Abstract: A structure and method for entering data into an electronic device (110). A deterministic data input element (130) coupled to the electronic device (110) is operable to accept a user-selected data input. Modulation of a motion of a non-deterministic data input element (140) coupled to the electronic device (11) is operable to select a varying precision of data input choices. A feedback element (120) coupled to one or more of the deterministic data input element (130) and the non-deterministic data input element (140) presents the data input choices to the user. The user enters data into electronic device (110) using one of the deterministic input element (130) and the non-deterministic input element (140) and the feedback element (120) displays a sequence of data choices to the user. The user then navigates a tree of possible data completions in order to select a particular data completion to be entered into the electronic device (110).

Abstract: A portable electronic device (100) and method (400) is capable of editing processed data input. The portable electronic device (100) comprises a display area (224) and a processor (206) coupled to the display area. The device collects (404) data input and, then, removes (412) the data input from the display area in response to detecting (406) an input delay. Thereafter, the processor, in response to receiving (416) an undo command message, provides (426) the data input and/or a processed version of the data input to the display area.

Abstract: A user interface method and apparatus for an electronic device operates by detecting (108) a stroke of a touch sensitive display (170) forming a part of the electronic device. The stroke is categorized (116) as one of a swish type stroke and a non-swish type stroke. If the stroke is a non-swish stroke, it is translated (132) into an application function. If the stroke is a swish stroke, it is converted (128) to a character input function. The touch sensitive display (170) has a grid (50) containing cells (51, 53, etc.), with each cell containing a plurality of characters, and the grid can overlay application interface to thereby occupying a common area, up to and including the entire area, of the touch sensitive display (170).

Abstract: The present invention is a user interface (120) for an ideographic character input device (100) comprising three rows (148, 150, 152) of adjacent input keys. A first row (148) includes keys that represent linear character strokes, a third row (152) includes keys that represent non-linear character strokes, and the second row (154) includes keys that represent a linear character stroke, a non-linear character stroke and a dot. The user interface (120) may also function as a numeric keypad in which the first row (148) includes keys 1 through 3, the second row (150) includes keys 4 through 6 and the third row (152) includes keys 7 through 9. The three rows (148, 150, 152) include single stroke keys corresponding to individual character strokes used to form a particular ideographic character. The user interface also includes at least one combination stroke key corresponding to a particular activation sequence of the single stroke keys used to form the ideographic character.

Abstract: A structure and method for entering data into an electronic device (110). A deterministic data input element (130) coupled to the electronic device (110) is operable to accept a user-selected data input. Modulation of a motion of a non-deterministic data input element (140) coupled to the electronic device (11) is operable to select a varying precision of data input choices. A feedback element (120) coupled to one or more of the deterministic data input element (130) and the non-deterministic data input element (140) presents the data input choices to the user. The user enters data into electronic device (110) using one of the deterministic input element (130) and the non-deterministic input element (140) and the feedback element (120) displays a sequence of data choices to the user. The user then navigates a tree of possible data completions in order to select a particular data completion to be entered into the electronic device (110).

Abstract: A user interface method and apparatus for an electronic device operates by detecting (108) a stroke of a touch sensitive display (170) forming a part of the electronic device. The stroke is categorized (116) as one of a swish type stroke and a non-swish type stroke. If the stroke is a non-swish stroke, it is translated (132) into an application function. If the stroke is a swish stroke, it is converted (128) to a character input function. The touch sensitive display (170) has a grid (50) containing cells (51, 53, etc.), with each cell containing a plurality of characters, and the grid can overlay application interface to thereby occupying a common area, up to and including the entire area, of the touch sensitive display (170).

Abstract: The invention is a method for resolving ambiguity of predictive text entry, such as one used by a portable electronic device (100). A user interface of the portable electronic device (100) includes a processor (206) and an output device (208, 210). The processor (206) is configured to receive the first and second data inputs (304, 312, 404, 412) and determine a word pair corresponding to the first and second data inputs (320, 426). The first data input is associated with a first word and the second data input is associated with a second word. However, the second data input may also be associated with words other than the second word. Thus, the processor (206) identifies possible combinations of word pairs based on the first word and the candidates for the second word (318, 420) and, then, determines the intended word pair from these possible combinations (320, 426). Thereafter, the output device (208, 210) displays the intended word pair determined by the processor (206) (322, 428).

Abstract: A portable electronic device (100) and method (400) is capable of editing processed data input. The portable electronic device (100) comprises a display area (224) and a processor (206) coupled to the display area. The device collects (404) data input and, then, removes (412) the data input from the display area in response to detecting (406) an input delay. Thereafter, the processor, in response to receiving (416) an undo command message, provides (426) the data input and/or a processed version of the data input to the display area.

Abstract: The present invention is a user interface (120) for an ideographic character input device (100) comprising three rows (148, 150, 152) of adjacent input keys. A first row (148) includes keys that represent linear character strokes, a third row (152) includes keys that represent non-linear character strokes, and the second row (154) includes keys that represent a linear character stroke, a non-linear character stroke and a dot. The user interface (120) may also function as a numeric keypad in which the first row (148) includes keys 1 through 3, the second row (150) includes keys 4 through 6 and the third row (152) includes keys 7 through 9. The three rows (148, 150, 152) include single stroke keys corresponding to individual character strokes used to form a particular ideographic character. The user interface also includes at least one combination stroke key corresponding to a particular activation sequence of the single stroke keys used to form the ideographic character.

Abstract: A data entry device having an integral input element capable of recording input movement in two dimensions (including Chinese strokes and characters, Roman letters and Arabic numerals) and delivering resultant signals to a processor. The processor is programmed for identifying a handwriting input represented by the signals.

Abstract: A data entry device (10) having an integral input element (12) capable of recording input movement in two dimensions (including Chinese strokes and characters, Roman letters and Arabic numerals) and delivering resultant signals to a processor (11). The processor (11) is programmed for identifying a handwriting input represented by the signals. The apparatus includes an array of switching elements (20) capable of recording input movement between at least four discrete points arranged in two dimensions and providing a series of discrete input. An electronic display (13) is provided for displaying a first subset of two-dimensional information, while a memory (15) is provided for storing a larger second two-dimensional information set. The memory (15) has storage capacity for the second two-dimensional information of a size greater than the first two-dimensional information capable of being displayed on the electronic display (13).

Abstract: A voice input representing a first phonetic component of a data element is accepted through an audio input (10). A mechanical input representing at least one writing component of the data element, such as a stroke or character, is accepted through a mechanical input device (15), such as a digitizer, keypad, or other means. A desired data element is identified from the voice input and the at least one writing component.