Method and system of multi-variable character input

Abstract

Systems, devices and methods are disclosed for multi-variable character input. A device distinguishes characters by interpreting button presses relative to a short-duration elapsed time period. From the button presses, the device interprets values for one or more of the variables: (1) number of button presses, (2) value of button pressed, (3) row of button pressed, (4) if button is time-dependent or time-independent, (5) if an additional button press occurs within the same elapsed time period, and (6) the duration of the button press. From these values an algorithm synthesizes intermediate variables (1) sequence of row ID values, (2) sequence of button press values, and (3) sequence of button press types. From the intermediate variables the device identifies a presumed word and a plurality of possible alternative word possibilities. The system enables character input using fewer selection buttons than there are displayed characters and with improved speed and accuracy.

1 . A computer processor-implemented method comprising:
 monitoring, by at least one computer processor, an actuated first selection button and an elapsing timer;   interpreting, by at least one computer processor, one or more of the following actuation-concluding events: a release of the actuated first button, an expiration of the elapsing timer, and an actuation of a second selection button prior to the expiration of the elapsing timer, and;   inferring, by at least one computer processor, a button press type based on which of the following ordered event sequences matches all the interpreted actuation-concluding events:
 the release of the actuated first button, then the expiration of the elapsing timer; 
 the expiration of the elapsing timer; 
 the actuation of a second selection button prior to the expiration of the elapsing timer, and 
 the release of the actuated first button, then the actuation of the second selection button prior to the expiration of the elapsing timer. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the inferring includes the at least one processor inferring the following ordered event sequence as a short button press type: the release of the actuated first button, then the expiration of the elapsing timer. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein inferring includes the at least one processor inferring the following ordered event sequence as a long button press type: the expiration of the elapsing timer. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein inferring includes the at least one processor inferring the following ordered event sequences as a pair button press type:
 the actuation of a second selection button prior to the expiration of the elapsing timer, and; 
 the release of the actuated first button, then the actuation of the second selection button prior to the expiration of the elapsing timer. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising calculating, by at least one computer processor, a total button press value based on button press values assigned to the one or more actuated selection buttons and the inferred button press type. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein:
 for a short button press type, the calculated total button press value equals the button press value assigned to the actuated first selection button; 
 for a long button press type, the calculated total button press value equals twice the button press value assigned to the actuated first selection button, and; 
 for a pair button press type, the calculated total button press value equals the sum of the button press values assigned to the first and second actuated selection buttons. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising selecting a character from among a plurality of displayed characters by matching the calculated total button press value to a value that identifies a position of the selected character among the plurality of displayed characters. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the assigned button press values of the one or more actuated selection buttons is one of −3, −2, +2 and +3. 
     
     
         9 . A system comprising:
 at least one computer processor; and   at least one memory coupled to the at least one computer processor, the at least one memory having computer-executable instructions stored thereon, that when executed by the at least one computer processor, cause the system to:
 monitor an actuated first selection button and an elapsing timer; 
 interpret one or more of the following actuation-concluding events: a release of the actuated first button, an expiration of the elapsing timer, and an actuation of a second selection button prior to the expiration of the elapsing timer; and 
 infer a button press type based on which of the following ordered event sequences matches all the interpreted actuation-concluding events:
 the release of the actuated first button, then the expiration of the elapsing timer; 
 the expiration of the elapsing timer; 
 the actuation of a second selection button prior to the expiration of the elapsing timer, and 
 the release of the actuated first button, then the actuation of the second selection button prior to the expiration of the elapsing timer. 
 
   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed by at least one computer processor, cause the system to infer the following ordered event sequence as a short button press type: the release of the actuated first button, then the expiration of the elapsing timer. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed by at least one computer processor, cause the system to infer the following ordered event sequence as a long button press type: the expiration of the elapsing timer. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed by at least one computer processor, cause the system to infer the following ordered event sequences as a pair button press type:
 the actuation of a second selection button prior to the expiration of the elapsing timer, and; 
 the release of the actuated first button, then the actuation of the second selection button prior to the expiration of the elapsing timer. 
 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed by at least one computer processor, further cause the system to calculate a total button press value based on button press values assigned to the one or more actuated selection buttons and the inferred button press type. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein:
 for a short button press type, the calculated total button press value equals the button press value assigned to the actuated first selection button; 
 for a long button press type, the calculated total button press value equals twice the button press value assigned to the actuated first selection button, and; 
 for a pair button press type, the calculated total button press value equals the sum of the button press values assigned to the first and second actuated selection buttons. 
 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed by at least one computer processor, further cause the system to select a character from among a plurality of displayed characters by matching the calculated total button press value to a value that identifies a position of the selected character among the plurality of displayed characters. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the assigned button press values of the one or more actuated selection buttons is one of −3, −2, +2 and +3. 
     
     
         17 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon, that when executed by at least one computer processor, cause the at least one computer processor to:
 monitor an actuated first selection button and an elapsing timer;   interpret one or more of the following actuation-concluding events: a release of the actuated first button, an expiration of the elapsing timer, and an actuation of a second selection button prior to the expiration of the elapsing timer; and   infer a button press type based on which of the following ordered event sequences matches all the interpreted actuation-concluding events:
 the release of the actuated first button, then the expiration of the elapsing timer; 
 the expiration of the elapsing timer; 
 the actuation of a second selection button prior to the expiration of the elapsing timer, and 
 the release of the actuated first button, then the actuation of the second selection button prior to the expiration of the elapsing timer. 
   
     
     
         18 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 17  wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed by at least one computer processor, cause the at least one computer processor to infer the following ordered event sequence as a short button press type: the release of the actuated first button, then the expiration of the elapsing timer. 
     
     
         19 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 17  wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed by at least one computer processor, cause the at least one computer processor to infer the following ordered event sequence as a long button press type: the expiration of the elapsing timer. 
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 17  wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed by at least one computer processor the at least one computer processor to infer the following ordered event sequences as a pair button press type:
 the actuation of a second selection button prior to the expiration of the elapsing timer, and; 
 the release of the actuated first button, then the actuation of the second selection button prior to the expiration of the elapsing timer.