KR20240153955A - The method of changing the text of specific group which is allocatwd in button - Google Patents

Abstract

In a method for converting button assignments displayed on buttons of an electronic device,
By a button assignment change signal including the operation of any control button,
Among the button assignments displayed within the same button, in reality, only some of the button assignments are converted.

Description

{THE METHOD OF CHANGING THE TEXT OF SPECIFIC GROUP WHICH IS ALLOCATWD IN BUTTON}

Mainly, a method for converting symbols on buttons in devices equipped with virtual buttons, including smartphones.

In the past, it could be said that the character input mode was divided into a language character mode in which language characters expressing a language were entered, and a symbol character mode in which symbol characters were entered.

For example, in language character mode such as Figure 1, language characters expressing languages including Korean or English are entered, and in symbol character modes such as Figures 2, 3, and 4, various symbol characters are entered.

When changing from language character mode (e.g., Figure 1) to symbol character mode (e.g., Figure 2, Figure 3, or Figure 4), in a button to which a language character or symbol character is assigned, just as the character assigned to the button is converted from the language character to the symbol character, all assignments assigned to the button were converted when the assignments (e.g., characters) assigned to the same button were converted in the past. (In the following example, all button assignments of the 'Q' button in Figure 1, 'Q' (Figure 1), were converted to '■' (Figure 2), '○' (Figure 3), and then to '+' (Figure 4).)

For example, the descriptor is as follows:

If, in a language character screen in the QWERTY keyboard format like Figure 1,

If you want to enter a symbol character (e.g. '+') while entering a language character and then enter a language character (e.g. R) again,

1. In the language character screen of the QWERTY keyboard format as in Figure 1, if you operate the 'SYM' button as a button to switch to the symbol character mode, (For reference, 'SYM' means 'SYMBOL' (= symbol character) and has been frequently used on keyboards.)

2. The first screen of the symbol mode, the symbol mode '1/3', as in Figure 2, appears.

3. After changing to the symbol mode '2/3' screen as in Fig. 3 through an operation such as pressing the button marked '1/3' in Fig. 2, and then changing to the symbol mode '3/3' screen as in Fig. 4 through an operation such as pressing the button marked '2/3' in Fig. 3,

4. After entering '+' by operating the button marked '+' in Figure 4,

5. By operating the 'ALPHABET' button, which is an example of a button for switching to the English language character mode in Fig. 4, you can return to the language character mode as in Fig. 1.

6. Input language characters (e.g. R) by operating the button marked ‘R’ in Figure 1.

Through the method of this invention, steps 1, 2, and 5 out of steps 1 to 6 above become unnecessary, and only steps 3, 4, and 6 are required to input language characters, then input a symbol character (e.g. +) , and then input a language character (e.g. R) again .

The matters described as background technology above are only intended to enhance understanding of the background of the present invention, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment that they correspond to prior art already known to those skilled in the art.

By allowing the page of a symbol character group assigned together with a language character group to be converted to a different page, as if the symbol character assignment within the conventional symbol character mode could be converted to a different page, without converting the character mode from the language character mode to the symbol character mode, symbol characters can be input easily and quickly.

[Sudan Port 1]

In a method for converting button assignments assigned to buttons of an electronic device,

By a button assignment change signal including the operation of any control button,

A method characterized in that only some button assignments among button assignments within the same button are converted.

[Sudan Port 2]

In the first paragraph,

In a method for converting button assignments displayed on buttons of an electronic device,

By a button assignment change signal including the operation of any control button,

A method characterized in that only some of the button display items displayed within the same button are converted.

[Sudan Port 3]

In the first paragraph,

In a method for converting button assignments displayed on buttons of an electronic device,

By a button assignment change signal including the operation of any control button,

A method characterized in that the button assignments for functions among the button assignments displayed within the same button are converted.

[Sudan Port 4]

In the first paragraph,

"Button Assignment Details"

A method characterized by having "button assignments for characters, which are assignments regarding how characters are assigned."

[Sudan Port 5]

In paragraph 4,

"Only some button assignments are converted"

A method characterized in that "some groups of characters among multiple groups of characters assigned to a button are converted."

[Sudan Port 6]

In either of paragraphs 4 or 5,

A method characterized in that the number of characters to be converted is one by a button assignment conversion signal.

[Sudan Port 7]

In either of paragraphs 4 or 5,

A method characterized in that the number of characters to be converted is plural by a button assignment conversion signal.

[Sudan Port 8]

In any one of paragraph 1, paragraph 2, paragraph 3, paragraph 4, or paragraph 5,

A method characterized in that there may be a plurality of different button assignment conversion signals that convert the button assignment in different directions as button assignment conversion signals, or there may be only one button assignment conversion signal that converts the button assignment in one direction.

[Sudan Port 9]

In Article 8,

"Multiple different button assignment change signals that change the button assignment in different directions"

A method characterized in that different buttons having different button assignment conversion functions are operated.

[Sudan Port 10]

In Article 9,

A method characterized in that a button displaying a pattern similar to '◀' or '↓' can be used as a button that changes in the first direction based on the number of pages on which symbol characters are assigned.

[Sudan Port 11]

In Article 9,

A method characterized in that a button displaying a pattern similar to '▶' or '↑' can be used as a button that changes in the second direction based on the number of pages assigned to the symbol characters.

[Sudan Port 12]

In Article 8,

A method characterized in that a control button for changing button assignments including a button marked with '▶' is operated by only one specific control button.

[Sudan Port 13]

In Article 8,

In the above implicit phrase, "multiple different button assignment change signals that change the button assignment in different directions"

A method characterized in that the same button to which different button assignment conversion functions are assigned is operated in different operating methods.

[Sudan Port 14]

In Article 8,

"One button assignment change signal that changes the button assignment in one direction"

A method characterized in that a button having a function of changing button assignments in one direction is operated.

[Sudan Port 15]

In any one of paragraph 1, paragraph 2, paragraph 3, paragraph 4, or paragraph 5,

'A method characterized in that the number of conversion results having different button assignments converted by a button assignment conversion signal is three or more.

[Sudan Port 16]

In Article 13,

There are multiple characters converted by the button assignment conversion signal,

A method characterized in that if the same button to which a character is assigned is operated in different ways, the characters that are input are also different.

[Sudan Port 17]

In Article 16,

A method characterized in that, when characters to be converted are input through a drag method, the input characters are different depending on the drag direction.

[Sudan Port 18]

In any one of paragraph 1, paragraph 2, paragraph 3, paragraph 4, or paragraph 5,

A method characterized in that a character converted by a button assignment conversion signal can be input by a drag method or by a method of pressing for a certain period of time.

[Sudan Port 19]

In Article 9,

A method characterized in that one of the different control buttons can be used as a button that changes in the first direction based on the number of symbol character assignment pages.

[Sudan Port 20]

In Article 9,

A method characterized in that one of the different control buttons can be used as a button that changes in a second direction based on the number of character assignment pages.

[Sudan Port 21]

In Article 8,

(When entering characters in groups of three or more, by assigning characters in groups of three or more to a keyboard within one screen, without changing the character mode)

The first group characters and the second group characters are assigned to the same button and are entered using different input methods.

A method characterized in that a third group character is assigned to a button to which no first group character or second group character is assigned and entered.

[Sudan Port 22]

In Article 21,

The second group of characters is the button to which the character is assigned.

Drag or

A method characterized in that the touch is released and input is performed after being touched for a certain period of time without being dragged after being touched.

[Sudan Port 23]

In Article 22,

The first group of letters is the button to which the letter is assigned.

After being touched, the touch is released without being dragged.

A method characterized in that the touch is released and input is performed after being touched for less than a certain period of time without being dragged after being touched.

[Sudan Port 24]

In Article 23,

The third group of characters is the button to which the character is assigned.

After being touched, the touch is released without being dragged.

A method characterized in that the touch is released and input is performed after being touched for less than a certain period of time without being dragged after being touched.

