JP2013242630A - Input device, control method thereof, and control program thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device capable of improving convenience for a user who performs a touch operation.SOLUTION: An input device includes: a display having a display area; a touch panel capable of detecting a touch position with respect to the display area; and a processor for controlling displaying in the display area of the display and also performing processing in response to the detection result of the touch panel. The processor allows a first object having a first input area for receiving a first input to be displayed in the display area. The first input area includes multiple areas. The processor identifies an area to which a touch position belongs in the first input area on the basis of the first input among multiple areas, and allows a second object having a second input area for receiving a second input to be displayed in the display area on the basis of the identified area.

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device that can accept a touch input, a control method thereof, and a control program thereof.

  A mobile terminal device having a display screen with a touch function has been attracting attention in recent years because it can input and output information by an intuitive operation. A display screen with a touch function is provided with a transparent touch panel, and a user can input information by touching an image displayed on the display screen with a finger or a pen. For example, there is a technique in which a software keyboard for displaying a keyboard as a means for inputting characters or the like with software is applied to a display screen of a mobile terminal device.

  For example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2011-192215 (Patent Document 1) discloses a character input device. The character input device includes a display unit that displays an image, an input detection unit that is arranged so as to overlap the display unit, detects an operator's touch input, and displays a software keyboard on the display unit. And a control unit that performs enlarged key display for enlarging and displaying at least one image of one key image and its surrounding keys.

  Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-154573 (Patent Document 2) discloses a portable electronic device. In the case of soft key input using a touch panel, a portable electronic device selects at least one key that can be selected when a subsequent operation target key is limited by a character type or an input character that precedes like an English word input. Zooms in and zooms out other keys.

  Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-165146 (Patent Document 3) discloses a portable information terminal device. The portable information terminal device displays a software keyboard composed of English character keys on the display unit when a Japanese input mode using Roman characters is selected, and accepts key input. Then, when the portable information terminal device reads the key input rule table, it determines whether or not a next input candidate key exists in the key input rule table. When there is a next input candidate key, the portable information terminal device is set so as to accept the input of the next input candidate key, and set so as not to accept the input of any key other than the next input candidate key The next input candidate key is displayed in the section.

  Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2008-257551 (Patent Document 4) discloses an information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus displays a software keyboard in which characters are arranged using a light color on a display screen, and displays a character input field thereon. The information processing apparatus detects character selection for each character in the software keyboard according to the touch state from the display screen, and enlarges and displays the selected character using a dark color during the touch state. The information processing apparatus determines the selected character as a character input state in accordance with the transition to the non-touch state, and displays it in the character input field.

  Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-38407 (Patent Document 5) discloses a character input device. In the character input device, the virtual keyboard output means displays a virtual keyboard including a plurality of virtual keys for character input on a display such as a touch screen. The provisional confirmation means receives a selection act of an operator who touches the virtual keyboard and recognizes a character as a selection candidate based on the coordinate position touched. The enlarged output means outputs an enlarged image relating to the recognized character to the display. The confirming means confirms the character recognized immediately before as an input character in response to the selection action of the operator who makes no contact with the virtual keyboard.

JP 2011-192215 A JP 2011-154573 A JP 2010-165146 A JP 2008-257551A JP 2004-38407 A

  In recent years, the display resolution of a mobile terminal device with a touch function has been improved, so that characters and the like displayed on the display screen can be displayed smaller than before. For this reason, the input area assigned to a single character key is also reduced, and there is a problem that the user cannot easily perform a touch operation with a finger or the like. According to each of the above technologies, the keys (characters) have been enlarged or darkened to improve touch operability, but if the user makes a key input error, the correct input is made again. I need to start over.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides an input device capable of improving the convenience of a user who performs a touch operation, a control method thereof, and a control program thereof The purpose is to do.

  An input device according to an embodiment controls a display in a display area having a display area, a touch panel capable of detecting a touch position with respect to the display area, and a process in response to a detection result of the touch panel. Processor. The processor displays a first object having a first input area for receiving a first input on the display area. The first input area includes a plurality of areas. The processor specifies a region to which the touch position in the first input region based on the first input belongs from a plurality of regions, and receives a second input based on the specified region It is comprised so that the 2nd object which has may be displayed on a display area.

