Patent Abstract:
A character input method is implemented in a device with a plurality of keys. If a key is activated by a first operation matching a first input pattern, a first route is selected to traverse a plurality of characters corresponded by the key during presentation of the plurality of characters. If the first key is activated by a second operation matching a second input pattern, the plurality of characters corresponded by the first key are orderly retrieved and presented according to a second route in response to operations on the first key. The order for presenting two characters corresponded by the first key in the first route is reversed in the second route.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE T 0  RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/432,734, entitled “ELECTRONIC DEVICE SYSTEM UTILIZING A CHARACTER INPUT METHOD”, filed on Apr. 29, 2009, published as US20090273566A1, which is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Taiwan Patent Application No. 097116277, filed May 2, 2008. The entirety of each of the above-mentioned patent applications is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to computer techniques, and more particularly to electronic device systems utilizing modified character input methods. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    A cell phone is not very convenient for text input since it is typically equipped with a numeric keypad rather than an alphanumeric keyboard. For example, because 26 letters are mapped to 8 numeric keys means that one numeric key would have to represent three to four letters. 
         [0006]    In an existing input method, one keystroke on a key representing “A”, “B”, and “C” can be recognized as to present a character candidate “A”, two keystrokes to present “B”, and three keystroke to present “C”. Inputting character “C” is always more complex and difficult than “A” and liable to lead to mistakes. For example, inputting “C” requires repeatedly and rapidly pressing a specific key three times, during which “A”, “B”, and “C” are orderly presented. An additional key press causes the desired “C” to be missed and leads to reiteration of “A”, “B”, and “C”, which is very troublesome and time consuming. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an embodiment of an electronic device; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a keyboard; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3A  is flowchart showing one embodiment of an abc input method; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3B  is flowchart showing an exemplary embodiment of a character input method; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3C  is flowchart showing another embodiment of a character input method; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3D  is flowchart showing another embodiment of a character input method; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  shows a schematic diagram of a default direction and a reversed direction for presenting character candidates; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 5A-5F  are schematic diagrams showing character candidates and a cursor in a text area; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram showing operation signals with reference to a time line; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is flowchart showing another embodiment of a character input method which utilizes a menu to display characters; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8A  is a schematic diagram showing a menu corresponding to a default sequence of character candidates “wxyz”; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8B  is a schematic diagram of a text area in which a character “x” in the default sequence “wxyz” is displayed; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8C  is a schematic diagram of a text area into which a character “y” is entered; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8D  is a schematic diagram showing another embodiment of a menu in which character candidates are represented by assistant keys; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a keyboard; 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a block diagram of an embodiment of an electronic device system in which an electronic device with a input device and an electronic device with a display transfer text to each other through a communication channel; 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a block diagram of another embodiment of the electronic device system in which an electronic device with a display receives control signals for text input through a communication channel from an external source; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is a block diagram of another embodiment of the electronic device system in which three electronic devices transfer control signals for text input and text presentation through a communication channel. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    Description of exemplary embodiments of a character input method and an electronic device utilizing the same is given in the following paragraphs which are organized as: 
       1. System Overview 
     2. Exemplary Embodiments of Character Input Methods 
       [0026]    2.1 First Exemplary Embodiment of Character Input Method 
         [0027]    2.2 Second Exemplary Embodiment of Character Input Method 
         [0028]    2.3 Third Exemplary Embodiment of Character Input Method 
       3. Variation of Embodiments 
       [0029]    3.1 Alternative Embodiments of Character Input Method 
         [0030]    3.2 Alternative Embodiments of the Electronic Device 
       4. Conclusion 
     1. System Overview 
       [0031]    The character input method can be implemented in various electronic devices, such as cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), set-top boxes (STB), televisions, or media players. An example of an electronic device implementing the character input method is given in the following. 
         [0032]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , an electronic device  100  comprises a processor  10 , a main memory  20 , a display  30 , an input unit  40 , and timers  50  and  60 . The processor  10  may comprise various integrated circuits (ICs) for processing data and machine-readable instructions. The processor  10  may be packaged as a chip or comprise a plurality of interconnected chips. For example, the processor  10  may only comprise a central processing unit (CPU) or a combination of a CPU, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a chip of a communication controller, such as communication units in  FIG. 10-12 . The communication controller coordinates communication among components of the electronic device  100  or communication between the electronic device  100  and external devices. Examples of such communication controller, such as communication units in  FIG. 10-12 , are detailed in the paragraphs of alternative embodiments. The main memory  20  may comprise a random access memory (RAM), a nonvolatile memory, a mass storage device (such as a hard disk drive), or a combination thereof. The nonvolatile memory may comprise electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) and flash memory. The display  30  is configured for displaying text and image, and may comprise e-paper, a display made up of organic light emitting diode (OLED), or a liquid crystal display (LCD). The display  30  may display various graphical user interfaces including text area. The display  30  may comprise a single display or a plurality of displays in different sizes. 
