Character input apparatus and method for automatically switching input mode in terminal having touch screen

A character input method for automatically switching an input mode in a terminal having a touch screen, the character input method comprising:

• in a text input mode for inputting a word including one of characters from character groups, each of which includes at least two characters, assigning the character groups to at least two key regions acquired by dividing a region of the touch screen and displaying the character groups in the corresponding key regions based on one-to-one correspondence;
• if a press event occurs in one of the key regions, counting time from a point of time at which the press event occurs;
• if the counted time exceeds a previously stored threshold value, switching to a separate input mode for inputting one of characters from a corresponding character group;
• assigning the characters of the key region where the press event occurs to the remaining key regions except for the key region where the press event occurs and displaying the characters in the remaining key regions based on one-to-one correspondence in the separate input mode;
• determining whether a release event occurs in one of the key regions where the characters of the key region where the press event occurs are displayed in a state where occurrence of a drag event is sensed;
• and
• outputting a character in the key region where the release event occurs onto a predetermined input editor window of the touch screen.

A character input method for automatically switching an input mode in a terminal having a touch screen, the character input method comprising:

• assigning character groups, each of which includes at least two characters, to at least two key regions acquired by dividing a region of the touch screen and displaying the character groups in the corresponding key regions based on one-to-one correspondence;
• if a press event occurs in one of the key regions, determining whether a drag event occurs prior to occurrence of a release event;
• if it is determined that the drag event occurs, switching to a separate input mode for inputting one of characters of a corresponding character group;
• checking distance and direction of the drag event;
• displaying a character corresponding to the checked distance and direction of the drag event from among characters of the key region where the press event occurs;
• and
• if the release event occurs when the character is displayed, outputting the displayed character.

A character input apparatus for automatically switching an input mode in a terminal having a touch screen, the character input apparatus comprising:

• a memory for storing character groups, each of which includes at least two characters, displayed in at least two key regions acquired by dividing a region of the touch screen based on one-to-one correspondence;
• a touch screen for displaying the character groups in the key regions based on one-to-one correspondence and generating a press event, a release event, and a drag event according to user input to each of the key regions;
• and
• a controller for determining whether the drag event occurs prior to occurrence of the release event if the press event occurs in one of the key regions of the touch screen and executing one of a separate input mode for inputting one of characters of a corresponding character group and a text input mode for inputting a word including one of the characters of the character group according to whether the drag event occurs.