  Preferably, the processor is configured to place the first character in the first input area, and to place a plurality of second characters associated with the first character in the plurality of second input areas, respectively. ing.

  Preferably, in the second object displayed in response to the first input, the second character arranged in the second input area is selected based on the second input, whereby the second object It is configured to accept input of characters.

  Preferably, when the second object is displayed in the display area, the second character associated with the specified area corresponding to the touch position is displayed at the touch position in the first input area based on the first input. It is configured to place.

  Preferably, when the processor displays the second object in the display area, the processor inputs the first input to the plurality of second input areas in which the plurality of second characters associated with the first character are respectively arranged. It is configured to display the area where the enlarged characters are arranged in an overlapping manner.

  Preferably, the input of the second character selected based on the second input includes inputting the second character in response to the object moving away from the touch position.

  Preferably, at least one of the first and second objects includes an image showing a software keyboard.

  According to another embodiment, a method for controlling an input device is provided. The input device includes a display having a display area and a touch panel capable of detecting a touch position with respect to the display area. The control method includes a step of displaying a first object having a first input area for receiving a first input on the display area. The first input area has a plurality of areas. The control method further includes: specifying a region to which the touch position in the first input region based on the first input belongs from a plurality of regions; and accepting the second input based on the specified region Displaying a second object having a second input area in the display area.

  According to yet another embodiment, a control program to be executed by a computer of an input device is provided. The input device includes a display having a display area and a touch panel capable of detecting a touch position with respect to the display area. The control program causes the computer to execute a step of displaying the first object having the first input area for receiving the first input in the display area. The first input area has a plurality of areas. The control program further receives, from the plurality of areas, a step of specifying an area to which the touch position in the first input area based on the first input belongs, and a second input based on the specified area. And displaying a second object having a second input area for displaying in the display area.

  As described above, according to a certain aspect, it is possible to improve convenience for a user who performs a touch operation.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the external appearance of the input device according to this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the input device according to this Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the user's touch position (the 1) in the 1st software keyboard which the input device according to this Embodiment provides. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the 2nd software keyboard displayed based on the touch position (the 1) in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating a user's touch position (the 2) in the 1st software keyboard which the input device according to this Embodiment provides. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the 2nd software keyboard displayed based on the touch position (the 2) in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the user's touch position (the 3) in the 1st software keyboard which the input device according to this Embodiment provides. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the 2nd software keyboard displayed based on the touch position (the 2) in FIG. It is a functional block diagram of the input device according to this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the character input processing procedure which the input device according to this Embodiment performs.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

<A. Appearance>
First, the appearance of input device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an appearance of input device 10 according to the present embodiment. In the following description, a case where the input device 10 is a smartphone will be described. However, the input device 10 according to the present embodiment can be realized as an arbitrary device as long as it is a device that can accept a touch input to the display unit. For example, the input device 10 can be implemented as a mobile phone, a tablet terminal device, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance), a PC (Personal Computer), or the like.

  Referring to FIG. 1, an input device 10 includes a display 140 as a display unit, a touch panel 130 as a position detection unit capable of detecting a position (touch position) touch-inputted to the display 140, and various operations. And a button 160 for performing the operation. The display 140 displays application content, data, and the like. The display 140 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. In addition, a transparent touch panel 130 is attached to the display 140, and the input device 10 can accept various instructions accompanying a touch operation from the user.

  It is assumed that the input device 10 is basically used by a user holding with one hand or both hands. Further, even when the user holds either the longitudinal direction or the short direction of the input device 10, the screen display may be switched in a direction suitable for the holding direction. In the present specification, when the expressions “vertical direction” and “horizontal direction” of the screen are used, in principle, the respective directions viewed from the user when the user is holding the input device 10 are meant. . In other words, the “vertical direction” and “horizontal direction” are determined based on the image displayed on the display 140.

  One or more objects are displayed on the display 140 of the input device 10 so that the user can perform intuitive operations. In the present specification, “object” means various images displayed on the display 140 for performing a function of accepting a user's operation, a function of presenting some information to the user, or a function of a combination of both. . Hereinafter, a case where the “object” is a software keyboard image will be described. The user performs character input by touching a desired key image on the software keyboard image displayed on the display 140.

