JP2008234666A - Character input function and character input navigation device by toggle system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a character input system in which use of a determination key or a move key is not necessary and only little movement of fingers is required. <P>SOLUTION: When quick depression by one character input key is repeated and the quick depression is performed for depression frequencies of a specified character, color presentation A such as green blinks at a character input part and display of characters by every depression is not performed, thus, it becomes easy to take timing for inputting the character to be specified by blinking frequencies of color light. In addition, in a character mode, when long depression of a number key for L seconds or longer once in an initial operation for inputting one character, the input of a numeral corresponding to the depressed number key is determined. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention is a character by a toggle method using a small number of 12 or so keys such as a numeric keypad installed in an input part of a communication device such as a mobile phone, a fixed telephone with a mail function, a PDA, a car navigation, a remote control of a TV with a bidirectional communication function, etc. The present invention relates to a color display that clearly indicates that the character input key is pressed once in the input means, a character input confirmation function using only the character input key, a communication device that previously describes a character input method and a new function that have never existed before. .

A fixed-line telephone or a mobile phone with a mail function has a function of connecting to a communication network and transmitting / receiving e-mail. The small communication device transmits a character message, an image, or the like to the other party by e-mail. However, since the small communication device is small, character input means using a small number key such as a numeric keypad is used. In addition, the car navigation device has a function form of inputting characters such as an address by a small number key displayed on the touch panel, and the TV remote controller also has a function of inputting characters by character input means using the small number key. It is a form. Since the communication device has a small number of keys, each character input key shares a plurality of characters. For example, in the case of toggle-type alphabetic character input, ABC is the second key and DEF is the third key, and a single character input key handles a plurality of characters, depending on the number of times each key is pressed continuously. , You can input the characters that each key is responsible for. The PDA uses a touch panel to divide the key input location of each character, but because of its small size, the touch area of each key is small, and it is an operation mode of character input means by pen touch.
Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-195187

The conventional toggle type character input means has various drawbacks. One of them is that if you repeatedly press the character input key repeatedly, the character display for each press will be delayed. It often happens. If you press the button too quickly, it will take a long time to process the character input. Especially when a young person performs a character input operation, the timing of the character input operation is difficult due to the time lag. Secondly, when the character that each character input key is in charge of is input continuously, for example, when b is input after a, the enter key is pressed after inputting a, or the next input position is set to one character. Next, it is necessary to input b after moving the distance.

The next disadvantage is that many models can input numbers in alphabet mode, but the burden on each number key increases. You must also press the number key.
Recently, elderly people have also started using mobile phones, but some want to use the mail function, but some people seem to be confused because they don't know how to enter text.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the character mode by the toggle method, every time the key is pressed, if the character is pressed in less than S seconds in order to input the characters in reverse order among the characters assigned to one character input key, The character display corresponding to the number of times the button is pressed does not appear, and the color display A such as green blinks instantaneously every time the character is input, so that the user can see the color display without any characters. Each time the button is pressed, the color display such as green blinks, so that it is possible to understand that the character has changed. However, when the key is slowly pressed every time, the character corresponding to the number of times of pressing is displayed after the color display blinks. If the character input function changes by long-pressing the character input key, the character can be confirmed by long-pressing as described below, or if a number can be input by long-pressing, the color immediately after the key is pressed. After the display A flashes, the color display B flashes again around the long press setting time. Therefore, since it can be confirmed by color light that the input function has been switched, it is easy to take the timing of releasing the key without continuing to press the key more than necessary.

Further, when a plurality of assigned characters are continuously input using the same character input key, for example, when b is input after a, the second key is again pressed for T seconds after the second key is pressed once in less than T seconds. By long-pressing the above, after confirming the input of a, press the second key again twice in less than every T seconds so that b can be input, then press the other number key once. For example, the input of b can be confirmed, and the first character assigned to the key that has been pressed is input. In addition, a function of confirming the input of a by operating the movement key and pressing the enter key according to the conventional function is also used.

Also, unlike the conventional number input by the toggle method, this patent confirms the number key pressed by pressing and holding the number key for a set time of L seconds or more in the first character input operation in the character mode by the toggle method. It also has a function for entering numbers.
In addition, if you perform the first character input setting such as e-mail after purchasing a communication device, a screen display explaining the character input operation method related to character input and the meaning of color display will appear on the screen of the machine before entering the character. The explanation display screen has a function of displaying only at the beginning or the initial stage, so that it is not necessary to read the explanation even if it is a new character input method. Moreover, it is useful not only for explaining new functions of this patent but also for displaying explanations of new functions of other patents.

As described above, when the character input by the toggle method of the present invention is used to continuously input a plurality of characters handled by the same character input key in the character input by the toggle method using the small number key of the conventional communication device, Since it is not necessary to use the enter key and the move key one by one, it is possible to input characters quickly because less finger movement is required.
In addition, when the number input means in the character mode of the present invention is used, unlike the conventional toggle method, even if the character input key is not pressed many times or the number mode is not set, only the corresponding number key is long pressed. You can enter numbers.

In addition, although it varies slightly depending on the model of the communication device, if you repeatedly press the character input key repeatedly, the screen display of the corresponding character for each press is slow, so it is often the case that you mistakenly enter the next character input. is there. Also in this case, if the color display means of the present invention is repeatedly pressed quickly, the corresponding character for each press is not displayed, but the color display light flashes for each press, so that it is designated by the number of flashes. Since the character input can be confirmed, the character input operation can be performed quickly and accurately even in the subsequent character input.

In addition, in the kana mode by the toggle method of the present invention, only the number key for lowercase letters can be input from the lowercase letter or the lowercase letter by pressing the initial operation of single character input for more than T seconds. It is released from the toggle method.
Furthermore, when the character input setting such as the first mail after purchasing the communication device is set, the screen display explaining the above new character input operation method appears on the screen of the machine before the character input. The user can know a new character input means without reading the book.
As described above, by adding the new character input means of this patent, the color display means for supporting the means, and the screen display means for explaining the contents to the communication device having the conventional toggle method, It is possible to provide people in the world with communication devices that are easier to use than toggle-type communication devices.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In describing embodiments of the present invention, description will be given mainly using a mobile phone among communication devices having the functions of the present invention. First, the control unit in the basic form of a conventional mobile phone is provided with a microcomputer or the like as a main control, and controls each unit. Etc., and a function of transmitting characters, images, etc. stored in advance in the transmission message area to a pager, another terminal, or personal computer communication. Furthermore, a toggle input means, in the case of Japanese, a kanji conversion control means, a timer, etc. are provided.

The memory unit uses a semiconductor memory such as a ROM or RAM as a storage medium, and this storage medium is provided with an area for storing a control program, control data of the control unit, and setting data of the own device. The memory unit is provided with a transmission message storage area, a toggle input data storage area, and the like, and characters and the like specified by the user by operating the minority key of the key input unit are stored in corresponding predetermined text codes. There is an area to do. Various flags and various counters are also provided.

Next, the conventional character input means using the toggle method will be described. In the alphabet mode, 26 characters are assigned to the numeric keys approximately equally. Then, the toggle input control means performs control to accept input of character data by the toggle method, and for each same numeric data continuously input from the character input key, refer to the table of the toggle input data storage area, A text code such as a character corresponding to the inputted numeric data and the number of continuous inputs is obtained, and this code is stored in the transmission message storage area.

The description of claim 1 of the present invention will be described below.
The main feature of this scheme is that when the character input key is pressed every less than T seconds, the input form is not different from the conventional toggle method described above. Then, after pressing the key in charge of the designated character for the corresponding number of times for less than T seconds, the input of the designated character is confirmed by pressing and releasing the same key once more for T seconds again. In the same plan, each character input key is in charge of only the character input key without using the move key or the enter key when inputting a plurality of characters assigned to the same key by using the same character input key. A plurality of characters can be input continuously.

To explain with a specific example, when “bag” is input, if ab is in charge of the 2nd key and g is in charge of the 4th key, if “b” is pressed twice in less than T seconds, “b” Enter. Next, when the number 2 key is pressed once again for at least T seconds, the input of “b” is confirmed. Next, if the second key is pressed once in less than T seconds, “a” can be input. For the next “g”, when the fourth key is pressed once in less than T seconds, the input of “a” is confirmed and “g” is input. Also, when inputting “bacg”, after inputting “a”, the input operation of the above-described form is performed after the input of “a” is confirmed by depressing the second key again for more than T seconds.

There are two methods for counting the number of times of pressing. First, if the character input key is pressed and not released, it will be counted until the b input can be confirmed by a counting method in which +1 is not counted. When the second key is pressed twice in less than T seconds and then released, +2 It becomes a count, and b can be input by 2 numeric data and +2 count. When the second key is again pressed for at least T seconds and then released, the input of b is confirmed by the “character confirmation control means when T seconds have elapsed” and the “character confirmation control program when T seconds have elapsed”.

