Apparatus and method for inputting character using touch screen in portable terminal

• US 7,969,421 B2
• Filed: 09/27/2004
• Issued: 06/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Huh, Jung-Chul
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Chanh
• Assistant Examiner(s): Karimi; Pegeman
• Application Number:
  US10/951,250
• Publication Number:
  US 20050093826A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,465 Days
• Field of Search: 345/163, 345168-169, 345173-178, 715/702
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04805 Virtual magnifying lens, i.e. window or frame movable on top of displayed information to enlarge it for better reading or selection
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/02 Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0418 for error correction or compensation, e.g. based on parallax, calibration or alignment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04845 for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04895 Guidance during keyboard input operation, e.g. prompting
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/26 for modifying the character dimensions, e.g. double width, double height
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0266 for a display module assembly

Abstract

An apparatus and method for inputting a character using a keyboard displayed on a touch screen in a portable terminal. The apparatus and method determines if a touch signal is generated, with the keyboard displayed. Upon generation of the touch signal, a touched character is recognized by analyzing the touch signal. The character is displayed enlarged in a predetermined screen area. It is then determined if the touch has been completed, while the character is displayed enlarged. Upon sensing the touch completion, the character is displayed in a main screen area.

Claims

1. A method for inputting a character in a pocket-sized mobile communication device having a touch screen, comprising:

displaying a keyboard including a plurality of keys in a first area of the touch screen, wherein the each key of the keyboard has an original touch recognizable area according to a size and location of the key;

detecting a touch on the original touch recognizable area of a key of the keyboard;

displaying an enlarged character corresponding only to the key in a fixed second area of the touch screen, away from the first area;

determining if the touch has been released from the touch recognizable area of the key while displaying the enlarged character corresponding only to the key;

inputting a character corresponding only to a key where the touch has been released off.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the touch screen comprises a text input area which comprises the second area.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the key comprises at least one of an alphanumeric key, a symbol key and a function key.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising step of:

removing the displayed enlarged character when the enlarged character is inputted.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the second area is at least partially outside a vertical perimeter of a touched key.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising step of:

detecting a movement of the touch from the original touch recognizable area of the key to an original touch recognizable area of another key wherein the another key has same size as the key;

removing the enlarged character corresponding to the key in the second area and displaying an enlarged character corresponding only to the another key in the second area if the movement of the touch from the original touch recognizable area of the key to the original touch recognizable area of the another key is detected; and

determining if the touch has been released from the touch recognizable area of the another key while displaying the enlarged character corresponding only to the another key if the movement is detected.

7. An apparatus for inputting a character in a pocket-sized mobile communication device having a touch screen, comprising:

means for displaying a keyboard including a plurality of keys in a first area of the touch screen, wherein each key of the keyboard has an original touch recognizable area according to a size and location of the key;

means for detecting a contact on the original touch recognizable area of a key of the keyboard;

means for displaying an enlarged character corresponding only to the key in a fixed second area of the touch screen, away from the first area;

means for determining if the contact has been released while displaying the enlarged character corresponding only to the key; and

means for inputting a character corresponding only to a key where the touch has been released off.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the touch screen comprises a text input area which comprises the second area.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the key comprises at least one of an alphanumeric key, a symbol key and a function key.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising

means for detecting a movement of the contact from the original touch recognizable area of the key to an original touch recognizable area of another key, wherein the another key has same size as the key;

means for removing the enlarged character corresponding to the key in the second area and displaying an enlarged character corresponding only to the another key in the second area if the movement of the contact from the original touch recognizable area of the key to the original touch recognizable area of the another key is detected; and

determining if the touch has been released from the touch recognizable area of the another key while displaying the enlarged character corresponding only to the another key if the movement is detected.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising means for removing the displayed enlarged character when the enlarged character is inputted.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the second area is at least partially outside a vertical perimeter of a touched key.