JP5240880B2 - Terminal, software key input method, and program therefor - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a terminal such as a touch panel terminal, a software key input method, and a program therefor.

  Conventionally, touch panel terminals that do not have a hardware keyboard have a so-called software keyboard function in order to enable character input from the touch panel. The software keyboard is a software keyboard displayed on the screen with a key layout equivalent to a hardware keyboard, or a simplified keyboard layout, or a matrix key layout such as alphabetical order, kana order, numerical order, symbol order, etc. Key code input is realized by touching the key. However, there is a difficulty in hiding the screen over a wide range because the number of displayed keys is too large. If you try to make the range as small as possible, there is a problem that the key is too small and difficult to see.

  Below, some examples of the related technology of the software keyboard will be described together with the problems.

  As a first example, there is a software keyboard in which a selected key is enlarged when a software key is touched and a key is input when the touch is released (Patent Documents 1 and 2). ).

  The software keyboard according to the first example has a problem that when the touch is released, the selection position is shifted and a key for each key is input. If the key is too small, it is difficult to touch accurately.

  As a second example, there is a type of software keyboard in which an enlarged field of display is provided on a screen, the periphery of a touched software key is displayed in the enlarged field, and input is performed from the enlarged field (Patent Document 3).

  The software keyboard according to the second example has a problem that the enlarged field occupies the display area of the application and occupies the screen, and there is a problem that operations until a target key is input increase.

  As a third example of the software keyboard, a type in which the software keyboard is partially displayed and used by scrolling (Patent Document 4, Patent Document 5), or a type in which the keyboard is scrolled while moving the cursor (Patent Document 6).

  In the software keyboard according to the third example, in order to search for a target key from the partially displayed software keyboard, the key operation must be repeated by repeatedly pressing the scroll key or the switching key. Therefore, there is a problem that it takes time to enter a key.

  As a fourth example of the software keyboard, there is one in which a plurality of key codes assigned to one software key are arranged in a line and key input is performed by an operation when the software key is touched (Patent Document 7). .

  In the software keyboard according to the fourth example, the software keys with functions for each vowel are arranged in the order of “A” → “I” → “U” → “E” → “O”. If the vowel is anything other than “A”, at least one operation must be performed to switch characters. For example, in order to input a key whose vowel is “O”, there is a problem that four or more operations are required and there are many operations for inputting.

  As a fifth example of a software keyboard, there is one in which software keys are arranged in a circle like a black telephone dial and key input is performed by sliding the telephone dial (PTL 8).

  The software keyboard according to the fifth example has a problem that the software key occupies the screen, and also inputs a key located at a position such as “0”, “9”, “8” of the keys arranged in a dial shape. Has a problem that the slide distance becomes long and the input operation is difficult.

  As a sixth example of the software keyboard, there is one in which a part for displaying the software keyboard can be scrolled and the software keys in the part are further scrolled (Patent Document 9).

  The software keyboard according to the sixth example tries to scroll the part displaying the software keyboard, scrolls the software key in the part, and conversely, tries to scroll the software key in the part. There is a problem that it is difficult for the first person because the operation is complicated, such as scrolling the part where the software keyboard is displayed.

  As a seventh example of the software keyboard, there is one in which desired information can be input by an operation of an operation key and an operation that gives an inclination to the device itself (Patent Document 10).

  In the seventh example, it is necessary to incorporate a special detector called an inclination detection unit that detects an inclination based on the rotation of a vector on a two-dimensional plane. If it is not below, there is a problem that actual use is difficult.

JP 2008-257551A JP 2004-038407 A1 JP 2002-062966 A JP 2008-305294 A JP-A-8-221168 JP 2003-316502 A JP 2000-330704 A JP 2008-217791 A JP 2005-173934 A JP 2003-114752 A

  In view of the above-described problems, the present invention intends to provide a software key input method and a terminal excellent in operability by suppressing the screen occupation ratio.

  In the software key input method according to the present invention, a plurality of software keys are arranged and displayed on a display device screen of a terminal in a spiral shape close to horizontal or vertical, and displayed by dragging the display area of the software keys or software keyboard. The entire software key is rotated in the arrangement direction, and when the target key is found, the key can be input by touching the key again.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a software keyboard including a plurality of software keys on at least a part of a display device screen of a terminal is arranged and displayed in a spiral shape close to horizontal or vertical by a computer, Alternatively, a software key that rotates the entire displayed software keys in the arrangement direction in response to a drag operation on the display area of the software keyboard and performs key input for that key when a touch on the target key is detected An input method, comprising a plurality of input modes, wherein the plurality of software keys are software keys corresponding to the number of key codes corresponding to the input mode. .

  In the software key input method, the computer displays the largest software key located at the outermost part of the spiral near the middle of the screen even when the plurality of software keys are rotated by the drag operation. It can be displayed smaller toward the center of. The computer also displays a small overlap between adjacent software keys, a small overlap between adjacent software keys on the circular orbit, and a software key that is near the middle of the screen on the outermost side of the spiral does not overlap. Can be displayed.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, a display device capable of displaying a software keyboard including a plurality of software keys at least in part, and pointing for detecting an operation on the display area of the software keys or the software keyboard A key code storage means for holding a key code list of software keys corresponding to each of a plurality of predetermined input modes, and a key code list corresponding to a currently selected input mode; Software key placement means for placing software keys by drawing a plurality of software keys on the screen of the display device based on the obtained key code list, and input from the pointing device. We Touch operation detecting means for detecting a touch operation from the position touched on the display area of the key or the software keyboard, the position where the touch is moved, and the position where the touch is released, and the currently selected input mode An input mode for acquiring an input mode to be changed from the key code storage means, selecting an input mode to be switched, and redrawing a plurality of software keys on the screen of the display device by the software key placement means Switching means, software key rotation means for rotating the plurality of software keys in the arrangement direction while maintaining the relative positional relationship between adjacent software keys, and control means for controlling the means, The control means includes at least a part of the plurality of display devices on the display device screen. The software keyboard including software keys is arranged horizontally and vertically in a spiral shape, and the entire displayed software keys are rotated in the arrangement direction according to the drag operation to the display area of the software keys or software keyboard. And a terminal that performs key input of the key when a touch on the target key is detected, and the plurality of software keys are software keys corresponding to the number of key codes corresponding to the input mode. Is provided.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the step of causing the computer to arrange and display a software keyboard including a plurality of software keys in a horizontal or vertical spiral shape on at least a part of the display device screen of the terminal; A step of detecting a drag operation on the display area of the software key or the software keyboard, a step of rotating all of the plurality of software keys displayed in accordance with the detected drag operation in an arrangement direction, and When a touch is detected, the step of inputting a key of the key, the step of detecting a drag operation different from the drag operation for rotating the entire plurality of software keys in the arrangement direction, and the rotation of the entire plurality of software keys in the arrangement direction Drag operation different from drag operation A software key input program for switching the input mode upon detection and executing the software key, wherein the plurality of software keys are software keys corresponding to the number of key codes corresponding to the input mode. A software key input program is provided.

  The first effect is that the screen occupancy of the software keyboard can be suppressed and the visibility can be improved. The reason is that, until now, to zoom in on the selected software key, another field or window is displayed, thereby hiding part of the software keyboard or part of the other display area. It was. On the other hand, in the present invention, a plurality of software keys are arranged and displayed in a spiral shape near the horizontal, so that software keys arranged and displayed near are necessarily displayed large, and software keys arranged and displayed far away are inevitably displayed. This is because the display can be made smaller.

  The second effect is that the operability of the software keyboard can be improved. The reason is that until now, in order to operate the target software key, a button for scrolling and a button for switching the input mode must be searched, and the target software key is searched while operating those buttons. Such a complicated operation was required. On the other hand, in the present invention, a plurality of software keys are arranged and displayed in a spiral shape close to the horizontal, and a target software key can be searched only by a drag operation.

  The third effect is that the software keyboard can be input happily. The reason for this is that, until now, a plurality of software keys have been arranged and displayed in a matrix form in the same order as a hardware keyboard, or in alphabetical order, kana order, numerical order, or the like. On the other hand, in the present invention, a plurality of software keys can be rotated by arranging and displaying them in a spiral shape in alphabetical order, kana order, and numerical order, and a desired key can be easily searched by rotating. Because it can.

It is the figure which showed the example of a display of the software keyboard by this invention. It is the figure which showed the symbol of the pointing operation shown by drawing after FIG. 2-1, and its description. It is the figure which showed the 1st example of drag operation with respect to the software key shown by FIG. It is the figure which showed the example of drag operation following FIG. 2-1 with respect to a software key. It is the figure which showed the 1st example of drag operation with respect to the display area of the software keyboard shown by FIG. It is the figure which showed the example of drag operation following FIG. 2-3 with respect to the display area of a software keyboard. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a drag operation subsequent to FIG. 2-4 on the display area of the software keyboard. It is the figure which showed the 2nd example of drag operation with respect to the software key shown by FIG. It is the figure which showed the example of drag operation following FIG. 3-1 with respect to a software key. It is the figure which showed the 2nd example of drag operation with respect to the display area of the software keyboard shown by FIG. It is the figure which showed the example of drag operation following FIG. 3-3 with respect to the display area of a software keyboard. It is the figure which showed the example of drag operation following FIG. 3-4 with respect to the display area of a software keyboard. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a drag operation following FIG. 3-5 on the display area of the software keyboard. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the touchscreen terminal with which this invention is applied. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structural example required in order to implement | achieve the key input method by this invention. It is the figure which showed the example of the input mode and key code in the key input method by this invention. It is the figure which showed the flow symbol shown by drawing after FIG. 6-1, and its meaning. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow of the key input method by this invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of a key input method following FIG. 6-1. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of a key input method in an input state I1 in FIG. 6-2. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of a key input method in an input state I2 in FIG. 6-2. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of a key input method in the software key rotation state in FIGS. 6-3 and 6-4. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of a key input method in the input mode switching state in FIGS. 6-3 and 6-4. It is the figure which showed another example of a display of the software keyboard by this invention. It is the figure which showed another example of a display of the software keyboard by this invention. It is the figure which showed another example of a display of the software keyboard by this invention. It is the figure which showed another example of a display of the software keyboard by this invention. It is the figure which showed another example of a display of the software keyboard by this invention. It is the figure which showed another example of a display of the software keyboard by this invention.

[Example]
An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a touch panel terminal (communication terminal) will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Referring to FIG. 1, according to the embodiment of the present invention, software keys 102 to 1NN (where 1NN is 103 or more) are provided on at least a part of the screen 100 of the touch panel terminal, in this case, about half of the screen 100. Are displayed in a spiral arrangement close to the horizontal. In the present embodiment, among the plurality of software keys, the outermost one closest to the middle of the screen is displayed in the largest size, and the display form is displayed in a smaller size toward the center of the spiral. Also, there is no overlap between the outside of the vortex and close to the middle of the screen, so that even if there is an overlap with adjacent software keys on both sides of the screen, it will be as small as possible, and the overlap of software keys on adjacent orbits will be as small as possible Display form.

  In such a display mode, when the software keys 102 to 1NN on the screen 100 or a drag operation such as tracing the display area 101 of the software keyboard with a finger or a stylus is dragged, the displayed software keys 102 to 1NN are arranged. It can be rotated in the direction. Further, when a target software key is found, the key can be input (input of characters, symbols, etc.) by touching the key again.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the operation symbols of the pointing operation shown in FIGS. 2-1 and subsequent drawings and the explanation thereof for explaining the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2-1 and subsequent figures, only the display area of the software keyboard is shown in the screen 100 of the touch panel terminal.

