JP2008287318A - Information communication terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operation information communication terminal capable of improving the operability when inputting characters. <P>SOLUTION: A character key input operation part 130 is equipped with a plurality of keys which can switch the surface display, respectively. The representative characters of a plurality of kinds of mutually different input character groups beforehand set at the surface of a plurality of keys are displayed in the input waiting initial state of a character key input control part 130, respectively. When the key displaying the representative character is operated, a plurality of composition characters which constitute the input character group corresponding to the representative character displayed on the operated key are displayed on the surface of each key. When the key displaying the composition character is operated, the composition character displayed on the operated key is input. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information communication terminal such as a mobile phone capable of displaying input characters.

  Conventionally, as this type of information communication terminal, a mobile phone capable of inputting characters such as Japanese kana and alphabets by operating a key provided in an operation unit is known. Since this mobile phone is miniaturized in order to ensure its portability, the number of keys for inputting the characters is limited. In order to input a variety of kana characters using a small number of keys, a plurality of types of characters can be input with a single key. For example, every time the key is operated (pressed) so that five characters in the “A” line can be input with one key, the input target character is “A” → “I” → “U” → “E” ”→” O ”→“ Ah ”→ ... Further, every time the key is operated (pressed) so that four characters of alphabet PQRS can be input with one key, the input target character is “P” → “Q” → “R” → “S”. → "P" → ...

  However, the conventional mobile phone is inconvenient because it is necessary to operate the key three or more times depending on the type of characters to be input. For example, if you want to input “u”, “e”, and “o” by operating the key that inputs five characters in the “a” line, operate the key three times, four times, and five times. There is a need.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an operation information communication terminal capable of improving the operability when inputting characters.

The information communication terminal according to the present invention is an information communication terminal comprising information input means for inputting information and display means for displaying information input by the information input means, wherein the information input means In the initial state of waiting for input of the information input means, representative characters of different types of input character groups set in advance on the surface of the keys are respectively displayed. When a key on which the representative character is displayed is operated, a plurality of constituent characters constituting an input character group corresponding to the representative character displayed on the operated key are displayed on the surface of each key, Control that controls the display on the surface of each key and the operation when each key is operated so that the constituent character displayed on the operated key is input when the key on which the constituent character is displayed is operated Equipped with a stage.
In this information communication terminal, when a key is operated so as to select a desired representative character from a plurality of representative characters displayed on each key in the initial state of waiting for input (first key operation), the operated key A plurality of constituent characters constituting the input character group corresponding to the representative character displayed on the key are displayed on the surface of each key. When a key is operated so as to select a desired constituent character from among the constituent characters displayed on each of the plurality of keys (second key operation), the selected constituent character is displayed on the display means as an input character. Is done. In this way, various characters divided into a plurality of input character groups can be input by two key operations.

In the information communication terminal, a key assignment table in which correspondences between identification information of the key, display character information on the surface of the key, and operation identification information at the time of operating the key are written for a plurality of keys of the information input means Storage means for storing a plurality of types, and the control means displays the surface of each key and each key based on any one of the key assignment tables read from the plurality of key assignment tables of the storage means. The key assignment table may be switched when a key on which the representative character is displayed is operated.
In this information communication terminal, when the key on which the representative character is displayed is operated, the key set in advance for the key operation of the representative character from the key assignment table set in advance for the input waiting initial state. Switch to the allocation table. Using this key assignment table after switching, a plurality of constituent characters constituting the input character group corresponding to the representative character displayed on the operated key are displayed on the surface of each key, and each key operation It is controlled so that the operation of the hour is executed. In this case, the characters (representative characters, constituent characters) displayed on the surface of each key in the initial state of waiting for input and the state after the key operation of the representative character, and the operation executed when each key is operated Can be easily set by rewriting the data of the corresponding key assignment table.

