JP2001265505A - Character input device for electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a character input device for electronic equipment in which characters are easy to be inputted, for which no character code table is required, with small number of times of key depression and capable of quickly inputting the characters. SOLUTION: This device is provided with a key input part 1 having vowel keys (31 to 35) to input Roman characters to express vowels and consonant keys (11 to 15 and 21 to 24) to be combined with the Roman characters to express the vowels and to input the Roman characters to express consonants and a Roman character and KANA (Japanese syllabary) converting part to convert the Roman characters inputted by the vowel keys (31 to 35) and the Roman characters formed by combining the Roman characters inputted by the consonant keys (11 to 15 and 21 to 24) and the Roman characters inputted by the vowel keys (31 to 35) to KANA and furthermore, the vowel keys (31 to 35) are arranged in one column or one line at any end of up, down, left and right.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a character input device for an electronic device, and more particularly to a character input device for a mobile phone, a PHS, a remote controller, a game pad, etc., which has a small number of input keys for kana input. The present invention relates to a character input device for electronic equipment suitable for inputting.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Electronic devices such as mobile phones and PHSs were originally used for voice communications (calls).
In recent years, female high school students have been using it for sending and receiving messages and e-mails, especially in places where public transportation and classrooms can be used to make calls. It is the main subject, and character input is required. In addition, a remote control or game pad, for example, uses a video tape recorder remote control to put a title on a video tape, or uses a video game console game pad to name a hero or the like of a game. Input is required.

In a conventional electronic device, as shown in FIG.
A character code table in which characters are associated with numbers consisting of two digits has been used. A character input device using such a character code table includes a character code table, a numeric key for inputting a number, and a conversion unit for converting the input number to a character. In the character code table, a number corresponding to is input, and the number is input using the numeric keys of the character input device, and the input number is converted into characters by the conversion unit, thereby inputting the desired character.
For example, when you type "Hello" is, the numeric keys of the character input device, has been pressing the "2503524261".

In another electronic device, input keys are arranged as shown in FIG. Here, the input key of “A” is “Ai-ueo”, the input key of “K” is “Kakikukeko”, the input key of “Sa” is “Sashisuse Soso”,. . (Omitted hereafter). . It is possible to input, and by pressing the same input key several times continuously,
Characters to be entered are "A" → "I" → "U" →
The character was switched from "E" to "O", and characters were selected and input by continuously pressing until the desired character was reached. For example, when you type "Hello" is, the input key of the character input device, "Tata Do snares I'll do Kakakaka is" (I row, I → the → N, switched in the order of) and not press Was.

[0005]

However, in the former case, the user has to search for the number corresponding to the character to be input in the character code table and input the number, so that the character cannot be input quickly. In addition, in the case of the latter, but not the character code table is required, the number of times to press is very much the input key, for example, it is necessary to press the 13 times the input key to enter "Hello", also If the number of consecutive presses is incorrect and the candidate character goes too far, for example, if the user wishes to input "chi" and presses the "ta" key three times to become "tsu", the same is repeated. Press the input key ("ta") five times, and touch
In addition, it was necessary to make one turn and start over from "ta", and again, it was not possible to input characters quickly. In both cases, the position of the input key to be pressed is almost randomly centered on the left and right, so that even if the operation is performed using both hands, it is hardly effective to input quickly as compared with the operation using one hand. As described above, conventional electronic devices cannot input kana characters quickly, and input devices for electronic devices that can easily and quickly input kana characters have been demanded.

[0006] The present invention solves this problem, and its object is to make it easy to input, without requiring a character code table,
An object of the present invention is to provide a character input device for an electronic device that can input characters quickly without pressing the key many times.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a vowel key for inputting a Roman character representing a vowel and a consonant key for inputting a Roman character for representing a consonant in combination with the Roman character representing a vowel. And a Roman character kana conversion unit that converts a Roman character input by a vowel key and a Roman character that is a combination of a Roman character input by a consonant key and a Roman character input by a vowel key to kana. Equipped.

