JP2004030442A - Device for inputting kana/katakana character - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a Kana/Katakana input device which is used to input voiced consonants, semi-voiced consonants and various sentences, by which they can be easily inputted and which improves the efficiency of inputting characters. <P>SOLUTION: When a numerical key with a plurality of Kana/Katakana characters assigned is pressed down to display a desired character on the screen of a display part 14, and if the key depression is performed for a longer time, selection candidates for a semi-sonant mark (°) and a sonant mark (") are displayed on the screen of the display part 14. When the semi-sonant mark or the sonant mark is selected by pressing down the same numerical key as the key used for inputting the character to determine the input character, the selected semi-voiced sound or voiced sound is attached to the input character, converting the character into the character with the semi-voiced consonant or voiced consonant. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a kana / kana character input device used for a mobile phone or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In a mobile telephone having a telephone directory and a mail function, a character input function is provided for a key for inputting a number in order to input an address of a telephone number, a text of a mail, and the like. In a conventional mobile telephone, in order to input Japanese characters (kana and kana), "a" line, "ka" line, "sa" line,... , "Ra" line, "Wa, wo, n", the characters were set in the Japanese syllabary arrangement. Then, for example, in the key set in the "ha" line, pressing once will cause "ha", pressing twice will cause "hi", pressing three times will cause "fu", and pressing four times will cause "he", If you press five times, "ho" is input (however, this is a kana input mode, and in the case of kana input mode, each character is input in kana), and Japanese is input For voiced and semi-voiced voices that are frequently used, set the voiced voice “゛” and the voiced voice “゜” in the “#” or “*” input keys, and press this key after selecting the above character. A voiced or semi-voiced sound was obtained by adding a voiced or semi-voiced point to a character.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional kana / kana character input method as described above, there are problems in that two types of keys are pressed when inputting a voiced sound or a semi-voiced sound, and the input operation is troublesome. For example, when the semi-voiced sound “ぱ” is input by the above-described conventional method, after the key set in the “ha” line is pressed once, the type of the key is changed, and the voiced and semi-voiced voices “゛, ゜” are changed. Key has to be pressed twice, the input operation is complicated, and the character input efficiency is reduced. Such a problem is not limited to a mobile phone, but a clock having a telephone directory function and a schedule function, various electronic organizers, a portable information terminal, or a small personal computer requires 12 to 12 keys to reduce the size. The same occurred when the number was reduced to about 15. In particular, in Japanese, the frequency of using voiced sounds and semi-voiced sounds is high, and it is desired that the input method of voiced voices and semi-voiced voices be simplified.
[0004]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a kana / kana character input device capable of easily inputting voiced sounds and semi-voiced sounds in accordance with the input method and improving the character input efficiency. The purpose is to do.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the kana / kana character input device of the present invention, a plurality of kana / kana characters are assigned to each numeric key, and when an arbitrary numeric key is operated in the kana input mode or the kana input mode, a plurality of kana / kana characters are assigned to the numeric key. When a kana / kana character is sequentially displayed at the cursor portion of the display unit for each key operation, a desired character is displayed on the display unit by operating a predetermined numeric key in the kana / kana character input device. Means for displaying a plurality of selection candidates on the display unit in addition to the character if one key operation for displaying the desired character is operated for more than a set time; and Means for operating a numeric key again to select a desired candidate from the plurality of selection candidates, and thereafter, when the input character is determined, the selected candidate is displayed on the display unit as input information. Characterized by comprising the that means.
[0006]
In a preferred embodiment, the selection candidate is a cloud point and a semi-cloud point, or a cloud point. Further, the selection candidate can be arbitrarily set. Further, the selection candidates may include all the kana / kana characters of the kana / kana line corresponding to the predetermined numeric key. Further, the selection candidates may include other characters or symbols not related to the Kana / Kana character. Further, the selection candidates may be set corresponding to predetermined numeric keys. Further, when the plurality of selection candidates are displayed, the same numeric key is not operated again, and the other characters are operated so that the candidates are not selected and the input character is determined. be able to. Further, the selection candidate can be arbitrarily set.
