Description CHARACTER INPUT DEVICE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a character input device for inputting characters by touching a touch type screen keyboard of an electronic device. Background Art

[2] Owing to development of information communications, a variety of mobile terminals such as PDAs, UMPCs, and the like including cellular phones is used. The mobile terminals gradually follows a trend toward thiness and lightness, and a touch type screen keyboard is used to conveniently input characters in such small devices.

[3] Since a mobile terminal is small in size and the liquid crystal display unit of the mobile terminal is not so large, researches on displaying a large number of characters using a small screen keyboard are continued, and researches on enlarging a cell for selecting a specific symbol displayed on the screen keyboard as much as possible are also under progress in order to allow a user to conveniently select the specific symbol.

[4] Korea Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2004-0008164 entitled "Touch type key input device" specifies an invention for displaying a minimum number of cells on a liquid crystal display unit of a mobile terminal, displaying a plurality of characters in a cell in specific directions of up, down, left, right, top-right, bottom-right, top-left, bottom- left, and the like from the center of the cell, and selecting a character placed in a direction of drag movement from the center of a specific cell if a drag is started from the area of the specific cell.

[5] However, a method of measuring a direction from the center, which is specified in

Korea Patent Laid-Open Publication No.10-2004-0008164, has following problems.

[6] Hrst, it is difficult to determine a direction unless the center of a cell is touched and dragged, for example, if the center is touched and dragged downward, the direction is recognized as a downward direction and a symbol displayed in the downward direction is selected, whereas the direction is bottom-right from the center if the right portion of the cell is touched and dragged downward and the drag distance is short. In addition, if the left portion of the cell is touched and dragged downward in the same manner and the drag distance is short, the direction is bottom-left from the center. As described, although the same drags are performed for the same cell, the direction is bottom-left, down, or bottom-right depending on a touch point.

[7] In a small mobile terminal where a screen keyboard is partitioned into a plurality of

small cells, it is very difficult to touch the center of a specific cell and drag the cell in a specific direction, and an error of inputting a wrong character oxurs although a user drags the cell downward in order to select a character in the downward direction. Of course, the same problem oxurs in the other directions.

[8] Second, it is difficult to determine a direction depending on a drag distance. When a cell is dragged from an upper portion to the right side, the direction is top-right if the drag distance is short, and the direction closes to the right direction as the drag is extended. Since a user should consider a drag distance, it is inconvenient to input characters.

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[9] The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and it is an object of the invention to provide a character input device provided with base characters basically assigned to cells configuring a screen keyboard and converted characters assigned to the base characters, in which a converted character can be inputted by a drag connected from inside to outside of a specific cell, and thus a plurality of characters can be inputted using a small number of cells, input errors can be reduced by making the size of a cell large, a converted character can be easily selected using a drag, and errors are minimized. Technical Solution

[10] In order to accomplish the above objects of the invention, according to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a character input device, which displays character images and is provided with a display unit for displaying a screen keyboard comprising a plurality of cells on a screen, wherein a character is assigned to each of the cells, and the assigned characters are inputted if the cells are touched, the device comprising: a storage unit for storing image data of the screen keyboard, characters assigned to the cells, and characters not assigned to the cells; a touch analysis module for generating, when a specific cell among the cells is touched and dragged, a conversion selection signal if a trajectory of the drag goes out of an area of the touched specific cell; and a control module for receiving the conversion selection signal from the touch analysis module and selecting and inputting a specific character among the characters not assigned to the cells stored in the storage unit.

[11] In addition, it is preferable that the storage unit stores information on assignment of the characters not assigned to the cells as converted characters of the characters

assigned to the cells, and if the conversion selection signal is generated, the control module selects and inputs an assigned converted character.

[12] In addition, it is preferable that the screen keyboard is for inputting Korean characters, and the storage unit stores Korean consonants [ π ] , [ τ= ] , [H ], [ A ] , and [ A ] assigned to the cells of the screen keyboard for inputting Korean characters and double consonants [τi], [rc], [HW], [M], and [ ⁷ ^] respectively assigned to the Korean consonants as converted characters.

[13] In addition, it is preferable that the screen keyboard is for inputting Korean characters, and the storage unit stores Korean vowels [ } ], [ -\ ], [-J-], and [T] assigned to the cells of the screen keyboard for inputting Korean characters and diphthongs [ I= ], [ =1 ], [- ¹ ^], and [TT] respectively assigned to the Korean vowels as converted characters.