Further, according to the present invention, the key input unit has a plurality of input keys arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, and at least five keys arranged in a vertical line at the right end of the key input unit.
One input key, or at least five input keys arranged in a vertical line at the left end of the key input part, or at least five input keys arranged in a horizontal line at the upper end of the key input part, or a horizontal part at the lower end of the key input part At least five input keys arranged in one line were provided, and the five input keys were vowel keys.

Further, the present invention provides a method for selecting a consonant key from the following:
"G", "Z" and "D" can be input by consonant keys for inputting "K", "S" and "T", respectively, and "B" or "P" can be input by consonant keys for inputting "H". Input is possible, and the Roman alphabet to be input is switched by pressing the consonant key continuously.

In the present invention, the key input section has a SHIFT key for converting the clear tone kana converted by the Roman character kana conversion section into the corresponding voiced or semi-voiced voice.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a character input device for electronic equipment according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 shows a character input device for electronic equipment according to the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the key input unit 1 and the Roman character kana conversion unit 2 are provided. The Roman character kana conversion unit 2 is a program having a function of converting a Roman character entered by the key input unit 1 into a kana character, and is stored in a ROM inside the electronic device character input device. Then, the kana characters output from the Roman character kana conversion unit 2 are displayed on a display unit (not shown).

The key input unit 1 has, for example, input keys arranged in five rows and three columns as shown in FIG. 2, and includes vowel keys (31 to 35) for inputting Roman letters representing vowels and vowels. Consonant keys (11 to 15 and 21 to 24) for inputting Roman letters for representing consonants in combination with Roman letters;
It is composed of a SHIFT key 25 for converting the clear tone kana converted by the Roman character kana conversion section into the corresponding voiced sound or semi-voiced sound kana.

The vowel keys (31 to 35) are vowel keys 3 for inputting a Roman character "A" and "A" in the vertical column on the right side of the key input unit 1 in order from the top.
1. Vowel key 32 for inputting "I", vowel key 33 for inputting "U", vowel key 34 for inputting "E", "O"
And a vowel key 35 for inputting. here,
The vowel keys are arranged in an easy-to-understand manner so that Roman letters representing "aiueo" can be input in order from the top.

Further, "K" or "K"
Consonant key 11 for inputting G "or" C "," S "or"
A consonant key 12 for inputting Z "or" J "," T "or"
A consonant key 13 for inputting "D", a consonant key 14 for inputting "N" or "n", and a consonant key 15 for inputting "H" or "B" or "P" are arranged. From the top, a consonant key 21 for inputting "M" or "F", "
A consonant key 22 for inputting Y "or" X "," R "or"
Consonant key 23 for inputting L "or" Q "," W "or" Q "
A consonant key 24 for inputting "V" is arranged. Here, as for the consonant keys to which a plurality of Roman characters can be inputted, the Roman characters to be inputted are switched one after another by continuously pressing the same consonant key. It is possible to select the Roman alphabet of these consonant keys (11 to 11)
15 and 21 to 24) are arranged in the order of the Japanese syllabary so that a Roman character designating each row of "Katanahana" from the top of the left column and "Marayama" from the top of the center column can be input. Have been.

In this configuration, when a character is input, if the character is a vowel (aiueo), a vowel key (31-35) for inputting a Roman character representing a vowel is depressed, and a clear tone character is selected from the consonants. When inputting, a consonant key (11 to 15 and 21) for inputting a Roman character designating a line of Kiyoon
To 24) and a vowel key (31 to 35) for inputting a Roman character designating a vowel. For example, "Hello"
Is entered, use the consonant keys (11 to 1) of the character input device.
5 and 21 to 24) and the vowel keys (31 to 35)
"KoNNNiTiHa" ( "I" is a consonant key 14 to enter the "N" is pressed twice) if pressed and is input as "Hello".

In the case of inputting a voiced or semi-voiced character in a consonant, as shown in the example of inputting "ji" in FIG. By pressing the Shift key 25, the voice is converted into a voiced sound. If there is a voiced halftone, the character is converted into a voiced voice by pressing the Shift key 25 again. Further, as another method of inputting a character of a voiced sound or a semi-voiced sound, as shown in an example of inputting "ji" in FIG. 4, a line of a clear sound is designated by continuously pressing the same consonant key. It switches from a consonant key to a consonant key for designating a row of voiced sounds, and a consonant key for specifying a row of semi-voiced voices.

