Text entry method and device therefor

Abstract

A method and device for improved character input are described, wherein the method employs a keypad 100 comprising keys 102 able to display secondary characters 106 in addition to primary characters 104. The keypad has a default display state. A first key selection causes the keypad 100 to display secondary characters 106 associated with the first key on other keys 102, whereupon a second key selection causes the displayed character to be input, following which the keypad reverts to displaying the default state. Further secondary characters 200 may also be displayed after a first key selection. The method is particularly useful for handheld devices such as mobile radio telephones or handheld computers adapted to implement the method of the invention.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for inputting a character to a device, the device comprising including a keypad, the keypad comprising including a plurality of keys, at least one of which the keys has a primary character, a plurality of secondary characters and a an associated display area associated with it, the keypad in a default state displaying the primary character associated with a the at least one key in its respective the associated display area, wherein the method comprises the steps comprising acts of:
 in the default state,
 returning the primary character as an input character in response to selection of the at least one key for a period shorter than a predetermined time period;   switching to a second state after detecting a first key selection of the at least one key for a period longer than the predetermined time period;   
 in the second state  displaying each of the secondary characters associated with the first selected key in a respective display area;   detecting a second key selection;   selecting for the input character the secondary character associated with the second key selection; and   returning the keypad to the default state.   
 
     
     
       2. A The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the keypad in a default state further displays comprising an act of displaying by the keypad in the default state associated secondary characters adjacent the primary character, the location of each secondary character providing an indication of which display area will display that secondary character following a first key selection. 
     
     
       3. A computer program product stored on a computer readable non-transitory medium for performing all of the steps of  claim 1  that when the program is run on a device for receiving character input including a keypad, the keypad including a plurality of keys, at least one of the keys having a primary character, a plurality of secondary characters and an associated display area, the keypad in a default state displaying the primary character associated with the at least one key in the associated display area, performs acts of:
 in the default state,
 returning the primary character as an input character in response to selection of the at least one key for a period shorter than a predetermined time period; 
 switching to a second state after detecting a first key selection of the at least one key for a period longer than the predetermined time period; 
 
 in the second state,
 displaying each of the secondary characters associated with the first selected key in a respective display area; 
 detecting a second key selection; 
 selecting for the input character the secondary character associated with the second key selection; and 
 returning the keypad to the default state. 
 
 
     
     
       4. A device for receiving character input, comprising: 
 a keypad having a plurality of keys, at least one of which keys has a primary character, a plurality of secondary characters and a an associated display area associated with it, wherein:  
 means are provided for displaying in a default state the primary character associated with a the at least one key in its respective the associated display area,; 
 in the default state,
 means for returning the primary character as an input character in response to selection of the at least one key for a period shorter than a predetermined time period;  
 means for switching to a second state responsive to a first key selection are provided of the at least one key for a period longer than the predetermined time period; 
 
 in the second state,
 means for displaying each of the secondary characters associated with the selected key in a respective display area, and;  
 means responsive to a second key selection are provided for selecting as the input character the secondary character associated with the second key selection; and 
 means for returning the keypad to itsthe default state. 
 
 
     
     
       5. A The device as claimed in  claim 4 , further comprising a touchscreen on which the keypad is displayed and wherein the display area associated with a the at least one key comprises a respective portion of the touchscreen. 
     
     
       6. A The device as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein comprising a display means within the key for displaying the display area associated with a the at least one key is provided by display means within the key. 
     
     
       7. A The device as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein comprising a display means adjacent the key for displaying the display area associated with a the at least one key is provided by display means adjacent the key. 
     
     
       8. The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the means for switching to a second state comprises a means for detecting a sliding across the keypad from the first key selection to the second key selection.  
     
     
       9. The method as claimed in claim 1, the device further including a touchscreen, the method comprising an act of displaying the keypad and the at least one key on the touchscreen.  
     
     
       10. The method as claimed in claim 1, the device further including a display within the at least one key, the method comprising an act of displaying the display area associated with the at least one key on the display.  
     
     
       11. The method as claimed in claim 1, the device further including a display adjacent the key, the method comprising an act of displaying the display area associated with the at least one key on the display.  
     
     
       12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the act of detecting the second key selection comprises an act of detecting a sliding across the keypad from the first key selection to the second key selection.  
     
     
       13. The computer program product as claimed in claim 3, the device further including a touchscreen, the method comprising an act of displaying the keypad and the at least one key on the touchscreen.  
     
     
       14. The computer program product as claimed in claim 3, the device further including a display within the at least one key, the method comprising an act of displaying the display area associated with the at least one key on the display.  
     
     
       15. The computer program product as claimed in claim 3, the device further including a display adjacent the key, the method comprising an act of displaying the display area associated with the at least one key on the display.  
     
     
       16. The computer program product as claimed in claim 3, wherein the act of detecting the second key selection comprises an act of detecting a sliding across the keypad from the first key selection to the second key selection.