JP2013223044A - Character input method and character input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology for facilitating character input in the case where a character input device is held in one hand.SOLUTION: A plurality of virtual keys are displayed in the shape of a curved line which is recessed toward an edge of a display area of a display section. When it is detected by a touch panel that a touching operation to a virtual key is started, it is determined as a first selecting operation. When it is detected by the touch panel that the touch operation is canceled without moving a position touched by the touched operation to the outside of a predetermined area after the first selecting operation, it is determined as a second selecting operation. When the position touched by the touch operation is moved to the outside of the predetermined area in a direction of the curved line after the first selecting operation and a distance and/or speed of the movement is settled within a predetermined range, it is determined as a third selecting operation. When the position touched by the touch operation is moved to the outside of the predetermined area in the direction of the curved line after the first selecting operation and the distance and/or speed of the movement is out of the predetermined range, it is determined as a fourth selecting operation. Characters corresponding to the first to fourth selecting operations are then determined as input characters.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for inputting characters in an information processing apparatus including a touch panel.

  Conventionally, a character input device including a touch panel is known. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a character input device that superimposes a touch panel on a display unit that displays an input screen and receives an input operation using a user's finger or a touch pen. In this character input device, a virtual keyboard (software keyboard) on which characters such as hiragana are arranged is displayed on the display unit, and when a character on the virtual keyboard is touched (selected) by a user operation, the touched character is displayed. Is input.

  In this case, for example, when inputting hiragana, nearly 50 keys indicating hiragana are displayed, and when displayed on a small device such as a smartphone, the size of each key is reduced. Therefore, the operation of selecting each key becomes very difficult.

  Therefore, in the hiragana, the “A” level key is displayed as shown in FIG. 13, and when these characters are selected (in the figure, the user selects “TA” with the finger 91), it is shown in FIG. As shown above, display the characters in the “O” column from the “I” column around the selected character (up, down, left, and right), and move the finger holding the “A” column key from the “I” column. When the character is moved to one of the characters in the row, the character is input. In the example of FIGS. 13 and 14, when the user touches the “t” key with his / her finger, moves up while touching and releases the finger, “t” is input. Similarly, if you touch the “ta” key and move to the right and release your finger, “te” is entered. If you touch the “Ta” key and move to the left and release your finger, “Chi” will be entered. If you touch the “ta” key and move down and release your finger, “and” will be entered. After touching the “A” row key and then releasing the finger without moving up, down, left, or right, the “A” row character is input.

  In this way, the number of virtual keyboard keys to be displayed on the touch panel display is determined by adopting so-called flick input, in which the input character is determined by moving (flicking) the finger that has selected the “A” row key. Can be reduced.

JP 2012-032872 A JP 2011-253252 A JP 2011-175495 A JP 2000-112636 A

  As shown in FIG. 14, when a character input device is held with one hand and an input is made with the other hand, there is a problem that both hands are blocked during the input.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 15, it is conceivable to select a character with the thumb while holding the character input device with one hand. However, in this case, fingers and palms other than the thumb cannot be moved to hold the character input device, and the operable range of the thumb is naturally limited. In particular, when the hand is small, some virtual keys may not reach with one hand and may not be operated.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 15, when the character input device is held with one hand, the movement locus 92 of the tip of the thumb has an arc shape centered on the carpal joint and is arranged vertically and horizontally as shown in FIG. There was a problem that the operated virtual key was difficult to operate. In particular, vertical and horizontal flicks are different from the movement of the thumb joint, and it is difficult to input flicks with one hand.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that facilitates character input when the character input device is held with one hand.

In order to solve the above problem, the character input method of the present invention is:
A computer comprising: a display unit that performs display based on an image signal; and a touch panel that is arranged so as to overlap with a display region of the display unit and detects a touch operation on the display region.
Sending an image signal to the display unit, and displaying a plurality of virtual keys in a curved line shape concave toward the edge of the display area;
A step of determining as a first selection operation when the touch panel detects that a touch operation on the virtual key has started;
After the first selection operation, when the touch panel detects that the touch operation is canceled without moving the touch position by the touch operation out of a predetermined area, the step of determining as the second selection operation; ,
After the first selection operation, when the touch position by the touch operation moves out of the predetermined area in the curved line direction, and the distance and / or speed of the movement is within the predetermined range, the third selection Determining as an operation;
After the first selection operation, when the touch position by the touch operation moves out of the predetermined region in the curve line direction, and the distance and / or speed of the movement is out of the predetermined range, Determining as a selection operation;
Determining a character corresponding to the first to fourth selection operations as an input character;
Execute.

