Microsoft Corp. and Beijing Komoxo Mobile Software Inc. today announced a patent licensing agreement on text-input technologies for mobile devices. The licensed patents allow Komoxo to integrate Microsoft’s statistical language modeling methods into its next-generation text-input engine for reduced keypad and touch-screen devices, and deliver new mobile innovations to consumers around the world.

Through the agreement, Microsoft’s patented technology would be used in Komoxo’s innovative text-input solution to improve appropriate word recommendations and selections during texting and to enhance spell-checking features for mobile devices. For example, many mobile devices combine text and numeric input keys onto one keypad. The technology being licensed by Komoxo will enable devices using the technology to recognize and recommend words faster and with more accuracy based on individual user experience. This new-generation text-input solution will significantly improve the text-input consumer experience, especially for one- hand text input in mobile scenarios on growing popular “reduced” keypad and touch-screen mobile devices.

This patent licensing agreement is the first of its kind between Microsoft and a China-based company and a testament to both the quality of Microsoft’s patent portfolio and its commitment to working with China-based companies. The agreement will accelerate research and development, foster greater technology collaboration, and enhance Komoxo’s value proposition to its customers based in China and around the world.