Abstract:
A method and system for populating a predictive text dictionary is provided. A connection between a handheld electronic device and a network is detected. The handheld electronic device is operable to allow a user to enter text. The handheld electronic device has a predictive text dictionary that is operable to receive and employ sets of words. User preferences for the handheld electronic device are retrieved. The predictive text dictionary of the handheld electronic device is populated with a set of words at least partially based on the user preferences.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates generally to computing device input interfaces and, more specifically, relates to a method and system for facilitating text entry. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Text entry methods and systems for computing devices are well-known in the art. While some computing devices, such as personal computers, have been afforded with a full QWERTY keyboard for alphanumeric text entry, many other computing devices, such as handheld electronic devices, are equipped with limited keyboards, wherein one key can represent more than one alphabetic character. One such system, referred to in the art as multi-tap, has been in use for a number of years for permitting users to enter text using a conventional telephone key pad such as specified under ITU E 1.161. Multi-tap requires a user to press a key a varying number of times, generally within a limited period of time, to input a specific letter. 
         [0003]    Another system, T9® developed by Tegic Communications, Inc., uses predictive letter patterns to allow a user to ideally press each key representing a letter only once to enter text. Unlike multi-tap, which requires a user to indicate a desired character by a precise number of presses of a key, or keystrokes, T9 uses a predictive text dictionary and established letter patterns for a language to intelligently guess which one of many characters represented by a key a user intended to enter. The predictive text dictionary is primarily a list of words, acronyms, abbreviations, etc. that can be used in the composition of text. Generally, all possible character string permutations represented by a number of keystrokes entered by a user are compared to the words in the predictive text dictionary and a subset of the permutations is shown to the user to allow selection of the intended character string. The permutations are generally sorted by likelihood determined from the number of words matched in the predictive text dictionary and various metrics maintained for these words. Where the possible character string permutations do not match any words in the predictive text dictionary, the set of established letter patterns for a selected language can be applied to suggest the most likely character string permutations. As can be conceived, a user may be required to input a number of additional keystrokes in order to enter in a desired word. 
         [0004]    Despite the plethora of these and other interfaces available for inputting text on such computing devices, the ease and speed of text entry may not be satisfactory in some circumstances. The predictive text dictionary may be populated with words unlikely to be used by a user and may not contain other words more likely to be used by that user. As a result, the user may, upon entry of a set of keystrokes, be presented with a list of character strings that correspond to words that the user does not intend to input. Further, character strings corresponding to wards the user intends to input may not appear in the suggestions provided by the device. 
         [0005]    Such predictive text dictionaries have been used on personal computers and, more recently, on computing devices with limited keyboards, to suggest a number of words to the user upon partial entry of the word. On a personal computer, the word fragment entered by a user in a software application is compared to words in a predictive text dictionary to determine a list of words matching the pattern of letters provided by the word fragment. The list of words is then provided to the user as a list of options from which the user can select. Where the word being entered by the user does not appear in the list of words displayed, the user can elect to continue entering in text to complete the word. In computing devices with limited keyboards using systems where one keystroke can represent a number of characters, such as T9, this function is little different than the determination of the character strings to show the user, as, in this case, whole words beginning with characters possibly represented by the keystrokes entered are shown to the user. 
         [0006]    The provisioning of predictive text dictionaries on some computing devices with limited non-volatile memory has proven to be a challenge. As a result, manufacturers have been forced to equip such devices with a pared-down predictive text dictionary, thus reducing the words available. On the other hand, large, generic predictive text dictionaries can be disadvantageous as a large number of words, many of which may not be relevant to or used by the user, can be suggested by the predictive text dictionary upon entering in a number of keystrokes. This situation serves to frustrate and slow down the users input of text, and even can result in the insertion of the incorrect words. 