[Sudan Port 25]

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[Sudan Port 26]

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[Sudan Port 27]

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[Sudan Port 28]

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[Sudan Port 29]

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[Sudan Port 30]

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[Sudan Port 31]

In any one of paragraph 1, paragraph 2, paragraph 3, paragraph 4, or paragraph 5,

A method characterized in that a 'button assignment change signal including operation of any control button' is one or more of the following cases.

1. When a button assigned a function that changes button assignments is manipulated to be recognized as a target button.

2. In cases where a button assigned with a function that causes the button assignment to be changed is not recognized as a target button.

[Sudan Port 32]

In Article 31,

"1. A method characterized in that a button to which a function for changing button assignments is assigned is operated so as to be recognized as a target button" is one or more of the following cases.

a. When a button that has a function assigned to change the button assignment is touched so that it is recognized as the target button.

b. When a button assigned a function that changes button assignments is dragged in any direction including left, back, up, down, top left, bottom left, top right, or bottom right so that it is recognized as the target button.

[Sudan Port 33]

In Article 32,

A method characterized in that the above 'a.' case is one or more of the following cases.

a.1. When a button to which a function to change button assignments is assigned is touched for less than (or less than) a specified time so that the button is recognized as a target button.

a.2. When a button to which a function to change button assignments is assigned is touched for a specified period of time (or exceeded) so that the button is recognized as the target button.

a.3. When a button is single-touched so that the button assigned a function that causes the button assignment to be changed is recognized as the target button.

a.4. When a button is multi-touched so that a button with a function that causes the button assignment to be changed is recognized as the target button.

[Sudan Port 34]

In Article 32,

A method characterized in that the above 'b.' case is one or more of the following cases.

b.1. When a button that has a function assigned to change the button assignment is recognized as a target button and is dragged in any direction including left, back, up, down, top left, bottom left, top right, or bottom right by less than (or less than) the specified length.

b.2. When a button that has a function assigned to change the button assignment is recognized as a target button and is dragged in any direction including left, right, up, down, top left, bottom left, top right, or bottom right by a specified length or longer (or exceeds it).

[Sudan Port 35]

In Article 31,

The above "2. In the case where a button to which a function for changing button assignments is assigned is not operated to be recognized as a target button" is a method characterized in that at least one of the following cases exists.

d. When dragged in any direction including left, right, up, down, top left, bottom left, top right, or bottom right from any location on the display screen or from any button.

f. When any location on the display screen or any button or fixed area is touched.

g. When dragged in any direction including left, right, up, down, top left, bottom left, top right, and bottom right from any location on the display screen or from any button over a specified area.

h. Any gestures performed around the device are detected.

i. When the device is detected moving in a predetermined manner, including shaking, laying down, standing up, or tilting the device, or when the device is detected being positioned in a predetermined posture.

j. A predetermined type of gaze is detected.

k. When pre-determined brain waves are detected

[Sudan Port 36]

In Article 35,

A method characterized in that the above 'd.' case is one or more of the following cases.

d.1. When dragged in any direction including left, right, up, down, top left, bottom left, top right, or bottom right, less than (or below) a specified length from any location on the display screen or from any button.

d.2. When dragged in any direction including left, right, up, down, top left, bottom left, top right, and bottom right from any location on the display screen or from any button for a specified length or longer (or exceeding).

[Sudan Port 37]

In Article 35,

A method characterized in that the above 'f.' case is one or more of the following cases.

f.1. When any location on the display screen or any button is touched within (or below) a specified area.

f.2. When any location on the display screen or any button is touched over a specified area (or exceeds it).

[Sudan Port 38]

In Article 35,

A method characterized in that the above 'g.' case is one or more of the following cases.

g.1. When dragged in any direction including left, right, up, down, top left, bottom left, top right, and bottom right, from any location on the display screen or from any button, within a specified area (or less) and within a specified length (or less).

g.2. When dragged in any direction including left, right, up, down, top left, bottom left, top right, and bottom right, from any location on the display screen or from any button, for a length longer than (or exceeding) a specified area or less than (or below).

g.3. When dragged in any direction including left, right, up, down, top left, bottom left, top right, and bottom right, from any location on the display screen or from any button, over a specified area or less than (or below) a specified length.

g.4. When dragged in any direction including left, right, up, down, top left, bottom left, top right, and bottom right, from any location on the display screen or from any button, for a specified area or more than a specified length or more than a specified area or more than a specified length.

In a method for converting button assignments assigned to buttons of an electronic device,

By a button assignment change signal including the operation of any control button,

You can convert only some of the button assignments among those assigned within the same button.

For example, by allowing the page of a symbol character group assigned together with a language character group to be converted to a different page, as if the symbol character assignment within a conventional symbol character mode could be converted to a different page, without converting the character mode from the language character mode to the symbol character mode, symbol characters can be input easily and quickly.

Figure 1: Example of a language character (e.g. English) mode screen in the conventional QWERTY keyboard format.
Figure 2: Example of page 1/3 of the symbol character mode screen in the conventional QWERTY keyboard format.
Figure 3: Example of page 2/3 of the symbol character mode screen in the form of a conventional QWERTY keyboard.
Figure 4: Example of the symbol character mode screen of the conventional QWERTY keyboard type, page 3/3.
Figure 5: Example of a screen 1/3 page, in which language characters (e.g., English) and symbol characters are displayed together in a QWERTY keyboard format for implementing the method of the present invention, and a symbol character conversion control button (a button marked with '◀' or '▶') is provided to convert only symbol characters without converting language characters.
Figure 6: Example of a screen 2/3 page, in which language characters (e.g., English) and symbol characters are displayed together in a QWERTY keyboard format for implementing the method of the present invention, and a symbol character conversion control button (a button marked with '◀' or '▶') is provided to convert only symbol characters without converting language characters.
Figure 7: Example of a screen 3/3 page, in which language characters (e.g., English) and symbol characters are displayed together in a QWERTY keyboard format for implementing the method of the present invention, and a symbol character conversion control button (a button marked with '◀' or '▶') is provided to convert only the symbol characters without converting the language characters.
Figure 8: Example of a language character (e.g. English) mode screen in the conventional 12-key keyboard format.
Figure 9: Example of page 1/3 of the symbol character mode screen in the conventional 12-key keyboard format.
Figure 10: Example of page 2/3 of the symbol character mode screen of a conventional 12-key keyboard.
Figure 11: Example of the symbol character mode screen of a conventional 12-key keyboard, page 3/3.
Figure 12: An example of a screen 1/3 page, in the form of a 12-key keyboard for implementing the method of the present invention, in which language characters (e.g., English) and symbol characters are displayed together, and a symbol character conversion control button (a button marked with '◀' or '▶') is provided to convert only symbol characters without converting language characters.
Figure 13: Example of a screen 2/3 page, in the form of a 12-key keyboard, in which language characters (e.g., English) and symbol characters are displayed together, and a symbol character conversion control button (a button marked with '◀' or '▶') is provided to convert only symbol characters without converting language characters, for implementing the method of the present invention.
Figure 14: Example of a screen 3/3 page, in the form of a 12-key keyboard, in which language characters (e.g., English) and symbol characters are displayed together, and a symbol character conversion control button (a button marked with '◀' or '▶') is provided to convert only symbol characters without converting language characters, for implementing the method of the present invention.
Figure 15: Example of adding the 'COPY' function to the ENTER button compared to Figure 5.
Figure 16: Example of adding the 'PASTE' function to the ENTER button compared to Figure 6.
Figure 17: Example of a keyboard needed to explain the term 'operation'.
Figure 18: Block diagram of an electronic device to which the present invention can be applied.
Fig. 19: Example of a screen (=keyboard) equipped with a numeric keypad on the upper side of Fig. 13.

A. Explanation of Terms

1. "Button"

Any form of button, including a physical button, a virtual graphic button appearing on a touchscreen, or a virtual graphic button via a hologram.

