JP2016021159A - Character input device, character input program, and character input method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a character input device configured to allow a user to select and input an arbitrary character from among a character group with a simple operation, without depending on visual information, in an information terminal device including a touch input surface.SOLUTION: Character groups for selection input include a representative character group formed of a plurality of representative characters, and a subordinate character group formed of characters subordinated to the representative characters. A character input device includes: a primary touch detection section 20a for detecting a first-stage touch on a touch input surface; a primary operation detection section 22a for detecting the number of primary touch points and a moving direction and changes when the primary touch points slide on an input surface; a representative character selection section 24a which shifts the representative characters in the representative character group, according to output thereof; a secondary touch detection section 20b for detecting a second-stage touch; a secondary operation detection section 22b for detecting the number of secondary touch points; and a subordinate character selection section 24b which shifts the subordinate characters in the subordinate character group selected in the representative character selection section 24a, according to the number of secondary touch points.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a character input device, a character input program, and a character input method, and more particularly to a character input device, a character input program, and a character input method capable of quickly inputting an arbitrary character without depending on visual information.

  In recent years, information terminal devices having a touch-type input surface such as a touch panel and a tablet have become widespread. When performing character input in these information terminal devices, a method of tapping and inputting a software keyboard such as a QWERTY layout displayed on the input surface, or a selected representative character (for example, “A”) called flick input is used. In general, a subordinate character (for example, “I, U, E, O”) is developed in the shape of a cross or a fan and the input is performed by sliding a finger in the direction of the character to be input.

  Various information input devices and character input methods have been disclosed for the purpose of facilitating character input work and improving operability while information terminal devices having a touch-type input surface are widespread (for example, Patent Documents). 1 and Patent Document 2). The character input device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a character input device for selectively inputting an arbitrary character from a character group, and includes a touch-type input unit and all representatives included in the character group. A selection key display unit that displays a character (for example, “A, K, S, Tana, etc.”) as a selection key, and a contact start position of the user on the input unit corresponds to any one of the selection keys. An input character selection candidate determining unit that determines one character group (for example, “Ai, U, E, and O”) corresponding to the selection key as an input character selection candidate, a user's finger on the input unit, and the like When the slide moves in the contact state, the path of the slide, the loop detection unit that detects the loop of the path, and the character feed that performs the character feed operation within the determined input character selection candidate based on the number of loops And having a department And features.

  According to the character input device disclosed in this Patent Document 1, it is described that it is possible to accurately feed characters without looking at the character input key, and thus it is possible to always input characters accurately. Yes.

  Further, an input device disclosed in Patent Document 2 includes a contact detection unit that simultaneously detects a contact position of at least a first stage contact and a second stage contact following the first stage contact by an operator, and a contact detection unit. When the contact position of the first-stage contact is detected by the above, image information including the first group input candidates (for example, “Aka, Sa, Tana ...”) is generated, and the contact detection unit When the contact position of the second stage contact is detected by the second group of input candidates (for example, “2”, subordinate to the input candidate selected by the contact position of the first stage contact in the first group of input candidates. And a video information generation unit that generates video information including “a, i, u, e, o”).

  According to the input device disclosed in Patent Document 2, it is described that when a character is input, an input operation can be performed efficiently.

  Furthermore, the inventor of the present application has previously disclosed a character input device, a character input program, and a character input method that can input arbitrary characters without depending on visual information (see Patent Document 3). The character input device disclosed in Patent Document 3 is a character input device that includes a touch-type input surface and selects and inputs an arbitrary character from a character group, and the character group includes a plurality of character groups. A first character for detecting a first contact with the input surface, the second character including a representative character group composed of representative characters and a dependent character group composed of dependent characters subordinate to the representative character. A first operation detection unit configured to detect a first movement direction and a change in the first movement direction when the first contact point related to the first contact slides while being in contact with the input surface; A representative character selection unit that performs a representative character feed operation within the representative character group according to the first movement direction of the first contact point detected by the first operation detection unit and a change thereof; and the first contact. Continued second while maintaining point contact A second contact detection unit that detects contact, and a second movement direction when the second contact point related to the second contact slides on the input surface while being in contact with the input surface, and a change in the second movement direction, or A second operation detecting unit that detects a tap of the second contact point; and a second movement direction and change of the second contact point detected by the second operation detecting unit, or a tap of the second contact point. The subordinate character group subordinate to the representative character selected by the representative character selection unit is provided with a subordinate character selection unit that performs the subordinate character feeding operation.

  According to the character input device disclosed in Patent Document 3, an information terminal device having a touch-type input surface can select an arbitrary character from a character group by a simple operation without relying on visual information. Can be entered.

Japanese Patent No. 4886582 JP 2012-14508 A Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-011094

  In the conventional input method using a software keyboard such as the QWERTY layout, it is impossible to input characters unless all input operations depend on visual information. However, according to the character input device disclosed in Patent Document 1, input is possible. Only the representative character is selected to detect the slide trajectory and the return of the trajectory when the user's finger or the like is slid in contact with the part, and the character is fed based on the number of turns. If you rely on, you can send characters without relying on visual information later, and you can think that you can reduce incorrect input compared to flick input.

  However, neither the character input device disclosed in Patent Document 1 nor the input device disclosed in Patent Document 2 can perform character input without any visual information. That is, the character input device disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires visual information when selecting a representative character. In addition, in the input device disclosed in Patent Document 2, since characters are selected according to the amount of movement, it is thought that the efficiency of character input can be improved, but any character can be selected from a plurality of characters within a narrow movement range. In order to select this character, a fine operation is required, which is very difficult, and it is impossible to grasp the selected character without visual information. Therefore, as a method for inputting characters without relying on visual information, conventionally, there has been only a handwritten input with a finger or a pen on a touch-type input surface.

  In that respect, according to the character input device disclosed in Patent Document 3, it is possible to select and input an arbitrary character from a character group by a simple operation without relying on visual information. However, since it takes some time and effort to select an arbitrary character to be input from the character group, a quick character input operation is difficult.

  Therefore, in view of the above problems, the present inventor quickly selects an arbitrary character from a character group by a simple operation without relying on visual information in an information terminal device having a touch-type input surface. As a result of extensive studies to provide a character input device, a character input program, and a character input method that can be input, the present invention has been achieved.

  That is, the present invention is a character input device that includes a touch-type input surface and selects and inputs an arbitrary character from a character group, and the character group includes a plurality of representative characters. A primary character detection unit configured to include a representative character group and a subordinate character group composed of subordinate characters subordinate to the representative characters, and detecting a first-stage contact with the input surface; The primary operation detection unit that detects the number of primary contact points related to the stage contact and the primary movement direction when the primary contact point slides in contact with the input surface, and the primary operation detection unit detects the primary operation detection unit A representative character selection unit that performs a representative character feeding operation within the representative character group according to the number of primary contact points and the primary movement direction, and after the primary contact point has once separated from the input surface, to the input surface Detect second stage contact According to the number of secondary contact points detected by the secondary operation detecting unit, the secondary operation detecting unit detecting the number of secondary contact points related to the second stage contact, and the secondary operation detecting unit A subordinate character selection unit that performs a subordinate character feeding operation within a subordinate character group of the representative character that has been selected by the representative character selection unit when the primary contact point is once separated from the input surface; An input character determination unit that determines the subordinate character selected by the subordinate character selection unit as an input character when the next contact point is separated from the input surface;

  In the character input device of the present invention, the primary operation detection unit further detects a change in the primary movement direction, and the number of the primary contact points detected by the primary operation detection unit, the primary movement direction, and the change thereof. Accordingly, the representative character selection unit performs a representative character feed operation within the representative character group.

  Further, in the character input device of the present invention, the character group further includes an attached character group made up of attached characters attached to each of the dependent characters constituting the dependent character group, and the secondary contact point is the input The secondary operation detection unit detects a secondary movement direction and a change in the secondary movement direction when sliding in a contact state with a surface, and the secondary contact point detected by the secondary operation detection unit A subordinate character selected by the subordinate character selection unit according to a secondary movement direction and a change thereof; and an attached character selection unit that performs a character feed operation between the subordinate characters attached to the subordinate character. It is characterized by that.

  Furthermore, in the character input device of the present invention, the slide movement is a linear movement.

  The character input device according to the present invention is characterized in that a turn in the moving direction in the linear movement is detected as a change in the moving direction.

  The present invention is also a character input program that is executed by a computer to select and input an arbitrary character from a character group on a touch-type input surface, and the character group includes a plurality of representative characters. A primary contact detection step configured to detect a first-stage contact with the input surface, including a representative character group configured and a dependent character group configured with a dependent character subordinate to each representative character; A primary operation detecting step for detecting a number of primary contact points related to the contact in the first stage and a primary movement direction when the primary contact point slides on the input surface while being in a contact state; and the primary operation detection unit includes: A representative character selection step of performing a representative character feed operation within the representative character group according to the number of primary contact points to be detected and the primary movement direction, and the primary contact point is the input surface. A second contact detection step for detecting a second stage contact with the input surface, and a secondary operation detection step for detecting the number of secondary contact points related to the second stage contact; The dependent character of the representative character selected in the representative character selection step when the primary contact point is once separated from the input surface according to the number of the secondary contact points detected by the secondary operation detection unit. A subordinate character selection step for performing a subordinate character feed operation within the group, and an input for determining the subordinate character selected by the subordinate character selection unit as an input character when the secondary contact point is separated from the input surface. And a character determining step.

  Further, in the character input program of the present invention, the character group further includes an attached character group composed of attached characters attached to each of the dependent characters constituting the dependent character group, and the secondary contact point is the A secondary movement direction and a change in the secondary movement direction when the input surface is slid in a contact state are detected by the secondary operation detection step, and the secondary contact point detected by the secondary operation detection step is detected. A subordinate character selected in the subordinate character selection step according to the secondary movement direction and the change thereof, and an attached character selection step of performing a character feed operation between the subordinate characters attached to the subordinate character; The computer is executed.

  Furthermore, the present invention provides a character input method for selecting and inputting an arbitrary character from a character group on a touch-type input surface, wherein the character group is composed of a plurality of representative characters. A primary contact detection step for detecting a first-stage contact with the input surface, and a first-stage contact, comprising: a subordinate character group consisting of subordinate characters subordinate to each representative character; A primary operation detecting step for detecting the number of primary contact points related to the operation and a primary movement direction when the primary contact point slides while being in contact with the input surface; and the primary contact detected by the primary operation detecting unit. A representative character selection step of performing a representative character feeding operation within the representative character group in accordance with the number of points and the primary movement direction; and after the primary contact point has once separated from the input surface, to the input surface A secondary contact detecting step for detecting a second stage contact; a secondary operation detecting step for detecting the number of secondary contact points related to the second stage contact operation; and the secondary operation detecting unit detecting the secondary contact detecting step. Depending on the number of secondary contact points, a dependent character feed operation is performed within the dependent character group of the representative character selected in the representative character selection step when the primary contact point once leaves the input surface. A subordinate character selection step; and an input character determination step of determining the subordinate character selected by the subordinate character selection unit as an input character when the secondary contact point is separated from the input surface. And

  Further, in the character input method of the present invention, the character group further includes an attached character group made up of attached characters attached to the dependent characters constituting the dependent character group, and the secondary contact point is the input The secondary movement direction and the change in the secondary movement direction when the sliding movement is performed while being in contact with the surface are detected by the secondary operation detection step, and the secondary contact point detected by the secondary operation detection step is detected. A subordinate character selected in the subordinate character selection step according to a secondary movement direction and a change thereof; and an attached character selection step of performing a character feed operation between the subordinate characters attached to the subordinate character. It is characterized by that.

  According to the character input device, the character input program, and the character input method of the present invention, an arbitrary character can be selected from the character group by a simple operation without relying on visual information in an information terminal device having a touch-type input surface. Can be selected and entered quickly. Therefore, even a visually handicapped person can input characters easily and accurately by a method other than handwriting input on an information terminal such as a touch panel or a tablet.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of one Embodiment of the character input device of this invention. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the character group which concerns on one Embodiment of the character input device of this invention, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the character group which concerns on other embodiment. (A) is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement which concerns on one Embodiment of the character input device of this invention, (b) is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement which concerns on other embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the representative character selection process in the flowchart shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the dependent character selection process in the flowchart shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows one Embodiment of the character input method of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows other embodiment of the character input method of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows other embodiment of the character input method of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of other embodiment of the character input device of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the attached character selection process in the flowchart shown in FIG.3 (b). It is explanatory drawing which shows other embodiment of the character input method of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows other embodiment of the character input method of this invention.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, although tablet PC is assumed as an information terminal device which incorporated the character input device 10 which concerns on this embodiment, this invention is mounted in information terminal devices provided with the touch-type input surface, such as a smart phone and a tablet terminal. Can do.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a tablet PC 100 incorporating a character input device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the tablet PC 100 includes an input unit 12, a control unit 14, a storage unit 16, and a display unit 18. The character input device 10 according to the present embodiment includes an input unit 12, a control unit 14, and a storage unit 16, and is a device for selecting and inputting an arbitrary character from a character group.

  Here, the character group includes a representative character group composed of a plurality of representative characters and a subordinate character group subordinate to each representative character. The type and configuration of the character group are not particularly limited. For example, in the character group 30 shown in FIG. 2A, the representative character group 32 includes the characters “A, K, S, It consists of “ta, na, ha, ma, ra, wa”, and the subordinate character group 34 with “a” as a representative character is composed of “a, i, u, e, o” belonging to “a line”. Has been. Similarly, the subordinate character group 34 of the representative character “ka” is composed of “ka, ki, k, ke, ko” of “ka line”, and the subordinate character group 34 of the representative character “sa” is “sa line”. It is composed of “sa, shi, su, se, so”.

  The input unit 12 is a touch-type input surface that functions by detecting contact with a fingertip of a user, a pen tip of a stylus pen, and the like, and examples thereof include a touch panel and a touch pad. When there is a first-stage contact and a second-stage contact with the input surface related to the input unit 12 of the present embodiment, the information is sent to the primary contact detection unit 20a and the secondary contact detection unit 20b related to the control unit 14 described later. And the first-stage contact and the second-stage contact are detected by the primary contact detection unit 20a and the secondary contact detection unit 20b.

  The control unit 14 includes a primary contact detection unit 20a that detects the presence or absence of the first stage contact with the input surface related to the input unit 12 and the coordinates of the primary contact point related to the first stage contact, and the primary contact point is the input surface. The contact operation to the input surface based on the information from the secondary contact detection unit 20b that detects the presence or absence of the subsequent second stage contact and the coordinates of the secondary contact point related to the second stage contact. The presence / absence is determined, and a character to be input is selected and determined from the character group and output to the output unit 18. The control unit 14 according to this embodiment includes the primary contact detection unit 20a and the secondary contact detection unit 20b, the primary operation detection unit 22a, the secondary operation detection unit 22b, the representative character selection unit 24a, and the subordinate character selection unit 24b. It is comprised including.

  The primary operation detection unit 22a detects the number of primary contact points related to the first-stage contact, the primary movement direction when the primary contact point slides while being in contact with the input surface, and further changes in the primary movement direction. To do. The algorithm for detecting the primary moving direction and its change is not particularly limited, and a known algorithm can be applied. For example, a change in position information of the primary contact point on the input surface is detected. Then, the primary moving direction and its change are detected by comparing the X component and the Y component on the XY coordinates of a straight line connecting two predetermined points. Here, when the slide movement of the primary contact point is a linear movement and the primary movement direction is the vertical direction on the input surface, when the primary contact point is first moved downward on the input surface, the primary operation detection unit 22a When the first movement direction of the contact point is detected and then the movement direction is changed upward, that is, when the movement direction of the primary contact point is turned back from the lower direction to the upper direction, the primary operation detection unit 22a performs the primary contact. It detects that the moving direction of the point has changed.

  The representative character selection unit 24a sends representative characters within the representative character group 32 shown in FIG. 2A according to the number of primary contact points detected by the primary operation detection unit 22a, the primary movement direction, and the change thereof. Perform the action. For example, the number of primary contact points on the input surface can be detected up to five (hereinafter, the number of primary contact points is represented by [1-O]). Is the representative character selection state starting from the representative character “A” when the primary contact detection unit 20a first detects contact in the first stage. Then, when the primary operation detection unit 22a detects that the number of primary contact points has changed from [1-1] to [1-2], the representative character selection unit 24a represents the representative characters in the representative character group 32. In the character subgroup 32a, a sending operation is performed from the representative character “a” to “ka”. Thereafter, as the number of primary contact points changes from [1-3] → [1-4] → [1-5], the representative character “ka” is changed to “sa” → “ta” → “na”. The representative character feed operation is performed in the representative character subgroup 32a.

  In addition, when the primary operation detection unit 22a detects that the primary contact point has moved downward on the input surface, the representative character selection unit 24a causes the representative character subgroup 32a within the representative character group 32 to be represented by the representative character subgroup. Transition to group 32b. That is, after the primary contact detection unit 20a detects the first-stage contact, the representative character selection state starting from the representative character “A” is entered, and then the primary operation detection unit 22a detects that the primary contact point is lower on the input surface. By detecting the movement in the direction, the sending operation is performed from the representative characters “A” to “HA”. Then, by detecting that the number of primary contact points has changed from [1-1] to [1-2], the primary operation detection unit 22a starts from the representative character “ha” in the representative character subgroup 32b. Sending operation to “MA” is performed. Thereafter, as the number of primary contact points changes from [1-3] → [1-4] → [1-5], the representative characters “ma” to “ya” → “ra” → “wa” The representative character feeding operation is performed in the representative character subgroup 32b.

  The representative character feeding operation is not limited to the above-described mode. For example, from the representative character selection state starting with the representative character “A”, the representative character feed operation is performed within the representative character subgroup 32a as “A” → “KA” → “SA” in accordance with the change in the number of primary contact points. Then, the primary contact point (in this case, [1-3]) is moved downward to change “sa” in the representative character subgroup 32a to “ya” in the representative character subgroup 32b. It is also possible to feed characters.

  When the primary moving direction of the primary contact point changes upward, the representative character subgroup 32b in the representative character group 32 again shifts to the representative character subgroup 32a. For example, the representative character “ra” is selected. If it is in the state, the character is fed from the representative characters “RA” to “TA”, and the representative character feeding operation is performed in the representative character group 32a according to the number of primary contact points.

  The secondary operation detection unit 22b detects at least the number of secondary contact points related to the second stage contact detected by the secondary contact detection unit 20b.

  The subordinate character selection unit 24b is configured to select a character within the subordinate character group 34 subordinate to the representative character selected by the representative character selection unit 24a according to a change in the number of secondary contact points detected by the secondary operation detection unit 22b. The feed operation is performed.

  For example, when the number of secondary contact points on the input surface can be detected up to five (hereinafter, the number of secondary contact points is represented by [2-O]), the representative character selected by the representative character selection unit 24a is If it is “sa”, the secondary contact detector 20b detects the second-stage contact, so that “sa” in the subordinate character group 34 subordinate to the representative character “sa” is in the input state, and “ The character selection state in the sub-character group 34 of “Sa line” is set. Then, when the secondary operation detection unit 22b detects that the number of secondary contact points has changed from [2-1] to [2-2], the subordinate character selection unit 24b determines that the subordinate “sa line” is dependent. In the character group 34, the subordinate character “sa” is sent to the subordinate character “shi”. Thereafter, as the number of secondary contact points changes from [2-3] → [2-4] → [2-5], the subordinate characters “shi” to “su” → “se” → “so ", The subordinate character feed operation is performed within the subordinate character group 34.

  The input character determination unit 26 determines the character selected by the subordinate character selection unit 24b as the input character. The method for determining the input character is not particularly limited. For example, when the second-stage contact is released, that is, when the secondary contact point is separated from the input surface, the character selected by the subordinate character selection unit 24b is selected. Determine as input character.

  The storage unit 16 includes a representative character group 32 used by the representative character selection unit 24a and the subordinate character selection unit 24b, and a subordinate character group 34 subordinate to each representative character (see FIG. 2A). ), For example, a flash memory or an HDD.

  The display unit 18 is a device that displays the character currently selected by the representative character selection unit 24a and the subordinate character selection unit 24b according to the control unit 14, and the character determined by the input character determination unit 26, and the representative character selection unit 24a. As long as the characters can be displayed according to the output information from the subordinate character selection unit 24b and the input character determination unit 26, the type of the device is not particularly limited. Although the input unit 12 and the display unit 18 can be provided separately, in the tablet PC 100 according to the present embodiment, the input unit 12 and the display unit 18 are integrally provided on the screen of the display unit 18. The input unit 12 has an input surface.

  Next, the operation of the character input device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail based on the flowcharts shown in FIG. 3 (a), FIG. 4 and FIG. As shown in FIG. 3A, the character input device 10 according to the present embodiment is basically configured such that the representative character selection processing 50 operates first, and then the subordinate character selection processing 60 operates, so that a character to be input is displayed. When the determined character is input (character input 70), the process ends.

