Abstract: Disclosed herein a user interface device includes a levitating knob configured to detect an input by a user's manipulation; a knob holder configured to be held when the levitating knob does not levitate; a lifting driver provided below the knob holder so that the levitating knob rises from the knob holder and levitates; and an anti-separation section disposed to be spaced apart from the levitating knob by a predetermined distance so that the raised levitating knob does not deviate from an upper side of the knob holder; and wherein the levitating knob is provided with a first magnet, the lift driver is provided with a second magnet arranged to face the first magnet, the second magnet having the same pole as the first magnet on facing surface thereagainst, the lift driver is configured to levitate or hold the levitating knob by driving up or down the second magnet.

Abstract: A portable electronic device for use in different orientations includes a signal control module, a key control module, an information display module, and a position detection module. The key control module includes a plurality of functional switches and functional keys. The signal control module has a plurality of key function execution commands respectively corresponding to the functional keys. The position detection module is configured for detecting a placement orientation of the portable electronic device. When the portable electronic device is rotated to change the placement orientation of the information display module, a screen orientation of an information display image provided by the information display module is changed following a change of the placement orientation of the information display module, and a corresponding relationship between the functional switch and the key function execution command is changed following the change of the placement orientation of the information display module.

Abstract: This application discloses a motion platform, a haptic feedback device, and a human-computer interactive system. The motion platform includes a first platform, a second platform and a linkage assembly, the first platform and the second platform being connected by the linkage assembly, the second platform being configured to move relative to the first platform. The first platform comprises a first power take-off and a second power take-off, the first power take-off comprising a first output shaft and the second power take-off comprising a second output shaft. The linkage assembly comprises a first parallelogram linkage mechanism and a second parallelogram linkage mechanism connected to each other, and a two-bar linkage mechanism. The two-bar linkage mechanism and the first parallelogram linkage mechanism have the same plane of motion, and the second output shaft being configured to drive motion of the two-bar linkage mechanism.

Abstract: A character input method according to the present disclosure, a computer is configured to execute a process of causing, in a case where each of characters of an answer character string corresponding to a correct-answer character string is input by a user by using a plurality of keys included in a keyboard layout displayed on a display, the display to display the keyboard layout, in a state indicating that a first character of the correct-answer character string, and at least one second character other than the first character, are inputtable, and a third character other than the first character and the second character is non-inputtable, the first character corresponding to an input character position of the answer character string.

Abstract: Provided are a detection device and a detection method that more reliably detect attitudes of fingers of a user. The detection device of the present disclosure includes: a first sensor that is disposed in a space between a thumb and an index finger and detects first information obtained by sensing a first finger that is a finger included in a first detection area; and a second sensor that is disposed on a palm and detects second information obtained by sensing a second finger that is a finger included in a second detection area.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a method and device, the device comprising: a touch sensor disposed adjacent to the outside of a housing and including touch interfaces for a plurality of areas; an inertial sensor having a set sensor axis; a biometric sensor disposed adjacent to the inside of the housing; a communication module comprising communication circuitry; a memory which maps and stores an angle corresponding to a touch detection range of each touch interface of the touch sensor; and a processor operatively connected to the touch sensor, the inertial sensor, the biometric sensor, the communication module, and the memory.

Abstract: A system including a user interface that includes a processor in communication with a display and an input interface, the processor programmed to output on the display the user interface including a keyboard layout, wherein the keyboard layout includes at least a keyboard includes a collection of characters, in response to a first input from the input interface, output a first portion of the keyboard layout associated with a first subset of characters of the keyboard layout, wherein the first subset does not include all of the characters, in response to a second input from the input interface, select a second subset of characters, wherein the second subset of characters is from and include less characters than the first subset of characters and the second subset includes two or more characters, and output a character on a text field associated with the user interface based on the selection of the second subset.

Abstract: A device may operate a guide wire and be operable by a single operator digit. The device may include an insertion control device for advancing the guide wire in a forward and in a reverse direction and along a longitudinal axis of the guide wire; and a rotary device for rolling a guide wire about the longitudinal axis. A robotic instrument driver may be operatively coupled to the device and configured to control axial movement of the guide wire along the longitudinal axis according to input received from the insertion control device and to control rotational movement of the guide wire according to input received from the rotary device.

Abstract: A system is disclosed, comprising an array of sensors disposed on a plurality of aerial vehicles, a sensor array controller for controlling the plurality of aerial vehicles, a physical feedback mechanism for providing physical feedback to a user, the physical feedback mechanism being configured to be worn on the user's body, and a feedback controller. The sensor array controller is configured to reposition the plurality of aerial vehicles so as to provide a line of sight between each one of the plurality of sensors and a respective part of the user's body monitored by said one of the plurality of sensors. The feedback controller is configured to determine a current position of the user's body based on information obtained using the plurality of sensors, and to control the physical feedback mechanism to provide physical feedback to the user in dependence on the determined position of the user's body.

Abstract: A safety handle for the control of access for machines or industrial plants comprises a main body (3, 4) adapted to be anchored to the movable part (M) of the access (A) to be controlled and adapted to be gripped by a user for moving the movable part (M) of the access (A), fixing means for fixing the main body (3, 4) to the movable part (M) of the access (A), an actuator (2) to be associated with the main body (3, 4) and adapted to interact with control means associated with the fixed part (F) of the access (A) upon closure thereof for enabling the machine or industrial plant to be controlled, sealing means (11) suitable for covering the fixing means to prevent access from the outside.

Abstract: A safety system for a power miter saw comprises a support member, at least one multidirectional manipulator including a workpiece holder member moveably mounted to the support member for securing a workpiece in place, and a control box. The workpiece holder member includes a presence indicator operatively connected to the control box and configured to detect the physical presence of a saw operator's hand on the at least one multidirectional manipulator when the saw operator's hand engages the presence indicator. The control box is operatively connectable to a trigger switch of the power miter saw so that an electric motor of the power miter saw is activated only when both the presence indicator of the safety system and the trigger switch of the power miter saw are engaged by both hands of an operator of the power miter saw.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to detecting hand gesture input using an electronic device, such as a wearable device strapped to a wrist. The device can have multiple photodiodes, each sensing light at a different position on a surface of the device that faces skin of a user. Examples of the disclosure detect hand gestures by recognizing patterns in sensor data that are characteristic of each hand gesture, as the tissue expands and contracts and anatomical features in the tissue move during the gesture.

Abstract: A keyboard comprising a top case and a bottom case comprised of a transparent material and including: a plurality of recesses each configured to receive one of a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED); a plurality of cavities that extend linearly and radially from a middle portion of the bottom case toward an outer edge of the keyboard, where light emitted by the LEDs is directed radially towards and out of the outer edge of the keyboard, due in part to the emission pattern of the corresponding LED and by adjacent cavities of the plurality of cavities; and a plurality of screw bosses configured to receive screws that securedly couple the top case to the bottom case, wherein the bottom case is coupled to the top case forming an outer housing for the keyboard.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods are provided for ultrasonic fingerprint sensors that feature an ultrasonic transmitter and multiple subsets of ultrasonic sensor pixels, each subset of ultrasonic sensor pixels associated with a different ultrasonically sensitive display surface, at least two of which are non-coplanar with one another. In some implementations, the ultrasonically sensitive display surfaces may be provided by different portions of a flexible display that has been flexed into a configuration in which two or more portions thereof are non-coplanar. In some instances, a controller may be provided that selectively reads ultrasonic sensor signals from subset(s) of the ultrasonic sensor pixels that are associated with the ultrasonically sensitive display surfaces that a touch-sensing system indicates are experiencing touch events.

Abstract: A mouse device includes a casing and plural key modules. The plural key modules are installed on two opposite sides of the casing. Each key module includes a switch, an elastic element, a keycap and a stopper. The switch and the elastic element are disposed within the casing. The keycap is detachably connected with the elastic element. The elastic element is arranged between the keycap and the switch. When the keycap is in a pressable state and the keycap is pressed in response to an external force, the keycap is moved in a direction toward the switch and the elastic element is moved with the keycap, so that the switch is triggered by the elastic element. The stopper is detachably connected between the keycap and the elastic element. When the keycap is stopped by the stopper, the keycap is switched from the pressable state to a non-pressable state.

