KR100638404B1 - Character input device and method of mobile communication terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a character input device and method of a mobile communication terminal that enables a user to input text quickly and easily using a graphical user interface (GUI) in a mobile communication terminal.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a character input apparatus of a mobile communication terminal, the display unit including at least one character display unit in which a predetermined group of characters are arranged in a line; A character input unit which receives an input signal corresponding to an arrangement direction of characters arranged in the character display unit; And a controller for moving a character selection means between the characters of the predetermined group according to an input signal input to the character input unit, and displaying the character selected by the character selection means on the display unit.

Mobile communication, character input, touch pad, Hangul consonants, Hangul vowels

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR INPUTTING CHARACTER IN MOBILE COMMUNICATION TERMINAL}

1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a keypad of a conventional mobile communication terminal.

2 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a mobile communication terminal having a character input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is an internal configuration diagram of a mobile communication terminal having a character input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a diagram illustrating a process of inputting text into a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 to 8 are diagrams showing a character display unit displaying a predetermined group of characters classified according to an embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a user inputs text using a mobile communication terminal having a text input device according to the present invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal, and more particularly, to a text input device and a method of a mobile communication terminal, which enables a user to input text quickly and easily using a graphical user interface (GUI) in a mobile communication terminal. .

Due to the rapid development of the current mobile communication technology, the mobile communication terminal is not only providing a call function but also being developed to perform various additional functions. In addition, wireless Internet services combining mobile communication terminals and the Internet are becoming popular, and short message service (SMS), email (E-mail) transmission, and chatting are available using mobile communication terminals. .

As various mobile communication services have been developed as described above, a service for transmitting a large amount of text data using a mobile communication terminal has been developed. Therefore, the development of a character input device for quickly and conveniently input characters into the mobile communication terminal has been made a lot.

However, the mobile communication terminal is required to have a function of providing various services while pursuing miniaturization and light weight due to its characteristics. However, the mobile communication terminal is manufactured in a small size that can be held in one hand, and the keypad is also configured to have a basic form for inputting a minimum content or number of keyboards. As such, since the mobile communication terminal must maintain a light and simple appearance, there is a problem in that the degree of design freedom for creating and transmitting sufficient character information is very low.

1 is a diagram illustrating a keypad configuration of a conventional mobile communication terminal.

As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional mobile communication terminal 10 includes a numeric key 11, a function key 12, and a liquid crystal display (LCD) 13. Each of the numeric keys 11 is assigned several Korean alphabets and English alphabets. In this case, in order for a user to input Korean or English using the mobile communication terminal 10 and display it on the LCD 13, it is necessary to remember which Korean alphabet or English alphabet is assigned to each numeric key 11. Character input is possible smoothly. However, it is very difficult to memorize which character is assigned to each numeric key 11 configured in each mobile communication terminal 10 in this way. In addition, since the assignment relationship between the numeric key 11 and the letter is different depending on the manufacturer, the communication service provider, or the terminal model of each mobile communication terminal 10, where the desired characters are arranged only with the arrangement of the numeric key 11. It is impossible to remember.

In addition, the space for displaying the characters assigned to the numeric keys 11 configured in the small mobile communication terminal 10 is very narrow, and in most cases, the characters are displayed in very small letters. Therefore, a user who is not familiar with the keypad of the mobile communication terminal 10, especially an elderly person or a low-sighted person, is randomly assigned to the keypad, and it is difficult to find a character expressed in small letters and input a desired text message. There is a problem that it takes effort. Furthermore, this problem causes a user who is not familiar with the keypad of the mobile communication terminal 10 to reduce the desire for the use of various mobile communication services such as a text message service.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention for solving the above problems is to provide a character input device and method of a mobile communication terminal that can easily and quickly input characters by changing the graphic interface and keypad form displayed in the mobile communication terminal. have.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a character input apparatus for a mobile communication terminal, including: a display unit having at least one character display unit in which a predetermined group of characters are arranged in a line; A character input unit which receives an input signal corresponding to an arrangement direction of characters arranged in the character display unit; And a controller for moving a character selection means between the characters of the predetermined group according to an input signal input to the character input unit, and displaying the character selected by the character selection means on the display unit.