Another information communication terminal according to the present invention is an information communication terminal comprising information input means for inputting information, and display means for displaying information input by the information input means, wherein the information input means is A first key operation unit having a plurality of keys on which representative characters of a plurality of different types of input character groups are respectively displayed, and a second key operation unit having a plurality of keys each capable of switching display on the front surface A plurality of constituent characters constituting an input character group corresponding to the representative character displayed on the operated key when the key on which the representative character is displayed on the first key operation unit is operated, The constituent character displayed on the surface of the plurality of keys of the second key operation unit and displayed on the operated key when the key on which the constituent character of the second key operation unit is operated is operated Will be entered To comprise display of the surface of each key of the second key operation section, control means for controlling the operation during the operation of each key in the first key operation section and the second key operation section.
In this information communication terminal, when a key is operated so as to select a desired representative character from a plurality of representative characters displayed on each key in the first key operation unit (first key operation), the operation is performed. A plurality of constituent characters constituting the input character group corresponding to the representative character displayed on the key are displayed on the surface of each key in the second key operation unit. When a key is operated so as to select a desired constituent character from among the constituent characters displayed on each of the plurality of keys of the second key operation unit (second key operation), the selected constituent character is It is displayed on the display means as input characters. In this way, various characters divided into a plurality of input character groups can be input by two key operations.

In the information communication terminal, the correspondence between the key identification information, the display character information on the surface of the key, and the operation identification information when operating the key is written for the plurality of keys of the second key operation unit. Storage means storing a plurality of types of key assignment tables, wherein the control means performs the second key operation based on any one of the key assignment tables read from the plurality of key assignment tables of the storage means. The display of the surface of each key and the operation at the time of operation of each key are controlled, and the key assignment table is switched when the key on which the representative character is displayed in the first key operation unit is operated. It may be a thing.
In this information communication terminal, when a key on which a desired representative character is displayed in the first key operation unit is operated so as to switch the constituent characters input by the key operation of the second key operation unit, The key assignment table for the second key operation unit is switched to a key assignment table set in advance corresponding to the operated representative character. A plurality of constituent characters constituting the input character group corresponding to the representative character displayed on the operated key are displayed on the surface of each key in the second key operation unit using the key assignment table after the switching. In addition to being displayed, control is performed so that the operation at the time of each key operation is executed. When the key assignment table is used as described above, the characters (constituent characters) displayed on the surface of each key after the key operation of the representative character, and the operation executed when each key is operated, It can be easily set by rewriting the data of the corresponding key assignment table.

In the information communication terminal, the control means displays a conversion candidate character corresponding to the constituent character on the display means when the key on which the constituent character is displayed is operated, and selects the conversion candidate character. Control may be performed so that the selected conversion candidate character is input when an operation is performed.
In this information communication terminal, when a key is operated so as to select a specific constituent character from among constituent characters displayed on each of a plurality of keys, the selected constituent character is temporarily displayed on the display means as an input character. At the same time, conversion candidate characters corresponding to the constituent characters are displayed on the display means. When the displayed conversion candidate character is selected, the selected conversion candidate character is input instead of the constituent character once input as the input character. In this way, instead of the constituent characters once input by two key operations, conversion candidate characters corresponding to the constituent characters can be selected and input.

  In the information communication terminal, when the number of keys that can be used for character input is n, the representative characters different from each other can be assigned to each of the n keys, and n representative characters can be assigned to each representative character. Different constituent characters can be assigned to each key. Accordingly, a maximum of n × n different types of characters can be input by two key operations.

  According to the present invention, since various characters divided into a plurality of input character groups can be input by two key operations, the operability at the time of character input can be improved.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in which the present invention is applied to a mobile phone (mobile communication terminal) as a portable information communication terminal.
FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C are a front view, a right side view, and a bottom view, respectively, illustrating an example of an external configuration of a mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the mobile phone. The mobile phone 100 according to the present embodiment includes a main control unit 120 as a control unit, an internal memory 121 as a storage unit, a wireless communication unit 122 and an antenna 112 as communication units that perform communication via a mobile phone communication network. , A display unit 125 as a display unit, a key operation unit 126 as an information input unit (operation unit), and a clock unit 127.

