Data entry for personal computing devices

A system for processing text with a pointing device, the system comprising:

• (a) means for receiving a partial text entry comprising at least a first character;
• (b) means for obtaining a dynamically generated list of completion candidates based on the partial text entry in response to receipt of the first character of the partial text entry;
• (c) means for displaying the list of completion candidates in a search list within a graphical user interface;
• (d) means for receiving a user input signal associated with the pointing device;
• (e) means for deactivating the search list and awaiting further user-initiated modification of the partial text entry if the user input signal corresponds to a first type of user selection with the pointing device;
• (f) means for replacing the partial text entry with a completion candidate from the search list if the user input signal corresponds to a second type of user selection with the pointing device;
• and
• (g) means for obtaining a refined list of completion candidates for display in the search list when a completion candidate in the search list remains selected for a predetermined time limit.

A computer-readable medium for providing instructions for directing a processing unit to process text entered via a user interface with a pointing device, by:

• (a) receiving a partial text entry;
• (b) obtaining a dynamically generated list of completion candidates from a dictionary based on the partial text entry;
• (c) displaying the list of completion candidates in a search list within a graphical user interface;
• (d) receiving a user input signal associated with the pointing device;
• (e) if the user input signal corresponds to a first type of user selection with the pointing device, deactivating the search list;
• (f) if the user input signal corresponds to a second type of user selection with the pointing device, replacing the partial text entry with a completion candidate from the search list;
• (g) if the user input signal corresponds to a third type of user selection with the pointing device, dynamically obtaining a refined list of completion candidates when one of the completion candidates from the search list remains selected for a predetermined time limit, displaying the refined list of completion candidates in the search list for further user selection, and monitoring for a further user input signal associated with the pointing device.

A system for computer-assisted text generation and entry, comprising:

• (a) an input interface for receiving user input signals based on actions with a pointing device;
• (b) a processing unit;
• and
• (c) a computer-readable medium containing computer-readable instructions for directing the processing unit to assist with text generation and entry based on user input received via the input interface with the pointing device, by:
• (i) receiving a partial text entry;
• (ii) obtaining a dynamically generated list of completion candidates based on the partial text entry;
• (iii) displaying the list of completion candidates in a search list in a display device;
• (iv) receiving a user input signal associated with the pointing device from the input interface;
• (v) if the user input signal corresponds to a first type of user selection with the pointing device, deactivating the search list;
• (vi) if the user input signal corresponds to a second type of user selection with the pointing device, replacing the partial text entry with a completion candidate from the search list;
• and
• (vii) obtaining a refined list of completion candidates for display in the search list when a completion candidate in the search list remains selected for a predetermined time limit.

A method of processing text entered into a personal computing device with a pointing device, the method comprising:

• (a) receiving a partial text entry comprising at least a first character;
• (b) in response to receipt of the first character of the partial text entry, obtaining a first plurality of completion candidates based on the partial text entry;
• (c) displaying the first plurality of completion candidates in a search list within a graphical user interface;
• (d) receiving a user input signal associated with the pointing device;
• (e) if the user input signal corresponds to accepting a completion candidate from the search list to replace the partial text entry, modifying the partial text entry to become the accepted completion candidate;
• and
• (f) if the user input signal corresponds to selecting a completion candidate from the search list to initiate further searching, obtaining a second plurality of completion candidates based on the selected completion candidate and displaying the second plurality of completion candidates in the search list for further selection;
• wherein the user input signal corresponds to selecting a completion candidate from the search list to initiate further searching when a completion candidate in the search list remains selected for a predetermined time limit.

A system of processing text entered into a personal computing device with a pointing device, the system comprising:

• (a) means for receiving a partial text entry comprising at least a first character;
• (b) means for obtaining a first plurality of completion candidates in response to receipt of the first character of the partial text entry;
• (c) means for displaying the first plurality of completion candidates in a search list;
• (d) means for receiving a user input signal associated with the pointing device;
• (e) means for modifying the partial text entry to become an accepted completion candidate, if the user input signal corresponds to accepting a completion candidate from the search list to replace the partial text entry;
• and
• (f) means for obtaining, if the user input signal corresponds to selecting a completion candidate from the search list for a predetermined time limit to initiate further searching, a second plurality of completion candidates based on the selected completion candidate and displaying the second plurality of completion candidates in the search list for further selection.

A computer-readable medium comprising codes for directing a processing unit to process text entered into a personal computing device with a pointing device, by:

• (a) receiving a partial text entry comprising at least a first character;
• (b) obtaining a first plurality of completion candidates in response to receipt of the first character of the partial text entry;
• (c) displaying the first plurality of completion candidates in a search list;
• (d) receiving a user input signal associated with the pointing device;
• (e) modifying the partial text entry to become an accepted completion candidate, if the user input signal corresponds to accepting a completion candidate from the search list to replace the partial text entry;
• and
• (f) if the user input signal corresponds to selecting a completion candidate from the search list for at least a predetermined time limit to initiate further searching, obtaining a second plurality of completion candidates based on the selected completion candidate and displaying the second plurality of completion candidates in the search list for further selection.