JP2017010275A - Character input device, character input method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a character input device configured to improve operability of a user for character input, while securing an advertising space during character input, a character input method, and a program.SOLUTION: A character input device includes: an input processing unit 11 which receives and processes an operation in a character selection area on a touch panel, and outputs position information indicating a position of the operation; a database 13 which holds tables representing a character group to be selected in each of a plurality of areas formed by dividing the character selection area; a character specification processing unit 12 which specifies one of the areas and selects a table corresponding to the specified area from the database 13 when first operation is performed in the character selection area, and specifies one of the areas and specifies a character in reference to the selected table when second operation is performed; and a display control unit 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a character input device, a character input method, and a program.

  Conventionally, devices using a touch panel such as smartphones and tablet terminals have been widely used, and character input using a software keyboard displayed on the screen of the touch panel is also possible. As a character input method, a toggle method and a flick method are widely adopted. In the toggle method, a plurality of characters are assigned to one key of the software keyboard, and the input candidate characters are sequentially changed and the display is updated each time one key is repeatedly tapped. In the flick method, when you tap one key on the software keyboard for a long time, multiple selection candidate characters are displayed in the center, top, bottom, left, and right. When you slide your finger toward the desired character, the character is determined and displayed. Is updated.

  On the other hand, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic device in which characters are input from a touch panel. That is, in this electronic device, a plurality of pieces of information are assigned to an information input frame and displayed. When one of them is pressed, sub-information is displayed in a frame adjacent to the pressed frame. Information or sub-information displayed in the pressed frame is determined as input information.

JP 2010-33525 A

  However, in the input method according to the prior art, since a plurality of character keys are densely arranged on the software keyboard, when one input is performed and the next input is performed, the user operating on the software keyboard This created an area where his finger could not be seen, which could interfere with the search for the next character key. For example, in the flick method, the character key of the selected character is displayed on the top, bottom, left, and right so as to surround the character key at the center of the representative character, but a part of the character key of the selected character is on the key of the representative character Sometimes it got in the way and was not visible.

  Furthermore, in the above-described prior art, the software keyboard is displayed with a certain area on the touch panel screen, and a desired character is selected from the software keyboard. Therefore, there is a space for performing other display when inputting characters. It was limited. Today, information terminals such as smartphones have become an attractive place for advertising, but with the software keyboard displayed in this way, it was not possible to secure an advertising space.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and improves the operability of the user's character input, and can secure a display space for advertisements and the like even during character input. An object is to provide a character input method and a program.

  In order to solve the above problem, a character input device according to an aspect of the present invention is a character input device using a touch panel, and the character selection region is an operation guide region and a character selection region displayed on the touch panel. An input processing means that receives and processes an operation on the touch panel and outputs at least position information indicating an operation position on the touch panel, and a group of characters that can be selected in each of a plurality of areas that divide the character selection area. When a storage unit that holds a plurality of tables and a first operation is performed on the character selection area, one of the plurality of areas is identified based on the position information related to the first operation, and the storage When a table corresponding to the area is selected by the means and a second operation is performed on the character selection area, the table is based on the position information related to the second operation. Specifying one of the plurality of regions, referring to the selected table, character specifying processing means for specifying a character, display control means for displaying the specified character on the touch panel, It has.

  A character input method according to another aspect of the present invention is a character input method by a character input device using a touch panel, and an operation on the character selection area among an operation guide area and a character selection area displayed on the touch panel. And at least outputting position information indicating an operation position on the touch panel, and when a first operation is performed on the character selection area, the position information is based on the position information related to the first operation. Specifying one of a plurality of areas, selecting a table corresponding to the area from the storage means, and when a second operation is performed on the character selection area, the position information relating to the second operation Identifying one of the plurality of regions based on the reference and identifying a character with reference to the selected table; and the identified character And a, and displaying on the touch panel.

  A program according to another aspect of the present invention is a program incorporated in a character input device using a touch panel, wherein the character input device selects the character among the operation guide area and the character selection area displayed on the touch panel. Input processing means for receiving and processing an operation on an area and outputting at least position information indicating an operation position on the touch panel, and a group of characters that can be selected in each of a plurality of areas dividing the character selection area Storage means for holding a plurality of tables, when a first operation is performed on the character selection area, one of the plurality of areas is specified based on the position information related to the first operation, and the storage means When the table corresponding to the area is selected and the second operation is performed on the character selection area, the position related to the second operation is selected. Character identification processing means for identifying one of the plurality of areas based on the information and identifying the character with reference to the selected table, and display control for displaying the identified character on the touch panel As a means.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a character input device, a character input method, and a program that improve the user's character input operability and can secure a display space for advertisements and the like even when characters are input. Can do.

