Abstract: A luminous touch keyboard includes a baseplate, a plurality of keycaps, a plurality of support mechanisms connected between the baseplate and the keycaps, and a keyboard composite electrode module disposed between the baseplate and the keycaps and configured to sense a non-pressing movement over the keycaps and to provide light emitting through the keycaps. The support mechanism supports the keycap to move relative to the baseplate and the keyboard composite electrode module. The keyboard composite electrode module includes a light source circuit and a plurality of electrode matrices arranged along a first direction and a second direction. Two of the electrode matrices adjacent in the second direction are mis-aligned. The light source circuit includes a plurality of light sources disposed in the plurality of electrode matrices in a one-to-one manner, and the position of the light source in the electrode matrix is correspondingly the same.

Abstract: The proposed invention relates to the field of inputting simplified Chinese characters, as well as characters of other writing systems that are based on the Chinese characters writing system. The invention essentially offers increased efficiency and speed of inputting characters.

Abstract: The present application relates to a display mode switching device and method for a portable electronic device. In particular, the present application relates to a portable electronic device that can switch display modes of an integrated display and input device to facilitate composition of a text message by switching between a portrait mode and a landscape mode. A portable electronic device may use a display mode switching method in which a posture of the portable electronic device can be checked, and a display mode can be selected based on the posture. A portrait-mode text messaging composition window with a portrait-mode key map and a landscape-mode text messaging composition window with a landscape-mode key map can be displayed in the selected display mode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a human interface device that may mitigate the difficulty in remembering and entering long and complex passwords. The device comprises a processor, keypad and memory. The processor accepts keypad entries and sends determined strings through a communications interface to a remote computing device. The determined strings correspond to the entries.

Abstract: The layout of character keys each having a plurality of characters allocated thereto is established on a virtual surface (first layer) including a detection position of a gesture that satisfies predetermined conditions, and when a gesture moving along the first layer is detected, a selection position with respect to the layout of character keys is moved in accordance with the gesture movement. When the movement direction of the gesture is switched to a direction away from the first layer under the condition that a prescribed character key in the layout is selected, each character allocated to the character key being selected is arranged outside the first layer at individually different positions relative to a virtual axis passing through the character key. Thereafter, in response to detection of a gesture moving toward any character, a character disposed at a moving destination is selected as an input character.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to handwriting on touch sensitive surfaces. In some examples, text suggestions strokes entered on a touch sensitive surface are viewed and selected in response to a rotatable input mechanism. In some examples, text determined from a set of strokes on the touch sensitive surface is revised based on a subsequently entered stroke on the touch sensitive surface. In some examples, a determination is made whether to include a stroke in a set of strokes based a time between the stroke and the previous stroke. In some examples, determining text based on a set of stroke is interrupted to determined revised text based on the set of strokes and a second stroke.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a method, including: receiving, in an overlay handwriting application, one or more handwriting strokes; processing the one or more handwriting strokes to obtain at least one candidate machine input word; generating, using a spell check application, at least one spell check word using the at least one candidate machine input word; and providing, on a display device, the at least one spell check word generated by the spell check application. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: For suggesting input text based on tone mark information for Chinese or Japanese characters or words, an apparatus, system, method, and computer program product are disclosed. The apparatus may include a processor, a handwriting input unit operatively coupled to the processor, an input text module that receives input text comprising at least one character, a tone mark module that identifies a tone mark associated with the input text, and a suggestion module that proposes at least one next character based on the identified tone mark. The input text module may receive a user selection of the at least one next character. The input text may include characters selected from the group consisting of: Chinese characters and Japanese characters.

Abstract: A method for configurable character variant unification is provided in the illustrative embodiments. A determination is made that a unification profile is applicable to a circumstance in which a character variant has been selected. The character variant is a variation of a character in a set of variations of the character such that each variation of the character in the set is represented by a unique Unicode code point. A unification repository is identified according to the profile. A determination is made whether the character variant satisfies a unification rule. Responsive to the character variant not satisfying the unification rule, a different variation of the character is selected from the unification repository, the different variation forming a replacement character variant. The replacement character variant is used in place of the character variant.

Abstract: System and method for informing a user of functions or characters associated with keys on a mobile communications device includes a keyboard operable to input dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) codes and a display screen operable to display information. The display screen is also operable to display a virtual representation of at least a portion of the keyboard. The virtual representation includes help information on one or more virtually represented keys of the keyboard. This help information informs a user of an associated telephone function or character of one or more keys that are virtually represented on the display.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention describe systems and methods for using a combined (or All-In-One) Chinese input method to enter Chinese characters in documents and forms on computers or on web sites. The combined Chinese input method includes a number of Chinese input methods that are frequently used by users. Chinese characters that match the strings of symbols typed by users are displayed under each of the Chinese input methods for users to select the correct characters under the desired Chinese input methods. The combined Chinese input method allows users to enter (or input) Chinese characters without specifying the Chinese input methods being used, which reduces the time used in switching input methods. Further, the combined Chinese input method can also be personalized to include Chinese input methods frequently used by or specified by users.

Abstract: An electronic device for disambiguation of stroke input, the device comprising: an input device coupled to the microprocessor for accepting a stroke input; and a stroke disambiguation module resident in the memory for execution by the microprocessor. The device is configured to: receive a signal representing a stroke input sequence at the stroke disambiguation module; apply one or more stroke disambiguation rules to the stroke input sequence to generate an updated input sequence; and transmit a signal representing the updated input sequence.

Abstract: A button for providing visual-haptic information includes a visual-haptic variable button that adaptively provides various types of visual-haptic information according to input of information to an electronic apparatus. The visual-haptic variable button includes a visual information output part that adaptively changes various types of button icons according to manipulation and touch of the visual-haptic variable button for the input of information, thereby outputting visual information, and a haptic information output part that adaptively changes various types of sense of button manipulation and sense of button touch according to the manipulation and touch of the visual-haptic variable button, thereby outputting haptic information. At least one visual-haptic variable button is provided in the electronic apparatus for the input of information.

Abstract: A method is for input of text symbols into an electronic device having a reduced keyboard. The reduced keyboard has keys representing a plurality of characters. The method includes receiving character inputs from the reduced keyboard and identifying symbol variants based on the received character inputs. A list of symbol variants is displayed. An input symbol from the list of symbol variants is selected, wherein the input symbol is a Korean Hangul syllable. At least one Chinese Hanzi syllable is designated, to correspond to at least one Korean Hangul syllable. The Korean Hangul syllable is replaced with a Chinese Hanzi syllable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Hangeul input keypad and a method using the same. Basic consonants and basic vowels are assigned to the Hangeul input keypad, the number of the basic consonant-assigned keys is less than that of the basic vowel-assigned keys, the consonant keys and the vowel keys are disposed separately, and a shift key converting the basic consonants to extended consonants is disposed adjacent to the consonant keys to which the basic consonants convertible to the extended consonants are assigned. The Hangeul input keypad and method according to the present invention improves speed of Hangeul input, provides convenience in operation of consonant keys and a shift key, and ease of a user's learning of the Hangeul input method by optimizing the disposition of the consonants and vowels.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for displaying a character input in a portable terminal and an apparatus thereof. The method includes determining whether a dynamic input effect is set when a character input mode is started, and displaying a character corresponding to a key input if it is determined that the dynamic input effect is set. Accordingly, various methods of displaying an input character in the portable terminal can be provided.

Abstract: A letter input structure of a two-click keyboard adapting a Morse code and an input method of the same, and a recording medium of the method are disclosed. A certain letter is created in selective combination with two keypads among seven keypads consisting of a dot(•) group keypad of a dot(•) keypad, a dot dot(•) keypad and a dot dot dot(•) keypad of a Morse code, a dash(-) group keypad of a dash(-) keypad, a dash dash(- -) keypad, and a dash dash dash (- - -) keypad which are separated and arranged at left and right sides (or upper and lower sides) and one function keypad.

Abstract: This invention relates to any language input system using a keypad or a keyboard comprising a first group of seven keys for inputting a consonant by pressing a single key or simultaneously pressing a combination of keys thereof, and a second group of seven keys for inputting a vowel by pressing a single key or simultaneously pressing a combination of keys thereof, wherein the first group of seven keys are “”, “{dot over (?)}”, “•” and “—”, and the second group of seven keys are “”, “?”, “?”, “—”, and “•”. The advantages of the present invention are improving typing speed and efficiency by using only 14 key faces and relieving finger fatigue during manual data input operation.

Abstract: A handheld device includes a plurality of input members, a first set of which each have a Roman character assigned thereto, a least some of which have a first non-Roman, second non-Roman character, and third non-Roman characters assigned thereto. The device is switchable between first and second modes. In the first mode, each Roman character may be input in response to actuation of the input member to which it is assigned, and in the second mode, each first non-Roman character may be input in response to a first type of actuation of the input member to which it is assigned, each second non-Roman character may input in response to a second type of actuation of the input member to which it is assigned, and each third non-Roman character may be input in response to a third type of actuation of the input member to which it is assigned.

Abstract: A computer system having a computer and a keyboard is provided. The keyboard includes a plurality of first letter keys and respective second letter keys. Each of the first and second letter keys is associated with a respective letter. The computer system is arranged: (i) upon activation of one of the first letter keys to register the selection of the corresponding letter; and (ii) upon activation of one of the second letter keys to present to a user a predefined list of one or more words. The words of each list are associated with the corresponding letter. The computer system is further arranged to register a selection by the user of one of the presented words.

Abstract: When characters are allocated to a keyboard, a plurality of consonants are divided into a plurality of groups according to pronunciation position in the oral cavity, and the groups are allocated to corresponding columns on the keyboard of (3) rows and (10) columns. A plurality of vowels are allocated to the corresponding columns according to the pronunciation position in the oral cavity. In this instance, the consonants and the vowels of which the pronunciation position are near the lips are allocated to the middle area of the area of (3) rows and (10) columns, and the consonants and the vowels of which the pronunciation position are near the vocal chords are allocated to the outer part of the area of (3) rows and (10) columns. The consonants and the vowels are allocated to the corresponding rows of the area of (3) rows and (10) columns according to usage frequency.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for generating feedback. In one aspect, a method includes receiving sensor data from a plurality of sensors, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors is associated with a mobile device of a user; aggregating the received sensor data to generate aggregated sensor data; processing the aggregated sensor data to determine an aggregated metric; comparing the aggregated metric to a target associated with the user to determine a measure of performance; and generating feedback based on the determined measure of performance. Further, the mobile device can comprise a mobile personal services device that includes one or more of an audio sensor, a video sensor, an environmental sensor, a biometric sensor, a location sensor, an activity detector, and a health monitor. The feedback can be displayed on the mobile personal services device. The feedback also can be displayed in near real-time.

Abstract: A handheld device includes a plurality of input members, a first set of which each have a Roman character assigned thereto, a least some of which have a first non-Roman and a second non-Roman character assigned thereto. In response to an actuation of a first one of the input members, a first one of the non-Roman characters that is assigned to the first one of the input members is displayed. Based on one or more rules which govern permissible character sequences in the subject language, the display of a second one of the non-Roman characters in response to an actuation of a second one of the input members having the second one of the non-Roman characters assigned thereto immediately following the actuation of said first one of the input members is prevented.

Abstract: An input system and a method for an electronic device based on Chinese phonetic notation are provided. The input system includes a plurality of keys, a detecting unit, a filtering unit and a candidate character output unit. The keys are respectively arranged on two sides of a screen of the electronic device, and each of the keys respectively corresponding to two phonetic notation sets. Every time the detecting unit detects an operation on any of the keys, one of the phonetic notation sets corresponding to the operated key is chosen according to a direction of the operation. The filtering unit permutes the contents of all chosen phonetic notation sets so as to obtain at least one meaningful pronunciation. And according to a Chinese character database and the meaningful pronunciations, the candidate character output unit outputs at least one candidate character on the screen.

Abstract: Input devices having backlighting for associated input mechanisms. The backlighting may be supplied by a light source coupled to a light guide. Both the light guide and light source may be located completely beneath the input mechanism and above a mechanical support for the mechanism. Each input mechanism generally has its own dedicated light guide and light source.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable media for scanning a keyboard are disclosed. Actuation of each of the keys electrically couples one of a plurality of first lines and one of a plurality of second lines. A first signal is applied to a plurality of first lines. A second signal is applied to a plurality of second lines. Upon identifying at least one of the second lines as presenting a signal different from the second signal, a scan signal is applied to the identified second line. At least one first line is identified as presenting a signal indicating the at least one first line is contact with the identified second line applying the scan signal. At least one of the keys is identified as causing the identified second line and the least one identified first line to be coupled.

