CN100579267C - Emoji call methods and means - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses a method and device for calling emoticons. An emoticon insertion key is added to the keys of a terminal device, and a separate emoticon database for storing emoticon information is provided, so that users can call The required emoticon library is called out, and the flexible personalized selection operation is performed through the principles of combination keys and recent use, and it also facilitates the upgrading of emoticons, making the terminal device more fashionable and personalized.

Description

Expression symbol call method and device

Technical field

The present invention relates to the terminal equipment field, especially refer to a kind of expression symbol call method and device.

Background technology

Development along with mobile communication technology, people utilize terminal equipment to pass through SMS (ShortMessage Service more and more, Short Message Service), E-Mail (Electronic Mail, Email) etc. mode is carried out written communication, and in literal, insert some emoticons, play the effect that an expression was contained thousands and thousands of words often.In frequent interchange, the user more and more likes transmitting mood and expressing implication with emoticon, and present terminal equipment need be operated and could the emoticon that the user likes be shown through multistep by the choice menus mode when calling emoticon, and this exchange way easily is complicated.

The method that adds the emotion symbol in the prior terminal among a kind of SMS of being implemented in and the E-Mail is, the user is if will add emoticon in editor's Word message, need press the menu that mixes that " * " key or " # " key enter emoticon and punctuation mark earlier, repeatedly press the direction navigation key again and select the emoticon liked, press function selecting key then this emoticon is inserted among SMS and the E-Mail.Because in this kind method of prior art, be that the content mix with emoticon and punctuation mark is stored in the common set, memory contents is relatively more chaotic, and it is cumbersome also to seem when searching and call emoticon.

Chinese patent application is disclosed on February 15th, 2006, publication number is: CN1735240, denomination of invention is the implementation method of emoticon and voice in a kind of SMS, the implementation method of inserting emoticon in a kind of SMS is provided, be provided with a memory cell in the mobile phone, in this memory cell, set in advance comparison list, and described method also comprises: A, described mobile phone read described table of comparisons data, and show in a presumptive area of display screen and select for the user; B, user select emoticon by button, and described mobile phone is that character string sends to target mobile phones with this short message conversion; After C, described target mobile phones received described character string, the table of comparisons with reference on the described target mobile phones showed corresponding emoticon.This inventive method has realized inserting the function of emoticon in the SMS literal, enriched the business function of short message, has increased the form of expression and the interest of short message.This method is to set up the expression options under editor's catalogue of short message, if will call emoticon, need switch one by one according to the order of editor's catalogue by the function shortcut and could arrive the expression options, and its implementation still relatively bothers, and loses time.

The method of selecting emoticon in the prior art is too complicated for liking using emoticon to express the own infelt user, uses very inconvenient also dumbly, also can not embody the personalization of the terminal equipment that has this function.Existing emoticon is also abundant inadequately in terms of content simultaneously.Emoticon itself is a bright spot of terminal equipment written communication, but the inconvenience that is to use can weaken the shake-up that this function brings mass consumption person undoubtedly.

Summary of the invention

The problem that embodiments of the invention will solve is to realize conveniently the calling of terminal equipment emoticon simplified the use of emoticon.

For reaching this purpose, the embodiment of the invention provides a kind of expression symbol call method, in terminal equipment, set up an emoticon storehouse that is used for storing the expression symbolic information specially, comprise the corresponding relation of emoticon written form and image format in the described emoticon storehouse, said method comprising the steps of:

Utilize emoticon to insert key and directly call described emoticon storehouse, wherein, the emoticon content in the described emoticon storehouse is loaded in the terminal equipment internal memory, and preserves with the global variable form;

Select emoticon and insertion from described emoticon storehouse, most recently used emoticon information is arranged in forward position in the described emoticon storehouse;

Described emoticon is sent to target terminal equipment.

The embodiment of the invention also provides a kind of emoticon calling device, comprising:

The emoticon memory cell is specifically designed to the described emoticon library information of storage, and preserves the information content in described emoticon storehouse with the global variable form;

Emoticon inserts key, connects described emoticon memory cell, is used to call the expression symbolic library;

The emoticon selected cell connects described emoticon memory cell, is used to select emoticon and insertion;

Emoticon mnemon connects described emoticon memory cell, is used for the emoticon information of the up-to-date use of recording user, with configuration item or document form the most recently used emoticon is arranged in forward position in the described emoticon storehouse;

The emoticon display unit is used for showing corresponding emoticon information according to the corresponding relation of described emoticon written form and image format.

The present invention increases an emoticon and inserts key in the button of terminal equipment, and be provided with the emoticon storehouse that the expression symbolic information is stored in independent being used for, user's one key is just come out needed emoticon library call, made things convenient for the insertion of user's emoticon when the copy editor, made terminal equipment have more fashion and personalization.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the schematic diagram of embodiment of the invention emoticon calling device;

Fig. 2 is the stored information schematic diagram in emoticon storehouse in the embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3 is an embodiment of the invention expression symbol call method flow chart;

Fig. 4 is the emoticon shortcut schematic diagram of the embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 is that the emoticon of the embodiment of the invention is fast selected schematic diagram;

Fig. 6 is that the emoticon of the embodiment of the invention upgrades flow chart.

The main element symbol description is as follows:

1 terminal equipment

2 emoticons insert key

3 display screens

Embodiment

Embodiments of the invention provide a kind of emoticon calling device, as shown in Figure 1, comprising: emoticon inserts key 100, emoticon memory cell 200, emoticon selected cell 300, emoticon mnemon 400, emoticon transmitting element 500, emoticon receiving element 600, emoticon display unit 700 and emoticon updating block 800.

Wherein, emoticon memory cell 200 is used for storage expression symbolic library information; The information content in this emoticon storehouse comprises: emoticon library name, expression data total length, expression number, use emoticon, expression index, expression length, expression title, expression size, expression form, expression content, written form and display position recently; And those information contents are with global variable or apply for that dynamically the form of variable is stored in the emoticon memory cell 200.

Emoticon inserts key 100, connects emoticon memory cell 200, is used to call the expression symbolic library, when pressing emoticon insertion key 100, can directly realize a key in emoticon storehouse in the emoticon memory cell 200 is called.

Emoticon selected cell 300 connects emoticon memory cell 200, selects emoticon and insertion by directionkeys and numerical key.

Emoticon mnemon 400, connect emoticon memory cell 200 and emoticon selected cell 300, according to nearest memory principle, the emoticon that the last time was used is with the form of configuration item or file, be kept in the emoticon memory cell 200, and enable in the process of emoticon in next time,, used emoticon of the last time is placed on first the position and shows according to the information of preserving.

Emoticon transmitting element 500 connects emoticon selected cell 300, is used for the emoticon information that will select and insert and sends to target terminal equipment with the form of SMS or E-Mail.Emoticon selected cell 300 selected emoticon information send to target terminal equipment by the emoticon transmitting element with the form of SMS or E-Mail.

Emoticon receiving element 600 connects emoticon transmitting element 500, is used to receive the emoticon information that emoticon transmitting element 500 is sent.

Emoticon display unit 700 connects emoticon receiving element 600, is used for showing corresponding emoticon information according to the written form of reception emoticon information and the corresponding relation of image format.If target terminal equipment supports image format to show that then this target terminal equipment shows this emoticon information according to the written form of reception emoticon information and the corresponding relation of image format with image format; If target terminal equipment does not support image format to show that then this target terminal equipment shows this emoticon information according to the written form of reception emoticon information and the corresponding relation of image format with written form.

Emoticon updating block 800, connect emoticon memory cell 200, the user can pass through computer or OTA (Over The Air, download the configurator renewal expression symbolic information that operator provides in the air), the emoticon information of upgrading is kept in the emoticon memory cell 200, and emoticon updating block 800 is the lastest imformation of search emoticon automatically, certainly the lastest imformation that also can search for emoticon manually; Emoticon updating block 800 also is used for the deletion of emoticon in addition, and the user can delete no emoticon information manually, also can pass through automatic refresh routine, deletes expired emoticon information automatically.

As shown in Figure 2, be the stored information schematic diagram of emoticon memory cell 200 among the embodiment of apparatus of the present invention, the content of its stored information comprises: emoticon library name, expression data total length, expression number, use emoticon, expression index, expression length, expression title, expression size, expression form, expression content, written form and display position etc. recently.More than these contents be kept in any memory device that terminal equipment inside or terminal equipment can have access to, in use, the software of terminal equipment can directly be visited the emoticon of these storages.In addition, the terminal equipment program can be loaded into these emoticon contents in the internal memory of terminal equipment, with global variable or apply for that dynamically the form of variable preserves, purpose is the access speed of accelerating the terminal equipment stored information, improves the speed of calling emoticon.The expression form can be that PNG (Portable Network Graphics, portable network graphic), BMP (Bit Map, bitmap picture) or JPEG (Joint Photographic Exprerts Group, Joint Photographic Experts Group) wait other picture format.

In the stored information shown in Figure 2, the corresponding relation between expression content and the written form is the conversion that is used for carrying out in terminal equipment between emoticon image format and the written form.When having the emoticon of image format in the information that terminal equipment is received, if terminal equipment is not supported the demonstration of image format emoticon, then terminal equipment can be according to the corresponding relation of expression content and written form in the memory contents shown in Figure 2, find and the corresponding written form of this image format emoticon, and show the information of this emoticon with written form; In addition, when the information of receiving when terminal equipment has the emoticon of written form, if terminal equipment is supported the demonstration of image format emoticon, then terminal equipment can be according to the corresponding relation of expression content and written form in the memory contents shown in Figure 2, find the emoticon information with the corresponding image format of this article font formula, and show the information of this emoticon with image format.

As shown in Figure 3, call the method flow diagram of emoticon, may further comprise the steps for the embodiment of the invention:

Step S301 utilizes emoticon to insert key and directly calls the expression symbolic library; In the button of terminal equipment, set up an emoticon and insert key, the formalness that emoticon inserts key is outstanding with the form of emoticon, show a significant emoticon image at this key surface, smiling face for example, can certainly be other images, and when the backlight of this key was lighted, light saw through this key and shows corresponding emoticon.Set up an emoticon storehouse that is used for storing the expression symbolic information specially, with the information stores of emoticon in this emoticon storehouse, content comprises: emoticon library name, expression data total length, expression number, use emoticon, expression index, expression length, expression title, expression size, expression form, expression content, written form and display position recently, and the mutual corresponding relation between the above-mentioned information etc.And, more than those contents be kept in any memory device that terminal equipment inside or terminal equipment can have access to, in use, the software of terminal equipment can directly be visited these stored informations, for the speed of accelerating to visit and call, the terminal equipment program can be loaded into these emoticon contents in the terminal equipment internal memory, with global variable or apply for that dynamically the form of variable preserves.Insert key when the user presses emoticon, can directly access the emoticon storehouse that is stored in the terminal equipment, convenient again fast, and be to be under note input or the Email input state at terminal equipment generally speaking, realize calling to the expression symbolic library.

It is pointed out that for the smaller terminal equipment of free memory the general dynamically method preservation emoticon content of application variable of using.In this case, when not using the emoticon function, do not need to deposit the expression symbol data in the internal memory, can effectively save internal memory cost.When using the emoticon function, the user presses emoticon and inserts key, portable terminal is dynamically applied for an internal memory earlier, the emoticon file that will leave in again in any memory device that mobile terminal document system or portable terminal can visit is loaded in the internal memory of application just now, carries out various operations for portable terminal.When closing the emoticon function, the dynamic data that portable terminal will be operated just now is saved in any memory device that the mobile terminal document system maybe can visit with the form of file, discharges the dynamically internal memory of application again.In this method, the emoticon data only just are loaded into internal memory when the user presses the expression symbolic key, therefore show the delay that may have certain hour, and user experience is not good.

For the relatively more sufficient portable terminal of free memory, generally use the method for global variable to preserve the emoticon content.In this case, in the start process, portable terminal will be placed on the emoticon file in any memory device that file system or portable terminal can visit, and just distribute in the global variable of internal memory when directly being loaded into compiling.No matter need to use emoticon when, the data of emoticon can direct memory access, and speed is fast, does not postpone.And when closing the emoticon function, internal storage data also can be saved in file system or the memory device at once, but waits until when portable terminal shuts down and just preserve with forms such as files.For the operation of frequent use emoticon, because saved the time of data loadings, preservation, to operate also more convenient.

Step S302 selects emoticon and insertion from the emoticon storehouse; After the emoticon storehouse was called out, the user can utilize directionkeys and numerical key, selected and insert the emoticon that needs use from the emoticon storehouse.It is to be noted, because terminal equipment has the function of symbol memory, the most recently used emoticon will be placed in position display in front, emoticon on the fixed position is change often, so the only corresponding fixed position of the combination of directionkeys and numerical key, and with this position on be that it doesn't matter for which kind of emoticon.

Step S303 sends to target terminal equipment with emoticon; The insertion of emoticon generally is to be under SMS input or the E-mail input state the user, when the user selects and insert emoticon under this state, then this emoticon information can be clipped in that the form with character string sends to target terminal equipment among SMS or the E-mail.

Step S304, target terminal equipment shows corresponding emoticon information according to corresponding relation.After target terminal equipment receives SMS or E-mail, according to the written form of storage emoticon and the corresponding relation of image format in this target terminal equipment, show corresponding emoticon information, be embodied in: if target terminal equipment supports image format to show, then this target terminal equipment shows received emoticon information according to the written form of storage emoticon and the corresponding relation of image format with image format; If target terminal equipment does not support image format to show, then this target terminal equipment shows received emoticon information according to the written form of storage emoticon and the corresponding relation of image format with written form.

Fig. 4 is the emoticon shortcut schematic diagram of the embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figure 4, the embodiment of the invention has been added emoticon and has been inserted key 2 in the button of terminal equipment 1, and the surface that emoticon inserts key 2 shows a representative emoticon sign, as: a smiling face (also can be other emoticon signs) has fashion and personalized characteristics.When terminal equipment is in interface of input method, press emoticon and insert key 2, then start the emoticon function, directly access the emoticon storehouse shown in the figure, carry out the operations such as insertion, interpolation, deletion or renewal of symbol.It is pointed out that in the emoticon storehouse shown in Figure 4, each different emoticon represented in different letters, it is that form with emoticon is shown to the user in terminal equipment, and is not the letter shown in the figure.Insert key 2 when the user presses emoticon, then the information in the emoticon storehouse is directly called out, and shows by the display screen 3 of terminal equipment, carries out the operation of various emoticons for the user.

The quick schematic diagram of selecting of the emoticon of the embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figure 5, each different emoticon represented in the letter among the figure, and it is that form with emoticon is shown to the user in terminal equipment, and is not the letter shown in the figure.In supporting the terminal equipment that the image emoticon shows is to show each emoticon information with the picture and text form, and be to show each emoticon information with written form in not supporting the terminal equipment that the image emoticon shows, and each emoticon is the form demonstration with two dimension.Among the figure, the user will select the emoticon of letter " K " representative, and this emoticon is in second position that ranked fourth in the glossary of symbols, so, can utilize directionkeys to be indicated to the residing row of this emoticon, press numerical key " 4 " then and lock this emoticon and insertion.It is to be noted, because terminal equipment has the function of symbol memory, the most recently used emoticon will be placed in position display forward in the emoticon storehouse, emoticon on the fixed position is change often, so the only corresponding fixed position of the combination of directionkeys and numerical key, and with this position on be that it doesn't matter for which kind of emoticon.

In addition, embodiments of the invention also comprise the renewal in emoticon storehouse, concrete renewal process as shown in Figure 6, when enabling the emoticon function at every turn, any External memory equipment that the earlier automatic search file system of terminal equipment meeting maybe can visit, check whether the expression symbolic library has Data Update, if do not have, then terminal equipment shows former emoticon information automatically; If have, then terminal equipment provides the update request prompting of emoticon storehouse, if assigning, the user upgrades the instruction of expression symbolic library, then terminal equipment is downloaded the more new data of emoticon automatically, and according to new emoticon information, upgrade the data in the emoticon memory cell 200, the emoticon information after will upgrading again is shown to the user by the display screen of terminal equipment; If the user assigns the instruction of not upgrading emoticon, then terminal equipment is not downloaded the more new data in emoticon storehouse, and only shows former emoticon library information.

