JP2009032172A - Character input device and communication terminal device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a character input device allowing a user to quickly input Japanese by touching a small number of keys, and to input other languages such as English by touching a small number of keys, even if only 12 keys are prepared. <P>SOLUTION: This character input device has: a keypad having at least 12 keys and having two modes; and a screen showing the operated key and having the two modes. In a first mode, each key of the keypad corresponds to each vowel and a part of consonants, and the screen displays the vowel and the consonant corresponding to each key. In a second mode, the residual consonants not displayed in the first mode are displayed. One of the keys functions as a mode switching key. When the consonant to be inputted in the character input is not displayed in the first mode, the mode switching key is operated to enter the second mode. When the consonant is inputted in the second mode, the mode is changed to the first mode in response to the input. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a character input device and a character input method suitable for a communication terminal device such as a mobile phone or a PHS or a small computer (hereinafter referred to as PDA), and a communication terminal device using the character input method.

  In recent years, communication terminal devices such as mobile phones and PHS have been added with a function of connecting to an Internet line, and it has become possible to send and receive electronic mail (hereinafter simply referred to as “mail”). As a result, it is possible to use e-mail without owning a personal computer, which contributes to the widespread use of e-mail users.

  Also, with the miniaturization of computers, PDAs with high functionality are on the market. As described above, mobile phones and PDAs have been improved in performance, and miniaturization has been rapidly progressing. For this reason, a device capable of inputting characters with a simple operation is required. A character input device that is currently in widespread use is designed to input characters by making kana correspond to dial buttons 0 to 9 of a cellular phone.

  Such a character input device has a problem that the number of key touches is inevitably increased because text input is performed using a small number of keys such as dial buttons. For this reason, for those who can perform touch typing using a full keyboard, text input seems very complicated.

  Some mobile phones and PDAs have a very small full key. However, in this case, each key is extremely small compared to the size of a human finger, and operability is poor.

  What was disclosed by patent document 1 was made | formed in order to eliminate such a problem. In other words, the one disclosed in Patent Document 1 divides 0 to 9 dial buttons and a total of 12 buttons of “*” and “#” into vowel and consonant groups, and further provides cursor keys and mode keys. As a result, the input can be realized with few key touches and the size can be reduced.

  However, such a device has a large number of keys used for input operation, and further improvements are required for quick input and miniaturization.

  As for English input devices, there are PDAs with full keys developed as key layouts for typewriters and mobile phones called smartphones. These are preferably key layouts that the user is accustomed to using, but it is difficult to use a small keyboard with both hands, and the user is forced to use the tip of a pen with one hand.

Thus, since the key was originally designed to be operated with both hands, there was a problem that it was difficult to use if it was made smaller as it was.
JP 2001-184155 A

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above problems. For example, a character input device and a character input method capable of inputting Japanese or English with a small number of keys using only 12 keys and It is intended to provide a communication terminal device using the same, and since the number of keys used for input is small, it is easy to reduce the size.

  A keypad having at least twelve keys and having two modes, and a screen showing keys to be operated and having two modes; in the first mode, each key on the keypad is part of each vowel and consonant And the screen displays the vowels and consonants corresponding to each key, the remaining consonants that were not displayed in the first mode in the second mode, and one of the keys functions as a mode switching key, When the consonant to be input in the character input is not displayed in the first mode, the mode switching key is operated to shift to the second mode, and when the consonant is input in the second mode, the input is answered. To shift to the first mode.

  As described above, it is possible to input Japanese with only a few key touches with at least 12 keys, and input with other languages such as English can be performed with few key touches.

  That is, most languages are composed of a combination of vowels and consonants, and the ability to quickly input a vowel following a consonant can be applied to most languages. For this reason, when a consonant is input in the first mode, the mode automatically shifts to the second mode in which a vowel is input. Therefore, one sound can be input by two key operations.