Abstract: An inductive joystick may include a control structure including an elongate member movable along at least one direction substantially perpendicular to its length; and a position sensing assembly including a printed circuit board having at least one surface arranged adjacent to the control structure and at least one metal dial arranged over the at least one surface. The at least one surface may be substantially parallel with the elongate member's length and with the at least one direction, and may be provided with at least one transmitter coil and at least one receiver coil. In use, the transmitter coil(s) may induce signal(s) in the receiver coil(s) and the metal dial(s) may interfere with the induction. Moving the elongate member may cause relative movement between the surface(s) and the metal dial(s) which may vary the induced signal(s) based on a position of the metal dial(s).

Abstract: An electrical multidirectional force sensor includes a sensor element having a sensor pin and a sensor plate and a circuit board. The sensor pin is movable in at least two actuation directions. The sensor plate is integrally connected to multiple strip-shaped support elements. Each strip-shaped support element has an end portion with an opening. The sensor plate and the strip-shaped support elements are cut free in one piece from a metal plate. The sensor plate is connected to the sensor pin to move relative to the circuit board in correspondence with movement of the sensor pin.

Abstract: A foldable display device includes: a foldable display panel including a folding line, a first display area, and a second display area which displays a virtual keyboard including virtual keys in a keyboard mode; a touch panel including touch electrodes for receiving a touch input; a data driver which outputs a data voltage to the foldable display panel; a driving controller which controls the data driver; and a touch data generator which generates touch data based on the touch input, determines at least two input key values of the input key values as a typographical error when the at least two input key values are simultaneously input, and outputs the touch data including the at least two input key values determined as the typographical error to the driving controller. The driving controller activates a typographical error notification function and a typographical error correction function based on the touch data.

Abstract: A shifter simulator system comprising a frame with a gear stick hinge, a gear stick that is hingedly connected to the frame via the gear stick hinge, and a moveable frame part configured for moving relative to the frame and provided with a first contact surface and a second contact surface. The shifter simulator system also includes a magnetic contact and a tilting element configured for tilting around a tilting axis via a tilting connection in response to a movement of the gear stick and providing a first lever, and wherein the tilting element is provided with a first contact element and a second contact element configured for engaging the respective first and second contact surfaces of the moveable frame part providing a second lever, and by moving the moveable frame part defining a shifter movement with the magnetic contact. The first and/or second levers are adjustable.

Abstract: Methods and systems for mobile to mobile direct communication between mobile devices, automobiles, vehicles and subscribers of cellular systems and other users of digital wireless networks. Broadcasting, teleinformatics and telemetry methods and systems. Mobile devices receive and process signal for navigation and location finding. Data signals are processed into cross-correlated Time Constrained Signal (TCS) wave form and Long Response (LR) filtered signals and transmitted. Touchscreen, sensor and fingerprint generated signals are processed for control and authentication of the mobile devices. Software Defined Radio (SDR) of Bit Rate Agile (BRA) or Bit Rate Adaptive (BRA), Modulation Format Selectable (MFS) and radio frequency agile (RFA) system implementations.

Abstract: A gesture-controlled device and a method thereon are provided. The method includes capturing a plurality of video frames of a user's body and processing the plurality of video frames to allow detecting a portion of the user's body and to allow recognizing hand gestures. In response to detecting the portion of the user's body, the method includes generating at least one widget interaction region corresponding to the portion of the user's body. The method further includes recognizing, a mid-air hand gesture in the at least one widget interaction region, mapping the mid-air hand gesture to at least one virtual widget on the gesture-controlled device, and manipulating the at least one virtual widget based on the mid-air hand gesture. The method and device allow manipulation of virtual widgets using mid-air gestures on a gesture-controlled device.

Abstract: A digital predistortion system and method for pre-distorting an input to a non-linear system. The digital predistortion system includes a digital predistortion circuit and a memory. The digital predistortion circuit is configured to receive input data and modify the input data using at least one look-up table. The at least one look-up table is addressed by a signed real value of the input data. The memory is configured to store the at least one look-up table. The at least one look-up table is implemented based on a generalized memory polynomial model.

Abstract: An apparatus including a controllable fluid-contacting surface is provided. In another aspect, the present apparatus includes a flexible membrane and multiple actuators each having an output shaft or activation member coupled to a water-contacting membrane, with the shafts extending in a direction offset from the nominal outer surface of the membrane. A further aspect of the present apparatus includes an underwater vessel including a propulsion source, a flexible membrane having a water-contacting outer surface and an electronic controller including programmable software for actuating the actuators.

