JP2007108939A - Destination information input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a whole destination information input operation from being complicated, including a destination deciding operation. <P>SOLUTION: A storage part 8 stores destination information configured of a character string in the order of alphabets, and a character input part 1 receives predetermined characters, and a destination information retrieving part 5 retrieves destination information with character received by the character input part 1 as leading characters from the storage part 8, and a display part 3 displays the characters received by the character input part 1 and the destination information retrieved by the destination information retrieving part 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a destination information input device for inputting destination information in an electronic mail or the like.

  In recent years, with the spread of e-mails and the like, technical development of destination information input devices has been promoted. In this destination information input device, a large number of characters and symbols are assigned to a small number of keys in order to reduce the hardware configuration. For example, in order to input a predetermined destination from the numeric keypad, a plurality of numeric keypad operations are required even if only one English character or symbol is input. Accordingly, it has been indispensable to operate the numeric keypad many times until a predetermined destination is input and confirmed. A technique for avoiding this complexity is also disclosed (see Patent Document 1).

In this technique, in order to reduce the number of times the numeric keypad is operated, it is an object of the present invention to make it possible to easily input alphanumeric uppercase and lowercase letters. In order to achieve the object, input means for inputting predetermined alphanumeric characters based on the number of operations, switching means for switching alphanumeric input to upper case or lower case, and input means based on the operation of the switching means And a control means for switching input alphanumeric characters to upper case or lower case. As a result, it is possible to avoid to some extent the trouble of inputting one English character or symbol.
JP 2003-122485 A

  In the destination information input device, for example, in order to input predetermined destination information from the numeric keypad, a plurality of numeric keypad operations are required even if only one alphanumeric character or symbol is input. As a result, many keypad operations were indispensable until the destination was entered and confirmed. The conventional technique described above can avoid to some extent the trouble of inputting one alphanumeric character or symbol. However, less consideration has been given to reducing the number of keypad operations as a whole of the destination information input operation, including destination selection / confirmation. In the present invention, not only the direction for avoiding the complexity of inputting one alphanumeric character or symbol, but also the problem of avoiding the complexity of the entire destination information input operation including the selection and determination of the destination.

  The present invention searches the storage unit for storing destination information composed of character strings in alphabetical order, a character input unit for receiving a predetermined character, and destination information having the character received by the character input unit as the first character. A destination information search unit, and a display unit that displays characters received by the character input unit and destination information searched by the destination information search unit.

  A storage unit that stores the destination information in alphabetical order; a character input unit that receives a predetermined character; and a destination information search unit that searches the storage unit for destination information that has the character received by the character input unit as a first character. As a result, the destination information can be searched simply by inputting the first character of the destination information, so that the effect that the destination information can be selected and confirmed quickly is obtained.

  In the destination information input device according to the present embodiment, the destination information search unit has an alphabetical order search function and a closest destination search function, and enables the following two search methods. (1) Based on the alphabetical order search function, the ten key is continuously pressed a plurality of times, and a desired initial is directly entered to search for destination information. This method has an advantage that the search time can be shortened because destination information starting with a desired initial is searched. However, if the number of times the numeric keypad is pressed is large, some users feel that the operation is troublesome. (2) Based on the closest destination search function, the number key is pressed down to search for destination information starting with a desired initial from a character different from the initial. In this method, since the number of times the numeric keypad is pressed is small, the operator does not feel that the operation is troublesome. In order to enable the above two search methods, the destination information input apparatus according to the present embodiment is configured as follows.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a configuration of a destination information input device according to the present invention.
As shown in the figure, the destination information input device 100 includes a character input unit 1, an operation instruction input unit 2, a display unit 3, a display control unit 4, a destination information search unit 5, a destination information determination unit 6, An AddressBook mode setting unit 7, a storage unit 8, a CPU 9, a ROM 10, a RAM 11, and a common bus 12 are provided.
FIG. 2 is an external view of the operation panel.
This figure shows the arrangement positions on the operation panel of various keys necessary for the explanation of FIG. 1, wherein 1-1 is a numeric keypad, 2-1 is a cross key, and 3-1 is an LCD. 6-1 represents a selection key, 6-2 represents a confirmation key, and 7-1 represents an AddressBook key.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the storage state of the destination information.
As shown in the figure, a character string of destination information (e-mail address) is stored in alphabetical order as AddressBook.

