KR20010060266A - Portable electronic device with panel for inputting character - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A portable electronic instrument having a character input panel is provided to reduce the number of continuous pressing for identifying a character allocated to the same key and improve the efficiency in inputting a character by adding some keys. CONSTITUTION: A control key(111) converts an input mode, and as the control key is depressed, the state of a key pad is changed in the order of a Japanese input mode, an English input mode and a number input mode. In addition, when the control key(111) is depressed along with the number input mode, the input mode returns to the Japanese character input mode. A symbol key(112) inputs symbols. According to the number of continuous depressing numbers of the key, symbols related to the Japanese language are inputted. The control key(112) has a function of confirming an input character and completes a continuous depression of the same key. With this key, the character of the same column can be continuously inputted. In case that addition keys(120-123) are depressed following the data keys(102-110), it is regarded that each data key is depressed continuously from 2 times to 5 times.

Description

PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH PANEL FOR INPUTTING CHARACTER}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable electronic device, and more particularly, to an English and Japanese character input panel and a method of the portable electronic device.

In general, portable electronic communication and information input / output devices provide a function for inputting characters of various languages in addition to numbers. have. In order to improve its portability, miniaturization of portable electronic devices has been further demanded, and accordingly, miniaturization of character and numeric input key panels is also required.

In order to reduce the size of the key panel, there is a method of reducing the size of each key, but the degree of reduction is limited in view of the operability. Therefore, instead of reducing the size of the key, efforts have been made to reduce the number of keys and improve the input method thereof.

The present invention relates to a structure of such a letter and number input panel, and more particularly, to a panel structure and method for inputting Japanese Kana characters or English alphabets.

5 is a diagram illustrating a key arrangement structure of a keypad for explaining an example of inputting a conventional Japanese kanji or English alphabet.

For example, in the case of a portable electronic device such as a mobile phone, as a keypad is used for a key arrangement as shown in FIG. 5, the keypad is used to input 12 numbers for entering numbers when using a phone number and an electronic calculator. The key and the symbol key are used as keys for inputting characters. Therefore, as the input mode is switched, the same key is used as both a numeric key and a character input key.

For this purpose, for input of Japanese Kana characters, keys are arranged in the order of each row according to the arrangement of Kana 50 digits, and for input of the English alphabet, the alphabets are arranged in the order of ABC and placed on each Suza key. However, since there are about 10 numeric keys, in the key arrangement of FIG. 5, a plurality of Kana characters or alphabets are arranged on one key. Therefore, a plurality of characters are distinguished and input by one key.

This conventional character input method is described below.

First, as a first method, different characters are inputted according to the number of times the same key is continuously pressed. For example, for Ghanaian character input, press the key 402 two times in succession, press the key 403 three times in succession, press the key 413 first, and press the keen 403 five times in succession.き す そ "is entered. Here, the right arrow key 413 is a key used to confirm the character that the continuous pressing of the same key is finished. In the case of the English alphabet, up to four different alphabets are assigned to the donkey. As in the case of the Kana character, the type of each character is distinguished according to the number of consecutive presses. For example, if the key 402 is pressed twice in succession, the key 403 is pressed three times in succession, the key 413 is pressed, and then the key 403 is pressed twice in succession, the character string "BFE" is input. Various other important symbols are inputted by successive pressing of the so-called "well sperm" key 412.

As another second method, as in the first method above, the key arrangement structure of the keypad is the same as that of FIG. 5, but all characters are input in two-digit numbers according to the code table shown in FIG. In this case, the engraving of the alphabet of each keyboard of FIG. 5 is not or is different. Referring to FIG. 6, in the case of Hiragana input, the second digit of the number designates a 50-degree row, and the first digit number designates a 50-degree stage. Therefore, enter the number 23 "ku" characters are entered. In the case of alphanumeric input, if the first digit is a number after 6, it is in alphabetical order and a two digit number is assigned. In the case of numeric input, the second digit is 9 and 0 and the first digit is 6 or more and 10 numbers are assigned. The remaining spaces are assigned symbols such as tack points, anti-tack points, and punctuation marks.

The problems of the prior art are as follows.

First, the problem of the conventional first method described above is that the number of consecutive presses of the same key for distinguishing the input of each character increases, thereby reducing the efficiency of character input.

Also, the problem with the conventional second method is that the marking of the keyboard is too complicated to display the assignment of characters. Therefore, users must manipulate keys by referring to or memorizing code tables.

Accordingly, the present invention has been invented to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the number of consecutive presses for distinguishing characters assigned to the same key by adding a few keys, and to improve the efficiency of character input. It is to provide a key arrangement structure of the character input keypad of the portable electronic device that can be improved.

1 is a diagram illustrating a key arrangement of a character input keypad of an electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a frequency table showing the frequency of appearance by English alphabet.

3 is a diagram illustrating a key layout of a character input keypad of an electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a diagram illustrating a key layout of a character input keypad of an electronic device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a diagram showing a key layout of a conventional character input keypad.

6 is a character code table for inputting kana characters, alphabets, numbers and symbols.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

101-110: data key 111, 113: control key

120-123: additional keys

In order to achieve the above object, the portable electronic device including the character input panel according to the present invention has 10 lines from <A> to <わ>, respectively, corresponding to the arrangement of 10 rows and 5 columns of Ghana 50-acoustic characters. Ten designated keys for designation and four complex keys for designating each stage of 2, 3, 4, and 5 stages of each line are provided, and the character of the first stage is input character by pressing the routing key. The characters of the second, third, fourth, and fifth stages are determined, and the input characters are determined by simply pressing the key, followed by the pressing of the destination key. It will become a portable electronic device.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a diagram illustrating a key arrangement structure of a keypad for inputting letters and numbers in a portable electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, the arrangement structure of the keypad according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a data key (101-110) from 1 to 0, a control key (so-called asterisk) 111 and a symbol key (so-called well sperm) 112, and another control key (arrow) 113, and a separate additional key (120-123).

The control key 111 is a control key for changing the input mode, and as the key is pressed, the state of the keypad is changed in the order of Japanese Kana input mode, English input mode and numeric input mode. In addition, when the control key 111 is pressed together with the numeric input mode, the input mode returns to the Kana character input mode.

In the kana input mode, the data keys 101-110 are keys for inputting characters corresponding to each row of kana 50 degrees, and the characters of each column corresponding to each row are input according to the number of consecutive presses of each key. . For example, when the data key 102 is pressed once and the data key 103 is pressed twice consecutively, and the control key 113 is pressed once, "kushi" is input. When the data key 102 is pressed twice and the control key 113 is pressed once, the character string "Kaki" is input.

The sign key 112 is a key for inputting a sign, and according to the number of consecutive presses of the key, the next sign, i.e., a sign such as Japanese desk, anti-tack, long sound, monopoly, punctuation, midpoint, question mark, and exclamation point, is input. It is possible to do The control key 113 has a function of determining an input character, and can terminate the continuous press of the same key. By using this key, it is possible to continuously input characters on the same line.

When the additional keys 120-123 are pressed subsequent to the data keys 102 to 110, each data key is considered to be pressed two to five times in succession, respectively. For example, when the data key 102 is pressed once and the additional key 122 is pressed once, the character "け" is input. When the data key 103 is pressed and the additional key 123 is pressed, the character string "そ" is input.

Further, after pressing the data keys 102 to 110 consecutively, and then pressing the additional keys 120 to 123, two characters of characters of each stage corresponding to the number of consecutive presses and characters of "い" to "お" The column of is input. For example, when the data key 102 is pressed twice in succession and the additional key 122 is pressed, the character string "Kee" is input.

When the additional keys 120 to 123 are pressed after pressing the data key 101, the strings "あ い", "あ う", "あ え" and "あ お" are input, respectively. If the additional keys 120 to 123 are pressed after the continuous pressing of the data key 101, the characters corresponding to the additional keys are input following the letters "い", "う", "え" and "お" according to the number of consecutive presses. do. For example, if the data key 101 is pressed two times in succession and then the additional key 122 is input, the character string "い え" is input. When the additional keys 120 to 123 are pressed at the head positions, the letters "i", "う", "え" and "o" are input, respectively.

In the above input operation, the operation of all additional keys is to operate as an additional function. It is possible to use the functions of additional keys partially or entirely, and it is possible to save the number of presses for character input by using additional keys, but it is not necessary to input characters except for input efficiency without using additional keys. No problem For example, in the saving effect of the number of presses, when the additional keys are pressed in the order of 123, 122, 121, and 120, the effect is large. Therefore, only the additional key 123 and the additional key 122 can be used. For example, if only two additional keys 123 and two additional keys 122 are set in advance, the input of the second and third stages can also be performed by pressing the data keys continuously. In this case, the number of keys can be reduced.

Next, in the English input mode, the data keys 102 to 109 are keys for inputting the original 26 characters. In the data keys 101 and 110 and the additional keys 120 to 123, a specific character is duplicated among the characters assigned to the key for inputting the original alphabet, and this specific character can be input from either. Do.

