KR100628366B1 - Method for inputting characters using directional keys and apparatus thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a character input method and apparatus therefor using a direction key. In the character input method, a specific letter is superimposed on each of a plurality of keys for selecting a direction from a direction key and displayed on the screen.If there is an input indicating a specific direction among the direction keys from the outside, the specific letter arranged in the direction is displayed. Is displayed on the screen. At the same time, if there are other letters arranged overlapping with the direction, the direction for selecting another overlapped letter is displayed, and if there is an input indicating the displayed direction by selecting a specific letter displayed or by using a direction key, After selecting another letter, the selected letter is displayed in combination with the selected letter. According to the present invention, the trouble of having to repeatedly select the same key to select the overlapped letters is eliminated. In addition, it is possible to select the letters arranged in superimposition by simple direction key input. In addition, since many letters can be selected, it is not necessary to configure a separate menu for special characters and the like, thereby reducing costs.

Character input, Hangul alphabet, Consonant, Vowel, Arrow key, Jog key, Hangul menu

Description

Character input method and device using direction keys {METHOD FOR INPUTTING CHARACTERS USING DIRECTIONAL KEYS AND APPARATUS THEREOF}

1 is a diagram illustrating a menu displayed on a screen for inputting Korean consonants in a character input method using a direction key according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2A, 2B, and 2C show examples of direction keys.

3 is a diagram illustrating a menu displayed on a screen for selecting consonants arranged in an overlapped manner in the character input method using a direction key according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a diagram illustrating a menu displayed on a screen for inputting Korean vowels in a character input method using a direction key according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a menu displayed on a screen for selecting consonants arranged in an overlapped manner in a character input method using a direction key according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a diagram illustrating a menu displayed on a screen for inputting Korean consonants in a character input method using a direction key according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a menu displayed on a screen for selecting consonants arranged in an overlapped manner in a character input method using a direction key according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a menu displayed on a screen for selecting alphabets superimposed on English letters in a character input method using a direction key according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a menu displayed on a screen for selecting a Jamo to be overlapped with Japanese characters in a character input method using a direction key according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

10 is a block diagram of a character input apparatus using a direction key according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a Hangul input device among character input devices using a direction key according to an embodiment of the present invention.

<Description of Symbols for Main Parts of Drawings>

1: Left top direction 2: Up direction 3: Right top direction

4: left direction 5: center 6: right direction

7: left lower direction 8: lower direction 9: right lower direction

100, 400: arrow keys 200: character input control

300, 500: screen display unit 410: internal direction key

420: external direction key 510: menu display

520: character display unit

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for inputting a character, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for inputting Korean, English, special characters, etc. using a direction key or jog key provided in a terminal. .

In general, a terminal such as a mobile telephone, a landline telephone, a game machine, or the like is provided with only a few keys or buttons in accordance with the number of information to be input. Therefore, when a character is to be input in a terminal or the like having only these limited keys, one letter cannot be directly inputted at a time by using the provided key or button, and each letter is displayed on the screen and then input using a direction key or jog key. Move the cursor to the place where the letter you want to select is selected and enter the letter. Here, the jog key refers to a joystick-type key that can conveniently operate up, down, left, right, top, bottom, right, bottom and confirmation operations with one integrated key.

Alternatively, after effectively placing each letter on a limited number of keys or buttons, the letters arranged in overlapping are sequentially changed and selected according to the number of times the selected key or button is selected.

However, the method of selecting each letter by arranging each letter on the screen in letter units and then moving the cursor to input one letter requires several key manipulations to move to the place where the letter is located. There is a problem that the input takes a lot of time and is inconvenient. In addition, the method of repeatedly placing a plurality of alphabets on a limited key and then repeatedly selecting the corresponding key is required to select only the corresponding key several times to select a lower-order alphabet among the nested alphabets. If such a case occurs, there is a problem that a different letter is selected.

In addition, the above-described conventional methods correspond to a case in which the terminal is provided with a key or buttons for inputting a letter, and if the terminal is not provided with a key or buttons for character input, a direction key or jog key for movement input such as a cursor, etc. If only is provided, there is a problem that character input is difficult.

