KR20080105624A - Apparatus and method for displaying virtual keyboard in portable multimedia device - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for displaying a virtual keyboard in a portable multimedia device and a method thereof are provided to selectively display the virtual keyboard optimized for the current operation mode and a peculiar expansion pattern associated with the virtual keyboard, when a user inputs characters, numbers, signs etc. A method for displaying a virtual keyboard in a portable multimedia device comprises the following steps of: associating a plurality of virtual keyboards suitable for an operational mode with expansion patterns, and then classifying/storing the associated results(S10); performing a corresponding program(S11); determining whether the virtual keyboard needs to be displayed(S12); selectively displaying a virtual keyboard suitable for the current operational mode(S13); in case a user selects an expansion item, requesting to display an expansion pattern(S14); and displaying the expansion pattern through a pop-up window distinguished from the virtual keyboard(S15).

Description

Apparatus and method for displaying virtual keyboard in portable multimedia device}

1 illustrates a configuration of a portable multimedia device to which the present invention is applied.

2 illustrates an embodiment in which a virtual keyboard is displayed on a liquid crystal display of a portable multimedia device to which the present invention is applied.

3 illustrates an embodiment of a wheel button in a portable multimedia device to which the present invention is applied;

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for displaying a virtual keyboard in a portable multimedia device according to the present invention.

5 illustrates an embodiment of a plurality of virtual keyboards stored separately according to the present invention.

6 and 7 illustrate embodiments of a plurality of expansion patterns that are stored separately according to the present invention.

※ Explanation of code for main part of drawing

10 liquid crystal display 11: LCD driver

12: codec 13: storage

14: video processor 15: audio processor

16: OSD generator 17: speaker output unit

18: headphone output unit 19: microcomputer

20: memory 21: timer

22: key input unit 23: interface unit

24: internet module

The present invention relates to a virtual keyboard display device and method in a portable multimedia device, for example, a virtual keyboard display device in a portable multimedia device equipped with various multimedia functions such as a television, a movie, a photo, a music, a web browser, and the like. It is about a method.

Recently, when multimedia files of various categories are downloaded through a personal computer (PC) or the like, stored in a storage such as a hard disk (HDD), and the like, the user selects and designates an arbitrary multimedia file. In addition, portable multimedia devices for reading and playing the multimedia files have been developed, released and commercialized.

Meanwhile, a small size liquid crystal display (LCD) is mainly used in the portable multimedia device, for example, to search for and select any one multimedia file desired by the user, or to perform any one multimedia function desired by the user. In order to be able to select and execute, various user selection menu screens are displayed.

In addition, the portable multimedia device further includes an Internet module or is connected and connected to provide a web browser function. For example, on a web browser screen, URL information or login information, etc. An input window is displayed requesting the input of.

However, a general portable multimedia device does not include a keyboard mainly used in a notebook computer or the like, and also includes a touch pad-type mouse or a touch screen using a stylus pen. Since it is not provided, there is a need for an efficient solution for allowing a user to freely input desired letters, numbers, symbols, and the like.

Meanwhile, in a general portable multimedia device, when a virtual keyboard is provided through a user interface (UI), a character or the like is input through a touch screen or a button, which is based on a keyboard layout of a keyboard. Therefore, in order to input special purpose characters, for example, URL information, etc., the user has to enter a mode conversion (eg, Shift key) frequently.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances and problems, and is, for example, a portable multimedia device equipped with various multimedia functions such as television, movie, photo, music, web browser, etc. When inputting, using the virtual keyboard (optimal for the current operating mode) and the unique expansion pattern associated with the selected screen, and using the rotation of the wheel button (Wheel Button) that can be pushed and rotated, It is an object of the present invention to provide a virtual keyboard display device and method in a portable multimedia device for allowing a user to intuitively input desired letters, numbers, symbols, and the like.

According to the present invention, a method for displaying a virtual keyboard in a portable multimedia apparatus according to the present invention includes selecting and displaying any one virtual keyboard associated with an operation mode currently executed in the portable multimedia apparatus according to a user selection. Selecting and displaying an extension pattern associated with the virtual keyboard; And a step of performing an operation corresponding to the input value when one or more of letters, numbers, and symbols are input through the selected and displayed virtual keyboard and the predetermined pattern.

In addition, the virtual keyboard display device in the portable multimedia device, storage means for distinguishing and storing a plurality of virtual keyboards and expansion patterns for each operation mode in the portable multimedia device; Display means for selectively displaying any one virtual keyboard associated with an operation mode being executed in the portable multimedia device, and then selectively displaying the extended pattern associated with the virtual keyboard according to a user selection; And a control means for performing an operation corresponding to the input value when one or more of letters, numbers, and symbols are input through the selected and displayed virtual keyboard and the predetermined pattern.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of a virtual keyboard display device and method in a portable multimedia device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, the virtual keyboard display device and method according to the present invention are various types equipped with various multimedia functions such as a television (TV), a movie, a photo, a music, a web browser, and the like. It can be applied to the portable multimedia device.

