Method for combining deterministic and non-deterministic user interaction data input models

• US 7,266,780 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2003
• Issued: 09/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Balakrishnan, Sreeram, Guo, Jin, Wu, Charles Yimin, Chang, Lu, Kapadia, Sadik, Schusteritsch, Rudolf, McEvilly, Carlos
• Primary Examiner(s): Sax; Steven
• Application Number:
  US10/610,070
• Publication Number:
  US 20040264447A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,527 Days
• Field of Search: 715811-813, 715744-747, 715853-855, 715705-706, 715771-773, 715/831, 715/832, 715822-824, 715828-830, 345/168, 341/28, 341/20, 704/275, 434/169
• US Class Current: 715/811
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof

Abstract

A structure and method for entering data into an electronic device (110). A deterministic data input element (130) coupled to the electronic device (110) is operable to accept a user-selected data input. Modulation of a motion of a non-deterministic data input element (140) coupled to the electronic device (11) is operable to select a varying precision of data input choices. A feedback element (120) coupled to one or more of the deterministic data input element (130) and the non-deterministic data input element (140) presents the data input choices to the user. The user enters data into electronic device (110) using one of the deterministic input element (130) and the non-deterministic input element (140) and the feedback element (120) displays a sequence of data choices to the user. The user then navigates a tree of possible data completions in order to select a particular data completion to be entered into the electronic device (110).

Claims

1. A method for the entering alphanumeric or non-Western character based data into an electronic device, comprising:

a user entering data into an electronic device using a deterministic input element and a non-deterministic input element wherein the deterministic input element and a non-deterministic input element are coupled to the electronic device;

a feedback element coupled to the electronic device displaying a sequence of data choices to the user;

the user navigating a tree of possible data completions in order to select a particular data completion to be entered into the electronic device, further comprising;

selecting a branch of the tree of possible data completions by selecting from one or more data entry choices via the deterministic input element;

increasing a rate of motion or extent of deflection of the non-deterministic input element causing a reduction in a precision of the data completions displayed to the user wherein the reduction in the precision corresponds to reducing a viewable depth of the tree; and

decreasing the rate of motion or extent of deflection of the non-deterministic input element causing an increase in the precision of the data completions displayed to the user wherein the increase in the precision corresponds to increasing a viewable depth of the tree.

the user stopping the motion or releasing the deflection of the non-deterministic input element in order to display a full precision of the data completions displayed to the user.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein data entry choices with a higher probability of occurrence are displayed for a longer amount of motion or extent of deflection of the display modulation element than data entry choices with a lower probability of occurrence.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the user combining the motion of the non-deterministic element with an action of the deterministic element to perform one or more of:

selecting one or more displayed items;

deselecting one or more displayed items;

transmitting the one or more displayed items to a second electronic device;

receiving the one or more displayed items from one or more remote electronic devices;

optionally performing any of the above automatically after a suitable timeout.

2. A method for the entering of data into an electronic device, comprising:

a user entering alphanumeric or non-Western character based data into an electronic device using a deterministic input element and a non-deterministic input element wherein the deterministic input element and a non-deterministic input element are coupled to the electronic device;

a feedback element coupled to the electronic device displaying a sequence of data choices to the user;

the user navigating a tree of possible data completions in order to select a particular data completion to be entered into the electronic device, further comprising;

selecting a branch of the tree of possible data completions by selecting from one or more data entry choices via the deterministic input element;

increasing a rate of motion or extent of deflection of the non-deterministic input element causing a reduction in a precision of the data completions displayed to the user wherein the reduction in the precision corresponds to reducing a viewable depth of the tree;

and decreasing the rate of motion or extent of deflection of the non-deterministic input element causing an increase in the precision of the data completions displayed to the user wherein the increase in the precision corresponds to increasing a viewable depth of the tree;

wherein data entry choices with a higher probability of occurrence are displayed for a longer time than data entry choices with a lower probability of occurrence.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the probability of occurrence of the data entry choices are determined by reference to a dictionary of possible data entry choices and the probability of said possible data entry choices are determined from a statistical measurement of a usage of said possible data entry choices.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein data entry choices with a higher probability of occurrence are displayed for a longer amount of motion or extent of deflection of the display modulation element than data entry choices with a lower probability of occurrence.

7. The method of claim 2, further comprising the user combining the motion of the non-deterministic element with an action of the deterministic element to perform one or more of:

selecting one or more displayed items;

deselecting one or more displayed items;

transmitting the one or more displayed items to a second electronic device;

receiving the one or more displayed items from one or more remote electronic devices;

optionally performing any of the above automatically after a suitable timeout.