WO2012057585A2

WO2012057585A2 - Character input method and apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2012057585A2
Application number: PCT/KR2011/008182
Authority: WO
Inventors: 이창건; 권오철; 김강욱; 위경수; 한재화; 박명곤; 이두희; 김종찬; 김주성; 정상민
Original assignee: 서울대학교산학협력단
Priority date: 2010-10-29
Filing date: 2011-10-31
Publication date: 2012-05-03
Also published as: WO2012057585A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a character input method and apparatus, and more particularly, to a character input method and apparatus using a touch panel used in small electronic devices.

Description

Character input method and device

The present invention relates to a character input method and apparatus, and to a character input method and apparatus using a touch panel used in a small electronic device.

In a conventional small electronic device such as a portable terminal, a QWERTY keyboard or a keypad shape is output on a touch screen as it is instead of having a keypad of a type so that a user may conveniently input a character to be input. Examples of such small electronic devices include smart phones, tablet PCs, electronic notebooks, mobile communication terminals and PDAs.

On the other hand, recently, due to the trend toward miniaturization of portable terminals, the size of the touch screen has also been reduced. In this case, the keyboard output on the touch screen is also output in a small size, making it difficult for a user to input characters accurately. That is, a user may incorrectly input another key instead of a key to be input. In this case, the user performs an operation for correcting an incorrectly input character. In general, an error correction key such as a backspace bar is canceled to cancel an incorrectly input character, and then the correct key is pressed again.

In this case, the occurrence of a typo is a phenomenon in which a typo occurrence rate for random keys among the keys is not constant, and a typo occurrence rate for a specific key is high or low. This phenomenon may cause a high rate of typos for specific keys depending on the postures or habits of people carrying small electronic devices and the body structure of the user in such a posture. That is, even when the rate of occurrence of a typo is consistent or high according to a specific user, the input process of the touch pad may be inefficient in some users because the user interface of the general character input device is the same.

In addition, a user may use a specific vocabulary or a word a lot, and accordingly, an input frequency for each key may be changed in the keypad. Even in this case, a keypad that provides a uniform interface may be inefficient depending on the user.

The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the prior art and the need for technology development, and an object thereof is to provide a character input method and apparatus that can provide an interface of the keypad optimized according to the user. .

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a character input method using a touch panel having a keypad formed on a display surface, the method comprising: calculating a user's touch pattern for each key of the keypad; And selecting a target key to be a region change according to the touch pattern, and changing an input range of the target key.

In a preferred embodiment, the touch pattern is a typo input number for each of the keys.

In a preferred embodiment, the number of typing errors is calculated as the number of inputs entered later after the cancellation of a previously input key.

In a preferred embodiment, the number of typing errors is calculated as the number of inputs after the input of neighboring keys for each of the keys is cancelled.

In a preferred embodiment, a key exceeding a predetermined threshold typo input number is selected as the target key and the input range of the target key is changed.

In a preferred embodiment, a key exceeding the predetermined number of critical typographical inputs is selected as the target key, and the input range of the target key is extended and changed, and the touch key touched by the user with respect to the neighboring key is constant. The input range of the target key is expanded by adding or subtracting a certain distance to the x-axis coordinate, the y-axis coordinate, or the x-axis and the y-axis coordinates of the vertex of the target key adjacent to the touch coordinate exceeding a threshold number of touches.

In a preferred embodiment, a key exceeding the predetermined number of critical typographical inputs is selected as the target key, and the input range of the target key is extended and changed, and the touch key touched by the user with respect to the neighboring key is constant. The input range of the target key may be extended by adding or subtracting a predetermined distance to the x-axis coordinates or the y-axis coordinates of the edge of the target key adjacent to the touch coordinate exceeding the threshold number of touches, respectively.

In a preferred embodiment, the target key is extended so that touch coordinates exceeding the threshold number of touches are included in an input range of the target key.

In a preferred embodiment, a key exceeding a predetermined number of critical typographical inputs is selected as the target key, and the input range of the target key is changed by moving a position while maintaining the width of the target key, wherein the target key is changed. The position of the input range of the target key is changed by moving a center coordinate of the target key in a direction of a touch coordinate that exceeds a certain threshold number of touches among touch coordinates touched by the user with respect to the neighboring key.

In a preferred embodiment, the touch pattern is the number of stroke input for each of the keys.

In a preferred embodiment, the number of hitting input may be calculated as the number of inputs not corrected by the back space key after the input for each of the keys.

In a preferred embodiment, a key exceeding a predetermined number of critical hits is selected as the target key and the input range of the target key is changed.

In an exemplary embodiment, the target key may be an x-axis coordinate, a y-axis coordinate, or an x-axis and y-axis coordinate of a vertex adjacent to a touch coordinate that exceeds a predetermined threshold touch number among touch coordinates touched by the user with respect to the target key. The input range of the target key is extended by adding or subtracting a certain distance to the target key.

In a preferred embodiment, the target key has a constant distance to touch coordinates exceeding a certain threshold number of touch touches among the touch coordinates touched by the user with respect to the target key, and to x-axis coordinates or y-axis coordinates of adjacent corners, respectively. By adding or subtracting, the input range of the target key is expanded.

In a preferred embodiment, the touch coordinates touched by the user are outer touch coordinates that are separated by a predetermined distance from the center coordinate of the target key.

In a preferred embodiment, the target key exceeds a predetermined number of threshold touches among touch coordinates touched by the user with respect to the target key while maintaining the width of the input range of the target key. The distance of the input range is changed by moving a certain distance toward the touch coordinate.

In addition, the present invention is a touch panel having a keypad arranged with keys for input of characters and the like; A controller which senses a touch of the keys and performs a function such as displaying a corresponding character; A touch pattern calculator configured to calculate a user's touch pattern for each of the keys; And a correction unit for selecting a target key to be changed in accordance with the touch pattern and changing an input range of the target key.

