JP2018013979A - Electronic apparatus, control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve input processing that has been executed in a prior art electronic apparatus in terms of operability.SOLUTION: In one aspect, an electronic apparatus comprises: a housing; physical key groups that are arranged along the edges of the housing; and a controller that executes processing on the basis of an operation to one of the physical keys in the physical key groups. The physical key groups include a first key group and a second key group; the controller allocates a first group to the first key group, and when detecting an operation to one of the physical keys in the first key group, allocates a second group associated with the first group allocated to the operated physical key to the second key group.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present application relates to an electronic device, a control method, and a program.

  Some electronic devices are equipped with physical keys and a touch screen. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses an electronic device that executes various functions in accordance with operations detected via a physical key and a touch screen.

International Publication No. 2008/086302

  There is room for improvement in terms of operability in input operations performed in conventional electronic devices.

  An electronic apparatus according to one aspect includes a housing, a physical key group arranged along an edge of the housing, and a controller that executes processing based on an operation of a physical key of the physical key group, The physical key group includes a first key group and a second key group, and the controller assigns a first group to the first key group and performs an operation on the physical key of the first key group. Upon detection, a second group associated with the first group assigned to the operated physical key is assigned to the second key group.

  An electronic device according to one aspect includes a housing, a touch screen, a physical key group arranged along an edge of the housing, a software key group arranged along the edge of the touch screen, and a physical key of the physical key group. And a controller that executes processing based on an operation of a software key of the software key group, wherein the controller assigns a first group to the physical key group and detects an operation on the physical key of the physical key group Then, a second group associated with the first group assigned to the operated physical key is assigned to the software key group.

  A control method according to one aspect is a control method for an electronic device including a housing and a physical key group including a first key group and a second key group arranged along an edge of the housing. When a first group is assigned to the first key group and an operation on the physical key of the first key group is detected, the first group is linked to the first group assigned to the operated physical key. The second group is assigned to the second key group.

  A control method according to one aspect includes a housing, a touch screen, a physical key group arranged along an edge of the housing, and a software key group arranged on the edge of the touch screen. When a first group is assigned to the physical key group and an operation on the physical key of the physical key group is detected, the first group associated with the first group assigned to the operated physical key is detected. Two groups are assigned to the software key group.

  A program according to one aspect is provided in an electronic device comprising a housing and a physical key group including a first key group and a second key group arranged along an edge of the housing. When a first group is assigned to the physical key and an operation on the physical key of the physical key group is detected, a second group linked to the first group assigned to the operated physical key is assigned to the second group. The process assigned to the key group is executed.

  A program according to one aspect is provided on an electronic device including a housing, a touch screen, a physical key group arranged along an edge of the housing, and a software key group arranged on an edge of the touch screen. When a first group is assigned to a key group and an operation on a physical key of the physical key group is detected, a second group linked to the first group assigned to the operated physical key is assigned to the software The process assigned to the key group is executed.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the electronic device according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement example of key units according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement example of the touch screen according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the structure of the touch screen according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the first key data according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of second key data according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of first key data according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an execution screen for input processing according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining screen transitions associated with input processing according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining screen transitions associated with input processing according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing executed by the electronic device according to the embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating another arrangement example of the plurality of physical keys included in the electronic device. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating another arrangement example of the plurality of physical keys provided in the electronic device. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating another example of the structure related to the operation surface of the physical key provided in the electronic apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating another example of the structure related to the operation surface of the physical key provided in the electronic apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating another example of the functional configuration of the electronic apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating another example of the structure of the electronic device according to the embodiment. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating another example of the structure of the electronic device according to the embodiment. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating another example of the structure of the electronic device according to the embodiment. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating another example of the structure of the electronic device according to the embodiment. FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating another example of the structure of the electronic device according to the embodiment. FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating another example of the structure of the electronic device according to the embodiment. FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating another example of the structure of the electronic device according to the embodiment. FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating another structure example of the electronic device according to the embodiment. FIG. 25 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the electronic device according to the embodiment. FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement example of key units according to the embodiment. FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of first key data according to the embodiment. FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an example of second key data according to the embodiment. FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating an example of an execution screen for character input processing according to the embodiment. FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating an example of an execution screen for character input processing according to the embodiment. FIG. 31 is a schematic diagram for explaining screen transitions associated with character input processing according to the embodiment. FIG. 32 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing executed by the electronic device according to the embodiment. FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating an example of an input processing execution screen according to the embodiment. FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating an example of an execution screen for input processing according to the embodiment.

  A plurality of embodiments for carrying out electronic equipment, a control method, and a program concerning this application are described in detail, referring to drawings.

  The electronic device according to the present application may be a device such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, a tablet, a portable personal computer, a media player, an electronic book reader, a navigator, a wearable device, or a game machine.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the electronic device according to the embodiment. In the following description, the same components may be denoted by the same reference numerals. In the following description, overlapping description may be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic device 1 includes a touch screen display 2, a physical key unit 3, an illuminance sensor 4, a proximity sensor 5, a communication unit 6, a receiver 7, a microphone 8, and a storage 9. , Controller 10, speaker 11, camera 12, camera 13, connector 14, and motion sensor 15.

  The touch screen display 2 includes a display 2A and a touch screen 2B. The display 2A and the touch screen 2B may be positioned, for example, may be positioned side by side, or may be positioned apart from each other. When the display 2A and the touch screen 2B are positioned so as to overlap each other, for example, one or more sides of the display 2A may not be along any of the sides of the touch screen 2B.

  The display 2A is a liquid crystal display (LCD: Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL display (OELD: Organic Electro-Luminescence Display), or an inorganic EL display (IELD: Inorganic Electro-Luminescence Display). The display 2A displays objects such as characters, images, symbols, and graphics on the screen. The screen including the object displayed on the display 2A includes a screen called a lock screen, a screen called a home screen, and an application screen displayed during execution of the application. The home screen may be called a desktop, a standby screen, an idle screen, a standard screen, an application list screen, or a launcher screen.

  The touch screen 2B detects contact or proximity of a finger, pen, stylus pen, or the like to the touch screen 2B. The touch screen 2B can detect a position on the touch screen 2B when a plurality of fingers, pens, stylus pens, or the like are in contact with or close to the touch screen 2B. In the following description, a position where a plurality of fingers, pens, stylus pens, and the like detected by the touch screen 2B are in contact with or close to the touch screen 2B is referred to as a “detection position”. The touch screen 2B notifies the controller 10 of the contact or proximity of the finger to the touch screen 2B together with the detection position. The touch screen 2B may notify the controller 10 of detection of contact or proximity by notification of the detection position. The touch screen display 2 having the touch screen 2B can execute operations that can be performed by the touch screen 2B. In other words, the operation performed by the touch screen 2B may be performed by the touch screen display 2.

  The controller 10 receives at least one of the contact or proximity detected by the touch screen 2B, the detection position, the change in the detection position, the time that the contact or proximity has continued, the interval at which contact or proximity was detected, and the number of times the contact was detected. The type of gesture is determined based on the one. The electronic device 1 having the controller 10 can execute operations that the controller 10 can perform. In other words, the operation performed by the controller 10 may be performed by the electronic device 1. The gesture is an operation performed on the touch screen 2B using a finger. The operation performed on the touch screen 2B may be performed on the touch screen display 2 having the touch screen 2B. The gestures that the controller 10 determines via the touch screen 2B include, for example, touch, long touch, release, swipe, tap, double tap, long tap, drag, flick, pinch in, and pinch out. It is not limited to.

  The detection method of the touch screen 2B may be any method such as a capacitance method, a resistive film method, a surface acoustic wave method, an infrared method, and a load detection method.

  The physical key unit 3 receives an operation input from the user. The physical key unit 3 includes a first key unit 3a, a second key unit 3b, a third key unit 3c, and a touch screen 3d.

  An arrangement example of physical key units according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement example of key units according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement example of the touch screen according to the embodiment.

The electronic device 1 according to the embodiment includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 1h, and the plane of the electronic device 1 has a substantially rectangular shape as shown in FIG. The first key unit 3a is configured to include a total of 10 physical key physical keys _3a 1, · · ·, physical key _{3a 10} shown in FIG. The physical keys 3a ₁ ,..., The physical keys 3a ₁₀ are arranged in a line along the left side edge F1 of the casing 1h of the electronic device 1 in a direction parallel to the y-axis shown in FIG. The The second key unit 3b includes a total of ten physical keys, that is, the physical keys 3b ₁ ,..., And the physical key 3b ₁₀ shown in FIG. The physical keys 3b ₁ ,..., The physical keys 3b ₁₀ are arranged in a line along the right side edge F2 of the housing 1h of the electronic device 1 in a direction parallel to the y-axis shown in FIG. The The third key unit 3c includes a total of three physical keys, that is, a physical key 3c ₁ , a physical key 3c ₂ , and a physical key 3c ₃ shown in FIG. The physical key 3c ₁ , the physical key 3c ₂ , and the physical key 3c ₃ are arranged in a line in a direction parallel to the x axis shown in FIG. 2 along the edge F3 on the bottom side of the casing 1h of the electronic device 1. Be placed. The number of physical keys constituting each of the first key unit 3a, the second key unit 3b, and the third key unit 3c shown in FIG. 2 is an example, and is not necessarily composed of the same number of physical keys as the example shown in FIG. It does not have to be. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the physical keys 3a ₁ ,..., The physical key 3a ₁₀ are arranged along the edge F1 on the right side of the housing 1h of the electronic device 1, but constitute the outline of the touch screen display. It may be arranged along one side. Similarly, the physical keys 3a ₁ ,..., The physical key 3a ₁₀ may be arranged along one side constituting the outline of the touch screen display. Similarly, the physical key 3c ₁ , the physical key 3c ₂ , and the physical key 3c ₃ may be arranged along one side constituting the outline of the touch screen display 2B. That is, even if the first key unit 3a, the second key unit 3b, and the third key unit 3c are arranged along the outer side of the housing 1h, the side on the touch screen display 2B side of the housing 1h, the housing You may arrange | position along the boundary of 1h and the touch screen display 2B.

The physical keys 3a ₁ ,..., The physical key 3a ₁₀ constituting the first key unit 3a can detect key presses. The physical keys 3b ₁ ,..., The physical key 3b ₁₀ constituting the second key unit 3b can detect key presses. The physical key 3c ₁ , the physical key 3c ₂ , and the physical key 3c ₃ constituting the third key unit 3c can detect pressing of the key. Each physical key may detect the pressing of each physical key constituting the first key unit 3a, the second key unit 3b, and the third key unit 3c individually. Each physical key constituting the first key unit 3a, the second key unit 3b, and the third key unit 3c is configured so that the surface texture of each physical key is different from that of other members of the electronic device 1. May be. Each physical key constituting the first key unit 3a, the second key unit 3b, and the third key unit 3c adopts an arbitrary shape such as a cylindrical shape, a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a roof shape as the shape of the surface of each physical key. You can do it. Each physical key constituting the first key unit 3a, the second key unit 3b, and the third key unit 3c may be configured to be pressed in two or more stages. The physical keys 3a ₁ ,..., The physical key 3a ₁₀ constituting the first key unit 3a are an example of a first physical key. The physical keys 3b ₁ ,..., The physical key 3b ₁₀ constituting the second key unit 3b are an example of a second physical key.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the touch screen 3d includes a touch screen 3da, a touch screen 3db, and a touch screen 3dc. The touch screen 3da is disposed below the first key unit 3a so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the electronic device 1 along a direction parallel to the y-axis shown in FIG. The touch screen 3db is arranged below the second key unit 3b so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the electronic device 1 along a direction parallel to the y-axis shown in FIG. The touch screen 3dc is arranged below the third key unit 3c so as to extend in the short direction of the electronic device 1 along the direction parallel to the x-axis shown in FIG. The touch screen 3da can detect contact and proximity of a conductive object such as a finger with respect to the first key unit 3a. The touch screen 3db can detect contact and proximity of a conductive object such as a finger with respect to the second key unit 3b. The touch screen 3dc can detect contact and proximity of a conductive object such as a finger with respect to the third key unit 3c.

An example of the structure of the touch screen 3d according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the structure of the touch screen according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 shows a part of the structure of the touch screen 3da among the touch screens included in the touch screen 3d. As shown in FIG. 4, the touch screen 3da includes a plurality of first electrodes 40a _1, and a plurality of second electrodes 40a _2. The first electrode 40a ₁ extends in the lateral direction of the touch screen 3da. The second electrode 40a ₂ extends in the longitudinal direction of the touch screen 3da. Touchscreen 3da places a plurality of first electrodes 40a ₁ and a plurality of second electrodes 40a _2, in a state of crossed in a grid. Touchscreen 3da at each position where the plurality of first electrodes 40a ₁ and a plurality of second electrodes 40a ₂ intersect (detection point), for detecting the contact or proximity of a finger to the first key unit 3a. When a conductive object approaches the touch screen 3da, capacitive coupling occurs between the touch screen 3da and the object. The touch screen 3da detects contact of a conductive object such as a finger by sensing capacitive coupling at a detection point. In the example shown in FIG. 4, due to the provision of the keyhole 40a ₃ for installing the physical key 3a ₁ ,..., The physical key 3a ₁₀ constituting the first key unit 3a, a plurality of first keys and electrodes 40a ₁ and a plurality of second electrodes 40a ₂ is without being crossed in a grid pattern, there is a portion disposed in a non-uniform state, but can perform the calibration of the detection point in the processing by the controller 10. As with the touch screen 2B, the detection method of the touch screen 3d may be any method such as a capacitance method, a resistance film method, a surface acoustic wave method, an infrared method, and a load detection method.

Based on the detection result of the touch screen 3da, the controller 10 can determine which of the physical keys 3a ₁ ,..., The physical key 3a ₁₀ constituting the first key unit 3a is touched. Based on the detection result of the first key unit 3a, the controller 10 can determine which of the physical keys 3a ₁ ,..., The physical key 3a ₁₀ constituting the first key unit 3a is pressed. . Based on the detection result of the touch screen 3db, the controller 10 can determine which of the physical keys 3b ₁ ,..., The physical key 3b ₁₀ constituting the second key unit 3b is touched. Based on the detection result of the second key unit 3b, the controller 10 can determine which of the physical keys 3b ₁ ,..., The physical key 3b ₁₀ constituting the second key unit 3b is pressed. . The controller 10 can determine which of the physical keys 3c ₁ , 3c ₂ , and 3c ₃ constituting the third key unit 3c is touched based on the detection result of the touch screen 3dc. . Based on the detection result of the third key unit 3c, the controller 10 determines which _{one of} the physical key 3c ₁ , the physical key 3c ₂ , and the physical key 3c ₃ constituting the third key unit 3c is pressed. Can be determined.

  For example, when the controller 10 detects both a touch on a physical key constituting the first key unit 3a and a touch on a physical key constituting the second key unit 3b via the touch screen 3d, the controller 10 Processing for touch can be prioritized and executed. The controller 10 detects the touch on the physical key constituting the first key unit 3a and the touch on the physical key constituting the second key unit 3b, and detects the first key via the touch screen 3d. When touches other than the unit 3a and the second key unit 3b are detected, touches other than the first key unit 3a and the second key unit 3b can be handled as invalid operations. Further, for example, when the controller 10 detects both a touch on the physical key constituting the first key unit 3a and a touch on the touch screen 2B via the touch screen 3d, the controller 10 gives priority to the process for the latest touch. Can be executed. As described above, the controller 10 preferentially executes the process for the latest touch even when both the touch on the touch screen 2B and the touch on the touch screen 3d are detected.

  For example, the controller 10 performs touch gestures such as a long touch, a tap, a double tap, and a slide on the physical keys constituting the first key unit 3a and the physical keys constituting the second key unit 3b via the touch screen 3d. It may be detected.

  The illuminance sensor 4 detects illuminance. The illuminance is the value of the light beam incident on the unit area of the measurement surface of the illuminance sensor 4. The illuminance sensor 4 is used for adjusting the luminance of the display 2A, for example.

  The proximity sensor 5 detects the presence of a nearby object without contact. The proximity sensor 5 detects the presence of an object based on a change in a magnetic field or a change in a feedback time of an ultrasonic reflected wave. The proximity sensor 5 detects, for example, that the display 2A is close to the face. The illuminance sensor 4 and the proximity sensor 5 may be configured as one sensor. The illuminance sensor 4 may be used as a proximity sensor.

  The communication unit 6 communicates wirelessly. The wireless communication standards supported by the communication unit 6 include, for example, cellular phone communication standards such as 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G, and short-range wireless communication standards. Cellular phone communication standards include, for example, LTE (Long Term Evolution), W-CDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access), WiMAX (registered trademark) (Worldwide InterPirality C, PD). Examples thereof include GSM (registered trademark) (Global System for Mobile Communications), PHS (Personal Handy-phone System), and the like. Examples of short-range wireless communication standards include IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth (registered trademark), IrDA (Infrared Data Association), NFC (Near Field Communication), and WPAN (Wireless Personal Area Network). The WPAN communication standard includes, for example, ZigBee (registered trademark). The communication unit 6 may support one or more of the communication standards described above.

  The receiver 7 outputs the sound signal transmitted from the controller 10 as sound. The receiver 7 can output, for example, the sound of a moving image reproduced by the electronic device 1, the sound of music, and the voice of the other party during a call. The microphone 8 converts an input user's voice or the like into a sound signal and transmits the sound signal to the controller 10.

  The storage 9 stores programs and data. The storage 9 may be used as a work area for temporarily storing the processing result of the controller 10. The storage 9 may include any non-transitory storage medium such as a semiconductor storage medium and a magnetic storage medium. The storage 9 may include a plurality of types of storage media. The storage 9 may include a combination of a storage medium such as a memory card, an optical disk, or a magneto-optical disk and a storage medium reader. The storage 9 may include a storage device used as a temporary storage area such as a RAM (Random Access Memory).

  The programs stored in the storage 9 include an application executed in the foreground or the background, and a support program (not shown) that supports the operation of the application. For example, when the application is executed in the foreground, a screen related to the application is displayed on the display 2A. The support program includes, for example, an OS. The program may be installed in the storage 9 via wireless communication by the communication unit 6 or a non-transitory storage medium.

  The storage 9 can store a control program 9A, an input control program 9B, first key data 9C, second key data 9D, condition data 9E, setting data 9Z, and the like. The control program 9A can cooperate with various applications stored in the electronic device 1 when providing various functions. The control program 9A may cooperate with the cloud storage via the communication unit 6 and access files and data stored in the cloud storage. The cloud storage may store a part or all of the programs and data stored in the storage 9.

  The control program 9A can provide functions for realizing processes related to various operations of the electronic device 1. The function provided by the control program 9A includes a function of adjusting the brightness of the display 2A based on the detection result of the illuminance sensor 4. The functions provided by the control program 9A include a function for invalidating the operation on the touch screen 2B based on the detection result of the proximity sensor 5. The functions provided by the control program 9A include a function for realizing a call by controlling the communication unit 6, the receiver 7, the microphone 8, and the like. Functions provided by the control program 9 </ b> A include functions for controlling the photographing processing of the camera 12 and the camera 13. The functions provided by the control program 9A include a function for controlling communication with an external device connected through the connector 14. The function provided by the control program 9A includes a function of performing various controls such as changing information displayed on the display 2A according to a gesture determined based on the detection result of the touch screen 2B. Functions provided by the control program 9 </ b> A include functions for detecting movement, stop, and the like of the user carrying the electronic device 1 based on the detection result of the motion sensor 15.

  The input control program 9B can provide a function for controlling character input executed in the electronic device 1. For example, the input control program 9B assigns a first group to each of a plurality of physical keys constituting the first key unit (first key group) 3a, and assigns the first key unit (first key group) 3a. When an operation on any of the keys to which the group is assigned is detected among the plurality of physical keys constituting the second key unit (second key group) 3b associated with the physical key on which the operation is detected. A function of assigning a second group linked in advance to the first group to each of a plurality of constituting physical keys can be provided. The first group and the second group include various files, a folder for storing the file, a character input key, and the like. A plurality of groups can be further linked to the second group. In this case, the second group becomes the new first group, and the group linked to the second group becomes the new second group.

The first key data 9C is information on a group assigned in advance to each of a plurality of physical keys constituting the first key unit 3a. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the first key data according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the first key data 9C includes “document”, “picture”, physical key 3a ₁ ,..., Physical key 3a ₇ constituting the first key unit 3a. Allocating “video”, “news”, “SNS”, “learning”, and “game” is set. “Physical key 3a ₁ ,..., Physical key 3a ₇ constituting the first key unit 3a are assigned to“ document ”,“ picture ”,“ video ”,“ news ”,“ SNS ”,“ learning ”. "And" game "mean folders with respective names. The first key data 9C is used when an output corresponding to each of the physical keys 3a ₁ ,..., Physical keys 3a ₁₀ constituting the first key unit 3a is executed in an input process to be described later.

The second key data 9D is key information assigned in advance to each of a plurality of physical keys constituting the second key unit 3b. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of second key data according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the second key data 9D includes the second key data 9D for each physical key in which the operation is detected among the physical keys 3a ₁ ,..., The physical key 3a ₁₀ constituting the first key unit 3a. physical key _3b 1 constituting a key unit 3b, · · ·, a plurality have a letter assignment to the physical key _{3b 10.} For example, when an operation on the physical key 3a ₁ constituting the first key unit 3a is detected (3a ₁ = document), for each of the physical key 3b ₁ , the physical key 3b ₂ , and the physical key 3b ₃ , “Folder 1”, “folder 2”, and “folder 3” are assigned. “Folder 1”, “Folder 2”, and “Folder 3” mean folders with respective names. For example, if the operation on the physical key 3a ₅ constituting the first key unit 3a is detected _(3a 5 = SNS), physical key _3b 1, · · ·, for each physical key 3b _5, " “Facebook (registered trademark)”, “LINE (registered trademark)”, “Google+ (registered trademark)”, “LinkedIn (registered trademark)”, and “Twitter (registered trademark)” are assigned. “Facebook”, “LINE”, “Google+”, “LinkedIn”, and “Twitter” are application software. The second key data 9D is used when an output corresponding to each of the physical keys 3b ₁ ,..., The physical key 3b ₅ constituting the second key unit 3b is executed in an input process to be described later. In the example shown in FIG. 6, in the second key data 9D, there is no assignment for the physical keys 3b ₆ ,..., The physical key 3b _{10 and the} like constituting the second key unit 3b, but folders other than those described above, Directories such as application software and files may be set. It should be noted that a function for controlling the operation of the electronic device 1 may be associated with the physical key 3c ₁ , the physical key 3c ₂ , and the physical key 3c ₃ .

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the first key data 9C stores a file associated with the folder 1 associated with the document. That is, the first key data 9C stores a plurality of groups associated with the keys of the second key data 9D associated with the keys of the first key data 9C. Here, in the example shown in FIG. 7, the group is data. The first key data 9C includes the physical key constituting the first key unit 3a for each physical key in which the operation is detected among the physical keys 3b ₁ ,..., The physical key 3b ₁₀ constituting the second key unit 3b. There are a plurality of character assignments for the keys 3a ₁ ,..., The physical key 3a ₁₀ . For example, when the operation for the physical key 3b ₁ constituting the second key unit 3b is detected (3b ₁ = folder 1), a physical key _3a 1, · · ·, for each physical key 3a _4, “Sample.txt”, “sample2.txt”, “sample3.txt”, and “sample.pdf” are set to be assigned.

  In the above embodiment, a group associated with one physical key of the first key unit 3a is assigned to a plurality of physical keys of the second key unit 3b, and the second key unit 3b Although a group is assigned to a plurality of physical keys of the first key unit 3a for one group, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the plurality of physical keys of the second key unit 3b are further linked to the groups of the plurality of physical keys of the first key unit 3a assigned to one group of the second key unit 3b. May be. Further, for example, some of the physical keys of the first key unit 3a may not be associated with a group of keys of the second key unit. In this case, when a physical key that is displayed first and is not associated with the second group is operated, processing of the group associated with the key is executed. Further, it is not necessary to associate the key of the first key unit 3a with the group for the group assigned to the plurality of physical keys of the second key unit 3b. In this case, when the physical key of the second key unit 3b is operated, the processing of the group associated with the key is executed.

  In the condition data 9E, various conditions for executing processing by the input control program 9B are set. Specifically, in the condition data 9E, an input process start condition, an input process end condition, and the like of the input control program 9B are set.

  The setting data 9Z includes information used for processing executed by the control program 9A.

  The controller 10 includes an arithmetic processing device. The arithmetic processing unit includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an SoC (System-on-a-Chip), an MCU (Micro Control Unit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), and a coprocessor. It is not limited. The controller 10 controls various operations of the electronic device 1 to realize various functions.

  Specifically, the controller 10 executes instructions included in the program stored in the storage 9 while referring to the data stored in the storage 9 as necessary. And the controller 10 controls a function part according to data and a command, and implement | achieves various functions by it. The functional unit includes, for example, the display 2A, the communication unit 6, the microphone 8, and the speaker 11, but is not limited thereto. The controller 10 may change the control according to the detection result of the detection unit. Examples of the detection unit include, but are not limited to, the touch screen 2B, the physical key unit 3, the illuminance sensor 4, the proximity sensor 5, the microphone 8, the camera 12, the camera 13, and the motion sensor 15.

  The controller 10 can realize processing related to various operations of the electronic device 1 by executing the control program 9A.

  The controller 10 can implement a process for controlling character input executed in the electronic device 1 by executing the input control program 9B. For example, when the controller 10 detects an operation on any one of the plurality of physical keys constituting the first key unit 3a by executing the input control program 9B, the controller 10 is associated with the detected physical key. A process of assigning at least one character linked in advance to the plurality of physical keys to each of the plurality of physical keys constituting the second key unit 3b. The controller 10 is an example of a controller.

  The speaker 11 outputs the sound signal sent from the controller 10 as sound. The speaker 11 is used for outputting a ring tone and music, for example. One of the receiver 7 and the speaker 11 may also function as the other.

  The camera 12 and the camera 13 convert the captured image into an electrical signal. The camera 12 is an in camera that captures an object facing the display 2A. The camera 13 is an out camera that captures an object facing the opposite surface of the display 2A. The camera 12 and the camera 13 may be mounted on the electronic apparatus 1 in a functionally and physically integrated state as a camera unit that can be used by switching between the in-camera and the out-camera.