         [0033]    The input unit  40  may comprise various input devices to input data or signals to the electronic device  100 , such as a touch panel, a touch screen, a keyboard, or a microphone. The timers  50  and  60  keeping predetermined time intervals may comprise circuits, machine-readable programs, or a combination thereof. Each of the timers  50  and  60  generates signals to notify expiration of the predetermined time intervals. Components of the device  100  can be connected through wire-lined or wireless communication channels. 
         [0034]    A keyboard in  FIG. 2  is an exemplary embodiment of the input unit  40 . The keyboard may be made of mechanical structures or comprise a virtual keyboard shown on the display  30 . The keyboard comprises keys  201 - 217 . Keys  213  and  214  are function keys for triggering functions based on software programs executed by the electronic device  100 . A key  215  is an off-hook key, and a key  216  is an on-hook key. A key  217  is configured for directing direction and movement of a cursor on the display  30 . Digits, letters, and/or symbols corresponding to the keys  201 - 212  are shown on respective keys in  FIG. 2 , but are not intended to be limited thereto. Digits, characters, and/or symbols corresponding to and represented by a key may be referred to as candidates of the key. For example, the key  201  corresponds to digit “1,” the key  202  corresponds to digit “2” and characters “a”, “b”, and “c”, and the key  203  corresponds to digit “3” and characters “d”, “e”, and “f”. The key  210  corresponds to digit “0” and a space character; the key  212  corresponds to symbol “#” and a function for switching input methods. Different input methods differ in the ways of candidate character selection. As one of different input methods can be selectively activated, each key may accordingly correspond to different sets of characters. For example, the key  212  of the electronic device  100  may activate so called abc input method or T9® text input method developed by Tegic Communications, Inc. The electronic device  100  may be installed with a plurality of character input methods that are user-selectable. 
       2.Exemplary Embodiments of Character Input Methods 
       [0035]      FIG. 3A  shows a flowchart of one embodiment of the abc input method. First, the processor  10  initializes the abc input method (step S 30 ) and determines if any key is activated (step S 31 ). If at least a key is activated, the processor  10  initiates a timer to keep an operation period of the activated key (step S 32 ), and displays a first character candidate for the activated key (step S 33 ). For example, if the key  208  is activated at the step S 31 , the processor  10  displays the first character candidate “t” for the activated key  208  at the step S 33 . In the step S 34 , the processor  10  continues to detect any short press on the same activated key (event A), expiration of the operation period (event B), any operation of another key (event C), or any long press on the same activated key (event D). 
         [0036]    Upon receiving a short press on the same activated key (event A), the processor  10  resets the timer to renew counting of the operation period (step S 35 ), and displays a next character candidate of the activated key (step S 36 ). For example, if the key  208  is activated by a short press operation at the step S 34 , the processor  10  displays a next character candidate “u” for the activated key  208  at the step S 36 . Timer resetting can extend the operation period. 
         [0037]    If the operation period expires (event B), the processor  10  enters a currently displayed character candidate to a text area of the display  30  of the electronic device  100  (step S 39 ). Focusing may be applied to the currently displayed character candidate of the activated key currently displayed on the text area as a result of character candidate traversal. In one embodiment, the focusing may include enlargement of the currently displayed character, and/or displaying the currently displayed character in a bold or italic font, for example. 
         [0038]    Upon receiving an operation of another key, referred to as a key j, where j is a integer variable (event C), the processor  10  enters the currently displayed character candidate in a text area of the electronic device  100  (step S 40 ), returns to the step S 32  to initiate an operation period of the key j, and returns to the step S 33  to display a first character candidate of the key j. The processor  10  accordingly performs steps S 34 -S 40  following the step S 33  for the key j. 
         [0039]    Upon receiving a long press operation on the same activated key (event D), the processor resets the timer (step S 37 ) and displays a digit corresponding to the activated key (step S 38 ). For example, if a long press operation is performed on the key  208  at the step S 34 , the processor  10  displays a digit “8” for the activated key  208  at the step S 38 . 
         [0040]    The electronic device  100  may be installed a plurality of character input methods and selects one of the input methods to execute. An exemplary embodiment of character input method executable by the electronic device  100  is shown in  FIG. 3B . The embodiment of character input method activates different sequences of character candidates in response to different input operations on the same key without requiring switching between input methods. 
       2.1 First Exemplary Embodiment of Character Input Method 
       [0041]    With reference to  FIG. 3B , the processor  10  initiates a character input method (step S 300 ) and determines if any operation is performed on a key of the input unit  40  (step S 301 ). If an operation is performed on a key, the processor  10  initiates the timer  50  to keep a time interval for comparison with duration of the operation on the key (step S 302 ), and determines if the operation conforms to a first input pattern or a second input pattern (step S 304 ). The first and second input patterns may vary by electronic device design. For example, the processor  10  may identify different input operations by identifying a time interval t counted by the timer  50 . For example, the processor determines that each key operation with a duration thereof less than the time interval t conforms to the first input pattern, referred to as a short press, and each key operation with a duration thereof greater than the time interval t conforms to the second input pattern, referred to as a long press. Duration of a key operation is counted from a depression of a key to releasing of the key. In other words, the processor determines that a key operation terminating before expiration of the timer  50  conforms to the first input pattern, and a key operation terminating after expiration of the timer  50  conforms to the second input pattern. The time interval t or duration of key operations may be measured in clock cycles or seconds. The time interval t may be defined as 0.5 seconds, 0.8 seconds, or 1 second, for example. 
         [0042]    The key activated at step S 300  is referred to as a key i, where i is a positive integer. In the example of  FIG. 2 , the range of i is  201 ≦i≦ 212 . If the performed operation conforms to the first input pattern, the processor  10  activates a default sequence of character candidates for the key i arranged in original order of the character candidates (step S 305 ). That is, the processor  10  utilized the default sequence of the character candidates for the key i as a preset route for traversing the character candidates in presentation of the candidates, and displays one of the character candidates according to the preset route in response to each operation on the key j. With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the key  202  corresponds to digit “ 2 ” and characters “a”, “b”, and “c”, a directed line  401  represents a route of traversing the character candidates of the key  202  in an original order, and a default sequence of the character candidates of the key  202  is “abc”. The processor  10  may display one of the character candidates “a”, “b”, and “c” according to the route represented by line  401  in response to each operation on the key  202 . The character candidate next to the “c” is “a”, and the default sequence is iterated in presentation of the character candidates. 
         [0043]    If the performed operation conforms to the second input pattern, the processor  10  activates a reversed sequence of character candidates for the key i arranged in a reversed order of the character candidates (step S 325 ). That is, the processor  10  utilizes the reversed sequence of the character candidates for the key i as a preset route for traversing the character candidates in presentation of the candidates, and displays one of the character candidates according to the preset route in response to each operation on the key j. With reference to  FIG. 4 , a directed line  402  represents a route of traversing the character candidates of the key  202  in a reversed order, and a reversed sequence of the character candidates of the key  202  is “cba”. The processor  10  displays one of the character candidates “c”, “b”, and “a” according to the route represented by line  402  in response to each operation on the key  202 . The character candidate next to the “a” is “c”, and the reversed sequence is iterated in presentation of the character candidates. 
         [0044]    Similarly, the default and reversed sequences of the key  203  are respectively “def” and “fed”; the default and reversed sequences of the key  204  are respectively “ghi” and “ihg”; . . . and the default and reversed sequences of the key  209  are respectively “wxyz” and “zyxw”. If the default sequence of the key  202  is “abc 2 ” in which a digit “2” follows letter “c”, the reversed sequence of the key  202  be obtained as “2cba” by reversing the default sequence, or defined by users as “cba” according to user configuration identified by the processor  10 . Character candidates of each key may be stored in an appropriate data structure, such as a linked list or an array, for implementing the default and reversed character traversal and presentation. The addresses of the first and last characters may be stored in registers or the main memory  20  of the electronic device  100 . 