         [0007]    Some computing devices permit a user to populate the predictive text dictionary with words provided by the user, thus increasing the utility of the predictive text dictionary if placed therein. This method of expanding the predictive text dictionary, however, is slow and typically needs to be repeated for each device of the user. 
         [0008]    It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a novel method and system for populating a predictive text dictionary. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    By populating a predictive text dictionary of a computing device based on user preferences, the predictive text dictionary can be populated with words that are relevant to the interests, needs, location, etc. of the user. In this manner, the words suggested to the user using the predictive text dictionary may be more likely to match a users intended input. 
         [0010]    Further, by not placing words that bear little relevance to the user in the dictionary, the suggestions provided to the user from the predictive text dictionary are likely to be more relevant to the user&#39;s intended input. 
         [0011]    The maintenance of sets of words related to various interests, professions, locations, etc. allows a predictive text dictionary to be quickly populated with words relevant to the user. Also, where a user maintains more than one such computing device, or replaces one computing device with another, the invention provides a simple method of populating the predictive text dictionary of the new computing device(s) that does not require the user to spend an undue amount of time entering the words into the dictionary himself. 
         [0012]    By maintaining a database of words related to various interests, professions, locations, etc., and using the words in the database to populate the predictive text dictionary of a users computing device, words can be prospectively placed into the dictionary for later use by the user. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    Certain embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached Figures, wherein: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  shows a topological view of a number of components of the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of a cellphone; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  shows an exemplary user interface for selecting categories and options for use in the invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  illustrates a method of updating a computing device&#39;s predictive text dictionary; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  illustrates a method of creating an update for a computing device&#39;s predictive text dictionary. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a number of components in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. A mobile computing device  104  is shown in communication via radio frequency to a cell tower  108 , which is, in turn, connected to the Internet  112  via some wireless network infrastructure (not shown). A server  116  is also connected to the Internet  112 , and is additionally coupled to a word database  120  and a user database  124 . 
         [0020]    The word database  120  stores a plurality of words that correspond to a number of categories and/or locations, and a number of other metrics corresponding to each word. A word as used herein refers to a word, an acronym, an abbreviation, a phrase, etc. employed by users to communicate. For example, the words “football”, “NFL”, “Superbowl”, “touchdown”, “referee” and “ref” could be associated with a “Sports” category. Additionally, some words in the word database  120  are related to locations, such as cities. For example, the words “Washington”, “D.C.”, “President”, “White House” and “Smithsonian” and “Pennsylvania Avenue” could be associated with the city of Washington, D.C. 
         [0021]    Words can be added to or deleted from the word database  120 . For example, where a user has selected the “Sports” category, the rise of a new star NFL football player could cause his name to be added to the category. In an embodiment, the player&#39;s name is added, along with the date. 
         [0022]    The user database  124  stores user preferences for each user including the currently selected categories, the date the categories were last updated, the date that the computing device was last updated, the last detected location of the computing device, and the date since which the computing device has been at that location. 
         [0023]    The server  116  executes a user manager that is operable to retrieve user preferences from the user database  124 , a query module to retrieve words corresponding to the user preferences from the word database  120 , and a communications module to communicate the retrieved words to the computing device  104 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of a mobile computing device  104  having a text input interface  24 , a display  32 , a processor  48 , memory  52  and at least one communications interface  56 . The text input interface  24  comprises a set of keys via which a user can input text. The display  32  allows the user to view the inputted text and any options provided to the user. The memory  52  comprises non-volatile memory in which an operating system, applications and persistent data are stored, and volatile memory to provide adequate temporary memory registers for the applications and operating system to use during execution. The processor  48  executes the operating system and applications. 
         [0025]    The communications interface  56  of the mobile computing device  104  is comprised of a wireless radio and antenna and is operable to communicate with the cell tower  128 . 
         [0026]    The mobile computing device  104  executes any of a number of applications, such as a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) browser, an email application, a Short Message Service (SMS) application, a notes application, etc. 
         [0027]    In addition, the mobile computing device  104  executes a predictive text application for receiving keystrokes from a user, determining what character strings the keystrokes can represent, and comparing the character strings to words in a predictive text dictionary maintained in non-volatile memory. The predictive text dictionary is a list of words maintained by the computing device  104 . The predictive text dictionary maintains the categories and locations (if any) to which each word is associated. 
         [0028]    Metrics can also be stored in the predictive text dictionary by the predictive text application. The metrics can correspond to the number of times each word is actively selected by the user of the computing device. Additionally or alternatively, the metrics can correspond to the number of times each word is used by the user, or is even present in a document, email, etc. received by the user. A number of non-user-specific metrics can also be stored in the predictive text dictionary, including general likelihoods used to determine priority between two words not previously used by a user. Further, a number of words in the predictive text dictionary that are intended to be permanently located in the dictionary can be marked as such using the metrics. 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  shows an exemplary user interface  80  for allowing a user to select which categories are relevant to the user. The user interface  80  can be provided via a web page, a client application or the like. In order to change preferences, the user launches the user interface  80  and selects or deselects the categories he deems as relevant. The “Sports”, “Finance” and “Location-specific” categories are shown as being selected. 
         [0030]    The general updating of the predictive text dictionary on the computing device  104  is shown in  FIG. 4 . In an embodiment, this process occurs once per day and every time the device or its communication interface  56  is turned on. If the communication interface  56  of computing device  104  was turned off and is then turned on, such as is done when a user of the computing device boards and disembarks from an airplane, the device  104  registers itself with the cell tower  108 . At step  210 , upon registration with the cell tower  108 , the computing device  104  makes a request to the server  116  for any words to be received. The request is sent to the cell tower  108 , which, in turn, forwards the request to the server  116  over the Internet  112 . The request received by the server  116  includes information regarding the identity of the computing device  104  and the location of the cell tower  108 . 
         [0031]    At step  220 , the server  116  determines if there are words to be transferred to the computing device  104 . The user manager executing on the server  116  retrieves the user preferences from the user database  124  and determines what queries will need to be run on the word database  120 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  shows the method of determining if there are words to be transferred to the computing device  104 . At step  221 , it is determined whether there are any new words in the word database  120  corresponding to the existing categories a user has selected. For example, where a user has selected the “Sports” category, and the addition of a new NFL football player&#39;s name to the word database occurred after the computing device&#39;s last update, the player&#39;s name could be flagged for transfer to the device at step  222 . 
         [0033]    At step  223 , it is determined whether the user has selected new categories. At step  224 , the words corresponding to the new categories are added to the list of words to be transferred to the computing device  104 . Then, at step  225 , it is determined whether the computing device is in a new location and whether the user preferences indicate that the user selected to receive location-specific words. If the answer to both questions is yes, the words associated with the new location in the word database  120  are added to the list of words to be transferred to the computing device  104  at step  226 . 
         [0034]    While the flow chart of  FIG. 5  shows three distinct groups of words being determined, those of skill in the art will appreciate that there may be overlap between the three groups and that the determination of the words to be transferred can typically be performed with a single query. The single query is formulated by the query module of the server  116  and made of the word database  120 . The word database  120 , in turn, returns a set of words that correspond to at least one of the three steps  231 ,  233  and  235  above. 
         [0035]    Returning to  FIG. 4 , the method proceeds to step  230 , where the list of words is transferred to the computing device  104  by the server  116 . In the implementation being described, the words are transferred via a proprietary protocol. Upon receipt of the words, the device updates the predictive text dictionary by appending the words to the dictionary. The method of updating the computing device is then complete. 
         [0036]    It can be desirable to remove words from the predictive text dictionary of the computing device  104  for a number of reasons. Where the computing device may have limited memory, words can be removed from the predictive text dictionary by examining the metrics associated with each word and discarding those words with the lowest values determined by a function of those metrics. The predictive text dictionary may also be pared-down by the user or system operator in recognition that over-population of the dictionary with words that are not likely to be used can lead to poor suggestions being provided to the user upon entering a number of keystrokes. In the current implementation, this is performed in two ways. 
