System and method for inputting characters using a directional pad

• US 7,414,615 B2
• Filed: 01/28/2005
• Issued: 08/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Anson, David Leininger Adolphson
• Primary Examiner(s): Hjerpe; Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shapiro; Leonid
• Application Number:
  US11/046,026
• Publication Number:
  US 20050134572A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,299 Days
• Field of Search: 345/169, 345156-157, 345/161, 345/164, 345/168
• US Class Current: 345/169
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0236 using selection techniques to select from displayed items

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.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for receiving input characters, the method comprising:

obtaining mappings, wherein each of the mappings associates at least one directional input with at least one character;

associating a directional input with the mappings based on a ranking of the mapping and a ranking of the directional inputs, wherein associating the directional input with the mappings includes at least one member of a group comprising;

associating the directional input that is second easiest to select with a mapping that includes common consonants, associating the directional input that is third easiest to select with a mapping that includes semi-common consonants, associating the directional input that is second easiest to select with a mapping that includes less common consonants, and associating the directional input that is second easiest to select with the mapping that includes least common consonants;

actuating a base state, wherein the base state is configured to display a mapping on the display upon a directional input associated with the mapping; and

actuating a mapping state when the mapping is displayed, wherein at least one of the characters is associate with a directional input, wherein the mapping state is configured to select one of the characters upon a directional input associated with the character.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the mappings includes a directional input for accessing a secondary mapping.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein associating the directional input with the mappings includes associating the directional input that is first easiest to select with a mapping that includes vowels.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising automatically reactivating the base state upon selection of the character.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the ranking of the mappings and the ranking of the directional inputs are pre-generated rankings.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the directional input is received from at least one member of a group comprising:

a five switch directional pad and a nine switch directional pad.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the directional input is received from a joystick.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the directional input is received from a number pad.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the directional input is received from a rocker pad.

10. A computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions for receiving input characters, the instructions comprising:

obtaining mappings, wherein each of the mappings associates at least one directional input with at least one character;

associating a directional input with the mappings based on a ranking of the mapping and a ranking of the directional inputs, wherein associating the directional input with the mappings includes at least one member of a group comprising;

associating the directional input that is second easiest to select with a mapping that includes common consonants, associating the directional input that is third easiest to select with a mapping that includes semi-common consonants, associating the directional input that is second easiest to select with a mapping that includes less common consonants, and associating the directional input that is second easiest to select with the mapping that includes least common consonants;

actuating a base state, wherein the base state is configured to display a mapping on the display upon a directional input associated with the mapping; and

actuating a mapping state when the mapping is displayed, wherein at least one of the characters is associate with a directional input, wherein the mapping state is configured to select one of the characters upon a directional input associated with the character.

11. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein at least one of the mappings includes a directional input for accessing a secondary mapping.

12. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein associating the directional input with the mappings includes associating the directional input that is first easiest to select with a mapping that includes vowels.

13. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, further comprising automatically reactivating the base state upon selection of the character.

14. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein the ranking of the mappings and the ranking of the directional inputs are pre-generated rankings.

15. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein the directional input is received from at least one member of a group comprising:

a five switch directional pad, a nine switch directional pad, a joystick, a number pad, and a rocker pad.

16. A system for receiving input characters, the system comprising:

a processor; and

a memory having computer-executable instructions for;

obtaining mappings, wherein each of the mappings associates at least one directional input with at least one character;

associating a directional input with the mappings based on a ranking of the mapping and a ranking of the directional inputs, wherein associating the directional input with the mappings includes at least one member of a group comprising;

associating the directional input that is second easiest to select with a mapping that includes common consonants, associating the directional input that is third easiest to select with a mapping that includes semi-common consonants, associating the directional input that is second easiest to select with a mapping that includes less common consonants, and associating the directional input that is second easiest to select with the mapping that includes least common consonants;

actuating a base state, wherein the base state is configured to display a mapping on the display upon a directional input associated with the mapping; and

actuating a mapping state when the mapping is displayed, wherein at least one of the characters is associate with a directional input, wherein the mapping state is configured to select one of the characters upon a directional input associated with the character.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein at least one of the mappings includes a directional input for accessing a secondary mapping.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein associating the directional input with the mappings includes associating the directional input that is first easiest to select with a mapping that includes vowels.

19. The system of claim 16, further comprising automatically reactivating the base state upon selection of the character.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the ranking of the mappings and the ranking of the directional inputs are pre-generated rankings.