JP2004280542A - Information input device and portable terminal equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information input device and portable terminal equipment for which it is easy to input the information of characters or the like in both cases of vertically long contents and horizontally long contents, handleability is excellent and the number of times of inputs can be small. <P>SOLUTION: The portable terminal equipment is provided with a ring-like dial 16 attached to a portable terminal body 1 and provided freely rotatably around a fixed part 15, at least one or more buttons 17 provided on the dial 16 for deciding the character or a menu for inputting the information, and a display part 20 for operation input arranged on the inner side of the dial 16 for displaying the character or the menu. Further, the portable terminal equipment is provided with a display control part 7 for displaying the character or the menu of a hierarchy under the selected character or menu at the display part 20 for the operation input when a prescribed character or menu is selected from the character or the menu displayed at the display part 20 for the operation input by the pressing of the button 17. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information input device and a portable terminal device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, many contents handled by mobile phones are displayed vertically (hereinafter referred to as vertically long contents), but are displayed horizontally such as photo images (hereinafter referred to as horizontally long contents). Some are.
[0003]
Generally, a numeric keypad, which is an operation button, is fixed in a mobile phone, and characters written on the numeric keypad are printed on a vertically long display screen so as to be easily viewed in a vertical direction. For this reason, there is no problem with the vertically long content, but if the mobile phone is turned sideways in accordance with the horizontally long content, the characters written on the numeric keypad will also be horizontally oriented, making it difficult to input characters. For this reason, the conventional mobile phones have different usability depending on whether the mobile phone is in a vertical orientation or in a horizontal orientation, and it is difficult to create a sentence in a horizontal orientation.
[0004]
Therefore, conventionally, when displaying vertically long content, the characters displayed on the numeric keypad are also displayed on the liquid crystal display unit in accordance with the vertical direction, and when displaying horizontally long content, the characters displayed on the numeric keypad are also displayed horizontally. A technique has been proposed in which a character is displayed on a liquid crystal display unit in accordance with the above, so that characters can be easily input in both vertical and horizontal directions (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-9-247752 (Pages 3 and 4, FIGS. 4 and 5)
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the mobile phone device described in Patent Literature 1 is configured so that the display direction of the liquid crystal display unit and the character notation of the numeric keypad displayed on the liquid crystal display unit are also adjusted to the direction according to the vertical content and the horizontal content. However, for character input, the characters must be input by pressing the numeric keys one by one. For example, as in the case of kana character input, the same key must be pressed five times to input "o" at the end of "a line", which makes character input troublesome.
[0007]
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and it is easy to input information such as characters in any case of vertically long content and horizontally long content, and the information is easy to use and requires a small number of times of input. It is an object to provide an input device and a portable terminal device.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An information input device according to the present invention includes a ring-shaped dial member rotatably provided around a fixed portion, and at least one or more characters provided on the dial member and determining characters or menus for inputting information. Button.
[0009]
According to the information input device of the present invention, the ring member is provided with a button for determining a character or menu for inputting information, so that the character or menu can be quickly pressed by pressing the button without releasing the hand from the dial. It is possible to decide.
[0010]
A portable terminal device of the present invention includes a portable terminal body having a display unit, a ring-shaped dial member attached to the portable terminal body and rotatably provided around a fixed unit, and provided on the dial member. And at least one button.
[0011]
According to the portable terminal device of the present invention, the ring member is provided with a button for determining a character or menu for inputting information, so that the character or menu can be quickly pressed by pressing the button without releasing the hand from the dial. It is possible to decide.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, specific embodiments of an information input device and a portable terminal device to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, the information input device and the mobile terminal device according to the present invention are applied to a mobile phone.
[0013]
The present embodiment is an example of a mobile phone that does not have a numeric keypad as input means for inputting numbers, characters, and the like, and allows input using only an information input device provided in a mobile terminal body.
