U.S. patent application number 13/690146 was filed with the patent office on 2013-04-11 for alphabet input device and alphabet recognition system in small-sized keypad.
This patent application is currently assigned to INHA-INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIP INSTITUTE. The applicant listed for this patent is Inha-Industry Partnership Institute. Invention is credited to Kyung Hee Lee, Dae Hun Nyang.
Application Number | 20130088432 13/690146 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41504680 |
Filed Date | 2013-04-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130088432 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nyang; Dae Hun ; et
al. |
April 11, 2013 |
ALPHABET INPUT DEVICE AND ALPHABET RECOGNITION SYSTEM IN
SMALL-SIZED KEYPAD
Abstract
Disclosed herein are an alphabet input device and an alphabet
recognition system in a small-sized keypad. The device includes: a
first keypad part comprising a plurality of buttons each of which
is assigned with a symbol extracted from strokes of alphabet
characters so that the alphabet characters be input by one of the
buttons or a combination of two or more of the buttons; and a
second keypad part comprising one or more buttons each assigned
with an alphabet character having a high usage frequency. With the
device, alphabet characters can be inputted in a simpler and more
efficient manner.
Inventors: |
Nyang; Dae Hun; (Seoul,
KR) ; Lee; Kyung Hee; (Seoul, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Inha-Industry Partnership Institute; |
Incheon |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
INHA-INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIP
INSTITUTE
Incheon
KR
|
Family ID: |
41504680 |
Appl. No.: |
13/690146 |
Filed: |
November 30, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12344248 |
Dec 25, 2008 |
8339291 |
|
|
13690146 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/168 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/0233 20130101;
G06F 3/0235 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/168 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/023 20060101
G06F003/023 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 14, 2008 |
KR |
10-2008-0067954 |
Claims
1. A character input device in a keypad, comprising: a keypad unit
to receive an input of a character input button from a user, the
keypad unit comprising a plurality of character input buttons; a
character forming unit to form a character with two inputs of the
character input buttons or fewer; and a display unit to display the
formed character on the user, wherein the keypad unit receives the
input through a touch screen.
2. The character input device of claim 1, wherein the keypad unit
includes the character input buttons corresponding to characters
`-`, `.parallel.`, `.`, `I`, `C`, `O`, `U`, `V`, `A`, `E`, `P`,
`O`, and `T`, the character is formed by the input character alone
or a combination of the input characters through the character
forming unit, and the character formed by the combination of the
input characters is determined based on a first input and a second
input.
3. The character input device of claim 2, wherein a character `B`
is formed with the first input of the `P` button and the second
input of the `O` button, and a character `R` is formed with the
first input of the `P` button and the second input of the `.`
button.
4. The character input device of claim 2, wherein a character `D`
is formed with the first input of the `I` button and the second
input of the `O` button, a character `K` is formed with the first
input of the `I` button and the second input of the `C` button, a
character `N` is formed with the first input of the `I` button and
the second input of the `V` button, and a character `L` is formed
with the first input of the `I` button and the second input of the
`-` button.
5. The character input device of claim 2, wherein a character `M`
is formed with the first input of the `.parallel.` button and the
second input of the `V` button, and a character `H` is formed with
the first input of the `.parallel.` button and the second input of
the button.
6. The character input device of claim 2, wherein the second input
of the `.` button forms a character `G` with the first input of the
`C` button, a character `Q` with the first input of the `O` button,
a character `F` with the first input of the `T` button, a character
`Y` with the first input of the `V` button, a character `i` with
the first input of the `I` button, a character `j` with the first
input of the `U` button, and a character `,` with the first input
of the `-` button.
7. The character input device of claim 2, wherein the character is
formed with a double click as the first input and the second input,
and a character `W` is formed with the double click of the
`.parallel.` button, a character `X` is formed with the double
click of the `I` button, and a character `Z` is formed with the
double click of the `-` button.
8. The character input device of claim 2, wherein a character `S`
is formed with the first input of the `C` button and the second
input of the `O` button, and a character `?` is formed with the
first input of the `O` button and the second input of the `.`
button.
