Data entry for personal computing devices

• US 7,293,231 B1
• Filed: 08/01/2000
• Issued: 11/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ergodyne Corporation (Klein Tools Incorporated), 602531 British Columbia Limited (WordLogic Corporation)
• Original Assignee: British Columbia Ltd
• Inventors: Chapman, John, Gunn, Harold David
• Primary Examiner(s): Hutton, Doug
• Assistant Examiner(s): Blackwell, James H.
• Application Number:
  US09/631,101
• Time in Patent Office: 2,653 Days
• Field of Search: 715/541, 715/505, 715/534, 715/530, 715/531, 365/189.01, 345/173, 345/179, 345/156, 382/187, 707/531
• US Class Current: 345/179
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0236 using selection techniques to select from displayed items
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0237 using prediction or retrieval techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• 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

Abstract

In one aspect of the invention, the user can rapidly enter and search for text through a combination of entering one or more characters (a partial text entry) on a digitally displayed keyboard with a pointing device and using a search list to display a list of selectable completion candidates based on the partial text entry. The user can select one of the completion candidates in the search list to replace the partial text entry which the user is currently entering. Alternatively, the user can select a completion candidate to be the basis of a search for a refined list of completion candidates. The user can also deactivate the interactive search list, and immediately continue adding to or modifying the current partial text entry, and may re-invoke the search list to further search for completion candidates based on the modified partial text entry.

Claims

1. A method of processing text entered into a personal computing device with a pointing device, the method comprising:

(a) receiving a partial text entry comprising at least a first character;

(b) in response to receipt of the first character of the partial text entry, obtaining a dynamically generated list of completion candidates based on the partial text entry;

(c) displaying the list of completion candidates in a search list within a graphical user interface;

(d) receiving a user input signal associated with the pointing device;

(e) if the user input signal corresponds to a first type of user selection with the pointing device, deactivating the search list;

(f) if the user input signal corresponds to a second type of user selection with the pointing device, replacing the partial text entry with a completion candidate from the search list; and

(g) obtaining a refined list of completion candidates for display in the search list when a completion candidate in the search list remains selected for a predetermined time limit.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying the refined list of completion candidates in the search list for further user selection, and monitoring for a further user input signal associated with the pointing device.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein obtaining the refined list of completion candidates for display in the search list comprises obtaining the refined list of completion candidates when a gesture is made with the pointing device towards a completion candidate in the search list in order to select the completion candidate and the completion candidate remains selected for the predetermined time limit.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein obtaining the refined list of completion candidates for display in the search list comprises obtaining the refined list of completion candidates when a predetermined character or key is selected.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein obtaining the refined list of completion candidates for display in the search list comprises obtaining the refined list of completion candidates when a gesture is made with the pointing device in a particular direction for at least a predetermined minimum distance in order to select the completion candidate and the completion candidate remains selected for the predetermined time limit.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the user input signal corresponds to the first type of user selection with the pointing device when the pointing device is lifted up from an input-sensitive surface of the personal computing device without any significant movement once the search list is displayed.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the user input signal corresponds to the first type of user selection with the pointing device when a button on a mouse is selected.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the user input signal corresponds to the second type of user selection with the pointing device when a gesture is made with the pointing device towards a completion candidate in the search list to select the completion candidate and another user input signal is received indicating acceptance by the user of the completion candidate.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the user input signal corresponds to the second type of user selection with the pointing device when a gesture is made with the pointing device onto a completion candidate in the search list to select the completion candidate and the completion candidate remains selected for the predetermined time limit.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the user input signal corresponds to the second type of user selection with the pointing device when a gesture is made with the pointing device in a direction associated with a desired completion candidate.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the user input signal corresponds to the second type of user selection with the pointing device when a motion is made with the pointing device in a particular direction associated with a desired completion candidate for at least a predetermined distance while the pointing device is in an active state and a further action is made with the pointing device to accept the desired completion candidate.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the user input signal corresponds to the second type of user selection with the pointing device when a completion candidate in the search list is selected to replace the partial text entry.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising preparing to receive a new partial text entry once the partial text entry is replaced with a completion candidate from the search list.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an end-of-entry signal and preparing to receive a new partial text entry once the end-of-entry signal is received.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an end-of-entry signal once a predetermined character or key is selected, and preparing to receive a new partial text entry once the end-of-entry signal is received.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising preparing to receive a new partial text entry after the partial text entry is replaced with a completion candidate from the search list, but only if another user input signal is received that corresponds to an express user selection to terminate searching based on the partial text entry.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying in the graphical user interface an indication of a currently active entry mode selected from at least one of a keyboard mode and a search mode.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying in the graphical user interface a total number of completion candidates in a dictionary that begin with the partial text entry.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein if the user input signal corresponds to a further type of user selection with the pointing device, changing selections within the search list.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein if the user input signal corresponds to a further type of user selection with the pointing device, pausing without any further processing of the partial text entry or the search list until a new input signal identifying another type of user selection is received.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein at least part of the partial text entry is received via a digital keyboard, the method further comprising:

