COMPACT STYLUS-BASED INPUT TECHNIQUE FOR INDIC SCRIPTS

A technique for stylus-based syllabic input that is fast and easy and does not require any additional hardware and can be deployed on a handheld device is described. In one example embodiment, this is accomplished by writing a base syllabic character consisting of a vowels or consonant in a writing area. One or more modifiers that are displayed as icons substantially around the writing area of a syllabic level user interface are then selected to form a desired syllabic character. The one or more modifiers are arranged at familiar/natural positions around the base character's writing area to facilitate entry/selection of modifiers and to reduce eye movement/cognitive load on the user. The syllabic characters are then accumulated locally until a desired word is formed, to reduce visual disconnect between the input interface and the end application, and to provide context for formation of the desired word. Further, one or more hypothesis words are then presented to speed up the formation and inputting of a desired word. The formed desired word is then cleared from the display area and sent to an application display area by tapping a space button provided in the syllabic character input user interface.