GB2313688A

GB2313688A - Character input apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: GB2313688A
Application number: GB9611136A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Shui Kwong Wu
Original assignee: WELL BEING ELECTRONICS
Current assignee: WELL BEING ELECTRONICS
Priority date: 1996-05-29
Filing date: 1996-05-29
Publication date: 1997-12-03
Anticipated expiration: 2016-05-29
Also published as: TW468127B; GB2313688B; GB9611136D0; CN1174455A; HK1003688A1

Abstract

Apparatus (100) for inputting ideographical characters, comprises a plurality of stroke keys (112) representing respective predetermined character strokes (A1/2/3, B1/2/3, C1/2/3 & DI/2/3), a memory storing a set of characters or character parts, a display (120) for displaying the stored characters or character parts, and a central processing unit which is programmed to search for characters or character parts from the set that match with a sequential order in which the stroke keys are depressed and to display such characters or character parts on the display (120) upon each depression of the stroke keys (112). The stroke keys (112) are arranged in groups (A, B, C & D) according to geometrical configuration of the strokes, with the stroke keys of each group positioned together, for easy and quick access by users.

Description

CHARACTER INPUT APPARATUS AND METHOD The present invention relates to apparatus for and a method of the input of ideographical or pictorial characters, such a Chinese characters and Japanese characters including Rani, Hiragana and Ratakana characters.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for inputting ideographical characters, which apparatus comprises a plurality of stroke keys representing respective predetermined character strokes and arranged in groups according to geometrical configuration of the strokes, the stroke keys of each said group being positioned together, a memory storing a set of characters or character parts, a display for displaying the stored characters or character parts, and a central processing unit programmed to search for characters or character parts from the set that match with a sequential order in which the stroke keys are depressed and to display such characters or character parts on the display upon each depression of the stroke keys.

Preferably, the geometrical configuration is determined by the manners in which the strokes or the beginning parts of the strokes are customarily written.

It is preferred that the manners in which the strokes or the beginning parts of the strokes are customarily written are angled, curved and straight.

More preferably, the stroke keys are arranged in four groups according to the strokes or the beginning parts of the strokes being customarily written in substantially angled, curved, vertically straight and horizontally straight manners.

Each group has, preferably, the same number of stroke keys and is, more preferably, formed by three stroke keys.

It is preferred that the stroke keys of each group are positioned in a separate linear mAnner.

It is preferred that the groups of stroke keys are positioned at the four corners of a rectangular arrangement.

In a preferred embodiment, the character strokes are substantially the strokes as shown in Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.

The apparatus may conveniently include arrow keys such that the characters or character parts displayed on the display is selectable by means of a cursor movable by the arrows keys.

In a preferred embodiment, the central processing unit is programmed to so search for the characters and the character parts, respectivelyf in alternative modes of operation.

More preferably, the alternative modes of operation are switchable from one to another for use in combination.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of inputting ideographical characters, which method comprises providing a plurality of stroke key representing respective predetermined character strokes, arranging the stroke keys in groups according to geometrical configuration of the strokes, the stroke key8 of each group being positioned together, providing a memory storing a set of characters or character parts, providing a display for displaying the stored characters or character parts, searching for characters or character parts from the set that match with a sequential order in which the stroke keys are depressed, and displaying such characters or character parts on the display upon each depression of the stroke keys.

It is preferred that the stroke keys are arranged in four groups of three.

The method may conveniently include providing and using arrow keys to select the characters or character parts displayed on the display by means of a cursor movable by the arrows keys.