It is a block diagram of the character input device which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the character input device which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. (A) thru | or (c) are the screen transition diagrams of the screen displayed in the process of the character input device which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. (A) thru | or (c) is a figure which shows the other example of a display of the guide area | region of FIG. It is a block diagram of the character input device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. (A) thru | or (c) are the screen transition diagrams of the screen displayed in the process of the character input device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the character input device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. (A) thru | or (d) are the screen transition diagrams of the screen displayed in the process of the character input device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. (A) thru | or (d) are the screen transition diagrams of the screen displayed in the process of the character input device which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. (A) thru | or (c) are the screen transition diagrams of the screen displayed in the process of the character input device which concerns on 5th Embodiment of this invention. (A) thru | or (c) are the screen transition diagrams of the screen displayed in the process of the character input device which concerns on 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the information terminal to which the character input device which concerns on the 1st thru | or 6th embodiment of this invention is applied.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a character input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in the figure, the character input device includes a character input system 1 and a touch panel 2. The character input system 1 includes an input processing unit 11, a character identification processing unit 12, a database (hereinafter abbreviated as DB) 13, and a display control unit 14, and the touch panel 2 further includes an operation unit 21 and a display unit 22. ing. More specifically, the output of the operation unit 21 is connected to the input of the character input unit 11, and the output of the character input unit 11 is connected to the input of the character identification processing unit 12. The output is connected to the input of the display control unit 14. The output of the display control unit 14 is connected to the input of the display unit 22. The character identification processing unit 12 is connected to the DB 13 so as to exchange data.

  In such a configuration, an initial screen is displayed on the display unit 22 of the touch panel 2. The state of the display is as shown in FIG. 3A, for example. Although details will be described later, a character input area 101, an operation guide area 102, and a character selection area 103 are provided.

  When a tap operation is performed in the character selection area 103, operation information is sent to the input processing unit 11 of the character input system 1. This operation information includes position information (for example, coordinate information) on the touched screen. When the character selection area 103 is tapped for the first time (first operation), the input processing unit 11 performs input processing, specifies the coordinate information of the tapped position, and sends it to the character specification processing unit 12. The character identification processing unit 12 selects a table for character identification based on the coordinate information. Then, the character specification processing unit 12 sends tap position information for specifying the tapped position to the display control unit 14. The display control unit 14 updates the display on the display unit 22 based on the tap position information. Specifically, the display mode is changed so that the tapped region is visible.

  When the character selection area 103 is tapped next (second operation), the input processing unit 11 performs input processing, specifies the coordinate information of the tapped position, and sends it to the character specification processing unit 12. The character identification processing unit 12 identifies a character based on the coordinate information with reference to the previously identified table for character identification. And the character information etc. which were specified to the display control part 14 are sent. The display control unit 14 updates the display of the display unit 22 based on the character information. Specifically, the specified character is displayed in the character input area 101. The above operation is repeated to input a desired character into the character input area 101.

  The processing procedure performed by the character input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This also corresponds to the character input method according to the first embodiment. Here, the screen transition diagrams of FIGS. 3A to 3C are referred to as appropriate.

  When the process is started, the display unit 22 first displays an initial screen (S1). The state of the initial screen is as shown in FIG. 3A. A character input area 101 is displayed at the top of the initial screen 100, and an operation guide area 102 is displayed below it. A character selection area 103 is displayed below the operation guide area 102. Here, for convenience of explanation, the character selection area 103 is surrounded by a broken line, but this broken line is not actually displayed. A mark 104 indicating the center point is shown in the center of the character selection area 103. As shown in FIG. 3B, the character selection area 103 includes first to eighth areas 103a to 103h that are radially divided by four straight lines passing through the center point. Each selectable character is assigned to 103h.

In the operation guide area 102, selectable characters assigned to the areas 103a to 103h of the character selection area 103 are shown in a list format.
For example, it is assigned as follows.
・ First area 103a Line ・ Kakiku ・ Second area 103b Koko ・ Sa line ・ Third area 103c Line ・ Nanu ・ Fourth area 103d Neno ・ Ha line ・ Fifth area 103e Line ・ Yayu Yo ・ Sixth area 103f row ・ Wawan ・ Seventh area 103g Symbol ・ Eighth area 103h

  Although details will be described later, when the character selection area 103 is tapped for the first time (first operation), a selectable character group is identified according to this assignment, and the first tap to the eighth area 103a to 13h (the next tap ( Assign a character that can be specified in the second operation). For example, when the first area 103a is tapped for the first time, the characters that can be selected in the first to eighth areas 103a to 103h are “A”, “I”, “U”, “E”, “O” "," "Ka", "ki", "ku" are assigned respectively. Next, when tapped (second operation), a character is specified by the tapped region.