(a) displaying the digital keyboard in a user interface of the personal computing device when a user is entering text a keystroke at a time;

(b) monitoring for user input;

(c) if the user input corresponds to activating the search list, replacing the digital keyboard with the search list and waiting for further user input; and

(d) if the user input corresponds to terminating use of the search list once activated, replacing the search list with the digital keyboard and waiting for further user input.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein characters within the digital keyboard are displayed in rings with the characters in at least one ring organized alphabetically in a clockwise order.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein characters within the digital keyboard are displayed in rings with the characters in at least one ring organized alphabetically in a counter-clockwise order.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein characters within the digital keyboard are displayed in rings with about half of the characters in at least one ring organized alphabetically in a counter-clockwise order and the remaining characters in the at least one ring organized alphabetically in a clockwise order.

25. The method of claim 21, further comprising displaying the digital keyboard in response to a user selection, and hiding the digital keyboard in response to another user selection.

26. The method of claim 21, further comprising sensing for the pointing device with a proximity sensing input surface, displaying the digital keyboard when the pointing device is detected within a predetermined distance of a proximity sensing input surface, and hiding the digital keyboard when the pointing device not detected within the predetermined distance of the proximity sensing input surface.

27. The method of claim 21, further comprising displaying a cursor on a screen that tracks movement with the pointing device including displaying the cursor over the digital keyboard when the digital keyboard is active.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising relocating the cursor to a center of the digital keyboard when a character from the digital keyboard is selected.

29. The method of claim 1, wherein at least part of the partial text entry is received via a digital keyboard, the method further comprising displaying simultaneously both the digital keyboard and the search list.

30. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying the list of completion candidates in the search list as soon as they are retrieved by the candidate prediction system.

31. The method of claim 1, wherein at least part of the partial text entry is received via a digital keyboard, the method further comprising swapping between displaying one digital keyboard layout and at least one other digital keyboard layout in response to user input.

32. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

(a) configuring a digital keyboard to include a plurality of characters assigned to predetermined locations within a layout for the digital keyboard according to a predetermined frequency distribution associated with the plurality of characters, the plurality of characters including less commonly used characters and more commonly used characters based on the predetermined frequency distribution; and

(b) displaying the digital keyboard in a graphical user interface with the less commonly used characters displayed substantially further from a center of the digital keyboard than the more commonly used characters.

33. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the dynamically generated list of completion candidates includes retrieving completion candidates from multiple dictionaries each having their own weight values for completion candidates and generating a final list of completion candidates for display in the search list based on the weight values associated with the completion candidates retrieved from the multiple dictionaries.

34. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the dynamically generated list of completion candidates includes retrieving completion candidates from multiple dictionaries each having their own weight function for completion candidates and generating a final list of completion candidates for display in the search list based on weight values associated with the completion candidates retrieved from the multiple dictionaries and based on which of the dictionaries each particular completion candidate is retrieved from.

35. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising displaying the search list in a fixed location in a graphical user interface.

36. The method of claim 1, wherein at least part of the partial text entry is received via a digital keyboard, the method further comprising displaying the search list docked with the digital keyboard.

37. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying the list of completion candidates in the search list near a last known set of position coordinates for the pointing device.

38. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying at least one of the completion candidates from the list of completion candidates displayed in the search list near a last known set of position coordinates for the pointing device slightly offset from at least one of an x-axis or y-axis.

39. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying a cursor on a screen that tracks movement with the pointing device.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the cursor is displayed so as to track the movement of the pointing device precisely.

41. The method of claim 39, wherein the cursor is displayed so as to move about the screen a distance that is relative to the movement of the pointing device.

42. The method of claim 39, wherein the cursor is displayed on the screen in a position remote from the pointing device.

43. The method of claim 39, further comprising displaying the digital keyboard near where a pointing device is located in electronic text.

44. The method of claim 39, displaying the digital keyboard just below or above a line of text that is being created or edited.

45. A computer-readable medium having stored instructions for use in the execution of the method of claim 1.

46. The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining, for display in the search list, a second dynamically generated list of completion candidates based on the partial text entry, in response to modification of the partial text entry.

47. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

(a) receiving at least part of the partial text entry via a digital keyboard displayed in the graphical user interface; and

(b) displaying the search list while not displaying the digital keyboard within the graphical user interface in response to obtaining the refined list of completion candidates.

48. A system for processing text with a pointing device, the system comprising:

(a) means for receiving a partial text entry comprising at least a first character;

(b) means for obtaining a dynamically generated list of completion candidates based on the partial text entry in response to receipt of the first character of the partial text entry;

(c) means for displaying the list of completion candidates in a search list within a graphical user interface;

(d) means for receiving a user input signal associated with the pointing device;

(e) means for deactivating the search list and awaiting further user-initiated modification of the partial text entry if the user input signal corresponds to a first type of user selection with the pointing device;

(f) means for replacing the partial text entry with a completion candidate from the search list if the user input signal corresponds to a second type of user selection with the pointing device; and

(g) means for obtaining a refined list of completion candidates for display in the search list when a completion candidate in the search list remains selected for a predetermined time limit.

49. The system of claim 48, further comprising means for displaying the refined list of completion candidates in the search list for further user selection, and means for monitoring for a further user input signal associated with the pointing device.

50. The system of claim 48, further comprising means for preparing to receive a new partial text entry once an end-of-entry signal is received via a user interface.

51. The system of claim 48, further comprising means for preparing to receive a new partial text entry after the partial text entry is replaced with a completion candidate from the search list, but only if another user input signal is received that corresponds to an express user selection to terminate searching based on the partial text entry.

52. The system of claim 48, further comprising means for displaying in the graphical user interface an indication of a currently active entry mode selected from at least one of a keyboard mode and a search mode.

53. The system of claim 48, further comprising means for displaying in the graphical user interface a total number of completion candidates in a dictionary that begin with the partial text entry.

54. The system of claim 48, further comprising means for pausing without any further processing of the partial text entry or the search list until a new input signal identifying another type of user selection is received.

55. The system of claim 48, further comprising:

(a) means for displaying a digital keyboard on a display device when a user is entering text a keystroke at a time into a personal computing device with the pointing device;

(b) means for monitoring for user input;

(c) means for replacing the digital keyboard with the search list and waiting for further user input if the user input corresponds to activating the search list; and

(d) means for replacing the search list with the digital keyboard and waiting for further user input if the user input corresponds to terminating use of the search list once activated.

56. The system of claim 48, further comprising:

(a) means for receiving characters via a digital keyboard; and

(b) means for displaying simultaneously both the digital keyboard and the search list.

57. The system of claim 48, further comprising means for retrieving completion candidates from multiple dictionaries each having their own weight values for completion candidates, and means for generating a final list of completion candidates for display in the search list based on the weight values associated with the completion candidates retrieved from the multiple dictionaries.

58. The system of claim 48, further comprising means for obtaining and displaying a second dynamically generated list of completion candidates based on the partial text entry, in response to modification of the partial text entry.

59. The system of claim 48, further comprising:

(a) means for receiving at least part of the partial text entry via a digital keyboard displayed in the graphical user interface; and

(b) means for displaying the search list while not displaying the digital keyboard within the graphical user interface in response to obtaining the refined list of completion candidates.

60. A computer-readable medium for providing instructions for directing a processing unit to process text entered via a user interface with a pointing device, by:

(a) receiving a partial text entry;

(b) obtaining a dynamically generated list of completion candidates from a dictionary based on the partial text entry;

(c) displaying the list of completion candidates in a search list within a graphical user interface;

(d) receiving a user input signal associated with the pointing device;

(e) if the user input signal corresponds to a first type of user selection with the pointing device, deactivating the search list;

(f) if the user input signal corresponds to a second type of user selection with the pointing device, replacing the partial text entry with a completion candidate from the search list;

(g) if the user input signal corresponds to a third type of user selection with the pointing device, dynamically obtaining a refined list of completion candidates when one of the completion candidates from the search list remains selected for a predetermined time limit, displaying the refined list of completion candidates in the search list for further user selection, and monitoring for a further user input signal associated with the pointing device.

61. The computer-readable medium of claim 60, further comprising computer-readable instructions to further assist in directing the processing unit to process text entered via the user interface with the pointing device, by:

(a) receiving at least part of the partial text entry via a digital keyboard displayed in a graphical user interface; and

(b) displaying the search list while not displaying the digital keyboard within the graphical user interface in response to obtaining the refined list of completion candidates.

62. A system for computer-assisted text generation and entry, comprising:

(a) an input interface for receiving user input signals based on actions with a pointing device;

(b) a processing unit; and

(c) a computer-readable medium containing computer-readable instructions for directing the processing unit to assist with text generation and entry based on user input received via the input interface with the pointing device, by;

(i) receiving a partial text entry;

(ii) obtaining a dynamically generated list of completion candidates based on the partial text entry;

(iii) displaying the list of completion candidates in a search list in a display device;

(iv) receiving a user input signal associated with the pointing device from the input interface;

(v) if the user input signal corresponds to a first type of user selection with the pointing device, deactivating the search list;

(vi) if the user input signal corresponds to a second type of user selection with the pointing device, replacing the partial text entry with a completion candidate from the search list; and

(vii) obtaining a refined list of completion candidates for display in the search list when a completion candidate in the search list remains selected for a predetermined time limit.

63. The system of claim 62, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises computer-readable instructions to further assist the system by:

(a) receiving at least part of the partial text entry via a digital keyboard displayed in a graphical user interface; and

(b) displaying the search list while not displaying the digital keyboard within the graphical user interface in response to obtaining the new list of completion candidates.

64. A method of processing text entered into a personal computing device with a pointing device, the method comprising:

(a) receiving a partial text entry comprising at least a first character;

(b) in response to receipt of the first character of the partial text entry, obtaining a first plurality of completion candidates based on the partial text entry;

(c) displaying the first plurality of completion candidates in a search list within a graphical user interface;

(d) receiving a user input signal associated with the pointing device;

(e) if the user input signal corresponds to accepting a completion candidate from the search list to replace the partial text entry, modifying the partial text entry to become the accepted completion candidate; and

(f) if the user input signal corresponds to selecting a completion candidate from the search list to initiate further searching, obtaining a second plurality of completion candidates based on the selected completion candidate and displaying the second plurality of completion candidates in the search list for further selection;

wherein the user input signal corresponds to selecting a completion candidate from the search list to initiate further searching when a completion candidate in the search list remains selected for a predetermined time limit.