Accordingly, the technical problem of the present invention is to solve the above problems, and to provide a method and an apparatus for easily and simply inputting a character using a direction key or a jog key.

Character input method according to one feature of the present invention for achieving the above object,

As a method of inputting characters using the arrow keys,

a) displaying a screen by arranging specific letters to overlap each of a plurality of keys for selecting a direction from the direction key; b) When there is an input indicating a specific direction among the direction keys from the outside, when a specific letter arranged on the direction key corresponding to the input is displayed on the screen, and when there is another letter arranged overlapping the direction key corresponding to the input Displaying a direction from which the other overlapped letters may be selected; c) selecting the displayed specific letter or selecting another overlapped letter when there is an input indicating the displayed direction through the direction key; And d) combining the selected letters to display the input characters on the screen.

Character input method according to another feature of the present invention,

As a method of inputting characters using the arrow keys,

a) displaying a screen by arranging specific letters to overlap each of a plurality of keys for selecting a direction from the direction key; b) When there is an input indicating a specific direction among the direction keys from the outside, when a specific letter arranged on the direction key corresponding to the input is displayed on the screen, and when there is another letter arranged overlapping the direction key corresponding to the input Arranging and displaying the other overlapped letters in a specific direction among directions in which the other overlapped letters are selected; c) selecting the displayed specific letter or selecting a letter corresponding to the input direction when there is an input indicating the displayed direction through the direction key; And d) combining the selected letters to display the input characters on the screen.

Character input method according to another aspect of the present invention,

As a method of inputting characters using the arrow keys,

a) placing a specific letter on each of a plurality of keys for selecting a direction from the direction key and displaying the same letter on a screen; b) when there is an input indicating a specific direction among the direction keys from the outside, arranging a letter group including a specific letter arranged on a direction key corresponding to the input in a set direction and displaying on the screen; c) selecting a specific letter set and arranged in the direction inputted through the direction key from the letter group; And d) combining the selected letters to display the input characters on the screen.

Here, the direction keys preferably include keys indicating eight directions including up, down, left, right, top left, bottom left, top right and bottom right and buttons indicating the center.

Further, in the step b), it is preferable that the direction in which the other arranged alphabets can be selected is a direction other than the direction in which the other first arranged letters are located with respect to the direction in which the first arranged letters are located.

In addition, when there are two or more overlapping other alphabets, it is preferable that step b) is repeatedly performed until one of the overlapping other alphabets is selected.

In addition, the screen displayed in the baffle group in step b) is preferably displayed as a sub-screen of the screen displayed in step a).

Character input device according to another aspect of the present invention,

A device for inputting characters by using a direction key,

A screen display unit displaying a letter input menu in which specific letters are overlapped and arranged according to a specific direction; A direction key provided to correspond to the specific direction in order to select the Jamo arranged according to the specific direction; And a letter input control unit for selecting a letter displayed on the alphabet input menu according to the input of the direction key, and displaying the completed letter by combining the selected letters, and displaying the completed letter on the screen display unit. If there are overlapping letters, the corresponding overlapping letters are selected according to the input of a specific direction through the arrow keys.

Here, when there is an input indicating a specific direction from the direction key, the character input control unit displays a specific letter arranged in the corresponding direction on the screen display unit, and when there is another letter arranged overlapping the direction, the overlapping arrangement And displaying the direction in which the selected other letters are selected together with the screen display unit, and when there is an input corresponding to the displayed direction from the direction keys, selecting the other letters arranged in the overlap.

The character input control unit may display, on the screen display unit, a specific letter arranged in a corresponding direction when there is an input indicating a specific direction from the direction key, and when there is another letter arranged to overlap the direction, the overlapping arrangement. The other letters arranged in the overlapping direction are arranged and displayed in a specific direction among the directions for selecting other letters, and when there is an input corresponding to a specific direction among the displayed directions from the direction keys, the overlapping letters arranged in the specific direction are selected. Characterized in that.

In addition, when there is an input indicating a specific direction from the direction key, the character input control unit arranges a letter group including a specific letter arranged in the direction in the set direction and displays the letter group on the screen display unit, and sets the set from the direction key. When there is an input corresponding to a specific direction among the directions, the letter arranged in the specific direction is selected.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present invention. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. In the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted in order to clearly describe the present invention. Like parts are designated by like reference numerals throughout the specification.

