JP2005165590A - Character input system and portable terminal device using it - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a character input system allowing efficient inputs of a character, a symbol or the like with a minimum burden on a user, and to provide a portable terminal device using it. <P>SOLUTION: A character group including the character or the symbol selectively inputted by the user is previously stored in a storage part 15 in a prescribed order. The user displays a cursor comprising a series of alphanumeric characters together with an already selectively inputted sentence or the like in a peripheral part thereof. When a desired character or symbol is displayed on a screen of a display device 16 by moving the cursor by a pointing device 12, it is selectively inputted. Thereby, an input of the new character or symbol, or editing such as the correction of the already inputted character or symbol is performed on the screen of the display device 16. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a character input system, and more particularly to a character input system including a pointing device and a portable terminal device using the character input system.

Mobile phone, PHS (Personal Handy-phone System) and PDA (Personal
In the case of a portable terminal device such as a digital assistant), not only a voice call with a communication partner (person) but also transmission / reception of text and graphics (including photos) information via e-mail via a network such as the Internet Data can be transmitted to and received from a digital device such as a computer.

  In such a portable terminal device, it is essential to reduce the size and weight because of its nature (that is, to place importance on portability), so the number of keys, switches or buttons provided in the operation unit is minimized. It is suppressed. The keys of the operation unit are generally limited to a numeric keypad (numbers 0 to 9), a transmission key, a power key, and the like.

Using multiple keys such as Hiragana, Katakana, and Romaji (alphabet) using the limited keys as described above, multiple characters are assigned to one key and multiple press operations The desired character is selected by the above. Furthermore, the conversion key is operated to convert kanji as necessary. A conventional mobile phone that enables Kanji input using such an existing key arrangement has been disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, a character input device is also disclosed in which a jog dial is provided as a selection means in a device without a full keyboard so as to reliably input kana mixed Japanese (for example, see Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-13523 (page 4-5, FIG. 2) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-212281 (page 5, FIG. 5)

  However, the conventional character input technique has the following problems. First, since the number of keys is small, the number of operations increases and character input is inefficient. That is, when inputting a specific character, a complicated operation such as pressing a key assigned to a plurality of characters including the character a plurality of times or rotating a dial after operating a specific key is necessary. . Second, when inputting symbols, etc., it is necessary to switch the mode. When inputting normal characters, it is necessary to switch back to the normal mode.

  In other words, in the conventional character input system, the operation is complicated because the character is input by pressing the numeric keypad many times. Further, when inputting symbols and pictograms, it is necessary to select the entire screen such as a liquid crystal display panel in order to display candidates. In this case, there is a problem that it is impossible to see the contents being edited, and that a symbol input screen has to be activated each time an input is made.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, minimizes the burden on the user (with relatively simple operation), and uses a character input system capable of efficiently inputting characters. An object of the present invention is to provide a portable terminal device.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the character input system according to the present invention and the portable terminal device using the same adopt the following characteristic configuration.

(1) In a character input system for creating a sentence or the like by sequentially displaying characters and symbols selected and input by a user on a display device,
A storage unit that stores in advance a character group that can be selected and input by the user, and a cursor unit that specifies and selects a specific character of the character group stored in the storage unit by a row and a column that are addresses of the storage unit; A character input system comprising: input means for inputting the selected character or the like when the character or the like selected by the cursor means is a desired character.

  (2) The character input system according to (1), wherein the cursor unit, the selected and input characters, and the like are simultaneously displayed on the display device.

  (3) The character input system according to (1) or (2), wherein the cursor means is displayed around a display area of the selected and input characters or the like of the display device.

  (4) The character input system according to (1), (2), or (3), wherein the cursor means has a bar shape that is displayed above or below and on the right or left of the character display area of the display device.

  (5) The character input system according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the cursor means is composed of a series of alphanumeric characters, and the selected cursor position is displayed with white or black alphanumeric characters. .

