JP2007026349A - Character input device and character input program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily input characters and to make reduce the size of a part concerning character input. <P>SOLUTION: This character input device has a touch panel 12 integrally equipped with a display part 122 which performs picture display and an input part 121 which accepts a touch input of a position of a picture displayed on the display part 122, a display control means for displaying a character input picture having a character display area on the display part 122, associating a virtual character table in which a plurality of characters are arranged with the touch panel 12, displaying a character in the virtual character table corresponding to a position where the touch input is performed in the input part 121 as an object character for an input in the character display area, switching an input object character corresponding to the virtual character table according to the position of the touch input while the touch input is continued and displaying the input switched object character on the character display area and an input control means for additionally setting the input object character as an input object simultaneously with the termination of the touch input. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a character input device and a character input program for inputting characters.

  Conventionally, mobile devices such as mobile phones, PHS (Personal Handyphone System), PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), and electronic notebooks have been implemented. With the spread of mobile devices, more and more functions are installed in mobile devices, increasing the number of scenes where Japanese must be entered.

  Referring to FIG. 11, a character input method using hard keys of a conventional mobile phone 400 will be described. FIG. 11 shows the configuration of the front surface of the mobile phone 400.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the mobile phone 400 includes a display unit 410 of a liquid crystal panel and an operation unit 420 composed of various hard keys. Display unit 410 includes a character display area 411 for displaying input characters.

  The operation unit 420 converts a character input key 421 for inputting various characters, a character type selection key 422 for selecting and inputting a character type such as Japanese (Kana (kanji conversion)), alphanumeric characters, etc. A conversion key 423 for inputting and a confirmation key 424 for inputting confirmation of the converted character to be converted are provided. A plurality of characters are assigned to each key of the character input key 421.

  For example, when inputting Japanese, kana is selected by pressing the character type selection key 422 from the user, and hiragana conversion candidate characters are input and displayed in the character display area 411 by pressing the character input key 421. The conversion candidate character is converted to Kanji by pressing the key 423, and the conversion character is determined by pressing the confirmation key 424.

  In addition, a so-called soft keyboard type character input configuration in which a keyboard image is displayed on a display unit on which a touch panel is formed and characters are input by touch-inputting various keys of the displayed keyboard image is also considered (for example, , See Patent Document 1).

  A conventional character input method using a soft keyboard will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 shows a configuration of a character input screen 500 using a soft keyboard.

As shown in FIG. 12, a character input screen 500 displayed on a display unit on which a touch panel of a mobile device is formed has a character display area 510 and a keyboard image 520. Characters are displayed and input in the character display area 510 by the touch input of each key of the keyboard image 520 via the pen or the like by the user.
JP 2001-175375 A

  However, in the conventional character input method using hard keys, a plurality of characters are associated with one key in order to reduce the size. Therefore, a plurality of key pressing operations are required to input one character. There was a problem that the number of operations increased.

  For example, in the example of the cellular phone 400 in FIG. 11, when “Nihongo” is input as a conversion candidate character, after the character type is set to kana, the numeric key of the character input key 421 must be input “5566666600022222 *”. There wasn't. In this case, it was necessary to press the key as many as 21 times when inputting four characters. Furthermore, since characters associated with one key are sequentially circulated each time the key is pressed, if it is pressed once more, about five extra operations are required.

  In addition, in the conventional character input method using a soft keyboard, a keyboard image is displayed on the screen and occupies a predetermined area. Therefore, when the keyboard image is hidden, the display position has to be adjusted. As for input operations, there is no problem that the number of operations increases as in the case of the character input method using hard keys. There was a risk of typing.

  An object of the present invention is to easily perform character input and to reduce the size of a portion related to the character input.

In order to solve the above problem, a character input device according to claim 1 is provided.
A touch panel that integrally includes display means for performing screen display, and input means for receiving a touch input of the position of the screen displayed on the display means;
A character input screen having a character display area is displayed on the display means, a virtual character table in which a plurality of characters are arranged is associated with the touch panel, and characters of the virtual character table corresponding to a position touch-inputted to the input means are displayed. The input target character is displayed in the character display area, and the input target character corresponding to the virtual character table is switched and displayed in the character display area according to the position of the touch input while the touch input is continued. Display control means,
Input control means for additionally setting the input target character as an input target at the end of the touch input.

Further, for example, the input target character is a conversion target character,
The input control means may be configured to convert the set conversion target character based on a conversion instruction input to the input means.

  Further, for example, the display control unit may be configured to fix the virtual character table to the touch panel and associate it.

  Further, for example, the display control means may be configured to associate the virtual character table with the touch panel so as to be movable.

The character input device of the invention according to claim 5 is:
A touch panel that integrally includes display means for performing screen display, and input means for receiving a touch input of the position of the screen displayed on the display means;
A character input screen having a character display area is displayed on the display means, a virtual character table in which a plurality of characters are arranged is associated with the touch panel, and a predetermined character of the virtual character table is input at the start of touch input via the input means Candidate characters are displayed in the character display area, and input candidate characters corresponding to the virtual character table are switched and displayed in the character display area according to the position of the touch input while the touch input is continued. The input candidate character at the end of the previous touch input is displayed in the character display area at the start of the second and subsequent touch inputs, and the virtual character table is moved according to the input candidate character and the position of the touch input. Display control means;
Input control means for additionally setting the input candidate character as an input target based on an instruction for determining the input candidate character input to the input means.

  Further, for example, the input control unit additionally sets the input candidate character as a conversion target character based on the input candidate character determination instruction, and the setting is performed based on the conversion instruction input to the input unit. The conversion target character may be converted.

  Further, for example, the display control means may be configured to display the virtual character table on the display means.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to easily perform character input and to reduce the size of the part related to character input.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, character input can be performed easily and accurately, and the portion related to character input can be reduced in size.

  Hereinafter, preferred first and second embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to the illustrated example.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the apparatus configuration of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the PDA 10 of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a PDA 10 as a character input device of the present embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a touch panel 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 14, The flash memory 15 and the communication unit 16 are configured to be connected to each other via the bus 17.

  The CPU 11 centrally controls each part of the PDA 10. The CPU 11 develops a program designated from the system program and various application programs stored in the ROM 14 in the RAM 13, and executes various processes in cooperation with the program expanded in the RAM 13. Display control means and input control main means are configured by the cooperation of the CPU 11 and the program.

  The CPU 11 displays a character input screen having a character display area on the display unit 122 in cooperation with a first character input program to be described later, associates a virtual character table with the touch panel 12, and is touch-inputted to the input unit 121. The character of the virtual character table corresponding to the position is displayed in the character display area as a conversion target character to be converted (kanji) as an input target character, and the position of the touch input while the touch input is continued Accordingly, the conversion target character corresponding to the virtual character table is switched and displayed in the character display area, and the conversion target character is additionally set as the input target and the conversion target at the end of the touch input. Convert and confirm characters.

  The touch panel 12 includes an input unit 121 as input means and a display unit 122 as display means. The display unit 122 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an ELD (ElectroLuminescent Display), and the like, and displays a display screen such as a character input screen in accordance with an instruction of a display signal input from the CPU 11. The input unit 121 receives a position input on the screen displayed on the display unit 122 by a touch input pen, and outputs the position (coordinate) information to the CPU 11. Note that although the touch panel 12 is described as touch-input with a pen on the display screen, the touch panel 12 is not limited to this and may be touch-input with a user's finger or the like.

  The RAM 13 is a volatile memory, and forms a work area for temporarily storing various programs to be executed and data related to these various programs.

  The ROM 14 is a read-only memory and stores various programs, read data, and the like. The ROM 14 particularly stores the first character input program.

  The flash memory 15 is a nonvolatile memory that stores information so as to be readable and writable, and stores user setting input information and the like. The communication unit 16 is connected to an external device via a cable or the like, and controls transmission / reception of information with the connected external device.

  Next, the operation of the PDA 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 shows the flow of the first character input process. FIG. 3 shows the flow of the character input determination process in the first character input process. FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the character input screen 200. FIG. 5 shows an example of character input in the first character input process.

  A first character input process executed by the PDA 10 will be described. The first character input process is a process of inputting characters such as Japanese using a fixed and non-displayed virtual character table. For example, a first character input program that is read from the ROM 14 and appropriately expanded in the RAM 13 is triggered by a transition to a step requiring character input during execution of an application program such as mail creation or text creation. The first character input process is executed in cooperation with the CPU 11.

  As shown in FIG. 2, first, the character input screen 200 is displayed on the display unit 122 of the touch panel 12 (step S1). For example, a character input screen 200 as shown in FIG.

  The character input screen 200 is a screen for inputting various characters, and includes a character display area 210, a virtual character table area 220, and a control button area 230. The character display area 210 is an area for displaying characters such as conversion target characters and converted / confirmed conversion target characters. The virtual character table area 220 is an area that accepts touch input. The conversion target character is an input character to be converted before (kanji) conversion.

  The control button area 230 is an area in which various control buttons are displayed, and includes a character type button 231 for switching kana (kanji conversion) and alphanumeric character types, and a conversion button 232 for converting a conversion target character before conversion. And a confirmation button 233 for confirming the converted character to be converted, and a completion button 234 for completing the character input. The character input screen 200 is set with two-dimensional (X-axis, Y-axis) coordinates, and various areas and control buttons are associated with predetermined coordinates, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a virtual character table 240 that is not displayed is fixedly associated with the virtual character table region 220. The virtual character table 240 has a plurality of matrix virtual character keys respectively associated with a plurality of characters. By touching and releasing a virtual character key on the virtual character table 240 with a pen, the character of the virtual character key is input. The example of FIG. 5 is an example of the Kana virtual character table 240, but an alphanumeric virtual character table is also prepared and is not expressed in the first character input processing step, but for each ON input of the character type button 231, The virtual character table for each character type is switched.

  “Touch” refers to a state in which the user touches the touch panel 12 with a pen. “Drag” refers to a state of touching the virtual character table area 220.

  Then, the conversion target character is set undefined and stored in the RAM 13 (step S2). Then, a character input determination process is executed (step S3). Here, the character input determination process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  First, it is determined whether or not the user has started touching the touch input pen on the character input screen 200 displayed on the touch panel 12 (the pen is in the separated state → the touched state) (step S21). If the pen has not started touching (step S21; NO), it is determined whether or not the touched pen has been moved on the character input screen 200 (step S22).

  If the pen has not been moved (step S22; NO), it is determined whether or not the touched pen has been released from the character input screen 200 (step S23). When the pen being touched is not released (step S23; NO), it is in a state of not being touched, and the process proceeds to step S21. When the touched pen is released (step S23; YES), it is determined based on the state information stored in the RAM 13 whether or not the pen is being dragged or being dragged (step S24).

  When not dragging (step S24; NO), the control button area 230 is in a state of being released while being touched with the pen, and the control button (character type button 231; The conversion button 232, the confirmation button 233, or the completion button 234) is set to ON, and the touch position (coordinate) information on the pen character input screen 200 and the pen control button information corresponding to the ON of the control button The state information indicating ON is stored in the RAM 13 (step S25), and the character input determination process ends.

  When the pen is started to be touched (step S21; YES), it is determined whether the position information of the touched pen is within the control button area 230 of the character input screen 200 (step S26). When the pen touch position is within the control button area 230 (step S26; YES), the process proceeds to step S21.

  If the pen touch position is not within the control button area 230 (step S26; NO), the pen state is set to start dragging (step S27). Then, the pen position information and status information are set and stored in the RAM 13 (step S28), and the character input determination process ends. The state information in step S28 is dragging start, dragging or dragging end.

  When the pen is moved (step S22; YES), it is determined based on the state information stored in the RAM 13 whether or not the pen is being dragged or being dragged (step S29). If the pen has not started dragging or is not dragging (step S29; NO), the pen is touching and moving in the control button area 230, and the process proceeds to step S21. If the pen is starting to be dragged or being dragged (step S29; YES), the pen is moving by touching the virtual character table area 220, the pen state is set to the dragging (step S30), and step S28. It is transferred to. When dragging is starting or dragging (step S24; YES), the pen state is set to dragging end (step S31), and the process proceeds to step S28.