  When the character selection area 103 on the screen 100 is tapped (YES in S2), the input processing unit 11 receives the operation information from the operation unit 21 and performs input processing (S3). That is, the input processing unit 11 sends position information (for example, coordinate information) included in the operation information to the character identification processing unit 12.

  The character specification processing unit 12 selects a table for character specification stored in the DB 13 based on the position information, further specifies a tap position based on the position information, and supplies the tap position information to the display control unit 14. Transmit (S4). The display control unit 14 updates the display on the display unit 22 based on the tap position information. Specifically, the display mode is changed so that the tapped region in the character selection region 103 can be viewed on the screen 110 as shown in FIG. In this example, since it is assumed that the first area 103a is tapped, the index 105 is displayed so as to overlap the area.

  Subsequently, the input processing unit 11 determines whether or not the character selection area 103 has been tapped again (S6), and repeats this determination until the predetermined time elapses (NO in S7). S7 is YES) and this process is terminated. On the other hand, when it is detected that the character selection area 103 is tapped again (YES in S6), the input processing unit 11 performs input processing in response to the operation information from the operation unit 21 (S8). That is, the input processing unit 11 sends position information (for example, coordinate information) included in the operation information to the character identification processing unit 12.

  The character identification processing unit 12 identifies the tap position based on the position information, identifies the character corresponding to the tapped region with reference to the previously identified table, and controls display of the tap position information and the character information. The data is sent to the unit 14 (S9). The display control unit 14 updates the display on the display unit 22 based on the tap position information and the character information. Specifically, the display mode is changed so that the tapped region in the character selection region 103 can be viewed on the screen 120 as shown in FIG. In this example, since it is assumed that the fifth area 103e is tapped, the index 106 is displayed so as to overlap the area. Further, the specified character is displayed in the character input area 101. Thus, a series of processes relating to character input is completed.

  In the above description, an example in which one hiragana is specified and input by two taps to the character selection area 103 has been shown, but numbers and alphabets can also be specified by the same method. In that case, a list as shown in FIG. 4A or FIG. 4B is displayed in the operation guide area 102. 4A shows a list displayed in the operation guide area 102 when inputting alphabets, and FIG. 4B shows a list displayed in the operation guide area 102 when inputting numbers. Each is shown. Hiragana, alphabets, or numbers are input as appropriate by, for example, detecting a tap on the mark 104 by the input processing unit 11 and changing a table referred to by the character identification processing unit 12. Good. However, it is not limited to this.

  In the first embodiment, a selectable character group is specified by the first tap (first operation) to the character selection area 103, and selectable characters are assigned to the first to eighth areas 103a to 103h. In the example shown in the next tap (second operation), a character corresponding to the tapped area is specified and displayed in the character input area 101. However, when the first tap is made, the operation guide area 102 is displayed. May be switched as shown in FIG. That is, here, it is assumed that the first area 103a is tapped first, but in that case, when the first to eighth areas 103a to 103h are tapped next, “A”, “I”, “U”. ”,“ E ”,“ o ”,“ ka ”,“ ki ”,“ ku ”may be switched to a table indicating that selection is possible. In this way, the operability for the user will be further enhanced.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, while referring to the list of operation guide areas, the character groups assigned to the first to eighth areas of the character selection area are recognized, It is possible to input a desired character simply, quickly and accurately by a 2-tap operation. At this time, since the operation guide area is displayed in a different area from the character selection area, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the operation guide area cannot be seen with his / her finger when selecting a character. In addition, the first to eighth regions of the character selection region correspond to eight directions that are diagonally divided radially by four straight lines passing through the center point, so that it is easy to learn the operation.

Second Embodiment
Next, FIG. 5 shows a configuration of a character input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Here, the same components as those in FIG.

  As shown in the figure, in the character input device, the character input system 1 side includes an advertisement control unit 15 and an advertisement DB 16 in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. In the advertisement DB 16, various kinds of advertisement information are stored in an HTML format or the like. In such a configuration, in the character input process, the advertisement control unit 15 causes the advertisement DB 16 to read the advertisement information and send it to the display control unit 14. The display control unit 14 displays the advertisement by overlapping the advertisement display area on the character selection area of the character input screen. The advertisement control unit 15 may periodically update or add information in the advertisement DB 16.

