KR20080035746A - Keypad, fabrication mehtod thereof and character input method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

A keypad, and a manufacturing method and a character input method thereof are provided to enable a user using the keypad at first to input characters quickly and easily by minimizing moving lines among keys pushed when the user inputs the characters, and minimizing input. A plurality of consonant keys are arranged to a first area of a keypad, and a plurality of vowel keys are arranged to a second area of the keypad. A plurality of character conversion keys are arranged to a third area between the first and second areas. A plurality of consonants are grouped and assigned to each consonant key. The consonant key displays/inputs the characters included in the same group in predetermined order when the consonant key is continuously pushed. The character conversion key includes a fortis conversion key converting the consonant inputted by the consonant key into a fortis corresponding to the inputted consonant, and a geminate converting the inputted consonant into a geminate when the consonant inputted by the consonant key is a single consonant.

Description

KEYPAD, FABRICATION MEHTOD THEREOF AND CHARACTER INPUT METHOD THEREFOR}

1 is a conventional keypad.

2 is a conventional EZ-Hangul keypad.

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

4 is a keypad provided in the input unit of FIG.

Figure 5 is an automata (automata) relating to the initial consonant input of the mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is an automata relating to a neutral vowel input of a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 is an automata relating to the longitudinal input of the mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing a keypad according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention relates to a keypad, and more specifically, to arrange a plurality of consonant keys, vowel keys, and character conversion keys in predetermined areas so that a user who uses the keypad for the first time can accurately and quickly input a key. It's about a four-row, three-column keypad.

Hangul, in the light of the unification of Korean spelling, is composed of neutrons, neutrons, and seed. The number of letters that can be theoretically formed by combining these neutrons, neutrons and neutrons is 11,172 (19 X 21 X 28) characters. However, the actual number of commonly used characters is about 2,500 characters, and in the case of commonly used completed codes or combined codes, 1,800 to 1,900 characters can be represented. When the Hangul is input to a device having four rows and three columns of keypads, such as a mobile communication terminal, the inputs corresponding to each vowel and consonant are input by 12 numeric keys provided on the keypad. However, since a corresponding number key must be pressed several times in order to input a relatively large number of characters with a keypad having a limited number key as described above, it is difficult to input a normal character and there is a problem that the time required for character input becomes long. To solve this problem, various kinds of keypads have been proposed.

1 is a keypad that is conventional in nature. Referring to FIG. 1, in the case of a keypad used in a conventional mobile communication terminal, all vowels are inputted by combining '.', 'ㅡ' and 'ㅣ', and pressing seven numeric keys once or twice. Basic consonants (consonants' ㄱ ',' ㄴ ',' ㄷ ',' ㄹ ',' ㅁ ',' ㅂ ',' ㅅ ',' ㅇ ',' ㅈ ',' ㅊ ',' ㅋ ',' ',' T ', or' he ') and enter two consonants by pressing the numeric keys three times.

2 is a conventional EZ-Hangul keypad. 2, in the case of the EZ-Hangul keypad used in the conventional mobile communication terminal based on the consonants 'ㄱ', 'b', 'ㄹ', 'ㅁ', 'ㅅ', and 'ㅇ' Enter the remaining basic consonants using the '*' key with additional functions. For example, the consonant 'ㄷ' is entered by pressing the '*' key once after entering the consonant 'ㄴ'. Then, double consonants are entered by pressing the '#' key. For example, the double consonant 'ㄸ' is entered by pressing the '#' key once after entering the consonant 'ㄷ'.

However, in the case of the conventional keypad, it is necessary to press the key three times in order to input the consonant, and to input the vowel more times the key input is required. Therefore, there are aspects that are convenient for a user who uses the keypad which is the first place, but there is a problem in that a skilled user cannot input a character quickly compared to the skill level. In the case of the EZ-Hangul keypad, up to three keystrokes must be entered, like the keypad that is celestial, to input consonants, and all characters can be entered only by using the '*' key and the '#' key. Since the key and the '#' key are located at the bottom of the keypad, there is a problem that the keystroke cannot be quickly performed because the copper lines between the keys that must be continuously pressed during the letter combination are far apart.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to use a small keypad to minimize the movement between the keys that the user presses when entering the character and to minimize the keypad input so that even users who are not familiar with the keypad arrangement can quickly and comfortably enter text. To provide a.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a keypad. The keypad includes a plurality of consonant keys arranged in a first area of the keypad, a plurality of vowel keys arranged in a second area of the keypad, and a third area located between the first and second areas of the keypad. It includes a plurality of character conversion keys assigned to the character conversion function arranged.

Preferably, the third region includes a region that is not included anywhere in the first region and the second region.

More preferably, the first area is located on the left side of the keypad and the second area is located on the right side of the keypad.

Even more preferably, each consonant key is assigned a main consonant.

Even more preferably, the plurality of consonant keys are assigned a plurality of main consonants, and any one of the main consonants assigned to the consonant keys is sequentially displayed in a predetermined order as the consonant keys are continuously pressed. The function of inputting to be displayed is assigned.

Even more preferably, the plurality of consonant keys are consonant keys to which consonants 'a' and 'b' are assigned, consonant keys to which consonants 'c' and 'r' are assigned, consonants 'ㅁ' and 'ㅂ' assigned A consonant key including a consonant key, a consonant key to which consonants 'ㅅ' and 'ㅈ' are assigned, and a consonant key to which a consonant 'ㅇ' is assigned, and a spacing input function is further allocated to the consonant key to which the consonant 'ㅇ' is assigned.

Still more preferably, the character conversion keys are consonant conversion key assigned a function for converting the main consonant input by the consonant key into the consonant corresponding to the input main consonant, the bone input by the consonant key If the consonant is a single consonant, the consonant is converted to a consonant corresponding to the input single consonant includes a consonant conversion key assigned.

Even more preferably, each vowel key is assigned a default collection.

Even more preferably, the vowel keys to which the basic vowel is assigned are assigned a function of displaying the vowel vowels by continuously inputting the vowel keys to which the basic vowel is assigned.

Still more preferably, the third region has a region overlapping with the second region, and among the vowel keys to which the basic vowel is assigned, the vowel key to which the vowel '|' is assigned is arranged in the overlapping region.

Even more preferably, the plurality of vowel keys are assigned a plurality of basic vowels, and as one of the vowel keys is continuously pressed, any one of the basic vowels assigned to the vowel key is sequentially displayed in the predetermined order. Contains a vowel key to which the function to enter to be displayed is assigned.

Even more preferably, the vowel keys to which the plurality of basic vowels are assigned are a vowel key to which vowels' ㅏ 'and' ㅑ 'are assigned, a vowel key to which vowels' ㅓ' and 'ㅕ' are assigned, vowel 'ㅗ' and ' Includes a vowel key to which ㅛ 'is assigned, a vowel key to which vowels' TT' and 'ㅠ' are assigned, and a vowel key to which vowels' ㅣ 'and' ㅡ 'are assigned.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile communication terminal including an input unit including the above-described keypad, and a control unit for combining and displaying characters in a predetermined manner according to the key data received from the input unit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a character input method using the above-described keypad. The character input method may include a first step of displaying a main consonant input by the consonant key, and the displayed main consonant corresponding to a conversion key selected and input by the user among the consonant conversion key and the consonant conversion key The second step of converting and displaying.

Preferably, a plurality of vowel keys are assigned a basic collection, and to the vowel keys to which the basic vowel is assigned, any one of the basic vowels assigned to the vowel key is sequentially determined as the vowel key is continuously pressed. A third step of displaying a basic vowel inputted by the first vowel key to which the first vowel is assigned and the second vowel key to which the second vowel is assigned are input. And receiving a fourth vowel, and combining the first and second vowels in the input order to form a double vowel, and adding the second vowel to the displayed first vowel to display the combined vowel. .

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a keypad manufacturing method comprising a plurality of predetermined consonant keys, vowel keys and character conversion keys. The keypad manufacturing method comprises the steps of arranging a plurality of consonant keys in a first region located on one side of the keypad, arranging a plurality of vowel keys in a second region located on the other side of the keypad and the first key in the keypad And arranging a plurality of character conversion keys assigned with a character conversion function in a third area located between the second areas.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described embodiments of the present invention;

3 is a block diagram of a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 is a keypad provided in the input unit of FIG. 3 and 4, the mobile communication terminal 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a keypad composed of a plurality of keys and displays an input unit 110 and a character for generating key data according to a user's key manipulation. A display unit 120 for providing an external screen window and / or an internal screen window, a storage unit 130, and a control unit displaying the display unit 120 by combining characters in a predetermined manner according to the generated key data; 140).

