# US 8,253,690 B2 · Electronic device, character input module and method for selecting characters thereof

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 8,253,690 B2
- Document ID: US8253690B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/318,368
- Filed: 2008-12-29
- Published: 2009-07-16
- Granted: 2012-08-28
- Earliest claimed: 2007-12-27
- Assignees: High Tech Computer, Corp.
- Inventors: John C. Wang; Yun-Long Tun; Yi-Shen Wang; Cheng-Chieh Chuang
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8253690B2

## CPC

- G06F 3/0234: {using switches operable in different directions}
- G06F 3/0237: {using prediction or retrieval techniques}
- H04M 2250/70: methods for entering alphabetical characters, e.g. multi-tap or dictionary disambiguation
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08)

## Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for selecting characters and a device thereof. The method comprises the steps of sensing a touch on a first key, which has a plurality of characters marked thereon; confirming the touch and displaying the plurality of characters associated with the first key on a display unit; sensing a shifting motion of the touch on the first key; and selecting one of the plurality of characters associated with the first key in response to the shifting motion of the touch. The present invention further provides a character input module and an electronic device for implementing the character selection method.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for selecting characters, comprising:
sensing a first touch on a first key;
displaying a plurality of characters and highlighting a first character of said plurality of characters on a display unit in response to said first touch;
sensing at least one shifting motion of said first touch on said first key, wherein the at least one shifting motion shifts at a direction;
selecting a second character of said plurality of characters in response to said at least one shifting motion;
sensing a second touch on a second key;
determining a preselected character for said second key according to said selected second character; and
highlighting said preselected character, which is of the same category as said selected second character but is not of the same category as said first character, on said display unit in response to said second key.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the step of displaying said plurality of characters and highlighting said first character of said plurality of characters on a display unit further comprises:
displaying at least one direction sign to indicate the direction for selecting the second character.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein prior to the step of sensing said first touch on said first key, the method further comprises:
determining an input mode for said first key.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein the step of determining an input mode for said first key further comprises:
sensing a third touch on a third key, said third key corresponding to a plurality of input modes;
displaying said plurality of input modes on said display unit in response to said third touch on said third key;
sensing a second shifting motion of said third touch on said third key; and
selecting one of said plurality of input modes, to which said third key corresponds, to be the input mode for said first key in response to said second shifting motion of said third touch.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein said plurality of input modes include a ZhuYin input mode and an alphabetic input mode.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein said plurality of input modes include an alphabetic input mode and a number input mode.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of characters is displayed in a row on a display unit.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one shifting motion includes two shifting motions, and a third character is displayed between said second character and said first character.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the first character is a numeric character and the second character is an alphabetic character.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the first character is an alphabetic character and the second character is a numeric character.