JP4972183B2 - Mobile device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile terminal in which a plurality of keys are provided, and a plurality of characters are assigned to each key.

  Conventionally, a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone is provided with a plurality of keys (for example, “0” to “9”, “*”, and “#”) for inputting a telephone number. In such a portable terminal, a character is assigned to each key in order to input a character when creating a mail. Here, considering the portability of the mobile terminal, the number of keys provided on the mobile terminal is limited, and therefore, a plurality of characters are assigned to each key.

  Specifically, when the key is pressed by the user, the mobile terminal switches the character to be displayed in the display area, and when the user performs processing for determining the character, the character displayed in the display area is displayed. Determine. Note that the process for determining a character includes a process in which the user presses a key different from the key to which the character displayed in the display area is assigned, a process in which the user presses a cursor key, and the like.

  For example, if the character “a” is assigned to the key “1”, the mobile terminal can select “A” → “I” → “U” when the user presses the key “1”. Characters are switched in order, such as “→” e ”→“ o ”. When the key “2” or the cursor key is pressed by the user while “u” is displayed in the display area, the mobile terminal determines “u” displayed in the display area.

  In the above-described input method (hereinafter referred to as “5-touch method”), even when it is desired to continuously input characters assigned to one key, a certain key is pressed to confirm the character displayed in the display area. Therefore, it is necessary to input characters, and the operation of inputting characters is complicated.

  For example, when the user wants to input the character “No”, “Yes” can be confirmed if the user does not perform processing for confirming the character when “I” is displayed in the display area. Can not.

  On the other hand, a portable terminal that has a function of detecting that the user is touching the key and determines the character when the user's finger is released from the key while the character is displayed in the display area has been proposed. (For example, Patent Document 1). According to such a portable terminal, the user does not need to perform a process for determining a character, and can easily perform a character input operation.

JP 2002-55766 A (Claim 1, FIG. 7, etc.)

  However, if the user's finger is released from the key while the character is displayed in the display area, the user's finger is released from the key when the user re-holds the mobile terminal in a mobile terminal that determines the character. In such a case, a character unintended by the user may be determined.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and is capable of facilitating character input work while preventing a user from erroneously determining a character. The purpose is to provide.

  A first feature of the present invention is that a mobile terminal provided with a plurality of keys detects a contact of the user with the keys (touch pad 10b and contact detection interface 11), and the keys are used by the user. And a character assigned to a press key that is the key pressed by the user when the press detection unit detects that the user has pressed the key. And a non-contact time period during which the user does not touch the pressed key after the pressing detection unit detects that the user has pressed the pressed key. The gist of the present invention is to include a control unit (control unit 14) that determines the candidate character displayed on the display unit when the time reaches a predetermined determination time.

  According to such a feature, when the non-contact time of the key reaches a predetermined determination time, the mobile terminal determines the candidate character displayed on the display unit, and thereby the candidate is released when the user's finger is released from the key. When a user re-grips the mobile terminal, such as a conventional mobile terminal that determines characters, the user's finger is removed from the key, and candidate characters that are not intended by the user are determined. Can be prevented. In addition, the user does not need to perform a process for determining the character again, and can easily perform the character input operation.

  A second feature of the present invention is that, in the first feature of the present invention, when the control unit is in contact with a corresponding area associated with the pressed key, the non-contact time is equal to the predetermined determination time. Even if it is before becoming, it makes it a summary to determine the said candidate character displayed on the said display part.

  A third feature of the present invention is that a portable terminal provided with a plurality of keys detects that the user has touched the keys, and a press detection unit that detects that the user has pressed the keys. And a display unit that displays characters assigned to the press key that is the key pressed by the user in order as a candidate character when the press detection unit detects that the user has pressed the key, and corresponds to the press key And a control unit that determines the candidate character displayed on the display unit when the user contacts the attached corresponding area.

  According to such a feature, when the user intentionally touches the corresponding area, the mobile terminal determines the candidate character displayed when the user's finger is released from the key by determining the candidate character displayed on the display unit. To prevent a candidate character unintended by the user from being fixed due to the user's finger being removed from the key when the user re-holds the mobile terminal, as in a conventional mobile terminal. Can do. In addition, as long as the user simply touches the corresponding area, the candidate characters displayed on the display unit are confirmed, so that the characters can be input quickly.