Abstract: The grouping unit assigns an m-digit value expressed by an n-ary notation to each input candidate character one-for-one to classify the respective input candidate characters into n groups on a basis of each of the m digits. The group displaying unit causes the display device to display, in the lump on a group basis, the input candidate characters classified on a digit basis. Among n selection keys corresponding to the respective groups, the input device has one key operated by a user to output information indicating which selection key is operated (information indicative of a selection key operated) to the character structuring unit. The character structuring unit determines a character according to information input from the input device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an alphabet input device and an alphabet recognition system in a small-sized keypad. The device includes: a first keypad part comprising a plurality of buttons each of which is assigned with a symbol extracted from strokes of alphabet characters so that the alphabet characters be input by one of the buttons or a combination of two or more of the buttons; and a second keypad part comprising one or more buttons each assigned with an alphabet character having a high usage frequency. With the device, alphabet characters can be inputted in a simper and more efficient manner.

Abstract: A control method of an alterable key is applied in a portable electronic device including switch a plurality of function modes. The portable electronic device has an opaque key portion, a pattern template layer, and a plurality of light emitting portions. A pattern template layer has many groups of operating patterns. Light emitting portions are corresponding to the operating patterns and emit the specific light, and the operating patterns are corresponding to the function modes. The control method includes the following steps of receiving a first command to switch the corresponding function mode, brightening the light emitting portion corresponding to the function mode to show the corresponding operating patterns on the opaque key portion, receiving a second command to switch another corresponding function mode, and brightening the light emitting portion corresponding to another function mode to show another corresponding operating patterns on the opaque key portion.

Abstract: A Wubi input system, includes a cache word library, to store word information and index information of frequently-used words associated with one-keystroke codes and two-keystroke codes; cache word library, to store word information and index information of frequently-used words associated with one-keystroke codes and two-keystroke codes; and a word retrieving module, to retrieve at least one word from the cache word library according to the index information in the cache word library when a one-keystroke code or two-keystroke code is inputted; and to retrieve at least one word from the core word library according to the index information in the cache word library when a three-keystroke code or four-keystroke code is inputted.

Abstract: A digraphic keypad includes a configuration of specific keys. These specific keys include an “S” key, an “O” key, a “U” key, an “A” key, an “N” key, an “I” key, a “T” key, an “E” key, an “R” key, an “H” key, a “D” key and an “L” key.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device includes a reduced QWERTY keyboard and is enabled with disambiguation software. The device provides output in the form of a default output and a number of variants. The output is based largely upon the frequency, i.e., the likelihood that a user is likely to have intended a particular output, but various features of the device provide additional variants that are not based solely on frequency and rather are provided by various logic structures resident on the device. The device provides a learning function that allows the disambiguation function to adapt to provide a customized experience for the user. The learning function is disabled, however, when the relevant words are found to be in a special category for which frequency learning, i.e., frequency revision, is not employed.

Abstract: A system for adapting a keyboard display to a definable input language is provided. The system includes an adaptable keyboard comprising keys; a software application, operatively associated with the adaptable keyboard; and a computerized system enabling to receive data from the adaptable keyboard, process and present data and operate the application. Some of the keys of the adaptable keyboard may be language adaptable, where each adaptable key includes a screen enabling to present characters associated with various languages and other data, and a touch-sensing mechanism enabling to identify a typing movement applied onto each the screen, where each screen is operatively connected to the touch sensing mechanism. The software application enables defining a language and adapting the presentation of each character in each of the screens according to the defined language, by controlling the display in the screens.

Abstract: A method for input of text symbols into an electronic device having a reduced keyboard is disclosed. The reduced keyboard has keys representing a plurality of characters. The method comprises receiving character inputs from the reduced keyboard. The method also comprises identifying symbol variants based on the received character inputs. The method further comprises displaying a list of symbol variants. The method further comprises receiving a symbol selected from the list of symbol variants. The symbol is a syllable in a first language. The method further comprises identifying syllable variants in a second language corresponding to the syllable in the first language. The method further comprises receiving an input syllable selected from the syllable variants in the second language.

Abstract: An apparatus (600) is provided with a first (635) and a second (645) plurality of input keys. At least some input keys of the first plurality of input keys are associated with both a numeric value and a first set of alphabetic values, and arranged in a first alphabetic keypad layout based on their respective first sets of alphabetic values. The second plurality of input keys are positioned adjacent to the first plurality of input keys. At least some input keys of the second plurality of input keys are associated with at least one alphabetic value, and arranged in a second alphabetic keypad layout. At least some of the input keys of the first plurality of input keys have a second set of alphabetic values that is used as part of the second alphabetic keypad layout and at least some of the input keys of the first and second pluralities of input keys are arranged to provide a reduced group of words generated by a predictive text input routine for an input key sequence entered by a user.

