RU2344564C2 - Layouts of signs, methods of input and input device - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: information technologies.

SUBSTANCE: alphabetic signs are assigned to buttons, so that alphabetical signs that are located on adjacent buttons in standard keyboard QWERTY are located on one or adjacent buttons of portable device keyboard. At that alphabetical signs are divided in group for input by left hand and group of input by right hand on standard QWERTY keyboard, and also into the first set of signs, the second set of signs and the third set of signs according to frequency of their use.

EFFECT: makes it possible for user to quick and efficient sign input with help of signs layout on portable device keyboard.

48 cl, 7 dwg, 3 tbl

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to character layouts, input methods and input device. More specifically, the present invention relates to Anglo-Korean character layouts that are efficiently placed on a limited number of buttons, input methods using character layouts, and an input device for them.

State of the art

Until recently, many ways of inputting and character layouts have been proposed to support “character input” on portable devices such as a cell phone, PDA, remote control, which have a limited number of buttons. But, since the portable device was not originally designed for character input and the character input function was added later to improve its operational qualities, it is less convenient than a personal computer keyboard. The portable device contains a layout of 3 × 4 buttons or fields of alphanumeric keys as an input tool. The alphanumeric key field has a limited number of buttons, smaller than the keyboard of a personal computer. Typically, in order to overcome this limitation, more than two characters are assigned to one button, so the user must press at least two buttons to select the character to be entered.

Currently, to improve the efficiency of character input using the field of alphanumeric keys, various character layouts, input methods and input devices have been developed. And although some of the developed methods can increase the input speed and user convenience, there is a difficulty in that the user is forced to learn a new character layout. Namely, all the developed methods bring a new layout of characters or an increase in the number of buttons. Thus, in order to learn a new input method, the user must be familiar with the input method and character layout at the same time, and the manufacturer must make some changes to the structure of the portable device, especially the number of buttons. Since the user is not sure whether to buy a portable device with an unusual input method, the complexity will be less if you change only the input method or just the layout of characters. In particular, from the point of view of the user, it takes more time to study the layout of characters than the input method. This means that the manufacturer can apply various input methods to the portable device without changing the usual character layout, and the user can choose the input method that suits him.

Description of drawings

Figure 1 shows the English layout of characters according to the present invention.

Figure 2 shows the Korean character layout according to the present invention.

Figure 3 shows the layout of characters according to the present invention.

Figure 4 presents a table of character entry methods that can be applied to the character layout according to the present invention.

5 is a flowchart for distinguishing between a long press button and a short press button according to the present invention.

6 shows a flowchart for using a shift register button (SHIFT) according to the present invention.

7 shows a block diagram of an input device according to the present invention.

Technical challenge

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide fundamental and effective character layouts that can be applied to various input methods, so that a user who is used to a different input method can quickly and efficiently enter characters using the character layout of the present invention.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide new input methods that can be applied to an existing character layout, as well as to the layouts of the present invention, so that a user who is used to one of the existing character layouts can easily enter characters using the input methods of the present invention.