Hereinafter, a character input method using a direction key according to an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail.

1 is a diagram illustrating a menu displayed on a screen for inputting Korean consonants in a character input method using a direction key according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a menu for inputting Korean consonants is arranged by overlapping a total of 19 Korean consonants in three rows and three columns. That is, in the direction of the upper (2), lower (8), left (4), right (6), upper left (1), upper right (3), lower left (7), lower right (9) centering on the center (5) A total of 19 Hangul consonants are configured to overlap.

More specifically, a consonant 'o' is disposed in the center 5, 'a', 'ㅋ', and 'ㄲ' are disposed in the upper left (1) direction around the center 5, and the image (2) 'B' is arranged in the direction, 'c', 'ㅌ' and 'ㄸ' are arranged in the top right direction (3), 'd' and 'ㅎ' are arranged in the left (4) direction, and right (6 ) 'ㅁ' and 'ㄷ' are arranged in the direction, 'ㅂ' and 'ㅃ' are arranged in the lower left (7) direction, 'ㅅ' and 'ㅆ' are arranged in the lower (8) direction, and the lower right ( 9) 'ㅈ', 'ㅊ' and 'ㅉ' are arranged in the direction. This arrangement was made based on the frequency of consonant use (except for the support) as shown in the following [Table 1]. In particular, the most frequently used 'O' is placed in the center (5) so that the corresponding letter is selected by one key selection. In addition, in this arrangement, similar consonant groups are arranged to be overlapped at the same position, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various arrangements are possible depending on the use of the character input.

TABLE 1

The Hangul consonant input menu is arranged to correspond to a direction key or jog key (hereinafter, collectively referred to as 'direction key') and one confirmation button capable of inputting 8 directions for the Jamo input, and the direction key is attached to FIG. 2. As exemplified in (a), (b) and (c). Here, the direction key may also include a touch panel, a touch screen, and the like, which are input devices capable of performing direction movement or confirmation by touching a button displayed on the screen with a finger or the like.

Hereinafter, a method of selecting and inputting consonants arranged in the Hangul consonant input menu using a direction key will be described.

First, the user checks the direction in which the consonants to be input are arranged, and selects and presses a direction key corresponding to the confirmed direction. For example, if the consonant to be input is 'ㄱ', pressing the key corresponding to the upper left from the direction key selects and displays the 'α' arranged in the upper left (1) direction. As another example, when the consonant to be input is 'ㄲ', when the key corresponding to the upper left in the direction key is pressed and 'AB' arranged in the upper left (1) direction is selected and displayed, as shown in FIG. Likewise, the corresponding mark is displayed at the positions of 'bottom left', 'left', 'top left', 'top' and 'top right' with respect to the top left (1) direction, so that the consonants of the next order placed overlapping can be selected. That is, after selecting 'b' in the upper left (1) direction, in order to select 'ㄲ' next to 'a', any one of the arrow keys corresponding to the lower left, left, upper left, upper and right of the direction keys is selected and input. That's it. This eliminates the hassle of having to repeatedly select the same key in order to select a letter that is superimposed over the priorities. After the selected letters are displayed, pressing the center key 5 causes the corresponding letters to be finally selected.

In addition, as in the case of 'ㄲ' arranged in the third rank, the consonant 'ㅋ' is selected when the direction key in any one of the left, left, top, top and right directions is selected while 'ㅋ' is selected. .

As another example, 'ㅉ' or 'ㅊ' overlapped in the lower right direction 9 may be selected by first selecting the right lower direction key and then using the direction keys of the upper right, right, lower right, lower or left lower direction. . Of course, when four or more keys are arranged in the same direction, it can be solved by selecting four or more times in the above-described manner.

On the other hand, when the direction keys in the direction not overlapped are selected including the consonant 'o' arranged in the center 5, the display for the overlap selection is of course not necessary. In addition, the consonants 'o' disposed at the center 5 correspond to confirmation buttons located at the center of eight direction keys instead of eight direction keys, and when the confirmation button is selected, the corresponding consonants 'o' are displayed.

