JP2003216308A - Portable input device and portable input method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable and compact input device equipped with five character input keys, a selection key for switching a character group, function keys for operating mode switching/conversion/cancellation/erasure/decision, a pointing device, and a display control means capable of easily and quickly inputting characters and its portable input method. <P>SOLUTION: This portable input device and method is provided with selection keys for successively selecting a character group in 5 columns and 5 input keys respectively provided corresponding to the selected character group in 5 columns for inputting one depressed character according as one input key is depressed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable portable input device and a portable input method for inputting characters.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the case of a full keyboard, a conventional input device such as a computer has a large number of keys because keys are assigned to input numbers, alphabets and kana, and the keys are placed on a flat place. Is designed to be used. As a portable input device, a mobile phone capable of inputting text is a device that does not have a specific character input function, such as a PDA, by inputting a desired character by pressing a specific key multiple times. In the case of, the software keyboard was displayed on the display screen to input characters.

[0003]

Therefore, when the input device is carried and used outdoors or the like, the full keyboard has a large number of keys, which is large to carry and use.
Even if the size is reduced to a portable size, there is a problem that the size of the key becomes small and it becomes difficult to press the key.

In addition, in an input device such as a mobile phone, the number of times a key for inputting one character is increased and the input time is delayed, which causes a problem that the operability is deteriorated. Since an input device such as a PDA is a software keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse is used to move the cursor to a button on the screen and then press a key to delay the key input. Therefore, there arises a problem that operability is deteriorated.

The present invention solves these problems.
5 character input keys, selection key for switching character groups, function keys for mode switching / conversion / cancellation / deletion / confirmation, pointing device, display control means, portable small size, simple and quick input The purpose is to realize a portable input device.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems] Means for solving the problems will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 1, a portable input device 1 is a portable input device and comprises an input key 2, a selection key 3, a function key 4, a pointing device 5, and the like.

The input keys 2 are five keys for selecting and inputting one of the character groups. The selection key 3 is a key for sequentially selecting character groups in five columns.

The function key 4 is a key for switching an input mode, converting kana-kanji, canceling, deleting, and confirming.

The pointing device 5 moves the cursor up and down, left and right, and inputs the current cursor position.

The display control means 6 displays the character group selected by the selection key 3.

Next, the operation will be described. Operate the selection key 3 to sequentially select the character group of 5 columns, and press the corresponding key of the input keys 2 from the selected character group of 5 columns to select and input one character. ing.

At this time, the function key 4 is operated to select and execute any of input mode switching, kana-kanji conversion, cancellation, deletion, and confirmation.

Further, the display control means 6 causes the display device to display the character group selected by the selection key 3.

Further, the pointing device 5 moves the cursor vertically and horizontally and inputs the current cursor position.

Therefore, by providing five character input keys 2, a selection key 3 for switching a character group, a function key 4 for mode switching / conversion / cancellation / deletion / confirmation, a pointing device 5, and a display control means 6. It is possible to realize a portable input device that is small, simple, and quick to carry.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, embodiments and operations of the present invention will be sequentially described in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 shows a system configuration diagram of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, a portable input device 1 is a portable input device, and is held by being held against one hand or a body or an arbitrary part or an arbitrary part of an object, and the same hand or the other hand. Is to enter characters using the fingers of
As shown, input key 2, selection key 3, function key 4,
It is composed of a pointing device 5, a display control means 6, and the like. Further, as shown in FIG. 6 described later, a display device (for example, LCD) may be provided.

The input keys 2 are five keys for selecting and inputting one of the five character groups. In addition, among the five keys, one of the input keys, for example, a pressing operation such as the selection key 1 arranged in the vicinity is assigned (combined) to one of the input keys, and four dedicated keys are used as the input keys 2. The total number may be five. By assigning the five input keys 2 to each finger of the one hand or to the index finger, the middle finger, the ring finger, and the little finger, it is easy to perform a blind touch by one-handed operation.

The selection key 3 is a key for sequentially selecting character groups in five columns, and is a slide switch key, a dial switch key, a lever switch key, or the like (described later with reference to FIG. 4). These selection keys 3 can be operated in a fixed direction and an opposite direction, and the directions for selecting five character groups are changed to the fixed direction and the opposite direction so that the character groups can be easily selected.

The function keys 4 are keys for input mode switching, kana-kanji conversion, cancellation, deletion, confirmation, etc., each of which is provided with a dedicated key. The keys for input mode switching and kana-kanji conversion are provided with slide switch keys, dial switch keys, lever switch keys, and enter key, which can be operated in fixed and opposite directions. It is also possible to press the enter key in a state where the change is made in the fixed direction and the opposite direction to select the input mode and the character. Further, the input keys 2 may be combined with the input mode switching and kana-kanji conversion to select an arbitrary input mode and character.

The pointing device 5 moves the cursor vertically and horizontally and inputs the current cursor position. For example, you can operate the cursor by pressing two buttons and arbitrary positions on the top, bottom, left, and right of the coin-shaped plate to move or execute, or you can use the joystick, or move the cursor by operating the pad in the up, down, left, or right directions Alternatively, the confirmation button may be pressed to confirm.