Technical solution

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a key field consisting of a plurality of buttons for manually entering characters by a user, said key field comprising: first to twelfth buttons arranged in a 3x4 matrix, a first character set containing the most frequently used characters that are assigned at least one of said first to twelfth buttons as a first character; a second set of characters containing signs of average frequency of use that are assigned to at least one of these buttons from the first to the twelfth as the second character; and a third set of characters containing signs of low frequency of use, which are assigned to at least one of these buttons from the first to twelfth as the third character, the character included in the specified first set of characters is selected by pressing a single key, while as a character included in said second character set and said third character set is selected using a predetermined input method in which said character sets from the first to the third are assigned to one of said buttons from the first to the twelfth from Chet inputting characters with both hands.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for inputting characters by selecting one of the first to third characters on the keyboard in the form of a 3x4 matrix in which at least one of the first to third characters is assigned to at least one of the buttons with the first on the twelfth, respectively, and the eleventh button and the twelfth button perform the functions of the left SHIFT key and the right SHIFT key, respectively, this method is that: detect if one of the twelve buttons is pressed; determine whether the "Right Shift" or the "Left Shift" checkbox is selected; the second character or the third character of the pressed button is displayed based on the specified rule if the "Right Shift" checkbox or the "Left Shift" checkbox is selected; determine whether the pressed button is a Right Shift key or a Left Shift key if neither the Left Shift flag nor the Right Shift flag are checked; set the "Left Shift" or "Right Shift" flag if the pressed button is the "Left Shift" key or the "Right Shift" key; and displaying the first character of the pressed button if the pressed button is neither a Left Shift key nor a Right Shift key.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for inputting a character by selecting one character from the first to third characters on the keyboard in the form of a 3 × 4 matrix in which at least one of the first to third characters is assigned to at least one of the first to twelfth buttons, respectively, and the eleventh button and the twelfth button perform the functions of the SHIFT key, this method is that: determine a long press or short press when one of the twelve buttons is pressed; determine whether the “Shift” checkbox corresponding to the “Shift” keys is actually set; display the second character or third character of the pressed button based on the specified rule if the "Shift" checkbox is selected; determine whether the pressed button is a Shift key if the Shift flag is not selected; set the "Shift" flag if the pressed button is the "Shift" key; and output one character corresponding to a long press or short press, among the characters of the pressed button from the first to the third based on a given rule, if the pressed button is not a "Shift" key.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for entering characters by selecting one of the characters from the first to the third, assigned to one of the buttons from the first to twelfth, with a different number of button presses, comprising: determining a long press or a short press when one is pressed of twelve buttons; display one of the characters from the first to the third, corresponding to the number of button presses in the case of a short press; determine whether the previous button pressed immediately before the long press button is the same as the long press button in the case of long press; separate the long-press button from the previous button by setting the separator if they are the same; and separate the long press button from the previous button by setting a space if they are not the same.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for entering characters by selecting one of the first to third characters on the keyboard in the form of a 3 × 4 matrix in which at least one of the first to third characters is assigned to at least one of the buttons from the first to the twelfth, consisting in the following: determining the direction of the line whose length exceeds a predetermined length when one of the twelve buttons is pressed; displaying the second character or third character of the pressed button in accordance with the direction of the line based on a given rule; determine a long press or short press, if the direction of the line is not present on the selected button, and one character corresponding to a long press or short press is displayed among the characters of the pressed button from the first to the third based on the specified rule.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for inputting characters by selecting one of the first to third characters on the keyboard in the form of a 3x4 matrix in which at least one of the first to third characters is assigned to at least one of the buttons c the first to the twelfth, consisting in the following: determine a long press or short press when one of the twelve buttons is pressed; displaying one character corresponding to a long press from the second or third characters of the pressed button based on a given rule in the case of a long press; determine whether the button is pressed sequentially in the case of a brief press; deriving one character corresponding to successive pressing from the second or third characters of the pressed button based on a given rule in the case of successive pressing; and displaying the first character of the pressed button if the button is not pressed sequentially.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for inputting a second character in a first mode without changing the mode on the keyboard in the form of a 3 × 4 matrix to which a first character that can be entered in the first mode and a second character that can be entered in the second mode are assigned, which consists in: setting the first button input in the first mode, the first button input being an input selected from the group consisting of the SHIFT key, long press, short press and their combination, and the SHIFT key is selected from the group py consisting of the * button and the # button on the keyboard; set the second input by the button in the first mode, the second input by the button is an input selected from the group consisting of sequential pressing, long pressing, short pressing and a combination thereof; and outputting a second character defined according to the combination of the first input with the button and the second input with the button, wherein the selected combination of the first input with the button and the second input with the button is assigned in the first mode.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a character input device comprising: a keyboard in which the first to twelfth buttons are arranged in a 3x4 matrix, at least one of the first to third characters is assigned to one of the first to twelfth buttons, and the eleventh button and the twelfth button serve as the "SHIFT" key, an input processor for identifying which button is pressed, and determining a long press or short press of the identified button, a button processor for selecting characters aka the corresponding long-press button or short-press button, among the characters from the first to the third character, by checking the status of the "SHIFT" flag corresponding to the "SHIFT" key, and the memory to work as the "SHIFT" flag that is set or re-set by the specified processor for buttons, and storing characters from first to third, which are assigned to each button.

The implementation of the invention

The character layouts of the present invention are intended for a keyboard consisting of twelve buttons arranged in a 3 × 4 matrix (hereinafter abbreviated as “keyboard”), so there is no need for an additional button. The character layouts of the present invention are developed after calculating the frequency of occurrence of each character: (1) to minimize the number of button presses; (2) to maximize the use of both hands; and (3) to help the user learn easily. In conclusion, characters are located on each button to enable rapid character entry when the user becomes accustomed to the character layout of the present invention using good practice to remember.

Basically, from one character to three (the first character, second character, third character) is assigned to each button, and the first characters are used more often than the second characters, and the second characters are used more often than the third characters. In this character layout, the buttons to be pressed are evenly distributed when entering a word or sentence. Also, for simplicity, all characters can be affixed to each button.

To clearly describe the present invention, each button will be located and named on the keyboard as follows:

[button 1] [button 2] [button 3]

[button 4] [button 5] [button 6]

[button 7] [button 8] [button 9]

[button *] [button 0] [button #]

Figure 1 shows the English layout according to the present invention and the relationship with a standard keyboard (QWERTY). Namely, the English layout largely follows the standard keyboard, so that the user quickly learns due to the relationship with the standard keyboard.

In the English layout, two or three characters are assigned to [button 1] 1110 - [button 9] 1190, and a space is assigned to [button 0] 1200. The first characters 1111 - 1191, the second characters 1112-1192 and the third characters 1113-1193 are assigned [to the button 1] 1110 - [button 9] 1190, respectively, and among these buttons only [button 3] has a first character 1131 and a second character 1132 without a third character.

The first character set includes nine characters having the highest frequency of occurrence among 26 characters, the second character set includes nine characters having the average occurrence frequency, and the third character set includes eight characters having the lowest occurrence. Here, a few exceptions that do not affect the efficiency of character layouts can be made to make them look like a standard keyboard. These exceptions will be described in detail.

Characters included in the first character set are assigned to [button 1] 1110 - [button 9] 1190 as the first character and regardless of the input method, it is preferable that the first characters are entered by default when the button is selected. The characters included in the second and third character sets are assigned to [button 1] 1110 - [button 9] 1190 as one of the second characters 1112-1192 and third characters 1113-1193, respectively, and can be selectively entered according to an input method that is used for character layouts. Table 1 displays the frequency of occurrence for the classification of 26 characters in the first to third character sets. Occurrence frequencies can be gradually changed according to statistics, but have a similar ratio and order, so some differences can be neglected.

Table 1 Statistics 1 Statistics 2 Statistical Data 3 sign frequency (%) sign frequency (%) sign frequency (%) space 18.59 E 2 p.m. E 10.31 E 12.77 T 9.85 T 7.96 T 8.55 BUT 7.49 BUT 6.42 O 8.07 0 7.37 0 6.32 BUT 7.78 S 6.95 I 5.75 N 6.86 N 6.74 N 5.74 I 6.67 I 6.65 S 5.14 R 6.51 R 6.14 R 4.84 S 6.22 H 4.22 N 4.67 N 5.95 D 3.62 L 3.21 D 4.02 L 3.57 D 3.17 L 3.72 FROM 3.54 U 2.28 U 3.08 M 3.39 F 2.08 FROM 2.96 U 3.00 M. 1.98 M. 2.88 P 2.43 W 1.75 R 2.23 F 2.18 Y 1.64 F 1.97 G 1.74 G 1.52 Y 1.96 W 1.69 R 1.52 W 1.76 Y 1.64 FROM 1.28 G 1.74 AT 1.29 AT 1.27 AT 1.41 V 1.16 V 0.83 V 1.12 TO 0.47 TO 0.49 TO 0.74 X 0.28 X 0.13 J 0.51 J 0.27 J 0.08 X 0.27 Q 0.26 Q 0.08 Z 0.17 Z 0.04 Z 0.05 Q 0.08

According to Table 1, the order of the signs corresponding to the frequency of occurrence is as follows: space Е Т [А О] [I N S R] Н [D L] [U М С] [F Р] [Y W G] В V К [JXQZ].

The frequency of occurrence increases from the right side to the left side, and the signs in [] have a similar frequency. From Table 1, it can be estimated that the gap is used most often. Thus, a space is assigned to [button 0] 1200 because it is located at the bottom of the keyboard like the space bar on a personal computer keyboard.

Further, the characters included in the first to third character sets are assigned to each button, respectively, based on a standard keyboard. The reason for assigning characters like a standard keyboard is because most users are already familiar with the standard keyboard, so they can easily get used to the character layout.

Firstly, taking into account the position of the characters in the standard keyboard and the pressing hand (namely, the right hand or left hand), nine characters (E T A O I N S R H) in the first character set are assigned to [button 1] 1110 - [button 9] 1190, respectively. 'E' 'A' 'S', which are located on the left side of the standard keyboard and pressed with the left hand, are assigned to [button 1] 1110, [button 4] 1140, [button 7] 1170; 'O' 'I' 'N', located on the right side of the standard keyboard, assigned to [button 3] 1130, [button 6] 1160, [button 9] 1190; and 'T' 'R' 'H', located in the center of the standard keyboard, assigned to [button 2] 1120, [button 5] 1150, [button 8] 1180. Here, the positions of T and 'R' can be mutually changed, and the positions 'A' and 'S' can also be mutually changed.

Secondly, as shown in FIG. 1, characters located next to the first character in the standard keyboard are selected as the second character and third character from the second character set and third character set. Thus, nine characters (DLU M WITH FPWG) in the second character set and eight characters (VBVKJXQZ) in the third character set are assigned to [button 1] 1110 - [button 9] 1190. Here, a second character set and a third character set can be defined different from the original frequency of occurrence, to be like a standard keyboard. Since characters having a high frequency of occurrence are very important, and their order is precisely defined, and the order of characters having a low frequency of occurrence cannot be precisely determined, they can be changed without reducing the efficiency of the character layout. In light of the significance of the three statistical indicators in Table 1, for example, although 'Y' is used more often than 'W' or 'G', 'Y' is the third character, and 'W' 'G' is the second character. In short, characters having a similar frequency of occurrence, especially a low frequency, can be either second characters or third characters.

1, the second character and the third character of [buttons 2] 1120, [buttons 5] 1150 and [buttons 8] 1180 can be changed according to the above principle and method.

[button 2] = [T U Y]

[button 5] = [R F G]

[button 8] = [N V V]

or

[button 2] = [T U F]

[button 5] = [R Y G]

[button 8] = [N V V]

With the aforementioned English layout applied to the keyboard, the user can enter the character located on the left side, which is entered with the left hand in the standard keyboard, with the thumb of the left hand, and the character located on the right side, which is entered with the right hand, with the thumb of the right hand. Since character position and input efficiency are similar to those for a standard keyboard, those familiar with the standard keyboard can easily learn. The input efficiency with respect to the frequency of occurrence is also taken into account, which helps the user to enter characters efficiently.

Также, некоторые знаки, которые не существуют в английских алфавитах, например такой, как 'β' в немецком языке, могут быть присвоены [кнопке 3] 1130 в качестве третьего знака.Many characters in French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Swedish, Norwegian, Dutch, etc. can be entered by pressing the additional conversion button after entering the character. For example, when you enter 'A' and then press the transform button, 'A' will change to

Also, some characters that do not exist in the English alphabets, such as, for example, 'β' in German, can be assigned [button 3] 1130 as the third character.

Figure 2 represents the Korean character layout according to the present invention (see the end of the description).

Figure 3 represents the layout of characters according to the present invention.