  The connector 14 is a terminal to which another device is connected. The connector 14 may be a general-purpose terminal such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), HDMI (registered trademark) (High-Definition Multimedia Interface), Light Peak (Thunderbolt (registered trademark)), and an earphone microphone connector. . The connector 14 may be a dedicated terminal such as a dock connector. Devices connected to the connector 14 include, but are not limited to, external storage, speakers, and communication devices, for example.

  The motion sensor 15 can detect various information for determining the operation of the user carrying the electronic device 1. The motion sensor 15 may be configured as a sensor unit including an acceleration sensor, an orientation sensor, a gyroscope, a magnetic sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, and the like.

  The electronic device 1 may include a GPS receiver and a vibrator in addition to the above functional units. The GPS receiver receives a radio signal in a predetermined frequency band from a GPS satellite. The GPS receiver demodulates the received radio signal and sends the processed signal to the controller 10. The GPS receiver supports calculation processing of the current position of the electronic device 1. The electronic device 1 may include a receiver that can receive a signal from a positioning artificial satellite other than a GPS satellite, and may execute a calculation process of the current position. The vibrator vibrates a part or the whole of the electronic device 1. The vibrator includes, for example, a piezoelectric element or an eccentric motor in order to generate vibration. The electronic device 1 is mounted with a functional unit that is naturally used to maintain the function of the electronic device 1 such as a battery, and a control unit that is naturally used to control the electronic device 1.

  The electronic device 1 may access a storage server on the cloud via the communication unit 6 and acquire various programs and data.

  An example of processing of the electronic device 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an execution screen for input processing according to the embodiment. 9 and 10 are schematic diagrams for explaining screen transitions associated with the input processing according to the embodiment.

  When executing the input process, the electronic device 1 displays an execution screen 20 shown in FIG. 8 on the display 2A. The execution screen 20 has a first key area 22 and a second key area 23.

The first key area 22 includes areas 22a ₁ ,..., Area 22a ₁₀ . The areas 22a ₁ ,..., The area 22a ₁₀ are areas corresponding to the physical keys 3a ₁ ,..., The physical key 3a ₁₀ constituting the first key unit 3a. The regions 22a ₁ ,..., The region 22a ₁₀ are arranged in a row so as to be adjacent to the physical keys 3a ₁ ,..., The physical key 3a ₁₀ along the direction parallel to the y axis shown in FIG. Is displayed. Regions _22a 1, · · ·, region _{22a 10} includes a physical key _3a 1, · · ·, displays the name of the group assigned to the physical key _{3a 10.} The second key area 23 includes areas 23b ₁ ,..., And area 23b ₁₀ . The areas 23b ₁ ,..., The area 23b ₁₀ are areas corresponding to the physical keys 3b ₁ ,..., And the physical key 3b ₁₀ constituting the second key unit 3b, respectively. The regions 23b ₁ ,..., And the region 23b ₁₀ are arranged in a row so as to be adjacent to the physical keys 3b ₁ ,..., The physical key 3b ₁₀ along the direction parallel to the y axis shown in FIG. Is displayed. Region _23b 1, · · ·, region _{23b 10} the physical key _3b 1, · · ·, and displays the name given to a group that is assigned in advance to physical key _{3b 10.} In addition, although the name of the group was displayed on the 1st key area 22 and the 2nd key area 23, it should just be a display which can identify a group, and is not limited to a name.

An example of screen transition in the input process will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, the electronic device 1 displays an input process execution screen 20 on the display 2A (step S12). Specifically, each group of the first group is associated with the first key unit 3a, and the names corresponding to the associated groups are displayed in the areas 22a ₁ ,... 22a ₇ . In the areas 22a ₁ ,... 22a ₇ , characters “document”, “picture”, “video”, “news”, “SNS”, “learning”, and “game” are displayed, respectively. Subsequently, when the electronic device 1 detects a touch on the physical key 3a ₁ , the electronic device 1 executes an output corresponding to the physical key 3a ₁ (step S14). Specifically, the electronic device 1 outputs a read-out sound of “document” having the name of the group assigned to the physical key 3 a ₃ from the speaker 11. In addition, the display of the area 22a ₁ corresponding to the physical key 3a ₁ is different from the other areas. For example, the background color is changed.

Subsequently, when the physical key 3a ₁ is pressed, the electronic device 1 executes an output corresponding to the physical key 3a ₁ (step S16). Specifically, the electronic device 1, a physical key _3b 1 associated with the physical key 3a _1, · · ·, to each physical key 3b _3, physical key _3b 1, · · ·, physical key 3b ₃ Assign a pre-linked group. For example, physical keys 3b _1, physical key 3b _2, for each of the physical key 3b _3, "Folder 1", "Folder 2", assigned to groups of "Folder 3", the physical key 3b _1, physical key 3b ₂ The images of the characters “folder 1”, “folder 2”, and “folder 3” are displayed in the areas 23b ₁ , 23b ₂ , and 23b ₃ corresponding to the physical keys 3b ₃ respectively.

Subsequently, when the electronic device 1 detects a touch on the physical key 3b ₃ , the electronic device 1 executes an output corresponding to the physical key 3b ₃ (step S18). Specifically, the electronic device 1 outputs a read-out voice of the character “folder 3” assigned to the physical key 3 b ₃ from the speaker 11. Also, the physical key 3b ₃ display corresponding regions 23b ₃ differs from the other area display. For example, the background color is changed.

Subsequently, when the physical key 3b ₃ is pressed, the electronic device 1 executes an output corresponding to the physical key 3b ₃ (step S20). Specifically, the electronic device 1, a physical key _3a 1 which is associated with a physical key 3b _3, · · ·, each of the physical keys 3a _4, physical key _3a 1, · · ·, physical key 3a ₄ Assign a pre-linked group. For example, physical keys _3a 1, · · ·, for each physical key 3a _4, allocates a group of "sample.txt", "sample2.txt", "sample3.txt", "sample.pdf", Physical In the region 22a ₁ ,..., Region 22a ₄ corresponding to each of the keys 3a ₁ ,..., 3a ₄ , “sample.txt”, “sample2.txt”, “sample3.txt”, “sample.pdf” are stored. ”Is displayed.

Subsequently, when the electronic device 1 detects a touch on the physical key 3a ₄ , the electronic device 1 executes an output corresponding to the physical key 3a ₄ (step S22). Specifically, the electronic device 1 outputs a read-out sound of “sample.pdf” having the name of the group assigned to the physical key 3 a ₄ from the speaker 11. In addition, the display of the area 22a ₄ corresponding to the physical key 3a ₄ is different from the other areas. For example, the background color is changed.

Subsequently, when the physical key 3a ₄ is pressed, the electronic device 1 executes an output corresponding to the physical key 3a ₄ (step S24). Specifically, since “sample.pdf” linked to the physical key 3a ₄ is a data file, the selected file is executed. For example, the data file image is displayed with the set application software.

  In step S <b> 14, the electronic device 1 outputs a read-out sound of a character assigned to the physical key every time a certain time has elapsed since the electronic device 1 does not detect a touch on another physical key or a press on the physical key. You may repeat. When an editing function such as line feed, deletion, conversion, etc. is assigned to the physical key, a reading voice corresponding to the content of the corresponding editing function may be output. In step S14, the electronic device 1 does not need to perform any processing when there is no assignment of characters and editing functions to the physical key, and reads out that there is no notification or assignment by the vibrator. You may perform the output of an audio | voice, alerting | reporting by a buzzer sound, etc. Alternatively, the electronic device 1 may have a mechanism in which a physical key to which no character and no editing function are assigned cannot be pressed.

In step S <b> 16, when the electronic device 1 detects pressing of a physical key, the electronic device 1 may perform feedback by vibration of a vibrator or output of a sound effect from the speaker 11. In the above step S16, when the physical key 3b ₁ ,..., The physical key 3b ₃ includes a physical mechanism capable of displaying a braille pattern on the operation surface, the electronic device 1 is associated with the physical key 3a _3. physical key _3b 1 are, ..., to each physical key 3b _3, physical key _3b 1, ..., when allocating a group of a physical key 3b ₃ are attached in advance string, the character corresponding to each group These braille patterns may be sequentially displayed to indicate the name of the group.

In the example shown in FIG. 9, when the electronic device 1 has fewer groups than the physical keys 3a ₁ ,..., Physical keys 3a ₁₀ to be assigned to the first key unit 3a, the physical key 3a ₁ (third key unit) Although the case where the groups are allocated from the side opposite to the side on which 3c is arranged has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the number of groups to be assigned is smaller than the number of physical keys 3a ₁ ,..., Physical key 3a ₁₀ , the electronic device 1 may assign the groups from the physical key 3a ₁₀ . For example, the electronic device 1, group physical key _3a 1 assigning, ..., if at least two less than the number of physical keys _{3a 10,} not assigned to groups on either side of the physical key 3a ₁ and the physical keys _{3a 10} Also good. Further, the electronic device 1, a physical key _3b 1 of the second key unit 3b, · · ·, the number of groups to be assigned to the physical key _{3b 10} is, physical key _3b 1, · · ·, than the number in the physical key _{3b 10} The same applies when the number is small.