The display control means 6 displays the character group selected by the selection key 3, and displays the character group on the display unit provided in the portable input device 1 or the display unit of an externally connected device. It is a thing.

The connection means 11 connects the portable input device 1 and the information processing device 12, and is, for example, a US
B or by wireless connection, the display control means 6 displays a character group on a display unit connected to the outside or a display unit connected to the inside (not shown), and input character data to an external device (shown in the drawing). The information is notified to the information processing apparatus 12).

The information processing device 12 is a personal computer or the like that performs various processes according to a program.

The display unit 13 displays various kinds of information, and here, displays the character group selected by the selection key 3, the input character data, and the like.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the display unit of the present invention. The display unit shown in the figure is an image of how it is displayed on the screen of the display unit 13 of FIG. The portable input device 1 itself shown in FIG. 1 may be provided as an integrated type shown in FIG. 6 described later, for example.

In FIG. 2, the display unit 13 displays a screen 14 as shown in the drawing, and is, for example, an LCD.

The screen 14 is a screen (window) on which various kinds of information are displayed, and here, the screen shown below is displayed.

Character group display area 21: Mouse cursor 24: Others: Here. In the character group display area 21, the input key 2
The character group selected by the selection key 3 is displayed in association with the numbers 1 to 5 of 2. In the illustrated state, A, B, C, and
D and E are displayed respectively. In this state, when the first key of the input keys 2 in FIG. 1 is pressed, the character “A” is input, for example, at the position of the mouse cursor 24. Similarly, an appropriate one of the input keys 2 can be pressed to select any one of the character groups and perform key input. The mouse cursor 24 is the pointing device 5 of FIG.
Is operated to move up, down, left, and right, and to execute (select) at the moved and positioned place.

As described above, by displaying the character group selected by the selection key 3 in FIG. 1 in the character group display area 21 on the screen 14 in association with the input keys 1 to 5, the present selection is made. It is possible to directly display a possible character group and quickly input an arbitrary character by pressing the input key 2.

Next, according to the order of the flow chart of FIG. 3, the operation for inputting characters under the configuration of FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described in detail.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart for explaining the operation of the present invention. In FIG. 3, S1 determines whether the connection is established. This determines whether, for example, the connection means 11 of the portable input device 1 of FIG. 1 is connected to the information processing device 12 having the display unit 13. If yes, then continue with S2. If no,
stand by.

At S2, since it is determined that the portable input device 1 of FIG. 1 is connected to the information processing device 12 by YES at S1, the portable input device 1 is powered on. When the connecting means 11 of FIG. 1 is a USB, the portable input device 1 is connected to the information processing device 12 so that the information processing device 12 automatically supplies power to the portable input device 1.

At S3, an initial screen is displayed. For example, the screen 14 shown in FIG.
2 is displayed on the display unit 13.

In step S4, the mode switching key is pressed to set the kana mode. This is done by pressing the mode switching key that constitutes the function key 4 of the portable input device 1 of FIG. 1, and here, the kana mode is set.

In step S5, it is determined whether there is an input character. This means that there is a character to be input in the character group displayed in the character group display area 21 of the screen 14 of FIG. 2 set in the kana mode in S4 in association with the number of the input key 22. Determine whether. In the case of YES, it progresses to S7.
If NO, the selection key 3 is operated in S6 to select the desired character group (for example, as shown in FIG.
Is operated to select a desired character group to be displayed in the character group display area 21 of FIG. 2), and the process proceeds to S7.

In step S7, the corresponding input key is pressed. This is done by pressing the input key 2 of the number corresponding to the character to be input displayed in the character group display area 21 of the screen 14 shown in FIG.

S8 is displayed in the input area. This is S7
The character input in step S4 is displayed in the input area, for example, at the position of the mouse cursor 24 on the screen 14 in FIG.

In step S9, it is determined whether the input is completed. If YES, then end. If NO, the process returns to S4 and is repeated.

As described above, the function key 4 is operated to set the kana mode or the like, and the character group including the character to be input by the selection key 3 is displayed in the character group display area 21 of the screen 14 to input the character. It is possible to repeatedly press the input key 2 having the number corresponding to to input a character in the character input area (for example, the position of the mouse cursor). Similarly, alphabet input, numeral input, symbol input, etc. can be performed by switching the input mode. still,
When converting Kana-Kanji, by operating the Kana-Kanji conversion key of the function keys 4 in the state of inputting characters (for example, "Hatsumei"), Kanji candidates are displayed at the position of the mouse cursor on the screen 14 (or another character). Kana-kanji conversion can be performed by displaying in the input area) and selecting one from the candidates to replace the kana with a kanji (for example, "invention") and input. At this time, the numbers 1 to 5 of the input key 2 may be displayed in association with the Chinese character candidates, and the input key 2 of the corresponding number may be pressed to quickly select the Chinese character candidate of the number. Also, of the function keys 4, the delete key, the cancel key,
It is possible to press the enter key or the like and execute the process corresponding to the key.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the present invention (selection of character group).
Indicates. This is done by operating the selection key 3 in FIG.
The character group displayed in the character group display area 21 of the screen 14 of FIG. 2 (which can be selected and input by the input key 2) is arbitrarily selected. Here, when the Kana mode is set by the function key 4, the selection key 3 is operated to switch the character group, and any one of the character groups shown below can be selected.

