JPH03189758A - Kana character input method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To miniaturize the keyboard by selecting all KANA (Japan syllabary) characters in accordance with pronunciation shown by combination of Roman letters designated by seven pieces of keys. CONSTITUTION:In the case of inputting plural KANA characters, its processing can be executed by repeating alternately an input of a consonant and an input of a vowel such as a first key touch is an input of a consonant, the next key touch is an input of a vowel, its next key touch is an input of a consonant, and its next key touch is an input of a vowel. Therefore, to Roman letter keys 4 - 7, Roman letters for showing three consonants and one vowel are allocated, respectively, and to a Roman letter key 3, Roman letters for showing two consonants, Roman letters X for defining one consonant which is not pronounced, and Roman letters for showing one vowel are allocated. Also, a key 1 is a left shift key for designating Roman letters or a small letter placed on the left side of the Roman letter keys 3 - 7, and a key 2 is a right shift key for designating Roman letters or a contracted sound placed on the right side of the Roman letter keys 3 - 7. In such a way, the keyboard can be miniaturized.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Table of Contents] Overview Industrial Application Fields Conventional Technology Problems to be Solved by the Invention Means for Solving the Problems Actions Examples Effects of the Invention [Summary] All seven keys Regarding the kana character input method that can input kana characters, the purpose is to be able to input all kana characters using only 7 keys, and to input 3 consonants and 1 vowel. 4 roman keys each assigned a roman letter to express, 1 roman key to which a roman letter to express two consonants, 1 roman letter to define an unpronounced consonant, and a roman letter to express one vowel; When specifying one kana character in a device equipped with a keyboard consisting of a left shift key placed on the left side to specify a Roman letter or lowercase letter and a right shift key placed on the right side of the Roman letter key to specify a Roman letter or a syllable. , the first simultaneous touch of the left or right shift key and the Roman key, or the single touch of the Roman key, causes a Roman character to represent a consonant located to the left or right of the Roman character key, or a consonant located in the center of the Roman character key. Next, by simultaneously touching the left or right shift key and the Roman key, or by touching the Roman key alone, select the Roman letter that represents the vowel placed on the Roman key, and select the Roman letter that represents the vowel placed on the Roman key, and select the Roman letter that represents the vowel placed on the Roman key. The configuration is such that a kana character corresponding to a combination of Roman letters representing a vowel is selected.

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to a device for specifying Japanese kana from a keyboard displaying Roman letters representing consonants or vowels, and in particular,
This invention relates to a kana character input method that allows all kana characters to be input with just one key.

In recent years, Japanese word processors have become rapidly smaller, with a trend toward notebook- or calculator-sized devices.

In addition, as technology advances in home video equipment, there is a growing demand for a function to edit video recordings and easily add titles, etc. in Japanese using the video deck's remote control device.

For this reason, there is a need for a method for inputting Japanese characters using fewer keys, and a method that allows inputting with one hand.

[Conventional technology]

The basic Roman characters required to input kana characters using Roman characters representing Japanese consonants or vowels are as follows.

Five vowels: A (a), ■ (i), U (u), E (e), 0 (o).
14 for consonants: K (ka line), S (sa line), T (ta line), N (na line).

H (ha row) 1M (ma row), Y (ya row), R (ra row).

W (wa line), G (ga line), Z (za line), D (da line).

B (Ba-gyo) and P (Ba-gyo), and a total of 19 basic Roman characters are required. This is the minimum number required to represent the basic kana characters. For example, if you use JI instead of Zl (shi) or CHI instead of TI (chi), you can use characters other than basic Roman characters. It becomes necessary to use the Roman alphabet.

Furthermore, when expressing words such as 1a, 1i, 1u, 1e, and o, you must use Roman characters other than the basic Roman characters.

Therefore, when inputting kana characters using Romaji, conventionally, 19 or more keys are required unless some effort is made.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

As described above, conventional keyboards have a large number of keys, which makes it difficult to create a compact keyboard to accommodate miniaturized devices, and there is a problem that the keyboard is too large to be operated with one hand.

