WO2013073797A1

WO2013073797A1 - Keypad device for a touch screen and method for providing same

Info

Publication number: WO2013073797A1
Application number: PCT/KR2012/009432
Authority: WO
Inventors: 안재우
Original assignee: (주)모비언스
Priority date: 2011-11-16
Filing date: 2012-11-09
Publication date: 2013-05-23

Abstract

The present invention relates to a keypad apparatus for a touch screen and to a method for providing same. The key pad apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: a plurality of buttons, a storage device, a processor, and a communication module included in the plurality of buttons and outputting, to the touch screen, a selection output signal selected from among a plurality of output signals corresponding to respective letters when a letter button to which a letter is allocated is selected. The processor selects the selection output signal from among the plurality of output signals on the basis of state information stored in the storage device, and controls the output of the selected selection output signal.

Description

Keypad device for touch screen device and method for providing same

The present invention relates to a keypad device for a touch screen device and a method of providing the same, and more particularly, to a keypad device and a method for providing the same, which are provided separately from the touch screen device for controlling the touch screen device and are easy to learn. It is about.

Recently, with the development of the touch pad, a device using a touch screen, that is, a touch screen device, has been widely used. Such touch screen devices are actively being used in fields such as mobile phones (so-called smart phones) and tablet PCs.

Meanwhile, some of the touch screen devices include a physical keypad, but some devices do not.

A touch screen device without a physical keypad may input text or various control signals through a soft keypad, that is, an input interface implemented in software. In this case, there is an advantage that the user can use the large screen instead of having a physical keypad.

However, in order to perform various inputs to such a touch screen device, there is a disadvantage that a user must perform input while looking at an input interface displayed on the touch screen. This drawback not only causes the inconvenience of having to look at the touch screen for input even for a normal person, but can also cause a serious deterioration in usability for the visually impaired.

Accordingly, there is still a need for a separate physical keypad device (or keyboard) that can input text or control signals to the touch screen device.

In addition, even if a physical keypad is provided in the touch screen device, there is still a need for a separate physical keypad device that is not dependent on the touch screen device than the physical keypad provided in the touch screen device. Because the keypad provided by the touch screen device may be different for each touch screen device, it is still difficult to control another touch screen device when using the keypad provided by the touch screen device. In addition, control may still be inconvenient for a touch screen device that is not provided with a physical keypad, and control may not be possible for a visually impaired person.

Therefore, the user may need a separate physical keypad device that can control the touch screen device regardless of whether a physical keypad is provided.

If such a keypad device is a full keyboard, i.e., a keyboard (e.g., a qwerty keyboard, etc.) with more keys than the number of characters (e.g. alphabet) of a given language (e.g. English), it may be easy to perform character input. But there is a problem of poor portability. In addition, since the full keyboard is implemented without considering various functions such as input of various commands, navigation or browsing of items (or icons) displayed on the screen, rather than simple character input, such a complicated and various commands or There is a problem with the function that is not suitable. In addition, since a large number of keys are not systematically classified, there is a problem in that it is not easy for a user to learn the control of the touch screen device through the keyboard.

Accordingly, the technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a keypad device for controlling a touch screen device, and to input characters or input various commands through a relatively small number of buttons (keys), so that intuitive and easy learning is possible. It is to provide a keypad device and its method excellent in usability.

In addition, even when a plurality of characters are assigned to one button by using a small number of buttons, a keypad device and a method for providing a character input method that can be used universally without being dependent on the type of touch screen device are provided. It is.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a keypad apparatus and a method for directly inputting a desired character without selecting a plurality of times even when a plurality of characters or symbols are assigned to a single language.

In addition, in a keypad device provided with a plurality of modes for each of a plurality of languages, numbers, symbols, or commands, there is provided a keypad device capable of always selecting a predetermined mode at a time regardless of the current mode, and a method thereof. will be.

In particular, it is difficult to visually recognize a touch screen device such as a visually impaired, or even if it is possible to provide a keypad device and a method that can be easily used even without looking at the touch screen device.

Keypad device for a touch screen device according to an embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above technical idea is that a plurality of buttons, storage, processor, and a character button included in the plurality of buttons and assigned a plurality of characters is selected And a communication module for outputting a selected output signal selected from among a plurality of output signals corresponding to each of the plurality of characters to the touch screen device, wherein the processor is based on state information stored in the storage device. The selection output signal is selected from the plurality of output signals, and the control unit is configured to output the selected selection output signal.

The state information may include information on a character corresponding to an output signal output according to the selection of the immediately preceding button selected just before the character button is selected.

When the immediately preceding character corresponding to the immediately preceding output signal is a character assigned to the character button, the processor inputs a delete signal for deleting the immediately preceding character corresponding to the immediately preceding output signal and the next character among the plurality of characters. The controller may be configured to output the selection output signal including a signal corresponding to a character to be transmitted.

When the number of characters assigned to the character button is n (n is a natural number of 2 or more), the plurality of buttons include at least (n-1) direct input function buttons, and the (n-1) direct input functions. When the character button is selected while one of the direct input function buttons is selected, the processor outputs an output signal corresponding to a character corresponding to the direct input function button selected from the n characters regardless of the immediately selected button. You can control the output.