In the character layout, two or three characters are assigned to [button 1] 3110 - [button #] 3220. The first characters 3111-3221, the second characters 3112 - 3222 and the third characters 3113-3223 are assigned to [button 1] 3110 - [button #] 3220 respectively . Among these buttons, [button 0] 3200 has only the first character, and [button *] 3210 and [button #] 3220 have only the first character and second character. But it is possible for the user or manufacturer to assign new characters to any of the buttons: [buttons 0] 3200, [buttons *] 3210 and [buttons #] 3220.

The first character set includes twelve characters, in particular punctuation marks having the highest frequency of occurrence among 32 characters, the second character set includes eleven characters having an average occurrence frequency, and the third character set includes nine characters having the lowest occurrence frequency.

The characters included in the first character set are assigned to [button 1] 3110 - [button #] 3220 as the first characters, and regardless of the input method, it is preferable that the first characters be entered by default when the button is selected. The characters included in the second and third character sets are assigned to [button 1] 3110 - [button #] 3220 as one of the second characters 3112 to 3222 and third characters 3113-3223, respectively, and can be selectively entered according to the input method that applies to the layout characters. Table 3 presents a 32-character layout based on (1) similarity to Arabic numerals and (2) initial location on a standard personal computer keyboard. This layout will help the user to easily remember, so that it will be possible to quickly and efficiently enter characters.

Table 3 Button First character Second character Third character Description one ! / \ Similar to '1' 2 ? ~ '' Similar to '2' 3 - + | The location on the keyboard of a personal computer four '' < [ Similar to '4' 5 " = - Similar to '5' 6 @ ( { Similar to '6' 7 ; > ] Similar to '7' 8 : & $ Similar to '8' 9 , ) } Similar to '9' 0 . Similar to '0' * ^ * Similar to ^'*' # % # Similar to '#'

The first set of characters includes punctuation marks!? - '";:,. And the email address character @. Symbols that look similar to Arabic numerals are assigned to a numeric button that has a similar number, or an adjacent button to help the user learn easily. But , since - + | are located in the upper right part of the keyboard of a personal computer, it is preferable to assign them to [button 3] 3130 located at the same place on the keyboard, since the symbols are not often used, the simplicity of training precedes the frequency of occurrence, therefore, dpochtitelnee include characters having the highest frequency in the first symbols and not in the second and in the second code rather than in others.

4 is a table of character input methods that can be applied to a character layout according to the present invention. Here, I will designate a single / double / triple / quadruple pressing of the [button b] as b / bb / bbb / bbbb; long press [b button] as b ~; pressing [b button] after pressing [button *] or [button #] like * b and #b. Especially in the input method for entering characters with long press and short press, if there is no need to distinguish between long press and short press [button b], I will designate [button b] as b-. And the arrow icon after b will mean that the line having the specified length is extended in the direction of the arrow icon on [button b].

To sequentially enter at least two different characters assigned to the same button, you need a separator to complete the current input and separate it from the next input, and the separator can be any of the following: single-click [button b] (#), lack of input for a short period of time (wait) or by pressing the right arrow (→). In some input methods, b ~ can be used as a delimiter, meaning that a new character will be entered, and this will be described in more detail below. And I specify X for some input methods where the delimiter is not used. In these methods, the user does not need to separate the characters so that he or she can focus only on character input.

Also, if the current mode changes from alphanumeric to digital, then numbers can be entered using b or b-; if the mode changes to symbolic, then it is possible to enter characters in the same way that characters are entered from the first to the third in the alphabetic mode. But in figure 4 I indicate some input methods (M1, M2, F1, F2, P1, P2) in which the user can enter numbers and symbols without changing the current mode.

In FIG. 4, “+” means input methods (M1, M2, H2, F2, P1, P2) in which the new features are combined with the conventional method, and “o” means the new input method (F1).

The input method according to the type of branching (“multitap” - multitap, note translation.) (M1, M2) among the existing input methods is a typical input method for which character layout can be used. In the input method according to the type of branching, the characters assigned to the button can be selected by pressing one to three times (b, bb, bbb). The branching type input method is widely used at present, and many advanced branching type input methods have been introduced. A significant example of an advanced branching input method is 'Chun-chi-ying' in Korea. M1 and M2 in FIG. 2 are views of an improved branching input method. Especially the user can enter characters by pressing * b, * bb, * bbb in alphabetical mode. Also, a long press of [button b] can be used as a separator in M2.

In detail, when the current character is completed by the last press of the [button b], b ~ is used to start entering the next character on the same button. Namely, by pressing b ~, b ~ b, b ~ bb, the user can select the characters [buttons b] from the first to the third as the next character. Additionally, if the user presses b ~ even though he or she can start entering the next character only by pressing b, a space can be inserted before entering the character corresponding to [button b]. This process can help the user to separate the next word from the previous word without pressing another button, so that the input efficiency is improved.

To enter characters without changing the character mode to character mode or using the pop-up menu, additional button combinations can be defined. Preferably, the additional button combinations are different from the original button combinations that are defined to select characters one through three in alphabetical mode. In the same way, characters in letter mode, an uppercase letter in lowercase letter mode, or a Latin letter in Korean character mode can be entered without changing the current mode.

