JP3344992B2 - Portable character 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 character input device, and more particularly to a key input to a portable telephone, a pen input to a computer device, and a key or pen to a portable information processing device such as a PDA. Use less keys to enter
It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable character input device capable of quicker character input.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to perform processing in the apparatus.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art In a portable information processing apparatus such as a portable telephone, the area for arranging keys is small, so that only a limited number of keys can be arranged. Therefore, many key operations are required to input one character.

[0004] In the case of a conventional portable telephone, when inputting a kana character, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, five characters “A, I, U, E, O” corresponding to a row of the Japanese syllabary are arranged. Characters are assigned to one key, and the corresponding character is input according to the number of times the key is pressed (key turning method). That is, for example, for a key to which "A, I, U, E, O" is assigned, if the key is pressed once, the input is "A", and if the key is pressed twice, the input is "I". And 3
"U" is input four times, "E" is input four times, and "O" is input five times. Therefore, it is necessary to press the key three times on average.
In the case of inputting alphabetical characters, for example, a plurality of alphabetic characters are assigned to one key in alphabetical order, and similarly, the corresponding character is input according to the number of times the key is pressed.

Further, a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 7-330566 has been proposed, and characters can be input using fewer keys.

[0006]

However, a character input by one key press on a normal keyboard, for example,
Several key presses were required for inputting "U" and the like. In other words, there is a problem that the character "A, I, U, E, O", which is frequently input, requires two key presses. In addition, the steps with the vowel "u"("ko","so","to",
..) Required five key presses.

In a device such as a portable telephone, a numerical value is frequently input, and it is not desirable to change the numerical value arrangement (three-row key arrangement). However, the above technique is suitable for a two-row or two-row key layout, and thus has a problem in application to a three-row key layout for a mobile phone or the like.

Therefore, with the recent spread of mobile phones,
It is desired to provide a portable character input device capable of performing character input suitable for a three-row key layout of a cellular phone or the like and capable of inputting the frequently input characters "A, I, U, E, O" with a single key press. It is rare.

Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to provide a portable character input device capable of performing an effective character input suitable for a three-row key arrangement.

Further, a second object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to perform a process in the portable character input device as described above.

[0011]

In order to solve the above-mentioned first problem, according to the present invention, in a portable character input device, a vowel is assigned to a key without assigning a consonant to one key. A first key group, a second key group in which consonants and vowels are assigned to one key, and conversion means for converting to a corresponding character based on the input keys and their order. Be composed.

In such an apparatus, a vowel can be input by a single press using the first key group to which only vowels are assigned. In addition, key input can be easily performed on a character in which consonants and vowels are alternately expressed, and the number of key presses can be reduced.

From the viewpoint of increasing the number of consonants assigned to one key, according to the present invention, in the portable character input device according to the present invention, the conversion means inputs consonants. The key of the first key group to which the same vowel is assigned after the key of the second key group is input and the key of the second key group are input It is configured to convert to characters. In such an apparatus, the second
After the input of the consonant of the key group, the selection of the key of the first key group and the selection of the key of the second key group are converted into different characters. Therefore, even if the key is pressed once to the same second key group, the character is converted into a different character depending on the next pressed key group, so that a large number of characters are assigned to the second key group. Can be.

Further, from the viewpoint of expanding the range of selection of consonants by one key, the present invention as described in claim 3, in the portable character input device according to claim 1, wherein the conversion means It is configured that different consonants are input according to the number of consecutive inputs of the keys of the second key group for inputting consonants.

In such a device, different consonants can be input from the keys of the second key group depending on the number of consecutive inputs. Therefore, for example, sounds grouped for each line (“ka”, “sa”, “ta”,...) According to the Japanese syllabary order are assigned to the keys of the second key group. Can be selected by pressing the key a predetermined number of times, and can be expressed using only vowels.
"U", "E", and "O" can be input by pressing once.

From the viewpoint of inputting characters on a display, the present invention provides a portable character input device according to claim 1, wherein the portable character input device includes a key on the display. The conversion means is configured to, after inputting the keys of the second key group, display the converted characters and allow the user to select and input the converted characters.

In such a device, when the keys of the second key group are input, the converted characters are displayed, so that the selection input can be easily performed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the portable character input device according to the first aspect of the present invention, from the viewpoint of easily inputting a character consisting of only vowels, When only a key group is input first, it is configured to convert to a corresponding vowel character.

In such an apparatus, vowel characters can be converted into vowel characters only by inputting to the first key group, so that vowel character input can be performed with a small number of key presses.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable character input device, wherein a vowel is assigned to one key without assigning a consonant to the key. Key group, a second key group in which consonants and vowels are assigned to one key, a third key group, and a key of the second key group for inputting a consonant. And a conversion means for converting the input of the key of the key group or the key of the third key group as the input of the vowel. In such a device, only a vowel can be selected by pressing a key to the first key group, and a combination of the second key group and the first key group or the third key group is used to select a vowel. Can be converted to characters. Therefore, it is possible to easily perform character input using a three-row key corresponding to a mobile phone or the like.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the portable character input device according to the sixth aspect, from the viewpoint of efficiently performing character input with a key composed of three columns, The keys of the first key group are arranged between the keys of the second key group and the keys of the third key group.

In such an apparatus, the first key group consisting only of vowels is arranged between the keys of the second key group and the keys of the third key group, so that a consonant and a vowel are provided. Are input alternately,
Key pressing can be performed efficiently.

From the viewpoint of increasing the number of consonants assigned to the same key, the present invention provides a portable character input device according to claim 6, wherein the conversion means inputs consonants. The second key group is converted to a consonant in accordance with the number of consecutive inputs to the same key of the second key group and the key group of the key input as a vowel.

In such an apparatus, a plurality of consonants can be selected by successively pressing the second key group on the same key, and the consonants are selected in accordance with the first or third key group pressed next. One of the consonants,
Character conversion can be performed with the input vowel of the first or third key group. A plurality of consonants can be assigned to each key of the second key group according to the number of presses and the selected key group. Similarly, a plurality of consonants can be assigned to each key of the third key group.

From the viewpoint of facilitating the conversion of vowels to characters, the present invention provides a portable character input device according to claim 6, wherein the conversion means comprises: If only the key group was entered first,
It is configured to convert to a corresponding vowel character while adding a silent expression.

In such a device, if only one key group is input first, the character is changed to a vowel character to which a silent notation is added, so that a key operation for adding a silent notation is unnecessary. can do.

From the viewpoint of facilitating character input on a display, the present invention provides a portable character input device according to claim 6, wherein the portable character input device comprises a display. The key is designated above, and the conversion means, after a key of a second key group is input to input a consonant, the key input as a consonant and the key of the first key group are input. A first character candidate indicating a converted character candidate when each key is a vowel, and a converted character candidate when each key of the third key group and the key input as a consonant are vowels are shown. A second character candidate is displayed and selected and input.

In such an apparatus, the first key group and the third key group input as vowels are converted into characters represented by consonant keys of the input second key group and displayed. By doing so, the operator can visually confirm the converted character in advance, and can efficiently perform character selection with a small number of key presses.

From the viewpoint of facilitating key input with continuous consonants, the present invention provides a portable character input device according to claim 6, wherein the portable character input device comprises a display. The key is designated above, and the conversion means is configured to display a next consonant candidate after the key of the second key group is input for inputting a consonant and to select and input the consonant candidate. You.

In such a device, since the next consonant is displayed in advance, the operator can visually confirm the next consonant,
Continuous consonant input can be performed efficiently with a small number of key presses. From the viewpoint of facilitating key input of a continuous consonant or input of the next vowel, the present invention provides the portable character input device according to claim 6, as described in claim 12. Is for instructing a key on a display, wherein the converting means displays a next consonant candidate after a key of the second key group is input for inputting a consonant, and When a consonant candidate is not selected, a first character candidate indicating a converted character candidate using the key input as a consonant and each key of the first key group as a vowel, and each key of the third key group A second character candidate indicating a converted character candidate as a vowel is displayed and selected and input.

In such a device, when the next consonant is not selected, a character candidate after conversion into a character corresponding to the input of the vowel of the first and third key groups is displayed. The user can visually confirm the selection of the next consonant or the character to be converted in combination with the vowel.

Further, in order to solve the first problem,
According to the present invention, in the portable character input device, a first key group in which a consonant is not assigned to one key and a vowel is assigned, and a consonant and a vowel are assigned to one key. The second key group or the third key group includes a conversion unit that, when the number of keys is smaller than the number of vowels of a single vowel, inputs a key to which a plurality of vowels are assigned and converts the input to a character corresponding to the vowel. It is configured as follows.

In such an apparatus, when the number of keys is smaller than the number of vowels of a single vowel, a key to which a plurality of vowels are assigned is input and converted into a character corresponding to the vowel. Therefore,
Nine vowel languages can be assigned to five keys of the first key group, or five vowel languages can be assigned to three keys of the first key group.

In order to solve the first problem, the present invention provides a portable character input device in which a vowel is assigned to one key without assigning a consonant. And a second key group or a third key group in which consonants and vowels are assigned to one key, when the number of keys is smaller than the number of vowels of a compound vowel, a double vowel, and a triple vowel, a plurality of vowel keys And a conversion unit that converts the input into a character corresponding to the combined vowel.

In such a device, when the number of keys is smaller than the number of vowels of a compound vowel, a double vowel, and a triple vowel, a plurality of vowel keys are input and converted into a character corresponding to the combined vowel. Therefore, it is possible to cope with various vowel types with a limited number of keys.

Further, in order to solve the first problem,
According to the present invention, in the portable character input device, a first key group in which a vowel is assigned without assigning a consonant to one key, and a consonant and a vowel are assigned in one key. The second key group or the third key group is configured to include a conversion unit that converts the input key and a corresponding character based on the number of consecutive inputs. In such an apparatus, a character is converted into a character corresponding to the number of consecutive inputs to the same key, so that a plurality of consonants or vowels can be assigned to each key. Therefore, for example, by assigning one key to each line in the Japanese syllabary notation order (turning over method), or by assigning a plurality of Hangul characters with similar sounds to one key, Character assignment can be performed according to a simple input rule in which assignment can be performed and a predetermined number of times can be pressed.

Further, in order to solve the first problem,
According to the present invention, in a portable character input device, a first key group in which a consonant is not assigned to one key and a vowel is assigned, and a consonant and a vowel are assigned to one key. Since the second key group and the third key group are physically common and have a switch button for logically switching the first, second, and third key groups, the input key and its Conversion means for converting into a corresponding character based on the order.

In such a device, the first, second and third key groups can be logically switched by the switching button, and the number of physical keys can be greatly reduced.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first key group in which a vowel is assigned to one key without assigning a consonant. A storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to perform a process in a portable character input device having a second key group in which a consonant and a vowel are assigned to one key, based on the input keys and their order. , And a conversion procedure for converting to a corresponding character.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first key group in which a consonant is not assigned to one key and a vowel is assigned. For inputting consonants in a storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to perform processing in a portable character input device having a second key group in which consonants and vowels are assigned to one key and a third key group After the keys of the second key group are input to the first key group, the input of the keys of the first key group or the keys of the third key group is converted as a vowel input.

From the viewpoint of increasing the number of consonants assigned to the same key, the present invention provides a storage medium storing a program according to claim 18, wherein the conversion step comprises: Is converted into consonants corresponding to the number of consecutive inputs of the second key group to the same key and the key group of the key input as a vowel.

From the viewpoint of facilitating character input on a display, the present invention provides a storage medium storing a program according to claim 18, wherein the processing device includes a display unit. In the above, a key is designated, and the conversion procedure is such that after a key of a second key group is input to input a consonant, the key input as a consonant and the key of the first key group are input. A first character candidate indicating a converted character candidate when each key is a vowel, and a converted character candidate when each key of the third key group and the key input as a consonant are vowels are shown. A second character candidate is displayed and selected and input.

[0043]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the principle configuration of a 3 × 5 key array of the portable character input device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the portable character input device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a portable keyboard 100, a conversion processing means 160, a conversion dictionary 170, and a display device 180.

The portable keyboard 100 includes a left key group 11
0, a right key group 120, a center key group 130, a non-conversion key 140, and a conversion key 150. The portable keyboard 100 enables character selection and input by pressing any one of 15 key buttons in a 3 × 5 arrangement including a left key group 110, a right key group 120, and a center key group 130.

Consonants and vowels are assigned to the left key group 110 and the right key group 120, and the center key group 130
Consonants are not assigned, only vowels are assigned.

The conversion processing means 160 operates the left key group 110 and the right key group 12 according to the key operation of the operator.
0, a conversion unit that displays the conversion result on the display device 180 based on the information of the center key group 130 and the conversion key 150 and the contents of the conversion dictionary 170.

At the time of character input, the non-conversion key 140
When pressed, selects hiragana input or katakana input of the input character. Also, the conversion key 150
Selects the desired kanji by pressing the kana to kanji conversion.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an application example of the portable character input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention to a portable telephone or a PHS. 3, the same parts as those of FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 3 shows that the numeric keys "1", "4",
Left key group 110 including “7” and numeric key “3”,
Consonants and vowels are assigned to the right key group 120 including “6” and “9”. Also, the numeric keys "2", "5",
A consonant is not assigned to the central key group 130 including “8”, and only a vowel is assigned.

In the mobile phone 300 shown in FIG. 2, the menu key 200 is pressed by the operator on the display device 180.
Is operated when selecting the menu displayed in or in specifying the input mode. The volume search key 210 is
Normally, these keys are used to adjust the volume and search the phonebook.
Or, it is used to input an instruction of "blank".
The power key 220 is a key for turning on or off the power.

The information input by the keys is converted by a conversion processing means 160 (for example, a CP (not shown)).
U).

The key assignment in the mobile phone mode and the character input mode when the mobile character input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied to a mobile phone or the like will be described. Hereinafter, an uppercase consonant indicates a first consonant (hereinafter, referred to as a first consonant) such as a Roman alphabet notation, and a lowercase consonant indicates a second consonant (hereinafter, referred to as a second consonant). For example,
In the case of "Hya", an uppercase consonant "H", a lowercase consonant "y", and a vowel "a" are selected according to the following key assignments.

The left key group 110 has keys 1 to 5, and in the cellular phone mode, the key 1 is "ON", the key 2 is a numeral "1", the key 3 is a numeral "4", A numeral “7” is assigned to the key 4 and “*” is assigned to the key 5.

The first consonant "L" and the vowel "a" are assigned to the key 1 in the character input mode, and when the key 1 of the same left-side key group 110 is pressed and then this key 1 is pressed, A second consonant "y" is assigned.

The first consonant "K" and the vowel "i" are assigned to the key 2 in the character input mode, and when the key 2 of the same left key group 110 is pressed and then this key 2 is pressed, The second consonant "h" is assigned. Further, when the main key 2 is pressed twice consecutively, the first consonant “G” is assigned.

The first consonant "C" or "S" and the vowel "u" are assigned to the key 3 in the character input mode, and after the key of the same left key group 110 is pressed, the main key 3 is pressed down. If so, the second consonant "s" is assigned. Furthermore, when this key 3 is pressed twice consecutively, the first consonant "J" or "Z" is assigned.

The first consonant "T" and the vowel "e" are assigned to the key 4 in the character input mode. Further, when the main key 4 is pressed twice consecutively, a consonant "" is assigned.

The first consonant "F" or "H" and the vowel "o" are assigned to the key 5 in the character input mode. When pressed, the second consonant “w” is assigned. Furthermore, when this key 5 is pressed twice consecutively, the first consonant "V" or "B" is assigned.

Next, the right key group 120 has keys 6 to 0, and in the mobile phone mode, the key 6 is set to “HL”.
D, a numeral "3" is assigned to the key 7, a numeral "6" is assigned to the key 8, a numeral "9" is assigned to the key 9, and "@" is assigned to the key 0.

The first consonant "N" and the vowel "a" are assigned to the key 6 in the character input mode, and when this key 6 is pressed twice consecutively, the consonant "n" is assigned.

The first consonant "M" and the vowel "i" are assigned to the key 7 in the character input mode, and this key 7 is pressed immediately after a key of the same right key group 120 is pressed. , The second consonant “h” is assigned. Further, when the main key 7 is pressed twice consecutively, the first consonant "X" or "-(long sound)" is assigned.

The first consonant "Y" and the vowel "u" are assigned to the key 8 in the character input mode, and this key 8 is pressed immediately after a key of the same right key group 120 is pressed. , The second consonant “y” is assigned. Furthermore, when this key 8 is pressed twice consecutively, the first consonant “Q” is assigned.

The first consonant "R" and the vowel "e" are assigned to the key 9 in the character input mode. Further, when the real key 8 is pressed twice consecutively, the first consonant “D” is assigned.

The first consonant "W" and the vowel "o" are assigned to the key 0 in the character input mode, and this key 9 is pressed immediately after a key of the same right key group 120 is pressed. , The second consonant “w” is assigned. Furthermore, when this key 8 is pressed twice consecutively, the first consonant “P” is assigned.

Next, the central key group 130 has keys a to o. In the mobile phone mode, the key a is “clear”, the key i is a numeral “2”, and the key u is a numeral “2”. 5, "e" is assigned to the key e, and "0 (zero)" is assigned to the key o.

The vowel "a" is assigned to the key a in the character input mode.
Or, if "a" is assigned and the real key a is pressed immediately after a consonant is input by pressing a key of another key group, the vowel "a" of the real key a is selected and input, otherwise, The vowel "A" is selected and input.

Similarly, vowel "i" or "i" is assigned to key i in the character input mode. The vowel "u" or "u" is assigned to the key u in the character input mode. A vowel "e" or "e" is assigned to the key e in the character input mode. The vowel "o" or "o" is assigned to the key o in the character input mode.

