Method and system for inputting chinese-characters through virtual keyboards to data processor6307541Abstract A Chinese-character input method and system is provided to allow users to input Chinese characters to a data processor with a reduced keyboard, such as a mobile-phone handset with a CCITT-compliant (Consultative Committee in International Telegraphy and Telephony) keyboard having only 12 keys. This Chinese-character input method and system allows the user to input Chinese characters to the data processor through a plurality of virtual keyboards which collectively display a set of phonetic symbols, such as those in the Mandarin Phonetic Symbol Set or the Roman Symbol Set, so that the user can perform the input operation through a pronunciation-based input scheme. The Chinese-character input method and system arranges the virtual keyboards in relational layers in accordance with the Mandarin Phonetic-Symbol Combination Rules or the Chinese Roman-Symbol Combination Rules, so that the user can perform the task of Chinese-character input to the data processor more conveniently and efficiently than the prior art. Claims What is claimed is: Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Consonants & Vowels
{character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout} {character
pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout}
{character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout} {character
pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout}
{character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout} {character
pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout}
{character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout} {character
pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout}
{character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout} {character
pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout}
{character pullout} {character pullout}
Note that, for simplification of representation, the 5 tones will be symbolized on the virtual keyboards as numerals; i.e., the first tone is represented by "1"; the second tone is represented by "2"; the third tone is represented by "3"; the fourth tone is represented by "4"; and the fifth tone is represented by "5". Also, hereinafter throughout this specification, the tones will be also represented in this way in the representation of phonetic-symbol combinations. For example, the standard way of expressing the pronunciation of the Chinese character "{character pullout}" with the Mandarin Phonetic Symbol Set is "{character pullout}{character pullout}", but it will be expressed as "{character pullout}4" in this specification for consistency with the symbols on the virtual keyboards. Fundamentally, the pronunciation of a Chinese character can be represented by a consonant/vowel combination of one, two, or three phonetic symbols plus one tone. Therefore, each Chinese character can be represented by a combination of 1, 2, or 3 consonant/vowel symbols plus 1 tone symbol; in other words, a phonetic-symbol combination requires at least 2 phonetic symbols and at most 4 phonetic symbols. Generally, the following rules apply to the Chinese-character pronunciations: [Pronunciation]=[Vowel]+[Tone] [Pronunciation]=[Consonant]+[Vowel]+[Tone] [Pronunciation]=[First-Stage Vowel]+[Second-Stage Vowel]+[Tone] [Pronunciation]=[Consonant]+[First-Stage Vowel]+[Second-Stage Vowel]+[Tone] Through induction, it can be found that there exist many regularities in the phonetic-symbol combinations using the Mandarin Phonetic Symbol Set. For instance, the phonetic symbol "{character pullout}" unexceptionally follows behind another phonetic symbol, i.e., it will never be the first one in any phonetic-symbol combinations; and second-stage vowels come into existence only when the first-stage vowel is either of [{character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}]. Moreover, the consonants [{character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}] combine with vowels in accordance with the following rule: [Pronunciation]=[{character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}]+[{character pullout}, {character pullout}]+[Second-Stage Vowel] which implies that when "{character pullout}", "{character pullout}", or "{character pullout}" is the first phonetic symbol in a phonetic symbol combination, then the next phonetic symbol will be unexceptionally either "{character pullout}" or "{character pullout}". The invention provides a plurality of virtual keyboards, each having 12 keys mapped in one-to-one correspondence to the 12 physical keys on the CCITT-compliant keyboard. These virtual keyboards are used collectively to display all the phonetic symbols in the Mandarin Phonetic Symbol Set for the user to perform the task of Chinese-character input based on the pronunciation of the intended Chinese character. As mentioned above, the Mandarin Phonetic Symbol Set includes 42 phonetic symbols for consonants, vowels, and tones; therefore, in order to allow the 12 physical keys on the CCITT-compliant keyboard to address these 42 phonetic symbols, it is an important aspect of the invention to use the above-mentioned regularities in the Chinese phonetic-symbol combinations to arrange the virtual keyboards in relational layers so that the input operation can be carried out in a more convenient and efficient manner. The regularities in the Chinese phonetic-symbol combinations are summarized in the following and are herein and hereinafter collectively referred to as "Mandarin Phonetic-Symbol Combination Rules" throughout this specification. Fundamentally, consonants combine with first-stage and second-stage vowels in accordance with the following rule: [Pronunciation]=[Consonant]+[First-Stage Vowel.+-.Exceptional Vowels]+[Second-Stage Vowel.+-.Exceptional Vowels] The consonants in the Mandarin Phonetic Symbol Set can be divided into the following 7 subsets: Consonant Subset 1={{character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}} Consonant Subset 2={{character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}} Consonant Subset 3={{character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}} Consonant Subset 4={{character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}} Consonant Subset 5={{character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}} Consonant Subset 6={{character pullout}} Consonant Subset 7={0}, where {0} represents Zero-Consonant) The consonants in these subsets combine with vowels in different ways, as respectively given in the following. 1-1. Consonant Subset {{character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}} Let First-Stage Vowel Subset A={{character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}} Second-Stage Vowel Subset B={{character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}.vertline.(if A={character pullout})} Phonetic-symbol combination rules: [{character pullout}]+[A-{character pullout}]+(if A={character pullout}) [B] [{character pullout}]+[A]+(if A={character pullout}) [B] [{character pullout}]+[A+{character pullout}]+(is A={character pullout}) [B+{character pullout}] 1-2. Consonant Subset {{character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}} Let First-Stage Vowel Subset A={{character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}} Second-Stage Vowel Subsets B1={{character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}.vertline.(if A={character pullout})} B2={{character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}.vertline.(if A={character pullout})} B3={{character pullout} (if A={character pullout})} Phonetic-symbol combination rules: [{character pullout}]+[A{character pullout}{character pullout}]+(if A={character pullout}) [B1] Or [{character pullout}]+[A{character pullout}{character pullout}]+(if A={character pullout}) [B2+{character pullout}] [{character pullout}]+[A{character pullout}{character pullout}]+(if A={character pullout}) [B1-{character pullout}] Or [{character pullout}]+[A{character pullout}{character pullout}]+(if A={character pullout}) [B2+{character pullout}] [{character pullout}]+[A+{character pullout}+{character pullout}]+(if A={character pullout}) [B1+{character pullout}+{character pullout}] Or [{character pullout}]+[A+{character pullout}+{character pullout}]+(if A={character pullout}) [B2-{character pullout}] Or [{character pullout}]+[A+{character pullout}+{character pullout}]+(if A={character pullout}) [B3+{character pullout}] [{character pullout}]+[A+{character pullout}]+(if A={character pullout}) [B1+{character pullout}+{character pullout}] Or [{character pullout}]+[A+{character pullout}]+(if A={character pullout}) [B2] Or [{character pullout}]+[A+{character pullout}]+(if A={character pullout}) [B3+{character pullout}] 1-3. Consonant Subset {{character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}} Let First-Stage Vowel Subset A={{character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}} Second-Stage Vowel Subset B={{character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}.vertline.(if A={character pullout})} Phonetic-symbol combination rules: .left brkt-top.{character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}.right brkt-bot.+[A]+(if A={character pullout}) [B] [{character pullout}, {character pullout}]+[A+{character pullout}]+(if A={character pullout}) [B] [{character pullout}]+[A]+(if A={character pullout}) [B-{character pullout}] Note: {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout} can be alone without a following vowel. 1-4. Consonant Subset {{character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}} Let First-Stage Vowel Subset A={{character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}} Second-Stage Vowel Subset B={{character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}.vertline.(if A={character pullout})} Phonetic-symbol combination rules: [{character pullout}]+[A-{character pullout}-{character pullout}]+(if A={character pullout}) [B] [{character pullout}]+[A+{character pullout}]+(if A={character pullout}) [B] [{character pullout}, {character pullout}]+[A]+(if A={character pullout}) [B] Note: This consonant subset can be used alone without a following vowel. 1-5. Consonant Subset {{character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}} Let First-Stage Vowel Subset A={{character pullout}, {character pullout}} Second-Stage Vowel Subsets B1={{character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}.vertline.