  (6) The character input system according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the cursor means is composed of a series of alphanumeric characters, and the selected cursor position is displayed by a moving arrow or the like.

  (7) A mobile terminal device that uses the character input system according to any one of (1) to (6) and transmits character information input by the character input system to a communication partner.

  (8) A storage unit that stores character data of a group of characters including a plurality of characters and symbols at a predetermined address based on a certain rule, and receives the character data from the storage unit and creates a sentence, etc. A character input unit, a pointing device for selecting a character or the like to be newly input to the sentence or the like created by the character input unit, a selection of the sentence or the like or the newly input character or the like created by the input unit And a display device that simultaneously displays a cursor for inputting, and a portable terminal device including a character input system in which a user moves the cursor to select and input characters stored in the storage unit.

  (9) The mobile terminal device according to (8), wherein the cursor is displayed on the display device in a bar shape orthogonal to each other at a peripheral portion of a display area for displaying the created sentence or the like.

  According to the character input system of the present invention and the portable terminal device using the character input system, the following remarkable effects in practical use can be obtained. First, since a character can be selected by the pointer position of the pointing device, a new character to be input next can be selected in a state where a character (preliminarily selected and input) is displayed on the display unit. Secondly, since it is not necessary to use the numeric keypad for selecting and inputting normal characters and symbols, the numeric keypad can be used independently. Third, since characters and symbols that are newly input for correction or input for editing can be selected in a state where displayed characters or the like are displayed in the character (or sentence) display area, a sentence can be created. Easy. Because characters such as the vertical and horizontal coordinate positions are selected using a bar-shaped cursor, understanding the location of the characters and symbols stored in advance in the storage unit enables quick input and character selection and input work efficiency Can be greatly improved. Fourthly, it is possible to obtain a portable terminal device in a small size and light weight (or compact) with a small number of keys.

  Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of a preferred embodiment of a character input system according to the present invention and a portable terminal device using the same will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a preferred embodiment of a character input system according to the present invention. The character input system 10 includes an up / down / left / right key 11, a pointing device 12, a numeric keypad device 13, a character input unit 14, a storage unit 15, and a display unit (display screen) 16. The up / down / left / right key 11, the pointing device 12, the numeric keypad device 13, the storage unit 15, and the display device 16 are connected to the character input unit 14.

Here, the up / down / left / right key 11 is an operation key for designating a position for newly inputting a character or a symbol or correcting an already input character or the like. The pointing device 12 is input means operated by a user to select a character or symbol to be input. For example, a cursor moving means 12A for moving a selection position of a bar-shaped cursor and a desired character as will be described later. Etc. is provided with a determining means 12B for selecting and inputting the selected item.
The character input unit 14 is means for creating a sentence or the like by characters or symbols selected and input by the user, and includes a cursor moving unit 14A, a character input unit 14B, and a drawing unit 14C. Each means 14A-14C of the character input part 14 is realizable with software.

  The storage unit 15 is preferably composed of a semiconductor memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), and includes a table storage unit for characters corresponding to the ordinate and abscissa. Examples of corresponding characters include hiragana, katakana (alphabet), alphanumeric characters, symbols, kanji, pictographs, and emoticons. The display device 16 is a display unit that displays a character or symbol text input by the character input unit 14 together with a cursor, and includes a flat display panel such as a liquid crystal display (LCD).

  Next, the operation of the character input system 10 shown in FIG. 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the character input system 10. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the operation of the pointing device 12 and the operation of the storage unit 15 in FIG.

  First, in order to input characters using the character input system 10, the pointing device 12 is activated (step S1). Then, the user operates and moves the moving means 12A of the pointing device 12 (step S2). When the pointing device 12 is operated, the position of the pointing device 12 is input to the character input unit 14B of the character input unit 14. The character input means 14B uses the position of the pointing device 12 to check which one corresponds to the character stored in the storage unit 15 (step S3). If the storage unit 15 includes characters or compound words, the corresponding characters are given to the display unit 16 and displayed (step S3).

