Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to a programmable device with a template removably attached thereto. The template contains programming descriptors written in the preferred language of the consumer. As a result, the market for such programmable devices is not restricted based on the preferred language of the consumer.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device includes a reduced QWERTY keyboard and is enabled with disambiguation software. An enhanced word frequency learning feature is provided. 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 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 enables editing during text entry and also provides a learning function that allows the disambiguation function to adapt to provide a customized experience for the user. The disambiguation function can be selectively disabled and an alternate keystroke interpretation system provided.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and method of displaying a multilingual keyboard uses an identifier of a language-specific entity, such as a country-code top-level domain of a domain name in an e-mail address to automatically output an input device configuration, such as a keyboard configuration, in accordance with stored keyboard table information corresponding to country identification information of a target recipient using the e-mail address of the target recipient, thereby increasing the convenience of use. The image forming apparatus receives an input email address of a target recipient, detects country identification information in the email address, searches stored keyboard information for that corresponding to the detected country identification information, and displays the keyboard in the language corresponding to the country identification information found in the searching of the stored country identification information.

Abstract: A keyboard illumination system comprises a computer device having a plurality of liquid crystal displays (LCDs). The system also comprises a display controller adapted to change an electrical state of at least one of the LCDs for providing a predetermined level of illumination by the at least one LCD for illuminating at least a portion of a keyboard of the computer device.

Abstract: In a method of entering text into an electronic communications device by means of a keypad having a number of keys, each key representing a plurality of letters and/or phonetic symbols, entered text is displayed on a display on the device. Possible phonetic syllables corresponding to an activated key sequence are generated. These are compared with a stored vocabulary comprising syllables and corresponding characters occurring in a given language. Those stored syllables and corresponding characters that match the possible syllables are pre-selected; and a number of these are presented in a separate first graphical object arranged predominantly on the display. Characters corresponding to one of the syllables in the first object are simultaneously presented in a second graphical object.

Abstract: A numeric keypad (100) for entering ideographic characters is provided. The numeric keypad (100) comprises a first set of input keys (102) corresponding to numerals 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, and a second set of input keys (104) corresponding to numeral 6, 7, 8, 9, and 0. Each of the first set of input keys (102) has a predefined single character stroke, which complies with the GB18031 standard. The second set of input keys (104) is assigned a first particular sequence of the predefined single character strokes and a second particular sequence of the predefined single character strokes different from the first particular sequence of the predefined single character strokes.

Abstract: The names of contacts are stored as characters. Each character may include one or more phonic codes that are encoded into the character. A smart filter decodes the character into its constituent sounds. An input string is received that includes phonic codes. An application matches the decoded constituent sounds with the specified phonetic codes from the input string in accordance with rules of the spoken language and character boundaries to determine a contact to display.

Abstract: A user programmable input apparatus with a keyboard comprises several keys with one or more special keys thereof on the keyboard for input operations, a microprocessor to receive inputs from the keys when they are pressed, a nonvolatile memory programmable by operating the keys for users themselves to program or define key definitions or functions for the keyboard or to store data or microinstructions or other programs thereto, and a transmission arrangement connected to the microprocessor to output data to the computer system or other peripheral connected with the input apparatus.

Abstract: A touch system comprises overlapping coordinate input sub-regions defining a generally contiguous input surface. Each coordinate input sub-region generates pointer coordinate data in response to pointer contacts thereon. When a pointer contact is made on a region of a coordinate input sub-region that overlaps with an adjacent coordinate input sub-region, each overlapping coordinate input sub-region processes acquired images to derive pointer data and triangulates the position of the pointer using the derived pointer data. Thereafter, the triangulated positions generated by the overlapping coordinate input sub-regions are processed in accordance with defined logic thereby to determine the position of the pointer contact relative to the touch surface.

Abstract: Out of a lot of fonts, the desired font is quickly found. For this purpose, out of a plurality of portions constituting a character displayed in a partial image retrieval area, the desired portion is selected. A retrieval area is clicked by a user, to retrieve a font on the basis of the selected portion. A list of the results of retrieval is displayed in a retrieval result area. Even if a font name is not memorized, a desired font can be found.

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 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 enables editing during text entry and also provides a learning function that allows the disambiguation function to adapt to provide a customized experience for the user. The disambiguation function can be selectively disabled and an alternate keystroke interpretation system provided.

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 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 enables editing during text entry and also provides a learning function that allows the disambiguation function to adapt to provide a customized experience for the user. The disambiguation function can be selectively disabled and an alternate keystroke interpretation system provided.

