WO2009040959A1

WO2009040959A1 - Portable terminal

Info

Publication number: WO2009040959A1
Application number: PCT/JP2007/069334
Authority: WO
Inventors: Masaharu Kubo
Original assignee: Masaharu Kubo
Priority date: 2007-09-26
Filing date: 2007-09-26
Publication date: 2009-04-02

Abstract

This portable terminal comprises, a first device at least having a keyboard and a display device, wherein specific characters comprising at least one of English alphabetic characters and one of numerical characters are inputted through keypads of said keyboard, wherein the specific characters are displayed in form of a string of characters, wherein is expressed at least a part of said string of characters in form of representing a space relationship of characters each other in said keyboard. The portable terminal has a bumped and/or engraved mark to push said panels each other for sliding and/or closing is prepared at a side surface of said first panel.

Description

DESCRIPTON

PORTABLE TERMINAL

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field, of the Invention

[0001] The present invention, hereof, relates to aportable terminal which is capable of a wireless voice telephone , a terminal for internet use including text data communication such as email, and a TV receiver as well as a video camera (both for still picture and for moving picture) . The present invention, specifically, relates to a compact portable terminal having relatively large number of keypads in a compact foot print of a panel composing the portable terminal.

2. Description of the Related Art

[0002] The inventor of the present invention created a first prior art as a patent issued as US 7,158,817 (Date of Patent : Jan.2, 2007) that relates to the portable terminal having about 60 key pads so that they make one ( a user) easy to use the portable terminal especially when one makes a text data such as e-mail for internet use. The portable terminal have both rotating and sliding mechanism at its hinge portion connecting a first panel; a display panel, with a second panel; a keyboard panel. The invention disclosed convertible keys exposed at a part of the second panel; keyboard panel, which come out in sliding the dual panels; the display panel and the keyboard panel in use of the portable terminal as a wireless voice telephone.

[0003] There are a second and a third prior arts associated with input schemes in order to resolve a restricted size of key pads and a keyboard as well as in order to correct inputted data by keypads .

The second prior art is disclosed as Japanese published patent application : JP2000-242374, in which some virtual keyboard on a display is prepared to confirm data before inputting a character through an actual keypad. In this prior art, some scheme of detection for movement of user's finger from some specified reference position by means of using a senor attached on his finger. It is disclosed that a keypad measured by distance from the reference position mentioned above is identified and displayed as a keypad corresponding to the distance mentioned above on a virtual keyboard on the display.

The third prior art is Japanese published patent application

: JP2002 -288164, inwhich some correction scheme of an inputted string of characters is disclosed on the basis of learning effect by recording repeated mal-inputted data and comparing them with a right string of character which is once amended by the user.

[0004] The first prior art mentioned also disclosed a stable sliding scheme composed of a sliding hook on a first panel and a hook slot on a display panel.

It is described on the line 55-59 of the column 6 in the specification of the patent that mechanism composed of the sliding hook and the hook slot helps stable sliding of the panels, which are prevented from unneeded open of a counter side of the panels where the hinge unit is placed when one makes use of the terminal as a wireless voice telephone.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Although the prior arts mentioned above provided some scheme saving net number of keypads and resolving data input issues, there remain some issues associated with a smaller size of keypads in a restricted foot print of the portable terminal described in the first prior art than those of commercial wireless cellular phones having around 15 keypads including 10 numerical keypads . _ ^{" ' "}_ - -_?.-\ specifically for wireless voice telephone use.

[0006] This firstly gives rise to difficulty in manipulation and identification of a keypad by which one wants to input a specific character into the portable terminal either for dialing numerical number in wireless voice telephone use or for making text data including an address name in internet use such as email. This is because one is forced carefully to push a right keypad corresponding to a character one wants to input, avoiding topush wrong keypads neighboring the right keypad. This manipulation makes one shortly get tired even if one slowly manipulates keypads for inputting data. [0007] Secondary, due to marking dual characters on each of the convertible keys which act as different roles depending either on wireless voice telephone use by sliding panels or on making text data through inputting characters by manipulating corresponding keypads, expression of the dual characters is forced to become smaller than that of a single character. [0008] Thirdly, although there exists spell checker for correcting a miss spelled word, displaying some candidate words on the display so as for user to select the right word out of them, it cannot be applied for correction of either miss inputted address or dial number due to unintentional roll over key input in spite of that one wants to input a right character which is in his mind.

[0009] The other issue associatedwith the prior art mentioned above exists when one wants to slide the portable terminal as a wireless voice telephone. It is found out that difficulty in smooth movement sometimes takes place when he slides and/or closes; back and forth, a first panel: display panel fromand/or onto a second panel: keyboard panel, depending on a touch position at the side surfaces of the first panel where he pushes the first panel in order to slide and/or close by his finger. [0010] The present invention to overcome the issues ; first , second and third issue, firstly, will disclose a novel scheme such that one can manipulates keypads for inputting characters __

without he little concerns about whether or not he touches on a right keypad corresponding to a character one wants to input . 11] This invention is firstly based on specific properties of a keyarrangement andan object displayedon the displaydevice associated with inputted data or characters in key manipulation of the portable terminal, as follows.

(1) Character keys composing of alphabetic, numerical, and mark keys for making text data are usually arranged in the middle region of keyboard/ '>.

(2) On the other hand, function keys are arranged in a peripheral region. This implies that a frequency probability of unintentional roll over key input associated with every function key is significantly lower than that of character keys which are surrounded with neighboring key pads.

(3) In considering unintentional roll over key input, no more than two keypads adjacent (where his finger might touch on) is taken place from the standpoints of practical and/or realistic use.

(4) There is a large space in the display device in dialing numerical characters forwireless voice telephone use, because a size of the display device primarily is determined to display address list, andreceived/ submittedlog listwhichareusually larger information of plural persons than dial number of a single person.

This invention is secondly based on specific properties of the userbehavior (includinghis psychologicalmentality )both in inputting characters by manipulation of keypads with his fingers and in confirming characters inputted by looking at them on the display device.

(5) He concernsmore aboutmanipulating character keys than function key as mentioned in (1) and (2) . This makes him lost confidence in inputting a right character although he actually inputs it more likely in practice than he imagines.

(6) Empirically, he firstly looks at a keypad of a first character just after he inputted it by manipulating a keypad with his finger no matter which it is either an alphabetic one for email address, a word , a sentence in internet use or a numerical one for dialing in wireless voice telephone use. Then, he confirms it on the display device. Thereafter, he primarily goes on looking at the consecutive characters on the display device in order to confirm whether or not a string of characters is correct , while he is manipulating key input of the consecutive characters with his fingers.

(7) he can easily confirms on the display device of the portable terminal whether or not one inputs a right character by displaying the two characters adjacent each other so that one (a user) can easily confirm both a right and a wrong character neighboring each other just after one inputs either a character , a number, a word or a sentence for the portable terminal. (8) Intentional roll over key input such as capital character input by pushing both a functional key and a character key is easily be able to be recognized by referring rationality of combination apart from unintentional roll over key input of character keys.

It should be noted here that the key arrangement mentioned above is basically subjected to the standard specification

: such as QWERTY arrangement and that thereby this invention may be applicable to all kind of portable terminals which have rather small size of keypads.

[0012] A simple scheme of displaying the issued two characters on the display devices is figured out . This is based on providing information of allocation of characters on the keyboards quite helpful for one to be accustomed to selecting the right character by pushing again the keypad either for confirmation oramendment. This schememakes greatlyhimrelaxinmanipulating input of character keys even with small size keypads. [0013] Also, a virtual keyboard on the display device corresponding to numerical key pads is prepared to resolve rather small mark of a number on convertible keypads as mentioned in the first prior art. He can confirm a numerical character inputted on the virtual display as if he is directly inputting the numerical number on the virtual display. It should be noted here that any sophisticated attachment such as sensor or mouse attachment on his finger is needed as described in the second prior art. [0014] The present invention, finaly, will disclose a novel sliding scheme which should meet the requirement described in [0004] .

It is invented that the position in the side surfaces of the first panel, where one pushes the first panel in order to slide and/or in order to close before and after one makes a call , depends on a specific touch position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The present invention will be understood more fully from the detailed description given here below and from the accompanying drawings of the preferred embodiment of the invention, which, however, should not be taken to be limitative to the invention, but are for explanation and understanding only.