The configuration of the destination information input device 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG.
The character input unit 1 is a part that receives character input from the user via the numeric keypad 1-1. A character or a character string connected to the destination information (electronic mail address) from this portion is input by the user. An example of the relationship between the numeric keypad 1-1 and the input character will be shown.

An example of the allocation of each key to characters is shown below.
When the numeric keypad 1-1a is pressed once, “1” is input. When the numeric keypad 1-1b is pressed once, “2” is input. When pressed twice in succession, “a” is input. When it is continuously pressed three times, “b” is input. Thereafter, “c”, “A”, “B”, and “C” are input every time the number of times the numeric keypad 1-1b is pressed is increased. When the numeric keypad 1-1c is pressed once, “3” is input. When pressed twice in succession, “d” is input. When pressed down three times, “e” is input. Thereafter, “f”, “D”, “E”, and “F” are input each time the number of times the numeric keypad 1-1c is pressed is increased.

  When the numeric keypad 1-1d is pressed once, “4” is input. When pressed twice in succession, “g” is input. When it is continuously pressed three times, “h” is input. Thereafter, “i”, “G”, “H”, and “I” are input every time the number of times the numeric keypad 1-1d is pressed is increased. When the numeric keypad 1-1e is pressed once, “5” is input. When pressed twice in succession, “j” is input. If it is continuously pressed three times, “k” is input. Thereafter, “l”, “J”, “K”, and “L” are input every time the number of times the numeric keypad 1-1 e is pressed is increased.

  When the numeric keypad 1-1f is pressed once, “6” is input. If pressed twice in succession, “m” is input. If pressed continuously three times, “n” is input. Thereafter, “o”, “M”, “N”, and “O” are input every time the number of times the numeric keypad 1-1f is pressed is increased. When the numeric keypad 1-1g is pressed once, “7” is input. If pressed twice in succession, “p” is input. When pressed three times in succession, “q” is input. Thereafter, “r”, “s”, “P”, “Q”, “R”, and “S” are input every time the number of times the numeric keypad 1-1g is pressed is increased.

  When the numeric keypad 1-1h is pressed once, “8” is input. When pressed twice in succession, “t” is input. If pressed continuously three times, “u” is input. Thereafter, “v”, “T”, “U”, and “V” are input each time the number of times the numeric keypad 1-1h is pressed is increased. When the numeric keypad 1-1i is pressed once, “9” is input. If pressed twice in succession, “w” is input. When pressed down three times in succession, “x” is input. Thereafter, “y”, “z”, “W”, “X”, “Y”, and “Z” are input every time the number of times the keypad 1-1 i is pressed is increased.

  When the numeric keypad 1-1j is pressed once, “.” Is input. When pressed twice, “@” is entered. When the numeric keypad 1-1k is pressed once, “0” is input. If pressed twice in succession, “” (space) is input. Pressing this button three times in succession will input “/”. Thereafter, every time the number of times the numeric keypad 1-1k is pressed is increased, “:” “−” “;” “,” “*” “+” “=” “_” “?” “!” “” ”“ # ” “$” “%” “&” “'” “^” “<” “>” Is input. When 1-1-1 is pressed once, the entered character is deleted.

  The operation instruction input unit 2 is a part that instructs the display control unit 4 to read destination information from the storage unit 8 one by one and transfer it to the LCD 3-1. This instruction is executed at the request of the user via the cross key 2-1. A part for instructing the display control unit 4 to scroll the display of the LCD 3-1 or to move the cursor displayed on the LCD 3-1 in response to a user request via the cross key 2-1. But there is.

  The display unit 3 has an LCD 3-1, and receives display destination information read from a predetermined area of the storage unit 8 by the display control unit 4 one by one based on an instruction from the operation instruction input unit 2, and displays it on the LCD 3-1. Part. In this embodiment, it is assumed that two pieces of destination information can be displayed. In addition, it is a part for displaying the contents corresponding to the operation of the operator on the LCD 3-1. As the LCD 3-1, a liquid crystal display panel is usually used.

