CN100538603C

CN100538603C - Mobile communications device and characters input method

Info

Publication number: CN100538603C
Application number: CNB028110870A
Authority: CN
Inventors: T·H·谭; G·劳登
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
Current assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
Priority date: 2001-04-04
Filing date: 2002-03-20
Publication date: 2009-09-09
Anticipated expiration: 2022-03-20
Also published as: WO2002082251A2; CN1531677A; WO2002082251A3; AU2002308180A1

Abstract

The invention discloses a kind of method of the keyboard inputting ideographic characters from mobile communications device such as mobile phone.Corresponding a kind of character pattern of each key in the keyboard of described mobile communications device or structure.When the user selected a kind of pattern in these patterns, described device showed a series of possible selection of first parts of institute's lectotype to the user.Suppose that this pattern comprises a plurality of parts, then from described may the selection, during selected first parts as character, just show a series of possible selection of second parts as the user, so analogize, form by associated components up to character to the user.Because can determine the pattern of required character comparatively clearly, so the user is easier to correctly import required character.

Description

Mobile communications device and characters input method

Technical field

The present invention relates to mobile communications device, specifically, relate to the characters input method that is used for this device.More particularly, the present invention relates to Chinese character input method.。

Background of invention

Enough ideographic characters of energy such as Chinese character come input characters, and these many users for mobile communications device such as mobile phone are very easily.But this device generally has keypad, for example comprises each the numerical key 0-9 and the keyboard of other key on a small quantity, and this device has only very little display usually, and for example each direction is about tens millimeters display.

Because these constraints will provide a kind of characters input method of ideographic character very difficult.

CN-1118085A discloses a kind of system that allows only to import with numerical key 0-9 Chinese character.This is to be achieved by having the character of general character to distribute to each key one group of pronunciation aspect.

WO97/07449 discloses the method for a kind of encode Chinese characters for computer and input, wherein, each character comprises one or more parts, and each parts is mapped to the certain number keyboard among the numerical key 0-9 according to the subjective vision similarity between one of Chinese character of this basic character component and expression one of digital 0-9.Can import Chinese character by input and character corresponding components sequence then.But there is such shortcoming in this method, and promptly the similarity between the Chinese character of basic character component and the digital 0-9 of expression is little usually, and this just makes the user be difficult to determine which numeral specific character should be represented by.

Summary of the invention

According to the present invention, the corresponding a kind of charcter topology of each key in the mobile communications device keyboard.When the user selected one of these structures, described device showed a series of possible selection of first parts of the character with selected structure to the user.Suppose that this structure comprises a plurality of elements, then from described may the selection, during selected first parts as this character, just be used to select a series of possible selection of second parts as the user to user's demonstration.

The advantage of this method is: can determine the structure of required character in many cases comparatively clearly, this means that the user can more easily correct input character.

For the character that is difficult to determine clearly structure, can show that to the user the various of required parts may by multiple structure.

Should emphasize that used term " comprises " that being interpreted as explanation exists described feature, organic component, step or parts, does not also exist one or more further features or increases one or more further features but do not get rid of in this instructions.

The accompanying drawing summary

Fig. 1 shows according to mobile phone of the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows the keyboard of mobile phone shown in Figure 1 in further detail.

Fig. 3 illustrates according to one aspect of the invention the process flow diagram of a kind of method of operating of mobile phone shown in Figure 1.

Fig. 4-8 shows in further detail: in each stage of method of operating shown in Figure 3, the display frame of mobile phone shown in Figure 1.

Fig. 9 illustrates according to an aspect of the present invention, second kind of method of operating of mobile phone shown in Figure 1.

Screen display term of execution that Figure 10-12 showing method shown in Figure 9.

Figure 13 illustrates according to one aspect of the invention, the third method of operating of mobile phone shown in Figure 1.

Screen display term of execution that Figure 14-16 further showing method shown in Figure 13.

The detailed description of most preferred embodiment

Fig. 1 is the synoptic diagram according to mobile phone 2 of the present invention.Although the present invention is described with reference to mobile phone, but should understand, the present invention generally also is applicable to portable radio communication device or mobile radio terminal, and for example mobile phone, pager, communicator, communicator, PDA(Personal Digital Assistant) or any other hope can be imported the equipment of the character that is selected from large character set.

Under the regular situation, mobile phone 2 has antenna 4, loudspeaker 6, display 8, keyboard 10 and microphone 12.

It should be noted that this device is a device small-sized, that carry easily, the various constraints of pair man-machine interface (MMI) are therefore also just arranged.For example, display 8 common sizes are about 40 millimeters * 30 millimeters.To the information that will be shown to the user according to the present invention on display be described in more detail below.Similarly, keyboard 10 comprises other key of numerical key 0-9 and negligible amounts.Also will describe in detail equally, below and how use these keys according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows the keyboard 10 of mobile phone 2 in further detail.Under the regular situation, described phone comprises "Yes" key 20 and "No" key 22.These two keys have common function, but when described phone was in ideographic character input operation pattern, they also had other function as described below.Similarly, described phone has upper and lower a, left side and

right button

23,24,25,26 respectively.Equally, these buttons have conventional function, but when described phone was in the ideographic character input pattern, these buttons also had other function as discussed further below.

In addition, keyboard comprises record R key 28 and removes C key 29 that their function will be further described below shown in.

At last, keyboard 10 comprises " numeral " key 30, and it comprises 10 numerical key 0-9 and * key and # key.Can also be used to import the English Arabic alphabet that shows on each key as numerical key 2-9.Therefore, " 2 " key for example can be used for input alphabet A, B or C.Equally, these functions of numerical key 30 are conventional, but when inputting ideographic characters, these keys also have other function, below will be further described this.Specifically, each numerical key 0-9 and # key also comprise square frame 32 separately, square frame 32 this key of indication and inputting ideographic characters function associated.

Fig. 3 illustrates according to an aspect of the present invention, the process flow diagram of the method for inputting ideographic characters sequence.

Method shown in Figure 3 also is described in more detail with reference to Fig. 4-8, and Fig. 4-8 shows the display frame on the screen 8 in each stage of described method respectively.

At first, the user places ideographic character input pattern (shown in the step 50 of Fig. 3) with phone.This is by for example selecting this pattern to realize with common usual manner from function menu.

Fig. 4 shows the display 8 of phone when described phone is in this pattern.Described display comprises first area 80, and this zone comprises the literal that the described phone of indication is in the ideographic character input pattern.

Described display also comprises second area 81, and this zone is the text box that shows the paragraph of being made up of the output text.In addition, described display also comprises second text box 82, other child partition of its indication operator scheme.Specifically, this can indicate the type of the character of importing.For example, described phone may have various operator scheme, is used to import simplified Chinese characters, tradition Chinese character, Japan or Korea S CJK ideograph, and wherein each pattern is all according to the present invention.

According to the present invention, character is selected according to its structure.Therefore display comprises frame 83, and it indicates the charcter topology of current selection.

In addition, display comprises frame 84, is used to comprise each parts of the current character of importing.

At last, described display comprises another frame 85, and it shows candidate's list of parts of the part that can elect the current character of importing as.On color monitor, square frame 86 can adopt favourable particular color, and this frame can move along the candidate list in the frame 85 by left button 25 and right button 26, thereby allows the user to make one's options from shown candidate item.

As mentioned above, each side of the present invention relates to: inputting ideographic literal on the basis that ideograph is divided into groups by pattern or structure.Therefore, each numerical key 0-9 comprises figured regional 32 of display structure.So according to the structure of the character of the desired input of user, the user can be by one of numerical key 0-9.During the implication of these keys is listed in the table below.

Key
Key		1	Single structure
2	Left and right sides structure, wherein, left part spare is as critical component (key component)	1	Single structure
2		3	Left and right sides structure, wherein, right members is as critical component
4	Investing mechanism, wherein, peripheral components is as critical component	3
4		5	Up-down structure, wherein, upper-part is as critical component
6	Up-down structure, wherein, lower member is as critical component	5
6		7	Upper left investing mechanism, wherein, upper left parts are as critical component
8	The lower-left investing mechanism, wherein, the lower-left parts are as critical component	7
8		9	Upper right investing mechanism, wherein, upper right parts are as critical component
0	Symbol	9

It should be noted that each key 2-9 has all defined the critical component of corresponding construction, this critical component is shown in each diagrammatic representation in the relative keys zone 32 separately in the shade mode.Every kind of structure in these structures all has a kind of associated minor structure, and this depends on the quantity of slave unit.

Therefore, " 2 " key is used to import the character with L-R structure, and L-R structure just character can be divided into the structure that a left side and the parts on the right two halves and the left side can be considered as most important parts.In the case, in the right half part of this structure, may have only parts, perhaps have a plurality of such parts.By pressing " 2 " key once, the user can select a kind of its left side to have element, a right that the minor structure of an element is arranged; By pressing " 2 " key twice, the user can select a kind of its left side to have element, a right that the minor structure of two elements is arranged; By pressing " 2 " key three times, the user can select a kind of its left side to have element, a right that the minor structure of three elements is arranged; And by pressing " 2 " key four times, the user can select a kind of its left side to have element, a right that the minor structure of four elements is arranged; All these minor structures have identical basic structure, i.e. left and right sides structure, its key element on the left side.

Each key among the key 2-9 all can be by one to four time, so that define various patterns with similar mode, these patterns have as above shows defined single key element and corresponding to the subordinate element (secondary element) of the some of touch potential.The structure that it should be noted that by this way definition is not clearly stipulated the relative position of each subordinate element.Therefore, for example have key element, a right to have with regard to the structure of two subordinate elements with regard to its left side, each subordinate element can one be placed on another or placed side by side in turn.

For

numerical key

1 and 0, its position is slightly different.The character kind with single structure of numerical key " 1 " expression some, as shown in the table.

Key	Touch potential	Implication
Key	Touch potential	Implication		1	1	Chinese character
1	2	All Chinese pinyin ideographic characters		1	1	Chinese character
1	2	All Chinese pinyin ideographic characters	1	3	All Japanese Hiragna ideographic characters
1	4	All Japanese Katakana ideographic characters	1	3	All Japanese Hiragna ideographic characters

Therefore, by the suitable number of times of " 1 " key, allow the user from the character set of selecting, to select character.Similarly, the different character kind of numerical key " 0 " expression some, as shown in the table.

Key	Touch potential	Implication
Key	Touch potential	Implication		0	1	Numeric character
0	2	CJK and west marks point symbol		0	1	Numeric character
0	2	CJK and west marks point symbol	0	3	The small letter English alphabet
0	4	Capitalization English letter	0	3	The small letter English alphabet

Equally, by the suitable number of times of " 0 " key, allow the user from suitable character set, to select character.

It should be noted that by " 0 " to allow for three or four times the user to select English alphabet, when importing, may need this function sometimes usually in the character string that ideographic character is concentrated.If the user wish to import long mainly by or during the text all formed by English alphabet, can achieve the goal more easily by entering different character input modes.

Obviously, although introduced a kind of best approach of distributing the kinds of characters structure in each numerical key of keyboard, many other such allocation plans also are possible.For example, can also will can distribute to different keys by the minor structure of being visited in the above-mentioned allocation plan by the different number of times of same keys.

When the user had selected desired results for the character that will import, this structure can be presented on the screen, promptly is presented in the frame 83 of display 8.For example, if the user, determines then that the character that will import has upper left investing mechanism by " 7 " key twice, the critical component of this structure is the upper left parts of character and has two slave units (secondary component).Therefore frame 83 on the display 8 comprises the profile of selected structure, and wherein the most handy different color of the shape of upper left side key element shows, is the parts that at first will import to represent this key element, and frame 83 has also shown two subordinate elements.

Simultaneously, frame 85 comprises the tabulation of possible parts, and described possible parts may be that expectation has the upper left parts in the character of selected structure in the character set.

Possible parts show that with the order corresponding to its frequency of occurrences this is favourable, makes one's options because this is convenient to the user.

The user can make frame 86 move along described tabulation by using left button 25 and right button 26, thereby selects one of these parts.In this stage, as shown in Figure 5, frame 83 has shown the institute's lectotype with upper left parts 87 and two

slave units

88,89, wherein, has highlighted upper left parts 87.Frame 85 comprises the tabulation of candidate's critical component, and wherein, activity box 86 comprises the parts of current selection.The parts of current selection also are presented in the critical component frame 84 of selection in the frame 86.

When the user reached required parts, he just selected these parts by "Yes" key 20.After pressing the "Yes" key, the step 56 in process shown in Figure 3, the slave unit of display screen meeting show candidate.Equally, possible parts show that with the order corresponding to its frequency of occurrences this is favourable, makes one's options because this is convenient to the user.

Therefore, as shown in Figure 6, frame 85 comprises the tabulation of the slave unit of the character that can to become with selecteed parts before be critical component now.In frame 83, the

zone

88,89 of indication slave unit preferably highlights with different colours, is exactly the slave unit that the next one will be chosen to represent it.

