System and method for rapid text entry in telephone

• US 7,574,183 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2004
• Issued: 08/11/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: McKay, Kyle J.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRINH, TAN H
• Application Number:
  US10/879,809
• Publication Number:
  US 20050003867A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,870 Days
• Field of Search: 455/550.1, 455/566, 455/158.5, 455/575.1, 455/90.3, 455/556, 455/186.2, 455/95, 455/414.4, 379/433.1, 379/368, 341/23, 341/22, 345/168, 345/467, 345/160, 345/161
• US Class Current: 455/158.5
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0235 using chord techniques G06F3/0234 takes precedence
• 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

Rapid text entry using a wireless telephone is facilitated by correlating at least some of the letters represented by a number key to a two-key combination, namely, the number key and an indicator key such as the star key (which, when depressed along with a number key, can indicate the second letter on the number key) and the pound key (which, when depressed with a number key, can indicate the third letter on the key). Thus, at most two key strokes are required to positively indicate any letter on a numbers-only keypad.

Claims

1. A method for text entry using a telephone having number keys thereon, each number key representing a single number, the method comprising:

storing a first correspondence between each number key and a corresponding single number;

storing, for each number key representing a letter, a second correspondence between each letter of the respective number key and a substantially simultaneous combination of the respective number key and a respective one of a plurality of indicator keys that are located with the numbers keys in a single key area on the telephone;

only if any number key representing a letter and an indicator key are manipulated substantially simultaneously, returning the respective letter according to the second correspondence; and

if only any number key is manipulated, returning the respective single number according to the first correspondence.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicator key is a Star key.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicator key is a pound sign key.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the number keys representing letters are keys representing the numbers 2-9.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein returning the respective letter further comprises displaying a second letter represented by the number key.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein returning the respective letter further comprises displaying a third letter represented by the number key.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein returning respective letter further comprises displaying a fourth letter represented by the number key.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the telephone is a wireless telephone.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one indicator key only represents a numeral.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the key area is located on a single side of the telephone.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the key area comprises 12 keys.

12. A system, comprising:

plural number keys each representing plural letters;

at least one indicator key, wherein each indicator key is located with the number keys in a single key area;

a first correspondence between each number key and a corresponding single number such that if only any number key is manipulated, the respective single number is entered as text according to the first correspondence; and

a second correspondence between each letter and a combination of one and only one number key, and one and only one indicator key such that, only if the keys are manipulated substantially simultaneously, the the respective letter is entered as text according to the second correspondence.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the keys are on a telephone.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the telephone is a wireless telephone.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the indicator key is a star key.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the indicator key is a pound sign key.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the number keys representing letters are the keys representing the numbers 2-9.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the respective letter entered as text is a second letter represented by its number key.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the respective letter entered as text is a third letter represented by its number key.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the respective letter entered as text is a fourth letter represented by its number key.

21. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one indicator key only represents a numeral.

22. The system of claim 12, wherein the key area is located on a single side of a telephone.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the key area comprises 12 keys.

24. A system for text entry using a telephone, comprising:

plural input means on the telephone, each representing one of a single number or a single number and plural letters, for manipulation thereof to input data;

indicator means on the telephone for manipulation to input, data, the indicator means located with the input means in a single key area; and

means for returning a respective single number, based on a first correspondence between each number key and a corresponding single number, if only any input means representing a number is manipulated;

means for returning a respective letter represented by an input means, based on a second correspondence between each letter and the respective input means and a respective indicator means, only if the input means and the indicator means are manipulated substantially simultaneously.

25. An apparatus, comprising:

logic for a first correspondence between each number key and a corresponding single number;

logic for a second correspondence, for each number key representing a letter, between each letter of the respective number key and a substantially simultaneous combination of the respective number key and a respective one of a plurality of indicator keys that are located with the numbers keys in a single key area on a telephone;

logic for returning a respective letter represented by the number key, based on the second correspondence, only if the number key and the indicator key are manipulated substantially simultaneously; and

logic for returning a respective single number, based on the first correspondence, if only any number key is manipulated.