・ Aiueo ・ Kakikushi ・ Sashisuseso ・ ・ ・ ・ While the selection key 3 is operated (for example, the slide switch key is operated in a fixed direction or in the opposite direction), it is moved in the fixed direction or in the opposite direction. You can switch freely and select a character group quickly.

FIG. 5 shows another system configuration diagram of the present invention. This assigns the mode pressed by the selection device 3 (corresponding to the selection key 3 in FIG. 1) as one of the input keys 2.
The number of keys is reduced by using four dedicated input keys 2.

As described above, the selection device (selection key)
By setting the pressing mode of 3 to one of the input keys 2,
It is possible to reduce the number of keys by one and reduce the area of the portion of the portable input device 1 where the keys are provided, or increase the size of the keys if the area is the same.

FIG. 6 shows another system configuration of the present invention. This is the display unit 13 and the pointing device 5.
A configuration example in which the portable input device 1 of FIG. 1 is integrated with (here, a touch panel) is shown. Here, the entire screen 14 of FIG. 2 or only the character group display area 21 (and a character input area if necessary) is provided on the liquid crystal panel, and a touch panel is provided on the surface so that the top, bottom, left, and right are fixed on the touch panel. This is determined by moving the mouse cursor 24 by operating a finger in the direction and pressing a specific place. Furthermore, as explained in FIG.
Since pressing of the selection device 31 is assigned as one of the input keys 2, there are four input keys 2 here.
The other function keys 4 are the same as those in FIG.

As described above, the portable input device 1 can be made compact by using the liquid crystal panel or the like as the display unit 13 and the pointing device 5, and the pressing mode of the selection device 31 is assigned as one of the input keys 2. As a result, the number of dedicated keys of the input keys 2 is reduced to one and reduced to four. As a result, it is possible to make the number of keys extremely small and to input characters quickly.

[0048]

As described above, according to the present invention,
5 character input keys 2, selection key 3 for switching character groups, function key 4 for mode switching / conversion / cancellation / deletion / confirmation,
Since the configuration including the pointing device 5 and the display control unit 6 is adopted, it is possible to realize a portable, small-sized, simple, and portable input device capable of quick input. In particular, the selection key 3 is operated to sequentially switch the character groups in the five columns in a batch and quickly switch to the character group containing the desired character, and then press the corresponding key of the input keys 2 to select the desired character. Characters can be input easily and quickly. Similarly, it is possible to convert the kana into kanji and select the corresponding candidate from the kanji candidates out of the five kanji candidates with the input key 2 easily and quickly and input. In addition, because the number of keys is small, the position of the finger does not change so much that mistakes in pressing the keys are eliminated and blind touch with one-handed operation is possible, making it difficult to operate while walking or looking directly at the input device. This is effective when combined with a display or the like.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an example of a display unit of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram (selection of a character group) of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is another system configuration diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is another system configuration diagram of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Portable input device 2: Input key 3: Selection key (selected device) 4: Function key 5: Pointing device 6: Display control means 11: Connection means 12: Information processing device 13: Display 14: Screen 21: Character group display area 22: Input key 23: Character group 31: Selected device

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Yuichi Tashiro             4-1, Kamiodanaka, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa             No. 1 Fujitsu System Integration Laboratories Ltd.             Within (72) Inventor ▲ Taka ▼ Yasuhiro No             4-1, Kamiodanaka, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa             No. 1 Fujitsu System Research Institute Limited             Within (72) Inventor Hiroshi Takano             4-1, Kamiodanaka, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa             No. 1 Fujitsu System Integration Laboratories Ltd.             Within F-term (reference) 5B020 CC06 FF32 FF56                 5K023 AA07 BB11 GG09 GG12 GG15                       HH06

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. In a portable input device for inputting characters, a selection key for sequentially selecting a character group of 5 columns and a selection key corresponding to the selected 5 column character groups are provided respectively, and one is depressed. Then, the portable input device including the five input keys that are pressed and input one character. 2. The portable input device according to claim 1, further comprising one or more keys for input mode switching, kana-kanji conversion, cancellation, deletion, and confirmation. 3. Display control means for displaying a character group of five columns selected by the selection key on an externally connected display device or an integrally arranged display device, and the display control device displays the character string on the display device. The portable input device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: five input keys which are provided in association with the respective groups of five columns of characters and each of which is pressed to input one character when one is pressed. 4. The portable input device according to claim 1, further comprising a pointing device for moving the cursor vertically and horizontally and for inputting a current cursor position. 5. A portable input method of a portable input device for inputting characters, the step of pressing a selection key for sequentially selecting a group of five columns of characters, and the step of pressing the selection key corresponding to the selected group of five columns of characters. Inputting characters, and pressing any one of the five input keys to input the character corresponding to the pressed input key.