In the above description, when one of the eight directions is selected as shown in FIG. 3, the direction for selection input is displayed to select the overlapped consonants. However, the user who is familiar with the above input method Since the screen displayed for selection input may be rather cumbersome, there may be no display for overlapping selection.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, when the first direction key is selected, consonants in the corresponding direction may be displayed, and only the direction in which the consonants overlapped in the corresponding direction may be selected may be displayed.

On the other hand, while the Korean consonants have been described above, the Korean vowels can be input in the same manner as the Korean consonants. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the Korean vowels are superimposed in eight directions and centers, and each vowel is selected and displayed according to an input of a corresponding direction key. In addition, the overlapped vowels may be selected and displayed when there is a direction key input for a direction corresponding to a direction in which another key is not arranged around the corresponding direction after the corresponding directional keys are first selected. For example, when the arrow keys in the upper right direction are selected for the 'ㅕ' and 'ㅑ' arranged in the upper right direction, the vowel 'ㅕ' is displayed first, followed by any one of the upper left, upper, right upper, right and lower directions. If the key is selected and selected, '모음', which is a nested collection, is selected and displayed. The placement of these vowels is based on the frequency of use of the vowels as shown in Table 2 below. In particular, the most frequently used 'ㅏ' is placed in the center 5 so that the corresponding letter is selected by one key selection.

TABLE 2

Meanwhile, in the above description, the first direction key is selected in order to select the overlapped letter, and the direction in which the other letter is not arranged is selected as the direction key. However, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the first direction key is selected after the first direction key is selected. When the direction key of the corresponding direction is input in a state in which a part of the direction in which the other letters are not arranged in the direction is superimposed and displayed in a predetermined direction, the letter of the corresponding direction is selected. Hereinafter, a character input method using a direction key according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a menu displayed on a screen for selecting consonants arranged in an overlapped manner in a character input method using a direction key according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the character input method using the direction keys according to the second embodiment of the present invention, a method of selecting the first consonant among the eight consonants and the consonants arranged in the center is shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. Although it is the same as the first embodiment described with reference to, the method of selecting the overlapped consonants is different.

As shown in FIG. 5, when a direction key of a direction in which a corresponding consonant is arranged is selected to select a consonant arranged in a superimposed manner, a consonant of the first rank among consonants arranged in the corresponding direction is selected and another consonant around the corresponding direction Consonants arranged in some or all of these unarranged directions are preset and displayed in specific directions, respectively.

For example, if you want to select 'ㄲ' among 'ㄱ', 'ㄲ', and 'ㅋ' arranged in the upper left direction, first select the upper left direction key to select 'AB' as the consonant of the first rank. Since the consonants are already arranged at the lower left, right bottom, and right sides of the upper left direction, the consonants superimposed on the lower left, left, upper left, upper and right directions except for these directions may be specified and arranged. In FIG. 5, 'ㄲ' is disposed in the upper left direction, and 'ㅋ' is disposed in the upper direction.

Accordingly, the user may select the corresponding consonant 'ㄲ' by selecting a direction key in a direction in which the overlapped consonants are located, that is, the upper left direction, in the state that the 'a' is selected. In this case, the consonant 'ㅋ' may be selected by inputting a direction key in the upward direction.

Therefore, using this method, the third and subsequent ranked consonants can also be selected by two direction key inputs. In addition, since there are relatively many directions in which superimposed consonants can be selected after inputting the first direction key, there is an advantage in that a special menu does not need to be configured by placing special characters, etc., in the direction of remaining Korean consonants.

In the above description, only the Hangul consonants have been described. However, in the case of referring to the above description, it is obvious that it can be easily applied even when the Hangul vowels are nested. Description is omitted.

6 is a diagram illustrating a menu displayed on a screen for inputting Korean consonants in a character input method using a direction key according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the character input method using the direction keys according to the third embodiment of the present invention, only one consonant is disposed in each of the up, down, left, right, top, bottom, right, top, bottom, and center directions. Selected consonants are placed in each of the eight directions except the center. In each of the eight directions, a consonant group consisting of a plurality of consonants including consonants already arranged is arranged. Therefore, when all the characters including consonants arranged respectively are arranged differently, 8 directions × 9 + 1 (center) = 73 characters may be arranged. Of course, if two or more direction keys are selected to be selected, 8 directions x 9 × 8 ^n-2 + 1 (center) characters may be arranged when ⁿ direction keys are selected.

For example, a consonant 'o' is disposed at the center, 'a' is disposed at the center of the center on the basic menu screen 10 corresponding to the first direction key input in FIG. 6, and 'b' is disposed at the upper direction. 'Is arranged,' c 'is arranged in the upper right direction,' ㄹ 'is arranged in the left direction,' ㅁ 'is placed in the right direction,' ㅂ 'is arranged in the lower left direction, and' ㅅ 'is arranged in the downward direction. 'Is arranged, and' ㅈ 'is placed in the lower right direction. This arrangement corresponds to only one example, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various arrangements are possible according to the use of the character input.

For example, when the upper left direction key is input and the consonant 'a' is selected on the basic menu screen 10, the sub-screen 20 disposed at the 'a' is displayed as shown in FIG. 7. The sub-screens 20 have consonants arranged in eight directions, respectively, around 'a' selected by the first direction key input. Therefore, the user can select one consonant from the total nine consonants displayed on the sub-screen 20 by selecting the second direction key.

As described above, eight new directions are newly assigned to each direction to arrange letters, and thus can be effectively used when input of many characters such as Chinese is required.

In the above description, only the Hangul consonants have been described. However, in the case of referring to the above description, it is obvious that it can be easily applied even when the Hangul vowels are nested. Description is omitted. In addition, since the number of the Hangul alphabet is limited, the menu for arranging the number or the specific symbol may be omitted by arranging the Hangul alphabet and disposing the number or the specific symbol in the remaining directions.

In addition, although only the Korean alphabet is described above, the character input method using the direction keys according to the third embodiment of the present invention may be applied to character input in various languages including English, Japanese, and Chinese.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8, English alphabets are superimposed on each of eight directions for English alphabet input, and in the center is the most frequently used alphabet as shown in [Table 3]. In the case of 'E'. In addition, in each of the eight directions, the overlapped letters form one letter group, and when the corresponding letters are selected, a sub-screen in which the overlapped letters are arranged is displayed, and when there is a key input in the arranged direction, the corresponding letters Is selected.

For example, when the right upper direction ③ is selected when the cursor is at the center ⑤, the overlapped letter WXYZ is displayed as a sub-screen, and the cursor is the first letter among the overlapped letters, That is, since it is located in the 'W' direction, the final letter may be selected by selecting the letter direction to be selected. If you select 'Z' here, you can enter the right direction key. If the above information is applied to other English alphabets, all the alphabets can be easily inputted using the arrow keys.

TABLE 3

On the other hand, for Japanese character input, as shown in the accompanying FIG. 9, it corresponds to the 'A' stage, which is the basic stage in the fifty-eight degrees in each of eight directions for inputting the Japanese alphabet. Letter, for example, "あ, か, さ, た, な, は, ま, ら", and the specific letter "ん" in the center. Further, in each of the eight directions, each row including the alphabets of the basic stages already arranged is arranged as one alphabetic group and overlapped. Such a letter group is separately displayed as a sub-screen when the letters belonging to the basic stage are selected by the direction keys, and then the corresponding letter is selected when there is a key input in each of the arranged directions.

For example, when the cursor is located at the center (⑤), when the lower left direction (⑦) is selected, the Jamo group belonging to the 'は' line including the letter 'は' belonging to the basic stage is displayed as a sub-screen. At this time, since the cursor is located in the basic letter of the overlapping letter group, that is, the 'ha' direction, the final letter may be selected by selecting another letter direction to be selected. For example, to select 'ひ', enter the left direction key on the sub screen.

If the above information is applied to other Japanese alphabets, all the alphabets can be easily selected and entered using the direction keys. On the other hand, when the Jamo group belonging to each row included in the basic stage is displayed as one subscreen, when selecting a specific Jamo group included in the Jamo group, the subscreen forming another Jamo group may be further displayed. have.