  Returning to FIG. 2, based on the state information stored in the RAM 13, it is determined whether or not the pen state is dragging start or dragging (step S4). If dragging has started or is being dragged (step S4; YES), the character of the virtual character key corresponding to the drag position in the virtual character table 240 is stored in the RAM 13 based on the position information stored in the RAM 13, and Characters are displayed in the character display area 210 (step S5), and the process proceeds to step S3. With each successive execution of step S5, the characters stored in the RAM 13 and displayed in the character display area 210 are updated to new ones.

  When dragging is not started or being dragged (step S4; NO), it is determined based on the state information stored in the RAM 13 whether the pen state is dragging end (step S6). If the drag has ended (step S6; YES), the character stored in the RAM 13 in step S5 is additionally set as a conversion target character and stored in the RAM 13 (step S7), and the process proceeds to step S3. For example, when the character is kana, it is set as a conversion target character for kanji conversion.

  If it is not the end of the drag (step S6; NO), it is determined based on the state information stored in the RAM 13 whether or not the pen state is the conversion button 232 on (step S8). If the conversion button 232 is on (step S8; YES), conversion candidates for conversion target characters stored in the RAM 13 are generated in step S7, and the conversion candidates are stored in the RAM 13 and displayed in the character display area 210. (Step S9), the process proceeds to Step S3. Each time the continuous step S9 is executed, the conversion candidate stored and displayed in the RAM 13 is changed to another conversion candidate.

  If the conversion button 232 is not on (step S8; NO), it is determined based on the state information stored in the RAM 13 whether the determination button 233 is on (step S10). If the confirm button 233 is on (step S10; YES), the conversion candidate displayed in the character display area 210 and stored in the RAM 13 is set as a confirmed character (step S11). Then, as in step S2, the conversion target character is set undefined and stored in the RAM 13 (step S12), and the process proceeds to step S3.

  If the confirmation button 233 is not on (step S10; NO), the completion button 234 is on, and the first character input process ends.

  Here, a specific example of the first character input process will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, for example, when “ni” is input as a conversion target character, dragging is started at a position 241 corresponding to “a” in the virtual character table 240 not displayed, and “ni” is supported. When dragging to the position 242 to be dragged, the display of the character display area 210 changes as “a” → “ka” → “shi” → “chi” → “ni”. Even if the virtual character table 240 is not displayed, the user can input with the prediction of the position of “ni” according to the display of the character display area 210. Then, when the conversion button 232 and the confirmation button 233 are turned on, the character to be converted is converted to Kanji, and the converted character to be converted can be confirmed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the character of the virtual character key corresponding to the virtual character table 240 is input as the conversion target character by moving the drag on the virtual character table area 220 of the touch panel 12, so that character input is easy. Can be done. In addition, since the conversion target character is switched and displayed in the character display area 210, the user can easily input characters by looking at the character display area 210. Moreover, since it is not necessary to calibrate the input position of the touch panel 12, a user's operation burden can be reduced.

  In addition, since it is not necessary to provide a hard key and an area for displaying a soft keyboard, it is possible to reduce the size of a part related to character input.

(Second Embodiment)
A second embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The present embodiment has portions that are common to the first embodiment, and the portions that are different from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  The apparatus configuration of the present embodiment uses the PDA 10 as in the first embodiment. However, it is assumed that the ROM 14 stores a second character input program instead of the first character input program.

  Next, the operation of the PDA 10 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 shows the flow of the second character input process. FIG. 7 shows the configuration of the character input screen 300. FIG. 8 shows the configuration of the virtual character table 340. FIG. 9 shows input of input candidate characters on the virtual character table 340. FIG. 10A shows an example of character input based on “A”. FIG. 10B shows an example of character input based on “Nu”.

  A second character input process executed by the PDA 10 will be described. The second character input process is a process of inputting characters such as Japanese using a movable and non-displayed virtual character table. For example, a second character input program that is read from the ROM 14 and appropriately expanded in the RAM 13 is triggered by a transition to a timing that requires character input during execution of an application program such as mail creation or text creation. The second character input process is executed in cooperation with the CPU 11.

  As shown in FIG. 6, first, the character input screen 300 is displayed on the display unit 122 of the touch panel 12 (step S41). For example, a character input screen 300 as shown in FIG.

