KR20110027384A - Method for inputting symbol and mobile terminal using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A symbol input method of a mobile terminal and a mobile terminal applying the same are provided to enabling a user to conveniently input a desired symbol to a mobile terminal. CONSTITUTION: A touch screen includes a display window for displaying an input symbol through a keyboard. A memory(160) stores data. A control unit(180) controls in order for a substitute symbol to be displayed by adding to the input symbol.

Description

Symbol input method in mobile communication terminal and mobile communication terminal applying the same {METHOD FOR INPUTTING SYMBOL AND MOBILE TERMINAL USING THE SAME}

The present invention relates to a method of inputting a symbol in a mobile communication terminal and a mobile communication terminal applying the same, to provide a convenient symbol input method to a user in the mobile communication terminal.

Terminal can move It may be divided into a mobile / portable terminal and a stationary terminal depending on whether it is present. The mobile communication terminal may be further classified into a handheld terminal and a vehicle mount terminal according to whether a user can directly carry it.

Such a terminal has various functions, for example, in the form of a multimedia device having multiple functions such as photographing and photographing of a moving picture, reproduction of a music or video file, reception of a game and broadcasting, etc. .

In order to support and increase the function of such a terminal, it may be considered to improve the structural part and / or the software part of the terminal.

In particular, in the mobile communication terminal such as a mobile phone, the size of the input unit and the display unit has been limited in consideration of its portability. Accordingly, the necessity of developing a user-friendly input method has been continuously raised.

An object of the present invention is to provide a user-friendly input environment by providing a user-friendly symbol input method.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an embodiment of the present invention, a symbol input method in a mobile communication terminal, if at least one symbol is input, displaying the input symbol on the display unit; Determining a single candidate with the input symbol; And displaying a symbol other than the input symbol among the single candidate symbols in addition to the input symbol.

According to an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, when the at least one symbol is input, displaying the input symbol on the display unit includes: when the at least one symbol is input to a keyboard on a touch screen, The method may include displaying the input symbol on a display window displayed at.

According to an aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, the determining of a single candidate with the input symbol comprises: determining a candidate symbol group having the input symbol and a modest candidate among the candidate symbol groups. Determining with a single candidate.

According to an aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, the symbol input method may further include displaying an icon representing the candidate symbol group on the display window.

According to an aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, the symbol input method may further include selecting a single candidate after the touch of the display window to execute a predetermined function.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile communication terminal comprising: a touch screen including a display window on which an input symbol is displayed through a keyboard and a keyboard; A memory configured to store certain data; And a control unit for controlling to display a single candidate with the input symbol when the input symbol is displayed on the display window through the keyboard, and to display the candidate symbol except the input symbol in addition to the input symbol. It may include.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the control unit may determine a candidate symbol group including the input symbol and determine the least significant call symbol among the candidate symbol groups as the single candidate symbol.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the controller may control the touch screen to further display an icon representing the candidate symbol group on the display window.

According to an aspect of another embodiment of the present invention, when the controller touches the display window, the single candidate is selected to execute a preset function.

According to the present invention having the above-described configuration, the user can quickly enter the desired phrase or telephone number with a small number of key inputs, and execute the same.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, in a mobile communication terminal having a touch screen, it is possible to display candidate symbols of input symbols without overlapping the keyboard with the displayed area.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, since the candidate symbol is determined in consideration of the user's usage habit, input of a symbol desired by the user may be easier.

Hereinafter, a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The suffixes "module" and "unit" for components used in the following description are given or used in consideration of ease of specification, and do not have distinct meanings or roles from each other.

The mobile communication terminal described herein may include a mobile phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), navigation, and the like.

The present invention can be used not only for the mobile communication terminal, but also for fixed terminals such as desktop computers.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The mobile communication terminal 100 includes a wireless communication unit 110, an A / V input unit 120, a user input unit 130, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, a memory 160, The interface unit 170 may include a controller 180, a power supply unit 190, and the like. The components shown in FIG. 1 are not essential, so that a mobile communication terminal having more or fewer components may be implemented.

