JP2012215942A - Input device and input target character selection method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device that allows a user to efficiently perform the input operation of an input target character.SOLUTION: A character selection unit 13 changes the order of selection of an input target character displayed on a display unit 20 on the basis of depression pressure on a touch panel 10. The change refers to switching between a normal direction selection when selecting the input target character in a toggle system and a reverse direction selection when selecting the input target character in an opposite direction from the normal direction selection. The switching allows a user who performs input operation to change the order of the selection of the input target character only by changing depression pressure on the touch panel 10, thereby eliminating the operation of another button for changing the order of the selection of the input target character. Therefore, the user can efficiently perform the input operation of the input target character.

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device including a touch panel and an input target character selection method for selecting an input target character based on a pressing operation on the touch panel.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is an input device that includes a touch panel and accepts input operations such as data input and command selection based on a press operation on the touch panel. Examples of using such an input device include those described in Patent Documents 1 and 2. Moreover, as an input target character selection method when performing a character input operation using such a touch panel, there is a toggle method, for example. In this toggle method, a predetermined position on the touch panel is assigned as a pressing position for input operation of each character of the “A” line, for example, and “A” → “I” → Each time the predetermined position is pressed. This is a method of repeatedly displaying input target characters on the display unit in the order of “u” → “e” → “o” → “a”... And allowing the user to select the displayed input target characters. This eliminates the need to assign the pressed positions of all input characters on the touch panel.

JP 11-316651 A JP 2005-92472 A

  However, in a conventional input device using a touch panel, when a character input operation is performed by a toggle method, the number of times the touch panel is pressed is incorrect, and the next input target character is displayed on the display unit past the character to be input. Sometimes. Specifically, there is a case where when trying to input “U”, the touch panel is pressed many times and “E” is displayed on the display unit. In this case, it is conceivable to provide a selection order switching button for reversing the selection order of the input target characters. However, the selection order is switched from a state where a character is selected by pressing a predetermined position on the touch panel. There is a problem that the buttons need to be operated and the operation becomes complicated.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an input device and an input target character selection method capable of efficiently performing an input operation of an input target character.

  An input device according to the present invention includes a touch panel that receives data input operations, and input target characters that are stored in advance in a predetermined order based on input target characters that are displayed on the display unit based on a press operation on the touch panel. A character selection means for selecting from among the group; and a pressing pressure detection means for detecting a pressing pressure on the touch panel, wherein the character selection means is based on the pressing pressure detected by the pressing pressure detection means. The order of selection is changed.

  The input target character selection method according to the present invention is executed in an input device including a touch panel that accepts data input operations. Based on a press operation on the touch panel, an input target character to be displayed on a display unit is determined in advance. An input target character selection method for selecting from among input target character groups held in advance according to a predetermined order, a pressing pressure detection step for detecting a pressing pressure on the touch panel, and a pressing detected in the pressing pressure detection step And a character selection step for changing the selection order of the input target characters based on the pressure.

  In these inventions, the order of selection of input target characters displayed on the display unit changes based on the pressing pressure of the touch panel. Thereby, the user who performs the input operation can change the selection order of the input target characters simply by changing the pressing pressure on the touch panel, and can efficiently perform the input operation of the input target characters.

  The character selection means selects the input target character depending on whether the pressing pressure on the touch panel detected by the pressing pressure detecting means is less than a predetermined pressing pressure or when the pressing pressure is equal to or higher than the predetermined pressing pressure. It is preferable to change the order. In this case, the selection order of the input target characters is changed depending on whether the pressing pressure on the touch panel is less than the predetermined pressing pressure or the pressing pressure is equal to or higher than the predetermined pressing pressure.

  Moreover, it is preferable that a character selection means changes the selection order of the character for input selected sequentially with the pressing operation of a touch panel into the reverse selection order based on the pressing pressure detected by the pressing pressure detection means. In this case, the selection order of the input target characters can be easily reversed. For example, when the characters to be input have passed, the selection order of the input target characters is reversed. The input operation can be improved.

  Further, the apparatus further includes a pressing time detecting unit that detects a pressing time when the touch panel is pressed, and the character selecting unit further selects the input target character based on the pressing time detected by the pressing time detecting unit. Is preferably changed. In this case, the order of selection of the input target characters can be changed based on the press time detected by the press time detection means, and the input operation of the input target characters can be further improved.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently input an input target character.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the whole structure of the moving apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a display image of a display part. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process performed with a mobile device. It is a figure which shows the example of a display image of the display part in a 1st modification. It is a figure which shows the example of a display image of a display part in the case of selecting an input object character in flick mode.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which an input device and an input target character selection method according to the present invention are applied to a mobile device will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Overall configuration of mobile device]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a mobile device. As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile device 1 has a call function with other mobile devices, etc., and includes a touch panel 10, a pressing pressure detection unit (pressing pressure detection means) 11, a pressing time detection unit (pressing time detection). Means) 12, a character selection unit (character selection unit) 13, and a display unit 20. Constituent elements of the call function are the same as in the prior art and are omitted here.

  The touch panel 10 receives a data input operation by a user and has button areas B1 to B12. The button area B1 is an area that is pressed by the user when inputting characters in the “A” line. Similarly, the button area B2 is the “ka” line, the button area B3 is the “sa” line, the button area B4 is the “ta” line, the button area B5 is the “na” line, the button area B6 is the “ha” line, the button area B7 is the “ma” line, button area B8 is the “ya” line, button area B9 is the “ra” line, button area B10 is “*”, button area B11 is the “wa” line, and button area B12 is “#”. This is an area pressed by the user when inputting. These button areas are formed by displaying button marks on a display device installed on the back surface of the touch panel 10 or attaching button marks on the touch panel 10.

  Further, when an input operation is performed by the user, the touch panel 10 outputs pressed position information indicating the pressed button area to the character selection unit 13.

  The pressing pressure detection unit 11 detects a pressing pressure when the touch panel 10 is pressed. The pressing pressure detection unit 11 outputs a detection result indicating the pressing pressure when the touch panel 10 is pressed to the character selection unit 13 as pressing pressure information.

  The pressing time detection unit 12 detects a pressing time when the touch panel 10 is pressed. The pressing time detection unit 12 outputs a detection result indicating the pressing time when the touch panel 10 is pressed to the character selection unit 13 as pressing time information.

  Based on the pressed position information output from the touch panel 10, the character selection unit 13 selects an input target character that is a candidate for input from a group of input target characters that are held in advance. The character selection unit 13 selects an input target character by a toggle method.

  In addition, the character selection unit 13 performs pressing when the pressing pressure detected by the pressing pressure detection unit 11 is less than the predetermined pressing pressure (hereinafter referred to as “weak pressing”), and the pressing pressure is equal to or higher than the predetermined pressing pressure. The selection order of the input target characters is changed by pressing the case (hereinafter referred to as “strong pressing”). Specifically, for example, when the button area B1 is weakly pressed, the character selection unit 13 “a” → “i” → “u” → “e” every time the button area B1 is pressed. Select the input target character in the order of 50 sounds like “O” → “A”... (Hereinafter referred to as “forward selection”). On the other hand, for example, when the button area B1 is pressed strongly, the character selection unit 13 makes “O” → “E” → “U” → “I” → “A” every time the button area B1 is pressed. ”... To select the input target character (hereinafter referred to as“ reverse direction selection ”) in the reverse order of the arrangement order of the 50 sounds.

  The forward direction selection and backward direction selection of the input target character by the character selection unit 13 can be switched even when one input target character is being selected. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display image on the display unit. As shown in FIG. 2A, when the button area B1 is pressed down once, “A” is displayed as an input target character on the display unit 20, as shown in FIG. 2B. . As shown in FIG. 2C, when the button area B1 is pressed again weakly while “A” is displayed on the display unit 20, the display unit 20 is displayed as shown in FIG. Appears on the screen. In this way, when the button area of the touch panel 10 is pressed down weakly, the character selection unit 13 selects the input target character corresponding to the pressed button area by forward direction selection. Then, when “I” is displayed on the display unit 20 and the button region B1 is pressed down strongly as shown in FIG. 2E, “A” appears on the display unit 20 as shown in FIG. Is displayed. As described above, when the button area of the touch panel 10 is pressed strongly, the character selection unit 13 selects the input target character by reverse selection from the currently selected input target characters.

