JP3938051B2 - Character input method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a character input method for accessing an address on a network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Recently, personal computers (hereinafter simply referred to as personal computers) have become widespread and are used in a wide range, for example, in companies and homes. Furthermore, it is possible to access a network such as so-called personal computer communication or the Internet via a modem or a terminal adapter (TA) of ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) using this personal computer as a terminal.
[0003]
For example, in the case of the Internet, when it is desired to obtain information stored at a predetermined address on the network, a search / display software called a browser is used to set an address code (URL Uniform Resource Locators), for example. It can be accessed by inputting with a keyboard, mouse or the like. The URL is, for example, a scheme name (file classification, eg, http, gopher, ftp, etc.), a domain name (host type, eg, www, organization name, eg, sony, organization type, etc. co, go, etc., and country-specific codes (for example, jp)), for example, as shown below.
http://www.sony.co.jp
In this specification, a combination of an organization type and a country code will be described as an identifier name.
[0004]
Then, by accessing such a URL by inputting it into a browser, information (data) stored at an address corresponding to the URL on the network is read and obtained via a monitor device or the like It is also possible to provide information on the network by itself. However, when accessing a network using a personal computer as a terminal in this way, it is necessary to set an environment according to the hardware specifications for each personal computer.
[0005]
Therefore, a television receiver (hereinafter referred to as Internet TV) having a function capable of accessing such a network as the Internet is also known. This Internet TV is configured as a television receiver compatible with multimedia for the purpose of easily accessing a network even by a non-user such as a personal computer.
In other words, the Internet TV has a built-in modem, TA, etc., and a browser is already installed and the environment is set, so that it is possible to access the network without performing troublesome setting operations. .
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, also in Internet TV, it is necessary for a user to input a URL, and it is known that characters are input by connecting a keyboard, a mouse, and the like as in a personal computer. Therefore, it is known that a URL input screen is constructed as a browser function, and a desired character is selected and input using a remote commander or the like.
[0007]
The Internet TV 50 shown in FIG. 6 is installed with a browser as described above, and can be switched and displayed in the same manner as television broadcasting or video input by a user's selection operation. In this figure, for example, a browser 52 capable of displaying data input from a URL input unit or a network is displayed on a display unit 51 configured by a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or the like.
The browser 52 displays, for example, an icon group 53 in which alphabets and the like are converted into icons, page selection arrows 54 and 55 for changing the display form of the icon group 53 to, for example, numbers, and the characters selected by the icon group 53. A URL display unit 56, an enter icon 57 for transmitting the URL displayed on the URL display unit 56 to the server, and a pointer 58 for selecting each icon described above are displayed.
[0008]
The remote commander 59 is provided with a joystick 59a and the like capable of operating a normal television receiver and inputting position information. The pointer 58 can be moved by a command (position information) transmitted by the input of the joystick 59a, and a desired icon can be selected.
[0009]
However, as the number of characters in the URL increases, the input operation performed one character at a time becomes more complicated. In addition, the scheme name, host name, identifier name, etc. that make up the URL may be common, but in this case as well, when a new access is made, one character must be entered and the operability is good It wasn't.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a remote commander capable of improving an operation for inputting an address such as a URL and a network connection system using the remote commander.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has been made to solve such problems, For devices with network interfaces For accessing the network Address code Enter a string Remote commander that controls the above device In the character input method, the first operation Key operation Depending on the Remote commander Sequentially reads character groups from multiple character groups stored in memory And display First step and second operation Key operation According to the above order Next Read out Displayed A character string formed including a plurality of character groups determined to be input by sequentially repeating the second step of determining a character group among the character groups to be input and the first and second steps described above. , The third operation Key operation Depending on the network access Address code As a string In the above device And a third step of transmitting.
[0011]
According to the present invention, when inputting a predetermined character group constituting an address code for accessing an address on the network, it is possible to simplify an input operation performed one character at a time. As a result, input mistakes can be reduced and access can be made efficiently.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order. In the present embodiment, an example in which an Internet TV is used as a television receiver that can be connected to the Internet as a terminal will be described in the following order.