In view of these problems, the present invention aims to make it possible to input all kana characters by using only seven keys.

[Means to solve the problem]

As shown in Figure 1, the purpose of this is to use the four Roman letters keys ■ to ■, which are assigned Roman letters representing three consonants and one vowel, respectively, and Roman letters representing two consonants and one unpronounced consonant. One Roman key ■ to which the Roman letter X to be defined and a Roman letter representing one vowel are assigned, the left shift key ■ to specify a Roman letter or lowercase letter placed to the left of the Roman key, and the Roman letter or When specifying a single kana character on a device equipped with a keyboard consisting of a right shift key■ that specifies a tsukuon, the first left or right shift key and the Romaji key are touched at the same time, or the Romaji key is touched alone. Select a Roman character that represents a consonant placed on the left or right side of the Roman character key, or a Roman character that represents a consonant located in the center of the Roman character key, and then touch the next left or right shift key and the Roman character key at the same time, or press the Roman character key. This is achieved by a single touch of the Romaji key selects a Romaji representing the vowel placed on the Romaji key, and selects a kana character corresponding to the pronunciation obtained from the combination of the selected consonant and the Romaji representing the vowel. .

[Effect]

With the above configuration, all kana characters are selected according to the pronunciation expressed by the combination of Roman characters specified by the seven keys, making it easy to downsize the keyboard. , can be operated with one hand.

〔Example〕

Japanese kana characters can be classified as follows.

(1) Kana characters with vowels only (10 characters) A, I, U, E, O, A, I, U, E, O (2) Kana characters with "consonant + vowel" (65 characters) or ki, K-ke-ko-ga-gi-gu-ge-go-sa-shi-su-se-so-za-shi-zu-ze-zota-chi-tsu-te-to-da-di-zu; So, what?
Nu, ne, noha, hi, fu, he, ha, ba, bi, bu, be, bo, ba, bi, bu, be, boma, mi, mu, me, mist, yu, yora, su. , Ru, Re, Rowa, (3) Kana characters (3) with diacritic + vowel j, that is, sulky,
yu\ yo, (4) Special kana characters (2 pieces) Hmm, here, the kana characters shown in (3) should be written in romaji as IA (ya), IU (yu), and ro (yo). I can do it.

And these are KTA, (kya), 5IU (L, yu)
, Tl0 (cho), it always follows a consonant, so if it is considered a type of vowel, (3) can be included in (1).

Also, by incorporating the concept of unpronounced consonants, (
If 1) is defined as consisting of "unpronounced consonants + vowels", then (1) including (3) can be included in (2). Therefore, (1), (2), and (3) can be changed to “consonant + vowel J”
It can be processed as a kana character expressed as .

Next, one kana character is entered by the simultaneous touch of the first two keys or the touch of one key, the Roman character is a consonant, and the next character is entered by the simultaneous touch of two keys or the touch of one key. It is defined that the Roman characters inputted by the above method represent vowels, and the kana characters corresponding to the pronunciation obtained by the combination of the consonants and vowels represented by the Roman characters inputted by two key touches are selected.

Therefore, when inputting multiple kana characters, the first key touch is to input a consonant, the next key touch is to input a vowel, the next key touch is to input a consonant, and the next key touch is to input a consonant. Processing can be performed by alternately repeating consonant input and vowel input, such as vowel input. - Fig. 1 is a keyboard showing an embodiment of the present invention.

The Roman letters from ■ to ■ are assigned Roman letters that represent three consonants and one vowel, respectively, and the Roman keys for ■ are assigned Roman letters that represent two consonants and Roman letters X and 1 that define one unpronounced consonant. Roman letters are assigned to represent the three vowels.

The ■ key is a left shift key that specifies the Roman letters or lowercase letters placed on the left side of the Roman letters keys ■～■, and the ■ key specifies the Roman letters or syllables placed on the right side of the Roman letters keys ■～■. is the right shift key.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a circuit showing one embodiment of the present invention.

