Title: Device, methods, and user interface for providing optimized entry of alphanumeric text
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.
Patent Number: 6,882,869 Issued on 04/19/2005 to Toebes, et al.
| Inventors:
|
Toebes; John A. (Cary, NC);
Slain; Ilya N. (Santa Clara, CA)
|
| Assignee:
|
Cisco Technology, Inc. (San Jose, CA)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
741690 |
| Filed:
|
December 19, 2000 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
455/566; 455/550.1; 345/157 |
| Intern'l Class: |
H04B 001//38; G09G 005//00 |
| Field of Search: |
455/566,550.1,575.1,556.1,556.2,414.1,550,575,556,575.4
345/157,171,816-817,831
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
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|
| 5841849 | Nov., 1998 | Macor | 379/142.
|
| 5870683 | Feb., 1999 | Wells et al. | 455/566.
|
| 5952942 | Sep., 1999 | Balakrishnan et al. | 341/20.
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| 5977887 | Nov., 1999 | Grimmett | 341/26.
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| 6009444 | Dec., 1999 | Chen | 715/535.
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| 6052070 | Apr., 2000 | Kivela et al. | 341/22.
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| 6130628 | Oct., 2000 | Schneider-Hufschmidt et al. | 341/26.
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| 6169538 | Jan., 2001 | Nowlan et al. | 345/168.
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| 6307541 | Oct., 2001 | Ho et al. | 345/171.
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| 6370363 | Apr., 2002 | Fukuzato | 455/90.
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| 6442270 | Aug., 2002 | Simon et al. | 379/355.
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| 6459390 | Oct., 2002 | Kim | 341/20.
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| 6487424 | Nov., 2002 | Kraft et al. | 455/566.
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| 6510235 | Jan., 2003 | Shin et al. | 382/100.
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| 6618586 | Sep., 2003 | Inoue | 455/415.
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| 6646573 | Nov., 2003 | Kushler et al. | 341/28.
|
| 6674372 | Jan., 2004 | Ouyang | 341/28.
|
Primary Examiner: Trost; William
Assistant Examiner: Miller; Brandon J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Baker Botts L.L.P.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for providing selectable characters within a user interface
comprising:
determining an operating mode of a communication device;
receiving an input associated with a selected key;
determining a group of characters associated with the selected key based on
the operating mode;
displaying a first character of the group of characters associated with the
selected key within a first portion of the user interface;
displaying the group of characters associated with the selected key
proximal to the first character within a second portion of the user
interface;
highlighting the first character displayed within the second portion of the
user interface;
receiving a second input associated with the selected key;
highlighting a second character within the group of characters associated
with the selected key in response to the second input; and
displaying the second character within the first portion of the user
interface.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
horizontally displaying the group of characters associated with the
selected key within a second portion of the user interface; and
centrally displaying a cursor relative to the second portion of the user
interface within a first portion of the user interface, the cursor
displaying a first highlighted character displayed within the group of
characters associated with the selected key.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising segmenting the group of
characters associated with the selected key displayed within the user
interface.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining a display mode associated with displaying the group of
characters associated with the selected key within the user interface; and
displaying the group of characters associated with the selected key based
on the determined display mode.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining a time interval between receiving the first input and receiving
the second input; and
calculating a time-out period using the time interval.
6. A user interface for displaying selectable characters comprising:
a first display portion operable to display a group of characters
associated with a selected key in response to the selected key being
selected;
a second display portion operable to display a first character from the
group of characters associated with the selected key proximal to the first
display portion, in response to the selected key being selected a first
time, and operable to display a second character from the characters
associated with the selected key, in response to the selected key being
selected a second time; and
an input device operably coupled to the first display portion and the
second display portion, the input device comprising a plurality of keys.
7. The user interface of claim 6, further comprising at least one operating
mode associated with providing the group of characters.
8. The user interface of claim 6, wherein the display mode comprises:
a horizontal display operable to display the group of characters within the
first display portion; and
a cursor centrally displayed relative to the first display portion within
the second display portion.
9. The user interface of claim 6, further comprising an algorithm operable
to determine a time-out period based on user interaction with the user
interface.
10. The user interface device of claim 6, wherein the input device
comprises a keypad having at least one key operably coupled to the group
of characters based on an operating mode.
11. The user interface of claim 6, further comprising selectable soft keys
displayed within a portion of the user interface.
12. A communication device for providing a communication address
comprising:
means for determining an operating mode of a communication device;
means for receiving an input associated with a selected key;
means for determining a group of characters associated with the selected
key based on the operating mode;
means for displaying a first character of the group of characters
associated with the selected key within a first portion of the user
interface;
means for displaying the group of characters associated with the selected
key proximal to the first character within a second portion of the user
interface;
means for highlighting the first character displayed within the second
portion of the user interface;
means for receiving a second input to select a second character within the
group of characters associated with the selected key;
means for highlighting the second character within the group of characters
associated with the selected key; and
means for displaying the second character within the first portion of the
user interface.
13. The communication device of claim 12, further comprising:
means for horizontally displaying the group of characters associated with
the selected key within a second portion of the user interface; and
means for centrally displaying a cursor relative to the second portion of
the user interface within a first portion of the user interface, the
cursor displaying a first highlighted character displayed within the group
of characters associated with the selected key.
14. The communication device of claim 12, further comprising:
means for receiving a second input associated with selecting the selected
key;
means for determining a time interval between receiving the first input and
receiving the second input; and
means for calculating a time-out period in association with receiving the
second input.
15. A medium comprising encoded logic for displaying selectable characters
operable to:
determine an operating mode of a communication device;
receive an input associated with a selected key;
determine a group of characters associated with the selected key based on
the operating mode;
display a first character from the group of characters associated with the
selected key within a first portion of the user interface;
display the group of characters associated with the selected key proximal
to the first character within a second portion of the user interface;
highlight the first character displayed within the second portion of the
user interface;
receive a second input to select a second character within the group of
characters associated with the selected key;
highlight the second character within the group of characters associated
with the selected key; and
display the second character within the first portion of the user
interface.
16. The medium of claim 15, further comprising logic operable to:
horizontally display the group of characters associated with the selected
key within a second portion of the user interface; and
centrally display a cursor relative to the second portion of the user
interface within a first portion of the user interface, the cursor
displaying a first highlighted character displayed within the group of
characters associated with the selected key.
17. The medium of claim 15, further comprising logic operable to:
determine a display mode associated with displaying the group of characters
associated with the selected key within the user interface; and
display the group of characters associated with the selected key based on
the determined display mode.
18. The medium of claim 15, further comprising logic operable to:
determine a time interval between receiving the first input and receiving
the second input; and
calculate a time-out period using the time interval.
19. The medium of claim 15, further comprising logic operable to:
determine a time-out period associated with displaying the group of
characters associated with the selected key;
highlight a first character within the group of characters associated with
the selected key; and
highlight a second character within the group of characters associated with
the selected key.
20. A method for providing selectable characters within a user interface
comprising:
determining an operating mode of a communication device;
receiving a first input associated with a selected key;
determining a group of characters associated with the selected key based on
the operating mode;
displaying a first character of the group of characters associated with the
selected key within a first portion of the user interface;
displaying a cursor within the first portion of the user interface, the
cursor positioned centrally relative to a second portion of the user
interface and highlighting the first character; and
horizontally displaying the group of characters associated with the
selected key proximal to the first character within a second portion of
the user interface.
21. The method of claim 20, further comprising segmenting the group of
characters associated with the selected key displayed within the second
portion of the user interface.
22. The method of claim 20, further comprising:
determining a display mode associated with displaying the group of
characters associated with the selected key within the user interface; and
displaying the group of characters associated with the selected key based
on the determined display mode.
23. The method of claim 20, further comprising:
receiving a second input associated with the selected key;
determining a time interval between receiving the first input and receiving
the second input; and
calculating a time-out period using the time interval.
