Title of Invention

"APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INPUTTING CHARACTERS OF MOBILE TERMINAL"

Abstract

An apparatus and method for inputting characters of a mobile terminal are disclosed to allow a user to easily and quickly input a desired character by displaying all the characters allocated to number keys of a mobile terminal on a screen of the mobile terminal. The apparatus for inputting characters of a mobile terminal includes a key input unit; a display unit divided into an editing region and a character navigation region; and a controller for displaying a character list including characters allocated to a specific number key of the key input unit in the character navigation region when the specific number key is selected.

Full Text

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INPUTTING CHARACTERS OF MOBILE TERMINAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method for inputting characters of a mobile terminal. 2. Description of the Related Art In a related art method for inputting characters (letters) of a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone, in order to input a specific character among various characters (e.g., English alphabet characters and Korean Hangul characters) allocated to each number key of a key input unit of the mobile terminal, a specific number key is repeatedly selected. For example, when four characters (e.g., consonants of the Korean language '?,?,t and z') are allocated to the number key 1 of the key input unit, in order to input the character 'z' at the fourth position must be pressed four times repeatedly. Namely, when the number key 1 is pressed once, the character' ' is displayed on a screen of the mobile terminal, when the number key 1 is pressed twice, the character '?' disappears and simultaneously the character ' is displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal, when the number key 1 is pressed three times, the character 'L' disappears and simultaneously the character 't' is displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal, and when the number key 1 is pressed four times, the character 't' disappears and 1A simultaneously the character 'z' is displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal. In this manner, in order to select the specific character (e.g., 'z') among the characters allocated to one number key of the mobile terminal, the user must press the number key four times repeatedly to input the specific character. If the third character (e.g., 't') of the characters allocated to the number key 1 of the mobile terminal is to be selected, the number key 1 must be pressed three times. That is, in the related art method for inputting a character, time for inputting a character is lengthened, and when the user inputs a character by mistake, he/she must input the character from the beginning. In addition, when characters allocated to one number key are desired to be inputted, the number key must be pressed several times repeatedly. To sum up, the related art method for inputting a character has the following problems. That is, first, in order to select a specific character among characters allocated to each number key, the corresponding number key must be pressed several times. In addition, in order to input a basic character including one or more consonants and one or more vowels, the plurality of number keys are to be selected, and in addition, in order to select a consonant or a vowel allocated to the plurality of number keys, the plurality of number keys are to be pressed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for inputting characters of a mobile terminal capable of allowing a user to easily and quickly input a desired character by displaying all the characters 2 allocated to number keys of a mobile terminal on a screen of the mobile terminal. Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for inputting characters of a mobile terminal capable of allowing a user to easily and quickly input a desired character by displaying characters which can be combined with a specific character allocated to a number key of a mobile terminal on a screen of the mobile terminal. Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for inputting characters of a mobile terminal capable of allowing a user to easily and quickly input a desired character by combining additional characters which can be combined with a specific character allocated to a number key of a mobile terminal with the specific character and displaying the combined characters on a screen of the mobile terminal. To achieve at least the above objects in whole or in parts, there is provided an apparatus for inputting characters of a mobile terminal comprising: a key input unit; a display unit divided into an editing region and a character navigation region; and a controller for displaying a character list including characters allocated to a specific number key of the key input unit in the character navigation region when the specific number key is selected. To achieve at least these advantages in whole or in parts, there is further provided an apparatus for inputting characters of a mobile terminal comprising: a key input unit; a display unit divided into an editing region and a character navigation region; a controller for displaying a character list including characters allocated to a specific number key of a key input unit in the character navigation region when the specific number key is selected by a user, and displaying a specific character among characters on the character list in the editing region 3 when the specific character is selected through a direction key of the key input unit by the user; and a storage unit for storing the character list. To achieve at least these advantages in whole or in parts, there is further provided a method for inputting characters of a mobile terminal comprising: displaying a character list including all the characters allocated to a specific number key of a key input unit of a mobile terminal on a display unit when the specific number key is selected. To achieve at least these advantages in whole or in parts, there is further provided a method for inputting characters of a mobile terminal comprising: displaying a character list including all the characters allocated to a specific number key of a key input unit of a mobile terminal in a character navigation region on a display unit when the specific number key is selected; and displaying a specific character in an editing region on the display unit when the specific character is selected from the character list displayed in the character navigation region by a user. Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained as particularly pointed out in the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements wherein: 4 FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the construction of an apparatus for inputting characters of a mobile terminal in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 2 is a view showing an editing region and a character navigation region of a display unit of the mobile terminal in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating the processes of a method for inputting characters of the mobile terminal in an editing mode in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the processes of a method for inputting characters of the mobile terminal in a character navigation mode in accordance with the present invention; FIGs. 5 to 8 are exemplary views showing Korean characters displayed on the display unit of the apparatus for inputting characters of the mobile terminal in accordance with the present invention; and FIG. 9 is an exemplary view showing the English alphabet displayed on the display unit of the apparatus for inputting characters of the mobile terminal in accordance with the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The apparatus and method for inputting characters of a mobile terminal capable of allowing a user to easily and quickly input a desired character by displaying characters allocated to a number key of a mobile terminal on a screen of the mobile terminal. FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the construction of an 5 apparatus for inputting characters of a mobile terminal in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus for inputting characters of a mobile terminal in accordance with the present invention includes a key input unit 11; a display unit 13 divided into an editing region and a character navigation region; and a controller 12 for displaying a character list including all the characters previously allocated to a specific number key of a key input unit in the character navigation region when the specific number key is selected in an editing mode by a user. When the user selects a specific character from the characters on the character list through a direction key of the key input unit 11, the controller 12 displays the selected specific character in the editing region. A character input mode of the mobile terminal includes the editing mode and a character navigation mode. The character list including all the characters previously allocated to each number key of the key input unit 11 is stored in a storage unit 14. Herein, the characters previously allocated to each number key refer to consonants and vowels of the Korean language. The operation of the apparatus for inputting characters of the mobile terminal in accordance with the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a view showing an editing region and a character navigation region of a display unit of the mobile terminal in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the display unit 13 includes the editing region 100 and the character navigation region 110, and a curser 115 used for indicating a 6 position at which a character to be corrected or inputted is to be placed is positioned in the editing region 100 in the editing mode and positioned in the character navigation region 110 in the character navigation mode. First, when the character input mode of the mobile terminal is changed to editing mode by the user, the controller moves the curser 115 into the editing region 100. At this time, when the user selects a delete key (not shown) of the key input unit 11, the controller 12 deletes a character displayed in the editing region 100, and when the user selects a direction key (not shown), the controller 12 moves the curser 115 within the editing region 100 according to a key signal of the direction key. Thereafter, when the user selects a number key (e.g., the number key 1) of the key input unit 11 in the editing mode, the controller 12 changes the editing mode to the character navigation mode and moves the curser 115 into the character navigation region 110. At this time, the controller reads a character list including characters allocated to the user selected number key from the storage unit 14 and outputs the read character list on the display unit 13. The display unit 13 displays the outputted character list in the character navigation region. Thereafter, when the user selects a specific character among the characters on the character list through the direction key, the controller 12 displays the selected specific character in the editing region. FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating the processes of a method for inputting characters of the mobile terminal in an editing mode in accordance with the present invention. First, when the character input mode of the mobile terminal is changed to 7 the editing mode by the user, the controller 12 moves the curser 115 into the editing region 100 (step S11). When the user selects a number key of the key input unit 11 in the editing mode, the user changes the editing mode to the character navigation mode (steps S12 and S13). When the user selects the direction key (not shown) of the key input unit 11, rather than selecting the number key of the key input unit 11, in the editing mode (step S14), the controller 12 moves the curser 115 within the editing region according to a key signal of the direction key (step S15). Meanwhile, when the user selects a delete key (not shown) (step S16), rather than selecting the direction key of the key input unit 11, the controller 12 deletes the character at which the cursor 115 is positioned in the editing region 100 according to a key signal of the delete key (step S17). FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the processes of a method for inputting characters of the mobile terminal in a character navigation mode in accordance with the present invention. First, when the user selects a number key (e.g., the number key 1) of the key input unit 11 in the editing mode, the controller 12 changes the editing mode to the character navigation mode (step S21) and moves the curser 115 into the character navigation region 110. The controller 12 displays a character list including all the characters allocated to the user selected number key in the character navigation region 110 of the display unit 13 (step S22). When the user selects the direction key (step S23) and selects a specific character from the character list displayed in the character navigation region 110, 8 the controller 12 displays the selected specific character in the editing region 100 (step S24). In addition, after the controller 12 displays the specific character in the editing region, when an OK key of the key input unit 11 is selected by the user, the controller 12 confirmatively determines the selected specific character according to a key signal of the OK key. Meanwhile, after the specific character is selected from the character list displayed in the character navigation region 110, when the number key is selected again by the user (step S25), the controller 12 displays characters (consonants/vowels) which can be combined with the specific character in the character navigation region 110 (step S28). Then, the controller 12 displays the specific character I the editing region 100, and when the OK key of the key input unit 11 is selected by the user (step S26), the controller 12 confirmatively determines the selected specific character according to the key signal of the OK key (step S27). Thereafter, the controller 12 displays the characters (consonants/vowels) which can be combined with the specific character in the character navigation region 110, and when a specific character is selected from the combining-available characters which can be combined by the user, the controller 12 combines the combining-available specific character to the specific character and then displays the combined character in the editing region 100. And then, when the OK key of the key input unit 11 is selected by the user (step S29), the controller 12 confirmatively determines the selected specific character according to the key signal of the OK key (step S30). Herein, the specific character is a consonant or a vowel, and the combining-available specific character is a vowel or a consonant which is combined to the vowel or the consonant to create a basic 9 character. The controller can display the characters (consonants/vowels) which can be combined with the specific character in the character navigation region 110, and preferably, as shown in FIGs. 5 to 8, a consonant or a vowel can be combined to the specific character and basic characters formed by combining the consonant or the vowel thereto can be displayed in the character navigation region 110, whereby the user can more easily and quickly input the basic character. FIGs. 5 to 8 show a method for displaying a Korean compound character on the display unit of the apparatus for inputting characters of the mobile terminal in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, when the user selects a specific number key, the display unit 13 displays a character list including characters allocated to the specific number key in the character navigation region 110 under the control of the controller 12. At this time, when the user selects the character '###' from the character list (e.g., consonants of the Korean language ### and '###').displayed in the character navigation region 110 by using the direction key, the controller 12 displays the selected character '### ' in the editing region 100. As shown in FIG. 6, after displaying the character '###' in the editing region 100 on the display unit 13, when the user presses the specific number key again, the controller 12 combines a vowel (vowels of the Korean language ### ### and ' ### ') to the displayed character '###' and displays the vowel-combined characters (e.g., ###' ###) in the character navigation region 110. At this time, when the user presses the OK key, the controller clears the character navigation region 110 10 according to a key signal of the OK key, confirmatively determines the selected character (e.g., the basic character ###), converts the character navigation mode into the editing mode, and simultaneously moves the curser 115 to the editing region 100. As shown in FIG. 7, when the user selects a desired character (e.g., ###) among the vowel-combined characters (e.g., ., ###' ###) and then selects the specific number key, rather than selecting the OK key, the controller 12 combines an additional consonant (consonants of the Korean language ### ### and '###') to the selected character (e.g., ###'), and displays the additional consonant-combined characters (e.g., ### and '###') in the character navigation region 115. At this time, when the user presses the acknowledge key, the controller 12 clears the character navigation region 110 according to the key signal of the OK key, confirmatively determines the selected character (e.g., the basic character '###'), converts the character navigation mode into the editing mode, and, at the same time, moves the curser 115 into the editing region 100. As shown in FIG. 8, when the user selects the character '### among the additional consonant-combined character (e.g., ### and '###') and presses the specific number key again, rather than selecting the OK key, the controller 12 combines consonants which can be finally combined with the character ### to the character ### and displays the finally formed character (e.g., ###) in the character navigation region (110). At this time, when the user presses the OK key, the controller 12 clears the character navigation region 110 according to the key signal of the OK key, confirmatively determines the selected character 11 (e.g., the basic character '###'), converts the character navigation mode into the editing mode, and at the same time, moves the curser 115 into the editing region 100. The apparatus and method for inputting characters of the mobile terminal in accordance with the present invention can also input characters of the Hindi, the Chinese language, the Japanese language and the English alphabet easily and quickly as well as the characters of the Korean language. A method for easily and quickly inputting characters of the English alphabets will now be described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is an exemplary view showing the English alphabet displayed on the display unit of the apparatus for inputting characters of the mobile terminal in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, when the user selects a specific number key, the controller 12 of the apparatus for inputting characters of the mobile terminal displays a character list including all the alphabet characters (e.g., 'A', 'B', 'C, 'D' and 'E') allocated to the specific number key in the character navigation region 110. When the user selects a specific character (e.g., 'A') on the character list by using the direction key, the controller 12 displays the selected specific character in the editing region 100. In this manner, the user can easily and quickly input the specific alphabet character among the alphabet characters displayed in the character navigation region 110. For example, assuming that the alphabet characters 'A', 'B', 'C\ 'D' and 'E' have been allocated to the number key 1 of the key input unit 11, according to the related art method for inputting characters, in order to input the character 'E', the number key 1 must be pressed five times, but comparatively, in the present 12 invention, the number key 1 is pressed once and then the character 'E' is selected by using the direction key. In addition, according to the related method for inputting characters, in order to input the character 'D' after the character 'E' is inputted, the number key 1 must be pressed five times and then the number key 1 must be pressed four times again, but comparatively, in the present invention, the number key 1 is pressed once, the character 'E' is selected by using the direction key, and then, the character 'D' can be selected immediately. As so far described, the apparatus and method for inputting characters of a mobile terminal in accordance with the present invention have many advantages. That is, for example, first, the number of inputting of the number keys for inputting a single character can be considerably reduced compared with the related art. Second, when the user select a specific number key of the mobile terminal, all the characters allocated to the selected specific number key are displayed in the character navigation region 110, so the user can easily and quickly input a desired character. Third, since characters which can be combined to a specific character allocated to a number key are displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal, the user can easily and quickly input a desired character. Namely, in order to input a single basic character, the user can input a specific number key once and then select a desired character by using the direction key, so the user does not need to additionally select number keys corresponding to a basic character. Fourth, since the basic character formed by combining a consonant and a vowel can be displayed in the character navigation region, the user can easily and 13 quickly input the basic character. Namely, since additional characters which can be combined to a specific character allocated to a number key of the mobile terminal are combined to the specific character, and then, the combined characters are displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal, whereby the user can easily and quickly input a desired character. The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The present teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. The description of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structure described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. 14 What we claim is: 1. An apparatus for inputting characters of a mobile terminal comprising: a key input unit; a display unit divided into an editing region and a character navigation region; and a controller for displaying a character list including characters allocated to a specific number key of the key input unit in the character navigation region when the specific number key is selected. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein when a user selects a specific character among characters on a character list through a direction key of the key input unit, the controller displays the specific character in the editing region. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein when the character input mode of the mobile terminal is changed to the editing mode by the user, the controller moves a curser into the editing region, and when the specific number key is selected by the user, the controller moves the curser into the character navigation region. 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein when an OK key of the key input unit is selected by the user after the specific character is displayed in the editing region, the controller confirmatively determines the selected specific character according to a key signal of the OK key. 15 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein when a specific character is selected from the character list displayed in the character navigation region and then the specific number key selected again by the user, the controller displays characters which can be combined with the specific character in the character navigation region. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein when a specific character is selected from the character list displayed in the character navigation region and then the specific number key selected again by the user, the controller combines the characters which can be combined with the specific character to the specific character, and displays the combined characters in the character navigation region. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a storage unit for storing the character list. 8. A method for inputting characters of a mobile terminal comprising: displaying a character list including all the characters allocated to a specific number key of a key input unit of a mobile terminal on a display unit of the mobile terminal when the specific number key is selected. 9. The method of claim 9, wherein the display unit is divided into an editing region and a character navigation region. 16 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the character list is displayed in the character navigation region. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein when a user selects a specific character from the character list displayed in the character navigation region, the specific character is displayed in the editing region. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein when a character input mode of the mobile terminal is changed to an editing mode for editing characters, a curser is moved to the editing region, and when the specific number key is selected, the curser is moved into the character navigation region. 13. The method of claim 8, further comprising: displaying a specific character in the editing region when the user selects the specific character from characters on the character list through a direction key of the key input unit. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: confirmatively determining a selected specific character according to a key signal of an OK key of a key input unit when the OK key is selected by the user after the specific character is displayed in the editing region. 15. The method of claim 13, further comprising: displaying characters which can be combined with a specific character in the character navigation region when the user selects the specific character. 17 16. The method of claim 13, further comprising: combining characters which can be combined with a specific character to the specific character when the user selects the specific character, and displaying the combined characters in the character navigation region. Dated this 29th day of May 2006. 18

