JP2003241885A - Personal digital assistant - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a personal digital assistant which enables even a person unfamiliar with character input to easily operate by facilitating input of different kinds of characters such as Kana characters, alphabet characters, and numerals. <P>SOLUTION: The personal digital assistant is provided with input keys (numeric keys; 21, symbol keys; 22), each of which senses tilting operation at least in two directions in addition to depressing operation; a character table which stores different types of characters including Hiragana characters, Katakana characters, alphabetic characters, numerals, symbols, etc., assigned to each input key; and a display part 15 which displays a list of characters selectable according to the tilting operation of each of a plurality of input keys. A Character corresponding to each input key is selected from the character table according to each tilting operation of the input key, and the character selected at that time by the depressing operation of each input key is fixed as the character inputted. <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 mobile phone, a game machine, and a remote control device for in-vehicle information equipment and various electric appliances, etc., in which characters are input by a smaller number of input keys than the number of input characters. Of small personal digital assistants.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, portable telephones have become capable of transmitting character information as well as simple telephone calls due to miniaturization and multifunctionalization. However, the number of input keys that can be arranged on a small mobile phone is small and limited to numeric keys such as “1” to “9” and “0” and symbol keys such as “*” and “#”. Therefore, various character input methods have been studied in order to enable input of more character types than the number of these input keys.

Conventionally, in the method of inputting characters to a mobile telephone, kana characters and English characters are assigned to the numeric keys "1" to "9" and "0" and the symbol keys "*" and "#", respectively. It is common to specify the input character by the number of times the key is pressed. It should be noted that Kana characters, English characters, and numbers are input after the switch key is pressed to switch the input mode to “Kana character input mode” / “English character input mode” / “Numeric input mode”.

For example, the numeric key "2" has the kana characters "ka", "ki", "ku", "ke", "ko", and the English character "A".
Assuming that “B” and “C” are assigned, in the “kana character input mode”, the input characters “ka → ki → ku → ke → ko → ka” are changed each time the numeric key “2” is pressed. It changes cyclically. Therefore, when entering the kana character "ke",
First, the input mode is switched to the “kana character input mode” by pressing another switch key, and then the number key “2” is pressed four times.

Similarly, in the "alphabet character input mode", every time the numeric key "2" is pressed, the input characters cyclically change to "A → B → C → A". Therefore, when inputting the English letter "C", press the change key to switch the input mode to "English letter input mode" and then press the numeric key "2".
Press 3 times.

[0006]

In the above-mentioned conventional character input method for a mobile phone, since the input characters are cyclically changed each time each key is pressed, the desired number of times the character is input is too large. If you pass by, you cannot go back and you have to press the key repeatedly until you can enter the desired character once in a cycle.

Further, by switching the input mode by pressing another switching key, the number of times the key is pressed until the desired character of each character type is input is suppressed. It is necessary to switch the input mode many times when inputting a mixed type sentence.

Further, when continuously inputting characters using the same key, it is necessary to press another key once to confirm the input character and then input the next character. For example, when inputting kana characters "ku" and "ki" in succession, press the numeric key "2" three times in "kana character input mode" and press "ku".
After selecting, it is necessary to press another key to confirm this "ku" and then press the number key "2" twice to input the next "ki".

As described above, in the conventional character input method for a mobile phone, a plurality of characters can be assigned to one key for character input, but different character types such as kana characters and English characters are input. In some cases, key operation becomes very complicated.

Therefore, according to the present invention, in a small portable information terminal such as a portable telephone for inputting characters by the number of input keys smaller than the number of input character types, different types such as kana characters, English characters and numbers are used. It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable information terminal which allows characters to be easily input and which can be easily operated by a person unfamiliar with character input.

[0011]

In a portable information terminal of the present invention, a plurality of input keys for inputting by a tilting operation in at least two directions in addition to a pressing operation, and a character assigned to each of the plurality of input keys. And a character table that stores, and a control unit that selects a character corresponding to each input key from the character table according to the tilting operation of each of the plurality of input keys and that inputs the selected character by pressing the input key. , And a display unit that displays a list of characters that can be selected according to the tilting operation of each of the plurality of input keys.

According to the present invention, characters of different character types such as hiragana characters, katakana characters, English characters, numbers, and symbols are mixed and assigned to each of a plurality of input keys, and among the assigned characters. It is possible to select a character to be input from by the tilting operation of each input key, and to input the selected character by pressing.

Here, the input keys are for inputting by tilting operation in two directions, and the control unit cyclically obtains the characters corresponding to the respective input keys from the character table according to the tilting operation of the input keys. If it is selected, it is possible to change the character selected in accordance with the tilting operation of the input key in two directions to the preceding and following characters registered in the character table.

Further, the input keys are used for inputting by tilting operation in four directions, and the control section selects characters corresponding to each input key from the character table in a matrix according to tilting operation of the input keys. If so, it is possible to change the character selected in accordance with the tilting operation of the input key in two opposite directions to the front, rear, left, and right characters registered in the character table.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a mobile phone according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of the mobile phone of FIG. 1, and FIG. 1
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing details of input keys of the mobile phone of FIG.
(A) is a plan view, (b) is a right side view, and (c) is a front view.

In FIG. 1, a mobile phone as a mobile information terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention has a radio section 11 for performing radio communication with a base station (not shown), and an input section 12 including a plurality of input keys. And a microphone unit 13 for inputting voice
A speaker unit 14 for outputting voice, a display unit 15 for displaying characters and images, and a storage unit 16 for storing various data.
And a control unit 17 that controls the units 11 to 16.

The input section 12, as shown in FIG. 2, is each "1" as an input key arranged on the mobile phone body 20.
"2""3""4""5""6""7""8""9"
It has a “0” number key 21, a “#” sign key 22, a “voiced / semi-voiced point switching” function key 23, a “lower case / capital letter switching” function key 24, a “character type switching” function key 25, and the like.

Each of the numeric keys 21 is "1"-
In addition to the input of the numeral "0", the hiragana character, the katakana character, the English character, the symbol, etc. assigned to each are input. The symbol key 22 is for inputting a “#” symbol and other symbols such as “!”, “?”, And “&”.

As shown in the lower right part of FIG. 2, each numeric key 21, symbol key 22 and function keys 23, 24 and 25 are pressed (push type) and tilted in opposite vertical directions (seesaw type). The input is performed by detecting. As shown in FIG. 3, each of the keys 21 to 25 has a convex portion 27 formed in the center of the plate-like body 26 and having a semicircular cross section and extending in the left-right direction of the mobile phone body 20. Each key 21
When 25 to 25 are operated with a finger, the finger is first applied to the convex portion 27 so that the pressing operation and the tilting operation in the two vertical directions can be easily performed.

FIG. 4 shows each numeric key 21 and symbol key 22.
It is a list of characters that can be input by, and shows an example of data stored in the character table of the storage unit 16. In the normal state, the characters assigned to the respective numerical keys 21 and the symbol keys 22 can be input by the respective numerical keys 21 and the symbol keys 22 as shown in FIG.

The "dakuten / semi-dakuten switching" function key 23 is used in combination with each numeric key 21 to input hiragana or katakana characters input by each numeric key 21, as shown in FIG. This is for switching to the dakuten character and also for use in combination with the symbol key 22 so that another symbol or special character can be input.

The "lowercase / uppercase switching" function key 24 is
The hiragana characters, katakana characters, or English characters that are used in combination with each of the numeric keys 21 and input by each of the numeric keys 21 are shown in FIG.
This is for switching to lowercase letters or uppercase letters as shown in (4) and also for inputting other symbols or special characters in combination with the symbol keys 22.