The critical component that the upper part 84a indication of frame 84 is selected, and current parts are presented among the slave unit zone 84b of alternative pack frame 84 in the activity box 86, shown in step 58 among Fig. 3.

When having selected one of available slave unit by the "Yes" key, according to the quantity of the slave unit that will import, repeating

step

56,58 usually in case of necessity.

Fig. 7 shows the screen display when selecting second slave unit.Therefore, the slave unit of alternative pack frame 84 zone 84b comprises first slave unit of having selected on its left side, then comprise current parts in activity box 86 on its right.

After the input of the slave unit of specified quantity obtains confirming, the step 60 in process shown in Figure 3 then, and as shown in Figure 8, in the output text display frame 81 of display 8, show the character that has combined.The character of forming can be by being deleted by "No" key 22 recently.

The text chunk of organizing that is presented in the output text display frame 81 can be by recording in the storer of described phone by record R button 28, perhaps by being deleted by removing C button 29.

Also allow user's input character when the uncertain required input according to system of the present invention.

Fig. 9 illustrates according to an aspect of the present invention, when one of parts of the uncertain character of user, allows the program flow diagram of his inputting ideographic characters.

Method shown in Figure 9 also is described in more detail with reference to Figure 10-12, and Figure 10-12 is presented at the display frame on the described method different phase screen 8.

At first, the user places ideographic character input pattern (seeing the step 90 of Fig. 9) with phone.

When the user had selected required mode for the character that will import, institute's lectotype will be presented on the screen, promptly is presented in the frame 83 of display 8.For example, if the user, determines then that the character that will import has left and right sides structure by " 2 " key twice, left and right sides structure has two slave units and as the left part spare of critical component.Therefore frame 83 on the display 8 comprises the profile of institute's lectotype, and wherein, the most handy different colours of the shape of critical component shows, is exactly first parts (seeing the step 92 among Fig. 9) that will import to represent it.

Simultaneously, frame 85 comprises may become the possible list of parts that the left part spare of the character with selected structure concentrated in the expection character.

In this case, the corresponding correct parts of the uncertain character of user with his desired input.

According to this aspect of the invention, the user can be by overcoming this problem by the # key that serves as asterisk wildcard.At this moment, shown in step 94 among Figure 10 and Fig. 9, frame 83 shows the pattern of selecting, and frame 84 comprises "? ", to represent non-selected any critical component.

Then, in step 96, in frame 85, show the tabulation that can become all parts of slave unit in institute's lectotype.

When current parts in activity box 86 by after selected by the "Yes" key, selected parts also are presented among the slave unit zone 84b of alternative pack frame 84, as step 98 among Fig. 9 and shown in Figure 11.

Shown in step 100 among Fig. 9, frame 85 then shows the tabulation of the character with institute's lectotype, wherein, slave unit be exactly selected that.

Shown in step 102 among Figure 12 and Fig. 9, one of these characters can move and select by the "Yes" key along the tabulation in the frame 85 by making frame 86.Then, in the output text display frame 81 of display 8, show the character of having selected.

Like this, even when the user does not know all parts of character, he also can make up this character.Wildcard input character # can be used to import critical component and/or slave unit, and the number of times that adopts input character # in the character without limits.If the user all uses wildcard input character # to each parts of character, all characters that then have institute's lectotype all may be displayed in the frame 85.

Also allow the user to import the character that he can not determine its structure according to system of the present invention.

Figure 13 illustrates according to an aspect of the present invention, when the uncertain ideographic character structure of user, allows him to import the process flow diagram of the process of this character.

Method shown in Figure 13 also is described in more detail with reference to Figure 14,15 and 16, and Figure 14-16 is presented at the display frame on the described method different phase screen 8 respectively.

At first, the user places ideographic character input pattern (seeing the step 110 of Figure 13) with phone.

In this example, the user can not select suitable pattern, therefore presses the * key.In response, the step 112 in Figure 13, display shows that in frame 83 implication is the character of " substantially " or " critical component ", need critical component be made one's options to the indication user.Display also further comprises the tabulation of all parts that can select in frame 85, as shown in figure 14.Equally, this tabulation shows each parts according to the order corresponding to the parts frequency of occurrences, and this is favourable, because many such parts are arranged, and the user may must browse hundreds of parts.

