Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 90
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for inputting a desired character in a non-alphabetic language, comprising: presenting a user with a graphical representation of an initial soft keyboard having a plurality of first keys, at least some of the first keys representing initial sounds; presenting the user with a graphical representation of a final soft keyboard having a plurality of second keys, at least some of the second keys representing final sounds, wherein each of the initial and final sounds can be represented by a single key, respectively, on the initial soft keyboard and final soft keyboard; and determining the desired character at least in part as a function of a user selection of one of the first keys and one of the second keys.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for inputting a desired character in a non-alphabetic language, comprising: presenting a user with a graphical representation of an initial soft keyboard having a plurality of first keys, at least some of the first keys representing initial sounds; presenting the user with a graphical representation of a final soft keyboard having a plurality of second keys, at least some of the second keys representing final sounds, wherein each of the initial and final sounds can be represented by a single key, respectively, on the initial soft keyboard and final soft keyboard; and determining the desired character at least in part as a function of a user selection of one of the first keys and one of the second keys.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method, according to claim 1 , wherein the graphical representations are displayed on a touch-sensitive screen, and wherein the user selections are received using the touch-sensitive screen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method, according to claim 1 , wherein the graphical representations are displayed on a monitor, and wherein the user selections are received using at least one of a keyboard and a pointing device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method, according to claim 1 , wherein one of the first keys is a shortcut key for inputting characters lacking an initial sound.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method, according to claim 1 , further comprising selectively enabling a second key if the final sound represented by the second key forms a valid combination with the initial sound represented by the selected first key.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method, according to claim 5 , further comprising referencing a table to determine which final sounds form valid combinations with the initial sound represented by the selected first key.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method, according to claim 1 , further comprising: receiving a user selection of a tone; and determining the desired character in part as a function of the selected tone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method, according to claim 7 , further comprising presenting the user with a graphical representation of a tonal keyboard for selecting the tone.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method, according to claim 7 , wherein the user selects the tone using numeric keys of the final soft keyboard.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method, according to claim 1 , further comprising consulting a dictionary to determine the desired character.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method, according to claim 1 , further comprising determining the desired character in part as a function of at least one of contextual information and linguistic patterns.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method, according to claim 1 , further comprising determining the desired character using a statistical language model.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method, according to claim 1 , further comprising: presenting the user with a plurality of candidates determined as a function of the initial sound corresponding to the selected first key and the final sound corresponding to the selected second key; and receiving a user selection of one of the candidates as the desired character.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method, according to claim 13 , further comprising: storing a history of user selections of desired characters; and using the history in future determinations of desired characters.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method, according to claim 1 , further comprising: constructing a string at least in part as a function of the user selection of the first and second keys; and determining the desired character as a function of the string.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method, according to claim 15 , further comprising constructing the string in part as a function of a user selection of a tone.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method, according to claim 1 , wherein the non-alphabetic language is Chinese.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method, according to claim 1 , wherein each of the second keys assumes one of an enabled state and a disabled state, the assumed state being selected as a function of a user selection of one of the first keys.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for inputting a desired character in a non-alphabetic language, comprising: presenting a user with a graphical representation of an initial soft keyboard having a plurality of first keys, at least some of the first keys representing initial sounds; presenting the user with a graphical representation of a final soft keyboard having a plurality of second keys, at least some of the second keys representing final sounds, wherein each of the initial and final sounds can be represented by a single key, respectively, on the initial soft keyboard and final soft keyboard; constructing a string at least in part as a function of a user selection of the first and second keys; and using a statistical language model to determine the desired character at least in part as a function of the string.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for inputting a desired character in a non-alphabetic language, comprising: presenting a user with a graphical representation of an initial soft keyboard having a plurality of first keys, at least some of the first keys representing initial sounds; presenting the user with a graphical representation of a final soft keyboard having a plurality of second keys, at least some of the second keys representing final sounds, wherein each of the initial and final sounds can be represented by a single key, respectively, on the initial soft keyboard and final soft keyboard; constructing a string at least in part as a function of a user selection of the first and second keys; and using a statistical language model to determine the desired character at least in part as a function of the string.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method, according to claim 19 , further comprising: receiving a user selection of a tone; and determining the desired character in part as a function of the selected tone.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method, according to claim 19 , wherein the graphical representations are displayed on a touch-sensitive screen, and wherein the user selections are received using the touch-sensitive screen.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method, according to claim 19 , wherein the graphical representations are displayed on a monitor, and wherein the user selections are received using at least one of a keyboard and a pointing device.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method, according to claim 19 , wherein each of the second keys assumes one of an enabled state and a disabled state, the assumed state being selected as a function of a user selection of one of the first keys.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
161 words
A handheld computing device comprising a touch-sensitive screen and configured to receive input of a desired character in a non-alphabetic language by: displaying on the touch-sensitive screen a graphical representation of an initial soft keyboard having a plurality of first keys, at least some of the first keys representing initial sounds; receiving a user selection of one of the first keys using the touch-sensitive screen; displaying on the touch-sensitive screen a graphical representation of a final soft keyboard having a plurality of second keys, at least some of the second keys representing final sounds, wherein each of the initial and final sounds can be represented by a single key, respectively, on the initial soft keyboard and final soft keyboard; receiving a user selection of one of the second keys using the touch-sensitive screen; and determining the desired character at least in part as a function of a user selection of one of the first keys and one of the second keys.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
161 words
A handheld computing device comprising a touch-sensitive screen and configured to receive input of a desired character in a non-alphabetic language by: displaying on the touch-sensitive screen a graphical representation of an initial soft keyboard having a plurality of first keys, at least some of the first keys representing initial sounds; receiving a user selection of one of the first keys using the touch-sensitive screen; displaying on the touch-sensitive screen a graphical representation of a final soft keyboard having a plurality of second keys, at least some of the second keys representing final sounds, wherein each of the initial and final sounds can be represented by a single key, respectively, on the initial soft keyboard and final soft keyboard; receiving a user selection of one of the second keys using the touch-sensitive screen; and determining the desired character at least in part as a function of a user selection of one of the first keys and one of the second keys.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
A handheld computing device, according to claim 24 , wherein one of the first keys is a shortcut key for inputting characters lacking an initial sound.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
40 words
A handheld computing device, according to claim 24 , further configured to selectively enable a second key if the final sound represented by the second key forms a valid combination with the initial sound represented by the selected first key.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
33 words
A handheld computing device, according to claim 26 , further configured to reference a table to determine which final sounds form valid combinations with the initial sound represented by the selected first key.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
33 words
A handheld computing device, according to claim 24 , further configured to: receive a user selection of a tone; and determine the desired character in part as a function of the selected tone.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
28 words
A handheld computing device, according to claim 28 , further configured to display on the touch-sensitive screen a graphical representation of a tonal keyboard for selecting the tone.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
A handheld computing device, according to claim 28 , wherein the user selects the tone using numeric keys of the final soft keyboard.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
20 words
A handheld computing device, according to claim 24 , further configured to consult a dictionary to determine the desired character.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
31 words
A handheld computing device, according to claim 24 , further configured to determine the desired character in part as a function of at least one of contextual information and linguistic patterns.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
21 words
A handheld computing device, according to claim 24 , further configured to determine the desired character using a statistical language model.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
63 words
A handheld computing device, according to claim 24 , further configured to: display on the touch-sensitive screen a plurality of candidates determined as a function of the initial sound corresponding to the selected first key and the final sound corresponding to the selected second key; and receive, using the touch-sensitive screen, a user selection of one of the candidates as the desired character.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
31 words
A handheld computing device, according to claim 34 , further configured to: store a history of user selections of desired characters; and use the history in future determinations of desired characters.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
43 words
A handheld computing device, according to claim 24 , further configured to: construct a string at least in part as a function of the user selection of the first and second keys; and determine the desired character as a function of the string.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
27 words
A handheld computing device, according to claim 36 , further configured to construct the string in part as a function of a user selection of a tone.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
15 words
A handheld computing device, according to claim 24 , wherein the non-alphabetic language is Chinese.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
43 words
A handheld computing device, according to claim 24 , wherein each of the second keys assumes one of an enabled state and a disabled state, the assumed state being selected as a function of a user selection of one of the first keys.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
174 words
A handheld computing device comprising a touch-sensitive screen and configured to receive input of a desired character in a non-alphabetic language by: displaying on the touch-sensitive screen a graphical representation of an initial soft keyboard having a plurality of first keys, at least some of the first keys representing initial sounds; receiving a user selection of one of the first keys using the touch-sensitive screen; displaying on the touch-sensitive screen a graphical representation of a final soft keyboard having a plurality of second keys, at least some of the second keys representing final sounds, wherein each of the initial and final sounds can be represented by a single key, respectively, on the initial soft keyboard and final soft keyboard; receiving a user selection of one of the second keys using the touch-sensitive screen; constructing a string at least in part as a function of a user selection of the first and second keys; and using a statistical language model to determine the desired character at least in part as a function of the string.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
174 words
A handheld computing device comprising a touch-sensitive screen and configured to receive input of a desired character in a non-alphabetic language by: displaying on the touch-sensitive screen a graphical representation of an initial soft keyboard having a plurality of first keys, at least some of the first keys representing initial sounds; receiving a user selection of one of the first keys using the touch-sensitive screen; displaying on the touch-sensitive screen a graphical representation of a final soft keyboard having a plurality of second keys, at least some of the second keys representing final sounds, wherein each of the initial and final sounds can be represented by a single key, respectively, on the initial soft keyboard and final soft keyboard; receiving a user selection of one of the second keys using the touch-sensitive screen; constructing a string at least in part as a function of a user selection of the first and second keys; and using a statistical language model to determine the desired character at least in part as a function of the string.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
33 words
A handheld computing device, according to claim 40 , further configured to: receive a user selection of a tone; and determine the desired character in part as a function of the selected tone.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
43 words
A handheld computing device, according to claim 40 , wherein each of the second keys assumes one of an enabled state and a disabled state, the assumed state being selected as a function of a user selection of one of the first keys.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
124 words
For use in receiving input of a desired character in a non-alphabetic language, a computer arrangement configured to perform steps comprising: displaying a graphical representation of an initial soft keyboard having a plurality of first keys, at least some of the first keys representing initial sounds; displaying a graphical representation of a final soft keyboard having a plurality of second keys, at least some of the second keys representing final sounds, wherein each of the initial and final sounds can be represented by a single key, respectively, on the initial soft keyboard and final soft keyboard; and determining the desired character at least in part as a function of a user selection of one of the first keys and one of the second keys.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
124 words
For use in receiving input of a desired character in a non-alphabetic language, a computer arrangement configured to perform steps comprising: displaying a graphical representation of an initial soft keyboard having a plurality of first keys, at least some of the first keys representing initial sounds; displaying a graphical representation of a final soft keyboard having a plurality of second keys, at least some of the second keys representing final sounds, wherein each of the initial and final sounds can be represented by a single key, respectively, on the initial soft keyboard and final soft keyboard; and determining the desired character at least in part as a function of a user selection of one of the first keys and one of the second keys.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
25 words
A computer arrangement, according to claim 43 , wherein one of the first keys is a shortcut key for inputting characters lacking an initial sound.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
39 words
A computer arrangement, according to claim 43 , further configured to selectively enable a second key if the final sound represented by the second key forms a valid combination with the initial sound represented by the selected first key.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
32 words
A computer arrangement, according to claim 45 , further configured to reference a table to determine which final sounds form valid combinations with the initial sound represented by the selected first key.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
32 words
A computer arrangement, according to claim 43 , further configured to: receive a user selection of a tone; and determine the desired character in part as a function of the selected tone.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
23 words
A computer arrangement, according to claim 47 , further configured to display a graphical representation of a tonal keyboard for selecting the tone.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
22 words
A computer arrangement, according to claim 47 , wherein the user selects the tone using numeric keys of the final soft keyboard.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
19 words
A computer arrangement, according to claim 43 , further configured to consult a dictionary to determine the desired character.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
