JP2002164980A - Mobile terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mobile terminal that can enhance the operability of entering characters or symbols by one-hand operation so as to allow a user to easily generate a sentence of mail in a short time. SOLUTION: Keys 18 to enter characters or symbols are placed on concentric circles around a prescribed point O. Thus, when the user uses a device body 11 by holding it by fingers other than a thumb of one hand and by the palm of one hand and operating the keys with only the thumb of the one hand, the prescribed point O is matched with a center of a joint of a root of the thumb (joint of proximal phalange) so as to arrange the keys 18 along the loci of the turning movement of the thumb around the joint so as to enhance the operability of key entries for characters or symbols.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable terminal for exchanging information by communication, such as a portable telephone, and more particularly to improvement of operability.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, portable terminals such as portable telephones which exchange information by communication have become smaller and lighter.
As in the past, holding the fuselage with one hand and performing key operations with the other hand, hold the fuselage with fingers and palms other than the thumb of one hand, and use only the thumb of one hand to hold the fuselage. The usage of performing operations is becoming common. A portable terminal that can be held and operated with one hand is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent No. 3044926. The one disclosed in this publication has a rotary dial plate capable of displaying a single-digit number different for each rotation position, and one button switch for inputting a numerical value displayed on the dial plate, The numbers constituting the dial numbers are selectively displayed one by one by rotating the rotary type dial plate, and the dial numbers are sequentially input by operating the button switches every time the numbers are displayed.

[0003]

In the above-mentioned publications, however, only the numerals for dial numbers are input, so that the above-mentioned configuration could be adopted. Can send email,
It is necessary to input characters (including numbers) and symbols in order to input the text of the email. However, the above publication is not suitable for inputting characters for preparing such a sentence. This is because, when the above publication is applied to input of characters and symbols, the dial must be rotated each time a character or symbol is selected, so that the operation is very complicated and time-consuming.

Therefore, the present invention improves the operability of inputting characters or symbols by one-handed operation,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile terminal capable of easily and quickly creating a text of an email.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a portable terminal according to a first aspect of the present invention has a plurality of keys for inputting characters or symbols, and the plurality of keys are provided. Are arranged on a concentric circle centered on a predetermined point.

As described above, since a plurality of keys for inputting characters or symbols are arranged on a concentric circle centered on a predetermined point, the body is held by fingers and palms other than the thumb of one hand. When the key operation is performed using only the thumb of one hand, the predetermined point is aligned with the center of the joint at the base of the thumb (basal phalangeal joint), so that the thumb with the joint at the center is used. The keys are arranged along the trajectory of the rotational movement, and the operability of key input for inputting characters or symbols is improved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable terminal according to the first aspect, comprising: a touch panel having a plurality of input areas; and a key display unit capable of displaying each key display within the range of the touch panel. The key display and the input area constitute the plurality of keys, and each key display is displayed on a concentric circle centered on a predetermined point in the key display unit, and each key display and the key display are displayed. It is characterized by having a display control unit for associating with each input area.

As described above, the touch panel having a plurality of input areas and the key display section capable of displaying each key display within the range of the touch panel have a plurality of keys formed by the key display and the input areas. Therefore, the position of the key can be changed as needed.

A portable terminal according to a third aspect of the present invention relates to the portable terminal according to the second aspect, wherein the display control section displays each of the key displays on the key display section around a first predetermined point on the right side of the body. A right hand use state in which each key display is made to correspond to each input area of the touch panel, and each key display in the key display unit is displayed on a concentric circle centered on a second predetermined point on the left side of the machine body. , And can be switched to a left-hand use state in which each key display corresponds to each input area of the touch panel.

As described above, each key display is displayed on the right side of the body at the first position.
The right hand use state in which each key display and each input area of the touch panel are displayed on a concentric circle centered on the predetermined point of the center, and each key display is placed on a concentric circle centered on the second predetermined point on the left side of the aircraft. It can be switched to the left hand use state in which each key display and each input area of the touch panel correspond to each other, so if a person who prefers one hand operation with the right hand, use the right hand state and prefer one hand operation with the left hand In the case of a person, if the left hand is used, the operability of key input for inputting a character or a symbol can be improved for either one of left and right hand operations.

A portable terminal according to a fourth aspect of the present invention relates to the portable terminal according to the second or third aspect, wherein the display control unit changes the radius of each key display from the predetermined point on the key display unit. And in each change display state, the key display and the input area of the touch panel are associated with each other.