(if A={character pullout})} B2={{character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}.vertline.(if A={character pullout})} Phonetic-symbol combination rules: [{character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}]+[A]+(if A={character pullout}) [B1] Or [{character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}]+[A]+(if A={character pullout}) [B2] 1-6. Consonant Subsets {{character pullout}} Let First-Stage Vowel Subset A={{character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}} Phonetic-symbol combination rules: 1-7. Zero-Consonant {0} Let First-Stage Vowel Subset A={{character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}} Second-Stage Vowel Subsets B1={{character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}.vertline.(if A={character pullout})} B2={{character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout} (if A={character pullout})} B3={{character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}.vertline.(if A={character pullout})} Phonetic-symbol combination rules: [A]+(if A={character pullout}) [B1] Or [A]+(if A={character pullout}) [B2] Or [A]+(if A={character pullout}) [B3] In accordance with the foregoing Mandarin Phonetic-Symbol Combination Rules, the invention provides a plurality of virtual keyboard, which are arranged m Pour retational layers: a first-layer virtual-keyboard set, a second-layer virtual-keyboard set, a third-layer virtual-keyboard set, and a fourth-layer virtual-keyboard set. The first-layer virtual-keyboard set is used collectively to display the phonetic symbols in the Mandarin Phonetic Symbol Set that are permissible to be used as the first phonetic symbol in any phonetic-symbol combinations, eliminating those that will be used unexceptionally as the second or third phonetic symbols. The second-layer virtual-keyboard set is used collectively to display the phonetic symbols in the Mandarin Phonetic Symbol Set that are permissible to be used as the second phonetic symbol in any phonetic-symbol combinations and that are related in accordance with the Mandarin Phonetic-Symbol Combination Rules to the firstly-selected phonetic symbol from the first-layer virtual-keyboard set. Accordingly, when the first phonetic symbol is selected by the user, the LCD of the mobile-phone handset will promptly display the virtual keyboard that is related to the firstly-selected phonetic symbol; and the displayed virtual keyboard only gives all the possible phonetic symbols that can follow behind the firstly-selected one. The third-layer virtual-keyboard set is used collectively to display the phonetic symbols in the Mandarin Phonetic Symbol Set that are permissible to be used as the third phonetic symbol in any phonetic-symbol combinations and that are related in accordance with the Mandarin Phonetic-Symbol Combination Rules to the secondly-selected phonetic symbol from the second-layer virtual-keyboard set. Accordingly, when the second phonetic symbol is selected by the user, the LCD of the mobile-phone handset will promptly display the virtual keyboard that is related to the secondly-selected phonetic symbol; and the displayed virtual keyboard only gives all the possible phonetic symbols that can follow behind the secondly-selected one. The fourth-layer virtual-keyboard set includes only one virtual keyboard used to display all the phonetic symbols representative of the 5 tones of Chinese characters, and which is displayed only when the thirdly-selected phonetic symbol from the third-layer virtual-keyboard set is a non-tone symbol. Only one of these virtual keyboards can appear on the LCD at a time, and each of these virtual keyboards includes 12 virtual keys mapped in one-to-one correspondence to the 12 physical keys on the CCITT-compliant keyboard. When activated, the LCD will display one of the virtual keyboards in the first layer, and the user can selectively switch between the virtual keyboards in the first layer. After one phonetic symbol is selected from the first-layer virtual-keyboard set, all the subsequent virtual keyboards will appear automatically in accordance with the relations in the Mandarin Phonetic-Symbol Combination Rules. One example of the four layers of virtual keyboards are given below.
1) First-Layer Virtual-Keyboard set
{character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout} {character
pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout}
{character pullout} {character pullout}
{character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout} {character
pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout}
{character pullout} {character pullout}
{character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout} {character
pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout}
{character pullout}
VK {character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout}
{character pullout} {character pullout} SP A/a
Page 1 {character pullout} {character pullout} {character
pullout} VK Num Sym
VK {character pullout} {character pullout}
Page 3
Page 2
Note: When initially activated, the LCD will display the Page 1 virtual keyboard, and the user can use the {character pullout} key to switch between Page 1, Page 2, and Page 3.