The character input device for electronic equipment according to the present invention comprises a vowel key (31-35) and a consonant key (11-15).
And 21 to 24) are combined to enter Roman characters,
The input Roman characters are converted to Kana by the Roman character kana conversion unit 2, so that the input is easy to understand,
Does not require a character code table. Also, the number of times the input key is pressed is reduced to about two times per character. further,
The vowel keys (31 to 35) are arranged in the order of “AI
UEO "and consonant keys (11-15 and 21-24)
Are arranged in the order of the Japanese syllabary from top to bottom in the left column and then from top to bottom in the center column, so that it is very easy to understand and input.

Since the vowel keys (31 to 35) are arranged in the right column, the consonant keys (11 to 15 and 21 to 24) are operated with the left hand, and the vowel keys (31 to 35) are operated with the right hand. It is also possible to operate with both left and right hands, and it is necessary to operate the consonant keys and vowel keys at a ratio of about 1: 1. It becomes possible to input.

FIGS. 5 to 7 are views showing another example of the key input section of the character input device for electronic equipment of the present invention. FIGS. 5 to 7 are different from FIG. 2 only in the arrangement of the input keys, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. In FIG. 5, vowel keys (31 to 31)
35), in the leftmost vertical column of the key input unit 1, a vowel key 31 for inputting "A", a vowel key 31 for inputting "A", a vowel key 32 for inputting "I",
A vowel key 33 for inputting "U", a vowel key 34 for inputting "E", and a vowel key 35 for inputting "O" are arranged, and consonant keys (11 to 15 and 21 to 24).
Are arranged in the order of the Japanese syllabary so that a Roman character designating each row of "Katakana" from the top of the center column and "Marayama" from the top of the right column can be input. In FIG. 6, vowel keys (31 to 35) correspond to a vowel key 31 for inputting "A" and a vowel key 31 for inputting "A" from left to right in a row at the upper end of the key input unit 1. Vowel key 32 to input, vowel key 33 to input "U", "
A vowel key 34 for inputting "E" and a vowel key 35 for inputting "O" are arranged.
5 and 21 to 24) are arranged in the order of the Japanese syllabary so that a Roman character designating each line of “Katakana” in order from the left of the center line and “Marayawa” in order from the left of the lower line can be input. . Further, in FIG. 7, the vowel keys (31 to 35)
Is a romanized letter representing "Aio", a vowel key 31 for inputting "A", a vowel key 32 for inputting "I", and a vowel for inputting "U" in one horizontal line from the left in the lower end of the key input unit 1. Key 33, vowel key 3 for inputting "E"
4, a vowel key 35 for inputting "O". Also, the consonant keys (11-15 and 21-24)
The characters are arranged in the order of the Japanese syllabary so that the Roman characters designating the respective lines of “Katakana” from the left of the upper row and “Marayawa” from the left of the center row can be input.

All of FIGS. 5 to 7 do not require a character code table, have a small number of presses of input keys, and are arranged in the order of the Japanese syllabary. Cheap. The vowel keys (31 to 3)
5) and the consonant keys (11 to 15 and 21 to 24) can be operated with both hands one by one, so that quick input is possible.

[0022]

As described above, according to the present invention, a vowel key for inputting a Roman character representing a vowel and a consonant key for inputting a Roman character for representing a consonant in combination with a Roman character representing a vowel are provided. A key input unit having a roman character input by a vowel key, and a roman character kana conversion unit for converting a roman character input by a consonant key and a roman character input by a vowel key into kana. As a result, since the key to press is the same as the kana input (Roman input) of the PC,
The input is easy to understand, a character code table is not required, and the number of times the character key is pressed does not increase, so that quick input is possible.