The "character type switching" function key 25 is for switching the character type input by each of the numeric keys 21 and the symbol keys 22 to hiragana, katakana, English letters, numbers or symbols. In the normal state,
Without using the "character type switching" function key 25, it is possible to input hiragana characters, katakana characters, English characters, numbers or symbols by using the numeric keys 21 and the symbol keys 22 as will be described later.

The control unit 17 selects a character corresponding to each of the number keys 21 and the symbol keys 22 from the character table shown in FIG. 4 in response to the input by the tilting operation of each of the number keys 21 and the symbol keys 22. In addition, the control unit 17
Is a list of character groups assigned to each of the numeric keys 21 and the symbol keys 22 that detect the tilting operation, for example, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG.
The character selected at that time is highlighted.

For example, when it is detected that the numeral key "3" is tilted upward, the control unit 17 selects the character group from the character group assigned to "3" in the character table shown in FIG. When selecting the character to the left of the selected character. If the selected character is the left end of the character table and there is no character to be selected next, the right end character of the character table is selected. That is, the control unit 17
Will return to the right end of the character table when there is no character to select to the left of the character table in FIG. , I.e., continue to select in a counterclockwise circular manner.

Similarly, when it is detected that "3" of the numeral key 21 is tilted downward, the control unit 17 selects from the character group assigned to "3" of the character table shown in FIG. Select the character to the right of the currently selected character. Also in this case, if the already selected character is the right end of the character table of FIG. 4 and there is no character to be selected next, the left end character of the character table is selected. That is, the control unit 17 continues to cyclically select the character table of FIG. 4 in the clockwise direction as long as the number key “3” of the number key 21 continues to be tilted downward.

Further, when the numerical keys 21 and the symbol keys 22 are operated, the control section 17 displays the character groups assigned to the character table of FIG. 4 for the respective numerical keys 21 and the symbol keys 22. As shown in 2, the display unit 15
In addition to displaying a list in, highlight the selected character. When the control unit 17 detects the pressing operation of each of the numeric keys 21 and the symbol keys 22, the control unit 17 determines that the character selected at that time is input.

The control unit 17 also controls the function keys 23-2.
Similarly to the operation of 5, the list of functions that can be designated by the respective function keys 23 to 25 is displayed on the display unit 1 as shown in FIG.
5, the function that can be designated is cyclically selected according to the input by the tilting operation in the vertical direction by each of the function keys 23 to 25, and the selected function is highlighted. Then, when the control unit 17 detects the pressing operation of each of the function keys 23 to 25, the control unit 17 determines that the function selected at that time is selected.

Character input processing by the mobile phone having the above configuration will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the numeric key 21 or the symbol key 22 is operated, the control unit 17 displays the character group assigned to the character table of FIG. 4 for the operated key as shown in FIG. A list is displayed vertically in a line 15 (step S101).

Then, according to the type of key operation at that time (step S102), if the operation is an upward operation, that is, a tilt operation in the upward direction, the control section 17 operates on that key in the character table shown in FIG. The character to the left of the character selected at that time, that is, the character one higher than the character selected at that time is selected from the group of characters assigned to the character. Here, when there is no character on the left, that is, when it is the highest character, the rightmost character of the character table, that is, the lowest character is selected. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 17 highlights the selected character (step S103).

On the other hand, in step S102, if the key operation type is a downward operation, that is, a downward tilt operation,
The control unit 17 selects, from the character group assigned to the key in the character table shown in FIG. 4, the character to the right of the character selected at that time, that is, the character one lower. If there is no character to the right, that is, if it is the lowest character, the leftmost character in the character table,
That is, the highest character is selected. Further, the control unit 17
Highlights the selected character as shown in FIG. 2 (step S104).

If the type of key operation is a pressing operation in step S102, the control unit 17 determines that the character selected at that time has been input (step S105). At this time, the function keys 23, 24
If is also used, the control unit 17 controls the keys 21 and 22.
The characters input by are switched as shown in FIG.