As described above, each key display can be displayed by changing the radius from the predetermined point, and in each changed display state, each key display corresponds to each input area of the touch panel. In the case of a person with a long thumb, the radius from the predetermined point is increased, and in the case of a person with a short thumb, the radius from the predetermined point is reduced. Also, the operability of key input for inputting characters or symbols can be improved.

A portable terminal according to a fifth aspect of the present invention relates to the portable terminal according to the fourth aspect, further comprising a temperature sensor, wherein the display control unit controls the key display unit based on a detection result of the temperature sensor. Each of the keys is displayed by changing a radius from the predetermined point.

As described above, based on the detection result of the temperature sensor, each key display is changed and displayed on the key display section from the predetermined point, and in the changed display state, each key display and each input of the touch panel are changed. In order to correspond to the area, for example, when the temperature is low and the finger is easily gripped, while automatically reducing the radius from the predetermined point,
In a situation where the temperature is high and the finger is hard to bite, by automatically increasing the radius from the predetermined point, for any one-handed operation when the temperature is low or high,
The operability of key input for inputting characters or symbols can be improved.

A portable terminal according to a sixth aspect of the present invention relates to the portable terminal according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, wherein the display control unit determines the number of the input areas corresponding to each of the key displays. Can be changed.

As described above, since the number of input areas corresponding to each key display can be changed, for example, in the case of a person whose thumb pressing area is large, the number of input areas can be reduced to reduce the number of input areas. Prevents pressing the input area corresponding to the display, and for people with a small thumb pressing area, increasing the number of input areas allows the key to be pressed with a slight offset from the key display to be input. Even if it is performed, it is possible to prevent a state where input cannot be performed.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First, a portable terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

The portable terminal of the first embodiment is a so-called portable telephone capable of transmitting and receiving a voice call and mail, and the overall shape of the body 11 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape in which the corners are arc-shaped.

An antenna 12 is provided on the left side of the upper end of the body 11, an audio output unit 13 for outputting audio is provided above the front surface 11a, and an audio input unit 14 is provided below the front surface 11a for inputting audio. ing. Furthermore, front 1
A display unit 15 that can display characters, symbols, images, and the like is provided above the audio output unit 1a and below the audio output unit 13.

In addition, a plurality of keys 18 for inputting characters (including numbers) or symbols are provided between the display unit 15 and the voice input unit 14 from the center to the lower part of the front surface 11a. Key operation unit 19 is provided. Each key 18 of the key operation unit 19 is of a button type, and characters or symbols are displayed on its surface. That is, in each key 18, the display position of the character or the symbol matches the operation position where the input operation is performed. The keys 18 are arranged concentrically around a predetermined point O outside the body 11.

That is, the plurality of keys 18 are composed of a key row 21 arranged on an arc having the shortest radius r1 centered on the predetermined point O, and the key row 21 centered on the predetermined point O.
Key row 2 arranged on an arc of radius r2 slightly longer than
2, a key row 23 arranged on an arc having a radius r3 slightly longer than the radius r2 around the predetermined point O, and an arc having a radius r4 slightly longer than the radius r3 around the predetermined point O. And a key row 25 arranged on an arc having a radius r5 slightly longer than the radius r4 with the predetermined point O as a center.

Here, the predetermined point O is set outside the right side of the lower part of the body 11 when the front face 11a of the body 11 is viewed from the front. Specifically, when operating each key 18 with only the right thumb while holding the body 11 with the fingers and palms other than the right thumb, the predetermined point O is indirectly connected to the base of the right thumb (basal bone indirect). The predetermined point O is set at a position substantially matching the center of ()).

According to the portable terminal of the first embodiment having such a configuration, the following effects can be obtained.

Since a plurality of keys 18 for inputting characters or symbols are arranged on a concentric circle centered on a predetermined point O, the body 11 is held by fingers and palms other than the thumb of one hand. When the key operation is performed with only the thumb of one hand, the predetermined point O
Is aligned with the center of the joint at the base of the thumb (basal phalangeal joint), the keys 18 are arranged along the trajectory of the rotational movement of the thumb about the joint, and the input of characters or symbols can be performed. Operability of key input for the purpose is improved.

Therefore, it is possible to easily and quickly compose a text of a mail even with one-handed operation, and it is also possible to prevent the thumb from being over-actuated and its joints and the muscles of the thumb from being hurt. That is, if the arrangement is unreasonable from an ergonomic point of view, there is a problem of causing such a pain, but such a problem does not occur.

Next, a portable terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

The mobile terminal according to the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment mainly in the configuration of the key operation unit 19.

That is, the key operation unit 19 of the second embodiment provided between the display unit 15 and the voice input unit 14 is for inputting characters (including numbers) or symbols, as in the first embodiment. The touch panel 29 has a plurality of input areas 28 that can individually detect the presence or absence of a pressing operation.
And a key display unit 31 capable of displaying each key display 30 composed of characters or symbols within an area of the touch panel 29 at an arbitrary position.

In the portable terminal of the second embodiment, each key display 30 is displayed on the key display unit 31 so as to form a concentric circle inside the body 11, and each key display 30 and each input area 28 of the touch panel 29 are provided. And a display control unit (not shown) for associating with. That is, the display control unit controls the display position of each key display 30 including a character or a symbol and each input area 28 for performing an input operation on each key display 30.
The corresponding relationship is stored so that each of the operation positions is matched. As a result, each key 18 is displayed on the key display section 31.
, And an input area 28 arranged at a position corresponding to each key display 30.

Here, in the second embodiment, by a predetermined input operation, the display control unit displays the respective key displays 30 on the key display unit 31 in FIG. As shown, a right hand use state in which each key display 30 and each input area 28 of the touch panel 29 are displayed on a concentric circle centered on the first predetermined point (predetermined point) O1 on the right side outside the body 11 and As shown in FIG. 3, each key display 30 is displayed on the
It is displayed on a concentric circle centered on a second predetermined point (predetermined point) O2 on the outside left side, and can be switched to a left-hand use state in which each key display 30 and each input area 28 of the touch panel 29 correspond. I have.

That is, in the right hand use state, the plurality of keys 18 are composed of a key row 33 arranged on an arc having the shortest radius r1 around the first predetermined point O1 and the first predetermined point O1. A key array 34 arranged on an arc having a radius r2 slightly longer than the radius r1 as a center, and a key arranged on an arc having a radius r3 slightly longer than the radius r2 around the first predetermined point O1. A row 35, a key row 36 arranged on an arc having a radius r4 slightly longer than the radius r3 with the first predetermined point O1 as a center, and a key row 36 with the radius r4 centered on the first predetermined point O1. And a key row 37 arranged on an arc having a slightly longer radius r5.

The first predetermined point O1 in the right hand use state is, specifically, when operating each key 18 with only the right thumb while holding the body 11 with fingers and palms other than the right thumb. The first predetermined point O1 is set at a position substantially matching the center of the joint (base joint) of the base of the thumb of the right hand.

In the left-hand use state, the plurality of keys 18 form a key row 39 arranged on an arc having the shortest radius r1 around the second predetermined point O2 and a second predetermined point O2. A key row 40 arranged on an arc having a radius r2 slightly longer than the radius r1 as a center, and a key arranged on an arc having a radius r3 slightly longer than the radius r2 around the second predetermined point O2. A row 41, a key row 42 arranged on an arc having a radius r4 slightly longer than the radius r3 around the second predetermined point O2, and a key row 42 centered on the second predetermined point O2. And a key row 43 arranged on an arc having a slightly longer radius r5. At this time, when the body 11 in the right-hand use state and the body 11 in the left-hand use state are arranged side by side with the front surface 11a facing the front and the upper and lower positions being aligned, each key 18 Are arranged so as to be mirror-symmetric with respect to the contact surface between the respective bodies 11.

The second predetermined point O2 in the state of using the left hand is, specifically, when operating each key 18 with only the left thumb while holding the body 11 with fingers and palms other than the left thumb. The second predetermined point O2 is set at a position substantially matching the center of the joint of the base of the thumb of the left hand (the proximal phalanx).

According to the portable terminal of the second embodiment having such a configuration, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects of the first embodiment.

A key operation unit 19 having a plurality of keys 18
A touch panel 29 having a plurality of input areas 28,
A key display unit 31 capable of displaying each key display 30 is provided within the range of the touch panel 29, and the key display 30 and the input area 28 constitute a plurality of keys 18. It can be changed as needed. Therefore, the position of the key 18 can be changed according to the physical characteristics of the operator.

More specifically, as described above, each key display 3
0 is displayed on a concentric circle centered on the first predetermined point O1 on the right side of the body 11, and each key display 30 is associated with each input area 28 of the touch panel 29. 11 second predetermined point O
2 and can be switched to a left-hand use state in which each key display 30 and each input area 28 of the touch panel 29 correspond to each other, so that a person who prefers one-handed operation with the right hand can use the right hand. In the case of a person who prefers one-hand operation with the left hand in the use state, if the left hand use state is used, the operability of key input for inputting characters or symbols can be improved for either left or right one-hand operation. it can.