  First, as shown in FIG. 4, in the representative character selection processing 50, in step S51, the primary contact detection unit 20a detects the presence or absence of the first stage contact with the input surface related to the input unit 12, and the first stage contact is performed. Is detected, the control unit 14 stores the coordinates of the primary contact point detected by the primary contact detection unit 20a in the storage unit 16 and starts from the representative character group 32 related to the character group 30 for the first time. The representative character “A” is displayed on the display unit 18, and the representative character selection state starts from the representative character “A”.

  Next, in step S53, the presence or absence of a change in the number of primary contact points on the input surface according to the input unit 12 is detected. For example, when the primary operation detection unit 22a detects that the number of primary contact points has changed from [1-1] to [1-2] in step S53, the representative character subs related to the representative character group 32 in step S54. Character feeding is performed within the group 32a, and a character feeding operation is performed from the first representative character "A" to "KA".

  In step S54, when the representative character feeding operation is performed in the representative character group 32 according to the number of primary contact points, the process returns to step S53, and the change in the number of primary contact points is detected again. If no change in the number of primary contact points is detected in step S53, a trajectory connecting the coordinates of the primary contact points stored in time series in the storage unit 16 is calculated in step S55, and primary operation detection is performed. In the part 22a, the primary movement direction of the primary contact point and the presence or absence of changes in the primary movement direction are detected.

  For example, when the slide movement of the primary contact point is a linear movement and the primary movement direction is the vertical direction, the primary operation detection unit 22a detects that the primary contact point has moved downward on the input surface in step S55. In step S56, the character is fed within the representative character group 32. Specifically, when the number of primary contact points is [1-2], the representative character “ka” is displayed on the display unit 18, and the representative character is selected in the representative character subgroup 32a. By detecting that the primary contact point has moved downward on the input surface in step S55, the representative character subgroup 32a in the representative character group 32 is shifted to the representative character subgroup 32b, and the representative character “ka” is used. Sending operation to “MA” is performed.

  When the representative character feed operation is performed in step S56, the presence or absence of contact of the primary contact point with the input surface is detected in step S57. If contact of the primary contact point is detected, the process returns to step S52 and returns to the primary contact point. Are stored in the storage unit 16, and a change in the number of primary contact points is detected in the subsequent step S53. If it is detected that the number of primary contact points has changed from [1-2] to [1-3], a sending operation is performed from the representative character “ma” to “ya” in the representative character subgroup 32b. .

  After detecting the change in the number of primary contact points in step S53 and the movement of the primary contact point in step S54 and the movement of the representative character in response to the change detection, the primary character is input to the input surface in step S57. The presence or absence of contact at the contact point is detected. If no contact at the primary contact point is detected in step S57, a representative character is determined in step S58, and the representative character selection process 50 ends.

  When the representative character is determined in the representative character selection process 50, the character to be input is selected from the subordinate character group 34 subordinate to the representative character determined in the representative character selection process 50 in the subordinate character selection process 60.

  In order for the subordinate character selection process 60 to operate, after the first-stage contact with the input surface of the input unit 12 is released, that is, after the primary contact point has once left the input surface, the second-stage contact is performed. Must be detected by the secondary contact detector 20b. As shown in FIG. 5, in step S <b> 61, when the secondary contact detection unit 20 b detects the presence or absence of the second stage contact with the input surface related to the input unit 12 and the second stage contact is detected, Proceeding to S62, the control unit 14 stores the coordinates of the secondary contact point detected by the secondary contact detection unit 20b in the storage unit 16, and the representative character selected by the representative character selection processing 50, for example, “ta” is stored. In the state displayed on the display unit 18, “Tachi, Tsu, Teto,” included in the subordinate character group 34 of the representative character “Ta” can be selected.

  Next, in step S63, the presence or absence of a change in the number of secondary contact points on the input surface related to the input unit 12 is detected. For example, when the secondary operation detection unit 22b detects that the number of secondary contact points has changed from [2-1] to [2-2] in step S63, the subordinate character group 34 in step S64 is detected. Character feed is performed. In other words, when the representative character selected in the representative character selection process 50 is “TA”, the secondary operation detection unit 22b detects the change in the number of secondary contact points, whereby the dependent character “ The character is moved from “t” to “t”, and “t” is displayed on the display unit 18. If no change in the number of secondary contact points is detected in step S63, the process proceeds to step S65.

  In step S64, when the subordinate character feeding operation is performed in the subordinate character group 34 in accordance with the number of secondary contact points, the process returns to step S63, and the change in the number of secondary contact points is detected again. If no change in the number of primary contact points is detected in step S63, the presence / absence of a secondary contact point contact with the input surface is detected in step S65. If contact of the secondary contact point is not detected in step S65, the subordinate character is tested in step S66, and the subordinate character selection process 60 ends. If contact of the secondary contact point is detected in step S65, the process returns to step S62 again, and the coordinates of the secondary contact point are stored in the storage unit 16, and then the number of secondary contact points is determined in subsequent step S63. A change is detected.

  With the end of the subordinate character selection process 60, the subordinate character determined in step S67 is input by the character input 70, and the operation of the character input device 10 according to the present embodiment ends.

  Next, a character input method according to the character input device 10 of the present embodiment will be described based on FIG. For example, when the user wants to input “su”, first, as shown in FIG. 6A, first-stage contact is made on the input surface of the input unit 12 of the tablet PC 100 incorporating the character input device 10 according to the present embodiment. Is detected, the character input operation is started, and the representative character is selected. At this time, since the number of primary contact points 40 related to the first stage contact is [1-1] (only the primary contact point 40-1), the character group shown in FIG. “A” in the representative character subgroup 32a in the representative character group 32 related to 30 is displayed, and a representative character selection state starting from the representative character “A” is entered.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6B, the number of primary contact points related to the first stage contact is changed from [1-1] to [1-2] (primary contact points 40-1 and 40-2). As a result of the change, in the representative character subgroup 32a related to the representative character group 32, a character feeding operation from the representative character “A” to “KA” is performed. Then, as shown in FIG. 6C, the number of primary contact points changes from [1-2] to [1-3] (primary contact points 40-1, 40-2, 40-3). When the character is moved from the representative character “ka” to “sa” and the primary contact points 40 related to the first stage contact are all separated from the input surface as shown in FIG. The representative character selection process ends with the character “sa” selected. When the number of primary contact points 40 changes from [1-3] to [1-2], a character feed operation is performed from the representative character “sa” to the representative character “ka”.

  Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 6E, the secondary contact point 42 related to the second stage contact is brought into contact with the input surface related to the input unit 12. At this time, since the number of secondary contact points related to the second-stage contact is [2-1] (only the secondary contact point 42-1), “sa” is displayed on the display unit 18. Then, the characters in the subordinate character group 34 of “sa line” composed of “sa, shi, su, se, so” subordinate to the representative character “sa” can be selected.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 6F, the number of secondary contact points 42 related to the second stage contact is changed from [2-1] to [2-2] (secondary contact points 42-1 and 42-2. ), The character is fed from the subordinate character “sa” to the subordinate character “shi” in the subordinate character group 34, and “shi” is displayed on the display unit 18. Further, FIG. As shown, the number of secondary contact points 42 changes to [2-3] (secondary contact points 42-1, 42-2, 42-3), thereby changing the subordinate character “shi” to “su”. Character feed is performed. Finally, as shown in FIG. 6 (h), when all the secondary contact points 42 related to the contact in the second stage have moved away from the input surface, the subordinate character “su” that was last selected and displayed is input. It is confirmed as a character and input. As in the case of the primary contact point 40, when the number of secondary contact points 42 changes from [2-3] to [2-2], the character from the subordinate character “S” to the subordinate character “Shi” is changed. A feed operation is performed.

