JP2002297298A - Document input system using keyboard and electronic equipment equipped with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a document input system in which the number of keying necessary for switching a character input mode can be reduced without increasing the number of keys, and the other input mode can be easily inserted into a Japanese cursive syllabary mode and to provide electronic equipment equipped with the system. SOLUTION: When first one cursive character of Japanese syllabary is inputted to the temporary input area of a character input display screen with a cursive form of Japanese syllabary input mode as a standard, the character input mode is switched to a Japanese square syllabary input mode by striking an upward arrow key 212 once, to a numeric input mode by striking a left arrow key 214 once, and to an alphabetic input mode by striking the left arrow key 214 twice, and when the inputted character is decided, the character input mode simultaneously returns to the Japanese cursive syllabary input mode. While it is necessary to strike a character key 217 four times in order to switch the Japanese cursive syllabary input mode to another character input mode, and then to return it to the Japanese cursive syllabary input mode in a conventional practice, this processing can be executed only by one or two keying operations.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic device having a keyboard for inputting characters or control, and more particularly to a document input system for an electronic device having a keyboard.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an electronic device equipped with a keyboard, a keyboard for character input or control input is used to transmit many types of characters and control information such as flat, katakana, numbers, symbols, and alphabets. Input to electronic devices,
Furthermore, Japanese sentences including kanji can be handled by the well-known kana-kanji conversion technology for handling kanji. At this time, since it is necessary to input many types of characters from the same keyboard, the character input mode is switched to a character input mode corresponding to the type of character to be input, and character input is performed. For example, in a mobile phone, a character input mode is switched with a few keys as shown in FIG. 5 to input Japanese. Referring to FIG. 5 in more detail, FIG. 5 is an example of a keyboard of a mobile phone. The keyboard 500 is composed of 24 keys, and the keys are a control key portion 510 and a data key portion 53.
0. The i-mode key 511 is a key for switching the mobile phone from the telephone mode to the data processing mode. In the data processing mode, characters can be input from the keyboard 500. Arrow keys 512, 51
Reference numerals 4, 516, and 518 denote cursor keys, which allow the user to input up, down, left, and right cursor movements using keys. Menu key 513
By pressing a key, a menu screen (not shown) can be displayed, and by performing key operations according to the screen, various states regarding character input, for example, designation of uppercase / lowercase, full-width characters, half-width characters, etc. It can be specified. The confirmation key 515 instructs execution or confirmation of the operation. The character key 517 is a key for switching a character input mode. Each time the key is pressed, the character input mode is switched in the order of a flat input mode, a one-sided input mode, an alphabet input mode, and a numeric input mode. Interval key 51
Numeral 9 inputs an interval code in the character input mode.
The telephone key 520 and the hold key 522 are used for the telephone function call and the control for temporarily holding the call, and are not used for the character input function. The clear key 521 deletes the input contents under a predetermined condition.

[0003] Numeric keys 531 to 539 and 541 of data key portion 530 are numerals 1 to 0 in a numeric input mode.
Is a key for inputting the ten numbers. These keys can also input respective characters in a flat input mode, a half-tone input mode, or an alphabet input mode.

In the flat input mode or the single input mode, kana characters in each row of the kana syllabary are input while being distinguished by the number of times of keying of each key. For example, key 532
Each time the key is pressed, it changes from [ka] to [ki] to [ku], and [ko] is input by typing five times in succession. Successive keystrokes of the same key are deemed to have been completed when another key is subsequently pressed. In the alphabet input mode, the input of the alphabet displayed on the numeric keys is also distinguished by the number of times the numeric keys are pressed, and is input as a 26-character alphabet. For example, every time the key 539 is pressed, [w] →
[x] → [y] → [z], and successive keystrokes of the same key are deemed to have been completed by successively tapping another key.

[0005]

In the case of a portable device, it is necessary to input characters with a small number of keys as shown in FIG. 5 in order to improve portability, and the operation for switching the character input mode is complicated. And the character input efficiency decreases.
For example, when inputting a sentence mainly composed of hiragana,
Assuming that one number or letter is mixed in some places,
It is necessary to hit the character key 517 four times in total for mode change and mode return. This means that four extra keystrokes are required to enter one number or alphabetic character.

