JPH08249101A - Kana character input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To reduce the frequency of key operation for inputting KANA (Japanese syllabary) characters in a compact information processor restricting the number of keys to be displayed. CONSTITUTION: An initial picture display means 5 displays a holder having keys corresponding to KANA characters included in each group obtained by dividing a Japanese syllabary into plural groups at the rate of 1 to 1 on an input screen set up to an initial state so as to partially superpose the holder to its adjacent holder. When the execution of 1st embodiment operation for a certain key on the input screen is detected by a detection means 4, a holder rearranging means 6 switches the current input picture to an input picture obtained by rearranging the holder to which the touched key belongs to the upper side when the holder concerned is arranged under the other holder, and when the execution of 2nd embodiment operation is detected by the means 4, an input means 7 inputs a KANA character corresponding to the touched key.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a kana character input device for inputting kana characters, and more particularly to a kana character input device suitable for use in a small information processing device such as a small word processor or an electronic notebook.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in an information processing apparatus having a character processing function, an input device having a large number of keys such as a JIS keyboard is used to input kana characters.
However, in a small information processing device such as a small word processor or an electronic notebook, it is difficult to use an input device having a large number of keys such as a JIS keyboard due to the size limitation.

Therefore, in a small-sized information processing apparatus having a limited size, conventionally, a character string selection key area 101 in which a plurality of character string selection keys are drawn as shown in FIG. 10 and a character string selection key are used for selection. An input screen 103 having a kana character belonging to a character string and a character selection key area 102 in which a character selection key corresponding to one to one is drawn is displayed on a display device, and the character string selection key in the input screen 103 is pressed. If it is detected that the character selection keys corresponding to the kana characters belonging to the character string selected by the character string selection key are displayed in the character selection key area 102, the character selection key is pressed. If it is detected that a kana character corresponding to the pressed character selection key is input (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-241).
456 publication).

On the input screen 103 of FIG. 10, a character string selection key "Akasa" for selecting a kana character string belonging to the Japanese syllabary "A line to Sa line" and a "Ta line" Character string selection key "Tanaha" to select a kana character string belonging to "~ ha row" and character string selection key "Mayara" to select a kana character string belonging to "ma row ~ la row" And a character string selection key “waa” for selecting kana characters belonging to “wa row”, “aa row”, and “ya row”.

Of these character string selection keys, when the character string selection key "Akasa" is pressed, the character selection key area 1
As shown in FIG. 10, fifteen character selection keys corresponding to the kana characters of “A line to Sa line” are displayed on 02. Further, when the character string selection key "Tanaha" is pressed, fifteen character selection keys corresponding to the kana characters of "Ta line to Ha line" are displayed in the character selection key area 102.

Therefore, when inputting a kana character, if there is a character selection key corresponding to the kana character to be input in the character selection key area 102, the character selection key can be pressed, and the character selection key can be pressed. If the character selection key corresponding to the kana character to be input does not exist in the area 102, the character string selection key is operated to display the character selection key corresponding to the kana character to be input as the character selection key area 102.
, And then press the character selection key corresponding to the kana character to be input.

[0007]

In the above-mentioned conventional technique, by displaying only the character selection keys corresponding to the kana characters belonging to the character string selected by the character string selection key, the characters are displayed simultaneously due to the size limitation. Even in a small-sized information processing device in which the number of operable keys is limited, kana characters can be input.

However, as described above, the character selection key corresponding to the kana character to be input may not exist in the character selection key area. In such a case, the character string selection key must be operated. Therefore, the number of key operations is increased accordingly. The number of times this key is operated increases as the number of keys simultaneously displayed in the character selection key area decreases.

By the way, in the above-mentioned prior art, a character string selection key for selecting a character string is displayed on the input screen of a limited size in addition to the character selection key for selecting a kana character. Therefore, the number of character selection keys that can be displayed is reduced by the number of character string selection keys that are displayed, and as a result, there is a problem in that the number of key operations is considerably increased.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to eliminate the need for a character string selection key, which is provided only for selecting a character selection key to be displayed on the input screen. It is to provide a kana character input device in which the number of key operations for kana character input is reduced by making it possible to display a large number of characters.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention displays an input screen on which keys for inputting kana characters are drawn on a display device and detects the operation of the key in the input screen. In the kana character input device for inputting kana characters, the keys are provided for each group when the Japanese syllabary is divided into a plurality of groups, and the keys correspond one-to-one with the kana characters included in the group. An initial screen display means for displaying an input screen in an initial state in which a folder having a is partially overlapped between adjacent folders, a detecting means for detecting an operation on a key on the input screen, and the detecting means. When it is detected that the operation of the first mode is performed on the key in, the upper part of the folder to which the operated key belongs is placed above the other folder. On the re-entered input screen The folder rearranging means for exchanging and the input means for inputting the kana character corresponding to the operated key when the detecting means detects that the operation of the second mode is performed on the key. Prepare