By pressing each key once, the alphabet shown in capital letters is input in the English display of each key in FIG. By pressing twice, the alphabet displayed to the right of the uppercase letter is input. Similarly, by pressing three times consecutively, the alphabet shown on the right side is input. If there is no character on the right, the alphabet displayed at the left end is input. The order of these inputs was determined by taking the average frequency of letters of each letter into English sentences. This frequency of occurrence is referred to, for example, the alphabetical frequency table of FIG. The frequency of appearance of Figure 2 is made on the basis of SCRABBLE (trademark) which is a common letter combination game in English and American. The number of letters of the alphabet in this game depends on the frequency of appearance in English sentences, as described in the section of The Encycropedia AMERICANA 435p SCRABBLE.

In the keyboard of FIG. 1, for example, the data key 103 is pressed twice in succession, the data key 105 is pressed once, the data key 106 is pressed three times in succession, and the control key 113 is pressed. "ELM" is input.

The symbol is input by pressing the symbol key 112. The symbols <@>, <.>, </>, <,>, <->, <Under bar>, <:>, <'>, <upper bar>, <$> Is entered.

The data key 101, the data key 110, the additional key 120, the additional key 121, the additional key 122, and the additional key 123 increase the number of pressing times when the sentence is input to increase the character input efficiency. Key used to decrement. The vowel letters <A>, <I>, <U>, <E>, and <O> have a relatively high frequency of occurrence and are therefore given priority as duplicated letters. On the other hand, the priority of inputting the vowel character into the single key among the original data keys is lowered. The data key 110 is assigned to the letter < Yz >, and the four letters < Wxyz > assigned to the data key 109 are divided and duplicated.

The user can input 26 letters of the alphabet only by using the data keys 102 to 109 for the original alphabet input. In order to increase the input efficiency, the data key 101, the data key 110, and the additional keys 120 to 123 are inputted. May be used partially or entirely. When the operator who is used to the operation of the keyboard according to the prior art of FIG. 5 transitions to the keyboard of FIG. 1, the operator may become familiar by gradually using keys repeatedly assigned with specific characters.

Next, a first embodiment of the present invention is compared with the first method of the prior art. In the first embodiment, the number of presses per character for inputting the Kana character can be reduced by targeting the following calculation values as compared to the first character input method of the prior art.

In the first method of the prior art, the following presses are required for character input for each line.

One letter (あ, か, ---- etc.) = 1

2 letter characters (い, き, ---- etc.) = 2

3-letter characters (う, く, ---- etc.) = 3

4 characters (え, け, ---- etc) = 4

5 characters (お, こ, ---- etc.) = 5

Average Press Count = 3

On the other hand, when four additional keys are used in the first embodiment, the following press numbers are obtained.

1 letter = 1

2 letter = 2

3 letter = 2

4 characters = 2

5 characters = 2

Average Press Count = 1.8

That is, the average press count of each character can be reduced from 3 to 1.8, and the press efficiency can be improved by 1.67 times.

If 3 additional keys are used, the following presses are applied.

1 letter = 1

2 letter = 2

3 letter = 2

4 characters = 2

5 characters = 2

Average Press Value = 1.8

That is, the average press value can be reduced from 3 to 1.8, and the press efficiency can be improved by 1.67 times.

If two additional keys are used, the following presses are applied.

1 letter = 1

2 letter = 2

3 characters = 3

4 characters = 2

5 characters = 2

Average Press Value = 2

That is, the average press value can be reduced from 3 to 2, and the keystroke efficiency can be improved by 1.5 times.

If one additional key is used, the following presses will occur.

1 letter = 1

2 letter = 2

3 characters = 3

4 characters = 4

5 characters = 2

Average Press Value = 2.4

That is, the average trial time can be reduced from 3 to 2.4, and the keystroke efficiency can be improved by 1.25 times.

In addition, the following secondary presses can be saved, and in fact, it can be expected that the savings are greater than the above press values. When the additional keys 120 to 123 are pressed at the head and inputted, the characters are input by pressing once. For example, the string <う お> requires 9 entries if the additional key is not used, but enters 2 entries if the additional key is used.

The string <あ い う え お> requires 19 entries if you do not use an additional key, but you can enter 5 entries if you use an additional key.

Next, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the effect of reducing the number of presses will be described in comparison with the character input of the first method of the prior art for inputting English sentences. Referring to Table 2, conventionally, 2.16 keystrokes per letter are required. This is based on the following simple calculation.