The plurality of buttons are arranged in an a × b matrix (a and b are two or more natural numbers, respectively), and the (n-1) direct input function buttons correspond to the n characters in a corner row or corner column of the a × b matrix. It may be characterized in that arranged sequentially to correspond to the input order of.

The status information may further include information on a current mode among a plurality of modes provided by the keypad device, and the plurality of buttons may include at least one mode change button for converting a mode from a current mode of the keypad device to another mode. And a mode designation button capable of entering a predetermined specific mode irrespective of the current mode at the time of selection.

Wherein the plurality of buttons are arranged in an a × b matrix (a and b are each natural numbers of two or more), and all or part of the at least one mode designation button exists at a position corresponding to a vertex of the a × b matrix. It can be characterized.

The keypad device for a touch screen device for solving the technical problem includes a plurality of buttons, a processor, and a communication module for outputting an output signal corresponding to a button selected from the plurality of buttons to the touch screen device, The plurality of buttons include a character button to which n characters (n is a natural number of two or more) and at least (n-1) direct input function buttons, wherein any one of the (n-1) direct input function buttons When the character button is selected while the direct input function button of is selected, the processor may control to output an output signal corresponding to a character corresponding to the direct input function button selected from the n characters regardless of the immediately selected button. Can be.

Keypad device for a touch screen device for solving the technical problem includes a plurality of buttons, a storage device, a processor, and a communication module for outputting an output signal corresponding to a button selected from the plurality of buttons to the touch screen device. The storage device stores information on a current mode of the keypad device. The plurality of buttons may include at least one mode change button for changing a mode from a current mode of the keypad device to another mode, and when selected. At least one may include a mode designation button for entering a predetermined mode, regardless of the current mode.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a keypad device for a touch screen device, the method including receiving a selection of a character button to which a plurality of characters are assigned among a plurality of buttons, and status information stored in the keypad device. Selecting a selected output signal from among a plurality of output signals corresponding to each of the plurality of characters based on the second character; and outputting the selected output signal to the touch screen device by the keypad device.

The selection output signal may include a deletion signal for deleting a character immediately preceding the previous output signal and a character signal corresponding to a character to be input next to the character immediately before the plurality of characters.

The method for providing a keypad device for a touch screen device may include: selecting, by the keypad device, a letter button while a predetermined direct input function button provided in the keypad device is selected; and a character corresponding to a button immediately selected by the keypad device; Regardless, the method may include outputting an output signal corresponding to a character corresponding to the direct input function button among the plurality of characters.

The method of providing a keypad device for a touch screen device includes the steps of: receiving a selection of a mode designation button included in the plurality of buttons by the keypad device and entering the predetermined mode regardless of the current mode of the keypad device; It may include.

The method for providing a keypad device for a touch screen device for solving the above technical problem is that the keypad device has n (n = 2 or more) at least one direct input function button selected from at least (n-1) direct input function buttons. Selecting a character button to which a character of a natural number) is assigned; and outputting an output signal corresponding to a character corresponding to the direct input function button selected from the n characters regardless of the button immediately selected by the keypad apparatus; .

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a keypad device for a touch screen device, the method comprising: storing, by the keypad device, information about a current mode of the keypad device, and when the keypad device receives a mode change button, And converting the mode to another mode so as to correspond to a predetermined order, and if the mode designation button is selected, converting the mode to a predetermined mode, regardless of the current mode.

The method for providing a keypad device for a touch screen device may be stored in a computer readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program.

According to a keypad device for a touch screen device and a method of providing the same according to the technical spirit of the present invention, even when a plurality of characters are assigned to one button by using a small number of buttons, the keypad device itself may be set according to the selected button. Since the output signal to be output to the touch screen device can be determined, and the output signal corresponding to the determination can be output to the touch screen device, an effect that can provide a general character input method is not dependent on the type of the touch screen device. There is.

In addition, even when a plurality of characters or symbols are assigned to each button for each language, a desired character can be directly input without multiple selections, thereby reducing the character input time and the number of selections.

In addition, when a plurality of modes for a plurality of languages, numbers, symbols, or commands are provided, a person or state that cannot visually check the current mode can always be selected at a time regardless of the current mode. Even in the specified mode, it is possible to enter the effect.

In particular, due to the above effects, it is difficult to visually recognize the touch screen device such as the visually impaired, or even if it can be recognized, there is an effect that can be easily used even without looking at the touch screen device.

In addition, while using a small number of buttons, the input of characters or input of various commands may be intuitively performed through the systematic arrangement of the buttons. Accordingly, there is an effect of easy learning.

A schematic description of the drawings for understanding the technical spirit of the present invention is as follows.

1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a conventional data processing apparatus and a key input method of the data processing apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a key input method of a keypad device for a touch screen device and a keypad device for the touch screen device according to an exemplary embodiment.

3 is a view showing a schematic configuration of a keypad device for a touch screen device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a diagram for describing a character input method through a button to which a plurality of characters are allocated according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a diagram for describing a method of inputting a desired character at a time when a plurality of characters are assigned to any one button using a direct input function button according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a view for explaining a mode designation button and a mode designation through the mode designation button according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In order to fully understand the present invention, the operational advantages of the present invention, and the objects achieved by the practice of the present invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and the contents described in the accompanying drawings.

