Exhibit 4 

Case 6:20-cv-00507-ADA Document 81-6 Filed 05/19/23 Page 1 of 21
iii iii I US 2002(X)2754) Al iiN III 

(19) United States 

(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2002/0027549 Al 

Hirshberg (43) Pub. Date: Mar. 7, 2002 

(54) MULTIFUNCTIONAL KEYPAD ON TOUCH 

SCREEN 

(75) Inventor: David Hirshberg, Haifa (IL) 

Correspondence Address: 

DR. MARK FRIEDMAN LTD. 

c/o Bill Polkinghorn 

Discovery Dispatch 

9003 Florin Way 

Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 (US) 

(73) Assignee: .1 etway Technologies Ltd. 

(21) Appl. No.: 09/985,596 

(22) Filed: Nov. 5, 2001 

Related U.S. Application Data 

(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. PCT/USO I / 

04706, filed on Feb. 13, 2001, which is a continuation 

of application No. 09/518,634, filed on Mar. 3, 2000. 

20 

Publication Classification 

(51) Int. CI.7 G09G 5/00 

(52) U.S. Cl. 345/168 

(57) ABSTRACT 

A multifunction keypad includes a touch-sensitive surface 

with a number of regions designated as keys. A processor, 

associated with the touch-sensitive surface, is configured to: 

(i) identify a contact location at which an object comes into 

contact with the touch-sensitive surface, (ii) determine a 

selected one of the keys corresponding to the one of the 

regions within which the contact location is located, (iii) 

identify a direction of motion of the object across the 

touch-sensitive surface relative to the contact location, and 

(iv) select in a manner conditional upon at least the direction 

of motion one of a plurality of functions associated with the 

selected key. 

989-8765 

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Patent Application Publication Mar. 7, 2002 Sheet 12 of 12 US 2002/0027549 Al 

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507SAM_00039817 

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US 2002/0027549 Al 

1 

MULTIFUNCTIONAL KEYPAD ON TOUCH 

SCREEN 

[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of application no. 

PCT/US01/04706 filed Feb. 13, 2001, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/518,634 filed Mar. 3, 2000. 

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE 

INVENTION 

[0002] The present invention relates to data input devices 

and, in particular, it concerns a multifunctional keypad 

implemented on a touch screen. 

[0003] Alphanumeric data entry methods for compact 

electronic devices pose various problems. Mechanical keypads are one of the most popular methods, but they suffer 

from large space consumption that in many cases is not 

practical in compact mobile environments. One solution to 

the compactness problem is to use a mechanical multifunctional keypad. Several such solutions have been suggested, 

for example: 

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 4,029,915—S. Ojima, "Miniaturized calculator keyboard switch assembly having 

universally pivoted key actuators" 

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,852,414 S. H. Yu, D. H. Yu 

"4-way triangle shaped alphanumeric keypad" 

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,235—E. Lin & W. Lin "multistatus multi-function data processing key & key array" 

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,861,823 G. J. Strauch & P. Samola, 

Data entry device having multifunction keys. 

[0008] Another group of solutions that has gained popularity lately in PDA device is the use of a touch screen. 

Entering alphanumeric text using a touch screen is done 

either by hand writing recognition or using small keypads 

referred to in some literature as a "soft keypad". 

[0009] The data entry, in both cases, is done with the aid 

of stylus since the tip of the finger cannot give the required 

accuracy. 

[0010] Hand writing recognition suffers from high rate of 

errors that reduce drastically the speed of typing and the 

convenience of operation. Asoft keypad on a PDA screen of 

typical size suffers from a very small footprint for each key, 

which requires considerable user concentration and hence 

degrades the speed and comfort of use. In both cases, the 

user needs to employ a stylus for data entry. This is inconvenient, particularly in cases where frequent entry of short 

memos or the like, where the stylus must be retrieved 

frequently from its storage position. 

[0011] There is therefore a need for a compact multifunction keypad which would not require great precision of use 

and which could be conveniently and effectively operated by 

use of the finger. 

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 

[0012] The present invention is a multifunctional keypad 

implemented using a touch screen, and a corresponding 

method for operating a keypad. 

[0013] According to the teachings of the present invention 

there is provided, a multifunction keypad comprising: (a) a 

touch-sensitive surface having defined thereon a plurality of 

Mar. 7, 2002 

regions designated as keys; and (b) a processor associated 

with the touch-sensitive surface and configured to: (i) identify a contact location at which an object comes into contact 

with the touch-sensitive surface, (ii) determine a selected 

one of the keys corresponding to the one of the regions 

within which the contact location is located, (iii) identify a 

direction of motion of the object across the touch-sensitive 

surface relative to the contact location, and (iv) select in a 

manner conditional upon at least the direction of motion one 

of a plurality of functions associated with the selected key. 

[0014] According to a further feature of the present invention, the touch-sensitive surface is a touch-sensitive display 

screen. 

[0015] According to a further feature of the present invention, the processor is configured to select a first of the 

plurality of functions if the direction of motion falls within 

a first range of angles and a second of the plurality of 

functions if the direction of motion falls within a second 

range of angles non-overlapping with the first range of 

angles. 

[0016] According to a further feature of the present invention, the processor is configured not to select any of the 

plurality of functions if the direction of motion falls within 

a third range of angles interposed between the first range of 

angles and the second range of angles. 

[0017] According to a further feature of the present invention, the first range of angles is greater than the second range 

of angles. 

[0018] According to a further feature of the present invention, the processor is further configured to determine a 

length of motion of the object across the touch-sensitive 

surface relative to the contact location. 

[0019] According to a further feature of the present invention, the processor is configured to select a first of the 

plurality of functions if the length of motion falls within a 

first range of lengths in a given direction and a second of the 

plurality of functions if the length of motion falls within a 

second range of lengths in the given direction. 

[0020] According to a further feature of the present invention, the processor identifies a length of motion below a 

given value as a touch-and-release condition. 

[0021] According to a further feature of the present invention, the processor is configured not to select any of the 

plurality of functions on occurrence of a touch-and-release 

condition. 

[0022] According to a further feature of the present invention, the processor is configured to select a first of the 

plurality of functions if the direction of motion falls within 

a first range of angles, and wherein the processor is configured to select the first function additionally on occurrence of 

a touch-and-release condition. 

[0023] According to a further feature of the present invention, one of the plurality of functions is selected by the 

processor exclusively on occurrence of a touch-and-release 

condition. 

[0024] According to a further feature of the present invention, a plurality of the keys provide at least four direct 

functions per key. 

507SAM_00039818 

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2 

[0025] According to a further feature of the present invention, a majority of the keys provide exactly four direct 

functions per key. 

[0026] According to a further feature of the present invention, the processor is selectively operable in a single-function mode wherein the processor selects a single function on 

contact with a given one of the keys independent of the 

direction of motion. 

[0027] There is also provided according to the teachings of 

the present invention, a method for designating functions on 

a multifunction keypad defined by a plurality of regions on 

a touch-sensitive surface, each region being designated as a 

key, the method comprising: (a) identifying a contact location at which an object comes into contact with the touchsensitive surface, (b) determining a selected key corresponding to the region within which the contact location is located, 

(c) identifying a direction of motion of the object across the 

touch-sensitive surface relative to the contact location, and 

(d) selecting in a manner conditional upon at least the 

direction of motion one of a plurality of functions associated 

with the selected key. 

[0028] There is also provided according to the teachings of 

the present invention, a keypad comprising a twelve-key 

telephone-type alphanumeric keypad, wherein each key is a 

multifunction key configured for single-contact selection of 

one of four functions, and wherein each key corresponding 

to a digit in the range 2-9 is associated with three letters, and 

wherein the letter "s" is associate with a key corresponding 

to "*" and the letter "z" is associated with a key corresponding to "#". 

[0029] According to a further feature of the present invention, the letters "s" and "z" are selected by contact with the 

key corresponding to "*" and "#", respectively, in conjunction with a generally upward movement. 

[0030] According to a further feature of the present invention, the plurality of keys further includes a row of keys 

associated with at least the functions ENTER, SPACE and 

DELETE. 

[0031] There is also provided according to the teachings of 

the present invention, a multifunction keypad comprising: 

(a) a touch-sensitive surface having defined thereon a plurality of regions designated as keys; and (b) a processor 

associated with the touch-sensitive surface and configured 

to: (i) identify a contact location at which an object comes 

into contact with the touch-sensitive surface, (ii) determine 

a selected one of the keys corresponding to the one of the 

regions within which the contact location is located, (iii) 

identify a path of motion of the object across the touchsensitive surface relative to the contact location, and (iv) 

select, in a manner conditional upon at least one parameter 

of the path of motion, one of a plurality of functions 

associated with the selected key. 

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 

[0032] 1'he invention is herein described, by way of 

example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, 

wherein: 

[0033] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a first preferred 

implementation of a multifunction keypad, constructed and 

operative according to the teachings of the present invention; 

Mar. 7, 2002 

[0034] FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic enlarged views of 

a first key from the keypad of FIG. 1 illustrating the 

principles of operation of the present invention with two 

different locations of initial contact with the key; 

[0035] FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic enlarged views of 

a second key from the keypad of FIG. 1 illustrating the use 

of variable ranges of zone angles and forbidden zones to 

render functions selectively easier or more difficult to select; 

[0036] FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of a second 

preferred implementation of a multifunction keypad, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the 

present invention; 

[0037] FIG. 5 is a schematic enlarged view of a kcy from 

the keypad of FIG. 4 illustrating typical zone angles for a 

six-function key; 

[0038] FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of a third preferred 

implementation of a multifunction keypad, constructed and 

operative according to the teachings of the present invention; 

[0039] FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of the keypad of 

FIG. 6 in a Shift-Lock state; 

[0040] FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C are schematic enlarged 

views of selected keys from the keypad of FIG. 6 illustrating 

various preferred zone configurations; 

[0041] FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of a fourth 

preferred implementation of a multifunction keypad, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the 

present invention; 

[0042] FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C are schematic enlarged 

views of selected keys from the keypad of FIG. 9 illustrating 

various preferred zone configurations; 

[0043] FIGS. 11A, 11B and IIC are schematic enlarged 

views of alternative key configurations for use in multifunction keypads constructed and operative according to the 

teachings of the present invention; 

[0044] FIG. 12 is a schematic flow diagram illustrating a 

possible implementation of control logic for the processor of 

a multifunction keypad constructed and operative according 

to the teachings of the present invention; and 

[0045] FIGS. 13A and 13B arc schematic side crosssectional views illustrating operation of a multifunction 

keypad constructed and operative according to the teachings 

of the present invention. 

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED 

EMBODIMENTS 

[0046] The present invention is a multifunctional keypad 

implemented using a touch screen, and a corresponding 

method for operating a keypad. 

[0047] The principles and operation of multifunctional 

keypads according to the present invention may be better 

understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description. 

[0048] Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-13 illustrate various preferred implementations of a multifunction 

keypad, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention. Generally speaking, the mul507SAM_00039819 

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3 

tifunction keypad includes a touch-sensitive surface 10 upon 

which are defined a plurality of regions designated as keys. 

Associated with surface 10 is a processor 12 (seen in FIGS. 

13A and 13B). Processor 12 is configured to: (i) identify a 

contact location at which an object comes into contact with 

the touch-sensitive surface, (ii) determine a selected one of 

the keys corresponding to the one of the regions within 

which the contact location is located, (iii) identify a path of 

motion of the object across the touch-sensitive surface 

relative to the contact location, and (iv) select, in a manner 

conditional upon at least one parameter of the path of motion 

one of a plurality of functions associated with the selected 

key. Most preferably, the primary parameter used in the 

selection of the function is the direction of motion of the 

path. 

[0049] It will be immediately apparent that the present 

invention provides profound advantages over the aforementioned data input devices. Specifically, by providing multifunction keys, the number of keys is reduced, and hence the 

area of each key can be increased. This permits finger 

operation of the keys. At the same time, the selection of 

function by detecting direction of motion subsequent to 

initial contact renders function selection quick and intuitive. 

Since the motion is evaluated relative to the location of 

initial contact, the location of initial contact within the key 

is unimportant. This reduces the precision of actuation 

required from the user to a level that finger-tip operation is 

reliable. This and other advantages of the present invention 

will become clearer from the following description. 

[0050] As mentioned above, for basic alphanumeric data 

entry operation one typically requires 40 to 60 keys to be 

activated instantaneously. In typical touch screen used in 

mobile devices such a numbers of keys necessarily lead to 

very small key size that can not be activated accurately by 

tip of finger and even when using a stylus it takes considerable attention to direct the touch to the right place. 

[0051] In the current invention 4-6 characters are typically 

grouped with one key. The number of keys on the screen 

may thus be reduced to 10-16 keys, where each key size is 

in the range of a tip of a finger size. Such size is well suitable 

for comfort key visual selection as well as finger operation. 

The current invention combines the advantageous features 

of a soft key keypad (e.g., its relative small typing error 

probability, dynamic layout and labeling) with the rich 

functionality gained by the ability of the touch screen to 

detect many types of activation motion on the key. 

[0052] The preferred embodiments are suitable to be operated interchangeably by use of a stylus or directly by the 

user's finger, as preferred by the user. 

[0053] Referring now specifically to FIG. 1. A touch 

screen 10 with width of approximately 3-4 cm and height of 

approximately 6-8 cm is shown. Typically such screen size 

is implemented on cellular phones device, like for example 

the Samsung I-MAX. The touch screen dimensions lead us 

to pick a 3x5 key matrix layout for the multi functional 

keypad. The number of keys and their shape can vary in 

different implementations. For example, in other preferred 

embodiments for PDA devices, like the Palm Pilot®, the 

typical size of square 6x6 cm is used and different layouts 

are appropriate in this case. in FIGS. 4, 6 and 9, three 

possible embodiments for square 6x6 cm touch screen are 

shown. 

Mar. 7, 2002 

[0054] Referring back to FIG. 1, the touch screen 10 

which is divided to two zones: the display zone 20 contains 

the result of the text entry and the soft keys zones contains 

3x5 keys keypad. In the preferred case illustrated here, the 

keypad includes thirteen 4-way soft keys (e.g. keys 100, 102 

and 104), one 3-way soft key 106 and one regular one 

function soft key 108. The 4-way key function/characters 

activation is done by touching the key anywhere on the key 

area and then tilting or moving the finger to one off the 

following directions: up, down, left and right. In stylus 

operation, since the tip of the stylus is very narrow only 

move operations can be used. The character/function associated with each direction is preferably marked by a label on 

the key according to the direction. For example, the label 

200 representing a comma text entry is associated with the 

move/tilt upwards when touching the key 100, and the label 

202 representing the letter `G' is activated by touching the 

key 102 and move or tilt the finger or stylus towards the left. 