Therefore, the text of the mail can be created easily and in a short time by either one-hand operation on the left or right, and it is possible to prevent the thumb from being overwhelmed and the joints from being hurt or the muscles of the thumb from being hurt. it can.

Note that the second embodiment can be modified as follows.

In response to a predetermined input operation, the display control unit causes the key display unit 31 to display each key display 30 and, when the right hand is used, each of the radii r1 to r5 from the first predetermined point O1.
In the left-hand use state, the respective radii r1 to r5 from the second predetermined point O2 are changed and displayed, and in each changed display state, each key display 30 corresponds to each input area 28 of the touch panel 29. Let it.

Thus, for example, in the case of a person with a long thumb, the radii r1 to r5 from the first predetermined point O1 to the respective key displays 30 in the right hand use state, and the second radius in the left hand use state. Each of the radii r1 to r5 from the fixed point O2 to each of the key displays 30 is increased, and in the case of a person with a short thumb, each of the radii r1 to r5 from the first predetermined point O1 to each of the key displays 30 when the right hand is used. If the radius r1 to r5 from the second predetermined point O2 to each key display 30 in the left-hand use state is reduced, respectively, if any one-handed operation of a person with a long thumb and a person with a short thumb, The operability of key input for inputting characters or symbols can be improved.

Therefore, it is possible to easily and quickly compose a text of an e-mail by one-handed operation of a person with a long thumb and a person with a short thumb. The pain can be prevented.

In this case, the body 11 is provided with a temperature sensor (not shown), and the display control unit displays each key display 30 on the key display unit 31 based on the detection result of the temperature sensor and the first key display 30 in the right hand use state. Radius r1 from the predetermined point O1
To r5, and in the left-hand use state, the respective radii r1 to r5 from the second predetermined point O2 are changed and displayed, respectively.
In the changed display state, each key display 30 and each input area 28 of the touch panel 29 can be associated with each other.

Thus, for example, in a situation where the temperature is low and the finger is easily gripped, the radii r1 to r5 from the first predetermined point O1 to the respective key displays 30 are automatically set in the right hand use state, and the left hand is used. In the use state, the respective radii r1 to r5 from the second predetermined point O2 to the respective key indications 30 are respectively reduced. On the other hand, in a situation where the temperature is high and the finger is hard to be gripped, the right hand use state is automatically performed. First
Radii r1 to r from the predetermined point O1 to each key display 30
For example, if the radius r1 to r5 from the second predetermined point O2 to each key display 30 in the left hand use state is increased, for example, when the temperature is low or high, one-handed operation is possible. Also, the operability of key input for inputting characters or symbols can be improved.

Therefore, the text of the mail can be easily and quickly prepared by one-handed operation when the temperature is low and when the temperature is high. The pain can be prevented.

Further, the display control section may change the number of input areas 28 of the touch panel 29 corresponding to each of the key displays 30 on the key display section 31 by a predetermined input operation.

As described above, if the number of input areas 28 corresponding to each key display 30 is changed, for example, in the case of a person whose thumb pressing area is large, the number of input areas 28 can be reduced to press the key. To prevent the user from pressing the input area 28 corresponding to the key display 30 next to the key display 30 described above.
By increasing the number of 8, it is possible to prevent a situation in which an entry cannot be made even if the key display 30 to be entered is pressed in a slightly shifted state.

Therefore, it is possible to easily and quickly compose a text of an e-mail by one-handed operation of a person who has a large pressing area of the thumb and a person who has a small pressing area. Muscles can be prevented from becoming sore.

[0049]

As described in detail above, claim 1 of the present invention
According to the portable terminal described above, since a plurality of keys for inputting characters or symbols are arranged on a concentric circle centered on a predetermined point, the airframe is held with fingers and palms other than the thumb of one hand. When holding and using the key operation with only the thumb of this one hand, this predetermined point is aligned with the center of the joint at the base of the thumb (basal phalangeal joint), so that the joint is centered. The keys are arranged along the trajectory of the rotation of the thumb, and the operability of key input for inputting characters or symbols is improved.

Therefore, it is possible to easily and quickly compose a text of a mail even with one-handed operation, and it is also possible to prevent the thumb from being overwhelmed and the joints and the muscles of the thumb from being hurt.

According to the portable terminal of the second aspect of the present invention, the portable terminal includes a touch panel having a plurality of input areas, and a key display section capable of displaying each key display within the range of the touch panel. Since a plurality of keys are configured with the input area, the positions of the keys can be changed as needed.

Therefore, the positions of the keys can be changed according to the physical characteristics of the operator.

According to the portable terminal of the third aspect of the present invention, each key display is displayed on a concentric circle centered on the first predetermined point on the right side of the machine, and each key display and each input area of the touch panel are displayed. It is possible to switch between a corresponding right hand use state and a left hand use state in which each key display is displayed on a concentric circle centered on a second predetermined point on the left side of the aircraft and each key display corresponds to each input area of the touch panel. Therefore, if a person prefers one-handed operation with the right hand, use the right hand.If a person prefers one-handed operation with the left hand, use the left hand. The operability of key input for inputting a key can be improved.

Therefore, the text of the mail can be created easily and in a short time by either one-hand operation on the left or right, and it is also possible to prevent the thumb from being overwhelmed and the joints from being hurt or the muscles of the thumb from being hurt. it can.

According to the portable terminal of the fourth aspect of the present invention, each key display can be displayed by changing a radius from the predetermined point, and in each changed display state, each key display and each input of the touch panel are displayed. In order to make the area correspond, for example, in the case of a person with a long thumb, the radius from the predetermined point is increased, and in the case of a person with a short thumb, the radius from the predetermined point is reduced. The operability of key input for inputting a character or a symbol can be improved for one-handed operation of a long person and a short person.

Therefore, it is possible to easily and quickly compose a text of an e-mail by one-handed operation of a person with a long thumb and a person with a short thumb. The pain can be prevented.

According to the portable terminal according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, each key display is displayed on the key display section by changing the radius from the predetermined point based on the detection result of the temperature sensor. In order to make each key display correspond to each input area of the touch panel in the state, for example, in a situation where the temperature is low and the finger is easily gripped, the radius from the predetermined point is automatically reduced while the temperature is high and the finger is In a situation where it is difficult to steer, if the radius from the predetermined point is automatically increased, a key input for inputting a character or a symbol can be performed for one-handed operation when the temperature is low and when the temperature is high. Operability can be improved.

Therefore, the text of the mail can be easily and quickly prepared by one-handed operation when the temperature is low and high, and the thumb is over-executed, the joint is hurt, and the muscle of the thumb is distorted. The pain can be prevented.

According to the portable terminal of the present invention, since the number of input areas corresponding to each key display can be changed, for example, in the case of a person whose thumb pressing area is large, the input area can be changed. By reducing the number of keys, it is possible to prevent pressing the input area corresponding to the next key display, and for a person with a small thumb pressing area, increase the number of input areas, and It is possible to prevent a state where input cannot be performed even if the display is slightly shifted from the display.

Therefore, it is possible to easily and quickly compose a text of an e-mail by one-handed operation of a person who has a large or a small pressing area of the thumb, and the joint is hurt by the thumb being overwhelmed and the thumb is damaged. Muscles can be prevented from becoming sore.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a state in which a mobile terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention is held by a right hand.

FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating a state in which the mobile terminal according to the second embodiment of the present invention is held by a right hand, and illustrates one state of a key operation unit.

FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating a state in which the portable terminal according to the second embodiment of the present invention is held by a left hand, and illustrates another state of the key operation unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 body 18 keys 19 key operation unit 28 input area 29 touch panel 30 key display 31 key display unit O predetermined point O1 first predetermined point (predetermined point) O2 second predetermined point (predetermined point)

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A portable terminal having a plurality of keys for inputting characters or symbols, wherein the plurality of keys are arranged on a concentric circle centered on a predetermined point. 2. A touch panel having a plurality of input areas, and a key display unit capable of displaying each key display within a range of the touch panel, wherein the key display and the input areas constitute the plurality of keys. A display control unit for displaying each key display on a concentric circle centered on a predetermined point in the key display unit and for associating each key display with each input area. The mobile terminal according to claim 1. 3. The display control section causes the key display section to display each of the key displays on a concentric circle centered on a first predetermined point on the right side of the body, and displays each of the key displays and each of the input areas of the touch panel. In the key display section, each key display is displayed on a concentric circle centered on a second predetermined point on the left side of the machine, and each key display is associated with each input area of the touch panel. 3. The portable terminal according to claim 2, wherein the portable terminal can be switched to a left-hand use state. 4. The display control unit is capable of displaying each of the key displays on the key display unit by changing a radius from the predetermined point, and displaying each of the key displays and the touch panel in each changed display state. 4. The mobile terminal according to claim 2, wherein each input area is associated with the input area. 5. A display device comprising: a temperature sensor;
The mobile terminal according to claim 4, wherein the key display unit displays the respective key displays on the key display unit by changing a radius from the predetermined point based on a detection result of the temperature sensor. 6. The mobile terminal according to claim 2, wherein the display control unit can change the number of the input areas corresponding to each of the key displays.