JP2012027741A - Letter inputting method and device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable Japanese kana letters and Roman alphabet letters to be inputted onto similar letter inputting screens and in similar inputting procedures.SOLUTION: Mutually similar parts in attributes of Japanese kana letters and Roman alphabet letters are treated commonly, letters of each letter group are classified into a plurality of small subgroups of letters that facilitate alternative choice to provide multiple opportunities for choice of each letter, and letters are so inputted as to make alterable the attributes of letters to be chosen on these multiple opportunities for choice.

Description

  The present invention constitutes a human interface in a computer. In both Japanese kana character input and alphabetic character input common to European and American languages, it is possible to use different languages with a sense of using the same interface. The present invention relates to a character input method and apparatus for inputting characters.

    For the human interface for inputting characters in the computer, the keyboard is the most practical means from the Genesis to the present of the computer, and it is still used from the large computer to the portable ultra-small mobile computer. In particular, it is said that it is practically sufficient for input of alpha beds in Western countries.

  However, the CPU that forms the brain of the computer has become ultra-compact, the computer itself has been incorporated into various electrical products, the era has entered the century of ubiquitous computing, and the relationship between humans and computers must maintain an increasingly strong relationship. The situation has to come.

  For this reason, human interfaces that convey information to a computer by a pointing device such as a mouse or trackball, camera input moving image recognition means for recognizing the movement of a human body by a camera, speech recognition means, handwritten character recognition means, etc. Various interface devices have been proposed, such as being unable to input characters instead of a keyboard.

  Among them, the character palette displayed on the monitor screen of the computer is selected by using a pointer that is moved by a mouse or trackball, and the characters are selected and a touch sensor is provided on the upper surface of the character palette. Many methods have been proposed and put into practical use, such as a method of directly selecting characters with a finger.

  In these types of keyboard input, a switch that forms an entity that is operated by a person is indispensable for input using a conventional keyboard. Therefore, it is difficult to reduce the size. The object to be operated is a virtual switch. Similarly, a pointer operated by a person also has a virtual mark in the shape of an arrow or a finger that can move freely on the screen.

  Similarly, even in the case of using a touch sensor, a switch that is touched by a person is a virtual switch, and therefore, the flexibility of the character arrangement of the character palette and the shape and size of the key top is high.

  As a result, in the character input method using the virtual switch, the character arrangement of the character palette and the selection specification of the character selection are various, and the specification of the attack to the virtual switch, for example, the one using the pointer is single click, double click, etc. Those using a touch sensor are touching, tapping, flicking, etc., which are various and complicated.

  In Patent Document 1, the first character group of each line of the Japanese syllabary diagram in the kana character is displayed on the key top of each character selection switch, and the key top is indicated. A method for selecting five characters according to a character group is described.

  Further, in Patent Document 4, the first character group of each line of the Japanese syllabary diagram in the kana character is displayed on the key top of each character selection virtual switch, and the key top is tapped or in either the vertical or horizontal direction. A method is described in which a gesture is performed to flick and five character groups related to the line are selected.

  Furthermore, Patent Document 4 discloses that selection correspondence characters can be selected by flicking in a diagonal direction by arranging the selection correspondence characters diagonally, or by arranging another selection correspondence element in a direction between four vertical and horizontal directions. It is described that the number of alternative selection elements can be increased to four or more by flicking in the direction.

  On the other hand, the specifications of the character arrangement of the character palette and the attack to the virtual switch have produced various specifications depending on the language of the characters that require input, and there is a difficulty that the character input method cannot be unified at present. .

  In particular, the input of Japanese kana characters and English alphabets (representing languages that use alpha beds such as French and German) differ in their origins. It was difficult to coexist on the character palette.

  Now that the world has become stateless, in order to be able to handle multiple languages on the Internet, it is necessary to find some commonality and create an integrated human interface environment.

  For example, paying attention to the unique attributes of characters, hiragana characters (hereinafter referred to as kana or kana characters), katakana characters (hereinafter referred to as kana or kana characters), vowels, consonants, clear sounds, Attributes can be divided into muddy sounds, semi-turbid sounds, straight sounds, stuttering sounds, etc. In the case of the English alphabet, attributes can be divided into uppercase letters, lowercase letters, vowels, consonants, accents, etc. In addition, taking into account handling of multiple languages, a character input standby screen (corresponding to the character pallet, but in the description is always referred to as a basic input screen) in which virtual switches are arranged, Furthermore, when constructing a new character array and operation method, the number of exceptions should be reduced as much as possible, the operation procedure should be simplified, the operability should be shared, and the flow of operations should be stopped. Without or back, between their attributes, as well as the inter-language, makes it possible to come and go seamlessly, and a new character input method and apparatus is required.

  Patent Document 2 describes that a plurality of characters related to an alpha bed are divided into vowels and consonants to form an alternative selection character group.

  In Patent Document 3, a plurality of characters related to Japanese kana characters, a direct sound and a stuttering sound related to the same consonant in a line of a Japanese syllabary diagram, and an opportunity to select a direct sound due to a difference in their vowel parts. In addition, it is described that one of the stuttering can be selected at the same selection opportunity.

JP 2000-112636 A JP 2005-78107 A JP 2005-99921 A JP 2009-266236 A

  The problem to be solved is that, in the era of ubiquitous computing, it supports multilingual languages such as kana characters and English, eliminates complicated rules (arrangements) and complicated procedures, and relies on the memory of the operator. Even if there is no low level of proficiency, it is possible to complete the text intended to be input by the operator, and there is no human interface of mixed English and Japanese related to the most important character input when a person is involved with a computer. It is.

Entering Japanese Roman characters using alphanumeric keyboard layout with virtual switch does not achieve the original purpose. Kana characters (Hiragana) and Kana characters (Katakana) are as expected by the operator. In the same way, select the uppercase and lowercase letters of the alphabet as well as the uppercase and lowercase letters of the alphabet, and select the accented letters used in French, German, etc. However, it is desirable to be able to select while confirming with the letter shape as shown.
However, on the other hand, there is certainly a need for a character input method that can input characters at a high speed even if a high level of skill is required.

According to the present invention, the above problem is solved as follows.
(1) In a set of character groups consisting of a plurality of characters, the characters of the character group are divided into a plurality of character groups as a character group with a small number of characters that makes it easy to select one of the characters based on the character attributes. The character group is displayed with a graphic representing each character group, together with an alternative selection switch group for selecting the character group, and the character group selection opportunity to select the character group, and the character group selection Each character of the character group selected at the opportunity is displayed together with an alternative selection switch for selecting the character, and the character selection opportunity that is alternatively selected, and the character selection opportunity is selectably assigned. Change the attribute of each displayed character by changing the attribute by operating one of the selection switches that make up the character selection opportunity, displaying the selection switch group and the character after the attribute change, and changing the attribute Select each letter after To enter the character with the attribute change selection opportunities so as to-option.

With such a configuration, in both Japanese kana characters and English alphabets, the entire number of characters that need to be selected is a small number that can be seen entirely by the alternative selection elements at a glance, depending on the character attributes. In order to select the target character by multiple selections, and if the selection element represents a plurality of character groups, With symbols and figures that indicate, input on the selected element or specify the index, and without relying on skill in memory and training, input without checking the operator at the character group selection opportunity or character selection opportunity while visually confirming Can proceed.
In addition, since multiple characters are divided by attribute, the character attributes are changed by the attribute change selection opportunity to change and select the character attributes during the character input operation or the character selection operation. Can be entered.

(2) In the above item (1), a set of characters consisting of a plurality of characters are kana characters in Japanese, and hiragana, katakana, consonant, vowel, direct sound, stuttering, clear sound, muddy sound, and semi-voiced sound. As an attribute, it is divided into a plurality of character groups as a character group with a small number of characters for easy selection.

  With such a configuration, hiragana and katakana that are in a mirror image relationship are divided in half, and a plurality of character groups are formed for each consonant by using an ancient 50 phonogram, and based on the vowels from the character groups Then, at this character selection opportunity, change the attribute from clear sound to muddy sound and select muddy sound character, and at the opportunity to select muddy sound character, change the attribute from muddy sound to semi-voiced sound and select semi-voiced sound character In the occasion of selection of clear sound and direct sound, it is possible to select stuttering.

(3) In the above item (1), a set of characters composed of a plurality of characters is an alphabet, and has a small number of characters that make it easy to select an alternative using lowercase letters, uppercase letters, vowels, consonants, and accents as attributes. The character input method according to claim 1, wherein the character group is divided into a plurality of character groups.

  With such a configuration, lowercase letters and uppercase letters that are mirror images of each other are divided in half, and vowels and consonants are separated from an alphabetical character array from ancient times to form a plurality of character groups. By selecting two characters, a character group selection opportunity and a character selection opportunity for selecting a character group, and selecting a plurality of character selection opportunities, the opportunity to change the attribute of lowercase letters and uppercase letters In addition, it is possible to input a flick at a touch-panel type character selection opportunity and to input a gesture when inputting a word in which a plurality of characters are arranged.

(4) In the above item (3), vowel characters are extracted in order of appearance of vowel characters in order from the first character of the alphabet character string, and divided into character groups having vowel attributes.

  With this configuration, five characteristic vowels are separated, and only the vowels can be selected independently, and the five vowel groups can be combined into a character group. .

(5) In the above item (3), consonant characters are extracted sequentially from the first character of the alphabetic character string in the order in which the consonant characters appear, and from the beginning according to the number of characters in the vowel attribute character group. It was divided into multiple consonant attribute character groups in order.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to construct a consonant character string without disturbing the permutation of the traditional alphabetic character arrangement, and to form a character group according to the number of five vowel characters. A compact character input screen can be formed in conformity with a suitable 3 × 3 matrix structure character selection virtual switch group.

(6) In the above items (1) to (5), character groups having a small number of characters are formed according to the number of five vowels common to Japanese kana characters and alphabet characters.

  With such a configuration, in different languages, kana characters and alpha beds are linked through vowels that are the only common sounds, and affinity can be increased even on a character input screen that is commonly used.

(7) In a set of characters consisting of a plurality of characters,
The characters in the character group are divided into a plurality of character groups as a character group with a small number of characters that makes it easy to select an alternative based on the character attributes.
The plurality of character groups are displayed on the image display screen together with an alternative selection switch for selecting the character group with a figure representative of each character group, and the alternative selection switch displayed on the image display screen is displayed. , A character group selection means that is alternatively selected by pointing means indicating the alternative selection switch;
Each character of the character group selected by the character group selection means is displayed on an image display screen together with an alternative selection switch for selecting a character, and is selectively selected by a pointing means indicating the alternative selection switch. Character selection means, and
For each character that is assigned to the character selection means so as to be selectable and that is displayed on the image display screen, the attribute is changed by operating any one of the selection switches constituting the character selection selection means. Characters are input with the change selection switch after change and the characters displayed on the image display screen and attribute change selection means for selectively selecting each character after the change of attributes.

  With such a configuration, in both Japanese kana characters and English alphabets, the entire number of characters that need to be selected is a small number that can be seen entirely by the alternative selection elements at a glance, depending on the character attributes. In this case, the target character is selected by multiple selections, and if the selection element represents a plurality of character groups, With symbols and figures indicating this, overlay the selection element or specify an index, and without relying on skills through memory and training, while checking visually without being confused by the operator in character group selection opportunities and character selection opportunities You can continue to input.

(8) In the above item (1), the image display screen is a computer monitor screen, a television monitor screen, a game machine monitor screen, a mobile phone monitor screen, a mobile terminal monitor screen, an electronic puck monitor screen, an electronic Either a dictionary monitor screen or a mobile phone monitor screen.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to configure a character input screen using a virtual switch in various computer devices.

(9) In the above item (7), the pointing means is a GUI (graphical user interface) pointer that can freely move on the image display screen.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to input characters while keeping a distance from the monitor screen.

(10) In the above item (7), the pointing means is a stylus pen or a finger that operates a touch panel provided on the front surface of the image display screen.
With such a configuration, an event can be generated both in touch-in and touch-out, so that flick input is possible and high-speed character input is possible in combination with gesture input.
(11) In the above item (7), the pointing means is a cursor that sequentially moves for each predetermined area on the image display screen.