  Similar to the character input screen 200, the character input screen 300 includes a character display area 310, a virtual character table area 320, and a control button area 330.

  In addition to the character type button 331, the conversion button 332, the confirmation button 333, and the completion button 334, the control button area 330 includes a determination button 335 for inputting determination of input candidate characters as input candidates for conversion target characters. In the character input screen 300, two-dimensional (X-axis, Y-axis) coordinates are set, and various areas and control buttons are associated with predetermined coordinates, respectively.

  Further, in the virtual character table area 320, a part of the virtual character table 340 not shown in FIG. The virtual character table 340 includes a plurality of matrix-like virtual character keys respectively associated with a plurality of characters. For example, it is assumed that the length of the region corresponding to each virtual character key is dx and the length in the Y-axis direction is dy, consisting of characters of m columns and n rows (m, n: any natural number). .

  Further, it is assumed that the ends of the virtual character table 340 are connected to each other. By touching and releasing the virtual character key on the virtual character table 340 with a pen, the character of the virtual character key is input. FIG. 8 is an example of the Kana virtual character table 340, but an alphanumeric virtual character table is also prepared and is not expressed in the second character input processing step. The virtual character table is switched.

  Then, the input candidate character and the conversion target character are set undefined and stored in the RAM 13 (step S42). Then, a character input determination process is executed (step S43). Step S43 is the same as the character input determination process of FIG.

  Then, based on the state information stored in the RAM 13, it is determined whether or not the pen state is a drag start (step S44). If it is a drag start (step S44; YES), it is determined whether or not input candidate characters for conversion are stored in the RAM 13 (step S45). The input candidate character is a character corresponding to the drag end position on the virtual character table 340 using the conversion input candidate character as a reference for starting drag. The input candidate character for conversion is a character to be converted and used as a reference for starting dragging in the next operation.

  If the input candidate character for conversion is not stored (step S45; NO), the input candidate character for conversion is set to (row, column) = (1, 1) in the virtual character table 340 and stored in the RAM 13 ( Step S46). As shown in FIG. 8, (1, 1) in the virtual character table 340 is “A”.

  If the drag is not started (step S44; NO), it is determined based on the state information stored in the RAM 13 whether or not the pen is being dragged (step S47). When conversion candidate input characters are stored (step S45; YES), when dragging is performed (step S44; YES), or after execution of step S46, the input candidate characters for conversion stored in the RAM 13 are used as a reference. The character corresponding to the drag position is displayed as the input candidate character (Mx, My) in the character display area 310 (step S48), and the process proceeds to step S43.

Specifically, in step S48, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, one virtual character key of the virtual character table 340 is selected as an input candidate character (Mx, My) (Mx: an integer from 1 to m, My: 1 or more). (integer of n or less). The input candidate characters (Mx, My) change from the character corresponding to the drag start in response to the movement during the drag. When the coordinates of the drag start point on the character input screen 300 are (x0, y0), the coordinates after the drag movement are (x, y), and the character at the drag start point in the virtual character table 340 is (Mx0, My0) Candidate characters (Mx, My) are
(Mx, My) = ((Mx0-1) + (x-x0) / dx)% m + 1, (My0-1) + (y-y0) / dy)% n + 1)
Is calculated as However, (a% b) is a remainder obtained by dividing a by b. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 9, the lower end and the right end of the virtual character table 340 are connected to the upper end and the left end, respectively.

  When the drag is not being performed (step S47; NO), it is determined based on the state information stored in the RAM 13 whether or not the pen state is the drag end (step S49). When the dragging is finished (step S49; YES), the input candidate character (Mx, My) is set as a conversion input candidate character and stored in the RAM 13 (step S50), and the process proceeds to step S43.

  If it is not the end of dragging (step S49; NO), it is determined based on the state information in the RAM 13 whether or not the pen state is ON of the enter button 335 (step S51). If the determination button 335 is on (step S51; YES), the input candidate character for conversion is additionally set as the conversion target character and stored in the RAM 13 (step S52). Then, the input candidate characters (conversion input candidate characters) are set in an undefined state (step S53), and the process proceeds to step S43.