24. A user interface for displaying selectable characters comprising:
a first display portion operable to horizontally display a group of
characters associated with a selected key in response to the selected key
being selected a first time;
a second display portion;
a cursor centrally displayed relative to the first display portion within
the second display portion, operable to display a first character of the
group of characters associated with the selected key proximal to the first
display portion, in response to the selected key being selected a first
time, and operable to display a second character of the characters
associated with the selected key, in response to the selected key being
selected a second time; and
an input device operably coupled to the first display portion and the
second display portion, the input device comprising a plurality of keys.
25. The user interface of claim 24, further comprising at least one
operating mode associated with providing the group of characters.
26. The user interface of claim 24, further comprising an algorithm
operable to determine a time-out period based on user interaction with the
user interface.
27. The user interface device of claim 24, wherein the input device
comprises a keypad having at least one key operably coupled to the group
of characters based on an operating mode.
28. The user interface of claim 24, further comprising selectable soft keys
displayed within a portion of the user interface.
29. A communication device for providing a communication address
comprising:
means for determining an operating mode of a communication device;
means for receiving an input associated with a selected key;
means for determining a group of characters associated with the selected
key based on the operating mode;
means for displaying a first character of the group of characters
associated with the selected key within a first portion of the user
interface;
means for displaying a cursor within the first portion of the user
interface, the cursor positioned centrally relative to a second portion of
the user interface and highlighting the first character; and
means for horizontally displaying the group of characters associated with
the selected key proximal to the first character within the second portion
of the user interface.
30. A medium comprising encoded logic for displaying selectable characters
operable to:
determine an operating mode of a communication device;
receive an input associated with a selected key;
determine a group of characters associated with the selected key based on
the operating mode;
display a first character of the group of characters associated with the
selected key within a first portion of the user interface;
display a cursor within the first portion of the user interface, the cursor
positioned centrally relative to a second portion of the user interface
and highlighting the first character; and
horizontally display the group of characters associated with the selected
key proximal to the first character within a second portion of the user
interface.
31. The medium of claim 30, further comprising logic operable to:
determine a display mode associated with displaying the group of characters
associated with the selected key within the user interface; and
display the group of characters associated with the selected key based on
the determined display mode.
32. The medium of claim 30, further comprising logic operable to:
receive a second input associated with the selected key;
determine a time interval between receiving the first input and receiving
the second input; and
calculate a time-out period using the time interval.
33. The medium of claim 30, further comprising logic operable to:
determine a time-out period associated with displaying the group of
characters associated with the selected key;
highlight a first character within the group of characters associated with
the selected key; and
highlight a second character within the group of characters associated with
the selected key based on the time-out period.
34. A method for providing selectable characters within a user interface
comprising:
determining an operating mode of a communication device;
receiving a first input associated with a selected key;
determining a group of characters associated with the selected key based on
the operating mode; and
displaying the group of characters associated with the selected key within
a user interface;
receiving a second input associated with the selected key;
determining a time interval between receiving the first input and receiving
the second input; and
calculating a time-out period based on the time interval.
35. The method of claim 34, further comprising segmenting the group of
characters associated with the selected key displayed within the user
interface.
36. The method of claim 34, further comprising:
determining a display mode associated with displaying the group of
characters associated with the selected key within the user interface; and
displaying the group of characters associated with the selected key based
on the determined display mode.
37. A user interface for displaying selectable characters comprising:
a first display portion operable to display a group of characters
associated with a selected key in response to the selected key being
selected;
a second display portion operable to display one of the characters
associated with the selected key proximal to the first display portion;
and
an input device operably coupled to the first display portion and the
second display portion, the input device comprising a plurality of keys
a processor operable to determine a time-out period based on user
interaction with the user interface.
38. The user interface of claim 37, further comprising at least one
operating mode associated with providing the group of characters.
39. The user interface device of claim 37, wherein the input device
comprises a keypad having at least one key operably coupled to the group
of characters based on an operating mode.
40. The user interface of claim 37, further comprising selectable soft keys
displayed within a portion of the user interface.
