CKC Chinese Input System
Encyclopedia
The CKC Chinese Input System is a Chinese input method for computers
that uses the four corner method
to encode characters.
The encoding uses a maximum of 4 digits ("0" - "9") to represent a Chinese character
. All possible shapes of strokes that forms any given Chinese character are classified into 10 groups, each represented by one of the ten possible digits 0-9. Chinese characters can then be input by following the order in which the strokes are identified at the 4 corners of the character. As a result of this simplicity in coding using the ten numeric digits, users typically need to use only a numeric keypad
to input Chinese.
Implementations for both Traditional and Simplified Chinese are available though the coding principle applies to both. In other words, users only need to be trained once and the skill can be applied equally well to both Traditional and Simplified Chinese version of the CKC Chinese Input System.
Training courses on the CKC Chinese Input System are provided by training centres in CKC Centre for the Development of Information Technology for Chinese Language Teaching of The Hong Kong Institute of Education, IVE Haking Wong and http://www.chineseedu.hku.hk/CKC/CKClab/index.htm of Hong Kong University
This means: 1 represents a horizontal stroke, 2 a vertical or diagonal stroke, 3 a dot or left-to-right diagonal stroke, 4 two strokes in a cross shape, 5 three or more strokes in which one stroke intersects all others, 6 a box-shape, 7 where a stroke turns a corner, 8 the shape of the Chinese character 八 and its inverted form, 9 the shape of the Chinese character 小 and its inverted form, and 0 a right-to-left diagonal or left hook stroke.
2. When there are more than 1 way to encode, use one which covers more strokes of the character. Example : the CKC code for the character "綜 " is 2399 as opposed to 2393.
3. Encode each of the shapes ONCE only. Example : the CKC code for the character "香" is 06 as opposed to 0066.
4. When there are more than 1 way to encode, code of the strokes at the left-most or right-most side of the character is preferred. Example : the CKC code for the character "非" is 1111 as opposed to 2222.
5. Strokes positioned at the top most of the character is given priority to code rather than those at lower position. Example : The CKC code for the character "成" is 5307 as opposed to 7307.
environment. Other platforms such as Linux
, Palm
and Pocket PC
are under development.
. The WebCKC allows any PC
connected to Internet
using the MS Internet Explorer to input Chinese Characters using the CKC Chinese Input System.
You can try out the traditional Chinese version or the Simplified Chinese version . Note that you need to use keyboard with numeric keypad in order to input Chinese with this method.
Text entered are stored in the clipboard and therefore ready to be pasted to any desired application.
Chinese input methods for computers
Hundreds of Chinese input methods are available for entry of Chinese characters into computers, but most keyboard-based methods rely on either pinyin phonetic readings or root shapes in Chinese characters...
that uses the four corner method
Four corner method
The Four Corner Method is a character input method used for encoding Chinese characters into either a computer or a manual typewriter, using four or five numerical digits per character. The Four Corner Method is also known as the Four Corner System.The four digits encode the shapes found in the...
to encode characters.
The encoding uses a maximum of 4 digits ("0" - "9") to represent a Chinese character
Chinese character
Chinese characters are logograms used in the writing of Chinese and Japanese , less frequently Korean , formerly Vietnamese , or other languages...
. All possible shapes of strokes that forms any given Chinese character are classified into 10 groups, each represented by one of the ten possible digits 0-9. Chinese characters can then be input by following the order in which the strokes are identified at the 4 corners of the character. As a result of this simplicity in coding using the ten numeric digits, users typically need to use only a numeric keypad
Numeric keypad
A numeric keypad, numpad or tenkey for short, is the small, palm-sized, seventeen key section of a computer keyboard, usually on the very far right. The numeric keypad features digits 0 to 9, addition , subtraction , multiplication and division symbols, a decimal point and Num Lock and Enter keys...
to input Chinese.
Implementations for both Traditional and Simplified Chinese are available though the coding principle applies to both. In other words, users only need to be trained once and the skill can be applied equally well to both Traditional and Simplified Chinese version of the CKC Chinese Input System.
Training courses on the CKC Chinese Input System are provided by training centres in CKC Centre for the Development of Information Technology for Chinese Language Teaching of The Hong Kong Institute of Education, IVE Haking Wong and http://www.chineseedu.hku.hk/CKC/CKClab/index.htm of Hong Kong University
The mapping
The mapping between groups of stokes and their corresponding digits 0-9 can be described by the following:- 一橫二豎三點捺
- 叉四插五方塊六
- 七角八八九是小
- 撇與左勾都是零
This means: 1 represents a horizontal stroke, 2 a vertical or diagonal stroke, 3 a dot or left-to-right diagonal stroke, 4 two strokes in a cross shape, 5 three or more strokes in which one stroke intersects all others, 6 a box-shape, 7 where a stroke turns a corner, 8 the shape of the Chinese character 八 and its inverted form, 9 the shape of the Chinese character 小 and its inverted form, and 0 a right-to-left diagonal or left hook stroke.
Coding principle : single character
1. Order of coding : start from the top left-hand corner, then the top right-hand corner, next followed by the bottom left-hand corner and finally the bottom right-hand corner. Example : CKC code for the character "的" is 07602. When there are more than 1 way to encode, use one which covers more strokes of the character. Example : the CKC code for the character "綜 " is 2399 as opposed to 2393.
3. Encode each of the shapes ONCE only. Example : the CKC code for the character "香" is 06 as opposed to 0066.
4. When there are more than 1 way to encode, code of the strokes at the left-most or right-most side of the character is preferred. Example : the CKC code for the character "非" is 1111 as opposed to 2222.
5. Strokes positioned at the top most of the character is given priority to code rather than those at lower position. Example : The CKC code for the character "成" is 5307 as opposed to 7307.
software availability
The software can be downloaded from The CKC Chinese Input System web site and can be run on the Microsoft WindowsMicrosoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
environment. Other platforms such as Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
, Palm
Palm OS
Palm OS is a mobile operating system initially developed by Palm, Inc., for personal digital assistants in 1996. Palm OS is designed for ease of use with a touchscreen-based graphical user interface. It is provided with a suite of basic applications for personal information management...
and Pocket PC
Pocket PC
A Pocket PC is also known by Microsoft as a 'Windows Mobile Classic device'. It is a hardware specification for a handheld-sized computer, personal digital assistant , that runs the Microsoft 'Windows Mobile Classic' operating system...
are under development.
WebCKC
It is also possible to use the CKC Chinese Input System without installing it on a PCPersonal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
. The WebCKC allows any PC
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
connected to Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
using the MS Internet Explorer to input Chinese Characters using the CKC Chinese Input System.
You can try out the traditional Chinese version or the Simplified Chinese version . Note that you need to use keyboard with numeric keypad in order to input Chinese with this method.
Text entered are stored in the clipboard and therefore ready to be pasted to any desired application.