September 27th, 2007
New BlackBerry Patent app describes puncutation-mark selector for text
A BlackBerry Patent application just published this morning describes how BlackBerrys could be enabled to pre-select the best punctuation mark for a block of text.
The Patent app is entitled, Handheld electronic device including automatic preferred selection of a punctuation, and associated method.
The Patent Abstract offers a helpful, if somewhat rudimentary description about how this functionality is supposed to work:
A method of enabling input on a handheld electronic device, which includes an input apparatus having a number of input members that are capable of being actuated, wherein at least one of the input members has a plurality of selectable output alternatives, includes detecting as a first input an actuation of an input member, generating a first output, detecting as a second input an actuation of an input member having a plurality of selectable output alternatives comprising at least a primary punctuation and a secondary punctuation, determining that said first output has a predetermined characteristic, preferring as a second output said secondary punctuation, and outputting said second output.
Given that most of us (including the guy writing this post) sometimes includes semi-colons or em dashes (–) when maybe a colon or comma might be more appropriate, I certainly see the need for such functionality. Almost extends SureType to the grammarian domain.
Russell Shaw is an enterprise computing journalist, analyst and author based in Portland, Oregon. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
