JP4462120B2 - Character input device - Google Patents

Description

 The present invention relates to a character input device, and more particularly, to a character input device of a notebook personal computer or PDA (Personal Digital Assistance = Personal Digital Information Terminal) having a flat pointing device such as a touch pad or a touch panel.

 It is common to use a keyboard for character input of a computer.

 In the case of notebook computers that can be carried, a part of the main body is a keyboard. However, in a model in which the main body is becoming smaller and lighter in order to improve portability, the keyboard is also smaller. However, since the size of the user's finger does not change, there is a limit to downsizing the keyboard because it becomes difficult to perform key input if the keyboard is downsized.

 Recently, a model that does not have a keyboard called a tablet PC has appeared. In this model, a stylus pen can be directly in contact with a touch panel that displays an image to select a part on the screen or to input a figure. Character input on this model includes a software keyboard that displays a keyboard diagram on the screen and selects the character you want to input, and handwritten character recognition that draws the character you want to input on the screen and determines the character from its graphic data .

 Some PDAs use a small keyboard for character input. Generally, PDAs are smaller than laptop computers, so each key is smaller and the keys are closer together. It becomes difficult to push. The PDA also has a software keyboard and handwritten character recognition as other character input methods.

A “character information input device” (Patent Document 1) is considered as an apparatus for inputting characters using a flat pointing device. This is a device that writes a hiragana by writing a key-like pattern on a tablet, specifying a row and a column of a virtual table of Japanese syllabary. FIG. 15 shows an embodiment in which a character is selected by operating the virtual character table of the “character information input device” (Patent Document 1) like a key.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-341903

  As described above, a keyboard is generally used to input characters. Recently, however, there are tablet PCs and PDAs that do not have a keyboard. In addition, small notebook personal computers and PDAs that place emphasis on portability are small in size even if they are equipped with a keyboard, so that the operability is reduced and input is slowed down, and key press errors are likely to occur.

 There is a software keyboard as a method of character input without using a keyboard. However, since a keyboard diagram is displayed on a display screen, an area for displaying text input software or the like that is originally intended to be used is narrowed. Also, the keys displayed on the software keyboard cannot be distinguished by tactile sensation like the keys on the keyboard, so it is necessary to visually check the characters drawn on the keys and specify the corresponding keys on the pointing device There is.

  Since the handwritten character recognition method, which is another character input method, also provides an area for writing a character to be input, an area for displaying text input software or the like that is originally intended to be used becomes narrow. Moreover, it is necessary to write all the characters one by one. Also, when abbreviated characters are written or when the written characters are incorrect, they are not recognized correctly.

  Since the “character information input device” (Patent Document 1) uses a tablet which is an optional device, when using it for a notebook computer or PDA on the go, the tablet must be carried with it. Big loss. Also, since this device always selects characters based on “a” on the Japanese syllabary table, it must be operated to input characters away from “a” on the Japanese syllabary table such as “n”. The distance becomes long and quick input is not possible.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a character input device using a touch pad or a touch panel provided in a notebook computer or PDA. This character input device does not require special processing for switching the function of moving the mouse cursor, which is the original function of the touchpad or touch panel, selecting the part displayed on the screen, and the function of inputting characters. is there.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problem, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention provides a character input start range on the touch pad, and touches the character input start range from a state where no finger touches the touch pad. The character is selected and the character is displayed in the display range. When the character is selected and moved while touching the touch pad, the character is changed according to the movement of the finger, and the character is displayed in the display range. Provided is a character input device for inputting a character when a finger is released while the target character is displayed. With this configuration, the user only needs to watch the display device, and can input characters with a simple operation of tracing the touchpad with a finger without moving the line of sight. Further, since the display range appears only when a character is selected, the screen can be used effectively unlike a software keyboard or a handwritten character recognition writing area where a keyboard diagram is always displayed. When a finger touches a range other than the character input start range from a state in which the finger is not touching the touch pad, a process of moving a normal mouse cursor is performed. Even if a finger touches the character input start range while the process of moving the mouse cursor is being performed, the process of moving the mouse cursor is continued without moving to the character selection state.

Then, immediately after touching a finger to the character input starting range when moving the finger along the frame enters the character selection state, configured to entering the character selection state when moving the finger away at right angles to the frame. As a result, even if a finger is accidentally touched in the character input start range, it is possible to easily shift to the function of moving the mouse cursor, which is the original function. In the character selection state, when the change in the finger movement direction is small, the immediately preceding character selection method is continued. Even if it is necessary to trace a long distance on the touchpad with a finger in order to select a desired character, it is necessary on a touchpad with a finite area by continuously tracing a curve with a large curvature (for example, a circle). It is designed to trace as much distance as possible. With this configuration, the user can operate a necessary distance without being limited by the size of a pointing device such as a touch pad. Even when a pointing device is on a display device such as a touch panel, the direction of operation is not strictly defined in this configuration, so the degree of freedom of operation is increased, and the place where characters are displayed Therefore, the user can move the finger and select a character while always checking the selected character, so that the operability is improved.

  In addition, when a character is selected by tracing the touch pad with a finger, if the change in the direction of movement of the finger is approximately 180 degrees, the character is selected in the reverse order of the character selection order until then. According to this configuration, even if the selected character exceeds the target character during the selection of the character, the target character can be easily selected again by moving in the direction of returning the finger.

  In addition, as a means for selecting a character, there is a method of selecting a character in the next step of Hiragana, a method of selecting a character included in the line, and a method of selecting a muddy sound, a semi-turbid sound, a small character related to one clear sound, If the change in the direction of finger movement is approximately 90 degrees, you can change the selection method. When you enter hiragana, you first select a row on the Japanese alphabet and then change the selection method. Then select a step and define a clear sound, and change the selection method to select a muddy sound, semi-turbid sound, and a small character related to that sound, and select a character through the steps to make efficient character input it can.

Further, the invention according to claim 2 of the present invention is a character that can select a space, a symbol, a document control code, an editing function, a command for changing a Kana-Kanji conversion function, or a command for changing a character delimiter for conversion. An input start range is provided, and a function for performing kanji conversion which is a function of inputting a text control code is added to enable input of kanji with the character input device of the present invention.

According to the character input device of the present invention, it is possible to perform efficient character input without using a keyboard by a simple operation of tracing the touch pad or the touch panel with a finger.

  In the present invention, a pointing device capable of outputting an absolute position, such as a touch pad or a touch panel, is used as a new character input device for a portable device.

 The touch pad is widely used in notebook computers and the like, but generally the mouse cursor is moved as a change in relative position. That is, when touching the touchpad from a released state, the mouse cursor does not move wherever the touched position is on the touchpad, and if you move your finger while touching the touchpad, This is a control method in which the mouse cursor moves according to the moving direction and distance. However, the touch pad realizes, for example, a function of moving the mouse cursor to the lower left of the screen by tapping the lower left corner and a function of scrolling the selected screen up and down by operating the right side of the touch pad up and down. This indicates that the absolute position at which the touchpad is operated with a finger can be detected. The present invention uses the function of detecting the position where the touchpad is operated and entered as an absolute position. In addition, a touch panel provided with a transparent screen on which an element for detecting contact is arranged on a display device can also detect the absolute position, and thus can be an input device of the present invention.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is an overall view of a notebook computer according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, 1 is a notebook personal computer, 2 is a touch pad, 3 is a display device for displaying various information such as created sentences, calculation results, and WEB, 4 is a keyboard, and 5 is a main body.

 FIG. 2 is a diagram associating the character input range provided on the touchpad and the first candidate character according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 200 is a character input start range for numerals and hiragana symbols provided on the circular touch pad 2, 220 is a character input start range for blank / conversion, and 240 is a character input start range for setting / confirmation. In this example, in order to input a hiragana character, the character input start range 200 is further divided into 12 ranges, and characters “1”, “A”, “ “Ka”, “sa”, “ta”, “na”, “ha”, “ma”, “ya”, “ra”, “wa”, “,” are assigned. Note that the dotted lines in FIG. 2 are used to indicate the division of each character input start range, and do not actually require the dotted lines to be printed on the touchpad.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of display on the display device 3 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 300 is a text input software. Reference numeral 310 denotes a converted character string input to the text input software 300. 320 is an unconverted character string of the kana-kanji conversion function. Reference numeral 330 denotes a display range for displaying a character being selected by the character input device of the present invention. Note that the display range 330 in FIG. 3 is displayed with large characters surrounded by a square in order to emphasize that it is in the middle of selection, but may be displayed at the end of the unconverted character string of the kana-kanji conversion function. it can. The display range is displayed at the lower right of the unconverted character string, but is not limited to this position.

