Device, methods, and user interface for providing optimized entry of alphanumeric text

• US 8,977,321 B2
• Filed: 02/06/2014
• Issued: 03/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Toebes, John A., Slain, Ilya N.
• Primary Examiner(s): MILLER, BRANDON J
• Application Number:
  US14/174,353
• Publication Number:
  US 20140195960A1
• Time in Patent Office: 397 Days
• Field of Search: 455/566, 4555661-5562, 455/550.1, 455/575.1, 455/466, 455/564, 345/157, 345/171, 345168-169, 345/172
• US Class Current: 455/566
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/02 Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0236 using selection techniques to select from displayed items
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• 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

The present invention includes a device, method, and user interface for providing optimized entry of alphanumeric text. In one form, a method for providing selectable characters within a user interface includes determining an operating mode of a communication device and receiving an input associated with a selected input key. The method determines a group of characters associated with the selected key based on the operating mode and displays the group of characters within the user interface. The user interface may display a first character of the group of characters within a first portion of the user interface and the group of characters proximal to the first character within a second portion of the user interface.

Claims

1. An interface, comprising:

a first display portion configured to display a plurality of soft keys;

a second display portion configured to;

display a group of characters associated with a first key selection in response to the first key selection, wherein the first key selection is a first key being selected; and

highlight a first character in the group of characters; and

a processor operable to;

determine an amount of time that has elapsed since the first key selection; and

calculate an average time-out period for a user based on a time interval between the first key selection and a second key selection, wherein the second key selection is a second key being selected.

2. The interface of claim 1, further comprising a third display portion operable to highlight a second character in the group of characters upon receiving the second key selection.

3. The interface of claim 2, wherein the processor is further operable to automatically select the highlighted second character in the group of characters if an amount of time since the second key selection is greater than the average time-out period for the user.

4. The interface of claim 2, wherein the processor is further operable to calculate a new average time-out period based on the time interval between the first key selection and the second key selection and the time interval between the second key selection and a third key selection, wherein the third key selection is a third key being selected.

5. The interface of claim 1, wherein the processor is further operable to:

associate the average time-out period with a user; and

store the association of the average time-out period with the user.

6. The interface of claim 1, wherein the first display portion is further operable to display a cursor alongside the highlighted first character.

7. A method, comprising:

receiving a first key selection;

determining, by a processor, a group of characters associated with the first key selection;

displaying the group of characters associated with the first key selection within a first portion of a user interface;

highlighting a first character in the group of characters;

determining, by the processor, an amount of time that has elapsed since the first key selection; and

calculating, by the processor, an average time-out period for a user based on a time interval between the first key selection and a second key selection, wherein the second key selection is a second key being selected.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising highlighting a second character in the group of characters upon receiving the second key selection.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising automatically selecting, by the processor, the highlighted second character in the group of characters if an amount of time since the second key selection is greater than the average time-out period for the user.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising calculating a new average time-out period based on the time interval between the first key selection and the second key selection and the time interval between the second key selection and a third key selection, wherein the third key selection is a third key being selected.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

associating the average time-out period with a user; and

storing the association of the average time-out period with the user.

12. The method of claim 7, further comprising displaying a cursor alongside the highlighted first character.

13. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising logic, that when executed by a processor is operable to:

receive a first key selection;

determine a group of characters associated with the first key selection;

display the group of characters associated with the first key selection within a first portion of a user interface;

highlight a first character in the group of characters;

determine an amount of time that has elapsed since the first key selection; and

calculate an average time-out period for a user based on a time interval between the first key selection and a second key selection, wherein the second key selection is a second key being selected.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the logic is further operable to highlight a second character in the group of characters upon receiving the second key selection.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the logic is further operable to automatically select the highlighted second character in the group of characters if an amount of time since the second key selection is greater than the average time-out period for the user.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the logic is further operable to calculate a new average time-out period based on the time interval between the first key selection and the second key selection and the time interval between the second key selection and a third key selection, wherein the third key selection is a third key being selected.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the logic is further operable to:

associate the average time-out period with a user; and

store the association of the average time-out period with the user.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the logic is further operable to display a cursor alongside the highlighted first character.