DISPLAYING MNEMONIC ABBREVIATIONS FOR COMMANDS

• US 20090249253A1
• Filed: 03/31/2008
• Published: 10/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Palm, Inc. (TCL Technology Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Mercer, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 9,053,088 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/827
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/274 Converting codes to words; Guess-ahead of partial word inputs

Abstract

Abbreviations are displayed for user-entered text commands, to facilitate discovery of keyboard shortcuts and to reinforce branding. Users enter commands by typing them into a text input field. Commands can be provided in a verb-noun structure, where the verb specifies what is to be done and the noun specifies the object or a parameter for the verb. Upon user entry of a command, or portion thereof, the entered portion is replaced by an abbreviation. The abbreviation can represent a single key, key combination, or multi-character string. The abbreviation can also include a logo or other graphic component, if desired. The abbreviation can replace the verb portion of the entered command, or it can be shown alongside or adjacent to the text input field, or it can be shown in an overlay or according to any other mechanism. A transition effect can be performed when introducing the abbreviation.

Claims

1. A method of displaying an abbreviation for a user-entered command, comprising:

receiving user input comprising a series of characters representing at least a portion of a command;

displaying the series of characters;

displaying an alternative representation of the command represented by the series of characters; and

performing the command.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

displaying the series of characters comprises displaying the series of characters in a text entry field; and

displaying an alternative representation of the command comprises displaying the alternative representation of the command in the text entry field.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

displaying an alternative representation of the command comprises replacing the series of characters with the alternative representation of the command.

4. The method of claim 5, wherein displaying an alternative representation of the command comprises:

displaying a transition effect to introduce the alternative representation of the command; and

displaying a transition effect to remove the series of characters from the display.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the alternative representation of the command comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a text-based abbreviation of the series of characters; and

a graphical representation of the command.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving user input comprises receiving user input via a keyboard.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the alternative representation is performed responsive to user completion of the series of characters representing the command.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the alternative representation is performed responsive to user completion of a series of characters representing an abbreviation for the command.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the alternative representation is performed responsive to user completion of a series of characters representing a portion of the command sufficient to unambiguously identify the command.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the alternative representation is performed responsive to the user pressing a key indicating completion of entry of the command.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the alternative representation is performed responsive to the user pausing for at least a predetermined period of time during input of the series of characters.

12. A method of displaying an abbreviation for a user-entered command, comprising:

receiving user input comprising a first series of characters representing at least a portion of a first component of a command;

displaying the first series of characters;

displaying an alternative representation of the component of the command represented by the first series of characters; and

receiving user input comprising a second series of characters representing a second component of a command;

displaying the second series of characters;

performing the command.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein:

the first component of the command comprises a verb; and

the second component of the command comprises a noun.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein:

the first component of the command comprises an action; and

the second component of the command comprises a parameter for the action.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the alternative representation of the component of the command comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a text-based abbreviation of the first series of characters; and

a graphical representation of the first component of the command.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein displaying the alternative representation is performed responsive to user completion of the first series of characters representing the first component of the command.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein displaying the alternative representation is performed prior to user input of the second series of characters.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein displaying the alternative representation is performed concurrently with user input of the second series of characters.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein displaying the alternative representation is performed after user input of the second series of characters.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein displaying the alternative representation is performed responsive to user completion of a series of characters representing an abbreviation for the first component of the command.

21. The method of claim 12, wherein displaying the alternative representation is performed responsive to user completion of a series of characters representing a portion of the command sufficient to unambiguously identify the first component of the command.

22. A computer program product for displaying an abbreviation for a user-entered command, comprising:

a computer-readable medium; and

computer program code, encoded on the medium, for;

receiving user input comprising a series of characters representing at least a portion of a command;

displaying the series of characters;

displaying an alternative representation of the command represented by the series of characters; and

performing the command.

23. A computer program product for displaying an abbreviation for a user-entered command, comprising:

a computer-readable medium; and

computer program code, encoded on the medium, for;

receiving user input comprising a first series of characters representing at least a portion of a first component of a command;

displaying the first series of characters;

displaying an alternative representation of the component of the command represented by the first series of characters; and

receiving user input comprising a second series of characters representing a second component of a command;

displaying the second series of characters;

performing the command.

24. A system for displaying an abbreviation for a user-entered command, comprising:

an input device, for receiving user input comprising a series of characters representing at least a portion of a command;

a display device, for displaying the series of characters and for displaying an alternative representation of the command represented by the series of characters; and

a processor, for performing the command.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the user-entered command comprises at least a first component and a second component, and wherein the alternative representation of the command comprises:

an alternative representation of the first component of the command; and

the second component of the command.