WO2008082761A1

WO2008082761A1 - Method and system for determining character entries in a communication device

Info

Publication number: WO2008082761A1
Application number: PCT/US2007/082821
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vinay Avasthi; Abhay A Aravind Ghaisas; Dhaval J
Original assignee: Motorola, Inc.
Priority date: 2006-12-29
Filing date: 2007-10-29
Publication date: 2008-07-10

Abstract

The present invention provides a method used in a communication device (202) for determining selection of alphabetic character entries. The method includes identifying (504) a first key of a keypad that is activated. Further, the method includes determining (506) a first value R1, related to a duration of the activation of the first key. Furthermore, the method includes determining (508) a selection of a first consonant of an alphabet from the identification of the first key and the first value R1. Moreover, the method includes sensing (510) a first activation of a vowel mode key of the keypad after the activation of the first key. The method also includes identifying (512) a second key of the keypad that is activated. Further, the method includes determining (514) a modification of the first consonant by a first vowel of the alphabet.

Description

CML03949HISTR

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING CHARACTER ENTRIES IN A

COMMUNICATION DEVICE

This invention relates generally to the field of communication devices, and more specifically, to determining character entries in a communication device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A communication device is an electronic device that is used to transmit data and information. Examples of communication devices include mobile phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), laptops, and pagers. Information can be transmitted by communication devices through a Short Message Service (SMS), electronic mails (E- mails), Multimedia Service (MMS). Most of the above mentioned modes of data transfer between communication devices require a text entry in the communication device. The text is entered in the communication device by using a keypad. However, most communication devices support English based languages on their keypads. As a significant number of users are not familiar with the English language, they are not able to enter text in the communication devices.

Currently, Asian languages are supported on few communication devices and the entry scheme for the same is very cumbersome. There exists a method for entering Asian alphabets in the communication devices. The keys are divided into groups based on relative position of characters in the alphabet. Further, the characters are arranged based on the alphabetical order of characters in the native alphabet. This arrangement of characters on the keypad does not take into account the frequency of usage of CML03949HISTR characters of the alphabets. Such character arrangement in the communication device involves a larger number of keystrokes to enter the text. The larger number of keystrokes makes the text entry a cumbersome task for the user of the communication device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, and which, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages, all in accordance with the present invention:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary communication device where various embodiments of the present invention can be practiced;

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a communication device, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts a flow diagram illustrating a method for determining character entries in the communication device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram of a method for determining a character entry in the communication device, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; CML03949HISTR

FIG. 5 depicts a flow diagram illustrating a method for determining selection of a modified character entry in the communication device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows an arrangement for determining an entry of a modified form of a character, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 depicts an arrangement for determining an entry of a vowel of an alphabet, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGs. 8, 9, and 10 illustrate another flow diagram for determining alphabet character entry in the communication device, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated, relative to other elements, to help in improving an understanding of the embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before describing in detail the particular method and system for determining character entry in a communication device, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, it should be observed that the present invention resides primarily in combinations of method steps related to determining character entries in the communication device. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent for an understanding of the CML03949HISTR present invention, so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those with ordinary skill in the art, having the benefit of the description herein.

In this document, the terms 'comprises,' 'comprising', or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements that are not expressly listed or inherent in such a process, method, article or apparatus. An element proceeded by 'comprises ... a' does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article or apparatus that comprises the element. The term 'another,' as used in this document, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms 'includes' and/or 'having', as used herein, are defined as comprising.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, a method used in a communication device for determining selection of alphabetic character entries is provided. The method includes identifying a first key of a keypad that is activated. The keypad includes two disjoint groups of keys. The first key is within one of the two disjoint groups of keys. Further, the method includes determining a first value R₁, related to a duration of the activation of the first key. R can have any of A values in one of the two disjoint groups of keys and any one of B values in the other of the two disjoint groups of keys. Furthermore, the method includes determining a selection of a first consonant of an alphabet from the identification of the first key and the first value R₁. A unique consonant of the alphabet is assigned to each value of R for each key in the first and the second groups of keys. Moreover, the method includes sensing a first CML03949HISTR activation of a vowel mode key of the keypad after the activation of the first key. The vowel mode key is a specific key that is not in the two disjoint groups of keys. The method also includes identifying a second key of the keypad that is activated while the keypad is in a vowel mode initiated by the vowel mode key, the second key being in one of the two disjoint groups of keys. Further, the method includes determining a modification of the first consonant by a first vowel of the alphabet. The first vowel is determined from the identification of the second key.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, another method used in a communication device for determining alphabet character entries is provided. The method includes sensing an integral value R associated with one or more activations of a first key identified as Kp. The one or more activations are performed within a defined time profile on a keypad. Further, the method includes determining an entry of a character C_F,_R of an ordered alphabet comprising M groups of N ordered characters. The entry of the ordered characters C_m,_n f_or m = i to M and n = i to N-A is respectively determined by keys K₃ f_{or j} = B to B+M-I ^and value R₁ f_or i = i to N-A- The entry of the ordered characters C_m,_{n for m} = i to M and n = N-A+I to N is determined, by keys K_{3 for 3 ≠ B t0} B+M-I •

In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, yet another method used in a communication device for determining a character entry is provided. The method includes determining an entry of a character C_F,R of an alphabet comprising M groups of N ordered characters by determining a value R associated with one or more successive activations of a key K_F on a keypad. The one or more successive activations of the key K_F are performed within a defined time profile. The value F of C_F,R is determined by the identity of the key K_F, and key K_F is a key in a first set of keys which CML03949HISTR have a one to one relationship to the M groups of characters. There is a one-to-one relationship between the value R and the first B characters of each group of the M groups of characters. Further, the method includes displaying a first soft menu. The first soft menu shows the character C_F,_R in a plurality of modified forms. Each of the plurality of modified forms has the character C_F,_R in combination with one of a same plurality of characters from a first set of characters of the alphabet that is not in the M groups of characters.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes a keypad configured to sense an integral value R associated with one or more activations of a key. The one or more activations are performed within a defined time profile on the keypad. Further, the communication device includes a processor configured to determine an entry of a character C_F,_R of an ordered alphabet comprising M groups of N ordered characters. The entry of the ordered characters C_m,_n f_{or m} = i to _N-_A is respectively determined by keys K_J for _j = B to B₊M-i and value R_{1 for t} = 1_{10 N}__A. The entry of the ordered characters C_m,_{n for m} = i to M and n = N-A+ 1 to N is determined by keys K_{3 for 3 ≠ B t0} B+M-I •

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary communication device 100 where various embodiments of the present invention can be practiced. The communication device 100 is an electronic device that is used to transfer and share data and information with other communication devices. The data and information can be transferred and shared between the communication device 100 and other communication devices by a communication network. Examples of the communication device 100 include, but are not limited to, a mobile phone, a laptop, a Personal Computer (PC), a pager, a Personal CML03949HISTR

Digital Assistant (PDA). The communication device 100 includes a keypad that can be used to enter text in the communication device 100. The text can be entered in the form of numeric, alphabetic or alphanumeric characters. The communication device 100 may be capable of supporting more than one type of alphabets and languages. Examples of the alphabets that the communication device 100 may support includes an English alphabet, a French alphabet, a Hindi alphabet, a Kannada alphabet, a Marathi alphabet, a Gujarati alphabet, an Oriya alphabet, a Bengali alphabet, a Kashmiri alphabet, a Punjabi alphabet, a Rajasthani alphabet, a Sindhi alphabet, and an Assamese alphabet. A key on the keypad of the communication device 100 can determine an entry of one or more characters of an alphabet. Some or all of the characters that the key can be used to enter can be printed, embossed, or engraved on the keys of the keypad.

In most of the above mentioned alphabets, the characters of the alphabets differ in their frequency of usage. Hence, the characters of the alphabet can be arranged on the keypad of the communication device 100 keeping in mind their frequency of usage and order. At least some of the characters of some of the alphabets are grouped into a standard arrangement, or ordering, of M groups of characters, each of the M groups containing N characters. These characters of these alphabets can be grouped based on at least one of a relative position of characters in a native writing system, similarities of shape among characters, phonetic pronunciation of characters, and alphabetical order of characters in the native writing system. This grouping is, as indicated above, a grouping of a standard arrangement. By "standard" is meant that the grouping is accepted and known by a large majority of people who use the alphabet. It does not necessarily mean that there exists a standard published by a standards body, because in CML03949HISTR most instances, the grouping has existed for hundreds of years and is standard in the sense that it is taught the same way to most or substantially all people who use the alphabet. For example, consider the case of the Hindi alphabet. The Hindi alphabet is known as a Varnamala and characters in the Varnamala are grouped according to their phonetic pronunciation. The Hindi language consists of 35 consonants and 15 vowels. Of the 15 vowels, 11 are common vowels and four are complex vowels. The 11 common vowels are vk, b, bZ, m, m, ,, ,s, vks, vkS, _, _. The complex vowels include Ru (D), Anuswara (D D), Visarga(D D), and Chandra Bindu (D D). Further, the Hindi alphabet has seven groups of four or five ordered characters as consonants. The consonants of the Hindi alphabet are also known as 'vyanjans'. The seven groups of the Hindi alphabet are namely, a ka (d) group, a cha (p) group, a ta (V) group, a ta⁺ (r) group, a pa (i) group, a ya (D) group, and a sha (D) group. The ka (d) group contains characters in the order D , D , D , D , 5; the cha (p) group contains characters in the order

τj, ϊ$, oT, ^T, 3T; the ta (Z) group contains characters in the order Z, <5, 5, Z, W, the ta⁺

(D) group contains characters in the order D, D, D, D, <FT; the pa QT) group contains

characters in the order ¹T, ^, ^T, 3T, 3T; the ya (^T) group contains characters in the order

^T, T, cT, cT; and the sha (QT) group contains characters in the order QT,ET, TT, ^. However,

last character in each of the first five groups (i.e. 5, 3T, UT, <FT, and 3T) is not commonly

used with the exception of D and 3T. For example, the percentage of usage of the

characters 5, 3T, and W to input Hindi text in the mobile phone is typically less than CML03949HISTR

1%. However, the percentage of usage of the character D to input Hindi text in the mobile phone is typically highest in the ta⁺ (D) group. According to an estimate, the percentage of usage of D is about 6.8 %, whereas the percentage of usage of D in the same group is 5.8 %; the percentage usage of the character 3T is 5.2 %, which is highest

for a character in the pa (¹T) group, whereas percentage of usage Of¹T in the same group

is about 3.2 %. For an embodiment, the last character of each of the first five groups is taken out, partly on the basis of frequency of their usage in their respective group and partly on their common position as the last character in their respective groups and grouped together on a separate key.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the communication device 100, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. To describe the communication device 100, reference will be made to FIG. 1.

