WO2018187505A1 - Data entry methods, systems, and interfaces - Google Patents

Abstract

A data entry system is disclosed. Some embodiments of the data entry system utilize an input device and a user interface. In some embodiments, a user can actuate keys on an input device to activate and/or select from the user interface cells associated with symbols, such as letters. A user can input different symbols quickly and efficiently. In some embodiments, users can input the most common letters of a given alphabet using only a single actuation of one of four keys. In some embodiments, a user can access one of a large group of symbols by pressing a data entry apparatus, such as the user's finger, on a data entry surface, and sliding the data entry apparatus in a manner associated with the desired symbol.

Description

DATA ENTRY METHODS , SYSTEMS , AND INTERFACES

This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Pat. App . No. 62/614,398 to Tooch, filed on January 6, 2018 and entitled "Data Entry Method, System, and Interface," claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Pat. App. No. 62/582,691 to Tooch, filed on November 7, 2017 and entitled "Data Entry Method, System, and Interface," and claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Pat. App. No. 62/481,535 to Tooch, filed on April 4, 2017 and entitled "Data Entry System"; and this application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. App. No. 15/263,008 to Tooch, filed on September 12, 2016 and entitled "Data Entry System and Accompanying Interface, " which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. App. No. 13/842,962 to Tooch, filed on March 15, 2013 and entitled "5-Key Data Entry System and Accompanying Interface," now U.S. Pat. No. 9,442,572. Each of these prior applications and patents is fully incorporated by reference herein in its entirety .

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

[0001] The invention relates generally to data entry, such as the input of symbols such as letters and numbers . This invention also generally relates to the input of symbols, such as letters and numbers, into a user interface .

Description of the Related Art

[0002] Methods and devices for inputting symbols into a user interface (UI) are well known and ubiquitous in society. Examples of such input systems include the use of QWERTY keyboards with personal computers, television remote controls with televisions, number pads with mobile phones, and displayed keys on touch-screen devices, to name a few. The first three above examples are systems utilizing separate input and display devices, whereas touch-screen devices utilize a single device (the screen) to serve as both the data entry/input device and the display device. Further, display devices are in some instances not necessary, as it is possible for data to be entered but not displayed.

[ 0003 ] Current methods and devices for inputting symbols into a UI are often tedious, time-consuming, complicated, and/or generally undesirable. While prevalent in society, the organization of the QWERTY keyboard is confusing and, to most people, illogical. Further, as is also the case with many touch-screen devices which show a keyboard, a QWERTY keyboard has a myriad of different keys which can be pressed, often including over 100 different keys and over 300 key combinations. Further, use of a QWERTY keyboard on a touchscreen or similar device can be very challenging for the visually impaired.

[ 0004 ] On the other end of the spectrum, television data entry systems often include a limited number of keys that can actually be pressed. A common keyboard layout on a television display is also fairly logical, as it is organized in alphabetical rows as shown in FIG. 11. However, attempting to enter data using this system is very tedious and time-consuming. A user must use keys to navigate the display keyboard, and often times must press one or more keys six, seven, or even more times in order to input a desired letter . For example and with respect to FIG. 11, for a user to enter the letter "T" after entering the letter "A", both of which are very common letters, a user must press the "right" key five times, the "down" key twice, and the "enter" key once, for a total of eight key entries.

[0005] Many have studied the frequency with which letters appear in the English language. Although studies differ slightly, results from a reputable study by the University of Cornell are shown in FIGs . 12 and 13. As can be seen, the letter "E" has a frequency almost three percentage points greater than any other letter. The next eight letters ("T", "A", "0", "I", " " , "S", "R", and "H")are all within about three percentage points of frequency of one another; after "H", the next letter "D" is about 1.5 percentage points of frequency lower. The frequency with which English alphabet letters appear in a variety of other Latin languages is shown in FIG. 14. At least one study has also shown that a "space" is more common than the letter "E".

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Briefly, and in general terms, the invention is directed to data entry systems and methods . In some embodiments, an input device and a user interface are used to input data.

[0007] One embodiment of a method of entering data according to the present invention is as follows . A single-click or double-click is received, and one of a plurality of cells is activated in response to the user input. The cells are associated with one of a plurality of matrices. The cells and the matrices are associated with one of a plurality of keys . [ 0008 ] One embodiment of a system for accepting data entry according to the present invention is as follows . A system includes a data entry device with a plurality of keys, each associated with a matrix having cells, each of which is associated with a symbol. The system also includes a processor for receiving data.

[ 0009 ] One embodiment of a system for entering symbols includes a data entry device with keys, and a user interface comprising cells associated with a symbol. Eight of the symbols can be selected using a single-click or double-click of one of the keys .

[ 0010 ] One embodiment of an input device for entering symbols includes a touch screen with an accompanying interface including symbols such as letters, numbers, or other symbols. A user can select any symbol using a preset sliding motion.

[ 0011 ] One embodiment of a data entry device includes a data entry surface, the device being configured such that a user can set an origin point by pressing on a point on the data entry surface. The user can access one of four sets of symbols by sliding in one of four directions, and can select a symbol within the accessed set of symbols based on the manner in which he or she continues the slide thereafter. For instance, the user can stop the slide, slide further, slide backward, or slide ninety degrees in either direction.

[ 0012 ] One embodiment of a method for data entry of one or more symbols includes setting an origin point by pressing on a data entry surface with a data entry apparatus such as the user's finger. The user then accesses a select one of a plurality of groups of symbols, each of the plurality of groups of symbols being associated with a direction, by sliding the data entry apparatus from the origin point in the direction associated with the select group.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[ 0013 ] FIG. 1 is an embodiment of a user interface according to the present invention.

[ 0014 ] FIG. 2 is an embodiment of a data input layout according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[ 0015 ] FIG. 3 is an embodiment of a user interface according to the present invention.

[ 0016 ] FIG. 4 is an embodiment of a user interface according to the present invention.

[ 0017 ] FIG. 5 is an embodiment of a user interface according to the present invention.

[ 0018 ] FIG. 6 is another embodiment of a user interface according to the present invention.

[ 0019 ] FIG. 7 is another embodiment of a user interface according to the present invention.

[ 0020 ] FIG. 8 is another embodiment of a user interface according to the present invention.

[ 0021 ] FIG. 9A-9C are another embodiment of a user interface according to the present invention.

[ 0022 ] FIG. 10 is an embodiment of another user interface according to the present invention.

[ 0023 ] FIG. 11 is a prior art data entry user interface. [0024] FIG. 12 is a chart showing letter frequency as a percentage according to one study.

[0025] FIG. 13 is a bar graph of the data presented in FIG. 2.

[0026] FIG. 14 is a chart showing letter frequency in various languages .

[0027] FIG. 15 is an embodiment of another user interface according to the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 16 is an embodiment of another user interface according to the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 17 is an embodiment of another user interface according to the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 18 is an embodiment of another user interface according to the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 19 is an embodiment of another user interface according to the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 20 is an embodiment of another user interface according to the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 21 is an embodiment of another user interface according to the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 22 is an embodiment of a user interface including a data entry interface according to the present invention .

[0035] FIG. 23 is an embodiment of a user interface including a data entry interface according to the present invention . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[ 0036 ] Presented herein is a novel User Interface (UI) for inputting symbols using an input device. This novel UI can be used in conjunction with various devices including televisions, personal computers, mobile telephones, PDA-type devices, touch-screen devices, and many other types of devices to simply, quickly, and accurately type information or commands into or sent to a device such as one of those listed above, which can include a processor to receive the information or commands. In one embodiment, the input device is a "thumb device" in that proficient users will quickly type information that is transferred to the UI on a limited number of keys on an input device using a single finger, such as a thumb, similar to the manner in which a typical person uses a television remote control. Embodiments of the present invention can also include a processor for receiving a user input. However, nothing herein is intended to limit data entry to the use of a single finger or even fingers in general, as many other input methods are possible.

[ 0037 ] It is understood that when an element is referred to as being "on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present. Furthermore, relative terms such as "inner", "outer", "upper", "above", "lower", "beneath", "below", "faster", "slower", and similar terms, may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element to another . Terms such as "higher", "lower", "wider", "narrower", "corner", "diagonal", and similar terms, may be used herein to describe angular relationships . It is understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the elements or system in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures .

[ 0038 ] Although the terms first, second, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, and/or sections should not be limited by these terms . These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, or section from another. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, a first element, component, region, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention. The below embodiments are discussed generally with reference to the English language, although the concepts contained herein can be applied to any language or communication system. Further, while upper-case letters are often used in examples, any examples using upper-case letters could be applied to lower-case letters or a combination of the two.

[ 0039 ] As used herein, the term "actuation" is intended to include many different possible combinations of actuation types. As an example, if "single-clicks" and "double-clicks" are the two possible types of actuation of an embodiment of the invention, and a cell can be highlighted by "an actuation, " then in one embodiment the cell can be highlighted by a single-click, in a second embodiment the cell can be highlighted by a double-click, and in a third embodiment the cell can be highlighted by a single-click or a double-click.

[ 0040 ] Embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference to view illustrations that are schematic illustrations. Thus, the elements illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes and sizes are not intended to illustrate the precise shape or size of a region and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[ 0041 ] FIG. 1 shows a user interface 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment the user interface 100 is visible to a user of the invention, although that is not always necessary; for example, embodiments of the current invention can be used by the visually impaired. Similar to a QWERTY keyboard, a user can become familiar with a user interface according to the present invention, such as through continued use, such that a visual display is not necessary. The user interface 100 comprises four matrices 102, although other embodiments may comprise fewer or more matrices. Each matrix 102 can be associated with a direction; for example, the matrix 102a is associated with the direction left. In other embodiments the matrices are not associated with a direction, but could, for example, be associated with a relative placement (top, second from top, etc.) or not associated with a placement at all.

[ 0042 ] Each matrix 102 comprises ten cells 104, although in other embodiments matrices can comprise fewer or more than ten cells, such as matrices comprising nine cells. In the embodiment shown, each matrix 102 comprises a center cell 104a, an end cell 104b, and eight subordinate cells 104c and 104d (labeled only in the matrix 102a), with the four first subordinate cells 104c directly above, below, left, or right of the center cell 104a and the four second subordinate cells 104d diagonal from the center cell 104a in each matrix 102. In one embodiment, the center cells 104a, the end cells 104b, the first subordinate cells 104c, and the second subordinate cells 104d can be ranked in order of desirability, and more common symbols (which a user typically desires to be more accessible than less common symbols) can be placed in the higher ranked cells .

[ 0043 ] The cells 104 are organized in a "3x3+1" layout as shown in FIG. 1. In this layout, each matrix has nine cells in a 3x3 layout, with an additional end cell on the same end of the matrix as the direction with which the matrix is associated. For example, in the matrix 102a, which is associated with the direction left, the end cell 104b is on the left of the three by three matrix. The center cells 104a are in the center of each three by three section of the 3x3+1 matrices 102, the subordinate cells 104c are directly above, below, left, or right of the center cells 104a, and the subordinate cells 104d are diagonal from the center cells 104a. Each of the end cells 104b and subordinate cells 104c, 104d can be associated with a directional position within the matrix 104. For example, the subordinate cells 104c shown in FIG. 1 above the center cells 104a are associated with the direction "up." In a typical embodiment an end cell 104b is associated with the same direction as the matrix 102 in which the cell resides. In one embodiment the center cells 104a are not associated with a direction, and in another embodiment the center cells 104a are associated with a "center" position or direction.

[ 0044 ] Each cell 104 can contain a symbol 106 with which it is associated. Symbol as used herein can include a letter, a combination of letters (e.g. "th", "11", etc.), a number, a numeral, another type of non-alphabetic character (e.g. "!", "?", etc.), a space, non-English letters such as " n" and a tab, functions

(e.g. backspace, page up, shift, caps lock, etc.), or other symbols . This list is not meant to be limiting, and various different symbols can be used; any button on a standard QWERTY keyboard, for example, can be included as a symbol . While embodiments of the present invention are described herein with reference to English language symbols, the present invention can be applied to other symbol sets, including but not limited to Latin and non- Latin languages .

[ 0045 ] The user interface 100 also includes a word builder 108. Selected symbols 106 from the cells 104 can be input into the word builder 108. Some functional symbols, such as "backspace", can also be input into the word builder 108. For example, if the functional symbol "backspace" is input, then the last symbol entered into the word builder 108 before "backspace" will be deleted. Other functional symbols can affect the next symbol input into the word builder 108. For example, in one embodiment, if the functional symbol "shift" is input, then the next symbol input will be capitalized.

[ 0046 ] Symbols 106 can be entered into the word builder 108 using a number of different methods. In one embodiment, an input device is used. FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of a key layout 200 which can be present on a data entry or input device according to embodiments of the present invention. The key layout 200 comprises five keys 202. Certain other embodiments comprise more or fewer than five keys. For example, one embodiment comprises four keys, while another embodiment comprises seven keys, and yet another embodiment comprises nine keys. Although other embodiments comprise keys that are not directional, the four keys 204 are directional keys . Each of the directional keys can be associated with a direction; for example, the key 204a is associated with the direction left. The key layout 200 also has an entry key 206 which is not associated with a direction, or is associated with a "center" position or direction, although in other embodiments it can be associated with a direction. The term entry key is used only for identification purposes, and is not intended to mean that the entry key 206 is always used solely for entry. In some embodiments the entry key 206 is used solely for data entry. In some embodiments the entry key 206 is not used for data entry. In one embodiment, the entry key 206 is used both for data entry and for other tasks .

[ 0047 ] The key layout 200, which comprises the five keys 202, can take many forms. By way of example only and in no way limiting, the five keys 202 could be five keys on a television remote controller, five keys on a computer or other keyboard (such as, for example, the directional arrows and the number pad "0" key, the keys "A", "W", "D", "X", and "S", or another group of five keys), five buttons on a cellular telephone, five keys displayed on a touch-screen (such as, for example, keys displayed on an iPad® mobile digital device from Apple, Inc. of California) , five directions of a joystick and/or game controller, five fingers on a pressure or motion sensitive glove, five large and adequately spaced keys on a keypad attached to a device used in an environment where the user may be wearing bulky gloves (e.g. a factory worker or astronaut), etc. In these and other embodiments, the keys 202 are actuated by a user applying pressure, such as by pressing a button on a television remote controller. In other embodiments of the invention, the keys 202 can be actuated using, for example and not by way of limitation, eye tracking technology, oral or other noise communication, pressure-sensitive steering wheel and/or handle bar grips, motion activated gestures, foot pedals, heat sensitivity (e.g., of a body part) and so on .

[ 0048 ] One function of the five keys 202 can be to move a cursor to one of the cells 104, or to highlight one or more of the cells 104. In some embodiments a cursor is a distinct element displayed to assist highlighting a cell, although in some other embodiments the cursor as used herein is an abstract concept to describe which particular cell 104 is highlighted.

[ 0049 ] The term highlight as used herein does not necessarily mean that the highlighted cell is brightened in comparison to or otherwise distinguished from the unhighlighted cells, although in one embodiment comprising a display showing the user interface 100, a highlighted cell is brightened or otherwise distinguished. Instead, highlighted refers to a pre-entry or pre-selection state in which the symbol associated with a cell is one or more steps closer to entry or selection than the symbols associated with the unhighlighted cells . The terms active or activated are synonymous with the term highlighted when used with regard to a cell 104, although the term highlighted is used commonly herein in order to differentiate from other elements of embodiments of the invention. A highlighted cell is one on which the cursor is located, and the cursor is located on the highlighted cell. In one embodiment, the symbol associated with a highlighted cell is a single passive or active step away from entry or selection. Similar systems are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,037,942 to Millington and entitled "Navigation System Character Input Device," U.S. Pat. No. 6,897,849 to Kim and entitled "Key Input Device and Character Input Method Using Directional Keys," and U.S. Pat. No. 7, 084, 858 to Anson and entitled "System and Method for Inputting Characters Using a Directional Pad, " all three of which are fully incorporated by reference herein in their entirety .

[ 0050 ] If no cell 104 is highlighted (i.e., the cursor is not on any cell or is not present), the UI is said to be in neutral state, as shown in FIG. 1. If a cell is highlighted, then the user interface is said to be in a symbol selection mode, as shown in FIG. 3, where the cell 304 is highlighted.

[ 0051 ] As used herein, the term single-click comprises any type of single actuation, whether it is a physical actuation (such as clicking a button on a keyboard), an oral actuation, a visual actuation, or any other type of actuation. One embodiment of the present invention uses a single-click as the only type of actuation.

[ 0052 ] As used herein, the term double-click comprises two single actuations performed in quick succession on the same key or equivalent. Double-click time intervals, the time period within which a key must be actuated again after an initial actuation, can vary from device to device and user to user, and can be customizable. While one embodiment of the present invention uses the Microsoft Windows® default double-click time interval of 500ms, other embodiments of the invention use a shorter double-click time interval. One reason for a shorter double-click time interval is that embodiments of the present invention can be used for typing, where the interval between selecting letters is already very short; the double-click time interval should therefore be shorter. In one embodiment, a double-click time interval is a period of time in the range of 50ms to 1000ms. In another embodiment, a double-click time interval is a period of time in the range of 50ms to 700ms. In yet another embodiment, a double-click time interval is in the range of 150ms to 500ms, with a preferred doubleclick time interval of 275ms. Some embodiments of the present invention can recognize multiple-click data entries with more than two clicks, such as triple-clicks, quadruple-clicks, etc. Further, as opposed to applying pressure to a key for a certain period of time ("holding") can also serve as a type of actuation.

[ 0053 ] In one embodiment, a user can transfer from neutral state (as shown in FIG. 1) to symbol selection mode (an example of which is shown in FIG. 3) by, for example, actuating one of the directional keys 204. As discussed above, each of the matrices and directional keys 204 are associated with a single direction (up, down, left, or right), with each direction associated with a single matrix 102 and a single directional key 204. Thus, in this embodiment, there is a 1:1:1 association relationship between directions, matrices 102, and directional keys 204. Other embodiments may not include directions, and thus can simply have a 1:1 matrix to directional key association relationship. Other embodiments may not have a 1:1 association relationship.

[ 0054 ] In one embodiment, to move the cursor to one of the center cells 104a, thus highlighting this center cell, a user can single-click the directional key 204 associated with the matrix 102 in which the desired center cell 104a resides. For example, to highlight the center cell 104a in the matrix 102b, a user can single- click the directional key 204b. Once this action is complete, the user interface is in symbol selection mode and one of the matrices 102 is active (i.e., has a highlighted cell 104); in the example above, the matrix 102b becomes active. The directional keys 204 can then be used to move the cursor such that the appropriate cell 104 within the active matrix is highlighted. For example, to highlight the first subordinate cell 104c above the center cell 104a, a user could single-click the directional key 204b, which is associated with the direction "up." To highlight one of the second subordinate cells 104d, a user could single-click a combination of directional keys 204. For example, to select the subordinate cell 104d to the lower left of a center cell 104a after the center cell 104a is highlighted, a user could single-click the key 204a and single-click the key 204d, or a user could single-click the key 204d and single-click the key 204a. In another embodiment, a user could actuate a combination of directional keys 204 at the same time (e.g., in the example above, the user could single-click the keys 204a, 204d simultaneously); in some such embodiments, the user can use, for example, more than one finger to actuate the keys .

[ 0055 ] In one embodiment, users may also transition from neutral state to symbol selection mode using an actuation other than a single-click. For example, in one embodiment a user could double-click a directional key 204 in order to highlight a cell other than a center cell 104a. In one such embodiment, double-clicking a directional key 204 highlights the end cell 104b in the matrix 102 associated with the double-clicked directional key 204. In this embodiment, the four center cells 104a and the four end cells 104b are all accessible using either one single- click or one double-click. In one specific embodiment, this creates the novel ability for the user to access eight of the nine most commonly used letters in the English language by actuating one of four directional keys (e.g., with either a single-click or a doubleclick ) .

[ 0056 ] In one embodiment, users can change which matrix 102 is active using an actuation of the directional keys 204, such as a single-click. For example, if a cell on the outside of a matrix (e.g., in the 3x3+1 setup, any cell 104 other than a center cell 104a and the two cells 104c that are collinear with 104a and 104b) is highlighted, a user can switch the active matrix by actuating the directional key 204 associated with the direction in which there is no other cell within the active matrix. For example, if one of the cells 420 in FIG. 4 is highlighted and the directional key 204b associated with the up direction is actuated, the active matrix will switch from the matrix 102a to the matrix 102b. Similarly, if one of the cells 422 is highlighted, the user could actuate the directional key 204c

(associated with the direction right) to switch the active matrix from the matrix 102b to the matrix 102c. Similarly, if the cell 424 is highlighted, the user could actuate the directional key 204b (associated with the direction up) to switch the active matrix to the matrix 102b, or actuate the directional key 204d (associated with the direction down) to switch the active matrix to the matrix 102d, or in one embodiment actuate the directional key 204c (associated with the direction right) to switch the active matrix to the matrix 102a

(the opposite matrix) . In another embodiment, a doubleclick of the directional key 204 associated with the direction adjacent to that of the active matrix switches the active matrix to the matrix 102 associated with the double-clicked directional key 204. For example, if the center cell 104a in matrix 102b were highlighted and a user double-clicked the directional key 204a, the active matrix would switch from the matrix 102b to the matrix 102a. In one embodiment, if one of the three inside cells 104c, 104d adjacent to the word builder 108 in each of the matrices 102 is highlighted, a single-click to the inside (i.e., the direction opposite the direction with which the active matrix is associated) can return the UI 100 to neutral state .