Letter A Push 1 Frequency 9% Average Press 0.09

Letter B Press 2 Frequency of occurrence 2% Average Press 0.04

Letter C Press 3 Frequency of occurrence 2% Average press 0.06

Letter D Press 1 Frequency of occurrence 4% Average Press 0.04

Letter E Press 2 Frequency of occurrence 12% Average Press 0.24

Letter F Press 3 Frequency of occurrence 2% Average Press 0.06

Letter G Push 1 Frequency 3% Average Press 0.03

Letter H Press 2 Frequency of occurrence 2% Average Press 0.04

Letter I Press 3 Frequency of occurrence 9% Average Press 0.27

Letter J Push 1 Frequency 1% Average Press 0.01

Letter K Press 2 Frequency of occurrence 1% Average Press 0.02

Letter L Press 3 Frequency of occurrence 4% Average Press 0.12

Letter M Push 1 Frequency 2% Average Press 0.02

Letter N Press 2 Frequency of occurrence 6% Average Press 0.12

Letter O Press 3 Frequency of occurrence 8% Average Press 0.24

Letter P Press 1 Occurrence 2% Average Press 0.02

Letter Q Press 2 Frequency of occurrence 1% Average Press 0.02

Letter R Press 3 Frequency of occurrence 6% Average Press 0.18

Letter S Press 4 Frequency of occurrence 4% Average push 0.16

Letter T Press 1 Frequency of occurrence 6% Average Press 0.06

Letter U Press 2 Frequency of occurrence 6% Average Press 0.12

Letter V Press 3 Frequency of occurrence 2% Average Press 0.06

Letter W Push 1 Frequency 2% Average Press 0.02

Character X Press 2 Frequency 1% Average Press 0.02

Letter Y Press 3 Frequency of occurrence 2% Average Press 0.06

Letter Z Press 4 Frequency 1% Average Press 0.04

Total Press Number 2.16

On the other hand, in the case where English input is performed using four additional keys according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the following calculation is performed as follows.

Letter A Push 1 Frequency 9% Average Press 0.09

Letter B Press 2 Frequency of occurrence 2% Average Press 0.04

Letter C Push 1 Frequency 2% Average Press 0.02

Letter D Press 1 Frequency of occurrence 4% Average Press 0.04

Letter E Press 1 Frequency of occurrence 12% Average press 0.12

Letter F Press 2 Frequency of occurrence 2% Average Press 0.04

Letter G Press 2 Frequency of occurrence 3% Average Press 0.06

Letter H Press 1 Frequency 2% Average Press 0.02

Letter I Press 1 Frequency of occurrence 9% Average Press 0.09

Letter J Press 2 Frequency of occurrence 1% Average Press 0.02

Letter K Press 3 Frequency of occurrence 1% Average Press 0.03

Letter L Press 1 Frequency of occurrence 4% Average Press 0.04

Letter M Press 2 Frequency of occurrence 2% Average Press 0.04

Letter N Press 1 Frequency 6% Average Press 0.06

Letter O Push 1 Frequency 8% Average Press 0.08

Letter P Press 3 Frequency of occurrence 2% Average Press 0.06

Letter Q Push 4 Frequency 1% Average Press 0.04

Letter R Push 1 Frequency 6% Average Press 0.06

Letter S Press 2 Frequency of occurrence 4% Average Press 0.08

Letter T Press 1 Frequency of occurrence 6% Average Press 0.06

Letter U Push 1 Frequency 6% Average Press 0.06

Letter V Press 2 Frequency of occurrence 2% Average Press 0.04

Letter W Push 1 Frequency 2% Average Press 0.02

Character X Press 2 Frequency 1% Average Press 0.02

Letter Y Push 1 Frequency 2% Average Press 0.02

Letter Z Push 2 Frequency 1% Average Press 0.02

Total Average Press Count 1.27

In other words, in the first embodiment, the average number of presses, which was 2.16 per English letter, is 1.27 per English letter in the first embodiment, and the 1.70-fold pressing efficiency is improved.

Herein, it has been explained that the conversion is possible between the Ghanaian character input mode, the English input mode, and the numeric input mode. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be converted to, for example, the Ghanaian character input mode and the numeric input mode. In the Kana character input, input of two stages or less may be performed by using only a combination of a data key and an additional key without using continuous pressing of the data key.

Also, the letters <わ>, <<>, and <<> are placed at predetermined positions on the <A> line, and the data key is set to nine, each of which specifies the 9 lines of the <A> line to the <ら> line. It is possible.

Alternatively, when any one of the data keys 103 to 110 in the Ghana input is continuously pressed, subsequent presses of the additional key may be such that a new character input is not added only by confirming the input character.

FIG. 3 is a layout view of keys of a keypad for inputting a Japanese alphabet or an English alphabet of a portable electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, a character input by pressing a key of a character input keypad is determined and used by a CPU of an electronic device (not shown) according to a predetermined purpose.

Referring to FIG. 3, the keys of the keyboard of the second embodiment include data keys 201 to 210, control keys 211, symbol keys 212, and another control key 213 which combine numeric input and character input. ) And additional keys 220 to 223 added to the character input only.

