Patents Assigned to Tegic Communications, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8676779
    Abstract: A computer readable storage medium tangibly embodying machine-readable digital data arranged to facilitate expedited searching. The data includes a plurality of words residing in a table having rows and columns, each word residing in a different row and each letter of the word occupying a different column in that row. Each continuous run of same letters in a column forms an interval. The words are positioned relative to each other to maximize lengths of the intervals, and/or optimize efficiency of compression of the columns by run length encoding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Tegic Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Erland Unruh, David Jon Kay
  • Patent number: 8606582
    Abstract: The present invention provides a speech recognition system combined with one or more alternate input modalities to ensure efficient and accurate text input. The speech recognition system achieves less than perfect accuracy due to limited processing power, environmental noise, and/or natural variations in speaking style. The alternate input modalities use disambiguation or recognition engines to compensate for reduced keyboards, sloppy input, and/or natural variations in writing style. The ambiguity remaining in the speech recognition process is mostly orthogonal to the ambiguity inherent in the alternate input modality, such that the combination of the two modalities resolves the recognition errors efficiently and accurately. The invention is especially well suited for mobile devices with limited space for keyboards or touch-screen input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Tegic Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Longe, Richard Eyraud, Keith C. Hullfish
  • Patent number: 8593406
    Abstract: Interchangeable input modules, such as keypads, having user input devices configured to mate with base devices are described herein. The user input devices may include pluralities of inputs, such as input keys, associated with languages. The interchangeable input modules may further include storage components configured to store configuration data, linguistic structures, and/or predictive logic. Additionally, the interchangeable input modules may have interfaces configured to electrically couple the interchangeable input modules to the base devices after the interchangeable input modules are mated with the base devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Tegic Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael R. Longe
  • Patent number: 8583440
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing visual indication of character ambiguity and ensuing reduction of such ambiguity during text entry are described. An application text entry field is presented in a display screen, into which the user enters text by means of a reduced keyboard and a disambiguating system. The default or most likely word construct for the current key sequence may be presented at the insertion point of the text entry field. An indication of ambiguity is presented in the display screen to communicate to the user the possible ambiguous characters associated with each key. A word choice list field may also be present to display at least one word construct matching the current key sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Tegic Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: James Stephanick, Ethan R. Bradford, Pim Van Meurs, Richard Eyraud, Michael R. Longé
  • Patent number: 8576167
    Abstract: A system associated with a text entry application, such as email or instant messaging, comprises an optional onscreen representation of a circular keyboard, a list of potential linguistic object matches, and a message area where the selected words are entered. The circular keyboard is manipulated via a hardware joystick or game-pad with analog joystick or omni-directional rocker switch built therein. The user points the joystick in the general direction of the desired letter, and then continues pointing roughly to each letter in the desired word. Once all letters have been roughly selected, buttons are used to select a specific word from the list of potential matches and send the selected word to the message area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Tegic Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Longé, Brian H. Palmer, Keith Charles Hullfish, Doug Brams
  • Patent number: 8570292
    Abstract: There is disclosed an enhanced text entry system which uses word-level analysis to automatically correct inaccuracies in user keystroke entries on reduced keyboards such as those implemented on a touch-sensitive panel or display screen, or on mechanical keyboard systems. A method and system are defined which determine one or more alternate textual interpretations of each sequence of inputs detected within a designated auto-correcting keyboard region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Tegic Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Longe, Pim Van Meurs
  • Patent number: 8525640
    Abstract: According to one general aspect, a method according to the present application includes remotely controlling wirelessly networked devices via a mobile unit. The method includes receiving, at a mobile unit and from a user, an input, analyzing the input to identify a networked device associated with the input, determining whether the networked device is presently accessible via a wireless network; determining whether to establish a connection with the networked device based on whether the networked device is determined to be presently accessible via the wireless network. The method also includes establishing a connection with the networked device if it is determined that the networked device is accessible via the wireless network and enabling the user to interact with the networked device through the mobile unit to remotely control the networked device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Tegic Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Marshall, Michael R. Longe, John Lefevre
  • Patent number: 8466896