In a preferred embodiment, the searching is for the characters and the character parts, respectively, in alternative modes of operation.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of apparatus for inputting ideographical characters using an embodiment of an input method, in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus of Figure 1, in an open flat condition, incorporating a display and a keyboard having twelve stroke keys; Figure 3 is a table of character strokes represented by the corresponding twelve stroke keys of Figure 2; and Figures 4A and 4B are tables showing other character strokes classified under the twelve character strokes of Figure 3; Figure 5 shows a specific character, as an example, chosen for input by the input method; Figures 6A to 6H are eight sequential screen displays of the display of Figure 2, illustrating the input of the specific character of Figure 5 using a first mode of the input method; and Figures 7A to 7F are six sequential screen displays of the display of Figure 2, illustrating the input of the specific character of Figure 5 using a second mode of the input method.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, there is shown a Chinese character processor 100 programmed to input characters according to an input method, embodying the invention, which processor 100 has a flat base providing a keyboard 110 and a hinged lid providing an LCD display 120. The keyboard 110 includes, on its lower half, a set of standard QWERTY keys 111 and, on its upper half, two sets of six stroke keys 112 on opposite sides, a ring of four arrow keys 113 in the middle and an ENTER key 114.

The twelve stroke keys 112, which represent respective character strokes as best shown in Figure 3, are divided into four groups/rows A to D, with the three keys of each row designated by respective numerals 1, 2 and 3 succeeding the letter designating that row.

In general, Chinese characters are made up by a certain number of strokes written in a specific, customary or conventional order or sequence. Each character has a unique stroke sequence and may therefore be identified by reference to its stroke sequence. Chinese characters are pictorial, most of which are formed by different parts written together according to a part sequence based on the stroke sequence, each part having its own stroke sequence.

There are about 77 different character strokes that are in common use. There is, however, no standard relationship among these strokes, such as sequential order, to enable compilation and/or arrangement on an input device, such as a keyboard, for easy and quick access by users. For these reasons, the use of stroke sequence alone for identifying and inputting or typing Chinese characters would not be practical.

The twelve character strokes represented by the stroke keys 112 are chosen to be strokes, for example in Kai Shu script, that are in conanon use and/or representative, with in mind classification into easily identifiable geometrical groups and physical locations. As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the other character strokes not chosen are classified under or represented by the twelve character strokes, resulting in a neat and easily manageable sorting scheme.

The key groups A to D are geometrically distinguished by reference to the stroke movement of the chosen character strokes, which is determined by the ways in which the strokes or the beginning parts of the strokes are customarily written in terms of pen movement, namely triangular, circular, vertical and horizontal. As illustrated in Figure 3, the triangular strokes Al, A2 and A3 have respective V-shaped or angled stroking paths (arrows T), the circular strokes B1, B2 and B3 have respective curved or arcuate stroking paths (arrows C), the vertical strokes C1, C2 and C3 have respective beginning stroking paths (arrows V) that are vertically straight, and the horizontal strokes D1, D2 and D3 have respective beginning stroking paths (arrows H) that are horizontally straight.

The stroke keys of each group A/B/C/D are placed together, for example in the linear form of a separate row. As best shown in Figure 2, the key rows A to D are physically distinguished by their respective positions on the keyboard 110. Insofar as the twelve stroke keys 112 are concerned, the key rows A to D are positioned at the four corners of a rectangular arrangement. The key rows A/C and B/D are distinguishable from each other as being on opposite, left and right sides, whereas the key rows A/B and CiD are distinguishable from each other as being on opposite, top and bottom sides.

The geometrical grouping and physical positioning of the twelve stroke keys 112 render them easily and quickly accessible by users.

The Chinese character processor 100 is programmed to implement the character input method in two alternative modes. In the first mode, the stroke sequence of a specific character as a whole is relied upon. In the second mode, a specific character is divided into separate parts according to the order/sequence in which the parts are customarily written, namely from left to right and/or top to bottom, and the stroke sequence of each character part is then relied upon in turn.

The Chinese character processor 100 incorporates, inside the base, a programmed central processing unit and a ROMbased memory. The memory stores a general set of 7,296 traditional Chinese character and 6,192 8simplified Chinese characters that are in common use. The memory also stores, for the second mode of the input method, a first set of predetermined 87 initial (left and top) character parts and a second set of predetermined 625 subsequent (right and bottom) character parts.

