KR20080097176A - Method for assigning large sets of characters in different modes to keys of a number keypad for low keypress-data-entry ratio - Google Patents

Abstract

A key assignment method assigns large sets of alphabetic and other characters and functions to the keys of a standard numeric keypad for text/data entry on an electronic device. Two letters are assigned in pairs to each key of the standard 12-key keypad in a first character mode, and other symbols, characters, or infrequently used letters are assigned in a second or more optional character modes. A mode selection key is provided to select between the modes. In the first character mode, a keypress of a key selects the first letter of the pair and two keypresses in succession selects the second letter. The letter pairs may be assigned in alphabetic order, except for infrequently used letters, such as 'Q' and 'Z', or in QWERTY order, or in pairs of a more frequently-used letter with a less frequently-used letter. By comparison to the standard phone keypad layout having an average KPD = 2.2, this method can achieve a KPD = 1.4 or lower. The standard directional arrow keys (RDI keys) may be used for mode selection in multiple character modes. Using the RDI mode selector can transform the conventional 12-key telephone keypad into the equivalent of a 60-key data entry layout (or expandable by 60 more keys for each additional character per key per mode keystroke used), thereby allowing operation comparable to a full QWERTY keyboard of characters, with enhanced symbols and functions, and/or with multi-language character sets.

Description

METHOD FOR ASSIGNING LARGE SETS OF CHARACTERS IN DIFFERENT MODES TO KEYS OF A NUMBER KEYPAD FOR LOW KEYPRESS-DATA-ENTRY RATIO}

The present invention is generally a large set of codes in different modes on several keys of a standard numeric keypad used in portable telephones and other electronic devices for fast, reliable and convenient text / data entry. To assign them.

Efficient methods of text entry include: the continuous increase in the use of SMS text messaging on mobile phones; An increase in the number of users who rely on Internet access through their mobile phones to retrieve their emails on the go; Continued proliferation of mobile Internet access devices; And today's mobility due to the increased portability of other types of text applications such as chat, instant messaging (IM), calendar, address book, contacts, word processor, etc. It is becoming increasingly important in the device market. Some devices provide folding and / or plug-in keyboards that follow the standard Dvorak, or more generally, the QWERTY keyboard layout familiar to users working on PCs. Things are vulnerable to carry or use in many mobile situations. When the keys are miniaturized to fit the mobile device appearance, each small key becomes difficult to operate correctly and correctly. Each key requires its own footprint and switch, and the increased keys occupy significant space on the printed board of the device, resulting in increased facility and assembly costs.

For decades, the telephone keypad has been added with the fourth letter of each English (Latin) alphabet (two of the Arabic keys have one of the less frequently used 'Q' and 'Z' signs as the fourth character, The practice of printing Arabic numeral keys 2-9 has continued. Thus, the caller can "spell" the phone number from the words that aid in memory. With the advent of automatic telephone changeover systems, in a stored name directory indexed with various Arabic numeral-key combinations, a caller can call using the Arabic numeral keys on the keypad to predict the correct name and correspond to the letters of the name. By "spelling" the recipient's name, it has become common to provide automatic call routing. However, these predictive spelling systems sometimes cause "false positives". That is, the systems require the user to perform additional steps to select alternative words that are not intended by the user but spelled by the same keypress combination, or to select or enter the correct word among the returned candidates.

This predictive spelling approach has been widely applied for text entry on telephone keypads, using the T9 ™ predictive spelling system of Tegic Corp. (Seattle, WA), Seattle, WA. By using the stored word dictionary indexed in the 10- Arabic numeral key press combinations of and ordering the words for selection based on the frequency of use, the user predicts which word is the intended word. Recently, another application of the predictive spelling approach has been developed by Research In Motion (RIM) Corp., Montreal, Canada, Montreal, Canada, and related Sure for related BlackBerry ™ wireless PDAs. Applied to the SureType ™ keyboard system, two special columns with four keys each are added to each side of the three columns of the standard 12-key configuration, and also mimic the standard QWERTY 26-character keyboard. To do this we assign two alphabetic letters or symbols to each of the fifteen keys. By assigning two letters in combination with predictive spelling, the Suretype system expands the range of keypress combinations that are entered, correctly selecting the intended word and reducing "false positivity". For example, as shown in PCT published patent application WO 02/101531 A1, other types of RIM keyboards have been devised which assign letters to keypad keys. However, these advanced keypad layouts require additional facility and assembly costs and the predictive spelling method is still inaccurate.

Other systems have been developed that use a standard 12-key, 10- Arabic numeric keypad for entering text without predictive spelling. In a commonly used multi-keypress keypad system named 'Multitap', the user can select a character to be entered by pressing an Arabic numeral key that contains the character in the printed set. Thus, the user quickly enters one or more key presses of the same Arabic numeral key to pause the first character in the set or to select a second or consecutive character in the set. Also, a "mode" key, such as the "#" key, has been used to switch between uppercase and lowercase letters and / or to switch to symbol mode. However, the keypresses per data (KPD) input that the multi-keypress input method requires is relatively high. For example, the average KPD is at least 2.2.