The keyboard has four input modes: Ghanaian character input mode, Roman input mode, English input mode, and numeric input mode. Each mode key is used in common, but character input operation is different. Each key is carved with a character to be input according to each input mode. The Roman alphabet is part of the English alphabet, so it is inscribed in common with the English alphabet. Common parts are uppercase letters of the alphabet, and only English characters are engraved with lowercase letters of the alphabet.

The control key 211 is a control key for switching the input mode, and when the key is pressed, the state of the keyboard is switched in the order of the Kana character input mode, the Roman input mode, the English input mode, and the numeric input mode. When the control key 211 is pressed in the numeric input mode, the input mode becomes the Kana character input mode.

In the case of the Kana character input mode, a character corresponding to the stamp of the Kana character in FIG. 3 is input as each key is pressed. However, characters after the second stage of the 50th tone are input according to the number of consecutive presses of the same key. For example, if the data key 202 is pressed twice in succession, the data key 203 is pressed three times in succession, the control key 213 is pressed, and then the data key 203 is pressed five times in succession, a character string is displayed. > Is entered.

When the additional keys 220 to 223 are subsequently pressed after the data keys 202 to 210, each data key is considered to be pressed two to five times in succession, respectively. For example, when the data key 202 is pressed and the additional key 222 is pressed, a character <け> is input. When data key 203 is pressed and additional key 223 is pressed, character &quot;# > is input.

Next, after pressing the data keys 102 to 110 consecutively and pressing the additional keys 220 to 223, two strings of characters of each step and characters of <o> to <o> are input according to the number of consecutive presses. For example, when the data key 202 is pressed twice and the additional key 222 is pressed, a character string <Ke> is input.

When the additional keys 220 to 223 are pressed after the data key 201 is pressed, the character strings are input, respectively. If the additional keys 220 to 223 are pressed after successive pressing of the data key 201, the characters according to the number of consecutive presses are followed by the character <い> <う> <え> <お> followed by the character <い> <う> <え> <お> is entered. For example, if the data key 201 is pressed twice in succession and then the additional key 222 is pressed, the character string is input. If 223 is pressed at the top of additional keys 220, the letters <い> <う> <え> <お> are input.

By pressing the control key 213, it is considered that the continuous pressing of the same key has ended. The sign key 212 is a key for inputting a sign, and according to the number of consecutive hits of this key, the next sign, that is, a desk point <">, a half table point <°>, a long sound <->, a monopoly <,>, a punctuation mark < You can enter ｏ>, <<>, question mark <?>, and exclamation point <!>.

Next, in the Roman input mode, the character corresponding to the uppercase alphabet of each key in Table 3 is input as the Roman character. As you know Roman characters are finally converted to Ghana and entered according to the rules of Roman to Ghana conversion. When the key is pressed once, the character on the left side displayed on the carved seal is input, and the character on the right side displayed on the carved seal is input by the continuous key of the same key. For example, if the data key 202 is pressed, the additional key 220 is pressed, the data key 203 is pressed twice in succession, and the data key 201 is pressed, the Roman string <KIZA> is inputted and entered into Kana. Is converted to a string.

The features of the Roman arrangement of FIG. 3 are as follows. Characteristic First, the vowel characters <A> <I> <U> <E> <O> are assigned to each key alone as Roman characters. Therefore, each character is input continuously even when it is pressed continuously. For example, if the data key 204 is pressed, the additional key 221 is pressed, and then the additional key 221 is pressed in succession, the Roman string <TUU> is inputted and converted to the Kana character <つ う>. .

Another feature of this embodiment is that the consonants of the Roman consonants shown on the left side of the inscription of FIG. 3 are input in one time. Another feature <G> <Z> <D> <B>, which is the phonetic alphabet of the Roman consonants, is arranged in combination with the corresponding listening <K> <S> <T> <H> and assigned to the corresponding listening It is entered as a sequence of keys. The halftone letter <P> is entered as a sequence of <N>. This correspondence follows the rules of correspondence at Kana 50 degrees.

Another feature is that the letters <F> <J> <L> <V> are arranged as characters inputted by the continuous key of the key assigned to the sound character which does not have a corresponding sound in Kana 50. These characters are not normally used in Roman letters, but are used as expanded Roman letters by combining with data key 201 or additional keys as follows. The letter <F> is an enlarged Roman alphabet <FA> <FI> <FU> <FE> <FO>, and is converted into Ghana <\> <\> <\> <\> <\> and inputted. The letters <J> are converted to Ghana <JA> <JI> <JU> <JE> <JO> and converted into Ghana <じ ゃ> <じ ぃ> <じ ゅ> <じ ぇ> <じ ょ>. The letter <L> is an enlarged Roman letter <LA> <LI> <LU> <LE> <LO>, which is converted to the lowercase letter <ぁ> <ぃ> <ぃ> <ぇ> <ぉ> and entered. The letter <V> is an enlarged Roman letter <VA> <VI> <VU> <VE> <VO> Ghana <う "ぁ> <う" ぃ> <う "ぅ> <う" ぇ> <う "ぉ> Is converted to.

