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

• US 20050093826A1
• Filed: 09/27/2004
• Published: 05/05/2005
• 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
• Granted Patent: US 7,969,421 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/168
• 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 of inputting a character using a keyboard displayed on a touch screen in a portable terminal, comprising the steps of:

(a) determining if a touch signal is generated when the keyboard is displayed;

(b) recognizing a touched character by analyzing the touch signal;

(c) displaying the character enlarged in a predetermined screen area;

(d) determining if the touch has been completed while the character is displayed enlarged; and

(e) displaying the character in a main screen area upon sensing the touch completion.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step (f) of returning to step (b) if the touch has not been completed.

3. A method of inputting a character using a keyboard displayed on a touch screen in a portable terminal, the touch screen having a keyboard displayed in its lower portion and generating a touch signal upon sensing a touch on the keyboard in a character input mode, the method comprising the steps of:

recognizing a touched character by analyzing the touch signal;

displaying the character enlarged in a predetermined screen area;

determining if the touch has been completed while the character is displayed enlarge; and

inputting the character at a cursor position upon sensing the touch completion.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the touch screen is comprised of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and a touch panel mounted on the LCD.

5. An apparatus for inputting a character using a touch screen in a portable terminal, comprising:

a touch screen, having a keyboard displayed thereon, for generating a touch signal upon sensing a touch on the keyboard in a character input mode;

a touch signal receiver for generating position data corresponding to the position of the touch by analyzing the analog touch signal received from the touch screen; and

a controller for recognizing a touched character by analyzing the position data received from the touch signal receiver, displaying the character enlarged in a predetermined area of the touch screen, determining if the touch has been completed, and inputting the character at a cursor position upon sensing the completion of the touch.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the touch screen is comprised of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and a touch panel mounted on the LCD.

7. An apparatus for inputting a character using a touch screen in a portable terminal, comprising:

the touch screen, having a keyboard displayed thereon, for generating a touch signal upon sensing a touch on the keyboard in a character input mode; and

a controller for recognizing a touched character by analyzing the touch signal received from the touch screen, displaying the character enlarged in a predetermined area of the touch screen, determining if the touch has been completed, and inputting the character at a cursor position upon sensing the completion of the touch.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the touch screen is comprised of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and a touch panel mounted on the LCD.