  The display control unit 4 has a function of displaying the destination information detected by the destination information search unit 5 on the display unit 3 and a display scroll instruction by the operation instruction input unit 2. This is a part for sequentially scrolling the destination information on the display unit 3 from the destination information.

  The destination information search unit 5 has an alphabetical order search function 5-1 and a nearest destination information search function 5-2. When a predetermined character or character string input by the user via the character input unit 1 is received, This is a part for searching the storage unit 8 and searching for an e-mail address connected to the character or character string. Since the search is performed in alphabetical order, there may be a plurality of pieces of destination information whose initial letters are the input alphabet. In such a case, the alphabetical order search function 5-1 works to make a determination based on the next character following the input character. If the next character is the same, then the subsequent character,... The subsequent characters are judged one after another, and the earlier destination is searched in alphabetical order.

  In addition, there may be cases where the corresponding destination information does not exist. In such a case, the nearest destination information search function 5-2 works to continuously search for destination information starting from the nearest character (alphabet) in the alphabetical order with respect to the input character (alphabet). To do. For example, it is assumed that the destination information illustrated in FIG. 3 is stored in the storage unit 8 in advance. In such a case, when “j” is input from the numeric keypad 1-1e as an example, there is no destination starting with “j”, and therefore, “lmmvvv@abc.co.jp” that is closest in alphabetical order is searched. Is done. The search order is repeated alternately in alphabetical order and reverse alphabetical order, and is repeated until destination information starting with the alphabet closest to the input alphabet is found. That is, the search is performed in the order of “j” → “k” → “i” → “l” → “h” → “m”.

  The destination information confirmation unit 6 has a selection key 6-1 and a confirmation key 6-2, and selects desired destination information from among the destination information displayed on the display unit 3 according to a predetermined display order to the user. This is a part to be selected via the selection key 6-1 and to be confirmed via the confirmation key 6-2.

  The AddressBook mode setting unit 7 has an AddressBook key 7-1. When the user presses the AddressBook key 7-1, the destination information stored in the storage unit 8 is displayed in the AddressBook mode (alphabetical order). This is the part that sets the display to.

  The storage unit 8 is a non-volatile memory that stores in advance an e-mail address (destination information) composed of a predetermined character string as an Address Book (in alphabetical order) as shown in FIG.

  The CPU 9 is a microprocessor that controls the entire apparatus by executing a control program stored in advance in the ROM 10. In this embodiment, the destination information search unit 5 (alphabetical order search function 5-1 and closest destination search function 5-2) is executed by executing a predetermined control program stored in advance in the ROM 10.

  The ROM 10 is a read-only memory that stores in advance a control program that controls the entire apparatus when executed by the CPU 9. In particular, in this embodiment, the read-only memory stores in advance a control program that executes the destination information search unit 5 (alphabetical order search function 5-1 and closest destination search function 5-2) when executed by the CPU 9.

The RAM 11 is a random access memory that provides a calculation area that is required in the process in which the CPU 9 executes a predetermined control program.
The common bus 12 is a signal line that connects the above portions.

The operation of the embodiment will be described.
FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart of the destination information input device according to the present invention.
The operation of the destination information input apparatus 100 (FIG. 1) according to the present invention will be described in the order of steps from step S001 to step S012 in the figure.
As a precondition for explaining the operation, it is assumed that the destination information (e-mail address) shown in FIG. 3 is stored in alphabetical order in advance in the storage unit 8 (FIG. 1).

Step S001
The user presses the Address Book key 7-1 (FIG. 1).
Step S002
The display control unit 4 (FIG. 1) displays the destination information list registered in the storage unit 8 (FIG. 1) on the LCD 3-1 (FIG. 1) in alphabetical order. For example, aaabbb @ abc. Of the destination information list in FIG. co. jp and baaxyz @ sss. co. Two of jp (an example) are displayed.

