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WO2008075822A1 - Apparatus and method for inputting a text corresponding to relative coordinates values generated by movement of a touch position - Google Patents

Apparatus and method for inputting a text corresponding to relative coordinates values generated by movement of a touch position Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2008075822A1
WO2008075822A1 PCT/KR2007/003095 KR2007003095W WO2008075822A1 WO 2008075822 A1 WO2008075822 A1 WO 2008075822A1 KR 2007003095 W KR2007003095 W KR 2007003095W WO 2008075822 A1 WO2008075822 A1 WO 2008075822A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
touch
relative coordinate
text
input means
coordinate value
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Ceased
Application number
PCT/KR2007/003095
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French (fr)
Inventor
Kyung-Soon Choi
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Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
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Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from KR1020070005945A external-priority patent/KR100720335B1/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to JP2008554162A priority Critical patent/JP2009526306A/en
Publication of WO2008075822A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008075822A1/en
Priority to US12/211,792 priority patent/US20090073136A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
    • G06F3/0487—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
    • G06F3/0488—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
    • G06F3/04883—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a text inputting apparatus and method thereof.
  • this invention relates to a text inputting apparatus and text inputting method that uses touch input.
  • information processing devices are equipped with a keyboard or a keypad as an apparatus for inputting various texts such as characters, commands, control codes or arrays thereof.
  • a keyboard or a keypad the area that can be allocated for user input is much smaller, and so keypads are employed, with relatively smaller dimensions and with fewer keys and buttons.
  • each button is usually responsible for the entry of multiple characters.
  • input of a particular character on a mobile device requires the troublesome task of pressing multiple buttons on the keypad more than once.
  • the very existence of a keypad severely limits the size of the displays on these devices.
  • touch-based text inputting apparatuses typically employ the approach of displaying the text that can be entered at fixed coordinates on a touch pad or touch screen, and inputting the text corresponding to the text displayed at the position a user touches.
  • touch screens and touch pads are limited in size, it is impractical to display the entire set of texts that can be entered on the touch area.
  • a given fixed position on the touch area is either simultaneously responsible for the entry of multiple texts or responsible for the entry of a single text that changes depending on a menu selection.
  • multiple touches are required by a user to input a desired text, and even if a larger number of texts are displayed on screen to decrease the number of required touches, it becomes easier to touch the wrong text as each text occupies a smaller area.
  • the objective of this invention is to provide an apparatus and method for inputting a text corresponding to a relative coordinate value
  • This invention allows a user to input a desired character, a command, a control code or an array thereof by one gesture (a one time touch and touch position movement) along the touch-sensitive area of the touch input means and provides methods for utilizing the touch-sensitive area efficiently.
  • This invention also provides a means for reducing input errors that result from unintentional touch with the touch pad or touch screen while a user inputs a text corresponding to a relative coordinate value generated by touch position movement.
  • an apparatus for inputting a text corresponding to a relative coordinate values generated by touch position movement comprising: a touch input means having a touch-sensitive area, wherein touch with said touch-sensitive area and movement along said touch-sensitive area generates corresponding position information; a memory storing a text database consisting of mappings between texts and relative coordinate values; a display; a relative coordinate value generating unit, wherein once initial touch with said touch input means is made and as the touch position is moved, said touch input means passes position information of the touch positions to said relative coordinate value generating unit which uses said position information to sequentially generates a series of relative coordinate values relative to the initial touch position; a text retrieving unit retrieving, from said text database stored in said memory, a series of texts that correspond to the said sequentially generated series of relative coordinate values; a text display unit , wherein the texts retrieved from said text retrieving unit are displayed temporarily on a designated area of said display; and an input processing unit , wherein once a touch termination signal
  • an apparatus for inputting a text comprising a touch input means having a touch-sensitive area, wherein touch with said touch-sensitive area and movement along said touch-sensitive area generates corresponding position information; a movement direction code generating unit, wherein once initial touch with said touch input means is made and touch position is moved along said touch input means, said movement direction code generating unit sequentially generates a series of movement direction codes that correspond to movement directions derived from position information of the touch positions received from said touch input means; and a transmitting unit encoding and transmitting both a series of movement direction codes sequentially generated by said movement direction code generating unit and a touch termination signal received from said touch input means.
  • an apparatus for inputting a text comprising a touch input means having a touch-sensitive area, wherein touch with said touch-sensitive area and movement along said touch-sensitive area generates corresponding position information; a relative coordinate value generating unit, wherein once initial touch with said touch input means is made and as the touch position is moved, said touch input means passes position information of the touch positions to said relative coordinate value generating unit which uses said position information to sequentially generate a series of relative coordinate values relative to the initial touch position; and a transmitting unit encoding and transmitting both a series of relative coordinate values sequentially generated by said relative coordinate value generating unit and a touch termination signal received from said touch input means.
  • a method for inputting a text corresponding to a relative coordinate values generated by touch position movement along a touch input means comprising: (a) predefining in memory a text database consisting of mappings between texts and relative coordinate values; (b) once initial touch with said touch input means is made and as the touch position is moved, sequentially generating a series of relative coordinate values relative to the initial touch position; (c) retrieving from said text database the text that correspond to said sequentially generated series of relative coordinate values and displaying them temporarily on a designated area of a display; and (d) once a touch termination signal is received from said touch input means, processing the input of the text corresponding to the relative coordinate value that is generated just before touch is terminated
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an apparatus for inputting a text according to an embodiment of this invention.
  • FIG. 2A illustrates a mobile device in which an apparatus for inputting a text according to a preferred embodiment of this invention is equipped.
  • FIG. 2B illustrates an Internet protocol television (IPTV) as an information processing device in which a method for inputting a text according to a preferred embodiment of this invention is realized.
  • IPTV Internet protocol television
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an apparatus for inputting a text according to another embodiment of this invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for inputting a text according to an embodiment of this invention.
  • FIGS. 5A through 5C are more detailed flowcharts illustrating processes S20 through S40 of FIG. 4.
  • FIGS. 6A through 6D illustrate a process for generating movement direction codes according to an embodiment of this invention.
  • FIGS. 7A through 7C illustrate mappings between texts and relative coordinate values in a text database according to an exemplary embodiment of this invention.
  • the apparatus for inputting a text includes a touch input means 10, a memory 20, a display 30, a relative coordinate value generating unit 40, a text retrieving unit 50, a text display unit 60, and an input processing unit 70.
  • the apparatus may be realized in one body of information processing device like a mobile device or also be realized in an information processing device composed of multi bodies like IPTV.
  • the relative coordinate value generating unit 40, the text retrieving unit 50, the text display unit 60, and the input processing unit 70 are realized as a combination of a processor (not shown here) provided in the information processing device and related software.
  • the touch input means 10 has a touch-sensitive area, wherein once initial touch with said touch-sensitive area is made and as the touch position is moved, said touch input means 10 generates position information of the touch positions.
  • the touch input means 10 generates a touch termination signal, when existing touch with said touch-sensitive area is terminated or when touch pressure or touch breadth changes by a value greater than a predetermined one.
  • the position information may be fixed coordinates on a designated touch-sensitive area or relative movement distance with value indicating direction.
  • the touch input means 10 employed in this invention may be a conventional touch pad or touch screen, or it may be any new device that generates position information in response to touch with a touch-sensitive area and movement along the touch-sensitive area.
  • At least one text database consisting of mappings between texts and relative coordinate values is stored in the memory 20.
  • the texts include characters, commands or control codes or arrays thereof. The mappings between texts and relative coordinate values will now be described in more details.
  • the display 30 may be a liquid crystal (LCD) display or an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display that displays the selected texts visually.
  • LCD liquid crystal
  • OLED organic light emitting diode
  • the relative coordinate value generating unit 40 sequentially receives position information of the touch positions transmitted from the touch input means 10, and sequentially generates a series of relative coordinate values relative to the initial touch position using said position information.
  • the relative coordinate value generating unit 40 may include a movement direction code generating unit 41 and a relative coordinate value calculating unit 42.
  • the movement direction code generating unit 41 sequentially generates a series of movement direction codes that correspond to movement directions derived from position information of the touch positions received from said touch input means 10.
  • Said movement direction code generating unit 41 may include a basis coordinates managing unit 45 for maintaining the initial touch position received from the touch input means 10 as the basis coordinates for subsequent relative coordinates, a virtual closed curve setting unit 46 for establishing a virtual closed curve around the basis coordinates held by the basis coordinates managing unit 45, an intersection point detecting unit 47 for detecting whether or not touch position received from the touch input means 10 intersects the virtual closed curve established by said virtual closed curve setting unit 46 and, when an intersection occurs, setting the intersection point as new basis coordinates of the basis coordinates management unit 45, and a code value generating unit 48 for generating the movement direction code assigned to the position on the virtual closed curve at which the intersection occurred.
  • the relative coordinate value calculating unit 42 may generates relative coordinate value by summing the vectors corresponding to a series of movement direction codes that are generated sequentially.
  • the generated relative coordinate value may be represented not only as relative coordinates but also as a form of an address pointer corresponding to the relative coordinates pointed out by a combination of a series of movement direction codes.
  • the relative coordinate value calculating unit 42 may also generate relative coordinate value by giving a predefined code indicating relative coordinates pointed out by a combination of the movement direction codes.
  • the text retrieving unit 50 retrieves a series of texts that correspond to said sequentially generated series of relative coordinate values from the text database stored in the memory 20.
  • the text database may include at least a symbol field (representing text), a text code field and a relative coordinate value field.
  • the text display unit 60 temporarily displays the retrieved text on a designated area of the display 30.
  • the input processing unit 70 processes the input of the text corresponding to the relative coordinate value that is generated just before touch is terminated as a touch termination signal is received from the touch input meansi O.
  • the input processing unit 70 may also perform a character combining process using the character combination automata.
  • the input of one text is accomplished by just one gesture that a user touches the touch input means 10, moves along that and terminates touch while a desired text is selected.
  • one more process for inputting a text such as the control code corresponding to "Enter key” may be needed additionally for an execution step after one inputting process is finished.
  • a remote control for IPTV for example, a user may change or select the TV channel by inputting just a TV channel number by generating touch termination signal as an input process execution signal after generating the corresponding relative coordinate value with the remote control 150.
  • the TV channel may also be changed only after inputting the control code corresponding to "Enter key” additionally just after inputting a channel number by generating a touch termination signal after generating the corresponding relative coordinate value with the remote control 150 for IPTV 170.
  • FIG. 2A illustrates a mobile device 100 in which the apparatus for inputting a text is equipped.
  • the mobile device 100 includes an LCD display 120, a few input buttons 130 and a touch pad 140 as a touch input means.
  • the characters 123 with a corresponding character matrix 125 as a character navigation map are displayed on a designated area of the LCD display 120 as corresponding relative coordinate value is generated.
  • FIG. 2B illustrates an IPTV 170 , an associated set-top box 160 and remote control 150 as an information processing device composed of multi bodies in which a method for inputting a text is realized according to a preferred embodiment of this invention.
  • an IPTV 170 is connected to a set-top box 160 which works with a remote control 150 for processing the input of the text.
  • the set-top box 160 controls the IPTV 170 by receiving from the remote control 150 control codes that control functions such as channel up & down, volume up & down, service menu display, previous channel or PIP display, etc.
  • the remote control 150 a key component of a preferred embodiment of this invention, is equipped with a touch pad 180 and the IPTV 170 with a display 190.
  • the apparatus 150a for inputting a text includes a touch input means 10a, a movement direction code generating unit 41a and a transmitting unit 80a, and is realized along with the remote control 150 as shown in FIG. 2B. Further, the movement direction code generating unit 41a is realized as a combination of a processor(not shown here) provided in the remote control 150 and related software.
  • the touch input means 10a includes a dedicated touch-sensitive area, and when a user touches the dedicated touch-sensitive area with a finger or a pen and moves along the touch-sensitive area, position information of touch positions is generated.
  • said touch input means 10a generates a touch termination signal, when existing touch with said touch-sensitive area is terminated or when touch pressure or touch breadth changes by a value greater than a predetermined value.
  • the movement direction code generating unit 41a sequentially generates a series of movement-direction codes that correspond to movement directions derived from position information of the touch positions received from said touch input means 10a.
  • the movement direction code generating unit 41a of the remote control 150a may also consist of a basis coordinates managing unit 45, a virtual closed curve setting unit 46, an intersection point detecting unit 47, and a code value generating unit 48 as the movement direction code generating unit 41 as another embodiment of this invention in FIG. 1.
  • a redundant explanation for the configuration of the movement direction code generating unit 41a is omitted.
  • the transmitting unit 80a encodes and transmits both a series of movement direction codes sequentially generated by said movement direction code generating unit 41a and a touch termination signal received from said touch input means 10a.
  • the set-top box 160a connected to the IPTV 170 includes a receiving unit 85a for receiving the encoded movement direction codes and the touch termination signal and then decoding them, a memory 20a, a relative value calculating unit 42a, a text retrieving unit 50a, a text display unit 60a and an input processing unit 70a, and performs the display of the selected text on a display 30a equipped in the IPTV 170.
  • the apparatus composed of the memory 20a, the display 30a, the relative coordinate value calculating unit 42a, the text retrieving unit 50a, the text display unit 60a and the input processing unit 70a performs same functions as the apparatus composed of the memory 20, the display 30, the relative coordinate value calculating unit 42, the text retrieving unit 50, the text display unit 60 and the input processing unit 70.
  • FIG. 5A and FIG.5B are identical to FIG. 5A and FIG.5B.
  • the process S20 for generating a series of relative coordinate values is divided into 1) the process for generating a series of movement direction codes sequentially and 2) the process for generating a series of relative coordinate values sequentially using a said series of movement direction codes.
  • a relative coordinate value may be represented as relative coordinates relative to the initial touch position, a displacement of the fixed coordinates by touch position movement or a value corresponding to the relative coordinates as following:
  • address 3110 or address 3230 which is an address pointer corresponding to relative coordinates corresponding to the relative coordinates (a1 , b1 ) or (a2, b2) respectively.
  • a series of movement direction codes for right upper (1 , 1), right (0, 1 ) and right upper (1 , 1) are generated sequentially.
  • a series of relative coordinates (1 , 1 ), (1 , 2) and (2, 3) are generated sequentially by summing the vectors of a series of movement direction codes above, and the addresses 31 10, 3120 and 3230 may be generated according to a memory address assigning policy of the apparatus in which the address pointers correspond to the relative coordinates (1 , 1 ), (1 , 2) and (2, 3) respectively.
  • C) A form of a code assigned to a displacement of the fixed coordinates by touch position movement or relative coordinates pointed out by a combination of a series of movement direction codes.
  • relative coordinate values may be represented as a form of code like "1 11 " or "1 12".
  • the code "1 11 " or “1 12” corresponds to the relative coordinates (a3, b3) or (a4, b4) respectively.
  • the device that receives a code form of relative coordinate values recognizes the code form of "1 11 " or "1 12" as the relative coordinates (1 , 1 ) or (1 , 2).
  • the remote control may generate "1 11" or “1 12" as relative coordinate values indicating the relative coordinates (1 , 1 ) or (1 , 2) by touch position movement.
  • FIG. 5A the following is the process for generating movement direction codes.
  • the apparatus for inputting a text starts the initialization step (S100). Then, the apparatus checks whether or not a touch signal is generated in the touch input means 10 or 10a (S1 10).
  • a touch signal is generated in the touch input means, it checks again whether or not the position information is the one for the initial touch position (S120, S130). If the position information is the one for the initial touch position, this position information is maintained as a basis coordinates for subsequent relative coordinates, and a virtual closed curve is established around the basis coordinates (S140).
  • the virtual closed curve is the curve of which size and shape may be predetermined.
  • the virtual closed curve may be a circle or a polygon around the basis coordinates and the size or shape of it may or may not be changed every stage of generating relative coordinate value.
  • the apparatus sets the intersection point as new basis coordinates and establishes a new virtual closed curve around the new basis coordinates (S160).
  • the movement direction is recognized according to the intersection position on the previous closed curve and movement direction code assigned to the position on the virtual closed curve thereof is generated (S170).
  • the process for generating movement direction code is repeated until a predetermined time passed or a touch termination signal is received.
  • FIG. 5C shows the process for generating two series of relative coordinate values respectively based on simultaneous touch position movement by two objects.
