WO1999038065A1

WO1999038065A1 - Portable terminal, character selectively inputting device, and character selectively inputting method

Info

Publication number: WO1999038065A1
Application number: PCT/JP1999/000150
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mami Furuya
Original assignee: Sony Corporation
Priority date: 1998-01-22
Filing date: 1999-01-19
Publication date: 1999-07-29
Also published as: CN1262749A; JP4114207B2; CA2284289A1

Abstract

A pager comprises a display for displaying characters of character groups and a rotary knob for selecting and determining a desired character from one of character groups for character input. The rotary knob includes a rotary encoder and a switch and can be rotated and pushed in. In a character group area displayed on the display, arrow marks serving as soft keys for switching the character group are displayed. By selecting an arrow mark by the rotary knob, one of the other character groups is selected.

Description

Description Mobile terminal device, character selection input device and character selection input method

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal device capable of performing character input, a character selection input device and a character selection input method suitable for use in character input of such a mobile terminal device. Background art

In some cases, characters are input to a portable terminal device such as a pager. In a portable terminal device such as a pager, a large number of keys cannot be provided in order to reduce the size and weight and improve operability. In the pager where such a large number of keys cannot be arranged, conventionally, the following character input methods have been considered.

First, when a predetermined button is pressed, one character candidate is displayed at the input position, and when the button is further pressed, the next character candidate is displayed, and the user presses the predetermined button until the target character is displayed. By holding down the key, you can enter the desired character. This method has the advantage that characters can be input with a single key.

However, in this method, a predetermined button is kept pressed until a desired character is displayed. Therefore, in the worst case, the user needs to input the desired character for the number of characters (for example, 5 in Japanese). (0 sound + number, symbol, etc.) However, it is necessary to keep pressing the key, and the operability is not good.

As another method, a character of about 10 characters is displayed in a partial area of the screen, and a user selects a target character from the character candidates. You can think of an input method of inputting characters by searching and selecting the character. In such a method, the target character can be selected from the candidate characters, so the number of key operations is reduced compared to the method of displaying the next character candidate one by one each time the button is pressed. The operability is improved.

However, this method requires a key for selecting a target character from the displayed characters, in addition to a key for displaying candidate characters, and the number of keys increases. There is a problem. It is conceivable to use the left and right keys and the up and down keys to select the desired character, but at least four or more keys are arranged for the left and right keys and the up and down keys There is a need. In addition, selecting characters using the left and right keys and the up and down keys can easily cause erroneous operations.

Some pagers are provided with a rotary knob consisting of a rotary encoder and a switch. It is conceivable to input characters using such a rotary knob.

That is, in such a method, the characters of one character group 內 are displayed in a part of the display area. The user selects a target character from the characters in this character group by using a rotary knob composed of a rotary encoder and a switch. If the target character is not in that character group, it switches to the next character group. When you switch character groups, the characters in the next character group are displayed. The user selects a target character from the characters of this character group by using a rotary knob composed of a rotary encoder and a switch. If the target character is not in that character group, you can switch to the next character group. In this method, you can enter characters without using the keys. The performance is improved.

However, if a plurality of character groups are switched, an operation of switching the character groups is required. For this reason, character input cannot be performed using only the rotary knob, and a key for switching character groups must be provided, and this key must be operated to switch character groups. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a portable terminal device capable of inputting characters with good operability without requiring keys and buttons, and a character selection suitable for character input of such a portable terminal device. An input device and a character selection input method are provided.

Disclosure of the invention

The present invention provides a receiving means for receiving a transmitted signal, a demodulating means for demodulating an output signal from the receiving means, an operating means operated by a user, and a display on which output data from the demodulating means is displayed. Control means for displaying a character set composed of a plurality of characters on the display means and displaying a switching display mark for switching the plurality of character sets displayed on the display means by operating the operation means. Mobile terminal device.

