KR20080052209A - Character data input method and device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for inputting character data into characters displayed in a plurality of sub display areas in a display unit. The user selects a sub display area including a character to be input from the displayed sub display area. Characters of the selected sub display area are displayed in a new sub display area, and characters of one or more other areas disappear. The remaining characters are subdivided into a plurality of sub display areas so that the number of characters displayed in the sub area can be reduced by an iterative method. In this way, characters can be entered without using the keyboard.

Description

Character data input method and device {APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DATA ENTRY}

1 is a plan view showing a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the portable terminal of FIG.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a text data input method of the mobile terminal illustrated in FIG. 1.

4A to 4F are exemplary views illustrating the character data input method of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a screen on which a number is input in the character data input method of FIG. 3. FIG.

6 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a screen on which a special character is input in the character data input method of FIG. 3.

7A to 7C are screen diagrams illustrating a text data input method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a text data input method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for inputting character data. In particular, the present invention relates to text data input in a small device such as a portable terminal, but is not limited thereto.

Most portable terminals include a standard ITU-T keypad with key arrangements in four rows and three columns. Each key is a combination of a number of different characters. There are two modes for text data entry using the standard ITU-T keypad. The first input method is a mode in which a character key corresponding to the character is repeatedly inputted until the desired character is selected. The second input method is a mode for selecting a previously inputtable combinable word corresponding to a key input by inputting a character key for inputting the character once and displaying a list of possible words using the input combination of keys.

The second character data entry method can sometimes be considered to send an expected message. However, this method may not display the characters desired by the user since the portable terminal generally cannot predict the inputted character data. However, this method is sometimes referred to as clear text data input because the user can select and enter the expected characters through the key.

However, the two methods of inputting text data described above have a problem in that the portable terminal is made smaller and smaller by the user's request, and thus, the keys for inputting the characters are made smaller and the user may incorrectly input characters.

US Patent No. 6.980.200 is designed to solve this problem and relates to a method for entering characters without using an alphabetic keypad. In an embodiment, the user selects a group including the next character to input from the list of character groups. Next, the characters in the selected character group are displayed on the touch screen. The user then presses an image of the character to be input. In another embodiment, the user sequentially moves the character list using the arrow keys until the desired character is highlighted. Then use the selection keys to display the desired character.

However, if the user does not know which character group the character to be input is included in, it is inconvenient to check each character group.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for inputting text data without using a keypad.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a character data input method and apparatus capable of inputting characters by classifying characters into a plurality of sub-regions displayed on the display unit.

The user selects one of the displayed subregions. Characters corresponding to the selected subarea are displayed divided into new subareas. The characters disappear in one or more subareas that are not selected. As this process is repeated, the user may reduce the number of characters displayed in the sub display area.

In the present invention, 'device' refers to devices that can input data. In particular, it refers to devices that a user can carry with a small device such as a portable terminal.

'Character data' means words or sentences that are written using letters. The text data may be all text data input from the mobile terminal as a file name when sending a text message or storing pictures, music, documents, etc. in the mobile terminal. In addition, 'character' refers to a character based on the languages of each country that can be used in mobile terminals, such as Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese. Here, a letter is illustrated by an English letter.

In addition, the 'character area' indicates a character and means an area in which a character to be input by the user is selected. The sub display area is an area forming the character area. In the present invention, it is assumed that the character area is divided into two sub display areas to display characters, but the 'sub display area' may be divided into two or more sub display areas to display characters. The sub display area also includes a left text area, a right text area, an upper text area, and a lower text area.

'Partial matching algorithm' refers to an algorithm that probabilistically examines and predicts a character that can follow the input character when one or more characters are input.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a plan view illustrating a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a portable terminal 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a case 3, a keypad 5, and a display unit 7.

Keypad 5 includes arrow keys 9, select key 11, delete key 13, confirm key 15, cancel key 17, character group key 19, special key 21, including up key 9a, left key 9b, right key 9c and down key 9d. do. In this case, the arrow keys 9 allow the user to select characters in correspondence with the sub display areas in which the characters are displayed. For example, the user can enter the right key 9c to select a character in the right display area, or 9a to select a character in the upper display area.

As shown in FIG. 2, the main components of the mobile terminal 1 include a control unit 31, an audio codec 33, a wireless communication unit 35, a display unit driver 37, a keypad 5, a sim card 39, a ROM 41, and a RAM 43. All configurations are powered from a battery (not shown) located inside the case of portable terminal 1. In addition, the controller 31 is connected to each component of the mobile terminal 1 to control the overall operation between the components.