[0007]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, an embodiment of a kana / kana character input device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a kana / kana character input device according to the present invention. The kana / kana character input device includes a key input unit 11 for inputting numbers, kana / kana characters, etc., a control unit 12 for controlling the entire kana / kana character input device, a number / kana / kana character, and Comprises a storage unit 13 for storing data such as selection candidates to be described later, and a display unit 14 comprising an LCD for displaying numbers, kana / kana characters, selection candidates, and the like.
[0008]
FIG. 4 shows a detailed front view of the key input unit 11. The key input unit 11 includes a total of twelve keys K0 to K11 in four rows in upper and lower rows and three rows in left and right. Among them, ten keys K0 to K9 are numeric keys for inputting numbers "0" to "9", key K10 is a symbol key for inputting "*", and key K11 is for inputting "#". Symbol key. Each character (Kana and Kana) of the "A" line is assigned to the key K1 for inputting the numeral "1", and each time the key is pressed once, each character of the "A" line is sequentially input. be able to. Similarly, the key K2 for inputting the number “2” is input for each character in the “KA” line, and the key K3 for inputting the number “3” is input for each character in the “SA” line and the number “4”. The key K4 for inputting each character of the "ta" line, the key K5 for inputting the number "5", the key K5 for inputting each character of the "na" line, and the key K6 for inputting the number "6", the key K6 for the "ha" line Key K7 to input each character and number "7" Input each character in the "ma" line and key "8" to input each character in the "Ya" line and number "9" to the key K8 Each character of the "Ra" line is assigned to the key K9, and each character of each line can be sequentially input each time the keys K1 to K9 are pressed once. Furthermore, each character of "wa, wo, n" is assigned to the key K0 for inputting the number "0", and each time the key is pressed once, the characters can be sequentially input.
[0009]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the kana / kana character input device as described above, and FIG. 1 shows a screen transition of the display unit 14 when a muddy “bu” is input. With reference to these figures, the operation in the case of inputting the voiced sound “bu” using the kana / kana character input device will now be described.
[0010]
First, the number "6" key K6 to which each character in the "ha" line is assigned is pressed three times (step S1). Then, on the screen of the display unit 14 (see the screen (a)), “ha”, “hi”, and “fu” are sequentially displayed at the cursor portion indicated by the underlined “_”, and when the key is pressed for the third time, "F" is displayed (step S2). At the time of this third key press, the key is pressed for a long time.
[0011]
Each time the key is pressed three times as described above, the timer starts (step S3) and the key pressing time is determined (step S4). Stop immediately and return to start. On the other hand, when the key is pressed for the third time, that is, when “F” is displayed on the display unit 14, it is a long press, so the timer continues to measure the key press time and determines that the key press time is longer than the set time. (Step S4). Then, as shown in the screen (b), in addition to the characters “F”, selection candidates of “1. ゜ (semi-voiced point)” and “2. ゛ (voiced point)” are displayed on the screen of the display unit 14. (Step S5). In a state where the selection candidate is displayed, it is determined whether or not another key operation is performed (step S6). When the selection candidate is displayed, when another key is pressed, the selection candidate is ignored, and the input of the character "" is determined (step S7), the cursor "_" moves one digit to the right, and the cursor portion is displayed. A display corresponding to the other pressed key is displayed. On the other hand, when the selection candidate is displayed, the user presses the "6" key K6, which is the same number as the key for inputting the character of "F", twice again, and as shown in the screen (c), "2. )) (Step S8), and then press the numeric "2" key K2 once to enter "" following the character "" (step S9). At the same time as the input of is confirmed, as shown in the screen (d), the selected voiced point “゛” is added to “F”, the character is converted into a voiced sound “B”, and the cursor “_” is shifted by one digit to the right. , And "?" Is displayed at the cursor.
[0012]
In the screen (b), if the user presses the "6" key K6 of the same number as the character input once to select "1. Is naturally converted to a semi-dull sound “ぷ”. Also, the above is the case of inputting the characters “bu” and “ぷ”. Similarly, inputting the desired character by pressing the key, and pressing and holding the key when the desired character is input By using the same key to select the displayed voiced and semi-voiced dots with the same key, the voiced voice and voiced voice of another character can be input. Further, in this example, a kana voiced sound and a semi-voiced sound are input in the kana input mode. However, if the mode is switched to a kana input mode by a key operation, a kana voiced sound and a semi-voiced sound can be input in the same manner. .
