Asian language input using keyboard

• US 20060007157A1
• Filed: 06/04/2004
• Published: 01/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Kong, Yuan, Li, Dong, Li, Qian Xun, Hao, Wen-Hui
• Granted Patent: US 7,616,190 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/018 Input/output arrangements for oriental characters
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 Character input methods

Abstract

A system and process for helping users enter information in an Asian language is described. In some aspects, pinyin input for Chinese is described with respect to dedicated keys of a keyboard.

Claims

1. A process for inputting characters comprising the steps of:

receiving input from a user, said input including operation of a key on a keyboard; and

,

processing said operation of said key as a function supporting the input of said characters.

2. The process according to claim 1, wherein

said operation of a key is the operation of a single key;

and

said processing step further includes turning on pinyin.

3. The process according to claim 1, wherein

said operation of a key is the operation of a single key;

and

said processing step further includes, while in a pinyin input mode, switching between an English input mode and a Chinese input mode.

4. The process according to claim 1, wherein

said operation of a key is the operation of a single key;

and

said processing step further includes determining if a composition window is active and at least one of displaying a pop-up candidate window and reconverting text.

5. The process according to claim 1, wherein

said operation of a key is the operation of a single key;

and

said processing step further includes launching an end user defined phrase tool and loading context.

6. The process according to claim 1, wherein

said operation of a key is the operation of a single key;

and

said processing step further includes launching a property setting dialog.

7. The process according to claim 1, wherein

said operation of a key is the operation of a single key;

and

said processing step further includes, while in a pinyin input mode, switching between an English punctuation mode and a Chinese punctuation mode.

8. A system for inputting characters comprising:

means for receiving input from a user, said input including operation of a key on a keyboard; and

,

means for processing said operation of said key as a function supporting the input of said characters.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein

said operation of a key is the operation of a single key;

and

said means for processing further includes turning on pinyin.

10. The system according to claim 8, wherein

said operation of a key is the operation of a single key;

and

said means for processing further includes, while in a pinyin input mode, switching between an English input mode and a Chinese input mode.

11. The system according to claim 8, wherein

said operation of a key is the operation of a single key;

and

said means for processing further includes determining if a composition window is active and at least one of displaying a pop-up candidate window and reconverting text.

12. The system according to claim 8, wherein

said operation of a key is the operation of a single key;

and

said means for processing further includes launching an end user defined phrase tool and loading context.

13. The system according to claim 8, wherein

said operation of a key is the operation of a single key;

and

said means for processing further includes launching a property setting dialog.

14. The system according to claim 8, wherein

said operation of a key is the operation of a single key;

and

said means for processing further includes, while in a pinyin input mode, switching between an English punctuation mode and a Chinese punctuation mode.