Interface for processing of an alternate symbol in a computer device

• US 20050179654A1
• Filed: 04/22/2005
• Published: 08/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Hawkins, Jeffrey C., Rees, William B., Haitani, Robert Y., Chyi, Debbie O.
• Granted Patent: US 8,976,108 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0236 using selection techniques to select from displayed items
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof

Abstract

Described herein is a computer-implemented system and method for processing one or more alternate symbols associated or linked to a base symbol. A base symbol is a symbol to which at least one alternate symbol is linked. A base symbol commonly appears on a key of a keyboard or a display of a keyboard, or is a handwritten symbol recognized by handwriting entry software. Examples of alternate symbols are accented characters and punctuation marks that do not appear on a keyboard or are not commonly recognized by a handwriting entry program, and short symbol sequences. An example of a common short symbol sequence is an emoticon used in e-mail messages to convey tone or feelings. An example of a computer device that may embody the system or method is a hand-held computing device.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for providing an alternate symbol associated with a base symbol comprising:

receiving input requesting a first list of one or more alternate symbols associated with a first base symbol; and

displaying one or more alternate symbols in the first list associated with the first base symbol.

2. A computing device for providing an alternate symbol associated with a base symbol comprising:

a display;

a memory;

a processor coupled to the display and memory;

a user input device for indicating a symbol; and

software stored in the memory for providing an alternate symbol associated with a base symbol.

3. A computer usable medium comprising instructions for execution by a processor for performing the following:

receiving input requesting a first list of one or more alternate symbols associated with a first base symbol; and

displaying one or more alternate symbols in the first list associated with the first base symbol.