JP2007140914A - Character input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a character input device not requiring a user to memorize the combination of keys for every character, and for enabling retrieval by a few depressions, and for facilitating an operation, thereby causing less erroneous operation. <P>SOLUTION: This character input device is provided with a depression time deciding part 13 for classifying the measurement values of the depression continuing time of input keys based on a first threshold; a continuous depression deciding part 15 for deciding the continuous depression based on the measurement value of a non-depression time between the previous depression and current depression; an input candidate character selecting part 18 for acquiring characters corresponding to the information as an input candidate character; and a display part 20 for displaying characters selected as input characters by a user from the input candidate characters. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a character input device using a numeric keypad.

  In small electronic devices such as mobile phones and remote controllers that have become widespread in recent years, character input is often performed using a numeric keypad. When inputting characters using the numeric keypad, many types of characters can be selected with a limited number of buttons by various devised input methods.

  As a typical character input method using a numeric keypad, there are a toggle method and a matrix method. The toggle method assigns a plurality of characters to each key of the numeric keypad, sequentially displays the assigned characters according to the number of times each key is pressed, and the user selects a desired character from the sequentially displayed characters. It is a method to select and input.

  With reference to FIGS. 3 and 7, transition of characters sequentially displayed by a plurality of key pressing operations in the toggle method will be described.

  A commonly used toggle-type portable terminal or the like has a numeric keypad 11a having input keys 111 to 120 used for character selection as shown in FIG. 3 and a decision to determine the selected character as an input character. A key 11b and a conversion key 11c for converting a selected character into a kanji or the like are provided. Here, a plurality of characters are assigned to each of the input keys 111 to 120. Specifically, the input key 111 has the “a” line, the input key 112 has the “ka” line, and the input key 113 has “ "" Line ... is assigned. In other words, the upper and lower case letters “A”, “I”, “U”, “E”, “O”, “A”, “I”, “ぅ”, “E” ”And“ ぉ ”are assigned.

  Each time the input key 111 is pressed, the character displayed in accordance with the transition diagram of FIG. 7 changes in the direction of the arrow. When the input key 111 is pressed once, the character “A” is displayed. "I" is displayed, and "U" is displayed when pressed three times.

  In order to display the lowercase letter “ぉ” in the transition method as shown in the transition diagram of FIG. 7, the input key 111 is pressed ten times.

  In addition, in the toggle system, when characters assigned to the same key are continuously input, it is necessary to press a separate determination key provided every time one character is selected.

  For example, a case where “Aoi” is input will be described. In this case, since “A” and “O” belong to the same “A” line, the input key 111 is pressed once, the “A” character is displayed, and the ENTER key 11b is pressed. The input key 111 is pressed five times to display the character “O”. Also, since “O” and “I” belong to the same “A” line, the OK key 11b is pressed in a state where the character “O” is displayed, and the input key 111 is newly pressed twice to select “I”. The character is displayed, and the enter key 11b is pressed to indicate the end of input.

  Thus, when inputting the character “Aoi” by the conventional toggle method, it is necessary to press the input key 111 and the decision key 11b together 11 times.

  The matrix method is a method of inputting a desired character by pressing two keys assigned to one character.

  Comparing the toggle method and the matrix method, the toggle method often presses the same key multiple times, so it tends to cause an erroneous operation of pressing too many times, but the matrix method has the advantage that such an erroneous operation is unlikely to occur There is.

  On the other hand, the matrix method has a drawback in that it requires memorizing a combination of two keys for each character, and the operation becomes complicated.

  In addition, regarding the number of times of pressing, the matrix method is less for the character “O”, but the method that is easy to use differs depending on the character, such as the character “a” is less for the toggle method.

  In reality, there are many toggle methods that do not require the user to memorize the key combinations for each character, but there are characters that require many key presses, such as “o” sound characters. Furthermore, if the key is pressed too many times as necessary, there is a problem that the key must be pressed many times according to the transition of FIG. 7 until a desired character is displayed again.

  In order to solve this problem, Patent Document 1 describes a technique for selecting and inputting characters by scrolling forward or backward using a seesaw key as input means.