The input unit 110 is a four-row, three-column telephone dial keypad that includes a keypad including a plurality of consonant keys, a vowel key, and a function key, and inputs key data related to a character or a function assigned to the corresponding key by an external key operation. Create Each consonant key is assigned one or more original consonants, and each vowel key is assigned one or more basic vowels. Here, the consonant consonants are any one of the consonants 'ㄱ', 'b', 'c', 'ㄹ', 'ㅁ', 'ㅂ', 'ㅅ', 'ㅈ', and 'ㅇ' The basic collection means the vowel 'ㅏ', 'ㅑ', 'ㅓ', 'ㅕ', 'TT', 'ㅠ', 'ㅡ' and 'ㅣ'. Preferably, each of the consonant keys and the vowel keys is assigned a plurality of main consonants and the basic vowels, and more preferably, each of the consonant keys and the vowel keys by pressing the consonant keys or the vowel keys successively. The main consonants or the basic vowels assigned to the key may be changed to be displayed on the display device.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of consonant keys may be assigned with a consonant key (number '1' key), a consonant 'c', and a 'd' to which consonants 'a' and 'b' are assigned. Consonant key (number '4' key), consonant key assigned to consonant 'ㅁ' and 'ㅂ' (number '7' key), consonant key assigned to consonant 'ㅅ' and 'ㅈ' (letter '*' key ), And a consonant key (number '0' key) to which a consonant 'ㅇ' is assigned, and the plurality of vowel keys are a vowel key (number '2' key) to which vowels 'ㅏ' and 'ㅑ' are assigned, Vowel keys assigned the vowel 'ㅓ' and 'ㅕ' (number '3' key), vowel keys assigned the vowel 'ㅗ' and 'ㅛ' (letter '#' key), vowel 'TT' and 'ㅠ' Are assigned vowel keys (number '9' key), and vowel keys ㅣ and 'ㅡ' are assigned vowel keys (number '6' key). A spacing input function may be further allocated to the consonant key to which the consonant 'o' (the number '0' key) is assigned.

To display the vowels not assigned to the vowel keys, the vowel keys to which the main vowel is assigned are assigned a function of displaying the vowel vowels by continuously inputting the vowel keys to which the main vowel is assigned. Here, the vowel vowel is a vowel consisting of a combination of the basic vowels, 'ㅐ', 'ㅒ', 'ㅔ', 'ㅖ', 'ㅘ' 'ㅙ' 'ㅚ' 'ㅝ' 'ㅞ' 'ㅟ', 'ㅢ' 'Means any one vowel. The correspondence between the vowels and the input order of the vowel keys to which the basic vowel is assigned is summarized in Table 1 below.

Double Vowels Enter vowel key ㅐ ㅏ + ㅣ ㅒ ㅑ + ㅣ ㅔ ㅓ + ㅣ ㅖ ㅔ + ㅣ ㅘ ㅗ + ㅏ ㅙ ㅗ + ㅏ + ㅣ ㅚ ㅗ + ㅣ ㅝ TT + ㅓ ㅞ TT + ㅔ ㅟ TT + ㅣ ㅢ ㅡ + ㅣ

The keypad includes a consonant converting key, a double consonant converting key, and a double consonant converting key as function keys. The consonant conversion key is assigned a function for converting the main consonant inputted by the consonant key into a consonant consonant corresponding to the input main consonant, and the consonant conversion key has a single consonant inputted by the consonant key. In the case of, the function of converting into a consonant corresponding to the input single consonant is assigned. Here, the consonant consonants mean any one of the consonants 'ㅋ', 'ㅌ', 'ㄷ', 'ㅊ', and 'ㅎ'. In addition, a single consonant means a consonant of any one of 'A', 'c', 'ㅂ', 'ㅅ', and 'ㅈ', and consonant 'ㄲ' and 'ㄸ' , 'ㅃ', 'ㅆ', and 'ㅉ' means consonants. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, the consonant conversion key is the number '5' key and the twin consonant conversion key is the number '7' key. The correspondence between the main consonant and the consonant, and the correspondence between the single consonant and the consonant, are summarized in Table 2 below.

