System and method for inputting characters using a directional pad
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Abstract
A system and method for enabling a user to input characters using a directional pad of a computing device. The directional pad is configured to generate directional inputs. The invention creates mappings for the directional inputs where each of the mappings associates at least one of the directional inputs with at least one of the characters. The user may activate one of the mappings by selecting one of the directional inputs. While the mapping is activated, the user may input a character by selecting a directional input associated with that character.
7 Citations
53 Claims
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1-33. -33. (canceled)
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34. A computer-implemented method for selecting characters with a directional pad configured to generate directional inputs, the method comprising:
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providing ranked character mappings, wherein the highest ranked character mapping includes characters that are most frequently used;
providing ranked directional inputs for a base state, wherein an easiest directional input is associated with the highest ranked character mapping;
providing a base state for activating the ranked character mappings, wherein an input associated with a ranked character mapping activates the ranked character mapping;
providing a mapping state when the ranked character mapping is activated;
providing ranked characters of the ranked character mappings when the mapping state is activated;
providing ranked directional inputs for the mapping state, wherein an easiest directional input is associated with the highest ranked character; and
reactivating the base state upon selection of a character in the mapping state. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A computer-readable medium having computer executable instructions for selecting characters with a directional pad of a mobile device, the instructions comprising:
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providing ranked character sets, wherein the highest ranked character set includes characters that are most frequently used;
providing ranked inputs for a base state, wherein an easiest input is associated with the highest ranked character set;
displaying a base state for activating the ranked character sets, wherein an input associated with a ranked character set activates the ranked character set;
displaying a mapping state when the ranked character set is activated;
displaying ranked characters of the ranked character set when the mapping state is activated;
providing ranked directional inputs for the mapping state, wherein an easiest input is associated with the highest ranked character; and
redisplaying the base state upon selection of a character in the mapping state. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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49. A computing device, comprising:
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an input pad configured to generate directional inputs;
a character input engine for inputting characters using the directional pad, wherein the character input engine is configured to;
provided ranked character mappings, wherein the highest ranked character mapping includes characters that are most frequently used;
provided ranked directional inputs for a base state, wherein an easiest directional input is associated with the highest ranked character mapping;
provided a base state for activating the ranked character mappings, wherein an input associated with a ranked character mapping activates the ranked character mapping;
provided a mapping state when the ranked character mapping is activated;
provided ranked characters of the ranked character mappings when the mapping state is activated;
provided ranked directional inputs for the mapping state, wherein an easiest directional input is associated with the highest ranked character; and
reactivate the base state upon selection of a character in the mapping state. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51, 52, 53)
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Specification