fans, power supply, etc., are housed. A separate computer keyboard and computer screen are in communication with the computer tower; which communication may be wired or wireless, including Bluetooth. In any event, it is understood that any computer intended to function in association with an augmented computer keyboard in keeping with the present invention will typically include at least a processor, memory means and cache means, and that many kinds of software including a resident operating system, a word processor, predictive text software, etc., may be running simultaneously.

[0051] Turning first to a depiction of a Prior Art computer keyboard 10 as it is shown in FIG. 1, the usual layout of a computer keyboard includes a standard QWERTY layout 12, number keys 14, a space bar 16, and cursor control keys identified by reference numeral 18. There is no need for further discussion of such a typical computer keyboard, as it is well known to those skilled in the art.

[0052] Referring now to a first embodiment of an augmented computer keyboard in keeping the present invention, such a keyboard is shown at 20 in FIG. 2. It will be seen that the layout is substantially similar to that as shown in FIG. 1, except that four additional keys are added to the keyboard at 22, 24, 26, and 28. Those additional keys may be referred to as “Prediction Keys 1, 2, 3, and 4” respectively. It should be noted that the present invention will allow for only two prediction keys to be provided, but in order to allow for reasonable choice of the suggested text strings which will appear on the computer screen in real time, as discussed hereafter, it is preferred to provide at least four prediction keys.

[0053] FIG. 3 provides for a more compact augmented computer keyboard 30 by replacing the space bar with five keys, which are functionally a shorter space bar 32, as well as prediction keys 22, 24, 26, and 28. The manner of operation of the augmented computer keyboard, or any of them as disclosed herein, is described and discussed hereafter

[0054] In FIG. 4, a further alteration has been made to the augmented computer keyboard 40, by removal of the space bar that would normally be found on any computer keyboard. However, prediction keys 22, 24, 26, and 28 will be found; and it is intended that the function of the missing space bar is achieved by pressing two of the prediction keys 22, 24, 26, and 28 Depending on the specific software that is resident in the computer, it may be that simultaneous actuation of any two of the prediction keys will achieve the space bar functionality; or it may be that only a specified pair of the prediction keys will exhibit the space bar functionality.

[0055] In any embodiment of the present invention, each additional key—the prediction keys—has selection functionality which will select one or another of suggested text strings which appear dynamically in selected display fields on the computer screen, there being one display field for each provided additional key, all as will be described shortly. For example, referring to FIG. 5, a computer 50 is shown, comprising a typical augmented computer keyboard 30 as previously discussed, and a computer screen 52 on which text 54 has been entered. It will be seen that the last portion of that text 54 reads “When I visit my ”. It will also be seen in display boxes 56, 58, 60, and 62, that suggested text words “parents”, “priest”, “friends”, and “mother”, are presented. Moreover, the relationship between the suggested text in the display fields 56, 58, 60, and 62 and the additional keys—the prediction keys—22, 24, 26, and 28, respectively, is shown. Additional key 22 is also identified as Prediction Key #1; and display field 56 is also identified as being Display Field #1. The relationship between the other prediction keys and the other display fields should be obvious to the reader.

[0056] Of course, it will also be understood by those skilled in the art that the suggested text strings which appear dynamically in the selected display fields on the computer screen 52 may equally be words, predetermined phrases, predetermined sentences, predetermined paragraphs, and combinations thereof. The suggested text strings may be displayed in a horizontal orientation (as shown), but the use of a listing in a vertical orientation is not excluded. Moreover, it will be understood that, in general, there will be an embedded space character at the end of the selected text string in order for there to be continuity of the text composition. If punctuation is required, it is simply a matter of backspacing the cursor as necessary—a task well known to any typist.

[0057] It will be obvious by inspection of any of FIGS. 2 to 8 that the placement of the additional keys 22, 24, 26, and 28, is such that any one of them may be actuated by a thumb of the augmented computer keyboard user. That is because the additional keys 22, 24, 26, and 28 are physically placed on the augmented computer keyboard so as to be near the space bar; and in the case of augmented computer keyboard 40, to replace the space bar. The additional keys are preferably placed near the space bar, meaning that they are operatively adjacent to the space bar, and in a position to be easily actuated by the user's thumbs. Of course, as already noted, while between two and eight additional keys may be provided, it is usual that at least two, and preferably, at least four additional keys will be present It has already been noted that the physical placement of the additional keys may be below the space bar, contiguous to a shorter space bar in the same region ordinarily occupied by a space bar on a QWERTY keyboard, or instead of the space bar in certain embodiments.