For example, when the cursor is located at the center (⑤), and the upper left direction (①) is selected, the Jamo group belonging to the 'あ' line including the letter 'あ' belonging to the basic stage is displayed as a sub-screen. At this time, the cursor is located in the basic letter of the nested letter group, that is, in the 'あ' direction, and 'Ya', which is in the upper left direction again at this position, also has a large number of letter groups arranged as the second sub-screen. In the case of selecting, the final letter may be selected by selecting the letter direction to be selected while the corresponding letter group is displayed as the second sub-screen. For example, if you want to select 'を', enter the down key on the second subscreen.

In addition, in the case of Japanese, it is arranged to form one Jamo group for each row according to the fifty degrees, so that the position of the corresponding Jamo can be easily grasped, so that Japanese character input may be easier.

As described above, the character input method using the direction keys according to the first, second and third embodiments of the present invention is implemented as a program, and is a computer-readable form of a recording medium (CD-ROM, RAM, ROM, floppy). Disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, etc.).

On the other hand, the device according to the character input method using the arrow keys according to the above embodiment can be applied to various terminals, such as a landline phone, a mobile phone, a game machine, a remote control, below, character input using a direction key according to an embodiment of the present invention The apparatus is demonstrated.

10 is a block diagram of a character input apparatus using a direction key according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 10, a character input apparatus using a direction key according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a direction key 100, a character input control unit 200, and a screen display unit 300.

The direction key 100 includes eight keys for selecting eight directions indicating upper left, upper right, upper right, lower right, lower, left lower and left, and a confirmation button used to select a center or confirm a character input. . Such a direction key may also include a jog key.

The character input control unit 200 displays the basic menu as shown in FIG. 1, 6, 8, or 9 on the screen display unit 300, and then displays the letter arranged in the direction selected by the direction key 100. At the same time, the screen 300 as shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 7, 8, or 9 is displayed on the display unit 300 and overlapped in the corresponding direction, thereby selecting a new one selected by the direction key 100. After selecting and combining a letter corresponding to a direction, the corresponding character is controlled on the screen display unit 300 such that the entire character input operation through the direction key 100 is controlled. The screen display unit 300 displays a menu for text input and provides a screen for displaying a letter selected by the direction key 100.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a Hangul input device among character input devices using a direction key according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 11, the Hangul input device includes a direction key 400 and a screen display unit 500.

The direction key 400 includes an internal direction key 410 for selecting the up, down, left and right directions, an external direction key 420 for selecting the left, top, right, bottom and left directions, and a confirmation button 430.

The screen display unit 500 includes a menu display unit 510 for displaying a menu for Korean input and a character display unit 520 for displaying input letters and characters. Here, in the case of Korean, the menu display unit 510 separates consonants and vowels and displays them as two menus. In both main menus the default starting position is always set to the center.

When a key indicating a specific direction is selected among the direction keys 400 while the basic menu is displayed on the menu display unit 510, the letter is arranged in the corresponding direction based on the center of the basic menu on the character display unit 520. At this time, if the overlapping letters are arranged in the selected direction, in the first embodiment, a menu for selecting the overlapping letters is displayed on the menu display unit 510 as shown in FIG. 3. In the case of the second embodiment, the menu as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed, and in the case of the third embodiment, the menu as shown in FIGS. 7, 8 or 9 is displayed.

In this way, a menu for selecting the overlapping letters is displayed on the menu display unit 510, and if there is a specific direction key input by the direction key 400 again, the overlapping letter corresponding to the corresponding direction is selected, and the selected letter and the already entered letter By using the combination of characters and combined characters are displayed on the character display unit 520.

The menu display unit 510 includes two menus for consonant input and a menu for vowel input, and the movement between the two menus is automatically performed according to the alphabet input by a well-known Korean automata. However, a specific key may be further provided to forcibly move the automatically moved menu to another menu.

Meanwhile, in addition to the direction key 400 used in FIG. 11, the direction key shown in FIG. 2 (a) or (c) may be used, and the function may be applied in the same manner.

Although only the apparatus for inputting Korean characters has been described above, it can be easily understood by those skilled in the art when referring to the above contents, which may be equally applicable to input of alphabet letters, numbers, special symbols, and the like.

In addition, although the letter letters of the letters are arranged in three rows and three columns to describe the use of a direction key having an eight-way key and a confirmation button, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. In the case of arranging the rows in three columns or the like, the same may be applied to using the direction keys for inputting all of the corresponding directions depending on the case in which they are arranged in various forms such as using six direction keys.

In the above description, the letter is placed at the center of the arrow key and the letter is selected when the center key is input. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and a specific letter is placed at the center key. You don't have to. For example, the letters are placed only on keys in the other directions except for the center key, and when a specific letter is selected, the letter is selected to be used only as a confirmation key for selecting the center key and finally inputting it.

In addition, in the above description, the arrow keys are described only as keys representing eight directions including up, down, left, right, left, left, right, and right, but in the case of referring to the above description, the direction is not eight, for example, four directions. Or it is natural that the present invention can be applied to keys or jog keys indicating five directions. In addition, a number key, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, which is not only a key displayed to indicate a specific direction but also a terminal which is generally used, is arranged in a specific direction. It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be applied to a numeric key. For example, in a numeric key with nine numbers arranged in three rows and three columns, 1, 2, and 3 are arranged in the first row, 4, 5, and 6 are arranged in the second row, and 7, in the third row. When 8, 9 are arranged, the number 1 key is in the 'left' direction, the number 2 key is in the 'up' direction, the number 3 key is in the 'right' direction, the number 4 key is in the 'left' direction, and the number 5 key is It can be seen that 'center', 6 key is 'right' direction, 7 key is 'lower left' direction, 8 key is 'low' direction and 9 key is 'lower' direction.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various other changes and modifications are possible.

According to the present invention, the trouble of having to repeatedly select the same key to select the overlapped letters is eliminated.

In addition, it is possible to select the letters arranged in superimposition by simple direction key input.

In addition, since many letters can be selected, it is not necessary to configure a separate menu for special characters and the like, thereby reducing costs.

Claims (17)

