Method and device for inputting information for a portable information processing device that uses a touch screen

• US 5,956,021 A
• Filed: 09/20/1996
• Issued: 09/21/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Yamamoto, Yoshio, Kubota, Jun'ichi, Syoda, Yukie
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TWEEL JR, JOHN ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US08/717,352
• Time in Patent Office: 1,096 Days
• Field of Search: 345/179, 345/173, 345/358, 382/186, 382/187, 382/188, 178/18, 178/19, 178/20
• US Class Current: 345/179
• 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

An input device comprising LCD panel 106, tablet 108 which is set thereon, wherein representative keys are displayed on LCD panel 106. When pen 109 touches a key, the key is expanded. If pen 109 continues pressing the key, the displayed key changes to its related key. When pen 109 is lifted up from tablet 108, a key corresponding to a position on tablet 108 from which pen 109 has been lifted up is determined as an input key.

Claims

1. An input device for a portable information processing device that uses a touch screen, the input device comprising:

a pen;

a screen;

a transparent tablet, which extends across the screen, detects whether the pen is on the tablet and a position of the pen if it is on the tablet, and outputs a signal showing whether the pen is on the tablet and the position of the pen if it is on the tablet;

initial display means for displaying keys on the screen which each correspond to a single item;

display change means for detecting a latest position of the pen by reading the signal from the tablet when the tablet detects the presence of the pen, determining the key corresponding to the latest position as a provisionally selected key, and changing a part of the keys displayed by the initial display means without changing the single item corresponding to each key;

key change means for changing, on detecting that a pen operation has been carried out on the provisionally selected key after the pen touches the tablet, a single item corresponding to the provisionally selected key to a single item corresponding to another key which is related to the provisionally selected key, and for changing a display of the keys so that the other key corresponding to the changed single item is displayed on the screen; and

input determination means for determining, on detecting that the pen is lifted up from the tablet, the single item corresponding to the provisionally selected key displayed at a position on the tablet from which the pen has been lifted as an input key.

2. The input device of claim 1, wherein

the initial display means displays predetermined keys larger than other keys, and

the display change means expands the provisionally selected key.

3. The input device of claim 2, wherein

the display change means expands the provisionally selected key at least one of leftward and upward.

4. The input device of claim 3, wherein

the initial display means overlays adjacent keys partially, and

the display change means displays the provisionally selected key on top of the overlaid keys.

5. The input device of claim 1, wherein

all of the keys are divided into at least one group of related keys, with the initial display means displaying only a representative key for each group of related keys, and

the key change means successively changes the display of the provisionally selected key to another key which is related to the provisionally selected key at every given time when the pen continues pressing the provisionally selected key, wherein the other key is sequentially and cyclically selected from all keys in a group which includes the provisionally selected key.

6. The input device of claim 1, wherein

all of the keys are divided into at least one group of related keys, with the initial display means displaying only a representative key for each group of related keys, and

the key change means changes the display of the provisionally selected key to another key which is related to the provisionally selected key when the pen continues pressing the provisionally selected key and a distance moved by the pen on the provisionally selected key is greater than a predetermined value, wherein the other key is sequentially and cyclically selected from all keys in a group which includes the provisionally selected key.

7. The input device of claim 1, wherein

all of the keys are divided into at least one group of related keys, with the initial display means displaying only a representative key for each group of related keys, and

the key change means changes the display of the provisionally selected key to another key which is related to the provisionally selected key when the pen continues pressing the provisionally selected key and a distance moved by the pen within a given time period on the provisionally selected key is greater than a predetermined value, wherein the other key is sequentially and cyclically selected from all keys in a group which includes the provisionally selected key.

8. The input device of claim 1, wherein

all of the keys are divided into at least one group of related keys, with the initial display means displaying only a representative key for each group of related keys, and

the tablet detects pen pressure, and

the key change means changes the display of the provisionally selected key to another key which is related to the provisionally selected key when the pen continues pressing the provisionally selected key and a change in pen pressure is greater than a given value, wherein the other key is sequentially and cyclically selected from all keys in a group which includes the provisionally selected key.

9. The input device of claim 1, wherein

all of the keys are divided into at least one group of related keys, with the initial display means displaying only a representative key for each group of related keys, and

the tablet detects pen pressure, and

the key change means changes the display of the provisionally selected key to another key which is related to the provisionally selected key when the pen continues pressing the provisionally selected key and a change in pen pressure within a given time period is greater than a given value, wherein the other key is sequentially and cyclically selected from all keys in a group which includes the provisionally selected key.

10. The input device of claim 1, wherein

all of the keys are divided into at least one group of related keys, with the initial display means displaying only a representative key for each group of related keys, and

the display change means changes the keys so that a row of other keys which have been related to the provisionally selected key is adjacent to the provisionally selected key, the row of other keys being composed of all keys in a group which includes the provisionally selected key.