Among the 26 letters of the alphabet, the three characters of <C> <Q> <X> are not entered as expanded Roman characters, so they are represented as lowercase letters on the keys, but they do not correspond to pressing in the Roman input mode.

Also in the Roman mode, pressing the control key 213 terminates the continuous pressing of the same key. For example, when the data key 202 is pressed twice consecutively, the character <G> is inputted as a roman character. However, when the data key 202 is pressed after pressing the data key 202 and pressing the control key 213, the character string <KK> is pressed. You can enter it as Roman. In this case, the continuation of the consonants is defined as a string representing the tactile <っ>.

The sign key 212 is a key for inputting a sign, and according to the number of single presses or continuous presses, the desk point <">, the semi-tack point <°>, the long sound <->, the monopoly <,>, the punctuation mark <,> and the middle point < >, A question mark <?>, An exclamation point <!> Are also entered as a single sign and a semitone sound in Ghana. For example, if you enter the Roman <KA> and the Table <<, Converted to Ghana, Kana <が> is entered. Using this function, you can enter all kana without consecutive keystrokes of the same data key.

Next, in the English input mode, all 26 letters of the alphabet are entered. Three characters of <C> <Q> <X> which are not input in the Roman input mode are input by pressing the sign key 212 and pressing the additional keys 223, 220, and 222, respectively. In addition, the operation of the alphabetical characters is the same as in the Roman mode. Note that the distinction between the continuous press and the single press of the donkey is different. For example, in order to input the English character string <KK>, the data key 202 must be pressed, the control key 213 must be pressed, and then the data key 202 must be pressed. Alphabets entered in the English input mode are entered as English characters without being converted to Roman characters.

The symbol is input by hitting the symbol key 112 two or more times in succession. You can enter the following symbols <,> <.> <-> </> <?> <!> Depending on the number of consecutive presses of this key.

In the numeric input mode, the numbers <1> to <0> are input as the data keys 201 to 210 in Table 3 are pressed.

4 is a diagram illustrating a key arrangement of a character and numeric input pad of a portable electronic device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, the keys of the keyboard and the stamping of the keys used in the third embodiment of the present invention are the same as those of Fig. 5 used in the prior art. Originally, the character input was performed by inputting two digits according to the code table of Table 6. However, after pressing the control key 311 and then the data keys 302 to 309, the alphabet <A> or alphabet <D> or the alphabet <D> or the alphabet <G> or the alphabet <J> or the alphabet <M, respectively. Or alphabet <P> or alphabet <T> or alphabet <W> is input. Thereafter, the second, third, or fourth character from the left side of the alphabet shown in the imprint of FIG. 3 is input according to the number of consecutive presses of each data key. By pressing the control key 313, if one letter of the alphabet is confirmed, the character is returned to its original character input state.

If control key 311 is pressed two times in succession and then symbol key 312 is pressed, the table point <">, the half table point <°>, the long sound <->, the monopoly <,>, and the punctuation marks < >, A middle point <?>, A question mark <?>, And an exclamation point <!> Are determined by pressing a key other than the same key or pressing the control key 313. One symbol is determined. If it is entered, it returns to the original character input state.

Press the control key 311 two times in succession, and then press the data keys 301 to 310, respectively, and the numerals <1> or numerals <2> or numerals <3> or numerals <4> or numerals <5> or numerals <, respectively. 6> or number <7> or number <8> or number <9> or number <0> is entered. If 1 number is inputted, it returns to original character input state.

The keyboard according to the present invention is not limited to a keyboard composed of physical keys and key contacts, but may be a means for inputting characters physically or electrically by human will. For example, a virtual keyboard that is displayed by a display device of a digital device, controlled by software, and operated by a touch pen or the like is included.

As described above, the present invention has the following effects.

The first effect is that the number of presses per character for inputting the Kana character can be reduced as compared with the conventional first character input method as mentioned above. Entering Ghana from Roman input also reduces the number of pushes mentioned above.

The second effect is that the number of presses is reduced compared to the conventional first character input method for inputting an English sentence as mentioned above.

The third effect is that the reduction in the number of input presses by the additional keys can be calculated quantitatively for each key, so that the number of additional keys can be selected in consideration of the space and cost required for adding the keys.

