Patent ID: 7098896
Filing Date: 2006-08-29
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method of inputting alphabetic text to an electronic device having a virtual keyboard on a touch-sensitive screen, said virtual keyboard comprising a set of keys wherein each letter of the alphabet is associated with at least one key, the method comprising: recording a contact action on the virtual keyboard, wherein the contact action includes an initial contact location, a path along which contact with the touch-sensitive screen continues, and a final contact location at which contact with the touch-sensitive screen is removed, forming an input stroke pattern according to said recorded contact action; comparing said input stroke pattern with a set of words stored in a database; identifying one or more words stored in the database wherein the first letter of the identified word is associated with a key that is at or near the recorded initial contact location, and wherein the last letter of the identified word is associated with a key that is at or near the recorded final contact location, and wherein any remaining letters of the word are each associated with keys that are on or near the recorded path of the contact location; determining relative ranking of the identified one or more words according to the comparison; and offering one or more words of said determined relative ranking to the user for selection of the word to be input as text.