Q9 English Character Input System

Like Chinese CIS, Q9 English CIS is based on a 3x3 matrix. Below is the first page of Q9 English CIS:

Basic functions:

The letters in the first page are listed based on statistical analysis on usage frequency to ensure prompt and speedy input. Whenever you input a letter, the display in the matrix will change according to usage frequency of the letter combination and arranged in ascending order. To find letters out of the display, simply press "next page". For example, you would like to input "analysis". You would have to type "a" first. After inputting the letter "a", the matrix display will change to this according to the usage frequency of letters following the letter "a":

With associated word function, Q9 CIS can predict what a user tries to input by listing the predicted word. In this case, Q9 predicts the word "and" for your input of "a" and "n". Likewise, as you continue to input the word "analysis", you should then input the letter "a". For the letter combination "ana", the matrix display is different from both display of letters "a" and "an":

Q9 predicts the word you want "analysis" from your input of only 3 letters. This really saves much time and effort for character input. At this point, you just need to click on the word, and it will go into your message.

In other cases, if the listed word is not the desired one, you can input the appropriate word letter by letter, and then press the "OK" button to confirm your input.

Enhanced functions:

Beside the basic functions mentioned above, Q9 English CIS also has enhanced functions such as grammar assistant including tenses, gerund and commonly used phrases.

Our technical team is also considering the options of adding English-English, English-Chinese dictionary and other enhanced functions at a later stage.

Comparison to other existing English input methods:

In the market, there are currently two other major English input methods that are used in mobile phones. Each method has its drawbacks.

First is the traditional English input method with each key corresponding with 3 or 4 letters. So one may have to input one single letter with up to four keystrokes. Such method is cumbersome and time consuming;

The other is the smart English input method that assists users to input desired word by guessing the appropriate input (namely dis-ambiguous function). Such method can be useful to commonly used words. However, it does not allow users to input special words such as abbreviation, name of company and place, and can be cumbersome if one wants to switch back to traditional English input method.

Q9 English CIS has the following advantages:

1. Q9 English CIS eliminates all above-mentioned problems, and assists users to input words by guessing the desired input while allowing special word input. It now has 30,000 words in its database and can handle all commonly used English words;
2. With its word prediction function, Q9 English CIS allows users to input words more effectively, and each letter can be inputted even with no more than one keystroke on average;
3. Input speed can be further improved with the enhanced functions listed above.

Patent application:

The product is currently applying for a global patent "Patent Coordination Treaty" (PCT). The patent is not limited to English version but is applicable to ALL languages based on alphabets such as French and German.