    With such a configuration, the movement of the cursor can be confined within the display range of the virtual switch group displayed on the image display screen, and the selection of the virtual switch can be facilitated.

  In the present invention, in both Japanese kana characters and English alphabets, the entire plurality of characters that need to be selected are divided into numbers with a small range that the alternative selection element can see at a glance depending on the character attributes. The target character is selected by multiple selections, and if the selection element represents a plurality of character groups, select it. The symbol or figure to be displayed should be overlaid on the selected element or the index should be specified, and the input should be made while visually confirming the operator at the character group selection opportunity or the character selection opportunity without relying on the skill of memory and training. You can proceed.

  In addition, since multiple characters are divided by attribute, the character attributes are changed by the attribute change selection opportunity to change and select the character attributes during the character input operation or the character selection operation. Can be entered. By making this character selection opportunity multiple, it was possible to provide an attribute change opportunity, and the flick input was selected as a character group having a smaller number of characters than the character group selection opportunity, and then selecting a desired character. It became possible by making the selection opportunity twice.

  In addition, the Japanese kana and English alphabet attributes are separated from each other by the fact that the Japanese kana and kana characters and the English upper and lower case attributes are mirror images of each other. The Japanese kana characters are divided into consonants and vowels according to the Japanese syllabary diagram, and the number of vowels is five. The vowel character group obtained by extracting five vowels from the above and the remaining consonant character strings are consonant character groups obtained by dividing the remaining consonant character strings into five in order from the top of the consonant character strings, with the number of vowel character groups being 5. Based on the relevance that the number of vowel characters is 5, the number of 5 is assigned to the character selection opportunity to select the character at the end, and the selection of important and many clear sounds in Japanese kana characters is made with 5 vowels. Character selection opportunity to select by Allocation, the selection of the important and the large number of consonants in the alphabet of English, assigned to the five vowels group and, character selection opportunities with separated by consonant group of characters in each of five, are to have a relationship with each other.

  On the other hand, in Japanese and English, multiple characters related to the language are classified according to the language-specific attributes. Therefore, in Japanese, the attribute was changed by the attribute change selection opportunity at the Kiyone attribute selection opportunity. At the occasion of selecting the muddy sound and the muddy sound, it becomes possible to select the semi-turbid sound whose attribute has been changed by the attribute change selection opportunity by changing the attribute.

  Also, in English, the target character is temporarily the same sound in the character selection opportunity of the lowercase attribute, but if it is required as a character of the uppercase attribute, the capital letter changed by the attribute change selection opportunity and vice versa In addition to changing the attributes of the vowels, the accent characters used in French and German can be selected at the vowel group's character selection opportunity to select various accent characters related to the vowels of the vowel group. become able to.

It is a perspective view of an electronic dictionary showing the state where the present invention is applied to a portable terminal type electronic dictionary. Example 1 FIG. 2 is a detailed view of a character input screen according to the present invention used in the electronic dictionary of FIG. 1. Example 1 In the electronic dictionary of FIG. 1, the arrangement pattern of the virtual switch and the character group assigned to it constituting the standby screen for character input and constituting the character group selection opportunity is shown. (A) is a kana input. Mode, (b) is a kana input mode, (c) is a lower case alphabet input mode, (d) is an upper case alphabet input mode, and (e) is a modification of the lower case alphabet input mode of (c). (F) is a figure which shows the modification of the English capital letter input mode of (d), respectively. Example 1 A character arrangement pattern showing the arrangement of virtual switches and the display state of each character assigned to each virtual switch in each character selection opportunity up to a / a ~ n line in the kana input mode shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows each figure and each character arrangement pattern figure of an exception process after an attribute change. Example 1 In the kana input mode shown in FIG. 3A, a character arrangement pattern indicating the arrangement of virtual switches at each character selection opportunity from line to line and the display state of each character assigned to each virtual switch. It is a figure which shows each figure and each character arrangement pattern figure of an exception process after an attribute change. Example 1 Character arrangement indicating the layout of virtual switches and the display state of each character assigned to each virtual switch in the kana input mode shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows a pattern diagram and each character arrangement pattern figure of an attribute process after an attribute change, respectively. Example 1 Character arrangement pattern indicating the placement of virtual switches and the display state of each character assigned to each virtual switch in each character selection opportunity from line C to line W in the kana input mode shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows each figure and each character arrangement pattern figure of an exception process after an attribute change. Example 1 It is explanatory drawing explaining the point which divides the choice one selection character group into the character group of a few characters, in order to select the alphabet character shown to (c)-(f) of FIG. Example 1 When the display graphic indicating each character group assigned to the alternative selection virtual switch and the virtual switch corresponding to each display graphic are selected in the lowercase alphabetic mode shown in FIGS. It is a character arrangement pattern diagram showing the layout of the virtual switch group at each character selection opportunity and the display state of each character assigned to each virtual switch. For the consonant character group, a cross diagonal line indicating the character group is attached to the virtual switch. Each vowel character is shown with a diagonal line indicating a single character, and for vowels, the character arrangement pattern of accented characters with different attributes of each vowel character is selected as an attribute change selection opportunity. As the character arrangement pattern diagram after the attribute change, showing the placement of virtual switches and the display status of each accent character assigned to each virtual switch It illustrates the LES. Example 1 In the uppercase alphabetic mode shown in (d) and (f) of FIG. 3, the display graphic of each character group assigned to the alternative selection virtual switch and each display related to the uppercase character as in the lowercase alphabetic mode of FIG. 9. It is a figure which shows the character arrangement pattern figure which shows the arrangement | positioning of the virtual switch in each character selection opportunity in which the virtual switch corresponding to a figure was selected, and the display state of each character allocated to each virtual switch, respectively. Example 1 It is a figure which shows the perspective view of the portable terminal which applied the character input waiting screen suitable for small display screens, such as a mobile telephone and a smart phone. (Example 2) The virtual switch for the character group selection opportunity is changed to (a) Kana mode, (b) Kana mode, (c) English lowercase mode, and (d) English uppercase mode for the kana characters and alphabetic characters on the character input waiting screen in FIG. It is a figure which shows the thing which made arrangement | sequence 5 rows and 2 rows, and made small vertically. (Example 2) It is a perspective view of a single-sided book type portable terminal device. (Example 3) FIG. 13 shows an arrangement of virtual switches for selecting a character group selection opportunity in the lowercase alphabetic mode forming the standby screen applied to FIG. 13, and shows a character input screen different from the arrangement of virtual switches of 5 columns and 2 rows shown in FIG. FIG. (Example 3) 15 to 18 are diagrams showing the correspondence between each consonant character assigned to each character group selection virtual switch in 3 columns and 2 rows and each vowel character. FIG. 15 shows a standby screen in alphabetic lowercase mode. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a character selection virtual switch at a character selection opportunity when each character group selection switch is touched and each character assigned and displayed therefor. (Example 3) Similarly, it is a figure which shows the standby screen of alphabet uppercase mode, the character selection virtual switch in the character selection opportunity when each character group selection switch is touched, and each character currently assigned and displayed on it. (Example 3) Similarly, at the occasion of selecting each vowel character in the vowel character group in the English lowercase mode, after touching the virtual switch of the graphic that displays the vowel character group, the character selection operation on the screen after the display change on the vowel character selection screen It is a figure which shows the state which performed different operation | movement, changed the attribute, changed and displayed the accent character for every vowel character after the attribute change so that selection was possible. (Example 3) Similarly, like FIG. 17, it is a figure which shows the state which displayed the accent character for every each vowel character after the attribute change in English capital letter mode so that selection was possible. (Example 3) FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state in which the keyboard surface of a conventional mobile notebook computer is a two-screen type with a touch panel on the front surface and the present invention is applied to character input means. Example 4 FIG. 19 shows a Japanese Kana character input standby screen and an English input standby screen applied to the embodiment of FIG. 19, and the Kana character input screen is the same as that shown in FIG. The English alphabetic character input screen is the same as that shown in FIG. However, kana characters and alphabetic characters are diagrams showing different arrangements and numbers of virtual switches on the standby screen. Example 4 FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a monitor screen in which Japanese kana characters are input on a monitor screen of a digital television, and selection control is performed by a pointer operated by a pointing device such as a mouse or a trackball. (Example 5) It is a figure which shows the detail of the character input edit screen which controls and edits the character input in FIG. (Example 5) FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a monitor screen in which English alphabetic characters are input on a monitor screen of a digital television, and selection control is performed by a pointer operated by a pointing device such as a mouse or a trackball. (Example 6) It is a figure which shows the character input edit screen which controls and edits the character input in FIG. (Example 5) It is a perspective view explaining the condition which inputs an alphabetic character with the pointer on a monitor screen in the state specialized in the character input in the monitor screen of a digital television. (Example 6)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an implementation point and embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the attached drawings.
The present invention divides the characters of the character group into a plurality of character groups as a character group with a small number of characters that makes it easy to select one of the character groups in a set of character groups. A plurality of character groups are attached with a graphic representing each character group, and are displayed together with an alternative selection switch for selecting the character group, thereby creating a character group selection opportunity for alternative selection.

  Each character of the character group selected in the character group selection opportunity is displayed together with an alternative selection switch for selecting a character and can be selected as the character selection opportunity. For each character that is assigned to and displayed, the attribute is changed by the operation of one of the selection switches constituting the character selection opportunity, and the selection switch and the character after the attribute change are displayed. A character is input with an attribute change selection opportunity for selecting each character after the attribute change.

  Then, narrow down sequentially from those with many attributes that have common attributes, and change the attributes as necessary, while being able to visually check the representative display figures and characters of the selection target at each selection opportunity, Without relying on the operator's memory, Japanese Kana characters and English alphabet characters can be input with commonality in the layout of virtual switches used for character selection, their display images, and character selection operations. To reduce the sense of discomfort as a human interface due to the change of language, making it easy to input multilingual characters into a computer.

  FIG. 1 to FIG. 10 show an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a portable terminal type electronic dictionary. Based on this embodiment, an implementation procedure of the method of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a portable terminal type electronic dictionary 1 that is slightly larger than a notebook and can be stored in a chest pocket of a male suit, with a lid 3 with a first monitor screen 2 installed inside. FIG.

  In the conventional electronic dictionary, a keyboard with a large number of switches arranged on the upper surface of the main body 4 that is paired with the lid 3 incorporating the first monitor screen 2 is disposed around the keyboard. Switches related to various human interfaces, such as operation switches, mode switching switches, and handwritten character input touch panels, are arranged.

  In addition, an index display of the function of the switch is printed around each switch with characters and symbols, making it difficult to understand which switch is operated in which scene.

  At the current state of the art, electronic dictionaries have become multi-functional and are equipped with functions equivalent to or higher than those of mobile laptop computers. In addition to text search display functions such as dictionaries and dictionaries, still image display, video playback, More than 100 types of content such as music playback, text translation, text-to-speech, electronic book, etc. are recorded in the built-in storage means, and input / output of portable memory means such as flash memory is also provided.

  At present, touch panel technology has advanced, and the use of virtual switches has become widespread in everything from large computer devices to small mobile terminals and mobile phones. The keyboard has been completely abolished, leaving all operations to virtual switches.

  The reason why a conventional electronic dictionary has such a function and a keyboard must be installed on the upper surface of the main body is that there is no appropriate character input means to replace the current keyboard. The same applies to other electronic devices.

  The present invention performs Japanese kana character input and English character input that is a Western language (hereinafter abbreviated as English for English) using an alpha bed with a virtual switch using a touch panel, The upper surface 5 of the main body 4 of the electronic dictionary 1 is used as a second monitor screen 6 with a touch sensor, so that a large number of contents mounted on the electronic dictionary 1 can be used effectively.

  For example, in the case of electronic book content, the first and second monitor screens 2 and 6 can be used to read a book in a double-sided spread style like a book, and in the translation function, both monitor screens 2 and 6 It can be used for a great deal of effect, such as displaying pre-translational and post-translational translations, and the conventional keyboard surface is a virtual key switch, so the notation of index characters and symbols related to the keys can be changed easily. As a result, unnecessary symbols and characters are no longer displayed in various scenes, making it easier to use and changing the structure of the main unit even between countries with different display languages and symbol display specifications. However, the product can be applied to different countries only by changing a part of the program. However, in the explanation of the present invention, the effect of the use of the second monitor screen 6 will be described. It omitted.

