WO2005053173A1

WO2005053173A1 - Digital information processing system having character input apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2005053173A1
Application number: PCT/KR2003/002575
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wang-Don Choi
Original assignee: Wang-Don Choi
Priority date: 2003-11-26
Filing date: 2003-11-26
Publication date: 2005-06-09
Also published as: AU2003284770A1

Abstract

A digital information processing device is disclosed. The digital information processing device includes consonant keys corresponding consonant groups, vowel keys corresponding to vowel groups, and a controller. The controller determines the key pressure patterns of the respective consonant keys to read the Hangeul codes related to the pressed keys from a memory and to display Hangeul corresponding to the read Hangeul codes on a LCD panel. According to the digital information processing device, similar-shaped consonants are assigned to one consonant key and similar-shaped vowels are assigned to one vowel key such that a user can easily remember the sound components assigned to the respective keys and that, even if the user does not remember the arrangement of the keys, he or she can instinctively determine the positions of the keys. Therefore, speed at which Hangeul is input increases. Furthermore, since a user needs not distinguish the method of inputting the initial sound components from the method of inputting the final sound components, the user can conveniently input characters.

Description

TITLE OF INVENTION

DIGITAL INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM HAVING CHARACTER INPUT APPARATUS

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a system for processing digital information in accordance with character information input from the outside, and more particularly, to a digital information processing system including a device for inputting characters such as Korean alphabets (Hangeul), Japanese alphabets (Hirakana) and English alphabets.

BACKGROUND ART

According to the "Hangeul Draft for Unified Spelling System", Hangeul consists of 19 initial sound components, 21 medium sound components, and 28 final sound components such that the theoretical number of characters created by combining the initial sound components, the medium sound components, and the final sound components with each other is 11 , 172 (that is, 19x21 x28). However, the number of commonly used characters is about 2,500. A commonly used completion type code or combination type code can create about 1 ,800 to 1,900 Korean characters. A computer system that is a representative digital information processing system includes a keyboard as an input device. The keyboard of the computer system includes 101 or more keys in which keys for

Korean consonants " π ", " ι_ ^», "tr ", " Ξ ", " U ", " a ", " A ", " o ", " x ", « ^ »₅ ^» _E ^» ₅ ^« 3 ^» ₅ .. ^ ^ .. ηη .^ «._tc ^»» ₎ ^»^ ^» ₅ " ", and 'W and Korean vowels " V ", " > ", " _η ", " =1 ", "a-", "-a-", "T", "TT", "— ", " 1 ", " H ", U ", Ηl ", and " A) " are also included in order to input Hangeul. Since each of a mobile telephone and a personal digital assistant (PDA) that are portable digital information processing systems includes about 15 keys, it is difficult to assign each of the vowels and the consonants to one key. Recently, according as mobile communication terminals are widespread, the mobile communication terminals are used as electronic organizers and for short message service (SMS) and wireless Internet. Therefore, methods of easily and rapidly inputting Hangeul using limited keys are provided. FIG. 1 illustrates a keypad of a "cheon-ji-in" method included in a conventional mobile communication terminal as an example. The keypad in the "cheon-ji-in" method is disclosed in Korean Patent Application No. 2000-41317 filed by Samsung Electronic Co., Ltd.. Referring to FIG. 1 , a keypad 10 includes 10 number keys corresponding to the numbers 1 to 0 and keys corresponding to * and #, respectively. For convenience sake, the respective keys included in the keypad 10 are named after the numbers assigned thereto. That is, the key to which the number 1 is assigned is referred to as the number 1 key. The consonants and the vowels for inputting Hangeul are assigned to the respective number keys. For example, " — " is assigned to the number 1 key. "." is assigned to the number 2 key. " 1 " is assigned to the number 3 key. " ^~ι " and " =i " are assigned to the number 4 key. " i- " and " Ξ " are assigned to the number 5 key. "τ= " and "ε " are assigned to the number 6 key. " t3 " and " s " are assigned to the number 7 key. " " and "^r " are assigned to the number 8 key. " " and " ^ " are assigned to the number 9 key. " " and "σ " are assigned to the number 0 key. The consonants are input such that, among the two consonants assigned to each key, the preceding consonant is input by pressing the corresponding key once for a short time and that the trailing consonant is input by continuously pressing the corresponding key twice (that is, by clicking the corresponding key twice). The vowels are input by combining the number 1 key, the number 2 key, and the number 3 key with each other. For example, the vowel " r " is input by continuously pressing " 1 " of the number 3 key and "." of the number 2 key and " ]= " is input by pressing the number 3 key and the number 2 key twice. Since the vowels are input using the three keys, the method of inputting Hangeul is simple and easily remembered. However, in order to input one vowel, a user must press keys many times. In particular, in cases of vowels such as "-41 ",

", and " 1 ", a user must press keys 4 to 5 times in order to input one vowel. For example, in a case of "il", a user must press keys 8 times in the order of the number 0 key, the number 0 key, the number 3 key, the number 2 key, the number 2 key, the number 1 key, the number 5 key, and the number 5 key. In a case of "≤ ", a user must press keys 5 times in the order of the number 7 key, the number 2 key, the number 3 key, the number 1 key, and the number 3 key. In a case of "≤fl ", a user must press keys 6 times in the order of the number 0 key, the number 2 key, the number 3 key, the number 1 key, the number 2 key, and the number 1 key. That is, a user must press keys many times in order to input one character. FIG. 2 illustrates a keypad of a "M^-i" 2000" method included in a conventional mobile communication terminal as an example. The keypad in the "^^ϋ" 2000" method is disclosed in Korean Patent Application 2000-51568 filed by LG Electronic Co., Ltd.. Referring to FIG. 2, a keypad 20 includes 10 number keys corresponding to the numbers 1 to 0 and keys corresponding to * and #, respectively. The consonants and the vowels for inputting Hangeul are assigned to the respective number keys. For example, " π " is assigned to the number 1 key. " ι_ " is assigned to the number 2 key. " Ξ " is assigned to the number 4 key. "u " is assigned to the number 5 key. " A " is assigned to the number 7 key. " c> " is assigned to the number 8 key. " f " and " -| " are assigned to the number 3 key. "_L" and " -" are assigned to the number 6 key. " 1 " is assigned to the number 9 key. " — " is assigned to the number 0 key. A writing over function is assigned to the * key and a fortis converting function is assigned to the # key. The consonants and the vowels that are not assigned to the number keys are input by the * key and the # key. For example, the consonant " =ι " is input by inputting " ^~ i " using the number 1 key and then, pressing the * key and "^~π " is input by inputting " i " using the number 1 key and then, pressing the # key. The vowel " ]= " is input by inputting " }^■ " using the number 3 key and then, pressing the * key and the vowel " H " is input by inputting " V " using the number 3 key, pressing the * key, and inputting " 1 " using the number 9 key. According to such a Hangeul input method, in order to input the consonants that are not assigned to the keys such as "τz "_} " u " " τ^; "₅ ^■ Λ - ' and "^"3^" ", a user must remember the consonants related to such consonants and must press keys three or more times in order to input the consonants " s ", " ^ ", "-& ", " rju ", "^", and "τc ^» and various diphthongs. For example, in a case of "^r", a user must press keys 4 times in the order of the number 7 key, the * key, the # key, and the number 3 key. In a case of " k", a user must press keys 7 times in the order of the number 5 key, the * key, the * key, the number 3 key, the number 2 key, the * key, and the * key. FIG. 3 illustrates a conventional keypad disclosed in Korean Patent Application No. 2002-9780 as another example. Referring to FIG. 3, one or two consonants and one vowel are assigned to each of the number keys corresponding to the numbers 1 to 0. A key 31 for a deleting function is additionally assigned. A spacing function is assigned to the # key. A method of inputting Hangeul using the keys arranged as described above is as follows. First, when each key is pressed in an initial sound component input state, one of the consonants assigned to each key is input. That is, among the two consonants assigned to each key, the consonant written in the upper portion of the key is input by clicking the key once and the consonant written in the lower portion of the key is input by clicking the key twice. In a case of the number 7 key to which one consonant is assigned, the consonant assigned to the key is input no matter how a user clicks the key. On the other hand, when each key is pressed in a vowel input state, each vowel assigned to each key is input. When the keys to which the vowels " } ", " _η ", " J-", "T", " π ", and " -fl " are assigned are double-clicked, the diphthongs " 1= ", " ", " i.", " TΓ", " r] ", and " \] " are input, respectively. However, according to such a keypad 30, since the consonants and the vowels coexist in one key, it must be distinguished whether the consonant that is input after a vowel is the final sound component of the currently input syllable or the initial sound component of the next syllable. Therefore, when the final sound component is input, a user must press the corresponding key for a predetermined or more time (for example, 0.3 to 0.5 second) or, during double click, must press the key longer in a second click. When the space key (that is, the # key) is pressed, the syllable is terminated and the process returns to the initial sound input state. As described above, a user must press each key by a predetermined method at the end of one syllable. Furthermore, according to the keypad 30, the consonants and the vowels are not consistently assigned such that it is difficult to learn the arrangement of the keys.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION An object of the present invention is directed to provide a digital information processing system capable of minimizing the number of times of pressing keys. Another object of the present invention is to provide a digital information processing system capable of letting a user easily distinguish the consonant keys from the vowel keys and easily remember the arrangements of the keys. Still another obj ect of the present invention is to provide a digital information processing system in which a user needs not distinguish the method of inputting the initial sound components from the method of inputting the final sound components. In order to accomplish the above objects of the present invention, a digital information processing device for processing character information input from the outsider comprises: consonant keys arranged corresponding to consonant groups; and vowel keys arranged corresponding to vowel groups. The device receives a consonant of the consonant group relevant to a key pressed with determining the kinds of the pressed keys for the consonant keys and receives a vowel of the vowel group relevant to a key pressed with determining the kinds of the pressed key for the vowel keys. In a preferred embodiment, the device further comprises a storage unit storing consonant codes corresponding to the consonant groups and vowel codes corresponding to the vowel groups. In a preferred embodiment, the device further comprises a display unit displaying the received consonant and vowel. In a preferred embodiment, the device further comprises a controller which receives a consonant of the consonant group relevant to a key pressed with determining the kinds of the pressed keys for the consonant keys and receives a vowel of the vowel group relevant to a key pressed with determining the kinds of the pressed key for the vowel keys. In a preferred embodiment, the controller reads a code relevant to the pressed key with determining the kinds of the consonant keys and displays a character corresponding to the read-out code on the display unit. In a preferred embodiment, the kinds of the pressed keys include a click, a double click, and a long click. In a preferred embodiment, the consonant groups comprise common consonants, fortes, and aspirates.. According to digital information processing device of the above- described structure, a group of consonants or a group of vowels are assigned to one key such that a user can input the consonants using his or her left hand and the vowels using his or her right hand using two thumbs with a device such as a mobile telephone in his or her two hands. Therefore, the user can input Hangeul as if he or she typewrites. Also, since the consonants and the vowels excluding 6 diphthongs are input by click, double click, and long click, it is possible to reduce the number of times of pressing keys. Therefore, it is possible to increase the speed at which Hangeul is input. Furthermore, according to the present invention, similar-shaped consonants are assigned to one consonant key and similar-shaped vowels are assigned to one vowel key such that a user can easily remember the sound components assigned to each key and that, even if the user does not remember the arrangement of the keys, he or she can instinctively determine the positions of the keys. According to the present invention, since a user needs not distinguish the method of inputting the initial sound components from the method of inputting the final sound components, the user can conveniently input characters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates a keypad in a "cheon-ji-in" method included in a conventional mobile communication terminal as an example; FIG. 2 illustrates a keypad in a "Narageul 2000" method included in a conventional mobile communication terminal as an example; FIG. 3 illustrates a conventional keypad disclosed in Korean Patent Application No. 2002-9780 as another example; FIG. 4 illustrates the external appearance of a mobile telephone according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the structure of the inner circuit of the mobile telephone illustrated in FIG. 4; FIGs. 6A to 6E illustrate a method of distinguishing short click, double click, long click, double click + long click, and long click + double click from each other in accordance with the patterns of pressing keys; FIG. 7 illustrates processes of controlling a processor in accordance with the clicks of keys; and FIG. 8 illustrates an example of controlling processes performed in the determination step illustrated in FIG. 7.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawing. FIG. 4 illustrates the external appearance of a mobile telephone according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, a mobile telephone 100 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel 110 and a keypad 120. The keypad 120 includes number keys corresponding to the numbers 1 to 0 and * and # keys. The consonants and the vowels for inputting Hangeul are assigned to the number keys and the * and # keys, respectively. In particular, a group of consonants are assigned to the keys corresponding to the numbers 1 , 4, 5, 7, 8, and 0 and *, respectively, and a group of vowels are assigned to the keys corresponding to the numbers 2, 3, 6, and 9 and #. Hereinafter, the group of consonants assigned to the respective keys is referred to as a consonant group and the group of vowels assigned to the respective keys is referred to as a vowel group. The consonants that can be easily associated with each other due to their similar shapes and the vowels that can be easily associated with each other due to their similar shapes are assigned to one consonant group and one vowel group, respectively, which will be described in detail. For example, a consonant group consisting of common consonants/fortes/aspirates is assigned to each of the number 1 key, the number 5 key, the number 7 key, the number 8 key, and the * key and each group of similar-shaped consonants is assigned to each of the number 4 key and the number 0 key. Therefore, when a user remembers the positions of the representative consonants, the user can easily find similar-shaped fortes and their positions. On the other hand, in a case of vowels, a vowel group consisting of common vowels (for example, " ")/vowels preceded by the pronunciation [j] (for example, " 1= ")/vowels with " 1 " added to the hind end (for example, " H ") is assigned to each key. Therefore, it is possible to input one vowel by pressing a key once. Also, like in the consonants, when a user remembers the positions of the representative vowels assigned to the respective keys, the user can easily input the similar-shaped remaining vowels. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the structure of the inner circuit of the mobile telephone 100 illustrated in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 5, the mobile telephone 100 includes the LCD panel 110, the keypad 120, a processor 130, and a memory 140. The keypad 120 transmits scan codes corresponding to pressed keys to the processor 130. When scan codes are input from the keypad 120, the processor 130 determines the kinds of the pressed keys and the patterns of pressing the keys from the input scan codes and generates combination type Hangeul codes corresponding to the determined kinds of keys and the determined patterns of pressing keys. The processor 130 generates completion type codes corresponding to the combination of the previously generated combination type Hangeul codes and the currently generated Hangeul codes with reference to the memory 140 to display Hangeul corresponding to the generated completion type codes on the LCD panel 110. For example, when the scan codes corresponding to " ι_ " and " f " are sequentially input from the keypad 120, the processor 130 does not determine that " !- V " is input but determines that "^" is input to display " " on the LCD panel 110. Referring to FIG. 4, the structure of the keypad according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention and a method of inputting sound components using the keypad will be described. The consonants and the vowels assigned to the respective number keys and a method of inputting the consonants and the vowels assigned to the respective number keys are described in TABLE 1.

[TABLE 1]

As noted from FIG. 4 and TABLE 1 , two or three consonants (consonant group) or vowels (vowel group) are assigned to each key of the keypad 120 and a user must press a key by one method among click, double click, and long click in order to input one of the consonant group or the vowel group assigned to the same key. For example, in order to input "^"^ .}", a user must long-click the number 0 key, double-click the number 6 key, click the number 4 key, click the * key, and click the number 3 key. The click excluding the double-click and the long-click represents short click. On the other hand, the diphthongs "4", "Jfl ", " ", ""Hi ", " _H ", and " 31 " are input by the combination of two vowel keys. The orders of pressing keys for inputting the 6 diphthongs are described in TABLE 2.

[TABLE 2]

As described above, a method of distinguishing the short click, the double click, and the long click from each other in accordance with the patterns of pressing keys is illustrated in FIGs. 6A to 6C. First, FIG. 6A illustrates the short click as an example. When a key is pressed at an arbitrary point of time and then, the key is not pressed for a predetermined time Tl , the processor 130 determines that the short click is performed. As illustrated in FIG. 6B, when the same key is continuously pressed twice within the predetermined time Tl , the processor 130 determines that the double click is performed. On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 6C, when a state in which a key is pressed continues for a longer time than a predetermined time T2, the processor 130 determines that the long click is performed. The controlling processes of the processor 130 in accordance with the respective clicks are illustrated in FIG. 7. In step S200, when a user presses any one of the keys included in the keypad 120, the keypad 120 transmits the scan code corresponding to the pressed key to the processor 130. The scan code corresponding to the pressed key is continuously transmitted to the processor 130 for the time the key is pressed. For example, when the number 1 key is pressed for a predetermined time t, the scan code corresponding to the number 1 key is transmitted to the processor 130 for the predetermined time t. In step S210, the processor 130 determines the kind of a pressed key and the pattern of pressing the key from the scan code input from the keypad 120. When it is determined in the step S210 that the pattern of pressing the key is the short click, the process proceeds to step S220 such that a first combination type code corresponding to the pressed key is generated. For example, when the scan code corresponding to the number 1 key is input, the processor 130 generates one code among the first combination type code corresponding to " -^| ", a second combination type code corresponding to "^~π ", and a third combination type code corresponding to " =ι ". When a user clicks the number 1 key for a short time, the processor 130 determines that " π " is input to generate the first combination type code corresponding to " π ". When it is determined in the step S210 that the pattern of pressing the key is the double-click, the process proceeds to step S230 such that a second combination type code corresponding to the pressed key is generated. For example, when a user double-clicks the number 1 key, the processor 130 determines that " τι " is input to generate the second combination type code corresponding to "τι ". When it is determined in the step S210 that the pattern of pressing the key is the long click, the process proceeds to step S240 such that the third combination code corresponding to the pressed key is generated. For example, when a user presses the number 1 key for a long time, the processor 130 determines that " =ι " is input to generate the third combination type code corresponding to " =ι ". In step S250, the processor 130 converts the generated combination type code into a corresponding completion type code. At this time, the converted completion type code varies according as the currently input sound component is an initial sound component, a medium sound component, or a final sound component. For example, when the currently input " ^~ι " is the initial sound component, the completion type code corresponding to " π " is generated. When the currently input " π " is the final sound component and " ^~i " and " " are sequentially input before " π " is input to generate "7}", the completion code corresponding to " (-" is generated. The above-described combination type Hangeul codes and completion type Hangeul codes are stored in the memory 140. In step S260, the processor 130 displays Hangeul corresponding to the generated completion type Hangeul codes on the LCD panel 110. Next, a method of inputting English alphabets according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described. Referring to FIG. 4, two or three English alphabets are assigned to the number 1 to 9 keys of the keypad 120. The alphabets assigned to the respective keys are input by click, double-click, and the long click like the Hangeul alphabets. TABLE 3 describes a method of inputting the alphabets assigned to the respective keys.

[TABLE 3]

A method of inputting Japanese characters according to the present invention is as follows. Hirakana characters are assigned to the keypad 120 of FIG. 4 as described in TABLE 4. For example, " * ", " ,> ", " ^■9 ", " *. ", and "is " are assigned to the number 1 key and one of the five Hirakana characters assigned to the number 1 key is input in accordance with the pattern of pressing the number 1 key. In order to input the Hirakana characters, since at most five Hirakana characters are assigned to one key, two key pressing methods are further required unlike the above-described methods of inputting Hangeul and the English alphabets. FIGs. 6D and 6E illustrate other patterns of pressing keys. FIG. 6D illustrates "double click + long click". That is, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, the same key is pressed twice within the predetermined time Tl such that the second key is pressed for a longer time than the predetermined time T2 to input "double click + long click". According to the embodiment, "double click + long click" is the method of pressing a key for selecting the fourth sound component among the sound components assigned to the key. For example, in order input a Japanese character, when a user performs "double click -I- long click" on the number 1 key, " Z. " is input to the processor 130. FIG. 6E illustrates "long click + double click". Referring to FIG. 6E, when a user presses a key for a longer time than the predetermined time T and then, presses the same key again within the predetermined time Tl , "long click + double click" is input. According to the embodiment, "long click + double click" is the method of pressing a key for selecting the fifth sound component among the sound components assigned to the key. For example, in order to input a Japanese character, a user performs "long click + double click" on the number 1 key, "is " is input. At this time, unlike in a case where the above-described three key pressing methods are used, in order to distinguish long click from "long click + double click", another key pressure must not occur within the predetermined time Tl after the long click. [TABLE 4]

FIG. 8 illustrates detailed controlling processes of determining the key pressing patterns by the determination step S210 illustrated in FIG. 7 when five sound components are assigned to one key. Referring to FIG. 8, in step S211, the processor 130 determines whether the scan code inputting time is longer than the predetermined time T2. As described above, the scan code corresponding to the pressed key is continuously transmitted to the processor 130 for the time the key is pressed. When it is determined that the scan code inputting time is longer than the predetermined time T2, the process proceeds to step S212. In the step S212, the processor 130 determines whether the same scan code is input again within the predetermined time Tl . When the same scan code is input again within the predetermined time Tl , the process proceeds to step S213 such that it is determined that the currently input pattern of pressing a key is "long click + double click". When the same scan code is not input within the predetermined time Tl , the process returns to the step S212 such that it is determined that the currently input pattern of pressing a key is "long click". When it is determined in the step S211 that the scan code inputting time is not longer than the predetermined time T2, the process proceeds to step S215. In the step S215, the processor 130 determines whether the same scan code is input again within the predetermined time T l . When the same scan code is input again within the predetermined time Tl , the process proceeds to step S216. In the step S216, the processor 130 determines whether the scan code inputting time is longer than the predetermined time T2. When it is determined that the scan code inputting time is longer than the predetermined time T2₅ the process proceeds to step S217 such that it is determined that the currently input pattern of pressing a key is "double click + long click". When it is determined that the scan code inputting time is not longer than the predetermined time T2, the process proceeds to step S218 such that it is determined that the currently input pattern of pressing a key is "double key". When it is determined in the step S215 that the same scan code is not input within the predetermined time Tl , the process proceeds to step S219 such that it is determined that the currently input pattern of pressing a key is "click". The processes of determining patterns of pressing a key are automatically performed by the processor 130. When the determination processes are completed, the process proceeds to the step S220 or S240 illustrated in FIG. 7. On the other hand, although not shown in FIG. , when five sound components are assigned to one key like in the Hirakana character, the processes of generating a fourth code and a fifth code corresponding to a pressed key are further required, which will not be described in detail since change in the embodiment related thereto is well known to those who skilled in the art. As described above, according to the key arrangement for inputting characters of the present invention, the number of times of pressing keys is remarkably reduced compared with the conventional technologies. In particular, when double click is considered as one key input, according to the present invention, all of the consonants can be input by one key input. In a case of the diphthongs, as described in FIG. 5, the number of times of pressing keys is remarkably reduced compared with the conventional technologies.

[TABLE 5] Number of Times of Pressing Keys Diphthong Present Cheon-ji-in Narageul 2000

As a detailed example, processes of inputting characters

i -" according to the present invention are compared with processes of inputting the same characters according to the conventional technologies as follows.

As noted from TABLE 6, according to the key inputting method of the present invention, it is possible to remarkably reduce the number of times of pressing-keys compared with the conventional technologies. In particular, according to the "cheon-ji-in" inputting method, since a user must input the vowels using " 1 ", ".", and " — ", a user must press keys many times in the case of the diphthongs. According to the "Narageul 2000" inputting method, since a user must press the over-writing functional key and the paralleling functional key further in order to input fortes and aspirates, the number of times of pressing keys increases. On the other hand, according to Korean Application No. 2000- 9780, since the consonants and the vowels coexist in one key, first click and double click are determined as consonants and the next click and the next double click are determined as vowels. However, according to such a method, it is not possible to determine whether the consonant input after a vowel is the final sound component or the initial sound component of the next syllable such that it is necessary to distinguish the method of inputting the initial sound component from the method of inputting the final sound component. For example, in order to input "

_a user must click the number 7 key (" £> "), long and doubleclick the number 7 key (" 31 "), double-click the number 5 key (" WVJ "), long click the number 5 key (" — "), click the number 9 key C'^ "), and long-click the number 6 key (" V "). As described above, a user must long and double-click keys in order to input the final vowels of the respective syllables instead of double-clicking the keys and must long- click the keys instead of clicking the keys. That is, according to the technology of Korean Application No. 2000-9780, since a user must click, long-click, double-click, and long and double-click according as the user terminates the syllable, it is very confusing. However, according to the present invention, since the consonants and the vowels are assigned to different keys, it is not confusing. In order to input "IT Til " by the "cheon-ji-in" method, a user must input "711 " after inputting " " and then, pressing a functional key (a direction key) to move a cursor to the next position. When the user continuously presses "7ll " without pressing the functional key (direction key) after inputting "w", it is determined that the key " π " is pressed twice such that "-ir ^ll " is input. On the other hand, according to the present invention, a consonant to be input is determined at the moment where a key is pressed by the click method, the double click method, or the long click method. Therefore, an input final sound component is not affected by the initial sound component of the next syllable. While this invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. As described above, according to the present invention, a group of consonants or a group of vowels are assigned to one key such that a user can input the consonants using his or her left hand and the vowels using his or her right hand using two thumbs with a device such as a mobile telephone in his or her two hands. Therefore, the user can input Hangeul as if he or she typewrites. Also, since the consonants and the vowels excluding 6 diphthongs are input by click, double click, and long click, it is possible to reduce the number of times of pressing keys. Therefore, it is possible to increase the speed at which Hangeul is input. Furthermore, according to the present invention, similar-shaped consonants are assigned to one consonant key and similar-shaped vowels are assigned to one vowel key such that a user can easily remember the sound components assigned to each key and that, even if the user does not remember the arrangement of the keys, he or she can instinctively determine the positions of the keys. According to the present invention, since a user needs not distinguish the method of inputting the initial sound components from the method of inputting the final sound components, the user can conveniently input characters.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is applicable to a system for processing digital information in accordance with character information input from the outside, including a device for inputting characters such as Korean alphabets (Hangeul), Japanese alphabets (Hirakana), and English alphabets.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS :

1. A digital information processing device for processing character information input from the outsider, the digital information processing device comprising: consonant keys arranged corresponding to consonant groups; and vowel keys arranged corresponding to vowel groups, wherein the device receives a consonant of the consonant group relevant to a key pressed with determining the kinds of the pressed keys for the consonant keys and receives a vowel of the vowel group relevant to a key pressed with determining the kinds of the pressed key for the vowel keys.

2. The digital information processing device as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising a storage unit storing consonant codes corresponding to the consonant groups and vowel codes corresponding to the vowel groups.

3. The digital information processing device as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising a display unit displaying the received consonant and vowel.

4. The digital information processing device as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising a controller which receives a consonant of the consonant group relevant to a key pressed with determining the kinds of the pressed keys for the consonant keys and receives a vowel of the vowel group relevant to a key pressed with determining the kinds of the pressed key for the vowel keys.

5. The digital information processing device as set forth in one of claims 2 through 4, wherein the controller reads a code relevant to the pressed key with determining the kinds of the consonant keys and displays a character corresponding to the read-out code on the display unit.

6. The digital information processing device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the kinds of the pressed keys includes a click, a double click, and a long click.

7. The digital information processing device as set forth in claim

6, wherein the kinds of the pressed keys further includes the long click + the double click, and the double click + the long click.

8. The digital information processing device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the consonant groups comprise common consonants, fortes, and aspirates.