WO2002056167A1

WO2002056167A1 - Efficient data entry methods and devices

Info

Publication number: WO2002056167A1
Application number: PCT/AU2001/000500
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wilhelmina O. Cerilles
Original assignee: Cerilles Wilhelmina O
Priority date: 2001-01-16
Filing date: 2001-05-04
Publication date: 2002-07-18

Abstract

A method and techniques for entering Latin alphabetic characters into electronic devices using a limited number of data entry keys are disclosed. A limited set of elementary graphic shapes that are components of the complete graphical shapes of the Latin alphabetic characters are associated with data entry keys. Each character is entered into a device by clicking the keys that correspond to the component graphics that comprise the graphical shape of that character. A plurality of data entry techniques called the delimited, paired and filler-paired data entry techniques are disclosed. A technique wherein two component graphics are assigned to a single key is also disclosed. Two techniques for entering symbols that qualify base Latin alphabetic characters to indicate specific character tones are also disclosed. The method and techniques apply to both mechanical and on-screen data entry keys.

Description

TITLE OF INVENTION :
EFFICIENT DATA ENTRY METHODS AND DEVICES
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to methods for entering Latin alphabetic characters into electronic devices using a limited number of data entry keys, which can be mechanical keys or on-screen keys. It also relates to the use of a limited number of data entry keys to enter symbols (superscripts, subscripts, middle scripts and compound scripts) that qualify base Latin alphabetic characters to indicate specific tones and pronunciations of the character.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
BACKGROUND ART
The following describes prior arts and the novel and innovative steps of the present invention over those of prior arts.

There are various prior arts for entering Latin alphabetic characters wherein one key is used to enter each character type. The original QWERTY keyboard layout has been followed by various alternative layouts (e. g., DVORAK) of the twenty-six Latin character keys. These alternative layouts are designed to enable more efficient data entry operations, by arranging the full set of alphabetic keys according to their relative frequencies in common English text. These layouts are implemented both as mechanical keys and on-screen keys. The advantage of the present invention over these full-set methods is that it only requires a limited number of keys to enter all the Latin alphabetic characters.

There are prior arts (Loh, Feng) wherein the common radicals of the ideographic characters of Eastern languages (such as Chinese) are assigned to data entry keys.

However, these prior arts do not address nor do they provide methods for entering Latin alphabetic characters into electronic devices. Furthermore, the present invention has the advantage of enabling character input using a fixed number of clicks, while the prior arts involve the clicking of a widely varying number of key clicks depending on the composition of each ideographic character.

Another prior art is a method (Olivetti) for printing alphabetic characters in sections, using symbols that are contained in a daisy wheel of a printer device. However, this prior art only defines a method for printing operations, which are preformed within a printer device. It does not define a method for key-based data entry operations. Moreover, assigning the symbols (character parts) contained in the daisy wheel to data entry keys would be impractical as they are numerous, and would result in a very large keyboard. In contrast, the present invention enables data entry using only a limited number of keys.

Yet another prior art is what is called chording data entry. In this method, a plurality of fingers simultaneously press a combination of keys to form a unique code. Each unique code corresponds to a character. This method enables keying in with a limited number of keys. However, this method has the disadvantage that it takes a long time to master and simultaneous pressing of multiple keys is stressful to the fingers and hands.

There is no relationship between the codes and the graphical shapes of the alphabetic characters. In contrast, the graphic keys of the present invention are clicked one at a time and only a limited number of clicks are required to enter a character.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a method for entering Latin alphabetic characters using only six"component graphics". Unique composite contructions of these component graphics are formed to represent all the Latin alphabetic characters. This set of component graphics is called the"UNI-DA graphic set". The shapes of these component graphics are illustrated in 1. (Note : These component graphics are referred to as"UNI-DA keys" because their appearance are similar to the"U", n v a Comic Sans Mus fonts 2. However, they have no inherent alphabetic meanings other than those specified in graphic combination sets.)
The UNI-DA component graphics are assigned to the data entry keys (called"graphic keys") of electronic devices.

Fig. 2 shows how the component graphics are assigned to the keys 3 of a mobile phone.

(Note : The UNI-DA keys can be similarly assigned to the keys of various electronic devices, such as PDA's, notebookPC's, portable electronic devices, household appliances and industrial devices such as handheld terminals.)
The complete graphical shape of each Latin alphabetic character 6 are formed by creating a corresponding"composite graphic shape"7 which is comprised of a plurality of component graphics. The totality of a set of composite graphic shapes that correspond to all the Latin alphabetic characters is called a"graphic combination set"5.

A plurality of graphic combination sets Fig. 3 Fig. 4 Fig. 5 Fig. 9 Fig. 10 Fig.

11 that are comprised of the UNI-DA component graphics are disclosed. These graphic combination sets differ from each other in that the composite graphical shapes of some of their Latin alphabetic characters are different.

The graphic keys that correspond to the component graphics of a character are clicked in a unique sequence (called"character click sequence") 8 within each graphic combination set. (Note : The term"click"refers to the actuation of a key such that the device character code that corresponds to that key is entered into the device. This operation is also referred to as"entered","irzputted","actuated","tapped' ,"stroked", etc.) This enables the differentiation of the respective click sequences of characters whose composite graphic shapes are comprised of the same component graphics (e. g.,
"aD"for the character"s"and ; oa for the character"z").