(2) Second-Layer Virtual-Keyboard Set
{character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout}
{character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout}
{character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout}
{character pullout} {character pullout}
{character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout}
1 2 3
5
4 {character pullout} {character pullout}
{character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout} (Note: This
virtual keyboard is related to {character pullout}, {character pullout},
{character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character
pullout},
{character pullout} {character pullout} and {character pullout} in
the First-Layer Virtual Keyboard Set).
{character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout}
1 2 3
5
4 {character pullout} {character pullout}
(Note: This virtual keyboard is related to {character
pullout}, {character pullout}, and {character pullout}
in the First-Layer Virtual Keyboard Set.
(3) Third-Layer Virtual-Keyboard Set
1 2 3
5
4 {character pullout} {character pullout}
{character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout} (Note: This
virtual keyboard is related to {character pullout} in the Second-Layer
{character pullout} {character pullout} Virtual Keyboard Set.)
{character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout}
1 2 3
5
4 {character pullout}
{character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout} (Note: This
virtual keyboard is related to {character pullout} and {character pullout}
in the Second-
{character pullout} {character pullout} Layer Virtual Keyboard Set.)
{character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout}
(4) Fourth-Layer Virtual-Keyboard Set
1 2 3
5
4
The above-listed four layers of virtual keyboards each contain a total of 12 virtual keys mapped in one-to-one correspondence to the 12 physical keys on the CCITT-compliant keyboard, and each virtual key can be activated by pressing on the corresponding physical key on the CCITT-compliant keyboard. For example, the First-Layer Virtual-Keyboard Set provides the following three virtual keyboards, respectively labeled with Page 1, Page 2, and Page 3:
{character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout} {character
pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout}
{character pullout} {character pullout}
{character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout} {character
pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout}
{character pullout}
{character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout} {character
pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout}
{character pullout} {character pullout}
VK {character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout}
{character pullout} {character pullout} SP A/a
Page 1 {character pullout} {character pullout} {character
pullout} VK Num Sym
VK {character pullout} {character pullout}
Page 3
Page 2
The first virtual keyboard Page 1 provides a total of 12 virtual keys: {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}; which are mapped in one-to-one correspondence to the {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout} keys on the CCITT-compliant keyboard, and wherein the {character pullout} key is used for switching between Page 1, Page 2, and Page 3. The second virtual keyboard Page 2 provides a total of 12 virtual keys {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}; which are mapped in one-to-one correspondence to the {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout} keys on the CCITT-compliant keyboard, and wherein the {character pullout} key is used for switching between Page 1, Page 2, and Page 3. The third virtual keyboard Page 3 provides a total of 12 virtual keys: {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}; which are mapped in one-to-one correspondence to the {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, and {character pullout} keys on the CCITT-compliant keyboard, and wherein the {character pullout} key is used for switching between Page 1, Page 2, and Page 3. From the Mandarin Phonetic-Symbol Combination Rules, it can be learned that the consonants [{character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}] are each unexceptionally followed by a vowel; and the vowels [{character pullout}, {character pullout}, .music-flat.] are unexceptionally unfollowed by another vowel, i.e., the vowels [{character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}] are always the last one in any phonetic-symbol combinations. Accordingly, in the second virtual keyboard Page 2, [{character pullout}, {character pullout}, ] [{character pullout}, {character pullout}], and [{character pullout}, .music-sharp.] are assigned together to the same virtual keys. Moreover, two different-consonants that sound closely alike, such as [{character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}, {character pullout}] and [{character pullout}, {character pullout}], are also assigned to the same virtual keys, allowing users who are unable to distinguish them not to make input mistakes. As a demonstrative example, when the user wants to input the Chinese character "{character pullout}" whose phonetic-symbol combination is {character pullout}") to his/her mobile-phone hand-set the input operation includes the following steps: (Step 1) Since the first phonetic symbol is "{character pullout}" the user needs to switch the First-Layer Virtual-Keyboard Set to Page 1, and then press the physical key {character pullout} on the CCITT-compliant keyboard. This action inputs "{character pullout}" to the mobile-phone handset. (Step 2) After the action of Step 1 is completed, the virtual keyboard in the Second-Layer Virtual-Keyboard Set that is related to "{character pullout}" is automatically and promptly displayed on the LCD, as illustrated below:
{character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout}
{character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout}
{character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout}
{character pullout} {character pullout}
{character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout}
At this time, the user needs just to press the {character pullout} key on the CCITT-compliant keyboard to input the next phonetic symbol, i.e., "{character pullout}" to the mobile-phone handset. (Step 3) After the action of Step 2 is completed, the virtual keyboard in the Third-Layer Virtual-Keyboard Set that is related to "{character pullout}" is automatically and promptly displayed on the LCD, as illustrated below
1 2 3
5
4 {character pullout} {character pullout}
{character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout}
{character pullout} {character pullout}
{character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout}
At this time, the user needs just to press the {character pullout} key on the CCITT-compliant keyboard to input the next phonetic symbol, i.e., {character pullout} to the mobile-phone handset. (Step 4) After the action of Step 3 is completed, the only virtual keyboard in the Fourth-Layer Virtual-Keyboard Set, which displays the phonetic symbols for tones, is automatically and promptly displayed on the LCD, as illustrated below:
1 2 3
5
4
At this time, the user needs just to press the {character pullout} key on the CCITT-compliant keyboard to input the fourth tone to the mobile-phone handset. (Step 5) After the action of Step 4 is completed, the LCD promptly displays all the Chinese characters that are pronounced as "{character pullout}", as illustrated below.
