JP2008059227A - Method and apparatus for inputting character or the like using touch screen keypad - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To plainly and easily input characters or the like. <P>SOLUTION: In an input apparatus for characters or the like which is provided with a touch screen capable of displaying a keypad including a plurality of keys, an initial keypad 20B wherein a plurality of sorts of characters or the likes are allocated to one key is displayed on the touch screen, and in response to the detection of touch with any key on the initial keypad, a developed keypad 30A for expressing a plurality of characters or the like allocated to the key around the area of one character or the like, other characters or the like are successively circularly arranged on the outside of one key is displayed on the touch screen, and when it is judged that any one character or the like on the developed keypad is selected, the input of the selected character or the like is received. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention uses a touch screen keypad displayed on a display screen in a terminal device for inputting characters and the like using a display screen, particularly a small portable terminal device (including a small personal computer and a mobile phone). The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for inputting (accepting input).

  In particular, in a small portable terminal device, a sufficient space for keys cannot be secured, so that a plurality of characters or the like are assigned to one key. For example, an alphabet may be assigned to 9 keys in a keypad including 10 numeric keys. In this case, for example, three letters A, B, and C of the alphabet are assigned to the key representing the number “2”. Typical keypad character input methods include a multi-tap method and a roll pad method.

  The multi-tap method is the most commonly used character input method for mobile phones, etc., and taps the key to which the target character is assigned once or multiple times until the target character appears. Is to do. When a plurality of (same or different) characters assigned to the same key are continuously input, in addition to the key touch of the key, input that advances the character input position first is required. In a mobile phone, this input is generally performed on the right side of the direction key. As described above, the multi-tap method requires a plurality of operations for inputting one character, which causes a problem that input speed and accuracy are lowered.

  There is a roll pad method as a method for solving this problem. This is a character input method that uses the arrangement of labels on keys mounted on a touchpad. After touching the key to which the target character is assigned, the character is input by the following three operations based on the positional relationship of the character on the label.

(1) To select the center character on the label: Release your finger.
(2) To select the left character on the label: Move your finger slightly to the left and then release it.
(3) To select the right character on the label: Move your finger slightly to the right and then release it.

  As an example of character input using the key to which the character ABC is assigned, the operation (2) above is selected when A is selected, the operation (1) above is selected when B is selected, and C is selected. In this case, the operation is as described in (3) above. In the roll pad method, one character can be input by one operation, and the problems of the multi-tap method are improved.

  However, the roll pad method has the following problems.

(A) When the left and right characters on the label are selected, a large recognition load is applied, which may reduce the input speed and accuracy.
(B) There are cases where the above operations (2) and (3) become cramped when inputting with the keys on the edge of the screen.
(C) When the number of characters assigned to one key increases, options for moving the finger may increase and intuition may decrease.
Oniszczak, A. and Mackenzie, SI A Comparison of Two Input Methods for Keypads on Mobile Devices, Proc. NordiCHI 04, pp. 101-104 (2004)

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to make it easy to understand the input of characters and the like in a character input device having a touch screen capable of displaying a keypad including a plurality of keys.

  According to the present invention, a character input method using a touch screen keypad includes a plurality of keys in a character input device having a touch screen capable of displaying a keypad including a plurality of keys. An initial keypad with a plurality of types of characters assigned to a key is displayed on the touch screen, and in response to detecting a touch for any key on the initial keypad, a plurality of keys assigned to the key are displayed. An expanded keypad is displayed on the touch screen that displays characters, etc., centering on the area of one character, etc., and the areas of other characters, etc. in a ring shape on the outside of the area, and one of the characters on the expanded keypad is selected. By determining that the character has been selected, the input of the selected character or the like is accepted.

  A character input device using a touch screen keypad according to the present invention is a character input device having a touch screen capable of displaying a keypad including a plurality of keys. An initial keypad display means for displaying an initial keypad having a plurality of types of characters assigned to one key on a touch screen, a means for detecting a touch on any key on the initial keypad, and responding to the touch detection Then, an expanded keypad is displayed on the touch screen, in which a plurality of characters assigned to the touched key are centered on the area of one character and the other characters are sequentially displayed in an annular shape on the outside. An expanded keypad display means and a selection confirmation means for determining that any character or the like of the expanded keypad has been selected.

  In this specification, characters and the like include characters, symbols, numbers, and the like. Examples of characters include alphabets such as hiragana, katakana, and English, simple words, abbreviations, menu items, and the like.

  Touch screen (touch screen) is touched (touched) with a finger, pen (touch pen), dragged (contact position moves on touch screen; dragged), released This is a display screen of the display device (by a change in capacitance, electrical resistance, light, and other physical quantities) that can be detected together with the position information (also called a touch panel). Instead of touching, dragging, and releasing with a finger or pen, operations using the cursor displayed on the display screen (for example, pressing a mouse button (equivalent to touch), moving the cursor while the button is pressed (drag) The signal obtained when the button is released (corresponding to the release)) is also included in the signal obtained based on the operation on the touch screen according to the present invention. The selection is confirmed.

  Among the plurality of keys of the initial keypad, there may be keys to which a plurality of characters or the like are not assigned. The initial keypad is not limited to a rectangular area. For example, a fan shape or other shapes may be used.

  The expanded keypad is based on the number of types of characters assigned to the keys on the initial keypad. Expressed in a ring. The outer periphery of the annular area is not limited to a circle but may be an ellipse, triangle, quadrangle, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, or the like.

  It is preferable to display the central area and one or more annular areas outside it in different colors, so that these areas can be easily identified. Further, it is preferable that the development keypad displays the key position where the touch is detected on the initial keypad as a center. Further, even after the expanded keypad is displayed, the initial keypad may be displayed lightly or lightly on top of it.

  According to the present invention, when a user selects one key on the initial keypad displayed on the touch screen, a plurality of characters assigned to the key are changed to other characters centered on an area of one character or the like. Since the area of characters and the like is sequentially displayed in a ring shape outside the area, the user can easily see the displayed characters and the like. Also, since the area outside the central area is circular, there is no restriction that the user operates (drags, etc.) in a specific direction to designate (select) the circular area, and the direction of the operation does not matter. Good operability.

  There are various modes for selecting or determining an input character or the like on the development keypad. Typical examples are as follows.

  In one aspect, it is detected that a character or the like assigned to an area including the released position is selected by detecting that it is released from the expanded keypad by dragging from the touch position on the initial keypad. To do. In this aspect, in order to input one character or the like, the user only needs to perform a series of operations such as touch, drag, and release.

  Another aspect is to detect that the character assigned to the area including the touched position is selected by detecting that the touch is made after the expanded keypad is displayed.

  The characters touched on the initial keypad are preferably displayed on the display screen. In addition, it is preferable to display characters and the like selected and confirmed on the development keypad on the display screen. In the mode of dragging on the development keypad, it is preferable to sequentially display the characters in the dragged area on the display screen. Further, it is preferable to erase the display of the expansion keypad in response to determining that any character of the expansion keypad has been selected. The user can know that the selection of characters or the like has been confirmed (end of input).

  The device to which the character input method or input device according to the present invention is applied is preferably a terminal device incorporating a CPU (including a microcomputer), and most preferably a small portable terminal device including a mobile phone. Desirably, it is desirable to hold the small portable terminal device with one hand and input characters or the like using the fingers of the hand, but it is of course not limited thereto.

  FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a small portable terminal device. This mobile terminal device is, for example, a mobile phone.

  An information display device 12 is provided on the upper surface of one surface of the small portable terminal device, and a display device 11 constituting an information input device is provided on the lower portion. The display device 11 includes a so-called touch panel, and when a surface or a display surface (touch screen) is touched with a finger or a pen, a signal representing the touch and the position on the display surface is generated. On the touch screen of the display device 11, an initial keypad 20 and other images for input are displayed. Characters and the like input using the touch screen are displayed on the information display device 12 during the input process or when the input is confirmed.

  A direction button 13 and various function keys 14 are provided in the center of the surface of the terminal device 10. These keys are used for inputting information (including designation or change of an input mode to be described later) that cannot be input through the touch screen of the display device 11.

  FIG. 2 shows the electrical configuration of the terminal device 10.

  The display devices 11 and 12, the direction buttons 13, and the function keys 14 described above are connected to a processing device 19 including a CPU (or a microprocessor) by a bus. The processing device 19 is responsible for the overall operation of the terminal device 10 and the execution of various processing (including character input processing). The processing device 19 is further connected to a storage device 15, a communication device 16, an imaging device 17, and the like. The storage device 15 stores an execution program of the processing device 19 and also stores screen data to be displayed on the touch screen, a string of input characters, and other data. The communication device 16 performs voice or data communication via a network such as the Internet or a telephone line. A microphone 16A and a speaker 16B are also provided for voice input and output. The imaging device 17 includes a CCD imaging device and outputs image data representing an image obtained by imaging.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of an initial keypad displayed on the touch screen of the display device 11. This initial keypad 20A is in the English character input mode. Twelve keys are displayed, and two or three alphabets are assigned to each of nine keys.

