JP2006005823A - Character input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable input of alphabets or Japanese texts with a reduced number of key operations on a keyboard having a small number of keys such as a portable telephone. <P>SOLUTION: The keyboard for inputting characters includes keys 10-38 arranged in a plurality of vertical and horizontal lines. By detecting simultaneous depression of the plurality of keys 10-38 which are mutually located in the neighboring positions of either vertical, horizontal or oblique direction, it becomes possible to input alphabets, etc. different from the case of depressing each key 10-38 independently. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a character input device that is provided in a portable information device such as a mobile phone or a personal digital assistant (PDA), for inputting characters and the like with one hand.

Conventionally, in a portable information device such as a mobile phone, since the number of keys that can be arranged is greatly limited, many key operations are required when performing alphabet input or hiragana input.
For example, assigning a plurality of alphabets to a single key and pressing the same key multiple times to select and enter the desired alphabet, or press a numeric key assigned with “a line” of the Japanese syllabary once “A”, “Yes” when pressed twice, “U” when pressed three times, and the like key is selected and input by pressing the same key multiple times (for example, in Patent Document 1) (See FIG. 5).

  In addition, there is also known an example in which various characters can be input with a small number of keys by selecting a specific character by combining and pressing two keys (for example, see Patent Document 2).

  However, as in the former prior art, in the type in which a desired character is selected and input by pressing the same key multiple times, the key is pressed compared to a keyboard of a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”). It is inefficient because it increases the number of times, and there is a problem that it feels stressful to the operation, and it takes time to enter sentences that contain numbers and alphabets in Japanese sentences when number keys are assigned to hiragana input. is there.

Also, as in the latter prior art, in a case where a specific character can be selected by combining and pressing two keys, and various characters can be input with a small number of keys, one character can be selected. In addition to the problem that the number of keys to be pressed increases and the operation becomes complicated, it is difficult to input quickly without memorizing two combined keys and the corresponding characters. Since it is not possible to input with this, there is a problem that it is difficult to hold it with one hand and operate with that finger.
JP 2001-175391 A JP 2002-149319 A

The problem to be solved is that it is difficult to input alphabets and Japanese characters for Romaji conversion with a single finger by a small number of key operations on a keyboard having a small number of keys.
An object of the present invention is to provide a character input device capable of inputting Roman characters by one key operation with one finger while having a smaller number of keys than the number of alphabetic characters.

The present invention provides a keyboard in which keys for inputting characters and the like are arranged in a plurality of rows in the vertical and horizontal directions. The main feature is that a character other than the one pressed can be selected.
That is, for example, when keys for inputting numbers are arranged vertically and horizontally like a mobile phone, in the character input mode, when the keys are pressed alone, the numbers are input, and a plurality of adjacent keys are almost The electronic circuit is configured such that the alphabet or the like is selected when it is simultaneously pressed and released.

In the character input device of the present invention, in a keyboard in which three keys in the horizontal direction are arranged in five rows in the vertical direction, a plurality of keys adjacent to each other in the vertical, horizontal, and diagonal directions are operated almost simultaneously so that the remaining 26 letters of the alphabet remain. Characters and the like can be selected, and with a small number of key operations with one finger, it is possible to input alphabets in addition to numbers, as well as Japanese text input by so-called romaji conversion.
In addition, text input is possible with almost the same key operation as a personal computer or word processor (hereinafter referred to as “word processor”), so there is no need to learn special key combinations and correspondence with characters. There is also an advantage of easy learning.

  Hereinafter, a character input device of a portable information device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings based on each example.

  FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a portable information device according to the present invention. A part of a cellular phone as a portable information device, a keyboard as a character input device thereof, arrangement of keys on the keyboard, and It is the figure showing the character etc. which were allocated to the key of.