The communication device 100 includes a keypad 202 and a processor 204. A key on the keypad 202 can determine an entry of more than one character. The characters can be printed, embossed, or engraved on the keypad 202. For an embodiment, characters of the alphabet can be grouped according to their frequency of usage. For example, let us consider the Hindi alphabet in which consonants are grouped into seven groups of four or five characters according to their phonetic pronunciation. It has been found that frequency of usage of characters 5, 3T, and ¹¹T is very low in thier respective groups and

the frequency of usage of characters <FT, and 3T is highest in their respective groups. The

characters of the groups can be grouped as shown in the communication device 100, which is an order that is easy to remember and become accustomed to using, with the CML03949HISTR last character of each of the first five groups removed. For example, the numbered key 2 contains characters in the order cfϊ, ¹JsT, ^T, ET; the numbered key 3 contains characters

in the order ^T, U, 3T, ψ; the numbered key 4 contains characters in the order Z, <5, 5, Z;

the numbered key 5 contains characters in the order cT, ^T, Z., *#; the numbered key 6

contains characters in the order ¹T, m, ^T, 3T; the numbered key 7 contains characters in

the order ^T, T, cT, 3^"; the numbered key 8 contains characters in the order 3T, ^, TT, QT, ^T;

the numbered key 9 contains characters in the order <FT, 3T, W, 5, 3T

For another embodiment, any one character of the N ordered characters of at least one of the M groups of the alphabet can be taken out from their respective group and can be grouped together on a separate key. The character from the one of the M can be taken out based on the frequency of usage of the character or any other suitable criteria. In one particular arrangement of characters, the character ^T can be taken out from the ka

(cfϊ) group, the character 3T can be taken out from the cha (^) group, the character Z can

be taken out from the ta (Z) group, the character ?T can be taken out from the ta⁺ (cT)

group, the character 3T can be taken out from the pa (¹T) group and all these characters

can be grouped together on a separate key, for example the numbered key 9 of the communication device 100. However, it should be apparent to a person ordinarily skilled in the art, that any one of the characters can be taken out from their respective groups and then put together on the separate key. For another embodiment, each key of CML03949HISTR the keypad 202 of the communication device 100 contains characters that are out of a standard order of the alphabet. For example, the numbered key 2 in the communication device 100 may contain characters in the order ^T, cfϊ, ET, 3sT, 5; the numbered key 3 in

the communication device 100 can contain characters in the order 3T, ϊ$, ^J, ^T, 3T and

similarly other characters can be mapped on other keys of the keypad 202. However, it should be apparent to a person ordinarily skilled in the art that the arrangement of characters is not limited to the above mentioned arrangement, but can be done in some other manner.

Further, the keypad 202 is configured to sense an integral value R associated with one or more activations of a first key. The keys of the keypad 202 can determine a character entry by, 'a key repeat selection method' or 'a timer based change method'. The key repeat selection method enables a user to select a character depending on number of times (R), the user has pressed a key on the keypad 202. There may be a maximum duration within which the user has to make a repeated entry, after which the counting of repeated entries could, for example, be reset to 0. This may allow the entry of the same character in succession. The number of times (R) the user presses the key, characters mapped on the first key are displayed one by one on a display screen of the communication device 100. The user of the communication device 100 stops pressing the key after the desired character is entered. For example, let us consider that the characters ^T, T, cT, cT are mapped in order on the numbered key 7 of the keypad 202. If

the user of the communication device 100 presses the numbered key 7 three times (i.e. R=3), the communication device 100 being in the Hindi text mode, the keypad 202 CML03949HISTR

senses the value three for the numbered key 7 and the character cT is entered in the

communication device 100 and is displayed on the display screen of the communication device 100.

According to the timer based change method, if the user keeps the key pressed, a user interface rolls through different options on that key. Consider a scenario when the user presses the key for 750 ms. Then a second character mapped on the key would be shown. If the user presses the key for 1.5 seconds, a third character mapped on the key would be shown and so on. Thus, for the time duration 0 to 750 ms, the first character on the key is entered; for the time duration 750 ms to 1.5 seconds, the second character is entered; for the time duration 1.5 seconds to 2.25 seconds, the third character is entered; and so on. For example, let the characters ¹T, ^, ^T, 3T are mapped in this order

on the numbered key 6 of the keypad 202. Now, if the user presses the numbered key 6 for 1 second, then the character m would be entered and displayed on the

communication device 100. Had the time duration, for which the user has pressed the key, been between 2.25 seconds to 3 seconds, the character ^T would have been entered

and displayed.