The label can be a character as in 204, a number as in 46, 

other text like symbols like the comma in 200, any other 

graphic icon like the ENTER graphic symbol in 208 or a text 

abbreviation like the `Send' label 210 in key 108. 

[0055] The activation of the key start by the act of touching in any point in the area on the key. The key contains 

labels (one or more) to imply the functions associated with 

the key. The associated function can be entering characters 

to the display 20 or applying a command function like the 

send operation in key 108. The keys in the keypad can be a 

mix of regular one-function keys like key 108 with other 

multi function keys. In the case of one function a regular 

touch operation activate the function. In multi-function key 

the first touch on the key activate the key and the relative 

trace created by the movement or the tilt on the touch with 

respect to the initial touch point is selecting the appropriate 

function among the functions that associated with the 

selected key. In order to use the touch screen as a keypad a 

keypad controller entity should be exist on the device. This 

controller can read the coordinate of the touch operation on 

the touch screen and communicate with the device to 

transfer the selected character/function that have been 

selected. The keypad can be implemented by explicit dedicated hardware, or by firmware or software running on a 

processor. All such implementations are referred to generically in the description and claims as a processor configured 

to perform the recited functions. 

[0056] In order to select the function activated by the user, 

the keypad controller calculates several zones when a touch 

on a key is detected. The zones created for the 4-way 

function key 102 in two situation of the place of the initial 

contact points on the key are shown in the FIG. 2a and FIG. 

2b. In FIG. 2a the initial contact point 90 is in the center of 

the key and the four zones 300, 302, 304, 306 are sectors 

created by four rays 400, 402, 404, 406 emerging from the 

initial contact point 90. Typically in symmetrical 4-way 

multi-function key, each sector span will be 90 degree, but 

one may change it to enlarge or reduce the activation 

probability of some of the functions. 

[0057] The zone 300, which is associated with the letter 

`H', is the area between rays 400 and 406. Zone 302 

associated with the letter `I' is the area between rays 400 and 

402. Zone 304 associated with the number `4' is the area 

between rays 402 and 404. Zone 306 associated with the 

letter `G' is the area between rays 404 and 406. 

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4 

[0058] The path of the movement of the touch from the 

initial contact point on the touch screen until the removal of 

the finger or the stylus from the touch screen is referred to 

herein as the "trace". In FIG. 2a three traces 500, 502, 504 

are shown. Trace 500 is completely in zone 302 hence the 

keypad controller select the character `I' as the selected 

outcome. Trace 502 is completely in zone 300 so the 

selected function is `H'. Trace 504 although in the beginning 

of the trace go through zone 306, most of the rest of the trace 

is in zone 304. In this case the keypad controller decision is 

preferably set to select the number '4'. In some implementation when a mistake should be absolutely avoided, such 

trace would not accepted by the keypad controller and error 

indication should be given to the user. To reduce unwanted 

errors it is also possible to create some forbidden zones as 

demonstrated in sequel for the 3-way function key in FIG. 

3a. 

[0059] In FIG. 2b the initial contact point 92 is on the 

upper left side of the key. Even in such event the configuration of the zones kept the same as in FIG. 2a however the 

zones 300, 302, 304, 306 are shifted to the up and to the left 

according to the location of the initial contact point 92. Trace 

506 in this example will indicate the letter `I' although the 

trace is close to the label `H'. Trace 508 will indicate the 

letter 'H'. The fact that the trace is leaving the border of the 

key is not relevant to the decision even when the trace go 

over adjacent keys as well. '1'race 510 is going over zone 304 

and 306 causing an ambiguity situation. In this case the 

keypad controller will not activate any function and optionally an error indication may be given to the user. 

[0060] In FIG. 3a the implementation detail of key 106, a 

3-way multi-function key is given. There are 5 zones defined 

by five rays 410, 412, 414, 416, 418 emerging from the 

initial contact point 90. Three zones assigned to the functions as follows: zone 310—delete character backward 

(known also as backspace), zone 312—ENTER and zone 

314—SPACE. 

[0061] Zone 316 defined between the rays 414 and 416 is 

in adjacent to the backspace zone is created as an forbidden 

zone in order to minimize the error event of activation a 

backspace function by mistake when trying to activate the 

ENTER function. 

[0062] The upper zone 318 defined between the rays 410 

and 418 is forbidden zone since no function is assigned to 

the upper side of the key. The fact that no function is 

assigned to the upper side of the key is used to slide ray 410 

upwards and create larger zone for the space function. Since 

the use of space function is very frequent enlarging the space 

zone give the user more convenient activation of that 

function. Later on we will see another effective way to give 

a function activation advantage over the other function in the 

key. From the example of key 106 it is obvious that 

controlling the zones configuration can change some design 

goals of trading false activation with activation convenience. 