[0016] In the drawings;

FIG.l is a detailed perspective view of the portable terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention in a status of the portable terminal as a PC inputting text data; FIG.2 is a detailed perspective view of the portable terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention in a status of the portable terminal as a wireless voice telephone; FIG.3A is an example of the invented expression in the embodiment1 showing address , subject , and sentence of email in internet use of the portable terminal as shown in FIG.l, in which the places of unintentional roll over characters are shown in shaded forms.

FIG.3B is a detailed keypad arrangement of the keyboard in the embodimentl as shown in FIG.l, with which the places of unintentional roll over characters shown in FIG.3A are relatively (not physically ) identical.

FIG.4A is another example of the invented expression in the embodiment2 showing numerical characters of dialing in wireless voice telephone use of the portable terminal as shown in FIG.2, in which the places of a numerical character just inputted and unintentional roll over numerical characters are shown in shaded forms in a virtual keyboard on the display device shown in FI6.2.

FIG.4B is a detailed keypad arrangement of the keyboard in the embodiment2 as shown in FIG.2, with which the places of unintentional roll over characters shown in FIG.4A are relatively (not physically ) identical.

FIG.5A is a block diagram of the embodiment 1 and 2 of this invention, which realizes both FIG.3A and FIG.4A.

FIG.5B is a supplement illustration explaining that the places of intentional^ ) roll over characters are taken up from a table where relations of neighboring keypads are stored in memory2.

FIG.6A is a timing chart corresponding to address as shown in FIG.3A.

FIG.6A is a string of characters corresponding to address as shown in FIG.3A.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart explaining the procedures of displaying and amending unintentional roll over characters in embodiment

1 .

FIG.8 is a flowchart explaining the procedures of inputting and displaying 10 numerical characters in embodiment 2. This figure is also explaining aprocess of amending unintentional roll over characters in embodiment 2.

FIG.9 is a calculated graph of pushing force for sliding and closing as a function of the pushing place at a side surface of the panel 2 for explanation of the embodiment 3 of this invention.

FIG.10 is a part of another keypad arrangement in form of honey comb.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE MARKS ]

1,2 panel, 3,3A display, 4 keyboard, 4A,4B,4C keypad, 4D,4E pointing device, 4F space/conversion keypad

5,5A a part of the hinge unit fixed to the panel 1, 6 a part of the hinge unit fixed to the panel 2, 6A a cover connected to the hinge unit 6, and to the panel 2,

7 power switch, 8 sliding magnet, 8A magnet,

10 bumped mark guiding a place to push, HA speaker ,11B microphone, 12 camerashutter,

13 flexible printed circuit sheet,

2OA, 2OB, 2OC, 2OD unintentional roll over characters, displayed on a display device, 21 10 numerical virtual keyboard, 21C a string of numerical character, 21A, 21B, 21D numerical character, 21E selection of voice telephone call,21F telephone call, 21G clear, 21H address lists ,21I,21J received/submitted log,

31,31A,31B input device comprising such as function key and pointing device, 32,34 input control, 33, 33A,33B input device comprising such as alphabetic, numerical and mark key, 35 processor,

36 memory storing data, 37 read only memory, 38 display device, 39 display control, 40 user,

51A,51B,51C,51D,51E,51F,51G,516,51H, 51J,51K,51K,51L character of email address displayed on a display device DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] The preferred embodiment 1 of the present invention will be discussed hereinafter in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings from FIG. 1, FIG. 2, PIG.3A, FIG.3B, FIG.5A, FIG.5B, FIG.6A, FIG.6B and FIG.7.

[0019] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.

It will be obvious, however, to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instance, well-known structures are not shown in detail in order to unnecessarily obscure the present invention. [0020] In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, 1 represents a first panel. On the panel 1, there are a display device 3, and a magnet 8A.

[0021] In FIG.l and FIG. 2, 2 represents a second panel. On the panel 2, there is a keyboard 4 which is composed of convertible keypads 4A, non convertible keypads 4B, functional keypads

4C, 4D,and 4E. 4F acts as either a space key; a kind of mark keys or a conversion key; a kind of function keys. 4D, and

4Ξ are pointing devices having cursor function.

Keypads 4A,4B,4C and 4F compose 26 alphabetical characters for English, 10 numerical keys (0-9) , mark keys such as period mark, and function keys , totaling 54 keypads. The convertible keypads 4A act either as 10 numerical keypads in a status of sliding as shown in FIG.2 or as other keypads such as some alphabetical keypads and function keypads in a status of rotating as shown in FIG.l. There are also a power switch 7, and a line magnet 8 in FIG.l.

[0022] In FIG.2 on the panel 1, at a surface on an opposite side of the display device 3, there are another display device 3A , another pointing device 4E and a speaker HA and a microphone 11B. The display device 3A is smaller in size than the displaydevice 3 and is used to display dialedphone numbers whentheportable terminal is usedas awirelessvoice telephone. The display device 3A also displays both lists of names /telephone numbers by pushing address keypads and the received and/or transmitted telephone numbers of some counter persons by pushing regenerated keypads . The display device 3A is used as well to display a target of a picture as a finder when the portable terminal is used as a video camera.

[0023] In FIG.1, FIG.2, there is a hinge unit composed of a first cylindrical hinge 5, 5A and of a second cylindrical hinge 6. The first cylindrical hinge 5 and 5A are parts of the hinge unit fixed to the panel 1; diameter of 5A is a little bit smaller than 5.

A thinner portion of the first cylindrical hinge 5A can be slid through the inside of the second cylindrical hinge 6 fixed to the panel 2; diameter of 6 is a little bit larger than 5A.

The thinner portion of the first cylindrical hinge 5A can be either rotated around or slid along the second cylindrical hinge 6, as well. [0024] The thinner portion of the first cylindrical hinge 5A of the hinge unit can be slid along a center line of the common axis.

[0025] In FIG. 1 and PIG. 2, 6A is a cover portion fixed to the second cylindrical hinge 6 as well as to the panel 2. It will be shown later that underneath 6A, a portion of a flexible printed circuit sheet is located in form of either stretching, folding , or rotating with folding depending on status of either, a wireless voice telephone, closed (unused condition or a terminal like a PC inputting text data, respectively.

[0026] In FIG.1, the magnet 8A attached at the panel 1 can be slid through on the line magnet 8 attached at the panel 2. They are placed at a counter side of the hinge unit as shown in FIG.l.

Mechanism composed of the magnet 8 and the line magnet 8Ahelps stable sliding of the panels 1 and 2 , which are prevented from unneeded open of the counter side of the panels where the hinge unit is placed in using the terminal as a wireless voice telephone. [0027] A shutter button 12 is placed at a side surface of the panel 2 for video camera use as shown in FIG.2. [0028] The flexible printed circuit sheet 13 is located at the hinge unit composed of the first cylindrical hinge 5,5A and the second cylindrical hinge 6 and at the cover portion 6A as shown in FIG.2. The flexible printed circuit sheet 13 is made of a plastic film printed by copper wiring pattern, which is similar to ones for commercial wireless cellular phones.

[0029] The size of the portable terminal is; for the panel 2, length 12 centimeters,, width 5.5 centimeters, thickness 1.2 centimeters; for the panel 1, length 12 centimeters, width 5.5 centimeters, thickness 0.8 centimeters.

The diameter of the thinner portion of the first cylindrical hinge 5A is 8mm, and those of the thicker portion of the first cylindrical hinge 5 and the second cylindrical hinge 6 are 9mm. The diameter of the cavity of the cylindrical hinge 5A is 7mm, andwidth and thickness of the flexible printed circuit sheet 13 is 10mm and 0.1mm, respectively. The keypad pitch is 8 by 8.5 mm.

[0030] Hereafter, it will be explained by using FIG.3A, FIG.3B, FI6.5A, FIG.5B, FIG.6A, FIG.6B and FIG.7, that a scheme overcoming unintentional roll over input of text data in internet use due to so small keypad pitch mentioned above.FIG.3B shows a detail arrangement of keypads which is also shown in FIG.l. In this figure, just only characters of alphabetic, numerical, mark, and function keypads in case of internet use are shown , for simplicity.4CH represents alphabetic, numerical, mark keypads .