On the other hand, in the portable multimedia apparatus to which the present invention is applied, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal display 10, the LCD driver 11, the codec 12, and the storage 13. ), Video processor 14, audio processor 15, OSD generator 16, speaker output 17, headphone output 18, microcomputer 19, memory 20, timer 21 , A key input unit 22, and a USB interface unit 23 are included.

In addition, the portable multimedia device may include an Internet module 24 for providing a web browser function, or may be used in connection. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the micom ( In 19), after the system booting operation is completed, the OSD generating unit 16 is operated to control any one of various multimedia functions such as television, movie, photo, music, web browser, and setting. Displays a menu screen for selection.

When any one multimedia function is selected through the menu screen, for example, when a web browser function is selected, the microcomputer 19 executes a web browser program corresponding thereto, and the internet module Operation control to allow Internet access and communication to be performed.

Meanwhile, when the web browser program is executed as described above, the microcomputer 19 operates the OSD generator 16 to control the OSD generator 16 so that a user can input a desired URL value. (Virtual Keyboard) is displayed, and the virtual keyboard is overlaid with a cursor on any one selected item.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the cursor is sequentially moved and selected by manipulation of a wheel button that can be pushed and rotated. The wheel button includes a push button P for selection and A plurality of rotation buttons for moving the cursor, for example, 12 rotation buttons R1 to R12 may be provided.

On the other hand, the microcomputer 19 automatically displays a virtual keyboard suitable for the currently running operation mode as described above, and then selectively displays a unique extended pattern associated with the virtual keyboard according to a user selection, or When input of letters, numbers, symbols, etc. is completed by user selection, an operation corresponding to the input value is performed, which will be described in detail below.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for displaying a virtual keyboard in a portable multimedia device according to the present invention. For example, a nonvolatile memory 20 such as an EEPROM or the like may be used in a portable multimedia device. A plurality of virtual keyboards and expansion patterns suitable for each operation mode are stored in association with each other (S10).

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the virtual keyboard may be divided into an uppercase virtual keyboard, a lowercase virtual keyboard, a numeric virtual keyboard, and a symbol virtual keyboard, and each of the virtual keyboards may display an extended pattern. Each of the selection items (e.g., 'extensions') for selecting is displayed.

On the other hand, the expansion pattern, any value previously selected and input by the user may be stored and managed as a unique user selection value, for example, the expansion pattern is a web browser address bar, login, numeric input, file It may be divided into a plurality of expansion patterns for name change, character input, file or channel name search, and each expansion pattern may be separately displayed as a pop-up window separate from the virtual keyboard.

6, in the expansion pattern of the web browser address window corresponding to the expansion pattern 1, http: // www, http: //, Various input values such as ftp: // ftp, ftp: //, http: // Domain1, http: // Domain2 ... are displayed.

In addition, in the extended pattern of login corresponding to extended pattern 2, ID1, ID2, ID3..Password1, Password2, Password3 .. The same various input values are included and displayed, and in the numeric input expansion pattern corresponding to the extended pattern 3, various input values such as number history information input by the user are included and displayed.

In the extended pattern of file name change corresponding to extended pattern 4, a file name of which the serial number is incremented is selected for the file name that the user inputs immediately before, or the date and time of the file [YY / MM / DD #], [ YY / MM / DD] _ # _ .. and to allow more efficient selection and entry of preferred file names [Favorite #], [Favorite] _ # _, File Name History serial number increments, etc. Various input values are displayed.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, the expansion pattern of the character input corresponding to the expansion pattern 5 includes a plurality of commercial phrases (commercial phrases 1 to 5) previously set by the user and an email address (e-mail 1 to 5). ), And various input values to allow the user to more efficiently select and enter dates, times, nick names, emoticons, and text history. Is displayed.

Further, the extended pattern of the file or channel input search corresponding to the extended pattern 6 includes a plurality of representative words with a large number of duplicated pre-parsed file names, a plurality of file names with serial numbers, and a file name history. ), And various input values for displaying and inputting a user more efficiently.

On the other hand, the microcomputer 19, in order to perform any multimedia function requested by the user, to execute the corresponding program, for example, the result of monitoring the current operation mode (S11), the virtual keyboard If it is determined that the display of is required (S12), the microcomputer 19 operates the OSD generating unit 16 to selectively display any virtual keyboard suitable for the current operation mode (S13). ).

When the user selects an extended item and requests the display of an extended pattern while selectively inputting letters, numbers, symbols, etc. using the virtual keyboard (S14), the microcomputer 19 currently presents The unique expansion pattern associated with the virtual keyboard is selected and displayed. In this case, the expansion pattern may be displayed as a separate popup window distinct from the virtual keyboard (S15).