The keypad 202 is coupled to the processor 204. In some embodiments, the processor 204 is configured to determine an entry of a character C_F,R of an ordered alphabet that includes M groups of N ordered characters. The alphabet may include other groups of characters or single characters. Keys K₃ f_{or j} = B to B+M-I and value R₁ f_or i = i to N-A respectively determine the entry of the ordered characters C_m,_n f_or m = i to M and n = i to N-A CML03949HISTR and keys K, f_{or j} ≠ B to B+M-I are used for the entry of the ordered characters C_m,_n f_or m = i to M and n=N-A+i to N- A and B being integral values. The value A represents the number of characters that are taken out from each of the M groups of the alphabet. The value B represents the number displayed on the numbered key K_B from which at least one character is taken out. For example, considering the Hindi alphabet, the value of M is five and N is five. For an embodiment of the present invention, the value of A can be one, and B can be two. The entry of the ordered character C_m,_n f_or m = i to 5 and n = i to 4 is respectively determined by keys K, f_or j = 2 to 6 and value Ri f_or 1 = 1 to 4- The entry of the ordered characters C_m,_{n for m} = 1 to 1 and n = 5 is determined by keys K, _{for j ≠ 2} to 6- For an embodiment of the present invention, consider a particular arrangement and mapping of characters on the keypad 202 of the communication device 100. In this example, the characters mapped on the numbered key 2 are in the order cfϊ, ¹JsT, ^T, ET. When the user

presses the numbered key 2 three times, the processor 204 identifies the activation of the numbered key 2 and then determines the number of times (3) the numbered key 2 is activated. Thus, the processor 204 determines the entry of character ^T in the

communication device 100. For ^T, F assumes a value 1 and R is 3. Likewise, the

value of F for cfT is 1 and R is 1, the value of F for 3sT is 1 and R is 2, the value of F for

ΕT is 1 and R is 4.

Further, the processor 204 is configured to detect an activation of a second key on the keypad 202. The second key is a specific key on the keypad 202. After the activation of the second key, the processor 204 generates a first soft menu or a second soft menu. CML03949HISTR

The first soft menu shows the character C_F,_R in combination with at least one vowel (matra) of the alphabet and the second menu shows at least one independent vowel (swar) of the alphabet. The Hindi alphabet consists of 11 common vowels that are vk, b, bZ, m, m, ,, ,s, vks, vkS, _, _. In one example, the user may enter a first consonant say character cfT in the communication device 100 and then activate a five-way

navigation key, which is the second key. The processor 204 then displays the first soft menu on the display screen of the communication device 100, as described later in FIG. 6. Further, the processor 204 associates each of the plurality of modified forms of the character C_F,_R with one of the keys of the keypad 202. For example, dk, the modified form of the character cfT with the vowel vk, is mapped on numbered key 1; ds,

the modified form of the character cfT with the vowel ,, is mapped on numbered key 2;

fd, the modified form of the character cfT with the vowel b, is mapped on numbered key

3; dq, the modified form of the character cfT with the vowel m, is mapped on numbered

key 4 and so on. Moreover, the processor 204 is configured to identify an activation of one key K, in the set of keys K, f_{or j} = _B to _B+M and select a modified form of the character C_F,_R that corresponds to the one key K,. For example, after a soft menu 600 is displayed, if the user presses the numbered key 4, then the processor 204 identifies the activation of the numbered key 4 and then selects the modified form dq and displays it on the screen.

FIG. 3 depicts a flow diagram illustrating a method for determining alphabet character entries in the communication device 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the CML03949HISTR present invention. The method for determining alphabet character entries initiates at step 302. At step 304, the communication device 100 senses an integral value R associated with one or more activations of a first key identified as Kp on the keypad 202. At step 306, the communication device 100 determines an entry of a character C_F,_R of an ordered alphabet comprising M groups of N ordered characters. Keys K, f_orj = B to B+M-i and value R₁ f_{or 1=1 to} N-A respectively determine the entry of the ordered characters C_m,_{n for m} = 1₁₀ M and n = i to N-A and keys K, _{for j ≠ B to} B+M-I, determine the entry of the ordered characters C_m,_n f_or m = i to M and n = N-A+I to N- Examples of these types of alphabets include a Hindi alphabet, a Kannada alphabet, a Marathi alphabet, a Gujarati alphabet, an Oriya alphabet, a Bengali alphabet, a Kashmiri alphabet, a Punjabi alphabet, a Rajasthani alphabet, a Sindhi alphabet, an Assamese alphabet, and any other Asian alphabet.

For example, let us consider the Hindi alphabet (Varnamala). For the Hindi alphabet, M=5, N is five, A=I and B=2. The communication device 100 is configured in such a way that by using the numbered keys 2 to 6, a user of the communication device 100 can select the first four characters of the group (sparsh vyanjan character sequences) that start, respectively, with ka (D), cha (D), ta (D), ta⁺ (D), and pa (D). For example, the first four characters of the ka (D) group are mapped on numbered key 2 of the communication device 100; the first four characters of the cha (D) group are mapped on numbered key 3; the first four characters of the ta (D) group are mapped on numbered key 4 and so on. In addition, the fifth character of five groups of the alphabet is grouped on numbered key 9. The characters on numbered key 9 can be arranged based upon the frequency of usage of the characters. For example, numbered CML03949HISTR

key 9 can have characters in the order <FT, 3T, W, 5, 3T, where the frequency of usage of

