KR20050022560A - Letter input method using the shift key in mobile communication terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A method for inputting characters using a shift key in a mobile communication terminal is provided to less press by using the shift key while inputting characters, thereby raising convenience and utility of a character inputting method. CONSTITUTION: In a state of a character input mode(301), if a control unit perceives a press by a key input(302), the control unit confirms whether a key input prior to the current key input is performed by a shift key(303). If not, the current input key is processed through an existing key input method(304). If a key input prior to the current key input is performed by a shift key button 1(305), the current input key is perceived as the second allocated character(306), and processed through an existing key input method(304). If a key input prior to the current key input is performed by a shift key button 2(307), the current input key is perceived as the third allocated character(308), and processed through an existing key input method(304).

Description

Letter input method using the shift key in mobile communication terminal}

The present invention relates to a character input method that can increase the simplicity and utilization of the character input method by using a small number of key presses during character input using a shift key in a mobile communication terminal.

In the present invention, the text input method is merely an expression in consideration of the user's position, and is based on its display behavior on an actual terminal.

Nowadays, from mobile pagers to cellular phones, personal mobile phones (PCS), IMT-2000 (International Mobile Telecommunication) and UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication Service) based mobile communications in recent years The communication environment is developing at a tremendous speed, and with the development of mobile communication terminals, the search for additional services available through the terminals is actively being developed.

In particular, as mobile communication terminals become more popular and have more functions, the amount of information stored in the terminals increases, and the use rate of short message service (SMS) has expanded to various age groups as well as teenagers and 20s. . In addition, the mail sending and photomail functions are also added, and the usage rate of the text input to the terminal is expected to increase. Accordingly, in order for a user to efficiently and simply use a character input that will be widely used accordingly, a character input method that can be easily input by the user is required.

Nevertheless, in the conventional mobile communication terminal, there is a problem in that a user presses a button of a keypad several times in order to input characters. This is because the number of characters and the number of key buttons are not the same in the keypad structure of the current mobile communication terminal, so that several characters are represented by one key button.

Then, the basic layout structure of a general keypad will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and based on this, the problem of the conventional character input method will be described.

To the key buttons assigned to the numeral "1", the Korean consonants "ㄱ", "ㅋ" and "ㄲ", the English alphabet "Q" and "Z", and the symbol "." Are assigned.

To the key button assigned to the number "2", the Korean vowels "-", "|" and "ㅢ", the English alphabet "A", "B" and "C" are assigned.

To the key buttons assigned to the numeral "3", the Korean vowels "ㅏ" and "ㅑ", the English alphabet "D", "E" and "F" are assigned.

To the key buttons assigned to the numeral "4", the Korean consonants "c", "ㅌ" and "ㄸ", the English alphabets "G", "H" and "I" are assigned.

To the key buttons assigned to the number " 5 ", Korean consonants "b " and " d ", English alphabets " J ", " K " and " L "

To the key buttons assigned to the numeral "6", the Korean vowels "ㅓ" and "ㅕ", the English alphabets "M", "N" and "O" are assigned.

To the key buttons assigned to the numeral "7", Korean consonants "ㅁ", "ㅅ" and "ㅆ", the English alphabet "P", "R" and "S" are assigned.

To the key buttons assigned to the number " 8 ", Korean consonants " ㅂ ", " " and " ㅃ ", the English alphabets " T ", " U " and " V "

To the key buttons assigned to the numeral "9", the Korean vowels "모음" and "ㅛ", the English alphabet "W", "X" and "Y" are assigned.

The Hangul consonants "ㅇ" and "ㅎ" are assigned to the key button assigned to the number "0".

The Korean consonants "ㅈ", "ㅊ" and "ㅉ" are assigned to the key button assigned to the symbol "*".

Finally, the Hangul vowels "TT" and "ㅠ" are assigned to the key button assigned to the symbol "#".

In the structure of the keypad as described above, the basic consonant "ㄱ", the rough consonant "ㅋ", and the old consonant "ㄲ" are assigned to the key button to which the number "1" is assigned, and according to the sequential pressing of the key button. It is circulated as "ㄱ → ㅋ → ㄲ → ㄱ". Therefore, if you want to select the consonant "ㄲ", it is necessary to press three input keys.

For example, in the structure of a keypad as shown in FIG. 1, when a Korean character "date" is to be written according to a conventional character input method, the number 8 (that is, "5,3,5,5 + *, * Press the *, 3 ") input key.