In the double switching method (D), the second character and the third character are selected using the [button *] and [button #] as the left SHIFT key and the right SHIFT key, respectively. For example, when the character to be entered is the second character, first press the [button *], and then press the [button b], to which the character is assigned as the second character (* b). Similarly, when the character to be entered is the third character, first press the [button #], and then press the [button b], to which the character is assigned as the third character (#b). Of course, the second character and third character can be selected by pressing #b and * b. In particular, since in the Korean character layout according to the present invention, the vowels and consonants are separated to be inputted by the thumb of the right hand and the thumb of the left hand, it is therefore easy to press the [button *] with the thumb of the left hand and the [button #] of the thumb of the right hand . From this feature it follows that entering #b if the second character is a consonant and * b if the second character is a vowel is more effective because the user will use both hands equally. Thus, if the third character is consonant, then the user will enter * b; if the third character is a vowel, then the user will enter #b.

The mixed method (H1, H2) is a combination of a branching type input method and a double switching method, and the user can select the third character by successively pressing the SHIFT key and [button b] instead of pressing the [button b three times] . When [button #] is used as a separator (H1), the third character can be selected by pressing * b; when [button #] is not used as a delimiter (H2), the third character can be selected as either * b or #b. That is, [button *] and [button #] do not differ and work like the same "SHIFT" key in method H2. This can help the user select any of the * and # characters as they wish. Here the ways of choosing the second and third characters will change.

Effective input methods using the T system (F1, F2) for character layout according to the present invention differ in the time the button is pressed: the first character is selected by short pressing [button b] or short pressing (b); the second character is selected by long pressing [button b] or by long pressing (b ~); the third character is selected by sequentially pressing the SHIFT key and [button b] (* b or #b) in method F1; and the third character is selected by double-pressing the [button b] (bb) in method F2. In method F2, the paths for selecting the second and third characters will change. As shown in FIG. 4, both in method F1 and method F2, you can enter numbers and characters in alphabetic mode without changing the mode, while the user can select numbers or characters by pressing * b, * bb, * bbb in the same way, as in methods M1 and M2, or by pressing * b, * b ~, * bb using method F1. In particular, since the digital mode and the character mode can be combined in the F1 method, numbers and symbols can be entered using b, #b, * b, b ~ in this mixed mode.

Since F1 does not need a separator, 10 combinations of [buttons b] are available (b, b ~, * b, #b, * b ~, # b ~, * ~ b, # ~ b, * ~ b ~, # ~ b ~). But in order to increase the input efficiency, it is preferable not to specify whether the next button is a long or short press button, if [button *] or [button #] is a long press button. In short, * ~ b is equivalent to * ~ b ~, a # ~ b is equivalent to # ~ b ~. As described above, they will be designated as * ~ b- and # ~ b-. Also, to increase input efficiency and convenience, 7 combinations are available [buttons b] (b, b ~, * b = # b, * b ~, # b ~, * ~ b-, # ~ b-) if [button * ] and [button #] work like the same "SHIFT" key on a personal computer keyboard. In this case, as shown in Fig. 4, b, b ~, * b = # b are used to enter letters, a * b ~, # b ~, * ~ b ~, # ~ b- are used to enter numbers and characters in letter mode. When the F1 method is applied to the character layout of the present invention, 94% ~ 95% of the English alphabets and 97% ~ 98% of consonants and vowels in Korean can be entered at the touch of a button (b, ~ b). Of course, these statistics may vary in other languages that use Latin-based alphabets other than the English alphabet.

Method P1 is a modification of method F1: since the user can draw a line with a stylus in a portable device such as a handheld computer, draw a line longer than the specified length with a direction (for example, left or down left, etc.) on [button b ] instead of successively pressing the [button *] / [button #] and [button b], combined with the function of distinguishing between long / short press. Method P2 - modification of the method with double switching: * b is replaced by drawing a line whose length is longer than the specified one, in the direction to the left or left down; #b is replaced by drawing a line whose length is longer than the set, in the direction to the right or right down. Both methods P1 and P2 do not need a separator and it is possible to easily support the introduction of numbers and symbols in alphabetic mode. That is, the user can enter numbers by drawing a downward line on [button b] and three different characters by drawing three lines having different directions (right up, up, left up). Here, the selection of the second and third characters can be changed in both the method P1 and the method P2.

Devices that use the input method according to the present invention are preferably provided with an additional mode change button. Preferably, the mode change button works differently in the English language mode, especially in the capital letters mode and in the lower case letters mode. When the mode button is pressed in a non-English mode, the current mode changes to lowercase mode. When the mode button is pressed in English mode, either in capital letters mode or in lower case letters, the current mode changes to another English mode, like pressing the "CapsLock" key on a personal computer keyboard. Regardless of the English mode or non-English mode, if the mode button is pressed for a long time, then the current mode changes to the one-time "CapsLock" mode, in which only the first character is entered as a capital letter, and then the mode changes to lower case mode.

5 is a flowchart for distinguishing between a long press button (b ~), a short press button (b) and a b- button that does not need to be distinguished. Here, the threshold value for distinguishing between a long or short press is determined by the manufacturer, but the user can also change this value according to his skill. A novice can increase this value, and a user who is familiar with a long - short press can shorten it to reduce the input time.

In operation 500, if the user presses the [b] button, it is determined that it is necessary to distinguish between a long - short press on operation 510. For example, if the "Shift" key is checked on a long press, then there is no need to distinguish a long - short press for the next button clicks. But since this is the only thing that prevents a decrease in the input speed, it is possible to distinguish between a long one - a short press for the next button press in other execution examples.

At operation 520, if there should be a distinction between a long-press briefly, a timer works with a predetermined threshold value. Here, the threshold value is a predetermined value, allowing to distinguish between a long press and a short press, and can be changed by the user.

When [button b] is released, the timer is stopped in operation 530 and [button b] is distinguished as the short press button (b) in operation 540.

When the timer expires, the [b] button is distinguished as the long press (b ~) button in step 550.

If there is no need to distinguish between a long - short press, [button b] is distinguished as b- in step 560.

6 is a flowchart for distinguishing between [button b] without the Shift key (b) and [button b] with the Shift key (* b, #b). Since the differences between b and b ~, * and * ~, and # and # ~ are already presented in Fig. 5, therefore, the output device in Fig. 5 can be used as the input device in Fig. 6.

At operation 610, data corresponding to [button b] (b) is input. Here, the actual data is data from b, b ~ or b-.

At operation 620, the status of the Shift flag is checked. If the "Shift" flag is set, then the next operation will be 630; otherwise the next operation will be 660.

At step 630, it is determined whether the [button b] is [button *] or [button #]. If [button b] is [button *] or [button #] as defined, then the “Shift” flag is set with b in operation 640. If [button b] is neither [button *] nor [button #] , b output to operation 650.

At operation 660, the data stored in the “Shift” flag is read, and if the “Shift” flag is set with the * symbol, then * b is output to operation 670, and if the “Shift” flag is set with the # symbol, then #b is output to operation 680. On operations 690, the Shift flag is set again.

The character input device of FIG. 7 for inputting characters by the F1 method of FIG. 4 includes a keyboard 710, an input processor 720, a processor for buttons 730, a memory 740, and a character table 750.

The keyboard 710 consists of [buttons 1] ~ [buttons 0], [buttons *], [buttons #], and at least one of the characters one through three is assigned to each button.

Input processor 720 determines which button is selected when receiving a signal related to the pressed button, measures the time that the button is pressed to determine a long or short press, and displays information about the long or short press button. In short, input processor 720 performs the process of FIG. 5 to output a short press (b), long press (b ~), and b-. In addition, input processor 720 can recognize line direction in any portable device having a touch screen, such as a PDA. The recognized direction is associated with the data of the buttons that must be displayed. In the future, this will be described in detail.

The processor for the buttons 730 determines the displayed characters by using the data of the long or short press buttons and the data stored in the flag of the SHIFT key. In short, the button processor 730 performs the process depicted in FIG. 6 to determine which character corresponding to the pressed button is displayed. Here, it is possible that [button *] and [button #] work like the same "SHIFT" key. If the character is to be displayed according to the definition, then the button processor 730 refers to the character table 750 to display one of the first to third characters on the display 760. If no character is to be displayed, the processor for the buttons 730 sets the "Shift" flag. The user or the manufacturer can determine or adjust the assignment b, b ~, * b = # b to one of the characters from the first character to the third character. In addition, if [button *] and [button #] work like the same Shift key, it is possible to enter numbers and characters without changing the current mode, and the user or manufacturer can determine or adjust the assignment # ~ b-, # b ~ , * b ~, * ~ b - to one of the characters from the first character to the third character.

The memory 740 acts as a “Shift” flag and sends the data of the long or short press buttons and the data of the “Shift” flag to the button processor 730 upon receipt of a command from the button processor 730. In addition, the memory 740 stores a character table 750.

The character table 750 includes a first character to a third character set corresponding to the processor definition for buttons 730.

The display 760 displays signs from the processor for the buttons 730. If the display 760 is a touch screen, the keyboard 710 is displayed on the display 760. If the keyboard 710 is displayed on the display 760, the user can draw a line on the button and select any of the following: second character, third character, numbers or symbols by drawing a line in given directions.

Industrial applicability

As mentioned above, according to the character layouts of the present invention, even if the layouts are used with various input methods, it is possible to enter the character quickly and efficiently. Namely, a user who is used to one of the existing input methods can quickly enter a character using the character layout of the present invention.

It is also possible for the user to enter characters quickly and efficiently, even if input methods are used with existing character layouts. It is preferable to simultaneously use the character layout and input method, both according to the present invention.

Thus, since character layouts and input methods can be applied to various portable devices, and in particular, a user who is already accustomed to character layout according to the present invention, will easily provide the new portable device with a new input method, therefore, the present invention will contribute to market activation .

Korean character layout according to the present invention

Claims (48)