30 words
A computer arrangement, according to claim 43 , further configured to determine the desired character in part as a function of at least one of contextual information and linguistic patterns.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer arrangement, according to claim 43 , further configured to determine the desired character using a statistical language model.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
62 words
A computer arrangement, according to claim 43 , further configured to: display on the touch-sensitive screen a plurality of candidates determined as a function of the initial sound corresponding to the selected first key and the final sound corresponding to the selected second key; and receive, using the touch-sensitive screen, a user selection of one of the candidates as the desired character.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
30 words
A computer arrangement, according to claim 53 , further configured to: store a history of user selections of desired characters; and use the history in future determinations of desired characters.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
42 words
A computer arrangement, according to claim 43 , further configured to: construct a string at least in part as a function of the user selection of the first and second keys; and determine the desired character as a function of the string.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
26 words
A computer arrangement, according to claim 55 , further configured to construct the string in part as a function of a user selection of a tone.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
14 words
A computer arrangement, according to claim 43 , wherein the non-alphabetic language is Chinese.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
42 words
A computer arrangement, according to claim 43 , wherein each of the second keys assumes one of an enabled state and a disabled state, the assumed state being selected as a function of a user selection of one of the first keys.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
143 words
For use in receiving input of a desired character in a non-alphabetic language, a computer arrangement configured to perform steps comprising: presenting a user with a graphical representation of an initial soft keyboard having a plurality of first keys, at least some of the first keys representing initial sounds; presenting the user with a graphical representation of a final soft keyboard having a plurality of second keys, at least some of the second keys representing final sounds, wherein each of the initial and final sounds can be represented by a single key, respectively, on the initial soft keyboard and final soft keyboard; constructing a string at least in part as a function of a user selection of the first and second keys; and using a statistical language model to determine the desired character at least in part as a function of the string.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
143 words
For use in receiving input of a desired character in a non-alphabetic language, a computer arrangement configured to perform steps comprising: presenting a user with a graphical representation of an initial soft keyboard having a plurality of first keys, at least some of the first keys representing initial sounds; presenting the user with a graphical representation of a final soft keyboard having a plurality of second keys, at least some of the second keys representing final sounds, wherein each of the initial and final sounds can be represented by a single key, respectively, on the initial soft keyboard and final soft keyboard; constructing a string at least in part as a function of a user selection of the first and second keys; and using a statistical language model to determine the desired character at least in part as a function of the string.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
32 words
A computer arrangement, according to claim 59 , further configured to: receive a user selection of a tone; and determine the desired character in part as a function of the selected tone.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
42 words
A computer arrangement, according to claim 59 , wherein each of the second keys assumes one of an enabled state and a disabled state, the assumed state being selected as a function of a user selection of one of the first keys.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
127 words
For use in receiving input of a desired character in a non-alphabetic language, a computer readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing steps comprising: displaying a graphical representation of an initial soft keyboard having a plurality of first keys, at least some of the first keys representing initial sounds; displaying a graphical representation of a final soft keyboard having a plurality of second keys, at least some of the second keys representing final sounds, wherein each of the initial and final sounds can be represented by a single key, respectively, on the initial soft keyboard and final soft keyboard; and determining the desired character at least in part as a function of a user selection of one of the first keys and one of the second keys.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
127 words
For use in receiving input of a desired character in a non-alphabetic language, a computer readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing steps comprising: displaying a graphical representation of an initial soft keyboard having a plurality of first keys, at least some of the first keys representing initial sounds; displaying a graphical representation of a final soft keyboard having a plurality of second keys, at least some of the second keys representing final sounds, wherein each of the initial and final sounds can be represented by a single key, respectively, on the initial soft keyboard and final soft keyboard; and determining the desired character at least in part as a function of a user selection of one of the first keys and one of the second keys.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
26 words
A computer readable medium, according to claim 62 , wherein one of the first keys is a shortcut key for inputting characters lacking an initial sound.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
42 words
A computer readable medium, according to claim 62 , having further computer-executable instructions for selectively enabling a second key if the final sound represented by the second key forms a valid combination with the initial sound represented by the selected first key.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
