System and method for automatically selecting among a plurality of input modes

A continuous input and word generation system, for providing input of a plurality of polysemous symbols, in selected sequences, to access prestored words and currently providing input of a plurality of alphabetic characters, in selected sequences, corresponding to a non-prestored words, without the need of a mode selection key utilizable solely for selection among a plurality of input modes, the system comprising:

• key input means, including a plurality of keys corresponding to both polysemous symbols and alphabetic characters, for, upon key activation, inputting corresponding polysemous symbols and alphabetic characters;
• storage means, operatively connected to said key input means, for sequentially storing input polysemous symbols as a symbol sequence and for separately and concurrently sequentially storing input alphabetic characters as a character string;
• comparison means, operatively connected to said storage means, for comparing said stored symbol sequence, upon storing of each polysemous symbol in the stored symbol sequence, to a plurality of predetermined symbol sequences to determine a symbol sequence match;
• key detection means, operatively connected to said key input means, for detecting activation of one of a plurality of predetermined keys among said plurality of key input means keys, said plurality of predetermined keys not soley utilizable for selection among a plurality of input modes;
• and
• input mode automatic selection means, operatively connected to said storage means, comparison means, and key detection means, for automatically selecting a first mode and utilizing said stored input symbol sequence to access stored information upon said comparison means determining a symbol sequence match, and for automatically selecting a second mode and accessing said sequentially stored character string upon said key detection means detecting activation of one of said plurality of predetermined keys;
• and
• output means, operatively connected to said storage means, for receiving and outputting said stored accessed information corresponding to said input polysemous symbol sequence, upon said input mode automatic selection means selecting said first mode, and for receiving and outputting said accessed character string from said storage means upon said input mode automatic selection means selecting said second mode.

A continuous input device for use in a sequential word generation system, the continuous input device providing input of a plurality of polysemous symbols, in selected sequences, to access corresponding prestored words in a symbol mode and concurrently providing input of a plurality of alphabetic characters, in selected sequences, corresponding to words inaccessible via polysemous symbol sequences, in a character mode, without the need of a mode selection key utilizable solely for selection between the symbol and character modes, the device comprising:

• key input means, including a plurality of keys corresponding to both polysemous symbols and alphabetic characters, for, upon key activation, inputting corresponding polysemous symbols and alphabetic characters;
• storage means, operatively connected to said key input means, for sequentially storing input polysemous symbols as a symbol sequence and for separately and concurrently sequentially storing input alphabetic characters as a character string;
• comparison means, operatively connected to said storage means, for comparing said stored symbol sequence, upon storage of each polysemous symbol in the stored symbol sequence, to a plurality of predetermined symbol sequences to determine a symbol sequence match;
• said comparison means further comparing the stored symbol sequence, upon storage of each polysemous symbol in the symbol sequence, to the plurality of predetermined symbol sequences to determine if the stored symbol sequence is a prefix of at least one of said predetermined symbol sequences;
• input mode automatic selection means, operatively connected to said storage means and comparison means, for automatically selecting the symbol mode upon said comparison means determining a symbol sequence match, and for automatically selecting the character mode upon said comparison means determining that the stored symbol sequence is not a prefix of at least one of said predetermined symbol sequences and said stored character string being a string of valid characters.

A method of automatic input mode selection in an input device, utilizable in a plurality of input modes and including a plurality of keys corresponding to both polysemous symbols and alphabetic characters, the automatic input mode selection occurring without the need of a mode selection key utilizable solely for selection among a plurality of input modes, comprising the steps of:

• a) inputting polysemous symbols and alphabetic characters, corresponding to a plurality of input keys, upon sequential key activation;
• b) storing input polysemous symbols, sequentially input, as a symbol sequence;
• c) storing input alphabetic characters, sequentially input, as a character string;
• d) prestoring a plurality of predetermined polysemous symbol sequences and at least one word corresponding to each predetermined polysemous symbol sequence;
• e) comparing the stored symbol sequence, upon storage of each sequentially input polysemous symbol, to each of the plurality of predetermined stored polysemous symbol sequences to determine a symbol sequence match;
• f) selecting a symbol input mode for the input device, automatically, upon determining a symbol sequence match in the comparison of step (e);
• g) accessing the prestored at least one word, corresponding to the input symbol sequence, upon the symbol input mode being selected in step (f);
• and
• h) selecting a character mode for the input device, automatically, upon the input symbol sequence being of a predetermined length and upon not determining a symbol sequence match in the comparison of step (e).