Patent ID: 6580414
Filing Date: 2003-06-17
Classification: G06F,G09B

Abstract:
A method for transferring characters utilizing an input device having a character selection menu which includes the characters displayed as elements on a display surface that is subdivided into a plurality of fields, and whereby the elements are selected by a mark on the display surface and said mark is moved by applying external pressure to a positioning element before the transfer of the thereby selected characters is initiated;wherein the fields contain each a central element and there are arranged next to it additional elements, one of the fields designated as a central field beside which additional fields are arranged, the selection of a character occurring in a manner whereby the mark is moved, each time in a direction designated by the positioning element, at first in a first direction from the central element of the central field to a central element of an adjacent field and immediately after that in a second direction to an adjacent element on said field that is adjacent to the central element, whereby the transfer of said character is generated and assigned to this last reached element, and whereby the marking automatically jumps back into the central element of the central field, wherein the transfer of the last jumped-on character is initiated as soon as the pressure which is applied externally on the positioning element during movement in the second direction drops, or at the latest, when the movement of the pressure element in the second direction has exceeded a pre-determined time period.