{character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout}
{character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout}
{character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout}
{character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout}
At this time, the user needs just to press the {character pullout} key on the CCITT-compliant keyboard to select the intended Chinese character "{character pullout}". This completes the input of the Chinese character "{character pullout}" to the mobile-phone handset. Subsequent characters can be inputted in the same manner. FIG. 3 is a table showing the mapping between the virtual keyboards and the phonetic symbols displayed on the virtual keyboards. As shown, each layer of virtual keyboards includes a plurality of phonetic symbols, each of which is assigned to a unique key value. The linking between a phonetic symbol in a layer and its related virtual keyboard in the next layer is predefined in accordance with the above-mentioned Mandarin Phonetic-Symbol Combination Rules. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the system architecture of the invention when implemented through software. As shown, the software architecture implementing the invention includes a Chinese-character database 410, a virtual-keyboard table 420, a user-input service module 430, and a virtual-keyboard service module 440. The Chinese-character database 410 is used to store a set of Chinese characters and the mapping between each Chinese character and its phonetic-symbol combination based on the Mandarin Phonetic Symbol Set. The virtual-keyboard table 420 is used to store the above-mentioned four layers of virtual keyboards. The user-input service module 430 is coupled to the CCITT-compliant keyboard of the mobile phone handset and is used for keycode reception from the physical keys on the CCITT-compliant keyboard. The virtual-keyboard service module 440 is used to retrieve, in response to each keycode input from the CCITT-compliant keyboard, the activated virtual keyboard from the virtual-keyboard table 420. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the hardware architecture of the mobile-phone handset on which the invention is implemented. As shown, the hardware architecture includes a microprocessor unit (MPU) 510, a CCITT-compliant keyboard 520 (i.e., the CCITT-compliant keyboard 210 shown in FIG. 2), a RAM (random-access unit) 530, a ROM (read-only memory) 540, a radio-frequency input (RF In) unit 551, a radio-frequency output (RF Out) unit 552, a loudspeaker 561, a microphone 562, and an LCD (i.e., the LCD 230 shown in FIG. 2). This architecture is conventional and not within the scope and spirit of the invention, so description thereof will not be further detailed. The Chinese-character database 410, the virtual-keyboard table 420, the user-input service module 430, and the virtual-keyboard service module 440 shown in FIG. 4 can be implemented as software and/or firmware stored in the RAM unit 530 and/or the ROM unit 540. FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing the main procedural steps involved in the method of the invention for Chinese-character input to the mobile-phone handset. As shown, in the step 601, the Chinese-character database 410 is activated to receive input keycode from the CCITT-compliant keyboard. In the next step 602, if a keycode is received, the virtual-keyboard table 420 ia activated to display the Page 1 virtual keyboard in the first layer. If the "VK" key is pressed, the active virtual keyboard is switched to the next one. When the user selects the first phonetic symbol from the first-layer virtual-keyboard