  FIG. 4 also shows another example of the initial keypad displayed on the touch screen of the display device 11 in the English character input mode. Ten of the twelve keys are also used to input numbers (in the number input mode). There may be a key that is used only for inputting one number or a symbol, such as the bottom three keys, and to which no English character is assigned.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a developed keypad displayed when a key in the initial keypad is touched in the English character input mode. The expanded keypad is centered on the area of one character, such as the character assigned to one key selected by the user on the initial keypad, and the other character areas are concentrically (annular) sequentially outside the area. ). For example, in the initial keypad 20A or 20B shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4, when a key assigned with alphabets J, K, and L is touched, the area of the letter J is displayed as a center circle. The character area is displayed in an annular shape outside the area, and the L character area is displayed in an annular shape outside the K area. If the color of the area of the center circle and the area of the two annular circles outside it are different, each area can be easily understood.

  FIG. 6 shows data stored in the storage device 15 for displaying the expanded keypad as described above. That is, in the storage device 15, corresponding to the nine keys included in the initial keypad 20B (FIG. 4), when each key is touched, it should be displayed as the expanded keypad 30A (FIG. 5). The alphabet to be displayed is stored in the central circle area and the annular area around it.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of transition of an image from the initial keypad 20B displayed on the touch screen of the display device 11 to the development keypad 30A.

  First, the initial keypad 20B is displayed. When the user touches a key 1 (for example, a key of 5 JKL) on the initial keypad 20B, the character assigned to the key is a circle of other characters K and L around the center circle area of one character J. An expanded keypad 30A is displayed which sequentially represents the annular area on the outside. An input character is determined by the user selecting an area of any character displayed on the expanded keypad 30A. For example, the determined input character (J, K or L) is displayed on the display device 12 and stored in the input data area of the storage device 15. When the input character is determined, the display of the expanded keypad 30A is deleted, and the initial keypad 20B is displayed again on the touch screen. In the display of the expanded keypad 30A, the initial keypad 20B hidden under the keypad 30A may be displayed lightly (lightly).

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a part (routine) of the procedure of character input processing in the CPU of the processing device 19.

  When the user selects a character input mode (an English character input mode when there are several types of character input modes) using a function key or the like (step 41), an initial keypad 20B is displayed (step 42). ). When the user selects any key displayed on the initial keypad 20B by touching it with a finger, this is detected (step 43). Based on the data stored in the storage device 15 (FIG. 6), a plurality of characters assigned to the touched key are centered on the circle area of one of the characters, and the other character area is on the outside. The expanded keypad 30A sequentially displayed in an annular shape is displayed (step 44). The user drags the character displayed on the expansion keypad 30A from the touch position on the initial keypad 20B (touches or moves it), and the position of the area representing the desired character on the expansion keypad 30A. Release (release) at (Step 45). The character corresponding to the area where the user's finger is released on the development keypad 30A is selected, and the input of the character is confirmed (step 46). The character whose input is confirmed is displayed on the display device 12 and data indicating the character is stored in the storage device 15. The displayed development keypad 30A is erased, and the initial keypad 20B appears again on the touch surface. As long as there is no mode change (step 47), the above operation and the processing (operation) corresponding thereto are repeated, and a character string is input.

  After touching on the initial keypad, the characters assigned to the area that is passed in the process of dragging on the displayed expanded keypad are also displayed on the display device 12, and the final character display is displayed. You may make it remain.

  FIG. 9 shows another processing procedure, and the same processes as those shown in FIG. The user touches any key on the initial keypad, and then lifts the finger off the touch screen. After the expanded keypad is displayed, the user touches the area where the desired character is represented. When there is a touch detection on the area of the development keypad (step 54A), the input of characters assigned to the area is confirmed (step 46).

  FIG. 10 shows an example of the initial keypad 20C displayed in the hiragana input mode, and FIG. 11 shows an example of the initial keypad 20D that combines hiragana and numerals. In the initial keypads 20C and 20D, for keys to which a plurality of irregular hiragana keys are assigned, such as the “Wamon” key, all characters displayed on the expanded keypad are displayed on the initial keypad keys. Is also represented.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of the expanded keypad 30B displayed when the “NA” key is touched on the initial keypad of FIG. 10 or FIG. A central circle area of “na” is displayed at the center, and an annular area of “ni”, “nu”, “ne”, and “no” is sequentially displayed on the outer side. FIG. 13 shows a developed keypad 30B displayed superimposed on the initial keypad 20D.

  FIG. 14 shows an example of data stored in the storage device 15 for displaying the expanded keypad 30B as described above. Corresponding to each key of the initial keypad, data indicating characters to be displayed outward from the center is arranged on the expanded keypad.