Because each character click sequence within a graphic combination set is unique, a"click interpreter program"in a device can distinguish each character click sequence so long as the character click sequences are"delimited"from each other.

The following three techniques for delimiting character click sequences are disclosed. a. Delimited data entry technique: The character click sequences are explicitly delimited by"delimiter clicks". Any key (called a"delimiter key") other than the graphic keys can be used to enter the delimiter clicks. There is no restriction on the number of graphic key clicks in each character click sequence. b. Paired data entry technique: The character click sequences are"implicitly delimited" as a result of the structure of successive character click sequences. This technique requires that all the composite graphical shapes of the graphic combination set used with this technique are each comprised of two (and only two) component graphics.

Thus, every character click sequence is always comprised of two clicks (called "click-pairs"). The click interpreter program of a device can distinguish individual character click sequences by interpreting the clicks in units of click-pairs. c. Filler-paired data entry technique: This technique is used to enter characters using a graphic combination set whose composite graphical shapes each consist of only one or two component graphics. A character that has only one component graphic is called a"one-click character". This type of character is entered as a click-pair by always entering a"filler-click"after clicking the graphic key that corresponds to its component graphic. This technique ensures that all character click sequences are click-pairs.

The UNI-DA data entry method provides the following benefits to users and manufacturers of data entry devices.

Simplicity: Consists of a few keys whose usage is easy to learn and-master.

Operability: Easy and efficient (intuitive) operation.

Compactness: Occupies very small device surface area.

Construction: Simple and economical physical constructions.

Programmability : Simple program logic.

(On-screen UNI-DA keys) 125 In addition to their being associated with mechanical keys, the UNI-DA component graphics can also be associated with on-screen data entry keys Fig. 6. The limited number of UNI-DA on-screen graphic keys allows for the key set constructions to be small or large and still be easy to operate. The keys can be as small as required so long as they can be clicked or stroked by a pen. On the other hand, large devices such as kiosks 130 can incorporate very large UNI-DA keys that can easily be clicked by human fingers.

(Multi-lingual data entry techniques)
Two techniques for entering symbols (superscripts, subscripts, middle-scripts and compound-scripts) that qualify the tone or pronunciation of the base Latin alphabetic 135 characters are disclosed. These qualifier scripts are used in various European languages.

They are also used in the phonetic spelling of Eastern language syllables using Latin alphabetic characters.

In the first technique, dedicated keys 14 are added to the UNI-DA graphic keys such that the component graphics of the base Latin alphabetic characters and those of the 140 qualifier scripts are entered by different sets of keys. In the second technique, the component graphics of the qualifier scripts are entered using the UNI-DA graphic keys such that a totality of only six keys 16 are required. These graphic keys perform dual functions of entering the base Latin alphabetic character and the qualifier scripts.

145 (Double association technique)
The UNI-DA keys can be associated with a reduced set of graphic keys FIG. 9 Fig.

10 Fig. 11 by a technique called"double association technique". Two UNI-DA component graphics are assigned to a single key to reduce the number of keys required to enter the Latin alphabetic characters. The number of keys in the reduced graphic key sets 150 ranges from three to five. This technique is useful for devices that have very limited space for data entry key constructions.

(Usages of the UNI-DA graphic keys method)
The UNI-DA keys are suitable for incorporation into the constructions of all 155 electronic devices that have data entry features for Latin alphabetic characters, e. g., mobile phones, PDA's, PC notebooks, electronic diaries, e-tablets and other similar devices. They can also be added into standard Qwerty keyboards as a means for entering
Latin alphabetic characters using one hand. This is useful when the other hand is occupied, such as when it is holding a telephone. They can also serve as a means for 160 incorporating data entry features into electronic devices that traditionally do not have data entry features but for which having one would be convenient, e. g., ovens (for recipe), camera (for captions), and watches (for data retrieval).

(Component graphic sets creation process and other component graphic sets) 165 Unlike the ideographical characters of Eastern languages, the Latin alphabetic characters do not have predefined nor easily identifiable"radicals"or component graphical forms. The specific process (that is disclosed as part of the present invention) of analyzing and decomposing the Latin alphabetic characters into easily recognizable component graphical shapes, for the specific purpose of being able to assign a novel and 170 unique set of component graphics to a limited number of data entry keys, and wherein those keys can be utilized to enter all the Latin alphabetic characters is therefore a novel art.

Likewise, the component graphics that are derived from this process, and therefore, the keys that bear their symbols and which are utilized to enter all the Latin alphabetic characters, are unique and novel and represent an innovative step over previous data 175 entry arts for entering Latin alphabetic characters into electronic devices.

The UNI-DA graphic set is only one of the"component graphic sets"that were derived by the analytic process of the present invention wherein the Latin alphabetic characters were decomposed into elementary graphical shapes Fig. 12. The resulting range of elementary graphical shapes were analyzed and synthesized into a master set of 180 elementary graphical shapes that are easy to recognize and remember. Further analysis of the"master component graphic set"36 revealed that subsets of its component graphical shapes could be selected and used to construct the complete graphical shapes of all the
Latin alphabetic characters. Instances of alternative component graphic sets that can be derived from the master component graphic set are shown in Fig. 13.

The alternative component graphic sets can individually be utilized with the data entry techniques (delimited data entry techniques, filler-paired data entry technique, paired data entry technique, and multi-lingual data entry technique) that were disclosed for the
UNI-DA component graphic set. The alternative component graphic sets can also be utilized for the purposes described for the UNI-DA keys in electronic devices such as mobile phones, PDA's and like devices.

