Autocorrect for phone numbers

Abstract

A system and method are provided for automatic correction of numeric input, such as telephone numbers. The communications device configured to perform automatic correction can receive a numeric input string indicating a numerical address with which to initiate a communication, and compare the numeric input string to a database of known valid numerical addresses. Then, upon determining that the numeric input string has no match within the database of known valid numerical addresses, the communications device can identify a known valid numerical address that is within a threshold similarity to the numeric input string, and correct the numeric input string. The communications device can initiate communication using the corrected numeric input string. Also set forth herein are a system and method for automatic completion of partially entered numerical addresses.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored therein instructions which, when executed by an electronic device, cause the electronic device to:
 receive a numeric input string for dialing a phone number;   compare the numeric input string to a database of known phone numbers;   identify, upon a determination, via a processor, that the numeric input string has no match within the database of known phone numbers, a known phone number that is within a threshold similarity to the numeric input string; and   correct the numeric input string to correspond to the known phone number.   
     
     
         2 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 1 , wherein the database of known phone numbers comprises one of an address book or a communication log. 
     
     
         3 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 1 , wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores further instructions that, when executed by the electronic device, cause the computing device, prior to correcting the numeric input string, to:
 prompt a user to confirm the known phone number; and   receive a confirmation of the known phone number.   
     
     
         4 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 3 , wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores further instructions that, when executed by the electronic device, cause the computing device to:
 initiate a communication using the known phone number.   
     
     
         5 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 1 , wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores further instructions that, when executed by the electronic device, cause the computing device, after correcting the numeric input string to yield a corrected numeric input string, to:
 initiate a communication using the corrected numeric input string.   
     
     
         6 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 1 , wherein the threshold similarity is based on at least one of number transposition, predefined typographical errors, a mistake history, or a keyboard layout. 
     
     
         7 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 1 , wherein the comparison of the numeric input string to the database of known phone numbers occurs upon complete entry of the numeric input string. 
     
     
         8 . A system comprising:
 a processor configured to communicate with a computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
 receive a partial numeric input string indicating a portion of a numerical address with which to initiate a communication; 
 compare the partial numeric input string to a database of known valid numerical addresses; 
 identify a known valid numerical address having a first portion that is within a threshold similarity to the partial numeric input string; and 
 upon determining that no other known valid numerical addresses are within the threshold similarity to the partial numeric input string, initiate a communication using the known valid numerical address. 
   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the partial numeric input string is at least a minimum number of digits. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to:
 generate an indication that the known valid numerical address has been identified.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the database of known valid numerical addresses comprises one of an address book or a communication log. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein initiation of the communication comprises at least one of placing a telephone call, connecting to a network address, or sending a short messaging service (SMS) message. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to:
 render a dialog to confirm the known valid numerical address; and   upon receiving a confirmation via the dialog, initiate the communication.   
     
     
         14 . A computer-implemented method comprising:
 receiving a partial numeric input string indicating a portion of a numerical address with which to initiate a communication;   comparing the partial numeric input string to a database of known valid numerical addresses;   identifying a known valid numerical address having a first portion that is within a threshold similarity to the partial numeric input string; and   upon determining that no other known valid numerical addresses are within the threshold similarity to the partial numeric input string, initiate a communication using the known valid numerical address.   
     
     
         15 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 14 , wherein the partial numeric input string is at least a minimum number of digits. 
     
     
         16 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 14 , further comprising generating an indication that the known valid numerical address has been identified. 
     
     
         17 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 14 , wherein the database of known valid numerical addresses comprises one of an address book or a communication log. 
     
     
         18 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 14 , wherein initiating the communication comprises at least one of placing a telephone call, connecting to a network address, or sending a short messaging service (SMS) message. 
     
     
         19 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 rendering a dialog to confirm the known valid numerical address; and   upon receiving a confirmation via the dialog, initiate the communication.   
     
     
         20 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 14 , wherein the threshold similarity is no more than two different digits.