The character input device of the present invention is
A display unit for displaying based on an image signal;
A touch panel that is arranged so as to overlap with the display area of the display unit and detects a touch operation on the display area;
A display control unit that sends an image signal to the display unit and displays a virtual key in a curved line shape that is concave toward the edge of the display region;
A first determination unit that determines as a first selection operation when the touch panel detects that a touch operation on the virtual key has started;
After the first selection operation, the second selection operation is determined as the second selection operation when it is detected by the touch panel that the touch operation is canceled without moving the touch position outside the predetermined area. A determination unit;
After the first selection operation, when the touch position by the touch operation moves out of the predetermined area in the curved line direction, and the distance and / or speed of the movement is within the predetermined range, the third selection A third determination unit that determines the operation;
After the first selection operation, when the touch position by the touch operation moves out of the predetermined region in the curve line direction, and the distance and / or speed of the movement is out of the predetermined range, A fourth determination unit that determines the selection operation;
A character determination unit that determines a character corresponding to the first to fourth selection operations as an input character.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention may be a character input program for causing a computer to execute the character input method. Further, in the present invention, the character input program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The function can be provided by causing the computer to read and execute the program of the recording medium.

  Here, the computer-readable recording medium refers to a recording medium in which information such as data and programs is accumulated by electrical, magnetic, optical, mechanical, or chemical action and can be read from the computer. . Examples of such a recording medium that can be removed from the computer include a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R / W, a DVD, a DAT, an 8 mm tape, and a memory card.

  Moreover, there are a hard disk, a ROM (read only memory), and the like as a recording medium fixed to the computer.

  The present invention can provide a technique for facilitating character input when the character input device is held with one hand.

Figure showing a display example of a virtual keyboard (software keyboard) The figure which shows the state which hold | maintained the character input device with one hand Illustration of character input Schematic configuration diagram of a character input device Illustration of character input method Diagram explaining the flow of the calibration method Explanatory drawing during calibration Explanatory drawing during calibration Illustration of flick direction The figure which shows the example which provided the conversion key on both sides of the input key The figure which shows the example which provided the selection area | region of the conversion candidate in multiple numbers on the curve line The figure which shows the example which holds a character input device with a left hand and performs input Illustration of conventional flick input Illustration of conventional flick input The figure which shows the state which hold | maintained the conventional character input device with one hand

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiment is an exemplification, and the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment.

<Embodiment 1>
1. Outline of Character Input FIG. 1 is a view showing a display example of a virtual keyboard (software keyboard) according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a view showing a state in which the character input device 1 is held with one hand, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the character input method of form.

  A computer (character input device) 1 employing the character input method of the present invention includes a touch panel display 10 and displays a fan-shaped virtual keyboard as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the user holds the character input device 1 of the present embodiment with one hand and performs an input operation with the thumb 41. When inputting a kana, first, when a virtual key to which a line of characters to be input is assigned is selected (in FIG. 3, the selected line is selected), an auxiliary virtual key 30 is displayed as shown in FIG. By flicking, characters from the first row are input. That is, when the virtual key on the line is touched (flicked) from the position where the virtual key on the line is touched and the thumb 41 is released, “chi” on the right line is input. When the virtual key on the next row is moved (flicked) from the position where the virtual key on the right row is moved to the character 33 on the right, and the thumb 41 is released, the “step” to be performed is input. When the virtual key on the line is touched (flicked) from the position where the virtual key on the left line is touched and the thumb 41 is released, “te” is input. When the virtual key on the next row is moved (flicked) from the position where the virtual key on the right row is moved to the right side of the character 35 onward, the thumb 41 is released, and “” is entered for the first row.

As described above, since the character input device 1 of the present embodiment has an arc shape centered on the thumb carpal joint 42 of the thumb, the flicking direction is ergonomic even when the character input device 1 is held with one hand. There is no unreasonableness, and characters can be easily input with the thumb.
Further, after selecting the virtual key, the character input may be canceled by moving (flicking) in a direction intersecting with the arc centering on the thumb carpal joint 42 of the thumb. For example, if a mistake is noticed after selecting the virtual key, the line shown in the example of FIG. 3 is selected, but if the line should be selected, "ta" is input when the thumb 41 is released as it is. By moving (flicking) in the direction intersecting with the arc, it is assumed that there is no selection of the virtual key, and the selection of the virtual key can be performed again without inputting characters on the line.
In this way, a character is input when the thumb 41 is moved in an ergonomic direction, and the character input is canceled when the thumb 41 is moved in the opposite direction. Can be used to achieve easy-to-understand text input