  In addition, the character selection unit 13 changes the selection order of the input target characters based on the pressing time detected by the pressing time detection unit 12. Here, pressing when the pressing time detected by the pressing time detecting unit 12 is less than the predetermined pressing time (hereinafter referred to as “short-time pressing”) and pressing when the pressing time is equal to or longer than the predetermined pressing time ( The order of selection of the input target characters is changed by “pressing for a long time”. Specifically, for example, when the button area B1 is pressed for a short time, the character selection unit 13 selects the input target character by forward direction selection, as in the case of a weak press. On the other hand, for example, when the button area B1 is pressed for a long time, the character selection unit 13 selects the input target character by backward selection as in the case of the strong press.

  In addition, when a certain button area is pressed to select the input target character corresponding to the button area, the character selection unit 13 selects another button area when the other button area is pressed. The input target character selected immediately before the area is pressed is determined as the input character. For example, when the button area B1 is pressed twice and the user selects the button area B2 while the button area B1 is pressed twice and “I” is selected as the input target character, the button area B2 is pressed. “I” selected immediately before the selection is determined as an input character, and an input target character corresponding to the number of times the button area B2 is pressed is selected. In addition to determining the input character, when a separately provided enter button is pressed, the input character is determined or no input operation is performed for a predetermined time or more while the input target character is selected. When there is not, an appropriate method such as determining the selected input target character as an input character can be adopted.

  The display unit 20 displays the input target character selected by the character selection unit 13 and the determined input character. For example, the display unit 20 displays the input character determined by the character selection unit 13 as a black character, as indicated by the input character M1 in FIG. 1, and inputs the input target character that is being selected by the user. As shown by the character M2, the characters are displayed by reversing the black and white or by blinking the characters.

[Mobile equipment hardware configuration]
The hardware configuration of the mobile device 1 includes a basic configuration of a normal information processing apparatus, that is, a touch panel 10 and a display unit 20, and stores a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a communication device for communicating with the outside, and information. A storage device or the like is provided as necessary.

[Flow of processing performed by the mobile device]
Next, the flow of processing executed by the mobile device 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed by the mobile device when the touch panel is pressed. When a predetermined button area of the touch panel 10 is pressed, the touch panel 10 outputs pressed position information indicating the pressed button area to the character selection unit 13, and the pressing pressure detection unit 11 detects the pressing pressure, and the pressing time. The detection unit 12 detects the pressing time (step S101: pressing pressure detection step).

  The character selection unit 13 determines whether or not the pressing pressure is detected by the pressing pressure detection unit 11 (step S102). Here, the case where the pressing pressure is not detected refers to a case where it is difficult to determine whether the pressing pressure is strong or weak, such as when the detected pressing pressure fluctuates. And If the detected pressing pressure is a strong pressing or a weak pressing, it is determined that the pressing pressure has been detected.

  When the pressing pressure is detected (step S102: YES), the character selection unit 13 determines whether the pressing is strong or weak (step S103: character selection step). If the button area is weakly pressed (step S103: weak press), the character selection unit 13 selects the input target character corresponding to the pressed button area by the forward direction selection (step S104: character selection step). . On the other hand, if the button area is strongly pressed (step S103: strong press), the input target character corresponding to the pressed button area is selected by reverse selection (step S106: character selection step).

  The display unit 20 displays the input target character selected by the forward direction selection or the backward direction selection (step S105). When all the processes are completed, the process returns to the above-described step S101.

  If the pressing pressure is not detected in step S102 (step S102: NO), the character selection unit 13 determines that the button area has been pressed for a long time based on the pressing time detected by the pressing time detection unit 12. It is determined whether the time is pressed or a short time is pressed. When the button is pressed for a short time (step S107: pressed for a short time), the character selection unit 13 selects the input target character by forward direction selection in the same manner as in step S104 described above. On the other hand, when it is a long press (step S107: long press), the character selection part 13 selects an input object character by reverse direction selection similarly to the above-mentioned step S106.

[Operations and effects of the embodiment]
The present embodiment is configured as described above, and the character selection unit 13 changes the order of selection of the input target characters displayed on the display unit 20 based on the pressing pressure of the touch panel 10. Thereby, the user who performs the input operation can change the selection order of the input target characters simply by changing the pressing pressure of the touch panel 10, and can select another button for changing the selection order of the input target characters. No need to operate. For this reason, the input operation of the input target character can be performed efficiently.

  In addition, the user presses the touch panel 10 strongly or weakly by changing the selection order of the input target characters depending on whether the pressing pressure on the touch panel 10 is strong or weak. The order of selection of the input target characters can be changed depending on whether the button is pressed.

  Further, by reversing the selection order when selecting the input target character based on the pressing pressure of the touch panel 10, for example, when the character to be input has passed, the touch panel 10 is moved with a different pressing pressure. By pressing, the selection order of the input target character can be reversed, and the input operation of the input target character can be improved.

  Further, when it is difficult to determine whether the pressed pressure is strong or weak, such as when the detected pressing pressure fluctuates, the pressing time detected by the pressing time detection unit 12 Based on this, by changing the selection order of the input target characters, it is possible to further improve the input operation of the input target characters.

  The forward direction selection and the reverse direction selection are switched based on the pressing pressure. However, other selection methods such as character selection for skipping one character or character selection for skipping two characters may be used.

[First Modification]
Next, a first modification will be described. The first modification mainly changes the processing content of the character selection unit 13 in the above embodiment. Hereinafter, a description will be given centering on differences from the mobile device 1 in the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile device 1 </ b> A in the first modification includes a touch panel 10, a pressing pressure detection unit 11, a pressing time detection unit 12, a character selection unit 13 </ b> A, and a display unit 20.

  The character selection unit 13A switches the input mode of the input target character based on whether the pressing pressure on the touch panel 10 is strong pressing or strong pressing. Examples of the input mode include a kana input mode and an alphanumeric character input mode. In the first modification, the character selection unit 13A selects an input target character in the alphanumeric character input mode when the press is strong, and selects an input target character in the kana mode when the press is weak. .

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display image on the display unit. As shown in FIG. 4A, when the button area B2 is pressed weakly once, as shown in FIG. 4B, the display unit 20 is associated with the button area B2 in the kana input mode. “Ka” is displayed as an input target character. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4C, when the button area B2 is pressed once, the alphanumeric character input mode is set as an input target character on the display unit 20 as shown in FIG. Sometimes “a” associated with the button area B2 is displayed as an input target character.

  For example, when “NTT DOCOMO” is input to the mobile device 1A, “N”, “T”, “T” is input by strongly pressing a predetermined button area, and the predetermined button area is pressed weakly. Enter "do", "co", and "mo". A toggle method can be used when selecting the input target character.

  Thus, in the first modification, the input mode of the input target character can be switched only by changing the pressing pressure of the touch panel 10. Accordingly, it is not necessary to operate the input mode switching button when switching the input mode, and the input target character can be efficiently input with a small number of input operations.

  As in the embodiment, the input mode of the input target character can be switched based on whether the button area is pressed for a short time or for a long time. Here, in the case of a short press, processing similar to that in the case of weak press is performed, and in the case of long press, processing similar to that of a strong press is performed. In this case, even if it is difficult to determine whether the pressing is strong or weak, the input mode can be switched based on the pressing time, and the input operation of the input target character can be improved. Can be further achieved.

  In the first modification, the input target character can be selected in the flick mode. In this case, the character selection unit 13A selects an input target character in the alphanumeric character input mode when pressed strongly, and selects an input target character in the kana mode when pressed weakly. Here, in the flick mode, when a predetermined button area is pressed, a plurality of input target characters associated with the pressed button area are displayed at and around the position of the pressed button area. This is a character input method for selecting a character to be input by the user from among the displayed input target characters.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display image on the display unit when an input target character is selected in the flick mode. As shown in FIG. 5A, for example, when the button area B2 is pressed down weakly, the input target character associated with the button area B2 in the kana input mode is positioned at and around the button area B2. indicate. On the other hand, when the button area B2 is strongly pressed, as shown in FIG. 5B, the character to be input associated with the button area B2 in the alphanumeric character input mode is moved to the position of the button area B2 and its position. Display around.

  Thus, even when the input target character is selected in the flick mode, it is not necessary to operate the input mode switching button, and the input target character can be efficiently input with a small number of input operations.

  In the first modification, in addition to switching the input mode, switching between uppercase and lowercase letters in English characters can be changed according to the pressing pressure of the touch panel 10. Even in this case, it is not necessary to operate a button for switching between uppercase and lowercase input modes, and input target characters can be efficiently input with a small number of input operations.