The present invention relates to a storage unit storing a plurality of character set data including a plurality of characters, a display unit for performing a display based on the character set data read from the storage unit, and an operation operated by a user. And a switching mark for switching a plurality of character set data stored in the storage unit on the display unit, and a plurality of switching marks stored in the storage unit based on an operation result of the switching mark operation unit by the operation unit. The character selection input device includes a control unit that reads one character set data of the character set data and displays the data on a display unit. The present invention displays one character set among a plurality of character sets stored in a storage unit, displays a switching mark for switching and displaying a plurality of character set data, and displays an operation unit. Select or determine at least one character from the displayed character set, and switch from the displayed character set to another character set when the switch mark is operated by the operation unit. This is a method for selecting and inputting characters to be displayed.

A character group is displayed on the display, and a mark for switching the character group is displayed as a soft key in the character group. The mark can be selected from the character group by rotating the rotary knob consisting of a rotary encoder, and the character group can be switched by pressing the mark. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the number of button keys, and characters can be input only by using the rotary knob, thereby improving operability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a vegger to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram used for explaining a display, and FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams of a rotary knob. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a pager to which the present invention is applied. FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic lines used for explaining a message display screen. 6A to 6C are schematic diagrams used to explain the display screen of the received message, and FIGS. 7A to 7E are illustrations of the display screen of the memo function. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram used for describing a character group. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an external configuration of a pager 11 to which the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, a pager 11 to which the present invention is applied is provided with a display 2, a rotary knob 3 composed of a rotary encoder and a switch, and an escape key 4.

The display 2 is used for displaying instruction marks indicating various setting states and operating states, and for displaying received message characters and memo characters.

FIG. 2 shows a display screen of the display 2. Various indication marks 51 to 57 are displayed on the display 2.

The instruction mark 51 indicates whether or not the vehicle is in the service area. The instruction mark 52 indicates that the message is locked. The instruction mark 53 indicates an unread message. The instruction mark 54 indicates that the battery capacity is insufficient. The instruction mark 55 indicates that the alarm clock is set. The instruction marks 56 and 57 indicate that the displayed message or menu continues upward and downward. The indication mark 58 indicates that a ring tone is generated when an incoming call is received, and the indication mark 59 indicates that a vibration is generated when an incoming call is received.

The display 2 is provided with display areas 60 to 62. The display area 60 displays the date and time / message number. During standby, the date and time are displayed here. When the time is displayed in the 12-hour mode, “AM” / “PM” is displayed in the display area 61. In the display area 62, the characters of the message message are displayed. As the display area 62 for this character display, for example, an area of a maximum of 80 characters for 4 lines of 20 characters per line is secured.

In FIG. 1, the rotary knob 3 is used to scroll the display on the display 2 and to select an item. Further, as will be described later, the pager 11 to which the present invention is applied has a memo function for storing a telephone number, a name, and the like. The rotary knob 3 is also used for character input when using this memo function.

The rotary knob 3 is composed of a rotary encoder and a switch, and can perform a pushing operation as shown by an arrow 5 in FIG. 3A and a rotating operation as shown by an arrow 6 in FIG. 3B. I can do it. When scrolling the display on the display 2 or selecting an item, a rotation operation as shown in FIG. 3B is used. When setting the selected item, a push operation as shown in Fig. 3A is used.

Escape key 4 is used to turn on the pager or to return to the previous screen.

FIG. 4 shows a partial configuration of a pager 11 to which the present invention is applied.

In FIG. 4, a radio wave transmitted from a pager company is received by an antenna 11. The reception signal of antenna 11 is supplied to reception section 12. The receiving unit 12 selects a received signal of a predetermined carrier frequency. The output of the receiver 12 is supplied to the demodulator 13. The demodulation unit 13 performs, for example, FSK (Frequency Shift Keying) demodulation processing. In demodulation section 13, message data is demodulated from the received signal. The demodulated message data is sent to the microcomputer 14. The microcomputer 14 controls and controls the entire pager 11. Rotary encoder 1 for microcomputer 14

The input is given from the escape key 4 while the input is given from the rotary knob 3 composed of 8 and the switch 19. Also, the output from the micro computer 14 is supplied to the display 2 and the output section

Supplied to 17. The output unit 17 is, for example, a buzzer-to-speech force for notifying an incoming call, and a vibrator that vibrates when an incoming call is received.