In addition, in the present specification, when one component 'transmits' data to another component, the component may directly transmit the data to the other component, or through at least one other component. Means that the data may be transmitted to the other component.

On the contrary, when one component 'directly transmits' data to another component, it means that the data is transmitted from the component to the other component without passing through the other component.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements.

First, referring to FIG. 1A, a conventional data processing apparatus 10 includes an operating system 11 and a keypad 12. The data processing apparatus 10 may have a built-in keypad 12 itself, or may include a keypad (or keyboard) 12 that can be used in connection with the main body of the data processing apparatus 10. In addition, according to the embodiment, the keypad 12 may be a soft keypad, that is, a virtual keypad implemented in software.

In any case, when the user selects a predetermined button (or key) provided in the keypad 12 (for example, pressing or touching a certain intensity or more), the keypad 12 corresponds to the selected key. Outputs a key signal to the OS 11. Then, the OS 11 may process input of a character (or symbol) corresponding to a key signal or perform control (eg, moving a cursor, page up / down, etc.) corresponding to the key signal.

At this time, when the keypad 12 is not the full keyboard, a plurality of characters are assigned to one button. When the buttons are continuously selected within a predetermined time, a plurality of characters may be sequentially input by the OS 11. However, even in this case, the keypad 12 included in or connected to the conventional data processing apparatus 10 outputs the same key signal, and when the same key signal is continuously input from the OS 11, the respective key signals are applied to each key signal. The corresponding character (or symbol) is determined and processed.

That is, the conventional data processing apparatus 10 only needs to support a keypad 12 that is designed and provided in advance, or a keypad 12 that is already known in advance, that is, a keypad 12 that is already known to the OS 11. When the buttons included in the ") are selected, the OS 11 only needs to input characters (or symbols) correspondingly. Therefore, the conventional keypad 12 simply outputs a predetermined key signal manually whenever a specific button is selected, and determines by the OS 11 which character (or symbol) the output key signal represents. Could handle.

One such example is shown in FIG. 1B.

Referring to FIG. 1B, a plurality of characters, for example, a, b, and c may be assigned to a predetermined first key included in the keypad 12. Then, when the first key is continuously selected within a predetermined time, the data processing apparatus 10 may be treated as a, b, and c sequentially input.

In this case, when the first key is first selected (S1), the keypad 12 outputs the first key signal to the OS 11 (S2). Then, since the first key signal is first input, the OS 11 may process that the letter 'a' is input in response to the first key signal (S3).

Thereafter, the first key may be selected again within a predetermined time (S4). In this case, the keypad 12 may also output the first key signal to the OS 11 (S5). Then, since the OS 11 receives the same key signal as the key signal input to the immediately preceding character within a predetermined time, the OS 11 may process the letter 'b', which is the character to be input after the character 'a', to be input (S6). ).

In addition, even if the first key is selected again within a predetermined time (S7), the keypad 12 also outputs the same first key signal to the OS 11 (S8). Then, since the OS 11 receives the same key signal as the key signal input to the immediately preceding character within a predetermined time, the OS 11 may process that the 'c' character, which is the character to be input after the 'b' character, is input (S9). ).

As described above, in the conventional character input method, since the OS 11 knows in advance the input order of the buttons included in the keypad 12 and the plurality of characters assigned to the buttons, the keypad 12 is selected regardless of which button is selected. Only the key signal corresponding to the button needs to be outputted to the OS 11. Then, the OS 11 determines whether the currently input key signal is a key signal for a character according to the time when the key signal is input and the previous key signal, and performs character input processing as determined. .

However, in this case, there is a problem that the OS 11 always needs to know which keypad is used, and the character combination (or symbol combination, etc.) assigned to the keypad 12 must be registered in advance in the OS 11. It was possible to use. To this end, there is a problem in that the software capable of recognizing the data processing apparatus 10 should be developed and / or installed for each type of the data processing apparatus 10, thereby providing a keypad device having general purpose as in the object of the present invention. It is difficult or expensive to do.

In addition, the combination of keypads that are already used in the prior art is not designed to be easy to use without looking at the visually impaired or the touch screen device, and when using a conventional physical keypad or soft keypad, there is a problem of poor usability and ease of learning. there was.

Accordingly, in order to solve this problem, the keypad device for a touch screen device (hereinafter, the keypad device 100) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may provide an intuitive interface with a few buttons. In addition, whenever a predetermined button is selected by the keypad apparatus 100 itself, information about a character corresponding to an output signal output according to the previous button selection and / or information about an elapsed time after the previous button selection is itself. It is possible to maintain and / or manage and thereby output an output signal corresponding to the character to be inputted every time the button is selected. That is, while the conventional keypad 12 outputs the same key signal, the keypad device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention outputs an adaptive output to the touch screen device according to the status information according to the selection of the previous button. You can change the signal. Therefore, even if the touch screen device does not know the character combination of the keypad device 100 in advance, input processing of a character corresponding to the received output signal is possible, and thus does not depend on the type and / or implementation of the touch screen device. It is possible to provide a universal keypad device 100 is possible. In addition, due to this general purpose, the user can easily learn the control of the character combinations or command combinations provided by the keypad device 100.

An example of such a keypad device 100 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

2 and 3, the keypad device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may output an output signal corresponding to a character to be input processed each time a button is selected to the touch screen device 200. . Then, the OS 210 of the touch screen device 200 may perform input processing of a character corresponding to the received output signal.

The keypad device 100 illustrated in FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment in which the buttons of the keypad device 100 are arranged in a matrix of 4 × 5, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. .

In addition, symbols (e.g., B1 to B0, L1 to L4, R1 to R4, and B *, B #, etc.) displayed on each button of the keypad device 100 shown in FIG. 2 indicate the position of each button. It is only a symbol to be used, and does not represent a character to be input when the corresponding button is selected.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 3, the keypad device 100 may include a processor 110, a storage device 120, a button unit 130 including a plurality of buttons, and / or a communication module 140. Can be.

The processor 110 may control the overall operation of the keypad device 100. In addition, functions and / or resources of other components (eg, the storage device 120 and / or the communication module 140, etc.) included in the keypad device 100 may be controlled.

The plurality of buttons included in the button unit 130 may include letter buttons (for example, B1 to B0). In addition, since the keypad device 100 is not a full keyboard, a plurality of characters may be assigned to each of the character buttons (for example, B1 to B0). A plurality of letters assigned to each letter button (eg, B1 to B0), that is, a letter combination and / or a symbol combination may also be selected to have excellent intuition and usability, which will be described later.

The storage device 120 may store predetermined data necessary to implement the technical idea of the present invention. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, state information according to an embodiment of the present invention may be stored in the storage device 120. The state information is based on a previous output signal or a previous output signal corresponding to a button selected immediately before the character button is selected when a predetermined character button included in a plurality of buttons included in the button unit 130 is selected. It may contain information about the corresponding character. That is, the status information not only stores information on which button (the previous button) was selected immediately before the letter button was selected, but also outputs a signal corresponding to which letter as the previous button was selected. It can represent information about.

Accordingly, the processor 110 selects an output signal corresponding to a character to be input-processed by the touch screen device 200 when a predetermined character button is selected based on the state information stored in the storage device 120. The selected output signal may be output to the touch screen device 200.

The communication module 140 may selectively output an output signal corresponding to each of the plurality of characters corresponding to the character button to the touch screen device 200. That is, when any one character button is continuously selected, the communication module 140 may output different output signals to the touch screen device 200 for each character assigned to the character button whenever selected. Can be. Which output signal is output when the character button is selected may be selected by the processor 110, and the output signal selected by the processor 110 among the output signals that can be output when the character button is selected (that is, The selection output signal) may be output to the touch screen device 200 through the communication module 140.

The communication module 140 may output a predetermined output signal to the touch screen device 200 through a predetermined wired or wireless communication. According to an example, the communication module 140 may perform Bluetooth communication with the touch screen device 200. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various communication protocols may be selected for the communication module 140.

Character input method of the keypad device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention including such a configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

Referring to FIG. 4, a plurality of characters, for example, a, b, and c, may be assigned to any one character button included in the keypad device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. When the letter buttons are continuously selected within a predetermined time, a, b, and c may be input processed by the touch screen device 200 in order to correspond to a predetermined input order.

For example, when the character button is selected once and the character button is not selected again within a predetermined time, the letter a may be input to the touch screen device 200 due to the single selection of the character button. . If the letter button is selected twice in succession, the letter b may be input processed. If the letter button is selected three times in succession, the letter c may be input processed. Character input processing may then be performed sequentially in the order of a, b, and c.

In this case, when the character button included in the keypad device 100 is selected for the first time (S11), the processor 110 may check the state information stored in the storage device 120. The state information stored in the storage device 120 may include information on a character corresponding to an output signal output according to the selection of the immediately preceding button selected immediately before the character button is selected (S10). Information indicating that no button is selected immediately before the letter button is selected (for example, Null) or information indicating that an output signal corresponding to a letter (for example, d) other than the letter assigned to the letter button is output. May be stored. According to the exemplary embodiment, when the previous button is not the same button as the character button, the previous button is not the information about the character corresponding to the output signal output when the previous button is selected (for example, d). Indicative information may be stored in the storage device 120.

Then, the processor 110 checks the state information stored in the storage device 120, and the first output signal to be output by the selection (S11) of the letter button based on the confirmation result corresponds to the letter a. It can be determined that the output signal. Then, the communication module 140 may be controlled to output the first output signal corresponding to a to the touch screen device 200 (S12). After outputting the first output signal, the processor 110 may store information on the letter a corresponding to the first output signal in the storage device 120 (s14). Then, the touch screen device 200 may receive the first output signal and perform input processing of the letter a corresponding to the received first output signal (S13).

On the other hand, when the character button is selected again within a predetermined time after the selection of the character button (S11) (S15), the processor 110 may check the state information stored in the storage device 120. Since the state information includes information about a character (eg, a) corresponding to a previous output signal, that is, a first output signal, the processor 110 may input a character to be input after the character (eg, a). It may be determined to output an output signal corresponding to b), that is, a second output signal to the touch screen device 200. Then, the second output signal corresponding to the letter b may be output to the touch screen device 200 (S16). On the other hand, the touch screen apparatus 200 selects the current selection every time the character button is selected, even if the character button is continuously input and the character to be input is not determined. It may be desirable to display the corresponding character corresponding to. Therefore, when the touch screen apparatus 200 inputs the letter a, it is preferable that the letter a is displayed through a predetermined UI. Subsequently, when the letter button is continuously selected, it may be preferable that the letter b corresponding to the current second output signal is displayed on the touch screen device 200 instead of the immediately preceding letter a displayed.

Accordingly, in this case, the processor 110 may delete a signal (for example, a signal corresponding to a backspace) for deleting the character a immediately preceding the current output signal corresponding to the first output signal which is the previous output signal. Among the plurality of characters a, b, and c, a signal corresponding to the character b to be input next to the character a before the character a may be included and output to the touch screen device 200. For example, the processor 110 may output a plurality of signals corresponding to the backspace and the letter b to the touch screen device 200. In operation S18, the processor 110 may store information on the character b corresponding to the second output signal in the storage device 120.

After the character button is selected (S15), even when the character button is selected again within a predetermined time, the above-described process may be performed. That is, the processor 110 may determine that the output signal to be output is the third output signal corresponding to the letter c based on the state information stored in the storage device 120. Then, the third output signal may be output to the touch screen device 200 (S20). Then, the letter c may be input processed by the touch screen device 200. As described above, the third output signal may include a signal for deleting the immediately preceding character and a signal corresponding to the character c, respectively, in order.

Comparing FIG. 1B and FIG. 4 illustrating the technical concept of the present invention, the characteristics of the keypad device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be easily understood.

As such, the keypad device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may output different output signals to the touch screen device 200 according to a situation even when the same letter button is selected. In addition, the keypad device 100 may determine a character to be input by itself whenever the character button is selected, and output an output signal corresponding to the character that is adaptively determined to the touch screen device 200. . Therefore, the touch screen device 200 only needs to perform text input processing corresponding to the received output signal.

In addition, according to the above technical concept, since the OS of the touch screen device 200 does not need to know key combinations (letter combinations, symbol combinations, etc.) of the keypad device 100, the touch screen device 200 There is an effect that can operate as a general-purpose keypad device 100 that is not dependent on.

On the other hand, the keypad device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can increase the ease of portability by having only a few buttons compared to the full keyboard, in this case, as described above, a predetermined number assigned to any one character button In order to input a letter (for example, c), there was a problem in that the letter button should be selected a plurality of times.

The technical idea for solving this problem will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

First, referring to FIG. 5A, n (e.g., three) letters (e, w, q) are assigned to a predetermined letter button (e.g., B1) among a plurality of buttons included in the keypad apparatus 100. Can be. Then, if the user has to select the character button B1 two times consecutively to input the letter w, it is inconvenient to select the character button B1 three times consecutively to enter the letter q. there was.

In order to solve this inconvenience, the button unit 130 included in the keypad device 100 may include at least (n-1) direct input function buttons. The direct input function button may be a combination key to which a letter is not assigned. That is, the direct input function button and the predetermined character button may be simultaneously selected to output an output signal corresponding to the predetermined character or may be a button for outputting a predetermined control signal.

The number of characters allocated to each of the character buttons included in the button unit 130 may not be the same. In this case, n is the number of characters corresponding to the character button to which the largest number of characters are assigned ( For example, three).

According to an embodiment, the number of the direct input function buttons may be n. However, since the first letter (e.g. e) assigned to the letter button (e.g., B1) can be directly inputted with only one selection, it may not necessarily be provided with n direct input function buttons.

According to an example, the direct input function button may be arranged in a corner row or column of the matrix in which the button unit 130 is arranged. For example, when the button unit 130 is arranged in a 4 × 5 matrix as shown in FIG. 5, the direct input function buttons are arranged in any one or more of one row, four rows, one column, or five columns. Can be. As such, when the user holds the keypad device 100 by arranging the direct input function button in the corner row or the corner column, it is easy to select another character button while selecting one of the direct input function buttons. have.

In addition, the order in which n or (n-1) direct input function buttons (for example, L2 and L3 or R2 and R3) are arranged is the direct input function button (for example, among the n characters assigned to a predetermined character button). , L2 and L3 or R2 and R3) may correspond to the order of characters directly input.

For example, the first direct input function button (for example, L2) may be a button for directly inputting a second character of an input sequence of characters assigned to a predetermined character button. Then, the second direct input function button (eg, L3) is disposed adjacent to the first direct input function button (eg, L2), and the second direct input function button (eg, L3) is connected to a predetermined character button. It may be a button for directly inputting the third character of the input sequence of the allocated character.