In other types of direct keypad input systems, up to four letters or symbols are printed in the radial direction around each Arabic numeral key, and four-way arrow keys or radial direction indicators to select any character or symbol in the printed set. Radial Direction Indicator (RDI) Uses a cursor. Such a system is described more fully in US Pat. No. 6,630,942 for Chang et al., For example, assigned to KeyTouch Corp., Walnut, Calif., Walnut, California. However, since the key-touch RDI input system has a relatively high number of key presses (KPD) per data input, for example an average of two or more KPDs, and any of the printed small signs or symbols are taken in some radial direction. It is not easy for the user to deal with, since it must determine whether it exists, and then select the corresponding RDI key. Several other attempts to enter text on small mobile devices include speech recognition and stylus input from an LCD display of handwritten text or an LCD display of soft keys on a keyboard layout, but these do not provide sufficient reliability. It does not work with, and is typically inexpensive solutions, and / or inconvenient to operate in mobile situations.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to input text or data on mobile devices in a manner that is reliable, accurate, easy to operate and convenient to carry and use in mobile situations. The specific object of the present invention is to use a standard 12-key, 10-arabic numeric keypad commonly used in portable telephones and other electronic devices, but does not require complete QWERTY or Dvorak keyboard layout space or structure, and is inaccurate. And “false positives” of predictive spelling systems do not occur (or the inaccuracy is reduced when using these methods), which provides a substantially lower keypress-data-input ratio than the multi-key press input method. It provides a text / data entry method.

According to the invention, a 12-key keypad is provided, wherein all characters of one language are assigned to its sign keys and at least one character is assigned to each of the twelve keys. The invention also provides a method for assigning large sets of signs to keys of a standard numeric keypad for text / data entry on a sign-input device comprising the following (a), (b), (c): do.

 (a) the first sign mode associated with the key comprises a pair of signs of the standard alphabetic code set, and the other optional sign modes associated with the key include at least one other non-numeric code. Associating with the first non-numeric sign mode and one or more other optional sign modes.

 (b) providing a mode selection key along with a numeric keypad for selecting between a first sign mode and other option sign modes.

 (c) two consecutive keys by interpreting the key press of the mode selection key as selecting one of the sign modes, and selecting the first sign of a pair by pressing the key press of the numeric keypad key as the first sign mode. Interpreting the press as selecting the second of a pair for that key to enable text / data entry of alphabets and other symbols through the numeric keypad, whereby the numeric keypad is less than 2.0 per average data-entry- Enabling for text / data entry accommodating alphabetic codes of the standard alphabetic code set as well as other codes having a keypress (KPD) ratio.

In some embodiments, the 12-key keypad has only twelve sign keys and optional non-signal keys, such as shift, control, arrows, and the like. The 12-key keypad may comprise any shape, such as square, round, horizontal, or the like. The standard numeric keypad is a 12-key pad and 10 of the 12 sign keys are associated with numbers.

In a preferred embodiment, the key assignment method involves associating (printing) the numeric keypad with at least one non-numeric code mode, wherein each of the keys of the non-numeric code mode is at least one non-numeric. Associated with the sign, all the characters of a language are assigned to the keys. For example, each key of the standard 12-key numeric keypad is associated with two letters of the English alphabet for the first sign mode, which are the letters of the low frequency 'Q' and 'Z' characters (which are fixed anyway). Are assigned in alphabetical pairs, except in the landline telephones, which may not appear and may be placed in a third location, and one or two symbols or low frequency characters 'Q' and 'Z' Mode use. Other optional sign modes may include an uppercase sign mode and / or a second language mode. Compared with the current standard telephone keypad layout and the multi-keypress input method with an average KPD = 2.2, the preferred embodiment of the present invention may be KPD = 1.4, which is a notable improvement that makes text entry much faster and easier.

The mode selection key is any other function provided with a telephone or other mobile device, such as "Talk / Send", "Clear", or "End / Done" keys. It can also be programmed as a key. If the device has four-way arrow keys (RDI keys) along with a "Central" or "Inward" direction or key, these select modes up to five sign modes with a single keypress It may also be used for purposes. Five modes may be graphically mapped onto the keys of the keypad and / or on the display screen, providing the user with a visual cue to select an arrow in the corresponding direction. All of the RDI selectors can be used to convert a conventional 12-key telephone keypad to the equivalent of a 60-key data input layout (or expandable by 60 or more keys for each additional sign per key per use mode).

In other versions, the characters can be distributed in pairs by placing the high frequency characters at the first sign position of each of the 12 keys, so only one keypress is required to select these high frequency symbols. This will reduce the average KPD = 1.2. While it may be easier for users to follow the standard alphabetical order, the present invention is not limited to any particular order and any other combination is possible. The physical keys are arranged in a way that they can correspond to the mode display. That is, if a numeric mode is displayed on the left side of the on-screen display, the number will appear on the left side of the physical key (as can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2).

Since the present invention greatly expands the number of acceptable codes, other symbols of enhanced text or data functions, such as Edit, Copy, Cut, Paste, etc. It is provided by adding to 'Sign Mode' or other modes. Also, various language code sets can be accommodated in the second language code mode.

