Wireless handheld device able to accept text input and methods for inputting text on a wireless handheld device

A wireless handheld device able to accept text input, the device including:

• a display screen;
• and
• a virtual keypad having a plurality of keys displayed on the display screen;
• wherein a first key of the virtual keypad is operable to present a selection of characters associated with the first key for use in a text passage shown on the display screen in response to a first contact occurence of a pointer with a first area on the display screen corresponding to the first key, contact occurrence being prolonged unbroken contact with the first key;
• and
• wherein a character from the selection of characters is selected in response an action of the pointer.

A wireless handheld device able to accept text input, the device including:

• a display screen;
• and
• a virtual keypad having a plurality of keys displayed on the display screen;
• wherein a first key of the virtual keypad is operable to display a first character associated with the first key in a text passage shown on the display screen in response to a primary action of a pointer with a first area on the display screen corresponding to the first key, the primary action including the pointer contacting and moving from the first area along either a clock wise or anti-clock wise arc while the pointer is in continual contact with the display screen, and subsequently, a selection of characters associated with the first key is read out to a user sequentially as determined by a distance of the pointer from each character,
• wherein a character from the selection of characters is selected in response to an action of the pointer once the user hears a desired character being read out.

A method for inputting text on a handheld wireless device including a display screen, and a virtual keypad having a plurality of keys displayed on the display screen, the method including:

• detecting a first contact with a pointer at a first area on the display screen corresponding to a first key, the first contact including the pointer contacting and moving from the first area along a first direction while the pointer is in continual contact with the display screen;
• displaying a first character associated with the first key in a text passage shown on the display screen in response to detection of the first contact;
• detecting a second contact with the pointer at the first area on the display screen corresponding to the first key, the second contact including the pointer contacting and moving from the first area along a second direction while the pointer is in continual contact with the display screen;
• and
• displaying a second character associated with the first key in a text passage shown on the display screen in response to detection of the second contact.

A method for inputting text on a handheld wireless device including a display screen, and a virtual keypad having a plurality of keys displayed on the display screen, the method including:

• detecting a first contact occurrence with a pointer at a first area on the display screen corresponding to a first key, contact occurrence being prolonged unbroken contact with the first key;
• presenting a selection of characters associated with the first key for use in a text passage shown in response to either detection of the first contact occurrence or detection of a primary action;
• and
• selecting a character from the selection of characters in response to an action of the pointer.