11. The input device of claim 1, wherein the input determination means includes a drag unit for determining, on detecting that the pen has been dragged outside a key, a single item corresponding to the key as an input item before the input determination means determines the single item corresponding to the provisionally selected key displayed at the position on the tablet from which the pen has been lifted up as the input item.

12. The input device of claim 11, wherein the drag unit means determines a key as the input key on detecting that the pen has been dragged outside the key in a given direction.

13. An input device for a portable information processing device that uses a touch screen, the input device comprising:

a pen;

a screen;

a transparent tablet extending across the screen to detect whether the pen is on the tablet and a position of the pen if it is on the tablet, and outputs a signal showing whether the pen is on the tablet and the position of the pen if it is on the tablet;

initial display means for displaying a plurality of keys on the screen, each key is representative of a particular indicia, a predetermined number of the plurality of keys are arranged on the screen as a group of related keys, with the initial display means displaying only a representative key of the group of related keys;

display change means for detecting a latest position of the pen by reading the signal from the tablet when the tablet detects the presence of the pen, determining the key corresponding to the latest position as a provisionally selected key, and changing a part of the keys displayed by the initial display means, the display change means changes the display of the provisionally selected key to another key which is related to the provisionally selected key when the pen continues pressing the provisionally selected key after a predetermined time period; and

input determination means for detecting whether a pen operation to determine input has been carried out after the pen touches the tablet, and if so, determining a key related to the pen operation as an input key, when a distance moved by the pen on the tablet is greater than a predetermined value.

14. The input device of claim 13, wherein the indicia is a character symbol.

15. An input device for a portable information processing device that uses a touch screen, the input device comprising:

a pen;

a screen;

a transparent tablet which is extends across the screen, the tablet detects whether the pen is on the tablet and a position of the pen if it is on the tablet, and outputs a signal showing whether the pen is on the tablet and the position of the pen if it is on the tablet;

initial display means for displaying keys on the screen which each correspond to a single item;

display change means for detecting a latest position of the pen by reading the signal from the tablet when the tablet detects the presence of the pen, determining the key corresponding to the latest position as a provisionally selected key, changing a part of the keys displayed by the initial display means, and changing the provisionally selected key to another key corresponding to a latest position of the pen and fuither changing a display of a part of the keys when the pen has been dragged on the tablet; and

input determination means for determining, on detecting that the pen is lifted up from the tablet, a single item corresponding to the provisionally selected key displayed at a position on the tablet from which the pen has been lifted up as an input item.

29. The input device of claim 15, wherein the transparent tablet is one of a set on the screen and embedded in the screen.

16. A portable information processing device having an input device, comprising:

a touch screen for displaying a plurality of characters in a predetermined group adjacent to each other in a first dimensional size, at a first coordinate position on the screen;

an indicator for selecting one of the plurality of characters, by contacting the first coordinate position;

means for identifying the character selected by the indicator;

means for automatically enlarging the selected character to a second dimensional size larger than the first dimensional size at the first coordinate position on the screen to increase its visibility on the screen;

means for inputting the selected character into storage;

a timer unit for counting a time period that the indicator has remained at the first coordinate position; and

means for comparing the time period to a predetermined time period and if the predetermined time period is exceeded, a subsequent character in the predetermined character group is automatically enlarged on the screen at the first coordinate position.

17. The invention of claim 16, wherein the means for automatically enlarging the selected character causes the selected character to overlay one or more adjacent characters of the predetermined group at the first coordinate position on the screen.

18. The invention of claim 16, wherein the means for inputting the character into storage includes removing the indicator from contact with the screen at the first coordinate position.

19. The invention of claim 16, wherein the means for inputting the character into storage includes a contact movement of the indicator across the screen from an initial contact with the selected character currently displayed at the first coordinate position.

20. A portable information processing device having an input device, comprising:

a touch screen for displaying a representation of a plurality of characters as a predetermined group at a first coordinate position on the screen;

an indicator for selecting the representation of the plurality of characters, by contacting the first coordinate position;

means for automatically displaying the plurality of characters in an expanded sequence extending from the first coordinate position across other coordinate positions corresponding, respectively, to one of each of the plurality of characters;

means for automatically changing any of the plurality of characters by contacting the corresponding coordinate position for a predetermined time period; and

means for inputting a selected character by moving the indicator from the coordinate position across adjacent coordinate positions in a predetermined direction.