With this technology, it is possible to search not only in the forward direction but also in the reverse direction. Therefore, even if a desired character is passed during the search, it is possible to search quickly with a small number of presses by scrolling in the reverse direction. There are advantages.
JP 2000-17791 A

  However, the technique of Patent Document 1 has a problem that the operation content becomes complicated because the operation is performed with a small number of keys. In addition, since characters are searched by scrolling, there is a problem that erroneous operations are more likely to occur than the toggle method.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is not necessary for the user to memorize a key combination for each character, so that a desired character can be searched with a small number of times of pressing, an operation is simple, and an erroneous operation occurs. It is an object to provide a character input device that is difficult.

  In order to achieve the above object, a character input device according to claim 1 of the present invention has a plurality of input keys to which a plurality of characters are respectively assigned, and one of the plurality of input keys is continuous. A plurality of characters assigned to the pressed input key are sequentially selected, and one character is determined as an input character from among the sequentially selected input candidate characters. A plurality of characters assigned to each of a plurality of input keys are classified into one type or a plurality of types of groups, and each of the plurality of characters classified for each group is selected in a predetermined order. Character table storage unit that stores the character selection table described, and when any input key is pressed, the pressing duration from the start of pressing to the release of pressing is measured 1 timer and a preset first threshold, and the pressing duration measured by the first timer is compared with the first threshold, and when the pressing duration is equal to or less than the first threshold, A pressing time determination unit that determines that the pressing operation is performed when the pressing duration time exceeds the first threshold, and the input key that was pressed last time. The second timer for measuring the non-pressing duration from the release of the previous pressing operation to the start of pressing the current pressing operation, and a preset second threshold, When the non-pressing duration measured by the second timer is compared with the second threshold and the non-pressing duration is equal to or less than the second threshold, the previous pressing operation and the current pressing operation are continuously pressed. It is determined that this is an operation, and the unpressed duration is the second threshold When it exceeds, it is determined that the continuous pressing operation is not a continuous pressing operation, and the continuous pressing determining unit determines that the pressing operation is a continuous pressing operation, and this pressing operation is the first pressing operation by the pressing time determining unit. Is selected in accordance with the selection order described in the character selection table stored in the character table storage unit, and the continuous pressing determination unit performs a continuous pressing operation. When it is determined that the current pressing operation is determined to be the second pressing operation by the pressing time determination unit, the character selection table stored in the character table storage unit as the input candidate character to be selected this time Select a character a predetermined number of characters ahead of the currently selected character in the selection order described in the above, or one character selection table When there are a plurality of input keys, a transition is made to another character selection table in accordance with a predetermined selection order, and a predetermined character described in the different character selection table is selected. When it is determined that the continuous pressing operation is not a continuous pressing operation, the input candidate for selecting the first character in the character selection table to which the character selected by the previous pressing operation belongs is selected as the input candidate character to be selected this time. The character selection unit, the display unit that displays the input candidate characters selected by the input candidate character selection unit, and the input key that was pressed this time are different from the input keys that were pressed last time. An input character storage unit that determines and stores input candidate characters as input characters is provided.

  Further, claim 2 is the character input device according to claim 1, wherein the pressing time determination unit has a third threshold value set in advance larger than the first threshold value, and is measured by the first timer. The pressing duration is compared with the first and third thresholds, and when the pressing duration is equal to or less than the first threshold, it is determined that the pressing operation is the first pressing operation, and the pressing duration exceeds the first threshold. And a pressing time determination unit that determines that the second pressing operation is a second pressing operation when it is equal to or less than a third threshold value, and determines that the pressing operation is a third pressing operation when the pressing duration exceeds the third threshold value. When it is determined that the continuous pressing operation is a continuous pressing operation and the current pressing operation is the first pressing operation by the pressing time determination unit, the input candidate character to be selected this time is a character Determined by the character selection table stored in the table storage If the selection is made according to the selection order, it is determined that the continuous pressing operation is a continuous pressing operation, and the current pressing operation is determined to be the second pressing operation by the pressing time determination unit, the current selection is performed. As input candidate characters to be input, a first predetermined number of characters that are a predetermined number from the currently selected character in the selection order described in the character selection table stored in the character table storage unit When there are a plurality of character selection tables for one input key, a transition is made to another character selection table that conforms to a predetermined first selection order, and this transitioned another character When a predetermined character described in the selection table is selected, it is determined by the continuous pressing determination unit that the pressing operation is a continuous pressing operation, and the current pressing operation is the third pressing operation by the pressing time determination unit. When set, the input candidate character to be selected this time is a second predetermined number from the character currently selected in the selection order described in the character selection table stored in the character table storage unit. When a predetermined number of characters are selected, or when there are a plurality of character selection tables for one input key, a transition is made to another character selection table in accordance with a predetermined second selection order. When the predetermined character described in the another character selection table that has been transitioned is selected and it is determined that the continuous pressing determination unit does not perform the continuous pressing operation, the previous pressing operation is selected as the input candidate character to be selected this time. And an input candidate character selection unit that selects the first character of the character selection table to which the character selected in (1) belongs.

