Patent ID: 7872595
Filing Date: 2011-01-18
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method for inputting alphabet characters in a terminal with a numeric keypad comprising a plurality of keys, with ambiguous character entry, the method comprising: receiving a first key input for a first input character in an alphabet input mode through the keypad; searching for a priority table corresponding to the first input character; receiving a second key input for a second input character in an alphabet input mode through the keypad; upon receiving the second key input, determining a second input character by retrieving, as a selection of the second input character, an alphabet character from among the plurality of alphabet characters mapped to the second key in the priority table; wherein receiving the second key input further comprises receiving at least one independent actuation of the second key for sequentially traversing a plurality of alphabet characters mapped to the second key, in a prioritized order, in the priority table from highest associated frequency of occurrence to lowest associated frequency of occurrence, of each of the plurality of alphabet characters mapped to the second key, wherein the priority table stores a prioritized mapping of the first input character to a plurality of alphabet characters, associated with a numeric key of the keypad, that can immediately succeed the first input character in a word, wherein the prioritized mapping is based on the associated frequency of occurrence of each alphabet character immediately succeeding the first input character in a word, wherein the first input character is unambiguous, wherein the second input character immediately succeeds the first input character, and wherein each key on the numeric keypad comprises a plurality of alphabet characters mapped to the key on the numeric keypad.