2. "Character"

It is a character concept that includes language characters and symbol characters.

In the above, 'language characters' include English alphabets, Korean letters, Chinese characters, and Japanese characters.

Speaking of characters that express language,

In the above, 'symbol characters' refers to non-linguistic characters, including punctuation marks, symbols, and special characters.

3. "Manipulation"

In this paper, the meaning of 'a certain button is operated ' is the same as ' a certain button is operated to be recognized as a target button '.

In conclusion, the method by which a button to which a function to be performed is assigned (according to the target button recognition rules) is manipulated to be recognized as a target button (= target button) includes the following cases.

-Touch or drag only the target button (e.g. single touch or single drag).

-Multi-touch (or multi-drag) with target button included (multiple fingers, etc.).

- The target button is not touched at all, and no other buttons are touched at all (e.g. looking at it, making any gesture around the device).

(Eventually, a signal will be generated that implements the function assigned to a certain button.)

The following phrases are intended to explain the above phrases in a little more detail.

(Note: The word 'manipulation' may be sufficient for understanding the original text with the above explanation, but please note that the explanation has become quite long as it is not a particularly important concept.)

In the case where only one touch point is formed and manipulated during the manipulation process, that is, a single touch is formed by manipulating with only one finger, etc. from the user's perspective, and a button that includes a certain point (in most cases, the very point of the single touch) derived from the calculation involving the single-touched point is determined as the target button (e.g., the following 'a' case).

In the case where the state is formed in which two or more touch points are formed during the manipulation process, that is, in the case where a multi-touch is formed by manipulating with two or more fingers, etc. from the user's perspective, and a button including a certain point derived from a calculation involving two or more multi-touched points is determined as the target button (e.g., the following 'b' case)

There are various cases where a button is manipulated to be recognized as a target button , and the following more specific cases are examples, such as 'a~b' (a detailed explanation will be given later).

a. When only one operating point is formed and operated within the button that should be recognized as the target button.

b. When a process is manipulated so that a state exists in which two or more operating points are formed that include an internal point of a button that should be recognized as a target button.

The ‘manipulation’ mentioned above includes the following cases:

1. Release after touch (= After a touch point is formed, the touch point disappears . Simply put, it can also be called ' touch '. For reference, 'touch' can mean the entire 'release after touch' as it is now, or it can mean only 'touch', which is a part of 'release after touch'. When it means only 'touch', it means only the touch of the following 'release after touch', for example. In this invention, in most cases, it means the entire 'release after touch'.)

For reference, 'touch' in this center mostly refers to 'touch' when manipulating virtual buttons that appear on the touchscreen display screen of a smartphone.

'Touch' when operating the virtual buttons of the virtual keyboard that appears on the laser keyboard.

Although it is very rare these days, it is a word that also includes 'pressing' when operating a button, such as the physical button on most cell phones.

For reference, in this context, 'release' means releasing a touch, for example, lifting a finger from the user's perspective.

'Touch (=release after touching)' is,

From the perspective of time in which touch is maintained,

Touch for less than (or less than) a certain period of time (e.g. 1 second), i.e., a touch point is formed only for less than (or less than) a certain period of time, and then the touch is released (= the touch point disappears).

Touch for a certain period of time (e.g. 1 second) or more, i.e., a touch point is formed only after a certain period of time (or more) and then the touch is released (= the touch point disappears).

Touch regardless of time, that is, regardless of how long the touch is maintained, in any case, includes the case where the touch point disappears after the touch point is formed.

'Touch (=release after touching)' is,

From the perspective of the area of the touch point,

Touching less than (or below) a certain area (e.g. 0.3 cm^3), i.e., a touch point is formed only within a certain area (or below) and then the touch point disappears.

Touching an area larger than (or exceeding) a certain area (e.g. 0.3 cm^3), i.e., a touch point is formed only over an area larger than (or exceeding) a certain area, and then the touch point disappears.

Touch regardless of area, that is, regardless of the area of the touch point, in any case, includes the case where the touch point disappears after the touch point is formed.

In addition, there may be different perspectives on touch.

2. Drag after touch and then release ( = After the touch point is formed, it is dragged, and then the touch point disappears = In simple terms, it can also be called ' drag '. For reference, 'drag' can mean the entire 'touch after dragging and then release' as it is now, or it can mean only the 'drag' of 'touch after dragging and then release'. When it means only 'drag', for example, it refers only to the drag of the following 'touch after dragging and then release'. In this document, in most cases, it means the entire 'touch after dragging and then release'.)

'Drag (= touch, drag, then release) ' is,

In terms of the drag length,

Drag less than (or below) a certain length (e.g. 0.5 cm), i.e., a touch point is formed only less than (or below) a certain length, and then the touch point disappears after being dragged.

Drag over a certain length (e.g. 0.5 cm) or more (or more), i.e., after the touch point is formed over a certain length (or more), the touch point disappears after dragging.

Drag regardless of length, i.e., regardless of the length of the drag, in any case, after the touch point is formed and the drag is made, the touch point disappears.

'Drag (= touch, drag, then release) ' is,

In terms of the touch area maintained when dragged,

Dragging less than (or below) a certain area (e.g. 0.3 cm^3), i.e., after the touch point is formed only in less than (or below) a certain area and then dragged, the touch point disappears.

Drag over a certain area (e.g. 0.3cm^3) or more (or more), i.e., after the touch point is formed only over a certain area (or more), the touch point disappears after dragging.

Drag regardless of area, i.e., regardless of the touch area maintained when being dragged, in any case, includes the case where the touch point disappears after being dragged after the touch point has been formed.

'Drag (= touch, drag, then release) ' is,

From the perspective of the direction in which the drag is made,

There can be various directions including left, right, up, down, upper left, lower left, upper right, and lower right.

Others may have different perspectives on drag.

3. Any gestures performed around the device are detected (e.g., making a fist and waving it over the smartphone display screen).

4. When the device is detected to be moved in a predetermined manner, including shaking, laying down, standing up, or tilting the device, or when the device is detected to be in a predetermined posture.

(In cases like this, you can even make a specific button recognized as a target button and implement a specific function assigned to that button.)

5. Detecting a predetermined type of gaze (e.g. looking at a certain button)

6. When pre-determined brain waves are detected

7. Various other methods.

The above 'Touch (= Touch and then Release)' or 'Drag (= Touch and then Drag and then Release)'

There are also cases where there is a process in which two or more touch points are formed, not just one touch point, and there are also cases in which it is a 'touch (=touch and then released)' or 'drag (=touch and then drag and then released)' (i.e., multi-touch or multi-drag cases).

From the user's perspective, this means that there are cases where a button is recognized as the target button by operating it with two or more fingers, not just one.

In relation to the above 'a. In the case where only one operating point is formed and operated within the button that should be recognized as the target button ',

In the case of one-finger operation, that is, when only one touch point is formed and operated, most of the time, one button is directly touched or dragged. In the embodiments of the present invention and other technologies, mainly, one finger Touched Single touch or one finger Being dragged There will be many examples where single drag is applied. In most cases, The button that is touched will become the target button.

And, if we explain the case where it is manipulated with two or more fingers, that is, the case where it is manipulated so that there is a process in which two or more touch points are formed,

When a multi-touch occurs in which multiple points (or buttons) are touched in an area with multiple buttons, the concept of a target button is more necessary to determine which button among the multiple touched points the user is attempting to execute the function assigned to, that is, which button was targeted and operated, that is, which button is recognized as the target button.

In the patent application in the Republic of Korea mentioned below (application number 10-2010-0135713), such a concept was applied to a character input method.

For reference, I will explain examples of multi-touch method and target button recognition method .

(For reference, please refer to the Korean patent application (application number 10-2010-0135713) for an example of application in a non-QWERTY keyboard, such as a 3x4 keyboard type, rather than a QWERTY keyboard like the reference drawing.)