  As shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, one of the software keys 202 to 227 is touched on the display area 201 of the software keyboard, and the orbit (the arrangement direction of the software keys) is arranged. When a drag operation for moving the touch position along is performed, the touched software key follows the touch position, and the entire software key rotates in the arrangement direction while maintaining the positional relationship between adjacent software keys. At this time, in the spiral trajectory as shown in FIGS. 2-1 and 2-2, the drawing by rotation of the software key when the touch position is moved from the left to the right is displayed at the point P1. The stored software key is displayed at point P2. Conversely, when the touch position is moved from the right to the left, the software key displayed at the point P2 is displayed at the point P1.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 2-3 and 2-4, the user touches the display area 201 of the software keyboard that does not overlap the displayed software key, and the horizontal direction (the horizontal direction on the screen) When a drag operation is performed to move the touch position, the software key of the adjacent software key is moved at a speed related to the distance moved with reference to the touched start point in the horizontal direction with respect to the touched start point. The entire software key rotates while maintaining the positional relationship.

  As shown in FIG. 2-5, the rotation of the software key continues until the dragged finger is released from the display area 201.

  As shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, the user touches one of the software keys on the display area 201 of the software keyboard to move the touch position in the vertical direction (vertical direction on the screen) of the spiral. When an operation is performed, the software key input mode is switched and key input can be performed in another input mode (in this case, uppercase to lowercase Roman letters). If the touch position is moved in the vertical direction in the direction in which the input mode is switched, it is possible to switch to another input mode. When the input mode is switched and the touch position is moved in the vertical direction opposite to the switched direction, it is possible to return to the previous input mode (here, lowercase letters in Roman letters to uppercase letters).

  As shown in FIGS. 3-3 and 3-4, touch on the display area 201 of the software keyboard that does not overlap with the displayed software key, and move the swirl vertically (vertically on the screen). When a drag operation for moving the touch position is performed, the software key input mode is switched, and key input can be performed in another input mode.

  As shown in FIG. 3-5, after the input mode is switched, when the touch position is further moved in the vertical direction in the switched direction, it is possible to switch to another input mode (here, from lowercase letters in Roman letters to hiragana).

  As shown in FIG. 3-6, after switching the input mode, if the touch position is moved in the vertical direction opposite to the switched direction, it is possible to return to the previous input mode (here, lowercase letters in Roman letters). . When the input mode is switched, the number of software keys is not fixed, and software keys corresponding to the number of key codes corresponding to the input mode are formed and displayed.

[Configuration of Example]
The configuration of the embodiment of the touch panel terminal (communication terminal) will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, the touch panel terminal includes a display device 601 that displays a software keyboard 600, a pointing device 602 that detects a touch position on the screen of the display device 601, and a CPU (Central) that executes an operation of the software keyboard 600. (Processing Unit) (computer or control means) 603, memory 604 for storing control programs, etc., storage area 605 for storing software keyboard 600, software keyboard 600 itself or communication unit 606 for transmitting / receiving related data Is done.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the touch panel terminal includes a key code storage unit 610, a software key arrangement unit 611, a touch operation detection unit 612, an input mode storage unit 613, and an input mode switching. Means 614, software key rotation means 615, and key code input means 616.

  The key code storage unit 610 includes a key code list of software keys corresponding to each of the input modes as shown in FIG. 5A in the software keyboard 600, or holds it as external data in the storage area 605, or communicates. Acquired by receiving from the unit 606. The software key arrangement unit 611 acquires a key code list corresponding to the currently selected input mode from the key code storage unit 610, and draws the software key on the display device 601 based on the acquired key code list. Place multiple software keys.

  The touch operation detection means 612 detects a touch operation from the position touched on the display area of the software keyboard or on the software key, the position where the touch is moved, and the position where the touch is released based on an input from the pointing device 602. Then, the processing of the input mode switching unit 614, the processing of the software key rotation unit 615, the processing of the key code input unit 616, other processing, etc., held by the software keyboard 600 are executed.