(Click interpreter program logic)
The entities, method, techniques and processes disclosed above are implemented in the logic of graphic key click interpreter programs (software, firmware and hardware) that operate in electronic devices that incorporate the UNI-DA (and alternative) graphic keys and script keys. An example of the basic logic of the click interpreter program is shown in Fig. 14.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 The six UNI-DA component graphics; and the corresponding Comic Sans
MS fonts used to refer to them in the Specifications document.

Fig. 2 An illustration of a layout of the UNI-DA graphic keys; with a delimiter key; a mobile phone is used as an example.

Fig. 3 A graphic component set of the UNI-DA component graphics; each composite graphic shape consists of one or two UNI-DA component graphics; suitable for use with the"delimited data entry technique"and"filler- paired data entry technique".

Fig. 4 A variation of the Fig. 3 UNI-DA graphic component set wherein the component graphics of the vowels and"n"characters are duplicated; thus every composite graphical shapes consist of two component graphics; suitable for use with the"paired data entry technique".

Fig. 5 A variation of the Fig. 4 graphic component set wherein the composite graphical shapes of the"m,""w,"and"r"characters are restored to those found in Fig. 3 ; "n" becomes "-#" and "u" becomes "-u".

Fig. 6 Illustrations of three UNI-DA on-screen graphic key layouts; a"dot-key" layout, a compact layout suitable for clicking operations, and a layout suitable for on-screen strokes.

Fig. 7 Three expanded multi-lingual UNI-DA graphic key layouts; a layout with UNI
DA graphic keys and separate superscript keys ; a layout wherein the same six
UNI-DA graphic keys are used for entering both UNI-DA component graphic clicks and qualifier script clicks.

Fig. 8 Tables consisting of characters qualified by superscripts, subscripts, middle-scripts and compound-script symbols; tables of the qualifier-scripts symbols and and their corresponding click sequences.

Fig. 9 A reduced UNI-DA graphic key set consisting of only three graphic keys; wherein two UNI-DA component graphics are assigned to each graphic key. The character click sequences for the Fig. 3 composite graphic shapes when these keys are used are shown.

Fig. 10 A reduced UNI-DA graphic key set consisting of four graphic keys; two
UNI-DA component graphics are assigned to two of the four graphic keys. The character click sequences for the Fig. 3 composite graphic shapes are shown.

Fig. 11 A reduced UNI-DA graphic key set consisting of five graphic keys; two
UNI-DA component graphics are assigned to one of the five graphic keys. The first graphic component set 33 has character click sequences that vary from one to four clicks. The character click sequences of the second graphic component set 34 each consists of only two clicks.

Fig. 12 A table of the range of component graphics that is derived from the complete graphical shapes of Latin alphabetic characters. The"master component graphic set"36 is shown.

Fig. 13 Three alternative component graphic sets for entering Latin alphabetic characters are shown: a four-component graphic set, a five-component graphic set, and a seven-corhponent graphics set.

Fig. 14 Shows the basic layout flow-chart for the click interpreter program when the"delimited data entry technique"is used.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THEJNVENTION
In this best mode for carrying the invention, six component graphics 1 (called the "UNI-DA component graphics") are utilized for a new data entry method for Latin alphabetic characters. Sets (called"graphic component sets") of unique composite constructions (called"composite graphic shapes") of these component graphics are formed to represent all the complete graphical shapes of all the Latin alphabetic characters.

(Note: These component graphics are referred to as "UNI-DA" because their appearance are similar to the "U","#","#""-","D","#" Comic Sans MS fants 2.

However, they have to inherent alphabetic meanings other than those specified in graphic combination sets.)
The UNT-DA component graphics are associated with data entry keys (called"UNT
DA graphic keys") on various electronic devices constructions. An example of this is the mobile phone illustrated in Fig. 2.

(Note : Tlzis mobile phone representation is used in the explanation below to explain the UNI-DA data entry method. However, the same method applies to any other electronic devices that incorporate the UNI-DA graphic keys.)
The UNI-DA graphic keys are arranged such that key pairs whose component graphics are symmetrical are placed beside each other, i. e., cia D","U n, and"-I".

This results in a symmetrical key layout 3 which makes it easy to remember the relative positions of the graphic keys in the keypad construction.

(Note : The graphic keys can also be arranged in other symmetrical layouts such as tliefollowing.

(Two rows) Q-U Q-U nbf
Dln DI n u a- (One-row) a u-I nD a-I u nD
A delimiter key 4 is included in the device keypad construction. This key is utilized to enter various types of delimiter clicks and filler-clicks.

(Note: Other keys can be arbitrarily added to the device, to perform othe rkey functions such as text editing functions,e.g., backspace (Bs), left cursor scroll ( < --) and right cfv7sor scroll (-- > ).)
Fig. 3 is a graphic combination set of the UNI-DA component graphic set. The corresponding Latin alphabetic characters 6,"composite graphic shapes"7 and "character click sequences"8 are shown in the table. Most of the composite graphical shapes are exact representations of the Latin alphabetic characters that they correspond to.

However, some of them may require a little visualization as illustrated in 9.

The graphic keys that correspond to the component graphics of a composite graphic shape of a character are clicked in a unique sequence (called"character click sequence") 8 within each graphic combination set. This enables the differentiation of the respective click sequences of characters whose composite graphic shapes are comprised of the same component graphics (e.g., "@D" for the character "s" and "##" for the character "z").

