GB2520700A

GB2520700A - Method and system for text input on a computing device

Info

Publication number: GB2520700A
Application number: GB1320953.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ryan Graham
Original assignee: TEXTHELP Ltd
Current assignee: TEXTHELP Ltd
Priority date: 2013-11-27
Filing date: 2013-11-27
Publication date: 2015-06-03
Anticipated expiration: 2033-11-27
Also published as: GB2520700B; GB201320953D0

Abstract

A method of inputting a character string comprises displaying a list with at least one string of at least one character in response to user contact at a first location; and in response to user movement - without disengagement from the screen to a second location corresponding to a selected string from the first list, displaying a second list of strings, which are associated with the first. The selected string is input on the user disengaging from the screen. Further lists may be displayed on selection of items from a previous list, with the list contents being related to the selected item. The display may be a virtual keyboard, with contact made on one of the keys with the keyboard being removed after user contact and/or if there is insufficient space to display the list(s). The system may be used for selecting a desired word after inputting a key on a virtual keyboard on a touch-screen, after which a list of predicted words which may follow the selected character are shown for selection; after selection of the first word, further words may be displayed for selection.

Description

Method and System for Text Input on a Computing Device

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to input of character strings, such as text, on a computing device, especially those having a touch screen display.

Background to the Invention

Current text input applications on portable electronic devices utilize touch points displayed on screen which map to individual characters. When a touch point on the device display is pressed by the end user, the touch point is processed and corresponding mapped character appears on screen. Further sequences of characters can be processed to produce entire words that appear on screen in individual touch point areas that can be selected by the user by pressing the corresponding touch point. This is known as "predictive text". Currently available implementations of predictive text require the end user to disengage with the touch screen display and reengage at a new touch point in-order to input the next word. Sentences are constructed by engaging with the display at one touch point, disengaging then reengaging at a new touch point.

It would be desirable to provide an improved text input system and method.

Summary of the Invention

A first aspect of the invention provides a method of inputting at least one character string to a computer system using a touch sensitive screen, the method comprising: displaying, in response to detecting user contact at a first contact location on said screen, a first list of at least one string of at least one character, said at least one string being associated with said first contact location; displaying, in response to detecting movement of said user contact without disengagement from said screen from said first contact location to a second contact location corresponding to a selected one of said at least one strings in said first list, a second list of at least one string of at least one character, said at least one string of said second list being associated with said selected string of said first list; and inputting at least said selected string to said computer system in response to detecting disengagement of said screen by said user.

A second aspect of the invention provides a computer system comprising a touch sensitive screen, the system comprising: means for displaying, in response to detecting user contact at a first contact location on said screen, a first list of at least one string of at least one character, said at least one string being associated with said first contact location; means for displaying, in response to detecting movement of said user contact without disengagement from said screen from said first contact location to a second contact location corresponding to a selected one of said at least one strings in said first list, a second list of at least one string of at least one character, said at least one string of said second list being associated with said selected string of said first list; and means for inputting at least said selected string to said computer system in response to detecting disengagement of said screen by said user.

Athird aspect of the invention provides a computing device comprising the computersystem of the second aspect of the invention.

A fourth aspect of the invention provides a computing device comprising a touch sensitive screen and being configured to execute computer program code for performing the method of the first aspect of the invention.

A fifth aspect of the invention provides a method of inputting at least one character string to a computer system using a touch sensitive screen, the method comprising: displaying on said screen at least one list comprising at least one string of at least one character; displaying, in response to at least one detected movement of user contact without disengagement from said screen from a current contact location corresponding to a selected string of one of said at least one list to another contact location corresponding to a selected string in another of said lists, a further instance of said lists, said at least one string of said further list instance being associated with said selected string of said another list, wherein said at least one string of said another of said lists is associated with the selected string of corresponding to said current contact location.

A sixth aspect of the invention provides a computer system comprising means for performing the method of the fifth aspect of the invention.

A seventh aspect of the invention provides a computing device comprising the computer system of the sixth aspect of the invention.