  Next, operations for inputting characters will be described.

 Shows how to use this character input device to input numbers, hiragana, “,.?!-”, Etc., and convert them to Kanji using the Kana-Kanji conversion function. Keep it.

  The character input device is a character string in which numbers, hiragana sounds, and symbols are arranged, that is, {01234456789 Aiueoka (...) ... ? ! -It has data ""}. In addition, hiragana muddy sounds, semi-turbid sounds, and small letters are associated with those clear sounds.

  If the character input start range 200 includes the position where the finger is first touched after the finger is released, the character assigned to the position where the finger is touched is displayed in the display range 330. If the user confirms the character and releases the finger as it is, the display range 330 disappears, and the character displayed there is added to the unconverted character string of the kana-kanji conversion function. If the target character is not the target character, the finger is moved along the touch pad frame while drawing a straight line or a curve with a large curvature while the finger is touching the touch pad until the target character is displayed in the display range 330. At this time, whenever the finger moves by an appropriate distance r, the candidate characters are updated in descending order of the character string.

 In addition, if the user touches the touchpad with the purpose of moving the mouse cursor and does not intend to input characters, move the finger toward the center of the touchpad while touching the finger with the touchpad, The display range 330 disappears, and the mouse cursor can be moved without adding characters to the unconverted character string of the kana-kanji conversion function. The function to end the character input function by moving the finger in the center direction is effective only after the finger is first touched within the character input start range after the finger is released. After the candidate character is updated by moving the finger along the distance r or more, the function to end becomes invalid.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation on the touch pad. 400 is the outer periphery of the touch pad, 401 is the center A of the touch pad, 402 is the position B where the finger first touched in the character input start range, 403 is a circle centered on the position B and having a distance r as a radius, 404 Is a line connecting the position B and the center A of the touchpad, 405 is a boundary of the character input start range, and 406 is a locus when the finger is moved along the frame of the touchpad to input characters. Reference numeral 407 denotes a position C that is first separated from the position B by a distance r in the trajectory 406. Reference numeral 408 denotes a circle centered on the position C and having a distance r as a radius. Reference numeral 409 denotes a position D of the trajectory 406 that is first separated by a distance r from the position C after passing through the position C. Reference numeral 410 denotes a position E that is first separated from the position D by a distance r after passing through the position D in the trajectory 406. Reference numeral 411 denotes a position J where the characters in the display range 330 are updated in the trajectory 406. Reference numeral 412 denotes a circle centered on the position J and having a distance r as a radius. Reference numeral 413 denotes a position K that is first separated from the position J by a distance r after passing through the position J in the trajectory 406. Reference numeral 414 denotes a circle with the position r as the center and the distance r as the radius. Reference numeral 415 denotes a position L that is first separated from the position K by a distance r after passing through the position K in the trajectory 406. Reference numeral 416 denotes a position M that is first separated from the position L by a distance r after passing through the position L in the trajectory 406. Reference numeral 417 denotes a position N that is first separated from the position M by a distance r after passing through the position M in the trajectory 406.

 Reference numeral 420 denotes a locus when the finger is moved toward the center of the touch pad in order to invalidate character input. Reference numeral 421 denotes a position P that is first separated from the position B by a distance r in the trajectory 420.

  When a finger is first touched in the character input start range of the touchpad, the character input device stores the coordinates and time of position B where the finger is first touched. After that, every time a finger moves on the touch pad or a certain time elapses, the finger position is read if the finger is in contact with the touch pad or not. When the position where the finger is first separated from the position B by the distance r is 45 degrees or more, the angle between the straight line connecting the position and the position B, such as the position C, and the straight line connecting the position A to the center B of the pad is 45 degrees or more. The character selection state is continued on the assumption that the finger is moving along the circumference of the touch pad. At this time, since the distance r is advanced from the first position B, one character shown in the display range is updated, and the coordinates and time of the finger when the character is updated are stored. When the finger further moves and advances from the position C by the distance r and reaches the position D, the change of the angle connecting the position B to the position C and the angle connecting the position C to the position D, which is the movement of the immediately preceding finger, is calculated. Then, if the changed angle is 45 degrees or less, it is assumed that they are traveling in the same direction, one candidate character is updated, and the coordinates and time of the finger are stored. In this way, if the change in angle is 45 degrees or less, it is assumed that the direction is the same, so that the degree of freedom of the finger movement direction when the user selects a character is increased, and the operation is performed in a narrow range. Even operations that require a long distance can be performed. Note that if you move your finger while “n” is displayed in the display range, symbols such as “,. Is displayed.

  The character is selected by moving the finger, and the characters in the display range are updated at positions J and K. When the position K is exceeded, the finger is moved back in the direction of returning the position, that is, the position J, and the position proceeds to a position L that is a distance r away from the position K. At this time, since the angle from the position J to the position K and the angle from the position K to the position L are 135 degrees or more, one character displayed in the display range is updated by reversing the order of extracting the characters from the character string. Even if the order of taking out the characters is reversed, if the finger is moved again in the direction of returning, the order of taking out the characters is reversed again, so that the original order is restored. By configuring in this way, even if the operation is performed beyond the character to be input, it is possible to immediately return to the character to be input by moving the finger in the reverse direction.

  Further, the finger is moved to select the character, and the character is updated at the position M. Here, the direction in which the finger is moved is bent at a right angle, and the position proceeds to a position N that is a distance r away from the position M. At this time, when the angle from the position L to the position M and the angle from the position M to the position N is not less than 45 degrees and not more than 135 degrees, the characters displayed in the display range and the characters with small, muddy or semi-turbid sound are displayed. Select the character shown in the display range from among them. In other words, if the candidate character is “ha”, select one character from “B, Pa, Ha”, “tsu”, “tsu, tsu, tsu”, and “a”. Shown in the display range. In addition, when there are no small letters, muddy sounds, or semi-voiced sounds, such as a row, the original characters are displayed. When the original character is a number or a symbol, the original character may be displayed continuously, or the full-width and half-width characters of each character or symbol may be displayed alternately. If the finger is moved once again in the direction of 45 degrees or more and 135 degrees or less during the change to the muddy sound or the like, the candidate characters are returned to the clear sound and the candidate characters are updated in the order of the character strings. In addition, when the finger remains in the same place for a certain period of time in the character selection state, it is possible to change the muddy sound, semi-voiced sound, small character, and clear sound.

  When the character you want to input is selected so that it is displayed in the display range and you take your finger off the touchpad, if the Kana-Kanji conversion function is enabled, it will be added to the unconverted character string of the Kana-Kanji conversion function, and the display range will be Disappears. If the Kana-Kanji conversion function is disabled, the characters shown in the display range when the finger is released are sent to an application such as document creation software that is enabled at that time.

  Next, an operation method for controlling the kana-kanji conversion function will be described.

  When the unconverted character string of the Kana-Kanji conversion function is displayed, if you touch the character input start range for blank / conversion and release it before moving the distance r, a command to start the conversion to the Kana-Kanji conversion function send. Touch and release the blank / conversion character input start range until it is converted to the character or character string intended by the user, or touch the blank / conversion character input start range. When the finger is moved toward the center, the conversion is performed each time the finger moves by an appropriate distance r. When the converted character string is selected by moving the finger, if the finger is moved in the same direction as when the character is selected, the character string converted before is displayed again. If you want to change the phrase that is the character separator when performing Kana-Kanji conversion, touch your finger on the blank / conversion character input start range and move your finger to the right along the touchpad frame to start the Kana-Kanji conversion. Add the following character to the clause to make the first clause longer. Also, if you touch your finger in the blank / conversion character input start range and move your finger to the left along the touchpad frame, the last character of the first phrase of Kana-Kanji conversion will be removed from the phrase and the first phrase will be shortened. . If the first phrase can be correctly converted, touch the character entry start range for setting / confirmation and release it before moving the distance r. The first phrase is confirmed and sent to an application such as document creation software. The next clause is the target of conversion. If the user touches the character input start range while converting the character string, all the character strings being converted are sent to an application such as document creation software, and new characters are displayed in the display range.

  When there is no unconverted character string for the Kana-Kanji conversion function, blanks, double-byte spaces, tab codes, line feed codes, page break codes, etc. can be input from the space / conversion character input start range. When the user touches the blank / conversion character input start range 220, “(SP)” representing a single-byte space is displayed on the display device. When the finger is moved along the frame while touching the touchpad, the displayed character is changed every time the distance r is advanced, “(blank)” representing a full-width space, “(TAB)” representing a tab code, It is changed to “(CR)” representing a line feed code, “(page break)” representing a page break code, and when moved further, it returns to “(SP)” representing a blank. When the finger or finger is released from the touch pad while the blank or control code to be input is displayed, the displayed blank or control code is sent to the application.

  In addition, when there is no unconverted character string of the Kana-Kanji conversion function, touching the character input start range for setting / determining will set the character input on this character input device to Hiragana or English, or Kana-Kanji conversion function Has a function for setting the operation to move to the character selection state of the character input device.

  In the character input device that performs the above operations, by placing the character input start range around the touch pad, the user can reliably select the character input start range by placing a finger on the border between the touch pad and the frame. Will improve. Further, when a graphic showing the character input start range is printed on the touch pad, the user can recognize the position of the character input start range, so that the operability is improved.

  5 to 10 show the character input (a), the character selection process (b), the character string conversion process (c), the blank, the control code selection process (d), and the character string confirmation in the first embodiment described above. It is a flowchart of a process (e) and a setting change process (f).

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 11 is a diagram associating a character input range provided on the touchpad and a selected character according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 600 denotes a character input start range for alphanumeric characters provided on the rectangular touch pad 2, 620 denotes a blank / conversion character input start range, and 640 denotes a setting / confirmation character input start range. In this example, all numbers and lowercase letters, symbols, ie, {12345567890abcdefg ... (omitted) ... vwxyz! "# $% ... (omitted) ..., ./ \} is assigned to the character input start range 600. At this time, if the left end and the right end are touched," 1 "and" \ " The “1” and “¥” at both ends are wide so that they can be input. In addition, the dotted line of FIG. 11 is for showing the division of each character input start range, and the dotted line is not actually written on the touchpad.

  Next, operations for inputting characters will be described.

  We will show you how to use this character input device to enter numbers and letters in uppercase, lowercase and symbols. If the computer has a Kana-Kanji conversion function, disable it.

 The character input device has character string data in which the above numbers, lowercase letters, and symbols are arranged. Uppercase letters are associated with those lowercase letters.

  If the character input start range 600 includes the position where the finger is first touched after the finger is released, the character assigned to the position where the finger is touched is displayed in the display range 330 displayed on the display device. If the user confirms the character and releases the finger if it is the target character, the display range 330 disappears and the character displayed there is sent to an application such as document creation software.

  If it is not the target character, if the finger is moved to the right by an appropriate distance r with the finger touched, the character one character behind the character string is displayed in the display range. If the finger is moved to the left by the distance r, the character one character ahead is displayed. Thereafter, whenever the distance r is moved, if the difference between the moving direction and the previous moving direction is 45 degrees or less, the characters are updated in the previous order. If the finger moves back in the direction in which the finger was moved immediately before and the difference between the current and previous directions is 135 degrees or more, the display range is updated by reversing the order of selecting characters from the character string. To do. If the difference between the current direction and the previous direction is between 45 degrees and 135 degrees, if the candidate character is an alphabetic character, the character selection method is changed to the uppercase or lowercase character of the character. Furthermore, if the finger is moved so that the difference in the direction of moving the finger is between 45 degrees and 135 degrees from that state, the character selection method for selecting characters to be entered as candidate characters from the character string in descending order or ascending order thereafter. return. In this way, when the user moves his / her finger on the touch pad and releases his / her finger while the target character is displayed, the display range 330 disappears, and the character displayed there becomes a document creation software or the like. Sent to the application. Here, the distance r can be set longer than the width per character obtained by dividing the width of the character input start range 600 by the number of characters assigned to the start range.