The fourth effect is that it is possible to set the maximum key press number for inputting one character of the Kana character to two. This enables rhythmic and comfortable input operation. In the first character input method of the prior art, the maximum number of presses for inputting one character is five, and the number of presses required for each character is changed so that rhythmic operation is difficult, so that accidents are interrupted and comfortable input operation is interrupted. .

The fifth effect is that it is easy for a person familiar with the conventional keyboard of Table 5 to gradually transition to the keyboard of the present invention. Or if the same keyboard is used by those familiar with the conventional keyboard, and sometimes used by those familiar with the keyboard of the present invention can be used separately.

The sixth effect is that 26 letters of the alphabet are common to all countries and are arranged as original keys based on the alphabetical order, and additional keys suitable for each language can be added to enable the input of a plurality of national languages while being functionally suitable for a specific language. It can be used as a universal keyboard.

The seventh effect is that the conventional Kana input and the Kana input by Roman characters can be performed using the same keyboard by simple mode conversion. In addition, the superiority of the Roman character input compared to the Kana character input mode is that it is possible to freely input characters only by simple input rules, without using a control key <→> for continuously inputting characters assigned to the same key. The use of the control keys often involves a wrong operation, which is a significant advantage of the Roman input mode over the Ghana character input mode.

The eighth effect is that an operator who is familiar with conventional Kana input can easily become familiar with the operation of the keyboard only by learning the simple input rules of Roman input. This is because in Roman input mode, the arrangement of the Roman consonants corresponding to the 50th degree is set to each line of the Kana input, and the Roman vowel characters are arranged independently.

The ninth effect is that the key layout of the Roman alphabet for the Japanese input and the arrangement of the 26 letters of the alphabet for the English input are common, and the operator who is familiar with the Roman input can easily input the English characters. This is a great advantage even for an operator who is not necessarily familiar with the ABC ordering of the alphabet.

The tenth effect is to match the consonant characters of the Ghanaian character input and the Roman input so that the Roman input can be simplified so that all Ghanaian characters can be inputted, including the noisy and the half-tones, without entering the symbol of the sound of the sound of the sound of the sound. Can be. By doing so, a person who is familiar with conventional Ghana input can easily become familiar with Roman input and perform efficient character input.

The eleventh effect is that in the second character input method of the prior art, there is provided a method of inputting alphabets, symbols and numbers without referring to the code table or memorizing the code table. If you only understand the kana 50 digits, you can input the Kana characters in the original two digits by looking at the inscription of the key with a simple rule without referring to the code table or memorizing the code table. This can be done by looking at the inscription of the key, so you can efficiently enter sentences that contain a few letters of English and numbers.

The twelfth effect is that the character input can be efficiently performed to some extent without memorizing the code table sufficiently in the second character input method of the prior art, and gradually memorizes the code table completely according to the habit and increases the efficiency of the character input. Is there.

Although the present invention has been described in detail only with respect to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention, and such modifications or changes belong to the claims of the present invention. something to do.

Claims (23)