  Moreover, Claim 3 is the character input device according to Claim 2, wherein the continuous press determination unit has a fourth threshold set in advance smaller than the second threshold and is measured by the second timer. When the unpressed duration is compared with the second and fourth thresholds, and the unpressed duration is equal to or less than the fourth threshold, the previous pressing operation and the current pressing operation are the first continuous pressing. When it is determined that the current operation is an operation and the non-pressing duration exceeds the fourth threshold value and is equal to or less than the second threshold value, the previous pressing operation and the current pressing operation are the second consecutive pressing operations. In the continuous press determination unit and the continuous press determination unit that determine that the previous press operation and the current press operation are not continuous press operations when it is determined that there is an unpressed continuation time exceeds the second threshold. It is determined that this is the first continuous pressing operation, and the current pressing operation is the pressing time When it is determined that the first pressing operation is performed by the fixed unit, the input candidate character to be selected this time is selected according to the selection order determined in the character selection table stored in the character table storage unit, When it is determined that the continuous pressing determination unit is the first continuous pressing operation, and the current pressing operation is determined to be the second pressing operation by the pressing time determination unit, as input candidate characters to be selected this time, The first predetermined number of characters that are a predetermined number from the currently selected characters in the selection order described in the character selection table stored in the character table storage unit are selected, or the characters When there are a plurality of selection tables for one input key, a transition is made to another character selection table in accordance with a predetermined first selection order, which is described in the transitioned other character selection table. When the predetermined pressing character is selected, it is determined that the continuous pressing determination unit is the first continuous pressing operation, and the current pressing operation is determined to be the third pressing operation by the pressing time determination unit. A second predetermined number of characters ahead of the currently selected character in the selection order described in the character selection table stored in the character table storage unit as the input candidate character to be selected this time When there are a plurality of character selection tables for one input key, a transition is made to another character selection table that conforms to a predetermined second selection order. The input candidate character selection unit for selecting a predetermined character described in another character selection table and the continuous press determination unit determine that the second continuous press operation is performed, and the current press operation is determined by the press time determination. When it is determined that the first pressing operation is performed by the fixed unit, the input candidate character to be selected this time is currently selected in the selection order described in the character selection table stored in the character table storage unit When a third predetermined number of characters ahead of the character, which is a predetermined number, is selected, or when a plurality of character selection tables exist for one input key, a predetermined third number is selected. Transition to another character selection table according to the selection order, select a predetermined character described in the another character selection table that has been transitioned, it is determined in the continuous pressing determination unit is a second continuous pressing operation, When the current pressing operation is determined to be the second pressing operation by the pressing time determination unit, it is described in the character selection table stored in the character table storage unit as the input candidate character to be selected this time. When a fourth predetermined number of characters ahead of the currently selected character in the selected order is selected or there are a plurality of character selection tables for one input key Transits to another character selection table in accordance with a predetermined fourth selection order, selects a predetermined character described in the another character selection table after the transition, and the second in the continuous press determination unit When the current pressing operation is determined to be the third pressing operation by the pressing time determination unit, it is stored in the character table storage unit as the input candidate character to be selected this time. The fifth predetermined number of characters ahead of the currently selected character in the selection order described in the selected character selection table is selected, or one character selection table is entered. When there are multiple keys for a key, the screen transitions to another character selection table in accordance with a predetermined fifth selection order, and a predetermined character described in the transitioned another character selection table is selected. When the continuous pressing determination unit determines that it is not a continuous pressing operation, an input for selecting the first character in the character selection table to which the character selected by the previous pressing operation belongs is selected as the input candidate character to be selected this time. A candidate character selection unit.

  According to the character input device of the present invention, since the toggle method is used, it is not necessary for the user to memorize a key combination for each character, and a desired character can be searched and input with a smaller number of presses than before, Since input processing can be performed with a simple operation, erroneous operations are unlikely to occur.