The character click sequences of this graphic combination set are entered using one of two data entry techniques disclosed in the present invention, namely, the "delimited data entry technique"and the"RIler-paired data entry technique".

(Delimited data entry technique)
The delimiter key is clicked to delimit successive character click sequences. One click of the delimiter indicates the he end of a character click sequence. This type of click is called a "character delimiter click".

When the delimiter key is clicked again immediately after a character delimiter click, that click indicates the end of a word and causes the entering of a space character. This click is called a "word delimiter click".

The delimiter key is further utilized as follows. A click of the delimiter key (called a "sentence delimiter click") after a word delimiter click causes the previously entered space to be deleted and in its place a period and a space is entered immediately after the last character. A click of the delimiter key (called an"Enter click") after a sentence delimiter click is equivalent to the entering of an ENTER key after the last character.

The following is an example of the delimited click sequence for an English phrase.

(Note : 4 space character is indicated by a"-"in the text, while the del miter click is indicated by the" > "character in the click sequence.) this is a book. t h i s-i s-a-b o o k.- - I > In > # > aD # > aD ID > D > D > Un (Filler-paired data entry technique)
In this technique, the delimiters between the character click sequences are implied in the overall structure of the data entry click sequence. The graphic combination set 5 used in the delimited data entry technique described above is also used in this technique without any modifications. Thus, the user does not have to learn a new graphic combination set.

The delimiter key is not used to enter character delimiter clicks. However, it has a new function, which is to enter a filler-click after every click of a one-click character. It is a"neutral"click in the sense that its only function is to complete a click-pair and it does not cause a separate operation..

The delimiter key is also used to enter word, sentence and Enter delimiter clicks, in the same manner as that described above for the delimited data entry technique.

Since all the character click sequences are click-pairs, the click interpreter program can distinguish each character by interpreting continuous clicks in units of click-pairs.

The following is the filler-paired click sequence for the phrase explained above.

(Note: The delimiter key clicks that function as a filler-clicks are shown in their normal positions (after the one-click charactersJ. Che delimiter clicks thatfunction as word and sentence delimiters are shown as superscripts.) this is a book. t h i s-i s-a-b o o k. -I In # > aD > # > aD > a > > ID D > D > Un
The filler-paired technique is more efficient than the delimited data entry technique.

This is illustrated by comparing the number of clicks in each case. There are 27 clicks in the filler-paired technique against 33 when the delimited data entry technique is used, an improvement of approximately 20-percent.

(Paired data entry technique)
The character click sequences of the graphic combination set that is used with this data entry technique must all consist of two (and only two) component graphics. The graphic combination set that is used with this technique is shown in Fig. 4. Notice that the component graphics in the composite graphic shapes that respectively correspond to the vowel characters and the"n"character are duplicated component graphics.

(Note : Notice that when compczt ed to the character click sequences of S tSle character click sequencefor the characters"m","w"and r"have been changed to"Dn","DV' and "nD", respectively. This is because the new "n", "u" click sequences are now using the previous"m"and"w"click sequences, and tlae new"m"click sequence is using the previous"r"elick sequences.

The following phrases can be used to help remember the new click sequences of t1ese characters :"Dnstands for doubZe-n","/OU stands for double-u", and "in" nD the tail section of "R" is entered before the upper section".)
The advantage of this technique over the filler-paired data entry technique is that it is not necessary to transfer the finger from the graphic key to the delimiter key to enter filler-clicks. This results in less lateral finger motions during keying in operations.

The following is the click sequence of the phrase explained above, when the paired data entry technique is used with the graphic combination set shown in Fig. 4. this is a book. t s-is-a-bo o k. -I In II aD > II aD > aa > ID DD DD Un
If a user wishes to keep on using the character click sequences of"w","m"and"r"as specified in 5 during a paired data entry operation, that user can use the graphic combination set shown in Fig. 5, wherein"a","e","i","u"are duplicated clicks, but"u" becomes"-U"and"n"becomes"-11". The click sequences for"m","w"and"r"are the same as those in Fig. 3.

The following is the click sequence of a phrase that contains the"n"and"u" characters, when the paired data entry technique is used with the graphic combination set shown in Fig. 5. under the book. u n d e r-t h e-b o o k.- -U-n la--an-I In-* DD Un (UNI-DA on-screen graphic keys)
This section describes the embodiment of the UNI-DA data entry method on electronic screens that recognize pen clicks and strokes. (Note: Instead of a pen, onscreen graphic keys may be actuated by a finger or other stylus.) In this embodiment, the
UNI-DA component graphics are associated with on-screen graphic keys.

The characteristics and operations of UNI-DA on-screen graphic keys are basically the same as those of the mechanical keys described above.

When an on-screen graphic key is actuated, the device code of the Latin alphabetic character that it corresponds to is entered into the device. The on-screen graphic keys are actuated by either of the following two operations.

On-screen key click: A part (pixel) of the on-screen key icon is tapped directly from the air by a pen. Multiple on-screen keys are successively clicked by repeating the tapping motion.

On-screen key stroke: A part of an onscreen-key icon is touched by dragging the pen 395 on the screen surface from outside the on-screen key icon into it. The on-screen key actuation is completed by lifting the pen into the air while it is still in the on-screen key icon or by continuing to drag the pen until it is outside the on-screen key icon. Multiple on-screen keys are actuated by continuously dragging the pen across them without lifting the pen from the screen surface.

