JP4907296B2 - Input device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device capable of performing character input and word input easily and quickly with a simple operation as compared with the prior art.

  In addition to the telephone mode, mobile phones are provided with various modes such as a mail mode and a web mode. By pressing a plurality of input buttons provided on the operation surface of the mobile phone, it is possible to input numbers in the telephone mode and hiragana in the mail mode. For example, each line of the hiragana alphabet and the input buttons are stored in association with each other, and the hiragana of the “a” line can be input with a predetermined input button. When you want to input the character “U”, press the input button that can input the hiragana of the “A” line three times to change the character displayed on the display to “A” → “I” → “U” It changes so that you can enter "U".

  However, in the above input method, an operation of pressing an input button is required to display a character to be input on the display. If the number of characters to be input increases, the number of times the input button is pressed increases, and the finger becomes tired. A plurality of characters assigned to the input buttons are displayed according to the reading order and can be displayed in a circular manner. That is, when the input button is pressed while “O” is displayed, “A” is displayed on the display again. However, with such a display method, if you want to input “I”, but “U” is displayed on the display with the wrong number of presses, “E” can be displayed on the display again. → It was necessary to display characters on the display in the order of “O” → “A” → “I”. That is, once the character to be input has been displayed, in order to display the character again, it is necessary to display the character once again in a cyclic manner and again to display the target character. Alternatively, you had to erase the displayed characters and enter the characters again from the beginning.

The following patent document discloses an input method different from the above input method.
JP 2001-274888 A JP-A-8-202520

  In Patent Document 1, when any one of 10 keys corresponding to numbers 0 to 9 is pressed, the first character group stored corresponding to each key is displayed on the display (see Patent Document 1). FIG. 6). Next, a plurality of characters in the displayed first character group coincide with each other, and character input (character determination) can be performed by pressing the key corresponding to the position of the character to be input. It has become.

  However, in the input method of Patent Document 1, after all the first character group is displayed on the display, it is necessary to search for the character to be input from the first character group. It takes a long time to search for a character, and since it is not possible to input a character without pressing the key corresponding to the position of the character, look at the key once to see which key the character corresponds to. Character input becomes very complicated because it is necessary to make a judgment, and it is difficult to input characters quickly.

  Patent Document 2 is an input method corresponding to Romaji input. The first input information group, the second input information group, and the third input information group shown in FIG. Are displayed on a concentric circle on the display, and a character is input by selecting a consonant symbol or a vowel symbol in each group with a cursor. As described in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 2, when inputting “Kyo”, first, “K” that is a consonant is selected from the first input information group, and then “y” is selected from the second input information group. Finally, “o” is selected from the third input information group.

  However, in Patent Document 2, selecting a consonant or vowel necessary for character input from a group of input information displayed on a display of a mobile phone that is not so large is a very complicated operation and is displayed on the display. Since it is necessary to search for necessary consonants and vowels from the input information group, it is difficult to input characters quickly.

  On the other hand, in both Patent Documents 1 and 2, since it is necessary to input all characters one by one accurately, the operability is poor and the burden on the operator is large when a sentence is quickly created. It was. In this regard, when creating a sentence, based on the input character information, a word dictionary that stores words including initials is used to predict a candidate for the next word following the character input immediately before If it is displayed, the sentence can be input quickly and the burden on the operator can be reduced. However, Patent Documents 1 and 2 have a function for displaying a prediction candidate word. Is not described.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems, and in particular, an object of the present invention is to provide an input device that can easily input characters with a simple operation as compared with the prior art.

  It is another object of the present invention to provide an input device that can predict and display candidate words following an input character and can quickly input a sentence.

The present invention provides a coordinate input device that detects a coordinate position touched by an operating body, a plurality of input buttons that are formed on an operation surface for operating the coordinate input device and indicate an input location for the coordinate input device, and the input A switch unit that is in a detection state when the button is pressed and a character group in which the reading order of the belonging characters is predetermined are stored in association with each input button, and the operation body is operated on the operation surface. And an input device provided with a control unit for inputting characters based on
In the control unit, based on the first operation, the first read mode in which reading order of the character group corresponding to each input button reads a character is the most is, the second operation is read The second reading mode for switching according to the reading order within the character group to which the character belongs belongs to perform the third operation to select the character switched in the second reading mode and to start the selected character. third read mode for displaying a plurality of predicted candidate words in a predetermined order, including in the, by performing the fourth operation, the fourth read mode for switching a plurality of predicted candidate words according to predetermined reading order, the fifth By performing the operation, a confirmation mode for confirming the prediction candidate word is set,
The second operation and the fourth operation are performed by an operation that linearly slides the operating body, one of which touches the operating surface, and the other circulates the operating body that touches the operating surface. performed by the operation to the first operation and the fifth operation is performed by operating the switch unit by pressing the input button and said Rukoto.

  In the present invention, in particular, it has a second reading mode in which the character to be read is switched by the second operation of sliding the operating body on the operation surface, thereby making it easier and easier to input characters compared to the conventional case. It becomes possible to do. In addition, at the same time that a character is selected, a word having that character as an initial is continuously displayed, so that a sentence can be input quickly.

  In the above, it is preferable to have a cancel mode in which the read operation in the lower order is canceled and returned to the higher read mode by performing the sixth operation instead of the fifth operation.

  For example, the fourth read mode is canceled to shift to the first read mode, or the fourth read mode is canceled to shift to the third read mode, and the third read mode is canceled to change to the first read mode. The mode may be shifted to the second reading mode, or may be shifted from the lower reading mode to the higher reading mode in order such that the second reading mode is canceled and the first reading mode is set.

  The above means can return to the previous reading mode when the operation is wrong or different from the input word, so that quick input is possible. It is also possible to repeat the input operation from the beginning.

In addition, for example, the second operation preferably includes sliding the operating body around the input button or on the surface of the input button. It is preferable that characters are switched according to a predetermined reading order by moving each unit distance, every predetermined unit angle, or every predetermined unit time.

  In the above means, since characters and words can be displayed one after another in the middle of one operation, a quicker input operation is possible.

  In the above, the third operation is preferably that the operating body is separated from the operation surface or a specific input button is pressed.

  With the above means, the third operation can be a simple operation, so that it is possible to input characters quickly and easily compared to the conventional method.

Further, the fourth operation allows the prediction candidate words to be displayed one after another on the display screen of the display, so that word input can be performed quickly.

In addition, for example, the the sixth operation, the operation body is to contact the different one of the input buttons of the input buttons to be used in the operation of the fifth.

  In this way, by performing different operations, it is possible to selectively perform character confirmation by the fifth operation and cancellation by the sixth operation.

  In the present invention, the first operation is performed on the input button, and after the character having the highest reading order is read, the second operation of sliding the operating body (for example, a finger) on the operation surface is performed. The character to be read is switched in conjunction with the operation.

  Further, the third operation is performed to select a character, and after displaying a word including the character as an initial character, the word is scrolled by performing the fourth operation, thereby switching the read word. By performing the fifth operation in a state where the cursor is matched with an arbitrary word, the word can be determined.

  This makes it possible to input characters and words more easily and quickly than in the past.

  FIG. 1 is a partial front view of a mobile phone on which the input device of the present invention is mounted, and FIG. 2 is a portion of the mobile phone when the mobile phone is cut from the line AA shown in FIG. FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view, FIG. 3A is a partial front view showing the operation surface of the mobile phone for explaining the first operation in the present invention when inputting characters, and FIG. 3B is a diagram in the first reading mode. Example of display on display when first operation is performed, FIG. 4A is a partially enlarged front view showing the operation surface of the mobile phone for explaining the second operation in the present invention when inputting characters. FIG. 4B illustrates a display example when the second operation is performed in the second reading mode, and FIG. 5A illustrates the fourth operation in the present invention when inputting a word. FIG. 4B is a partially enlarged front view showing the operation surface of the mobile phone for the fourth readout mode. FIG. 6 is a partial front view showing an operation surface of the mobile phone for explaining an operation different from those shown in FIGS. 4A and 5A. 7 is a flowchart for inputting characters and words, and FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the entire mobile phone including the input device according to the present invention.

  A cellular phone 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a case 2 having a display 3 and an input device 4 as display means. The display 3 is composed of a monochrome type or color type liquid crystal panel or EL panel.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the input device 4 has a coordinate input device 5. The coordinate input device 5 is of a capacitance type or a pressure sensitive type, and is capable of inputting coordinates. As a capacitance type, an X direction detection electrode and a Y direction detection electrode formed of an Ag (silver) -based paste are formed of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) having an insulating property and a predetermined dielectric constant. The resin sheets are opposed to each other in the form of a matrix. Coordinates can be input by touching the surface of the coordinate input device 5 with a dielectric such as a finger (operation body).

  In addition, as a pressure-sensitive type, a resistor having a potential difference in the X and Y directions and a conductor opposed to the resistor are brought into contact with each other by being pressed with a finger or the like. As a result, the resistance value is changed, and coordinates can be input.

  In the input device 4, a surface sheet 7 is laminated and fixed on the surface of the capacitance type or pressure sensitive coordinate input device 5 (see FIG. 2).

  The surface sheet 7 is formed of a resin sheet such as PET or silicon rubber, and the surface thereof is an operation surface 7a. The operation surface 7a has a plurality of individual input locations such as hiragana, numeral alphabets, and symbols. An input button 8 is formed in the printing process or the transfer process. Each input button 8 is formed with a circular frame indicating an input location, and characters such as hiragana, numbers, alphabets, or symbols are printed or transferred in the frame.

  The surface sheet 7 may be deformed so that the input button 8 has a convex shape, or a convex body (such as rubber) formed on the surface of the surface sheet 7. (Not shown) may be fixed, and the character may be printed or transferred on the surface of the convex body.

As shown in FIG. 2, a switch device 6 is provided on the back side of the coordinate input device 5.
The switch device 6 is provided with the same number of switch portions 11 as the input buttons 8, and the switch portion 11 includes electrodes 13 a serving as conductors made of Ag-based paste on both surfaces of a PET resin sheet 12 and conductive surfaces. The pattern 13b is a pattern formed by printing or the like.

  The electrode 13a is provided on the upper surface of the resin sheet 12, and a circular electrode 13a1 is formed at the center, and a ring-shaped electrode 13a2 is formed at a predetermined interval around the electrode 13a1. A conductive pattern 13b is formed on the lower surface of the resin sheet 12, and the conductive pattern 13b is connected to the electrode 13a1. That is, a through hole is formed in the resin sheet 12 on the lower surface of the electrode 13a1, and a connection conductor 14 is provided in the through hole to conduct the conductive pattern 13b and the electrode 13a1. Further, a dome-shaped (diaphragm) reversing plate 15 is provided on the electrode 13a2, and the apex position of the reversing plate 15 and the position of the electrode 13a1 are in a state where the peripheral edge of the reversing plate 15 is in contact with the electrode 13a2. It is provided to match.

  Resist films 16a and 16b are provided around the reversal plate 15 and on the lower surface of the conductive pattern 13b. Further, the entire surface is laminated with a resin sheet 17 made of PET.

  When the finger is pressed from above the input button 8 of the coordinate input device 5, the coordinate input device 5 and the top sheet 7 are elastically deformed, and the reversing plate 15 is pressed by the pressing force. Thereby, the inversion plate 15 is inverted and the inversion plate 15 contacts the electrode 13a1. As a result, the electrode 13a and the conductive pattern 13b become conductive and the switch output is turned on. By reversing the reversing plate 15, a feeling of operation due to the pressing reaction force at that time is given to the operator.

  The input device 4 may be a liquid crystal tablet or the like. The operating body may be a pen or the like instead of a finger.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the coordinate input device 5 and the switch device 6 are connected to the control unit 20. The coordinate signal from the coordinate input device 5 is converted into coordinate data by the coordinate data conversion unit 25, and the coordinate data (XY information) is taken into the control unit 20. The control unit 20 receives a switch signal (ON information) from the switch device 6.

  The control unit 20 is provided with a calculation unit 21, a character reading unit 22, a character switching unit 23, a mode conversion unit 24, and the like.

  The calculation unit 21 plays a role of determining which input button 8 is touched by the finger from the coordinate data received from the coordinate data conversion unit 25 or the movement amount of the finger from the coordinate data.

  The character reading unit 22 plays a role of extracting characters to be displayed on the display from the storage unit 26 from the calculation information of the calculation unit 21 and sending the character information to the display creation unit 27.

  The character switching unit 23 has a role of sending to the character reading unit 22 which character, such as hiragana, kana, numbers, or alphabets, is selected in response to a command from the mode conversion unit 24 or the like. is doing.

  For example, the mode switching unit 24 switches the operation mode of the mobile phone 1 to a telephone mode, a mail mode, a web mode, etc., switches the input mode of the mobile phone 1 to a hiragana input mode, a katakana input mode, and further coordinates Control that functions when the detection mode of the input device 5 is switched to the rotation operation detection mode, the scroll operation detection mode, the tap operation detection mode, or the reading mode of the coordinate input device 5 is switched from the first reading mode to the fourth reading mode. Means.

  The display creating unit 27 receives a signal from the character reading unit 22 or the mode switching unit 24 and generates a display processing signal for a screen displayed on the display 3. Then, the display processing signal is sent to the display 3, and characters and the like are displayed on the display 3.

  In this embodiment, the input device 4 includes a coordinate input device 5, a switch device 6, a coordinate data conversion unit 25, a control unit 20, a storage unit 26, and a display creation unit 27. However, this is an example, and the input device 4 includes the coordinate input device 5, the switch device 6, and the coordinate data conversion unit 25. The coordinate input device 5, the switch device 6, the coordinate data conversion unit 25, and The configuration of the input device 4 such as the configuration of the control unit 20 is not particularly limited.

  Next, a series of operations when inputting characters will be described. In this specification, “character” includes all of “Hiragana”, “Katakana”, “Number”, “Alphabet”, “Symbol”, and the like that can be entered into the display 3. The “word” includes words written in Japanese such as “Hiragana”, “Katakana”, “Kanji”, and words written in all other languages such as English words written in “Alphabet”, for example. In addition, according to a national language dictionary such as Kojien (registered trademark), the word is defined as “the smallest unit of language having grammatical meaning and ability”, but the word in the present invention is limited to these. Instead, it may be character information including idioms or synthesized words composed of words formed by combining two or more words, for example.

  The operator presses one of the input buttons 8 on the operation surface 7a shown in FIG. 1 or an input button not shown in FIG. 1 to activate the mail mode.

  The storage unit 26 includes an input button 8a on which “a”, “1”, “.”, “@” Are displayed on the front surface of the input button 8 shown in FIG. 1 and hiragana (“a”, “a”, "I", "U", "E", "O") and katakana ("A", "I", "U", "D", "O"), 1 ",". "And" @ "are stored in association with each other, and these characters can be input by operating the input button 8a. Similarly, the storage unit 26 includes input buttons 8b displaying “ka”, “2”, and “ABC”, and hiragana (“ka”, “ki”, “ku”, “ke” included in the “ka” row. ”,“ Ko ”) and katakana (“ ka ”,“ ki ”,“ ku ”,“ ke ”,“ ko ”), numbers“ 2 ”, alphabets“ A ”,“ B ” "C" are stored in association with each other, and these characters can be input by operating the input button 8b. The same applies to the other input buttons 8.

Further, in the storage unit 26, a plurality of words including the initial characters of each character are registered in the dictionary as predicted candidate words. The predicted candidate word registered here may be character information posted in a predetermined national language dictionary or the like, or may be character information registered in advance by the operator. Alternatively, the word used in the past by the operator may be automatically registered in the storage unit 26 as character information by the control unit 20 in the dictionary. For example, in the case where the capital letter “U” is used as an initial, an expected candidate word such as “Ueno, Ie, Umm, web” is registered in the dictionary (FIG. 5B).

  Now, when the “hiragana input mode” is activated by the character switching unit 23, the hiragana “A”, “I”, “U” included in the “A” line can be operated by operating the input button 8 a. “E” and “O” can be called and inputted in order, but the order in which these hiragana characters are read out is determined in advance as the alphabetical order.

  For example, when the operator wants to input “U”, the operator first touches the input button 8a on which “A” is displayed as the first operation (FIG. 3A). . In step ST1 shown in FIG. 7, when the finger F touches the input button 8a, coordinate data is sent from the coordinate input device 5 to the calculation unit 21 via the coordinate data conversion unit 25, and the coordinate data is based on the coordinate data. Further, the input button 8a touched by the finger F is specified in the calculation unit 21. In step ST2 shown in FIG. 7, the character reading unit 22 reads “a”, which is the first character in the alphabetical order of the “a” line, from the storage unit 26, and reads the read data into the display creation unit 27. Send to. Then, an uppercase “A” is displayed on the display 3 (FIG. 3B; first reading mode).

  The control unit 20 always determines whether or not the finger F is separated from the input button 8a based on the coordinate data from the coordinate data conversion unit 25 (step ST3). If it is determined (step ST3), the character displayed on the display 3 is confirmed (step ST6). On the other hand, when the control unit 20 determines that the finger F is not separated from the input button 8a, the input operation mode of the input device 4 is set to the rotation operation detection mode (step ST4). In this rotation operation detection mode, it is determined based on the coordinate data from the coordinate data conversion unit 25 whether or not the finger F slides so as to trace the periphery of the input button 8a.

  For example, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 4A, it is assumed that the operator slides the finger F so as to trace around the input button 8a (second operation). At this time, when the control unit 20 determines that the operator's finger F has traced around the input button 8a clockwise, the character reading unit 22 next to the capital letter “A” in alphabetical order. The capital letter “I” is read from the storage unit 26, the read data is sent to the display creation unit 27, and the capital letter “I” is displayed on the display 3 (second reading mode). Similarly, in the second reading mode, when the finger F is traced twice around the input button 8a clockwise as a second operation, the capital letter “U” is displayed on the display 3, and the third trace is similarly performed. And the capital letter “e” are displayed. Then, if you trace it clockwise for five laps, the lowercase letter “a” will be displayed. Similarly, as the number of laps increases, the lowercase letters “i” → “ぃ” → “e” → “ぇ” will be displayed. Trace to the right for 10 weeks to return to the first letter, uppercase “A”. That is, in the rotation operation detection mode, each time the finger F traces the periphery of the input button 8a clockwise, the characters from the recording unit 26 are capitalized “A” → “I” → “U” according to the alphabetic table. ”→” E ”→“ O ”→ Lower case“ A ”→“ I ”→“ ぅ ”→“ E ”→“ ぉ ”→ Upper case“ A ”→ ... Is displayed (step ST5 in FIG. 4B and FIG. 7).

  In the second reading mode, when the periphery of the input button 8a is traced with the finger F in the counterclockwise direction, the display may be performed in the reverse order. In other words, uppercase “a” → lowercase “ぉ” → “e” → “ぅ” → “i” → “a” → uppercase “o” → “e” → “u” → “i” → “a” “→” lowercase “逆” →... May be displayed in reverse order.

  In this way, when characters are read out in reverse order of the Japanese syllabary order, the number of times the user traces around the input button 8a is mistaken. For example, "e" is displayed on the display 3 in order to input "u" Even in this case, by tracing once in the direction opposite to the direction shown in FIG. 4 (a), “U” can be immediately displayed on the display 3, and character input can be performed more quickly than before.

  Next, when the operator removes the finger F from the input button 8a as a third operation, it is determined in step ST3 that the finger F is separated from the input button 8a. In this case, if the uppercase “U” is displayed on the display 3, the uppercase “U” is selected (step ST6; third reading mode).

  In the second reading mode, when the capital letter “U” is selected as the character to be input, in the third reading mode, the control unit 20 displays a plurality of predicted candidate words including the capital letter “U” in the initial letter. 3 is displayed (step ST7). At the same time, the cursor (pointer) is displayed at a position that coincides with the first expected candidate word ("Ueno" in FIG. 5B) located in the first column displayed on the display 3. Note that. At this time, the first expected candidate word is displayed in negative / positive inversion.

  Next, the mode switching unit 24 of the control unit 20 sets the input operation mode of the input device 4 to the scroll detection mode (step ST8). In this scroll detection mode, it is determined based on the coordinate data from the coordinate data conversion unit 25 whether or not the finger F slides in the vertical direction (arrow direction) as the fourth operation. (FIG. 5A).

  At this time, it is assumed that the operator has slid the finger F as the fourth operation so as to trace up and down on the operation surface 7a as indicated by an arrow in FIG. When the control unit 20 determines that the operator has traced the finger F in the vertical direction, the control unit 20 moves the cursor in a direction that matches the sliding direction of the finger F, and the next candidate is set to be sequentially selectable. Further, when the operator traces the finger F upward even after the cursor reaches the uppermost stage, or when the operator traces the finger F further downward after the cursor reaches the lowermost stage. Next, the next expected candidate character is switched and displayed in order on the display 3 (fourth reading mode).

Then, the control unit 20 stops the movement of the finger, and the predetermined input button (for example, the determination key) is pressed as the fifth operation in a state where the cursor is positioned on one of the predicted candidate words. Is detected, the word displayed on the display 3 (“Ueno” in FIG. 5B) is confirmed and incorporated in the sentence (step ST10; confirmation mode).

On the other hand, without confirming the prediction candidate, that is, without pressing the predetermined input button as the fifth operation, as the sixth operation instead, the input button 8 using the finger F in the fifth operation; When the touch button is in contact with any of the different input buttons 8, the scroll mode may be canceled and the first reading mode of step ST1 may be returned (cancellation mode). In this case, the character reading unit 22 reads the first character of any one of the fifty-five characters displayed on the touched input button 8 from the storage unit 26. The first character (for example, “ka”) is displayed on the display 3, and the operations after step ST2 are similarly performed.

  In the cancel mode, instead of suddenly returning to the first reading mode, first, the sixth operation returns to the third reading mode, and once the finger F is kept away from the surface of the input button 8, the input button 8 is touched. In this case, it is possible to return to the second reading mode in a stepwise manner, and to return to the first reading mode when a similar operation is performed.

  In step ST11 shown in FIG. 7, the operator determines whether the confirmed word is correct or wrong, that is, whether it is the input word or not, and if the confirmed word is correct, no operation is performed. On the other hand, when it is determined that the confirmed word is wrong, when the operator presses the input button 8c displayed as “Clear” shown in FIG. 1, the on-information from the switch device 6 shown in FIG. 20, a signal for deleting the word display from the control unit 20 is transmitted to the display creation unit 27, and the word displayed on the display 3 is deleted.

  However, the deletion of words may be performed other than pressing a specific input button 8c. For example, when the area around the input button 8a is traced in the direction opposite to that shown in FIG. 4A, the characters displayed on the display 3 disappear.

  In the present embodiment, each input button 8 is stored in association with a plurality of characters whose reading order is determined in advance. Then, by touching the input button 8 having the character to be input with the finger F, first, the character with the highest reading order is read, and the character is displayed on the display 3 (first reading mode). .

  Next, by sliding the finger F so as to trace the periphery of the input button 8, the character to be read is switched according to the reading order in conjunction with the operation of the finger F and displayed on the display 3 (first display). 2 reading mode). Then, when the character to be input is displayed on the display 3, the input of the character is selected by releasing the finger F from the input button 8, and a word including the selected character as an initial character is subsequently selected. Displayed in a predetermined order (third readout mode). Further, by sliding the finger F so as to trace up and down on the operation surface 7a, the cursor moves between prediction candidate words, and the screen on which the prediction candidate words are displayed is scrolled (fourth read mode). ). By performing a tap operation (fifth operation) or the like while the cursor is aligned with the position of the desired word, the input of the desired word is completed (confirmation mode).

  As described above, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to press the input button 8 many times for character input, and a predetermined character can be input by a simple operation such as tracing around the input button 8. I can do it.

  Furthermore, since words are automatically displayed continuously, when making a very long sentence in the mail mode or the like, a method of inputting characters one by one while pressing the input button 8 as in the prior art. In comparison, character input and word input can be performed quickly. Moreover, since it is possible to input characters easily and easily, it is difficult to get tired and the burden on the operator can be reduced.

  In addition, if “katakana input mode” is set in the mode switching section 23, katakana can be input, and if “alphabet input mode” is set, alphabet input and further English word input are possible. is there.

  Further, for example, the reading order is determined in the order of hiragana, katakana, numbers, alphabets, symbols, etc., and the operation shown in FIG. The setting may be such that reading can be performed without switching the input mode. In such a setting, for example, the reading order of characters on the input button 8a on which “a” is displayed is as follows: a, i, u, e, a, a, i, c, e, o, 1,. Hiragana, Katakana, numbers, alphabets, symbols, etc. can be input without switching the input mode.

  Another embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is an alternative to FIG. 4A and FIG. 5A, and uses the movement of the entire operation surface 7a and the lateral direction in FIG. By sliding the finger F on the operation surface 7a, characters can be switched according to the reading order. For example, as shown by an arrow B shown in FIG. By moving the finger F so as to cross the line or by moving the finger F so as to draw a large arc on the operation surface 7a as shown by the arrow C, characters and words are sequentially switched according to the reading order. It is done.

  In the case of FIG. 6, first, the input button 8 having the character to be input is touched with the finger F, and the character with the highest reading order among the plurality of characters associated with the input button 8 in contact is displayed on the display. 3 (first reading mode), when the finger F is moved on the operation surface 7a as shown by an arrow C in FIG. 6, characters are read according to the reading order and displayed on the display 3 ( Second read mode). Further, once the finger F is released from the operation surface 7a to select an arbitrary initial (selection mode), a word including the initial character is displayed (third reading mode), and a scroll operation is performed to select an arbitrary word. Select to confirm (confirmation mode).

  In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the wide operation surface 7a can be used effectively, and character input and word input can be performed more easily.

  In FIG. 3A, the case where the finger F is in contact with the input button 8 having the character to be input is described as the first operation. However, the coordinate input device indicates that the finger F has pressed the input button 8. By detecting 5, the character with the highest reading order may be read out.

  Further, when the finger F touches a position away from the input button 8, the input button 8 located closest to the contact position of the finger F may be activated as a character input target button. For example, when the finger F touches between the input button 8a and the input button 8b shown in FIG. 1, the contact position of the finger F, the distance to the input button 8a, the contact position of the finger F, and the input The calculation unit 21 calculates which of the distances to the button 8b is closer. When the closer one is the input button 8a, the input button 8a is activated as a character input target button, and “A” is displayed on the display 3. The

  The setting for switching characters according to the reading order in the first reading mode may naturally be the method shown in FIG. 5A or FIG. Furthermore, a method other than the method shown in FIG. 4A, FIG. 5A, or FIG. 6 may be used. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, the finger F is indicated by an arrow in FIG. In FIG. 4A, it has been described that the character is switched every time it is traced by sliding the input button 8a so as to trace the periphery of the input button 8a. For example, as shown in FIG. Thus, every time the finger F is vertically cut or traversed, it may be switched as follows: a → i → u → e → o → a → i → ぅ → e → ぉ → a →.

  Also, the movement distance when the finger F is traced once, or when it is cut or traversed. Measure the angle and movement time, and set the characters and words to switch in a predetermined order at every predetermined unit distance (or a predetermined unit angle around the center of the input button 8a) or every predetermined unit time. May be. Also, for example, the characters may be switched so that all the characters set according to the reading order are displayed by tracing one round, or the characters set according to the reading order are traced once or a half or half times. The characters may be switched so that all are displayed. Note that the predetermined order in which characters and words are displayed is, for example, preferably displayed in the order of frequently used characters and words based on character information input in the past in order to realize a quick input operation. .

  In the case of FIG. 5A, when the finger F is slid upward, the character is switched from “A” to “I”, and then when the finger F is slid downward, “I” to “I”. It may be set such that the characters are switched by alternately making the upper, lower, upper, lower, and finger F vertically cut on the input button 8a so that the characters can be switched. Furthermore, the character F may be set to be switched by alternately traversing the finger F to the left, right, left, right and the finger F on the input button 8a.