The key arrangement in the cellular phone of FIG. 1 is provided with keys assigned 5 symbols in addition to the numeric keys “1” to “9” and “0”, and these 15 keys are arranged horizontally. Three of them are arranged in five rows vertically, and the appearance of the top (pressing surface) of each key is drawn.
In the top row in the vertical direction, a “call” key 10 marked SEND, a “clear” key 12 marked CLEAR, and a “power” key 14 marked POWER are arranged from the left to the top left in the second to fourth columns. The numeric keys 16 to 32 from “1” to “9” are arranged in order from the top, and the “*” key 34, the “0” key 36, and the “#” key 38 are arranged in the fifth column from the left. .

Each of the keys 10 to 38 has a name described in the above “”, and this name is largely written on the upper left upper side of each of the keys 10 to 38 as shown in the drawing although it is partially in English.
Each of the keys 10 to 38 is a button switch that is energized by pressing the top. These button switches are connected to an electronic circuit 40, and the electronic circuit 40 is connected to a display device 42, respectively.

In addition, although not shown in the figure, a plurality of other keys connected to the electronic circuit 40 are provided in the same manner as a general mobile phone.
The electronic circuit 40 includes a central processing unit, a storage device, a timing device, a communication device, and the like, and software and the like including a dictionary for various processes are installed in the storage device.

Next, the operation of the character input device of the portable information device shown in FIG. 1 and the processing action in the electronic circuit 40 will be described.
First, when the telephone mode is set by operating a key (not shown), the function assigned to each key is exhibited by pressing each key 10 to 38, as in a general mobile phone.

In particular, when pressing a telephone number or an abbreviated button, the numeric keys 16 to 32 and 36 in the second column and below, the "*" key 34, and the "#" key 38 are used to indicate the respective numbers. And a symbol can be input.
In the case of the telephone mode, all of these functions when each key 10 to 38 is pressed alone, and when a plurality of keys are pressed almost simultaneously, the key that is pressed earlier Only the operation functions effectively, and the key operation pressed after the second is ignored.

Next, a case where the character input mode used for e-mail or the like is switched by operating a key (not shown) will be described.
In this case as well, when each of the keys 16 to 32 and 36 for inputting numbers is pressed alone, the same function as the above telephone mode is achieved. Therefore, when inputting a number, each of the number keys 16 to 32 and 36 is pressed and released alone.
However, keys assigned with numbers other than numbers, that is, five keys 10 to 14, 34 and 38, change to functions different from the above-described telephone mode when pressed alone.

That is, the “call” key 10 switches to the function of the “Enter” key on the personal computer, and when it is pressed and released alone, it performs the action of determining a character string after conversion, which will be described later, and this operation is performed before conversion. And the character string that is not converted is confirmed as a sentence.
The “Clear” key 12 switches to the same function as the “BackSpace” key on a personal computer, and when it is pressed and released alone, it cancels other key operations one time before, or the character of the input character string, etc. Demonstrate the function to delete.

The “power” key 14 switches to a “−” key on a personal computer, and when the key is pressed and released alone, “−” is input, and in Japanese conversion, it is converted into a character for extension like “key”. The This can be converted to “-(hyphen)” by English character conversion described later.
Further, the “*” key 34 switches to the same function as the “Shift” key in the personal computer, and after the “*” key 34 is pressed, functions of other keys to be pressed next are changed. This will also be described in detail later.

Next, the “0” key 36 switches to the same function as the “@” key on a personal computer, and an @ (“at” mark) can be input by pressing and releasing alone.
This emphasizes the frequency of use when inputting an e-mail address, and can be applied to the input of other characters depending on the intended use as a character input device.

Furthermore, the “#” key 38 switches to a “Space” key function on a personal computer, and when it is pressed and released alone, “space (blank)” without characters is entered in English text input, and Roman characters are input. In, "Hiragana character string" input with other keys is converted into "character string including Kanji characters" and the like, and this is displayed.
When there are a plurality of candidates for the character string to be converted, the desired character string can be selected by pressing the “#” key 38 once or several times while viewing the candidate character string shown on the display device 42. Can do.
When a desired character string is obtained, the character string can be automatically confirmed by pressing the “call” key 10 described above or by inputting the next Roman character or the like.

Here, the character input mode is fundamentally different from the telephone mode in that Roman characters can be input by pressing a plurality of adjacent keys almost simultaneously.
That is, when the “call” key 10 and the “clear” key 12 adjacent to the right side are simultaneously pressed and released, “A” written on the top right side of the illustrated “call” key 10 is processed by the electronic circuit 40. Is entered. Of course, “a (lowercase)” may be input.

  In other words, the time when all the keys 10 to 38 are finally released means the end of one operation. Therefore, in order to detect that a plurality of adjacent keys are pressed almost simultaneously as described above, it is finally released when all keys are released, rather than judging with each key being pressed. If the released key and the second or third released key are released with a time difference within a certain “threshold” time range, it can be considered that they are pressed at the same time.

Because, in reality, it is difficult to release a plurality of keys pressed with a finger at the same time, so if they are released consecutively within a certain “threshold” time range, they are considered to have been pressed at the same time. A "is input.
Similarly, when two keys vertically adjacent to each other in the “call” key 10 and the “1” key 16 are pressed simultaneously, “C” is input, and the “call” key 10 and the “2” key 18 are input. When two keys adjacent to each other at the same time are pressed at the same time, "D" is input.

Here, in reality, it is difficult to press only two keys diagonally adjacent to each other with a finger, but the “call” key 10, the “clear” key 12, the “1” key 16 and the “2” key 18. Of these four keys, even if two of the “Clear” key 12 and “1” key 16 are pressed at the same time, “D” is input in the same manner, and three or more of the four keys are pressed at the same time. Similarly, “D” is input.
For this reason, if the middle part of the four keys 10, 12, 16, 18 is pressed and released, “D” is almost certainly input.
Also in this case, whether or not three to four keys are pressed at the same time is determined when all the keys are released as described above.

  As can be seen from the above, the number of keys that are continuously released within a certain “threshold” time range, including the last released key, can be input as long as up to three keys are recognized. The necessary processing can be performed.

  As described above, by simultaneously pressing the “call” key 10 and the “clear” key 12 adjacent to the right side, “A” written on the top right side of the “call” key 10 is input, and the vertical If the “1” key 16 adjacent to the lower side is pressed at the same time, “C” written on the top vertical bottom side of the “call” key 10 is input, and the “2” key 18 adjacent to the lower right side is input. If pressed simultaneously, "D" written on the top right diagonally lower side of the "call" key 10 is input.

In this way, if one point is pressed with a finger aiming at the boundary between each key near the right side, vertical side, diagonally lower right character etc. written on the top of each key 10 to 38, as a result By pressing a plurality of keys, it is possible to input a desired character or the like by one operation with one finger.
Therefore, it is possible to input an arbitrary character by simply pressing one place near the target character while looking at the top of the key without having to remember the correspondence between the combination of a plurality of keys and the input character.

The alphabetic character string inputted as described above is automatically converted into a hiragana character string by the electronic circuit 40 by sequential and automatic Roman character conversion.
Of course, as will be described later, after being converted to hiragana, it can be converted into Japanese text mixed with kana-kanji or converted back to alphabet by the same operation as a general word processor.

Here, the operation as the “Shift” key performed by pressing the “*” key 34 will be described.
If the “*” key 34 is pressed and released during character input, a mark indicating that the “Shift” key has been pressed is displayed on the display device 42, and the function of the other key to be pressed next is converted from the original function. .
For example, when the “power” key 14 is pressed and released, “F1” written on the top right side of the “power” key 14 is selected, and the function assigned to “F1” is similar to the “F1” key of the personal computer. To demonstrate.

Similarly, after pressing and releasing the “*” key 34, simultaneously pressing and releasing the “power” key 14 and the “3” key 20 selects “F 2” written on the top right lower side of the “power” key 14. As a result, the function assigned to this is demonstrated.
Note that the operation as the “Shift” key is only one operation of pressing the next key, and the “*” key 34 is pressed and released again to operate as the “Shift” key again.