On the other hand, in the structure of the keypad as shown in Figure 1, if you want to write the English character "SCHOOL" on the assumption that the case is not case-sensitive according to the conventional character input method, 18 (ie, "7,7, 7 + 2,2,2 + 4,4 + 6,6,6 + cursor movement key + 6,6,6 + 5,5,5 ").

As described above, since the number of characters and the number of key buttons are not the same in the key pad structure, several characters are represented by one key button, and according to the conventional character input method, there is a problem of increasing key input.

The present invention has been proposed to solve the above problems, the character input to increase the ease and utilization of the character input method by a small number of key presses when the character input using the shift key (shift key) in the mobile communication terminal The purpose is to provide a method.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a character input method in a mobile communication terminal, comprising: a first step of setting at least two of input keys to operate as a shift key in a character input mode; A second step of, upon detecting a press of a current input key, checking whether at least one of the at least two conversion keys has been input as a key immediately before the current input key; According to a result of the checking of the second step, when a first conversion key is input as a key immediately before the current input key, the current input key is recognized as the second assigned character of the current input key and a known key input method. Processing according to the third step; And in response to the second conversion key being input as a key immediately before the current input key according to the confirmation result of the second step, recognizing the current input key as the third assigned character of the current input key and inputting a known key. And a fourth step of processing according to the method.

In the present invention, when writing Korean or English characters, one button (for example, the Korean alphabet vowels "ㅡ", "ㅣ" and "ㅢ" in the number "2" key button, the English alphabet "A", "B" and "C" "Is assigned", so use a shift key to avoid pressing a button multiple times. Since one button usually represents up to three Korean or English characters, the first character is used as the basis, and two shift keys are used to select the second and third characters. This may be more useful when the number of buttons is smaller than a character to be input, such as a terminal keypad.

The above objects, features and advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is an exemplary configuration diagram of a mobile communication terminal to which the present invention is applied.

The controller 10 of the mobile communication terminal controls the overall operation of the terminal and at the same time controls the text input method according to the present invention. Then, control of various components provided is achieved.

The voice memory 11 stores various voice data.

The memory 12 stores an operation program and a system program of the controller 10, and the operation program and the system program are usually stored in a ROM area included therein and can be erased as necessary. Electrically erasable ROMs include EEPROM and flash memory. The memory 12 also includes a RAM that temporarily stores data generated during execution of various operating programs.

In particular, the memory 12 stores a character input program by a shift key of the present invention. A more detailed description thereof will be described later with reference to FIG. 3.

The key input unit 13 includes a plurality of numeric keys (letter keys), menu keys, and function keys for performing various functions, and outputs key data to the controller 10 by external operations. In particular, the key input unit 13 includes shift key buttons 1 and 2 for inputting a character, and the shift key buttons 1 and 2 are used for a button which is not used during the creation of a text message among existing keypads. Can be specified. For example, as a position of the shift key buttons 1 and 2, a phone book and a text message shortcut button which are not used during the writing of the text message can be designated. However, it is also possible to designate a button not used during text message writing among the existing keypads as shift key buttons 1 and 2, and add a new key on the terminal. Although the menu function can be configured as a main menu and its submenus as an index, it is preferable to set a button that is not used during text message writing or a separate key button among existing keypad buttons to reduce the number of key inputs. Do. In this case, when setting a separate key button, a shift key button 1 can be set at the bottom left and a shift key button 2 at the bottom right so that it can be conveniently used during text message writing. Alternatively, a shift key button 1 may be set at the upper left and a shift key button 2 at the upper right.

The display unit 14 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD). The display unit 14 is controlled by the controller 10 to display the state of the mobile communication terminal or the progress of the program. That is, the overall state of the mobile communication terminal and input user information are displayed.

Therefore, the control unit 10 reads out the corresponding character input program from the memory 12 according to the user's character input request by the key input unit 13, and displays the characters input by the user's key operation based on the character input program. Combination is displayed on the display unit 14. That is, the key input unit 13 is a conventional user information input means, and includes a plurality of keys suitable for a mobile communication terminal to be applied, such as a plurality of numeric keys (letter keys) and function keys, and if there is an input of each of the provided keys, By outputting the unique key data corresponding to each input key to the control unit 10, the control unit 10 reads the character input program corresponding to the key input from the memory 12, and based on the character input program. Characters, numbers, symbols, and the like inputted through the key input operation of the key input unit 13 are combined and displayed on the display unit 14.

The RF unit 15 is controlled by the controller 10 and converts a signal output from the controller 10 into a radio signal. In addition, the RF unit 15 converts the radio signal received through the antenna into a desired signal and outputs it.

The ring tone generator 16 generates a ring tone through the speaker under the control of the controller 10.

The voice processor 17 modulates the voice signal input from the microphone to convert the voice signal into voice data, demodulates the voice data input from the RF unit 15 and the voice data stored in the voice memory 11 into voice signals. Sound is output through a speaker.

In particular, the keypad of the mobile communication terminal is basically set a number of characters on one key button (for example, the Korean vowels "ㅡ", "ㅣ" and "ㅢ", the English alphabet "A", Since " B " and " C " are assigned, the shift key button 1 of the key input unit 13 in the present invention is the second assigned character in the Korean or English mode in the character input mode (for example, For example, the number "2" button is used to specify the Korean vowel "ㅣ" or the English alphabet "B"), and the shift key button 2 is assigned a third time in the Korean or English mode in the character input mode. Used to specify a character (for example, the Korean vowel "ㅢ" or the English alphabet "C" for the number "2" button).

In the structure of the keypad as shown in FIG. 1, the (number "1" button) means the Korean consonant "a" in the Korean mode or the symbol "." In the English mode, and (shift key button 1 + number "). 1 "button) means Hangul consonant" ㅋ "in Hangul mode or the English alphabet" Q "in English mode, and (shift key button 2 + number" 1 "button) means Hangul consonant" 한글 "in Hangul mode. Or "Z" in English mode.

In addition, in the structure of the keypad as shown in FIG. 1, the (number "2" button) means the Korean vowel "ㅣ" in the Korean mode or the English alphabet "A" in the English mode, and (shift key button 1). + Number "2" button) means Korean vowel "ㅡ" in Korean mode or English letter "B" in English mode, (shift key button 2 + number "2" button) in Korean mode The vowel "ㅢ" or the English alphabet "C" in English mode.

In addition, in the structure of the keypad as shown in FIG. 1, (number "3" button) means the Korean vowel "ㅏ" in the Korean mode or the English alphabet "D" in the English mode, and (shift key button 1). + Number "3" button) means Korean vowel "ㅑ" in Korean mode or the English alphabet "E" in English mode, and (shift key button 2 + number "3" button) in English mode Means the alphabet "F".

In addition, in the structure of the keypad as shown in FIG. 1, (number "4" button) means Korean consonant "c" in Korean mode or English alphabet "G" in English mode, and (shift key button 1). + Number "4" button) means Korean consonant "ㅌ" in Korean mode or English letter "H" in English mode, and (shift key button 2 + number "4" button) in Korean mode Consonant "ㄸ" or English letter "I" in English mode.

In addition, in the structure of the keypad as shown in FIG. 1, (number "5" button) means Korean consonant "n" in Korean mode or English alphabet "J" in English mode, and (shift key button 1). + Number "5" button) means Korean consonant "ㄹ" in Korean mode or English alphabet "K" in English mode, (shift key button 2 + number "5" button) in English mode Means the letter "L".

In addition, in the structure of the keypad as shown in FIG. 1, (number "6" button) means the Korean vowel "ㅓ" in the Korean mode or the English alphabet "M" in the English mode, and (shift key button 1). + Number "6" button) means Korean vowel "ㅕ" in Korean mode or English alphabet "N" in English mode, (shift key button 2 + number "6" button) in English mode Means the alphabet "O".

In addition, in the structure of the keypad as shown in FIG. 1, (number "7" button) means Korean consonant "ㅁ" in Korean mode or English alphabet "P" in English mode, and (shift key button 1). + Number "7" button) means Korean consonant "ㅅ" in Korean mode or English alphabet "R" in English mode, (shift key button 2 + number "7" button) in Korean mode Consonant "ㅆ" or English letter "S" in English mode.

In addition, in the structure of the keypad as shown in FIG. 1, the (number "8" button) means the Korean consonant "ㅂ" in the Korean mode or the English alphabet "T" in the English mode, and (shift key button 1). + Number "8" button) means Korean consonant "" "in Korean mode or English alphabet" U "in English mode, and (shift key button 2 + number" 8 "button) in Korean mode Consonant "ㅃ" or English letter "V" in English mode.

In addition, in the structure of the keypad as shown in FIG. 1, (number "9" button) means the Korean vowel "ㅗ" in the Korean mode or the English alphabet "W" in the English mode, and (shift key button 1). + Number "9" button) means Korean vowel "ㅛ" in Korean mode or English alphabet "X" in English mode, (shift key button 2 + number "9" button) in English mode Means the letter "Y".

In addition, in the structure of the keypad as shown in FIG. 1, (number "0" button) means Hangul consonant "ㅇ" in Hangul mode, and (shift key button 1 + number "0" button) means Hangul. Hangul consonant "ㅎ" in the mode.