As described above, according to the mobile phone of the present embodiment, characters of different character types such as hiragana characters, katakana characters, English characters, numbers, and symbols are assigned to one key. Since the characters of these different character types can be easily input by tilting and pressing the up and down keys in two directions, even a person who is unfamiliar with character input can easily operate and input characters. It becomes possible.

Further, when selecting a character to be input by tilting the key, it is possible to return immediately and select it by tilting the key up or down even if a desired character is passed. Furthermore, even if you use the same key to input characters consecutively, the input character is fixed by pressing the key, so if you continue to tilt the same key up and down, the next character Can be selected.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a mobile phone according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrams showing details of input keys of the mobile phone of FIG. 6, respectively. (A) is a plan view, (b) is a right side view, and (c) is a front view.

The mobile phone in the second embodiment is shown in FIG.
6, the input unit 12 has the same “1”, “2”, “3”, “4” and “4” as that of the first embodiment arranged on the mobile phone body 30, as shown in FIG. 5 ", 6", 7 "
"8""9""0" number key 31, "#" sign key 32
And a "character type switching" function key 33 and the like.

As shown in the lower right part of FIG. 6, each numeric key 31, symbol key 32, and function key 33 are depressed (push-type) and tilted in a total of four directions (up and down two directions and two left and right directions). (Cross type) The input is performed by detecting the operation. As shown in FIG. 7, each of the keys 31 to 33 has a dome-shaped convex portion 35 at the center of the plate-shaped body 34.
Equipped with. When each of the keys 31 to 33 is operated with a finger, the finger is first hung on the convex portion 35 so that the pressing operation and the tilting operation in the up, down, left, and right directions can be easily performed.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8, each of the keys 31 to 33 has a crater-shaped recess 3 at the center of the plate-like body 36.
It can also be provided with 7. With such a configuration, when each of the keys 31 to 33 is operated with a finger, the finger is put on the peripheral edge portion 38 of the recess 37, so that the pressing operation and the tilting operation in the up, down, left, and right directions can be easily performed. Become.

FIG. 9 shows each numeric key 31 and symbol key 32.
It is a list of characters that can be input by, and shows an example of data stored in the character table of the storage unit 16. In the normal state, the hiragana characters, the katakana characters, and the hiragana characters assigned to the respective numeric keys 31 and the symbol keys 32 as shown in FIG.
You can enter characters such as English letters, numbers, symbols, dakuten characters and semi-dakuten characters.

The "character type switching" function key 33 is for switching the character type input by each of the numeric keys 31 and the symbol keys 32 to hiragana, katakana, English letters, numbers or symbols. In the normal state,
Without using the "character type switching" function key 33, it is possible to input hiragana characters, katakana characters, English characters, numbers or symbols by using the respective number keys 31 and the symbol keys 32 as described later.

The control unit 17 controls the numerical keys 31 and 32.
Characters corresponding to the numeric keys 31 and the symbol keys 32 are selected from the character table shown in FIG. Further, the control unit 17 displays a list of character groups assigned to each of the number keys 31 and the symbol keys 32, which have detected the tilting operation, side by side on the display unit 15 as shown in FIG. Highlight the selected character.

For example, when it is detected that "6" of the numeral key 31 is tilted upward, the control section 17 selects the character from the character group assigned to "6" of the character table shown in FIG. When selecting the character to the left of the selected character. If the selected character is the left end of the character table and there is no character to be selected next, the right end character of the character table is selected. That is, the control unit 17
Will return to the right end of the character table when there is no character to the left of the character table in FIG. , I.e., continue to select in a counterclockwise circular manner.

On the other hand, when it is detected that "6" of the numeric key 31 is tilted downward, the control section 17 selects from the character group assigned to "6" of the character table shown in FIG.
Select the character to the right of the currently selected character. Also in this case, if the already selected character is the right end of the character table of FIG. 9 and there is no character to be selected next, the left end character of the character table is selected. That is, the control unit 17 continues to cyclically select the character table of FIG. 9 in the clockwise direction as long as the number key “6” of the number key 31 continues to be tilted downward.

Similarly, when it is detected that the numeral key "6" is tilted to the left, the control unit 17 selects from the character group assigned to "6" in the character table shown in FIG. Select the upper character of the character selected at that time. At this time, if the already selected character is at the top of the character table in FIG. 9 and there is no character to be selected next, the character at the bottom of the character table is selected. That is, the control unit 17 continues to cyclically select the character table of FIG. 9 upwards as long as the number key “6” of the number key 31 is continuously tilted leftward.

When it is detected that the numeral "6" of the numeral key 31 is tilted to the right, the control section 17 selects from the character group assigned to "6" in the character table shown in FIG.
Select the lower character of the character selected at that time.
At this time, if the already selected character is at the bottom of the character table in FIG. 9 and there is no character to be selected next, the character at the top of the character table is selected. That is, the control unit 17 continues to cyclically select the character table of FIG. 9 downward as long as “6” of the number key 31 is continuously tilted to the right.

That is, the control unit 17 controls the numeric keys 31
Characters corresponding to the respective keys are cyclically selected from the character table shown in FIG. 9 in a matrix manner in response to tilting operations of the and key keys 32 in four directions. In addition, the control unit 17
When the pressing operation of each of the number keys 31 and the symbol keys 32 is detected, it is determined that the character selected at that time is input.

Next, the character input processing by the mobile phone having the above-mentioned configuration will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG.

When the numeric key 31 or the symbol key 32 is operated, the control unit 17 displays the character group assigned to the character table of FIG. 9 for the operated key as shown in FIG. A list is displayed side by side vertically and horizontally on 15 (step S201).

Then, according to the type of key operation at that time (step S202), if the operation is an upward operation, that is, a tilt operation in the upward direction, the control section 17 will select that key in the character table shown in FIG. The character to the left of the character selected at that time, that is, the character that is one level higher than the selected character is selected from the group of characters that have been assigned as shown in FIG. 6, and the selected character is highlighted (step S203). ).

On the other hand, in step S202, if the key operation type is a downward operation, that is, a downward tilt operation,
The control unit 17 selects the character to the right of the character selected at that time, that is, the character one lower, from the character group assigned to that key in the character table shown in FIG. As shown in 6, the selected character is highlighted (step S204).

In step S202, if the key operation type is a left operation, that is, a tilt operation to the left,
The control unit 17 selects one of the characters in the upper row of the character selected at that time from the character group assigned to that key in the character table shown in FIG. 9, that is, one of the characters displayed on the display unit 15. The character on the left is selected, and the selected character is highlighted as shown in FIG. 6 (step S20).
5).

In step S202, if the key operation type is right operation, that is, tilt operation to the right,
The control unit 17 selects one of the characters in the lower row of the character selected at that time from the character group assigned to that key in the character table shown in FIG. The character on the right is selected, and the selected character is highlighted as shown in FIG. 6 (step S20).
6).

If the type of key operation is the pressing operation in step S202, the control section 17 determines that the character selected at that time has been input (step S207).

As described above, according to the mobile phone of this embodiment, characters of different character types such as hiragana characters, katakana characters, English characters, numbers, and symbols are assigned to one key, and each key is assigned. Up, down, left and right of key 4
Since characters of these different character types can be easily input by tilting and pressing in the directions, even a person who is unfamiliar with character input can easily operate to input characters. .

Further, when selecting a character to be input by tilting the key, it is possible to immediately return to the selection by tilting the key up / down / left / right even if a desired character is passed. Furthermore, even if you use the same key to input characters consecutively, the input character is fixed by pressing the key, so if you continue to tilt the same key up and down, the next character Can be selected.

In the above embodiment, the character tables shown in FIGS. 4 and 9 show only full-width characters for hiragana, katakana, and English characters, but half-width characters are added for these characters. It is also possible to make selection possible by operating the respective number keys 21 and 31 and the symbol keys 22 and 32.

[0058]

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) A plurality of input keys for inputting by a tilting operation in at least two directions in addition to a pressing operation, a character table storing characters assigned to each of the plurality of input keys, and a plurality of input keys Select the character corresponding to each input key from the character table according to each tilting operation of, and input the selected character by pressing each input key, and the tilting operation of each of the multiple input keys. By providing a display unit that displays a list of characters that can be selected according to the operation, the hiragana characters, katakana characters, English characters, and numbers that are assigned to each input key in a mixed manner by tilting each input key It is possible to easily select and enter any character from different types of characters such as, and symbols, even if you are unfamiliar with character input. Operation and it is possible to enter the characters. Further, when selecting a character to be input by tilting the key, it is possible to immediately return to the selection by tilting the key even if a desired character is passed. Furthermore, even if you use the same key to input characters consecutively, the input character is fixed by pressing the key, so if you continue to tilt the same key up and down, the next character Can be selected.

(2) The input keys are used for inputting by tilting in two directions, and the control section cyclically moves the characters corresponding to the respective input keys from the character table in accordance with the tilting operation of the input keys. By selecting the input keys, the characters assigned to each input key can be sequentially switched to the previous and next characters by tilting the input keys in two directions, and it is possible to easily select and input. Become.

(3) The input keys are used for inputting by tilting in four directions, and the control unit matrixes the characters corresponding to each input key from the character table in accordance with the tilting operation of the input keys. By selecting one of the input keys, the characters assigned to each input key are sequentially switched to the front, rear, left, and right by tilting the input keys in two opposite directions. Is possible.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a mobile phone according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the mobile phone shown in FIG.

3A and 3B are diagrams showing details of input keys of the mobile phone of FIG. 1, in which FIG. 3A is a plan view, FIG. 3B is a right side view, and FIG.
Is a front view.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in a character table.

5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of character input processing by the mobile phone of FIG.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a mobile phone according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

7A and 7B are diagrams showing details of the input keys of the mobile phone of FIG. 6, wherein FIG. 7A is a plan view, FIG. 7B is a right side view, and FIG. 7C is a front view.

8A and 8B are diagrams showing other details of the input keys of the mobile phone of FIG. 6, wherein FIG. 8A is a plan view, FIG. 8B is a right side view, and FIG. 8C is a front view.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in a character table.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of character input processing by the mobile phone of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 radio section 12 Input section 13 Microphone section 14 Speaker 15 Display 16 Memory 17 Control unit 20,30 Mobile phone body 21, 31 number keys 22,32 Symbol key 23, 24, 25, 33 Function keys 26,34,36 plate 27, 35 convex 37 recess 38 Perimeter

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04M 1/247 F term (reference) 5B020 CC12 DD03 FF24 FF53 FF56 GG05 5K023 AA07 BB11 GG08 HH04 5K027 AA11 BB02 CC08 FF01 FF22

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. At least two in addition to each pressing operation
Multiple input keys to input by tilting in the direction,
A character table storing characters assigned to each of the plurality of input keys, and a character corresponding to each input key is selected from the character table according to tilting operation of each of the plurality of input keys, and the input key of each input key is selected. A portable information terminal comprising: a control unit for inputting the selected character by a pressing operation; and a display unit for displaying a list of characters selectable according to tilting operations of the plurality of input keys. 2. The input key is for inputting by a tilting operation in two directions, and the control unit selects a character corresponding to each input key from the character table according to the tilting operation of the input key. The method of selecting cyclically according to claim 1.
The portable information terminal described. 3. The input key is for inputting by tilting operation in four directions, and the control unit selects a character corresponding to each input key from the character table according to tilting operation of the input key. The mobile information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the mobile information terminal is selected in a matrix.