In a method of inputting a character using a direction key, a) displaying a screen by arranging specific letters to overlap each of a plurality of keys for selecting a direction from the direction key; b) When there is an input indicating a specific direction among the direction keys from the outside, when a specific letter arranged on the direction key corresponding to the input is displayed on the screen, and when there is another letter arranged overlapping the direction key corresponding to the input Displaying a direction from which the other overlapped letters may be selected; c) selecting the displayed specific letter or selecting another overlapped letter when there is an input indicating the displayed direction through the direction key; And d) displaying the input characters on the screen by combining the selected letters; Character input method comprising a. In a method of inputting a character using a direction key, a) displaying a screen by arranging specific letters to overlap each of a plurality of keys for selecting a direction from the direction key; b) When there is an input indicating a specific direction among the direction keys from the outside, when a specific letter arranged on the direction key corresponding to the input is displayed on the screen, and when there is another letter arranged overlapping the direction key corresponding to the input Arranging and displaying the other overlapped letters in a specific direction among directions in which the other overlapped letters are selected; c) selecting the displayed specific letter or selecting a letter corresponding to the input direction when there is an input indicating the displayed direction through the direction key; And d) displaying the input characters on the screen by combining the selected letters; Character input method comprising a. In a method of inputting a character using a direction key, a) placing a specific letter on each of a plurality of keys for selecting a direction from the direction key and displaying the same letter on a screen; b) when there is an input indicating a specific direction among the direction keys from the outside, arranging a letter group including a specific letter arranged on a direction key corresponding to the input in a set direction and displaying on the screen; c) selecting a specific letter set and arranged in the direction inputted through the direction key from the letter group; And d) displaying the input characters on the screen by combining the selected letters; Character input method comprising a. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The direction key includes a key indicating eight directions including up, down, left, right, top left, bottom left, top right, bottom right. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The direction keys are numeric keys representing numbers 1 to 9, and the numeric keys 1 to 9 operate as keys indicating up, down, left, right, top, left, bottom, top, right, bottom and center directions, respectively. Character input method. The method according to claim 1 or 2, In the step b), the direction in which the other letters arranged in the overlapping can be selected is a direction other than the direction in which the first arranged letters are located in the direction of the first placed letters. Way. The method of claim 1, And when the overlapping other alphabets are two or more, step b) is repeated until one of the overlapping other alphabets is selected. The method of claim 3, The screen displayed as the Jamo group in step b) is displayed as a sub-screen of the screen displayed in step a). The method of claim 3, If the character is Japanese character, Letters belonging to a particular step of the fifty-eight degrees are first placed in the direction key as the basic Jamo group, and the Jamo belonging to the line corresponding to each Jamo in the basic Jamo group Posted in Nested Character input method characterized in that. The method of claim 9, The basic Jamo group is a letter input method characterized in that the letters belonging to the 'あ' group of Japanese fifty degrees. In a device for inputting characters using the direction key, A screen display unit displaying a letter input menu in which specific letters are overlapped and arranged according to a specific direction; A direction key provided to correspond to the specific direction in order to select the Jamo arranged according to the specific direction; And A character input control unit for selecting a letter displayed on the letter input menu according to the input of the direction key, and displaying the completed letter by combining the selected letters; Including; The letter input control unit selects a corresponding overlapped letter according to an input of a specific direction through the arrow key when there are letters that overlap the selected direction key. Character input device, characterized in that. The method of claim 11, The character input control unit, When there is an input indicating a specific direction from the direction key, a specific letter arranged in the corresponding direction is displayed on the screen display unit, and when there is another letter arranged to overlap the direction, the direction for selecting the overlapped other letters Is displayed together with the screen display unit, If there is an input corresponding to the displayed direction from the direction key to select another overlapping letter Character input device, characterized in that. The method of claim 11, The character input control unit, When there is an input indicating a specific direction from the direction key, a specific letter arranged in the corresponding direction is displayed on the screen display unit, and when there is another letter arranged to overlap the direction, the direction for selecting the overlapped other letters Arrange and display the other letters arranged in the overlapping direction, When there is an input corresponding to a specific direction among the displayed directions from the direction key, the overlapping letter arranged in the specific direction is selected. Character input device, characterized in that. The method of claim 11, The character input control unit, When there is an input indicating a specific direction from the direction key, a letter group including a specific letter arranged in the corresponding direction is arranged in the set direction and displayed on the screen display unit, When there is an input corresponding to a specific direction among the set directions from the direction key, a letter arranged in the specific direction is selected from the letter group Character input device, characterized in that. A recording medium for storing a program for implementing a method of inputting characters by using a direction key, a) a function of arranging a specific letter to overlap each of a plurality of keys for selecting a direction from the direction key and displaying the same on a screen; b) When there is an input indicating a specific direction among the direction keys from the outside, when a specific letter arranged on the direction key corresponding to the input is displayed on the screen, and when there is another letter arranged overlapping the direction key corresponding to the input A function of displaying a direction in which the other overlapped letters may be selected; c) a function of selecting the displayed specific letter or selecting another overlapped letter when there is an input indicating the displayed direction through the direction key; And d) a function of displaying the input characters on the screen by combining the selected alphabet; Recording medium that stores a program that implements. A recording medium for storing a program for implementing a method of inputting characters by using a direction key, a) a function of arranging a specific letter to overlap each of a plurality of keys for selecting a direction from the direction key and displaying the same on a screen; b) When there is an input indicating a specific direction among the direction keys from the outside, when a specific letter arranged on the direction key corresponding to the input is displayed on the screen, and when there is another letter arranged overlapping the direction key corresponding to the input Arranging and displaying the other overlapped letters in a specific direction among the directions in which the other overlapped letters are selected; c) a function of selecting the displayed specific letter or selecting a letter corresponding to the input direction when there is an input indicating the displayed direction through the direction key; And d) a function of displaying the input characters on the screen by combining the selected alphabet; Recording medium that stores a program that implements. A recording medium for storing a program for implementing a method of inputting characters by using a direction key, a) a function of disposing a specific letter on each of a plurality of keys for selecting a direction from the direction key and displaying on a screen b) when there is an input indicating a specific direction among the direction keys from the outside, a function of displaying the screen on the screen by arranging a letter group including a specific letter arranged on a direction key corresponding to the input in a set direction; c) a function of selecting a specific letter set and arranged in the direction inputted through the direction key from the letter group; And d) a function of displaying the input characters on the screen by combining the selected alphabet; Recording medium that stores a program that implements.

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