WO2019232735A1

WO2019232735A1 - On-screen display (osd) keyboard input method editor (ime)

Info

Publication number: WO2019232735A1
Application number: PCT/CN2018/090200
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wenxin Huang; Ren ZHANG; Ai ZHANG
Original assignee: Beijing Thomson Commerce Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2018-06-07
Filing date: 2018-06-07
Publication date: 2019-12-12

Abstract

A device is described for use with an on-screen display. The device includes a first button configured to switch between a plurality of modes. A plurality of second buttons are configured to display a first set of symbols. The first set of symbols are based on a selection probability for each symbol to be used in a word.

Description

ON-SCREEN DISPLAY (OSD) KEYBOARD INPUT METHOD EDITOR (IME)

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure generally relates to an on-screen display (OSD) and, more specifically, to an input method editor for use with the on-screen display.

BACKGROUND

It is sometimes time consuming to use a remote-control unit (e.g., IR (Infrared) or BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) ) to manipulate an on-screen keyboard (OSK) displayed on a display device (e.g., on a TV screen) . The on-screen keyboard (OSK) may be for example an alphanumeric on-screen keyboard (of any type: AZERTY, QWERTY, etc. ) . Such alphanumeric on-screen keyboards typically include several rows and several columns arranged as a grid.

The remote-control unit (RCU) controls the movement of a cursor on the on-screen keyboard (grid) based on signals transmitted therefrom. The signals are transmitted when directional keys (e.g., “↑ arrow” , “→ arrow, “↓ arrow” and “← arrow” keys of a D-pad (Directional pad) ) followed by an “ENTER” key on the remote-control unit are activated. The arrow keys move the cursor along the rows and columns of the on-screen keyboard and then the “ENTER” key confirms the selected letter as each letter of a word is spelled out one by one on the on-screen keyboard for entry to the On-Screen interface.

The limited number of directional keys necessitates that a lot of time is spent inputting information using the on-screen keyboard with a remote-control unit. For example, to enter “tea” on a QWERTY keyboard starting with the cursor at the letter G requires nine (9) keystrokes (e.g., “↑ arrow” , “ENTER” , “← arrow” , “← arrow” , “ENTER” , “↓ arrow” , “← arrow” , “← arrow” , “ENTER” ) to finish input. Such data entry is time consuming.

It will thus be appreciated that there is a desire to improve the ergonomics of an on-screen display (OSD) utilizing a remote-control unit (RCU) , in terms of performance.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the disclosure, a device is described for use with an on-screen display. The device includes a first button configured to switch between a plurality of modes. A plurality of second buttons are configured to display a first set of symbols. The first set of symbols are based on a selection probability for each symbol to be used in a word.

In another embodiment, the plurality of second buttons is further configured to display a second set of symbols when the first button is switched to a different one of the plurality of modes.

In another embodiment, the second set of symbols is based on word analysis probability for a previously selected symbol of the first set of symbols.

In another embodiment, the first set of symbols is a letter selected from the English alphabet.

In another embodiment, the second set of symbols is a letter selected from the English alphabet.

In another embodiment, the plurality of modes is selected from the group consisting of UP, DOWN, SHIFT, SPACE, BACKSPACE, LEFT, RIGHT and FINISH ENTERING.

According to a second aspect of the disclosure, a system is described including a device and a display. The device is for use with an on-screen display and includes a first button configured to switch between a plurality of modes. A plurality of second buttons are configured to display a first set of symbols. The first set of symbols are based on a selection probability for each symbol to be used in a word.

In another embodiment, the selected symbols are displayed on the display.

According to a third aspect of the disclosure, a method is described including a device for use with an on-screen display. The device includes a first button configured to switch between a plurality of modes. A plurality of second buttons are configured to display a first set of symbols. The first set of symbols are based on a selection probability for each symbol to be used in a word.

In another embodiment, the selected symbols are displayed on a display.

Some processes implemented by elements of the disclosure may be computer implemented. Accordingly, such elements may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, microcode, etc. ) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as “system” , “module” or system. Furthermore, such elements may take the form of a computer program product embodied in any tangible medium of expression having computer usable program code embodied in the medium.

Since element of the present disclosure can be implemented in software, the present disclosure can be embodied as computer readable code for provision to a programmable apparatus on any suitable carrier medium. A tangible carrier medium may comprise a storage medium such as a floppy disk, a CD-ROM, a hard disk drive, a magnetic tape device or a solid-state memory device and the like. A transient carrier medium may include a signal such as, an electrical signal, an optical signal, an acoustic signal, a magnetic signal or an electromagnetic signal, e.g., a microwave or RF signal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be described or become apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote similar elements throughout the views:

FIG. 1 illustrates a system according to an embodiment of the present principles;

FIG. 2 illustrates a partial view of a device according to an embodiment of the present principles;

FIG. 3 (a) depicts the probability for a letter to be used as the first letter of an English word;

FIG. 3 (b) depicts the probability for a letter to be used in an English word;

FIGS. 4 (a) -4 (d) depict exemplary keystrokes according to one embodiment of the disclosure; and

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 illustrates a system 200 according to an embodiment of the present principles. The system includes a device 210 and an input device 220. Also illustrated is a non-transitory computer-readable medium 230 that stores program code instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of a method according to the present principles.

