U.S. patent application number 14/104792 was filed with the patent office on 2014-04-17 for displaying and inputting symbols.
This patent application is currently assigned to MICROSOFT CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is MICROSOFT CORPORATION. Invention is credited to CHIWEI CHE, XIN GONG, FANG ZHANG.
Application Number | 20140104181 14/104792 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47174608 |
Filed Date | 2014-04-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140104181 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHE; CHIWEI ; et
al. |
April 17, 2014 |
DISPLAYING AND INPUTTING SYMBOLS
Abstract
Methods, systems, and computer-storage media having
computer-usable instructions embodied thereon, for displaying and
inputting symbols are provided. Bopomofo symbols are phonetic
representations of Chinese characters. To accommodate all the
Bopomofo symbols on a mobile device keyboard without sacrificing
key size, the Bopomofo keys are dynamically disabled based on
grammar rules and user inputs. For example, a symbol that is not
eligible to follow an input symbol is disabled such that it does
not distract a user searching for a symbol in the keyboard.
Further, specific keys on a keyboard are dynamically replaced with
tone keys once a user inputs a symbol. A user interface for
displaying the symbols is, thus, consistent and easy to navigate
for a user.
Inventors: |
CHE; CHIWEI; (BEIJING,
CN) ; ZHANG; FANG; (BEIJING, CN) ; GONG;
XIN; (BEIJING, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MICROSOFT CORPORATION |
Redmond |
WA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
MICROSOFT CORPORATION
Redmond
WA
|
Family ID: |
47174608 |
Appl. No.: |
14/104792 |
Filed: |
December 12, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13275754 |
Oct 18, 2011 |
8612879 |
|
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14104792 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
345/171 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/0237 20130101;
G06F 3/0236 20130101; G06F 3/018 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/171 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/01 20060101
G06F003/01 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 20, 2011 |
CN |
PCT/CN2011/074399 |
Claims
1. One or more computer storage media storing computer-useable
instructions that, when used by one or more computing devices,
cause the one or more computing devices to perform a method, the
method comprising: receiving a user input of a symbol, wherein the
symbol is a phonetic representation of a character; upon receiving
the user input of the symbol, disabling one or more keys of a first
set of keys in a selection area such that the one or more keys that
are disabled are not selectable; and updating the selection area
such that a second set of keys different from the first set of keys
is disabled based on receiving a second input of a second
symbol.
2. The one or more computer storage media of claim 1, wherein the
character is a Chinese character.
3. The one or more computer storage media of claim 1, wherein the
symbol. is a Bopomofo symbol.
4. The one or more computer storage media of claim 1, further
comprising displaying one or more characters that are associated
with the input symbol.
5. The one or more computer storage media of claim 1, wherein the
one or more keys of the selection area are disabled based on
grammatical rules of a language:
6. The one or more computer storage media of claim 5, wherein the
language is Chinese.
7. The one or more computer storage media of claim 1, wherein
disabling the one or more keys includes dimming the one or more
keys such that they appear lighter in the selection area than one
or more keys that are enabled.
8. The one or more computer storage media of claim 1, further
comprising receiving a selection of a character such that the
symbol is replaced with the character in a text input area.
9. One or more computer storage media storing computer-useable
instructions that, when used by one or more computing devices,
cause the one or more computing devices to perform a method, the
method comprising: receiving a user selection of a symbol of a
plurality of symbols, wherein each of the plurality of symbols is a
phonetic representation of one or more characters; and upon
receiving the user selection of the symbol, replacing a first set
of keys of the selection area with a plurality of tone keys,
wherein each of the plurality of tone keys is associated with a
tone marker.
10. The one or more computer storage media of claim 9, wherein the
character is a Chinese character of a Chinese language and the
symbol is a Bopomofo symbol.
11. The one or more computer storage media of claim 9, further
comprising hiding the plurality of tone keys prior to receiving the
user selection of the symbol.
12. The one or more computer storage media of claim 9, wherein the
first set of keys includes one or more punctuation keys, wherein a
punctuation key is a key of the mobile device that is associated
with one or more punctuation marks.
13. The one or more computer storage media of claim 9, wherein the
mobile device is a mobile phone.
14. The one or more computer storage media of claim 9, wherein the
selection area further includes one or more characters that are
associated with the symbol selected.
15. A mobile device configured to present a user interface for
displaying and inputting symbols, the mobile device comprising: a
processor; a memory; and a filtering engine that receives a user
input of a symbol, wherein the symbol is a phonetic representation
of one or more characters; upon receiving the user input of the
symbol, disables one or more keys of a first set of keys in a
selection area such that the one or more keys that are disabled are
not selectable; and updates the selection area such that a second
set of keys different from the first set of keys is disabled.
16. The mobile device of claim 15, wherein the one or more
characters are Chinese characters of a Chinese language and each of
the plurality of symbols is a Bopomofo symbol.
17. The mobile device of claim 16, wherein the filtering engine
disables the one or more symbols based on grammar rules of the
Chinese language.
18. The mobile device of claim 15, wherein the filtering engine
disables the one or more keys by dimming the one or more keys such
that they appear lighter in the selection area than one or more
keys that are enabled.
19. The mobile device of claim 15, wherein the filtering engine is
further configured to, upon receiving the user input of the symbol,
replaces the first set of keys with a plurality of tone keys,
wherein each of the plurality of tone keys is associated with a
tone marker for the one or more characters.
20. The mobile device of claim 15, wherein the first set of keys
includes one or more punctuation keys, wherein a punctuation key is
a key of the mobile device that is associated with one or more
punctuation marks.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to PCT Application
PCT/CN2011/074399, filed May 20, 2011 and titled "Displaying and
Inputting Symbols," attorney docket number 333103.01/MFCP.162464,
the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein in its
entirety by reference. This application claims priority to
application Ser. No. 13/275,754, filed Oct. 18, 2011 and titled
"Displaying and Inputting Symbols," attorney docket number
333103.01/MFCP.162464, the disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A software input panel (SIP) is a graphically rendered image
of a keyboard and is widely used today as the primary interface for
inputting text on a variety of mobile devices, such as mobile
phones. A layout of a SIP may vary depending on location, input
language, and the like. For instance, a traditional 12-key SIP may
be utilized to display the western alphabet (A-Z) on a mobile
device. Some languages, though, have additional letters, symbols,
and the like, such that arranging all of the components onto the
SIP is difficult.
[0003] In a traditional Chinese market, the mainstream SIP uses a
symbol set called Bopomofo, which includes forty-two (42) basic
symbols. Since there are many more symbols to associate with a key,
the design of the SIP to input Bopomofo, or any other language with
a large number of symbols, is difficult. The resulting SIP usually
fails to accommodate a reasonable sized key for so many symbols due
reducing key size to accommodate the screen size of a mobile
device. With a reduced size, a user has difficulty finding and
accurately selecting a specific key.
[0004] Another typical SIP display simply separates tone keys
(i.e., keys that are associated with one or more tone markers of a
language) from the SIP so that other keys have more room and may be
larger. This results in decreased user interface consistency and an
increase in a user's cognitive load.
SUMMARY
[0005] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in
the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify
key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter,
nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of
the claimed subject matter.
[0006] Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems,
methods, and computer storage media for, among other things,
displaying and inputting Bopomofo. Bopomofo, as used herein, refers
generally to a set of symbols, where each symbol is a phonetic
representation of a character. In particular, Bopomofo is a set of
symbols representing phonetic representations of Chinese
characters. Based on traditional Chinese grammar, symbols that are
invalid to be input are identified and disabled. Additionally, tone
keys may dynamically replace other keys in the SIP based on an
input stage of a user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The present invention is described in detail below with
reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary computing
environment suitable for use in implementing embodiments of the
present invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a block diagram that illustrates an environment
for displaying and inputting Bopomofo, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 3 is an illustrative screen display showing an initial
stage of composition, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0011] FIG. 4 is an illustrative screen display showing a
composition stage, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0012] FIG. 5 is an illustrative screen display showing a second
composition stage, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing a method for displaying
Bopomofo, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing a method for displaying
Bopomofo, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0015] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram showing a method for displaying
Bopomofo, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The subject matter of the present invention is described
with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However,
the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this
patent. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed
subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include
different steps or combinations of steps similar to the ones
described in this document, in conjunction with other present or
future technologies. Moreover, although the terms "step" and/or
"block" may be used herein to connote different elements of methods
employed, the terms should not be interpreted as implying any
particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed
unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly
described.
[0017] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to
systems, methods, and computer storage media for, among other
things, displaying and inputting Bopomofo. Bopomofo, as used
herein, refers generally to a set of symbols, where each symbol is
a phonetic representation of a character. In particular, Bopomofo
is a set of symbols representing phonetic representations of
Chinese characters. Based on traditional Chinese grammar, symbols
that are invalid to be input are identified and disabled.
Additionally, tone keys may dynamically replace other keys in the
SIP based on an input stage of a user.
[0018] Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention is
directed to one or more computer-storage media storing
computer-useable instructions that, when used by one or more
computing devices, cause the computing device to perform a method
for displaying and inputting symbols. The method comprises
receiving a user input of a symbol that is a phonetic
representation of a character. In embodiments, the symbol is a
Bopomofo symbol that is a phonetic representation of a Chinese
character. Upon receiving the user input of the symbol, one or more
keys of a first set of keys in a selection area are disabled such
that the one or more keys that are disabled are not selectable. A
second input of a second symbol is received and, upon receiving the
second input of the second symbol, the selection area is updated
such that a second set of keys different from the first set of keys
is disabled.
[0019] Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to
one or more computer-storage media storing computer-useable
instructions that, when used by one or more computing devices,
cause the computing device to perform a method for displaying and
inputting symbols. The method comprises displaying a selection area
of a mobile device including a plurality of symbols. Each of the
plurality of symbols is a phonetic representation of one or more
characters. A user selection of a symbol of the plurality of
symbols is received and, upon receiving the user selection of the
symbol, a first set of keys of the selection area is replaced with
a plurality of tone keys. Each of the tone keys is associated with
a tone marker.
[0020] Yet another embodiment of the present invention is directed
to a mobile device configured to present a user interface for
displaying and inputting symbols. The mobile device comprises a
processor; a memory; and a filtering engine that displays a
selection area of a mobile device including a plurality of symbols,
where each of the plurality of symbols is a phonetic representation
of one or more characters; receive a user selection of a symbol of
the plurality of symbols; upon receiving the user selection of the
symbol, disable one or more symbols and replace a first set of keys
of the selection area with a plurality of tone keys, where each of
the tone keys is associated with a tone marker; display one or more
characters that are associated with the selected symbol; receive a
second user selection of at least one character of the one or more
characters associated with the symbol selected; and upon receiving
the second user selection of the at least one character, replace
the plurality of tone keys with the first set of keys.
[0021] Having briefly described an overview of embodiments of the
present invention, an exemplary operating environment in which
embodiments of the present invention may be implemented is
described below in order to provide a general context for various
aspects of the present invention. Referring initially to FIG. 1 in
particular, an exemplary operating environment for implementing
embodiments of the present invention is shown and designated
generally as computing device 100. Computing device 100 is but one
example of a suitable computing environment and is not intended to
suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of
the invention. Neither should the computing device 100 be
interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any
one or combination of components illustrated.
[0022] The invention may be described in the general context of
computer code or machine-useable instructions, including
computer-executable instructions such as program modules, being
executed by a computer or other machine, such as a personal data
assistant or other handheld device. Generally, program modules
including routines, programs, objects, components, data structures,
etc., refer to code that perform particular tasks or implement
particular abstract data types. The invention may be practiced in a
variety of system configurations, including hand-held devices,
consumer electronics, general-purpose computers, more specialty
computing devices, etc. The invention may also be practiced in
distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by
remote-processing devices that are linked through a communications
network.
[0023] With reference to FIG. 1, computing device 100 includes a
bus 110 that directly or indirectly couples the following devices:
memory 112, one or more processors 114, one or more presentation
components 116, input/output (I/O) ports 118, input/output
components 120, and an illustrative power supply 122. Bus 110
represents what may be one or more busses (such as an address bus,
data bus, or combination thereof). Although the various blocks of
FIG. 1 are shown with lines for the sake of clarity, in reality,
delineating various components is not so clear, and metaphorically,
the lines would more accurately be grey and fuzzy. For example, one
may consider a presentation component such as a display device to
be an I/O component. Also, processors have memory. The inventors
recognize that such is the nature of the art, and reiterate that
the diagram of FIG. 1 is merely illustrative of an exemplary
computing device that can be used in connection with one or more
embodiments of the present invention. Distinction is not made
between such categories as "workstation," "server," "laptop,"
"hand-held device," etc., as all are contemplated within the scope
of FIG. 1 and reference to "computing device."
[0024] Computing device 100 typically includes a variety of
computer-readable media. Computer-readable media can be any
available media that can be accessed by computing device 100 and
includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and
non-removable media. By way of example, and not limitation,
computer-readable media may comprise computer storage media and
communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatile
and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in
any method or technology for storage of information such as
computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or
other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to,
RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM,
digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage,
magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other
magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to
store the desired information and which can be accessed by
computing device 100. Communication media typically embodies
computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or
other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or
other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery
media. The term "modulated data signal" means a signal that has one
or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as
to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not
limitation, communication media includes wired media such as a
wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such
as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of
any of the above should also be included within the scope of
computer-readable media.
[0025] Memory 112 includes computer-storage media in the form of
volatile and/or nonvolatile memory. The memory may be removable,
non-removable, or a combination thereof. Exemplary hardware devices
include solid-state memory, hard drives, optical-disc drives, etc.
Computing device 100 includes one or more processors that read data
from various entities such as memory 112 or I/O components 120.
Presentation component(s) 116 present data indications to a user or
other device. Exemplary presentation components include a display
device, speaker, printing component, vibrating component, etc.
[0026] I/O ports 118 allow computing device 100 to be logically
coupled to other devices including I/O components 120, some of
which may be built in. Illustrative components include a
microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, printer,
wireless device, etc.
[0027] As indicated previously, embodiments of the present
invention are directed to displaying and inputting Bopomofo.
Turning now to FIG. 2, a block diagram is provided illustrating an
exemplary computing system 200 in which embodiments of the present
invention may be employed. It should be understood that this and
other arrangements described herein are set forth only as examples.
Other arrangements and elements (e.g., machines, interfaces,
functions, orders, and groupings of functions, etc.) can be used in
addition to or instead of those shown, and some elements may be
omitted altogether. Further, many of the elements described herein
are functional entities that may be implemented as discrete or
distributed components or in conjunction with other components, and
in any suitable combination and location. Various functions
described herein as being performed by one or more entities may be
carried out by hardware, firmware, and/or software. For instance,
various functions may be carried out by a processor executing
instructions stored in memory.
[0028] Among other components not shown, the computing system 200
generally includes a remote computing device 210, a network 220, a
data store 230, and a filtering engine 240. The remote computing
device 210 may include any type of computing device, such as the
computing device 100 described with reference to FIG. 1, for
example. The filtering engine 240 may take the form of a dedicated
device for performing the functions described below, may be
integrated into, e.g., the remote computing device 210, or the
like. The components of the computing system 200 may communicate
with each other via the network 220, which may include, without
limitation, one or more local area networks (LANs) and/or wide area
networks (WANs). Such networking environments are commonplace in
offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets and the
Internet. It should be understood that any number of computing
devices and ranking engines may be employed in the computing system
200 within the scope of embodiments of the present invention. Each
may comprise a single device/interface or multiple
devices/interfaces cooperating in a distributed environment. For
instance, the filtering engine 240 may comprise multiple devices
and/or modules arranged in a distributed environment that
collectively provide the functionality of the filtering engine 240
described herein. Additionally, other components/modules not shown
may also be included within the computing system 200.