In a preferred embodiment, the touch pattern calculator calculates a typo input number for each of the keys as the touch pattern.

In a preferred embodiment, the sensing unit is formed on the surface of the touch panel, for detecting an external pressure or voltage, etc .; A position extracting unit which grasps a position where a pressure or voltage detected by the detecting unit is generated; A data mapping unit which is included in the control unit and maps the types of the keys and data for function processing corresponding to the keys according to position coordinates on the touch panel detected by the position extraction unit; And an image processor included in the controller and configured to control a keypad and an image output displayed on a display screen of the touch panel, wherein the correction unit: a storage unit that records a number of typos input for each of the keys. ; A keypad image corrector configured to select a key exceeding a threshold typo input number among the keys as the target key and change an input range of the target key; And a coordinate corrector configured to correct the position coordinates of the data mapping unit according to the input range of the changed target keys.

In an exemplary embodiment, the touch pattern calculator calculates the number of typo inputs as the number of inputs after canceling an input of a neighboring key with respect to each of the keys, and the keypad image corrector calculates a user's response to the neighboring key. The input range of the target key is adjusted by adding or subtracting a certain distance to the x-axis coordinate, the y-axis coordinate, or the x-axis and the y-axis coordinates of the vertex of the target key adjacent to the touch coordinate exceeding a predetermined threshold touch number among the touched coordinates. Expand

In an exemplary embodiment, the touch pattern calculator calculates the number of typo inputs as the number of inputs after canceling an input of a neighboring key with respect to each of the keys, and the keypad image corrector calculates a user's response to the neighboring key. The input range of the target key may be extended by adding or subtracting a predetermined distance to the x-axis coordinates or the y-axis coordinates of the edge of the target key adjacent to the touch coordinate exceeding a predetermined threshold touch number among the touched coordinates. .

In an exemplary embodiment, the keypad image corrector expands the target key such that touch coordinates exceeding the threshold number of touches are included in an input range of the target key.

In an exemplary embodiment, the touch pattern calculator calculates the number of typo inputs as the number of inputs after canceling the input of a neighboring key with respect to each of the keys, and the keypad image corrector inputs a width of an input range of the target key. While maintaining the, change the input range by moving the position, a constant distance in the direction of the touch coordinates exceeding a certain threshold number of touch coordinates among the touch coordinates touched by the user with respect to the neighboring key to the center coordinates of the target key The position of the input range of the target key may be changed by moving.

In a preferred embodiment, the touch pattern calculator calculates the number of stroke input for each of the keys as the touch pattern.

In a preferred embodiment, the sensing unit is formed on the surface of the touch panel, for detecting an external pressure or voltage, etc .; A position extracting unit which grasps a position where a pressure or voltage detected by the detecting unit is generated; A data mapping unit which is included in the control unit and maps the types of the keys and data for function processing corresponding to the keys according to position coordinates on the touch panel detected by the position extraction unit; And an image processor included in the controller and configured to control a keypad and an image output displayed on a display screen of the touch panel, wherein the correction unit: a storage unit that records the number of stroke inputs for each of the keys. ; A keypad image corrector which selects a key exceeding a number of times of critical hitting among the keys as the target key and extends an input range of the target key; And a coordinate corrector configured to correct the position coordinates of the data mapping unit according to the input range of the extended target keys.

In an exemplary embodiment, the keypad image corrector may include an x-axis coordinate, a y-axis coordinate, or x of a vertex of the target key adjacent to touch coordinates exceeding a predetermined threshold number of touch touches among touch coordinates touched by the user with respect to the target key. The input range of the target key is extended by adding or subtracting a certain distance to the axis and y-axis coordinates.

The keypad image corrector may include x-axis coordinates or y-axis coordinates of an edge of the target key adjacent to touch coordinates exceeding a predetermined threshold number of touch coordinates among touch coordinates touched by the user with respect to the target key. The input range of the target key can be extended by adding or subtracting a predetermined distance to each.

In an exemplary embodiment, the keypad image corrector may change the input range of the target key by moving a position while maintaining the width of the input range of the target key, and changing the center coordinates of the target key with respect to the target key. The position of the input range of the target key may be changed by moving a predetermined distance in the direction of the touch coordinates exceeding a certain threshold number of touches among the touch coordinates touched by the user.

The present invention also provides a method of determining a press area of a specific character key when a press event occurs for a specific character key of a keyboard displayed on a touch screen of a small electronic device, and displaying a character assigned to the specific character key. And canceling the display of the letter assigned to the specific letter key and determining the press area of the specific letter key when a press event for the error correction key of the keyboard occurs. A method of inputting a character in a small electronic device, the method comprising expanding and displaying at least one other character key among a plurality of other character keys provided around a key on the screen.

In a preferred embodiment, the step of determining the press area of the specific character key, the region of the specific character key displayed on the touch screen screen is divided into a plurality of areas and any one of the plurality of areas are pressed And determining that at least one other character key among a plurality of other character keys provided around the specific character key is enlarged on the screen. It is a process of enlarging and displaying on the screen.

The present invention also provides a sensing unit for detecting a press area of a specific character key and an error correction key provided on a touch screen keyboard of a small electronic device, and a character assigned to a key detected by the sensing unit on a screen. At least one of a display controller for displaying and a plurality of other character keys provided around the press area of the specific character key when the press event for the error correction key is canceled. A character input device including a control unit for controlling to enlarge and display another character key on the screen is provided.

In a preferred embodiment, the sensing unit is a touch panel.

In a preferred embodiment, further comprising a storage unit for storing the program information for the other character key surrounding the press area of the specific character key, the control unit is stored in the storage unit when the press event for the error correction key occurs Controls the enlarged display of the different character keys on the screen according to the program information on the surrounding other character keys.

In a preferred embodiment, the program information for the surrounding other character keys stored in the storage unit is information about up, down, left or right character keys adjacent to the press area of the specific character key.

According to the character input method and apparatus of the present invention as described above, by changing the shape, shape or position of each key of the QWERTY keypad displayed as an image on the touch panel according to the user's habits or characteristics, optimized for the user This has the effect of providing an interface.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a character input device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 and 3 are views for explaining an example in which a user inputs a typo when using a keypad in an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is an example of an interface of a character input apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

5 to 8 is an example of a character input method according to an embodiment of the present invention,

9 to 12 is another example of a character input method according to an embodiment of the present invention,

13 is a view showing a character input device of a small electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

14 and 15 illustrate keyboards displayed on a display screen of a small electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

16 is a flowchart illustrating a method of inputting a character through the character input device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

17 is an operation state diagram for explaining a character input method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

18 is a flowchart illustrating a character input method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The terms used in the present invention were selected as general terms as widely used as possible, but in some cases, the terms arbitrarily selected by the applicant are included. In this case, the meanings described or used in the detailed description of the present invention are considered, rather than simply the names of the terms. The meaning should be grasped.

Hereinafter, with reference to the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings will be described in detail the technical configuration of the present invention.

However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein and may be embodied in other forms. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the specification.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a character input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a character input device according to an embodiment of the present invention is located at a position where a touch panel 100 including a keypad 120 for text input on a display surface and a position where external pressure is sensed on the touch panel 100 are detected. Therefore, the control unit 500 controlling to perform a unique function, the touch pattern calculator 300 for calculating a user's touch pattern for each key of the keypad 120, and the touch pattern calculator 300 are calculated. The correction unit 400 corrects the operation of the control unit 500 according to the touch pattern.

In addition, since the character input method according to an embodiment of the present invention is performed through the character input apparatus, it will be described together with the description of the character input apparatus.

The touch panel 100 is an input device that senses an external contact applied to a position of each key of a keypad displayed on the screen, and processes a specific function accordingly, and includes a sensing unit 110 for detecting an external contact. Equipped.

In addition, the touch panel 100 may include a display that displays a keypad on a screen and displays a state and a result according to an input or a function of each key, and the touch panel 100 and the display are one touch. It may be implemented as a touch screen.

In addition, the keypad 120 may be implemented in the form of various known keypads, such as a QWERTY keypad.

In addition, the keypad 120 is a keyboard displayed as an image on the touch panel 100 and is distinguished from a keypad implemented as a separate hardware such as a computer keypad.

In addition, the character input device of the present invention may further include a position extraction unit 200 for detecting the position where the pressure or voltage detected by the sensing unit 110 of the touch panel 100.

In addition, the location extractor 200 extracts a location in a different manner according to the method of the touch panel 100, for example, a resistive film method, an ultrasonic reflection method, a capacitance method, and an infrared light method.

For example, in the case of the resistive film method, the position extractor 200 receives a signal for detecting a contact position when a contact occurs and calculates a position by detecting an electrical signal according to the contact. In the case of the ultrasonic reflection method using the piezoelectric element, the position extraction unit 200 may calculate the position by generating the surface waves alternately in the X and Y directions and calculating the time when the reflected waves return.

In addition, the capacitive position extractor 200 may calculate a position by recognizing a portion where the amount of current is changed when a specific portion of the human body contacts a glass surface through which a certain amount of current flows.

In addition, the infrared light position extraction unit 200 may calculate the position of the blocked portion when the ray is blocked by the contact of the human body using the straightness of the infrared ray.

The controller 500 performs a specific operation process mapped to the touch position detected by the position extractor 200.

To this end, the controller 500 may include an image processor 510 and a data mapper 520.

In addition, the data mapping unit 520 is mapped to respective coordinate data on the effective display surface or the operation surface of the touch panel 100 to generate information for generating a specific event when each coordinate is touched to store information for realizing a function. .

In this case, when displaying an image on a touch panel in which an operation by external contact is integrated with a display screen, the image processing unit 510 may display a text or an image corresponding to a position detected by the position extraction unit 200. As detected by the mapping unit 520, the touch panel 100 may control to display an image.

The touch pattern calculator 300 calculates a touch pattern of a user for each of the keys of the keypad 120.

In addition, the touch pattern may be calculated as a typo input number for each of the keys.

In addition, the number of typing errors may be calculated as the number of times each key is input after correction using the "backspace" key in the process of inputting each key. Only when the canceled key is a neighboring key, the number of typos may be calculated for each key.

For example, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the keypad 120 may include a character key 10 for inputting a specific character or image, a screen switch key 30 for keypad screen switching, or a “back” for character correction. The space "key 20 may be a keypad screen.

First, when a user sequentially inputs a key corresponding to "w, o, r, l, f" among the character keys 10, the character of "worlf" is displayed on the input bar 130. The cursor 50 for input is displayed in a waiting state for the next syllable.

However, if the word "worlf" entered as described above is incorrectly entered in the character key 10 while the user enters the word "world", the user may use the "backspace" key 20 to " After "f" is deleted, "d" is newly written and corrected.

In other words, the user entered a typo in the first "d" key. When the character input device according to the present invention incorrectly inputs a key to be initially input as described above, the character input device assumes that a typo has been input for the corresponding key, and calculates the number of typos.

In other words, in the case of the above example, the number of typing errors is accumulated and calculated for the key "d".

In addition, when the number of typing errors of the key "d" exceeds the predetermined threshold number of typing errors, the key "d" is selected as a target key and the input range of the key "f" is changed.

In addition, as described above, the number of typing errors of the key “d” may be accumulated and calculated only when the deleted key “f” is a key neighboring the key “d”.

For example, if you type the text "world is" and then correct it as "world was", this is due to a misunderstanding or change in the user's consciousness. Because they can match.

That is, the key "i" for inputting "is" and the key "w" for inputting "was" in the keypad of FIG. 2 or 3 are not adjacent to each other and are separated from each other. This can be regarded as a case in which the input vocabulary is later corrected rather than entered incorrectly with the original intention.

In other words, even if the character is corrected using the "backspace" key, a case may occur due to a misunderstanding of the consciousness rather than a simple input error. In this case, expanding the key corresponding to the newly corrected and input character is necessary. The intention may be different from the input convenience of the user.

Therefore, the number of typos may be accumulated only when the keys adjacent to each other in the vertical, vertical, horizontal, or diagonal directions of each key are deleted after being deleted by the "backspace" key 20.

In addition, the touch pattern calculator 300 may calculate the number of inputs of the keys, that is, the number of hitting inputs, as the touch pattern.

The reason is to display a keypad that is easy to use according to the user's input tendency by selecting an frequently used key as a target key and extending the input range.

In addition, a detailed description of the shape change of the target key will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 10.

The corrector 400 adjusts the keypad screen with respect to a key having a large number of typos or a number of hits.

In addition, referring to FIG. 4, the corrector 400 selects a key for which the number of typing errors or the number of hitting inputs exceeds a predetermined threshold typing count or a critical hitting number as a target key (“D” key). Then, the input range of the target key is expanded.

In addition, although FIG. 4 illustrates that the input range of a neighboring key (“F” key) whose input is canceled by the “backspace” key is reduced, the neighboring key is not reduced and the target key is the neighboring key. It can also be extended by the space between and.

In other words, if the occurrence of typos or hits is high for a particular key, it is considered to be repetitive according to the user's habit or posture, and the keypad screen is adjusted to facilitate the input of a specific key with a large number of typos or hits. .

In addition, the target key may be selected as a key in which the number of typing errors or the number of hitting inputs exceeds an absolute threshold number. However, the target key may be selected by a relative ratio of the number of typing errors or the number of typing inputs between the keys of the keypad.

In addition, the corrector 400 may include a storage unit 430 for recording the number of typos or the number of hits, a keypad image corrector 410 for correcting a key input range, and a corrected key input range. It may include a coordinate corrector 420 for correcting the position coordinates for the.

In addition, the keypad image corrector 410 adjusts the display screen to enlarge a target key having a large number of typos or slugging inputs on the standardized keypad 120 screen shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

In addition, the keypad image correction unit 410 adjusts the screen of the keypad 120 by controlling the image processing unit 510 of the control unit 500 to enlarge the screen output of the target key in the image correction unit 410 Can be done.

In addition, the coordinate correction unit 420 adjusts the coordinate input range of the enlarged target key when the target key is enlarged.

In more detail, the coordinate corrector 420 corrects the character input range of the “D” key stored in the data mapping unit 500 of the controller 500 to be an enlarged input range.

Hereinafter, a method of selecting the target key and changing the shape of the target key by the correction unit 400 will be described in detail.

5 to 7 show an example of changing the shape of the target key in which the number of typing errors exceeds the threshold number of typing errors.

In FIG. 5, a first key k1 and a second key k2 adjacent to each other are illustrated, and a user attempts to input the first key k1, but inputs the second key k2. do.

In this case, the user cancels the input of the second key k2 using the backspace key and inputs the first key k1, and the number of typos of the first key k1 is accumulated.

Here, the touch coordinates in which the user touches the second key k2 may be calculated together with the number of typos. In this case, the touch pattern calculator 300 may be calculated by the location extractor 200. The measured touch coordinates are further transmitted to the corrector 400.

In addition, when the number of typographical inputs of the first key k1 exceeds the number of critical typographical inputs, the first key k1 is selected as a target key, and the input range of the first key k1 is extended.

6 illustrates an example of extending an input range of the first key k1, wherein an input range of the first key k1 is a predetermined threshold among all touch coordinates of the second key k2. An edge e1 of the first key k1 adjacent to the touch coordinate t exceeding the number of touches is extended.

More specifically, the input range of the first key k1 is extended by adding a constant distance Δx to the x-axis coordinates or the y-axis coordinates of the edge e1 of the first key k1.

In addition, the extended input range of the first key k1 may be extended to include the touch coordinate t.

In addition, a predetermined distance Δx is also added to the edge e1 of the second key k2 adjacent to the edge e1 of the first key k1, so that the first key k2 is the first key ( As k1) is expanded, the area can be reduced.

However, when the entire corner of the first key k1 is extended, the corners facing the second key k2 among the corners of the first key k1 are simply calculated without calculating the touch coordinate t. May be extended toward the second key k2.

Further, among the x-axis coordinates and the y-axis coordinates of the edge e1 of the first key k1, the coordinate to which a constant distance Δx is added is the second key k2 is the first key k1. Depends on the direction in which

As shown in FIG. 6, when the second key k2 is located to the right of the first key k1, the edge e1 of the first key k1 is the right edge of the first key k1. Since a constant distance Δx is added to the x-axis coordinates so that the first key k1 extends to the right.

However, when the second key k2 is located to the left of the first key k1, the first key k1 is subtracted by a certain distance from the x-axis coordinates of the left edge of the first key k1. ) Should expand to the left.

In addition, when the second key k2 is positioned below the first key k1, a predetermined distance is added to the y-axis coordinates of the lower edge of the first key k1 to add the first key k1. ) Should be extended downward, and if the upper limb second key k2 is located above the first key k1, a constant distance may be set to the y-axis coordinates of the upper edge of the first key k1. In addition, the first key k1 should be extended upward.

FIG. 7 is another example of extending the input range of the first key k1. As compared with FIG. 6, the entire corner of the first key k1 is not extended, but at least one vertex is extended.