The device 210 can for example be a television (TV) or a set-top-box. The device 210 includes a user input interface 211, at least one hardware processor ( “processor” ) 212, memory 213, a network interface 214 and a display interface 215. The interfaces are at least partly implemented in hardware. It will be appreciated that parts of the device 210 that are not useful for understanding the present principles are not illustrated for the sake of brevity of description.

The user input interface 211 is typically wireless and configured to receive input from the input device 220 and to provide received input to the processor 212. The processor 212 is configured to execute the program code instructions to perform the method according to the present principles described with reference to Figure 2. The memory 213 is configured to store the program code instructions for execution by the processor 212 and to store data. The network interface 214 can be wired or wireless and is configured to allow communication between the processor 212 and at least one device in an external network (not shown) to obtain content for display to a user. Such content may be movies, television programs, which will be used as non-limitative examples. The display interface 215 can be wired or wireless and is configured to output content for display on a screen 240. In case the device 210 is a television, the screen 240 is included in the device, but this is not so in case the device 210 is a device such as a set-top-box that provides information for display on a separate screen. It will be noted that a television may also have a display interface for displaying information on a separate screen (not shown) .

The input device 220 can be a conventional remote-control unit with buttons for directions (up-down-left-right) , power on and off, volume control and digits 0-9 for inputting channel numbers. Additionally, with reference to Figure 2, the remote-control unit includes a center button 320 surrounded by a plurality of

buttons

325, 330. Figure 2 depicts four (4) buttons surrounding the center button 320. However, more or fewer buttons surrounding the center button 320 are contemplated.

The center button 320 is configured to switch between a plurality of modes. For example, the center button 320 may be activated to switch between symbols 330 (SHIFT, SPACE, BACKSPACE, FINISH) and English alphabet letters 325. Additionally, other symbols and alphabets are also contemplated and may be used rather than those depicted in Figure 2.

The center button 320 may switch between the plurality of modes based on an activation time for such center button 320. For example, a longer activation time is used for switching between modes (English alphabet letters and Commands) , while a shorter activation time is used for switching between sets of letters displayed on the plurality of buttons 325 or sets of commands displayed on the plurality of buttons 330 surrounding the center button 320. The activation time for switching modes is variable and depends on user preference.

In one embodiment, the mode activation time is greater than 2 seconds, so depressing the center button 320 for longer than 2 seconds will switch modes between commands and English alphabet letters. Additionally, depressing the center button 320 for less than 2 seconds will display various sets of English alphabet letters on the plurality of buttons 325 surrounding the center button 320.

Referring to Figures 3 (a) and 3 (b) , the English alphabet letters may be depicted on the buttons 325 based on use probabilities. For example, Figure 3 (a) illustrates the probability for a letter to be used as the first letter of an English word. For such an embodiment, the highest probability letters can be displayed on the plurality of buttons 325 as a first set, thereafter a second set including letters having the next higher probabilities can be displayed on the plurality of buttons 325.

Alternatively, the probability for a letter to be used in an English word may be depicted on the buttons 325. Figure 3 (b) illustrates the probability for a letter to be used in an English word. For such an embodiment, the highest probability letters can be displayed on the plurality of buttons 325 as a first set, thereafter a second set including letters having the next higher probabilities can be displayed on the plurality of buttons 325.

FIGS. 4 (a) -4 (d) depict exemplary keystrokes according to one embodiment of the disclosure. For example, the word “tea” would require four keystrokes as described below. In Figure 4 (a) , a set of English alphabet letters t 420, o 435, a 430 and h 425 are displayed based on the probability for a letter to be used as the first letter of an English word. The letter “t” 420 is displayed on this set of buttons and is activated to display on the on-screen display (not shown) when selected for the first keystroke. For the next letter in the word, the center button 410 is activated for a time less than 2 seconds for the second keystroke, as shown in Figure 4 (b) . In this embodiment, activating the center button 410 for less than 2 seconds will display another set of English alphabet letters. In this exemplary embodiment, the letters e 440, o 445, i 450 and a 455 are displayed on the plurality of buttons surrounding the center button 410 as shown in Figure 4 (c) . The letter “e” 440 is displayed on this set of buttons and is activated to display on the on-screen display (not shown) when selected for the third keystroke. Referring to Figure 4 (d) , the first set of English alphabet letters is redisplayed t 470, o 465, a 460 and h 475. The letter “a” 460 is displayed on this set of buttons and is activated to display on the on-screen display (not shown) when selected for the fourth keystroke.

