JP5660611B2 - Electronic device, character input method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device capable of inputting characters, a character input method, and a program, and more particularly to an electronic device, a character input method, and a program capable of selecting key press input and flick input.

  Conventionally, most of the character input methods for portable electronic devices in Japan have been key press input methods in which a key with a click feeling is pressed to input. In recent years, portable electronic devices equipped with large-screen touch panels have become widespread worldwide, and their share has increased in Japan. With the widespread use of portable electronic devices equipped with such touch panels, there are also increasing numbers of portable electronic devices that employ a touch input method of touching a touch panel for input as a character input method. For this reason, there has been proposed a conventional electronic device that can selectively use both the key press input method and the touch input method (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-244791 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-60074 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-23261

  However, in a conventional electronic device that can use both the key press input method and the touch input method, touch input is performed by touching the key during key press input, or the key is accidentally pressed during touch input. There is a risk of erroneous input.

  Incidentally, in recent years, a flick input method has attracted attention as a Japanese input method, which is a method different from the touch input method. In the flick input method, for example, when inputting the character “I”, touch the “A” key to display the “I” key, “U” key, “E” key, and “O” key. Slide your finger on the “I” key to enter. There are many users for both the key press input method and the flick input method, and an electronic device that can selectively use both methods is desired.

  A main object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device, a character input method, and a program that can use both key press and flick input methods that can avoid erroneous input.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device, the electronic device includes a display unit that displays characters and a plurality of keys arranged in a matrix, and the key that is touched by a finger touching the key. A contact pressing input unit that can input a character corresponding to the key, and can input a character corresponding to the pressed key by pressing the key; and the contact pressing input unit And a control unit that controls the display unit to display the character input by the display unit, and the control unit is pressed when the key is touched and pressed by a finger in the contact pressing input unit. The character corresponding to the key is displayed on the display unit, and the character corresponding to the key at a position where the finger is released when the finger is released without touching and pressing the key at the contact pressing input unit Before And controlling so as to display on the display unit.

  In the electronic device according to the aspect of the invention, when the input operation is started in the contact pressing input unit, the control unit enters a pressing input mode when the key is touched and pressed by a finger in the contact pressing input unit. It is preferable to fix the contact input mode when the key is released without touching and being pressed by a finger at the contact pressing input unit.

  In the electronic apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, it is preferable that the control unit is fixed in a pressing input mode or a contact input mode until an input character is determined or an application in use is terminated.

  In the electronic device according to the aspect of the invention, it is preferable that in the contact pressing input unit, a predetermined key of the plurality of keys is longer than other keys.

  The electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes a contact input unit that is disposed at a predetermined position around the contact pressing input unit, and that can input a corresponding character by touching a finger, and the control It is preferable that the unit controls the display unit to display a corresponding character when a finger comes in contact with the contact input unit.

  In the electronic device according to the present invention, the contact pressing input unit includes a key body disposed through a hinge part having repulsive elasticity on the substrate for each key, and the dome is pressed when the key body is pressed. It is preferable that the touch of the key is detected by contact between the contact and the fixed contact, and a tactile sensor disposed on the key body is configured to detect a finger contact.

  In the electronic apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, it is preferable that the contact input unit includes another tactile sensor other than the tactile sensor that detects a contact pressure of a finger.

  In the electronic apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the contact pressing input unit includes a display that displays characters for each key, the contact input unit includes another display that displays characters, and the control unit includes: When the finger touches the key for a predetermined time, it is preferable that the input navigation corresponding to the key is controlled to be displayed on the display and the other display according to the touched key.

  In the electronic apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, it is preferable that the control unit is set to one of the pressing input mode and the contact input mode according to an application to be used, or can be selectively set by a user.

  In the electronic device of the present invention, the control unit is in a mode of inputting a telephone number when the key is pressed by a finger in the contact pressing input unit when the standby screen is displayed on the display unit, It is preferable to set the mode for searching the address book or the web when the finger touches the key at the contact pressing input unit and leaves.

  In a second aspect of the present invention, the display device displays a character and has a plurality of keys arranged in a matrix, and the character corresponding to the key touched by a finger touching the key Can be input by pressing the key, and can be input by pressing a key corresponding to the key pressed by the key, and input by the touch pressing input unit. A character input method for inputting a character using an electronic device comprising: a control unit configured to control a character to be displayed on the display unit, wherein the key is touched and pressed by a finger in the contact pressing input unit A step of displaying on the display unit characters corresponding to the key pressed when the key is pressed, and the finger is released when the finger is released without touching the key in the contact pressing input unit. Position Characterized in that it comprises a and a step of displaying in letters corresponding to the key the display unit.

