TEXT INPUTTING

• US 20070184878A1
• Filed: 02/05/2007
• Published: 08/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Lee, Sung-Bum
• Application Number:
  US11/671,337
• Publication Number:
  US 20070184878A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/565
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/70 methods for entering alphabetical characters, e.g. multi-tap or dictionary disambiguation methods for entering alphabetical characters per se G06F3/0237

Abstract

More convenient text inputting can be achieved by receiving text entries from a user via a keypad in a particular text input mode, activating a different text input mode via a text input mode converter operated by the user, and receiving text entries from the user via the keypad in the different text input mode while the text input mode converter is being depressed or continuously touched by the user.

Claims

1. A mobile terminal comprising:

a keypad part which includes a plurality of keys;

an input mode converting unit that changes an input mode of a key; and

a controller that changes an input code allocated to a keypad according to whether the shift key is inputted or not.

2. The terminal of claim 1, further comprising:

a memory that stores a command inputted form the keypad and the shift key input unit.

3. The terminal of claim 1, wherein, as for the changed input code, when a command is inputted from the input mode converting unit and a certain key is inputted from the keypad part in an English input mode, a lower case corresponding to the inputted key is changed to an upper case or an upper case is changed to a lower case.

4. The terminal of claim 1, wherein, as for the changed input code, when a command is inputted from the input mode converting unit and a certain key is inputted from the keypad part in a Hangul character input mode, Hangul single consonant corresponding to the inputted key is changed to Hangul double consonants or Hangul double consonants are changed to a Hangul single consonant.

5. The terminal of claim 1, wherein, as for the changed input code, when a command is inputted form the input mode converting unit and a certain key is inputted from the keypad part in a number input mode, a number corresponding to the inputted key is changed to a symbol or a symbol is changed to a number.

6. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the controller controls changing of the input code of characters allocated to each key of the keypad part.

7. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the input mode converting unit is provided at an upper, left or right portion of a front surface of the terminal or on a rear surface of the terminal.

8. The terminal of claim 7, wherein the input mode converting unit provided at the upper portion or on the rear surface of the terminal is provided at left and right portions.

9. The terminal of claim 8, wherein when the keys positioned on the left and right portions are simultaneously inputted, it is changed to an input mode of Hangul, English and number.

10. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the input mode converting unit changes the input mode by sensing light, temperature and pressure when it is touched by user'"'"'s finger.

11. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the input mode converting unit comprises a direction key and a side key provided on the terminal.

12. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the controller controls displaying of a character, a number or a symbol corresponding to the changed input code.

13. A method for inputting characters of a mobile terminal comprising:

inputting a certain key of a keypad in a state that a first key is inputted;

controlling changing of an input code of the keypad key by analyzing and/or combining a command of the first key and a command of the inputted certain key of the keypad; and

displaying a character, a number or a symbol corresponding to the changed input code.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, as for the changed input code, when a command of the first key is inputted and a certain key is inputted from the keypad part in a Hangul input mode, a single consonant corresponding to the inputted certain key is changed to double consonants or double consonants are changed to a single consonant.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein, as for the changed input code, when a command of the first key is inputted and a certain key is inputted in an English character input mode, English lower case corresponding to the inputted certain key is changed to an English upper case or an English upper case is changed to an English lower case.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein, as for the changed input code, when a command of the first key is inputted and a certain key is inputted in a number input mode, a number corresponding to the inputted certain key is changed to a symbol or a symbol is changed to a number.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the first key is provided at an upper, left or right portion of a front surface of the terminal or on a rear surface of the terminal.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first key provided at the upper portion or on the rear surface of the terminal is provided at left and right portions.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein when the keys positioned on the left and right portions are simultaneously inputted, it is changed to an input mode of Hangul, English and number.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein an input mode converting unit changes the input mode by sensing light, temperature and pressure when it is touched by user'"'"'s finger.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein an input mode converting unit comprises a direction key and a side key provided on the terminal.

22. A mobile terminal comprising:

a keypad to allow a user to enter text in a particular text input mode; and

an input mode converter to allow the user to enter text in a different text input mode via the keypad while the input mode converter is being activated by the user.

23. The terminal of claim 22, wherein the keypad is implemented in a virtual or non-virtual manner.

24. The terminal of claim 23, wherein the input mode converter is a button or a touch-sensitive element that is separate from the keypad and that activates the different text input mode when being continuously depressed or continuously touched by the user.

25. The terminal of claim 24, wherein the button or the touch-sensitive element is located opposite or adjacent to the planar surface of the keypad.

26. The terminal of claim 25 wherein the button or touch sensitive element is mounted on at least one of a rear surface and a side edge of the mobile terminal.

27. The terminal of claim 26, wherein the keypad and the button or the keypad and the touch-sensitive element are located in relatively close proximity to allow one-handed text entering by the user.

28. A method of text inputting comprising:

receiving text entries from a user via a keypad in a particular text input mode;

activating a different text input mode via a text input mode converter operated by the user; and

receiving text entries from the user via the keypad in the different text input mode while the text input mode converter is being depressed or continuously touched by the user.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising

de-activating the different text input mode when the user releases the depressed or touched text input mode converter.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the activating and de-activating are performed upon detecting changes in at least one of pressure, light, capacitance, and resistance due to a finger touch applied by the user.