  Steps S54 to S58 are the same as steps S8 to S12 in the first character input process of FIG. If the confirmation button 333 is not turned on (step S56; NO), the completion button 334 is turned on, and the second character input process ends.

  Here, a specific example of the second character input process will be described. For example, when it is desired to input “ho” as a conversion target character, not all of the virtual character table 340 that is not displayed corresponds to the virtual character table area 320, and therefore “a” → “nu”, “nu” → “ho”. ”And input by a two-stage drag operation.

  As shown in FIG. 10A, in the first-stage drag operation, in the virtual character table 340, the position 341 of the drag start point corresponds to “A” and is being dragged to the position 242 corresponding to “N”. When moved, the display of the character display area 310 changes in the order of “A” → “K” → “Ki” → “Shi” → “Chi” → “Ni” → “Nu”. Even if the virtual character table 340 is not displayed, the user can input the predicted position of “Nu” according to the display of the character display area 310.

  After the end of the drag, as shown in FIG. 10B, the drag operation at the second stage corresponds to the position 343 of the drag start point corresponding to “N” and the position 344 corresponding to “H” in the virtual character table 340. When the user moves while dragging, the display of the character display area 310 changes in the order of “Nu” → “Ne” → “To” → “H”. The user can input with the prediction of the position of “H” according to the display of the character display area 310. Then, when the conversion button 332 and the confirmation button 333 are turned on, the conversion target character is converted to Kanji, and the converted conversion target character can be determined.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the character of the virtual character key corresponding to the virtual character table 340 is input as the conversion target character by a plurality of drag movements on the virtual character table region 320 of the touch panel 12. Character input by input can be easily performed, and each virtual character key of the virtual character table 340 can be enlarged, so that character input can be performed with high accuracy. For example, if each virtual character key of the virtual character table 340 is enlarged, even if the input of the touch panel 12 is performed by a user's finger or the like, the character input can be performed with high accuracy.

  Moreover, since it is not necessary to calibrate the input position of the touch panel 12, a user's operation burden can be reduced. In addition, since the input candidate characters are switched and displayed in the character display area 310, the user can easily input characters by looking at the character display area 310. In addition, since it is not necessary to provide a hard key and an area for displaying a soft keyboard, a portion related to character input can be reduced in size.

  The descriptions in the above embodiments are examples of the character input device and the character input program according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these.

  For example, in the first embodiment, the virtual character table 240 is fixed and associated with the virtual character table region 220 of the touch panel 12. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and part of the virtual character table 240 is used. May be associated with the virtual character table area 220 of the touch panel 12 so as to be movable (for example, scrolling at the end of the display area). According to this configuration, since each virtual character key in the virtual character table 340 can be enlarged, character input can be performed with high accuracy.

  In addition, in the scroll configuration of the virtual character table 240 and the second embodiment, the size of each virtual character key in the virtual character table may be selected and set to a desired size by the user.

  In the second embodiment, the conversion input candidate character is set to be undefined every time the decision button 335 is turned on. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the conversion is performed every time the decision button is turned on. The input candidate characters may not be set undefined.

  Moreover, in each said embodiment, although it was set as the structure which does not display the virtual character table 240,340 on the touch panel 12, it is not limited to this, It is good also as a structure normally displayed or transparently displayed on the touch panel 12. . It is particularly preferable when the touch panel 12 has a high resolution. According to this configuration, the user can visually confirm the virtual character table.

  In the above embodiments, the control buttons are displayed in the control button areas 230 and 330. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the control buttons may be provided as hard keys. Even in this case, the number of hard keys can be reduced, and the portion related to character input can be reduced in size.

  In each of the above embodiments, a virtual character table of kana and alphanumeric character types is provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and different systems (symbols, full-width / half-width, other languages, a plurality of languages) A virtual character table of character types such as combinations of character types may be provided.