set, the related virtual keyboard in the next layer will be retrieved and displayed for user selection. In the next step 603, it is checked that whether a complete phonetic-symbol combination has been received. If YES, the procedure goes to the step 604. In the step 604, the Chinese character database 410 is searched to find the Chinese characters corresponding to the inputted phonetic-symbol combination. These Chinese characters are then displayed on the LED for user selection. The procedure is then ended. FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing detailed procedural steps involved in the method of the invention for input Chinese characters to the mobile-phone handset. As shown, in the first step 701, the system activates the Chinese-character input function in response to user request. In the next step 702, the Page 1 virtual keyboard in the first-layer virtual-keyboard set is displayed on the LCD 230. In the next step 703, the system checks that whether a virtual key representing a phonetic symbol is selected. If NO, the step 703 is repeated; otherwise, if YES, the procedure goes to the step 704. In the step 704, the system fetches the keycode of the activated virtual key on the currently displayed virtual keyboard. The procedure then goes the step 705. In the step 705, the system retrieves the virtual keyboard in the next layer that is related to the firstly-selected phonetic symbol in the step 703. In the next 706, the system checks whether the selected phonetic symbol in the step 705 is a tone. If NOT, the procedure goes back to the step 702 to display the virtual keyboard in the next layer retrieved in the step 705; otherwise, if YES, the procedure goes to the step 707. In the step 707, the system retrieves the Chinese characters corresponding to the inputted phonetic-symbol combination. The procedure then goes to the step 708. In the step 708, the system displays the retrieved Chinese characters on the LCD 230 for user selection. After the user selects the intended Chinese character, the procedure then goes to the step 709. In the step 709, the system displays a message asking the user whether the input procedure is to be continued to input another Chinese character. If the user inputs YES, the procedure goes back to the step 702; otherwise, if NO, the procedure is ended. 2. Preferred Embodiment with the Roman Symbol Set The pronunciations of Chinese characters can also be represented by using Roman symbols. These Roman symbols are collectively referred to as Roman Symbol Set. Similar to the use of Mandarin Phonetic Symbol Set, the Chinese-character pronunciations based on the Roman Symbol Set can be represented by the following relationship: [Pronunciation]=[Consonant]+[First-Stage Vowel]+[Second-Stage Vowel]+[Tone] Through induction, it can be found that there exist many regularities in the Roman-symbol combinations representing the pronunciations of Chinese characters. For instance, all the second-stage vowels come into existence only when the first-stage vowel is either of [i,u,v]. Moreover, the consonants [j,q,x] combine with vowels in accordance with the following rule: [Pronunciation]=[j,q,x]+[i,v]+[Second-Stage Vowel] which implies that when either of [j,q,x] is the first Roman symbol in any phonetic-symbol combinations, then the next Roman symbol will be unexceptionally either of [i,v]. It is an important aspect of the invention to use the above-mentioned regularities in the Roman-symbol combinations for Chinese-character pronunciations to help enhance the input speed by the user. The regularities in the Roman-symbol combinations are summarized in the following and are herein and hereinafter collectively referred to as "Chinese Roman-Symbol Combination Rules" throughout this specification. Fundamentally, consonants combine with first-stage and second-stage vowels in accordance with the following rules: [Pronunciation]=[Consonant]+[First-Stage Vowel.