  • the apparatus for inputting a text checks whether or not a touch signal is generated in the touch input means 10 or 10a (S1 10). If a touch signal is generated, it checks again whether or not there is another touch signal at the position away from the position where the first touch is placed (S 110a). In this case, differentiating of two touch signals is performed by checking whether or not the position of next touch signal is adjacent to the previous one. If it is checked in the step S110a that there is no second touch signal, the process for generating relative coordinate values (S120 through S180) by one object is continuously performed as shown in FIG.
  • each object's relative coordinate values may be generated independently (S180, S180a) based on each object's respective series of movement direction codes (S170, S170a), the texts are retrieved in relative coordinate value generating order (S190), the retrieved texts are displayed on the dedicated area of the display (S200) and the retrieved texts are input-processed in initial touch order (S260).
  • another corresponding text database may be selected like that English capital letter mode and small letter mode is changed or Japanese Hiragana mode and Katakana mode is changed by pressing the "Shift" key on a keyboard.
  • a series of touch position movement information may be represented as one continuous line 350 starting from the initial touch position (basis coordinates) 351 upon initial touch and movement along the touch input means 10 or 10a.
  • a virtual closed curve 340 having eight segments such as right, right upper, upper, left upper, left, left lower, lower and right lower segment is established around the basis coordinates 351 as shown in FIG. 6B.
  • the virtual closed curve 340 may have various shapes such as rectangle, a circle and an octagon shown in FIG. 6B.a
  • the continuous line 350 starting from the initial touch position 351 intersects the closed curve 340, the intersection point is detected and the movement direction code assigned to the segment of the virtual closed curve 340 at which the intersection occurred is generated.
  • the first movement direction is right from the basis coordinates 351 , so the movement direction code is [1] (372).
  • the intersection point 352 at which the line 350 indicating the touch position movement intersects is set as new basis coordinates.
  • a virtual closed curve 360 around the new basis coordinates 352 is established, which may or may not have the same size and shape as those of the previous one 340.
  • a series of movement direction codes [1], [2] and [1] are generated sequentially by initial touch and movement along the touch input means 10 or 10a, if the inputting apparatus assigns the movement direction codes to the movement directions as shown in FIG. 6A.
  • a series of movement direction codes are generated, a series of relative coordinate values may be produced sequentially by summing the vectors assigned to a series of movement direction codes (S180).
  • S180 series of movement direction codes
  • the first relative coordinate value is (1 , 0) which is the sum of vector (1 , 0) which is assigned to the first movement direction code [1] (372).
  • the second relative coordinate value is (2, 1 ) which is the sum of vectors (1 , 0) and (1 , 1 ), said vector (1 , 1) is the vector which is assigned to the second movement direction code [2] (373).
  • the third relative coordinate value is (3, 1 ) which is the sum of vectors (1 , 0), (1 , 1 ) and (1 , 0), said third vector (1 , 0) is the vector which is assigned to the third movement direction code [1] (374).
  • the process (S30) for displaying the texts retrieved from the text database is consisting of the step of retrieving the texts corresponding to sequentially generated relative coordinate values from the text database (S190) and the step of displaying the texts on a dedicated area of the display 30 or 30a(S200).
  • the step S240 if a predetermined amount of time passes or the next relative coordinate value is generated, the displayed text is erased or changed (S240).
  • the step S190 if a corresponding text for a generated relative coordinate value cannot be found in the text database, no particular text is displayed nor is any input processed
  • the retrieved text may be indicated with voice or sound (S210) to allow a user to monitor the texts to be inputted.
  • voice or sound S210
  • the texts that correspond to relative coordinate values that surround the generated relative coordinate value may be displayed on a designated area of the display 30 or 30a with a matrix form (125) so as to provide a text navigation map.
  • one or a plurality of text databases corresponding to relative coordinate values or movement direction codes may be predefined in memory in process S10.
  • a single text database may be selected among the plurality of text databases according to the first relative coordinate value or the first movement direction code, and retrieving from the selected text database the text that matches the first relative coordinate value or the first movement direction code, and, starting from the second relative coordinate value onwards, retrieving from the selected text database the text that matches the second relative coordinate value, and displaying the retrieved texts sequentially on a designated area of a display 30 or 30a.
  • a single text database may be selected among the plurality of text databases that corresponds to the initial touch position on the touch input means'! 0 or 10a. For example, if the touch position moves along the touch screen after initial touch with the upper area of a touch screen, then the text database for English capital letter mode may be selected. Meanwhile, if touch position moves along the touch screen after initial touch with the lower area of the touch screen, then the text database for English small letter mode may be selected. As shown in FIG.
  • a text database may be predefined in such a way that sentence symbols, numbers and alphabets may correspond to the relative coordinate values (-5, 5) through (5, 1) of a matrix with similar arrangement as a Qwerty keyboard, and Japanese Hiragana characters may correspond to the relative coordinate values (-5, -1) through (5, -5) of a matrix, and up & down direction codes may correspond to the relative coordinate values (0, 5) through (0, -5) of a matrix, herein relative coordinate values are based on the basis coordinates 400 which corresponds to the initial touch position on the touch input means 10 or 10a.
  • alphabets N, J, I and O 410 which are correspond to the sequentially generated relative coordinate values of (1 , 1 ), (2, 2), (3, 3) and (4, 3), are displayed sequentially on the screen of the display 30 or 30a. If a user terminates touch while the character O 410 is displayed, the character O is formally input-processed.
  • another text database may be predefined with different mappings to the same set of relative coordinate values.
  • a text database which has different set of texts corresponding to the same set of relative coordinate values shown in FIG. 7A, may be predefined in such a way that control codes for mobile phone instead of Japanese Hiragana may correspond to the relative coordinate values (-4, -1 ) through (-1 , -3) of a matrix and numbers may correspond to the relative coordinate values (1 , -1 ) through (3, -4).
  • it is possible to assign a different set of characters and control codes to the same set of relative coordinate values of another text database by differentiating the text database through the first relative coordinate value or the first movement direction code.
  • the text database in FIG. 7A is selected by the first relative coordinate value (-1 , -1 ) so that Japanese character ( ⁇ 41 1 and & 412 corresponding to the relative coordinate values (-1 , -1 ) and (-2, -2) are displayed sequentially. If a user terminates touch while & 412 is displayed, the character ⁇ - is formally input-processed.
  • the text database in FIG. 7B in stead of that in FIG. 7A may be selected by the first relative coordinate value (0, -1 ) so that the symbol for "Dial” mode and the symbol for "Camera” mode 456 are displayed sequentially instead of Japanese character ⁇ t and fr.
  • the control code for "Camera” mode is formally input-processed.
  • the mode of the device employing this invention may be changed into the "Camera" mode.
  • the text database of FIG. 7B is selected by the first coordinate value (0, -1 ) so that numbers 1 and 5 (457), which are corresponding to the coordinates (1 , -1 ) and (2, -2) respectively, are selected and displayed sequentially after displaying the symbol for down arrow as shown in FIG.7B.
  • the texts that correspond to the relative coordinate values that surround the generated relative coordinate value may be displayed in a form of matrix so as to provide a text navigational interface.
  • a text navigation map may also be displayed together (see FIG. 7C), in which R (420) is pop-up displayed and texts @, #, $, % and 2, 3, 4, 5 and W, E, R, T and S, D, F, G surrounding R (420) are displayed together in a form of matrix so as to provide a text navigational interface.
  • the relative coordinate values are generated sequentially, the pop up displayed text and the displayed window of the text navigation map also moves along the sequentially generated relative coordinate values.
  • the touch position returns to the initial touch position, for example, in case that movement direction codes [2] and [6] are generated sequentially , to which vectors (1 , 1 ) and (-1 , -1 ) are assigned respectively, then the second relative coordinate value may become coordinates (0,0). In this case, as shown in FIG. 7A, any text is not matched to the coordinates (0, 0). Then, any text may not be input-processed even though the touch is terminated.
  • the embodiments of this invention can be provided as computer programs that can be executed in a processor.
  • This invention can be realized in various information processing devices that operate programs using a computer readable recording medium.
  • the computer readable recording medium include magnetic recording media, optical recording media, semiconductor memory and such media as transmission means (e.g., transmission through Internet).
  • a user can select and input a desired text such as a character, a command, a control code or an array thereof, by one gesture (a one time touch and touch movement).
  • a desired text such as a character, a command, a control code or an array thereof
  • one gesture a one time touch and touch movement
  • the input of the text is processed.
