Patents Assigned to Zi Corporation
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Patent number: 8099416Abstract: The invention may be embodied as a system having and/or a method utilizing a searchable database of index information. Each index in the database may have (a) at least one descriptor, which matches an entry that a user might provide in order to identify an item, (b) a first pointer which identifies a location of the item, and (c) a second pointer which identifies a location of information that may be helpful to the user in deciding whether to request retrieval of the item. The first pointers of one index may be the same as first pointers in a different index. The second pointer may identify a general class to which an item belongs.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2008Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: ZI Corporation of Canada, Inc.Inventors: Weigen Qiu, Gang Chen, ShiQiang Wei
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Patent number: 8077983Abstract: A system and method for character error correction is provided, useful for a user of mobile appliances to produce written text with reduced errors. The system includes an interface, a word prediction engine, a statistical engine, an editing distance calculator, and a selector. A string of characters, known as the inputted word, may be entered into the mobile device via the interface. The word prediction engine may then generate word candidates similar to the inputted word using fuzzy logic and user preferences generated from past user behavior. The statistical engine may then generate variable error costs determined by the probability of erroneously inputting any given character. The editing distance calculator may then determine the editing distance between the inputted word and each of the word candidates by grid comparison using the variable error costs. The selector may choose one or more preferred candidates from the word candidates using the editing distances.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2007Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Zi Corporation of Canada, Inc.Inventors: Weigen Qiu, Samuel Yin Lun Pun
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Publication number: 20110258551Abstract: User input from a reduced keypad is disambiguated and compared with a first dynamic lexicon, and predicted matches (e.g. either a single word or phrase) are offered. If a user continues to type beyond a boundary condition, then input is no longer predicted from the first lexicon, but instead is interpreted as a request for matches from a second, quasi-static lexicon allowing words or phrases to be entered. When the entry is accepted, data is transmitted to a remote receiver and may be parsed as an inquiry for subsequent operation. Following acceptance, the apparatus invokes a program suitable for interacting with the response generated to the inquiry.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2011Publication date: October 20, 2011Applicant: ZI CORPORATION OF CANADA, INC.Inventors: Weigen QIU, Roland E. Williams, William J. Templeton-Steadman
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Patent number: 8018439Abstract: A mobile appliance and a method of using a mobile appliance are disclosed. The mobile appliance may include a microprocessor, a data entry device, a monitor, a candidate selection device, and software having instructions for controlling the microprocessor. A series of characters are provided to the appliance, and the series of characters is used to both indicate a function and indicate information for that function.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2007Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Zi Corporation of Canada, Inc.Inventors: Jacques LaPointe, Roland E. Williams
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Patent number: 7974979Abstract: User input from a reduced keypad is disambiguated and compared with a first dynamic lexicon, and predicted matches (e.g. either a single word or phrase) are offered. If a user continues to type beyond a boundary condition, then input is no longer predicted from the first lexicon, but instead is interpreted as a request for matches from a second, quasi-static lexicon allowing words or phrases to be entered. When the entry is accepted, data is transmitted to a remote receiver and may be parsed as an inquiry for subsequent operation. Following acceptance, the apparatus invokes a program suitable for interacting with the response generated to the inquiry.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2008Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: ZI Corporation of Canada, Inc.Inventors: Weigen Qiu, Roland E. Williams, William J. Templeton-Steadman
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Publication number: 20110161363Abstract: The invention may be a method and apparatus of organizing pointers. The pointers may identify addresses where objects are stored. The pointers may be stored in arrays so that at least two key entries are required from an input device for determining a byte and comparing the byte with bytes representing elements of objects in a database. The invention may be embodied as a machine designed to carry out the method, or as a memory device that is capable of causing a computer to carry out the method.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2011Publication date: June 30, 2011Applicant: ZI CORPORATION OF CANADA, INC.Inventors: Charles WEIR, Tommy Wildenflycht
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Patent number: 7949513Abstract: A verbal interface appliance uses an attachable language-specific processing module to perform language-specific tasks. The language module implements an API by which the appliance can submit language-specific processing requests. The appliance submits data representing a user input gesture and receives both data representing appropriate feedback to the user in the language implemented by the language module and one or more candidates selected as likely interpretations of the user's input gesture. The language module also provides font data lookup service to the appliance. The language module can support more than one written language and can support more than one textual input mode.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2002Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: ZI Corporation of Canada, Inc.Inventor: Roland E. Williams