Consonant Consonant Consonant A double consonant A Lol A ㄲ C ㅌ C ㄸ M ㅍ ㅂ ㅃ ㅈ H S ㅆ ㅇ ㅎ ㅈ ㅉ

The plurality of consonant keys are arranged in a consonant region (first region in FIG. 4) located at one side of the keypad, preferably at the left side of the keypad, and the plurality of vowel keys are located at the other side of the keypad, preferably at the right side of the keypad. Arranged in the vowel region (second region in FIG. 4). Further, the plurality of function keys are arranged in a function region (third region in FIG. 4) located between the consonant region and the vowel region on the keypad. Preferably, the functional area is located at the center of the keypad between the consonant area and the vowel area. As shown in FIG. 4, the second and third regions have regions overlapping each other, and among the vowel keys to which the basic vowel is assigned, the vowel key to which the vowel '|' is assigned is arranged in the overlapping region. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 2, the vowel key to which the vowel '|' is assigned is arranged at the center of the keypad.

As the consonant keys and the vowel keys are arranged on the left and right sides of the keyboard, respectively, the user can input consonants with his left hand and vowels with his right hand, so that even a user who uses a keypad for the first time can enter characters quickly and conveniently. In addition, as the function keys for converting the main consonant to the consonant consonant or the consonant consonant and the vowel key assigned to the vowel 'ㅣ' are arranged in the center of the keypad, the consonant, twin consonant or double consonant not assigned to the keys of the keypad can be combined. By minimizing the movement of the finger pressing the key, even a user who is using the keyboard for the first time can quickly enter a character, and the fatigue of the finger caused by the key input for a long time is reduced.

The display unit 120 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD). The display unit 120 displays the state of the mobile communication terminal 100 or the progress of the program under the control of the controller 140. That is, the overall state of the mobile communication terminal 100 and text information input through the input unit 110 are displayed under the control of the controller 140.

The storage unit 130 stores an operation program and a system program of the controller 140. An operating program or a system program is usually stored in a ROM area of the storage unit 130, and data generated while performing various operating programs is temporarily stored in a RAM area of the storage unit 130. The storage unit 140 also stores the character font.

The controller 140 controls the overall operation of the mobile communication terminal 100 and simultaneously controls the display unit 120 to display characters according to key data input from the input unit 110. In detail, the control unit 140 receives the key data and recognizes it as a neutron, neutron, or seed, and combines them and displays them on the display unit 120.

FIG. 5 is an automata relating to an initial consonant input of a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. First, S1 surrounded by two circles means an initial starting state, and consonants surrounded by one circle represent a state in which the input of the corresponding consonant is completed as an initial consonant, that is, an initial consonant state. The numbers and arrows indicate the direction of change of state according to the input of the corresponding numeric keys. Referring to FIG. 5, the control unit 140 of the mobile communication terminal 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention has a number '1' key, a number '4' key, and a number '7' from the input unit 110 in the initial start state. Receives the key data corresponding to the key, the letter '*' key or the number '0' key, and sets the first primary consonant initial state corresponding to each key data (for example, the 'b' initial state) The first main consonant 'a', 'c', 'ㅁ', 'ㅅ' or 'ㅇ' is indicated at (120). When the controller 140 receives the same key data as the input key data from the input unit 110 in the first main consonant initial state, a second main consonant initial state corresponding to the input key data (for example, 'b' 'First consonant state' and the display unit 120 converts the displayed first main consonant into a main consonant corresponding to the second main consonant initial state.

When the controller 150 receives key data corresponding to the old consonant conversion key or the double consonant conversion key in the first or second main consonant initial state, the controller 150 is the consonant initial or twin consonant associated with the first or second consonant A consonant consonant corresponding to the consonant or the double consonant consonant or the first or second consonant displayed on the display unit 120 Converted to double consonants and displayed.

The controller 150 receives the basic vowel key data from the input unit 110 in the first main consonant, the second main consonant, the consonant consonant or the first consonant consonant state, and corresponds to the corresponding basic vowel key data in the currently set initial consonant state. The vowel neutral state is changed and set, and the consonant for the currently set initial consonant state is converted into a combination of the corresponding consonant and the basic vowel corresponding to the basic vowel neutral state and displayed on the display unit 120. This will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 6.

