Space optimizing micro keyboard method and apparatus

Abstract

Small virtual screen text editing is improved by a dynamic keyboard with far fewer, but far larger keys, each key representing a predictive partial word completion. The normally static keyboard becomes a keyboard menu, augmenting traditional word completion menus. A reduced key set displays only the most relevant keys, while retaining familiar structural patterns of standard layouts like QWERTY. Condensed layouts can include circular or alternating row menus and alphabetical formats. The apparatus continuously adjusts the number of keys, key sizes/shapes, predictive values and variable layouts to provide the most ergonomic, minimalist keyboard possible at any moment. Keys display normal default values concatenated with supplemental predictive characters; each key represents the longest common building block of likely intended, predicted words derivable from the key's normal default value. More relevant keys represent components of larger numbers of possible predicted words; the more relevant the key, the relatively larger the key size.

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