JP2011081678A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device for deleting an erroneous input character without registering any erroneous input pattern or correction candidate in advance, and for correcting the erroneous input without reinputting any correct character. <P>SOLUTION: An input device 101 is provided with: a display part 103; an input detection part 104 for detecting input to an input region corresponding to characters; and a control part 106 for, when input across a plurality of input regions is included in inputs performed to characters included in an input character string including characters corresponding to the input detected by the input detection part 104, making a display part 103 display the input character string including the characters corresponding to an input region whose degree of contact is the largest among the plurality of input regions, and for making the display part 103 display a correction candidate character string including a character corresponding to any input region other than the input region whose degree of contact is the largest among the plurality of input regions, and for, when the input detected by the input detection part 104 is input corresponding to the correction candidate character displayed at the display part 103, changing the input character string to the correction candidate character string, and for making the display part 103 display it. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device, and more particularly to an input device capable of easily correcting an erroneous input.

  As an input device for inputting characters, for example, there are devices having a mechanical keyboard or a numeric keypad, or devices having a touch panel on which a keyboard, numeric keypad, or the like is displayed. The touch panel has many advantages such as a high degree of freedom in key layout and an intuitive operation. For this reason, in recent years, the number of portable terminals equipped with a touch panel has increased rapidly. Examples of the portable terminal include a cellular phone, a portable music player, and a portable television. Since these portable terminals are required to be portable, it is necessary to reduce the size of the casing. When inputting a touch panel, it is necessary to display a plurality of keys. However, when a numeric keypad or full keyboard of a portable terminal familiar to the user is displayed on the touch panel, the displayed key is larger than the area of the user's finger. It gets smaller. In this case, when the user performs input to the touch panel with a finger, there is a possibility that a plurality of keys are erroneously pressed and erroneous input is performed.

  The operation of the conventional touch panel will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 shows a state where the user is pressing a plurality of keys. Specifically, the user is erroneously pressing “E” and “S” in an attempt to press the fifth letter “E” of “convenient”. In a conventional touch panel, when a user's finger touches across a plurality of keys, characters corresponding to the center of gravity of the contact are displayed on the display. Therefore, in the case of FIG. 8, “S” corresponding to the center of gravity of the contact is displayed instead of “E” intended by the user. When the user inputs “N” and “I” of the sixth and seventh characters without noticing the erroneous input of “S”, the display screen is as shown in FIG. 9, for example. The key display unit displays keys for user input, the main display unit displays input characters, and the sub display unit predicts the character string displayed on the main display unit. Candidates are displayed. In this case, in order to correct the erroneously entered “S”, the user once returns the cursor to the “S” position, deletes the erroneously entered character “S”, and then corrects the correct character “E”. "Must be entered. Such correction of erroneous input is a time-consuming operation for the user, and causes a reduction in the work efficiency of character input. For this reason, in order to increase the efficiency of character input work, it is required to correct erroneous input efficiently.

  In the conventional erroneous input correction method, it is determined whether or not an input character matches an erroneous input pattern registered in advance. If they match, the input character is determined to be an erroneously input character, and correction candidates registered in advance for the erroneously input character are displayed on the touch panel. By displaying the correction candidates, the user can notice an erroneous input. When the user selects a correction candidate displayed, an erroneously input character is corrected (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 08-297663 A

  However, in the conventional erroneous input correction method, even if the input character is an erroneous input, the correction candidate is not displayed on the touch panel unless it matches the previously registered erroneous input pattern. For this reason, the user may continue the input work without noticing the erroneous input. If the user notices an erroneous input, the user must return the cursor to the erroneous input character, delete the erroneous input character, and re-enter the correct character. Such erroneous input correction is troublesome for the user.

  Even if the entered character is an incorrect input and matches the pre-registered erroneous input pattern, the correct input character must be deleted and re-entered unless the correct character is in the pre-registered correction candidates. I must.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art is to delete an erroneously input character and input a correct character again without previously registering an erroneously input pattern and a correction candidate. And providing an input device capable of correcting an erroneous input.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the input device according to the first invention is
A display unit;
An input detection unit for detecting an input to the input area corresponding to the character;
For an input character string including characters corresponding to the input detected by the input detection unit,
If the input that has been made to the characters included in the input string includes an input that spans multiple input areas,
-Displaying an input character string including characters corresponding to an input region having the highest degree of contact among the plurality of input regions on the display unit;
-A correction candidate character string including characters corresponding to an input region other than the input region having the highest degree of contact among the plurality of input regions is displayed on the display unit;
-If the input detected by the input detection unit is an input corresponding to the correction candidate character string displayed on the display unit, the input character string is changed to the correction candidate character string and displayed on the display unit A control unit,
Is provided.

Further, the control unit displays the prediction conversion candidate of the correction candidate character string on the display unit,
When the input detected by the input detection unit is an input corresponding to the prediction conversion candidate displayed on the display unit, the input character string is changed to the prediction conversion candidate and displayed on the display unit.
It is desirable.

  According to the input device according to the present invention configured as described above, when input over a plurality of input areas is performed, a correction candidate character string (correction candidate) is registered without registering an erroneous input pattern and a correction candidate in advance. ) Is displayed on the display. By inputting the correction candidate character string, the input character string is changed to the correction candidate character string and displayed. That is, an erroneously input character can be corrected without deleting the erroneously input character and re-entering the correct character.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a character display method of the input device of FIG. FIG. 3 is a display screen example of the display unit of FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a process performed by the input device of FIG. 1 when there is an input across a plurality of keys. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a method of correcting an erroneous input in the input device of FIG. FIG. 6 is a display screen example of the display unit of FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a mobile phone as an application example of the input device of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the user is pressing a plurality of keys. FIG. 9 is a display screen example of a conventional touch panel.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Examples of the input device 101 of the present invention include a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a mobile phone, a portable music player, a portable TV, a bank ATM (Automated Teller Machine), and a station ticket vending machine. The input device 101 includes a touch panel 102 including a display unit 103 and an input detection unit 104, a storage unit 105, and a control unit 106.

  The display unit 103 displays keys or buttons for inputting characters and the input characters, and is configured using, for example, a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL display panel. Note that characters include not only hiragana, katakana and alphabets but also numbers and symbols. Characters are assigned to keys or buttons (hereinafter abbreviated as keys). When an input is performed on a key, characters corresponding to the key are displayed on the display unit 103. That is, the key indicates the input area corresponding to the character. When input is performed in a certain input area, characters (character strings) assigned to the input area are displayed on the display unit 103. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the shape of the key matches the input area. In the present invention, it should be noted that the input area corresponding to the character and the shape of the key do not necessarily match, and the input area can be set wider (or narrower) than the key. Further, the keys may not be displayed corresponding to the input area.

  The input detection unit 104 detects input by a user's finger, stylus pen or the like (pressed object), and is configured by a known method such as a resistance film method, a capacitance method, or an optical method. In particular, the input detection unit 104 detects an input to an input area (key) corresponding to a character. In addition, for the input detection unit 104 to detect an input, it is not essential that the pressed object physically presses the input detection unit 104. For example, when the input detection unit 104 is an optical type, the input detection unit 104 detects a position where the infrared rays on the input detection unit 104 are blocked by a finger, a stylus pen, or the like. It is not necessary to press.

  The input detection unit 104 detects which key is input, and also detects the degree of contact (eg, area and pressure) between the detected key and the pressed object. It also has a function of an area sensor that changes the output voltage according to the area and a pressure sensor that changes the output voltage according to the contact pressure. For convenience of explanation below, the degree of contact refers to the contact area.

  The storage unit 105 stores various input information and also functions as a work memory.

  The control unit 106 controls and manages the entire input device 101 including each functional block of the input device 101. Here, the control unit 106 is configured as software executed on an arbitrary suitable processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a dedicated processor specialized for each process (for example, DSP (Digital Signal Processor)). Can be configured.

  The control unit 106 will be described in more detail. When the input detection unit 104 detects an input to the key, the control unit 106 causes the display unit 103 to display an input character string including characters corresponding to the detected input. The input character string is a character string composed of characters corresponding to (assigned to) the key displayed on the display unit 103 when an input to the key is detected. When the input performed on the characters included in the input character string includes an input extending over a plurality of input areas, the control unit 106 selects a pressing object such as a user's finger from the plurality of keys. An input character string including a character corresponding to the key having the largest contact area with the key is displayed on the display unit 103, and a character (correction candidate character) corresponding to a key other than the key having the largest contact area among the plurality of keys is displayed. The correction candidate character string including it is displayed on the display unit 103. The correction candidate character string is a character string composed of an input character string displayed on the display unit 103 and a correction candidate character. That is, when an input is made across a plurality of keys, characters corresponding to all the keys of the plurality of keys are displayed on the display unit 103, although there is a difference between the input character string and the correction candidate character string depending on the contact area. Is displayed. Therefore, a correct character string exists in either the input character string or the correction candidate character string. That is, it is possible to display the correction candidate character string on the display unit 103 without registering the erroneous input pattern and the correction candidate character string in advance. When the correction candidate character string is displayed on the display unit 103, if the input detected by the input detection unit 104 is an input corresponding to the correction candidate character string displayed on the display unit 103, the control unit 106 The character string is changed to a correction candidate character string and displayed on the display unit 103. That is, if an incorrect character string is displayed as an input character string and a correct character string is displayed as a correction candidate character string, the user corrects the erroneous input character by performing input corresponding to the correction candidate character string. can do.

  Hereinafter, a case where the user intends to input “convenient” will be described. Suppose the user tries to input "C", "O", "N", "V", "E", "N", and "I", and accidentally presses the "S" key when entering "E" .

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a character display method of the input device of FIG. FIG. 3 is a display screen example of the display unit when “C”, “O”, “N”, “V”, “E”, “N”, and “I” are input. The display unit 103 includes, for example, a main display unit 107, a sub display unit 108, and a key display unit 109 as shown in FIG.

  First, when an input to a key displayed on the key display unit 109 is performed by a pressing object such as a user's finger or a stylus pen, the input detection unit 104 detects this input (step S101). That is, in step S101, it is detected which key is the input. Then, the input detection unit 104 detects the contact area between the pressed object and the key (step S102). Subsequently, based on the detection result of the input detection unit 104, the control unit 106 determines whether or not the input to the key is an input across a plurality of keys (step S103). Since the input of “C” is an input to only one desired key “C” (No in step S103), the control unit 106 displays an input character string including characters corresponding to the detected input as a main display. The information is displayed on the unit 107 (step S108). The input character string is not limited to being composed of a plurality of characters, and includes one character. Since the input of “C” is the first input, “c” is displayed on the main display unit 107 even if the input character string is displayed. In the second and subsequent inputs, the control unit 106 displays on the main display unit 107 an input character string configured by adding the input character to the input character string already displayed on the main display unit 107. That is, “co” is displayed on the main display unit 107 when “O” is input, “con” is input when “N” is input, and “conv” is input when “V” is input.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, a method of displaying characters when an input is performed across a plurality of keys, that is, an input of “E” will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 4, it is assumed that the user has made an input across both “E” and “S” keys. Then, the input detection unit 104 detects that the input is for the keys “E” and “S” (step S101), and detects the contact area between the pressed object and the keys “E” and “S” (step S101). S102).

  Subsequently, based on the detection result of the input detection unit 104, the control unit 106 determines that the current input is input across a plurality of keys (Yes in step S103), and determines the contact area for “E” and “ The contact area for “S” is compared (step S104). The control unit 106 assigns priorities in descending order of the contact area, and causes the storage unit 105 to store the characters corresponding to the detected input and the priority of each character (step S105). The priority order is defined as the first candidate, the second candidate, and the third candidate in order from the key with the largest contact area, and other than the first candidate is hereinafter referred to as a correction candidate. Referring to FIG. 4, the control unit 106 determines that the letter “S” corresponding to the key with the largest contact area is the first candidate, and sets the letter “E” corresponding to the key other than the key with the largest contact area. The second candidate is determined to be “S” and the second candidate is stored as “E”.

  Next, the control unit 106 reads the first candidate “S” from the storage unit 105 and causes the main display unit 107 to display the input character string including the first candidate “S” (step S106). That is, the input character string “convs” is displayed on the main display unit 107. Further, the control unit 106 reads a character other than the first candidate (“E”) from the storage unit 105 and causes the sub display unit 108 to display a correction candidate character string including a character other than the first candidate (“E”). (Step S107). Note that a correction candidate character string including characters other than the first candidate is a character string formed by adding correction candidates to all of the input character strings already displayed on the main display unit 107 (“conv”) (“ conve "), a character string (" nve ") configured by adding a correction candidate to a part of the input character string (for example," nv ") already displayed on the main display unit 107, and the correction candidate itself (" e "). Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the correction candidate character string “conv” is displayed on the sub display unit 108 below.

  When the user inputs “N” and “I” without noticing the erroneous input of “S”, the control unit 106 causes the main display unit 107 to display the input character string “convsni” in step S108.

  Here, in step S108 in the input after erroneous input, the control unit 106 can also display all or part of the input after erroneous input following the correction candidate character string. For example, the control unit 106 displays the correction candidate character string “conveni” on the sub display unit 108 as shown in FIG.

  The control unit 106 can highlight and display a character displayed on the main display unit 107 or the sub display unit 108 or a character string including the character by an input over a plurality of keys. The highlight display is a highlight display performed to make the user recognize that an input has been performed across a plurality of keys. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the control unit 106 can highlight and display “s” on the main display unit 107 and the correction candidate character string “conveni” on the sub display unit 108. The control unit 106 can also highlight the input character string “convsni” on the main display unit 107 and “e” on the sub display unit 108. Furthermore, the control unit 106 can apply highlight display only to characters or character strings displayed on either the main display unit 107 or the sub display unit 108.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 106 displays the predicted conversion candidates (for example, “convsni” and “CONVSNI”) of the input character string “convsni” displayed on the main display unit 107 on the sub display unit 108. Can be displayed. The predictive conversion candidate is a word or sentence candidate including a character string displayed on the display unit 103. Although not shown, the control unit 106 displays the prediction conversion candidates (for example, “convenience”, “convenient”, “conveniently”) of the correction candidate character string “conveni” displayed on the sub display unit 108 as the sub display unit 108. Can also be displayed.

  With reference to FIG.5 and FIG.6, the correction method of the incorrect input which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a method of correcting an erroneous input in the input device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is a display screen example of the display unit of FIG. Due to the character display method in steps S101 to S108 described above, the main display unit 107 displays an incorrect character string “convsni”, and the correct character string “conveni” originally intended to be displayed is displayed on the sub display unit 108. Has been. Here, when an input corresponding to the correction candidate character string “conveni” on the sub display unit 108 is performed by a user's finger, a stylus pen, or the like, the input detection unit 104 detects the input (step S111). Here, the input corresponding to the correction candidate character string is not limited to only the input directly performed on the input area corresponding to the correction candidate character string on the sub display unit 108 as shown in FIG. Absent. For example, when the control unit 106 displays a key corresponding to the correction candidate character string (for example, a correction candidate selection key) on the key display unit 109, the input to the key is set as the input corresponding to the correction candidate character string. You can also. When the input corresponding to the correction candidate character string is detected by the input detection unit 104, the control unit 106 changes the input character string “convsni” on the main display unit 107 to the correction candidate character string “conveni” and displays it. (Step S112).

  When the predictive conversion candidate of the input character string of the main display unit 107 is displayed on the sub display unit 108, after step S112, the control unit 106 changes the predictive conversion candidate of “convsni” to the predictive conversion candidate of “conveni”. Change (step S113). Examples of “conveni” predictive conversion candidates include “convenience”, “convenient”, and “conveniently” as shown in FIG.

  When the input detection unit 104 detects an input corresponding to the prediction conversion candidate “convenient”, the control unit 106 changes the input character string “conveni” displayed on the main display unit 107 to the prediction conversion candidate “convenient”. Display. From the above, a desired “convenient” is displayed on the main display unit 107.

  Although not illustrated, when the prediction conversion candidate of the correction candidate character string of the sub display unit 108 is displayed on the sub display unit 108, the input detection unit 104 selects the prediction conversion candidate (for example, “convenient”). When the corresponding input is detected, the control unit 106 can also change the input character string “convsni” to the prediction conversion candidate “convenient” and display it on the main display unit 107.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the control unit 106, when the input over a plurality of input areas (keys) is included in the input performed on the characters included in the input character string, An input character string including a character corresponding to an input region having the largest contact degree (contact area) among the input regions is displayed on the display unit 103, and the input region other than the input region having the largest contact degree among the plurality of input regions is displayed. A correction candidate character string including characters corresponding to the input area is displayed on the display unit 103, and the input detected by the input detection unit 104 is an input corresponding to the correction candidate character string displayed on the display unit 103. The input character string is changed to a correction candidate character string and displayed on the display unit 103. When an input is made across a plurality of keys, a character string including a character corresponding to a key other than the key having the largest contact area is displayed on the display unit 103 as a correction candidate character string, so that the correction candidate character string is displayed. Therefore, it is not necessary to register an erroneous input pattern and a correction candidate character string in advance. Even when an erroneous character string is displayed as an input character string on the display unit 103 (main display unit 107) by an input across a plurality of keys, the correct character string is displayed as a correction candidate character string on the display unit 103 (sub display unit 108). ) Is displayed. The user changes an incorrect character string on the display unit 103 (main display unit 107) to a correct character string by inputting the correct correction candidate character string on the display unit 103 (sub display unit 108). It is possible. That is, an erroneously input character can be corrected without deleting the erroneously input character and re-entering the correct character. In order to correct an erroneously input character, it is not necessary to return the cursor to the incorrect character on the display unit 103 (main display unit 107), delete the erroneously input character, and input the correct character. Therefore, the efficiency of character input work is improved.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 106 displays the prediction conversion candidate of the correction candidate character string on the display unit 103, and the input detected by the input detection unit 104 corresponds to the prediction conversion candidate displayed on the display unit 103. The input character string can be changed to a predictive conversion candidate and displayed on the display unit 103. That is, the user performs the input corresponding to the prediction conversion candidate of the correction candidate character string once, thereby correcting the erroneously input character and simultaneously omitting the input of the character to be input and displaying the desired character string on the display unit 103. Therefore, it is possible to further increase the efficiency of character input work.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can easily make various modifications and corrections based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these variations and modifications are included in the scope of the present invention. For example, the functions included in each member, each means, each step, etc. can be rearranged so as not to be logically contradictory, and a plurality of means, steps, etc. can be combined into one or divided. Is possible.