  Furthermore, since the number of keys used for normal input work is small, it is easy to master the input work, and any age group and user can quickly perform input work.

  In addition, since the number of keys used for the input work is small, it is easy to reduce the size, and by making it small, the range of finger movement when operating is reduced, and the burden on the finger is reduced.

  In this way, it is possible for a user to smoothly input a vowel following a consonant in a short time, so that the user can perform the input work naturally because it is close to the state in which the spoken word is input as it is, and there is no sense of incongruity. Input can be made.

  Since it is possible to input with a particularly small number of keys, it is possible to input texts very easily when combined with a fingertip input device disclosed in, for example, International Publication No. WO 03/019373. In other words, the fingertip input device described in this international publication performs quick input depending on the direction in which the fingertip is applied in a state where the position of the finger is substantially fixed, and if the number of keys is small, The input operation can be performed with the position fixed.

  Therefore, it is possible to perform an input operation without looking at the keys, and by making a monitor sound that can determine which key is pressed each time an input is made, even a person with visual impairment can easily input a sentence. it can.

  Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a mobile phone using the character input device of the present invention. FIG. 1 omits the input screen, and FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show the input screen.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a speaker from which the other party's voice is emitted during a call. 2 is a screen and 3 is a keypad. The keypad 3 is provided with twelve keys 4, an enter key 5 and a switch key 6. Reference numeral 7 denotes a microphone.

  The character input method using the cellular phone will be described first with reference to an input screen and a flow chart showing the operation of the computer, and then a mechanism portion and an electronic circuit provided inside will be described.

  FIG. 2A shows the main screen in the first mode state. In this state, a consonant corresponding to “ka, sa, ta, na, ha” and a vowel “a, i, u, e, o” are displayed on the screen 2. If the sound to be input here is in the column of “ka, sa, ta, na, ha”, the consonant is input as it is, and then the vowel is input.

  The operation so far will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6 showing the operation of the computer. In step A, the operation is started, and in step B, the first mode is set and the main screen is displayed. In step C, input from the keypad 3 is awaited.

  In the case of Japanese, the sound is often in the “A, I, U, E, O” and “Ka, Sa, Ta, Na, Ha” columns. Input is possible.

  In other words, Japanese vowels and D, H, N, R, S, T, WXYZ and symbols that are frequently used as consonants are placed on the main screen, and B, C, F, J, K are placed on the sub screen. , L, M, P, Q, T, V, functions, and W, X, Y, Z, symbols, and characters that appear when you enter “WXYZ and symbols” on the main screen on the sub screen. ing.

  In addition, Z is input for the input of the prompting flight, and the subsequent consonant / vowel combination is performed. For example, if the number is small, ZTU is input. Alternatively, TTA may be input and converted to “TA”.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 6, in step D, it is determined whether or not the character displayed on the main screen is input.

  If the consonant is not in this row, press the switch key 6 to shift to the second mode of FIG. 2 (b), and select the consonant corresponding to “ma, ya, ra, wah, za, ぢ, bu, pa”. Display the screen to represent and input the desired consonant. Then, in response to this input, the screen enters the first mode and is in a state where vowels can be input. This switching key 6 may be provided separately from the 3 × 4 12 keys as shown in FIG. 1, or may be assigned to one of the 12 keys.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 6, the switch key 6 is pressed to proceed to step E to enter the second mode. Thereafter, when a desired consonant is input in step F, the process returns to the first mode.

  When inputting a symbol, the switch key 6 is pressed to move to the symbol input mode shown in FIG. 2 (c) and a desired symbol is input. When it is desired to designate various functions, the switch key 6 is further pressed to shift to the function designation mode shown in FIG.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 6, the input of the switching key 6 is awaited in step G, the symbol input mode of step H is entered by the input of the switching key 6, and the function designation mode is entered when the switching key 6 is further pressed.