+-.Exceptional Vowels]+[Second-Stage Vowel.+-.Exceptional Vowels] The consonants in the Roman Symbol Set can be divided into the following 7 subsets: Consonant Subset 1={b'p'm} Consonant Subset 2={d't'n'l} Consonant Subset 3={g'k'h'zh'ch'sh} Consonant Subset 4={r'z'c's} Consonant Subset 5={j'q'x} Consonant Subset 6={f} Consonant Subset 7 ={0} where {0{ represents Zero-Consonant) The consonants in these subsets combine with vowels in different ways, as respectively given in the following. 2-1. Consonant Subset (b'p'm} Let First-Stage Vowel Subset A={a'o'ai'ei'ao'ou'an'en'ang'eng'i'u} Second-Stage Vowel Subset B={e'ao'an'n'ng.vertline.(ifA=i)} Roman-symbol combination rules: [b]+[A-ou]+(if A=i) [B] [p]+[A]+(if A=i) [B] [m]+[A+e]+(if A=i) [B+u] 2-2. Consonant Subset {d't'n'l} Let First-Stage Vowel Subset A={a'e'ai'ao'ou'an'ang'eng'ong'i'u'v} Second-Stage Vowel Subset B1={e'ao'u'an'ng.vertline.(if A=i)} B2={o'an'n.vertline.(if A=u)} B3={e.vertline.(if A=v)} Roman-symbol combination rules: [ ]+[A-v]+(if A=i) [B1] Or [d]+[A-v]+(if A=u) [B2+i] [t]+[A-v]+(if A=i) [B1-u] Or [t]+[A-v]+(if A=u) [B2+i] [n]+[A+ei+en]+(if A=i) [B+n+ng] Or [n]+[A+ei+en]+(if A=u) [B2-n] Or [n]+[A+ei+en]+(if A=v) [B3] [l]+[A+ei]+(if A=i) [B1+n+ng] Or [l]+[A+ei]+(if A=u) [B2] Or [l]+[A+ei]+(if A=v) [B3] 2-3. Consonant Subset {g'k'h'zh'ch'sh} Let First-Stage Vowel Subset A={a'e'ai'ao'ou'an'en'ang'eng'ong'u} Second-Stage Vowel Subset B={a'o'ai'i'an'n'ng.vertline.(if A=u)} Roman-symbol combination rules: [.sub.k ]+[A]+(if A=u) [B] [zh'ch]+[A+i]+(if A=u) [B] [g'h]+[A+ei]+(if A=u) [B] [sh]+[A+i-ong]+(if A=u) [B] 2-4. Consonant Subset {r'z'c's} Let First-Stage Vowel Subset A={a'e'i'u'ai'ao'ou'an'en'ang'eng'ong} Second-Stage Vowel Subset B=o'i'an'n.vertline.(if A=u)} Roman-symbol combination rules: [r]+[A-a-ai]+(if A=u) [B3] [z]+[A+ei]+(if A=u) [B] [c's]+[A]+(if A=u) [B] 2-5. Consonant Subset {i'q'x} Let First-Stage Vowel Subset A={i'v} Second-Stage Vowel Subset B1={a'e'ao'u'an'n'ang'ng'ong.vertline.(if A=i)} B2={e'an'n.vertline.(if A=v)} Roman-symbol combination rules: [j'q'x]+[A]+(if A=i) [B] Or [j'q'x]+[A]+(if A=v) [B2] 2-6. Consonant Subset {f} Let First-Stage Vowel Subset A={a'o'ei'ou'an'en'ang'eng'u} Roman-symbol combination rules: [f]+[A] 2-7. Zero-Consonant {0} Let First-Stage Vowel Subset A={a'o'ai'ei'ao'ou'an'en'ang'eng'er'y'w} Second-Stage Vowel Subset B1={i'a'e'ao'ou'an'in'ang'ing'ong'ue'uan'un.vertline.(if A=y)} B2={u'a'o'ai'ei'an'en'ang.vertline.(if A=w)} Roman-symbol combination rules: [A]+(if A=y) [B1] Or [A]+(if A=w) [B2] Note: y and w can not be used alone. In accordance with the foregoing Chinese Roman-Symbol Combination Rules, four layers of virtual keyboard sets are provided, as respectively given below:
(1) First-Layer Virtual-Keyboard Set
b p m j q x a o ou
f d t ai ei ao an en er
n l g zh ch sh ang eng
VK k h z c s SP A/a
Page 1 y w VK Num Sym
VK r e Page 3
Page 2
(2) Second-Layer Virtual-Keyboard Set
a e i
u U ai
ei ao ou
an en ong
ang eng
a o e
ai ei ao
ou an en
ang eng (Note: This virtual keyboard is related to
{character pullout}.multidot. {character pullout}.multidot. {character
pullout}.multidot.
i u U and {character pullout} in the First-Layer Virtual
Keyboard Set).
1 2 3
5
4 i u
(Note: This virtual keyboard is related to
{character pullout}.multidot. {character pullout}.multidot. and {character
pullout}
in the First-Layer Virtual Keyboard Set.