The controller 150 may input key data other than consonant key data or vowel data that can be input according to the automata shown in FIG. 5 in the first main consonant, the second main consonant, the consonant consonant or the consonant consonant from the input unit 110. When received (that is, the same key data as the key data that was input immediately before the inputtable according to the automata shown in FIG. 5, the key data corresponding to the old sound conversion key, the key data corresponding to the double sound conversion key, or the vowel key data) If one of the consonant key data is inputted, the consonant key data is set to an initial state of inputting a new consonant and displayed on the display unit 120 related to the input consonant key data. For example, a numeric key is input in the order of '1'-> '8' and is set to the state 'ㄱ'-> 'ㄲ' so that 'ㄲ' is currently displayed on the display unit 120. Alternatively, key data corresponding to the number '5' key, which is key data input immediately before input according to the automata shown in FIG. 5 is not input, and consonant 'ㅇ' key data (key data corresponding to the number '0' key) Is input to the new 'o' initial condition and is displayed as' 'o' on the display unit 120.

6 is an automata relating to a neutral vowel input of a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. First, S2 surrounded by two circles means a neutral starting state, and vowels surrounded by one circle indicate a state in which the input of the vowel is completed as the input is neutral, that is, a neutral state. Referring to FIG. 7, the control unit 140 of the mobile communication terminal 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention has a number '2' key and a number '3' key from the input unit 110 in a neutral start state (initial state). A predetermined first basic collection neutral state corresponding to each key data by receiving key data corresponding to a number '6' key, a number '9' key, or a letter '#' key (for example, 'ㅏ' neutral state) ) And the basic collection 'ㅏ', 'ㅓ', 'ㅣ', 'TT', or 'ㅗ' on the display unit 120 is displayed in combination with the consonants indicated by the initial consonants. In addition, when the controller 140 receives the same key data as the input key data from the input unit 110 in the first basic vowel neutral state, the control unit 140 corresponds to the second basic vowel neutral state corresponding to the input key data. 'N' neutral state) and converts the displayed first basic vowel to the second basic vowel corresponding to the second basic vowel neutral state.

When the controller 150 receives key data corresponding to the basic vowel 'ㅏ', 'ㅓ', or 'ㅣ' in the neutral state of the first or second basic vowels, the controller 150 receives the first or the second key with respect to the input key data. It is determined whether there is a double vowel neutral state (for example, 'ㅒ' neutral state) associated with the neutral state, and if there is an associated double vowel neutral state, it is set to the associated double vowel neutral state and displayed on the display unit 120. Alternatively, the second basic vowel is converted into the vowel vowel corresponding to the neutral vowel state and displayed.

When the controller 150 receives the main consonant key data from the input unit 110 in the first basic vowel, the second basic vowel, or the double vowel neutral state, the controller 150 returns to the final consonant state corresponding to the corresponding main consonant key data in the currently set neutral state. Change and set, and convert the displayed combination of consonants and vowels for the currently set neutral state into a combination of the letters for the neutral state and the main consonant corresponding to the final state of the main consonant. Mark on. This will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 7.

If the controller 150 receives vowel key data other than the vowel key data that can be input according to the automata shown in FIG. 6 in the first basic vowel, the second basic vowel, or the double vowel neutral state, the controller 150 inputs a single new neutral. A neutral state is set and a vowel corresponding to the input vowel key data is displayed on the display unit 120. For example, the numeric keys are input in the order of '2'-> '2' and are set to 'ㅏ'-> 'ㅑ' state, and 'ㅑ' is currently displayed on the display unit 120. According to the automata shown in Fig. 6, vowel 'ㅏ' key data (key data corresponding to the number '2' key) or vowel 'ㅣ' key data (key data corresponding to the number '6' key) cannot be entered. When the collection 'ㅓ' key data (key data corresponding to the number '3' key) is input, it is set to a new 'ㅓ' single neutral state and displayed on the display unit 120 as 'ㅑㅓ'.

