Text input mode selection method

• US 9,354,765 B2
• Filed: 01/24/2013
• Issued: 05/31/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nano492 Technologies LLC (Equitable IP Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Gold Charm Limited (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Lu, Chi-Chang
• Primary Examiner(s): Eisen, Alexander
• Assistant Examiner(s): Almeida, Cory
• Application Number:
  US13/748,671
• Publication Number:
  US 20130139094A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,223 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-158, 345168-178, 345/184, 715/773, 715/810, 715/816, 715/817, 715/840, 715/864
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]

Abstract

Text input mode selection method is implemented in a device with a plurality of keys. If an input mode switching key is activated by a first operation matching a first input pattern, options of the key is provided in a default arrangement. If the key is activated by a second operation matching a second input pattern, options of the key is provided in an altered arrangement. Activation of the key according to a selected option activates one of a plurality of character input methods associated with the selected option. Each of the character input methods is associated with a virtual keyboard layout.

Claims

1. A text input mode selection method executable by an electronic device, comprising:

displaying a first virtual keyboard area, wherein the first virtual keyboard area comprises a plurality of alphabet keys;

utilizing the first virtual keyboard area as a base for one or more touch operations detectable by a touch detection function, wherein the first virtual keyboard area is operable to be switched to and retain activation of one of a plurality of character input methods, activation and deactivation of each of the plurality of character input methods is controlled by an input mode switching key separated from the plurality of alphabet keys, each of the plurality of character input methods defines a keyboard layout and a keyboard function such that the plurality of character input methods define a plurality of keyboard layouts and a plurality of keyboard functions, each of the plurality of keyboard layouts defines association which maps each character in an alphabet of a language to one of the plurality of alphabet keys such that each key of the plurality of alphabet keys is operable as a toggle key and is associated with one or more characters for text input, each of the plurality of keyboard functions defines input patterns for each of the plurality of alphabet keys such that each of the plurality of alphabet keys is operable to output one character in response to a key operation conforming to one of the input patterns;

receiving activation of the input mode switching key, wherein the input mode switching key is associated with key options, each of key options is associated with one of the plurality of character input methods, and the input mode switching key is operable as a toggle key;

selecting a target key option among the key options through switching among the key options from a first key option to a second key option according to a preset arrangement of the key options in response to the activation of the input mode switching key conforming to a first input pattern;

displaying the key options associated with the input mode switching key in a graphical user interface (GUI) component in response to the activation of the input mode switching key conforming to a second input pattern, wherein each of the key options is selectable through the graphical user interface component;

selecting one of the key options as the target key option in response to a selecting operation based on the graphical user interface component through switching among the key options from the first key option to a user selected key option according to a user selected arrangement of the key options; and

allowing activation of the input mode switching key according to the target key option;

wherein activation of the input mode switching key according to a currently selected one of the key options activates a switching among the plurality of character input methods from a first character input method to a second character input method, the switching among the plurality of character input methods comprises deactivation of the first character input method and activation of the second character input method, the first character input method of the plurality of character input methods is associated with a previously selected one of the key options and represents a first one of the plurality of keyboard layouts and a first one of the plurality of keyboard functions, and the second character input method of the plurality of character input methods is associated with the currently selected one of the key options and represents a second one of the plurality of keyboard layouts and a second one of the plurality of keyboard functions.

2. The text input mode selection method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a text input key in the plurality of alphabet keys which is initially associated with a first character set of one or more characters is associated with a second character set of one or more characters in substitution for the first character set as a result of the switching among the plurality of character input methods from the first character input method to the second character input method.

3. The text input mode selection method as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the key options is associated with a symbol, an output of the input mode switching key is the switching among the plurality of character input methods from the first character input method to the second character input method.

4. The text input mode selection method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the input mode switching key is operable to receive activation by receiving an touch operation comprising an operation of a press, an operation of a touch movement track, or an combination of a press and a touch movement track.