Abstract: According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input device and corresponding method which digitizes and transforms minute hand movements and gestures into user interface commands without interfering with the normal use of one's hands. The device and method may, for example, determine user actions based on detected user action characteristics from a plurality of sensors, where the sensors are preferably of different types.

Abstract: A vehicle pedal assembly comprising a pedal housing, a rotatable pedal, and an inductive position sensor. The inductive position sensor includes an inductive sensor target rotatable in response to the rotation of the pedal and a substrate positioned opposite the inductive sensor target. First and second redundant inductive transmit and receiver coil circuits are defined and located on different sections of the substrate in a relationship with the respective receiver coil circuits of the first and second transmit and receiver coil circuits at least partially surrounded by the respective transmit coil circuits of the first and second transmit and receiver coil circuits for reducing the coupling factor between the first and second transmit and receiver coil circuits.

Abstract: Methods and systems for calibrating a haptic system in an electronic device are provided. The calibration of the haptic system may be performed in a facility prior to a shipment to a user. The calibration may also be performed by a user prior to or after his/her use of the haptic system in the electronic device over time. A method for performing a calibration process in an electronic device includes generating a drive signal from a haptic driver in a haptic system disposed in an electronic device, transmitting the drive signal to an actuator in the haptic system, detecting a back Electromotive Force (bEMF) signal from the actuator in the haptic system, analyzing an output waveform from the bEMF signal, and adjusting a scale of the drive signal generated from the haptic driver.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention disclose a method for safeguarding an audio device by enabling the audio device to perform harm prevention and retrieval related task based on detecting a set of conditions within an operating environment of the audio device. The method includes one or more processors determining a freefall event of an audio device is occurring. The method further includes one or more processors determining an operating environment type of a surface the audio device contacts after the freefall event ends, wherein the operating environment type of the surface indicates liquid is present. The method further includes responsive to the indication that water is present one or more processors taking a liquid mitigation action.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein illustrate a glove that includes an anterior portion and a posterior portion. The anterior portion is knitted seamlessly with the posterior portion to define a metacarpal region and a plurality of finger regions extending out from the metacarpal region. A first conductive pad is knitted on the anterior portion of the glove. The first conductive pad is knitted on a distal end portion of a first finger region. A second conductive pad knitted on the posterior portion of the glove. Further, the second conductive pad is knitted on a second finger region. An electronic device is removably attached to the posterior portion and is in electrical communication with the first conductive pad and the second conductive pad. The electronic device is triggered in an instance in which the first conductive pad contacts the second conductive pad.

Abstract: Embodiments generally provide television controller functions using head movements. In some embodiments, a method includes recording a motion of a user. The method further includes determining one or more characteristics of the motion of the user. The method further includes generating a motion identifier based on the one or more characteristics. The method further includes assigning the motion identifier to a television command for controlling a television function of a television.

Abstract: A design that allows a touchpad or a digitizer stylus pad to double up as a mouse mat/pad so that a computer mouse can be used over it is provided. In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus for managing input devices are provided. The apparatus may determine whether a surface input is received at an input surface. The apparatus may determine whether a mouse input is received at a computer mouse. The apparatus may disable one of the input surface and the computer mouse that has a lower priority than another of the input surface and the computer mouse when the surface input and the mouse input are received at respective input device within a threshold window of time.

Abstract: Systems that detect a positional relationship between an informal processing device and an external keyboard are disclosed. A system includes an external keyboard including a first communication unit, an incoming coil disposed inside thereof, and an input controller configured to control the first communication unit to transmit operating information indicating an input operation from a user, information processing device including a second communication unit configured to communicate with the first communication unit, a planar portion on which the keyboard is mountable, and a feeding coil disposed below the planar portion, the feeding coil configured to supply electricity to the incoming coil by an electromagnetically induced coupling, and a position detector configured to detect a positional relationship between the planar portion and the keyboard based on a coupling strength of the electromagnetically induced coupling between the feeding coil and the incoming coil.

Abstract: A video game controller can include a body with a top surface and a bottom surface, multiple control inputs (e.g., thumbsticks, directional pads, buttons), and a face plate removably coupleable to the body over the top surface so that the plurality of control inputs extend through the face plate. One or more of the multiple control inputs are removable and replaceable without the use of tools by decoupling the face plate from the body and decoupling the control input from the body without disassembling the body.

