Iconic Text Entry Using a Numeric Keypad

An iconic text entry system using the widely entrenched numeric keypad is presented. In an iconic system, text entry is designed to remind the user of existing notions of letter shape. For example, the letter “L” is entered by pressing buttons down the center of the keypad, and then to the right, calling to mind the shape of a capital L. The letter “O” is entered by pressing the digit 0, which resembles “O”. An iconic system has a number of advantages over systems designed solely for rapid input by expert users. First, an iconic system lends itself well to deployment on existing equipment, such as TV remote controls, without specialized button layouts or labeling. Second, a user need not become an expert in order to be comfortable entering simple text. Third, it is more easily used when visual feedback is difficult.