  In the above description of the embodiment of the present invention, the description has been given on the assumption that an input is made over two keys, but an erroneously input character is similarly applied when an input is made over three or more keys. Can be corrected. In this case, only the number of correction candidate character strings increases, and the control unit displays a correction candidate character string including characters corresponding to a key other than the key having the largest contact area on the sub display unit. The control unit can also change the display size, display order, display position, etc. of the correction candidate character string in accordance with the priority order.

  Further, in the description of the embodiment of the present invention described above, when inputting a desired character string to the main display unit, the case where the input across a plurality of keys is performed only once is described. The input that spans is not limited to one time. For example, when the user inputs “convenient”, the input of “E” (small contact area) and “S” (large contact area) and “I” input by the first “E” input And “I” (small contact area) and “K” (large contact area) are input. At this time, the control unit can display the input character string “convsnkient” on the main display unit and the correction candidate character strings “convsnient”, “convenkent”, and “convenient” on the sub display unit. In this case, when the input detection unit detects an input corresponding to “convenient” on the sub display unit, the control unit changes “convsnkient” to “convenient” and displays it. That is, even though there are two erroneously input characters, the user can correct it by making an input corresponding to the correction candidate character string on the sub display unit once.

  In addition, a threshold value can be provided for the contact area between the pressed object such as the user's finger and the key, and the control unit can set the priority only for the key exceeding the threshold value. Thereby, the number of the correction candidate character strings displayed on the sub display unit can be reduced. Therefore, the display space of the display unit can be used effectively. This is particularly effective when the display area of the sub display section cannot be increased. Since the smaller the contact area, the higher the possibility of being pressed by mistake, there is no problem even if a threshold value is provided and characters corresponding to a key with a large contact area are preferentially displayed on the sub display unit.

  In the above embodiment, the input device having a touch panel has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to an input device having a touch panel. The present invention can be applied to any input device including a mechanical key (or button) for detecting an input by a user instead of the touch panel and a display for displaying a character corresponding to the detected input. . Examples of such an input device include a personal computer having a mechanical key (for example, a keyboard and a numeric keypad), a mobile phone, a credit card terminal, and the like. For example, when applied to a mobile phone as shown in FIG. 7, the display unit 103 according to the above-described embodiment corresponds to the display 203 of the mobile phone, and the input detection unit 104 corresponds to the mechanical key 204 of the mobile phone. In this case, character input and correction are performed by operating the mechanical key 204. The correction is performed, for example, by pressing a key (correction candidate selection key) corresponding to the correction candidate character string or by deciding the correction candidate character string on the display 203 with a cursor key or the like. Is possible. When the display 203 is configured by a touch panel, character input can be performed by operating the keys 204 and correction can be performed by direct input to the display 203.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Input device 102 Touch panel 103 Display part 104 Input detection part 105 Memory | storage part 106 Control part 107 Main display part 108 Sub display part 109 Key display part 203 Display 204 Key

Claims (2)

A display unit;
An input detection unit for detecting an input to the input area corresponding to the character;
For an input character string including characters corresponding to the input detected by the input detection unit,
If the input that has been made to the characters included in the input string includes an input that spans multiple input areas,
-Displaying an input character string including characters corresponding to an input region having the highest degree of contact among the plurality of input regions on the display unit;
-A correction candidate character string including characters corresponding to an input region other than the input region having the highest degree of contact among the plurality of input regions is displayed on the display unit;
-If the input detected by the input detection unit is an input corresponding to the correction candidate character string displayed on the display unit, the input character string is changed to the correction candidate character string and displayed on the display unit A control unit,
An input device comprising: The input device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit includes:
Displaying the prediction conversion candidate of the correction candidate character string on the display unit;
When the input detected by the input detection unit is an input corresponding to the prediction conversion candidate displayed on the display unit, the input character string is changed to the prediction conversion candidate and displayed on the display unit. Characteristic input device.

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