In addition, the character input method of the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention for achieving the above object comprises: a first step of arranging a predetermined group of characters on a display unit configured in the mobile communication terminal; A second step of moving a character selection means between the predetermined group of characters to position the specific character in accordance with an input signal input corresponding to the direction of arrangement of the characters; And when the specific character is selected, displaying the selected character on the display unit.

In addition, a recording medium on which a computer program according to the present invention is recorded to achieve the above object comprises: a first step of arranging a predetermined group of characters on a display unit configured in a mobile communication terminal; A second step of moving a character selection means between the predetermined group of characters to position the specific character in accordance with an input signal input corresponding to the direction of arrangement of the characters; And a program for causing the computer to execute the third step of displaying the selected character on the display unit when the specific character is selected.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that reference numerals and like elements among the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals and symbols as much as possible even though they are shown in different drawings. In the following description of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

2 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a mobile communication terminal having a text input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 2, a folding type mobile phone is illustrated for convenience of description, but is not limited thereto, and various forms such as a bar type, a flip type, a slide type, and a swing type may be used. Can be applied to your phone. In addition, the present invention can be applied to not only a mobile phone but also a PDA and various portable mobile communication terminals.

Referring to FIG. 2, the mobile communication terminal 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a display unit 21 and character input units 25 and 26.

The display unit 21 is located above the main body of the mobile communication terminal 20 and has a function of displaying a character according to the selection of a character input menu of the character input unit 22. The display unit 21 has a substantially rectangular shape in front of the main body, and character display units 23 and 24 for inputting characters are formed on both left and right sides thereof.

In the character display sections 23 and 24, a predetermined group of characters is arranged in a line. Here, the letter is a broad concept that includes not only the Korean alphabet and the English alphabet, but also numbers and special characters, and includes all information that can be input using the mobile communication terminal 20. In FIG. 2, a first group of characters (eg, Korean consonants) is displayed on the first character display unit 23 on the left side. In FIG. 2, only five consonants of a to ㅁ are shown, but the remaining consonants, that is, ㅂ to ㅎ are connected in series to the first character display unit 23, and the scroll is performed by scrolling the screen. It may be displayed on the first character display unit 23. In addition, a second group of characters (eg, a Korean vowel) is displayed on the second character display unit 23. In FIG. 2, only some vowels ㅏ to ㅗ are displayed, but the remaining vowels are continuously connected in a row, and all of the vowels may be displayed on the second character display unit 24 by scrolling the screen. The character display units 23 and 24 and the character groups displayed thereon will be described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8.

The character input units 25 and 26 are formed below the display unit 21 at the lower part of the main body of the mobile communication terminal 20. The character input units 25 and 26 are configured to allow a user to select a character arranged on the character display units 23 and 24 by rubbing or scraping with a finger. For example, if a user touches the finger to the text input unit 22 and then scratches downward, the controller (not shown) configured inside the mobile communication terminal 20 may display the text display units 23 and 24. The character selection means 30 formed above is recognized as an input signal for moving downward. On the contrary, when the user scratches the surfaces of the character input units 25 and 25 from the bottom to the upper side, the controller (not shown) may recognize the character selection means 30 as an input signal for moving the character upward. In addition, if the user keeps in contact with the upper or lower end of the character input unit (25, 25) with a finger for a predetermined time or more, the control unit (not shown), the character selection means 30 is the character display unit (23, 24) By recognizing an image as an input signal for continuously moving upward or downward, it is possible to select a specific character by moving the character selection means 30 over a group of characters arranged in a line. The character selecting means 30 distinguishes a specific character currently selected from other unselected characters, and adjusts the contrast, size or thickness of the selected character, or adjusts the contrast, size or shape of a frame including the corresponding character. Deform or display the selected text using a separate icon.

When the user releases a finger that has touched the character input unit 22, a controller (not shown) configured inside the mobile communication terminal 20 recognizes this as a character selection signal and selects the selected character by the character selection means 30. Specific characters may be displayed on the display unit 21. Also, after combining a specific consonant and / or vowel, it may be configured to recognize the character selection signal by pressing the selection key 27.

The character input unit 22 is formed at a position corresponding to the character display units 23 and 24 below the main body of the mobile communication terminal 20. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, when the character display units 23 and 24 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the mobile communication terminal 20, the character input units 25 and 26 may correspond to the character display unit 23,. 24) is formed in the longitudinal direction of the mobile communication terminal 20 from the lower portion, on a substantially vertical line with the character display portions 23, 24. Then, the characters for the first character display unit 23 formed on the left side of the display unit 21 may be selected and input using the first character input unit 25 formed thereunder. In addition, a character input to the second character display unit 24 formed on the right side of the display unit 21 may be selected and input using the second character input unit 26 formed below.

The character input unit 22 may be implemented using, for example, a known touch pad such as a pressure touch pad or a capacitive touch pad used in a conventional notebook computer, and the like.

In addition, between the first character input unit 25 and the second character input unit 26, a selection key 27 for selecting a specific function, a call key 28 for requesting a call, and call termination or selection cancellation, etc. An end key 29 having a function is arranged. As described above, in the present invention, when the user lifts the mobile terminal 20, the left and right thumbs generally touch the first character input unit 25 and the second character input unit 26, respectively, so that the two character input units 25 are used. By forming a key button such as the selection key 27, the telephone 28 and the end key 29 between the two, the user can use the thumb of both hands to make the keys 27, 28, 29) can be easily pressed.

3 is an internal configuration diagram of a mobile communication terminal having a text input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, a character input apparatus of a mobile communication terminal having a character input apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a display unit 21 and a character selector for selecting a character to be input to the display unit 21. And a control unit 31, a memory 32, a duplexer 34, a transmitter 34, a receiver 35, and an audio unit 36.

The memory 32 stores a program for controlling the overall operation of the mobile communication terminal and characters classified into a predetermined group according to the present invention, and is input and output when the overall operation of the mobile communication terminal is performed by the controller 32. The data is stored in a predetermined set area.

The duplexer 33 communicates with a base station (not shown) through an antenna (AT), and separates signals transmitted and received.

The transmitter 34 filters and amplifies the text inputted according to the present invention and the radio signal output from the audio unit 36 under the control of the controller 31 and through the duplexer 33 through the antenna AT. Send.

The receiver 35 receives a radio signal separated by the duplexer 33 after being input through the antenna AT under the control of the controller 31, and amplifies and filters the weak received signal. do.

The audio unit 36 modulates a voice signal input through a microphone MIC into a wireless signal under the control of the controller 31. In addition, the audio unit 36 demodulates a radio signal received through the receiver unit 35 and transmits the demodulated signal as a voice signal to the speaker SP.

The control unit 31 controls the overall operation of the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention, and controls to select the character displayed on the display unit 21 according to the signals input to the character input units 25 and 26. That is, the controller 31 moves the character selecting means 30 in a predetermined group of characters arranged in a line in the character display units 23 and 24 according to input signals input to the character input units 25 and 26. And displays the character selected by the character selecting means 30 on the display unit 21.

4 is a diagram illustrating a process of inputting text into a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, when the user selects the text input menu by menu selection of the mobile communication terminal, the controller 31 is classified in the first character display 23 on the left side of the display 21 according to the criteria of the present invention. Characters of one group are arranged in a line (step 401), and a second group of characters composed of characters not belonging to the first group is arranged in a line on the first character display unit 24 on the right (step 402). Steps 401 and 402 may be performed simultaneously.

Subsequently, when a signal is input to the character input sections 25 and 26 by the user in correspondence with the arrangement direction of the characters (step 403), the control section 31 selects characters between the arranged characters in accordance with the input signal. Move 30 to locate the specific character (step 404).

