JP3071751B2 - Key input device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a key input device for inputting Japanese and English, and more particularly, to a portable telephone (P).
HS), an electronic organizer, a wrist watch, a small word processor (word processor), a personal computer (PC), and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a mobile phone having a built-in telephone directory function, a key (button) for inputting a telephone number is provided with a character input function in order to input an address or the like of the telephone number.

In a conventional mobile phone, Japanese (Katakana)
, "A" row, "K" row, "Sa" row, ..., "La" row, "Wang" and "Wang" in the Japanese syllabary arrangement Characters were set. Then, for example, in the key set in the “A” line, pressing once will cause the “A”
However, when pressed twice, "i" is input, when pressed three times, "u" is input, when pressed four times, "e" is input, and when pressed five times, "o" is input.

In order to input English, “ABC”, “DEF”, “GHI”, “J
KL ”,“ MNO ”,“ PQRS ”,“ TUV ”,“ W
XYZ "is set, and each character is selectively input by the number of times each key is pressed.

[0005]

However, in such a conventional character arrangement, the key must be pressed up to five times to input a kana character and up to four times to input English. There is a problem that the operation becomes complicated and that the speed of character input cannot be increased. In particular, since the number of key presses is set regardless of the frequency of the characters,
When entering multiple characters in Kana input, on average about 3 to
It was necessary to press the key four times, and the operation was complicated.

[0006] Furthermore, in Japanese, the prompting "tsu" and the long tone "-" are used relatively frequently. For example, when the prompting "tsu" is input, the key set in the "ta" line is pressed three times. The input operation must be further complicated by pressing the lowercase key after inputting "tsu" by pressing.

[0007] Such a problem is not limited to a cellular phone, but a clock having a telephone directory function and a schedule function, various electronic organizers, a small personal computer, and the like, requires about 12 to 15 keys to reduce the size. There was a similar problem when the number was reduced.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a key input device which can reduce the number of key presses during character input and simplify input operations even when the number of keys is small.
It is a second object of the present invention to provide a key input device capable of easily inputting a frequent prompt sound "tsu" or a long sound "-" in Japanese input in addition to the above objects.

[0009]

A key input device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings .
Or comprises twelve keys 21 to 32 of four rows three stages, the five keys 21 to 25 of this <br/> these twelve keys vowel
( "A", "I", "U", "E", "O" )
And the other seven keys 26 to 32 have consonants ( the other 21 consonants of the alphabet “KGFSZJTDVN”).
CQHBPRMLYWX " ) 3 keys are arranged on each key
26 letters are arranged in 12 keys
Key input device, wherein the consonant does not include a plurality of the consonants.
Selected according to the number of keystrokes
It is characterized by being constituted .

In such a key input device 2, the most frequently used vowel, "A", in either Japanese or English,
“I”, “U”, “E”, “O” are assigned to independent keys 21 to
Since they are set to 25, these characters can be entered with a single key press. For this reason, the vowels other than "A" can be input fewer times in vowel input, operability is improved, and high-speed input is possible, as compared with the conventional 50-sound arrangement or English arrangement which cannot be input unless the key is pressed a plurality of times. It becomes possible.

Further, since the other 21 letters of the alphabet are arranged in three on each of the seven keys 26 to 32, the alphabet 26 can be formed with a very small number of keys such as 12 keys.
It is possible to form the key input device 2 which can input characters, is small and has excellent portability. Further, since three characters are arranged on each of the seven keys 26 to 32 in which the consonant keys are set, when the input of each character is divided by the number of times each key is pressed, each key is divided. By pressing three times at most, any character can be input to improve operability, and since each consonant is evenly arranged on each key, the keying operation can be well balanced and operability can be further improved.

Further, in the key input device 2, keys 26 to 32 in which consonants are set and keys 21 to 2 in which vowels are set
By sequentially pressing 5 and 5, Japanese can be input in Roman alphabet input. For this reason, when inputting Japanese, it is possible to input by performing the operation of pressing the key twice on average, compared to the conventional Japanese syllabary arrangement which requires the operation of pressing the key four to five times on average. Input operability can be improved, and high-speed input can be performed.

[0013] In addition, since all the 26 letters of the alphabet are arranged in a key arrangement, it is possible to perform both Japanese and English input by inputting Roman characters. At this time, the alphabets used for both Japanese input and English input have the same arrangement, so that they can be easily remembered and operability can be improved.

At this time, of the keys in which the vowels are arranged, 2
The two vowel keys have a long vowel "-" and a prompt "tsu"
The long tone "-" and the prompt "tsu" are keyed.
Is configured to be selected according to the number of keystroke
Preferably. Further, it is preferable that a second character key for inputting a long sound "-" is set to one of the five keys 21 to 25 in which the vowel is set. Furthermore, five keys 21 to 2 in which the vowels are set
It is preferable that a second character key for inputting a prompt sound “tsu” is set to one of the keys 5. Since only each vowel is set as the vowel key, if the long vowel "-" or the prompting sound "tsu" is set as the second character key, each vowel key is hit twice, for example, to enter the long vowel "-". ”And the prompting“ tsu ”, and the long tone“-”and the prompting“ tsu ”frequently appearing in Japanese input can be easily input.

At this time, it is preferable that a second character key for inputting a long sound "-" or a prompting sound "tsu" is set to the keys 21 and 24 to which "A" and "E" are set. When inputting Japanese romaji characters, the continuous input of "A" and "E" such as "A + A" and "E + E" means that other vowels "I", "U" and "O" Less than compared. For this reason, when the long sound “-” and the prompting sound “tsu” are set as the second character keys for the keys 21 and 24 to which “A” and “E” are set, respectively, “A” and “ By pressing the key to which "E" is set twice, the long sound "-" and the prompting sound "tsu" can be easily input, and the operability is further improved.

At this time, the three keys in any row
"A", "I", "U", which are alphabets representing sounds
Is set, and two keys in another row are set.
Is set with character keys to enter "E" and "O"
Is preferred. For example, the twelve keys 21 to 21
32 are arranged in four rows and three rows in the upper and lower rows, and the three keys 21 to 23 in the uppermost row are "A", "I", and "U" in order from the left.
Are set, and the two keys 24 and 25 from the left in the second row from the top are "E" and "O" in order from the left.
Is preferably set.
If the vowels are arranged in such an order, the key positions can be easily remembered, and the operability can be further improved.

The twelve keys 621 to 632 are arranged in three rows in the upper and lower rows and four rows, and five of the six keys in the left two rows include "A", "I", "U",
Character keys for inputting “E” and “O” may be set respectively. Also in this case, the key position can be easily remembered, and the operability can be improved. In particular, since the number of left and right columns is four and the number of upper and lower keys is reduced to three, when operating with one hand, for example, the index finger, the middle finger, the ring finger, etc. are moved up and down from the home position of the second stage by one. Each key can be depressed simply by moving the key individually, so that the key arrangement can be easily remembered and the blind touch input can be easily performed.

The seven keys 2 on which the consonants are set
6 to 32 are “KGF”, “SZJ”, “TD”
V "," NCQ "," HBP "," RML "," YW "
It is preferable that the setting is made by a combination of the character keys of "X".

With such an arrangement, in combination with the vowel keys in the Roman alphabet input, the "ka" line
Consonants “K, S, T, N, H, M,
Since “Y, R, W” can be set as the first or second character key of each key, it is possible to input a consonant of a clear tone having a high input frequency next to the vowel by a simple operation, thereby further improving the operability. be able to. In addition, the "G" key to input the "ga" line of the muddy sound to the "K" key to input the "ka" line,
The "Z" key to input the "the" row to the "S" key to input the "sa" row, and the "da" to the "T" key to input the "ta" row
Press the "D" key to enter the row, "H" to enter the "c" row
Since the "B" key for inputting the "ba" line is set as the key, the related clear tone and dull tone can be input using the same key (for example, by changing the number of times the key is pressed). Therefore, the input operation of the muddy sound can be easily remembered, and the input operation can be performed at high speed.

The key input device 2 is a mode switching means 1 for switching the input mode between numeric key input and character key input.
03, and ten of the twelve keys 21 to 32 include “1”, “2”, “3”,
"4", "5", "6", "7", "8", "9",
It is preferable that numerical keys for inputting "0" are set respectively.