9. The character input device of claim 2, wherein the keypad unit
displays a character input button available for the second input
distinguishably when the keypad unit identifies the first
input.
10. The character input device of claim 2, wherein the first input
and the second input are based on a touch-and-drag operation, and
the first input is implemented by touching a character input
button, and the second input is implemented by dragging the touched
character input button and releasing the touch.
11. A method for inputting a character in a keypad, the method
comprising: receiving an input, from a user, of a character input
button in a keypad comprising a plurality of character input
buttons; forming a character with two inputs of the character input
buttons or fewer; and displaying the formed character on the user,
wherein the receiving of the input comprises receiving the input
through a touch screen.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the character input buttons
include buttons corresponding to characters `-`, `.parallel.`, `.`,
`I`, `C`, `O`, `V`, `A`, `E`, `P`, `O`, and `T`, the character is
formed by the input character alone or a combination of the input
characters, and the character formed by the combination of the
input characters is determined based on a first input and a second
input.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
12/344,248, filed Dec. 25, 2008, which claims priority to Korean
application number 10-2008-0067954, filed Jul. 14, 2008, which
application are hereby incorporated by reference in these entirety
for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present disclosure relates to an alphabet input device
and an alphabet recognition system in a small-sized keypad.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] English alphabet input devices widely used in most of
small-sized keypads are provided with a toggle function. FIG. 1 is
a diagram illustrating the arrangement structure of such a keypad
with a toggle function. As described in FIG. 1, the keypad is
composed of a plurality of buttons formed in 4.times.3 matrix, in
which two to four alphabets are disposed in each of the
buttons.
[0006] To input alphabets with the toggle function, however, a user
must be aware of positions of keys and toggle order and must push
buttons many times in certain cases. Furthermore, when the user
wants to input alphabets in the same button by permutation, it must
wait for a predetermined time to input a subsequent character or
press a movement button. As a result, the efficiency of the input
process is reduced.
[0007] In order to solve the problems, various methods of inputting
alphabet have been proposed, for example, as disclosed in Korean
Patent Application Publication No. 10-2006-29430, Korean Patent
Application Publication No. 2002-55833, and Korean Utility Model
Registration No. 20-0419301. FIG. 2 shows the configurations of the
alphabet input devices disclosed in the above references. In the
alphabet input devices, an alphabet character is input using a
combination of character keys.
[0008] The alphabet input devices, however, have a problem of an
ambiguity occurring in the analysis of the input permutation of
certain combination of characters. For example, in case of the
device of Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2006-29430,
F is input by a combination of `|` and `-`, and T is input by a
combination of `-` and `|`. If a user types a combination character
permutation of `|`, `-`, and `|` to input IT, the combination
character permutation may be recognized as FI as well as TI due to
the ambiguity of analysis. In case of the device of Korean Utility
Model Registration No. 20-0419301, V is input by `V`, I is input by
`|`, and Y is input by a combination of `V` and `|`. If a user
types `V` and `l` to input Y, this may be also recognized as VI. A
similar ambiguity occurs in the device of Korean Patent Application
Publication No. 2002-55833.
[0009] In order to solve the ambiguity, like the devices with
toggle function, the devices with combination function still
require an automatic time delay acting as a separator or a movement
button.
[0010] On the other hand, the prior art technologies do not take
into consideration usage frequency of each alphabet character in
the design of the input methods and system.
[0011] The above information disclosed in this Background section
is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the
invention and therefore it may contain information that does not
form the prior art that is already known in this country to a
person of ordinary skill in the art.
SUMMARY
[0012] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to provide
an alphabet input device and an alphabet recognition system in a
small-sized keypad, which can greatly reduce the number of input
strokes and the time for inputting a word or phrase.
[0013] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is
provided an alphabet input device in a small-sized keypad,
including: a first keypad part comprising a plurality of buttons
each of which is assigned with a symbol extracted from strokes of
alphabet characters so that the alphabet characters be input by one
of the buttons or a combination of two or more of the buttons; and
a second keypad part comprising one or more buttons each assigned
with an alphabet character having a high usage frequency.
