Patent ID: 6894679

Claim:
A method for inputting function commands or number or character while watching a display and without seeing keys to an apparatus having a display, one or more function keys and a limited number of information data input keys, wherein all of said function keys and all of information data input keys can work in a pressure-sensitive mode, said method comprising the steps of: sensing an operation of said one or more function keys and information data input keys in order to display one of a function-selecting scene, a number-inputting scene or a character-imputting scene on said display; displaying said function-selecting scene comprising a plurality of function items corresponding to said function-selecting keys in response to touching one of said function-selecting keys; selecting a desired function by shifting a cursor to an item corresponding to the touched-function-selecting key; displaying successively functions assigned to the touched function-selecting key by continuously touching the touched function-selecting key; selecting definitely the item specified by the cursor by pressing the touched function-selecting key with a pressure exceeding a predetermined pressure; displaying said number-inputting scene in response to touching one of said information data input keys; selecting definitely a desired number by pressing said touched information data key with a pressure exceeding a predetermined pressure; displaying said character-inputting scene in response to touching one of said information data input keys; displaying successively characters assigned to the touched information data input key by continuously touching the touched information data input key; selecting definitely a desired character by pressing said touched information data input key with a pressure exceeding a predetermined pressure during said successive displaying of characters assigned to the continuously touched information data input key; and displaying the definitely selected function, number or character on the display.