The present invention can reduce the expected number of average key strokes by 40% and reduce the time required to enter data on telephone type keypads by about half. In most cases, it is generally possible for users to type any sign (in any mode) in one or at most two key strokes. Also, for example, press and hold arrow keys (or press and hold sideways when using a joystick) to one key stroke or at most two key strokes (for example, press the center RDI and then press one of the arrow keys). It is also possible to switch from one mode to another mode by pressing). The use of mode selection greatly expands the available codes that can be accommodated by the 12-key keypad to facilitate sophisticated text and data entry. By including all of the features of the above, the present invention can free mobile users from the constraints of entering data on keypads of small configuration factor and provide functions as a full (almost complete) QWERTY keyboard.

The key assignment method of the present invention (also referred to herein as " Qtype ") preferably utilizes a standard 12-key keypad configuration, thus allowing keys to be printed or overlayed with a selected code layout. It can be immediately applied to new mobile devices. It can also be immediately installed for retrofitting into existing devices as a software download operable with the device operating system. The keys of devices installed for retrofitting can be overlaid with new printed key covers or labels or by replacing the entire device panel, or a new sign layout can be displayed entirely on the device display. Or only the symbols of each key to confirm with each key press.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in the following detailed description of the invention.

1A and 1C show embodiments of the present invention for assigning 24 more frequently used characters of a 26-letter English alphabet in a character mode with a sigh mode. 1B shows another embodiment of assigning all 26 characters to twelve keys.

2A and 2B show other embodiments using various language character sets.

3A-3C illustrate examples of downloading and / or installing a keypad assignment method at OEM level, near field, and / or remote. 4A-4D show examples of on-screen mode display.

5A and 5B illustrate the extended use of the function keys for symbols, enabling full alphabetical layout on a standard telephone keyboard.

6A-6C illustrate another method for representing characters of the current mode by using a special arrangement of display keys.

7 shows examples of on-screen displays used to select the desired operation on one tap of twelve keypads.

Referring to FIG. 1C, 24 and more frequently used symbols, functions, punctuation and / or of the 26-letter English alphabets in a first non-numeric code mode (meaning here “lowercase” mode). One embodiment of the present invention is shown which assigns different symbols, including less frequently used characters of the alphabet, to one or more other option character modes (herein referred to as "Sign" mode). Each key of the 12-key numeric keypad is associated with two English alphabetic characters for the first (letter) sign mode, one or more symbols for the second (sign) sign mode, and numbers in the numeric mode. (Printed). In the first sign mode, twenty-four characters are assigned in pairs alphabetically except for two less frequently used characters such as 'Q' and 'Z'. The second sign mode (printed to the right of each key) has one or two symbols on each key, with two 'Q' and 'Z' characters that are not frequently used.

In this example, means for switching between sign modes are generally provided in advanced digital cellular phones or other mobile devices and point to four division directions (up, down, left, right) as a cursor. These are the four-way RDI arrows used in the above, wherein these means are used for selecting between uppercase, symbolic, lowercase, and numeric sign modes, for example by pressing and holding the appropriate arrow key. In addition, four modes are displayed according to their display on their keys on the LCD display screen, sending a visual indication for the user to select the corresponding directional arrow. The mode highlighted in grey corresponds to the sign that is typed next. For the mode highlighted in black, this mode means that it remains valid for the next sign that is typed and then switches back to the default mode (lowercase mode). 'A' is displayed corresponding to the uppercase mode, 'a' is displayed corresponding to the lowercase mode, '@' is displayed corresponding to the symbol mode, and '1' is displayed corresponding to the numeric mode. Using four-way RDI keys as well as "inner" or "central" RDI keys, the 12-key telephone keypad can select five modes and uses a standard 60-key data entry layout. Equivalent to

Thus, each key of the 12-key keypad includes a first code mode comprising two high frequency alphabet codes of the standard alphabet code set, and a low frequency alphabet code of the other symbol codes and the standard alphabet code set. Associated with at least one second option code mode. Thus, the first code mode can accommodate up to 24 high frequency alphabetic codes and the second code mode can accommodate at least 12 to 24 symbols and low frequency alphabetic codes. The RDI arrows take into account mode selection between the four different sign modes for each key (long press on each of the arrow keys to switch modes). The RDI "center" key can be used to switch between modes (in a similar way to the current multitap method) or to indicate that the user wants to select a mode using one of the four RDI arrows. And / or can be used to switch between modes. In the first (letter) sign mode, the first letter of an alphabetic letter pair on that key is selected by pressing each numeric key on the 12-key keyboard, and the second letter of the pair by pressing the key twice quickly in succession. Is selected. By pressing a new key, the first character of the pair assigned to the new key is selected.

As another example, FIG. 1B illustrates one key assignment scheme. In this key assignment scheme, all 26 characters of the English alphabet are assigned to the 12 keys of the numeric keypad in the first sign mode (two keys have three signs, and the third low frequency code has to press the 3 key). Two symbol codes are assigned to the second or more code mode (s).