400 Three compact UNI-DA on-screen graphic key layouts are illustrated in Fig. 6. The key layouts 12 13 contained on the screen of the PDA 10 are suitable for clicking operations because there is minimal pen flight distances between the key icons. The key layout on the right 11 is suitable for stroking operations as the pen can easily move from one key to another. The stroke pattern for the word"gem"is illustrated on it.

405 The limited number of UNI-DA on-screen graphic keys enables flexible on-screen key layouts. The keys can be made very small if there is only a limited screen surface area available. The key icons can be as small as dots as it is easy to remember the dot that represents each UNI-DA graphic on-screen key. An example of this is illustrated in 12.

The smaller dots represent individual UNI-DA on-screen graphic keys. The larger dot in 410 the center corresponds to the delimiter key. On the other hand, in the case of devices that have large screens, the keys can be made very large to enable easy selection using finger (s).

Any of the UNI-DA component graphic sets can be associated with on-screen graphic keys. The three data entry techniques (delimited, paired and filler-paired data entry 415 techniques) described above for mechanical UNI-DA keys can also be applied to the
UNI-DA on-screen graphic keys. The multi-lingual data entry techniques and the double association technique described below can also be applied on the UNI-DA on-screen graphic keys.

Other icons which perform text editing and other functions can be placed beside the 420 UNI-DA on-screen graphic keys, i. e., backspace, cursor manipulation and mode control on-screen keys. A plurality of these keys are illustrated in 11 and 13.

(Multi-lingual data entry techniques)
The objective of these techniques is to enable the entering of Latin alphabetic characters that are qualified by superscripts 18, subscripts 24, middle-scripts 27 and compound-scripts 21 using a limited number of keys. These scripts are collectively called"qualifier scripts". A list of script-qualified Latin alphabetic characters are shown in 20 23 26 27. These qualifier scripts are used in various European languages to indicate specific tones or pronunciations of the base Latin alphabetic character. Some of them are also used in the phonetic spelling of Eastern languages (such as Chinese) using Latin alphabetic characters.

The multi-lingual data entry techniques are predicated by the UNI-DA data entry method because the UNI-DA graphic keys are used to enter the base Latin alphabetic characters.

Two techniques for enabling multi-lingual data entry using the UNI-DA graphic keys are disclosed.

(Dedicated superscript keys data entry technique)
This technique is used to enter only superscripts, i. e., subscripts and middle-scripts cannot be entered in this technique. The superscripts are assigned to specific additional keys 14 of the device. These keys are called"superscript keys". This technique is used in conjunction with the Latin alphabetic character data entry techniques.

Delimited superscript key data entry technique : When the Latin alphabetic characters are entered using the"delimited data entry technique", the superscript key (s) are clicked after a character click sequence to enter superscript (s) that qualify the base Latin alphabetic character that they qualify. It is not necessary to enter a delimiter click after a character chick sequence that is followed by superscript click (s) because the superscript click (s) perform the function of the character delimiter click.

The superscript symbol printed on the left side of a superscript key is entered by pressing that key once, while the superscript printed on the right side is entered by pressing the key twice. If a compound-script 23 qualifies a base Latin alphabetic character, a combination of the superscript keys are clicked.

The following are the superscript click sequences that are used to enter the superscript symbols. (Note: The super script key clicks are indicated by the identifier printed above teh keys, i.e., "8", "0", "x" and "y". For example, a"v"is indicated as "x", a"^"click is indicated by"xx", and a click is indicated by"8". w 5 ¯ O
Superscript:
Click sequence: 8 88 x xx 0 00 y yy
Compound superscript: u u u a
Click sequence: U0088 Uy88 Ux88 U088 Qyyy
The base Latin character click sequence is entered first followed by its superscript click (s).

In the case of a Latin alphabetic character that is qualified by a compoundscript, the upper superscript is entered first followed by the lower superscript.

The following are (random) letters-words used as examples of the click sequences of this technique. (Note : The character click sequences of Fig 3 are used in these examples.) este esto nina brau. ahsa.
EMI18.1

Notice that the succeeding character click sequence is entered immediately after a superscript key click, i. e., a superscript key click has two functions, one is to enter a superscript symbol, the other is to act as a character click sequence delimiter. Notice also that a word delimiter ("'") is also entered immediately after a superscript key click.

Filler-paired superscript key data entry technique:
The click sequences of this technique are basically the same as those of the delimited superscript key data entry technique, except that there are no character delimiter clicks and the superscript click becomes the filler click (s) in superscripted characters. The following is the click sequence of the above example when it is entered using this technique. este esto nina bräu. ahsa. e s t e-e s t o-n i n a - y aD-I-''-'aD-I DO'n'I'n8 a'' b r a u. a h s a.

ID Dn a88 U > > > a > Inxx aDx ayyy > >
Paired superscript key data entry technique:
The click sequences of this technique are also basically the same as those of the delimited data entry technique. The only difference is that there are no filler clicks.