For example, in the key movement scenario for character input according to the present invention, since a character to be input is determined in a general text input user interface (UI), providing only a corresponding character set may help to reduce input time. The probability of entering the wrong character is also reduced.

That is, one of a plurality of character sets is displayed according to a type of character to be input in a text box of an application user interface (UI). For example, suppose that you input http://google.com. Since the (URL) input window is displayed, the lowercase character set is displayed by default. Select the character using the wheel button and enter the character using the select key.

If you want to enter uppercase letters, press the up arrow key to change to uppercase character set and automatically return to the original lowercase character set when the uppercase character is entered. For example, user defined in case of numbers and character sets. ) Allows you to store characters or strings so that simple repetitive input is minimized.

And, if you want to modify the contents to be defined in [Defx], press and hold the select button at the position to display the user interface (UI) that you can enter. When the input is completed, the contents are saved and A, B in the numeric character set ,, C, D, E, and F are for fast hexadecimal input.

In addition, [Date] is easy to change the file name etc. because today's date is output by default, and [Number] is increased by one number to easily print the serial number. To reset the number, press and hold the select button. In the symbol character set, ',' is a key indicating the direction of the cursor movement.

And, based on the character set as described above, you can enter a character string more efficiently because you can remember the frequently used pattern by using the expansion button specialized for the current situation.

In addition, if you press the [Expand] button, one of the above 6 patterns appears as a pop-up window according to the input purpose. The contents of the pattern should be added automatically when a user enters a character, and a user interface that can be modified or deleted separately should be provided. For example, the most commonly used web browser is entered in the address bar from the point of view of the application. Since the application can determine whether the content is to be input, during login, or general character input, the corresponding virtual keyboard is displayed and the [Expand] button is linked accordingly.

In addition, the user may find and input a simple repeated content or frequently input content by pressing the expansion button. All expansion patterns have a history of previously entered content, avoiding the hassle of retyping repetitive or frequently entered content.

On the other hand, in the case of pattern input, in case of URL input, it is selected and displayed by linking [lowercase 2] and [expansion pattern 1], and the basic character string that constitutes URLs includes mostly lowercase letters. Lowercase 2] is linked to [Expansion Pattern 1], and string input is preferred, but sometimes IP is composed of numbers. To enter numbers, press down arrow key once to enter numeric input mode [ Number 3].

In addition, in the case of login information input, the lowercase 2 and the extension pattern 2 are screened in conjunction with each other. Since the login information is basic for surfing the web, a simple character array is entered to enter the website. There is a lot of trouble to input repeatedly every time, and usually, because the ID is limited to a few, it is possible to reduce the simple input work by [expand pattern 2] as a link.

In addition, in the case of numeric and hexadecimal input, [Number 3] and [Extension Pattern 3] are selectively displayed in association with each other. In the case of numeric input, only the numbers can be made and displayed to the user. All the numbers you have entered will be remembered in your history so you can select them again later. The history entered in the number should be added to the erase function, because it does not store important information such as social security number or account number. Of course, the numbers entered once are memorized separately so that they will not be remembered even if you enter the same number next time.

On the other hand, in the case of a file name change, the lowercase 2 and the expansion pattern 4 are displayed in a selective manner. In a general media device (PVR, digital camera, etc.), the file name is not determined at the time of file creation. After the arbitrary file is created, the user is supposed to modify it again.

Therefore, the serial number function is provided so that the user can use it very conveniently. In the case of such a file name change, the serial number is increased only in the simple content. It can also be useful. To apply this, [Extension Pattern 4] can be used for [Lowercase 2].

In the case of a chat, a messenger, a text message, and an e-mail, the lowercase letter 2 and the extended pattern 5 are selectively displayed in association with each other. In this case, a lowercase alphabetic letter is displayed. The [Extension] button links [Expansion Pattern 5], which allows you to specify various strings as macros. Also, for example, in the case of a chat, a person may express his / her intention only by expressing basic emotions, so it may be possible to make a pattern separately using only emoticons.

On the other hand, in the case of channel search or recorded file search, the lowercase 2 and the expansion pattern 6 are screened in association with each other. However, since the string search is given priority, the lowercase letter 2 appears by default. [Extension Pattern 5] is linked to the [Extension] button. In the case of this pattern, since the search is based on the strings (files stored on disk or EPG data) already obtained, the search frequency and the like can be identified and registered in the extended pattern.

After inputting letters, numbers, symbols, and the like corresponding to the above-described series of wheel button operations (S17), for example, the user may input a selection button provided on the wheel button or an OK button displayed on a virtual keyboard. When the input is completed through the above operation, the microcomputer 19 operates the OSD generating unit 19 to release the display of the virtual keyboard and the extended pattern (S18). The operation corresponding to the input value is performed (S19).