[0063] Traces 512 reside completely on zone 318 which is 

a forbidden zone hence the keypad controller will not 

activate any function and error indication will be given to the 

user. Trace 514 will associate by the keypad controller to 

zone 316 which is also a forbidden hence the keypad 

controller will not activate any function and error indication 

will be given to the user as well. 

[0064] Trace 516 reside on zone 312 hence ENTER function will be activated. 

Mar. 7, 2002 

[0065] FIG. 3b show the same key 106 when the initial 

contact point 94 is in the lower left side of the key. As can 

be shown in the figure the rays 410, 412, 414, 416, 418 and 

zone 310, 312, 314, 316, 318 are shifted according to the 

initial contact point 94 but their constellation is not change. 

Trace 518 is associated to the function SPACE. In the rest of 

the document we will always show the initial contact point 

in the center of the key for sake of clarity and simplicity. It 

should be noted, however, that the initial contact point can 

be in any place over the key and the zones and zone 

boundaries are shifted in the touch screen according to 

actual initial contact point on the key, as illustrated above 

with reference to FIG. 2B. 

[0066] Referring back to FIG. 1, key 104 is a 4-way soft 

key that have the following functions: The left one is shift 

operation which toggle between upper and lower case letter 

for the next key press duration. When activating this key the 

label on the key will be highlighted and the letters on all the 

other keys optionally change to lower case. After one letter 

activation the letters will change back to capitals and the 

highlighted label will go back to its normal state. if the upper 

function (Caps lock) is activated the label `a' will change to 

A and the letter label will change to lower case until the user 

will switch back to upper case. The lower function. SYM, 

change the labels on the keypad to support entry of additional symbols like $, %, @, &, etc. The right operation on 

key 104 is dedicated to switch the keypad language. In the 

figure the label is the familiar symbol for indicating a change 

to Hebrew language. When this function is activated the 

letters will change to Hebrew letter according to Israeli 

standard 4514. The label will change to `E' to indicate the 

back switch to English keypad. Other languages obviously 

can be supported as well. The functions on key 104 demonstrate the well-known strength of dynamic labeling used 

on soft keypad. 

[0067] It will be noted in this context that, by use of the 

shift key, symbol key, language settings or other shift or 

toggle keys, each multifunction key may actually perform 

many different functions. Nevertheless, for the purpose of 

designating the number of functions which can be selected 

by a key, reference is made to "direct functions", namely, 

functions which can be selected directly from the key in its 

current state. 

[0068] The basic alphanumeric data entry is based on the 

upper 3x4 4-way matrix. The lower function on this key 

matrix is the standard 12 key phone keypad while the other 

3 function in each key is assigned to the Latin letter 

according to the standard phone letter to number association. 

According to the standard layout referred to herein as the 

"telephone-type alphanumeric keypad", the 26 letters of the 

alphabet are assigned to the numerals 2-9. Most of the keys 

thus have one numeral and three letters, totaling four functions. However since the '7' key and the `9' key are 

associated with four letter each, there is one letter in each of 

those keys that can not be allocated. In U.S. Pat. No. 

5,528,235 the solution was to have 5-ways keys instead of 

4-way keys. However, such solution tends to overload the 

keypad in additional functions that are not essential to basic 

data entry, produce additional complexity to the user and 

either enlarge the key size by a factor of approximately 1.5 

or reduce the label size in the key by 1.5. All of these 

disadvantages are a high cost for the five-function demand 

which is relevant to only 2 out of 12 keys. 

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[0069] In a preferred implementation of the present invention, this complication is avoided by associating exactly 

three letters with each of the keys "2"-"9", and transferring 

the fourth letter of the "7" and "9" keys to the upward 

function of the key below. Thus, the letter "s" is activated by 

upward operation of the key corresponding to "•" and the 

letter "z" is activated by upward operation of the key 

corresponding to "#". 

[0070] Parenthetically, it should be noted that this aspect 

of the present invention is not limited to touch sensitive 

implementations of a keypad. Specifically, the solution for 

rendering a "telephone-type alphanumeric keypad" using 

directional multifunction keys with no more than four direct 

functions per key is applicable to any keypad wherein each 

key is a multifunction key configured for single-contact 

selection of up to four functions. Thus, by way of one 

non-limiting example, this solution facilitate an implementation of the keypad of the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 

5,528,235 with four-way keys instead of the five-way keys 

proposed therein. 

[0071] It should be noted that the twelve-key telephonetype alphanumeric keypad referred to herein is not necessarily, or even typically, used alone. Thus, the aforementioned twelve keys may be supplemented by a number of 

additional keys for providing additional functions. In a 

particularly preferred implementation, the keypad further 

includes a row of keys associated with at least the functions 

ENTER, SPACE and DELETE. 

[0072] It will be appreciated that the proposed key designations maintain the familiar overall layout with all four 

letters associated with the key `7' (lb', `Q', `R', `S') 

surrounding the 7 label, and those associated with the "9" 

label disposed thereabout. 

[0073] As implied by the text on the display zone 20 this 

embodiment gives a very good solution for a sending of an 

SMS over a touch screen equipped cellular phone. The user 

writes down very quickly the phone number and the desired 

alphanumeric message and the press send soft key to send it 

over. 

[0074] According to a further optional feature of the 

present invention, the keyboard may be selectively operable 

in a single-function mode wherein a single function is 

selected on contact with a given key, independent of the 

direction of motion. This may be useful, for example, in a 

calculator mode or telephone dialing mode wherein only 

numbers are required. 

[0075] The rest of this description describes another three 

preferred embodiments of multi functional keypads particularly suited to touch screen of devices using a square screen 

with size approximately 6 by 6 centimeter. Several additional options that can he used by a multi-function touch 

screen keypad are demonstrated. It will be understood that 

all features described in any one implementation are interchangeable between the various different implementations 

unless explicitly stated otherwise. 

[0076] Referring now to FIG. 3, a preferred embodiment 

for Palm pilot touch screen is shown. The soft keypad 

contains 16 keys in a 4x4 matrix form. The left 12 keys are 

6-way soft keys, while the upper left key is standard one 

function soft key, the two middle left are 4-way keys 

structure shown before and the lower left key is the same as 

key 106 shown in FIG. 1. 

Mar. 7, 2002 

[0077] Key 110 is one of the twelve 6-way keys. The upper 

middle label corresponding to a move/tilt operation of the 

twelve keys are assigned to the 12 symbols of the telephone 

keypad while the lower line of labels assigned to left-down, 

down and right-down movement/tilt operation occupied 

with the Latin letters in alpha-bet order. The decision zones 

for an initial contact point in the center of the key are shown 

in FIG. 5. Six rays 420-430 create the decision zones with 

60 degrees difference between adjacent rays. 

[0078] FIG. 6 show different layout based on QWERTY 

keyboard and 4-way multi-function keys. This keypad is 

more compact then the one in FIG. 5, however most of the 

non-letters text symbols are activated using a shift operation. 

The layout of the "shifted" keypad is shown in FIG. 7. The 

shifted keypad keep the layout of the shift operation of the 

QWERTY keyboard. in FiG. 8a we see the details of the 

decision zones for key 112, which is one of the 4-way keys 

in the keypad. The four rays 440, 442, 444, 446, create the 

decision zones. The activation operation in this key is by 

moving/tilting the finger toward upper-right, upper-left, 

lower-rights and lower-left direction instead of up, down, 

left and right in the keypad shown in FIG. 1. The bottom line 

of keys in the keypad has several unique keys for example 

key 114 is a 3-way key. The decision zones of key 114 are 

shown in FIG. 86. Referring momentarily back to FIG. 8a, 

when the trace on the key contains only one point (from 

trace definition this point can be only the initial contact point 

and the user operation is actually a simple press on the key, 

referred to as a touch-and-release operation) since the initial 

contact point is on the boundary between all four zones the 

keypad controller will not activated any of the letters and 

error indication will be given to the user. Refer back to FIG. 

8b, since SPACE is frequently used, we would like to 

activate the SPACE even with just a touch-and-release 

operation on key 114. In order to do that the zone of SPACE 

324 should contains the initial contact point inside the zone. 

The small arc 452 is generated to support this feature so the 

boundary of the space zone is constructed from line 450,454 

and the arc 452. Any move/tilt down after the initial contact 

with the key will still produce a SPACE, however move tilt 

upwards will produce the or `+' sign depended on the 

direction. The minimal length of line needed to activate the 

or `+' equal to the length of the radius of the arc. All keys 

in the bottom line of the keypad have the lower function 

activation option with a simple press. Key 116, the shift key 

has in addition another zone 330 as shown in FIG. 8c. This 

zone is associated to a simple press operation on key 116. In 

such case the shift operation is in action only for one 

consecutive press on the keypad. When the user move the 

finger downward when pressing key 116 (the trace is associate with zone 332) the shift operation is act like `CAPS 

Lock' and the shift operation stay in action until another 

press on the shift key is done by the user. 

[0079] FIG. 9 show yet another possible embodiment with 

5-way keys keypad. An example of the decision zones of one 

of the 5-way key, key 120, is given in FIG. 10a. The center 

function (the number `1') is activated by a simple press on 

the key while the other keys are activated using press and 

move/tilt operation. The `1' zone is a small circle 460 around 

the initial contact point while the other four zones are 

constructed by four rays 462, 464, 466, 468. The bottom line 

contains three 2-way keys 122, 124, 126. The zone constellation of that key is demonstrated over key 126 in FIG. 106. 

Key 126 contains two function the right one is the SPACE 

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and the left one is the ENTER. Since SPACE is more 

frequent then ENTER we would like to activate space with 

simple press hence the space zone 340 contain a small cycle 

around the initial contact point. 

[0080] Key 128 is a 3-way key with two cursor movement 

command (forward and backwards) and the done command 

that close the keypad and return to the calling application. 