65. The method of claim 64, further comprising:

(a) receiving a new user input signal associated with the pointing device;

(b) if the new user input signal corresponds to accepting a completion candidate from the second plurality of completion candidates displayed in the search list to replace the partial text entry, modifying the partial text entry to become the accepted completion candidate from the second plurality of completion candidates displayed in the search list; and

(c) if the new user input signal corresponds to selecting a completion candidate from the second plurality of completion candidates displayed in the search list to initiate further searching, obtaining a further plurality of completion candidates based on the selected completion candidate and displaying the further plurality of completion candidates in the search list for further selection.

66. The method of claim 64, further comprising displaying in the graphical user interface a graphical indication when at least one more additional completion candidate beginning with the partial text entry is available in addition to the completion candidates displayed in the search list.

67. The method of claim 64, further comprising displaying the completion candidates in the search list with the part of each completion candidate matching the partial text entry displayed in a manner different from the remaining part of each of the completion candidates displayed in the search list.

68. The method of claim 64, further comprising displaying a completion candidate in substantially the same position in the search list each time the completion candidate is displayed in the search list.

69. The method of claim 64, further comprising displaying simultaneously both a digital keyboard and the search list, wherein at least part of the partial text entry is received via the digital keyboard, and wherein the partial text entry is modified via any of the digital keyboard and the search list.

70. The method of claim 69, further comprising:

in response to modification of the partial text entry via the digital keyboard,

(a) obtaining a modified set of completion candidates that begin with the partial text entry as modified; and

(b) displaying the modified set of completion candidates in the search list.

71. The method of claim 64, further comprising:

(a) receiving at least the first character of the partial text entry via a digital keyboard displayed in the graphical user interface; and

(b) displaying simultaneously the search list and the digital keyboard in the graphical user interface when the partial text entry comprises at least the first character.

72. The method of claim 64, further comprising

(a) receiving at least part of the partial text entry via a digital keyboard;

(b) displaying simultaneously the digital keyboard and the search list in the graphical user interface while the digital keyboard is in use; and

(c) displaying the search list while not displaying the digital keyboard in the graphical user interface in response to obtaining the second plurality of completion candidates.

73. The method of claim 64, further comprising:

(a) displaying a digital keyboard in a graphical user interface;

(b) receiving at least part of the partial text entry via the digital keyboard; and

(c) modifying the partial text entry via any of the digital keyboard and the search list.

74. The method of claim 73, further comprising displaying simultaneously both the digital keyboard and the search list.

75. The method of claim 74, further comprising obtaining a modified set of completion candidates that begin with the partial text entry as the partial text entry is modified.

76. A computer-readable medium having stored instructions for use in the execution of the method of claim 75.

77. The method of claim 75, further comprising:

(a) receiving at least the first character of the partial text entry via a digital keyboard displayed in a graphical user interface; and

(b) displaying simultaneously the search list and the digital keyboard in the graphical user interface when the partial text entry comprises at least the first character.

78. A computer-readable medium having stored instructions for use in the execution of the method of claim 77.

79. A computer-readable medium having stored instructions for use in the execution of the method of claim 74.

80. A computer-readable medium having stored instructions for use in the execution of the method of claim 73.

81. The method of claim 64, further comprising displaying a digital keyboard for generating at least part of the partial text entry.

82. The method of claim 81, further comprising modifying the partial text entry via any of the digital keyboard and the search list.

83. The method of claim 81, further comprising displaying simultaneously both the digital keyboard and the search list.

84. The method of claim 81, further comprising obtaining a modified set of completion candidates that begin with the partial text entry as the partial text entry is modified.

85. The method of claim 81, further comprising displaying simultaneously the digital keyboard and the search list in a user interface while the digital keyboard is in use.