1. Configuration of Internet TV of this embodiment
2. Remote Commander configuration
2-1. Configuration of operation unit
2-2. Circuit configuration
3. URL input procedure by remote commander
[0013]
1. Configuration of Internet TV of this embodiment
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a circuit block of a video system in particular in the Internet TV 1 of the present embodiment. Note that the television system of the Internet TV 1 of the present embodiment is, for example, the NTSC (National Television System Committee) system.
The tuner 2 selects a broadcast wave such as terrestrial broadcast or satellite broadcast received by the antenna A. External input devices (not shown) (digital video, 8 mm video,..., Not shown) are connected to the external input terminals t1, t2, and t3.
[0014]
A signal output from the image generator 10 that generates and outputs a reproduction signal (image) from the tuner 2, the external input terminals t 1, t 2, t 3 and data read from the network, which will be described in detail later, is selected by the switch 3. The The switching control of the switch 3 is performed by, for example, a selection operation by the remote commander RC. For example, when the user views a broadcast program selected by the tuner 2, the terminal a is used. When viewing information (image) supplied from the network to either the terminal c or the terminal d and the network, the terminal e is connected.
[0015]
The video signal selected by the switch 3 is supplied to the video signal processing unit 4, subjected to signal processing such as synchronization signal extraction, luminance signal separation, and color difference signal formation, and is output as R, G, and B color signals. . The video signal processing unit 4 also performs signal processing such as image adjustment such as contrast and hue. In FIG. 1, the path of the synchronization signal is omitted.
The RGB signals output from the video signal processing unit 4 are supplied to a CRT 6 configured as a display unit via an RGB driver 5, and an image is formed here.
[0016]
By the way, the Internet TV 1 of the present embodiment is configured such that various information can be obtained through a network in addition to the tuner 2 and the external input device. Therefore, a terminal t4 that can be connected to a network is provided so that communication data can be input.
Since the communication data is normally encoded, the communication data input from the terminal t4 is demodulated by the interface 7 constituted by, for example, a modem or TA. Also, the interface 7 can modulate data (eg, image data, text data, etc.) and commands (eg, URL) generated inside the Internet TV 1 and transmit them to the network. Note that the interface 7 may be configured to be connected as an external device of the Internet TV 1.
[0017]
A RAM (Random Access Memory) 8 performs, for example, various arithmetic processes or the like, and communication data supplied (or transmitted) via the interface 7 and a work area 8a in which software such as a started browser is stored. The buffer area 8b is a temporary storage area.
A ROM (Read Only Memory) 9 stores, for example, application software such as a browser, and the application software is read and started when a start command is issued from the control unit 11 described later, and the work area of the RAM 8 is read. 8a. For example, the browser may be activated at the same time as the Internet TV 1 is turned on, or may be activated as needed when connecting to the network.
[0018]
The image generation unit 10 is activated and synthesizes the browser stored in the work area 8a and the communication data stored in the buffer area 8b. In this case, it is converted to the NTSC system) and output to the terminal e of the switch 3. The video signal (communication data) is subjected to various signal processing in the video signal processing unit 4.
[0019]
The control unit 11 follows a command transmitted from the remote commander RC and supplied via the light receiving unit 12 and the command demodulation unit 13, for example, channel selection in the tuner 2, switching control of the switch 3, and various signals in the video signal processing unit 4. Process control is performed.
Further, in the present embodiment, communication data is read and read from the RAM 8. For example, when displaying the communication data demodulated by the interface 7, the browser stored in the work area 8a and the communication data stored in the buffer area 8b are read at a predetermined timing and supplied to the image generation unit 10. .
When transmitting the data generated by the Internet TV 1 or a URL transmitted from the remote commander RC described later to the network, for example, the data is temporarily stored in the buffer area 8b and then read at a predetermined timing and supplied to the interface 7. To do. As a result, the data is modulated by the interface 7 and transmitted to the network.
[0020]
The remote commander RC that transmits a command to the Internet TV 1 has various operation keys that can perform a normal operation such as channel selection, a dedicated key for simplifying the input of a URL for accessing the network, and an input. Display means for monitoring is provided. Therefore, the URL input operation can be facilitated.