41. A communication device for providing a communication address
comprising:
means for determining an operating mode of a communication device;
means for receiving an input associated with a selected key;
means for determining a group of characters associated with the selected
key based on the operating mode;
means for displaying the group of characters associated with the selected
key within a user interface;
means for receiving a second input associated with selecting the selected
key;
means for determining a time interval between receiving the first input and
receiving the second input; and
means for calculating a time-out period based on the time interval.
42. A medium comprising encoded logic for displaying selectable characters
operable to:
determine an operating mode of a communication device;
receive an input associated with a selected key;
determine a group of characters associated with the selected key based on
the operating mode;
display the group of characters associated with the selected key within the
user interface;
receive a second input associated with the selected key;
determine a time interval between receiving the first input and receiving
the second input; and
calculate a time-out period based on at least the time interval.
43. The medium of claim 42, further comprising logic operable to:
determine a display mode associated with displaying the group of characters
associated with the selected key within the user interface; and
display the group of characters associated with the selected key based on
the determined display mode.
44. The medium of claim 42, further comprising logic operable to:
highlight a first character within the group of characters associated with
the selected key; and
highlight a second character within the group of characters associated with
the selected key based on the time-out period.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention generally relates to the field of communication, and
more particularly to a device, method and user interface for providing
optimized entry of alphanumeric text.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Current technologies exist for inputting characters within user interfaces
which have a limited number of keys for entering character strings. One
such solution presently used includes a T9 input where the user interface
guesses the best match of possible characters based on a stored list of
words or names. For example, a user may enter a character within a user
interface and a selectable list of names starting with the character may
be displayed within the user interface.
Another conventional solution deployed by present systems includes
"chording", a method in which every letter takes two keystrokes to input a
character. For example, to enter a character "A" a user would have to
press the "2" key and then any key on the top row (i.e. 1,2,3). Likewise,
to enter a "C" a user would press the "2" key and then any key from the
third row (i.e. 7,8,9). Other variations of chording may include entering
characters based on position by selecting the appropriate number
representing the characters position (i.e. 1,2,3 or 4).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a device,
methods, and user interface for providing optimized entry of alphanumeric
text are disclosed. According to one aspect of the invention, a method for
providing selectable characters within a user interface is disclosed. The
method includes determining an operating mode of a communication device
and receiving an input associated with a selected input key. The method
also includes determining a group of characters associated with the
selected key based on the operating mode and displaying the group of
characters within the user interface.
According to another aspect of the invention, a communication device is
disclosed. The communication device includes a processor module operable
to determine a group of characters associated with an operating mode in
response to an input and a memory coupled to the processor for storing
information associated with displaying the group of characters. The device
also includes a user interface operable to display selectable characters
associated with the operating mode and an input device operably coupled to
the user interface. The input device provides an input to select the group
of characters.
It is a technical advantage of certain embodiments of the invention to
provide a simplified user interface for inputting character strings. The
user interface requires minimal input by a user to display and select
alphanumeric text for selecting communication addresses. For example, one
embodiment of the invention provides a cursor which may be substantially
centered about a group of selectable characters. The group of characters
may be displayed in a segmented manner to enhance viewability of
alphanumeric text within a user interface. The user interface may display
a group of characters based on a selected key and further display a bubble
help cursor positioned relative to a highlighted character within the
group of characters. The bubble help cursor includes the highlighted
character and a user may scroll the group of characters using a bubble
help cursor that displays the next or previous character within the group
of characters.
It is a further technical advantage of certain embodiments of the invention
to provide a user interface having one or more display modes for
displaying characters within a user interface. One such display mode may
include displaying a group of characters horizontally within a user
interface and further displaying a selection cursor centered over the
group of characters. The cursor displays a highlighted character within
the group of characters and a user may scroll the group of characters
using the cursor to display selectable characters within the group of
characters. In this manner, optimized viewing of selectable characters may
be obtained allowing efficient access to alphanumeric text associated with
a selected key.
