JP2001325063A - Device and method for inputting character - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device and method of inputting characters, capable of reducing the number of times of key depression when inputting characters with ten keys. SOLUTION: This electronic device is provided with an operating part 2, equipped with at least 12 ten keys 2a-2l with characters which can be inputted, a display part 7 capable of displaying a plurality of characters, a control part 4 for allowing the display part 7 to display characters according to the inputting operation of the operating part 2, and a storage part 5 for storing character fonts and screen contents. When a first input operation is performed to the operating part 2 in a character input mode, the control part 4 reads all the characters which are made to correspond to each of the ten keys for a second input operation from the storage part 5 and allows the display part 7 to display the characters. When the second input operation is performed to the operating part 2, the control part 4 allows the display part 7 to display the characters selected by the operation and the characters are inputted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a character input device and method for inputting characters in an electronic device such as a portable telephone device having an operation unit such as a numeric keypad and capable of inputting characters.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, when inputting Japanese characters with an electronic device such as a portable telephone device having a numeric keypad and capable of inputting characters, the hiragana and katakana assigned to each key of the numeric keypad are used. Reading was performed by pressing the button a predetermined number of times.

For example, in recent mobile phones, the standard "1"
"O, ka, sa, ta, na, ha,"
If the user inputs "Tomorrow" using the numeric keypad corresponding to each character of "Ya, la, wa", "1,
3, 3, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 8, 8, 8, 4,
"4, 4, 4, 1, 1" and the key 18 times.
When kanji conversion is performed, several additional key operations are required. For example, if the input "Tomorrow's Day" is entered as "Tomorrow's Schedule" using kanji, the kanji conversion is performed by pressing one of the conversion keys other than the numeric keypad at least once when "Ashita" is input. Then, "no" is input, "yoite" is input, and the kanji is converted again using the conversion key.

As another example, “meeting with Mr. Ohno”
Is entered as "(1, 1, 1, 1, 1) (1,
1, 1, 1, 1) (5, 5, 5, 5, 5) (3, 3)
"Kanji conversion" (4,4,4,4,4) (1,1,1)
(4, 4) (1) (0) (3, 3, 3, 3) “Kanji conversion” ”, and the key is pressed 33 times except for“ Kanji conversion ”. In the above example, the kanji conversion is performed twice. However, depending on the engine of the kanji conversion, several to ten to several key operations may be required.

[0005]

However, when characters are input using the numeric keypad as described above, the number of key presses is significantly increased as compared with a normal JIS keyboard or the like having a key dedicated to character input. was there.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a character input device and a character input method capable of suppressing an increase in the number of key presses when inputting characters using numeric keys. And

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a character input device, comprising: an operation unit having at least 12 numeric keys;
A display unit capable of displaying a plurality of characters, a control unit capable of displaying a character at a predetermined position of the display unit and inputting a character when an input operation is performed on the operation unit in a character input mode, a character font displayed on the display unit, and A character input device including a storage unit that stores screen contents, wherein the control unit is configured to perform a second input operation when a first input operation is performed on the operation unit in a character input mode.
All the characters corresponding to each key of the numeric keypad are read out from the storage unit and displayed on the display unit for the input operation, and when the second input operation is performed on the operation unit, selection is performed by the operation. The displayed characters are displayed on the display unit and characters are input.

The character input method according to claim 2 is
An operation unit having at least 12 numeric keys and capable of inputting characters, a display unit capable of displaying a plurality of characters, and displaying characters at predetermined positions on the display unit when an input operation is performed on the operation unit in the character input mode. In a character input device including a control unit that can input characters and a storage unit that stores a character font and a screen content to be displayed on a display unit, any one key is selected from the operation unit in a character input mode and a first key is selected. When the input operation is performed, all characters corresponding to the respective keys are displayed on the display unit for the second input operation,
Character input is performed by selecting any one of the keys again from the content displayed on the display unit and performing the second input operation.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of a mobile phone (hereinafter, referred to as a mobile phone device) 1 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 2 denotes an operation unit including at least a numeric keypad, and reference numeral 7 denotes a display (hereinafter, referred to as a display unit). The arrangement of keys provided on the operation unit 2 and the display configuration of the display unit will be described later.

FIG. 2 is a system diagram for explaining the internal configuration of the portable telephone device 1. When a key of the operation unit 2 is pressed in addition to the operation unit 2 and the display unit 7, the key is pressed. A keyboard input interface unit 3 for converting a signal into an electric signal which can be internally processed by a subsequent circuit; a control unit 4 comprising a microprocessor or the like for controlling the operation unit 2 and a display unit 7 described later; a character font and a character input control program And a storage unit 5 for storing a screen to be displayed on the display unit 7 and a screen display output interface unit 6 for converting an output signal of the control unit 4 into a screen display signal. Also,
The display unit 7 is configured to display at least characters corresponding to numeric keys.

The control section 4 has a function of displaying a character input from the operation section 2 at a predetermined position on the display section 7. The operation unit 2 includes a “1” key 2a, a “2” key 2b, a “3” key 2c, a “4” key 2d, a “5” key 2e, a “6” key 2f, a “7” key 2g, "8" key 2
h, "9" key 2i, "0" key 2k, "*" key 2
j, 12 keys of "#" key 21 are provided.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be briefly described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the character input operation of the present embodiment in the mobile phone device 1 shown in FIGS.

When performing the character input of the present embodiment,
Since the mobile phone device 1 needs to be in the character input mode instead of the telephone number input mode, it is first checked whether or not the mobile phone device 1 is in the character input mode (step S1). Switching between the telephone number input mode and the character input mode is performed using a mode switching key (not shown) or the like. When it is confirmed that the mode is the character input mode (step S1: Yes), the first operation screen of the present embodiment is displayed (step S2).

Displaying the first operation screen means that the first letter of the target character is selected by the user.
The control unit 4 of the mobile phone device 1 operates the keys 2 a to 2 of the operation unit 2.
The first letter of the Japanese syllabary "a, ka, sa, ta, na, ha,
And the list of the assignments is displayed on the display unit 7 via the image display output interface unit 6.
Is displayed on the screen. Further, the above-described assignment list may be created in advance and stored in the storage unit 5, and may be read out from the storage unit 5 and displayed on the display unit 7 when the first operation screen is displayed. If it is not possible to confirm that the mode is the character input mode (step S1: N
In o), the character input ends (step S10).

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the assignment of the Japanese syllabary and ten keys in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, in step S1, "a" is assigned to the "1" key 2a of the mobile phone, "ka" is assigned to the "2" key 2b, and "3" key 2c is assigned to the "3" key 2c. “Sa” is assigned, “ta” is assigned to the “4” key 2d, and “5” is assigned.
“Na” is assigned to the key 2e, “ha” is assigned to the “6” key 2f, “ma” is assigned to the “7” key 2g, and “ya” is assigned to the “8” key 2h. “9” key 2i is assigned “ra” and “0” is assigned.
The key 2k is assigned "wa", the "*" key 2j is assigned "dakuon", and the "#" key 21 is assigned "lowercase". Further, in FIG. 3, "lowercase letters" and "symbols such as parentheses" are assigned to other redials and memo keys.

In the first operation screen, the cursor may be simply blinked as in the conventional character input method, or the first letter and the assignment status of each key shown in FIG. 3 may be displayed on the display unit 7. . When the first operation screen is displayed on the display unit 7 of the mobile phone device 1, the user selects and inputs a first letter of a target character (step S3). The initial of the target character is often printed on or around each of the numeric keys 2a to 2l of the keyboard 2, but as described above, each of the numeric keys 2a to 2l and the initial of the character are displayed on the display unit 7. The relationship may be displayed.

When the initial of the target character is selected, a second operation screen is displayed on the display unit 7 (step S4).
The second operation screen displays a relationship between each of the numeric keys 2a to 2l and characters that can be input by each of the numeric keys.
For example, an arbitrary column in FIG. 3 is displayed in a list in correspondence with each of the numeric keys 2a to 2l. In addition, the above list display,
The information may be created in advance and stored in the storage unit 5, and may be read from the storage unit 5 and displayed on the display unit 7 when the second operation screen is displayed. The display unit 7 of FIG. 2 shows an example of the second operation screen when “KA” is selected from the first operation screen. That is, in the case of the display unit 7 shown in FIG. 2, "ka""ki""ku" is operated by the respective numeric keys 2a to 21.
"Ke""ko""ka""ki""ku""ke""ko""A"
This shows an example in which one character is selected from “B” and “C”.

In this embodiment, first, the user is caused to determine whether or not a target character is present in the input candidate characters displayed on the second input screen as described above (step S5).
When the target character is displayed on the second input screen (step S5: Yes), the target character is selected by each of the ten keys 2a to 21 (step S6). If the target character is not displayed on the second input screen (step S5: No), the second selection screen is cleared using a clear key (not shown) or the like (step S6), and step S6 is performed.
The screen returns to the first operation screen 2.