[14] In addition, it is preferable that the screen keyboard is for inputting alphabet lower case letters, and the storage unit stores alphabet lower case letters assigned to the cells of the screen keyboard for inputting alphabet lower case letters and alphabet upper case letters respectively assigned to the alphabet lower case letters as converted characters.

[15] In addition, it is preferable that the screen keyboard is for inputting alphabet upper case letters, and the storage unit stores alphabet upper case letters assigned to the cells of the screen keyboard for inputting alphabet upper case letters and alphabet lower case letters respectively assigned to the alphabet upper case letters as converted characters.

[16] In addition, it is preferable that each of the cells configuring the screen keyboard has an internal area bordered by at least three sides, and if the specific cell is touched and dragged and a trajectory of the drag goes out of an area of the touched specific cell, the touch analysis module generates different conversion selection signals selection signals depending on a side through which the trajectory of the drag passes from the internal area to outside of the specific cell.

[17] In addition, it is preferable that the storage unit stores information on assignment of characters not assigned to the cells as converted characters of the characters assigned to the cells, wherein the information on assignment includes data assigning the converted characters classified by conversion selection signals different from one another, and if a specific conversion selection signal is generated among the conversion selection signals different from one another, the control module selects and inputs a converted character assigned to the specific conversion selection signal.

[18] In addition, it is preferable that the storage unit stores words containing a character not assigned to the cells, and the display unit displays a candidate word window for displaying candidate words, and when at least one or more characters containing a character not assigned to the cells are successively selected, the control module inputs and accumulatively stores the selected characters, searches for words starting with the accumulatively stored character string from the storage unit and displays the searched words in the candidate word window, deletes the previously inputted character string if a specific word is selected from the candidate word window, and inputs the selected specific word.

[19] In addition, it is preferable that alphabet letter images for inputting Chinese characters are displayed on the screen keyboard, wherein the cells configuring the screen keyboard are bordered by four sides, and the storage unit stores basic alphabet letters of a to z assigned to the cells configuring the screen keyboard, characters [a] , [a] , [a] , [a] assigned as converted characters of [a] among the characters assigned to the cells, characters

[e] , [e] , [e] , [e] assigned as converted characters of [e], characters [ i ] , [ i ] , [ ϊ ] , [ i ] assigned as converted characters of [i], characters [o] , [6] , [ό] , [ό] assigned as converted characters of [o], characters [Q] ₁ [ύ] , [ύ] , [ύ] assigned as converted characters of [u], and characters

[ Q] , [ U] , [ u ] , [ u] assigned as converted characters of [v], which are classified and stored by four different conversion selection signals.

[20] In addition, it is preferable that the storage unit stores Chinese characters assigned with a character string containing a character not assigned to the cells, and the display unit displays a Chinese character display window for displaying Chinese characters, and when at least one or more characters containing the character not assigned to the cells are successively selected, the control module inputs and accumulatively stores the selected characters, searches for Chinese characters matching to the accumulatively stored character string from the storage unit and displays the searched Chinese

characters in the Chinese character display window, deletes the previously inputted character string if a specific Chinese character is selected from the Chinese character display window, and inputs the selected specific Chinese character.

[21] In addition, it is preferable that Gana character images for inputting Japanese characters are displayed on the screen keyboard, wherein the cells configuring the screen keyboard are bordered by four sides, and the storage unit stores characters [Jb], [#*], [ c? ], [fz], [tf ], [H], [ ^ ], and [ ^ ] assigned to the cells configuring the screen keyboard, characters [l^], [ η ], [ X- ], and [ -fc] assigned as converted characters of [h], characters [ # ], [ < ], [ft], and [ CL ] assigned as converted characters of [#*], characters [ L ], [ ^~ $ ^~ ], [~fr], and [-? ^" ] assigned as converted characters of [ ? ], characters [ £? ], [O], [X], and [ t ] assigned as converted characters of [fc], characters [t ], [£}], [fa], and [<?)] assigned as converted characters of [tf ], characters [t>], [J _^ ], [^], and [ft 5] assigned as converted characters of [H], characters [λ], [ts], [&b], and [ h ] assigned as converted characters of [ ^ ], and characters [ *) ], [ & ], [tl], and [h ] assigned as converted characters of [ ^ ], which are classified and stored by the four different conversion selection signals.

[22] In addition, it is preferable that the storage unit stores special characters of [.], [,], ['],

[?], and [!], wherein a certain special character among the special characters is assigned to a cell configuring the screen keyboard, and the storage unit stores information on assignment of at least one or more characters among the remaining special characters not assigned to the cell as converted characters of the special characters assigned to the cell.

[23] In addition, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a character input device for displaying a screen keyboard containing function cells assigned with functions on a display unit and performing an assigned function if a specific function cell of the screen keyboard is touched, the device comprising: a storage unit for storing the functions assigned to the function cells and functions not assigned to the function cells; a touch analysis module for generating, when a specific cell is touched and dragged, a conversion selection signal if a trajectory of the drag goes out of an area of the touched specific function cell; and a control module for receiving the conversion selection signal from the touch analysis module and performing a specific function among the functions not assigned to the function cells stored in the storage unit.

[24] In addition, it is preferable that the storage unit stores information on assignment of functions not assigned to the function cells as converted functions of the functions

assigned to the function cells, and if the specific function cell is touched and thus the conversion selection signal is generated, the control module performs a converted function assigned to the specific function cell.

[25] In addition, it is preferable that the touch analysis module generates different conversion selection signals selection signals depending on a side through which a trajectory dragged after the specific function cell is touched passes from inside to outside of the touched specific function cell, wherein the converted function assignment information of the storage unit includes data assigning the converted functions classified by conversion selection signals different from one another, and if a specific conversion selection signal is generated among the conversion selection signals different from one another, the control module performs a converted function assigned to the specific conversion selection signal.

[26] In addition, it is preferable that the storage unit stores at least two or more functions among nine functions of [Enter], [Tab insertion], [Back space], [Page up], [Page down], [Copy], [Paste], and [Cut], and when a certain function among the functions stored in the storage unit is assigned to the specific function cell, the storage unit stores information on assignment of at least one or more functions among remaining functions not assigned to the function cells as a converted function of the function assigned to the specific function cell.

[27] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a character input device for displaying a screen keyboard comprising a plurality of character cells assigned with characters and at least one or more function cells assigned with functions on a display unit and inputting characters by touching the screen keyboard, the device comprising: a storage unit for storing the characters and functions assigned to the cells and characters and functions not assigned to the cells; and a control unit for checking, if a specific cell is touched and dragged and a trajectory of the drag goes out of an area of the specific cell, whether the touched specific cell is a character cell or a function cell, selecting and inputting a specific character among the characters not assigned to the cell if the touched specific cell is a character cell, and selecting and performing a specific function among the functions not assigned to the cell if the touched specific cell is a function cell.

Advantageous Effects

[28] According to the present invention having the objects and configuration described above, when characters are inputted using a screen keyboard of a mobile terminal having a small screen, the number of character cells and function cells configuring a

screen keyboard can be minimized, and thus each of the cells can be configured in a large size. Therefore, the characters of the screen keyboard are easily recognized, and errors in touching a cell are reduced, and thus characters can be inputted in a speed way as a result.

[29] Furthermore, compared with a conventional technique, in which a user should touch a point near the center of a cell and drag the cell in a specific direction correctly, and the direction can be changed depending on the distance and end point of the drag, in the present invention, a drag method for selecting a converted character or a converted function is configured to be easily used in a cell of a small size since inside and outside of a touched cell is divided, and there is a boundary that is passed through when a drag moves from the touched cell to the outside of the cell, and thus characters can be inputted without an error. Brief Description of the Drawings

[30] FD. 1 is a circuit block diagram showing the overall configuration of the present invention.

[31] FD. 2 is a screen of a display unit showing a Korean character screen keyboard of the present invention.

[32] FD. 3 is a screen showing input of a double consonant using a drag in FD. 2.

[33] FD. 4 is a screen of a display unit showing an alphabet lower case letter screen keyboard of the present invention.

[34] FD. 5 is a screen showing input of an alphabet upper case letter using a drag in FD.

4.

[35] FD. 6 is a screen showing classification of drags depending on boundaries of a cell through which the drag passes at the alphabet lower case letter screen keyboard.

[36] FD. 7 is a screen of a display unit showing an alphabet screen keyboard and a

Chinese character display window for inputting Chinese pinyin of the present invention.

[37] FD. 8 shows a screen where a converted character is inputted by touching and dragging letter [a] in FD. 7, Chinese characters are searched for using the converted character, and the searched Chinese characters are displayed in a Chinese character display window.