Hereinafter, the components will be described in order.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include one or more modules that enable wireless communication between the mobile communication terminal 100 and the wireless communication system or between the mobile communication terminal 100 and a network in which the mobile communication terminal 100 is located. . For example, the wireless communication unit 110 may include a broadcast receiving module 111, a mobile communication module 112, a wireless Internet module 113, a short range communication module 114, and a location information module 115 .

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives a broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information from an external broadcast management server through a broadcast channel.

The broadcast channel may include a satellite channel and a terrestrial channel. The broadcast management server may mean a server that generates and transmits a broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information or a server that receives a previously generated broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information and transmits the same to a terminal. The broadcast signal may include not only a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, and a data broadcast signal, but also a broadcast signal having a data broadcast signal combined with a TV broadcast signal or a radio broadcast signal.

The broadcast related information may mean information related to a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, or a broadcast service provider. The broadcast related information may also be provided through a mobile communication network. In this case, it may be received by the mobile communication module 112.

The broadcast related information may exist in various forms. For example, it may exist in the form of Electronic Program Guide (EPG) of Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) or Electronic Service Guide (ESG) of Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld (DVB-H).

The broadcast receiving module 111 may include, for example, Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Terrestrial (DMB-T), Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Satellite (DMB-S), Media Forward Link Only (MediaFLO), and Digital Video Broadcast (DVB-H). Digital broadcast signals can be received using digital broadcasting systems such as Handheld and Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial (ISDB-T). Of course, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be configured to be suitable for not only the above-described digital broadcasting system but also other broadcasting systems.

The broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information received through the broadcast receiving module 111 may be stored in the memory 160.

The mobile communication module 112 transmits and receives a wireless signal with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. The wireless signal may include various types of data according to transmission and reception of a voice call signal, a video call signal, or a text / multimedia message.

The wireless internet module 113 refers to a module for wireless internet access and may be embedded or external to the mobile communication terminal 100. Wireless Internet technologies may include Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi), Wireless Broadband (Wibro), World Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wimax), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), and the like.

The short range communication module 114 refers to a module for short range communication. As a short range communication technology, Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, and the like may be used.

The location information module 115 is a module for obtaining a location of a mobile communication terminal, and a representative example thereof is a GPS (Global Position System) module.

Referring to FIG. 1, the A / V input unit 120 is for inputting an audio signal or a video signal, and may include a camera 121 and a microphone 122. The camera 121 processes image frames such as still images or moving images obtained by the image sensor in the video call mode or the photographing mode. The processed image frame may be displayed on the display unit 151.

The image frame processed by the camera 121 may be stored in the memory 160 or transmitted to the outside through the wireless communication unit 110. Two or more cameras 121 may be provided according to the use environment.

The microphone 122 receives an external sound signal by a microphone in a call mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, etc., and processes the external sound signal into electrical voice data. The processed voice data can be converted into a form that can be transmitted to the mobile communication base station through the mobile communication module 112 when the voice data is in the call mode, and output. The microphone 122 may implement various noise removing algorithms for removing noise generated in the process of receiving an external sound signal.

The user input unit 130 generates input data for the user to control the operation of the terminal. The user input unit 130 may include a key pad dome switch, a touch pad (static pressure / capacitance), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like.

The sensing unit 140 is a mobile communication terminal 100 such as an open / closed state of the mobile communication terminal 100, a location of the mobile communication terminal 100, presence or absence of a user contact, orientation of the mobile communication terminal, acceleration / deceleration of the mobile communication terminal, and the like. Sensing the current state and generates a sensing signal for controlling the operation of the mobile communication terminal (100). For example, when the mobile communication terminal 100 is in the form of a slide phone, whether the slide phone is opened or closed may be sensed. In addition, whether the power supply unit 190 is supplied with power, whether the interface unit 170 is coupled to the external device may be sensed. The sensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor 141.

The output unit 150 is used to generate an output related to sight, hearing, or tactile sense, and includes a display unit 151, an audio output module 152, an alarm unit 153, and a haptic module 154. Can be.

The display unit 151 displays (outputs) information processed by the mobile communication terminal 100. For example, when the mobile communication terminal is in a call mode, a user interface (UI) or a graphic user interface (GUI) related to a call is displayed. When the mobile communication terminal 100 is in a video call mode or a photographing mode, it displays a photographed and / or received image, a UI, or a GUI.