  In addition, if you touch your finger in the character input start range without intending to enter text, move your finger toward the bottom of the touch pad while touching your finger on the touch pad. The display range 330 disappears without adding, and the mouse cursor can be moved.

  A space, tab code, line feed code, page break code, and the like can be input from the character input start range 620 for space / conversion. When a finger touches the blank character input start range, “(SP)” representing a single-byte blank is displayed on the display device. When the finger is moved along the touchpad frame while touching the touchpad, the displayed space and control code are changed every time the distance r is advanced, and “(TAB)” representing a tab code and a line feed code are represented. “(CR)” is changed to “(page break)” representing a page break code, and when moved further, “(SP)” representing blank is returned. If you advance your finger in the opposite direction, blanks and control codes are displayed in the reverse order. When the finger or finger is released from the touch pad while the blank or control code to be input is displayed, the displayed blank or control code is sent to the application. Since kana-kanji conversion is disabled in this embodiment, kanji conversion cannot be performed from the character input start range for blank / conversion.

 In addition, when a finger is touched to the blank / conversion character input start range without intentional character input, the display range 330 disappears by moving the finger toward the touch pad while touching the touch pad. The mouse cursor can be moved without adding a blank space to an application such as document creation software.

  When a specific operation is performed by touching a character input start range 640 for setting / determining, the immediately preceding character can be deleted. As a specific operation, there is an operation example in which a movement of a distance of 5 × r is performed twice in one second. In this embodiment, since Kana-Kanji conversion is disabled, the conversion character string of the Kana-Kanji conversion function cannot be determined from the character input start range for setting / determination.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the operation of the touch pad according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 700 is a trajectory when a finger is moved to input a character, 701 is a position R where the finger is first touched in the character input start range, 702 is a position S where the finger is moved in a returning direction, and 703 is a finger. The positions T and 704 moved in the right-angle direction are positions U where the fingers are released. Reference numeral 710 denotes a locus when the finger is moved to delete a character.

  Since the finger is moved to the right from the position R, the candidate characters are updated in descending order of the character string every time the finger moves by the distance r from the position R to the position S. Since the finger is moved in the direction of returning the finger at the position S, the order of selecting the character from the character string is reversed. When the finger moves by the distance r from the position S to the position T, the candidate character is in the ascending order of the character string. Updated. Since the finger is moved in the direction perpendicular to the previous direction at the position T, this is a change method in which the uppercase and lowercase letters of the character are changed. Every time the finger moves between the position T and the position U by the distance r. Uppercase and lowercase letters are selected alternately. Since the finger is released at the position U, the character selected at that time is sent to an application such as document creation software.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 13 is a diagram associating a selected character with a character input range provided on the touch panel of the PDA according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 800 is a character input start range for hiragana line designation provided on the touch panel 8, 820 is a character input start range for hiragana column designation provided on the touch panel 8, and 840 is a display for displaying the selected character. It is a range.

  Next, a method for inputting hiragana using this character input device will be described.

  In order to select a hiragana sound, the user first designates a character input start range for line designation with a stylus pen. A display device showing the selected character appears, and a line designated by the stylus pen such as “ta line” is displayed. If the line does not contain the target character, release the stylus and specify the character input start range for specifying the line again, or move the target line by moving the stylus pen left and right while touching the touch panel. Select. For example, when “Ta Line” is displayed, if the stylus pen is moved to the right, the display will be changed to “Sa Line” and “Ka Line”, and if it is moved to the left, “Na Line”, “Ha The line and the display will change.

  If the line containing the target character is displayed, move the stylus pen away from the touch panel to specify the character input start range for column designation. If the designated line is “Sa line” and the row is “U”, “SU” is displayed on the display device. If the character is not a clear sound of the target character, release the stylus pen and specify the character input start range for the column designation again, or move the stylus up and down while touching the touch panel to move the target column. select. If the target character is one of the muddy sound, semi-muddy sound, or small character of the displayed character, move the stylus pen to the left while touching the touch panel, then muddy sound, semi-turbid sound, small character of the displayed character Are displayed in order. Moreover, after moving to the left and changing the display, returning to the right returns the display. For example, if “To” is displayed, moving the stylus pen to the left will display “Be”, “Pe”, “To” in order, and moving the stylus pen to the right from the position where “Pe” is displayed. The display returns to “Be”, “To”, and “Pe”. If the stylus pen is moved to the left while “T” is displayed, “Z”, “T”, and “T” are displayed in order. When the target character is displayed, release the stylus pen from the touch panel and specify the character input start range for line specification. The target character is determined and added to the application, and the line for selecting the next character is displayed. To do. Alternatively, if there is no next character to be entered, the target character is determined and added to the application by designating the display device with the stylus pen.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an operation of the touch panel according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The operation of inputting the character “ji” on the PDA touch panel at this time is shown. 900 is a stylus pen for operating the touch panel, 901 is a position V where the stylus pen is first brought into contact with the character input start range for line designation, and 902 is a position where the stylus pen is separated from the character input start range for line designation. W, 903 is a position X where the stylus pen is in contact with the character input start range for stage designation, 904 is a position Y where the stylus pen moved upward is changed to move left, 905 is a stylus pen Positions Z and 906 separated from are movements of the stylus pen. In 906, a solid line indicates a locus moved by bringing the stylus pen into contact with the touch panel, and a dotted line indicates movement in a state where the stylus pen is separated from the touch panel.

  When the user touches the position V included in the character input start range for line designation with the stylus pen, since the position V corresponds to “Ta line”, the display device appears and “Ta line” is displayed. Since the line including the target character “ji” is “sa line”, the user moves the stylus pen to the right until “sa line” is displayed. When moving to the position W, “Sa line” is displayed, so the stylus pen is released from the touch panel, and the stylus pen is brought into contact with the position X included in the character input start range for column designation. Since the position X corresponds to the “stage”, the next stage “S” is displayed on the display device. The user moves the stylus pen up to display “shi” which is the sound of the target character “ji”. When moved to the position Y, “shi” is displayed, and when the stylus pen is moved to the left here, “ji” and “shi” are alternately displayed. When moving to position Z, confirm that “ji” is displayed and release the stylus pen. Next, when the stylus pen is brought into contact with the display range, “ji” is added to the application.

  The character input device according to the present invention is useful as a character input device for notebook personal computers and PDAs whose size is being reduced because characters can be input only by operating a touch pad or a touch panel.

Overall view of notebook computer according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention The figure which linked | related the character input range provided in the touchpad in Embodiment 1 of this invention, and the first candidate character The figure which shows an example of the display of the display apparatus 3 in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows an example of operation of the touchpad in Embodiment 1 of this invention Main flowchart in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Flowchart for selecting characters in Embodiment 1 of the present invention The flowchart which converts the character in Embodiment 1 of this invention Flowchart for selecting a blank and a control code in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Flowchart for determining a character string in Embodiment 1 of the present invention The flowchart which changes the setting of this character input device in Embodiment 1 of this invention The figure which associates the character input range provided in the touchpad in Embodiment 2 of this invention, and the selected character The figure which shows operation of the touchpad in Embodiment 2 of this invention. The figure which associates the character input range and the selected character which were provided in the touchscreen in Embodiment 3 of this invention The figure which shows operation of the touchscreen in Embodiment 3 of this invention. The figure which shows one Embodiment which operates the key on the conventional virtual Japanese syllabary table and selects a character

