Importance

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Abstract

A method and apparatus for improving the accuracy and usability of alphanumeric keypads and control functions on touch-screen devices by employing multi-function buttons and the actuation of multiple buttons in sequence by sliding a finger across the touch-screen. Potential applications include cell phones, smart phones, calculators, handheld scanners, gaming systems, remote controls, GPS navigation devices, and ultra small laptop computers. A first embodiment is an alphanumeric keypad for a touch-screen smart phone. In this embodiment, a modified QWERTY keypad layout is employed to allow selection of the most frequently used letters by touching the display and the selection of less frequently used letters by sliding a finger on the display. In this first embodiment, multiple letters can be entered in sequence by sliding from one button to either an adjacent or non-adjacent button. A second embodiment is a numeric keypad for entering phone numbers on a touch-screen phone.

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First Claim