Portable electronic device including touch-sensitive display and method of controlling same

Abstract

A method includes displaying a first keyboard on a touch-sensitive display of an electronic device, detecting a touch on the first keyboard, and when the touch is associated with a keyboard transformation function, changing the first keyboard into a second keyboard by moving keys of the first keyboard relative to other keys of the first keyboard, from first locations, along respective key paths, to second locations on the touch-sensitive display.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 displaying a first keyboard on a touch-sensitive display of an electronic device;   detecting a touch associated with the first keyboard; and   when the touch is associated with a keyboard transformation function, changing the first keyboard into a second keyboard by moving keys of the first keyboard relative to other keys of the first keyboard, from first locations, along respective key paths, to second locations on the touch-sensitive display.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein changing comprises resizing the keys. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein resizing the keys comprises changing a width of the keys. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the width of the keys is changed based on the available display width. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the touch comprises a gesture. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the touch comprises a multi-touch gesture. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the touch comprises a gesture beginning at predetermined locations on the first keyboard. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the touch comprises an upward gesture beginning on the first keyboard and wherein the keys are moved upwardly to provide a space for an addition key row. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein ones of the keys drop down along their respective key paths, after being moved upwardly into the additional key row. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein changing comprises resizing the keys after the ones of the keys are dropped down into the additional key row. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein others of the keys are moved along their respective key paths after the ones of the keys are dropped down. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein further keys are added to the additional key row. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the touch comprises a downward gesture beginning on the first keyboard to remove a key row. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the touch comprises a gesture beginning on the first keyboard to add or remove a key row. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein a distance of movement of the keys along respective key paths is based on a distance of movement of the touch. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , comprising reversing movement of the keys along their respective key paths in response to a change in direction of movement of the touch. 
     
     
         17 . A computer-readable medium having computer-readable code executable by at least one processor of a portable electronic device to perform the method according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         18 . An electronic device comprising:
 a touch-sensitive display;   at least one processor coupled to the touch-sensitive display and configured to display a first keyboard on the touch-sensitive display, detect a touch on the first keyboard, and when the touch is associated with a keyboard transformation function, change the first keyboard into a second keyboard by moving keys of the first keyboard relative to other keys of the first keyboard, from first locations, along respective key paths, to second locations on the touch-sensitive display.