1. An input device for alphabetic characters based on buttons of the telephone keypad arranged in a 3 × 4 matrix using a character input interface comprising a keyboard including a plurality of buttons to which alphabetic characters are assigned so that the alphabetic characters that are on adjacent buttons in QWERTY standard keyboard, located on one or adjacent buttons of the keyboard by dividing alphabetic characters into Group I for left-handed input and Group II for right-handed input on the standard QWERTY keyboard and the first set of characters kov, the second set of characters and the third set of characters in accordance with the frequency of use, selecting one alphabetic character from each character set to form combinations of characters and distributing these combinations of characters by buttons so that the letters of Group I are located in the left column or middle column of the matrix keyboards, and Group II alphabetic characters are located in the right column or middle column of the keyboard matrix; and a processor for input buttons for processing a character input operation using a keyboard and outputting corresponding characters. 2. The input device of alphabetic characters according to claim 1, in which Group I consists of the characters 'Q', 'W', 'E', 'R', T ',' A ',' S ',' D ',' F ',' G ',' Z ',' X ',' C ',' V 'and' B ', which are assigned to the numeric buttons' 1', '2', '4', '5', '7' and '8', and Group II consists of the characters 'Y', 'U', 'I', 'O', 'P', 'H', 'J', 'K', 'L', 'N' and 'M', which are assigned to the number buttons '2', '3', '5', '6', '8' and '9', so that at least one character is assigned to each button. 3. The input device of alphabetic characters according to claim 1, in which the characters' E ',' W, 'Q', 'A', 'D', 'Z', 'S', 'C' and 'X' are assigned digitally buttons '1', '4' and '7', which are in the left column of the keyboard, so that at least one character is assigned to each button. 4. The input device of alphabetic characters according to claim 1, in which the characters' T ',' F, 'Y', 'R', 'G', 'V', 'H', 'U' and 'B' are assigned digitally buttons '2', '5' and '8', which are located in the middle column of the keyboard, so that at least one character is assigned to each button. 5. The input device of alphabetic characters according to claim 1, in which the characters' O ', "P",' I ',' L ',' J ',' N ',' M 'and' K 'are assigned to the numeric buttons' 3 ',' 6 'and' 9 ', which are located in the right column of the keyboard, so that at least one character is assigned to each button. 6. The input device of alphabetic characters according to claim 1, in which the characters' E ',' A 'and' S 'are respectively assigned to three different number buttons selected from the group of number buttons containing the number buttons' 1', '4' and ' 7 '. 7. The alphanumeric input device according to claim 1, in which the characters 'A' and 'S' are respectively assigned to two different numeric buttons selected from the group of numeric buttons containing the numeric buttons '4' and '7'. 8. The input device of alphabetic characters according to claim 1, in which the characters 'E', 'A' and 'S' are assigned to the numeric buttons '1', '4' and '7', respectively. 9. The alphanumeric input device according to claim 1, in which the characters 'T' and 'R' are respectively assigned to two different numeric buttons selected from the group of numeric buttons containing the numeric buttons '2' and '5'. 10. The input device of alphabetic characters according to claim 1, in which the characters 'T', 'R' and 'H' are assigned to the numeric buttons '2', '5' and '8', respectively. 11. The alphanumeric input device according to claim 1, in which the characters 'O' and 'I' are respectively assigned to two different numeric buttons selected from a group of numeric buttons comprising numeric buttons '3' and '6'. 12. The input device of alphabetic characters according to claim 1, in which the characters 'O', 'I' and 'N' are assigned to the numeric buttons '3', '6' and '9', respectively. 13. The input device of alphabetic characters according to claim 1, in which the first set of characters is a combination of the most commonly used characters and contains the characters 'A', 'E', 'H', 'I', 'N', 'O', 'R', 'S' and 'T', each of which is entered using a single actuation of the button. 14. The input device of alphabetic characters according to claim 1, in which the second set of characters consists of the characters 'C', 'D', 'P', 'G', 'L', 'M', 'P', 'U' and 'W', and the third set of characters consists of the characters 'B', 'J', 'K', 'Q', 'V', 'X', 'Y' and 'Z'. 15. The alphanumeric input device according to claim 1, in which all the characters 'E', 'W' and 'Q' are assigned to the digital button '1', and the character 'E' is entered using a single actuation of the button. 16. The alphanumeric input device according to claim 1, in which both the characters 'O' and 'P' are assigned to the digital button '3', and the character 'O' is entered using a single actuation of the button. 17. The input device of alphabetic characters according to claim 1, in which the characters' D ',' C 'and' X 'are assigned to the numeric buttons' 4' and '7', the characters' L ',' J ',' M 'and' K 'to the digital buttons' 6' and '9', and the characters' F ',' G ',' V 'and' B 'to the digital buttons' 2', '5' and '8', so at least at least one character is assigned to each button. 18. The input device of alphabetic characters according to claim 1, in which the characters 'T', 'H' and 'E' are assigned to the numeric buttons '2', '8' and '1', respectively, and each of the characters is entered using a single cast of the corresponding buttons in action. 19. The alphanumeric input device according to claim 1, in which all the characters 'E', 'W and' Q 'are assigned to the digital button' 1 ', all the characters' A ',' D 'and' Z 'are assigned to the digital button' 4 ', and all the characters' S', 'C' and 'X' are assigned to the digital button '7'. 20. The input device of alphabetic characters according to claim 1, in which all the characters 'T', 'F' and 'Y' are assigned to the digital button '2', all the characters 'R', 'G' and 'V are assigned to the digital button' 5 ', and all the characters' H', 'U' and 'B' are assigned to the digital button '8'. 21. The alphanumeric input device according to claim 1, in which both the characters 'O' and 'P' are assigned to the digital button '3', all the characters 'I', 'L' and 'J' are assigned to the digital button '6', and all characters 'N', 'M' and 'K' are assigned to the digital button '9'. 22. The alphanumeric input device according to claim 1, wherein, when a predetermined button is pressed during character input using the keyboard, the processor for the input buttons changes the keyboard from character input mode to character input mode to provide a character matrix for processing a character input operation using keyboard and return to the previous character entry mode after entering a character. 23. The alphanumeric input device according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the processor for the input buttons displays the currently active keyboard matrix on the screen and displays the signs and symbols in response to the entries with buttons corresponding to the signs or symbols. 