KR20090006043A - Character input apparatus and method using in electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A character input apparatus and method using in an electronic apparatus are provided to enable a user to input characters conveniently by selecting a character according to the angle of dragged start and end points. A character input device is in a touch standby state(610). The character input device receives the coordinates of start and end points through a sensor(620), and judges whether or not a start point is a coordinate in a group key(630). If so, the character input device which group includes the start point(640), confirms the angle values of the start and end points(650) and displays the characters corresponding to group key values and angle values in a stored table(660). Otherwise, the character input device confirms a partitioned line between the start and end points and performs the function corresponding to the partitioned line.

Description

CHARACTER INPUT APPARATUS AND METHOD USING IN ELECTRONIC APPARATUS}

The present invention relates to a character input device and method for an electronic device, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for inputting a character through a touch screen.

Electronic device is a term for electronic devices requiring text input, and includes a touch screen mobile phone (hereinafter referred to as a touch phone), a navigation device, an MP3, a camera, an electronic controller, and the like.

In general, with the change of the times, information is expanded due to the Internet or other additional services, various interfaces are required, and as the demand for miniaturization and light weight is being replaced by touch screens. This is because the volume, weight and manufacturing cost can be reduced, and various interfaces can be implemented by using the full screen and changing the screen, but the interface between the electronic device and the user uses a touch. In order to display the screen and touch the desired area to recognize the character is input.

1 is a view showing a character array such as a computer keyboard of the conventional touch keyboard arrangement.

Since the keyboard arrangement method as shown in FIG. 1 uses a computer keyboard type, the recognition is high, but in the case of a button type, input is also possible by pressing a hand. However, the touch screen is more inconvenient than the button type because the touch itself is input. Due to the limited size of the touch screen, the size of each implemented character is too small to be almost impossible to input with a finger and a pen must be used.

There is a need for a method of easily inputting a character using a finger without using a pen, while using the same key sequence as a computer keyboard with high recognition.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a character input device and method for inputting a character on a touch screen of an electronic device applying a computer keyboard arrangement and facilitating text input using a finger.

In the electronic device according to the present invention, a device for inputting a character includes a touch screen for displaying group keys divided into a plurality of sensed touch areas, and displaying a specified letter according to an angle within each group key, and drag and touch. A sensing unit for detecting and transmitting the detected coordinate values to the control unit, a group key value for each coordinate and a character value for each angle for each group key are stored in correspondence, and the coordinate values of the starting point and the end point received from the sensing unit are calculated and stored at the starting point. And a control unit for calculating a corresponding group key value and a text value corresponding to an angle value of a start point and an end point, controlling the touch screen to display edited characters, and receiving at least one letter through a group key.

In addition, a method of inputting a character in an electronic device includes displaying group keys divided into a plurality of detected touch areas, displaying a specified letter according to an angle within each group key, and detecting the touch area through a touch screen. Transmitting the detected coordinate values of the starting point and the ending point to the control unit; And controlling the touch screen to display the edited characters, and receiving at least one character through a group key.

Because it uses the same arrangement as the computer keyboard, it is well recognized and jointly recognizes an area in which several characters contained in the group key are integrated, and the characters are selected according to the angle between the dragged start and end points. It is easy to input characters enough to enter

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In describing the present invention, when it is determined that a detailed description of a related known function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The main aspect of the present invention, the touch screen is to input characters by using a touch keyboard to facilitate character input in the electronic device provided, to display a group key divided into a large area for inputting characters, Characters are displayed according to the angle within the group key, and the starting point and end point by dragging are used to select the group key and to select the letter in the group key according to the angle between the starting point and the ending point. In addition, by dividing the boundary line between the group keys and the external area into several, when the starting point of the drag is the external area and the line connecting the starting point and the end point passes the boundary line, it is controlled by a specific function key.

Although the specification refers to a specific example of the arrangement of the computer keyboard, keys arranged on the touch keyboard, such as a sequential arrangement or a group-by-group arrangement, may be changed according to the purpose, and other key arrangements may be used. It is not limited to English and Korean, but can be in any language.

Hereinafter, in this specification, one grouped key having various characters according to angles is defined as a 'group key', and an outer region other than the group key is defined as an 'external region'. In addition, every operation of touching the touch screen has a starting point and an ending point. In other words, the change in the coordinates in the middle is a touch like a click, and the one with a constant change is called a drag. Here, the description will be referred to collectively as both the beginning and end of the drag. The line divided by dividing the boundary line between the group key and the external area into multiple parts will be described as 'division line'.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a character input apparatus using a touch screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, a character input apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a touch screen 210 including a touch keyboard area and a display area, a sensing unit 220, and a control unit 230, which are not shown. do.

The touch screen 210 displays a group key and a character under the control of the controller 230, and displays a character calculated by calculating a coordinate value input through the sensing unit 220 on the display area.

The detector 220 transmits the coordinate values of the start point and the end point of the drag to the controller 230 through the touch screen 210.

The controller 230 calculates coordinate values of a start point and an end point of a drag detected by the sensing unit 220, and then touches a letter or function corresponding to an angle between a start point and an end point and a group key to which the start point belongs. Control to be displayed on the screen 210.

The character input method performed by the controller 230 will be described with reference to the following drawings.

In the character input method of the present invention, three group keys are separately displayed on the touch screen 210 for character input, and nine characters or function keys are displayed at an angle in the group key, and touch or drag is recognized. In this case, the characters corresponding to the group key and the angle corresponding to the recognized starting point and end point of the drag are displayed on the touch screen 230.

3 is a view illustrating an arrangement method of a touch screen according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is divided into three group keys of the left area 311, the center area 312, and the right area 313 of FIG. 3, and letters 321 are displayed in each of the group keys in eight directions. Character 322 is further displayed. The group keys 311, 312, and 313 and the part bordering with the external area are divided into eight (8) and are indicated by the dividing line 330.

6 is a flowchart controlled by a control unit according to the present invention.

In the touch standby state (610) when the user drags to receive the coordinate values of the starting point and the end point through the detection unit (620), and determines whether the starting point is the coordinates in the group key (630), if true, which group is the starting point Check the key (640), check the angle value between the start point and the end point (650), and controls to display the characters corresponding to the group key value and the angle value in the stored table as shown in Table 1 (660).

The controller determines whether the start point is a coordinate key in the group key (630), and if it is negative, checks whether there is a divider line between the start point and the end point (670), and controls to perform a function corresponding to the divider line. (680).

Table 1 below shows the characters according to the angle between the start point and the end point for each group key.

Left group (s) Central group (g) Right group (k) 337.5-22.5 → d 337.5-22.5 → h 337.5-22.5 → l  22.5 ~ 67.5 ↗ e  22.5 ~ 67.5 ↗ y  22.5 ~ 67.5 ↗ o  67.5-112.5 ↑ w  67.5-112.5 ↑ t  67.5-112.5 ↑ i 112.5-157.5 ↖ q 112.5-157.5 ↖ r 112.5-157.5 ↖ u 157.5-202.5 ← a 157.5-202.5 ← f 157.5-202.5 ← j 202.5 ~ 247.5 ↙ shift 202.5 ~ 247.5 ↙ c 202.5 ~ 247.5 ↙ n 247.5 ~ 292.5 ↓ z 247.5 ~ 292.5 ↓ v 247.5 ~ 292.5 ↓ m 292.5 ~ 337.5 ↘ x 292.5 ~ 337.5 ↘ b 292.5 ~ 337.5 ↘ p

4 is a view showing an embodiment of the character input according to the present invention.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4 and Table 1, an embodiment will be described.

When the user drags from the start point 401 to the end point 402 in FIG. 4, the start point 401 is in the left region 311, and the angle of the angle 403 formed by the start point 401 and the end point 402. Since is about 45 degrees, referring to Table 1 above, since 45 degrees in the left area is 'e', the letter 'e' is edited as an input character and displayed on the touch screen.

One more example

When the user drags from the start point 404 to the end point 405 in FIG. 4, the start point 404 is in the right region 313, and the angle of the angle 406 formed between the start point 404 and the end point 405. Since is about 225 degrees, referring to Table 1 above, 225 degrees in the left area is 'n', so the characters of 'n' are edited as input characters and displayed on the touch screen.