[0031] FIG.3A is an example of the invented expression in the embodiment 1 showing address , subject , and sentence of email in internet use of the portable terminal as shown in FIG.l, in which the places of unintentional roll over characters are shown in shaded shape. In FIG.3A, four places are represented by shaded shape; two places 2OA and 2OB in address and two places 2OC and 2OD in sentence show the places of unintentional roll over characters. It should be noted here that those designated four places are corresponding to the neighboring key pads by- referring the keypad arrangement shown in FI6.3B. [0032] FIG.5Ais a block diagramof the embodiment 1 of this invention , which realizes an expression of 2OA,2OB, 2OC and 20Din FIG.3A. InFIG.5B , a table 37Ainmemory2, 37 in FIG.5A stores information on space relationship of keypad arrangement shown in FIG.3B including information on neighboring keypads. FIG.5B also illustrates 2OA,2OB,2OC and 20Din FIG.3A are expressed in shaded shape referring place information stored in the table 37A in memory 2 37 and timing information which will be described later in FIG.6A and FIG.6B.

[0033] In FIG.5A, input device 1 31 represents some function by pushing a keypad 31A corresponding to one of function keypads 4C and/or 4D controlled by input control 1 32. In FIG.5A, input device 233 represents inputting characters composing email address and sentence as shown in FIG.3A by pushing a keypad 33A corresponding to one of alphabetic, numerical, and mark keys comprising 4CH controlled by input control 234. Processor 35 controls 32 and takes data through 31B in case of functional key manipulation, and controls 34 and takes data through 33B in case of character key manipulation.

[0034] FIG.6A is a timing chart , and FIG.6B is a string of character corresponding to 20A and 2OB in inputting email address shown in FIS.3A explaining how to judge unintentional roll over input from both non roll over (normal) input and intentional roll over input. In FIG.6B, 51A,51B,51D, 51E,51F,51K,and 51L imply non roll over (normal) input: case 1, while 51H and 51J imply intentional roll over input: case 2. On the other hand, 51C and 51G imply unintentional roll over input: case 3.

[0035] In 51C and 51G, ^«b" and "d" were inputted earlier than "v" and *e", respectively. Distinction of case 3 is carried out by referring both (1) time interval of input data from case 1, and (2) table 37A shown in FIG.5B recording keypad arrangement . For instance, "di" 51H is recognized as intentional rollover input bymanipulation of user's dual fingers referring the table 37A which informs the character "d" and "i" are not arranged at a neighboring position, respectively.

[0036] On the other hand, "vb" 51C is recognized as unintentional roll over input by referring the table 37A which informs the character ^Mv" and "b" are arranged at a neighboring position: right and left position, respectively as well as referring time interval of those pulses associated with 51C is shorter than the threshold time as shown in FIG.6. "v" is displayed prior to "b" although ^wb" was actually inputted prior to ^>xv" so that user can easily select one of them as a correct character and reentry the correct character for amendment because he is remembering space relationship of arrangement of those two characters in the actual keyboard. [0037] Also, "de" 51G is recognized as unintentional roll over _g

input by referring the table 37A which informs the character λ^λd" and "e" are arranged at a neighboring position: upper and lower position, respectively as well as referring that time interval of those pulse^are shorter than threshold time and that "d" was inputted prior to "e" which suggests "d" is more likely right one than "e" resulting in "d" displayed in the string of characters in stead of ^λΛe". "e" is displayed at a upper portion of "d" referring relative key position on the actual keyboard-!.

[0038] The processor 35 processes those works with memoryl 36 and memory2 37. and controls display control 39 so that a string of character data on the display device 3 be expressed as shown in FIG.3A.

[0039] In each case of [0037] and[0038], user confirms which of them should be a right character and amends by moving a cursor at the shaded character position and by pushing again right keys; "b" and ^λΛd", respectively.

He finally reconfirms input of a right string of characters for address on the display device 3. The same procedure will be applied to 2OC and 2OD shown in FIG.3A. A spell check which is common in PC software may be also applied prior to or after the procedure mentioned above is applied.