5. The text input mode selection method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the activation of the input mode switching key conforms to the first input pattern if an operation period of the activation of the input mode switching key is less than a predetermined time interval, and the activation of the input mode switching key conforms to the second input pattern if an operation period of the activation of the input mode switching key is greater than a predetermined time interval.

6. A text input mode selection method executable by an electronic device, comprising:

displaying a first virtual keyboard area, wherein the first virtual keyboard area comprises a plurality of alphabet keys;

utilizing the first virtual keyboard area as a base for one or more touch operations detectable by a touch detection function, wherein the first virtual keyboard area is operable to be switched to and retain activation of one of a plurality of character input methods, activation and deactivation of each of the plurality of character input methods is controlled by an input mode switching key separated from the plurality of alphabet keys, each of the plurality of character input methods defines a keyboard layout and a keyboard function such that the plurality of character input methods define a plurality of keyboard layouts and a plurality of keyboard functions, each of the plurality of keyboard layouts defines association which maps each character in an alphabet of a language to one of the plurality of alphabet keys such that each key of the plurality of alphabet keys is operable as a toggle key and is associated with one or more characters for text input, each of the plurality of keyboard functions defines input patterns for each of the plurality of alphabet keys such that each of the plurality of alphabet keys is operable to output one character in response to a key operation conforming to one of the input patterns;

receiving activation of the input mode switching key, wherein the input mode switching key is associated with key options, each of key options is associated with one of the plurality of character input methods, and the input mode switching key is operable as a toggle key;

displaying the key options associated with the input mode switching key in a graphical user interface (GUI) component in response to the activation of the input mode switching key conforming to a preset input pattern, wherein each of the key options is selectable through the graphical user interface component;

selecting one of the key options as a target key option in response to a touch movement based on the input mode switching key even if the touch movement is separated from the graphical user interface component; and

allowing activation of the input mode switching key according to the target key option;

wherein activation of the input mode switching key according to a currently selected one of the key options activates a switching among the plurality of character input methods from a first character input method to a second character input method, the switching among the plurality of character input methods comprises deactivation of the first character input method and activation of the second character input method, the first character input method of the plurality of character input methods is associated with a previously selected one of the key options and represents a first one of the plurality of keyboard layouts and a first one of the plurality of keyboard functions, and the second character input method of the plurality of character input methods is associated with the currently selected one of the key options and represents a second one of the plurality of keyboard layouts and a second one of the plurality of keyboard functions.

7. The text input mode selection method as claimed in claim 6, wherein a text input key in the plurality of alphabet keys which is initially associated with a first character set of one or more characters is associated with a second character set of one or more characters in substitution for the first character set as a result of the switching among the plurality of character input methods from the first character input method to the second character input method.

8. The text input mode selection method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the input mode switching key is operable to receive activation by receiving an touch operation comprising an operation of a press, an operation of a touch movement track, or an combination of a press and a touch movement track.

9. The text input mode selection method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising:

providing an touch area separated from the graphical user interface component, wherein the touch area comprises operation positions associated with the key options in the graphical user interface component, each of the operation positions is associated with one of the key options such that activation of one of the operation positions directs movement of a focus of the graphical user interface component to one of the key options associated with the one of the operation positions;

wherein the touch area is detectable by the touch detection function, and the touch detection function is operable to detect touch movement tracks based on the input mode switching key.

10. The text input mode selection method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the touch movement begins from the input mode switching key.

11. The text input mode selection method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the touch movement comprises a touch track during an operation period of the input mode switching key initiated by the activation of the input mode switching key.

12. The text input mode selection method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the touch movement comprises a touch track based on the input mode switching key detectable by the touch detection function, and the touch track comprises a first touch track in a first direction or a second touch track in a second direction, a focus in the graphical user interface component operable to represent the target key option moves from a first key option to a second key option, movement of the focus reflects directions of the touch track even if the touch track is separated from the graphical user interface component.

13. The text input mode selection method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first touch track and the second touch track respectively comprise clockwise and counterclockwise touch movements detectable by the touch detection function, the first graphical user interface component comprises a prior key option and a post key option posterior to the prior key option, and the text input mode selection method further comprises:

selecting, during presentation of the prior key option as the target key option, the post key option as the target key option in substitution for the prior key option in response to the first touch track, wherein the selecting of the post key option as the target key option by the first touch track is performed even if the first touch track detectable by the touch detection function is separated from an area representing the post key option in the graphical user interface component; and

selecting, during presentation of the post key option as the target key option, the prior key option as the target key option in substitution for the post key option in response to the second touch track, wherein the selecting of the prior key option as the target key option by the second touch track is performed even if the second touch track detectable by the touch detection function is separated from an area representing the prior key option in the graphical user interface component.

14. A text input mode selection method executable by an electronic device, comprising:

displaying a first virtual keyboard area, wherein the first virtual keyboard area comprises a plurality of alphabet keys;

utilizing the first virtual keyboard area as a base for one or more touch operations detectable by a touch detection function, wherein the first virtual keyboard area is operable to be switched to and retain activation of one of a plurality of character input methods, activation and deactivation of each of the plurality of character input methods is controlled by an input mode switching key separated from the plurality of alphabet keys, each of the plurality of character input methods defines a keyboard layout and a keyboard function such that the plurality of character input methods define a plurality of keyboard layouts and a plurality of keyboard functions, each of the plurality of keyboard layouts defines association which maps each character in an alphabet of a language to one of the plurality of alphabet keys such that each key of the plurality of alphabet keys is operable as a toggle key and is associated with one or more characters for text input, each of the plurality of keyboard functions defines input patterns for each of the plurality of alphabet keys such that each of the plurality of alphabet keys is operable to output one character in response to a key operation conforming to one of the input patterns;

receiving activation of the input mode switching key as an first graphical user interface (GUI) element, wherein the input mode switching key is associated with key options, each of key options is associated with one of the plurality of character input methods, and the input mode switching key is operable as a toggle key;

displaying the key options associated with the first graphical user interface element in a second graphical user interface component in response to the activation of the first graphical user interface element conforming to a preset input pattern, wherein each of the key options is selectable through the second graphical user interface component;

providing an touch area separated from the second graphical user interface component, wherein the touch area comprises operation positions associated with the key options in the second graphical user interface component, each of the operation positions is associated with one of the key options such that activation of a selected one of the operation positions directs movement of a focus of second graphical user interface component to one of the key options associated with the selected one of the operation positions, wherein the touch area is detectable by the touch detection function, and the touch detection function is operable to detect touch movement tracks based on the first graphical user interface element,

selecting one of the key options as a target key option in response to a touch operation based on the first graphical user interface element which activates an active one of the operation positions associated with the target key option and moves the focus to the target key option even if the touch operation is separated from the second graphical user interface component; and

allowing activation of the input mode switching key according to the target key option;

performing an operation associated with the first virtual keyboard area in response to the activation of the input mode switching key, wherein activation of the input mode switching key according to a currently selected one of the key options activates a switching among the plurality of character input methods from a first character input method to a second character input method, the switching among the plurality of character input methods comprises deactivation of the first character input method and activation of the second character input method, the first character input method of the plurality of character input methods is associated with a previously selected one of the key options and represents a first one of the plurality of keyboard layouts and a first one of the plurality of keyboard functions, and the second character input method of the plurality of character input methods is associated with the currently selected one of the key options and represents a second one of the plurality of keyboard layouts and a second one of the plurality of keyboard functions.