An eighth aspect of the invention provides a computing device comprising a touch sensitive screen and being configured to execute computer program code for performing the method of the fifth aspect of the invention.

Preferred features are recited in the dependent claims.

Preferred embodiments of the invention provide a predictive text on screen keyboard for portable devices having a touch screen display which allows for the inputting of entire sentences using a single engagement with the touch screen display.

Further advantageous aspects of the invention will be apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of a specific embodiment and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An embodiment of the invention is now described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram of a computing device embodying one aspect of the invention and suitable for supporting other aspects of the present invention; Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating in more detail a typical embodiment of the computing device of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a graphical representation of a virtual keyboard displayed on the screen of the computing device; Figure 4 is a graphical representation of the virtual keyboard in response to a first touch of a user; Figure 5 is a graphical representation of the virtual keyboard in response to the first touch, further illustrating a word suggestion list displayed on the screen of the computing device, and illustrating possible movements of the engagement point by the user; Figure 6 shows a second word suggestion list appearing on the screen of the computing device in response to the user moving the engagement point to the position of a word in the first suggestion list, and further show a possible further movement the location of the engagement point by the user; Figure 7 shows a third word list and the end user moving the engagement point to a location of a Figure 8 shows a fourth word list and the end user moving the engagement point to a location of a word in the fourth list, and further shows the removal of the first word suggestion list from the screen; Figure 9 shows a fifth word list and the end user moving the engagement point to a location of a word in the fifth list, and further shows the removal of the first and second word suggestion lists from the screen; Figure 10 shows the screen as it might appear when the end user disengages with the touch screen, and further shows the exemplary words selected by the user from the suggestion word lists; and Figure 11 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of a preferred method embodying one aspect of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Referring now to Figure 1 of the drawings there is shown, generally indicated as 10, a computer system of the type commonly found in computing devices, including desktop computers (e.g. PC5), portable computers (e.g. laptops), handheld computers (e.g. tablets, smart phones and PDA5) and other electronic devices (e.g. satellite navigation systems and games consoles). Only those components are shown that are helpful in understanding the present invention. The computer system is equipped to support the running of computer programs, typically including applications software and systems software. To this end, it includes a central processing unit (CPU) 12 and at least one memory device 14 (only one shown) for storing computer program code. During use, the CPU 12 executes the code in conventional manner. In Figure 1, the CPU 12 is shown as having a processor 16 (0rALU) and controller 18 for this purpose. The CPU 12 may also include an interface 20 for interfacing with peripheral devices, although the peripheral interface may alternatively be provided elsewhere in the system 10. The system 10 further includes a touch operated electronic visual display device 22, commonly referred to as a touch screen. The display device 22 supports user interaction with the system 10, and in particular with software running on the system 10, via a touch-sensitive screen. Hence the display device 22 may be referred to as an input/output (I/O) device.

The system 10 includes an I/O subsystem 24 which supports the interaction of the touch screen 12 with the rest of the system 10, and typically includes a touch screen controller 26. In the example of Figure 1, the I/O subsystem 24 communicates with the CPU 12 via the peripherals interface 20.

Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown an alternative view of the system 10 illustrating a typical computer architecture that may be used to support embodiments of the present invention, the system 10 being part of a computing device, for example of any of the types mentioned above. The display device 22 has a touch-sensitive screen 28 by which information and graphics can be displayed to a user (not shown), and which is responsive to the user's touch to accept user inputs.

The I/O subsystem 24 and touch screen controller 26 comprise an I/O device position sensor module 30, a virtual keyboard driver 32, an I/O device position feedback module 34, an I/O device user interface module 36 and an I/O device user settings module 38, all of which support the operation of the display device 22 and which may be implemented in any conventional manner. The memory 14 comprises a primary memory 14', typically RAM, and a secondary memory 14", for example a hard disk drive. Computer program code (not illustrated) that may be used to implement the present invention may be stored in the secondary memory 14" and copied to the primary memory 14' for execution by the CPU 12.