2. Configuration of Character Input Device FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of the character input device 1 in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the character input device 1 includes an arithmetic processing unit 16 including a central processing unit (CPU) and a main memory in a main body, and a storage unit (flash memory) that stores data and software for arithmetic processing. 17, a computer including an input / output port 14, a communication control unit (CCU: Communication Control Unit) 15 and the like. In particular, the character input device 1 of the present embodiment is a device that can be held with one hand, and is, for example, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a tablet PC, an electronic book reader, or a portable game machine.

  The input / output port 14 includes operation buttons, a storage medium (memory card, etc.) reading device, an input device (input means) such as a touch panel, and a display (display unit), a storage medium writing device, an output from a speaker, etc. Devices (output means) are appropriately connected.

  The touch panel is a transparent panel superimposed on the display surface of the display, and the touch panel display 10 includes the touch panel and the display. When a virtual keyboard is displayed on the display and the user performs an input operation by touching the display position of the virtual key, the touch panel detects information on the touched position and inputs it to the arithmetic processing unit 16 as an operation signal. For example, when the user performs handwriting input with a finger, the touch panel detects information on a position touched with the finger, and the arithmetic processing unit 16 recognizes a virtual key selected based on the position information.

For example, in the case of a resistive film type touch panel, a pair of transparent resistive films are arranged facing each other with a predetermined interval, and a voltage is applied in a predetermined direction of one resistive film. And when a user touches with a finger, a stylus, etc., the resistance film of the touched part is pushed, and a pair of resistance film arranged oppositely contacts, and is conducted. At this time, since the distance on the resistance film, which is a current flow path, changes depending on the contact position of the resistance film, the resistance value between the conductive resistance films depends on the distance on the resistance film, A corresponding voltage value is generated between the resistance films. Therefore, by switching the direction in which the voltage is applied between the vertical position and the horizontal position and measuring the voltage value between the resistive films, the vertical position (
The position in the y direction) and the lateral position (the position in the y direction), that is, coordinate data can be detected.

  In the case of a projected capacitive touch panel, the vertical position detection electrodes and the horizontal position detection electrodes are arranged in a matrix on the back side of the insulating flat plate. When the user touches the touch panel with a finger or a conductive stylus, the finger or stylus becomes a dielectric, and the capacitance of the electrode at the contact location changes. Therefore, the vertical position (position in the y direction) of the contact location is detected depending on which of the electrodes for detecting the vertical position has changed, and which of the electrodes for detecting the horizontal position is detected. Coordinate data can be detected by detecting the lateral position (position in the y direction) of the contact location depending on whether the capacitance of the electrode has changed. A more detailed position can also be detected by obtaining a ratio of current generated by a change in capacitance between adjacent electrodes.

  Note that the touch panel is not limited to the resistive film method and the capacitance method, and any touch panel that can acquire touch operation and flick operation as data may be used.

  The CCU 15 controls communication with other computers via a network.

  An operating system (OS), application software (character input program), and the like are installed in the storage unit 17. In addition, the storage unit 17 stores data such as input documents and assignment of virtual keys and input characters.

  The arithmetic processing unit 16 appropriately reads out and executes the OS and application program from the storage unit 17, and performs arithmetic processing on information input from the input / output port 14 and the CCU 15 and information read from the storage unit 17, thereby displaying It also functions as a control unit, a first determination unit, a second determination unit, a third determination unit, a fourth determination unit, a fifth determination unit, a character determination unit, and an output control unit.

  The display control unit sends an image signal to the display unit to display the virtual key in a curved line shape that is concave toward the edge of the display area. For example, in FIG. 1, virtual keys to which lines “A”, “K”, “S”, and “T” are assigned are arranged in a curved line. Further, in FIG. 1, a plurality of rows of the curved line array are provided. For example, a virtual key to which a row, a row, a row, and a row are assigned, and a virtual key to which a row, a row, a stuttering sound, and a sound are assigned are arranged. Further, on the outermost periphery, a kana key 22, an alphabet key 23, and a number key 24 for changing a character type to be inputted are arranged.

  The arrangement of the virtual keys constituting the virtual keyboard 21 can be customized by calibration described later, and parameters indicating the arrangement of the customized virtual keys are stored in the storage unit 17.

