Method and apparatus for inputting characters in a mobile communication terminal

An apparatus for displaying a keyboard and receiving an input through a touch screen in a mobile communication terminal, the apparatus comprising:

• a storage unit;
• a key input determining unit configured to detect an input signal on a displayed virtual keyboard having a first orientation;
• and
• a keyboard processing unit configured to display the virtual keyboard having the first orientation on the touch screen, wherein, in the first orientation, a first plurality of keys of the virtual keyboard displayed near the center of the touch screen are displayed more prominently than keys displayed away from the center of the touch screen, to display an input portion on the touch screen, to display a character corresponding to the input signal in the input portion when the detected input signal is a touch and release signal, and to move the keys in the displayed virtual keyboard to have a second orientation on the touch screen when the detected input signal is a touch and drag signal,
• wherein, in the second orientation, a second plurality of keys of the virtual keyboard displayed near the center of the touch screen are displayed more prominently than keys displayed away from the center of the touch screen, and wherein the second plurality of keys is different from but not entirely exclusive of the first plurality of keys.