In Figures 2A and 2B, another keypad layout in accordance with the present invention is shown. This layout includes two (uppercase and lowercase) English alphabetic modes, Hebrew alphabetic mode, and "symbol" mode. In addition to the Arabic numeral mode (selected by holding down the key), each key is mapped to a pair of symbols in three different sign modes. When the "central" RDI key is pressed, four sign modes (uppercase letters, symbols, lowercase letters, Hebrew) can be displayed on the LCD screen display, positioned in the corresponding direction, to be selected using the RDI arrow keys. This embodiment makes it possible to use a cell phone or other electronic device for bilingual text / data input.

Other key stroke functions in the above described embodiments are summarized as follows.

● Space = 'OK' (lower left function key).

Backspace (delete) = short stroke of the upper right key and / or the dedicated 'clear' key and / or the 'END' key.

● Exit = long 'END' (right lower key).

● Single number = long stroke of the desired sign key.

Switching between different modes No. 1 = appropriate arrow keys (↑ AB ↓ ab → symbols ← second language / number) associated with any mode after 'RDI'. Alternatively, a temporary (only next sign) change of modes occurs with the first key stroke of the arrow key, causing the mode to change completely with the second key stroke.

Switch between different modes 2 = 'ab' mode, similar to the 'RDI' (eg shift mode key on current Nokia phones, until the desired mode is reached). b ', followed by another mode) (' @b '= a symbol is given as the first keystroke, and then the system automatically returns to the original mode, in which case it becomes' ab' mode).

Switching between different modes 3 = Long press the corresponding arrow key (eg press and hold the right arrow key to move to symbol mode).

● Switch between different modes 4 = Continue to hold down the appropriate arrow keys and press the appropriate numeric keys at the same time (for example, press the down arrow 7 times to type '/' during lowercase mode) .

Note: Switching between modes can be done continuously or temporarily. The manners of selecting the persistent mode and the manner of selecting the temporary mode can be switched or partially used.

● Return to default mode-press the RDI key once.

Switching between different options = Stroke multiple 'Options' (such as the top left key on Nokia phones) and subsequent arrow keys and / or 'Options' key.

• select any option (or any other item screen you may want to select in a smiley, attachment-type, for example) = press the 'Options' key , Press the desired option number. See drawing.

● Send = 'Options' and subsequent select keys and / or long 'OK' keystrokes.

Predictive text mode = (Only if the user wants to use) Turns the predictive text system on and off, if the predictive text system is not used, instead of using the second language mode or down through the Options menu. Can be Or by a long press of an option key (in the current way).

● Smiley screen open = long press #

● Open the insert-attachment screen or period '.' Typing = Can also be done by pressing and holding the * key.

• Symbol typing without changing modes = Press the appropriate numeric key three times.

Some examples of other key strokes needed for data entry are given below. "Single" sign means to type a sign from a mode other than the current mode, after which the mode will automatically change back to the previous mode.

● First Latin character ('a') in character key-set: tap key 1

Second Latin Character ('b'): Tapping the first key twice (or another version, long key strokes for the second character or sign).

● Single digit ('1'): Long key stroke of key 1 (or another version, tapping key 1 twice).

● Single capital letter ('A'): Changes to uppercase mode and hits 1 key as described previously. Or tap the 1st key and the immediate upper key. Note that this method is already used in Motorola 835 and other phones and may similarly be used to type single symbols from all other symbols (eg, typing a single second language character). 1 key and immediately after, left key)

● Single symbol ('/'): Press RDI and next key 7 (or use any other method described above).

● Second symbol ('&'): Press '7' twice after pressing 'RDI'.

● To switch to the mode of typing a second language (ie □□□ is a series of grease characters): 'RDI' and then the down arrow key.

4A-4D show examples of some on-screen mode displays for use with devices that support second language codes. The current transient (or continuous) operating modes A, a, a, a, @ and # are highlighted, indicating the corresponding uppercase, lowercase, second language, symbolic and numeric modes. In the temporary current mode it can be highlighted in different colors to determine the current mode (for example, a gray highlight can be used to specify a temporary mode in which it will later change back to lowercase mode). In addition, the LCD display can indicate the symbols of the label for the current sign mode, allowing the user to visually confirm. 4A shows an on-screen bilingual display option. 4B shows an on-screen monolingual display. 4C shows a T-shaped on-screen bilingual display.

In addition, the screen of the device may represent an on-screen keyboard of the current sign mode, allowing the user to visually confirm. 1C shows an on-screen keyboard display option, where the rectangle surrounding the letter 'I' indicates that the last typed sign was 'I'. This on-screen keyboard display can be used for Qtype's soft-key solution, which is also installed for retrofit on devices that do not have a physical keypad but present soft keys on the screen. And selects characters on the screen by other means such as digital pens, mice, touch screens, rolling buttons, and the like.

Current multi-keypress keypads used for applications such as text messaging (SMS), with an average key-strokes-per-data-entry ratio (KPD) = 2.2. Compared to the keypress keypad method, the key assignment mentioned above is KPD = 1.4. The English alphabet has 26 characters, 24 of which are located in pairs on the keys of a standard 12-key keypad. The two lowest frequency letters "Q" and "Z" are assigned one by one in the second sign mode of the "8" and "#" keys, and the other ten with two (and three alternatives) keystrokes. It becomes optional in the same way as the highest frequency symbols of (RDI → key) or by pressing the appropriate sign key three times. These characters occur less frequently, less than 1.7 times when every 1000 characters are written (occurrence rate of 0.00169 in standard English sentences).

Table 1 below shows the results of the calculation comparing the conventional text (SMS) method with the expected KPD for this example.

Table 1 below shows the expected character frequencies of Smartap and Multitap:

Other changes to reposition 'K' and 'V' or 'Q' and 'X' in the second sign mode may reduce the KPD to less than one. If the letter 'm' is alone and three letters are located in the third position (or in symbolic mode), then KPD = 1.3.

In addition, Table 1 shows the calculation result of repositioning the first 12 high-frequency characters 'E', 'T', 'A', 'O', and 'I' at the first key stroke position. It can be reduced to less than 1.2. However, unfamiliar ordering can be difficult for users to learn. Although the alphabetical order is greater for easy adaptation, the present invention is not limited to any particular alphabetical order and any other combination is possible.

In addition, assigning paired codes (at least in the first sign mode) on each Arabic numeral key allows for a reduction in the time required for a "pause effect". In the standard multi-keypress method, in which 26 English letters are assigned to nine Arabic numeral keys, it is necessary to press the keys rapidly in succession to cycle through three or four letters assigned to the key to select the desired character. Do. Pressing a new key selects a new code family on the new key. In order to select the next character on the same key that was pressed earlier, a long pause must be introduced to deselect the previous selection and a coder must be prepared to interpret the next press of the same key as a new character. . In the present invention, 24 characters are assigned to 12 Arabic numeric keys, more characters can be selected by pressing each new key, and the frequency of long pauses for the same key letter combinations is reduced by -43%. do.

Table 2 shows the calculation result of the pause effect reduction by assigning two letters to each of the 12-numeric keys compared to the current multi-keypress method.

Table 2 below shows the calculation of the 'pause effect' difference by typing two consecutive characters on the same key, such as hi 'a word requiring forward click or pause in each character.

SMS  In the system DEF  As exemplified in the key Per key  Paused ( pause per  key) calculation

1. Only 'e' may appear after e

2. Frequency of pauses by these keys

= P (D) × P (E + F) + P (E) × P (D + E + F) + P (F) × P (D + E)

3. Sums per all keys are summarized in 32F and 32I.

The key assignment method of the present invention can be implemented to enable text / data entry almost universally in a wide range of device types, for the most part including or using a 12-key numeric keypad. Such devices may include non-mobile telephones such as answering machines; PDAs; GPS devices; Remote controls and other controllers; ATM devices; Calculators; Watches; Game devices; Mobile telephones; Media devices (eg, an IPod ™ player or any other MP3 player with a 12-key keypad); Cash registers and the like.

In addition, the present invention may be installed for improvement in existing devices having a 12-key numeric keypad and a programmable operating system. Key reassignment software can be downloaded from an online connection to the device via a PC, a vendor computer, or an available data port, or from a memory card inserted into a memory slot. Keypad keys can be relabeled using new membrane overlay, panel complete replacement, key covers, or adhesive stickers, and new key assignments can also be displayed on the on-screen display. Here are some examples of different installations.

The key assignment method described above may be used for many other devices and devices in addition to mobile devices and digital telephones. Some of these devices do not have the RDI keys described above. Whenever such a device does not contain a "central" RDI key, or otherwise required, "Options" (upper left menu key in FIG. 1) or other designated key may be used between modes instead of RDI. It may be used to switch. This may, for example, be a continuous press of Options key cycles between the sign modes provided, and / or simultaneous press of two keys, and / or long key strokes of an arrow key or any other key, and / or It may also be done by pressing the 'Options' key and then the selection key. If the device has 'Volume' keys, they remain in their current function and / or used as 'Space' and 'Backspace' keys and / or navigation keys (Thus freeing up the current keys with these functions for optional other uses). Alternatively, the 'Options' key followed by the stroke of the sign key can provide a single input of any mode (eg, a single uppercase letter).

Calculation of the comparison speed of QWERTY, the present invention, and the traditional telephone keypad

In measuring the comparison speed using a standard QWERTY keyboard, the method of the present invention, and a conventional telephone keypad, the following assumptions are made and as previously calculated for the system and the existing telephone keypad of the present invention. Input speed, 1 key-stroke / second; Pause between three consecutive characters on the same key, three seconds / pause (as with a Motorola 835 phone); Input string, 100 characters; And KPD = 1 for QWERTY. The results are calculated as follows.