21. A key input method for a portable information processing device comprising a pen, a screen and a tablet, the input method including the steps of:

displaying keys on the screen, each key corresponds to a different single item;

detecting a key corresponding to a latest position of the pen by reading a signal from the tablet when the tablet detects presence of the pen, determining the key corresponding to the latest position as a provisionally selected key, and changing a part of the keys displayed by the initial display means without changing the respective single item corresponding to each key;

changing, on detecting that a pen operation has been carried out on the provisionally selected key after the pen touches the tablet, a single item corresponding to the provisionally selected key to a single item corresponding to another key which is related to the provisionally selected key, and for changing a display of the keys so that the other key corresponding to the changed single item is displayed on the screen; and

determining, on detecting that the pen is lifted up from the tablet, the single item corresponding to the provisionally selected key displayed at a position on the tablet from which the pen has been lifted as an input key.

22. A medium for a portable information processing device comprising a pen, a screen and a tablet, the medium storing a program for the steps of:

displaying keys on the screen, each key corresponds to a different single item;

detecting a key corresponding to a latest position of the pen by reading a signal from the tablet when the tablet detects the presence of the pen, determining the key corresponding to the latest position as a provisionally selected key, and changing a part of the keys displayed by the initial display means without changing the respective signal corresponding to each key;

changing, on detecting that a pen operation has been carried out on the provisionally selected key after the pen touches the tablet, a single item corresponding to the provisionally selected key to a single item corresponding to another key which is related to the provisionally selected key, and for changing a display of the keys so that the other key corresponding to the changed single item is displayed on the screen; and

determining, on detecting that the pen is lifted up from the tablet, the single item corresponding to the provisionally selected key displayed at a position on the tablet from which the pen has been lifted as an input key.

23. A portable information processing device having an input device, comprising:

a touch screen for displaying a keyboard of alphabetic characters having an upper and lower case representation, the touch screen detects physical contact to provide an output signal representative of the point of contact;

means for storing the alphabetic characters;

means for driving the touch screen to display the alphabetic characters;

display change means for detecting a point of contact of the touch screen to identify a specific alphabetic character and detecting a subsequent drag contact movement relative to the alphabetic character to provide a drag signal; and

means for changing the alphabetic character from an initial case to a subsequent case upon detection of the drag signal.

24. A portable information processing device having an input device, comprising:

a touch screen for displaying a plurality of characters in a predetermined group adjacent to each other in a first dimensional size, at a first coordinate position on the screen;

an indicator for selecting one of the plurality of characters, by contacting the first coordinate position;

means for identifying the character selected by the indicator;

means for automatically enlarging the selected character to a second dimensional size larger than the first dimensional size at the first coordinate position on the screen to increase its visibility on the screen; and

means for inputting the selected character into storage includes removing the indicator from contact with the screen at the first coordination position.

25. A key input method for a portable information processing device comprising a pen, a screen and a tablet, the input method including the steps of:

displaying keys on the screen, each key corresponds to a different single item;

detecting a key corresponding to a latest position of the pen by reading a signal from the tablet when the tablet detects presence of the pen;

determining the key corresponding to the latest position as a provisionally selected key;

changing a part of the keys displayed by the initial display means;

changing the provisionally selected key to another key corresponding to a latest position of the pen;

changing display of a part of the keys when the pen has been dragged on the tablet;

detecting that the pen is lifted up from the tablet; and

determining a single item corresponding to the provisionally selected key displayed at a position on the tablet from which the pen has been lifted up as an input item.

26. A medium for a portable information processing device comprising a pen, a screen and a tablet, the medium storing a program for the steps of:

displaying keys on the screen, each key corresponds to a different single item;

detecting a key corresponding to a latest position of the pen by reading a signal from the tablet when the tablet detects presence of the pen;

determining the key corresponding to the latest position as a provisionally selected key;

changing a part of the keys displayed by the initial display means;

changing the provisionally selected key to another key corresponding to a latest position of the pen;

changing a display of a part of the keys when the pen has been dragged on the tablet;

detecting that the pen is lifted up from the tablet; and

determining a single item corresponding to the provisionally selected key displayed at a position on the tablet from which the pen has been lifted up as an input item.

27. An input device for a portable information processing device that uses a touch screen that can be contacted by a user, the input device comprising:

a screen;

a transparent tablet which extends across the screen, the tablet detects whether contact is being made to the tablet and a position of a contact point if it is on the tablet, and outputs a signal showing whether contact is made to the tablet and the position of the contact point if it is on the tablet;

initial display means for displaying keys on the screen which each correspond to a single item;

display change means for detecting a latest position of the contact point by reading the signal from the tablet when the tablet detects the presence of the contact point, determining the key corresponding to the latest position as a provisionally selected key, changing a part of the keys displayed by the initial display means, and changing the provisionally selected key to another key corresponding to a latest position of the contact point and further changing a display of a part of the keys when the contact point has been dragged on the tablet; and

input determination means for determining, on detecting that contact has been moved from the tablet, a single item corresponding to the provisionally selected key displayed at a position on the tablet from which the contact point has been lifted up as an input item.

28. The input device of claim 27, wherein the transparent tablet is one of a set on the screen and embedded in the screen.