  Moreover, based on FIG. 7, other embodiment of the character input method which concerns on the character input device 10 of this embodiment is described. For example, when the user wants to input “RI”, first, as shown in FIG. 7A, first-stage contact is made on the input surface of the input unit 12 of the tablet PC 100 incorporating the character input device 10 of the present embodiment. Is detected, the character input operation is started, and the representative character is selected. At this time, since the number of primary contact points 40 related to the first stage contact is [1-1] (only the primary contact point 40-1), the character group shown in FIG. “A” in the representative character subgroup 32a in the representative character group 32 related to 30 is displayed, and a representative character selection state starting from the representative character “A” is entered.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7B, the number of primary contact points 40 related to the first stage contact is changed from [1-1] to [1-2] (primary contact points 40-1 and 40-2). Thus, in the representative character subgroup 32a related to the representative character group 32, a character feeding operation from the representative character “a” to “ka” is performed. As shown in FIGS. 7C and 7D, the number of primary contact points 40 is changed from [1-2] to [1-3] → [1-4] (primary contact points 40-1, 40-2, 40-3, 40-4), the character is sent from “ka” to “sa” → “ta”.

  Further, when the slide movement of the primary contact point 40 related to the first stage contact is a linear movement and the primary movement direction is the vertical direction, as shown in FIG. 40-4) is moved downward on the input surface to move from the representative character subgroup 32a in the representative character group 32 to the representative character subgroup 32b, and to send the representative characters “ta” to “ra”. Is done. Then, as shown in FIG. 7 (f), when all the primary contact points 40 related to the first-stage contact have moved away from the input surface, the representative character selection process ends with the representative character “ra” selected. .

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 7G, the secondary contact point 42 related to the second stage contact is brought into contact with the input surface related to the input unit 12. At this time, since the number of secondary contact points 42 related to the second-stage contact is [2-1] (only the secondary contact point 42-1), a state where “ra” is displayed on the display unit 18. Thus, the characters in the subordinate character group 34 of “Ra line” composed of “Rari, Ru, Re, and R” subordinate to the representative character “Ra” can be selected.

  As shown in FIG. 7H, the number of secondary contact points 42 related to the second stage contact is changed from [2-1] to [2-2] (secondary contact points 42-1 and 42-2. ) In the subordinate character group 34, the subordinate character “ra” is fed to the subordinate character “ri” and “ri” is displayed on the display unit 18. Finally, as shown in FIG. 7 (i), when all the secondary contact points 42 related to the contact in the second stage have moved away from the input surface, the subordinate character “ri” that was last selected and displayed is input. It is confirmed as a character and input.

  Furthermore, based on FIG. 8, another embodiment of the character input method which concerns on the character input device 10 of this embodiment is described. For example, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, when the user wants to input “ri”, first, as shown in FIG. 8A, when first-stage contact is detected on the input surface related to the input unit 12. The character input operation is started and the representative character is selected. At this time, since the number of primary contact points 40 related to the first stage contact is [1-1] (only the primary contact point 40-1), the character group shown in FIG. “A” in the representative character subgroup 32a in the representative character group 32 related to 30 is displayed, and a representative character selection state starting from the representative character “A” is entered.

  Here, when the slide movement of the primary contact point 40 related to the first stage contact is a linear movement and the primary movement direction is the vertical direction, the primary contact point 40-1 is input as shown in FIG. 8B. By moving downward in the plane, the representative character subgroup 32a in the representative character group 32 shifts to the representative character subgroup 32b, and the representative characters “A” to “HA” are sent.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8C, the number of primary contact points 40 related to the first stage contact is changed from [1-1] to [1-2] (primary contact points 40-1 and 40-2). Thus, in the representative character subgroup 32b related to the representative character group 32, a character feeding operation from the representative character “ha” to “ma” is performed. As shown in FIGS. 8D and 8E, the number of primary contact points 40 is changed from [1-2] to [1-3] → [1-4] (primary contact points 40-1, 40-2, 40-3, and 40-4), the character is sent from the representative character “ma” to “ya” → “ra”. Then, as shown in FIG. 8 (f), when all the primary contact points 40 related to the first-stage contact have moved away from the input surface, the representative character selection process ends with the representative character “ra” selected. .

  Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 8G, the secondary contact point 42 related to the second-stage contact is brought into contact with the input surface related to the input unit 12. At this time, since the number of secondary contact points 42 related to the second-stage contact is [2-1] (only the secondary contact point 42-1), a state where “ra” is displayed on the display unit 18. Thus, the characters in the subordinate character group 34 of “Ra line” composed of “Rari, Ru, Re, and R” subordinate to the representative character “Ra” can be selected.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 8 (h), the number of secondary contact points 42 related to the second stage contact is changed from [2-1] to [2-2] (secondary contact points 42-1 and 42-2. ) In the subordinate character group 34, the subordinate character “ra” is fed to the subordinate character “ri” and “ri” is displayed on the display unit 18. Finally, as shown in FIG. 8 (i), when all the secondary contact points 42 related to the second-stage contact have moved away from the input surface, the subordinate character “ri” that was last selected and displayed is input. It is confirmed as a character and input.

  As described above, according to the character input device 10 according to the present embodiment and the character input method according to the present embodiment, in an information terminal device or the like having a touch-type input surface, it is simple without relying on visual information at all. With this simple operation, an arbitrary character can be quickly selected from the character group and input. Therefore, even a visually handicapped person can input characters easily and accurately by a method other than handwriting input on an information terminal such as a touch panel or a tablet.

  The character input device 10 and the character input method according to the embodiment of the present invention have been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The primary operation detection unit 22a according to the character input device 10 can detect up to five primary contact points on the input surface, depending on the number of primary contact points, the primary movement direction of the primary contact points, and changes thereof. The representative character feeding operation is performed in the representative character group 32 shown in FIG. This assumes that the user inputs characters with one hand, but when the user can input characters with both hands, the number of primary contact points on the input surface can be detected up to ten. Thus, when selecting a representative character in the representative character group 32 shown in FIG. 2A, “a” to “wa” in the representative character group 32 are selected only by detecting the number of primary contact points. It becomes possible.

  Similarly, the secondary operation detection unit 22b according to the character input device 10 described above can detect up to ten secondary contact points on the input surface, whereby the dependent character group shown in FIG. The number of characters constituting 34 can be increased. That is, in the subordinate character group 34 shown in FIG. 2 (a), for example, the subordinate character group 34 of the representative character “ka” is “ka / ki / ku / ke / ko / ga / gi / gu / ge / go”. In addition, the subordinate character group 34 such as the representative characters “NA” and “RA” having no muffled sound may be configured to include numbers, symbols, etc. in addition to the characters “NA” and “RA”. Is possible.