It is another technical advantage of certain embodiments of the invention
to provide a learned time-out sequence for highlighting and selecting
characters displayed within a user interface. The time-out sequence may be
based on a algorithm that calculates a user specific utilization period
based on user interaction with the user interface. The time-out sequence
may adapt to a specific user and calculate an interaction period
associated with the user interface based on a user selecting and/or
scrolling characters or alphanumeric text displayed within the user
interface.
It is a further technical advantage of certain embodiments of the invention
to provide a user interface which displays alphanumeric text based on a
communication mode. The communication device may be operated in several
different communication modes using different communication reference
types or protocols which may include a session initiation protocol (SIP),
Internet Protocol (IP), address domain names, telephone numbers, Uniform
Resource Locators (URLs), Uniform Resource Identifiers (URIs), or any
other protocol or communication reference type. Alphanumeric text may be
displayed within a user interface based on a selected mode providing a
user access to mode specific characters for selecting communication
addresses.
Other technical advantages are readily apparent to one skilled in the art
from the attached figures, description, and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a communication device having
selectable operating modes according to teachings of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a flow diagram of a method for
displaying alphanumeric text within a user interface of the communication
device;
FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of the user interface for displaying
selectable alphanumeric text;
FIG. 4 illustrates several display modes for displaying alphanumeric text
within the user interface; and
FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a flow diagram of a method for
displaying and selecting alphanumeric text within the user interface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A communication device such as a network phone, cellular phone, SIP phone,
etc. may include a user interface operable to display alphanumeric text
representing communication addresses such as telephone numbers, URL
references, network addresses or other communication addresses or
references for initiating communication with a network. One embodiment of
a communication device may include a user interface and a keypad that
provides access to selectable characters which may include alphanumeric
text. The communication device may be operated in one or more modes such
as a conventional analog mode, a voice-over-URL mode, a URL-over-voice
mode, a URL mode, or other modes which may be used by communication
devices. As such, each key within the keypad may be associated with a
group of selectable characters which are displayable based on an operating
mode of the communication device. Alphanumeric text for an operating mode
is displayable to a user in a visually efficient manner allowing a user to
scroll, identify, manage, author, etc. alphanumeric text via a user
interface which may have limited input capabilities.
The communication device includes a user interface for displaying
alphanumeric text based on a communication mode in response to selecting a
key. For example, a user may want to enter a character, such as a period
(e.g. ".") as a portion of a URL communication address. As such, the
communication device may receive an input from the user via a reduced set
keypad (e.g. 10-key keypad) and display a group of characters based on the
selected key and a communication mode. In one form, the group of
characters may be horizontally displayed and may include a cursor
substantially centered over the horizontally displayed group of
characters. A user may scroll the group of characters and the cursor may
update and display the next character within the group of characters. In
this manner, a communication device may display alphanumeric text in a
visually efficient manner to allow a user to scroll and select a character
from a group of characters with minimal input and/or navigation between
characters and/or operating modes of a communication device.
FIG. 1 illustrates a communication device having selectable operating
modes. The communication device, shown generally at 100, includes a user
interface 101 for displaying information such as communication addresses,
names, alphanumeric text, soft buttons, and the like. User interface 101
includes several selectable entries 103 which may display communication
addresses such as telephone numbers and an associated communication mode.
Each selectable entry may include an associated selection button operable
to allow a user to select a communication address entry. Communication
device 100 also includes a status line 110 for displaying alphanumeric
text based on an operating mode of communication device 100. Communication
device 100 also includes a display line 102 for displaying a currently
selected communication address.
User interface 101 also includes a plurality of soft-keys having associated
selection buttons. For example, user interface 101 may display a redial
soft-key 104 and a selection button 104a, a mode soft-key 105 and a
selection button 105a, a new call soft-key 106 and a selection button
106a, and a more soft-key 107 and a selection button 107a to display
additional soft-keys and associated functions. For example, soft-key may
be used to display several different types of selectable functions which
may be accessed and displayed within user interface 101 and navigated by
selecting an associated function button. In this manner, several functions
associated with communication device 100 may be accessed and selected by a
user.
Communication device 100 also includes a keypad 108, which includes a
plurality of keys for providing access to alphanumeric text. For example,
the "2" key may provide access to the characters "a, b, c," the "3" key
may provide access to the characters "d, e, f" etc. Each key may provide
access to alphanumeric text based on an operating mode of communication
device 100 thereby allowing specific groups of characters to be associated
with a selectable key. In this manner, a numeric keypad having a group of
alphanumeric text associated with each key may be used by communication
device 100. Communication device 100 further includes a scroll button 109
operable to scroll information displayed within user interface 101.
During use, a user may select an operating mode, such as a desired
communication mode, and author a communication address using alphanumeric
text associated with selectable keys within keypad 108. For example, a
voice-over-URL mode ("V/U") and a horizontal display mode may be selected
for authoring communication addresses using user interface 101. For
example, user interface 101 may horizontally display the characters "a, b,
c" in response to a user selecting the "2" key on keypad 108.
Communication device 100 may also highlight a character within the
displayed group of characters to identify a selectable character within
the group of characters. A user may then select the "2" key or scroll
button 109 to access an adjacent character within the group of characters
displayed within user interface 101.
In one embodiment, communication device 100 may calculate a time-out period
associated with a user interacting with keypad 108. For example, a user
may select a key within keypad 108 and further select the same key to
access one of the characters within the group of characters displayed
within user interface 101. As a user repeatedly selects the same key, a
time-interval may be determined between successive key selections and a
time period may be calculated using an algorithm. As such, communication
device 100 may "learn" a time-out period for the current user and
automatically scroll, select, update, highlight, etc. characters displayed
within user interface 101 thereby reducing input required by a user.
For example, a user may typically scroll a displayed character after a
predetermined period of time (e.g., average scroll time interval is 1.5
seconds). As such, communication device 100 may determine the amount of
time a user takes to scroll a character and may automatically scroll to
the next character for a user based on a time-out period for the user
elapsing. In one embodiment, communication device 100 may use a
statistical analysis to calculate a time-out period for specific users. A
time-out period may be stored within a parameter identifying a specific
user. Upon a user providing minimal interaction with communication device
100, a parameter associated with the current user may be identified and
used to provide automatic entry, selection, scrolling, access, etc. of
alphanumeric text displayed within user interface 101.
For example, one or more users may have access to communication device 100.
Communication device 100 using a learned time-out period for scrolling,
selecting, entering, etc. alphanumeric text and may determine a parameter
having a time-out period for one of the plurality of users based on the
periodicity of the user inputting, scrolling, selecting, interacting, etc.
with communication device 100.
In one embodiment, a display mode for displaying characters within user
interface 101 may be provided. A user may select a horizontal mode for
displaying alphanumeric text within user interface 101. Selectable
characters may be horizontally displayed based on a user selecting a key
within key pad 108. A cursor may also be displayed and positioned over the
group of characters in a substantially centered manner. The cursor may
display a highlighted character within the group of characters and may
update as a user scrolls the group of characters. In this manner, a cursor
may be used as a "bubble-help" cursor providing visually efficient access
to selectable characters within user interface 101.
FIG. 2 illustrates a flow diagram of a method for displaying alphanumeric
text within a user interface of a communication device. The method may be
deployed using the communication device illustrated in FIG. 1 or other
devices, systems, user interfaces, etc. which may use the method of FIG.
2. The method begins generally at step 200. At step 201, the method
determines a mode associated with operating a communication device. For
example, a communication mode may be selected for accessing alphanumeric
text which may be specific for that mode. In other embodiments, a display
mode may be determined such as vertical display mode, horizontal display
mode, horizontal segmented display mode, horizontal segmented with active
positionable cursor display mode, or any combination of operating modes
for accessing selectable alphanumeric text. Although mode selection at
step 201 contemplates an initial determination, the user or device 100 can
change the mode on a character-by-character basis. For example, a user can
select an uppercase mode on a per character basis. Also device 100 can
automatically adjust the input mode by recognizing the context of the
entry. For example, when in URL mode, device 100 may recognize that the
user is entering an IP address, and automatically set the mode
accordingly. This change of mode may be done automatically or manually
before or during the input of an entry in device 100.