(3) Third-Layer Virtual-Keyboard Set
1 2 3
5
4 a
e u ao (Note: Ths virtual keyboard is related to
{character pullout}in the Second-Layer
an n Virtual Keyboard Set.
ang ng ong
1 2 3
5
4 a
e o i (Note: This virtual keyboard is related to
{character pullout}and {character pullout}in the Second-
an Layer Virtual Keyboard Set.
ang ai n
a e i
u ao ou
ue uan un (Note: This virtual keyboard is related to
{character pullout}in the Seeond-Layer
an in ong Virtual Keyboard Set.
ang ing
a u o
ai ei
an en (Note: This virtual keyboard is related to
{character pullout}in the Second-Layer
ang eng Virtual Keyboard Set.
(4) Fourth-Layer Virtual-Keyboard Set
1 2 3
5
4
From the Chinese Roman-Symbol Combination Rules, it can be learned that the consonants [j,q,z] are each unexceptionally followed by a vowel; and the vowels [ai,ei,ao] are unexceptionally unfollowed by another vowel, i.e., these vowels [ai,ei,ao] are unexceptionally the last one in any Romanization combinations. Accordingly, in the second virtual keyboard Page 2, the [j,ai], [q, ei], and [z,ao] are assigned together to the same keys. Moreover, two different consonants that sound closely alike, such as [zh,z], [ch,c], and [sh,s], are also assigned to the same keys, allowing users who are unable to clearly distinguish them to make less input mistakes. As a demonstrative example, when the user wants to input the Chinese character {character pullout} (whose Romanized pronunciation is "piao4") to his/her mobile-phone handset, the input operation includes the following steps: (Step 1) Since the first Roman symbol is "p", the user needs to switch the First-Layer Virtual-Keyboard Set to Pace 1, and then press the physical key {character pullout} on the CCITT-compliant keyboard. This action inputs "p" to the mobile-phone handset. (Step 2) After the action of Step 1 is completed, the virtual keyboard in the Second-Layer Virtual-Keyboard Set that is related to "p" is promptly displayed on the LCD, as illustrated below:
a o e
ai ei ao
ou an en
ang eng
u U
At this time, the user needs just to press the {character pullout} key on the CCITT-compliant keyboard to input the next Roman symbol, i.e., "i" to the mobile-phone handset. (Step 3) After the action of Step 2 is completed, the virtual keyboard in the Third-Layer Virtual-Keyboard Set that is related to "i" is promptly displayed on the LCD, as illustrated below:
1 2 3
5
4 a
e u ao
an n ong
ang ng
At this time, the user needs just to press the {character pullout} key on the CCITT-compliant keyboard to input the next Roman symbol, i.e., "ao", to the mobile-phone handset. (Step 4) After the action of Step 3 is completed, the only virtual keyboard in the Fourth-Layer Virtual-Keyboard Set, which displays tonal symbols only, is promptly displayed on the LCD, as illustrated below:
1 2 3
5
4
At this time, the user needs just to press the {character pullout} key on the CCITT-compliant keyboard to assign the previously-input Romanization combination "piao" to the fourth tone. (Step 5) After the action of Step 4 is completed, the LCD promptly displays all the Chinese characters that are pronounced as "piao4", as illustrated below.
{character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout}
{character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout}
{character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout}
{character pullout} {character pullout} {character pullout}
At this time, the user needs just to press the {character pullout} key on the CCITT-compliant keyboard to input the intended Chinese characters to the mobile-phone handset. CONCLUSION The invention provides a Chinese-character input method and system that allows the user to perform the task of Chinese-character input to a data processor with a reduced keyboard, such as a mobile-phone handset with a CCITT-compliant keyboard having 12 physical keys. The invention allows the user to input Chinese characters through a plurality of virtual keyboards which collectively displays the symbols in the Mandarin Phonetic Symbol Set or the Roman Symbol Set. These virtual keyboards are arranged in relational layers in accordance with the Mandarin Phonetic-Symbol Combination Rules or the Chinese Roman-Symbol Combination Rules, so that the user can perform the task of Chinese-character input to the data processor more conveniently and efficiently than the prior art. The invention has been described using exemplary preferred embodiments. However, it is to be under stood that the scope of the invention is not limite d to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements. The scope of the claims, therefore, should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.
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