Therefore, a plurality of characters in which (n-1) direct input function buttons are sequentially arranged so as to be adjacent to each other, and an m (natural number of 2 or more (n-1) or less) th direct input function buttons are assigned to a predetermined character button. In this case, the (m + 2) th direct input function button is a button for directly inputting the (m + 2) th character among the plurality of characters. Can be. Of course, when n direct input function buttons are provided, when the first direct input function button is selected among sequentially arranged direct input function buttons and a predetermined character button is selected, a plurality of characters assigned to the character button are selected. The first character is directly input, and when the second direct input function button is selected, the second character may be directly input.

As described above, when a plurality of direct input function buttons are sequentially arranged and the order of characters to be directly input is determined in advance, the order of characters to be directly input is intuitively transmitted to the user according to the position of the direct input function buttons. There is an effect that can be.

As shown in FIG. 5B, when the letter button B1 is selected while the first direct input function button (eg, L2) is selected, the processor 110 outputs an output signal corresponding to the letter w. 200). In addition, when the letter button B1 is selected when the second direct input function button (eg, L3) is selected, the processor 110 outputs an output signal corresponding to the letter q to the touch screen device 200. Can be controlled.

Meanwhile, the combination of characters assigned to each character button as shown in FIG. 5 may also be a combination determined based on the user's ease of use. In addition, although not shown in FIG. 5, the character button may be implemented to input different kinds of characters according to modes. For example, when the mode of the keypad device 100 is an English input mode, the combination of characters as shown in FIG. 5 may be a combination of input characters. If the keypad device 100 is in the numeric input mode, the numeric combination assigned to each character button may be an input character combination. In addition, in the symbol input mode, the symbol input may be performed according to a symbol combination assigned to each character button.

The keypad device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure discloses an example of an English character combination and / or symbol combination having high user convenience.

First, when the symbol combination is described as an example, all the symbols on the computer keyboard may be assigned to the middle 12 [B] buttons, that is, the character buttons.

Symbols can be installed on the number buttons based on their similarity to numbers to make it easier to memorize the assigned button. For example, the symbols "!" And "?" Resemble the numbers 1 and 2, respectively, and the symbols "'", "" "resemble 4 and 5, and" @ "resembles 6. The symbol" <" ","> "Resembles 4, 7 and the symbol" (",") "resembles 6 9, and the symbol" "; ",": ",", ",". "Can be recognized as similar to 7 8 9 0. Also," / "," \ "resembles 1," ~ "resembles 2, and" [","] "is equivalent to" <","> " Resembles "{", "}" resembles "(", ")", "&", "$" resembles 8, "=" resembles "" "," ^ ","% "resembles" * " Can be perceived to be similar to In addition, if you find the most similar form among the remaining symbols, "_" resembles 5, "` "resembles 2, and"-"," + "," | "resembles 3. And "*" is in [B *] and "#" is in [B #]. Accordingly, the symbol combinations assigned to the twelve character buttons based on this recognition criterion may be as follows.

[B1! / \] [B2? ~ `] [B3-+ |]

[B4 '<[] [B5 "= _] [B6 @ ({]

[B7; >]] [B8: & $] [B9,)}]

[B * ^ *%] [B0.] [B # #]

That is, if the symbols "!", "/", And "\" are respectively assigned to the button of [B1], the symbols may be assigned to each other in the same manner.

In addition, an example of an English letter combination may be determined as follows.

The smallQWERTY alphabet array may be an array in which 26 alphabet letters are allocated to nine buttons of [B1] to [B9]. Each button can have two or three alphabetic letters arranged along the QWERTY arrangement of a computer keyboard you are already familiar with. This makes it easy to memorize the button to which a letter is assigned and find its location intuitively. In addition, in each button, the frequently used letters are arranged in front of the frequency of use of the letters, so that the number of button presses required for input may be relatively small.

The smallQWERTY array along the QWERTY array of a computer keyboard has q w e in the upper left [B1], t y u in the upper [B2], and o p in the upper right [B3]. There is also ad on the left [B4], f on the center [B5], jl on the right [B6], xc on the bottom left [B7], b on the bottom [B8], bottom right There may be nm in [B9]. Of the 26 letters of the alphabet, these 18 letters are placed in the same position relative to the position in the QWERTY array, and the positions of the remaining eight characters can be placed one line up or one line below the position relative to the QWERTY array. In QWERTY, the middle g h can be one line down [B8], the top right i can be one line down [B6], and the right k can be one line down [B9]. The upper r can be under one line [B5], and the left s can be under one line [B7]. V at the bottom can be one line up [B5], and z at the bottom left can be up one line [B4].

The nine most commonly used letters are a e h i n o r s t and the frequency of use is known to be approximately 70% of the total. The next nine most commonly used letters are c d f g l m p u w, known as approximately 25%. The remaining eight letters, b j k q v x y z, are known to have a frequency of approximately 5%.

Therefore, when assigning 26 alphabet letters to 9 buttons of [B1] to [B9], the 9 most used letters are placed in the first place of each button, and the next 9 most used letters are assigned to each button. By placing the second, and least frequently used, eight letters in the third digit of each button, you can create a character combination that causes the button to be pressed relatively less when entering English. For reference, in the alphabetical letters arranged in alphabetical order used in the conventional small keypad, an average of 2.14 times should be pressed to input one letter. However, the smallQWERTY array according to the embodiment of the present invention only needs to press 1.35 times on average. It was simulated.

