Stylus-based keyboard key arrangement
First Claim
1. A method of arranging a plurality of discrete areas on an information input device, the input device adapted for input of natural language text, the discrete areas representative of characters, said characters combinable in sequence to produce the natural language text, the discrete areas adapted to be activated by operatively coupling a stylus thereto, the method comprising the steps of:
- determining, for one or more sequences of two or more of said characters, an estimated probability of the discrete areas representing said characters being activated in sequence, said probability being a function of said natural language text;
selecting a majority of the sequences which have been determined to have a corresponding probability higher than a predetermined threshold; and
arranging the discrete areas on the input device as a function of said estimated probabilities, the discrete areas representing characters included in each of the selected sequences being positioned adjacent to each other on the input device.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A small, stylus-based keyboard in which the arrangement of the keys is a function of predetermined estimated probabilities of the occurrence of various possible sequences of keystrokes. Sequences of keystrokes which are estimated to have a high likelihood of occurrence result in the associated keys being placed adjacent to one another. In this manner, the ease, speed and accuracy of use of small, stylus-based keyboards may be improved. Multiple keys representing the same character may be provided to increase the likelihood that keys included in high probability sequences will be adjacent. The probability estimates may be determined based on a statistical analysis of a preselected sample of text. In addition, keys may be color-coded for ease of identification and grooves may be cut into the housing between adjacent keys for ease of stylus operation. Lights (e.g., light-emitting-diodes) may also be inserted between adjacent keys or beneath the keys for purposes of word identification or next letter prediction.
57 Citations
45 Claims
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1. A method of arranging a plurality of discrete areas on an information input device, the input device adapted for input of natural language text, the discrete areas representative of characters, said characters combinable in sequence to produce the natural language text, the discrete areas adapted to be activated by operatively coupling a stylus thereto, the method comprising the steps of:
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determining, for one or more sequences of two or more of said characters, an estimated probability of the discrete areas representing said characters being activated in sequence, said probability being a function of said natural language text; selecting a majority of the sequences which have been determined to have a corresponding probability higher than a predetermined threshold; and arranging the discrete areas on the input device as a function of said estimated probabilities, the discrete areas representing characters included in each of the selected sequences being positioned adjacent to each other on the input device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An information input device adapted for input of English language text, the input device comprising a plurality of discrete areas representative of characters including the alphabetic letters A through Z, the discrete areas adapted to be activated by operatively coupling a stylus thereto, wherein the input device comprises at least eleven pairs of adjacent discrete areas, each of said pairs of adjacent discrete areas comprising areas representative of a pair of characters selected from the group consisting of E and R;
- I and N;
H and T;
I and T;
A and T;
E and T;
N and O;
A and N;
E and S;
A and R;
E and N;
O and R;
E and H;
E and L;
A and L;
I and S;
S and T;
D and E;
O and T; and
C and E. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
- I and N;
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20. A portable computing device comprising:
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a housing; a processor contained within the housing; a display device electrically coupled to the processor; and an information input device adapted for input of English language text, the input device comprising a plurality of discrete areas representative of characters including the alphabetic letters A through Z, the discrete areas adapted to be activated by operatively coupling a stylus thereto, wherein the input device comprises at least eleven pairs of adjacent discrete areas, each of said pairs of adjacent discrete areas comprising areas representative of a pair of characters selected from the group consisting of E and R;
I and N;
H and T;
I and T;
A and T;
E and T;
N and O;
A and N;
E and S;
A and R;
E and N;
O and R;
E and H;
E and L;
A and L;
I and S;
S and T;
D and E;
O and T; and
C and E. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A telecommunications device comprising
a housing; -
a microphone contained within the housing for converting acoustic signals to electrical signals for transmission through a telecommunications network; a loudspeaker contained within the housing for converting electrical signals transmitted through the telecommunications network to acoustic signals; and an information input device adapted for input of English language text, the input device comprising a plurality of discrete areas representative of characters including the alphabetic letters A through Z, the discrete areas adapted to be activated by operatively coupling a stylus thereto, wherein the input device comprises at least eleven pairs of adjacent discrete areas, each of said pairs of adjacent discrete areas comprising areas representative of a pair of characters selected from the group consisting of E and R;
I and N;
H and T;
I and T;
A and T;
E and T;
N and O;
A and N;
E and S;
A and R;
E and N;
O and R;
E and H;
E and L;
A and L;
I and S;
S and T;
D and E;
O and T; and
C and E. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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Specification