In addition, in the structure of the keypad as shown in FIG. 1, (symbol "*" button) means Hangul consonant "ㅈ" in Hangul mode, and (shift key button 1 + sign "*" button) means Hangul. The Korean consonant "음" in the mode means (shift key button 2 + "*" button) means the Korean consonant "ㅉ" in the Korean mode.

Finally, in the structure of the keypad as shown in Fig. 1, (symbol "#" button) means Hangul vowel "TT" in Hangul mode, and (shift key button 1 + sign "#" button) In Hangul mode, the Hangul vowel means "ㅠ".

The meaning of the (shift key button + number or symbol button) means that the number or symbol is pressed while the shift key button is pressed, or the shift key button is pressed. This includes pressing a button.

The shift key buttons 1 and 2 can be selected by the user by adding a function while leaving the existing character input method intact. Even when the same alphabet is used continuously, fewer key inputs can be achieved than the conventional character input method by not pressing the cursor movement key.

Therefore, in the structure of the keypad as shown in FIG. 1, when the Korean character "date" is to be written according to the character input method of the present invention, the number 7 (that is, "5, 3, shift key button 1) Press the input key of the shift key buttons 2, *, 3 ").

In addition, in the structure of the keypad as shown in FIG. 1, when the English character "SCHOOL" is to be prepared on the assumption that the character case is not distinguished according to the character input method of the present invention, the number 12 (that is, "conversion key ( shift key button 2,7 + shift key button, 2 + shift key button 14 + shift key button 2,6 + shift key button 2,6 + shift Pressing the input key of the shift key buttons 2 and 5 "

As described above, the present invention makes it easy and simple to input Korean / English characters using the shift key buttons 1,2.

Next, a character input method using a shift key will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of inputting a character using a conversion key according to the present invention.

First, in a text input mode state such as writing a text message, writing a mail, or writing a schedule (301), if the control unit 10 detects a press according to a user's key input (302), a key input immediately before the current key is input. It is checked whether there is a key press by the shift key (303).

As a result of the check, if the key input immediately before the current key is not an input by a shift key, that is, when there is an input by a general numeric or symbol key button, the current input key is processed according to a known key input method (304). .

As a result of the check, if the key input immediately before the current key is input by the shift key button 1, the current input key is recognized as the second assigned character of the current input key (305, 306) and processed according to a known key input method. (304) That is, when the number "2" button is pressed with the current input key, and if there is an input of the shift key button 1 as the previous key input, the second assigned character (Hangul Vowel " "Or the English alphabet" B ").

As a result of the check, if the key input immediately before the current key is input by the shift key button 2, the current input key is recognized as the third assigned character of the current input key (307,308) and processed according to a known key input method. (304) That is, when the number "2" button is pressed with the current input key, if there is an input of the shift key button 2 as the previous key input, the third character (Korean character " ㅢ "or the English letter" C ").

This process is possible at any time in the text input mode state 301 (302 ~ 309).

The present invention described above is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the accompanying drawings, and various substitutions, modifications, and changes are possible in the art without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. It will be clear to those of ordinary knowledge.

According to the present invention as described above, the character input method can be simplified even with a small number of key presses during the character input using a shift key in the mobile communication terminal, thereby increasing its utilization. .

1 is an exemplary layout showing a typical keypad.

2 is an exemplary configuration diagram of a mobile communication terminal to which the present invention is applied.

Figure 3 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a character input method using a conversion key according to the present invention.

* Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawing

10 control unit 11: voice memory

12: memory 13: key input

14: LCD 15: RF

16: ring tone generator 17: voice processing unit

Claims (2)

In the text input method in a mobile communication terminal, A first step of setting at least two of the input keys to operate as a shift key in the character input mode; A second step of, upon detecting a press of a current input key, checking whether at least one of the at least two conversion keys has been input as a key immediately before the current input key; According to a result of the checking of the second step, when a first conversion key is input as a key immediately before the current input key, the current input key is recognized as the second assigned character of the current input key and a known key input method. Processing according to the third step; And According to a result of the checking of the second step, when a second conversion key is input as a key immediately before the current input key, the current input key is recognized as the third assigned character of the current input key and a known key input method. 4th step to process according to Character input method using the conversion key in the mobile communication terminal comprising a. The method of claim 1, To the position of the first and second conversion key button, Among the well-known input key buttons, designate phone book and text message shortcut buttons not used during text message creation, Character input method using a conversion key in the mobile communication terminal, characterized in that the additional key on the terminal, which is added to the lower left and right or upper left and right.