Abstract: A character recognition device recognizing characters with low power consumption includes a data input unit for entering handwriting data representing a character to be recognized, a character recognition dictionary storing character recognition information required for character recognition as well as operating frequency information concerning the operating frequency of the character recognition device that is set in connection with the recognition processing, a character recognition processing unit recognizing the character based on the handwriting data and the character recognition information, a recognition result output unit which outputs the character recognized by the character recognition processing unit, and a power management unit changing the operating frequency of the character recognition processing unit based on the operating frequency information stored in the character recognition dictionary.

Abstract: A digital keyboard has a plurality of keys having a top key surface having means for displaying images and indicia thereon. While the images/indicia can be composed of any picture, illustration, words or combination thereof, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is to display predetermined images and/or words on key caps representing shortcut key sequences for performing functions related to a user's current in process computer software applications as opposed to using a mouse to perform those same function through activation and selection from drop down menus or icons. Alternatively, a digital display screen forming an integral part of a keyboard whereupon information related to software applications can be displayed.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method, and a system for carrying out that method, for deterministically matching first elements of a first set of objects or events with second elements of a second set of objects or events. Matching first and second elements are associated with common values of an identification code pn having |pn| characters, and where the identification code can be insufficient to uniquely identify the first elements, and portions of the identification code values associated with the first and second elements can be unknown.

Abstract: A non-native language writing aid method and a tool for implementing the same intercept and captures the user's input, and display possible words and their interpretation in real time adjacent a cursor input. The tool can automatically adjust and select more possible words and their interpretation, while the user sequentially inputs characters constituting the input, until he/she chooses one word or makes a confirmation on his/her input. The invention may implement spelling check and meaning verification in real time, and provide expression prompting and a fuzzy search function, so that non-native language input speed can be greatly improved. The present invention is not limited to specific applications and can be incorporated into existing applications.

Abstract: A hand-held communication device provides navigation key-based predictive text entry. The hand-held communication device includes a housing generally sized to be held in a human hand having a display disposed for displaying characters selectable for entry in a character position of a text string being entered and a navigation key assembly for scrolling through and selecting from the characters displayed by the display. The characters displayed by the display during text entry are arranged according to the probability of selection of each character for entry in the character position so that the character with the highest probability of selection is selected with a single input from the navigation key assembly.

Abstract: A character input keyboard (20; 20A) of a typewriter style for an electronic information processing apparatus having high frequency in ENTER operation is provided at the right and the left thumbs' home positions for finger operation in front and the center of an operator with a pair of front keys (21, 22) which can be depressed directly by the respective thumb rested thereon as the right and the left thumbs' home positions, one of the centrally juxtaposed right and left front keys (21, 22) being allocated to a front ENTER/RETURN key and the other to a SPACE key as a normal state of the keyboard, whereby direct enter/return operation by either of thumbs rested thereon as thumbs' home positions is physically possible.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided with a first plurality of input keys. Each of the first plurality of input keys is associated with at least one numeric value and at least one alphabetic value and arranged in a numeric and first alphabetic telephone keypad arrangement. The apparatus is also provided with a second plurality of input keys that are at least partially surrounding the first plurality of input keys. At least some of the second plurality of input keys are associated with at least one alphabetic value. Further, input keys of the first and the second plurality of input keys are arranged relative to each other to form a second alphabetic arrangement.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and program produce small print including character string information in a plurality of languages together with a logo. A language converting function converts an input character string into another language. A multi-language printing function converts the input character string into a specified number and types of languages. A layout function allows specifying one piece of information of the logo, specifying one record, specifying one type of character string information and printing the specified layout as the small print inclusive of the logo and character string.

Abstract: An intermediate code and electronic device therefore uses a method for character entry that has the steps of entering a first character code into a memory buffer (320, 360, 390), entering an intermediate code into the memory buffer (310, 350, 380), entering a second character code into the memory buffer (332, 378), changing the intermediate code to one or more character codes (333, 336, 365, 375, 393, 396), and using a display engine to display one or more characters represented by the first character code, the one or more character codes, and the second character code. These intermediate codes are useful for reduced keypads where certain characters, such as ligatures, are difficult to access from the keypad.

Abstract: A key inputting device includes a vowel switch for inputting vowels, and consonant switches for inputting consonants. The vowel switch is displacable in five directions, each consonant switch is displacable in three directions, and displacement directions of each switch are allotted to each letter of alphabet corresponding to at least a movement of articulatory organs when pronouncing each letter, that is, a movement or a location of a jaw, a throat, a tongue, lips. The vowel switch is operationable by a thumb, and the consonant switches are operationable by an index finger, a middle finger, a ring finger, and a little finger, respectively.