As in the above example of Fig. 4, the group key to which the starting point belongs is determined by the starting point, which means that the input is also performed with a finger because it uses the area occupied by nine characters in the computer keyboard type input. It is possible. Also, because the angle is determined by the end point, since it does not matter where the end point is, the angle can be made without error by using the entire screen where the end point is touched.

If the start point and the end point are the same, there is no direction. In this case, the middle character 407 is input and edited and displayed. Since the user presses the position in place, there may be some movement, and even if the distance between the starting point and the end point is small enough to be recognized as pressing the position, the center character is controlled to be input and edited to be displayed.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment when the dragging start point is an external area instead of a group key area.

In detail, the starting point is an external area and performs the corresponding function according to which dividing line passes. Functions here include space, backspace, mode switch, shift, enter, and special characters. That is, if the starting point passes through the fn1 in the middle of the end point (501) and the start point is an external region and performs the fn1 function if the starting point passes the fn7 in the middle of the end point (502) and performs the fn7 function. If this is an external area and fn6 is passed in the middle of the end point (503), the fn6 function is performed. In addition, a plurality of dividing lines may serve as function keys. For example, when the starting point is an external region and passes through fn2 and fn5 in the middle of the end point (504), the function functions as fn2-fn5. Of course, such a function key may have a separate function key in parallel. Just such a function allows you to do this with your fingers.

Pass function key function Pass function key function fn1 Backspace fn1-fn4 Clear fn2 Mode change fn2-fn5 Caps lock fn3 Space fn3-fn6 Enter

Table 2 is a table showing an embodiment of each function key according to the present invention.

In other words, when passing through fn1 (501) in Figure 5 performs the function of the back space, and in the case of passing through fn2 and fn5 (504) in Figure 5 performs the function of the Caps Lock.

7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a group key of a computer keyboard in accordance with the present invention.

That is, in the group key of the touch screen, ㅂ, ㅈ, ㄷ at the top of the left group key, ㅁ, ㄴ, ㅇ at the bottom, △, ㅋ, 에 at the bottom,, ㅅ, ㅛ at the top of the center group key ㄹ,, 하단 at the bottom, ㅍ, ㅠ, 그룹, ㅑ, 에 at the top of the right group key, ㅓ, ㅏ, 중단 at the middle, and ,, ㅡ, 하단 at the bottom.

8 is a diagram showing an example of a group key of numbers, direction keys and special characters according to the present invention.

In other words, in the group key of touch screen, @, &, $ at the top of the left group key,-, =, + at the top, /, #, * at the bottom,?, ↑,!, At the top of the center group key ←, 0, →, at the bottom,, ↓ ,. 1,2,3 at the top of the right group key, 4,5,6 at the middle and 7,8,9 at the bottom.

On the other hand, various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. As an example of modification, the number of group keys may be increased, the number of angle divisions may be increased, the number of divisions may be applied, or the arrangement of characters may be applied. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be determined not only by the scope of the following claims, but also by those equivalent to the scope of the claims.

1 is a view showing a QWERTY key like a computer keyboard in a conventional touch keyboard arrangement method.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a character input apparatus using a touch screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a view illustrating an arrangement method of a touch screen according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a view showing an embodiment of the character input according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an embodiment when a starting point of dragging is an external region. FIG.

6 is a flowchart controlled by the control unit according to the present invention.

7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a group key of a computer keyboard in accordance with the present invention.

8 is a diagram showing an example of a group key of numbers, direction keys and special characters according to the present invention.