The display unit 151 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), and a flexible display (flexible). and at least one of a 3D display.

Some of these displays can be configured to be transparent or light transmissive so that they can be seen from the outside. This may be referred to as a transparent display. A representative example of the transparent display is TOLED (Transparant OLED). The rear structure of the display unit 151 may also be configured as a light transmissive structure. With this structure, the user can see the object located behind the terminal body through the area occupied by the display unit 151 of the terminal body.

There may be two or more display units 151 according to the implementation form of the mobile communication terminal 100. For example, a plurality of display units may be spaced apart or integrally disposed on one surface of the mobile communication terminal 100, or may be disposed on different surfaces.

When the display unit 151 and a sensor for detecting a touch operation (hereinafter, referred to as a touch sensor) form a mutual layer structure (hereinafter referred to as a touch screen), the display unit 151 may be configured in addition to an output device. Can also be used as an input device. The touch sensor may have, for example, a form of a touch film, a touch sheet, a touch pad, or the like.

The touch sensor may be configured to convert a change in pressure applied to a specific portion of the display unit 151 or capacitance generated in a specific portion of the display unit 151 into an electrical input signal. The touch sensor may be configured to detect not only the position and area of the touch but also the pressure at the touch.

If there is a touch input to the touch sensor, the corresponding signal (s) is sent to the touch controller. The touch controller processes the signal (s) and then transmits the corresponding data to the controller 180. As a result, the controller 180 can know which area of the display unit 151 is touched.

Referring to FIG. 1, a proximity sensor 141 may be disposed in an inner region of a mobile communication terminal surrounded by the touch screen or near the touch screen. The proximity sensor refers to a sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object approaching a predetermined detection surface or an object present in the vicinity without using a mechanical contact by using an electromagnetic force or infrared rays. Proximity sensors have a longer life and higher utilization than touch sensors.

Examples of the proximity sensor include a transmission photoelectric sensor, a direct reflection photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflection photoelectric sensor, a high frequency oscillation proximity sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, and an infrared proximity sensor. When the touch screen is capacitive, the touch screen is configured to detect the proximity of the pointer by the change of the electric field according to the proximity of the pointer. In this case, the touch screen (touch sensor) may be classified as a proximity sensor.

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the act of allowing the pointer to be recognized without being in contact with the touch screen so that the pointer is located on the touch screen is referred to as a "proximity touch", and the touch The act of actually touching the pointer on the screen is called "contact touch." The position where the proximity touch is performed by the pointer on the touch screen refers to a position where the pointer is perpendicular to the touch screen when the pointer is in proximity proximity.

The proximity sensor detects a proximity touch and a proximity touch pattern (for example, a proximity touch distance, a proximity touch direction, a proximity touch speed, a proximity touch time, a proximity touch position, and a proximity touch movement state). Information corresponding to the sensed proximity touch operation and proximity touch pattern may be output on the touch screen.

The sound output module 152 may output audio data received from the wireless communication unit 110 or stored in the memory 160 in a call signal reception, a call mode or a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, and the like. The sound output module 152 may also output a sound signal related to a function (eg, a call signal reception sound, a message reception sound, etc.) performed in the mobile communication terminal 100. The sound output module 152 may include a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer, and the like.

The alarm unit 153 outputs a signal for notifying occurrence of an event of the mobile communication terminal 100. Examples of events occurring in the mobile communication terminal include call signal reception, message reception, key signal input, and touch input. The alarm unit 153 may output a signal for notifying occurrence of an event in a form other than a video signal or an audio signal, for example, vibration. The video signal or the audio signal may be output through the display unit 151 or the audio output module 152, so that they 151 and 152 may be classified as part of the alarm unit 153.

The haptic module 154 generates various tactile effects that the user can feel. Vibration is a representative example of the haptic effect generated by the haptic module 154. The intensity and pattern of vibration generated by the haptic module 154 can be controlled. For example, different vibrations may be synthesized and output or may be sequentially output.

In addition to vibration, the haptic module 154 may be configured to provide a pin array that vertically moves with respect to the contact skin surface, a jetting force or suction force of air through the jetting or suction port, grazing to the skin surface, contact of the electrode, electrostatic force, and the like. Various tactile effects can be generated, such as effects by the endothermic and the reproduction of a sense of cold using the elements capable of endotherm or heat generation.

The haptic module 154 may not only deliver the haptic effect through direct contact, but also may implement the user to feel the haptic effect through a muscle sense such as a finger or an arm. Two or more haptic modules 154 may be provided according to a configuration aspect of the mobile communication terminal 100.

The memory 160 may store a program for the operation of the controller 180 and may temporarily store input / output data (for example, a phone book, a message, a still image, a video, etc.). The memory 160 may store data regarding vibration and sound of various patterns output when a touch input on the touch screen is performed.

The memory 160 may be a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, SD or XD memory), RAM (Random Access Memory, RAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), Magnetic Memory, Magnetic It may include a storage medium of at least one type of disk, optical disk. The mobile communication terminal 100 may operate in connection with a web storage that performs a storage function of the memory 160 on the Internet.

The interface unit 170 serves as a path with all external devices connected to the mobile communication terminal 100. The interface unit 170 receives data from an external device, receives power, transfers the power to each component inside the mobile communication terminal 100, or transmits data inside the mobile communication terminal 100 to an external device. For example, a wired / wireless headset port, an external charger port, a wired / wireless data port, a memory card port, a port for connecting a device having an identification module, an audio I / O port, A video input / output (I / O) port, an earphone port, and the like may be included in the interface unit 170.

The identification module is a chip that stores various types of information for authenticating the use authority of the mobile communication terminal 100. The identification module may include a user identification module (UIM), a subscriber identify module (SIM), and a universal user authentication module. (Universal Subscriber Identity Module, USIM) and the like. Devices with identification modules (hereinafter referred to as "identification devices") can be manufactured in a smart card format. Accordingly, the identification device can be connected to the terminal 100 through the port.

The interface unit may be a passage through which power from the cradle is supplied to the mobile terminal 100 when the mobile terminal 100 is connected to an external cradle, or various command signals input from the cradle by a user may be transferred. It may be a passage that is delivered to the terminal. Various command signals or power input from the cradle may be operated as signals for recognizing that the mobile terminal is correctly mounted on the cradle.

The controller 180 typically controls the overall operation of the mobile communication terminal. For example, perform related control and processing for voice calls, data communications, video calls, and the like. The controller 180 may include a multimedia module 181 for playing multimedia. The multimedia module 181 may be implemented in the controller 180 or may be implemented separately from the controller 180.

The controller 180 may perform a pattern recognition process for recognizing a writing input or a drawing input performed on the touch screen as text and an image, respectively.

The power supply unit 190 receives an external power source and an internal power source under the control of the controller 180 to supply power for operation of each component.

Various embodiments described herein may be implemented in a recording medium readable by a computer or similar device using, for example, software, hardware or a combination thereof.

According to a hardware implementation, embodiments described herein include application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and the like. It may be implemented using at least one of processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, and electrical units for performing other functions. The described embodiments may be implemented by the controller 180 itself.

According to the software implementation, embodiments such as the procedures and functions described herein may be implemented as separate software modules. Each of the software modules may perform one or more functions and operations described herein. Software code may be implemented in software applications written in a suitable programming language. The software code may be stored in the memory 160 and executed by the controller 180.

Figure 2a is a front view of an example of a mobile communication terminal related to the present invention.

The disclosed mobile communication terminal 100 has a terminal body in the form of a bar. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and may be applied to various structures such as a slide type, a folder type, a swing type, a swivel type, and two or more bodies are coupled to be relatively movable.

The body includes a casing (casing, housing, cover, etc.) that forms an exterior. In this embodiment, the case may be divided into a front case 101 and a rear case 102. Various electronic components are built in the space formed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102. At least one intermediate case may be further disposed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102.

The cases may be formed by injecting synthetic resin or may be formed of a metal material, for example, a metal material such as stainless steel (STS) or titanium (Ti).

The display unit 151, the audio output unit 152, the camera 121, the user input units 130/131 and 132, the microphone 122, and the interface 170 may be disposed in the terminal body, mainly the front case 101. have.

The display unit 151 occupies most of the main surface of the front case 101. A sound output unit 151 and a camera 121 are disposed in an area adjacent to one end of both ends of the display unit 151 and a user input unit 131 and a microphone 122 are disposed in an area adjacent to the other end. The user input unit 132 and the interface 170 may be disposed on side surfaces of the front case 101 and the rear case 102.

The user input unit 130 is manipulated to receive a command for controlling the operation of the mobile communication terminal 100 and may include a plurality of operation units 131 and 132. The manipulation units 131 and 132 may also be collectively referred to as manipulating portions, and may be employed in any manner as long as the user operates the tactile manner with a tactile feeling.

Content input by the first or second manipulation units 131 and 132 may be variously set. For example, the first operation unit 131 receives commands such as start, end, scroll, and the like, and the second operation unit 132 controls the size of the sound output from the sound output unit 152 or the size of the sound output from the display unit 151 To the touch recognition mode of the touch screen.

FIG. 2B is a rear perspective view of the mobile communication terminal shown in FIG. 2A.

Referring to FIG. 2B, a camera 121 ′ may be additionally mounted on the rear of the terminal body, that is, the rear case 102. The camera 121 'may have a photographing direction substantially opposite to the camera 121 (see FIG. 2A), and may be a camera having different pixels from the camera 121.

For example, the camera 121 has a low pixel so that the user's face is photographed and transmitted to the counterpart in case of a video call, and the camera 121 'photographs a general subject and does not transmit it immediately. It is desirable to have a high pixel because there are many. The cameras 121 and 121 'may be installed in the terminal body so as to be rotatable or pop-upable.

A flash 123 and a mirror 124 are further disposed adjacent to the camera 121 '. The flash 123 shines light toward the subject when the subject is photographed by the camera 121 '. The mirror 124 allows the user to see his / her own face or the like when photographing (self-photographing) the user using the camera 121 '.

The sound output unit 152 'may be further disposed on the rear surface of the terminal body. The sound output unit 152 ′ may implement a stereo function together with the sound output unit 152 (see FIG. 2A), and may be used to implement a speakerphone mode during a call.

In addition to the antenna for talking and the like, a broadcast signal reception antenna 116 may be additionally disposed on the side of the terminal body. The antenna 116, which forms part of the broadcast receiving module 111 (see FIG. 1), can be installed to be able to be drawn out from the terminal body.

The terminal body is equipped with a power supply unit 190 for supplying power to the mobile communication terminal 100. The power supply unit 190 may be embedded in the terminal body or may be directly detachable from the outside of the terminal body.

The rear case 102 may be further equipped with a touch pad 135 for sensing a touch. Like the display unit 151, the touch pad 135 may also be configured to have a light transmission type. In this case, if the display unit 151 is configured to output visual information from both sides, the visual information may be recognized through the touch pad 135. The information output on both surfaces may be controlled by the touch pad 135. Alternatively, a display may be additionally mounted on the touch pad 135, and a touch screen may be disposed on the rear case 102 as well.

The touch pad 135 operates in association with the display unit 151 of the front case 101. The touch pad 135 may be disposed in parallel to the rear of the display unit 151. The touch pad 135 may have the same or smaller size as the display unit 151.

Hereinafter, the operation of the display unit 151 and the touch pad 135 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B.

3A and 3B are front views of a mobile communication terminal for explaining an operation state of a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention.

Various types of time information can be displayed on the display unit 151. [ These pieces of information can be displayed in the form of letters, numbers, symbols, graphics, or icons.

In order to input such information, at least one of the letters, numbers, symbols, graphics, or icons may be displayed in a predetermined arrangement so as to be implemented in the form of a keypad. Such a keypad may be called a so-called " soft key ".

3A illustrates receiving a touch applied to a softkey through the front of the terminal body.

The display unit 151 may operate in an entire area or may be operated in a divided manner. In the latter case, the plurality of areas can be configured to operate in association with each other.

For example, an output window 151a and an input window 151b are displayed on the upper and lower portions of the display unit 151, respectively. The output window 151a and the input window 151b are areas allocated for outputting or inputting information, respectively. In the input window 151b, a soft key 151c displaying a number for inputting a telephone number or the like is output. When the softkey 151c is touched, a number or the like corresponding to the touched softkey is displayed on the output window 151a. When the first manipulation unit 131 is operated, a call connection to the telephone number displayed on the output window 151a is attempted.

3B illustrates receiving a touch applied to a softkey through the rear of the terminal body. If FIG. 3A is a portrait in which the terminal body is arranged vertically, FIG. 3B illustrates a landscape in which the terminal body is arranged horizontally. The display unit 151 may be configured to convert the output screen according to the arrangement direction of the terminal body.

3B illustrates that a text input mode is activated in a mobile communication terminal. The display unit 151 displays an output window 151a 'and an input window 151b'. A plurality of soft keys 151c 'displaying at least one of letters, symbols, and numbers may be arranged in the input window 151b'. The softkeys 151c 'may be arranged in the form of a QWERTY key.

When the soft keys 151c 'are touched through the touch pad 135 (refer to FIG. 2B), letters, numbers, symbols, etc. corresponding to the touched soft keys are displayed on the output window 151a'. As described above, the touch input through the touch pad 135 has an advantage of preventing the softkey 151c 'from being covered by the finger when touched, as compared with the touch input through the display unit 151. When the display unit 151 and the touch pad 135 are transparent, the fingers located at the rear of the terminal body can be visually checked, and thus more accurate touch input is possible.

In addition to the input methods disclosed in the above embodiments, the display unit 151 or the touch pad 135 may be configured to receive a touch input by scrolling. By scrolling the display unit 151 or the touch pad 135, the user may move an object displayed on the display unit 151, for example, a cursor or a pointer located at an icon. Further, when the finger is moved on the display portion 151 or the touch pad 135, the path along which the finger moves may be visually displayed on the display portion 151. [ This may be useful for editing an image displayed on the display unit 151.

One function of the terminal may be executed in response to a case where the display unit 151 (touch screen) and the touch pad 135 are touched together within a predetermined time range. In the case of being touched together, there may be a case where the user clamps the terminal body using the thumb and index finger. For example, the function may include activation or deactivation of the display unit 151 or the touch pad 135.

Hereinafter, a symbol input method in an embodiment of a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a symbol input method in a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, first, the first symbol is input through the user input unit 130 (S1). Although the user input unit may be a keypad, it will be described below by assuming a keyboard displayed on the touch screen. In addition, in this detailed description, a symbol includes an alphanumeric character, a special symbol, and a symbol. When the first symbol is input, the controller 180 searches for data including the first symbol from the memory 160. The searched data may include telephone number data, phrase data, and shortcut number data. The controller 180 determines one of the candidate groups including the first symbol as the first single candidate symbol, and selects the first single candidate symbol on the display window on the touch screen (that is, the area in which the input symbol is displayed). Displays in addition to the input first symbol (S2, S3). In this case, an icon representing the candidate group may be further displayed on the display window. The first single candidate may be one of the most frequent data and the most recent data. In this case, the first single candidate symbol except for the first symbol may be displayed to be distinguished from the first symbol which is an input symbol. That is, it may be displayed smaller than the first symbol, have a color different from that of the first symbol, or have a background color different from that of the first symbol. In this state, when the first single candidate is selected, a predetermined function may be automatically executed (S4-1 and S4-2). This will be described later.

When the user inputs a second symbol in addition to the first symbol (S4), the controller 180 searches for data including the first symbol and the second symbol from the memory 160. The searched data may include telephone number data, phrase data, and shortcut number data. The controller 180 determines one of the candidate groups including the first symbol and the second symbol as a second single candidate symbol, and displays the second single candidate symbol on a display window on the touch screen (that is, the input symbol is displayed). Display area in addition to the input first and second symbols (S6). In this case, an icon representing the candidate group may be further displayed on the display window. When the display window on which the second single candidate is displayed is selected, the second single candidate is finally selected and a predetermined function can be executed (S7 and S8). This will be described later.