Documents:

00507-kol-2006 abstract.pdf

00507-kol-2006 claims.pdf

00507-kol-2006 correspondence others.pdf

00507-kol-2006 description (complete).pdf

00507-kol-2006 drawings.pdf

00507-kol-2006 form-1.pdf

00507-kol-2006 form-2.pdf

00507-kol-2006 form-3.pdf

00507-kol-2006 form-5.pdf

00507-kol-2006 gpa.pdf

00507-kol-2006-correspondence others-1.1.pdf

00507-kol-2006-form-3-1.1.pdf

507-KOL-2006-(20-06-2014)-ABSTRACT.pdf

507-KOL-2006-(20-06-2014)-ANNEXURE TO FORM 3.pdf

507-KOL-2006-(20-06-2014)-CLAIMS.pdf

507-KOL-2006-(20-06-2014)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

507-KOL-2006-(20-06-2014)-DRAWINGS.pdf

507-KOL-2006-(20-06-2014)-FORM-3.pdf

507-KOL-2006-(20-06-2014)-FORM-5.pdf

507-KOL-2006-(20-06-2014)-OTHERS.pdf

507-KOL-2006-(20-06-2014)-PETITION UNDER RULE 137.pdf

507-KOL-2006-(20-08-2014)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

507-KOL-2006-(29-09-2014)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

507-kol-2006-form 18.pdf

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