[0021]
2. Remote Commander configuration
2-1. Configuration of operation unit
FIG. 2 is a plan view for explaining the operation unit of the remote commander RC. The function of each operation key arranged in the remote commander RC will be described below with reference to the block diagram of the Internet TV 1 shown in FIG. 2 and FIG.
[0022]
The operation key group 20 includes, for example, a power key, a mute key, a sleep key, a dual voice key, a screen display key, a function selection key for performing image adjustment, a + key, a-key, a standard key, and the like. An operation key capable of operating a general television receiver is arranged.
An Internet key (hereinafter referred to as an INET key) 21 is an operation key for selecting a browser and displaying it on the screen of the CRT 6 when accessing the Internet. That is, by operating the INET key 21, the switch 3 is connected to the terminal e, the image generated by the image generation unit 10 is displayed, and an address on the Internet can be accessed. Hereinafter, this is referred to as Internet mode (INET mode).
[0023]
The operation key group 22 includes, for example, a TV key, video keys (1 to 3), and the like, and can switch a broadcast program or an external input channel selected by the tuner 2. That is, the switching control of the terminals a to d in the switch 3 is performed by the operation key group 22. Here, when the tuner 2 or the external input channel is selected, it is referred to as a television mode.
[0024]
The jog dial 23 moves the display position of a cursor displayed on the display window 26, which will be described later, according to the rotation direction and the rotation angle, and the URL stored in the storage means built in the remote commander RC Are provided as input means capable of selectively displaying the images sequentially.
[0025]
The number / character input key group 24 includes, for example, 12 operation keys from 1 key to 12 keys, and a number input mode or each key in which numbers 1 to 12 can be input by a predetermined selection operation. An input operation can be performed by selecting one of the character input modes in which the alphabet written below can be input. As a result, for example, selection of a broadcast channel, character input of a URL, and the like can be performed.
The operation key group 25 includes a heavy bass key for increasing / decreasing a heavy bass portion of a sound, a picture key for adjusting brightness, contrast and color density of an image, a channel up / down key, a volume up / down key, and the like. The video / audio to be monitored can be set.
[0026]
The display window 26 is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal) as a display means that can display a URL that is currently being input or preset and read by the remote commander RC when the mode is shifted to the INET mode by operating the INET key 21. Display) or the like.
The character input key 27 and the number input key 28 select whether to input a character by the 1 to 12 keys arranged in the number / character input key group 24 or to input a number when the mode is shifted to the INET mode. It is considered as an operation key. When the character input mode is selected by the character input key 27, for example, every time the 1 key is pressed, the alphabets “a”, “b”, and “c” are sequentially displayed repeatedly at the same display position of the display window 26. Similarly, for the 2nd to 12th keys, the alphabet written below each key is similarly repeatedly displayed.
In addition, when the number input key 28 is selected and the 1st to 12th keys are pressed, the numbers (1 to 12) indicated on the respective keys are input.
[0027]
The scheme key 29 can select a scheme name (for example, http) registered in advance in the remote commander RC. For example, when the scheme key 29 is pressed in the INET mode, the scheme name “http”, for example, blinks on the display window 26. When the scheme key 29 is repeatedly pressed in this state, for example, “http” → “gopher” → “ftp” The registered scheme names are replaced and displayed sequentially.
The selection key 30 can determine a scheme name, a host name, and an identifier name selected by operating a scheme key 29 and a host key 31 and an identifier key 32 described later. For example, if the selection key 30 is operated while “http” is selected by the scheme key 29, the scheme name is determined as “http”, the display is changed to the normal display, and the process proceeds to the next input operation (for example, host name input). Will be able to.
[0028]
The host key 31 can select a host name (for example, www) registered in advance in the remote commander RC. For example, when the host key 31 is pressed in the INET mode, the host name “www”, for example, blinks in the display window 26. If the host key 31 is repeatedly pressed in this state, it is registered in the same manner as the scheme key 29. The host names are displayed in sequence. Then, the host name is determined by inputting the selection key 30, and the next input operation (for example, organization name) can be performed.