For example, in a keyboard like Figure 17 ,

As an example of the above 'b . In the case where a process is operated so that there exists a state in which two or more operating points are formed including a point inside the button that should be recognized as the target button. '

If, in a system where the method of recognizing a target button in multi-touch is applied, the button that includes the touch point with the lowest touch point among the coordinates representing the multi-touched touch points (generally assumed to be represented as (A, B)), that is, the touch point with the smallest Y-axis value, that is, the B value representing the height, among the factors of the coordinates (A, B), is recognized as the target button, is applied.

The user tried to touch only the X-letter button with the index finger so that the X-letter button in Figure 17 would become the target button, and the middle and ring fingers tried to touch anywhere above the index finger.

If multi-touch actually occurred, with the index finger touching the X button, the middle finger touching the F button, and the ring finger touching the Y button,

The X character button that contains the lowest touch point will be recognized as the target button correctly. (If the rule is that the lowercase letter of the character assigned to the target button is input when multi-touch is performed, the lowercase letter x will be input, not the uppercase letter X.)

If, as mentioned above, multi-touch is performed and the system recognizes the button with the highest touch point among the multi-touched touch points as the target button according to the rule applied, the Y character button with the highest touch point will be recognized as the target button. (If, when multi-touch is performed, the rule is that the lowercase letter of the character assigned to the target button is input, the lowercase letter y will be input instead of the uppercase letter Y.)

For reference, for a detailed description of the multi-touch method and the target button recognition method, i.e., as an example belonging to the 'b' item here, a detailed and preferable embodiment in which at least one of two or more touch points is touched on a certain button and then released or dragged so that the certain button is recognized as a target button and operated, etc., please refer to the Republic of Korea patent application (application number 10-2010-0135713).

End of explanation of terms.

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B. Specific details of the invention

Hereinafter, a detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In addition, when describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted.

Here is an example to help you quickly understand the concept of the present invention.

If, on a screen in the form of a QWERTY keyboard, language characters (e.g. English) and symbol characters are displayed together, and a symbol character conversion control button (a button marked with '◀' or '▶') is provided to convert only the symbol characters without converting the language characters,

If a language character is input, and then the symbol character '+' is input, and then the language character 'R' is input again,

1. After the button marked with '▶' in Fig. 5 is operated (e.g., touched (and then released)) and the screen is converted to '2/3' as in Fig. 6 (based on symbol assignment), then after the button marked with '▶' in Fig. 6 is operated and the screen is converted to '3/3' as in Fig. 7 (based on symbol assignment),

2. After the button with the '+' (also showing the alphabet Q) in Figure 7 is manipulated (e.g. dragged to the right), the symbol '+' is entered.

3. The button marked 'R' in Figure 7 is operated (e.g., touched (and then released)) to input the language character 'R'.

That is, in the past , when entering language characters, if you wanted to enter symbol characters, you had to change the character input mode to symbol character mode, and then if you wanted to enter language characters again, you had to change the character input mode back to language character mode.

According to our method ,

When entering a language character (while changing the symbol character page) and then entering a symbol character, or when entering a symbol character and then entering a language character,

There is no need to change the character input mode to symbol character mode or language character mode.

For reference, of course, in Fig. 5, instead of using the symbol character conversion control button as in the above embodiment, as in the conventional embodiment, that is, as in the embodiment of the [Background Technology of the Invention] section, the 'SYM' button may be operated to cause a symbol character mode-only keyboard such as in Figs. 2 to 4 to appear so that symbol characters can be input.

Let me explain in a little more detail about the button marked with '▶' in the above embodiment.

In order to implement the invention of the present invention as in the above embodiment, a 'symbol character conversion control button' (e.g., a button with '◀' or '▶' displayed) that converts only symbol characters without converting language characters may be implemented as necessary.

In Figures 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, and 14, the buttons marked with '◀' and '▶' are the symbol character conversion control buttons.

The button marked '◀' can be used as a button to change the page number toward a lower number based on the number of pages assigned to the symbol character.

For example, if you press the button marked '◀' on a 3/3 screen like Fig. 7 based on the number of symbol character assignment pages, you will get a 2/3 screen like Fig. 6, and if you press it again, you will get a 1/3 screen like Fig. 5. (If you press it again here, you can cycle through the screens to get a 3/3 screen like Fig. 7.)

Furthermore , buttons with a pattern similar to '◀' or '↓' can be used as buttons that change in the first direction based on the number of pages assigned to the symbol characters.

The button marked with '▶' can be used as a button to change the page number toward a higher number based on the number of pages assigned to the symbol character.

For example, if you press the button marked '▶' on the 1/3 page screen like Fig. 5 based on the number of symbol character assignment pages, the 2/3 page screen like Fig. 6 will appear, and if you press it again, the 3/3 page screen like Fig. 7 will appear. (If you press it again here, you can cycle through the 1/3 page screen like Fig. 5.)

Furthermore , buttons with a pattern similar to '▶' or '↑' can be used as buttons that change in the second direction based on the number of pages assigned to the symbol characters.

In the above,

The direction name 'low number side direction' can be determined by including 'left direction' or 'A direction' when determining the direction name.

The direction name 'high number side direction' can be determined by including 'right direction' or 'B direction' when determining the direction name.

That is, the word 'direction' does not only mean spatial directions including up, down, left, right, east, west, south, and north, which are used in everyday life, but also means directions of concepts defined as in the above example.

Alternatively, the button assignment conversion control buttons, including the button marked with '◀', the button marked with '▶' instead of the button marked with '▶' (or the buttons marked with '1/3', '2/3', '3/3' in Figs. 5, 6, and 7, which are substantially the same buttons), may be operated by only one specific control button. By manipulating that specific control button, it can be used as a control button that converts only to a high-numbered page. (Of course, it can also be used as a control button that converts only to a low-numbered page.)

In addition, the direction of page conversion of symbol character assignment can be different depending on the operating method.

To summarize the above explanation, as in the above embodiment, there may be a plurality of different button assignment conversion signals that convert the button assignments in different directions, such as the symbol character conversion signal generated when the symbol character conversion control buttons, such as the button marked with '◀' and the button marked with '▶' , are operated, or there may be only one button assignment conversion signal (e.g., symbol character conversion signal) that converts the button assignments in one direction . (For a specific explanation of the 'button assignments' and the 'signal', please refer to the explanation in the latter part. However, even without such explanation, the meanings can be inferred and understood here.)

Let me explain a little more about the above "there are multiple different button assignment conversion signals that convert the button assignment in different directions as button assignment (e.g. symbol) conversion signals" as follows.

As in the above embodiment, buttons with different symbol conversion functions, such as the button marked with '◀' and the button marked with '▶', are operated to generate symbol conversion signals in different directions.

In the above implicit phrase, " multiple different button assignment change signals that change the button assignment in different directions"

This may be caused by the manipulation of different buttons that have different button assignment conversion functions assigned to them .

Also, unlike the above embodiment, there is a button marked with '▶' (with different symbol character conversion functions assigned to it),

When dragged upwards (or briefly touched for less than a certain amount of time (e.g. 1 second)), the button assignments change towards the higher number side.

As you can see, when dragged downwards (or touched for a long time (e.g. 1 second)), the button assignments can be changed to the lower number side.

In the above implicit phrase, " multiple different button assignment change signals that change the button assignment in different directions"

It may also occur that the same button, which has different button assignment conversion functions, is operated in different operating methods .

Regarding the above, the existence of only "one symbol character conversion signal that converts button assignments in one direction" is as follows.

As an embodiment , it can be operated by only one specific control button including the button marked '▶' (or the buttons marked '1/3', '2/3', '3/3' in Figs. 5, 6, and 7, which are substantially the same buttons), and can be used as a control button that changes to a higher number page by operating that specific control button.

In the above implicit phrase, " one symbol character conversion signal that converts button assignments in one direction"

This may be caused by a button being manipulated that has the function of changing button assignments in one direction assigned to it .