[ 0057 ] In one embodiment, a double-click of the directional key 204 associated with the direction opposite that of the active matrix switches the active matrix to the matrix 102 associated with the double- clicked directional key 204. For example, if one of the cells 422 were highlighted and a user double-clicked the directional key 204d, the active matrix would switch from the matrix 102b to the matrix 102d.

[ 0058 ] In different embodiments, a different cell in the newly active matrix is initially highlighted upon the matrix switch. In one embodiment, the center cell 104a of the newly active matrix becomes highlighted. In another embodiment, the center cell of the newly active matrix becomes highlighted unless the originally highlighted cell was an end cell 104b, in which case the end cell 104b of the newly active matrix becomes highlighted. In another embodiment, the mirror image cell of the newly active matrix is highlighted. For example, if the cell 520 in FIG. 5 were highlighted and the directional key 204c were actuated, the highlighted cell would switch to the cell 522. Similarly, if the cell 524 were highlighted and the directional key 204a were actuated, the cursor would switch to the cell 526.

[ 0059 ] In one embodiment of a UI incorporating elements of the present invention, the symbols 106 within an inactive matrix 102 can change based upon a user entry. For example, in one embodiment the symbols 106 within the matrix 102 opposite the matrix 102 in which a cell 104 was just highlighted can change to offer anticipated symbols related to the previously selected symbol . For example, if the letter "E" in the matrix 102a is highlighted, the symbols 106 in the matrix 102c can change such that the matrix 102c contains the symbols "ER", "ES", "EN" , "ED", and "EE", which are all combinations of the highlighted symbol "E" with a second symbol that commonly follows the highlighted symbol . A user could then activate the matrix 102c by, for example, double-clicking the direction associated with the matrix 102c (right), which could highlight, for example, the center key 104a of the matrix 102c. This allows the user to easily select anticipated symbols containing two or more characters for faster input.

[ 0060 ] A cell 104 and/or associated symbol 106 can be entered or selected (used interchangeably herein) in a number of manners. In one embodiment, when a cell 104 and/or associated symbol 106 is entered or selected, the associated symbol 106 is entered into the word builder 108. In another embodiment, when a cell 104 and/or associated symbol 106 is entered or selected, the associated symbol is entered into the editor 110; one such embodiment does not include a word builder or can bypass the word builder, such as if the user configured the system to bypass the word builder. [ 0061 ] In one embodiment, a highlighted cell 104 is entered after a time period of inactivity (i.e., a period without a user actuation) , known herein as an inactivity selection period. The inactivity selection period should be longer than the double-click time interval described above; for example, if the double-click time interval is 275ms, the inactivity selection period can be any period over 275ms. No matter the double-click interval time, the inactivity selection period can be approximately equal to

(and an infinitely small amount longer than) the doubleclick time interval. The inactivity selection period is typically in the range of 100ms to 1500ms, although shorter and longer periods are possible. In one embodiment, the inactivity selection period is 300ms, or within 25ms of the double-click interval time. In another embodiment, the inactivity selection period is about 1000ms. In one embodiment, if the user does not wish to wait the duration of the inactivity selection period in order to select the highlighted cell/symbol, he or she may force the selection by actuating the entry key 206. In one embodiment, a backspace and/or an enter function

(if present in a cell) cannot be selected due to inactivity, but instead must be affirmatively selected. In a further embodiment, the UI will not return to neutral state such that the backspace can be actuated multiple times in a row. This feature can be disengaged by actuation of a non-entry key, such as a directional key 204.

[ 0062 ] In an embodiment that does not include selection by an inactivity selection period, a selection is made using the entry key 206. When a user actuates the entry key 206, the highlighted cell is entered. [ 0063 ] In one embodiment, after the selection of a symbol 106, the UI 100 returns to neutral state. In another embodiment, the highlighted cell 104 associated with the selected symbol 106 remains highlighted. In another embodiment, the highlighted cell 104 associated with the selected symbol 106 remains highlighted for a preset amount of time, such as, for example, a time equal to the inactivity selection period. If during this time the user actuates the entry key 206, the symbol 106 associated with the highlighted cell 104 is duplicated in the word builder 108 (e.g., allowing easy entry of the double "L" in the word "HELLO") . If no selection is made during this time period, then the UI 100 can return to neutral state.

[ 0064 ] In one embodiment of a UI incorporating elements of one or more embodiments of the present invention, a label on a cell 104 can indicate to a user that a certain type of actuation will select the labeled cell. A label could include, for example, an indicator in a corner of a cell 102 or a label in the background of a cell 102 behind the primary symbol 106. For example, the symbol ">>" in a cell 104 could indicate that a double-click of a key 204 associated with the direction right, such as the key 204c, would select the labeled cell. Alternatively, a cell 104 could be shaped to indicate to a user that a certain actuation can highlight the given cell; for example, while in neutral state, the end keys 104b could be displayed as diamonds indicating that a double-actuation of the associated directional key 204 would highlight the given end cell 104b. Likewise, a circle shape could indicate that a single-actuation could highlight the given cell, and so on.

[ 0065 ] The user interface 100 also includes an editor 110. In the embodiment shown, words that have been input into the word builder 108 can be transferred to the editor 110. For example, once a user is satisfied with the entries into the word builder 108, the user can enter an input to have the contents of the word builder 108 transferred to the editor 110. In one such embodiment, the contents of the word builder 108 are erased after they are entered into the editor 110, and the UI 100 returns to neutral state .

[ 0066 ] Different embodiments of the present invention can have one or more possible inputs to initiate this transfer, and can also perform additional functions in addition to this transfer. In some of these embodiments, the UI 100 can be in neutral state when the actuation is performed. In one embodiment, a single-click of the entry key 206 simply transfers the contents of the word builder 108 to the editor 110. In another embodiment, a single- click of the entry key 206 transfers the contents of the word builder 108 to the editor 110, and additionally adds a space in the editor after the transfer of the word builder 108 contents. In another embodiment, two single- clicks of the entry key 206 (entered in a timely manner so as not to trigger a double-click) will result in a transfer of the contents of the word builder 108, a period, and a space (or two spaces) after the period to the editor 110 so as to, for example, complete the end of a sentence and suggest the beginning of a new sentence, which in one embodiment can start with a capital letter . In a similar embodiment, a double-click of the entry key 206 is used instead of two single-clicks. In an embodiment that does not require an actuation of the entry key 206, one of the cells 104 is associated with an enter signal or an "enter" functional symbol; upon selecting this cell, the contents of the word builder 108 are transferred to the editor 110. This functionality can be especially useful when using an input device that uses a small number of keys such as four, or does not comprise an entry key.

[ 0067 ] One embodiment of the present invention includes a special feature in which a single word can be added to the editor 110 in an even faster manner. Upon entering a symbol into the word builder 108, the word that the user is most likely to be attempting to enter into the word builder 108 can flash in the word builder 108 for a period of time which can be preset and/or configurable, such as 900ms or 1500ms. A word that flashes in this manner will be referred to as the "flash word." In addition, the background color of the word builder 108 can change to alert the user to the presence of the word. The user can then choose to immediately select the flash word for entry into the editor 110 through an actuation such as, for example, single-clicking an entry key such as the entry key 206 while the flash word is displayed. Embodiments that flash a "flash sentence" are also possible .

[ 0068 ] The flash word can be chosen using an algorithm incorporating many different factors, including but not limited to word ranking or popularity. For example, when the user has input a letter in the word builder 108, the most commonly ranked word beginning with that letter in the appropriate language can be the flash word. In another example, if a user entered the symbols "R", "E", "S", "T", and "A" into the word builder, the algorithm may realize the likelihood that the user is attempting to enter the word "restaurant, " and thus flash the word "restaurant" in the word builder 108 to make it available for immediate selection using any number of actuations including actuation of the entry key 206. In another embodiment, a database of popular words is used, and the first word in the database (as determined alphabetically) is the flash word. One embodiment of an algorithm that could be used in an embodiment of the present invention could determine not to display the highest ranked/popular word if that word has been previously selected, and thus choose to display the next highest ranked/popular word. The list of ranked words available can be easily configurable by the user or automatically configured by the system.

[ 0069 ] In other embodiments not comprising a word builder, symbols can be entered directly into the editor 110. In one such embodiment, a single-click of the entry key 206 when the UI 100 is in neutral state enters a space into the editor 110. In another embodiment two successive single-clicks of the entry key 206 when the UI 100 is in neutral state enters a period followed by a space (or two spaces) into the editor 110 to complete a sentence and suggest the beginning of a new sentence

(which can start with a capital letter) .

[ 0070 ] Once the desired symbols have been entered into the editor 110, various functions can be performed. Editor mode can be accessed in a number of ways, and the following embodiments are meant only as examples and are in no way limiting. In one embodiment, editor mode is activated from neutral state if the word builder 108 is empty and the entry key 206 is double-clicked. In another embodiment the editor can be activated if the user double-clicks the directional key 204b when any cell in the matrix 102b is active or if the user single-clicks the directional key 204b when the end key 104b in the matrix 102b is active. In List Mode (described below) the editor can be activated by double-clicking the directional key 204b when the first item in any list is selected. In another embodiment the editor can be activated entering an "editor" command in a number of utility menus .

[ 0071 ] Once in editor mode, various functions can be performed using the keys 202 and the contents of the editor 110. For example, a user can scroll within the contents of the editor, and/or then reenter neutral state and/or symbol selection mode to edit that particular section of the editor contents . From the editor command menu (not shown) the user can select what contents to edit (single character, entire word, sentence, paragraph, page), can select all, deselect all, invert the current selection, and mark selection (begin mark, end mark) to name a few. The user can then choose an action to perform on the selected contents such as find (starts with, ends with, contains, etc.), replace, delete, spell check, change capitalization (all caps, no caps, normal caps, title caps, proper caps, invert caps, etc.) . The editor command menu can also control movement within the editor such as move to next/previous character, word, sentence, paragraph, page, etc. (using left/right arrow) . A user could also perform functions with the edited text such as internet searching, text messaging, social networking, and emailing, to name a few.

[ 0072 ] FIG. 6 is another embodiment of a UI 600 according to the present invention wherein each matrix is associated with a direction: matrix 602a with left, matrix 602b with up, matrix 602c with right, and matrix 602d with down. The UI 600 comprises some elements that are similar or equivalent to elements of the UI 100 from FIG. 1. For example, the UI comprises matrices 602, cells 604, symbols 606 within the cells 604, a word builder 608, and an editor 610.