<First Embodiment>
<Configuration of character input device>
The configuration of the character input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  The character input device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a key group 11, a first timer 12, a pressing time determination unit 13, a second timer 14, a continuous pressing determination unit 15, an input key operation information holding buffer 16, A character table storage unit 17, an input candidate character selection unit 18, an input character storage unit 19, and a display unit 20 are included.

  The key group 11 includes a numeric keypad 11a having a plurality of input keys used for character selection, a determination key 11b for determining the selected character as an input character, and a conversion key 11c for converting the selected character into a kanji character or the like. Have

  An example of the key group 11 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of input keys 111 to 120 are provided on the numeric keypad 11a of the key group 11, and a plurality of characters are assigned to these input keys 111 to 120, respectively. The key 111 is assigned the “a” line, the input key 112 is assigned the “ka” line, the input key 113 is assigned the “sa” line. In other words, the upper and lower case letters “A”, “I”, “U”, “E”, “O”, “A”, “I”, “ぅ”, “E” ”And“ ぉ ”are assigned.

  The first timer 12 measures the duration of pressing from when the input key is pressed to when the input is pressed until the pressing is released.

  The pressing time determination unit 13 has a preset first threshold value. When the pressing duration time measured by the first timer 12 is less than or equal to the first threshold value when any input key is pressed, the pressing time determination unit 13 Is determined to be “short press” of the first pressing operation, and is determined to be “long pressing” of the second pressing operation when exceeding the first threshold value.

  When the same input key as the previous pressing operation is pressed, the second timer 14 measures the non-pressing duration from the release of the previous pressing operation to the start of pressing the current pressing operation.

  The continuous pressing determination unit 15 has a second threshold for determining whether or not the previous pressing operation and the current pressing operation are regarded as a continuous pressing operation based on the measurement value of the non-pressing duration, When the measured value of the second timer 14 is equal to or smaller than the second threshold value, it is determined that the pressing operation is continuous, and when the measured value of the second timer 14 exceeds the second threshold value, it is determined that the pressing operation is not continuous.

  The input key operation information holding buffer 16 is information for identifying the input key when one of the input keys is pressed, and information on “short press” or “long press” determined by the press time determination unit 13. , And information indicating whether or not the continuous pressing operation is determined by the continuous pressing determination unit 15 is used as input key operation information, and is held for a period until the next key in the key group 11 is pressed.

  The character table storage unit 17 classifies a plurality of characters assigned to each input key into one type or a plurality of types of groups, and the plurality of characters classified for each group are selected in a predetermined order. The character selection table described as follows is stored. For example, in the present embodiment, the input key 111 stores a character selection table described so as to be selected in the order of “A, I, U, E, O, Aa, ぅ, E, ぉ”. ing.

  The input candidate character selection unit 18 selects this time when it is determined by the continuous pressing determination unit 15 that the pressing operation is a continuous pressing operation, and when the current pressing operation is determined to be a short press by the pressing time determination unit 13. Input candidate characters are selected in accordance with the selection order described in the character selection table stored in the character table storage unit 17, and when it is determined that the input candidate character is long-pressed, the character table is selected as the input candidate character to be selected this time. Select a predetermined number of characters ahead of the currently selected character in the selection order described in the character selection table stored in the storage unit 17, or the character selection table When there are a plurality of keys for one input key, a transition is made to another character selection table in accordance with a predetermined selection order, and this transition is made to the other character selection table. When the predetermined pressing character is selected and it is determined by the continuous pressing determination unit 15 that it is not a continuous pressing operation, the character selection to which the character selected by the previous pressing operation belongs is selected as the input candidate character to be selected this time Select the first character in the table.

  The selected character is used as an input candidate character, and is held for a period until any key of the key group 11 is next pressed.

  When the input key pressed this time is different from the input key pressed last time, the input character storage unit 19 determines and stores the input candidate character selected at the previous pressing operation as the input character.

  The display unit 20 displays the input candidate character selected by the input candidate character selection unit 18.

<Operation of character input device>
The operation of the character input device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The character input device 1 according to the present embodiment sequentially displays a plurality of characters assigned by successively pressing one of the input keys, and displays the plurality of characters assigned to the pressed input key. A toggle method is used in which the characters are sequentially selected and one character is determined as an input character from among the characters of the input candidates that are sequentially selected.

  First, it is monitored whether or not the first pressing operation is performed by any one of the input keys included in the key group 11 while the character input device 1 is powered on (S1).

