Patent ID: 9747025
Date: 2017-08-29
CPC Classifications: G06F

Claim:
1. A method of modifying a size of a key on a keyboard displayed on a touch screen, the method comprising the steps of: a computer determining that a fingertip of a user is aligned with the key at a first proximity from the key or the touch screen, and in response, the computer enlarging the size of the key by a first enlargement amount; responsive to the fingertip moving closer to the key, the computer determining a second, closer proximity of the fingertip to the key or the touch screen and further enlarging the enlarged size of the key by a second enlargement amount to assist the user in touching the key and avoiding touching another, adjacent key on the keyboard; prior to the step of determining that the fingertip is aligned with the key at the first proximity, the computer initiating a display of the keyboard as covering a first surface area of the touch screen and including the key at an original size smaller than the enlarged size; based on the first proximity and prior to the step of determining the second proximity, the computer determining one or more keys that are originally included on a periphery of the display of the keyboard; based on the fingertip of the user being aligned with the key at the first proximity and the one or more keys being originally included on the periphery of the display of the keyboard, the computer moving the one or more keys on the touch screen, and in response to the step of moving, the computer removing the one or more keys from view on the touch screen so that the one or more keys are no longer included on the display of the keyboard; subsequent to the step of enlarging the size of the key, the computer retaining original sizes of a plurality of keys which are other than the one or more keys, the computer moving each of the plurality of keys on the display of the keyboard towards a corresponding edge of the touch screen, and the computer displaying the keyboard after the one or more keys are removed so that the displayed keyboard includes the moved plurality of keys having the original sizes and the key having the enlarged size, does not include the removed one or more keys, and covers a second surface area that is equal to the first surface area; subsequent to the steps of removing the one or more keys, moving the plurality of keys, and displaying the keyboard, the computer receiving an indication that the fingertip is in a position that exceeds a threshold distance from the touch screen; and responsive to the fingertip being in the position that exceeds the threshold distance, the computer re-displaying the keyboard as including the one or more keys that had been removed and the key at the original size.