  Here, for example, an example of inputting “You said” will be described. As shown in FIG. 3A, the consonant “k” of the first character “ki” is input in the first mode state. Then, as shown in FIG. 3B, the process shifts to the second mode in which vowels are input. When the vowel “i” is input here, the character “ki” is input. When the enter key 5 is pressed here, the input is confirmed. In the flowchart of FIG.

  Next, in response to the input of the enter key 5, as shown in FIG. 3 (c), the mode again shifts to the first mode, and the consonant “m” corresponding to “mi” is input as shown in FIG. 3 (d). Similarly to the above, “mi” is input by inputting a vowel as shown in FIG.

  As for the input of the prompt sound such as “Tane”, the consonant “t” of “ta” is input twice in succession as shown in FIG. 3F, and then the vowel “a” is input. Finally, in order to input a punctuation point, the punctuation point is input in the second mode as shown in FIGS. 3 (g) and 3 (h).

  Further, the function of the switching key 5 and the switching key 6 changes for each screen depending on whether the long press for a long operation or the short press for a short operation. For example, when the switch key 5 is pressed for a short time, it functions as “return”, and when it is pressed for a long time, it functions as “decision”. Further, for example, when the switch key 6 is pressed for a long time, “switch” is selected, and when the switch key 6 is pressed for a short time, “delete” is selected.

  The above is the operation in the first embodiment of the character input device of the present invention, and the mechanism portion and the electronic circuit provided inside will be described below. FIG. 4A shows a cross section of the keypad 3, and FIG. 4B shows an enlarged front view.

  The surface of the keypad 3 is made of a flexible material such as silicon rubber, and provided with protrusions 8 to 16 corresponding to “1 to 9”, respectively, and protrusions 17 to 19 corresponding to “*, 0, #”, respectively. Is provided. Further, projections corresponding to the determination key 5 and the switching key 6 are also provided.

  Electrodes are provided on the back surfaces of the protrusions 8 to 19 and the determination key 5 and the switching key 6, and an electrostatic switch or a contact that detects a change in the electrostatic capacity when pressed is pressed down. A contact switch for detection is configured.

  FIG. 4C shows a display on the screen 2 corresponding to the keypad 3. That is, for example, when the projection 9 corresponding to “2” is pressed, the color of “2” is reversed, indicating that “2” is pressed.

  FIG. 5 shows a circuit block diagram of a communication terminal device using the character input device of the present invention. Here, the same components as those in FIG. Reference numeral 20 denotes a microprocessor (hereinafter referred to as CPU), which has an arithmetic processing circuit, storage means, and the like.

  The CPU 20 is connected to the keypad 3 and operates as programmed in response to data input from the keypad 3. The operation of the CPU 20 will be separately described in detail with reference to a flowchart.

  The display 2 is connected to the CPU 20 via a driver 21. A character table / dictionary unit 22 stores character data to be displayed on the display 2 based on data input from the keypad 3. A communication circuit 23 transmits and receives radio waves to ensure communication with the base station.

  In the above first embodiment, all vowels and a part of consonants are displayed on the first screen in the first mode, and the screen is switched when a consonant that is not on the screen is input first. However, the screen that appears first may be reversed.

  That is, a consonant may be displayed on the first screen in the first mode, a consonant may be input on the screen, and the screen may be switched to a screen that displays all vowels and a part of the consonant in response to the input.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which the number of keys is 12 has been shown, but there is no problem even if the number is larger than this, for example, 16.

  Furthermore, if the number of keys is 12, it is reasonable to use a 3 × 4 key layout, but if a mark that can be identified by touch of a finger, such as a protrusion, is attached to the key in the second row in the second row, It is possible to input only with the touch of a finger without looking at the keys.

  In the above embodiment, Japanese input has been described as an example. However, since most languages are composed of combinations of consonants and vowels, Latin languages such as English and Mandarin or Korean can also be input. Can be applied.

  A second embodiment suitable for inputting English will be described below. 8A to 8D show English input screens. Fig. 8 (a) is the main screen, where English vowels A, E, I, O, U and D, H, N, R, S, T, WXYZ and symbols that are frequently used other than vowels are arranged. B, C, F, J, K, L, M, P, Q, T, V and function keys are arranged on the sub screen 1 in FIG. 8B, and the sub screen 2 in FIG. W, X, Y, Z, symbols, and character keys that appear when you enter “WXYZ and symbols” on the main screen.

  In the function screen of FIG. 8D, cursor movement keys and function keys such as “copy” and “paste” are arranged. Further, the function of the switching key 5 and the switching key 6 is changed for each screen between a long press for a long operation and a short press for a short operation, which is the same as the above Japanese input operation.

  Furthermore, “Aa” switches between uppercase and lowercase letters, long press displays / selects common symbols, “arrow” displays / selects function screen, long press switches to sub screen, function screen includes editing function screen including cursor movement function Is displayed.

  The operation of the CPU of the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step A of FIG. 9, it is determined whether or not the character is on the main screen of FIG. 8A. In many cases, the character is on the main screen. Next, the process proceeds to Step C for return input or Step D for delete input.

  In other words, if the entered character is correct, the process proceeds to step C, and if it is incorrect and erased, the process proceeds to step D. If the entered character is correct, it is confirmed in step E and a confirmation process is performed. The confirmation process is an operation of storing the completed sentence in the storage device.

  If there is no character to be input on the main screen of FIG. 8A, the process proceeds to the sub screen 1 of FIG. 8B or the sub screen 2 of FIG.

  In step F, not only the characters on the sub-screen 1 but also the process advances to step H to display the function screen (d) and select a function. Alternatively, in step G, not the character input on the sub screen 2, but the process proceeds to step I to set the character selection screen and the character screen.

  As described above, it is possible to select and input all characters, symbols or functions by operating as shown in the flowchart of FIG.

Here, in consideration of the frequency of use of characters used when creating an English sentence, how to display on the main screen, FIG. 8 (b) sub-screen 1 and FIG. 8 (c) sub-screen 2 in FIG. It is reasonable to arrange it according to the purpose of the user.
That is, in FIG. 7, three examples are cited as randomly selected citations from magazines of the natural science genre, but in the example sentences (a), (b), and (c), there are 709 total characters including blank characters and symbols. Among them, (a) the number of characters on the main screen is 559 (79%), (b) the total number of characters on the sub screen 1 and (c) sub screen 2 is 150 (21%) There is an overwhelming difference. Furthermore, when the example sentences (a), (b), and (c) are input with the character input device of the present invention, the total number of taps is 852, which is compared with the total number of taps 1514 when input with the conventional character input device. Then, the tap number becomes 56%. Therefore, it is better to allow users to select texts, politics, natural sciences, etc., depending on the field of writing.

  Next, the case where a specific sentence is input with the character input device of the present invention is compared with the case where the character is input with a conventional character input device. Here, description will be given below using an example of inputting “CALL UP!”.

  First, the operation of a conventional tap type as shown in the patent document will be described. To input “C”, tap 2 keys, then move the cursor to input “A” and move 2 cursors to 1 tap, “L” for 5 keys, 3 taps, then “L” Move the cursor to enter 5 and tap 3 keys, enter space (blank character) and enter 2 taps of 8 keys to enter "U", 1 to 7 keys to enter "P" In order to input a tap, “!”, A total of 19 taps of 3 taps of 1 key are required.

  Next, an input example of the same “CALL UP!” By the input method of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. To input “C”, it is displayed at the beginning of the English input screen. (A) Press the “Switch” key on the main screen. (B) Enter 1 tap on the sub screen 1, 2 taps, and then input “A”. 1 tap, press the “Switch” key (c) Double tap “L” from the sub screen 2, automatically switch to the main screen 1 and enter a space (blank character) and “U” 1 tap, press the switch key to input “P”, (b) 1 tap on sub-screen 1, (c) display sub-screen 2 and input 3! The operation ends.