When there is a call to pager 1, a message is sent from pager company to pager 1. This message data is, for example, FSK-modulated and transmitted using radio waves in the 90 MHz band. This signal is sent to the receiving unit 12 via the antenna 11, and the demodulating unit 13 demodulates the message data from the signal. Then, this message data is sent to the microcomputer 14. When receiving the message data, the microcomputer 14 displays the message data on the display 2 and sends a signal indicating that the message has been received to the output unit 17. Thereby, a buzzer sound for notifying the incoming call is generated or a vibration for notifying the incoming call is generated. Then, the sent message is displayed on the display 2.

Further, the sent message data can be stored in the memory 15. The stored message data can be displayed on the display 2 by the user operating the rotary knob 3 or the escape key 4.

In other words, FIG. 5 shows the display screen of the display 2 when a message is received. When a message is received, the display area 62 of display 2 displays the received message, as shown in Fig. 5A. Characters are displayed. In the display area 60 of the display 2, a message number is displayed. If the message continues, instruction mark 57 is displayed. When the rotary knob 3 is rotated, the display scrolls, and a subsequent message is displayed as shown in FIG. 5B. At the end of the message, the message type and time stamp are displayed.

When reading messages stored in the memory 15, as shown in FIG. 6A, during the standby mode, the rotary knob 3 is rotated and the personal messages (PERSONAL MESSAGES) or the information messages are read. YON service (INFORMATION SERVICE) is selected. The selected item is highlighted. Highlighted characters may include boxed characters, emphasized characters, underline, and inverted characters. When personal message or information service is selected, rotary knob 3 is depressed.

When a personal message or an information service is selected by the rotary knob 3 and the rotary knob 3 is depressed, as shown in FIG. It is displayed as a list. The list of these messages is arranged so that the latest message is at the top. In addition, symbols 71 to 74 indicating "unread", "read", "lock", etc. are added to each message. Next, the rotary knob 3 is rotated, and a desired message is selected from the message list. The selected message is highlighted. When a message is selected, rotary knob 3 is pressed. When the desired message is selected and the rotary knob 3 is pressed, the character of the selected message is displayed as shown in FIG. 6C. While this message is displayed, the down arrow instruction mark 5 7 is displayed. When the message is displayed, the indication mark 57 indicates that the message is continued further below. When you turn rotary knob 3, the following message is displayed. During the display of the message, if the instruction mark 56 of the upward arrow is displayed, it indicates that the message is further continued. If you turn the rotary knob 3 upward, the message following it will be displayed.

After the message shown in Fig. 6C has been displayed, pressing the escape key once will return to the message list screen shown in Fig. 6B. Other messages can be selected on this message list selection screen. If the escape key 4 is pressed twice, the display returns to the main menu shown in Fig. 6A.

Also, the jar 1 to which the present invention is applied has a memo function. The memo function is a function that stores the letters and numbers of the telephone number and name as a memo in the memory 15 in FIG. The character data is stored in ROM 20 in FIG. The character data stored in the ROM 20 includes, for example, four character groups. As you type, the characters in one character group are displayed. The user selects a target character from the characters in this character group using the rotary knob 3. If the target character is not in that character group, it switches to the next character group.

The character group can be switched by selecting an arrow mark assigned as a soft key in the character group. When you switch character groups, the characters in the next character group are displayed. The user selects a target character from the characters in this character group using the rotary knob 3. If the target character is not in that character group, it switches to the next character group. As described above, the character group can be switched by selecting the arrow mark assigned as a soft key in the character group. Therefore, there is no need to add keys or buttons for inputting characters, and characters can be input only by operating the rotary knob 3.

In other words, when using the memo function, rotary knob 3 is rotated during standby mode, the function menu (FUNCTION MENU) is selected, and rotary knob 3 is pressed in, as shown in Fig. 7A. . When the function menu is selected and rotary knob 3 is depressed, the function menu is displayed as shown in Fig. 7B.

Further, on the function menu screen, the rotary knob 3 is rotated, the memo [MEM0) is selected, and the rotary knob 3 is pressed. When a memo is selected and rotary knob 3 is pressed, the memo function screen is displayed as shown in Fig. 7C.

The memo function screen shown in Fig. 7C is a selection screen for creating a new memo or searching for a memo.

To create a new memo, rotary knob 3 is rotated, "NEW" is selected, and rotary knob 3 is depressed. When the menu is selected and the rotary knob 3 is depressed, a memo input screen as shown in FIG. 7D is displayed.