<FT is more than that of 3T and so on. Further, the method includes detecting an

activation of a second key Ks f_or s ≠ B to B+M-I- For example, after entering the first consonant, character cfϊ (C_F,R, a sparsh vyanjan) in the communication device 100, a

user activates a five-way navigation key (Ks). Furthermore, the method includes displaying a first soft menu presenting the character C_F,R in at least one modified form. Each of the modified form shows the character C_F,_R in combination with at least one character of a set of characters of the alphabet which are not in the M groups of characters. The set of characters can include vowels of the alphabets which can combine with the character C_F,R. For example, the first soft menu is displayed on the screen of the communication device 100 showing the character d in conjunction with at least one vowel (matra) of the Hindi alphabet, for example dk, the modified form of the character d with the vowel vk; ds, the modified form of the character d with the vowel , etc. Displaying the first soft menu includes allotting keys of the keypad 202 that correspond to each of the modified form of the character C_F,R. The modified forms of the character d are allotted numbered key 1 to 9, for example dk is allotted to numbered key 1, ds is allotted to numbered key 2 and so on. Furthermore, the method includes sensing an activation of one of the key in the keypad 202 that corresponds to one of the modified forms of the character C_F,_R to select a modified form of the character C_F,_R that corresponds to the one key. For example, let the user press numbered key 1. The activation of the numbered key 1 is detected and dk is entered in the communication device 100. The method terminates at step 308. CML03949HISTR

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram of a method for determining a character entry in the communication device 100, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The method for determining a character entry initiates at step 402. At step 404, the communication device 100 determines an entry of a character C_F,_R of an alphabet having M groups of N ordered characters by determining a value R associated with one or more successive activations of a key Kp on the keypad 202. The keypad 202 includes a first set of keys and a second set of keys. The key Kp is a key in the first set of keys which have a one-to-one relationship to the M groups of characters. A one- to-one relationship also exists between the value R and the first B characters of each group of the M groups of characters. For one embodiment, (N-I) characters of each group of N characters are allotted to each key of the first set of keys and rest of the N characters are allotted to one or more keys of the second set of keys. For example, let us consider the Hindi alphabet. The numbered keys 2 to 6 constitute the first set of keys and numbered key 9 constitutes the second set of keys. The first four characters of the first five groups of the Hindi alphabet are allotted to numbered keys 2 to 6 and the last character of each of the first five groups of the Hindi alphabet are allotted to numbered key 9.

Further, the method includes detecting an activation of a key that is not in the first set of keys. At step 406, the communication device 100 displays a first soft menu showing the character C_F,R in a plurality of modified forms in response to the detection of the key that is not in the first set of keys. Each of the plurality of modified forms shows the character C_F,R in combination with one of a same plurality of characters from a first set of characters of the alphabet that is not in the M group of characters. For example, after entering the character j in the communication device 100, the communication CML03949HISTR device 100 can detect an activation of a five-way navigation key. The communication device 100 then displays a soft menu showing the character j in combination with the vowels (matra) of the Hindi alphabet. The vowels thus constitute the first set of characters. The soft menu shows characters jk, JS, fj, jh and other modifications of j with other vowels of the Hindi alphabet. Though the invention has been explained by modifying the character C_F,_R with the vowels of the alphabet, it should be apparent to a person ordinarily skilled in the art that the character C_F,_R can be modified by combining the character C_F,_R with other non- vowel characters of the alphabet.

Displaying the first soft menu includes showing a one-to-one correspondence between the plurality of modified forms and the same plurality of keys of the first set of keys. For example, jk is allotted numbered key 2, js is allotted numbered key 3, fj is allotted numbered key 4, jh is allotted numbered key 5 and so on. The communication device 100 then detects an activation of one of the keys in the first set of keys or the second set of keys to select one of the plurality of modified forms that have been displayed in the first soft menu. For example, the user may select the numbered key 4 to enter fj. Thereafter, the method terminates at step 408.

FIG. 5 shows a flow diagram illustrating a method for determining selection of alphabetic character entries in the communication device 100, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. The method for determining selection of alphabetic character entries initiates at step 502. At step 504, the communication device 100 identifies a first key of the keypad 202 that is activated to determine an entry of a consonant. The keypad 202 includes two disjoint groups of keys and the first key is within one of the two disjoint groups of keys. One of the two disjoint groups of CML03949HISTR keys includes characters grouped according to their relative position in the native writing system and the other disjoint groups of keys includes characters that are mapped according to their frequency of usage. For example, for the communication device 100, the numbered keys 2 to 6 constitute a first disjoint group of keys and numbered keys 7 to 9 constitute a second disjoint group of keys. At step 506, the communication device 100 determines a first value Ri related to a duration of the activation of the first key. Ri can have any one of A values in the first disjoint groups of keys or any one of B values in the second disjoint groups of keys. The values A and B depict number of characters on a key in the two disjoint groups of keys. For example, for the communication device 100, the value A for the first disjoint group of keys is four and the value B for the second disjoint groups of keys is five. Thus, Ri can assume values one to four for the first disjoint group of keys and can assume values one to five for the second disjoint group of keys. The activation of the key can either be by the 'key repeat selection method' or the 'timer based change method'. A unique consonant of the alphabet is assigned to each value of R for each key in the first disjoint group of keys and the second disjoint group of keys. At step 508, the communication device 100 determines a selection of a first consonant of the alphabet from the identification of the first key and the first value R₁. Further, the communication device 100 displays a form of the first consonant after the selection of the first consonant. Consider a scenario when the alphabet is the Hindi alphabet (Varnamala). In the communication device 100, numbered keys 2 to 6 constitute the first set of keys and numbered keys 7, 8 and 9, and the (*) key constitute the second set of keys. Let the characters, also known as sparsh vyanjans that are mapped on numbered key 2 be cfϊ, CML03949HISTR

3sT, <rr, ET in this order. If a user of the communication device 100 wishes to enter the

character ^T in a text mode, the user activates the numbered key 2 three times in a

defined time profile. For numbered key 2 in the communication device 100 Ri for cfT is

1, for ^sT is 2, for ^T is 3, and for ET is 4. The communication device 100 first detects the

activation of the numbered key 2 and then determines the number of times, 3(Ri), the numbered key 2 is activated within the defined time profile. The communication device 100 thus determines the entry of the character ^T. At step 510, the

communication device 100 senses a first activation of a vowel mode key of the keypad 202. The vowel mode key is a specific key that is not in the two disjoint groups of keys. The vowel key in the keypad 202 can be a five-way navigation key or any other key in the keypad 202 can be configured to be the vowel mode key. Consequently, the communication device 100 displays the first soft menu of modified forms of the characters. The communication device 100 also provides a visual association of each of the plurality of modified forms (vyanjan with matra) with one of the keys in the first and second groups of keys. The visual association of each of the plurality of modified forms with one of the keys is further explained in FIG. 6. Let the modified form xk be mapped on key numbered 1 ; the modified form fx be mapped on key numbered 2 and so on. Thereafter, at step 512, the communication device 100 identifies a second key of the keypad 100 that is activated. The second key is present in one of the two disjoint groups of keys. At step 514, the communication device 100 determines a modification of the first consonant by a first vowel of the alphabet. The communication device 100 then displays a modified form of the first consonant. For example, if the user selects CML03949HISTR

numbered key 1, then the modified form xk of the character ^T is entered and displayed

on the display screen of the communication device 100.

Further, the method includes displaying a second soft menu. The second soft menu presents a plurality of vowels of the alphabet. The communication device 100 also provides an association of each of the plurality of vowels with one of the keys in the first and second groups of keys. Further, the association is displayed on the display screen of the communication device 100. For example, after entering a unique first character, 3T in the communication device 100, if the user activates the five-way

navigation key, a second soft menu is displayed. The second soft menu can be a menu similar to the one as shown in the FIG. 7. The user then selects one of the keys to enter one of the vowels (also known as swar). Thereafter, the method terminates at step 516.

FIG. 6 depicts an arrangement for determining an entry of a modified form of a character, in accordance an embodiment of the present invention. After determining an entry of a first consonant, if a vowel mode key is activated then a first soft menu similar to the soft menu 600 would be displayed. The first soft menu shows the first consonant in a plurality of modified forms and each of the plurality of modified forms shows the first consonant in combination with a vowel of the alphabet. For the example shown in FIG. 6, the alphabet is the Hindi alphabet and the first consonant is the character d. As the Hindi alphabet contains 11 common vowels, the soft menu 600 shows the character d in combination with all the 11 common vowels of the Hindi alphabet. Each of the plurality of modified forms is allotted a corresponding key on the keypad 202. In the soft menu 600 dk is mapped on numbered key 1, ds is mapped on numbered key 2, fd CML03949HISTR is mapped on numbered key 3, dq is mapped on numbered key 4, d~ is mapped on numbered key 5, dS is mapped on numbered key 6, dh is mapped on key 7, dwwww is mapped on numbered key 8, dks is mapped on numbered key 9, dkS is mapped on numbered key O, d^* is mapped on key #, d is mapped on key *. The user selects one of the key numbers shown in the soft menu to enter a corresponding modified form of the character. For example, the user can press the numbered key 3 to enter character fd.

In order to describe the soft menu 600, reference has been made to a Hindi character. However, it should be apparent to a person ordinarily skilled in the art that the characters of the Hindi alphabet can be replaced by characters of another alphabet having, for example, consonants and vowels, including English and French.

FIG. 7 depicts an arrangement for determining a vowel entry, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. After determining an entry of a unique character, if a user activates the vowel mode key, a soft menu similar to a soft menu 700 would be displayed. The soft menu 700 shows a plurality of vowels of an alphabet. The Hindi alphabet contains 11 common vowels. Each of the plurality of vowels of the Hindi alphabet is allotted a corresponding key on the keypad 100. In the soft menu 700, vk is mapped on numbered key 1, , mapped on numbered key 2, b mapped on numbered key 3, m mapped on numbered key 4, ,s mapped on numbered key 6, bZ mapped on numbered key 7, m mapped on numbered key 8, vks mapped on numbered key 9, vkS mapped on numbered key 0,_ mapped on key number #, _ mapped on key number *. The user can press one of the keys, shown in the soft menu 700, to enter a vowel of the plurality of vowels of the alphabet. For example, the user can press numbered key 6 to enter ,. To describe the soft menu 700, reference has been made to Hindi alphabet. CML03949HISTR

However, it should be apparent to a person ordinarily skilled in the art that Hindi characters can be replaced by consonants and vowels of any another alphabet.

FIGs. 8, 9, and 10 illustrate another flow diagram for determining alphabet character entries in the communication device 100, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. The method can include more or fewer number of steps than shown in FIGs. 8, 9 and 10. Moreover, the invention is not limited to the order in which the steps are listed in the method.