The following is the click sequence of the above example when it is entered using this technique. (Note : Td2e claaracter click sequences of Fig. 4 are used) este esto nina brau. ahsa. es s t e-e s t o-n i n a -y aD -I -- > -- aD -I D0 > nn II n8 aa b r a u a a
ID nD a88 UU > > aa Inxx aDx ayyy > >
Notice that the second click of duplicate-click characters (i. e., the vowels and"n" characters) are not entered when that duplicate-click characters are qualified by superscripts, e.

g.,""y". This is because the superscript key click also functions as a character delimiter click, and thus it is not necessary to adhere to the click-pair rule in the character click sequences of qualified characters.

(Character-script graphic keys technique)
In this technique, the UNI-DA graphic keys are also used to enter the superscript, subscript, middle-script and compound-script clicks. Thus, only six graphic keys are required to enter both the Latin alphabetic characters and the qualifer scripts. A second delimitery key 15 is included in the key set. This key is called the "script delimiter key".

The graphic keys are operated as follows when they are used to enter both base
Latintin alphabetic characters and qualifier scripts.

- This technique can be used to enter not only superscripts, but also subscripts, middle-scripts and compound-scripts.

- A qualifier script is entered by clicking the keys that correspond to the "sript click sequence" 19 22 25 of each qualifier script.

- There are two types o delimiter keys, the character delimiter key (" > ") and the script delimiter key (" & "). The former is used to delimit the character click sequences of Latin alphabetic characters that are not qualified, while the latter is used to delimite the script click sequenced and to implicity delimit the character click sequence the precedes it.

The key layout used with this technique is shown in 16. The UNI-DA graphic keys are now assigned a second set of component graphics, which are the script component graphicss.

Delimited character-script key data entry technique:
When the Latin alphabetic characters are entered using the "delimited data entry technique",@e", one or mor equalifier script clicks are entered after a character click sequence by the following procedure.

- The script delimiter key is clicked after the character click sequence of the Latin alphabetic character that is qualifies.

- The script delimiter key click indicates that the following qualifier script(s) are superscript(s), subscript(s) or compound-script(s).

- Two clicks indicate that the following script(s) are middle-scripts.

- The script click sequence is entered.

- A final script delimiter click is entered to indicate the end of the scrpt click sequence.

The following are (random) letters-words used as examples of the click sequences of this technique. (Note The character click sequences of Fig. 3 are used in these examples.) estenina aha. culd.
EMI21.1

Filler-paired character-script key data entry technique:
The click sequences of this technique are basically the same as those of the delimited character-script key data entry technique, except that there are no character delimiter clicks and the script clicks become the filler-click (s) of qualified single-click characters. The following is the click sequence of the above example when it is entered using this technique. estenina aha. culd. e s t e-e s t o-n i n a - & ' & aD -I - > > - > aD -I D & & > n > I > n & ¯ & a > > ä # # ç # # # a & & In & ' a & ' & # a- & ' & U & # & I- & & # & Ia & & - &
Notice that filler-clicks are not entered when a single-click character is followed by a script delimiter click.

This is because a script delimiter click also functions as a character delimiter click.

Paired character-script key data entry technique:
The click sequences of this technique are basically the same as those of the fillerpaired character-script key data entry technique. The only difference is that there are no filler clicks because all the character click sequences are click-pairs. The following is the click sequence of the above example when this technique is used.

(Note : The character click sequences of Fig. 4 are used.) estenina alia. culd. e s t e-e s t o-n i n a - & ' & aD -I -- > -- aD -I D & & > nn II n & ¯ & aa > a 6 a. c u 1-d a & & In & ' & a & ' & a- & ' & U & # & I- & & & Ia & & - &
Notice that the second click of a duplicate-click character is not entered when that character is followed by a script delimiter click. This is because the script delimiter click also functions as a character delimiter click.

(Double association technique)
A technique (called"double association") that reduces the number of UNI-DA graphic keys is disclosed FIG. 9 Fig. 10 Fig. 11. In this technique, two UNI-DA component graphics are assigned to a single graphic key. The number of keys in the reduced UNI-DA graphic key sets ranges from three to five. This technique is useful for devices that have very limited surface areas for installing data entry keys.

Three-key UNI-DA graphic key set :
28 is an embodiment ofthe UNI-DA graphic keys wherein only are keys are used.

Each key is assigned two UNI-DA component graphics. The corresponding Latin alphabetic characters, composite graphical shapes, and character click sequences are shown in 29. Notice that the composite graphical shapes are the same as those used in six-key graphic combination set set shown in Fig. 3, while the character click sequences are different.

The character click sequences are formed using the following convention.

-The component graphic printed in the upper part of the key is entered by clicking that key once.

= The component graphic printed in the lower half is entered by clicking that key two times.

This graphic combination set can only be used with the delimited data entry technique because it contains character click sequences that are comprised of more than two clicks.

The click sequence for each component graphic is as follows. (Note : The clicks are indicated by the numbers beside the grpahic keys shown in 28.) u-I D n 1 11 2 22 3 33
The following is an example of the click sequence of this technique. m o u s e 3333 > 3 > 11 > 13 > 2 >
Four-key UNI-DA graphic key set:
A four-key UNI-DA key configuration is shown in 30. The graphic combination used with this set is shown in 31. The same composite graphical shapes as that of Fig. 3 are used. This graphic combination set can only be used with the delimited data entry technique because it contains character click sequences that are comprised of more than two clicks.