  A fourth feature of the present invention is the second feature or third feature of the present invention, comprising a key arrangement surface (key arrangement surface 10a) on which a plurality of the keys are arranged, and the contact detection unit includes the In addition to the user touching the key, it is detected that the user touches the key arrangement surface, and the corresponding area is any part on the key arrangement surface excluding the pressed key. The gist.

  The fifth feature of the present invention is summarized in that, in the second feature or the third feature of the present invention, the corresponding area is any other key different from the pressed key.

  The sixth feature of the present invention is summarized in that, in the second feature or the third feature of the present invention, the corresponding area is a specific area including at least a part of the pressed key.

  A seventh feature of the present invention is that, in the sixth feature of the present invention, when the user touches the specific area of the press key when the control unit is pressing the press key, The gist is to determine the candidate character displayed on the display unit.

  An eighth feature of the present invention is the setting for the user to set the position of the specific region, the size of the position of the specific region, or the number of positions of the specific region in the sixth feature of the present invention. The gist is to further include a unit (key 30 and key assignment information storage unit 13).

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the portable terminal which can make a character input operation | work easy can be provided, preventing a user confirming a character accidentally.

1 is an external view showing a mobile terminal 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is an exploded view which shows the portable terminal 100 which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram showing control board 10c concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the key allocation information which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the character input screen which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the portable terminal 100 which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the transition of the character input screen which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the portable terminal 100 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the specific area | region which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the coordinate of the key information display area which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the portable terminal 100 which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the fixed area | region which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention (the 1). It is a figure which shows the fixed area | region which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention (the 2). It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the portable terminal 100 which concerns on 5th Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and ratios of dimensions and the like are different from actual ones.

[First Embodiment]
(Configuration of mobile device)
Hereinafter, the configuration of the mobile terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external view showing a mobile terminal 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile terminal 100 includes a main body unit 10 and a display unit 20, and the main body unit 10 is provided with a plurality of keys 30. The key 30 is a key such as “0” to “9”, “*”, “#”. A plurality of characters are assigned to the key 30.

  The main body 10 has a control board 10c to be described later, and displays characters assigned to the key 30 pressed by the user on the display unit 20 in order as candidate characters. Moreover, the main-body part 10 will confirm the candidate character displayed on the display part 20, if the predetermined confirmation condition is satisfy | filled.

  The display unit 20 displays a screen for inputting characters when creating a mail. Here, a screen for inputting characters (hereinafter referred to as a character input screen) includes a character input area that is an area in which a character string is input and key information that is an area in which characters assigned to each key 30 are displayed. And a display area. Details of the character input screen will be described later (see FIG. 5).

  Specifically, in the character input area of the display unit 20, when the key 30 is pressed by the user, the characters assigned to the key 30 are sequentially displayed as candidate characters. A character string determined by the user is displayed in the character input area of the display unit 20.

  FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the mobile terminal 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the main body 10 includes a key arrangement surface 10a, a touch pad 10b, and a control board 10c.

  The key arrangement surface 10a is a sheet-like member that holds the key 30, and has a plurality of holes (not shown) into which the key 30 is fitted.

  The touch pad 10b detects that the user has touched each key 30. The touch pad 10b also detects that the user has touched the key arrangement surface 10a. Note that the touch pad 10b can also detect that the user is continuously touching the key 30.

  The control board 10c controls the portable terminal 100 according to the detection result by the touch pad 10b. The details of the control board 10c will be described later (see FIG. 3).

(Configuration of control board)
Hereinafter, the configuration of the above-described control board 10c will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the control board 10c according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the control board 10 c includes a contact detection interface 11, a press detection interface 12, a key assignment information storage unit 13, a control unit 14, and a display control unit 15.

  The contact detection interface 11 is connected to the touch pad 10b, and acquires a signal indicating that the user has touched each key 30 from the touch pad 10b. Note that the contact detection interface 11 continuously acquires signals from the touch pad 10b when the user continues to touch the key 30.

  The press detection interface 12 is connected to each key 30 and acquires a signal indicating that the user has pressed each key 30.

  The key assignment information storage unit 13 stores information associating the types of the keys 30 with the characters assigned to the keys 30 as key assignment information. Each key 30 is assigned a plurality of characters. Details of the key assignment information will be described later (see FIG. 4).

