Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
  • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
  • G06F3/02—Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
  • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
  • G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
  • G06F3/0487—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
  • G06F3/0488—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
  • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
  • G06F3/02—Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
  • G06F3/023—Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
  • G06F3/0233—Character input methods
  • G06F3/0236—Character input methods using selection techniques to select from displayed items
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
  • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
  • G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
  • G06F3/0481—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
  • G06F3/0482—Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
  • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
  • G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
  • G06F3/0487—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
  • G06F3/0488—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
  • G06F3/04886—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the field of entering objects into an electronic device comprising a display screen, and particularly to a method and apparatus for entering objects such as graphical characters into a small or portable electronic appliance which does not have a conventional alphanumeric keyboard with discrete keys. More specifically, the invention relates to an efficient system for entering objects from a large set of objects when the surface space that is available for entering the objects is relatively limited, such as on a cellular telephone, or in a personal digital assistant. The present invention also relates to a computer program product comprising software code portions for achieving the system and a method for entering objects into a small or portable electronic appliance when said product is run on a computer.
• PDAs personal digital assistants
• personal communication devices e.g. mobile phones
• laptop personal computers multifunctional remote controls
• web-tablets to name a few, which help users store and organize information.
• PDAs personal digital assistants
• the trend has been towards an ever-increasing reduction of the size of such devices.
• this reduction of size has resulted in the problem that data entry into these devices is often very difficult.
• One prior-art approach to providing a graphical text entry system has been to display a graphical text entry wheel on a graphical text entry screen.
• a plurality of characters is positioned on the graphical text entry wheel.
• the system also includes a pointing device for rotating the graphical text entry wheel to allow a user to select one of the characters on the graphical text entry wheel to be entered.
• the graphical text entry system may provide suggested subsequent characters or words as aids for text entries.
• a system of this type is disclosed in US 6 011 542, to Sony.
• Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved system for entering objects, such as graphical characters, into a small electronic appliance. Another object of the invention is to provide an improved system for entering graphical characters into a small electronic appliance also providing word suggestions as aids for text entries.
• a further object of the invention is to provide an improved system for entering objects into a small electronic appliance in which the objects can be entered by using small movements of a finger or stylus on a touch-sensitive screen.
• a still further object of the invention is to provide an improved system for entering objects into a small electronic appliance, wherein selection and entry of individual objects is effected on individually selectable fields requiring only a limited amount of space to be depicted on the display screen of the small information appliance.
• Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved system for entering objects into a small electronic appliance which allows a user to enter any individual object from a large set of objects.
• a still further object of the invention is to provide an improved computer program product comprising software code portions for achieving the system and a method for entering objects into a small or portable electronic appliance when said product is run on a computer.
• Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a highest level of individually selectable fields, each of which represents a subset of objects from a larger set of objects, here illustrated as subsets of graphical characters from a larger character set;
• Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a subordinate level of individually selectable fields, each of which represents an individual character from the subset of graphical characters represented in the fields of Fig. 1 ;
• Fig. 3 is a top plan view illustrating selection of an individual graphical character from the characters represented in the subordinate level of individually selectable fields of Fig.2;
• Fig. 4 is a top plan view illustrating a further subordinate level of individually selectable fields, each of which represents one candidate word for entry according to a second embodiment of the present invention
• Fig. 5 is a top plan view illustrating selection of an individual word from the candidate words represented in the further subordinate level of individually selectable fields ofFig.4;
• Fig. 6 is a flow chart of the method for entering objects of the embodiment of Figs. 1 through 3; and Fig. 7 illustrates an extension of the flow chart of Fig. 6 depicting the method for providing word suggestions as aids for text entries according to the embodiment of Figs. 4 and 5.
• Fig. 1 shows a graphical display screen 10 displaying a highest level view of a graphical user interface system for entering objects from a set of objects into an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• the graphical display screen 10 of the electronic device comprises display means, where the display means may be any commonly used type of display, such as: a liquid crystal display; a plasma screen display; an electrochromic display; a cathode ray display.
• the display means is preferably touch- sensitive.
• the electronic device also comprises user input means (not shown) such as a stylus and touch-pad or touch-sensitive screen; a user's finger and touch-pad or touch-sensitive screen, or any combination of the above.
• a screen which is not touch-sensitive such as the keys of a handset of a wireless communications system; the keys of a remote control appliance; a joystick, trackball or computer mouse, or any combination of the above.