  Next, another embodiment of the character input device of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a tablet PC 100 incorporating a character input device 10a according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the configuration of the character input device 10a according to the present embodiment is substantially the same as the configuration of the character input device 10 according to the above-described embodiment, but the character input device 10a according to the present embodiment is The controller 14 further includes an attached character selector 24c.

  First, as shown in FIG. 2B, the character group 30a according to the character input device 10a of the present embodiment is similar to the character group 30, in which the representative character group 32 is a character “A” belonging to the upper part of the 50-sound table.・ A sub-character group 34 consisting of “ka, sa, ta, na, ha, ma, ya, ra, wa” and “a” as a representative character belongs to “a line”.・ It consists of “O”. Similarly, the subordinate character group 34 of the representative character “ka” is composed of “ka, ki, k, ke, ko” of “ka line”, and the subordinate character group 34 of the representative character “sa” is “sa line”. It is composed of “sa, shi, su, se, so”. The character group 30a further includes an attached character group 38 made up of attached characters attached to each dependent character constituting the dependent character group 34. For example, the subordinate character group 34 having “ha” as a representative character is composed of “ha, hi, fu, he, ho” belonging to “ha line”, and the subordinate character “ha” has an attached character “ba-pa”. , The subordinate character “Hi” is composed of “Bi-Pi”, and the “Bi-Bi-Bu-Be-Bo” and “Pa-Pi-Pu-Pe-Po” subgroups 38 is configured.

  Similar to the secondary operation detection unit 22b according to the character input device 10 of the above embodiment, the secondary operation detection unit 22b according to the character input device 10a of the present embodiment is a second stage detected by the secondary contact detection unit 20b. The number of secondary contact points related to the contact is detected, and the secondary movement direction and the change in the secondary movement direction when the secondary contact point slides while being in contact with the input surface are detected.

  The detection of the secondary movement direction of the secondary contact point and its change is the same as the detection of the primary movement direction of the primary contact point and its change. Specifically, a change in position information of the secondary contact point on the input surface is detected. Then, the secondary moving direction and its change are detected by comparing the X component and the Y component on the XY coordinates of a straight line connecting two predetermined points. For example, if the sliding movement of the secondary contact point is a linear movement and the secondary movement direction is the vertical direction on the input surface, the secondary operation detection unit is first moved downward on the input surface. 22b detects the initial moving direction of the secondary contact point, and when the moving direction is changed upward, that is, when the moving direction of the secondary contact point is turned from the downward direction to the upward direction, the secondary operation detecting unit 22b detects that the moving direction of the secondary contact point has changed.

  The attached character selection unit 24c determines the subordinate character selected by the subordinate character selection unit 24b according to the secondary movement direction and the change of the secondary contact point detected by the secondary operation detection unit 22b, and the subordinate character. Feeds to and from attached characters. For example, when the slide movement of the secondary contact point on the input surface is a linear movement and the secondary movement direction is the vertical direction, the representative character selected by the representative character selection unit 24a is “ha” and the subordinate character selection unit 24b If the selected subordinate character is “fu” and the secondary contact detection unit 20b detects the second stage contact, the attached character selection state of “fu” is set. Then, when the secondary contact point moves downward on the input surface, the secondary operation detection unit 22b detects the secondary movement direction of the secondary contact point, and from the subordinate character “fu”, the attached character of “fu” Sending operation to “bu” is performed. When the direction of movement of the secondary contact point changes upward, the feed operation is performed from the attached character “bu” to the attached character “pu”, and thereafter “pu” → “fu” according to the change of the secondary movement direction. ”→“ bu ”→“ pu ”... And attached characters including subordinate characters are fed.

  For example, when the slide movement of the secondary contact point is a linear movement and the secondary movement direction is the vertical direction on the input surface, the attached character “bu” belonging to the subordinate character group 34 of the representative character “ha” ”Is selected, and the number of secondary contact points is changed to change the number of attached characters consisting of“ BA, B, B, B, B, B ”attached to the subordinate character group 34 of“ ha ”. It is also possible to feed characters within the group 38. That is, the secondary operation is performed by changing the number of secondary contact points to [2-4] from the state where the attached character “bu” is selected (the number of secondary contact points is [2-3]). The detection unit 22b detects a change in the number of secondary contact points, and in the attached character group 38, a sending operation is performed from the attached character “bu” to the attached character “be”. Further, by changing the number of secondary contact points to [2-5], the feeding operation from the attached character “be” to the attached character “bo” is performed.

  The operation of the character input device 10a according to the present embodiment will be described based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 3 (b), the character input device 10a of the present embodiment is basically configured such that the representative character selection process 50 operates first, and then the subordinate character selection process 60 operates. The character to be input is determined by operating 90, and the process ends when the determined character is input (character input 70).

  In order for the attached character selection process 90 to operate, the contact state of the secondary contact point on the input surface related to the input unit 12 must be maintained. As shown in FIG. 10, when the secondary contact detector 20b detects the presence or absence of the second stage contact with the input surface of the input unit 12, and the second stage contact is detected, the process proceeds to step S92. Then, the control unit 14 stores the coordinates of the secondary contact point detected by the secondary contact detection unit 20 b in the storage unit 16, and the subordinate character selected in the subordinate character selection process 60, for example, “F” is displayed on the display unit 18. In this state, the subordinate character “fu” and the attached character “bu-pu” of the subordinate character “fu” are selectable.

  Next, in step S93, a trajectory obtained by connecting the coordinates of the secondary contact points stored in time series in the storage unit 16 is calculated, and the secondary movement direction of the secondary contact point and the secondary operation point in the secondary operation detection unit 22b are calculated. The presence or absence of a change in the secondary movement direction is detected. For example, when the secondary movement direction of the secondary contact point is the vertical direction, in step S93, the secondary operation detection unit 22b detects that the secondary contact point has moved downward on the input surface. In S94, the character is fed between the subordinate character selected in the subordinate character selection processing 60 and the attached character of the subordinate character. That is, when the subordinate character selected in the subordinate character selection process 60 is “fu”, the secondary operation detecting unit 22b detects the downward movement of the secondary contact point, so that the subordinate character “fu” is attached to the attached character. The character is fed to “bu” and “bu” is displayed on the display unit 18. If the secondary moving direction of the secondary contact point and the change thereof are not detected in step S93, the process proceeds to step S95.

  In step S94, when one character is sent between the subordinate character and the attached character, the process proceeds to step S95, and the presence or absence of the second stage contact, that is, the presence or absence of the secondary contact point is detected. If the second stage contact is detected in step S95, the coordinates of the secondary contact point are stored in the storage unit 16 again in step S92. Thereafter, when the secondary movement direction changes from the downward direction to the upward direction, the characters are moved from the attached characters “bu” to “pu”, and “pu” → “fu” is changed according to the change in the secondary movement direction. “→” → “pu”... And the subordinate character and the attached character are sent.

  On the other hand, if the second stage contact is not detected in step S95, the process proceeds to step S96. In step S96, an attached character is determined, and the attached character selection process 90 ends.

  With the completion of the attached character selection process 90, the attached character determined in step S96 is input by the character input 70, and the operation of the character input device 10a according to the present embodiment is finished.

