Input pattern detection over virtual keyboard for candidate word identification

A computer-implemented method for inputting text into an electronic device, the method comprising:

• displaying a virtual keyboard comprising a plurality of keys arranged in a plurality of pre-defined non-overlapping groups on a display screen, each pre-defined non-overlapping group allocated an associated one of a plurality of unique identifier codes, one or more characters being associated with each of said keys;
• detecting an input pattern generated by a user on the display screen over the plurality of pre-defined non-overlapping groups of the virtual keyboard;
• generating an initial list of candidates based on a sequence of the plurality unique identifier codes corresponding to the input pattern over the plurality of pre-defined non-overlapping groups;
• generating a character string corresponding to the input pattern;
• and
• filtering the character string to identify valid and/or invalid combinations of characters within the character string;
• and
• generating a filtered list of candidates by:
• matching the initial list of candidates to the valid combinations of characters;
• and
• for a candidate in the initial list:
• identifying a plurality of parts of the candidate that have associated path lengths that fall within an upper path length threshold and a lower path length threshold, wherein the plurality of parts form a sequence, and wherein each next part in the sequence has a same set of characters as a prior part in the sequence and an additional character of the candidate;
• determining a plurality of string distances, each string distance being between a respective one of the plurality of parts and the input pattern;
• identifying a part from among the plurality of parts that has a best string distance from among the plurality of string distances;
• and
• adding the candidate to the filtered list based on a comparison between the best string distance and a string distance threshold.

A computer-implemented method for inputting text into an electronic device, the method comprising:

• displaying a virtual keyboard comprising a plurality of keys arranged in a plurality of pre-defined non-overlapping groups on a touchscreen display, each pre-defined non-overlapping group allocated an associated one of a plurality of unique identifier codes one or more characters being associated with each key;
• receiving a user input that contacts the touchscreen display and moves over the plurality of pre-defined non-overlapping groups of the virtual keyboard to form a continuous input pattern over the plurality of pre-defined non-overlapping groups;
• collecting X,Y coordinates of a plurality of contact points in response to the movement of the user input over the plurality of pre-defined non-overlapping groups;
• detecting the continuous input pattern and registering a respective one of the plurality of unique identifier codes to a sequence when the input pattern traces over a key in a group of the plurality of pre-defined non-overlapping groups associated with the respective one of the plurality of unique identifiers based on collecting the X,Y coordinates;
• identifying one or more candidates to be input into the electronic device based on the continuous input pattern and the sequence;
• and
• for a candidate of the one or more candidates:
• identifying a plurality of parts of the candidate that have associated path lengths that fall within an upper path length threshold and a lower path length threshold, wherein the plurality of parts form a sequence, and wherein each next part in the sequence has a same set of characters as a prior part in the sequence and an additional character of the candidate;
• determining a plurality of string distances, each string distance being between a respective one of the plurality of parts and the input pattern;
• identifying a part from among the plurality of parts that has a best string distance from among the plurality of string distances;
• and
• adding the candidate to a list for output by the electronic device based on a comparison between the best string distance and a string distance threshold.

A computing device comprising an electronic processor configured to execute instructions to:

• display a virtual keyboard comprising a plurality of keys arranged in a plurality of pre-defined non-overlapping groups on a display screen, each pre-defined non-overlapping group allocated an associated one of a plurality of unique identifier codes, one or more characters being associated with each of said keys;
• detect an input pattern generated by a user on the display screen over the plurality of pre-defined non-overlapping groups of the virtual keyboard;
• encode the input pattern by generating a sequence of the plurality of unique identifier codes corresponding to the input pattern over the plurality of pre-defined non-overlapping groups;
• identify one or more candidates to be input into the electronic device based on the encoded input pattern;
• and
• for a candidate of the one or more candidates:
• identify a plurality of parts of the candidate that have associated path lengths that fall within an upper path length threshold and a lower path length threshold, wherein the plurality of parts form a sequence, and wherein each next part in the sequence has a same set of characters as a prior part in the sequence and an additional character of the candidate;
• determine a plurality of string distances, each string distance being between a respective one of the plurality of parts and the input pattern;
• identify a part from among the plurality of parts that has a best string distance from among the plurality of string distances;
• and
• add the candidate to a list for output by the electronic device based on a comparison between the best string distance and a string distance threshold.