<B. Hardware configuration>
Next, the hardware configuration of the input device 10 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of input device 10 according to the present embodiment.

  Referring to FIG. 2, an input device 10 includes, as main components, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 110, a memory 120, a touch panel 130, a display 140, a speaker 150, a button 160, a memory interface (I). / F) 170, a communication interface (I / F) 180, a wireless communication unit 190, a communication antenna 192, and an acceleration sensor 194.

  The CPU 110 controls the operation of each unit of the input device 10 by reading and executing a program stored in the memory 120. More specifically, the CPU 110 realizes each process (step) of the input device 10 to be described later by executing the program. The CPU 110 is, for example, a microprocessor. The hardware may be an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) other than the CPU, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a circuit having other arithmetic functions, or the like.

  The memory 120 is realized by a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read-Only Memory), a hard disk, or the like. The memory 120 stores a program executed by the CPU 110, data, an address book of communication partners, and the like.

  The touch panel 130 is provided on a display 140 having a function as a display unit, and may be any type such as a resistance film method, a surface acoustic wave method, an infrared method, an electromagnetic induction method, and a capacitance method. . The touch panel 130 may include an optical sensor liquid crystal. The touch panel 130 detects a touch operation on the touch panel 130 by an external object every predetermined time, and inputs touch coordinates (touch position) to the CPU 110. That is, the CPU 110 acquires touch coordinates from the touch panel 130.

  The speaker 150 outputs sound based on a command from the CPU 110. For example, the CPU 110 causes the speaker 150 to output sound based on the sound data.

  The button 160 is disposed on the surface of the input device 10, receives a command from the user, and inputs the command to the CPU 110. The button 160 includes, for example, a screen transition button for changing the display screen, a confirmation button, a cancel button, and the like.

  A memory interface (I / F) 170 reads data from an external storage medium 172. That is, the CPU 110 reads data stored in the external storage medium 172 via the memory interface 170 and stores the data in the memory 120. CPU 110 reads data from memory 120 and stores the data in external storage medium 172 via memory interface 170.

  The storage medium 172 includes a CD (Compact Disc), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), a BD (Blu-ray Disc), a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, a memory card, an FD (Flexible Disk), a hard disk, and a magnetic tape. , Cassette tapes, MO (Magnetic Optical Disc), MD (Mini Disc), IC (Integrated Circuit) cards (excluding memory cards), optical cards, EPROM, EEPROM (Electronically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), etc., non-volatile And a medium for storing the program.

  A communication interface (I / F) 180 is a communication interface for exchanging various data between the input device 10 and an external device, and is realized by an adapter, a connector, or the like. Note that the communication method may be wireless communication using Bluetooth (registered trademark), wireless LAN (Local Area Network), or the like, or wired communication using a USB bus or the like.

  The wireless communication unit 190 transmits and receives signals for communication via the communication antenna 192. That is, the wireless communication unit 190 converts communication data from the CPU 110 into a communication signal, transmits the communication signal to the communication partner via the communication antenna 192, or receives a communication signal received from the communication partner via the communication antenna 192. Is converted into communication data, and the communication data is input to the CPU 110. Thereby, the input device 10 can be connected to the Internet or the like via a wireless communication network such as a third generation mobile communication system (3G) or LTE (Long Term Evolution).

  The acceleration sensor 194 is realized by, for example, a three-axis acceleration sensor of MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems), and detects the movement of the input device 10. The acceleration sensor 194 detects the moving direction and acceleration of the input device 10 itself. For example, the CPU 110 specifies the attitude of the input device 10 based on the sensor signal from the acceleration sensor 194, and thereby determines the display direction of the screen displayed on the display 140. Specifically, when the input device 10 is in the portrait orientation (when the user is holding the input device 10 in the portrait orientation), the CPU 110 displays the display screen on the display 140 so as to display the same portrait orientation. Determine the direction. When the input device 10 is in the landscape orientation, the CPU 110 determines the display direction so that the display screen is displayed on the display 140 in the same landscape orientation.