         [0045]    After activating the default sequence of character candidates, the processor  10  displays the first character candidate in the default sequence (step S 306 ). For example, if the key i comprises the key  209 , the processor  10  displays the first character “w” in the default sequence “wxyz” corresponding to the key  209 .  FIG. 5A  shows a character candidate “w” indicated by a cursor  501  in a text area  500 . The processor  10  initiates the timer  60  to count an operation period of the key i (step S 309 ) and detects occurrence of any subsequent operation on the same key i (event A), expiration of the timer  60  (event B), or any operation on another key (event C) (step S 310 ). Said another key receiving an operation in the step S 310  is referred to as a key j, where j is a positive integer,  201 ≦j≦ 212 , and where and j≠i. 
         [0046]    In the step S 310 , upon receiving a subsequent operation on the same key i (event A), the processor  10  resets the timer  60  (step S 312 ) and displays a next character candidate in the default sequence in substitution for the currently displayed character (step S 314 ). For example, in a case that the key i comprises the key  209 , the processor  10  displays a next character candidate “x” in the default sequence “wxyz” as shown in  FIG. 5B . The step S 310  is repeated. Similarly, upon receiving another subsequent operation on the same key  209 , the processor  10  resets the timer  60  and displays a next character candidate “y” in the default sequence “wxyz”. The character candidate next to “z” in the default sequence is “w”. 
         [0047]    In the step S 310 , if the timer  60  expires (event B), the processor  10  enters a currently displayed character candidate of the key i to a text area, and moves the cursor to a next position in the text area (step S 316 ). The step S 301  is repeated. For example, if “x” is the currently displayed character candidate when the timer  60  expires, as shown in  FIG. 5C , the processor  10  enters “x” to the text area  500  and moves the cursor  501  to a next position in the text area  500 . 
         [0048]    In the step S 310 , upon receiving an operation on another key j (event C), the processor  10  enters a currently displayed character candidate of the key i to the text area, moves the cursor to a next position in the text area (step S 318 ), and resets the timer  60  for the key j (step S 302 ). The processor  10  repeats steps S 305 -S 310 , S 312 , S 314 , S 316 , S 318 , S 325 -S 328 , S 332 , S 334 , S 336 , and S 338  following the step S 302 , thus to present character candidates in a default or reversed sequence for the key j in response to operations on the key k. 
         [0049]    Description is now returned to a reversed sequence. In the step S 325 , if duration of the performed operation on the key i exceeds time interval t, the performed operation conforms to the second input pattern, and the processor  10  activates a reversed sequence of character candidates for the key i (step S 325 ) and displays the first character candidate in the reversed sequence (step S 326 ). For example, in a case that the key i comprises the key  209 , the processor  10  displays the first character candidate “z” in the reversed sequence “zyxw”, as shown in  FIG. 5D , in which “z” is indicated by the cursor  501 . When the performed operation on the key i is terminated (step S 327 ), the processor  10  initiates the timer  60  to count an operation period of the key i (step S 328 ). The processor  10  detects occurrence of any subsequent operation on the same key i (event A), expiration of the timer  60  (event B), or any operation on another key (event C) (step S 330 ). Said another key receives an operation in the step S 330 , is referred to as a key j. 
         [0050]    In the step S 330 , upon receiving a subsequent operation on the same key i (event A), the processor  10  resets the timer  60  (step S 332 ) and displays a next character candidate in the reversed sequence in substitution for the currently displayed character (step S 334 ). For example, in a case that the key i comprises the key  209 , the processor  10  displays a next character candidate “y” in the reversed sequence “zyxw” as shown in  FIG. 5E . The step S 330  is repeated. Similarly, upon receiving another subsequent operation on the same key  209 , the processor  10  resets the timer  60  and displays a next character candidate “x” in the reversed sequence “zyxw”. The character candidate next to “w” in the reversed sequence is “z”. 
         [0051]    In the step S 330 , if the timer  60  expires (event B), the processor  10  enters a currently displayed character candidate of the key i to a text area, and moves the cursor to a next position in the text area (step S 336 ). The step S 301  is repeated. For example, if “y” is the currently displayed character candidate when the timer  60  expires, as shown in  FIG. 5F , the processor  10  enters “y” to the text area  500  and moves the cursor  501  to a next position in the text area  500 . 
         [0052]    In the step S 330 , upon receiving an operation on another key j (event C), the processor  10  enters a currently displayed character candidate of the key i to the text area, moves the cursor to a next position in the text area (step S 338 ), and resets the timer  60  for the key j (step S 302 ). The processor  10  repeats steps S 305 -S 310 , S 312 , S 314 , S 316 , S 318 , S 325 -S 328 , S 332 , S 334 , S 336 , and S 338  following the step S 302  for the key j. 
