Handheld electronic device and associated method enabling text input in a language employing non-roman characters

A handheld electronic device comprising:

• a processor apparatus comprising a processor and a memory;
• an input apparatus comprising a plurality of input keys and being structured to provide input to the processor apparatus, a first set of the input keys each having a Roman character assigned thereto, at least some of the input keys in the first set of the input keys having a first non-Roman character and a second non-Roman character assigned thereto;
• and
• an output apparatus structured to receive output signals from the processor apparatus,
• wherein the memory has stored therein a number of routines that, when executed on the processor, cause the handheld electronic device to be selectively switchable between:
• (i) a Roman character input mode, and (ii) a non-Roman character input mode, wherein in said Roman character input mode, each said Roman character may be selected and input into said processor apparatus for display on said output apparatus in response to selection of the input key to which it is assigned, and wherein in said non-Roman character input mode, each first non-Roman character may be selected and input into said processor apparatus for display on said output apparatus in response to a first type of selection of the input key to which it is assigned, and each second non-Roman character may be selected and input into said processor apparatus for display on said output apparatus in response to a second type of selection of the input key to which it is assigned,
• wherein said non-Roman characters are employed in a first language, said first language having one or more rules that govern use of characters in the first language, said routines, when executed on the processor, further cause the processor to:
• receive an input requesting entry of a first one of the non-Roman characters;
• determine that said input is for beginning a new word;
• and
• based on said one or more rules, determine that said first one of the non-Roman characters is not permissible for beginning said new word and prevent display on said output apparatus of said first one of the non-Roman characters.

A method for a handheld electronic device comprising a processor, memory, and a plurality of input keys including a first set of input keys, each input key of the first set of the input keys having one or more non-Roman characters assigned thereto, said non-Roman characters being employed in a first language, said first language having one or more rules that govern use of characters in the first language, the method comprising:

• receiving an input requesting entry of a first non-Roman character on a first one of the first set of input keys;
• determining that said input is for beginning a new word;
• based on said one or more rules, determining, using the processor, that said first non-Roman character is not permissible for beginning said new word;
• and
• outputting a second non-Roman character, different than said first non-Roman character, based on said determination that said first non-Roman character is not permissible for beginning said new word.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a processor;
• a plurality of input keys including a first set of input keys, each input key of the first set of the input keys having one or more non-Roman characters assigned thereto, said non-Roman characters being employed in a first language, said first language having one or more rules that govern use of characters in the first language;
• a display;
• and
• memory having stored therein a number of routines that, when executed on the processor, cause the processor to:
• receive an input requesting entry of a first non-Roman character on a first one of the first set of input keys;
• determine that said input is for beginning a new word;
• based on said one or more rules, determine, using the processor, that said first non-Roman character is not permissible for beginning said new word;
• and
• output a second non-Roman character, different than said first non-Roman character, based on said determination that said first non-Roman character is not permissible for beginning said new word.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions for an electronic device comprising a plurality of input keys including a first set of input keys, each input key of the first set of the input keys having one or more non-Roman characters assigned thereto, said non-Roman characters being employed in a first language, said first language having one or more rules that govern use of characters in the first language, the instructions being executable by a processor of the electronic device for causing the electronic device to perform operations comprising:

• receiving an input requesting entry of a first non-Roman character on a first one of the first set of input keys;
• determining that said input is for beginning a new word;
• based on said one or more rules, determining, using the processor, that said first non-Roman character is not permissible for beginning said new word;
• and
• outputting a second non-Roman character, different than said first non-Roman character, based on said determination that said first non-Roman character is not permissible for beginning said new word.