  In the second screen 6 of the main body 4 shown in FIG. 1, a character input editing screen 7 that enables character input is opened (in the following description, a new screen is displayed or the display is turned off) In particular, in the present invention, a plurality of groups of virtual switches are displayed like petals around a pointed switch, or another petal. As soon as the display is changed or the pointing is stopped, the display is stopped to close the petals.As a human interface with pointing as a fingertip, such an operation image leaves a strong impression, FIG. 2 shows the details of the character input editing screen 7.

  The character input editing screen 7 includes a character input screen 8 replacing the keyboard, a predicted word display screen 9, a kana-kanji conversion screen 10, and a text editing screen 11.

  The function of the character input editing screen 7 is to send a character string selected and input on the character input screen 8 to a conversion processing unit (not shown) of the Kana-Kanji conversion screen 10 and convert it into a kanji-mixed sentence if necessary. Then, it is sent to the text editing screen 11.

  In addition, the character strings selected on the character input screen 8 are sent to the predicted word processing unit (not shown) of the predicted word display screen 9 in the order of selection, and are predicted from the selected character string. Is displayed on the predicted word display screen 9 with an appropriate priority, and the displayed word or sentence is touched to the displayed word or sentence (they operate via a touch sensor). However, since the explanation is complicated, an operation that touches a virtual switch or the like displayed with display characters, patterns, symbols, and figures will be referred to as a touch, omitting a special situation, and a description of the intervention of the touch sensor will be omitted. ) Is sent to the text editing screen 11.

  Note that the touch in the normal operation not related to the character input of the present invention is an operation for confirming the input when confirming that the finger touches the touch sensor in the display image area such as a virtual switch. This is the same operation as a so-called tap that behaves so as to leave immediately after touching.

    On the other hand, when the touch operation is accurately classified in the present invention, it is confirmed that the finger touches the touch sensor in the display image area such as the virtual switch, the touch state is maintained, and then the finger is released from the touch sensor. Even when the operation is confirmed, the behavior of the fingertip is apparently similar to that of a tap. However, in the present invention, when described as a touch, touch-in (during contact) and touch-out ( It is assumed that separate events have occurred in both cases.

Further, in the present invention, at the time of the touch operation, after the touch-in, a flick operation may be performed in which the finger is caused to behave so as to touch out while sliding the finger in a certain direction.
This flick operation generates separate events at the time of touch-in and touch-out, identifies the behavior direction of the finger at the time of touch-out, and works to select one of a plurality of virtual switches. (See Patent Documents 1 and 4)

  In Patent Document 4, each of one touch operation, one tap operation, and one flick operation required to select one character is also called a gesture, but these touches, taps, The flick action is a deformation action when the finger is removed in the touch action, and all of them fall into the category of a series of single actions, and the single actions do not have a mapping relationship corresponding to a specific character in a one-to-one relationship. The touch, tap, and flick actions do not fall within the category of gestures composed of a combination of a plurality of actions.

  In addition, gestures such as fingertips are formed with the relative connection of multiple positions of the fingertips and cannot identify an absolute position, so only from information on touch, tap, or flick at one place. The character cannot be specified.

  However, when a word consisting of multiple characters is selected by touch, tap, or flick action, the trajectory of the fingertip that behaves to select the word is undoubtedly a gesture. It is sufficiently conceived from Patent Document 1 that the behavior of the fingertip or the pen tip generates a gesture for a word consisting of characters.

  On the text editing screen 11, after the input character string is corrected to the target word or sentence, it is sent to the character input section requested by the application of the electronic dictionary 1.

  A character input screen 8 in FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the present invention, and shows a screen in Japanese kana character input mode.

  The character input screen 8 is a character group selection virtual switch group 13 in which nine character groups for each line in the 50-sound diagram of a kana character are assigned. 14 shows a state in which a character selection virtual switch group 16 for touching the display graphic 15 indicating “ka line” and selecting one of the character groups of “ka line” is opened.

  The character input screen 8 includes a character group selection virtual switch group 13 composed of 3 rows and 3 columns in the center and functional switch groups 17a and 17b composed of virtual switches of 3 rows and 1 column on both sides thereof.

  Each switch of the function switch group 17a, 17b functions as a mode changeover switch group for inputting characters by mixing various character types. When each mode is in the Japanese kana character input mode, There are a kana (kana) mode, an alphabetic mode, a symbol mode, a numeric mode, and the like. When in the alphabetic input mode, there are an uppercase (lowercase) mode, a symbol mode, a numeric mode, a kana mode, and the like (see FIG. 3).

  The uppermost row 17a1 and 17b1 in the first row of each function switch group 17a and 17b is used for a command related to appropriate editing, a work procedure return (undo), a move command to another application, and the like.

  FIG. 3 shows a display state of each character input mode on each standby screen in Japanese and English on the character input screen 8 having the matrix arrangement of 3 rows and 5 columns.

  3, (a) shows the “Kana” mode for inputting Japanese hiragana, and (b) shows the character input screen 8 for “Kana” mode for inputting Japanese Katakana.

A switch written as “Kana” in the “Kana” mode shifts to the “Kana” mode, and similarly, a switch written as “Kana” in the “Kana” mode shifts to the “Kana” mode.
The mode switching here continues until the mode is switched to another mode, and is different from the temporary mode by attribute change described later.

In addition, switches indicated as “numbers”, “alphabetic letters”, and “symbols” assigned to other function switches shift to their respective modes.
Since the present invention is an invention related to character input, detailed description of inputting numbers and symbols is omitted.

  However, the Japanese dakuten symbol “”, semi-dakuten symbol “°”, punctuation mark “,”, punctuation mark “.”, And English comma, “,”, dot “.”, Semicolon “;”, colon “:” ”And other symbols used to separate sentences,“ blank ”(blank character or space character) indicating Japanese non-characters, and long-sound symbol“-”, Nakamaru symbol“ ・ ”, and English separators A “space” (character that indicates a delimiter of a character string with an English blank symbol) is treated as having a character attribute.

  3C and 3D, as in the Japanese character input screen 8, a virtual switch group is arranged in a matrix of 3 rows and 5 columns as a whole, and a character group selection virtual switch group at the center is arranged. A virtual switch group for selecting an alphabetic character group is assigned to 13, (c) is a lowercase alphabetic mode, (d) is an uppercase alphabetic mode, and each character arrangement is shown. Each of the virtual switches with a cross diagonal line indicates a character group selection virtual switch to which five consonants are assigned.

  When an alphabetic vowel is used as a single switch, five vowel switches and five consonant group switches are required, and a total of 10 virtual switches are required. The central virtual switch group 13 is a 3 × 3 matrix. Because of the structure, one virtual switch is insufficient, but this one is assigned to the upper function switch 17a1 on the left function switch group 17a.

  3 (e) is a modified example of (c), and similarly (f) is a modified example of (d). The virtual switch for selecting a vowel indicated by diagonal lines is shown in (c) and (d). It extends beyond the function switch 17a1 in the first row and the first column, but the width of the switch is narrowed from the first row and the second column to the first row and the fourth column, and the upper four switches are The modification according to the width | variety of three switches is shown, and the selection operation | movement and procedure which concern on character selection correspond to each exactly the same.

  The procedure and arrangement of character group formation in the alphabetic character selection mode will be described later, and the procedure for character input and character arrangement will be described first.

  Conventionally, in kana character selection using the Japanese syllabary chart, the first character of each line is used as a representative character and arranged in a matrix of 4 rows and 3 columns, and the first character of the line is 10 characters of “Akasana Hamaharawa” It is arranged in the matrix in order from left to right and from top to bottom from the first row and first column of the upper left column of the matrix, and the last “wa” is the second column of the fourth row. It is often arranged at the center of the lowermost stage, which is the eye (see Patent Document 4).

  The conventional 4 × 3 matrix structure is equivalent to the numeric keypad layout and telephone key layout, and is also used for the arrangement of character input for mobile phones.

  However, as one of the objects of the present invention, it is necessary to configure the kana character and the alphabet character input screen 8 to have a common or similar feeling.

The number of characters in the alphabet is approximately 60 characters including uppercase letters and lowercase letters excluding accented characters, and the kana characters are approximately 200 characters or more in total including kana characters and kana characters, excluding the symbol characters.
The ratio between the two is roughly about 1: 4, and kana characters are overwhelmingly larger. Therefore, in order to make the initial screen common, it is easier to obtain consistency when the number of character groups in the kana and kana modes is small.

  Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the line A and the line are merged, and “A / Y” is shown as the display pattern of the merged line of “A line” and “Ya line”. The number of character groups is 9 and the virtual switch group of the character selection screen 8 is a matrix of 3 rows and 3 columns. The reason why the row and the row are merged will be described later.

  By merging row and row into nine character groups, a 3 × 3 matrix structure of 3 rows and 3 columns can be used for the character input screen 8.

  In the present invention, this 3 × 3 matrix structure plays an important role in character selection, and the basic screen of the character group selection opportunity on the character input screen 8 is configured based on this 3 × 3 matrix structure. That impresses the important similarity as a human interface.

  Next, the execution point of the Japanese kana character input method using the character input screen 8 of FIGS. 3A and 3B will be described.

  4 to 7 show the graphic displayed on the character group selection virtual switch group 13 forming the standby screen and the graphic in the “Kana” mode (a) and the “Kana” mode (b). When one of the character group selection virtual switch groups 13 is touched with a finger 14, that is, when touched in as described above, the character selection virtual switch group 16 that makes an alternative selection next, and the virtual switch group 16 The relationship of the notation of the selected character displayed on each key top is shown for each selected character group.

  4 and 5 show the virtual switch group 13 in the “Kana” mode, the display graphic 15 representing the character group displayed on each virtual switch group 13, and the character group selection virtual displaying the display graphic 15. The figure shows the relationship between the character selection virtual switch group 16 that is opened when a touch-in is made to any one of the switch groups 13 and the characters assigned to the character selection virtual switch group 16.

  6 and 7 show the character group selection virtual switch group 13 in the “Kana” mode, the display graphic 15 representing the character group displayed on each virtual switch group 13, and the character displaying the display graphic 15. The character selection virtual switch group 16 that is opened when the group selection virtual switch group 13 is touched in and the relationship between the characters assigned to the character selection virtual switch group 16 are shown.

FIG. 4 shows the display group 15 in the character group selection virtual switch group 13 with “A / YA”, “KA line”, “SA line”, “TA line”, and “NA line”. Shows the display figures 15 having “ha line”, “ma line”, “ra line”, and “wa line”, respectively.
In the following description, when any one of the virtual switches is specified and described in the character group selection virtual switch group 13 and the character selection virtual switch group 16, the figure of the display figure 15 of the corresponding virtual switch. Or, a character will be described as a unique name of the switch, for example, “A / Y” switch, “KA line” switch, etc., and the same applies to the case of an alphabetic character to be described later.

  The character selection virtual switch group 16 is an alternative selection virtual switch group having a 3 × 3 matrix structure of 3 rows and 3 columns. The character selection virtual switch group 16 is a display figure touched when the character selection virtual switch group 16 is opened. A virtual switch in the center, to which the same characters as those displayed in FIG. 15 are assigned, is opened so as to overlap the display graphic 15 of the touched virtual switch group 13.

  That is, in each figure of FIG. 4 to FIG. 7, with respect to the display graphic 15 of the virtual switch group 13 that forms the character group selection switch shown on the leftmost side with the touched finger 14 as the center, immediately on the right side thereof. As shown in the drawing, each character selection virtual switch group 16 is opened so that a flower blooms around the central portion to which the first character of the line of the syllable diagram is assigned in the switch group 16. It has become.

  The character selection virtual switch group 16 having a 3 × 3 matrix structure functions as a single selection virtual switch as a whole, rather than a collection of nine virtual switches.

  In the virtual switch 16 opened with the finger 14 touched in the center, the character in the center is selected by touching out the finger 14 being touched (actually tapping) as it is. Characters in four directions are selected by touching out (substantially flicking) the finger 14 while sliding the finger 14 in the direction of the character that needs to be selected.

  When touch-out of the finger 14 is performed in an up / down / left / right diagonal direction, selection of characters arranged in an oblique direction with slightly different attributes from characters in the left / right / up / down / right directions, or a character group assigned to the virtual switch 16 An attribute change command that changes the entire attribute or an exception handling command is output.

  The character array to the character selection virtual switch group 16 is assigned according to the character attribute.

  First, hiragana and katakana attributes of kana characters are separated by mode switching switches “Kana” and “Kana” on the character input screen 8 as shown in (a) Kana mode and (b) Kana mode in FIG. It has been.

  The “Kana” and “Kana” attributes can be divided into clear sounds, muddy sounds, and semi-voiced sounds, and also can be selected as two-character stuttering, which is divided into direct sounds and stuttering sounds.

  In FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, by selecting the “A / YA” to “WA” switches of the character group selection virtual switch group 13 shown on the left side, the 3 × 3 matrix-shaped firsts shown on the right side of each switch respectively. The first character selection virtual switch group 16 displays a character having an attribute selected first as shown in the figure.

  The attribute of the first selected character is a clear sound related to the row of the consonant, and the direct sound that is frequently used among the attributes of the clear sound is in the order of the vowel “Aiueo” in the 3 × 3 matrix structure. They are arranged in the order of “middle, left, top, right, bottom” in the vertical and horizontal relations in the left, right, top and bottom.

Furthermore, among the clear sounds related to consonants, the characters having the stuttering attribute are the second-stage characters related to the row from the center of the matrix to the upper left, the upper right, and the lower right. It is arranged as a character with double vowels of “ya”, “yu” and “yo”.
In addition, a “muddy sound” switch that shifts to the muddy sound attribute is arranged on the lower left side.

  However, the “small” switch is located on the lower left side of the “A / Y” switch, the “exception” switch is located on the lower left side of the “wa line” switch, and the “na line” is a clear sound and no muddy sound. The left diagonally lower part of the switch, the [ma row] switch, and the “ra row” switch are undefined.

  Next, a description will be given of how to select, with the finger 14, each character arranged in the character selection virtual switch group 16 that is selected when any switch of each character selection virtual switch group 13 is selected.

  For example, in order to select one of the direct sounds “Kakiku Koko” of the clear sound “Ka Line”, the finger 14 touches the “Ka Line” switch of the character group selection virtual switch group 13.

  The “ka line” switch is opened in a state where the finger 14 is touching the central “ka” switch of the character selection virtual switch group 16 in the touch-in, and this “ka line” switch is the character selection virtual switch. The event for opening the group 16 has already ended, and the character selection control performed by the finger 14 is transferred to the character selection virtual switch group 16.

  The selection control of the finger 14 is carried over while touching the “ka” switch at the center of the newly opened character selection virtual switch group 16, and one of five direct sounds is selected according to the next touch-out state. The fingertip is waiting in a possible state.

  Therefore, to select any of the five direct sounds, the finger 14 touched in the center touches it out to select “ka”, flicks from the center to the left to select “ki”, Flicking up from the top selects “ku”, flicking from the center to the right selects “Ke”, and flicking from the center to the bottom selects “K”.

  This procedure is the same for any consonant row, but in the “wa row” shown in FIG. 5, there is only a straight sound “wa,”, so the long sound “-”, pronunciation “tsu”, Exceptional sound "n" is exceptionally placed in the direct sound attribute part.

  In the present invention, the muddy sound is arranged in the second character selection virtual switch group 16a, and the semi-muffled sound is arranged in the third character selection virtual switch group 16b, respectively, The “semi-turbid” sound is selected by changing the attribute by the “semi-turbid” switch on the lower left of the second character selection virtual switch group 16b related to the “line” switch.

  In the conventional kana character input, the muddy sound is processed by adding a muddy sound symbol “” to the clear sound, and the semi-voiced sound is processed by adding the semi-voiced sound “°” to the clear sound.

However, the character code of the character has a muffled character, and the font also has a muddy character font, the character image of the sentence imagined when entering the character, and the character image when actually entering the character And the number of beats of the sound and the number of letters are inconsistent, causing a problem.
For example, although “ga” is a character for one night, if “ka” + “” ”is input at the time of input, two characters are input.

The same is true for stuttering in terms of the number of beats.
The roaring sound is pronounced as an overnight sound, but when inputting characters, it is selected as two characters, and is mainly expressed by adding a lower case “ya line” to the second straight sound of each line.

For example, when examining “ka line”, the second letter in the direct sound of “ka line” is “ki”, and the roaring sound of “ka line” is “kya” “kyu” Become.
Therefore, in order to input a one-night roaring sound that pronounces “Kya” in “ka line”, two characters “ki” + “nya” are input.

  On the other hand, in Roman character input, it seems that there is no inconvenience at first glance because the sound image is processed with the spelling of one night that pronounces “kya”, but this vowel vowel part “nya” = “ya” = (Ia), “yu” = “yu” = (iu), and “yo” = “yo” = (io) are troublesome in keyboard input.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new input format. If this is a human interface, the user needs to learn (learn) the new procedure and arrangement (rule).
The above mismatch in the number of beats of the pronunciation of a character and the number of characters to be entered cannot be dealt with unless a new procedure or rule is created, so the user must proceed according to the procedure or rule. Don't be.

  In addition, a roaring sound may be accompanied by a lower case “A line” or a lower case “の” of “wa”, and handling of the roar is very troublesome.

  Patent Document 3 is based on the application of the present applicant, and paying attention to the fact that stuttering is formed by double vowels created by overlapping two vowels. After selecting a required consonant, a vowel related to the consonant is selected. In the direct sound selection opportunity to select and select a direct sound, a selection opportunity is given to both a single vowel attached to the direct sound (one vowel) and a double vowel attached to the stuttering, and either the direct sound or the stuttering is selected. It is described that it is possible to select a roaring character by selecting one of them together.

  The vowel part “nya” = “ya” = (ia), “yu” = “yu” = (iu), “yo” = “yo” = (io) in the above-described Roman character input is indicated by (). In addition, a double vowel is formed by superimposing vowels. As a result, the stuttering can be realized as a sound in which the direct vowel part is a double vowel.

  In FIG. 4, the character arrangement to the character selection virtual switch group 16 related to the “A / Y” line of the upper display graphic 15 is that “YA” is a roar of the “A” vowel. , “A line” and “Ya line” are merged.

  Next, the method of inputting muddy sound will be described by taking “ka line” as an example. As described above, in the input of a straight sound in a clear sound, a straight sound character is obtained by tapping in the center and flicking in the four directions of left, right, up and down. The character selection virtual switch group 16 can be changed from the clear sound attribute (attribute for selecting a clear sound) to the muddy sound attribute of the currently assigned character group. , Flicking the touched finger 14 in the diagonally lower left direction.

  As described above, there is a “turbid sound” switch on the lower left, and if flicked toward it, the first character selection virtual switch group 16 illustrated in FIG. The second character selection virtual switch group 16a forming the attribute change selection opportunity shown in the right side of FIG.

  When the second character selection virtual switch group 16a is opened, the fingertip is already separated from the touch sensor after the finger 14 flicks and touches out to form an attribute change selection opportunity. The selection operation for selecting the second character selection virtual switch group 16a is usually a tap operation for any character.

However, when the first touch-in event to the central virtual switch in the second character selection virtual switch group 16a is canceled and a character is selected by the subsequent touch-out, the first virtual switch 16 Just like the selection of a clear sound in, you can tap the center and flick the four sides and diagonal.
Since this function is an alternative selection operation from a state in which the finger 14 is released, it can be selected by directly tapping on the surrounding virtual switches. That is, it is only necessary to ignore the attack on the center switch.

  In the “ha line”, the virtual switch on the lower left is indicated as “semi-turbid” on the screen where the second character selection virtual switch group 16a is opened. The character selection virtual switch group 16b is opened, and a semi-voiced sound character can be selected by flicking or tapping as in the case of the cloudy sound. Also in this case, a “semi-turbid” switch for changing the attribute from the muddy sound to the semi-muddy sound is assigned to the flick operation from the center of the matrix to the diagonally lower left.

  The third character selection virtual switch group 16b can be either flicked from the center virtual switch or directly tapped to the surrounding virtual switches.

  In the first character selection virtual switch group 16 for selecting a clear sound, a vowel part of a character (sound) that makes a direct sound with a clear sound is displayed on the upper left, upper right, and lower right. A roaring sound is arranged in place of the vowel part of the formed character (sound).

  The roaring sound is the second stage sound, for example, “Kakoku” is the clear sound, and the direct sound is “Kakikukeko”, and the second column (second) sound “Kiki” from the left of this row is This is the second stage sound.

  Many of the roaring sounds that are usually used are the sound of each row, with the second (second) sound of the direct sound, followed by the lower case “ya, yu, yo” of “ya line”. All lines are supported. The lines that are quiet and have no stuttering are “Ya-yoko” and “Wa-yuku”, and the “Ya-yoko” and “Wa-yō” are the sound of the vowel “A-y”. Corresponds to the vowel “Aiueo”. (See Patent Document 3)

  Therefore, the character selection virtual switch group 16 in each line that is quiet and stuttering has different attributes on the left diagonally upper, right diagonally upper, and right diagonally, and the voice related to the voice and the vowel. A stuttering sound related to the second stage sound is arranged.

In order to select a clear and stuttering character having a different attribute from that of a clear and straight character, it is performed by oblique flicking.
As for this stuttering, the attribute of stuttering with muffled sound in the second character selection virtual switch group 16a and the third character selection corresponding to the arrangement of the stuttering and stuttering attributes in the first character selection virtual switch group 16 In the virtual switch group 16b, a semi-turbid sound and a stuttering attribute are provided, and in both cases, the basic clear sound and the direct sound are arranged in accordance with the arrangement of the muddy sound and the semi-turbid sound.

  In the lower left of the first character selection virtual switch group 16 in “A / Y”, “small letters” are attached, but each character selected by the first character selection virtual switch group 16 is small. The letters are all double vowels, that is, the double vowel part of the character to form a stuttering. The flick to the “small letter” is a double vowel from the single vowel of “Aiueo” and “Yayuyo”. Attribute change to “Ie ぅ” and “Yuyo”.

  The “small characters” of the second character selection virtual switch group 16a of “A / Y” are generally not used alone, and they follow the direct sound of either a clear sound, a muddy sound, or a semi-murky sound. A character that works as a roaring sound. The vowel part (vowel) of the preceding straight character (sound) overlaps the sound of the following small letter (vowel) to form a double vowel. Produces a roar that adds a double vowel to the consonant of a certain straight letter.

  For example, “ha,” “hui,” “huo,” “hu,” “hu,” “hu,” “hu,” “hu,” “huo,” “hu,” “hu,” “huo,” “hu,” There is a roaring sound (not a direct sound) written as “Fee” or “Fu”.

  As for stuttering, it seems that there is a slight difference between stuttering used as a Japanese language and stuttering as a phonetic character of kana characters. It seems to be flexible.

  The most important example is the kana notation of foreign words, and it is possible to express almost similar sounds without using special phonetic symbols.

In the present invention, when this stuttering is input as a Japanese written character, the first character selection virtual switch group 16 is selected while visually checking the stuttering for one night arranged in an oblique direction. To input foreign words and stuttering sounds that are not normally used, a second character selection virtual switch group of “A / YA” switches that summarizes direct vowels and double vowels. In 16a, it can be processed substantially.
However, “ゎ” (small letter) on the upper left of the “Wa” switch is an exceptionally double vowel, but is left as an exception.

  However, since this “wa line” switch is a special character group containing exceptional characters, there is no particular inconvenience.

  Note that the “exception” of the second character selection virtual switch group 16a of “A / Y” opens the third character selection virtual switch group 16b by tapping or flicking it, and a special character related to this line is input. it can.

  The same applies to the “exception” diagonally to the lower left of the first character selection virtual switch group 16 of “Wa”. The flick here opens the second character selection virtual switch group 16a, and the dash mark “ ”, Semi-half-dot symbol“ ° ”, and Nakamaru symbol“ • ”, etc., so that exceptional characters that are not related to“ wa line ”can be input.

  In this way, exceptional characters that do not belong to the rules (rules) that define the original attribute as a kana character are handled as exceptions in the first row “A / Y” or the last row “Wa” of the row attribute. Is set as

  In particular, “wa line” in the last line has the character attributes of “wa line”, such as repellent sound “tsu”, long clef symbol “-”, prompt sound “n”, punctuation mark “,”, punctuation mark “.”, Etc. This part includes “End”, and this part is a collection of unique characters whose attributes are similar to those of “End” and “Exception”, and the exception processing is aggregated for easy understanding.

  Since the “Kana” mode in FIGS. 6 and 7 is in a mirror image relationship with the “Kana” mode, a detailed description thereof is omitted with the description of the “Kana” mode.

  FIG. 8 shows a procedure for dividing alphabetic characters in English into a small number of characters for easy input.

  In FIG. 8, the alpha bed character string shown in the uppermost row has five vowels extracted from the alpha bed character string shown in the next row to separate consonants and vowels.

  The consonant character strings from which the vowels are separated are divided into a set of five consonant groups in order from the top of the character string without changing the order, and a consonant character group is formed at the center as shown in the figure. Yes.

  In each consonant character group, it is easy to understand that the first character and the last character of the group are connected by a waveform symbol to form a display graphic 15 representing the group.

  However, Alphabed character strings have a long history, and their character sequences are well known not only by those who use Alphabed as their mother tongue, but also by those whose native language is not English.

  Alphabed strings are widely used around the world as index strings for dictionaries, dictionaries, and other databases. Therefore, vowels are extracted and groups of 5 are grouped without changing the order of only consonants. Even if it is made, it is not necessary to newly train and memorize which character is included in which group, and it is possible to construct a character group that can easily know the character arrangement.

In this way, since the alphabet string is a well-known character string, the display graphic 15 of the consonant character group, which is a set of five, without changing the order of only the consonants, is expressed as b to g, h. ~ M, n ~ s, t ~ y, z ~. Even if it is abbreviated, the character structure of the character group is sufficiently understood.
However, since it is too large for the display graphic 15, a waveform symbol is attached below the first character and used as the display graphic 15 representing the consonant character group.

  Since each switch of the character group selection virtual switch group 13 with the display graphic 15 of each consonant character group is assigned a plurality of characters to one switch as one character group, a cross diagonal line is added. To illustrate.

  A vowel group is a single virtual group that is assigned to a single operation virtual switch with five vowels extracted, and one vowel group is formed by five vowels. Sometimes assigned to a switch.

  When one vowel is assigned to each virtual switch in the character group selection virtual switch group 13, each virtual switch is illustrated with the character display graphic 15 and a diagonal line, and one virtual switch is illustrated. A switch that forms a vowel group, represents the first character, and has a waveform symbol below it to indicate the display graphic 15 is shown with cross diagonal lines.

When the display graphic 15 of a character assigned to a single function virtual switch with a diagonal line is indicated in the specification, lowercase letters “a” “e” “i” “o” “u” Is “A”, “E”, “I”, “O”, “U”, and in the case of the display figure 15 with cross diagonal lines representing vowels, [ a ] “ A ” and the wavy lines are replaced with underscores. It shall be expressed as

Similarly, the representative figure 15 of each consonant group includes, in small letters, “ b ” for b to g, “ h ” for h to m, “ n ” for n to s, “ t ” for t to y , z to. Is represented as “ z ”, and in capital letters B to G are “ B ”, H to M are “ H ”, N to S are “ N ”, T to Y are “ T ”, Z to. Is represented by “ Z ”, and in the notation of the present specification, the wavy line is replaced with an underline. In addition, the notation of drawing is shown in the state of the wavy line.

  9 and 10 show the relationship between the virtual switch and each character in the alphabetic mode. FIG. 9 shows the character arrangement of each consonant character group and the character arrangement of each vowel in the alphabetic lowercase mode. Indicates each consonant character group in English uppercase mode and the character arrangement of each vowel.

  When the standby screen of the character input screen 8 is touched into the virtual switch 13 assigned to the consonant character group with cross diagonal lines in the alphabetic mode in the lowercase mode (c) and the uppercase mode (d) of FIG. Corresponding to the display graphic 15 attached to each virtual switch 13, the virtual switch 16 having a 3 × 3 matrix structure has the first character selection virtual centered on the virtual switch with the touched display graphic 15. The switch group 16 opens.

  In FIG. 9, the virtual switches of the character group selection virtual switch group 13 are shown with the one corresponding to the consonant divided into the upper row and the one corresponding to the vowel divided into the lower row, and the graphic displayed on each consonant switch and the vowel switch. The character selection virtual switch group 16 that opens so as to overlap the virtual switches by touching the individual virtual switches with the virtual switches 15 attached downward is shown separately.

Actually, for example, in the consonant, when the finger 14 touches the “ b ” switch of the character group selection virtual switch group 13 shown below, the “ b ” switch is placed above (upper surface as a surface) and above. The character selection virtual switch group 16 is opened in a state where the “b” switch in the center of the 3 × 3 matrix shown overlaps, and the finger 14 touched in the “ b ” switch of the virtual switch group 13 at that time is the character selection virtual switch group. When 16 opens, it is already touched in to the central “b” switch.

This state is the same for each “ h ” switch, “ n ” switch, “ t ” switch, and “ z ” switch of each display graphic 15 representing each character group.

  The arrangement of each consonant in the character selection virtual switch group 16 is arranged in the order of the alpha bed arrangement, with the center as the first, the left as the second, the upper as the third, the right as the fourth, and the lower as the fifth.

  Each character in each consonant character group starts from where it is touched in. In this case, if you tap (in this case, it is already touched in, it will be touched out), the center character will flick to the left, and the left character will , And so on, according to the direction flicked left, right, up and down, the character assigned to that direction is selected.

  In one of the character selection virtual switch groups 16 in each character group, there are those in which accent characters are arranged on the upper left side and the upper right side, in addition to the left, right, upper and lower four directions.

  Accent characters, if any one of the character groups has the accent character as another attribute, the order of each diagonal direction is as follows. They are arranged sequentially according to the order of the characters (the characters before the accent).

The character selection virtual switch group 16 corresponding to each character group at each character selection opportunity assigns a “blank” character diagonally to the lower right in any of the consonant character groups “ b ” to “ z ”.

  The “blank” character in English letters is called “space” or “SP” and is used as a word delimiter with a special function assigned. On the keyboard, it is a special character assigned to the space bar. is there.

  In the present invention, in any scene of English character input, at any input opportunity of any character group, flicking diagonally downward to the right will input a “blank” character and finish spelling the input word It is supposed to be.

  Similarly, each character selection virtual switch group 16 in each character selection opportunity is flicked diagonally to the left to change the attribute so that the attribute of the input character is temporarily changed from the lowercase mode to the uppercase mode. It has become.

  FIG. 10 shows the character arrangement of each character selection virtual switch group 16 in the uppercase alphabetic mode, and is symmetrical with the character arrangement of each character selection virtual switch group 16 in the lowercase alphabetic mode of FIG. Other than the character shape, the same sounds are arranged at the same position.

The relationship between lowercase letters and uppercase letters in vowels, which will be described later, is the same.
The vowels shown in the lower part of FIG. 9 are opened so as to overlap the virtual switch group 13 with the virtual switch 13 for selecting the character group to which each vowel display graphic 15 is attached in the same manner as in the case of the consonant. The virtual switch group 16 is shown separately above.

  Since each vowel in the character group selection virtual switch group 13 has one vowel assigned to one switch, the character selection virtual switch group 16 cannot normally be opened. Is assigned an accent character.

  The character selection virtual switch group 16 of the “a” switch to the “u” switch of each vowel is assigned a vowel character displayed on the display graphic 15 at the center.

  Accent characters with different central vowel attributes are arranged as shown in the left, right, up, and down directions from the center in each character selection virtual switch group 16.

  In addition, accent letters having different attributes from those arranged on the left, right, top and bottom are also arranged as shown in the figure on the diagonally upper left from the center of the “a” switch and the diagonally upper right of the center of the “o” switch.

The details of the accent character are omitted.
In the character selection virtual switch group 16 for each vowel, a “blank” switch is arranged diagonally to the lower right from the center, and a “large character” switch for changing the attribute of lowercase letters to uppercase is arranged obliquely from the center to the lower left. Yes.

The input procedure for alphabetic characters is as follows. Characters are entered on the character input standby screen in either the lowercase or uppercase alphabetic input mode of the character input screen 8 shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D. In this case, the lower-case mode is usually preferentially set, and a character input waiting screen is formed.

In the character group selection virtual switch group 13 forming a 3 × 3 matrix, each switch constituting a consonant character group with cross-hatched lines is “ b ” switch in the second row and first column, and “ h ” switch in the second row 2. In the column, the “ n ” switch is arranged in the third row and the first column, the “ t ” switch is arranged in the third row and the second column, and the “ z ” switch is arranged in the third row and the third column.

Of the vowel switches with slashes, the “e” switch is the upper function switch 17a1 of the function switch group 17a, and the “i” switch is the character group selection virtual switch group that forms a 3 × 3 matrix on the right side of the function switch 17a1. 13, the “o” switch is arranged in the first row and the second column, the “u” switch is arranged in the first row and the third column, and the first character “a” switch of the vowel is the consonant “ h ”is arranged in the second row and the third column on the right.

  In this character arrangement, the vowel “e” switch protrudes from the 3 × 3 matrix, but the vowels arranged on the right side of the “e” switch are arranged in the order of the character string.

  (E) and (f) in FIG. 3 are obtained by forcibly applying the “e” switch to the “u” switch to the size of the character group selection virtual switch group 13 having a 3 × 3 matrix structure. Specifically, it is a modification of (c) and (d), and is functionally exactly the same.

  In the following, (c) alphabetic lowercase mode and (d) alphabetic uppercase mode in FIG. 3 will be described. Since the character arrays are symmetrical with each other in a mirror image relationship, they are illustrated in alphabetic lowercase mode (c). I will explain it.

When attention is paid to the arrangement of the switches “ b ” to “ z ” with cross-hatched lines, the other four switches excluding the “ z ” switch are gathered in a rectangular shape.

Before paying attention to the cluster of these four switches, paying attention to the protruding “ z ” switch, as shown in “ z ” in FIG. Is occupied by delimiters “,” to “:”.
When the appearance frequency of the “z” character in the alphabet character string is examined, it becomes about 0.05% as an example.

  As an example, the total number of characters 252962 (letters only) is extracted from an English sample sentence with a total word number of 6,016 words (including symbolic numbers), and the total number of each character is calculated and arranged in order as follows: Become.

  1st place is “e”, 33337, 2nd place is “i”, 21411, 3rd place is “a”, 19841, 4th place is “n”, 18820, 5th place is “o”, 17587, 6 "R" is 16303, 7 is "s", 14746, 8 is "h", 12040, 9 is "c", 10277, 10 is "d", 10130 , “Z” is 133 in 25th place and 103 in “j” at the end.

For other characters included in the “ z ” switch, 2369 “,”, 2331 “.”, 135 “;”, and 69 “:” are included in sorting including codes. .

  The total number of vowels is 98244, and the total number of consonants is 154718. From this, the appearance frequency of vowels and consonants is 38.8%, and the consonant is 61.2%.

From the above, a collection of four consonant “ b ”, “ h ”, “ n ”, and “ t ” switches that omit the “ z ” switch is accessed for more than 60% of the characters in the English input. .

  In addition, the “a”, “e”, “i”, “o”, and “u” switches of each vowel have approximately 40% access as a whole, and the “e” switch alone reaches 13%.

As shown in FIG. 3C, the “a” switch is arranged on the right side of the “ h ” switch above the “ z ” switch.
In this first embodiment, the vowel switch does not form a character group so that each individual vowel operates alone.