  In a third aspect of the present invention, the display device displays a character and a plurality of keys arranged in a matrix, and the character corresponding to the key touched by a finger touching the key Can be input by pressing the key, and can be input by pressing a key corresponding to the key pressed by the key, and input by the touch pressing input unit. A program that is executed by an electronic device including a control unit that controls to display characters on the display unit, and is pressed when the key is touched and pressed by a finger in the contact pressing input unit Displaying the character corresponding to the key on the display unit, and the key at a position where the finger is released when the finger is released without touching and pressing the key at the contact pressing input unit. Characterized in that to execute a step of displaying on the display unit a character corresponding to.

  According to the present invention, in a configuration in which characters can be input by both a conventionally used press input method with a click feeling and a contact input method employed in a recent touch panel type mobile phone or the like, It is possible to avoid erroneous input caused by confusion between input methods of contact input.

It is the top view which showed typically the external appearance structure of the electronic device which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is the block diagram which showed typically the circuit structure of the electronic device which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is the schematic diagram which showed the structure of the contact pressing input part in the electronic device which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed typically operation | movement of the control part in the electronic device which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is the image figure which showed typically an example of the normal display state of the contact pressing input part in the electronic device which concerns on Example 1 of this invention, and a contact input part. It is the image figure which showed typically an example of the display state after touching the "a" key of the contact pressing input part and contact input part in the electronic device which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed typically operation | movement of the control part in the electronic device which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. It is the image figure which showed typically the change of a display when the "a" key of the contact pressing input part in the electronic device which concerns on Example 2 of this invention is pressed. It is the image figure which showed typically input operation when inputting "I" of the contact input part in the electronic device which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. It is the top view which showed typically the external appearance structure of the electronic device which concerns on Example 3 of this invention.

  The electronic device according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention has a display unit (10 in FIG. 2) that displays characters and a plurality of keys arranged in a matrix, and is in contact with a finger touching the keys. Contact input for inputting a character corresponding to the key that has been pressed is possible, and a contact pressing input unit that can be pressed to input a character corresponding to the pressed key by pressing the key (FIG. 2) 20) and a control unit (40 in FIG. 2) for controlling the character input by the contact pressing input unit to be displayed on the display unit, and the control unit is connected to the contact pressing input unit. When the key is touched and pressed by a finger, the character corresponding to the pressed key is displayed on the display unit, and the finger is not pressed by touching the key at the touch pressing input unit. When I left my finger It controls to display the characters corresponding to the key location on the display unit.

  The character input method according to the second embodiment of the present invention is a character input method for inputting characters using the electronic apparatus according to the first embodiment, wherein the key is touched and pressed by a finger at the contact pressing input unit. A step (step A4 in FIG. 4) of displaying a character corresponding to the key pressed when the key is pressed, and a finger is not touched and pressed by the touch pressing input unit. A step (step A6 in FIG. 4) of displaying a character corresponding to the key at a position where a finger is released on the display unit.

  The program according to the third embodiment of the present invention is a program executed by the electronic device according to the first embodiment, and is pressed when the key is touched and pressed by a finger in the touch pressing input unit. The step of displaying the character corresponding to the key on the display unit (step A4 in FIG. 4), and the finger is released when the finger is released without touching the key at the contact pressing input unit. A step (step A6 in FIG. 4) of displaying characters corresponding to the key of the position on the display unit.

  Note that, in the present application, where reference numerals are attached to the drawings, these are only for the purpose of helping understanding, and are not intended to be limited to the illustrated embodiments.

  An electronic apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically showing an external configuration of an electronic apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a circuit configuration of the electronic device according to the first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the contact pressing input unit in the electronic apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The electronic device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a portable electronic device that can input characters and display the input characters. The electronic device 1 can be a foldable mobile phone as shown in FIG. In the external appearance of FIG. 1, the electronic device 1 includes a contact input unit 30 on both the left and right sides of a contact press input unit 20 serving as an operation unit, and a display unit 10 on the upper side of the contact press input unit 20.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic device 1 includes a display unit 10, a contact pressing input unit 20, a contact input unit 30, a control unit 40, and the like as main circuit configurations.

