Data entry using a reduced keyboard
First Claim
1. An ambiguity resolver having an input for receiving a data string entered using an ambiguous data source, a comparator for comparing the data string to be searched against a plurality of strings to find at least one closest match to the data string, and an output for outputting a comparison result.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An ambiguity resolver having an input for receiving a data string entered using an ambiguous keyboard, a comparator for comparing the data string to be searched against a plurality of prestored words to find at least one closest match to the data string, and an output for outputting a comparison result. An ambiguous keyboard is one in which more than one character is mapped to a single key, a particular example being a telephone keypad used for entering all the alphanumeric characters.
82 Citations
73 Claims
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1. An ambiguity resolver having
an input for receiving a data string entered using an ambiguous data source, a comparator for comparing the data string to be searched against a plurality of strings to find at least one closest match to the data string, and an output for outputting a comparison result.
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15. The use of an approximate search engine on data strings entered using an ambiguous keyboard, to resolve key ambiguities of the ambiguous keyboard.
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23. An approximate search engine having
an input for receiving a data string from a mobile telecommunication device, an approximate string comparator for comparing the input data string against a plurality of prestored words to find at least one prestored word being closest to the input data string, and an output for outputting the at least one closest prestored word.
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36. An approximate search engine having
an input for receiving a data string to be searched, a comparator for comparing the data string to be searched against a plurality of prestored words to find at least one closest match to the data string, and an output for outputting a comparison result, wherein the comparator comprises a pattern matcher for obtaining the at least one closest match by pattern matching.
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48. A mobile data processing device having
an ambiguous keyboard for entering a number of input characters via a smaller number of input keys, wherein at least one key has a plurality of the input characters mapped thereto, an approximate searching, engine, and a database of expected strings, wherein distances are predefined between input characters based on respective keys to which they are mapped, and wherein the approximate searching engine is operable to match a given input string against the expected strings to produce at least one candidate string having a minimal distance to the input string.
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49. A method of entering precise data into a system via an ambiguous keyboard, comprising the steps of:
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entering the data ambiguously via the ambiguous keyboard, comparing the data against a database of likely inputs using an approximate search engine until at least one closest match is determined, and selecting the at least one closest match as precise input.
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57. An interactive television system comprising
an ambiguity resolver having an input for receiving a data string entered using an ambiguous data source, a comparator for comparing the data string to be searched against a plurality of strings to find at least one closest match to the data string, and an output for outputting a comparison result.
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67. A reduced keyboard having a first number of input keys representing a second number of input characters wherein the second number is greater than the first number such that a plurality of characters are mapped to at least some input keys, wherein the characters are divided into groups and wherein the reduced keyboard has a mode switch for switching the input keys between each group of characters.
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69. An automated call center comprising an approximate search engine and a database and wherein incoming strings serve to interrogate the database using the approximate search engine to output subscriber contact data.
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71. An automated call center wherein the approximate search engine is operative to compensate for data entered via an ambiguous keyboard.
- 72. An electronic network address verifier comprising a database of addresses on the electronic network, a message address checker and an approximate search engine, and wherein the checker is operable to identify an address in a message for the network and to use the address to interrogate the database using the approximate search engine.
Specification