Figure 5 provides an associated flow chart of one methodology in accordance with one aspect of the disclosure. In step 510, a first letter is selected from a first set of letters having the highest probability of being selected for a word. Thereafter, in step 520, selecting a second letter from a second set of letters when a button is activated to display a second set of letters having the next higher probabilities to be used in a word. Repeating step 520 until the desired word is completed and displayed on an on-screen display (not shown) , as in step 530.

It should be understood that the elements shown in the figures may be implemented in various forms of hardware, software or combinations thereof. Preferably, these elements are implemented in a combination of hardware and software on one or more appropriately programmed general-purpose devices, which may include a processor, memory and input/output interfaces.

The present description illustrates the principles of the present disclosure. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the disclosure and are included within its scope.

All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for educational purposes and to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the disclosure and the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, and re to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions.

Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the disclosure as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future, i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure.

Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the block diagrams presented herein represent conceptual views of illustrative circuitry embodying the principles of the disclosure. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow charts, flow diagrams, and the like represent various processes which may be substantially represented in computer readable media and so executed by a computer or processor, whether or not such computer or processor is explicitly shown.

The functions of the various elements shown in the figures may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing software in association with appropriate software. When provided by a processor, the functions may be provided by a single dedicated processor, by a single shared processor, or by a plurality of individual processors, some of which may be shared. Moreover, explicit use of the term “processor” or “controller” should not be construed to refer exclusively to hardware capable of executing software, and may implicitly include, without limitation, digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, read only memory (ROM) for storing software, random access memory (RAM) , and non-volatile storage.

Other hardware, conventional and/or custom, may also be included. Similarly, any switches shown in the figures are conceptual only. Their function may be carried out through the operation of program logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of program control and dedicated logic, or even manually, the particular technique being selectable by the implementer as more specifically understood from the context.

In the claims hereof, any element expressed as a means for performing a specified function is intended to encompass any way of performing that function including, for example, a) a combination of circuit elements that performs that function or b) software in any form, including, therefore, firmware, microcode or the like, combined with appropriate circuitry for executing that software to perform the function. The disclosure as defined by such claims resides in the fact that the functionalities provided by the various recited means are combined and brought together in the manner which the claims call for. It is thus regarded that any means that can provide those functionalities are equivalent to those shown herein.

Claims

A device, comprising:

a first button configured to switch between a plurality of modes; and

a plurality of second buttons, wherein each of the plurality of second buttons is configured to display a first set of symbols based on a selection probability for each symbol to be selected.
The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of second buttons is further configured to display a second set of symbols when the first button is switched to a different one of the plurality of modes.
The device of claim 2, wherein the second set of symbols is based on word analysis probability for a previously selected symbol of a first set of symbols.
The device of claim 1, wherein the first set of symbols is a letter selected from the English alphabet.
The device of claim 2, wherein the second set of symbols is a letter selected from the English alphabet.
The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of modes is selected from the group consisting of UP, DOWN, SHIFT, SPACE, BACKSPACE, LEFT, RIGHT and FINISH ENTERING.
A system including a device and a display, the device comprising:

a first button configured to switch between a plurality of modes; and

a plurality of second buttons, wherein each of the plurality of second buttons is configured to display a first set of symbols based on a selection probability for each symbol to be selected.
The system of claim 7, wherein the plurality of second buttons is further configured to display a second set of symbols when the first button is switched to a different one of the plurality of modes.
The system of claim 8, wherein the second set of symbols is based on word analysis probability for a previously selected symbol of a first set of symbols.
The system of claim 7, wherein the first set of symbols is a letter selected from the English alphabet.
The system of claim 8, wherein the second set of symbols is a letter selected from the English alphabet.
The system of claim 7, wherein the plurality of modes is selected from the group consisting of UP, DOWN, SHIFT, SPACE, BACKSPACE, LEFT, RIGHT and FINISH ENTERING.
A method, comprising:

providing a first button on a device configured to switch between a plurality of modes; and

providing a plurality of second buttons, wherein each of the plurality of second buttons is configured to display a first set of symbols based on a selection probability for each symbol to be selected.
The method of claim 13, wherein the plurality of second buttons is further configured to display a second set of symbols when the first button is switched to a different one of the plurality of modes.
The method of claim 14, wherein the second set of symbols is based on word analysis probability for a previously selected symbol of a first set of symbols.
The method of claim 13, wherein the first set of symbols is a letter selected from the English alphabet.
The method of claim 14, wherein the second set of symbols is a letter selected from the English alphabet.
The method of claim 13, wherein the plurality of modes is selected from the group consisting of UP, DOWN, SHIFT, SPACE, BACKSPACE, LEFT, RIGHT and FINISH ENTERING.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores program code instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the method according to claim 13.