  FIGS. 15 and 16 show initial keypads 20E and 20F for inputting symbols and the like. Here, a plurality of symbols to be displayed on the expanded keypad are already displayed on the keys of the initial keypad. Yes. FIG. 17 shows an expanded keypad 30C displayed when a key including the symbol “$” is touched on the initial keypad 20E or 20F, and FIG. 18 shows a memory for displaying the expanded keypad 30C. The data arrangement stored in the device 15 is shown.

  FIG. 19 shows another example of the initial keypad. The initial keypad is not limited to the square shape described above, but may be a sector shape as shown in FIG. This initial keypad 20G is for inputting English characters.

  The development keypad is not limited to a circular shape (concentric circle), but may be an elliptical shape as shown in FIG. 20 or an octagonal shape as shown in FIG. Various shapes can be adopted for the initial keypad and the developed keypad.

  In the above-described embodiment, the user touches, drags, and releases the initial keypad and the expansion keypad with a finger. However, the user may touch, drag, and release using a pen tip or the like. Alternatively, a cursor may be displayed on the display screen, and a button such as a mouse may be pressed (touched), released (released), or the cursor may be moved (dragged).

It is a top view which shows the external appearance of a small portable terminal device. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a small portable terminal device. An example of the image of the initial keypad used for alphabet input is shown. The other example of the image of the initial stage keypad used for an alphabet input is shown. An example of the image of the expansion | deployment keypad used for an alphabet input is shown. The data arrangement | sequence for the character display for displaying an expansion | deployment keypad is shown. An example of image transition from the initial keypad to the expanded keypad is shown. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of a character input process. It is a flowchart which shows the other example of the procedure of a character input process. An example of the image of the initial keypad used for hiragana input is shown. The other example of the image of the initial keypad used for hiragana input is shown. The other example of the image of the expansion | deployment keypad used for a hiragana input is shown. An example is shown in which a development keypad is displayed over the initial keypad. The data arrangement | sequence for the character display for displaying an expansion | deployment keypad is shown. Another example of an initial keypad image is shown. An image of the initial keypad and further examples are shown. The other example of the image of an expansion | deployment keypad is shown. The data arrangement | sequence for the character display for displaying an expansion | deployment keypad is shown. An example of an initial keypad represented in a sector shape is shown. The example of the expansion | deployment keypad represented by the ellipse is shown. The example of the expansion | deployment keypad represented by the octagon is shown.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Small portable terminal device 11 Display device 15 Storage device 19 Processing device 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 20E, 20F, 20G Initial keypad 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, 30E Expansion keypad

Claims (8)

In a character input device with a touch screen capable of displaying a keypad including a plurality of keys,
An initial keypad that includes multiple keys and has multiple keys assigned to one key is displayed on the touch screen.
In response to detecting a touch on any of the keys on the initial keypad, a plurality of characters assigned to the key are displayed in an area such as other characters centered on an area such as one character. Display the expanded keypad in a circular pattern on the touch screen.
Accepting input of the selected character, etc. by determining that any character of the expanded keypad is selected,
Input method of characters using touch screen keypad.   6. It is determined that a character or the like assigned to an area including the released position is selected by detecting that it has been dragged from the touch position on the initial keypad and released on the expanded keypad. The input method according to 1.   2. The input method according to claim 1, wherein it is detected that a touch is made after the expanded keypad is displayed, and it is determined that a character or the like assigned to an area including the touched position is selected.   4. The input method according to claim 1, wherein the display of the expansion keypad is deleted in response to determining that any character of the expansion keypad is selected. 5. In a character input device with a touch screen capable of displaying a keypad including a plurality of keys,
An initial keypad display means for displaying on the touch screen an initial keypad including a plurality of keys and having a plurality of types of characters assigned to one key;
Means for detecting a touch on any key in the initial keypad;
In response to the touch detection, a developed keypad that displays a plurality of characters, etc. assigned to the touched key, centering on the area of one character, etc., and successively displaying the area of other characters, etc. Expansion keypad display means for displaying on the touch screen, and selection confirmation means for determining that any of the characters on the expansion keypad has been selected,
Character input device using a touch screen keypad with   The selection confirmation means detects that a character is assigned to an area including the released position by detecting that it is released from the expanded keypad by dragging from the touch position on the initial keypad. The input device according to claim 5, wherein the input device is determined.   The selection confirmation means detects that a touch has been made after the expanded keypad is displayed, and determines that a character assigned to an area including the touched position has been selected. Item 6. The input device according to Item 5.   8. The expansion keypad display means deletes the display of the expansion keypad in response to determining that any character of the expansion keypad is selected. The input device according to one item.

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