JP4886797B2 - Software keyboard display method and portable information terminal device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a software keyboard display method and a portable information terminal device.

  In recent years, many portable information terminal devices are configured such that a display unit and an input unit are integrated to reduce the size of the device. For example, a software keyboard for displaying a keyboard as a means for inputting characters or the like on a display screen (for example, a so-called touch panel display screen) such as a liquid crystal of a portable information terminal device is known.

  Such a software keyboard has keys of a so-called QWERTY layout that mimics the key layout of a typewriter. The software keyboard limits input characters and the like from the detected input coordinate signal and position information such as characters set in advance.

  However, in recent years, portable information terminal devices have become smaller and display resolution has been improved, so that characters and the like displayed on the display screen have been reduced, while the amount of information displayed has further increased. For this reason, in the software keyboard, the input area assigned to one key is also reduced, making it difficult to identify each key, and it is difficult to input, such as pressing multiple keys when touch input with a finger etc. was there.

  In particular, when the Japanese input mode with romaji input is selected, it is necessary to input a combination of keys corresponding to vowels and consonants, which inevitably increases the number of characters to be input. Was even more serious.

  In order to cope with such a problem, a keyboard device that reduces the burden of vowel input by grouping consonant input keys, assigning specific vowels, and simultaneously pressing a plurality of consonant keys belonging to this group simultaneously or independently Has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-9-204257

  However, in the above prior art, since the consonant input keys are grouped and specific vowels are assigned, the burden of vowel input can be reduced. .

  In addition, when inputting Japanese by romaji input using the keyboard device according to the above prior art, after inputting a certain key, an appropriate key to be input next is selected from among the above-mentioned many difficult-to-identify keys. The input operation takes time. Also, for the reasons described above, it is difficult to input the found key accurately as intended. For this reason, after all, it was not enough to suppress input mistakes.

  The present invention has been proposed in view of such circumstances, and by displaying the next input candidate key on the display unit in a manner that can be distinguished from keys other than the next input candidate key, an input error in the software keyboard can be detected. An object of the present invention is to provide a software keyboard display method and a portable information terminal device that can be easily suppressed.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present inventor, when the first input key relates to any consonant, the inventor selects a key that is a candidate for the next input according to a predetermined rule (hereinafter, the next input) The present invention has been conceived by identifying a mechanism for suppressing an input error in a software keyboard.

  The display method of the software keyboard according to the present invention can identify the next input candidate key as a key other than the next input candidate key on the display unit when the first input key is related to any consonant. By displaying on the screen, input errors in the software keyboard can be easily suppressed.

(1) When a portable information terminal device (for example, the portable information terminal device 10 of FIG. 1 described later) selects a Japanese input mode by inputting Roman characters, an English character key (for example, a key of FIG. 4 described later) is selected. A software keyboard display step for displaying a software keyboard (for example, a software keyboard 20 in FIG. 4 described later) on a display unit (for example, a display unit 18 in FIG. 1 or FIG. 9 described later), and the software keyboard. A key input receiving step for receiving the key input, and a key related to the consonant or a key related to the vowel or an exception key as a next input candidate key when the key received the input is related to any consonant Key input rule table (for example, the key input rule table shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 described later). Next input candidate key determination step (for example, determining whether or not the next input candidate key exists in the key input rule table) based on the input information received by the key input reception step (for example, The step S5) of determining whether or not a next input candidate key exists in the key input rule table shown in FIG. 2 described later, and the next input candidate key is determined based on the determination result of the next input candidate key determination step. If it exists, an input accepting key setting step is set so that the input of the next input candidate key can be accepted and an input of a key other than the next input candidate key is not accepted (for example, in FIG. 2 described later) Step S7) of setting only the corresponding key to be displayed so that input can be accepted, and the display based on the setting result of the input acceptance key setting step Identification step of said next input candidate key to display distinguishably the keys other than the next input candidate key (e.g., shown in Figure 2 will be described later, step S8 to display the possible keys) and the next input When a cancel input operation for canceling the input of a candidate key is accepted, input of a key other than the next input candidate key (for example, key input shown in step S13 of FIG. 3 described later) is set to be acceptable, Thereafter, when an input of a key other than the next input candidate key is received by the user's operation, information on the key that has been accepted is stored (for example, the input key shown in FIG. 3 described later). Step S14) of storing information, and a table update step for updating the information of the next input candidate key in the key input rule table based on the stored information of the key. A software keyboard display method characterized by executing at least a step (for example, step S15 for updating a key input rule table shown in FIG. 3 described later) .