  • the process of searching, selecting and inputting of a desired text is accomplished by just one gesture.
  • a touch sensitive area is efficiently utilized by allocating the predefined texts at the relative coordinates relative to the initial touch position not at the fixed positions on a touch input means.
  • much various forms of text menu can be configured compared to a conventional fixed position based text menu configuration method.
  • this invention allows multi channel or multi folder movement as well as one channel movement for IPTV or CATV. It allows easier selection of a desired control code among a plurality of control codes compared to the conventional soft key type universal remote controls or other fixed position sensing based inputting devices.
  • this invention allow a user to avoid inconvenience of double checking the desired text on a display and on a keypad and to avoid multiple touches required to input a desired text using a small keypad.
  • this invention allows searching through human's finger movement memorization ability or voice navigation guide instead of searching through eyes.

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Abstract

This invention is related to an apparatus and method for inputting a text that inputs a text corresponding to a relative coordinate value that is generated by touch and touch position movement, wherein the method of this invention, based on touch position movement along a touch pad or touch screen, generates a series of relative coordinate values sequentially, temporarily displays the texts that correspond to said values on a display, and, upon termination of touch with said touch pad or touch screen, finally inputs a text in response to a touch termination signal.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INPUTTING A TEXT
CORRESPONDING TO RELATIVE COORDINATES VALUES
GENERATED BY MOVEMENT OF A TOUCH POSITION
Technical Field
This invention relates to a text inputting apparatus and method thereof. In particular, this invention relates to a text inputting apparatus and text inputting method that uses touch input.
Background Art
Typically, information processing devices are equipped with a keyboard or a keypad as an apparatus for inputting various texts such as characters, commands, control codes or arrays thereof. On the other hand, for mobile devices, the area that can be allocated for user input is much smaller, and so keypads are employed, with relatively smaller dimensions and with fewer keys and buttons. However, due to the fewer number of buttons on the keypads of mobile devices, each button is usually responsible for the entry of multiple characters. As a result, input of a particular character on a mobile device requires the troublesome task of pressing multiple buttons on the keypad more than once. Also, for those mobile devices employing keypads, even though their keypads encompass a smaller area, the very existence of a keypad severely limits the size of the displays on these devices.
To resolve the problems associated with using keypads, like those described above, text inputting apparatuses using touch screens or touch pads, and, in general, inputting apparatuses that allow the entry of by means of direct touch is being proposed. Up until now, touch-based text inputting apparatuses typically employ the approach of displaying the text that can be entered at fixed coordinates on a touch pad or touch screen, and inputting the text corresponding to the text displayed at the position a user touches. However, as with the use of keypads, because touch screens and touch pads are limited in size, it is impractical to display the entire set of texts that can be entered on the touch area. To account for this, a given fixed position on the touch area is either simultaneously responsible for the entry of multiple texts or responsible for the entry of a single text that changes depending on a menu selection. As a result, multiple touches are required by a user to input a desired text, and even if a larger number of texts are displayed on screen to decrease the number of required touches, it becomes easier to touch the wrong text as each text occupies a smaller area.
On the other hand, there are touch-based inputting apparatuses that input a text by recognizing the pattern of movement along the touch surface, but this method still suffers from the complexity and inaccuracy of current pattern recognition techniques. Furthermore, this method has a high chance of introducing input errors that result from unintentional touch with the touch pad or touch screen.
Disclosure of the Invention
The objective of this invention is to provide an apparatus and method for inputting a text corresponding to a relative coordinate value
(such as relative coordinates, an address pointers corresponding to the relative coordinates or a codes assigned to relative coordinates, etc.) generated by touch position movement, This invention allows a user to input a desired character, a command, a control code or an array thereof by one gesture (a one time touch and touch position movement) along the touch-sensitive area of the touch input means and provides methods for utilizing the touch-sensitive area efficiently.
This invention also provides a means for reducing input errors that result from unintentional touch with the touch pad or touch screen while a user inputs a text corresponding to a relative coordinate value generated by touch position movement.
According to an aspect of this invention, there is provided an apparatus for inputting a text corresponding to a relative coordinate values generated by touch position movement, the apparatus comprising: a touch input means having a touch-sensitive area, wherein touch with said touch-sensitive area and movement along said touch-sensitive area generates corresponding position information; a memory storing a text database consisting of mappings between texts and relative coordinate values; a display; a relative coordinate value generating unit, wherein once initial touch with said touch input means is made and as the touch position is moved, said touch input means passes position information of the touch positions to said relative coordinate value generating unit which uses said position information to sequentially generates a series of relative coordinate values relative to the initial touch position; a text retrieving unit retrieving, from said text database stored in said memory, a series of texts that correspond to the said sequentially generated series of relative coordinate values; a text display unit , wherein the texts retrieved from said text retrieving unit are displayed temporarily on a designated area of said display; and an input processing unit , wherein once a touch termination signal is received from touch input means, said input processing unit processes the input of the text corresponding to the relative coordinate value that is generated just before touch is terminated
According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided an apparatus for inputting a text, the apparatus comprising a touch input means having a touch-sensitive area, wherein touch with said touch-sensitive area and movement along said touch-sensitive area generates corresponding position information; a movement direction code generating unit, wherein once initial touch with said touch input means is made and touch position is moved along said touch input means, said movement direction code generating unit sequentially generates a series of movement direction codes that correspond to movement directions derived from position information of the touch positions received from said touch input means; and a transmitting unit encoding and transmitting both a series of movement direction codes sequentially generated by said movement direction code generating unit and a touch termination signal received from said touch input means.
According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided an apparatus for inputting a text, the apparatus comprising a touch input means having a touch-sensitive area, wherein touch with said touch-sensitive area and movement along said touch-sensitive area generates corresponding position information; a relative coordinate value generating unit, wherein once initial touch with said touch input means is made and as the touch position is moved, said touch input means passes position information of the touch positions to said relative coordinate value generating unit which uses said position information to sequentially generate a series of relative coordinate values relative to the initial touch position; and a transmitting unit encoding and transmitting both a series of relative coordinate values sequentially generated by said relative coordinate value generating unit and a touch termination signal received from said touch input means. According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided a method for inputting a text corresponding to a relative coordinate values generated by touch position movement along a touch input means, the method comprising: (a) predefining in memory a text database consisting of mappings between texts and relative coordinate values; (b) once initial touch with said touch input means is made and as the touch position is moved, sequentially generating a series of relative coordinate values relative to the initial touch position; (c) retrieving from said text database the text that correspond to said sequentially generated series of relative coordinate values and displaying them temporarily on a designated area of a display; and (d) once a touch termination signal is received from said touch input means, processing the input of the text corresponding to the relative coordinate value that is generated just before touch is terminated
Brief Description of the Drawings
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an apparatus for inputting a text according to an embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 2A illustrates a mobile device in which an apparatus for inputting a text according to a preferred embodiment of this invention is equipped. FIG. 2B illustrates an Internet protocol television (IPTV) as an information processing device in which a method for inputting a text according to a preferred embodiment of this invention is realized.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an apparatus for inputting a text according to another embodiment of this invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for inputting a text according to an embodiment of this invention.
FIGS. 5A through 5C are more detailed flowcharts illustrating processes S20 through S40 of FIG. 4.
FIGS. 6A through 6D illustrate a process for generating movement direction codes according to an embodiment of this invention.
FIGS. 7A through 7C illustrate mappings between texts and relative coordinate values in a text database according to an exemplary embodiment of this invention.
Best mode for carrying out the Invention An apparatus for inputting a text corresponding to relative coordinate value generated by touch position movement according to embodiments of this invention will now be described with reference to the attached figures.
As shown in FIG. 1 , the apparatus for inputting a text according to one embodiment of this invention includes a touch input means 10, a memory 20, a display 30, a relative coordinate value generating unit 40, a text retrieving unit 50, a text display unit 60, and an input processing unit 70. The apparatus may be realized in one body of information processing device like a mobile device or also be realized in an information processing device composed of multi bodies like IPTV. Further, the relative coordinate value generating unit 40, the text retrieving unit 50, the text display unit 60, and the input processing unit 70 are realized as a combination of a processor (not shown here) provided in the information processing device and related software.
The touch input means 10 has a touch-sensitive area, wherein once initial touch with said touch-sensitive area is made and as the touch position is moved, said touch input means 10 generates position information of the touch positions. In addition, the touch input means 10 generates a touch termination signal, when existing touch with said touch-sensitive area is terminated or when touch pressure or touch breadth changes by a value greater than a predetermined one. Here, the position information may be fixed coordinates on a designated touch-sensitive area or relative movement distance with value indicating direction. The touch input means 10 employed in this invention may be a conventional touch pad or touch screen, or it may be any new device that generates position information in response to touch with a touch-sensitive area and movement along the touch-sensitive area. At least one text database consisting of mappings between texts and relative coordinate values is stored in the memory 20. The texts include characters, commands or control codes or arrays thereof. The mappings between texts and relative coordinate values will now be described in more details.
The display 30 may be a liquid crystal (LCD) display or an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display that displays the selected texts visually.
The relative coordinate value generating unit 40 sequentially receives position information of the touch positions transmitted from the touch input means 10, and sequentially generates a series of relative coordinate values relative to the initial touch position using said position information.
According to an exemplary embodiment of this invention, the relative coordinate value generating unit 40 may include a movement direction code generating unit 41 and a relative coordinate value calculating unit 42.
The movement direction code generating unit 41 sequentially generates a series of movement direction codes that correspond to movement directions derived from position information of the touch positions received from said touch input means 10. Said movement direction code generating unit 41 may include a basis coordinates managing unit 45 for maintaining the initial touch position received from the touch input means 10 as the basis coordinates for subsequent relative coordinates, a virtual closed curve setting unit 46 for establishing a virtual closed curve around the basis coordinates held by the basis coordinates managing unit 45, an intersection point detecting unit 47 for detecting whether or not touch position received from the touch input means 10 intersects the virtual closed curve established by said virtual closed curve setting unit 46 and, when an intersection occurs, setting the intersection point as new basis coordinates of the basis coordinates management unit 45, and a code value generating unit 48 for generating the movement direction code assigned to the position on the virtual closed curve at which the intersection occurred.
According to an exemplary embodiment of this invention, the relative coordinate value calculating unit 42 may generates relative coordinate value by summing the vectors corresponding to a series of movement direction codes that are generated sequentially. Here, the generated relative coordinate value may be represented not only as relative coordinates but also as a form of an address pointer corresponding to the relative coordinates pointed out by a combination of a series of movement direction codes. The relative coordinate value calculating unit 42 may also generate relative coordinate value by giving a predefined code indicating relative coordinates pointed out by a combination of the movement direction codes.
The text retrieving unit 50 retrieves a series of texts that correspond to said sequentially generated series of relative coordinate values from the text database stored in the memory 20. Here, the text database may include at least a symbol field (representing text), a text code field and a relative coordinate value field.
The text display unit 60 temporarily displays the retrieved text on a designated area of the display 30. The input processing unit 70 processes the input of the text corresponding to the relative coordinate value that is generated just before touch is terminated as a touch termination signal is received from the touch input meansi O.
If the input-processed text is a phoneme composed of 2 byte character such as Korean character, the input processing unit 70 may also perform a character combining process using the character combination automata.
Thus, for the case where the text inputting process is implemented with the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 normally, the input of one text is accomplished by just one gesture that a user touches the touch input means 10, moves along that and terminates touch while a desired text is selected.
According to another exemplary embodiment of this invention, one more process for inputting a text such as the control code corresponding to "Enter key" may be needed additionally for an execution step after one inputting process is finished. Consider a remote control for IPTV, for example, a user may change or select the TV channel by inputting just a TV channel number by generating touch termination signal as an input process execution signal after generating the corresponding relative coordinate value with the remote control 150. However, the TV channel may also be changed only after inputting the control code corresponding to "Enter key" additionally just after inputting a channel number by generating a touch termination signal after generating the corresponding relative coordinate value with the remote control 150 for IPTV 170.
FIG. 2A illustrates a mobile device 100 in which the apparatus for inputting a text is equipped. The mobile device 100 includes an LCD display 120, a few input buttons 130 and a touch pad 140 as a touch input means. The characters 123 with a corresponding character matrix 125 as a character navigation map are displayed on a designated area of the LCD display 120 as corresponding relative coordinate value is generated.
FIG. 2B illustrates an IPTV 170 , an associated set-top box 160 and remote control 150 as an information processing device composed of multi bodies in which a method for inputting a text is realized according to a preferred embodiment of this invention. As shown in FIG. 2B, an IPTV 170 is connected to a set-top box 160 which works with a remote control 150 for processing the input of the text. The set-top box 160 controls the IPTV 170 by receiving from the remote control 150 control codes that control functions such as channel up & down, volume up & down, service menu display, previous channel or PIP display, etc. The remote control 150, a key component of a preferred embodiment of this invention, is equipped with a touch pad 180 and the IPTV 170 with a display 190.
As shown in FIG. 3, the apparatus 150a for inputting a text according to another embodiment of this invention includes a touch input means 10a, a movement direction code generating unit 41a and a transmitting unit 80a, and is realized along with the remote control 150 as shown in FIG. 2B. Further, the movement direction code generating unit 41a is realized as a combination of a processor(not shown here) provided in the remote control 150 and related software.
The touch input means 10a includes a dedicated touch-sensitive area, and when a user touches the dedicated touch-sensitive area with a finger or a pen and moves along the touch-sensitive area, position information of touch positions is generated.
In addition, said touch input means 10a generates a touch termination signal, when existing touch with said touch-sensitive area is terminated or when touch pressure or touch breadth changes by a value greater than a predetermined value.
The movement direction code generating unit 41a sequentially generates a series of movement-direction codes that correspond to movement directions derived from position information of the touch positions received from said touch input means 10a.
In this case, the movement direction code generating unit 41a of the remote control 150a may also consist of a basis coordinates managing unit 45, a virtual closed curve setting unit 46, an intersection point detecting unit 47, and a code value generating unit 48 as the movement direction code generating unit 41 as another embodiment of this invention in FIG. 1. Thus, a redundant explanation for the configuration of the movement direction code generating unit 41a is omitted.
The transmitting unit 80a encodes and transmits both a series of movement direction codes sequentially generated by said movement direction code generating unit 41a and a touch termination signal received from said touch input means 10a. Then, the set-top box 160a connected to the IPTV 170 includes a receiving unit 85a for receiving the encoded movement direction codes and the touch termination signal and then decoding them, a memory 20a, a relative value calculating unit 42a, a text retrieving unit 50a, a text display unit 60a and an input processing unit 70a, and performs the display of the selected text on a display 30a equipped in the IPTV 170. The apparatus composed of the memory 20a, the display 30a, the relative coordinate value calculating unit 42a, the text retrieving unit 50a, the text display unit 60a and the input processing unit 70a performs same functions as the apparatus composed of the memory 20, the display 30, the relative coordinate value calculating unit 42, the text retrieving unit 50, the text display unit 60 and the input processing unit 70.
As another embodiment of this invention, it is possible to provide a text inputting apparatus equipped with the same relative coordinate value generating unit as the one 40 shown in FIG.1 instead of the movement direction code generating unit 41a in FIG. 3 in the remote control 150 , while the transmitting unit equipped in the remote control 150 may encode and transmit both a series of relative coordinate values sequentially generated by said relative coordinate value generating unit and the touch termination signal received from the touch input means.
Hereinafter, a method for inputting a text corresponding to relative coordinate values generated by touch position movement along a touch input means will now be described referring to the attached figures. As shown in FIG. 4, the method for inputting a text according to this invention is divided into four processes.
First, predefining in memory a text database consisting of mappings between texts and relative coordinate values (S10) Second, generating a series of relative coordinate values by touch position movement (S20). Third, displaying the texts retrieved from the text database based on the relative coordinate values (S30).
Forth, Input-processing the text in response to a touch termination signal (S40). The processes S20 through S40 will now be described referring to
FIG. 5A and FIG.5B.
According to one embodiment of this invention, the process S20 for generating a series of relative coordinate values is divided into 1) the process for generating a series of movement direction codes sequentially and 2) the process for generating a series of relative coordinate values sequentially using a said series of movement direction codes.
A relative coordinate value may be represented as relative coordinates relative to the initial touch position, a displacement of the fixed coordinates by touch position movement or a value corresponding to the relative coordinates as following:
A) a form of relative coordinates (X), (X, Y) or (X1Y1Z), of which X1Y or Z represent X coordinate, Y coordinate or Z coordinate relative to the initial touch position.
B) a form of an address pointer corresponding to a displacement of fixed coordinates or a form of memory address pointer corresponding to the relative coordinates pointed out by a combination of a series of movement direction codes.
For example, address 3110 or address 3230 which is an address pointer corresponding to relative coordinates corresponding to the relative coordinates (a1 , b1 ) or (a2, b2) respectively. In an exemplary embodiment of this invention, when a touch position is moved to right upper, right and right upper direction consecutively from the initial touch position, a series of movement direction codes for right upper (1 , 1), right (0, 1 ) and right upper (1 , 1) are generated sequentially. In turn, a series of relative coordinates (1 , 1 ), (1 , 2) and (2, 3) are generated sequentially by summing the vectors of a series of movement direction codes above, and the addresses 31 10, 3120 and 3230 may be generated according to a memory address assigning policy of the apparatus in which the address pointers correspond to the relative coordinates (1 , 1 ), (1 , 2) and (2, 3) respectively. C) A form of a code assigned to a displacement of the fixed coordinates by touch position movement or relative coordinates pointed out by a combination of a series of movement direction codes. For example, relative coordinate values may be represented as a form of code like "1 11 " or "1 12". In this case, the code "1 11 " or "1 12" corresponds to the relative coordinates (a3, b3) or (a4, b4) respectively. According to an exemplary embodiment of this invention, when a series of relative coordinate values are transmitted as a code form of "11 1 " or "1 12" instead of a coordinate form of (1 , 1 ) or (1 , 2) from a remote control to an information processing device like set-top box , the device that receives a code form of relative coordinate values recognizes the code form of "1 11 " or "1 12" as the relative coordinates (1 , 1 ) or (1 , 2). In this case, the remote control may generate "1 11" or "1 12" as relative coordinate values indicating the relative coordinates (1 , 1 ) or (1 , 2) by touch position movement. Referring to FIG. 5A, the following is the process for generating movement direction codes. When a user presses a button on the mobile device 100 of FIG. 2A or on the remote control 150 of FIG. 2B to change into the text input mode, the apparatus for inputting a text according to an exemplary embodiment of this invention starts the initialization step (S100). Then, the apparatus checks whether or not a touch signal is generated in the touch input means 10 or 10a (S1 10). If a touch signal is generated in the touch input means, it checks again whether or not the position information is the one for the initial touch position (S120, S130). If the position information is the one for the initial touch position, this position information is maintained as a basis coordinates for subsequent relative coordinates, and a virtual closed curve is established around the basis coordinates (S140). Here, the virtual closed curve is the curve of which size and shape may be predetermined. The virtual closed curve may be a circle or a polygon around the basis coordinates and the size or shape of it may or may not be changed every stage of generating relative coordinate value.
When touch position received from the touch input meansi O or 10a intersects the virtual closed curve established by the virtual closed curve setting unit 46(S150), the apparatus sets the intersection point as new basis coordinates and establishes a new virtual closed curve around the new basis coordinates (S160). The movement direction is recognized according to the intersection position on the previous closed curve and movement direction code assigned to the position on the virtual closed curve thereof is generated (S170).
The process for generating movement direction code is repeated until a predetermined time passed or a touch termination signal is received.
FIG. 5C shows the process for generating two series of relative coordinate values respectively based on simultaneous touch position movement by two objects. In one embodiment of this invention, after the initialization step (S100), the apparatus for inputting a text checks whether or not a touch signal is generated in the touch input means 10 or 10a (S1 10). If a touch signal is generated, it checks again whether or not there is another touch signal at the position away from the position where the first touch is placed (S 110a). In this case, differentiating of two touch signals is performed by checking whether or not the position of next touch signal is adjacent to the previous one. If it is checked in the step S110a that there is no second touch signal, the process for generating relative coordinate values (S120 through S180) by one object is continuously performed as shown in FIG. 5A and in FIG. 5B. If it is checked in the step S1 10a that there is a second touch signal, the process for generating second relative coordinate values (S120a through S180a) by the \second object is performed simultaneously as shown in FIG. 5C. Each object's relative coordinate values may be generated independently (S180, S180a) based on each object's respective series of movement direction codes (S170, S170a), the texts are retrieved in relative coordinate value generating order (S190), the retrieved texts are displayed on the dedicated area of the display (S200) and the retrieved texts are input-processed in initial touch order (S260).
According to another exemplary embodiment of this invention, In case that the second relative coordinate values are generated by the second object, while the first object does not move along after initial touch, another corresponding text database may be selected like that English capital letter mode and small letter mode is changed or Japanese Hiragana mode and Katakana mode is changed by pressing the "Shift" key on a keyboard.
For better understanding of the process for generating movement direction codes, the process will now be described through coordinate system with reference to FIG. 6A through 6D as an exemplary embodiment of this invention. A series of touch position movement information may be represented as one continuous line 350 starting from the initial touch position (basis coordinates) 351 upon initial touch and movement along the touch input means 10 or 10a. After the basis coordinates 351 is set, a virtual closed curve 340 having eight segments such as right, right upper, upper, left upper, left, left lower, lower and right lower segment is established around the basis coordinates 351 as shown in FIG. 6B. The virtual closed curve 340 may have various shapes such as rectangle, a circle and an octagon shown in FIG. 6B.a As the continuous line 350 starting from the initial touch position 351 intersects the closed curve 340, the intersection point is detected and the movement direction code assigned to the segment of the virtual closed curve 340 at which the intersection occurred is generated.
In FIG. 6B, the first movement direction is right from the basis coordinates 351 , so the movement direction code is [1] (372). And the intersection point 352 at which the line 350 indicating the touch position movement intersects is set as new basis coordinates. Further, as shown in FIG. 6C, a virtual closed curve 360 around the new basis coordinates 352 is established, which may or may not have the same size and shape as those of the previous one 340. After the basis coordinates 352 is set and the new virtual closed curve 360 is established, as shown in FIG. 6C, as the continuous line 350_1 representing the series of touch position movement intersects the closed curve 360, the intersection point 353 is detected again and then the next movement direction code [2] (373) assigned to the segment of the virtual closed curve 360 at which the intersection occurred is generated. If the touch position moves consecutively thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6D, the intersection point 354 is detected again and the movement direction code [1] (374) is generated again as the line 350_2 intersects the new closed curve 380. In consequence, summarizing all the above-described processes as an exemplary embodiment of this invention, a series of movement direction codes [1], [2] and [1] are generated sequentially by initial touch and movement along the touch input means 10 or 10a, if the inputting apparatus assigns the movement direction codes to the movement directions as shown in FIG. 6A. As a series of movement direction codes are generated, a series of relative coordinate values may be produced sequentially by summing the vectors assigned to a series of movement direction codes (S180). In FIG. 6A eight vectors of (1 , 0), (1 , 1 ), (0, 1 ), (-1 , 1 ), (-1 , 0), (-1 , -1 ), (0, -1 ) and (1 , -1 ) are assigned to the eight movement direction codes. Thus, In FIG. 6B through 6D, the first relative coordinate value is (1 , 0) which is the sum of vector (1 , 0) which is assigned to the first movement direction code [1] (372). And the second relative coordinate value is (2, 1 ) which is the sum of vectors (1 , 0) and (1 , 1 ), said vector (1 , 1) is the vector which is assigned to the second movement direction code [2] (373). Again, in FIG. 6D, the third relative coordinate value is (3, 1 ) which is the sum of vectors (1 , 0), (1 , 1 ) and (1 , 0), said third vector (1 , 0) is the vector which is assigned to the third movement direction code [1] (374).
The process (S30) for displaying the texts retrieved from the text database is consisting of the step of retrieving the texts corresponding to sequentially generated relative coordinate values from the text database (S190) and the step of displaying the texts on a dedicated area of the display 30 or 30a(S200). In the step S240, if a predetermined amount of time passes or the next relative coordinate value is generated, the displayed text is erased or changed (S240). In the step S190, if a corresponding text for a generated relative coordinate value cannot be found in the text database, no particular text is displayed nor is any input processed
In one embodiment of this invention, the retrieved text may be indicated with voice or sound (S210) to allow a user to monitor the texts to be inputted. In the step S220, not only the text corresponding to the generated relative coordinate value, but also the texts that correspond to relative coordinate values that surround the generated relative coordinate value may be displayed on a designated area of the display 30 or 30a with a matrix form (125) so as to provide a text navigation map.
