OA19286A - Character input apparatus. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a character input apparatus comprising: a character input unit for inputting of a character and a character display unit for displaying the inputted character on a display. The character input apparatus consists of one or more character input units assembled by a unit of a character input, is divided into a language input unit for inputting an input of a language character and a miscellaneous input unit in terms of a function and divided into a right character input part, a left character input part, an upper character input part, a lower character input part, and a central character input part in terms of a layout allowing a simultaneous inputting of characters of two or more languages, and two or more language input units and one or more miscellaneous input units are at all times arranged in the character input unit and characters of a plurality of languages are at all times displayed in the character input unit to simultaneously input the characters of two or more languages without an operation of language conversion.

Description

[Title of the Invention]

CHARACTER INPUT APPARATUS

[Technical Field]

The présent disclosure relates to a character input apparatus, and more particularly, to a technique of inputting characters of two or more languages simultaneously without a language converting operation by continuously arranging two or more language input units and one or more miscellaneous input units when characters of a plurality of languages are input simultaneously.

[Background Art]

When inputting characters of two languages, a related-art character input apparatus perforais character input of a native language, executes a language conversion function of a character input unit to input characters of a foreign language, completely converts the character input unit in a foreign language form, and re-executes the language conversion function of the character input unit in order to retum to the character input of the native language.

Since the related-art character input apparatus needs to execute the language conversion function of the character input unit when providing a character input of two languages, it is inconvénient for a user to repeatedly input the language conversion fùnction of the character input unit, and there is a problem that a time required for inputting characters is increased.

Further, even though two languages are arranged at the same time, the related-art character input apparatus, perforais a function to couvert the language input unit into miscellaneous input units of numerals and symbols, in order to input other characters including one or more numerals, symbols, spécial characters, and emoticons or execute various function keys, setting keys, édition keys, and the like.

In order to input the language, it is inconvénient for a user to couvert the miscellaneous input unit into the language input unit again.

[Detailed Description of the Disclosure]

[Technical Objects]

In order to solve the aforementioned problem, the présent disclosure has been made in an effort to provide a character input apparatus that inputs characters of two or more languages at the same time without language conversion by continuously arranging two or more language input units and one or more miscellaneous input units.

[Technical Solution]

In order to solve the technical problem, a character input apparatus according to the présent disclosure includes: a character input unit for inputting of a character; and a character display unit for displaying the input character on a display, in which the character input unit is divided into a language input unit for inputting of a language character and a miscellaneous input unit in terms of a function and divided into a right character input unit, a left character input unit, an upper character input unit, a lower character input unit, and a central character input unit in terms of a layout, and two or more language input units and one or more miscellaneous input units are at ail times arranged in the character input unit and characters of a plurality of languages are at ail times displayed in the character input unit to efficiently input the characters of two or more languages at the same time without an operation of language conversion.

[Advantageous Effects]

The présent disclosure has a remarkable effect in that two or more language input units and one or more miscellaneous input units are arranged continuously so as to simultaneously and completely input characters of two or more languages without language conversion, thereby enhancing operation efficiency by reducing operations required for the language conversion.

[Brief Description of Drawings]

The above and other aspects, and advantages of certain embodiments of the disclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a character input apparatus according to an embodiment of the présent disclosure.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a configuration of a character input unit according to an arrangement relationship of a CEI (Convenient input to Express an Idea) character input unit.

FIGS. 3A to 3D illustrate examples of the configuration of a character input unit providing input of two languages.

FIGS. 4A to 4D illustrate other examples of the configuration of the character input unit providing the input of two languages according to a first embodiment.

FIGS. 5A to 5C illustrate examples of the configuration of a character input unit converting a language input unit by using a language function key according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5D illustrâtes an example of a configuration of converting a language input unit in a slide scheme.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate examples of a configuration of a miscellaneous input unit setting a key of miscellaneous input by using a setting key.

FIG. 6C illustrâtes an example of a configuration of converting the miscellaneous input unit in the slide scheme.

FIGS. 7A to 7C illustrate examples of a configuration of converting an arrangement of the language input unit.

FIG. 8 illustrâtes an example of the configuration of a character input unit including four language input units.

FIGS. 9A to 9D illustrate examples of the configuration of a character input unit translating a character input into the language input unit according to the first embodiment.

FIGS. 10A to 10D illustrate examples of the configuration of a character input unit translating a character input into the language input unit according to the second embodiment.

FIGS. HA and 1 IB illustrate examples of a configuration of a character input unit translating a character input into a language input unit according to a third embodiment.

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate examples of a configuration of a character input unit translating a character input into a language input unit according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 13 illustrâtes an example of a configuration of an audio output unit outputting an input character as a sound.

FIGS. 14A to 14C illustrate examples of a configuration in which a language input unit and a character display unit are arranged according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 15 illustrâtes an example of a configuration in which a language input unit and a character display unit are arranged according to a sixth embodiment.

[Modes for Embodying the Invention]

The above and other features and advantages of the disclosure will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings. In addition, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same or corresponding parts in each drawing, and redondant explanations are omitted.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the présent disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and contents disclosed in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a character input apparatus according to an embodiment of the présent disclosure and the character input apparatus 1 may be one information communication device of a computer, a laptop, a smart phone, a tablet PC, an electronic notebook, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and a wearable terminal. The character input apparatus 1 includes a character input unit 10, a character display unit 20, a control unit 30, and a storage unit 40. The character input apparatus 1 may input characters in various schemes such as a button type, a touch type, and a hologram type and input characters using various input tools such as a keyboard, a mouse, and an input pen.

The character input unit 10 is for inputting of the character so that a user inputs the character and when the character is input, the character input unit 10 recognizes the character and transfers the recognized character to the control unit 30. The character includes a language character and miscellaneous characters. The language character may include languages of various countries, such as a native language and a foreign language and the miscellaneous characters include at least one of numerals, symbols, spécial characters, and emoticons.

The character input unit 10 displays a character key so that the user inputs the character and displays various function keys and setting keys for changing a type of each character key or an arrangement relationship of the character key and displays an édition key for editing the character.

The character display unit 20 displays an operation state of the character input apparatus 1 or displays the character that is input by the character input unit 10 on a display.

The control unit 30 Controls operations of the character input unit 10 and the character display unit 20. The control unit 30 may control the operation of the character input unit 10 so as for registering, changing, or deleting each key of the character input unit and when receiving character récognition from the character input unit 10, the control unit 30 may control the character display unit 20 to display the corresponding character by using information stored in the storage unit 40.

The storage unit 40 may include at least one of a read only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM) for storing multiple programs and data.

The storage unit 40 stores at least one of input information including character information such as a language, a language list, and miscellaneous characters displayed on the character input unit 10, a program for executing the operation of the character input unit 10, and data input from the character input unit 10. The character information is information on at least one of the language, the numéral, the Symbol, the spécial character, and the emoticon. The program includes information to execute at least one of various function keys, setting keys, édition keys, and translation keys.

When the control unit 30 recognizes input of various function keys, setting keys, édition keys, or translation keys, the control unit 30 Controls the operations of the character input unit 10 and the character display unit 20 using the program stored in the storage unit 40.

The storage unit 40 may upload and store characters in a data format produced by the user and the control unit 30 may control the operation of the character input unit 10 so as to register, change, or delete the produced or uploaded data by the user.

The character input unit 10 is composed of one or a plurality of Convenient input to Express an Idea and information diversely and freely (CEI) character input units 11. The CEI character input unit 11 means a convenient input unit for variously and freely representing an idea and information.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate examples of a configuration of a character input unit according to an arrangement relationship of the CEI character input unit. The CEI character input unit 11 is functionally divided into a language input unit for inputting of a language character and one or more miscellaneous input units. Characters of a plurality of languages are at ail times expressed in the character input unit by at ail times arranging two or more language input units and one or more miscellaneous input units in the character input unit to efficiently input the characters of two or more languages at the same time without a language converting operation.