When the target character is selected, the character is displayed on the display unit 7 of the portable telephone device 1 (step S).
8). When the first character is selected, the user determines whether or not there is a next character input (step S9). If there is a next character input (step S9: Yes), the process returns to the first operation screen in step S2. If there is no next character input (step S9: No), the character input is terminated (step S10), and the process returns to the original telephone number input mode.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a target character is input, it is possible to input by simply performing two operations by the user. Only the first letter described in the first line of FIG. 4 increases the number of key operations by one operation, but each character described in the second line has the same number of key operations as the conventional one.
The number of key operations decreases for each character described in the fifth to fifth lines.
Further, in the katakana on the sixth to tenth lines in FIG. 4, since the input was performed after the character type was changed by a switching key (not shown), the key operation was always required twice or more. Can be input by two operations. Line 11 to 1 in FIG.
Similarly, in the alphabet on the fourth line, the key operation which has always been required twice or more can be input by two operations.

Here, more specifically, for example, in the case of inputting "tomorrow" or "meeting with Mr. Ohno" which is an example used in the section of the prior art, in the case of this embodiment, The number of key operations by the user changes as follows.

When inputting "Tomorrow",
"1,1,3,2,4,1,5,5,8,5,4,4,
"1, 2" and the key are pressed 14 times. In the conventional input method, the number of key operations was 18 times, which means that 4 key operations could be shortened. When performing Kanji conversion,
As in the prior art, several additional key operations are required.

When "meeting with Mr. Ohno" is input, "(1, 1) (1, 1) (5, 5) (3, 2)" Kanji conversion "(4, 5) (1, 3) ) (4, 2) (1, 1)
(0, 1) (3, 4) “Kanji conversion” ”, and excluding“ Kanji conversion ”, the ten-key is operated only 20 times. In this case, since the key is operated 33 times in the conventional input method, 13 key operations can be reduced.

When the character input device or the character input method according to the present embodiment is used, not only hiragana but also katakana and alphabets are mixed as described above. Can be further reduced.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the number of key operations when inputting characters using the numeric keypad can be greatly reduced. In addition, in the case of searching for a symbol or the like, in the case of a conventional character input device or a conventional character input method, the user sometimes feels uncomfortable that a target character does not appear when a key is operated. In the embodiment, a list of candidate characters can be displayed, so that the user can check at a glance whether or not there is a target character.

In the above-described embodiment, the case of a mobile phone has been described. However, if the electronic device includes at least a numeric keypad and a display unit capable of displaying a plurality of characters and can input characters,
It goes without saying that the present invention can be applied.

In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which characters are input mainly using only the ten keys. However, the present invention may be implemented using more keys in addition to the ten keys.

[0028] Further, at the time of the above-mentioned character input, if there is an incoming call to the portable telephone, the incoming call may be rejected, or the message may be stored using a memo function. In addition, the present invention can be applied not only to numeric keypad operation but also to a case where a numerical value is displayed on a display and a numerical value is selected while scrolling.
Further, a configuration using a joystick may be adopted.

[0029]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When characters are input using the numeric keypad, key operations can be greatly reduced. In addition, since a list of candidate characters can be displayed on the display unit, a desired character can be selected from the candidate characters at a glance, and a key operation is performed, but the user feels discomfort that the target character does not appear. Can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a mobile phone device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a mobile phone device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart of the mobile phone device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a list of characters displayed and selected on a display unit of the mobile phone device of FIG. 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 mobile phone device 2 (keyboard) operation unit 3 keyboard input interface unit 4 control unit 5 storage unit 6 image output interface unit 7 display unit

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An operation unit capable of inputting characters, a display unit capable of displaying a plurality of characters, and, when an input operation is performed on the operation unit in a character input mode, a character is displayed at a predetermined position of the display unit so that characters can be input. A character input device including a control unit and a storage unit configured to store a character font and a screen content to be displayed on a display unit, wherein the control unit performs a first input operation on the operation unit in a character input mode. In the case, when all the characters corresponding to the keys of the operation unit for the second input operation are read from the storage unit and displayed on the display unit, and the second input operation is performed on the operation unit, A character input device, wherein a character selected by the operation is displayed on the display unit and a character is input. 2. The character input device according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit includes at least twelve numeric keys, and inputs characters by operating the numeric keys. 3. The character input device according to claim 1, wherein an incoming call is rejected during operation of the operation unit. 4. An operation unit capable of inputting characters, a display unit capable of displaying a plurality of characters, and, when an input operation is performed on the operation unit in a character input mode, characters can be displayed at a predetermined position on the display unit to input characters. In a character input device including a control unit and a storage unit that stores a character font to be displayed on a display unit and screen contents, an arbitrary key is selected from the operation unit in a character input mode, and a first input operation is performed. As a result, all the characters corresponding to the respective keys are displayed for the second input operation on the display unit, and any one key is selected again from the content displayed on the display unit. A character input is performed by causing the second input operation to be performed. 5. The character input method according to claim 4, wherein the operation unit has at least twelve numeric keys, and inputs characters by operating the numeric keys. 6. The character input method according to claim 4, wherein an incoming call is rejected during operation of the operation unit.