86. The method of claim 85, further comprising replacing the digital keyboard with the search list in response to a user input signal associated with activating the search list.

87. The method of claim 86, further comprising replacing the search list with the digital keyboard in response to a user input signal associated with terminating use of the search list once activated.

88. The method of claim 86, further comprising displaying the digital keyboard in response to a user input signal associated with terminating use of the search list once activated.

89. The method of claim 81, further comprising:

(a) displaying simultaneously the digital keyboard and the search list in a graphical user interface while the digital keyboard is in use; and

(b) displaying the search list while not displaying the digital keyboard in the graphical user interface in response to obtaining the second plurality of completion candidates.

90. A system of processing text entered into a personal computing device with a pointing device, the system comprising:

(a) means for receiving a partial text entry comprising at least a first character;

(b) means for obtaining a first plurality of completion candidates in response to receipt of the first character of the partial text entry;

(c) means for displaying the first plurality of completion candidates in a search list;

(d) means for receiving a user input signal associated with the pointing device;

(e) means for modifying the partial text entry to become an accepted completion candidate, if the user input signal corresponds to accepting a completion candidate from the search list to replace the partial text entry; and

(f) means for obtaining, if the user input signal corresponds to selecting a completion candidate from the search list for a predetermined time limit to initiate further searching, a second plurality of completion candidates based on the selected completion candidate and displaying the second plurality of completion candidates in the search list for further selection.

91. The system of claim 90, further comprising:

(a) means for receiving a new user input signal associated with the pointing device;

(b) means for modifying the partial text entry to become the accepted completion candidate from the second plurality of completion candidates displayed in the search list if the new user input signal corresponds to accepting a completion candidate from the second plurality of completion candidates displayed in the search list to replace the partial text entry; and

(c) means for obtaining a further plurality of completion candidates based on the selected completion candidate and displaying the further plurality of completion candidates in the search list for further selection if the new user input signal corresponds to selecting a completion candidate from the second plurality of completion candidates displayed in the search list to initiate further searching.

92. The system of claim 91, further comprising means for displaying the completion candidates in the search list with the part of a particular completion candidate displayed in the search list matching the partial text entry displayed in a manner different from the remaining part of the particular completion candidate displayed in the search list.

93. The system of claim 92, further comprising means for displaying in a graphical user interface a graphical indication when at least one more additional completion candidate beginning with the partial text entry is available in addition to the completion candidates displayed in the search list.

94. The system of claim 90, further comprising means for displaying completion candidates from the first plurality of completion candidates or from the second plurality of completion candidates in the search list with the part of each completion candidate matching the partial text entry displayed in a manner different from the remaining part of each of the completion candidates displayed in the search list.

95. The system of claim 90, further comprising means for displaying a completion candidate from the first plurality of completion candidates or from the second plurality of completion candidates in substantially the same position in the search list each time the completion candidate is displayed in the search list.

96. The system of claim 90, further comprising means for displaying simultaneously both a digital keyboard and the search list, wherein at least part of the partial text entry is received via the digital keyboard, and wherein the partial text entry is modified via any of the digital keyboard and the search list.

97. The system of claim 90, further comprising:

(a) means for receiving a new user input signal associated with the pointing device;

(b) means for modifying the partial text entry to become the accepted completion candidate from the second plurality of completion candidates displayed in the search list if the new user input signal corresponds to acceptance of a completion candidate from the second plurality of completion candidates displayed in the search list to replace the partial text entry; and

(c) means for obtaining a further plurality of completion candidates based on the selected completion candidate and displaying the further plurality of completion candidates in the search list for further selection if the new user input signal corresponds to selection of a completion candidate from the second plurality of completion candidates displayed in the search list to initiate further searching.

98. The system of claim 97, further comprising means for displaying completion candidates from the first plurality of completion candidates or from the second plurality of completion candidates in the search list with the part of a particular completion candidate displayed in the search list matching the partial text entry displayed in a manner different from the remaining part of the particular completion candidate displayed in the search list.

