Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed which relate to improving the efficiency of text input by dynamically generating a visually assistive virtual keyboard. Exemplary variations display a soft keyboard on a touchscreen of a text-entry device. The touchscreen works with the soft keyboard as a form of text input. Keyboard logic on the text-entry device is programmed to change the visual appearance of each key within the soft keyboard based on the prior entry. The keyboard logic assigns a prediction value to each key based on a statistical probability that the key will be entered next. The touchscreen displays a visually enhanced keyboard based on these prediction values. Enhancements include resizing keys relative to their prediction value, rearranging the keys a distance from the previous key entered inverse to its prediction value, etc.

Abstract: Disclosed is electronic equipment (e.g., a communication device) and method for acquiring remote dictionary information for use in SMS applications. The electronic equipment includes a processor that executes an application program within memory, the application program when executed causing the electronic equipment to: request remote dictionary information related to the user information from an associated remote server; receive remote dictionary information from the associated remote server related to the user information; and output the remote dictionary information in a user-sensible format. The method includes receiving one or more symbols from an input device; requesting remote dictionary information related to the received one or more symbols from a predictive text dictionary application stored on an associated remote server; and receiving and outputting the remote dictionary information in a user-sensible format.

Abstract: When units of serialized input are analyzed by an engine or algorithm that provides a plurality of entry suggestions for competing or replacing a unit of the serialized input, one or more haptic effects can be identified and provided in conjunction with display, selection, or use of one or more of the entry suggestions to aid in the use of the engine or algorithm. The haptic effects can represent a confidence level with respect to one or more of the entry suggestions or may otherwise indicate the relative success of the engine/algorithm. For example, the serialized input may comprise characters input to a mobile or other device. The engine or algorithm may suggest words or phrases with varying degrees of confidence, with the confidence with respect to some or all of the suggestions communicated by use of haptic effects.

Abstract: An electronic device can access weather information via a network. The electronic device includes a graphical user interface (GUI) module, a weather service management module, a download module and a display. The GUI module can process and transmit input of letters. The weather service management module can build and modify a city result list from an available city list according to the input from the GUI module, when the input letters reach a predetermined number. The selected city is selected from the city result list by user input to the GUI module, and the download module can get weather content of a selected city. The display can display the weather content for the selected city.

Abstract: A system, method and computer-readable medium that previews words and commands recognized by a continuous stroke recognizer based on input into a virtual keyboard layout is presented. The system and method allows a user to see the word that will be recognized or output before the user commits the continuous stroke input to the system. Further, after recognition and output, the system presents the recognized output word and the closest word candidates in a correction display integrated with the virtual keyboard layout. Among other things, the user is provided with options to change the current output word by selecting another word candidate on the correction display, and to delete the current output word by selecting the representation of the current output word on the correction display.

Abstract: An operating system program launch menu, such as a Start menu, provides various mechanisms for a user to quickly and efficiently locate and launch desired data items such as programs, data files, storage locations, and the like. A search box within the program launch menu may be used to quickly locate programs, documents, communications, and other data items. An auto-complete feature may be used, e.g., when the user restricts the locations searched for the user-entered search text. A most commonly used program list may include programs based on various criteria including both frequency of use and recent use, thereby always including a most recently used item. An all programs view may display programs and documents in a hosted-tree view within the original confines of the program launch menu, thereby negating the need to open sub-menus on top of a large portion of the desktop displayed on the display device.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention a user can rapidly enter and search for data, such as text, using a data entry system by entering one or more characters on a digital keyboard with a pointing device. With the digital keyboard the user can create words, phrases and other character sequences. As the user enters a character sequence, a mechanism for character prediction visually informs the user of which set of characters on the digital keyboard are most likely to have the character that the user wishes to next enter as part of the text. In another aspect of the present invention, as the user forms a character sequence (partial text entry), the character sequence is used to search a dictionary for a set of completion candidates that begin with the character sequence. The data entry system retrieves completion candidates from the dictionary by determining which completion candidates in the dictionary are more likely to be the ones that the user is attempting to type.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of predicting and entering a word and an electronic device in which the method is implemented. The method of predicting and entering a word includes the steps of entering a premise letter through one or more direction inputs from among a contact, pressing, movement, and an inclination for indication locations radially arranged around a reference location and spaced apart from one another; switching to a prediction word entry mode in response to a set input and arranging prediction words, including the premise letter, in the indication locations; and selecting an intended word from among the prediction words through the direction input and entering the selected word.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is a computer program for displaying one or more entries from a buddy list. The computer program receives a partial input in a text entry field and displays a result set in a result field, wherein the result set comprises entries from the buddy list having data that matches the partial input.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and a computer readable memory for providing a user with database search results in response to search categories and filter criteria selected by the user, comprising the steps of: selection by the user of a search category to display; selection by the user of one or more filter criteria from the list of displayed filter criteria within the displayed search category; repetition of steps a) and b) until all desired filter criteria have been selected; search of the database by applying the selected filter criteria to produce a database search result; and selection by the user of a display mode for the database search result. According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a computer program for instructing a computer to perform the methods described herein.