         [0037]    When a user selects to remove a category from his user preferences via the user interface  80 , the server  116  can transmit this information to the computing device  104 . In response, the computing device can purge some or all of the words associated only with the removed category. Where a word in the predictive text dictionary associated with the category to be removed has been used by the user according to the metrics maintained by the dictionary, the word can be left in the dictionary. 
         [0038]    Further, when a user has selected to receive location-specific words, and has brought the computing device  104  to a new location, the server can direct the computing device to purge all of the words associated with a prior location from the predictive text dictionary. Where a word in the predictive text dictionary associated with the previous location to be removed has been used by the user according to the metrics maintained by the dictionary, the word can be left in the dictionary. 
         [0039]    While the invention has been described with specificity to mobile devices, other types of computing devices with which the invention can be used will occur to those of skill in the art. For example, a personal computer can benefit from the invention, as the predictive text dictionary of an application executing thereon could be populated with words relevant to the interests, profession, etc. of the user of the personal computer to provide for enhanced word completion capabilities. Further, where the computing device is a wireless device that occasionally connects to a networked computer via a cable or other local networking means such as WiFi or Bluetooth, the invention can benefit from reduced rates for data communications via landline by connecting to the server at least partially exclusively through the networked computer. 
         [0040]    While the illustrated embodiment discusses the use of user options, these user options may be implicit or provided in some other manner. For example, upon subscribing to a wireless access service, a user may be asked if he would like to receive location-specific information. The computing device he receives can be preconfigured to always receive location-specific words upon detection that he is in a different location. 
         [0041]    The user can be provided the option of updating the predictive text dictionary for a location to which the computing device has yet to go. This can be advantageous where a user is preparing for a business trip. 
         [0042]    Words in the word database can be selected to correspond to a specific category and location at the same time. As a result, the predictive text dictionary of a computing device may only be updated with the appropriate words when a user of the device selected the appropriate category and is in the specific location. 
         [0043]    The server can be a cluster of servers in a single location or can be two or more servers situated in a number of locations. 
         [0044]    Where a computing device is memory-restricted, the server can selectively forward words to the computing device. Also, the computing device can delete a group of words from the predictive text dictionary to allow for newer words. Also, the words can be forwarded to the computing device via other means of communication apart from a proprietary protocol, such as email, MMS, WAP push and the like. 
         [0045]    While the location of the computing device is determined by determining which cell tower the computing device is connected through, other methods of locating the computing device known to those skilled in the art can be used. For example, the computing device can, in some circumstances, be located by determining the node on the Internet closest to the cell tower, generally associated with a wireless gateway for the cellular service provider. Cellular triangulation can also be used. Further, if the computing device is equipped with a GPS receiver, the device can communicate the GPS-received location along with the request for new words. 
         [0046]    The words provided to the computing device for population of its predictive text dictionary can be set to expire after a period of time and/or period of non-use. This could be advantageous with current event items. In such a case, the server can selectively retransmit a word previously transmitted to a computing device if it is believed the word will be used again. Additionally, location-specific words could be set to expire upon relocation of the computing device. 
         [0047]    The user database can alternatively reside either on the computing device and be transmitted to the server when requesting updates or can reside on a computer associated with the computing device. 
         [0048]    Additionally, the words can be provided to the computing device by other means. For example, the words can be placed on a subscriber identity module (“SIM”) card which are incorporated in the predictive text dictionary upon insertion of the SIM card and initialization of the computing device or predictive text application thereon. Other methods will occur to those skilled in the art. 
         [0049]    The above-described embodiments of the invention are intended to be examples of the invention and alterations and modifications may be effected thereto, by those of skill in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined solely by the claims appended hereto.