Touch screen device, method, and graphical user interface for inserting a character from an alternate keyboard

• US 10,025,501 B2
• Filed: 03/25/2016
• Issued: 07/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Ording, Bas, Kocienda, Kenneth
• Primary Examiner(s): Sadio, Insa
• Application Number:
  US15/081,212
• Publication Number:
  US 20160210042A1
• Time in Patent Office: 844 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04897 Special input arrangements or commands for improving display capability

Abstract

A computer-implemented method for use in conjunction with a computing device with a touch screen display comprises displaying a first soft keyboard. While displaying the first soft keyboard, a key for selecting a second soft keyboard different from the first soft keyboard is displayed. A first contact is detected on the key for selecting the second soft keyboard. In response to detecting the first contact, the second soft keyboard is displayed. Movement of the first contact is detected to a character-insertion key in the second soft keyboard. Lift off of the first contact is detected at the character-insertion key in the second soft keyboard to which the first contact moved. In response to detecting the lift off, a character is inserted that corresponds to the character-insertion key in the second soft keyboard to which the first contact moved and the display of the second soft keyboard is ceased.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

at a portable electronic device with a touch screen display;

displaying a soft keyboard and a text input area, the soft keyboard containing a first plurality of character insertion keys;

detecting a single contact on a key of the soft keyboard;

in response to detecting the single contact on the key of the soft keyboard, while continuing to display the key of the soft keyboard, displaying a second plurality of character insertion keys;

while maintaining the single contact, detecting the single contact moving on the touch screen display without breaking contact with the touch screen display, to a location corresponding to a character insertion key in the second plurality of character insertion keys;

detecting lift off of the single contact from the touch screen display at the location corresponding to the character insertion key in the second plurality of character insertion keys to which the single contact moved; and

in response to detecting lift off of the single contact from the touch screen display at the location corresponding to the character insertion key in the second plurality of character insertion keys to which the single contact moved;

inserting a character in the text input area that corresponds to the character insertion key in the second plurality of character insertion keys to which the single contact moved; and

ceasing to display the second plurality of character insertion keys.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising:

wherein each of the keys in the second plurality of character insertion keys are displayed at a location apart from the single contact.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the single contact is a finger contact.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the single contact is a stylus contact.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the second plurality of character insertion keys at least partially occludes the soft keyboard.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the second plurality of character insertion keys does not occlude the key of the soft keyboard.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein continuing to display the key of the soft keyboard comprises displaying the key of the soft keyboard in a manner that is visually distinguished from the second plurality of character insertion keys.

8. A portable electronic device, comprising:

a touch screen display;

one or more processors;

memory; and

one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the programs including instructions for;

displaying a soft keyboard and a text input area, the soft keyboard containing a first plurality of character insertion keys;

detecting a single contact on a key of the soft keyboard;

in response to detecting the single contact on the key of the soft keyboard, while continuing to display the key of the soft keyboard, displaying a second plurality of character insertion keys;

while maintaining the single contact, detecting the single contact moving on the touch screen display without breaking contact with the touch screen display, to a location corresponding to a character insertion key in the second plurality of character insertion keys;

detecting lift off of the single contact from the touch screen display at the location corresponding to the character insertion key in the second plurality of character insertion keys to which the single contact moved; and

in response to detecting lift off of the single contact from the touch screen display at the location corresponding to the character insertion key in the second plurality of character insertion keys to which the single contact moved;

inserting a character in the text input area that corresponds to the character insertion key in the second plurality of character insertion keys to which the single contact moved; and

ceasing to display the second plurality of character insertion keys.

9. The portable electronic device of claim 8, wherein each of the keys in the second plurality of character insertion keys are displayed at a location apart from the single contact.

10. The portable electronic device of claim 8, wherein the single contact is a finger contact.

11. The portable electronic device of claim 8, wherein the single contact is a stylus contact.

12. The portable electronic device of claim 8, wherein displaying the second plurality of character insertion keys at least partially occludes the soft keyboard.

13. The portable electronic device of claim 8, wherein displaying the second plurality of character insertion keys does not occlude the key of the soft keyboard.

14. The portable electronic device of claim 8, wherein continuing to display the key of the soft keyboard comprises displaying the key of the soft keyboard in a manner that is visually distinguished from the second plurality of character insertion keys.

15. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored therein instructions, which when executed by a portable electronic device with a touch screen display, cause the device to:

display a soft keyboard and a text input area, the soft keyboard containing a first plurality of character insertion keys;

detect a single contact on a key of the soft keyboard;

in response to detecting the single contact on the key of the soft keyboard, while continuing to display the key of the soft keyboard, display a second plurality of character insertion keys;

while maintaining the single contact, detect the single contact moving on the touch screen display without breaking contact with the touch screen display, to a location corresponding to a character insertion key in the second plurality of character insertion keys;

detect lift off of the single contact from the touch screen display at the location corresponding to the character insertion key in the second plurality of character insertion keys to which the single contact moved; and

in response to detecting lift off of the single contact from the touch screen display at the location corresponding to the character insertion key in the second plurality of character insertion keys to which the single contact moved;

insert a character in the text input area that corresponds to the character insertion key in the second plurality of character insertion keys to which the single contact moved; and

cease to display the second plurality of character insertion keys.

16. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein each of the keys in the second plurality of character insertion keys are displayed at a location apart from the single contact.

17. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the single contact is a finger contact.

18. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the single contact is a stylus contact.

19. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein displaying the second plurality of character insertion keys at least partially occludes the soft keyboard.

20. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein displaying the second plurality of character insertion keys does not occlude the key of the soft keyboard.

21. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein continuing to display the key of the soft keyboard comprises displaying the key of the soft keyboard in a manner that is visually distinguished from the second plurality of character insertion keys.