Abstract: Languages based in whole or in part on ideographic characters such as Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, are often are entered in a computerized text-entry system in a two-phase process. In the first phase, symbols from a first pre-conversion set are entered, then in the second phase, these pre-conversion symbols are converted into a second set of post-conversion symbols. This invention teaches a method and apparatus for the automatic conversion of pre-conversion symbols into post-conversion symbols without requiring an explicit conversion signal to be input by the user. It accomplishes this goal though the design of trigger sequences of keystrokes which are substantially functionally equivalent to an explicit conversion signal input by the user. An apparatus constructed according to the trigger sequence method is particularly well adapted for use on reduced keyboards, and in conjunction with predictive text-entry methods. Explicit constructions are shown for Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.

Abstract: An improved handheld electronic device having a reduced keyboard provides facilitated language entry by making available to a user certain words that a user may reasonably be expected to enter. In some situations, certain words can be stored, for example, in a temporary dictionary for use in particular situations. For instance, the names of the recipients of an electronic message might be stored in a temporary dictionary for rapid retrieval when entering a salutation in the message. As another example, a number of the words in an existing electronic message may be stored in a temporary dictionary and made available to a user when replying to or forwarding the message since the existing message might include words that the user might reasonably be expected to type in the reply message or the forwarded message.

Abstract: A method for inputting text using the keys of 0-9 of a numeric keypad. The code length of digital encoding may be from 4 to 5 bits. For Chinese-characters, the total number of strokes expressed by two figures may correspond to the first two bits, the first three stroke codes may correspond to the third to the fifth bits, respectively, and inputting the termination code when the total code length is less than 5 bits. For letters, figures, and symbols, two bits express the serial number, the third bit is an identification code, and the fourth bit is the termination code, Chinese-characters and other characters may be inputted with the same input method without switching the input state. The probability of repeated codes is low. The methods can be used by various kinds of input devices with numeric keys.

Abstract: Input devices having backlighting for associated input mechanisms. The backlighting may be supplied by a light source coupled to a light guide. Both the light guide and light source may be located completely beneath the input mechanism and above a mechanical support for the mechanism. Each input mechanism generally has its own dedicated light guide and light source.

Abstract: A keypad is used to enter complex characters using a phonetic input method editor (IME). The user may enter complex characters by combining consonants, vowels, mid-vowels and tones by selecting keys on a the keypad instead of using a full size keyboard. Instead of a one-to-one mapping between the symbols and keys on a full size keyboard, multiple symbols are assigned to single keys on the keypad. For example, on a keypad having ten keys an average of four phonetic symbols are mapped to each of the ten keys on the keypad. The phonetic symbols are applied to the keypad in layers. For example, the symbols may be may be mapped to a consonant layer; a middle vowels+vowels layer; a vowels layer and a tone layer. Phonetic symbols with similar readings may also be mapped to the same key.

Abstract: A keyboard arrangement for an electronic device has multiple keys for inputting Chinese characters, multiple of the keys represent multiple combination vowels and all of the keys are arranged in a matrix form. The matrix of the keys are arranged in four key rows including a monosyllabic vowel row and three disyllabic vowel rows. The monosyllabic vowel row includes multiple keys arranged in a row and corresponding respectively to monosyllabic vowel phonetic symbols. Each disyllabic vowel row includes multiple keys arranged in a row and corresponding respectively to disyllabic vowel phonetic symbols those have a same transition vowel phonetic symbol and consonant phonetic symbols. The keys of the disyllabic vowel rows corresponding to a same monosyllabic vowel phonetic symbol are arranged in a column. Accordingly, an inputting method for Chinese characters applied with the keyboard arrangement is easy to learn and use.

Abstract: A method is for input of text symbols into an electronic device having a reduced keyboard. The reduced keyboard has keys representing a plurality of characters. The method includes receiving character inputs from the reduced keyboard and identifying symbol variants based on the received character inputs. A list of symbol variants is displayed. An input symbol from the list of symbol variants is selected, wherein the input symbol is a Korean Hangul syllable. At least one Chinese Hanzi syllable is designated, to correspond to at least one Korean Hangul syllable. The Korean Hangul syllable is replaced with a Chinese Hanzi syllable.