[Second Modification]
Next, a second modification will be described. In the second modification, the processing content of the character selection unit 13 in the above embodiment is mainly changed. Hereinafter, a description will be given centering on differences from the mobile device 1 in the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile device 1 </ b> B according to the second modification includes a touch panel 10, a pressing pressure detection unit 11, a pressing time detection unit 12, a character selection unit 13 </ b> B, and a display unit 20.

  The character selection unit 13B switches between selection of the input target character and determination of the input target character based on whether the pressing pressure on the touch panel 10 is strong pressing or strong pressing. In the second modification, the character selection unit 13B selects the input target character by the toggle method when the pressing is strong, and determines the input target character selected at that time as the input character. On the other hand, when the character selection unit 13B is weakly pressed, it is assumed that the input target character is selected by the toggle method.

  For example, an input operation when inputting “No” to the mobile device 1B will be described. First, when inputting “I”, the button area B1 associated with the “A” line as an input target character is pressed once weakly to display “A” on the display unit 20, and “A” is displayed. When the button area B1 is further pressed down from the displayed state, “I” is displayed on the display unit 20 and “I” is determined as the input character, and the cursor indicating the character position being input is the next character input. Move to position. Then, “I” is input again by the same operation. Next, when inputting “e”, first, the button area B1 is weakly pressed three times to display “u” on the display unit 20. When the button area B1 is further pressed down from the state where “U” is displayed, “E” is displayed on the display unit 20, “E” is determined as an input character, and “NO” is input. Complete.

  As described above, in the second modification, the selection of the input target character and the determination of the input character can be switched only by changing the pressing pressure of the touch panel 10. As described above, since the input character can be determined by changing the pressing pressure, when the input character is determined, a button for determining the input character (for example, a right button for inputting a direction or the like). ), And the input target character can be efficiently input with a small number of input operations.

  Similarly to the embodiment, the selection of the input target character and the determination of the input character can be switched based on whether the button area is pressed for a short time or for a long time. Here, in the case of a short press, processing similar to that in the case of weak press is performed, and in the case of long press, processing similar to that of a strong press is performed. In this case, even if it is difficult to determine whether the press is strong or weak, it is possible to switch between selection of the input target character and determination of the input character based on the press time. Thus, the input operation of the input target character can be further improved.

  Note that the input target characters in the above embodiment, the first modified example, and the second modified example are not limited to kana characters and alphanumeric characters, but include various input target characters such as symbols and pictograms. Is included. In addition to switching the selection direction and input mode in the toggle method according to the pressing pressure, for example, various input switching such as half-width and full-width input switching and symbol-kana input switching can be performed.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,1A, 1B ... Mobile device, 10 ... Touch panel, 11 ... Pressing pressure detection part (pressing pressure detection means), 12 ... Pressing time detection part (pressing time detection means), 13, 13A, 13B ... Character selection part (character) Selection means), 20 ... display section, B1 to B12 ... button area, M1, M2 ... input characters.

Claims (5)

A touch panel that accepts data input operations;
A character selection means for selecting an input target character to be displayed on the display unit from a group of input target characters held in advance in a predetermined order based on a pressing operation on the touch panel;
A pressing pressure detecting means for detecting a pressing pressure on the touch panel,
The input device, wherein the character selection means changes the selection order of the input target characters based on the pressing pressure detected by the pressing pressure detection means.   The character selection unit is configured to input the input object according to a case where the pressing pressure applied to the touch panel detected by the pressing pressure detection unit is less than a predetermined pressing pressure and a case where the pressing pressure is equal to or higher than the predetermined pressing pressure. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the order of selecting characters is changed.   The character selection means changes the selection order of input target characters to be sequentially selected in accordance with the pressing operation of the touch panel to a reverse selection order based on the pressing pressure detected by the pressing pressure detection means. The input device according to claim 1 or 2. A pressing time detecting means for detecting a pressing time when the touch panel is pressed;
The said character selection means changes the order of selection of the said input object character further based on the pressing time detected by the said pressing time detection means, The Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. The input device described. Input target characters that are executed in an input device including a touch panel that accepts data input operations and are displayed in advance in a predetermined order based on the pressing operation on the touch panel. A method for selecting an input target character to be selected from a group,
A pressing pressure detecting step for detecting a pressing pressure on the touch panel;
And a character selection step of changing a selection order of the input target characters based on the pressing pressure detected in the pressing pressure detection step.

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