15. A text input mode selection method executable by an electronic device, comprising:

displaying a first virtual keyboard area, wherein the first virtual keyboard area comprises a plurality of alphabet keys;

utilizing the first virtual keyboard area as a base for one or more touch operations detectable by a touch detection function, wherein the first virtual keyboard area is operable to be switched to and retain activation of one of a plurality of character input methods, activation and deactivation of each of the plurality of character input methods is controlled by an input mode switching key separated from the plurality of alphabet keys, each of the plurality of character input methods defines a keyboard layout and a keyboard function such that the plurality of character input methods define a plurality of keyboard layouts and a plurality of keyboard functions, each of the plurality of keyboard layouts defines association which maps each character in an alphabet of a language to one of the plurality of alphabet keys such that each key of the plurality of alphabet keys is operable as a toggle key and is associated with one or more characters for text input, each of the plurality of keyboard functions defines input patterns for each of the plurality of alphabet keys such that each of the plurality of alphabet keys is operable to output one character in response to a key operation conforming to one of the input patterns;

receiving activation of the input mode switching key, wherein the input mode switching key is associated with key options, each of key options is associated with one of the plurality of character input methods, and the input mode switching key is operable as a toggle key;

selecting a target key option among the key options through a switching among the key options from a first key option to a second key option according to a preset arrangement of the key options in response to the activation of the input mode switching key conforming to a first input pattern;

allowing a return during the switching among the key options from the second key option to the first key option according to the preset arrangement of the key options in response to the activation of the input mode switching key conforming to a second input pattern;

selecting one of the key options as the target key option through the switching among the key options in response to a selecting operation based on the input mode switching key; and

allowing activation of the input mode switching key according to the target key option;

wherein activation of the input mode switching key according to a currently selected one of the key options activates a switching among the plurality of character input methods from a first character input method to a second character input method, the switching among the plurality of character input methods comprises deactivation of the first character input method and activation of the second character input method, the first character input method of the plurality of character input methods is associated with a previously selected one of the key options and represents a first one of the plurality of keyboard layouts and a first one of the plurality of keyboard functions, and the second character input method of the plurality of character input methods is associated with the currently selected one of the key options and represents a second one of the plurality of keyboard layouts and a second one of the plurality of keyboard functions.

16. The text input mode selection method as claimed in claim 15, wherein a text input key in the plurality of alphabet keys which is initially associated with a first character set of one or more characters is associated with a second character set of one or more characters in substitution for the first character set as a result of the switching among the plurality of character input methods from the first character input method to the second character input method.

17. The text input mode selection method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the input mode switching key is operable to receive activation by receiving an touch operation comprising an operation of a press, an operation of a touch movement track, or an combination of a press and a touch movement track.

18. The text input mode selection method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the touch movement track begins from the input mode switching key.

19. The text input mode selection method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the touch movement track comprises a touch movement during an operation period of the input mode switching key initiated by the activation of the input mode switching key.

20. A text input mode selection method executable by an electronic device capable, comprising:

displaying a first virtual keyboard area among virtual keyboards of different keyboard definitions, wherein the first virtual keyboard area comprises a plurality of alphabet keys;

utilizing the first virtual keyboard area as a base for one or more touch operations detectable by a touch detection function, wherein the first virtual keyboard area is operable to be switched to and retain activation of one of a plurality of character input methods, activation and deactivation of each of the plurality of character input methods is controlled by an input mode switching key separated from the plurality of alphabet keys, each of the plurality of character input methods defines a keyboard layout and a keyboard function such that the plurality of character input methods define a plurality of keyboard layouts and a plurality of keyboard functions, each of the plurality of keyboard layouts defines association which maps each character in an alphabet of a language to one of the plurality of alphabet keys such that each key of the plurality of alphabet keys is operable as a toggle key and is associated with one or more characters for text input, each of the plurality of keyboard functions defines input patterns for each of the plurality of alphabet keys such that each of the plurality of alphabet keys is operable to output one character in response to a key operation conforming to one of the input patterns;