  The control unit 14 instructs the display control unit 15 to display a screen for inputting characters. As described above, the screen for inputting characters includes a character input area that is an area in which a character string is input, and a key information display area that is an area in which characters assigned to each key 30 are displayed. Consists of.

  Further, the control unit 14 instructs the display control unit 15 to sequentially display the characters assigned to the key 30 pressed by the user as candidate characters. Furthermore, the control unit 14 determines the candidate character displayed on the display unit 20 when a predetermined determination condition is satisfied.

  In response to an instruction from the control unit 14, the display control unit 15 displays characters assigned to the keys 30 on the display unit 20 in order as candidate characters. Further, the display control unit 15 displays a character string determined by the user on the display unit 20.

(Key assignment information)
Hereinafter, the above-described key assignment information will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing key assignment information according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the key assignment information is information that associates the type of the key 30 with the character assigned to each key 30.

  For example, the line “a” is assigned to the key “1”, and when the user presses the key “1”, “a” → “yes” → “u” → “e” → “o” In this order, each character is displayed as a candidate character.

(Character input screen)
The character input screen described above will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a character input screen according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5B is a diagram showing coordinates of a key information display area according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is.

  First, the character input screen will be described. As shown in FIG. 5A, the display unit 20 displays a character input screen including a character input area 20a and a key information display area 20b.

  The character input area 20a is an area where a character string is input. Specifically, when the user continuously presses the key 30 in the character input area 20a, the characters assigned to the key 30 are sequentially displayed as candidate characters. In addition, the candidate characters displayed in the character input area 20a are confirmed and displayed in the character input area 20a when a predetermined confirmation condition is satisfied.

  The key information display area 20b is an area in which characters assigned to the keys 30 are displayed. Specifically, the characters assigned to the keys 30 are displayed in the key information display area 20 b according to the arrangement of the keys 30. In the initial state (the state where the key 30 is not pressed by the user), the first character assigned to each key 30 is displayed in the key information display area 20b.

  For example, in the initial state, in the key information display area 20b, the first characters (“A” to “RA”) assigned to the keys “1” to “9”, “*”, “0”, and “#”, respectively. , “”, “” And “−”) are displayed according to the arrangement of the keys 30.

  Next, the coordinates of the key information display area will be described. As shown in FIG. 5B, the key 30 is associated with the coordinates of the display area of the key 30. The X axis is an axis whose value increases from the upper end to the lower end of the display unit 20, and the Y axis is an axis whose value increases from the left end to the right end of the display unit 20.

  For example, the character assigned to the key “1” provided at the top left of the main body 10 (“A” in the initial state) has an X-axis value in the range of 0 to 70 and a Y-axis value. Is displayed in the range of 60-110. Conversely, the character assigned to the key “#” provided at the bottom right of the main body 10 (“−” in the initial state) has an X-axis value in the range of 160 to 230, and the Y-axis Is displayed in the range of 240-290.

(Mobile device operation)
Hereinafter, the operation of the mobile terminal 100 described above will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile terminal 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The flow shown in FIG. 6 is a flow showing processing performed when the user touches any key 30 in a state where the character input screen is displayed on the display unit 20.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in step 100, the mobile terminal 100 focuses-displays the characters assigned to the key 30 that the user is in contact with. It should be noted that the character displayed in focus in the key information display area 20b is a character displayed as a candidate character in the character input area 20a when the user presses the key 30, that is, a next candidate character.

  For example, when the user is in contact with the key “1”, the mobile terminal 100 focuses-displays the first character “A” assigned to the key “1”.

  In step 110, the mobile terminal 100 determines whether or not the touch of the key 30 has been completed. The portable terminal 100 proceeds to the process of step 120 when the contact of the key 30 is finished, and proceeds to the process of step 130 when the contact of the key 30 is continued.

  In step 120, the portable terminal 100 ends the focus display of the characters displayed in the key information display area 20b.

  In step 130, the mobile terminal 100 determines whether or not the pressing of the key 30 in contact with the user is detected. In addition, when the pressing of the key 30 is detected, the portable terminal 100 proceeds to the process of step 140, and when the pressing of the key 30 is not detected, the portable terminal 100 returns to the process of step 110.

  In step 140, the mobile terminal 100 displays the characters assigned to the key 30 pressed by the user as candidate characters in the character input area 20a. Note that the characters displayed as candidate characters are characters that are focused on the key information display area 20b. Moreover, the portable terminal 100 switches the character focused on the key information display area 20b to the next character.

  For example, when the user presses the key “1”, the mobile terminal 100 displays the character “A” assigned to the key “1” as a candidate character in the character input area 20a. In addition, the portable terminal 100 switches the character “A” displayed in focus in the key information display area 20b to the next character “I”.

  In step 150, the mobile terminal 100 determines whether or not the touch of the key 30 has ended. The portable terminal 100 proceeds to the process of step 160 when the contact of the key 30 is finished, and proceeds to the process of step 200 when the contact of the key 30 is continued.

  In step 160, the portable terminal 100 starts a timer (T1) that measures the time until the candidate character displayed in the character input area 20a is determined.

  In step 170, the mobile terminal 100 determines whether or not it has been detected that the user has re-contacted the same key 30 as the key 30 in contact with the user in step 140. In addition, when the mobile terminal 100 detects that the user has re-contacted, the mobile terminal 100 proceeds to the process of Step 200, and when not detecting that the user has re-contacted, the mobile terminal 100 proceeds to the process of Step 180.

  In step 180, the portable terminal 100 determines whether or not the timer (T1) has timed out, that is, whether or not the time counted by the timer (T1) has reached a predetermined determination time. Further, when the timer (T1) times out, the mobile terminal 100 proceeds to the process of step 190, and when the timer (T1) has not timed out, the portable terminal 100 returns to the process of step 170.

  In step 190, the mobile terminal 100 determines candidate characters displayed in the character input area 20a.

  In step 200, the portable terminal 100 resets the time counted by the timer (T1).

  In step 210, the portable terminal 100 determines whether or not it has been detected in step 130 that the user has pressed and pressed the key 30 that is the same as the key 30 again. The portable terminal 100 returns to the process of step 140 when detecting that the user has pressed again, and returns to the process of step 150 when not detecting that the user has pressed again.

  In this way, when the user presses the same key 30 again, the portable terminal 100 switches the candidate character displayed in the character input area 20a to the next character and displays the focus in the key information display area 20b. Switch the current character to the next character.

  For example, when the user presses the key “1” again with the same key 30, the portable terminal 100 switches the candidate character “A” displayed in the character input area 20 a to the next character “I”. In addition, the portable terminal 100 switches the character “I” focused on the key information display area 20b to the next character “U”.

(Character input screen)
Hereinafter, the transition of the character input screen described above will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the transition of the character input screen according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 7A shows a character input screen displayed on the display unit 20 when the user is not in contact with any of the keys 30 as in FIG.

  FIG. 7B shows a character input screen displayed on the display unit 20 when the user touches the key “1” in the state shown in FIG. Specifically, the first character “A” assigned to the key “1” is displayed in focus in the key information display area 20 b of the display unit 20.

  FIG. 7C shows a character input screen displayed on the display unit 20 when the user presses the key “1” in the state shown in FIG. Specifically, in the character input area 20a of the display unit 20, the character “A” that has been focus-displayed in the key information display area 20b is displayed as a candidate character. In the key information display area 20b of the display unit 20, the focused character “A” is switched to the next character “I”, and the character “I” is displayed in focus.

  FIG. 7D shows a character input screen displayed on the display unit 20 when the user presses the key “1” again in the state shown in FIG. Specifically, in the character input area 20a of the display unit 20, the character “A” displayed as the candidate character is switched to the next character “I”. In the key information display area 20b of the display unit 20, the focused character “I” is switched to the next character “U”, and the character “U” is displayed in focus.

  FIG. 7E shows a character input screen displayed on the display unit 20 when the user ends the touch of the key “1” and the timer (T1) times out in the state shown in FIG. Show. Specifically, in the character input area 20a of the display unit 20, the character “A” displayed as the candidate character is determined. In the key information display area 20b of the display unit 20, the focus display of the character “I” ends.

  FIG. 7F shows a character input screen displayed on the display unit 20 when the user touches the key “1” in the state shown in FIG. Specifically, as in FIG. 7B, the first character “A” assigned to the key “1” is displayed in focus in the key information display area 20 b of the display unit 20. In the character input area 20a of the display unit 20, the already determined character “A” is continuously displayed.