<C. Example of operation>
Next, an operation example when the user inputs characters in input device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. Here, a case where a software keyboard image (first software keyboard) having a general QWERTY layout is displayed as an object near the lower side of the display screen (display area) of the display 140 will be described.

  As an outline, the input device 10 displays a first software keyboard having a first input area (first character key area) for receiving a first input (input of a first character) on the display screen. . When the input device 10 receives a touch input associated with the selection of the first character from the user, the input device 10 performs a second input (second character input) associated with the first character based on the touch position of the user. A second software keyboard having a second input area (second character key area) for receiving is displayed. Then, the input device 10 receives an input of the second character selected on the second software keyboard, and displays the selected second character in a character display area that is an area where the input character is displayed. .

Hereinafter, a detailed operation example of the input device 10 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for describing a touch position (part 1) of the user on the first software keyboard provided by input device 10 according to the present embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 3, the first software keyboard displayed on the display screen of the display 140 by the input device 10 includes a plurality of first input areas (first areas) each having a plurality of first characters arranged in a QWERTY layout. Character key area). Then, it can be seen that the vicinity of the upper right of the first input area (character key area of “G”) where the first character “G” is arranged is touched by the user. Further, referring to the enlarged view near the touch position of the user in FIG. 3, the touch position corresponds to the coordinates (X ₉ , Y ₅ ), (X ₉ , Y ₆ ), (X ₁₀ , Y ₅ ), (X ₁₀ , Y ₆ ) (hereinafter also referred to as “region A”). At this time, the input device 10 identifies an area to which the touch position belongs from a plurality of areas included in the first input area (character key area “G”) (the touch position belongs to the area A). Based on the identified area A, the second software keyboard is displayed. Specifically, it is displayed as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example of the second software keyboard displayed based on the touch position (part 1) in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 4, the second software keyboard includes a plurality of second input areas (second areas) in which a plurality of second characters associated with the first characters in the first software keyboard are respectively arranged. Character key area). More specifically, for example, a plurality of second characters associated with the first character “G” are kana characters such as “ga” and “gi”, and katakana characters such as “ga” and “gi”. , “G”, “g” and the like. The second software keyboard includes a plurality of second input areas (second character key areas) each having a plurality of second characters as described above. In addition, a plurality of second characters associated with other first characters “T”, “Y”, “H”, “N”, “B” located around the first character “G” are As shown in FIG. 4, it is arranged around a plurality of second characters (“GA”, “GA”, “G”, etc.) associated with the first character “G”.

  When the input device 10 displays the second software keyboard on the display screen, for example, a plurality of second input areas in which a plurality of second characters “GA”, “GA”, “G”, and the like are arranged. An area where a light color character obtained by enlarging the first character “G” associated with the second character is overlaid on the area occupied by the (second character key area) is displayed. Thereby, the user can visually recognize the second character associated with the first character.

  Further, FIG. 4 shows that the second character “go” on the second software keyboard is displayed at the position touched by the user on the first software keyboard. In other words, the input device 10 displays the second software keyboard so as to place the second character “go” associated with the identified area A at the touch position of the user on the first software keyboard. To do.

  Then, the input device 10 accepts input of the second character by selecting the second character on the second software keyboard. Specifically, when the user lifts his / her finger from a state where the user touches the second input area (second character key area) where the second character is arranged, the input device 10 receives the second character. Is received, and the received second character is displayed in the character display area 500.

  Thus, since a character is input by selection of a 2nd character (an input character is displayed on the character display area 500), the said 2nd character needs to be selected more correctly by the user. Therefore, by setting the second input area (second character key area) for accepting the input of the second character as a larger area compared to the first input area (first character key area), The user can select the second character more accurately.

  Next, the display of the second software keyboard based on the touch position of the user on the first software keyboard will be described with another example.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing a touch position (part 2) of the user on the first software keyboard provided by input device 10 according to the present embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, it can be seen that the vicinity of the upper center of the first input area (character key area “G”) where the first character “G” is arranged is touched by the user. Further, referring to the enlarged view in the vicinity of the touch position of the user in FIG. 5, the touch position corresponds to the coordinates (X ₇ , Y ₅ ), (X ₇ , Y ₆ ), (X ₈ , Y ₅ ), (X ₈ , Y ₆ ) (hereinafter also referred to as “region B”). Then, the input device 10 specifies that the touch position in the first input area (the character key area “G”) belongs to the area B, and uses the second software keyboard based on the specified area B. indicate.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the second software keyboard displayed based on the touch position (part 2) in FIG. Details of the second software keyboard display method similar to those in FIG. 4 will not be repeated.