Abstract: An efficient and simple approach to encoding ideographic characters as sequences of input strokes or stroke categories is disclosed, wherein: each character is represented by one or more sequences of one or more components; each component corresponds to a plurality of alternative stroke sequences, each of which is associated with a probability that it will be the sequence which the user enters to specify the given component or character; and the probability associated with the user's preferred stroke sequence is automatically increased by the system when the character is selected, thus automatically adapting to a user's preferences.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for hardware input devices provides context sensitive labels which can change according to an application running on a computer and/or the function assigned to an input element. An illustrative implementation of the method and apparatus includes employing ink having two or more electroluminescent pattern layers with an input device. Based on the context of a computer associated with the input device, an illuminated pattern identifies the current functionality of one or more of the inputs of the input device.

Abstract: A method for arranging 37 Mandarin Phonetic Symbols (MPS) on a keypad includes arranging the 37 symbols onto 12 keys of the keypad. With this particular arrangement, a maximum number of combinations of MPS generated by pressing three keys on the keypad is reduced from 48 to 16, making input of Chinese characters considerably faster and more convenient.

Abstract: A user interface (102) of a portable electronic device (100) includes a plurality of keys (112). The user interface (102) includes a first group of keys representing vowel characters (402), and a second group of keys representing consonant characters (202). The second group of keys is separate from the first group of keys. For the first group of keys, a first key represents leading vowels (422, 424, 426), a second key represents above and below vowels (428, 430), and a third key represents following vowels (432, 434, 436). The second group of keys may be subdivided into phonetic consonant groups (FIGS. 5 & 6) or alphabetic consonant groups (FIGS. 7 & 8).

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for a user of a mobile computing device to input special characters using a modifier key on a keyboard. The special characters include accented characters associated with regular characters. In one aspect, a computer-implemented method for configuring a mobile computing device for a user to enter special characters is provided. The computer-implemented method includes inputting a regular character in response to a user pressing a key associated with the regular character. After the regular character has been inputted, the user may input a special character by pressing a modifier key. A special character associated with the regular character is determined in response to the user pressing the modifier key. The special character may be determined based on the number of times that the user has pressed the modifier key. The inputted regular character is then modified to the special character.

Abstract: A touch press key inputting device includes: a plurality of character keys 21˜32 with at least 2 characters displayed on the surface of each key; an input judging means 72 for sensing the character keys touched and the first touched points in the area of the character keys, performing a movement longer than a specified length originally touched, and judging a moving direction in touch press inputting; a character selecting and outputting means 73 for selecting and outputting the characters displayed in the moving direction, corresponding to the moving direction judged by the input judging means, relative to the reference positions of the character keys. Since the characters on the positions are selected and output corresponding to the touch press inputting operations of the characters displayed on the key surfaces of respective character keys 21˜32, the inputting operations can be directly sensed and easily assured, and the inputting operability is improved.

Abstract: An apparatus has a keyboard panel with a QWERTY array of alphabetic key actuation indicia. The apparatus further has a QWERTY array of keys that are free of alphabetic key actuation indicia, and are located adjacent to corresponding alphabetic key actuation indicia on the keyboard panel. Other parts of the apparatus include an output device responsive to actuation of the keys, and a processing device operatively coupled between the keys and the output device. Summarized alternatively, the apparatus includes a keyboard with keys arranged in arcuate horizontal rows. The keys in each row have centerlines projecting radially from a respective common centerpoint.

Abstract: A remote control is equipped with a pushbutton unit including a plurality of transverse linking sections linking pushbuttons in a transverse direction and a bridge section connecting the transverse linking sections at one side. This pushbutton unit is provided by integrally forming a first button group and a second button group respectively including a plurality of pushbuttons in a specified arrangement as a unit on a sheet-form elastic member in such a manner that pushbuttons of one button group are located between pushbuttons of the other button group and by cutting, along a specified cut line, this unit into two pushbutton units including transverse linking sections with pushbuttons linked in the transverse direction and a bridge section that connects the transverse linking sections at one side.

Abstract: A portable device includes a display unit, a memory, input keys, and a microprocessor. The display unit has a character window, which includes a selecting character window and a selected character window, for displaying characters. One character line including the character which has virtual coordinates indicated by a cursor is displayed in the selecting character window, and the character selected from the characters in the selecting character window is displayed in the selected character window by input keys. The memory stores the characters having intrinsic virtual coordinates, and several input keys serve for navigating across the characters by using the virtual coordinates of the characters to select the characters. The microprocessor controls the display of the characters on the display unit in correspondence to the input of the input keys.