Since we want to give the user the sense of direction in the 

cursor movement functions the zones of those function 350, 

352 are restricted to sectors with direction towards the 

cursor movement direction. The `Done' key terminate the 

keypad operation hence we do not what to get out on a 

simple press so Done zone 354 do not contains the central 

circle zone 358. This zone is a forbidden zone hence simple 

press will not activate any of the function and error indication will he given to the user. Zone 356 is also forbidden 

zone since no function is associated with it. 

[0081] In some cases one can implement a soft multifunction key without displaying multiple labels. Some 

examples are given in FIG. 11. For example, in FIG. Ila a 

2-way soft key is given. The only label is the lower a letter 

`a' and two zones for that key is shown. By touching the key 

and move the finger/stylus upward upper case `A' is he 

entered while simple touch or touch and move downward 

produce the lower case `a'. In FIG. ilb the same is done 

when the label on the key is upper case 'A. In this case 

simple touch or touch with move upwards will produce the 

upper case `A' while movement downwards will produce the 

lower case `a'. In FIG. 11c we have the key 110 introduced 

in the keypad shown in FIG. 4. In FIG. 11c we added to the 

key 3 more zones by adding the arc 432. In this way by 

drawing small trace you enter the lower case letter while by 

drawing trace longer then the arc radius the user can enter 

upper case letters. 

[0082] While specific 2-way, 3-way, 4-way, 5-way and 

6-way soft key implementations have been demonstrated, it 

will be clear to one ordinarily skilled in the art that one can 

modify those multi functional soft keys in several ways. 

Using the basic principal of having soft key selected by the 

initial contact point on any location on the key then selecting 

one of several options based on the trace, one can modify the 

shape of the key, the labeling logic, the numbers of functions, the definition of the decision zones and the decision 

logic in several different ways. 

[0083] In FIG. 12 a general flow chart of the keypad 

controller logic is given. 

[0084] The keypad controller waits for pen down event, 

i.c., a touch on the screen. When the touch occurred the 

keypad controller select the active key according to the 

initial contact point and then set a timer for 100 mil-second. 

If the function of the key is a displayed symbol on the 

display the keypad controller will display the current selection every 100 millisecond. The symbol displayed can be 

changed or even discarded every 100 millisecond. When the 

user pick up the pen/stylus/finger from the screen the last 

analysis of the trace is done and this analyze set the final 

displayed symbol or the activated function. 

[0085] Finally, FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate operation of 

the keypad of the present invention for selecting an 

"upward" function of a given key. The figures illustrate the 

equivalence of finger movement (FiG. 13A) and a rolling/ 

tilting of the finger (FIG. 13B) to generate the required 

trace. 

Mar. 7, 2002 

[0086] It will be appreciated that the above descriptions 

are intended only to serve as examples, and that many other 

embodiments are possible within the spirit and the scope of 

the present invention. 

What is claimed is: 

1. A multifunction keypad comprising: 

(a) a touch-sensitive surface having defined thereon a 

plurality of regions designated as keys; and 

(b) a processor associated with said touch-sensitive surface and configured to: 

(i) identify a contact location at which an object comes 

into contact with said touch-sensitive surface, 

(ii) determine a selected one of said keys corresponding 

to the one of said regions within which said contact 

location is located, 

(iii) identify a direction of motion of the object across 

said touch-sensitive surface relative to said contact 

location, and 

(iv) select in a manner conditional upon at least said 

direction of motion one of a plurality of functions 

associated with said selected key. 

2. The keypad of claim 1, wherein said touch-sensitive 

surface is a touch-sensitive display screen. 

3. The keypad of claim 1, wherein said processor is 

configured to select a first of said plurality of functions if 

said direction of motion falls within a first range of angles 

and a second of said plurality of functions if said direction 

of motion falls within a second range of angles non-overlapping with said first range of angles. 

4. The keypad of claim 3, wherein said processor is 

configured not to select any of said plurality of functions if 

said direction of motion falls within a third range of angles 

interposed between said first range of angles and said second 

range of angles. 

5. The keypad of claim 3, wherein said first range of 

angles is greater than said second range of angles. 

6. The keypad of claim 1, wherein said processor is 

further configured to determine a length of motion of the 

object across said touch-sensitive surface relative to said 

contact location. 

7. The keypad of claim 6, wherein said processor is 

configured to select a first of said plurality of functions if 

said length of motion falls within a first range of lengths in 

a given direction and a second of said plurality of functions 

if said length of motion falls within a second range of 

lengths in said given direction. 

8. The keypad of claim 6, wherein said processor identifies a length of motion below a given value as a touch-andrelease condition. 

9. The keypad of claim 8, wherein said processor is 

configured not to select any of said plurality of functions on 

occurrence of a touch-and-release condition. 

10. The keypad of claim 8, wherein said processor is 

configured to select a first of said plurality of functions if 

said direction of motion falls within a first range of angles, 

and wherein said processor is configured to select said first 

function additionally on occurrence of a touch-and-release 

condition. 

