As its name implied, this is an input method that I devise for mobile phone using strictly 2 keys that combine to produce a character. I like my method more than the default phone input method, but the dictionary input method is obviously easier and faster than mine.
How is the method designed?
First, every possible character can be entered using a combination of 2 keys. After the 2nd key is entered, it will combine with the previous key to produce a character, so there is no waiting time needed. If it is an invalid combination, then it simply ignores both keys. And, if the time difference between the 2nd key and the 1st key is too long (>0.8s), it will ignore the 1st key and assume that you want to start with the 2nd key as if it is the 1st key.
Second, the method makes it easier for the more common or rather more frequently used alphabet characters to be entered. This means that the same key is pressed twice to produce the character. There are 8 characters in this frequently used group using the key from 2 to 9. There are 12 characters in the next less frequently used group that uses 2 different keys to enter with these 2 keys vertically next to each other. Lastly, there are 6 characters in the least frequently used group that uses 2 different keys, horizontally next to each other.
The more frequently used group covering the 8 characters a,e,i,s,o,r,t,n.
 Vertically 2 keys group. | The 2nd key is either on top of or it is below the 1st key. Characters that are displayed at the bottom side of a number keypad square are entered using the 1st key it is displayed at, followed by using the key below it. Characters that are displayed at the top side of a number keypad square are entered using the 1st key it is displayed at, followed by using the key above it. Eg., 25=b , 52=l , 58=f |
 Horizontally 2 keys group. | The 2nd key is either on the left or on the right of the 1st key. Characters that are displayed at the right side of a number keypad square are entered using the 1st key it is displayed at, followed by the key on its right. Characters that are displayed at the left side of a number keypad square are entered using the 1st key it is displayed at, followed by the key on its left. Eg., 21=z , 45=x , 54=j |
Once in number mode, a number key produces a number immediately. To switch back to normal mode, press the number mode combination of *# . There is also the uppercase mode for entering the same alphabets characters in uppercase. The uppercase mode is invoked by the combination of ## and thereafter only uppercase alphabets characters are produced. To switch back to normal mode, press the same mode combination of ## . In either of the 2 modes, you can press the other mode combination to enter the other mode. The symbols are divided into 4 groups.
The group that starts with the 1st key using 1 are symbols that have a straight line shape. (most) The special case is the new line character displayed below as \n produced by a combination of 1*
1 symbols group The group that starts with the 1st key using 0 are symbols that have a curve shape. (most) The special cases are the tab character produced by a combination of 0* and the space character produced by a combination of 00 .
0 symbols group The group that starts with the 1st key using * are symbols that have a dot, quote or a short shape.
* symbols group The last group starts with the 1st key using #. This group contains the remaining symbols and another 2 special cases, #6 is PageUp and #9 is PageDown.
# symbols group And, this concludes the description of the 2 keys input method. If your phone has a qwerty keyboard, then there is really no need to learn this. Use this for fun and see whether you can memorize all of them easily. Last but not least, there is an usage of this method covered in the advanced navigation.
2 Comments
Glad you’ve chosen the Symbian platform for your application. Now how this 2 key action works is confusing me. I don’t see how f=58. According to how I understand it, it should be f=36. Am I wrong? Could you explain why? Because it said the original key and the key below. My f is on the 3 key, and right below is the 6 key, so f=36, not 58, according to your explanation. I don’t see any logic to your system. Care to contact me via email to better explain, contact me at christexaport@sbcglobal.net
Logic?
There is some logic in terms of the way that the more frequently used English alphabet letters are more easier to key in than the less frequently used English alphabet letters.
How the exact combination is chosen?
That is a bit arbitrary!
So one can choose whatever combination that one seems to like!
f=58
It is explained by referring to the image that I put up. (I could have perhaps just say what all the combination is rather than using the picture)
In the image, f is displayed at the bottom side of the number 5 keypad square, so it is entered using the 1st key it is displayed at which is 5, followed by using the key below it which is 8. So, f is produced by the combination of 5 follow by 8.
Good explanation?
No?