  The main control unit 120 includes, for example, a CPU, a cache memory, a ROM, a system bus, and the like, and transmits and receives data to and from each unit such as the internal memory 121 and the wireless communication unit 122 by executing a predetermined control program. Go and control each part. The main control unit 120 is connected to a microphone 108 as a sound input unit and a speaker 109 as a sound output unit via a sound signal processing unit 123. Further, a display unit 125 is connected to the main control unit 120 via a display control unit 124 as a display control unit. The main control unit 120 is also connected with a key operation unit 126 operated by a user when instructing various processes and inputting various data, and a clock unit 127 as a time measuring unit.

  The main control unit 120 also functions as a control unit that controls the display of each key surface of the character key input operation unit 130 (to be described later) and the operation during key operation.

  The wireless communication unit 122 and the antenna 112 as communication means function not only as telephone communication means but also as means for sending and receiving mail.

  The internal memory 121 is configured by a semiconductor memory such as a RAM or a ROM, and stores a control program executed by the main control unit 120 and various data. As these storage means, instead of the internal memory 121, a storage medium such as a memory card or an IC card that can be attached to and detached from the mobile phone body may be used.

  Further, the internal memory 121 includes, for a plurality of keys constituting a character key input operation unit 130 described later, key identification information, display character information on the key surface (operation guide characters), and operation identification information at the time of key operation. Data of a plurality of types of key assignment tables in which correspondences are written is also stored.

  The display control unit 124 controls to display an image on the display unit 125 based on the drawing data sent from the main control unit 120. The display unit 125 is a display 110 including a liquid crystal panel and displays various images based on image data stored in the internal memory 121.

  The speaker 109 receives the analog signal converted from the digital signal by the sound signal processing unit 123, and outputs a voice during a call, or outputs a mail ringtone, a telephone ringing tone, music, or the like. The sound generation means including the speaker 109 and the sound signal processing unit 123 reproduces and outputs a sound effect and music (song, melody) using an attached file attached to the received mail. Can be controlled.

  Note that the speaker 109 may be configured by separately providing a receiver speaker (receiver) for listening to voice during a call and an external output speaker for outputting a ring tone, music, or the like, or these receivers. A single speaker may be used so as to serve as both a speaker for external use and a speaker for external output.

  The microphone 108 converts the user's voice into an electrical signal (analog signal). An audio electrical signal (analog signal) output from the microphone 108 is input to the sound signal processing unit 123 and converted into a digital signal.

  The clock unit 127 is configured using an RTC (real time clock) or the like, and functions as a means for outputting current time data. The current time data output from the clock unit 127 can be used for displaying date and time information on the display unit 125 including the liquid crystal display (LCD) 110.

  The key operation unit 126 includes a character key input operation unit 130, edit key operation units 135 to 138, communication key operation units 141 to 143, and the like.

  The editing key operation unit performs character conversion for the input unconfirmed character, the “return” key 135 for returning the display on the surface of each character input key of the character key input operation unit 130 and the screen display of the display 110 to the previous display. “Conversion” key 136 for instructing, “Confirm” key 137 for confirming the character after input or after character conversion, and “Previous delete” key 138 for deleting the character that has been input immediately before character by character It has.

  The communication key operation unit includes a “call” key 141 for instructing the start of a telephone call, an “end” key 142 for instructing the end of the telephone call, and a “mail” key for displaying an initial menu screen for mail. 143. When the user uses the telephone function of the mobile phone 100, the user can start the call by pressing the “call” key 141, and can end the call by pressing the “end” key 142. When the mail function of the mobile phone 100 is used, the display 110 becomes a screen for the mail function when the “mail” key 143 is pressed, and confirmation of received mail and creation of a message of outgoing mail are performed. Can do.

  The character key input operation unit 130 includes a plurality of character input keys 130 (mn) of m rows × n columns, each of which can switch the display on the front surface. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1A, 15 character input keys 130 (11) to 130 (35) of 3 rows × 5 columns are provided (see FIG. 3).

  The character key input operation unit 130 includes a character key display control unit 131, a character key display unit 132, and a character key touch sensor 133. The character key display control unit 131 controls to display an image such as an operation guide character on the character key display unit 132 based on the drawing data transmitted from the main control unit 120. The character key display unit 132 is a display composed of a liquid crystal panel or the like, and various images are displayed based on image data stored in the internal memory 121. The character key display unit 132 and the main display unit 125 may be configured by a common liquid crystal panel or the like, and the main display control unit 124 may be used as the character key display control unit 131.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the internal configuration of the character key input operation unit 130. The character key input operation unit 130 includes a character key display unit 132 formed of a liquid crystal panel, a character key touch sensor 133 formed of a transparent touch panel, and a key member (button) 134 formed of a transparent member. ing. The operation guidance characters displayed on the character key display unit 132 can be visually recognized from the outside via the character key touch sensor 133 and the key member 134 made of a transparent member. As shown in FIG. 4, the key member 134 is inserted into and attached to an opening formed in the casing 101 that constitutes the casing so as to be movable up and down. Further, the key member 134 is urged by an urging means (not shown) in an outward direction opposite to the direction pressed by the user (a direction away from the character key touch sensor 133). When the key member 134 is pressed, the character key touch sensor 133 is pressed by the key member 134 and the set of electrodes to which a predetermined bias of the character key touch sensor 133 is applied are brought into contact with each other. Thereby, it is detected that the operation button 134 is pressed, and the detection signal is transmitted from the character key touch sensor 133 to the main control unit 120.

  Next, an example of the display on each key surface of the character key input operation unit 130 of the mobile phone 100 having the above-described configuration and an operation during key operation will be described.

  Tables 1 and 2 exemplify the data of the key assignment table of the “waiting for kana input initial state” and the “waiting for kana input waiting state” when the kana input is performed by the character key input operation unit 130. The “key identification numbers” in Tables 1 and 2 are the identification numbers in parentheses in the codes of the 15 keys 130 (11) to 130 (35) constituting the character key input operation unit 130 shown in FIG. It corresponds to.

  In the cellular phone 100 having the above configuration, on the surface of each character input key of the character key input operation unit 130 based on the data of the key assignment table, operation guide characters indicating functions executed by operating the keys Is displayed. For example, in the example of the initial state of waiting for kana input shown in FIG. 1A, each character input key 130 (11) to 130 (15) on the first line indicates “function” that indicates a function for instructing the input mode. Operation guide characters such as “Kana”, “English letters”, “numbers”, and “symbols” are displayed. Here, when the “fixed” key is pressed, a list of fixed phrases set in advance is displayed on the display 110, and the operation guide characters on the surface of the character input keys 130 (11) to 130 (35) are fixed. Switch to text for sentence selection. When the “Kana” key is pressed, the operation guidance characters on the front surfaces of the character input keys 130 (21) to 130 (35) on the second to third lines are displayed in the input character group of each line in the Katakana 50 syllabary. The representative character (A, K, S, TA, NA, C, MA, Y, LA, WA) is switched, and the operation guide character of the “Kana” key is switched to “Kana”. Further, when the “English character” key is pressed, the operation guide characters on the front surface of the character input keys 130 (21) to 130 (35) in the second to third lines are a plurality of input character groups constituting 26 alphabet characters. Switch to the first character (a, d, g, j, m, p, t, w, etc.). When the “number” key is pressed, the operation guidance characters on the surface of the character input keys 130 (21) to 130 (35) on the second to third lines are displayed as numbers (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0). When the “symbol” key is pressed, the operation guide characters on the surface of the character input keys 130 (21) to 130 (35) in the second to third lines constitute symbols that can be input by the mobile phone 100. Switches to the first character of multiple input characters.