Or more, preferred embodiments of the present invention described above, for the purpose of illustration, those skilled in the art, within the technical spirit and the technical scope of the present invention disclosed in the appended claims below, to further improve various other embodiments Changes, substitutions or additions will be possible.

The virtual keyboard display device and method of the portable multimedia device according to the present invention constructed and configured as described above may include, for example, text in a portable multimedia device having various multimedia functions such as a television, a movie, a photo, a music, a web browser, and the like. When inputting numbers, symbols, etc., the virtual keyboard that is optimal for the current operation mode and the unique extended pattern associated with it are selected and the wheel button can be pushed and rotated. By using the last name, the user can intuitively input letters, numbers, symbols, etc. quickly and conveniently, even in a portable multimedia device that does not have a keyboard. It is a very useful invention that can be entered as.

Claims (13)

Selecting and displaying any one virtual keyboard associated with an operation mode currently being executed in the portable multimedia device, and then selectively displaying the extended pattern associated with the virtual keyboard according to a user selection; And When one or more of letters, numbers, and symbols are input through the screen of the selected virtual keyboard and the determined pattern, a step of performing an operation corresponding to the input value is performed. How to display the keyboard. The method of claim 1, And classifying and storing the plurality of virtual keyboards and the extended patterns for each operation mode in the portable multimedia device. The method of claim 1, The virtual keyboard and the extended pattern may be any one of a URL input mode, a login information input mode, a numeric and hexadecimal input mode, a file name change mode, a text input mode of an internet bulletin board, a channel search and a recorded file search mode. The virtual keyboard display method of the portable multimedia device, characterized in that for storing separately corresponding to the above operation mode. The method of claim 1, In the first step, if it is determined that the display of the virtual keyboard is necessary by monitoring the currently running operation mode, the virtual keyboard automatically displays and displays an arbitrary one associated with the operation mode, and then expands the pattern through the virtual keyboard. When the display is requested, the virtual keyboard display method of the portable multimedia device, characterized in that to display a pop-up window by selecting the expansion pattern associated with the virtual keyboard. The method of claim 1, In the second step, when a user inputs one or more of letters, numbers, and symbols displayed on the selected virtual keyboard and the confirmation pattern by using a wheel button that can be pushed and rotated, an operation corresponding to the input value is performed. A virtual keyboard display method in a portable multimedia device, characterized in that performed. The method of claim 5, When performing the operation corresponding to the input value, the display of the virtual keyboard and the extended pattern is automatically released, characterized in that the virtual keyboard in a portable multimedia device. The method of claim 1, The virtual keyboard is classified into an uppercase virtual keyboard, a lowercase virtual keyboard, a numeric virtual keyboard, and a symbol virtual keyboard, and each of the virtual keyboards includes a selection item for requesting display of an extended pattern. How to display the virtual keyboard on your device. The method of claim 1, The extended pattern is divided into an extended pattern for web browser address bar, login, number input, file name change, character input, file or channel name search, and each extended pattern is divided into a popup window separate from the virtual keyboard. A virtual keyboard display method in a portable multimedia device, characterized in that displayed. Storage means for distinguishing and storing a plurality of virtual keyboards and expansion patterns for each operation mode in the portable multimedia device; Display means for selectively displaying any one virtual keyboard associated with an operation mode being executed in the portable multimedia device, and then selectively displaying the extended pattern associated with the virtual keyboard according to a user selection; In the portable multimedia apparatus comprising a control means for performing an operation corresponding to the input value, if any one or more of the letters, numbers, symbols through the screen of the selected virtual keyboard and the confirmation pattern is completed; Virtual keyboard display. The method of claim 9, The storage means may include a URL input mode, a login information input mode, a numeric and hexadecimal input mode, a file name change mode, a text input mode of an internet bulletin board, a channel search and a recorded file search mode in a portable multimedia device. And a plurality of virtual keyboards corresponding to any one or more operation modes and an extended pattern. The method of claim 9, The control means may perform an operation corresponding to the input value when one or more of letters, numbers, and symbols displayed on the screen and the selected virtual keyboard and the confirmation pattern are completed using a wheel button which the user can push and rotate. Virtual keyboard display device in a portable multimedia device, characterized in that performed. The method of claim 9, The plurality of virtual keyboards are classified into an upper case virtual keyboard, a lower case virtual keyboard, a numeric virtual keyboard, and a symbol virtual keyboard, and each of the virtual keyboards includes a selection item for requesting display of an extended pattern. Virtual keyboard display on portable multimedia devices. The method of claim 9, The extended pattern is divided into an extended pattern for web browser address bar, login, number input, file name change, character input, file or channel name search, and each extended pattern is divided into a pop-up window separate from the virtual keyboard. Virtual keyboard display device in a portable multimedia device, characterized in that displayed.

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