The other is an addition method in which counting is performed simply by pressing the second key, and b can be input by +2 counting. Next, when the second key is pressed again, +1 is counted. Further, when T seconds elapses and -1 is counted, the input of b is confirmed by "character confirmation control means when T seconds elapse" and "character confirmation control program when T seconds elapse".

A method for measuring T seconds, which is less than T seconds pressed every time or more than T seconds, will be described with two examples. Measurement is performed by the “T second elapsed determination counter” of the memory unit, and when T seconds elapse, the input of b is determined by the character determination control by the “T second elapsed determination flag”. This measurement is made every time the button is pressed. When the “T second elapsed determination flag” is OFF, the value of the “T second elapsed determination counter” is decreased by 1 and when the character input key is pressed, the counter is activated. When the T second elapsed determination counter becomes 0 when the second has elapsed, the T second elapsed determination flag is turned ON. Then, the control unit detects “ON” and performs “character confirmation control”. The control unit initializes a “T second elapsed determination counter” and a “T second elapsed determination flag” every time the character input key is pressed.

Another method of measurement is to use the “timer” of the control unit to provide a “T second setting” in the memory unit. When the character input key is pressed, the timer starts. The character is determined by "character confirmation control means by" and "character confirmation control program after elapse of T seconds". This measurement is also performed every time the button is pressed.

FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram of a mobile phone having the above-described functional configuration, FIG. 2 is an example of the alphabet character table of this patent, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart from input to determination of b.

The following claim 2 proposes that in the alphabet mode using the toggle method, in the first operation of inputting one character, when a character input key is pressed and held for a set time or longer, it is possible to input from upper case. By pressing and holding the same key once for T seconds or more, the designated capital letter entry is confirmed. Therefore, there is no change in the scheme and mechanism described above. However, in the first operation of character input, long press for more than the set time that can be input from uppercase characters only allows the input of the first uppercase character of each key, so to press the same key twice or more to confirm uppercase characters Without it, you can't confirm. FIG. 4 is a flowchart until F is determined, and FIG. 5 is an example of the alphabet character table of the present plan.

The next claim 3 is the same as the functional form up to 0020 described above, but this plan is a character confirmation means only by the character input key in the kana mode, and the character to be specified is the same as in the alphabet mode. After pressing the corresponding number of times for less than T seconds, the input of the designated kana character is confirmed by pressing the same key once more for at least T seconds. FIG. 6 is an example of the kana character table of the present plan. FIG. 7 is a flowchart until the input of a is confirmed.

Next, in the Kana mode by the toggle method, only the A-line 1 key, the Ta-line 4 key, and the Ya-line 8 key are pressed. It is a functional form that can be input from lowercase letters, and even if another character input key is pressed for more than T seconds for the first time, only the first registered character assigned to each character input key can be input. FIG. 8 shows a kana character table with only the above number keys, and numbers 1, 4 and 8 may be registered in the first table. In the alphabet character table of claim 2, it is more convenient that numbers are registered first. FIG. 9 is a flowchart until “lowercase letter Y” is input. In order to perform this control, a “kana lowercase letter switching control means after the elapse of T seconds” and a “kana lowercase letter switching control program after the elapse of T seconds” are required.

Next, the plan of claim 5 will be described. This plan is in addition to the plans of claims 1 and 3. In the alphabet mode or the kana mode, there is a function form in which the correct number of the number key can be input by pressing and holding each number key for at least L seconds and then releasing it for a long time. In this case, press the number key of the number specified for the first time at the beginning of sentence creation, or whether the previous letter or number has been confirmed, or press the number key whose assigned key is different from the previous letter, etc. By doing this, you can enter the correct number. In the first and third aspects, since the input of the designated character is confirmed by pressing the designated key for the corresponding number of times less than every T seconds and then pressing the same key again for more than T seconds, the initial operation is T Since it is pressed in less than a second and the first operation of this scheme is a long press, L seconds = T seconds may be used. FIG. 10 shows a number table for the character mode.

Further, regarding the measurement of L seconds, as described above, L seconds = T seconds may be used, and even when the time is different from T seconds, the set time is different, so the measurement method is omitted.
Therefore, “L second setting”, “L second elapsed determination counter”, and “L second elapsed determination flag” are installed in the memory unit, and “numeric input control means by L seconds for character mode” and “L seconds elapsed for character mode” According to the “numeric input control program”, it is possible to input the correct number of the number key in the character mode. FIG. 11 is a flowchart until the input of the numeral 1 is confirmed.