It will be understood that the specific architectures illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 are not limiting to the invention, which may be used with any other suitable computer system architecture.

The system 10 is programmed to support the display and operation of a graphical user interface (GUI) on the screen 28 and to support user interaction with the GUI via the touch screen 28. As is described in more detail below, the preferred GUI includes a virtual keyboard 40, an input field 42 and one or more lists 46, 50, 54, 58, 62 of character strings 48, 52, 56, 60, 64. In particular, the system 10 is programmed to support the interaction of a user (not shown) with the system 10 by touching the touch screen 28 in order to input multiple character strings. In typical embodiments, each character string comprises one or more alphanumeric characters, e.g. text. For example, each character string may comprise a word, and the user may input multiple words to make a sentence.

However, the invention is not limited to inputting words or sentences and may alternatively be used to input numbers, symbols or any other computer renderable characters and strings of one or more characters.

Figure 3 shows how the virtual keyboard 40 may look before user interaction. It will be understood that the composition and appearance of the keyboard 40 may take any suitable form and are not limited to those shown in the accompanying drawings. The input field 42 may or may not always be displayed when the keyboard 40 is displayed but is typically displayed at least while the user is inputting character(s) via the keyboard 40.

Figure 4 illustrates the user's first contact with the touch screen 28, which involves touching (e.g. with a suitable object, typically a finger or a stylus (not shown), a location on the screen 28 corresponding to a desired key 44 of the keyboard 40. In this example, the location corresponds to the virtual key "c'. The character corresponding to the selected key 44 may optionally be displayed in the input field 42 in response to the user's touch. However, in preferred embodiments, the system is programmed to accept a valid input only upon disengagement of the screen 28 by the user, e.g. by lifting his finger, stylus or other object off the screen 28. Hence, even if a character(s) is displayed in the field 42 it does not constitute an input to the system 10 while the user maintains (continuous) contact with the screen 28.

Referring to Figures, in response to the user's first contact, the system 10 is programmed to display, on the screen 28, a first list 46 of one or more strings of one or more characters 48 associated with the selected key 44. In the preferred embodiment, assuming that the user is inputting a sentence, each character string 48 in the list 46 is a word that begins with the letter corresponding to the selected key 44. The system 10 is programmed such that the first list 46 remains displayed in response to detection by the system 10 that the user maintains contact with the touch-sensitive screen 28. The user may select one of the strings 48 in the list 46 by dragging the touching object (e.g. finger or stylus) across the screen 28, while maintaining contact with its touch sensitive surface, until the touching object reaches the location on the screen 28 corresponding to the desired string 48 in the displayed first list 46. This is illustrated by way of example by arrow A in Figure 5, which shows selection of the word "Can".

In response to determining that user contact has been maintained since first contact and that the user contact location corresponds to one of the displayed strings 48, the system 10 displays a second list 50 of one or more strings 52 of one or more characters associated with the selected character string 48 from the first list 46. In the preferred embodiment, assuming that the user is inputting a sentence, each character string 52 in the list 50 is a word that commonly follows the previously selected word 48 from the first list 46 in a typical sentence. The system 10 is programmed such that the second list 50, and optionally also the first list 46, remains displayed in response to detection by the system 10 that the user maintains contact with the touch-sensitive screen 28. The user may select one of the strings 52 in the list 50 by dragging the touching object across the screen 28, while maintaining contact with its touch sensitive surface, until the touching object reaches the location on the screen 28 corresponding to the desired string 52 in the displayed second list 50. This is illustrated by way of example by arrow B in Figure 6, which shows selection of the word "we".

In response to determining that user contact has been maintained since first contact and that the current user contact location corresponds to one of the displayed strings in the most recently displayed list, the system 10 may display one or more further lists of strings, and enable user selection of strings therefrom, in the same manner described for the second list 50.