[38] FD. 9 is a screen of a display unit showing a screen keyboard and a candidate word window for inputting French letters of the present invention.

[39] FD. 10 shows a screen where a converted character is inputted by touching and dragging letter [e] in FD. 9, words are searched for using the converted character, and

the searched words are displayed in a candidate word window.

[40] FD. 11 is a screen of a display unit showing an alphabet screen keyboard including function cells of the present invention.

[41] FD. 12 is a screen showing a drag at the [Ent] function cell in FD. 11 and a result of performing a converted function by the drag. Mode for the Invention

[42] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the embodiments of the present invention, described is a character input device for inputting characters by touching a touch type screen keyboard displayed on a display unit. However, the present invention can be applied to a general PC in the same manner using a drag of a mouse.

[43] FD. 1 is a circuit block diagram showing the overall configuration of the present invention.

[44] A character input window for inputting characters generated by a screen keyboard and the character input device are displayed on the screen of a display unit 10. The screen keyboard is partitioned into cells to which characters are assigned, and an image of an assigned character is displayed on each of the cells.

[45] In addition, the display unit 10 has a general configuration of a touch panel, which generates a touch signal when a specific portion of the display unit is touched using a touch pen, stores position information (coordinate information on the display unit) of a touch point that is a point in contact with the touch pen on the display unit, and generates a touch release signal when the touch pen contacted with the display unit is removed from the display unit.

[46] The storage unit 20 stores image data of the screen keyboard, characters assigned to the cells partitioning the screen keyboard and information on assignment of the characters, and characters not assigned to the cells and information on assignment of the characters not assigned to the cells as converted characters of the characters assigned to the cells.

[47] In addition, the control unit 40 comprises a touch analysis module for analyzing a touch signal and a touch release signal generated from the display unit 10 by a touch pen and position information of the touch point on the display unit at regular time intervals after the touch signal is generated until the touch release signal is generated, a control module for reading a specific character from the storage unit 20 based on analysis of the touch analysis module and transmitting the specific character to the character generation application program 50, and an operation system (OS).

[48] The touch analysis module traces a trajectory of a drag by detecting the touch signal and the touch release signal, and detects and analyzes positions of the touch point on the display unit at regular intervals after the touch signal is generated until the touch release signal is generated.

[49] In addition, the touch analysis module generates a cell selection signal when a touch release signal is generated while the trajectory of the drag is within the cell area where the touch is generated, and generates a conversion selection signal when the trajectory of the drag goes out of the internal boundary of the cell where the touch is generated and continues to the outside of the cell area.

[50] If the cell selection signal is inputted, the control module reads a character assigned to the cell where the touch is generated from the storage unit 20 and transmits the read character to the character generation application program 50, and the character generation application program 50 displays the corresponding character in the character input window.

[51] In addition, when the conversion selection signal is inputted from the touch analysis module, the control module reads a converted character assigned to the character that is assigned to the cell where the touch is generated and transmits the read converted character to the character generation application program 50.

[52] [Embodiment 1]

[53] In the embodiment 1, the present invention is applied to input of double consonants and diphthongs in inputting Korean characters.

[54] As shown in FD. 2, a touch type screen keyboard for inputting Korean characters is displayed on the displayed unit 10, and the screen keyboard is partitioned into cells displaying consonant and vowel images and [Exit] and [?] for performing an end function and Back Space function.

[55] The storage unit 20 stores image data configuring the screen keyboard, Korean consonants of [π ], [i_.], [τ= ], [ξ ], [U ], [H ], [A], [ O ], [*], [*], [=i ], [≡ ], [λE], and [ϋ ^" ] assigned to the cells of the screen keyboard, Korean vowels of [ } ], [ H ], [_u], [T], [— ], and [ 1 ], and Korean consonants of [TI ],[IX],[HH ] ₅ [M] ₅ and [^] and Korean vowels of [ I= ], [ =| ], [-^] ₅ [TT] that are not assigned to the cells of the screen keyboard.

[56] In addition, the storage unit 20 stores information on assignment of double consonants [τi], [rc], [HH], [M] ₅ and [ ⁷ ^] as converted characters of consonants [π ], [ ¹¹ L [ ^y L [ ^A L and [ ⁷ ^] and information on assignment of diphthongs [ I= ], [ =1 ], [- ¹ ^], and [TT] as converted characters of vowels [ } ], [ -\ ], [-J-], and [T].

[57] Table 1 shows consonants and vowels respectively having a converted character among the Korean consonants and vowels assigned to cells. [58] [Table 1]

Korean consonants/vowels assigned to cel ls having a converted character

[59] Hereinafter, a method of inputting double consonant [τi] by selecting and dragging [ π ] will be described. [60] If [ i ] is selected and a touch signal is generated, the touch analysis module temporarily stores position information of the initial touch point where the touch is generated, detects position information of the touch point at regular intervals until a touch release signal is generated, and checks whether the detected touch point is within the cell area where [ I ] is assigned. Like D of FD. 3, if a drag is generated after [ I ] is selected, and then the trajectory of the drag goes out of [ π ] cell area and the position of the touch point is out of the [ π ] cell area, the touch analysis module transmits a conversion selection signal and the temporarily stored position information of the initial touch point to the control module.

[61] The control module transmits [τi], which is a converted character of [π ] that is assigned to a cell where the initial touch point is positioned, from table 1 to a character generation application program depending on the position information of the initial touch point and the conversion selection signal, and the character generation application program displays [τi] in the character input window.

[62] If a touch release signal is generated while the trajectory of the drag is within the cell area where the touch is generated, the touch analysis module transmits a cell selection signal and position information of the initial touch point to the control module, and the control module transmits [ π ], which is a character assigned to the cell where the initial touch point is generated, to the character generation application program.

[63] If drag trajectories of ®, ©, and © are formed in FD. 3, the drag trajectories go out of the cell area where the touch is generated in all the three cases, and thus a conversion selection signal is generated, and [τi] is display in the character input

window all the same.

[64] In the same manner, double consonant [rc], [HW], [M], or [ ⁷ ^] can be inputted from consonant [τ= ], [H ], [A], or [^], diphthong [ ]= ] from consonant [ V ], diphthong [ ^ ] from consonant [ H ], diphthong [±L] from consonant [-J-], and diphthong [ ^ ] from consonant [ H ], and diphthong [TT] from consonant [T].

[65] In the embodiment 1, since a converted character is selected only if a touch is dragged out of a cell where a touch is generated, a desired result can be obtained without being affected by drawing an unintended drag trajectory caused by shaking or hand trembling and by releasing a drag at an unwanted point in a small size mobile terminal.

[66] [Embodiment 2]

[67] In the embodiment 2, the present invention is applied to character conversions between capital/lower case letters of the alphabet.

[68] When a capital/lower case letter switch button is used in an alphabet screen keyboard, in order to input a word of proper noun that uses a upper case letter as the first letter of an abbreviation, name, place name, or the like, such as [UN], [Mr], [Miss], [John], and [Asia], there is inconvenience of performing the steps of "Switch to upper case letter" → "Input first letter" → " Switch to lower case letter" → "Input remaining letters". However, if the present invention is applied, capital/lower case letters can be inputted without switching between capital/small alphabet screen keyboards in inputting alphabet letters by selecting a converted character using a drag after the first letter is selected.

[69] In the embodiment 2, the storage unit 20 stores alphabet capital/lower case letters of a to z and information on assignment of capital/lower case letters of [a] and [A], [b] and [B], and so on up to [z] and [Z] as mutual converted characters.

[70] In addition, a screen keyboard comprising alphabet lower case letters of a to z is displayed on the display unit 10 as shown in FD. 4. Inputting [John] will be described using both a drag and a touch after "My name is is inputted through the alphabet lower case letter screen keyboard shown in FD. 4.

[71] First, after [my name is ] is inputted, if the cell area of lower case letter [J] of the alphabet screen keyboard is touched and dragged, the touch analysis module generates a conversion selection signal when the trajectory of the drag goes out of the cell area of [j], and the control module fetches upper case letter [J], which is the converted character of the lower case letter [j], from the storage unit and displays the fetched character in the character input window. FD. 5 shows the display unit where upper

case letter [J] is inputted by drag. Subsequently, in order to input [o], [h], and [n], if touching and releasing the cell areas of [o], [h], and [n] are repeated and thus three cell selection signals are generated, input of [John] is finally completed.

[72] Although it is described to convert a lower case letter to a upper case letter in the embodiment, the present invention is applied to conversion of a upper case letter to a lower case letter in the same manner.

[73] In addition, although one type of conversion selection signal is generated in the embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention, alternatively, a different conversion selection signal may be generated depending on a boundary through which the trajectory passes among the boundaries comprising the sides of a cell.

[74] As shown in FD. 6, the shape of cells configuring the screen keyboard is rectangular, and each of the cells has an internal area formed of four sides. In this case, each side becomes a boundary of the cell area. At character [h] configured with boundaries D, D, D, and D, conversion selection signal 1 is generated if the trajectory passes through boundary D like drag ®, conversion selection signal 2 is generated if the trajectory passes through boundary D like drag ©, conversion selection signal 3 is generated if the trajectory passes through boundary D like drag (D, and conversion selection signal 4 is generated if the trajectory passes through boundary D like drag ®.

[75] In addition, the storage unit stores a plurality of converted characters for each character, and the converted characters are classified and stored based on conversion selection signals 1, 2, 3, and 4. If a cell area of a specific character is selected and dragged and thus one of the conversion selection signals is generated, the control module selects a converted character classified as the generated conversion selection signal and displays the converted character in the character input window.

[76] In this case, since a plurality of different conversion selection signals can be assigned as many as the number of boundaries in maximum, the number of converted characters that can be inputted by a drag at a cell is increased.

[77] Although rectangular cells are shown in FD. 6 as an example, the cells may have a variety of shapes such as a triangle, rectangle, or pentagon. In this case, the number of boundaries for dragging from inside to outside of a cell is three in the case of a triangular cell, four in the case of a rectangular cell, and five in the case of a pentagonal cell.

[78] If the number of boundaries is small, the maximum number of converted characters that can be assigned to a cell is reduced although it is easy to drag, whereas if the number of boundaries is large, the number of converted characters that can be assigned

to a cell is increased although it is difficult to drag since the length of a boundary is shortened.

[79] [Embodiment 3]

[80] In the embodiment 3, the present invention is applied to inputting Chinese pinyin and characters using a general English keyboard.

[81] In order to input Chinese pinyin for inputting Chinese characters of an ideogram using the alphabet, there are 24 modified alphabet letters used as special phonetic symbols for expressing how to make a voice depending on four tones.

[82] Accordingly, in order to express the tones in the Chinese pinyin, the modified alphabet letters should be displayed on the screen keyboard to be selected. However, a small mobile terminal is limited in space to display all of the 26 basic alphabet letters and 24 modified alphabet letters.

[83] FD. 7 shows an alphabet screen keyboard having rectangular cells for inputting

Chinese pinyin. Each of the cells has four boundaries, and a Chinese character display window for displaying Chinese characters searched using inputted alphabet letters is displayed above the screen keyboard. The touch analysis module generates conversion selection signal 1, 2, 3, or 4 when a drag passes through boundary D, D, D, or D of a cell in the same manner as described referring to FD. 6.

[84] The storage unit 20 stores 26 basic alphabet letters (a to z), modified alphabet letters of alphabet a, e, I, o, and u used as phonetic symbols of Chinese four tones, a plurality of Chinese characters (of a traditional or simplified style), information on character strings assigned to Chinese characters for Chinese pinyin and information on tones of the Chinese characters, image data for configuring the screen keyboard, information on the positions of cells partitioning the screen keyboard on the display unit, information on the basic alphabet letters assigned to the respective cells, converted characters assigned to alphabet letter of [a], [e], [i], [o], [u], and [v] (in this case, modified alphabet letters), and information on conversion selection signals assigned to respective converted characters.

[85] Table 2 shows some of data stored in the storage unit of the embodiment 3, and

Table 3 shows converted characters assigned to conversion selection signals 1 to 4.

[86]

[Table 2]

Some of data stored in the storage unit of embodiment 3

[87] [Table 3]

Converted characters and assignment of conversion selection signals

[88] Rrst, in order to input a Chinese character

having a Chinese pinjin alphabet character string [ai ]

, if [a] shown on the alphabet screen keyboard displayed in FD. 7 is touched and dragged and the drag passes through boundary D, the touch analysis module transmits conversion selection signal 2 and position information of the touch point where the initial touch is occurred to the control module. The control module fetches converted character

[a] assigned to conversion selection signal 2 of basic alphabet [a] of Table 3 from the storage unit and temporarily stores and displays the converted character in the character input window, and searches for

M, DI] having Chinese pinyin

[a] from the storage unit and displays the characters in the Chinese character display window. FD. 8 shows a drag passing through boundary D after [a] is touched,

[a] inputted in the Chinese character input window after the drag, and Chinese characters displayed in the Chinese character display window. [89] If [i] is touched and released after

[a] is inputted, the touch analysis module generates a cell selection signal, and the control module temporarily stores characters [ai] concatenating temporarily stored

[a] and [i], searches for Chinese characters having character string

[a] from the storage unit, and displays searched

, and [M] in the Chinese character display window. [90] If

displayed in the Chinese character display window is selected, the control module deletes character string

[ai] displayed in the Chinese character input window and the temporarily stored character string and displays

M in the Chinese character input window.

[91] In the embodiment 3, the display unit is provided with a Chinese character display window, and the storage unit stores Chinese characters assigned with an alphabet character string. In the embodiment 3, described is a method of displaying Chinese characters matched to a character string including an inputted basic alphabet letter and a modified alphabet letter (i.e., a converted character) in the Chinese character display window. However, in the present invention, converted characters are assigned and a candidate word window is provided for a variety of languages. Therefore, the present invention can be effectively used as an input method that utilizes candidate words, in which words containing a converted character are searched for from the storage unit using a screen keyboard comprising a minimum number of cells and displayed in the candidate word window. An example of inputting French letters utilizing the candidate words is described below.

[92] The French language additionally has ten modified alphabet letters such as

[a] modified from [a], e e e e modified from [e],

1 , 1 , modified from [i], o , modified from [o], and *** and *** modified from [u]. The ten modified alphabet letters are assigned as converted characters of basic alphabet letters [a], [e], [i], [o], and [u], and conversion selection signals are assigned to the converted letters. [93]

[Table 4]

An example of French converted letters and assignment of conversion select ion signals

[94] The display unit is provided with an alphabet screen keyboard having rectangular cells for displaying 26 basic alphabet letters and a candidate word window for displaying searched candidate words, and the storage unit stores basic alphabet and converted letters, information on allocation of cells and assignment of converted letters, and a plurality of words including words having a converted letter. The touch analysis module generates conversion selection signal 1, 2, 3, or 4 if a drag passes through cell boundary D, D, D, or D in the same method as described referring to FD. 6.

[95] FD. 9 shows a display unit where an alphabet screen keyboard and a candidate word window for inputting French letters are displayed, and Table 5 shows some of data stored in the storage unit for inputting French letters.

[96] [Table 5]

Some of data stored in the storage unit for inputt ing candidate French words

[97] In order to input word

[etoile] having letter

[e] that is not assigned to any one of cells configuring the screen keyboard as the first letter, if the cell [e] area of the screen keyboard is touched and dragged and the drag passes through boundary D, the touch analysis module transmits conversion selection signal 1 and position information of the touch point where the initial touch is occurred to the control module. The control module fetches converted character

[e] assigned to conversion selection signal 1 of basic alphabet [e] of Table 4 from the storage unit and temporarily stores and displays the converted character in the character input window, and searches for words starting with

[e] from the storage unit and displays the words in the candidate word window in alphabetical order. In this case, words

[etoile], [etudiant] starting with

[e] are displayed in the candidate word window, and if word

[etoile] displayed in the candidate word window is selected, letter

[e] previously displayed in the character display window is deleted, and word

[etoile] is displayed. [98] FD. 10 shows a drag passing through boundary D from the cell [e] area, and the candidate word window and the character input window displayed aαjording to the drag. [99] If there are many words starting with

[e]

and the words searched for when

[e] is selected are not displayed in the candidate word window, the next alphabet letter is successively selected. In this case, the control module accumulatively stores the selected alphabet letters, searches for words using the accumulated character string, and displays the searched words in the character display window. The accumulated character string is cleared when a word is selected from the candidate word window and inputted in the character input window, or the space key is pressed.

[100] According to the present invention, in the languages that use the alphabet and have some modified letters in addition to 26 basic alphabet letters of a to z, such as Germany, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and the like other than French, letters can be easily and rapidly inputted using a screen keyboard configured with basic alphabet cells through assignment of converted characters and utilization of the candidate word window.

[101] In addition, even Japanese having a plurality of characters based on 50 sounds can be conveniently inputted in the method of selecting converted characters.