The conversion of input keys to kana is performed by the conversion processing means (conversion processing program) 160 in FIG. In order to facilitate understanding of the conversion rules stored in the conversion dictionary, the rules are shown in FIGS.
6 and 7.

FIG. 4 shows rows (a row, ka row, sa row,...) And rows (a row, a row, c row,.
It is a figure which shows the correspondence of (*).

In FIG. 4, the converted characters, Roman characters,
Three pieces of information of a key to be pressed are described.

For example, in the row A of the row K, "ka
KA 2a, 26 ". This is "ka"
Is input in Roman letters, the key is "KA", and the input key on the portable keyboard 100 corresponds to two pressings of "key 2" and "key a" or "key 2" and "key 6 "shows that the same result can be obtained.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the correspondence between Roman characters and key information to be pressed based on the Japanese syllabary conversion rules.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are based on the Japanese syllabary conversion rule.
It is a figure which shows the correspondence of a kana, a Roman character, and a button name in an order from the head "a". 6 and 7, the kana column indicates the converted character, the Roman character column indicates the Roman alphabet notation, and the button name column indicates the correspondence of the key to be pressed. As described above, "ka" can be input using either "key 2, key a" or "key 2, key 6", so that "key 2" is shared and "key a" Alternatively, “2a (6)” indicating the input of “key 6” is described.

It should be noted that the conversion dictionary 170 includes FIGS.
Is stored in a format corresponding to the value in the button name column and the character data in the kana column.

It should be noted that the central key group 13
Depending on the key assignment at 0, "A", "I",
"E", "O" Kana characters can be pressed with only one key operation, that is, "Key a", "Key i", "Key u", "Key e", "Key o" one press It is possible to input only by.

Further, depending on the type of vowel operated after "key 5" is operated twice in succession, "ba, bi, bu,
It can be converted to "be, bo," or "wow, wow, wow, wow, wow." That is, by pressing “key 5” twice and selecting the vowel of the central key group 130,
It can be converted to "Bab, Bub, B, B, B" and can be converted to "Uu, uu, uu, uu, uu" by selecting the vowel of the right key group 120.

Further, the conversion processing started by the conversion processing program of the conversion processing means 160 will be described.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the conversion process of the portable character input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 8, first, the numerical value (key identification information) of the key input by the operator is stored (step S3).
10) Then, the conversion dictionary is searched using the unconverted numerical data as a key (step S320). It is determined whether there is a character corresponding to the dictionary (step S330). If there is a corresponding character, the corresponding character is displayed, and the subsequent input is set as a conversion target (step S360). It returns to step S310 and waits for the next input.

If there is no corresponding character, it is determined whether the number of unconverted numerical values is equal to or greater than the limit number (step S).
340). If the number of unconverted numbers is less than the limit,
The process returns to step S310 to wait for the next operator's key input. If the number is not less than the limit number, the input unconverted key figures are displayed without conversion, and the input of the shift is set as a conversion target (step S350). It returns to step S310 and waits for the next input.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example in which the portable character input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied to a soft panel.

A soft panel 400 shown in FIG. 9 is a soft keyboard displayed on a display or a touch panel. In the character input mode, the same key assignment as in FIG. 3 is performed, but in the numeric input mode, numbers 1 to 5 are assigned to the left key group 110 and the right key group 120 is assigned.
Are assigned the numbers 6-0.

FIGS. 10A to 10C are diagrams for explaining the operation when the soft keyboard 400 shown in FIG. 9 is operated with a mouse.

The soft keyboard 400 is controlled by a conversion processing means 160 (not shown), converts the input information into characters based on a conversion dictionary 170 (not shown), and displays it on the display device 180.

In FIG. 10A, when the operator clicks key 5 of left key group 110 with a mouse in order to input “F”, the first consonant “F” or “H” is selected and the same consonant is selected. When a key of the key group 110 is selected, “y, h, blank (none), s, w” is displayed as the second consonant selection candidate 111.

In the case of FIG. 10A, when the operator passes the blank position with the mouse cursor, it is determined that the second consonant following the first consonant “F” or “H” has not been selected, and the first consonant “H” is selected. , A vowel of the central key group 130 and a first consonant “F” and a kana character represented by the selection of a vowel of the right key group 120, as conversion candidates for “ha, hi, fuh,
Character conversion candidate 131 indicating "ho" and "
A character conversion candidate 121 indicating "Foo, fuh" is displayed.
The operator completes the input of "F" by stopping or clicking the character "F" to select the mouse cursor.

In FIG. 10B, when the operator double-clicks the key 5 of the left key group 110 in order to input “U ゛”, the first consonant “B” or “V” is selected and the same left key group 110 is selected. When the key of is selected,
“Y, h, blank (none), s, w” is displayed as the second consonant selection candidate 111.

In the case of FIG. 10B, when the operator passes the blank position with the mouse cursor, it is determined that the second consonant following the first consonant "B" or "V" has not been selected, and the first consonant "B" is not selected. , The vowel of the central key group 130 and the first consonant “V” and the kana character represented by the selection of the vowels of the right key group 120, as conversion candidates for “b, b, b, b, b
Character conversion candidate 132 indicating “bo” and “u, u,
A character conversion candidate 122 indicating "U, U, U" is displayed. The operator stops the mouse cursor at the character “U” to be selected or clicks the mouse cursor to complete the input of “U”.

In FIG. 10C, when the operator double-clicks the key 5 of the left key group 110 to input “Bi”, the first consonant “B” or “V” is selected, and the same left key group 110 is selected. When the key of is selected,
“Y, h, blank (none), s, w” is displayed as the second consonant selection candidate 111.

In the case of FIG. 10B, when the operator passes the “y” position with the mouse cursor, the first consonant “B”
Is determined to have been selected. That is, based on the conversion dictionary 170, the conversion processing means 160
Determines that only the first consonant "B" has the second consonant "y" among the first consonants "B" and "V". Therefore, the conversion candidate of the kana character represented by the selection of the first consonant “B” and the vowel of the center key group 130 is displayed as the character conversion candidate 133 indicating “Bi, Bi, Bi, Bi, Byo”.

According to the first embodiment, the central key group 130 that enables selection of only vowels by key assignment based on the principle configuration shown in FIG. Only character notation is possible.

When a character is represented by a combination of a first consonant and a vowel, the left key group 110 or the right key group 1
By selecting the first consonant by one key press (click) at 20, and subsequently selecting the vowel of the central key group 130 or the vowel of the other key group, the number of character selections is doubled with a small number of key presses. Therefore, the assignment of consonants by one key press can realize up to two consonants for each of the ten keys of the left key group 110 and the right key group 120.

Further, the same key is continuously pressed twice (double-clicked) in the left key group 110 or the right key group 120.
By selecting the first consonant, and then selecting the vowel of the central key group 130 or the vowel of the other key group, the ten keys of the left key group 110 and the right key group 120 can be selected. Each key can be assigned a maximum of two different consonants.

When a character is described by a combination of the first consonant, the second consonant, and the vowel, the first consonant is selected by pressing the first key in the same key group in the left key group 110 or the right key group 120. Then, by selecting the second consonant by pressing the next key, and subsequently selecting the vowel of the central key group 130 or the vowel of the other key group, the character can be selected. A maximum of two consonants different from the above can be assigned to each of the ten keys of the right key group 120.

In the first embodiment, the portable telephone 3 of the portable character input device is based on the character assignment shown in FIG.
Although the example of application to 00 and the soft keyboard 400 has been described, the present invention is not limited to the above-described character assignment, and it is sufficient that kana character conversion can be performed based on the principle configuration shown in FIG.

Also in the kana character input mode, the vowels of the line "A, I, U, E, O" are assigned to each key of the central key group 130, and the other lines (K, S,.・)
By assigning one key to each line, it is possible to input a frequently used line by pressing the key once.

FIG. 11 is a view showing the principle configuration of a 3 × 4 key array of the portable character input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 11, the same parts as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 11, in the portable character input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the portable keyboard 500 has four keys different from the three key groups of the first embodiment as one key group. Group 510, right key group 520,
A central key group 530.

The first consonant is assigned to each of the left key group 510 and the right key group 520 so that the first consonant can be selected by one key press or two consecutive key presses.

Further, necessary second consonants are assigned so that the first consonant and the second consonant following the first consonant can be selected by pressing two different keys in the same key group. .

Vowels are assigned to three of the four keys of the central key group 530 so that a vowel can be selected by pressing the key once or twice in succession.

Further, a left key group 510 and a right key group 5
The 20 keys have three of the four keys so that the vowel after the consonant is selected in the other key group can be performed.
Vowels are assigned in the same arrangement method as the central key group 530. With the key assignment shown in FIG. 11, kana conversion by Roman character input can be realized by the same key operation as in the first embodiment.