  Hereinafter, with reference to the screen transition diagrams of FIGS. 6A to 6C, the advertisement display on the screen performed in the process of character input will be described in detail. Again, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, the same components and regions as those in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, in the initial screen 200, an advertisement display area 201 is provided so as to overlap the character selection area 103, and an advertisement is displayed in the advertisement display area 201. At this time, since the mark 104 indicating the center point for the area division of the character selection area 103 is displayed from above the advertisement, it is possible to select a character by referring to the list of the operation guide area 102 from above the advertisement. It becomes. Although the case where the advertisement display area 201 matches the character selection area 103 is illustrated here, a relationship in which a part of the area overlaps may be used.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, when the first tap is made, an index 105 indicating that the tapped area is selected is displayed on the screen 210. With this index 105, the user can proceed with the operation while confirming the position tapped by the user. Even in this process, the advertisement display area 201 is provided in the character selection area 103 so that the advertisement is displayed. However, the display of the index 105 is given priority only for the display part of the index 105, and the advertisement is partially hidden by the index 105. The indicator 105 may be semi-transparent and superimposed on the advertisement.

  As shown in FIG. 6C, when the next tap is performed, an index 106 indicating that the tapped area is selected is displayed on the screen 220 as described above. Even in this process, the advertisement display area 201 is provided in the character selection area 103 so that the advertisement is displayed. However, as described above, the advertisement is partially hidden by the index 106. The character is specified by the second tap, and the specified character is displayed in the character input area 101 of the screen 220. Note that the indicator 106 may be semi-transparent and superimposed on the advertisement.

  6 (a) to 6 (c), when an anxious advertisement is displayed during the character input process, the advertisement detail button 202 is tapped to move to the URL of the advertisement and display the screen. You can also switch to full screen advertising.

  In the above description, the case of inputting hiragana has been described as an example. However, as in the first embodiment, it is of course possible to input numerals and alphabets.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first embodiment, the advertisement display area is provided in the same area in a wide range of character selection areas. Can be input simply, quickly and accurately with a two-tap operation. Since the screen displayed on information terminals such as smartphones appeals to users and is an attractive destination for advertisers, it is possible to display advertisements in a wide range of characters even when entering characters in this way. This contributes to the improvement of product value.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the configuration of the character input device according to the third embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of FIG. 1, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description will be made with reference to FIG. 1 as appropriate.

  The character input device according to the third embodiment enables character input by effectively utilizing the small screen even when the screen area is smaller than that of the first embodiment. Specifically, the display of the operation guide area is not always displayed, but is displayed for a predetermined time at a timing desired by the user so as to effectively utilize the display space.

  Hereinafter, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7, the process procedure by the character input device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. This also corresponds to the character input method according to the third embodiment. Here, the screen transition diagrams of FIGS. 8A to 8D are referred to as appropriate.

  When this process is started, the display unit 22 first displays an initial screen (S21). The state of the initial screen is as shown in FIG. 8A. A character input area 301 is displayed at the top of the initial screen 300, and a character selection area 303 is displayed below it. Here, for convenience of explanation, the character selection area 303 is surrounded by a broken line, but the broken line is not actually displayed. A mark 304 indicating the center point is shown at the center of the character selection area 303. As shown in FIG. 8C, the character selection area 303 has first to eighth areas 303a to 303h that are radially divided by four straight lines passing through the center point. Selectable characters are assigned to 303a to 303h, respectively.

  When the character selection area 303 on the screen 300 is tapped (YES in S22), the input processing unit 11 receives the operation information from the operation unit 21 and performs input processing (S23). Subsequently, the input processing unit 11 determines whether or not it is the mark 304 indicating the center point that has been tapped (S24). If it is the center point (YES in S24), the character specification processing unit 12 corresponds. The information of the table to be extracted is extracted from the DB 13 and sent to the display control unit 14, and the display control unit 14 displays a list in the operation guide area 302 as shown in FIG. 8B (S25). This display is made until a predetermined time elapses. When the predetermined time elapses (YES in S26), the display of the list in the operation guide area 302 is deleted (S27), and the process returns to step S21.

  In the operation guide area 302, selectable characters assigned to the areas 303a to 303h of the character selection area 303 are shown in a list format. Since this assignment is the same as in the first embodiment, a duplicate description is omitted.

  On the other hand, when the tapped mark 304 is not the center point mark 304 (NO in S24), the input processing unit 11 sends the position information (for example, coordinate information) included in the operation information to the character identification processing unit 12, The character specification processing unit 12 selects a table for character specification stored in the DB 13 based on the position information, further specifies a tap position based on the position information, and supplies the tap position information to the display control unit 14. Transmit (S28). The display control unit 14 updates the display on the display unit 22 based on the tap position information (S29). Specifically, the display mode is changed so that the tapped region in the character selection region 303 can be viewed on the screen 320 as shown in FIG. In this example, since it is assumed that the first area 303a is tapped, the index 305 is displayed so as to overlap the area.

