Method for inputting information and apparatus used for same

• US 6,894,679 B2
• Filed: 11/08/2001
• Issued: 05/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Suzuki, Yasuko
• Primary Examiner(s): Osorio, Ricardo
• Application Number:
  US09/986,393
• Publication Number:
  US 20020057259A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,286 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-157, 345168-173, 345/901, 345/902, 345/764, 345/810, 345/814, 345817-819, 345/864, 715/810, 715/814, 715/817, 715/819, 715/764, 715/864, 341/20, 341/22, 341/23, 341/28, 455/566
• US Class Current: 345/169
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0236 using selection techniques to select from displayed items
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof

Abstract

In the function-selecting scene, if one of component keys of a function-selecting key is touched by a user'"'"'s finger, a cursor is shifted to an item corresponding to the component key touched by the user'"'"'s finger (S4). If the user gives a push at the same key (S5), the item specified by the cursor is definitely fixed, and steps assigned to the selected item are successively executed (S6). If the user'"'"'s finger touches the next component key of the function selecting key, the cursor is shifted to the other item corresponding to the next component key (S4). Since information to be inputted is definitely fixed when the user pushes down the key touched by his finger, he can decide to input information, only watching the display and without seeing the keys.

Claims

1. A method for inputting function commands or number or character while watching a display and without seeing keys to an apparatus having a display, one or more function keys and a limited number of information data input keys, wherein all of said function keys and all of information data input keys can work in a pressure-sensitive mode, said method comprising the steps of:

sensing an operation of said one or more function keys and information data input keys in order to display one of a function-selecting scene, a number-inputting scene or a character-imputting scene on said display;

displaying said function-selecting scene comprising a plurality of function items corresponding to said function-selecting keys in response to touching one of said function-selecting keys;

selecting a desired function by shifting a cursor to an item corresponding to the touched-function-selecting key;

displaying successively functions assigned to the touched function-selecting key by continuously touching the touched function-selecting key;

selecting definitely the item specified by the cursor by pressing the touched function-selecting key with a pressure exceeding a predetermined pressure;

displaying said number-inputting scene in response to touching one of said information data input keys;

selecting definitely a desired number by pressing said touched information data key with a pressure exceeding a predetermined pressure;

displaying said character-inputting scene in response to touching one of said information data input keys;

displaying successively characters assigned to the touched information data input key by continuously touching the touched information data input key;

selecting definitely a desired character by pressing said touched information data input key with a pressure exceeding a predetermined pressure during said successive displaying of characters assigned to the continuously touched information data input key; and

displaying the definitely selected function, number or character on the display.

2. The method for inputting function commands or number or character information to an apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the step of displaying successively functions, numbers or characters assigned to the touched key for a function-selecting scene, a number-inputting scene or a character-inputting scene on said display successively and automatically displays a plurality of functions, numbers or characters assigned to the touched key one by one at a predetermined interval and the touched key is used to select a desired function, number or character from the plurality of functions, numbers or characters assigned to the touched key.

3. The method for inputting function commands or number or character information to an apparatus recited in claim 2, wherein the apparatus is a cellular telephone.

4. An apparatus for inputting function commands or number or character while watching a display and without seeing keys, said apparatus comprising:

a plurality of function-selecting keys for selecting a desired function out of a plurality of functions which can work in a pressure-sensitive mode when at least one of said function-selecting keys has been touched by a user;

a plurality of information data input keys for inputting numbers and characters which can work in a pressure-sensitive mode when at least one of said information data input keys has been touched by a user;

a display responsive to operation of said function-selecting keys and said information data input keys by operating in three scenes;

a function-selecting scene, wherein a selection of a desired function is performed by shifting a cursor to an item corresponding to a touched function-selecting key and selecting said function definitely by pressing said touched function-selecting key with a pressure exceeding a predetermined pressure;

a number-selecting scene, wherein one of said information data input keys is touched and an assigned number is displayed on said display and wherein for definite selection the said touched information-data input key is pressed with a pressure exceeding the predetermined pressure when the desired number is displayed on said display;

a character-selecting scene, wherein one of said information data input keys is continuously touched for displaying successively and automatically a plurality of characters assigned to the touched information data input key one by one at a predetermined interval and selecting definitely a desired character by pressing said touched information data input key with a pressure exceeding the predetermined pressure during said successive displaying of characters assigned to the continuously touched information data input key.

5. The apparatus for inputting function commands or number or character information recited in claim 4, wherein the apparatus is a cellular telephone.