QWERTY: (100 characters) × (1 KPD) = lOO seconds

Cue-type method (keypad, non-alphabetical): (100 characters) × (1.2 KPD) + (3 seconds / pause) × (6.25 pauses per 100 characters) = 133 seconds

Cue Type Method (Keypad, Alphabetical):

(100 characters) × (1.4 KPD) + (3 seconds / pause) × (6.25 pauses per 100 characters) = 153 seconds

Existing Method:

 (100 characters) × (2.2 KPD) + (3 seconds / pause) × (11.1 pause per 100 characters) = 253 seconds

According to the calculation results, using the method of the present invention to write a 100 character text sample takes about 50% more time (153-100 = 53 seconds) than QWERTY, while the conventional phone keypad layout is 150 % More time (253-100 = 153 seconds). When QWERTY is used as a reference (ie, the minimum time it takes to type words), the present system is about three times more efficient than existing telephone text entry systems. Given the faster mode changes in both alphanumeric sentences, faster entry of various symbols, and lower error rates of data entry (due to the reduction of characters per key), the method of the present invention results in a sentence It takes about half as much time as the conventional phone keypad layout.

Installing keypad assignments for mobile devices;

Mobile home devices are installed with various applications in several ways, depending on the various methods of connectivity allowed by the devices. The most efficient way to install an application on any device is to install the application with the initial installation of the operating system. In this way the device accesses a client already installed as an application along with its other pre-installed functions (e.g., address book, messaging, etc.). In this way, no host computer is required for installation, since the application is already embedded in the device's original firmware or software.

To install the application at near or far distance, the installer will use the host computer at the site associated with the device as shown in FIG. 3A. Near-field installation may use a cable (serial, parallel, USB, Firewire cable, or any other physical cable connection), or wireless networking (WiFi, Bluetooth). Wireless networking does not rely on the physical cabling that connects each device, allows for installation of more devices at once, and is limited only by the processing power of the host computer.

Alternatively, an application SIM (or other memory card) may be used to install software components on the device. In this way, special application SIM cards are installed with the appropriate software embedded in them by the OEM. Once inserted into the device, the application SIM installs new software on the device.

Using the Internet, or any other network, the application may be installed remotely. As shown in Figure 3B, the device can be connected to a host computer (remote application host) using any of the methods discussed above (cable, wireless connection), but the downloaded software comes from the remote computer (remote application host). It became.

With internet enabled devices such as internet phones, the remote installation process may bypass the near field application host. As in the use of current JAVA applications, the application can be downloaded to the mobile device via any existing connection (such as dial-up / GPRS / Internet over WIFI / WIFI, etc.) as shown in FIG. 3C and independently of the remote application. I can accept it.

Installing keypad assignments for non-mobile devices;

Non-mobile devices may be pre-installed at the OEM installation site or may be installed by downloading from the corresponding POS location (ATM devices, info kiosks, etc.). The same considerations discussed above for non-mobile installations are applicable, which in turn can be applied remotely or at short distances. Devices and information stations, such as ATM devices, are typically not connected wirelessly, but rather wired to individual physical networks. Such devices typically perform multiple downloads remotely from a remote application host using the existing network involved. If the device itself is a full-featured computer, the short-range application host mentioned above may not be needed.

Predictive sentences

Although not an essential part of the present invention, predictive spelling methods may be used in combination with key assignment methods. Predictive spelling algorithms have ambiguity problems because there are often various words that can be represented by the same numeric keypresses. For example, a key string of "4, 6, 6, 3" entering on a conventional multi-keypress keypad may correspond to candidate words of "home", "gone" and "good". Because of this, users need to use additional key strokes to select the correct words during typing. The present invention can be used in combination with predictive sentence systems (such as T9) and can enhance the associated operation by reducing the number of possible words corresponding to any key stroke combination. For example, the number of possible 3-letter words (average of 3 letters per key) from a conventional keypad layout is 27, while in the method of the present invention assigning 2 letters per key the number of candidate words is 8 to be. Moreover, the present invention includes better solutions for non-standard-word inputs (such as e-mail addresses, stock symbols or slangs), which can complement the use of existing predictive sentence systems. .

Miscellaneous Improvements

Other improvements that can be made in the keypad assignment method include keeping the alphabetical order, but not always paired, ergonomic improvements that do not maintain the alphabetical order, and not keeping the alphabetical order in order of frequency of use. have. The method may also be installed for the purpose of improvement in devices which do not have a physical keypad and display soft keys on the screen. The method of the present invention can also be used on keypads with an extended number of keys in addition to standard numeric keys, thereby doubling the total number of signs that can be more appropriately and / or as shown in FIG. It can be used with all other selection options using other function keys, such as volume up / down keys or buttons. Another feature of the invention is to simplify the use of second language systems such as the Chinese phonetic data entry system.