  FIG. 7G shows a character input screen displayed on the display unit 20 when the user presses the key “1” in the state shown in FIG. Specifically, in the character input area 20a of the display unit 20, the character “A” that has been focus-displayed in the key information display area 20b is displayed as a candidate character. In the key information display area 20b of the display unit 20, the focused character “A” is switched to the next character “I”, and the character “I” is displayed in focus.

(Function and effect)
According to the mobile terminal 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 14 is displayed in the character input area 20a of the display unit 20 when the non-contact time of the key 30 reaches a predetermined determination time. By confirming the candidate character, the user's finger is moved from the key 30 when the user re-holds the portable terminal 100, as in a conventional portable terminal that confirms the candidate character by separating the user's finger from the key. It is possible to prevent the candidate character that is not intended by the user from being left apart. The user does not need to perform the process for confirming the character again, and can easily perform the character input operation.

[Second Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a mobile terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, differences from the first embodiment described above will be mainly described.

  Specifically, in the first embodiment described above, the candidate characters displayed in the character input area 20a are not determined until the timer (T1) times out, but in the second embodiment, the timer (T1) is not set. Even before the time-out, it is determined that the user touches another key 30 different from the key 30 pressed by the user.

(Mobile device operation)
Hereinafter, the operation of the mobile terminal 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile terminal 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 8, the same step numbers are assigned to the same processes as those in the flowchart shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in step 182, the mobile terminal 100 determines whether or not it is detected that the user has touched another key 30 different from the key 30 pressed by the user in step 140. If the portable terminal 100 detects that the user has touched the other key 30, the mobile terminal 100 proceeds to the process of step 190. If not detected that the user has touched the other key 30, step 170. Return to the process.

  As described above, even if the portable terminal 100 detects that the user has touched another key 30 even before the timer (T1) times out, the portable terminal 100 displays the candidate characters displayed in the character input area 20a. Determine.

  In the second embodiment, the mobile terminal 100 determines the candidate character displayed in the character input area 20a even when the timer (T1) times out, but is not limited to this. Specifically, the portable terminal 100 may determine candidate characters displayed in the character input area 20a only when detecting that the user has touched another key 30.

(Function and effect)
According to the mobile terminal 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, when the control unit 14 intentionally touches another key 30, the candidate character displayed in the character input area 20 a of the display unit 20. The user's finger is released from the key 30 when the user re-holds the mobile terminal 100, as in the conventional mobile terminal in which the candidate character is determined by releasing the user's finger from the key. In other words, it is possible to prevent candidate characters not intended by the user from being determined.

  Further, even before the timer (T1) times out, the control unit 14 determines the candidate characters displayed in the character input area 20a of the display unit 20 when the user touches another key 30. Thus, it is possible to input characters quickly.

[Third Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a mobile terminal according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, differences from the first embodiment described above will be mainly described.

  Specifically, in the first embodiment described above, the candidate characters displayed in the character input area 20a are not determined until the timer (T1) times out, but in the second embodiment, the timer (T1) is not set. Even before time-out, it is determined that the user touches a specific area that is an area including at least a part of the key 30 pressed by the user.

(Specific area)
Hereinafter, a specific region according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a specific area according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C, each key 30 is associated with a specific area that is an area including at least a part of the key 30. Here, the specific area is preferably associated with an area that is difficult to touch when the key 30 is pressed.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, each key 30 may be associated with a region located at the upper left of the key 30 as a specific region. Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, each key 30 may include an area located at the upper left of the key 30, and an area protruding in the upper left direction of the key 30 may be associated as a specific area. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9C, each key 30 may be associated with a region located at the upper left and upper right of the key 30 as a specific region.

(Key position coordinates)
Hereinafter, the coordinates of the key arrangement position according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the coordinates of the key arrangement position according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The coordinates of the key arrangement position are coordinates indicating the arrangement position of the key 30 provided on the main body unit 10.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the key 30 is associated with the coordinates of the key 30 and the coordinates of the specific area of the key 30. FIG. 10 shows the coordinates of the specific area shown in FIG.

  For example, the key “1” provided at the upper left corner of the main body 10 is arranged in the range of 0 to 100 on the X axis and in the range of 0 to 60 on the Y axis. In addition, the key “1” is associated with a specific area (left) in the range of 0 to 40 in the X-axis value and 0 to 20 in the Y-axis value. A range in which the value is in the range of 60 to 100 and the Y-axis value is in the range of 0 to 20 is associated as the specific region (right).

