Mobile phone and method

• US 20060092128A1
• Filed: 11/01/2004
• Published: 05/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Wang, Kongqiao, Kangas, Jari A., Zou, Yanming, Liu, Ying Y., Gao, Yipu
• Granted Patent: US 7,443,386 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0237 using prediction or retrieval techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• 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

Abstract

A method for inputting characters to a mobile communication apparatus is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: enabling input of strokes representing a first character in a first area of a touch sensitive display; determining said first character from said strokes; determining one or more candidates of characters for word association with said first character; presenting said one or more candidates on the display; and enabling selection among said one or more candidates. A mobile communication apparatus comprising means for inputting characters is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for inputting characters to a mobile communication apparatus, comprising the steps of:

enabling input of strokes representing a first character in an input area of a touch sensitive display;

determining said first character from said strokes; and

detecting if further characters are input within a predetermined time period, and if no further characters are detected within said time period performing the steps of;

determining one or more candidates of characters for word association with said first character;

presenting said one or more candidates on the display; and

enabling selection among said one or more candidates.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said input area comprises a first and a second input area, wherein said input method comprises the steps of:

enabling input of further characters in said first and second areas alternatelty; and

enabling correction of a character by inputting a character in the same of said first and second areas as the preceding character.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said input of a character is performed in one of said first and second areas and said presentation of candidates is performed in the other of said first and second areas.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein an input is determined to be a stroke if said input is within said input area, and determined to be a selection if said input is outside said input area.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of determining said first character from said strokes comprises the steps of:

determining one or more candidates of characters being likely to be said input character;

presenting said one or more candidates on the display; and

enabling selection among said one or more candidates.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein said presentating of candidates of likely characters is performed in a presentation area of the display, and wherein said selection is performed by pointing at a character to be selected in said presentation area.

8. A computer program arranged to perform the method according to claim 1 when downloaded into and run on a mobile communication apparatus.

9. A computer program arranged to perform the method according to claim 5 when downloaded into and run on a mobile communication apparatus.

7. A mobile communication apparatus comprising

a touch sensitive display;

and

a receiver structured and arranged to input strokes representing a first character in an input area of said touch sensitive display;

a processor structured and adapted to determine said first character from said strokes;

a first detector structured and arranged to produce a first signal in dependence on presence of input in said input area;

a timer adapted to start every time said first signal switches from indicating presence of input to indicating no input, and time out after a predetermined time; and

a second detector structured and adapted to produce a second signal in dependence on if further characters are input before said timer times out,

wherein said processor is structured and arranged to, when said second signal indicates no further input character, determine one or more candidates of characters for word association with said first character;

present said one or more candidates on the display; and

receive a selection among said one or more candidates.