Data entry system and accompanying interface

Abstract

A data entry system is disclosed. Some embodiments of the data entry system utilize an input device and a user interface. In some embodiments, a user can actuate keys on an input device to activate and/or select from the user interface cells associated with symbols, such as letters. A user can input different symbols quickly and efficiently. In some embodiments, users can input the most common letters of a given alphabet using only a single actuation of one of four keys.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A data entry system for the entry of symbols, comprising:
 a data entry device comprising four keys; and   a user interface comprising at least twelve cells, wherein each of said cells is associated with a symbol available for user selection;   wherein said at least twelve cells comprises at least four first cells, at least four second cells, and at least four subordinate cells;   wherein each of said four first cells can be selected by a single-actuation of a corresponding one of said four keys;   wherein each of said four second cells can be selected by a double-actuation of a corresponding one of said four keys;   wherein each of said four subordinate cells can be selected by two single-actuations of a corresponding one of said four keys; and   wherein each of said four subordinate cells is between a corresponding one of said first cells and a corresponding one of said second cells.   
     
     
         2 . The data entry system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least twelve cells are arranged in a matrix having a center;
 wherein said at least twelve cells comprises at least sixteen cells, said sixteen cells comprising eight subordinate cells; and   wherein each of said subordinate cells is either between a corresponding one of said first cells and a corresponding one of said second cells, or between said center of said matrix and a corresponding one of said first cells.   
     
     
         3 . The data entry system of  claim 1 , comprising 32 subordinate cells;
 wherein each of said first cells is associate with a corresponding one of said second cells and with eight subordinate cells.   
     
     
         4 . The data entry system of  claim 3 , wherein said cells are arranged in four 3×3+1 matrices. 
     
     
         5 . The data entry system of  claim 1 , wherein the symbol associated with a selected cell is automatically selected after a preset time after the selection of the selected cell. 
     
     
         6 . The data entry system of  claim 1 , further comprising an entry key;
 wherein the symbol associated with a selected cell is selected by actuation of the entry key.   
     
     
         7 . The data entry system of  claim 1 , wherein the symbol associated with a selected cell can be selected both by actuation of an entry key and automatically after a preset time after the selection of the selected cell. 
     
     
         8 . The data entry system of  claim 7 , wherein selected symbols are added to a word builder. 
     
     
         9 . The data entry system of  claim 1 , wherein each of said keys is associated in a 1:1:1 relationship with one of said first cells, and one of said second cells. 
     
     
         10 . The data entry system of  claim 9 , wherein each of said first cells and each of said second cells is associated with a symbol in a 1:1 relationship. 
     
     
         11 . The data entry system of  claim 1 , wherein each of said first cells and each of said second cells is associated with one of a group of nine letters consisting of “e”, “t”, “a”, “o”, “i”, “n”, “s”, “r”, and “h”. 
     
     
         12 . A data entry system comprising:
 a first key associated with a first direction, a second key associated with a second direction, a third key associated with a third direction, and a fourth key associated with a four direction; and   a matrix of cells associated with each of said directions, each of said matrices comprising a center cell and an end cell with a subordinate cell therebetween;   wherein each of said center cells can be selected by a single actuation of its associated key;   wherein each of said end cells can be selected by a double actuation of its associated key; and   wherein each of said subordinate cells can be selected by two single actuations of its associated key.   
     
     
         13 . The data entry system of  claim 12 , wherein said first direction is opposite said third direction and wherein said second direction is opposite said fourth direction. 
     
     
         14 . The data entry system of  claim 12 , wherein said first direction is up, said second direction is left, said third direction is down, and said fourth direction is right. 
     
     
         15 . The data entry system of  claim 12 , wherein each of said matrices is a 3×3×1 matrix. 
     
     
         16 . The data entry system of  claim 12 , wherein each of said cells is associated with a symbol; and
 wherein said data entry system returns to a neutral state after selection of one of said symbols.   
     
     
         17 . A data entry system comprising:
 a data entry device comprising four keys, wherein each of said keys is associated with one first cell and one second cell;   wherein each of said first and second cells is associated with one of a group of the nine most commonly selected symbols;   wherein a single-actuation of one of said keys activates its associated first cell;   wherein a double-actuation of one of said keys activates is associated second cell; and   wherein two single-actuations of one of said keys activates a subordinate cell.   
     
     
         18 . The data entry system of  claim 17 , where a single-actuation of any one of said keys activates its associated first cell; and
 wherein a double-actuation of any one of said keys activates its associated second cell; and   wherein two single-actuations of any one of said keys activates a subordinate cell.   
     
     
         19 . The data entry system of  claim 18 , wherein a single-actuation of a first one of said keys followed by a single-actuation of a second one of said keys activates another subordinate cell. 
     
     
         20 . The data entry system of  claim 17 , wherein each of said keys is associated with a matrix comprising one first cell, one second cell, and a plurality of subordinate cells.