[0012]

The initial screen display means is provided for each group when the Japanese syllabary is divided into a plurality of groups, and the folders having the keys corresponding to the kana characters included in the group are arranged next to each other. Display the input screen in the initial state where some folders are overlapped with each other. For example, when the detection means detects that the operation of the first mode such as pressing the key is performed on the key,
When a part of the folder to which the operated key belongs is placed under another folder, the folder rearranging means switches to the input screen rearranged on the upper side. When the detecting means detects that the operation of the second mode such as releasing the finger from the key is performed on the key, the kana character corresponding to the operated key of the input means is detected. Enter.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. A display device 1 such as an LCD display device, a touch sensor 2 mounted on the display surface of the display device 1, an XY address conversion means 3, Detection means 4, initial screen display means 5, folder rearrangement means 6, input means 7, folder storage section 8, folder arrangement information storage section 9, kana-kanji conversion means 10, kana-kanji dictionary 11a, display order. The data storage memory 11 includes data 11b.

The display device 1 displays an input screen on which keys and the like for inputting kana characters are drawn.

The XY address conversion means 3 has a function of outputting an XY address indicating a sense position of the touch sensor 2.

The detecting means 4 has a function of detecting an operation on a key in the input screen of the display device 1 based on the XY address output from the XY address converting means 3.

The folder storage section 8 stores folder definition information defining a folder and initial placement information indicating at which position and how each folder is placed on the input screen in the initial state. . The folder is provided for each group when the Japanese syllabary, punctuation marks, and long punctuation marks are divided into a plurality of groups, and has keys corresponding to the kana characters, punctuation marks, and long punctuation marks that belong to that group in one-to-one correspondence. .

In this embodiment, the Japanese syllabary is divided into 10 groups, and the 10 folders H1 to H1 shown in FIG.
0 shall be provided. Folders H1 to H7 each have five keys corresponding to Kana characters belonging to the Japanese syllabary “A-Mama” in a one-to-one correspondence, and folder H8 has “Ya”,
5 corresponding to "yu,""yo,""," and "."
The folder H9 has five keys corresponding to the kana characters belonging to "Ra line" in a one-to-one correspondence, and the folder H10 has "wa", "wo", "n", "-". Corresponding to 4
Has one key.

The initial screen display means 5 has a function of displaying an input screen in an initial state as shown in FIG. 3 on the display device 1. The input screen is provided with a character selection key area 31. In the character selection key area 31, folders H1 to H10 defined by the folder definition information in the folder storage unit 8 are stored in the folder storage unit 8. According to the initial arrangement information of, the adjacent folders are partially overlapped and arranged.

When a part of the folder to which the operated key in the character selection key area 31 belongs is placed below another folder, the folder rearranging means 6 rearranges that folder to the upper side. Have a function.

The folder layout information storage unit 9 stores folder layout information indicating where and how each of the folders H1 to H10 are currently arranged in the character selection key area 31 and how they are overlapped. At the same time, the correspondence information indicating the current correspondence relationship between each key display position in the character selection key area 31 and the kana character is stored.

The input means 7 has a function of inputting a kana character corresponding to the operated key in the character selection key area 31.

The kana-kanji conversion means 10 has a function of performing kana-kanji conversion for kana characters input by the input means 7 based on the kana-kanji dictionary 11a and display order data 11b in the data storage memory 11.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a processing example of the detecting means 4,
5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the folder rearrangement means 6, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the input means 7. The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

When inputting kana characters, first, the initial screen display means 5 displays the input screen in the initial state shown in FIG. 3 on the display device 1. At that time, the initial screen display means 5 causes the folders H1 to H10 stored in the folder storage unit 8 to be displayed.
Each of the folders H1 to H10 is arranged in the character selection key area 31 based on the folder definition information and the initial arrangement information so that some of the adjacent folders are overlapped.

When the input screen in the initial state is displayed on the display device 1, the user starts the input operation of kana characters.

If, for example, the kana character string "Ishi" is entered, the user first selects the character selection key area 31.
Press the middle key "i" and then release the key "i".

In the XY address conversion means 3, the key "i"
When is pressed, the output of the XY address indicating the position of the key "i" is started, and when the finger is released from the key "i", the output of the XY address is stopped.

When the detecting means 4 detects that the key has been pressed based on the output of the XY address of the key "i" from the XY address converting means 3 (FIG. 4, step S1), the pressed key is detected. It is determined whether or not "i" is a key in the character selection key area 31 (step S).
2).