[0040] The procedure mentioned above will be again explained by using a flow chart as shown in FIG.7. FIG.7 is a flowchart explaining the procedure of displaying and amending unintentional roll over characters. [0041] In step 701, user selects task using input device 1 31. In step 702, input of characters (data) using input device233 is carried out , sometimes with roll over input device 2 33.

[0042] In step 703 and 704, processor35 determines whether or not the inputted data are unintentional roll over input of neighboring data. If it is NO, it proceeds to go to step705, and If it is YES, it proceeds to go to step706. In step 705, processor35 selects normal expression of character on display device 3. In Step 706, processor 35 selects special expression of roll over characters on display device and also stores the information above in memoryl 36.

[0043] In step 707, data and command for display control 39 is specified by processor35. In step 708, the string of characters is displayed on display device 3 as shown in FI6.3A. In step 709, and 710, user checks displayed data, and confirms whether or not it is OK. If it is Ok, then input of characters is completed. If it is NO, in step S711,user moves cursor on the designated characters and again inputs correct characters.

[0044] It was observed by experiment that changing the time length of the threshold time 52 by some tuning button (not shown ) can adjust frequency of roll over input. This can help him manipulation of input at his best condition from his standpoints of easy to use.

[0045] PIG.2, FIG.4A, PIG.4B, FIG.5A and PIG.5B explain a second embodiment2. The embodiment2 is specifically applied to input of numerical character in case of dialing the numbers after sliding the panels 1,2 shown in FIG.2. Almost same procedure described in the embodimentl is applied to the embodiment2 regarding unintentional roll over key input "45" 21D as shown in FIG.4A .

Thereby, only different portion of expression and procedure of this embodiment2 is described below. 046] FIG.4A is composed of both a virtual keyboard 21 and a string of numerical characters 21C inputted through keypads shown in

FX6.4B by user. He can confirm a string of numerical characters 21C which is another example of the embodiment 1. He can also confirm the inputted numerical character by use of the virtual keyboard 21 which is simultaneously shown in the display device 3A in conjunction with a display of the string of numerical character 21C. Every time when he inputs a numerical character through keypads on a keyboard as shown in FIG.4B, a virtual keypad is displayed in a form of another shaded background like "0" 21B shown in FIG.4A as an example , showing him that "0" 2lBwas rightly inputted. This notification shortlydisappears from the virtual display 21 just after his confirmation. On the other hand, when he made unintentional roll over key inputs

"4 or 5"like 21A, different shaded patterns are displayed at the position of "4" and "5" which may be also displayed by different colors from other numerical character.

[0047] Those expressions play a supplement role of 21C, which teaches him a location of numerical keypads helping him easily input and amend if it is needed even with use of small actual keypads, tops of which are marked smaller numerical characters shown in FIG.4B than those shown in FIG.4A. It should be noted that the virtual keypad 21 helps him easily input of function keypads as well, such as selection of voice telephone use 2lE,call 21F, clear 216, address lists 21H, received/transmitted log 211 /21J.

He can also confirmthe string of numerical characters 21C either when each numerical character is inputted or when input of the string of numerical characters 21C is completed. [0048] It should be noted that any sophisticated scheme such as a sensor or mouse sensing the movement of his finger like the prior art 2 is not needed because this is based on that he looks at a keypad position for the first numerical keypad corresponding to the first number of dialing while he confirms whether or not it is correctly inputted by looking at the virtual keyboard 21 on the display device3A.

[0049] As for consecutive numerical keys, he basically inputs them just looking at the virtual keyboard 21 rather than actual one because he has remembered a relative position of numerical keypads by assistance of the virtual keyboard 21 no matter what they are correctly inputted or some of them are unintentional roll over.

[0050] In FIG.5B, 37B represents store of information associated with the virtual keyboard 21 as well as relationship of keypads shown in FI6.4A.