Abstract: A keyboard comprising a top case and a bottom case comprised of a transparent material and including: a plurality of recesses each configured to receive one of a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED); a plurality of cavities that extend linearly and radially from a middle portion of the bottom case toward an outer edge of the keyboard, where light emitted by the LEDs is directed radially towards and out of the outer edge of the keyboard, due in part to the emission pattern of the corresponding LED and by adjacent cavities of the plurality of cavities; and a plurality of screw bosses configured to receive screws that securedly couple the top case to the bottom case, wherein the bottom case is coupled to the top case forming an outer housing for the keyboard.

Abstract: A mobile terminal comprises a first frame, a second frame capable of slidably moving from the first frame in a first direction or a second direction which is an opposite direction of the first direction, and a driving unit slidably moving the second frame, wherein the driving unit includes a motor coupled to the first frame, a pinion gear rotated by a rotational force transferred from the motor, a gear rack extended in the first direction and coupled to the second frame, moving in the first direction or the second direction when the pinion gear is rotated, a guide rail coupled with the gear rack, and a guide block coupled to the first frame, moving along the guide rail.

Abstract: A touch display device includes a touch detecting circuit and a processor. The touch detecting circuit is configured to detect a first touch signal and a second touch signal. The processor is configured to record a first time point when the first touch signal is received, and record a second time point when the second touch signal is received. The processor is configured to calculate a time difference between the first time point and the second time point, if the time difference is larger than or equal to a threshold, the processor is configured to adjust the first touch signal and the second touch signal according to a baseline.

Abstract: An extended operation device mountable to and demountable from an apparatus body includes an extended operation device body, an operation device, and a pair of insertion portions. The pair of insertion portions extend in a first direction parallel to an operation surface of the operation device with respect to the extended operation device body. One insertion portion and the other insertion portion of the pair of insertion portions are provided on one side and the other side, respectively, of the extended operation device body with respect to a central position of the extended operation device body in a second direction that is parallel to the operation surface of the operation device and intersects the first direction. The pair of insertion portions are inserted into a pair of insertion holes provided in the apparatus body to mount the extended operation device to the apparatus body.

Abstract: A method for defining a measurement range, called the useful span, of the inductive position sensor with emission of a cosine and sine signal by at least one first receiver winding and at least one second receiver winding, respectively. The cosine signal emitted by the one or more second receiver windings is taken as reference signal between the two sine and cosine signals for an adjustment of at least one parameter of the sine signal depending on a corresponding parameter of the cosine signal, at least one of the dimension and positioning parameters of the one or more first receiver windings being configured to generate a sine signal having the at least one parameter of the sine signal adjusted with respect to the cosine signal.

Abstract: A method, a computer readable medium, and an apparatus for wireless communication are provided. The apparatus may receive, via a radio frequency channel, a first data from a first human interface device at a first time slot of a frame. The apparatus may transmit the first data to a computing device. The apparatus may receive, via the radio frequency channel, a second data from a second human interface device at a second time slot of the frame. The apparatus may transmit the second data to the computing device. The apparatus may transmit, via the radio frequency channel at a third time slot of the frame, at least one of a first acknowledgment to the first data, a first lighting effect configuration data for the first human interface device, a second acknowledgment to the second data, or a second lighting effect configuration data for the second human interface device.

Abstract: In one example, the present disclosure describes a device, computer-readable medium, and method for providing immersive entertainment experiences by coordinating the actions of connected home devices. For instance, in one example, a metadata file is encoded in a first signal. The metadata file contains data that indicates how to adjust a setting of a connected home device to synchronize a home system with a portion of a media. The first signal is then delivered to a customer device in communication with the connected home device.

Abstract: A touch structure, a touch panel and a display device are provided. The touch structure includes a plurality of repeating units. Each of the repeating units includes: a first touch electrode extending in a first direction, the first touch electrode including two parts connected with each other, each part of the first touch electrode including a first section having a first width, a second section having a second width, and a first tip section; a second touch electrode extending in a second direction, the second touch electrode including two parts, each part of the second touch electrode including a third section having a third width and a second tip section; and dummy electrodes provided in regions of each of the repeating units not provided with the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, a portable computer having a display assembly coupled to a base assembly to alternate between a closed position and an open position. Palm rest areas are formed by a touchpad disposed on the surface of the base assembly. In an alternative embodiment, a touchpad disposed on the base assembly has a width that extends substantially into the palm rests areas of the base assembly.