  The display unit 10 is a device that displays information such as input characters. The display unit 10 is arranged on the upper side of the contact pressing input unit 20 in the electronic device 1 in appearance (see FIG. 1). The display unit 10 is electrically connected to the control unit 40 (see FIG. 2). The display unit 10 may be a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL display device as long as it visually gives information to the user.

  The contact pressing input unit 20 is a device that can perform contact input (flick input) and pressing input by user operation. The touch pressing input unit 20 has a plurality of keys (including a numeric keypad, a determination key 50, etc.) arranged in a matrix in appearance, and is arranged on the lower side of the display unit 10, and is provided with two contact input units 30. (See FIG. 1). The contact pressing input unit 20 is electrically connected to the control unit 40 (see FIG. 2). Each key in the contact pressing input unit 20 detects the presence or absence of contact with a weak pressure due to contact, and detects the presence or absence of pressing with a relatively strong pressure due to pressing. The contact pressing input unit 20 outputs a contact signal indicating which key the user is touching and a pressing signal indicating which key the user is pressing toward the control unit 40. The contact pressing input unit 20 has a function of displaying the situation when a key is operated, and is configured to facilitate confirmation of the operation by the user. The contact pressing input unit 20 has a protection sheet 21, a tactile sensor 22, a display 23, a key body 24, a projection 25, a hinge 26, a dome contact 27, and a fixed contact 28 for each key on the substrate 29 ( (See FIG. 3).

  The protective sheet 21 is a sheet that protects the surface of the touch sensor 22. The protective sheet 21 is affixed to the surface of the touch sensor 22. The protective sheet 21 is transparent (can be translucent) so that characters displayed on the display 23 can be seen.

  The tactile sensor 22 is a sensor that detects contact. The tactile sensor 22 is attached to the surface of the display 23. The surface of the touch sensor 22 is covered with a protective sheet 21. For the touch sensor 22, for example, a touch panel in which a thin plate felt made of carbon fiber is sandwiched between electrodes can be used. When the user's finger touches the key, the tactile sensor 22 detects the on / off binary value according to the contact pressure. The tactile sensor 22 is electrically connected to the control unit 40. The tactile sensor 22 detects a change in electrical resistance between the electrodes due to the contact pressure of the finger, and outputs the detected signal to the control unit 40. The presence or absence of contact with the key may be detected by measuring any physical quantity such as a change in capacitance other than the change in electrical resistance of the tactile sensor 22.

  The display 23 is a device for displaying operation method navigation (characters, etc.). The display 23 is affixed to the surface of the key body 24. The surface of the display 23 is covered with a tactile sensor 22. The display 23 is electrically connected to the control unit 40. The display 23 may be a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL display device as long as it visually gives information to the user.

  The key body 24 is a component that receives the pressing pressure of the user's finger. The surface of the key body 24 is covered with the display 23. The key body 24 is installed on the substrate 29 through a hinge part 26 having repulsive elasticity. The key body 24 has a protrusion 25 on the surface facing the dome contact 27. When the key body 24 is pressed with a force equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the projection 25 presses the dome contact 27 installed on the substrate 29, and the dome contact 27 is recessed due to the pressing pressure and contacts the fixed contact 57. At the same time that the depression is detected, a click feeling is generated on the finger by the repulsive resilience of the dome contact 27 and the hinge portion 26.

  The board 29 is a circuit board provided with a dome contact 27 and a fixed contact 28 for each key body 24. A fixed contact 28 is provided on the surface of the substrate 29 at a position corresponding to the protruding portion 25 of the key body 24, and a dome contact 27 is provided so as to cover the fixed contact 28. The dome contact 27 is recessed when the key body 24 is pressed and comes into contact with the fixed contact 57. When the key body 24 is released, the dome contact 27 is repellent so that the dome contact 27 moves away from the fixed contact 28 and returns. The dome contact 27 and the fixed contact 28 are electrically connected to the control unit 40. The dome contact 27 and the fixed contact 28 detect a key press by contacting each other.

  The contact input unit 30 is a device capable of contact input (flick input) by a user operation. The contact input unit 30 is disposed on both the left and right sides of the contact pressing input unit 20 (see FIG. 1). The contact input unit 30 is electrically connected to the control unit 40 (see FIG. 2). The contact input unit 30 detects the presence or absence of contact with a weak pressure due to contact. The contact input unit 30 outputs a contact signal indicating whether the user's finger is touching to the control unit 40. The contact input unit 30 has a function of displaying the situation when a key in the contact pressing input unit 20 is operated, and is configured to facilitate confirmation of the operation by the user. The contact input unit 30 includes a protective sheet (not shown), a tactile sensor 31, and a display 32 in order from the surface side on the case of the electronic device 1. The protective sheet (not shown), the touch sensor 31, and the display 32 in the contact input unit 30 have the same configuration as the protective sheet 21, the touch sensor 22, and the display 23 in the contact pressing input unit 20.

  The protective sheet (not shown) is a sheet that protects the surface of the touch sensor 31. The protective sheet is affixed to the surface of the touch sensor 31. The protective sheet is transparent (can be translucent) so that characters displayed on the display 32 can be seen.

  The tactile sensor 31 is a sensor that detects contact. The touch sensor 31 is affixed to the surface of the display 32. The surface of the touch sensor 31 is covered with a protective sheet (not shown). As the touch sensor 31, for example, a touch panel in which a carbon fiber thin plate felt is sandwiched between electrodes can be used. When the user's finger touches the key, the tactile sensor 31 detects the on / off binary value according to the contact pressure. The tactile sensor 31 is electrically connected to the control unit 40. The tactile sensor 31 detects a change in electrical resistance between the electrodes due to the contact pressure of the finger, and outputs the detected signal to the control unit 40. The presence or absence of contact may be detected by measuring any physical quantity such as a change in capacitance other than a change in electrical resistance of the touch sensor 31.

  The display 32 is a device for displaying operation method navigation (characters, etc.). The display 32 is affixed to the surface of the case of the electronic device 1. The surface of the display 32 is covered with a tactile sensor 31. The display 32 is electrically connected to the control unit 40. The display 32 may be a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL display device as long as it visually gives information to the user.

  The control unit 40 is configured around a microprocessor, and includes storage means such as a RAM and a ROM like a general computer device, and the operation of each part is controlled by a program stored in these storage means. .

  In the first embodiment, the displays 23 and 32 are used in the contact pressing input unit 20 and the contact input unit 30. However, these displays 23 and 32 may be omitted from the viewpoint of cost and size reduction. In that case, it is desirable to devise the printing on the contact pressing input unit 20 and the contact input unit 30 and the display on the display unit 10 so that the user can easily understand the navigation.

  In the first embodiment, the touch sensors 22 and 31 are touch panels. However, any sensor can be used as long as it is not a panel (plate) and can detect contact.

  Next, the operation of the electronic apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a flowchart schematically showing the operation of the control unit in the electronic apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 is an image diagram schematically illustrating an example of a normal display state of the contact pressing input unit and the contact input unit in the electronic apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an image diagram schematically illustrating an example of a display state after touching the “a” key of the contact pressing input unit and the contact input unit in the electronic apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. For each configuration of the electronic device 1, refer to FIGS. 1 to 3.

  First, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the user's finger has touched a key in the contact / press input unit 20 (step A1). If the key is not touched (NO in step A1), the process returns to step A1.

  When the key is touched (YES in step A1), when the finger touches the key in the touch press input unit 20 for a predetermined time, the control unit 40 displays the input navigation (characters or the like) corresponding to the touched key. 20 displays 23 (including the display 32 of the contact input unit 30 as necessary) are displayed (step A2).

  In step A2, for example, the display 23 of the contact press input unit 20 is normally displayed as shown in FIG. 5, but when the user touches the “A” key in the contact press input unit 20, as shown in FIG. The display on the displays 23 and 32 of the contact pressing input unit 20 and the contact input unit 30 changes. This visually represents which character is input by sliding the finger in which direction during flick input. In this way, 5 kana characters are ordered and corresponded to one of the keys, a line of the Japanese syllabary arrangement is selected based on the touched key, and the operation point or operation force is moved in the moving direction after the operation is started. A flick input for selecting one character of kana can be used by selecting a step of a Japanese syllabary arrangement based on the above.

  After step A2, the control unit 40 determines whether or not a key is pressed in the contact pressing input unit 20 (step A3). If no key is pressed (NO in step A3), the process proceeds to step A5.