  Here, the exceptional key refers to a key that is exceptionally recognized as a next input candidate key when the first input key is related to any consonant. For example, as the second exceptional key that can be input, keys related to “Y”, “H”, and “S” correspond to keys that are recognized in addition to the vowel and the consonant.

According to the invention of (1), the next input candidate key is displayed so as to be distinguishable from keys other than the next input candidate key, and the user selects and inputs a desired key from the identified next input candidate keys. Therefore, it is possible to perform a quick and comfortable input operation, and it is possible to easily suppress an input error on the software keyboard. In addition, when the next input candidate key displayed in the identification display step is not what the user desires, it is possible to input a key other than the next input candidate key, and the key information input by the user is updated. Since the key input rule table can be updated as the next input candidate key, it is possible to display a key that matches the usage pattern of the user, and to further improve usability.

  (2) In the identification display step, the display mode on the display unit is an enlarged display of the next input candidate key, a thick line display of the next input candidate key, a reduced display of keys other than the next input candidate key, the next (1) characterized in that it is any one of erasure of keys other than the input candidate key and color-coded display of the next input candidate key and the key other than the next input candidate key. Display method of the software keyboard described in 1.

  According to the invention of (2), it becomes easy to distinguish the next input candidate key from a key other than the next input candidate key, so that a quick and comfortable input operation can be performed.

  (3) The software keyboard display method according to (1) or (2), wherein in the identification display step, the display permutation of the next input candidate keys is a QWERTY array.

  Here, the QWERTY layout is an alphabet layout used for a general keyboard. Specifically, the alphabet layout of the software keyboard is composed of three stages, upper, middle and lower, and the upper, Q, W, E, R... A, S, D, F... And character keys are arranged from the left, and Z, X, C, V...

  According to the invention of (3), versatility can be further improved by applying to an alphabetical array used for a general keyboard.

(4) When a Japanese input mode using Roman characters is selected, a software keyboard (for example, a software keyboard 20 in FIG. 4 described later) including English characters (for example, a key group 21 in FIG. 4 described later) is used. A display unit for displaying (for example, a display unit 18 in FIG. 1 or FIG. 9 described later), and a key input receiving means (for example, a display unit 18 in FIG. 1 or FIG. 9 to be described later) for receiving key inputs from the software keyboard; , Which is a candidate for the key to be input next based on the input information received by the key input receiving means. Key input rule storage in which a key input rule table (for example, a key input rule table shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 described later) of a list of next input candidate keys is stored. Next input candidate key determination that determines whether or not the next input candidate key exists in the key input rule storage means based on the level (for example, ROM 14 and RAM 15 in FIG. 1 described later) and the key input rule table If the next input candidate key exists based on the determination result of the means (for example, the control unit 12 shown in FIG. 1 described later) and the next input candidate key determination means, the next input candidate key is input. An input reception key setting unit (for example, a control unit 12 shown in FIG. 1 described later) that sets to be receivable and does not accept input of a key other than the next input candidate key, and the input reception key setting unit Based on the setting result, identification display means for displaying the next input candidate key on the display unit so as to be distinguishable from keys other than the next input candidate key (for example, the control unit 12 shown in FIG. 1 described later) , When receiving an input operation of the cancel input to cancel the next input candidate key, set can accept input keys except the following input candidate key, except the next input candidate key by subsequent user operation When the key input is received, the information on the key that has been accepted is stored, and the information on the next input candidate key in the key input rule table is updated based on the stored key information. And a table updating means (for example, a control unit 12 shown in FIG. 1 to be described later) .

According to the invention of (4) , when the first input key is related to any consonant, the next input candidate key is displayed on the display unit so as to be distinguishable from keys other than the next input candidate key. To do. For this reason, the user only has to select and input a desired key from among the next input candidate keys that are identified and displayed, so that a quick and comfortable input operation can be performed and input mistakes on the software keyboard can be easily suppressed. A portable information terminal device can be provided. In addition, when the next input candidate key displayed on the display unit is not what the user desires, it is possible to input a key other than the next input candidate key, and the key information input by the user is newly entered. Since the key input rule table can be updated as an input candidate key, it is possible to display a key that matches the usage pattern of the user, and to further improve usability.

(5) said key input receiving means, wherein the display unit (e.g., a display unit 18 of FIG. 1 described later) are formed on, characterized in that it is a touch panel for detecting the key corresponding to the input position (4) The portable information terminal device described in 1.

According to the invention of (5) , versatility can be further improved by applying to a touch panel type display unit in which a software keyboard is often employed.

  According to the present invention, the next input candidate key is displayed so as to be distinguishable from keys other than the next input candidate key, and the user may select and input a desired key from the next input candidate keys identified and displayed. Therefore, a quick and comfortable input operation can be performed, and an input error on the software keyboard can be easily suppressed.

It is a block diagram which shows the outline | summary of the function structure of the portable information terminal device which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the display method of the software keyboard which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the display method of the software keyboard which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the software keyboard of the non-input state which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the key input rule table which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the key input rule table which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the 2nd key which can be input in the software keyboard which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the enlarged display example of the key which can be input 2nd in the software keyboard which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the portable information terminal device which concerns on this embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This is merely an example, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to this.
[Functional configuration of portable information terminal device]

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a functional configuration of the portable information terminal device according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the portable information terminal device 10 according to the present embodiment is configured to be connectable to a communication network such as a telephone line. The portable information terminal device 10 includes a communication unit 11, a control unit 12, an operation unit 13, a ROM 14, a RAM 15, an image generation processing unit 16, a display driver 17, and a display unit 18.

  The communication unit 11 is configured to be connectable to a communication network such as a telephone line. The operation unit 13 is configured to function as an input unit necessary for operating the portable information terminal device 10 including the display operation of the display unit 18 and the like.

  Any one of the operation units 13 also functions as a cancel key for canceling the input of the displayed next input candidate key. The cancel key may be displayed on the display unit 18 as a touch panel, and the cancel may be executed by touching the cancel key.

  ROM14 and RAM15 memorize | store various programs for functioning the portable information terminal device 10, the program which performs the function of this invention, the key input rule table mentioned later, etc., and function as a key input rule memory | storage means.

  The image generation processing unit 16 is for generating various image data including character information necessary for the operation of the portable information terminal device 10 under the control of the control unit 12. The image data generated by the image generation processing unit 16 is supplied to the display driver 17. The display driver 17 drives the display unit 18 based on the supplied image data.

  The display unit 18 is configured as a liquid crystal screen, for example, and is driven by the display driver 17. Various image data including the software keyboard 20 are displayed on the display unit 18.

  The display unit 18 also functions as a key input receiving unit of the software keyboard 20 and is configured as a touch panel that detects a key corresponding to an input position by a finger, a pen, or the like. The input alphabet can be converted into a kana, for example, by touching the space / conversion key 22 (see FIG. 7).

  The control unit 12 is a part that controls the portable information terminal device 10 in an integrated manner, and by appropriately reading and executing various programs stored in the ROM 14 or the like, the control unit 12 cooperates with the hardware, and thus the portable information terminal device 10. Implement various functions.

In the portable information terminal device 10, the control unit 12 functions as a next input candidate key determination unit that determines whether there is a next input candidate key in the key input rule table stored in the key input rule storage unit. In addition, when it is determined that the next input candidate key exists, the control unit 12 sets the input of the next input candidate key to be acceptable and does not accept the input of any key other than the next input candidate key. It functions as an input reception key setting means for setting to. Furthermore, the control unit 12 functions as an identification display unit that displays the next input candidate key on the display unit 18 so as to be distinguishable from keys other than the next input candidate key.
[Configuration of key input rule table]

  5 and 6 are diagrams showing the configuration of the key input rule table. The key input rule table is stored in the key input rule storage means. As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the key input rule table includes a key related to a consonant or a key related to a vowel as a next input candidate key when the key accepted for input is related to any consonant. Alternatively, the data table is defined to allow a predetermined exception key. In this key input rule table, “second input key” and “third input key” are stored in record units in accordance with “first input key”.

  Here, the “exception key” refers to a key that is exceptionally recognized as a next input candidate key when the first input key is related to any consonant. For example, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, keys relating to “Y”, “H”, and “S” correspond to exception keys that can be input second. In addition, as an exception key that can be input third, the keys related to “A”, “O”, and “U” among vowels are applicable. However, as shown in FIG. 6, when the first input key is “T” and the second input key is “S”, the exception key that can be input third is “U” of the vowel. Only relevant keys are relevant.

Note that the key input rule table also shows “second type of candidate” and “third type of candidate” as the next input candidate keys. In addition, vowels are shown as “first input key”. Further, since “Q” is unnecessary when inputting Japanese characters in Roman characters, “Q” is not displayed (cannot be input) when the software keyboard 20 is displayed on the display unit 18. .
[Flowchart According to Embodiment of the Present Invention]

  Hereinafter, a display method of the software keyboard 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 show a flowchart of the display method of the software keyboard 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Step S1: The control unit 12 (see FIG. 1) determines whether or not a Japanese input mode using Roman characters is selected. This mode selection may be input by, for example, an input operation of the operation unit 13 (see FIG. 1), or a predetermined mode selection key is displayed on the display unit 18 (see FIG. 1). It may be input by touching.

  If it is determined by the control unit 12 that the Japanese input mode by romaji input has not been selected (No in step S1), the process proceeds to step S16, and the control unit 12 executes alphanumeric character input processing.

  On the other hand, when it is determined by the control unit 12 that the Japanese input mode by Roman character input is selected (Yes in step S1), the process proceeds to step S2.

  Step S2: The control unit 12 reads the key input rule table shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and displays the software keyboard 20 (see FIG. 4) on the display unit 18. At this time, all alphabetic key groups 21 other than “Q” are displayed in the same display mode. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the software keyboard in the non-input state according to the present embodiment.

  Note that the software keyboard 20 shown in FIG. 4 displays numeric keys and the like (“0” to “9” and “−”) in addition to the alphabet key group 21, but these numeric keys and the like are not necessarily displayed. You don't have to.

  Step S3: The control unit 12 initializes a variable n indicating what number the input character is. Specifically, for example, if the input character is the first character, the variable n is set to 1. When the variable n is initialized, the process proceeds to step S4.

  Step S4: The control unit 12 determines whether or not the nth character has been input. If there is an nth character input (Yes in step S4), the process proceeds to step S5. If an nth character input is made (No in step S4), the process returns to step S4 to input a character. Wait until.

  Step S5: The control unit 12 determines whether or not there is a record in which the nth character in the key input rule table matches the character input in step S4. If there is a matching record (Yes in step S5), the process proceeds to step S6. If there is no matching record (No in step S5), the process returns to step S2.

  Specifically, for example, if the key character input first (first character) is a consonant “M”, as shown in the key input rule table of FIG. Since there are three (Yes in step S5), the process proceeds to step S6.

  Step S6: The control unit 12 determines whether or not there is a key (next input candidate key) that can be input after the (n + 1) th character of the record, that is, after the key input in step S4.

  Specifically, when the first input key character is a consonant and it is determined whether there is a next input candidate key that can be input as the second character, the key input rule table of FIG. A record that defines ("A", "I", "U", "E", "O"), a record that defines exception keys "Y", "H", or "S"; Since there is a record that defines the same consonant as the input consonant (Yes in step S6), if the record corresponds to these records, the process proceeds to step S7.

  For example, when it is determined whether there is a next input candidate key that can be input as the second character when the character of the key input first is “M” as described above, the key input rule of FIG. The table includes a record that defines a vowel, a record that defines “Y” as an exception key, and a record that defines “M” that is the same as the first input key (Yes in step S6). Proceed to S7.

  For example, if the character of the key input first is a vowel, there is no second key that can be input in the record (No in step S6) as shown in the key input rule table of FIG. Since it is “end”, the process returns to step S2.

  Step S7: The control unit 12 sets only the key corresponding to the (n + 1) th character of the record so that the input from the display unit 18 can be accepted. That is, in the specific example, the control unit 12 displays only the vowel, the exception key “Y”, and the same “M” as the first input key, which are confirmed in step S6. ) Will be accepted.

  Step S8: The control unit 12 displays on the display unit 18 what is set as the next input candidate key that can be input in step S7. That is, in the above specific example, as shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 12 displays only the vowel, the exception key “Y”, and the same “M” as the first input key on the display unit 18.

  At this time, the display sequence of the next input candidate keys is a QWERTY array, and the display of keys other than the next input candidate keys is deleted from the display unit 18. In FIG. 7, for convenience of explanation, keys other than the next input candidate keys are also displayed.

  In this way, the display unit 18 does not display keys that do not need to be input, and displays only the next input candidate keys that are set to be inputable. What is necessary is just to select and input a desired key from the inside, and a quick and comfortable input operation can be performed.

  As shown in FIG. 8, only the vowels (“A”, “I”, “U”, “E”, “O”) and consonants (“M”) of the next input candidate keys are expanded. May be displayed on the display unit 18. In this case, since the next input candidate key is displayed in an enlarged manner, a quicker and more comfortable input operation can be performed.

  Step S9: The control unit 12 determines whether any of the keys that can be input displayed on the display unit 18 has been input. If the control unit 12 determines that any of the keys that can be input has been input (Yes in step S9), the process proceeds to step S10. If it is determined that no key has been input (No in step S9), the process proceeds to step S12. Proceed to

  For example, in the specific example in which the first input key is “M”, the control unit 12 selects any one of the vowel, the exception key “Y”, and the same “M” as the first input key. It is determined whether or not is input. If any one of the above vowels, the exceptional key “Y”, and the same “M” as the first key input is entered, the process proceeds to step S10. If none is entered, the process proceeds to step S12. move on.

  Step S10: The control unit 12 increments the variable n for the number of characters.

  Step S11: The control unit 12 determines whether or not the character input has been completed. Specifically, the end of character input is determined by kana conversion of the input character.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the first input key is “M” and the second input key is any vowel (see FIG. 5), the hiragana of the “ma” line is input. Since it can be determined that it has been converted, it is determined that the input up to the second character has been completed (Yes in step S11).

  If the control unit 12 determines that the character input has been completed (Yes in step S11), this control is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the control unit 12 determines that the character input has not been completed (No in step S11), the process returns to step S4, and the next character after the third character based on the key information input as the second character. Proceed to input candidate key display processing. That is, in this case, since the variable n is incremented (n = 2) in step S10 and the second character has already been input (Yes in step S4), the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S5, for example, the first input key in the key input rule table of FIG. 5 is “M”, the second input key is “Y” as an exception key, or “M” as a continuous consonant key ( In the case of Yes in step S5, since “A, O, U” or a vowel exists as a key candidate that can be input thirdly in the record (Yes in step S6), the process proceeds to step S7.

  In step S7, only the key corresponding to the third character of the record is set to accept input. That is, in the above specific example, when the second input key is “Y”, which is an exception key, the control unit 12 sets the keys related to “A, O, U” to be receivable. When the second input key is the continuous consonant key “M”, the key related to the vowel is set to be receivable.

  Subsequently, the control unit 12 displays “A, O, U” or the key related to the vowel set in step S7 so that the input can be accepted on the display unit 18 (step S8), and any of the displayed keys. It is determined whether or not is input (step S9).

  If it is determined by the control unit 12 that any of the displayed keys has been input (Yes in step S9), the process proceeds to step S11 through step S10, and it is determined whether the character input is completed.

  Specifically, in this embodiment, the input of three alphabetic characters ends the unit input of kana, so it is determined that the character input has ended (Yes in step S11), and this control is ended.

  Step S12: The control unit 12 determines whether or not there is a cancel input. Specifically, when none of the displayed keys is desired by the user, the user presses a cancel key (for example, some keys constituting the operation unit 13), An arbitrary key can be input without inputting the preset next input candidate key.

  If the control unit 12 determines that there is a cancel input (Yes in step S12), the process proceeds to step S13. If it is determined that there is no cancel input (No in step S12), the process returns to step S9. .

  Step S13: The controller 12 determines whether or not a key other than the displayed next input candidate key has been input. If the control unit 12 determines that a key other than the displayed next input candidate key has been input (Yes in step S13), the process proceeds to step S14, and if it is determined that no key has been input (in step S13). No) returns to step S9.

  Step S14: The control unit 12 stores the key information input after the cancellation in the RAM 15 or the like.

  Step S15: The control unit 12 updates the information in the key input rule table shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 based on the key information stored in step S14. When the information in the key input rule table is updated, the process returns to step S2, and the above-described control is executed based on the updated key input rule table.

  By updating the information in the key input rule table in this way, it is possible to perform key display that matches the usage pattern of the user and further improve usability.

In the execution of the display method of the software keyboard 20, the specific record shown in FIG. 5 (for example, when the first input key is “M”) has been described as an example. According to the input key, the display method can be executed using other records as appropriate.
[Hardware configuration of portable information terminal device]

  Next, an example of a hardware configuration of the portable information terminal device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the portable information terminal device 10 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the portable information terminal device 10 includes a communication unit 11 (see FIG. 1), a control unit 12 (see FIG. 1), an operation unit 13, a ROM 14 (see FIG. 1), A RAM 15 (see FIG. 1), an image generation processing unit 16 (see FIG. 1), a display driver 17 (see FIG. 1), and a display unit 18 that displays a software keyboard 20 at the bottom of the screen, for example.

  The operation unit 13 functions as an input unit necessary for operating the portable information terminal device 10 including the display operation of the display unit 18 and the like. The operation unit 13 is configured as a push button, for example.

  The display unit 18 is configured as a liquid crystal screen, for example. The display unit 18 displays various image data including the software keyboard 20.

  The display unit 18 also functions as a key input receiving unit of the software keyboard 20. That is, the display unit 18 is configured as a touch panel that detects a key corresponding to an input position by a finger, a pen, or the like. The display unit 18 is configured to be able to display input characters, converted or confirmed characters at appropriate positions.

  As described above, the display unit 18 of the portable information terminal device 10 can be configured not to display keys that do not need to be input and to display only the next input candidate keys that are set to be inputable. The user only needs to select and input a desired key from the limited-displayed next input candidate keys, and can perform a quick and comfortable input operation. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, input errors on the software keyboard 20 can be easily suppressed.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the display method of the software keyboard 20 is immediately executed when the Japanese input mode by romaji input is selected, so that the mode switching for executing the display method or the like is performed. The separate input operation is unnecessary, the software keyboard 20 can be used immediately, and the usability is very good.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the display permutation of the next input candidate key is a QWERTY layout, the versatility can be further improved by applying it to an alphabet layout used for a general keyboard.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, when the next input candidate key displayed on the display unit 18 of the portable information terminal device 10 is not desired by the user, a key other than the next input candidate key can be input. In addition, since the key input rule table can be updated using the key information input by the user as a new next input candidate key, it is possible to display a key that matches the usage pattern of the user and further improve usability. can do.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not restricted to embodiment mentioned above. For example, the display mode on the display unit 18 in step S8 (see FIG. 2) of the above embodiment has been described as not displaying (erasing) keys other than the next input candidate key, but is not limited thereto.

  That is, the display mode on the display unit 18 is enlarged display of the next input candidate key, thick line display of the next input candidate key, reduced display of keys other than the next input candidate key, erasure of keys other than the next input candidate key, and next Any one of the input candidate keys and the color-coded display of keys other than the next input candidate keys, or any combination thereof may be used. Also in these cases, it becomes easy to distinguish the next input candidate key from a key other than the next input candidate key, so that a quick and comfortable input operation can be performed.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated that the display method (display program) of the said software keyboard 20 was performed immediately when the Japanese input mode by a Roman character input was selected, it limited to this Instead, the display method may be executed by a separate input operation such as mode switching.

  In the above embodiment, the display permutation of the next input candidate key has been described as being in the QWERTY array, but is not limited to this and may be in another array.

  The effects described in the embodiments of the present invention only list the most preferable effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention. .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Portable information terminal device 12 Control part 13 Operation part 18 Display part 20 Software keyboard 21 Key group

Claims (5)

The portable information terminal device
A software keyboard display step for displaying a software keyboard composed of keys of English characters on the display unit when the Japanese input mode by romaji input is selected;
A key input receiving step for receiving input of the key by the software keyboard;
A key input rule table that specifies that a key related to the consonant, a key related to a vowel, or an exception key is allowed as a next input candidate key when the key accepted for the input is related to any consonant; A next input candidate key determination step for determining whether or not the next input candidate key exists in the key input rule table based on the input information received by the key input reception step;
If the next input candidate key exists based on the determination result of the next input candidate key determination step, the input of the next input candidate key is set to be acceptable, and the input of a key other than the next input candidate key is performed. An input acceptance key setting step for setting so as not to accept;
An identification display step for displaying the next input candidate key on the display unit so as to be distinguishable from a key other than the next input candidate key based on a setting result of the input reception key setting step;
When a cancel input operation for canceling the input of the next input candidate key is accepted, an input of a key other than the next input candidate key is set so as to be accepted, and after that, a user operation other than the next input candidate key is set. A table that stores information on a key that has been accepted when the key input is accepted, and updates information on the next input candidate key in the key input rule table based on the stored key information An update step;
A method for displaying a software keyboard, comprising: In the identification display step, the display mode on the display unit is:
An enlarged display of the next input candidate key;
A thick line display of the next input candidate key,
Reduced display of keys other than the next input candidate key,
Deletion of keys other than the next input candidate key,
And color-coded display of the next input candidate key and a key other than the next input candidate key,
The software keyboard display method according to claim 1, wherein any one of the above or any combination thereof.   3. The software keyboard display method according to claim 1, wherein in the identification display step, the display permutation of the next input candidate key is a QWERTY array. A display unit that displays a software keyboard composed of keys of English characters when the Japanese input mode by romaji input is selected;
Key input accepting means for accepting key input by the software keyboard;
A portable information terminal device comprising:
A key input rule storage unit that stores a key input rule table of a list of next input candidate keys that are candidates for the next key to be input based on the input information received by the key input receiving unit;
Next input candidate key determining means for determining whether or not the next input candidate key exists in the key input rule storage means based on the key input rule table;
If the next input candidate key exists based on the determination result of the next input candidate key determination means, the input of the next input candidate key is set to be acceptable and the input of a key other than the next input candidate key is performed. An input acceptance key setting means for setting so as not to accept;
Identification display means for displaying the next input candidate key on the display unit in a distinguishable manner from keys other than the next input candidate key based on the setting result of the input acceptance key setting means;
When a cancel input operation for canceling the input of the next input candidate key is accepted, an input of a key other than the next input candidate key is set so as to be accepted, and after that, a user operation other than the next input candidate key is set. A table that stores information on a key that has been accepted when the key input is accepted, and updates information on the next input candidate key in the key input rule table based on the stored key information Update means;
A portable information terminal device comprising: The portable information terminal device according to claim 4 , wherein the key input receiving unit is a touch panel that is formed on the display unit and detects the key corresponding to an input position.

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