Upon determining a mode, the method then proceeds to step 202 where the
method receives an input in response to selecting a key. For example, a
user may select a key on a keypad corresponding to the "6" key. This key
has multiple associated characters. If the user selects a key with only
one associated character, such as the "1" key, then the method may enter
that character immediately and wait to receive the next key selection at
step 202.
If the selected key is associated with more than one character, the method
proceeds to step 203 where a group of characters associated with the
selected key is displayed within a user interface based on the determined
mode. For example, a communication device may have a default display mode
for displaying characters corresponding to a selected key. A group of
characters corresponding with a selected key may be displayed based on the
default display mode. For example, if the key 6 is selected the group "m n
o 6" may be displayed based on the selected key and a display mode. In one
embodiment, characters may be displayed in a horizontal manner with a
positionable cursor displayed above the group of characters. The cursor
may include the first character within the group of characters associated
with the selected key.
Upon displaying the characters, the method proceeds to step 204 where the
method determines if a user selects the same key. In the example above,
the character "m" of the group of characters may be highlighted and a user
may select the 6 key or a scroll button to move the cursor to an adjacent
character within the group of characters. If a user selects the same key
or a scroll button, the method proceeds to step 207 where the method
determines a time interval between the first time the 6 key was selected
and the second time the 6 key was selected. The method then proceeds to
step 208 where the method calculates a new time-out period based on the
determined time interval. For example, the method may employ an algorithm
to calculate an average time-out period for the user. The method then
proceeds to step 209 where the method updates the user interface in
response to the selected key. For example, the next character within the
group of characters may be highlighted and the cursor may be updated to
display the next character. The method then proceeds to step 204 where the
method determines if the same key was selected.
In one embodiment, a cursor may be positioned along side of a group of
characters vertically displayed. The cursor may be centered along the
group of characters and may display a highlighted character within the
group of characters. As such, a user may access, scroll, select, interact,
etc. the group of characters displaying within the user interface.
If at step 204 the user does not select the same key, the method proceeds
to step 205 where the method determines if an input time-out period has
elapsed. For example, a time-out period of 1.2 seconds may elapse without
a user selecting a character. If the time-out period has elapsed, the
method proceeds to step 206 where the highlighted character is entered and
then to step 202 where the method repeats. If at step 205 the time-out
period did not elapse, the method proceeds to step 204 where the method
determines if the same input key is selected.
FIG. 3 illustrates a user interface for displaying selectable alphanumeric
text. The user interface, shown generally at 300, includes an input line
301 for displaying selected characters and a first display area 302 for
displaying a group of selectable characters. Display 300 also includes a
cursor 303 centrally positioned over display area 302 and may be operable
to display a highlighted character within the group of characters. For
example, it the first character displayed within display area 302 is
highlighted, cursor 303 would display the same character.
User interface 300 also includes scroll back soft-key 304 operable to move
cursor 303 to a previous position and a scroll forward soft-key 305
operable to move cursor 303 to a next position. A call initiation key 306
is also provided to initiate communication using the reference displayed
within input line 301. During use, user interface 300 may display
selectable characters based on a mode (i.e. communication mode, display
mode, etc.). Characters displayed within first display area 302 may be
accessed using scroll back soft-key 304 and/or scroll forward soft-key
306. For example, a user may scroll to a character displayed within the
third position first display area 302 and cursor 303 may be updated
accordingly.
FIG. 4 illustrates several display modes for displaying alphanumeric text
within a user interface of a communication device. The display modes may
be used with a user interface such as user interface 300 of FIG. 3 or
other devices, suggestions, or user interfaces operable to display the
display modes of FIG. 4.
The display modes may be selected by a user, a system, a device, etc. and
may be used to display alphanumeric text associated with a user selecting
a key on a keypad, keyboard, or other input devices. A user may scroll or
access the display and characters and a cursor and/or highlighted area may
be updated in response to a user selecting a key or scroll button. For
example, a user may access the second position of the displayed group of
characters by depressing the same key twice.