[0013]
As described above, according to the kana / kana character input device, only one type of key is required by long-pressing a key when a desired character is input and selecting a voiced or semi-voiced character by the same key. , It is possible to easily input voiced sounds and semi-voiced sounds, and it is possible to improve the character input efficiency. In addition, the same key can be pressed as it is, and there is no fear of pressing the wrong key. The operability of such an input device according to the present invention is remarkably improved, particularly in a mobile telephone in which characters are input by one-handed operation.
[0014]
In addition, as described above, the voiced point “゛” and the semi-voiced point “゜” are displayed as selection candidates. However, when the conversion to the voiced voice and the voiced halftone is not performed, the same key is not pressed continuously (the voiceless voice, the voice half-tone). By pressing another key (without selecting the voiced point), the conversion to voiced sound or semi-voiced sound can be stopped. More specifically, in the case of converting to the character "bu" in FIG. 1, after inputting "fu", the same key is pressed twice to select the voiced dot, but without pressing the same key, the numeral "2" is used as it is. if you press the key once "fu or" (underlined meaning to the cursor) is displayed, voiced, conversion to the semi-voiced sound is stopped. For example, if the right direction key or the enter key (also used as the symbol key K11 of “#”) is pressed without pressing the same key, “F 　 Is displayed, and the conversion to the voiced sound and the semi-voiced sound can be stopped. By pressing, for example, a left direction key (also used as the symbol key K10 of “*”) without pressing the same key, the display of the selection candidates of the voiced and semi-voiced dots can be erased.
[0015]
As another example, an item “unselected” is added to the third selection candidate. When the selection candidate is displayed, but the conversion to the voiced sound and the semi-voiced sound is not performed, if the same key is pressed three times, “no selection” is selected and the display of the selection candidate disappears.
[0016]
Also, the item of “selection candidate” can be set arbitrarily. In addition to the voiced point “゛” and semi-voiced point “゜”, for example, “tsu” “.” “,” “-” “~” “?” “!” Can be arbitrarily set as “selection candidate” items. I do. That is, the character with the voiced sound and the semi-voiced sound is only the “ha” line. Also, there are muddled sounds in each row of "ka", "sa", and "ta". In the case of the “ha” line, the voiced dots “゛” and the semi-voiced voices “゜” are set as default selection candidates, and other characters and symbols can be additionally set as selection candidates. In addition, in the case of each line of “KA”, “SA”, and “TA”, a cloud point “点” is set as a default, and other characters, symbols, and the like can be additionally set as selection candidates. Selection candidates are not set as defaults for other characters, and the user can arbitrarily set all items of the selection candidates. The setting can be made, for example, by setting a setting mode by key operation, displaying characters and symbols of selection candidates, and operating the enter key. If the selection candidate items can be arbitrarily set in this way, at the time of text input, for example, text input can be performed by pressing a small number of keys as described below, which facilitates text input and reduces erroneous input. .
[0017]
For example, in addition to the default "@", "@", "tsu", ".", ",", "-""~","?" Keep it. In addition to the default “゛” and “゜”, “tsu” “.” “,” “-” “~” “?” “!” Set it. With this setting, in the case of inputting "Harahei!", In the present invention, first, "ha row key (numerical" 6 "key)""ra row key (numerical" 9 "key)" Press "wa row key", "wa row key", "wa row key", "wa row key"("Hara to " is displayed up to this point). Pressing and holding of the last "ha row key" is long-pressed to display selection candidates. Here, ( "Tsu to Hara" is displayed in up to here) Furthermore, when you press three times the "row key", "Tsu" is selected. Next, press "Tagyo key (" 4 "key number)" once ( "It was Harahe'" in so far is displayed). The operation of the "ta row key" is long-pressed to display a selection candidate. Here, when the "ta row key" is further pressed nine times, "!" Is selected. This will display "Hello ! " You only need to change the key four times.
[0018]
On the other hand, in the case of the prior art, "ha row key""ra row key""ha row key""ha row key""ha row key""ha row key""ta row key""ta row key""takey" press the line key, "" Tagyo key "," Tagyo key "," Tagyo key "to display the" Tsu to Hara "(" Tagyo key "was""," blood "," one "," te "," and " Letters are assigned in the order of "tsu"). Next, press the right direction key or the Enter key to move the cursor and 　 Is displayed. Furthermore, by pressing the "Tagyo key" to display the "Harahe'was". Up to this point, the key has been changed five times. Further, in order to display "!", It takes time to enter the symbol menu mode and select "!", And it is necessary to change the key six times or more.
[0019]
In the above-described embodiment, when the timing of the long press is wrong, there is a trouble that the input is performed again. For example, to enter "to", the "6" key K6 must be pressed four times. However, if the character "F" which is pressed three times is displayed and pressed for a long time, the key is pressed again. The operation of re-inputting is troublesome. In order to avoid such trouble, all "Kana / Kana" characters in the corresponding "Kana / Kana" line may be set as selection candidates. For example, in the case of the “ha” line, in addition to the voiced dots “゛” and semi-voiced voices “゜” in the selection candidates, include all the kana characters “ha”, “hi”, “fu”, “he”, and “ho”. It is effective to set it. This setting may be set as default or may be set arbitrarily.
[0020]
In addition, in the mail function or the like, in the input of kana / kana characters, pictograms and symbols unrelated to kana / kana characters are frequently mixed and used. Therefore, it is also effective to include “pictographs” and “symbols” as selection candidates. In this case as well, defaults may be set as selection candidates, or they may be set arbitrarily. That is, the selection candidates are not limited to the voiced point “゛” and the semi-voiced point “゜”, or the voiced point “゛”. For example, “non-conversion”, a long sound “−”, a prompt sound “tsu”,ゃ ”, punctuation marks“,] “.”, “Same kana / all kana / kana characters on a line” corresponding to a predetermined numeric key, and “pictographs” used in creating an email sentence not related to kana / kana characters “Special symbols” and “＠” may be set as defaults or may be set arbitrarily. Since the frequency of use differs depending on the user, it is extremely effective to be able to set arbitrarily.
[0021]
Although the above description has mainly been made in the case of the kana input mode, the same applies to the kana input mode.
[0022]
The kana / kana character input device of the present invention as described above can be used for a kana / kana character input device such as a mobile phone, various electronic organizers, a clock having a telephone directory function and a schedule function, a portable information terminal, a small personal computer, and the like. It can be widely used for various electronic devices that input Kana characters.
[0023]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the kana / kana character input device of the present invention, it can be used for inputting voiced sounds and semi-voiced sounds, and for inputting various types of texts, thereby facilitating the input. Can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing screen transitions of a display unit and explaining the operation of an embodiment of a kana / kana character input device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment of the kana / kana character input device according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a kana / kana character input device according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a front view showing details of a key input unit used in the embodiment of the device of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 key input unit 12 control unit 13 storage unit 14 display unit K0 to K11 keys

Claims (7)

When a plurality of Kana / Kana characters are assigned to each numeric key, and an arbitrary numeric key is operated in the Kana input mode or the Kana input mode, a plurality of Kana / Kana characters assigned to the numeric key are changed for each key operation. In the kana / kana character input device, which is sequentially displayed at the cursor portion of the display unit,
When a desired character is displayed on the display unit by operating a predetermined numeric key, if one key operation for displaying the desired character is operated for more than a set time, the character is added to the character. Means for displaying a plurality of selection candidates on the display unit by using
Means for operating the same numeric key as the numeric key again to select a desired candidate from the plurality of selection candidates;
And a means for displaying the selected candidate as input information on the display unit when the input character is confirmed. 2. The kana / kana character input device according to claim 1, wherein the selection candidates are a voiced point and a voiced point, or a voiced point. 2. The kana / kana character input device according to claim 1, wherein the selection candidates include all kana / kana characters in a kana / kana line corresponding to a predetermined numeric key. The kana / kana character input device according to claim 1, wherein the selection candidate includes another character or symbol not related to the kana / kana character. The kana / kana character input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the selection candidates are set corresponding to predetermined numeric keys. When the plurality of selection candidates are displayed, the same numeric key is not operated again, and the other characters are operated, whereby the selection of the candidates is not performed and the input character is confirmed. The kana / kana character input device according to claim 1. The kana / kana character input device according to claim 1, wherein the selection candidate can be set arbitrarily.

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