  The first determination unit determines the first selection operation when the touch panel detects that the touch operation on the virtual key is started. The first selection operation is, for example, an operation for selecting a line such as a line, a line, or a line when inputting a kana. In this embodiment, the touch operation refers to an operation in which the user's finger touches the outermost surface on the display output side of the touch panel display 10 in order to perform an operation on the virtual key. Even if it is not performed, it is only necessary to be able to detect an operation on the virtual key with the touch panel. For example, even when performing operations through other materials such as protective films, or when performing operations with gloves, etc., selection of virtual keys, movement amount, movement direction, movement speed when flicked Etc. can be detected.

As the second determination unit, after the first selection operation, when it is detected on the touch panel that the touch operation is canceled without moving the touch position by the touch operation outside the predetermined area,
It is determined as the second selection operation. The second selection operation is an operation of selecting input of characters (first layer characters) written on the virtual key. For example, when inputting a kana, it is an operation of selecting the input of the character in that row. Since characters in the first layer can be input without flicking (moving the touch position), characters with a high input frequency may be set in the first layer. In FIG. 1, “tsu” “ya” “n” punctuation marks and punctuation marks are characters set in the first layer because the input frequency is high.

  As a third determination unit, after the first selection operation, the touch position by the touch operation moves out of the predetermined area in the curved line direction, and the distance and / or speed of the movement is within the predetermined range The third selection operation is determined. The third selection operation is an operation for selecting input of characters in the second layer. For example, when inputting a kana, it is an operation of selecting input of characters in the first row or the second row. It should be noted that whether the input of the character at the upper level or the input at the upper level is determined by the flick direction.

  As a fourth determination unit, after the first selection operation, the touch position by the touch operation moves out of the predetermined region in the curved line direction, and the distance and / or speed of the movement is out of the predetermined range. In this case, it is determined as the fourth selection operation. The fourth selection operation is an operation for selecting input of characters in the third layer. For example, when inputting a kana, it is an operation of selecting the input of the Udan or Udan characters. It should be noted that whether to input the second character or the second character is determined by the flick direction.

As a fifth determination unit, after the first selection operation, whether or not a cancel operation has been performed is determined by whether or not the touch operation has been canceled by moving (flicking) the touch position in a direction intersecting the curve line. If the determination is made and the cancel operation is performed, the first selection operation is canceled.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the flick direction in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9A, when the user holds the character input device 1 with one hand and moves the thumb 41 to touch the screen for input, the thumb 41 is moved around the carpal joint of the carpal. The most ergonomic movement. At this time, the locus of the fingertip is like a substantially arc-shaped curved line 51. For this reason, in this embodiment, the direction of the software keys and the direction of flicking during character input are the curved line directions. For example, after the key 52 is selected by the first selection operation, the right direction (first direction) or the left direction (second direction) from the carpal joint position 42 toward the key 52 selected by the first selection operation. ) To enter characters. Further, in a direction orthogonal to the curved line 51, that is, in a forward direction (third direction) or a far direction (fourth direction) when viewing the key 52 selected by the first selection operation from the position 42 of the carpal joint. By flicking, operations other than character input such as cancellation and conversion are performed.
FIG. 9A shows an example in the case of input with the right hand. FIG. 9B shows an example of input with the left hand. Whether to input with the right hand or with the left hand is set at the time of calibration or the like to be described later.

  The character determining unit determines the character corresponding to the first to fourth selection operations as the input character.

  The output control unit outputs the input character determined by the character determination unit to a subsequent processing unit. In the example of FIG. 1, display output is performed in the input field 25 of the display unit. The output of input characters is not limited to display, but may be print output, transmission to another device, writing to a storage medium, or the like.

3. Character Input Method FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a character input method executed by the character input device configured as described above according to a character input program.

First, when the activation of the application is instructed by the user, the display control unit reads a parameter indicating the placement of the virtual key from the storage unit 17, sends an image signal to the display unit based on the parameter, and displays the display area. A plurality of virtual keys are displayed in a curved line shape that is concave toward the edge (step S10).

The first determination unit determines whether or not a touch operation on the virtual key has been performed (step S2
0) If the touch operation is not performed (step S20, No), the determination is repeated until the touch operation is performed.

  On the other hand, when the touch operation is detected on the touch panel, the first determination unit determines as the first selection operation (step S20, Yes), and which virtual key is selected (touched). The display control unit displays the auxiliary virtual key 30 as shown in FIG. 3 (step S25).