[102] [Table 6]

An example of Japanese converted characters and assignment of conversion select ion signals

[103] In inputting Japanese characters, characters assigned to cells configuring a screen keyboard are [fo], [^], [ £ ], [fc], [£], [Ii], [ t ], [Vφ], [ £> ], and [h] as shown in FD. 5. Converted characters of [&] are [l^], [ j ], [i. ], and [Jo ], converted characters of [^] are [ # ], [ < ], [ft], and [ Z ], converted characters of [ £ ] are [ L ], [t], [ ^■ £], and [-? ^■ ], converted characters of [fc] are [ £? ], [O], [T], and [ t ], converted characters of [tc] are [K ], [ώ], [iα], and [<?)], converted characters of [fi] are [t>], [^], ["\], and [&5], converted characters of [ ^ ] are [λ], [if], [<*ό], and [ £) ], a converted character of [Iφ] is [ <£ ], converted characters of [ ^ ] are [ O ], [ l> ], [fl], and [ ό ] , and a converted character of [ h ] is [ ξr ] .

[104] In Japanese language, converted characters are not assigned to cells configuring the screen keyboard like in French. The touch analysis module generates conversion selection signals in the same manner as described referring to FEr. 6, and converted characters assigned to each of conversion selection signals are determined by Table 6.

[105] The method of selecting converted characters can be effectively used to input special characters for expressing punctuation marks, as well as general characters. When generally and frequently used punctuation marks such as [.], [,], ['], [?], and [!] are respectively assigned to a cell, five cells are needed. However, only the most frequently used [.] is assigned to a cell, and the others are assigned as converted characters, and thus all of the five punctuation marks can be inputted with only cell to which [.] is assigned.

[106] Table 7 shows an example of assignment of conversion selection signals to punctuation mark [.], in which the shape of cells is rectangular, and conversion selection signals are generated in the same manner as described referring to FD. 6.

[107] [Table 7]

An example of converted characters of punctuat ion marks and assignment of conversion select ion signals

[108] Although [?], [,], [!], and ['] frequently used in Korean language are assigned as

converted characters, it is possible to assign frequently used punctuation marks as cell assignment characters and converted characters of the cell assignment characters depending on features of respective languages in a manner different from Table 7.

[109] [Embodiment 4]

[110] In the embodiment 4, the present invention is applied not to input of general characters, but to function cells.

[I l l] A screen keyboard for inputting characters has a variety of function cells for editing, such as [Enter], [Backspace], [Page up], [Page down], [Copy], [Paste], and [Cut], in addition to character cells.

[112] Unlike the cells to which characters are assigned (hereinafter, referred to as character cells), if a function cell is selected, a previously assigned function is performed rather than a character is inputted.

[113] As shown in FD. 11, the display unit 10 shows an alphabet screen keyboard for inputting English letters. The screen keyboard is partitioned into alphabet letter cells of a to z and two function cells in the form of a rectangle, and an image of an assigned letter or an image expressing an assigned function is displayed in each cell.

[114] The storage unit stores image data configuring the screen keyboard, alphabet letters of a to z, information on alphabet letters assigned to character cells, information on functions assigned to function cells, information on assignment of the function cells, information on functions not assigned to the function cells, and information on assignment of the functions not assigned to the function cells to the function cells as converted functions of the functions assigned to the function cells.

[115] In addition, the touch analysis module generates conversion selection signal 1, 2, 3, or 4 when a drag passes through boundary D, D, D or D of a cell in the same manner as described referring to FD. 6, and the converted function assigned to each signal in a function cell is as shown in Table 8.

[116] [Table 8]

An example of functions assigned to function cel ls and assignment of converted funct ions

[117] It will be described that although a user tries to input "Hello" using the alphabet screen keyboard, the user inputs "Hello" by mistake and deletes the last [o] using a converted function.

[118] Hrst, if touches and releases are repeated in the cell areas of [h],[e],[l],[l],[o], and [o] on the screen keyboard, the touch analysis module transfers respective cell selection signals and information on touch points, and the control module checks that the touched cells are character cells and inputs assigned letters.

[119] In order to delete the erroneously inputted last [o], if the function cell [Ent] is touched and dragged and the drag passes through boundary D, the touch analysis module transmits conversion selection signal 3 and position information of the touch to the control module. The control module checks that the touched cell is a function cell and performs [Backspace] function assigned to conversion selection signal 3. As a result, the last [o] is deleted, and thus "Hello" is completed.

[120] FD. 12 shows the display unit where "Hello" is completed by performing a drag in the function cell [Ent] and performing [backspace] function by the drag.

[121] Although an English screen keyboard is described in the embodiment 4, use of function cells can be applied to a screen keyboard for inputting languages other than English, and frequently used functions can be applied as assignment and converted functions in a manner different from those shown in Table 8 to be suitable for features of an input language.