Word Processing System

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a word processing system and relates particularly to a key inputting system by which words are generated for word processing, text editing, message generation and/or transmission, or the like.

Background of the Invention

Word processors and text editors commonly in use generally utilise one or more computer programs to generate words in accordance with sequenced actuation of one or more keys of a keypad or keyboard. If the keyboard is the standard electronic "alphanumeric" keyboard (Qwerty Keyboard), the words are developed, letter by letter, although spelling errors and "auto text" may be used to assist the proper and accurate word development. Where the key is located on a key pad, such as that associated with a mobile telephone, each key will be associated with the generation of more than one possible alpha-numeric character, and the manner of actuation of the keys on the key pad determines which particular alpha-numeric character is selected. For example, in one known arrangement, the letters "A, B, C" are associated with the "2" key on a numeric keypad, the letters "D, E, F" are associated with the "3" key, and so on. The letter "B" may be selected by pressing the "2" key which displays the letters A, B and C on a visual display, with the first letter highlighted. A "forward" key is then used to move the highlight to the letter "B", which is also displayed on the text line. The next numeral key associated with the next desired letter of the word to be developed is actuated, and the process continued until the word is completed.

With some programs, a dictionary of common words is provided and a "best guess" approach is taken to display several possible words or word parts incorporating the letters chosen. With this arrangement, the user is able to use the "forward" or "backwards" keys to select from several suggested letter combinations or a completed word.

Several other forms of keypad input are known using variations on the method of selecting individual letters for a text message from a possible selection using a limited number of keys.

Text may also be generated using a stylus on a touch screen, or using a stylus on a virtual keyboard. Apart from the "best guess" possible word selection, or the use of "auto text" commonly available in word processing programs, all word development

using keys on keyboards or keypads requires the author to select, sequentially, the letters desired for the word being generated.

While word processors are extremely powerful, and skilled keyboard operators are able to generate a substantial number of words per minute, apart from pre- programmed "auto text", each generated word requires a key of the keyboard to be pressed for each letter of the word.

By using a restricted number of keys on a keypad, such as on a telephone, the number of words able to be generated in a relatively short time is greatly restricted due to the number of key actuations required to select the appropriate letter. As a result, a new text message language is being developed which is a short-hand language enabling messages to be generated far quicker than by generating fully each individual word. However, such text message languages are not universal, are inconsistent, can lead to message errors and ambiguities and are not understood by many in the general public.

It is therefore desirable to provide an improved word processing system which obviates at least some of the disadvantages of existing systems.

It is also desirable to provide an improved system for generating words using key strokes on a keyboard or keypad which avoids the need to spell out each individual word.

It is also desirable to provide a key inputting system by which text messages or the like are able to be quickly and simply generated.

It is also desirable to provide a system for generating text using key strokes or key-like inputs.

It is also desirable to provide a word or text generating system which is relatively simple to use and easy to understand and which is able to generate text messages of any format.

It is also desirable to provide a text generating system that is able to be used with any language which has an alphabet.

Summary of the Invention In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided a text generating system using key strokes or equivalents to develop text from individual key actuations comprising a plurality of input keys each being associated with one or more alpha-numeric characters, punctuation or an application function, a display for displaying developed text, the display including a string window part for displaying alpha-numeric strings of characters associated with selected key strokes, the display including an export window, a database of character strings, and program means which,

on actuation of one or more selected keys, causes one or a plurality of predetermined character strings to be displayed in the string window part and a further predetermined character or character string to be displayed in the export window, and to display the alpha-numeric character associated with the or each selected key in the displayed developed text, whereby any selected one of the displayed characters or strings may be incorporated into the developed text on actuation of a predetermined function key.

The system of the preferred embodiments of the invention may be used with any form of keyboard or keypad or other key actuated or virtual key actuated input system to generate text or to word process. The term "virtual keyboard" is intended herein to include a touch screen keyboard or the like.