  Further, in the example of the input waiting initial state shown in FIG. 1A, each line in the hiragana 50-syllabary table is input on the surface of each of the character input keys 130 (21) to 130 (35) on the second to third lines. The representative characters of the character group (A, K, S, T, N, H, M, Y, R, W) are displayed. When one of the character input keys of the representative character is pressed, a plurality of constituent characters constituting the input character group corresponding to the representative character displayed on the pressed character input key are displayed on the character input keys 130. (11) to 130 (35) are displayed as operation guidance characters. When any of the keys on which the constituent characters are displayed is pressed, the constituent characters displayed on the pressed key are input as input target characters and displayed on the cursor portion of the display 110. When a plurality of constituent characters constituting the input character group corresponding to the representative character are displayed as operation guide characters on the surface of the character input keys 130 (11) to 130 (35), the input character group is displayed. May be automatically input as an input target character and automatically displayed on the cursor portion of the display 110. Further, a list of predictive conversion candidate characters corresponding to the input target character may be displayed on a part of the display 110 so that the user can select from the list.

  For example, in the example of the input waiting initial state shown in FIG. 1A, when the character input key 130 (31) in the third row and first column on which the operation guidance character “ha” is displayed is pressed, FIG. As shown in (a), a plurality of characters constituting an input character group of “ha”, “ba”, and “pa” lines corresponding to the representative character “ha” displayed on the pressed character input key. Are displayed as operation guidance characters on the surface of each of the character input keys 130 (11) to 130 (35). Then, the representative character “ha” of the input character group is automatically input as an undetermined character as an input candidate and automatically displayed on the cursor portion 110a of the display 110. Here, when the “determine” key 137 is pressed by the user, “ha” is input as a definite character. On the other hand, in a state where “ha” remains as an undetermined character, a list of prediction conversion candidate characters corresponding to the input target character “ha” is displayed in the prediction conversion candidate display field 110b set in the lower portion of the display 110. Is displayed. When the “conversion” key 136 is pressed by the user, a desired character can be selected from the list of predicted conversion candidate characters. When the “confirm” key 137 is further pressed, the desired conversion candidate selected by the user is selected. The character is entered as a confirmed character.

  Next, in the state where the first character “ha” remains as an undetermined character, one of the keys on which the constituent characters of each line of “ha”, “ba” and “pa” are displayed, for example, operation guidance When the character input key 130 (11) in the first row and first column in which the character “ha” is displayed is pressed, as shown in FIG. 5B, the configuration displayed on the pressed key The character “ha” is input as an unconfirmed character as an additional input candidate and additionally displayed on the cursor portion 110 a of the display 110. In the prediction conversion candidate display field 110b set in the lower part of the display 110, a list of prediction conversion candidate characters corresponding to the unconfirmed character “haha” is displayed. When the “conversion” key 136 is pressed by the user, the first candidate “mother” in the list of predictive conversion candidate characters is selected as an input target, as shown in FIG. When the “conversion” key 136 is pressed by the user in this state, a desired conversion candidate character “mother” selected by the user is input as a confirmed character.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, various characters that can be divided into a plurality of input character groups such as hiragana and katakana in each line of Japanese syllabary, grouped alphabets and numbers, etc. can be obtained with two key operations. Since it can be input, the operability at the time of character input can be improved.
Further, according to the present embodiment, the characters (representative characters, constituent characters) displayed on the surface of each key of the character key input operation unit 130, and the operations executed when these keys are operated, It can be easily set by rewriting the data of the corresponding key assignment table.
Further, according to the present embodiment, instead of a constituent character once input by two key operations, a conversion candidate character corresponding to the constituent character can be selected and input.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIGS. 6A and 6B are a front view and a side view, respectively, showing an example of an external configuration of a mobile phone according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the mobile phone. 6 and 7, the same parts as those of the above-described mobile phone shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  The cellular phone 100 according to the present embodiment includes a first casing 10 and a second casing 20 that are relatively slidable and rotatable about a rotation shaft (not shown) communicating in the thickness direction. The shape of each housing 10 and 20 in the direction along the slide surface is a three-fold symmetrical triangle (triangular rice ball shape) about the central axis, in which three vertex portions are each formed in an arc shape. The upper casing 10 includes a display 110 that constitutes display means, a numeric key input operation unit 160 as a first key operation unit, and a display variable key input operation unit 150 as a second key operation unit. Yes. The display 110, the numeric keypad input operation unit 160, and the display variable key input operation unit 150 are arranged in three circular regions that are three-fold symmetric about the central central axis. In addition, a “call” key 141 and an “end” key 142, a microphone 108, and a speaker 109 are arranged at the three apexes of the lower housing 20, respectively. When the user uses the mobile phone 100 of the present embodiment for a telephone function call, the arrow of the lower housing 20 is shown from the state in which the housings 10 and 20 are stacked, as indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. By rotating a predetermined angle (for example, about 30 °) in the A direction, the “call” key 141 and the “end” key 142, the microphone 108, and the speaker 109 provided at each vertex of the housing 20 are exposed.