[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided an alphabet recognition system in a small-sized keypad,
including a control part recognizing alphabet characters by a
symbol or symbols, a character or characters, or both input by
pressing one or more buttons of the first keypad part, the second
keypad part, or both.
[0015] According to still another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a character input device in a keypad, including a
keypad unit to receive an input of a character input button from a
user, the keypad unit including a plurality of character input
buttons, a character forming unit to form a character with two
inputs of the character input buttons or fewer, and a display unit
to display the formed character on the user, wherein the keypad
unit receives the input through a touch screen.
[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a method of inputting a character in a keypad,
including receiving an input of a character input button from a
user in a keypad including a plurality of character input buttons,
forming a character with two inputs of the character input buttons
or fewer, and displaying the formed character on the user, wherein
the receiving of the input includes receiving the input through a
touch screen.
[0017] The above and other aspects will be discussed in detail
infra.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The above and other objects, aspects, features and other
advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood
from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement structure
of a related-art English keypad with a toggle function;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configurations of
related-art alphabet input devices with a combination function;
[0021] FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating a keypad of an
alphabet input device according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating statistical data about
frequency of alphabet characters in English phrases; and
[0023] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a combination tree
structure in an alphabet input device according to an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of a
character input device according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a keypad
including a character input button of a character input device,
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of inputting a
character through a character input device according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating another example of
inputting a character through a character input device according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating still another example of
inputting a character through a character input device according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method of inputting a
character in a keypad according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention
will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0031] FIGS. 3A, 3B and 5 are diagrams illustrating a keypad in an
alphabet input device and an alphabet recognition system according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the alphabet input device
includes a first keypad part and a second keypad part.
[0033] The first keypad part includes a plurality of buttons. Each
of the buttons is assigned to a symbol extracted from strokes of
alphabet characters so that the alphabet characters may be
constructed (input) by one of the buttons or a combination of two
or more of the buttons. As a non-limiting example, the first keypad
part may include seven buttons of `-`, `|`, `.`, `(`,`)`, `U`, and
`V`. It should be noted that the number of buttons of the first
keypad part can be adjusted depending on design choice and other
needs. It also should be noted that different sets of symbols can
be determined and the position of the corresponding buttons can be
adjusted.
[0034] The second keypad part includes one or more buttons. The
button or buttons of the second keypad part are assigned to
alphabet characters having high usage frequency. As a non-limiting
example, the second keypad part includes five buttons which are
assigned to alphabet characters of `A`, `E`, `O`, `T`, and `I`. It
should be noted that the number of buttons of the second keypad
part can be adjusted and other needs. It also should be noted that
different sets of alphabet characters can be determined as ones
having high usage frequency and the position of the corresponding
buttons can be adjusted.
[0035] The alphabet recognition system includes the first and
second keypad parts and a control part. The control part recognizes
alphabet characters by a symbol or symbols, a character or
characters, or both input by pressing one or more buttons of the
first keypad part, the second keypad part, or both. Also, the
control part may control the recognized alphabet character or
characters to be outputted through an output device.
[0036] In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3A, the first keypad part
may include seven buttons of `-`, `|`, `.`, `(`,`)`, `U`, and `V`,
while the second keypad may include three buttons of `A`, `E`, and
`O`. In this case, however, the button `O` may be considered to
belong to the second keypad part because `O` is an alphabet
character having a high usage frequency as well as considered to
belong to the first keypad part because `Q` may be outputted upon a
sequential input of `O` and `.`.
[0037] In an embodiment, the alphabet input devices and the
alphabet recognition systems may further include a conversion
button part (not shown in the drawings) for converting a small
letter into a capital letter and vice versa.