  Further, although the PDA 10 is used as the character input device, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be configured as another device as the character input device. In particular, portable devices such as mobile phones, PHS, and electronic dictionaries. It is preferable that

  Of course, the detailed configuration and detailed operation of each component of the PDA 10 in each of the above embodiments can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of PDA10 of 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows a 1st character input process. It is a flowchart which shows the character input determination process among 1st character input processes. It is a figure which shows the structure of the character input screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the character input of a 1st character input process. It is a flowchart which shows a 2nd character input process. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a character input screen 300. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the virtual character table 340. FIG. It is a figure which shows the input of the input candidate character on the virtual character table 340. FIG. (A) is a figure which shows an example of the character input on the basis of "a". (B) is a figure which shows an example of the character input on the basis of "nu". 4 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a front surface of a mobile phone 400. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the character input screen 500 by a soft keyboard.

Explanation of symbols

10 PDA
11 CPU
12 Touch Panel 121 Input Unit 122 Display Unit 13 RAM
14 ROM
15 Flash memory 16 Communication unit 17 Bus 400 Mobile phone 410 Display unit 411 Character display area 420 Operation unit 421 Character input key 422 Character type selection key 423 Conversion key 424 Confirm key

Claims (9)

A touch panel that integrally includes display means for performing screen display, and input means for receiving a touch input of the position of the screen displayed on the display means;
A character input screen having a character display area is displayed on the display means, a virtual character table in which a plurality of characters are arranged is associated with the touch panel, and characters of the virtual character table corresponding to a position touch-inputted to the input means are displayed. The input target character is displayed in the character display area, and the input target character corresponding to the virtual character table is switched and displayed in the character display area according to the position of the touch input while the touch input is continued. Display control means,
Input control means for additionally setting the input target character as an input target upon completion of the touch input, and a character input device. The input target character is a conversion target character,
The character input device according to claim 1, wherein the input control unit converts the set conversion target character based on a conversion instruction input to the input unit.   The character input device according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit fixes and associates the virtual character table with the touch panel.   The character input device according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit associates the virtual character table with the touch panel so as to be movable. A touch panel that integrally includes display means for performing screen display, and input means for receiving a touch input of the position of the screen displayed on the display means;
A character input screen having a character display area is displayed on the display means, a virtual character table in which a plurality of characters are arranged is associated with the touch panel, and a predetermined character of the virtual character table is input at the start of touch input via the input means Candidate characters are displayed in the character display area, and input candidate characters corresponding to the virtual character table are switched and displayed in the character display area according to the position of the touch input while the touch input is continued. The input candidate character at the end of the previous touch input is displayed in the character display area at the start of the second and subsequent touch inputs, and the virtual character table is moved according to the input candidate character and the position of the touch input. Display control means;
A character input device comprising: input control means for additionally setting the input candidate character as an input target based on an instruction for determining the input candidate character input to the input means.   The input control means additionally sets the input candidate characters as conversion target characters based on the input candidate character determination instruction, and sets the conversion target characters set based on the conversion instruction input to the input means. The character input device according to claim 5, wherein the character input device is converted.   The character input device according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays the virtual character table on the display unit. On the computer,
A character input screen having a character display area is displayed on the display means of the touch panel integrally including display means for performing screen display and input means for receiving touch input of the position of the screen displayed on the display means, The virtual character table in which characters are arranged is associated with the touch panel, the characters of the virtual character table corresponding to the position touch-inputted to the input unit are displayed as input target characters in the character display area, and the touch input is continued. A function to switch the input target character corresponding to the virtual character table and display it in the character display area according to the position of the touch input while
A function of additionally setting the input target character as an input target at the end of the touch input;
Character input program to realize On the computer,
A character input screen having a character display area is displayed on the display means of the touch panel integrally including display means for performing screen display and input means for receiving touch input of the position of the screen displayed on the display means, A virtual character table in which characters are arranged is associated with the touch panel, and at the start of touch input via the input means, predetermined characters of the virtual character table are displayed as input candidate characters in the character display area, and the touch input is continued. During this time, input candidate characters corresponding to the virtual character table are switched and displayed in the character display area according to the position of the touch input, and at the start of the second or subsequent touch input, The input candidate character is displayed in the character display area, and the virtual character table is moved according to the position of the input candidate character and the touch input. And a function of,
A function of additionally setting the input candidate character as an input target based on an instruction to determine the input candidate character input to the input means;
Character input program to realize

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