Abstract: Applying a bias when determining a suggested search query. Examples of biases that can be applied include, but are not limited to, temporal biases and monetization biases. Temporal biasing involves increasing a weight associated with a search query, based on a temporal attribute associated with the query. Search queries may also have associated with them a parameter such as frequency, count, etc. One of these parameters may serve as a weight. In order to determine suggested search queries, the temporal attribute is used to modify or bias the parameter (e.g., frequency parameter). Thus, the weight of the search query is modified to temporally bias the query. The suggested search queries are determined based on the biased parameter.

Abstract: On a device having keys with multiple values, a user may perform either an iterative directory filtering operation or a direct-dial operation, without specifying which of the operations is intended. Hence, a user is allowed to perform any of a number of different operations to specify a number to be dialed or to identify a directory record, without requiring the user to specify a mode. A user's intended operation is determined by analyzing the entered keystrokes, and activates the appropriate feedback and functionality for the determined operation. In one embodiment iterative directory filtering is performed on multiple fields concurrently, including derived fields and combination fields.

Abstract: Systems and methods for simplifying text entry are provided. A visual keypad may include a plurality of user-selectable buttons corresponding to at least some of the buttons of the alphabet. The layout of the visual keypad may be determined based on an n-gram table. The layout of the visual keypad may be rearranged based at least in part on the most likely next character in response to receiving a user selection of a button on the visual keypad.

Abstract: Item selections along with user inputs are leveraged to provide users with automated item tagging. Further user interaction with additional windows and other interfacing techniques are not required to tag the item. In one example, a user selects items and begins typing a tag which is automatically associated with the selected items without further user action. Tagging suggestions can also be supplied based on a user's selection, be dynamically supplied based on a user's input action, and/or be formulated automatically based on user data and/or tags and the like associated with selections by an external source. Machine learning can also be utilized to facilitate in tag determination. This increases the value of the tagged items by providing greater item access flexibility and allowing multiple associations (or tags) with each item.

Abstract: A method of expanding a command line comprising at least one command word and word separators delineating the at least one command word is presented. A trigger to expand the command line is detected, and upon detection of the trigger, a current cursor position within the command line is determined. From the current cursor position, a particular command word that is currently being edited is determined. The last characters of a particular command word is deleted from the cursor position onwards, thereby yielding a particular truncated command word. A match for the particular truncated command word is found in a command word database, and the particular truncated command is completed according to the match.

Abstract: A method for using a workflow server to provide targeted advertisements recommended by users of workflow software includes: receiving, at a server from a user completing a workflow, information corresponding to a step in the workflow and an advertiser, the advertiser recommended by the user in connection with the step in the workflow; identifying, by the server, an advertisement corresponding to the recommended advertiser; and transmitting, from the server to a second client, a markup language page corresponding to the step in the workflow, the markup language page including the identified advertisement. Corresponding systems are also described.

Abstract: A method for inputting optional values into an input field that includes receiving an event to trigger input into the input field, identifying a first optional value and a second optional value associated with the input field, and dynamically assigning, in response to the event, a first unique hotkey to the first optional value and a second unique hotkey to the second optional value. The method may also include displaying the first optional value with the first unique hotkey and the second optional value with the second unique hotkey, receiving input of the first unique hotkey, and populating the input field with the first optional value based on the input of the first unique hotkey.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for text entry includes receiving entered text from a user, selecting a set of candidate sequences for completing or continuing the sequence, and presenting the candidate sequences to the user, wherein the candidate sequences include partial words. The candidate sequences are identified based on usage frequency weights stored in a tree data structure. A graphical user interface for text entry includes displaying a current input sequence of characters and the identified partial words.

Abstract: Triple-tap password entry is described. In an embodiment, a password is received as a sequence of characters that are each entered as one or more keypad inputs, such as with a television remote control. The keypad inputs for each of the characters are displayed as the sequence of characters are received, and a character of the password is obscured after the character has been received such that the characters are consecutively obscured to conceal the password. A character of the password can be obscured when a subsequent character is received, or when a time duration of the character display meets and/or exceeds a time limit.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for extracting and maintaining in a virtual address book one or more electronic mail addresses from one or more of the various address fields (e.g., “From,” “To,” “Cc,” “Bcc”) of one or more e-mail messages either transmitted from or received at a predetermined network node (e.g., a client or server). Electronic mail addresses stored in the virtual address book may be made available to “auto-complete” capabilities utilized during the addressing of electronic mail messages.

Abstract: To reduce the amount of space needed to display an item, while still retaining meaning for the item, a reduced presentation is determined for the item. The reduced presentation is based on analysis of a portion that contains information that may be less important for the user to see in order to understand the whole item. The item may contain a portion that is based on user input. It is this portion upon which the reduced presentation determination may be made. However, the reduced presentation determination may be based on another factor. For example, the technique is applicable to displaying any list of items that have some common pattern in the items. Based on analysis of the common pattern, a reduced presentation can be determined for at least one of the items.

Abstract: Storage stores therein groups of words in association with individual ones objects of search, each of the groups indicating a character of a corresponding one of the objects, the objects of search being classified redundantly into plural items, the storage storing therein, for each of the items, at least one group of words. Controller mixedly displays, on a display and with reference to the storage, tags indicative of groups of words for the individual items, the controller displaying the tags in different display styles unique to the individual items, an image of each of the tags being variable stepwise in accordance with a predetermined condition. User can select a desired tag from among the displayed tags. Search section searches for an object of search meeting a search condition identified on the basis of the one or more words indicated by the tag selected by the user.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for entering information. A display is generated which includes one or more parts of the information. Selection of the one or more parts of the information may be made and results in the generation of a display of further one or more parts for selection. The further one or more parts may be selected in order to add to the selected one or more parts to build a larger part or whole of words, sentences, messages, text, symbols and/or graphics.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implement techniques for navigating user interface elements of a computer program application. A navigation key press of a navigation key is detected, where the navigation key has a group identifier. A selected group of user interface elements associated with the group identifier is identified. Input focus is shifted to a user interface element in the selected group based on the navigation key.

Abstract: A communication terminal having a display; a keypad having a plurality of keys associated with several letters each; processor means controlling the display means in accordance with the operation of the keypad; a selectable predictive editor program for generating an output containing words matching a received string of ambiguous key strokes, said predictive editor program has a number of associated vocabularies including at least one language dependent dictionary and at least one dictionary receiving user defined inputs. An editor application is controlled by the processor means communicates with said predictive editor programs for generating matching words based on an ambiguous string of key strokes. Second memory means of the communication terminal for storing user inputted data. The processor means automatically searches said second memory means for words and copies these words into said at least one dictionary for receiving user defined inputs and associated with said predictive editor program.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and software are presented for a device to provide information about operation of a button during operation of the button. The button performs a first action if the button has been operated a first way, and performs a second alternative action if the button has instead been operated a second way. The user is provided with information, during the operation of the button, indicative of the second way.

Abstract: An improved user interface is provided for allowing the application of two properties or pieces of metadata to an object with a single user action. A two-dimensional radial menu (user interface) is provided. The radial menu is a generally pie-shaped user interface that is divided into two or more slices associated with two or more corresponding types of a first property that may be applied to a selected object. The menu is further divided to two or more circular sections so that each slice of the pie-shaped radial menu is further divided into two or more sections. Each circular section is associated with a type of a second property that may be applied to the object. By selection of a given section in a given slice of the radial menu, one type of the first property associated with the given slice and a one type of the second property associated with the given circular section of the slice are applied to the selected object with a single user action.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for navigating user interface elements of a computer program application. In one aspect, a method includes grouping user interface elements of an application into groups based on a hierarchical arrangement of the elements, detecting a navigation key press of a sibling or a parent navigation key, and if it is a sibling navigation key, shifting input focus to a next sibling group in the hierarchy, and if it is a parent navigation key, shifting input focus to a parent group in the hierarchy. In another aspect, a method for navigating editable cells of a table includes detecting a forward or a backward navigation key; if it is a forward navigation key, shifting input focus to a next editable cell of the table; and if it is a backward navigation key, shifting input focus to a previous editable cell of the table.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed. The method is for enabling a user to efficiently navigate to a portion of a user interface configured to support performance of a particular task. The method includes receiving from the user an input that includes a description of the particular task. A result set is returned to the user and includes a plurality of candidate tasks that correspond to the description. The candidate tasks are displayed relative to an indication of at least one corresponding applet.

Abstract: A mobile electronic device includes a touch sensitive display and enables text input to be provided in either a reduced keyboard ambiguous text input mode or in a full keyboard unambiguous text input mode and advantageously enables uncommitted text entered in the ambiguous input mode to be automatically committed when switching into the unambiguous input mode. An improved method employs the mobile electronic device.

Abstract: Provided are techniques for viewing objects. A hierarchical structure is displayed, wherein the hierarchical structure includes two or more levels, and wherein each of the levels includes one or more objects. A control is provided to enable selection of one or more objects at each of the levels of the hierarchical structure. Selection of at least one object at each of two or more of the levels of the hierarchical structure is received. In response to receiving the selection, the hierarchical structure is displayed with the at least one object at each of the two or more of the levels shown as selected along with a list of the selected objects.

Abstract: Operations included in creation of an electronic document having a plurality of predefined fields include receiving an input that a user makes under guidance of an input area in a graphical user interface (GUI). The input includes a character string and is made to create an electronic document in a computer system. A field with which the first character string is associated is determined. A template has a template input area for each of several predefined fields. The template is displayed in the GUI with an entry corresponding to the string entered in the correct input area. A GUI includes the input area and a template display area. Upon determining that the first character string is associated with a first predefined field, the first character string is entered in the template input area for the first predefined field. The string can also be used for template selection.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for determining probable meanings of words. An input of a word is obtained. Probable meanings of the word may be determined in accordance with a prior probability of probable meanings of the word and a context frequency probability of probable meanings of the word.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a system, method and technique for operating a communication device. According to an embodiment, information contained in a contact record is displayed, where the information includes a plurality of entries. Each entry is associated with one of a plurality of communication types and includes an identifier for use with an application of the associated communication type. An input is detected corresponding to a user's selection of one of the plurality of entries. In response to the user's selection, the application of the communication type associated with the selected entry is automatically executed by initiating a communication using the identifier included in the selected entry.

Abstract: An improved user interface for data input without the use of a standard keyboard is provided. Input is accepted through a data entry means such as a shuttle control system, a standard telephone keypad, or a speech recognition system. The data that is entered is selected from a predefined list that is presented to a user in an arrangement that statistically reduces the number of keystrokes required for data entry. This presentation is the result of determining the relative frequency of each valid selection in the predefined list and presenting those valid selections with the highest frequency items in a position that minimizes the number keystrokes required for data entry. In a speech recognition embodiment, the data entered is selected from an active list containing unique sounding entries. Alternatively, the data entered may be selected by speaking the numbers associated with the keys corresponding to the keystrokes required for data entry.

Abstract: On a device having keys with multiple values, a user may perform either an iterative directory filtering operation or a direct-dial operation, without specifying which of the operations is intended. The invention thereby allows the user to perform any of a number of different operations to specify a number to be dialed or to identify a directory record, without requiring the user to specify a mode. The invention determines which of the operations the user intends by analyzing the entered keystrokes, and activates the appropriate feedback and functionality for the determined operation. The invention further performs iterative directory filtering on multiple fields concurrently, including derived fields and combination fields.

Abstract: An improved method of learning character segments from received text enables facilitated text input on an improved handheld electronic device. In receiving text on the handheld electronic device, the characters of the text are converted into the inputs with which the characters correspond. Then, segments and other objects are analyzed to generate a proposed character interpretation of the series of inputs. Responsive to detecting that at least a portion of the character interpretation differs from a corresponding portion of the received text, a character learning string comprising the differing characters of the received text are stored as a candidate.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel system and method for providing automated data entry of information. The system may include a processing subsystem capable of processing extensible markup language documents, a predicting subsystem capable of reviewing entered data of an input document and providing a suggestion to the input document, and a database for storing parsed extensible markup language documents. Database may maintain a plurality of relationships among received data of previous documents, and predictor may analyze a plurality of relationships for suggestions. The method for providing automated data entry of information may monitor received data, analyze relationships among received data, and predict a data entry field. A data entry field may be based on received data and relationships among received data. Predicting of data entry fields may incorporate a plurality of predictors whereby one or more values from values provided by each of the plurality of predictors is provided to a user.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device (1) comprising a digital keyboard (2) capable of being actuated by an operator for inputting figures of a particular digital value, display means (3) for displaying at least the input figures, validating means (5) capable of being actuated by an operator for validating a displayed digital value, and an input-aid system (6) comprising acquisition means (9) for acquiring the input figures as they are being input, and processing means (10) knowing the digital values which are valid, determining at each input of one figure based on said valid digital values at least one auxiliary figure which it associates with the set of already input figures to form therewith a proposed value, and transmitting said proposed value to the display means (2) for display.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of determining the similarity of two strings. The method comprises calculating a Levenshtein matrix of a first string and a second string. A Levenshtein distance is determined from the Levenshtein matrix. A largest common substring is also determined from the Levenshtein matrix. The method may farther comprise determining a numerical score as a function of the Levenshtein distance and the largest common substring.