Abstract: Robotic devices, systems, and methods for use in robotic surgery and other robotic applications, and/or medical instrument devices, systems, and methods include both a reusable processor and a limited-use robotic tool or medical treatment probe. A memory on the limited-use component includes machine readable code with data and/or programming instructions to be implemented by the processor. Programming of the processor is updated by shipping of new data. Once downloaded by the processor from a component, subsequent components take advantage of the updated processor without repeated downloading.

Abstract: An operation device includes a housing, a tiltable cylindrical operation member having a step portion on an inner circumferential surface, a first holding member which is held by the housing and rotatable in a first direction in accordance with a tilting operation of the operation member, a first detecting portion for detecting a rotation of the first holding member, and a returning mechanism disposed inside the operation member to return the tilted operation member to an initial position, wherein the returning mechanism includes an actuator, a slide member having a first cam surface at one end, a cam member having a second cam surface at one end which faces the first cam surface, a first elastic member, and a second elastic member.

Abstract: Provided is an information processing system including an application unit that applies a voltage to an application site of a user's body and a detection unit that detects a change in potential at a detection site of the user's body that is different from the application site in a state where the voltage is applied to the application site, and the information processing system determines a contact between a site of the user's body and another object on the basis of the change in potential detected by the detection unit.

Abstract: A wrench head comprises a working axis, a first jaw, a second jaw, and a third jaw. The first jaw comprises first-jaw arcuate convex contact surface, second first-jaw arcuate convex contact surface, third first-jaw arcuate convex contact surface, and first-jaw planar contact surface. The second jaw is coupled with and is pivotable relative to the first jaw and comprises second-jaw arcuate convex contact surfaces. The third jaw is coupled with and is pivotable relative to the second jaw and comprises a third-jaw arcuate convex contact surface and a third-jaw planar contact surface.

Abstract: A position detection device detects a current positon of a operation member among positions including a predetermined position and includes a detection system that includes a part to be detected and 3N magnetic sensors S. The operation member can move to the positions in N (?3) different directions from the predetermined position. Movement of the operation member between the predetermined position and another position cause outputs from three of the magnetic sensors to be switched. The magnetic sensors of which outputs are switched by a movement of the operation member between the predetermined position and a first position are all different from the magnetic sensors of which outputs are switched by a movement of the operation member between the predetermined position and a second position.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting user-object interaction in mixed-reality environments. A mixed-reality system detects a controller gesture with an associated controller orientation in the mixed-reality environment. The mixed-reality system then determines an interaction region for the controller gesture and identifies one or more virtual objects within the interaction region. The virtual objects each have an associated orientation affinity. Subsequently, the mixed-reality system determines an orientation similarity score between the controller orientation and the orientation affinity for each virtual object within the interaction region. In response to determining that at least one orientation similarity score exceeds a predetermined threshold, the mixed-reality system executes an interaction between the controller and the virtual object that has the greatest orientation similarity score.

Abstract: The present technology relates to an image processing apparatus and method, and a program that are capable of more facilitating editing. The image processing apparatus includes: an operation detection unit configured to detect an operation input by an operation unit; and a display control unit configured to output, to an immersive presentation device, part or entirety of a spherical image on which an image of the operation unit is superimposed, as a presentation image, to cause the immersive presentation device to display the presentation image, the display control unit being configured to control, in a case where the operation input has been detected, the display of the presentation image such that the operation input is reflected. The present technology is applicable to an editing system.

Abstract: A control device for a human-machine interface includes a base and a moveable member in the form of a lever or a push element, which can be moved relative to the base. The control device further includes at least one electroactive element positioned between the moveable member and a fixed element of the base.

Abstract: Provided is a character input method and apparatus for automatically switching an input mode in a terminal having a touch screen. If a press event occurs in one of key regions displayed in the touch screen, it is determined whether a drag event occurs prior to occurrence of a release event. According to whether the drag event occurs, one of a separate input mode for inputting one of characters of a corresponding character group and a text input mode for inputting a word including one of the characters of the character group is executed. Thus, a user can easily input a character by rapidly selecting a desired input mode.