Thus, nine types of functions “F1” to “F9” can be assigned using the five keys 14, 20, 26, 32, and 38 arranged at the right end.
Of course, it is possible to assign to other numeric keys in the same way to further increase the functions.
In addition, when canceling the operation as the “Shift” key after pressing and releasing the “*” key 34, pressing and releasing the “Clear” key 12 cancels the previous key operation. 34 is not pressed, the mark on the display device 42 disappears, and the operation as the “Shift” key can be canceled.

  Furthermore, after pressing and releasing the “*” key 34, when other keys are operated except for a key assigned a function such as “F1” such as the “power” key 14 arranged at the right end, the “Shift” is also operated. The action as a “key” can be canceled.

In each of “F1” to “F9”, for example, “Katakana conversion”, “English conversion”, “half-width conversion”, “double-angle conversion”, “no conversion”, “symbol input”, “character color conversion”, etc. A function associated with word input to the dictionary can be assigned.
For example, when “English alphabet conversion” is selected, a character string converted into hiragana can be converted into alphabet.
In addition, it is possible to assign functions associated with name lists such as names and addresses to the storage list of the mobile phone, and it is also possible to assign functions necessary for connecting to electronic mail and the Internet.

Here, as described above, the “power” key 14 can input “−” alone in the character input mode. However, if the user wants to turn off the power during the character input mode, the “power” key 14 is pressed. The power can be turned off by pressing it alone for a long time, for example, 3 seconds or more.
However, also in this case, when the “power” key 14 and the adjacent “clear” key 12 are pressed at the same time, the “clear” key 12 is also pressed with a delay of, for example, about 1 second after the “power” key 14 is first pressed. The function of turning on / off the power of the “power” key 14 at the time when both keys 12 and 14 are pressed is ignored.

  This action is the same for other keys. When entering characters etc. that are the names of the keys, the characters are entered only after the keys are pressed and released without pressing the other keys. The

In addition, a description will be given of correction when the key is pressed by mistake as follows.
For example, if four keys of the “1” key 16, “2” key 18, “4” key 22, and “5” key 24 are erroneously pressed to input “H”, the display device 42 has “K” is displayed.

If a mistake is noticed at this point and the finger on the key top is slid to release the “4” key 22 and the “5” key 24, the display on the display device 42 changes to “H”. If the “1” key 16 and the “2” key 18 are released within the time difference of the “threshold value” after this point, “H” is input.
In other words, the input is determined when all the keys are released, so that if a mistake in pressing is noticed, it can be easily corrected in the middle.

As described above, although only 15 keys are arranged, it has a function as a word processor in a general personal computer.
The main feature is that the alphabet can be input with a small number of operations and by pressing and releasing one place with one finger, which improves the efficiency of the text input operation.
In addition, since the operation method can be made almost the same as that of a general personal computer, there is an advantage that it is easy to learn the operation.

Next, FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the character input device of the present invention.
Here, the description will focus on the parts different from the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the substantially same parts as the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The difference from the first embodiment is that a switch 44 is added.
The switch 44 can be switched to “principle numerical non-input” in the character input mode.
When the switch 44 is pressed for a long time, for example, for 3 seconds or longer, a mark to that effect is displayed on the display device 42 and the display is switched to “Principle No Number Input”. Is not entered. For this reason, if you accidentally press only one key with the intention of pressing a number of adjacent keys, there is no risk of entering text by entering numbers instead of the intended alphabet. .

  In order to input a number in a state where “Principal number non-input” is switched, the switch 44 is pressed again for a short time. As a result, the mark on the display device 42 blinks, and a state in which a number can be temporarily input is enabled, and the number can be input as described in the first embodiment. However, when a plurality of adjacent keys are pressed in this state, the mode is automatically switched to “Principle No Number Input” again.

As in the first embodiment, in order to make it possible to input a number at any time, when the switch 44 is pressed again for a long time, the mark on the display device 42 disappears and it is no longer “in principle no number input”.
In this way, in a usage where few sentences including numbers are input, it is possible to prevent erroneous input and increase the efficiency of sentence input.
Of course, the switch 44 can be used for the other functions in the telephone mode.