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Notebook PC 2 Touchpad 3 Display device 4 Keyboard 5 Main body 200 Character input start range for numbers and hiragana symbols 220 Character input start range for blank / conversion 240 Character input start range for setting / determination 300 Text input software 310 Converted character string 320 Unconverted character string 330 Display range for displaying characters being entered 400 Touchpad outer periphery 401 Touchpad center A
402 Position B where the finger was first touched
403 Circle with distance r as radius centered at position B 404 Line connecting center A and position B 405 Character input start range boundary 406 Finger trajectory when inputting characters 407 Position C on trajectory 406
408 A circle centered on the position C and having a radius of the distance r 409 Position D on the locus 406
410 Position E on locus 406
411 Position J on the locus 406
412 Circle with distance r as radius centered at position J 413 Position K on locus 406
414 A circle with the distance r as the radius around the position K 415 The position L on the locus 406
416: Position M on the trajectory 406
417 Position N on locus 406
420 Trajectory of finger when character input is stopped 421 Position P of trajectory 420 that is first separated from position B by distance r
600 Character input start range for numeric alphabetic symbols 620 Blank / conversion character input start range 640 Character input start range for setting / determination 700 Trajectory of finger when character input 701 Position R on trajectory 700
702 Position S on the locus 700
703 Position T on the trajectory 700
704 Position U on the trajectory 700
710 Finger trajectory when deleting characters 800 Character input start range for line designation 820 Character input start range for column designation 840 Display range for displaying selected character 900 Stylus pen 906 Stylus pen for character input Locus 901 Position V on the stylus pen locus 906
902 Position W on the locus 906 of the stylus pen
903 Position X on the locus 906 of the stylus pen
904 Position Y on the trace 906 of the stylus pen
905 Position Z on the locus 906 of the stylus pen

Claims (12)

In a character input device provided with a character input start range on a touchpad having a function of moving a mouse cursor,
When a finger touches the character input start range from a state where no finger touches the touchpad, the character shifts to a character selection state and selects one character as an input candidate,
When the finger is moved on the touchpad, the input candidate character is changed,
When the finger is released from the touchpad, the character that is the input candidate selected at that time is output to the display means to end the character selection state,
When a finger touches a range other than the character input start range from a state where no finger touches the touchpad, a process of moving a normal mouse cursor is performed ,
Also, immediately after touching the finger, select the function to be executed according to the angle that the finger moves on the touch pad, and after the finger has already moved, execute the function based on the difference between the angle that the finger moved immediately before and the angle that moved next character input apparatus according to claim you to select the functions. It is possible to select and input symbols, document control codes and editing functions, instructions for changing the kana-kanji conversion function, and changing the separator for conversion, in the same way as selecting the input candidate character. The character input device according to claim 1. 2. The candidate character to be displayed first is selected corresponding to a place where the finger is first touched from a state where the finger is released from a character input start range on the touch pad. Character input device. The character input device according to claim 1, wherein the character input start range is arranged around the touch pad. The character input device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the character input start ranges are provided on the touch pad, and a character to be output is determined by a combination of results selected in the plurality of character input start ranges. The character input device according to claim 1, wherein the mouse cursor is not moved even if a finger is moved on the touch pad in the character selection state. 2. The character input device according to claim 1, further comprising means for ending the character selection state without inputting a character in the character selection state. It has means for changing the type of character selected as the input candidate character, means for switching the validity / invalidity of the kana-kanji conversion function, or means for switching the validity / invalidity of the function for shifting to the character selection state. The character input device according to claim 1. In addition to the input candidate character, the display means displays a character that is scheduled to become an input candidate by moving a finger or a character that was a previous input candidate, and other characters that are currently input candidates are displayed. The character input device according to claim 1, wherein the character input device is displayed separately from characters. The touchpad is circular, the character input start range is set to the outer periphery of the touchpad, and the character that is the input candidate is changed while moving a finger along a frame around the touchpad. The character input device according to claim 1. 2. The character input device according to claim 1, wherein a touch panel or a tablet is used instead of the touch pad, and a finger is an operation means such as a stylus pen or an input pen. The character input device according to claim 11, wherein the display unit corresponding to the character input start range of the touch panel displays a graphic indicating the character input start range or characters serving as the input candidates.

Images