  The input mode storage unit 613 stores the currently selected input mode on the memory 604, the storage area 605, or another terminal by transmitting from the communication unit 606. The input mode switching unit 614 acquires the input mode currently selected by the input mode storage unit 613, acquires the input mode to be changed from the key code storage unit 610, selects the input mode to be switched, and sets the software key layout. Redraw by means 611.

  The software key rotation means 615 rotates the entire software key in the arrangement direction while maintaining the relative positional relationship between the software keys adjacent to each other by the software key arrangement means 611. The key code input means 616 transfers the key code assigned to the input software key to the target input field or program.

[Description of operation of the embodiment]
The operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5-2 and FIGS. 6-1 to 6-6. FIG. 5-2 is a diagram showing the flow symbols and their meanings shown in the flowcharts of FIG. 6-1 and subsequent drawings in order to explain the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

  The subsequent operations are realized by the CPU 603 shown in FIG. 4 reading and executing the control program stored in the memory 604 and controlling each unit in FIG. 4 and each unit in FIG.

  At the start of the process (FIG. 6-1: Step 1), a key code corresponding to the current input mode (initial value) is acquired (Step S11), and a plurality of software keys are drawn on the screen 100 of the touch panel terminal. (Step S12), a standby state (FIG. 6-2: Step 2) is entered.

  In the standby state (FIG. 6-2: step 2), input such as touch from the user is waited (step S21), the touch input is performed (step S22), and the input state I1 when the software key is touched. (FIG. 6-3: Step 3-1). On the other hand, when the display area of the software keyboard is touched, the input state I2 (FIG. 6-4: step 3-2) is entered.

  In the input state I1 (FIG. 6-3: Step 3-1), it is determined whether or not the touch is released (Step S31). If the touch is released, it is regarded as a key input, and the key code is set to the target application or another. (Step S32) and enters a standby state (FIG. 6-2: step 2). If the touch is not released, the touch position is acquired (step S33), and it is confirmed whether the touch position is moved (step S34). If the touch position is not moved, the input state I1 is maintained. When the touch position is moved, it is determined whether the operation is to rotate the software key or to switch the input mode (step S35).

  If the movement of the touch position is an operation for rotating the software key, the drawing position of the software key is determined (step S36), and the software key is drawn so as to maintain the positional relationship between the adjacent software keys (step S37). The software key is rotated (FIG. 6-5: step 4). On the other hand, if the movement of the touch position is an operation for switching the input mode, the input mode to be switched is determined (step S38), the input mode is saved (step S39), and the software key is redrawn (step S37 '). Then, the input mode is switched (FIG. 6-6: step 5).

  In the input state I2 (FIG. 6-4: Step 3-2), it is determined whether or not the touch is released (Step S41). When the touch is released, the standby state (FIG. 6-2: Step 2) is entered. If the touch is not released, the touch position is acquired (step S42) and it is confirmed whether the touch position is moved (step S43). If the touch position is not moved, the input state I2 is maintained. If the touch position has been moved, it is determined whether the operation is to rotate the software key or to switch the input mode (step S44).

  If the movement of the touch position is an operation for rotating the software key, the drawing position of the software key is determined (step S45), and the software key is drawn so as to maintain the positional relationship between the adjacent software keys (step S46). Then, the software key is rotated (FIG. 6-5: step 4). On the other hand, if the movement of the touch position is an operation for switching the input mode, the input mode to be switched is determined (step S47), the input mode is saved (step S48), and the software key is redrawn (step S46 ′). Then, the input mode is switched (FIG. 6-6: step 5).

  In the software key rotation state (FIG. 6-5: step 4), it is determined whether or not the touch is released (step S51). When the touch is released, the standby state (FIG. 6-2: step 2) is entered. If the touch has not been released, the touch position is acquired (step S52), and it is confirmed whether the touch position has been moved (step S53). If the touch position has not been moved, the software key remains rotated. When the touch position is moved, the drawing position of the software key is determined (step S54), the software key is drawn so as to maintain the positional relationship between the adjacent software keys (step S55), and the software key is rotated. Stagnant.

  In the input mode switching state (FIG. 6-6: step 5), it is determined whether or not the touch is released (step S61), and when the touch is released, the standby state (FIG. 6-2: step 2) is entered. If the touch is not released, the touch mode is acquired (step S62), and if the operation is to switch the input mode (step S63), the input mode to be switched is determined (step S64), and the input mode is saved. (Step S65) The software key is redrawn (Step S66), and it stays in the input mode switching state. If the operation is not an operation for switching the input mode in step S63, the input mode switching state is maintained.

  When the target software key is found by the above-described method and the key is touched again, the key input (input of characters, symbols, etc.) of the key is performed. The specific method is the gist of the present invention. Detailed explanation is omitted because there is not.

[Effect of Example]
According to the embodiment described above. The following effects are obtained.

  The first effect is that the screen occupancy of the software keyboard can be suppressed and the visibility can be improved. The reason is that, until now, to zoom in on the selected software key, another field or window is displayed, thereby hiding part of the software keyboard or part of the other display area. It was. On the other hand, in the present invention, by displaying a plurality of software keys arranged in a spiral shape near the horizontal on at least a part of the screen of the terminal, the software keys arranged and displayed nearby are inevitably displayed large, This is because a software key arranged and displayed at a distance can inevitably be displayed in a small size.

  The second effect is that the operability of the software keyboard can be improved. The reason is that until now, in order to operate the target software key, a button for scrolling and a button for switching the input mode must be searched, and the target software key is searched while operating those buttons. Such a complicated operation was required. On the other hand, in the present invention, a plurality of software keys are arranged and displayed in a spiral shape close to the horizontal, and a target software key can be searched only by a drag operation.

  The third effect is that the software keyboard can be input happily. The reason for this is that, until now, a plurality of software keys have been arranged and displayed in a matrix form in the same order as a hardware keyboard or in alphabetical order, kana order, numerical order, and so on. On the other hand, in the present invention, a plurality of software keys can be rotated by arranging and displaying them in a spiral shape in alphabetical order, kana order, and numerical order, and a desired key can be easily searched by rotating. Because it can.

[Other embodiments]
As described with reference to FIGS. 2-3 and 2-4, the user touches the display area 201 of the software keyboard that does not overlap the displayed software key, and displays the trajectory on the software key (on the screen). When the touch position is moved along the horizontal direction, the touched software key follows the touch position, and the entire software key rotates while maintaining the positional relationship between adjacent software keys. May be.

  The spiral arrangement display may be arranged not in the horizontal direction (lateral direction) as shown in FIG. 1 but in the vertical direction (longitudinal direction) as shown in FIG.

  The rotation direction of the software key shown in FIGS. 1 and 7 may be reversed.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, the radius of the spiral arrangement close to the horizontal may be increased to protrude from the screen. This is effective when the number of key codes corresponding to the input mode is large and the software keys overlap, making it difficult to operate.

  As shown in FIG. 8-2, the radius of the spiral arrangement close to the horizontal may be reduced. This is effective when the number of key codes corresponding to the input mode is small and the software keys are too far apart to be difficult to operate.

  The software keyboard according to the present invention may be operated with a stylus pen or the like. Moreover, you may operate using pointing devices, such as a mouse device and a touchpad.

  In addition to hiragana, full-width English, half-width English, full-width kana, half-width kana, full-width numeric, half-width numeric, full-width symbol, half-width symbol, various input modes such as other languages may be switched.

  The start point of the arrangement of the plurality of software keys may be not the right side on the screen as shown in FIG. 1 but the left side on the screen as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, when the input mode is switched, the display angle of the software key may be changed. This is effective because the currently selected input mode can be visually recognized by providing a step in the display angle and associating the display angle step with the currently designated input mode.

  The software key may be used not only for inputting a key code, but also as a key for selecting from some choices.

  The software key may be assigned not only a key code input function but also a function for executing some processing.

  The present invention is suitable for application to a touch panel terminal having no so-called hardware keyboard, but is not limited to this, and can be applied to the entire terminal having a touch panel function.

  Below, the point which this invention is excellent compared with the 1st-6th example demonstrated as background art is enumerated.

  The software keyboard according to the first example of the background art has a problem that when the touch is released, the selection position is shifted and a key for each key is input. If the key is too small, it is difficult to touch accurately. is there.

  On the other hand, according to the present invention, since the software keyboard is arranged in a spiral shape near the horizontal, a plurality of software keys arranged in front are necessarily enlarged and displayed. If you want to enter a software key that is in the back or whose display overlaps, you can use the drag process to rotate the target software key to the front, so you can operate the enlarged software key. Can be keyed accurately.

  The software keyboard according to the second example of the background art has a problem that the enlarged field occupies the display area of the application and occupies the screen, and there is a problem that operations until a target key is input increase.

  On the other hand, according to the present invention, since the software keyboard is arranged in a spiral shape near the horizontal, a plurality of software keys arranged in front are necessarily enlarged and displayed. For this reason, it is not necessary to provide an enlarged field, and the display area of the application is not compressed. Moreover, since the operation up to the key input is simply touching the enlarged key, the key input can be easily performed.

  The software keyboard according to the third example of the background art is operated by repeatedly pressing the scroll key or pressing the switching key to search for the target key from the partially displayed software keyboard. Has to be repeated, and there is a problem that it takes time to enter a key.

  On the other hand, according to the present invention, since all necessary software keys are displayed on the screen, there is no need to scroll the screen many times, and the software key arranged farthest is input. However, since the rotational speed is increased by increasing the moving distance of the touch position in the display area of the software keyboard, the target key input can be realized in a short time.

  The software keyboard according to the fourth example of the background art has a software key with a function for each vowel and is arranged in the order of “A” → “I” → “U” → “E” → “O”. If the key vowel is other than “A”, at least one operation must be performed to switch characters. For example, in order to input a key whose vowel is “O”, there is a problem that four or more operations are required and there are many operations for inputting.

  On the other hand, according to the present invention, since all software keys are drawn, it is only necessary to search whether the target software key is displayed on the screen. Also, even if the software keys overlap and are difficult to see, or just out of the screen, you only need to rotate the entire software key by dragging, and only one operation to rotate, so you can easily enter keys can do. Furthermore, since the rotation speed can be adjusted according to the distance moved by the touch position, it does not take time to search for the target key.

  The software keyboard according to the fifth example of the background art has a problem that the software key occupies the screen, and keys located at positions such as “0”, “9”, “8” of the keys arranged in a dial shape. In order to input, there is a problem that the distance of the slide becomes long and the input operation is difficult.

  On the other hand, according to the present invention, since the software keyboard is arranged in a spiral shape that is almost horizontal, the screen occupancy is smaller than in the fifth example. Moreover, since the software key can be input only by touch, it can be easily input.

  The software keyboard according to the sixth example of the background art scrolls the software key in the part while trying to scroll the part displaying the software keyboard and vice versa. When trying to scroll the part displaying the software keyboard, the operation is complicated, and there is a problem that it is difficult for the first person to use.

  On the other hand, according to the present invention, since the operations of rotating a plurality of software keys and switching the input mode are determined by the direction of dragging, the software keyboard can be handled easily.

  The present invention can be applied to uses such as an information search terminal for inputting characters from a pointing device such as a touch panel and a mouse, and a self-service terminal in a store. Further, the present invention can also be applied to a touch panel terminal having a function of assisting input by automatically searching for a corresponding item from input characters.

