KR20030060607A - The Method of Character Arrangement in The Keyboard for PDA - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A system for arraying characters of a keypad in a PDA(Personal Digital Assistant) is provided to configure 35 character keys, and to array characters in the 35 keys, thereby magnifying portability as having all functions of a computer keyboard. CONSTITUTION: For English keys, 26 English alphabets are put in a left-handed English unit(110) and a right-handed English unit(120). A total number of 15 keys are assigned with characters in order, up to the first to the fifth column of the third row, the first to the fifth column of the second row, and the first to the fifth column of the first row in the left-handed English unit(110). 11 keys are sequentially assigned with characters in the second and the fifth column of the sixth row, the second to the fifth column of the fifth row, and the second to the sixth column of the fourth row in the right-handed English unit(120). A rest ',' of symbol keys is assigned in the sixth column of the fifth row, overlapping with a period '.'. Number keys are arrayed as follows. '1, 2, 3' are assigned in the third to the fifth column of the first row. '4, 5, 6' are assigned in the third to the fifth column of the second row. '7, 8, 9' are assigned in the third to the fifth column of the third row. '0' is assigned in the fourth column of the fourth row.

Description

Keypad Character Arrangement in Portable Information Terminals {The Method of Character Arrangement in The Keyboard for PDA}

The present invention relates to a method of arranging a character key of a keypad for inputting a character in a portable information terminal having a function of inputting / transmitting / receiving text data, which can be easily understood by a general user who is familiar with the keyboard layout of a desktop computer. In order to maximize the portability that is a characteristic of the portable information terminal, the character key arrangement of the keypad of the portable information terminal is possible.

The portable information terminal adopts a liquid crystal crystal display (LCD) about the size of a palm and inputs various data by touching the screen for a specific function on the screen.

In particular, in the input of characters, a character is inputted by executing a screen keyboard program on the screen and touching it. In this case, there is an area occupied by the screen keyboard on the small screen, so the utilization of the screen is not maximized.

A portable information terminal divided into a cover part and a body part has been provided to compensate for the disadvantages of the character input method and maximize the utilization of the screen. A liquid crystal crystal display is installed on the cover part, and various circuits and keypads are attached to the body part. Foldable portable information terminals are designed to allow easy input of characters from the keypad like a keyboard on a desktop computer.

In the keypad of a portable information terminal equipped with such a keypad, it is an object of the present invention to efficiently arrange each character of a character key so that various characters can be represented and the input thereof can be easily made.

1 is a diagram illustrating a keyboard layout of a keyboard of a conventional desktop computer.

In general, in the character arrangement of the keyboard 10 of the desktop computer, a row arrangement is performed in five rows in a row of key buttons and approximately fifteen in a column.

This is divided into the left hand part 11 using the left hand and the right hand part 12 using the right hand. Are arranged.

In general, most users are familiar with the standardized character array method as shown in FIG. 1, and in the case of a keyboard having a different type of array method, it is difficult to use it.

However, the keyboard layout arrangement 10 of the desktop computer in FIG. 1 is horizontal, and the number of keys is too large to apply to the keypad of the portable information terminal.

In addition, since the keyboard array 10 of the desktop computer of FIG. 1 is arranged to use all the fingers of both hands, it cannot be applied to the keypad of a portable information terminal, which usually requires the use of a thumb or one or two fingers. there was.

2 is a diagram illustrating a character arrangement method 20 of a keypad of a mobile phone.

In a mobile phone mainly using numbers, a key arrangement form is mainly represented by numbers, and a keypad is located at a small size so that many keys cannot be adopted. Therefore, four or five letters are assigned to one key to input letters, and you select a letter by pressing one key.

In this case, it takes a long time to input and it is difficult to express various special symbols, for example, '%', '&', '(', ')', '+' .'- '.

The present invention utilizes the keyboard layout 10 of the desktop computer described above, and can use the character key input according to a conventional familiar method, while improving the horizontal arrangement and reducing the number of keys. It relates to a key arrangement method of the keypad of the portable information terminal that can be mounted to the portable information terminal.

For this usefulness and portability, the keypad consists of six columns and six rows of letters, consisting of a total of 35 letters (space keys are two letter keys in size). By eliminating the inconvenience of assigning multiple letters to one key as in a mobile phone.

In the arrangement of English, the upper part is divided into English left part and the lower part is divided into English part, so that general users who are familiar with the arrangement of the desktop computer keyboard can enter characters easily. It is arranged in order, and the vowels are arranged in order in the upper part of Hangeul to make it easier to input characters.

Also, tab key 131, Shift key 132, Caps key 133, Space key 138, Back Space key 134, Enter key (135), toggle key (136), start key (137), such as a special purpose key assigned to each one to enter a variety of characters, and other '\', '+', '@', '-', ',', '.', '?', '=', '*', '#', '(', ')', '!', ';'. By using a special symbol such as ':' to express various characters that can not be expressed in the mobile phone and to accommodate all the usability of the keyboard of the desktop computer, to maximize the utilization and performance of the palm-sized small portable information terminal of the present invention There is a purpose.

1 is a diagram showing the character arrangement of a keyboard of a typical desktop computer.

2 is a view showing a character arrangement of a typical mobile phone.

Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention.

An embodiment of a character key arrangement of a keypad of a portable information terminal for achieving the purpose of usability and usefulness of the desktop computer keyboard and portability of a mobile phone will be described in detail as follows.

3 to 4 show an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a keypad character arrangement method to be applied abroad using English rather than domestically.

First, the key buttons mounted on the keypad have an arrangement of six rows and six columns, and the third and fourth columns of the sixth row are configured to be used as space keys by making one key larger than another key.

The type of the character key may be divided into an English key representing English, a symbol text key representing a special symbol, and a function key having a specific function.

The present invention is described in detail with reference to FIG. 3 as follows.

The types of keys are largely divided into English keys, symbol keys, function keys, and numeric keys according to the type of characters to be input.

The English key consists of 26 keys for 26 characters from 'A' to 'Z'. The symbol keys are '\', '+', '@', '-', ',' (comma), '/' ',' = ',' * ',' # ',' '' (Single quote), '' '' (double quote), ':', ';', '?', '!', '.' ( (Period), '(', ')' and 18 functions, and the function keys are 'Tab' key (131), 'Shift' key (132), 'Caps' key (133), space key (138), back The space key 134, the enter key 135, the toggle key 136, the start key 137, and consists of eight, the numeric key is composed of nine from '0' to '9'.

One key is assigned with a letter key and a symbol key at the same time, or a letter key and a numeric key are assigned at the same time, and the switching of the function is performed by the toggle key 136 for switching it among the function keys.

First of all, the English key divides 26 characters into English left-hand part (110) and English excellent part (120), and the English left-hand part (110) includes the first to fifth columns and the second row of the first row. 'Q', 'W', 'E', 'R', 'T', 'A' in total of 15 keys from column 1 to column 5 and column 1 to column 5 in the third row, respectively By assigning the letters', 'S', 'D', 'F', 'G', 'Z', 'X', 'C', 'V' and 'B', 11) and the arrangement is the same.

The English superior part 120 has 'Y' and 'U' in order in the second to sixth column of the fourth row, the second to fifth column of the fifth row, and the second and fifth columns of the sixth row, respectively. It is composed of 11 keys such as', 'I', 'O', 'P', 'H', 'J', 'K', 'L', 'N' and 'M'.

The symbol keys are '$' and '+' in the first and second columns of the first row, '@' and '-' in the first and second columns of the second row, respectively, and the first and third columns in the third row. '' '(Single quote) and' / 'in the second column, respectively,' = ',' * ',' # ',' "'in the second to third columns and the fifth to sixth columns of the fourth row, respectively. (Double quotes) in the second to sixth columns of the fifth row: ':', ';', '?', '!', '.' (Period) is assigned, ',' (comma) is composed of '.' In the fifth row and sixth column. '.' Is generally input, and 'Shift' key (132) is used. After pressing), ',' is entered, that is, ',' is always entered when the first time 'Shift' 132 is pressed.

The number keys are '1'2' and '3' in the third through fifth columns of the first row, and '4', '5' and '6' in the third through fifth columns of the second row, respectively. '7', '8', and '9' are assigned to the third to fifth columns of the third row, respectively, and '0' is assigned to the fourth row and the fourth column, respectively. It adopts the same method as the numeric arrangement of a mobile phone or a normal phone to provide a numeric key to a terminal having a mobile phone function.

Function keys representing a specific function include the backspace key 134 in the first row, the sixth column, the enter key 135 in the second row, the sixth column, the toggle key 136 in the third row, the sixth column, and the first column in the fourth row. 'Tab' key 131, 'Shift' key 132 in the fifth row and the first row, 'Caps' key 133 in the sixth row and the first column, the third column and the fourth column in the sixth row The key 138 is composed of a specific key 137 in the sixth row and sixth column.