[0029] In some embodiments, one or more of the illustrated
components /modules may be implemented as stand-alone applications.
In other embodiments, one or more of the illustrated
components/modules may be implemented via the filtering engine 240,
as an Internet-based service, or as a module inside a search
engine. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art
that the components/modules illustrated in FIG. 2 are exemplary in
nature and in number and should not be construed as limiting. Any
number of components/modules may be employed to achieve the desired
functionality within the scope of embodiments hereof. Further,
components/modules may be located on any number of servers or
client computing devices. By way of example only, the filtering
engine 240 might reside on a server, cluster of servers, or a
computing device remote from one or more of the remaining
components.
[0030] It should be understood that this and other arrangements
described herein are set forth only as examples. Other arrangements
and elements (e.g., machines, interfaces, functions, orders, and
groupings of functions, etc.) can be used in addition to or instead
of those shown, and some elements may be omitted altogether.
Further, many of the elements described herein are functional
entities that may be implemented as discrete or distributed
components or in conjunction with other components/modules, and in
any suitable combination and location. Various functions described
herein as being performed by one or more entities may be carried
out by hardware, firmware, and/or software. For instance, various
functions may be carried out by a processor executing instructions
stored in memory.
[0031] Generally, the computing system 200 illustrates an
environment in which a SIP is modified to display and input
Bopomofo. As will be described in further detail below, embodiments
of the present invention provide disabling keys of the SIP, or
selection area, which are invalid to be input based on grammar
rules. Additional embodiments of the present invention provide
dynamically updating the keys of the SIP such that keys are enabled
or disabled based on a most recent input of a user. Further
embodiments of the present invention provide replacing keys in the
SIP with tone keys depending on a stage of composition.
[0032] The filtering engine 240 is configured to dynamically modify
a SIP according to a user input. In particular, the filtering
engine 240 enables or disables keys based on grammar rules and
monitors the stage of composition in order to dynamically replace
specific keys with tone keys.
[0033] With continued reference to FIG. 2, the filtering engine 240
includes a receiving component 241, an identifying component 242, a
disabling component 243, a replacing component 244, a displaying
component 245, and an updating component 246. Each of the
components is configured to enable to the filtering engine 240 to
modify a SIP according to a user input.
[0034] The receiving component 241 may be configured to, among
other things, receive one or more user inputs of one or more
symbols. In embodiments, the symbol is a Bopomofo symbol
representing a Chinese character. The receiving component 241 is
further configured to receive a user selection of a character. In
embodiments, the user selection of a character is a selection of a
Chinese character that is associated with an input symbol. For
example, a user may input one or more Bopomofo symbols representing
a phonetic representation of one or more Chinese characters. Based
on the input symbol(s), one or more Chinese characters that are
associated with the input symbol(s) may be displayed to a user for
a user selection received by, for example, the receiving component
241.
[0035] The identifying component 242 may be configured to, among
other things, identify stages of composition, keys to enable or
disable, and identify one or more Chinese characters associated
with an input symbol. A stage of composition, as used herein,
refers generally to where a user is regarding inputting a symbol.
Stages of composition include an initial stage and a composition
stage. An initial stage, as used herein, refers generally to a
stage wherein a user has not yet entered a symbol. In the initial
stage, almost all symbols are enabled for user selection with the
exception of tone keys. Tone keys are not displayed in the initial
stage since tone markers are only used as a postfix for a complete
syllable.
[0036] Once a user enters any symbol, the user has entered the
composition stage. Keys to enable or disable may be identified in
this stage based on the input symbol. The identifying component 242
may utilize various grammar rules to determine which keys to
disable. For instance, Chinese grammar rules may be used. By way of
example only, assuming a user has selected a Bopomofo symbol that
is associated with a particular vowel, the identifying component
242 may identify, based on the Chinese language model, that other
vowels are not eligible to follow the selected symbol.