And, in the above embodiment, the conversion results (e.g., page) with different button assignments that can be displayed by the button assignment conversion signal were given as an example in which there were only up to three conversion results, namely, '1/3' side, '2/3' side, and '3/3' side.

The number of conversion results (e.g., pages) having different button assignments converted by a button assignment conversion signal including a signal generated by operating a button assignment conversion control button including a button marked with '▶' (or buttons marked with '1/3', '2/3', '3/3' in Figs. 5, 6, and 7, which are substantially the same buttons) may be three or more.

And, when the button assignment conversion control button is operated and the conversion results such as '1/3' side, '2/3' side, and '3/3' side appear, the symbol characters among the button assignments of 'all' character buttons to which alphabets are assigned are converted, but

Only the symbol characters of the character button marked 'Q' may be converted,

Only the symbol characters of the character buttons marked 'Q' and 'W' may be converted,

Just as only the symbol characters of the character buttons marked 'Q', 'W', and 'E' can be converted, and only some of the button assignments of some character buttons can be converted, the number of buttons whose button assignments are converted can also be determined.

What we are trying to pursue in this paper, which we have briefly looked at through the examples so far, can be expressed in a concise phrase as follows.

(100)

In a method for converting button assignments assigned to buttons of an electronic device,

By a button assignment change signal including the operation of any control button,

A method characterized in that only some button assignments among (a plurality of) button assignments assigned within the same button are converted (actually).

In the above implicit phrase

'Button assignment details' include language characters, symbol characters, and images that can be displayed on the button.

So, "button assignments " could also be " button assignments for characters", which are assignments about how characters are assigned .

In the above implicit phrase

" Only some button assignments are converted"

"It may be that some groups of characters among the multiple groups assigned to the button are converted ."

For example, the characters assigned to a certain character button can be divided into first group characters and second group characters.

For example, in the fourth button from the right on the top of the keyboard in Fig. 5, there is a button to which 'R!' is assigned, with 'R' assigned as the first group character (and displayed in the upper area inside the button) and '!' assigned as the second group character (and displayed in the lower area inside the button). In the fourth button from the right on the top of the keyboard in Fig. 6, there is a button to which 'R %' is assigned, with 'R' assigned as the first group character (and displayed in the upper area inside the button) and '%' assigned as the second group character (and displayed in the lower area inside the button).

When the character assignment status of the 4th button from the right from the top of Figs. 5 and 6 is as above, and a signal for changing button assignments is generated (e.g., when a button marked '▶' is operated) while Fig. 5 is displayed, assuming that Fig. 6 is displayed, the 1st group character 'R' is not converted, and only the 2nd group character is converted from '!' to '%'.

As in the above example,

Depending on the button assignment conversion signal, there may be only one character converted.

For reference, this article is talking about the conversion of button assignments and is not discussing input methods, so there is no need to explain the input methods. However, to help you understand the actual implementation, let me mention an example of the input methods for Group 1 and Group 2 characters.

You can select an appropriate method from among the various existing methods (or newly developed methods) and input it.

For example, the first group of characters (e.g., alphabets) can be entered using the touch (then released) method (i.e., the typical alphabet input method on a QWERTY keyboard), and the second group of characters can be entered using the drag method .

To illustrate the above dragging method with an example,

In the explanation citing the above figure 5 or figure 6, the second group character '!' or '%' can be input by touching the corresponding button and dragging it to the right.

(Of course, the dragging method used in the above embodiment may be replaced by various methods including long-pressing (e.g., pressing the button for a certain period of time (e.g., 1 second) or more).)

As in the above example,

By means of a button assignment conversion signal, the character to be converted can be entered through the drag method, or by pressing for a certain period of time (e.g. 1 second) or longer (= long-press method) .

For another example, in the second button from the right on the top of the keyboard in Fig. 12, there is a button to which 'ABC @/' is assigned, and 'ABC' is assigned as a first group character (and is even indicated in the upper area inside the button) and '@/' is assigned as a second group character (and is even indicated in the lower area inside the button). In the second button from the right on the top of the keyboard in Fig. 13, there is a button to which 'ABC ◆†' is assigned, and 'ABC' is assigned as a first group character (and is even indicated in the upper area inside the button) and '◆†' is assigned as a second group character (and is even indicated in the lower area inside the button).

When the character assignment status of the second button from the right from the top of Figs. 12 and 13 is as above, and a signal for changing button assignments is generated (e.g., when the button marked '▶' is operated) while Fig. 12 is displayed, assuming that Fig. 13 is displayed, the first group character 'ABC' is not converted, and only the second group character is converted from '@/' to '◆†'.

And, as in the embodiments citing the above-mentioned Figures 5, 6, and 7, one symbol character is assigned to one character button along with a language character, and when the symbol character conversion control button (including the button marked '◀' or '▶') is operated, only the symbol character is converted, so that one of Figures 5, 6, and 7 appears.

As in Fig. 12, Fig. 13, and Fig. 14 , when multiple symbol characters are assigned to a single character button along with language characters, the symbol character conversion control button (including the button marked '◀' or '▶') may be operated to convert only the symbol characters so that one of Fig. 12, Fig. 13, and Fig. 14 appears.

As in the above example,

Depending on the button assignment conversion signal, there may be multiple characters being converted.

For reference, this article is talking about the conversion of button assignments and is not discussing input methods, so there is no need to explain the input methods. However, to help you understand the actual implementation, let me mention an example of the input methods for Group 1 and Group 2 characters.

You can select an appropriate method from among the various existing methods (or newly developed methods) and input it.

For example, the first group of characters (e.g. alphabets) can be entered using the multi-tap method (=multiple press method), and the second group of characters can be entered using the drag method.

To explain the above 'drag method' as an example,

In the description citing the above figure 12 or figure 13, the character '@' or '◆' assigned to the left among the second group characters is input by touching the corresponding button and dragging it to the left (or upward).

In the explanation citing the above Fig. 12 or Fig. 13, the characters '/' or '†' assigned to the right among the characters of the second group can be entered by touching the corresponding button and dragging it to the right (or downward).

As in the above example,

In cases where there are multiple characters converted by a button assignment conversion signal and the characters to be converted are input through a drag method, the characters input may be different depending on the drag direction.

(In the above embodiment, only the upper, lower, left, and right sides are mentioned as examples of drag directions, but there are various directions other than the mentioned directions, including the upper left, lower left, upper right, and lower right.)

That is, if there are multiple characters converted by the button assignment conversion signal and the same button to which the characters are assigned is operated in different ways, the input characters may also be different.

And, ( characters of three or more groups, distinguished by some criteria, are assigned to the keyboard within one screen, and the character mode When entering 3 or more groups of characters without change ,

The first group of characters (e.g. alphabets) and the second group of characters (e.g. symbols) are assigned to the same button, but are entered through different input methods.

There is also a method in which third group characters (e.g. numbers) are assigned to buttons to which no first group characters or second group characters are assigned and entered .

To illustrate the above implicit phrase with an example:

There may be a keyboard like Fig. 19, which displays the alphabet and symbols on one screen, including a numeric keypad, like Fig. 13.

The keyboard has buttons that have alphabets and symbols assigned together, and buttons that have numbers assigned separately.

In Fig. 19, the characters can be divided into three groups depending on the position of the button to which a character is assigned and the position at which a character is displayed.

The first group of characters can be assumed to be characters (i.e., alphabets or spaces) displayed on the upper and lower sides of each of the 12 buttons in 4 rows and 3 columns, which can include both alphabets and symbols.

The second group of characters can be assumed to be characters (i.e. symbols) displayed on the upper and lower sides of each of the 12 buttons in 4 rows and 3 columns, which can include both alphabets and symbols.

The third group of characters can be assumed to be characters (i.e. numbers) displayed on the top row of buttons on the keyboard, which are not the 12 buttons in 4 rows and 3 columns that can contain both alphabetic and symbol buttons.