  As a result of monitoring, if it is determined that the first pressing operation has been performed by any of the input keys (“Yes” in S1), measurement of the first timer 12 that measures the pressing duration time is started (S2). ).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the pressed input key has been released (S3). As a result of the determination, when it is determined that the input key has been released (“Yes” in S3), the first timer 12 is reset and a measurement value of the pressing duration is generated, and the second timer 14 continues to be not pressed. Time measurement is started (S4).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the generated measurement value of the pressing duration time exceeds a first threshold set in advance in the pressing time determination unit 13. In the present embodiment, the first threshold is 0.5 seconds, and the determination is made based on whether or not the pressing duration exceeds 0.5 seconds (S5).

  As a result of the determination, when the measured value of the pressing duration exceeds 0.5 seconds, it is determined that the pressing is “long pressing” (S6), and when it is 0.5 seconds or less, it is “short pressing”. Is determined (S7).

  Information indicating whether this is “long press” or “short press” and information identifying the pressed input key are held in the input key operation information holding buffer 16 as input key operation information of the first press operation. (S8).

  Next, the character corresponding to the input key operation information of the first pressing operation held in the input key operation information holding buffer 16 is acquired from the character table storage unit 17 as an input candidate character (S9, S10).

  Here, the character set for the first pressing operation is acquired for each input key, and in this embodiment, the duration of pressing the input key operation information held in the input key operation information holding buffer 16 is measured. When the result is “short press” and the information for identifying the pressed input key is “input key 111”, the character “a” is acquired. Further, when the measurement result of the pressing duration is “long press” and the information for identifying the pressed input key is “input key 111”, the lowercase “a” character is acquired.

  The acquired input candidate characters are held in the input candidate character selection unit 18 and displayed on the display unit 20 (S10).

  In a state where the input candidate characters are displayed on the display unit 20, it is monitored whether or not the second pressing operation has been performed by any one of the input keys included in the key group 11 (S11).

  If it is determined that the second pressing operation is performed by any of the input keys (“Yes” in S11), the second timer 14 is reset, and the first pressing operation is started after the first pressing operation is completed. A measurement value of the non-pressing duration until it is generated is generated, and measurement of the pressing duration is started by the first timer 12 (S12).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the pressed input key is the same as the input key pressed for the first time (S13).

  As a result of the determination, when the input key is the same as the input key pressed for the first time (“Yes” in S13), the continuous pressing determination unit 15 uses the measured value of the non-pressing duration generated in step S12. It is determined whether or not a preset second threshold value is exceeded (S14). In the present embodiment, the second threshold is 1 second, and when the measured value of the non-pressing duration by the second timer 14 is 1 second or less (“No” in S14), it is determined that the pressing operation is continuous (S15). ) If it exceeds 1 second (“Yes” in S14), it is determined that the pressing operation is not continuous (S16).

  Information regarding whether or not the operation is a continuous pressing operation is held in the input key operation information holding buffer 16 as input key operation information of the second pressing operation (S17), and the process returns to step S3.

  Then, by performing the processing of step S3 to step S5, it is determined whether the second pressing operation is “long pressing” or “short pressing”, and the determined information is the input key operation information holding buffer. 16 is added to and held in the input key operation information of the second pressing operation (S8).

  Next, as input key operation information of the second pressing operation, information indicating whether or not the operation is a continuous pressing operation held in the input key operation information holding buffer 16 in step S17, and input key operation information holding buffer in step S8. Characters corresponding to the information “long press” or “short press” held in 16 are acquired from the character table storage unit 17 as input candidate characters (S9, S10).

  The acquired input candidate characters are stored in the input candidate character selection unit 18 and then displayed on the display unit 20 (S10).

  In a state where the input candidate characters are displayed on the display unit 20, it is then determined whether or not the third pressing operation has been performed by any of the input keys included in the key group 11 (S11). Thereafter, the input process is repeated until the input of all characters is completed.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the transition of input candidate characters displayed on the display unit 20 when information obtained by continuously pressing the input key 111 in the input key operation information in step S10 is acquired in the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 4, a thick line arrow indicates a transition of input candidate characters displayed when the input key 111 is continuously pressed for a long time, and a thin line arrow indicates an input candidate displayed when the input key 111 is continuously pressed for a short time. Indicates character transition.