Also, the input range of the first key k1 may be the x-axis coordinate or the y-axis coordinate of the vertex a1 of the first key k1 adjacent to the touch coordinate t of the second key k2 or A constant distance Δx is added to the x-axis and y-axis coordinates, and connected with other adjacent vertices to expand the input range of the first key k1.

In this case, it is preferable to extend the touch coordinate t to be included in the input range of the first key k1.

In addition, a predetermined distance Δx is also added to a vertex a2 of the second key k2 adjacent to the vertex a1 of the first key k1 to reduce the input range of the second key k2. This is preferred.

In addition, since the direction in which the vertex a1 of the first key k1 extends is substantially the same as the direction in which the corners extend in FIG. 6, description thereof will be omitted.

Therefore, the typing error can be reduced by extending the input range of the target key with respect to the typing error that may occur according to the size or input posture of the user's hand.

In addition, FIG. 8 illustrates an example of changing the position of an input range of a target key while maintaining the shape and width of the target key rather than changing the shape of the target key whose number of typos has exceeded the threshold number of typos. will be.

That is, as described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, a method of reducing the possibility of a user typo by changing the position of the input range instead of changing the shape or shape to expand the input range of the first key k1. to be.

More specifically, while maintaining the width and shape of the first key k1, the center coordinate c is moved by a constant distance Δx, Δy in the direction of the touch coordinate t of the second key k2. The position of the input range of the first key k1 is changed.

For example, the position of the input range may be changed by adding a predetermined distance to all coordinates of the first key k1 by the distance Δx, Δy of the center coordinate c of the first key k1. have.

However, when the function processing data stored in the data mapping unit 520 is mapped to the coordinates of the corners of the first key k1 or the coordinates of the vertices, the corners or vertices of the first key k1. The position of the input range of the first key k1 may be changed by adding the distances Δx and Δy at which the central coordinate c is moved to the coordinates of the two.

In other words, the coordinates of the first key k1 are added to the coordinates of the first key k1 stored in the data mapping unit 520 by adding the distances Δx and Δy from which the central coordinate c is moved. After updating, save.

9 to 11 show an example of changing the shape of the target key in which the number of hitting inputs exceeds the number of critical hits.

9 illustrates a first key k1 and a second key k2 adjacent to each other, and a user intends to input the first key k1 and touches the first key k1 to input the first key k1. It is assumed that the vicinity of the edge of the second key k1 is touched.

In this case, when the user inputs the first key k1, the probability of touching the second key k2 becomes high, and there is a possibility of a typographical input. Therefore, it is necessary to change the input range of the first key k1. will be.

In addition, when the first key k1 is input, the number of hitting inputs for the first key k1 is accumulated, and the number of hitting inputs for the first key k1 may exceed the number of critical hits. In this case, the first key k1 is selected as the target key.

Here, the touch coordinates in which the user touches the first key k1 may be calculated together with the number of hitting inputs. In this case, the touch pattern calculator 300 may be calculated by the position extractor 200. The measured touch coordinates are transmitted to the corrector 400.

In addition, the touch coordinates may be calculated with respect to the outer touch coordinates t2 spaced apart from the center coordinates of the first key k1 by a predetermined critical distance c, and the specific outer touch coordinates t2 determine the number of threshold touches. When exceeding, the first key k1 may be selected as a target key.

That is, the first key k1 is input more than the number of times of critical stroke input, and among the outer touch coordinates touched by the first key k1, an outer touch coordinate t2 exceeding the number of times of critical touch occurs. In this case, the first key k1 is selected as a target key and extends an input range of the first key k1.

In addition, FIG. 10 illustrates an example of expanding the first key k1. The edge e1 ′ of the first key k1 adjacent to the outer touch coordinate t2 of the first key k1 is illustrated. A constant distance Δx is added to the x-axis coordinates so that the input range of the first key k1 is expanded.

Here, the input range of the second key k1 may be reduced by the extended input range of the first key k1.

In addition, in FIG. 10, since the outer touch coordinate t2 is adjacent to the right edge of the first key k1, the constant touch coordinate t2 is extended by adding a constant distance Δx to the x-axis coordinates. When adjacent to the left edge of the first key k1, the input range of the first key k1 is extended by subtracting a constant distance Δx from the x-axis coordinates of the left edge of the first key k1. shall.

In addition, when the outer touch coordinate t2 is adjacent to an upper edge or a lower edge of the first key k1, a constant distance Δx is subtracted from the y-axis coordinate of the upper edge, or y of the lower edge. A constant distance Δx should be added to the axis coordinates so that the input range of the first key k1 is expanded.

In addition, although only the right edge e1 ′ of the first key k1 is illustrated in FIG. 10, the right edge e1 ′ and the bottom edge of the first key k1 may be extended at the same time. .

That is, the input range of the first key k1 may be extended by simultaneously extending two corners that form vertices among the corners of the first key k1 and adjacent to the outer touch coordinate t2. .

FIG. 11 is another example of extending the input range of the first key k1, and extends a vertex rather than extending an edge of the first key k1 as compared to the input range expansion method of FIG. 10.

That is, a vertex of the first key k1 is added by adding a predetermined distance Δx to the x-axis coordinate or y-axis coordinate of the vertex a1 ′ adjacent to the outer touch coordinate t2 and connecting to other vertices. To expand.

In this case, since only a part of the second key k2 may be reduced and the input range of the first key k1 may be extended, the first key k1 may be minimized while minimizing the possibility of a typo input of the second key k2. ) Has the advantage of extending the input range.

In addition, since the direction in which the vertex a1 ′ adjacent to the outer touch coordinate t2 is extended is substantially the same as the direction in which the edge e1 ′ of FIG. 10 is extended, a description thereof will be omitted.

In addition, although FIG. 11 illustrates that the vertex a1 ′ of the first key k1 extends in the x-axis direction, the vertex a1 ′ may be extended in the y-axis direction, and simultaneously expanded in the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction. The input range of the first key k1 may be extended.