Step S003
The user directly inputs the first alphabet of the address to be specified as the destination or inputs the first alphabet of the address near the address to be specified as the destination. For example, in the destination information list of FIG. 3, the user has destination information whose first character starts with alphabet [l], that is, lmmvvv @ abc. co. Suppose we want to select jp. At this time, the user can select the following two search methods. (1) Press the numeric keypad 1-1e four times in succession and directly type [l] to search for destination information. This method has an advantage that the search time can be shortened because desired destination information starting with [l] or close to the desired destination information and searching for destination information starting with the same [l] is searched. However, since the number of times the numeric keypad 1-1e is pressed is large, some users feel that the operation is troublesome. (2) Press the numeric keypad 1-1e twice in succession and type [j] to search for destination information. In this method, since the number of times the numeric keypad 1-1e is pressed is small, the operation does not feel troublesome. Here, it is assumed that the user selects (2), presses the numeric keypad 1-1e twice in succession, and inputs [j].

Step S004
The destination information search unit 5 (FIG. 1) searches the storage unit 8 in alphabetical order for destination information whose first character starts with the input alphabet (here, [j]).
Step S005
When the destination information search unit 5 (FIG. 1) can search the storage unit 8 for destination information whose leading character starts with the input character ([j] in this case), the process proceeds to step S006. Advances to step S008.

Step S006
The display control unit 4 (FIG. 1) scrolls the display of the destination information list to the destination information searched by the destination information search unit 5 (FIG. 1) and moves the cursor to display the destination information on the LCD 3-1. Display on the first line. The second and subsequent lines are arranged in alphabetical order from the destination information displayed on the first line according to the destination information.

Step S007
The user selects destination information by pressing the selection key 6-1 (FIG. 2). The user is determined to be NO in step S005, and the destination information continuously searched in step S008 described later is the desired destination information, that is, lmmvvv @ abc. co. If it is jp, the selection key 6-1 (FIG. 2) is pressed as it is for selection. Also, lmmvvv @ abc. co. If it is not jp, the cross key 2-1 (FIG. 2) is pressed to display the destination information list at lmmvvv @ abc. co. After scrolling to jp, the selection key 6-1 (FIG. 2) is pressed to select. On the other hand, if YES is determined in step S005 and the displayed destination information is destination information starting with [j], the cross-key 2-1 (FIG. 2) is pressed to display the destination information list. lmmvvv @ abc. co. After scrolling to jp, the selection key 6-1 (FIG. 2) is pressed to select.

Step S008
The destination information search unit 5 (FIG. 1) searches for the destination starting from the nearest character in alphabetical order with respect to the input alphabet (here [j]), and proceeds to step S006. For example, if the destination information list has the configuration shown in FIG. 3, the destination information starting with the alphabet closest to the input [j] is used as the desired lmmvvv @ abc. co. jp is directly searched. In such a case, compared to the search method (1) described in step S003, that is, the method of searching by directly typing [l], the number of times the numeric keypad is pressed is reduced, so that the search can be performed effectively. .

Step S009
When the user selects another destination, the process proceeds to step S010. If it is determined, the process proceeds to step S012.
Step S010
When the user moves the cursor to the destination information desired to be selected with the cross key 2-1 (FIG. 1), the process proceeds to step S011. When searching for destination information by inputting characters, the process proceeds to step S003.

Step S011
The user moves the cursor indicating the destination information with the cross key 2-1 (FIG. 1) until the desired destination information is displayed on the LCD 3-1 (FIG. 1). Then, control goes to a step S007.

Step S012
The user presses the enter key 6-2 (FIG. 1), and the destination is designated as the To destination (or cc destination). This ends the flow. Here, lmmvvv @ abc. co. Although [j] is typed to select jp, the destination information may be searched by depressing the numeric keypad 1-1f twice in succession and typing [m].

FIG. 5 is a display transition diagram for selecting and confirming destination information.
With reference to this figure, the contents displayed on the LCD 3-1 (FIG. 1) by the key operation performed by the user until the display information is switched, selected, and confirmed, are displayed in order from step K001 to step K008. explain.