  In step S3 of FIG. 2, when it is determined that the character or compound word corresponding to the position of the pointing device 12 is not stored in the storage unit 15, the display device 16 is provided with the previously corresponding character.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the character currently displayed on the display device 16 is a character or symbol desired by the user (step S4). In step S4, if the currently displayed character is not the desired character (step S4: N), the process returns to step S2 described above, and the pointing device 12 is moved again. In step S4, if the currently displayed character is the desired character (step S4: Y), the user presses the determination means 12B of the pointing device 12 (step S5), and determines the character or symbol, that is, A selection input is made (step S6).

  Next, the operation of the character input system 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described based on a specific example with reference to FIG. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, for example, various symbols are stored or registered in the storage unit 15 in advance. Now, it is assumed that the user wants to input “☆”. First, it is assumed that the ordinate position 8 and the abscissa position 8 are given as the position of the pointing device 12 (step S2). The character input unit 14B searches for a corresponding character from the storage unit 15 in accordance with the ordinate 8 and abscissa position 8 of the pointing device 12. Since the storage unit 15 stores “★” in correspondence with the ordinate position 8 and the abscissa position 8, the character input unit 14B determines that “★” is an input candidate and displays it on the display device 16. (Step S3). At this time, the display screen of the display device 16 is as shown in FIG.

  Next, since the selected “★” is a character that the user does not want to input (step S4: N), the position of the pointing device 12 is changed to the ordinate position 8 and the abscissa position 9 (step S2). . The character input unit 14 </ b> B searches for characters from the storage unit 15 using the ordinate position 8 and the abscissa position 9 of the pointing device 12. The storage unit 15 stores “☆” in the ordinate position 8 and the abscissa position 9, and the user determines that “☆” is an input candidate (step S3). The display screen of the display device 16 at this time is as shown in FIG.

  Since the selected “☆” is a character that the user desires to input, the user presses the determination means 12B (step S5). Therefore, the candidate is confirmed, the selected symbol “☆” is inserted at the cursor position (step S6), and output and displayed on the display device 16. Next, it is confirmed whether or not the character input operation is finished (step S7). In the case of termination (step S7: Y), the character input operation is terminated. On the other hand, when a new character input is performed, that is, when the character input is not completed (step S7: N), the process returns to the above-described step S2 and the above-described operation is repeated.

  A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6 and the display screen of the display unit 16 shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, when the pointing device 12 is activated (step S <b> 1), in steps S <b> 2, S <b> 3, and S <b> 4, first, a two-digit value is acquired from the position of the pointing device 12 using vertical and horizontal coordinate positions. At this time, the display screen can be as shown in FIG. In FIG. 7A, “88” is selected. Next, in steps S6, S7, and S8, a two-digit value is acquired. At this time, the display screen can be as shown in FIG. In FIG. 7B, “F9” is selected, and “back” is selected as the character of the code “88F9”. In this way, a 4-digit numerical value in hexadecimal can be obtained, and for example, it can be used as an input means referring to a character code (Unicode or Shift-JIS).

  Further, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. By displaying the candidates when the ordinate and abscissa are changed as shown in FIG. 7C, the convenience for the user can be increased. In FIG. 7C, it can be seen that the candidate is “Δ” when moved to the right and “♦” when moved up.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, emoticon eyes and mouth expressions can be assigned to the ordinate and abscissa, respectively, and emoticons can be input. As still another embodiment, in FIG. 8, in the input environment in which a picture and a character can be mixed, the picture to be inserted may be selected instead of the emoticon.

  The above-described character information system of the present invention is suitable for portable terminal devices such as mobile phones, PHSs, and PDAs in which the number of keys that can be used is limited due to space restrictions. As is well known to those skilled in the art, the portable terminal device includes a wireless transmission / reception unit including an antenna, a numeric keypad, and the like in addition to the character input system described above. When the storage unit 15 includes alphanumeric characters, it is possible to further reduce the size of the portable terminal device by inputting a telephone number and omitting the numeric keypad.