         [0053]    Note that the arrangement of steps in the input method may be changed in alternative embodiments of the input method. For example, the step S 309  can be performed before the step S 305  or S 306 . Before an operation period of a key expires, a long press on the key can change the route for traversing character candidates during the operation period. Another exemplary embodiment of the input method is given with reference to  FIG. 3C . 
       2.2 Second Exemplary Embodiment of Character Input Method 
       [0054]    With reference to  FIG. 3C , the difference between  FIG. 3C  and  FIG. 3B  relies on steps S 310   a  and S 330   a.  In the step S 310   a,  the processor  10  detects occurrence of any subsequent short press on the same key i (event A), expiration of operation period of the key i (event B), or any operation on another key j (event C), or any long press on the key i (event D). Upon receiving a short press on the same key i (event A), the processor  10  executes the steps S 312  and S 314 . Upon receiving a long press on the same key i (event D), the processor  10  executes the steps S 332  and S 334 . Specifically, in the step S 334 , the processor  10  selects the reversed sequence as the preset route and displays a character candidate in the reversed sequence next to the currently displayed character candidate, thus to present one character candidate in the reversed sequence of the key i in response to each operation of the key i before the operation period of the key i expires. For example, in a case that the default sequence of the key  209  is initially activated as the preset route, in response to a long press in the step S 310   a  when character “y” is currently displayed, the processor  1  displays character candidate “x” of the key  209  in step S 334 , which is the character candidate next to “y” in the reversed sequence of the key  209 , or the character candidate previous to “y” in the default sequence of the key  209 . 
         [0055]    In the step S 330   a,  the processor  10  detects occurrence of any subsequent short press on the same key i (event A), expiration of operation period of the key i (event B), or any operation on another key j (event C), or any long press on the key i (event D). Upon receiving a short press on the same key i (event A), the processor  10  executes the steps S 332  and S 334 . Upon receiving a long press on the same key i (event D), the processor  10  executes the steps S 312  and S 314 . Specifically, in the step S 314 , the processor  10  selects the default sequence as the preset route and displays a character candidate in the default sequence next to the currently displayed character candidate, thus to present one character candidate in the default sequence of the key i in response to each operation of the key i before the operation period of the key i expires. For example, in a case that the reversed sequence of the key  209  is initially activated as the preset route, in response to a long press in the step S 330   a  when character “y” is currently displayed, the processor  1  displays character candidate “z” of the key  209  in step S 314 , which is the character candidate next to “y” in the default sequence of the key  209 , or the character candidate previous to “y” in the reversed sequence of the key  209 . 
         [0056]    The exemplary embodiment of the character input method shown in  FIG. 3C  can repeatedly change the preset route for traversing character candidates of the key i in response to long presses on the key i before expiration of operation period of the key i. Thus, long press operations within an operation period of a key provide the function of returning to a character candidate previous to a currently displayed character candidate in character presentation. It may be understood that a long press operation within an operation period of a key may return the character presentation to a character candidate previous to a currently displayed character candidate without changing settings of the preset route. Additionally, alternative exemplary embodiments of input methods may utilize other schemes to realize presentation of character candidates in a reversed direction. 
       2.3 Third Exemplary Embodiment of Character Input Method 
       [0057]    With reference to  FIG. 3D , difference between  FIG. 3D  and  FIG. 3B  is detailed in the following. 
         [0058]    In the step S 325 , if the press operation on the key i continues after the reversed sequence is activated as the preset route, the processor  10  displays the first character candidate in the reversed sequence (step S 326 ), and begins to count an operation period t 0  (step S 329 ). The timer  50  or another timer may count the operation period t 0 . The processor  10  detects expiration of the operation period t 0  (event E) or termination of the press operation (event F) (step S 333 ). If the press operation on the key i continues after the operation period t 0  expires (event E), the processor  10  displays a next character candidate in the reversed sequence of the key i (step S 334 ). Subsequently, the processor  10  restarts the counting of operation period t 0  (step S 329 ) and repeats the step S 333 . If the press operation terminates (event F), the processor  10  executes the step S 309 . In the step S 316  when the timer  60  expires, the processor  10  enters a currently displayed character candidate. 