Similarly to the first embodiment, the second embodiment also has a function as a word processor in a general personal computer, although it is arranged with 15 keys.
In addition, it is a great feature that alphabet input can be performed with a small number of operations and by pressing and releasing one place with one finger, which improves the efficiency in the text input operation.
Furthermore, since the operation method can be made almost the same as that of a general personal computer, the merit of easy learning of the operation is the same as that of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the character input device according to the present invention.
Here, the description will focus on the parts different from the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the substantially same parts as the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The difference from the first embodiment is that the notation of alphabets and the like is not the top of each key 10 to 38 but the case 46.
That is, the tops of the keys 10 to 38 have a shape in which the adjacent keys are partially cut away, and letters and the like are printed and displayed on the case 46 between the adjacent keys.
The numbers printed on the tops of the keys 10 to 38 and the alphabet printed on the case 46 are printed in different colors.
As a result, when inputting an alphabet or the like, the aim when pressing a plurality of keys can be determined more intuitively, and erroneous input can be prevented.
Others are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the operation is also common, so that the description thereof is omitted.

Similarly to the first embodiment, the third embodiment also has a function as a word processor in a general personal computer, although it is arranged with 15 keys.
In addition, it is a great feature that alphabet input can be performed with a small number of operations and by pressing and releasing one place with one finger, which improves the efficiency in the text input operation.
Furthermore, since the operation method can be made almost the same as that of a general personal computer, the merit of easy learning of the operation is the same as that of the first embodiment.

Next, FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the character input device of the present invention.
Here, the description will focus on the parts different from the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the substantially same parts as the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The difference from the first embodiment is a case where the present invention is applied not to an information device such as a mobile phone but to a keyboard of an information device having a calculation function, and the number and arrangement of keys are different.
That is, numeric keys 16 to 32 and 36 of “0” to “9”, “. (Decimal point)” key 50, “=” key 52, “+” key 54, “−” key 56, “×” key 58 , "÷" key 60, a total of 16 keys are arranged in 4 rows horizontally and 4 columns vertically.
The alphabet and the like are printed on the case 46 as in the third embodiment.

In the character input mode, the “.” Key 50 is the “Space” key, the “=” key 52 is the “Shift” key, the “+” key 54 is the “Enter” key, and the “×” key 58 is “ The first embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the “BackSpace” key is switched.
It should be noted that there are seven functions F1 to F7 that are obtained by the four keys 54 to 60 at the right end due to the four columns in the vertical direction.

  In addition, although the arrangement of alphabets and the like is slightly different, the fact that alphabets and the like can be input by simultaneously pressing a plurality of adjacent keys is the same as in the first embodiment, and the operation is also common, so the description is omitted.

The fourth embodiment also has a 16-key arrangement, but has a function as a word processor in a general personal computer as in the first embodiment.
In addition, it is a great feature that alphabet input can be performed with a small number of operations and by pressing and releasing one place with one finger, which improves the efficiency in the text input operation.
Furthermore, since the operation method can be made almost the same as that of a general personal computer, the merit of easy learning of the operation is the same as that of the first embodiment.
The fourth embodiment can be said to be a character input device suitable for a portable terminal having a calculation function.

As described above, the character input device of the portable information device according to each embodiment of the present invention is a general personal computer even if the number of keys that can be arranged such as a mobile phone is greatly limited. Like a word processor or word processor, it is possible to easily input an alphabetic character string by romaji input or input Japanese text by romaji conversion and hiragana conversion with one finger.
In particular, there is no need to memorize a special key combination, so that it is easy to learn and it is possible to improve the efficiency of exchanging e-mails using a mobile phone.

In Embodiments 1 to 3 described above, the minimum number of keys is arranged as in a mobile phone. However, it is also possible to use other keys and switches that are generally used in mobile phones to perform cooperative operations. it can.
For example, by using a four-way switch attached to a mobile phone in the same manner as a cursor key of a personal computer, it is possible to apply an application such as facilitating sentence revision.