The audio codec 33 encodes a sound signal received from the microphone 45, transmits the encoded sound signal to the controller 31, decodes the encoded sound signal received from the controller 31, and outputs the decoded sound signal to the speaker 47. .

The wireless communication unit 35 is configured to process a wireless RF signal detected through the antenna 49 into a suitable form for input to the controller 31, and to process a signal transmitted from the controller 31 using the antenna 49 into a suitable form for RF transmission. .

The display unit driver 37 is configured to receive a control signal for display from the control unit 31, convert the control signal into a drive signal, and display the one to be displayed on the display unit 7. FIG.

The SIM card 39 is a card attached to the mobile terminal 1 and registered with a telephone number, information of a user who uses the mobile terminal, and the like. The RAM 43 stores an application program that can be executed by the controller 31. The ROM 41 stores data used by the controller 31 and a method of performing a program while an operation is performed in the portable terminal 1. In the embodiment of the present invention, the ROM 41 includes the character data input method 49 performed in the character data input mode according to the present invention.

The character data input method of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4A to 4F, 5 and 6. FIG.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a text data input method of the mobile terminal illustrated in FIG. 1. 4A through 4F are exemplary views illustrating the method of inputting character data of FIG. 3. 5 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a screen on which a number is input in the character data input method of FIG. 3. 6 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a screen on which a special character is input in the character data input method of FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 3, the character data input mode is started through a displayed menu option for inputting a special key 21, a direction key 9 and a selection key 11, or a character data input by a user in step 1.

Next, the controller 31 displays the character group set as shown in FIG. 4 on the display unit 7 in step 3. The character group set here includes all alphabetic characters. As shown in Figs. 4A to 4F, the display unit 7 is displayed in the message input area 61 and the character area 63. The character area 63 is divided into a plurality of sub display areas capable of displaying characters. In the present invention, the sub display area is divided into a left character area 63a and a right character area 63b. The cursor 65 is displayed at the position where the next character is to be input in the message input area 61.

As shown in FIG. 4A, half of the alphabet letters are displayed in the left character area 63a, and the other half of the alphabet letters are displayed in the right letter area 63b. For example, the alphabet is divided into four rows and four columns as shown in FIG. 4A, and the alphabet is divided into two columns in the left character area 63a and the right character area 63b. In other words, the English letters can be displayed divided into 4 * 4 format. When the characters are displayed in the sub display area, the characters may be arranged in a circle and displayed, or several characters may be displayed in groups.

In the present invention, the user of the mobile terminal 1 performs a search to repeatedly reduce the displayed characters by half until the remaining characters become characters to be input. The remaining characters are automatically input at the position of the cursor 65 displayed in the message input area 61 of the display unit 7. FIG. In particular, whenever the direction key 9 corresponding to the sub display area including the character desired by the user of the portable terminal 1 is input, the characters of the sub display area corresponding to the input direction key 9 are displayed. (In other words, if the character to be input is located in the left character area 63a in Fig. 4, the user inputs the left key 9b. That is, the position of the direction key 9 is determined to correspond to the position of the displayed sub display area in the character area. ). Characters in the sub display area that are not selected are removed. The characters of the selected sub display area are displayed again after being divided equally into two new sub display areas. This process is repeated until one character remains.

For example, the input of the letter 'r' will be described with reference to Figs. 4A to 4F. Referring to FIG. 4A, the letter 'r' is shown in the left character area 63a of the display unit 7. Accordingly, the user presses the left key 9b. Then, the controller 31 displays two columns in the left text area 63a shown in FIG. 4A as shown in FIG. 4B. Herein, the control unit 31 places two rows in the upper text area 71a and two remaining rows in the lower text area 71b below the upper text area 71a among the four rows constituting the two columns located in the left text area 63a. .

Referring to Fig. 4B, the letter 'r' is shown in the letter area 71b below. Accordingly, the user enters the down key 9d. Then, as shown in FIG. 4C, the control unit 31 displays one row of the two rows displayed in the lower character area 71b shown in FIG. 4B as one column in the left character area 81a, and the other row is the left character area 81a. It is displayed in one column in the right character area 81b located to the right of. Referring to FIG. 4C, the letter 'r' is located in the right letter area 81b. Accordingly, the user enters the right key 9c. Then, the controller 31 displays the character string corresponding to the right character area 81b as shown in FIG. 4D. In other words, a single aligned character (including two characters 'pq') is displayed in the upper character area 91a. One sorted character (including the other two characters 'rs') is displayed in the lower character area 91b located below the upper character area 91a.

Referring to FIG. 4D, the letter 'r' is located in the lower letter area 91b. Accordingly, the user enters the following key 9d. Then, the control unit 31 detects this and displays one aligned character 'rs' in the lower character area 91b of FIG. 4D on the screen shown in FIG. 4E. In other words, one character is displayed in the left character area 101a, and the other character is displayed in the right character area 101b located to the right of the left character area 101a. Referring to Fig. 4E, the letter 'r' is in the left character area 101a. Accordingly, the user enters the left key 9b.

The controller 31 inputs, in the message input area 61, a single personal character 'r' displayed in the left text area 101a of FIG. 4E corresponding to the input left key 9b. And cursor 65 is moved to the next position. Next, as shown in FIG. 4F, the controller 31 displays the set character group for inputting the next character again.

Returning to FIG. 3, the controller 31 displaying the set character group determines whether the character group key 19 is input in step 5. If the character group key 19 is input, the controller 31 displays the next character group in step 7. In the present embodiment, the mobile terminal 1 may store at least three character groups. In other words, it is the first group with all alphabetic characters (the set group of characters, that is, the group with consonants and vowels), the second group with numbers 0-9, and the third group with special symbols.

Whenever the character group key 19 is input, the control unit 31 moves from the first character group (shown in FIG. 4A) to the second character group (shown in FIG. 5) and the third group (shown in FIG. 6) and again. Display the first character group in turn.

If the character group key 19 is not input, the controller 31 determines whether the erase key 13 is input in step 9. When the erase key 13 is input, the control unit 31 cancels the screen displayed according to the last command input by the user in step 11. In addition, the controller 31 displays the screen, which was displayed just before step 9, on the display unit 7.

On the other hand, if the erase key 13 is not input, the controller 31 determines whether the direction key 9 is input in step 13. When the direction key 9 is input, the controller 31 checks whether the displayed characters of the sub display area are one character in the character area 63 of the display unit 7 corresponding to the direction key 9 in step 15. If there are several characters of the sub display area corresponding to the input direction key 9, the controller 31 divides the characters of the corresponding sub display area as described above and re-adds them to two new sub display areas on the display unit 7 in step 17. Display. If there is only one character displayed in the sub display area corresponding to the input direction key 9, the controller 31 displays the character displayed in the sub display area in the message input area 61 of the display 7 in step 19. The controller 31 displays the set character group for inputting the next character again.

If the direction key 9 is not input, the controller 31 determines whether the confirmation key 15 is input in step 21. When the confirmation key 15 is input, the controller 31 ends the text data input mode in step 23 and displays a list of options for using the input text data. In the present embodiment, the option may be a short message or a multimedia message transmission or an e-mail transmission to the mobile terminal.

If the confirmation key 15 is not input, the controller 31 checks whether the cancel key 17 is input in step 25. If the cancel key 17 is input, the controller 31 cancels the character input mode in step 27. However, if the cancel key 17 is not input, the controller 31 waits for the next key input to occur.

As discussed in the first embodiment of the present invention, a user can enter text data without using an alphabetic keypad. As the keypad capable of displaying characters is removed from the mobile terminal 1, other function keys (direction key 9, selection key 11, deletion key 13, confirmation key 15, cancel key 17, character group key 19, special key 21, etc.) It can be largely configured. Accordingly, the character input can be easily and accurately inputted using other function keys in the mobile terminal 1.

Second embodiment

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7A-7C and 8. The second embodiment is a method utilizing the first embodiment. It predicts the characters that the user wants to input and uses predictive character technology that allows the user to select the expected characters if the expected characters are correct. This method can reduce the number of key inputs required for inputting the character data, thereby speeding up the input of the character data.

The difference between the portable terminal according to the first embodiment and the portable terminal according to the second embodiment is that a prediction algorithm that can be used while text is input is added. The same configuration in the first embodiment and the second embodiment refers to the reference numerals of the first embodiment.

The overall method for the character input mode of the second embodiment is described with reference to FIGS. 7A to 7B, which are screens in which the letters 'm', 'o', and 'r' are previously input in order to input the word 'morning'.

Referring to FIG. 7A, the controller 31 divides and displays the set character group corresponding to the left character area 201a and the right character area 201b in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Displays the next character expected in the square cursor displayed when a character is entered in the message input area 61. In this embodiment, the most probable characters that can follow one or more input characters are inferred by the Prediction by Partial Matching Algorithm (PPM). As shown in FIG. 7A, the prediction algorithm expects that the letter 'e' will follow the listed 'mor'.