According to the above-described embodiment, when a user inputs a predetermined symbol, a single candidate is displayed on the display window on which the input symbol is displayed, without affecting the keyboard displayed on the touch screen, and the phrase or telephone number desired by the user conveniently. Etc. can be selected.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail by using an image diagram of a mobile communication terminal to which a symbol input method is applied in a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is an image diagram illustrating a first application example of a mobile communication terminal to which a symbol input method is applied in a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a symbol in a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an image diagram illustrating a second application example of a mobile communication terminal to which an input method is applied, and FIG. 7 illustrates a third application example of a mobile communication terminal to which a symbol input method is applied in a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is also an image for.

In the following examples, a description will be given of a bar type mobile communication terminal having a touch screen. The present invention is not limited thereto, and may be applied to a swivel type, a folder type, a watch type mobile communication terminal, or may be applied to a terminal equipped with a keypad.

[First application example]

FIG. 5 is an image diagram illustrating a first application example of a mobile communication terminal to which a symbol input method is applied in a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the display unit 151, which is a touch screen, displays a keyboard 210 and a display window 220 displaying a symbol input through the keyboard. When the input symbol 222 input through the keyboard 210 is input, the controller 180 determines one of the candidate symbol groups including the input symbol as a single candidate symbol, and in addition to the input symbol, the single candidate. The remaining symbols 224 except for the input symbol among the symbols are displayed on the display window 220. At this time. The remaining symbol 224 may be displayed smaller than the input symbol 222 or may be displayed in a different color. The single candidate symbol may be the most frequent symbol, the most recent symbol, or the nearest symbol among the candidate symbol groups. In the first application example, an example of inputting a telephone number is described. The telephone number including the input number is searched in the phone book data, and according to the search result, the most frequent telephone number among the telephone numbers including the input number can be selected as a single candidate symbol and displayed on the display window.

In this state, when the touch signal 225 for the display window 220 is input, a call signal is transmitted to the phone number which is the single candidate symbol, so that the user can talk to the terminal corresponding to the selected phone number. do.

In FIG. 5B, the case where the input symbol is included in the middle of the candidate group number string is described as an example. That is, when the input symbol 244 is disposed in the middle of the candidate group number string, the controller 180 may display the first half remaining symbol 242 and the second half remaining symbol 246 as shown.

Second Application Example

FIG. 6 is an image diagram for describing a second application example of a mobile communication terminal to which a symbol input method is applied in a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 6A, the display unit 151, which is a touch screen, displays a keyboard 210 and a display window 220 displaying a symbol input through the keyboard. When the input symbol 222 input through the keyboard 210 is input, the controller 180 determines one of the candidate symbol groups including the input symbol as a single candidate symbol, and in addition to the input symbol, the single candidate. The remaining symbols 224 except for the input symbol among the symbols are displayed on the display window 220. At this time. A candidate icon 252 representing the candidate symbol group may be further displayed. When the user selects the candidate icon 252, the candidate group list 250 may be displayed on the keyboard 210 in an overlay manner as illustrated in FIG. 6B. In this case, when the user touches and selects one of the candidate group list 250, the selected after view symbol may be displayed on the display window 220. In this state, when the display window is touched, an operation according to the candidate signal may be executed. In the second application example, since the telephone number is selected, a telephone call can be made by touching the display window. Alternatively, a menu related to a phone number, for example, a text message writing or a phone book addition may be displayed on the touch screen 151.

On the other hand, the candidate group list 250 may be excluded from the single candidate.

According to the second application example described above, the user can select his / her desired phone number in the candidate group as well as the single candidate symbol.

Third Application Example

FIG. 7 is an image diagram illustrating a third application example of a mobile communication terminal to which a symbol input method is applied in a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 7A, the display unit 151, which is a touch screen, displays a keyboard 210 and a display window 220 displaying a symbol input through the keyboard. When the shortcut number 254 is input through the keyboard 210, the controller 180 displays the details 256 of the shortcut number on the display window. Shop buttons may also be used to assign shortcut numbers. More specifically, if a number is input through the keyboard 210, the controller 180 checks whether there is a shortcut number corresponding to the number, and if there is a corresponding shortcut number, the details corresponding to the shortcut number are displayed. The display is added to the display window 2200. In this state, when the user touches the display window, a call signal is transmitted to the shortcut number.