[0051] The procedure mentioned above will be again explained by usinga flowchart as shown inFIG.8. FIG.8 is a flowchart explaining the procedures of confirming input of dialing numerical characters and amending unintentional roll over input if it happens . ^

The flowchart also explains almost all procedure when usermakes a voice telephone call with the portable terminal. [0052] In step 801, he slides the panels for wireless voice telephone call. In step 802, as a result ofmanipulation step 801, selection of voice telephone keypad 21E is actuated and processor35 commands display control 39 to display as shown in PIG.4A. [0053] In step 803, processor 35 judges call modes, as follows. If he selects function keypads, such as address lists 21A, received/submitted log 21J/21H, it proceeds to step 804. If he firstly inputs numerical character such as "0", it proceeds to step 805.

In step 804, he selects a call mode out of address lists , received /submitted log, and selects a specific dial numbers by scrolling pointing device 4E as shown in FIG.2 and go to step S811. [0054] In step 805, processor 35 processes inputted numerical character so as to be displayed by either ^VΛ0" or something like "45" and go to step 806.

[0055] In step 806, processor 35 judges inputted character whether or not it is unintentional roll over. If it is not, it proceeds to step 807. If it is yes, it proceeds to step 808.

[0056] In step 807, processor 35 commands display control 39 to display an expression 21B on the display device 3A and again go to input consecutive character in step 805. In step 808, processor 35 commands display control 39 to display an expression

21A on the display device 3A and go to step 809.

[0057] In step 809, he checks displayed data, such as something like 21A and 21D for "45" as shown in FIG.4A. and corrects it ^

by inputting a right numerical character out of "4" and "5".

He reconfirms input of a right number on the display device

3A and go to step S810. [0058] In step 810, he finally confirms the completion of dialing numerical characters, and if it is not yet, then go to step

805. If it is yes, it proceeds to step S811. [0059] He pushes a call keypad 21F as shown in PIG.4A and start telephone call with some counter person. [0060] FIG.l, PIG.2, and FIG.9 explains a third embodiments concerning smooth movement of the panels slit each other.

It turns out that force F for sliding the panels against friction of the cylindrical hinge between 5,5A and 6 strongly depends on a distance X which is defined as a length between an edge of the cylindrical hinge 5,5A and 6 and pushing position at a side surface of the panel 1. In another word, the force F mentioned above is strictly related with amount of degree such that it is applied in parallel with an axis of the cylindrical hinges.

[0061] FIG.9 is an experimental data taken by a model of the portable terminal, where the force F is measured by varying the pushing position corresponding to a bumped mark 10 when a person puts his finger at the bumped mark 10 shown in FIG.l and FIG.2. [0062] As a parameter, both a hook and a magnet structure and magnet shown in FIG.l and FIG.2 were tested in FIG.9 showing rapid increase of the force F takes place when the pushing position at the bumped mark 10 exceeds over half width of the panel 1. [0063] Therefore, preparing the bumped mark 10 at a closer position to the cylindrical hinges as shown in FI6.1 and FIG.2 than half of width of the panel 22 greatly contributes to smooth movement of the panels each other. The bumped mark 10 may be replaced by some engraved mark. The bumped mark 10 should be also replaced by some springs connected with the bumped mark

10 at a best position which is smaller length than half width of the panel.

[0064] Although the invention has been illustrated and described with respect to exemplary embodiment thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and various other changes, omissions and additions may be made therein and thereto, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

For example, there is another keypad arrangement as shown in FIG.10 , where the character "G" is surrounded with 6 characters in a shape of honey comb which is different from 4 characters in the embodiment 1. But basically the same procedure and expression the embodiment 1 may be applied, as well. In this case, the character ^ΛΛG" may be also considered to be surrounded with 2 neighboring characters at the right and left of "G" since 4 characters at the upper and lower position are located with a half length of the peripheral line of the keypad "G" . The expression of the embodiment 1 and 2 are also applicable for any portable equipment with touch panel scheme in stead of conventional keys as shown in FIG.l. [0065] As for applications, the expression of the embodiment 1 and 2 is also applicable for any kind, of the portable terminal, no matter which has a function of wireless voice telephone such as handheld computers and PDAs . Also, the concept of this invention can be applicable to input other language accustomed to using for folks such as Japanese and Chinese. For instance, input of characters are firstly executed by means of so-called Roman letters for Japanese while applying the scheme of this invention, and then they are converted to Japanese and/or Chinese characters by the use of a conversion key.