In the memo input screen, as shown in FIG. 7D, a character input area 71 and a character group area 72 are provided. The character input area 71 is an area for inputting and editing memos. In this example, an area for two lines is secured as the character input area 71. In this character input area 71, a force sol 73 indicating the character input position is displayed.

In the character group area 72, a character group including a plurality of characters for selecting a character to be input is displayed. In this example, the character group As shown in FIG. 8, four character groups 21 a to 21 d are prepared as 21. Character group 21a is an alphabetic uppercase character group, character group 21b is an alphabetic lowercase character group, character group 21c is a character group of numbers and symbols, characters Group 2 1d is a group of pictographic characters.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, some of the characters of the character groups 21a to 21d displayed in the character group area 72 include marks 23a and 23b having special meanings. 24a to 24d, 25, 26, and 27 are included.

The marks 23a and 23b function as soft keys for switching the character group 21 and are in the form of arrows. Rotate rotary knob 3 to select mark 2 3 a and press rotary knob 3 to display in character group area 7 2 in order of character group 2 la → 2 1 d → 2 1 c → 2 1 b Character group 21 is switched. Also, rotate rotary knob 3, select mark 2 3b, and press rotary knob 3 to select character group 2 1a → 2 1b → 2 1c → 2 1d. 1 is switched.

The marks 24a to 24d function as soft keys for moving the force sol 73, and have the shape of front, rear, left and right arrows. Rotate the rotary knob 3 to select the mark 24a to 24d, and press the rotary knob 3 to move the cursor 73 in the character input area 7 1 back and forth and left and right.

Mark 25 functions as a soft key indicating the space key, mark 26 functions as a soft key indicating the delete key, and mark 27 indicates a soft key indicating the input key. Function, mark 2 8 indicates enter key Functions as a soft key.

When inputting a character, the rotary knob 3 is rotated, and a desired character is selected from the character groups displayed in the character group area 72. The selected character is highlighted.

That is, in FIG. 4, a rotary encoder 18 and a switch 19 are provided in association with the rotary knob 3. The rotary knob 3 is rotated, and the rotary encoder 18 is rotated according to the rotation of the rotary knob 3. The output of the rotary encoder 18 is supplied to the microcomputer 14. The microcomputer 14 controls the address of the ROM 20 containing the character data in accordance with the output of the rotary encoder 18 and moves the pointer 22 in the character group 21. At this time, the pointer 22 indicating the selected character moves in accordance with the direction in which the rotary knob 3 rotates.

For example, if there is a pointer 2 2 at the position of “G” in the character group 2 1 a, if the rotary knob 3 is rotated in one predetermined direction, the pointer 22 will be changed from “G” to “H” to “I”. → → 順番順番 and turn the rotary knob 3 in the direction opposite to the predetermined one direction. Move in order.

When the rotary knob 3 is used to select a character from the character group area 72 and the rotary knob 3 is pressed, the character is input to the position of the force—sol 73 in the character input area 71. Then, the force sol 7 3 is advanced by one. As described above, the rotary knob 3 is rotated, a desired character is selected from the characters of the character group 2 1 displayed in the character group area 7 2, and the rotary knob 3 is pressed in, thereby obtaining the character input area. 7 Characters are entered in 1.

If you want to enter characters that are not in that character group, Marks 2 3 a and 2 3 b are selected. As a result, character groups 2 la—2 1d → 2 1c → 2 1b or 2 1a—2 1b → 2 1c → 2 1 ά 1 can be switched. Then, by switching the character group, a desired character is selected from the characters displayed in the character group area 72 in the same manner as described above, and the rotary knob 3 is depressed. Is entered.

In the above example, character input is performed in order to use the memo function. However, character input may be left as a memo so that character data can be transmitted as a message.

For example, when transmitting a message recorded in memory 15, the character data is converted to a code corresponding to each digit (0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 * #) used on the telephone. Each character is converted and output from the speaker of the output unit 16 as a dual tone.

Specifically, after dialing the destination (destination), if the speaker is brought close to the mouthpiece of the telephone receiver, the dual tone sound output from the speaker will be sent to the pager via the telephone line. Sent to the company. The pager company transmits the transmitted audio signal on radio waves from the transmitting station. As a result, the message received by the destination pager and sent to the display is displayed.

Further, in this embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a pager has been described.

In this embodiment, the character group is switched back and forth by the marks 23a and 23b displayed on the character group 21. However, one key for switching only to the next character group is provided. Good Les ,.

In this example, alphabetic capital letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols are used as character groups.In addition to these character groups, katakana, hiragana, and kanji character groups are used. You may think.

As described above, according to the present invention, the character group 21 is displayed in the character group area # 2 of the display 2, and the marks 23a and 2b for switching the character group are included in the character group 21. 3 b is displayed as a soft key. For this reason, the rotation of the rotary knob consisting of the rotary encoder 3 selects the marks 23a and 23b from the characters of the character group 21 and switches the character group 21 by the pressing operation. It can be performed. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the number of buttons, and characters can be input with only the rotary knob 3, thereby improving operability. Industrial applicability

As described above, the portable terminal device according to the present invention and the character selection input device and the character selection input method suitable for use in character input of such a portable terminal device are suitable for use in character input of a pager. It is.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. Receiving means for receiving the transmitted signal,

Demodulating means for demodulating an output signal from the receiving means,

Operating means operated by the user;

Display means for displaying output data from the demodulation means;

A control means for displaying a character set composed of a plurality of characters on the display means and displaying a switching display mark for switching the plurality of character sets displayed on the display means by operating the operation means. Mobile terminal device provided.

2. The operation means switches the plurality of character sets by the switching mark displayed on the display means by being rotated, and selects and determines or determines a character in the character set. 2. The mobile terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising an operation unit.

3. The display means is a first display unit on which the plurality of character sets are displayed based on the switching display mark and a character set displayed on the first display unit determined by the rotary operation unit. 3. The portable terminal device according to claim 2, further comprising a second display unit on which the displayed characters are displayed.

4. The portable terminal device according to claim 3, wherein the switching display mark is displayed on the first display unit.

5. The portable terminal device according to claim 4, wherein the switching display mark is a mark indicating an arrow.

6. The portable terminal device according to claim 1, wherein said device further comprises a storage unit for storing data relating to characters determined by said operation means.

7. The portable terminal device according to claim 6, wherein the device further comprises a transmission unit that transmits data stored in the storage unit.

8. The portable terminal device according to claim 7, wherein the transmitting means generates a dual tone signal based on data stored in the storage unit.

9. A storage unit storing a plurality of character set data including a plurality of characters;

A display unit for performing display based on the character set data read from the storage unit;

An operation unit operated by a user;

A switching mark for switching the plurality of character set data stored in the storage unit is displayed on the display unit, and the switching mark is stored in the storage unit based on a result of operation of the switching mark by the operation unit. A character selection input including a control unit for reading out one character set data from a plurality of character set data and displaying the data on the display unit

10. The operation unit switches the plurality of character set data by the switching mark displayed on the display unit by being rotated, and reduces the number of character set data displayed on the display unit. 10. The character selection input device according to claim 9, further comprising a rotation operation unit for selecting and / or determining one character.

1 1. The display unit includes a first display area in which the character set data read out from the storage unit based on the switching mark is displayed, and a character set data displayed in the first display area. 10. The character selection input device according to claim 10, wherein a second area in which character data determined by the rotation operation unit is displayed is provided.

12. The character selection input device according to claim 11, wherein the switching display mark is displayed in the first display area.

13. The character selection input device according to claim 12, wherein the switching display mark is a mark indicating an arrow.

10. The character selection input device according to claim 9, wherein the device further comprises a further storage unit for storing data relating to the character determined by the operation unit.

15 5. Display one character set among the character sets consisting of a plurality of characters stored in the storage unit, and cut the plurality of character set data.

10 Display the switch mark for changing

By operating the operation unit, at least one of the displayed character sets is selected or determined, and

A method for selecting and inputting 15 characters, in which, when the switching mark is operated by the operation unit, the displayed character set is switched to another character set and displayed.

16. The character selection input method according to claim 15, wherein the method further comprises displaying a character selected or determined by further operating the operation unit.