If the expected character is wrong, the user selects the left character area 201a including the letter 'n' to be input using the left direction key 9b. The screen of FIG. 7B is a screen in which the character located in the left text area 201a of FIG. 7A is divided into an upper text area 211a and a lower text area 211b. Once again, the 'e' is still a valid character, so the prediction algorithm expects the letter 'e' to be a possible character. Thus, the user selects the lower character area 211b including the letter 'n' to be input using the lower key 9d. The screen of FIG. 7C is a screen in which characters in the lower text area 211b of FIG. 7B are divided into a left text area 221a and a right text area 221b. Because the letter 'e' is not a useful character for the option for the next character, the prediction algorithm expects the 'n' to be a possible character that can follow the 'mor' in the remaining characters. The control unit 31 then displays the expected next letter 'n' on the display unit 7. If this is correct, the user enters select key 11. The controller 31 then checks 'n' with the next character. According to the characters 'morn', the expected character may be 'i', and the user checks the displayed character 'i' and enters the selection key 11. And the next expected letter after the letters 'morni' can be 'n'. The user then checks the displayed letter 'n' and enters select key 11. Next, the expected character that can be entered in the letters 'mornin' can be 'g'. Therefore, the user checks the displayed letter 'g' and inputs the selection key 11. In this way, the last three letters of the word 'morning' can be entered simply by entering the selection key 11 three times in succession.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a text data input method according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the only difference in the character data input mode of the first embodiment is the execution process according to the input of the direction key 9 and the new process according to the input of the selection key 11. These two different implementations are described in the detailed description. The process of steps 1 to 13 described above in FIG. 3 and the process of steps 51 to 63 of FIG. 8 are the same. Therefore, a detailed description of the process from step 51 to step 67 of FIG. 8 will be made with reference to FIG. 3.

When the directional key 9 is input in step 63, the controller 31 determines whether the directional key 9 is input to select a sub display area including one character in step 65.

If the selected sub display area includes a plurality of characters, the control unit 31 divides and displays characters corresponding to two new sub display regions of the display unit in operation 67 as described above with reference to FIG. 3. The controller 31 checks the characters displayed on the sub display area. The controller 31 selects a character frequently used together with the character displayed in the message input area 61 and displays the predicted character among the confirmed characters. In operation 69, the controller 31 updates the predicted character set next to the character displayed in the message input area 61 of the display unit 7.

On the other hand, if the selected sub display area includes one character, the controller 31 inputs the character displayed on the sub display area to the message input area 61 of the display 7 in step 71. The controller 31 predicts and displays a character that can follow the input character through a character prediction algorithm.

However, if the direction key 9 is not input in step 63 and the OK key 11 is input in step 73, the controller 31 displays the expected character in step 75. The controller 31 anticipates and displays the characters that can follow the displayed characters. Next, the controller 31 displays the set character group. Steps 77 to 83 of FIG. 8 are the same as steps 21 to 27 as described above with reference to FIG. 3.

Modifications to the Examples

In the second embodiment, the prediction algorithm may predict the next most likely character from the characters left in the sub display area. Therefore, when the next character expected in the second embodiment is displayed in the message input area 61, and if the selection key 11 is not input, the controller 31 deletes the displayed expected character from the message input area 61. Then, the character input is performed according to the input key again.

In the second embodiment, the partial matching algorithm predicts the most probable characters by using the characters left in the sub display area. Instead of the partial matching algorithm illustrated in the present invention, other algorithms may be used instead. For example, a prediction algorithm of a method of predicting and displaying a word including the input characters whenever a character is input may be used.

In the first and second embodiments the keypad is used for user selection. Other devices can also be used. If the display unit 7 is a touch screen, the user may touch a sub display area including a character to be input.

In the first and second embodiments, characters are classified into two sub display areas. Characters may be displayed by being divided into more areas than the two sub display areas. For example, the characters may be divided into four sub display areas. In other words, the characters may be arranged by dividing the upper character region, the left character region, the right character region, and the lower character region. Accordingly, four direction keys can be used to select the sub display area including the character to be input. In addition, the characters can be arranged in three sub display areas so that the three parts can be searched.

In the first and second embodiments, the text data input technique of the present invention is applied to a portable terminal. Examples of portable terminals include mobile phones available through a wireless terminal communication network and wireless phones available through a local base station.

 The text data input technology of the present invention can also be applied to other electronic devices such as, for example, personal digital assistants (PDAs) or remote controls. The text data input technique of the present invention is particularly useful for small devices that need to reduce the number of keys by reducing the overall size of the device.

