Patent ID: 8754861

Claim:
A method, comprising: outputting, by a processor, for display, a plurality of geometric shapes; outputting, for display, each of a plurality of characters, each respective character from the plurality of characters being output for display at a respective predefined location outside a perimeter of a respective geometric shape from the plurality of geometric shapes, the respective character being associated with the respective geometric shape, wherein: each respective character is associated with the respective geometric shape based on the respective character being displayed in a text area responsive to an indication of a sliding input originating at the respective geometric shape and in a direction of the respective character; each of the plurality of characters is displayed such that it does not overlap with any geometric shape, and none of the plurality of characters are included inside any geometric shape, and the plurality of characters is displayed consistent with a conventional QWERTY keyboard; receiving, at the processor, an indication of a sliding input; determining that the sliding input is associated with one of the plurality of geometric shapes and is in a direction associated with one of the plurality of characters positioned outside the perimeter of the one of the plurality of geometric shapes, the one of the plurality of characters positioned outside the perimeter of the one of the plurality of geometric shapes; and based on the sliding input, outputting, for display, the one of the plurality of characters.