  In the description of FIG. 9 described above, when the electronic device 1 outputs a text-to-speech voice via the speaker 11, the electronic device 1 may highlight the corresponding character image on the display 2A. The electronic device 1 may change the display mode of the character image displayed on the display 2A depending on whether the physical key is touched or when the physical key is pressed.

  In the above embodiment, the electronic device 1 performs an operation based on detection of a touch on a physical key, but may perform an operation based on detection of a physical key pressed. Further, after detecting a touch, the electronic device 1 may perform an operation when a press is detected, or may perform an operation when a press is detected without detecting a touch. . Moreover, although the electronic device 1 outputs the sound corresponding to the detected operation, the display corresponding to the operated physical key may be highlighted without outputting the sound. Further, the electronic device 1 may output a sound corresponding to the operated physical key and highlight a display corresponding to the operated physical key. Moreover, although it is preferable that the electronic device 1 displays the image corresponding to a physical key on the display 2A corresponding to a physical key, it is not necessary to display it. Moreover, although mentioned later, the electronic device 1 does not need to be provided with the display.

Another example of screen transition in the input process will be described with reference to FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the electronic device 1 displays an input processing execution screen 20 on the display 2 </ b> A (step S <b> 32). Subsequently, when the electronic device 1 detects a touch on the physical key 3a ₅ , the electronic device 1 executes an output corresponding to the physical key 3a ₅ (step S34). Specifically, the electronic device 1 outputs a read-out sound of “SNS” of the group assigned to the physical key 3 a ₅ from the speaker 11. Furthermore, the electronic device 1, a physical key _3b 1 associated with the physical key 3a _5, · · ·, each of the physical keys 3b _5, "Facebook (TM)", "LINE (registered trademark)", "Google+ (registered trademark)", "LinkedIn (registered trademark)", assigned a group of "Twitter (registered trademark)", the physical key _3b 1, ···, area _23b 1 corresponding to each of the physical key 3b _5, ..., in the region 23b _5, "Facebook", "LINE", "Google +", "LinkedIn", to display the character of "Twitter".

Subsequently, when the physical key 3a ₅ is pressed, the electronic device 1 executes an output corresponding to the physical key 3a ₅ (step S36). Specifically, the electronic device 1 determines the input of the SNS that has been provisionally determined as the selected group. Here, the provisional decision is a state where selection has not been confirmed. The electronic device 1 can notify the user of the temporarily determined operation by outputting or highlighting the sound corresponding to the temporarily determined physical key. Thereby, it is possible to know the group that is operating in a state where the group to be selected can be changed before the operation is determined. Specifically, the electronic device 1, a physical key _3b 1 associated with the physical key 3a _5, · · ·, each of the physical keys 3b _5, physical key _3b 1, · · ·, physical key 3b ₅ Assign a group linked in advance to and confirm. For example, a group of “Facebook”, “LINE”, “Google+”, “LinkedIn”, and “Twitter” is assigned to each of the physical keys 3b ₁ ..., And the physical keys 3b ₅ , and the physical keys 3b ₁ ,. ... Display images of characters “Facebook”, “LINE”, “Google+”, “LinkedIn”, and “Twitter” in areas 23b ₁ ,..., Area 23b ₅ corresponding to each of the physical keys 3b ₅ Let

Subsequently, when the electronic device 1 detects a touch on the physical key 3b ₁ , the electronic device 1 executes an output corresponding to the physical key 3b ₁ (step S38). Specifically, the electronic device 1 outputs a reading voice of the character “Facebook” assigned to the physical key 3 b ₁ from the speaker 11. In addition, the display of the area 23b ₁ corresponding to the physical key 3b ₁ is different from the other areas. For example, the background color is changed. Subsequently, when the physical key 3b ₁ is pressed, the electronic device 1 executes an output corresponding to the physical key 3b ₁ (step S40). Specifically, “Facebook” associated with the physical key 3b ₁ is executed by application software.

The flow of processing executed by the electronic device according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing executed by the electronic device according to the embodiment. The process shown in FIG. 11 is realized by the controller 10 executing the input control program 9B. In the description of FIG. 11, the physical key 3a _m is physical key _3a 1 constituting the first key unit 3a, corresponding ..., the physical key _{3a 10.} In the description of FIG. 11, the physical key 3b _n corresponds to the physical keys 3b ₁ ,..., The physical key 3b ₁₀ constituting the second key unit 3b.

As shown in FIG. 11, the controller 10 determines whether it has detected a touch on any of the physical key 3a _m of the first key unit 3a (step S101).

The controller 10, as a result of the judgment, when detecting a touch to a physical key 3a _m (step S101, Yes), executes the output corresponding to the physical key 3a _m detecting the touch (step S102).

Subsequently, the controller 10 determines whether it has detected the pressing of the physical key 3a _m (step S103).

The controller 10, as a result of the judgment, when detecting a depression of the physical key 3a _m (step S103, Yes), executes the output corresponding to the physical key 3a _m which detects pressing (step S104), and the process of step S101 Return to procedure.

In step S103, the controller 10, the result of the determination, if detecting no depression of the physical key 3a _m (step S103, No), the process returns to the procedure of Step S101.

In step S101, the controller 10, the result of the determination, if not detecting the touch to the physical key 3a _m (step S101, No), and detects a touch to one of the physical keys 3b _n of the second key unit 3b Is determined (step S105).

When the controller 10 detects a touch on the physical key 3b _{n as} a result of the determination (step S105, Yes), the controller 10 executes an output corresponding to the physical key 3b _n that has detected the touch (step S106).

Subsequently, the controller 10 determines whether or not the pressing of the physical key 3b _n is detected (step S107).

When the controller 10 detects that the physical key 3b _n is pressed as a result of the determination (step S107, Yes), the controller 10 executes an output corresponding to the physical key 3b _n detected to be pressed (step S108). Return to procedure.

In step S107, if the controller 10 does not detect pressing of the physical key 3b _n as a result of the determination (step S107, No), the controller 10 returns to the processing procedure of step S101.

In step S105, if the controller 10 does not detect a touch on the physical key 3b _{n as} a result of the determination (step S105, No), has the touch detected on any part other than the first key unit 3a and the second key unit 3b? Is determined (step S109).

  As a result of the determination, when the controller 10 detects a touch to other than the first key unit 3a and the second key unit 3b (step S109, Yes), the process illustrated in FIG. 11 ends. On the other hand, if the controller 10 does not detect a touch on any part other than the first key unit 3a and the second key unit 3b as a result of the determination (No in step S109), the controller 10 returns to the processing procedure in step S101.

  Here, as an operation corresponding to the physical key, when the group linked to the physical key is a group linked to a plurality of files such as folders and folders, the group linked to the group is changed to the other group. There is a process to display in the key area. In addition, as an operation corresponding to the physical key, when the group associated with the physical key is data such as a file or application software, there is a process of displaying the data or executing an application.

  According to the embodiment described above, the electronic device 1 assigns a group to each of a plurality of keys arranged in a row, thereby easily recognizing where the group is assigned and improving operability. it can. In addition, when a group is associated in a hierarchy and a group is selected, it is possible to easily select a desired group by associating the group associated with the selected group with each of the other key units. . In addition, by linking the groups alternately with the two key units, a simple operation can be performed, and the conventional input can be improved in terms of operability.

  The electronic device 1 is provided with a first key unit 3 a and a second key unit 3 b including physical keys to which a group is assigned along the side of the touch screen display 2. In the electronic device 1, physical keys may be provided along the edge of the housing 1 h, the boundary between the housing 1 h and the touch screen display 2, and the side of the touch screen display 2. Thereby, the user can select and operate a physical key by moving a finger or the like along the edge of the housing 1h, the boundary between the housing 1h and the touch screen display 2, and the side of the touch screen display 2. It is possible to perform operations on physical keys with simple operations.