In the first mode of the input method, the central processing unit responds to each successive pressing of the stroke keys 112 and retrieves matching characters, which contain the keyed-in character strokes, from the general set for display on the display 120. Reference is made to Figures 6A to 6H, which show the sequential screen displays of the display 120 upon successive pressings of the stroke keys 112 which are preferably displayed in a stroke row R.

The matching characters are displayed in a bottom row P which can display up to fifteen characters.

Taking, for example, a specific character X (see also Figure 5) for input, the appropriate sequence of stroke keys or strokes "Al, B2, D1, A2, B1, C3, D2 and D1" are pressed, as illustrated step-by-step in Figures 6A to 6R.

Each successive pressing of the stroke keys 112 reduces the number of matching characters which, if less than fifteen characters, move towards a middle position of the bottom row P. The character displayed at the middle position is highlighted by a cursor.

On average, it only takes about four strokes to find an intended character for display highlighted at the middle position, as shown in Figure 6D. The remaining strokes (Figures 6E to 6H) are not necessary but shown here just for illustration. The highlighted character X is then entered by pressing the ENTER key 114 for display at the end of the text (not shown) typed above the bottom row P.

At an earlier time when the character X first appears in the bottom row P (see Figure 6B) but at a position not the middle position, the left or right arrow key 113 may be pressed to move the highlight cursor position from the middle position to that position for subsequent pressing of the ENTER key 114 for character entry. The use of the arrow keys 113 saves the user the effort to determine the next appropriate character stroke(s).

In order for the Chinese character processor 100 to switch to operation in the second mode of the input method, a mode key 115 on the keyboard 110 is to be pressed. For this alternative mode of operation, as shown in Figure 5, the character X is divided into three sequential parts X1 (left part), X2 (top right part) and X3 (bottom right part) having respective stroke sequences of "Al, B2 and Dl", "A2 and B1" and "C3, D2 and D1".

Reference is made to Figures 7A to 7F, which show the sequential screen displays of the display 120 upon successive pressings of the stroke keys 112, which are preferably displayed in the stroke row R, in combination with the ENTER key 114. Pressing of the mode key 115 will start the second mode operation, with a top row Q appearing on the display 120 and displaying certain stored initial character parts (Figure 7A). According to the stroke sequence of the first character part X1, namely "Al, B2 and D1", the central processing unit responds to each successive pressing of the stroke keys 112 and retrieves matching character parts from the first set for display in the top row Q (Figure 7B). In this particular example, in fact, upon pressing of the stroke key 112 representing the first stroke Al, the character part X1 already appears in the top row Q. When the character part X1 appears in the top row Q and is highlighted, whether readily or by using the left or right arrow key 113, it is to be entered by pressing the ENTER key 114 (Figure 7C).

As shown in Figure 7C, upon entry of the first character part X1, certain complete characters containing this character part X1 will automatically be displayed in the bottom row P, with the incomplete character or the first character part X1 displayed at the middle position. At the same time, certain stored subsequent character parts from the second set will be displayed in the top row Q for the input of the second character part X2.

According to the stroke sequence of the second character part X2, namely "A2 and B1", the central processing unit responds to each successive pressing of the stroke keys 112 and displays matching character parts in the top row Q (Figure 7D). In this particular example, in fact, upon pressing of the stroke key 112 representing the first stroke A2, the character part X2 already appears in the top row Q and is readily highlighted. The character part X2 is then entered by pressing the ENTER key 114 (Figure 7E).

At this time, as the character X is the only complete character containing both the first and second character parts X1 and X2 in that order, it will be automatically displayed in the bottom row P and highlighted for final entry by pressing the ENTER key 114 for display at the end of the text typed above the bottom row P (Figure 7F).

As an alternative to the stroke keys 112, the up and down arrow keys 113 may be used to display the desired character part at each stage by scrolling up and down the character parts displayed in the top row Q, with the left and right arrow keys 113 subsequently used to select the desired character part from the displayed row.

When the input method is being carried out in the second mode, it may be switched back to the first mode by pressing the mode key 115. This will cause the highlight cursor to move from the top row Q to the bottom row P and will enable operation in the first mode by making use of the subsequent character strokes, instead of the subsequent character parts, to search for the rest of the desired character.