  FIG. 6 shows that the second character “gu” is displayed at the position touched by the user on the first software keyboard. That is, the input device 10 displays the second software keyboard so as to place the second character “gu” associated with the identified area B at the touch position of the user on the first software keyboard. To do. Therefore, it can be seen that the character key layout of the second software keyboard is shifted to the right of the screen as compared to the character key layout shown in FIG.

  Next, the display of the second software keyboard based on the user's touch position on the first software keyboard will be described with another example.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing a touch position (part 3) of the user on the first software keyboard provided by input device 10 according to the present embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 7, it can be seen that the vicinity of the center of the first input area where the first character “G” is arranged is touched by the user. In addition, referring to the enlarged view of the vicinity of the touch position of the user in FIG. 7, the touch position has coordinates (X ₇ , Y ₄ ), (X ₇ , Y ₅ ), (X ₈ , Y ₄ ), (X ₈ , Y ₅ ) (hereinafter also referred to as “region C”). Then, the input device 10 specifies that the touch position in the first input area (character key area “G”) belongs to the area C, and uses the second software keyboard based on the specified area C. indicate.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the second software keyboard displayed based on the touch position (part 2) in FIG. Details of the second software keyboard display method similar to those in FIG. 4 will not be repeated.

  FIG. 8 shows that the second character “G” is displayed at the position touched by the user on the first software keyboard. In other words, the input device 10 displays the second software keyboard so as to arrange the second character “G” associated with the specified area C at the touch position of the user on the first software keyboard. To do. Therefore, it can be seen that the character key layout of the second software keyboard is shifted upward and to the right of the screen as compared with the character key layout shown in FIG.

  In the input device 10 that realizes the above operation, the user intends to input the character “G” and selects the character “G” on the first software keyboard, but the character “H” is selected by mistake. Even if it has been done, the character “gu” that the user tried to input is displayed on the second software keyboard. Therefore, the user can input the character “gu” by selecting the character “gu” by sliding the finger or the like.

  Further, the second software keyboard displays kana characters, katakana characters, and English characters as a plurality of second characters associated with the first character, so that the character type switching operation is not performed. A user's desired character can be input.

In the above description, the case where the character “G” is selected on the first software keyboard has been described, but the same can be considered when other characters are selected. For example, when the user selects (touches) the letter “T” on the first software keyboard, the touch position has coordinates (X ₅ , Y ₇ ), (X ₅ , Y ₈ ), (X ₆ , Y ₇ ), (X ₆ , Y ₈ ) is assumed to belong to the region enclosed. At this time, the input device 10 displays the second software keyboard so as to arrange the second character “T” at the position touched by the user on the first software keyboard.

<D. Functional configuration>
Next, a functional configuration for realizing an operation example provided by input device 10 according to the present embodiment as described above will be described.

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of input device 10 according to the present embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 9, the input device 10 includes a position detection unit 202, a display control unit 204, a region specifying unit 206, and a character input unit 208 as main functional configurations. Basically, the display control unit 204, the region specifying unit 206, and the character input unit 208 execute a program stored in the memory 120 by the CPU 110 of the input device 10, and give commands to the components of the input device 10. It is realized by giving. That is, the CPU 110 has a function as a control unit that controls the entire operation of the input device 10. Note that some or all of these functional configurations may be realized by hardware.

  When the position detection unit 202 receives a touch input from the user, the position detection unit 202 sequentially outputs the detection result of the touch position to the display control unit 204. Specifically, the position detection unit 202 touch coordinates from a touch coordinate indicating a touch position (initial position of the detected touch position) serving as a starting point of the touch operation by the user to a touch coordinate serving as an end point of the touch operation. Are output sequentially. Further, when the position detection unit 202 detects that a plurality of points are touched at the same time, the position detection unit 202 may output these touch coordinates. The position detection unit 202 is a function mainly realized by the touch panel 130.

