Abstract: A method for transliterating languages in a computer system is disclosed. The method includes using a phonetic mapping engine to map languages to phonetic strings and vice versa. A user unfamiliar with a keyboard layout for a particular language may type phonetic strings using a known keyboard layout of a language known to the user. The typed input is captured by a keyboard hook, and based on a predefined phonetic mapping scheme, can be converted to the desired language.

Abstract: Creating and using phonetic schemes is described. A phonetic scheme creation feature is provided to allow a user to create a phonetic scheme that has one or more available phonetic character combinations in a source language and a resulting one or more native characters in a destination language for each of the phonetic character combinations. A phonetic input application is provided that can read the phonetic scheme to translate a respective character combination that is input by the user in the source language into the corresponding resulting native characters in the destination language. The phonetic scheme can be stored in a format that can be transferred to another computer. A dynamic help file can be created to document the phonetic scheme created by the user.

Abstract: Methods of using a soft keyboard are disclosed. A soft keyboard having one or more soft keys with a symbol displayed on the one or more soft keys is provided. A modifier may be applied to one of the symbols displayed on one of the soft keys by selecting the soft key and then providing a directional input. In an embodiment, different directional inputs are associated with different modifiers so that different symbols are inputted depending on the directional input. In an embodiment, a user may prove the direction input with a touch and directional drag of a selector across a touch sensitive screen. In an embodiment, a plurality of symbols associated with a plurality of modifying keys are made visible after the soft key is selected so that the user can visually determine which directional input will provide the desired symbol.

Abstract: Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for providing suggestion lists for phonetic input. The system receives user input in a source language from an input device. The input is a partial phonetic representation in the source language of a character desired by a user in a destination language. Based on the user's input, a suggestion list is generated that includes a set of key/character combinations that can be pressed/entered on an input device in the source language to achieve at least one resulting character in the destination language. The suggestion list is dynamically generated based upon a prior usage history of the user. The suggestion list is displayed to the user on a display. The user can customize various suggestion list display settings. Upon generating the suggestion list, the display settings are retrieved, and the suggestion list is formatted according to the display settings.

Abstract: Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for creating and using phonetic schemes. A phonetic scheme creation feature is provided to allow a user to create a phonetic scheme that has one or more available phonetic character combinations in a source language and a resulting one or more native characters in a destination language for each of the phonetic character combinations. A phonetic input application is provided that can read the phonetic scheme to translate a respective character combination that is input by the user in the source language into the corresponding resulting native characters in the destination language. The phonetic scheme can be stored in a format that can be transferred to another computer. A dynamic help file can be created to document the phonetic scheme created by the user.