Handheld Electronic Device Having Selectable Language Indicator and Menus for Language Selection and Method Therefor

• US 20080115084A1
• Filed: 11/10/2006
• Published: 05/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Scott, Sherryl Lee Lorraine
• Granted Patent: US 9,329,753 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/810
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/338 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/02 Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0236 using selection techniques to select from displayed items
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0237 using prediction or retrieval techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/232 Orthographic correction, e.g. spell checking or vowelisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/274 Converting codes to words; Guess-ahead of partial word inputs
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/55 Rule-based translation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/454 Multi-language systems; Localisation; Internationalisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/58 including a multilanguage function
• 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

A method of enabling the selection of a language to be employed as a method input language by a disambiguation routine of a handheld electronic device having stored therein a plurality of method input languages and disambiguation routine number, includes detecting as an ambiguous input an actuation of one or more input members, outputting at least a plurality of the language objects that corresponds to the ambiguous input, outputting an indicator which one of the method input languages is currently employed by the disambiguation function, and outputting a menu of input method languages in response to detecting a selection of the indicator.

Claims

1. A method of enabling input into a handheld electronic device having an input apparatus, an output apparatus and a processor, the handheld electronic device of a type having available therein a plurality of input method languages and a text disambiguation function structured to employ an operative one of the plurality of the input method languages, the input apparatus having a number of input members, at least some of the input members each having assigned thereto a plurality of linguistic elements, the method comprising:

detecting as an ambiguous input an actuation of one or more of the input members;

employing an operative input method language to output a plurality of selectable language objects that correspond with the ambiguous input;

outputting at a location adjacent the plurality of language objects an indicator representative of the operative input method language;

detecting a selection of the indicator in lieu of one of the plurality of language objects; and

responsive to detecting a selection of the indicator, outputting a menu of input method languages selectable as alternate operative input method languages.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising outputting the indicator as a visual output.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising outputting the indicator disposed in a window on a display of the output apparatus in which the plurality of language objects is disposed.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising outputting, as the indicator, a plurality of linguistic elements that form an abbreviation of a name of a language.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising outputting as at least a portion of the indicator a graphical symbol associated with a language.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising outputting as the graphical symbol a representation of a flag.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising enabling an input device to select from among the indicator and the plurality of language objects by scrolling through the plurality of language objects to reach the indicator.

8. The method of claim 2, further comprising outputting the menu within a popup window adjacent the indicator.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising enabling scrolling through input method languages of the menu and enabling selection of an input method language with an input device.

10. The method of claim 3, wherein outputting a menu of input method languages further comprises outputting a language selection output disposed on the display in place of the window.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising enabling scrolling through input method languages of the language selection output and enabling selection of an input method language with an input device.

12. A handheld electronic device, comprising;

a keyboard having a plurality of input members, at least some of the input members having assigned thereto a plurality of linguistic elements;

a display;

a processor apparatus comprising a processor and a memory in electronic communication with the processor, the memory having stored therein a plurality of input method languages and a text disambiguation function structured to employ one of the plurality of the input method languages, the processor apparatus being structured to;

detect as an ambiguous input an actuation of one or more of the input members;

output a plurality of language objects that correspond with the ambiguous input to enable one of the plurality of language objects to be selected;

output an indicator of which one of the plurality of input method languages is currently employed by the disambiguation function adjacent the plurality of language objects to enable the indicator to be selected in lieu of one of the plurality of language objects; and

output a menu of input method languages in response to a selection of the indicator.

13. The handheld electronic device of claim 12, wherein the output of the indicator is a visual output.

14. The handheld electronic device of claim 13, wherein the output of the indicator is disposed in a window on the display in which the plurality of language objects is disposed.

15. The handheld electronic device of claim 12, wherein the indicator comprises a plurality of linguistic elements that form an abbreviation of a name of a language.

16. The handheld electronic device of claim 12, wherein the indicator comprises a graphical symbol associated with a language.

17. The handheld electronic device of claim 16, wherein the graphical symbol is a representation of a flag.

18. The handheld electronic device of claim 12, further comprising an input device structured to cooperate with the processor to enable scrolling through the plurality of language objects to reach the indicator, and wherein the input device is structured to provide a tactile feedback in response to scrolling through the plurality of language objects and reaching the indicator.

19. The handheld electronic device of claim 13, wherein the output of the menu of input method languages is a popup window adjacent the indicator.

20. The handheld electronic device of claim 19, wherein the processor apparatus is further structured to enable scrolling through input method languages of the menu and to enable selection of an input method language with an input device.

21. The handheld electronic device of claim 14, wherein the output of the menu of input method languages further is a language selection output disposed on the display in place of the window.

22. The handheld electronic device of claim 21, wherein the processor apparatus is further structured to enable scrolling through input method languages of the language selection output and to enable selection of an input method language with an input device.