The prosensor 1 operates by reading a program stored in the ROM 2, and initially operates in a consonant input mode.

Therefore, the touched key on the keyboard 4 is the first
Assuming that ■ is shown in the figure, the processor 1 refers to the table shown in FIG. 3(a) stored in the ROM 2, and
Index the Roman letter K, which represents a consonant, from the Roman alphabet key ■ and the Roman alphabet key single key press column.

Also, the touched key on the keyboard 4 is shown in Figure 1.
Assuming that and ■ are touched at the same time, processor 1 will touch RO.
Referring to the table shown in FIG. 3(a) stored in M2, the Roman letter G, which represents a consonant, is indexed from the column of keys pressed simultaneously with the Roman key ■ and the left shift key ■.

Also, the touched key on the keyboard 4 is shown in Figure 1.
Assuming that and ■ are touched at the same time, processor 1 will touch RO.
Referring to the table shown in FIG. 3(a) stored in M2, the Roman letter X, which represents an unpronounced consonant, is indexed from the column for keys pressed simultaneously with the Roman key ■ and the right shift key ■.

Similarly, the touched key on keyboard 4 is
Assuming that ■ is shown in the figure, the processor 1 refers to the table shown in FIG. 3(a) stored in the ROM 2, and
Index the Roman letter S, which represents a consonant, from the Roman alphabet key ■ and the Roman alphabet key single keystroke column.

Also, the touched key on the keyboard 4 is shown in Figure 1.
Assuming that and ■ are touched at the same time, processor 1 will touch RO.
Referring to the table shown in FIG. 3(a) stored in M2, the Roman letter Z, which represents a consonant, is indexed from the column for keys pressed simultaneously with the Roman key ■ and the left shift key ■.

Also, the touched key on the keyboard 4 is shown in Figure 1.
Assuming that and ■ are touched at the same time, processor 1 will touch RO.
Referring to the table shown in FIG. 3(a) stored in M2, the Roman letter N, which represents a consonant, is indexed from the column of keys pressed simultaneously with the Roman key ■ and the right shift key ■.

If the touched key on the keyboard 4 is ``■'', or ``■'' and ``■'', the detailed explanation will be omitted since the same is true as above.

Processor 1 converts the Roman alphabet representing this indexed consonant into R.
The data is stored in the AM3, read out, and displayed on the display unit 6 via the display control circuit 5.

When the Roman key is touched while operating in the consonant input mode, the processor 1 switches the operating mode and operates in the vowel input mode for the next input from the keyboard 4. Therefore, if the touched key on the keyboard 4 is the single symbol ■ shown in FIG. 1, the processor 1 refers to the table shown in FIG. Index the Roman letter A, which represents a vowel, from the column for single keystrokes.

Also, the touched key on the keyboard 4 is shown in Figure 1.
Assuming that and ■ are touched at the same time, processor l is RO
Referring to the table shown in FIG. 3(b) stored in M2, the Roman letter a representing a lowercase vowel is indexed from the column of keys pressed simultaneously with the Roman key ■ and the left shift key ■.

Also, the touched key on the keyboard 4 is shown in Figure 1.
Assuming that and ■ are touched at the same time, processor 1 will touch RO.
Referring to the table shown in FIG. 3(b) stored in M2, the Roman character ia representing the consonant sound is indexed from the column of keys pressed simultaneously with the Roman character key ■ and the right shift key ■.

Similarly, the touched key on keyboard 4 is
Assuming that ■ is shown in the figure, the processor 1 refers to the table shown in FIG. 3(b) stored in the ROM 2, and
Index the Roman letter I, which represents a vowel, from the Roman alphabet key ■ and the Roman alphabet key single key press column.

Also, the touched key on the keyboard 4 is shown in Figure 1.
Assuming that and ■ are touched at the same time, processor 1 will touch RO.
Referring to the table shown in FIG. 3 (c) stored in M2, the Roman letter i representing a lowercase vowel is indexed from the column of keys pressed simultaneously with the Roman key ■ and the left shift key ■.

If the touched key on the keyboard 4 is ``■'', or ``■'' and ``■'', the detailed explanation will be omitted since the same is true as above.

Based on the combination of the Roman characters representing consonants stored in RAM 3 and the Roman characters representing vowels indexed in the vowel input mode, the processor l refers to the table in FIG. 3(C) and generates the corresponding kana characters. Index.

For example, if the Roman letter that represents a consonant is K and the Roman character that represents a vowel is A, then index [ or j, and if the Roman character that represents a consonant is G and the Roman character that represents a vowel is A, then ``index However, if the Roman letter that represents a consonant is X and the Roman character that represents a vowel is A, then since X is a consonant that cannot be pronounced, it would be "AJ
index.

Also, if the Roman letter that represents a consonant is S and the Roman character that represents a vowel is r, index "shi" and the Roman character that represents a consonant is Z.
So, if the Roman letter that represents a vowel is I, index ``shi'', the Roman letter that represents a consonant is N, and the Roman letter that represents a vowel is ■
If so, index "ni".

Furthermore, if the Roman letter that represents a consonant is X and the Roman letter that represents a vowel is a, then "a" is indexed, and if the Roman character that represents a consonant is X and the Roman character that represents a vowel is i, then "i" is indexed. If the Roman letter that represents a consonant is
So, if the Roman letter that represents the vowel is e, index "e," the Roman character that represents the consonant is X, and the Roman character that represents the vowel is 0.
If so, index "o".

Furthermore, if the Roman letter that represents a consonant is K and the Roman character that represents a vowel is ia, then index "kya", and if the Roman character that represents a consonant is G and the Roman character that represents a vowel is ia, then "gya" is indexed. If the Roman letter representing a consonant is X and the Roman character representing a vowel is ia, then "ya" is indexed.

However, especially after the ■ key on the keyboard 4 is touched, the processor 1 indexes "cc" when the ■ key is touched, and the ■ and ■ keys are touched at the same time, and then the ■ is touched. and "n" are indexed.

The processor 1 operates as described above to store the indexed kana characters in the RAM 3 and display them on the display unit 6.

When the Roman key is touched while the processor is operating in the vowel input mode, the processor switches the operation mode and operates in the consonant input mode for the next input from the keyboard 4. Therefore, the above operation is repeated, and the kana characters indexed from the table of FIG. 3(C) are sequentially stored in the RAM 3 and sequentially displayed on the display section 6.

FIGS. 3(d) and 3(e) are lists of kana characters that are indexed by the processor 1, which operates as described above, by combinations of touches on the keys ``■'' to ``■'' shown in FIG.

That is, in FIG. 3(d), "A" is displayed on the display section 6 by touching the keys ■ and ■ at the same time, followed by touching the key ■, and by touching the key ■ alone and then touching the key ■ alone. Then, "ka" is displayed on the display section 6.

Also, when the key ■ is touched individually and the key ■ is touched, "sa" is displayed on the display section 6, and when the key ■ is individually touched following the individual touch of the key ■, "ta" is displayed on the display section 6. When the keys ■ and ■ are touched at the same time, and then the key ■ is touched, [naj is displayed on the display section 6, and when the key ■ is touched alone and then the key ■ is touched alone, "ha" is displayed. It is displayed in section 6.

Furthermore, when the key ■ is touched alone and then the key ■ is touched, "ma" is displayed on the display section 6, and when the keys ■ and ■ are touched simultaneously and then the key ■ is touched alone, "ya" is displayed on the display section. 6 is displayed, touch the keys ■ and ■ at the same time, then press the key ■
When you touch , "ra" is displayed on the display section 6, and when keys ■ and ■ are touched simultaneously and then key ■ is touched alone, "ra" is displayed on the display section 6.
"Wa" is displayed on the display section 6.