  Subsequently, the input processing unit 11 determines whether or not the character selection area 303 has been tapped again (S30), and repeats this determination until the predetermined time elapses (NO in S31), and when the predetermined time elapses ( S31 is YES) and this process is terminated. On the other hand, when it is detected that the character selection area 303 is tapped again (YES in S30), the input processing unit 11 performs input processing in response to the operation information from the operation unit 21 (S32). That is, the input processing unit 11 sends position information (for example, coordinate information) included in the operation information to the character identification processing unit 12.

  The character identification processing unit 12 identifies the tap position based on the position information, identifies the character corresponding to the tapped region with reference to the previously identified table, and controls display of the tap position information and the character information. The data is sent to the unit 14 (S33). The display control unit 14 updates the display on the display unit 22 based on the tap position information and the character information. Specifically, the display mode is changed so that the tapped region in the character selection region 303 can be viewed on the screen 330 as shown in FIG. In this example, since it is assumed that the fifth area 303e is tapped, the index 306 is displayed so as to overlap the area. Further, the specified character is displayed in the character input area 301. Thus, a series of processes relating to character input is completed.

  In the above description, the case of inputting hiragana has been described as an example. However, as in the first embodiment, it is of course possible to input numerals and alphabets.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment of the present invention, even when the display basin is narrower than the touch panel of the first and second embodiments, the user can display the operation guide area. Since it is performed only for a predetermined time at the timing of erasing and is erased after the lapse of time, the area can be effectively used. This is particularly effective when the area of the touch panel is small, such as a wristwatch type information terminal.

<Fourth embodiment>
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the configuration of the character input device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is the same as that shown in FIG. 5, the same reference numerals are used for the same components, and the description will be appropriately made with reference to FIG.

  Hereinafter, with reference to the screen transition diagrams of FIGS. 9A to 9D, the advertisement display on the screen performed in the process of character input will be described in detail. Also here, for simplification of description, the same components and regions as those in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, in the initial screen 400, an advertisement display area 401 is provided so as to overlap the character selection area 303, and an advertisement is displayed in the advertisement display area 401. At this time, since the mark 304 indicating the center point for the area division of the character selection area 302 is displayed from above the advertisement, it is possible to select characters from above the advertisement. Although the case where the advertisement display area 401 matches the character selection area 303 is illustrated here, a relationship in which a part of the area overlaps may be used.

  When the mark 304 indicating the center point is tapped, a screen 410 as shown in FIG. 9B is displayed. That is, on this screen 410, the operation guide area 302 is displayed so as to overlap the advertisement display area 401. The operation guide area 302 is erased after a predetermined time, and the screen returns to the initial screen 400 as shown in FIG.

  When the user first taps in the area other than the mark 304 on the initial screen 400, the screen 420 indicates that the tapped area is selected, as shown in FIG. 9C. An indicator 305 is displayed. With this index 305, the user can proceed with the operation while confirming the position tapped by the user. Even in this process, since the advertisement display area 401 is provided so as to overlap the character selection area 303, the advertisement is kept displayed. However, the display of the index 305 is prioritized only for the display portion of the index 305, and the advertisement is partially hidden by the index 305. Note that the index 305 may be made translucent and superimposed on the advertisement.

  When the next tap is made, as shown in FIG. 9D, the screen 430 displays an index 306 indicating that it has been selected in the tapped area, as described above. Even in this process, since the advertisement display area 401 is provided so as to overlap the character selection area 303, the advertisement is kept displayed. However, as described above, the advertisement is partially hidden by the index 306. The character is specified by the second tap, and the specified character is displayed in the character input area 301 of the screen 430. Note that the indicator 306 may be translucent and overlaid on the advertisement.

  In addition, in FIG. 9A to FIG. 9C, when an anxious advertisement is displayed in the process of character input, the advertisement detail button 402 is tapped to move to the URL of the advertisement and display the screen. You can also switch to full screen advertising.

  In the above description, the case of inputting hiragana has been described as an example. However, as in the first embodiment, it is of course possible to input numerals and alphabets.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the third embodiment, the advertisement display area is provided in the same area in a wide range of character selection areas. Can be input simply, quickly and accurately with a two-tap operation. In a wristwatch type information terminal, the fact that an advertisement can be displayed in a wide area despite the limited area of the touch panel contributes to the enhancement of the value of the product.