By way of example, Figure 7 shows the display of a third list 54 of words 56 that commonly follow the selected word 52 from the second list 50, and the selection of a word 56 ("call") from that list 54 by the user dragging the touch object across the screen 28 (arrow C). Figure 8 shows the display of a fourth list 58 of words 60 that commonly follow the selected word 56 from the third list 54, and the selection of a word 60 ("the") from that list 58 by the user dragging the touch object across the screen 28 (arrow D). Figure 9 shows the display of a fifth list 62 of words 64 that commonly follow the selected word 60 from the fourth list 58, and the selection of a word 64 ("doctor") from that list 62 by the user dragging the touch object across the screen 28 (arrow E).

The system 10 is programmed to accept an input from the user only upon disengagement by the user of the touch object from the screen 28. At the time when the user disengages, the or each string (or character if the user disengages after only selecting a character key 44) selected by the user is taken as the user input to the system. When more than one string has been selected, the selected strings are combined to form a multiple string input in which the strings are arranged in order of their selection. Hence, in the present example, the multiple string input "Can we call the doctor" is input to the system 10.

When the user disengages with the screen 28, the keyboard 40 is preferably displayed, and the last displayed list 62 preferably remains on display, as shown in Figure 10 for example. In response to the user making a further initial contact with a screen location corresponding to the displayed list 62, a new list (not shown) may be displayed having one or more selectable strings that are associated with the string 64 corresponding to the location of the contact point on the displayed list 62.

Alternatively, in response to the user making a further initial contact with a screen location corresponding to a key 44 of the keypad 40, the displayed list 62 may be regenerated to comprise strings that are associated with the selected key 44, e.g. words that begin with the letter of the selected key 44.

Optionally, the or each string selected by the user are taken as the user input only if the touch object disengages when it is as a location corresponding to the most recently selected string. So for example with reference to Figure 9, if the user moves the contact point of the touch object off the displayed lists before disengaging the screen 28, then the system 10 does not register any user input. Alternatively, the system 10 may accept as the user input all of the strings that had been validly selected up until the time of disengagement.

Optionally, the system 10 may display the or each string 48, 52, 56, 60, 64 as it is selected by the user. Alternatively, the or each selected string 48, 52, 56, 60, 64 is displayed only when the user disengages the touch object from the screen 28 (Figure 10). In either case, the strings are preferably displayed in order of their selection (e.g. as a sentence or part sentence).

Optionally, the system 10 may remove one or more of the displayed lists 46, 50, 54, 58, 62 after it has been used, for example after a string has been selected from it and a subsequent list as been displayed. Preferably, at least the most recently displayed list and the immediately preceding list are maintained. One or more of the earlier lists may be removed, as for example is illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 from which it can be seen that the first and second lists 46, 50 are removed respectively.

Alternatively, only the most recently displayed list is displayed, all previous lists being removed after use. This may depend on the size of the screen 28 and the displayed lists.

Optionally, the system 10 may remove the virtual keyboard 40, and optionally also the input field 42, from the screen 28 after a first key 44 has been selected by the user's first touch. This may for example occur before or after the first list 46 is displayed, or before any subsequent list is displayed.

Removing the keyboard 40 allows more room on the screen 28 for string lists. Optionally, the system lOis configured to assess the space available on the screen 28 to display string lists and, in response to selection by a user of a key 44 or string in a displayed list, remove the keyboard 40 if there is insufficient space to display the required list and the keyboard 40, but otherwise to maintain display of the keyboard 40.

In any case, it is preferred each newly generated list is displayed at a location on the screen 28 that is displaced from the location of the displayed string, or key 44, that was selected by the user to cause it to be generated. This ensures that the user is able to move the touch object from one location to the next while maintaining contact with the screen 28. In the preferred embodiment, the lists are displayed side-by-side. More generally it is preferred that each newly displayed list is displayed adjacent the immediately preceding list.

In the preferred embodiment, if the user, while maintaining contact with the screen 28, moves the touching object from the most recently displayed list to a previously displayed list that is still displayed, then the user's selection from the most recently displayed list (and from any intermediate lists in the event that the user reverts to a previous list that is not the immediately preceding list) is rescinded to allow the user to select again from the list on which the touch object finishes. During this process, any one or more previously displayed list that has been removed from the screen 28 by the system 10 may be reinstated to the screen 28 by the system 10 in response to the user moving the screen contact point to a previously displayed list. Alternatively, or in addition, the system 10 may be responsive to movement by the user of the contact point in one or more direction (e.g. right-to-left) to reinstate to the screen 28 one or more previously displayed list. This is particularly useful in embodiments where all previously displayed lists are removed. Typically, when the user moves to a previously displayed list, the currently displayed list and any intermediate list(s) are removed from the screen 28.

It will be understood that selection of a key 44 or a string 48, 52, 56, 60, 64 may be effected in any convenient manner. For example, selection of a key or string may be effected by the user's contact location coinciding with the location of the screen 28 corresponding to the respective key or string, either instantly or after the user's contact location has coincided with the location of the screen 28 corresponding to the respective key or string for more than a threshold period of time. With reference to the embodiment of Figure 2, user interaction with the screen 28 is detected and interpreted by the position sensor module 30, virtual keyboard driver 32, 110 device position feedback module 34.

It will be understood that the performance of the system 10 described herein may be effected by the execution of suitable computer program code, for example stored in the memory 14, but the CPU and supported by other hardware, software and firmware components of the system 10 as would be apparent to a skilled person. Accordingly, the computer program code may provide the means to perform some or all of the operations of the system 10 as would be apparent to a skilled person.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that preferred embodiments of the invention comprise computer program code that is executable on a portable electronic (or computing) device utilizing a touch screen display device and which provides means to input text in the form of complete sentences within a single user engagement with the touch screen. Multiple words, or other strings, are selected by the user repositioning the touch point of the touch object (e.g. finger or stylus) with the screen 28 without disengaging the screen 28. By way of example Figure 8 shows what might be displayed on the screen 28 of the computing device after five repositioning's of the touch point location as a result of the user selecting a single word from five displayed word lists. The resulting text string is not inputted into the computing device until the user disengages with the touch screen 28. At this time all the selected words are inputted into the device 10 at the same time.

In preferred embodiments, there is no limit to the number of touch point repositioning's and subsequent word lists that can be presented on the screen 28. To accommodate this, previous word lists may be removed from the screen when, for example, a maximum visible number of word lists has been reached. This leaves space on the screen 28 to accommodate new word lists. The maximum number of visible word lists is a variable dependent on the physical size of the screen 28.

Figure 11 shows a flow chart illustrating typical operation of the system 10. For example, the computer program code stored in memory 14 may be configured to cause the system 10 to perform the following tasks. Referring to Figure 11, upon detection of contact on the screen 28 (111), the system 10 determines if the location of the contact corresponds to a valid key 44 or displayed character string 48, 52, 56, 60, 64 (113). If not, then a valid contact is awaited. If a valid contact is detected a list 46, 50, 54, 58, 62 is displayed that corresponds to the contact (115). The system 10 then determines if a string on the displayed list is selected by the user in a valid manner, i.e. by maintaining contact with the screen 28 (117). If so, then a further corresponding list is displayed (119). At 121, the system 10 determines if the user has disengaged with the screen 28. If so, then all validly selected strings are registered as an input (127). If not, then the system 10 then determines if a string on the most recent displayed list is selected by the user in a valid manner, i.e. by maintaining contact with the screen 28(123). If so, then a further corresponding list is displayed (125) after which control is returned to 121. It is noted that in cases where a list is already on display before a further initial contact (e.g. as in Figure 10), steps 117 and 119 may be omitted.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a method whereby entire sentences can be constructed and inputted into a computing device without disengaging with the touch screen 28. This increases the speed at which text in the form of sentences can be inputted into a computing device with touch screen display.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment(s) described herein but can be amended or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A method of inputting at least one eharactei string to a computer system using a touch sensitive screen, the method comprising: displaying, in response to detecting user contact at a first contact location on said screen, a first list of at least one string of at least one character, said at least one string being associated with said first contact location; displaying, in response to detecting movement of said user contact without disengagement from said screen from said first contact location to a second contact location corresponding to a selected one of said at least one strings in said first list, a second list of at least one string of at least one character, said at least one string of said second list being associated with said selected string of said first list; and inputting at least said selected string to said computer system in response to detecting disengagement of said screen by said user.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 further including: displaying on said screen at least one list comprising at least one string of at least one character; displaying, in response to at least one detected movement of user contact without disengagement from said screen from a current contact location corresponding to a selected string of one of said at least one list to another contact location corresponding to a selected string in another of said lists, a further instance of said lists, said at least one string of said further list instance being associated with said selected string of said another list.
3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least one string of said another of said lists is associated with the selected string of corresponding to said current contact location.
4. A method as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein said inputting to said computer system includes inputting said selected string from said one of said at least one list, and preferably also said selected string from said another of said at least one list.
5. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, further including displaying a virtual keyboard on said screen, said key board comprising a plurality of virtual keys.
6. A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said first contact location corresponds to one of said virtual keys.
7. A method as claimed in claim 6, further including removing said virtual keyboard from said screen after detecting said user contact at a first contact location.
8. A method as claimed in claim 6 or 7, further including removing said virtual keyboard from said screen after display of said first list.
9. A method as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, further including removing said virtual keyboard from said screen upon determining that there is insufficient display space on said screen to display one or more of said lists.
10. A method as claimed in any one of claims 6 to9, further including displaying said virtual keyboard on said screen in response to detecting disengagement of said screen by said user.
11. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said first contact location corresponds to a selected string of at least one character, said selected string being included in a displayed list of one or more strings of at least one character.
12. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, further including removing one or more of said lists from said screen upon determining that there is insufficient display space on said screen to display one or more subsequent lists.
13. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, further including removing one or more of said lists from said screen upon determining that said user contact location does not coincide with a string of said one or more lists.
14. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said inputting at least said selected string involves inputting a plurality of selected strings, each string being selected from a respective displayed list, and wherein said plurality of selected strings are input in their order of selection.
15. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said at least one string comprises a string of one or more alphanumeric characters.
16. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said at least one string comprises a word.
17. A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein said at least one word of any one of said lists that is displayed in response to selection of a respective word of another displayed list is a word associated with the respective selected word of said another displayed list.
18. A method as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein said at least one word of any one of said lists that is displayed in response to selection of a respective word of another displayed list is a word that commonly follows with the respective selected word of said another displayed list in a typical sentence.
19. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each of said lists comprises a plurality of said strings.
20. A computer system comprising a touch sensitive screen, the system comprising: means for displaying, in response to detecting user contact at a first contact location on said screen, a first list of at least one string of at least one character, said at least one string being associated with said first contact location; means for displaying, in response to detecting movement of said user contact without disengagement from said screen from said first contact location to a second contact location corresponding to a selected one of said at least one strings in said first list, a second list of at least one string of at least one character, said at least one string of said second list being associated with said selected string of said first list; and means for inputting at least said selected string to said computer system in response to detecting disengagement of said screen by said user.
21. A computing device comprising the computer system of claim 20.
22. A computing device comprising a touch sensitive screen and being configured to execute computer program code for performing the method of any one of claims 1 to 19.
23. A method of inputting at least one character string to a computer system using a touch sensitive screen, the method comprising: displaying on said screen at least one list comprising at least one string of at least one character; displaying, in response to at least one detected movement of user contact without disengagement from said screen from a current contact location corresponding to a selected string of one of said at least one list to another contact location corresponding to a selected string in another of said lists, a further instance of said lists, said at least one string of said further list instance being associated with said selected string of said another list, wherein said at least one string of said another of said lists is associated with the selected string of corresponding to said current contact location.Amendments to the claimsn have been made as follows: CLAIMS: 1. A method of inputting a sentence to a computer system using a touch sensitive screen, the method comprising: displaying on said screen at least one list comprising at least one words; displaying, in response to at least one detected movement of user contact without disengagement from said screen from a current contact location corresponding to a selected word of one of said at least one list to another contact location corresponding to a selected word in another of said lists, a further instance of said lists, said at least one word of said further list instance being a word that commonly follows said selected word of said another list in a typical sentence; displaying, in response to detecting user contact at a first contact location on said screen, a first of said lists, said at least one word being associated with said first contact location; displaying, in response to detecting movement of said user contact without disengagement from said I.I', screen from said first contact location to a second contact location corresponding to a selected one of said at least one words in said first list, a second of said lists, said at least one word of said second list being a word that commonly follows said selected word of said first list in a typical o sentence; tX) displaying each list at a respective location on the screen that is displaced from the respective C'J contact location that caused it to be generated, the location of each list being adjacent the location of the immediately preceding list to allow said user contact to move across said screen, without disengagement, from said current contact location to said another contact location and to a further contact location corresponding to a selected one of said at least one words in said further instance of said lists; and inputting as said sentence the or each selected word in order of selection to said computer system in response to detecting disengagement of said screen by said user.2. A method as claimed in claim I, wherein said at least one word of said another of said lists is a word that commonly follows the selected word of corresponding to said current contact location.3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said inputting to said computer system includes inputting said selected word from said one of said at least one list, and preferably also said selected word from said another of said at least one list.4. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, further including displaying a virtual keyboard on said screen, said key board comprising a plurality of virtual keys.5. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein said first contact location corresponds to one of said virtual keys.6. A method as claimed in claim 5, further including removing said virtual keyboard from said screen after detecting said user contact at a first contact location.7. A method as claimed in claim 6, further including removing said virtual keyboard from said screen after display of said first list.8. A method as claimed in any one of claims 6 or 7, further including displaying said virtual keyboard on said screen in response to detecting disengagement of said screen by said user.9. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said first contact location corresponds to a selected word, said selected word being included in a displayed list of one or more words.10. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, further including removing one or more of said lists from said screen upon determining that said user contact location does not coincide with a word of said one or more lists.Cli. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said inputting involves inputting a plurality of selected words, each word being selected from a respective displayed list, and wherein said tX') plurality of selected words are input in their order of selection. (412. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said at least one word of any one of said lists that is displayed in response to selection of a respective word of another displayed list is a word that commonly follows with the respective selected word of said another displayed list in a typical sentence.13. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each of said lists comprises a plurality of said words.14. A computer system comprising a touch sensitive screen, the system comprising: means for displaying on said screen at least one list comprising at least one words; means for displaying, in response to at least one detected movement of user contact without disengagement from said screen from a current contact location corresponding to a selected word of one of said at least one list to another contact location corresponding to a selected word in another of said lists, a further instance of said lists, said at least one word of said further list instance being a word that commonly follows said selected word of said another list in a typical sentence; means for displaying, in response to detecting user contact at a first contact location on said screen, a first list of at least one word, said at least one word being associated with said first contact location; means for displaying, in response to detecting movement of said user contact without disengagement from said screen from said first contact location to a second contact location corresponding to a selected one of said at least one words in said first list, a second list of at least one words, said at least one word of said second list being a word that commonly follows said selected word of said first list in a typical sentence; means for displaying each list at a respective location on the screen that is displaced from the respective contact location that caused it to be generated, the location of each list being adjacent the location of the immediately preceding list to allow said user contact to move across said screen, without disengagement, from said current contact location to said another contact location and to a further contact location corresponding to a selected one of said at least one words in said further instance of said lists; and IC) means for inputting a sentence comprising the or each selected word in order of selection to said computer system in response to detecting disengagement of said screen by said user.15. A computing device comprising the computer system of claim 16.LOC'J 16. A computing device comprising a touch sensitive screen and being configured to execute computer program code for performing the method of any one of claims 1 to 15.