Method for inputting infromation and apparatus used for same

• US 20020057259A1
• Filed: 11/08/2001
• Published: 05/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Suzuki, Yasuko
• Granted Patent: US 6,894,679 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0236 using selection techniques to select from displayed items
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof

Abstract

In the function-selecting scene, if one of component keys of a function-selecting key is touched by a user'"'"'s finger, a cursor is shifted to an item corresponding to the component key touched by the user'"'"'s finger (S4). If the user gives a push at the same key (S5), the item specified by the cursor is definitely fixed, and steps assigned to the selected item are successively executed (S6). If the user'"'"'s finger touches the next component key of the function selecting key, the cursor is shifted to the other item corresponding to the next component key (S4). Since information to be inputted is definitely fixed when the user pushes down the key touched by his finger, he can decide to input information, only watching the display and without seeing the keys.

Claims

1. A method for inputting information, comprising:

the first step of sensing that a user'"'"'s finer touches a key for inputting information, the second step of displaying information assigned to said key touched by said user'"'"'s finger on a display means, and the third step of deciding to input said information displayed on said display means, when said key is pushed down at pressure higher than a predetermined value.

2. A method for inputting information according to claim 1, wherein:

said key touched by said user'"'"'s finger is one of plural keys to which plural informations are respectively assigned in said first step, and

a function as signed to said key touched by said user'"'"'s finger is determined depending on a scene on said display means in said second step.

3. A method for inputting information according to claim 1, wherein:

said key touched by said user'"'"'s selects desired information out of plural informations in said first step, and

said display means successively displays said plural informations at a predetermined interval, when said user'"'"'s finger continues to touch said key.

4. A method for inputting information according to claim 1, wherein:

said key touched by said user'"'"'s finger is one of component keys of a ten key for inputting a numeral or a character, or of a function-selecting key for selecting a desired function out of plural functions in said first step, and

said display means displays said numeral or said character assigned to said component key touched by said user'"'"'s finger, when one of said component keys of said ten key is touched by said user'"'"'s finger, and

shifts a cursor to a selective item assigned to said component key touched by said user'"'"'s finger on said display means, when one of said component keys of said function-selecting key is touched by said user'"'"'s finger, in said second step,

wherein said selective item is included in plural selective items which respectively correspond to said component keys of said function-selecting key and are displayed on said display means.

5. A method for inputting information according to claim 4, wherein:

said ten key is that used in a cellular telephone for inputting a telephone number or characters, and

said function-selecting key is that used in said cellular telephone which selects said desired function out of said plural functions.

6. An information-inputting apparatus, comprising:

keys for inputting informations,

a means for sensing that said key is touched by a user'"'"'s finger,

a display means for displaying said information assigned to said key touched by said user'"'"'s finger,

a means for detecting pressure exerted on said key, and

a means for deciding to input said information displayed on said display means, when said key is pushed down at said pressure higher than a predetermined value.