  In the above example, it has been shown that the input device of the present invention can input with a small number of operations, but this can be said universally even for other sentences. In other words, the number of operations is inevitably reduced because it is possible to freely bring characters with a high occurrence frequency to the main screen when inputting text, by software design.

  Further, the keypad 3 can be arranged by the user by matching the arrangement of the keys 4 on the keypad 3 shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 with the key arrangement of the monitor image of the keys displayed on the screen 2. The operation can be performed without looking, and the user can operate by looking only at the screen 2, so that the operability is extremely high.

  In particular, if the most frequently used 3 × 4 array of keys is placed in the size range of one finger, it can be input by simply pressing the fingertip in any direction without moving the wrist. Input can be done very easily and quickly.

  In the above embodiment, the cellular phone device is shown as an application example of the character input device, but it may be applied to a PDA or the like in addition to this. In addition, since it is possible to input quickly with a small number of keys, it is easy for a person with visual impairment to use a monitor sound that can identify the operated key, and thus it can also be used as an input device for such a person. Furthermore, since it can be input easily with one finger, it is easy to use even for people who have lost their fingers due to accidents or other causes, and is an input device with great social significance.

It is a front view which shows Example 1 of the communication terminal device of this invention. It is a figure which shows the input screen of Example 1 of the communication terminal device of this invention. It is a figure which shows the continuation of the input screen of Example 1 of the communication terminal device of this invention. It is a figure which shows the key of Example 1 of the communication terminal device of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows Example 1 of the communication terminal device of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of Example 1 of the communication terminal device of this invention. It is a figure which shows the quotation of Example 2 of the communication terminal device of this invention. It is a figure which shows the input screen of Example 2 of the communication terminal device of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of Example 2 of the communication terminal device of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Speaker 2 Display 2 Screen 3 Keypad 4 Key 5 Enter key 6 Switch key

Claims (7)

A keypad having at least twelve keys and having a plurality of modes; and a screen showing keys to be operated and having a plurality of modes. In the first mode, each key of the keypad is one of each vowel and consonant. And the screen displays the vowels and consonants corresponding to each key, the remaining consonants that were not displayed in the first mode in the second mode, and one of the keys as a mode switching key. When a consonant to be input when a character is input is not displayed in the first mode, the mode switching key is operated to shift to the second mode. When a consonant is input in the second mode, the input is performed. In response to the character input device, the character input device shifts to the first mode. A keypad having at least twelve keys and having a plurality of modes, and a screen showing keys to be operated and having a plurality of modes, each key of the keypad corresponding to a part of a consonant in the first mode And the screen displays the consonant corresponding to each key, the vowel in the second mode and the remaining consonant not displayed in the first mode, and one of the keys functions as a mode switching key, When the consonant to be input is not displayed in the first mode, the mode switching key is operated to shift to the second mode, and when the consonant is input in the second mode, in response to the input A character input device which shifts to the first mode. The character input device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the keypad is provided with keys corresponding to various functions in addition to keys used for inputting each vowel and consonant. The character input device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the keypad has a key arrangement of 4 rows and 3 columns. 5. The character input device according to claim 4, wherein the keypad has function keys in addition to the key arrangement of 4 rows and 3 columns. The character input device according to claim 5, wherein the function key has a function that is changed between a long time operation and a short time operation. A keypad having at least twelve keys and having a plurality of modes; and a screen showing keys to be operated and having a plurality of modes. In the first mode, each key of the keypad is one of each vowel and consonant. And the screen displays the vowels and consonants corresponding to each key, the remaining consonants that were not displayed in the first mode in the second mode, and one of the keys as a mode switching key. When a consonant to be input when a character is input is not displayed in the first mode, the mode switching key is operated to shift to the second mode. When a consonant is input in the second mode, the input is performed. A communication terminal device having a character input device that is shifted to the first mode in response to

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