Handheld electronic device including auto completion of punctuation in numerical entry, and associated method

• US 8,171,402 B2
• Filed: 11/10/2006
• Issued: 05/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Scott, Sherryl Lee Lorraine
• Primary Examiner(s): STORK, KYLE R
• Application Number:
  US11/558,622
• Publication Number:
  US 20080115054A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,999 Days
• Field of Search: 715/255, 715/256, 715/261, 715/264, 345/169, 341 22- 23, 455/566
• US Class Current: 715/261
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0237 using prediction or retrieval techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/027 for insertion of the decimal point
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/274 Converting codes to words; Guess-ahead of partial word inputs

Abstract

A handheld electronic device has the capability to automatically output a preferred punctuation arrangement in response to determining whether a previous output has a predetermined characteristic. An alphanumeric input is detected as a first number of input member actuations. Responsive to the detecting an alphanumeric input, a first output is generated. A second number of input member actuations are detected as a punctuation input. A determination is made that the first output comprises a digit. Responsive to the determination, a preferred punctuation arrangement is identified. In certain examples, a selectable geographic location of use and an actual geographic location of use are detected and a comma is identified as the preferred punctuation arrangement.

Claims

1. A method of enabling input on a handheld electronic device, said handheld electronic device including an input apparatus and an output apparatus, said input apparatus having a plurality of input members that are capable of being actuated, said method comprising:

detecting as an alphanumeric input a first number of input member actuations;

responsive to said detecting an alphanumeric input, generating a first output;

detecting as a punctuation input a second number of input member actuations;

making a determination that said first output comprises a digit;

responsive to said determination that said first output comprises a digit, selecting as a preferred punctuation arrangement a predetermined punctuation arrangement from among a plurality of punctuation arrangements that correspond with said punctuation input;

outputting said predetermined punctuation arrangement; and

simultaneously outputting another punctuation arrangement as an alternative punctuation arrangement selectable by a user.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising identifying as said preferred punctuation arrangement a decimal symbol.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising outputting a period as the decimal symbol.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising detecting at least one of a selectable geographic location of use and an actual geographic location of use as being European and, responsive thereto, identifying as said preferred punctuation arrangement a comma.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising outputting as said another punctuation arrangement a period followed by at least a first space.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

prior to detecting said alphanumeric input, detecting as an initial input an actuation of a number of input members;

responsive to said detecting an initial input, generating an initial output; and

making as a portion of said determination, a determination that said initial output comprises a currency symbol.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

detecting an operative language on said handheld electronic device; and

making another determination that said operative language is a non-English convention.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising responsive to said making another determination, identifying as said preferred punctuation arrangement a comma.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising making as said another determination a determination that said operative language is Spanish.

10. The method according to claim 8, further comprising outputting a period as the alternative punctuation arrangement selectable by a user.

11. A handheld electronic device, comprising:

a keyboard having a plurality of input members;

a display;

a processor apparatus comprising a processor and a memory in electronic communication with one another, said processor apparatus having stored therein a number of routines which, when executed on the processor, cause the handheld electronic device to perform operations comprising;

detecting as an alphanumeric input a first number of input member actuations;

responsive to said detecting an alphanumeric input, generating a first output;

detecting as a punctuation input a second number of second input member actuations;

making a determination that said first output comprises a digit;

responsive to said determination that said first output comprises a digit, selecting as a preferred punctuation arrangement a predetermined punctuation arrangement from among a plurality of punctuation arrangements that correspond with said punctuation input;

outputting said predetermined punctuation arrangement; and

simultaneously outputting another punctuation arrangement as an alternative punctuation arrangement selectable by a user.

12. The handheld electronic device according to claim 11, wherein said preferred punctuation arrangement is a decimal symbol.

13. The handheld electronic device according to claim 11, wherein said preferred punctuation arrangement is a period.

14. The handheld electronic device according to claim 11, wherein said number of routines cause the handheld electronic device to perform operations further comprising detecting at least one of a selectable geographic location of use and an actual geographic location of use as being European and, responsive thereto, identifying as said preferred punctuation a comma.

15. The handheld electronic device according to claim 11, wherein said another punctuation arrangement comprises a period followed by at least a first space.

16. The handheld electronic device according to claim 11, wherein said number of routines causes the handheld electronic device to perform operations further comprising:

prior to detecting said alphanumeric input, detecting as an initial input an actuation of a number of input members;

responsive to said detecting as an initial input, generating an initial output; and

making as a portion of said determination, a determination that said initial output comprises a currency symbol.

17. The handheld electronic device according to claim 11, wherein said number of routines causes the handheld electronic device to perform operations further comprising:

detecting an operative language on said handheld electronic device; and

making another determination that said operative language is a non-English convention.

18. The handheld electronic device according to claim 17, wherein said preferred punctuation arrangement is a comma.

19. The handheld electronic device according to claim 18, wherein said operative language is Spanish.