99. The system of claim 97, wherein the means for obtaining the second plurality of completion candidates further comprises means for initiating further searching when a completion candidate in the search list remains selected for a predetermined time limit.

100. The system of claim 90, further comprising means for displaying completion candidates from the first plurality of completion candidates or from the second plurality of completion candidates in the search list with the part of a particular completion candidate displayed in the search list matching the partial text entry displayed in a manner different from the remaining part of the particular completion candidate displayed in the search list.

101. The system of claim 90, further comprising means for displaying in a graphical user interface a graphical indication when at least one more additional completion candidate from the first plurality of completion candidates or from the second plurality of completion candidates beginning with the partial text entry is available in addition to the completion candidates displayed in the search list.

102. The system of claim 90, further comprising:

(a) means for displaying a digital keyboard in a graphical user interface;

(b) means for receiving at least part of the partial text entry via the digital keyboard; and

(c) means for modifying the partial text entry via any of the digital keyboard and the search list.

103. The system of claim 102, further comprising means for displaying simultaneously the digital keyboard and the search list.

104. The system of claim 103, further comprising means for obtaining a modified set of completion candidates that begin with the partial text entry as the partial text entry is modified.

105. The system of claim 104, further comprising:

(a) means for receiving at least the first character of the partial text entry via a digital keyboard displayed in a graphical user interface; and

(b) means for displaying simultaneously the search list and the digital keyboard in the graphical user interface when the partial text entry comprises at least the first character.

106. The system of claim 90, further comprising:

(a) means for receiving at least part of the partial text entry via a digital keyboard;

(b) means for displaying simultaneously the digital keyboard and the search list in a graphical user interface while the digital keyboard is in use; and

(c) means for displaying the search list while not displaying the digital keyboard in the graphical user interface in response to obtaining the second plurality of completion candidates.

107. The system of claim 90, further comprising means for displaying a digital keyboard for generating at least part of the partial text entry.

108. The system of claim 107, further comprising means for modifying the partial text entry via any of the digital keyboard and the search list.

109. The system of claim 107, further comprising means for displaying simultaneously both the digital keyboard and the search list.

110. The system of claim 107, further comprising means for obtaining a modified set of completion candidates that begin with the partial text entry as the partial text entry is modified.

111. The system of claim 107, further comprising means for displaying simultaneously the digital keyboard and the search list in a user interface while the digital keyboard is in use.

112. The system of claim 111, further comprising means for replacing the digital keyboard with the search list in response to a user input signal associated with activating the search list.

113. The system of claim 112, further comprising means for replacing the search list with the digital keyboard in response to a user input signal associated with terminating use of the search list once activated.

114. The system of claim 112, further comprising means for further displaying the digital keyboard in response to a user input signal associated with terminating use of the search list once activated.

115. The system of claim 90, further comprising:

(a) means for displaying simultaneously the digital keyboard and the search list in a graphical user interface while the digital keyboard is in use; and

(b) means for displaying the search list while not displaying the digital keyboard in the graphical user interface in response to obtaining the second plurality of completion candidates.

116. A computer-readable medium comprising codes for directing a processing unit to process text entered into a personal computing device with a pointing device, by:

(a) receiving a partial text entry comprising at least a first character;

(b) obtaining a first plurality of completion candidates in response to receipt of the first character of the partial text entry;

(c) displaying the first plurality of completion candidates in a search list;

(d) receiving a user input signal associated with the pointing device;

(e) modifying the partial text entry to become an accepted completion candidate, if the user input signal corresponds to accepting a completion candidate from the search list to replace the partial text entry; and

(f) if the user input signal corresponds to selecting a completion candidate from the search list for at least a predetermined time limit to initiate further searching, obtaining a second plurality of completion candidates based on the selected completion candidate and displaying the second plurality of completion candidates in the search list for further selection.