JP5105093B2 - Terminal device and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a terminal device and a program for inputting a character assigned to an operated character key when the character key is operated.

In general, a terminal device such as a mobile phone is provided with a plurality of character input modes such as a hiragana input mode for inputting hiragana and a katakana input mode for inputting katakana. Other character input modes include character input mode (alphabet input mode, number input mode) for entering letters and numbers separately, and character input mode for distinguishing between full-width characters and half-width characters. (Full-width input mode, half-width input mode), and character input mode (upper case input mode, lower case input mode) for distinguishing between uppercase and lowercase letters. By the way, when inputting a character in another character input mode after inputting a character in a certain character input mode, an operation for switching the character input mode is necessary, which is complicated.

Therefore, conventionally, as a technique for eliminating the complexity of switching the character input mode, for example, in a character input device, a character input switching character for switching the character input mode is stored and input from the operation unit A technique is disclosed in which a character and a character input switching character are compared, and the character input mode is switched on condition that they match (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2006-350777 A

However, in the above-described prior art, in order to switch the character input mode, it is necessary to perform an input operation of the character input switching character. However, such an input operation is basically the same as the operation of switching the character input mode. This is the same as above, and the operation is not complicated.

An object of the present invention is to enable an operation of selecting a character input mode to be omitted when characters are input while switching between a plurality of character input modes.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention according to claim 1 is a terminal device for inputting a character assigned to the operated character key when the character key is operated. A discriminating means for discriminating what has been operated, and a plurality of character input modes provided for each group corresponding to the grouped character group, wherein each character in the group is an inputable character. A selection means for selecting the character input mode based on a determination result by the determination means, and when the character key to which any character in the group is assigned for each character input mode is operated, of the characters assigned to the character keys, provided with an input means for inputting a character in a group corresponding to the selected character input mode by said selection means, A character key is assigned with a plurality of characters ordered for each character input mode, and the input means selects the selection when the same character key is operated while a character is input at an input position. Of the characters in the group corresponding to the character input mode selected by the means, the character in the next order of the characters input at the input position is input, and the selection is performed while the same character key is operated. When the mode is switched to a new character input mode by means, after confirming the character input at the input position, the input position is moved to the right by one and within the group corresponding to the new character input mode. It is characterized by inputting the characters .

The invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that the discrimination means discriminates an operation with the right hand or an operation with the left hand according to which direction the character key is operated. It may be the invention of this.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the direction detection in which the direction in which the character key is operated is detected using at least one of an electrical switch, a mechanical switch, a pressure sensor, a strain sensor, and an illuminance sensor. 4. The invention according to claim 3, further comprising means for determining whether the operation is a right hand operation or a left hand operation according to a detection result of the direction detection means. Good.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the apparatus further comprises finger detection means for detecting characteristic information of a finger operated on the character key, wherein the determination means is operated by a finger of a right hand according to a detection result by the finger detection means. The invention according to claim 4, wherein it is determined whether the operation is performed with a finger of the left hand.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the apparatus further comprises finger detection means for detecting characteristic information of a finger operated on the character key, and the determination means determines a finger operated according to a detection result by the finger detection means. The invention according to claim 5, which is configured as described above.

As an invention dependent on claim 1, the plurality of character input modes are at least any two input modes of a hiragana input mode, a katakana input mode, an alphabet input mode, a number input mode, and a symbol input mode. The invention according to claim 6 may be provided.

As an invention dependent on claim 1, the plurality of character input modes may be an input mode including a full-width character input mode and a half-width character input mode.

As an invention dependent on claim 1, the plurality of character input modes may be an input mode including a capital letter input mode and a small letter input mode.

As an invention dependent on claim 1, it further comprises conversion means for converting an input character as an unconverted character and converting the unconverted character into another character, wherein the input means receives a character as an unconverted character. The character in the group corresponding to the character input mode selected by the selecting means is input as an unconverted character among the characters assigned to the operated character key. The invention according to claim 9 may be used.

Further, in order to solve the above-described problem, the invention according to claim 10 provides a computer with a function for discriminating what character keys are operated by, and for each group corresponding to the grouped character groups. A function for selecting any one of the character input modes based on the determination result, and a group for each character input mode. when the character keys in which a plurality of characters of the inner is assigned is ordered is operated, among the characters assigned to the character keys, the characters in the group corresponding to the selected character input mode a function of inputting, when the same character key with the character input position is inputted is operated, the character input mode selected by said selection means A new character input mode is selected by the selection means while the same character key is operated as a function of inputting a character in the next order of characters input at the input position among characters in the corresponding group. A function to input a character in a group corresponding to the new character input mode by moving the input position one place to the right after confirming the character input at the input position. It is characterized by a program for realizing.

According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a highly convenient character input operation by facilitating the operation of inputting characters while switching between a plurality of character input modes.

(Embodiment 1)
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
This embodiment exemplifies a case where the present invention is applied to a mobile phone as a terminal device, and FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a communication network system in which the mobile phone can be used.
The mobile phone 1 is provided with a call function, an e-mail function, an Internet connection function (Web access function), an editing function such as outgoing mail creation, and the like. When the mobile phone 1 is connected to the wireless communication network (mobile communication network) 2 from the nearest base station 2A and exchange 2B, the mobile phone 1 can communicate with other mobile phones 1 via the wireless communication network 2. It becomes. Further, when the mobile phone 1 is connected to the Internet 3 via the wireless communication network 2, the mobile phone 1 can access and browse a Web site, and contents such as music and movies can be viewed via the Internet 3 and the wireless communication network 2. Can be downloaded.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing basic components of the mobile phone 1.
The central control unit 11 operates by supplying power from the battery unit 12 including a secondary battery, and controls the overall operation of the mobile phone 1 according to various programs in the storage unit 13. Etc. The storage unit 13 is provided with a program storage unit M1, various information temporary storage units M2, a character table storage unit M3, an operation object information storage unit M4, a character input mode information storage unit M5, and the like.

The program storage unit M1 stores programs and various applications for realizing the present embodiment in accordance with the operation procedures shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, and stores various information necessary for the programs. . The various information temporary storage unit M2 is a work area for temporarily storing various information necessary for the operation of the mobile phone 1, such as display screen information, flag information, and timer information. Although not shown, the storage unit 13 is used to convert an input unconverted character into another character such as kanji, alphabet, number, or katakana, or to convert to a full-width or half-width character. A correspondence table (conversion table) of stored characters is stored. Using this conversion table, the central control unit 11 executes conversion processing such as kanji conversion, alphanumeric / kana conversion, and full-width / half-width conversion.

The radio communication unit 14 includes a radio unit, a baseband unit, a demultiplexing unit, and the like. For example, during operation of a call function, an e-mail function, an Internet connection function, etc., data transmission / reception with the nearest base station 2A When the call function is in operation, a signal is taken from the receiving side of the baseband unit and demodulated into a received baseband signal, and then the voice is output from the speaker SP for calling via the voice signal processing unit 15, and for calling The input voice data from the microphone MC is taken from the voice signal processing unit 15 and encoded into a transmission baseband signal, which is then given to the transmission side of the baseband unit and transmitted from the antenna.

The display unit 16 uses high-definition liquid crystal or organic EL, and displays various information such as character information, a standby image, a data icon, and a function icon. The operation unit 17 includes various push button type keys such as numeric keys, character keys, and cursor keys, and performs dial input, character input, command input, and the like. The process according to the input operation signal is executed. For example, the central control unit 11 performs a sentence creation process such as a send mail creation in response to a character input operation in a state where the editing function is activated. An RTC (real time clock module) 18 constitutes a clock unit, and the central control unit 11 acquires the current date and time from the RTC 18. The notification unit 19 includes a sound speaker 20, an LED (light emitting diode) 21, and a vibration motor 22. The notification unit 19 is driven when an incoming call is received to notify an incoming call, and is also driven when an alarm is notified.

The operation object detection unit 23 performs an operation with the right hand or an operation with the left hand depending on from which direction the character key of the operation unit 17 is operated (from the right side or from the left side) during execution of a sentence creation process or the like. Is detected as an operation object, and has at least one of an electrical switch, a mechanical switch, a pressure sensor, a strain sensor, and an illuminance sensor. For example, in a state where a plurality of character keys are arranged in a matrix, one illuminance sensor is arranged at each intersection of a vertical line and a horizontal line constituting the matrix.

When any one of the character keys is operated in a state where the illuminance sensor is arranged at each intersection of the vertical line and the horizontal line constituting the matrix in this way, the central control unit 11 displays the detection result of each illuminance sensor. Based on the analysis result of the light blocked by the finger (difference in illuminance due to shadows), it is detected whether the character key is operated from the right side or the left side based on the analysis result. Based on this, the operation object information storage unit M4 is referred to, and the operation with the right hand or the left hand is determined as the operation object. The operation object indicates what the character key is operated by (right-handed operation or left-handed operation).

In addition, even when one electrical switch or one mechanical switch is arranged instead of arranging the illuminance sensor at each intersection of the vertical line and the horizontal line constituting the matrix, the on / off state of each switch is changed as described above. Analysis may be performed to determine whether the operation is performed with the right hand or the left hand. Further, the operation board constituting the operation unit 17 is attached so as to be movable in the horizontal direction, and the movement direction of the operation board that is moved by the force of the horizontal component applied when the character key is operated is detected by the strain sensor. Depending on whether the character key is operated from the right side or the left side based on the moving direction of the substrate, it may be determined whether the operation is performed with the right hand or the left hand.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a part of keys constituting the operation unit 17.
The operation unit 17 includes a character key CR, a right cursor key RC, a left cursor key LC, a muddy / half-dakuten key PM, a return key RE, and the like as keys related to character input. A plurality of (for example, 10) character keys CR are associated with the character keys associated with the “a” line of hiragana, the character keys associated with the “ka” line,. Each character key CR is sequentially assigned with each character belonging to that line. For example, “A”, “I”,..., “O” are assigned to the character keys CR corresponding to the “A” row in the order of arrangement, and the character keys CR of this “A” row are consecutively assigned. When operated, the Nth character is designated as the input character according to the number N of consecutive operations. For example, when the character key CR of the “A” line is operated continuously, the character “A” is input by the first operation, and the character “I” is input by the second operation. ... The character “o” is input in the fifth operation.

The right cursor key RC functions as a key for shifting (moving) the cursor position (input position) to the right by one character when inputting characters, and the left cursor key LC is used for changing the cursor position (input position). Functions as a key for shifting (moving) one character to the left. The dakuten / semi-turbid point key PM functions as a key for inputting a dakuten / semi-dakuten at the time of character input, and the return key RE functions as a key for instructing to return to the character previously input. . In addition, although not shown, the operation unit 17 is provided with a delete key, a conversion key, an enter key, an end key, and the like as keys related to character input.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the character table storage unit M3.
The character table storage unit M3 stores a table that associates various character keys CR with various characters assigned to the character key CR. The character table storage unit M3 stores “character key”, “Nth character”, “key flag”. It has a configuration having each item. “Character key” indicates each character key CR or dakuten / semi-dakuten key PM associated with “a” line to “wa” line of Hiragana. The “Nth character” indicates a character group in a line assigned to the character key CR corresponding to the character key CR of the “a” line to the “wa” line. In the figure, “1”, “2”,..., “10” indicate the arrangement order of each character in the character group, and each character indicates the number of consecutive operations (when the same character key CR is operated continuously). The number of operations) is designated by N.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the “Nth character” corresponding to the “character key” in the “a” line has ten characters “A”, “I”, “U” as capital letters. , “E”, “o” are followed by lowercase hiragana characters “a”, “i”, “ぅ”, “e”, “ぉ” in the order of arrangement. In this case, when the character key CR of the “a” line is operated, the uppercase hiragana “a” is designated as the input character in the first operation, and the uppercase hiragana “i” in the second operation, ... In the tenth operation, the lowercase Hiragana “ぉ” is designated as the input character. Note that “-” in the “Nth character” indicates that no character is assigned in that order.

In addition, when the character key CR is operated in the “Hiragana input mode” to be described later, the hiragana assigned to the character key CR is input, but when the same character key CR is operated in the “Katakana input mode”. The katakana corresponding to the hiragana is input. For example, in the “Hiragana input mode”, the Hiragana “A” is input by the first operation of the character key CR of the “A” line, but in the “Katakana input mode”, 1 of the character key CR of the “A” line. In the second operation, the katakana “a” is entered. The “key flag” is a flag indicating the operated character key CR. The “key flag” corresponding to the operated “character key” is “ON”, and the other “key flags” are “OFF”.

FIG. 5A is a diagram for explaining the operation object information storage unit M4.
The operation object information storage unit M4 is used to determine the operation object that has operated the character key CR based on the detection result from the operation object detection unit 23 (from which direction the character key CR is operated). It has a configuration having items of “operation direction” and “operation object”. The “operation direction” indicates an operation direction indicating from which direction the character key CR is operated (whether the character key CR is operated from the right side or the left side). "Operating object" is whether the character key CR was operated with the right hand / operated with the pen held in the right hand (right hand / right hand pen), or operated with the left hand / operated with the pen held in the left hand (Left hand / left hand pen). The character input mode information storage unit M5 is searched based on the operation object thus determined, and one of the character input modes is selected from the plurality of character input modes.

FIG. 5B is a diagram for explaining the character input mode information storage unit M5.
The character input mode information storage unit M5 is used when selecting a character input mode according to an operation object, and has a configuration having items of “operation object”, “character input mode”, and “mode flag”. ing. The “character input mode” is an operation mode that is provided for each group corresponding to a grouped character group (for example, hiragana and katakana), and each character in the group is an inputable character.

Based on the contents of the character input mode information storage unit M5, the central control unit 11 selects which character input mode from among the plurality of character input modes even when the same character key CR is operated. The characters of different character types (for example, hiragana and katakana) are selectively inputted depending on whether or not the character is used. That is, when the character key CR to which any character in the group is assigned for each character input mode is operated, the selected character input mode among the characters assigned to the character key CR is selected. The characters in the group corresponding to are input.

The “mode flag” is a flag indicating which character input mode is selected from among a plurality of character input modes, and the “mode flag” corresponding to the currently selected character input mode is “ON”. Here, the first embodiment has “Hiragana input mode” for inputting hiragana and “Katakana input mode” for inputting katakana as a plurality of character input modes. Character input mode (alphabet input mode, number input mode), character input mode (double-byte input mode, single-byte input mode), uppercase, lowercase A character input mode (uppercase input mode, lowercase input mode) or the like may be used. In addition, the association between the “operation object” and the “character input mode” can be arbitrarily set by a user operation, and the “operation object” is selected according to the opposite relationship to the illustrated example, for example, according to the user's dominant hand. ”And“ character input mode ”may be associated with each other.

Next, the operation concept of the mobile phone 1 in the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. Here, each function described in these flowcharts is stored in the form of a readable program code, and operations according to the program code are sequentially executed. In addition, the operation according to the above-described program code transmitted via the transmission medium can be sequentially executed. This also applies to other embodiments described later, and in addition to the recording medium, an operation specific to this embodiment can be executed using a program / data supplied externally via a transmission medium.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an outline of the overall operation of the mobile phone 1.
First, when a power-on operation for turning on the power is performed (YES in step A1), the central control unit 11 starts power supply and executes a power-on process for initializing a predetermined memory and the like. A standby process is performed in which a standby image is read and displayed, or a location registration is performed by communicating with the base station 2A (step A2). Then, the presence / absence of an incoming call is detected (step A3), the presence / absence of an operation from the operation unit 17 is detected (step A5), and the process returns to the above-described step A3 until an incoming call or presence of an operation is detected.

If an incoming call is detected (YES in step A3), a call process is performed in which the call is ready and the call history is stored or information related to the call is displayed (step A4). Return to Step A3. If any operation is detected (YES in step A5), if it is a setting operation (YES in step A6), a setting process corresponding to the operation is performed (step A7). For example, the character input mode information storage unit M5 performs setting processing for arbitrarily setting the correspondence between the “operation object” and the “character input mode” by a user operation. For example, contrary to the case of FIG. 4, “right hand / right hand pen” of “operation object” is associated with “katakana input mode” of “character input mode”, or “left hand / left hand” of “operation object”. May be associated with "Hiragana input mode" of "Character input mode".

If any operation is detected (YES in step A5), if it is an input start operation instructing the start of character input (YES in step A8), an input screen (text screen) is displayed ( Step A9), an operation waiting state related to character input is entered (step A10). Here, when the character key CR is operated to input a desired character (YES in step A11), after performing a character input process described later (step A12), the process returns to the above-described step A10. When a key other than the input end operation for instructing the end of the key is operated (NO in step A13), the processing corresponding to the operated key includes, for example, character deletion, input position change, kanji conversion, alphanumeric kana After executing processing such as conversion, full-width / half-width conversion, and confirmation (step A16), the process returns to step A10 described above.

When an input end operation for instructing the end of character input is performed (YES in step A13), the character string input by the above-described character input process (step A12) is stored and saved (step A14). An input end process for closing the input screen is performed (step A15). Thereafter, the process returns to step A3. When a power-off operation is performed (YES in step A17), a power-off process is executed (step A18), and this flow ends. When other operations are performed (YES in step A17) ) As a process corresponding to the operation, for example, after performing a call transmission process, a mail transmission process, etc. (step A19), the process returns to the above-described step A3.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining in detail the character input process (step A12 in FIG. 6) started in response to the operation of the character key CR.
Hereinafter, the character input process will be described with reference to specific examples shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 show the current input position depending on from which direction the character key CR is operated, whether the same character key CR is operated continuously, or whether another character key CR is operated. 10 (1) to 10 (4) illustrate a state in which characters are sequentially operated, and FIGS. 10 (1) to 10 (4) illustrate a case where another character key CR is operated in addition to changing the operation direction of the character key CR during input. 11 (1) to (4) are diagrams showing a case where the operation direction of the character key CR is changed during the input, but the same character key CR is operated continuously.

First, the central control unit 11 executes a character input mode selection process according to the flowchart of FIG. 8 (step B1 of FIG. 7). FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the character input mode selection process (step B1 in FIG. 7) in detail.
The central control unit 11 accesses the operation object detection unit 23 and detects the operation direction of the direction in which the character key CR of the operation unit 17 is operated (from the right side or from the left side). (Step C1 in FIG. 8). In this case, based on the detection result of the operation object detection unit 23, the central control unit 11 detects the operation direction from the difference in illuminance caused by the shadow generated when the character key CR is operated.

Then, the operation object information storage unit M4 is searched based on the operation direction, and the corresponding operation object information is read (step C2). The “operation object” is “right hand / right hand pen” or “left hand / left hand”. It is determined whether or not the “pen” (step C3). When the “operation object” indicating the operation of the character key CR is identified, the character input mode information storage unit M5 is searched based on the “operation object”, and the corresponding character input mode information is read (step C4). Among the plurality of “character input modes”, either “Hiragana input mode” or “Katakana input mode” is selected (step C5).

When the character input mode selection process (step B1 in FIG. 7) is completed in this way, it is checked whether the current cursor position (input position) is in an uninput state (blank) (step B2). Since no character is input at the position (YES in step B2), the character input mode information storage unit M5 is accessed and the “character input mode” corresponding to the current “operation object” is set. “Mode flag” is turned “ON” (step B3), and “mode flag” of other “character input mode” is turned “OFF” (step B4). Further, the character table storage unit M3 is accessed, and the “key flag” corresponding to the character key CR operated this time is turned “ON” (step B5), and the “key flags” of other character keys CR are turned “OFF”. (Step B6).

Then, after setting “1” as an initial value of the number of consecutive operations N of the same character key CR (step B7), it is checked whether the “mode flag” other than the hiragana input mode is “ON” (step B8). Now, as shown in FIG. 10A, when the character key CR in the “ka” line is operated from the right side, the “operation object” becomes “right hand / right hand pen”, and the corresponding “ Since the “character input mode” is “Hiragana input mode”, the “mode flag” of this “character input mode (Hiragana input mode)” is “ON”, and the other “mode flags” are “OFF”. (NO in step B8), the process proceeds to the next step B9, and the “Nth character” of the character key CR operated this time in the “character input mode” corresponding to the “operation object” this time. To enter as unconverted character.

For example, as shown in FIG. 10A, when the character key CR of the “ka” line is operated from the right side, the “operation object” becomes “right hand / right hand pen”, and the corresponding “character input” “Mode” is “Hiragana input mode”. In this case, if it is the first operation of the character key CR on the “ka” line, the continuous operation count N is the initial value “1”, so the first character “ka” on the “ka” line is an unconverted character Entered. As a result, the hiragana “ka” is displayed at the current input position (underlined position) in the input screen (text screen). When the input for one character is completed in this way, the character input process of FIG. 7 is terminated at this point, and the process returns to step A10 of FIG.

Further, when the character key CR is operated and the flow of FIG. 7 is entered again, the character input mode selection process is executed (step B1). In this case, if the operation direction is the same as the previous one, this character input mode is selected. In the selection process, “from the right side” is detected as the “operation direction”, “right / right hand pen” is determined as the “operation object”, and “Hiragana input mode” is selected as the “character input mode” (FIG. 8). Steps C1-C5). Then, it is checked whether or not the input position is in the non-input state (step B2 in FIG. 7). Since the hiragana “ka” is input at the current input position (NO in step B2), the next step B11 is performed. Next, the character input mode information storage unit M5 is referred to, and it is checked whether the “mode flag” of the “character input mode” corresponding to the “operation object” is “ON” (step B11).

If the current operation direction is the same as the previous one, the “mode flag” of “character input mode (Hiragana input mode)” corresponding to “operation object (right hand / right hand pen)” is the previous character key. Since it remains “ON” by the operation of CR (YES in step B11), the process proceeds to the next step B12, and the “key flag” of the character key CR operated this time is referred to the character table storage unit M3. It is checked whether it is “ON”, that is, whether the same character key CR is operated continuously or another character key CR is operated. As a result, when the “key flag” of the character key CR operated this time is “OFF”, that is, when another character key CR is operated (NO in step B12), the input position is set to 1 to the right. The input position is updated by shifting digits (step B18).

Then, the process proceeds to step B5 described above, and after “ON” the “key flag” corresponding to the character key CR operated this time, “OFF” the “key flags” of character keys CR other than the character key CR operated this time. (Step B6). Then, after setting “1” as the initial value of the continuous operation number N (step B7), it is checked whether the “mode flag” other than the hiragana input mode is “on” (step B8). Since the “mode flag” of the mode is “ON”, the “Nth” of the character key CR operated this time in the “character input mode” corresponding to the “operation object” this time as in the case described above. "Character" is input as an unconverted character (step B9). For example, if the character key CR of the “NA” line is operated from the right side, the current hiragana “NA” is input after the previous hiragana “KA”.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10B, when the same character key CR is operated continuously from the same operation direction, the “key flag” of the character key CR in the “ka” row remains “ON”. (YES in step B12), the process proceeds to the next step B13, and after adding “1” to the number of consecutive operations N and updating the value, it is checked whether an unconverted character is being input (step) B14). Here, “unconverted character input” means that the character input at the input position is not converted to Kanji, English, numbers, Katakana, or the like.

If a hiragana character “ka” is input at the current input position and an unconverted character is being input (YES in step B14), the character “ka” input at the current input position is deleted. After that (step B15), the process proceeds to the above-described step B9, and the “Nth character” of the character key CR operated this time is input as an unconverted character in the “character input mode” corresponding to the “operation object” this time. To do. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10 (2), the character “ki” is input at the current input position instead of the character “hira”.

Further, when the character key CR is operated and the flow of FIG. 7 is entered again, the character input mode selection process is executed (step B1). In this case, as shown in FIG. 10 (3), another character key is selected. When the character key CR of the “sa” line is operated from another operation direction as CR, in this character input mode selection process, “from the left” is detected as the “operation direction” and “left hand” is detected as the “operation object”. / Left hand pen "is discriminated and" Katakana input mode "is selected as" Character input mode "(steps C1 to C5 in FIG. 8). Then, it is checked whether or not the input position is in the non-input state (step B2 in FIG. 7). However, at the time of FIG. 10 (2), “ki” is input to the current input position by the previous operation (step B2). NO), the process proceeds to the next step B11, and it is checked whether or not the “mode flag” of “character input mode (katakana input mode)” corresponding to “operation object (left hand / left hand pen)” is “ON”.

Now, since the “mode flag” in the katakana input mode remains “OFF” at the time of FIG. 10 (1) (NO in step B11), the process proceeds to the next step B17 and the input shown in FIG. Process A is executed, and the input position is updated by shifting the input position to the right by one digit (step D1 in FIG. 9). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step B3 in FIG. 7, and after “ON” the “mode flag” of the “character input mode (katakana input mode)” corresponding to the current “operation object (left hand / left hand pen)”, other than that The “mode flag” of “character input mode” is turned “OFF” (step B4). Further, the “key flag” corresponding to the character key CR of the “sa” line operated this time is “ON” (step B5), and the “key flags” of other character keys CR are “OFF” (step B6). .

Then, after setting “1” as an initial value of the number of consecutive operations N of the same character key CR (step B7), it is checked whether the “mode flag” other than the hiragana input mode is “ON” (step B8). Now, because the “mode flag” of the katakana input mode is “ON” (YES in step B8), the process proceeds to step B10, and the current operation is performed in the “character input mode” corresponding to the current “operation object”. The character key CR “Nth character” is input as a confirmed character. Since the character key CR of the “sa” line is now operated, “sa” is input as a katakana corresponding to the hiragana of the “Nth character”. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10 (3), the character "sa" is input in the second digit following the character "ki" in the first digit.

Further, when the character key CR is operated and the flow of FIG. 7 is entered again, after executing the character input mode selection process (step B1), it is checked whether or not the input position is in an uninput state (step B2). Now, since the katakana “sa” has been input at the current input position in the previous operation, it is determined that it is not in an uninput state (NO in step B2), and the process proceeds to the next step B11. In this case, as shown in FIG. 10 (4), since the same character key CR is operated continuously from the same operation direction (YES in steps B11 and B12), the number of consecutive operations N is set to “2”. After updating (step B13), it is checked whether an unconverted character is being input (step B14).

Here, since the katakana character “sa”, which is a character other than the hiragana character, is input as the confirmed character at the current input position (NO in step B14), the “sa” character of the confirmed character input at the current input position. (Step B16), the process proceeds to step B10, and the “Nth character” of the character key CR operated this time is input as a confirmed character in the “character input mode” corresponding to the “operation object” this time. . As a result, as shown in FIG. 10 (4), “shi” is entered in place of the katakana “sa” at the current input position.

As described above, in the examples of FIGS. 10A to 10D, the operation direction is changed during the character input to switch from the hiragana input mode to the katakana input mode and another character key CR is operated. FIGS. 11 (1) to 11 (4) show a case where the same character key CR is continuously operated even after the hiragana input mode is switched to the katakana input mode. 11 (1) and 11 (2) are the same as FIGS. 10 (1) and 10 (2), whereas FIG. 11 (3) shows the case where the same character key CR is operated continuously. In the case of 11 (3), in the character input mode selection process in step B1 of FIG. 7, “from the left” is detected as the “operation direction”, “left pen / left hand pen” is determined as the “operation object”, and “ Select “Katakana input mode” as the “character input mode”.

Since hiragana “KI” has been input at the current input position in the previous operation (NO in step B2), the process proceeds to the next step B11. In this case, “operation object (left hand / left hand pen)” Since the “mode flag” of the “character input mode (katakana input mode)” corresponding to “OFF” is “OFF” (NO in step B11), the process proceeds to the execution of the input process A shown in FIG. The input position is updated by shifting by one digit (step D1 in FIG. 9). Thus, even when the same character key CR is operated continuously, when the character input mode is switched, the input position is moved to the right by one digit.

Thereafter, the process proceeds to steps B3 to B7 in FIG. 7, and the “mode flag” of “character input mode (katakana input mode)” corresponding to the current “operation object (left hand / left hand pen)” is turned “ON”. In addition to turning “mode flag” other than “off”, “turning on” the “key flag” corresponding to the character key CR of the “sa” line operated this time, and “off” other “key flags” Set “1” to the number of continuous operations N. Then, it is checked whether or not the “mode flag” other than the hiragana input mode is “ON” (step B8). However, because the “mode flag” of the katakana input mode is “ON” (YES in step B8). ), “K” is input as a fixed character as a katakana corresponding to the “Nth character” hiragana (step B10). As a result, as shown in FIG. 11 (3), the katakana character “K” is input in the second digit following the first digit hiragana character “KI”.

Further, when the character key CR is operated and the flow of FIG. 7 is entered again, after executing the character input mode selection process (step B1), it is checked whether or not the input position is in an uninput state (step B2). Now, since the katakana character “K” has been input at the current input position (NO in step B2), it is determined that it is not in an uninput state (NO in step B2), and the process proceeds to the next step B11. In this case, as shown in FIG. 11 (4), since the same character key CR is operated continuously from the same operation direction (YES in steps B11 and B12), the number N of continuous operations is set to “2”. (Step B13), it is checked whether or not an unconverted character is being input (step B14). Since the katakana character “K” is currently input as the fixed character at the current input position (NO in step B14). After erasing the katakana at the input position (step B16), "K" is input as a confirmed character as the katakana corresponding to the "Nth character" hiragana (step B10). As a result, as shown in FIG. 11 (4), “K” is input instead of the katakana “K” at this input position.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the character input mode is selected based on the operation object indicating what is operated by the character key CR, and the character corresponding to the character input mode is input. When inputting characters while switching between multiple character input modes, the operation of selecting the character input mode is omitted and the operation is facilitated. Character input operation can be realized.

The operation object detection unit 23 detects an operation object that is an operation with the right hand or an operation with the left hand by detecting the direction of the operation performed on the character key CR, and sets the character input mode based on the detection result. Since the selection is made, the user can input the character corresponding to the desired character input mode only by operating the hand corresponding to the character input mode.

Since the operation object detection unit 23 detects the direction of operation using at least one of an electrical switch, a mechanical switch, a pressure sensor, a strain sensor, and an illuminance sensor, the operation direction can be easily set. It can be detected or detected accurately.

When a character is input as an unconverted character, among the characters assigned to the operated character key, a character in the group corresponding to the selected character input mode is input as an unconverted character. So, if you are entering unconverted characters before conversion, even if the character input mode changes, you can make it an unconverted character, and easily input characters corresponding to the selected character input mode as unconverted characters can do.

In a state where a character is input at the input position, it is possible to input a character in the next order of the characters input at the input position among the characters in the group corresponding to the selected character input mode.

In the first embodiment described above, the illuminance sensor is used as the operation object detection unit 23. However, as described above, an electrical switch, a mechanical switch, and a strain sensor may be used. A pressure sensor that detects the pressure when the character key CR is pressed may be used as the operation object detection unit 23. In this case, it is determined whether the pressing direction is left or right. If the pressing direction is from the right side to the left side, the hiragana input is accompanied by kanji conversion. If the pressing direction is from the left side to the right side, for example, input of katakana or katakana May be input. The operation object detection unit 23 may detect the operation direction by combining at least one of an electrical switch, a mechanical switch, a pressure sensor, a strain sensor, and an illuminance sensor.

(Embodiment 2)
The operation of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
In the first embodiment described above, it is determined from which direction the character key CR is operated (whether operated from the right side or operated from the left side) when detecting what is operated by the character key CR. Accordingly, the operation with the right hand or the operation with the left hand is detected. In this second embodiment, when detecting what the character key CR is operated with, the fingerprint pattern or vein of each finger of the user is detected. Based on the pattern, whether the operation with the right hand or the operation with the left hand is detected according to which finger the character key CR is operated with. Here, in the first and second embodiments, the same or the same names are denoted by the same reference numerals, the description thereof will be omitted, and the following description will be focused on the features of the second embodiment. It shall be.

The operation object detection unit 23 is configured by a biometric sensor (fingerprint sensor or vein sensor) arranged and fixed on the key top portion corresponding to each character key CR. When the character key CR is operated, the character is detected. The feature information (fingerprint pattern or vein pattern) of the finger operated by the key CR is read. The central control unit 11 determines what character key CR is based on the feature information (fingerprint pattern or vein pattern) of the finger. It is determined whether it is operated by (with which hand the finger is operated). Note that the above-described fingerprint sensor and vein sensor may detect only fingerprint feature data such as the fingerprint center point, branch point, and end point, and vein feature data. However, in the second embodiment, the fingerprint pattern of the entire finger is used. The vein pattern is detected.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the contents of the operation object information storage unit M4 in the second embodiment.
The operation object information storage unit M4 is used to determine the operation object that is operated by the character key CR based on the detection result from the operation object detection unit 23. The “operation object”, “fingerprint pattern” And “vein pattern”. The “operation object” indicates which finger of the character key CR is operated, and each finger of the right hand (thumb, forefinger, middle finger, ring finger, little finger) and each finger of the left hand (thumb, forefinger) , Middle finger, ring finger, little finger). The “fingerprint pattern” indicates a fingerprint pattern registered in advance as a reference for comparison with the user's ten fingers. The “vein pattern” indicates a vein pattern registered in advance as a reference for comparison with 10 fingers of both hands of the user.

When the character key CR is operated, the central control unit 11 detects the fingerprint pattern or vein pattern detected when the character key CR is operated and each “fingerprint pattern” or “vein pattern” registered in the operation object information storage unit M4. Are compared with each other to identify a “fingerprint pattern” or “vein pattern” that is characteristically matched to each other, so that an “operation object” is identified with which finger the character key CR is operated. Based on this “operation object”, the central control unit 11 searches the character input mode information storage unit M5, and selects one of the characters among a plurality of character input modes (Hiragana input mode, Katakana input mode). The input mode is selected. In the second embodiment, the character input mode information storage unit M5 is basically the same as that in the first embodiment. However, in the second embodiment, in order to operate the character key CR by directly touching it with a finger, “Operation object” is “finger of right hand” and “finger of left hand”.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
In the second embodiment, the above-described flowchart of FIG. 6 (flowchart showing an outline of the overall operation of the mobile phone 1) and the flowchart of FIG. 7 (character input processing started to be executed in response to the operation of the character key CR are performed. The operation according to the flowchart of FIG. 9 (flowchart for detailed description of the input process A) is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the character input mode selection process is similar to that of FIG. Instead, it is executed according to the flowchart of FIG.

That is, the operation object detection unit 23 is accessed to detect a fingerprint pattern or a vein pattern (step E1 in FIG. 13). Then, the operation object information storage unit M4 is searched based on the detection result (fingerprint pattern or vein pattern), and the corresponding operation object information is read (step E2). The “operation object” is “right finger” or “ It is determined whether the finger of the left hand is “step E3”. When the “operation object” is determined in this way, the character input mode information storage unit M5 is searched based on this “operation object”, the corresponding character input mode information is read (step E4), and a plurality of “character input modes” are read out. "Hiragana input mode" or "Katakana input mode" is selected (step E5).

As described above, in the second embodiment, at least one of the fingerprint sensor and the vein sensor is provided, and by detecting the characteristic information (fingerprint pattern or vein pattern) of the finger operated by the character key, The character input mode is selected by determining whether it is an operation or an operation with the finger of the left hand, so that the user can operate the character corresponding to the desired character input mode only by operating with the finger corresponding to the character input mode. Can be entered.

In the second embodiment described above, a fingerprint pattern or a vein pattern is detected as the finger characteristic information. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an arbitrary shape for identifying the finger such as a finger shape and size may be used. It may be information.

(Embodiment 3)
Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the first embodiment described above, the input position is moved to the right by one digit when the character input mode is switched even when the same character key is continuously operated. In the embodiment, even when the character input mode is switched, when the same character key is continuously operated, the input position is not changed and the next character is input. Here, in the first and third embodiments, the same or the same names are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof will be omitted, and the following description will focus on the features of the third embodiment. It shall be. Also in the third embodiment, the operation object detection unit 23 uses at least one of an electrical switch, a mechanical switch, a pressure sensor, a strain sensor, and an illuminance sensor, as in the first embodiment described above. The direction of operation is detected.

Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
In the third embodiment, the above-described flowchart of FIG. 6 (flowchart showing an outline of the overall operation of the mobile phone 1) and the flowchart of FIG. 7 (character input processing started to be executed in response to the operation of the character key CR are performed. The operation according to the flowchart of FIG. 8 (flowchart for detailed description of the character input mode selection process) is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the input process A is similar to that of FIG. Instead, it is executed according to the flowchart of FIG.

In FIG. 15, an input is made at the current input position depending on from which direction the character key CR is operated, whether the same character key CR is operated continuously, or whether another character key CR is operated. Hereinafter, the character input processing in the third embodiment will be described with reference to a specific example shown in FIG. The operations of FIGS. 15 (1) to (4) are basically the same as the operations of FIGS. 11 (1) to (4) described above, but in the case of FIG. 11 (3), the same character key CR is used. Even during continuous operation, when the character input mode is changed from “Hiragana input mode” to “Katakana input mode” by changing the operation direction, the input position is moved to the right by the input process A in FIG. The first character of the character key CR is input. In the case of FIG. 15 (3), when the same character key CR is continuously operated even when the character input mode is switched, the input position is not changed and the next character is input. I have to.

That is, when the operation direction is changed as shown in FIG. 15 (3), execution of the input process A in FIG. 14 is started. First, referring to the character table storage unit M3, whether the “key flag” of the character key CR operated this time is “ON”, that is, whether the same character key CR has been operated continuously, It is checked whether it has been operated (step F1). When another character key CR is operated (NO in step F1), the input position is shifted to the right by one digit (step F8), and then step B3 in FIG. However, when the same character key CR is operated as shown in FIG. 15 (3) (YES in step F1), the “character input mode (left hand / left hand pen)” corresponding to this time “character input mode ( “Mode flag” of “Katakana input mode)” is turned “ON” (step F2), and “mode flag” of other “character input mode” is turned “OFF” (step F3).

Then, after adding “1” to the number of consecutive operations N and updating the value to “3” (step F4), it is checked whether an unconverted character is being input (step F5). Since hiragana “KI” is input and an unconverted character is being input (YES in step F5), the character “KA” input at the current input position is deleted (step F6), and then the step of FIG. Moving to B9, the “Nth character” of the character key CR operated this time is input as an unconverted character in the “character input mode” corresponding to the “operation object” this time. As a result, as shown in FIG. 15 (3), Katakana “K” is input instead of Hiragana “K” at the current input position.

Further, as shown in FIG. 15 (4), when the same character key CR is continuously operated from the same operation direction (YES in step F1), the “character input” corresponding to the “operation object” as described above. “Mode flag” of “Mode” is set to “ON” (Step F2), and “Mode flag” of other “Character input mode” is set to “OFF” (Step F2). And the value is updated to “3” (step F3). Then, it is checked whether or not an unconverted character is being input (step F5). Since the katakana character “K” is input as a confirmed character at the current input position (NO in step F5), the katakana character “K” at this input position is input. (Step F7), the process proceeds to step B10 in FIG. 7, and the “Nth character” of the character key CR operated this time is confirmed in the “character input mode” corresponding to this “operation object”. Enter as. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11 (4), “K” is input instead of the katakana “K” at the input position.

As described above, in the third embodiment, even when the character input mode is switched, when the same character key CR is continuously operated, the input position is not changed and the next character is input. As a result, when the same character key CR is operated with another hand during character input, the character input mode changes, but the continuous operation count N is continued as it is. "Nth character" can be entered. For example, even if the hiragana input mode is switched from the hiragana input mode to the katakana input mode in the middle of the character input, if the continuous operation of the character key CR on the “ka” line is performed, the last input hiragana “ It is possible to input the katakana “K” corresponding to the order of “K”.

In the third embodiment described above, the operation object detection unit 23 detects the operation direction using at least one of an electrical switch, a mechanical switch, a pressure sensor, a strain sensor, and an illuminance sensor. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and any means may be used as long as it is a means for detecting the operation direction.

(Embodiment 4)
A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
In the first embodiment described above, the operation object detection unit 23 detects, as an operation object, whether the operation is performed with the right hand or the left hand depending on the direction in which the character key CR is operated. In the fourth embodiment, the operation object detection unit 23 is configured by a biosensor (fingerprint sensor or vein sensor) arranged on the key top portion corresponding to each character key CR, and when the character key CR is operated. Further, the feature information (fingerprint pattern or vein pattern) of the finger operated by the character key CR is read. The central control unit 11 determines the character key CR based on the feature information (fingerprint pattern or vein pattern) of the finger. (In which hand, which finger is used) is detected. Here, in the first and fourth embodiments, the same or the same names are denoted by the same reference numerals, the description thereof will be omitted, and the following description will focus on the features of the fourth embodiment. It shall be.

In the fourth embodiment, the operation object information storage unit M4 includes the items “operation object”, “fingerprint pattern”, and “vein pattern” as in FIG. 12 described in the second embodiment. However, the character input mode information storage unit M5 of the fourth embodiment is configured as shown in FIG. FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the character input mode information storage unit M5 in the fourth embodiment. The character input mode information storage unit M5 has “operation object”, “character input mode”, and “mode flag”. is doing. The “operation object” indicates which finger of the character key CR is operated by, and each finger of the right hand (thumb, forefinger, middle finger, ring finger, little finger) and each finger of the left hand (thumb, forefinger, middle finger, (Ringing finger, little finger).

"Character input mode" includes "Hiragana input mode" and "Katakana input mode", "English large character input mode" for inputting uppercase alphabetic characters, and "English lowercase character input mode" for inputting lowercase English characters “Numeric input mode” for inputting numbers and “Symbol input mode” for inputting symbols. Each character input mode includes a “full-width character input mode” for inputting full-width characters and a “half-width character input mode” for inputting half-width characters. In the example shown in the figure, “full-width” is associated with “Hiragana input mode”, so it becomes Hiragana input mode with full-width characters, and “half-width” is associated with “symbol name input mode”. Therefore, it becomes a symbol input mode with half-width characters. The contents of the “character input mode” can be arbitrarily set by a user operation.

FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining the character table storage unit M3 in the fourth embodiment.
The character table storage unit M3 is configured to have items of “character key”, “Nth character”, and “key flag” as in the first embodiment, but in the fourth embodiment, an item of “character state” is further included. have. The “character key” indicates the character key CR of the “a” line to the “wa” line, and the “character state” indicates “kana”, “alphabet”, “number”, “symbol”. That is, in the first embodiment, a kana is assigned to the character key CR, but in the fourth embodiment, in addition to the kana, letters, numbers, and symbols are assigned. "," Alphabet "," number ", and" symbol "are arranged in the order of" 1 "to" 10 ".

In the fourth embodiment, the above-described flowchart of FIG. 6 (flowchart showing an outline of the overall operation of the mobile phone 1) and the flowchart of FIG. 7 (character input processing started in response to the operation of the character key CR) The flowchart according to FIG. 9 and the flowchart according to FIG. 9 (the flowchart for detailing the input process A) are the same as those in the first embodiment. The process is executed according to the flowchart of FIG. 13 shown in the embodiment.

As described above, in the fourth embodiment, at least one of the fingerprint sensor and the vein sensor is provided, and the finger operated by detecting the characteristic information (fingerprint pattern or vein pattern) of the finger operated by the character key is detected. Since the character input mode is selected based on the detection result and the detection result, the user can input a desired character simply by operating with the finger corresponding to the character input mode.

Since multiple character input modes are hiragana input mode, katakana input mode, alphabetic input mode, numeric input mode, and symbol input mode, the user can simply operate with the operation object corresponding to the desired character input mode. Katakana, English letters, numbers, and symbols can be entered easily. In particular, when a sentence in which character types are mixed is created, an operation for switching the character input mode is not required, so that an efficient sentence creation is possible.

Since the full-width character input mode and the half-width character input mode can be selected, the user can easily input full-width characters and half-width characters simply by operating the operation object corresponding to the desired character input mode.

Since the uppercase character input mode and the lowercase character input mode can be selected, the user can easily input uppercase characters and child characters simply by operating the operation object corresponding to the desired character input mode.

In the fourth embodiment described above, the fingerprint pattern and the vein pattern are detected as the finger characteristic information. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any finger-shaped information such as the finger shape and size can be identified. It may be information.

In each embodiment described above, the association between the “operation object” and the “character input mode” in the character input mode information storage unit M5 is not limited to each embodiment described above, and is arbitrary.
In the character table storage unit M3, the association between the character key CR and the grouped character group is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and is arbitrary. It may be.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the operation unit 17 is not limited to the operation unit provided in the terminal device (such as a mobile phone), and performs wireless communication with an external keyboard or terminal device connected to the terminal device via a communication cable. It may be an external operation unit that is not provided in the terminal device, such as an external keyboard.

In each embodiment described above, the key such as the character key CR is not limited to a so-called hard key provided with a switch mechanism for detecting a pressing operation, but a so-called soft key provided with a touch panel for detecting a touch operation. A key having an arbitrary structure such as a key having a detector for detecting a non-contact operation performed in a three-dimensional space may be used.

In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, the terminal device is not limited to a mobile phone, and may be any terminal device such as a personal computer, a PDA (personal personal digital assistant), a digital camera, or a music player.

The block diagram which showed the communication network system which can use the mobile telephone applied as a terminal device. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing basic components of the mobile phone 1. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a part of keys constituting the operation unit 17. The figure for demonstrating the character table memory | storage part M3. (1) is a figure for demonstrating the operation object information storage part M4, (2) is a figure for demonstrating the character input mode information storage part M5. 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of the overall operation of the mobile phone 1; 7 is a flowchart for explaining in detail a character input process (step A12 in FIG. 6) started in response to an operation of a character key CR. 8 is a flowchart for explaining in detail a character input mode selection process (step B1 in FIG. 7). 8 is a flowchart for explaining input processing A (step B19 in FIG. 7) in detail. (1)-(4) is the figure which illustrated the case where another character key CR was operated besides changing the operation direction of the character key CR in the middle of input. (1)-(4) is the figure which illustrated the case where the operation direction of the character key CR was changed in the middle of input, but the same character key CR was operated continuously. The figure for demonstrating the content of the operation object information storage part M4 in 2nd Embodiment. The flowchart for explaining in detail the character input mode selection process (step B1 in FIG. 7) in the second embodiment. The flowchart for explaining in detail the input process A (step B19 in FIG. 7) in the third embodiment. The figure which showed the case where the operation direction of the character key CR was changed in the middle of input in 4th Embodiment, but the same character key CR was operated continuously. The figure for demonstrating the character input mode information storage part M5 in 4th Embodiment. The figure for demonstrating the character table memory | storage part M3 in 4th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

11 Central control unit 13 Storage unit 16 Display unit 17 Operation unit 23 Operation object detection unit M1 Program storage unit M2 Various information temporary storage unit M3 Character table storage unit M4 Operation object information storage unit M5 Character input mode storage unit CR Character key

Claims (10)

A terminal device for inputting a character assigned to the operated character key when the character key is operated,
A discriminating means for discriminating by what the character key is operated;
A result of determination by the determination means of any one of a plurality of character input modes provided for each group corresponding to the grouped character group, wherein each character in the group is an inputable character. Selecting means for selecting based on
The character selected by the selection means among the characters assigned to the character key when the character key to which any character in the group is assigned for each character input mode is operated. An input means for inputting characters in the group corresponding to the input mode;
Equipped with,
The character key is assigned a plurality of characters ordered for each character input mode,
When the same character key is operated in a state where a character is input at the input position, the input unit is configured to select the input position among characters in a group corresponding to the character input mode selected by the selection unit. Enter the next character after the characters entered in
If the selection means switches to a new character input mode while the same character key is being operated, the character input at the input position is confirmed and then the input position is moved to the right by one. And input a character in the group corresponding to the new character input mode,
A terminal device characterized by that. The determining means determines whether the operation with the right hand or the left hand according to which direction the character key is operated.
The terminal device according to claim 1, which is configured as described above. Direction detection means for detecting from which direction the character key is operated using at least one of an electrical switch, a mechanical switch, a pressure sensor, a strain sensor, and an illuminance sensor;
The determining means determines whether the operation is a right hand operation or a left hand operation according to the detection result of the direction detection means.
The terminal device according to claim 2, which is configured as described above. Finger detection means for detecting characteristic information of a finger operated by the character key;
The determining means determines whether the operation is performed with a finger of a right hand or an operation with a finger of the left hand according to a detection result of the finger detection means;
The terminal device according to claim 1, which is configured as described above. Finger detection means for detecting characteristic information of a finger operated by the character key;
The discriminating means discriminates the operated finger according to the detection result by the finger detecting means;
The terminal device according to claim 1, which is configured as described above. The plurality of character input modes are at least any two input modes among a hiragana input mode, a katakana input mode, an alphabet input mode, a number input mode, and a symbol input mode.
The terminal device according to claim 1. The plurality of character input modes are input modes including a full-width character input mode and a half-width character input mode.
The terminal device according to claim 1. The plurality of character input modes are input modes including an uppercase input mode and a lowercase input mode.
The terminal device according to claim 1. Further comprising conversion means for converting the input character as an unconverted character and converting the unconverted character into another character;
The input means is a character in a group corresponding to the character input mode selected by the selection means among the characters assigned to the operated character key in a state where the characters are input as unconverted characters. As an unconverted character,
The terminal device according to claim 1, which is configured as described above. Against the computer,
A function to determine what character key was operated by;
Based on the determination result, one of the character input modes is provided for each group corresponding to the grouped character group, and among the plurality of character input modes in which each character in the group can be input. The function to select,
When the character keys in which a plurality of characters are assigned are ordered in the group for each of said character input mode is operated, among the characters assigned to the character keys, the selected character input A function to enter characters in the group corresponding to the mode,
When the same character key is operated while a character is being input at the input position, the characters in the group corresponding to the character input mode selected by the selection means are input at the input position. The ability to enter the next character in the sequence;
If the selection means switches to a new character input mode while the same character key is being operated, the character input at the input position is confirmed and then the input position is moved to the right by one. A function for inputting characters in the group corresponding to the new character input mode;
A program to realize

Images