[0029]
The identifier key 32 can select an identifier name (for example, co.jp, etc.) consisting of an organization type and a country code registered in advance in the remote commander RC. For example, when the identifier key 32 is pressed in the INET mode, the identifier “co.jp”, for example, blinks on the display window 26. Further, when the identifier key 32 is repeatedly pressed in this state, the stored identifier names are sequentially displayed, for example, “co.jp” → “go.jp” → “or.jp”, etc. Become so. The identifier name is determined by inputting the selection key 30. In this embodiment, the organization type and the country code are described as one identifier. However, dedicated input keys may be provided for the organization type and the country code, respectively.
[0030]
The “.” Key 33, “/” key 34, and “˜” key 35 can input “.”, “/”, “˜”, which are frequently used at the time of input, regardless of the character input mode or the number input mode. it can.
The transmission key 36 is input using the number / character input key group 24, the scheme key 29, the host key 31, the identifier key 32, and the like, and the URL displayed on the display window 26 is transmitted to the Internet TV 1 via the transmission unit 39. Send to. In the Internet TV 1, access processing for the transmitted URL is performed.
[0031]
The storage key 37 can store the input URL in the remote commander RC, and the URL once stored can be read by operating the preset key 38. Further, instead of storing URLs collectively, for example, scheme names, host names, identifier names, and the like may be stored individually.
[0032]
The preset key 38 reads the URL stored in the remote commander RC at the time of shipment or by the user and displays it on the display window 26. Then, by pressing the transmission key 36, the URL currently being displayed on the display window 26 can be transmitted. When a plurality of URLs are stored, for example, “http://www.sony.co.jp” → “http://www.abc” every time the preset key 38 is pressed as in the scheme key 29 or the like. .co.jp ”→“ http://www.def.co.jp ”, etc., may be sequentially read and displayed. Alternatively, the preset key 38 may be entered to shift to a read mode, and the jog dial 23 may be rotated to selectively read out URLs stored in accordance with the rotation direction.
[0033]
As described above, in the present invention, by providing a dedicated input key for inputting the URL, the URL input operation can be simplified.
[0034]
2-2. Circuit configuration
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a partial circuit block constituting the remote commander RC.
When a rotational input is made to the jog dial 23, the rotary encoder 40 also rotates together with the jog dial 23 and supplies an input signal to the detection unit 41.
The detection unit 41 detects the rotation angle and rotation direction of the jog dial 23 from the input signal supplied from the rotary encoder 40 and supplies the detected value to the control unit 43.
The operation key group 42 includes the operation key groups 20, 22, 25, the INET key 21, the number / character input key group 24, and the dedicated keys for inputting the URL (scheme key 29, host key 31, identifier) shown in FIG. In the case of an input operation, an input signal corresponding to the operation key is supplied to the control unit 43.
[0035]
For example, when the television mode is selected, the control unit 43 reads out the command code stored in the ROM 44 in accordance with the input signal supplied from the detection unit 41 and the operation key group 42 and sends it to the modulation unit 46. Output.
In addition, when the INET mode is selected and, for example, an input operation such as the scheme key 29, the host key 31, and the identifier key 32 is performed, the scheme name, host name, and identifier name stored in the memory area 45b of the ROM 44 or RAM 45 Are read out and stored in the buffer area 45a of the RAM 45, and the display control is performed on the display window 26.
[0036]
In the ROM 44, a command code corresponding to each operation key arranged in the operation key group 42, a scheme name read by an input operation of the scheme key 29, the host key 31, the identifier key 32, etc., a host name, an identifier name, etc. Is encoded and stored, and is read out by the control unit 43 in accordance with the input operation of each operation key.
The RAM 45 includes a buffer area 45a, a memory area 45b, and the like. In the buffer area 45a, for example, when an input operation such as the scheme key 29 is performed, a scheme name, a host name, an identifier name, and the like read from the ROM 44 are temporarily stored to construct a URL. When the transmission key 36 is input, reading from the buffer area 45a is performed, and the data is modulated by the modulation unit 46 and transmitted as, for example, an infrared command.
[0037]
The memory area 45b is configured as an area for storing a URL stored in the buffer area 45a by a user input operation. For example, by operating the storage key 37 after the user inputs the URL, the URL stored in the buffer area 45a is read and stored. Further, for example, a scheme name, a host name, an identifier name and the like input by the user using the number / character input key group 24 are stored.
Therefore, when the preset key 38 is input, the URL is read from the ROM 44 or the memory area 45b and stored in the buffer area 45a, and sequentially read by the input operation of the preset key 38 or the input of the jog dial 22 to be displayed. It will be displayed in the window 26.
[0038]
3. URL input procedure by remote commander
Next, a procedure for inputting a URL such as “http://www.sony.co.jp” using the remote commander RC will be described.
4A to 4I show characters displayed on the display window 26 when a URL is input using various operation keys.
First, when the INET key 21 is input to shift to the INET mode, the cursor C blinks on the display window 26 (FIG. 4A). In this state, when the scheme key 29 is input, for example, the scheme name “http” is displayed blinking (FIG. 4B). Here, the input of the scheme key 29 is continued until the desired scheme name is displayed. repeat. Since “http” is selected in the present embodiment, the selection key 30 is input and determined in this state. Further, the character input key 27 is used to switch to the character input mode and the “10” key or the “/” key 34 of the number / character input key group 24 is input to input “:”, “/”, “/” ( FIG. 4 (c)). Although not shown, the display position of the cursor C moves to the right every time “:”, “/”, and “/” are input.
[0039]
Further, when “:” and “/” “/” are respectively input, it is possible to shift to the next input operation without inputting the selection key 30 each time. Further, for example, the scheme names “http” and “:” “/” “/” are stored in advance in the memory area 45b as one scheme name, and the scheme key 29 is entered, for example, “http: //”. You may make it display.
[0040]
When the input of “: //” is completed, the cursor C is displayed on the right side of the input, and the operation proceeds to the host name input operation. Here, by operating the host key 31, for example, the host name “www” is displayed blinking instead of the cursor C (FIG. 4D). In this state, the selection key 30 is input to select the host name “www” (FIG. 4E).
Further, in order to delimit the host name as “www”, “.” Is input by the “.” Key 33, and the operation shifts to an organization name input operation. The host name 31 may be stored in advance in the memory area 45b so that the host name and “.” Are displayed simultaneously, for example, “www.” By inputting the host key 31.
[0041]
The organization name is entered using the input keys arranged in the number / character input key group 24. For example, when inputting the four characters "sony", first select "s" with the "7" key. It is determined by the key 30 (FIG. 4 (f)), and the input operation is performed using the “5” key, the “9” key, and the selection key 30 for the characters “o”, “n”, and “y”. (Fig. 4 (g) (h) (i)). When the input of “sony” is completed, “.” Is input with the “.” Key 33 to delimit the organization name (FIG. 4 (j)), and the process proceeds to input of the identifier name.
[0042]
By operating the identifier key 32 here, for example, the identifier “co.jp” is displayed in a blinking manner (FIG. 4 (k)). Here, the input of the URL “http://www.sony.co.jp” is completed by inputting the selection key 30 to select the identifier “co.jp”. (FIG. 4 (l)). If this input is correct, the transmission key 36 is input and the URL is transmitted as a command to the Internet TV 1.
In this embodiment, the organization type (for example, co, go, etc.) and the country code (for example, jp) are described as one identifier. However, each input is provided by providing a dedicated input key. May be.
[0043]
When the storage key 37 is operated in the state shown in FIG. 4L, the URL “http://www.sony.co.jp” is stored in the memory area 45b, and the preset key 38 is used as necessary. It can be read out. As a result, when the URL “http://www.sony.co.jp” is frequently accessed, there is no need to input it each time.
[0044]
Hereinafter, the flow of the URL input procedure will be described according to the flowchart shown in FIG.
First, the INET key 21 is entered to switch to the INET mode (S001), the cursor C blinks on the display window 26, and the operation moves to the scheme name input operation (S002 → S003). If the scheme name blinking and displayed by the input of the scheme key 29 is acceptable (S004), the process proceeds to step S005 and the scheme name is determined by the selection key 30. Here, “: //” is also displayed together with the scheme name. If the scheme name blinking is not desired, the process returns to step S003 to repeatedly input the scheme key 29 until the desired scheme name is displayed.
[0045]
When the scheme name is determined in steps S003 to S005, the host key 31 is next input to shift to the host name input operation (S006). If the host name blinking and displayed by the input of the host key 31 is acceptable (S007), the process proceeds to step S008 and the host name is determined by the selection key 30. Here, it is assumed that “.” Is also displayed together with the host name. If the host name blinking is not desired, the process returns to step S006 and the host key 31 is repeatedly input until the desired host name is displayed.
[0046]
When the host name is determined in steps S006 to S008, the cursor blinks on the right side of the host name, and the number / character input key group 24 and the selection key 30 are used to input the organization name (for example, “sony.”). Transition (S009). When the input of the organization name is completed (S010), the identifier key 32 is input and the operation proceeds to the identifier name input operation (S011). Here, when the identifier name blinking and displayed by the input of the identifier key 32 is acceptable (S012), the process proceeds to step S013 and the identifier name is determined by the selection key 30.
[0047]
If the URL input from step S003 to step S013 is acceptable (S014), the process proceeds to step S015, the transmission key 36 is input, and the URL displayed on the display window 26 is transferred to the Internet TV1. In the Internet TV 1 that has received this, an access process for the URL is performed.
If the entered URL is not correct, return to the scheme name, host name, organization name, and identifier name input steps as shown by the broken lines so that the input operation can be individually performed again. Also good.
If it is desired to store the URL after the transmission key 36 is input in step S015, the storage key 37 may be input.
[0048]
Thus, in the present invention, when inputting a URL for accessing the Internet or the like, for example, a scheme key 29, which can collectively input a character group indicating a scheme name, a host name, an identifier name, etc., Since the host key 31, the identifier key 32, and the like are provided, the input operation can be simplified and input errors can be reduced.
Further, since the input URL can be stored in the memory area 45a of the remote commander RC, for example, when the same URL is to be accessed next time, it is read out from the memory area 45a and transmitted by operating the preset key 38, the jog dial 23, etc. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the input operation of the frequently accessed URL.
Furthermore, since the URL is stored in the remote commander RC, the remote commander RC is carried and carried, and the URL is input to the television receivers located elsewhere by the same input operation. Will be able to.
In the above embodiment, the television receiver has been described as an example. However, the present invention can be applied to, for example, a personal computer, a set top box, and the like.
[0049]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when inputting an address or the like for accessing a network such as the Internet, each character group such as a scheme name, a host name, and an identifier name is formed as a character string as an address. Can be input by selecting a character group instead of inputting one character at a time.
Thereby, the input operation can be simplified and input mistakes can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram particularly of a video system of a television receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating an operation unit of a remote commander according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a partial circuit block constituting the remote commander shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a URL input operation procedure according to a display form of a display window in the remote commander.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a URL input operation procedure;
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a conventional example in which a URL is input to a browser.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 TV receiver, 2 tuner, 3 switch, 4 video signal processor, 5 RGB driver, 6 CRT, 7 interface, 8 RAM, 8a work area, 8b buffer area, 9 ROM, 10 image generator, 11 controller , 12 Light receiver, 13 Command demodulator, RC remote commander, 21 Internet key, 26 Display window, 29 Scheme key, 30 Select key, 31 Host key, 32 Identifier key, 36 Send key, 37 Store key, 38 Preset key, 23 Jog dial, 44 ROM, 45 RAM, 45a Buffer area, 45b Memory area, 46 Modulator,

Claims (6)

In a character input method of a remote commander for controlling the above-mentioned device for inputting an address code character string for accessing the network to a device having a network interface .
In response to operation of the first operation key, from among a plurality of character groups stored in advance in the remote commander memory, a first step of displaying sequentially read out the character group,
In response to operation of the second operation keys, a second step of inputting determining one character group among the above sequential read character group that appears,
An address code for accessing a network of a character string formed by including a plurality of character groups input and determined by sequentially repeating the first and second steps according to the operation of the third operation key. A third step of sending to the device as a string;
A character input method comprising: The character input method according to claim 1, wherein the device is a television receiver. The character input method according to claim 1, wherein the device is a computer. The character input method according to claim 1, wherein the device is a set top box. The character input method according to claim 1, wherein the network interface is externally connected to the device. The character input method according to claim 1, wherein the operation of the first operation key is a rotation operation of a jog dial.

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