Assuming that the alphabet is the first group character , the alphabet can be input when the button to which the corresponding character (e.g., one of the alphabets) is assigned is touched and then the touch is released without being dragged ( or the touch is released after being touched for less than a certain period of time (e.g., 1 second) without being dragged) .

When a symbol is assumed to be a second group character , the symbol can be input by dragging (or by touching and then not dragging, and then touching for a certain period of time (e.g., 1 second) or longer, and then releasing the touch) a button to which the corresponding character (e.g., one of the symbols) is assigned (in the case where there are two symbols assigned to the same button as in Fig. 19, for an example of a method of inputting each symbol, please refer to the embodiments cited in Figs. 12 and 13 above).

Assuming that a number is a third group character , a number can be input when a button to which the corresponding character (e.g., one of the numbers) is assigned is touched and then the touch is released without being dragged ( or when the touch is released after being touched and then not dragged for less than a certain period of time (e.g., 1 second) ).

(The touch method of 'touching without being dragged after being touched and then being released (or touching without being dragged after being touched for less than a certain period of time (e.g., 1 second) and then being released)', in general terms, means 'touching' (or 'shortly touching'), which is a touch method for inputting alphabets on a typical English QWERTY keyboard. 'Touch' here includes 'shortly touching'.

The touch method of 'touching without being dragged after being touched and then being released after being touched for a certain period of time (e.g. 1 second)' refers to a 'long touch' method in general terms.

In the example of entering the characters of groups 1 to 3 above,

When entering the second group characters by 'long touch', it is recommended to enter the first and third group characters by 'short touch'.

When entering the second group characters by 'dragging', it is recommended to enter the first group characters and the third group characters by 'touching' them without dragging, including 'short touching' them.)

And, since only some of the button assignments assigned to a certain button may be displayed, or none of them may be displayed at all, the 'button assignments' in the implicit phrase (100) above includes 'button display details'. Therefore, the 'button assignments' include language characters, symbol characters, and images displayed on the button.

For example, the second button from the right at the top of the keyboard in Fig. 12 has 'ABC @/' assigned to it, with 'ABC' displayed in the upper area inside the button and '@/' displayed in the lower area. In Fig. 12, all assigned button assignments are displayed, but only some of them may be displayed, or none may be displayed, as shown below.

for example,

If only one of the alphabets assigned to each button is displayed, only 'A' can be displayed in the upper area inside the button assigned 'ABC @/', and '@/' can be displayed in the lower area.

You can even make the upper area display nothing and the lower area display '@/'.

(Even more, it's not practical at all) Since neither the upper nor lower areas display anything, users can memorize and use it.)

So, the implicit phrase that changed 'assignment' in the implicit phrase (100) above to 'indication' is as follows.

(200)

In a method for converting button display information displayed on a button of an electronic device,

By a button display change signal including any control button being operated,

A method characterized in that only some of (substantially) button display items among (a plurality of) button display items displayed within the same button are converted.

In the implicit phrase (200) above, ‘button display information’ includes language characters, symbol characters, and images displayed on the button.

A detailed explanation of the implicit phrase (200) above is provided in the explanation of the implicit phrase (100).

And, in the implicit phrase (100) above, regarding the ' button assignment change signal including the operation of any control button ',

The signal generated by the operation of any control button may be a signal that changes the button assignment.

The button assignment conversion signal can be of various types, including signals that are generated without any control button being operated, for example, signals generated by certain factors including certain gestures or even brain waves. In addition, the device's response to the button assignment conversion signal, that is, the actual operation behavior implemented in the device, can be determined in advance.

Therefore, the occurrence of the above-mentioned various button assignment change signals can be due to one or more of the following two cases.

1. When a (specific) button that has a function assigned to change the button assignment is manipulated to be recognized as the target button.

2. When the (specific) button to which the function to change the button assignment is assigned is not manipulated to be recognized as the target button (i.e., not 1).

First, "1. When a (specific) button to which a function to change button assignments is assigned is manipulated to be recognized as a target button" includes the following cases.

a. The (specific) button to which the function to change the button assignment is assigned is recognized as the target button. Touch (and then release) case.

b. When a (specific) button that has a function assigned to change the button assignment is dragged in any direction including left, back, up, down, top left, bottom left , top right, or bottom right so that it is recognized as the target button.

The above case 'a.' includes the following four cases.

a.1. When a (specific) button to which a function to change button assignments is assigned is touched (and then released) for less than (or less than) a specified time (e.g. 1 second) so that the button is recognized as the target button.

a.2. When a (specific) button to which a function to change button assignments is assigned is touched (and then released) for a specified period of time (e.g. 1 second) or longer (or exceeded) so that the button is recognized as the target button.

a.3. When a (specific) button to which a function to change the button assignment is assigned is recognized as the target button and the button is single-touched. (Single-touch means that a process exists in which only one touch point is formed, including using one finger, and the button is touched (and then released).)

a.4. When a (specific) button to which a function to change the button assignment is assigned is recognized as a target button and the button is multi-touched. (Multi-touch means that a process exists in which multiple touch points are formed, including using two fingers, and the button is touched (and then released).)

The above case 'b.' includes the following two cases.

b.1. When a (specific) button that has a function assigned to change the button assignment is recognized as the target button and is dragged in any direction including left, back, up, down, top left, bottom left, top right, or bottom right by less than (or less than) a specified length (e.g. 0.5 cm).

b.2. When a (specific) button that has a function assigned to change the button assignment is recognized as the target button and is dragged in any direction including left, right, up, down, top left, bottom left, top right, or bottom right by a specified length (e.g. 0.5 cm) or more.

The above "2. Cases where a (specific) button to which a function to change button assignments is assigned is not manipulated to be recognized as a target button" includes the following cases.

d. When dragged in any direction including left, right, up, down, top left, bottom left, top right, or bottom right from any location on the display screen or from any button.

f. When any location on the display screen or any button or fixed area is touched.

g. When dragged in any direction including left, right, up, down, upper left, lower left, upper right, and lower right from any location on the display screen or from any button in a given area. (This is a combination of d and f.)

h. Any gesture performed around the device is detected (e.g., making a fist and waving it over the smartphone display screen).

i. When the device is detected to move in a predetermined manner, including shaking, laying down, standing up, or tilting the device, or when the device is detected to be in a predetermined posture (in such a case, even, a specific button may be recognized as a target button, and a specific function assigned to that button may be implemented).

j. Detecting a predetermined type of gaze (e.g. looking at a button)

k. When pre-determined brain waves are detected

l. Other various cases.

The above case 'd.' includes the following two cases.

d.1. When dragged in any direction including left, right, up, down, top left, bottom left, top right, and bottom right, within (or below) a specified length (e.g. 0.5 cm) from any location on the display screen or from any button.

d.2. When dragged in any direction including left, right, up, down, top left, bottom left, top right, and bottom right for a specified length (e.g. 0.5 cm) or longer (or exceeds) from any location on the display screen or from any button.

The above 'f.' case includes the following two cases.

f.1. When any location on the display screen or any button is touched within (or below) a specified area (e.g. 0.3 cm^2).

f.2. When any location on the display screen or any button is touched over a specified area (e.g. 0.3 cm^2) or more.

The above 'g.' case includes the following four cases.

g.1. When dragged in any direction including left, right, up, down, top left, bottom left, top right, and bottom right, from any location on the display screen or from any button, within a specified area (e.g. 0.3 cm^2) or less and within a specified length (e.g. 0.5 cm).

g.2. When dragged in any direction including left, right, up, down, top left, bottom left, top right, and bottom right, from any location on the display screen or from any button, within a specified area (e.g. 0.3 cm^2) or less and a specified length (e.g. 0.5 cm) or more.

g.3. When dragged in any direction including left, right, up, down, top left, bottom left, top right, and bottom right, from any location on the display screen or from any button, by a distance greater than (or exceeding) a specified area (e.g. 0.3 cm^2) and less than (or below) a specified length (e.g. 0.5 cm).

g.4. When dragged in any direction including left, right, up, down, top left, bottom left, top right, and bottom right, from any location on the display screen or from any button, by a specified area (e.g. 0.3 cm^2) or more and a specified length (e.g. 0.5 cm) or more.

Let me explain why there is the phrase ' substantially ' in the implicit phrase (100) above.

In the description of the above embodiments, the phrases '1/3' side, '2/3' side, and '3/3' side were used to describe only cases 3 and 4 below, that is, cases where the sides are actually changed when the (character conversion) control button is operated. However, in fact, the phrase 'substantially' is a phrase that implies that the implicit phrase of the above (100) is comprehensive content that includes all of the following cases.

1. There is no such thing as a 'side', that is, within the same button, the assignment (or display) of language characters is maintained, and only the assignment (or display) of symbol characters is converted.

2. There is no such thing as a 'side', that is, within the same button, the assignment (or display) of language characters is momentarily lost and then reassigned (or displayed) in the same way, and only the assignment (or display) of symbol characters is changed.

3. There is something called a 'page', but in the process of converting pages, within the same button, the assignment (or display) of language characters is maintained and only symbol characters are converted.

4. There is something called a 'page', and in the process of converting pages, within the same button, the assignment (or display) of language characters disappears momentarily and is then reassigned (or displayed) in the same manner, and only the assignment (or display) of symbol characters is converted.

(So far, in the case of ' (multiple) button assignments displayed within the same button, (in reality), only some button assignments are converted ',

I only looked at cases where only the button assignments for letters among the button assignments displayed within the same button were converted.)

Let's also look at a case where the button assignments for functions are changed among the button assignments displayed within the same button.

If we were to express the concept in a concise phrase, it might be as follows:

In a method for converting button assignments displayed on buttons of an electronic device,

By a button assignment change signal including the operation of any control button,

A method characterized in that the button assignments for functions among the button assignments displayed within the same button are converted.

The implicit phrase above can be explained as follows:

(So far, we have only discussed the conversion of button assignments for symbol characters in character buttons that display only language characters and symbol characters.)

Button assignments for functions including the following two cases can also be converted using the same principle as the button assignments for the above symbol characters.

a. For example, if 'COPY' is displayed under the 'ENTER' sign of a button as in Fig. 15, and '▶' is operated, the 'COPY' sign under the 'ENTER' sign may be converted to 'PASTE' and displayed as in Fig. 16.

(For reference,

In state 15, if the button marked 'ENTER' is manipulated (e.g. dragged to the right), the 'COPY' command can be executed.

In the state of Fig. 16, if the button marked 'ENTER' is manipulated (e.g. dragged to the right), the 'PASTE' command can be executed.

(For reference, in the above embodiment 'a', instead of Figure 16, a drawing (not shown) in which the allocation of symbol characters is the same as Figure 15 but 'PASTE' is displayed under the 'ENTER' mark is substituted into the above embodiment, and the main point of the above embodiment does not change.)

b. For example, if nothing is displayed under the 'ENTER' sign of a button as in Fig. 5, and '▶' is operated, 'PASTE' may be displayed under the 'ENTER' sign as in Fig. 16.

(For reference,

In the state of Fig. 16, if the button marked 'ENTER' is manipulated (e.g. dragged to the right), the 'PASTE' command can be executed.

(For reference, in the above embodiment 'b', instead of Figure 16, a drawing (not shown) in which 'PASTE' is displayed under the 'ENTER' sign, but the allocation of symbol characters is the same as Figure 5, is substituted into the above embodiment, and the main point of the above embodiment does not change.)

In the past , for example, when changing from general character mode (e.g., Figure 1) to symbol character mode (e.g., Figure 2), that is, when there was a change in the degree of character mode change on the keyboard, the button assignments for functions including the 'SYM' or 'SHIFT' button only in Figure 1 and the 'ALPHANET' button only in Figure 2 were changed.

Through this document , even if the character mode on the keyboard is not changed as described above, for example, as in the 'a', 'b' embodiments, by a button assignment conversion signal including the manipulation of '▶', only the symbol characters among the language characters and symbol characters are converted, or even, as in the reference embodiment of the 'a', 'b' embodiments, even if neither of them are converted, the button assignments for the functions assigned within the same button can be converted.

The function notification display above can be expressed as text, such as 'ENTER', but it can also be expressed as an image to make the function easier to understand, as is the case with most conventional smartphone keyboards (e.g., the image of a curved arrow displayed on the 'ENTER' button on a computer keyboard).

In the embodiments so far, only a keyboard using the English alphabet as a language character has been used, but the method of the present invention can be applied to a keyboard using any character in the world, including Korean, Japanese, and Chinese characters.

In the examples up to now, the symbol characters '◀' or '▶' have been used as an indication that it is a symbol character conversion control button, but it can be converted to other symbol characters or images, etc.

and,

Among the drawings of the main office

Figures 1 to 7 are drawings for examples of QWERTY keyboard types.

Figures 8 through 14 are drawings for examples of 12-key keyboard types.

In the description of the present invention, the case where the technology of the present invention is applied to the QWERTY keyboard type is mainly explained in detail using examples using Figs. 1 to 7, but the case where the technology of the present invention is applied to the 12-key keyboard type of Figs. 8 to 14 is also the same principle as the explanation related to Figs. 1 to 7, so it will not be explained in detail separately.

That is, for Figures 8 to 14,

In the description of this document, in the description related to Figures 1 to 7

Substitute Figure 8 into Figure 1,

Substitute Figure 9 into Figure 2,

Substitute Figure 10 into Figure 3,

Substitute Figure 11 into Figure 4,

Substitute Figure 12 into Figure 5,

Substitute Figure 13 into Figure 6,

You can understand it by substituting Fig. 14 into Fig. 7.

Fig. 18 is a block diagram of an electronic device to which the present invention can be applied. As shown in Fig. 18, the electronic device to which the present invention can be applied has a touch screen (110), a function block (120), a control unit (130), a storage unit (140), and a communication unit (150).

The touch screen (110) displays the aforementioned touch buttons and is a means by which the user touches the desired touch button with a finger or the like.

The function block (120) performs the original function of the electronic device. If 1) the electronic device is a mobile phone, the function block (120) performs a mobile phone function, 2) the electronic device is a mobile computer, the function block (120) performs a computing function, 3) the electronic device is a mobile multimedia player, the function block (120) performs a multimedia playback function, and 4) the electronic device is a general notebook or PC, the function block (120) performs a computing function.

The storage unit (140) stores programs and data used to perform functions of the electronic device and create a GUI screen composed of the aforementioned touch buttons, and provides a storage space where multimedia files are stored.

The control unit (130) controls the execution of functions by the function block (120) by executing a program stored in the storage unit (140) and displays a GUI composed of touch buttons on the touch screen (110). In addition, the control unit (130) performs character input, object adjustment, function execution, etc. according to the user's operation input using the touch buttons displayed through the touch screen (110).

The communication unit (150) is connected to enable communication with other electronic devices and performs data communication.

The explanation of the terms above is intended to briefly state the contents of the entire application including the technical contents and claims of the present invention, and therefore the technical ideas are not limited to the words or phrases explained in the explanation of the terms, and the explanation of the embodiments is merely an illustrative explanation of the technical ideas of the present invention, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may make various modifications and variations without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. In addition, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical ideas of the present invention but to explain them, and the scope of the technical ideas of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The protection scope of the present invention should be interpreted by the following claims, and all technical ideas within a scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the rights of the present invention.

Accordingly, those skilled in the art should recognize that modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without altering the spirit of the invention.

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Claims (38)

In a method for converting button assignments assigned to buttons of an electronic device,
By a button assignment change signal including the operation of any control button,
A method characterized in that only some button assignments among button assignments within the same button are converted.
In the first paragraph,
In a method for converting button display information displayed on a button of an electronic device,
By a button display change signal including any control button being operated,
A method characterized in that only some of the button display items displayed within the same button are converted.
In the first paragraph,
In a method for converting button assignments displayed on buttons of an electronic device,
By a button assignment change signal including the operation of any control button,
A method characterized in that the button assignments for functions among the button assignments displayed within the same button are converted.
In the first paragraph,
"Button Assignment Details"
A method characterized by having "button assignments for characters, which are assignments regarding how characters are assigned."

In paragraph 4,
"Only some button assignments are converted"
A method characterized in that "some groups of characters among multiple groups of characters assigned to a button are converted."
In either of paragraphs 4 or 5,
A method characterized in that the number of characters to be converted is one by a button assignment conversion signal. In either of paragraphs 4 or 5,
A method characterized in that the number of characters to be converted is plural by a button assignment conversion signal. In any one of paragraph 1, paragraph 2, paragraph 3, paragraph 4, or paragraph 5,
A method characterized in that there may be a plurality of different button assignment conversion signals that convert the button assignment in different directions as button assignment conversion signals, or there may be only one button assignment conversion signal that converts the button assignment in one direction.
In Article 8,
"Multiple different button assignment change signals that change the button assignment in different directions"
A method characterized in that different buttons having different button assignment conversion functions are operated.
In Article 9,
A method characterized in that a button displaying a pattern similar to '◀' or '↓' can be used as a button that changes in the first direction based on the number of pages on which symbol characters are assigned.
In Article 9,
A method characterized in that a button displaying a pattern similar to '▶' or '↑' can be used as a button that changes in the second direction based on the number of pages assigned to the symbol characters. In Article 8,
A method characterized in that a control button for changing button assignments including a button marked with '▶' is operated by only one specific control button.
In Article 8,
In the above implicit phrase, "multiple different button assignment change signals that change the button assignment in different directions"
A method characterized in that the same button to which different button assignment conversion functions are assigned is operated in different operating methods. In Article 8,
"One button assignment change signal that changes the button assignment in one direction"
A method characterized in that a button having a function of changing button assignments in one direction is operated.
In any one of paragraph 1, paragraph 2, paragraph 3, paragraph 4, or paragraph 5,
'A method characterized in that the number of conversion results having different button assignments converted by a button assignment conversion signal is three or more. In Article 13,
There are multiple characters converted by the button assignment conversion signal,
A method characterized in that if the same button to which a character is assigned is operated in different ways, the characters that are input are also different. In Article 16,
A method characterized in that, when characters to be converted are input through a drag method, the input characters are different depending on the drag direction.
In any one of paragraph 1, paragraph 2, paragraph 3, paragraph 4, or paragraph 5,
A method characterized in that a character converted by a button assignment conversion signal can be input by a drag method or by a method of pressing for a certain period of time.
In Article 9,
A method characterized in that one of the different control buttons can be used as a button that changes in the first direction based on the number of symbol character assignment pages. In Article 9,
A method characterized in that one of the different control buttons can be used as a button that changes in a second direction based on the number of symbol character assignment pages. In Article 8,
(When entering characters in groups of three or more, by assigning characters in groups of three or more to a keyboard within one screen, without changing the character mode)
The first group characters and the second group characters are assigned to the same button and are entered using different input methods.
A method characterized in that a third group character is assigned to a button to which no first group character or second group character is assigned and entered. In Article 21,
The second group of characters is the button to which the character is assigned.
Drag or
A method characterized in that the touch is released and input is performed after being touched for a certain period of time without being dragged after being touched. In Article 22,
The first group of letters is the button to which the letter is assigned.
After being touched, the touch is released without being dragged.
A method characterized in that the touch is released and input is performed after being touched for less than a certain period of time without being dragged after being touched. In Article 23,
The third group of characters is the button to which the character is assigned.
After being touched, the touch is released without being dragged.
A method characterized in that the touch is released and input is performed after being touched for less than a certain period of time without being dragged after being touched. . . . . . . In any one of paragraph 1, paragraph 2, paragraph 3, paragraph 4, or paragraph 5,
A method characterized in that a 'button assignment change signal including operation of any control button' is one or more of the following cases.
1. When a button assigned a function that changes button assignments is manipulated to be recognized as a target button.
2. In cases where a button assigned with a function that causes the button assignment to be changed is not recognized as a target button. In Article 31,
"1. A method characterized in that a button to which a function for changing button assignments is assigned is operated so as to be recognized as a target button" is one or more of the following cases.
a. When a button that has a function assigned to change the button assignment is touched so that it is recognized as the target button.
b. When a button assigned a function that changes button assignments is dragged in any direction including left, back, up, down, top left, bottom left, top right, or bottom right so that it is recognized as the target button.
In Article 32,
A method characterized in that the above 'a.' case is one or more of the following cases.
a.1. When a button to which a function to change button assignments is assigned is touched for less than (or less than) a specified time so that the button is recognized as a target button.
a.2. When a button to which a function to change button assignments is assigned is touched for a specified period of time (or exceeded) so that the button is recognized as the target button.
a.3. When a button is single-touched so that the button assigned a function that causes the button assignment to be changed is recognized as the target button.
a.4. When a button is multi-touched so that a button with a function that causes the button assignment to be changed is recognized as the target button. In Article 32,
A method characterized in that the above 'b.' case is one or more of the following cases.
b.1. When a button that has a function assigned to change the button assignment is recognized as a target button and is dragged in any direction including left, back, up, down, top left, bottom left, top right, or bottom right by less than (or less than) the specified length.
b.2. When a button that has a function assigned to change the button assignment is recognized as a target button and is dragged in any direction including left, right, up, down, top left, bottom left, top right, or bottom right by a specified length or longer (or exceeds it). In Article 31,
The above "2. In the case where a button to which a function for changing button assignments is assigned is not operated to be recognized as a target button" is a method characterized in that at least one of the following cases exists.
d. When dragged in any direction including left, right, up, down, top left, bottom left, top right, or bottom right from any location on the display screen or from any button.
f. When any location on the display screen or any button or fixed area is touched.
g. When dragged in any direction including left, right, up, down, top left, bottom left, top right, or bottom right from any location on the display screen or from any button over a specified area.
h. Any gestures performed around the device are detected.
i. When the device is detected moving in a predetermined manner, including shaking, laying down, standing up, or tilting the device, or when the device is detected being positioned in a predetermined posture.
j. A predetermined type of gaze is detected.
k. When pre-determined brain waves are detected In Article 35,
A method characterized in that the above 'd.' case is one or more of the following cases.
d.1. When dragged in any direction including left, right, up, down, top left, bottom left, top right, or bottom right, less than (or below) a specified length from any location on the display screen or from any button.
d.2. When dragged in any direction including left, right, up, down, top left, bottom left, top right, and bottom right from any location on the display screen or from any button for a specified length or longer (or exceeding). In Article 35,
A method characterized in that the above 'f.' case is one or more of the following cases.
f.1. When any location on the display screen or any button is touched within (or below) a specified area.
f.2. When any location on the display screen or any button is touched over a specified area (or exceeds it). In Article 35,
A method characterized in that the above 'g.' case is one or more of the following cases.
g.1. When dragged in any direction including left, right, up, down, top left, bottom left, top right, and bottom right, from any location on the display screen or from any button, within a specified area (or less) and within a specified length (or less).
g.2. When dragged in any direction including left, right, up, down, top left, bottom left, top right, and bottom right, from any location on the display screen or from any button, for a length longer than (or exceeding) a specified area or less than (or below).
g.3. When dragged in any direction including left, right, up, down, top left, bottom left, top right, and bottom right, from any location on the display screen or from any button, over a specified area or less than a specified length or more than (or exceeding) a specified area.
g.4. When dragged in any direction including left, right, up, down, top left, bottom left, top right, and bottom right from any location on the display screen or from any button, over a specified area or over a specified length or more.