According to the present invention, when text data is input in a portable terminal, the text can be divided and displayed in a plurality of sub display areas. In this way, the user can select a sub display area including the character to be input and input the character. In addition, as the characters are displayed in the sub display area, the portable terminal does not need to separately include a keypad including the characters. Accordingly, the size of the portable terminal can be made small.

Since the next character is expected and displayed along with the input character, the number of key inputs for entering the character may be reduced.

Claims (27)

In the apparatus for text data input, Control means for controlling display means for displaying character groups divided into a plurality of sub-areas; And Selecting means for controlling a user input reception for confirming a selected sub display area of the display means; And the control means controls the display means such that characters displayed on the sub display area selected by the user using the selection means are displayed again in a plurality of sub display areas. The method of claim 1, wherein the control means And said display means for displaying a group of characters divided into two, three or four sub display areas. In the apparatus for text data input, Control means for controlling the display means to display a group of characters divided into two sub display areas; And Selection means for receiving a user input for confirming the selected sub display area of the display means; The control means comprises: i) two sub-display areas in which the user can select characters by performing two searches using selection means, and ii) three characters by which the user can select characters by performing three searches using selection means. Controlling the display means to divide the characters of the selected sub display area among the four sub display areas from which the user can select characters by performing four searching using the sub display area, i) selecting means; Device characterized in that. The method of claim 3, wherein the selecting means And a set of keys. The method of claim 4, wherein the keys And arranged to correspond to a spatial arrangement of the sub display area. The method of claim 3, wherein Further comprising means for predicting the next character in the character group, And said control means controls said display means to display said expected next character, said selection means comprising means for selecting said expected next character for text data entry. The method of claim 6, wherein the predicting means And using prediction by a partial matching algorithm. According to claim 1, And the device is a portable terminal. Displaying a group of characters divided in a plurality of sub display areas; Receiving a user selection for confirming a selected sub display area of the display unit; And And displaying the characters of the selected sub display area by dividing them into a new sub display area. The method of claim 9, wherein the character group is Character data input method characterized by being divided into two, three or four sub display areas. Displaying a group of characters divided into two sub display areas; Receiving a user input for confirming a selected sub display area of the display unit; And Iii) two sub display areas in which the user can select one character by performing two parts of the search, ii) in performing the three parts of the search. Three sub display areas in which one character can be selected by selecting one character from among four sub display areas in which one character is selected by performing a search of four parts. Character data input method characterized by the process. The method of claim 11, wherein Predicting a next character in the character group based on the previously input character; Displaying the expected next character; And And receiving a user input for selecting the expected next character for text data input. The method of claim 12, wherein the predicting process is Character input method characterized by using the prediction by the partial matching algorithm. A display unit having a text area including a sub display area for displaying characters and a message input area for displaying a character selected from the text area; A keypad for receiving a signal for selecting a character displayed in the character area; And And a controller which controls the display unit to display the selected character in the message input area when a character in the text area is selected through the keypad. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the character area is And at least two sub display areas. The method of claim 15, wherein the control unit When a sub display area including a character to be input in the text area is selected, And display characters of the selected sub display area by dividing them into new sub display areas. The method of claim 16, wherein the control unit And if there is only one character displayed in the selected sub display area, the character is displayed in the message input area. The method of claim 17, wherein the control unit And predicting and displaying the next character following the character displayed in the message input area by using a partial matching algorithm. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the partial matching algorithm is And predicting the next possible character based on the character displayed in the sub display area. Displaying characters in a character area in a character data input mode; And And displaying a selected text among the characters displayed in the text area in a message input area. The method of claim 20, wherein the character area is Character data input method characterized in that divided into at least two sub display area. The method of claim 21, wherein displaying the characters Displaying characters in the sub display area by dividing them; And when the sub display area in which the text is displayed is selected, dividing the selected text into a new sub display area. The method of claim 22, wherein the process of dividing the characters is performed. If the selected sub display area has one character, displaying the character in the message input area. The method of claim 22, wherein displaying the text in the message input area comprises: And predicting and displaying a character that can follow a character displayed in the message input area by using a partial matching algorithm. The method of claim 24, wherein the partial matching algorithm is And predicting the next displayable character based on the character displayed in the sub display area. The method of claim 20, wherein the character is Character data input method characterized in that the character is based on the national language. The method of claim 20, wherein the character is Character data input method characterized in that any one of numbers or special characters symbols.

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