[0058] Additionally, it will be understood that in a number of circumstances acronyms may be used for the predictive text software running on the computer to provide a string which may be long and/or difficult to type. For example, typing the letters or acronym “ALS” or “als” will result in the suggested text “Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis” appearing in one of the display fields 56, 58, 60, or 62. Another medical example may come from typing the acronym “totp” and having the suggested text “total proctocolectomy” appear in one of the display fields. Yet another common example may well be that an acronym such as “BP1” may result in what is commonly referred to as “boilerplate” text of the sort found in legal documents of all kinds.

[0059] Referring now to FIG. 6, a computer 60 is shown having a software variation of the dynamic, real time, presentation of suggested text is shown In this case, the user may invoke a particular running mode of the resident text prediction software so that synonyms (or, perhaps optionally, antonyms) may appear in the display fields. Here, a matrix 64 of synonyms for the words in display fields 56, 58, 61, and 62 is seen, where the synonyms are shown in columns which appear as drop-down boxes, presented in four rows which are identified as #1, #2, #3, and #4, respectively. However, the columns are also identified and associated with secondary keys which always appear on a computer keyboard; in this case “Ctrl”, “Alt”, “Ctr+Alt”, “Ctrl+Shift”, respectively. Thus, if the user wishes to choose a synonym for any one of the suggested words in the display fields, a particular key combination will be required. For example, if the user wishes to select the word “mate” instead of “friends”, he would simultaneously press the Ctrl key, the Alt key, and prediction key 26 (#3). If the user were to choose “preacher” rather than “priest” appearing in display field 58, the user would simultaneously press the Alt key and the additional key or prediction key 24 (#2). However, it will be noted that invocation of this mode on a computer may depend to some greater or lesser extent on the speed of the processor and the size of the memory and/or cache. Of course, as with all embodiments of the present invention, invocation of all modes of the present invention, the matrix 64 will appear and change in real time as each keystroke is made.

[0060] It should also be evident that actuation of any selected additional key 22, 24, 26, or 28, will not only result in the selected text string being displayed on the computer screen in the context of that text which is being typed, but also a new set of suggested text strings will appear in the respect display fields on the computer screen. It may well be that a further suggested text string is one that is intended to be used, so that instead of having to type that text string or at least a few characters thereof, the desired text string may be selected merely by actuating the respective additional key 22, 24, 26, 28. Thus, it is possible that extended text composition may be achieved without the necessity for additional character keystrokes.

[0061] Referring now to FIG. 7, yet another augmented computer keyboard 70 is shown. Here, the placement of the additional keys 22, 24, 26, 28 is different than in other figures, showing that the placement of the additional keys is as much a choice of the designer of the keyboard or of the operator of the keyboard (the typist) who may choose one design of keyboard over another. Further, in FIG. 7, the additional prediction keys 22, 24, 26, 28 are shown as being lined for different colours. At the same time (not shown) each of the four selected fields on the computer screen will also be preferably colour denoted with the same colour as the corresponding one of the additional keys. It should be noted that each of the colours which is used for the additional keys and the corresponding selected fields on the computer screen is mutually distinctive from each of the other colours. The specific colours that may be used are not relevant to the present invention, but as an example colours that can be used include red, green, blue, and yellow; or pink, mauve or purple, chartreuse, and beige.

[0062] Turning now to FIG. 8, another augmented computer keyboard 80 is shown. This computer keyboard differs from others that had previously been discussed by the addition of yet another key 82, which is identified as a phrase completion key. In this case, the additional phrase completion key 82 has selection functionality whereby a predetermined phrase may be selected. The predetermined phrase is, of course, one which has been embedded in the predictive text software, and may be selected after a requisite initial text string of any predetermined phrase found embedded in the predictive text software, is entered. The predetermined phrase may be selected by actuating the additional phrase completion key 82 at the instant in real time when the required initial text string for that entire specific predetermined phrase has been input using the keyboard. As an example, when the typist has entered a text string “what now fo”, a predetermined phrase “what now follows” will appear in a specific field therefor on the computer screen. An even more interesting predetermined phrase may be, for example, “the debtor now ag”, giving rise to the phrase “the Debtor now agrees to the following terms and conditions as hereafter stated”.

[0063] From the above, it will be clearly understood that typing efficiency of even a novice typist, let alone the efficiency of a skilled touch typist, will be improved by employing an augmented computer keyboard in keeping with the present invention, and as discussed above. This may lead to significant operating cost savings, particularly in large offices such as medical clinics, hospitals, legal firms, engineering firms, and so on.

[0064] Moreover, as a typist becomes more familiar with any augmented computer keyboard in keeping with the present invention, the “muscle memory” of the typist improves, so that additional typing speed may be achieved with fewer errors and less hesitation between keystrokes.

[0065] It will now be understood that the present invention also provides for a method of inputting text into a computer, wherein suggested text strings are continuously being displayed in real time on a computer screen as each keystroke is made, using predictive text software running on the computer. The steps which comprise that method are:

[0066] (a) typing sequential keystrokes on an augmented computer keyboard (20, 30, or 40), preferably having a QWERTY key layout, and having at least two additional keys (22, 24, 26, or 28) which are provided on the computer keyboard, where each additional key has selection functionality to select one or another of suggested text strings appearing in selected display fields (56, 58, 60, or 62) on the computer screen, there being one display field for each provided additional key; and wherein the suggested text strings are presented in the respective selected display fields dynamically and in real time as each keystroke is made, and are chosen from predictive text software running on the computer, preferably in its memory means and/or cache means;

[0067] (b) actuating a respective one of the additional keys (22, 24, 26, or 28) when a required text string appears on the computer screen in a selected display field (56, 58, 60, or 62) corresponding to the respective additional key to be activated; and

[0068] (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) until the intended text composition is completed.

[0069] Obviously, it will be evident from the above discussion that the method of the present invention provides for the suggested text strings which appear dynamically in the selected fields 56, 58, 60, and 62 on the computer screen to be chosen from the group consisting of words, predetermined phrases, predetermined sentences, predetermined paragraphs, and combinations thereof. As also discussed above, a predetermined text string may be chosen from a selected field on the computer screen by first typing an acronym for the predetermined text string, and then actuating the corresponding additional key 22, 24, 26, or 28.

[0070] Still further, it will be understood that drop-down list of synonyms are antonyms for each suggested text string may be invoked by pressing at least one indicated secondary key on the augmented computer keyboard, so that a selection of synonyms (or antonyms) may be displayed and a desired synonym (or antonym) may be invoked by pressing the requisite additional key simultaneously with the indicated at least one secondary key on the augmented computer keyboard.

[0071] Once again, it will be clearly understood that extended text composition may be achieved without the necessity for additional character keystrokes, as discussed above.

[0072] Other modifications and alterations may be used in the design and manufacture of the apparatus of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the accompanying claims.

[0073] For example, an ordinary computer keyboard may have an accessory, which comprises a small strip of material, affixed to it; where the strip of material has at least four additional keys—the prediction keys as discussed above. The accessory is in communication with the computer and the already existing computer keyboard, by such as Bluetooth. Thus, legacy keyboards in an office need not be discarded, so long as they are capable in one way or another of communicating with the additional keys that have been affixed thereto

[0074] Indeed, the same approach may be made in respect of tablets, which have a virtual keyboard displayed on the screen when they are operating in text entry mode. An accessory as described above may be placed in close proximity to the tablet so as to emulate the placement of the accessory on an ordinary computer keyboard. A skilled typist, in particular, can utilize the additional hardware keys on the accessory in the same manner as discussed above.

[0075] Of course, it is usual that any prediction key accessory as noted above will have so-called “soft” keys, but any key structure may be employed as will be evident to those skilled in the art.

[0076] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not to the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0077] Moreover, use of the terms “he”, “him”, or “his”, is not intended to be specifically directed to persons of the masculine gender, and could easily be read as “she”, “her”, or “hers”, respectively.