  For example, when the input key 111 is short-pressed by the first pressing operation and “A” is displayed, and the input key 111 is further pressed by the second pressing operation, it is stored in the character table storage unit 17. In the arrangement order of the input keys 111, “I”, which is the next character after “A”, is displayed. Similarly, when the key is pressed for a long time, “a”, which is a character that has been shifted to five characters ahead in the arrangement order of the input keys 111, is displayed.

  Similarly, when “A” is displayed by the first pressing operation and the input key 111 is pressed for a short time by the second pressing operation, “I” is displayed, and when the input key 111 is pressed for a long time. “A” is displayed.

  Further, when the input key operation information in step S8 has acquired information in which pressing of the input key 111 is not continuous with the previous pressing operation, the order of the input keys 111 stored in the character table storage unit 17 is acquired. Is displayed on the display unit 20. At this time, if the input key 111 is “short-pressed”, “A” is displayed, and if it is “long-pressed”, “A” is displayed (S10).

  As a result of the determination in step S13, when a key different from the previously pressed input key is pressed (“No” in S13), the character held in the input candidate character selection unit 18 is used as the input character by the user. Is selected and stored in the input character storage unit 19 and displayed on the display unit 20 (S18). Here, when the previously pressed key is the input key 111, the “key different from the previously pressed input key” is any of the input keys 112 to 120, the enter key, and the conversion key 11c. Indicates that the key. When the conversion key 11c is pressed, it is continuously pressed until the desired kanji is displayed, and then the enter key 11b is pressed to display the kanji as input characters on the display unit 20.

  After the input character is displayed in step S18, if there is still a character to be input, the process returns to step S1, and the process is continued until all the input characters are displayed ("No" in S19). When all the characters to be input are displayed, the process is terminated (“Yes” in S19).

  According to the above embodiment, since the characters to be transitioned are different between the short press and the long press, it is possible to display a desired character with a smaller number of presses than in the past. For example, the lowercase letter “ぉ” was not displayed unless it was pressed 10 times in the conventional method, but can be displayed by 6 pressing operations in this embodiment.

  In addition, when the unpressed duration exceeds a certain time, it automatically transitions to the first character in the character selection table to which the character selected by the previous pressing operation belongs. Even if the time has passed, a desired character can be displayed with a smaller number of pressings than in the past. For example, suppose that “u” is displayed, but “e” is displayed by mistakenly pressing the input key 111 once. At this time, according to the conventional method, the input key 111 had to be pressed nine more times until “U” is displayed again. In this embodiment, the non-pressing duration is set to 1 second or more. Since the display character automatically returns to “A”, it can be displayed by three pressing operations.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, it is set to switch between uppercase letters and lowercase letters by long press and stored in the character table storage unit 17, but this is not limiting, and FIG. 5 or FIG. As shown, a transition correspondence table may be set and stored.

  In the setting shown in FIG. 5, a long press makes a transition to the same state as when the conventional short press is performed three times. With this setting, in order to display “e”, “o”, etc., the conventional method had to be pressed four times or five times, respectively, but in the setting of FIG. 5 once or twice each. Can be displayed by pressing the button.

  As a result of the transition, for example, when inputting the character “Aoi”, all three characters belong to the same “A” line, so in the conventional method, the key must be pressed 11 times to input all. However, in the method of FIG. 5 or FIG. 6, it is possible to input with eight pressing operations.

  Moreover, in the setting of FIG. 6, by dividing into uppercase and lowercase letters by the first long press and the short press, the assigned 10 characters are divided into two and are not displayed yet by the next long press and short press. The character is set to be further divided into two. With this setting, all 10 assigned characters can be displayed by pressing the button three times or less.

  In the present embodiment, the first threshold value is set to 0.5 seconds and the second threshold value is set to 1 second. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a value longer or shorter than these values can be set.

  In addition, when the pressing time determination unit 13 is provided with a third threshold value that is larger than the first threshold value, and the measurement time of the first timer exceeds the first threshold value, the pressing time measured by the first timer is further set to the third time. It is possible to classify into a plurality of pressed categories according to a threshold value, and to change and set a transition destination character for each of the plurality of pressed categories.

  Further, when a fourth threshold value that is smaller than the second threshold value is provided in the continuous pressing determination unit 15 in advance and the measurement time of the second timer is equal to or less than the fourth threshold value, the non-pressing duration time measured by the second timer is further increased. Classification may be made into a plurality of unpressed sections by the fourth threshold, and the transition destination character may be changed and set for each of the plurality of unpressed sections.