7 is an automata relating to the terminal input of a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. First, S3 surrounded by two circles means the final starting state, and the final consonants surrounded by one circle represent a state in which the input of the corresponding final consonants is final and that is, the final state. Here, the consonant consonants are consonants that can be used as the final consonants of Hangeul (ie, 'b', 'b', 'c', 'ㄹ', 'ㅁ', 'ㅂ', 'ㅅ', 'ㅇ', 'ㅈ', 'ㅊ', 'ㅋ', 'ㅌ', 'ㄷ', and 'ㅎ'), 2 consonants (ie, 'ㄲ' and 'ㅆ'), and 11 lucky consonants (I.e., 'ㄳ', 'ㄵ', 'ㄶ', 'ㄺ', 'ㄻ', 'ㄼ', 'ㄽ', 'ㄾ', 'ㄿ', 'ㅀ', 'ㅄ') Means consonants. In addition, N surrounded by one circle means a state that is input as the final + super initial, that is, the N state. For example, when the letter "not" is input, the numeric keys are input in the order of '0'-> '2'-> '1'-> '1'-> '0'-> '5' and the display unit 120 is displayed. ) Will be displayed as 'ㅇ'-> 'ah'-> 'evil'-> 'not'-> 'not'-> 'not', where 'N' is displayed as 'N' Becomes

Referring to FIG. 7, the control unit 140 of the mobile communication terminal 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention has a number '1' key and a number '4' key from the input unit 110 in a final start state (neutral state). In response to the key data corresponding to the number '7' key, the letter '*' key, or the number '0' key, the predetermined first main sound final state corresponding to each key data (for example, the 'b' final state ), And displays a character having a first main consonant as a final consonant (for example, 'evil') on the display unit 120 corresponding to the set first main consonant final state. In addition, in the first main magnetic sound final state, the control unit 140 receives the same key data as the input key data from the input unit 110 when the second main magnetic sound final state corresponding to the input key data (eg, For example, set to 'b' final state, and converts the displayed first main consonant (the final consonant) to the second main consonant corresponding to the second main consonant final state on the display unit 120 (for example, 'within').

When the controller 150 receives the key data that can be input according to the automata shown in FIG. 7 in the first or second main sound final state, the first 150 state, the second final state, and the consonant sound according to the automata shown in FIG. Set to the final state (eg '들어' final state) or N state. If the set state is the first final state, the second final state, or the double consonant final state, the controller 150 displays the first main consonant and the second main consonant corresponding to the set state of the displayed final consonant on the display unit 120. Or convert it into a consonant and display it (for example, sit). On the other hand, if the set state is the N state, the controller 150 adds a consonant corresponding to the set N state by adding a consonant corresponding to the set N state next to a letter (eg, 'in') displayed on the display unit 120. 'First consonant' (for example 'no'). When the controller 150 receives the key data that can be input according to the automata shown in FIG. 7 in the double consonant final state or the N state, the control unit 150 according to the automata shown in FIG. The character set corresponding to the set state is displayed on the display unit 120.

When the first main consonant, the second main consonant or the double consonant consonant state or the main consonant key data other than the key data that can be input according to the automata shown in FIG. 7 in the N state is input, the controller 150 generates a new consonant initial consonant. Set to the state, and display on the display unit 120 as 'syllable + initial' (for example 'no').

8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing a keypad according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 8, first, a plurality of predetermined consonant keys, a vowel key, a character conversion key, and a frame into which the keys are inserted are prepared (S800). Then, a plurality of consonant keys are arranged in a first region located on one side of the keypad (S810), and a plurality of vowel keys are arranged in a second region located on the other side of the keypad (S820). In addition, a plurality of character conversion keys assigned with a character conversion function are arranged in a third area located between the first and second areas on the keypad (S830), and the procedure is terminated.

Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to a mobile communication terminal, it can be used for all devices having a keypad composed of 12 keys of 4 rows and 3 columns, for example, a wired / wireless telephone or a remote controller.

Such a method and apparatus of the present invention have been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings for clarity, but these are merely exemplary, and various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible to those skilled in the art. Will understand. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention will be defined by the appended claims.