Embodiments of the invention increase an emoticon and insert key on terminal equipment, and has the emoticon storehouse that the expression symbolic information is stored in independent being used for, user's one key is just called out needed emoticon information, and select and insert selected emoticon by directionkeys and numerical key; And, the most recently used emoticon is placed on position display forward in the emoticon storehouse by remembering principle recently; Can also download the more new data of emoticon automatically, the work that has greatly made things convenient for the user when the copy editor, to insert emoticon.

More than disclosed only be several specific embodiment of the present invention, still, the present invention is not limited thereto, any those skilled in the art can think variation all should fall into protection scope of the present invention.

Claims (12)

1. A method for calling emoticons, characterized in that, in the terminal device, an emoticon storehouse specially used for storing emoticon information is set up, and the emoticon storehouse includes correspondence between emoticon text forms and image forms, so Said method comprises the following steps: Using the emoticon insertion key to directly call the emoticon library, wherein the emoticon content in the emoticon library is loaded in the memory of the terminal device and stored in the form of a global variable; Select and insert emoticons from the emoticon library, and the most recently used emoticon information is arranged at the front position in the emoticon library; The emoticon is sent to the target terminal device. 2. The emoticon calling method according to claim 1, wherein the terminal device displays corresponding emoticon information according to the corresponding relationship, including: If the terminal device supports image display, the terminal device displays the emoticon information in image form according to the corresponding relationship; If the terminal device does not support image display, the terminal device displays the emoticon information in text form according to the corresponding relationship. 3. The method for invoking emoticons according to claim 1, wherein the emoticons are selected and inserted from the emoticon library by using the direction keys and number keys. 4. The emoticon calling method according to claim 1, characterized in that an emoticon mark is set on the emoticon insertion key. 5. The method for invoking emoticons according to claim 1, wherein the method also includes updating emoticons, including the following steps: The terminal device enables the emoji function; The terminal device checks whether the emoticon has data update; If there is data update, a data update request prompt will be given; If the user issues a data update command, the update information is automatically downloaded. 6. The method for invoking emoticons according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the content of the emoticon library includes: the name of the emoticon library, the total length of emoticon data, the number of emoticons, the most recently used emoticons , emoticon index, emoticon length, emoticon name, emoticon size, emoticon format, emoticon content, text format and display position. 7. A device for invoking emoticons, comprising: The emoticon storage unit is specially used to store the information of the emoticon library, and save the information content of the emoticon library in the form of global variables; The emoticon insertion key is connected to the emoticon storage unit for calling the emoticon library; An emoticon selection unit, connected to the emoticon storage unit, for selecting and inserting an emoticon; The emoticon memory unit is connected to the emoticon storage unit, and is used to record the latest emoticon information used by the user, and arrange the recently used emoticons in the front position of the emoticon library in the form of configuration items or files; The emoticon display unit is configured to display corresponding emoticon information according to the corresponding relationship between the emoticon text form and the image form. 8. The device for invoking emoticons according to claim 7, further comprising: an emoticon sending unit connected to the emoticon selecting unit for sending the emoticon information. 9. The device for invoking emoticons according to claim 7, further comprising: an emoticon receiving unit, connected to the emoticon sending unit and the emoticon display unit, for receiving the emoticon information. 10. The device for invoking emoticons according to claim 7, further comprising: an emoticon updating unit, connected to the emoticon storage unit, for downloading emoticon update information and updating the emoticon library. 11. The emoticon calling device according to claim 10, wherein the emoticon update unit is also used for deleting emoticons, manually or automatically deleting expired or unused emoticon information. 12. The device for invoking emoticons according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the contents of the emoticon library include: name of the emoticon library, total length of emoticon data, number of emoticons, recently used emoticons , emoticon index, emoticon length, emoticon name, emoticon size, emoticon format, emoticon content, text format and display position.

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