  When the key is pressed (YES in step A3), the control unit 40 performs a pressing input process (displays the corresponding character on the display unit 10) for the character related to the pressed key (step A4). Return to Step A1.

  When the key is not pressed (NO in Step A3), the control unit 40 determines whether or not the finger is removed from the key in the contact pressing input unit 30 (Step A5). If the finger is not removed from the key (NO in step A5), the process returns to step A3.

  When the finger is released from the key (YES in step A5), the control unit 40 performs a flick input process (displays the corresponding character on the display unit 10) for the character related to the key at the position where the finger is finally released (the display unit 10 displays the corresponding character). Step A6) and then return to Step A1.

  Although not automatically determine the Example 1, the pressing and inputting and flick input may be set either enter either advance to suit the user's preference. By doing so, it is possible to prevent an erroneous input such that a person who only presses the input accidentally touches the key before inputting the first character and flicks an unintended character.

  In the first embodiment, the navigation for flick input is displayed as soon as the key is touched, but the navigation may be displayed when the key is touched for a certain period of time. As a result, it is possible to expect an effect that a user who only has a key press input can operate without a sense of discomfort. However, if the display is too slow, the user who only flicks input may feel inconvenient, so the time until the navigation is displayed needs to be adjusted appropriately.

  According to the first embodiment, in a configuration in which characters can be input by both the conventionally used pressing input method with a click feeling and the flick input method recently adopted in a touch panel type mobile phone, It is possible to automatically detect flick input and avoid erroneous input. As a result, the user can select key press input or flick input. Also, by providing the displays 23 and 32 in the contact pressing input unit 20 and the contact input unit 30, it is possible to realize an interface that is easier for the user to use. Further, by arranging the touch input unit 30 (display with touch panel) next to the numeric keypad in the touch press input unit 20, it is possible to perform flick input without changing the conventional feeling of use for the ten key press input user. Further, since flick input is possible without touching the main display unit 10, flick input is possible even for those who want to perform flick input but do not want to touch the main display because of the fingerprint.

  An electronic apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 is a flowchart schematically showing the operation of the control unit in the electronic apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is an image diagram schematically showing a change in display when the “A” key of the contact pressing input unit in the electronic apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention is pressed. FIG. 9 is an image diagram schematically showing an input operation when inputting “I” of the contact input unit in the electronic apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The second embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment, and the operation of the control unit (corresponding to 40 in FIG. 2) is different. When the key is pressed, the input method is fixed to the pressing input method (key pressing input mode). This prevents the flick input from being erroneously input when the finger is released after the key is pressed. In addition, about the structure of an electronic device, it is the same as that of the structure of the electronic device which concerns on Example 1 (refer FIGS. 1-3). Please refer to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 for each configuration of the electronic apparatus 1.

  First, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the user's finger has touched the key in the touch / press input unit 20 (step B1). If the key is not touched (NO in step B1), the process returns to step B1.

  When the key is touched (YES in Step B1), the control unit 40 displays the input navigation (characters or the like) corresponding to the key in the touch-pressing input unit 20 touched on the display 23 (if necessary) of the touch-pressing input unit 20. Display on the display 32 of the contact input unit 30 (step B2).

  In step B2, for example, the display 23 of the contact press input unit 20 is normally displayed as shown in FIG. 5, but when the user touches the “A” key in the contact press input unit 20, as shown in FIG. The display on the displays 23 and 32 of the contact pressing input unit 20 and the contact input unit 30 changes. This visually represents which character is input by sliding the finger in which direction during flick input.

  After step B2, the control unit 40 determines whether or not a key is pressed in the contact pressing input unit 20 (step B3). If no key is pressed (NO in step B3), the process proceeds to step B8.

  When the key is pressed (YES in Step B3), the control unit 40 determines that the input is a pressing input and sets the pressing input mode (Step B4). In the press input mode, it continues until the character input candidate is confirmed, and flick input cannot be performed during that time. In the second embodiment, this press input mode prevents erroneous input as a flick input when a finger is released after the key is pressed.

  After step B4, the control unit 40 displays on the display unit 10 (a method easy for the user to understand such as a display and a lamp) that the pressing input mode has been entered (step B5).

  After step B5, the control unit 40 displays the characters displayed on the display 23 relating to the pressed key on the display unit 10 as input character candidates (step B6). Here, the reason for calling it “candidate” is that conversion or no conversion is not determined by a kanji or a prediction dictionary.

