Description

METHOD OF SEARCHING FOR AND SELECTING DATA USING A LINE-TYPE DIGITIZER

Technical Field

[1] The present invention is a continuation application of Korean Patent Application

No. 10-2000-23524 entitled "Method and Apparatus for Generating Numeric Codes Using Fingerprint Input Sensor".

[2] The present invention relates to a method of inputting data to a digital portable device or a system having a limited number of keys, and, more particularly, to a method of inputting data using a line-type digitizer, which evaluates a digitized value that is first input to the line-type digitizer, generates an odd/even bit, compares the odd/even bit with the digitized value, searches a code table, thereby obtaining a desired data input value and thus providing an improved data input method. Background Art

[3] Generally, a conventional keyboard method using the Arabic numerals or a method of inputting numerals using a small number of keys enable excellent input speed performance.

[4] In particular, in the case of mobile phones, numerals are input using 12 keys. This is problematic in that it is difficult to further decrease the size thereof.

[5] Meanwhile, a method of mounting a two-dimensional digitizer immediately below a liquid crystal display has a limitation on the efficient input of numerals when the size of the liquid crystal display is small.

[6] Therefore, in order to resolve the above problems, the present applicant filed

Korean Application No. 10-2000-23524 entitled "Method and Apparatus for Generating Numeric Codes using Fingerprint Input Sensor".

[7] However, in the prior art, the contact area of the fingerprint input sensor is small, so that there is a problem in that it is difficult to input characters, for example, the Korean alphabet letter such as "D" or "D", or the Roman alphabet letter, such as "a" or "b", other than the numeral codes.

[8] Moreover, for portable devices, in which it is frequently required to select stored data, a method of generating numerals or characters through a line-type digitizer has already been implemented, but a method of efficiently selecting stored data or menu items has not been developed.

[9] Furthermore, it is well known that in the line-type digitizer, one-axis digitization data is provided, so that there is no desirable method of efficiently matching the data to the two-dimensional screen of a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). In a conventional line-

type digitizer, it is only possible to implement a technology of matching a digitization direction to the movement of a cursor in a screen, so that there is a need to improve user convenience through the development of another technology. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[10] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method of searching for and selecting data using a line-type digitizer, the a line-type digitizer being mounted in below the screen of an LCD, which evaluates a location average value that is a digitized value input from the line-type digitizer, generates a data code, locates a cursor at the relative location of the screen of the LCD corresponding to the data code, and calls a program according to the data code value when the location of the cursor corresponds to a desired code value.

[11] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of searching for and selecting data using a line-type digitizer, which evaluates a digitized value input to the line-type digitizer, generates an odd/even value, compares the digitized value with the odd/even value, searches a code table, thereby obtaining a desired data input value, and thus providing an improved data input method.

Technical Solution

[12] In order to accomplish the above objects, an embodiment of a method of searching for and selecting data using a line-type digitizer according to the present invention includes a first step of initializing all variables and constants; a second step of calling a line-type digitizer function based on the variables and constants initialized at the first step; a third step of checking a location average value of the line-type digitizer, input at the second step, from operating memory, and determining whether the value has been obtained; a fourth step of searching a data code table based on the location average value and generating a data code, if it is determined that the location average value has been input at the third step; a fifth step of calling a display function according to the data code generated at the fourth step; a sixth step of determining whether an input bit value of the line-type digitizer function, called at the second step, is 0; a seventh step of returning to the third step if the input bit value is determined not to be 0 at the sixth step, and calling a predetermined program according to the generated data code if the input bit value is 0; an eighth step of determining whether a termination code has been input after the seventh step has been performed; and a ninth step of going back to the third step if the termination code has not been input, and returning if the termination code has been input.

[13] In order to accomplish the above objects, another embodiment of a method of

searching for and selecting data using a line-type digitizer according to the present invention includes a first step of initializing all variables and constants; a second step of calling a line-type digitizer function based on the variables and constants initialized at the first step; a third step of checking a location average value of the line-type digitizer, input at the second step, from operating memory and, thereby, determining whether the value has been obtained; a fourth step of checking an odd/even bit value of the line-type digitizer, input at the second step, in the operating memory and, thereby, determining whether the value has been obtained, if it is determined that the location average value has been input; a fifth step of generating and storing an odd bit based on the location average value of the third step if the location average value is determined not to exist at the fourth step; a sixth step of searching a data code table based on the location average value and generating a data code if it is determined that the location average value has been input at the third step; a seventh step of calling a display function based on the data code and the odd bit of fourth to sixth steps; an eighth step of determining whether an input bit value of the line-type digitizer function called at the second step is 0; a ninth step of returning to the third step if the input bit value is determined not to be 0 at the sixth step, and calling a predetermined program corresponding to the generated data code if the input bit value is 0; a tenth step of determining whether a termination code has been input after the seventh step is performed; and an eleventh step of going back to the third step if the termination code has not been input, and returning if the termination code has been input.

Advantageous Effects

[14] The present invention can be designed so as to allow a music title selection cursor to move perpendicular to the direction of movement of the thumb at the time of searching for the title of music when a line-type digitizer and an LCD are mounted in a portable MP3 player at predetermined relative locations, thereby realizing the convenient selection of music titles. Furthermore, an odd/even bit is generated based on a location average value obtained by the line-type digitizer and a data code is generated based on the generated odd/even bit and the location average value. Then, based on the odd even bit and the data code, a limited number of input keys and icons for selecting data and programs are displayed on a screen and are selected through the line-type digitizer, thereby providing the advantage of running various application programs in a portable device. Brief Description of the Drawings

[15] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a conventional device for generating numeric codes using a line-type digitizer;

[16] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart for a line-type digitizer according to the

present invention; [17] FlG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of searching for and selecting data using a line-type digitizer according to the present invention; [18] FlG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of generating and utilizing an odd/even bit using the digitized value of a line-type digitizer according to the present invention; [19] FlG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the basic arrangement of the line-type digitizer according to the present invention; [20] FlG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the concept of the odd/even bit of the line-type digitizer according to the present invention; [21] FlG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a dialing screen in the odd mode of the line-type digitizer of the present invention; [22] FlG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a dialing screen in the even mode of the line-type digitizer of the present invention; [23] FlG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a Hangeul input screen in the odd mode of the line-type digitizer of the present invention; [24] FlG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a Hangeul input screen in the even mode of the line-type digitizer of the present invention; [25] FlG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data search and selection screen in the odd mode of the line-type digitizer of the present invention; [26] FlG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data search and selection screen in the even mode of the line-type digitizer of the present invention; [27] FlG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a dialing screen displayed after the search and selection of data in the odd and even modes of the line-type digitizer of the present invention; and [28] FlG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of data and screen in the odd and even modes of the line-type digitizer of the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [29] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to drawings in detail. [30] The basic device of the present invention can be implemented using a device having performance equal to or higher than that of the device (see FlG. 1) of previously filed

Korean Patent Application No. 10-2000-23524. In the basic device of the present invention, a method of searching for and selecting data using a line-type digitizer according to the present invention is performed as follows. [31] First, as illustrated in FlG. 3, a Micro-Processor Unit (MPU) 6 executes programs stored in program memory 7 based on the selection of a user, and initializes constants and variables in operating memory 8 at step SIl. After having assigned and initialized

the constants and the variables in the operating memory 8, the MPU 6 calls and performs a line-type digitizer function. In this case, when the line-type digitizer function is called, a location average value is repeatedly received and stored in a buffer located in the operating memory 8 at step S 12 according to the flowchart of FlG. 2. The MPU 6 performs a step of determining whether the location average value exists in the buffer located in the operating memory 8 at step S 13. Thereafter, if it is determined that there has been no location average value, an error is generated, and the system is initialized. If it is determined that there has been the location average value, the MPU 6 searches a data code table, which is stored in the operating memory 8 at the time of initialization, and generates a data code at step S 14. Then, the MPU 6 calls a display function based on the generated data code at step S 15. Next, the MPU 6 determines whether an input bit, set by the line-type digitizer function, is 0, and, if it is determined that it has not been 0, checks the location average value in the buffer located in the operating memory 8, whereas if it is determined that it has been 0, calls a separate program corresponding to the data code at step S 17. Thereafter, the MPU 6 responds to the input of an end key pressed by the user, and, if there is an input value, stores it in the operating memory 8 at step S 18. The MPU 6 determines whether the input value of the end key has been stored in the operating memory 8, and, if the end key has not been input, initializes the system, but if the end key has been input, returns at step S 19.

[32] FlG. 4 shows another embodiment of the present invention in which technology of generating and utilizing an odd/even bit is added to the embodiment illustrated in FlG. 3.

[33] As illustrated in FlG. 4, in the case of generating an odd/even bit, some steps, illustrated with reference to FlG. 3, are identical to steps up to the step of the MPU 6 checking the location average value. Only a step S 34 of the MPU 6 determining whether the odd/even bit has a predetermined value, a step S35 of the MPU 6 comparing a location average value, which is an initial digitized value input to the line- type digitizer, with a median value (5 in the case of 0 to 9), and determining whether the value is larger or smaller than the central value, and a step S37 of calling a display function in consideration of both the odd/even bit and the data code are different from FlG. 3. In brief, only the facts that a value, which is initially input to the line-type digitizer, is classified as one of two to five values and the display function is called based on the odd/even bit and the data code are different from those of FlG. 3.

[34] The specific concept of the present invention is additionally described below with reference to accompanying drawings. The principal premise of the present invention is that data codes are generated using the line-type digitizer and the generated data codes are a sequence-type data structure, like numeral codes, rather than continuous digitized

values.

[35] FlG. 2 illustrates a basic flowchart for a conventional line-type digitizer. The line- type digitizer can use various types of devices besides a fingerprint input sensor. It may be designed using a separate chip similar to the fingerprint input sensor. Any device which is basically characterized in that a single-axis digitized value is generated and a user can control the input of of an input value can be considered to be a line-type digitizer.

[36] The operation methods related to FIGS. 3 and 4 were described in detail above, but the physical aspect thereof is described below. Here, a description is given only with respect to FlG. 4.

[37] A user selects a program to be executed through the selection of a menu item. Then, data, which are represented at the time of initial execution, are displayed on an LCD screen. Conventionally, the display is performed based on an odd bit of odd/even bits. In order to input the initial input value of the line-type digitizer, the user starts to perform digitization from the right or left side (or the center) of the line-type digitizer. Thereafter, the input digitized value is evaluated, so that menu items or data content to be displayed on the screen vary based on the evaluation. If it is determined that a desired data code value has been obtained by moving a cursor on the screen through the line-type digitizer, the digitization is interrupted. Then, a data code is fixed into a recently selected data code, and a program linked to the fixed data code is performed. Specific programs include a program for the selection of the title of music, a program for the input of characters, and a program for name dialing. In addition, many other programs exist.

[38] FlG. 5 is a diagram of an example of the arrangement of the line-type digitizer.

There is a characteristic in that, when a cursor is moved up and down, the digitization direction of the line-type digitizer is a left-right direction. The fact that the movement of the cursor is perpendicular to the movement of the digitization is one of the characteristics of the present invention. Of course, the previously patented invention disclosed movement in the same direction.

[39] FlG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a concept of classifying an odd/even bit. Based on the center value, the left side portion is an odd number region and the right side portion is an even number region. In actual calculation, the numerals thereof are compared to each other. When a location average value that is an initially input digitized value is smaller than the center value, an odd bit is set, and, when the location average value is larger than the center value, an even bit is set.

[40] FlG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a dialing method using numeric screen keys. In this case, the thumb of the right hand moves from the left portion of the line-type digitizer to the right part. When the finger is lifted therefrom if the cursor is located at numeral

6, an input bit is set to 0 and, at the same time, the execution of a line-type digitizer function is terminated. Thereafter, numeral 6 is added into dialing codes. [41] FlG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a method in which, when input begins from the right of a line-type digitizer, the LCD screen is displayed as in FlG. 6, and when a finger is moved without being lifted until the cursor is moved to numeral 9, numeral 9 is input. [42] Referring to FlG. 9, at the time of the input of Hangeul, initial input operation is started in the odd region such that a consonant is displayed. Of cause, a character input mode has been previously selected. [43] In FlG. 10, at the time of the input of Hangeul, initial input operation is started in the even region such that a consonant is displayed. [44] FlG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the title of music is selected in the case where the even bit is used using the line-type digitizer. [45] FlG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the title of music is selected in the case where the odd bit is used using the line-type digitizer. [46] FlG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a screen in the case where dialing is performed by selecting a name using the line-type digitizer. [47] FlG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a process of generating data codes. In FlG. 14, an upper drawing is a diagram illustrating a screen displayed when an odd/even bit is 0, that is, when initial input is started from the right portion of a line-type digitizer, and data code "E" is generated, and a lower drawing is a diagram illustrating a screen displayed when an odd/even bit is 1, that is, when initial input is started from the left portion of a line-type digitizer, and data code "Y" is generated. [48] Generally, it will be understood that the case in which input is started from the right portion and the case in which input is started from the left portion are opposite each other.

Industrial Applicability

[49] As described above, the present invention can be designed so as to allow a music title selection cursor to move perpendicular to the direction of movement of the thumb at the time of searching for the title of music when a line-type digitizer and an LCD are mounted in a portable MP3 player at predetermined relative locations, as illustrated in FIG. 5, thereby realizing the convenient selection of music titles. Furthermore, an odd/ even bit is generated based on a location average value obtained by the line-type digitizer, and a data code is generated based on the generated odd/even bit and the location average value. Then, based on the odd/even bit and the data codes, a limited number of input keys and icons for selecting data and programs are displayed on a screen and are selected through the line-type digitizer, thereby realizing an advantage of running various application programs in a portable device.

[50] Such an odd/even bit can be efficiently used in the case of performing dialing while displaying numeric buttons as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 or the case of inputting Hangeul as in FIGS. 9 and 10. Furthermore, the odd/even bit can be efficiently used in the case of selecting the title of music as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 or the case of performing dialing by searching for a name as illustrated in FlG. 13.

[51] By arranging an LCD screen and a line-type digitizer as illustrated in FlG. 5, the direction in which a user moves his or her thumb is horizontal, but the movement direction of a cursor is vertical, thereby dramatically increasing the convenience of a user.

[52] In the case of setting an odd/even bit, when a limited number of input keys and menu items must be displayed on an LCD having a limited size, there is an advantage of changing data displayed on the screen through interfacing using the initial input value of the line-type digitizer. Furthermore, when the odd/even bit is used as a factor for determining the search range at the time of searching for data, search efficiency can be increased.

[53] 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.