In addition, in FIG. 12, the shape or shape of the first key k1 is not changed in comparison with the input range expansion method of FIGS. 10 and 11, and the shape or width of the first key k1 is maintained as it is. 4 shows how to change the position of the input range.

In addition, this method is advantageous in reducing the data calculation amount for changing the adjacent keys since it is not necessary to change the shape or the position of the keys adjacent to the first key k1.

In addition, the method of changing the position of the input range of the first key (k1) is a constant distance (Δx, Δy) of the central coordinate (c) of the first key (k1) in the direction of the outer touch coordinate (t2) By moving.

In addition, compared to FIG. 8, the direction in which the center coordinate c moves does not move in the direction of the touch coordinate t1 of the adjacent second key k2, but the outer touch coordinates of the first key k1 ( There is a difference in moving in the direction of t2), and the method of mapping the coordinates of the input range is substantially the same, and thus description thereof is omitted.

In addition, the character input device according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a function selection unit (not shown) for selecting activation or deactivation of the functions of the touch pattern calculator 300 and the correction unit 400. The function selector may provide a function of selecting an input range changing method illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8 and 10 to 12.

In addition, the character input apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include an initialization unit (not shown) for returning the changed input range to the first input range after each key of the keypad is changed by the touch pattern. Can be.

The configuration of the initialization unit may be useful because the touch pattern may vary for each user when the user who uses the text input device is changed.

As described above, the present invention has been illustrated and described with reference to preferred embodiments, but is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and is provided to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Various changes and modifications will be possible.

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a character input device of a small electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

Referring to FIG. 13, a character input device 600 of a small electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention may include a detector 610, a display screen 620, a detector controller 630, a display controller 640, and storage. It comprises a unit 650 and the control unit 660.

The sensing unit 610 detects a press event for a specific character key provided on the keyboard of the small electronic device, and the sensing unit controller 630 controls the sensing operation of the sensing unit 610. The display controller 640 receives the character code information assigned to the specific character key detected by the sensing unit 610 and controls to display the corresponding character on the display screen 620. The storage unit 650 stores program information about another character key arranged around the specific character key. The controller 660 cancels the output of the character displayed on the display screen 620 when the press event for the error correction key provided in the keyboard is generated, and the controller 660 controls the other character key stored in the storage unit 650. The program information is read and the other character keys are controlled to be displayed on the display screen 620. In this case, if the other character key is already displayed on the display screen 620, the controller 660 controls to enlarge and display the other character key already displayed in a predetermined size.

The program information for the surrounding other character keys stored in the storage unit 650 is information about the character keys arranged around the up, down, left or right side of the specific character key, and the user When correcting a key input error, by displaying or enlarging other character keys arranged around the specific character key, it helps to reduce the input error upon input again.

14 and 15 are views illustrating a keyboard displayed on the display screen, and FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a method of inputting a character through the character input device 600. Another embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to FIGS. A text input method according to an example will be described in detail. For convenience of description, a touch screen keyboard provided with a touch panel will be described as an example.

The touch screen keyboard 611 for character input is displayed on the touch screen screen on the touch panel 100.

The user tried to input the "S" key 611a of the touch screen keyboard 611 in order to output "S" to the display screen 620 on the touch panel 100. If a press event in which the "key 611b is input" occurs, the letter "D" which is not intended by the user is output on the display screen (s1001). At this time, the user generates a press event for inputting an error correction key 611c such as a space bar to cancel the output of the letter "D" (s1002). According to the error correction press event, the output of the letter "D" displayed on the display screen 620 is canceled (S1003), and other keys arranged around the "D" key 611b, for example, shown in FIG. As described above, all the keys "W, E, R, S, F, Z, X, C" keys 613 arranged around the "D" key are enlarged and displayed (S1004). In this case, since the "S" key 611a desired to be input by the user is also enlarged and displayed, the user's visibility is enhanced, and the user can easily input the "S" key 611a desired to be input by the user again. It becomes possible.

In more detail, the storage unit 650 of the character input apparatus includes a key “613,” W, E, R, S, F, Z, X, and C, which are arranged around the “D” key. If the program information is stored, and the user generates an error correction press event to cancel the output of the letter "D", the control unit 660 according to the program information stored in the storage unit 650 is the "D". Control to enlarge and display the "W, E, R, S, F, Z, X, C" keys arranged around the key 611b. If the program information about the key stored in the storage unit 650 is information about "E, X" disposed above and below the "D" key 611b, the controller 660 after an error correction press event of the user. ) Controls to enlarge the "E, X" key. The same applies to the case where the " S, F " keys disposed on the left and right sides of the " D " key 611b are enlarged and displayed.

That is, in the storage unit 650, when a user cancels input of a specific character key (where the "specific character key" corresponds to the "D" key), any other character key around the specific character key is enlarged. By storing program information that is ordered to be displayed, other character keys around the specific character key are enlarged and displayed according to the program information when an error correction press event occurs by a user.

Subsequently, if the user presses the enlarged " S " key 612 that the user wants to input correctly (s1005), the keyboard on the touch screen returns to the original type keyboard 611 as shown in FIG. s1006) The user continues to perform the key input operation.

17 is an operational state diagram for explaining a text input method according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a text input method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, the user attempts to press the “S” key 611a of the touch screen keyboard 611 to output “S” to the display screen 620 on the touch panel 100. If a press event for accidentally pressing the "D" key 611b located next to the display screen outputs a letter "D" which is not intended by the user (s2001). At this time, the controller 660 determines where the pressed area is among the display areas of the "D" key 611b. In this embodiment, the controller 660 determines that the left area of the "D" key is pressed (s2002). In more detail, the controller 660 controls the area of a specific letter key (where “specific letter key” corresponds to the “D” key) displayed on the display screen to the left, right, two areas or upper, It recognizes by dividing into a plurality of areas, such as four areas of the lower, left, and right, and determines which area of the plurality of areas is pressed when the user presses the specific character key.

When the user inputs an error correction key 611c such as a space bar to cancel the output of the "D" character (s2003), the output of the "D" character is canceled (s2004), and the control unit 660 Based on the result of determining that the left region 611b 'of the "D" key 611b is pressed, the "S" key 611a located on the left side of the "D" key 611b is enlarged and displayed (s2005). Since the enlarged and displayed "S" key is a key that the user wants to input, the user can easily input the "S" key 611a that the user wants to input again. If the control unit 660 recognizes / determines that the right side, the upper side, or the lower side of the “D” key 611b is pressed, the other side adjacent to the right side, the upper side, or the lower side of the “S” key is based on the result. The letter key will be enlarged.

Subsequently, if the user correctly inputs the enlarged " S " key that the user wants to input (s2006), the keyboard on the touch screen returns to the original type keyboard (s2007) and the user continues to perform the key input operation.

In the above embodiments, the touch screen keyboard has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to the touch screen keyboard, and the keyboard may be simultaneously displayed on a display screen when a key is input through a plastic keyboard. When an error correction event for an input occurs, a user may input a desired key more easily by enlarging and displaying other character keys neighboring to a specific character key previously input on the display screen.

As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, but is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the gist of the present invention. Changes and corrections will be possible.

Character input device and method according to the embodiments of the present invention is the shape, size or position of the keypad image in the device for displaying the keypad on the touch panel, such as a smartphone, tablet PC, electronic notebook, mobile communication terminal and PDA The keypad may be changed to provide an optimized keypad according to a user's touch pattern.

Claims

In the character input method using a touch panel in which a keypad is formed on the display surface,

Calculating a touch pattern of a user for each of the keys of the keypad; And

Selecting a target key to be an area change based on the touch pattern, and changing an input range of the target key;
The method of claim 1,

The touch pattern is a character input method for a keypad, characterized in that the number of typo input for each of the keys.
The method of claim 2,

The typographical input count is calculated as the number of inputs entered after the input cancellation of a previously input key.
The method of claim 2,

The number of typing errors is calculated as the number of inputs after the input of the neighboring key is canceled for each of the keys.
The method of claim 4, wherein

And selecting a key exceeding a predetermined threshold typo input number as the target key and changing an input range of the target key.
The method of claim 5,

Selecting a key that exceeds the predetermined threshold typo input number as the target key, and extends and changes the input range of the target key, and exceeds a predetermined threshold touch count among touch coordinates touched by the user with respect to the neighboring key. And adding or subtracting a predetermined distance to an x-axis coordinate, a y-axis coordinate, or an x-axis and a y-axis coordinate of a vertex of the target key adjacent to the touch coordinate to extend the input range of the target key.
The method of claim 5,

Selecting a key that exceeds the predetermined threshold typo input number as the target key, and extends and changes the input range of the target key, and exceeds a predetermined threshold touch count among touch coordinates touched by the user with respect to the neighboring key. And adding or subtracting a predetermined distance to the x-axis coordinates or the y-axis coordinates of the edge of the target key adjacent to the touch coordinates, respectively, to extend the input range of the target key.
The method according to claim 6 or 7,

And extending the target key such that touch coordinates exceeding the threshold number of touches are included in an input range of the target key.
The method of claim 5,

Selecting a key exceeding the predetermined threshold typo number as the target key, changing the input range of the target key by moving a position while maintaining the width of the target key, and changing the center coordinates of the target key to the neighbor. Character input method characterized in that for changing the position of the input range of the target key by moving a predetermined distance in the direction of the touch coordinates exceeding a certain threshold number of touch touch among the touch coordinates touched by the user.
The method of claim 1,

The touch pattern is a character input method, characterized in that the number of times of hitting input for each of the keys.
The method of claim 10,

The number of hitting input is calculated as the number of inputs that are not corrected by the back space key after the input for each of the keys.
The method of claim 10,

And selecting a key exceeding a predetermined number of critical hits as the target key and changing an input range of the target key.
The method of claim 12,

The target key adds or subtracts a constant distance to the x-axis coordinates, the y-axis coordinates, or the x-axis and y-axis coordinates of vertices adjacent to touch coordinates exceeding a predetermined threshold number of touch touches among the touch coordinates touched by the user with respect to the target key. Character input method, characterized in that for expanding the input range of the target key.
The method of claim 12,

The target key may be added to or subtracted from a touch coordinate exceeding a certain threshold number of touch coordinates touched by the user with respect to the target key, and a predetermined distance to or from the x-axis coordinates or y-axis coordinates of an adjacent corner, respectively, to determine the target key. Character input method characterized by extending the input range.
The method according to claim 13 or 14,

And touch coordinates touched by the user are outer touch coordinates separated by a predetermined distance from a center coordinate of the target key.
The method of claim 12,

The target key has a constant distance toward a touch coordinate that exceeds a certain threshold number of touch coordinates among the touch coordinates touched by the user with respect to the target key while maintaining the width of an input range of the target key. A character input method characterized by moving so as to change the position of the input range.
A touch panel having a keypad arranged with keys for inputting characters and the like;

A controller which senses a touch of the keys and performs a function such as displaying a corresponding character;

A touch pattern calculator configured to calculate a user's touch pattern for each of the keys; And

And a correction unit for selecting a target key to be changed in accordance with the touch pattern and changing an input range of the target key.
The method of claim 17,

And the touch pattern calculator calculates a number of typos on the keys as the touch pattern.
The method of claim 18,

A sensing unit formed on a surface of the touch panel to sense an external pressure or voltage;

A position extracting unit which grasps a position where a pressure or voltage detected by the detecting unit is generated;

A data mapping unit which is included in the control unit and maps the types of the keys and data for function processing corresponding to the keys according to position coordinates on the touch panel detected by the position extraction unit; And

And an image processor included in the controller and configured to control a keypad and an image output displayed on a display screen of the touch panel.

The correction unit:

A storage unit which records a number of typos on the respective keys;

A keypad image corrector configured to select a key exceeding a threshold typo input number among the keys as the target key and change an input range of the target key;

And a coordinate corrector for correcting the position coordinates of the data mapping unit according to the input range of the changed target keys.
The method of claim 19,

The touch pattern calculator calculates the number of typing errors by the number of inputs after canceling an input of a neighboring key with respect to each of the keys.

The keypad image corrector may include an x-axis coordinate, a y-axis coordinate, or an x-axis and y-axis coordinate of a vertex of the target key adjacent to a touch coordinate exceeding a predetermined threshold touch number among touch coordinates touched by the user with respect to the neighboring key. Character input device, characterized in that to extend the input range of the target key by adding or subtracting a certain distance to.
The method of claim 19,

The touch pattern calculator calculates the number of typing errors by the number of inputs after canceling an input of a neighboring key with respect to each of the keys.

The keypad image corrector may provide a constant distance to x-axis coordinates or y-axis coordinates of an edge of the target key adjacent to a touch coordinate exceeding a predetermined threshold touch number among touch coordinates touched by the user with respect to the neighboring key. And adding or subtracting to expand the input range of the target key.
The method of claim 20 or 21,

And the keypad image corrector extends the target key such that touch coordinates exceeding the threshold number of touches are included in an input range of the target key.
The method of claim 19,

The touch pattern calculator calculates the number of typing errors by the number of inputs after canceling an input of a neighboring key with respect to each of the keys.

The keypad image corrector changes the input range by moving a position while maintaining the width of the input range of the target key, and the center coordinates of the target key are constant among touch coordinates touched by the user with respect to the neighboring key. Character input device, characterized in that for changing the position of the input range of the target key by moving a certain distance in the direction of the touch coordinates exceeding the threshold number of touches.
The method of claim 17,

And the touch pattern calculator calculates the number of stroke inputs for the keys as the touch pattern.
The method of claim 24,

A sensing unit formed on a surface of the touch panel to sense an external pressure or voltage;

A position extracting unit which grasps a position where a pressure or voltage detected by the detecting unit is generated;

A data mapping unit which is included in the control unit and maps the types of the keys and data for function processing corresponding to the keys according to position coordinates on the touch panel detected by the position extraction unit; And

And an image processor included in the controller and configured to control a keypad and an image output displayed on a display screen of the touch panel.

The correction unit:

A storage unit for recording the number of hitting input for each of the keys;

A keypad image corrector which selects a key exceeding a number of times of critical hitting among the keys as the target key and extends an input range of the target key;

And a coordinate corrector for correcting the position coordinates of the data mapping unit according to the input range of the extended target keys.
The method of claim 25,

The keypad image corrector may be configured to determine an x-axis coordinate, a y-axis coordinate, or an x-axis and y-axis coordinate of a vertex of the target key adjacent to a touch coordinate exceeding a predetermined threshold number of touch coordinates among touch coordinates touched by the user with respect to the target key. Character input device, characterized in that to extend the input range of the target key by adding or subtracting a certain distance.
The method of claim 25,

The keypad image corrector adds a constant distance to the x-axis coordinates or the y-axis coordinates of the corner of the target key adjacent to the touch coordinate that exceeds a predetermined threshold number of touch coordinates among the touch coordinates touched by the user with respect to the target key, or And depressing to expand the input range of the target key.
The method of claim 26 or 27,

And touch coordinates touched by the user are outer touch coordinates spaced apart by a predetermined distance from a center coordinate of the target key.
The method of claim 25,

The keypad image corrector changes the input range of the target key by moving a position while maintaining the width of the input range of the target key, wherein the touch coordinates of the user's touch of the center coordinate of the target key with respect to the target key Characteristic input device, characterized in that for changing the position of the input range of the target key by moving a certain distance in the direction of the touch coordinates exceeding a certain threshold number of touch.
Determining a press area of the specific character key when a press event occurs for the specific character key of the keyboard displayed on the touch screen of the small electronic device;

Displaying a character assigned to the specific character key;

When a press event for the error correction key of the keyboard occurs, the display of the letter assigned to the specific letter key is canceled, and according to the result determined in the process of determining the press area of the specific letter key, And displaying at least one other character key of the plurality of different character keys on the screen.
The method of claim 30,

The process of determining the press area of the specific character key,

A process of determining that an area of the specific character key displayed on the touch screen is divided into a plurality of areas and any one of the plurality of areas is pressed;

The process of enlarging and displaying at least one other character key of the plurality of other character keys provided around the specific character key on the screen may include:

And displaying another character key adjacent to the pressed area among the plurality of areas on the screen in an enlarged manner.
A detection unit for detecting a press event for a specific letter key and an error correction key provided on a touch screen keyboard of the small electronic device;

A display controller for displaying a character assigned to a key detected by the sensing unit on a screen;

When a press event for the error correction key occurs, the display of the character assigned to the specific character key is canceled and at least one other character key among a plurality of other character keys provided around the press area of the specific character key is displayed on the screen. Character input device comprising a control unit for controlling to enlarge the display.
The method of claim 32,

And the sensing unit is a touch panel.
The method of claim 32,

Further comprising: a storage unit for storing the program information for the other character key surrounding the press area of the specific character key,

And the control unit controls to enlarge and display the other character key on the screen according to program information about other character keys stored in the storage unit when a press event for the error correction key occurs.
The method of claim 34, wherein

And the program information for other peripheral character keys stored in the storage unit is information about up, down, left or right character keys adjacent to the press area of the specific character key.