  After the first selection operation, the second determination unit determines whether the touch operation is canceled without moving the touch position by the touch operation outside a predetermined area, that is, whether the touch operation is a tap instead of a flick. It is detected (step S30). When it is detected by the touch panel that the tapping has been performed, the second determination unit determines as the second selection operation (step S30, Yes), and proceeds to step S70. When it is determined that the tap is not performed (No at Step S30), the process proceeds to Step S40. Here, the predetermined area may be the same as the area displaying each virtual key, or may be an area narrower than the virtual key. If this predetermined area is set small, even a slight movement can be detected sensitively. Further, by making this predetermined area the same as the virtual key display area, the boundary between the flick and the tap can be visually shown.

After the first selection operation, the third determination unit moves the touch position by the touch operation to the outside of the predetermined region in the curve line direction, and the distance and / or speed of the movement is within a predetermined range, for example, FIG. The auxiliary virtual key 30 is moved into the display area of the upper stage character 32 or the upper stage character 34, and it is determined whether or not the finger is released (touch operation is canceled) (step S40). When the touch panel detects that the auxiliary virtual key 30 has been moved (flicked) to the upper character 32 or the upper character 34, the third determination unit determines as a third selection operation ( Step S40, Y
es), the process proceeds to step S70. On the other hand, if it is determined that the flick to the upper character 32 or the upper character 34 has not been performed (No in step S40), the process proceeds to step S50.

After the first selection operation, the fourth determination unit moves the touch position by the touch operation outside the predetermined area in the curve line direction, and the distance and / or speed of the movement is outside the predetermined range, for example, FIG. The auxiliary virtual key 30 is moved to the area after the display area of the character 33 or the character 35 of the step, and it is determined whether or not the finger is released (touch operation is canceled) (step S50). When the touch panel detects that the auxiliary virtual key 30 has been moved (flicked) to the character 33 or the character 35 after the row, the fourth determination unit determines that the fourth selection operation is the fourth selection operation. (Step S50, Yes), the process proceeds to step S70. On the other hand, Udan character 33 or Udan character 3
If it is determined that the flick to 5 is not performed (step S50, No), the process proceeds to step S60.

The fifth determination unit determines whether or not the touch operation has been canceled by moving the touch position in a direction intersecting the curved line after the first selection operation (step S60). For example, when the touch position is moved to a position outside the arcuate virtual key or auxiliary virtual key 30 and the finger is released (touch operation is canceled), it is determined that the cancel operation has been performed (step S60). , Ye
s) The first selection operation is canceled by returning to step S20. When the cancel operation is not performed (No at Step S60), the process returns to Step S30, and the above determination (S30 to S60) is repeated. That is, the fifth determination unit can cancel the character input when an error is noticed after the touch operation. For example, when there is no step S60, when a touch operation is performed and the process proceeds to step S25, one of the characters from the top to the bottom is selected and input at steps S30 to S50. However, you may notice a mistake after selecting a virtual key with a touch action. For example, if the line shown in the example of FIG. 3 is selected, but the line should be selected, if the thumb 41 is released as it is, it is determined as Yes in step S30, and “ta” is input. In S40, it is determined as Yes, and any of the characters “chi” to “to” is input. For this reason, when moved (flicked) in a direction intersecting with the arc, it is assumed that the touch operation (S20) has not been performed in step S60, and the character on the line is not input, so that the virtual key can be selected again. .

  On the other hand, when the second to fourth selection operations are performed in step S30, step S40, and step S50, the character determination unit determines a character corresponding to the result of the selection operation as an input character (step S70). ). That is, when the second selection operation is performed, the character in the row on the line selected by the first selection operation is determined as the input character. In addition, when the third selection operation is performed by flicking to the right, the characters in the row selected by the first selection operation are used as input characters, and the third selection operation is performed by flicking to the left. Is performed, the character at the end of the line selected by the first selection operation is determined as the input character. Furthermore, when the fourth selection operation is performed by flicking to the right, the character in the row on the line selected by the first selection operation is used as the input character, and the fourth selection operation is performed by flicking to the left. Is performed, the character in the row of the line selected by the first selection operation is determined as the input character.

The output control unit outputs the input character determined by the character determination unit to the subsequent processing unit (step S80). For example, as shown in FIG. 1, display is output in the input field 25 of the display unit.

  In the example of FIG. 5, the auxiliary virtual key 30 is displayed when the first selection operation is performed, but it is not always necessary to display it. For example, after the first selection operation is performed, the auxiliary virtual key 30 is not displayed immediately, but is displayed after waiting for a predetermined time (for example, several seconds), during which the second to fifth selection operations are performed. When it is performed, the display of the auxiliary virtual key 30 (step S25) may be omitted.