  That is, as shown by the vowel character arrangement in FIG. 9, each of the “a” to “u” switches has the vowel letters arranged in the center of the character selection virtual switch group 16 and does not require an accent character. In this case, a vowel character is selected by tapping on the center character.

  In addition, when there is no need to input accented characters in English input, etc., touch each “a”, “e”, “i”, “o”, “u” switch in the character group selection virtual switch group 13 with diagonal lines. You can input the corresponding vowel characters just by doing.

  In order to open the character selection virtual switch group 16 by touching the hatched “a”, “e”, “i”, “o”, and “u” switches, the character group selection virtual switch group 13 When it is determined that the finger is released quickly by a timer that measures the time from touch-in to touch-out of each “a”, “e”, “i”, “o”, and “u” switch that is shaded, the corresponding switch is determined as a tap. When the vowel is input and is determined to be longer than the tap determination time, the character selection virtual switch group 16 is opened.

  After the character selection virtual switch group 16 is opened, the determination criterion of each virtual switch in the character selection virtual switch group 16 is followed.

  It is the simplest model as a human interface that characters written on the touched virtual switch can be input simply by touching each hatched “a”, “e”, “i”, “o”, “u” switch. Anyone who can understand the characters can operate the interface, and this interface is a low-training human interface that does not require skill or proficiency as long as the position of the displayed vowel is remembered.

As for the position of the displayed character, the virtual switches “ b ” to “ z ” in which only “a” is subjected to the cross diagonal line of the consonant are arranged, but “ b ” to “ z ” to which the cross diagonal line is attached are displayed. When coming familiar to the input of utilizing consonant, the "a" switch change "a" switch vowel character group, further allows a high degree of character input, step-by-step training character input Is the basis for doing this.

That is, the arrangement of the switches “ b ” to “ z ” with cross diagonal lines constitutes the character input waiting screen of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 and the third embodiment shown in FIGS. It is the basis of.

  One of the problems in the present invention is that a human interface is divided into a plurality of character groups as a character group with a small number of characters based on the character attributes in order to facilitate alternative selection as a human interface. Increase the number to multiple times, and reduce the number of selection elements that need to be selected in one alternative selection opportunity, and the spatial positional relationship and arrangement relationship of the small elements to be selected for each alternative selection opportunity As shown explicitly, the object is to select and input a desired character with a plurality of alternative selection opportunities while reliably visual confirmation without relying on skill or memory.

  Each vowel character illustrated in FIGS. 3C and 3D is explicitly displayed as a single switch in the state of the character input screen 8 serving as a character input standby screen.

  That is, 40% of the character input can be selected by directly touching the virtual switch in which the input character is explicitly set as the display graphic 15 in the character group selection virtual switch group 13 on the character input screen 8. The operator can input five vowel characters without hesitation even if he is a beginner.

Regarding the input of consonant characters, four “ b ”, “ h ”, “ n ”, and “ t ” switches arranged in a square are selected with a frequency of 60% of the input characters.

  These four consonant group switches are displayed on the display graphic 15 as shown in FIG. 9, and characters are input by tapping the center of each character selection virtual switch group 16, and the other four are each character. In the selected virtual switch group 16, the input is performed by flicking left, right, up and down from the center. If an accented character is assigned on the left and right diagonally, the character is input by flicking in that direction.

  When each character selection virtual switch group 16 is flicked from the center diagonally to the left, the character mode is temporarily reversed. In the lowercase mode, the uppercase mode character selection virtual switch group 16 is opened. The character selection virtual switch group 16 in the lowercase mode is opened.

At this time, the finger 14 is touched out, but when touching in the center switch again, the flick input is enabled from that point, and the center character is tapped to flick and the left and right and top and bottom characters are selected by flicking. be able to. If an accented character is assigned on the left and right diagonally, the character is input by flicking in that direction.
This case conversion function is also applied to the input of vowel characters.

  Each vowel character selection virtual switch group 16 in FIG. 9 has a “large” and “small” switch diagonally to the lower left from the center. When flicking in this direction, the character-selected virtual switch group 16 that has undergone attribute conversion opens. When you tap at the center, the character with the opposite attribute is input.

  In this attribute conversion, a character whose attribute has been changed is input simply by adding a flick motion in a diagonally downward left direction before a character selection motion by normal tap or flick.

This upper / lower case attribute conversion works just by adding the same flick motion in the diagonally lower left direction at any character selection opportunity.
This attribute conversion works in the same manner as the operation of the “Shift” key at the time of keyboard input.

  Furthermore, as described above, since the [blank] switch for both consonants and vowels is provided diagonally to the lower right from the center of each character selection virtual switch group 16, in order to input a word break, Depending on the character, use a consonant group switch or vowel switch suitable for the input procedure.

In the input of consonant characters, the four “ b ”, “ h ”, “ n ”, and “ t ” switches arranged in a square and the “ z ” switch arranged in the lower right are determined in mutual positional relationship, and each character selection virtual switch group 16 When the character arrangement of and the position of each vowel is determined, when inputting a character string (word or word) with a predetermined order, the route (trajectory) followed by the fingertip, and the tap, flick, etc. The hand gesture forms a gesture (mapping) corresponding to the character string.

  This gesture is replaced with another one when the arrangement of vowel characters is changed. If the arrangement of consonant character groups having an appearance frequency of 60% does not change, the arrangement of each vowel character is changed, or five vowels are changed. Even if one vowel character group is changed, it can be corrected relatively easily to a gesture corresponding to the character arrangement.

Each switch “ b ”, “ h ”, “ a ”, “ n ”, “ t ”, and “ z ” in the character group selection virtual switch group 13 was confirmed by visually checking the characters that need to be selected without performing flick input. Touch-in mode is set to enter characters by touching them.

  Flick input is input in a touch-out mode in which the direction when touch-out is detected and the input character is determined.

  Flick input enables high-speed character input in connection with gestures and rarely inputs display characters visually.

In order to perform both of these character confirmation modes, the flick input is touched when touching in each switch “ b ”, “ h ”, “ a ”, “ n ”, “ t ”, and “ z ” of the character group selection virtual switch group 13. Because the time to out is short, set a timer to measure the time you are touching, and if the touch is longer than the set time of that timer, switch to touch-in mode and do not have any events for the subsequent touch-out Don't make it happen.

That is, when the touch-in mode is entered, flick input cannot be performed.
Instead, when the operator finds the target character while slowly looking for the target character while visually checking the screen, the operator can directly touch the character and input the character.
A similar timer is set for each vowel character that is shaded, and an accent character can be selected while visually confirming directly with touch-in.

11 and 12 show another embodiment of the character input standby screen.
FIG. 11 shows another embodiment in which the character input screen 8a is suitable for a monitor screen 20 in a small portable terminal 19 such as a mobile phone or a smart phone, which is suitable for a vertically long and narrow screen.

  The character group selection virtual switch group 13 that constitutes the character group selection opportunity on the character input screen 8a has a virtual switch array of 2 rows and 5 columns, which is 1 in the vertical direction than that shown in FIG. The rows are made smaller, and the left and right function switches 17a and 17b are slightly vertically long to narrow the horizontal width.

  The character input screen 8a is a virtual switch in the character selection virtual switch group 16 for opening the character selection virtual switch group 16 constituting the character selection opportunity around the character group selection virtual switch group 13 constituting the character group selection opportunity. A margin for one pitch is required, and the function switches 17a and 17b also serve to fit the character input screen 8a within the margin.

  (A) and (b) in FIG. 12 show the “kana” mode and “kana” mode in Japanese kana character input, and (c) and (d) show the English lowercase mode and alphabetic uppercase in alpha bed input. Indicates the mode.

  In a portable terminal having a vertically long monitor screen 20 such as a cellular phone, the area occupied by the character input screen 8a in the character input opportunity is shortened in the vertical direction. improves.

  Further, the smaller the character input screen 8a in the vertical direction, the narrower the vertical movement range of the finger 14 to be operated. However, since the movement range in the left-right direction increases, the real area does not change much.

  When the character input screen 8a forming the standby screen is examined in a matrix structure, the character input screen 8 in FIG. 3 has a character group selection virtual switch group 13 having a 3 × 3 matrix structure, and the character entry screen 8a in FIG. Has a 2 × 5 matrix structure.

  In a human interface, when an action of searching for a desired character from a character string is performed, it is easier to search psychologically when the dimension of the search range is smaller.

  For example, in kana character input, when a Japanese elderly beginner contacts the character input screen 8 in FIG. 3 and the character input screen 8a in FIG. 12 for the first time, the character input screen 8 in a 3 × 3 matrix It is difficult to understand that there is no “ya line”, but it is readily apparent that there is no “ya line” on the 2 × 5 matrix character input screen 8a.

Moreover, if it is a person with normal knowledge, what will happen can be estimated if the display figure 15 of the character input screen 8a of FIG. 12 (a) and (b) is touched.
In other words, it is the same as purchasing a ticket at an automatic ticketing machine at a station, and it is predicted that what to do next is instructed.

  The same applies to (c) and (d) in FIG. 12, and (c) and (d) in FIG. 3 are fully compatible with each other.

However, in the case of English letters, the layout of the switches with cross hatching is not changed, and the positions of the “a” and “A” switches of the vowels with hatching are “ z ” next to “ b ” and “ B ”. It is important to decide on “ Z ”.

11 and 12, except for the character input screen 8 a, any one of the character group selection virtual switch group 13 is selected, and the character selection virtual switch group 16 is opened to select each character. Is the same as in the previous embodiment.
It should be noted that symbols and the like that are frequently used may be appropriately set in the undefined portion in the second row and fifth column of the character input screen 8a in FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b).

  FIG. 13 is a one-screen book-type portable terminal device 21 that has a relatively wide screen and is suitable for one-handed thumb operation with the thumb 24 of the right hand 23 when held with both the left hand 22 and the right hand 23. The other Example which comprised the screen 8b is shown.

  FIG. 14 shows the arrangement of the character group selection virtual switch group 13 at the character group selection opportunity in the English lowercase mode on the character input screen 8b suitable for one-handed input of FIG. Another embodiment is shown in which the arrangement of the character group selection virtual switch group 13 is further developed to construct a more compact alphabetic character input screen.

In this embodiment, since there is no particular change in the input of kana characters, detailed description is omitted.
However, assuming that the character input screen 8 of (a) and (b) in FIG. 3 is applied as the character input standby screen for kana characters, the virtual switch layout used by the character input screen 8 is a square. This is indicated by a virtual line.
The square virtual line also corresponds to a margin area for displaying the character input virtual switch group 16, and is not displayed when actually implemented.

FIG. 14 shows the most compact structure for alpha bed character input, apart from consistency with kana characters.
The character group selection virtual switch group 13 is composed of six virtual switches having two rows and three columns, and a horizontally long functional switch group 18 having the same number of columns is provided below the character group selection virtual switch group 13.

The basis of this configuration is that the switch arrangement of the consonant character group shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D and FIGS. 12C and 12D is left as it is, and “a” of the vowel is left as it is. This is an embodiment in which the switch is a vowel group “ a ” with cross hatching.

14A shows a state before touching with the thumb, and FIG. 14B shows a state where the “ a ” switch is touched with the thumb 24.
The arrangement of each character group in the character group selection virtual switch group 13 of 3 rows and 2 columns is not limited to that shown in the figure, and the first row is “ a ”, “ b ”, and “ h ” in alphabetical order. You may make it the straight arrangement which made the eyes " n "" t "" z ".

  Regarding the arrangement of the character groups on the character group selection virtual switch group 13 and the way of dividing the alphabet character strings, it will be a subject to be solved in the future, considering the mutual interference of gesture gestures according to each word (word). is there.

Next, a specific example of inputting English using the character arrangement shown in FIGS.
The appearance frequency of two or more words excluding numerals and symbols is extracted from the above-described sample sentences for which the appearance frequency of characters is obtained, and is shown below.

The first place is [the], which has 5764 occurrences, the appearance frequency is 9.3%, and the input type is “ttf”.
The second place is [of], with 1827, appearance frequency of 2.9%, and the input type is "ff".
The third place is [and], with 1348 occurrence frequency of 2.2%, and the input type is “ttf”.
The fourth place is [to], 1342 occurrence frequency is 2.1%, input type is “tf”.
The fifth place is [is], with 1134 occurrence frequency of 1.8%, and the input type is “ff”.
The sixth place is [in], with 994 appearance frequency of 0.16%, and the input type is “ft”.
The 7th place is [an], there are 502, the appearance frequency is 0.08%, and the input type is “tt”.
The 8th place is [for], with 494 occurrence frequency 0.08%, and the input type is “fff”.
The 9th place is [be], which has 464 appearance frequency of 0.07%, and the input type is “tf”.
The 10th place is [by], and there are 401, the appearance frequency is 0.06%, and the input type is “tf”.
The 11th place is [with], there are 326, the appearance frequency is 0.05%, and the input type is “fftt”.
The 12th place is that], with 274 appearance frequency 0.04%, and the input type is “tttt”.

  The input type shown here is “t” when tapping or touch-input is performed, and “f” is flicking from the switch in the center of the 3 × 3 matrix in the vertical and horizontal directions. Flick to is represented as “F”, and flick right down from the center is represented as “S”. Tap or touch and flick required to input one word (in touchout input, touch-out 1 One action of a fingertip to generate one event is defined as one step), and the steps arranged in the order of occurrence are represented in “” and expressed as the input type of the word to be input It is.

The first place [the] is expressed in lowercase letters in normal sentences, but at the beginning of the sentence, the first letter is often entered as uppercase letters.
In English input, some editing software automatically processes the first character of a paragraph, but many words with capital letters appearing in the middle of the paragraph also appear. When prompt input is required, it is troublesome to deal with mode conversion between uppercase and lowercase.

As can be seen from the input types of the top 1 to 12 of the appearance frequency, it is understood that all the character input in the lower case mode or the upper case mode has the same input types “t” and “f” as the number of characters. That is, the number of characters and the number of steps are the same.
However, in practical character input, the first character of a word may be capitalized, or a delimiter space (a symbol in some cases) is always input at the end of a word.

For example, the input type of [The] one word is “ttf”, but the actual input type is input as “FttfS”.
That is, first, “F” in the “ t ” switch is obliquely moved to the lower left to change the attribute of the lowercase character to uppercase mode. Thereafter, the fingertip is moved so as to repeat the operation, and the uppercase “ T ” switch Tap “t” to input [T], and then tap “t” on the “ h ” switch and “f” on the “ a ” switch to input [he] in the set lowercase mode. Then, at the position of the “ a ” switch that was last input by flicking, flicking “S” diagonally to the lower right and inputting a “blank” character as in the repetitive operation.

In the present invention, a unique input-type part corresponding to the number of characters of a word is remembered as a series of gestures regardless of uppercase and lowercase letters. Input using the attribute change selection opportunity to be performed.
There are 12 types of words with high appearance frequency, and the combined appearance frequency reaches 24%, and learning these 12 word gestures is equivalent to mastering 24% of English input.

  There are many noun forms and proper nouns that appear in actual sentences, so it is difficult to master them all. However, it is expected to speed up character input by memorizing parts with common character sequences as gestures. it can.

In addition, changing the attribute of the first character or entering a blank character does not change the stem gesture of the word, but as a decorative “hand gesture” or a “hand gesture” that decorates the beginning of the gesture. There is no need to train on each word.
It should be noted that the transition to input of accent characters requires some training.

  FIGS. 15 to 18 show each virtual switch of the character group selection virtual switch group 13 in 2 rows and 3 columns overlapped with the character selection virtual switch group 16 that opens when each switch is touched.

In FIG. 15, the standby screen in the English lowercase mode is used as a new character input screen 8b, and each character group selection switch “ b ” “ h ” “ a ” “ n ” in each character group selection virtual switch group 13 of the character input screen 8b. The character selection virtual switch group 16 in the character selection opportunity when “ t ” and “ z ” are touched, and the characters assigned to the respective character selection virtual switch groups 16 and displayed.

In FIG. 16, as in FIG. 15, the standby screen in the alphabetic capital letter mode is used as a new character input screen 8 b, and the character group selection switches “ B ” and “ B ” in the character group selection virtual switch group 13 of the character input screen 8 b are displayed. Character selection virtual switch group 16 at the character selection opportunity when H “ A ” “ N ” “ T ” “ Z ” is touched, and each character assigned and displayed to each character selection virtual switch group 16 Is shown.

  Each character assigned to the character selection virtual switch group 16 is the same as that shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, but the character group selection virtual switch group 13 shows a state of being opened at the touched switch. ing.

FIG. 17 shows a case where a vowel character group is selected in the English lowercase mode, and the virtual switch of “ a ” of the display graphic 15 that displays the vowel character group is touched in at a character selection opportunity in which each vowel character is selected. Then, on the vowel character selection screen that opens after that, you can change the attribute of the vowel character group by performing an operation different from the normal character selection operation, and select the accent character group for each vowel character after the attribute change It shows the displayed state.

  FIG. 18 shows a state in which the accent character group for each vowel character after the attribute change is displayed in a selectable manner in the English uppercase mode, as in FIG.

  The following description will be given in the lowercase alphabetic mode, but the same applies to the uppercase alphabetic mode, and the description of the uppercase mode will be omitted.

When the vowel character group “ a ” switch at the upper right end of the first row and third column is touched among the six switches of the character group selection virtual switch group 13 on the character input screen 8b shown in the upper part of FIG. as shown in Hidariretsu center, just above the "a" switch, character selection virtual switch group 16 is opened in a state of overlapping the center "a" switch that of 3 × 3 matrix.

  To select a normal vowel character in this state, tap “a” in the center (touch out), “e” flick left, “i” flick up, “o” right Flick, and “u” flick down to select each.

  However, in order to open each character selection virtual switch group 16 of the vowel in FIG. 9 and select an accent character, the attribute is changed from the character selection virtual switch group 16c of the currently open vowel group, and FIG. The character selection virtual switch group 16d for selecting the accent character group for each vowel shown must be opened.

  For the character selection virtual switch group 16c of the vowel group, a long press time longer than the set time of the timer for discriminating the touch-out mode that enables the flick input and the touch-in mode that is input by direct touch is set, When the long press time of the “a” switch at the center of the character selection virtual switch group 16c in the vowel character selection is detected and exceeds the detection time of the touch-in mode, the attribute of the “a” character shown in FIG. The character selection virtual switch group 16d for selecting the changed accent character is opened.

  In the center of the character selection virtual switch group 16d opened here, no character is defined and is undefined, and after flicking in a direction where a desired accent character is present or touching out once. Touch the desired accent character.

  Similarly, the other vowel characters “e”, “i”, “o”, “u” are not flicked in the direction of the characters, but are slid while touching (moving) and are in that direction. The character selection virtual switch group 16d for selecting accent characters whose attributes of the vowel characters are changed is opened (see FIGS. 17 and 18).

In the center of each character selection virtual switch group 16d opened here, none of the characters can be defined and are undefined. Touch out to the desired accent character.
In addition, in “e”, “i”, “o”, and “u”, a touch is made to adopt a touch-out mode in which flick input can be used after a finger is slid with touching (moving) for a long time. The character selection virtual switch group 16d must be opened at each finger.
FIGS. 17 and 18 show a state in which the character selection virtual switch group 16d is open at the character selection virtual switch group 16c of the moved fingertip so that flick input can be performed.

  In FIG. 19, the keyboard surface of the notebook computer 25 is a monitor screen 26 with a touch panel, which has two normal monitor screens 27 and 2, and the character input means 8b in the character input mode shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. Another embodiment is shown in which is improved to a character input screen 8c suitable for inputting Japanese kana characters into Roman characters.

  FIG. 20 shows an example of the character input screen 8c. In FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the character input screen 8b shown as an alphabetic character input standby screen is shown in the character group selection virtual switch group 13 and the lower part thereof. The function switch group 18 is divided into separate modules so that each can be moved freely within the monitor screen 26, and the display size can be appropriately enlarged or reduced.

  The character group selection virtual switch group 13 has a two-row, three-column matrix structure in which all the character groups are cross-hatched, and the entire display figure forms one object, and the object is floated on the screen. By dragging the point P1 on the upper left, it can be moved freely.

  The objects of the virtual switch group 13 can be enlarged and reduced to change the size of the display object by dragging a diagonally lower point P2 in the diagonal direction.

When inputting a desired word by touching, tapping, or flicking the character input screen 8b with one hand, and inputting a required word, the character input screen 8b can be selected according to the size of the individual hand of the operator and the length of the finger. Appropriate values are generated for the size and the distance from the edge of the monitor screen 26 to the virtual switch group 13.
Also, the size of the switch that is properly recognized as a virtual switch varies depending on the skill level of the operation.

  The character group selection virtual switch group 13 shown in FIG. 20 (a) overcomes the problem of individual differences and adjusts the position and size so as not to interfere with the display screen of the application running on the monitor screen 26. Can improve usability.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 20B, by separating the function switch group 18 for mode switching, the part of the virtual switch group 13 necessary for the character input operation is left at an appropriate position for input, and one-hand operation is performed. The part is made small and compact, interference with the above-mentioned application is reduced, and the function switch 18 is also made a floating object, and the movement point P3 and the enlargement / reduction point P4 are provided at the upper left and lower right to move. And it is possible to freely reduce.

  Further, when the function switch group 18 comes to the edge of the monitor screen 26, the shape of the object is changed to be vertically or horizontally along the edge so as not to obstruct the application, and the left hand 22 in FIG. When moved to the thumb 28, character input can be performed with the thumb 24 of the right hand 23 and mode switching can be performed with the thumb 28 of the left hand 22, respectively, and the operability is further enhanced.

  Moreover, since the number of virtual switches is greatly reduced compared to the number of switches used in the kana character input mode according to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the function switch group 18 is separated, so that it is very compact, and Consistency with English input is easier.

The function switch group 18 shown in FIG. 20B is provided with an “R” mode that is switched to the “English” mode.
The “R” mode represents a Roman character input mode for inputting an alphabetic character and converting it into a kana character.

  In addition, the function switch group 18 including the Romaji mode change switch set with “R” is provided with a mode changeover switch for switching between the “Kana” and “Kana” modes in the Romaji mode. In input, the same attribute conversion as the mode conversion of “Kana” and “Kana” can be performed.

  However, in Roman mode input, the “Large” switch and “Small” switch at the lower left, which change the attribute of uppercase and lowercase characters when inputting in alphabetic mode, do not actually function. In the “Kana” mode, it is set to [On], and in the “Kana” mode, “Kana” is set as a switch to reverse the mode. The mode is restored as “out” and “out” to return the mode.

    Since the attribute conversion of alphabetic characters is for each character, the attribute mode conversion switch may not have a toggle function, but a kana character is required during input in the "Kana" mode for Roman character input. In this case, it is input as Katakana, so it is more convenient to enter “Kana” mode with the “Enter” switch and exit Kana mode with the “Exit” switch. Since the diagonally lower flick and the diagonally lower right flick are accompanying decoratively, it is not necessary to specially train as a specific word gesture.

  The ability to input Roman characters on the alphabet input screen 8c for inputting the alpha bed means that Japanese words can be input as they are by gestures to the six virtual switches 13, and if the skill level is increased, high speed Japan You can also enter words.

  When a Japanese uses the English keyboard to input Japanese romaji, the image of the word to be entered appears as an introductory word in Japanese. The movement of the fingers of both hands by the gesture is typed into an alphabetic character on the keyboard, and the typed alphabetic character is taken into the computer as a kana character via the Roman character conversion function.

The same thing is performed on the character group selection virtual switch group 13 having only 6 2 × 3 matrix structures.
Of course, this is an input method that requires a high level of skill, but it is not impossible.
Because this high level of skill is required, the function of moving the character group selection virtual switch group 13 and the function of adjusting the size are necessary.

  There is a Chinese pea-in input for the same character input as described above. If you use the conversion function to convert to Chinese by English input, you can use it for Chinese character input as well. Gesture input by input is possible.

