Patent Application
20120296631
An input method editor (IME) allows users to enter symbols or characters that are not typically found on input devices. This is useful in entering, among other things, pinyins, which are letters representing a pronunciation corresponding to a Chinese character. A user can enter pinyins and one or more Chinese characters that correspond with the pinyin are typically displayed to a user. To input pinyins today, a Chinese twelve key IME is typically used. The Chinese twelve key IME includes three or four pinyin characters associated with each single key. A user may input a pinyin to filter Chinese character candidates in order to narrow the scope of the Chinese characters displayed. Typically, a list of all valid pinyins for a syllable of a word, a pinyin filter, is displayed in a page-based style. This is not convenient for users as the list is typically too long to show in a single page, which results in the user being required to view several pages individually to see the options. Additionally, users are not able to view a list of characters until the expected pinyin has been entered.
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems, methods, devices, and computer storage media for, among other things, displaying key pinyins. A pinyin, as used herein, refers generally to a symbol that represents a pronunciation of a character. In an embodiment, the character is a Chinese character. Pinyins that are associated with an entered pinyin may be displayed in a list within a single page of a user interface. The list may be sorted by frequently used pinyins, commonly selected pinyins, user history, or the like. The list may be dynamic in that it updates as a user inputs a pinyin. The list is also presented in a single page of a user interface such that a user may simply scroll through the single page to view the associated pinyins. Users may select a corresponding pinyin or a corresponding Chinese character at any point before, during, or after inputting a pinyin.
The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:
The subject matter of the present invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different steps or combinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Moreover, although the terms “step” and/or “block” may be used herein to connote different elements of methods employed, the terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly described.
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems, methods, devices, and computer storage media for, among other things, displaying key pinyins associated with, for example, Chinese characters. Pinyins that correspond to an entered pinyin (entered by, for example, a user) may be displayed in a list within a single page of a user interface of, for example, a mobile device. The list may be sorted by frequently used pinyins, commonly selected pinyins, user history, or the like. The list may be dynamic in that it updates as a user inputs a pinyin. The list is also presented in a single page of a user interface such that a user may simply scroll through the single page to view the associated pinyins. Users may select a corresponding pinyin or a corresponding Chinese character at any point before, during, or after inputting a pinyin.
Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention is directed to one or more computer storage media storing computer-useable instructions that, when used by one or more computing devices, cause the computing device to perform a method for displaying key pinyins. The method comprises receiving an input of at least a portion of a pinyin representing a pronunciation of a character. Based on the portion of the pinyin that was input, displaying both a list of one or more pinyins that correspond with the at least a portion of the pinyin that was input and one or more characters that are associated with the at least a portion of the pinyin that was input. Additional input of a second portion of the pinyin is received and the list of one or more pinyins and the one or more characters are updated based on the additional input.
A mobile device configured to present a user interface for displaying key pinyins via a touch input device, the mobile device comprising
Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a mobile device configured to present a user interface for displaying key pinyins via a touch input device. The device includes a processor, a memory, and a display engine that receives a selection of an expansion indicator, where the selection of the expansion indicator navigates a user to an expanded view including a plurality of characters associated with an input pinyin representing a pronunciation of at least one of the plurality of characters; upon receiving the selection of the expansion indicator, display the expanded view including the plurality of characters such that each of the plurality of characters is accessible within a single page; receive a gesture indicating one of a fast scroll or a slow scroll with which to search the expanded view; and, upon receiving the gesture, display a scrolling view of the expanded view at a rate indicated by the gesture.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention is directed to one or more computer storage media storing computer-useable instructions that, when used by one or more computing devices, cause the computing device to perform a method for displaying key pinyins. The method comprises receiving an input of at least a portion of a pinyin representing a pronunciation of a character. Based on the at least a portion of the pinyin that was input, the at least a portion of the pinyin that was input is displayed along with a list of one or more pinyins that correspond with the at least a portion of the pinyin that was input and a filtered view of one or more characters that are associated with the at least a portion of the pinyin that was input. Additional input of a second portion of the pinyin is received and the list of one or more pinyins and the filtered view of the one or more characters are updated based on the additional input. A selection of an expansion indicator is received where selection thereof navigates a user to an expanded view of the one or more characters that are associated with the input pinyin. Upon receiving the selection of the expansion indicator, each of the input pinyin, including the second portion of the pinyin, the expanded view of the one or more characters that are associated with the input pinyin, and the list of one or more pinyins corresponding with the input pinyin are displayed. A gesture is received that indicates one of a fast scroll or a slow scroll, where the fast scroll navigates through the expanded view faster than the slow scroll and upon receiving the gesture, displaying a scrolling view of the expanded view at a rate indicated by the gesture.