Step K001
When the user presses the Address Book key 7-1 (FIG. 1), the first two pieces of destination information aaabbbb @ abc. co. jp, and baaxyz @ sss. co. jp is displayed. aaabbbb @ abc. co. The cursor is lit at the beginning of jp (D001).

Step K002
When the user presses the numeric keypad 1-1e once, aaaabbb @ abc. co. [5] is lit on the cursor at the beginning of jp (D002).

Step K003
When the user continuously presses the numeric key 1-1e (within 2 seconds after pressing the numeric key 1-1e at K002), aaaabbb @ abc. co. j is lit on the cursor at the head of jp.

Step K004
When 2 seconds have elapsed, the destination information is retrieved, and lmmvvv @ abc. co. jp and nbcnbc @ sss. co. jp is displayed. This is because the user searched for the destination information starting with [j], but the destination book starting with [j] was not registered in the AddressBook, so even though it is registered in the AddressbBook, [j ] Is closest to lmmvvv @ abc. co. It shows that jp was searched once.

Step K005
The user presses the selection key 6-1 (FIG. 1), and the destination information lmmvvv @ abc. co. When jp is selected, lmmvvv @ abc. co. [*] is displayed at the head of jp (D005). Here, [*] indicates that the destination information has been selected.

Step K006
The user continues with another selection information such as nbcnbc @ sss. co. When selecting jp, the cursor is moved down by one.

Step K007
The user presses the selection key 6-1 and the destination information nbcnbc @ sss. co. jp is selected, nbcnbc @ sss. co. [*] is displayed at the head of jp.

Step K008
The user presses the enter key 6-2 to select the selected destination information lmmvvv @ abc. co. jp and nbcnbc @ sss. co. jp is determined. Then, the confirmed destination information is designated as the To destination (D008).

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to search for destination information only by inputting the first character of the destination information, so that it is possible to quickly select and confirm the destination information. Furthermore, even if the destination information starting with the input character (alphabet) is not registered in the storage unit, the destination information starting with the alphabet closest to the input alphabet can be continuously searched. Depending on the configuration of the information list, it is possible to effectively select and confirm desired destination information while suppressing the number of times the numeric key is pressed.

  The destination information input device according to the present invention described above can be applied not only to a printer but also to a facsimile machine, a copying machine, a scanner device, a copy device, a composite device, and the like.

It is a block diagram of a structure of the destination information input device by this invention. It is an external view of an operation panel. It is a storage state explanatory drawing of destination information. It is an operation | movement flowchart of the destination information input device by this invention. It is a display transition diagram of selection and confirmation of destination information.

Explanation of symbols

1 Character input section 1-1 Numeric keypad 2 Operation instruction input section 2-1 Four-way key 3 Display section 3-1 LCD
4 Display Control Unit 5 Destination Information Search Unit 5-1 Alphabetical Order Search Function 5-2 Closest Destination Information Search Function 6 Destination Information Confirmation Unit 6-1 Selection Key 6-2 Confirm Key 7 AddressBook Mode Setting Unit 7-1 AddressBook Key 8 Storage unit 9 CPU
10 ROM
11 RAM
12 Common bus 100 Destination information input device

Claims (4)

A storage unit for storing destination information composed of character strings in alphabetical order;
A character input unit for receiving a predetermined character;
A destination information search unit that searches the storage unit for destination information having the first character as the character received by the character input unit;
A destination information input device comprising: a display unit that displays characters received by the character input unit and destination information searched by the destination information search unit. The destination information search unit
When the storage unit stores a plurality of pieces of destination information having the predetermined character as the first character, the storage unit has an alphabetical search function that searches the plurality of destination information in alphabetical order of the character that follows the first character. The destination information input device according to claim 1. The destination information search unit
The storage unit has a nearest destination information search function for searching for destination information closest to the predetermined character in alphabetical order when the storage unit cannot search for destination information having the predetermined character as a first character. Item 2. The destination information input device according to Item 1. A display control unit for displaying the destination information on the display unit in the order stored in the storage unit from the destination information searched by the destination information search unit;
The destination information input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a destination information determination unit that selects and determines destination information displayed on the display unit.

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