         [0059]    In the step S 310   a,  the processor  10  detects occurrence of any subsequent short press on the same key i (event A), expiration of operation period of the key i (event B), any operation on another key j (event C), or any long press on the key i (event D). Upon receiving a short press on the same key i (event A), the processor  10  executes the steps S 312  and S 314 . Upon receiving a long press on the same key i (event D), the processor  10  executes the step S 334 . Specifically, in the step S 334 , the processor  10  displays a character candidate in the reversed sequence next to the currently displayed character candidate, and may repeat the steps S 329 , S 333 , and S 334 , thus to subsequently present character candidates in the reversed sequence of the key i in response to the long press operation of the key j. 
         [0060]    For example, the default and reversed sequences for the key  209  are respectively “wxyz” and “zyxw”. In the traditional abc input method, entering “z” in an electronic device requires four press operations on the key  209 , and entering “y” to an electronic device requires three press operations on the key  209 . The first or second embodiment of the present character input method requires only one press operation on the key  209  to enter “z” to the electronic device  100 , and two press operations on the key  209  to enter “y”. Thus, the exemplary embodiments of the character input method substantially reduce the number of operations and time required to input a character, and reduce the possibility of missing desired a character during character candidate presentation. 
       3. Variation of Embodiments 
       [0061]    As appreciated, the time interval t is utilized to identify the first and second input patterns. More time intervals may be utilized to identify more input patterns. For example, a press operation on a key with duration less than a time interval t 1  is identified as conforming to a first input pattern; a press operation on a key with a duration greater than the time interval t 1  but less than a time interval t 2  is identified as conforming to a second input pattern; and a press operation on a key with duration greater than the time interval t 2  is identified as conforming to a third input pattern. 
         [0062]      FIG. 6  shows a time line and signals generated from the key i during operation of the key. A high level in each signal waveform in  FIG. 6  reflects a pressed state of the key i while a low level reflects a released state of the key i. Operation on the key i may generate different signal waveforms, not limited to  FIG. 6 . The signal of a first operation shows that the key is pressed at time T 0  and released at time T 1 . If (T 1 −T 0 )&lt;t 1 , the processor  10  determines that the first operation conforms to the first input pattern. If t 1 ≦(T 2 −T 0 )&lt;t 2 , the processor  10  determines that the second operation conforms to the second input pattern. If t 2 ≦(T 3 −T 0 ), the processor  10  determines that the third operation conforms to the third input pattern. The processor  10  may activate the reversed sequence for the key i in response to an operation conforming to the second input pattern and display a digit corresponding to the key i in response to an operation conforming to the third input pattern. 
       3.1 Alternative Embodiments of Character Input Method 
       [0063]    The processor  10  may display character candidates in a menu on the display  30  to assist character input. Keys in the input unit  40  are classified as text keys and assistant keys. For example, the keys  201 - 212  are classified as text keys, and keys  213 - 217  are classified as assistant keys. The key  217  is a direction key and configured for triggering movement of a cursor to the upward, right, downward, and left when activated by a press at positions  218   a,    219   a,    220   a,  and  221   a,  respectively. The key  217  may be replaced by a five direction control means in another embodiment. Description of an alternative embodiment of an input method is given with reference to a keyboard in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0064]    With reference to  FIG. 7 , the processor  10  initiates a character input method (step S 700 ) and determines if a text key (referred to as the key i) in the input unit  40  is activated by an operation (step S 701 ). Upon detecting that an operation activates a text key i, the processor  10  initiates the timer  50  to count an operation period of the key i (step S 702 ) and activate one of the default and reversed sequence of the key i as the preset route based on whether the operation conforms to the first input pattern or the second input pattern (step S 705 ). After the one of the default and reversed sequence is activated, the processor  10  displays a menu on the display  30  and the first character candidate in the activated sequence (step S 706 ) and initiates the timer  60  to count an operation period of the key i (step S 709 ). 
         [0065]    In an example that the key i is the key  209 , a menu  800  corresponding to an activated default sequence of the key  209  is shown in  8 A. Character candidates are arranged clockwise in the menu  800 . Character candidates of a key, however, are not limited to  FIG. 8A , and can be arranged counterclockwise or in any other arrangement. 
         [0066]    When the first character candidate “w” of the key  209  is shown in the text area  500 , a cursor  801  indicates that “w” is a currently displayed character in the menu  800 . The assistant keys  218 ,  219 ,  220 , and  221  respectively correspond to character candidates “w”, “x”, “y”, and “z”. 