Users are phone numbers provided in the character format of an old keyboard layout (which solves the "1-800-shopping" problem), using an on-screen display of an old layout, or a combination of numbers and letters. By making the number typeable (old SMS layout translator), the phone is possible. Alternatively, the user may be able to type the entire telephone number into letters. In the future, in the same way companies use the 1-800-SHOPPING format, individuals and operators may prefer to select their phone numbers using the code layout described above. For example, if the user's name is "Dan Brad", the user may select a (212) 217-1912 number or any other number representing the characters of this name. If someone chooses not to use the exact "sign" that represents his phone number (e.g. 'a' and 'b' is indicated by '1') he sees something in a similar fashion to what is being done on the Internet these days. You will need to register his preferred phone name in "Name Server". A 'name server' holds a list of names, and when a user signals the system that they want to make a sign call, for example by pressing the 'send' button, the 'name server' is a set of characters ("Dan" or It will interpret "Folowers", and will interpret the name as a phone number (or VoIP phone number.) Due to its nature, the same number in the current "1800 systems" is "1800BuyCow." It is noted that, "1800BuyBmw", "1800BuyBox" are associated with each other. In the proposed system, since fewer symbols are associated with each key, even when there is no proposed "name server", each of them is associated with a different phone number. For this reason, the sign modes on the numeric keypad optionally allow people to put or receive numbers in their alphabetic format, which is a "Numbers to Letters Translator" soft. It can also be done by software, which will receive a phone number as input and output the code format for it (and vice versa, "Letters to Numbers Translator"). If you want to call the phone, the user simply taps on the appropriate keys and sees the name appearing on the screen.

In cue-type capable devices (the system allows users to access these options without having to write "1800" for rare cases where users do not want to use this format), typing the standard "1800-NUMBER" number is as follows: May be performed as follows.

When the user types in "1800", the screen pops up offering three options to the user:

● Enter 1800 number as the number.

• Enter 1800 number as the number using the on-screen display of the old multi-tap keyboard layout.

Switch to sign mode and type the number into sign format. This is done in most QWERTY phones (e.g. Blackberry 7100).

6A-6C illustrate another optional method for representing the characters of the current mode by using a special keyboard that allows for the display of two layouts on the keys. For example, a mobile device may be provided (with special LED arrays or any other special display material that can change its appearance) with keys representing symbols associated with the mode currently selected by the user. 6A shows that number 1 represents 'a 1 b' when the current mode is lowercase English characters. 6B shows that number 1 represents 'A 1 B' when the current mode is uppercase English characters. 6C shows that when the current mode is symbols, number 1 is'. 1! 'Is shown.

In short, the keypad assignment method of the present invention provides various important advantages over current keyboard systems and methods. This method can increase the data rate entered on a standard telephone keypad by ~ 100%. Compared with the 2.2 'keystroke ratio per data entry' of the existing keypad layout, a low average KPD of 1.2 to 1.4 'keystroke ratio per data entry' can be obtained, thus requiring only half of the time required for data entry. An improved cuetype with auto-completion algorithms and / or predictive sentence algorithms can reduce KPD by nearly one. Cuetypes also reduce the "pause effect" that occurs when a series of characters are located in the same key family. Sentence / data entry on the mobile device is possible in a manner comparable to portable computers and PCs. This method removes word ambiguity associated with predictive spelling systems, but can also be used in combination to enhance these systems. Code assignment is also more intuitive and easier to use than other conventional keypads or advanced keypad systems (eg, without having to remember shift-key functions for uppercase letters). As such, only minimal guidance and training are needed. This method allows for quick and easy sentence entry (accessing arbitrary characters in two key strokes), low typing error rate, and input mixed alphanumeric and symbolic inputs, resulting in URLs, email addresses, and icons. Improves symbols, and slang shorthand input. As compared to predictive sentence methods, the present invention requires very small memory, since a large word dictionary is not required.

In addition, the present invention accommodates very extended code sets within the same 12-key keypad, enabling the implementation of various functions such as selection, copying, cutting, pasting and canceling input as well as multilingual code sets. The present invention can be implemented as a software solution without hardware modifications to existing configuration factors, and can be installed for improvement on existing devices through the download of an application or reinstallation by a technical staff. The present invention can broaden the scope of existing devices with keypads that only deal with applications for sentence / data entry and increase sentence messaging users, thereby allowing these device users to value these devices and their associated networks. Improve the total revenue generated.

It is understood that various modifications and variations can be made to the above description of the principles of the invention. The principles of the present invention can be used for telephones in any country using any language. For example, in the Russian language, according to the present invention, four symbols per key are reduced to three symbols per key. As intended, all such modifications and variations are considered to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims (27)