  The numeric keypad input operation unit 160 provided on the casing 10 on the upper side of the mobile phone 100 has a plurality of keys on which representative characters of a plurality of different types of input character groups are respectively displayed. For example, in the example of FIG. 6A, there are ten character input keys. And on each surface of each character input key, the representative characters (A, K, S, T, N, H, Y, R, W) of the input characters of each line in the hiragana 50 syllabary are printed. ing.

  In addition, the display variable key input operation unit 150 provided in the housing 10 has a plurality of keys each capable of switching the display on the front surface. For example, in the example of FIG. 6A, eight character input keys 150 (1) to 150 (8) are arranged around the center of the circular display variable key input operation unit 150 (see FIG. 8). ). The display variable key input operation unit 150 includes a character key display control unit 151, a character key display unit 152, and a character key touch sensor 153. The character key display control unit 151 performs control so that an image such as an operation guide character is displayed on the character key display unit 152 based on the drawing data sent from the main control unit 120. The character key display unit 152 is a display made up of a liquid crystal panel or the like, and displays various images based on image data stored in the internal memory 121. The character key display unit 152 and the main display unit 125 may be configured by a common liquid crystal panel or the like, and the main display control unit 124 may be used as the character key display control unit 151. Moreover, as an internal structure of the display variable key input operation part 150, the structure shown, for example in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4 mentioned above is employable. Further, a multi-function (F) key or a scroll cross key may be provided at the center of the display variable key input operation unit 150.

  Next, the display of each key surface of the display variable key input operation unit 150 of the mobile phone 100 according to another embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, and the keys of the display variable key input operation unit 150 and the numeric key input operation unit 160. An example of operation during operation will be described.

  Tables 3, 4 and 5 respectively show the data of the key assignment table of the numeric keypad input operation unit 160, the “initial state of waiting for kana input” (“waiting for hiragana input of that row”) and “ This is an example of the data of the key assignment table of “waiting for hiragana input of ka-line”. Note that the “key identification number” in Table 3 corresponds to the identification number in parentheses for each of the ten keys 160 (1) to 160 (10) constituting the numeric key input operation unit 160 shown in FIG. ing. Further, the “key identification numbers” in Tables 3 and 4 are the numbers of the eight keys 150 (1) to 150 (8) constituting the numeric key input operation unit 160 and the display variable key input operation unit 150 shown in FIG. Corresponds to the identification number in parentheses in the code.