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 method for destination selection in a navigation system in which each destination from a totality of all destinations is defined by destination parameters and a set of possible destinations from the totality of all destinations is limited step-wise due to the input of individual characters for one parameter. When inputting the characters, a switch may be made from one destination parameter to an input of a character for another parameter.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a system, method, means, and/or computer program code are provided to facilitate use of a spreadsheet application to access information stored in a multi-dimensional data source. Some embodiments include receiving, at an analyzer module, a change indication from the spreadsheet application, the change indication being associated with an identifier entered by a user into a spreadsheet cell. In response to the change indication, a member associated with the identifier in a multi-dimensional data source may be dynamically determined. Information in the spreadsheet may then be replaced with a formula based at least in part on the determined member.

Abstract: Real-time query expansion (RTQE) is a process of supplementing an original query with additional terms or expansion choices that are ranked according to some figure of merit and presented while users are still formulating their queries. As disclosed herein, individual terms may be combined and submitted as a phrase into a query. By building the phase term-by-term, users can compositionally formulate queries while maintaining the same benefits that other RTQE interfaces offer. The benefits include, reducing the number of keystrokes and improving retrieval performance. To promote greater flexibility in its working environment, the number of terms that are presented on a display may be reduced. In place of some terms, placeholders may be used and expanded by the user when necessary. This allows phrases to be readily presented on small displays (e.g., hand-held devices).

Abstract: A computer implemented method and apparatus for managing a selection list include accessing previous entries in the history log for a particular field and displaying such entries in a selection list pull-down menu. A determination is made whether the selection is related to other recently made selections. Items from the selection list that are considered to be incorrect may be automatically deleted.

Abstract: An improved system and method for providing context information of executable code to an input method is provided. Advanced text input methods may be made aware of the type of text expected to be received as input so that input methods may achieve a higher accuracy in recognition of text input. Generic interfaces provide a framework for supporting application authoring platforms to allow application developers to easily specify context information to the system and have it reliably forwarded to the correct input methods. Additionally, a context tagging tool may associate specific text input fields of an existing application with an input scope without modifying the application itself. The context tagging tool may create a manifest that contains tags associating the specific text input fields with an input scope. Any advanced input methods use by the application may be updated with instructions for accessing the context information stored in the manifest.

Abstract: A system and method for effectively selecting functions in an electronic device includes a command database that is created for storing device commands that include specifically-defined patterns and corresponding respective device functions. Appropriate pattern input means may be utilized for detecting the patterns that are input by device users. A command manager utilizes the recognized patterns to identify corresponding device functions from the command database. The electronic device may then execute the identified device functions.

Abstract: A system for arranging symbols for display and selection in a mobile communication terminal is provided. The system comprises user interface configured for selecting a first symbol having a first display priority; and means for assigning a second display priority to a second symbol associated with the first symbol, wherein the second symbol is displayed according to the second display priority, in response to a request for displaying a symbol set.

Abstract: An information retrieving apparatus for retrieving predetermined information according to an input of text information, including an input operation section which selects characters from a defined predetermined character list and performs input instructions, a display section which displays the character list, and input characters which have been instructed by the input operation section, a candidate definition processing section 10, and a candidate display processing section 10. The candidate definition processing section 10 retrieves input candidates containing the input instructed characters, and extracts candidate characters, and temporarily allocates the candidate characters to display areas 29 in the display section 15 of characters that do not match the candidate characters, so that they can be selected using the input operation section.

Abstract: A data entry system includes a plurality of keys each of which has two or more symbols associated with each key and a means for receiving a second specific input from a user. A third correction key is provided, where a user enters a desired input by pressing one or more of the plurality of keys corresponding to the symbols required for the desired input and further provides a second specific input also relating to at least a portion of the desired input, such that the system produces a response to the desired input by predicting the desired input based on the symbols pressed by the user and based on the second specific input. If the produced response is different than the desired input, the user may press the correction key to scroll through additional less frequent responses from the system also matching the symbols pressed and the second specific input.