The process (S40) for Input-processing the text in response to a touch termination signal will now be described. When existing touch with said touch-sensitive area is terminated or when touch pressure or touch breadth changes by the value greater than a predetermined one , the touch input means 10 or 10a generates touch termination signal. Once a touch termination signal is received from touch input means, the input of the text corresponding to the relative coordinate value that is generated just before touch is terminated is processed and the operation returns to the initialization step (S 100).
When the texts corresponding to the relative coordinate values are sequentially displayed in the screen and if a predetermined amount of time passes without touch position movement, the text displayed on the display 30 or 30a is erased (S230, S240) and the operation returns to the initialization step (S100). In this case, the displayed text may not be input-processed. If a predetermined amount of time does not pass either the touch termination signal is not generated, it is understood that new position information is under generated in response to touch position movement (S120).
According to another embodiment of this invention, one or a plurality of text databases corresponding to relative coordinate values or movement direction codes may be predefined in memory in process S10. In this case, in process S30 a single text database may be selected among the plurality of text databases according to the first relative coordinate value or the first movement direction code, and retrieving from the selected text database the text that matches the first relative coordinate value or the first movement direction code, and, starting from the second relative coordinate value onwards, retrieving from the selected text database the text that matches the second relative coordinate value, and displaying the retrieved texts sequentially on a designated area of a display 30 or 30a.
According to another embodiment of this invention, a single text database may be selected among the plurality of text databases that corresponds to the initial touch position on the touch input means'! 0 or 10a. For example, if the touch position moves along the touch screen after initial touch with the upper area of a touch screen, then the text database for English capital letter mode may be selected. Meanwhile, if touch position moves along the touch screen after initial touch with the lower area of the touch screen, then the text database for English small letter mode may be selected. As shown in FIG. 7A, in an exemplary embodiment of this invention, a text database may be predefined in such a way that sentence symbols, numbers and alphabets may correspond to the relative coordinate values (-5, 5) through (5, 1) of a matrix with similar arrangement as a Qwerty keyboard, and Japanese Hiragana characters may correspond to the relative coordinate values (-5, -1) through (5, -5) of a matrix, and up & down direction codes may correspond to the relative coordinate values (0, 5) through (0, -5) of a matrix, herein relative coordinate values are based on the basis coordinates 400 which corresponds to the initial touch position on the touch input means 10 or 10a. In this case, when a touch position moves consecutively in the directions of right upper, righter upper, right upper and right, a series of movement direction codes of [2], [2], [2] and [1] are generated sequentially (see FIG. 5A). Then the vectors assigned to the above movement direction codes are (1 , 1), (1 , 1 ), (1 , 1 ) and (0, 1 ) respectively and the sequentially generated relative coordinate values are (1 , 1 ), (2, 2), (3, 3) and (4, 3) by summing the vectors assigned to the above movement direction codes. Then, as shown in FIG. 7A, alphabets N, J, I and O 410, which are correspond to the sequentially generated relative coordinate values of (1 , 1 ), (2, 2), (3, 3) and (4, 3), are displayed sequentially on the screen of the display 30 or 30a. If a user terminates touch while the character O 410 is displayed, the character O is formally input-processed.
As shown in FIG. 7B, according to an exemplary embodiment of this invention, another text database may be predefined with different mappings to the same set of relative coordinate values. In FIG. 7B, a text database, which has different set of texts corresponding to the same set of relative coordinate values shown in FIG. 7A, may be predefined in such a way that control codes for mobile phone instead of Japanese Hiragana may correspond to the relative coordinate values (-4, -1 ) through (-1 , -3) of a matrix and numbers may correspond to the relative coordinate values (1 , -1 ) through (3, -4). As such, it is possible to assign a different set of characters and control codes to the same set of relative coordinate values of another text database by differentiating the text database through the first relative coordinate value or the first movement direction code.
For example, when a relative coordinate value (2, -2) is generated after the first relative coordinate value (-1 , -1 ), the text database in FIG. 7A is selected by the first relative coordinate value (-1 , -1 ) so that Japanese character (± 41 1 and & 412 corresponding to the relative coordinate values (-1 , -1 ) and (-2, -2) are displayed sequentially. If a user terminates touch while & 412 is displayed, the character ^- is formally input-processed. As another exemplary embodiment of this invention, when the relative coordinate value (2, -2) is generated after the first relative coordinate value (0, -1 ) rather than said relative coordinate value (-1 , -1 ) and the second relative coordinate value (-1 , -1 ) are generated thereafter, the text database in FIG. 7B in stead of that in FIG. 7A may be selected by the first relative coordinate value (0, -1 ) so that the symbol for "Dial" mode and the symbol for "Camera" mode 456 are displayed sequentially instead of Japanese character \t and fr. When a user terminates the touch while the symbol for "Camera" mode 456 is displayed, the control code for "Camera" mode is formally input-processed. In turn, the mode of the device employing this invention may be changed into the "Camera" mode. When a user initially touches the touch input means 10 or 10a and the relative coordinate values (0, -1 ), (1 , -1 ) and (2, -2) are generated sequentially, the text database of FIG. 7B is selected by the first coordinate value (0, -1 ) so that numbers 1 and 5 (457), which are corresponding to the coordinates (1 , -1 ) and (2, -2) respectively, are selected and displayed sequentially after displaying the symbol for down arrow as shown in FIG.7B. In the step S220 of FIG. 5B, the texts that correspond to the relative coordinate values that surround the generated relative coordinate value may be displayed in a form of matrix so as to provide a text navigational interface. In FIG. 7A, when the relative coordinate value(-2, 3) is generated and R (420) is displayed on a dedicated area of a display, a text navigation map may also be displayed together (see FIG. 7C), in which R (420) is pop-up displayed and texts @, #, $, % and 2, 3, 4, 5 and W, E, R, T and S, D, F, G surrounding R (420) are displayed together in a form of matrix so as to provide a text navigational interface. Here, when the relative coordinate values are generated sequentially, the pop up displayed text and the displayed window of the text navigation map also moves along the sequentially generated relative coordinate values.
When the touch position returns to the initial touch position, for example, in case that movement direction codes [2] and [6] are generated sequentially , to which vectors (1 , 1 ) and (-1 , -1 ) are assigned respectively, then the second relative coordinate value may become coordinates (0,0). In this case, as shown in FIG. 7A, any text is not matched to the coordinates (0, 0). Then, any text may not be input-processed even though the touch is terminated.
When any of relative coordinate value among (1 , 6) through (5, 6) (430) is generated in of FIG.7A, the corresponding text for the generated relative coordinate value cannot be found in the text database so that no particular text is displayed nor is any input-processed even though the touch is terminated.
The embodiments of this invention can be provided as computer programs that can be executed in a processor. This invention can be realized in various information processing devices that operate programs using a computer readable recording medium. The computer readable recording medium include magnetic recording media, optical recording media, semiconductor memory and such media as transmission means (e.g., transmission through Internet). While this invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The embodiments should be considered in descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined not by the detailed description of the invention but by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope will be construed as being included in the present invention.
Industrial Applicability
According to this invention, first, a user can select and input a desired text such as a character, a command, a control code or an array thereof, by one gesture (a one time touch and touch movement). In other words, it is provided an intuitive user interface like inputting a text after selecting a desired text from a sheet table using a finger. As a user simply terminates the touch on touch pad or a touch screen at the instant that a desired text is displayed, the input of the text is processed. Thus, the process of searching, selecting and inputting of a desired text is accomplished by just one gesture. Second, a touch sensitive area is efficiently utilized by allocating the predefined texts at the relative coordinates relative to the initial touch position not at the fixed positions on a touch input means. Further, with this invention much various forms of text menu can be configured compared to a conventional fixed position based text menu configuration method.
Third, input errors that result from unintentional touch movement can be remarkably reduced since the next movement direction code or relative coordinate value is generated only when the touch position moves by more than a predetermined distance. Fourth, two text inputting processes can be implemented simultaneously by tracing the two touch position movements at a time so that a user may use two hands to input texts.
Fifth, this invention allows multi channel or multi folder movement as well as one channel movement for IPTV or CATV. It allows easier selection of a desired control code among a plurality of control codes compared to the conventional soft key type universal remote controls or other fixed position sensing based inputting devices.