[0014]
"Device configuration"
As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile phone includes a mobile terminal main body 1 and an information input device 2 attached to the mobile terminal main body 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the mobile terminal body 1 includes an antenna 3, a communication control unit 4, a memory 5, a display unit 6, a display control unit 7 for controlling the display unit 6, a speaker 8, A microphone 9, a vertical / horizontal display switching unit 10, a CPU 11, and an input mode switching unit 12 are provided.
[0015]
The communication control unit 4 mainly includes a CODEC (codec), a baseband signal circuit, and an RF circuit (high-frequency circuit). The CODEC encodes an audio signal input from the microphone 9 and sends it to the baseband signal circuit, and supplies an audio signal obtained by decoding the signal received from the baseband signal circuit to the speaker 8.
[0016]
The baseband signal circuit adjusts the signal received from the CODEC to a baseband signal for transmission, sends the signal to the RF circuit, and extracts a signal that can be processed by the CODEC from the baseband signal demodulated by the RF circuit. The RF circuit supplies the antenna 3 with an RF signal modulated according to the baseband signal sent from the baseband signal circuit, and demodulates the baseband signal from the RF signal received via the antenna 3 to generate a baseband signal. Send to band signal circuit.
[0017]
The memory 5 includes, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) and stores programs executed by the CPU 11, various setting data, and various data such as character data. The display unit 6 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display device (LCD drive device), and is provided on the front surface 1a of the portable terminal body 1 so that its display surface is exposed. The display unit 6 displays a telephone number, contents of transmitted / received message data (for example, e-mail), an image, and the like based on a command from the display control unit 7.
[0018]
The speaker 8 outputs sound according to the sound signal sent from the CODEC. On the other hand, the microphone 9 takes in a voice from the outside, converts the voice into a voice signal, and transfers the voice signal to the CODEC.
[0019]
The vertical / horizontal display switching means 10 responds to an input instruction of the vertical / horizontal display switching button 13 provided on the side surface 1b of the portable terminal body 1 to display characters and images displayed on the display unit 6 and an operation input display unit 20 described later. Switches the display state between portrait display and landscape display. For example, when the vertical / horizontal display switching button 13 is pressed once, the vertical / horizontal display is displayed, and when the button 13 is pressed again, the vertical / horizontal display switching means 10 instructs the CPU 11. The unit 6 is controlled.
[0020]
The input mode switching means 12 switches between a numeric input mode, a hiragana input mode, and an alphabet input mode in accordance with an input instruction of an input mode switching button 14 provided next to the vertical / horizontal display switching button 13. Each of these input modes is switched by pressing the input mode conversion button 14 each time, thereby switching in the order of the numeric input mode, the hiragana input mode, and the alphabet input mode.
[0021]
The information input device 2 includes a dial 16, which is a ring-shaped dial member rotatably provided around a fixed portion 15, a button 17 provided on the dial 16, and a rotation detector for detecting rotation of the dial 16. 18, a button input detection unit 19 that detects pressing of the button 17, and an operation input display unit 20 that is an input display unit provided at the center of the dial 16.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 3, the fixing part 15 is formed as a ring-shaped rising wall on the surface 1 a of the portable terminal body 1. The fixing portion 11 has an engagement recess 21 for rotating the dial 16 around the fixing portion 11.
[0023]
The dial 16 is formed as a ring having an engaging convex portion 22 that fits into an engaging concave portion 21 formed in the fixed portion 15. The dial 16 is rotatable around the fixing portion 15 by engaging the engaging protrusion 22 with the engaging recess 21. The dial 16 has a button housing 23 in which a button 17 for deciding a predetermined character or menu item is built.
[0024]
The button housing 23 is formed as a cavity having a size that allows the button 17 to be loosely fitted therein. The button housing 23 has an opening 24 for allowing the button operation portion 17a to face outward. The opening 24 is formed as a rectangular hole on the side surface 16 a of the dial 16. The button housing 23 is provided with a spring housing recess 26 for housing a spring 25 which is an elastic member that constantly pushes the button operation portion 17a outward. Further, the button housing 23 is formed with an inclined surface 27 for moving the button 17 downward when the button operation unit 17a is pressed inward from outside.
[0025]
The side surface 16a of the dial 16 is provided with a non-slip projection 28 for preventing the hand from slipping when the dial 16 is rotated.
[0026]
The button 17 has a button body 17b housed in a button housing 23 and a button operation unit 17a facing the opening 24. The button body 17b is formed with a tapered surface 29 that comes into contact with the inclined surface 27 described above. Further, a projection 31 for pressing a sheet key 30 which is a switch provided on the front surface 1a of the portable terminal body 1 is formed on the bottom surface of the button body 17b. In this information input device 2, the number of buttons 17 is 12. When the button 17 is pressed, the taper surface 29 formed on the button body 17b moves along the inclined surface 27 in the button housing 23, so that the button 17 is pressed downward and formed on the bottom surface of the button body 17b. The projected portion 31 presses the sheet key 30.
[0027]
In addition, in the information input device 2, as shown in FIG. 4A, on the surface 1a of the portable terminal main body 1 facing the rotating part of the dial 16, so that a click feeling is obtained when the dial 16 is turned. A magnet 32 in which a plurality of S poles and N poles are alternately arranged in an annular shape is fixed. The magnet 32 is fixed to the portable terminal body 1 so as not to move even when the dial 16 is rotated. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4B, at least one magnet 33 is fixed to the dial 16 on the bottom surface 16b facing the magnet 32. In the present embodiment, three magnets 33 arranged in the order of N pole, S pole, and N pole are used. The distance between the N pole and the S pole of the magnet 33 fixed to the bottom surface 16b of the dial 16 is determined by the S pole of the magnet 32 formed on the surface 1a of the portable terminal body 1 in order to stabilize the rotation of the dial 16. And the interval between the N poles.
[0028]
In the information input device 2, the front surface 1a of the portable terminal body 1 is positioned so that the dial 16 is positioned when the hand is released from the dial 16 corresponding to the number of buttons 17 (12 in the present embodiment). The number of poles of the magnet 32 formed in was set to 24. That is, in the information input device 2, the S-pole and the N-pole are switched 24 times by rotating the dial 16 once, so that the dial 16 is fixed at 12 places.
[0029]
In the information input device 2 configured as described above, when the dial 16 is rotated, when the same poles of the magnets 32 and 33 provided vertically facing each other are close to each other, a force acts in a direction to move the dial 16 away. When the different poles of the magnets 32 and 33 are close to each other, a force acts in a direction to attract the dial 16. Thus, the rotating dial 16 can be operated with a click feeling.
[0030]
In FIG. 3, the direction in which the button 17 is pressed into the dial 16 is the direction of the center of rotation. However, as shown in FIG. 5, the button 17 may be pressed obliquely with respect to the rotating surface. In FIG. 5, a part of the side surface 16a of the dial 16 is inclined, and the button 17 is arranged on the inclined surface 16c. Alternatively, the button operation unit 17a may be arranged on the upper surface 16d of the dial 16 in FIG. 1 so that the button 17 can be pressed vertically.
[0031]
The rotation detecting unit 18 detects a rotation direction and a rotation amount of the dial 16. The rotation detecting unit 18 includes, for example, a rotation detecting sensor 34 provided on the front surface 1a of the portable terminal main body 1 corresponding to the bottom surface 16b of the dial 16 as shown in FIG.
[0032]
The operation input display unit 20 is formed of, for example, a liquid crystal display device, and is provided at the center of the dial 16. The operation input display unit 20 is disposed inside the fixing unit 15 as a circular liquid crystal display device. On the operation input display section 20, characters, symbols, and the like assigned to the respective buttons 17 are displayed at positions corresponding to the respective buttons 17. In this example, the operation input display unit 20 is circular, but the shape of the operation input display unit 20 is not particularly limited.
[0033]
"First input method"
First, the character input processing according to the first input method will be described. Here, a case where a mode for making a call is selected will be described as an example. As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6, the character input process according to the first input method starts when a mode for making a call is selected. First, when the vertical / horizontal display switching button 13 is pressed, the vertical / horizontal display switching means 10 detects whether the display is portrait or landscape in the processing of step S1. Proceed to the process, and if the instruction is for landscape display, the character input process proceeds to the process of step S3.
[0034]
In the process of step S2, the CPU 11 instructs the display control unit 7 to display the display screen of the display unit 6 provided on the mobile terminal body 1 in a portrait orientation. Upon receiving this instruction, the display control section 7 causes the display section 6 to display the information such as characters and symbols stored in the memory 5 in a vertically long manner as shown in FIG.
[0035]
In the process of step S3, the CPU 11 instructs the display control unit 7 to display the display screen of the display unit 6 provided on the portable terminal main body 1 in a landscape orientation. Upon receiving this command, the display control unit 7 displays information such as characters and symbols stored in the memory 5 on the display unit 6 in a horizontally long state as shown in FIG.
[0036]
Next, when the input mode switching button 14 is pressed, in the process of step S4, the input mode switching means 12 detects whether any of the numeric input mode, the hiragana input mode, and the alphabet input mode has been selected. I do. For example, when the number input mode is displayed in the process of step S4, the display control unit 7 determines in the next process of step S5 the numbers “0 to 9” assigned to the buttons 17 and “ The symbols “#” and “*” are displayed on the operation input display unit 20 at positions corresponding to the respective buttons 17a to 17l.
[0037]
In this example, the operation of switching the input mode is performed after the mode of making a call is selected. However, when the mode of making a call is selected, the mode is automatically shifted to the number input mode, and the process of step S4 is performed. It can be omitted.
[0038]
For example, a numeral “1” is displayed at a position corresponding to the button 17a arranged at the 1 o'clock position in the clock display, and a numeral “2” is displayed at a position corresponding to the button 17b arranged at the 2 o'clock position. Are displayed at the positions corresponding to the buttons 17c to 17l arranged at the respective positions. At this time, when the display screen of the display unit 6 is in the portrait display, these numbers and symbols are also displayed in the portrait orientation as shown in FIG. 7, and the display screen of the display unit 6 is in the landscape display. In this case, these numbers and symbols are also displayed horizontally as shown in FIG.
[0039]
Note that these numbers and symbols may or may not be uniquely assigned to the buttons 17a to 17l, respectively. When numbers and symbols are assigned to the buttons 17a to 17l, respectively, when the dial 16 is rotated, the dials are assigned to the display screens at the positions corresponding to the buttons 17a to 17l at the positions where they have been rotated and stopped. A number or symbol is displayed. That is, when an arbitrary button 17a is moved from one position to another position by the rotation of the dial 16, the number displayed before the movement is displayed at the position after the movement. Otherwise, even if the dial 16 is rotated, the display screen remains the initial screen when the number input mode is selected.
[0040]
When the processing in step S5 is completed, the CPU 11 advances the character input processing to the processing in step S6. In the process of step S6, the button input detection unit 19 detects whether any button 17 provided on the dial 16 has been pressed. When the button input detection unit 19 detects that any button 17 has been pressed, the CPU 11 advances the character input process to the process of step S7, and displays the character or symbol assigned to the button 17 on the display unit 6. To the display control unit 7 to perform the operation. The display control unit 7 reads a corresponding character or symbol from the memory 5 in response to a command from the CPU 11 and causes the display unit 6 to display the character or symbol.
[0041]
FIGS. 7 and 8 show an example in which each button 17 is sequentially pressed to display the telephone number “09076543211” on the display unit 6. At this time, if there is an input error, the user rotates the dial 16 to the right or left to move the cursor 35 displayed on the display unit 6 in the left-right direction indicated by the arrow. Press the button 17 to which the correct number is assigned. Thereby, a correct number can be input. This is the end of the character input processing.
[0042]
In the above example, the numbers or symbols assigned to the buttons 17a to 17l are determined by pressing the buttons 17a to 17l. For example, as shown in FIG. The input may be determined by pressing the input determination button 36 provided at the center position of the input.