  The configuration and operation of the preferred embodiment of the character input system according to the present invention and the portable terminal device using the same have been described in detail. However, it should be noted that such examples are merely illustrative of the invention and do not limit the invention in any way. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that various modifications and changes can be made according to a specific application without departing from the gist of the present invention. In the above-described embodiment, symbols or pictograms are stored in the storage unit, and this is selected and input by the pointing device. However, alphanumeric characters, hiragana, katakana and symbols, etc. (that is, character groups) Can be recorded or registered in a predetermined order, and desired characters and symbols can be selected and input from these character groups using a pointing device. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, if hexadecimal numbers are used as the ordinate and abscissa, 16 × 16 = 256 types of characters and symbols can be stored and selectively input. Further, a plurality of storage units may be prepared, and characters such as alphanumeric characters and kana characters, symbols and pictograms may be stored or registered in different storage units, and these storage units may be switched and selected at the time of input.

  In addition, the cursor is not limited to the upper and right sides of the character display area of the display device, and the character is displayed as above or below the character display area and right or left, such as up and left, down and right or down and left It can be provided as appropriate in the periphery of the region. In addition, the selected position of the cursor may be black out of the alphanumeric characters. Moreover, you may display with the arrow etc. which move the vicinity of the alphanumeric character of a cursor.

It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the suitable Example of the character input system by this invention. It is a flowchart explaining one example of selection input operations, such as a character of the character input system shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the operation | movement of the symbol etc. which were memorize | stored in the memory | storage part in the character input system of this invention, and the specific step of FIG. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the symbol etc. which were memorize | stored in the memory | storage part in FIG. It is an example of the display screen of the display apparatus on which the text and the cursor which were input in the character input part of the character input system of this invention were displayed. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement of the other Example of the character input system of this invention. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the display screen of the display apparatus in each Example of the character input system of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the specific example in the case of inputting a pictogram with the character input system of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Character input system 11 Up / down / left / right key 12 Pointing device 13 Numeric keypad device 14 Character input part 15 Memory | storage part 16 Display apparatus

Claims (9)

In a character input system for creating a sentence or the like by sequentially displaying characters and symbols selected and input by a user on a display device,
A storage unit that stores in advance a character group that can be selected and input by the user, and a cursor unit that specifies and selects a specific character of the character group stored in the storage unit by a row and a column that are addresses of the storage unit; And a character input system for inputting the selected character or the like when the character or the like selected by the cursor means is a desired character.   The character input system according to claim 1, wherein the cursor unit, the selected and input characters, and the like are simultaneously displayed on the display device.   3. The character input system according to claim 1, wherein the cursor unit is displayed around a display area of the selected input character or the like on the display device. 4.   The character input system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the cursor means has a bar shape displayed above or below and on the right or left of the character display area of the display device.   5. The character input system according to claim 1, wherein the cursor means is composed of a series of alphanumeric characters, and the selected cursor position is displayed with white or black alphanumeric characters.   5. The character input system according to claim 1, wherein the cursor means is composed of a series of alphanumeric characters, and a selected cursor position is displayed by a moving arrow or the like.   A portable terminal device using the character input system according to claim 1, wherein character information input by the character input system is transmitted to a communication partner.   A storage unit that stores character data of a character group including a plurality of characters and symbols at a predetermined address based on a certain rule, and a character input that receives the character data from the storage unit and creates a sentence or the like A selection device for selecting a character or the like to be newly input to the text or the like created by the character input unit; and the text or the like newly created by the input unit or the newly input character or the like And a character input system for selecting and inputting a character or the like stored in the storage unit by moving the cursor. 9. The portable terminal device according to claim 8, wherein the cursor is displayed on the display device in a bar shape orthogonal to each other in a peripheral portion of a display area for displaying the created text or the like.

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