Method and apparatus for word prediction selection
Methods and apparatuses are provided for improving word prediction candidate selection in an electronic device. Input of one or more characters is received via a capacitive physical keyboard. A word prediction process generates a set of word prediction candidates, determines a unique character in each word prediction candidate, and displays the word prediction candidates along with visual indicia to indicate the unique character. A second input is then received comprising a tap input of a single character on the keyboard. The electronic device determines whether the second input corresponds to a unique character associated with any of the word prediction candidates, and if so, displays the selected word in an input field on the display.
1. A method for operating an electronic device having a display displaying, in a keyboard pane of the display, a keyboard for receiving inputs comprising:
receiving a first input of a character in an input field, wherein the first input is a key press input representing an engagement of an electronic dome switch corresponding to the character;
generating a set of word prediction candidates associated with the first input;
displaying the set of word prediction candidates on the display;
determining at least one unique character in each word prediction candidate, the at least one unique character enabling discrete selection of the word prediction candidate from the set of word prediction candidates;
displaying, for each displayed word prediction candidate, a particular visual indicia identifying the unique character included within the displayed word prediction candidate, wherein the particular visual indicia is displayed in a viewing pane of the display, and the viewing pane of the display is distinct from the keyboard pane of the display;
receiving a second input of a single character, the second input comprising a tap input received by the keyboard at a key corresponding to the single character, the tap input comprising a touch event associated with the key which does not engage an electronic dome switch associated with the key;
determining that the single character of the second input corresponds to at least one determined unique character associated with a particular word prediction candidate; and
in response to the determination, automatically displaying the particular word prediction candidate in the input field.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tap input is a touch input for a duration less than or equal to a first time period.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein displaying visual indicia comprises displaying the unique character underlined.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein displaying visual indicia comprises displaying the unique character in a different color.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein displaying visual indicia comprises displaying a diagram of a keyboard layout with each word prediction candidate from the generated set of word prediction candidates displayed on a key of the keyboard layout diagram associated with the determined unique character in each respective word prediction candidate.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the diagram additionally displays a location of one or more digits detected on the keyboard by capacitive sensors integrated within, situated above, or situated below the keys of said keyboard.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining a particular word prediction candidate from among the generated set of word prediction candidates based on the second input comprises:
comparing the input character to a first unique character of each word prediction candidate; and
determining whether the input character matches the first unique character of a particular one of the word prediction candidates.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining that the single character associated with the second input does not correspond with any of the displayed word prediction candidates;
generating additional word prediction candidates based on the first and second inputs received from the keyboard;
displaying the additional word prediction candidates on the display; and
providing an indication of a unique character in each additional displayed word prediction candidate to facilitate candidate selection.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
responsive to detection of an input reflecting selection of the displayed particular word prediction candidate, displaying the selected candidate in the input field on the display.
10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving an input indicating that the displayed particular word prediction candidate is rejected for selection;
determining a different particular word prediction candidate from among the generated set of word prediction candidates based on the second input; and
displaying the different particular word prediction candidate on the display for selection.
11. An electronic device having a display displaying, in a keyboard pane of the display, a keyboard for receiving inputs, comprising:
a memory containing instructions; and
one or more processors configured to execute the instructions to:
receive a first input of a character in an input field, wherein the first input is a key press input representing an engagement of an electronic dome switch corresponding to the character;
generate a set of word prediction candidates associated with the first input;
display the set of word predictions on the display;
determine at least one unique character in each word prediction candidate, the at least one unique character enabling discrete selection of the word prediction candidate from the set of word prediction candidates;
display, for each displayed word prediction candidate, a particular visual indicia identifying the unique character included within the displayed word prediction candidate, wherein the particular visual indicia is displayed in a viewing pane of the display, and the viewing pane of the display is distinct from the keyboard pane of the display;
receive a second input of a single character, the second input comprising a tap input received by the keyboard at a key corresponding to the single character, the tap input comprising a touch event associated with the key which does not engage an electronic dome switch associated with the key;
determine that the single character of the second input corresponds to at least one unique character associated with a particular word prediction candidate; and
in response to the determination, automatically display the particular word prediction candidate in the input field.
12. The electronic device of claim 11 , wherein the tap input is a touch input for a duration less than or equal to a first time period.
13. The electronic device of claim 11 , wherein displaying visual indicia comprises displaying the unique character underlined.
14. The electronic device of claim 11 , wherein displaying visual indicia comprises displaying the unique character in a different color.
15. The electronic device of claim 11 , wherein displaying visual indicia comprises displaying a diagram of a keyboard layout with each word prediction candidate from the generated set of word prediction candidates displayed on a key of the keyboard layout diagram associated with the determined unique character in each respective word prediction candidate.
16. The electronic device of claim 15 , wherein the diagram additionally displays a location of one or more digits detected on the keyboard by capacitive sensors integrated within, situated above, or situated below the keys of said keyboard.
17. The electronic device of claim 11 , wherein determining a particular word prediction candidate from among the generated set of word prediction candidates based on the second input comprises:
comparing the input character to a first unique character of each word prediction candidate; and
determining whether the input character matches the first unique character of a particular one of the word prediction candidates.
18. The electronic device of claim 11 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
determine that the single character associated with the second input does not correspond with any of the displayed word prediction candidates;
generate additional word prediction candidates based on the first and second inputs received from the keyboard;
display the additional word prediction candidates on the display; and
provide an indication of a unique character in each additional displayed word prediction candidate to facilitate candidate selection.
19. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising instructions, when executed by an electronic device having a display displaying, in a keyboard pane of the display, a keyboard for receiving inputs, that cause the device to:
receive a first input of a character in an input field, wherein the first input is a key press input representing an engagement of an electronic dome switch corresponding to the character;
generate a set of word prediction candidates associated with the input;
display the set of word predictions on the display;
determine at least one unique character in each word prediction candidate, the at least one unique character enabling discrete selection of the word prediction candidate from the set of word prediction candidates;
display, for each displayed word prediction candidate, a particular visual indicia identifying the unique character included within the displayed word prediction candidate, wherein the particular visual indicia is displayed in a viewing pane of the display, and the viewing pane of the display is distinct from the keyboard pane of the display;
receive a second input of a single character, the second input comprising a tap input received by the keyboard at a key corresponding to the single character, the tap input comprising a touch event associated with the key which does not engage an electronic dome switch associated with the key;
determine that the single character of the second input corresponds to at least one determined unique character associated with a particular word prediction candidate; and
in response to the determination, automatically display the particular word prediction candidate in the input field.
20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 19 , wherein displaying visual indicia comprises displaying a diagram of a keyboard layout with each word prediction candidate from the generated set of word prediction candidates displayed on a key of the keyboard layout diagram associated with the determined unique character in each respective word prediction candidate.