[0043]
The above-described character input processing is an example in which the mode of making a call is selected and the number input mode is selected. However, when the mode of creating an e-mail is selected and the hiragana input mode is selected, FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, the hiragana characters in each line of “Akasana yamayawa” assigned to each button 17 and the symbols “゛” and “.” Are displayed at positions corresponding to the respective buttons 17a to 17l. It is displayed on the operation input display unit 20.
[0044]
For example, when inputting the character “A”, the input character is selected by pressing the button 17 a corresponding to “A”, and the character “A” is displayed on the display unit 6. When inputting the character of "O", the button 17a corresponding to "A" is pressed four times. That is, when the same button 17a is pressed several times, “I”, “U”, “E”, and “O” are sequentially selected. To determine the selected character, the user presses the buttons 17b to 17l for inputting the next character, or presses the input determination button 36 provided at the center position of the operation input display unit 20.
[0045]
In the process of step S4, when the alphabet input mode is selected, each alphabet such as “ADGJMPTW...” Assigned to each button 17 and a symbol such as “@” are assigned to the respective buttons 17a to 17a. 17l is displayed on the operation input display unit 20 at a position corresponding to 17l.
[0046]
For example, when inputting the English character of "A", the input character is determined by pressing the button 17a corresponding to "A". To enter the letter "C", press the button 17a corresponding to "A" three times. Similarly, in this case, when the same button 17a is pressed several times, "B" and "C" are sequentially selected, and the character is determined by pressing the input determination button 36.
[0047]
"Second input method"
Next, a character input process according to the second input method will be described. Here, a case where the e-mail creation mode is selected will be described as an example. As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12, the character input processing by the second input method is the same up to the processing of step S6 in the flowchart of FIG. In the second input method, a description will be given assuming that the hiragana input mode is selected in the process of step S4.
[0048]
In the process of step S6, for example, when the button input detection unit 19 detects that the button 17a corresponding to the character of "a" is pressed, the CPU 11 advances the character input process to the process of step S21, and is determined. The display controller 7 is instructed to display the characters and symbols of the hierarchy below the characters and symbols displayed vertically or horizontally on the operation input display unit 20. The display control unit 7 reads a corresponding character or symbol from the memory 5 in response to a command from the CPU 11, and displays the character or symbol on the operation input display unit 20.
[0049]
FIG. 13A shows a screen display example when the hiragana input mode is selected, and FIG. 13B shows a screen display example when the button 17e corresponding to the character “O” is pressed. When the button 17a corresponding to the character “A” is pressed in the screen display state of FIG. 13A, the character “Iueo”, which is a layer below the line “A”, is displayed on the operation input display unit 20. Is displayed. For example, the character "A" corresponds to the button 17a, the character "I" corresponds to the button 17b, the character "U" corresponds to the button 17c, the character "E" corresponds to the button 17d, and the character "O" corresponds to the button 17e. Displayed at the location.
[0050]
At this time, in order to select and determine the character of "O", in the process of step S22, the dial 16 is rotated clockwise in four sections (to a position where a click feeling is obtained four times) and the operation input display unit is turned. The cursor 42 displayed on the cursor 20 is moved to the position where the character “O” is displayed, and the input determination button 36 provided at the center position of the operation input display unit 20 is pressed to determine the character. Alternatively, the user rotates the dial 16 in the counterclockwise direction by one section (to a position where a single click feeling can be obtained) to select the character “O”, and presses the input determination button 36 to determine the character.
[0051]
The display control unit 7 reads out the selected “O” character from the memory 5 based on the determination instruction and displays it on the display unit 6. Here, when selecting "O" which is the last character of the "A" line, a structure in which the dial 16 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction is adopted to realize quicker character input. Note that the same configuration can be adopted when an English character is selected and determined.
[0052]
"Third input method"
Next, a character input process according to the third input method will be described. Here, a case where the e-mail creation mode is selected will be described as an example. Further, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, a first housing 38 provided with a ten-key 37, The second case 39 provided with the input device 2 will be described by taking a foldable mobile phone as an example that can be rotated in an in-plane (horizontal) direction around a portion where the information input device 2 is provided.
[0053]
As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14, the character input processing by the third input method is the same up to the processing of step S3 in the flowchart of FIG. In the third input method, the description will be made assuming that the hiragana input mode is selected.
[0054]
In the process of step S31, for example, when an arbitrary numeric key 37 is pressed, the CPU 11 advances the character input process to the process of step S32, and determines the character assigned to the pressed numeric key 37 and the character related to the character. It is displayed on the display unit 6. FIG. 15 shows an example in which the second housing 39 is opened by approximately 180 degrees with respect to the first housing 38 and the display screen of the display unit 6 is displayed in a portrait orientation. 2 shows an example in which the second housing 39 is opened substantially 90 degrees, and the display screen of the display unit 6 is displayed horizontally.
[0055]
In this example, when the numeric keypad 37 on which the character “KA” is written is pressed twice, the display control unit 7 reads out the character assigned to the numeric keypad 37 and the character related to the character from the memory 5 and The characters and characters related to the characters are displayed on the display unit 6. For example, the hiragana character of "ki" and "today", "local area", "Kitakawa", "Km", "Kitara", "work", "cut", "go home" related to this "ki" Are displayed. For example, these character candidates are displayed as two lines in the lower column of the display unit 6.
[0056]
Next, when the user rotates the dial 16 in the process of step S33, the rotation detecting unit 18 detects the rotation of the dial 16, and the CPU 11 moves the cursor 40 on the display unit 6 in the process of step S34. . The cursor 40 moves, for example, rightward from the upper left end displayed on the upper and lower two lines, and then moves from the right end to the left end of the lower half. By turning the dial 16, the user can select a character to be input from characters in which a plurality of candidates are listed.
[0057]
Then, when the button input detection unit 19 detects that the button 17 provided on the dial 16 has been pressed in the processing of step S35, the CPU 11 advances the character input processing to the processing of step S36, and determines the determined character. Is displayed on the display unit 6. This is the end of the character input processing.
[0058]
As described above, in the mobile phone having the numeric keypad 37, the character input is mainly performed by using the numeric keypad 37. However, by using the dial 16 and the button 17 provided on the dial 16 as an auxiliary function at the time of character input, the character input is performed. Input can be performed quickly.
[0059]
The above example is an example in which characters for creating an e-mail are input. However, when creating the e-mail, when searching for a sender to whom the e-mail should be sent from an address book, A dial 16 and buttons 17 can be used. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, when the address book is read from the memory 5 and the address is displayed on the display unit 6, the cursor 16 displayed on the display unit 6 is moved by rotating the dial 16. By pressing the button 17 when the cursor 41 is positioned on the address to be transmitted, the address is determined.
[0060]
The dial 16 and the button 17 can also be used when selecting and determining a predetermined menu from respective menus of various functions provided in the mobile phone. For example, menus such as a ring volume adjustment menu, a ring tone selection menu, an answering machine menu, a wallpaper display menu, and the like are displayed on the display unit 6, and by rotating the dial 16, a predetermined menu is selected from the menu. After that, the menu selected by pressing the button 17 on the dial 16 can be used.
[0061]
As described above, the specific embodiments to which the present invention is applied have been described, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes can be made.
[0062]
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the operation input display unit 20 is provided inside the dial 16, characters are displayed on the operation input display unit 20, and buttons 17 on the dial 16 corresponding to each character of the characters are displayed. However, instead of arranging the operation input display unit 20 inside the dial 16, the characters are displayed in an annular shape on the display unit 6 of the portable terminal body 1 in the same manner as the dial 16. The same effect can be obtained by pressing the button 17 at the position corresponding to each character.
[0063]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, a description has been given of a mobile phone as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to a mobile phone, and is applicable to a mobile terminal device such as a handheld PC or PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). Even when the invention is applied, the same operation and effect can be obtained.
[0064]
【The invention's effect】
According to the information input device of the present invention, since the button can be pressed without releasing the hand from the dial, the input operation is easy and the operability can be greatly improved.
[0065]
Further, according to the portable terminal device of the present invention, even when the portable terminal device is set in the portrait or landscape orientation, it is easy to input characters and the like regardless of the direction, and the operability is greatly improved. Can be improved. In particular, when the input display unit is arranged at the center position of the dial, the input can be more easily understood. Therefore, according to the portable terminal device of the present invention, it becomes easy to input information such as characters in any of the vertically long content and the horizontally long content.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a mobile phone to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a mobile phone to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing an information input device portion of a mobile phone to which the present invention is applied.
4A is a diagram of a magnet arranged on a surface of a portable terminal body facing a rotating part of the dial, and FIG. 4B is a diagram of a magnet arranged on a bottom surface of the dial.
5A and 5B show an information input device configured to press a button provided on a dial obliquely with respect to a rotating surface, wherein FIG. 5A is a perspective view and FIG. 5B is a side view.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a character input process according to a first input method.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example in which information such as characters and symbols is displayed in a vertically long manner on a display unit in a character input process according to a first input method.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example in which information such as characters and symbols is displayed horizontally on a display unit in a character input process according to a first input method.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a character or a symbol is determined by pressing an input determination button provided at a center position of the operation input display unit in the character input processing according to the first input method.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example in which, when a hiragana input mode is selected in a character input process according to a first input method, information such as characters and symbols is vertically displayed on a display unit.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example in which, when a hiragana input mode is selected, information such as characters and symbols is horizontally displayed on a display unit in a character input process according to a first input method.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a character input process according to a second input method.
FIGS. 13A and 13B show a screen display example when the hiragana input mode is selected in the character input processing according to the second input method, and FIG. The screen display example at the time of selection is shown.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a character input process according to a third input method.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the second housing is opened substantially 180 degrees with respect to the first housing and the display screen of the display unit is displayed vertically in the character input processing according to the third input method. .
FIG. 16 shows an example in which, in the character input process according to the third input method, the second housing is opened substantially 90 degrees with respect to the first housing, and the display screen of the display unit is displayed horizontally.
FIG. 17 shows an example of a case where a dial and buttons constituting an information input device are used as a function of selecting and determining a predetermined address from an address book.
[Explanation of symbols]
1. Mobile terminal body
2. Information input device
6 Display unit
7 Display control unit
10. Vertical / horizontal display switching means
12. Input mode switching means
16 ... Dial
17… Button
18 ... Rotation detector
19 ... Button input detection unit
20: Display for operation input
38 first housing
39 second housing
35, 40, 41, 42 ... cursor

Claims (8)

A ring-shaped dial member attached to the housing and rotatably provided around the fixed portion,
An information input device, comprising: at least one button provided on the dial member to determine a character or a menu for inputting information. The information input device according to claim 1, wherein
The information input device, wherein the button is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the dial member. The information input device according to claim 1, wherein
An information input device, wherein a display unit for displaying the character or the menu is arranged inside the dial member. A mobile terminal body having a display unit,
A ring-shaped dial member attached to the portable terminal body and rotatably provided around a fixed portion,
A portable terminal device, comprising: at least one button provided on the dial member to determine a character or a menu for inputting information. The mobile terminal device according to claim 4, wherein
A portable terminal device, wherein an input display unit for displaying the character or the menu is arranged inside the dial member. The mobile terminal device according to claim 5, wherein
When a predetermined character or menu is selected from the characters or menu displayed on the input display unit by pressing the button, the character or menu of the hierarchy below the selected character or menu is input. A portable terminal device comprising a control unit for displaying on a display unit for use. The mobile terminal device according to claim 6, wherein
The portable terminal device, wherein the control unit selects and determines a character or menu at the bottom of the selected character or menu when detecting a counterclockwise rotation of the dial member. The mobile terminal device according to claim 5, wherein
When the portable terminal body is in a portrait or landscape orientation, display switching means for switching the orientation of characters or menus displayed on the input display unit to portrait or landscape according to the portrait or landscape orientation. A portable terminal device comprising:

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