  The display control unit 204 causes the display 140 to display a first object having a first input area for receiving a first input. The display control unit 204 causes the display 140 to display a second object having a second input area for accepting a second input based on the area specified by the area specifying unit 206 described later.

  More specifically, the display control unit 204 places the first character in the first input area, and places the plurality of second characters associated with the first character in the plurality of second input areas, respectively. The display on the display 140 is controlled to be arranged. When displaying the second object in the display area, the display control unit 204 sets the touch position in the first input area based on the first input to the first area associated with the specified area corresponding to the touch position. The display 140 is controlled so that two characters are arranged. In addition, when the display control unit 204 displays the second object on the display 140, the display control unit 204 sets the second input region in which the plurality of second characters associated with the first character are respectively arranged in the second input area. Control is performed so that the area where the enlarged characters of one character are arranged is displayed.

  The area specifying unit 206 specifies an area to which the touch position in the first input area based on the first input belongs, from a plurality of predetermined areas included in the first input area. Then, the area specifying unit 206 outputs the specifying result to the display control unit 204.

  In the second object displayed in response to the first input, the character input unit 208 selects the second character arranged in the second input area based on the second input, The input of the second character is accepted. The character input unit 208 instructs the display control unit 204 to display the received second character in the character display area.

  Next, a processing procedure executed by the input device 10 to realize the above operation example will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a character input processing procedure executed by input device 10 according to the present embodiment.

  Referring to FIG. 10, CPU 110 causes display 140 to display a first object having a first input area for receiving a first input (step S102). For example, the CPU 110 causes the display 140 to display a first software keyboard as shown in FIG.

  Next, CPU 110 determines whether or not a touch input is received from the user via touch panel 130 (step S104). CPU110 repeats the process of step S104, when the touch input is not received (in the case of NO in step S104).

  On the other hand, when the touch input is received (YES in step S104), CPU 110 determines whether or not the first character arranged in the first input area is selected (step S106). ). More specifically, CPU 110 determines whether or not the first input area (first character key area) where the first character is arranged is touched on the first software keyboard.

  When CPU 110 determines that the first character is not selected (NO in step S106), CPU 110 repeats the processing from step S104. On the other hand, when CPU 110 determines that the first character has been selected (YES in step S106), CPU 110 identifies the touch position in the first input area where the selected first character is arranged. (Step S108). More specifically, CPU 110 specifies an area to which the touch position belongs from a plurality of predetermined areas included in the first input area. In other words, the CPU 110 determines to which area of the plurality of areas the touch position belongs.

  Next, CPU110 displays the 2nd object which has the 2nd input area for receiving the 2nd input based on the specified field (Step S110). More specifically, CPU 110 displays the second object so as to arrange the second character associated with the specified area. For example, according to the example of FIG. 4, the CPU 110 arranges the second software “go” associated with the identified area A at the touch position of the user on the first software keyboard. Display the keyboard. In addition, the CPU 110 expands the first character “G” to an area occupied by a plurality of second input areas in which a plurality of second characters “GA”, “GA”, “G”, and the like are arranged. An area where light-colored characters are arranged may be displayed in an overlapping manner.

  Next, the CPU 110 determines whether or not the second character arranged in the second input area has been selected (step S112). More specifically, in the second software keyboard, the CPU 110 has a second input area (second character key area) where a second character (kana character, katakana character and English character) is arranged as a finger or the like. From the touched state, it is determined whether or not the finger or the like has been removed.

  When the second character arranged in the second input area is not selected (NO in step S112), CPU 110 repeats the process of step S112. On the other hand, when the second character arranged in the second input area is selected (YES in step S112), CPU 110 accepts input of the selected second character, The received second character is displayed in a predetermined character display area (step S114). Then, the process ends.

<E. Other Embodiments>
In the above-described embodiment, the case where a software keyboard having a QWERTY layout is used as the first software keyboard has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Also, a software keyboard whose arrangement is arbitrarily set by the user may be used.

  Further, the character key arrangement of the second software keyboard is not limited to the above example, and the arrangement of kana characters, katakana characters, and English characters may be different from the above embodiment. The character keys may be arranged in an arrangement pattern selected by the user from several arrangement patterns set in advance. There may be a case where the user can register a desired arrangement pattern and character keys are arranged in the arrangement pattern.