Thereafter, when the user releases a finger touched from the character input units 25 and 26 or presses a separate selection key 27 (step 405), the control unit 31 signals for selecting the specific character. In step 406, a desired character is inputted by displaying the selected character on the display unit 21. However, in step 405, the user does not select a specific character, and the user continuously touches the character input units 25 and 26 with a finger or touches the upper and lower ends of the character input units 25 and 26 with a finger for a predetermined time or more. If so, the controller 31 recognizes this as a signal for continuously moving the character selection means 30 and proceeds to step 403.

Subsequently, when a text message is input to the display unit 21, the controller 31 uses the signal input by the user through the first character input unit 25 or the selection key 27 to display the text message. A specific character (eg, a Korean consonant) arranged on the first character display unit 23 on the left side of the unit 21 is selected and the selected specific character is displayed on the display unit 21. The control unit 31 again uses a signal input by the user through the second character input unit 26 or the selection key 27 to control the second character display unit 24 on the right side of the display unit 21. A signal for selecting a specific character (for example, a Korean vowel) is received and displayed on the display unit 21, and a desired text message may be input by combining them (step 406). By repeating the above process, if the character input is continued, the steps 403 to 406 are continued, and if the input of all characters is completed, the procedure is terminated (step 407).

5 to 8 are diagrams illustrating a character display unit displaying a predetermined group of characters classified according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, as shown in FIG. 5, in the case of configuring a graphic for inputting Hangul into the display unit 21, the first character display unit 23 arranged perpendicularly to the left side of the display unit 21 is included in the display unit 21. Hangul consonants can be arranged in order. In addition, Hangul vowels may be arranged in a line on the second character display unit 24 that is also vertically arranged on the right side of the display unit 21.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 6A, in the case of configuring a graphic for inputting English into the display unit 21, the first character display unit 23 arranged perpendicularly to the left side of the display unit 21 may be provided. English consonants can be arranged in a line. In addition, English vowels may be arranged in a line on the second character display unit 24 that is also vertically arranged on the right side of the display unit 21.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 6B, in the case of constructing a graphic for inputting English characters, 13 characters from a to m of 26 English alphabets are allocated to the first character display unit 23 on the left side, and up to n to z. The remaining 13 characters may be allocated to the second character display unit 24 on the right side.

As shown in FIG. 7, when configuring a graphic for inputting a number, numbers 1 to 5 are assigned to the first character display unit 23 on the left, and numbers 6 to 9 and 0 are on the right. It can also be assigned to the second character display unit 24. Here, the position of the number 0 may be arranged before the number 1.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, when constructing a graphic for inputting a special character, some group of special characters are assigned to the first character display unit 23 on the left side, and the remaining useful special characters are assigned to the right side first character display unit 23. It can also be assigned to the two-character display unit 24.

4 to 8, it can be seen that a certain group of characters are allocated to the first character display unit 23 and the remaining characters are allocated to the second character display unit 24 according to each allocation criterion. In FIGS. 4 to 8, only a part of the characters (eg, a ~ ㅁ and ㅏ ~ ㅗ) are displayed on the character display units 23 and 24, but the remaining characters (eg, ㅂ ~ ㅎ and ㅜ ?) May be displayed by scrolling the respective character display units 23 and 24 by the operation of the character input unit 22.

9 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a user inputs text using a mobile communication terminal having a text input device according to the present invention.

As described above, in the present invention, the first and second character display units 23 and 24 are formed on the left and right sides of the mobile communication terminal 20, respectively, and the first and second character input units 25 on the left and right sides thereof, respectively. , 26). In general, as shown in FIG. 9, the user holds the lower part of the main body of the mobile communication terminal 20 with both hands, and the first and second characters of the left and right hands respectively hold the first character input unit 25 and the second character. The input unit 27 may be naturally contacted.

In addition, since the first and second character input units 25 and 26 are positioned on substantially the same vertical line as the first and second character display units 23 and 24, the direction in which a user's finger moves and the first and second character display units are displayed. The directions in which the character selection means 30 moves on (23, 24) coincide. Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, the user may be displayed on the first and second character display units 23 and 24 using the first and second character input units 25 and 26 without having to frequently see the position of his / her finger when inputting a character. You can easily select and enter the characters while looking at them.

The character input method of the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention can be embodied as computer readable codes on a computer readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium includes all kinds of recording devices in which data that can be read by a computer system is stored. Examples of computer-readable recording media include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage, and the like, and also include those implemented in the form of carrier waves such as transmission over the Internet. The computer readable recording medium can also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

Meanwhile, in the detailed description of the present invention, specific embodiments have been described, but various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be defined not only by the claims below, but also by those equivalent to the claims.

According to the present invention as described above, the character can be input using the graphic user interface and the touch pad in the mobile communication terminal, there is an advantage that can easily enter the character even without having a plurality of key buttons.

In addition, according to the present invention, by arranging consonants on the left side and vowels on the right side of the mobile communication terminal display unit, it is easy to find a character to select and can easily input a text message without following a complicated character forming method. .

Claims (16)

A display unit having at least one character display unit in which a predetermined group of characters are arranged in a line; A character input unit which is formed substantially on the same vertical line as the character display unit of the display unit, and receives an input signal corresponding to an arrangement direction of the characters arranged in the character display unit; And And a controller for moving a character selection means between the characters of the predetermined group according to an input signal input to the character input unit, and displaying the character selected by the character selection means on the display unit. Character input device. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display unit is formed in a substantially rectangular shape, and includes a first character display unit in which a first group of characters is arranged in a line on the left side, and a second group of characters that do not belong to the first group on the right side. And a second character display unit in which characters are arranged in a line. 3. The character input apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first group of characters includes Korean consonants and the second group of characters comprises Korean vowels. 3. The character input apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first group of characters includes an English alphabet consonant, and the second group of characters includes an English alphabet vowel.  3. The character input apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first group of characters includes English alphabets a to m, and the second group of characters includes English alphabets n to z. 3. The character input apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first group of characters includes numbers 1 to 5, and the second group of characters includes numbers 6 to 9 and 0. The mobile communication device of claim 2, wherein the text input unit comprises a first text input unit for selecting a character of the first group and a second text input unit for selecting a character of the second group. Character input device of the terminal. The text input device of claim 2, wherein at least one key button is formed between the first text input unit and the second text input unit. The character input apparatus of claim 1, wherein the character input unit is configured under the display unit. delete The character input apparatus of claim 1, wherein the character input unit comprises a touch pad. The character of the mobile communication terminal of claim 11, wherein the controller recognizes a signal input by contacting the upper or lower end of the character input unit for a predetermined time or more as a signal for continuously moving the character selecting unit. Input device.  In the method for inputting a character on the display unit configured in the mobile communication terminal, A first step of arranging a predetermined group of characters in a row on the display unit; A second step of moving a character selection means between the predetermined group of characters and placing the specific characters where the specific characters are located in accordance with an input signal input on a vertical line substantially equal to the arrangement direction of the characters; And And when the specific character is selected, displaying the selected character on a display unit. The method of claim 13, wherein the first step comprises: arranging a first group of characters in a line on a first character display unit on the left side of the display unit; And And arranging a second group of characters consisting of characters not belonging to the first group in a second character display unit on the right side of the display unit in a line.  The method of claim 13, wherein the third step comprises: selecting consonants from a first display unit arranged on the left side of the display unit; And And selecting a vowel from the second display unit arranged on the right side of the display. A recording medium on which a computer program is recorded. A first step of arranging a predetermined group of characters on a display unit configured in a mobile communication terminal; A second step of moving a character selection means between the predetermined group of characters to position the specific character in accordance with an input signal input corresponding to the direction of arrangement of the characters; And And a computer program recording a program for causing the computer to execute the third step of displaying the selected character on the display unit when the specific character is selected.

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