US 7,681,124 B2 · Data entry for personal computing devices

Abstract

In one aspect, the user can rapidly enter and search for text using a data entry system through a combination of entering one or more characters on a digitally displayed keyboard with a pointing device and using a search list to obtain a list of completion candidates. The user can activate the search list to obtain a list of completion candidates at any time while entering a partial text entry with the data entry system. When the search list is active, a list of completion candidates is displayed on a graphical user interface for the user to select from and the user can perform one of several actions. When the user deactivates the search list, the user can continue adding to or modifying the current partial text entry being entered, and may re-invoke the search list to further search for completion candidates based on the modified partial text entry.

Claims41

Dependent claims

A method of supporting text entry on a personal computing device by allowing a user to automatically search for and select completion candidates displayed in a search list based on a partial text entry, the method comprising:

(a) receiving a user input signal;
(b) if the user input signal corresponds to declining all completion candidates displayed in the search list, terminating automated searching with the search list and displaying a digital keyboard while not displaying the search list with no consequence to the text entered into the personal computing device, and waiting for further user input from the digital keyboard;
(c) if the user input signal corresponds to accepting a completion candidate from the search list to replace the partial text entry and to terminate automated searching, terminating the automated searching with the search list, modifying the partial text entry to become the accepted completion candidate, displaying the digital keyboard while not displaying the search list, and waiting for further user input from the digital keyboard;
and
(d) if the user input signal corresponds to selecting a completion candidate from the search list to initiate further searching, obtaining a new list of completion candidates based on the selected completion candidate and displaying the new list of completion candidates in the search list for further selection while not displaying the digital keyboard, and waiting for further user input from the search list.

2 more elements

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

(a) receiving and displaying a partial text entry, comprising receiving at least part of the partial text entry via a digital keyboard displayed in a graphical user interface of the personal computing device, the 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 from among a group of completion candidates, wherein each of the first plurality of completion candidates includes a portion matching the partial text entry;
(c) displaying the first plurality of completion candidates in a search list within a graphical user interface;
(d) detecting user input corresponding to selection of a particular completion candidate from among the first plurality of completion candidates displayed in the search list;
(e) modifying the display of the partial text entry to correspond to the particular completion candidate selected from among the first plurality of completion candidates;
(f) detecting modification of the partial text entry by the user via the digital keyboard;
(g) obtaining and displaying in the search list a modified plurality of completion candidates from among the group of completion candidates, each time the partial text entry is modified via the digital keyboard, wherein each of the modified plurality of completion candidates includes a portion matching the partial text entry;
and
(h) in response to receiving a user input signal associated with initiating further searching with a completion candidate selected from the search list,
(i) obtaining a further plurality of completion candidates from among the group of completion candidates;
and
(ii) displaying the further plurality of completion candidates in the search list while not displaying the digital keyboard in the graphical user interface.

9 more elements

A method of processing a partial text entry with a personal computing device, the method comprising:

(a) receiving the first character of the partial text entry;
(b) in response to receipt of the first character of the partial text entry, obtaining a first plurality of completion candidates based on the first character of the partial text entry;
(c) displaying the first plurality of completion candidates in a search list within a graphical user interface for user selection;
(d) awaiting user input associated with either selection of one of the first plurality of completion candidates or modification of the partial text entry via a digital keyboard;
(e) in response to receiving user input identifying the second character of the partial text entry, obtaining a second plurality of completion candidates based on the first and second characters of the partial text entry;
(f) clearing the search list of the first plurality of completion candidates and displaying the second plurality of completion candidates in the search list within the graphical user interface for user selection;
(g) awaiting further user input associated with either selection of one of the second plurality of completion candidates or modification of the partial text entry via the digital keyboard;
(h) in response to receiving user input identifying the third character of the partial text entry, obtaining a third plurality of completion candidates based on the first, second and third characters of the partial text entry;
(i) clearing the search list of the second plurality of completion candidates and displaying the third plurality of completion candidates in the search list within the graphical user interface for user selection and deactivating the digital keyboard for user input;
and
(j) awaiting user input associated with selection of one of the third plurality of completion candidates.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Data entry for personal computing devices

Life of this patent

Data entry for personal computing devices

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims41