KR20120134162A - Method and apparatus for inputting character in electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A character input method in an electronic device and a device thereof are provided to enable the blind to more easily input characters by mapping the characters with coordinates of a touch screen and outputting characters corresponding to the coordinates as a voice signal. CONSTITUTION: An electronic device maps characters with each coordinate of a screen(203). If a user touch to the screen is sensed, the electronic device searches for the characters mapped with the coordinates sensing the user touch(205,207). The electronic device outputs a voice signal of the searched characters(209). If the user touch is moved, the electronic device outputs the voice signal of the characters mapped with the coordinates corresponding to touch movement(213). [Reference numerals] (201) Entering a character input mode; (203) Mapping characters with each coordinate on a screen; (205) Is a user touch generated ?; (207) Searching for a voice signal of the characters mapped with the touch coordinates; (209) Outputting a searched voice signal; (211) Moving/releasing the user touch?; (213) Outputting a voice signal of the characters mapped with corresponding coordinates according to touch movement; (215) Storing and inputting characters corresponding to a voice lastly outputted; (AA) Start; (BB) No; (CC) Yes; (DD) Release; (EE) Movement

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES {METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INPUTTING CHARACTER IN ELECTRONIC DEVICE}

The present invention relates to a text input technology in an electronic device, and more particularly, to a text input method and apparatus for a visually impaired person.

Recently, the use of electronic devices such as mobile communication terminals and portable terminals has been increasing. Accordingly, service providers are competitively developing electronic devices having more convenient functions to secure a large number of users. For example, various methods for efficiently inputting characters in electronic devices have been provided. However, since the character input methods provided in the related art are for general users, they are difficult to use by the visually impaired.

Conventional electronic devices provide a text input method using speech recognition for the visually impaired. For example, the electronic device recognizes a user's voice and provides a method of automatically inputting a character corresponding to the recognized voice. However, the method of inputting a character by recognizing the voice as described above has a disadvantage in that a character may be incorrectly input when the voice recognition rate is lowered according to the ambient noise. In addition, the method of inputting a character by recognizing the voice has a disadvantage in that it cannot be used when the user is in a difficult situation to speak or when the user is uncomfortable to speak.

The present invention is derived to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention to provide a character input method and apparatus in an electronic device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for mapping a character to coordinates of a touch screen in an electronic device and inputting the character by detecting a user's touch operation.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a character input method and apparatus for mapping a character to coordinates of a touch screen in an electronic device and outputting a character corresponding to the touch coordinates of a user as a voice signal to facilitate inputting a character of the visually impaired. Is in.

According to a first aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, the character input method in the electronic device, the process of mapping the character to each coordinate of the screen, the process of detecting the user touch on the screen, the user touch And searching for a character mapped to the detected coordinates of the screen, and outputting a voice signal of the searched character.

According to a second aspect of the present invention for achieving the above objects, the character input device in the electronic device, a sensing unit for detecting a user touch on the screen, and maps the character to each coordinate of the screen, And a controller for searching for a character mapped to the detected screen coordinates, and a voice output unit for outputting a voice signal of the found character.

The present invention by mapping the character to the coordinates of the touch screen in the electronic device, by outputting the character corresponding to the user's touch coordinates as a voice signal, the visually impaired can easily enter the character, regardless of the surrounding environment There is an effect that can be entered correctly.

1 is a block diagram showing an electronic device according to the present invention;
2 is a diagram illustrating a character input procedure in an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
3A and 3B illustrate a Hangul input procedure in an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
4 and 5 are diagrams showing a Hangul input method in an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
6 is a diagram illustrating a phone book function using a Hangul input method in an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
7 and 8 are views illustrating an English input method in an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
9 is a diagram illustrating a phone book function using an English input method in an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
10A and 10B illustrate an English input procedure using word recommendation in an electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention; and
11 and 12 are diagrams illustrating an English input method using word recommendation in an electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of the present invention, detailed descriptions of related well-known functions or configurations will be omitted if it is determined that the detailed description of the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention. In addition, terms to be described below are terms defined in consideration of functions in the present invention, which may vary according to intention or custom of a user or an operator. Therefore, the definition should be based on the contents throughout this specification.

Hereinafter, a method and apparatus for mapping a character to coordinates of a touch screen in an electronic device and inputting a character by detecting a user's touch operation will be described.

1 shows a block configuration of an electronic device according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the electronic device includes a control unit 100, an input / output unit 110, a voice output unit 120, and a storage unit 130. In particular, the control unit 100 includes a text input control unit. 102, the input / output unit 110 includes a touch screen panel 112.

First, the control unit 100 controls and processes the overall operation of the electronic device, and includes a text input control unit 102 in accordance with the present invention to provide a text input method for facilitating the text input of the visually impaired Control and handle the functions.

That is, the character input control unit 102 controls a function of mapping a character to each coordinate of the touch screen when the character input mode is entered, and outputting a voice signal of the character mapped to the touched coordinate by sensing a user's touch. And processing. In addition, the text input control unit 102 detects a user's touch operation (for example, changing a touch direction or releasing a touch), and stores and inputs a text corresponding to touch coordinates or a text corresponding to a voice signal output at the end. Control and process functions In addition, the text input controller 102 may switch the text input mode according to the user's touch direction change. For example, the text input controller 102 operates in a consonant input mode when the user's touch moves in the up and down direction, and switches to the vowel input mode when the user's touch moves in the left and right directions. Could be. Of course, according to the design method, the character input control unit 102 may control to switch from the Korean input mode to the English input mode when the user's touch direction is changed. In addition, the character input control unit 102 determines whether the character corresponding to the current touch coordinates and the previously input character can be combined, and when the combination is possible, the character corresponding to the current touch coordinates and the character previously inputted. To control and process the function for outputting the voice signal of the combined character.

The character input control unit 102 may map a character to coordinates of the touch screen in various ways according to a design method. For example, consonants may be mapped to each of the Y-axis coordinates of the touch screen in order, and a vowel may be mapped to each of the X-axis coordinates in order. For example, in Korean input mode, the consonant "ㄱ" is mapped to (x, 0), "b" is mapped to (x, 1), and "c" is mapped to (x, 2). For example, consonants may be sequentially mapped to Y-axis coordinates regardless of the x-axis coordinates. In the case of the Korean input mode, the vowel "ㅏ" is mapped to (0, y), the "ㅑ" is mapped to (1, y), and the "ㅓ" is mapped to (2, y). You can map vowels in order to the x-axis coordinates regardless of the y-axis coordinates. This character mapping method may be equally applied to the English input mode. Here, the interval of the coordinates to which each character is mapped may be set in consideration of the size of the touch screen, and may be changed according to a design method. For example, you can map consonants to (x, 0), (x, 1), (x, 2), ..., (x, y) in order, and (x, 0), (x, 3), (x, 6), ..., (x, y) may be mapped in order. You can also map vowels to (0, y), (1, y), (2, y), ..., (x, y) in order, and (0, y), (2, y) You might map consonants to, (4, y), ..., (x, y) in order.

The input / output unit 110 includes a display unit (not shown) for displaying various state information, letters, numbers, and images generated during the operation of the electronic device, and an input unit (not shown) for receiving data from a user. In particular, the input / output unit 110 is configured to include a touch screen panel 110 according to the present invention, thereby displaying a variety of information generated during the operation of the electronic device through the touch screen panel 110, the user touch The controller detects and provides the coordinates of the touched position to the controller 100. In particular, the touch screen panel 110 according to the present invention, in the character input mode, as shown in Figures 4 to 8 below, the coordinates corresponding to the movement direction of the character and the touch mapped to the coordinate of the touched position It can display characters mapped to. In addition, according to the present invention, the touch screen panel 110 may provide the controller 100 with coordinates of a user's touch start position, coordinates corresponding to a touch movement, and coordinates of a touch release position. Here, the control unit 100 may detect that the direction of the touch movement has been switched through coordinates corresponding to the touch movement.

The voice output unit 120 outputs a voice signal generated during the operation of the electronic device under the control of the controller 100. In particular, according to the present invention, the voice output unit 120 outputs a voice signal of a text corresponding to the coordinate of the touch position of the user in the text input mode. Here, the voice output unit 120 may receive a digital voice signal stored in the storage unit 130 from the controller 100 and convert the digital voice signal into an analog signal.

The storage unit 130 stores various programs and data necessary for the operation of the electronic device. In particular, the storage unit 130 stores a table indicating a mapping relationship between the coordinates and the characters of the touch screen under the control of the controller 100 according to the present invention, and stores a voice signal corresponding to each character. . The storage unit 130 stores a table indicating a mapping relationship between each coordinate and a character for each of a plurality of character input modes under the control of the controller 100. For example, the storage unit 130 is a table indicating the mapping relationship between the Y-axis coordinates and the Hangul consonants, a table indicating the mapping relationship between the X-axis coordinates and the Korean vowels, and represents a relationship between the Y-axis coordinates and the English consonants. A table, a table representing a mapping relationship between X-axis coordinates and an English vowel, can be stored.

2 illustrates a text input procedure in an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2, the electronic device enters a text input mode in step 201. In this case, the entry into the text input mode may be performed through various methods such as a preset hotkey input, voice recognition, double touch, and the like, and will not be limited to a specific method.

The electronic device maps the characters to the coordinates of the screen according to a preset method in step 203, and proceeds to step 205 to detect whether a user touch is generated.

When the user's touch is detected, the electronic device proceeds to step 207 to search for a voice signal of a character mapped to coordinates touched by the user. Thereafter, the electronic device outputs the searched voice signal so that the user can listen.

In step 211, the electronic device determines whether the user touch is moved or released. That is, the electronic device is dragged without the user releasing the touch to move to another position or check whether the user touch is released.

If the user touch is not released and is dragged to move to another position, the electronic device proceeds to step 213 and outputs a voice signal of a character mapped to a corresponding coordinate as the touch moves, and then, step 211. Return to In this case, the electronic device may sequentially output all the voice signals of the text mapped to each of the coordinates included in the path in which the user's touch moves according to a design method, and the user's touch is above a threshold time at a specific location. Only in case of staying, a voice signal of a character mapped to a coordinate of a corresponding position may be output. For example, with the letters "ㄱ", "ㄴ", "ㄷ", ..., and "ㅅ" mapped to each coordinate at positions A, B, C, ..., G on the screen, If you touch the location and drag to touch B, C, and D, the voice signals of the letters "ㄱ", "ㄴ", "ㄷ", and "ㄹ" mapped to positions A, B, C, and D are sequentially In this case, when the touch stays less than or equal to the threshold time in the B position and the C position, and the touch stays longer than or equal to the threshold time in the A position and the D position, the letter mapped to the A and C positions Only voice signals of "," d "may be output sequentially.

In addition, when the voice signal is output, it is determined whether the text mapped to the coordinates of the current position and the previously input and stored characters can be combined. By combining the characters, the voice signal of the combined characters may be output. Here, whether or not it can be combined may be determined through a pre-stored character combining method or a word DB.

In contrast, when the user touch is released, that is, when the user touches the screen, the electronic device proceeds to step 215 and stores and inputs a character corresponding to the last output voice. The process returns to step 215 to perform the following steps again.

3A and 3B illustrate a Hangul input procedure in an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3A and 3B, a case in which Korean consonants are mapped to Y-axis coordinates and Korean vowels are mapped to X-axis coordinates will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3A and 3B. However, the descriptions of FIGS. 3A and 3B may be variously changed without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the case of mapping English consonants to the Y-axis coordinates, and English consonants to the X-axis coordinates can be applied in the same way, it is possible to map Korean or English vowels to the Y-axis coordinates, The same applies to the case of mapping Korean or English consonants to the X-axis coordinates.

3A and 3B, the electronic device enters a text input mode in step 301. In this case, the entry into the text input mode may be performed through various methods such as a preset hotkey input, voice recognition, double touch, and the like, and will not be limited to a specific method.

In step 303, the electronic device maps consonants to Y-axis coordinates of the screen in order and maps vowels to X-axis coordinates in order. For example, mapping "a" to (x, 0), "b" to (x, 1), and "c" to (x, 2). Map consonants in order for Y-axis coordinates, map "ㅏ" to (0, y), map "ㅑ" to (1, y), and map "ㅓ" to (2, y) In this way, the vowels can be mapped in order to the x-axis coordinates regardless of the y-axis coordinates. Here, the interval between the coordinates to which each character is mapped may be set in consideration of the size of the touch screen, and may be changed according to a design method. For example, you can map consonants to (x, 0), (x, 1), (x, 2), ,,, (x, y) in order, and (x, 0), (x, 3) You can map consonants to (x, 6), ,,, (x, y) in order.

In operation 305, the electronic device detects whether a user touch is generated.

When the user's touch is detected, the electronic device proceeds to step 307 to identify the coordinates touched by the user and to search for a voice signal of a consonant mapped to the Y axis of the identified coordinates. In step 309, the electronic device outputs the searched voice signal so that the user can listen. For example, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), when "b 401" is mapped to the Y-axis coordinate of the position touched by the user, the voice signal "ni" indicating the "b" is output. .

In operation 311, the electronic device determines whether the user touch is moved or released. That is, the electronic device is dragged without the user releasing the touch to move to another position or check whether the user touch is released.

If the user touch is released, the electronic device proceeds to step 315 to store and input a character corresponding to the last output voice signal, and returns to step 305 to perform the following steps again. For example, when the last output voice signal is "ni", the electronic device recognizes that the letter "b" is input, and inputs the letter "b" into the corresponding text input window and stores it.

On the other hand, if the user touch is not released and moves to another position while maintaining the screen contact, the electronic device proceeds to step 313 to check whether the movement direction of the touch corresponds to the Y axis. If the movement direction of the touch corresponds to the movement direction corresponding to the Y axis, the electronic device proceeds to step 317 to search for a voice signal of a consonant mapped to the Y axis coordinate corresponding to the movement position of the touch, and proceeds to step 319. Proceeds to and outputs the searched voice signal. For example, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), when the user touches a position where “b 401” is mapped, and then moves downward while maintaining the touch, the Y axis of the moved position The audio signal "ji" indicating the character "403" mapped to the coordinate is output.

In step 321, the electronic device determines whether the movement direction of the touch is changed or the touch is released. If the movement direction of the touch is not changed and the touch is not released, the electronic device returns to step 317 to perform the following steps again. On the other hand, when the movement direction of the touch is changed or the touch is released, the electronic device proceeds to step 329.

On the other hand, when the movement direction of the touch is a movement direction corresponding to the X axis, the electronic device proceeds to step 323 to search for a voice signal of a vowel mapped to the X axis coordinates corresponding to the movement position of the touch, and step 325. Proceeds to and outputs the searched voice signal. For example, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), when the user touches the position at which “j” (403) is mapped, and moves sideways while maintaining the touch, the X axis of the moved position The audio signal "U" representing the character "ㅓ 411" mapped to the coordinate is output. In this case, the electronic device may determine whether the text of the last voice signal and the text "ㅓ" are combined, and if possible, may output the voice signal of the text combining the two characters. For example, as shown in Fig. 4A, when the last output audio signal is " ji, " the character " j 403 " corresponding to the " ji " As described above, when the character "ㅓ 411" corresponding to the X-axis coordinate of the position where the touch is moved can be combined, the voice signal "low" of the "low" is output.

In step 327, the electronic device determines whether the movement direction of the touch is changed or the touch is released. If the movement direction of the touch is not changed and the touch is not released, the electronic device returns to step 312 to perform the following step again. On the other hand, when the movement direction of the touch is changed or the touch is released, the electronic device proceeds to step 329.

The electronic device determines whether the movement direction of the user touch is changed or released in step 329, and returns to step 313 when the movement direction of the user touch is changed, and proceeds to step 331 when the user touch is released. To store and input the character corresponding to the last output audio signal. Thereafter, the electronic device returns to step 305 to perform the following steps again.

Next, an example of a method of inputting a character will be described based on the above description.

4 and 5 illustrate a Hangul input method in an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the user touches a predetermined position on the screen, the electronic device outputs a voice signal “Nee” of the consonant “b 401” mapped to the Y-axis coordinate of the touch position. The touch is sensed to move downward while maintaining the screen contact, and the voice signal “j” of “j” (403) mapped to the Y-axis coordinate of the moved position is output. In this case, the electronic device may temporarily store the letter “ㅈ” and display the corresponding letter input window. Then, when the touch moves to the left while maintaining the screen contact, the electronic device checks "ㅓ 411" mapped to the X-axis coordinates of the moved position, and the character of the last voice signal output The text "low" is generated by combining with "j" (403), and then the audio signal "low" corresponding thereto is output. Here, the electronic device updates and temporarily stores the temporarily stored character "ㅈ" to the character "low", and displays the changed "" "displayed in the text input window as the character" low ". Subsequently, when the user touch moves upward again while maintaining the screen contact, the electronic device checks "b 401" mapped to the Y-axis coordinate of the moved position, and the last voice signal outputted. The text "before" is generated by combining with "low", and then the audio signal "before" corresponding thereto is output. In this case, the electronic device may update the temporary storage and input "low" to "before", and when the user touch is released, the electronic device may determine and store the "before" as an input character.

Then, as shown in FIG. 5, when the user touches the screen again, the electronic device outputs a voice signal “mime” of the consonant “ㅁ 501” mapped to the Y-axis coordinate of the touch position. In this case, the electronic device may temporarily store the letter “ㅁ” and display the corresponding letter input window. Then, if the user's touch moves to the left while maintaining the screen contact, the electronic device checks "ㅣ (511)" mapped to the X-axis coordinates of the moved position, the character of the last voice signal output In combination with " (501) " to generate a character " mi ", a voice signal " mi " Here, the electronic device updates and stores the temporary stored character "ㅁ" as a character "mi", and also changes and displays "ㅁ" displayed in the text input window as a character "mi". Subsequently, when the user touch moves upward again while maintaining the screen contact, the electronic device checks "b 521" mapped to the Y-axis coordinate of the moved position, and the last voice signal outputted. In combination with the "mi" to generate the character "min", and outputs the corresponding voice signal "min". In this case, the electronic device may update the temporary storage and input “mi” to “min”, and when the user touch is released, the “min” may be determined and stored as an input character.

Accordingly, the electronic device may indicate on the screen that "national" is input according to the user's touch.

6 illustrates a phonebook function using a Hangul input method in an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, when the user multi-touchs the screen in a state where the word “general” is input, for example, when two or more fingers touch the electronic device, the electronic device may be used for the input “general”. Search function can be performed. That is, the electronic device may search for information corresponding to the "national" among the information stored in the memory. For example, the electronic device may search for a user name including "Chunmin" in the phone book and map the searched user name to each coordinate of the screen. In this case, when the user's multi-touch moves down while maintaining the screen contact state (601), the electronic device checks the user name mapped to the coordinates of the movement position of the multi-touch, and provides a corresponding voice signal. You can print That is, as shown, when the name mapped to the coordinates of the multi-touch of the user is "Chun Min-uk 611", the electronic device outputs a voice signal corresponding to the name "Chun Min-uk". In this case, when the user touches the corresponding location for a predetermined time or more, the electronic device may perform a function of calling a call to a telephone number corresponding to the "Chun Min Wook 611".

Herein, a description has been given of searching for a name including the input "citizen" in the phone book of the electronic device. However, when the electronic device has a word database, the word database includes the input "citizen". It may be possible to search for words.

7 and 8 illustrate an English input method in an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, the method of inputting English in the electronic device is similar to the method of inputting Korean, but unlike Korean, when consonants are not continuously included in one syllable, consonants may be continuously input in English, and thus reflecting this. In order to recognize the diagonal touch, a consonant input method has been added.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, when the user touches the screen, the electronic device outputs the voice signal “C” of the consonant “C 701” mapped to the Y-axis coordinate of the touch position. In this case, the electronic device may temporarily store the letter “C 701” and display the letter “C” in a corresponding text input window. Then, when the user's touch moves down the diagonal while maintaining the screen contact, the electronic device is a voice signal "H ([eit∫] of the consonant" H (711) "mapped to the Y-axis coordinates of the movement position. ]) " At this time, the electronic device outputs a voice signal of the consonant "C 701", and since the moving direction of the user touch is changed, input both the letter "C 701" and the letter "H 711". It is determined by the character, and the audio signals "C ([si]), H ([eit∫]]" corresponding to the two characters can be output. At this time, the electronic device temporarily stores the letters "C 701" and "H 711", and displays the two letters in a text input window. Subsequently, when the user touch moves downward while maintaining the screen contact, the electronic device receives the voice signal "R ([aːr])" of "R (713)" mapped to the Y-axis coordinate of the moving position. Output At this time, the electronic device outputs the voice signals of "C ([si]), H ([eit∫])", and then the movement direction of the user touch is changed, and thus, the letters "C", "H" and All of "R" can be determined as input characters, and the audio signals "C ([si]), H ([eit∫]), R [aːr])" corresponding to three characters can be output. Subsequently, when the user touch moves to the left while maintaining the screen contact, the electronic device outputs a voice signal of "I 715" mapped to the X axis of the moving position. At this time, the electronic device may output the voice signal "CHRI ([kri])" of "CHRI" by combining the previously input letters "CHR" and "I".

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 8, the electronic device may display on the screen that "CHRI" is input according to a user touch.

9 illustrates a phone book function using an English input method in an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, when the user multi-touches the screen with two or more fingers while the word “CHRI” is input, the electronic device may perform a search function for the input “CHRI”. That is, the electronic device may search for information corresponding to the "CHRI" among the information stored in the memory. For example, the electronic device may search for a user name including "CHRI" in the phone book and map the searched user name to each coordinate of the screen. At this time, when the user's multi-touch moves down while maintaining the screen contact state (801), the electronic device checks the user name mapped to the coordinates of the movement position of the multi-touch, and the corresponding voice signal You can print That is, as illustrated, when the name mapped to the coordinates of the multi-touch of the user is "CHRISS 811", the electronic device outputs a voice signal corresponding to the name "CHRISS". In this case, when the user touches the location for a predetermined time or more, the electronic device may perform a function of calling a call to a telephone number corresponding to the "CHRISS 811".

As described above, in the present invention, the user hears the voice signal by mapping consonants and vowels to the Y-axis coordinates and the X-axis coordinates of the screen in order, and outputs a voice signal of a character mapped to a position touched by the user. Each character included in the word to be entered is entered. However, in the case of English words, since silence and similar pronunciation exist, difficulty in inputting a word desired by the visually impaired may occur only by the above-described method. Accordingly, the present invention provides an English input method using word recommendation.

10A and 10B illustrate an English input procedure using word recommendation in an electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Here, an example will be described in which both consonants and vowels of the English letter are mapped to the Y-axis coordinates, and only the vowels of the English letter are mapped to the X-axis coordinates. However, the same applies to the case where both the English consonants and vowels are mapped to the X-axis coordinates, and only the vowels of the English alphabets are mapped to the Y-axis coordinates. In addition, the word recommendation method described below may be applied in the same way when inputting Korean.

10A and 10B, the electronic device enters an English input mode in step 1001. In this case, the entry into the English input mode may be performed through various methods such as a preset hotkey input, voice recognition, double touch, and the like, and will not be limited to a specific method.

The electronic device maps consonants and vowels of English characters in order to the Y-axis coordinates of the screen in order according to a method set in advance in step 1003, and maps the vowels of English characters to the X-axis coordinates in order. For example, map "A" to (x, 0), map "B" to (x, 1), and "C" to (x, 2). Map consonants and vowels to Y-axis coordinates in order, map "A" to (0, y), map "E" to (1, y), and "I" to (2, y) In this way, the vowels A, E, I, O, U, and Y may be sequentially mapped to the x-axis coordinates regardless of the y-axis coordinates. Here, the interval between the coordinates to which each character is mapped may be set in consideration of the size of the touch screen, and may be changed according to a design method. For example, you can map consonants to (x, 0), (x, 1), (x, 2), ,,, (x, y) in order, and (x, 0), (x, 3) You can map consonants to (x, 6), ,,, (x, y) in order.

Thereafter, the electronic device detects whether a user touch is generated in step 1005.

When the user's touch is detected, the electronic device proceeds to step 1007 to output a voice signal of a character mapped to the Y-axis coordinate of the position touched by the user. For example, as shown in FIG. 11A, when "E" is mapped to the Y-axis coordinate of the position touched by the user, a voice signal indicating "E" is output.

In operation 1009, the electronic device determines whether the user touch moves or the touch direction is changed. If the user touch is dragged to move to another position on the screen, the electronic device returns to step 1007 and outputs a voice signal of a character mapped to the Y-axis coordinate of the touch position of the user. For example, as shown in FIG. 11A, after outputting the voice signal indicating "E", the user's touch moves in the Y-axis direction to a position where "L" is mapped to the Y-axis coordinate. In the case of staying, a voice signal indicating " L "

In contrast, when the moving direction of the user touch changes, the electronic device proceeds to step 1011 and stores the character corresponding to the last output voice signal as the first input character. For example, when the user's touch is moved in the Y-axis direction, a voice signal of "E" is output, and when a voice signal of "L" is output thereafter, the character corresponding to the last output voice signal " Store L "as the first input character.