Claims (16)

In the device for inputting characters in electronic devices, A touch screen displaying group keys divided into a plurality of detected touch areas, and displaying characters designated according to angles within each group key; A detector for detecting drag and touch and transmitting the detected coordinates to the controller; The group key value by coordinates and the text value by angle for each group key are stored in correspondence, and the coordinate values of the start point and the end point received from the sensor are calculated, and the group key value corresponding to the start point and the text value corresponding to the angle value of the start point and the end point are calculated. And a control unit which calculates and controls the touch screen to display the edited characters, and receives at least one character through a group key. The method of claim 1, wherein the touch screen, Character input device comprising a group key displayed by dividing the group key for character input into three. The method of claim 2, wherein the group keys, Q, W, E at the top of the left group key, A, S, D at the middle, △, Z, X at the bottom, R, T, Y at the top of the center group key, F, G, H at the bottom, C, V, B, U, I, O at the top of the right group key, J, K, L at the middle, N, M, P at the bottom of the character input device characterized in that it comprises a group key. The method of claim 2, wherein the touch screen, 그룹, ㅈ, ㄷ at the top of the left group key, ㅁ, ㄴ, ㅇ at the bottom, △, ㅋ, ㅌ at the bottom, ,, ㅅ, ㅛ at the top of the center group key, ,, ㅎ, ㅗ at the bottom ,, ,, ㅠ, 입력, ㅑ, 에 at the top of the right group key, 그룹, ㅏ, ㅣ at the middle, TT, ㅡ, 그룹 at the bottom. The method of claim 2, wherein the touch screen, @, &, $ At the top of the left group key,-, =, + at the break, /, #, * at the bottom,?, ↑ ,! at the top of the center group key, ←, 0, → at the bottom ,, ↓,., Character input device characterized in that it comprises a group key is displayed at the top of the right group key, 1,2,3, 4,5,6 at the middle, 7,8,9 at the bottom. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit, And a controller in which the corresponding characters are recorded by dividing the 360 degrees calculated according to the start point and the end point for each group key into eight groups. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit, And a controller in which corresponding characters are recorded when the distance between the start point and the end point for each group key is smaller than the distance determined as '0'. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit, Character input characterized in that it comprises a control unit controlled by a specific function key when the boundary between the group keys and the external area is divided into several, and the starting point of the drag is an external area and the line connecting the starting point and the end point passes the boundary line. Device. In a method of inputting a character in an electronic device, Displaying a group key divided into a plurality of detected touch areas, and displaying a designated letter according to an angle within each group key; Transmitting the detected coordinate values of the start point and the end point detected by the touch screen to the controller; Computing coordinate values of the start point and the end point received from the sensing unit, calculating a group key value corresponding to the start point and an angle value corresponding to the angle value of the start point and the end point, and controlling the touch screen to display the edited characters, and group Character input method comprising the step of receiving at least one character through the key. The method of claim 9, wherein the touch screen, Character input method comprising a group key displayed by dividing the group key for character input into three of the left, center and right. The method of claim 10, wherein the group keys, Q, W, E at the top of the left group key, A, S, D at the middle, △, Z, X at the bottom, R, T, Y at the top of the center group key, F, G, H at the bottom, C, V, B, U, I, O at the top of the right group key, J, K, L at the middle, N, M, P at the bottom of the character input method characterized in that it comprises a group key. The method of claim 10, wherein the touch screen, 그룹, ㅈ, ㄷ at the top of the left group key, ㅁ, ㄴ, ㅇ at the bottom, △, ㅋ, ㅌ at the bottom, ,, ㅅ, ㅛ at the top of the center group key, ,, ㅎ, ㅗ at the bottom -,,,, Right side group keys, ㅕ, ㅑ, ㅐ, 중단, ㅏ, ㅣ on middle, TT, ㅡ, 그룹 at the bottom. The method of claim 10, wherein the touch screen, @, &, $ At the top of the left group key,-, =, + at the break, /, #, * at the bottom,?, ↑ ,! at the top of the center group key, ←, 0, → at the bottom ,, ↓,., Character input method comprising a group key is displayed on the top of the right group key, 1,2,3, 4,5,6 on the middle, 7,8,9 on the bottom. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit, And a control unit in which a character corresponding to each of the 360 degrees calculated according to the start point and the end point for each group key is recorded. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit, And a controller in which a corresponding character is recorded when the distance between the starting point and the ending point for each group key is smaller than the distance determined as '0'. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit, Character input characterized in that it comprises a control unit controlled by a specific function key when the boundary between the group keys and the external area is divided into several, and the starting point of the drag is an external area and the line connecting the starting point and the end point passes the boundary line. Way.

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