4). Calibration Method The virtual key arrangement of the virtual keyboard 21 can be customized according to the movable range of the user's finger. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the flow of the calibration method, and FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrams for explaining the calibration.

When the user instructs the start of calibration, the calibration unit of the character input device 1 displays a message such as “Please repeat the arc at the farthest position” as shown in FIG. Prompts the input of the first line that determines the upper limit (the far side limit) of the input range starting from the middle carpal joint of the thumb carpal when grasping 1 (step S)
100).

  When the user starts input according to the message, the calibration unit obtains position information of the contact position by the thumb 41 at a predetermined cycle, and draws a line connecting the contact positions to display the movement trajectory of the thumb 41 (step) S110).

The input is performed for a predetermined time or until the movement trajectory reaches a predetermined length, and when the input is completed (step S120), a smooth line is obtained from the acquired position information and set as an upper limit line (step S130).

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, a message such as “Draw an arc repeatedly at the nearest position” is displayed, and the lower limit (the limit on the near side) of the input range starting from the thumb carpal joint of the thumb is determined. The input of the second line is prompted (step S140). When the user inputs according to the message, the calibration unit obtains the position information of the contact position with the thumb 41 at a predetermined cycle, and draws a line connecting the contact positions to display the movement trajectory of the thumb 41 (step) S150).

The input is performed for a predetermined time or until the movement trajectory reaches a predetermined length, and when the input is completed (step S160), a smooth line is obtained from the acquired position information and set as a lower limit line (step S170).

The calibration unit divides between the upper limit line and the lower limit line by a predetermined value according to the input character type to obtain a position where each virtual key is arranged (step S180), and arranges each virtual key based on this position. At the same time, this position is stored as a parameter in the storage unit 17 (step S190). For example, in the case of the virtual keyboard 21 shown in FIG. 2, the space from the upper limit line to the lower limit line is divided into five, and five rows of virtual keys are arranged in a curved line shape.

5. Advantages of the Embodiment As described above, according to the present embodiment, an input character can be selected by flicking in an arc shape, so that ergonomics can be easily performed and flick input can be easily performed with one hand.

  In addition, even if the range of finger movement varies from user to user due to various conditions such as the size of the user's hand, how to hold the character input device, the length of the nail, and the movement of the joint, Since the virtual key is arranged in accordance with the movable range, it is possible to input characters without difficulty for each user.

  Furthermore, in the conventional character input method, once a character selection is started, a certain character is always input. In the present embodiment, the input can be canceled by flicking in a direction different from the curved line.

<Modification 1>
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example in which conversion keys are provided on both sides of an input key. In the first modification, as shown in FIG. 10, conversion keys 27 are provided on the left and right in the direction of the curve line 51 with the input key interposed therebetween. As described above, according to the present modification, when the thumb is flicked by the third selection operation or the fourth selection operation, the conversion key 27 is arranged ahead of the right direction or the left direction. Therefore, the conversion key 27 can be selected smoothly.
<Modification 2>
FIG. 11 is an example in which a plurality of conversion candidate selection areas are provided on a curved line. In the second modification, as shown in FIG. 11, when displaying conversion candidates when predictive conversion is performed, a plurality of selection regions 28 are arranged in a curved line 51 in which input keys are arranged.
As described above, according to the second modification, the conversion candidates can be selected by moving the thumb in an arc shape, and an input operation with a sense of unity can be realized.
<Modification 3>
In the above-described embodiment, an example in which input is mainly performed with the right hand has been shown, but FIG. 12 illustrates an example in which input is performed by holding the character input device with the left hand. The right-hand input and the left-hand input described above are the same except that the display changes symmetrically.
Whether the right-hand input or the left-hand input is selected is, for example, configured such that the user inputs and stores the setting information in the character input device 1 in advance as the setting information, and the character input device 1 displays according to this setting.
Also, whether to use right-handed input or left-handed input is determined by the right hand input if the first line is to the left of the second line and the first line is to the right of the second line. You may determine with left-hand input.
In the above-described embodiment and modification, hiragana input has been described. However, the present invention may be applied to alphanumeric input. For example, an alphabetic virtual keyboard or a numeric virtual keyboard may be displayed by pressing the alphabetic key 23 or the numeric key 24 in FIG. 3, and alphanumeric characters may be input.
<Others>
The present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  For example, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained even with the configurations described below. These components can be combined as much as possible.