Hereinafter, the functions of the eight function keys will be described in detail.

The 'Tab' key 131 is a key used to input a space of a specific size when a character is input, and the 'Shift' key 132 is a key for converting uppercase and lowercase letters of letters of an English key. That is, when the English letter is to be input in lowercase and the capital letter is to be expressed in uppercase, pressing the specific English key while pressing the 'Shift' key 132 is represented in uppercase. On the contrary, in case of inputting a lowercase letter while inputting an uppercase letter, an English letter is inputted while the 'Shift' key 132 is pressed. In addition, in the case of the fifth row and the sixth column, '.' Is generally input, but pressing the key of the fifth row and the sixth column while pressing the 'Shift' key 132 allows ',' to be input.

The Caps key 133 is an uppercase lowercase letter distinguishing key, and after pressing the Caps key 133 once, all English letters are written in uppercase letters, and when pressed again, all of the English letters are entered in lowercase letters.

The backspace key 134 is a key used to delete an input character and functions to delete the last input character each time it is pressed.

Enter key 135 is used as a key for changing a line after executing character input or for executing a specific function.

The toggle key 136 functions to select a specific purpose from among the character keys, numeric keys, and symbol keys assigned to each key.

For example, in the first column of the first row, the English letter 'Q' and the symbol '+' are assigned. When this key is pressed, the English letter 'Q' is input. After pressing the toggle key once, the symbol '+' key is assigned. Will be entered.

Accordingly, the toggle key 370 selects a specific use of each key each time it is pressed. The toggle key 370 changes the use of each key in the order of letters, numbers, and special symbols. The order of use to be altered may be arbitrarily characterized.

Lastly, the specific keys in the sixth row and sixth column of the symbol keys are assigned to use a specific purpose of the portable information terminal. The embodiments will be described below.

The keys in the sixth row and the sixth column can be operated as keys for a specific function of displaying an application program of a personal digital assistant on a screen, for example, which can be used frequently for the characteristics of each terminal. have.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the addition of Korean characters to the key arrangement described with reference to FIG. 3 as another embodiment of the present invention.

The arrangement of the cap pad to which Korean characters are added will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4.

4 is composed of an English alphabet key representing 26 English characters, a function key representing 8 special functions, a numeric key representing 10 numbers, and a symbol key representing 18 symbols. Characterized in that it consists of a Hangul key representing the dog.

The Hangul key is composed of 14 keys of the Korean left hand part 210 and 12 keys of the Korean right hand part 220 that are input using left handed numbers.

The Hangul left-hand part 210 includes the first to third columns of the first row, the first to third columns of the second row, the first to third columns of the third row, and the second column of the fourth row. The second column of the third column, the fifth row, the third column of the fifth row, the second column of the sixth row, and the consonants. The rules of the order are in alphabetical order, and the Hangul superior part 220 is the fourth row in the first row. Columns and fifth columns, fourth and fifth columns of the second row, fourth and fifth columns of the third row, fourth to sixth columns of the fourth row, fourth and fifth columns of the fifth row, The fifth column of the sixth row is composed of vowels, which are also arranged in vowel order.

The arrangement of the Hangul character keys is described in detail below.

Lines 1 through 5, in order, are 'a', 'b', 'c', 'ㅏ', and 'ㅑ', respectively. ㄹ ',' ㅁ ',' ㅂ ',' ㅓ ',' ㅕ ', consisting of' ㅅ ',' ㅇ ',' ㅈ ',' ㅗ ' ',' ㅛ ', and the fourth row, the second to sixth columns, respectively, in order of' ㅊ ',' ㅋ ',' TT ',' ㅠ ', and' ㅐ ', in particular, the fourth row. In the sixth column, 'ㅒ' is simultaneously allocated in addition to 'ㅐ'. 'ㅐ' and 'ㅒ' and '은' are input when normally used. 'ㅒ' is a character that is input when 'Shift' key is pressed.

5th row 2nd column to 5th column becomes 'ㅌ', 'ㄷ', 'ㅡ', 'ㅣ', 6th row 2nd column 'ㅎ', 6th row 5th column 'ㅔ' 'Is assigned, and in particular, the key of the fifth row and the fifth column is assigned to the vowel' ㅖ 'at the same time. After pressing the' Shift 'key 132,' ㅖ 'is input.