         [0067]    The processor  10  detects occurrence of any subsequent short press on the same key i (event A), expiration of operation period of the key i signified by the timer  60  (event B), or any operation on another text key j (event C), or any long press on the key i (event D), or any operation on an assistant key k (event G), where k is an positive integer. In the example of  FIG. 9 , the range of k is  213 ≦k≦ 221 . 
         [0068]    In the step S 710 , upon receiving a short press on the same key i (event A), the processor  10  resets the timer  60  (step S 712 ) and displays a next character candidate in the sequence (step S 714 ). For example, in a case that the key i comprises the key  209 , following  FIG. 8A , the processor  10  displays a next character candidate “x” in the default sequence “wxyz” as shown in  FIG. 8B . The cursor  801  in the menu  800  also moves clockwise to the position of “x” to indicate the currently displayed character. The step S 710  is repeated. Similarly, upon receiving a short press on the same key  209  (event A), the processor  10  resets the timer  60 , and displays a next character candidate “y” in the default sequence “wxyz”. The cursor  801  in the menu  800  also moves clockwise to the position of “y” to indicate the currently displayed character. 
         [0069]    In the step S 710 , if the timer  60  expires (event B), the processor  10  enters a currently displayed character candidate of the key i to a text area, and moves the cursor to a next position in the text area (step S 716 ). The step S 701  is repeated. For example, if “y” is the currently displayed character candidate when the timer  60  expires, as shown in  FIG. 8C , the processor  10  enters “y” to the text area  500 , moves the cursor  501  to a next position in the text area  500 , and terminates presentation of the menu  800 . 
         [0070]    In the step S 710 , upon receiving an operation on another text key j (event C), the processor  10  enters a currently displayed character candidate of the key i to the text area, moves the cursor to a next position in the text area (step S 718 ), and resets the timer  50  for the key j (step S 702 ). The processor  10  repeats steps S 705 , S 706 , S 709 , S 710 , S 712 , S 714 , S 716 , S 718 , S 720 , and S 722  following the step S 702  for the key j. 
         [0071]    In the step S 710 , upon receiving a long press on the same key i (event D), the processor  10  activate a sequence reverse to the activated sequence before the step S 720 . For example, if the reversed sequence of the key i is utilized as the preset route in the step S 710 , the processor  10  activates the default sequence of the key i as the preset route. On the other hand, if the default sequence of the key i is utilized as the preset route in the step S 710 , the processor  10  activates the reversed sequence of the key i as the preset route. Subsequently, in the step S 714 , the processor  10  displays a next character candidate in the activated sequence. In the example of  FIG. 8A  when the default sequence of the key  209  is activated as the preset route, upon receiving a long press on the same key  209  (event D), the processor  10  displays a character “z” previous to “w” in the default sequence “wxyz”, i.e. the character candidate next to “w” in the reversed sequence, and moves the cursor  801  clockwise to the position of “z” to indicate the currently displayed character. The step S 710  is repeated. Similarly, upon receiving a subsequent long press on the same key  209  (event D), the processor  10  resets the timer  60 , displays a character “y” next to “z” in the reversed sequence, and moves the cursor  801  clockwise to the position of “y” to indicate the currently displayed character.  FIGS. 3C and 3D  shows that a long press can change the preset route of character candidates. Route for traversing character candidates, however, can be controlled by various input devices, such as a dialer, a wheel, a rotatable knob, or a touch panel. The processor  10  may perform clockwise or counterclockwise movement of the cursor  801  and the currently displayed character in response to clockwise or counterclockwise tracks detected by the touch panel. The display  30  can be equipped with a touch panel to form a touch screen. The keyboard in  FIG. 9  can be a virtual keyboard displayed on the display  30 . 
         [0072]    In the step S 710 , upon receiving an operation on an assistant key k (event G), the processor  10  enter a character candidate corresponding to the key k to a text area, moves a cursor to a next position in the text area (step S 722 ), and repeats steps S 701 , S 702 , S 705 , S 706 , S 709 , S 710 , S 712 , S 714 , S 716 , S 718 , S 720 , and S 722  following the step S 700 . Following the example of  FIG. 8A , in  FIG. 8C , the processor  10  enters character “y” to the text area  500  in response to an operation on the key  220  disregarding the currently displayed. In the example of  FIG. 8A , entering of character “y” to a text area requires two operations no matter in the default sequence or reversed sequence before expiration of the timer  60 . With the aid of assistant keys, only one operation is required to enter the character “y” to a text area. Similarly, the processor enters character “w”, “x”, or “z” to the text area  500  in response to an operation on the key  218 ,  219 , or  221 . Character candidates of the key  209  can be input to electronic device  100  through the five schemes corresponding to events A, B, C, D, and G during execution of one input method with no confliction exist between these schemes. 