It is a block diagram which shows the character input device in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the character input device in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is an external view which shows the key group installed in the character input device in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a transition diagram (1) of the display character by the character input device in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a transition diagram (2) of the display character by the character input device in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a transition diagram (3) of the display character by the character input device in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a transition diagram of the display character by the conventional character input device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Character input device 11 ... Key group 11a ... Numeric keypad 11b ... Decision key 11c ... Conversion key 12 ... 1st timer 13 ... Pressing time determination part 14 ... 2nd timer 15 ... Continuous press determination part 16 ... Input key operation information holding buffer DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 17 ... Character table memory | storage part 18 ... Input candidate character selection part 19 ... Input character memory | storage part 20 ... Display part 111-120 ... Input key

Claims (3)

A plurality of input keys each having a plurality of characters assigned thereto, and the plurality of input keys assigned to the pressed input keys by successively pressing one of the plurality of input keys; In a character input device that sequentially selects one character and determines one character as an input character from among the sequentially selected input candidate characters,
A plurality of characters assigned to each of the plurality of input keys are classified into one type or a plurality of types of groups, and each of the plurality of characters classified for each group is selected in a predetermined order. A character table storage unit for storing a character selection table described as follows:
When any one of the input keys is pressed, a first timer that measures a pressing duration from the pressing start to the pressing release;
A first threshold value set in advance is provided, and the pressing duration time measured by the first timer is compared with the first threshold value. When the pressing duration time is equal to or less than the first threshold value, the first threshold value is set. A pressing time determination unit that determines that the pressing operation is a first pressing operation and determines that the pressing operation is a second pressing operation when the pressing duration exceeds the first threshold;
A second timer for measuring a non-pressing duration from the release of the previous pressing operation to the start of pressing of the current pressing operation when the pressed input key is the same input key as the previous pressed key; ,
When the second threshold value is set in advance, the non-pressing duration time measured by the second timer is compared with the second threshold value, and the non-pressing duration time is less than or equal to the second threshold value Is a continuous pressing determination unit that determines that the previous pressing operation and the current pressing operation are continuous pressing operations, and determines that the previous pressing operation is not a continuous pressing operation when the unpressed duration time exceeds the second threshold value. When,
When it is determined that the continuous pressing operation is the continuous pressing operation and the current pressing operation is determined to be the first pressing operation by the pressing time determination unit, the input candidate character to be selected this time is Select according to the selection order described in the character selection table stored in the character table storage unit,
When it is determined that the continuous pressing operation is a continuous pressing operation and the current pressing operation is determined to be the second pressing operation by the pressing time determination unit, as input candidate characters to be selected this time, Select a predetermined number of characters ahead of the currently selected character in the selection order described in the character selection table stored in the character table storage unit, or the character When there are a plurality of selection tables for one input key, a transition is made to another character selection table that conforms to a predetermined selection order, and the predetermined table described in the different character selection table that has been transitioned Select a character,
Input candidate that selects the first character of the character selection table to which the character selected by the previous pressing operation belongs as the input candidate character to be selected this time when it is determined that the continuous pressing operation is not a continuous pressing operation A character selector,
A display unit that displays the input candidate characters selected by the input candidate character selection unit;
When the input key pressed this time is different from the input key pressed last time, an input character storage unit that determines and stores the input candidate character selected at the time of the previous pressing operation as an input character;
A character input device comprising: The pressing time determination unit has a third threshold that is set in advance to be larger than the first threshold, and determines the pressing duration measured by the first timer and the first and third thresholds. In comparison, when the pressing duration time is equal to or less than the first threshold value, it is determined that the pressing operation is the first pressing operation, the pressing duration time exceeds the first threshold value, and the third threshold value is determined. A pressing time determination unit that determines that it is a second pressing operation when it is equal to or less than a threshold value, and that determines that it is a third pressing operation when the pressing duration exceeds the third threshold;
When it is determined that the continuous pressing operation is the continuous pressing operation and the current pressing operation is determined to be the first pressing operation by the pressing time determination unit, the input candidate character to be selected this time is Select according to the selection order determined in the character selection table stored in the character table storage unit,
When it is determined that the continuous pressing operation is a continuous pressing operation and the current pressing operation is determined to be the second pressing operation by the pressing time determination unit, as input candidate characters to be selected this time, Selecting a first predetermined number of characters ahead of the currently selected character in the selection order described in the character selection table stored in the character table storage unit, or When there are a plurality of the character selection tables for one input key, a transition is made to another character selection table in accordance with a predetermined first selection order, and the transition is described in this different character selection table. Select the given character,
