JP2002342012A - Character input device in portable telephone - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve operability by reducing the number of times of pressing keys for character input. SOLUTION: When one of a key '1' to the key '0' constituting ten keys is pressed, by a matrix chart switching part 105, among matrix charts A to C stored in a memory 104, the characters of a row corresponding to the pressed one of the ten keys are selected from the matrix chart A as an input candidate group limited to the key '1' to the key '6' which are the prescribed number of the keys. By a display part 108, the selected input candidate group is displayed. When one of the input candidate group is selected by one of the key '1' to the key '6', the selected input candidate group is displayed as an input character.

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 a portable telephone for inputting characters using a numeric keypad of the portable telephone.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, in character input in a portable telephone, a row of Japanese syllabary is assigned to each of "1" to "0" keys constituting a numeric keypad. In this case, a method is used in which the characters of the assigned line change.

In such a method, for example, when the "1" key is depressed five times, "o" in that line is input. Also,
In the case of a character with a voiced dot, for example, after inputting "?", "GA" is input by adding a voiced dot. Also,
In the input of the repetitive sound, as in the case of inputting a character with a voiced dot, a method of switching by pressing a special key once after confirming a normal character, or pressing the same key six times is adopted. However, in such a method, the number of times the numeric keypad is pressed to input a target character is increased, which hinders improvement in operability.

In order to eliminate such hindrance to improvement in operability, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 10-3427 is disclosed.
In the 67th publication, by making the 50 sounds into a matrix,
The number of key presses is reduced.

[0005]

However, in the above-described prior art, when a character with a voiced point or a character with a half-voiced point is input, it is necessary to add a voiced point or a half-voiced point after determining a character without a voiced point. There is. In addition, in the case of inputting a character with a murmur, for example, it is necessary to add a voiced point or a semi-voiced point after determining a character having no voiced or semi-voiced point, and to add a lowercase letter.

For this reason, in the case of inputting a character with a voiced character or a character with a half-voiced sound, or a character with a murmur, the number of key presses also increases, which prevents further improvement in operability. It has become.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a character string in a portable telephone capable of further improving operability by drastically reducing the number of key presses for character input. An input device can be provided.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a character input device for a portable telephone, comprising: a first to a first character representing a predetermined character corresponding to a numeric keypad of an operation unit including a plurality of keys;
When any one of the numeric keys and the memory storing the third matrix table is pressed, the characters in the row corresponding to any of the pressed numeric keys from the first matrix table are limited to a predetermined number of keys. A matrix table switching unit for selecting an input candidate group, and displaying the input candidate group. When any of the input candidate groups is selected by any of a predetermined number of keys, the selected input candidate group is displayed as an input character. And a display unit for displaying as. Also, the first
To the third matrix table have symbols indicating the switching of these matrix tables, an input candidate group limited to a predetermined number of keys includes a symbol indicating the switching, and the display unit displays the switching. While the input candidate group including the symbol indicating the switching is displayed, the matrix table switching unit changes the symbol to indicate the switching when any of a predetermined number of keys corresponding to the symbol indicating the switching displayed on the display unit is pressed. The switching of the first to third matrix tables can be performed based on this. Further, in the input candidate group limited to a predetermined number of keys displayed on the display unit, when any one of a predetermined number of keys other than the key corresponding to the sign indicating switching is pressed, the character determination unit Characters corresponding to any of a predetermined number of pressed keys can be determined. Also,
The display unit may be provided with an input candidate group display area for displaying an input candidate group limited to a predetermined number of keys, and a character input area for displaying a determined character. 6. The character input method for a mobile phone according to claim 5, wherein the memory stores first to third matrix tables representing predetermined characters corresponding to numeric keys of the operation unit; When any one of the numeric keys is pressed by the switching unit, a character in a row corresponding to any of the numeric keys pressed from the first matrix table is selected as an input candidate group limited to a predetermined number of keys.
And the display unit displays an input candidate group, and when any of the input candidate groups is selected by any of a predetermined number of keys, the selected input candidate group is displayed as input characters. And a third step. In addition, the first step includes a fourth step in which a symbol indicating switching of these matrix tables is added to the first to third matrix tables, and the second step includes a predetermined number of matrix tables. A fifth step in which a sign indicating switching is added to the input candidate group limited to the keys, and a third step in which an input candidate group including the sign indicating switching is displayed in the third step Is included, and the matrix table switching unit
When any one of a predetermined number of keys corresponding to a sign indicating switching displayed on the display unit is pressed, switching of the first to third matrix tables is performed based on the sign indicating switching. Can be. In the sixth step, when any one of a predetermined number of keys other than the key corresponding to the sign indicating switching among the input candidate groups limited to the displayed predetermined number of keys is pressed, a character is displayed. The determining unit may include a seventh step in which the character corresponding to any of the predetermined number of pressed keys is determined. The seventh step is an eighth step in which an input candidate group limited to a predetermined number of keys is displayed in an input candidate group display area, and the ninth step is that a fixed character is displayed in a character input area. And a step of: In the character input device of the mobile phone according to the present invention, when any one of the ten keys is pressed, the matrix table switching unit causes the first matrix table to store the first matrix table among the first to third matrix tables stored in the memory. A character in a row corresponding to any of the numeric keys pressed from the table is selected as an input candidate group limited to a predetermined number of keys, and the display unit displays the selected input candidate group and displays the input candidate group. When any one of the keys is selected by any of a predetermined number of keys, the selected input candidate group is displayed as input characters.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a character input device in a portable telephone according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a display area of a display unit in FIG. 1, and FIGS. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a character input method in the character input device of FIG.

A character input device (hereinafter simply referred to as a character input device) in a mobile phone shown in FIG.
Key input receiving unit 102, control unit 103, memory 104,
A matrix table switching unit 105, a display control unit 106, a character determination unit 107, and a display unit 108 are provided.

The operation unit 101 is used, for example, for inputting characters, and is composed of "1" which constitutes a ten key.
Key to "0" key. Key input receiving unit 102
Accepts a key input of the operation unit 101. The control unit 103 controls the operation of each unit according to a predetermined control program.

The memory 104 stores data corresponding to the matrix tables A to C shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 and data indicating the transition order of the matrix tables A to C shown in FIG. Here, in the matrix tables shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the numbers (1 to 0) in the rows and columns are indicated by the operation unit 101.
Key "1" to "0".

The matrix table switching unit 105 changes the matrix tables A to C of FIGS. 7 to 9 described later in accordance with the key input received by the key input reception unit 102, and changes the matrix tables A to C shown in FIG. Switching is performed based on data indicating the order. In addition, matrix tables A to
In C, when a character is determined in any of the matrix tables A to C, the matrix table A is automatically switched. In addition, the matrix table switching unit 105 responds to the pressing of the “1” key to the “0” key, as shown in FIG.
An input candidate group limited to the "6" key is selected.

The display control unit 106 includes a key input receiving unit 10
Display unit 108 in response to the key input received by
This controls the contents displayed on the screen. Character determination unit 107
Is used to determine a character according to the key input received by the key input receiving unit 102.

The display unit 108 displays predetermined contents under the control of the display control unit 106. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the display unit 108 has a character input area 109 and an input candidate group display area 110. Incidentally, when the “2” key of the operation unit 101 is pressed, the input candidate group display area 110 of the display unit 108 is limited to, for example, the “1” key to the “6” key as shown in FIG. The input candidate group is displayed. Here, when any one of the “1” to “5” keys is pressed, the character corresponding to any of the “1” to “5” keys is determined and displayed in the character input area 109. Here, when the “6” key is pressed, the input candidate group display area 110 of the display unit 108 is displayed as shown in FIG.
The contents are switched to the contents shown in FIG. Here, for example, when the “1” key is pressed, the character determination unit 107
"GA" is determined and displayed in the character input area 109. When the “6” key is pressed, the input candidate group display area 110 of the display unit 108 is switched to the content as shown in FIG.

Next, a description will be given of a character input method in the character input device having such a configuration.

First, as shown in FIG. 4, when a key "2" of the "1" to "0" keys of the operation unit 101 is pressed (step 401), the matrix table switching unit 105 First, the character “KA” corresponding to the “2” key of the matrix table A shown in FIG. 7 is selected, and FIG.
, The input candidate group display area 1 of the display unit 108
In FIG. 10, the display control unit 106 sets the input candidates limited to the “1” to “6” keys to “1: or” and “2:”.
, "3: ku", "4: KE", "5: KO", "6: switch" are displayed (step 402). Here, for example, when the “1” key of the operation unit 101 is pressed (step 403), the character “ka” is determined by the character determination unit 107 (step 404), and is displayed in the character input area 109 of the display unit 108. The determined "?" Is displayed. Thus, the input of the first character is completed.

Incidentally, the "1" key of the operation unit 101
When the “7” to “0” keys of the “0” key are pressed, the “7” key is invalidated in the matrix table A.
The "0" key is ignored, and input of a new key is awaited.