allowing switching among the plurality of character input methods from a first character input method to a second character input method according to a default arrangement of the plurality of character input methods in response to a user operation based on the input mode switching key conforming to a first input pattern, wherein the user operation conforms to a first input pattern if comprising a touch on the graphical user interface element the input mode switching key for a period less than a predetermined time interval, and the input mode switching key is operable as a toggle key;

providing key options of the input mode switching key, wherein each of the key options is associated with one of the plurality of character input methods;

allowing a forward movement of a focus among the key options from a first key option associated with the first character input method to a second key option associated with the second character input method during traversal of the key options of the input mode switching key in response to a first selection operation based on the input mode switching key; and

allowing a backward movement of the focus from the second key option associated with the second character input method to the first key option associated with the first character input method during traversal of the key options of the input mode switching key in response to a second selection operation based on the input mode switching key;

allowing activation of the input mode switching key according to a currently selected one of the key options to activate a switching among the plurality of character input methods from a first one of the plurality of character input methods to a second one of the plurality of character input methods, the switching among the plurality of character input methods comprises deactivation of the first one of the plurality of character input methods and activation of the second one of the plurality of character input methods, the first one of the plurality of character input methods is associated with a previously selected one of the key options and represents a first one of the plurality of keyboard layouts and a first one of the plurality of keyboard functions, and the second one of the plurality of character input methods is associated with the currently selected one of the key options and represents a second one of the plurality of keyboard layouts and a second one of the plurality of keyboard functions.

21. A text input mode selection method executable by an electronic device, comprising:

displaying a first virtual keyboard area, wherein the first virtual keyboard area comprises a plurality of alphabet keys;

utilizing the first virtual keyboard area as a base for one or more touch operations detectable by a touch detection function, wherein the first virtual keyboard area is operable to be switched to and retain activation of one of a plurality of character input methods, activation and deactivation of each of the plurality of character input methods is controlled by an input mode switching key separated from the plurality of alphabet keys, each of the plurality of character input methods defines a keyboard layout and a keyboard function such that the plurality of character input methods define a plurality of keyboard layouts and a plurality of keyboard functions, each of the plurality of keyboard layouts defines association which maps each character in an alphabet of a language to one of the plurality of alphabet keys such that each key of the plurality of alphabet keys is operable as a toggle key and is associated with one or more characters for text input, each of the plurality of keyboard functions defines input patterns for each of the plurality of alphabet keys such that each of the plurality of alphabet keys is operable to output one character in response to a key operation conforming to one of the input patterns;

providing key options of the input mode switching key, wherein each of the key options is associated with one of the plurality of character input methods, and the input mode switching key is operable as a toggle key;

allowing a focus of the key options to cycle through the key options in response to touch operations based on the input mode switching key conforming to a first input pattern;

allowing expanding the key options by displaying an expanded graphical user interface component including all of the key options in response to a prolonged touch operation based on the input mode switching key conforming to a second input pattern;

allowing switching the focus from a first one of the key options to a second one of the key options according to a default arrangement of key options in response to operations based on the input mode switching key;

allowing switching the focus from the first one of the key options to a third one of the key options disregarding the default arrangement of the key options in response to operations based on input mode switching key, wherein the third one of the key options is associated with a third character input method of the plurality of character input methods;

allowing activation of the input mode switching key according to a currently selected one of the key options to activate a switching among the plurality of character input methods from a first character input method to a second character input method, the switching among the plurality of character input methods comprises deactivation of the first character input method and activation of the second character input method, the first character input method of the plurality of character input methods is associated with a previously selected one of the key options and represents a first one of the plurality of keyboard layouts and a first one of the plurality of keyboard functions, and the second character input method of the plurality of character input methods is associated with the currently selected one of the key options and represents a second one of the plurality of keyboard layouts and a second one of the plurality of keyboard functions.

22. The text input mode selection method as claimed is claim 21, wherein text input mode selection method is executed by a portable device in wireless connection with a television device, and the text input mode selection method further comprises:

receiving by the television device text inputs from the portable device in wireless connection with the television device.