Further, according to the present invention, the key input section includes:
It has a plurality of input keys arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, and at least five input keys arranged in a vertical line at the right end of the key input unit, or arranged in a vertical line at the left end of the key input unit. At least five input keys, or at least five input keys arranged in a horizontal line at the upper end of the key input unit, or at least five input keys arranged in a horizontal line at the lower end of the key input unit;
By using the vowel keys as the five input keys, the vowel keys can be operated with the right hand and the consonant keys with the left hand, or vice versa. Therefore, the input can be performed with both left and right hands, and the input can be performed more quickly.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, among the consonant keys, "G", "Z", and "D" can be input by the consonant keys for inputting "K", "S", and "T", respectively. "H" or "B" by the consonant key.
By inputting "P" and switching the Roman alphabet to be input by pressing the consonant key continuously, when inputting the kana of the voiced voice or the semi-voiced voice, specify the line of the corresponding clear voice. If you press the consonant key continuously, the kana of the consonant of the voiced sound or semi-voiced sound will be input,
It is easy to input kana of voiced sounds and semi-voiced sounds.

Further, according to the present invention, the key input unit has the SHIFT key for converting the clear tone kana converted by the Roman character kana conversion unit into the corresponding voiced sound or semi-voiced voiced kana. To enter a semi-sounding sound,
By inputting the corresponding Roman alphabet of Kiyona Kana and pressing the Shift key, it is converted into a voiced voice or a half voiced voice, so that the input of voiced voice and half voiced voice can be easily performed.

[0026]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a character input device for electronic equipment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a key input unit of the character input device for electronic equipment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of inputting a muddy sound of the character input device for electronic equipment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another example of inputting a voice sound of the character input device for an electronic device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of the key input unit of the character input device for electronic equipment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another example of the key input unit of the character input device for an electronic device of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another example of the key input unit of the character input device for electronic equipment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a character code table of a conventional character input device for electronic equipment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a key input unit of a conventional character input device for electronic equipment.

[Description of Signs] 1 Key input unit 2 Roman character Kana conversion unit 11 Consonant key for inputting "K", "G" or "C" 12 Consonant key 13 "for inputting" S "," Z "or" J " Consonant key for inputting "T" or "D" 14 Consonant key for inputting "N" 15 Consonant key for inputting "H" or "B" or "P" 21 Consonant key for inputting "M" or "F" 22 Consonant key for inputting "Y" or "X" 23 Consonant key for inputting "R" or "L" or "Q" 24 Consonant key for inputting "W" or "V" 25 SHIFT key 31 "A" Vowel key 32 to enter "I" 33 vowel key to enter "U" 34 vowel key to enter "E" 35 vowel key to enter "O"

Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Masaru Uchida 1-7 Yukitani Otsukacho, Ota-ku, Tokyo Alps Electric Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2C001 CA01 CA02 5B009 KC06 VC02 5B020 AA05 FF13 FF14 FF32 9A001 BB04 BB06 EE02

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A key input section having a vowel key for inputting a Roman character representing a vowel, a consonant key for inputting a Roman character for representing a consonant in combination with the Roman character representing the vowel, and a vowel key input by the vowel key. A character for electronic equipment, comprising: a Roman character and a Roman character kana conversion unit that converts a Roman character entered by the consonant key and a Roman character entered by the vowel key into a kana. Input device. 2. The key input unit has a plurality of input keys arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, and at least five input keys arranged in a vertical line at a right end of the key input unit; Alternatively, at least five input keys arranged in a vertical line at the left end of the key input unit, or at least five input keys arranged in a horizontal line at the upper end of the key input unit
2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least five input keys arranged in one horizontal line are provided at one input key or at a lower end of the key input unit, and the five input keys are the vowel keys. Character input device. 3. The consonant keys, "K", "K"
S "and" T "are input by consonant keys, respectively.
G "," Z "," D "can be input, and" B "or" P "can be input by a consonant key for inputting" H ",
3. The character input device for an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein a roman character to be input is switched by continuously pressing the consonant key. 4. The key input unit according to claim 1, wherein the key input unit includes a SHIFT key for converting a clear tone kana converted by the Roman character kana conversion unit into a corresponding voiced sound or semi-voiced sound kana. Item 3. The character input device for electronic devices according to Item 2.