Typewriting machines – Key-board or key lever-actuating mechanism – Key-board arranged according to character location
Reexamination Certificate
2003-08-29
2004-10-12
Hirshfeld, Andrew H. (Department: 2854)
Typewriting machines
Key-board or key lever-actuating mechanism
Key-board arranged according to character location
C400S489000, C341S022000, C345S168000, C345S169000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06802661
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a method of inputting letters, numbers, punctuation marks, mathematical and other conventional symbols and any other alphanumeric codes using 12 keys instead of using over 80 keys on a conventional computer keyboard. More particularly the invention pertains to a new method of inputting alphanumeric codes by means of pressing no more than 2 keys for each alphanumeric code.
For handheld electronic devices such as mobile phones, owing to their small size, it is not possible to have letter keypads such as those in portable computers. The user has to press the keys many times in order to input an alphanumeric code. If the user has to input a number of alphanumeric codes to constitute a message, it will be very time-consuming and tedious. Therefore, a faster and convenient method of inputting alphanumeric codes is in need. Further, existing communication systems among electronic devices use low level signaling or protocol to communicate, which is not understood by users. It is also proved to be difficult for different manufacturers to agree on the signaling or protocol to be used so that different electronic devices can communicate with one another. A high level language enabling communications among electronic devices and facilitating universal interoperability is generally required.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the aforesaid disadvantages now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new method of inputting alphanumeric codes quickly and conveniently, which can be used as a user interface for input of alphanumeric codes in handheld electronic devices or as a means for high level language communications among electronic devices.
To attain this, the present invention provides a method of inputting alphanumeric codes by means of pressing no more than 2 keys out of 12 keys on a keypad arranged in a matrix of 4 rows and 3 columns for each alphanumeric code which comprises the steps of
(a) having a set of up to 12 tables arranging in a matrix of 4 rows and 3 columns, each table containing 12 different alphanumeric codes of the same or similar nature also arranging in a matrix of 4 rows and 3 columns;
(b) pressing a key on the keypad, the location of which corresponds to the location of the table in the matrix which contains the desired alphanumeric code to be inputted; and
(c) then pressing a key on the keypad, the location of which corresponds to the location of the desired alphanumeric code in the matrix of the table selected.
For practical use, each of the tables may contain function keys as well as alphanumeric codes so long as each table contains a maximum of 12 different alphanumeric codes or function keys.
For ease of memory, the tables are to be arranged in a manner that alphanumeric codes or function keys of the same or similar nature are included in the same table or in two or more successive tables.
According to the usage frequency of various alphanumeric codes or function keys, it is preferable to have the following matrix of tables:
(a) First row, first column in the matrix: letters <a>to <I> in lower case reading from left to right and from top to bottom in sequence;
(b) First row, second column in the matrix: letters <m>to <x>in lower case reading from left to right and from top to bottom in sequence;
(c) First row, third column in the matrix: letters <y>and <z>in lower case, function keys <space>, <page up>, <up>, <back space>, <left>, <tab>, <right>, <page down>, <down>and <delete>reading from left to right and from top to bottom in sequence;
(d) Second row, first column in the matrix: symbols <,>, <+>, <−>, <.>, <x>, </>, <(>, <$>, <)>, <<>, <=> and <>> reading from left to right and from top to bottom in sequence;
(e) Second row, second column in the matrix: symbols <;>, <:>, <\>, <{grave over ( )}>, <″>, <′>, <%>, <?>, <&>, <@>, <!> and <_> reading from left to right and from top to bottom in sequence;
(f) Second row, third column in the matrix: symbols <[>, <~>, <]>, <{>, <{circumflex over ( )}>, <}>, <¢>, <£>, <¥> reading from left to right and from top to bottom in sequence with the three positions in the last row reserved for future development;
(g) Third row, first column in the matrix: letters <A> to <L> in upper case reading from left to right and from top to bottom in sequence;
(h) Third row, second column in the matrix: letters <M> to <X> in upper case reading from left to right and from top to bottom in sequence;
(i) Third row, third column in the matrix: letters <Y> and <Z> in upper case with the last position in the first row reserved for future development, function keys <esc> and <shift> with the last position in the second row also reserved for future development, function keys <alt>, <ctrl>, <enter>, <home>, <insert> and <end> reading from left to right and from top to bottom in sequence;
(j) Fourth row, first column in the matrix: reserved for future development;
(k) Fourth row, second column in the matrix: numbers <1> to <9>, symbol <*>, number <0> and symbol <#> reading from left to right and from top to bottom in sequence;
(l) Fourth row, third column in the matrix: reserved for future development; and up to a maximum of 144 alphanumeric codes or function keys can be contained in a matrix of 12 tables.
To facilitate fast input, the display screen of the electronic device may show the table selected so that the user can see and choose from the table the desired alphanumeric code or function key.
To facilitate fast input, for those electronic devices such as mobile phones which have a typical keypad of 12 keys arranged in a matrix of 4 rows and 3 columns reading from left to right and from top to bottom in sequence number keys <1> to <9>, symbol key <*>, number key <0> and symbol key <#>, the outlook of the 12 keys on the keypad can be re-designed by adding 1. to the upper left hand corner of each key the alphanumeric code in the table in the first row, first column in the matrix and the location of the alphanumeric code in the table corresponds to the location of the key on the keypad; 2. to the upper right hand corner of each key the alphanumeric code in the table in the first row, second column in the matrix and the location of the alphanumeric code in the table corresponds to the location of the key on the keypad; 3. to the lower left hand corner of each key the alphanumeric code in the table in the second row, first column in the matrix and the location of the alphanumeric code in the table corresponds to the location of the key on the keypad; and 4. to the lower right hand corner of each key the alphanumeric code in the table in the second row, second column in the matrix and the location of the alphanumeric code in the table corresponds to the location of the key on the keypad; and the outlook of the 12 keys is re-designed in detail as follows:
(a) Number key <1>: adding letter <a> at upper left hand corner, letter <m> at upper right hand corner, symbol <,> at lower left hand corner and symbol <;> at lower right hand corner;
(b) Number key <2>: adding letter <b> at upper left hand corner, letter <n> at upper right hand corner, symbol <+> at lower left hand corner and symbol <:> at lower right hand corner;
(c) Number key <3>: adding letter <c> at upper left hand corner, letter <o> at upper right hand corner, symbol <−> at lower left hand corner and symbol <\> at lower right hand corner;
(d) Number key <4>: adding letter &
Lam Yin Hung
Lee Kai Tai
Ferguson Marissa L
Hirshfeld Andrew H.
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