II. The keypad of claim 8, wherein one of said plurality 

of functions is selected by said processor exclusively on 

occurrence of a touch-and-release condition. 

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12. The keypad of claim 1, wherein a plurality of said keys 

provide at least four direct functions per key. 

13. The keypad of claim 1, wherein a majority of said keys 

provide exactly four direct functions per key. 

14. The keypad of claim 1, wherein said processor is 

selectively operable in a single-function mode wherein said 

processor selects a single function on contact with a given 

one of said keys independent of said direction of motion. 

15. The keypad of claim 1, wherein said plurality of keys 

includes a twelve-key telephone-type alphanumeric keypad, 

wherein each key corresponding to a digit in the range 2-9 

is associated with three letters, and wherein the letter "s" is 

associate with a key corresponding to "*" and the letter "z" 

is associated with a key corresponding to "#". 

16. The keypad of claim 15, wherein the letters "s" and 

"z" are selected by contact with the key corresponding to "*" 

and "#", respectively, followed by movement in a generally 

upward direction of motion. 

17. The keypad of claim 15, wherein said plurality of keys 

further includes a row of keys associated with at least the 

functions ENTER, SPACE and DELETE. 

18. A method for designating functions on a multifunction 

keypad defined by a plurality of regions on a touch-sensitive 

surface, each region being designated as a key, the method 

comprising: 

(a) identifying a contact location at which an object comes 

into contact with the touch-sensitive surface, 

(b) determining a selected key corresponding to the region 

within which the contact location is located, 

(c) identifying a direction of motion of the object across 

the touch-sensitive surface relative to the contact location, and 

(d) selecting in a manner conditional upon at least said 

direction of motion one of a plurality of functions 

associated with the selected key. 

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said touch-sensitive 

surface is a touch-sensitive display screen. 

20. The method of claim 18, wherein a first of said 

plurality of functions is selected if said direction of motion 

falls within a first range of angles and a second of said 

plurality of functions is selected if said direction of motion 

falls within a second range of angles non-overlapping with 

said first range of angles. 

21. The method of claim 20, wherein none of said 

plurality of functions is selected if said direction of motion 

falls within a third range of angles interposed between said 

first range of angles and said second range of angles. 

22. The method of claim 20, wherein said first range of 

angles is greater than said second range of angles. 

23. The method of claim 18, further comprising determining a length of motion of the object across said touchsensitive surface relative to said contact location. 

24. The method of claim 23, wherein a first of said 

plurality of functions is selected if said length of motion falls 

within a first range of lengths in a given direction and a 

second of said plurality of functions is selected if said length 

of motion falls within a second range of lengths in said given 

direction. 

Mar. 7, 2002 

25. The method of claim 23, wherein a length of motion 

below a given value is identified as a touch-and-release 

condition. 

26. The method of claim 25, wherein none of said 

plurality of functions is selected on occurrence of a touchand-release condition. 

27. The method of claim 25, wherein a first of said 

plurality of functions is selected if said direction of motion 

falls within a first range of angles, and wherein said first 

function is additionally selected on occurrence of a touchand-release condition. 

28. The method of claim 25, wherein one of said plurality 

of functions is selected exclusively on occurrence of a 

touch-and-release condition. 

29. The method of claim 18, wherein at least four direct 

functions are associated with each of a plurality of said keys. 

30. The method of claim 18, wherein exactly four direct 

functions are associated with each of a majority of said keys. 

31. The method of claim 18, further comprising selectively operating said keypad in a single-function mode 

wherein a single function is selected on contact with a given 

one of said keys independent of said direction of motion. 

32. A keypad comprising a twelve-key telephone-type 

alphanumeric keypad, wherein each key is a multifunction 

key configured for single-contact selection of one of four 

functions, and wherein each key corresponding to a digit in 

the range 2-9 is associated with three letters, and wherein the 

letter "s" is associate with a key corresponding to "*" and 

the letter "z" is associated with a key corresponding to "Ir. 

33. The keypad of claim 32, wherein the letters "s" and 

"z" are selected by contact with the key corresponding to "*" 

and "#", respectively, in conjunction with a generally 

upward movement. 

34. The keypad of claim 32, wherein said plurality of keys 

further includes a row of keys associated with at least the 

functions ENTER, SPACE and DELETE. 

35. A multifunction keypad comprising: 

(a) a touch-sensitive surface having defined thereon a 

plurality of regions designated as keys; and 

(b) a processor associated with said touch-sensitive surface and configured to: 

(i) identify a contact location at which an object comes 

into contact with said touch-sensitive surface, 

(ii) determine a selected one of said keys corresponding 

to the one of said regions within which said contact 

location is located, 

(iii) identify a path of motion of the object across said 

touch-sensitive surface relative to said contact location, and 

(iv) select, in a manner conditional upon at least one 

parameter of said path of motion, one of a plurality 

of functions associated with said selected key. 

* * * * * 

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