JP3521870B2 - Cellular phone, character input method used therefor, and recording medium recording control program therefor - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mobile phone, a character input method used for the mobile phone, and a recording medium having a control program recorded therein, and more particularly to a character input method for an electronic mail or a telephone directory in the mobile phone.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the character input function of a mobile phone, as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of characters grouped into numeric keys "1" to "0" and keys such as "*" and "#". Have been assigned.

In this character input function, as shown in FIG. 9, a desired character is selected by pressing the number keys a plurality of times, and a different number key is pressed or the cursor is moved to the right one character (the next input position). You are typing by operating. For this reason, when inputting different consonant characters, you can simply press different number keys, but when you continue to input the same consonant character, be sure to update the cursor to the right by one character. Input cannot be done without operating the button.

Operation of the conventional character input function is shown in FIG.
~ It demonstrates with reference to FIG. For example, "su", "shi"
In this case, when the user first selects "Hiragana input", the software sets "0000" in the character code buffer for initialization (step S31 in FIG. 13). No character or function is assigned to this value “0000”.

After the initialization, the software displays a cursor at the input position on the display unit (step S32 in FIG. 13),
The key press is monitored (step S33 in FIG. 13). For example, the user presses the numeric key "3" to enter "su".
When is pressed, it is recognized as a numeric key (see FIG. 13).
In step S34), it is determined whether or not it is the same as the numeric key pressed immediately before (step S40 in FIG. 14).

If it is not the same as the previously pressed numeric key, the value of the character code buffer selected immediately before is copied to the character data memory (step S4 in FIG. 14).
6), the cursor at the input position is updated to the right by one character (Fig. 1
4 step S47). However, when the value of the character code buffer is “0000” (step S4 in FIG. 14).
5), the value of the character code buffer is not copied to the character data memory, and the first character code assigned to the pressed numeric key is set in the character code buffer (step S48 in FIG. 14).

In this case, the character code of the first character "sa" assigned to the "3" key is set in the character code buffer (step S48 in FIG. 14), and the character "sa" is displayed (step S14 in FIG. 14). S43), and returns to the monitoring of key depression (step S33 in FIG. 13).

When the user presses the "3" key for the second time, it is the same as the previous key (step S4 in FIG. 14).
0), it is determined whether or not the value of the character code buffer is the character code of the last character assigned to the pressed numeric key (step S41 in FIG. 14). The character code is set (step S44 in FIG. 14), and the character code in the character code buffer is updated except for the last character (step S42 in FIG. 14).

In this case, it is judged whether the value of the character code buffer is the character code of the last character "so" assigned to the "3" key (step S41 in FIG. 14),
Since the value of the character code buffer is the character code of “sa”, the value of the character code buffer is updated to the character code of “shi” (step S42 in FIG. 14) and “shi” is displayed (FIG. 1).
4 step S43), and returns to the monitoring of key press (step S33 in FIG. 13).

When the user presses the "3" key for the third time, the procedure is the same as that for the second time and the same as the previous key (step S40 in FIG. 14). It is determined whether the character code is “” (step S41 in FIG. 14). Since the value of the character code buffer is the character code of “shi”, the value of the character code buffer is updated to the character code of “su” (FIG. 14). Step S4
2), “S” is displayed (step S43 in FIG. 14), and the process returns to the monitoring of key press (step S33 in FIG. 13).

If the user presses the "right" key instead of the number key before inputting "shi" (step S35 in FIG. 13), the value of the character code buffer is copied to the unused character data memory. (Step S49 in FIG. 16), the cursor at the input position is updated by one character to the right (Step S50 in FIG. 16), and the process returns to the monitoring of key press (Step S3 in FIG. 13).
3). Then, the number key "3" is pressed to start displaying "sa" in the same manner as the first character.

[0012]

In the character input function of the above-mentioned conventional mobile phone, when the characters of the same consonant are successively input, the key operation for updating the cursor position to the right by one character is always performed, and then the numeral is input. There is a problem that the characters of the same consonant cannot be input unless the key is operated.

As a method of reducing the number of key operations,
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-115323 describes a method in which the order of updating character codes can be switched between normal and reverse by key operation. However, in this method, every time the order of updating the character code is switched, a key operation other than character input occurs once.

Further, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-112895 discloses a method of reducing key operations by arranging character code updates in order of frequency of use rather than in the order of the Japanese syllabary. However, in this method, key operations are increased when inputting a character that is rarely used, so that it may have an adverse effect depending on the character string.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and to reduce the number of key operations and the time required to input characters when successively inputting characters assigned to the same key. (EN) Provided is a mobile phone, a character input method used for the mobile phone, and a recording medium having a control program therefor.

[0016]

A mobile phone according to the present invention is a mobile phone having a key to which a plurality of characters, each of which is grouped, is assigned and which has at least a character input function for an electronic mail or a telephone directory using the key. On a telephone, when continuously inputting characters assigned to the same key in response to pressing a preset key, pressing the first time will input the previous character and move the cursor on the display screen. Means for moving to the next input position and displaying the first character assigned to the same key as the character input immediately before are provided.

The character input method for a mobile phone according to the present invention is a method for a mobile phone in which a plurality of characters grouped into keys are assigned and at least a character input function for an electronic mail or a telephone directory using the keys is installed. A character input method, in which when the characters assigned to the same key are continuously input in response to the pressing of a preset predetermined key, the first pressing and the input of the previous character are performed by the first pressing. There is a step of moving the cursor to the next input position and displaying the leading character assigned to the same key as the character entered immediately before.

A recording medium in which a character input control program for a mobile phone according to the present invention is recorded is assigned with a plurality of characters, each group being assigned to a key, and at least a character input function for an electronic mail or a telephone directory using the key. A recording medium for recording a character input control program for a mobile phone equipped with the character input control program, wherein the character input control program causes a computer to continuously display characters assigned to the same key in response to depression of a predetermined key. When inputting, input the previous character with the first press, move the cursor to the next input position on the display screen, and display the first character assigned to the same key as the previously input character. It is done.

That is, the mobile phone of the present invention is a mobile phone having a character input function such as an electronic mail transmission / reception function and a telephone directory function, and when the characters assigned to the same key are continuously input, the number of times the key is operated. To improve the operability.

In a conventional mobile telephone equipped with a character input function, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of characters are assigned to one numeric key, and one numeric key is depressed as shown in FIG. Every time you do, the assigned characters are displayed in order.

In order to input the displayed characters, a number key different from the number key just pressed is pressed, or
It is necessary to press the "right" key to move the cursor right by one character.

To explain this operation in a concrete example, as shown in FIG. 10, when inputting the hiragana "su", pressing the number key "3" three times causes "su" to be displayed.
To input "su", press a numeric key other than "3" or a "right" key.

However, in this method, when the characters of different consonants are successively input, the input of the immediately preceding character, the movement of the cursor to the right by one character, and the assignment to the numerical keys are performed only by pressing another numeric key. Although it is possible to display the first character, if you want to continue inputting the same consonant character, press the "Right" key once to enter the previous character and move the cursor to the right one character. Only after performing the procedure, the first character assigned to the numeric key cannot be displayed by pressing the numeric key.

This operation will be described with reference to a specific example. As shown in FIG. 11, when "su" and "shi" are continuously input,
Press the “3” key three times to display “”, then press the “Right” key once to enter the previous character and move the cursor to 1
After performing the operation of moving to the right of the character, the "shi" is displayed when the "3" key is pressed twice.

Therefore, when continuously inputting the characters of the same consonant, in addition to operating the number keys, the operation of pressing the "right" key is added, and compared to the case of continuously inputting the characters of different consonants. There is a problem that the procedure of input operation is increased by one time.

On the other hand, in the mobile phone of the present invention, 1
The function to input the previous character by the second press, move the cursor to the right one character, and display the first character of the same consonant as the character entered immediately before, and the same consonant with the second and subsequent presses. By equipping the "Repeat" key with the function to display characters in order, it is possible to continuously input the same consonant characters without pressing the "Right" key. It is possible to successively input the same consonant characters with fewer key operations than the technology of.

This operation will be described with reference to a specific example. As shown in FIG. 12, when inputting "su" and "shi" successively, pressing the "3" key three times causes "su" to disappear. By pressing the "Repeat" key once, the "su" input and the cursor right move by one character and the first character "sa" assigned to the "3" key is displayed. And are done.

Then, by pressing the "repeat" key once, "shi" is displayed, and by pressing any one of the numeric keys other than the "repeat" key, the second character " It is possible to input “”, move the cursor to the right by one character, and display the first character assigned to the pressed numeric key.

As described above, the key operation of the present invention is the number of times of character input only, the number of key operations does not increase or decrease depending on the frequency of use, and the number of key operations is smaller than that of the conventional technique. The property is improved.

[0030]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external view of a mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the mobile phone 1 includes a numeric key 11 and a multi-function key 1.
2, an input mode key 13, an e-mail key 14,
A “repeat” key 15, a redial key 16, a call key 17, an end call key 18, and a display unit 19 are provided.

The number key 11 is "1" in the number input mode.
Although the number "0" is assigned, multiple hiragana characters are assigned to one number key in the hiragana input mode such as creating an e-mail transmission document or inputting a phone book, as shown in FIG. , One numeric key displays the assigned hiragana each time it is pressed.

The multifunction key 12 can be pushed vertically as well as vertically and horizontally, and has five functions. Input mode key 13 is "Numeric input",
Used to switch "Hiragana input" etc. The e-mail key 14 is used to switch between the "telephone mode" and the "e-mail mode".

The "repeat" key 15 is used for successively inputting the same consonant characters in the hiragana input mode. When pressed, the previous character is input, the cursor is moved one character to the right, and the immediately preceding consonant is input. You can display and the characters. The “repeat” key 15 has a function of sequentially displaying the consonant characters input immediately after the second and subsequent pressing.

Numeric keys 11, multi-function key 12, input mode key 13, electronic mail key 14, "repeat" key 15, redial key 16, call key 1
7. The function of each of the 7 and end call keys 18 is assigned by software, and the function can be changed by changing the software.

The display unit 109 is an LCD (Liquid C
A device capable of displaying characters such as a physical display (display) is used, and displays necessary information for the user such as input characters, contents of a telephone directory, and electronic mail documents.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the mobile phone 1 of FIG. In FIG. 2, the mobile phone 1 is C
PU (central processing unit) 21, RAM (random access memory) 22, ROM (read only memory) 23
And a radio section circuit 24 and a CPU peripheral circuit 25.

Software is stored in the ROM 23, and the CPU 21 reads the software from the ROM 23 and executes it to control the radio section circuit 24 and the CPU peripheral circuit 25. The RAM 22 is a readable / writable memory used by the CPU 21 as a work area, and a character code buffer and a character data memory are also allocated in the RAM 22.

Although not shown in the figure, the radio section circuit 24 is composed of a radio transmission / reception circuit and a baseband encoding / decoding circuit. The CPU peripheral circuit 25 also has an internal structure, which is not shown, but includes a key switch circuit, a display circuit, a timer circuit, an address decoder circuit, and a voice circuit.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the RAM 22 of FIG. In FIG. 3, the character code buffer 22a is R
The AM 22 is mapped to a continuous area of addresses "Y" to "Y + 1", and the character data memory 22b is mapped to a continuous area of addresses "X" to "X + N-1".

The character code buffer 22a and the character data memory 22b can be read from and written to by the CPU 21, and the character code buffer 22a allows the character code selected while the user operates the numeric keys or the repeat key to select a character. Is an area to be written by the CPU 21, and the character data memory 22b stores the CPU after the user operates the number keys or the repeat key to input characters.
This is an area where the value of the character code buffer 22a is copied by 21. The character data written in the character data memory 22b is registered as a telephone directory or an e-mail transmission document by a user operation.

4 to 7 are flow charts showing the character input processing in the mobile phone 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The character input processing in the mobile phone 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The processing operations shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 are realized by the CPU 21 executing a program stored in the ROM 23, and a medium for recording the program may be an IC (integrated circuit) memory other than the ROM 23. .

For example, when inputting the characters of the same consonant such as "su" and "shi", when the user selects "Hiragana input", the CPU 21 causes the character code buffer # 1 and the character code buffer 22a of the character code buffer 22a. The value of # 2 is initialized to "0000" (step S1 in FIG. 4). Here, no character or function is assigned to the value “0000”.

After the initialization is completed, the CPU 21 displays a cursor at the input position on the display unit 19 (step S2 in FIG. 4) and monitors the depression of the key (step S3 in FIG. 4). When the user presses the number key "3" to input "su", the CPU 21 recognizes that the number key 11 is pressed (step S4 in FIG. 4), and is it the same as the number key 11 pressed immediately before? It is determined (step S10 in FIG. 5).

When the "repeat" key 15 is not pressed immediately before (not at the same time as the numerical key 11 pressed immediately before) (step S16 in FIG. 6), the value of the character code buffer # 1 selected immediately before. Unused character data memory 2
2b (step S18 in FIG. 6), and the cursor at the input position on the display unit 19 is updated to the right by one character (the next input position) (step S19 in FIG. 6).

However, just before the "repeat" key 1
When 5 is pressed (step S16 in FIG. 6),
The value of the character code buffer # 2 is copied to the unused character data memory 22b (step S17 in FIG. 6), and the display unit 1
The cursor at the input position of 9 is updated to the right by one character (step S19 in FIG. 6).

The value of the character code buffer # 1 is "0".
In the case of 000 "(step S15 in FIG. 6), the value of the character code buffer # 1 or the character code buffer # 2 is not copied to the character data memory 22b, and the first character assigned to the pressed numeric key is displayed. The character code is set in the character code buffer # 1 and the character code buffer # 2 (step S20 in FIG. 6).

In this case, the character code of the first character "sa" assigned to the "3" key is set in the character code buffer # 1 and the character code buffer # 2 (step S20 in FIG. 6), and the character "sa" is set. Is displayed (step S1 in FIG. 5).
3) Return to the monitoring of key press (step S3 in FIG. 4).

When the user presses the “3” key for the second time, the pressing of the numeric key 11 is recognized (step S in FIG. 4).
4) Since it is the same as the key pressed immediately before (step S10 in FIG. 5), it is determined whether the value of the character code buffer # 1 is the character code of the last character assigned to the pressed numeric key 11. (FIG. 5 step S11), if it is the last character, the character code of the first character is set in the character code buffer # 1 (FIG. 5 step S14),
For characters other than the last character, the character code in the character code buffer # 1 is updated (step S12 in FIG. 5).

In this case, it is judged whether the value of the character code buffer # 1 is the character code of the last character "so" assigned to the "3" key (step S11 in FIG. 5).
Since the value of the character code buffer # 1 is the character code of "sa", the value of the character code buffer # 1 is updated to the character code of "shi" (step S12 in FIG. 5), and "shi" is displayed (Fig. 5 step S13), returning to the monitoring of key press (FIG. 4).
Step S3).

When the user presses the "3" key for the third time, similarly to the second process, the press of the numeric key 11 is recognized (step S4 in FIG. 4), which is the same as the key pressed immediately before. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the value of the character code buffer # 1 is the character code of the last character "so" (step S11 of FIG. 5), and the character of which the value is "shi" in the character code buffer # 1 is determined. Since it is a code, the value of the character code buffer # 1 is updated to the character code of "su" (step S12 in FIG. 5), and "su" is displayed (step S in FIG. 5).
13), and returns to the monitoring of key press (step S3 in FIG. 4).

Next, the user presses the "repeat" key 15 instead of the "3" key in order to input "shi" which is the same consonant as "su". The CPU 21 recognizes that the "repeat" key 15 has been pressed (step S5 in FIG. 4), and when the "repeat" key 15 is the first press (step S5 in FIG. 7).
21), the value of the immediately preceding character code buffer # 1 is copied to the unused character data memory 22b (step S2 in FIG. 7).
7), the cursor at the input position on the display unit 19 is updated to the right by one character (step S28 in FIG. 7).

However, the value of the character code buffer # 2 is "0".
In the case of "000" (step S26 in FIG. 7), since the "repeat" key 15 is pressed without pressing the previous numeric key 11, the value of the character code buffer # 1 is copied to the character data memory 22b. The cursor at the input position is not updated to the right by one character, and a warning sound is emitted from an audio circuit (not shown) (step S29 in FIG. 7), and the key press monitoring is resumed (step S3 in FIG. 4).

In this case, the character code of the value "Su" in the character code buffer # 1 is set to the unused character data memory 22b.
(Fig. 7 step S27), the cursor is updated to the right by one character (Fig. 7 step S28), "sa" set in the character code buffer # 2 is displayed (Fig. 7 step S24), and the key is pressed. Return to monitoring (Fig. 4, step S
3).

When the user presses the "repeat" key 15 for the second time, the depression of the "repeat" key 15 is recognized (step S5 in FIG. 4), and the "repeat" key 15 is not the first press (step in FIG. 7). S21), it is determined whether the value of the character code buffer # 2 is the character code of the last character "so" assigned to the "3" key (step S22 in FIG. 7), and the value of the character code buffer # 2 is " Since it is a character code of "sa", the value of the character code buffer # 2 is updated to the character code of "shi" (step S23 in FIG. 7).
“SHI” is displayed (step S24 in FIG. 7), and the process returns to the monitoring of key depression (step S3 in FIG. 4).

Next, it is assumed that the user presses a numeric key other than the "repeat" key 15 for inputting characters following "su" and "shi", for example, "8" key for inputting "ya". . In this case, as in the case of the "3" key, the CPU
21 is recognized as the numeric key 11 (step S4 in FIG. 4), unlike the numeric key 11 pressed immediately before (step S10 in FIG. 5), the value of the character code buffer # 1 is "00".
The value of the character code buffer # 2 is stored in the unused character data memory 22b instead of "00" (step S15 in FIG. 6) and the key pressed immediately before is the "repeat" key 15 (step S16 in FIG. 6). (Step S1 in FIG. 6)
7).

After that, the CPU 21 updates the position of the cursor at the input position on the display unit 19 to the right by one character (step S19 in FIG. 6) and assigns the "8" key to the character code buffer # 1 and the character code buffer # 2. The character code of the first character "ya" that has been set is set (step S2 in FIG. 6).
0), display the character "ya" (step S13 in FIG. 5),
It returns to the monitoring of the key press (step S3 in FIG. 4). When “ya” is displayed, “shi” is also entered after “su” that was previously entered.

As described above, when continuously inputting the characters of the same consonant, the user does not need to update the cursor to the right by one character. Therefore, when the e-mail transmission document is created, the key operation is generally performed. The number of times can be reduced, and the time required for character input can be shortened.

In the case of katakana input and alphanumeric input, one numeric key 11 is used as in the case of hiragana input described above.
When a katakana input is made, the "repeat" key 15 is effective when a character having the same consonant is inputted as in the case of hiragana input. Also, in the case of alphanumeric input, when you continuously input the alphabet assigned to one numeric key, the "Repeat" key 1
5 is effective.

[0059]

As described above, according to the present invention, a mobile telephone in which a plurality of characters, each of which is grouped, are assigned to a key, and which is equipped with a character input function for at least an electronic mail or a telephone directory using the key. In, in response to the pressing of a preset key, when continuously inputting the characters assigned to the same key, pressing the first time will input the previous character and the next input position of the cursor on the display screen. By moving to and displaying the first character assigned to the same key as the previously entered character, the number of key operations can be reduced when continuously entering the characters assigned to the same key. There is an effect that the time required for character input can be shortened.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the mobile phone of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a RAM shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a character input process in the mobile phone according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a character input process in the mobile phone according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a character input process in the mobile phone according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a character input process in the mobile phone according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a correspondence of a hiragana which is cracked on a numeric key.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a first example of a hiragana input process using numeric keys.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second example of a hiragana input process using a numeric key.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a third example of a hiragana input process using numeric keys.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a fourth example of a hiragana input process using numeric keys.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a character input process in a conventional mobile phone.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a character input process in a conventional mobile phone.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a character input process in a conventional mobile phone.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 mobile phone 11 number keys 12 Multi-function key 13 Input mode key 14 Email Key 15 “Repeat” key 16 redial key 17 Call key 18 End talk key 19 Display 21 CPU 22 RAM 23 ROM 24 Radio circuit 25 CPU peripheral circuit

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── --- Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A 2002-41217 (JP, A) JP-A 2001-67169 (JP, A) JP-A 11-327762 (JP, A) JP-A 2-101570 ( JP, A) JP 61-122734 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 3/02 360 G06F 3/023 H03M 11/08 H04M 1/00

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] 1. A mobile phone in which a plurality of characters, each of which is grouped into a key, is assigned and which is equipped with at least a character input function for an electronic mail or a telephone directory using the key, wherein a predetermined key is set in advance. When continuously inputting the characters assigned to the same key in response to the pressing of, pressing the first time will input the previous character, move the cursor to the next input position on the display screen, and input the previous character. A mobile phone having means for displaying the first character assigned to the same key as the character. 2. The mobile phone according to claim 1, further comprising means for displaying the characters assigned to the same key in order by the second and subsequent pressings in response to the pressing of the predetermined key. 3. The mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined key is a repeat key arranged exclusively for the predetermined key. 4. The mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein at least one of hiragana, katakana, letters and symbols is assigned to the key. 5. A character input method for a mobile phone, wherein a plurality of characters, each of which is grouped into a key, is assigned and at least a character input function for an electronic mail or a telephone directory using the key is provided, which is preset. When the characters assigned to the same key are continuously input in response to the pressing of the specified key that was pressed, the first pressing will input the previous character and move the cursor to the next input position on the display screen. A character input method comprising the step of displaying the first character assigned to the same key as the character input immediately before. 6. The character input method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of, in response to the pressing of the predetermined key, displaying the characters assigned to the same key in the second and subsequent pressings in order. 7. The character input method according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined key is a repeat key arranged exclusively for the predetermined key. 8. The character input method according to claim 5, wherein at least one of hiragana, katakana, letters and symbols is assigned to the key. 9. A recording medium in which a character input control program of a mobile phone, to which keys are assigned a plurality of characters, each of which is grouped, and which has a character input function for at least an electronic mail or a telephone directory using the keys, is recorded. The character input control program is set to 1 when continuously inputting characters assigned to the same key to a computer in response to pressing of a predetermined key set in advance.
It is characterized by inputting the last character, moving the cursor to the next input position on the display screen, and displaying the first character assigned to the same key as the last input character at the second press. A recording medium recording a character input control program.