(Appendix 1)
A computer comprising: a display unit that performs display based on an image signal; and a touch panel that is arranged so as to overlap with a display region of the display unit and detects a touch operation on the display region.
Sending an image signal to the display unit, and displaying a plurality of virtual keys in a curved line shape concave toward the edge of the display area;
A step of determining as a first selection operation when the touch panel detects that a touch operation on the virtual key has started;
After the first selection operation, when the touch panel detects that the touch operation is canceled without moving the touch position by the touch operation out of a predetermined area, the step of determining as the second selection operation; ,
After the first selection operation, when the touch position by the touch operation moves out of the predetermined area in the curved line direction, and the distance and / or speed of the movement is within the predetermined range, the third selection Determining as an operation;
After the first selection operation, when the touch position by the touch operation moves out of the predetermined region in the curve line direction, and the distance and / or speed of the movement is out of the predetermined range, Determining as a selection operation;
Determining a character corresponding to the first to fourth selection operations as an input character;
Character input method to execute.

(Appendix 2)
Each line of a 50 sound array is assigned to the plurality of virtual keys, and the line of the character selected by the first selection operation is specified,
When a second selection operation is performed after the first selection operation, the character at that stage of the line is determined as an input character,
After the first selection operation, when the touch position moves in the first direction (right direction) on the curve line and the third selection operation is performed, the touch position moves in the first direction (right direction) on the curve line. When the fourth selection operation is performed by moving, when the third selection operation is performed by moving in the second direction (left direction) on the curve line, or the second direction (left) on the curve line The character input according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein when the fourth selection operation is performed after moving in the direction), a character assigned to a pre-assigned step among the steps from the first row to the second row is determined as an input character. Method.

(Appendix 3)
The character input method according to appendix 1 or 2, wherein after the first selection operation, when the touch position is moved in a direction intersecting the curved line, the first selection operation is canceled.

(Appendix 4)
The character input method according to any one of appendices 1 to 3, wherein an operator's finger is moved in a state of touching the display area during calibration, and the curved line is set based on a movement locus of the touch position. .

(Appendix 5)
The character input method according to any one of appendices 1 to 4, wherein the plurality of virtual keys are displayed in a plurality of curved lines having different distances from an edge of the display area.

(Appendix 6)
Assign each line of a 50-tone array to a curved line-like virtual key far from the edge of the display area, and add a roaring sound, a prompt sound to the curved line-like virtual key closer to the edge of the display area than the virtual key to which the line is assigned. The character input method according to supplementary note 5, wherein a character of a punctuation mark, a punctuation mark, a dakuten, a semi-dakuten, a long sound, or “n” is assigned.

(Appendix 7)
A display unit for displaying based on an image signal;
A touch panel that is arranged so as to overlap with the display area of the display unit and detects a touch operation on the display area;
A display control unit that sends an image signal to the display unit and displays a virtual key in a curved line shape that is concave toward the edge of the display region;
A first determination unit that determines as a first selection operation when the touch panel detects that a touch operation on the virtual key has started;
After the first selection operation, the second selection operation is determined as the second selection operation when it is detected by the touch panel that the touch operation is canceled without moving the touch position outside the predetermined area. A determination unit;
After the first selection operation, when the touch position by the touch operation moves out of the predetermined area in the curved line direction, and the distance and / or speed of the movement is within the predetermined range, the third selection A third determination unit that determines the operation;
After the first selection operation, when the touch position by the touch operation moves out of the predetermined region in the curve line direction, and the distance and / or speed of the movement is out of the predetermined range, A fourth determination unit that determines the selection operation;
A character input device comprising: a character determination unit that determines a character corresponding to the first to fourth selection operations as an input character.

(Appendix 8)
Each line of a 50 sound array is assigned to the plurality of virtual keys, and the line of the character selected by the first selection operation is specified,
When a second selection operation is performed after the first selection operation, the character at that stage of the line is determined as an input character,
After the first selection operation, when the touch position moves in the first direction (right direction) on the curve line and the third selection operation is performed, the touch position moves in the first direction (right direction) on the curve line. When the fourth selection operation is performed by moving, when the third selection operation is performed by moving in the second direction (left direction) on the curve line, or the second direction (left) on the curve line The character input according to appendix 7, wherein when the fourth selection operation is performed after moving in the direction), a character assigned to a pre-assigned step is determined as an input character from the first row to the next row. apparatus.