12 and 13 are diagrams showing another arrangement example of the plurality of physical keys provided in the electronic device. The electronic device 1 may arrange a plurality of physical keys divided into several groups. In the example illustrated in FIG. 12, the electronic device 1 provides a space 50 a between the physical key 3 a ₃ and the physical key 3 a _4, and a space 50 b between the physical key 3 a ₆ and the physical key 3 a ₇ . Furthermore, the electronic device 1 provides a space 50c between the physical key 3b ₃ and the physical key 3b _4, and a space 50d between the physical key 3b ₆ and the physical key 3b ₇ . Accordingly, the electronic device 1 includes the plurality of physical keys 3a _{1 to} 3a ₁₀ included in the first key unit 3a, the group of the physical keys 3a _{1 to} 3a ₃ , the group of the physical keys 3a _{4 to} 3a ₆ , and the physical key. 3a _{7 to} 3a ₁₀ are arranged separately, and a plurality of physical keys 3b _{1 to} 3b ₁₀ provided in the second key unit 3b are assigned to a group of physical keys 3b _{1 to} 3b ₃ and physical keys 3b _{4 to} 3b ₆ . A group and physical keys 3b _{7 to} 3b ₁₀ are arranged separately.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 13, the electronic device 1 includes a partition 60 a between the physical key 3 a ₃ and the physical key 3 a _4, and a partition 60 b between the physical key 3 a ₆ and the physical key 3 a ₇ . Furthermore, the electronic device 1, provided with a partition 60c between the physical key 3b ₃ and the physical key 3b _4, provided partition 60d between the physical key 3b ₆ and the physical key 3b _7. Accordingly, the electronic device 1 includes the plurality of physical keys 3a ₁ to 3a ₁₀ included in the first key unit 3a, the group of the physical keys 3a ₁ to 3a ₃ , and the physical keys 3a ₄ to 3a _6. groups and, together with arranging divided into a group of physical keys 3a ₇ ~ physical key _{3a 10,} a plurality of physical keys 3b ₁ ~ physical key _{3b 10} provided in the second key unit 3b, a physical key 3b ₁ ~ physical key 3b ₃ group, physical key 3b ₄ to physical key 3b ₆ group, and physical key 3b ₇ to physical key 3b ₁₀ group.

14 and 15 are diagrams illustrating another example of the structure related to the operation surface of the physical key provided in the electronic apparatus according to the embodiment. Illustrate the operation surface of the physical key 3a ₁ from among a plurality of physical keys included in the electronic device 1. In the example illustrated in FIG. 14, the electronic device 1 includes, for example, six protrusions 70 a to 70 f that expose a braille pattern on the operation surface (the surface that the user touches and operates) of the physical key 3 a ₁ . The protrusions 70a to 70f are installed in a state in which the protrusions 70a to 70f can be protruded from the surface by an actuator or the like and can be accommodated inside. The physical key 3a ₁ may be installed in a state of being rotated 90 degrees from the example shown in FIG. 14 in accordance with a general lateral finger movement when reading Braille.

In the example shown in FIG. 15, the electronic device 1, a physical operation surface of the key 3a ₁ to divide into two regions 80a and the region 80b, the physical keys parallel linear partition 90 in the longitudinal direction of the physical key 3a ₁ 3a ₁ is provided on the operation surface. In the physical key 3a ₁ shown in FIG. 15, the electronic device 1 changes the processing contents depending on which of the two areas 80a and 80b on the operation surface of the physical key 3a ₁ is touched. Can do.

  Another example of the functional configuration of the electronic device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating another example of the functional configuration of the electronic apparatus according to the embodiment. In the above embodiment, the electronic apparatus 1 has been described with an example in which the physical key unit 3 is provided (see FIG. 1). However, the physical key unit 3 can also be configured as an individual unit that can be externally attached. As shown in FIG. 16, the electronic device 1 is connected to the external physical key unit 100 through the communication unit 6 in a communicable state. The external physical key unit 100 includes, for example, a communication unit 101, a memory 102, a physical key unit 103, and a microcomputer 104. The physical key unit 103 includes a first key unit 103a, a second key unit 103b, a third key unit 103c, and a touch screen 103d. The electronic device 1 can receive information about the user's operation on the external physical key unit 100 via the communication unit 6, and can execute the same processing as in the above embodiment.

17-24 is a figure which shows the other structural example of the electronic device which concerns on embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the electronic device 1 may have a structure in which a plurality of physical keys 3 a _{1 to 3 a 3} are arranged on the side surface of the housing 1 h.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the electronic device 1 may have a structure in which only a plurality of physical keys are arranged on the operation surface of the user. As shown in FIG. 20, the electronic device 1 may have a structure in which only the touch screen 2B and a plurality of physical keys are arranged on the operation surface of the user. As shown in FIG. 21, the electronic apparatus 1 may have a structure in which only a plurality of physical keys and a numeric keypad 200 are arranged on the user's operation surface. Further, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the electronic device 1 is a structure having a substantially circular shape, in which a touch screen display 2 is disposed inside, and physical keys are disposed on the outer periphery of the structure. There may be. As shown in FIG. 24, the electronic apparatus 1 may be a structure having a substantially cylindrical shape, in which the touch screen display 2 is disposed on the upper surface, and a plurality of physical keys are disposed on the side surfaces.

  Next, another example of input processing executed by the electronic device 1 will be described. In addition, the electronic device 1 of the present embodiment uses a plurality of software keys (virtual keys, soft keys) as the second key unit. FIG. 25 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the electronic device according to the embodiment. FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement example of key units according to the embodiment. The electronic device 1 shown in FIGS. 25 and 26 is the same as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 except that only the first key unit 3a and the third key unit 3c are arranged as the physical key unit 3. This is the same as the electronic device 1 shown. The first key unit 3a of the physical key unit 3 of the electronic device 1 shown in FIG. 25 and FIG. 26 is different from the first key unit 3a of the electronic device 1 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 1 and the second key unit 3b of the electronic apparatus 1 shown in FIG.

Here, in the present embodiment, a case will be described where characters are associated with each other as a group. In this case, a group including a plurality of characters or a group of one character is associated with the first key data 9C and the second key data 9D. FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of first key data according to the embodiment. FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an example of second key data according to the embodiment. The first key data 9C is key information assigned in advance to each of a plurality of physical keys constituting the first key unit 3a. FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of first key data according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 27, the first key data 9C includes “a”, “ka”, “ka” for each of the physical keys 3a ₁ ,..., Physical key 3a ₁₀ constituting the first key unit 3a. “SA”, “TA”, “NA”, “HA”, “MA”, “YA”, “RA”, “WA” are assigned to be assigned. “A”, “KA”, “SA”, “TA”, “NA”, “HA” assigned to each of the physical keys 3a ₁ ,..., Physical key 3a ₁₀ constituting the first key unit 3a. ”,“ Ma ”,“ ya ”,“ ra ”,“ wa ”characters are A line, ka line, SA line, TA line, NA line, HA line, MA line, line, RA line, WA line Means each line. The first key data 9C is used when executing output corresponding to each of the physical keys 3a ₁ ,..., The physical key 3a ₁₀ constituting the first key unit 3a in a character input process described later.

The second key data 9D is key information assigned in advance to each of a plurality of physical keys constituting the second key unit 3b. FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an example of second key data according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 28, the second key data 9D includes the second key data 9D for each physical key in which the operation is detected among the physical keys 3a ₁ ,..., The physical key 3a ₁₀ constituting the first key unit 3a. There are a plurality of character assignments for the software keys 2a ₁ ,..., Software key 2a ₅ constituting the key unit 2a. For example, if the operation on the physical key 3a ₁ constituting the first key unit 3a is detected (3a ₁ = Oh), software keys _2a 1, · · ·, for each of the software keys 2a _5, " The characters “a”, “i”, “u”, “e” and “o” are assigned. For example, when an operation on the physical key 3a ₂ constituting the first key unit 3a is detected (3a ₂ = ka), for each of the software keys 2a ₁ ,..., Software key 2a ₅ , “ It is set to assign the characters “ka”, “ki”, “ku”, “ke”, and “ko”. For example, when an operation on the physical key 3a ₃ constituting the first key unit 3a is detected (3a ₃ = sa), for each of the software keys 2a ₁ ,..., Software key 2a ₅ , “ “S”, “Shi”, “Su”, “Se” and “So” are assigned. For example, when an operation on the physical key 3a ₄ constituting the first key unit 3a is detected (3a ₄ =), for each of the software keys 2a ₁ ,..., Software key 2a ₅ , “ It is set to assign the characters “ta”, “chi”, “tsu”, “te”, “to”. For example, when an operation on the physical key 3a ₅ constituting the first key unit 3a is detected (3a ₅ = N), for each of the software keys 2a ₁ ,..., Software key 2a ₅ , “ “N”, “Ni”, “Nu”, “Ne”, “N” characters are assigned. For example, when an operation on the physical key 3a ₆ constituting the first key unit 3a is detected (3a ₆ = ha), for each of the software keys 2a ₁ ,..., Software key 2a ₅ , “ “H”, “hi”, “fu”, “to” and “ho” are assigned. For example, if the operation on the physical key 3a ₇ constituting the first key unit 3a is detected (3a ₇ = or), software keys _2a 1, · · ·, for each of the software keys 2a _5, " “M”, “M”, “M”, “M” and “M” are assigned. For example, when an operation on the physical key 3a ₈ constituting the first key unit 3a is detected (3a ₈ =), the software key 2a ₁ , the software key 2a ₃ , and the software key 2a ₅ are respectively It is set to assign the characters “ya”, “yu”, and “yo”. For example, when an operation on the physical key 3a ₉ constituting the first key unit 3a is detected (3a ₉ = et al.), For each of the software keys 2a ₁ ,..., Software key 2a ₅ , “ “R”, “Ri”, “Ru”, “Re”, “R” are assigned. For example, when an operation on the physical key 3a ₁₀ constituting the first key unit 3a is detected (3a ₁₀ = wa), the software key 2a ₁ , the software key 2a ₃ , and the software key 2a ₅ are respectively “Wa”, “O”, and “N” are assigned. The second key data 9D is used when executing an output corresponding to each of the software keys 2a ₁ ,..., Software key 2a ₅ constituting the second key unit 2a in a character input process described later. In the example shown in FIG. 28, in the second key data 9D, there is no assignment to the software keys 2a ₆ ,..., Software key 2a ₁₀ constituting the second key unit 2a. Editing functions such as line feed, delete, and conversion may be set. Incidentally, physical key 3c _1, · · ·, to the physical key 3c _3, may have features corresponding to control operation of the electronic device 1.

