Information entry mechanism
First Claim
1. A method for receiving information via a progressively reduced set of alphanumeric keys, the method comprising:
- receiving at least one letter corresponding to one of the keys that has been activated;
determining a set of letters likely to follow the at least one letter within predefined criteria; and
displaying a reduced set of keys in a manner such that one of the reduced set of keys is displayed more obviously than others in the reduced set of keys, wherein the one of the reduced set of keys corresponding to a letter that is most likely to follow the received at least one letter in accordance with the criteria.
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Abstract
Techniques for efficiently entering data with a progressively reduced key set are disclosed. According to one aspect of the techniques, an emulated key set is used for entering data within some criteria or confined measures. A key set is generated dynamically each time in accordance with preceding entries. An example of one of the confined measure is a geographic area. Only a set of keys corresponding entries of which are likely to follow the already received entries is provided. Because each time the key set presents fewer and fewer choices, it is therefore easier and more efficient for a user to select and enter data.
72 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method for receiving information via a progressively reduced set of alphanumeric keys, the method comprising:
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receiving at least one letter corresponding to one of the keys that has been activated;
determining a set of letters likely to follow the at least one letter within predefined criteria; and
displaying a reduced set of keys in a manner such that one of the reduced set of keys is displayed more obviously than others in the reduced set of keys, wherein the one of the reduced set of keys corresponding to a letter that is most likely to follow the received at least one letter in accordance with the criteria. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for receiving information via a progressively reduced set of alphanumeric keys, the method comprising:
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receiving sequential entries, each of the entries corresponding to one of a set of keys that is progressively reduced over a preceding one of the entries within predefined criteria;
displaying the set of keys each time the set of keys is reduced;
when a predetermined number of the entries start to produce the characters, words, or phrases in accordance with the predefined criteria, displaying a set of characters, words, or phrases;
receiving a selection of the set of characters, words, or phrases; and
accepting the selection to complete an entry thereof. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A portable device for receiving information via a progressively reduced set of alphanumeric keys, the portable device comprising:
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a display screen;
a screen driver operable to cause the display screen to display a character, a words or a phrase corresponding to one or more entries;
a memory for storing instructions for an application module; and
a processor coupled to the screen driver, and the memory, the processor executing the instructions to cause the screen driver to drive the display screen to display a set of keys that is progressively reduced over a preceding one of the entries within predefined criteria;
when a predetermined number of the entries start to produce more than one characters, words, or phrases in accordance with a set of predefined criteria, display the characters, words, or phrases;
request a selection of the characters, words, or phrases; and
accept the selection to complete an entry thereof. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification