JP5035821B2 - Input device and method, and computer program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device and method capable of inputting a large number of characters with a limited number of keys, and a computer to an electronic computer capable of operating a GUI (Graphical User Interface: GUI) such as a mobile phone. The present invention relates to the technical field of computer programs that function as a simple input device.

  In this type of electronic computer, the input interface tends to be complicated. In particular, in Japanese, various characters such as hiragana, katakana, alphabet, numbers, and symbols may be input, and this tendency is remarkable.

  Various techniques for improving the input interface have been proposed to deal with such problems. For example, a signal input technique has been proposed in which a finger is slid on a pressure operation device and input according to the movement, pressure, and the like (see Patent Document 1). Or the technique which performs a temporary display and confirmation by combining a 1st input means and a 2nd input means is proposed (refer patent document 2). Alternatively, a technique for scrolling a screen when buttons on a numeric keypad are touched in a predetermined order has been proposed (see Patent Document 3).

JP-A-9-160713 JP 2005-316931 A JP 2004-318362 A

  However, for example, the following technical problems may occur in the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3 described above.

  That is, according to the techniques of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 3, it is effective for easy operations such as scrolling, but may not be able to handle complicated operations such as character input. According to the technique of Patent Document 2, a dedicated device or the like is separately required for the GUI operation, and there is a possibility that the degree of freedom in layout is reduced.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, for example, and an input device capable of reducing space required for GUI operation while improving operability related to complicated operations such as character input, and the like. It is an object to provide a method and a computer program that causes a computer to function as such an input device.

In order to solve the above-described problem, an input device according to a first aspect of the present invention is an input device for an electronic computing device that can be operated by a user by using a GUI. The user on the input means based on each of the display means for displaying, the input means having a plurality of push-in parts arranged in at least two stages, and the stage and order in which the push-in parts are pushed in Detection means for detecting the movement of the finger, and display control means for controlling the display means so as to switch each of the input mode and the displayed content in accordance with the detected movement.

In order to solve the above problem, an input method according to claim 9 of the present invention is an input method for an electronic computing device that allows a user to perform a GUI operation. Content related to the GUI operation can be displayed under a predetermined input mode. a display step of displaying, pushing unit capable indentation in at least two stages on the input means comprising a plurality sequences, an input step of the user moves a finger, based on each of the steps and the order the push portion is pushed A detection step of detecting a movement of the user's finger on the input means, and a display control step of switching each of the input mode and the displayed content in accordance with the detected movement.

A computer program according to claim 10 of the present invention is a computer program that causes at least a part of the computer to function as an input device for a computer capable of GUI operation by a user. Display means for displaying the contents related to the GUI operation under a predetermined input mode, input means formed by arranging a plurality of push-in sections that can be pushed in at least two stages, and the stage in which the push-in section is pushed in and Based on each of the orders, detection means for detecting the movement of the user's finger on the input means, and switching between the input mode and the displayed content according to the detected movement And function as display control means for controlling the display means.

  The operation and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the best mode for carrying out the invention described below.

  Hereinafter, an input device, an input method, and a computer program according to an embodiment of the present invention as the best mode for carrying out the invention will be described in order.

(Embodiment of input device)
In order to solve the above-described problem, the input device according to the present embodiment is an input device for an electronic computing device in which a user can perform a GUI operation, and displays a content related to the GUI operation in a predetermined input mode. Based on at least one of the means, the input means formed by arranging a plurality of push-in portions that can be pushed in at least two steps, and the step and order in which the push-in portions are pushed in. Detection means for detecting the movement of a finger, and display control means for controlling the display means so as to switch at least one of the displayed content and the input mode according to the detected movement.

  According to the present embodiment, for example, predetermined items are input by a user to an electronic computing device capable of GUI operation as follows. Examples of the “electronic computing device capable of GUI operation” include a mobile phone, a personal computer, a game machine, and various home appliances.

  First, contents related to the GUI operation are displayed under a predetermined input mode by display means having a liquid crystal or an organic EL display. Here, “contents related to GUI operation” refers to content that can be visually operated via the GUI, such as displaying a predetermined option in a visually recognizable manner and selecting one of the options (more specifically, Specifically, for example, a display screen related to GUI operation). The “input mode” is a format that defines an input rule, and includes, for example, an absolute position mode or a relative position mode described later.

  The input means having a numeric keypad has a plurality of push-in portions that can be pushed in at least two stages. “Pushing in at least two steps” here means that different steps can be taken depending on the depth or strength of the pushing. Such stepwise push-in recognition can be realized by, for example, a method in which each electrode interval of a plurality of electrode pairs is different corresponding to each step, or a combination with a capacitive sensor or a sensitive sensor. .

  When the user moves his / her finger on the input means, for example, when a specific push-in part is pushed with a finger, or is traced with a finger over a plurality of push-in parts, the detection means having an arithmetic / memory element or the like Processing is done. In other words, the movement of the user's finger on the input means is detected by the detection means based on at least one of the stage and the order of being pushed along with the movement of the finger. For example, when the level is low, it is detected that the user's finger is lightly pressed (touched) into the pressing portion, whereas when the level is high, it is detected that the user is strongly pressed. Further, when the arranged pushing portions are pushed from the upper end toward the lower end while the pushed-in stage is low, it is detected that the user is tracing the input means up and down with a finger.

  Then, the display means is controlled by the display control means having an arithmetic / storage element or the like so as to switch at least one of the displayed content and the input mode according to the detected movement. For example, when the detection unit detects that a predetermined push-in portion is strongly pushed, the input mode is switched from the absolute position mode to the relative position mode. Alternatively, when it is detected by the detection means that the user is tracing the input means with a finger up and down, the displayed content is switched so as to appear to move up and down, that is, to scroll. .

  As a result, the user can perform GUI operations of various patterns with a relatively simple operation of moving a finger on the input means, and the operability related to complicated operations such as character input can be improved. In addition, since the input means replaces the GUI dedicated operation device, the space required for GUI operation can be reduced.

  In one aspect of the input apparatus according to the present embodiment, the display control unit is configured to input the input mode in accordance with the detected movement, and an absolute position for inputting elements equal to or less than the total number of the pushing portions. The display means is controlled to switch to either the mode or the relative position mode for inputting more elements than the total number of the push-in parts based on the contents input in the absolute position mode.

  According to this aspect, since the absolute position mode and the relative position mode can be switched as appropriate, it is easy to select one element from among the elements exceeding the total number of push-in portions according to the combination of contents input in each mode. Can be entered. Here, the “absolute position mode” is an input mode for inputting elements equal to or less than the total number of pushing portions. Typically, there is a one-to-one relationship between the pressed portion and the displayed element, and when a certain pressed portion is pushed to a predetermined stage, an element associated with the pushed portion is input. On the other hand, the “relative position mode” is an input mode for inputting more elements than the total number of push-in parts based on the content input in the absolute position mode. Typically, the pushing portion and the displayed element do not have a specific correspondence, and more elements than the total number of pushing portions are displayed by scrolling or the like, and a desired element can be selected from them. For example, when the user moves his / her finger on the input means, the displayed element scrolls according to the movement, so that the focused element is switched. When a desired element is focused, if an arbitrary pushing portion is pushed to a predetermined stage, the focused element is input. As described above, the absolute position mode and the relative position mode are appropriately switched. For example, in the absolute position mode, the line “a” is selected from the lines “a” to “wa”, and this “a” line is used as a reference. In the relative position mode, the elements belonging to the “A” line (for example, “A”, “A”, “A”, “a”...) Can be scrolled to input a desired element. At this time, the user can select and input a desired element from many elements by moving his / her finger on the input means, which is very convenient in practice.

  In another aspect of the input device according to the present embodiment, the display control unit controls the display unit so that the displayed content is switched in accordance with a direction corresponding to the order.

  According to this aspect, the GUI operation can be performed not only by the step-by-step input of the pressing unit alone but also by the order in which the plurality of pressing units are pressed. That is, more various GUI operations can be performed. For example, when a plurality of push-in parts are pushed in order from top to bottom (that is, traced), the displayed contents scroll, or when pushed in order from left to right, the cursor at the time of character input is moved and selected. The range can be expanded or reduced, or the date of the program guide can be switched. The same applies to the case of being pushed in the direction opposite to the above direction. At this time, in addition to the order of pressing, the switching speed of the displayed contents may be changed according to the speed of moving each pressing portion.

  In another aspect of the input device according to the present embodiment, the detecting means detects that any one of the plurality of pushing portions located at the top, bottom, left and right ends is pushed in over a predetermined period of time, The display control means controls the display means so as to switch the displayed content in accordance with a direction corresponding to the upper, lower, left and right ends.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to scroll the displayed content without repeatedly pressing in order from top to bottom or from left to right.

  In another aspect of the input device according to the present embodiment, the GUI operation is a character input operation.

  According to this aspect, when the user moves his / her finger on the input unit according to a predetermined procedure, the displayed contents are switched and desired characters are input as in the various aspects described above. For example, when a certain pushing portion is pushed in at a predetermined stage, characters associated with the pushing portion in advance are displayed. Or, when scrolling up and down, candidates such as hiragana, katakana and alphanumeric characters are called. Alternatively, scrolling left and right determines the input position and conversion area. As described above, various operations related to the character input operation are possible, which is very effective in practice.

  In another aspect of the input device according to the present embodiment, the GUI operation is a menu selection operation.

  According to this aspect, when the user moves his / her finger on the input means according to a predetermined procedure, the displayed contents are switched and the desired menu or content is selected as in the various aspects described above. For example, when a certain pushing part is pushed in at a predetermined stage, a menu associated with the pushing part in advance is selected. Then, when scrolling up and down, desired content is selected from the list of content belonging to the selected menu. Thus, the input device according to the present embodiment can be applied to various GUI operations other than character input, and is very effective in practice.

  In another aspect of the input device according to the present embodiment, the GUI operation is a program reservation operation.

  According to this aspect, when the user moves his / her finger on the input means according to a predetermined procedure, the displayed contents are switched as in the various aspects described above, and a desired program can be selected and reserved. It is very effective in practice.

  In another aspect of the input device according to the present embodiment, the display unit further displays an operation guide for guiding the user who performs the GUI operation.

  According to this aspect, for example, when it is difficult to understand how the user may perform the GUI operation, the operation guide for guiding the user is further displayed by the display means. If the operation is performed according to this operation guide, the user can perform the GUI operation well.

(Embodiment of input method)
In order to solve the above-described problem, the input method of the present embodiment is an input method for an electronic computing device that can be operated by a user GUI, and displays a content related to the GUI operation in a predetermined input mode. On the input means formed by arranging a plurality of push-in portions that can be pushed in at least two stages, based on at least one of the input step in which the user moves the finger, and the steps and order in which the push-in parts are pushed, A detection step of detecting a movement of the user's finger on the input means; and a display control step of switching at least one of the displayed content and the input mode according to the detected movement.

  According to the input method of the present embodiment, the space required for the GUI operation can be reduced while improving the operability of the electronic computing device capable of performing the GUI operation, as in the case of the input device of the present embodiment described above. It becomes possible.

  Note that the input method of the present embodiment can also adopt various aspects similar to the various aspects of the input device of the present embodiment described above.

(Embodiment of computer program)
The computer program according to the present embodiment is a computer program that causes the computer to at least partially function as an input device for a computer that can be operated by a user. In order to solve the above-described problem, the computer is operated by the GUI operation. At least one of display means for displaying the contents related to the above in a predetermined input mode, input means in which a plurality of push-in parts that can be pushed in at least two stages are arranged, and the stage and order in which the push-in parts are pushed in On the basis of the input means, so as to switch at least one of the display content and the input mode according to the detection means for detecting the movement of the user's finger and the detected movement, It functions as display control means for controlling the display means.

  According to the computer program of the present embodiment, the space required for the GUI operation can be reduced while improving the operability of the electronic computing device capable of performing the GUI operation, as in the case of the input device of the present embodiment described above. It becomes possible.

  Note that the computer program of the present embodiment can also adopt various aspects similar to the various aspects of the input device of the present embodiment described above.

  As described above, according to the input device of this embodiment, the display device, the input means, the detection means, and the display control means are provided. According to the input method of this embodiment, the display process, the input process, and the detection Since the process and the display control process are provided, the space required for the GUI operation can be reduced while improving the operability of the electronic computing device capable of performing the GUI operation. Furthermore, according to the computer program of this embodiment, since the computer functions as a display unit, an input unit, a detection unit, and a display control unit, the above-described input device of this embodiment can be constructed relatively easily.

  The operation and other advantages of the present embodiment will be clarified from the examples described below.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(1) 1st Example The structure and operation | movement process of the input device which concern on 1st Example are demonstrated based on drawing.

(1-1) Configuration First, the configuration of the input device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a block diagram conceptually showing the basic structure of a mobile phone provided with an input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a mobile phone 1 including an input device according to the present embodiment is an example of “electronic computing device” according to the present invention, and includes a key unit 2, a control device 3, a memory 45, and a display unit 5. A signal processing unit 41, a high-frequency circuit unit 42, and an antenna 43. In particular, the key unit 2, the control device 3 (including the finger movement detection unit 31 and the GUI control unit 32), the memory 45, and the display unit 5 function as an input device according to the present embodiment.

  The key portion 2 is an example of the “input means” according to the present invention, and has push-in portions 22 used for inputting alphabets and numbers on the surface thereof in a matrix. The key unit 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a sectional view conceptually showing the sectional structure of the key portion according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 2, the housing 21 is formed of a molded product made of a resin material that is an insulator, for example, and has an opening so that the pushing portion 22 is pushed from the outside of the housing 21. The pushing portion 22 is at least partially fitted into the opening of the housing 21 so that the user can push in the Z direction with the finger 29 or the like. The user's push becomes an input signal to the control device 3. Indentation is detected in multiple stages. Specifically, for example, it is configured such that a weakly pressed state and a strongly pressed state are distinguished. The first electrode 241 is an electrode corresponding to a weakly pressed state. The 2nd electrode 242 is an electrode corresponding to the state pushed in strongly. In order to realize such correspondence, for example, the electrode interval of the first electrode 241 is narrower than that of the second electrode 241. The elastic part 23 is configured to contract when the push-in part 22 is pushed in and to expand when the push-in part is released, that is, to return to a state where the push-in part 22 is not pushed.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the control device 3 includes a finger movement detection unit 31 and a GUI control unit 32, and is preferably a known electronic control unit (ECU), a central processing unit (CPU). It is configured as a logic operation circuit centering on.

  The finger movement detection unit 31 is an example of the “detection unit” according to the present invention, and manages the pressing state of each key (ie, the pressing unit 22) in time series, and how the user's finger moves. Detect whether or not For example, it is configured to detect where the user's finger is pressed in the key unit 2, how strong the user's finger is pressed, and in what order it is pressed and moved.

  The GUI control unit 32 is an example of the “display control unit” according to the present invention, and is configured to be able to switch the display content of the display unit 5 in accordance with the detected finger movement.

  The memory 45 is configured as a logical operation circuit centering on a read only memory (ROM) storing a control program, an occasional write / read memory (RAM) storing various data, and the like.

  The display unit 5 is an example of the “display unit” according to the present invention, and is a display for displaying images / videos on the surface thereof. For example, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display or a liquid crystal display (LCD) : Liquid Crystal Display).

  The signal processing unit 41, the high-frequency circuit unit 42, and the antenna 43 are configured to be able to transmit and receive data in various applications downloaded from e-mails and servers, in addition to incoming and outgoing line control and transmission and reception of package information.

  As described above, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the mobile phone 1 including the input device is particularly configured to include the key unit 2 and the finger movement detection unit 31, so that it relates to complicated operations such as character input. It is possible to reduce the space required for GUI operation while improving operability.

(1-2) Operation Process Next, as a specific example of the operation process of the input device according to the present embodiment configured as described above, an example of the “character input operation” according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition to FIG. 2, it demonstrates using FIGS. 3-8. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation process during character input according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 3, when character input is started, first, a character input mode is started (step S1). Specifically, first, the absolute position mode which is an example of the “input mode” according to the present invention is set, and the display unit 5 displays a line corresponding to the absolute position in the key portion of the push-in unit 22. (Step S11). That is, the “a” to “wa” rows are displayed in a matrix. This is shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the display unit and the key unit in the absolute position mode in the character input mode according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 4, when the user's finger 29 weakly pushes the pushing portion 22, the cursor 51 moves to the corresponding row among the displayed rows, or the corresponding row is lit. Such an operation is preferably guided by the operation guide 52 displayed on the display unit 5 together with a picture, video, text, voice, and the like. As a result, a user such as an elderly person can easily operate.

  On the other hand, when the user's finger 29 strongly presses the pressing portion 22, it is determined that the corresponding row is selected from the displayed rows. In other words, the corresponding line is determined as a reference in the next relative position mode. For example, if the pressing portion 22 at the upper left of the key portion 2 corresponding to the “A” row is pressed strongly, the “A” row is determined as a reference.

  Then, with the determined line as a reference, the mode shifts to a relative position mode which is an example of the “input mode” according to the present invention (step S12). This is shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the display unit and the key unit in the relative position mode in the character input mode according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 5, the character candidate portion 53 of the “a” line is displayed on the display portion 5. Since the character candidate portion 53 includes hiragana, katakana, alphabets, and numbers, complicated display mode switching is unnecessary. When the user traces the finger 29 up and down on the pushing unit 22 arranged in the key unit 2, the movement is detected by the finger movement detection unit 31, and the character candidate unit is controlled under the control of the GUI control unit 32. 53 scrolls up and down (step S13). In other words, the character candidates are replaced and displayed in the character candidate portion 53 occupying a limited area.

  When a desired character is focused while the character candidate portion 53 is scrolled, it is determined by the focused character by strongly pressing an arbitrary pressing portion 22 (step S14). The above input is repeated until the desired character has been input.

  In addition, when the user's finger 29 pushes the arrangement of the push-in portions 22 located at the upper and lower ends weakly for a predetermined period or longer, the character candidate portion 53 is accelerated and scrolled up and down, that is, until the target speed is reached. You may comprise so that the speed which scrolls may rise gradually. Here, what is positioned at the upper end is specifically the pushing portion 22 indicating “1”, “2” and “3”, and what is positioned at the lower end is specifically “*”, “ It is the pushing part 22 which shows "0" and "#".

  Subsequently, after the character is determined, when the pushing portion 22 is traced to the left and right, the mode moves to the cursor movement mode (step S2). This is shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the display unit and the key unit in the cursor movement mode according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 6, when the user's finger 29 traces the pushing portion 22 left and right, the cursor 53 indicating the input position moves to the left and right in accordance with the movement (step S21). When the cursor 53 moves to a desired position, the character input position is determined by strongly pressing an arbitrary push-in portion 22 (step S22).

  Further, when the user's finger 29 pushes in the left and right ends of the arrangement of the push-in portions 22 weakly for a predetermined period or longer, the cursor 53 gradually scrolls left and right, that is, until the target speed is reached. You may comprise so that the speed which scrolls may raise. Here, what is located at the left end is specifically the pushing portion 22 indicating “1”, “4”, “7”, and “*”, and what is located at the right end is specifically “ It is the pushing part 22 which shows "3", "6", "9" and "#".

  Also, when the cursor 53 is moved to the conversion button 531 shown in FIG. 7 and the arbitrary pusher 22 is pressed strongly, the mode is switched to the conversion mode (step S3). FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the display unit and the key unit when switching from the cursor movement mode to the conversion mode according to the first embodiment.

  The conversion mode will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the display unit and the key unit in the conversion mode according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 8, when the user's finger 29 traces the pushing portion 22 left and right, the conversion area 54 indicating the character to be converted expands and contracts (step S31). When the user's finger 29 traces the pushing portion 22 up and down, the conversion candidate 55 scrolls up and down (step S32). When a desired conversion candidate is focused, the arbitrary pressing unit 22 is pressed strongly to convert the focused candidate (step S33). Such conversion is sequentially performed for each conversion area. When there is no target conversion area, character input is completed. Further, when returning to the cursor movement mode, it is preferable to place the cursor on the movement button 56 and strongly press the arbitrary pushing portion 22.

  In addition, when the user's finger 29 pushes one of the arrangements of the push-in portions 22 located at the upper and lower ends weakly for a predetermined period or longer, the conversion candidate 55 gradually scrolls up and down, that is, until the target speed is reached. The scrolling speed may be increased. In addition, when the user's finger 29 pushes in the left and right ends of the arrangement of the push-in portions 22 weakly for a predetermined period or longer, the conversion area 54 is accelerated and contracted horizontally, that is, until the target speed is reached. You may comprise so that the speed | rate which expands / contracts gradually may rise.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the intuition is achieved in accordance with the multi-step pressing or the movement of the upper, lower, left, and right fingers as described with reference to FIGS. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the space required for GUI operation while improving operability related to complicated operations such as character input.

(2) Second Example The configuration and operation processing of an input device according to a second example will be described with reference to the drawings. In particular, the present embodiment shows that the input device can be applied to GUI operations other than characters.

(2-1) Configuration The configuration of the input device according to the present embodiment may be the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the same configuration is denoted by the same reference numeral, Description is omitted as appropriate.

(2-2) Operation Process Next, as a specific example of the operation process of the input device according to the present embodiment configured as described above, an example of the “menu selection operation” according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. I will explain. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating the display unit and the key unit in the absolute position mode and the relative position mode according to the second embodiment.

  In FIG. 9, in the absolute position mode, Menu 1 to Menu 12 are displayed on the display unit 5 in correspondence with the twelve pressing units 22 of the key unit 2.

  Here, for example, when the pushing unit 22 corresponding to Menu 7 is pushed in strongly, the mode is switched to the relative position mode, and contents (contents 1 to 6) belonging to Menu 7 are displayed side by side.

  At this time, when the user's finger 29 traces the pushing portion 22 up and down, the cursor 51 moves up and down in accordance with the movement (step S21). When the cursor 51 moves to the desired content, the content is determined by pressing the arbitrary pusher 22 strongly.

  Further, when the user's finger 29 pushes in the portion of the push-in portion 22 located at the upper and lower ends weakly for a predetermined period or longer, the cursor 51 is accelerated and scrolled. That is, the scrolling speed gradually increases until the target speed is reached. Here, what is positioned at the upper end is specifically the pushing portion 22 indicating “1”, “2” and “3”, and what is positioned at the lower end is specifically “*”, “ It is the pushing part 22 which shows "0" and "#". Further, when the contents (contents 1 to 6s) are displayed side by side, it is preferable that the same operation process is performed by pushing the ones located at the left and right ends weakly for a predetermined period or longer.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the input device can be applied to GUI operations other than character input. At this time, since a GUI operation device is also unnecessary, it is very convenient in practice.

(3) Third Example A configuration and operation process of an input device according to a third example will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, in particular, an example of using a pushing operation of two or more stages is shown.

(3-1) Configuration First, the configuration of the input device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 10 in addition to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 10 is a sectional view conceptually showing the sectional structure of the key portion according to the third embodiment.

  In FIG. 10, the input device according to the present embodiment is different in the configuration of the push-in unit as compared with the key unit shown in FIG. 2. Specifically, instead of the push-in part 22 in FIG. 2, an electrostatic sensor push-in part 222 is provided in FIG. Other configurations may be the same as those of the key unit shown in FIG. 2, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate. The basic configuration of the mobile phone provided with the input device according to the present embodiment is the same as the block diagram of FIG.

  The surface of the electrostatic sensor type push-in part 222 is an electrostatic sensor, and when the user's finger 29 is touched, it becomes an input signal to the control device 3. In other words, even if the first electrode 241 is pushed so weak that it does not conduct, it becomes an input signal to the control device 3. That is, in this configuration, indentation is detected in three stages. Specifically, for example, the touched state is distinguished as a first-stage switch, the weakly depressed state is classified as a second-stage switch, and the strongly depressed state is classified as a third-stage switch.

(3-2) Operation Processing Next, as a specific example of the operation processing of the input device according to the present embodiment configured as described above, an example of “program reservation operation” according to the present invention is added to FIG. This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the function of each of the three-stage switches according to the third embodiment.

  FIG. 11 shows a state in which a program reservation is made from an electronic program guide (EPG) using the input device of this embodiment. The display contents of the display unit 5 are switched as follows according to the switch-on state of each stage.

  First, when the first-stage switch is turned on, that is, when the user's finger 29 touches the push-in portion 22, the focus moves to the corresponding program from the displayed program guide.

  Next, when the second-stage switch is turned on, that is, when the user's finger 29 is pushed weakly, the date is switched. For example, when the second switch is turned on once, the next day's program guide is displayed, and when it is turned on twice, the next day's program guide is displayed. Further, in order to distinguish between before and after time, the following operation may be performed. Specifically, when the second-stage switch of the rightmost push section 22 (that is, “3”, “6”, and “9”) among the arranged push sections 22 is turned on, the program table for the next day is displayed. On the other hand, when the second-stage switch of the leftmost push section 22 (that is, “1”, “4” and “7”) is turned on, the program table of the previous day may be displayed.

  Next, when the third-stage switch is turned on, that is, when the user's finger 29 is pushed down strongly, the display screen is switched to the detailed information screen of the focused program. Alternatively, the display screen is switched to a reservation screen for reserving the focused program.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, a more complicated operation such as program reservation can be performed by combining two or more steps of pushing operation.

  In addition, the operation processing shown in each of the above-described embodiments may be realized by an input device incorporated in the electronic computing device or connected to the outside, or the display process, the input process, the detection process, and the display control. You may implement | achieve by operating the electronic calculation apparatus in which GUI operation is possible based on the input method provided with the process. Alternatively, it may be realized by causing a computer to read a computer program and causing the computer to function as display means, input means, detection means, and display control means.

  As described above, according to each of the embodiments described above, the user can perform GUI operations of various patterns with a relatively simple operation of moving a finger on the input means, and can improve the operability related to complicated operations such as character input. It becomes. In addition, since the input means replaces the GUI dedicated operation device, it is possible to reduce the space required for the GUI operation.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit or idea of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification. Apparatuses and methods and computer programs are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

It is a block diagram which shows notionally the basic composition of the mobile telephone provided with the input device based on 1st Example of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows notionally the cross-sectional structure of the key part based on 1st Example. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement process at the time of the character input based on 1st Example. It is a schematic diagram which shows the display part and key part at the time of the absolute position mode in character input mode based on 1st Example. It is a schematic diagram which shows the display part and key part at the time of relative position mode in character input mode based on 1st Example. It is a schematic diagram which shows the display part and key part at the time of cursor movement mode based on 1st Example. It is a schematic diagram which shows the display part and key part at the time of the switch from cursor movement mode to conversion mode based on 1st Example. It is a schematic diagram which shows the display part and key part at the time of the conversion mode based on 1st Example. It is a schematic diagram which shows the display part and key part at the time of absolute position mode and relative position mode based on 2nd Example. It is sectional drawing which shows notionally the cross-sectional structure of the key part based on 3rd Example. It is a schematic diagram which shows the function of each 3 step | paragraph switch based on 3rd Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Mobile phone 2 Key part 21 Case 22 Pushing part 222 Electrostatic sensor type pushing part 23 Elastic part 241 1st electrode 242 2nd electrode 29 Finger 3 Control apparatus 31 Finger motion detection part 32 GUI control part 41 Signal processing part 42 High frequency Circuit part 43 Antenna 45 Memory 5 Display part

Claims (10)

An input device for a computer that can be operated by a user GUI,
Display means for displaying contents related to the GUI operation under a predetermined input mode;
An input means formed by arranging a plurality of pushing portions that can be pushed in at least two stages;
Detecting means for detecting movement of the user's finger on the input means based on each of the steps and order in which the pushing portion is pushed;
An input device comprising: display control means for controlling the display means so as to switch each of the input mode and the displayed content according to the detected movement. The display control means changes the input mode according to the detected movement.
An absolute position mode for inputting elements equal to or less than the total number of the pushing portions; and
Relative position mode for setting the content input in the absolute position mode as a reference, and inputting an element larger than the total number of the pushing portions belonging to the set reference ,
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is controlled to switch to any one of the above. The display control means controls the display means so as to switch the displayed content based on the order and the direction determined from the arrangement of the plurality of pushing portions. The input device according to 2. The detection means detects that any one of the plurality of pushing portions located at the top, bottom, left, and right ends is pushed beyond a predetermined period,
4. The display unit according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit controls the display unit to switch the displayed content based on a direction corresponding to the top, bottom, left, and right ends. 5. The input device described. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the GUI operation is a character input operation. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the GUI operation is a menu selection operation. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the GUI operation is a program reservation operation. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the display unit further displays an operation guide for guiding the user who performs the GUI operation. An input method for an electronic computing device capable of GUI operation by a user,
A display step of displaying contents related to the GUI operation under a predetermined input mode;
An input step in which the user moves his / her finger on an input means formed by arranging a plurality of push-in portions that can be pushed in at least two stages;
A detection step of detecting a movement of the user's finger on the input means based on each of the steps and the order in which the pusher is pushed;
A display control step of switching each of the input mode and the displayed content according to the detected movement. A computer program causing at least a part of the computer to function as an input device for a computer operable by a user,
Display means for displaying contents related to the GUI operation under a predetermined input mode;
An input means formed by arranging a plurality of pushing portions that can be pushed in at least two stages;
Detecting means for detecting movement of the user's finger on the input means based on each of the steps and order in which the pushing portion is pushed;
A computer program that functions as display control means for controlling the display means so as to switch between the input mode and the displayed content in accordance with the detected movement.

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