In addition, although the example in which alphabets are assigned to each key is shown in the order of A, B, and C from the upper left, the arrangement may be changed depending on the frequency of use, or each “Enter” key, “BackSpace” may be changed. ”Key,“ Space ”key, and“ Shift ”key may be changed.
Furthermore, it is obvious that it can be used for inputting character strings other than Japanese sentences, for example, Korean characters via alphabet input.

In addition to the mobile phone, the present invention can also be applied to an information device provided with a small keyboard called PDA and various information processing devices called mobile terminals.
Further, the present invention can be applied to a small keyboard used in a remote controller such as a television, a recording device, and an audio device, and an in-vehicle electronic device such as a car navigation.

Of course, the present invention can be applied to a general personal computer keyboard to increase the number of characters that can be input by the same method, so that, for example, hiragana input including muddy sounds and semi-voiced sounds can be input by one operation.
Although explanation by illustration is omitted, a small memory card can be applied as an external storage device, and a memory card storing information such as a Japanese dictionary is inserted into a mobile phone, and this functions as a simple electronic dictionary It can also be made.

  Furthermore, it is possible to connect the mobile phone to a PDA or a vehicle-mounted electronic device having a larger display device and use it as a character input means.

  Based on the general knowledge of those skilled in the art, the portable character input device of the present invention can be improved by applying a switch mechanism that can easily press a plurality of adjacent keys simultaneously, It can be implemented in a mode in which changes are made such as a layout in consideration of the relationship between the shape and the interval between each key.

The present invention relates to a character input device that has fewer keys than the number of alphabet characters, such as a portable information device such as a mobile phone, and performs key operations with one finger and inputs alphabets and Japanese sentences with fewer operations. Can be applied to.
In addition, the present invention can be applied to a character input device used for communication via the Internet utilizing a TV screen by applying to a TV remote controller or the like.

It is a figure showing the structure of the character input device which has a keyboard, an electronic circuit, etc. of a mobile telephone. (Example 1) It is a figure showing the structure of the character input device which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. (Example 2) It is a figure showing the structure of the character input device which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. Example 3 It is a figure showing the structure of the character input device which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. Example 4

Explanation of symbols

10 “Call” key 12 “Clear” key 14 “Power” key 16 “1” key 18 “2” key 20 “3” key 22 “4” key 24 “5” key 26 “6” key 28 “7” key 30 “8” key 32 “9” key 34 “*” key 36 “0” key 38 “#” key 40 electronic circuit 42 display device 44 switch 46 case 50 “.” Key 52 “=” key 54 “+” key 56 “-” key 58 “×” key 60 “÷” key

Claims (7)

  In a keyboard in which a plurality of keys that can input characters and the like are arranged vertically and horizontally, the keys are independently pressed by pressing a plurality of adjacent keys vertically, horizontally, or diagonally at the same time. A character input device capable of inputting another character or the like.   2. Even if three or four keys adjacent to each other vertically, horizontally, and diagonally are pressed almost simultaneously, it is considered that the two keys adjacent to each other diagonally are pressed. The character input device according to 1.   The character input device according to claim 1, wherein the character input device is regarded as an input in which the keys are simultaneously pressed by detecting that the plurality of keys are released almost simultaneously.   In the operation mode in which the characters and the like can be input, the key has a key assigned with the same function as the “Shift” key, “Space” key, “Enter” key, “BackSpace” key, etc. in a personal computer. The character input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   2. The key assigned the same function as the “Shift” key, “Space” key, “Enter” key, “BackSpace” key, etc. is the key other than a key capable of inputting a number. The character input device in any one of thru | or 4.   The character input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the character input device can be switched to a mode in which the character input is not accepted in principle in an operation mode in which the character or the like can be input. The character input device according to claim 1, wherein an alphabet or the like is printed and displayed between the adjacent keys on the surface of the case provided with the keys.

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