Sixth, this invention allow a user to avoid inconvenience of double checking the desired text on a display and on a keypad and to avoid multiple touches required to input a desired text using a small keypad. Seventh, this invention allows searching through human's finger movement memorization ability or voice navigation guide instead of searching through eyes.

Claims

What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for inputting a text corresponding to a relative coordinate value generated by touch position movement, the apparatus comprising: a touch input means having a touch-sensitive area, wherein touch with said touch-sensitive area and movement along said touch-sensitive area generates corresponding position information; a memory storing a text database consisting of mappings between texts and relative coordinate values; a display; a relative coordinate value generating unit, wherein once initial touch with said touch input means is made and as the touch position is moved, said touch input means passes position information of the touch positions to said relative coordinate value generating unit which uses said position information to sequentially generates a series of relative coordinate values relative to the initial touch position; a text retrieving unit retrieving, from said text database stored in said memory, a series of texts that correspond to the sequentially generated series of relative coordinate values a text display unit, wherein the texts retrieved from said text retrieving unit are displayed temporarily on a designated area of said display; and an input processing unit, wherein once a touch termination signal is received from said touch input means, said input processing unit processes the input of the text corresponding to the relative coordinate value that is generated just before touch is terminated
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the relative coordinate value generating unit comprising: a movement direction code generating unit , wherein once initial touch with said touch input means is made and touch position is moved along said touch input means, said movement direction code generating unit sequentially generates a series of movement-direction codes that correspond to movement directions derived from position information of the touch positions received from said touch input means; and a relative coordinate value calculating unit sequentially generating a series of relative coordinate values by using said series of movement-direction codes
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the movement direction code generating unit comprising: a basis coordinates managing unit maintaining the initial touch position received from said touch input means as the basis coordinates for subsequent relative coordinates; a virtual closed curve setting unit establishing a virtual closed curve around the basis coordinates held by the basis coordinates managing unit; an intersection point detecting unit detecting whether or not touch position received from said touch input means intersects the virtual closed curve established by said virtual closed curve setting unit and, when an intersection occurs, setting the intersection point as new basis coordinates; and a code value generating unit, wherein upon the detection of an intersection by said intersection point detecting unit, said code value generating unit generates the movement direction code assigned to the position on the virtual closed curve at which the intersection occurred
4. An apparatus for inputting a text, the apparatus comprising: a touch input means having a touch-sensitive area, wherein touch with said touch-sensitive area and movement along said touch-sensitive area generates corresponding position information; a movement direction code generating unit, wherein once initial touch with said touch input means is made and touch position is moved along said touch input means, said movement direction code generating unit sequentially generates a series of movement direction codes that correspond to movement directions derived from position information of the touch positions received from said touch input means; and a transmitting unit encoding and transmitting both a series of movement direction codes sequentially generated by said movement direction code generating unit and a touch termination signal received from said touch input means.
5. An apparatus for inputting a text, the apparatus comprising: a touch input means having a touch-sensitive area, wherein touch with said touch-sensitive area and movement along said touch-sensitive area generates corresponding position information; a relative coordinate value generating unit, wherein once initial touch with said touch input means is made and as the touch position is moved, said touch input means passes position information of the touch positions to said relative coordinate value generating unit which uses said position information to sequentially generate a series of relative coordinate values relative to the initial touch position; and a transmitting unit encoding and transmitting both a series of relative coordinate values sequentially generated by said relative coordinate value generating unit and a touch termination signal received from said touch input means.
6. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 through 5, wherein said touch termination signal is generated when existing touch with said touch-sensitive area is terminated or when touch pressure or touch breadth changes by a value greater than a predetermined one.
7. A method for inputting a text corresponding to a relative coordinate value generated by touch position movement along a touch input means, the method comprising: (a) predefining in memory a text database consisting of mappings between texts and relative coordinate values;
(b) once initial touch with said touch input means is made and as the touch position is moved, sequentially generating a series of relative coordinate values relative to the initial touch position
(c) retrieving from said text database the texts that correspond to said sequentially generated series of relative coordinate values and displaying them temporarily on a designated area of a display; and
(d) once a touch termination signal is received from said touch input means, processing the input of the text corresponding to the relative coordinate value that is generated just before touch is terminated
8. The method of claim 7, wherein (b) comprising:
(b1 ) as touch position is moved along said touch input means, sequentially generating a series of movement direction codes that correspond to the movement directions; and
(b2) sequentially generating a series of relative coordinate values by using said series of movement-direction codes
9. The method of claim 8, wherein (b1 ) comprising:
(b1 1 ) as touch position is moved along the touch input means, if the touch position intersects the established virtual closed curve that is centered on the initial touch position, generating a movement direction code that corresponds to the point of intersection and setting the intersection point as new basis coordinates; and (b12) as touch position is moved along the touch input means, if the touch position intersects the established virtual closed curve that is centered on the current basis coordinates, repeating the generation of a movement direction code that corresponds to the point of intersection and the setting of the intersection point as new basis coordinates
10. The method of claim 7, wherein said relative coordinate values are values that correspond to relative coordinates
1 1. The method of claim 7, wherein (c) comprising:
(c1 ) retrieving from said text database the texts that correspond to the sequentially generated relative coordinate values
(c2) displaying the retrieved texts on a designated area of a display, wherein if a predetermined amount of time passes or the next relative coordinate value is generated, the displayed text is erased or the displayed text is changed.
12. The method of claim 7, wherein if a corresponding text for the generated relative coordinate value cannot be found in said text database, no particular text is displayed nor is any input processed
13. The method of claim 7, wherein (a) further comprising: defining in memory one or a plurality of text databases corresponding to relative coordinate values or movement direction codes, and (c) further comprising: selecting a single text database among the plurality of text databases according to the first relative coordinate value or the first movement direction code, and retrieving from the selected text database the text that matches the first relative coordinate value or the first movement direction code, and, starting from the second relative coordinate value onwards, retrieving from the selected text database the text that matches the second relative coordinate value, and temporarily displaying the retrieved text on a designated area of a display
14. The method of claim 7, wherein (c) further comprising: selecting a single text database corresponding to the initial touch position on said touch input means among the plurality of text databases
15. The method of claim 7, wherein (c) further comprising: indicating the retrieved text with a sound or voice
16. The method of claim 7, wherein (c) further comprising: displaying on a designated area of a display not only the text corresponding to the generated relative coordinate value, but also the texts that correspond to relative coordinate values that surround the generated relative coordinate value
17. The method of claim 7, wherein said text database comprising: a set of relative coordinate values that form a row in relative coordinates, corresponding to texts 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0, in order a set of relative coordinate values that form another row, corresponding to texts Q, W, E, R, T, Y, U, I, O, P, in order a set of relative coordinate values that form a row after the previous row, corresponding to texts A, S, D, F, G, H, J, K, L, in order a set of relative coordinate values that form a row after the previous row, corresponding to texts Z, X, C, V, B, N, M, in order
18. The method of claim 7, further comprising: out of the touch position information generated by said touch input means, separating the position information of the first object's touch position from the position information of a second object's touch position separately and sequentially generating the second object's relative coordinate values by touch position movement of the second object along the touch input means relative to the initial touch position once a touch termination signal of the second object is received from said touch input means, processing the input of the text corresponding to the second object's relative coordinate value that is generated just before the second object's touch is terminated
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising an additional step, wherein, while the first object has no touch position movement upon initial contact, if a relative coordinate value corresponding to the touch position movement of the second object is generated, a corresponding text database is selected, where the selected text database is different from the text database that would be selected if the first object were not in touch
20. A computer readable recording medium, wherein said medium stores software program that enables on a computer the text input method of any of claims 7-19
PCT/KR2007/003095 2006-12-20 2007-06-26 Apparatus and method for inputting a text corresponding to relative coordinates values generated by movement of a touch position Ceased WO2008075822A1 (en)

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JP2008554162A JP2009526306A (en) 2006-12-20 2007-06-26 Text input device and method for inputting text corresponding to relative coordinate value generated by contact position movement
US12/211,792 US20090073136A1 (en) 2006-12-20 2008-09-16 Inputting commands using relative coordinate-based touch input

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KR1020070005945A KR100720335B1 (en) 2006-12-20 2007-01-19 Text input device and method for inputting text corresponding to relative coordinate value generated by moving contact position

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