[ 0073 ] The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 shows one embodiment of a specific organization of symbols 606 that, when combined with the methods, devices, and systems described herein, allows for easy, fast, and understandable use by a user. In the embodiment shown, the letters "e", "i", "n", and "s" occupy the center cells 604a, and the letters "a", "h", "o", and "t" occupy the end cells 604b. Using one or more of the actuation methods previously described, these eight letters are available for highlighting from neutral state by a single actuation: either a single-click or a double-click of one of the directional keys 204. In the UI 600, the eight cells 604a, 604b that are able to be highlighted using a single actuation from neutral state are associated with eight of the nine most common letters of the English alphabet, including the seven most common letters. Further, the grouping of symbols 606 in each matrix 602 is alphabetical (although some embodiments are not alphabetical; for example, embodiments can be based solely on usage frequency of symbols) . The letters "a" through "f" occupy six cells in the matrix 602a; the letters "g" through "1" occupy six cells in the matrix 602b; the letters "m" through "r" occupy six cells in the matrix 602c; and the letters "s" through "z" occupy eight cells in the matrix 602d.

[ 0074 ] While the organization shown in FIG. 6 follows the clockwise order matrix 602a - matrix 602b - matrix 602c - matrix 602d, other organizations can have a different order, as the matrices can be ranked in order of desirability, similar to the ranking described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,084,858. For example, if an alphabetical organization is used, it could begin with another matrix and follow a clockwise order, such as matrix 602b - matrix 602c - matrix 602d - matrix 602a. An alternative order is matrix 602b - matrix 602a - matrix 602c - matrix 602d. Many different orders and rankings are possible.

[ 0075 ] The UI 600 is organized such that all but three letters of the English language occupy the cells 104a, 104b, 104c; this is because in the embodiment shown, the cells 104a and 104b are ranked higher than the cells 104c, and the cells 104c are ranked higher than the cells 104d. In the specific embodiment shown, one of the cells 104c is occupied by a "backspace" functional symbol, because in this particular embodiment a "backspace" functional symbol is more common and/or desirable than the letter "v" .

[ 0076 ] In another embodiment of a UI according to the present invention, all of the cells 104a, 104b, 104c can be occupied by letters. In another embodiment, the center cells and end cells 104a, 104b can be occupied by the eight most common symbols, or the eight most common letters . In another embodiment of a UI according to the present invention, a "space" symbol can be included in one of the cells 102.

[ 0077 ] In an embodiment like that of the UI 600 where the "space" symbol is not included, the "space" functionality can be included in the system through use of a key, such as the entry key 206. For example, if a UI is in neutral state without any symbols in a word builder, a single- click of a key such as the entry key 206 could enter a space into the editor or, alternatively, into the word builder. This embodiment is particularly advantageous since the "space" can be more desirable than any other symbol. Since in one embodiment the entry key 206 is arguably the easiest of the five keys 202 to actuate (being in the center of the group of five keys), it can be associated with the most commonly used symbol - in one embodiment, the "space." In one embodiment, the unique tri-functionality of the entry key 206 (as a symbol accept key, as a word builder-to-editor key, and as the space key) improve the efficiency and ease of use of embodiments of the present invention over that of the prior art .

[ 0078 ] Some embodiments of user interfaces according to the present invention comprise more elements than the UI 100. For example, the embodiment of FIG. 6 comprises a result list 640 and four subject or corner lists 642. Each of these lists can be responsive to the contents of the word builder 608 and/or the editor 610.

[ 0079 ] In one embodiment, the result list 640 is responsive to the contents of the word builder 608. For example and as shown in FIG. 6, if the letter "s" is entered into the word builder 608, the result list 640 populates with contents 641 that are words beginning with "s"; in one embodiment, the contents 641 are the five most commonly used or highest ranked words in a language, such as English. The contents 641 of the result list 640 are not limited strictly to words, but can include any combination of one or more symbols 606. Further, while the contents 641 include five combinations of symbols, more than or fewer than five results are possible. These lists can be customizable by the user to contain the preferred list of words or symbols for a given task, or can be automatically defined by the system. [ 0080 ] The result list 640 can be populated with contents 641 in many different manners. In one embodiment, user history is utilized to determine the combinations of symbols 606 that the user is the most likely to enter based on the current contents of the word builder 640. For example, in FIG. 6, after the symbol "S" is entered into the word builder 608, the result list 640 populates with contents 641 including the words "say", "she", "so", "some", and "see". In one embodiment, an algorithm based on user history determined that these were the five symbol combinations the user is most likely to want to eventually enter into the editor 610 (in embodiments comprising an editor) .

[ 0081 ] In another embodiment, after the entry of a first symbol, the result list is populated with the five highest ranked words beginning with that symbol. After the entry of a second or subsequent symbol, the result list uses a database of popular words, and lists in alphabetical order the five words from the database beginning with the entered symbols.

[ 0082 ] The contents 641 of the result list 640 can originate from a dynamic list, meaning that the list of possible results can change over time. In this case, the results can change based on user input; for example, a word could be added to the dynamic list if a user input a new word, or a word could become more likely to be selected by the algorithm based on a user inputting that word frequently.

[ 0083 ] In one embodiment, if a user wishes to select a symbol combination or list of words from the contents 641 of the result list 640, he or she may want to enter list mode, with the result list 640 being the default active list. To access the contents 641 of the result list 640, a user could in one embodiment double-click the entry key 206. In one embodiment the result list 640 contains exactly five items .

[ 0084 ] In one embodiment, when the result list 640 is activated the third item of the list would be the highlighted or active item. That item would then be selectable and entered into the editor by a single-click of the entry key 206 or, in another embodiment, after the inactivity selection period. The benefit of this arrangement is that if the center item of the result list is not the desired item of entry then any of the other four items in the list can be selectable by one additional click of either of the four directional buttons 204. Once selected, the item would then be added to the editor by a single-click of the entry key 206. In this embodiment the first visible item at the top of the list would be selected by entry of the key 204a (left key jumps to top) , the fifth visible item in the list would be selected by entry of the key 204c (right key jumps to bottom) , the second visible item of the list would be selected by entry of the key 204b (up key scrolls up one list item) , and the fourth visible item in the list would be selected by entry of the key 204d (down key scrolls down one list item) . The relationship of the number of items (five) in the result list and the number of directional keys (four) of the system combined with the middle item being initially activated allows efficient and direct selection of any of the five items in the result list 640 by no more than one directional key click without the need for continuous scrolling. Since the result list 640 can contain the five most common words beginning with the letters within the word builder 608, this method provides the direct and immediate access to those common words without the need to spell them out entirely providing for a simple, efficient, and quick mode of text entry. It should be noted that the above associations of keys and list items is merely exemplary, as many different association combinations are possible.

[ 0085 ] In another embodiment, a user can utilize the directional keys 204. In one embodiment, one of the directional keys 204 scrolls up within the content 641, one of the directional keys 204 scrolls down within the content 641, one of the directional keys 204 jumps to the first entry of the content 641, and one of the directional keys 204 jumps to the last entry of the content 641. For example, in one embodiment the directional key 204a jumps to the first entry of the content 641, the directional key 204b scrolls up, the directional key 204c jumps to the bottom entry of the content 641, and the directional key 204d scrolls down. In embodiments utilizing a scroll bar, a double-click of one of the directional keys 204 such as the directional key 204a and the directional key 204c could jump such that the top or bottom entry of the contents 641, respectively, becomes highlighted.

[ 0086 ] In the embodiment shown, the result list content 641 is limited to five entries, although fewer than or more than five entries are possible. In the embodiment shown the result list 640 does not include a scrollbar since in this embodiment the contents 641 of the result list 640 are limited to five results, but in other embodiments the result list 640 can include such a function . [ 0087 ] Typically an entry key, such as the entry key 206, can be used to select a highlighted entry within the result list. For example, in one embodiment a single- click moves the combination of symbols to a word builder, while a double-click moves the combination of symbols to an editor. In another embodiment a single-click of an entry key moves the result directly to an editor. In another embodiment, a result in the result list 640 is selected using an inactivity selection period.

[ 0088 ] Some user interfaces, such as the UI 600, also include one or more content or corner lists 642. One of the corner lists 642 can be activated in a number of manners. First, as discussed with regard to switching active matrices a user can activate the lists if, while a cell 604 is adjacent to a list 642 as opposed to another cell 604, by actuating the directional key 204 associated with the direction in which the corner list 642 lies. For example, if the cell 622 is highlighted, in one embodiment a user can activate the corner list 642a by actuating a directional key associated with up, such as the directional key 204b. In another embodiment the corner list 642a can be accessed when the result list 640 is active by double-clicking the directional key 204a (left) and the corner list 642b can be accessed when the result list 640 is active by double-clicking the directional key 204c (right) .

[ 0089 ] In one embodiment, selections within the corner lists 642 can be made in much the same way as selections within the results list 640. In a similar embodiment, since corner lists can contain many items (much more than the preferred five items in the result list 640) the ability to scroll becomes necessary. In one such embodiment, the ability to quickly scroll through the corner lists 642 can be achieved by double-clicking one of the four directional keys 204. In one embodiment the user can scroll to the last item in a list (not necessarily the last visible item) by double-clicking the key 204c, scroll to the first item in a list by double- clicking the key 204a, scroll down in a page-down manner by double-clicking the key 205d, and scroll up in a page- up manner by double-clicking the key 205b. The functionalities of the keys described above is purely exemplary, as many different functionalities are possible .

[ 0090 ] The contents 643 of the corner lists 642 can vary from embodiment to embodiment. One type of corner list includes non-traditional words based on the contents of the word builder or editor, such as contractions, proper nouns, abbreviations, slang, etc. The corner lists 642 can comprise scrollbars 644, meaning that the lists are not necessarily limited in the number of entries that are visible within the corner lists 642. In many embodiments, the lists are populated using an algorithm the same as or similar to that of the results list 640; that is to say, contents 643 are populated based upon the most likely user selections based on the contents of the word builder 608. In the UI 600, the corner lists 642 comprise a History list 642a, a Dictionary list 642b, a Movies list 642c, and a Music list 642d. In one embodiment, the number and type of lists is unlimited and configurable . The user could create lists for Broadway plays, photos, football teams, contacts, events, etc. and choose which lists to display as corner lists depending on the task at hand .

[ 0091 ] These lists can be static, dynamic, or a combination thereof. For example, the History list 642a can be dynamic and have contents based upon the last fifty entries. In another embodiment, one or more files (in one embodiment, 26 files: one for words beginning with each letter of the alphabet; another embodiment includes a 27th file for all entries beginning with non- letter symbols) keep a history of every word previously entered into the UI 100 such that these entries are accessible through the History list 642a. The Dictionary list 642b can be static and based on a given dictionary (although in one embodiment static lists can be updated) . The Movies and Music lists 642c, 642d can, for example, be dynamic in that the possible contents can be updated, but can be static in that they always use contents from the same location (e.g., a folder in a computer titled "Movies") to populate. Alternatively, lists such as the Movies and Music lists 642c, 642d could search the content of a device utilizing the UI 600, such as a computer, for a certain file type .