The CEI character input unit 11 in the character input unit 10 may be divided into a right character input unit lia, a left character input unit 11b, an upper character input unit 11c, a lower character input unit 1 Id, and a central character input unit 1 le in ternis of a layout.

As illustrated in Fig. 2A, the character input unit 10 may arrange the right character input unit lia, the left character input unit 11b, and the central character input unit lie, arrange the right character input unit lia, the left character input unit 11b, and the upper character input unit 11c, and arrange the right character input unit lia, the left character input unit 11b, and the lower character input unit 1 ld.

As illustrated in FIG. 2B, the character input unit 10 may arrange the upper character input unit 11c, the lower character input unit 1 Id, and the central character input unit lie, arrange the upper character input unit 11c, the lower character input unit 1 Id, and the right character input unit lia, and arrange the upper character input unit 11c, the lower character input unit 1 Id, and the left character input unit 11b.

The character input unit 10 at ail times arranges the language input unit and the miscellaneous input unit by a scheme illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B or at ail times arranges the language input unit and the miscellaneous input unit by arrays of various combinations.

FIGS. 3A to 3D illustrate examples of a configuration of a character input unit providing input of two languages and the CEI character input unit 11 in the character input unit 10 is functionally divided into a language input unit for inputting the language character and one or more miscellaneous input units.

The character input unit 10 may be composed of two or more language input units and the language input unit may be languages of respective countries, which include a Korean input unit 13, a Chinese input unit, an English input unit 14, a Russian input unit 15, a Japanese input unit 16, a German input unit, a French input unit, a Spanish input unit, an Arabie input unit, a Hindi input unit 17, a Greek input unit 18, and the like.

The miscellaneous input unit may include at least one of miscellaneous character input unit providing input of miscellaneous characters, an édition input unit 12g for editing characters, a function input unit 12e for inputting language conversion and providing various functions, and a setting input unit 12f for setting a key of miscellaneous input or setting various environments of the character input. The miscellaneous character input units include at least one of the numéral, the symbol, the spécial character, and the emoticon and are divided into a numéral input unit 12a, a symbol input unit 12b, a spécial character input unit 12c, and an emoticon input unit 12d.

As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the character input unit may be arranged as the right character input unit lia, the left character input unit 11b, and the central character input unit lie. The right character input unit lia may be the Korean input unit 13, the left character input unit 11b may be the English input unit 14, and the central character input unit lie may be the numéral input unit 12a and the fimction input unit 12e.

As illustrated in FIG. 3B, the character input unit 10 may be arranged as the right character input unit lia, the left character input unit 11b, and the central character input unit lie. The right character input unit lia may be the English input unit 14, the left character input unit 11b may be the Korean input unit 13, and the central character input unit lie may be the symbol input unit 12b and the function input unit 12e.

As illustrated in FIG. 3C, the character input unit 10 may be arranged as the upper character input unit 11c, the lower character input unit 1 Id, and the central character input unit lie. The upper character input unit 11c may be the English input unit 14, the lower character input unit 1 Id may be the Korean input unit 13, and the central character input unit lie may be the numéral input unit 12a.

As illustrated in FIG. 3D, in the character input unit 10, the upper character input unit 1 le is the Korean input unit 13, the lower character input unit 1 Id is the English input unit 14, and the central character input unit 1 le is the symbol input unit 12b.

An example of inputting two languages in the related art is as follows. In order to input a sentence “4|7}· -é- Beethoven A| ‘^^’(Choral)⁰] ^4·”, “417} is input in the Korean input unit, a function key for a language converting function is input to couvert the Korean input unit into the English input unit, “Beethoven” is input in the English input unit, the function key for the language converting function is input to couvert the English input unit into the Korean input unit, “£] is input in the Korean input unit, the function key for the Symbol converting function is input to couvert the English input unit into the Symbol input unit, and a single quotation mark is input in the Symbol input unit. After inputting the function key for the language converting function again, the Symbol input unit is converted into the Korean input unit to input and converted into the Symbol input unit again to input the single quotation mark and converted into the symbol input unit. Then, “(“ is found and input, the Symbol input unit is converted into the English input unit to input “Choral” and converted into the Symbol input unit “)” and then, converted into the Korean input unit to input “^ô14”· As described above, in the related art, since the character input unit needs to be continuously converted by repeatedly using the language converting and Symbol converting functions, it may be very inconvénient and it takes long time to input characters.