24. A keyboard-based symbol input device comprising a plurality of buttons, each of which is assigned a digit, wherein the symbols are located on the buttons according to the shape of the symbols and numbers by dividing the symbols into a first set of characters, a second set of characters and a third set of characters in in accordance with the frequency of use, the selection of one symbolic character from each set of characters for the formation of a combination of symbolic characters and the distribution of these combinations of symbolic characters by buttons; and a processor for input buttons for processing a character input operation using a keyboard and outputting corresponding symbol characters. 25. The symbol character input device of claim 24, wherein the first set of characters is a collection of the most commonly used symbol characters and contains the symbol characters'! ','? ',' - ',' "',', ','” ',' @ ','; ',': ',', 'and'. ', each of which is entered using a single actuation of the button. 26. The input device character characters according to paragraph 24, in which the second set of characters contains the character characters '/', '~', '+', '=', '<', '>', '(', ')' and '&', and the third set of characters includes the character characters '\', '|', '[', ']', '-', '{', '}' and '$'. 27. The character input device according to claim 24, wherein, when the predetermined button is pressed during character input using the keyboard, the processor for the input buttons changes the keyboard from the character or number input mode to the character input mode to provide a character matrix for processing a character input operation using the keyboard and returning to the previous mode of entering characters or numbers after entering a character. 28. The character input device of claim 27, wherein the predetermined button is a '*' button. 29. The input device character characters according to paragraph 24, in which the character characters '!' and'?' respectively assigned to the number buttons '1' and '2'. 30. The character input device of claim 24, wherein the character characters '<' and '>' are respectively assigned to the number buttons '4' and '7'. 31. The character input device of claim 24, wherein the character characters '(' and ')' are respectively assigned to the number buttons '6' and '9'. 32. The input device character characters according to paragraph 24, in which the character characters '"' and '"' are respectively assigned to the numeric buttons '4' and '5' 33. The input device character characters according to paragraph 24, in which the character characters ';', ':', ',' and '.' respectively assigned to the number buttons '7', '8', '9' and '0'. 34. The input device character characters according to paragraph 24, in which the characters '1', '!' and '/' are assigned to the same button. 35. The input device character characters according to paragraph 24, in which the characters '2', '?' and '~' are assigned to the same button. 36. The character input device of claim 24, wherein the characters' 4 ',' "and '<' are assigned to the same button. 37. The character input device of claim 24, wherein the characters '5', "" and '=' are assigned to the same button. 38. The input device character characters according to paragraph 24, in which the characters '6', '@' and '(' are assigned to the same button. 39. The input device character characters according to paragraph 24, in which the characters '7', ';' and '>' are assigned to the same button. 40. The input device character characters according to paragraph 24, in which the characters '8', ':' and '&' are assigned to the same button. 41. The character input device of claim 24, wherein the characters '9', ',' and ')' are assigned to the same button. 42. The input device character characters according to paragraph 24, in which the characters '0' and '.' assigned to the same button. 43. The input device character characters according to paragraph 24, in which the characters '[' and '{' are respectively assigned to two different numeric buttons selected from the group of numeric buttons containing numeric buttons '4' and '6', and the characters ']' and '}' are respectively assigned to two different number buttons selected from the number button group containing the number buttons '7' and '9'. 44. The symbol input device according to any one of paragraphs 24-43, wherein the processor for the input buttons displays the currently active keyboard matrix on the screen and displays signs and symbols in response to the input from the buttons corresponding to the signs or symbols. 45. A method for entering alphabetic characters through a character input interface based on a telephone keypad with buttons in the form of a 3 × 4 matrix, comprising:
inputting alphabetic characters using the keyboard, said keyboard including a plurality of buttons that are assigned alphabetic characters such that the alphabetic characters that are on adjacent buttons in a standard QWERTY keyboard are located on one or adjacent keyboard buttons by dividing the alphabetic characters into Group I for left-handed entry and Group II for right-handed entry on the standard QWERTY keyboard and on the first character set, the second character set and the third character set according to the frequency of use, selection one alphabetic character from each character set to form combinations of characters and distribute these combinations of characters into buttons so that the letters of Group I are located in the left column or middle column of the keyboard matrix, and the letters of Group II are located in the right column or middle column of the keyboard matrix ; and processing the signals inputted from the keyboard, and outputting characters corresponding to the inputted signals. 46. The method according to item 45, in which the alphabetic characters of the first set of characters and the second set of characters are entered by pressing the corresponding buttons for a shorter or longer time compared to the specified time, respectively, and the alphabetic characters of the third set of characters are entered by pressing the '# 'and successive pressing of the corresponding buttons. 47. A method of entering character characters using a keyboard including a plurality of buttons, each of which is assigned a digit, comprising: entering character characters by using a keyboard on which character characters are arranged taking into account the shape of characters and numbers, by separating character characters into a first character set, the second set of characters and the third set of characters in accordance with the frequency of use, selecting one character from each set of characters to form combinations of symbolic characters and distributing these combinations character-by buttons; and processing the signals inputted from the keyboard, and outputting characters corresponding to the inputted signals. 48. The method according to clause 47, in which the character characters of the first set of characters and the second set of characters are entered by pressing the corresponding buttons for a shorter or longer time compared to the set time, respectively, and the alphabetic characters of the third set of characters are entered by pressing the '# 'and successive pressing of the corresponding buttons.

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