This plan is based on the function form described so far, and it is possible to input "address of destination" using the character input keys displayed on the touch panel display part of the car navigation system and keyword input for "keyword search" on the Internet. Is a description of using the character input function based on the toggle method of this patent as the “character input means”.

A smartphone in a mobile phone is a model that can freely access a computer network. In network access, keyword search is often used.
You must enter keywords for the search. By using the character input function based on the toggle method of this patent as an input means by a character input key composed of a small number key and consisting of a small number of keys, it becomes easier to input than before. FIG. 12 shows an example of a keyword search screen of a smartphone.

If the PDA also has a finger touch function, a space cannot be taken unless it is a small number of keys.
In this case as well, this patent can be used because it is a form of character sharing to the numeric keypad (number key) and the like. In addition, this patent can also be used for an operation function form for inputting “address of destination” and telephone number using a small number of keys (character input keys) displayed on the touch panel display unit of the car navigation system. FIG. 13 shows an example of the “destination address” screen on the touch panel display section.

In addition, recent TV equipment is digital, and terrestrial digital broadcasting is being implemented. From now on, bidirectional communication with a station will be possible. There are also PC and TV equipment fusion machines, and many of them have character input keys on the remote controller channel keys. In this case, since the character handling of each character input key is the same as the distribution of the character input keys of the mobile phone, the function form of the present invention can be used for these remote controllers.

The controller consists of an infrared emitting device such as a red diode and a key controller. To view a normal TV program, the controller operates as a channel key, and the desired program is viewed. The channel key becomes a character input key, and each key signal is sent to the infrared sensor of the TV body by an infrared signal that is a digital signal. Since the flow from the receiving unit is the same as described above, the description is omitted.

Next, claim 7 will be described. This scheme is a mechanism in which the color display A blinks instantaneously at the character input location on the display unit of the communication device when the character input key is pressed every time in the character mode by the toggle method. The reason why such a mechanism is divided is that if you repeatedly press the character input key during character input, the character display for each press will be delayed, so if you perform an input operation up to the specified character while looking at the screen, It is often the case that even the character input in the next order is entered.

If you repeatedly press quickly, it will take time to input each character.If a young person repeats the character input operation, it will take a long time to display each character input, and the timing of the character input operation will be delayed. Difficult. Therefore, if the character input key is repeatedly pressed within a certain time interval, the character display is not displayed on the screen, but the color display A flashes instantly every time the character is pressed. In the case where the character can be grasped and the pressing is repeated at intervals of 0.7 seconds or 0.5 seconds (S seconds), only the display of the color display A such as green is easier to perform the character input operation.

FIG. 14 shows the number of times the color display A blinks and the passage of time until the S key is input by repeatedly pressing within S seconds to specify s, assuming that the 7th key is in charge of pqrs in alphabet mode. FIG. In order to perform this control, "color display control means by pressing a key" and "color display control program by pressing a key" are required. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the correlation between the input of the color display A and p when the 7th key is released once in less than T seconds.
This color display means can also be used as a means for notifying the elapse of another long press setting time. In my recently filed Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-195187, when the character input key is long pressed to switch from the toggle method to the matrix method, the color display appears at the character input location when the set time elapses, making it easier to release the key. The application was made as a cue of the elapse of the long press setting time for switching to the switch setting time and characters and the long press setting time for switching to other functions. Used as a cue using a color display when T seconds have elapsed or L seconds have elapsed when a long press of T seconds or more is performed for the confirmation means. For example, when the input of A is completed and the same key is pressed again for more than T seconds to confirm the input of A, when the key is pressed, the color display A such as green flashes instantly, and then a little time is spent. When T seconds elapse, the color display B such as red blinks, so that it is easy to release the key, and FIG. 16 is a flowchart thereof.

Next, the plan of claim 8 will be described. In this proposal, when a character input setting screen such as e-mail is selected for the first time after purchasing a communication device, the screen display explaining the character input function and the character input operation method is automatically displayed on the screen of the machine before character input. The explanation display has a function of displaying only at the first time or at the initial stage.

