System and method for text input with a multi-touch screen

#The present disclosure relates generally to electronic devices having a multi-touch sensitive input device, and more particularly wherein the multi-touch sensitive input device implements a keyboard for text input.

#The practice of inputting text to electronic devices, for example to form text documents or to send messages over communication networks has become generally widespread. Initially devices for inputting text were stationary and included large keyboards for inputting the text conveniently. In recent years the use of mobile devices has become more common and the size of the devices has been reduced significantly. Likewise the size of the keyboards for text input has been reduced.

#As the size of the device has been reduced it has become desirable to reduce the size of the keyboard, for example by implementing a keyboard having a touch sensitive surface instead of mechanical keys. Commonly, the touch sensitive surface is combined with the display resulting in a touch screen that serves also for input and also for output. Typically, the device includes a display that is touch sensitive and a keyboard is virtually shown on the display. Users can select a key with their fingers by touching the display at the position in which the key is displayed. Due to the reduced size of the device some devices recommend using a pointing device such as a stylus or special pen to aid in accurately selecting keys.

#The present disclosure will be understood and better appreciated from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings. Identical structures, elements or parts, which appear in more than one figure, are generally labeled with the same or similar number in all the figures in which they appear, wherein:

#FIGS. 1A-1E are schematic illustrations of inputting text to an electronic device with a virtual keyboard, according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure;

#FIG. 2 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an electronic device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure;

#FIGS. 1A-1E are schematic illustrations of inputting text to an electronic device 100 with a virtual keyboard 120, according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, electronic device 100 includes a touch screen 110 for displaying text on a text display area 130. The text is input using the virtual keyboard 120 that is displayed on touch screen 110. In some embodiments of the disclosure virtual keyboard 120 is a virtual soft keyboard that is displayed by software on touch screen 110. Alternatively, virtual keyboard 120 may be physically printed on touch screen 110. In some embodiments of the disclosure, virtual keyboard 120 may be a virtual keyboard that is displayed by illuminating light and recording hand motions of a user. Optionally, virtual keyboard 120 is capable of recording the details of multiple points of contact simultaneously. Optionally, virtual keyboard 120 can identify different types of action, for example:

#1. A “pointer down” action wherein the user makes initial contact with the virtual keyboard 120;

#2. A “pointer up” action wherein the user releases contact from the virtual keyboard 120; and