Patent ID: RE44913

Claim:
A method for inputting a character to a device, the device comprising including a keypad, the keypad comprising including a plurality of keys, at least one of which the keys has a primary character, a plurality of secondary characters and a an associated display area associated with it , the keypad in a default state displaying the primary character associated with a the at least one key in its respective the associated display area, wherein the method comprises the steps comprising acts of: in the default state, returning the primary character as an input character in response to selection of the at least one key for a period shorter than a predetermined time period; switching to a second state after detecting a first key selection of the at least one key for a period longer than the predetermined time period ; in the second state displaying each of the secondary characters associated with the first selected key in a respective display area; detecting a second key selection; selecting for the input character the secondary character associated with the second key selection; and returning the keypad to the default state.