[ 0092 ] While the above embodiments have included four matrices 102 each containing ten cells 104, many other layouts and accompanying functionalities and actuations are possible. One embodiment of such a UI, the UI 700 shown in FIG. 7, includes four inner matrices 702 and four outer matrices 703. In the embodiment shown, a user can, for example, access a cell in an inner matrix 702 by single-clicking the directional key associated with that matrix, and can access a cell in an outer matrix 703 by double-clicking a directional key. Navigation between matrices can be performed using the functionalities and actuations previously described. While the matrices 702, 703 each comprises five cells 104, matrices comprising more cells are possible. This double-matrix layout can allow access to a large number of symbols and/or functions .

[ 0093 ] Embodiments of the present invention can also simulate mouse behavior. In one embodiment mouse commands can be functional symbols 106 within the cells 104 (e.g., "click" or "right click") . In a preferred embodiment, mouse commands can be input using a menu. One embodiment of such a menu is the puck menu 800 shown in FIG. 8. The puck menu 800 includes four quadrants

802a, 802b, 802c, 802d. Three of the quadrants (in this case, the quadrants 802b, 802c, 802d) can contain scrollable submenus 804 containing command items. In the puck menu 800, the quadrants 802b, 802d contain typical mouse commands, while the quadrant 802c is a functional command quadrant that switches functionalities.

[ 0094 ] A plurality of keys, such as the key layout 200, can be used as an input device with the puck menu 800. In the embodiment of the puck menu 800, the left quadrant 802a serves as a quadrant selector. An indicator 803, in the embodiment shown an arrow pointing to one of the quadrants 802b, 802d, indicates which of the quadrants 802b, 802d will be selected by actuating a key associated with the quadrant 802a. In the case where the key layout 200 is used as an input device, the directional key 204a is associated with the quadrant 802a. When the directional key 204a is actuated, whichever of the quadrants 802b, 802d is indicated by the indicator 703 upon actuation becomes active. A user can activate the quadrant 802c by actuating the directional key associated with the quadrant 802c, in this case the directional key 204c. [ 0095 ] Once one of the quadrants 802b, 802c, 802d is activated, a user can highlight one of the commands in the activated submenu 804 by scrolling through the submenus 804 using the two directional keys 204 not used to activate a quadrant 802; in this case, the directional keys 204b, 204d associated with the directions up and down. When the desired command is highlighted, a user can select the highlighted command by actuating an entry key such as the entry key 206.

[ 0096 ] The functional quadrant 802c can contain many different functional commands in different embodiments . In one embodiment of a UI according to the present invention, the puck menu 800 is shown on the same display as the UI 600. A "move" command can allow a user to move the puck menu 800 in relation to the UI 600. A "keypad" command could hide the puck menu 800 such that only the UI 600 was displayed. A "mouse" command could put the system into mouse mode, which will be described below. In another embodiment, the puck menu 800 is the only menu displayed on the UI, and selecting a command such as "keypad" can change the UI such that it displays only a UI such as the UI 600. In another embodiment a "mouse" command could change to mouse mode as well as convert the UI .

[ 0097 ] A "change menu" command could change which menus are displayed in the upper quadrant 802b and/or the lower quadrant 802d. For example, a user could change one of the quadrants 802b, 802d to display email commands if he or she wished to have email functionality. In one embodiment, a "change menu" command changes one of the submenus to display a list of possible menus; when one of these menus is selected that submenu changes to include the commands associated with that menu. As an example of this functionality, in FIG. 9A the quadrant 902c shows a command "mTop", equivalent to a command to change the contents of the top menu 904b. Upon selecting this command, the contents of the top menu 904b are changed to display a list of possible menus for selection by a user as shown in FIG. 9B. Upon selecting one of these options, the contents of the menu change to include commands related to the selection; in the case of FIGs . 9B and 9C, the command "Email" from FIG. 9B was selected such that the menu displayed in the quadrant 904b in FIG. 9C shows email commands. Any number of menus is possible. Upon changing one of the submenus in a quadrant, that quadrant can become active .

[0098] One embodiment of the present invention can utilize an input device, such as a device comprising the five keys 202 of FIG. 2, to easily and efficiently build custom lists which can, for example, be used as a result or corner list. For example, a custom list such as "legal terms" can be easily created and manipulated. A user can choose any number of known methods, such as scanning a computer or the internet for legal terms. This glossary could be divided into different files, for example, files beginning with each letter of the alphabet .

[0099] The system can then display the identified terms in a list builder. A list builder matrix 1000 comprising nine submatrices 1002, each containing five words 1004, and a command matrix 1006 is shown in FIG. 10. List builder matrices containing many different numbers of submatrices 1002 and words 1004 per submatrix are possible. The words 1004 in each submatrix 1002 can be organized, for example, alphabetically or based on the number of characters per word. [ 00100 ] In the embodiment of FIG. 10, the list builder matrix 1000 is in "remove" mode, meaning that by default the words 1004 will be added to a new list unless selected. An "add" mode, where a user must select which words 1004 to add to the new list, is also possible. The default initial highlighted upon entry into list builder mode can vary; in one embodiment, the middle word 1004a of the submatrix 1002a is highlighted by default. Navigation within a submatrix can be performed using the methods previously described with the result list. Navigation between matrices can, for example, be performed by double-clicking in the direction of the adjacent desired submatrix; for example, if the submatrix 1002a were highlighted, a user could double-click a right directional key to access the submatrix 1002b, a down directional key to access the submatrix 1002c, or an up directional key to access the command matrix 1006. Within the command matrix 1006, if source content contained more words than could fit in submatrices 1002, "previous page" and/or "next page" cells within the command matrix could be highlighted and selected to repopulate the submatrices . A save command can enable creation and/or modification of the custom list.

[ 00101 ] In one embodiment of the present invention, keys such as the keys in the key layout 200 can be used in a manner similar to that of a mouse . Mouse mode can be activated in any number of ways, including selecting a "mouse" command from a menu in a UI similar to the UI 600 or a menu similar to the puck menu 800. In another embodiment, mouse mode can be automatically activated upon a user selecting an option which would typically require, or be convenient to use with, mouse mode. When activated, mouse mode allows the user to change the position of a pointer by selecting one or more keys, such as the directional keys 204, such that the pointer moves in an associated direction. In one embodiment, the speed of pointer movement can vary based upon the type of actuation or number of actuations performed on a key. For example, a single-click of the directional key 204c could cause the pointer to move to the right at a "slow" speed, such as, for example, 100 pixels per second. Another single-click of the key 204c could increase the speed to a "moderate" speed, such as 200 pixels per second, and so on. In one embodiment, another actuation of the same key may cause the speed to return to "slow" or pause pointer movement. In one embodiment, actuating a key, such as the entry key 206, halts pointer movement.

[ 00102 ] A change of pointer movement direction can be initiated by actuating a directional key 204 associated with a direction other than the direction in which the pointer is moving. In one embodiment, actuating such a directional key 204 causes the pointer to move in the direction of the actuated key 204. In another embodiment, actuating such a directional key 204 causes the pointer to move in a direction between the previous direction of movement and the actuated key 204. As an example, if the pointer were moving to the right and a user actuated the key 204b (associated with the direction "up"), the pointer could move at an angle of 45° between the directions "right" and "up" . This angle can change based on system settings or user preference; for example, the actuation described above could change the angle of movement by 30° instead of 45°; an additional actuation could change the angle by an additional 30°, and so on.

[ 00103 ] In one embodiment, if a user actuates a directional key 204 associated with a direction opposite that of the pointer movement, the pointer begins moving in the actuated direction. In another embodiment, pointer movement stops. In yet another embodiment, pointer movement continues in the same direction, but slows. As an example, if the pointer is moving to the right at 300 pixels per second and a user actuates the key 204a, the pointer could slow to 200 pixels per second movement to the right .

[ 00104 ] Embodiments of the present disclosure can also utilize a sliding motion as an actuation. For instance, in some embodiments of those described above a short slide can be the equivalent of a "single actuation" while a longer slide can be the equivalent of a "double actuation." Two single actuations could be performed by entering two shorter slides back to back. The distance of said short and long slides can default to a predetermined distance but can be adjustable by the user to provide a custom user experience.

[ 00105 ] FIGs. 15 and 16 show two interfaces 1500,1600 with exemplary directional gestures and/or slide paths 1502,1602, respectively, which can be used in methods according to the present disclosure. While directional gestures are often referred to herein as "slide paths, " it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to sliding. For instance, location recognition could be used to locate a user's finger without that finger actually touching the device and sliding, or a system of different types and/or numbers of taps could be used. Many different embodiments are possible. These interfaces, methods (such as methods using slide paths), etc. can be particularly applicable to users who have difficulty working a QWERTY touchscreen, including users who are visually impaired. A user can indicate the end of a slide actuation by simply stopping the slide and/or lifting their finger off the touchscreen (see, e.g., the slide path leading to the letter I in FIG. 15), or by using a hook or reverse motion (see, e.g., the slide path for the letter B in FIG. 15) . Hook or reverse motions can also be used to indicate a letter in the direction of the hook/reverse (see, e.g., the slide path for the letter D in FIG. 15) . In FIG. 15, the letter D can be accessed via a short first slide followed by a hook, whereas the letter B can be accessed via a longer first slide followed by a hook. A change of direction in slide path can be used to reach another symbol; for instance, in FIG. 15, the slide path for the letter P includes a change such that the slide path is moving upward (or at 90° left from the original slide path to the right) to reach the location of the P on the interface. Diagonal slide path direction changes are also possible (see, e.g., the slide path for the letter Z in FIG. 15), as are original diagonal slide path directions .

[ 00106 ] Slides can originate in a preset point. In the specific embodiment of FIG. 15 this is the center of the user interface, but could be placed elsewhere. Actuating the center origin point, such as by tapping it, can also result in an entry, such as a "space, " "enter, " or "return" entry. For instance, in one embodiment a quick tap on the origin point is a space, a slightly longer tap on the origin point is a period, and an even longer tap/hold of the origin point is a "return" entry. In some embodiments the origin point can be ad ustable . In other embodiments there is no preset origin point, but the origin point is simply wherever the user first places his or her finger or other actuating tool. Such embodiments can be particularly helpful to visually impaired users, since such users can have great difficulty in locating an origin point (which is one reason that QWERTY touchscreens for such users can be particularly difficult to use) . Such embodiments and others described herein can be particularly useful for use with touch screens such as those on smart phones and/or touchscreen electronic pads such as iPads, and even more particularly useful to such devices that have a smooth surface and/or transition between an interactive touch area and a border that is not interactive and not responsive to touch, since a visually impaired user may not be able to locate that border due to the smooth transition. In one particular such embodiment all slide lengths are measured from this origin point. The same origin point actuation described above is also possible in such an embodiment (e.g. the user can tap quickly, tap in a longer manner, or hold a point on the screen or other data entry surface to cause entry of "space," "period," or "return") . Many different embodiments are possible.

[ 00107 ] FIG. 16 shows slide paths in a user interface including upper left ("UL") and upper right ("UR") matrices, each matrix including five numbers (although many different matrices are possible) . For instance, in the UL matrix, a 1 is accessed via a short UL slide path, a 5 is accessed via a long UL slide path, and a 4 is accessed via a UL slide path (of any length) followed by a down right ("DR.") slide path, or a hook/reverse action as previously described. In another embodiment 4 can be accessed by a medium UL slide path. In this embodiment a 2 is accessed by a UL slide path followed by a down left

("DL") ending slide motion at approximately 90° to the original slide path (or an L slide motion as mentioned in the text of FIG. 16 at approximately 135° to the original slide path) , and similarly 3 can be accessed by a UL slide path followed by a UR or R ending slide motion. The ending slide motion in this and other embodiments can be relatively short compared to the primary slide motion. Further, while in this embodiment the slide path for 1 is shown as much shorter than the slide path for 4, these slide paths could be equivalent but for the inclusion of the hook/reverse ending slide motion for 4. Many different embodiments are possible. For instance, in FIG. 15, the A and B slide paths can be essentially equal but for the "hook" to access B (or, in another embodiment, a "hook" to access A) . The E and D slide paths can be essentially equal but for the "hook" to access D, and can be essentially equal but for the up and down (or right angle) ending slide motions to the slide paths for C and F. Many different embodiments are possible.

[ 00108 ] The above and below examples describe slide paths with regard to a static UI frame of reference. It is understood, however, that slide paths can be described in other ways. For example, secondary slide paths can be described with regard to their change in direction compared to their respective primary slide paths . For example, in the specific embodiment of FIG. 16, a 2 was reached via a UL primary slide path and a DL secondary slide path. This could also be described as a UL primary slide path, followed by a 90° left turn secondary slide path, since a DL secondary slide path is a 90° left turn from a UL primary slide path. Any of the secondary (or tertiary, etc.) slide paths described herein can be described in either or both ways .

[ 00109] It is understood that the methods/interfaces of FIGs . 15 and 16 can be used in conjunction with methods/interfaces described previously herein. [ 00110 ] Additional exemplary embodiments 21 and 22 below describe certain specific embodiments with relation to FIGs . 15 and 16. It is understood that not all elements or steps recited therein are necessary and that some elements/steps can be omitted, and other elements/steps can be added. Further, the actual symbols used are exemplary, and any number of symbol/location combinations is possible.

[ 00111 ] FIG. 17 shows a user interface 1700. The interface 1700 includes left ("L"), up ("U"), right ("R"), and down

("D") quadrants, termed here "normal quadrants." Each of these quadrants can include letters or other symbols as previously described, which can be accessed using those actuations (such as slides) previously described. It is understood that as previously described, while the interfaces in FIGs. 17-23 can be shown visually, they can be accessed from a different origin than that shown. For example, the origin for each entry can be where the user first places his or her finger (or other actuation tool) . This can be particularly applicable to visually impaired or blind users, as previously described. The letters or other symbols can be accessed in any of the ways previously described, such as via slide paths . When a user initially selects a quadrant by beginning a slide in that quadrant's direction, the view can become magnified to the user interface 1800 shown in FIG. 18 (which is shown for a user who begins with a left slide; it is understood that the other quadrants can be accessed and/or magnified in a similar manner) . Magnification in this manner can assist a new user of the system in learning how to operate the system by memory, such that a visual interface is no longer necessary. [ 00112 ] FIG. 19 shows a user interface 1900. The interface 1900 includes UL, UR, DR, and DL quadrants, termed "diagonal quadrants" herein. In some embodiments, a user can switch between UIs, such as the UIs 1700, 1900. The diagonal quadrants can include another set of symbols, such as numerals 0-9 and other common symbols such as a period, a comma, a semicolon, a hashtag, etc. The user interface can operate in the same manner as those previously described. Similar to FIGs. 17 and 18, when a user initially selects a quadrant by beginning a slide in that quadrant's direction, the view can become magnified to the user interface 2000 shown in FIG. 20 (for any of the quadrants shown) . Magnification in such a manner can have many benefits. For example, in some embodiments, magnification can also adjust the precision with which a user must act to make a selection, such as by lessening the amount of precision needed. Magnification also makes it easier for visually impaired users to see the UI .

[ 00113 ] The numbers and symbols in the UI 1900 can be ergonomically placed such that a user can use natural gestures to access certain symbols. For instance, the slide paths necessary to access a symbol can mimic the shape of that symbol. As some examples, an open parentheses can be accessed via a long, down, left slide, followed by a long, down, right slide, mimicking the symbol's shape. A close parentheses can be accessed via a long, down, right slide followed by a long, down, left slide. A backslash can be accessed by a long, down, right slide followed by an up-left slide. A slash can be accessed by a long, down, left slide followed by an upright slide. A comma can be accessed by a short, down, right slide followed by a short, down, left slide, mimicking the comma's shape. Similar symbols can be placed near one another and/or be associated with similar slide paths for ease of access. For instance, the comma and semicolon can be next to one another, and the colon and period can be near one another. Additionally, symbols used for calculations (such as *, +, -, /, =, etc.) can be placed near one another and/or have similar slide paths . Finally, the most used symbols can be the most easily accessible with easy slide paths, such that they can be accessed quickly and easily like hotkeys. Many different embodiments are possible.

[ 00114 ] Additionally, certain 3-direction slides can be used to access certain symbols and/or certain words, such as very common words. For example, the below three direction slides can be used to access certain symbols. Some exemplary embodiments are below:

[ 00115 ] = DL+UL+DL

[ 00116 ] = DR+UR+DR

[ 00117 ] = shortDL+L+DR or shortDL+UL+DR

[ 00118 ] = shortDR+R+DL or shortDL+UR+DL

[ 00119] = longDL+L+DR or longDL+UL+DR

[ 00120 ] = longDR+R+DL or longDL+UR+DL

[ 00121 ] Additionally, three direction slides (or other triple actuation types) can be used to enter common words . For example, in some embodiments the word "THE" can be entered using a D+U+L slide pattern. These slide patterns can be ergonomically designed to match with the UI . For instance, in the above example for the word "THE", in the UI 1700, "T" is in the down quadrant, "H" is in the up quadrant, and "E" is in the left quadrant, corresponding to the D+U+L slide pattern. Other slide patterns for common words are possible; some exemplary slide patterns are shown below:

[ 00122 ] THE = D+U+L

[ 00123 ] AND = L+R+L [ 00124 ] ING = U+DR+UL

[ 00125 ] THAT = D+U+D

[ 00126 ] HAVE = U+L+R

[ 00127 ] WITH = D+U+D+U (4 DIRECTIONS)

[ 00128 ] FOR = L+R+D

[ 00129] NOT = R+D+L

[ 00130 ] YOU = D+R+L

[ 00131 ] BUT = L+D+R

[ 00132 ] FIG. 21 shows a user interface 2100. The interface 2100 includes both the normal quadrants from the user interface 1700 and the diagonal quadrants from the user interface 1900. In an embodiment with all quadrants (in this case, all 8 quadrants) showing and/or operable, a user may need to be more precise in his or her actuation technique/movement/slide due to the fact that more symbols are available for selection within the same area. However, the user interface 1900 has the advantage of having more symbols immediately available . The interface can become magnified to any of the normal or diagonal quadrants, as previously described. Magnification can occur all at once (e.g., once a user has slid a certain distance, the accessed quadrant becomes fully magnified) , or gradually (e.g., as a user slides in a direction to access a quadrant, the quadrant in the direction associated with the slide gradually becomes more magnified) .

[ 00133 ] The user interfaces 1700,1900,2100 can include edge bars 1702,1704,1706. Edge bars such as the edge bars 1702,1704,1706 can serve many different functions, including but not limited to UI selection functions (e.g. selecting between different UIs, such as the UIs 1700,1900,2100). In this case the user interfaces include a lower edge bar 1702, a left edge bar 1704, and a right edge bar 1706, which can be particularly applicable for setups such as those shown in FIGs. 22 and 23, where the user interface is a data entry interface below another interface, such as the area of a cell phone where a user sees the data entered, such as the interfaces 2204, 2304. It is understood that more edge bars (such as a top edge bar) or fewer edge bars could be used. The edge bars can be along the edge of the interface which may correspond to an edge that can be felt by a user, which can be of particular importance for visually impaired users .

[ 00134 ] One of the edge bars, such as in this embodiment the lower edge bar 1702, can be used to select the active user interface. For instance, a slide left on the edge bar 1702 can access the user interface 1700 or, if the user interface 1700 is already active, can select one of the magnified quadrant views such as that shown in FIG. 18, and then scroll through those four views with each left slide. A slide right on the edge bar 1702 can access the user interface 1800, and similarly, further right slides on the edge bar 1702 can scroll through the quadrant views of the user interface 1800. Other actuations can access other UIs. For instance, a left slide followed by an up slide can access the emoji UI 2302 shown in FIG. 23, while a right slide followed by an up slide can access the full UI 2100. Holding or pressing the lower edge bar 1702 followed by sliding left (or right) can make the screen or UI dimmer (or brighter) . Sliding up/inward from the edge bar 1702 can access another UI . It is understood that these actions are exemplary, and different actuations on different slide bars can perform different functions and/or access different UIs .

[ 00135 ] Other edge bars can perform other functions . For example, the right edge bar 1706 can be used to adjust the height of the UI, such as sliding up (to make it bigger, assuming the UI is on the bottom of a screen) or down (to make it smaller, assuming the UI is on the bottom of the screen) . The left edge bar 1704 can be used to control the case of the typing. For example, one slide up can change to upper case for the next entry; another slide up can lock upper case; one swipe down can revert to normal mode (using, e.g., auto-capitalization); two slides down can lock lower case. Many different embodiments are possible. Combinations of slides on one or more edge bars can lead to other features or modes . For instance, up-down-up can toggle between all caps, all lower case, "title" where first letters of words are capitalized, then to standard mode. Down-up-down can restore to the original mode. Many different embodiments and variations on the above are possible.

[ 00136 ] In some embodiments, a user can switch the active user interface from the UI 1700 to the UI 1900 for a single entry by pressing and holding, and then performing the actuation (e.g. slide), after which the UI will return to the UI 1700 (or vice versa) .

[ 00137 ] In some embodiments, if a user realizes he or she has begun an actuation in an incorrect manner (such as sliding in the wrong direction), the user can enter an actuation to cancel, such as sliding in a circle or ¾ of a circle (in coding, this could be recognized as entering all four directions in order, or three directions in order ) .

[ 00138 ] Contractions can also be entered using methods and devices according to the present invention. For instance, after typing "h-e-1-1", a user could slide for a very long distance, converting "hell" to "he'll." Another very long slide could convert back to "hell, " or could delete the word entirely. Other actuations to prompt this functionality are possible.

[ 00139] As shown in the UI 1700, deletion of the last symbol is a down-left actuation. Another type of actuation can delete the last word, such as a down-left- right actuation. Another type of actuation can capitalize a word that was typed, such as an up-left-right actuation . Another type of actuation can delete the character after the cursor, such as a down-right-left actuation .

[ 00140 ] Data entry devices according to the present disclosure could also include a rotation feature. This could be useful for applications that do not enable auto- rotation, where a user still wishes to have a rotated UI . This could be accessed using, e.g., edge bar commands, or another command such as a full circle, a rotation in one direction followed by a rotation in another direction, etc. One exemplary edge bar command to rotate is to slide up on an edge bar, inward (e.g., to the right from the left edge bar (for, e.g., clockwise rotation), or to the left from the right edge bar (for., e.g., counterclockwise rotation)), and then downward. Many different types of commands are possible.

[ 00141 ] A certain type of actuation can also access a configuration mode. In this mode, a user can change the distance of slide necessary for a short slide versus a long slide (e.g. accessing "E" to accessing "A" in the UI 1700), or can change the distance of slide necessary to access a quadrant from the origin point. Other settings can also be changed in this mode. [ 00142 ] It is understood that the methods/interfaces of FIGs . 17-23 can be used in conjunction with methods/interfaces described previously herein.

[ 00143 ] Devices and methods according to the present disclosure can include feedback. For example, voice feedback from the device including the UI (e.g. the phone, pad, etc.) can announce what a user has entered, either upon each entry or upon the user entering an actuation to prompt that feedback. Another type of feedback available is haptic or vibratory feedback. For example, a first vibration could occur when a user slides a distance such as to access a quadrant and the nearest letter therein, such as the letter E in the UI 1700, and then vibrate again (either at the same, lower, or higher force; and/or at the same, shorter, or longer time of vibration) once the slide reaches the further letter, such as the letter A in the UI 1700. The vibrations can be different depending upon the type of quadrant accessed, such as normal quadrants versus diagonal quadrants . For instance, diagonal quadrants could use multiple vibrations while normal quadrants use single vibrations, vice versa, or other types of variations between vibrations, such as vibration strength or time.

[ 00144 ] Additionally, feedback can be given in real-time as opposed to when a symbol has already been entered, which can be beneficial in that the user can realize a mistaken symbol is about to be entered and address this situation proactively, prior to symbol entry. The above- described haptic/vibratory feedback is real-time; other types of feedback, such as voice feedback or visual feedback (e.g., one specific area showing what symbol would be entered if the user ended the actuation at that point in time) can also be real-time. [ 00145 ] One embodiment of a system and method according to the present disclosure can combine haptic or vibratory feedback with the Braille system of letters and characters. Basic Braille uses a system of six dots to define letters and characters. The six dots are arranged in two parallel columns of three dots each (i.e., a system of two columns and three rows) . In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the system includes six vibration areas corresponding to the six dots of the Braille system; when giving feedback, all six dots vibrate at least slightly, while the dots corresponding to the feedback symbol give off a stronger vibration than the non-selected dots. In another embodiment, only the selected dots vibrate. Many different embodiments are possible

[ 00146 ] Embodiments of the present disclosure can also utilize cursor control features, whereby a cursor can be moved by a user's sliding and/or pressing. A cursor control mode can be started in any number of ways, with one exemplary method of starting cursor control mode being sliding inward from an edge bar and then back outward to that edge bar (e.g., sliding right from the left edge bar, and then back toward and/or to the left edge bar) . After the second slide is accomplished, the user can then slide to place the cursor. For example, in the above example where a user has slid right from the left edge back and then back toward and/or to the left edge bar, reversing direction again and sliding right will move the cursor to the right; sliding upward will move the cursor upward; and sliding downward will move the cursor downward. In order to move the cursor to the left, the user could initially make a small slide right to begin cursor movement, and then slide left to move the cursor left . A user could, for example with the English language, slide up and left to move the cursor towards the beginning of a document and slide down and right to move the cursor towards the end of that document. Many different embodiments are possible.

[ 00147 ] While the above embodiments have described actuations such as taps and slides, other types of actuations are also possible. As one example, a user need not actually physically contact a data entry surface to physically "tap" or "slide, " but could use hand or finger gestures. As other examples, actuations for users unable to use their hands are possible. Users can, for example, move their head in a certain manner (e.g. turning and/or nodding) , blink one or both eyes in a certain manner, tighten one or both cheeks in a certain manner, etc. Some exemplary movements include:

[ 00148 ] To actuate left: blink left eye, turn head left, or tighten left cheek, and the equivalent to the right to actuate right; in some embodiments, one of blinking the left eye, turning the head left, and tightening the left cheek can each actuate one of left-up, left, and left- down, and the equivalent to the right to actuate the corresponding right directions;

[ 00149] To actuate up: lift one or both eyebrows, or nod head up;

[ 00150 ] To actuate "tap": smile, make an "oh" gesture with mouth, blink both eyes, or scrunch nose;

[ 00151 ] For angular actuations such as up/left, up/right, down/left, down/right: nod in that angular direction; and/or [ 00152 ] For the equivalent of a long slide: turn head that direction and hold for a period of time .

[ 00153 ] These actuations and other actuations described herein, such as hand gestures, can be recognized using a device's camera, such as a cell phone camera or tablet camera .

[ 00154 ] Other types of actuations are also possible. For example, a user could move the device in a certain manner and that movement could be recognized using, e.g., a gyroscope and/or accelerometer .

[ 00155 ] Certain symbols may have slide paths that are so similar to one another that users may often accidentally enter a first symbol when they meant to enter a second symbol. For example, in the interface 1700, the long left slide path for letter A may be accidentally entered when a user meant to enter a short left slide path for letter E. For instances such as this where one symbol is often accidentally entered for another, and vice versa, systems and methods according to the present disclosure can include an actuation to swap between the two associated symbols . Such an actuation can toggle between the two associated symbols, or can toggle between the two associated symbols and deletion of the entered symbol altogether. The toggle actuation can be any of the above or below described actuations. In some embodiments, the toggle actuation can be a flick or high-velocity slide, a double tap, a multi-fingered tap such as a two-fingered or three-fingered tap, a pinch of two fingers together or apart, or another type of actuation.

[ 00156 ] In some instances, a user may not realize that they entered the incorrect symbol until a following, correct symbol has already been entered. In some embodiments, the above-described toggle actuation can toggle the last symbol entered that has an associated symbol as described above, such that if the following symbol entered was not a symbol with an associated symbol, the toggle actuation corrects the mistyped symbol . Alternatively, if the following symbol did have an associated symbol, then the following symbol would need to be deleted prior to entering the toggle actuation .

[ 00157 ] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a user can toggle through all symbols of a quadrant. For example, a user can slide to activate a quadrant, and then press or hold in order to begin toggling through all symbols of that quadrant. The user could receive visual, audible, haptic, vibratory, and/or other feedback as the symbols are toggling. Upon releasing the press or hold, or performing another type of actuation, the last- announced symbol could be entered. An option for no entry could also be included in the toggle order, which can be beneficial if a user realizes he or she did not actually mean to enter a symbol from that quadrant . In some embodiments, the cycle of announced symbols can be repeated if a user does not select a symbol (or affirmatively select no symbol) through the first cycle.

[ 00158 ] In a similar embodiment, a user can toggle through all symbols of a quadrant by entering another type of actuation instead of a press or hold. For instance, a user can slide their finger or entry device in a circle, toggling through the symbols of the quadrant as he or she progressively completes the circle. Sliding in the opposite circular direction could toggle backwards through the symbols . [ 00159] While many of the above embodiments specifically describe shorter and longer slides, it is understood that other methods of differentiating slides are possible, such as slide velocity. For instance, a slow velocity slide could be substituted for a shorter slide described below, while a high velocity slide could be substituted for a longer slide described below; or vice versa. Many embodiments are possible. In another embodiment, slides are differentiated by whether or not a user presses at the end of the slide, or simply releases at the end of the slide .

[ 00160 ] In one embodiment of the UI 1700 described above, sliding up/inward from the edge bar 1702 accessed alternative UIs. Other actuations are also possible to access different UIs and/or different menus. For example, in one embodiment a press actuation will change from the default alphabet UI 1700 to the number/character UI 1900. In one embodiment, the system can scroll through or toggle UIs depending upon the length of a press. In another embodiment, a press for under a certain period of time accesses another UI for a single symbol entry (after which it will go back to the previous UI), whereas a press for over a certain period of time switches to the other UI until the user affirmatively switches out of it.

[ 00161 ] It is understood that embodiments presented herein are meant to be exemplary. Embodiments of the present invention can comprise any combination of compatible features shown in the various figures, and these embodiments should not be limited to those expressly illustrated and discussed. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred configurations thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the invention should not be limited to the versions described above. Further, while specific embodiments are described above, methods, devices, and systems according to embodiments of the present invention can be customizable (e.g., a user can specify, for example, an appropriate time period for a double-click time interval) .

Additional Exemplary Embodiments

1. A data entry system for the entry of symbols, comprising :

a data entry device comprising four keys; and a user interface comprising at least twelve cells, wherein each of said cells is associated with a symbol available for user selection;

wherein said at least twelve cells comprises at least four first cells, at least four second cells, and at least four subordinate cells;

wherein each of said four first cells can be selected by a single-actuation of a corresponding one of said four keys;

wherein each of said four second cells can be selected by a double-actuation of a corresponding one of said four keys;

wherein each of said four subordinate cells can be selected by two single-actuations of a corresponding one of said four keys; and

wherein each of said four subordinate cells is between a corresponding one of said first cells and a corresponding one of said second cells. 2. The data entry system of claim 1, wherein said at least twelve cells are arranged in a matrix having a center ;

wherein said at least twelve cells comprises at least sixteen cells, said sixteen cells comprising eight subordinate cells; and

wherein each of said subordinate cells is either between a corresponding one of said first cells and a corresponding one of said second cells, or between said center of said matrix and a corresponding one of said first cells .

3. The data entry system of claim 1, comprising 32 subordinate cells;

wherein each of said first cells is associate with a corresponding one of said second cells and with eight subordinate cells .

4. The data entry system of claim 3, wherein said cells are arranged in four 3x3+1 matrices.

5. The data entry system of claim 1, wherein the symbol associated with a selected cell is automatically selected after a preset time after the selection of the selected cell .

6. The data entry system of claim 1, further comprising an entry key;

wherein the symbol associated with a selected cell is selected by actuation of the entry key.

7. The data entry system of claim 1, wherein the symbol associated with a selected cell can be selected both by actuation of an entry key and automatically after a preset time after the selection of the selected cell.