In one form, the system of the preferred embodiments of the invention has several operating modes. In a first, default mode, the keyboard or keypad will function as normal. Thus, a telephone keypad will function in accordance with its prime function. A second mode is a text editing mode. When this mode is selected, in one embodiment of the invention, a string window appears on a display screen, the window including a separate export window. In this operational mode, actuation of a key gives rise to an associated alpha-numeric character being displayed in a text line, and either that character or a predetermined character string being displayed in the export window. At the same time, a plurality of predetermined letter strings appears in the string window. The user is able to select any of the strings in the string window and transfer that string to the export window and from there the selected string may be exported to the text line. Alternatively, the user may retain the displayed text letter, and key in another letter which will be added to the letter or string in the export box. If a further key is actuated before finalisation of a text letter or string, a further group of letter strings appears in the string window and export window.

By using this system, users are able to chose words or strings from a plurality of possible selections, and will be able to build words or strings using sequential key actuation. The preferred embodiments of the invention, therefore, provides several paths to developing a text message.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of generating text on a screen using key strokes or equivalents to develop text from key actuations comprising the steps of: actuating a selected key associated with one or more alpha-numeric characters, generating the selected character in a text line of a first screen display part,

displaying one or more letter strings associated with the selected character in a second screen display part, displaying the selected letter or a further letter string in an export window of the screen display, actuating a pre-selected function key or a key combination to either selectively transfer a selected one of the displayed letter strings from the second screen display part to the export window, or to transfer the string from the export window to the text line.

In order that the invention is more readily understood, embodiments thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a view of a display in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 to 6 are further views of the display of Figure 1 during the stages of text message development; and

Figure 7 is a view of a second embodiment of the invention embodied in a mobile telephone.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

Referring to Figures 1 to 6, a word processing or text generating system in accordance with one embodiment of this invention has a text display screen 12 which incorporates a string window 14 and an export window 16. The display screen 12 is adapted for use with a normal "Qwerty" keyboard, the individual keys of which are associated with individual numbers and letters. The keyboard, which may be a standard keyboard of twenty six letter keys, ten numeral keys, nine punctuation and bracket keys, and several function keys, including a space bar, is well known and will not be further described or illustrated.

With the system of the preferred embodiments of the invention, a designated combination of keys, such as an "alt" key together with the letter "M" key, is designated as a mode-change key combination to change between the default, normal keyboard operation functionality to the text message generator functionality of the preferred embodiments of the invention. Of course, a single function key may be designated for this purpose. When in the text generation mode, the display screen 12, which may be a computer screen, the screen of a personal organiser, a mobile telephone screen or the like, displays the window parts comprising the text line window 15,

export window 16 and the string window 14. In this mode, actuation of a key gives rise to the alpha-numeric character associated with the actuated key being displayed in a text line 17 in the text line window 15 of the display screen 12. The displayed character is displayed in flashing form, and the text input will be finalised on actuation of, for example, a space bar or a punctuation key, or another selected key or key combination. The character may be entered in a capitalised form in accordance with the normal keyboard operation using a "shift" key.

In addition to the selected character appearing in the text line 17, a predetermined word or text string, usually having as its initial letter the selected letter, appears in the export window 16. Preferably, each letter of the alphabet will be associated with a predetermined selected word or string which appears in the export window 16 whenever the appropriate letter is actuated as a new, first letter of a word or string to appear in the text line 17.

In addition to the word or text string appearing in the export window 16, a plurality of words or text strings appear in the string window 14. The number of words or text strings in the string window depends on the number of letters in the respective strings, but preferably between four and ten words or strings are displayed together in the string window. At least some of the strings or words displayed in the string window will have one letter highlighted, such as by being displayed in a different colour or by having an underline, or highlighted in some other fashion. Alternatively, the string window strings may terminate in a hyphen. An example of the strings in the string window 14 associated with the keying in of the letter "a" are shown in Figure 1. In this embodiment, the letter "a" gives rise to the word "are" in the export window 16, and the strings "administ-", "aero-", "about", "account", "airport" and "author" in the string window 14, while the letter "a" appears flashing in the text line 17.

The system of the preferred embodiments of the invention enables a text line 17 to be generated in several different ways. Firstly, and referring to the example in Figure 1, the letter "a" which is displayed in a flashing form in the text line 17 may be finalised, as previously indicated, by actuation of the space bar, or by insertion of a punctuation mark, such as a full stop, comma, colon or the like. When finalised, the letter ceases to flash in the text line 17.

Prior to finalisation, a further letter may be added to the flashing letter in the text line by simply keying in such further letter. This action will build up a series of flashing characters in the text line 17, which may be finalised when desired. However, if the word or string which is to be inserted into the text line 17 is the word or string which is displayed in the export window 16 when the first letter 'a' is

keyed in (the word "are" in the example of Fig 1), actuation of an "export" key, which may be any selected function key or key combination on the keyboard, will cause that word or string in the export window 16 to be exported to the text line 17 in a flashing mode to replace the flashing letter "a". The word can either then be finalised, as described above, or can be added to with further letters or strings. In the flashing state, a word or string may be deleted or partially deleted with the cursor the same way as a finalised word or string. Partial deletion of a flashing entry will not affect the strings in the string window 14 or the export window 16. As long as one flashing letter remains, it can be replaced by a string in the export window. Complete deletion of a flashing entry will clear both export and string windows 14 and 16.

However, the action of selecting a second character, before finalising the first, causes a change in the export window 16.

If the word to be inserted in the text line 17 includes one of the words displayed in the string window 14 and having an underlined or highlighted letter, actuation of the key associated with the highlighted letter in the string will cause that string or word to appear in the export window 16 from where it may be exported to the text line 17 by use of the export key.

If the desired word in the text line 17 incorporates one of the two prefixes displayed in the string window 14, and terminating in the hyphen, entering the next letter of the desired word that follows the displayed prefix, such as the letter "r" which is the next letter in the word "administrative" that occurs after the displayed prefix "administ-", will result in the word "administrate" appearing in the export window 16. Other derivative words such as "administration", "administrative" and "administrator" may then appear in the string window 14, as shown in Fig 2, providing the opportunity to change the word in the export window for one of the other derivative words, hi this example, the letter "a" of "administration", the letter "d" of "administrative", and the letter "m" of the word "administrator" are all highlighted (underlined hi the Figure 2 example) to enable any of those alternate derivative words to be selected by actuation of the relevant letter key "a", "d" or "m" to thereby replace the word in the export window 16 with the newly selected word.

In the example, as shown in Fig 3, the letter "d" is keyed in thereby causing the word "administrative" to be displayed in the export window 16 replacing the previous word "administrate". The text line 17 shows the letters, in flashing form, that have been keyed in and not finalised comprising the letters "a", "r" and "d". There are now no derivative words shown in the string window 14, although other, similar or related words could be displayed in embodiments of the invention.

Once a word, or string, in the export window 16 is that word or string to be inserted into the text line 17, it is exported using the export key and, if appropriate, finalised. However, selected words or strings may continue to be added to the string in the export window 16 or to a flashing word or string in the text line 17 if desired. Thus, if the word "happen" was exported to the text line 17, and remained in an non-finalised, flashing mode, the ending "ing" could be added by typing these letters into the text line.

It will be seen that, in the text selection mode, actuation of a key to give rise to a letter in the text line will flash in the text line 17, and actuation of another key to select a second letter will either select a word from the string window 14 to be transferred to the export window 16, if that selected letter is a highlighted letter of a string in the string window 14, or will result in a second letter appearing alongside the first in the display window 15, if no strings appear in the string window 14 having a highlighted letter corresponding to the second selected letter. Thus, it is possible to be able to build a text line 17 using either direct input mode or by selecting text strings appearing in the string window 14. It will be appreciated that, on selection of a second letter that appears in the export window 16 alongside an earlier selected letter, a new group of letter strings will appear in the string window 14 having the first two letters as the initial letters of those strings. Third and fourth letter inputs will result in further strings/words appearing in the string window 14 having the inputted letter combination. Figure 2 illustrates the embodiment of the invention in which the letters "a, r" have been keyed in. The selection of the letter "a" produces the display screen shown in Figure 1 whilst keying the letter "r" causes the word "administrate" to be displayed in the export window 16, as shown in Fig 2, with the related words "administration", "administrative" and "administrator" appearing in the string window 14. The letters "a", "d" and "m" are underlined in the string window displayed words. By keying in the letter "d" the user is selecting the word "administrative" which is then reproduced in the export window 16, as shown in Figure 3. Actuation of the export key transfers that word to the text line 17, to replace the flashing keyed letters "a r d", and the word is, then finalised using the space bar, or a punctuation point. Figures 4 to 6 illustrate adding the word "personnel" to the word

"administrative" in the text line 17 by keying the letter "p", which gives rise to the word "pet" appearing in the export window 16 while the letter "p" is flashing in the text line 17. In addition, the words or strings "pack-", "pan-", "particular", people", "perfect" and "place" appear in the string window 14, ready to be selected to be displayed in the export window by keying in an appropriate letter.

If the word desired in the text line was "pet", then actuation of the export key would transfer that word from the export window 16 to the text line 17. In the example, however, the letter "e" is keyed in, which brings up the word "people' in the export window 16. Further, the words or strings "pent-", "perc-", "rjecular", "personnel", pedestrian" and "pendulum" appear in the string window 14. Actuation of the "e" key causes the word "personnel" to be transferred to the export window 16, as shown in Fig 6, with the text line displaying the letters, in flashing form, that have been keyed in since the last finalisation. The desired word "personnel" can now be exported to the text line 17 to complete the phrase "administrative personnel" using just 10 key strokes as follows:

1. a

2. r

3. d

4. export

5. space bar to finalise "administrative"

6. P

7. e

8. e

9. export

10. finalise with space bar, punctuation

In one form of the invention, instead of having highlighted letters to facilitate selection of possible letter strings or words, an empty space may be highlighted, using an underline or the like, to indicate that one of several letters may be used to select the desired word. For example, "f ddle" could be either "fiddle" or "fuddle" by keying an "i" or "u". The same empty space may be filled with two or more letters where applicable. When a missing part of a letter string is thus filled, the string, now being a complete word unit, will replace the current string in the export window 16, ready to be exported to the text line. Logically, where two letters are missing, the entry of the first will invariably put a new string in the export window 16, but it will be replaced with the intended word on entry of the second missing letter.

It will be understood that once a letter string is in the export window 16, whether it is a complete word or word part, the user is not precluded from continuing the construction process by adding more letters or parts. Thus, and referring to Figure 2, if, instead of keying in the letter "d" as shown in Figure 3, the letter "t" is keyed in,

the word "art" appears in the text line and "artful" appears in the export window, and the strings "artefact", artery", 'arterial", "artesian", "arthritis", and "arthropod" appear in the string window 14 with the various letters highlighted with underlining as indicated to enable a selection to be made as described above, hi addition, the prefix "arti-" also is displayed in the string window 14 which, if selected, could give rise to any one of the words "article", "articular", "articulate", "artificial", "artillery", "artisan", "artist" or "artiste". However, by keying in the letter "s", the desired word "arts" appears in the export window 16 and on the text line 17, ready to be finalised by actuation of the space bar or insertion of a punctuation point. Thus, when a letter string is in the export window, the user can either export it into the text by pressing the export key, or continue the construction until the desired string is in the export window 16 and then export. Whichever the user chooses to do, the flashing text line display can be extended by user input until the intended entry is completed and finalized. It should also be mentioned here that, when a capital letter is entered, the capitalization may be limited to that letter only, or the normal keyboard "caps locked" may be used during entry so that the whole letter string will be capitalized.

In the embodiments described, inputting the first letter of a word or word part will give rise to a word in the export window 16 and to strings of letters, or words, opening up in the string window, as explained above. Inputting further single letters into the export window 16 builds up a string and each letter selection will generally give rise to other words or strings of letters opening up in the string window 14. However, when a subsequent letter is thus entered, it either moves one of the existing strings from the string window 14 to the export window 16 (as described above) or creates a meaningful extension to the string already in the export window 16, such as adding 'a' to 'fund' to get "fundamental",, or none of these. In the last mentioned case, a new word or string will appear in the export window 16, beginning with the first two keyed letters, and ready for exportation into text, in the same manner as when the first letter is entered. In all three cases, new strings will be created in the string window 16, beginning with the first two letters keyed. Therefore, when the user cannot find the letter string needed for the word, subsequent letters may be continued to be entered. It should be noted that keying the same letter will bring up different groups of strings, depending on the positions it holds in a word and the preceding letter or letters. Theoretically, in the worst case scenario, the user ends up keying in every letter of the word or word part, and this may be necessary for place names, acronyms and other words that may not appear in the word dictionary of the system.

In the preferred embodiments of this invention, the last letter of some strings in the export window 16 are displayed in flashing form if it is optional in any further extension of the string. For example, in words like 'manage' and 'administrate', the 'e' disappears when 'ing' is added, but stays when 'd' or 'r' is added. However, in exportation the flashing 'e' will be carried to the text line 17. In another preferred form of this embodiment, especially when there is a scarcity of keys, such as on the mobile phone keypad, the same key can be used for multiple purposes, and may be given a time-sensitive function for key actuation. For example, the key used to activate the key input system can also be used to command exportation: in the former case, the designated key is held down until it beeps whereas a single key press is used for exporting text to the text line.

The system of the described embodiments of the invention includes a database of words and strings having relationships with letters, letter strings, word parts and whole words. Such a database may be developed using standard word dictionaries to establish word trees built from one, two, three, four or more letter sequences. It is envisaged that while three key strokes may be required to finalise a first level word, such as "are" as in Figure 1, ("a", export key, fmalisation key) most words will be able to be selected and finalised using no more than four or five key strokes. Thus, a skilled person with familiarity of common words and strings, will be able to produce text at a rate far quicker than normal competent typing speeds.

Apart from the functional software which enables a user to activate the system and export word units constructed thereby, the main software resides in the database and the execution program, which is responsible for searching and displaying the target word units. The database is built by means of a language editor, which maps keystrokes against word units in a constructed dictionary. In one form, more than one keystroke sequence may match a particular word unit, for the same word can be constructed after keying in the first, second or third letter that forms it, resulting in greater flexibility. When used in association with a keypad as previously described, when a key is struck, depending on the length of time it is held down, a certain letter of the alphabet is placed in a buffer. At this stage, the execution program will search the database, find the word unit matching that key stroke, and display it in the export window and on the text line. When a second letter key is struck, another letter will be placed in the buffer in sequential connection with the first. The execution program will then conduct another search. If a match a found, the new word or word part will be displayed in the export window 16, replacing the first. This process will continue until terminated by the export key or the fmalisation key. However, if the new entry to the

buffer is a clearing signal, the program will clear the export window 16, waiting for the next letter to be placed in the buffer before starting a new search

The preferred embodiments of the invention are particularly adapted for use with restricted keyboards or key pads, such as those used for mobile telephones and the like. With the present preferred embodiments of the invention, words are able to be quickly and simply constructed utilising the principles of the present invention. In a modification as shown in Figure 7, which illustrates a mobile telephone 20 having a 17 key keypad 21, the key input sequence follows the same rules as the full "QWERTY" keyboard embodiments such that the input of a letter into the string window 14 gives rise to a letter, word or string in the export window 16 and the display of the input letter in the display window on the text line 17. The letter input sequence, however, is modified so that, to input the letter "c", the "2" key is depressed three times. Of course, it is preferred that, instead of pressing the "2" key three times in order to generate the letter "c", the user simply holds the "2" key and waits for the display to change from "a" to "b" to "c", at regular, adjustable intervals. Such a change may be accompanied by a musical note or other indicator or by a vocal pronunciation of the selected letter. Such a single letter input method through a keypad 21 is particularly suitable for operation of the system of the present preferred embodiments of the invention. The single letter input system can be designed in a circular manner so that, if the user misses a letter, a short wait will cause the letter to subsequently reappear. Thus, if the user has omitted to release the "2" key in time to display the letter "b", the key is simply retained held down while the letters "c" and "a" are displayed prior to the desired letter again being displayed. This method is particularly helpful to visually impaired or those having difficulty actuating relatively small key pad keys. The database may have a section for storing common personal names and place names. Such a database section may be activated with a designated key or a predetermined function key so that the user is able to construct defined names without unrelated words being displayed in the string window. With some modification, a database for idioms, phrases or even simple sentences can be developed and put to use by similar means. A dictionary of idioms, for instance, can be put to use without great difficulty via an acronym entry method. For example, the phrase "the goose that lays the golden eggs" could be entered in an acronym database as "tgtltge", which, when called upon, will not give rise to any derivatives but will display the words " the goose that lays the golden eggs" in the display window 17. However, when a verb is involved in the phrase, alternatives will arise from its conjugation. In this case, the preferred

embodiment should display the verb in flashing form, ready for editing by extension, replacement with options, or with a different verb altogether.

It will be appreciated that, while reference has been made herein to key strokes to generate letters or characters, the same results may be obtained using a touch screen to give rise to character selection.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.