METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INPUTTING A CHARACTER IN A PORTABLE TERMINAL HAVING A TOUCH SCREEN

• US 20110032200A1
• Filed: 08/03/2010
• Published: 02/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: LEE, Ji-Hoon, PARK, Se-Hwan, KIM, Hyung-Jun
• Application Number:
  US12/849,382
• Publication Number:
  US 20110032200A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04807 Pen manipulated menu
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0236 using selection techniques to select from displayed items
• 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 and apparatus for inputting a character in a portable terminal including a touch screen. The touch screen is divided into a character display area for displaying a finally selected character, a character guide area for displaying a character array including multiple characters that are selectable by a user, and a character selection area for sensing a touch input of the user. A single character is selected from the characters displayed on the character guide area according to a drag of the touch input sensed through the character selection area, and displayed the character guide area. The displayed character is then finally selected and displayed on the character display area when the touch input is released.

Claims

1. A method for inputting a character in a portable terminal including a touch screen, the method comprising the steps of:

displaying a character display area for displaying a finally selected character, a character guide area for displaying a character array including multiple characters that are selectable by a user, and a character selection area for sensing a touch input of the user, during a character input mode;

sensing a drag of the touch input through the character selection area;

selecting a character from among the characters displayed on the character guide area corresponding to the sensed touch and drag sensed through the character selection area;

displaying an expression representing the selection of the character through the character guide area; and

finally selecting and displaying the selected character on the character display area, if the touch input is released.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying an expression representing a generation of the touch input on the character guide area, if the touch input is sensed in the character selection area during a standby state of the portable terminal.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the expression through the character guide area comprises the steps of:

storing coordinates of a point at which the touch input is sensed as initial input coordinates;

detecting all coordinates of the drag in real time;

calculating a distance between each of the detected coordinates and the initial input coordinates;

extracting the coordinates of the drag having the calculated distance equal to or larger than a reference value as latest input coordinates;

calculating an angle between a horizontal line passing the initial input coordinates and a straight line passing the initial input coordinates and the latest input coordinates;

selecting a character located at a location making the calculated angle from the character array; and

displaying the selected character through the character guide area.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

if the calculated distance is less than the reference value and the selected character exists, cancelling the selection of the selected character; and

displaying an expression representing the cancellation through the character guide area.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

if a character is not located at the location making the calculated angle and the selected character exists, cancelling a selection of the currently selected character; and

displaying an expression representing the cancellation through the character guide area.

6. The method of claim 3, further comprising, if a touch of the character included in the character array is input, displaying the touched character on the character display area.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein the character array has one shape among a circular shape, an oval shape, and a polygonal shape.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising, if the touch input is released, initializing a display state of the character guide area.

9. An apparatus for inputting a character in a portable terminal, comprising:

a touch screen display; and

a control unit for dividing the touch screen into a character display area for displaying a finally selected character, a character guide area for displaying a character array including multiple characters that are selectable by a user, and a character selection area for sensing a touch input of the user, to display the divided areas on the touch screen display during a character input mode,

selecting a character from the characters displayed on the character guide area according to a drag of the touch input sensed through the character selection area,

displaying an expression representing the selection of the character through the character guide area, and

finally selecting and displaying a currently selected character on the character display area, if the touch input is released.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein if the touch input is sensed in the character selection area during a standby state, the control unit displays an expression representing a generation of the touch input on the character guide area.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the control unit stores coordinates of a point at which the touch input is sensed as initial input coordinates, if the touch input is sensed in the character selection area during a standby state,

detects all coordinates of the touch drag trace in real time,

calculates a distance between each of the detected coordinates and the initial input coordinates,

extracts the coordinates of the drag having the calculated distance equal to or larger than a reference value as latest input coordinates,

calculates an angle between a horizontal line passing the initial input coordinates and a straight line passing the initial input coordinates and the latest input coordinates,

selects the character corresponding to the calculated angle from the character array, and

displays the expression representing the selection of the character through the character guide area.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein if the calculated distance is less than the reference value and the selected character exists, the control unit cancels the final selection of the selected character and displays an expression representing the cancellation through the character guide area.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein if a corresponding character is not located at a location making the calculated angle and a currently selected character exists, the control unit cancels a selection of the currently selected character and displays an expression representing the cancellation through the character guide area.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein if a touch of the character included in the character array is input, the control unit displays the touched character on the character display area.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the character array has one shape among a circular shape, an oval shape, and a polygonal shape.

16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein when the touch input is released, the control unit initializes a display state of the character guide area.