Converting text strings into number strings, such as via a touchscreen input

Abstract

System and methods are provided for detecting numerical text strings within a text string and converting those numerical text strings into digit strings. The digit strings may be reflected in real-time, such as when the user is typing a text message. If more than one possible format of the digit string is determined, the system may then provide a selection of the various formats for selection. Once the proper format for the digit string is determined, that digit string may replace the numerical string previously detected in the text string. The text to digit conversion and associated formatting expedites user text entry such that the user is not required to switch keyboard views, (e.g., virtual keyboards). Additionally, converting to digit strings compresses message length, as well as provide other benefits.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for converting text strings into digit strings, the method comprising:
 detecting one or more numerical text strings within a text string;   converting the one or more numerical text strings into one or more digit strings;   identifying a keyword or keyword phrase proximate to the one or more digit strings within the one or more numerical text strings; and   formatting the one or more digit strings based on the identified keyword or keyword phrase.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 predicting multiple formats for the one or more digit strings; and   presenting the multiple formats to a user for selection;   wherein the multiple formats include: punctuation added to a digit string, a specific spacing between numerals of a digit string, or symbols added to a digit string.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining a time of day at which the text string was received from a user via a mobile device of the user;   wherein formatting the one or more digit strings is further based on the determined time of day.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining a language associated with the text string;   wherein formatting the one or more digit strings is further based on the determined language associated with the text string.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining a location at which the text string was received from a user via a mobile device of the user;   wherein formatting the one or more digit strings is further based on the determined location.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 automatically replacing the detected one or more numerical text strings with the formatted one or more digit strings in real-time or near real-time.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the text string is input from a user via a virtual keyboard generated on a touchscreen of a mobile device associated with the user. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the text string is input from a user via a virtual keyboard generated on a touchscreen of a mobile device associated with the user,
 wherein the keyboard is a QWERTY keyboard which displays multiple views, and   wherein alphabetical keys are displayed in a separate view from the numerical keys.   
     
     
         9 . At least one machine-readable storage medium, excluding a transitory propagating signal, and containing a set of instructions, which when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform a method, the method comprising:
 detecting one or more numerical text strings within a text string;   converting the one or more numerical text strings into one or more digit strings;   identifying a keyword or keyword phrase proximate to the one or more digit strings within the one or more numerical text strings; and   formatting the one or more digit strings based on the identified keyword or keyword phrase.   
     
     
         10 . The machine-readable storage medium of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 predicting multiple formats for the one or more digit strings; and   presenting the multiple formats to a user for selection;   wherein the multiple formats include: punctuation added to a digit string, a specific spacing between numerals of a digit string, or symbols added to a digit string.   
     
     
         11 . The machine-readable storage medium of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 determining a time of day at which the text string was received from a user via a mobile device of the user;   wherein formatting the one or more digit strings is further based on the determined time of day.   
     
     
         12 . The machine-readable storage medium of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 determining a language associated with the text string;   wherein formatting the one or more digit strings is further based on the determined language associated with the text string.   
     
     
         13 . The machine-readable storage medium of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 determining a location at which the text string was received from a user via a mobile device of the user;   wherein formatting the one or more digit strings is further based on the determined location.   
     
     
         14 . The machine-readable storage medium of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 automatically replacing the detected one or more numerical text strings with the formatted one or more digit strings in real-time or near real-time.   
     
     
         15 . The machine-readable storage medium of  claim 9 , wherein the text string is input from a user via a virtual keyboard generated on a touchscreen of a mobile device associated with the user. 
     
     
         16 . The machine-readable storage medium of  claim 9 , wherein the text string is input from a user via a virtual keyboard generated on a touchscreen of a mobile device associated with the user,
 wherein the keyboard is a QWERTY keyboard which displays multiple views, and   
     
     
         17 . A system, comprising:
 at least one processor and memory;   a text-to-digit convertor configured to:
 detect a number word within a text string, and 
 convert the detected number word into an unformatted digit string; and 
   a digit formatting module configured to modify the unformatted digit string into a formatted digit string based on one or more keywords within the text string.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the digit formatting module is configured to identify multiple formats for the unformatted digit string based on one or more keywords adjacent to the number word within the text string. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the digit formatting module identifies a keyword or a keyword phrase adjacent to the number word within the text string, wherein the keyword or the keyword phrase corresponds to a particular format to be applied to the unformatted digit string. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the text-to-digit converter accesses the text string via a messaging application of a mobile device, an email application of the mobile device, or a keyboard application of the mobile device.