[0038] According to the embodiments, alphabets can be input in a
hieroglyphic combination manner. Accordingly, unlike the devices
and systems with the toggle function, the devices and systems with
the hieroglyphic combination function do not require a button
arrangement in which a plurality of alphabet characters are grouped
into a button and do not require an automatic waiting time and/or a
movement button.
[0039] According to an embodiment, the number of key buttons
constituting a keypad may be set to a particular number, e.g., ten
(FIG. 3A) so that the devices and systems can be applied to an
existing keypad.
[0040] Preferably, the buttons may be arranged in consideration of
the usage frequency of respective alphabets and a predefined
combination tree structure. Also, one character may be assigned to
one button to have an intuitive interface.
[0041] In a modified embodiment, a character having a high usage
frequency, such as T (FIG. 3B), may be assigned to one of the two
blank keys.
[0042] It is noted, however, that the present invention is not be
limited to the arrangement forms.
[0043] FIG. 4 is a statistical data about frequency of alphabet
characters used in English phrases. As shown in FIGS. 4, E, T, A,
O, and I have higher usage frequencies than other alphabet
characters. At least one of the alphabet characters having higher
usage frequencies may be designed to be inputted by one-click.
Minimizing the number of click for inputting such high frequency
alphabet characters, preferably coupled with the hieroglyphic
combination function, enables users to input alphabet characters in
a more convenient and efficient manner.
[0044] As discussed above, the present invention is not limited
thereto. Various modification can be made depending on the design
choice and other needs. For instance, as illustrated in FIGS. 3A,
3B and 5, only E, A, and O among E, T, A, O, and I may be inputted
by one-click (T and I may be inputted by a combination of
symbols).
[0045] In this case, the other alphabet characters may be inputted
by a combination of buttons of the first and second keypad parts.
For example, T can be inputted by the combination of `-` and `|`, L
can be inputted by the combination of `|` and `-`, F can be
inputted by the combination of `-`, `|` and `.`.
[0046] In case T is assigned to a blank key as shown in FIG. 3B, T
may be inputted by one-click. Even in this case, it is possible to
design the device so that T can be inputted also by a combination
characters.
[0047] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a combination tree
structure of each alphabet in an alphabet input device according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0048] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the control part recognizes a
sequential input of `|`, `)`, and `)` as `B`, an input of `(` as
`C`, and a sequential input of `|`, and `)` as `D`.
[0049] The control part recognizes a sequential input of `|` and
`.` as `F`, a sequential input of `(` and `.` as `G`, and a
sequential input of `|`, `|` and `.` as `H`.
[0050] The control part recognizes a sequential input of `|`, and
`.` as `I`, a sequential input of `U` and `.` as `J`, and a
sequential input of `|` and `(` as `K`.
[0051] The control part recognizes a sequential input of `|`, and
`-` as `L`, a sequential input of `|`, `|` and `V` as `M`, and a
sequential input of `|` and `V` as `N`.
[0052] The control part recognizes a sequential input of `|`, `|`
and `)` as `P`, a sequential input of `O` and `.` as `Q`, and a
sequential input of `|`, `)`, and `.` as `R`.
[0053] The control part recognizes a sequential input of `(` and
`)` as `S`, a sequential input of `-` and `|` as `T`, a sequential
input of `V` and `.` as `Y`, and a sequential input of `-`, `.`,
and `-` as `Z`.
[0054] The control part recognizes double inputs of `V` within a
predetermined time as `W`. If the double click is not performed
within a predetermined time, e.g., 0.2 seconds, each click is
recognized as `V`.
[0055] The control part recognizes double inputs of `U` within a
predetermined time as `X`. If the double click is not performed
within a predetermined time, e.g., 0.2 seconds, each click is
recognized as `U`.
[0056] The control part recognizes and displays the input of `A`
and `E` as it is, respectively.
[0057] The control part recognizes an input of `O` followed by an
input of any other button except `.` as `O`.
[0058] The control part recognizes an input of `U` within a
predetermined time or followed by an input of any other button
except `.` as `U`. The control part recognizes an input of `V`
within a predetermined time or followed by an input of any other
button except `.` as `V`.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 3B, if T is assigned to one of key buttons
of the keypad, the control part recognizes an input of `T` as `T`.