  In the mobile phone 100 having the above-described configuration, an operation guide indicating functions executed by operating the keys on the surface of each character input key of the display variable key input operation unit 150 based on the data of the key assignment table. Characters are displayed. Based on the data of the key assignment table, operation guide characters indicating functions executed by operating the keys are printed on the surface of each character input key of the numeric key input operation unit 160. For example, in the initial state of waiting for kana input shown in FIG. 6, each line in the hiragana table of hiragana on the surface of each of the character input keys 160 (1) to 160 (10) of the numeric keypad input operation unit 160 of the housing 10. The representative characters (A, K, S, T, N, H, M, Y, R, W) are printed. When one of the character input keys of the representative character is pressed, a plurality of constituent characters constituting the input character group corresponding to the representative character displayed on the pressed character input key are displayed on the housing 20. It is displayed as an operation guide character on the surface of each character input key 150 (1) to 150 (5) of the variable key input operation unit 150. When any of the keys on which the constituent characters are displayed is pressed, the constituent characters displayed on the pressed key are input as input target characters and displayed on the cursor portion of the display 110. When a plurality of constituent characters constituting the input character group corresponding to the representative character are displayed as operation guide characters on the surface of the character input keys 150 (1) to 150 (5), the input character group. May be automatically input as an input target character and automatically displayed on the cursor portion of the display 110. Further, a list of predictive conversion candidate characters corresponding to the input target character may be displayed on a part of the display 110 so that the user can select from the list.

  Further, in the example of the input waiting initial state shown in FIG. 6A, when the character input key 160 (2) on which the operation guide character “ka” of the numeric keypad input operation unit 160 of the housing 10 is printed is pressed. A plurality of constituent characters constituting the input character group of the “ka” line corresponding to the representative character “ka” displayed on the pressed character input key are displayed on the display variable key input operation unit 150 of the housing 20. It is displayed as an operation guide character on the surface of each character input key 150 (1) -150 (5). Then, the representative character “ka” of the input character group is automatically input as an unconfirmed character as an input candidate and automatically displayed on the cursor portion of the display 110. Here, when the user performs a “confirm” instruction operation, “ka” is input as a confirmed character. On the other hand, in a state where “ka” remains as an undetermined character, a list of predictive conversion candidate characters corresponding to the input target character “ka” is displayed in the predictive conversion candidate display field set in the lower part of the display 110. Is displayed. When the “conversion” instruction operation is performed by the user, a desired character can be selected from the list of predicted conversion candidate characters, and when the “confirmation” instruction operation is performed, the desired conversion candidate character selected by the user is confirmed. Entered as a character.

  Next, in the state where the first character “ka” remains an unconfirmed character, one of the keys displaying the constituent characters of the “ka” line, for example, the operation guidance character “ki” is displayed. When the character input key 150 (2) is pressed, the constituent character “ki” displayed on the pressed key is input as an unconfirmed character of an additional input candidate and additionally displayed on the cursor portion of the display 110. . In the prediction conversion candidate display field set in the lower part of the display 110, a list of predictive conversion candidate characters corresponding to the unconfirmed character “Kaki” is displayed. Here, when the “conversion” instruction operation is performed by the user, the first candidate in the list of predictive conversion candidate characters is selected as an input target. When a “conversion” instruction operation is performed by the user in this state, a desired conversion candidate character selected by the user is input as a confirmed character.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, various characters that can be divided into a plurality of input character groups such as hiragana and katakana in each line of Japanese 50-sound, grouped letters and numbers, etc. Since it is possible to input with two key operations on the display variable key input operation unit 150, it is possible to improve the operability when inputting characters.
In addition, according to the present embodiment, the characters (component characters) displayed on the surface of each key of the display variable key input operation unit 150, the operation executed when those keys are operated, and the numeric key input operation unit The operation executed when each of the 160 keys is operated can be easily set by rewriting the data in the corresponding key assignment table.
Further, according to the present embodiment, instead of a constituent character once input by two key operations, a conversion candidate character corresponding to the constituent character can be selected and input.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the information communication terminal is a mobile phone has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to PHS, a car phone, and mobile information having a communication function as long as it has a function of inputting and displaying information. The present invention can be applied to other information communication terminals such as a terminal (PDA) and a digital camera having a communication function, and the same effect can be obtained.