The click sequence for each component graphic is as follows. a u 1 1) n 11 2 3 4 44
The following is the click sequence for the word"mouse". mouse 4444 > 4 > 11 > 14 > 2 >
Five-key UNI-DA graphic key sets :
A five-key UNI-DA key configuration is shown in 32. The composite graphic shapes used are the same as those in Fig. 3. This graphic combination set 33 can only be used with the delimited data entry technique because it contains character click sequences that are comprised of more than two clicks.

The click sequence for each component graphic is as follows. a V ¯ µ D 1 11 2 3 4 5
With five keys, it is possible to create a graphic combination set 34 whose composite graphic shapes each consist of only one or two component graphics. Thus, the character click sequences of this graphic combination set can be entered using either the delimited data entry technique or the filler-paired data entry technique.

(Component graphic sets creation process and other component graphic sets)
Processes for analyzing the Latin alphabetic characters into elementary graphics, the creation of a"master component graphic set"and the derivation of component graphic sets that can be assigned to a limited number of data entry keys are disclosed.

The UNI-DA graphic set is only one of the component graphic sets that were derived by the analytic processes of the present invention wherein the Latin alphabetic characters were decomposed into elementary graphical shapes Fig. 12. The resulting range of elementary graphical shapes 35 were analyzed and synthesized into a master set of elementary graphical shapes that are easy to recognize and remember. Other component graphics can be created but the ones included in the"master component graphic set" shown in 36 were judged to be the most advantageous because they are easy to recognize and easy to remember.

Further analysis of the master component graphic set revealed that subsets of its elementary graphical shapes could be selected and used to construct the complete graphical shapes of all the Latin alphabetic characters. The UNI-DA graphic set was chosen as the best mode for carrying out the invention because their shapes are similar to the vowels of the Latin alphabetic character and the"n"character. These characters are amongst the most frequently used and most readily recognizable (and easy to remember)
Latin alphabetic characters.

Alternative component graphic sets that were derived from the master component graphic set are disclosed as part of the present invention. They are shown in Fig. 13.

(Note : It is possible to derive other alternative component graphic sets from the master component graphic set.)
37 is comprised of four component graphics. It is suitable for inclusion in compact electronic device constructions that have very limited surface areas for data entry keys, e. g., the back of a camera or a watch. Its graphic combination set is shown in 38.

39 is comprised of five component graphics. Its graphic combination set is shown in
40. The character click sequences are limited to only one or two clicks, such that this set can be used with the filler-paired data entry technique.

665 41 is comprised of seven component graphics. Its graphic combination set is shown in 42. The"C"component graphic has been added to those of the UNI-DA component graphic set. The"C"component graphic is used in the composite graphical shapes of the "c"and"f'characters to further increase their clarity.

The character click sequences of these alternative component graphic sets can be 670 entered using the data entry techniques that were disclosed for the UNI-DA component graphic set, i. e., the delimited, filler-paired and paired data entry techniques, and the multi-lingual data entry techniques.

(Click interpreter program logic) 675 The entities, method, techniques and processes disclosed above are implemented in the logic of graphic key click interpreter programs (in software, firmware and hardware) that operate in electronic devices that incorporate the UNI-DA (and alternative) graphic keys and script keys. Fig. 14 is an example of the basic structure of the click interpreter program logic, when the delimiter data entry technique is used.

680
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
The UNI-DA graphic key set and its associated data entry method and techniques can be incorporated into the constructions and operations of various electronic devices that have data entry keypads for entering Latin alphabetic characters. Because the set consist of a limited number of keys, it is particularly suitable for the following types of devices and operational modes. a. Compact devices: The limited number of keys means that the keys occupy a small area on the device surface area. This advantage is very useful for compact devices such as mobile phones, PDA's, sub-compact notebook PC's, e-tablets, electronic diaries and electronic dictionaries.

The compact construction of the UNI-DA graphic key set allows the incorporation of very small keypads into wearables (e. g., watches), sections appliances (e. g., ovens and refrigerators, etc), recreational devices (e. g., MP3's, game consoles, etc) and industrial handheld terminals. b. Kiosks: Devices that have screen designed for operation by human fingers can have very large UNI-DA keys such that operation of the large keys is easy to perform. c. Devices for handicapped persons: Persons with only one hand and persons who have difficulty (visual or physical) in operating the twenty-six key keyboards can more easily operate the limited number of UNI-DA graphic keys, which can be made very large or irregularly shaped or arranged. d.

Dedicated compact data entry devices: With the advent of the Bluetooth technology, the UNI-DA keys can be made the basis for a new type of compact dedicated data entry devices that can be put in pockets and operated without looking. The latter is possible because it is easy to remember the relative position of the keys. e. The industrial applications described above also apply to the alternative component graphic sets described above.

(Other applications and embodiments)
It will be understood that additional advantages and modifications can be applied to the art described above by following the processes described above, and that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit and central characteristics of the art described above. The present examples and embodiments are therefore to be considered as illustrative und not restrictive in all respect, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given in this disclosure.

Claims

CLAIMS I claim, 1. The UNI-DA component graphic set (Fig. l), wherein its six"component graphics" correspond to sections of the complete graphical shapes of the Latin alphabetic characters, 2. The UNI-DA component graphic set as described in claim 1, wherein its component graphics are individually assigned to a set of mechanical data entry keys, for the purpose of entering Latin alphabetic characters into electronic devices, 3.