29 and 30 are diagrams illustrating an example of an input processing execution screen according to the embodiment. The electronic device 1 associates software keys 2a ₁ ,..., Software keys 2a ₅ included in the second key unit 2a with each area of the touch screen display 2. Here, the second key unit 2 a has software keys 2 a ₁ ,..., Software keys 2 a ₅ arranged side by side along the side of the touch screen display 2. In the example shown in FIG. 29, the second key unit 2a has software keys 2a ₁ ,..., 2a ₅ arranged side by side in the Y-axis direction. That is, the second key unit 2a is arranged in the same direction as the first key unit 3a. The software key 2a ₁ is assigned an area of y ₀ ≦ y ≦ y ₁ in the Y-axis direction, which is the direction in which the keys are arranged. Here, y is a value indicating the area in the Y-axis direction of each software key. y ₀ and y ₁ are coordinates in the Y-axis direction. Similarly, y ₂ , y ₃ , y ₄ , and y ₅ described later are coordinates in the Y-axis direction. Here, the coordinates y ₀ , y ₁ , y ₂ , y ₃ , y ₄ , y ₅ have a relationship of y ₀ <y ₁ <y ₂ <y ₃ <y ₄ <y ₅ . The coordinate y ₀ is one end of the touch screen display 2 in the Y-axis direction. Coordinate y ₅ is the other end portion of the touch screen display 2 Y-axis direction. The software key 2a ₂ is assigned an area of y ₁ ≦ y ≦ y ₂ . The software key 2a ₃ is assigned an area of y ₂ ≦ y ≦ y ₃ . An area of y ₃ ≦ y ≦ y ₄ is assigned to the software key 2a ₄ . The area of y ₄ ≦ y ≦ y ₅ is assigned to the software key 2a ₅ . The software keys 2a ₁ ,..., Software keys 2a ₅ are arranged from end to end of the touch screen display 2 in the X-axis direction orthogonal to the Y-axis. That is, the software keys 2a ₁ ,..., Software key 2a ₅ are arranged along two sides of the touch screen display 2.

In the example shown in FIG. 30, the second key unit 2a has software keys 2a ₁ ,..., Software keys 2a ₅ arranged side by side in the X-axis direction. That is, the second key unit 2a is arranged in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the physical keys of the first key unit 3a are arranged. The software key 2a ₅ has a longer width in the direction in which the software keys 2a ₅ are aligned than the other software keys 2a ₁ ,... Software key _2a 1, · · ·, software keys 2a ₅ is a physical key _3a 1 of the first key unit 3a, · · ·, in the direction are lined up software key 3a _5, from the edge of the touch screen display 2 to the end Has been placed. That is, the software keys 2a ₁ ,..., Software key 2a ₅ are arranged along two sides of the touch screen display 2. In addition, as shown in FIG. 30, the width of each software key may be different.

An example of screen transition in the input process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 31 is a schematic diagram for explaining screen transitions associated with input processing according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 31, the electronic device 1 displays the execution screen 20 of the input process on the display 2A (step S52). On the display, blank keys are displayed in the respective areas of software keys 2a ₁ ,..., Software key 2a ₅ . Subsequently, when the electronic device 1 detects a touch on the physical key 3a ₃ , the electronic device 1 executes an output corresponding to the physical key 3a ₃ (step S54). Specifically, the electronic device 1 outputs a reading voice of the character “sa” assigned to the physical key 3 a ₃ from the speaker 11.

Subsequently, when the physical key 3a ₃ is pressed, the electronic device 1 executes an output corresponding to the physical key 3a ₃ (step S56). Specifically, the electronic device 1 includes a software key 2a ₁ ,..., A software key 2a ₅ for each of software keys 2a ₁ ,..., Software key 2a ₅ associated with the physical key 3a _3. Assign at least one character previously associated with. For example, the characters “sa”, “shi”, “su”, “se”, “so” are assigned to each of the software keys 2a ₁ ,..., Software key 2a ₅ , and the software keys 2a ₁ ,. ..., to each of the software key 2a _5, "of", "teeth", "to", "to", to display a character image of "its".

Subsequently, when the electronic device 1 detects a touch on the software key 2a ₃ , the electronic device 1 executes an output corresponding to the software key 2a ₃ (step S58). Specifically, the electronic device 1 outputs a read-out voice of the character “su” assigned to the software key 2 a ₃ from the speaker 11.

Subsequently, when the software key 2a ₃ is pressed, the electronic device 1 executes an output corresponding to the software key 2a ₃ (step S60). Specifically, the electronic device 1 determines the input of the character “SU” assigned to the software key 2 a ₃ and displays it in the character input field 40. Here, the electronic device 1 detects long tap, a double tap or the like as pressed against software keys 2a _3. Operation to confirm the input, that is, operation to perform an output corresponding to the software key 2a ₃ in step S60 is not limited to the depression of the software keys. For example, pressing a physical key may be an input determining operation.

The flow of processing executed by the electronic device according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 32 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing executed by the electronic device according to the embodiment. The process shown in FIG. 32 is realized by the controller 10 executing the input control program 9B. In the description of FIG. 32, the physical key 3a _m is physical key _3a 1 constituting the first key unit 3a, corresponding ..., the physical key _{3a 10.} In the description of FIG. 32, software keys 2a _n is the software key _2a 1 which constitutes the second key unit 2a, · · ·, corresponding to the software key 2a _5.

As shown in FIG. 32, the controller 10 determines whether it has detected a touch on any of the physical key 3a _m of the first key unit 3a (step S201).

The controller 10, as a result of the judgment, when detecting a touch to a physical key 3a _m (step S201, Yes), executes the output corresponding to the physical key 3a _m detecting the touch (step S202).

Subsequently, the controller 10 determines whether it has detected the pressing of the physical key 3a _m (step S203).

The controller 10, as a result of the judgment, when detecting a depression of the physical key 3a _m (step S203, Yes), executes the output corresponding to the physical key 3a _m detecting the pressed (step S204), the process of step S201 Return to procedure.

In step S203, the controller 10, the result of the determination, if detecting no depression of the physical key 3a _m (step S203, No), the process returns to the procedure of step S201.

In step S201, the controller 10, the result of the determination, if not detecting the touch to the physical key 3a _m (step S201, No), and detects a touch to any one of the software keys 2a _n of the second key unit 2a Is determined (step S205).

The controller 10, as a result of the judgment, when detecting a touch to the software key 2a _n (step S205, Yes), executes the output corresponding to the software key 2a _n detects a touch (step S206).

Subsequently, the controller 10 determines whether it has detected the pressing of the software keys 2a _n (step S207). Here, the pressing of the software keys 2a _n, a long tap, double tap is illustrated. The press may be an operation that can be detected as an operation different from the touch.

The controller 10, as a result of the judgment, when detecting a depression of the software keys 2a _n (step S207, Yes), executes the output corresponding to the software key 2a _n detects a pressed (step S208), the process of step S201 Return to procedure.

In step S207, the controller 10, the result of the determination, if detecting no depression of the software keys 2a _n (step S207, No), the process returns to the procedure of step S201.

In step S205, the controller 10, the result of the determination, if not detecting the touch to the software keys 2a _n (step S205, No), it has detected a touch on the non-first key unit 3a and the second key unit 2a Is determined (step S209).

  As a result of the determination, when the controller 10 detects a touch to other than the first key unit 3a and the second key unit 2a (step S209, Yes), the process illustrated in FIG. 32 is terminated. On the other hand, if the controller 10 does not detect a touch on any part other than the first key unit 3a and the second key unit 3b as a result of the determination (No in step S209), the controller 10 returns to the processing procedure in step S201.

  In addition, although it demonstrated as an example of a character input by this embodiment, the case of the combination of the folder and data matched by the above-mentioned hierarchy is the same. According to the above embodiment, the electronic device 1 assigns a group to each of a plurality of physical keys and software keys arranged in a row, thereby making it easier to recognize where the group is assigned and improving operability. Can be high. In addition, when a group is associated in a hierarchy and a group is selected, it is possible to easily select a desired group by associating the group associated with the selected group with each of the other key units. . In addition, by linking the groups alternately with the two key units, a simple operation can be performed, and the conventional input can be improved in terms of operability.