For example, if the function of this patent is described, if the character input or the numeric input by the character mode is described only with the same character input key, 1 “the assigned key of the designated character is less than T seconds. By pressing the same key once more for at least T seconds, the input can be confirmed for the character to be designated. ”, 2“ In the first operation of single character input, the number key of the number to be input is selected. By pressing and holding for the first L seconds or longer, you can enter the correct number. "

By displaying the above description and examples on the screen, it is possible to convey new functions to the user without reading the manual. FIG. 15 is an example of a screen display of the communication device. This proposal can be used not only for this patent but also for explanations of new character input functions in other patents.

The automatic explanation display may be automatically displayed when the character input is set only for the first time after the purchase of the communication device, or the automatic explanation display is set only for the initial three times.
For example, in the case of setting to display three times, the above “description display” is set to 3 counts so that it is displayed three times, −1 is counted for each display, and is not displayed when it reaches 0 counts. You can add a program.

In order to perform this control, "automatic explanation display control means" and "automatic explanation display control program" are required. Further, a new “control means” and “control program” specified so far are shown in FIG.
Also, T seconds and L seconds may be the same time, and even if they are different, the best time is 0.5 seconds to 1 second.

As a device using the functional form of the present invention, it can be used not only for a mobile phone but also for a key input means of a touch panel display unit of a car navigation system. It can also be used as a PDA touch key input means and as a character input key input means installed on a TV remote controller.

Circuit block diagram of a mobile phone having the functions of this patent Example of alphabetic character table Flow chart from input of b to confirmation Flow chart until F is confirmed Example of uppercase alphabet table Example of kana character table Flowchart until input is confirmed An example of a table in which numbers are also registered in the Kana lowercase table Flowchart until a lowercase letter is entered Number table for character mode Flowchart until number 1 is entered Example of keyword search screen An example of the destination input screen on the touch panel display for car navigation The figure which shows blink of color display A and time passage Flow chart showing correlation between input of p and color display A Flow chart showing the correlation between color displays A and B until input A is confirmed Explanation screen display of new character input function Partial block diagram with all functional forms of this patent

Claims (8)

In toggle mode alphabet mode in which characters are switched by pressing every less than T seconds of a communication device having 13 or less character input keys including number keys capable of inputting all numbers from 0 to 9 at least, Press the key in charge of the specified character every less than T seconds, press it down for the appropriate number of times for the specified character, and then press and hold the same key once more for at least T seconds to confirm the input of the specified character. Character input function and character input navigating device by a toggle method. In alphabet mode by toggle method, if there is a function to switch from lowercase letters to uppercase letters when long-pressing the character input key, press the same key once more for T seconds or more once after pressing the designated uppercase letter for the appropriate number of times with the assigned key Thus, a character input function and a character input navigation device using a toggle method, wherein an input of a designated uppercase letter is confirmed. In toggle mode kana mode where characters are switched by pressing every less than T seconds, press the key in charge of the designated character every less than T seconds, press the corresponding number of times of the designated character, and then press the same key again A toggle-type character input function and a character input navigation device characterized in that input of a kana character to be specified is confirmed by long-pressing once for T seconds or more. In the Kana mode using the toggle method, when inputting the lower case letters of the 1st row key, the 1st row key, the 4th row key, and the 8th row key, press and hold the first press operation for entering each lower case for at least T seconds. The character input function and the character input navigation device by the toggle method according to claim 3, further comprising a switching function that allows input from only lowercase letters or lowercase letters. In order to input numbers in the alphabet mode and the kana mode by the toggle method, an accurate number can be input by long pressing the corresponding number key for a long press setting time of L seconds in the initial operation of one character input. 1. A character input function and a character input navigation device using the toggle method according to 1. Character input confirmation means using only character input keys and number input means in character mode for inputting a destination address using character input keys displayed on a touch panel display portion of a car navigation system or for keyword input in Internet keyword search 6. The character input function and character input navigation device according to the toggle method according to claim 1, wherein the character input function is performed according to the operation function form described above. When the character input key is pressed every time in the character mode using the toggle method, the color display A blinks instantaneously at the character input location, and when the character input key is repeatedly pressed within a time interval of S seconds, one of the characters to be specified A character input function and a character input navigation device by a toggle method, characterized in that only the color display A blinks at every press without being displayed on the screen until the previous text. When you first select a character input setting screen such as e-mail after purchasing a communication device, a screen display explaining the character input function and the character input operation method appears on the screen of the Aircraft before inputting characters. Has a function form that is displayed only for the first time or only at the initial stage, and a character input function and a character input navigation device by a toggle method.

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