10 row designation keys for specifying 10 rows from <あ> to <わ>, respectively, corresponding to an array of 10 rows and 5 columns of Kana 50-tone characters, and 2, 3, 4, and 5 columns Four complex keys are assigned to designate each stage, and the character of the first stage is determined by pressing the travel key, and the characters of the second, third, fourth, and fifth stages are determined. A portable electronic device having a character input keypad characterized in that an input character is determined by simply pressing the decision key following the pressing of the routing key. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein when the first key is pressed first, a vowel character <i>, <u>, <え>, and <o> corresponding to each designated stage is determined. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the input of <A> is confirmed when the single key is pressed after the row designation key on the <A> line, and corresponds to each stage designated by pressing the single key. A portable electronic device having a character input keypad in which a vowel 2 character string is combined with a vowel character <い>, <う>, <え>, <お>. The character <W>, the character <を>, and the character <ん> are arrange | positioned at the predetermined | prescribed stage of a <A> line, and a routing key is made from the <A> line of <9> lines. A portable electronic device having nine character input keypads each designated. In an electronic device equipped with a keyboard for inputting a character of each stage of the Kana 50-degree number by the number of consecutive keystrokes of the designated key that designates the line to which the character belongs, in the Kana character input method by the keyboard, The character input keyboard also has four additional keys that can assign functions such as two to five consecutive keystrokes for each stage of character input. Portable electronic device having a character input keypad, characterized in that the input character is determined without consecutive keystrokes. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein if there is a press of the additional key following the consecutive key of each row designation key, the <i>, <う>, which is a character determined by the continuous press and a singular vowel character corresponding to the additional key, A portable electronic device having a character input keypad in which two strings combined with <E> and <お> are confirmed. The character input keypad according to claim 5, wherein when an additional key is pressed first, any one of <i>, <う>, <え>, and <O>, which is a singular vowel corresponding to the additional key, is determined. Portable electronics. 8. The method of any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the input of <あ> is confirmed when the single key is keyed after the travel key of the line <A> is keyed, and is designated by the key of the key. A portable electronic device having a character input keypad in which a vowel 2 string is determined in combination with vowel letters <い>, <う>, <え> and <お> corresponding to each stage. In an electronic device equipped with a keyboard for inputting a character of each stage, the character of each stage is determined by the number of consecutive strokes of a row designation key that designates the line to which the character belongs. The character input keyboard is also provided with three or fewer additional keys that can assign functions such as a predetermined number of consecutive presses for inputting characters at each stage, and press the corresponding additional key following the key of the routing key. Portable electronic device having a character input keypad, characterized in that the input character is confirmed without pressing continuously. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein when three or more additional keys are pressed first, any one of <i>, <う>, <え>, and <お>, which is a vowel character corresponding to the additional key, is determined. A portable electronic device having a character input keypad that is determined by successive pressing of the <A> line designation key, wherein the vowel character does not correspond to the additional key. In an electronic device equipped with a character input keyboard, in the alphabet input method using the keyboard, the alphabet is divided into alphabetical order with fewer keys than the number of alphabetic characters, and the input of a plurality of alphabets assigned to the same key is performed by multiple consecutive keystrokes. In the character input method to distinguish and determine, A portable electronic device having a character input keypad, characterized in that the sequence of consecutive key counts of the keys for determining the characters of the alphabet assigned to the same key is not necessarily the order from the head of the assigned alphabet. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein one or more additional keys are set on the molecular input keyboard, and specific characters that are part of the alphabet are assigned to the additional keys so that specific characters that are part of the alphabet are inputted by the original alphabet input key and input by the additional key. And a portable electronic device having a character input keypad that can be determined in any case. In the Kana character input method by the keyboard in the electronic device equipped with the character input keypad which distinguishes and determines the characters of each stage according to the number of consecutive hits of the key corresponding to each row of 50 degrees of Kana, Character input The keyboard group of the Kana character input method (群) of the keyboard is assigned an alphabet except for the vowel characters <I>, <U>, <E>, <O> and the unused characters. Four keys for inputting I>, <U>, <E>, <O> have been added, and a character input keypad can be used for Roman characters by combining the press of the original key with the press of the added key. Portable electronic device having a. The portable electronic device according to claim 14, wherein the Kana point and the half point of Ghana have a character input keypad for inputting as a symbol. The method according to claim 13, wherein the consonants of the Roman consonants are assigned in correspondence with the consonants of the Ghanaian characters of the keys corresponding to each row of the kana 50 digits, and are confirmed by one press of each key.濁音) is a portable electronic device with a character input keypad that is confirmed by two consecutive presses of each key of the hearing corresponding to the sound. 15. The alphabet of claim 13, wherein alphabets used for Roman letters other than hearing and sound are assigned to the keys to which no Roman sound is assigned, and the Roman letter expanded by the combination of successive pressing of the corresponding key and pressing of additional keys. Portable electronic device having a fixed character input keypad. 15. The system of claim 13, wherein the added four keys are arbitrary keys, and overlap with the vowels assigned to the added four keys, so that the letters of the alphabet not included in the Roman alphabet are assigned and combined with the original keys of all alphabets. A portable electronic device having a character input keypad according to claim 13 capable of being input. The portable electronic device according to claim 13, wherein the additional four keys also have a character input keypad that has a function such as two to five consecutive presses for inputting Kana characters in each stage. In the character input method in an electronic device equipped with a character input keyboard for inputting Ghanaian letters, alphabets, numbers, and symbols in a two-digit key of the numeric keys of the keyboard, In addition to the original character input operation, depending on the number of times the control key is pressed or the number of consecutive presses, one alphanumeric character or one number can be determined. A portable electronic device having a character input keypad characterized in that the character of one symbol is determined by one or successive pressing of the symbol key following a predetermined number of presses. 20. The portable electronic device according to claim 19, wherein the character input keypad has a character input keypad in which the order of characters to be input is not necessarily in order from the head of the assigned alphabet according to the number of consecutive presses of the alphabet keys assigned to the same key. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein one or more additional keys are set so that specific characters that are part of the alphabet are assigned to the additional keys so that the specific characters that are part of the alphabet are determined by either input by the original alphabet input key or input by the additional key. Portable electronic device having a text input keypad. 22. The portable electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the electronic device has a text input keypad which is a portable computer. 22. A portable electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the electronic device has a text input keypad which is a transceiver having a text communication function.