If a numeric key is provided, not only character input but also numeric input can be performed. For this reason,
In particular, it is possible to input an address and a telephone number in a telephone directory such as a mobile phone, a wristwatch, and an electronic organizer, and it is possible to input numbers, Japanese, and English with a minimum number of keys. That is, with the twelve keys 21 to 32, it is possible to realize three input modes of a number input for inputting a number or the like by telephone, a Japanese input by a Roman character input, and an English input. The key input device 2 can be applied to input and has high versatility.

Further, in the numeral input mode, each numeral is set to 1
It is possible to input by a single keystroke operation, and it is possible to improve the operability of making a telephone call in various telephones such as a mobile telephone, a facsimile or the like, and a numerical input operation. Also, if the numeric keys are arranged in four rows and three rows in the upper and lower rows, the arrangement is the same as that of the push buttons in various telephones, especially mobile phones.
It can be easily applied to telephone and FAX.

Here, when the keys are arranged on one of the left and right sides and the upper and lower sides of the twelve keys 21 to 32, that is, when the key notation is arranged in the left and right direction, one of the left and right sides thereof is used. And when arranged vertically, one of the upper side and the lower side is “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “5”, “6”, respectively. ,
“7”, “8”, “9”, “*”, “0”, and “#” are written, and “A-” and “I” are provided on either side of the key surface, either left or right or up and down. , "U", "E",
"O", "YWX", "KGF", "SZJ", "TD
It is preferable that "V", "NCQ", "HBP", and "RML" are described.

The keys 21 to 32 usually indicate numbers and characters to be input when the keys are pressed. In this case, if the numerical keys and the character keys are separately described, the numbers and the characters are displayed. Can be easily understood, and the operability can be improved.

It is preferable that the mode switching means 103 switches the input mode to three modes: a numeric input mode, a Japanese input mode, and an English input mode. If three modes are provided, it is possible to realize three input modes, that is, a number input for inputting a number or the like by telephone, a Japanese input by Roman alphabet input, and an English input. The key input device 2 can be applied and has high versatility. In addition, since the key arrangement is the same between Japanese input and English input, the position of each character is smaller than in the past, where the kana arrangement set in alphabetical order and the English arrangement set in alphabetical order were set. It is easy to remember and operability can be further improved.

Here, among the keys in which a plurality of character keys are set, the means for inputting each character key may be, for example, one in which a character to be input is selected by the number of times the key is pressed. Can be adopted. Even in this case, since only the third character code is set at the maximum, characters can be input by performing a maximum of three keystrokes. In addition, frequent characters can be entered with one or two keystrokes,
Since the setting is such that characters with low frequency are input with three key presses, operability can be improved as compared with the related art that requires 1 to 5 key presses regardless of frequency.

More specifically, in the keys to which the first to third character keys are set, when the key is pressed once, the character set as the first character key is input, and when the key is pressed twice, the key is input. What is necessary is to set so that the character set as the second character key is input, and if the key is pressed three times, the character set as the third character key is input.

It is preferable that the plurality of keys 21 to 32 are particularly provided on the mobile phone 1.

[0029]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present embodiment is used as a key input device 2 of a mobile phone 1 as shown in FIG. The mobile phone 1 has a microphone 3 and a speaker 4
And the liquid crystal display 5 are provided,
Key input device (key input unit) 2 on which a plurality of keys are arranged
Is provided.

The key input device 2 is provided with a total of 24 keys in four rows and six rows in the upper and lower directions, and as shown in FIG. 2, a total of 12 keys in three rows in the lower right and four rows. A main key for inputting numbers and characters is constituted by 21 to 32. Function keys 51 to 62 are set with the other twelve keys.

Main keys 21 to 32 and function keys 51 to 6
2, characters and functions are set. That is, on the left side of the key top of each of the main keys 21 to 32, a numeric key used for inputting a telephone number or the like is set, and on the right side, for example, alphabets used for Japanese or English input in Roman characters. A character key has been set.

Here, the arrangement of the character keys in the main keys 21 to 32 is such that a vowel key is set on the upper side and a vowel key is combined with the vowel key in Roman alphabet input on the lower side. Consonant keys for inputting "Wa" are arranged in order from the upper side.

One of the features of the present invention is that Roman input is adopted in contrast to the conventional Japanese input on a mobile phone based on the kana character syllabary arrangement. Roman character input has fewer characters than the kana character 50 sounds.
The operation is easier than when sound is assigned to each key,
In addition, with the recent spread of personal computers and the like, most users who input Japanese use Roman characters, so there is an advantage that it is easy to work on.

Further, in the input of Roman characters, the appearance frequency of each character has regularity, the frequency of vowels is the highest, and consonants then appear almost in the order of the Japanese syllabary "K, S, T, N ...".
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the vowel keys are set collectively on the upper main keys 21 to 25, and the consonant keys are arranged on the lower keys 26 to 32 in descending order of frequency. The order is easy to hit.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the keys 21 to 32 are arranged in a numeric arrangement from the upper left side in order from the upper left to the numeral 21 for the key 21 and the numeral 2 for the key 22. The number "3" is assigned to the key 23, the number "4" is assigned to the key 24, and the key 2
The numeral “5” is assigned to 5, the numeral “6” is assigned to the key 26, and the key 27
, A numeral "8" in a key 28, a numeral "9" in a key 29, a symbol "*" in a key 30, a numeral "0" in a key 31, and a symbol "#" in a key 32. Is set so that telephone operations can be performed.

Each of the keys 21 to 25 is used as a character array.
Include “A”, “I”, “U”,
“E” and “O” are arranged as the first character keys. The sequence is "A", "I", "U", "E", "O" from left to right and from first to second row.
It is set in consideration of the ease of remembering the characters.

On the other hand, each of the keys 26 to 32 has, as a first character key, "K", "S",
The consonant keys "T", "N", "H", "R", and "Y" are arranged. These arrays contain the "ka" row, "sa"
Line, "ta" line, "na" line, "ha" line, "ra" line, "ya"
The consonants on the line are arranged in the order of akasatana. The keys 31 and 32 have consonant keys "M" and "W" arranged as second character keys. This arrangement is such that the remaining “ma” and “wa” rows are arranged. In the key 31, “M” may be set as the first character key, and “R” may be set as the second character key.

The keys 26 to 30 include "G", "Z", "D", "n", and "B" as second character codes.
Keys are arranged. That is, the "ga" line,
Consonants "G" to input "za" line, "da" line, "ba" line,
"Z", "D", and "B" are the Kiyane "ka" lines, "sa" lines,
"K", "S", to input "ta" line, "ha" line,
The tone is set so as to correspond to “T” and “H”, and the tone is arranged so as to correspond to the muddy tone.

Since "N" for inputting the "na" line is used as a key for inputting a sound-repellent "n" in Roman alphabet input, the Japanese character is input to the key 29 to which "N" is set. "N" as the second character key in mode
Are arranged so that they are easy to remember and operate.

In the key 30 to which "H" and "B" for inputting "ha" line and "ba" line, "P" for inputting "@" line as a third character code is input. "Is set, and the input of the" @ "line can be performed easily and with good operability. Further, "-" and "." Are set to the keys 31 and 32 as the third character keys in the Japanese input mode.

Further, the vowel key 24 to which "E" is set
Is set to the second character code. That is, in Roman alphabet input, "E" is seldom used consecutively.
It is set so that when the is pressed twice, the prompting sound "tsu" is input.

Each of these characters is written on the upper right side of each of the keys 21 to 32, as shown in FIG.

Further, on the lower right side of the keys 21 to 32,
Characters used only for English input are written, and are set as third character keys (partially as second character keys).

That is, "F", "V", and "J" are set as the third character keys in the keys 26 to 28, respectively. In the key 29, "C" is set as a second character key in the English input mode, and "Q" is set as a third character key. Further, keys 31 and 3
In “2”, “L” and “X” are set as third character keys in the English input mode.

Accordingly, for the 26 letters of the alphabet, five of the twelve main keys 21 to 32 are used.
Vowels "A", "I", "U", "E",
“O” is set alone, and the other keys 26 to 32 are set with three other 21 characters. Specifically, the key 26 is “KGF”, the key 27 is “SZV”, and the key 28
To “TDJ”, key 29 to “NCQ”, and key 30 to “H”.
BP ", key 31" RML ", key 32" YWX "
Are set respectively.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the function keys 51 to 62 are set with various functions set for telephone use, and are also set with functions for character input. In each of the keys 51 to 59, when the key 51 to 59 is pressed once, the function described below the key is executed, and when the key 51 is pressed twice, the function described above the key is executed. ing.

That is, a feed key (cursor key) is set for the keys 51, 55, 56, 58. Also,
The key 57 is set with a conversion function for converting input Japanese into kanji and the like, and a menu function for displaying various menus. The key 59 is set with a return key and a conversion confirmation function.

As for the function keys 60 to 63, the keys 60 to 6
Pressing 3 once performs the function described on the left side of the key, and pressing twice performs the function described on the right side of the key.

That is, the key 60 has a function of switching to a numeric input mode and a function of switching to an alphabetical character input mode. The key 61 has a function of switching to a kana input mode (kana-kanji input mode) and a function of switching to a kana input mode (katakana input mode). Although these keys 60 and 61 are used to fix the key input to each mode, the input key may be used as a key for later converting into a number, an alphabet, a kana, or a kana.

The key 62 includes a “function” key for extension,
F (function) key is set. That is, when each of the keys 51 to 61 is pressed at the same time while the key 62 is being pressed, the function described below each of the keys 51 to 61 is executed.

More specifically, while pressing the key 62, the key 5
Pressing the keys simultaneously causes the page up function to be executed, and pressing the keys simultaneously switches the mode to the insert mode.
3 simultaneously presses the delete function, presses the key 54 simultaneously executes the cancel function, presses the key 55 simultaneously executes the page down function, and simultaneously presses the key 56 executes the line head moving mechanism. Pressing the keys 57 at the same time executes the function of selecting the previous candidate at the time of the kanji conversion, and pressing the key 58 simultaneously executes the function of moving the end of the line.

Further, when the key 59 is pressed while pressing the key 62, a symbol input mode is set. When the key 60 is pressed at the same time, a function for setting the input mode to half-width or converting an input character to half-width is executed. Pressing at the same time executes the lowercase conversion function.

While pressing the key 62, each character key 2
When the user presses 1 to 32, the respective symbols described below the keys 21 to 32 are input. That is, if the key 21 is pressed once while pressing the key 62, "," is input, and if the key 21 is pressed twice, "," is input. Similarly, when the other keys 22 to 32 are pressed simultaneously with the key 62, the symbols “.”, “.”,
"%", ":", ";", "&", "(", ")",
"/", "", "", And "~" are input.

Further, after pressing the key 62 twice and pressing the numbers "01" to "99" with the keys 21 to 32, "F0
The function function set to “1” to “F99” is executed.

Next, an input processing function in the key input device 2 having the above-described key arrangement will be described with reference to a block diagram shown in FIG. First, the keys 21 to 32, 51
The key input detecting means 101 detects whether or not .about.62 has been pressed. For example, if a timer interrupt is performed in a fixed cycle (for example, 1 to 10 ms), the I / O port assigned to each of the keys 21 to 32, 51 to 62 and the like are checked to determine whether there is a key input. Good.

If it is determined that there is no key input, the timer interrupt is repeated in a fixed cycle, and the key input is waited. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a key input, the key input processing means 102 performs an input process. When the mode switching operation is performed by pressing the keys 60 and 61, the mode switching unit 103 is operated, and the input mode of the key input processing unit 102 is appropriately switched and set.

The key input processing means 102 performs processing so that predetermined numerals and characters are output according to the set input mode and the input key. Then, the outputted numbers and characters are displayed on the liquid crystal display 5 via the screen control means 104.

Hereinafter, the output processing of numbers and characters in the key input processing means 102 will be described in detail. First, when each of the keys 21 to 32 is pressed when the input mode is set to the number input mode, the key input processing means 102 outputs the numbers set to the keys 21 to 32. Therefore, in the state of making a telephone call, a telephone number can be input to make a call, and if a telephone number is entered in the telephone directory, the telephone number can be entered and registered.

When the Japanese input mode is set, characters (Katakana) corresponding to the key input operation are output and displayed on the liquid crystal display 5, as shown in FIG. That is, when the keys 21 to 25 are pressed once,
“A” to “O” are output. Also, consonant keys 26-3
When the vowel keys 21 to 25 are pressed after pressing 2, the clear sounds "K" to "W" are output. That is, the key 26 is set to 1
Pressing twice selects "K", and subsequently pressing key 21 selects "A", so "K + A" is output and "K" is output. Similarly, when the keys 26 and 22 are pressed in sequence, "" is output.

When the key 32 is pressed twice, "W" is selected, and when the key 21 is pressed, "A" is selected. Therefore, "W + A" is output as "W". Similarly, after pressing the keys 26 to 32 once or twice to select the first or second character keys, the other keys are also used for the keys 21 and 22.
By pressing the vowel No. 5, each character in the “ka” line to the “wa” line is output.

Further, after the keys 26 to 28 and 30 are pressed twice to select "G", "Z", "D" and "B", the vowels of the keys 21 to 25 are pressed to select "Ga" and "G". The",
The dull sounds in the “da” and “ba” rows are output. Also, key 3
Press 0 three times to select the third character key "P", and then press the vowels of keys 21-25 to get "P",
The characters "pi", "pu", "pe", and "po" are output.

When the key 24 is pressed twice, a prompting sound "tsu" as a second character key is output, and when the key 29 is pressed twice, a sound-repelling sound "n" as a second character key is output. Further, by pressing "Y" of the key 32 between the consonant and the vowel, a repetitive sound is output. For example, when the keys 26, 32, and 21 are sequentially pressed once, "K" is output as "K + Y + A". When the keys 32 and 25 are sequentially pressed once after pressing the key 26 twice, "Gyo" is output as "G + Y + O".

As shown in FIG. 5, when the key 21 is pressed once while pressing the key 62, a period "," is output, and
Press twice to output comma ",". Similarly, each key 2
When the keys 2 to 32 are pressed in the same manner as the key 62, the symbol "."
"~" Is input.

Further, as shown in FIG.
After pressing once, the numbers "01" to "9" are
When "9" is pressed, the function function set in "F01" to "F99" is executed.

Conventionally, in the case of inputting katakana in a Japanese syllabary arrangement in a cellular phone, a character is determined by pressing a cursor key for each character and a feed operation is performed. Uses a Roman character input in which the keys are pressed in the order of "consonant + vowel".
Characters can be determined when .about.25 is pressed (and when the keys 24 and 29 are pressed twice), and the feed operation is not required.

In this embodiment, an example in which katakana is input as Japanese input has been described. However, the hiragana input mode is set by the function key 61, and after the character is input, the key 57 is pressed to execute the kanji conversion function. General Japanese input with kanji can also be performed.

On the other hand, when the English input mode is set, a character (alphabet) corresponding to the key input operation is output and displayed on the liquid crystal display 5, as shown in FIG. That is, when the keys 21 to 25 are pressed once, “A” to “O” are output. Also, keys 26 to 3
If you press 2 once, the first character keys "K", "S",
"T", "N", "H", "R", "Y" are output.

When the keys 26 to 32 are pressed twice, "G", "Z", "D", "C", "B", "M",
“W” is output. Further, when the keys 26 to 32 are pressed three times, “F”, “V”, “J”, “Q”, “L”, “X”
Is output.

Further, in order to input lowercase letters of the alphabet, a key 61 for which a lowercase conversion function is set may be pressed simultaneously with a key 62 after pressing a key for inputting each alphabet. Note that the keys 61 and 62 may be pressed first to set the lowercase input mode.

In the case of the alphabet, since there is no rule of “consonant + vowel” as in the case of Roman alphabet input, for example, the key 26 is pressed once and twice to input “K” and “G”. Key 26 to enter case and "F"
The input cannot be distinguished by pressing three times. For this reason, it is set that each character is determined by inputting the feed key 58 or another key such as the determination key 59.

For example, when inputting "K" and "G" successively, after pressing the key 26 once, the key 58 is pressed to determine "K", and after pressing the key 26 twice, the key 58 is pressed. Press to confirm "G". Further, when characters set to different keys are successively input, the character is determined without pressing the key 58. That is,
To enter “K” and “S” continuously, press key 26
The key 27 may be pressed after the key is pressed twice.

According to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. 1) Since the most frequently used vowels in both Japanese and English, that is, "A", "I", "U", "E", and "O" are set to independent keys 21 to 25, these characters are used as keys. 1
Just press it once to enter. For this reason, the number of times of keying can be reduced as compared with the conventional syllabary arrangement or English arrangement in which vowels other than “A” cannot be input unless the key is pressed a plurality of times. Therefore, input operability can be improved, and high-speed input can be performed.

2) Vowels "A", "I", "U",
Since “E” and “O” are arranged from the first row to the second row and from left to right, the key positions of each vowel can be easily remembered, and the operability can be further improved. In addition, since the vowel keys 21 to 25 are grouped into vowel zones, the double vowels “AI”, “EI”, “OU”, “U”
It is possible to make the key arrangement easy to press "U", that is, a key arrangement capable of inputting the double vowel by pressing an adjacent key, thereby improving operability.

3) Since the other 21 characters of the alphabet are arranged three by seven on the keys 26 to 32, the alphabet 26 can be formed with a very small number of keys such as twelve.
It is possible to form the key input device 2 which can input characters, is small and has excellent portability. In addition, since three characters are arranged on each of the seven keys 26 to 32 in which the consonant keys are set, when the input of each character is divided by the number of times each key is pressed, each key is divided. Any character can be input by pressing it up to three times, and input operability can be improved and high-speed input can be performed as compared with the conventional Japanese syllabary arrangement which requires pressing up to five times. In addition, since each consonant is evenly arranged on each of the keys 26 to 32, the keying operation can be well-balanced, and the operability can be further improved.

4) Since the prompting sound "tsu" is set as the second character key of the key 24 in which "E" is hardly used continuously, pressing the key 24 twice causes the prompting sound "tsu" to be generated. Input can be performed easily, and input operability can be improved.

5) Keys 26 to 32 in which consonants "K" to "W" are set, and keys 2 in which vowels "A" to "O" are set
Since the keys are set separately for 1 to 25, Japanese can be input by inputting Roman letters of "consonant + vowel".
For this reason, when inputting Japanese, it is possible to input by performing an operation of pressing the key twice on average, and 4 to 5 on average.
The input operability can be improved as compared with the conventional Japanese syllabary arrangement which requires pressing the key twice, and high-speed input can be performed.
Similarly, even in English, consonants and vowels are likely to be filed alternately, so by setting keys separately for consonants and vowels, the number of touches (number of key presses) can be reduced even during English input, Input operability can be improved.

6) The consonants set for each of the keys 26 to 32 are set so that relatively frequently used characters can be input with a small number of touches in both Japanese and English. The number can be reduced, and the input efficiency can be further improved. In addition, since the three consonants set for the same key are set in a combination that is difficult to input consecutively, the number of inputs that must be confirmed by pressing the feed key 58 can be reduced, and the input efficiency is also improved in this regard. it can.

7) In the keys 26 to 32 in which the consonants are set, the alphabet used for inputting Roman characters is
Alphabets written above the surface of each key 26-32 and used only for English input are written below the surface of each key 26-32, and are commonly used in Japanese and English. Can be arranged in the same way, making it easier to remember key positions. Therefore, especially when switching between Japanese input mode and English input mode,
The key arrangement is easy to remember, and the operability at the time of key input can be further improved.

8) In addition, since the alphabet used only for inputting English is written on the lower side of the keys 26 to 32, it is easy to distinguish characters for Japanese input from characters for English input. The operability can be further improved.

9) Use "G", "Z", "D", and "B" to input a muddy sound, press "N" twice to input a sound-repelling "n", or input "consonant + Y + The vowels are used to input repetitive sounds, and the input of voiced sounds, etc., using a combination of characters similar to the Roman alphabet input on a conventional general keyboard, so that key operations can be quickly learned and operability improved. You can input at high speed.

10) Further, in the input of Roman characters,
"K" to input "K" line and "G" to input "G" line
The key 27, "S" for inputting the "sa" line, and "Z" for inputting the "the" line to the key 27, "T" for inputting a line, and "D" for inputting a line. Are set to the key 28, and "H" for inputting a row C and "B" for inputting a row are set to the key 30, respectively. Can be entered. For this reason, the key position for the muddy sound can be easily grasped, the input operation can be easily remembered, and the input can be performed at high speed.

11) In the Japanese input mode, Roman character input is employed, so that when the vowel keys 21 to 25 are pressed (and the keys 24 and 29 are pressed twice), the character can be determined. There is no need to perform a feed operation of pressing the key 58, and accordingly, the number of key strokes can be reduced, and operability can be improved.

12) Even in the English input mode, by setting consonants and vowels which are easy to apply alternately to different keys, when inputting different alphabets continuously, the same key must be continuously touched. The frequency with which the character feed key 58 is turned off can be reduced, and therefore, the operation of pressing the character feed key 58 can be reduced, and the operability can be improved.

13) Since each of the keys 21 to 32 is also provided with a numeric key, not only character input but also numeric input can be performed. This is especially true for mobile phones, watches,
An address and a telephone number can be entered in a telephone directory such as an electronic organizer. That is, with the 12 keys 21 to 32,
It is possible to realize three input modes of numeric input for inputting numbers etc. by telephone, Japanese input by Roman alphabet input, and English input, applicable to various inputs, and highly versatile key input The device 2 can be used.

14) Further, twelve keys 21 to 32 are
Since the keys are arranged in four rows and three rows in the upper and lower rows, the arrangement of the numeric keys is the same as the arrangement of the push buttons in various telephones such as mobile phones, and can be easily applied to telephones and faxes.

15) Romaji input and English input can be performed using twelve main keys 21 to 32, which are significantly smaller than those of a conventional keyboard. It can be easily applied to a very small device such as a wristwatch and the like, and the position of the key can be easily remembered, can be operated with one hand, and even a beginner can easily learn.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. The present embodiment relates to a key input device of a mobile phone as in the above embodiment, and differs only in the arrangement of character keys set for the main keys 21 to 32. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the keys 21 to 32 are arranged in a numerical sequence from the upper left side in the order from the upper left to the numeral 21 for the key 21 and the numeral 2 for the key 22.
The key 23 has the numeral "3", the key 24 has the numeral "4", the key 25 has the numeral "5", the key 26 has the numeral "6", the key 27 has the numeral "7", and the key 28 has the numeral "7". 8 is the key 2
9 is a numeral “9”, key 30 is a symbol “*”, key 31 is
Is set to the number "0", the key 32 is set to the symbol "#", and the telephone operation is set.

Each of the keys 21 to 25 is used as a character array.
Include “A”, “I”, “U”,
“E” and “O” are arranged as the first character keys. On the other hand, each of the keys 27 to 32 has, as a first character key, "K", "S", "T",
"N", "H" and "R" consonant keys are arranged, and key 2
6, a consonant key "Y" is arranged. These arrays are "ka" row, "sa" row, "ta" row, "na" row, "ha"
The consonants of the line, the “ra” line, and the “ya” line are arranged so as to be arranged in the order of akasatana. Also, key 3
2 and 26 include “M” and “W” as second character keys.
Consonant keys are arranged. This arrangement is such that the remaining “ma” and “wa” rows are arranged.

The keys 27 to 29, 31 are arranged with the keys "G", "Z", "D", and "B" as second character codes. That is, "ga" line, "za"
Line, "da" line, "ba" line consonant "G",
"Z", "D", and "B" are the Kiyane "ka" lines, "sa" lines,
"K", "S", to input "ta" line, "ha" line,
The tone is set so as to correspond to “T” and “H”, and the tone is arranged so as to correspond to the muddy tone.

Further, the key 31 to which "H" and "B" for inputting the "ha" line and the "ba" line is input is the "P" for inputting the "@" line as the third character code. "Is set, and the input of the" @ "line can be performed easily and with good operability.

Further, in the vowel keys 21 and 24 to which "A" and "E" are set, a long sound "-" and a prompt sound "tsu" are set as second character codes, respectively. That is, in Roman alphabet input, "A" and "E" are rarely used continuously,
When "4" is pressed twice, a long sound "-" and a prompt sound "tsu" are set.

Further, "X", "F", "J", and "V" are set as the third character keys in the keys 26 to 29, respectively. In the key 30, "C" is set as a second character key in the English input mode, and "Q" is set as a third character key. In addition, key 3
2, “L” is set as the third character key.

In this embodiment as well, each character is output by the same operation as in the first embodiment. In particular, when the key 21 is pressed twice, the long sound "-" which is the second character key is output similarly to the key 24.

As a result, also in this embodiment, the same functions and effects as 1) to 15) of the first embodiment can be obtained. 16) In addition, since the long letter "-" is set as the second character key of the key 21 in which "A", which is hardly used continuously, is set, the key 21 can be pressed twice. The long tone “-” can be easily input, and the input operability can be further improved.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 9, the key input device 5 of the present embodiment
00 is used as an input device connected to a personal computer instead of a mobile phone, and is configured as a ten-key type. In the present embodiment, the same or similar components as those of the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted or simplified. The key input device 500 is used in place of a keyboard connected to a personal computer or the like and for inputting characters and the like. As in the first embodiment, the key input device 500 detects key input.
1 and key input processing means 102 for outputting character keys to the personal computer body based on the input.

The key input device 500 includes the key input device 5
Upper and lower 4 located in the main key area almost in the center of 00
A total of twelve main keys 21 to 32 in three rows and right and left, and ten function keys 551 to 560 arranged in a U-shaped function key area around the main key area are provided. I have.

Main keys 21-32 and function keys 551-551
In 560, each character and function are set. The arrangement of the character keys in the main keys 21 to 32 is almost the same as that in the second embodiment. A vowel key is set in the upper keys 21 to 25, and the lower keys 26 to 32 are In the Roman alphabet input, consonant keys for inputting "ka line" to "wa line" are arranged in combination with the vowel keys.

Specifically, each of the main keys 21 to 25 has "A" representing a vowel as a character array,
“I”, “U”, “E”, “O” are arranged as the first character keys. On the other hand, each of the main keys 27 to 32 has, as a first character key, a consonant key of “K”, “S”, “T”, “N”, “H”, “R” representing a Japanese consonant. Are arranged, and the key 26 is arranged with a consonant key “Y”. Further, on the keys 32 and 26, consonant keys "M" and "W" are arranged as second character keys.

On the keys 27 to 29 and 31, the consonant keys "G", "Z", "D" and "B" are arranged as second character keys. Also, the key 31 to which "H" and "B" for inputting "ha" line and "ba" line is set to "P" for inputting "@" line as a third character key. Have been. Further, the key 30 set to “N” for inputting the “na” line is a sound-repellent “n” in Roman alphabet input.
It is also used as a key for inputting.

Vowel key 2 with "A" and "E" set
Numerals 1 and 24 are a long sound setting vowel key and a prompt sound setting vowel key in which a long sound "-" and a prompt sound "tsu" are respectively set as second character keys.

In the keys 26 to 29, "X", "F", "J", and "V" are set as third character keys, respectively. In the key 30, "C" is set as the second character key in the English input mode, and "Q" is set as the third character key. In the key 32, “L” is set as a third character key.

Therefore, the 26 letters of the alphabet are the same as in the first embodiment, and the vowels "A", "I", "I" are assigned to five keys 21 to 25 out of the twelve main keys 21 to 32. "U", "E", and "O" are set independently, and the other keys 26 to 32 are set with three other 21 characters. Specifically, “YW
X ”, key 27 as“ KGF ”, key 28 as“ SZJ ”,
"TDV" on key 29, "NCQ" on key 30, key 3
1 is set to “HBP” and the key 32 is set to “RML”.

On the upper side of the key tops of the main keys 21 to 32, the numbers "7", "8", "9", "4", which are input when the keys 21 to 32 are pressed in the numeric mode.
“5”, “6”, “1”, “2”, “3”, “0”, comma “,”, and period “.” Are set.
Unlike the telephone types of the first and second embodiments, this numeric arrangement employs an arrangement suitable for a calculator or a numeric keypad. Further, below the key top of each of the main keys 21 to 32,
Various symbols to be input at the time of symbol input operation are set.

Specifically, the symbols “(”, ““ ”,“ * ”,
“:”, “!”, “￥”, “＠”, “/”, “+”,
".", "," And "." Are respectively set, and the symbols ")", ""","#",";",and"?" ”,“ ＄ ”,
"&", "%", "-", "'", "~", And "=" are set.

On the other hand, the function keys 551 to 560
As shown in FIG. 5, various functions used for switching input modes and inputting characters are set. When these function keys 551 to 560 are individually pressed, the standard functions of the respective keys are executed. When the function keys 551 to 560 are pressed while the function key 560 (Shift key) is pressed, the upper function of each key is executed. Is done. Further, when the function keys 551 to 560 are pressed while pressing the function key 559 (Alt key), the functions below the respective keys are executed.

By executing each of these functions, "direct input" for directly inputting alphabets and numbers is performed.
And "Japanese input" for inputting Hiragana, Katakana, Kanji, etc. ("Kanji" key), "Alphabet mode" and "Numeric mode"("English / number" key), Kana input mode Switch (“Kana / Kana” key) or input each symbol below the key top (press the [Alt] key 559 and the character key once to enter the symbol on the left, and press the character key twice to enter the symbol on the right Symbol input), function (F1-F
12) Input ([Alt] key 559+ [Enter] key 558 + letter (number) keys 21-32), Ctrl key input ([Alt] key 559+ [Shift] key 560 + alphabet keys 21-32),
Shortcut input appropriately set can be realized.

When it is necessary to select a character key by pressing it one to three times as in the case of the Ctrl key input, the input is determined when all the fingers pressing the key are released, and each function operates. I have to. Further, a specific example of the shortcut input may be set as appropriate, for example, [Shift] key 560
Pressing the [Alt] key 559 causes the menu items on the menu bar to be displayed, or the [Alt] key 559 + “B
When the "S" key 553 is pressed, an "Esc menu" in Ichitaro (registered trademark) or the like may be displayed. To select an alphabetic character in a menu item,
Each character may be pressed while holding down the ft] key 560, and when the key is released, a menu of characters corresponding to the number of times pressed may be selected. In addition, forced termination (Alt + Ctrl + De
l) is [Shift] key 560 + [Alt] key 559 + "B
The "S" key 553 may be used.

The input of characters, numbers and symbols in this key input device 500 is performed in the same manner as in the previous embodiment.
In particular, Japanese input is specifically performed as follows.

[Hiragana mode / Katakana mode (Japanese input system)] In the Hiragana mode, the main key 2
When pressing 1 to 32, Hiragana is input by inputting Roman characters. That is, the vowel is input by pressing the vowel keys 21 to 25 once, and the consonant keys 26 to 32 and the vowel keys 21 to 2 are input.
If 5 is pressed, Hiragana by Roman alphabet input is input in "consonant + vowel".

At this time, each of the consonant keys 26 to 32 has the first
Three consonants of a character to a third character are respectively set, and these are set to the respective keys 26 to 26 similarly to the first embodiment.
By pressing 32 one to three times, it is possible to select and input. That is, when pressed once, the character on the left of each keytop is input, when pressed twice, the central character is input, and when pressed three times, the character on the right is input.

In the katakana mode, the main keys 21 to 3
When 2 is pressed, katakana is input by romaji input as in the hiragana mode.

In the hiragana mode and the katakana mode,
When the vowel keys 21 to 25 are pressed, the vowel is input.
The long sound setting vowel key 21 and the prompt sound setting vowel key 24
When the button is pressed more than once, as shown in FIG. 10, a long sound and a prompt sound are input according to the condition.

That is, when the long vowel key 21 is pressed twice after another vowel, a long vowel "-" is input. on the other hand,
When the long vowel key 21 is pressed alone or twice after a consonant, "AA" is input. Further, when the long vowel setting vowel key 21 is pressed three times in succession, "vowel + long sound", that is, "A-" is input regardless of whether there is no character before, after the vowel, or after the consonant.

On the other hand, when the prompting sound setting vowel key 24 is pressed twice after the other vowels, the prompting sound "tsu" is input. On the other hand, if the prompting sound setting vowel key 24 is pressed alone or twice after the consonant, "EE" is input. Furthermore, when the prompting sound setting vowel key 24 is pressed three times in succession, "vowel + prompting sound", that is, "E" is input regardless of whether there is no character before, after the vowel, or after the consonant.

When each of the keys 21 and 24 is pressed four times, the state returns to the state of pressing once, and thereafter, the input processing when the key is pressed one to three times is repeated according to the number of times of pressing.

Further, the consonant key 30 to which "N" is set
"N" is input by pressing the key once, "N" is input by pressing the key twice, and "N" is input by pressing the key three times.
And "N" are input in the order of "n + N". By hitting the key 30 four times in succession, the state in which the key 30 is hit once is returned. Also, key 3
When "0" is hit once, "N" is basically input. When a key other than a vowel is input after the key 30, "n" is input.

In the kana mode, the [Shift] key 56
The uppercase letter may be directly input without switching the mode with the 0 + character keys. In each mode, [E
[nter] key 558 + letter keys may be used to directly input numbers. In this way, if alphabets and numbers can be directly input, for example, “July 9 (Fri.)
It is possible to easily input a sentence in which alphabets and numerals are mixed, such as "8:00 AM", without switching modes.

In this key input device 500, key input may be performed by a touch method as shown in FIG. That is, when inputting with the key input device 500, the right hand is naturally tilted at 45 degrees, and three well-moving fingers are placed on the center key. Specifically, the index finger 81 is set to the key 28 set to “S”, the middle finger 82 is set to the key 25 set to “O”,
The ring finger 83 is arranged on the key 26 to which "Y" is set, and this state is set as the home position. And the index finger 81
Are the six keys 27 in the consonant zone where the consonants are set.
The middle finger 82 is used to press each key of the vowel keys 32 to 32.
The ring finger 83 is used when pressing the two keys 23 and 26, and the ring finger 83 is used when pressing the keys 2, 24 and 25. In other words, the area where each of the fingers 81 to 83 is used is set to the range of the key adjacent to the home position of the finger.

The lower three function keys 558 to 56
0 may be input with the thumb 84. At this time, adjacent keys, that is, keys 558 and 559 and keys 559 and 56
0 can be pressed at once with the thumb. Further, the other function keys 551 to 557 can be appropriately pressed with the middle finger 82, the ring finger 83, the little finger, and the like.

According to the present embodiment, it is possible to achieve the respective effects of 1) to 6), 9) to 13), 15) and 16) of the above embodiments. 17) In addition, five vowel keys 21 to 2 in which vowels are set
5, a second character key for inputting a long tone "-" is set as a vowel key 21, and a second character key for inputting a prompt sound "tsu" is set as a key 24. When the key 24 is pressed twice consecutively after another vowel, the key input processing means 102 can output the long sound "-" and the prompting sound "tsu". And the prompt "tsu" can be input easily.
Character input efficiency can be improved. Similarly, when the keys 21 and 24 are each pressed three times in succession, the key input processing means 1
02, a vowel and a long vowel "-" or a vowel and a vowel "tsu" are frequently used in Japanese input.
The output can be in the order of “long sound” and “vowel + prompt”, and the character input efficiency can be further improved.

18) The consonant is the index finger 81 and the vowel is the middle finger 8
2. The key arrangement can be pressed easily with the ring finger 83, and alternate keystroke input can be realized very easily. And the input operability can be further improved.

19) Since the vowel keys are arranged around the "Y" key 26 used for inputting the melody, "YA", "Y"
U, "YO", "YUU", and "YOU" can be arranged in a key arrangement that is easy to press, and operability can be further improved. 20) Furthermore, since the “Y” of the repetitive sound is pressed with the ring finger 83, consonants to be input before “Y” and vowels to be input after “Y”, such as “KYO”, are not used. Index finger 8
1. If the middle finger 82 is pressed, input can be performed by alternately tapping each key with each finger, and input operability can be further improved.

21) [Shift] key 560 and [Alt] key 5
59, since the [Enter] key 558 can be pressed with the thumb, the keys can be easily pressed simultaneously with other keys, and the input operability can be further improved. In addition, [Alt] + [Shift] 2 keys and [A
The lt] + [Enter] keys can be pressed with the thumb alone, and it is easy to simultaneously press other keys while holding down these two keys. Can be easily operated.

22) Since the input can be performed with the right hand naturally tilted at 45 degrees, a burden is not applied to the wrist and the like, and the key arrangement can be easily operated. 23) In addition, the keyboard layout is divided into vowel and consonant zones, and the area of each finger can be set to a position where it can be easily pressed. Furthermore, since the area of each finger is restricted to the range of the key adjacent to the home position of the finger, each key can be pressed by slightly moving the finger from the home position, further improving input operability. Can be improved.

24) In addition, the number of keys in the area of each finger is six for the index finger 81, four for the middle finger 82, and two for the ring finger 83, and many keys are arranged in the area of the index finger 81 that is most easily moved. Therefore, the input operability can be improved also in this respect. At this time, the index finger 81 has to press six keys. However, even with a general full keyboard, the index finger 81 presses at least six keys (at the time of inputting alphabetic characters or Roman characters), so that the input operation can be performed without any problem. Can be.

25) Further, in this embodiment, the number of keys is two.
The size of each key can be reduced to two numeric keys, and the keys can be collectively arranged so that various characters and functions necessary for a personal computer can be input. For this reason, letters, numbers, and symbols can be easily input with the same fingering and speed as pressing the numeric keypad, and the key input device can be easily pressed with one hand because the key size is large and does not spread horizontally. Furthermore, since the occupied area of the key input device is smaller than that of a general full-size keyboard and can be operated with one hand, it is possible to operate the document with the left hand and alternately operate with the mouse with the right hand. Therefore, according to the key input device 500 of the present embodiment, the space around the desktop can be saved, and a comfortable input environment can be provided.

The key input device 5 of the present embodiment as described above
The feature of 00 is to accurately grasp the needs of general users. That is, in recent years, desktop personal computers have been designed to select icons and menus on the screen with a mouse.
UI (graphical user interface) is widely adopted. However, letters and numbers are entered on the keyboard. Therefore, a keyboard and a mouse occupy a large area on the desk, and when using the keyboard and the mouse properly, the hand must be moved greatly left and right. On the other hand, many people who use laptop computers on their desks use a numeric keypad or mouse to enter numbers. Notebook keyboards are smaller than full-sized keyboards, but at the expense of operability, especially when entering numbers.

A full-size keyboard has a large number of keys, so there is an advantage that a shortcut function or a special function of a full keyboard (such as a special function key) can be used, but ordinary users do not need these functions much.
The needs of most users are to use a keyboard and mouse for easy access and space, leaving room to spread documents. The key input device 500 of the present embodiment is very suitable for such needs.

[0129] The alphabetic layout of a general keyboard is as follows.
It follows the arrangement of the old mechanical typewriters with alphabets arranged randomly. For this reason, since vowels and consonants are not separated, in the case of inputting Roman letters, etc., alternate keystroke is not performed with left and right hands, and when comparing a two-handed full keyboard with the key input device 500 operated with one hand,
The two-handed type is not always easy to push and does not necessarily increase the input speed. On the other hand, like a person who can hit a calculator or a numeric keypad very quickly, pressing a few keys using only the dominant hand can perform quick input even if the number of touches is somewhat large, and the key input device 500 can reduce the input speed. It is not inferior to ordinary keyboards.

26) Furthermore, not only a shift function that works when one function key (Shift key) 560 is pressed at the same time as another key, but also a conversion function that performs Kana-Kanji conversion in an undetermined state, and a single function key (Shift key) 560 Since a space input function for inputting a space is provided at this time, the number of keys can be reduced correspondingly, and the operability can be improved. In particular, each of the above functions is automatically switched according to the situation when the Shift key 560 is pressed, so that the operator does not need to select each function, and the operability can be further improved in this respect. .

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 12, the key input device 600 of this embodiment has main keys 621 to 632 arranged in three rows and four rows (upper and lower three rows and four rows). In the present embodiment, the same or similar components as those of the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted or simplified.

The key input device 600 includes the key input device 50
A total of twelve main keys 621 to 632 arranged in upper and lower three rows and four columns arranged in a main key area substantially at the center of 0, and are arranged in a U-shaped function key area around the main key area. 10 function keys 551 to 560
Are provided.

Main keys 621 to 632 and function key 55
Characters and functions are set in 1 to 560. The arrangement of the character keys in the main keys 621 to 632 is
Vowel keys are set to the keys 621 to 623, 625 to 626 in the columns, and the right keys 624, 627 to 632 are combined with the vowel keys in the Roman alphabet input, so that "ka row" to "wa row" are set. The consonant keys to be input are arranged.

More specifically, each of the main keys 621 to 62
3, 625, and 626 include “O”, “U”, “E”, “A”, and “I” representing vowels as character arrays, respectively.
Are arranged as character keys. On the other hand, each of the main keys 627 to 632 has, as a first character key, "K", "N", "T", "R", "S" representing Japanese consonants,
A consonant key “H” is arranged, and a consonant key “Y” is arranged on the key 624. Also, keys 630, 624
Has consonant keys "M" and "W" arranged as second character keys.

The keys 627, 631, 629, and 632 include "G", "Z", "D",
Each consonant key of "B" is arranged. Also, "ha"
A key 632 to which a row and a “ba” row are input is set to “H” and “B”, and “P” for inputting a “$” row is set as a third character key. In addition, the key 628 in which “N” for inputting the “na” line is set is also used as a key for inputting a sound-repellent “n” in Roman character input.

Vowel keys 62 to which "A" and "E" are set
Reference numerals 5 and 623 denote a long sound setting vowel key and a prompt sound setting vowel key in which a long sound "-" and a prompt sound "tsu" are respectively set as second character keys.

Keys 624, 627, 629 to 631 have third character keys "X", "F", "V",
“L” and “J” are set respectively. Key 628
Has "C" as the second character key in the English input mode.
Is set, and “Q” is set as the third character key.

Therefore, the 26 letters of the alphabet are the same as in the third embodiment, and of the 12 main keys 621 to 632, 5 keys 621 to 623, 6
Vowels "O", "U", "E", "A",
"I" is set alone and the other keys 624, 627-6
32, the other 21 characters are set by three characters. Specifically, “YWX” is assigned to key 624 and “KW” is assigned to key 627.
GF ”,“ NCQ ”on key 628 and“ TD ”on key 629
V "," RML "on the key 630, and" SZ "on the key 631.
J ”and“ HBP ”are set for the keys 32, respectively.

On the upper side of each of the main keys 621 to 632, a comma “,”, a period “.”, A number “0”, “7” which is input when each of the keys 621 to 632 is pressed in the numeric mode. , "4", "1", "8", "5",
“2”, “9”, “6”, and “3” are set. Further, on the lower side of the key tops of the main keys 621 to 632, various symbols to be input at the time of symbol input operation are set.

More specifically, the symbols “(”, “*”,
"!", "", ":", "￥", "＠",
“+”, “,”, “/”, “•”, “.” Are respectively set, and symbols “)”, “#”, “#”,
"?", "", ";", "＄", "&", "-",
"~", "%", "'", And "=" are set respectively.

On the other hand, the function keys 551 to 560
The same function keys as those of the third embodiment are set, and the functions and operation methods are the same as those of the third embodiment.

In this key input device 600, a state where the index finger is placed on key 625 to which “A” is set, the middle finger is placed on key 628 where “N” is set, and the ring finger is placed on key 631 where “S” is set is shown. Home position. And
The index finger is mainly located in the vowel zone where vowels are set.
Is used to press each of the two keys 621 to 626,
The middle finger is used when pressing the three keys 627 to 629 in the consonant zone where the consonant key is set, and the ring finger is used when pressing the three keys 630 to 632 in the consonant zone. In other words, the area where each finger is used is set to the range of keys vertically adjacent to the home position of the finger (the index finger also includes the three key ranges in the left column).

The four lower function keys 557 to 56
0 may be input with the thumb. At this time, adjacent keys, that is, the keys 558 and 559 and the keys 559 and 560 can be pressed at once with the thumb. Further, the other function keys 551 to 556 can be appropriately pressed with an index finger, a ring finger, a little finger, or the like.

Also in this embodiment, 1), 3) -6), 9) -13), 15) -1
9), 21) and 23) to 26) have the same functions and effects. 27) In addition, since the twelve main keys 621 to 632 are arranged in three rows and four rows, it is possible to make a key arrangement that allows the blind touch with one hand most easily. In particular, each key 621-632
Is located adjacent to the home position of each finger,
In particular, in the area of the middle finger and ring finger, it is only necessary to move each finger one key up and down from the home position, and since there is no left and right movement, the key position can be easily remembered and the blind touch is very easy to operate Can be realized.

28) Since the vowel and the consonant "Y" are input with the forefinger and the consonant is input with the middle finger and the ring finger, the vowel and the consonant can be input by alternate tapping, and the input operability can be improved. 29) Furthermore, the "N" key 628 for inputting the sound-repelling "n" is arranged at the center of the middle key, and other consonants that are frequently input after the sound-repelling are arranged side by side.
Characters including the sound-repelling “n” can be easily input.

30) Since the characters are arranged in any order and do not match the numeric keys of telephones and calculators, the characters and the numbers can be completely separated and recognized, and the key arrangement of the characters and the numbers can be individually It is easy to remember and operability can be improved.

31) Vowels "A", "I", "U", "O"
Are arranged adjacent to each other, so that "AI", "EI", and "OU", which are frequently used, can be easily input. 32) The keys for inputting vowels "A", "I", and "U" are arranged adjacent to the "Y" key 624 used for inputting repetitive sounds, so "YA", "YU" , "YO",
"YUU", "YOU" can be easily pressed key arrangement,
Operability can be further improved.

33) Further, twelve main keys 621 to 621
Since 632 are arranged in three rows and four rows, each function key 558 to
560 can be arranged below the main key, and keys 558 and 560 can be set as wide keys. Therefore, when inputting [Shift], [Alt], [Num], etc., each key 55
8 to 560 can be easily pressed and input with a thumb. In addition, the thumb is aside and two keys 558, 559
And the keys 559 and 560 are simultaneously pressed.

The present invention is not limited to the configuration of each of the above embodiments, but includes modifications within a range that can achieve the object of the present invention.

For example, the key input device to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the mobile phone 1, but may be a normal desk phone or F-key.
It may be applied to AX. Further, the present invention is not limited to a telephone, and may be applied to a wristwatch, a calculator, an electronic organizer, a portable personal computer, a PDA (personal digital assistant), a numeric keyboard connected to a personal computer, and the like. For example, when the present invention is applied to a calculator 70 as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, various function keys 71 to 83 required for the calculator are provided around keys 21 to 32 on which numbers and characters are set. Alternatively, a key input device may be used.

The numeric keys of the calculator 70 are different in arrangement from the numeric keys of the telephones in the above-described embodiments. The numeric key “7” is assigned to the key 21 and the numeric key “8” is assigned to the key 22 in order from the upper left.
The key 23 has the numeral "9", the key 24 has the numeral "4", the key 25 has the numeral "5", the key 26 has the numeral "6", the key 27 has the numeral "1", and the key 28 has the numeral "1". 2 "is key 2
9 is a numeral “3”, key 30 is a symbol “0”, key 31
Is set to the symbol ".", And the symbol "=" is set to the key 32, so that the calculator can be operated. The arrangement of the vowel and consonant character keys is the same as in the second embodiment. However, as shown in FIG. 14, the notation on the key surface of each of the keys 21 to 32 is such that numerals are described in the upper row and characters are described in the lower row.

Further, each of the function keys 71 to 83 is configured such that each function described on each key, such as a calculator function and a character input function, can be realized. According to the calculator 70 having such a key input device, character input can be performed in addition to the calculator function, and the input operability can be improved.

In short, the key input device of the present invention can be applied to various devices that require character input, such as a mobile phone and a calculator, and can input numbers, Japanese, and English with about 12 to 15 keys. Therefore, it is suitable for input devices of various small information devices.

In the above embodiment, the main key 21
Although numeric keys have been set for the keys 32 to 32, if numeric input is not required, only character keys may be set for the main keys 21 to 32.

Further, when English input is not required, the main keys 21 to 32 may be set to only Japanese input alphabets or "tsu" and "n". Alternatively, only alphabets may be set for the main keys 21 to 32 to provide a key input device for English.

In the above embodiments, the keys 21 to 2 are used.
3 and the keys 51 to 62 are arranged in four rows on the left and right. However, when the number of function keys 51 to 62 is reduced, an array of three rows on the left and right may be used.

The order of the keys of the vowels and consonants is not limited to those of the above embodiments. For example, “U”, “A”, “I” are arranged in the keys 21 to 23, and the keys 25, 26, "E" and "O" may be arranged to change the order. Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the order may be changed by arranging the consonant keys from the upper row to the lower row and from the left to the right. That is, “KGF”,
"SZV", "TDJ", "NCQ", "HBP",
"RML" and "YWX" characters are set, and keys 28 to
Vowels “A”, “I”, “U”, “E”, and “O” may be set in 32. In short, it is sufficient that five vowels are set to five keys among the twelve keys 21 to 32, and three consonant characters are set to three characters in the other seven keys, respectively. The arrangement of the consonants and the combination of the consonants may be set as appropriate for implementation.

Further, as shown in FIG. 16, characters (alphabets, etc.) are written on the surface of each key, and the keys are written outside the keys (lower side, etc.).
Numerical keys may be set in these items, and these notation formats may be set as appropriate in implementation.

Further, in the second embodiment, the prompting sound "tsu" and the long sound "-" are set as the second character keys of the vowel keys 21 to 25, but these are the same as in the first embodiment. , Or only one of them may be set.

The keys to which the prompt sound "tsu" and the long sound "-" are set are the vowel keys 21 and 21 to which "A" and "E" are set.
The number is not limited to four, and may be another vowel key to which "I", "U", and "O" are set. For example, as shown in FIGS. 17 to 19, a long tone “−” may be set to the keys 25 and 32 to which the vowel “O” is set. However, it is preferable from the viewpoint of operability that the prompting sound "tsu" and the long sound "-" be set to the keys "E" and "A", which are rarely continuously pressed when inputting Japanese Roman characters.

Further, as shown in FIG. 17, each of the vowel keys 21 to 25 includes a period ",", a reading ".", A comma ",", a period ".", A point ".", And a semicolon ";". And the like may be set as the second character key. For example, in Japanese input mode, key 2
Pressing 1, 22, 23 twice will input punctuation marks and dots ".". In English input mode, pressing keys 21, 22, 23 twice will input commas, periods, and semicolons. Good. Note that a consonant + vowel (for example, “K” +
When a roman character (e.g., "?") Is input in "A"), if one of the vowel keys 21 to 25 is further pressed twice, punctuation marks, "tsu", and "-" are input. Has become.

As described above, various symbols are assigned to the vowel keys 21 to 2
If it is set to 5, punctuation marks, commas, and periods, which are frequently used in Japanese and English input, can be easily input. Further, if vowel keys in which punctuation marks, commas, periods, and the like are set are arranged side by side or vertically, there is an advantage that the arrangement can be easily remembered.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, any of the vowel keys 21 to 25 and 28 to 32 may be set to the sound-repelling “n”. For example, as shown in FIG.
In the Japanese input mode, when the key 23 is set to “p”, the vowel “u” is input by pressing the key once, and the “p” is input by pressing the key twice. If such a sound-repelling sound “n” is set as the second character key of the vowel key, the operability of Japanese input can be further improved.

Further, in the key input device 600 in which the main keys 621 to 632 are arranged in three rows and four rows, for example, as shown in FIG. 20, the vowels "A", "U", “O”, “I”, and “E” are set, and “YWX”, “KGF”, and “TD” are set in keys 626 to 632.
V "," HBP "," SZJ "," NCQ "," RM
L "may be set. In the vowel zone, the vowels are arranged in the order of “AIUEO” from left to right and further from top to bottom. In the consonant zone, “vowels” are arranged from left to right and further from top to bottom. Each of the consonants is arranged in an order according to the order of the Japanese syllabary.

As described above, the number and arrangement of the main keys, the arrangement of characters for each key, and the like may be appropriately set in the implementation.

In each of the above-described embodiments, when a plurality of character keys are set for one key, each character key is selected by the number of times the key is pressed. In this case, the first character key is selected, and when pressed simultaneously with another key that has been set, the second character key is selected. You may be able to.

Further, the key input device of the present invention may be configured by incorporating hardware for realizing the key input processing means 102 and the like in the key input device. The function may be realized by being incorporated in a device and utilizing a CPU or the like of the device.

[0168]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In order to confirm the effect of the present invention, an input method (CUT type) of the present invention is described by using Japanese and English sentence examples.
And the number of touches between the conventional method (key input in a mobile phone) and a general keyboard (QWERTY type) were compared. As a result, as shown in FIG. 21, according to the present invention,
It can be confirmed that the input can be performed with the conventional number of touches of about ２ to 、, and the input efficiency can be greatly improved, thereby demonstrating the usefulness of the present invention. In FIG. 21, the number of times is the number of keystrokes, and the ratio is the ratio of the number of keystrokes of each method when the number of keystrokes of the input method of the present invention is set as a reference (1).

[0169]

As described above, according to the present invention, even when the number of keys is small, the number of key presses at the time of character input can be reduced and the input operation can be simplified.

The vowel keys which are set independently include the second
By setting a prompt sound "tsu" or a long sound "-" as a character key of "", the prompt sound "tsu" or a long sound "-" can be easily input.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a mobile phone to which a key input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a key arrangement of a main part of the key input device of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the key input device of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a key input operation in Japanese input.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a key input operation in symbol input.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a key input operation in function input.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a key input operation in English input.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a key arrangement of a main part of a key input device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a key arrangement of a main part of a key input device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating input of a long sound setting vowel key, a prompt sound setting vowel key, and a sound-repelling key in the third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a home position in a third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a key arrangement of a main part of a key input device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a calculator to which a key input device according to a modification of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a key arrangement of a main part of the key input device of the modified example.

FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a key arrangement of a main part of a key input device according to another modification of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a plan view showing a key arrangement of a main part of a key input device according to another modification of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a plan view showing a key arrangement of a main part of a key input device according to another modification of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a plan view showing a key arrangement of a main part of a key input device according to another modification of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a plan view showing a key arrangement of a main part of a key input device according to another modification of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a plan view showing a key arrangement of a main part of a key input device according to another modification of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a diagram comparing the numbers of input keystrokes in Japanese and English.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cellular phone 2,500,600 Key input device 5 Liquid crystal display 21-35, 621-632 Main key 102 Key input processing means 103 Mode switching means

Claims (12)

(57) [Claims] 1. At least three rows and four rows or four rows and three rows
Comprises twelve keys, of these 12 keys, 5
The number of keys, vowels are arranged one by one, the seven key
Is an alphabet of 26 characters consisting of three consonants
Is a key input device arranged in 12 keys,
The sound is the number of keystrokes of a key in which a plurality of consonants are arranged.
Therefore, a key input device characterized in that it is configured to be selected . 2. The key input device according to claim 1, wherein
Of the keys with vowels arranged, two vowel keys
Is a sequence of long vowels "-" and vowels "tsu"
These long sound "-" and prompting sound "tsu"
Therefore, it is characterized by being configured to be selected
Key input device. 3. The key input device according to claim 1, wherein one of the five keys to which the vowel is set is a second character key for inputting a long tone “−”. A key input device comprising: 4. The key input device according to claim 3 , wherein the second character key for inputting the long sound "-" is
A key input device set as one of a key for inputting "A" and a key for inputting "E". In the key input apparatus according to any one of claims 5] claims 1-4, one key of the five keys the vowel is set, a second inputting a geminate "Tsu" A key input device, wherein a character key is set. 6. The key input device according to claim 5 , wherein the second character key for inputting the prompt sound “tsu” is:
A key input device set as one of a key for inputting "A" and a key for inputting "E". 7. The key input according to claim 1,
In the force device, the three keys in any of the rows have vowels
Enter “A”, “I”, “U”
The character key to be set is set, and two keys in another row
Is a character key for inputting "E" and "O"
A key input device, characterized in that: In the key input apparatus according to any one of claims 8] claims 1-7, wherein 12 keys are arranged in a vertical four stages left three columns, in order from the left side to the three keys in the top row " Character keys for inputting "A", "I", and "U" are set, and character keys for inputting "E" and "O" are set in order from the left to two keys from the left in the second row from the top. A key input device comprising: 9. The key input device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, five of the 12 keys are arranged in three vertical stages left four columns, six keys in the left two columns A key input device characterized in that character keys for inputting "A", "I", "U", "E", and "O" are respectively set to the keys. 10. A key input device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 seven keys the consonants are set, respectively "KGF", "SZJ", "TDV",
A key input device set by a combination of character keys of "NCQ", "HBP", "RML", and "YWX". In the key input apparatus according to any one of claims 11] claims 1-10, provided with a mode switching means for switching the input mode to numeric key entry and the character key input, the 10 out of the 12 keys The keys are
"1", "2", "3", "4", "5", "6",
A key input device, wherein numeric keys for inputting "7", "8", "9", and "0" are respectively set. 12. The key input device according to claim 10 , wherein "1", "2", "3",
"4", "5", "6", "7", "8", "9",
“*”, “0”, and “#” are written, and “A-”,
“I”, “U”, “E”, “O”, “YWX”, “K”
GF "," SZJ "," TDV "," NCQ "," HB
P "and" RML ".