That is, a user is not required to sequentially click `-` and `|`
buttons in order to input `T`. As discussed above, in this case, it
is possible to design so that T can be inputted also by a
combination of symbols (e.g., `-` and `|`).
[0060] The control part recognizes the inputted alphabet character
or characters and outputs the recognized alphabet character or
characters through an output device.
[0061] As described above, the combination tree structure of
alphabet characters defined by the hieroglyphic combination method
according to an embodiment of the present invention can
fundamentally solve the limitations of the related-art systems.
[0062] In an embodiment, the devices and systems may further
provide a function to delete an inputted character efficiently.
That is, when a user wants to delete an inputted character, the
user may move to a previous combination state and, optionally, make
another combination by clicking a button or buttons. For example,
`B` turns to `D` through deletion of `)`. In this case, if `.` is
inputted, `D` turns to `R`.
[0063] The devices and systems using the combination input manner
coupled with consideration of usage frequency according to the
present invention require less input strokes and take shorter time
than those using the related-art toggle input manner. For example,
assume that a word `DEFENCE` is inputted. While the toggle type
devices and systems require eighteen input strokes including a
movement button, the combination type devices and systems according
to the present invention require only eleven input strokes.
[0064] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of a
character input device 600 according to an embodiment of the
present invention. The character input device 600 may include a
keypad unit 610, a character forming unit 620, and a display unit
630.
[0065] The keypad unit 610 may receive, from a user, an input of a
character input button of a keypad that includes a plurality of
character input buttons used to input characters. The keypad unit
610 may receive the input through a touch screen, and the touch
screen may include any type of touch screen, for example, a
capacitive touch screen and a resistive touch screen.
[0066] The character input buttons may be used in inputting
characters, and may include buttons bearing basic letters of the
alphabet such as A, C, E, I, and O, and symbols used to form
characters by combinations with the basic letters of the alphabet.
The character input buttons may further include at least one of a
`delete` button, a `close window` button, a `line spacing` button,
a `caps lock` button, and a space button.
[0067] According to the exemplary embodiments of the present
invention, a character may be formed with two inputs of character
input buttons or fewer through the keypad unit 610. Hereinafter,
one input may be referred to as a first input, and another input
may be referred to as a second input. After a user proceeds with a
first input, a character input button for a second input may be
displayed distinguishably for ease of viewing, for example, in bold
or with a different color. In this instance, a character inputted
with the first input may be combined with a character inputted with
the second input to form a letter of the alphabet or a
character.
[0068] The character input device 600 may be applied to an
electronic device, in particular, a touch screen-based electronic
device. The first input and the second input may be implemented by
pressing the character input button. The first input and the second
input may be implemented by touching and dragging the character
input button. For example, while touching a desired character input
button as the first input, the touched character input button may
be dragged onto a desired character input button for the second
input, and the touch may be released from the desired character
input button for the second input.
[0069] A further detailed description will be provided in the
following.
[0070] The character forming unit 620 may form a character by a
combination of the identified inputs of the character input
buttons. The character may be formed with two inputs or fewer. The
character may be formed by one input or a combination of two
inputs. The formed character may be displayed to the user through
the display unit 630.
[0071] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a keypad
700 including a character input button of a character input device
according to an embodiment of the present invention. The keypad 700
may perform a character input function in an electronic device, for
example, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a tablet personal computer
(PC), and the like. The keypad 700 may be provided on a display of
an electronic device to deliver a command to the electronic device
or to transmit a message to another electronic device.
[0072] The keypad 700 may include character input buttons, for
example, thirteen character input buttons, to be adapted to a
small-sized electronic device. The keypad 700 may further include a
selection input button, for example, a `delete` button, a `close
window` button, a `line spacing` button, a `caps lock` button, and
a space button. The arrangement of the character input buttons of
the keypad 700 is not limited to a specific pattern, and a
frequently used input button 710 may be placed at the center of a
particular keypad configuration and a combining input button may be
placed around the frequently used input button 710.