100 screen 101, 201 software keyboard display area 102 software keys

Claims (9)

The computer displays a software keyboard containing multiple software keys on at least a part of the display device screen of the terminal in a horizontal or vertical spiral shape, and responds to drag operations on the software keys or the software keyboard display area. A software key input method in which the entire displayed software keys are rotated in the arrangement direction, and when a touch to the target key is detected, the key input of that key is performed.
A software key input method having a plurality of input modes, wherein the plurality of software keys are software keys corresponding to the number of key codes corresponding to the input mode.   Even if the plurality of software keys rotate as a result of the drag operation, the computer displays the software key at the outermost position near the middle of the screen on the outermost side of the spiral and displays it smaller toward the center of the spiral. The software key input method according to claim 1.   The computer displays a small overlap between software keys adjacent to each other, displays a small overlap between software keys on adjacent circular orbits, and there is no overlap for the software keys closest to the middle of the screen on the outermost side of the spiral. The software key input method according to claim 2, wherein the software key input method is displayed as follows. A display device capable of displaying a software keyboard including at least a portion of a plurality of software keys;
A pointing device that detects an operation on the display area of the software key or the software keyboard;
Key code storage means for holding a key code list of software keys corresponding to each of a plurality of predetermined input modes;
A key code list corresponding to the currently selected input mode is acquired from the key code storage means, and a plurality of software keys are drawn on the display device screen based on the acquired key code list. Software key arrangement means to arrange;
Touch operation detection that detects a touch operation from a position touched on the display area of the software key or the software keyboard, a position where the touch is moved, and a position where the touch is released by an input from the pointing device Means,
The currently selected input mode is acquired, the input mode to be changed is acquired from the key code storage unit, the input mode to be switched is selected, and a plurality of software keys are displayed on the screen of the display device by the software key arrangement unit Input mode switching means for redrawing on top;
Software key rotating means for rotating the entire plurality of software keys in the arrangement direction while maintaining a relative positional relationship between adjacent software keys;
Control means for controlling each means,
The control means displays a software keyboard including the plurality of software keys on at least a part of the display device screen in a horizontal or vertical spiral shape, and drags the software key or a display area of the software keyboard. In response to the terminal, the entire software keys that are displayed are rotated in the arrangement direction, and when a touch to the target key is detected, a key input of the key is performed.
The terminal characterized in that the plurality of software keys are software keys corresponding to the number of key codes corresponding to the input mode.   Even if the plurality of software keys are rotated by the drag operation, the control means displays the software key at the outermost position of the swirl at the position close to the middle of the screen, and displays the software key smaller toward the center of the swirl. The terminal according to claim 4, wherein:   The control means displays a small overlap between the adjacent software keys, displays a small overlap between the software keys on the adjacent circular orbits, and the software keys near the middle of the screen on the outermost side of the spiral are not overlapped. 6. The terminal according to claim 5, wherein the terminal is displayed so as not to exist. On the computer,
Arranging and displaying a software keyboard including a plurality of software keys in a horizontal or vertical spiral shape on at least a part of the display device screen of the terminal;
Detecting a drag operation on the display area of the software key or the software keyboard;
Rotating the entire plurality of displayed software keys in accordance with the detected drag operation in the arrangement direction;
A step of inputting a key when a touch on the target key is detected;
Detecting a drag operation different from the drag operation for rotating the entire plurality of software keys in the arrangement direction;
Switching an input mode upon detecting a drag operation different from a drag operation that rotates the entire plurality of software keys in the arrangement direction; and
A software key input program for executing
The software key input program, wherein the plurality of software keys are software keys corresponding to the number of key codes corresponding to the input mode. In addition to the computer,
Even when the entire plurality of software keys are rotated by the drag operation, the step of causing the software key located at the outermost position of the spiral to be closest to the middle of the screen to be displayed largest and to be displayed smaller toward the center of the spiral is executed. The software key input program according to claim 7. In addition to the computer,
The overlap between adjacent software keys is displayed in a small size, the overlap between software keys on adjacent orbits is displayed small, and software keys that are near the middle of the screen on the outermost side of the spiral are displayed so that there is no overlap. 9. The software key input program according to claim 8, wherein the step is executed.

Images