    Abstract: A selective input system and method are provided which track the motion of a pointing device over a region or area. The pointing device can be a touchpad, a mouse, a pen, or any device capable of providing two or three-dimensional location. The region or area is preferably augmented with a printed or actual keyboard/pad. Alternatively, a representation of the location of the pointing device over a virtual keyboard/pad can be dynamically shown on an associated display. The system identifies selections of items or characters by detecting parameters of motion of the pointing device, such as length of motion, a change in direction, a change in velocity, and or a lack of motion at locations that correspond to features on the keyboard/pad. The input system is preferably coupled to a text disambiguation system such as a T9® or Sloppytype™ system, to improve the accuracy and usability of the input system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Tegic Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: James Stephanick, Christina James, Ethan R. Bradford, Michael R. Longé
  • Patent number: 8456441
    Abstract: A selective input system and associated method is provided which tracks the motion of a pointing device over a region or area. The pointing device can be a touchpad, a mouse, a pen, or any device capable of providing two or three-dimensional location. The region or area is preferably augmented with a printed or actual keyboard/pad. Alternatively, a representation of the location of the pointing device over a virtual keyboard/pad can be dynamically shown on an associated display. The system identifies selections of items or characters by detecting parameters of motion of the pointing device, such as length of motion, a change in direction, a change in velocity, and or a lack of motion at locations that correspond to features on the keyboard/pad. The input system is preferably coupled to a text disambiguation system such as a T9® or Sloppytype™ system, to improve the accuracy and usability of the input system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Tegic Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: James Stephanick, Christina James, Ethan R. Bradford, Michael R. Longe
  • Patent number: 8441454
    Abstract: An enhanced text entry system uses word-level analysis to correct inaccuracies automatically in user keystroke entries on reduced-size or virtual keyboards. One or more alternate textual interpretations each sequence of inputs detected within a designated auto-correcting region. Actual interaction locations for keystrokes may occur outside the boundaries of specific keyboard key regions associated with actual characters of the word interpretations proposed or offered for selection, where the distance from each interaction location to each corresponding intended character may increase with the expected frequency of the intended the language or in a particular context. In a virtual keyboard system, keys actuated may differ from keys actually associated with letters of the word interpretations. Each such sequence corresponds to a complete word, and the user can select the intended word from among generated interpretations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Tegic Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Longe, Pim Van Meurs
  • Publication number: 20130100031
    Abstract: A system associated with a text entry application, such as email or instant messaging, comprises an optional onscreen representation of a circular keyboard, a list of potential linguistic object matches, and a message area where the selected words are entered. The circular keyboard is manipulated via a hardware joystick or game-pad with analog joystick or omni-directional rocker switch built therein. The user points the joystick in the general direction of the desired letter, and then continues pointing roughly to each letter in the desired word. Once all letters have been roughly selected, buttons are used to select a specific word from the list of potential matches and send the selected word to the message area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: TEGIC COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: TEGIC COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
  • Patent number: 8381137
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for explicit filtering in ambiguous text entry. The invention provides embodiments including various explicit text entry methodologies, such as 2-key and long pressing. The invention also provides means for matching words in a database using build around methodology, stem locking methodology, word completion methodology, and n-gram searches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Tegic Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Ethan Robert Bradford, Keith Charles Hullfish, David J. Kay, Pim Van Meurs, Michael R. Longe
  • Publication number: 20130012174
    Abstract: In one general sense, information may be presented to a user by receiving one or more ambiguous characters that may be resolved to one of at least two disambiguated characters, exchanging at least one of the ambiguous characters with a host, receiving, from the host, results that reflect disambiguated terms related to the ambiguous characters exchanged with the host, rendering the results in a manner enabling the user to perceive which of the disambiguated terms will be used upon user selection of an aspect of the results, and enabling the user to select an aspect of the results to effect use of a corresponding one of the disambiguated terms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: Tegic Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Longe, Ethan R. Bradford, David J. Kay, Pim Van Meurs
  • Patent number: 8311829
    Abstract: The present invention provides a speech recognition system combined with one or more alternate input modalities to ensure efficient and accurate text input. The speech recognition system achieves less than perfect accuracy due to limited processing power, environmental noise, and/or natural variations in speaking style. The alternate input modalities use disambiguation or recognition engines to compensate for reduced keyboards, sloppy input, and/or natural variations in writing style. The ambiguity remaining in the speech recognition process is mostly orthogonal to the ambiguity inherent in the alternate input modality, such that the combination of the two modalities resolves the recognition errors efficiently and accurately. The invention is especially well suited for mobile devices with limited space for keyboards or touch-screen input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Tegic Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Longé, Richard Eyraud, Keith C. Hullfish
  • Patent number: 8299943
    Abstract: A computer receives user entry of a sequence of keypresses, representing an intended series of letters collectively spelling-out some or all of a desired textual object. Resolution of the intended series of letters and the desired textual object is ambiguous, however, because some or all of the key presses individually represent multiple letters. The computer interprets the keypresses utilizing concurrent, competing strategies, including one-keypress-per-letter and multi-tap interpretations. The computer displays a combined output of proposed interpretations and completions from both strategies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Tegic Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael R. Longe
  • Patent number: 8294667
    Abstract: A system associated with a text entry application, such as email or instant messaging, comprises an optional onscreen representation of a circular keyboard, a list of potential linguistic object matches, and a message area where the selected words are entered. The circular keyboard is manipulated via a hardware joystick or game-pad with analog joystick or omni-directional rocker switch built therein. The user points the joystick in the general direction of the desired letter, and then continues pointing roughly to each letter in the desired word. Once all letters have been roughly selected, buttons are used to select a specific word from the list of potential matches and send the selected word to the message area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Tegic Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Longé, Brian Palmer, Keith Charles Hullfish, Doug Brams
  • Patent number: 8275362
    Abstract: In one general sense, information may be presented to a user by receiving one or more ambiguous characters that may be resolved to one of at least two disambiguated characters, exchanging at least one of the ambiguous characters with a host, receiving, from the host, results that reflect disambiguated terms related to the ambiguous characters exchanged with the host, rendering the results in a manner enabling the user to perceive which of the disambiguated terms will be used upon user selection of an aspect of the results, and enabling the user to select an aspect of the results to effect use of a corresponding one of the disambiguated terms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Tegic Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Longe, Ethan R. Bradford, David J. Kay, Pim van Meurs
  • Patent number: 8237681
    Abstract: A selective input system and associated method is provided which tracks the motion of a pointing device over a region or area. The pointing device can be a touchpad, a mouse, a pen, or any device capable of providing two or three-dimensional location. The region or area is preferably augmented with a printed or actual keyboard/pad. Alternatively, a representation of the location of the pointing device over a virtual keyboard/pad can be dynamically shown on an associated display. The system identifies selections of items or characters by detecting parameters of motion of the pointing device, such as length of motion, a change in direction, a change in velocity, and or a lack of motion at locations that correspond to features on the keyboard/pad. The input system is preferably coupled to a text disambiguation system such as a T9® or Sloppytype™ system, to improve the accuracy and usability of the input system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Tegic Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: James Stephanick, Christina James, Ethan R. Bradford, Michael R. Longé
  • Patent number: 8237682
    Abstract: A selective input system and associated method is provided which tracks the motion of a pointing device over a region or area. The pointing device can be a touchpad, a mouse, a pen, or any device capable of providing two or three-dimensional location. The region or area is preferably augmented with a printed or actual keyboard/pad. Alternatively, a representation of the location of the pointing device over a virtual keyboard/pad can be dynamically shown on an associated display. The system identifies selections of items or characters by detecting parameters of motion of the pointing device, such as length of motion, a change in direction, a change in velocity, and or a lack of motion at locations that correspond to features on the keyboard/pad. The input system is preferably coupled to a text disambiguation system such as a T9® or Sloppytype™ system, to improve the accuracy and usability of the input system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Tegic Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: James Stephanick, Christina James, Ethan R. Bradford, Michael R. Longe
  • Patent number: 8204921
    Abstract: A computer readable storage medium tangibly embodying machine-readable digital data arranged to facilitate expedited searching. The data includes a plurality of words residing in a table having rows and columns, each word residing in a different row and each letter of the word occupying a different column in that row. Each continuous run of same letters in a column forms an interval. The words are positioned relative to each other to maximize lengths of the intervals, and/or optimize efficiency of compression of the columns by run length encoding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Tegic Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Erland Unruh, David Jon Kay