Meanwhile, the detailed information icon 260 may be additionally displayed on the display window 220. When the user selects the detailed information icon 260, detailed information of the shortcut number (for example, name, phone number, email address, address, date of birth, etc.) may be displayed in a separate window.

7B illustrates an example of inputting a character in a standby screen state.

As shown in FIG. 7B, when a character 264 is input through the keyboard 210, the controller 180 selects a phone number having a name including the character as a single candidate symbol from the phone book and performs the remaining strings. 266 is displayed on the display window. In this case, the phone number 268 corresponding to the single candidate name may be further displayed on the display window 220. In addition, the candidate icon 270 representing the candidate group including the input text may be further displayed.

In more detail, when a character is input through the keyboard 210, the controller 180 checks whether there is a name of a phone book including the character, and if there is a name including the input character, the corresponding character is input. Display the name by adding it to the display. At this time, the character string 266 excluding the input character may be displayed smaller than the input character 264.

When the single candidate name is displayed as described above, when the display window 220 is touched, the controller 180 transmits a call signal to a phone number corresponding to the single candidate. In addition, when the candidate group icon 270 is selected, all phone book items having the input characters are included in the candidate group list and displayed on the display unit 151. In this case, the candidate group list may be displayed by being overlaid on the keyboard 210 area.

According to the third application example described above, the user can more conveniently find the name stored in the phone book.

In the detailed description, an example of inputting a phone number and searching a phone book for a phone call has been described. Can be.

Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the above-described method can be implemented as a code that can be read by a processor on a medium on which the program is recorded. Examples of processor-readable media include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage, and the like, and may be implemented in the form of a carrier wave (for example, transmission over the Internet). Include.

The symbol input method and the mobile communication terminal applying the same in the above-described mobile communication terminal are not limited to the configuration and method of the above-described embodiments. All or part of the examples may be optionally combined.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2A is a front perspective view of a mobile communication terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention;

2B is a rear perspective view of a mobile communication terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention;

3A and 3B are front views of a mobile communication terminal for explaining an operation state of the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a symbol input method in a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an image for explaining a first application example of a mobile communication terminal to which a symbol input method is applied in a mobile communication terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

FIG. 6 is an image for explaining a second application example of a mobile communication terminal to which a symbol input method is applied in a mobile communication terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

FIG. 7 is an image for explaining a third application example of a mobile communication terminal to which a symbol input method is applied in a mobile communication terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

Claims (9)

As a symbol input method in a mobile communication terminal, If at least one symbol is input, displaying the input symbol on a display unit; Determining a single candidate with the input symbol; And And displaying a symbol other than the input symbol among the single candidate symbols in addition to the input symbol. The method of claim 1, When the at least one symbol is input, displaying the input symbol on a display unit, If the at least one symbol is input to the keyboard on the touch screen, displaying the input symbol on a display window displayed on the touch screen. The method of claim 1, Determining a single candidate with the input symbol comprises: Determining a candidate symbol group having the input symbol; and And determining the least preferred candidate among the candidate symbol groups as the single candidate. The method of claim 3, wherein And displaying an icon representing the candidate symbol group on the display window. The method of claim 2, When the display window is touched, the single candidate is selected, and further comprising executing a predetermined function, symbol input method in a mobile communication terminal. A touch screen including a keyboard and a display window on which an input symbol is displayed through the keyboard; A memory configured to store certain data; And When the input symbol is displayed on the display window through the keyboard, a single candidate symbol having the input symbol is selected, and accordingly, the control unit controls to display the candidate symbol except the input symbol in addition to the input symbol. Mobile communication terminal. The method of claim 6, The control unit, And a candidate symbol group having the input symbol, and determining the least significant call symbol among the candidate symbol groups as the single candidate symbol. The method of claim 7, wherein The control unit, And control the touch screen to further display an icon representing the candidate symbol group on the display window. The method of claim 6, The control unit, When the display window is touched, the single candidate is selected to execute a predetermined function.

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