The English letter combination (so-called smallQWERTY array) according to an embodiment of the present invention summarized by this concept may be as follows.

[B1 e w q] [B2 t u y] [B3 o p]

[B4 a d z] [B5 r f v] [B6 i l j]

[B7 s c x] [B8 h g b] [B9 n m k]

[B0 space] is the same as [B # space], and a space can be allocated.

Meanwhile, the keypad device 100 may provide various input modes as described above. For example, the input mode provided by the keypad device 100 includes a navigation mode, a first language (eg, English) input mode, a second language (eg, Korean) input mode, a numeric input mode, a symbol input mode, and the like. can do.

In the navigation mode, for example, an item (item) included in a predetermined application activated in the touch screen device 200 or an item (or icon) included in a background screen of the touch screen device 200 may be searched for and selected. It may be a mode for performing control such as activation, deactivation, or the like.

For example, [B4] may select a previous item, and [B6] may be a button for selecting a next item. [B1] selects the first item of the current screen, and [B7] selects the last item.

As such, the keypad device 100 may provide various input modes.

For example, assuming that only a navigation mode, a first language (eg, English) input mode, a second language (eg, Korean) input mode, a numeric input mode, and a symbol input mode are provided, the storage device 120 may input the keypad. Among the plurality of modes provided by the device, information about the current mode may be further stored. That is, the information about the current mode may be included in the state information and stored.

In addition, the button unit 130 may include a mode conversion button for converting a mode from the current mode of the keypad device 100 to another mode. For example, the mode switching button may sequentially switch modes in a predetermined order among the above-described providing modes. As described above, when the modes are sequentially changed in a predetermined order, when the current mode is not known exactly, such as when the visually impaired person or the touch screen device 200 does not remember what mode it is currently in, and does not remember. There may be a problem, in which case the user can not accurately input the desired.

The technical idea for solving this problem is shown in FIG.

First, referring to FIG. 6A, the button unit 130 of the keypad device 100 may include mode designation buttons (eg, L4 and R4) according to the spirit of the present invention. The mode designation buttons (for example, L4 and R4) are related to the mode change order set in advance when the current mode and the mode switching button (for example, L1) of the keypad device 100 stored in the storage device 120 are selected. Without, it may be a button for allowing the keypad device 100 to enter the mode specified to correspond to the mode designation button (eg, L4 and R4) at all times.

In addition, when a mode switch button (eg, L1) is selected in the keypad apparatus 100, a predetermined sequence (eg, navigation mode-> first language input mode-> second language input) is determined as shown in FIG. 6B. Mode-> symbol input mode-> numeric input mode).

For example, when the current mode is the second language input mode, as shown in FIG. 6C, when the mode designation button L4 is selected, the processor 110 is independent of the current mode of the keypad device 100. The keypad device 100 may be entered into the numeric input mode. For example, when the mode designation button R4 is selected, the processor 110 may enter the keypad device 100 into the navigation mode irrespective of the current mode of the keypad device 100.

In addition, when the mode switch button L1 is selected, it may be switched to the symbol input mode in a predetermined order.

As such, when a mode designation button (for example, L4 and R4) is provided for always entering a predetermined mode irrespective of the current mode, the user selects any one of the mode designation buttons (for example, L4 and R4) at any time. To enter the mode you know. Therefore, there is an effect that can prevent the wrong input due to the illusion of the mode.

At least one mode designation button (eg, L4, R4) may be provided, and a frequently used mode (eg, navigation mode, etc.) may be predetermined to correspond to the mode designation button (eg, L4, R4).

Meanwhile, all or part of the mode designation buttons (eg, L4 and R4) may be disposed at a vertex of a matrix in which the button unit 130 of the keypad device 100 is disposed. For example, buttons (eg, L1, L4, R1, and R4) corresponding to vertices of the 4 × 5 matrix may be allocated to the mode designation button. As such, when the button corresponding to the vertex is utilized as the mode designation button, the keypad device 100 can easily know the mode to enter even without knowing the current mode, and can reduce the probability of incorrectly selecting the mode designation button. It works.

The method for providing a keypad device for a touch screen device according to an embodiment of the present invention may be embodied as computer readable codes on a computer readable recording medium. Computer-readable recording media include all kinds of recording devices that store data that can be read by a computer system. Examples of computer-readable recording media include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, hard disk, floppy disk, optical data storage, and the like, and also in the form of carrier waves (e.g., transmission over the Internet). It also includes implementations. The computer readable recording medium can also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. And functional programs, codes and code segments for implementing the present invention can be easily inferred by programmers in the art to which the present invention belongs.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to one embodiment shown in the drawings, this is merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible therefrom. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention will be defined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

It can be used as an input device of a touch screen device.

