Method and apparatus for word prediction using the position of a non-typing digit

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses are provided for improving word prediction in an electronic device. User input of one or more characters is received via a capacitive physical keyboard having a plurality of input members. Concurrently, the device determines the location of a non-typing digit, such as the user's finger or a stylus. Word prediction candidates are generated and weighted, and candidates that have subsequent characters associated with the input member proximal to the location of the non-typing digit are given more weight. The word prediction candidates are displayed, a second user input is then received comprising a selection of one of the candidates, and the device displays the selected word prediction candidate on the display.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method for operating an electronic device having a display and a keyboard having a plurality of input members for receiving inputs, comprising:
 receiving an input of one or more characters by a first typing digit;   detecting a first position of a non-typing digit while receiving the input by the first typing digit, wherein the non-typing digit is a digit other than the typing digit;   generating a motion vector for the non-typing digit based on the first position and a second position of the non-typing digit;   determining based on the motion vector and the second position a likely next input character; and   generating at least one word prediction candidate based on the input and the likely next input character.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 receiving a selection of a word prediction candidate; and   in response to the selection, displaying the selected candidate in an input field on the display.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 displaying visual indicia of a character within each displayed word prediction candidate corresponding to an input member proximal to the detected position of the non-typing digit.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising weighting the word prediction candidates based on a geographical location of a user. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising weighting word prediction candidates in which a next character corresponds to an input member located under the non-typing digit greater than word prediction candidates in which a character following the next character corresponds to the input member located under the non-typing digit. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein detecting the first position of the non-typing digit comprises:
 detecting one or more X-Y coordinate pairs associated with the non-typing digit;   selecting one of the coordinate pairs; and   selecting an input member associated with the selected coordinate pair.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the position is sensed by capacitive sensors integrated with, situated above, or situated under the input members. 
     
     
         24 . A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions to cause a processor to perform operations comprising:
 receiving an input of one or more characters by a first typing digit;   detecting a first position of a non-typing digit while receiving the input by the first typing digit, wherein the non-typing digit is a digit other than the typing digit;   generating a motion vector for the non-typing digit based on the first position and a second position of the non-typing digit;   determining based on the motion vector and the second position a likely next input character; and   generating at least one word prediction candidate based on the input and the likely next input character.   
     
     
         25 . The computer readable medium of  claim 24 , further comprising:
 receiving a selection of a word prediction candidate; and   in response to the selection, displaying the selected candidate in an input field on the display.   
     
     
         26 . The computer readable medium of  claim 24 , further comprising:
 displaying visual indicia of a character within each displayed word prediction candidate corresponding to an input member proximal to the detected position of the non-typing digit.   
     
     
         27 . The computer readable medium of  claim 24 , further comprising weighting the word prediction candidates based on a geographical location of a user. 
     
     
         28 . The computer readable medium of  claim 24 , further comprising weighting word prediction candidates in which a next character corresponds to an input member located under the non-typing digit greater than word prediction candidates in which a character following the next character corresponds to the input member located under the non-typing digit. 
     
     
         29 . The computer readable medium of  claim 24 , wherein detecting the first position of the non-typing digit comprises:
 detecting one or more X-Y coordinate pairs associated with the non-typing digit;   selecting one of the coordinate pairs; and   selecting an input member associated with the selected coordinate pair.   
     
     
         30 . The computer readable medium of  claim 24 , wherein the position is sensed by capacitive sensors integrated with, situated above, or situated under the input members. 
     
     
         31 . An apparatus, comprising:
 memory;   a keyboard having a plurality of input members for receiving inputs; and   one or more processors configured to:
 receive an input of one or more characters by a first typing digit; 
 detect a first position of a non-typing digit while receiving the input by the first typing digit, wherein the non-typing digit is a digit other than the typing digit; 
 generate a motion vector for the non-typing digit based on the first position and a second position of the non-typing digit; 
 determine based on the motion vector and the second position a likely next input character; and 
 generate at least one word prediction candidate based on the input and the likely next input character. 
   
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , the one or more processors further configured to:
 receive a selection of a word prediction candidate; and   in response to the selection, display the selected candidate in an input field on the display.   
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , the one or more processors further configured to:
 display visual indicia of a character within each displayed word prediction candidate corresponding to an input member proximal to the detected position of the non-typing digit.   
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , further comprising weighting the word prediction candidates based on a geographical location of a user. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , the one or more processors further configured to weight word prediction candidates in which a next character corresponds to an input member located under the non-typing digit greater than word prediction candidates in which a character following the next character corresponds to the input member located under the non-typing digit. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein detecting the first position of the non-typing digit, the one or more processors further configured to:
 detect one or more X-Y coordinate pairs associated with the non-typing digit;   select one of the coordinate pairs; and   select an input member associated with the selected coordinate pair.   
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , further comprising capacitive sensors integrated with, situated above, or situated under the input members.