35 words
A computer readable medium, according to claim 64 , having further computer-executable instructions for referencing a table to determine which final sounds form valid combinations with the initial sound represented by the selected first key.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
35 words
A computer readable medium, according to claim 62 , having further computer-executable instructions for: receiving a user selection of a tone; and determining the desired character in part as a function of the selected tone.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
26 words
A computer readable medium, according to claim 66 , having further computer-executable instructions for displaying a graphical representation of a tonal keyboard for selecting the tone.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
23 words
A computer readable medium, according to claim 66 , wherein the user selects the tone using numeric keys of the final soft keyboard.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
22 words
A computer readable medium, according to claim 62 , having further computer-executable instructions for consulting a dictionary to determine the desired character.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
33 words
A computer readable medium, according to claim 62 , having further computer-executable instructions for determining the desired character in part as a function of at least one of contextual information and linguistic patterns.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
23 words
A computer readable medium, according to claim 62 , having further computer-executable instructions for determining the desired character using a statistical language model.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
65 words
A computer readable medium, according to claim 62 , having further computer-executable instructions for: displaying on a touch-sensitive screen a plurality of candidates determined as a function of the initial sound corresponding to the selected first key and the final sound corresponding to the selected second key; and receiving, using the touch-sensitive screen, a user selection of one of the candidates as the desired character.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
33 words
A computer readable medium, according to claim 72 , having further computer-executable instructions for: storing a history of user selections of desired characters; and using the history in future determinations of desired characters.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
45 words
A computer readable medium, according to claim 62 , having further computer-executable instructions for: constructing a string at least in part as a function of the user selection of the first and second keys; and determining the desired character as a function of the string.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
29 words
A computer readable medium, according to claim 74 , having further computer-executable instructions for constructing the string in part as a function of a user selection of a tone.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
15 words
A computer readable medium, according to claim 62 , wherein the non-alphabetic language is Chinese.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
43 words
A computer readable medium, according to claim 62 , wherein each of the second keys assumes one of an enabled state and a disabled state, the assumed state being selected as a function of a user selection of one of the first keys.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
146 words
For use in receiving input of a desired character in a non-alphabetic language, a computer readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing steps comprising: presenting a user with a graphical representation of an initial soft keyboard having a plurality of first keys, at least some of the first keys representing initial sounds; presenting the user with a graphical representation of a final soft keyboard having a plurality of second keys, at least some of the second keys representing final sounds, wherein each of the initial and final sounds can be represented by a single key, respectively, on the initial soft keyboard and final soft keyboard; constructing a string at least in part as a function of a user selection of the first and second keys; and using a statistical language model to determine the desired character at least in part as a function of the string.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
146 words
For use in receiving input of a desired character in a non-alphabetic language, a computer readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing steps comprising: presenting a user with a graphical representation of an initial soft keyboard having a plurality of first keys, at least some of the first keys representing initial sounds; presenting the user with a graphical representation of a final soft keyboard having a plurality of second keys, at least some of the second keys representing final sounds, wherein each of the initial and final sounds can be represented by a single key, respectively, on the initial soft keyboard and final soft keyboard; constructing a string at least in part as a function of a user selection of the first and second keys; and using a statistical language model to determine the desired character at least in part as a function of the string.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
35 words
A computer readable medium, according to claim 78 , having further computer-readable instructions for: receiving a user selection of a tone; and determining the desired character in part as a function of the selected tone.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
31 words
A computer readable medium, according to claim 78 , having further computer-executable instructions for: displaying the graphical representations on a touch-sensitive screen; and receiving the user selections using the touch-sensitive screen.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
37 words
A computer readable medium, according to claim 78 , having further computer-executable instructions for: displaying the graphical representations on a monitor; and receiving the user selections using at least one of a keyboard and a pointing device.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
43 words
A computer readable medium, according to claim 78 , wherein each of the second keys assumes one of an enabled state and a disabled state, the assumed state being selected as a function of a user selection of one of the first keys.