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Patent number: 7907122Abstract: Appliances, methods and devices are disclosed in which a first selection corresponding to symbols is used to identify a non-information function. An object corresponding to the non-information function may be provided and selected to indicate a user's desire to execute tasks of the function. Upon receiving the user's selection, the function may be executed.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2005Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Zi Corporation of Canada, Inc.Inventors: Jacques LaPointe, William J. Templeton-Steadman, Todd Simpson
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Patent number: 7890492Abstract: The invention may be a method of organizing pointers. The pointers may identify addresses where objects are stored. The pointers may be stored in arrays so that the pointers corresponding to the most recently selected objects are stored nearer to ends of the arrays than are the pointers corresponding to less recently selected objects. The invention may be embodied as a machine designed to carry out the method, or as a memory device that is capable of causing a computer to carry out the method.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2005Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Zi Corporation of Canada, Inc.Inventors: Charles Weir, Tommy Wildenflycht
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Patent number: 7256769Abstract: A system and method for efficient Asian character text input into a reduced keypad machine such as a word processor, telephone, hand-held computer, or personal computer is provided. The system comprises a data entry keypad associated with a monitor, and a disambiguation process supporting multiple keycap depression timespan range definitions and interpretations to produce accurate messaging with a reduced keypad.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2003Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: Zi Corporation of Canada, Inc.Inventors: Samuel Yin Lun Pun, John M. Conrad, Eun-Kyong Paek, Changshi Xu
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Patent number: 7257528Abstract: A method and apparatus for inputting Chinese character text into a machine such as a word processor or personal computer. The system consists of an apparatus which forms a closed feedback loop with the operator. The operator supplies stroke selections and other data to the apparatus which presents character selection information in response to the user's input. As a consequence of the feedback provided to the operator and subsequent actions by the operator, the desired Chinese text is produced with significant improvements in speed and ease.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 1998Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: Zi Corporation of Canada, Inc.Inventors: Wallace A. Ritchie, Samuel Pun, Weigen Qiu
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Publication number: 20060236239Abstract: A system and a method for text entry is disclosed. Each may be practiced using a single finger or thumb to create, select and enter characters or character sequences. The invention may be broadly applicable to the entry of a text object or a text string which may be created or received, stored, edited or transmitted by a personal appliance having a limited user interface, such as a reduced keypad or no keypad. The invention may be particularly useful in conjunction with an ideographic language.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2004Publication date: October 19, 2006Applicant: ZI CORPORATIONInventors: Todd Simpson, Weigen Qiu
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Publication number: 20030144830Abstract: A verbal interface appliance uses an attachable language-specific processing module to perform language-specific tasks. The language module implements an API by which the appliance can submit language-specific processing requests. The appliance submits data representing a user input gesture and receives both data representing appropriate feedback to the user in the language implemented by the language module and one or more candidates selected as likely interpretations of the user's input gesture. The language module also provides font data lookup service to the appliance. The language module can support more than one written language and can support more than one textual input mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2002Publication date: July 31, 2003Applicant: Zi CorporationInventor: Roland E. Williams
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Publication number: 20030107555Abstract: Multidirectional keys of a reduced keypad are used to disambiguate between multiple symbols associated with a single key. For example, pressing a key identifies a collection of two or more symbols associated with the key and subsequently rocking the key selects one of the two or more symbols as unambiguously identified by the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2001Publication date: June 12, 2003Applicant: Zi CorporationInventor: Roland E. Williams
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Publication number: 20030054830Abstract: A navigation assistance system provides navigational guidance to a user of a mobile appliance equipped with a radio transceiver. The user can specify a destination address either directly or categorically and select from any choices to resolve ambiguity. The user submits the selected destination to a fixed radio system such as a cellular telephony system which estimates the user position, determines the relative location of the destination and sends to the user appliance data which allows the display of approximate range and bearing to the destination. The mobile appliance can be equipped with a compass which can be electronic and which allows a user to be shown the direction of travel in order to reach the destination.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2001Publication date: March 20, 2003Applicant: Zi CorporationInventors: Roland Williams, Todd G. Simpson