The other function keys and symbol keys have a key arrangement as shown in FIG.

Toggle key 136 of the function key is a key to switch the function of the entire key from the English character key to the symbol key by pressing again from the Korean character key to the English character key each time.

Pressing the toggle key 136 again from the symbol key, the function of the key is switched to the Hangul character key.

For example, the key in the first row and the first column is assigned 'AB' as the Korean character key, 'Q' as the English character key, and '\' as the symbol key. After the toggle key is pressed once, the key in the first row and the first column is converted to a key in which 'Q' is input. After pressing the toggle key again, the key in the first row and the first column is changed. The function is switched by the symbol key, and the key is converted to the key where '\' is input.

The present invention has the following effects while having the above configuration.

First, it is easy to apply as a keypad of a small portable information terminal, and also maintains the character arrangement form of the keyboard of a desktop computer, so that most users who are familiar with this can easily input characters.

In addition, the character key arrangement of the desktop computer arranged in a horizontal form can maximize the portability by improving the difficulty of the implementation of the size of the mobile device to be configured as a keypad of a portable device, and also functions as a mobile phone to be implemented in the terminal. There is one advantage to help.

Claims (4)

In the keypad of the six rows and six columns of keys, In the first row, the first to sixth columns are sequentially composed of 'Q' and '$', 'W' and '+', 'E', 'R', 'T', and backspace key. In the second row, columns 1 through 6 are sequentially formed of 'A' and '@', 'S' and '-', 'D', 'F', 'G', and enter key. In the third row, 'Z' and '' ',' X 'and' / ',' C ',' V ',' B ', and toggle key are sequentially formed from column 1 to column 6. In the fourth row, Tab key, 'Y' and '=', 'U' and '*', 'I', 'O' and '#', 'P' and Consisting of '"', In row 5, the first to sixth column, the Shift key, 'H' and ':', 'J' and ';', 'K' and '?', 'L' and '!', ',' Wow '.' Consisting of, In the sixth row, the Caps key, 'N' and '(', space key, 'M' and ')', functions sequentially from the first column, the second column, the third column and the fourth column to the sixth column. Key arrangement method of the keypad of the portable information terminal characterized in that consisting of the key to switch the function of each key to English or symbols by the toggle key. The method of claim 1, In the first row, columns 3 to 5 are sequentially composed of '1', '2', and '3', respectively. In the second row, '3', '5', and '6' are sequentially formed from columns 3 to 5, respectively. In the third row, the columns 3 to 5 are sequentially composed of '7', '8', and '9', respectively. Fourth row and fourth column of the keypad arrangement of the keypad of the portable information terminal consisting of '0' is attached to the numeric key to switch the function of each key to English, symbols or numbers by the toggle key. The method of claim 1, In the first row, columns 1 to 5 are sequentially formed of 'ㄱ', 'ㄴ', 'ㄷ', 'ㅏ', and 'ㅑ', respectively. In the second row, the first to fifth columns are sequentially formed of 'ㄹ', 'ㅁ', 'ㅂ', 'ㅓ', and 'ㅕ', respectively. In the third row, columns 1 to 5 are sequentially formed of 'ㅅ', 'ㅇ', 'ㅈ', 'ㅗ', and 'ㅛ', respectively. In the fourth row, columns 2 through 6 are sequentially composed of 'ㅊ', 'ㅋ', 'TT', 'ㅠ', 'ㅐ' and 'ㅒ', In the fifth row, the second to fifth columns are sequentially formed of ',', 'ㄷ', 'ㅡ', 'ㅣ', In the sixth row, the portable information terminal is characterized by consisting of 'ㅎ' in the second column, 'ㅔ' and 'ㅖ' in the fifth column, and the function of each key is switched to Korean, English or symbol by the toggle key. Keypad arrangement of keys. The method of claim 3, In the first row, columns 3 to 5 are sequentially composed of '1', '2', and '3', respectively. In the second row, '3', '5', and '6' are sequentially formed from columns 3 to 5, respectively. In the third row, the columns 3 to 5 are sequentially composed of '7', '8', and '9', respectively. Fourth row and fourth column of the keypad arrangement of the keypad of the portable information terminal consisting of '0' is attached to the numeric key to switch the function of each key to Korean, English, symbols or numbers by the toggle key.