Abstract: A Chinese text entry system with eye-tracking technique can be used for computer input of Chinese characters. The system is comprised of two main components: the Chinese pinyin software and the eye-tracking system. Chinese characters corresponding to pinyin input are selected from a list of candidate characters by selecting the proper character through eye-tracking identification and confirming the selection by pressing a readily accessible confirmation key. The Chinese pinyin software implements pinyin input at both the character and word level, choosing from multiple character or word homonyms as pinyin is entered. The system uses eye-tracking technology that is only used to identify the correct Chinese character, with the character selection and entry occurring when the confirmation key is pressed.

Abstract: A system and method is directed to filtering an entry associated with a Far East language character. A potential keystroke is determined for each entry in a database, contact list, text file, and the like. In one embodiment, the entry is a Unicode associated with the Far East language character. An index is determined from the Unicode based in part on the Far East language character. The index is employed to determine the potential keystroke associated with the Far East language character. If the potential keystroke approximately matches a received keystroke, the entry associated with the Far East language character is selected. In one embodiment, the Far East language character associated with the selected entry is provided to a display device. The Far East language character may include a Korean, Japanese, and Chinese language character.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compact and portable interactive system for allowing person-to-person communication in a typed language format between individuals experiencing language barriers such as the hearing impaired and language impaired. According to the present invention, the sComm system includes a custom laptop configuration having a display screen and one keyboard on each side of the laptop; and data translations means for translating the original typed data from a first language to a second language. The display screen will further have a split configuration, i.e., a double screen, either top/bottom or left/right depicting chat boxes, each chat box dedicated to a user. The sComm system will be able to support multilingual text-based conversations. In particular, a user will be able to translate, using existing translating technology, the typed text into other languages including, but not limited to, English, Spanish, Chinese, German and French.

Abstract: Layouts for keypads are provided that have an improved combination of a regular of intuitive arrangement of alphabetic symbols of a language defined by letter characters of the Roman alphabet and an efficient distribution of the symbols to minimize input ambiguities. More particularly, the symbols are for the Pinyin alphabet which includes two main symbol groups thereof for forming Pinyin syllables. The various layouts employ a columnar-based arrangement for the symbols of the initial group. The symbols for the final group are parsed down to basic characters and are distributed in a row-based arrangement.

Abstract: Described herein is a computer-implemented system and method for processing one or more alternate symbols associated or linked to a base symbol. A base symbol is a symbol to which at least one alternate symbol is linked. A base symbol commonly appears on a key of a keyboard or a display or a keyboard, or is a handwritten symbol recognized by handwriting entry software. Examples of alternate symbols are accented characters and punctuation marks that do not appear on a keyboard or are not commonly recognized by a handwriting entry program, and short symbol sequences. An example of a common short symbol sequence is an emoticon used in e-mail messages to convey tone or feelings. An example of a computer device that may embody the system or method is a hand-held computing device.

Abstract: An operation unit is provided with an operation body operated by hand, a first detection unit for detecting the inclination operation of the operation body, and a second detection unit for detecting the pushing-down operation of the operation body. Any of 26 alphabetical characters “A, B, C, . . . , X, Y, and Z” is selected corresponding to the inclination direction of the operation body. The displayed character is changed successively by rotating the operation body in X-Y coordinate plane. The selected character is finalized by pushing down the operation unit in Z-direction.

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 method is disclosed for operating a device having a numeric keypad to provide intelligent text input for Indian scripts, such as Hindi. In this method predetermined number keys, such as 2 and 3, are reserved for vowels. These keys produce either independent vowels or dependent vowels (matras) depending on the character preceding the text buffer insertion point. If the character preceding the insertion point is a consonant, keys 2 and 3 produce dependent vowels, in all other cases these keys produce independent vowels. If the user wishes to change the dependent vowel into an independent vowel, the user can do this by pressing a context switch key, such as *, and the dependent vowel in sequence. As a result, the vowel is inserted as an independent vowel, thereby overriding the context into which the vowel is being entered. Other number keys, in the preferred embodiment 4,5,6,7,8 and 9, are reserved for consonants. If the user presses any of these keys, a consonant is inserted into the display.

Abstract: The apparatus and method of the invention relate to data entry and menu selection. Applications include: (a) data entry for ideographic languages, including Chinese, Japanese and Korean; (b) fast food ordering; (c) correction of documents generated by optical character recognition; and (d) computer access and speech synthesis by persons temporarily or permanently lacking normal motor capabilities. In a preferred embodiment, each option of a menu is associated respectively with a selectable region displayed adjacent an edge of a display, forming a perimeter menu and leaving a region in the center of the perimeter menu for the output of an application program. Selectable regions may be on the display, outside the display, or both. A menu option may be selected by clicking on the associated selectable region, by dwelling on it for a selection threshold period or by a cursor path toward the selectable region, or by a combination thereof.