  The electronic device 1 provides software keys for assigning groups along the sides of the touch screen display 2. The electronic device 1 may be provided with software keys along the edge of the housing 1 h, the boundary between the housing 1 h and the touch screen display 2, and the side of the touch screen display 2. Thereby, the user selects and operates the software key by moving a finger or the like along the edge of the housing 1h, the boundary between the housing 1h and the touch screen display 2, and the side of the touch screen display 2. The key operation can be executed with a simple operation.

  FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating an example of an input processing execution screen according to the embodiment. FIG. 33 shows an example when the operation target is a character conversion process. As shown in FIG. 33, the electronic device 1 displays an execution screen for input processing on the display 2A (step S62). On the screen, a character input field 40 and a predictive conversion candidate unit 42 are displayed. The prediction conversion candidate unit 42 has a plurality of regions 44. The area 44 is a character of each group linked to one character, in this embodiment, the “sa” key. The predictive conversion candidate unit 42 is associated with the “sa” of the second key unit in the area 44 and displays characters associated with each physical key of the first key unit 3a. The physical keys of the first key unit 3a include “arrows indicating movement of candidates”, “difference”, “examination”, “sa”, “chain”, “sa (half-width)”, “sa”, “嵯"," Early ", and" arrow indicating candidate movement "are assigned. The predictive conversion candidate unit 42 displays characters corresponding to each key in each of the areas 44. The physical key at the end of the first key unit 3a is assigned “an arrow indicating candidate movement” associated with an operation for scrolling the candidate.

Subsequently, when the electronic device 1 detects a touch or a press on the physical key 3a ₁ , the electronic device 1 executes an output corresponding to the physical key 3a ₁ (step S64). Specifically, the electronic device 1 executes a process of moving the candidate that is assigned to the physical key 3a _1. As a result, the character assigned to the physical key 3a ₃ changes. The predictive conversion candidate unit 42 has “arrows indicating candidate movement”, “trivial”, “娑”, “simply”, “嵯”, “紗”, “sha”, “娑”, “brown” for each key. , “An arrow indicating candidate movement” is assigned.

Subsequently, when the electronic device 1 detects a touch on the physical key 3a ₂ , the electronic device 1 executes an output corresponding to the physical key 3a ₂ (step S66). Specifically, the selected character is read out. In the case of the present embodiment, the voice “Ocha no Sasa” is output in order to specify the Chinese character. Subsequently, when the electronic device 1 detects a press on the physical key 3a ₂ , the electronic device 1 executes an output corresponding to the physical key 3a ₂ (step S68). Specifically, “brown” corresponding to the physical key 3 a ₂ is determined as an input character, and “brown” is displayed as an input character in the character input field 40.

  As described above, the electronic device 1 may associate conversion candidates for character input as a group. In the above embodiment, the key is associated with the physical key, but may be associated with the software key.

FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating an example of an execution screen for input processing according to the embodiment. FIG. 34 shows an example when the operation target is a character conversion process. As shown in FIG. 34, the electronic apparatus 1 displays an execution screen 20 for input processing on the display 2A. Subsequently, when the electronic device 1 detects a touch on the physical key 3b ₃ , the electronic device 1 executes an output corresponding to the physical key 3b ₃ (step S72). Specifically, the electronic device 1 outputs a reading voice of the character “sa” assigned to the physical key 3 b ₃ from the speaker 11.

Subsequently, when the physical key 3b ₃ is pressed, the electronic device 1 executes an output corresponding to the physical key 3b ₃ (step S74). Specifically, the electronic device 1 includes a software key 2a ₁ ,..., A software key 2a ₅ for each of software keys 2a ₁ ,..., Software key 2a ₅ associated with the physical key 3a _3. Assign at least one character previously associated with. For example, the characters “sa”, “shi”, “su”, “se”, “so” are assigned to each of the software keys 2a ₁ ,..., Software key 2a ₅ , and the software keys 2a ₁ ,. ..., to each of the software key 2a _5, "of", "teeth", "to", "to", to display a character image of "its".

Subsequently, when the electronic device 1 detects a touch on the software key 2a ₃ , the electronic device 1 executes an output corresponding to the software key 2a ₃ (step S76). Specifically, the electronic device 1 outputs a read-out voice of the character “su” assigned to the software key 2 a ₃ from the speaker 11.

Subsequently, when the software key 2a ₃ is pressed, the electronic device 1 executes an output corresponding to the software key 2a ₃ (step S78). Specifically, the electronic device 1 displays the character “SU” assigned to the software key 2 a ₃ in the character input column 40 as an input candidate. Here, the electronic device 1 detects long tap, a double tap or the like as pressed against software keys 2a _3.

  The electronic device 1 associates conversion candidates corresponding to the characters of the software key with the physical keys of the first key unit 3a. The electronic device 1 displays one character, that is, a character of each group associated with the “su” key in the present embodiment, in the plurality of areas 48 of the prediction conversion candidate unit 42 (step S80). Here, the conversion candidate is not limited to one character (Hiragana, Katakana, Kanji), and may be a word or a sentence. For each physical key of the first key unit 3a, "arrow indicating movement of candidate", "su", "su", "element", "nest", "immediately", "great", "great" “Gap” and “arrow indicating candidate movement” are assigned. The predictive conversion candidate unit displays characters corresponding to each key in each of the areas 48. The physical key at the end of the first key unit 3a is assigned “an arrow indicating candidate movement” associated with an operation for scrolling the candidate.

Subsequently, when the electronic device 1 detects a touch on the physical key 3a ₈ , the electronic device 1 executes a process corresponding to the physical key 3a ₈ (step S82). Specifically, the selected group is read out. In the case of the present embodiment, a voice saying “Great, true, honest, good weather” is output. Subsequently, when the electronic device 1 detects a press on the physical key 3a ₈ , the electronic device 1 executes an output corresponding to the physical key 3a ₈ (step S84). Specifically, “great” corresponding to the physical key 3 a ₈ is determined as the input character, and “great” is displayed as the input character in the character input field 40.

  As described above, the electronic device 1 may associate conversion candidates for character input as a group. The conversion candidate may be a word. In the above embodiment, the combination of the first key unit and the second key unit is not limited, and may be a physical key and a physical key, or a combination of a physical key and a software key. The first key unit and the second key unit may be switched by a key on which an input is performed.

  In the present specification, characteristic embodiments have been described in order to completely and clearly disclose the technology according to the appended claims. However, the appended claims should not be limited to the above-described embodiments, but all modifications and alternatives that can be created by those skilled in the art within the scope of the basic matters shown in this specification. Should be embodied by a possible configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic device 2 Touch screen display 2A Display 2B Touch screen 3 Physical key unit 3a 1st key unit 3b 2nd key unit 3c 3rd key unit 3d Touch screen 4 Illuminance sensor 5 Proximity sensor 6 Communication unit 7 Receiver 8 Microphone 9 Storage 9A Control program 9B Input control program 9C First key data 9D Second key data 9E Condition data 9Z Setting data 10 Controller 11 Speaker 12 Camera 13 Camera 14 Connector 15 Motion sensor 100 External physical key unit

Claims (6)

A housing,
A group of physical keys arranged along the edge of the housing;
A controller that executes processing based on an operation of a physical key of the physical key group;
With
The physical key group includes a first key group and a second key group,
The controller assigns a first group to the first key group;
When an operation on the physical key of the first key group is detected, an electronic device that assigns a second group associated with the first group assigned to the operated physical key to the second key group . A housing,
Touch screen,
A group of physical keys arranged along the edge of the housing;
A group of software keys on the edge of the touch screen;
A controller that executes processing based on an operation of a physical key of the physical key group and a software key of the software key group,
The controller assigns a first group to the physical key group;
An electronic device that assigns, to the software key group, a second group associated with the first group assigned to the operated physical key when detecting an operation on the physical key of the physical key group. A housing,
A control method of an electronic device comprising: a physical key group including a first key group and a second key group arranged along an edge of the housing,
Assigning a first group to the first key group;
A control method for allocating a second group associated with the first group assigned to the operated physical key to the second key group upon detecting an operation on the physical key of the first key group . A housing,
Touch screen,
A group of physical keys arranged along the edge of the housing;
A software key group arranged on an edge of the touch screen, and a method for controlling an electronic device comprising:
Assigning a first group to the physical key group;
A control method for assigning, to the software key group, a second group associated with the first group assigned to the operated physical key when an operation on the physical key of the physical key group is detected. A housing,
An electronic device comprising: a physical key group including a first key group and a second key group arranged along an edge of the housing;
Assigning a first group to the physical key group;
When an operation on the physical key of the physical key group is detected, a process of assigning the second group linked to the first group assigned to the operated physical key to the second key group is executed. program. A housing,
Touch screen,
A group of physical keys arranged along the edge of the housing;
A software key group arranged on the edge of the touch screen;
Assigning a first group to the physical key group;
A program that, when detecting an operation on a physical key of the physical key group, executes a process of assigning a second group linked to the first group assigned to the operated physical key to the software key group.

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