System and method for rapid text entry in telephone

• US 20050003867A1
• Filed: 06/28/2004
• Published: 01/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: McKay, Kyle J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,574,183 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/566
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0235 using chord techniques G06F3/0234 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/70 methods for entering alphabetical characters, e.g. multi-tap or dictionary disambiguation methods for entering alphabetical characters per se G06F3/0237

Abstract

Rapid text entry using a wireless telephone is facilitated by correlating at least some of the letters represented by a number key to a two-key combination, namely, the number key and an indicator key such as the star key (which, when depressed along with a number key, can indicate the second letter on the number key) and the pound key (which, when depressed with a number key, can indicate the third letter on the key). Thus, at most two key strokes are required to positively indicate any letter on a numbers-only keypad.

Claims

1. A method for text entry using a telephone having number keys thereon, each number key representing a single number, the method comprising:

manipulating a number key representing plural letters;

manipulating an indicator key on the telephone, the indicator key being different from the number keys; and

if the number key and indicator key are manipulated within a predetermined time period of each other, returning a single one of the letters represented by the number key.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

establishing a correspondence between each letter represented by each number key having letters and a combination of the number key representing the letter and an indicator key.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the indicator key is a star key.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the indicator key is a pound sign key.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the number keys representing letters are keys representing the numbers 2-9.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the telephone is a wireless telephone.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the single one of the letters returned is a second letter represented by the number key.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the single one of the letters returned is a third letter represented by the number key.

2. (Canceled)

6. (Canceled)

7. (Canceled)

12. A system, comprising:

plural number keys each representing plural letters;

at least one indicator key, the indicator key being different from the number keys; and

a correspondence between at least one single letter and;

a combination of one and only one number key, and one and only one indicator key such that the keys can be manipulated in combination with each other to enter the single letter as text, wherein the single letter is entered if the number key and the indicator key are manipulated within a predetermined time period of each other.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the keys are on a telephone.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the telephone is a wireless telephone.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the indicator key is a star key.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein the indicator key is a pound sign key.

20. The system of claim 12, wherein the number keys representing letters are the keys representing the numbers 2-9.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the single letter is a second letter represented by its number key.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the single letter is a third letter represented by its number key.

15. (Canceled)

16. (Canceled)

19. (Canceled)

23-30. -30. (Canceled)

31. A system for text entry using a telephone, comprising:

plural input means on the telephone, each representing a single number and plural letters for manipulation thereof to input data;

indicator means on the telephone for manipulation to input data, the indicator means being different from the input means; and

means for returning a single one of the letters represented by an input means if the input means and indicator means are manipulated within a predetermined time period of each other.

33. The system of claim 31, further comprising:

establishing a correspondence between each letter represented by each input means and a combination of the input means representing the letter and an indicator means.

32. (Canceled)