FIG. 12A is a diagram showing a first application example of the 3 × 4 key arrangement of the portable character input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 12A, left key group 510
The first consonant “K”, “G” and “L” are assigned to the numeric key 1 of, and the second consonant “h” is assigned. The first consonants “S”, “C”, “Z” and “J” are assigned to the numeric key 4. The first consonant “T” and the second consonant “y” are assigned to the number keys 7. The first consonant "N" is assigned to the numeric key *, and the second consonant "w" is assigned. Although not shown, two vowels "A" and "I"
Assign. One vowel “U” is assigned to the numeric key 4. Two vowels “E” and “O” are assigned to the numeric key 7.

[0107] Further, in order to carry out the conventional flipping method, "ka" line (including "ga" line)
Numeric key 4 includes “sa” row (including “za” row), numeric key 7
To the "ta" line (including the "da" line) and "tsu", numeric key *
Is assigned the "na" line. For example, with the numeric key 1, according to the number of consecutive presses, "K, K, K, K, K, G, G,
Gu, Ge, Go.

The first consonants "H", "F", "B" and "V" are assigned to the numeric keys 3 of the left key group 520. The first consonants “M” and “X” are assigned to the number keys 6. The first consonant “Y” is assigned to the numeric key 9. The first consonants "R" and "D" are assigned to the numeric key #. Although not shown, two vowels "A" and "I"
Assign. One vowel “U” is assigned to the numeric key 6. Two vowels “E” and “O” are assigned to the numeric key 9.

[0109] Further, in order to perform the conventional flipping method, "ha" line (including "ba" line)
"Ma" line and "-(long sound)" on the numeric key 6, numeric key 9
Is assigned to the “Ya” line and the numeric key ♯ is assigned the “La” line and “Da”.

The three keys of the center key group 530 include:
Vowels are assigned in the order of "A, E, I, O, U".
That is, two vowels “A” and “I” are assigned to the numeric key 2. One vowel “U” is assigned to the number key 5. Two vowels “E” and “O” are assigned to the numeric key 8. Numeric key 0 (zero) has two consonants "W"
Assign “P” and “＠”.

The kana characters "A, I, U, E, O"
Are also assigned to the same numeric keys 2, 5, and 8 as the vowels.
The “W”, “W”, “N”, and “ぱ” lines are assigned to the numeric key 0.

FIG. 12B is a diagram showing a second application example of the 3 × 4 key array of the portable character input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 12B, the left key group 510
The right key group 520 has the same key arrangement of consonants and kana characters as in FIG. 12A, but the three keys of the central key group 532 have vowels in the order of “A, E, I, O, U”. Is assigned. Two vowels "A" and "E" on number key 2
Assign. One vowel “I” is assigned to the numeric key 5. Two vowels “O” and “U” are assigned to the numeric key 8.

The kana characters "A, E, I, U, U"
Are also assigned to the same numeric keys 2, 5, and 8 as the vowels.

FIG. 13A is a diagram showing a third application example of the 3 × 4 key array of the portable character input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 13A, a left key group 510 is shown.
The right key group 520 has the same key arrangement of consonants and kana characters as in FIG. 12A, but the three keys of the central key group 533 have vowels in the order of “A, I, U, E, O”. Is assigned. One vowel "A" and "@" are assigned to the numeric key 2. Two vowels "I" and "U" are assigned to the numeric key 5. Two vowels “E” and “O” are assigned to the numeric key 8.

Also, the kana characters "A, I, U, E, O"
Are also assigned to the same keys 2, 5, and 8 as the vowels.

FIG. 13B is a diagram showing a fourth application example of the 3 × 4 key array of the portable character input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 13B, a left key group 510 is shown.
And the right key group 520 has the same consonant and kana character key arrangement as in FIG. 12 (A), but the three keys of the central key group 534 have vowels in the order of “A, I, U, E, O”. Assign two vowels "A" and "I" to number key 2. Two vowels "U" and "E" to number key 5.
Assign. One vowel “O” and “＠” on the numeric key 8
And assign.

Also, the kana characters "A, I, U, E, O"
Are also assigned to the same keys 2, 5, and 8 as the vowels.

With the key arrangement shown in FIG. 13 (B), for example, the input of the Japanese alphabetical order by the Roman alphabet input, the input of the line “Yayoyo”, or the input of the lowercase characters such as “sha”, “shu”, “sho”, etc. The input of “ゅ” and “cho” in FIG.
(A), FIG. 12 (B) and FIG. 13 (A) can be performed with a smaller number of key presses.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example in which the portable character input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is applied to an extended portable keyboard having a 3 × 4 key layout.

In FIG. 14, an extended portable keyboard 60 is shown.
0 indicates the input keys 601 to 604 and the non-conversion / conversion key 6
05 and an RS232C interface 606. By pressing the left side of each key several times, the input keys 601 to 604 can select the number or kana character on the leftmost side, and pressing the right side several times can select the number on the rightmost side. Or you can select kana characters. By pressing the center of the input keys 601 to 603 several times, it is possible to select the center number or the kana character in the line. By pressing the center of the input key 604 several times, the center number or "Wa"
And kana characters of "Ra line" can be selected.

The input key 605 performs the same function as the non-conversion 140 shown in FIG. 2 by pressing the left side. By pressing the right side, the same function as the conversion 150 shown in FIG. 2 is executed.

The extended portable keyboard 600 is RS232.
From the C interface 606, for example, a portable telephone is used.

A mechanism for switching left and right to the extended portable keyboard 600, for example, by forming a right button and a left button as shown in FIG. 15A or FIG. May be switched.

In FIG. 15A, an extended portable keyboard 610 includes input keys 611 to 614, a non-conversion / conversion key 605, a right specification key 616 for specifying a right character of the input key, and a left character of the input key. And a left designation key 617 for designating

In FIG. 15A, a non-conversion / conversion key 605
Has a function similar to that of FIG.

In FIG. 15 (A), when the operator presses the right designation key 616, the input keys 611 to 614 which are successively pushed are displayed on the right side of the numbers or the syllabary notation. Is switched to character selection. Further, when the operator presses the left designation key 617, the input keys 611 to 614 which are successively pressed are switched to character selection from numbers displayed on the left side or lines in alphabetical order.

Alternatively, an extended portable keyboard 620 as shown in FIG. 15B may be used.

Referring to FIG. 15B, the extended portable keyboard 620 has input keys 611 to 614, a non-conversion / conversion key 605, and a left / right designation key 626 for designating a right character or a left character of the input key.

In FIG. 15B, the non-conversion / conversion key 605
Has a function similar to that of FIG.

In FIG. 15B, when the operator presses the left end or right end of the left / right designation key 626,
The input keys 611 to 614 to be pressed subsequently are switched to character selection from a number displayed on the left or right side or a line in alphabetical order. The same input key operation as in FIG. 15A can be performed.

FIGS. 14, 15 (A) and 15
The extended portable keyboard shown in (B) can also be applied to a 3 × 5 keyboard.

Next, a case where a language other than Japanese is applied to the portable character input device will be described below.

A case where Hangul characters (Korean) are applied to a portable character input device will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example in which the portable character input device according to the third embodiment of the present invention is applied to Hangul characters (Korean) having a 3 × 5 key layout.

The Hangul portable keyboard 700 has a left key group 710, a right key group 720, a center key group 730, a Hangul conversion key 740, and a Kanji conversion key 750. The Hangul portable keyboard 700 has a left key group 7
10. Character selection and input can be performed by pressing any one of 15 key buttons in a 3 × 5 arrangement including a right key group 720 and a center key group 730.

Each of the keys of the left key group 710 and the right key group 720 is provided with two or three consonants of the first consonant (first formant (initial voice)) and the second consonant (third formant (final voice)). Assignment: Two vowels (second formant (medium voice)) are assigned to each key of the central key group 730. Further, a vowel is assigned to each of the left key group 710 and the right key group 720 in the same manner as the vowel assignment of the center key group 730.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the assignment of Hangul characters (Korean) in a 3 × 5 key array in the portable character input device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 17, the first consonant is selected by pressing the keys of the left key group 710 or the right key group 720 once to three times, and the keys of the other key group are pressed once to twice. Select a vowel and input the desired Hangul character.

Alternatively, the first consonant is selected by pressing the key of the left key group 710 or the right key group 720 once to three times, and the vowel is selected by pressing the key of the center key group 730 once to twice. And then press Hangul conversion 740 to input the desired Hangul character.

The first consonant is selected by pressing the keys of the left key group 710 or the right key group 720 once to three times, and the vowel is selected by pressing the keys of the center key group 730 once or twice. Further, a desired Hangul character is input by selecting the second consonant by pressing the keys of the left key group 710 or the right key group 720 once to three times.

The center key group 730 is not pressed without pressing the consonant key.
By pressing the key once or twice to select a vowel, a silent sound (）) is automatically added and a desired Hangul character is input.

Since a silent sound (○) is automatically added when a vowel is selected, it is not necessary to press the silent (○) key.

In the left key group 710 and the right key group 720, consonants of similar sounds are assigned to the same key.

A Hangul character can be input by operating any of the above keys.

Further, when converting from Hangul characters to Kanji characters, the user can perform any of the above Hangul character input key operations and press Kanji conversion 750 to convert the characters into Kanji characters.