(Appendix 9)
The character input device according to appendix 7 or 8, which cancels the first selection operation when the touch position is moved in a direction intersecting the curved line after the first selection operation.

(Appendix 10)
The character input device according to any one of appendices 7 to 9, wherein an operator's finger is moved in a state of touching the display area during calibration, and the curved line is set based on a movement locus of the touch position. .

(Appendix 11)
11. The character input device according to any one of appendices 7 to 10, wherein the plurality of virtual keys are displayed in a plurality of the curved lines with different distances from an edge of the display area.

(Appendix 12)
Assign each line of a 50-tone array to a curved line-like virtual key far from the edge of the display area, and add a roaring sound, a prompt sound to the curved line-like virtual key closer to the edge of the display area than the virtual key to which the line is assigned. The character input device according to supplementary note 11, to which a character of a punctuation mark, a reading mark, a dakuten, a semi-dakuten, a long sound, or “n” is assigned.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Character input device 10 Touch panel display 14 Input / output port 16 Operation processing part 17 Memory | storage part 21 Virtual keyboard 22 Kana key 23 Alphanumeric key 24 Number key 25 Input column 30 Auxiliary virtual key 32 Next character 33 Last character 34 Character 35 Bar character 41 Thumb 42 Carpal joint

Claims (7)

A computer comprising: a display unit that performs display based on an image signal; and a touch panel that is arranged so as to overlap with a display region of the display unit and detects a touch operation on the display region.
Sending an image signal to the display unit, and displaying a plurality of virtual keys in a curved line shape concave toward the edge of the display area;
A step of determining as a first selection operation when the touch panel detects that a touch operation on the virtual key has started;
After the first selection operation, when the touch panel detects that the touch operation is canceled without moving the touch position by the touch operation out of a predetermined area, the step of determining as the second selection operation; ,
After the first selection operation, when the touch position by the touch operation moves out of the predetermined area in the curved line direction, and the distance and / or speed of the movement is within the predetermined range, the third selection Determining as an operation;
After the first selection operation, when the touch position by the touch operation moves out of the predetermined region in the curve line direction, and the distance and / or speed of the movement is out of the predetermined range, Determining as a selection operation;
Determining a character corresponding to the first to fourth selection operations as an input character;
Character input method to execute. Each line of a 50 sound array is assigned to the plurality of virtual keys, and the line of the character selected by the first selection operation is specified,
When a second selection operation is performed after the first selection operation, the character at that stage of the line is determined as an input character,
After the first selection operation, when the touch position is moved in the first direction on the curve line and the third selection operation is performed, the touch position is moved in the first direction on the curve line and the fourth selection operation is performed. Is performed, moved in the second direction on the curve line, and the third selection operation is performed, or moved in the second direction on the curve line and the fourth selection operation is performed. The character input method according to claim 1, wherein a character assigned in advance among the steps from the first row to the second row is determined as an input character.   The character input method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein after the first selection operation, when the touch position is moved in a direction intersecting the curved line, the first selection operation is canceled.   The character input according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an operator's finger is moved in a state of touching the display area during calibration, and the curved line is set based on a movement locus of the touch position. Method.   The character input method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plurality of virtual keys are displayed in a plurality of the curved lines with different distances from an edge of the display area.   Assign each line of a 50-tone arrangement to a curved line-like virtual key far from the edge of the display area. The character input method according to claim 5, wherein a character of a punctuation mark, a reading mark, a dakuten, a semi-dakuten, a long sound, or “n” is assigned. A display unit for displaying based on an image signal;
A touch panel that is arranged so as to overlap with the display area of the display unit and detects a touch operation on the display area;
A display control unit that sends an image signal to the display unit and displays a virtual key in a curved line shape that is concave toward the edge of the display region;
A first determination unit that determines as a first selection operation when the touch panel detects that a touch operation on the virtual key has started;
After the first selection operation, the second selection operation is determined as the second selection operation when it is detected by the touch panel that the touch operation is canceled without moving the touch position outside the predetermined area. A determination unit;
After the first selection operation, when the touch position by the touch operation moves out of the predetermined area in the curved line direction, and the distance and / or speed of the movement is within the predetermined range, the third selection A third determination unit that determines the operation;
After the first selection operation, when the touch position by the touch operation moves out of the predetermined region in the curve line direction, and the distance and / or speed of the movement is out of the predetermined range, A fourth determination unit that determines the selection operation;
A character input device comprising: a character determination unit that determines a character corresponding to the first to fourth selection operations as an input character.

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