In step (403), when the "6" key of the operation unit 101 is pressed, the matrix table A is switched to the matrix table B by the matrix table switching unit 105, and input candidates of the display unit 108 are input. In the group display area 110, for example, as shown in FIG.
The input candidate group limited to the “1” to “6” keys is “1: ga”, “2: gi”, “3: gu”, “4: ge”,
“5: Go” and “6: Switch” are displayed. Here, for example, when the “1” key of the operation unit 101 is pressed, the character determination unit 107 determines the character with a clouded point of “GA”,
The determined “GA” is displayed in the character input area 109 of the display unit 108. This completes the input of the characters with clouded dots.

According to the above-described procedure, for example, when a character with a semi-voiced mark, for example, "@" is input,
When the "6" key of the operation unit 101 is pressed, "ha" to "switch" of the matrix table A are displayed in the input candidate group display area 110 of the display unit 108.
When the "6" key is pressed twice, an input candidate group of "@" to "switch" in the matrix table C as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed in the input candidate group display area 110 of the display unit 108.
When the “2” key of the operation unit 101 is pressed in this state,
"ぴ" which is a character with a semi-voiced dot is determined, and the display unit 10
The determined "@" is displayed in the character input area 109 of No. 8.

In the case of inputting a repetitive character, for example, "@", the above procedure is followed by inputting "@" first, and then pressing the "8" key of the operation unit 101. The input candidate group of “Y” to “switch” in Table A is displayed in the input candidate group display area 110 of the display unit 108. In this state, when the “6” key of the operation unit 101 is pressed, “ゃ”, “ゅ”,
Since the input candidate group of “cho” and “switch” is displayed in the input candidate group display area 110 of the display unit 108, the operation unit 101
By pressing the “3” key, “” is determined,
The determined "@" is displayed in the character input area 109 of the display unit 108. Thereby, for example, “ぴ ゅ” which is a repetitive character is input.

When a prompt, such as "A", is input, the above procedure is followed by inputting "A" and then pressing the "4" key of the operation unit 101 to display the matrix table. The input candidate group of “A” to “switch” of A is displayed in the input candidate group display area 110 of the display unit 108.
When the “6” key of the operation unit 101 is pressed in this state, the input candidate group of “tsu” and “switch” in the matrix table B of FIG. 8 is displayed in the input candidate group display area 110 of the display unit 108. Therefore, by pressing the “3” key of the operation unit 101, “tsu” is determined, and the determined “tsu” is displayed in the character input area 109 of the display unit 108. As a result, a prompt such as “A” is input.

As described above, in this embodiment, when any one of the “1” key to “0” key constituting the numeric keypad is pressed, the matrix table switching unit 105 causes the memory 10
In the matrix tables A to C, which are the first to third matrix tables stored in No. 4, the character of the row corresponding to any of the numeric keys pressed from the matrix table A is a predetermined number of keys “1”. The selected input candidate group is selected as an input candidate group limited to the key to the “6” key, and the display unit 108 displays the selected input candidate group, and any one of the input candidate groups is a predetermined number of keys “1”. When any one of the keys to "6" is selected, the selected input candidate group is displayed as an input character. It can be carried out.

In the present embodiment, the input candidate group limited to the "1" to "6" keys is displayed in the input candidate group display area 110 of the display unit 108. By selecting a character, the characters to be input are determined, so that not only the operability is greatly improved, but also the matrix tables A to C are used as in the case of hitting a conventional pager (registered trademark). You do not need to remember.

Although the present embodiment has been described with respect to the case of inputting a character with a voiced character or a character with a semi-voiced sound and a character with a murmur or a sound, the present invention is not limited to this example. It is also effective when inputting.

That is, conventionally, when inputting one-byte katakana or alphanumeric characters, it is necessary to switch the "input character mode" before inputting. So, for example, to enter a sentence that contains numbers and hiragana like "second"
First, specify "full-width input mode", enter "dai", switch to "number input mode", enter "2", return to "full-width input mode" again, and enter "Kaino" There is a need to.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, "two-byte kana (three)", "one-byte katakana (two)", "two-byte alphanumeric uppercase", "two-byte alphanumeric lowercase", "one-byte alphanumeric uppercase",
A matrix table of six types and nine types, such as “half-width lowercase alphanumeric characters”, is created and stored in the memory 104. The matrix table switching unit 105 switches the matrix table as described above in response to pressing of any one of the “1” key to “0” key of the operation unit 101, thereby enabling the “full-width input” described above. It is not necessary to switch to "mode" or "numeric input mode".