  Next, a character input method according to the character input device 10a of the present embodiment will be described based on FIG. For example, when the user wants to input “ge”, first, as shown in FIG. 11A, the first-stage contact is made on the input surface of the input unit 12 of the tablet PC 100 incorporating the character input device 10a of the present embodiment. Is detected, the character input operation is started, and the representative character is selected. At this time, since the number of primary contact points 40 related to the first stage contact is [1-1] (only the primary contact point 40-1), the character group shown in FIG. "A" in the representative character subgroup 32a in the representative character group 32 related to 30a is displayed, and a representative character selection state starting from the representative character "A" is entered.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 11 (b), the number of primary contact points 40 related to the first stage contact is changed from [1-1] to [1-2] (primary contact points 40-1, 40-2). Thus, in the representative character subgroup 32a related to the representative character group 32, a character feeding operation from the representative character “a” to “ka” is performed. Then, as shown in FIG. 11 (c), when all the primary contact points 40 related to the first-stage contact have moved away from the input surface, the representative character selection process ends with the representative character “ka” selected. .

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 11 (d), the secondary contact point 42 related to the second stage contact is brought into contact with the input surface related to the input unit 12. At this time, since the number of secondary contact points 42 related to the second-stage contact is [2-1] (only the secondary contact point 42-1), the display unit 18 displays “ka”. Thus, the characters in the subordinate character group 34 of “ka line” composed of “ka, ki, k, ke, and ko” subordinate to the representative character “ka” can be selected.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 11 (e), the number of secondary contact points 42 related to the second stage contact is changed from [2-1] to [2-2] (secondary contact points 42-1 and 42-2. ), The character shift from the subordinate character “ka” to the subordinate character “ki” is performed in the subordinate character group 34, and “ki” is displayed on the display unit 18, and FIG. As shown in g), the number of secondary contact points 42 changes from [2-3] to [2-4] (secondary contact points 42-1, 42-2, 42-3, 42-4). As a result, the character is fed from the subordinate character “ki” to “ku” → “ke”.

  Here, when the sliding movement of the secondary contact point 42 related to the second stage contact is a linear movement and the secondary movement direction is the vertical direction, as shown in FIG. 11 (h), the secondary contact point 42 ( By moving the secondary contact points 42-1 to 42-4) downward on the input surface, a feeding operation is performed from the subordinate character “ke” to the attached character “ge” of the subordinate character “ke”. Finally, as shown in FIG. 11 (i), when all the secondary contact points 42 related to the second-stage contact have moved away from the input surface, the attached character “ge” that was last selected and displayed is input. It is confirmed as a character and input.

  Moreover, based on FIG. 12, other embodiment of the character input method which concerns on the character input device 10a of this embodiment is described. For example, when the user wants to input “bu” or “pu”, as shown in FIG. 12A, when a first-stage contact is detected on the input surface of the input unit 12, a character input operation is started. , The representative character is selected. At this time, since the number of primary contact points 40 related to the first stage contact is [1-1] (only the primary contact point 40-1), the character group shown in FIG. "A" in the representative character subgroup 32a in the representative character group 32 related to 30a is displayed, and a representative character selection state starting from the representative character "A" is entered.

  Here, when the slide movement of the primary contact point 40 related to the first stage contact is a linear movement and the primary movement direction is the vertical direction, the primary contact point 40-1 is input as shown in FIG. By moving downward in the plane, the representative character subgroup 32a in the representative character group 32 shifts to the representative character subgroup 32b, and the representative characters “A” to “HA” are sent. Then, as shown in FIG. 12C, when the primary contact point 40 related to the first-stage contact has moved away from the input surface, the representative character selection process ends with the representative character “ha” selected.

  Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 12D, the secondary contact point 42 related to the second stage contact is brought into contact with the input surface related to the input unit 12. At this time, since the number of secondary contact points 42 related to the second-stage contact is [2-1] (only the secondary contact point 42-1), “ha” is displayed on the display unit 18. Thus, the characters in the subordinate character group 34 of “ha line” composed of “ha, hi, fu, he, ho” subordinate to the representative character “ha” can be selected.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 12 (e), the number of secondary contact points 42 related to the second stage contact is changed from [2-1] to [2-2] (secondary contact points 42-1 and 42-2. ) In the subordinate character group 34, the subordinate character “ha” is moved from the subordinate character “hi” to the subordinate character “hi”, and “hi” is displayed on the display unit 18, and FIG. As shown, when the number of secondary contact points 42 changes to [2-3] (secondary contact points 42-1, 42-2, 42-3), the subordinate characters “hi” to “fu”. Character feed is performed.

  Further, when the slide movement of the secondary contact point 42 related to the second stage contact is a linear movement and the secondary movement direction is the vertical direction, as shown in FIG. By moving the next contact points 42-1 to 42-3) downward on the input surface, a feeding operation is performed from the subordinate character “fu” to the attached character “bu” of the subordinate character “fu”. Finally, as shown in FIG. 12 (h), when all the secondary contact points 42 related to the second-stage contact have moved away from the input surface, the attached character “bu” selected and displayed last is input. It is confirmed as a character and input.

  In addition, when the slide movement of the secondary contact point 42 related to the second stage contact is a linear movement and the secondary movement direction is the vertical direction, the secondary contact point 42 (secondary contact) from the state of FIG. 12 (i) by moving the points 42-1 to 42-3) upward on the input surface or by moving the secondary contact point 42 upward on the input surface from the state of FIG. 12 (f). As shown in FIG. 12, it is possible to perform a sending operation from the attached character “bu” to the attached character “pu” or from the subordinate character “fu” to the attached character “pu”, and finally, as shown in FIG. When all of the secondary contact points 42 related to the contact in the second stage are separated from the input surface, the attached character “pu” selected and displayed at the end is determined as the input character and input.

  Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, it should not be construed as substantially limiting the technical idea of the present invention. For example, the sliding movement of the primary contact point and the secondary contact point is not limited to the linear movement according to each of the embodiments described above, and may be a rotational movement. Character input is performed by appropriately combining the linear movement and the rotational movement. It is also possible to implement.

  Moreover, in the character input method shown in each figure, character feeding is performed by sequentially increasing the number of primary contact points related to the first stage contact and the number of secondary contact points related to the second stage contact. Although the embodiment has been exemplified, it is also possible to select a representative character or a subordinate character by simultaneously bringing a plurality of primary contact points and secondary contact points into contact with the input surface. That is, in the character input method shown in FIG. 6, the procedure from FIG. 6 (a) to FIG. 6 (d) is exemplified until the representative character “sa” is selected. Are simultaneously brought into contact with the input surface, the character input operation is started, the representative character is selected, and the representative character “sa” is selected. Then, by separating these three fingers from the input surface, the representative character “sa” is completely selected, and the representative character can be selected with a single touch on the input surface.

  Similarly, by bringing the user's three fingers again into contact with the input surface at the same time, the contact operation is recognized as a second-stage contact. Therefore, among the subordinate character group 34 subordinate to the representative character “sa”, The subordinate character “su” is directly selected, and by separating these three fingers from the input surface, the subordinate character “su” is determined as the input character.

  In other words, according to the character input device and the character input method of the present invention, any character can be quickly selected from a character group by a simple operation without relying on visual information by combining two-touch or two-touch and slide movement. Can be entered.