  After step B6, the control unit 40 displays on the display 23 related to the pressed key a character to be input as an input character candidate when it is next pressed (step B7). For example, if the input character candidate “I” is input when the “A” key is pressed twice, the display on the key changes to “YES” if the “A” key is pressed as shown in FIG. To do.

  When the key is not pressed (NO in Step B3), the control unit 40 determines whether or not the finger is removed from the key in the contact pressing input unit 20 (Step B8). If the finger is not removed from the key (NO in step B8), the process returns to step B3.

  When the finger is released from the key (YES in step B8), the control unit 40 determines whether or not the pressing input mode is set (step B9). When the pressing input mode is set (YES in step B9), the process proceeds to step B11.

  When the pressing input mode is not set (NO in Step B9), the control unit 40 determines that the input is a flick and the character displayed on the display 23 or 32 of the key at the position where the finger is released or the touch input unit 30. Is displayed as an input character candidate on the display unit 10 (step B10).

  In step B10, for example, to input “A”, the “A” key is touched with a finger, and the finger is released as it is. In order to input “I”, as shown in FIG. 9, first, the “A” key is touched, and then the finger is slid over the displayed “I” and then released.

  After step B7, or when the press input mode is set (YES in step B9), or after step B9, the control unit 40 repeatedly performs key press input and flick input and the user inputs desired input characters. When the candidate has been input, conversion processing using kanji or prediction dictionary is performed according to the user's operation (step B11). In step B11, the conversion process may not be performed depending on the operation content of the user. Further, if it is preferable to leave the text unconverted, the input character may be confirmed by the enter key 50 without performing the conversion work.

  After step B11, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the enter key 50 has been pressed (step B12). If the enter key 50 is not pressed (NO in step B12), the process returns to step B1.

  When the enter key 50 is pressed (YES in step B12), the control unit 40 cancels the press input mode when the press input mode is set (step B13).

  After step B13, the control unit 40 uses the enter key 50 to determine the character input candidate as an input character (step B14), and then returns to step B1.

  In the second embodiment, it has been described that the character displayed on the display 23 of the key that is pressed or the finger is released is displayed on the display unit 10 as the input character candidate when the key is pressed or flicked. Any other method may be used as long as input character candidates can be selected by pressing input or flick input. For example, a key press input can be realized using a character input table as disclosed in Patent Document 3. Flick input can be realized by determining input character candidates from the contact start point and end point of the finger.

  In the second embodiment, only the key press input is set as the press input mode by the first character input, and the flick input cannot be performed. However, the same may be applied to the flick input. That is, when the first character is input by flick input, only flick input may be accepted until the input character candidate is confirmed. Thereby, it is possible to prevent an input due to an erroneous key press during flick input. In this case, it is desirable to notify the display unit 10 (a method that is easy to understand for the user such as a display or a lamp) that only the key press input or the flick input is accepted during the input.

  In the second embodiment, the navigation for flick input is displayed as soon as the key is touched, but the navigation may be displayed when the key is touched for a certain period of time. As a result, it is possible to expect an effect that a user who only has a key press input can operate without a sense of discomfort. However, if the display is too slow, the user who only flicks input may feel inconvenient, so the time until the navigation is displayed needs to be adjusted appropriately.

  According to the second embodiment, the same effect as the first embodiment is obtained.

  An electronic apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 10 is a plan view schematically showing an external configuration of an electronic apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  The third embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment, and stops providing the touch input portions (30 in FIG. 1) on both the left and right sides of the touch press input portion 20, and moves predetermined keys on the touch press input portion 20 to the left and right. The direction is larger. That is, in order to be able to specify the sliding direction of the finger only with the tactile sensor (corresponding to 22 in FIG. 3) related to the key, the predetermined key is longer than the other keys as shown in FIG. Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  According to the third embodiment, by making a specific numeric keypad horizontally long, it is possible to perform a flick input while maintaining the feeling of use for a conventional numeric keypad input user.

  In the first to third embodiments, when the first character is input by key press input or flick input, the input method may be fixed until the input character is determined or the application in use is terminated. Alternatively, either key press input or flick input may be fixed in advance. By doing so, it is possible to prevent erroneous input such as touching a key during a key press input and flicking in, or accidentally pressing a key during flick input.