• This alternative might, however, require some minor adjustments of the supporting graphics in addition to what will be described below.
• the current embodiment will be described with reference to an electronic device comprising a touch-sensitive display screen and a stylus and/or user's finger for providing user input to the electronic device by performing operations on the graphical user interface of the object entry system.
• the display means Upon sensing placement by the user of the stylus and/or finger, hereinafter referred to as pointer, in a position on the screen 10, the display means are operatively arranged for sensing the point of placement to determine a first pointer position 11 and displaying, surrounding the first pointer position 11, a first plurality of individually selectable fields 12 representing a highest level of the graphical user interface. As shown in Fig. 1, these fields 12 are represented as rectangular or square boxes, but could alternatively take any suitable form or shape, such as circular, triangular or circle sectors. Each of these fields 12 represents a subset of objects from a larger set of objects. For ease of understanding, the objects are here illustrated as graphical characters from a larger set of characters, e.g. as shown in Fig.
• the objects may be objects from other kinds of data collections commonly occurring in these types of devices, e.g. the set of objects could be a set of contact data and the individual objects contact data representative of an individual contact or alternatively the set of object could represent a top level folder, containing any number of subordinate folders with either further subordinate folders or individually selectable objects representative of items or functions, which are accessible through the user interface of the electronic device.
• the input means are then operatively arranged to allow movement of the pointer to either of the first individually selectable fields 12 through the user moving the pointer, kept in contact with the touch-sensitive screen 10, to the field representing the desired subset of characters, illustrated in Fig.
• said display means are further operatively arranged to alternate by display, surrounding a selected field, of an additional plurality of individually selectable fields 13, each of which additional individually selectable fields 13 represents either an individual character or a further subset of characters (not shown) from the subset of graphical characters represented in the previously selected field and allowing movement of the pointer, kept in contact with the touch-sensitive screen, to either of the additional individually selectable fields 13 until the additional field selected represents an individual character, illustrated in Fig. 3 as the blackened field 13a containing the character "h".
• any number of subordinate levels of individually selectable fields can be provided, even if the embodiment, shown here as an example, only illustrates one subordinate level.
• Fig 2 only the fields, which are displayed, non-overlaid the fields from the first plurality of individually selectable fields 12 contain a character and are thus selectable. It is of course possible to let all additional fields 13 comprise a character, but the shown way of presentation is preferred, as this facilitates an overview of the graphical user interface by the user and allows the user to perform a reverse movement of the pointer to the previous level to annul a performed selection.
• the input means are further operatively arranged to allow performance of entry of the graphical character represented in the selected additional field 13a through the user lifting the pointer from the touch-sensitive screen, whereupon the graphical character selected is entered to a text entry field 14 of the graphical user interface and the displayed fields are removed.
• the text entry field 14 of Figs. 1 to 3 as illustrated contains a previously entered character, here illustrated as the character "s", for the purpose of facilitating the following description.
• the system is arranged to provide word suggestions as aids for text entries.
• the system further comprises dictionary storage means (not shown), such as any conventional type of memory, e.g. RAM-memory circuits, ROM-memory circuits, a magnetic memory device (such as a hard-disk drive) or an optical memory device (such as a CD-ROM or DVD reader).
• the dictionary storage means store a plurality of candidate words.
• the system further comprises retrieval means (not shown) for retrieving a subset of candidate words from the dictionary storage means.
• the retrieval means preferably comprise a microprocessor and software code portions for performing the retrieval process when executed on said microprocessor.
• the subset of candidate words is retrieved on the basis of either the character represented in the selected additional field or the character represented in the selected additional field and at least one previously entered character, as illustrated by the character "s" in the text entry field 14 of Figs. 1, 2 and 3.
• the display means are operatively arranged to display, surrounding the selected additional field 13 a, a further plurality 15 of individually selectable fields representing a further subordinate level of the graphical user interface. Each of the further individually selectable fields 15 represents one candidate word from the subset of candidate words.
• the input means are also operatively arranged to allow movement of the pointer to either of the further individually selectable fields 15 through the user moving the pointer, kept in contact with the touch-sensitive screen 10, to the field representing the desired candidate word, illustrated in Fig. 5 as the blackened field 15a containing the word "ship", for performing a selection of the indicated further field.
• the input means are further operatively arranged to allow performance of entry of the candidate word represented into the selected further field 15a through the user lifting the pointer from the touch-sensitive screen 10, whereupon the candidate word selected is entered into the text entry field 14 of the graphical user interface replacing the previously entered character, shown as the character "s" in Fig. 5.
• the input means are operatively arranged to allow reverse movement of the pointer through the user moving the pointer, kept in contact with the touch-sensitive screen, from a currently selected field to a previous pointer position for annulling a performed selection. Upon such an annulment, presentation of any fields initiated through the previous selection is cancelled.
• the display means of this embodiment are operatively arranged to display the individual characters represented in the additional plurality of individually selectable fields with an enlarged font size as compared to the font size of the subset of graphical characters represented in the first plurality of individually selectable fields.