The UNI-DA component graphic set as described in Claim 1, wherein a plurality of its component graphics are grouped into a set ("graphic combination set") of unique "composite graphic shapes"that correspond to the Latin alphabetic characters, wherein the order in which the component graphics that comprise a composite graphic shape is fixed, such that each"character click sequence"is unique within a combination graphic set, 4. The UNI-DA component graphic set as described in Claim 1, wherein composite graphic shapes and character click sequences are as specifically defined in the combination graphic sets shown in Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, 5.

The UNI-DA component graphic set as described in Claim 1, wherein the"delimited data entry technique"is used to enter a continuous plurality of delimited characters, words and sentences, by explicitly delimiting continuous character click sequences with delimiter (key) clicks, 6. The UNI-DA component graphic set as described in Claim 1, wherein the"fillerpaired data entry technique"is used to enter a continuous plurality of characters, words and sentences, by entering a filler-click after each one-click character such that all the character click sequences of a graphical combination set used with this technique are each comprised of two clicks, which enables a click interpreter program in a device to interpret the characters in units of click-pairs, 7.

The UNI-DA component graphic set as described in Claim 1, wherein the"paired data 755 entry technique"is used to enter a continuous plurality of characters, words and sentences, wherein all of the character click sequences of a combination graphic set used with this technique each consist of two clicks, which enables a click interpreter program in a device to interpret the characters in units of click-pairs, 760 8. The UNI-DA component graphic set as described in Claim 1, wherein its component graphics are assigned to"on-screen data entry keys", wherein these keys are used to enter Latin alphabetic characters using the UNI-DA data entry techniques, including the delimited, paired or filler-paired data entry techniques, multi-lingual data entry techniques and double association technique, 765 9.

The UNI-DA component graphic set as described in Claim 1, wherein the UNI-DA on screen data entry are as arranged in the specific layouts illustrated in 11 (dot keys), 12 (clicked keys) and 13 (stroked keys) of Fig. 6, 770 10. The UNI-DA component graphic set as described in Claim 1, wherein the"dedicated superscript keys data entry technique"is used, wherein dedicated tone superscript keys 14 are added to the UNI-DA graphic keys to enable the entering of Latin alphabetic characters that are qualified by single and compound tone superscripts, using variations of the delimited, paired and filler-paired data entry techniques, 775 11. The UNI-DA component graphic set as described in Claim 1, wherein the"character script keys technique"is used,

wherein the same UNI-DA graphic keys 16 are also assigned the component graphics of tone superscripts, subscripts, middle-scripts and compound-scripts, wherein these keys are used to enter a sequence of standard (i. e., not 780 tone qualified) and tone qualified Latin alphabetic characters, using variations of the delimited, paired and filler-paired data entry methods, 12. The UNI-DA component graphic set as described in Claim 1, wherein the"double association technique"is used, wherein two UNI-DA component graphics are assigned to a single data entry key, such that the number of data entry keys required to enter the Latin alphabetic character is reduced to three to five keys, 13.

The UNI-DA component graphic set as described in Claim 1, wherein the three-key (double association) UNI-DA data entry key set is as specifically shown in 28, whose graphic combination set is as illustrated in 29, 14. The UNI-DA component graphic set as described in Claim 1, wherein the four-key (double association) UNI-DA data entry key set is as specifically shown in 30, whose graphic combination set is as illustrated in 31, 15. The UNI-DA component graphic set as described in Claim 1, wherein the five-key (double association) UNI-DA data entry key set is as specifically shown in 32, whose graphic combination set is as illustrated in 33, 16.

The UNI-DA component graphic set as described in Claim 1, wherein the five-key (double association) UNI-DA data entry key sets are as specifically shown in 34, whose corresponding graphic combination set is also shown in 34, 17. Device program logic (contained in software programs, firmware and hardware in electronic devices) that assigns the UNI-DA component graphics to mechanical and onscreen keys, and interprets the UNI-DA graphic key clicks, based on the disclosed data entry techniques which include the delimited, paired and filler-paired data entry techniques, dedicated superscript keys and character-script keys data entry techniques, and double association technique, 18.

The"master component graphic set"36 that was derived by a process of decomposing the complete graphic shapes of the Latin alphabetic characters, and subsets (component graphic sets) of it whose component graphics can be utilized to form the composite graphic shapes of the Latin alphabetic characters, and can be assigned to data entry keys which can be used to enter the Latin alphabetic characters, 19. The component graphic set shown in 37 and its corresponding graphic combination set 38, 20. The component graphic set shown in 39 and its corresponding graphic combination set 40, 21. The component graphic set shown in 41 and its corresponding graphic combination set 42, 22.

Device program logic (contained in software programs, firmware and hardware in electronic devices) that assigns the component graphics of component graphic sets derived from the master component graphic set to mechanical and on-screen data entry keys, and interprets the graphic key clicks, based on the disclosed data entry techniques which include the delimited, paired and filler-paired data entry techniques, dedicated superscript keys and character-script keys data entry techniques, and double association technique, 23. Constructions of the UNI-DA graphic keys as mechanical and on-screen Latin alphabetic character data entry keypads in devices such as mobile phones, PDA's, notebook PC's, e-books, e-tablets, wearables, electrical appliances, industrial terminals and other electronic devices, 24.

Constructions of the alternative graphic keys (37,39 and 41 and other component graphic sets derived from the master component graphic set) as mechanical and onscreen Latin alphabetic character data entry keypads in devices such as mobile phones, PDA's, notebook PC's, e-books, e-tablets, wearables, electrical appliances, industrial terminals and other electronic devices.