User input for an electronic device employing a touch-sensor

A method for entering text into an electronic device, comprising the steps of:

• displaying a graphical text entry ring on a graphical text entry screen;
• positioning a plurality of characters on said graphical text entry ring;
• generating a signal in response to contact with a portion of the graphical text entry screen, said signal reflecting a position on said graphical text entry screen at which said contact made;
• and
• selecting an individual character from among the plurality of characters on said text entry ring based on said signal.

A graphical text entry system, comprising:

• a graphical text entry screen;
• a graphical text entry ring displayed on said graphical text entry screen;
• a plurality of characters positioned on said graphical text entry ring;
• and
• means for selecting an individual character from among the plurality of characters on said text entry ring based on said signal.

A graphical data entry system comprising:

• an arc displayed on an output display, the arc being subdivided into a plurality of arc sections, each arc section being associated with a particular character in a set of characters;
• a sensor, wherein the sensor senses a position of an indicator in relation to a particular arc section;
• and
• a selector, wherein the selector selects the particular character associated with the particular arc section.

A data entry method comprising:

• displaying an arc, the arc being subdivided into a plurality of arc sections, each arc section being associated with a particular character in a set of characters;
• receiving an indication that a particular arc segment is indicated;
• and
• selecting the particular character associated with the indicated arc section.