[0073] A character corresponding to the character input button of
the keypad 700 and a character formed substantially as a letter may
be displayed on the user through the display unit 630 of FIG. 6.
Displaying may be implemented in real time based on an input by the
user. As an example, the keypad 700 may be displayed in an
electronic device through the display unit 630 for an input by the
user. The display unit 630 may display the keypad 700.
[0074] Hereinafter, examples of forming a character are described
with reference to FIGS. 8 through 10. In said examples, a first
input and a second input may be identified through the keypad unit
610 of the character input device 600, and a character to be
displayed through the display unit 630 may be formed through the
character forming unit 620.
[0075] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of forming a character by a
combination of characters corresponding to character input buttons
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0076] Referring to FIG. 8, a keypad may correspond to the keypad
700 of FIG. 7. While an `I` button 810 is pressed by a finger 820
of a user, character input buttons 811 through 814 that may be used
to form a new character by a combination with the `I` button 810
may be displayed in such a distinguishable form that characters
represented on character input buttons 811 through 814 are
displayed in bold. Here, the keypad 700 may correspond to a touch
screen-based input system, and the finger 820 of the user may be
replaced with an instrument such as, for example, a stylus, based
on a type of a touch screen.
[0077] When the finger 820 of the user pressing the `I` button 810
is taken off, a character `I` may be inputted and may be displayed
on the user through the display unit 630. When the finger 820 being
pressed is released from the `I` button 810, the characters
represented on character input buttons 811 through 814 may be
displayed in bold. Such an action is performed to emphasize a
character input button available for the second input since the
input of the `I` button 810 may be easily identified as the first
input. For ease of identifying the second input, the character
input buttons 811 through 814 may be displayed distinguishably with
a different color. When one of the character input buttons 811
through 814 is inputted, the character other than `I` may be
displayed through the display unit 630.
[0078] Alternatively, while touching the `I` button 810 as the
first input, the touched `I` button 810 may be dragged onto a
desired character input button for the second input among the
character input buttons 811 through 814 with the finger 820 of the
user, and the finger 820 of the user may be taken off from the
desired character input button. When the touch is released, the
first input and the second input may be identified and a character
formed by a combination of the first input and the second input may
be displayed through the display unit 630.
[0079] For example, when the `I` button 810 is inputted as the
first input and the button `-` 811 is inputted as the second input,
a character `L` may be formed by a combination of `I` and `-`. When
the `I` button 810 is inputted as the first input and the `C`
button 812 is inputted as the second input, a character `K` may be
formed by a combination of `I` and `C`. When the `I` button 810 is
inputted as the first input and the `O` button 813 is inputted as
the second input, a character `D` may be formed by a combination of
`I` and `O`. When the `I` button 810 is inputted as the first input
and the `V` button 814 is inputted as the second input, a character
`N` may be formed by a combination of `I` and `V`. The
corresponding character may be displayed through the display unit
630. This intuitive combination may ease the character input for
the user.
[0080] FIG. 9 illustrates another example of forming a character
through a character input device according to an embodiment of the
present invention. Similar to FIG. 8, a character may be derived
from a combination of characters on the keypad 700 being input with
the first input and the second input, and may be displayed.
[0081] Referring to FIG. 9, when a `P` button is inputted with a
finger 920 of a user, the input of the `P` button 910 may be
identified to be the first input. When the finger 920 of the user
is taken off from the `P` button 910, a character `P` may be
identified.
[0082] When the first input of the `P` button 910 is identified, a
`O` button 911 and a `.` button 912 may be displayed for the second
input. The `O` button 911 and the `.` button 912 may be displayed
distinguishably in bold or with a different color for ease of
identifying the second input. While touching the `P` button 910 as
the first input with the finger 920 of the user, the touched `P`
button 910 may be dragged onto the `O` button 911, and when the
touch is released, the input of the `O` button 911 may be
identified to be the second input. A character `B` may be formed by
a combination of `P` and `O`, and may be displayed through the
display unit 630.