In this case, "double-byte kana" → "half-width katakana" → "full-width alphanumeric (uppercase)" → "full-width alphanumeric (lowercase)" → "half-width alphanumeric (uppercase)" → "half-width alphanumeric (lowercase) The matrix table is transitioned in the order of “→ Kana”. The transition to "full-width kana" is performed in three matrix tables, and similarly, "half-width katakana" is also transitioned in two matrix tables.

When inputting alphanumeric characters and the like, the input state is held in the matrix table switching unit 105, and a matrix table of the same type as the immediately preceding character is set as the first matrix table. By doing so, the operability of character input is further improved.

[0031]

As described above, according to the character input device in the portable telephone according to the present invention, when any one of the ten keys is pressed, the first to third memorys stored in the memory by the matrix table switching unit. In the matrix table, a character in a row corresponding to any of the numeric keys pressed from the first matrix table is selected as an input candidate group limited to a predetermined number of keys, and the display unit displays the selected input candidate group. When any one of the input candidate groups is selected by any of a predetermined number of keys while being displayed, the selected input candidate group is displayed as input characters. The number of presses can be greatly reduced, and operability can be further improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing one embodiment of a character input device in a mobile phone of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a display area of a display unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a character input method in the character input device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a character input method in the character input device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a character input method in the character input device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a character input method in the character input device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a character input method in the character input device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a character input method in the character input device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a character input method in the character input device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a character input method in the character input device of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 101 operation part 102 key input reception part 103 control part 104 memory 105 matrix table switching part 106 display control part 107 character determination part 108 display part 109 character input area 110 input candidate group display area

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A memory storing first to third matrix tables representing predetermined characters corresponding to numeric keys of an operation unit including a plurality of keys, and one of the numeric keys is pressed. A matrix table switching unit that selects a character in a row corresponding to any of the pressed numeric keys from the first matrix table as an input candidate group limited to a predetermined number of keys; and A display unit for displaying, when any one of the input candidate groups is selected by any of the predetermined number of keys, displaying the selected input candidate group as input characters. A character input device in a mobile phone. 2. The first to third matrix tables have symbols indicating the switching of the matrix tables, and the input candidate group limited to the predetermined number of keys includes the symbols indicating the switching. And the display unit displays the input candidate group including the symbol indicating the switching, and the matrix table switching unit includes the matrix table switching unit corresponding to the predetermined symbol corresponding to the symbol indicating the switching displayed on the display unit. 2. The character input device according to claim 1, wherein when any one of the number keys is pressed, the first to third matrix tables are switched based on a symbol indicating the switching. 3. . 3. An input candidate group limited to the predetermined number of keys displayed on the display unit, and any one of the predetermined number of keys other than a key corresponding to the sign indicating the switching is pressed. The character input device for a mobile phone according to claim 2, wherein a character corresponding to any one of the pressed number of keys is determined by a character determination unit. 4. The display unit is provided with an input candidate group display area for displaying an input candidate group limited to the predetermined number of keys, and a character input area for displaying the determined character. The character input device for a mobile phone according to claim 3, wherein 5. A first step in which a memory stores first to third matrix tables representing predetermined characters corresponding to numeric keys on an operation unit, and a matrix table switching unit for selecting one of the numeric keys. Is pressed, a second step in which a character in a row corresponding to any of the pressed numeric keys is selected as an input candidate group limited to the predetermined number of keys from the first matrix table, The display unit displays the input candidate group,
A third step in which, when any of the input candidate groups is selected by any of the predetermined number of keys, the selected input candidate group is displayed as input characters. Character input method on the phone. 6. The first step includes a fourth step in which a symbol indicating switching of these matrix tables is added to the first to third matrix tables, and wherein the second step is performed. Includes a fifth step in which a symbol indicating the switching is added to an input candidate group limited to the predetermined number of keys, and the third step includes a symbol indicating the switching. A sixth step in which an input candidate group is displayed is included, and any one of the predetermined number of keys corresponding to a symbol indicating the switching displayed on the display unit is pressed by the matrix table switching unit. 6. The character input method according to claim 5, wherein switching of the first to third matrix tables is performed based on a symbol indicating the switching. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein, in the input candidate group limited to the displayed predetermined number of keys, any of the predetermined number of keys other than the key corresponding to the sign indicating the switching is included in the sixth step. 7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: a seventh step in which, when the key is pressed, a character determination unit determines a character corresponding to any one of the pressed number of keys. Character input method for mobile phones. 8. The seventh step, wherein an input candidate group limited to the predetermined number of keys is displayed in an input candidate group display area; and the determined character is displayed in a character input area. Is displayed ninth
8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising the steps of: