JP2001134364A - Key input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a key input device capable of easily inputting symbols. SOLUTION: Twelve symbol groups ()', } ",' ', < > ', [ ]∼, / % |, -+ =, * #, ¥ and $, . : ;, -∼, ?, each of which consists of three kinds of symbols are set up twelve main keys 21 to 32 consisting of four vertically arrayed columns and three horizontally arrayed rows. Since three kinds of symbols are allocated to each of the twelve main keys 21 to 32, thirty-six symbols in all can be set up in the main keys 21 to 32 and sufficiently many kinds of symbols can be set up. Since pairs of symbols such as (), ' ', - + = are set up in each of keys 21, 23, 27, ')' e.g. can be simply inputted after inputting '(' making a pair with ')' without searching it. Consequently respective symbols can be easily inputted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a key input device for inputting Japanese and English. Specifically, personal digital assistants (PDAs), mobile phones (PHS), electronic organizers, watches,
The present invention relates to a key input device capable of performing an input operation with a small word processor (word processor), a personal computer (personal computer), or the like.

[0002]

BACKGROUND ART In recent years, information devices such as personal computers have been widely used in companies and homes. As such information devices, desktop and notebook personal computers and personal digital assistants (PDAs) are generally used.

[0003] When characters are input with these information devices, a keyboard is usually used. In this keyboard input, an input using an alphabet is widely used. That is, since the input using 26 letters of the alphabet has a small number of keys to remember and can easily perform a blind touch, not only English input but also Japanese input is widely used as Roman input.

The conventional keyboard has a problem that it is difficult to reduce the size of the keyboard because 80 or more keys are arranged in a complicated manner. In addition, there is also a problem that it is difficult to master a large number of keys using both hands.

[0005] For this reason, the present applicant has filed Japanese Patent Application No. 10-74.
As described in No. 107, 12 rows of 4 rows and 3 rows
The present invention proposes a small keyboard having a main key area provided with a plurality of main keys, and a U-shaped function key area including a plurality of function keys arranged on the upper, right, and lower sides of the main key area. ing.

In this small keyboard, for example, when operating with the right hand, the three keys in the left and right rows of the main key area are pressed with the index finger, the middle finger and the ring finger, respectively, and the function key on the right side of the main key area is pressed with the little finger. It is designed to enable efficient input operations by pressing the function keys below the area with your thumb.

[0007] In this small-sized keyboard, the main key, which is frequently input, is pressed by a relatively easy-to-move finger such as the index finger, the middle finger, and the ring finger, and the less frequently used function keys are pressed by the small finger, so that efficient input operation is performed. Was completed.

[0008]

However, since the above-described keyboard mainly performs character input, characters can be easily input. However, in inputting symbols, it is necessary to search for arranged symbols. However, there is a problem that it becomes complicated. For this reason, a key input device that allows easy symbol input is desired.

An object of the present invention is to solve such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a key input device in which symbols can be easily input.

[0010]

The key input device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The key input device includes a main key area provided with at least 12 main keys in four rows and three columns at the top and bottom. "() '""｛｝""""「""<> ＜ "" []
Tilde symbol “/% │” “− + =” “＠ * #” “￥ &
記号, “::”, “, _ to”, and “!?” Are respectively set. According to this key input device, three types of symbols are set for each of the twelve main keys 21 to 32, so that a total of 36 types of symbols can be set as the main keys. , Enough types of symbols can be set. Also,
"(" And ")", "" and "",
Since a pair of symbols and related symbols such as “−”, “+” and “=” are set in one key, for example, after inputting “(”, it becomes a pair of this symbol. ")"
Can be easily input without looking for a symbol, thereby easily inputting a symbol.

In the above, the first stage three keys 21 to 2
3 includes "() '" and "」 "" in order from the left key 21.
Three types of symbols "" and "" are respectively set, and the three keys 24 to 26 in the second row are "<>｀","[] tilde symbol" and "/% │" in order from the left key 24. Are set, and the three keys 27 to 29 in the third row are “− + =” “＠ * #” “￥” in order from the left key 27.
& ＄ ”are respectively set, and the three keys 30 to 32 of the fourth row are three types of“.:; ”“, _ To ”and“.!? ”In order from the left key 30. Are preferably set. According to this key input device, "(" and ")" which are relatively frequently used are used.
Also, since "" and "" are set in the upper keys, it is easy to find them when inputting them, and from this point, it is also possible to easily input symbols.

Further, the main keys 21 to 32 are set to 1
When the key is pressed twice, the left symbol is selected and input from among the symbols set in the main keys 21 to 32, and when the key is pressed twice, the main keys 21 to 32 are selected.
Is selected and input, and if the key is pressed three times, the main key 21
It is preferable that the symbol on the right side among the symbols set to ３２32 be selected and input. According to this key input device, if the input of each symbol is divided by the number of times each key is pressed,
The input operation of the symbol can be easily performed, and any symbol can be input by pressing each key up to three times.
Thereby, symbol input can be performed more easily.

Further, the above-mentioned twelve main keys 21 to 23 are used.
The five keys 21 to 25 out of 2 include alphabets “A”, “I”, “U”, “E”,
The letter keys for inputting "O" are set individually, and the other seven keys 26 to 32 are set with three letters for each of the other 21 consonants in the alphabet. desirable. According to this key input device, the most frequently used vowels in both Japanese and English, that is, "A", "I",
Since "U", "E", and "O" are set as independent keys, these characters can be input by pressing the key once.
For this reason, the number of keystrokes at the time of vowel input can be reduced, operability is improved, and high-speed input is also possible. Also, since the other 21 letters of the alphabet are arranged in three on each of the seven keys 26 to 32, it is possible to input 26 letters of the alphabet with a very small number of keys such as 12 keys. The key input device 5 excellent in portability can be formed. further,
Each of the seven keys to which consonant keys are set has three characters, so if each character is divided by the number of times each key is pressed, pressing each key up to three times Any character can be entered to improve operability, and since each consonant is evenly arranged on each key, the balance of keystroke operations can be improved and operability can be further improved.

Further, of the above-mentioned main keys 21 to 32 arranged in four rows and three rows in the upper and lower rows, three keys 2 in the first row are provided.
1 to 23 are “A” in order from the left key 21,
The letters "I" and "U" are set, and the left and center keys 24 and 25 of the second row are "E" and "U", respectively.
The character "O" is set, the three keys "YWX" are set on the right key 26 of the second row, and the three keys 27 to 29 of the third row are set in order from the left key 27. "KG
F, "SZJ", and "TDV" are respectively set. The three keys 30 to 32 in the fourth row are "NCQ", "HBP", and "RML" in order from the left key 30. It is preferable that three characters are set respectively.
With such a key arrangement, the vowels are sequentially arranged on the keys 21 to 25, so that the key positions can be easily remembered and the operability can be further improved. In addition, consonants "K, S, T, N, H, M, Y, R,
Since "W" is set as the first or second character key of each key, it is possible to input a consonant of a clear tone having the highest input frequency next to the vowel by a simple operation, thereby further improving the operability. it can. Further, the "K" key for inputting the "K" line, the "G" key for inputting the "Ga" line of the voiced sound, the "S" key for inputting the "Sa" line, and the "Z" key for the "S" key. Key, "T" key to input "T" key, "D" key to input "D" key, "C" key to input "H" key, "B" key to input "B" line Key, the associated clear tone and dull tone can be entered using the same key (eg, by changing the number of key presses). Therefore, the input operation of the muddy sound can be easily remembered, and the input operation can be performed at high speed.

Further, of the main keys 21 to 32 arranged in the upper and lower four rows and the left and right three rows, the center and right keys 22 and 23 of the first row are respectively assigned "ABC" and "DEF". One character is set, and “GHI”, “J”,
KL "and" MNO "are set, respectively.
The three letters “PRS”, “TUV”, and “WXY” are set in the three keys 27 to 29 on the third row in order from the left key, and the three central keys 31 on the fourth row are set. "Q
It is desirable that two characters “Z” be set. With such a key arrangement, a so-called mobile phone or PHS
(Personal Handy phone System), so that the key input device of the present invention can be applied to a mobile phone or the like, and a user who is accustomed to the key layout of the mobile phone can easily perform the key layout. Can be grasped.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First Embodiment (Overall Configuration) The first embodiment is an example in which the key input device of the present invention is applied to a portable information terminal 1 as shown in FIGS. The portable information terminal 1 is, for example, connected to a cellular phone (PHS) or the like, and transmits input information through the portable information terminal 1 or stores and displays received information. And a disc-shaped lid 4 provided on the rear wall via a hinge 3 so as to be openable and closable. A key input device 5 is provided on the main body 2, and a liquid crystal screen 6 is provided on the inner surface of the lid 4.

The key input device 5 has a rectangular main key area 20 provided at the center of the main body 2.
The main key area 20 has at least four steps,
Twelve main keys 21 to 32 in a row are arranged.

(Structure of Main Keys 21 to 32) Each character, symbol and function are set in the main keys 21 to 32. That is, in the symbol mode for inputting symbols, the keys 21 to 32 are input when the keys 21 to 32 are individually pressed, on the upper side of the key surface (key top) of each of the main keys 21 to 32,
Various symbols used for symbol input are set.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, in the first three keys 21 to 23, "() '" is assigned to the key 21 and "@" is assigned to the key 22. , Key 23 is set to "", and "<>@" is assigned to key 24, and key 25 is assigned to three keys 24 to 26 in the second row.
Is set to "[] tilde symbol" and "/% │" is set to the key 26, "-+ =" is set to the key 27, and "@ +" is set to the key 28 for the three keys 27 to 29 in the third row. * # ”Is the key 2
9, “￥ & ＄” is set, and the third row of three keys 30 to 3
2, the key 30 is set to “.:;”, The key 31 is set to “, _〜”, and the key 32 is set to “.!?”.

These symbols are used for each main key 21.
-32 once, the upper left symbol of the key top (that is, "(", "$", "", "<", "[",
[/], "-", "＠", "￥",
",", ",""."), When the key is pressed twice, the symbol in the upper middle of the key top (that is, ")", "｝", ""
">", "]", "%", "+", "*",
When "&", ":", "_", "!") Are pressed three times, the symbols at the upper right of the key top (that is, "'", """,
"＾", "｀", "tilde", "│", "=",
"#", "@", ";", "~", "?") Are set to be input, respectively.

On the lower side of the key top of each of the main keys 21 to 32 (the lower side of the symbol at the time of the single input), a Kana / Kana mode (Hiragana mode / Katakana mode) and an English character mode (English uppercase mode / English) are described later. In the lower case mode), character keys such as alphabets used for Japanese or English input in Roman characters are set.

Here, the arrangement of the character keys in the main keys 21 to 32 is such that a vowel key is set on the upper side and a vowel key is set on the lower side in combination with the vowel key in Roman alphabet input. ~ Consonant keys for inputting "Wa" are arranged.

One of the features of the present invention is that Roman character input is adopted as Japanese input. Roman alphabet input
Since the number of characters is smaller than that of the 50 kana characters, the operation of the key input device 5 or the like, which has a small number of keys, is simpler than the case where the 50 kana characters are set for each key. With the spread, most users who input Japanese use Roman characters, so there is an advantage that it is easy to work on.

Further, in the input of Roman characters, the appearance frequency of each character has regularity, the frequency of vowels is the highest, and consonants appear almost in the order of the 50th tone of "K, S, T, N ...".
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the vowel keys are set collectively on the upper main keys 21 to 25, and the consonant keys are arranged on the lower keys 26 to 32 in descending order of frequency. In addition, the order is easy to hit.

More specifically, as shown in FIG.
"A", "I", "U", "E", and "O" representing vowels as a character array are respectively assigned to the keys 21 to 23 and the left and center keys 24 and 25 in the second row. It is arranged as a first character key input when the key is hit once. The sequence is "A", "I", "U", from left to right and from stage 1 to stage 2.
The characters are set so as to be "E" and "O" in consideration of ease of remembering the characters.

On the other hand, each of the other keys 27 to 32 is used as a first character key which is inputted when the key is hit once, such as "K", "S", "T" representing Japanese consonants. "
"N", "H" and "R" consonant keys are arranged, and key 2
6, a consonant key "Y" is arranged. These arrays contain "ka" rows, "sa" rows, "ta" rows, "na" rows,
The configuration is such that the consonants of the "ha" line, the "ra" line, and the "ya" line are arranged almost in the order of Akasatana. Also,
The keys 32 and 26 include "M" and "W" as second character keys which are input when the key is hit twice consecutively.
Consonant keys are arranged. This arrangement is such that the remaining “ma” and “wa” rows are arranged.

The keys 27 to 29 and 31 include "G", "Z", "D" and "B" as second character keys which are input when the key is hit twice consecutively. Are arranged. That is, the "ga" line, the "za" line,
Consonants "G", "Z", which input "da" line and "ba" line
"D" and "B" are Kiyone "ka" lines, "sa" lines, "ta"
Enter the row, “ha” row “K”, “S”, “T”,
The sound is set so as to correspond to “H” and arranged so that the clear sound and the dull sound correspond to each other.

In the key 31 to which "H" and "B" for inputting "ha" line and "ba" line, "P" for inputting "@" line as a third character key is set. "Is set, and the input of the" @ "line can be performed easily and with good operability.

The key 30 in which "N" for inputting the "na" line is set is a sound-repellent "n" in Roman alphabet input.
It is also used as a key for inputting.

Further, the vowel keys 21 and 24 to which "A" and "E" are set are long vowels "-" and "-" as second character keys.
The prompting sound “tsu” is a set long tone setting vowel key and a prompting sound setting vowel key, respectively.

Each of the keys 26 to 29 has three keys.
“X”, “F”, “J”, and “V” are set as the third character keys that are input when the keys are repeatedly pressed. Further, “C” is set to the key 30 as a second character key in the English input mode (English mode),
“Q” is set as the third character key. Also,
In the key 32, “L” is set as a third character key.

Therefore, regarding the 26 letters of the alphabet, five keys 2 out of 12 main keys 21 to 32 are used.
Vowels "A", "I", "U", "E",
“O” is set alone, and the other keys 26 to 32 are set with three other 21 characters. Specifically, “YWX” is set to the right key 26 of the second row, “KGF” is set to the key 27, and “SZJ” is set to the key 28 to the three keys 27 to 29 of the third row. "Is set to" TDV "in the key 29," NCQ "is set to the key 30 and" H "is set to the key 31 in the three keys 30 to 32 of the fourth row, respectively.
“BP” and “RML” are set in the key 32.

At the upper left position of the main keys 21 to 32 (upper left position of the main keys 21 to 32), various numbers and symbols input in the number mode are set. Specifically, the numbers “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”,
“5”, “6”, “7”, “8”, “9”, “0”, comma “,”, and period “.” Are set, respectively. Note that these numbers and symbols are set so as to be input when each of the main keys 21 to 32 is pressed once in the numeric mode.

(Key Input Processing) Next, an input processing function in the key input device 5 having the above-described key arrangement will be described with reference to a block diagram shown in FIG. First, it is determined whether or not each of the keys 21 to 32 has been pressed.
Detect at 1. For example, a fixed cycle (for example, 1 to 10
In ms), the timer is interrupted, and the I / O ports and the like assigned to the keys 21 to 32 are checked to determine whether or not there is a key input.

When it is determined that there is no key input, the timer interrupt is repeated at a constant cycle and the key input is waited. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a key input, the key input processing means 102 performs an input process. When an input mode switching operation is performed, the mode switching unit 103 is operated, and the input mode of the key input processing unit 102 is appropriately switched and set. This input mode switching operation may be performed by, for example, displaying a list of input modes on the liquid crystal screen 6 and selecting and tapping a number corresponding to the input mode to be switched from the list. The input mode may be switched by pressing a key in combination with a specific key such as switching by pressing the keys 21 and 22 at the same time, or by separately providing a mode key or the like, and pressing this mode key. It is also possible to switch between them.

The key input processing means 102 performs processing so that predetermined characters, numerals, and the like are output according to the set input mode and the input key. Then, the output characters and numbers are displayed on the liquid crystal screen 6 via the screen control unit 104.

(Input of Characters, Numbers, and Symbols) Input of characters, numbers, and symbols in the key input device 5 will be described with reference to FIG. Each mode can be changed by hitting a mode key (not shown) to switch the input mode. i) Symbol mode In the symbol mode, when the main keys 21 to 32 are pressed, the symbols "(", "@", ""","<","["", [/],
“−”, “＠”, “￥”, “•”, “,” and “.” Are input, respectively. If you press twice, the main keys 21-
The symbols ")", "$", "", ">", "]", "%",
“+”, “*”, “&”, “:”, “_”, And “!” Are input, respectively. When pressed three times in succession, the main key 21
The symbols “'”, “”, “＾”, “｀”, “tilde symbol”,
"│", "=", "#", "＄", ";", "~",
"?" Is input.

Ii) Kana / Kana mode When the main keys 21 to 32 are pressed in the hiragana mode,
Hiragana is input by inputting Roman characters. That is,
When the vowel keys 21 to 25 are pressed once, a vowel is input. When the consonant keys 26 to 32 and the vowel keys 21 to 25 are pressed, a hiragana by a Roman character input is input as “consonant + vowel”.

In the katakana mode, the main keys 21 to 3
When 2 is pressed, katakana is input by romaji input as in the hiragana mode.

In the hiragana mode and the katakana mode,
When a vowel key 21 to 25 is pressed, the vowel is input. At this time, if the vowel keys (I, U, O) 22, 23, and 25 are continuously pressed twice or more, the alphabet (vowel) is continuously input. On the other hand, when the long sound setting vowel key 21 and the prompting sound setting vowel key 24 are continuously pressed two or more times,
A long sound and a prompt sound are input according to conditions.

That is, the vowel key (I, U, E, O) 2
After pressing 2 to 25 or the like (in the case of FIG. 5), if the long tone setting vowel key 21 is pressed twice or more consecutively, the following is input. When the long vowel setting vowel key 21 is pressed twice consecutively after another vowel or the like, a long vowel "-" is input, and when it is pressed three consecutive times, "vowel + long vowel", that is, "a-" is input. Further, when the button is pressed four times in a row, “long sound + vowel (−a)” is input.
"Long sound (-a-)" is input. When the button is pressed six times in succession, the state returns to the state where the button is pressed once.

On the other hand, in other cases (case of FIG. 5)
When the long tone setting vowel key 21 is depressed twice in succession, the following is input. Press the long vowel key 21
Pressing twice consecutively inputs "vowel + vowel (aa)", pressing 3 times continuously inputs "vowel + long (a-)", pressing 4 times consecutively causes "vowel + long sound". + Vowel (aa) "is input. When the button is pressed five times in succession, the state returns to the state where the button is pressed once. For example, in the above and cases, when the long tone setting vowel key (“A” key) 21 is pressed, the long tone setting vowel key (“A” key) 21 in FIG. Is entered as

The vowel keys (I, U, E, O) 22 to
After pressing 25 or the like (in the case of FIG. 5), when the prompting sound setting vowel key 24 is pressed twice consecutively, “tsu” is input, and 3
If it is pressed continuously, "e" is input. If it is pressed four times in a row, it returns to the state where it was pressed once.

On the other hand, in other cases (FIG. 5)
, When the consonant setting vowel key 24 is pressed twice consecutively, "ee (converted to" e ")" is input, and when it is pressed three consecutive times, "e" is input, and four consecutive times Then, when pressed, "ee" (converted to "e") is input. When the button is pressed five times in succession, the state returns to the state where the button is pressed once. For example, in the above cases and when the prompting sound setting vowel key (“E” key) 24 is pressed, FIG.
(B) is input.

Each of the consonant keys 26 to 32 is set with three consonants of the first character to the third character, respectively. Have been able to. That is, if pressed once, the character on the left side of each key top will be pressed twice, and the central character will be 3
Press twice to enter the characters on the right. In addition, 4
When pressed once, state pressed once (input of characters on left side)
Return to

However, in the kana mode, even if the consonant key 30 to which "N" is set is pressed twice or three times, "C, Q"
Is not input, "n" is input by tapping once, and "nn" is input by pressing twice, and "n" is input.
Is converted to "n + n" by inputting "nnn" three times. When the key 30 is also pressed four times in succession, the state in which the main key 30 is pressed once is returned. When the main key 30 is pressed once, "n" is basically input. When a main key other than a vowel is pressed after the main key 30, "n" is input. Is converted.

Iii) Alphabet mode When the main keys 21 to 32 are pressed in the alphabet mode, each alphabet is input. At this time, the vowel keys 21 and 2
Pressing 5 twice or more in succession will repeatedly input that alphabet.

On the other hand, when the consonant keys 26 to 32 are pressed once, the character on the left of each key top is input, when pressed twice, the central character is input, and when pressed three times, the character on the right is input. When the button is pressed four times, the state returns to the state where the button is pressed once. The uppercase and lowercase letters are input by switching the input mode by pressing a mode key (not shown).

Iv) Numeric mode In the numeric mode, when the main keys 21 to 32 are pressed, the numbers "1" and "2" written on the upper left of each key 21 to 32 are displayed.
"3", "4", "5", "6", "7", "8", "9", "0", "," and "." Are input. If the key is pressed multiple times, the numbers, commas, and periods are input as many times as the key is pressed.

In the key input operation of the key input device 5 of the present embodiment, for example, the key may be pressed with only one finger or may be operated with both hands. The index finger on the key 27 with “K” set, “O”
The state where the middle finger is placed on the key 25 to which is set and the ring finger is placed on the key 29 where "T" is set is the home position.

The forefinger is moved to the main keys 21 to 23.
2, the middle finger is used when pressing the vowel keys 21 to 25, and the ring finger is used when pressing the vowel keys 21 to 25. , 32 is used, the movement from the home position is reduced, and the input operation is facilitated. Note that these are only basic pushing methods, and may be appropriately changed so that the user can easily push them.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 7, in the input of kana (kana mode), "comment", "claim",
"Saturday", "Ping Pong", "Cooler", "Case",
When inputting the characters "white blood cell", "sister", and "guidance", the key input operation shown in FIG. In addition, as shown in FIG.
In order to input the characters "LMNESS", the key input operation shown in FIG. In this case, when continuing the consonant of the same key, pressing and releasing a cursor right key (not shown) separates the previous character. Also, as shown in FIG. 9, in the input of numbers, “42,195”, “3.1415”
In order to input each numeral of "9", the key input operation shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, when inputting symbols such as "@", "%", and "?", The key input operation shown in FIG. 10 may be performed.

(Effects of First Embodiment) 1) In the key input device 5, twelve main keys 21 to 23 are used.
Since three types of symbols are set for each of the keys 2, a total of 36 types of symbols can be set for the main keys 21 to 32, whereby sufficient types of symbols can be set. Also, a pair of symbols and related symbols such as “(” and “)”, ““ and “”, “−”, “+”, and “=” are assigned to one key 21, 23. , 27
Since, for example, after inputting "(", it is possible to easily input the symbol without searching for ")" which is a pair of the symbol, thereby easily inputting the symbol.

2) In the key input device 5, "(" and ")" and "" and "", which are used relatively frequently, are set in the upper keys 21 and 23. In this respect, it is also possible to easily input symbols.

3) Since the input of each symbol is divided according to the number of times each key 21 to 32 is pressed, the input operation of the symbol can be easily performed, and any key can be pressed by pressing each key 21 to 32 at most three times. But you can enter. Thereby, symbol input can be easily performed.

4) The most frequently used vowels in both Japanese and English, namely "A", "I", "U", "E", "O"
Are set to the independent keys 21 to 25, these characters can be input by pressing the key once. For this reason, the number of times of keying in frequently used vowel input can be reduced. Therefore, input operability can be improved, and high-speed input can be performed. Further, the vowels "A", "I", "U", "E",
Since “O” is arranged from the first row to the second row and from left to right, it is easy to remember the key position of each vowel and operability can be further improved.

5) Since the other 21 letters of the alphabet are arranged three by seven on keys 26 to 32, the alphabet 26 can be formed with a very small number of keys, such as 12 keys.
It is possible to form a small and highly portable key input device 5 capable of inputting characters. In addition, since three characters are arranged on each of the seven keys to which consonant keys are set, when each character is input by the number of times each key is pressed, each key is pressed up to three times. When pressed, any character can be input to improve operability, and since each consonant is evenly arranged on each key, the keying operation can be well balanced and operability can be further improved.

6) Keys are set separately for keys 26 to 32 in which consonants "K" to "W" are set and main keys 21 to 25 in which vowels "A" to "O" are set. Japanese can be input by inputting Roman letters of "consonant + vowel". For this reason, when inputting Japanese, it is possible to input if the user presses the key twice on average, for example, 10
Set “A” line to “W” line for each key and set each key to 1 to
The input operability can be improved as compared with the Japanese syllabary arrangement in which each character is pressed five times, and high-speed input can be performed. In addition, consonants "K, S, T," which are used in combination with the vowel keys 21 to 25 in the Roman alphabet input to input the "ka" line to the "wa" line.
N, H, M, Y, R, W "is the first of the keys 26 to 32.
Alternatively, since it is set as the second character key, a consonant of a clear tone, which is frequently input next to a vowel, can be input by a simple operation, and the operability can be further improved.

7) In the Roman alphabet input, "K" for inputting the "K" line and "G" for inputting the "G" line are input to the main key 26, and "S" and "The" for inputting the "S" line are input. "Z" for inputting a row to the main key 27, "T" for inputting a row and "D" for inputting a row to the main key 28,
Since “H” for inputting a row and “B” for inputting a row are set as keys 30, respectively, the related clear sound and muddy sound can be input by changing the number of times the main key is pressed using the same key. Can be. For this reason, the key position for the muddy sound can be easily grasped, the input operation can be easily remembered, and the input can be performed at high speed.

8) The vowel key 21 is set to a second character key for inputting a long tone "-", and the key 24 is set to a second character key for inputting a prompt sound "tsu". Is pressed two to five times in succession, key input processing means 102
Can output a character string that includes the long sound "-" and the prompting sound "tsu", which makes it easy to input the frequently used long sounding "-" and the prompting sound "tsu" in Japanese input, and improves the character input efficiency. Can be improved. In particular, the long sound setting vowel key 21 and the prompting sound setting vowel key 24 are input depending on whether they are input after another vowel key or the like, or after a consonant key, that is, the arrangement of character strings in Japanese input. In consideration of the above, the combination of the output character strings is changed, so that the character input efficiency can be further improved.

9) Use "G", "Z", "D", and "B" to input a muddy sound, press "N" twice to input a sound-repelling "n", or input "consonant + Y +". The vowels are used to input repetitive sounds, and the input of voiced sounds, etc., using a combination of characters similar to the Roman alphabet input on a conventional general keyboard, so that key operations can be quickly learned and operability improved. You can input at high speed.

10) Character keys (main keys) 21 to 32
Are arranged in three rows and can be touched with three fingers of an index finger, a middle finger, and a ring finger, and each finger can slightly move from the home position to hit each key 21 to 32 in charge. For this reason, even a beginner can easily learn the key position, and can quickly perform the key input operation by blind touch.

11) Touch the vowel keys 21 to 25 with the middle finger,
If the other main keys 26 to 32 are depressed with the index finger or the ring finger, the consonant and the vowel are alternately pressed by another finger, so that the input operability is improved and the blind touch can be easily learned.

12) For a key on which a plurality of characters and symbols are set, the characters and symbols are written on the surface of the key.
By pressing the key one to three times, a desired character or symbol can be easily input. Therefore, the input keys can be easily grasped, and the input operability can be further improved.

13) Romaji input and English input can be performed using 12 main keys 21 to 32, which are significantly less than the conventional keyboard, so that the key input device 5 can be downsized, It can be easily applied to a very small device such as a wristwatch and the like, and the position of the key can be easily remembered, can be operated with one hand, and even a beginner can easily learn.

[Second Embodiment] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the same or corresponding components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description is omitted or simplified.
The portable information terminal 1 of the present embodiment differs from the portable information terminal 1 of the first embodiment in that the main body 2 has a vertically long rectangular shape. Also in the second embodiment, the effects 1) to 13) of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[Modifications] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but includes other configurations capable of achieving the object of the present invention. The present invention also includes the following modifications. It is. For example, the key input device 5 of the embodiment is
The long sound “-” and the prompting sound “tsu” are set so that Japanese input can be performed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if only English input is performed, as shown in FIG. The key input device may omit the "-" and the prompt "tsu".

The arrangement of the characters set on the main keys 21 to 32 is not limited to the arrangement of the above-described embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 23 for "ABC" and "DE
"F" is set, and the second row of three keys 24-2
6 is "GHI", "JKL", "MNO"
One character is set, and three characters of “PRS”, “TUV”, and “WXY” are set to the three keys 27 to 29 of the third row, respectively, and the central key 31 “QZ” of the fourth row is three An arrangement for a mobile phone in which two characters are set can be adopted. With such a key arrangement, a so-called mobile phone or PHS (Pe
rsonal Handy phone System), so that the key input device of the present invention can be applied to a mobile phone or the like, and a user who is accustomed to the mobile phone key layout can easily perform the key layout. You can figure out.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the input of characters, symbols, and the like is performed by tapping the main key physically formed in the main key area.
For example, the main key area may be a liquid crystal display screen, and the virtual main key displayed on this screen may be touched with a dedicated pen or finger. In this way, when the virtual main key is touch-input and the three types of symbols set for each key are input, for example, "." Input is performed by touching the bar with a “-” on the key, that is, drawing a line. Specifically, input the symbol on the left with one point touch, input the center symbol with two point touches,
A symbol is input by dividing the number of point touches such as inputting a symbol on the right by three point touches, or three types of symbols are input by two bar touches and line touches having different line types. Here, input operability can be improved by setting the line type and the number of touches of the point touch and the bar touch according to the number of characters and symbols set on the key.

In the above embodiment, a plurality of symbols set for each key are selected and input according to the number of times the key is hit. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a key for separately selecting a symbol may be used. A key may be provided to select and input a symbol.

The keys for setting the long sound “-” and the prompting sound “tsu” are the vowel keys 21 to which “A” and “E” are set.
For example, any of the other vowel keys 22, 23, and 25 to which "I", "U", and "O" are set may be used. However, it is possible to improve the input operability by setting the long sound "-" and the prompting sound "tsu" to the keys "A" and "E", which are rarely continuously hit in Japanese Roman alphabet input. It is preferred in that respect.

Further, in the above embodiment, the vowel key 21
Although the long character "-" and the prompting sound "tsu" are both set as the second character keys of ~ 25, only one of them is set as the second character key of the vowel keys 21-25. Is also good.

Further, the key 30 is set as a key for inputting the sound-repelling "n", but is not limited to this.
Any of the keys 21 to 29, 31, and 32 other than the key 30 may be set as a key for inputting the sound-repelling “n”. In addition, the number of keystrokes for outputting “n” or “nN” may be set as appropriate. However, tapping the key 30 to which “N” is set twice to input the sound repelling “n” is based on the Roman character input on a conventional general keyboard. It is preferable that the setting be made because the input operability can be improved.

Further, the arrangement of letters and numbers shown on the main keys 21 to 32 is not limited to that of the above embodiment. For example, the vowel keys 21 to 25 may be arranged not at the upper side but at the lower side or at the left and right ends. They may be arranged on the side or the like, and these may be set as appropriate in implementation. The arrangement of the symbols set in each of the main keys 21 to 32 is not limited to that of the above-described embodiment.
｀ ”,“ [] tilde symbol ”on the key 22, and“ /
% │ "," () '"for the key 24," ｛｝ "for the key 25,""" for the key 26,
What is necessary is just to set suitably in implementation.

The models and applications in which the key input device of the present invention is used are not limited to personal digital assistants (PDAs), but also input devices for personal computers, notebook personal computers, mobile personal computers, mobile phones, electronic notebooks, and electronic calculators. It may be used as a key input device of an information processing device such as a pen-touch keyboard, and a key input device incorporated in a measuring device or a control device, and further, as a home appliance device such as an Internet TV remote controller. .

[0076]

According to the key input device of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. That is, according to the key input device of claim 1, the twelve main keys 21
Since three types of symbols are set for each key of ~ 32,
As a whole, 36 kinds of symbols can be set as the main key, so that sufficient kinds of symbols can be set. Further, a pair of symbols and related symbols such as “(” and “)”, “” and “”, “−”, “+”, and “=” are set in one key. Therefore, for example, after inputting "(", it is possible to input easily without looking for ")" which is a pair of this symbol, thereby easily inputting the symbol.

According to the key input device of the second aspect, "(" and ")" which are relatively frequently used,
Since "" and "" are set in the upper keys, it is easy to find them when inputting them, and from this point, it is also possible to easily input symbols.

Further, according to the key input device of the third aspect, if the input of each symbol is divided by the number of times each key is pressed,
The input operation of the symbol can be easily performed, and any symbol can be input by pressing each key up to three times.
Thereby, symbol input can be performed more easily.

According to the key input device of the fourth aspect, the most frequently used vowels, that is, "A", "I", "U", "E", and "O" are used in both Japanese and English. These characters can be entered with a single key press, since they are set as independent keys. For this reason, the number of keystrokes at the time of vowel input can be reduced, operability is improved, and high-speed input is also possible. Also, since the other 21 letters of the alphabet are arranged in three on each of the seven keys 26 to 32, it is possible to input 26 letters of the alphabet with a very small number of keys such as 12 keys. The key input device 5 excellent in portability can be formed. Furthermore, since three characters are arranged on each of the seven keys to which consonant keys are set, when each character is input by the number of times each key is pressed, each key is pressed up to three times. When pressed, any character can be entered to improve operability and each consonant is evenly arranged on each key,
The keying operation can be well balanced, and the operability can be further improved.

Further, according to the key input device of the fifth aspect, with such a key arrangement, keys 21 to 25 can be provided.
Since the vowels are arranged in this order, the key positions can be easily remembered, and the operability can be further improved. In addition, when combined with the vowel keys in Roman alphabet input,
Consonants “K, S, T, N, H, M,
Since “Y, R, W” is set as the first or second character key of each key, it is possible to input a consonant of a clear tone having the highest frequency of input next to the vowel by a simple operation, further improving operability. Can be improved. In addition, the "G" key to input the "ga" line of the muddy sound to the "K" key to input the "ka" line,
The "Z" key to input the "the" row to the "S" key to input the "sa" row, and the "da" to the "T" key to input the "ta" row
Press the "D" key to enter the row, "H" to enter the "c" row
Since the "B" key for inputting the "ba" line is set as the key, the related clear tone and dull tone can be input using the same key (for example, by changing the number of times the key is pressed). Therefore, the input operation of the muddy sound can be easily remembered, and the input operation can be performed at high speed.

According to the key input device of the present invention, the key arrangement is the same as that of a so-called mobile phone or PHS (Personal Handy phone System). The key input device can be applied to a mobile phone or the like, and a user accustomed to the key layout of the mobile phone can easily grasp the key layout.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a portable information terminal using a key input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the first embodiment with a lid closed.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing a main key of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the key input device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a function of a main key according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows main keys according to the first embodiment;
It is a figure showing an example of input operation of the "A" key and the "E" key.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hiragana key input operation in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a key input operation of capital letters in the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a numeric key input operation in the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a key input operation of a symbol in the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a portable information terminal using the key input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view showing a modification of the present invention, showing a main key.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view showing a main key according to another modification of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Personal digital assistant 2 Main body 3 Hinge 4 Lid 5 Key input device 6 Liquid crystal screen 20 Main key area 21-32 Main key 21-25 Vowel key with vowel set 26-32 Consonant key with consonant set

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A main key area provided with at least twelve main keys in at least four rows and three rows in right and left rows, and the twelve main keys include "() '" and "｛｝".
““ ”＾”, “<> ｀”, “[] tilde symbol”, “/% │”
“− + =” “＠ * #” “￥ & ＄” “・:;” “, _ ～”
A key input device, wherein three types of symbols, ". !!", are respectively set. 2. The key input device according to claim 1, wherein the three keys in the first row include "() '" in order from the left key.
Three types of symbols, “｛｝” and “＾”, are respectively set. The three keys in the second row are “<>” in order from the left key.
記号 ”, [[] tilde symbol”, and “/% |” are set, and the three keys in the third row are “− + =”, “＠ * #”, “￥” in order from the left key. & ＄ ”are set respectively, and the three keys of the fourth row are three keys of“ • :; ”,“ __ ”and“!? ”In order from the left key. A key input device characterized by being set. 3. The key input device according to claim 1, wherein, when each of the main keys is pressed once, a left symbol is set among the symbols set for the main key. When the key is selected and input and the key is pressed twice, the center symbol is selected and input from among the symbols set on the main key. When the key is pressed three times, the key is set on the main key. A key input device, wherein a right symbol is selected and inputted from among the symbols described above. 4. The key input device according to claim 1, wherein five of the twelve main keys have alphabets “A” and “I” representing vowels. "," U ",
Character keys for inputting "E" and "O" are individually set,
A key input device, wherein three other keys are provided with three characters each representing another 21 consonants of the alphabet. 5. The key input device according to claim 4, wherein the first three keys include “A”,
The letters “I” and “U” are set, respectively, the letters “E” and “O” are set on the left and center keys of the second row, respectively, and the letters on the right side of the second row are Three characters of “YWX” are set, and three keys of “KGF”, “SZJ”, and “TDV” are arranged in order from the left key on the third row.
Characters are set respectively, and the three keys in the fourth row
"NCQ", "HBP", "RM
A key input device, wherein three characters of "L" are respectively set. 6. The key input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the center and right keys of the first row are respectively set to “AB”.
Three characters “C” and “DEF” are set, and three keys in the second row are “GHI”, “J
KL "and" MNO "are set, respectively.
The three keys in the third row include “PR
A key input device in which three characters "S", "TUV", and "WXY" are set, respectively, and two characters "QZ" are set in the center key of the third row in the third row. .