Context Menu for Alternate Symbol Access on Handheld Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hand-held computing devices face challenges in providing users with easy access to a wide range of symbols, as existing man-machine interfaces often require users to navigate through separate displays or memorize key sequences for accented characters and other symbols, increasing the learning curve and user frustration.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for processing alternate symbols linked to a base symbol, which includes a display, memory, processor, and software that allows users to request and display a list of alternate symbols associated with a base symbol, with criteria for updating the list based on prior usage or user-defined preferences, enabling easy access to symbols like accented characters and punctuation marks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a separate display of all accented characters is provided, then users can access a wide range of symbols, but users must search through multiple displays carefully which increases time consumption and user frustration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to wide range of symbolsVSAvoidtime to search for symbols

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

A context menu is introduced as an intermediary between the base symbol and the full character table. When a user presses the alternate symbol key, a context menu appears displaying frequently used alternate symbols (accented characters, punctuation, emoticons) directly at the cursor position, eliminating the need to navigate through separate character tables while still providing access to a wide range of symbols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-populates the context menu with the most frequently used alternate symbols based on language models and usage statistics. This preliminary arrangement of commonly needed symbols allows users to access them immediately without searching, while less common symbols remain available through additional navigation if needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If users must memorize special key sequences for alternate symbols, then data entry speed may improve, but the learning curve increases and user frustration increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata entry speedVSAvoidlearning curve

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically provides the context menu with relevant alternate symbols based on the base symbol typed and the current language context. Users do not need to memorize key sequences or navigate menus manually - the system serves the appropriate symbols automatically, allowing users to simply select from the displayed options. This maintains data entry speed while eliminating the learning curve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If a physical keyboard with dedicated data entry mechanisms is provided, then data entry capability is enhanced, but the device becomes bulkier

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata entry capabilityVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the need for physical dedicated data entry mechanisms (such as separate keys for each symbol) with a software-based context menu system. The virtual keyboard on the display provides access to all symbols, and the context menu delivers alternate symbols through software processing rather than requiring additional physical keys or buttons. This maintains comprehensive data entry capability while keeping the device compact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Device complexity

If a limited man-machine interface is provided, then device complexity is reduced, but users must learn more data entry techniques which increases time consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface complexityVSAvoidtime for data entry

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The context menu system serves multiple functions within a single interface: it provides access to accented characters, punctuation marks, emoticons, and other alternate symbols. The same mechanism works across different languages and contexts, and can be triggered from any position in the text. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate data entry techniques while minimizing time consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8976108B2Interface for processing of an alternate symbol in a computer device

Publication Date: 2015.03.10 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Described herein is a computer-implemented system and method for processing one or more alternate symbols associated or linked to a base symbol. A base symbol is a symbol to which at least one alternate symbol is linked. A base symbol commonly appears on a key of a keyboard or a display of a keyboard, or is a handwritten symbol recognized by handwriting entry software. Examples of alternate symbols are accented characters and punctuation marks that do not appear on a keyboard or are not commonly recognized by a handwriting entry program, and short symbol sequences. An example of a common short symbol sequence is an emoticon used in e-mail messages to convey tone or feelings. An example of a computer device that may embody the system or method is a hand-held computing device.