According to the present invention as described above, a plurality of consonant keys, vowel keys and character conversion keys in the small keypad is appropriately arranged, consonant / vowel combination is easy, and the copper wire between the keys that the user presses when entering the characters is minimized Minimizing keystrokes has the effect of providing a keypad that allows users who are unfamiliar with the keypad layout to enter text quickly and comfortably.

Claims (16)

As a keypad, A plurality of consonant keys arranged in the first area of the keypad, A plurality of vowel keys arranged in a second area of the keypad, and A plurality of character conversion keys assigned with a character conversion function arranged in a third area located between the first and second areas of the keypad; Keypad comprising a. The method of claim 1, And the third area includes an area that is not included anywhere in the first area and the second area. The method of claim 1, The first area is located on the left side of the keypad, And the second area is located to the right of the keypad. The method of claim 1, A keypad to which the main consonants are assigned. The method of claim 4, wherein the plurality of consonant keys And a consonant key to which a plurality of main consonants are assigned, and a function of inputting the main consonants assigned to the consonant keys to be displayed on the display device while being changed in a predetermined order by pressing the consonant keys consecutively. The method of claim 5, The plurality of consonant keys include a consonant key to which consonants' a 'and' b 'are assigned, a consonant key to which consonants' c' and 'd' are assigned, a consonant key to which consonants' ㅁ 'and' ㅂ 'are assigned, a consonant' ㅅ 'and' ㅈ ', and a consonant key assigned to the consonant' ㅇ ', A keypad to which a spacing input function is further assigned to the consonant key to which the consonant 'ㅇ' is assigned. The method of claim 1, wherein the character conversion keys A consonant conversion key assigned with a function of converting the main consonant inputted by the consonant key into a consonant corresponding to the input main consonant, If the main consonant inputted by the consonant key is a single consonant, a double consonant conversion key assigned with a function of converting the single consonant into a twin consonant corresponding to the input single consonant Keypad comprising a. The method of claim 1, Keypad is assigned to each vowel key. The method of claim 8, And a vowel key to which the basic vowel is assigned is assigned a function of displaying a double vowel by continuously inputting the vowel keys to which the basic vowel is assigned. The method of claim 9, The third region has a region overlapping with the second region, A vowel key to which a vowel 'ㅣ' is assigned among the vowel keys to which the basic vowel is assigned is arranged in the overlapping area. The method of claim 8, wherein the plurality of vowel keys A keypad comprising: a vowel key assigned to a plurality of basic vowels and assigned with a function of inputting the basic vowels assigned to the vowel key to be displayed on the display device in a predetermined order by continuously pressing the vowel keys. The method of claim 11, The vowel keys to which the plurality of basic vowels are assigned include a vowel key to which vowels 'ㅏ' and 'ㅑ' are assigned, a vowel key to which vowels 'ㅓ' and 'ㅕ' are assigned, and a vowel 'ㅗ' and 'ㅛ' A keypad comprising a vowel key, a vowel key to which the vowels 'TT' and 'ㅠ' are assigned, and a vowel key to which the vowels 'ㅣ' and 'ㅡ' are assigned. An input unit including a keypad of any one of claims 1 to 12, and Control unit for displaying a combination of characters in a predetermined manner according to the key data received from the input unit Mobile communication terminal comprising a. A character input method using the keypad of claim 7, A first step of displaying the main consonants inputted by the consonant keys, and A second step of converting and displaying the displayed main consonants corresponding to a conversion key selected and input by the user among the consonant conversion key and the consonant conversion key; Character input method comprising a. The method of claim 14, Basic collections are assigned to the plurality of vowel keys, The vowel keys to which the basic vowels are allocated are assigned a function of inputting the vowel keys consecutively by pressing the vowel keys so that the basic vowels assigned to the vowel keys are displayed in a predetermined order and displayed on the display device. A third step of displaying a basic vowel inputted by the first vowel key to which the first vowel is assigned; A fourth step of receiving a second vowel key to which the second vowel is assigned; And combining the first and second vowels in the input order to form a double vowel, and adding the second vowel to the displayed first vowel to display the combined vowel. As a keypad manufacturing method, Arranging a plurality of consonant keys in a first area of the keypad; Arranging a plurality of vowel keys in a second area of the keypad; and Arranging a plurality of character conversion keys assigned with a character conversion function in a third area located between the first and second areas of the keypad; Keypad manufacturing method comprising a.

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