JP2002312105A - Input device, key function guidance method and input method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate unnecessary key operations, for improving operability by enabling a user to easily confirm a process assigned to each key. SOLUTION: When any of the keys of a key unit 14 is depressed over a certain period, a control part 18 does not receive key depressing as an execution command of a process assigned to the key but indicates a list for informing the user of the process assigned to the key on an LCD 13.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an input device, a key function guiding method, and an input method applied to a device such as a portable telephone terminal which needs to input a user operation by pressing a limited key.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In mobile telephone terminals, various user operations such as character input and terminal function selection designation are performed by effectively using limited keys such as numeric keys.

In such an apparatus, in response to a key being pressed, a process assigned to the pressed key is executed. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, various processes are assigned to the first key K1 to the twelfth key K12 of the numeric keypad as shown in FIG. Then, when any of these keys is pressed, the processing corresponding to the state at that time is immediately executed.

[0004] Some examples of user operations will be described below.

(First Example) FIG. 8A is a diagram showing keys to be pressed by a user when a terminal function selection instruction is performed by a menu operation, and a change in display by pressing the keys. FIG. 8B is a diagram showing the movement of the user's finger when the operation shown in FIG. 8A is performed.

[0006] In this example, the menu is hierarchized.
Functions having the same upper digit of the digit function number form one function group. Therefore, when the user specifies a menu operation, a menu for selecting a function group is first displayed as shown in a display D1. Therefore, the user presses a key corresponding to the function group to which the specified terminal function belongs. Here, the user is instructing to execute the terminal function “Menu 22”, but since the user does not know which function group the terminal function belongs to, the user first selects the function group “Menu 1”.
Press the key K1. In response, a list of terminal functions belonging to the function group “Menu 1” is displayed.
Since the display is as shown in FIG. 2, the user searches for a terminal function of “menu 22” from this display, but knows that the function group was mistaken because there is no corresponding terminal function. In such a case, the user wants to select another function group. When the user first presses the first key K1, the function group "Menu 1" is selected and the terminal state is changed to the menu operation. Since the second level has been shifted, another function group cannot be directly selected.

In such a case, the user depresses the clear key K15 to return the terminal state to the first level of the menu operation, thereby first displaying the function group selection menu again as shown in the display D3. , The second key K2 is pressed to select the function group "Menu 2". In response to this, a list of terminal functions belonging to the function group “Menu 2” is displayed as a display D4, so that the user finds the terminal function “Menu 22” from this display and designates execution thereof. Is possible.

As described above, in the menu operation, a process such as "change of the level of the menu operation" is performed in response to the user pressing the key, so that the user presses the key incorrectly. In this case, a cancel instruction such as pressing the clear key K15 must be performed. However, in the menu operation, the user may not know which key is appropriate to press, such as not knowing to which function group the terminal function to be selected belongs as described above. In many cases, such a user searches for a desired terminal function by trial and error while pressing various keys. In such a case, it is repeated that a certain process is executed and the process is canceled, and the clear key K15 must be pressed each time. Normally, since the clear key K15 is arranged outside the numeric keypad as shown in FIG. 6, if the numeric keypad and the clear key K15 are repeatedly pressed, the user's finger moves as shown in FIG. 8B. The distance increases.

(Second Example) FIG. 9A is a diagram showing keys pressed by a user when a symbol is input in a character input state, and changes in display caused by pressing the keys. FIG.
FIG. 10B is a diagram showing the movement of the user's finger when performing the operation shown in FIG.

In this example, as shown in FIG. 7, the tenth key K10 has eight symbols ",", ←, →, ↑, ↓, (,), and the eleventh key K11 has ☆, ○, △. , □, 〒,
Eight symbols ♂, ♀, and ◇ are assigned in a character input state in which the character input mode is “alphabet”.

The user is trying to input "O" in a character input state in which the character input mode is "English" (a state where "English" is displayed at the lower right of the screen) as shown in display D11. ”” Indicates the tenth key K10 and the eleventh key K1
The user does not know which one is assigned, and depresses the tenth key K10 for the time being. As a result, as shown in the display D12, "" which is the first candidate of the symbol assigned to the tenth key K10 is displayed as an input candidate. When the user confirms that the displayed symbol is not the desired one, the user presses the tenth key K10 again.
As a result, as shown in the display D13, "", which is the second candidate of the symbol assigned to the tenth key K10, is displayed as an input candidate, and thereafter, the user checks the display and checks the tenth key K10. When the key is pressed seven times, the symbol as the input candidate returns to the first candidate of the symbol assigned to the tenth key K10, and is displayed as a display D14. We knew that "O" was not assigned to K10,
Although the first key K11 is pressed, since the tenth key K10 has already been pressed, a process of inputting any of the symbols assigned to the tenth key K10 has been executed. The eleventh key K11
When "" is pressed, "" is adopted as an input character.

Therefore, the user cancels the process of inputting any of the symbols assigned to the tenth key K10 by pressing the clear key K15 and displays the display D1.
After returning to the state of 5, the eleventh key K11 is pressed twice to input a desired “○”.

As described above, when a plurality of characters are assigned to one key, each time the key is pressed, the characters assigned to the key are sequentially selected as input candidates. Therefore, if the user presses a key different from the one to which the desired character is assigned, the number of characters assigned to that key is increased by one (9 in the above example). If the key is not repeatedly pressed, it cannot be known that the desired character is not assigned to the key, and the number of times the key is pressed increases. After the key is found to be wrong, the clear key K15 must be pressed,
As shown in FIG. 9B, the moving distance of the user's finger becomes large.

(Third example) FIG. 10 (a) shows "red 15"
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating keys pressed by a user when a character string is input and changes in display caused by pressing the keys. FIG. 10B is a diagram showing the movement of the user's finger when the operation shown in FIG. 10A is performed.

The user sequentially operates the first key K1 and the second key K2 in a character input state in which the character input mode is "Kana" as shown in a display D21 (a state where "A" is displayed at the lower right of the screen). By pressing the button, "red" is input as shown in displays D22 and D23. Then, the user presses the enter key K14 to fix "red" as shown in the display D24.

Subsequently, the user presses the character key K13 to set the character input mode to "number". here,
Each time the character key K13 is pressed, the character input mode changes in the order of “Kana” → “English character” → “Number” → “Kana”. The user presses the character key K13, As shown in displays D22 and D23, the character input mode is set to "numerals" (a state where "number" is displayed at the lower right of the screen). Then, the user selects the first key K1 and the fifth key K1.
By sequentially pressing the key K5, "15" is input after "red" which has already been input as shown in displays D27 and D28.

Next, the user presses the character key K13,
The character input mode is returned to "Kana" as shown in display D29. Then, on this, the user presses the third key K3, and as shown in the display D30, the already input “red 15”
, And then presses the enter key K14 to determine "sa" as shown in the display D31.

As described above, when changing the character type to be input, the character key K13 must be pressed to change the character input mode. Normally, the character key K13 is disposed outside the numeric keypad as shown in FIG. 6, and therefore, when the numeric keypad and the character key K13 are repeatedly pressed, the user's finger moves as shown in FIG. 10B. The distance increases.

[0019]

As described above, conventionally,
If the user does not know what process is assigned to each key, press the key as a trial, and if another process is performed as desired as a result, press another key. Is performed, the number of times the key is pressed may increase. Also, pressing a key is an instruction to execute a process assigned to that key, so it is necessary to cancel it, and for this, the user must press a key to specify cancellation. As a result, the moving distance of the user's finger may be increased. These factors have reduced the operability.

Conventionally, switching of the character input mode at the time of character input has been performed in response to pressing of a dedicated key. Therefore, each time the character input mode is changed, the user is required to select a key to which a character is assigned. Different keys must be pressed, and as a result, the moving distance of the user's finger is increased, resulting in a decrease in operability.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances. The first object of the present invention is to enable a user to easily confirm a process assigned to each key. Accordingly, the operability is improved by eliminating unnecessary key operations.

Secondly, the object of the present invention is as follows.
An object of the present invention is to improve operability by enabling switching of a character input mode using a key to which a character is assigned in a character input state.

[0023]

In order to achieve the first object, according to the present invention, when a key press is input as an instruction to execute a process assigned to the key, the key is pressed for a predetermined time or more. It is monitored whether or not a long press state is continuously pressed, and when the long press state is reached,
The input of the execution instruction in response to the key depression is prohibited, and a predetermined notification operation for notifying the user of the process assigned to the key is performed.

[0024] By taking such measures, normally, when a key used for instructing execution of a process is continuously depressed for more than a predetermined time, the process assigned to that key is executed. The user is notified. Therefore, the user confirms the contents of the processing assigned to the key only by operating the key normally used to instruct the execution of the processing without performing the processing or operating a special key. It becomes possible.

In order to achieve the second object, according to the present invention, a key press is input as an execution instruction for inputting a character assigned to a key in accordance with each of a plurality of switchable input modes. Monitoring whether the key is in a long-press state in which the key is continuously pressed for a predetermined time or more, and when it is detected that the key is in the long-press state, according to the key press, And the input mode is switched.

By adopting such means, the input mode is changed in accordance with the fact that the key normally used for instructing the execution of the character input is continuously pressed for a predetermined time or more. Therefore, the user can switch the input mode only by operating the keys normally used to instruct the execution of the character input without operating the special keys.

[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a portable telephone terminal configured by applying the input device according to the present embodiment.

As shown in this figure, the portable telephone terminal of this embodiment has an antenna 1, an antenna duplexer 2, and a receiving unit (R
X) 3, frequency synthesizer (SYN) 4, transmission unit (T
X) 5, CDMA signal processing unit 6, voice code processing unit 7, P
CM code processing unit 8, receiving amplifier 9, speaker 10, microphone 11, transmitting amplifier 12, liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as LCD) 13 as display means, key unit 1
4, a sounder 15, a vibrator 16, a memory unit 17, and a control unit 18.

A radio frequency signal transmitted from a base station (not shown) via a radio channel is received by an antenna 1, subjected to radio-electric signal conversion, and then supplied to an antenna duplexer 2. The antenna duplexer 2 includes a reception filter 2a
And a transmission filter 2b. The radio frequency signal transmitted from the base station via the radio channel passes through the receiving filter 2a and is provided to the receiving unit 3.

In the receiving section 3, the radio frequency signal is mixed with a local oscillation signal received from the frequency synthesizer 4 and frequency-converted into an intermediate frequency signal. In addition,
The frequency of the reception local oscillation signal generated by the frequency synthesizer 4 is specified by a control voltage from the control unit 18.

The intermediate frequency signal obtained by the receiving unit 3 is C
After the orthogonal demodulation processing is performed in the DMA signal processing unit 6, the data is further despread, and converted into data of a predetermined format according to the data rate.

The result of the conversion in the CDMA signal processing unit 6 is provided to the voice code processing unit 7 and the control unit 18 as received data. Data indicating the data rate among the conversion results is provided to the control unit 18 as a reception data rate.

The voice code processing section 7 subjects the received data obtained by the CDMA signal processing section 6 to decompression processing in accordance with the reception data rate notified from the control section 18, and converts the processing result into a PCM code. This is given to the processing unit 8.

The PCM code processing section 8 includes a speech code processing section 7
To decode the received data to obtain an analog reception signal. The analog reception signal is amplified by a reception amplifier 9 and then supplied to a speaker 10, which outputs a loudspeaker.

On the other hand, the transmitted voice uttered by the speaker is converted by the microphone 11 into an electric signal, that is, an analog transmitted signal. Then, the analog transmission signal is amplified to an appropriate level by the transmission amplifier 12, subjected to PCM encoding processing in the PCM code processing section 8, and provided to the voice code processing section 7 as transmission data.

The voice code processing unit 7 includes a PCM code processing unit 8
, The energy amount of the transmitted voice is detected from the transmission data given by the control unit, the data rate is determined based on the detection result, and the control unit 18 is notified. Then, the transmission data is compressed into a burst signal having a format corresponding to the data rate, and is provided to the CDMA signal processing unit 6.

The CDMA signal processing unit 6 applies a PN corresponding to the transmission channel to the burst signal compressed by the voice code processing unit 7 or the burst signal given from the control unit 18.
A spreading process is performed using a code. Then, a quadrature modulation process is performed on the processing result, and the result is provided to the transmission unit 5 as a quadrature modulation signal.

The transmitting section 5 mixes the quadrature modulated signal supplied from the CDMA signal processing section 6 with the transmitting local oscillation signal supplied from the frequency synthesizer 4 to convert it into a radio frequency signal. Based on the rate, only the effective portion of the radio frequency signal is amplified at a high frequency and applied to the antenna duplexer 2. Note that the frequency of the transmission local oscillation signal generated by the frequency synthesizer 4 is specified by a control voltage from the control unit 18.

In the radio frequency signal supplied from the transmitting section 5 to the antenna duplexer 2, only the radio frequency signal in the transmission band is supplied to the antenna 1 by the transmission filter 2b and radiated to the base station in space. You.

The LCD 13 displays an arbitrary image under the control of the control unit 18, and is used, for example, for displaying a short message or notifying the user of various information.

The key unit 14 accepts an instruction input by a user regarding a telephone number, outgoing call, end call, character input, or various user settings, and controls the specified contents.
Notify. The key unit 14 includes each key as shown in FIG.

The sounder 15 reproduces a melody and outputs various alarm sounds.

The vibrator 16 performs a vibrator operation to notify the user of the occurrence of an incoming call and the like.

The memory unit 17 is made of, for example, a flash memory and is used to store various kinds of user setting information. Further, in the memory unit 17, management information as shown in FIG. 7 showing the assignment of processing to each key of the key unit 14 is prepared, for example, as a data table.

The control unit 18 is mainly composed of, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and controls the respective units of the portable telephone terminal by software processing to realize the operation as the portable telephone terminal. The control unit 18 implements various well-known general functions in the same type of mobile phone terminal, such as a control process for enabling voice and short message communication via a mobile communication network (not shown). Input means 18a, long press detection means 18b, notification control means 18c, mode switching means 1
8d and a long press function switching means 18e.

Here, the input means 18a is the key unit 1
4 is input as an instruction to execute a process assigned to the pressed key by referring to the management information stored in the memory unit 17.

The long press detecting means 18b is a key unit 1
It is monitored whether or not the duration of the key press in step 4 exceeds a predetermined long press time, and it is detected that the long press has been performed in accordance with the determination.

The notification control means 18c is provided to notify the user of the process assigned to the long-pressed key.
A list image of the process is displayed on the LCD 13. Thus, in the present embodiment, the notification control means 18c and the LCD 1
3, the notification means is realized.

The mode switching means 18d includes the key unit 1
The character input mode is changed in response to the long press of the key in step 4.

The long pressing function switching means 18e selectively operates the notification control means 18c and the mode switching means 18d in the character input state in accordance with the long pressing mode set by the user in advance.

Next, the operation of the portable telephone terminal configured as described above will be described. The operation related to a voice call or the like is the same as that of an existing device of the same type, and a description thereof will be omitted. Here, an operation of receiving a user operation by pressing a key on the key unit 14 will be described in detail.

When any of the keys provided on the key unit 14 is pressed, the control unit 18 executes a key input process as shown in FIG.

In this key input processing, the control unit 18 first releases the generated key press or, for a predetermined long press time (for example, 1 second) while the key press is continued.
Is awaited (step ST1 and step ST2).

Here, if the key press is released before the elapse of the long press time, the control unit 18 executes the processing assigned to the currently pressed key in the management information stored in the memory unit 17. Judgment is made by reference (step ST
3). Then, the control unit 18 starts the determined processing as processing of another routine (step ST4), and ends the current key input processing. Therefore, if the key is pressed in a shorter time than the long press time (hereinafter referred to as short press), the process assigned to the pressed key is input as an execution instruction as in the related art, and the corresponding process is performed. Is activated immediately.

On the other hand, if the long press time has elapsed while the key press is continued, that is, if a key press for more than the long press time (hereinafter, referred to as a long press) has been performed, the control unit 18. Then, it is determined whether or not the current state of the mobile phone terminal (hereinafter referred to as terminal state) is in a character input state (step ST5). If it is confirmed that the character is not in the character input state, the control unit 18 causes the LCD 13 to display a list image of the process assigned to the currently pressed key (step ST6).
Note that the list image shows, for example, a list of the names of processes assigned to the currently pressed key in the current terminal state. The list image may be created by the control unit 18 each time based on the management information stored in the memory unit 17, or a list image for each terminal state may be prepared in advance in association with each key. The information may be stored in the memory unit 17 or the like and selectively used.

When the list image is displayed as described above, the control unit 18 terminates the current key input process with the list image being displayed.

If it is confirmed in step ST5 that the terminal state is the character input state, the control unit 18 confirms the long press mode (step ST7). As the long press mode, a list mode and a switching mode can be arbitrarily set. Whether the long press mode is set to the list mode or the switching mode is determined by the control unit 18 based on a mode setting operation by the user. Which of the long press modes is set is managed by storing the information in, for example, the memory unit 17.

If it is confirmed in step ST7 that the list mode is set as the long press mode, the control section 18 shifts the processing to step ST6 and displays a list image.

However, if it is confirmed in step ST7 that the switching mode is set as the long press mode, the control unit 18 changes the character input mode by one step (step ST8). In other words, "kana", "alphabet", and "numeric" exist as character input modes, and "kana" →
If it is supposed to change in the order of "alphabet" → "number" → "kana", then "kana" → "alphabet", "alphabet" → "number", or "number" → "kana" Change the character input mode.

Thereafter, the control unit 18 waits until the key is released or the predetermined update time elapses after changing the character input mode in step ST8 (steps ST9 and ST10). If the predetermined update time has elapsed before the key is released, the control unit 18 returns to step ST8 and further changes the character input mode. Thus, while the key is kept pressed, the character input mode is changed step by step at the time interval of the update time.

If it is confirmed in step ST9 that the key press has been released, the control section 18 ends the current key input processing.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when a key is pressed for a long time, the list image is displayed or the character input mode is switched without activating the process assigned to the key. is there.

The effect of this will be described by exemplifying a user operation on the mobile phone terminal of the present embodiment when performing an operation similar to the three examples described above in the section of the prior art.

(First Example) FIG. 3A is a diagram showing keys pressed by a user when a terminal function selection instruction is performed by a menu operation, and changes in display caused by pressing the keys. FIG. 9B is a diagram showing the movement of the user's finger when performing the operation shown in FIG. 9A.

When the user specifies a menu operation, a function group selection menu is first displayed as shown in display D41. Here, the user is instructing to execute the terminal function of “menu 22”, but it is not known to which function group the terminal function belongs. In such a case, the user hits the function group and long-presses the key corresponding to the function group. Here, first, a function group "Menu 1" is hit, and the corresponding first key K1 is held down. Then, since the terminal state is not the character input state here, LC
At D13, a list image of the processing currently assigned to the first key K1 is displayed as shown by a display D42. However, here, the processing assigned to the first key K1 is not executed, and the assignment of the processing of each key is not changed because the terminal state does not change. That is, unlike the conventionally displayed list, the list image displayed here is displayed as a preview.

The user searches the displayed list image for a terminal function of "menu 22". However, since there is no corresponding terminal function, the user can know that the first key K1 is inappropriate. In such a case, the user hits another function group and presses and holds the key corresponding to that function group. At this time, although the display content on the LCD 13 has changed, the terminal state has not changed at all as described above, so there is no need to cancel the previous designation by pressing the clear key K15. Here, the function group “Menu 2” is hit, and the corresponding second key K2 is held down. Then, since the terminal state is not the character input state here, LC
At D13, a list image of the processing currently assigned to the second key K2 is also displayed as a preview as shown by a display D43. Then, the user can find the terminal function “Menu 22” from this list image, and can know that the second key K2 should be pressed. Then, the user short-presses the second key K2 this time. In response to this, a process of shifting the terminal state to the second-level menu operation state relating to the function group “Menu 2” is executed, whereby the LCD 13 displays the display D4.
The display is changed to that shown in FIG. 4, and a list relating to the function group “Menu 2” is displayed. This list shows options, and in this state, by short-pressing the second key K2, it is possible to execute and designate a process for the terminal function "menu 22".

As described above, in the menu operation, when the user does not know to which key the desired process is assigned, the key is assigned by the preview list image without changing the terminal state. It is possible to confirm the process that is being performed, and it is possible to perform a correct execution designation for executing the desired process after confirming in this manner. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), there is no need to press the clear key K15, and only the operation of the numeric keypad can be performed.
The moving distance of the user's finger is reduced. In the above example, the number of times the key is pressed does not change, but the number of hit keys is two.
If the number of times is incorrect, the number of times the key is pressed is reduced as compared with the related art.

(Second Example) FIG. 4A is a diagram showing keys pressed by a user when a symbol is input in a character input state, and changes in display caused by pressing the keys. FIG. 4
FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating the movement of the user's finger when performing the operation illustrated in FIG.

The user is trying to input "O" in the character input mode in which the character input mode is "English character" as shown in display D51, but "O" indicates the tenth key K10 and the first key.
It is not known which one of the keys K11 is assigned. Therefore, the tenth key K10 is hit for a while and this key is pressed for a long time. Here, assuming that the list mode is set as the long press mode, a list image of the symbols assigned to the tenth key K10 is displayed on the LCD 13 as shown in a display D52. The user knows from the displayed list image that “○” is not assigned to the tenth key K10, and then long-presses the eleventh key K11. At this time, although the display content on the LCD 13 has changed, since the character input by pressing the tenth key K10 has not been performed, it is not necessary to clear the character by pressing the clear key K15. What is necessary is just to press and hold 11 key K11. Thereby, like the display D53,
The list image of the symbols assigned to the eleventh key K11 is L
Displayed on CD13. The user knows that “表示” is assigned to the eleventh key K11 from the displayed list image, and presses the eleventh key K11 twice to display D.
As shown at 54 and D55, a desired "O" is input.

If the list mode is set as the long press mode as described above, by pressing and holding the key during character input, the processing assigned by the list image as a preview without changing the terminal state, That is, it is possible to confirm a character to be input by the process, and to perform a correct execution designation for executing a desired character input process after confirming in this manner. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4B, there is no need to press the clear key K15, and only the operation of the ten key portion is required, so that the moving distance of the user's finger is reduced. In the past, the user had to press the key for the number of characters assigned to the key plus one time before knowing that the desired symbol was not assigned to the hit key. In the embodiment, such key pressing is not required at all, so that the number of key pressings is also greatly reduced as compared with the related art.

(Third Example) FIG. 5A shows a key to be pressed by a user when a character string “Aka 15” is input.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a change in display caused by pressing the key. FIG. 5B is a diagram showing the movement of the user's finger when the operation shown in FIG. 5A is performed.

When the user short-presses the first key K1 and the second key K2 sequentially in the character input state in which the character input mode is "Kana" as shown in the display D61, the display D62,
"Aka" is input as shown in D63.

Subsequently, the user long-presses an arbitrary key (here, the first key K1) such as a key to which a character to be input next is assigned. Here, if the switching mode is set as the long press mode, the character input mode is changed by one step at a time interval of the update time while the key is pressed for a long time. As shown, wait for the character input mode to change from "Kana" to "Alphabet" → "Numeric", and release the key press when it becomes "Numeric". At this time,
The character assigned to the pressed key is not input.

Then, the user inputs the first key K1 and the fifth key K1.
By depressing the key K5 in sequence, "15" is input after "red" which has already been input as shown in displays D66 and D67.

Next, the user presses and holds the character key K13,
The character input mode is returned to "Kana" as shown in display D68. Then, on this, the user presses the third key K3, and as shown in the display D69, the already input “red 15”
Is input after that, and then the enter key K14 is depressed to determine "sa" as shown in the display D70.

If the switching mode is set as the long-press mode as described above, the character input mode can be changed by long-pressing a key during character input. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4B, there is no need to press the character key K13, and only the operation of the numeric keypad is required, so that the moving distance of the user's finger is reduced.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the moving distance of the user's finger or to reduce the number of key presses of the user.
The operability is improved, and a simple and smooth user operation can be performed.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the user can arbitrarily select whether to display the list image or change the character input mode in response to a long press of a key during character input. Flexible operation that meets your needs is possible.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the user can arbitrarily select whether to display the list image or change the character input mode in response to a long press of a key when inputting a character, but it is fixed to only one of them. You may.

In the above embodiment, the list image is displayed as the notification operation. However, an image having another content such as a description image may be displayed. In other words, information that can help the user to recognize the content of the process executed when the key that has been pressed for a short time is short-pressed may be notified, and is limited to the information shown in the above embodiment. It may be arbitrary without being.

In the above embodiment, the display is performed as the notification operation. However, the notification operation may be performed by another method such as outputting a voice message.

In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the input device according to the present invention is applied to a portable telephone device.
The present invention can be applied to other devices such as A (Personal Digital Assistant) and a multifunctional remote controller.

In the above embodiment, the character input mode for all the keys is changed when any key is pressed for a long time. However, only the character input mode for the long-pressed key is temporarily changed. It is good.

In the above embodiment, the notification operation and the switching of the character input mode are performed according to the long press of the key. However, the processing performed in response to the long press of the key may be other than this. It is also possible for the user to arbitrarily determine what processing is to be executed.

In the above-described embodiment, the notifying operation is performed in response to a long press of a key. However, a help key is prepared, and a notifying operation related to a process assigned to the key pressed simultaneously with the help key is prepared. May be performed.

In addition, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0088]

According to the present invention, when a key normally used for instructing the execution of a process is continuously pressed for a predetermined time or more, the process assigned to the key is given to the user. The user,
Without having to execute a process or operating a special key, it is possible to check the contents of the process assigned to the key only by operating the key normally used to instruct the process to be executed. As a result, it is possible for the user to easily confirm the process assigned to each key, thereby improving the operability by eliminating unnecessary key operations.

Further, according to the present invention, the input mode is changed in response to the key normally used for instructing the execution of character input being continuously pressed for a predetermined time or more. The user can switch the input mode by operating only the keys normally used for instructing the execution of character input without operating special keys, thereby improving operability. Becomes

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a mobile phone terminal configured by applying an input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure at the time of key input processing by a control unit 18 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary view showing an example of a user operation when a terminal function selection instruction is performed by a menu operation on the mobile phone terminal of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary view showing an example of a user operation when a symbol is input in a character input state on the mobile phone terminal of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows “Aka 15 Sa” in the mobile phone terminal of the embodiment.
The figure which shows an example of the user operation when performing the input of the character string which becomes.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement of keys for receiving a user operation.

FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of the state of assignment of processing to keys shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a conventional example of a user operation when a terminal function selection instruction is performed by a menu operation.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a conventional example of a user operation when a symbol is input in a character input state.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a conventional example of a user operation when a character string “red 15” is input.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 ... Liquid crystal display (LCD) 14 ... Key unit 17 ... Memory part 18 ... Control part 18a ... Input means 18b ... Long press detection means 18c ... Notification control means 18d ... Mode switching means 18e ... Long press function switching means

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H03M 11/12 G06F 3/023 320A 11/14 H04M 1/247 (72) Inventor Soshi Ueda Hino, Tokyo 3-1, 1-1 Asahigaoka, Toshiba, Japan Toshiba Hino Factory (72) Inventor Masashi Emura 3-1-1, Asahigaoka, Hino-shi, Tokyo F-term in Toshiba Hino Factory (reference) 5B020 CC12 FF12 FF14 FF32 GG13 GG51 5E501 AB03 BA05 CB02 EA10 EB05 FA42 5K027 AA11 BB02 EE03 FF01 FF22 MM17

Claims (8)

[Claims] An input means for inputting a key press as an instruction to execute a process assigned to the key, and detecting that the key has been continuously pressed for a predetermined time or longer. A long-press detection means, when the long-press detection means detects that a long-press state has occurred, prohibits input by the input means in response to pressing the key, and performs processing assigned to the key. And a notifying unit for performing a predetermined notifying operation for notifying the user of the input device. 2. An input means for inputting depression of a key as an execution instruction for inputting a character assigned to the key in accordance with each of a plurality of switchable input modes, and the key continues for a predetermined time or more. Long-press detection means for detecting that a long-press state has been entered, and when the long-press state is detected by the long-press detection means, the input corresponding to the key depression An input device comprising: a mode switching unit that inhibits input by a unit and switches the input mode. 3. A key press is input as an instruction to execute a process assigned to the key, and is assigned to the key according to each of a plurality of switchable input modes in a character input state. Input means for performing the input of the input character, the long press detecting means for detecting that the key has been continuously depressed for a predetermined time or more, When it is detected that the key is pressed, a predetermined notification operation for prohibiting the input by the input unit in response to the key depression and notifying a user of a process assigned to the key. And a notifying means for performing, when the long press detecting means detects that the long press state, the input by the input means in response to the key press is prohibited and A mode switching unit that switches the input mode; and a long-press function switching unit that selectively operates one of the notification unit and the mode switching unit in accordance with a user specification in the character input state. An input device comprising: 4. The notifying means includes: a display means; and a predetermined list image associated with a process assigned to the key detected to be in a long press state by the long press detection means, to the display means. 4. The input device according to claim 1, further comprising a notification control unit for displaying, wherein the list image is displayed as the notification operation. 5. 5. The list image is selected in the selected state if a process assigned to the key detected to be in the long press state is a process of shifting to a selected state of a plurality of processes. The input device according to claim 4, wherein a list of possible processes is shown. 6. The list image, if the process assigned to the key detected to be in the long press state is any one of a plurality of character input processes, a list of the plurality of characters. 5. The input device according to claim 4, wherein the input device indicates: 7. A long press state in which the key is continuously pressed for a predetermined time or more by an input device having an input means for inputting a key press as an execution instruction of a process assigned to the key. To monitor whether or not the key is depressed, when the key is pressed, prohibit input by the input means in response to pressing the key, and notify a user of a process assigned to the key. A key function guiding method, wherein a predetermined notification operation is performed. 8. An input method for inputting a key press as an execution instruction for inputting a character assigned to the key in accordance with each of a plurality of switchable input modes, wherein the key continues for a predetermined time or more. Monitoring whether or not a long press state has been temporarily pressed, and in the case of the long press state, prohibits input of the execution instruction according to the key press and switches the input mode. An input method characterized by the following.