JP4069411B2 - Character input method and portable terminal using it - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a character input method for improving an operation speed when inputting characters to a portable terminal including a portable information device such as a portable telephone device and a PDA, and a portable information device such as a portable telephone device and a PDA using the method. Including portable terminals.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Mobile information devices such as mobile phone devices and PDAs (hereinafter referred to as “portable terminals”) have been miniaturized to facilitate portability. As the miniaturization of these portable terminals progresses, the space for placing keys decreases, and only a limited number of keys can be placed, and some functions should be shared by the operation of one key. I have to be. A typical example is character input.
[0003]
For example, with respect to character input of hiragana, katakana, and English characters, several characters are assigned to one numeric keypad. A key arrangement of a general mobile phone device is shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, for hiragana and katakana, one numeric keypad is assigned to each line, such as “A (a)”, “ka (ka)”, etc., and 50 characters are selected using ten numeric keys. To enter automatically.
[0004]
For example, to enter the “ko” character of hiragana, after pressing the “ka” key assigned to 2 on the numeric keypad, the characters “ki”, “ku”, and “ke” are displayed in sequence. Then, the character “ko” is displayed on the screen and is confirmed by five key operations (this is called a sharpening method). The same is true for the alphabet. The alphabet letters A, B, C,... Are assigned to nine numeric keys. For example, in order to input “Z”, the (WXYZ) key assigned to the numeric keypad 9 is pressed in order. After “W”, “X”, and “Y” are displayed in the order of the screen, “Z” is displayed on the screen and determined by four key operations. Therefore, there is a problem that it takes a very long time to input characters.
[0005]
For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-195176 (Prior Art 1) proposes a portable terminal intended to easily perform such character input and its character input method. In the first example, as shown in FIG. 8, an input key 9 having a set of four input keys [I, II, III, IV] is provided on the side of the main body of the mobile phone device, and a specific input key among them is provided. A character can be input by operating the input key 8 on the front of the main body while pressing.
[0006]
In this way, by simultaneously specifying the combination of the input key 8 and the input key 9, it is possible to uniquely determine the input character with two key operations.
[0007]
By the way, the input key 9 in FIG. 8 of the prior example 1 is arranged on the side surface of the main body, and [I, II, III, IV] constituting the input key 9 is the person who uses the cellular phone device. It is arranged in the part corresponding to the finger [index finger, middle finger, ring finger, little finger] when holding the hand.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in order for the four input keys 9 to correspond to the four fingers of a person with individual differences, certain restrictions are inevitably imposed on the key interval and mounting position on the mounting, and how to take the layout margin Depending on the situation, there is a possibility that the operability is lowered and multiple selection malfunctions are caused. In addition, it may be a limiting factor for further miniaturization of the portable terminal in the future, or it may become a factor that presses the mounting space used for other functions as the number of functions increases.
[0009]
In the first example, for example, when inputting “e”, the “a” key in 8 is pressed down while the “III” key in 9 is held down. If you intend to enter "e" but have entered the character "e", you need to disable the character entry for "u" and re-enter the character "e" and confirm it. However, it is not clarified how to process in the prior example 1.
[0010]
Although the prior example 1 is an attempt to eliminate the complexity of the operation by character input using only the front input key as in the prior art, there is still a problem with its realization.
[0011]
On the other hand, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-16635 (Prior Art 2) makes a useful proposal regarding effective use of the front surface of a small mobile phone device and improvement of operability. In the preceding example 2, the pointing device generally used in a personal computer is also applied to a mobile phone, and the display screen of the mobile phone is operated in the same manner as a personal computer while operating the pointing device with one finger. Scrolls or moves the cursor freely.
[0012]
Prior Example 2 discloses an example in which a jog dial is used as a pointing device. The jog dial has already been put to practical use in the current mobile phone device, and is usually provided on the front as a front jog for switching the left phone book key, the right function key, the up / down key of the phone book, the decision key, Although it is recognized that the front space can be used effectively by providing a jog dial on the back of the mobile phone as in the preceding example 2, or that further downsizing can be realized, the preceding example 2 The contents beyond the proposal that the image position pointing device and the pointing device for inputting the coordinate position on the screen are provided on the back of the mobile phone are not shown.
[0013]
An object of the present invention is to provide an input method capable of inputting characters with a small number of key operations and good operability, and a portable terminal using the input method.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a character input method according to the present invention is a portable terminal that is held and used with one hand.
A front side input key consisting of a numeric keypad and a symbol key is arranged on the front side of the portable terminal at a position where it can be operated with the thumb of the hand holding the portable terminal ,
On the back side of the portable terminal, a four-way key that recognizes up, down, left, and right as a character input selection key is arranged at a position where it can be operated with the index finger of the hand holding the portable terminal ,
Each of the front-side input keys is assigned a character sequence including a plurality of types of characters. When the front-side input key is input, the four-way key is not input, and the four-way key is moved up, down, left, or right. Corresponding to the case of inputting at a position, one of a maximum of five types of characters included in the character sequence assigned to the input front side input key is selectively input. .
[0015]
When inputting kana characters, each of the numeric keys on the front-side input key is assigned a character sequence from line A to line A, and when the four-way key is not input, When the characters in that row in the assigned character sequence are input from the top, bottom, left or right of the four-way key, the characters in the top row, back row, back row, and row are selectively entered. ,
If the input character is muddy, semi-voiced, stuttering, or prompting,
Furthermore, the front side input keys are selectively input by inputting them together in a predetermined combination .
[0017]
A portable terminal according to the present invention is a portable terminal that is used by being held with one hand,
A front-side input key consisting of a numeric keypad and a symbol key is arranged on the front side of the portable terminal at a position where it can be operated with the thumb of the hand holding the portable terminal, and four directions for recognizing up, down, left and right on the back side of the portable terminal Place the key in a position where it can be operated with the index finger of the hand holding the handheld device ,
Each of the front-side input keys is assigned a character sequence including a plurality of types of characters, and corresponds to a case where the four-way key is not input and a case where the four-way key is input at any of the upper, lower, left and right positions. Among the characters included in the character sequence assigned to the input front side input key, one of five types of characters is selectively input.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention provides a method for inputting characters more quickly by an operation with a limited number of keys when inputting characters by key input to a portable terminal, and a portable type configured using the character input method. A terminal is provided.
[0020]
(First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Referring to FIG. 1, a plurality of keys 1 to which other symbols and specific functions are assigned are arranged on the front of a portable terminal body 1 according to the present invention, with a numeric key 0 to 9 as a center. Of course, the keys other than the numeric keys 0 to 9 and a plurality of keys 1 assigned with specific functions include function keys for performing telephone book keys, e-mail, Internet, etc., up / down keys, and a front jog including a decision key. It may be.
[0021]
In the portable terminal, since the number of keys to be arranged is limited, conventionally, when inputting a character, the character is input by pressing the key a plurality of times by a combination of these keys.
[0022]
FIG. 2 shows a back surface of the portable terminal body B according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the present invention, on the back of the portable terminal main body B shown in FIG. 1, as shown in FIG. 2, as the character input selection key 2, the up arrow key 2A, the right arrow key 2B, the down arrow key 2C, and the left arrow key 2D. There are four direction keys for recognizing up, down, left, and right by the four types of keys. The character input selection key 2 has a plurality of characters, symbols or functions assigned to one of the front-side input keys 1. When operating the character input selection key 2, the portable terminal is held with one hand. When it is held, it is operated by pressing it with a finger (for example, an index finger) located on the back side of the portable terminal body B.
[0023]
Next, an example of a character input operation in the portable terminal having the configuration shown in FIGS. FIG. 3 shows an example of character allocation to the twelve input keys 1 in FIG. 1 showing the first embodiment of the present invention. Switching between numbers, hiragana, katakana and alphabets shall be performed by other key operations, etc., in the prescribed manner.
[0024]
First, a case where hiragana is input will be described. Assume that the input mode is set to the hiragana mode by another predetermined method.
[0025]
First, when inputting “A”, without pressing any of the character input selection keys 2 shown in FIG. 2, the (A) key shown in FIG. 3 is pressed with the thumb or the finger of the other hand. Press the function key to confirm. Second, when inputting “I”, the character input selection key 2 is pressed with the finger located on the back side of the index finger or the like by pressing the (A) key shown in FIG. 3 with the thumb or the finger of the other hand. Press the up arrow key 2A of the four-way key for recognizing up, down, left, and right used for switching (A) to “Yes” and press the enter function key to confirm.
[0026]
Similarly, when inputting "u", press the (a) key of key 1, then press the right arrow key 2B of the character input selection key 2 to switch to the display of "u", and similarly enter "e" Press the (A) key of the key 1, press the down arrow key 2C of the character input selection key 2, and press the (A) key of the key 1 and press the left arrow key 2D of the key 2 to input "O". Press to display and confirm a predetermined character.
[0027]
Next, when inputting "ka" or later, similarly, the keys corresponding to the (1) line (1) to (1) line of the key 1 are pressed, and the directions corresponding to the respective vowels of the character input selection key 2 are pressed. . When inputting katakana and alphabets, switch the input mode to katakana mode or uppercase and lowercase mode of alphabets according to the specified method. To switch to the desired character and confirm.
[0028]
In the Japanese hiragana and katakana characters, each line of 50 sounds contains 5 characters, so the characters "A", "KA", "SA" ... " Select one of the five characters using the four-way key to confirm the characters in the row, row, row, and row other than "", "", "", "", and "". Character input. As long as four-way keys are used, up to five types of characters can be selectively switched and input with one key. As shown in FIG. 3, five letters are not necessarily assigned to one key, but the number of letters can be freely assigned to one key within a maximum of five kinds. it can.
[0029]
A specific example of the operation of the key 1 and the character input selection key 2 corresponding to each character is shown in FIG. 4, but the assignment of characters to each key is not necessarily limited to these examples. FIG. 4A shows a combination of the key 1 and the character input selection key 2 when inputting characters in the hiragana mode. Similarly, FIG. 4B shows a combination of the key 1 and the character input selection key 2 when inputting characters in the alphabet mode. In the case of hiragana mode input, the characters “A line” of “A line” to “Wa line” displayed on the key 1 are input only with the key 1 without operating the character input selection key 2. “I column”, “U column”, “E column”, and “O column” are used in combination with the row designation by the key 1 in association with the upper, lower, left, and right of the character input selection key 2, respectively.
[0030]
In addition, the murky sound is designated with the key 1 after the corresponding clear sound, the semi-turbid sound is designated with the # sign with the key 1 after the corresponding clear sound, and the stuttering sound and the prompt sound are designated with the corresponding clear sound. Characters are input by specifying twice with key 1.
[0031]
Similarly, the alphabet mode is designated according to FIG. For example, when inputting w, x, y, and z, the numeric keypad 9 of the key 1 is input, and at the same time, the character input selection key 2 is set to the up arrow key 2A, the down arrow key 2C, and the left arrow key 2D, respectively. This can be done by inputting the position.
[0032]
In addition, although not explicitly shown in FIG. 4B, switching between uppercase and lowercase letters is set in lowercase mode in advance for lowercase-based input in terms of frequency of use, and stuttering input at the time of kana input. In the same way, it is also possible to enter the corresponding character in uppercase by entering the key 1 twice. In the upper case mode, in this case, it is possible to input a lower case character by inputting the key 1 twice.
[0033]
In addition, in combinations where the designations in FIGS. 4A and 4B are blank, “,”, “.”, “.” Are used as symbols that are frequently used, depending on the kana mode or alphabet mode. . ","-","&"," @ ","? ","! ", Etc. can be assigned.
[0034]
A character input according to the combination of the key 1 and the character input selection key 2 as described above is automatically determined when the next character input is an input using a different key 1. When the next input is also the input of the same key 1, it is determined by operating the determination key. The enter key can be used as the enter key mounted on the front side, but may be mounted in combination with the 4-way key used for the character input selection key 2 shown in FIG. If a determination key is provided in the center, a key arrangement with good operability can be realized.
[0035]
As for the correction when an input error occurs, the input error of the key 2 when the same key 1 is specified can be corrected by re-inputting the character input selection key 2 before it is determined. . In other cases, it is deleted once by the operation of a clear key or the like arranged on the front side and then re-inserted.
[0036]
When the four-way key is used as the character input selection key 2 arranged on the back side as described above, it has a function of recognizing and specifying the four directions of up, down, left, and right. In the functional operation, it can be effectively used for selecting information arranged two-dimensionally on the display screen corresponding to various menus of the mobile phone.
[0037]
For example, on the display screen of the telephone directory, entries can be specified by moving up and down, attributes can be specified on the left and right, and items to be maintained can be easily selected. Further, it is easy to select a desired mail from the displayed transmission / reception mail list or iconized mail display by using the character input selection key 2.
[0038]
In addition, it can be used in games and the like. For example, FIG. 5 shows an example of an operation when a shooting game or the like is performed. The character 4 can freely move up, down, left, and right on the screen in conjunction with the direction in which the character input selection key 2 is pressed, and can fire a bullet 3 when any one of the keys 1 is pressed. There are targets 5 randomly placed on the screen. When the operator holds the portable terminal, the operator operates the character input selection key 2 with a finger located on the back side, such as an index finger, so that the character 4 is positioned appropriately. When moving to, the bullet 3 can be fired by hitting the key 1 with the thumb or the finger of the other hand, and the target 5 can be hit.
[0039]
(Second Embodiment) A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 shows a portable terminal, in particular a PDA, in which a liquid crystal screen is a touch panel and characters are input by touching a key 6 displayed on the screen with a software keyboard with a stylus or the like.
[0040]
FIG. 7 shows a four-way key for recognizing up / down / left / right as the character input selection key 7 on the back of the PDA. The character input selection key 7 is input to one of the up / down / left / right positions with one finger. However, it is possible to dramatically improve the character input speed by designating and inputting the character assigned by the front input key 6 with a stylus held in the other hand.
[0041]
Further, in the PDA according to the present invention, the operability is improved because the character input selection key 7 can be operated with a finger located on the back side such as an index finger while holding the PDA body with one hand, and the screen can be scrolled or the pointer can be moved.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in a portable terminal such as a portable information device such as a conventional cellular phone device or PDA, it is necessary to sequentially press a key multiple times in order to input a specific character with a limited number of keys. According to the present invention, since a plurality of key operations are performed simultaneously, the speed of character input can be dramatically improved.
[0043]
In addition, by using the four-way key as the character input selection key on the back, it can be used for functions other than character input, and can be applied to the selection of information displayed on the screen in various function menus of mobile phones. Can improve operability. In addition, the operability when a game or the like is performed using a portable terminal such as a portable information device such as a portable telephone device and a PDA is improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a portable terminal according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a rear view of the portable terminal according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a character allocation diagram of the portable terminal.
4A is a key specification rule for hiragana input mode, and FIG. 4B is a key specification rule for alphabet input mode.
FIG. 5 is a screen configuration example applied to a game.
FIG. 6 is a front view of a portable terminal according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a front view of a portable terminal according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a conventional example.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Front side input key 2 Character input selection key (4-way key)
3 Bullet 4 Character 5 Target 6 Touch panel key 7 Character input selection key (4-way key)
8 Front input key 9 Side input key B Portable terminal body

Claims (3)

In a portable terminal that is held and used with one hand,
A front side input key consisting of a numeric keypad and a symbol key is arranged on the front side of the portable terminal at a position where it can be operated with the thumb of the hand holding the portable terminal ,
On the back side of the portable terminal, a four-way key that recognizes up, down, left, and right as a character input selection key is arranged at a position where it can be operated with the index finger of the hand holding the portable terminal ,
Each of the front-side input keys is assigned a character sequence including a plurality of types of characters. When the front-side input key is input, the four-way key is not input, and the four-way key is moved up, down, left, or right. Corresponding to the case of inputting to a position, one of a maximum of five types of characters included in the character sequence assigned to the input front side input key is selectively input. Character input method. At the time of Kana character input, the character sequence from line A to line is assigned to each of the numeric keys of the front side input keys, and if the four-way key is not input, it is assigned to the input numeric key. When the characters in the row in the character sequence are input from the top, bottom, left, or right of the four-way key, the characters in the row, row, row, and row are selectively entered.
If the input character is muddy, semi-voiced, stuttering, or prompting,
The character input method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of selectively inputting characters by inputting the front side input keys together in a predetermined combination . A portable device that can be held and used with one hand,
A front-side input key consisting of a numeric keypad and a symbol key is arranged on the front side of the portable terminal at a position where it can be operated with the thumb of the hand holding the portable terminal, and four directions for recognizing up, down, left and right on the back side of the portable terminal Place the key in a position where it can be operated with the index finger of the hand holding the handheld device ,
Each of the front-side input keys is assigned a character sequence including a plurality of types of characters, and corresponds to a case where the four-way key is not input and a case where the four-way key is input at any of the upper, lower, left and right positions. A portable terminal characterized in that one of five types of characters included in the character sequence assigned to the input front side input key is selectively input.

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