Method and device for character input retrieval and indexing
First Claim
1. A method of inputting a character into an electronic device having a database of characters including the following steps:
- (1) selecting a character element or other characterizing symbol from a plurality of preselected symbols, said characterizing symbol being visually similar or equivalent to at least a portion of said character;
(2) entering said characterizing symbol into said electronic device by specifying the position, orientation and/or relative size of components of said characterizing symbol by means of two fingers simultaneously tapping in an input grid; and
(3) performing steps (1) and (2) a number of times such that the database receives sufficient information to uniquely identify the said character.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention discloses an improved method of inputting a character into an electronic device having a database of characters including the following steps (1) selecting a character element or other characterizing symbol from a plurality of pre-selected symbols, said characterizing symbol being visually similar or equivalent to at least a portion of said character; (2) entering said characterizing symbol into said electronic device by specifying the position, orientation and/or relative size of components of said characterizing symbol by means of two fingers simultaneously tapping in an input grid; and (3) performing steps (1) and (2) a number of times such that the database receives sufficient information to uniquely identify the said character. This invention also discloses a character input device having a substantially square input sensor pad which is adapted to sense two-finger simultaneous tapping for character input.
17 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of inputting a character into an electronic device having a database of characters including the following steps:
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(1) selecting a character element or other characterizing symbol from a plurality of preselected symbols, said characterizing symbol being visually similar or equivalent to at least a portion of said character;
(2) entering said characterizing symbol into said electronic device by specifying the position, orientation and/or relative size of components of said characterizing symbol by means of two fingers simultaneously tapping in an input grid; and
(3) performing steps (1) and (2) a number of times such that the database receives sufficient information to uniquely identify the said character. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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- 8. A character input device for an electronic device including a plurality of input selections corresponding to a plurality of input selectable characterizing symbols and an input grid on which the relative size, orientation and/or position of said selected symbol can be defined and input into said electronic device.
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9. A device according to claim 9, wherein said selectable characterizing symbols include one or some of the following symbols:
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15. A method of inputting a character into an electronic device having a database of characters including the following steps:
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(1) selecting a characterizing symbol of said character from a plurality of pre-selected symbols, said characterizing symbol being visually similar or equivalent to at least a portion of said character;
(2) entering said characterizing symbol into said electronic device by specifying the position, orientation and/or relative size of components of said characterizing symbol;
(3) performing steps (1) and (2) one or more times until said character has been selected. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A database of characters wherein the characters in said database are categorized according to a plurality of symbols and the characters are indexed according to the physical characteristics, including size, orientation and/or position, associated with each symbol with reference to the physical locations of said symbols or a visual equivalence of said symbols in said characters.
Specification