METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENTERING SYMBOLS FROM A TOUCH-SENSITIVE SCREEN

• US 20150121293A1
• Filed: 06/06/2012
• Published: 04/30/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Pickersgill, Jason Douglas
• Granted Patent: US 9,753,638 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/780
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0237 using prediction or retrieval techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 Scrolling or panning
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text

Abstract

A method enables a user to enter symbols into an entry field from a touch-sensitive screen. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method is used in a touch-screen device and includes steps of: detecting touching an entry field displayed on said touch screen device; displaying a plurality of symbols in a single row in response to said touching receiving step; detecting touching a first one of said displayed symbols; and if said touching is ended by stopping touching said touch screen device, a second one of said displayed symbols is detected to be last touched in said single row, and said second one of said displayed symbols is different from said first one of said displayed symbols, entering said second one of said displayed symbols into said entry field.

Claims

1. A method for entering symbols using a touch screen device, said method comprising the steps of:

detecting touching an entry field displayed on said touch screen device;

displaying a plurality of symbols in a single row in response to said touching receiving step;

detecting touching a first one of said displayed symbols; and

if said touching is ended by stopping touching said touch screen device, a second one of said displayed symbols is detected to be last touched in said single row, and said second one of said displayed symbols is different from said first one of said displayed symbols, entering said second one of said displayed symbols into said entry field.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of displaying said first one of said displayed symbols in a different location not overlapping with said displayed symbols responsive to said detecting step of touching said first one of said displayed symbols.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein each symbol touched from said first one of said displayed symbols to said second one of said displayed symbols is displayed in a respective different location not overlapping said displayed symbols.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein if said touching is ended by sliding away from said single row and said second one of said displayed symbols is an alphabet, said method further comprising a step of displaying a list having at least one word beginning with said alphabet.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising a step of detecting touching a first one of said at least one word and if said touching on said list is ended, entering said first one of said at least one word into said entry field.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising displaying an icon next to said first one of said at least one word in said entry field, such that when said icon is touched, said one of said at least one word is removed from said entry field.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising a step of removing said icon from said entry field upon receiving another entry to said entry field.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein each of said at least one word is limited to have at most a first number of alphabets.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising a step of if sliding in a direction parallel to an orientation of a word in said list is detected, adjusting said first number and displaying only words having at most said adjusted number of alphabets.

10. A touch screen device comprising:

a memory for storing programs;

a display having touch-sensitive screen; and

a processor operative to display an entry field on said touch-sensitive screen in executing a program from said memory, detecting touching said entry field;

display a plurality of symbols in a single row in response to said touching said entry field;

detect touching a first one of said displayed symbols; and

if said touching is ended by stopping touching said touch-sensitive screen, a second one of said displayed symbols is detected to be last touched in said single row, and said second one of said displayed symbols is different from said first one of said displayed symbols, enter said second one of said displayed symbols into said entry field.

11. The touch screen device of claim 10, wherein said processor is further operative to display said first one of said displayed symbols in a different location not overlapping with said displayed symbols responsive to said detecting touching said first one of said displayed symbols.

12. The touch screen device of claim 10, wherein each symbol touched from said first one of said displayed symbols to said second one of said displayed symbols is displayed in a respective different location not overlapping said displayed symbols.

13. The touch screen device of claim 10, wherein if said touching is ended by sliding away from said single row and said second one of said displayed symbols is an alphabet, said processor is further operative to display a list having at least one word beginning with said alphabet.

14. The touch screen device of claim 13, wherein said processor is further operative to detect touching a first one of said at least one word and if said touching said list is ended, enter said first one of said at least one word into said entry field.

15. The touch screen device of claim 14, wherein said processor is further operative to display an icon next to said first one of said at least one word in said entry field, such that when said icon is touched, said one of said at least one word is removed from said entry field.

16. The touch screen device of claim 15, wherein said processor is further operative to remove said icon from said entry field upon receiving another entry to said entry field.

17. The touch screen device of claim 13, wherein each of said at least one word is limited to have at most a first number of alphabets.

18. The touch screen device of claim 17, wherein if sliding in a direction parallel to an orientation of a word in said list is detected, said processor is operative to adjust said first number and display only words having at most said adjusted number of alphabets.

19-27. -27. (canceled)