  The coordinates of the key arrangement position are stored in, for example, the key assignment information storage unit 13 and cannot be rewritten with respect to the coordinates of the key 30, but the user operates the key 30 with respect to the coordinates of the specific area. Rewritten. That is, the user sets (customizes) the position, size, number, and the like of the specific area by rewriting the coordinates (FLXmin, FLXmax, FLYmin, FLYmax, FRXmin, FRXmax, FRYmin, and FRYmax) of the specific area.

(Mobile device operation)
Hereinafter, the operation of the mobile terminal 100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile terminal 100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 11, the same step numbers are assigned to the same processes as those in the flowchart shown in FIG. 6.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in step 184, the mobile terminal 100 determines whether or not it has detected that the user has touched a specific area associated with the same key 30 as the key 30 pressed by the user in step 140. judge. When the mobile terminal 100 detects that the user has touched the specific area associated with the same key 30, the mobile terminal 100 moves to the process of step 190 and moves to the specific area associated with the same key 30. If it is not detected that the user has touched, the process returns to step 170.

  As described above, even if the portable terminal 100 detects that the user has touched a specific area associated with the same key 30 even before the timer (T1) times out, the character input area 20a Confirm the candidate characters displayed in.

  In the third embodiment, the portable terminal 100 determines the candidate characters displayed in the character input area 20a even when the timer (T1) times out, but is not limited to this. Specifically, the portable terminal 100 may determine candidate characters displayed in the character input area 20a only when detecting that the user has touched a specific area associated with the same key 30. .

  In the third embodiment, the mobile terminal 100 detects that the user has touched a specific area associated with the key 30 after the pressing of the key 30 is detected. Although the displayed candidate character is decided, it is not limited to this. Specifically, when the mobile terminal 100 detects that the user has touched a specific area associated with the key 30 when the key 30 is pressed, the mobile terminal 100 is displayed in the character input area 20a. Candidate characters may be determined.

(Function and effect)
According to the mobile terminal 100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, when the control unit 14 intentionally touches a specific area associated with the same key 30, the character input area of the display unit 20 is displayed. By confirming the candidate character displayed on 20a, when the user re-holds the portable terminal 100 as in the conventional portable terminal in which the candidate character is confirmed when the user's finger is released from the key, the key 30 is displayed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a candidate character unintended by the user from being determined due to the user's finger separating from the user.

  Further, even when the control unit 14 is in contact with a specific area associated with the same key 30 even before the timer (T1) times out, it is displayed in the character input area 20a of the display unit 20. By confirming the candidate characters, the characters can be input quickly.

  Furthermore, the coordinates of the key arrangement position are stored in, for example, the key assignment information storage unit 13, and the coordinates of the specific area can be rewritten by the user operating the key 30. The position, size and number of areas can be easily customized.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a mobile terminal according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, differences from the above-described third embodiment will be mainly described.

  Specifically, in the third embodiment described above, the candidate character displayed in the character input area 20a is determined when the user touches a specific area that is an area including at least a part of the key 30 pressed by the user. However, in the fourth embodiment, it is determined that the user touches any part (determined area) on the key arrangement surface 10a excluding the key 30 pressed by the user.

(Determined area)
Hereinafter, a definite region according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 12 and 13 are diagrams illustrating an example of the fixed region according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, each key 30 is associated with a fixed area that is a part on the key arrangement surface 10 a excluding the key 30. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the determination area may be provided in the peripheral portion of each key 30. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the fixed area may be the entire key arrangement surface 10 a except for the keys 30.

  As described above, the confirmed area may be an area including at least a part of the key arrangement surface 10 a excluding the key 30, and may be an area common to the keys 30.

(Function and effect)
According to the mobile terminal 100 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the confirmation region for confirming the candidate character displayed in the character input region 20a of the display unit 20 is the peripheral portion of the key 30 pressed by the user. Thus, the user can easily touch the determined area by simply sliding his / her finger on the pressed key 30. That is, the user's finger is separated from the key 30 when the user re-holds the portable terminal 100 as in a conventional portable terminal that determines a candidate character by separating the user's finger from the key 30. It is possible to prevent a candidate character not intended by the user from being determined.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a portable terminal according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, differences from the first embodiment described above will be mainly described.

  Specifically, in the first embodiment described above, there is no particular mention after the process of determining candidate characters displayed in the character input area 20a (the process of step 190). In the fifth embodiment, character input is performed. Processing by pressing a specific key (cursor key in the fifth embodiment) is not accepted for a predetermined time after the candidate character displayed in the area 20a is confirmed.

  In the fifth embodiment, the process by pressing a specific key is a process of determining candidate characters displayed in the character input area 20a.

(Mobile device operation)
Hereinafter, the operation of the mobile terminal 100 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile terminal 100 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 14, the same step numbers are assigned to the same processes as those in the flowchart shown in FIG. Further, in FIG. 14, the processing until the candidate character displayed in the character input area 20a is confirmed (the processing from step 100 to step 210) is the same processing as the flowchart shown in FIG. To Step 180, Step 200 and Step 210) are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 14, in step 220, the mobile terminal 100 starts a timer (T 2) that counts a time during which processing due to pressing of the cursor key is not accepted.

  In step 230, the portable terminal 100 determines whether or not the timer (T2) has timed out, that is, whether or not the time counted by the timer (T2) has reached a predetermined time. In addition, when the timer (T2) has timed out, the portable terminal 100 ends this process, and when the timer (T2) has not timed out, the mobile terminal 100 proceeds to the process of step 240.

  In step 240, the portable terminal 100 determines whether or not a cursor key press is detected. The portable terminal 100 proceeds to the process of step 250 when the pressing of the cursor key is detected, and returns to the process of step 230 when the pressing of the cursor key is not detected.

  In step 250, the portable terminal 100 clears the processing by pressing the cursor key, that is, the processing for determining the candidate character displayed in the character input area 20a (or processing for moving the cursor).

  As described above, the mobile terminal 100 does not accept the process of pressing the cursor key for a predetermined time after the candidate character displayed in the character input area 20a is confirmed.

(Function and effect)
According to the mobile terminal 100 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 14 accepts processing by pressing the cursor key for a predetermined time after the candidate character displayed in the character input area 20a is confirmed. As a result, even if the candidate character is confirmed, even if the user presses the cursor key to confirm the candidate character, the process for confirming the candidate character does not overlap. In addition, it is possible to prevent the cursor from being moved unintended by the user even when a cursor key having a function for moving the cursor is pressed in addition to the function for determining the candidate character. Can do.

[Example of change]
You may provide the program for making a computer perform operation | movement of the portable terminal 100 which concerns on 1st Embodiment-5th Embodiment.

  Moreover, in 1st Embodiment-5th Embodiment, although the touchpad 10b detects only that the user contacted the key 30, it is not limited to this, The user touched the key 30, and It may be detected that the user has pressed the key 30.

  Furthermore, in 1st Embodiment-3rd Embodiment, although operation | movement of the portable terminal 100 becomes the interruption process triggered by the detection by the touchpad 10b, it is not limited to this, A user's operation is carried out. It may be a polling process or a loop process executed at time intervals that can be sufficiently monitored.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Main part, 10a ... Key arrangement surface, 10b ... Touch pad, 10c ... Control board, 11 ... Contact detection interface, 12 ... Press detection interface, 13 ... Key Allocation information storage unit, 14 ... control unit, 15 ... display control unit, 20 ... display unit, 30 ... key, 100 ... mobile terminal

Claims (6)

A mobile terminal provided with a plurality of keys,
A contact detector for detecting that the user has touched the key;
A pressing detection unit that detects that the user has pressed the key;
Each time the pressing detection unit detects that the user has pressed the key, a plurality of characters assigned to the pressing key that is the key pressed by the user are displayed as candidate characters one by one in a predetermined order. A display unit to
A portable terminal comprising: a control unit that determines the candidate character displayed on the display unit when a user touches a corresponding region associated with the pressed key. A key arrangement surface on which a plurality of the keys are arranged;
The contact detection unit detects that the user has touched the key arrangement surface in addition to the user touching the key,
The portable terminal according to claim 1, wherein the corresponding area is any part on the key arrangement surface excluding the pressed key.   The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the corresponding area is one of other keys different from the pressed key.   The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the corresponding area is a specific area including at least a part of the pressed key.   The control unit determines the candidate character displayed on the display unit when the user touches the specific area of the press key while the user presses the press key. Item 5. The mobile terminal according to Item 4.   The mobile terminal according to claim 4, further comprising a setting unit for a user to set the position of the specific area, the size of the position of the specific area, or the number of positions of the specific area.