Abstract: An input system and a method for an electronic device based on Chinese phonetic notation are provided. The input system includes a plurality of keys, a detecting unit, a filtering unit and a candidate character output unit. The keys are respectively arranged on two sides of a screen of the electronic device, and each of the keys respectively corresponding to two phonetic notation sets. Every time the detecting unit detects an operation on any of the keys, one of the phonetic notation sets corresponding to the operated key is chosen according to a direction of the operation. The filtering unit permutes the contents of all chosen phonetic notation sets so as to obtain at least one meaningful pronunciation. And according to a Chinese character database and the meaningful pronunciations, the candidate character output unit outputs at least one candidate character on the screen.

Abstract: An improved handheld electronic device having a reduced keyboard provides facilitated language entry by making available to a user certain words that a user may reasonably be expected to enter. In some situations, certain words can be stored, for example, in a temporary dictionary for use in particular situations. For instance, the names of the recipients of an electronic message might be stored in a temporary dictionary for rapid retrieval when entering a salutation in the message. As another example, a number of the words in an existing electronic message may be stored in a temporary dictionary and made available to a user when replying to or forwarding the message since the existing message might include words that the user might reasonably be expected to type in the reply message or the forwarded message.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a character input device and method using a plurality of center keys and a plurality of space keys. The present invention provides a character input device and method having a center key located at its central part and a plurality of peripheral keys located at a peripheral part of the center key, comprising a basic value of a basic key generated by pressing the peripheral key one time, a double-value of the basic key generated by pressing the peripheral key two times, a basic value of a center key generated by pressing the center key one time after pressing the peripheral key, and a double-value of the center key generated by pressing the center key two times after pressing the peripheral key.

Abstract: A text input mechanism is provided especially for non-keyboard input devices for inputting text for languages that include large numbers of characters and that are not based on the Roman alphabets. Reading symbols of a language are presented to the user for selection. Reading symbols can be phonetic symbols for composing a pronunciation for a character in the language. Reading symbols can also be sub-characters that make up characters in the language. Upon a user specifying one or more reading symbols for a character, all characters in the language that match the specified reading symbols are dynamically identified and displayed to the user. The user can select the desired character from the displayed characters. The selected character is then entered into a computing system.

Abstract: A mobile terminal apparatus requests a character be displayed which is assigned to a first key upon being pushed, and if operated continuously for a time span that exceeds a predetermined time, requests a next character be displayed which is assigned to the first key instead of the character assigned to the first key and currently being displayed, if the time span exceeds the predetermined time and the character assigned to the first key and currently being displayed is a special character that has another variation, changes the character to a character of the another variation, and, when the time span exceeds the predetermined time and the character assigned to the first key and currently being displayed is not a special character, requests a new character be displayed right next to the character which is currently being displayed.

Abstract: A method is for input of text symbols into an electronic device having a reduced keyboard. The reduced keyboard has keys representing a plurality of characters. The method includes receiving character inputs from the reduced keyboard and identifying symbol variants based on the received character inputs. A list of symbol variants is displayed. An input symbol from the list of symbol variants is selected, wherein the input symbol is a Korean Hangul syllable. At least one Chinese Hanzi syllable is designated, to correspond to at least one Korean Hangul syllable. The Korean Hangul syllable is replaced with a Chinese Hanzi syllable.

Abstract: Systems and methods for input of text symbols into an electronic device comprising a reduced keyboard having keys representing a plurality of characters are disclosed. Possible symbol variants are identified based on character inputs received from the reduced keyboard. Each identified symbol variant is grouped into one of a plurality of groups of symbol variants, each group having an associated priority, according to a type of the symbol variant. Within at least one of the groups, the symbol variants are ranked in decreasing order of frequencies of use of the symbol variants. A list of symbol variants comprising the plurality of groups of symbol variants in order of decreasing priority is then displayed, and an input symbol is selected from the list of symbol variants. The symbol variants of the at least one of the groups of symbol variants are thereby sorted by both priority and frequency of use.

Abstract: A diacritic chording system uses a single standard keyboard layout to generate diacritical characters used, for example, by Latin-based languages or languages based on a Roman character set, providing a universal keyboard The key combination required to select a diacritic is consistent, independent of the language the user is typing. The diacritic chording system uses chording to obtain characters modified by diacritics, i.e., diacritical characters. The key combinations in the diacritic chord are chosen in such a way to aid memorization by positional association of the keys or by logic association of the keys within the diacritic chord. The use of a combination of positional association and logical association eliminates conflicts in mapping diacritics for different languages. The diacritic chording system also provides a screen overlay as a mnemonic to illustrate which diacritic chords provide the desired diacritical character.