Patent ID: 8508498

Claim:
A system for displaying characters, comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and an input device coupled to the processor and having a first plurality of input members, wherein a plurality of characters are associated with each input member of the first plurality of input members to allow input of any one of the plurality of characters by applying a touch force within a same area of the input member; wherein the processor is adapted to execute computer-implemented instructions to: identify an occurrence of the touch force being applied to an input member; determine one or more properties of the applied touch force; select a particular character from the plurality of characters associated with the input member based at least in part on the one or more properties of the applied touch force, wherein the one or more properties of the applied touch force include a direction of the applied touch force, the processor further adapted to execute computer-implemented instructions to select a first character in response to the applied touch force having a first direction as applied to one of the plurality of input members and select a second character in response to the applied touch force having a second direction as applied to the same one of the plurality of input members; and display the particular character to a display unit.