In this case, since the pressed key "i" is the key in the character selection key area 31, the detecting means 4 indicates to the folder rearranging means 6 the X indicating the position of the key "i".
The Y address is output (step S3).

When the folder rearranging means 6 receives the XY address indicating the position of the key "i" from the detecting means 4 (step S11 in FIG. 5), a part of the folder H1 to which the key "i" belongs is changed to another part. It is determined whether or not the folder is below the folder based on the folder arrangement information stored in the folder arrangement information storage unit 9 (step S12). When it is determined that the folder is on the lower side, the folder H1
Is rearranged on the upper side of the input screen and the contents of the folder arrangement information storage unit 9 are updated to match the contents (step S13), and then the process is terminated. Also,
If it is determined that all the keys in the folder H1 are displayed, the process ends without performing the process of step S13.

In the case of this example, since all the keys in the folder H1 are displayed, the folder rearranging means 6 terminates the processing without performing the processing of step S13.

Further, the detecting means 4 detects that the user's finger is released from the key "i" by the XY address converting means 3 to X.
When it is detected that the Y address is no longer output (step S4 in FIG. 4), whether or not the key “i” touched immediately before the user releases the finger is a key in the character selection key area 31. Is determined (step S5).

When it is determined that the key is in the character selection key area 31, the XY address indicating the position of the key "i" touched immediately before the user releases the finger is sent to the input means 7 (step S6), if it is determined that the key is out of the character selection key area 31, the process is performed according to the key released from the finger (step S7). In the case of this example, the key "i" that the user was touching immediately before releasing the finger is the key in the character selection key area 31, so the detecting means 4 causes the input means 7 to input the XY address of the key "i". Will be sent.

When the input means 7 receives the XY address indicating the position of the key "i" from the detection means 4 (step S21 in FIG. 6), the correspondence information stored in the folder arrangement information storage 9 and the above XY. Based on the address, the kana character "i" corresponding to the key "i" on which the finger is released is input, and the input kana character "i" is displayed on the input screen as shown in FIG. It is displayed at a predetermined position (step S22).

When the user inputs the kana character "i" as described above, the user then performs an operation for inputting the kana character "shi".

At this time, the key arrangement of the character selection key area 31 is as shown in FIG. 7, and the key corresponding to the kana character "shi" to be input is the character selection key area 3
Not displayed in 1. In such a case, the user performs the following operations.

First, one of the keys displayed in the character selection key area 31 which is the key in the folder H3 to which the key "shi" corresponding to the kana character "shi" to be input belongs is pressed. Then, wait until the key "shi" corresponding to the kana character "shi" to be input is displayed. Then, when the key “shi” is displayed, the finger is moved to the key “shi” while sliding on the touch sensor 2, and then the finger is released from the key “shi”. In the case of the example in FIG. 7, the keys in the folder H3 currently displayed in the character selection key area 31 are
Since there are only keys corresponding to the kana characters “sa”, “se”, and “so”, the user can select one of the keys until the key corresponding to the kana character “shi” to be input is displayed. If you continue to press and the key "shi" is displayed, slide your finger on the touch sensor 2 up to the key "shi", and then
You have to release your finger from the key "shi".

When the user presses the key "sa" belonging to the folder H3 as shown in FIG.
Performs the same processing as described above, and the folder rearrangement unit 6
Send the XY address indicating the position of the key "sa" to (Fig. 4,
Steps S1 to S3).

When the folder rearranging means 6 receives an XY address indicating the position of the key "sa" (FIG. 5, step S11), the folder H to which the operated key "sa" belongs.
Since part of 3 is placed under the other folder H2 (step S12), as shown in FIG.
3 is rearranged above the adjacent folders H2 and H4 (step S13).

The folder H3 is adjacent to the folders H2 and
The key "shi" corresponding to the kana character "shi" to be input is rearranged on the upper side of H4 and the character selection key area 31 is displayed.
Is displayed on the screen, the user can select the key "sa" as described above.
Slide the finger that was holding down to move it to the key "shi",
Then release your finger from the key "shi".

When the detecting means 4 detects that the finger is released from the key "shi" (FIG. 4, step S4), the XY indicating the position of the key "shi" finally output from the XY address converting means 3. The address is sent to the input means 7 (step S
5, 6).

The input means 7 is an X indicating the position of the key "shi".
When the Y address is received (FIG. 6, step S21),
The same processing as described above is performed, the kana character "shi" corresponding to the operated key "shi" is input, and the input kana character "shi" is displayed at a predetermined position on the input screen as shown in FIG. (Step S22).

When performing kana-kanji conversion for the kana character string "Ishi" input as described above, the user presses the key "convert" and then releases the finger from the key "convert".

When the detecting means 4 detects that the finger is released from the key "convert" (FIG. 4, step S4), it notifies the kana-kanji converting means 10 that the key "convert" has been operated (step S7). ).

Upon receiving this notification, kana-kanji conversion means 1
For 0, the kana-kanji dictionary 11a and the display order data 11b are used to perform kana-kanji conversion for the kana character string "Ishi" input by the input means 7, and the most display order among the homophones indicated by the display order data 11b. The high Kanji is displayed at a predetermined position on the display device 1.

If the kanji displayed on the display device 1 is the desired kanji, the user operates the key "OK",
If not, operate the keys "→" and "←".

When the keys "→" and "←" are operated (step S4 in FIG. 4), the detection means 4 notifies the kana-kanji conversion means 10 (step S7).

Upon receiving the above-mentioned notification, the kana-kanji conversion means 10 displays the kanji of the same phonetic variant which is one rank lower or one rank higher than the currently displayed kanji at a predetermined position of the display device 1.

In the above-described embodiment, the key is pressed when rearranging a folder which is partly under the other folder, and the key is pressed when inputting kana characters. Even if you release the finger from, you can press the key continuously for a certain time or longer to rearrange the folder, and press the key for a shorter time than the above fixed time to use Kana characters. good. In that case, the detecting means 4 has a function of detecting the operations of the above two modes, and the folder rearranging means 6 when the operation of the former mode is detected.
When the operation of the latter mode is detected, the input means 7 may be caused to perform the same processing as described above.

[0052]

As described above, according to the present invention, the kana character to be input and the folder can be selected with the same key, and the key used to select the kana character correspondingly. The number of keys for selecting kana characters can be reduced compared to the conventional technology that required displaying a character string selection key for selecting a character string. Many images can be displayed, and as a result, the number of key operations for inputting kana characters can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a folder.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an input screen in an initial state.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a processing example of a detection unit 4.

5 is a flowchart showing a processing example of a folder rearrangement unit 6. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing example of the input means 7.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an operation when inputting kana characters.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an operation when inputting kana characters.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an operation when inputting kana characters.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Display device 2 ... Touch sensor 3 ... XY address conversion means 4 ... Detection means 5 ... Initial screen display means 6 ... Folder rearrangement means 7 ... Input means 8 ... Folder storage section 9 ... Folder arrangement information storage section 10 ... Kana-Kanji conversion Means 11 ... Data storage memory 11a ... Kana-Kanji dictionary 11b ... Display order data

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A kana character input device which displays an input screen on which keys for inputting kana characters are drawn on a display device and detects an operation of a key in the input screen to input kana characters. , When the Japanese syllabary is divided into multiple groups, it is provided for each group, and the folders with the keys corresponding to the kana characters included in the group and the one-to-one correspondence are partially overlapped between the adjacent folders. Initial screen display means to be displayed on the input screen in the initial state, the detection means for detecting an operation on a key on the input screen, and the detection means for performing the operation of the first mode on the key. When it is detected that a part of the folder to which the operated key belongs is located below the other folder, folder rearrangement means for switching to the input screen rearranged above, and Detection means If the operation of the second embodiment is found to be made to the key, Do character input device or, characterized in that it comprises input means for inputting Kana corresponding to the operated key. 2. A kana character input device which displays an input screen on which keys for inputting kana characters are drawn on a display device, and detects a key operation in the input screen to input kana characters. , When the Japanese syllabary is divided into multiple groups, it is provided for each group, and the folders with the keys corresponding to the kana characters included in the group and the one-to-one correspondence are partially overlapped between the adjacent folders. Initial screen display means to be displayed on the input screen in the initial state, the detection means for detecting an operation on a key on the input screen, and when the detection means detects that a key is pressed, When a part of the folder to which the key being pressed belongs is located below the other folder, the folder rearrangement unit that switches to the input screen relocated to the upper side and the key pressed by the detection unit are released. Done It is when it is detected, Do character input device or, characterized in that it comprises input means for inputting Kana corresponding to the released key. 3. A kana character input device which displays an input screen in which keys for inputting kana characters are drawn on a display device and detects operation of a key in the input screen to input kana characters. , When the Japanese syllabary is divided into multiple groups, it is provided for each group, and the folders with the keys corresponding to the kana characters included in the group and the one-to-one correspondence are partially overlapped between the adjacent folders. An initial screen display means to be displayed on the input screen in the initial state, a detection means for detecting an operation on a key on the input screen, and a key pressed by the detection means for a certain period of time or more. When detected, when a part of the folder to which the key being pressed belongs is placed under the other folder, the folder rearrangement means for switching to the input screen rearranged on the upper side, and the detection means Ki There when it is pressed for a short time than the predetermined time is detected, Do character input device or, characterized in that it comprises input means for inputting Kana corresponding to the pressed key.