After by frame 86 is moved along this tabulation parts having been made one's options as the user, then shown in the step 114 among Figure 15 and Figure 13 and 116, in frame 84, show the parts of having selected, frame 85 shows the tabulation of the character that comprises selected parts, and frame 83 comprises the character of implication for " single character ", is alternative those characters to indicate the character that shows in the frame 85 to the user.

Can move and selected one of these characters along the tabulation in the frame 85 by making frame 86 by the "Yes" key.When choice box 86 when just the tabulation in frame 85 is mobile, temporary transient character in choice box 86 is shown in the slave unit zone 84b of frame 84.Then, after selecting character, it is shown in the output text display frame 81 of display 8, shown in step 118 among Figure 16 and Figure 13.

Like this, he also can make up this character even the user does not know charcter topology.But in order not adopt this selection as far as possible, all characters with fuzzy structure all can advantageously visit by any possible structure.

So far, this instructions described a kind of allow to use simplify the method that keyboard comes inputting ideographic characters.

Claims

1. one kind has display and the mobile communications device that comprises the keyboard of a plurality of keys,

Wherein, each described key is corresponding to a kind of charcter topology that comprises one or more elements,

Wherein, when described device is in character input operation pattern:

When user key-press, described display will show with the corresponding charcter topology of institute's button and show an option at least, is used to select have first parts of the character of described character display structure;

If described character display structure comprises more than one element, then when the user selects first parts, described display shows an option at least, is used to select second parts with the character first parts compatibility, that have described character display structure of described selection.

2. mobile communications device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that:

When the user selects second parts, if described character display structure comprises plural element, then described display shows an option at least, is used to select the 3rd parts with the character first and second parts compatibilities, that have described character display structure of described selection.

3. mobile communications device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that:

When the user has selected parts for all elements of described character display pattern, just imported character.

4. mobile communications device as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that:

5. mobile communications device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that:

First area at described display shows the charcter topology that provides, and shows the parts option that provides at the second area of described display.

6. mobile communications device as claimed in claim 5 is characterized in that:

When the user has selected parts for all elements of described character display pattern, just imported character, and the character of being imported is presented in the 3rd zone of described display.

7. the described mobile communications device of any one claim as described above is characterized in that described key is a numerical key.

8. the described mobile communications device of any one claim among the claim 1-6 as described above is characterized in that:

Each described key is corresponding with the charcter topology that comprises a plurality of correlator structures,

Wherein, when described device is in character input operation pattern:

When user key-press, described display shows according to described key is pressed number of times and fixed minor structure.

9. the described mobile communications device of any one claim among the claim 1-6 as described above is characterized in that it has multiple character input mode, and these character input modes are corresponding to dissimilar CJK ideographic characters.

10. the described mobile communications device of any one claim among the claim 1-6 as described above is characterized in that, which comprises at least a key, is used for the option list of the basic character component of browse displays.

11. mobile communications device as claimed in claim 10 is characterized in that it comprises first arrow key and second arrow key, is respectively applied for forward and browses backward described rendering preferences tabulation.

12. a characters input method that is used for having the display and the mobile communications device of the keyboard that comprises a plurality of keys,

When described device was in character input operation pattern, described method comprised:

On described display, show and the corresponding charcter topology of user institute button, and show an option at least, be used to select have first parts of the character of described character display structure; And

If described character display structure comprises an above element, then in response to the selection of user to described first parts, described method also comprises:

At least show an option, be used to select second parts with the character first parts compatibility, that have described character display structure of described selection.

13. characters input method as claimed in claim 12 is characterized in that:

When the user selects second parts, if described character display structure comprises plural element, then show an option at least, be used to select the 3rd parts with the character first and second parts compatibilities, that have described character display structure of described selection.

14. characters input method as claimed in claim 12 is characterized in that also comprising:

When the user has selected all parts of described character display structure, just accept the character input.

15. characters input method as claimed in claim 13 is characterized in that also comprising:

16. characters input method as claimed in claim 12 is characterized in that comprising:

First area at described display shows the charcter topology that provides, and

Second area at described display shows the parts option that provides.

17. characters input method as claimed in claim 16 is characterized in that also comprising:

When the user has selected all parts of the character with described character display pattern, just accept the character input, and

The 3rd zone at described display shows the character of being imported.

18., it is characterized in that described key is a numerical key as any one described characters input method among the claim 12-17.

19., it is characterized in that as any one described characters input method among the claim 12-17:

Described method comprises: when described device is in character input operation pattern, shown a kernel texture according to described key by digital display in due order.