For example, such switching back to the first mode is useful in the condition as shown in Figure 7C, in which the character X already appears in the bottom row P. With the use of the left or right arrow key 113, the character X may be directly highlighted for final entry by pressing of the ENTER key 114.

The characters to be displayed in the bottom row P, which contain the previously input stroke(s), are chosen preferably according to their frequency of use. If there is a previously entered character, the characters to be displayed are chosen preferably also according to whether such characters are in common use with the previously entered character, in terms of commonly used phrases, and then according to their frequency of such use. The character parts to be displayed in the top row Q are chosen preferably according to whether such character parts are in use with the previously entered character part(s) to form known characters and then according to the frequency of use of such known characters.

The general set of complete characters and the first and second sets of character parts stored in the memory are arranged advantageously according to the aforesaid criteria for quick and sensible searching and display.

It is envisaged that the described apparatus and input method may be used for any other ideographical or pictorial characters, such as Japanese characters including Kanji, Hiragana and Katakana characters.

The invention has been given by way of example only, and various modifications of and/or alterations to the described embodiments may be made by persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as specified in the appended claims.

Claims

~CLAIMS

1. Apparatus for inputting ideographical characters, which apparatus comprises a plurality of stroke keys representing respective predetermined character strokes and arranged in groups according to geometrical configuration of the strokes, the stroke keys of each said group being positioned together, a memory storing a set of characters or character parts, a display for displaying the stored characters or character parts, and a central processing unit programmed to search for characters or character parts from the set that match with a sequential order in which the stroke keys are depressed and to display such characters or character parts on the display upon each depression of the stroke keys.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the geometrical configuration is determined by the manners in which the strokes or the beginning parts of the strokes are customarily written.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the manners in which the strokes or the beginning parts of the strokes are customarily written are angled, curved and straight.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the stroke keys are arranged in four groups according to the strokes or the beginning parts of the strokes being customarily written in substantially angled, curved, vertically straight and horizontally straight manners.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each group has the same number of stroke keys.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein each group is formed by three stroke keys

7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stroke keys of each group are positioned in a separate linear manner.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the groups of stroke keys are positioned at the four corners of a rectangular arrangement.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the character strokes are substantially the strokes as shown in Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including arrow keys, wherein the characters or character parts displayed on the display is selectable by means of a cursor movable by the arrows keys.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the central processing unit is programmed to so search for the characters and the character parts, respectively, in alternative modes of operation.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the alternative modes of operation are switchable from one to another for use in combination.

13. Apparatus for inputting ideographical characters, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. A method of inputting ideographical characters, which method comprises providing a plurality of stroke keys representing respective predetermined character strokes, arranging the stroke keys in groups according to geometrical configuration of the strokes, the stroke keys of each group being positioned together, providing a memory storing a set of characters or character parts, providing a display for displaying the stored characters or character parts, searching for characters or character parts from the set that match with a sequential order in which the stroke keys are depressed, and displaying such characters or character parts on the display upon each depression of the stroke keys.

15. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the geometrical configuration is determined by the manners in which the strokes or the beginning parts of the strokes are customarily written.

16. A method as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the manners in which the strokes or the beginning parts of the strokes are customarily written are angled, curved and straight.

17. A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the stroke keys are arranged in four groups according to the strokes or the beginning parts of the strokes being customarily written in substantially angled, curved, vertically straight and horizontally straight manners.

18. A method as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the stroke keys are arranged in four groups of three.

19. A method as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the character strokes are substantially the strokes as shown in Figure 3 of the accampanying drawings.

20. A method as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 19, including providing and using arrow keys to select the characters or character parts displayed on the display by means of a cursor movable by the arrows keys.

21. A method as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 20, wherein the searching is for the characters and the character parts, respectively, in alternative modes of operation.

22. A method as claimed in claim 21, wherein the alternative modes of operation are switchable from one to another for use in combination.

23. A method of inputting ideographical characters, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.