  Further, the primary movement direction and the secondary movement direction according to the present invention are not limited to the vertical direction, and may be the horizontal direction. Furthermore, the vertical direction and the horizontal direction may be combined to change each movement direction and its change. It is also possible to detect by the primary operation detection unit and the secondary operation detection unit. For example, a character feed operation is performed as shown in the above embodiments by moving in the up and down direction and a change in the moving direction, and a character type change and conversion function, input character by moving in the left and right direction and changing the moving direction Various functions such as deletion of characters and cancellation of character selection work can be executed.

  Further, in the various embodiments described above, the character selected by the representative character selection unit 24a, the subordinate character selection unit 24b and the attached character selection unit 24c associated with the control unit 14 and the character determined by the input character determination unit 26 are displayed. Although displayed on the display unit 18, with the display on the display unit 18 or without being displayed on the display unit 18, the representative character selection unit 24 a or the like is currently selected from an audio output unit (not shown) such as a speaker or an earphone. It is also possible to output the character or the character determined by the input character determination unit 26 by voice. Alternatively, it is also possible to output from a tactile device such as a braille display that is wired or wirelessly connected to the character input device of the present invention. By outputting from a voice output unit or a tactile device, character input becomes even easier for visually impaired people. The present invention can be carried out without departing from the gist, with appropriate improvements, changes, or additions based on the inventive ideas and ideas of those skilled in the art.

10, 10a: Character input device 12: Input unit 14: Control unit 16: Storage unit 18: Display unit 20a: Primary contact detection unit 20b: Secondary contact detection unit 22a: Primary operation detection unit 22b: Secondary operation detection unit 24a : Representative character selection unit 24b: subordinate character selection unit 24c: attached character selection unit 26: input character determination unit 30, 30a: character group 32: representative character group 34: subordinate character group 38: accessory character group 40: primary contact point 42 : Secondary contact point

Claims (9)

A character input device that includes a touch-type input surface, and selects and inputs an arbitrary character from a character group,
The character group includes a representative character group composed of a plurality of representative characters and a subordinate character group composed of subordinate characters subordinate to the representative characters.
A primary contact detector for detecting a first-stage contact with the input surface;
A primary operation detection unit that detects the number of primary contact points related to the contact in the first stage and a primary movement direction when the primary contact point slides and moves in contact with the input surface;
A representative character selection unit for performing a representative character feeding operation in the representative character group according to the number of the primary contact points detected by the primary operation detection unit and the primary movement direction;
A secondary contact detection unit for detecting a second-stage contact with the input surface after the primary contact point has once separated from the input surface;
A secondary operation detector for detecting the number of secondary contact points related to the second stage contact;
Depending on the number of the secondary contact points detected by the secondary operation detection unit, the subordinate character of the representative character selected by the representative character selection unit when the primary contact point once leaves the input surface A subordinate character selector for performing subordinate character feed operations within the group;
An input character determination unit that determines the subordinate character selected by the subordinate character selection unit as an input character when the secondary contact point is separated from the input surface;
A character input device comprising: The primary operation detection unit further detects a change in the primary movement direction;
The representative character selection unit performs a representative character feeding operation within the representative character group according to the number of the primary contact points detected by the primary operation detection unit, the primary movement direction, and changes thereof. The character input device according to claim 1. The character group further includes an attached character group composed of attached characters attached to each of the dependent characters constituting the dependent character group;
The secondary operation detection unit detects a secondary movement direction and a change in the secondary movement direction when the secondary contact point slides while being in contact with the input surface.
Between the subordinate character selected by the subordinate character selection unit according to the secondary movement direction of the secondary contact point detected by the secondary operation detection unit and the change thereof, and the attached character attached to the subordinate character Attached character selection part that performs character feeding operation with,
The character input device according to claim 1, further comprising:   The character input device according to claim 1, wherein the slide movement is a linear movement.   The character input device according to claim 4, wherein a return in a moving direction in the linear movement is detected as a change in the moving direction. A character input program to be executed by a computer to select and input an arbitrary character from a character group on a touch-type input surface,
The character group includes a representative character group composed of a plurality of representative characters and a subordinate character group composed of subordinate characters subordinate to the representative characters.
A primary contact detection step of detecting a first stage contact with the input surface;
A primary operation detecting step for detecting the number of primary contact points related to the contact in the first stage and a primary moving direction when the primary contact point slides on the input surface in a contact state;
A representative character selection step of performing a representative character feeding operation within the representative character group according to the number of the primary contact points detected by the primary operation detection unit and the primary movement direction;
A secondary contact detection step of detecting a second-stage contact with the input surface after the primary contact point has once left the input surface;
A secondary operation detecting step of detecting the number of secondary contact points related to the second stage contact;
The dependent character of the representative character selected in the representative character selection step when the primary contact point is once separated from the input surface according to the number of the secondary contact points detected by the secondary operation detection unit. A subordinate character selection step that performs a subordinate character feed operation within the group;
An input character determination step for determining, as an input character, the subordinate character selected by the subordinate character selection unit when the secondary contact point is separated from the input surface;
Is executed by the computer. The character group further includes an attached character group composed of attached characters attached to each of the dependent characters constituting the dependent character group;
A secondary movement direction and a change in the secondary movement direction when the secondary contact point slides while being in contact with the input surface are detected by the secondary operation detection step,
Between the subordinate character selected in the subordinate character selection step according to the secondary movement direction and the change of the secondary contact point detected in the secondary operation detection step, and the attached character attached to the subordinate character Attached character selection step that performs character feeding operation with,
The character input program according to claim 6, further causing the computer to execute. A character input method for selecting and inputting an arbitrary character from a character group on a touch-type input surface,
The character group includes a representative character group composed of a plurality of representative characters and a subordinate character group composed of subordinate characters subordinate to the representative characters.
A primary contact detection step of detecting a first stage contact with the input surface;
A primary operation detecting step for detecting the number of primary contact points related to the contact operation in the first stage and a primary moving direction when the primary contact points slide and move on the input surface in a contact state;
A representative character selection step of performing a representative character feeding operation within the representative character group according to the number of the primary contact points detected by the primary operation detection unit and the primary movement direction;
A secondary contact detection step of detecting a second-stage contact with the input surface after the primary contact point has once left the input surface;
A secondary operation detecting step of detecting the number of secondary contact points related to the second stage contact operation;
The dependent character of the representative character selected in the representative character selection step when the primary contact point is once separated from the input surface according to the number of the secondary contact points detected by the secondary operation detection unit. A subordinate character selection step that performs a subordinate character feed operation within the group;
An input character determination step for determining, as an input character, the subordinate character selected by the subordinate character selection unit when the secondary contact point is separated from the input surface;
A character input method comprising: The character group further includes an attached character group composed of attached characters attached to each of the dependent characters constituting the dependent character group;
A secondary movement direction and a change in the secondary movement direction when the secondary contact point slides while being in contact with the input surface are detected by the secondary operation detection step,
Between the subordinate character selected in the subordinate character selection step according to the secondary movement direction and the change of the secondary contact point detected in the secondary operation detection step, and the attached character attached to the subordinate character Attached character selection step that performs character feeding operation with,
The character input method according to claim 8, further comprising:

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