12-key keypad, characterized in that all characters of one language are assigned to the character keys of a 12-key keypad, and at least one character is assigned to each of the 12 keys. The method according to claim 1, 12-key keypad, characterized in that the standard numeric keypad. A method for assigning codes to keys of a 12-key numeric keypad for text / data input to a sign-input device, the method comprising: Associating the numeric keypad with at least one non-numeric code mode, Wherein each of said keys of said non-numeric code mode is associated with at least one non-numeric code, and wherein all characters of one language are assigned to said keys. The method according to claim 3, Providing at least one mode selection key in addition to the numeric keypad for selection between modes. The method according to claim 4, Enabling text / data entry of alphabets and other symbols via the numeric keypad; a. Interpreting the key-press of the mode selection key to select one of the modes; b. Interpreting the key-press of the numeric keypad key in a non-numeric code mode as selecting a first sign of the symbols assigned to the key in the mode; And c. Enabling the text / data entry through interpreting a long key-press or two consecutive key presses as selecting a second sign of the symbols assigned to the mode, The numeric keypad thereby accepts text / accepting other symbols with an average datapress-per-data-entry (KPD) ratio of less than 2.0 and the alphabetic symbols of the standard alphabetic code set. Characterized in that it becomes possible for data entry. The method according to claim 3, And the numeric keypad is a standard numeric keypad. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 6, Twenty of the 26-character Latin alphabets are assigned in non-numeric sign mode to ten of the twelve keys in pairs, and six letters are assigned to the sign mode in the other two of the twelve keys. Characterized by a method for assigning keys on a keypad. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 6, 24 of the 26-letter Latin alphabets are assigned to the keys in non-numeric code mode in pairs of 12, and two characters are assigned to the keys in second option signing mode. How to assign. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 7, The 26-character English alphabet assigns the 12 keys in first sign mode in one of the following ways, the following ways: Assigning two consecutive letters in alphabetical order to the keys, except for two characters; Assigning two or more consecutive characters to the numeric keys in QWERTY order; And And pairing the high frequency characters as a first sign, wherein the low frequency characters are assigned to the keys in an order that facilitates their storage. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 9, And wherein said average KPD is less than or equal to 1.4. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 10, And said at least one mode selection key comprises four-way arrow keys (RDI keys) provided with said keypad on said device. The method according to claim 6, The arrow keys function as navigation keys and the mode selection is done in one of the following ways, where the next way is; Long pressing the arrow key in the direction associated with the mode; Pressing an arrow key while simultaneously associated with a mode while pressing a numeric key; And And pressing the arrow key to turn the arrow key to the mode selection key, and then pressing the arrow key. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 12, The mode of pressing a key is determined by simultaneously pressing a mode selection key. The method according to claim 13, And the mode selection key is an arrow key. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 14, Codes corresponding to four sign modes and up to one Arabic numeral mode are graphically printed on the keys of the keypad to visually cue the user to select the corresponding modes. A method for assigning keys to. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 15, Display indicators for the sign modes are graphically mapped onto a display screen of the device to visually instruct the user to select the corresponding modes. Method for assigning The method according to claim 1 or 2, Display indicators for sign modes are visually instructed that the user selects the corresponding modes so that a change is readily activated on the key displays for the keys of the device. A system for assigning large sets of signs to keys of a standard numeric keypad for text / data entry on a sign-input device, the system comprising: (a) the first sign mode associated with the key comprises a pair of signs of a standard alphabetic code set, and the other optional sign modes associated with the key include at least one other non-numeric code, each Key associated means for associating a key with a first non-numeric sign mode and one or more other optional sign modes; (b) mode selection means for enabling a mode selection key provided with said numeric keypad for selection between said first and said other option sign modes; And (c) software driving means for enabling text / data entry of alphabets and other symbols via the numeric keypad, wherein the software driving means comprises: Interpret key-pressing of the mode selection key as selecting the first or the other option sign modes; And Selecting the first alphanumeric code of the pair assigned to the key-press of the numeric keypad key in the first sign mode, and two consecutive key presses to the second alphanumeric code of the assigned pair for that key. Operable to interpret as choice, The numeric keypad thereby accepts other symbols having an average datapress-per-data-entry (KPD) ratio of less than 2.0 and text / accepting the alphabetic symbols of the standard alphabetic code set. A system characterized by being enabled for data entry. The method according to claim 18, The standard numeric keypad has twelve keys and a 26-character English alphabet is assigned to the twelve keys in the first sign mode in one of the following ways: Allocating 24 characters in pairs to the 12 keys, excluding two characters, and assigning the two excluded characters to two keys in a second option sign mode; And And assigning 26 characters to the 12 keys in pairs with a third character of the two low frequency characters assigned to the two keys. The method according to claim 18, The standard numeric keypad has twelve keys and a 26-character English alphabet is assigned to the twelve keys in the first sign mode in one of the following ways: Assigning two consecutive letters in alphabetical order and numerically to the keys except two low frequency of use characters; Assigning two or more consecutive characters to numeric keys in QWERTY order; And And pairing the high frequency characters as a first sign, wherein the low frequency characters are assigned to the keys in an order that aids in memory. The method according to claim 19, And the average KPD is about 1.4 or less. The method according to claim 18, And the mode selection key is another function key provided with the keypad on the device. The method according to claim 18, And the mode selection key consists of four-way arrow keys (RDI keys) provided with the keypad on the device. The method according to claim 18, Signs corresponding to four sign modes and up to one Arabic numeral mode are printed graphically on the keys of the keypad to visually instruct the user to select the corresponding modes. System for assignment. The method according to claim 18, And display indicators for the sign modes are graphically mapped onto the display screen of the device to visually instruct the user to select the corresponding modes. The method according to claim 18, Display indicators for the sign modes are easy to change on the key displays for the keys of the device to visually instruct the user to select the corresponding modes. system. The method according to claim 18, A system for assigning keys on a keypad, characterized in that a plurality of different sign modes are possible to accommodate multilingual code sets and / or large sets of other symbols.

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