(A), (b) and (c) are the front view, right side view, and bottom view which respectively show an example of the external appearance structure of the mobile telephone which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows an example of schematic structure of the mobile phone. Explanatory drawing of the identification number of the character input key in the character key input operation part of the mobile phone. Sectional drawing which shows an example of 1 structure inside the character key input operation part of the mobile phone. (A), (b) and (c) is explanatory drawing which shows the change of the display of a character input key and a display at the time of the character input of the said mobile phone, respectively. (A) And (b) is the front view and side view which respectively show an example of the external appearance structure of the mobile telephone which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows an example of schematic structure of the mobile phone. Explanatory drawing of the identification number of the character input key in the display variable key input operation part 150 of the mobile phone. Explanatory drawing of the identification number of the character input key in the ten key input operation part 160 of the mobile phone.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 1st housing | casing 20 2nd housing | casing 100 Mobile phone 131 Character key display control part 132 Character key display part 133 Character key touch sensor 110 Display 120 Main control part 121 Internal memory 124 Display control part 125 Display part 126 Key operation part 130 Character key Input operation unit 131 Character key display control unit 132 Character key display unit 133 Character key touch sensor 150 Display variable key input operation unit 160 Numeric key input operation unit

Claims (5)

An information communication terminal comprising information input means for inputting information, and display means for displaying information input by the information input means,
The information input means includes a plurality of keys each capable of switching the surface display,
In the input waiting initial state of the information input means, representative characters of a plurality of different types of input characters set in advance are respectively displayed on the surfaces of the plurality of keys, and the key on which the representative characters are displayed is operated. A plurality of constituent characters constituting the input character group corresponding to the representative character displayed on the operated key are displayed on the surface of each key, and when the key on which the constituent characters are displayed is operated, An information communication terminal comprising control means for controlling display on the surface of each key and operation during operation of each key so that constituent characters displayed on the operated key are input. In the information communication terminal according to claim 1,
A memory storing a plurality of types of key assignment tables in which correspondences between identification information of the keys, display character information on the surface of the keys, and operation identification information at the time of operating the keys are stored for a plurality of keys of the information input means With means,
The control means controls the display of the surface of each key and the operation at the time of operation of each key based on any one of the key assignment tables read from the plurality of key assignment tables of the storage means. An information communication terminal that switches the key assignment table when a key on which the representative character is displayed is operated. An information communication terminal comprising information input means for inputting information, and display means for displaying information input by the information input means,
The information input means includes a first key operation unit having a plurality of keys on which representative characters of a plurality of different types of input character groups are respectively displayed, and a second key having a plurality of keys each capable of switching display on the surface. A key operation unit,
When a key on which the representative character is displayed on the first key operation unit is operated, a plurality of constituent characters constituting an input character group corresponding to the representative character displayed on the operated key are the first character When the key that is displayed on the surface of the plurality of keys of the key operation unit 2 and the component character of the second key operation unit is operated, the component character displayed on the operated key is input. As described above, the control means for controlling the display of the surface of each key of the second key operation unit and the operation at the time of operation of each key in the first key operation unit and the second key operation unit. An information communication terminal comprising: In the information communication terminal according to claim 3,
A plurality of types of key assignment tables in which correspondences between the identification information of the key, the display character information on the surface of the key, and the operation identification information when operating the key are written for the plurality of keys of the second key operation unit It has memorized storage means,
The control means displays the surface of each key and operates each key in the second key operation section based on any one of the key assignment tables read from the plurality of key assignment tables of the storage means. An information communication terminal that controls the key assignment table when a key on which the representative character is displayed in the first key operation unit is operated. In the information communication terminal according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4,
The control means displays a conversion candidate character corresponding to the constituent character on the display means when a key on which the constituent character is displayed is operated, and receives an operation for selecting the conversion candidate character. An information communication terminal that controls to input a selected conversion candidate character.