In step 1013, the electronic device determines whether the user touch moves in the X-axis direction or in the diagonal direction. If the user touch moves in the X-axis direction, the electronic device proceeds to step 1015 to output a vowel voice signal mapped to the X-axis coordinates of the user touch position. For example, as shown in FIG. 11B, when the user's touch moves in the X-axis direction and stays at a position where "O" is mapped to the X-axis coordinate, the voice signal indicating "O" is output. .

In contrast, when the user touch moves in the Y-axis direction, the electronic device proceeds to step 1017 to output a voice signal of a character mapped to the Y-axis coordinates of the user touch position. For example, as shown in FIG. 12 (a), after the user touch outputs and stores a voice signal of "A", it is touched in a diagonal direction as shown in FIG. If P " stays at the mapped position, the electronic device outputs a voice signal representing " P ".

In operation 1019, the electronic device determines whether a word suggestion event occurs. That is, the electronic device checks whether an event for performing a function of recommending a word including characters inputted to date is generated. The word suggestion event may be generated by various methods such as touch release, multi-touch, menu selection, and shortcut key input of the user, and the present invention will not be limited to a specific method.

If the word recommendation event does not occur, the electronic device returns to step 1013 and repeats the process of outputting a voice signal of a text according to a user's touch direction.

If the word suggestion event occurs, the electronic device proceeds to step 1021 and stores the character corresponding to the last output voice signal as the second input character.

Thereafter, the electronic device proceeds to step 1023 to search for words that have a high frequency of use among words including the first input letter and the second input letter in a pre-stored and designed word database. Map each of the screen coordinates. For example, as shown in FIG. 11C, when a word recommendation event occurs in a state where a user inputs "L" and "O" through a touch, the electronic device includes a word including "LO". Search for "LOVE, LONG, LOG, LOW ..." and map the searched words to each Y-axis coordinate of the screen. In addition, as shown in FIG. 12C, when a word recommendation event occurs while a user inputs "A" and "P" through a touch, the electronic device includes the words "APPLE" including "AP". , APPL, APART ... "and map the searched words to the Y-axis coordinates of the screen. Here, the electronic device may search for recommended words in order of high frequency of use among words including the first input letter and the second input letter, and include the first input letter and the second input letter. Among the words, the recommended words may be searched in the order of higher priority. In addition, the electronic device may preferentially map the high frequency of use or high priority words to a location where the user is likely to touch. For example, when the user maintains a touch on the screen of the electronic device, the electronic device maps the closer to the touch position of the user as the frequency of use or the priority of the searched words is higher, and frequency of use. The lower the word is, the farther the user's touch location may be mapped.

In step 1027, the electronic device recognizes the user's touch and outputs a voice signal of the word mapped to the touch position. In step 1027, the electronic device releases the user's touch or selects a word corresponding to the output voice signal. Check whether an event occurs. If the user touch is not released and an event for selecting a word corresponding to the output voice signal does not occur, the electronic device returns to step 1027 and outputs a voice signal of a word mapped to the touch location of the user. Rerun the process.

If the user touch is released or an event for selecting a word corresponding to the output voice signal occurs, the electronic device proceeds to step 1031 in which the word of the voice signal last output from the electronic device is displayed. Determined by input word. For example, as shown in FIG. 11 (c), in the state where the words "LOVE, LONG, LOG, LOW ..." including "LO" are mapped to the respective Y-axis coordinates of the screen, the user touches. Moves to the location to which "LOVE" is mapped, the electronic device outputs the voice signal of "LOVE", and then determines "LOVE" as an input word when the user touch is released. In addition, as shown in FIG. 12 (c), when the words "APPLE, APPL, APART ..." including "AP" are mapped to each Y-axis coordinate of the screen, the user touch is "APPLE". When the electronic device moves to the mapped position, the electronic device outputs the voice signal of "APPLE", and when the user touch is released, the electronic device determines "APPLE" as an input word.

The electronic device then terminates the algorithm according to the invention.

10 to 12 described above, a method of searching for a recommended word after receiving two English letters from a user in the electronic device has been described as an example. Of course it can.

Meanwhile, in the detailed description of the present invention, specific embodiments have been described, but various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be determined not only by the scope of the following claims, but also by the equivalents of the claims.

100: control unit 102: character input control unit
110: input and output unit 112: touch screen panel
120: audio output unit 130: storage unit

Claims (20)

In the character input method in an electronic device,
Mapping the characters to each coordinate on the screen,
Detecting a user touch on the screen;
Searching for a character mapped to a coordinate at which a user touch is detected;
And outputting a voice signal of the searched text.
The method of claim 1,
Determining whether to input a character corresponding to the output voice signal in consideration of at least one of a moving direction of the user touch and whether the contact is released;
If the input is determined, further comprising displaying the corresponding character in the text input window.
The method of claim 2,
The process of determining whether to input the character,
When the direction of movement of the user touch is changed, a character corresponding to the output voice signal is determined as an input character, and when the direction of touch movement of the user is not changed, a character corresponding to the output voice signal is deselected. Determining by input character.
The method of claim 2,
The process of determining whether to input the character,
And when a contact of the user touch is released, determining a character corresponding to the output voice signal as an input character.
The method of claim 1,
The process of outputting the voice signal of the searched text,
Checking whether the text of the most recently output voice signal and the searched text can be combined;
If the two characters can be combined, the process of combining the two characters,
And outputting a voice signal of the combined text.
The method of claim 1,
The process of mapping a character to each coordinate on the screen,
Mapping consonants to one coordinate axis in order, and mapping the vowels to another coordinate axis in order.
The method of claim 2,
Detecting a multi-touch on the screen;
If a multi-touch occurs, the process of searching for a word including the characters entered so far in a preset database,
Displaying the searched words by mapping them to the coordinates of the screen;
And outputting a voice signal of a word mapped to a coordinate of a moving position of the multi-touch.
8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein said database comprises at least one of a word database and a telephone number database.
The method of claim 8,
Checking whether the multi-touch stays at the corresponding position for a predetermined time after outputting the voice signal;
When the multi-touch stays at the location for more than a predetermined time, checking a phone number corresponding to a word retrieved from the phone number database;
And sending a call to the telephone number.
The method of claim 8,
Checking whether the multi-touch stays at the corresponding position for a predetermined time after outputting the voice signal;
And determining the word searched in the word database as an input word when the multi-touch stays at the corresponding location for a predetermined time or more.
In a character input device in an electronic device,
A detection unit detecting a user touch on the screen;
A controller for mapping a character to each coordinate of the screen and searching for a character mapped to a coordinate at which a user touch is detected;
And an audio output unit configured to output an audio signal of the searched text.
12. The method of claim 11,
The controller determines whether to input a character corresponding to the output voice signal in consideration of at least one of a moving direction of the user touch and whether the contact is released, and if the input is determined, displays the corresponding character on a text input window. Device for controlling the function to.
13. The method of claim 12,
The controller, when the movement direction of the user touch is changed, determines a character corresponding to the output voice signal as an input character, and when the touch movement direction of the user is not changed, corresponds to the output voice signal. And determine a character to be a non-input character.
13. The method of claim 12,
The controller may determine that a character corresponding to the output voice signal is an input character when the contact of the user touch is released.
12. The method of claim 11,
The controller checks whether the text of the most recently output voice signal and the searched text can be combined, and when the two characters can be combined, controls to output the combined voice signal of the combined text by combining the two characters. Device.
12. The method of claim 11,
The controller is configured to map consonants in order to one coordinate axis, and to map vowels to another coordinate axis in order.
13. The method of claim 12,
The sensing unit detects a multi touch on the screen,
When the multi-touch is detected, the controller controls a function of searching for a word including a character input so far in a preset database, mapping a displayed word to each coordinate of a screen, and displaying the multi-touch. And output a speech signal of a word mapped to a coordinate of a moving position of the apparatus.
18. The method of claim 17,
And said database comprises at least one of a word database and a telephone number database.
19. The method of claim 18,
The controller may be configured to check whether the multi-touch stays at the location for a predetermined time or more after outputting a voice signal, and when the multi-touch stays at the location for a predetermined time or more, a phone number corresponding to a word retrieved from the phone number database. Apparatus, characterized in that to control the function for sending a call to the telephone number.
19. The method of claim 18,
The controller may be configured to check whether the multi-touch stays at the location for a predetermined time or more after outputting a voice signal, and when the multi-touch stays at the location for a predetermined time or more, determining the word searched in the word database as an input word. Device characterized in that.

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