Then, following the simultaneous touching of the keys ■ and ■, "ga" is displayed on the display section 6 by the touch of the key ■, and when the key ■ is touched alone following the simultaneous touching of the keys ■ and ■, "za" is displayed.
is displayed on the display section 6, and following the simultaneous touch of the keys ■ and ■, "DA" is displayed on the display section 6 by the touch of the key ■. Following the simultaneous touch of the keys ■ and ■, the key ■ is displayed on the display section 6. When touched, "Ba" is displayed on the display section 6, and when the keys "■" and "■" are touched simultaneously and then the key "■" is touched alone, "Ba" is displayed on the display section 6.

Since the rest is the same, detailed explanation will be omitted.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart explaining the operation of FIG. 2.

In step [phase], processor 1 selects keyboard 4.
The input from the keyboard 4 is monitored, and when an input is made from the keyboard 4, the manual mode is checked in step (3). Since the ProSensor 1 is initially set to the consonant input mode, it moves to the process of step @ and performs the process as described above (referring to the table in FIG. 3(a)) in response to the touched key on the keyboard 4. , index the corresponding Roman alphabet.

Then, in step 0, the indexed Roman letters are displayed on the display section 6. Then, the input mode is switched in step [phase]. That is, if the input mode is the consonant input mode, it is switched to the vowel input mode. Then, the process returns to step [phase].

When it is detected in step [phase] that a subsequent input has been made from the keyboard 4, the input mode is checked in step ■, and since it has been switched to the vowel input mode in step 0, the process moves to step ■, and the keyboard 4 Corresponding to the touched key, the table shown in FIG. 3 is referred to as described above, and the corresponding Roman alphabet is indexed.

Then, in step ■, the Roman letters representing the consonants obtained in step ■ are combined with the Roman letters representing the vowels obtained in step ■, and the kana characters corresponding to this combination are created as shown in Figure 3 (C).
index from the table.

Then, in step @, the kana characters obtained in step [phase] are displayed on the display unit 6, and after switching the input mode to the consonant input mode in the process of step [phase], the process returns to step [phase].

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the present invention makes it possible to input all kana characters using seven keys, making it easy to downsize the keyboard of Japanese word processors, etc., and also making it possible to input with one hand. It can be operated.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a keyboard showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a circuit showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a diagram explaining the operation of FIG. 2, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of FIG. 2. FIG. In the figure, I is a processor and 2 is a ROM. 3 is a RAM, 4 is a keyboard, 5 is a display control circuit, and 6 is a display section. Figure 2 (C) Figure 3 (Part 2) while explaining the movement of Figure 2 (α) Figure 3 (: f 1) (cl) Figure 3 (t 3) (e) Figure 3 (t 3) (e) A diagram that corresponds to the operation in Figure 2 (f 1) (cl) 8. Diagram to clarify Figure 3 (Part 4)

Claims (1)

[Claims] Four Roman keys to which Roman letters representing three consonants and one vowel are assigned, and a Roman character representing two consonants and one
One Roman key to which a Roman letter that defines two unpronounced consonants and a Roman letter representing one vowel are assigned, and a left shift key that specifies a Roman letter or lowercase letter placed to the left of the Roman key, and a left shift key that specifies a Roman letter or lowercase letter placed to the right of the Roman key. On a device with a keyboard consisting of a right shift key that specifies a romanji or a tsusuke, when specifying one kana character, the first simultaneous touch of the left or right shift key and the romaji key, or the single touch of the romaji key, selects a Roman letter that represents a consonant placed on the left or right side of the Roman character key, or a Roman character that represents a consonant placed in the center of the Roman character key, and then simultaneously touches the left or right shift key and the Roman character key. Or, by a single touch of a Roman key, a Roman character representing a vowel placed on the Roman character key is selected, and a kana character corresponding to the combination of the selected consonant and a Roman character representing a vowel is selected. Character input method.