  It is also possible to provide a program that causes a computer to function and execute control as described in the above flowchart. Such a program is recorded on a non-temporary computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk attached to the computer, a CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory), a ROM, a RAM, and a memory card, and the program product Can also be provided. Alternatively, the program can be provided by being recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk built in the computer. A program can also be provided by downloading via a network.

  The program may be a program module that is provided as a part of an operating system (OS) of a computer and that calls necessary modules in a predetermined arrangement at a predetermined timing to execute processing. In that case, the program itself does not include the module, and the process is executed in cooperation with the OS. A program that does not include such a module can also be included in the program according to the present embodiment.

  Further, the program according to the present embodiment may be provided by being incorporated in a part of another program. Even in this case, the program itself does not include the module included in the other program, and the process is executed in cooperation with the other program. A program incorporated in such another program can also be included in the program according to the present embodiment.

<F. Advantage>
With this embodiment, even if the user selects the wrong character on the first software keyboard (such as when a key adjacent to the key to be selected is selected), It is possible to input a desired character without performing a redo operation such as selecting a correct character again by deleting a character that has been selected and input by mistake.

  When the user selects a character arranged on the first software keyboard, characters (kana characters, katakana characters and English characters) related to the selected characters are displayed. Therefore, the user can input a desired character without having to perform a character type switching operation.

  Therefore, it is possible to save the user's trouble and improve the convenience of the user who performs the touch operation.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  10 input device, 110 CPU, 120 memory, 130 touch panel, 140 display, 150 speaker, 160 button, 170 memory interface, 172 storage medium, 180 communication interface, 190 wireless communication unit, 192 communication antenna, 194 acceleration sensor, 202 position detection Part, 204 display control part, 206 area specifying part, 208 character input part.

Claims (9)

A display having a display area;
A touch panel capable of detecting a touch position with respect to the display area;
A processor for controlling display in the display area of the display and executing processing in response to a detection result of the touch panel,
The processor displays a first object having a first input area for receiving a first input in the display area,
The first input area includes a plurality of areas;
The processor is
From the plurality of regions, specify a region to which a touch position in the first input region based on the first input belongs,
An input device configured to display, in the display area, a second object having a second input area for receiving a second input based on the specified area.   The processor is configured to arrange a first character in the first input area and arrange a plurality of second characters associated with the first character in the plurality of second input areas, respectively. The input device according to claim 1.   In the second object displayed in response to the first input, the processor selects the second character arranged in the second input area based on the second input. The input device according to claim 2, wherein the input device is configured to receive an input of the second character.   When the processor displays the second object in the display area, the processor associates the touch position in the first input area based on the first input with the specified area corresponding to the touch position. The input device according to claim 2, wherein the input device is configured to arrange the second character.   When the processor displays the second object in the display area, a plurality of the second characters associated with the first character are respectively arranged in the plurality of second input areas. The input device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the input device is configured to overlap and display an area where a character obtained by enlarging the first character is arranged.   The input of the second character selected based on the second input includes inputting the second character in response to the object moving away from the touch position. The input device according to claim 1.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second objects includes an image indicating a software keyboard. An input device control method comprising:
The input device includes a display having a display area, and a touch panel capable of detecting a touch position with respect to the display area,
The control method is:
Displaying a first object having a first input area for accepting a first input in the display area, wherein the first input area has a plurality of areas;
The control method further includes:
Identifying a region to which a touch position in the first input region based on the first input belongs from the plurality of regions;
And displaying a second object having a second input area for receiving a second input on the display area based on the identified area. A control program to be executed by a computer of an input device,
The input device includes a display having a display area, and a touch panel capable of detecting a touch position with respect to the display area,
The control program is stored in the computer.
Displaying a first object having a first input area for receiving a first input on the display area, wherein the first input area has a plurality of areas;
The control program is further stored in the computer.
Identifying a region to which a touch position in the first input region based on the first input belongs from the plurality of regions;
A control program for an input device, which executes a step of displaying, in the display area, a second object having a second input area for receiving a second input based on the specified area.

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