The embodiment according to the présent disclosure is as follows. As illustrated in FIG. 3B, when the sentence “4,7} Φ^ο}β·}^· Beethoven V] ‘ (Choral)is input, the Korean input unit 13, the English input unit 14, and the symbol input unit 12b are made to be displayed in the character input unit and the sentence may be input immediately. Therefore, it is not necessary to couvert the character input unit, a conversion function is not used, and thus, the example sentence may be immediately and simply input without conversion of any character input unit and a time required for inputting the character may be shortened.

According to the présent disclosure, when a parenthesis symbol is input, an integrated parenthesis key 130 may be utilized in the symbol input unit 12b. When the user presses the integrated parenthesis key 130 once, “(“ is input, and if the user presses the integrated parenthesis key 130 once again, “)” is input and if the integrated parenthesis key 130 is pressed repeatedly(e.g., a double click, etc), ‘( )’ may be continuously input.

A variety of parenthesis symbols such as '{ ]', and '< >' are displayed in a set area when pressing the integrated parenthesis key 130 for a set time or 0.2 seconds or more is sensed. When the user selects a desired parenthesis symbol among the various parenthesis symbols, an open parenthesis symbol of the selected parenthesis symbol is input and then, when the user inputs a closed parenthesis symbol, the parenthesis symbol may be completed by pressing the integrated parenthesis key once.

According to the présent disclosure, a space of the miscellaneous input unit may be efficiently used through the integrated parenthesis key 130, a process of fïnding the parenthesis symbol may be shortened when inputting various parenthesis symbols, and the closed parenthesis symbol may be immediately input by inputting a spécifie open parenthesis symbol among the parenthesis symbols displayed by pressing the integrated parenthesis key for a set time or more and then, pressing the integrated parenthesis key, and as a resuit, a simple input environment may be provided to the user.

In the présent disclosure, when the user inputs a sentence “(Choral)⁰] the user inputs “(“ by pressing the integrated parenthesis key 130 in the symbol input unit once, inputs “Choral” in the English input unit 14, and inputs “)” by pressing the integrated parenthesis key 130 in the symbol input unit once and inputs “°] L]-” in the Korean input unit, the characters are displayed in an order of inputting the characters in the character display unit, as it is.

FIGS. 4A to 4D illustrate other examples of the configuration of the character input unit for inputting of two languages according to a first embodiment and in the language input unit, languages of various global countries may be arranged, which include Chinese, Russian, Japanese, German, Spanish, Italian, French, Arabie, Hindi as well as Korean and English.

For example, in the language input unit, Chinese and Korean may be arranged as illustrated in FIG. 4A, Russian and German may be arranged as illustrated in FIG. 4B, French and Arabie may be arranged as illustrated in FIG. 4C, and Spanish and Hindi may be arranged as illustrated in FIG. 4D.

The character input unit 10 may include various input interfaces including at least one of a QWERTY type character input unit, a Cheonjiin character input unit, a Naratgeul character input unit, and a sky character input unit as well as the character input unit exemplified in the présent disclosure.

The character input unit may provide a language function key 100 for inputting of language conversion in order to provide input of another language.

FIGS. 5A to 5C illustrate examples of the configuration of a character input unit converting a language input unit by using a language function key 100 according to a second embodiment and when the language function key 100 is input via the character input unit, the character input unit expresses a language list 110 for languages of various countries in the set area and allows language to be selected in the language list 110 for registering, changing, or deleting the language input unit.

The language function key 100 may be displayed as “^7E” or “^b/R” button as illustrated in FIGS. 5A to 5C and transformed to various forms such as “iF/ 0 ”, “Ε/Φ”, or “‘îl⁰]”, “Lang”, “Lan”, “Language” in accordance with types of languages displayed on a character input unit, and so on and a position of the language function key 100 can be modified. For example, when a user who uses the character input apparatus 1 is an American and a primarily used foreign language is Korean, the language function key 100 may be displayed in the form of “E/K” or “E/^”. Alternatively, a country name is abbreviated in English and KR, US, CN, JP, RU, ES, FR, DE, AE, IN, etc. may be used.

Like the example illustrated in FIG. 5A, when the sélection input for Korean and English is received in the language list 110, the Korean input unit 13 and the English input unit 14 are displayed on the language input unit.

As illustrated in FIG. 5C, when the sélection input for Korean and Russian is received in the language list, the Korean input unit 13 and the Russian input unit 15 are displayed on the language input unit.

When Korean and German are selected in the language list by such a method, the Korean input unit and the German input unit are displayed on the character input unit and when Chinese and Russian are selected in the language list, the Chinese input unit and the Russian input unit are displayed on the character input unit. When Korean, English, Russian, and Greek are selected in the language list, the Korean input unit, the English input unit, the Russian input unit, and the Greek input unit are displayed on the character input unit.

When the language function key 100 is input via the character input unit, the character input unit provides an input of a layout key 111 for arranging the language input unit at a location of an upper side, a lower side, a left side, or a right side. The layout key 111 may be displayed in the form of “up”, “down”, “left”, and “right” as illustrated in FIG. 5 A. For example, when the Korean input unit 13 is arranged on the left side and the English input unit is arranged on the right side as illustrated in FIG. 3B, and the user selects “Korean” in the language list 110, selects the layout key 111 displayed as “left”, selects “English” in the language list and selects the layout key 111 displayed as “right” and then, presses a registration key 113.

The character input unit automatically arranges the language input unit according to an arrangement condition set in the order in which the language is selected when two or more languages are selected in the language list 110 and the layout key 111 is not input. For example, a language which is first selected is arranged on the upper side in upper and lower arrangements, and on the left side in left and right arrangements.

Further, when the user desires to use one language input unit only while using two or more language input units, the user may leave only one language name in the language list and select remaining language names to be deleted by pressing a délétion key 114.

As illustrated in FIG. 5C, when the user desires to couvert the English input unit 14 to the Russian input unit 15, the user may press the language function key 100 to display the language list 110, deselect English and select Russian in the language list 110 and press the registration key 113 to convert the English input unit into the Russian input unit.

When the language function key 100 is input via the character input unit, the character input unit provides an input of a désignation key 112 for designating an order in which the language input unit is arranged. The désignation key 112 may be displayed in the form of “1”, “2”, “3”, and “4” as illustrated in FIG. 5A.

When the user arranges the Korean input unit 13, the English input unit 14, the Japanese input unit 16, and the Hindi input unit 17 on the character input unit as illustrated in FIG. 5B, if the user selects “Korean” in the language list 110 illustrated in FIG. 5A and selects the désignation key 112 of “1”, selects “English” in the language list 110 and selects the désignation key 112 of “2”, selects “Japanese” in the language list 110 and selects the désignation key 112 of “3”, and selects “Hindi” in the language list 110 and selects the désignation key 112 of “4”, and presses the registration key in order, each language input unit is arranged at each location.

The character input unit automatically arranges the language input unit according to a désignation condition set in the order in which the language is selected when two or more languages are selected in the language list 110 and the désignation key 112 is not input.

FIG. 5D illustrâtes an example of a configuration of converting a language input unit in a slide scheme and the character input unit is changed to another language input unit when a sliding input in a predetermined direction including up, down, left, and right is detected in a State in which a predetermined point in an area of the language input unit is pressed down.

For example, in the character input unit, as illustrated in FIG. 5D, when the sliding input in the right direction is detected in a State in which a predetermined point in an area of the English input unit 14 is pressed down, the English input unit 14 is converted into the Russian input unit 15 to be displayed and when the sliding input is detected in the area of the Russian input unit 15 by the same scheme, the Russian input unit 15 is converted into the Japanese input unit 16 to be displayed.

In the character input unit, when the sliding input in the predetermined direction is detected in a State in which the predetermined point in the area of the language input unit is pressed down, the language input unit is converted in a set order in which the language list 110 is stored.

For example, the character input unit may be converted into a forward language input unit in the language list 110 when receiving the sliding input in the lower direction is received in the upper and lower sliding input and converted into a reverse language input unit in the language list 110 when receiving the sliding input in the upper direction. Further, the character input unit may be converted into a forward language input unit in the language list 110 when receiving the sliding input in the right direction is received in the left and right sliding input and converted into the reverse language input unit in the language list 110 when receiving the sliding input in the left direction.

The user may previously set a language frequently used in the language list 110, set the order of the language list 110, and newly register a new language input unit.

In the related art, for example, there is a sentence ‘ΜίΜ-Αή

Ml·’Nice to meet you.’, ‘

e] A] ό]-ο] ‘llpmmio nosHaKOMUTuca’, 7? è L % 7?'T’, ‘Encantado mucho gusto’, ‘Je suis contente de vous rencontrer’, Lf ‘Schôn, Sie kennen zu lemen.’, <d^J II I‘, and When this sentence is to be input, in the character input unit, “Ml·^⁰! S” is input in the Korean input unit, the Korean input unit is converted into the symbol input unit to input the single quotation mark, the Symbol input unit is converted into the Korean input unit again to input τ}”, the Korean input unit is converted into the Symbol input unit to input the single quotation mark, the Symbol input unit is converted into the Korean input unit again and then, is input, the Korean input unit is converted into the symbol input unit to input the single quotation mark, the Symbol input unit is converted into the English input unit and then, “Nice to meet you” is input, the English input unit is converted into the symbol input unit to input the single quotation mark and a comma, the symbol input unit is converted into the Korean input unit to input the Korean input unit is converted into the symbol input unit to input the single quotation mark, the symbol input unit is converted into the Chinese input unit to mput . Thereafter, the characters need to be input while continuously converting the Korean input unit and the symbol input unit, and the language input unit of each country. Therefore, there is a problem in that it is very inconvénient and it takes a long time to input characters.

However, in the présent disclosure, for example, the character input units are arranged so as to continuously input two languages and the Korean input unit is arranged in the left input unit, the English input unit is arranged in the right input unit, and the symbol input unit is arranged in the central input unit and then, Korean and the symbol are directly input in the Korean input unit and the symbol input unit and English is input in the English input unit and then, when Korean and the symbol are continuously input while the Korean input unit and the symbol input unit are just left without conversion, the right language input unit is converted from the English input unit into the Chinese input unit, the Russian input unit, the Japanese input unit, the Spanish input unit, the French input unit, the German input unit, the Hindi input unit, the Arabie input unit, and the like, to input Korean and the symbol. In this case, the right input unit may be converted by using the language function key or easily converted by pressing and sliding a certain point. As described above, by using the présent disclosure, the number of converting the character input unit may be remarkably reduced and thus, the input time may be shortened and input efficiency may be increased at the time of inputting the characters.

In the présent disclosure, for example, in order to input the aforementioned example, when the Korean input unit is arranged in a first character input unit, the English input unit is arranged in a second character input unit, the Chinese input unit is arranged in a third character input unit, the Russian input unit is arranged in a fourth character input unit, and the symbol input unit is arranged in the miscellaneous input unit by arranging the input units so as to continuously input four languages, four languages may be directly input without converting the character input unit even once until the sentence vr 'Nice to meet you.’, ‘ '•-UïJ'f/Fo,, g] a] ‘ΠρπιιτΗο no3HaKOMHTi>ca’ is input. Thereafter, after the English input unit, the Chinese input unit, and the Russian input unit are converted into the Japanese input unit, the Spanish input unit, and the French input unit at once by using the language function key, a sentence ‘ê CM T?'T’, — HlYMü. ‘Encantado mucho gusto’, S. ‘Je suis contente de vous rencontrer’ ” may be input and similarly even in this case, Korean, symbols, Japanese, Spanish, and French may be ail input at the same time without converting the character input unit even once. The language input unit may be converted by using the language function key and the language input unit may be converted into another language input unit by pressing down and sliding a certain point of each language input unit. Thereafter, by using the language function key, the language unit may be converted into each of the Japanese input unit, the Spanish input unit, and the French input unit into the German input unit, the Hindi input unit, and the Arabie input unit at the same time and the sentence “ S- ‘Schôn, Sie kennen zu lemen.’, ÎHdcp'i

3f^5T <rP11 l‘, and osjJS’ UN” may be input. Even in this case, ail of Korean, the symbol, German, Hindi, and Arabie may be simultaneously input without converting the character input unit even once.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate examples of a configuration of the miscellaneous key unit for setting a key related to the miscellaneous input by using a setting key. When the setting key 120 is input via the miscellaneous input unit, a miscellaneous list 121 for one or more keys related to the miscellaneous inputs including at least one of a numéral input unit 12a, a Symbol input unit 12b, a spécial character input unit 12c, an emoticon input unit 12d, an édition input unit 12g, a function input unit 12e, and a setting input unit 12f is displayed in a set area and sélection of the miscellaneous inputs is provided in the miscellaneous list 121 for registering, changing, or deleting the keys. For example, the miscellaneous input unit may display the numéral input unit 12a when “numéral” in the miscellaneous list 121 is selected.

FIG. 6B illustrâtes an example of displaying a spécial character input unit by pressing the setting key 120 and selecting the spécial character in the miscellaneous list 121.

In the présent disclosure, the miscellaneous input unit may be converted in an order in which the miscellaneous input unit is registered in the miscellaneous list 121, the key of the miscellaneous input which is frequently used may be previously set, the miscellaneous input units may be registered by changing the order of the miscellaneous input units according to a need of the user, and the miscellaneous input unit required by the user may be newly registered. Further, in the présent disclosure, according to the need of the user, the language input unit may be converted into the miscellaneous input unit and the miscellaneous input unit may be converted into the language input unit.

FIG. 6C illustrâtes an example of a configuration of converting the miscellaneous input unit in the slide scheme. The character input unit is changed to another miscellaneous input unit when a sliding input in a predetermined direction including up, down, left, and right is detected in a state in which a predetermined point in an area of the miscellaneous input unit is pressed down.

As illustrated in FIG. 6C, when the sliding input in the right direction is detected in a state in which a predetermined point in an area of the numéral input unit 12a is pressed down, the numéral input unit 12a is converted into the symbol input unit 12b to be displayed and when the sliding input is detected in the area of the symbol input unit 12b by the same scheme, the symbol input unit 12b is converted into the spécial character input unit 12c to be displayed.

In the character input unit, when the sliding input in the predetermined direction is detected in a state in which the predetermined point in the area of the miscellaneous input unit is pressed down, the miscellaneous input unit is converted in a set order in which the miscellaneous input unit is stored in the miscellaneous list 121.

For example, the character input unit may be converted into a forward miscellaneous input unit in the miscellaneous list 121 when the sliding input in the lower direction is detected in the upper and lower sliding input and converted into a reverse miscellaneous input unit in the miscellaneous list 121 when the sliding input in the upper direction is detected. Further, the character input unit may be converted into the forward miscellaneous input unit in the miscellaneous list 121 when the sliding input in the right direction is detected in the left and right sliding input and converted into the reverse miscellaneous input unit in the miscellaneous list 121 when the sliding input in the left direction is detected.

As described above, in the présent disclosure, since the language input unit or the miscellaneous input unit may be simply and rapidly converted into another language input unit or another type of miscellaneous input unit by pressing the language function key or the setting key, languages and other characters of various countries may be variously input and edited while converting the languages and other characters more rapidly and easily as well as two languages. By utilizing such a method, when two languages are input, while the language input units of two languages are at ail times displayed on the character input unit, the numerals, the symbols, the spécial characters, the emoticons, the functions, setting, édition, and the like may be variously utilized by converting the miscellaneous input unit from time to time as necessary to enhance input speeds of two languages and more rapidly and completely input two languages. The same is applied when two or more languages are input.

According to the présent disclosure, the user may change, register, or delete a character key of the language input unit or the miscellaneous input unit and data produced by the user may be registered and used like the character. For example, when the user presses the key of the language input unit or the miscellaneous input unit for a set time, the user may change the pressed key and register, change, and delete data produced or uploaded by the user. The set time may be 0.2 seconds or more.

FIGS. 7A to 7C illustrate examples of a configuration of converting an arrangement of the language input unit and when the language function key 100 is input via the character input unit, the character input unit displays the language list

110 for languages of various countries in the set area and allows language to be selected in the language list 110 for registering, changing, or deleting the language input unit.

For example, when the user deselects English in the language list 110, one language input unit composed of Korean is displayed as illustrated in FIG. 7B and when the user deselects Korean, one language input unit composed of English is displayed as illustrated in FIG. 7C while two language input units constituted by Korean and English are displayed as illustrated in FIG. 7A.

According to the présent disclosure, in the case where one language is primarily input while inputting the characters of two languages occurs, only one language input unit is displayed to increase visibility and perception of the language input unit and spatial utilization of the display is increased to enhance character input efficiency.

Further, according to the présent disclosure, only one language input unit is displayed to variously arrange various keys of the miscellaneous input unit. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 7B and 7C, the Symbol input unit 12b may be arranged at the left side of the language input unit, the numéral input unit 12a may be arranged at the right side of the language input unit, and the emoticon input units 12d may be arranged at both ends of the display. When the character input unit receives the sliding input in a predetermined direction including up, down, left, and right in a State in which a predetermined point in the area of the miscellaneous input unit is pressed down, the character input unit may be changed to another miscellaneous input unit. The emoticon input unit may be slid up or down or left or right to show various emoticons.

FIG. 8 illustrâtes an example of the configuration of a character input unit including four language input units and since the character input apparatus 1 includes four language input units, the character input apparatus 1 may be used in an information communication device having a larger liquid crystal display size than a 5 smart phone.

The character input unit 10 includes a language input unit composed of the Korean input unit 13, the English input unit 14, the Japanese input unit 16, and the Hindi input unit 17 and a miscellaneous input unit composed of the numéral input unit 12a and the emoticon input unit 12d and four languages may be rapidly and 10 efficiently input without language conversion while maintaining four languages without converting the character input unit when inputting four languages.

For example, the character input unit 10 may input a sentence o] <>ju] ;?]-?’ > ‘Where is the bus stop?’°]ül,

Φ^Ι ’ hT-]τΑ” Here, the character input unit 10 may rapidly, efficiently, and completely input the characters of four languages without language conversion and without converting the character input unit even once.

FIGS. 9A to 9D illustrate examples illustrating the configuration of a character input unit translating a character input into the language input unit 20 according to the first embodiment and when a translation key 140 is input via the character input unit 10 in a state in which the character is input via one language input unit, the character input via one language input unit is translated into languages corresponding to the other language input units.

The control unit 30 recognizes the inputs of two language input units at ail 25 times arranged in the character input unit 10, recognizes the input of the translation so that characters input via the miscellaneous input unit are displayed in the character display unit which is matched with the language input unit corresponding to the selected interlocking key if the characters are input via the miscellaneous input unit.

Claims (1)

1. 5 The character input apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

   a storage unit for storing at least one of input information including character information displayed on the character input unit, a program for executing the operation of the character input unit, and input information including data input via the character input unit.