Abstract: A portable mobile unit, comprising: an input portion for inputting a letter or a numeral therethrough, wherein the input portion has at least fourteen (14) pieces of input keys; five (5) alphabetic letters of indicative vowels of Japanese language are assigned to five (5) input keys of said fourteen (14) pieces of input keys; and nine (9) alphabetic letters indicative of un-voiced consonants in consonants of Japanese language are assigned to nine (9) input keys, whereby an input of a voiced consonant or a half-voiced consonant is conducted by using an input key for use in inputting other consonant. With this, there is provided the portable mobile unit, which enables the input of Japanese language is possible even with a small number of key operations, in the manner similar to that of the Roman letter input method of Japanese language, with ease.

Abstract: A hand-held electronic device with a keyboard optimized for use with the thumbs is disclosed. In order to operate within the limited space available on a hand-held electronic device, the present invention optimizes the placement and shape of the keys, preferably using keys that are oval or oblong in shape, and that are preferably placed at angles designed to facilitate thumb-typing. The angles at which keys on either side of the keyboard are placed is complimentary.

Abstract: Consonant jamos of the Korean language are grouped according to appearance and each group is associated with a respective key of a reduced keypad. Vowel jamos are specified by the user using a number of keys reserved for vowels and each of which represents a respective category of strokes by which the vowel jamo would normally be written.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for character entry and more particularly Chinese character entry. The method improves the ease of entry for Chinese characters on a device that has a keypad arrangement of at least a 3×3 matrix (106). For example wireless communication devices such as radiotelephones have a keypad (108) for dialing phone numbers. Arranging the Chinese characters on the device display in a 3×3 matrix to match the at least 3×3 matrix of the keypad allows the user to quickly select from the pin yin list (104) the key on the keypad that corresponds to the desired character in the matching matrix.

Abstract: The present invention provides effective information search means, and/or effective acquired information submission means, without overtly expressing an intent (e.g., through the depression of a search button) to acquire information. In an example embodiment, the kana-kanji conversion routine is activated, and a character string is input using voice, a keyboard or a graphic entry process. Then, a conversion key is depressed to convert the input character string into kanji. Upon the depression of the conversion key, the homonym candidate selection routine is initiated, and the conversion candidate is presented. In response to the depression of the conversion key, or the change of the conversion candidate in the homonym candidate selection routine, the information access routine is activated. Then, the information access procedure is performed, and the search results are acquired. Thereafter, the search results are presented.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a controlling device. In response to a user specifying one or more operating criteria for the controlling device, the system selects executable instructions from a library of executable instructions and command code sets from a library of command code sets that are to be stored in the memory of the controlling device. In addition, the system uses the criteria to suggest command key/command code mappings for use within the controlling device. The user may interact with the system to modify the selected executable instructions, command code sets, and command key/command code mappings. When stored in the memory of the controlling device, the executable instructions are to be used to perform various operations and functions within the controlling device and the command codes are to be transmitted from the controlling device to command the operation of controllable devices in response to activation of one or more of the command keys.

Abstract: It is an object that in case of installing a font of a unified character code, desired characters corresponding to a country or a region can be installed. To accomplish the above object, a type of a font which is selected by the user and should be installed is designated, characters of a designated language are specified. A list of types of fonts of the specified characters is displayed. The language which is selected by the user and should be installed is designated. Font data is installed in accordance with designated country information. A processing routine is finished.

Abstract: A mobile phone has a display and a keypad which comprises a plurality of keys. Each key has associated with it a plurality of different symbols. The keypad is used to enter symbols in the form of Pinyin strings (25) into the display which are then used to determine a candidate list (26) of Chinese characters which are presented in the display. Symbols are entered into the display by pressing respective keys once or more than one times in rapid succession. Selection of a symbol is only permitted if it corresponds to a valid Pinyin string (25), either in isolation or in combination with one or more symbols entered in a previous selection. Characters chosen from the candidate list are entered into a message (24) in the display.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a controlling device. In response to a user specifying one or more operating criteria for the controlling device, the system selects executable instructions from a library of executable instructions and command code sets from a library of command code sets that are to be stored in the memory of the controlling device. In addition, the system uses the criteria to suggest command key/command code mappings for use within the controlling device. The user may interact with the system to modify the selected executable instructions, command code sets, and command key/command code mappings. When stored in the memory of the controlling device, the executable instructions are to be used to perform various operations and functions within the controlling device and the command codes are to be transmitted from the controlling device to command the operation of controllable devices in response to activation of one or more of the command keys.