SERVICE ACCESS METHOD AND APPARATUS

• US 20130005313A1
• Filed: 09/13/2012
• Published: 01/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cerence Inc., Cerence Operating Company (Cerence Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Nuance Communications, Inc. (Microsoft Corporation), Nuance Acquisition ULC
• Inventors: WILLIAMS, Roland E.
• Granted Patent: US 9,167,075 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72454 according to context-related or environment-related conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72466 with selection means, e.g. keys, having functions defined by the mode or the status of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/70 methods for entering alphabetical characters, e.g. multi-tap or dictionary disambiguation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/44 Additional connecting arrangements for providing access to frequently-wanted subscribers, e.g. abbreviated dialling at the subscriber's set H04M1/27; automatic redialling H04M3/424
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold

Abstract

A method of selecting a service and inputting information to that service, in which an input device having keys is provided. When a key is pressed and released quickly, the user indicates a desire to enter a symbol on the key in order to enter symbols of an entry string. In addition, one or more of the keys may also be used to identify a service and also supply that service with the entry string. For example, by pressing and holding such a key, the entry string may be delimited and then sent to a service corresponding to the pressed key. In this manner, a single key press may be used to both delimit an entry string and also send the entry string to the service. The service may use the delimited entry string to retrieve information, which is then supplied to the input device.

Claims

1. A method of accessing information stored remotely from a user appliance, comprising:

a) providing an appliance;

b) indicating at least the initial symbols of an input string;

c) entering a delimiter key having a service context to provide a request to a service provider and to provide the input string to the service provider;

d) transmitting the request and the input string to the service provider specified by the service context of the delimiter key;

e) receiving the transmitted input string and comparing the input string to a database;

f) identifying entries in the database that match the input string to provide matched entries;

g) arranging matched entries in an ordered list; and

h) transmitting the ordered list to the appliance.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising using the appliance to select one of the matched entries from the order list.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein entering the symbols is performed by pressing polysemous keys.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein entering the symbols is performed by pressing non-polysemous keys.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the keys includes a distinctive feature not found on other keys in order to assist the user with identifying a preferred service.

6. An information system, comprising:

an appliance having;

a) keys used to enter an input string; and

b) at least one key which when pressed once will cause the input string to be delimited and sent to a service provider computer identified by that key;

a service provider computer having software running thereon, the software instructing the

computer to;

a) receive the delimited input string,

b) search a database for matches, and

c) upon identifying a match, the service provider computer will send the match to the appliance for display to a user.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the key used to delimit an input string does so when the key is pressed and held.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein at least one of the keys includes distinctive features not found on other keys in order to assist the user with identifying a preferred service.