Several examples of display modes which may be selected include a vertical
display mode for displaying characters in a vertical orientation, a
left-justified display mode operable to display a group of characters with
a highlighted region for displaying a selectable character and rotating
characters sequentially within a static highlighted region.
A centered display mode may be used in a similar manner as the
left-justified display mode centering a cursor over a group of characters
and displaying a selectable character within the cursor. Left-justified
separated and centered separated display modes may also be used and
include separating character spacing within a group of characters.
A left-justified indicated display mode may be used to provide a
highlighted region positioned over a leftmost portion of the group of
characters. Similarly, a centered-justified indicated display mode may be
used to provide a cursor substantially centered over the group of
selectable characters. A left-justified segmented indicated display mode
and a centered-segmented indicated display mode provide a group of
characters displayed having spaces between the groups of characters.
FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram of a method for displaying and selecting
alphanumeric text within a user interface. The method may be used with the
communication device illustrated in FIG. 1 or other devices or systems
operable to use the method of FIG. 5. The method begins generally at step
500. At step 501, the method determines an operating mode associated with
a communication device. For example, the method may determine a display
mode for displaying characters within a user interface. One example may
include horizontally displaying alphanumeric text within a user interface.
Upon determining a mode, the method proceeds to step 502 where the method
determines if a key has been selected for accessing alphanumeric text. For
example a user may select a "#" key on a keypad to access alphanumeric
text. If a user does not select a key, the method proceeds again to step
502. If a key has been selected, the method proceeds to step 503 where the
method determines a group of characters associated with the selected key
based on the determined mode. For example, if a user selects the 7 key on
a keypad, the method may determine the characters "p q r 7" are associated
with the selected key and a determined mode.
Upon determining the group of characters, the method proceeds to step 504
where the method displays an initial character of the character group
within a first portion of a user interface. The method displays the group
of characters in a second portion of the user interface at step 505. For
example, the method may display the group of characters as horizontally
segmented centrally positioned under the first portion of the user
interface. The method then proceeds to step 506 where the method
highlights the first character in the second portion of the user
interface.
Upon highlighting the first character in the second portion, the method
proceeds to step 507 where the method determines if the same key or a
scroll button has been selected. If the same key or scroll button has been
selected, the method proceeds to step 508 where the method records a time
interval between selection of the key and/or the scroll button. The method
then proceeds to step 509 where the method calculates a time-out period
associated with the newly recorded time interval. For example, the method
may employ an algorithm to calculate an average time between selecting or
scrolling the displayed characters. The method then proceeds to step 510
where the method displays the next (or previous) character in the first
portion of a user interface and to step 511 where the method highlights
the next (or previous) character within the group of characters displayed
in the second portion of the user interface. The method then proceeds to
step 507 where the method determines if the same key is selected.
If at step 507, the same key is not selected (or scroll button not used)
the method proceeds to step 512 where the method determines if a time-out
period for displaying the character has elapsed. If the time-out period
has elapsed, the method proceeds to step 514 where the method enters the
highlighted character and to step 502 to receive the next key selection.
If at step 512, the time-out period has not elapsed the method proceeds to
step 513 to determine if a new key has been selected. If a new key has
been selected, the method proceeds to step 503 where the method determines
a group of characters based on the selected key and a mode. If at step 513
a new key is not selected, the method proceeds to step 507 to determine if
the same key is selected.
In one embodiment, a user may enter or select a character displayed within
a user interface. For example, a user may select an "enter" key operably
associated with a user interface to select a highlighted character. As
such, the method of FIG. 5 may be modified to update a time-out period
based on the user entering the highlighted character. For example, a user
may repeatedly select a key to scroll the characters displayed within the
user interface and subsequently select and "enter" key to select a
highlighted character. An algorithm may then be used to calculate a new
time period based on the user accessing a character within the group of
characters and selecting a character using an "enter" key.
Although the present invention has been described with several embodiments,
a myriad of changes, variations, alterations, transformations, and
modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art, and it is
intended that the present invention encompass such changes, variations,
alterations, transformations, and modifications as fall within the scope
of the appended claims.
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