8. The data entry system of claim 7, wherein selected symbols are added to a word builder.

9. The data entry system of claim 1, wherein each of said keys is associated in a 1:1:1 relationship with one of said first cells, and one of said second cells.

10. The data entry system of claim 9, wherein each of said first cells and each of said second cells is associated with a symbol in a 1:1 relationship.

11. The data entry system of claim 1, wherein each of said first cells and each of said second cells is associated with one of a group of nine letters consisting of "e", "t", "a", "o" , "i", "n", "s", "r", and "h".

12. A data entry system comprising:

a first key associated with a first direction, a second key associated with a second direction, a third key associated with a third direction, and a fourth key associated with a four direction; and

a matrix of cells associated with each of said directions, each of said matrices comprising a center cell and an end cell with a subordinate cell therebetween ;

wherein each of said center cells can be selected by a single actuation of its associated key;

wherein each of said end cells can be selected by a double actuation of its associated key; and

wherein each of said subordinate cells can be selected by two single actuations of its associated key. 13. The data entry system of claim 12, wherein said first direction is opposite said third direction and wherein said second direction is opposite said fourth direction .

14. The data entry system of claim 12, wherein said first direction is up, said second direction is left, said third direction is down, and said fourth direction is right.

15. The data entry system of claim 12, wherein each of said matrices is a 3x3x1 matrix.

16. The data entry system of claim 12, wherein each of said cells is associated with a symbol; and

wherein said data entry system returns to a neutral state after selection of one of said symbols .

17. A data entry system comprising:

a data entry device comprising four keys, wherein each of said keys is associated with one first cell and one second cell;

wherein each of said first and second cells is associated with one of a group of the nine most commonly selected symbols;

wherein a single-actuation of one of said keys activates its associated first cell;

wherein a double-actuation of one of said keys activates is associated second cell; and

wherein two single-actuations of one of said keys activates a subordinate cell. 18. The data entry system of claim 17, where a single- actuation of any one of said keys activates its associated first cell; and

wherein a double-actuation of any one of said keys activates its associated second cell; and

wherein two single-actuations of any one of said keys activates a subordinate cell.

19. The data entry system of claim 18, wherein a single- actuation of a first one of said keys followed by a single-actuation of a second one of said keys activates another subordinate cell .

20. The data entry system of claim 17, wherein each of said keys is associated with a matrix comprising one first cell, one second cell, and a plurality of

subordinate cells .

21. A data entry system for the entry of symbols, comprising :

a data entry device comprising a single key; and a user interface comprising of at least twelve cells, wherein each of said cells is associated with a symbol available for user selection in the 4 normal directions up, down, left, and right;

wherein said at least twelve cells comprises of at least four first cells, at least four second cells;

Wherein each of said four first cells can be selected by a short slide of the single key in the direction of a corresponding one of said four cells [See letters E, I, N, and S of diagram] ;

wherein each of said four second cells can be selected by a long slide of the single key in the direction of a corresponding one of said four cells [See letters A, H, 0, and T of diagram] ;

wherein each of said four "normal" subordinate cells (perpendicular to the first or second cell) can be selected by a slide of the single key in the direction of the first cell associated with the subordinate cell followed by a second slide in the direction of the subordinate cell (normal to the first slide) [See letters C, F, J, L, P, R, W, and backspace of diagram] ;

Wherein each of said four "outer collinear" subordinate cells (in-line with the first or second cell) can be selected by a long slide of the single key in the direction of the first cell associated with the

subordinate cell followed by a second slide in the opposite direction of the first slide [See letters B, G, Q, and U of diagram] '

wherein each of said four "inner collinear"

subordinate cells (in-line with the first or second cell) can be selected by a short slide of the single key in the direction of the first cell associated with the

subordinate cell followed by a second slide in the opposite direction of the first slide [See letters D, K, M, and Y of diagram] ;

wherein each of said four "outer angular"

subordinate cells (at a 45 degree angle with the first or second cell) can be selected by a long slide of the single key in the direction of the first cell associated with the subordinate cell followed by a second slide in the opposite and angled direction of the subordinate cell [See letters V, and ENTER of diagram] ;

wherein each of said four "inner angular"

subordinate cells (at a 45 degree angle with the first or second cell) can be selected by a short slide of the single key in the direction of the first cell associated with the subordinate cell followed by a second slide in the opposite and angled direction of the subordinate cell [See letters X, and Z of diagram] ; and

Wherein the SPACE character can be selected by a single tap of the single key.

22. A data entry system for the entry of numbers, comprising :

a data entry device comprising a single key; and a user interface comprising of at least ten cells; wherein each of said cells is associated with a symbol available for user selection in the 4 angled directions up-left, up-right, down-left, and down-right; wherein said at least ten cells comprises of at least two first cells, at least two second cells;

wherein each of said two first cells can be selected by a short slide of the single key in the direction of a corresponding one of said two cells [See numbers 1, and 6 of diagram] ;

wherein each of said two second cells can be selected by a long slide of the single key in the direction of a corresponding one of said two cells [See numbers 5, and 0 of diagram] ;

wherein each of said four "normal" subordinate cells (perpendicular to the first or second cell) can be selected by a slide of the single key in the direction of the first cell associated with the subordinate cell followed by a second slide in the direction of the subordinate cell (normal to the first slide) [See numbers 2, 3, 7 and 8 of diagram] ;

wherein each of said four "outer collinear"

subordinate cells (in-line with the first or second cell) can be selected by a slide of the single key in the direction of the first cell associated with the

subordinate cell followed by a second side in the opposite direction of the first slide [See numbers 4, and 9 of diagram] .

23. A data entry device comprising a data entry surface, said data entry device configured such that :

a user can set an origin point by pressing on a point on the data entry surface;

a user can access one of four sets of symbols by sliding in a first direction, a second direction, a third direction, or a fourth direction, respectively; said first direction opposite said second direction; said third direction opposite said fourth direction; and said third direction ninety degrees rotated from said first direction ;

a user can select a symbol within the accessed set of symbols based on the manner in which the user

continues the slide after the accessed set of symbols is accessed;

wherein the manners in which the user continues the slide can include discontinuing the slide, sliding further, sliding backward, sliding ninety degrees in a first direction, and sliding ninety degrees in a second direction .

24. The data entry device of claim 23, wherein said data entry surface is a screen.

25. The data entry device of claim 23, including four further sets of symbols each associated with one of a fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth direction; said fifth direction opposite said sixth direction; said seventh direction opposite said eighth direction; said seventh direction ninety degrees rotated from said fifth

direction; and said fifth direction fourty-five degrees rotated from said first direction.

26. The data entry device of claim 23, wherein a user sliding along an edge of the data entry surface is configured to adjust which set of four quadrants is acces sible .

27. The data entry device of claim 23, wherein said data entry device gives a first haptic feedback when a user accesses a quadrant, and a second haptic feedback if the user continues the slide in the same direction.

28. The data entry device of claim 27, wherein the second haptic feedback is different than the first haptic feedback .

29. The data entry device of claim 27, wherein said data entry device gives a third haptic feedback if the user changes direction.

30. The data entry device of claim 27, wherein the first, second, and third haptic feedbacks are different from one another .

31. A data entry device comprising a data entry surface, said data entry device configured such that upon entry of an actuation or set of actuations by pressing and/or sliding on said data entry surface, a user sets an origin point where the actuation or set of actuations finishes; and wherein sliding from said origin point is configured to move a cursor displayed on said data entry surface to a different area in text surrounding said cursor.

32. The data entry device of claim 31, wherein said sliding from said origin point is configured to move said cursor in said text in the same direction as said sliding .

Claims

I CLAIM:

1. A data entry device comprising a data entry surface, said data entry device configured such that :

a user can set an origin point by pressing on a point on the data entry surface;

a user can access one of four sets of symbols by sliding in a first direction, a second direction, a third direction, or a fourth direction, respectively; said first direction opposite said second direction; said third direction opposite said fourth direction; and said third direction ninety degrees rotated from said first direction; and

a user can select a symbol within the accessed set of symbols based on the manner in which the user

continues or discontinues the slide after the accessed set of symbols is accessed;

wherein the manners in which the user can continue or discontinue the slide include discontinuing the slide, sliding further, sliding backward, sliding ninety degrees in a first direction, and sliding ninety degrees in a second direction.

2. The data entry device of claim 1, wherein said data entry surface is a screen.

3. The data entry device of claim 1, including four further sets of symbols each associated with one of a fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth direction; said fifth direction opposite said sixth direction; said seventh direction opposite said eighth direction; said seventh direction ninety degrees rotated from said fifth

direction; and said fifth direction fourty-five degrees rotated from said first direction.

4. The data entry device of claim 1, wherein a user sliding along an edge of the data entry surface is configured to adjust which set of four quadrants is acces sible .

5. The data entry device of claim 1, wherein said data entry device gives a first haptic feedback when a user accesses a quadrant, and a second haptic feedback if the user continues the slide in the same direction by a certain distance.

6. The data entry device of claim 5, wherein the second haptic feedback is different than the first haptic feedback .

7. The data entry device of claim 5, wherein said data entry device gives a third haptic feedback if the user changes direction.

8. The data entry device of claim 5, wherein the first, second, and third haptic feedbacks are different from one another .

9. The data entry device of claim 5, wherein the first and second haptic feedbacks are vibratory feedbacks .

10. A method for data entry of one or more symbols using a data entry device, comprising:

setting an origin point by pressing on a data entry surface with a data entry apparatus;

accessing a select one of a plurality of groups of symbols, wherein each of said plurality of groups of symbols is associated with a direction, by sliding said data entry apparatus from said origin point in the direction associated with said select group of symbols.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said data entry apparatus is a user's finger.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said plurality of groups of symbols comprises a first group of symbols associated with a first direction, a second group of symbols associated with a second direction opposite said first direction, a third group of symbols associated with a third direction ninety degrees rotated from said first direction, and a fourth group of symbols associated with a fourth direction opposite said third direction.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein each of said plurality of groups of symbols comprises a plurality of symbols each associated with one of a plurality of manners of continuing said sliding, and further

comprising selecting one of said plurality of symbols in said select group of symbols by continuing said sliding in the manner associated with said select one of said symbols .

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said plurality of manners of continuing said sliding comprises 1) turning said slide ninety degrees in a first direction, and 2) turning said slide ninety degrees in a second direction.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said plurality of manners of continuing said sliding further comprises 3) continuing said sliding in the same direction, and 4) hooking or reversing said sliding.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein each of said plurality of groups of symbols further comprises another symbol associated with discontinuing said sliding.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein each of said plurality of groups of symbols further comprises another symbol associated with discontinuing said sliding.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein said data entry surface is a screen.

19. The method of claim 10, wherein said screen displays at least some of said symbols .