JPH10254597A - Input device for character, numeral or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a small sized input device for characters and numerals, etc., with excellent operability. SOLUTION: This device is provided with a groove 2 attached to the upper part of a pocket beeper and provided with stop positions on several parts, a movable button 1 easily movable along the groove 2 with a finger or the like, a mode switching button 3 and a button 4 for decision. In the case of inputting the characters and the numerals, etc., the input mode of the numerals, alphabets, KANA (Japanese syllabary) and symbols, etc., is selected by using the mode switching button 3 first, then the movable button 1 is moved along the groove 2 and stopped at the stop position pertinent to the desired character or numeral or the like and further, the desired character or the numeral or the like is selected by pressing the movable button 1 at the stop position. After confirming that the selected character or the numeral or the like is the desired one, the character or the numeral or the like to be inputted is decided by pressing the button 4 for the decision.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for inputting characters and numerals to electronic equipment and the like, and more particularly to a device for inputting characters and numerals which is small in size, excellent in operability, and capable of quick input operation. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional small electronic device, for example, a portable telephone, a telephone number, a name, and the like are generally input by using numeric buttons.

In a receiving-only device such as a so-called pager, when registering an address or the like, a limited number of buttons are operated for input.

[0004] In addition, portable terminal devices for sending and receiving e-mails are becoming widespread, and ultra-small input devices for characters and numerals are required.

[0005] Furthermore, many IC card readers having input buttons, a display, and the like are about the size of a desk-top electronic calculator, while, for example, a key holder type IC card reader which is convenient to carry is provided. Features are provided, but generally no input device. However, for unlocking, etc., a small input device for inputting characters and numbers such as a password is required.

[0006]

As described above, the conventional
In a small electronic device for inputting a telephone number, a name, and the like using a numeric button, for example, in a mobile phone, an incorrect button is pressed when the user moves while carrying the device, or an incorrect button due to downsizing of the button. Is sometimes pressed.

[0007] In addition, in a receiving-only device such as a pager for performing address registration or the like by operating a limited number of buttons, there is a problem that the input operation is complicated and time-consuming.

[0008] Further, an ultra-small input device such as a character or a number which can be used for a portable terminal device for transmitting and receiving e-mail is required, but there is a problem that there is no suitable device.

[0009] Furthermore, an ultra-small input device for characters and numerals for a small IC card reader which is convenient to carry is required, but there is a problem that there is no suitable device at present.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a character, numeral, etc. input device that is lightweight, compact, excellent in operability, and enables quick input operation.

[0011]

According to the present invention, there is provided a character and numeral input device for achieving this object, comprising a groove provided with a plurality of stop positions, and a finger or the like movable along the groove. It comprises a mobile button and a decision button.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As a first embodiment of the character and numeral input device of the present invention, a case where the present invention is applied to a pager will be described.

FIG. 1 is a top view and a front view showing a state in which a character, numeral, etc. input device according to the present invention is attached to a pager.

As shown in the drawing, a character, numeral, etc. input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a groove 2 attached to an upper part of a pager and provided with several stop positions, 2 includes a movable button 1 that can be easily moved along with a finger or the like, a mode switching button 3, and a determination button 4.

In the case of inputting characters, numerals, etc. using the character, numeral, etc. input device of the present invention shown in the figure, first, the mode switching button 3 is used to input numerals, alphabets, kana, symbols, etc. Select a mode.

Next, the movable button 1 is moved along the groove 2 and stopped at a stop position corresponding to a desired character, numeral, etc., and the movable button 1 is pressed at the stop position to push the desired character or numeral. Select etc.

Next, after confirming that the selected characters, numbers, and the like are the desired ones, the user presses the determination button 4 to determine the characters, numbers, and the like to be input.

If a kana-kanji conversion function is added to the character, numeral, etc. input device having the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to input kanji.

Next, as a second embodiment of the character and numeral input device of the present invention, a case where the present invention is applied to a portable small IC card reader will be described.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are a top view and a front view, respectively, showing a state in which the input device for characters and numerals according to the present invention is attached to an IC card reader.

As shown in the figure, a character, numeral, etc. input device according to a second embodiment of the present invention comprises a groove 12 provided at an upper portion of an IC card reader and provided with several stop positions.
And a movable button 11 that can be easily moved along the groove 12 with a finger or the like, and a determination button 14.

In the case of inputting characters, numerals, etc., using the character, numeral, etc. input device of the present invention shown in FIG. The user stops at the corresponding stop position, and further presses the movable button 11 at the stop position to select a desired character, numeral, or the like.

Next, after confirming that the selected characters, numbers, and the like are the desired ones, the user presses the determination button 14 to determine the characters, numbers, and the like to be input.

In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a pager and the case where the present invention is applied to an IC card reader have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to these application examples, and the present invention is not limited to these applications. The present invention can be applied to various electronic devices such as an electronic mail transmitting / receiving portable terminal device.

[0025]

As described above, in the character and numeral input device according to the present invention, a groove provided with stop positions at several places, and a movable button which can be moved by a finger or the like along the groove. And a button for determination.
Even if the button is pressed by mistake when carrying the mobile phone, there is an effect that the malfunction is not immediately caused.

Further, since characters, numerals, and the like are input by using the movable buttons and the determination button, there is an effect that even if the buttons are downsized, erroneous buttons are hardly pressed.

Therefore, when registering an address or the like in a receiving-only device such as a pager, there is an effect that it is possible to input easily and quickly.

In addition, erroneous input can be reduced without impairing the operability even if the size and weight are reduced, so that the portable terminal device can be used for a portable terminal device for sending and receiving e-mail, a small IC card reader, etc. There is an effect that it is possible to realize an input device such as a very small character or numeral.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a top view and a front view showing a state in which a character, numeral, etc. input device of the present invention is attached to a pager.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are a top view and a front view, respectively, showing a state in which the input device for characters and numerals of the present invention is attached to an IC card reader.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 11 ... movable button 2, 12 ... groove 3 ... mode switching button 4, 14 ... button for determination

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A character and numeral input device for inputting characters and numerals into an electronic device or the like, comprising: a groove provided with stop positions at several places; and a movable button movable by a finger or the like along the groove. A character, numeral, etc. input device, comprising: a determination button.