JP4761234B2 - Input method of portable input terminal - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a small input device such as a mobile phone terminal, a micro personal computer or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), and an input keyboard such as a remote controller of a large device.

At present, small devices such as mobile phone terminals have extremely advanced functions comparable to those of previous personal computers due to the development of semiconductor technology.

Therefore, these small input terminals are also required to have high-level character and symbol input functions and editing functions, or operability suitable for connection to the Internet, as in general personal computers.

However, in these small input terminals, miniaturization to the maximum is an essential prerequisite, and the number of keys is less than one-fifth of a personal computer keyboard. It was extremely difficult to meet this requirement.

Currently, the Japanese input method used to win a high degree of input with a small number of keys is typical for mobile phones. This is a method of confirming the character sound by adding an operation.

The input method of the current common mobile phone is a method based on the Japanese syllabary diagram starting from Patent Publication 2001-175391 (Patent Document 1).

That is, the ten-key five-row character arrangement of the Japanese syllabary diagram is made to correspond to the ten key, each key is represented by a consonant row, and the vowel is determined by continuous keying of the consonant key.

For this purpose, a method for determining a vowel by depressing a vowel key or another device for determining a vowel stage provided separately as in Patent Application 2002-57439 (Patent Document 2) or Patent Publication 2005-128802 (Patent Document 3). There is.

In this way, by adopting an excellent method corresponding to the Japanese character that the Japanese input of the mobile phone relies on the Japanese syllabary figure, it reduces the sense of resistance during use and leads to a certain level of operability. Yes.

However, the current mobile phone input method starting from Patent Document 1 has a drawback that the number of touches including the case of Patent Document 2 is extremely large.

On the other hand, for example, the idea of Patent Document 3 in which the vowel stage is determined by depressing another device in addition to the determination of the consonant line, in principle, achieves a high degree of operability. There remains a problem with operability in the input operation.

In other words, in the idea of Patent Document 3, a vowel stage is determined by pressing down another type of device placed on the back of the casing, with the numeric key placed on the casing playing a role in determining the consonant stage. .

In this case, since the numeric keypad and the operating device can be operated simultaneously with another finger of one hand, the determination of the consonant level and the determination of the vowel level are made almost simultaneously, so that in principle, extremely quick input is possible. .

However, in the actual input operation in this method, the consciousness in the input operation of the numeric keypad placed on the surface of the casing and the consciousness of pressing down another type of device placed on the rear face of the casing are not those on the same surface ( The contradiction that comes from the reverse side operation and the consciousness of the input operation of the numeric keypad placed on the surface of the case has a linear nature from right to left and from top to bottom. There is a contradiction between the fact that the consciousness of pushing down the different types of devices has the character of selecting four points placed one up and down and left and right, and the actual operability does not become high.

Regarding the determination of consonant steps and vowel steps in a ten key, the position of the vowel key is not fixed, and the key in charge of the vowel is arranged so as to surround the consonant key of the first stroke. There is a method of Patent Document 4).

This is a very good idea, and an ideal effect can be expected if the input keyboard consists of a considerable number of keys.

However, since the number of keys is limited in an actual mobile terminal, the positional relationship between the key having the function of automatically determining the vowel stage that appears in this way and the key of the consonant stage previously determined is However, it takes a variety of forms, and there is a disadvantage that the actual input operation becomes troublesome.

In the case of Japanese text input, the present invention automatically arranges Japanese notation into a form of consonant + vowel formally, and automatically alternates between a consonant keyboard and a vowel keyboard designed to support this. By this method, the same input function as that of the large keyboard is guaranteed even for the small keyboard.

That is, the present invention sets a consonant keyboard consisting entirely of consonant keys or consonant handling keys and a consonant keyboard consisting entirely of vowel keys or vowel handling keys. It is designed to achieve input performance equivalent to that of a conventional personal computer with half the hard key of a conventional personal computer.

The present invention provides an advanced design of Japanese input and a design of an English input keyboard corresponding to an input keyboard of a small input device such as a mobile phone terminal, a micro personal computer or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), and a remote controller of a large device. The goal is to perform basic operations such as cursor movement, screen scrolling or input decision in accordance with the conventional method, using a small hard key as in the current method mainly for mobile phones, In particular, a micro personal computer or PDA (Personal Digital)
Including the case of pursuing the establishment of a complete input system with a basic operation keyboard design similar to that of a personal computer using the same large-sized hard keys as those of current personal computers. It is out.

"Solving Japanese input problems"

For the method of alternating appearance of a consonant keyboard and a vowel keyboard for realizing the advanced Japanese input system pursued by the present invention, a keyboard of 4 rows and 5 columns as shown in FIG. Are divided into upper 3 rows and 5 columns of symbol input keys and lower 1 rows and 5 columns of operation keys.

As shown in FIG. 1 (1) and (2), the operation keys in the lower one row and the fifth column are a keyboard switching key, a clear key, an input type switching key, a copy key, and a character size switching key in order from the left.

The above keyboard switching key, clear key, input type switching key, copy key, and character size switching key are represented by keyboard switching, clear, input switching, copy, and character size.

As a variation of the operation key arrangement, as shown in [FIG. 3] (1) and (2), the keyboard of 3 rows and 6 columns is changed to the leftmost first column and 3 rows in order from the bottom to the keyboard switching key, clear key, input type. There may be a system in which switching keys are arranged and the remaining 3 rows and 5 columns are applied to the symbol keys.

Of these, each time the input type switching key is pressed, the input type is switched in the order of English, Japanese, pictographs, and numbers, and as a result of the switching, the input type to be performed at that time is the top or the top of the screen. Displayed at the bottom.

When the input type is English, Japanese, or numeric, the keyboard switch key calls the code keyboard required by a predetermined number of keystrokes. Set to call the emoji keyboard.

The character size switching key is a key that is entered just before the input, such as “Yatsuta”, “Chyanto”, “Yata”, “Chanto”, etc. If there is a character suitable for small character notation in the Japanese character of the number, change it to a small character, and if the character suitable for ordinary character notation is written in small characters, it will be rewritten as a normal character and In the input of, the lowercase character entered immediately before is converted to uppercase, and the uppercase character is converted to lowercase.

If the character size switch key is typed after the text is entered with the cursor key and then pressed, the normal font such as “tsu” or “ya” will be displayed as “tsu” or “nya”. In the case of English, change upper case letters to lower case letters and lower case letters to upper case letters.

Specifically, in the case of Japanese input, a 3 × 5 symbol key input keyboard for consonant input and a vowel input keyboard such as the consonant input keyboard of FIG. 1 and the vowel input keyboard of (2). Two keys called symbol key input keyboard of 3 rows and 5 columns are prepared.

These two keyboards are automatically switched to a vowel input keyboard when the consonant input keyboard is depressed and a consonant or consonant character is input, and the vowel input keyboard is depressed and the vowel or vowel character Is set so that the keyboard is automatically switched to the consonant input keyboard.

[FIG. 1] As can be seen, the consonant input keyboard of 3 rows and 5 columns of (1) applies the key of the first row and the first column at the uppermost leftmost end to the silent consonant note, and the second column to the right The key in the third column is the s key, the key in the fourth column is the t key, the key in the fifth column is the n key, and the key in the second row and the first column is the fh key The second column key is the m key, the third column key is the y key, the fourth column key is the r key, the fifth column key is the wv key, and the third row and first column key is The key of the second column is assigned to the z key, the key of the third column is assigned to the d key, the key of the fourth column is assigned to the b key, and the key of the fifth column is assigned to the p key.

In the case of the above consonant input keyboard, the fh key represents two types of letters, such as “ha” and “fa”, when it is combined with a vowel. In this case, these two types of input When the result is displayed on the screen and “ha” is selected, input is continued without operation, and when “fa” is selected, it is selected with a cursor or the like.

In the case of the above consonant input keyboard, the wv key represents two types of letters, such as “wa” and “va”, when it is combined with a vowel, so in this case these two types of input When the result is displayed on the screen and “Wa” is selected, input is continued without operation, and when “Va” is selected, it is selected with a cursor or the like.

In the case of the above consonant input keyboard, the silent consonant note functions as a scale of the consonant keyboard, and indicates that the key to be depressed thereafter belongs to the vowel keyboard.

As can be seen, the vowel input keyboard of (2) in FIG. 1 (2) has the key in the first row and the first column at the top leftmost and the key in the second column on the right. To the yu key, the third row key to the yo key, the fourth row key to the t key, i.e. the timbre, and the fifth row key to the n key, the nasal key, i.e. the nasal note The key in the second row and the first column is the a key, the key in the second column is the i key, the key in the third column is the u key, the key in the fourth column is the e key, and the key in the fifth column Is the o key, the 3rd row 1st column key is the ai key, the 2nd column key is the ui key, the 3rd column key is the uu key, the 4th column key is the ei key, This is a keyboard in which the key of the row is put on the ou key.

In the case of the above vowel input keyboard, the keys from the first row, the first column to the third column are used to input consonant (or consonant notes) to input the vowel-treated stuttering, and the subsequent keys are automatically It is treated as a consonant.

In the case of the above vowel input keyboard, if the key corresponding to t of the consonant keyboard in the first row and fourth column is used as a prompt note, and the same hard key is pressed immediately after the hard key corresponding to t of the consonant keyboard is pressed down Ai, it is set so that the key for the original vowel is connected to the previous t key to input the prompt sound “tsu”.

In this case, the t key depressed first represents a t consonant, and the t key depressed second time represents a vowel part of “tsu” of a prompt sound as a prompt note.

In the case of the above vowel input keyboard, in order to ensure the replacement of the consonant and the vowel, the vowel key placed at the position corresponding to n of the keyboard for consonant in the first row and the fifth column is used as a nose note. If the same hard key is pressed immediately after the n key of the keyboard is pressed down, the key for the original vowel is connected to the previous n key to input "n" of the nasal sound.

In this case, the n key depressed first represents the n consonant, and the same hard key depressed the second time represents the vowel part of the “n” of the nasal sound as a nose note belonging to the vowel input keyboard. To do.

In the case of the above vowel input keyboard, the double vowel keys from the third row, the first column to the fifth column correspond to all the kanji sounds of the double vowels.

For example, the corresponding pair is t + ai, the response is a consonant note + ou, the form is k + ei, the completion is s + ui, the line is k + ou, the traffic is k + ou, and the communication is t + uu.

However, double vowels that contain noise such as traffic jams, admissions, and transcendences are not keyed in such a method, so first enter the “ju” sound as z + yu, then consonant notes + u Together to express the sound of "10". To enter “nyu” as n + yu, and then input consonant note + u to express the sound of “yu”. The same applies to other cases.

As described above, the present invention is based on the romanization of the Japanese syllabary in Japanese text input, but it is not necessary to use the input symbols currently used for general mobile input for the layer that is not necessarily familiar with the alphabet. The flat notation is adopted as a variation thereof, and the keyboard shown in FIG. 2 (1) and (2) is provided.

That is, a consonant keyboard as a Japanese input basic table keyboard is represented by a consonant note in the first column of the first row, “ka” in the second column, and “sa” in the third column as shown in FIG. ”,“ Ta ”in the fourth column,“ N ”in the fifth column,“ Ha ”in the first column of the second row,“ Ma ”in the second column,“ Ya ”in the third column,“ Ya ”in the fourth column “Ra”, “wa” in the fifth column, “ga” in the first column of the third row, “za” in the second column, “da” in the third column, “ba” in the fourth column, fifth Set the column as “Pa”, and the vowel keyboard as the Japanese input basic back keyboard, as shown in [Fig. 2] (2), “Ya” in the first column of the first row, the second column , "Y" in the third column, "Y" in the fourth column, "N" in the fifth column, "A" in the first column of the second row, "I" in the second column, “U” in the third column, “E” in the fourth column, “O” in the fifth column, “Ai” in the first column of the third row, “U” in the second column, “U” in the third column , 4th column "Ei", set as "king" in the fifth column.

The function of the keyboard shown in the above [0045] is exactly the same as the case of the keyboard shown in FIG.

That is, for example, after pressing the key of “Ta” in the first row and the fourth column of the consonant keyboard of [FIG. It is read as a prompt note in the first column and the fifth column, and “tsu” is input.

Similarly, for example, when the key of “N” in the first row and the fifth column of the consonant keyboard of [FIG. 2] (1) is pressed down, and the same hard key as the key to be pressed is pressed down, this key becomes the vowel keyboard. Is read as the key of “n” in the first row and the fifth column of “n”, and “n” is input.

In the case of a roaring sound, when the key of “ka” in the first row and second column of the consonant keyboard in FIG. It is read as “yu” key in the first row and second column of the vowel keyboard, and “kyu” is input.

Similarly, in the case of a double vowel, after depressing the “ka” key in the first row and second column of the consonant keyboard of FIG. When the column is pushed down, this key is read as the “Ai” key in the third row and first column of the vowel keyboard, and “Kai” is input.

For example, t (consonant one strike) o (vowel one strike) tt (consonant one strike vowel one strike) k (consonant one strike) yo (one vowel one strike) k ( 1 consonant) ou (1 vowel), k (1 consonant) ai (1 vowel), a total of 10 strokes.

On the other hand, in the case of the current portable terminal, (5 strokes) (1 stroke, 6 strokes) key (2 strokes), (5 strokes), (5 strokes) or (3 strokes) (1 stroke) Strike (2 strokes) results in a total of 31 strokes, and there is a large variation between the case where input can be made with 1 stroke and the input with 7 strokes in total, and rhythmic input is impossible.

In the case of the above-mentioned patent document 3, the same input is (2 strokes) (1 stroke, 2 strokes) key (2 strokes) (2 strokes), (2 strokes) or (2 strokes). (1 stroke) ii (2 strokes) for a total of 16 strokes.

Therefore, the number of keystrokes of the present invention is the smallest, and in the case of Patent Document 3, there is a problem of operability in that different types of moving keys are given to two fingers, and further the problem with input types such as English is solved. Not.

In the case of the present invention, a total of 15 hard keys in 3 rows and 5 columns are used, so the restrictions are not as great as in the case of using a ten key. It can have the same function as the key.
"Solving English input problems"

The biggest problem when inputting English in a small-sized input keyboard such as a mobile phone that is generally used at present is that three letters are assigned to one key as in the case of abc, as in the case of pqrs. It is necessary to press the key three to four times to input one letter, up to assigning four letters.

Furthermore, there is a problem of an input rhythm error resulting from a mixture of three key depressions and four key depressions.

The basic cause of the difficulty common to English input methods in such small-sized input terminals as mobile phones is due to the restriction that 26 alphabets must be arranged in a maximum of 12 hard keys in a so-called numeric keypad. ing.

However, the relationship of 26 alphabetic characters to English input is not uniform in relation to their history as a letter.

That is, among the 26 letters of the alphabet, the three sets of letters K and Q, S and X, and V and W are in a complementary relationship with respect to the spelling.

For example, in the spelling of any English word containing K or Q, in principle, there is no word in which the part where K is used is replaced with Q, and conversely, K is used for the part where Q is used. There are no words.

Thus, if the word KEY exists, the word QEY does not exist, and if the word QUESTION exists, the word KUSTION does not exist.

This is because Q + U is treated as a consonant equivalent to K in the alphabet notation in the Indo-European system including, for example, French and German.

Although not so clear, the same relationship holds in principle for the two sets of letters S and X and V and W.

Accordingly, by simultaneously setting two letters K and Q or S and X or V and W in the same hard key, English alphabet input using a total of 23 hard keys becomes possible.

For example, if a hard key that is a combination of K and Q is represented as a * key, the word QUESTION is entered as * UESTION.

On the other hand, the word “QUESTION” is registered in the memory of the portable terminal, and the key and the input “* UESTION” are set to be correctly input and displayed as “QUESTION” by collating with this registration.

For example, there are very few exceptions such as esoteric and exotic, but in this case, both words are displayed together and the necessary words are determined by the cursor and the decision key. .

With the above ideas, a small input keyboard can input alphabets with a minimum of 23 keys.

So, if you assign these two keys plus seven English basic code keys to two keys and switch between these two keys, you can reduce the number of key presses and rhythmically. Can solve the two problems of simple input at the same time.

In the present invention, an English input basic front keyboard is divided into an English input basic front keyboard ([FIG. 4] (1) and an English input basic back keyboard ([FIG. 4] (2))). If you press the keyboard switch key once while inputting on the keyboard, it will enter the English input basic back keyboard, and the keyboard will automatically switch to the English input basic front keyboard as soon as input is made on this English input basic back keyboard. Set to

[Fig. 4] The English input basic table keyboard shown in (1) is the second row and first column of the Japanese input basic table keyboard shown in [Fig. 1]. The k key in the column is changed to the kq key, the s key is changed to the sx key, and the hf key is changed to the h key.

[FIG. 4] The English input basic back keyboard shown in (2) removes the first row of the Japanese input basic front keyboard shown in [FIG. 1] (2), and instead, in order from the first column ( (Period) key, c key, f key, j key, l key are set, the second row is left as it is, and the third row is changed from the first column to the-(hyphen) key,? key,! Key; Key: Replaced with key.

Temporarily, in this [Fig. 4], (1) English input basic front keyboard is shown as front, (2) English input basic back keyboard is back, and switching key (input keyboard switching key) is changed to hard key. When the number of keystrokes in the case of input is shown, h (table 1 stroke) a (table 1 stroke) r (1 stroke, back 1 stroke) d (table 1 stroke) k (table 1 stroke) e (table 1 stroke) It becomes y (1 change, 1 back), and input with a total of 9 strokes is possible.

Looking at the case where hard key is input by a general mobile phone system, h (2 strokes) a (1 stroke) r (3 strokes) d (1 stroke) k (2 strokes) e (2 Strike) y (3 strokes), for a total of 14 strokes.

In comparison, in the case of the present invention, the number of strokes is a little over 60% of the general method.

In addition, when comparing operations for entering English input types, in the case of the present invention, it is necessary to depress the input type switching key at most three times, but in the general method, at most seven input type switching keys are required. It is necessary to push down.

One difficulty when English input is set as in the present invention is not the case of a word, but any one of three letters of K and Q, S and X, and V and W as simple codes. The situation arises in which it is necessary to enter the singly.

In this regard, it is feared that setting a new regular procedure to solve this difficulty will lead to the complexity of the input method, so that three of these keys, for example, keys representing K and Q at the same time are used. In the case of repeated hits, a method of displaying two input results of KKK and QQQ and selecting one of them again is adopted.

In this case, for example, after inputting “quick”, erase the portion of “wick” and input “q”, delete the portion of “quick” and input “k”, input “six”, then delete the portion of “si” and input “x” Then, s is erased and s is entered, or vo is entered, then vo is erased and w is entered, ow is erased and v is entered, and so on. It is also possible to input a short spelling word, erase the unnecessary spelling again with the cursor key and the clear key, and determine the character to be found.
"Problems with numerical input and numerical (math) code input"

In the case of a general mobile phone, the input of numbers in the text and the case of direct contact with the external environment, such as the input of a phone number, are handled differently, such as “#” or “*”. The signs are handled differently.

In the present invention, symbols such as “#” and “*” are set on the basic keyboard for numeric input to enable direct contact with the external environment, and numeric input can be made as Japanese input, English input, pictogram input, etc. As an equivalent input type, even in the case of numeric input in a sentence, input is performed with the same system as in the case of directly contacting the external environment.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5 (1), “#”, “*”, “/”, “. "(Period),"-"(hyphen) 5 symbol input keys are set, and in the second row, 5 numbers input keys 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 are set in order from the left. In the third row, five numeric input keys of 6, 7, 8, 9, 0 are set in order from the left.

Further, as shown in [FIG. 6] (2), [FIG. 7] (3), [FIG. 8] (3), [FIG. 9] (3), [FIG. A system is prepared in which numerical codes (mathematical codes) can be called systematically by pressing down a certain number of times.

That is, by pressing down the input keyboard switching key (indicated as keyboard switching in the figure) once during numeric input, the input key switching key (indicated as keyboard switching in the figure) Is continuously depressed twice (FIG. 7) by pressing the input keyboard switching key (denoted as keyboard switching in the figure) three times continuously on the first keyboard (FIG. 8). 3) By pressing down the input keyboard switching key (indicated as “keyboard switching” in the figure) four times on the second keyboard of the numeric code [FIG. 9], the input keyboard switching key is applied to the third keyboard of the numeric code (3). (In the figure, it is expressed as keyboard switching) It is set so as to enter the fourth keyboard of the numeral code of (3) in FIG.

In this case, the various keyboards called in this way are displayed in a state where they are semi-transparently covered on the screen each time or are displayed in a part of the screen after being reduced in size, and the input user refers to this display. Set the key to be entered when the key is pressed down.

The number (mathematical) codes that can be entered in this way are 5 (input by pressing the key once) in the case of a numeric input basic keyboard, and 15 (in the case of a 2 times key) in the case of a numeric code basic keyboard. 15 keys (input by pressing the key three times), 15 keys (input by pressing the key four times) In the case of a three-key keyboard, the number is 15 (input by pressing the key 5 degrees), and a total of 65 codes can be input by pressing the key within 5 degrees.

For example, as a model in the case of general code input in a mobile phone, a list of numeric codes is created in 6 rows and 10 columns, and compared with the case of following this with a cursor on the screen, the numeric code is converted from the numeric input. One (or more) key presses are required to enter the input, followed by 0 to 14 times and a total of 420 cursor movements until the symbol represented by 60 icons is reached. That is, an average of seven times of cursor movement is required, and one key press is required to confirm this.

As described above, compared with an average case of general code input in a mobile phone, even when the number of key depressions is the highest in the case of the present invention, simpler and faster input is possible. I understand that.

Further, in the case of general code input in a mobile phone, for example, a target icon is selected from a list of numeric codes in 6 rows and 10 columns. The keyboard to which the code is assigned one by one is selected, and then the target code is selected from the keyboard.

The numerical (mathematical) code keyboard configuration as described above is applied from the basic code in the order of the numeric input basic keyboard, the numeric input basic keyboard, the numeric code first keyboard, the numeric code second keyboard, and the numeric code third keyboard. It is determined by the combination of two principles: the construction principle in the direction of the symbol or advanced symbol and the common principle of the Japanese code keyboard and the English code keyboard, so the introduction of the Japanese code keyboard and the English code keyboard has been completed. After that, touch the structure of the numeric (math) code keyboard again.
"Problem of integrated design of Japanese code input, English code input, numeric (math) code input"

As mentioned in the previous section, the configuration of the code input keyboard according to the present invention includes the configuration principle in the direction from basic codes to applied or advanced symbols in each input type, Japanese code keyboard, English code keyboard, numbers. (Mathematics) Determined by the synthesis of two principles of ensuring commonality among the three input types of code keyboard

Ensuring commonality among the three input types here means that the input keyboard switch key is pressed the same number of times regardless of the input type in the three types of input, English code, Japanese code, and numeric (mathematical) code. This means that as much as possible the code input keyboard that is called in this case is made common.

There are two basic difficulties with this approach.

The first difficulty is that there is a difference in the timing of the transition from the input of each basic character to the input of the code in these three input types.

The second difficulty is that the three input types are inherently different from each other, so that the code matching must be limited.

First, looking at the problem shown in [0095], the Japanese input keyboard divides the Japanese syllabary into two keys, a consonant keyboard and a vowel keyboard, as already seen, but these two keys automatically switch to each other. Therefore, switching from the consonant keyboard to the vowel keyboard or vice versa is done without requiring the input keyboard switch key to be pushed, and the numeric (mathematical) input keyboard has 15 keys. Numeric input is possible with only 10 keys, and the remaining 5 keys can be used for code input.

On the other hand, in the case of English text input, two keys are required to input the English character mother, and it is necessary to depress the input key switching key for switching the keys.

In the present invention, in order to fill this gap, in the case of Japanese code input and in the case of numeric (mathematical) code input, a Japanese code basic keyboard and a numeric code basic keyboard which are entered by pressing the input keyboard switch key once respectively are provided. Set the buffer function, and match the configuration of the three types of code input keyboard: Japanese code, numeric (mathematical) code, and English code, by pressing the input keyboard switch key twice to enter various codes from the first keyboard Let's start.

In the case of the Japanese code basic keyboard and the numeric (mathematical) code basic keyboard, the buffer function is first applied to the English input basic front and back keyboard as shown in [Fig. 6] (1). A keyboard is set that includes all the codes included, and includes codes that are specially used only for Japanese sentences. In the latter case, as shown in (2) in FIG. This is done by setting a keyboard that contains all the codes that are included, and that includes codes that are specifically used only for numbers (math).

Thus, [FIG. 7] leads to the first code keyboard of the Japanese, English and numeric (mathematical) input types found in (1), (2), and (3), and the common or similar codes for these three input types, The condition to arrange at the same position on the keyboard is basically prepared, but one of the difficulties is that in the case of numeric (math) code input, the basic keyboard ([Fig. 5] (1)) has already been That is, some basic symbols necessary for inputting a telephone number such as #, *, /, etc. or mail are set.

ては、その使用が絶無と言ってよい符号を設定し、残った第４列と第５列には和文、英文、数字（数学）各入力種の第１符号鍵盤に共通する符号として、／／、＠を設定することにする。Therefore, in designing the first code keyboard for each of the Japanese, English, and numeric (math) input types, in the case of the first signed keyboard of the numeric (math) input type, the first to fourth columns of the first row are used. Up to the basic keyboard ([Fig. 5] (1))

The codes that can be said to be completely used are set, and the remaining 4th and 5th columns are the codes common to the 1st code keyboard of each Japanese, English, and numeric (math) input type. // @ is set.

Looking at the first code keyboard of each of the Japanese, English, and numeric (mathematical) input types thus designed [Fig. 7] (1), (2), and (3), the first line shows the Japanese code and The English code is exactly the same, and the numeric (mathematical) code is completely different from the other input types except for the // in the 4th column and @ in the 5th column that match the other input types. In the third row, the three keys are completely identical. In the third row, the English code and the numeric (mathematical) code are exactly the same, and the Japanese code is the same as or similar to the other two keys.

Next, it becomes the second code keyboard for each input type of Japanese, English, and numbers (math). [Fig.8] Looking at (1), (2), and (3), The sign keyboard is perfectly matched here.

Furthermore, it becomes the third code keyboard for each input type of Japanese, English, and numbers (math). [Fig. 9] (1), (2), and (3), the code keyboard for two types of input of English and numbers (math) Is completely matched, and the content of the Japanese sentence is exactly the same as the two input types of English and numbers (mathematics), and their codes are expressed in kana.

Furthermore, looking at (4) (1), (2), and (3) of the Japanese, English, and numeric (math) input types, the same as in the previous section, English, numeric (math The code keyboard of the two input types completely matches, and that of the Japanese sentence completely matches the two input types of English and numeric (math), and those codes are expressed in Kana.

By setting the code key or the keyboard as described above, in any of the three input types of Japanese, English, and numbers (mathematics), it is basically possible to easily input a large number of codes by a common operation. In particular, in the case of numeric (mathematical) codes, a large number of unit symbols that are not input can be left only by the above operations.
"Unit symbol keyboard for alphabet call"

Therefore, in order to solve the problem of the previous paragraph, a system tentatively called “alphabet calling unit symbol keyboard” is envisioned here.

In other words, during or after the English text is entered, after placing the cursor on the previously entered alphabetic character, specify this character, and then hit the keyboard switch key to call the keyboard that contains the unit symbol containing this character. To do.

For example, in the case of [FIG. 11] (1), after the cursor is placed on the English letter "m" or "M" on the screen and the letter "m" or "M" is specified in the operation of the previous item, the keyboard This shows a case where a keyboard in which a unit symbol including this character is registered is called by hitting a switching key.
"Key position problem"

First, as shown in the drawings from [FIG. 1] to [FIG. 12], in the present invention, the lower part of the input keyboard of 3 rows and 5 columns, or the left part (assuming a left key input person is assumed. In this case, the operation key is set in the right part).

This is based on the assumption that the index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger of the keyed hand are used for the input operation of the 3 × 5 input keyboard, and the thumb is used to push down the operation unit. Design for.

With this design, it is possible to perform the input operation and the operation operation almost simultaneously, and in particular, it is possible to speed up the keyboard switching operation that is frequently performed.
"Keyboard design specialized for ultra-compact personal computers as a variation of the present invention"

The present invention relates to an alpha bet-use input keyboard for use in a portable input terminal such as a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or a micro personal computer. The portable input terminal includes a miniaturized mobile phone or the like. However, there are two types of devices that are more important to pursue the full realization of their operability and functions, even at the expense of downsizing to some extent, such as devices that are lifelines and ultra-small personal computers.

The following invention stands on the elements of the invention that have been described and keyed so far, even if the elements of miniaturization to some extent are sacrificed, especially for ultra-compact personal computers and certain types of PDAs, etc. To pursue the full realization of

As already described, the keyboard according to the present invention has the same operability as a general personal computer in principle.

However, in reality, depending on a small key and a keyboard used for a general mobile phone or PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), sufficient operability (operation speed, stability and fatigue of input) Evasion) is not obtained.

Also, in general mobile phones and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), etc., the size of the input is reduced at the expense of the entire input, so it is impossible to have the same function as a general personal computer. .

The keyboard design specializing in ultra-compact personal computers, etc. as a variation of the present invention is to make each hard key as large as an ordinary personal computer and to have the same functions as an ordinary personal computer. This is done by the additional setting of the operation key that makes it possible.

First, since the setting of the operation key of the present invention as described above is mainly intended for mobile phones and the like, a slight change is added thereto.

Specifically, among the operation keys of the present invention shown in [FIG. 1] (1), (2), etc., that is, a keyboard switching key, a clear key, an input switching key, a copy key, a character key, and a clear key The copy key is canceled and a space key and a function switching key are set instead as shown in (FIG. 12) (1), (2), etc.

Next, as shown in [FIG. 12] (1), (2), etc., a new operation key of 1 row and 5 columns is newly added above the input key of 3 rows and 5 columns, and further An operation key of 1 column and 5 rows is newly added to the right of the input key of 3 rows and 5 columns.

These newly added keys have important functions among general PC operation keys, such as Control key, Alternate key, Escape key, Home key, End key, Page up key, Page down key, Page. Down key, Enter key, Back space key, and Delete key.

A general personal computer uses many important keys other than those shown in [0123]. Such keys are called by depressing the function switching key n times continuously. .

The keyboard that is called by pressing the function switching key once is the first keyboard for switching functions of Japanese-language personal computers as shown in FIG. 13 (1). Here, basic keys such as Control key, Alternate key, Escape key, etc. Keys with functions are set in duplicate with the Japanese input PC-type basic keyboard shown in [Fig. 12] (1), (2), etc. In addition, functions from F1 to F12, FN keys, Keys corresponding to icons generally used on personal computers such as files and editing are set.

The keyboard called by pressing down the function switching key twice in succession is a Japanese input personal computer type function switching second keyboard shown in FIG. 14 (1), in which recording on CD, DVD, etc. A key corresponding to an icon generally used in a personal computer such as reading from a DVD is set.

By depressing the individual keys of the keyboard on which these function keys are assembled, a list of items belonging to the subordinates is entered using the function-designated keyboard.

For example, [FIG. 15] (1) is a function designation keyboard that appears when the key of the file of the Japanese input personal computer type function switching first keyboard of [FIG. 13] (1) is depressed.

[FIG. 16] (1) is a secondary function designation keyboard that appears when the key indicating the transmission term of the Japanese input personal computer type function switching first keyboard is depressed.

By stacking the above settings and depressing the last key selected in the item on the n-th function designation keyboard, a specific command is realized.

In any secondary keyboard such as the basic back keyboard, code keyboard, function switching keyboard, function designation keyboard, etc. in the present invention, the basic keyboard or basic front keyboard of the input type is automatically and immediately upon completion of the input there. Design to return.

Example and effect of invention

The first important contribution of the present invention is that, as already explained in FIG. 1 (1) and (2), all Japanese characters are basically arranged in the form of consonants + vowels in the case of Japanese input. By automatically switching between a vowel keyboard and a consonant keyboard, an input operability equivalent to that of an ordinary personal computer is obtained by a keyboard having half the number of keys of an ordinary personal computer keyboard.

In the case of the Japanese sentence input of the present invention, the vowel keyboard is further constructed based on a Japanese syllabary diagram, thereby realizing an input operability more than that of a Japanese sentence input using a general so-called qwerty board.

Also, by constructing the vowel keyboard based on the Japanese syllabary diagram, it is much easier for beginners to learn the input operation than the general personal computer qwerty board or JIS method.

On the other hand, in the case of English input corresponding to this Japanese input, paying attention to the characteristics of English spelling, q and k, s and x, w and v are co-located on the same key, respectively, and a total of 23 keys are used. As a result of enabling the input of all alphabets, by preparing a system for switching the input keyboard only once during the English input using the 3 rows and 5 columns keyboard, all English letters and 7 English codes can be changed. It is important to be able to input.

As a result of the above contrivances, in the present invention, input operability comparable to the current three-row, ten-column total of 30 character input keyboards can be obtained with a total of 15 hard keys in 3 rows and 5 columns.

The present invention is suitable for an input keyboard in a PDA such as a mobile phone, a micro personal computer, an electronic dictionary, a remote controller, and the like.

Among these, an effect when the present invention is applied to an input keyboard in a mobile phone, an electronic dictionary, a remote controller, etc. can be seen in that it provides operability far exceeding the conventional operability of these devices.

This greatly improves the relationship (interface) between devices such as PDAs such as mobile phones and electronic dictionaries, remote controllers, etc. and the user, making it easier for users to make input more efficient. Become.

More importantly, the present invention makes it possible to realize an ultra-small personal computer that was not possible in the past.

As long as the conventional input method is used, the only way to reduce the size of the device is to reduce the size of the hard key.

For example, in a portable terminal having a small hard key that is the most characteristic of a mobile phone, it is extremely difficult to input at high speed and stably, and input is accompanied by great fatigue.

On the other hand, in the present invention, it is possible to design an ultra-small personal computer having a large key similar to a conventional electronic dictionary and having a hard key having the same large key as a conventional hard key.

Further, a horizontal row character input keyboard of 3 rows and 5 columns as in the present invention has a horizontally long screen display corresponding thereto, which is a vertically long screen associated with a vertically long keyboard such as a conventional mobile phone. It can be easily understood that the superior function compared to the display can be applied to a horizontally long screen display by a special device even for the current vertically long keyboard.

At present, even mobile phones are expected to become as high as PCs with higher functionality and higher communication speeds. Furthermore, “more than 10 times the speed of current mobile phones and a movement of about 100 keys per hour. It is reported that a wireless communication service with an outdoor network connection with “unstable stability” (Asahi Shimbun October 13, 2007, etc.) will start in 2009.

Future technological advances in this field can be easily imagined, and if it becomes possible to design an ultra-compact personal computer with a hard key having a large key similar to a conventional hard key as in the present invention, the personal computer Wipe out its fixed personality, and it will be used in every aspect of everyday life as easily as a mobile phone today.

Vertical Alpha Alphabet Japanese Alphabet Input Basic Keyboard (1) Vertical Alpha Alphabet Japanese Alphabet Basic Table Keyboard (2) Vertical Alphabet Japanese Alphabet Basic Input Keyboard Vertical type Alphabet Japanese syllabary input basic keyboard flat notation type (1) Vertical type Alphabet Japanese syllabary input basic table keyboard flat notation type (2) Vertical type Alphabet Japanese syllabary input basic back keyboard flat Kana notation type Horizontal type Alphabet Japanese alphabet input basic keyboard (1) Horizontal type Alphabet Japanese alphabet input basic front keyboard (2) Horizontal type Alphabet Japanese alphabet input basic back keyboard Longitudinal Alphabet Alphabet English Input Basic Keyboard (1) Vertical Alphabet Alphabet English Input Basic Table Keyboard (2) Vertical Alphabet Alphabet English Input Basic Back Keyboard Vertical keyboard Alphabet alphabetical input basic keyboard Longitudinal Alphabet Japanese syllabary basic keyboard (1) Vertical Alphabet Japanese syllabary Japanese basic code (2) Vertical Alphabet Japanese syllabary basic keyboard Longitudinal Alphabet Alphabet First Keyboard (1) Longitudinal Alphabet Alphabet Japanese Code First Keyboard (2) Longitudinal Alphabet Alphabet Alphabet First Keyboard (3) Vertical Alphabet 50th Code Numeral code first keyboard Longitudinal Alphabet Alphabet Code No. 2 (1) Vertical Alphabet Alphabet Code No.2 (2) Vertical Alphabet Alphabet Code No.2 (3) Vertical Alphabet Code 50 Numeral code second keyboard Longitudinal Alphabet Alphabet Code No. 3 (1) Vertical Alphabet Alphabet Japanese Code No.3 Keyboard (2) Vertical Alphabet Alphabet Code No.3 (3) Vertical Alphabet Alphabet 3rd note code Longitudinal Alpha Alphabet 50th Code 4th Keyboard (1) Longitudinal Alphabet 50th Japanese Code 4th Keyboard (2) Longitudinal Alphabet 50th Alphabet Code 4th Keyboard (3) Longitudinal Alphabet 50th Code Note code fourth keyboard Vertically-shaped Alphabet Japanese syllabary-related symbols (M) Vertical type Alphabet Japanese syllabary input PC type basic keyboard (1) Vertical type Alphabet Japanese syllabary input PC type basic front keyboard (2) Vertical type Alphabet Japanese syllabary input PC type basic back keyboard Vertical type Alphabet Japanese syllabary input PC type function switching 1st keyboard Vertical type Alphabet Japanese syllabary input PC type function switching 2nd keyboard Vertical type Alphabet Japanese syllabary input PC type function specification keyboard (file) Vertical Alpha Alphabet Japanese syllabary input PC-type function specification keyboard (Fail) Secondary keyboard (Transmission)

Claims (1)

This input function is switched for each key in a Japanese input portable terminal having a 3-by-5 character input keyboard for input using alphabets and giving a single key a plurality of character input functions. Rather than setting the keyboard that consists of the keys that are responsible for the input of a part of all the letters used for the input, and the above keys among all the letters used for the input. A portable input terminal input method that is set to perform character input by setting a keyboard composed of keys that are in charge of input of the remaining characters that were not performed, and switching between these two keys as necessary in the case of Japanese input in three rows and five columns of keys with a system of automatic change of consonants and vowels, the keyboard responsible for that vowel input, a, I, U, E, entry of a single vowel O In addition to this, in addition to this, three keys that are responsible for the input of stuttering of YA, YU, and YO, and the input of double vowels of AI, UI, UU, EI, and OU The input method of the portable input terminal in which the five keys responsible for the input and the two keys responsible for the input of the prompt sound and the nasal sound are set, and the total 15 keys constitute the keyboard responsible for the input of the vowels .

Images