• the same font size could be used to present all characters.
• the display means can be operatively arranged to provide a magnified version of the additional plurality of individually selectable fields 13 in response to using the input means to initiate movement of the pointer towards either of the additional individually selectable fields 13.
• the display means are operatively arranged to display the additional plurality of individually selectable fields 13 at least partially overlaid with the previously displayed first plurality of individually selectable fields 12.
• the system for entering objects from a set of objects into an electronic device is arranged in a handset of a wireless communication system, such as a mobile phone.
• a wireless communication system such as a mobile phone.
• pointer movement and entry could be controlled by the user depressing designated keys from the plurality of keys commonly occurring on such devices.
• the system for entering objects from a set of objects into an electronic device may alternatively be arranged in a personal digital assistant, a remote control appliance or any type of handheld electronic device.
• movement could be effected by the user using alternative input means, such as the keys of a remote control appliance; a joystick, trackball or computer mouse; a stylus and touch-pad or touch-sensitive screen; a user's finger and touch-pad or touch sensitive screen, or any combination of the above.
• Fig. 6 is a flow chart of the method for entering objects from a set of objects, here illustrated as graphical characters from a character set, into an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• the user initiates the input process. In the embodiment described above, this is accomplished by the user placing the point of the pointer on the touch-sensitive screen. In other embodiments, initiation can be accomplished in any number of ways, e.g. simply by turning on the device or by pressing a dedicated key on the device or by touching a dedicated area on a touch- sensitive screen or touch-pad.
• the system determines a first pointer position and displays on the display, surrounding the first pointer position, a first plurality of individually selectable fields, each of which represents a subset of graphical characters from the character set (step 21). Thereafter, it is determined if the user has input commands for moving the pointer to either of the first individually selectable fields for selection of the indicated field (step 22), and the selected field is highlighted (step 23).
• the system alternates displaying on the display, surrounding a selected field, an additional plurality of individually selectable fields (step 24), each of which either represents an individual character or a further subset of characters from the subset of graphical characters represented in the previously selected field and determining if the user has input commands for moving the pointer to either of the additional individually selectable fields for selection and highlighting the indicated additional field (step 25) until the additional field selected represents an individual graphical character. It is thereafter determined if the user has input commands for performing an entry of the graphical character represented in the selected additional field (step 26), whereupon the selected graphical character is entered into a text entry field of the graphical user interface (step 27) and the displayed fields are removed. Also envisaged is a further enhanced embodiment for providing word suggestions as aids for text entries, which is illustrated in Fig. 7, which flow chart is coupled to the flow chart of Fig. 6 through the broken-line arrow 28.
• Fig. 7 when the user has no input commands for performing an entry of the graphical character represented in the selected additional field, the process flow is continued via the broken-line arrow 28 as follows.
• Dictionary storage means storing a plurality of candidate words are accessed (step 29) and a subset of candidate words is retrieved from the dictionary storage means based on either the character represented in the selected additional field or the character represented in the selected additional field and at least one previously entered character (step 30). Thereafter, the system displays on the display, surrounding the selected additional field, a further plurality of individually selectable fields, each of which represents one candidate word from the subset of candidate words (step 31).
• step 32 As a next step it is determined if the user has input commands for moving the pointer to either of the further individually selectable fields for performing a selection of the indicated further field (step 32), which field is then highlighted (step 33). It is thereafter determined if the user has input commands for performing an entry of the candidate word represented in the selected further field (step 34), whereupon this word is entered into a text entry field of the graphical user interface (step 35), replacing any previously entered character(s) used for retrieving the candidate words.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
• Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Input From Keyboards Or The Like (AREA)
• User Interface Of Digital Computer (AREA)
• Position Input By Displaying (AREA)
• Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)
• Vending Machines For Individual Products (AREA)
• Devices For Checking Fares Or Tickets At Control Points (AREA)
• Push-Button Switches (AREA)
• Electrophonic Musical Instruments (AREA)

Priority Applications (7)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

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Cited By (20)

Families Citing this family (33)

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• 2003
  • 2003-04-23 US US10/514,594 patent/US7424683B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-04-23 DE DE60328284T patent/DE60328284D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-04-23 KR KR1020047018628A patent/KR100941948B1/ko not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-04-23 EP EP03752872A patent/EP1509832B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-04-23 AT AT03752872T patent/ATE436048T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2003-04-23 AU AU2003225484A patent/AU2003225484A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2003-04-23 ES ES03752872T patent/ES2328921T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-04-23 WO PCT/IB2003/001710 patent/WO2003098417A2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2003-04-23 CN CNB038114968A patent/CN1308803C/zh not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-04-23 JP JP2004505864A patent/JP4429898B2/ja not_active Expired - Lifetime

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