The conversion dictionary 770 shown in FIG. 16 has all the key combinations for Hangul character input by the above method, and the Hangul characters corresponding to the key combinations are displayed on the display device 780 under the control of the conversion processing means 760. .

FIGS. 18 to 21 show examples of inputting Hangul characters according to the above key operation.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of inputting Hangul characters composed of consonants and vowels using the Hangul portable keyboard of the portable character input device according to the third embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 18, for example, Hangul characters corresponding to “mother” can be input by combining the left key group 710 and the center key group 730 (see FIGS. 16 and 17). .

FIG. 19 shows an example of inputting Hangul characters composed of consonants and composite vowels using the Hangul portable keyboard of the portable character input device according to the third embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 19, for example, Hangul characters corresponding to “position” can be input by combining the center key group 730 and the right key group 720 (see FIGS. 16 and 17). . Therefore, the input of the compound vowel can be made by the combination of the keys of the central key group 730. In addition, since the number of vowels selected from the same key in the central key group 730 is small, input can be performed easily.

FIG. 20 shows an example of inputting Hangul characters composed of consonants, vowels, and patches using the Hangul portable keyboard of the portable character input device according to the third embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 20, for example, "kimchi"
Can be input by combining the left key group 710 and the center key group 730 (see FIGS. 16 and 17). The patch is selected from a left key group 710 and a right key group 720 to which consonant keys are assigned.

Next, the case where Korean characters (Korean) are applied to the 3 × 4 key layout of the portable character input device will be described.
This will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of application of the portable character input device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention to Hangul characters (Korean) having a 3 × 4 key layout.

In FIG. 21, parts that are the same as those shown in FIG. 16 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The Hangul portable keyboard 1700 includes a left key group 1710, a right key group 1720, and a center key group 1717.
30, Hangul conversion key 740 and Kanji conversion key 7
50. The Hangul portable keyboard 1700 enables character selection and input by pressing any one of 12 key buttons in a 3 × 4 arrangement including a left key group 1710, a right key group 1720, and a center key group 1730. .

Left key group 1710 and right key group 172
For each key of 0, 2 to 4 of the first consonant (first formant (first voice)) and the second consonant (third formant (final voice))
Consonants are assigned, and 2 keys are assigned to each key of the central key group 1730.
~ 3 vowels (second formant (medium voice)) are assigned. Further, a left key group 1710 and a right key group 172
A vowel is assigned to each key of 0 in the same manner as the vowels of the central key group 1730 are assigned.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of the assignment of Hangul characters (Korean) having a 3 × 4 key layout in the portable character input device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 22, the first consonant is selected by pressing the keys of the left key group 1710 or the right key group 1720 once to three times, and the keys of the other key group are pressed once to twice. Select a vowel and input the desired Hangul character.

Alternatively, the first consonant is selected by pressing the key of the left key group 1710 or the right key group 1720 once to three times, and the vowel is selected by pressing the key of the central key group 1730 once to twice. And then press Hangul conversion 740 to input the desired Hangul character.

Left key group 1710 or right key group 172
The first consonant is selected by pressing the key 0 once to three times, the vowel is selected by pressing the key of the center key group 1730 once or twice, and the left key group 1 is further selected.
A desired Hangul character is input by selecting the second consonant by pressing the key of 710 or the right key group 1720 once to three times.

By pressing a key of the central key group 1730 once or twice to select a vowel, a silent sound (音) is automatically added and a desired Hangul character is input.

Left key group 1710 and right key group 172
At 0, consonants with similar sounds are assigned to the same key.

A Hangul character can be input by any of the above key operations.

Further, when converting from Hangul characters to Kanji characters, as in the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, any one of the above-mentioned Hangul character input key operations is performed, and the Kanji conversion 750 is depressed. , Can be converted to kanji.

The conversion dictionary 770 of FIG. 21 has all the key combinations of the Hangul character input by the above method, and the Hangul characters corresponding to the key combinations are displayed on the display device 780 under the control of the conversion processing means 760. .

Next, a case where Chinese is applied to a portable character input device will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example in which the portable character input device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is applied to a 3 × 5 key array in Chinese.

[0173] The Chinese portable keyboard 800 has a left key group 810, a right key group 820, a center key group 830, and a conversion key 850. Chinese mobile keyboard 8
00 enables selection and input of characters by pressing any one of 15 key buttons in a 3 × 5 arrangement including a left key group 810, a right key group 820, and a center key group 830.

Each of the left key group 810 and the right key group 820 is assigned with two or three consonants among the consonants, and the center key group 830 is assigned with two or three vowels. Further, vowels are assigned to the keys of the left key group 810 and the right key group 820 in the same manner as the vowels of the center key group 830.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of allocating Chinese (common language) in a 3 × 5 key array of the portable character input device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 24, a consonant is selected by pressing the keys of the left key group 810 or the right key group 820 once to three times, and the vowel is selected by pressing the keys of the other key group once to twice. And enter the desired Chinese.

Alternatively, a consonant is selected by pressing the keys of the left key group 810 or the right key group 820 once to three times, and a vowel is selected by pressing the keys of the center key group 830 one to three times. Then, the desired Chinese is input by pressing the conversion 850.

A consonant is selected by pressing the keys of the left key group 810 or the right key group 820 once to three times, and a vowel is selected by pressing the keys of the other key group once or three times. Further, the desired Chinese is input by pressing the key of the central key group 830 once or twice to select the end sound.

The desired Chinese is input by pressing the keys of the central key group 830 once to three times to select a vowel. Each key of the central key group 830 has a single vowel "A"
“E”, “I”, “O”, and “U” are assigned, and when a single vowel is input, it can be input by pressing once, and “A”
Double vowels such as "O", "OU" and "EI" and "IAO" and "I"
When inputting triple vowels such as "OU" and "UAI", it is possible to combine vowels by pressing two or three times.

In particular, the consonants "n" and "ng" following the vowel
Is assigned to the central key group 830 to facilitate input.

[0181] Chinese can be input by any of the above key operations.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of allocating Chinese (Mandarin) in a 3 × 5 key layout of the portable character input device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 25, the key assignment differs depending on the characteristics of the Mandarin consonants and vowels. The Mandarin Chinese portable keyboard 800 shown in FIG. 25 includes a left key group 811, a right key group 821, and a center key group 831 configured by key assignment according to Mandarin.

From FIG. 25, the difference from the common word key assignment shown in FIG. 24 is that only the two letters “Y” and “W” are assigned to the Tel key of the left-side key group 811 and are different. The assignment of the central key group 831 to each key differs depending on the vowel configuration. Therefore,
Vowels are assigned to the keys of the left key group 811 and the right key group 821 in accordance with the assignment of vowels to the center key group 831.

A key operation method similar to that of the key arrangement shown in FIG. 24 is performed to enable input of Mandarin characters.

FIGS. 26 and 27 are diagrams showing an example of inputting Mandarin Chinese using the Chinese portable keyboard of the portable character input device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

From FIGS. 26 and 27, for example, "Japan"
, A left key group 810, a right key group 820, and a center key group 83
This is made possible by combining 0 (see FIGS. 23 and 25).

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of allocation of Chinese (Cantonese) in a 3 × 5 key array of the portable character input device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 28, the assignment of keys differs depending on the characteristics of Cantonese consonants and vowels. The Chinese portable keyboard 800 for Cantonese shown in FIG. 28 has a left key group 812, a right key group 822, and a center key group 832, which are configured by key assignment according to Cantonese.

From FIG. 28, the difference from the common word key assignment shown in FIG. 24 is that the character assignment to the Tel key of the left key group 811 is only two characters “Y” and “W”, and is different. The assignment of the center key group 831 to each key differs depending on the vowel configuration. Therefore, the left key group 81 according to the assignment of the vowel to the center key group 831
Vowels are assigned to the keys of the first key group 821 and the right key group 821.

A key operation method similar to that of the key arrangement shown in FIG. 24 is performed to enable input of Cantonese characters.

Next, conversion input by a Chinese portable keyboard will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIGS. 29A and 29B show an example of conversion input by the Chinese portable keyboard of the portable character input device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 29A, for example, the right key group 820
The consonant 10 “M” is selected by pressing once, the vowel 1 “a” of the central key group 830 is selected by pressing once, and is displayed on the display device 880 every time the conversion 850 is continuously pressed. Conversion input can be performed by selecting a desired character from "Ma", "Hemp", "Horse", and "Scold".

As another conversion input method, as shown in FIG. 29B, the consonant 10 “M” of the right key group 820 is set to 1
Vowel 1 of left key group 830
“A” is selected by pressing once, and “ma” and “hemp” displayed on the display device 880 each time the conversion 850 is pressed continuously
By selecting the desired character from "horse" and "scold",
Conversion input can be performed.

The conversion dictionary 870 shown in FIG.
5. All the key combinations for inputting Chinese by any or all of the key arrangements shown in FIG. 28 are provided. Is displayed.

Next, a case where English is applied to the portable character input device will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example in which the portable character input device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention is applied to a 3 × 5 key array for English.

The English portable keyboard 900 has a left key group 910, a right key group 920, and a center key group 930. The English portable keyboard 900 has a left key group 91
By pressing any one of 15 key buttons in a 3 × 5 arrangement composed of 0, right key group 920 and center key group 930, character selection and input are enabled.

Each of the left key group 910 and the right key group 920 is assigned with two or three consonants among the consonants, and one key of the center key group 930 is assigned with one vowel.

However, unlike the language described above, vowels may not be assigned to the left key group 910 and the right key group 920.

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of English assignment of a 3 × 5 key array of the portable character input device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 31, the input of one character is determined by selecting a consonant by pressing the key of the left key group 810 or the right key group 820 once to three times, and the key of the central key group 830 is set to 1 The input of one character is determined by selecting the vowel by pressing it twice.

The conversion dictionary 970 shown in FIG.
1 has a key combination constituting an English word by the key arrangement shown in FIG.
An English word corresponding to the key combination is displayed on the display device 980.

Next, a case where Vietnamese is applied to a portable character input device will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an example in which the portable character input device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention is applied to a Vietnamese language with a 3 × 5 key layout.

The Vietnamese portable keyboard 1000 has a left key group 1010, a right key group 1020, a center key group 1030, and a conversion key 1050. The Vietnamese portable keyboard 1000 includes a left key group 1010, a right key group 1020, and a center key group 1030.
Pressing any one of the 15 key buttons in the × 5 arrangement enables character selection and input.

A left key group 1010 and a right key group 102
Two or three consonants among the consonants are assigned to each key of 0, and two or three vowels are assigned to each key of the central key group 1030. Further, a left key group 1010 and a right key group 102
A vowel is assigned to each key of 0 in the same manner as the vowels of the central key group 1030 are assigned.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing an example of assigning Vietnamese words in a 3 × 5 key layout of the portable character input device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 33, a consonant is selected by pressing the key of the left key group 1010 or the right key group 1020 once or twice, and the vowel is selected by pressing the key of the other key group once or twice. And enter the desired Vietnamese language.

Alternatively, a consonant is selected by depressing the key of the left key group 1010 or the right key group 1020 once or twice, and the key of the center key group 1030 is pressed once or twice.
Press twice to select a vowel and enter the desired Vietnamese.

Left key group 1010 or right key group 102
The consonant is selected by depressing the 0 key once or twice, the vowel is selected by depressing the other key group once or twice, and the key of the central key group 1030 is selected once. Enter the desired Vietnamese language by selecting the end note by pressing twice from.

The desired Vietnamese is input by depressing the key of the central key group 1030 once or twice to select a vowel.

By any of the above key operations, Vietnamese can be input.

The conversion dictionary 1070 shown in FIG. 32 has all the key combinations for inputting Vietnamese using the key arrangement shown in FIG. 33. Under the control of the conversion processing means 1060, the Chinese corresponding to the key combinations is displayed. Display device 10
It is displayed at 80.

Next, a case where Indonesian / Malaysia is applied to a portable character input device will be described with reference to FIGS.
5 will be described.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing an example in which the portable character input device according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention is applied to the Indonesian-Malay language of the 3 × 5 key layout.

The Indonesian / Malaysia portable keyboard 1100 has a left key group 1110 and a right key group 112.
0, a central key group 1130, and a conversion key 1150. Indonesian / Malaysia Portable Keyboard 11
00 is 15 by a 3 × 5 array composed of a left key group 1110, a right key group 1120 and a center key group 1130.
Pressing any one of the key buttons enables character selection and input.

Left key group 1110 and right key group 112
Each of the 0 keys is assigned two to three consonants, and one vowel is assigned to each key of the central key group 1130.
Further, vowels are assigned to the keys of the left key group 1110 and the right key group 1120 in the same manner as the vowels of the center key group 1130 are assigned.

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing an example of assignment of Indonesian and Malaysian in a 3 × 5 key layout of the portable character input device according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 35, a consonant is selected by pressing the key of the left key group 1110 or the right key group 1120 once or twice, and the vowel is selected by pressing the key of the other key group once or twice. And enter the desired Indonesian and Malaysian language.

Alternatively, a consonant is selected by pressing the key of the left key group 1110 or the right key group 1120 once or twice, and the key of the central key group 1130 is pressed once or twice.
Press twice to select a vowel and enter the desired Indonesian-Malay language.

The desired Indonesian-Malay language is input by depressing the key of the central key group 1130 once or twice to select a vowel.

By any of the above key operations, Indonesian and Malaysian can be input.

The conversion dictionary 1170 in FIG. 34 has all the key combinations for inputting Indonesian and Malaysian using the key arrangement shown in FIG.
Under the control of 160, Indonesian-Malay language corresponding to the key combination is displayed on the display device 1180.

Next, FIG. 35 to FIG. 36 show a case where the Filipino Tagalog language is applied to a portable character input device.
Will be described.

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing an example in which the portable character input device according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention has a 3 × 5 key array applied to Tagalog Filipino.

[0228] Philippine Tagalog Portable Keyboard 12
00 is a left key group 1210 and a right key group 1220
, A central key group 1230, and a conversion key 1250. Philippine Tagalog Portable Keyboard 1200
Enables character selection and input by pressing any one of 15 key buttons in a 3 × 5 arrangement including a left key group 1210, a right key group 1220, and a center key group 1230.

A left key group 1210 and a right key group 122
One or two consonants among the consonants are assigned to each key of 0, and one or two vowels are assigned to each key of the central key group 1230. Further, a left key group 1210 and a right key group 122
A vowel is assigned to each key of 0 in the same manner as the vowels of the central key group 1230 are assigned.

FIG. 37 is a diagram showing an example of allocating Filipino Tagalog words in a 3 × 5 key layout of the portable character input device according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 37, a consonant is selected by pressing the keys of the left key group 1210 or the right key group 1220 once or twice, and the vowel is selected by pressing the keys of the other key group once or twice. And enter the desired Filipino Tagalog language.

Alternatively, a consonant is selected by pressing the keys of the left key group 1210 or the right key group 1220 once or twice, and the key of the center key group 1230 is pressed once or twice.
Press twice to select a vowel and enter the desired Filipino Tagalog language.

A left key group 1210 or a right key group 122
A consonant is selected by pressing the key 0 once or twice, a vowel is selected by pressing the other key group once or twice, and a key of the central key group 1230 is selected once. Enter the desired Filipino Tagalog by selecting the end note by pressing twice.

The desired Filipino Tagalog language is input by pressing the keys of the central key group 1230 once or twice to select a vowel.

By any of the above key operations, Filipino Tagalog can be input.

The conversion dictionary 1270 of FIG. 36 has all the key combinations for inputting Filipino / Tagalog using the key arrangement shown in FIG.
By the control of 0, Filipino Tagalog language corresponding to the key combination is displayed on the display device 1280.

Next, a case where Portuguese is applied to a portable character input device will be described with reference to FIGS. 38 and 39.

FIG. 38 is a diagram showing an example in which the portable character input device according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention is applied to a Portuguese language with a 3 × 5 key layout.

The Portuguese portable keyboard 1300 is
It has a left key group 1310, a right key group 1320, a center key group 1330, and a conversion key 1350. The Portuguese portable keyboard 1300 has a left key group 1310,
Character selection and input are enabled by pressing any one of 15 key buttons in a 3 × 5 arrangement composed of a right key group 1320 and a central key group 1330.

A left key group 1310 and a right key group 132
Each of the 0 keys is assigned two or three consonants, and one key of the central key group 1330 is assigned one vowel.
Further, a vowel is assigned to each key of the left key group 1310 and the right key group 1320 in the same manner as the vowel of the center key group 1330 is assigned.

FIG. 39 is a diagram showing an example of assignment of Portuguese in a 3 × 5 key array of the portable character input device according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 39, a consonant is selected by pressing the key of the left key group 1310 or the right key group 1320 once or twice, and the vowel is selected by pressing the key of the other key group once or twice. And enter the desired Portuguese.

Alternatively, a consonant is selected by pressing the key of the left key group 1310 or the right key group 1320 once or twice, and the key of the central key group 1330 is pressed once or twice.
Press twice to select a vowel and enter the desired Portuguese.

The desired Portuguese is input by pressing the keys of the central key group 1330 once or twice to select a vowel.

By any of the above key operations, Portuguese can be input.

The conversion dictionary 1370 in FIG. 38 has all the key combinations for inputting Portuguese by the key arrangement shown in FIG. 39, and the Portuguese corresponding to the key combination is controlled by the conversion processing means 1360. It is displayed on the display device 1380.

Next, a case where Italian is applied to a portable character input device will be described with reference to FIGS. 40 and 41. FIG.

FIG. 40 is a diagram showing an example in which the 3 × 5 key layout of the portable character input device according to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention is applied to Italian.

The Italian portable keyboard 1400 includes a left key group 1410, a right key group 1420, and a center key group 1
430 and a conversion key 1450. The Italian portable keyboard 1400 includes a left key group 1410, a right key group 1420, and a center key group 1430.
Pressing any one of the 15 key buttons in the × 5 arrangement enables character selection and input.

Left key group 1410 and right key group 142
Each of the 0 keys is assigned two to three consonants, and one key of the central key group 1430 is assigned one vowel.
Further, vowels are assigned to the keys of the left key group 1410 and the right key group 1420 in the same manner as the vowels of the center key group 1430 are assigned.

FIG. 41 is a diagram showing an example of allocating Italian words in a 3 × 5 key layout of the portable character input device according to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 41, a consonant is selected by pressing the key of the left key group 1410 or the right key group 1420 once or twice, and the vowel is selected by pressing the key of the other key group once or twice. Select and enter the desired Italian.

Alternatively, a consonant is selected by pressing the key of the left key group 1410 or the right key group 1420 once or twice, and the key of the central key group 1430 is pressed once or twice.
Press twice to select a vowel and enter the desired Italian.

A desired Italian language is input by depressing a key of central key group 1430 once or twice to select a vowel.

The Italian language can be input by any of the above key operations.

The conversion dictionary 1470 shown in FIG. 40 has all the key combinations for inputting the Italian language by the key arrangement shown in FIG. 41. Under the control of the conversion processing means 1460, the Italian corresponding to the key combination is input. It is displayed on the display device 1480.

Next, a case where a multilingual language based on universal pronunciation (hereinafter referred to as a multilingual rule) applied to a portable character input device in the whole world will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 42 is a diagram showing a multilingual rule.

In FIG. 42, the multilingual rule includes a consonant classification 1500, a five vowel language 1510 or a nine vowel language 152
Classified as 0.

[0260] Consonants are categorized in order from lips with the friction point of the consonant element outside the mouth to throat consonants with the friction point of the consonant element inside the mouth. The consonants are “M”, “B” and “P” for the lips, “F” and “V” for the labial teeth, and “Θ (th)” and “δ (t) for the lips and teeth according to the sound transition from the lips to the throat consonants.
h), "T", "D", "N", "L" for the front tongue, "S", "Z", "ts" for the middle tongue, "SH", "CH", "JH" for the back tongue and ""Y","W","R","K","NG"
“H” is classified into “G” and throat consonants.

The five-vowel language 1510 includes a single vowel “A”
“E”, “I”, “O”, and “U” are classified. However,
“A” is a vowel opened in the back, and “U” is a vowel closed outside.

The nine vowel languages 1520 include “A” and “E”
"I""O""U""AE""EI""IO""OU"
Are classified.

FIG. 43 is a diagram showing an example in which the portable character input device according to the twelfth embodiment of the present invention is applied to a 3 × 5 key array in multiple languages.

The multilingual portable keyboard 1600 includes a left key group 1610, a right key group 1620, and a center key group 163.
0, a non-conversion key 1640, and a conversion key 1650. The multilingual portable keyboard 1600 includes a left key group 1610, a right key group 1620, and a center key group 1630.
By pressing any one of the 15 key buttons in a 3 × 5 array composed of characters, character selection and input are enabled.

A left key group 1610 and a right key group 162
Based on the consonant classification 1500 shown in FIG.
~ 3 consonants are assigned, and the five keys of the central key group 1630 are assigned the five vowel languages shown in FIG. further,
A vowel is assigned to each key of the left key group 1610 and the right key group 1620 in the same manner as the vowel of the center key group 1630 is assigned.

FIG. 44 is a diagram showing an example of multilingual assignment of a 3 × 5 key array in the portable character input device according to the twelfth embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 44, underlined alphabetic characters next to the numbers of each key indicate alphabetical characters assigned to the conventional portable telephone, and the alphabetic characters written below each key indicate alphabetic characters for multilingual input.

Left key group 1610 or right key group 162
A consonant is selected by pressing the 0 key once to three times, and a vowel is selected by pressing the keys of the central key group 1 to 3 times, and a desired multilingual is input.

A desired multi-language is input by depressing the keys of the central key group 1630 once to three times to select a vowel. For example, in the case of a single vowel, a vowel can be selected with a single press. In addition, double vowels such as “AO”, “AU”, and “UA”, or triple vowels such as “IAO”, “IOU”, and “UAI” are input by combining the central key group 1630 to input a desired vowel. can do.

FIG. 45 is a diagram showing another example of multilingual assignment of a 3 × 5 key array in the portable character input device according to the twelfth embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 45, similarly to FIG. 44, the underlined alphabetic characters next to the numbers of the keys indicate the alphabetical characters assigned to the conventional portable telephone, and the alphabetic characters written below each key are for multilingual input. Indicates the alphabetic character.

The difference from the multilingual assignment shown in FIG. 44 is that the multilingual assigned to the numeric key 3 is "C" or "J".

A desired multilingual input method can be performed in the same manner as the multilingual assignment shown in FIG.

The conversion dictionary 1670 of FIG. 43 has all the key combinations for multilingual input by the key arrangement shown in FIG. Display device 168
Displayed as 0.

According to the present invention, when each language is classified into vowels and consonants, vowels are assigned to the central key group, and consonants are assigned to the left and right key groups, 3 ×
In a five-arrangement portable keyboard, each vowel is assigned to each central key, and in a 3 × 4 arrangement portable keyboard, one or two vowels are assigned to three central keys. In the case of a nine vowel language, one to two vowels are assigned to the central five keys in a 3 × 5 array portable keyboard. Such character (or phonetic notation) assignment facilitates vowel input and reduces the number of key presses required for input of characters represented by combinations with consonants or vowels.

By allocating the same arrangement of the vowels assigned to the center key group to the keys of the left and right key groups as described above, each key of the left and right key groups can be pressed once, and then the center key group can be pressed. A different consonant can be assigned depending on whether one key is pressed or the other key group is pressed.

Further, by successively pressing the keys of the left and right key groups twice (double-clicking), different consonants are generated depending on whether the key of the center key group is pressed next or the key of the other key group is pressed. It becomes possible to assign.

In addition, by combining a configuration in which the keys of the left and right keys or the center key group are selected according to a predetermined number of presses, particularly, the number of sounds is large and the number of characters is large accordingly. Language can be handled with a small number of keys.

In the above embodiment, the left key group and the right key group correspond to the second key group of the first aspect, and the center key group corresponds to the first key group of the first aspect. The means corresponds to the conversion means of claim 1.

[0280]

As described above, according to the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, the first key group including only vowels and the second key group capable of inputting consonants and vowels are carried. By configuring the keyboard, the input of vowel characters can be simplified, and consonants can be input in combination with the first key group and the second key group, enabling character input with a small number of key presses And

According to the present invention as set forth in claims 6 to 12, the portable keyboard includes the first key group consisting of only vowels and the second and third key groups capable of inputting consonants and vowels. Accordingly, input of vowel characters can be simplified, and consonants can be input by a combination of the first key group and the second key group and a combination of the first key group and the third key group. Therefore, the selection range of the consonant input keys can be expanded, thereby enabling consonant character input with a small number of key presses.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, when the number of keys is smaller than the number of vowels of a single vowel, input of a key to which a plurality of vowels are assigned is converted to a character corresponding to the vowel. Therefore, nine vowel languages can be assigned to five keys of the first key group, or five vowel languages can be assigned to three keys of the first key group.

Further, according to the present invention, since a plurality of vowel keys can be input and converted into characters corresponding to the combined vowels, a variety of vowel types can be obtained with a limited number of keys. Can respond.

According to the invention of claim 15, since the character is converted into a character corresponding to the number of consecutive inputs to the same key, a plurality of consonants or vowels are assigned to the same key according to a predetermined rule. In addition, character conversion can be performed according to a simple input rule in which the key can be assigned to a small number of keys and the key is pressed a predetermined number of times.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to logically switch the first, second, and third key groups by using the switch button, thereby greatly reducing the number of physical keys. can do.

Further, according to the present invention as set forth in claims 17 to 20, it is possible to provide a storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to perform the above-described processing in the portable input device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing character assignment in a conventional mobile phone.

FIG. 2 is a principle configuration diagram of a 3 × 5 key array of the portable character input device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example in which the portable character input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied to a portable telephone or a PHS.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the correspondence between rows and columns based on the Japanese syllabary conversion rule;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing correspondence between Roman characters and key information to be pressed based on Japanese syllabary conversion rules;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the correspondence between kana, Roman characters, and button names in accordance with the Japanese syllabary conversion rule.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing correspondence between kana, Roman characters, and button names in accordance with Japanese syllabary conversion rules.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a conversion process of the portable character input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example in which the portable character input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied to a soft panel.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation when the soft keyboard shown in FIG. 9 is operated with a mouse.

FIG. 11 is a principle configuration diagram of a 3 × 4 key array of the portable character input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing first and second application examples of the 3 × 4 key array of the portable character input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing third and fourth application examples of the 3 × 4 key array of the portable character input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the portable character input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is applied to an extended portable keyboard having a 3 × 4 key layout.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing another application example of the portable character input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention to a 3 × 4 key arrangement extended portable keyboard.

FIG. 16 is a Hangul character (Korean) having a 3 × 5 key layout of the portable character input device according to the third embodiment of the present invention;
It is a figure showing the example of application to.

FIG. 17 is a Hangul character (Korean) having a 3 × 5 key layout of the portable character input device according to the third embodiment of the present invention;
It is a figure which shows the example of allocation of.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of inputting Hangul characters composed of consonants and vowels using the Hangul portable keyboard of the portable character input device according to the third embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of inputting Hangul characters composed of consonants and complex vowels by the Hangul portable keyboard of the portable character input device according to the third embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of inputting Hangul characters composed of consonants, vowels and patchums using the Hangul portable keyboard of the portable character input device according to the third embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 17; .

FIG. 21 is a Hangul character (Korean) with a 3 × 4 key layout of the portable character input device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;
It is a figure showing the example of application to.

FIG. 22 is a Hangul character (Korean) having a 3 × 4 key layout of the portable character input device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;
It is a figure which shows the example of allocation of.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example in which the portable character input device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is applied to a 3 × 5 key array for Chinese.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of allocating Chinese (common language) in a 3 × 5 key layout of the portable character input device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of allocating Chinese (Mandarin) in a 3 × 5 key array of the portable character input device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of inputting Mandarin using a Chinese portable keyboard of the portable character input device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 23;

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of inputting Mandarin using a Chinese portable keyboard of the portable character input device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 23;

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of allocation of Chinese (Cantonese) in a 3 × 5 key array of the portable character input device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an example of conversion input by the Chinese portable keyboard of the portable character input device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 23;

FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the portable character input device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention is applied to a 3 × 5 key array for English.

FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating an example of English assignment of a 3 × 5 key array of the portable character input device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an example in which the portable character input device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention is applied to a 3 × 5 key layout for Vietnamese.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing an example of allocating a Vietnamese language with a 3 × 5 key layout of the portable character input device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing an example in which the portable character input device according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention is applied to the Indonesian-Malay language of the 3 × 5 key layout.

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing an example of allocating Indonesian-Malay characters in a 3 × 5 key array of the portable character input device according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing an example in which the portable character input device according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention has a 3 × 5 key array applied to Tagalog Filipino.

FIG. 37 is a diagram showing an example of allocating Filipino Tagalog words in a 3 × 5 key layout of the portable character input device according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 38 is a diagram showing an example in which the portable character input device according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention is applied to a Portuguese language with a 3 × 5 key layout.

FIG. 39 is a diagram showing an example of assigning Portuguese words in a 3 × 5 key array of the portable character input device according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 40 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the portable character input device according to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention is applied to a 3 × 5 key array for Italian.

FIG. 41 is a diagram showing an example of allocating Italian words in a 3 × 5 key array of the portable character input device according to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 42 is a diagram showing a multilingual rule;

FIG. 43 is a diagram showing an example in which the portable character input device according to the twelfth embodiment of the present invention is applied to a 3 × 5 key array in multiple languages.

FIG. 44 is a diagram showing an example of multilingual assignment of a 3 × 5 key array in the portable character input device according to the twelfth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 45 is a diagram showing another example of multilingual assignment of a 3 × 5 key array in the portable character input device according to the twelfth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Mobile keyboard 110 Left key group 120 Right key group 130 Central key group 140 No conversion 150 Conversion 170 Conversion dictionary 180 Display device 300 Mobile phone 400 Soft panel

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 3/023 G06F 17/22 H04M 1/23

Claims (20)

(57) [Claims] 1. A first key group in which a consonant is not assigned to one key and a vowel is assigned; a second key group in which a consonant and a vowel are assigned to one key; A portable character input device, comprising: conversion means for converting the characters into corresponding characters. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second key groups to which the same vowel is assigned are input after the keys of the second key group are input for inputting the consonants. 2. The portable character input device according to claim 1, wherein the character is converted into a different character depending on whether a key of the key group is input. 3. The portable character input device according to claim 1, wherein said conversion means determines that a different consonant is input according to the number of consecutive inputs of keys of said second key group for inputting a consonant. apparatus. 4. The portable character input device is for instructing a key on a display, and the converting means displays a converted character after inputting a key of the second key group and selects and inputs the character. The portable character input device according to claim 1, wherein 5. The portable character input device according to claim 1, wherein the conversion means converts the vowel into a corresponding vowel character when only the first key group is input first. 6. A first key group in which a consonant is not assigned to one key and a vowel is assigned; a second key group and a third key group in which a consonant and a vowel are assigned to one key; and a consonant is input. Converting means for converting a key input of the first key group or a key input of the third key group into a vowel input after a key of the second key group is input. Portable character input device. 7. The portable character input device according to claim 6, wherein the keys of the first key group are arranged between the keys of the second key group and the keys of the third key group. . 8. The conversion means for converting a consonant according to the number of continuous inputs to the same key of the second key group for inputting a consonant and a key group of a key input as a vowel. The portable character input device according to claim 6, wherein 9. The mobile phone according to claim 6, wherein when only the first key group is inputted first, the conversion means converts the character into a corresponding vowel character while adding a silent expression. Character input device. 10. The portable character input device is for instructing a key on a display, wherein the conversion unit is configured to input a consonant after a key of a second key group is input. A first character candidate indicating a converted character candidate when the input key and each key of the first key group are vowels; and the key input as a consonant and each key of the third key group 7. The portable character input device according to claim 6, wherein a second character candidate indicating a converted character candidate when is a vowel is displayed for selection. 11. The portable character input device is for instructing a key on a display, wherein the conversion unit is configured to input a key of a second key group to input a consonant, 7. The portable character input device according to claim 6, wherein the following consonant candidates are displayed and selected and input. 12. The portable character input device is for instructing a key on a display, wherein the converting means is configured to input a key of a second key group to input a consonant, Displaying a subsequent consonant candidate, and when the displayed consonant candidate is not selected, a first character candidate indicating a converted character candidate using the key input as a consonant and each key of the first key group as a vowel;
7. The portable character input device according to claim 6, wherein a second character candidate indicating a converted character candidate using each key of the third key group as a vowel is displayed and selected and input. A first key group assigned vowel without assigning a consonant to 13. One key, the second key group or the third key group assigned consonants and vowels in one key, the first Key group and the second key group or
Is a vowel whose key number is a single vowel in the third key group.
Multiple vowels with fewer keys than keys
If there is key, conversion means for converting the character corresponding to the vowel to the input of a key in which the plurality of vowels are allocated
And a portable character input device. A first key group assigned vowel without assigning a consonant to 14. One key, the second key group or the third key group assigned consonants and vowels in one key, the first Key group and the second key group or
Indicates that the number of keys in each of the third key groups is a compound vowel,
The number of keys is less than the number of double vowels and triple vowels.
Te, if there is a key in which a plurality of vowels are allocated, the mobile character input device characterized by comprising a conversion means for converting the character corresponding to the vowel to be combined by the input of the plurality of vowels keys. 15. A first key group in which a consonant is not assigned to one key and a vowel is assigned; a second key group or a third key group in which a consonant and a vowel are assigned to one key; A portable character input device comprising: a key and a conversion unit for converting the key into a corresponding character based on the number of consecutive inputs. 16. A first key group in which consonants are not assigned to one key and vowels are assigned, and a second key group and a third key group in which consonants and vowels are assigned to one key are physically separated. Conversion means for converting to a corresponding character based on the input keys and their order by having a switching button which is common and logically switches between the first, second and third key groups A portable character input device. 17. A processing in a portable character input device having a first key group in which a vowel is assigned without assigning a consonant to one key, and a second key group in which a consonant and a vowel are assigned to one key. , On a storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to perform the above, storing a program having a conversion procedure for converting to a corresponding character based on an inputted key and its order. 18. A portable character having a first key group in which a consonant is not assigned to one key and a vowel is assigned, a second key group in which a consonant and a vowel are assigned to one key, and a third key group. In a storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to perform a process in an input device, after a key of a second key group is input to input a consonant, a key of the first key group or a third key is input. A storage medium storing a program having a conversion procedure for converting an input of a key of the key group as an input of a vowel. 19. The conversion step is characterized in that the second key group for inputting a consonant is converted by a consonant corresponding to the number of consecutive inputs to the same key and a key group of a key input as a vowel. 19. The storage medium according to claim 18, wherein a program for storing is stored. 20. The processing device according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: instructing a key on a display, wherein the converting step includes inputting a key of a second key group to input a consonant, and then inputting the key as a consonant. A first character candidate representing a converted character candidate when the key and each key of the first key group are vowels; and a vowel representing the key input as a consonant and each key of the third key group. 19. The storage medium according to claim 18, wherein a program is displayed, wherein a second character candidate indicating the converted character candidate in the case of "?"