<Fifth Embodiment>
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the structure of the character input device which concerns on 5th Embodiment of this invention is the same as that of FIG. 1, description is advanced with reference to FIG. 1 suitably using the same code | symbol about the same structure. The fifth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the character selection area is displayed near the right end or the left end in accordance with the user's advantage.

  Hereinafter, with reference to the screen transition diagrams of FIGS. 10A to 10C, the screen display performed in the process of character input will be described in detail. Since the processing procedure is the same as that of the first embodiment (the flowchart of FIG. 2), only the different parts will be described here.

  As shown in FIG. 10A, in the initial screen 500, the character selection area 503 is allocated as a rectangular area having a width of about half the width of the screen toward the right end or the left end in accordance with the user's advantage. . In the figure, the broken line is shown for convenience of explanation, and only the mark 504 indicating the center point is actually displayed. However, the character selection area 503 may be displayed by a broken line. In this example, since it is assumed that a right-handed user taps with the thumb, the character selection area 503 is set near the right end of the screen, and the mark 504 is displayed. Whether the image is displayed near the right edge or the left edge of the screen can be set by a user setting. In this way, the user can select characters from the character selection area 503.

  When a certain area is tapped, the screen is switched to a screen 510 as shown in FIG. That is, in this screen 510, the area tapped by the user is indicated by the index 505. In this example, it can be seen that the first region 503a has been tapped.

  When the next tap is made, as shown in FIG. 10C, an index 506 indicating that the tapped area is selected is displayed on the screen 520 as described above. This screen 520 shows that the fifth area 503e has been tapped by the user. Thus, a character is specified by two taps, and the specified character is displayed in the character input area 501. In this example, “O” is selected and displayed.

  In the above description, the case of inputting hiragana has been described as an example. However, as in the first embodiment, it is of course possible to input numerals and alphabets.

  As described above, according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, since the character selection area is allocated as a rectangular area near the right edge or the left edge of the screen, the user can hold the information terminal with one hand and hold the thumb. Therefore, it is possible to input characters simply and quickly.

<Sixth Embodiment>
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the configuration of the character input device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention is the same as that shown in FIG. 5, the same reference numerals are used for the same components, and the description will be appropriately made with reference to FIG.

  Hereinafter, with reference to the screen transition diagrams of FIGS. 11A to 11C, the advertisement display on the screen performed in the process of character input will be described in detail. Also here, for simplification of explanation, the same components and regions as those in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 10A, in the initial screen 600, an advertisement display area 501 is provided in a wide range including the character selection area 503 by partially overlapping the character selection area 503, and the advertisement display area 501. An advertisement is displayed on At this time, since the mark 504 indicating the center point for the segmentation of the character selection area 503 is displayed from above the advertisement, it is possible to select characters from above the advertisement.

  Then, when the first tap is made by the user on the initial screen 600, as shown in FIG. 10B, the screen is switched to the screen 610, and an index 505 indicating that the area is tapped is displayed. The With this index 505, the user can proceed with the operation while confirming the position tapped by the user. Even in this process, since the advertisement display area 601 is provided so as to overlap the wide area partially overlapping with the character selection area 503, the advertisement is maintained in the displayed state. However, only the display portion of the index 505 is prioritized to display the index 505, and the advertisement is partially hidden by the index 505. Note that the indicator 505 may be translucent and displayed on the advertisement.

  When the next tap is made, as shown in FIG. 10C, an index 506 indicating that the tapped area is selected is displayed on the screen 620 as described above. Even in this process, since the advertisement display area 601 is provided so as to overlap the character selection area 503, the advertisement is kept displayed. However, as described above, the advertisement is partially hidden by the index 506. The character is specified by the second tap, and the specified character is displayed in the character input area 501 of the screen 620. Note that the indicator 506 may be translucent and displayed on the advertisement.

  In FIG. 10 (a) to FIG. 10 (c), when an anxious advertisement is displayed during the character input process, the advertisement detail button 602 is tapped to move to the URL of the advertisement and display the screen. You can also switch to full screen advertising.

  In the above description, the case of inputting hiragana has been described as an example. However, as in the first embodiment, it is of course possible to input numerals and alphabets.

  As described above, according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the fifth embodiment, the advertisement display area is provided in the same area in a wide range of character selection areas. Can be input simply, quickly and accurately with a two-tap operation.

<Seventh embodiment>
Finally, FIG. 12 shows and describes a hardware configuration example of an information terminal to which the character input device according to the first to sixth embodiments can be applied. Information terminals include various devices such as smartphones, tablet terminals, PDAs, mobile phones, game machines, and notebook computers.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the information terminal 700 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 701, an HDD (Hard Disc Drive) 702, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 703, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 704, a communication I / F 705, A touch panel 709 in which an external I / F 706, a display unit 707, and an operation unit 708 are integrated is provided. These are communicatively connected via a bus 710.

  In such a configuration, the CPU 701 controls the entire information terminal 700. The HDD 702 is a nonvolatile storage device that holds programs and various data. The ROM 703 is a non-volatile memory in which programs and various data are stored. A RAM 704 is a volatile memory that provides a work area when a program is executed. The CPU 701 functions as a character input device in combination with the touch panel 709 by reading and executing a program such as the HDD 702.

  In addition, the communication I / F 705 is an interface that realizes communication with an external device. For example, when acquiring advertisement information or skipping an advertisement destination link, the communication I / F 705 communicates with the external device via the communication I / F 705. Communication is performed.

  As described above in detail, according to the first to seventh embodiments of the present invention, a character input device using the touch panel 2 is provided. The character input device includes the character selection area (103, 303, or 503) among the operation guide area (102, 302, or 502) and the character selection area (103, 303, or 503) displayed on the touch panel 2. And an input processing unit 11 serving as input processing means for outputting at least position information indicating an operation position on the touch panel 2. Furthermore, it has DB13 as a memory | storage means which hold | maintained multiple tables which each showed the character group which can be selected in each area | region of the some area | region which divided the character selection area | region (103,303, or 503). Further, when the first operation is performed on the character selection area (103, 303, or 503), one of the plurality of areas is specified based on the position information related to the first operation, and the storage means When a table corresponding to the area is selected and the second operation is performed on the character selection area (103, 303, or 503), one of the plurality of areas is selected based on the position information related to the second operation. And specifying the character with reference to the selected table, a character identification processing unit 12 as a character identification processing unit for identifying a character, and a display control unit as a display control unit for displaying the identified character on the touch panel 2 14. Among these, the input processing means, the character specifying processing means, and the display control means are functions of the character input system 1 realized by the CPU 701 reading and executing a program such as the HDD 702.

  Here, the character selection area (103, 303, or 503) is radially divided into first to eighth areas (103a to 103h, 303a to 303h, or 503a to 503h) by four straight lines passing through the center point. In the first to eighth areas, the selectable character group includes a first character group consisting of “A line, ka, ki, kaku” and “ke, ko, sa line”. The second character group, the third character group consisting of “Ta line, na, ni, nu”, the fourth character group consisting of “ne, no, ha line” and “ma line, ya, yu, yo” ”, A sixth character group consisting of“ La Line, Wa, O, N ”, a seventh character group relating to a symbol, and an eighth character group relating to an operation overlap. The operation guide area 102 includes first to eighth areas (103a to 103h, 303). To 303 h, or it may be made a display suggesting that any of the first to eighth character group to 503a to 503h) are assigned to selectable. Therefore, in this case, what character group is selectively assigned to the first to eighth regions (103a to 103h, 303a to 303h, or 503a to 503h) of the character selection region by displaying the operation guide region. It becomes possible to grasp accurately.

  An advertisement display area (201, 401, or 601) is provided in an area that overlaps with the character selection area 103, and an advertisement control unit 15 displays an advertisement in the advertisement display area (201, 401, or 601) in the process of character input. It is good also as providing. That is, in this case, since the character selection area (103, 303, or 503) and the advertisement display area (201, 401, or 601) are the same area, the first to eighth areas (103a to 103a) are displayed on the advertisement. 103h, 303a to 303h, or 503a to 503h), a desired input character can be specified and displayed.

  The character selection area 503 may be assigned as a rectangular area to the left or right of the screen. In this case, it is possible to input with one thumb while holding the information terminal with one hand.

  The processing procedure as described above can also be realized as a character input method. Furthermore, the present invention can be implemented as a program that causes the character input device to function as described above and a computer-readable storage medium that stores the program.

  Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is needless to say that various improvements and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, what is displayed in the text input area education is not limited to advertisements, and a slide show or the like based on user-selected images may be displayed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Character input system 2 Touch panel 11 Input processing part 12 Character specific processing part 13 Database 14 Display control part 21 Operation part 22 Display part

Claims (12)

A character input device using a touch panel,
Input processing means for receiving and processing an operation on the character selection area among the operation guide area and the character selection area displayed on the touch panel, and outputting at least position information indicating an operation position on the touch panel;
Storage means for holding a plurality of tables each showing a group of characters that can be selected in each of a plurality of areas into which the character selection area is divided;
When a first operation is performed on the character selection area, one of the plurality of areas is identified based on the position information related to the first operation, and a table corresponding to the area is stored in the storage unit. When a second operation is performed on the character selection area, one of the plurality of areas is identified based on the position information related to the second operation, and the selected table is referred to A character identification processing means for identifying a character,
And a display control means for displaying the specified character on the touch panel. The character selection area is radially divided into first to eighth areas by four straight lines passing through the center point,
In the first to eighth areas, as the selectable character group, a first character group consisting of “A line, ka, ki, kaku” and a second character consisting of “ke, ko, sa line” A group of characters, a third character group consisting of “Ta line, na, ni, nu”, a fourth character group consisting of “ne, no, ha line”, and a “ma line, ya, yu, yo” Allocate five character groups, the sixth character group consisting of “Ra line, Wa, wa, n”, the seventh character group related to symbols, and the eighth character group related to operations without duplication. And
The character input device according to claim 1, wherein the operation guide area displays a display indicating that one of the first to eighth character groups is selectably assigned to the first to eighth areas. . An advertisement display area is provided in an area at least partially overlapping the character selection area;
The character input device according to claim 1, further comprising an advertisement control unit that displays an advertisement in the advertisement display area in the process of inputting characters. The character input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the character selection area is assigned as a rectangular area toward the left or right of the screen. A character input method using a character input device using a touch panel,
Receiving and processing an operation on the character selection area among the operation guide area and the character selection area displayed on the touch panel, and outputting at least position information indicating an operation position on the touch panel;
When a first operation is performed on the character selection area, one of the plurality of areas is identified based on the position information related to the first operation, and a table corresponding to the area is selected from the storage unit And steps to
When a second operation is performed on the character selection area, one of the plurality of areas is identified based on the position information related to the second operation, and a character is selected by referring to the selected table. Identifying steps;
Displaying the identified character on the touch panel. The character selection area is radially divided into first to eighth areas by four straight lines passing through the center point,
In the first to eighth areas, as the selectable character group, a first character group consisting of “A line, ka, ki, kaku” and a second character consisting of “ke, ko, sa line” A group of characters, a third character group consisting of “Ta line, na, ni, nu”, a fourth character group consisting of “ne, no, ha line”, and a “ma line, ya, yu, yo” Allocate five character groups, the sixth character group consisting of “Ra line, Wa, wa, n”, the seventh character group related to symbols, and the eighth character group related to operations without duplication. And
The character input method according to claim 5, wherein the operation guide area includes a display indicating that any one of the first to eighth character groups is selectively assigned to the first to eighth areas. . An advertisement display area is provided in an area at least partially overlapping the character selection area;
The character input method according to claim 5, further comprising a step of displaying an advertisement in the advertisement display area in the character input process. The character selection area is assigned as a rectangular area to the left or right of the screen,
The character input method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the user is prompted to input with a thumb while being held with one hand. A program incorporated in a character input device using a touch panel,
The character input device;
Input processing means for receiving and processing an operation on the character selection area among the operation guide area and the character selection area displayed on the touch panel, and outputting at least position information indicating an operation position on the touch panel;
Storage means for holding a plurality of tables each showing a group of characters that can be selected in each of a plurality of areas into which the character selection area is divided;
When a first operation is performed on the character selection area, one of the plurality of areas is identified based on the position information related to the first operation, and a table corresponding to the area is stored in the storage unit. When a second operation is performed on the character selection area, one of the plurality of areas is identified based on the position information related to the second operation, and the selected table is referred to A character identification processing means for identifying a character,
Display control means for displaying the specified character on the touch panel;
Program to make it work as. The character selection area is radially divided into first to eighth areas by four straight lines passing through the center point,
In the first to eighth areas, as the selectable character group, a first character group consisting of “A line, ka, ki, kaku” and a second character consisting of “ke, ko, sa line” A group of characters, a third character group consisting of “Ta line, na, ni, nu”, a fourth character group consisting of “ne, no, ha line”, and a “ma line, ya, yu, yo” Allocate five character groups, the sixth character group consisting of “Ra line, Wa, wa, n”, the seventh character group related to symbols, and the eighth character group related to operations without duplication. And
The program according to claim 9, wherein the operation guide area displays a display indicating that any one of the first to eighth character groups is assigned to the first to eighth areas in a selectable manner. An advertisement display area is provided in an area at least partially overlapping the character selection area;
The program according to claim 9 or 10, further causing the character input device to function as an advertisement control unit that displays an advertisement in the advertisement display area in the character input process. The program according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the character selection area is assigned as a rectangular area toward the left or right of the screen.