Claims

In the keypad device provided separately from the touch screen device for controlling the touch screen device,

A plurality of buttons;

Storage;

A processor; And

A communication module for outputting a selected output signal selected from among a plurality of output signals corresponding to each of the plurality of characters to the touch screen device when the character button included in the plurality of buttons and to which a plurality of characters are assigned is selected; Include,

The processor,

The keypad device for a touch screen device of controlling the controller to select the selected output signal from among the plurality of output signals based on the state information stored in the storage device and to output the selected output signal.
The method of claim 1, wherein the status information,

A keypad device for a touch screen device including information on a character corresponding to an output signal output according to the selection of the immediately preceding button selected immediately before the character button is selected.
The method of claim 2, wherein the immediately preceding character corresponding to the immediately preceding output signal is a character assigned to the character button.

The processor,

A keypad for a touch screen device for controlling to output the selection output signal including a deletion signal for deleting a character immediately preceding the previous output signal and a signal corresponding to a character to be input next to the character immediately before the plurality of characters. Device.
The method of claim 1, wherein when there are n characters (n is a natural number of two or more) assigned to the character button,

The plurality of buttons include at least (n-1) direct input function buttons,

When the letter button is selected while any one of the (n-1) direct input function buttons is selected,

The processor,

A keypad device for a touch screen device for controlling to output an output signal corresponding to a character corresponding to a direct input function button selected from the n characters regardless of the immediately selected button.
The method of claim 4, wherein the plurality of buttons,

arranged in an a by b matrix, where a and b are each natural numbers of two or more,

The (n-1) direct input function buttons,

The keypad device for a touch screen device, characterized in that arranged in order to correspond to the input order of the n characters in the corner row or corner column of the a × b matrix.
The method of claim 2, wherein the status information,

Further including information on the current mode of the plurality of modes provided by the keypad device,

The plurality of buttons,

At least one mode change button for changing a mode from the current mode of the keypad device to another mode; And

And at least one mode designation button capable of entering a predetermined predetermined mode irrespective of the current mode upon selection.
The method of claim 6, wherein the plurality of buttons,

arranged in an a by b matrix, where a and b are each natural numbers of two or more,

All or part of the at least one mode designation button,

The keypad device for a touch screen device, characterized in that present at a position corresponding to the vertex of the a × b matrix.
In the keypad device provided separately from the touch screen device for controlling the touch screen device,

A plurality of buttons;

A processor; And

And a communication module for outputting an output signal corresponding to a button selected from the plurality of buttons to the touch screen device.

The plurality of buttons,

a character button assigned with n characters (n is a natural number of two or more) and at least (n-1) direct input function buttons,

When the letter button is selected while any one of the (n-1) direct input function buttons is selected,

The processor,

A keypad device for a touch screen device for controlling to output an output signal corresponding to a character corresponding to a direct input function button selected from the n characters regardless of the immediately selected button.
In the keypad device provided separately from the touch screen device for controlling the touch screen device,

A plurality of buttons;

Storage;

A processor; And

And a communication module for outputting an output signal corresponding to a button selected from the plurality of buttons to the touch screen device.

The processor,

The storage device stores information on the current mode of the keypad device,

The plurality of buttons,

At least one mode change button for changing a mode from the current mode of the keypad device to another mode; And

And at least one mode designation button capable of entering a predetermined predetermined mode irrespective of the current mode upon selection.
In the method of providing a keypad device provided separately from the touch screen device for controlling the touch screen device,

Receiving, by the keypad apparatus, a character button to which a plurality of characters are assigned from among a plurality of buttons;

Selecting, by the keypad device, a selection output signal from among a plurality of output signals corresponding to each of the plurality of characters based on state information stored in the keypad device; And

And outputting the selected output signal selected by the keypad device to the touch screen device.
The method of claim 10, wherein the selection output signal,

And a text signal corresponding to a character to be input next to the previous character among the plurality of characters and a deletion signal for deleting the character immediately preceding the output signal.
The method of claim 10, wherein the keypad device for a touch screen device is provided.

Receiving, by the keypad apparatus, the character button selected while a predetermined direct input function button provided in the keypad apparatus is selected; And

And outputting, by the keypad apparatus, an output signal corresponding to a character corresponding to the direct input function button among the plurality of characters, irrespective of a character corresponding to a button selected immediately before.
The method of claim 10, wherein the keypad device for a touch screen device is provided.

Receiving, by the keypad device, a mode designation button included in the plurality of buttons; And

And entering, by the keypad device, into a specific predetermined mode regardless of the current mode of the keypad device.
In the method of providing a keypad device provided separately from the touch screen device for controlling the touch screen device,

Receiving, by the keypad apparatus, a character button to which n characters (n is a natural number of two or more) is assigned while a direct input function button of at least (n-1) direct input function buttons is selected; And

And outputting, by the keypad device, an output signal corresponding to a character corresponding to the direct input function button selected from the n characters regardless of the button immediately selected.
In the method for providing a keypad device provided separately from the touch screen device for controlling the touch screen device,

The keypad device storing information about a current mode of the keypad device; And

When the keypad device receives a mode change button, the mode is switched to another mode in accordance with a predetermined order in the current mode, and when a mode designation button is selected, the mode changes to a specific mode predetermined in advance regardless of the current mode. Method for providing a keypad device for a touch screen device comprising the step of.
A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for performing the method according to any one of claims 10 to 15.