Therefore, the present invention should not be understood as limited to the specific embodiment set out above but to include all possible embodiments which can be embodies within a scope encompassed and equivalents there of with respect to the feature set out in the appended claims .

Claims

^CLAIMS

1. A portable terminal comprising: at least having a keyboard and a display device, wherein said display device displays characters comprising at least one of English alphabetic characters and/or one of numerical characters are inputted through corresponding keypads of said keyboard; wherein said characters are displayed in form of a string of characters; and wherein is expressed at least a part of said string of characters representing its space relationship of a keypad corresponding to a character with its neighboring keypads each other in said keyboard;

2. A portable terminal as set forth in claim 1, wherein said part of said string of characters corresponds to roll over keypads at said keyboard in inputting it;

3. A portable terminal as set forth in claim 2, wherein said roll over keypads at said keyboard in inputting it are determined by both its space relationship of said keypad corresponding to said character with its neighboring characters and by a time interval between said roll over keypads each other;

4. A portable terminal as set forth in claim 3, wherein said time interval is shorter than a threshold time;

5. A portable terminal as set forth in claim 4, wherein said said threshold time is tunable;

6. A portable terminal as set forth in claim 1; wherein prepared is a storage device storing information of its space relationship of keypad arrangement each other in said keyboard;

7. A portable terminal comprising: at least having a keyboard and a display device; wherein said display device displays at least 10 numerical keypads with space relationship of said keypads comprising 10 numerical keypads in a keyboard;

8. A portable terminal as set forth in claim 7; wherein said display device displays a numerical character on a keypad out of displayed said 10 numerical keypads which was inputted through a corresponding keypad in said keyboard in form of a different expression from the other numerical characters on said 10 numerical keypads on the display device;

9. A portable terminal comprising; a first panel at least having a display connected by a hinge unit to a second panel at least having a keyboard; wherein said display device displays a numerical character on a keypad out of displayed said 10 numerical keypads which was inputted through a corresponding keypad in said keyboard in form of a different expression from the other numerical characters on said 10 numerical keypads on said display device;

10. A portable terminal comprising; a first panel at least having a display connected by a hinge unit to a second panel at least having a keyboard; wherein a bumped and/or engraved mark to push said panels each other for sliding and/or closing is prepared at a side surface of said first panel; wherein a first panel at least having a display connected by a hinge unit to a second panel at least having a keyboard; and wherein a bumped and/or engraved mark to push said panels each other for sliding and/or closing is prepared at a side surface of said first panel;

11. Amethod of displaying a string of character on a display device of a portable terminal comprising; wherein step 1 is to input at least one of English alphabetic characters and/or one of numerical characters forming a string of characters; wherein step 2 is to examine whether or not roll over input is done at a part of said string of characters through keypads at a keyboard; and wherein step 3 is to display said part of string of characters in form of representing its space relationship of a keypad with its neighboring characters each other in case of over roll input;

12. A method set forth in claim 11; wherein step4 is to determine said roll over input by both its space relationship of said character with its neighboring characters and by a time interval between roll over keypads each other;

13. A method set forth in claim 12; wherein step 5 is to measure said time interval is shorter than a threshold time, 069334

14. A method as set forth in claim 13; wherein step 7 is to tune said threshold time;

15. A method of displaying at least one of 10 numerical characters on a display device of a portable terminal comprising; at least having a keyboard and a display device and said display device is capable of displaying 10 numerical keypads corresponding to 10 numerical keypads in a keyboard; wherein stepl is to input at least said one of 10 numerical characters through a corresponding keypad in said keyboard; wherein step2 is to examine whether or not said one of 10 numerical characters is lastly inputted ; and wherein said one of 10 numerical characters is displayed in form of different expression from the other keypads until a consecutive 10 numerical character comes in step2;

16. A method as set forth in claim 15; wherein said portable terminal has a first panel at least having said display device connected by a hinge unit to a second panel at least having said keyboard; wherein said hinge unit has both a rotating mechanism and a sliding mechanism that slides in the longitudinal direction along the center axis of said hinge unit; and wherein said 10 numerical keypads corresponding to said 10 numerical keypads in said keyboard are displayed when said panels are slid each other.