Stroke syntax input device
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorLiam D. Comerford
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A pointing device-driven interface apparatus and method for enabling a user to enter data (in the form of options) into a computer system. User data files are maintained which indicate the relative frequency with which the user has entered sequences of options. The sequences are of a predetermined length. The user data is consulted to predict the most likely options to be entered next by the user. These options are presented to the user on a template. A stroke made by the user with the pointing device is then interpreted in light of the template and a syntax of strokes. An action associated with the interpretation is then carried out. An example of the action is communicating a character to a software application, updating the sequence, and repeating the consultation, presentation, interpretation and carrying out just described.
Claims3
A method for generating a word for display on a computer screen, comprising:
- (a) displaying a set of statistically most common initial characters, the set including fewer than all possible initial characters, and selecting one of the displayed characters if it is a desired character;
- (b) if the desired character is not displayed, refreshing the displayed characters with a set of statistically next most common initial characters until the desired character appears, and then selecting the desired character;
- (c) if an additional character is desired to be selected:
- (d) displaying a set of statistically most likely next characters, the set including fewer than all possible next characters, selecting one of the displayed characters if it is a desired next character, and if it is not the desired next character, refreshing the displayed characters with a set of statistically next most likely characters until the desired character is displayed, and selecting the desired next character;
- (e) if an additional character is desired, repeat step (d), otherwise, quit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.