  In the third reading mode, the cursor is moved, and the screen is scrolled to switch the word F in the fourth operation for selecting a word by moving the finger F vertically or transversely. The present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 4 (a) or FIG. 6, the cursor can be moved vertically by tracing the finger F clockwise or counterclockwise, and further the screen can be scrolled vertically. And the words may be switched.

  In addition, the input device according to the present embodiment is not limited to a mobile phone and may be used for other particularly small electronic devices.

  Further, the input device 4 of the present invention may be provided integrally with an electronic device having the display 3 like the mobile phone 1, or the input device 4 is provided separately from the electronic device having a display. It can also be used as a remote controller or game machine controller.

The partial front view of the mobile phone carrying the input device of the present invention, The fragmentary sectional view of the said mobile telephone when the said mobile telephone is cut | disconnected from the AA line shown in FIG. 1, and it sees from the arrow direction, (A) is a partial front view showing the operation surface of the mobile phone for explaining the first operation in the present invention when inputting characters, and (b) is the first operation in the first reading mode. Display example when (A) is a partially enlarged front view showing an operation surface of a mobile phone for explaining a second operation in the present invention when inputting characters, and (b) is a diagram showing a second operation performed in the second reading mode. Display example when (A) is a partially enlarged front view showing an operation surface of a mobile phone for explaining a fourth operation in the present invention when inputting a word, and (b) is a third operation performed in the fourth reading mode. Display example when FIG. 4 is a partial front view showing an operation surface of a mobile phone for explaining operations different from those in FIGS. 4 (a) and 5 (a); Flowchart diagram for character input and word input, The block diagram of the whole mobile telephone containing the input device in this invention,

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cellular phone 2 Case 3 Display 4 Input device 5 Coordinate input device 6 Switch device 8 Input button 11 Switch part 20 Control part 21 Calculation part 22 Character reading part 23 Character switching part 24 Mode switching part 25 Coordinate data conversion part 26 Storage part F Finger (operation body)

Claims (7)

A coordinate input device that detects a coordinate position touched by an operating body, a plurality of input buttons that are formed on an operation surface for operating the coordinate input device and indicate an input location for the coordinate input device, and the input button is pressed A switch unit that is in a detection state and a character group in which the reading order of the characters to which it belongs is stored in association with each input button, and characters based on an operation by the operating body on the operation surface In an input device provided with a control unit for performing input,
In the control unit, based on the first operation, the first read mode in which reading order of the character group corresponding to each input button reads a character is the most is, the second operation is read The second reading mode for switching according to the reading order within the character group to which the character belongs belongs to perform the third operation to select the character switched in the second reading mode and to start the selected character. third read mode for displaying a plurality of predicted candidate words in a predetermined order, including in the, by performing the fourth operation, the fourth read mode for switching a plurality of predicted candidate words according to predetermined reading order, the fifth By performing the operation, a confirmation mode for confirming the prediction candidate word is set,
The second operation and the fourth operation are performed by an operation that linearly slides the operating body, one of which touches the operating surface, and the other circulates the operating body that touches the operating surface. performed by the operation to an input device wherein the first operation and the fifth operation, press the input button is performed by operating the switch section and said Rukoto. After the fourth operation , if a transition is made to the sixth operation without performing the fifth operation , a cancel mode is set in which the lower order reading mode is canceled and the higher order reading mode is returned. The input device according to claim 1.   The input device according to claim 2, wherein the sixth operation is performed by bringing the operating body into contact with any input button different from the input button used in the fifth operation.   4. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the first operation is performed by an operation of bringing the operating body into contact with a surface of any one of the input buttons. The second operation is performed by rotating the operating body around the input button on which the first operation has been performed or by sliding the operating body linearly on the surface of the input button. 5. The input device according to any one of 4 . In the second operation, a predetermined value is set for each unit angle of the operating body that circulates, for each moving distance of the operating body that moves linearly, or for each predetermined unit time when the operating body slides. input device according to any one of claims 1 switched characters according to the read order to 5. The third operation, the operation member is performed by releasing from the operating surface, or any one of claims 1 to 6 particular input button is performed by detecting the pressing detecting unit that is pressed The input device described in 1.

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