[0037] The identifying component 242 may further identify one or
more Chinese characters associated with a selected symbol. The one
or more Chinese characters may be associated with the symbol based
on a similar pronunciation. The one or more Chinese characters
associated with the selected symbol may also include characters
that are frequently selected for the input symbol, commonly used
characters in the Chinese language, and the like.
[0038] Once the identifying component 242 has identified keys to
disable, the disabling component 243 may disable keys associated
with symbols that are not eligible to follow the selected symbol.
Keys may be disabled by, for example, dimming the keys such that
they appear dimmer on the SIP than keys that are enabled. By
dimming keys that are not eligible to be selected, a user is able
to quickly identify a desired key since they are not looking are
keys that are not eligible for selection. In embodiments, disabled
keys are not selectable by a user.
[0039] The disabling component 243 may be further configured to
disable one or more keys each time a user inputs a symbol such that
a SIP is always up to date, as will be described in detail
below.
[0040] The replacing component 244 is configured to replace one or
more keys from the SIP with tone keys, based on the stage of
composition identified by, for example, the identifying component
242. As previously described, a device is in the initial stage
prior to a user entering any symbols. As no symbols have been
entered, tone keys are not required and, thus, are not displayed.
Rather, function keys are displayed in the SIP. Function keys may
include, but are not limited to, punctuation keys (e.g., periods,
commas, capitalization, spacing, etc.), device symbols (e.g.,
numbers, pound signs, star signs, flash buttons, etc.), and the
like.
[0041] Once the identifying component 242 identifies a user has
entered the composition stage, the function keys are replaced by
the replacing component 244 with tone keys that are associated with
one or more tone markers. In an embodiment, there are five (5) tone
keys. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5, function keys 301 are
present in FIG. 3 as the user has not yet entered a symbol into the
text input area 302. Once the user has inputted a symbol 501 into
text input area 502, the composition stage has been entered and the
function keys may be replaced with one or more tone keys 504.
[0042] The displaying component 245 may be configured to, among
other things, display the SIP according to the modifications
described above. For instance, the displaying component 245
displays the enabled and disabled keys, tone keys replacing
function keys, one or more characters associated with the symbols,
and the like.
[0043] The updating component 246 may be configured to, among other
things, update the modifications described above. In particular,
the updating component 246 is configured to update the enabled and
disabled keys based on additional user input. For instance, assume
a user inputs Symbol A that results in Keys B and C being disabled.
If the user then enters Symbol D, Keys B and C may be enabled as
they may be valid inputs to follow Symbol D. Additionally, keys
that were previously enabled to follow Symbol A may not be eligible
to follow Symbol D.
[0044] Additionally, the keys of the SIP may be updated depending
on the stage of composition. As previously described, the replacing
component 244 may replace function keys with tone keys in the
composition stage. Once a user completes their input, the updating
component 246 may communicate to the replacing component 244 that
the tone keys should be replaced with the function keys.
[0045] By reducing the number of eligible keys, a user is able to
quickly identify a desired symbol. Further, by replacing function
keys with tone keys each time a user enters a composition stage,
the user interface is consistent and, as such, a user's cognitive
load is reduced.
[0046] In application, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, an
initial stage of a device is illustrated in FIG. 3. In embodiments,
the device is a mobile phone. The initial stage is present as a
user has not yet entered a symbol into the text input area 302.
Also, as the initial stage is provided, function keys 301 are
displayed to a user. In this screenshot, the function keys include
a period, a comma, numbers, a space bar, and an emoticon.
[0047] Once a user enters a symbol into the text input area, the
composition stage takes over. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a user has
entered a symbol 401 into the text input area 402. The tone keys
301 of FIG. 3 are no longer present as the user has entered the
composition stage. Additionally, based on the symbol, several keys
403 and 404 associated with ineligible characters (i.e., characters
that are not valid to follow the input symbol 401) have been
disabled. FIG. 4 illustrates disabling keys 403 and 404 by dimming
such that the disabled keys 403 and 404 are dimmer than enabled
keys 405 and 406.
[0048] FIG. 4 also includes a candidate window 408 including one or
more characters that are associated with the symbol 401. The
characters may be commonly used characters, similar sounding
characters, characters frequently used by the user, and the like.
The candidate window includes an expansion indicator 409 that, upon
selection thereof, navigates a user to an expanded view of the one
or more characters and additional characters not present in the
candidate window 408. Thus, if a character desired by a user is not
present in the candidate window 408, the user may select the
expansion indicator 409 to view additional characters.
[0049] A user may select additional symbols as indicated by the
selected symbol 407 of FIG. 4. Once the user selects the additional
symbol 407, FIG. 5 illustrates an updated display. FIG. 5 includes
both selected symbols 501 and 503 in the text input area 502. As
indicated in FIG. 5, the SIP has been updated such that keys that
were previously disabled are now enabled. Also, FIG. 5 illustrates
replacing the function keys 301 of FIG. 3 with tone keys 504.
[0050] FIG. 5 further illustrates an updated candidate window 505
including one or more characters that are associated with the input
symbols 501 and 503. In FIG. 5, a user has not yet selected a
character associated with the input symbols 501 and 503 as the
symbols 501 and 503 are underlined as indicated by the temporary
indicator 506. The temporary indicator 506 may be any designation
desired by a user to indicate that text is temporary. Once a user
selects a character, the temporary indicator 506 may be
removed.
[0051] Referring now to FIG. 6, a flow diagram is provided that
illustrates an overall method 600 for displaying and inputting
symbols, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Initially, as shown at block 610, a user input of a symbol that is
a phonetic representation of a character is received. In
embodiments, the symbol is a Bopomofo symbol that is a phonetic
representation of a Chinese character. At block 620, one or more
keys of a first set of keys in a selection area are disabled based
on the user input of the symbol. Once the one or more keys are
disabled, the disabled keys are not selectable. At block 630, a
second input of a second symbol is received. At block 640, upon
receiving the second input of the second symbol, the selection area
is updated such that a second set of keys different from the first
set of keys is disabled.
[0052] Referring now to FIG. 7, a flow diagram is provided that
illustrates an overall method 700 for displaying and inputting
symbols, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Initially, as shown at block 710, a selection area of a mobile
device is displayed and the selection area includes a plurality of
symbols. The symbols, in an embodiment, are Bopomofo symbols
representing a phonetic representation of a Chinese character. At
block 720, a user selection of a symbol of the plurality of symbols
is received. At block 730, upon receiving the user selection of the
symbol, a first set of keys of the selection area is replaced with
a plurality of tone keys. Each key of the plurality of tone keys is
associated with a tone marker.
[0053] Referring now to FIG. 8, a flow diagram is provided that
illustrates an overall method 800 for displaying and inputting
symbols, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Initially, as shown at block 810, a selection area of a mobile
device is displayed. The selection area may include a plurality of
Bopomofo symbols that are phonetic representations of Chinese
characters. In an embodiment, the mobile device is a mobile phone.
At block 820, a user selection of a symbol is received. At block
830, upon receiving the user selection of the symbol, one or more
symbols are disabled and, at block 840, a first set of keys is
replaced with a plurality of tone keys. At block 850, one or more
characters that are associated with the symbol selected are
displayed. At block 860, a second user selection of at least one
character of the one or more characters that are associated with
the symbol selected is received. At block 870, upon receiving the
second user selection, the plurality of tone keys are replaced with
the first set of keys.
[0054] As can be understood, embodiments of the present invention
provide systems, methods, and computer-storage media having
computer-usable instructions embodied thereon, for prioritizing
crawl lists based on social networking rankings. Embodiments of the
invention may provide social networking rankings for news users and
existing users of the social networking service.
[0055] The present invention has been described in relation to
particular embodiments, which are intended in all respects to be
illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will
become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the
present invention pertains without departing from its scope.
[0056] From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is
one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects set forth
above, together with other advantages which are obvious and
inherent to the system and method. It will be understood that
certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be
employed without reference to other features and subcombinations.
This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.
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