Reduced keypad for multi-tap input

摘要

An apparatus (625) with a first plurality of input keys (635). Some of the first input keys may be associated with both a numeric value and a first set of alphabetic values and arranged in a first alphabetic keypad layout. The apparatus (625) is further provided with a second plurality of input keys (645), positioned adjacent to the first plurality of input keys (635), and being associated with at least one alphabetic value. Some of the input keys of the second plurality of input keys (645) may be arranged in a second alphabetic keypad layout different from the first alphabetic keypad layout. Further, in various embodiments, at least some input keys of the first plurality of input keys (635) have a second set of alphabetic values that is used as part of the second alphabetic keypad layout. Additionally, in various embodiments, at least some of the alphabetic values of the second keyboard layout are arranged at least partially based on a frequency of use of such alphabetic values.

主权项

1. An apparatus, comprising:
a keypad having a plurality of input keys with each of the plurality of input keys assigned a first alphabetic value, and each of a subset of the input keys assigned a second alphabetic value, wherein, for each of the input keys having both a first alphabetic value and a second alphabetic value:
each of the assigned second alphabetic values has a lower frequency of use than the corresponding assigned first alphabetic value of the corresponding input key;each of the assigned first alphabetic values is substantially positioned in a first location on respective faces of their respective corresponding input keys of the subset of input keys;each of the assigned second alphabetic values is substantially positioned in a second location on respective faces of their respective corresponding input keys of the subset of input keys;the first alphabetic values and the second alphabetic values together form substantially a standard QWERTY keyboard layout wherein:
at least a first key from the plurality of input keys represents first two alphabetic values that are transposed from their orientation on a QWERTY keyboard layout; andat least a second key from the plurality of input keys represents second two alphabetic values that are maintained from their orientation on a QWERTY keyboard layout;a single activation of a selected input key of the subset of input keys results in selection of the first alphabetic value of the selected input key andan additional activation of the selected input key results in selection of the corresponding second alphabetic value of the selected input key; and a processor, coupled to the keypad to receive a signal indicating the selection of the alphabetic value.