[0083] While touching the `P` button 910 as the first input with
the finger 920 of the user, the touched `P` button 910 may be
dragged onto the `.` button 912, and when the touch is released,
the input of the `.` button 912 may be identified to be the second
input. A character `R` may be formed by a combination of `P` and
`.`, and may be displayed through the display unit 630.
[0084] Although this exemplary embodiment shows the first input and
the second input based on a touch-and-drag operation, the present
invention is not limited to such an operation. For example, after
the first input is identified, the subsequent second input may be
identified.
[0085] According to the exemplary embodiments of the present
invention, a new layout for a keypad may minimize a number of
strokes required for inputting an alphabet character.
[0086] FIG. 10 illustrates still another example of forming a
character through a character input device according to an
embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 10, a keypad
may correspond to the keypad 700 of FIG. 7, and a finger 1020 of a
user may be replaced with an instrument such as, for example, a
stylus, based on a type of a touch screen.
[0087] When a `.parallel.` button 1010 is input with the finger
1020 of the user, the input of the `.parallel.` button 1010 may be
identified to be the first input, and a `.` button 1011 and a `V`
button 1012 may be displayed for the second input. The `.` button
1011 and the `V` button 1012 may be displayed distinguishably for
ease of the second input.
[0088] For example, while touching the `.parallel.` button 1010 as
the first input with the finger 1020 of the user, the touched
`.parallel.` button 1010 may be dragged onto the `.` button 1011,
and when the touch is released, the input of the `.` button 1011
may be identified to be the second input. A character `H` may be
formed by a combination of `.parallel.` and `.`.
[0089] While touching the `.parallel.` button 1010 as the first
input with the finger 1020 of the user, the touched `.parallel.`
button 1010 may be dragged onto the `V` button 1012, and when the
touch is released, the input of the `V` button 1012 may be
identified to be the second input. A character `M` may be formed by
a combination of `.parallel.` and `V`.
[0090] In this way, various alphabet characters may be formed, and
the first input and the second input may be identified through the
keypad unit 610 of the character input device 600 and a character
to be displayed through the display unit 630 may be formed through
the character forming unit 620.
[0091] Since the `.` button corresponds to a button used most
frequently in the keypad when forming a character, the `.` button
may be placed at the center of the keypad to minimize a movement
distance between buttons.
[0092] The second input of the `.` button may form a character `G`
with the first input of the `C` button, a character `Q` with the
first input of the `O` button, a character `F` with the first input
of the `T` button, and a character `Y` with the first input of the
`V` button.
[0093] According to the exemplary embodiments of the present
invention, a small letter may be formed absent the `caps lock`
button function being turned off. When the `I` button is inputted
as the first input and the `.` button is inputted as the second
input, a character `i` may be formed, and when the `U` button is
inputted as the first input and the `.` button is inputted as the
second input, a character `j` may be formed.
[0094] In another example, a character may be formed with a double
click as the first input and the second input. A character `W` may
be formed with a double click of the `.parallel.` button, a
character `X` may be formed with a double click of the `I` button,
and a character `Z` may be formed with a double click of the `-`
button. The corresponding character may be displayed on the user
through the display unit 630. Although not shown, a character `S`
may be formed when the `C` button is inputted as the first input
and the `O` button is inputted as the second input.
[0095] According to the exemplary embodiments of the present
invention, symbols as well as alphabet characters may be formed and
displayed. For example, when the `C` button is inputted as the
first input and the button `O`, is inputted as the second input, a
question mark `?` may be formed and displayed. When the `-` button
is inputted as the first input and the button is inputted as the
second input or vice versa, a comma `,` may be formed and
displayed. In the exemplary embodiment of the keypad 200 of FIG. 2,
selection input buttons rather than character input buttons may be
used to form a symbol. When the `-` button and the `.` button are
inputted while the `caps lock` button is pressed, a single
quotation mark "'" may be formed and displayed.
[0096] Although the present disclosure has been described with
exemplary embodiments, various exemplary embodiments that may be
implemented by the character input method of the present invention
not disclosed in the description may be contemplated. It is
intended that the present disclosure encompass such exemplary
embodiments as falling within the scope of the appended claims.
[0097] According to the exemplary embodiments of the present
invention, a number of input strokes may be reduced. For example, a
word `The` may be formed by a combination of `T`, `.parallel.`,
`.`, and `E`, however, the input of `.` may be omitted. The word
`The` may be only recognized by inputs of `T`, `.parallel.`, and
`E`. Here, the `caps lock` button may be used to input small
letters and capital letters.
[0098] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method of inputting a
character in a keypad according to an embodiment of the present
invention. The method may be performed by each component of the
character input device 600 of FIG. 6, and may be simplified or
subdivided.
[0099] In operation 1110, the character input device 600 may
receive an input of a character input button from a user through a
keypad including a plurality of character input buttons. The
character input device 600 may receive the input through a touch
screen, and the touch screen may include any type of touch screen,
for example, a capacitive touch screen and a resistive touch
screen.
[0100] The character input buttons may be used in inputting
alphabet characters, and may include buttons bearing basic letters
of the alphabet A, C, E, I, and O, and symbols used to form
characters by combinations with the basic letters of the
alphabet.
[0101] In operation 1120, the character input device 600 may form a
character with two inputs of the character input buttons or fewer.
The character input device 600 may form a character by one input or
a combination of two inputs.
[0102] In operation 1130, the character input device 600 may
display the formed character on the user. Displaying may be
implemented in real time based on an input by the user. As an
example, the keypad including the character input buttons may be
displayed in an electronic device through the display unit 630 for
an input by the user.
[0103] The exemplary embodiments described with reference to FIGS.
7 through 10 may be referred to for any disclosures of the
character input method omitted in the description of FIG. 11.
[0104] According to the exemplary embodiments of the present
invention, the alphabet input device in a small-sized keypad may
input all the alphabet characters with two inputs of keys or fewer
based on the intuitive understanding of the user. Contrary to
conventional input of alphabet characters assigned to the same key,
the alphabet input method of the present invention may improve an
input efficiency by eliminating the need to pause for a
predetermined period of time or to press a space key to input a
subsequent alphabet character.
[0105] The units described herein may be implemented using hardware
components, software components, or a combination thereof. For
example, a processing device may be implemented using one or more
general-purpose or special purpose computers, such as, for example,
a processor, a controller and an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a
digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable
array (FPA), a programmable logic unit (PLU), a microprocessor or
any other device capable of responding to and executing
instructions in a defined manner. The processing device may run an
operating system (OS) and one or more software applications that
run on the OS. The processing device also may access, store,
manipulate, process, and create data in response to execution of
the software. For purpose of simplicity, the description of a
processing device is used as singular; however, one skilled in the
art will appreciate that a processing device may include multiple
processing elements and multiple types of processing elements. For
example, a processing device may include multiple processors or a
processor and a controller. In addition, different processing
configurations are possible, such as parallel processors.
[0106] The character input methods according to the above-described
exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be recorded in
computer-readable media including program instructions to implement
various operations embodied by a computer. The media may also
include, alone or in combination with the program instructions,
data files, data structures, and the like. Examples of
computer-readable media include magnetic media such as hard discs,
floppy discs, and magnetic tape; optical media such as CD ROM discs
and DVDs; magneto-optical media such as floptical discs; and
hardware devices that are specially configured to store and perform
program instructions, such as read-only memory (ROM), random access
memory (RAM), flash memory, and the like. Examples of program
instructions include both machine code, such as produced by a
compiler, and files containing higher level code that may be
executed by the computer using an interpreter. The described
hardware devices may be configured to act as one or more software
modules in order to perform the operations of the above-described
exemplary embodiments of the present invention, or vice versa.
[0107] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention
have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the
art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and
substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying
claims.
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