The present invention seeks to reduce such extra operations as much as possible. Further, it is an object of a portable device to simultaneously reduce the number of keys for character input as much as possible.

An object of the present invention is to reduce the number of keystrokes required for switching the character input mode without increasing the number of keys, and to easily insert another character input mode in the plain input mode. It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and an electronic device provided with the system.

[0008]

A document input system according to the present invention is a document input system using a keyboard in an electronic device having a character input keyboard, wherein a set flat input mode and a flat input are used. Input control means capable of inputting a character corresponding to each character input mode by tapping the same key on a keyboard in correspondence with a plurality of character input modes other than the above, and the input control means determines an input character. A temporary input mode is provided before input, and in a temporary input mode of flat input, a predetermined switching key is pressed to switch to a temporary input mode of another predetermined character input, and the temporary input mode after the switching is performed. The character string provisionally input is changed to a definite input by depressing the definite key, and at the same time, the mode returns to the plain input temporary input mode.

[0009] The plurality of character input modes other than the plain input may be a one-sided input mode, a number input mode, and an alphabetic input mode, and a predetermined switching key is a key shared with a cursor key. In the flat input mode, the first character temporarily input is changed to a character corresponding to the switched character input mode assigned to the input key of the temporarily input character by pressing a predetermined switching key. It may be converted to be the first provisional input character after conversion.

In another aspect, in response to a flat input mode and a plurality of character input modes other than a flat input, a character corresponding to each character input mode is input by inputting the same key on a keyboard. The input control means has a provisional input mode before the final input of the input character, and in the provisional input mode of plain input,
When a predetermined switching key of the first group is pressed, the mode is switched to a temporary input mode of another predetermined character input, and a character string provisionally input in the temporary input mode after the switching is performed by pressing a confirmation key. The input is changed to the fixed input, and at the same time, the temporary input mode of the flat input is returned again, and the predetermined switching key of the second group is pressed to switch to the temporary input mode of another predetermined character input. The character string temporarily input in the temporary input mode is changed to a fixed input by pressing the enter key, and after the input, the temporary input mode of another predetermined character input is continued.

The switching key of the first group is a key shared with the cursor key, and the switching key of the second group may be an independent key for independently switching the character input mode. May be a one-sided input mode, a numeric input mode, and an alphabetic input mode, and the first temporarily input character in the flat input mode is a first group and a second character. By pressing any of the predetermined switching keys of the group
The character may be converted into a character corresponding to the switched character input mode assigned to the input key of the provisionally input character to be the first provisional input character after conversion.

An electronic device provided with the document input system according to the present invention is an electronic device provided with a character input keyboard, a display, and a control unit including a key input control unit. Has a system. In this case, the electronic device may be a mobile phone.

In the document input system of the present invention, a plurality of keys can be assigned to switch the character input mode and the character input mode can be switched. Therefore, the number of keystrokes required for the switching is small and character input can be performed efficiently.

Further, since the key for switching the character input mode can be shared with the cursor key,
A dedicated key for switching is not required, and the number of keys can be reduced.

Further, when a sentence mainly composed of hiragana and kanji, which is an ordinary Japanese sentence, is mixed with a small number of kana, numbers, or English characters, a key required for switching the character input mode is used. Since the number of keystrokes is small, character input can be performed efficiently.

Furthermore, the conventional method using one dedicated character input mode switching key and the improved method according to the present invention coexist by simply switching programs on one keyboard. The user can select the conventional method and the method according to the present invention as needed.

[0017]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration and functions of an electronic device including a keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic device having a keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The electronic device 1 includes a control device 10, a keyboard 20 having control keys and data keys and outputting information to be processed, and a display 30 for displaying output information processed by the control device 10. The control device 10 includes an input unit 11, a control unit 12, a storage unit 13, and an output unit 16. The input unit 11 inputs input information from a keyboard 20, and a key of the control unit 12. Input control unit 13
Processes the key input information, and converts the input information into kanji based on the kana-kanji conversion dictionary 15 in the storage unit 14 as necessary.
The output unit 16 outputs the output information processed by the key input control unit 13 to the outside. The information processed by the key input control unit 13 is processed in the control unit 12 as necessary, and is stored in the storage unit 14.

FIG. 2 is a key arrangement diagram of a character input keyboard of an electronic device provided with the document input system according to the embodiment of the present invention. A character input by keystroke of a character input keyboard is determined, and is used by the control unit 12 of the electronic device 1 for a predetermined purpose.

Referring to FIG. 2, a keyboard 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a keyboard for key input of a portable telephone, and includes a control key portion 210 and a data key portion 230.
24 keys 211 to 222 and 231 to
242. The keyboard 200 in FIG. 2 is input in one of a first input mode mainly for inputting kana characters and a second input mode mainly for inputting Roman characters. The setting of the first input mode and the second input mode of the keyboard 200 is performed as follows. When the menu key 213 is depressed in the initial state where the power is turned on, an input mode setting screen is displayed on a menu screen (not shown), and when the key 231 is depressed in accordance with the instruction on the screen, the first input mode is set. When the key is pressed, the mode is set to the second input mode.

First, the character input operation from the keyboard 200 in the first input mode will be described. The i-mode key 211 is a key for switching the mobile phone from the telephone mode to the data processing mode.
Characters can be input from the keyboard 200. Arrow keys 212, 214, 216, and 218 are cursor keys, and can be used to input cursor movements up, down, left, and right.
By pressing the menu key 213, a menu screen (not shown) can be displayed. By performing key operations according to the screen, various states related to character input,
For example, it is possible to specify uppercase / lowercase characters, full-width characters, half-width characters, and the like. The confirmation key 215 instructs execution or confirmation of the operation. The character key 217 is a key for switching the character input mode. Each time the key is pressed, the character input mode is switched in the order of flat input mode, one-sided input mode, alphabet input mode, and numeric input mode. Pressing the key in the input mode returns to the flat input mode. The interval key 219 inputs an interval code. The telephone key 220 and the hold key 222 are used for the telephone function call and the control for temporarily holding the call, and are not used for the character input function. The clear key 221 deletes the input contents under a predetermined condition.

The numeric keys 231 to 239 and 241 of the data key portion 230 are keys for inputting ten numeric characters 1 to 0 in the numeric input mode. These keys can also input respective characters in a flat input mode, a half-tone input mode, or an alphabet input mode.

In the hiragana input mode or the kana input mode, the kana characters in each line of the kana syllabary are input while being distinguished according to the number of times of tapping of each key. For example, key 232
Each time the key is pressed, it changes from [ka] to [ki] to [ku], and key 23
By pressing the key 2 five times in succession, [ko] is input. Successive keystrokes of the same key are deemed to have been completed by subsequent keystrokes of other keys.

The input of alphabetic characters is performed in an alphabetic character input mode, and the input of alphabetic characters similarly displayed on the numeric keys is input as a 26-character alphabet, distinguished by the number of times the numeric keys are pressed. For example, every time the key 232 is pressed, [a] →
It changes to [b], and three consecutive keystrokes enter [c]
Is input, and subsequently another key is pressed, it is considered that the continuous key press of the same key is completed.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a character input display screen 300. The character input display screen 300 includes a fixed input area 301,
It comprises a temporary input area 302, a conversion information area 303, and a character input mode display area 304.

The character input mode display area 304 displays character input modes available at that time. The possible character input modes include a character input mode such as a hiragana input mode, a katakana input mode, an alphabet input mode, and a numeric input mode. These modes are based on the character keys 21
Whenever the character key 217 is pressed in the number input mode, the mode returns to the flat input mode. Next, possible modes of character input include uppercase and lowercase. All alphabetic characters have upper and lower case letters, but hiragana, katakana and lowercase letters are limited to some characters such as [ぁ], [tsu] and [ゃ]. Numbers are not case sensitive.
The uppercase or lowercase input mode is displayed on the menu selection screen displayed by pressing the menu key 213.
It can be set by selecting using the up and down arrow keys 212 and 218. The next possible character input mode is a mode of inputting as full-width characters or half-width characters. Hiragana characters are always entered in full-width mode, but one-byte, alphabetic and numeric characters are entered in either full-width or half-width input mode. The selection of this state can be set in the same manner as in the case of displaying a menu screen by tapping the menu key 213 and displaying a menu screen. Further, there is a distinction between a mode in which a character is input and an overwrite mode or an insertion mode. This state is also set by a series of operations from the menu key 213. The state of these character input modes is displayed in the character input mode display area 304.

In the fixed input area 301, a character string that has been already input, that is, a sentence is displayed. Temporary input area 3
02 is confirmed and the cursor key 21 is pressed in a state where the next provisional input is not made in the provisional input area 202.
By pressing keys 2, 214, 216, and 218, the cursor in the fixed input area 301 can be moved up, down, left, and right. By pressing the interval key 219,
An interval can be inserted from the position designated by the cursor in the fixed input area 301. The input modes related to the input of the interval include a state in which full-width or half-width characters are distinguished, and a state in which overwriting or insertion is distinguished. These modes are displayed in the character input mode display area 304.

Next, the case of inputting characters will be described. In the flat input mode, keys 231 to 23
When the user presses the key 9 and the key 241, the first row of the kana syllabary displayed on the respective keys is input to the temporary input area 302 and displayed. With the number of continuous keystrokes of each key, characters in each row corresponding to the number of keystrokes in the kana syllabary are tentatively input.

In order to determine the characters on the same line in the temporary input area 302, the cursor of the character input to the temporary input area with the → key 106 is sent to determine the character before the cursor. For example, when a character string [Kaikai] is to be input, the key 232 is repeatedly pressed twice, the → key 216 is pressed, the key 232 is pressed, and the key 231 is pressed twice. The character string [Kaikai] is entered and displayed. After confirming this, when the enter key 215 is depressed, a character string [kikai] is input with the cursor position in the enter input area 301 at the top.

By hitting the # key 242 once in the temporary input stage, the voice sound of the character immediately before the input in the temporary input area is input. The semi-voiced sound can be input by hitting the # key 242 twice.

The key 241 is a key for inputting characters in the [W] line. By pressing the key 241 three times in succession, [N] can be input.

Arrow character keys 212, 214, 216, and 2 are input to the hiragana character string temporarily input in the temporary input area 302.
18 can be used to perform kana-kanji conversion. When a temporary input character string is input in the temporary input area 302, when the ↓ key 218 is pressed, the kana-kanji conversion of the temporarily input character string is performed, and the first conversion candidate character string is stored in the conversion information area 303. Is displayed. After confirming this, if the character string is not the desired one, pressing the down key 218 again allows the second conversion candidate to be displayed. Hereinafter, when the desired conversion candidate is displayed, when the enter key 215 is pressed, the character string including the kanji displayed in the conversion information area 303 is definitely input to the fixed input area 301. At the same time, the display of the temporary input area 302 and the conversion information area 303 disappear.

When a part of the character string displayed in the temporary input area 302 is to be subjected to kana-kanji conversion, the ↓ key 218
Key to enter the kana-kanji conversion state, and then press key 2
Using 16 and the ← key 214, the range of the character string can be limited to limit the character string to be subjected to the kana-kanji conversion.

In the temporary input area 302. If only the first hiragana character is tentatively input, pressing the ↑ key 212 converts the tentatively input hiragana character to a half-width character and displays it in the temporary input area 302. Is temporarily in the half-tone input mode. By inputting a single kana character string into the temporary input area 302 by hitting a kana key, and by hitting the enter input key 215, a single kana character string can be input into the input area 301. At the same time, the character input mode returns to the plain input mode.

Further, when the first character of the flat input is input in the temporary input area 302 and the ← key 214 is pressed, the temporarily input character is converted into a number.
It is displayed in the provisional input area 302, and thereafter, it temporarily enters the numeric input mode. A number is tentatively input continuously by pressing a number input key.
These numbers are fixedly input in the fixed input area 301.
At the same time, the character input mode returns to the plain input mode.

At the time when the first character of the flat input has been input in the temporary input area 302, the ← key 214
Key twice, the character that was temporarily entered becomes
The characters are converted to corresponding alphabetic characters and displayed in the provisional input area 302. Thereafter, the mode temporarily changes to the alphabetic character input mode. Alphabet characters are temporarily tentatively input continuously by hitting the alphabet key, and these alphabet characters are fixedly input to the fixed input area by the enter key. At the same time, the character input mode returns to the plain input mode.
For example, when the key 232 is depressed and the hiragana [ka] is displayed in the one-character provisional input area 302, the ← key 21
If you hit key 4 twice in succession, Hiragana [ka] key 2
The first [A] of the alphabets assigned to 32 is displayed in the temporary input area 302, and the character input mode is the alphabet input mode. Subsequently, when the key 232 is depressed, [A] changes to [B], and then when the key 233 is depressed, [D] is input, and the character string [BD] is displayed in the temporary input area. At this time, when the enter key 215 is pressed, the character string [B
D] is input to the fixed input area 301, and the character input mode returns to the plain input mode.

Thus, from the plain input mode,
For one-sided input mode or number input mode, one keystroke of the arrow key, and for alphabet input mode, two keystrokes of the arrow key
The character input mode can be switched to the original flat input mode at the same time when the input is confirmed after the input. Therefore, in a sentence that contains hiragana and kanji,
Only one or two switching keystrokes are required to switch the character input mode, which is necessary to mix one- or two-character or alphanumeric character strings.

As described above, the character input mode is switched from the hiragana input mode to the one-sided kana, numeric, and alphabetical character input modes by hitting the arrow keys and returning to the original hiragana input mode with the enter key. The input operation has been described. In the first input mode, the character keys 217 are used in the same manner as in the conventional example.
The character input mode can also be switched by the predetermined number of keystrokes, but in this case, the character input mode is continued until the next character key 217 is pressed, and the total number of characters is returned to return to the first character input mode. Four keystrokes are required.

Next, the input operation of the keyboard in the second input mode of the document input system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. The i-mode key 211 is a key for switching the mobile phone from the telephone mode to the data processing mode. In the data processing mode, characters can be input from the keyboard. Arrow keys 212, 214, 216, and 218 are cursor keys, and can be used to input cursor movements up, down, left, and right. By pressing the menu key 213, a menu screen (not shown) can be displayed. By operating the keys according to the screen, various states relating to character input, for example, designation of uppercase / lowercase, full-width characters, half-width characters, etc. It can be specified. The confirmation key 215 instructs execution or confirmation of the operation. The u key 217 is a key for inputting a Roman character [u]. An e key 219 is a key for inputting Roman letter [e]. In the second input mode, “character” of the u key 217 and “interval” of the e key 219 do not function as switching of the character input mode or input of “interval”. The telephone key 220 and the hold key 222
In data processing mode, it has a character input function.
Used as keys to enter Roman letters [i] and [o]. Numeric keys 231 to 239 and 241 are keys for inputting ten numbers 1 to 0 in the number input mode. These keys can also input respective characters in a flat input mode, a half-tone input mode, or an alphabet input mode.

In the flat input mode or the one-side input mode, kana is input in Roman characters. Key 23
1, key 220, key 217, key 219, key 222
Are Roman vowels [a] [i] [u] [e]
Used as an input key for [o]. Key 232, key 233, key 234, key 235, key 236, key 2
37, key 238, key 239, and key 241 are Roman consonants [k] [s] [t] [n] [h] [m] [y]
Used as keys to enter [r] [w]. Key 2
32, key 233, key 234, key 235, key 23
6, key 237, key 238, key 239, key 241
Are input twice in succession, and consonants [g] [z] [d] [p] [b] [f] [j]
[L] [v] is input.

For example, the key 232 is depressed and the key 231
When the key is pressed, the kana [ka] is input. At this time, when the key 232 is pressed, [k] is displayed in the temporary input area 302, and when the key 231 is pressed,
[K] is changed to [?] And displayed. Similarly, key 2
If the key 32 is hit twice and the key 231 is hit, the kana [] is input. At this time, when the key 232 is pressed, [k] is displayed in the temporary input area 302, and when the key 232 is pressed, [k] is changed to [g] and displayed. When 231 is hit,
[G] is changed to [] and displayed. In the first input mode, for example, it is necessary to hit the key 232 five times when inputting [ko].
It can be input by two keystrokes, 2 and key 222.

The Roman characters [fa] [ja] [va] are converted to kana no [fu] [ja] [uu]. The Roman letter [l] means lowercase kana, for example [la]
Is converted to [ぁ]. When the key 241 is depressed, a Roman character [w] is input to the temporary input area 302.
1 is converted into an interval and input. When the key 241 is depressed and the Roman character [w] is tentatively input, → key 2
When "16" is entered, [ww] is input, and by inputting this, a continuous interval can be input. In the second input mode, the key 219 does not function as "interval", but the interval can be entered in this way.

In the second input mode, the operation always starts from the flat input mode. In plain input mode,
When keys 231 to 239 and 241, which are numeric keys, are pressed, provisional inputs corresponding to the keys are made, and [A]
[K] [s] [t] [n] [h] [m] [y] [r]
[W] is displayed. At this time, when the ← key 214 is pressed, these displays are [1], [2], and [3], respectively.
[4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [0] At the same time, the character input mode is switched to the numeric input mode, and numeric input is performed on the temporary input area 302 using numeric keys. These are set with the set key 215 in the set input area 301.
Can be confirmed. At the same time, the character input mode returns to the plain input mode.

In the plain input mode, when any one of the keys 232 to 239, which are alphabetic keys, is pressed, [k] [s] [t] [n] [h] [m] [y] [r] One of them is displayed. At this time, when the key 212 is depressed, these displays are converted into the display corresponding to the uppercase alphabetical display of the depressed key, and [A] and [D] are respectively displayed.
[G] [J] [M] [P] [T] [W]
The character input mode switches to the alphabet input mode. In the alphabet input mode, alphabets can be input in the temporary input area 202 according to the same rules as in the first input mode. These can be entered with the enter key, and at the same time, the character input mode returns to the plain input mode.

In the flat input mode, the temporary input area 2
In the state where one character is input in 02, the ↑ key 30
When key 2 is pressed, these characters are converted into half-width kana and displayed in temporary input area 202, and the character input mode is switched to half-width input mode. The input katakana character string is
The input is confirmed with the enter key, and at the same time, the character input mode returns to the plain input mode.

In the flat input mode, Roman letters are used.
Hiragana is input, and if necessary, kana-kanji conversion can be performed in the same manner as in the first input mode.

In the second input mode, switching from the flat input mode to any of the numeric input mode, the alphabet input mode, and the one-sided input mode can be performed by one keystroke of the arrow key. You can return to the flat input mode by typing. As a result, in the character input of a sentence in which a small number of numbers, alphabetic characters, and kana are mixed in a sentence composed of kana and kanji, the character input efficiency of the second input mode is more improved than that of the first input mode. However, key 21
7 is used as a Roman [u] key.
Although it cannot be used for switching with the character keys in the character input mode as in the input mode described above, character input can be converted by the arrow keys as described above. Since the key 219 is used as a Roman letter [e] key, it cannot be used as an interval key.
The input can be performed by converting the input of [w] by 41 keystrokes.

The setting of either the first input mode or the second input mode can be performed by a series of operations by tapping the menu key 213. If necessary, the user can select either input mode. Mode can be easily selected. The first input mode includes a character input method that is typically used in a conventional mobile phone, and the character input mode can be switched with a cursor key. In the second input mode, the character input mode is switched using only the cursor keys, mainly in the input of Roman kana characters.

When used only in the first input mode, [u] of the keys 117, 119, 120, and 122,
The display of [e], [i], and [o] may not be provided. The input of a Roman consonant when used in the second input mode with the first input mode and the second input mode is performed in the second input mode. In the case of exclusive use, the key display shown in FIG. 4 may be used. In the case of a dual-purpose device, if there is a space on the key surface, hiragana and lowercase letters may be written together. The display of the key surface shown in the drawings up to this point is an example, and the display is not limited to this, and can be arbitrarily changed according to the purpose without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Although the mobile phone has been described as an example here, the application is not limited to the mobile phone but can be widely applied to electronic equipment having a keyboard, and it is possible to reduce the size of the keyboard and save labor for key input. can get.

[0051]

As described above, the electronic device provided with the keyboard according to the present invention has the following effects. That is, the first effect is that the number of keystrokes required for switching is small and the efficiency of character input is high. This is because the character input mode can be switched by assigning a plurality of keys, so that the desired switching can be performed with a small number of keystrokes.

The second effect is that the number of keys can be reduced. This can be done by sharing the key for switching the character input mode with the cursor key,
This is because a dedicated key for switching is not required, and the number of keys can be reduced.

The third effect is that a sentence mainly composed of hiragana and kanji, which is a normal Japanese sentence, has a small number of kana,
When numbers or alphabetic characters are mixed, the number of keystrokes required for switching the character input mode is small and the efficiency of character input is high. This is because, when a predetermined key is pressed in the one character provisional input state of Hiragana, the character is switched to a desired character input state, and when the input is confirmed, the input returns to Hiragana input.

A fourth effect is that a user who is familiar with the conventional method can use the device without feeling uncomfortable. This means that the conventional method using one dedicated character input mode switching key and the improved method according to the present invention can coexist by simply switching programs on one keyboard, This is because the user can select the conventional method and the method according to the present invention as needed.

The fifth effect is that flat input and Roman character input can be used. This is because the first input mode mainly for flat input and the second input mode mainly for Roman character input can be switched by simply switching the program.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic device including a keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a key layout diagram of a character input keyboard of an electronic device including the document input system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a character input display screen.

FIG. 4 is another key layout of a character input keyboard of an electronic device including the document input system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a key layout diagram of a character input keyboard of an electronic device including a conventional document input system.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic device 10 Control device 11 Input part 12 Control part 13 Key input control part 14 Storage part 15 Kana-kanji conversion dictionary 16 Output part 20 Keyboard 30 Display 200, 400, 500 Keyboard 210, 410, 510 Control key part 211-219, 411-419, 511-519
Control keys 230, 430, 530 Data key parts 231 to 242, 431 to 442, 531 to 542
Data key 300 Character input display screen 301 Final input area 302 Temporary input area 303 Conversion information area 304 Character input mode display area

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A document input system using a keyboard in an electronic device having a character input keyboard, wherein the document input system corresponds to a set flat input mode and a plurality of character input modes other than a flat input. And input control means capable of inputting a character corresponding to each character input mode by tapping the same key of the keyboard, wherein the input control means has a provisional input mode before finalized input of the input character, In the tentative input mode of plain input, a predetermined switching key is pressed to switch to a tentative input mode of another predetermined character input, and the character string tentatively input in the tentative input mode after switching is determined by the enter key. A document input system using a keyboard, wherein the input is changed to a definite input by being touched, and at the same time, the mode is returned to a temporary input mode of flat input again. 2. The document input system using a keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of character input modes other than the plain input are a kana input mode, a numeric input mode, and an alphabet input mode. 3. The document input system using a keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined switching key is a key shared with a cursor key. 4. A character input mode in which a character temporarily input first in a plain input mode corresponds to a character input mode after switching assigned to an input key of a temporarily input character by tapping the predetermined switching key. 2. The document input system using the keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the character is converted into a character to be converted and becomes a leading temporary input character after conversion. 5. A document input system using a keyboard in an electronic device having a character input keyboard, wherein the keyboard is adapted to a flat input mode and a plurality of character input modes other than a flat input. Input control means capable of inputting a character corresponding to each character input mode by inputting the same key, the input control means having a provisional input mode before finalizing input of an input character, and In the provisional input mode of input, when a predetermined switching key of the first group is pressed, the mode is switched to the provisional input mode of another predetermined character input, and the character string provisionally input in the provisional input mode after switching is determined. When the key is depressed, the input is changed to a definite input. At the same time, the mode returns to the flat input temporary input mode, and a predetermined switching key of the second group is depressed. As a result, the mode is switched to the provisional input mode of another predetermined character input, and the character string provisionally input in the provisional input mode after the switching is changed to the final input by pressing the enter key, and the predetermined other character is also input after the finalization. A document input system using a keyboard, wherein a temporary input mode of input is continued. 6. The switching key of the first group is a key shared with a cursor key, and the switching key of the second group is an independent key for independently switching a character input mode. Document input system using the described keyboard. 7. The document input system using a keyboard according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of character input modes other than the flat input are a one-sided input mode, a number input mode, and an alphabetic input mode. 8. A character that is initially provisionally input in the plain input mode is not changed by pressing a predetermined switching key of any of the first group and the second group. 6. The document input system using a keyboard according to claim 5, wherein the character is converted into a character corresponding to the switched character input mode assigned to the input key and becomes a converted first temporary input character. 9. An electronic apparatus including a character input keyboard, a display, and a control unit including a key input control unit, wherein the keyboard according to claim 1 is used. An electronic device comprising a document input system. 10. The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein the electronic device is a mobile phone.