When it is determined that the continuous pressing operation is a continuous pressing operation and the current pressing operation is determined to be the third pressing operation by the pressing time determination unit, as input candidate characters to be selected this time, Selecting a second predetermined number of characters that is a predetermined number from the currently selected characters in the selection order described in the character selection table stored in the character table storage unit; or When there are a plurality of character selection tables for one input key, a transition is made to another character selection table in accordance with the predetermined second selection order, which is described in the transitioned another character selection table. Select a given character,
When it is determined that the continuous pressing operation is not a continuous pressing operation, the input candidate character for selecting the first character of the character selection table to which the character selected by the previous pressing operation belongs as the input candidate character to be selected this time A selection section;
The character input device according to claim 1, further comprising: The continuous pressing determination unit has a fourth threshold set in advance smaller than the second threshold, the non-pressing duration measured by the second timer, the second and fourth thresholds, If the unpressed duration time is equal to or less than the fourth threshold value, it is determined that the previous press operation and the current press operation are the first continuous press operations, and the unpressed continuation operation is continued. When the time exceeds the fourth threshold and is less than or equal to the second threshold, it is determined that the previous pressing operation and the current pressing operation are the second consecutive pressing operations, and the non-pressing A continuous pressing determination unit that determines that the previous pressing operation and the current pressing operation are not continuous pressing operations when the duration exceeds the second threshold;
The input candidate character to be selected this time when the continuous pressing determination unit determines that the first pressing operation is the first pressing operation and the pressing time determination unit determines that the pressing operation is the first pressing operation In accordance with the selection order determined in the character selection table stored in the character table storage unit,
When it is determined by the continuous pressing determination unit that the first pressing operation is the first pressing operation and the current pressing operation is determined by the pressing time determination unit as the second pressing operation, the input candidate character to be selected this time Whether a first predetermined number of characters that are a predetermined number from the currently selected characters in the selection order described in the character selection table stored in the character table storage unit are selected Alternatively, when there are a plurality of the character selection tables for one input key, a transition is made to another character selection table in accordance with a predetermined first selection order. Select the predetermined character described in
The input candidate character to be selected this time when the continuous pressing determination unit determines that the first pressing operation is the first pressing operation and the pressing time determination unit determines that the pressing operation is the third pressing operation. Whether a second predetermined number of characters ahead of the currently selected character in the selection order described in the character selection table stored in the character table storage unit is selected. Alternatively, when there are a plurality of the character selection tables for one input key, a transition is made to another character selection table in accordance with a predetermined second selection order. Select the predetermined character described in
When it is determined that the continuous pressing operation is the second continuous pressing operation and the current pressing operation is determined to be the first pressing operation by the pressing time determination unit, the input candidate character to be selected this time Whether to select a third predetermined number of characters ahead of the currently selected character in the selection order described in the character selection table stored in the character table storage unit Alternatively, when there are a plurality of the character selection tables for one input key, a transition is made to another character selection table in accordance with a predetermined third selection order. Select the predetermined character described in
When it is determined in the continuous pressing determination unit that the second pressing operation is the second pressing operation, and the current pressing operation is determined to be the second pressing operation in the pressing time determination unit, the input candidate character to be selected this time Whether a fourth predetermined number of characters ahead of the currently selected character in the selection order described in the character selection table stored in the character table storage unit is selected. Alternatively, when there are a plurality of the character selection tables for one input key, a transition is made to another character selection table in accordance with a predetermined fourth selection order. Select the predetermined character described in
When it is determined that the continuous pressing operation is the second continuous pressing operation and the current pressing operation is the third pressing operation, the input candidate character to be selected this time Whether a fifth predetermined number of characters ahead of the currently selected character in the selection order described in the character selection table stored in the character table storage unit is selected. Alternatively, when there are a plurality of the character selection tables for one input key, a transition is made to another character selection table according to a predetermined fifth selection order. Select the predetermined character described in
Input candidate that selects the first character of the character selection table to which the character selected by the previous pressing operation belongs as the input candidate character to be selected this time when it is determined that the continuous pressing operation is not a continuous pressing operation A character selector,
The character input device according to claim 2, further comprising:

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