The method for determining alphabet character entries initiates at step 802. At step 804, the communication device 100 identifies a first key of the keypad 202 that is activated to enter a first character. At step 806, the communication device 100 determines a first integral value related to a duration of the activation of the first key. At step 808, the communication device 100 determines a selection of the first character of an alphabet based on the first key and the first integral value. The communication device 100 then displays a form of the first character after the selection of the first character, at step 810. At step 812, the communication device 100 senses a first activation of a vowel mode key of the keypad 202 after the activation of the first key. At step 814, the communication device 100 then detects an activation of a second key of the keypad 202. At step 816, the communication device 100 determines if the value of the first character is unique.

If the value of the first character is not unique, at step 818, the communication device 100 displays a first soft menu on the display screen of the communication device 100. The first soft menu presents the first character in a plurality of modified forms, similar to as are shown in FIG. 6. The plurality of modified forms shows the first character in CML03949HISTR combination with at least one vowel of the alphabet. At step 820, the communication device 100 allots at least one key on the keypad 202 to correspond to at least one of the plurality of modified forms. The at least one key on the keypad 202 is then selected at step 822. At step 824, the communication device 100 determines a modification of the first character by a first vowel of the alphabet based on the selection. At step 826, a modified form of the first character is displayed on the display screen of the communication device 100. Thereafter, the method terminates at step 838.

If at step 816 that the first character is determined to be unique, the communication device 100 displays a second soft menu on the screen of the communication device 100. The second soft menu presents a plurality of vowels of the alphabet on the display screen of the communication device 100. At step 830, the communication device 100 allots each of the plurality of the vowels to correspond to one key on the keypad 202. At step 832, the one key on the keypad 202 is pressed to select one of the plurality of vowels. At step 834, the communication device 100 determines the entry of the one of the plurality of the vowels. At step 836, the communication device 100 displays a form of the at least one of the plurality of the vowels on the display screen. Thereafter, the method terminates at step 838.

Various embodiments of the present invention offer one or more advantages. As a significant number of users do not understand the English language, the present invention offers the users of a communication device to enter text in non-English based languages. The invention offers the user of the communication device to enter text in relatively less number of keystrokes as some characters of the alphabet are mapped on the keypad of the communication device on the basis of the frequency of usage. CML03949HISTR

Moreover, the invention provides a soft menu to enter a modified form of characters and vowels. This further reduces the number of keystrokes required to enter text and makes text entry in the communication device easy.

It will be appreciated that the method and system for determining character entries in a communication device, described herein, may comprise one or more conventional processors and unique stored program instructions that control the one or more processors, to implement, in conjunction with certain non-processor circuits, some, most, or all of the functions of the system described herein. The non-processor circuits may include, but are not limited to, signal drivers, clock circuits, power-source circuits, and user-input devices. As such, these functions may be interpreted as steps of a method and a system for managing communication network services. Alternatively, some or all the functions can be implemented by a state machine that has no stored program instructions, or in one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), in which each function, or some combinations of certain of the functions, are implemented as custom logic. Of course, a combination of the two approaches can also be used. Thus, methods and means for these functions have been described herein.

It is expected that one with ordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design choices motivated by, for example, available time, current technology and economic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein, will be readily capable of generating such software instructions, programs and ICs with minimal experimentation.

In the foregoing specification, the invention and its benefits and advantages have been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, one with ordinary skill in CML03949HISTR the art would appreciate that various modifications and changes can be made, without departing from the scope of the present invention, as set forth in the claims. Accordingly, the specification and the figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims, including any amendments made during the pendency of this application, and all equivalents of those claims, as issued.

Claims

CML03949HISTRWe claim:

1. A method used in a communication device for determining selection of alphabetic character entries, the method comprising: identifying a first key of a keypad that is activated, wherein the keypad comprises two disjoint groups of keys, and wherein the first key is within one of the two disjoint groups of keys; determining a first value, R₁, related to a duration of the activation of the first key, wherein R can have any one of A values in one of the two disjoint groups of keys and any one of B values in the other of the two disjoint groups of keys, and wherein A and B are different integers; determining a selection of a first consonant of an alphabet from the identification of the first key and the first value, R₁, wherein a unique consonant of the alphabet is assigned to each value of R for each key in the first and second groups of keys; sensing a first activation of a vowel mode key of the keypad after the activation of the first key, wherein the vowel mode key is a specific key that is not in the two disjoint groups of keys; identifying a second key of the keypad that is activated, the second key being in one of the two disjoint groups of keys; and determining a modification of the first consonant by a first vowel of the alphabet, wherein the first vowel is determined from the identification of the second key. CML03949HISTR

2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising: displaying a form of the first consonant after the selection of the first consonant.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising: displaying a form of the modification of the first consonant after the determination of the modification of the first consonant.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising: displaying a first soft menu, after the first activation of the vowel mode key and prior to activation of the second key, the first soft menu presenting the first consonant in a plurality of modified forms corresponding to a like plurality of vowels of the alphabet, and providing a visual association of each of the plurality of modified forms with one of the keys in the first and second groups of keys.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising: displaying a second soft menu, the second soft menu presenting a plurality of vowels of the alphabet, and providing a visual association of each of the plurality of vowels with one of the keys in the first and second groups of keys.

6. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the alphabet is at least one of a Hindi alphabet, a Kannada alphabet, a Marathi alphabet, a Gujarati alphabet, an Oriya alphabet, a Bengali alphabet, a Kashmiri alphabet, a Punjabi alphabet, a Rajasthani alphabet, a Sindhi alphabet, and an Assamese alphabet. CML03949HISTR

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the alphabet is Varnamala, wherein the consonants are vyanjan, and wherein keys in the first group of keys select sparsh vyanjan, and wherein the vowels are swar, and wherein the modified consonants are vyanjan with matra.

8. A method used in a communication device for determining alphabet character entries, the method comprising: sensing an integral value R associated with one or more activations of a first key identified as Kp, wherein the one or more activations are performed within a defined time profile on a keypad; and determining an entry of a character C_F,R of an ordered alphabet comprising M groups of N ordered characters, wherein entry of the ordered characters C_m,_n f_{or m}= i to _M and n = i to N-A is respectively determined by keys K, f_or j = B to B+M-I and value R₁ f_{or 1=1 10} N-A, and wherein entry of the ordered characters C_m,_n f_or m = i to M and n = N-A+I to N is determined by keys K_{3 for 3 ≠ B to} B+M-I •

9. The method as recited in claim 8 further comprising detecting an activation of a second key Ks for which S ≠ B to B+M-l inclusive.

10. The method as recited in claim 9 further comprising displaying a first soft menu, the first soft menu presenting the character C_F,R in at least one modified form, the at least one modified form showing the character C_F,R in combination with at least one character of a set of characters of the alphabet which are not in the M groups of characters. CML03949HISTR

11. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein displaying the first soft menu comprises allotting at least one key K, in the set of keys K, f_{or j} = _B to _B+M that correspond to at least one modified form of the character C_F,_R.

12. The method as recited in claim 11 further comprising sensing an activation of one key in the set of keys K, f_{or j} = _B to _B+M and selecting a modified form of the character C_F,_R that corresponds to the one key.

13. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the alphabet is Varnamala, wherein the M is 5, N is 5, A = 1, and B = 2 and wherein the keys of the keypad comprise keys K_J for _j = 2 to 6 identified respectively with digits 2-6 that select the sparsh vyanjan character sequences that start, respectively, with ka, cha, ta, ta⁺, and pa, and wherein the set of characters of the alphabet which are not in the M groups of characters are swar and wherein the at least one modified form is a sparsh with a matra.

14. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the alphabet is at least one of a Hindi alphabet, a Kannada alphabet, a Marathi alphabet, a Gujarati alphabet, an Oriya alphabet, a Bengali alphabet, a Kashmiri alphabet, a Punjabi alphabet, a Rajasthani alphabet, a Sindhi alphabet, and an Assamese alphabet. CML03949HISTR

15. A method used in a communication device for determining a character entry, the method comprising: determining an entry of a character C_F,R of an alphabet comprising M groups of N ordered characters by determining a value R associated with one or more successive activations of a key Kp on a keypad , wherein the one or more successive activations of the key Kp are performed within a defined time profile, wherein the value F of C_F,_R is determined by the identity of the key Kp, and wherein key Kp is a key in a first set of keys which have a one to one relationship to the M groups of characters, and wherein there is a one-to-one relationship between the value R and the first B characters of each group of the M groups of characters; and displaying a first soft menu, the first soft menu showing the character C_F,R in a plurality of modified forms, each of the plurality of modified forms having the character C_F,_R in combination with one of a same plurality of characters from a first set of characters of the alphabet that is not in the M groups of characters.

16. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein displaying the first soft menu comprises detecting an activation of a key that is not in the first set of keys.

17. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein displaying the first soft menu comprises showing a one-to-one correspondence between the plurality of modified forms and a same plurality of keys of the first set of keys. CML03949HISTR

18. The method as recited in claim 16 further comprising selecting one of the plurality of modified forms based on detection of an activation of one of the keys in the first set of keys.

19. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein (N-I) characters of each group of N characters are allotted to each key of the first set of keys.

20. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein for a second set of keys, each key comprises at least one character of the characters included neither in the M groups of characters nor in the first set of characters.

21. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein each of the M groups of characters contains N characters which are out of a standard order of the alphabet.

22. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the alphabet is at least one of a Hindi alphabet, a Kannada alphabet, a Marathi alphabet, a Gujarati alphabet, an Oriya alphabet, a Bengali alphabet, a Kashmiri alphabet, a Punjabi alphabet, a Rajasthani alphabet, a Sindhi alphabet, and an Assamese alphabet.

CML03949HISTR

23. A communication device for determining alphabet character entries, the communication device comprising: a keypad configured to sense an integral value R associated with one or more activations of a key, wherein one or more activations are performed within a defined time profile on the keypad; and a processor configured to determine an entry of a character C_F,_R of an ordered alphabet comprising M groups of N ordered characters, wherein entry of the ordered characters C_m,_n f_or m = i to M and n = i to N-A is respectively determined by keys K, _for j = _B to B+M-i and value R₁ f_{or 1=1 10} N-A, and wherein entry of the ordered characters C_m,_n f_{or m} = i to M and n = N-A+i to N is determined by keys K, _for j _{≠ B t0} B+M-I •