         [0073]    The menu  800  can include more candidates for a key, such as uppercase and lowercase letters, and auto-completed words. In addition to the direction key  217 , voice commands or other keys can be utilized to represent character candidates in the menu  800 . As shown in  FIG. 8D , when the key  202  receives an operation, assistant keys  213 ,  214 ,  215 ,  216 ,  218 ,  219 ,  220 , and  221  respectively represent “A”, “tea”, “B”, “C”, “a”, “2”, “c”, and “b”. The “tea” is an auto-completed word, which is determined by the processor  10  from input characters in front of the cursor  501  in the text area  500  and character candidates in the menu  800 . For example, characters in front of the cursor  501  comprise “t” and “d”. Character candidates of the key  208  associated with the character “t” are “t”, “u”, and “v”. Character candidates of the key  203  associated with the character “d” are “d”, “e”, and “f”. The processor  10  selects the first letter in the auto-completed word from “t”, “u”, or “v”, the second letter in the auto-completed word from “d”, “e”, and “f”, and the last letter in the auto-completed word from the menu  800 . The processor  10  may select an auto-completed word according to those words, which are most frequently input by users of the electronic device  100 , or based on a dictionary database in the electronic device  100 . The auto-completed word in the menu  800  may be generated according to T9® input method. 
       3.2 Alternative Embodiments of the Electronic Device 
       [0074]    The exemplary embodiments of the character input method can be executed in various systems, such as electronic device systems shown in  FIG. 10-12 . 
         [0075]    In  FIG. 10 , a processor  11  of an electronic device  101  executes the character candidates input method, and a communication unit  17  transmits text to a communication unit  27  through communication channel  104 . A processor  21  displays the text received by the communication unit  27  on a display  32  and enters the text into a text area of an electronic device  102 . The communication channel  14  in  FIG. 10  may transfer text message and control signals between the electronic devices  101  and  102 . 
         [0076]    In  FIG. 11 , a communication unit  17  of an electronic device  201  transmits input signals generated by an input unit  41  to communication unit  27  through communication channel  204 . A processor  21  in the electronic device  202  displays character candidates on a display  32  and enters the character candidates to a text area under the direction of the character input method based on input signals received by the communication unit  27 . The electronic device  202  may display the text on an external display. 
         [0077]    In  FIG. 12 , a communication unit  17  of an electronic device  301  transmits input signals generated by an input unit  41  to communication unit  27  through communication channel  304 . A processor  21  in the electronic device  202  performs the character input method based on input signals received by the communication unit  27  and transmits generated characters to a communication unit  28 . The communication unit  28  transmits the characters to a communication unit  37  through a communication channel  305 . An electronic device  303  characters the text received by the communication unit  37  on a display  33 . 
         [0078]    The communication channels  104 ,  204 ,  304 , and  305  may be wire-lined or wireless channels. Each of the electronic devices  101 ,  201 , and  301  may be a remote control or portable device, such as a PDA, an ultra mobile device (UMD), a laptop computer, or a cell phone. Each of the electronic devices  102 ,  202 , and  303  may comprise a television or a media player, such as a disc player. The electronic device  302  may comprise a set-top box. The main memory  2  and  22  in  FIGS. 10-12  may store computer-readable program for implementing the character input method. 
       4. Conclusion 
       [0079]    The described embodiments of the character input method can be utilized to input characters of various languages, such as Hiragana and Katakana of Japanese, or phonetic symbols of Chinese. Other means such as highlighted color or size, rather than a cursor as described, can be utilized to indicate a currently display character candidate. 
         [0080]    In conclusion, the character input method activates default or reversed sequence of character candidates in response to different operations on the same key and utilizes a menu to assist character input. The character input method reduces the number of operations and time required for character input, and thus eliminates the possibility of mis-operation. The character input method is adoptable with and not conflicting with the traditional abc input method. Execution of the character input method does not restrict device user to learn new input schemes but provides to device user options of character input with less keystrokes. 
         [0081]    It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6