  In the first to third embodiments, the input method may be selected and fixed for each application. Thereby, it is possible to select and use an input method that the user feels preferable for each application.

  Further, in the first to third embodiments, from the state of the standby screen, in the case of flick input, the address book is searched or web search is performed immediately, and in the case of key press input, the telephone number is input. It is more convenient than a terminal with only input or flick input.

  It should be noted that the embodiments and examples may be changed and adjusted within the scope of the entire disclosure (including claims and drawings) of the present invention and based on the basic technical concept. Various combinations and selections of various disclosed elements are possible within the scope of the claims of the present invention. That is, the present invention naturally includes various variations and modifications that could be made by those skilled in the art according to the entire disclosure including the claims and the drawings, and the technical idea.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic device 10 Display part 20 Contact pressing input part 21 Protection sheet 22 Tactile sensor 23 Display 24 Key body 25 Protrusion part 26 Hinge part 27 Dome contact 28 Fixed contact 29 Substrate 30 Contact input part 31 Tactile sensor 32 Display (other display)
40 Control unit 50 Enter key

Claims (10)

A display unit for displaying characters;
A plurality of keys arranged in a matrix, and a touch input for inputting a character corresponding to the key touched by a finger touching the key is possible, and when the key is pressed A contact pressing input unit capable of pressing input to input a character corresponding to the pressed key;
A control unit that controls the display unit to display the character input by the contact pressing input unit;
With
The control unit causes the display unit to display a character corresponding to the key pressed when the key is touched and pressed by the finger in the contact pressing input unit, and the finger is pressed in the contact pressing input unit. An electronic device that controls the display unit to display characters corresponding to the key at a position where a finger is released when the key is released without touching the key.   When an input operation is started in the contact pressing input unit, the control unit fixes the pressing input mode when the key is touched and pressed by a finger in the contact pressing input unit, and the contact pressing input unit 2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is fixed in a contact input mode when the key is released without touching and being pressed by a finger.   The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit fixes the input character in a pressing input mode or a contact input mode until an input character is determined or an application in use is terminated.   4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein in the contact pressing input unit, a predetermined key of the plurality of keys is horizontally longer than the other keys. The contact input unit is arranged at a predetermined position around the contact pressing input unit, and includes a contact input unit capable of inputting a corresponding character by touching a finger,
4. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs control so that a corresponding character is displayed on the display unit when a finger is touched and separated at the contact input unit. 5. Electronic equipment. The contact pressing input unit has a display for displaying characters for each key,
The contact input unit has another display for displaying characters,
When the finger touches the key for a predetermined time, the control unit controls the display and the other display to display input navigation corresponding to the key according to the touched key. The electronic device according to claim 5. 4. The electronic apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit is set to one of the pressing input mode and the contact input mode according to an application to be used.   The control unit is in a mode for inputting a telephone number when the key is pressed by a finger at the contact pressing input unit when the display unit is on a standby screen, and the finger is input at the contact pressing input unit. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured to search an address book or the web when the key is touched and separated. A display unit for displaying characters;
A plurality of keys arranged in a matrix, and a touch input for inputting a character corresponding to the key touched by a finger touching the key is possible, and when the key is pressed A contact pressing input unit capable of pressing input to input a character corresponding to the pressed key;
A control unit that controls the display unit to display the character input by the contact pressing input unit;
A character input method for inputting characters using an electronic device equipped with
Displaying on the display unit characters corresponding to the key pressed when the key is touched and pressed by a finger in the contact pressing input unit;
Displaying on the display unit characters corresponding to the key at a position where the finger is released when the finger is released without touching and being pressed by the contact pressing input unit;
The character input method characterized by including. A display unit for displaying characters;
A plurality of keys arranged in a matrix, and a touch input for inputting a character corresponding to the key touched by a finger touching the key is possible, and when the key is pressed A contact pressing input unit capable of pressing input to input a character corresponding to the pressed key;
A control unit that controls the display unit to display the character input by the contact pressing input unit;
A program to be executed by an electronic device equipped with
Displaying on the display unit characters corresponding to the pressed key when the key is touched and pressed by a finger in the contact pressing input unit;
Causing the display unit to display characters corresponding to the key at a position where the finger is released when the finger is released without touching and being pressed at the contact pressing input unit;
A program characterized by having executed.

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