# US 2008/0158151 A1 · Electronic devices and input methods therefor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2008/0158151 A1 - Document ID: US20080158151A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/003,365 - Filed: 2007-12-21 - Published: 2008-07-03 - Earliest claimed: 2006-12-29 - Assignees: High Tech Computer, Corp. - Inventors: Yi-Shen Wang; Hsi-Kun Chen; Te-Chuan Liu - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080158151A1 ## CPC - G06F 3/03547: {Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface} - G06F 2203/0339: Touch strips, e.g. orthogonal touch strips to control cursor movement or scrolling; single touch strip to adjust parameter or to implement a row of soft keys - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract An input method is used for an electronic device having a touch-sensitive element and a display unit. Firstly, a contact on a specific zone of the touch-sensitive element is detected. Then, it is determined whether the contact remains. When the contact remains and slides to a specific position of the touch-sensitive element, a specific number corresponding to the specific zone is selected for input. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An input method for an electronic device having a touch-sensitive element and a display unit, comprising: detecting a contact on a specific zone of the touch-sensitive element; determining whether the contact remains; and if the contact remains and slides to a specific position of the touch-sensitive element, selecting a specific number corresponding to the specific zone for input. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising inputting the specific number when the contact on the touch-sensitive element finishes. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying a plurality of numbers on the display unit, wherein the numbers are arranged along a specific route in sequence, and the specific number is one of the numbers. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, further comprising moving the numbers displayed on the display unit according to a sliding direction of the contact along the specific route during the sliding of the contact on the touch-sensitive element. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising highlighting the specific number in the display unit when the contact remains and slides to the specific position of the touch-sensitive element. ### Claim 6 An input method for an electronic device having a touch-sensitive element and a display unit, comprising: detecting a contact on the touch-sensitive element; determining whether the contact remains; and when the contact remains and slides for a specific distance, selecting a specific number corresponding to the specific distance for input. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, further comprising inputting the specific number when the contact on the touch-sensitive element finishes. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, further comprising displaying a plurality of numbers on the display unit, wherein the numbers are arranged along a specific route in sequence, and the specific number is one of the numbers. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, further comprising moving the numbers displayed on the display unit according to a sliding direction of the contact along the specific route during the sliding of the contact on the touch-sensitive element. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, further comprising highlighting the specific number in the display unit when the contact remains and slides for the specific distance on the touch-sensitive element. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the touch-sensitive element has a touch-sensitive surface, and the contact is at any position on the circular touch-sensitive surface. ### Claim 12 An electronic device, comprising: a display unit displaying a plurality numbers; and a touch-sensitive element having a touch-sensitive surface defining a plurality of specific zones and a specific position thereon, wherein each specific zone corresponds to one of the numbers; wherein when a contact occurs on one of the specific zones and slides to the specific position, the number corresponding to the specific zone with the occurrence of the contact is highlighted in the display unit. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the numbers are arranged along a specific route in sequence. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the numbers displayed on the display unit move according to a sliding direction of the contact along the specific route during the sliding of the contact on the touch-sensitive element. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the touch-sensitive surface comprises a circular touch-sensitive surface. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the touch-sensitive surface comprises an elongated touch-sensitive surface. ### Claim 17 An electronic device, comprising: a display unit displaying a plurality of numbers; and a touch-sensitive element having a touch-sensitive surface, wherein when a contact occurs on the touch-sensitive surface and slides for a specific distance, one of the numbers is highlighted in the display unit according to the specific distance. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The electronic device of claim 17, wherein the numbers are arranged along a specific route in sequence. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The electronic device of claim 18, wherein the numbers displayed on the display unit move according to a sliding direction of the contact along the specific route during the sliding of the contact on the touch-sensitive element. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The electronic device of claim 17, wherein the contact is at any position on the touch-sensitive surface.