Device for composing or editing a string of characters
DCFirst Claim
1. A device for composing or editing a string of characters representing information, comprising:
- a character string display for displaying a character string being composed or edited;
a character selection display for displaying a set of characters for use in composing or editing the character string;
a microprocessor for activating the character selection display to display the character set in a display area in which at least some of the individual characters of the set are arranged relative to a designated location in the display area at distances according to decreasing frequency of use, the designated location being centrally located in the display area such that characters may be arranged on opposite sides of the designated location;
the microprocessor displaying a cursor in the character selection display area;
an interface for moving the cursor from one character to another in the character selection display for indicating a desired character to be selected;
the microprocessor effecting selection of said desired character;
the microprocessor automatically moving the cursor to said designated location after the selection of a desired character has been effected.
3 Assignments
Litigations
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device for composing or editing a string of characters representing information, such as a text message, comprises a character string display for displaying a character string being composed or edited and a character selection display for displaying a set of characters for use in composing or editing the character string. The character selection display can be activated to display the character set in a display area in which at least some of the individual characters of the set are arranged relative to a designated location in the display area, such as the center of the display area, at distances according to decreasing frequency of use, e.g. a number of characters that are most likely to be frequently used are arranged in close proximity to the designated location. A cursor is displayed in the character selection display area and keys are provided for moving the cursor from one character to another in the character selection display for indicating a desired character to be selected. A key is provided for effecting selection of the desired character and the device automatically moves the cursor to the designated location after the selection of a desired character has been effected.
18 Citations
44 Claims
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1. A device for composing or editing a string of characters representing information, comprising:
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a character string display for displaying a character string being composed or edited;
a character selection display for displaying a set of characters for use in composing or editing the character string;
a microprocessor for activating the character selection display to display the character set in a display area in which at least some of the individual characters of the set are arranged relative to a designated location in the display area at distances according to decreasing frequency of use, the designated location being centrally located in the display area such that characters may be arranged on opposite sides of the designated location;
the microprocessor displaying a cursor in the character selection display area;
an interface for moving the cursor from one character to another in the character selection display for indicating a desired character to be selected;
the microprocessor effecting selection of said desired character;
the microprocessor automatically moving the cursor to said designated location after the selection of a desired character has been effected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
means for resisting attempted movement of the cursor over the boundary; and
means for switching the character selection display from one predetermined character set to another responsive to attempted movement of the cursor in a predetermined direction over said boundary.
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10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the one character set comprises the letters of the alphabet being in upper case and the other comprises the letters being in lower case.
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11. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:
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means for generating different character sets for display in the character selection display; and
means for selecting between said different character sets for displaying a selected one of said character sets in the character selection display.
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12. The device according to claim 1, wherein said display area is contained within a boundary and further comprising:
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means for resisting attempted movement of the cursor over the boundary; and
means for automatically deleting a predetermined character in the character string display responsive to attempted movement of the cursor in a predetermined direction over said boundary.
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13. The device according to claim 12, wherein said predetermined character is the last character in the string.
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14. The device according to claim 1, wherein said display area has a centre and said designated location comprises the centre of the display area.
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15. The device according to claim 1, wherein said display area has a centre and said designated location is located in proximity to the centre.
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16. A device for composing or editing a string of characters representing information, comprising:
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a character string display for displaying a character string being composed or edited;
a character selection display for displaying a set of characters for use in composing or editing the character string;
means for activating the character selection display to display the character set in a display area contained within a boundary;
means for displaying a cursor in the character selection display area;
means for moving the cursor within the character selection display area for selecting characters to be included in the character string being composed or edited;
means for resisting attempted movement of the cursor over the boundary of the character selection display area; and
means for switching the character selection display from one predetermined character set to another responsive to attempted movement of the cursor in a predetermined direction over said boundary. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A device for composing or editing a string of characters representing information, comprising:
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a character string display for displaying a character string being composed or edited;
a character selection display for displaying a set of characters for use in composing or editing the character string;
means for activating the character selection display to display the character set in a display area contained within a boundary;
means for displaying a cursor in the character selection display area;
means for moving the cursor within the character selection display area for selecting characters to be included in the character string being composed or edited;
means for resisting attempted movement of the cursor over the boundary of the character selection display area; and
means for automatically deleting a predetermined character in the character string responsive to attempted movement of the cursor in a predetermined direction over said boundary. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A method of composing or editing a string of characters representing information comprising the steps of:
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activating a character selection display to display a set of characters for use in composing or editing the character string in a display area in which at least some of the individual characters of the set are arranged relative to a designated location in the display area at distances according to decreasing frequency of use, the designated location being centrally located in the display area such that characters may be arranged on opposite sides of the designated location;
displaying a cursor in the display area;
moving the cursor to a desired character;
activating a selector for selecting the desired character indicated by the cursor for including the desired character in the character string being composed or edited; and
effecting an automatic movement of the cursor to said designated location substantially immediately after the selection of the desired character. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
resisting attempted movement of the cursor over the boundary; and
effecting an automatic switching of the character selection display from one predetermined character set to another responsive to attempted movement of the cursor in a predetermined direction over said boundary.