Having briefly described an overview of embodiments of the present invention, an exemplary operating environment in which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented is described below in order to provide a general context for various aspects of the present invention. Referring initially to
The invention may be described in the general context of computer code or machine-useable instructions, including computer-executable instructions such as program modules, being executed by a computer or other machine, such as a personal data assistant or other handheld device. Generally, program modules including routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., refer to code that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The invention may be practiced in a variety of system configurations, including hand-held devices, consumer electronics, general-purpose computers, more specialty computing devices, etc. The invention may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote-processing devices that are linked through a communications network.
With reference to
Computing device 100 typically includes a variety of computer-readable media. Computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by computing device 100 and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable media may comprise computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by computing device 100. Communication media typically embodies computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of any of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.
Memory 112 includes computer-storage media in the form of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory. The memory may be removable, non-removable, or a combination thereof. Exemplary hardware devices include solid-state memory, hard drives, optical-disc drives, etc. Computing device 100 includes one or more processors that read data from various entities such as memory 112 or I/O components 120. Presentation component(s) 116 present data indications to a user or other device. Exemplary presentation components include a display device, speaker, printing component, vibrating component, etc.
I/O ports 118 allow computing device 100 to be logically coupled to other devices including I/O components 120, some of which may be built in. Illustrative components include a microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, printer, wireless device, etc.
As indicated previously, embodiments of the present invention are directed to displaying key pinyins. Turning now to
Among other components not shown, the computing system 200 generally includes a remote computing device 210, a network 220, a data store 230, and a display engine 240. The remote computing device 210 may include any type of computing device, such as the computing device 100 described with reference to
In some embodiments, one or more of the illustrated components/modules may be implemented as stand-alone applications. In other embodiments, one or more of the illustrated components/modules may be implemented via the display engine 240, as an Internet-based service, or as a module inside a search engine. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the components/modules illustrated in
It should be understood that this and other arrangements described herein are set forth only as examples. Other arrangements and elements (e.g., machines, interfaces, functions, orders, and groupings of functions, etc.) can be used in addition to or instead of those shown, and some elements may be omitted altogether. Further, many of the elements described herein are functional entities that may be implemented as discrete or distributed components or in conjunction with other components/modules, and in any suitable combination and location. Various functions described herein as being performed by one or more entities may be carried out by hardware, firmware, and/or software. For instance, various functions may be carried out by a processor executing instructions stored in memory.
Generally, the computing system 200 illustrates an environment in which key pinyins are displayed to a user. As will be described in further detail below, embodiments of the present invention provide displaying key pinyins to a user while a user is typing a pinyin and dynamically updating a list of key pinyins based on a user input. Additional embodiments provide displaying key pinyins in a single page such that a gesture allows a user to view key pinyins without navigating to a separate page for additional pinyins.
The display engine 240 is configured to display key pinyins to a user. A pinyin, as previously mentioned, refers generally to a representation of a pronunciation of a character. In embodiments, the character is a Chinese character. Put simply, pinyins allow users to type a pronunciation of a Chinese character in order to easily locate the Chinese character. The pinyins may be input using the western alphabet (i.e., the letters A through Z). Exemplary pinyins include, but are not limited to, “qian,” “qiao,” and “shan.”
Key pinyins, as used herein, refers generally to a plurality of pinyins that correspond with an entered pinyin. For instance, corresponding pinyins may have the same spelling as an entered pinyin, have the same pronunciation as the entered pinyin, be commonly selected pinyins when the entered pinyin is identified, or the like.
With continued reference to
The receiving component 241 is configured to, among other things, receive user inputs of pinyins. As indicated in an exemplary user interface 300 of
The receiving component 241 is further configured to receive a selection of a pinyin and/or a character. As previously explained, a user may input a pinyin in order to locate a corresponding pinyin and/or character. The receiving component 241 may receive a user input of a pinyin (from the input area 302 of
The determining component 242 is configured to, among other things, determine which pinyins and characters to display in response to the receiving component 241 receiving an input of a desired pinyin. A list of corresponding pinyins may be displayed to a user once a user begins to type a desired pinyin. The list of corresponding pinyins may include pinyins that are spelled the same, or similar, as the desired pinyin, pinyins that have the same, or a similar, pronunciation as the desired pinyin, pinyins that are frequently used, pinyins that are frequently selected when the desired pinyin is input, and the like.
Additionally, a list of corresponding characters (e.g., Chinese characters) may also be displayed to a user in response to a user input of a desired pinyin. The corresponding characters may include characters that are associated with the desired pinyin, characters that are commonly selected when the desired pinyin is entered, frequently used characters, and the like.
By way of example only,
In an embodiment, a user is able to view the list of corresponding pinyins and the corresponding characters while the user is typing a desired pinyin. This allows a user to select a pinyin and/or character prior to completion of typing the desired pinyin.
Returning to
The updating component 244 is configured to, among other things, update the determined corresponding pinyins and/or characters based on a user input of a desired pinyin. The determined corresponding pinyins and/or characters are displayed to a user on a dynamic user interface such that the updating component 244 updates the displayed pinyins and/or characters to correspond with the user input as it changes. For instance, a user may input “qia” into an input area of a user interface. The list of corresponding pinyins and one or more associated characters is determined based on the spelling and/or sound of “qia.” Should a user continue to type an “n” into the input area, resulting in “qian,” the list of corresponding pinyins and one or more associated characters is updated based on the updated user input.
In application, in the embodiment illustrated in
The pinyin candidate area 308 may include one or more pinyins that correspond to the desired pinyin 310. As previously indicated, the one or more pinyins that correspond to the desired pinyin may be spelled the same or similar to the desired pinyin, may sound the same or similar to the desired pinyin, may be frequently selected based upon the input of the desired pinyin, and the like. In an embodiment, a user may select a pinyin from the pinyin candidate area 308 rather than typing the entire pinyin. For instance, if a user had typed “qia” into the input area 302 and the pinyin candidate area 308, as a result, included “qian” as one of the one or more pinyins that correspond to the input, a user may, if desired, select “qian” from the pinyin candidate area 308 rather than typing the “n” to complete the input. By way of further example, if a user had typed “qiang” into an input area, the pinyin candidate area 308 may include a listing of “qiang,” “shang,” “pian,” “piao,” “qiao,” “shan,” “shao,” “qia,” “sha,” “pi,” “qi,” “ri,” “si,” “p,” “q,” “r,” and “c.”
The candidate window 304 may include one or more characters that are associated with the desired pinyin 310. The one or more characters may be determined based on the desired pinyin, a frequency of use of the character, how often the character is selected in combination with the desired pinyin, and the like.
The candidate window 304 may also include an expansion indicator 306. The expansion indicator 306 is configured such that upon selection thereof a user is navigated to a complete listing of characters associated with the desired pinyin 310. For instance, the candidate window 304 of
The expanded window 402 includes each character that is associated with the desired pinyin 310 in a single page. Thus, a user is not required to review several pages to see all options. Rather, a user can simply review a single page of characters. As is evident from
Different gestures may be used to control a speed of searching the single page of characters. For instance, a gesture may be associated with a fast scroll while another gesture may be associated with a slow scroll. In an embodiment, a fast scroll is associated with a flick gesture and a slow scroll is associated with a pan gesture. A flick gesture, as used herein, refers generally to a quick, linear movement that may be executed by, for example, a finger or a user input device such as a stylus. A pan gesture, in contrast, is a slower movement that may be executed by, for example, a finger or a user input device such as a stylus. A user is able to simply control the speed with which they move their finger, or stylus, in order to control the speed of the page scroll. As such, a single page of characters associated with a desired pinyin may be searched at different speeds depending on an identified gesture.
As indicated above, the candidate window 304 includes six (6) characters that are associated with the desired pinyin 310. The six characters may be present in the candidate window 304 based on various criteria. For instance, the candidate window 304 may display the most commonly selected characters for the desired pinyin. In an alternative embodiment, the candidate window 304 displays characters associated with common words based on the desired pinyin.
Once a user selects a character, whether from the candidate window 304 of
Referring now to
Referring now to
As can be understood, embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods, and computer-storage media having computer-usable instructions embodied thereon, for displaying key pinyins. Embodiments of the invention may provide a user interface for displaying dynamic updates of key pinyins that are associated with a desired pinyin and dynamic updates of one or more characters that is associated with a desired pinyin. Additional embodiments may provide the associated pinyins and/or characters in a single page that is scrollable at varying speeds depending on a received gesture.
The present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments, which are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from its scope.
From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects set forth above, together with other advantages which are obvious and inherent to the system and method. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/CN2011/074394 | May 2011 | CN | national |
This application claims priority to PCT Application PCT/CN2011/074394, filed May 20, 2011 and titled “Displaying Key Pinyins,” attorney docket number 333101.01/MFCP.162462, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
