Character input method and character input device

Abstract

A method of inputting characters into a device having a data processor, a memory and a number of keys is disclosed as including the steps of (a) providing, in the memory, a table of key-actuating sequences, each of the sequences corresponding to a respective character; (b) actuating the keys; (c) detecting the sequence of actuation of the keys; (d) matching the sequence of actuation of the keys with key-actuating sequences in the table of key-actuating sequences; and (d) retrieving the character whose corresponding key-actuating sequence matches the sequence of actuation of the keys, and the lines joining consecutive keys of a key-actuating sequence resemble the shape of the corresponding character. A character input device having a data processor, a memory and a number of keys is disclosed in which the memory includes a table of key-actuating sequences, each of the sequences corresponding to a respective character; the data processor being adapted to detect the sequence of actuation of the keys, to match the sequence of actuation of the keys with key-actuating sequences in the table of key-actuating sequences, and to retrieve the character whose corresponding key-actuating sequence matches the sequence of actuation of the keys, and the lines joining consecutive keys of a key-actuating sequence resemble the shape of the corresponding character.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.