  FIGS. 21 to 24 show examples of character group selection opportunities, character selection opportunities, and attribute change selection opportunities by applying the character input screen 8 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 to 10 on the monitor screen 30 of the digital television 29. A character is input by operating each virtual switch of the character group selection virtual switch group 13 and the character selection virtual switch group 16 displayed on the monitor screen 30 of the digital television 29 with a pointing device such as a mouse or a trackball. An example of the above is shown.

  21 and 22 show a situation in which the character input screen 8 in the “kana” mode of FIG.

  FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 show a situation in which the character input screen 8 in the English lower case mode (c) in FIG.

  The virtual switch according to the present invention is not only a device that exhibits a selection function by a touch panel or a touch sensor, but can also select and select a virtual switch on a monitor screen of a personal computer with a pointer on a monitor screen using any computer. It can also be applied to the virtual switch displayed on the screen.

  FIG. 21 shows a screen for operating an Internet browser on the digital television 29. The browser requests input of a required character, and opens the character input editing screen 7 shown in FIG. Indicates the situation to be attempted.

  Since the digital television 29 uses a large monitor screen 30, the touch panel cannot be used because it is separated from the operator. Of course, the character group selection virtual switch group is indicated by the arrow-shaped pointer 31. Each of the 13 virtual switches is selected by pointing.

In the character input by the pointer 31, an event by touch-out which is possible with the touch sensor cannot be performed, so that flick input cannot be performed.
However, since a desired word / phrase can be displayed and input with a small number of input characters on the predicted word display screen 9 by using the large monitor screen 30, it is possible to input while slowly checking the input characters without requiring an input speed. Suitable for.

  This applies to both Japanese kana and English alphabet input, and provides a human interface that can eliminate the digital divide in an aging society.

Furthermore, the pointing means also uses the pointer 31 that moves in an analog manner by using each virtual switch 13 in sequence with a cursor that changes display brightness and display color while using the pointer 31 of the arrow, Thus, by selecting each virtual switch with a cursor that sequentially moves up and down, left and right between the virtual switches, the cursor is placed in the character group selection virtual switch group 13 and the character selection virtual switch group 16. To be trapped and moved.
As described above, the selection of the virtual switch does not require precise control by the pointing device so as to eliminate high-level training and skill in character selection.

  Such control is possible because the character group selection virtual switch group 13 that creates each character group selection opportunity and the character selection virtual switch group 16 that creates each character selection opportunity form a character group divided by the required number of characters. Since the required number of virtual switch groups are used, the cursor can be confined in the switch group and controlled.

  The cause of the loss of control of the pointing device by an elderly person or an unskilled operator is usually due to overdrive (overshoot), and when carrying the pointer to the target location, overdrive is performed. In addition, it is to repeat control that is pulled back to correct it.

  The character group selection virtual switch group 13 and the character selection virtual switch group 16 according to the present invention are based on a 3 × 3 matrix structure. If the control is performed so that the cursor does not protrude from the matrix structure, the character group selection virtual switch group 13 and the character selection virtual switch group 16 have a 3 × 3 matrix structure. Except for the central switch, there is a switch in the portion corresponding to the outer wall, and it is structured not to cause overdrive regardless of the direction.

  For this reason, a pointer that normally moves stepwise like a cursor is used as a pointing device using a four-way switch of a controller attached to the television. This four-way switch is used to operate a switch in a direction requiring control. There is inconvenience that the finger to be operated must be moved to the key top of each switch.

Elderly people are often confused by this finger change.
In the present invention, the cursor (high brightness point) is moved with the coordinate point movement count value for moving the pointer 31 such as an arrow controlled by a pointing device such as a mouse or a trackball.

  FIG. 25 shows a state in which there is a request for character input from an application running on an Internet browser in a digital television 29 connected to the Internet, and a character is directly sent to the character input location, and is used for that. As the character input screen, a situation is shown in which the character input screen 8c capable of inputting Roman characters shown in FIG. 20 is used.

  The character group selection virtual switch group 13 has six virtual switches arranged in two rows and three columns and is displayed relatively enlarged, and the function switch group 18 is displayed separated to the lower right. .

  The display window of the browser of the digital television 29 is controlled by a large arrow-shaped pointer 31 which rotates a ball 33 in a trackball type pointing device 32 held by the right hand. It is controlled.

The pointer 31 can move freely within the monitor screen 30 and can also control the browser screen.
When there is a character input request from the browser, the pointer 31 moves into the character group selection virtual switch group 13 on the character input screen 8c, and each virtual switch “ b ” to “ z ” in the same manner as the normal pointing operation. ”

  When the pointer 31 enters the area connecting the outer peripheries of the character group selection virtual switch group 13, the cursor mark 35 is located closest to the pointing point 34 (the tip of the arrow) of the pointer 31 as shown by the cross diagonal lines. Lights up (high brightness).

  This state is the same even when the character selection virtual switch group 16 is open. When the pointer 31 comes close to a selectable switch, the cursor mark 35 is lit, and the selection confirmation switch is pressed to select it. Yes.

The selection confirmation switch is below the ball 33 in the pointing device 32 (not shown), and when the ball 33 is pressed, the selection confirmation switch works.
This confirmation switch corresponds to a left click switch on the mouse in the PC operation system, Windows (trademark of Microsoft Corporation).

  The rotation of the ball 33 of the pointing device 32 is rotated by the thumb 36 that holds the pointing device 32, and the selection confirmation switch is also operated by the thumb 36 that rotates the ball 33.

  That is, the operation of moving the pointer 31 and the operation of confirming and confirming the position of the pointer 31 are performed by the thumb 36 controlling the pointer 31.

  Normally, if the thumb 36 is controlled, it is not necessary to use a cursor together. However, in the case of an elderly person, the pointer 31 is often overdriven even when the pointer 31 is moved to the next.

  However, according to the cursor constrained to the area of the character group selection virtual switch group 13 and the character selection virtual switch group 16, overdrive is greatly reduced, and it becomes easier to select a target switch.

  At this time, if the threshold value for exiting from the area of the character group selection virtual switch group 13 or the character selection virtual switch group 16 is set to 2 to 3 times the value that moves between the virtual switches, Since the probability of exiting from the area with a single rotation is reduced, the pointer 31 is controlled to appear to be constrained to the area.

  The cursor 31 can be moved in an analog manner if the cursor mark 35 is lit when the pointing point 34 enters the area shown as the key top area pattern of each of the virtual switches 13 and 16. On the other hand, a digital flashing situation is observed, and the operator reacts to the selection of the target switch by flashing the cursor of the target switch, not the position of the pointing point 34 of the pointer that works analogly. This eliminates the need for precise position adjustment control of the pointer 31 and makes it easy to operate because it is not necessary to pay attention to minute movements when viewing the monitor screen from a relatively remote position. is there.

  On the other hand, when any of the character group selection virtual switch group 13 is selected and the character selection virtual switch group 16 is opened, the pointer such as a cursor is necessarily located at the center of the 3 × 3 matrix and is most difficult to select. To select the center switch, all you need to do is press the confirm switch. When selecting another switch, move the pointer in the direction that requires selection, and the pointer will not overdrive. Since it is confined in the 3 × 3 matrix, the operator can operate a pointing device such as a mouse or a trackball with utmost and certainty.

  Thus, the operator only needs to appropriately rotate the ball 33 of the pointing device 32 so that the pointer 33 moves in the direction of the switch that requires selection, and the cursor mark lights up on the target switch. In this case, the selection confirmation switch may be turned on by pushing the ball 33.

  The pointing device 32 and the digital television 29 are connected by wireless communication means, and therefore can be operated from a relatively long distance. At this time, the size of the character group selection virtual switch group 13 is greatly enlarged. Because it can be operated, it is suitable for the elderly and helps to eliminate the digital divide.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various modified forms without departing from the scope of the claims.

Although there are problems currently required for human interface in computers, it is impossible to predict what kind of problems will occur in the future. Therefore, as long as the current situation can be improved as much as possible, it can be applied to uses that are indispensable as a future human interface.
In particular, in the present invention, a function that can eliminate the digital divide that can be input even at low skill levels and a function that conflicts with each other that enables high-speed input that requires high skill levels are combined. It is impossible to predict whether the application will be suitable.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic dictionary 2 1st monitor screen 3 Cover 4 Main body 5 Upper surface 6 2nd monitor screen 7 Character input edit screen 8, 8a, 8b Character input screen 9 Predictive word display screen 10 Kana-Kanji conversion screen 11 Text edit screen 13 Character group Selection virtual switch group 14 Finger 15 Display graphic 16 to 16d Character selection virtual switch group 17a, 17b Function switch group 18 Function switch group 19 Mobile terminal 20 Monitor screen 21 Mobile terminal device 22 Left hand 23 Right hand 24 Thumb 25 Notebook computer 26 Monitor screen 27 Monitor screen 28 Thumb P1 to P4 point 30 Monitor screen 31 Pointer 32 Pointing device 33 Ball 34 Pointing point 35 Cursor mark 36 Thumb

Claims (11)

In a set of characters composed of a plurality of characters, the characters of the character group are divided into a plurality of character groups as a character group with a small number of characters that makes it easy to select an alternative based on the character attributes. Are displayed together with an alternative selection switch for selecting a character group with a figure representative of each character group, and a character group selection opportunity to select alternatively, and the character group selection opportunity to select Each character of the selected character group is displayed together with an alternative selection switch for selecting a character, and a character selection opportunity that is alternatively selected, and a character selection opportunity that is selectably assigned to the character selection opportunity. Change the attribute by operating one of the selection switches that make up the character selection opportunity, display the selection switch and the character after the attribute change, and display each character after the attribute change. Select alternatively Character input method is characterized in that so as to enter the characters with a Unishi was attribute change selection opportunities. A set of characters consisting of a plurality of characters are kana characters in Japanese, and hiragana, katakana, consonant, vowel, direct sound, stuttering, clear sound, muffled sound, and semi-voiced sound can be easily selected. The character input method according to claim 1, wherein the character group is divided into a plurality of character groups as a character group having a small number of characters. A set of characters consisting of a plurality of characters is an alphabetic character, and is divided into a plurality of character groups as a character group with a small number of characters that makes it easy to select alternatives using lowercase letters, uppercase letters, vowels, consonants, and accents as attributes. The character input method according to claim 1. 4. The character input method according to claim 3, wherein the vowel characters are extracted in order of appearance of the vowel characters in order from the first character of the alphabet character string and divided into character groups having vowel attributes. Consonant characters are extracted sequentially from the first character of the alphabet string in the order in which the consonant characters appear, and are divided into multiple consonant attribute character groups from the beginning according to the number of characters in the vowel attribute character group. The character input method according to claim 3. The character input method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the character group having a small number of characters is formed according to the number of five vowels common to Japanese kana characters and alphabet characters. In a set of characters consisting of multiple characters,
The characters in the character group are divided into a plurality of character groups as a character group with a small number of characters that makes it easy to select an alternative based on the character attributes.
The plurality of character groups are displayed on the image display screen together with an alternative selection switch for selecting the character group with a figure representative of each character group, and the alternative selection switch displayed on the image display screen is displayed. , A character group selection means that is alternatively selected by pointing means indicating the alternative selection switch;
Each character of the character group selected by the character group selection means is displayed on an image display screen together with an alternative selection switch for selecting a character, and is selectively selected by a pointing means indicating the alternative selection switch. Character selection means, and
Change the attribute of each character that is assigned to the character selection means and displayed on the image display screen by operating one of the selection switches constituting the character selection means. Characters are characterized in that a character is input with an attribute change selection means that selectively displays each character after attribute change by displaying the subsequent option switch and the character on the image display screen. Character input device. The image display screen is one of a computer monitor screen, a TV monitor screen, a game console monitor screen, a mobile phone monitor screen, a mobile terminal monitor screen, an electronic puck monitor screen, or an electronic dictionary monitor screen. Item 8. The character input device according to Item 7. 8. The character input device according to claim 7, wherein the pointing means is a GUI (graphical user interface) pointer that can freely move on the image display screen. The character input device according to claim 7, wherein the pointing means is a stylus pen or a finger that operates a touch panel provided in front of the image display screen. 8. The character input device according to claim 7, wherein the pointing means is a cursor that sequentially moves for each predetermined area on the image display screen.

Images