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27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the one character set comprises the letters of the alphabet in upper case and the other comprises the letters in lower case.
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28. The method according to claim 20, wherein the display area is contained within a boundary and further comprising sets of:
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resisting attempted movement of the cursor over the boundary; and
effecting an automatic deletion of a predetermined character in the character string responsive to attempted movement of the cursor in a predetermined direction over said boundary.
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29. The method according to claim 28 wherein the character being deleted is the last character in the string.
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30. The method according to claim 20, wherein the display area has a centre and said designated location comprises the centre of the display area.
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31. The method according to claim 20, wherein the display area has a centre and said designated location is located in proximity to the centre.
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32. A method of composing or editing a string of characters representing information, comprising the steps of:
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activating a character selection display to display a set of characters for use in composing or editing the character string in a display area contained within a boundary;
displaying a cursor in the display area for selecting characters from the character set to be included in the character string being composed or edited;
resisting attempted movement of the cursor over the boundary of the character selection display area; and
effecting an automatic switching of the character selection display from one predetermined character set to another responsive to attempted movement of the cursor in a predetermined direction over said boundary. - View Dependent Claims (33)
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34. A method of composing or editing a string of characters representing information, comprising the steps of:
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activating a character selection display to display a set of characters for use in composing or editing the character string in a display area contained within a boundary;
displaying a cursor in the display area for selecting characters from the character set to be included in the character string being composed or edited;
resisting attempted movement of the cursor over the boundary of the character selection display area; and
effecting an automatic deletion of a predetermined character in the character string responsive to attempted movement of the cursor in a predetermined direction over said boundary. - View Dependent Claims (35)
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36. A device for composing or editing a string of characters representing information, comprising:
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a character string display for displaying a character string being composed or edited;
a character selection display for displaying a set of characters for use in composing or editing the character string;
a microprocessor for activating the character selection display to display the character set in a display area contained within a boundary;
the microprocessor displaying a cursor in the character selection display area;
an interface for moving the cursor within the character selection display area for selecting characters to be included in the character string being composed or edited;
the microprocessor resisting attempted movement of the cursor over the boundary of the character selection display area; and
the microprocessor switching the character selection display from one predetermined character set to another responsive to attempted movement of the cursor in a predetermined direction over said boundary. - View Dependent Claims (37)
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38. A device for composing or editing a string of characters representing information, comprising:
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a character string display for displaying a character string being composed or edited;
a character selection display for displaying a set of characters for use in composing or editing the character string;
a microprocessor for activating the character selection display to display the character set in a display area contained within a boundary;
the microprocessor displaying a cursor in the character selection display area;
an interface for moving the cursor within the character selection display area for selecting characters to be included in the character string being composed or edited;
the microprocessor resisting attempted movement of the cursor over the boundary of the character selection display area; and
the microprocessor automatically deleting a predetermined character in the character string responsive to attempted movement of the cursor in a predetermined direction over said boundary. - View Dependent Claims (39)
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40. A device for composing a string of characters representing information, comprising:
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a character string display for displaying a character string being composed;
a character selection display for displaying a set of characters for use in composing the character string;
a microprocessor for activating the character selection display to display the character set in a display area contained within a boundary;
the microprocessor displaying a cursor in the character selection display area;
an interface for moving the cursor within the character selection display area for selecting characters to be included in the character string being composed;
the microprocessor resisting attempted movement of the cursor over the boundary of the character selection display area; and
the microprocessor performing a designated editing function responsive to attempted movement of the cursor in a predetermined direction over said boundary. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification