JP2004355336A - Key input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a key input device in which an input operation is facilitated even for aged person, handicapped person or the like. <P>SOLUTION: The key input device 2 is provided with: a screen 10, a key display means 77 for displaying a plurality of keys on the screen; a selected key discrimination means 75 for discriminating that one key has been selected from among the plurality of keys displayed on the screen; a selected key zooming means 78 for zooming out the selected key on the screen 10; an input direction discrimination means 76 for detecting input moving in the zooming selection key area with predetermined length or more and determining the moving direction; and a character selecting/outputting means 79 for selecting and outputting characters specified according to the combination of the determined moving direction and the selected key. Thus, it is possible to input characters by two level operations, that is, the key selection operation and movement input operation in the zooming key, and to perform each operation only by one simple operation, thereby facilitating the input operation even for aged person or handicapped person. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a key input device, and more particularly, to a key input device provided with a screen on which keys can be displayed and for selecting a key displayed on the screen and inputting characters (alphabetic characters, kana, numbers, symbols, etc.). .
[0002]
[Background Art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, personal computers and the Internet have been rapidly spreading, and have become an indispensable means for obtaining information in daily life. In information devices such as personal computers, keyboards are still the mainstream as an interface for inputting characters.
Such mechanical keyboards are difficult to operate for people with disabilities in their arms and fingers and for elderly people, and have been a barrier to the use of information devices.
For this reason, persons with disabilities who cannot participate sufficiently in the IT society may be left behind from various transactions and information distribution, and there is a concern that social disparities may increase. There is a need for an input interface that can be easily operated.
[0003]
As an input device for solving such a problem, a device using a touch panel type input device is known (for example, Patent Document 1).
This input device displays a visual keyboard such as a JIS arrangement or a Japanese syllabary arrangement on a touch panel, and presses each key with a stick to input. Further, the area of the keyboard portion is made variable so that an operator having a motor function disorder can easily make an input.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-195149
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the input device sets one character for each key, the number of keys increases and the area of the keyboard portion can be varied, but the size of each key cannot be too large. There was a problem. That is, 26 keys are required even when only English characters are displayed, and about 50 keys are required in the case of a Japanese syllabary arrangement. On the other hand, a screen capable of displaying a visual keyboard cannot be so large in consideration of portability and operability. Therefore, the size of one key cannot be so large, and there is a problem that the operability is not so much improved for the elderly and the disabled, even if the keyboard portion is enlarged.
[0006]
In addition, by setting a plurality of characters on one key and selecting and inputting characters in combination with an input operation or a button operation, the number of keys is reduced and the size of each key is increased. It is also possible.
However, in this case, an input operation that combines a plurality of operations for selecting a plurality of characters set for one key is required. Even if the key is slightly enlarged, the operation must be performed. There is a possibility that the performance is not so improved.
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a key input device that allows an elderly person or a disabled person to easily perform an input operation.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The key input device 2 of the present invention includes a screen 10, a key display unit 77 for displaying a plurality of keys 21 to 32 on the screen, and a message that one key is selected from the plurality of keys displayed on the screen. Selection key discriminating means 75 for discriminating, a selection key enlarging display means 78 for enlarging and displaying the selection key discriminated by the selection key discriminating means on the screen, and a predetermined key area enlarged and displayed on the screen. An input direction discriminating means 76 capable of detecting an input moving by a length or more and discriminating the moving direction, and a character specified according to the combination of the moving direction and the selection key determined by the input direction discriminating means. And a character selection output means 79 for selecting and outputting.
[0009]
In the present invention, the operator makes a selection by touching one of the keys 21 to 32 displayed on the screen 10 by the key display unit 77. The selection of the key is determined by the selection key determining means 75. When the selected key is determined, the selected key enlargement display means 78 enlarges the key and displays it on the screen 10.
When an operator performs an input to move a predetermined length or more using a mouse, a pen, a finger, or the like in the enlarged displayed key, the input is detected by the input direction determining unit 76, and the moving direction is determined. . The character selection output means 79 selects and outputs a character specified according to the determined combination of the moving direction and the selected key.
[0010]
For this reason, in the present invention, if a plurality of moving directions can be distinguished, a plurality of characters can be set to one key according to the number of distinguishable moving directions. Can be reduced and the size of each key can be made relatively large, so that even an elderly person or a disabled person can perform key selection operation relatively easily. Furthermore, the selected key is enlarged and displayed, and the input character can be specified by the input moving direction within the key, so that the character input operation can be easily performed. Therefore, the key input device 2 that allows easy input operation can be provided.
Furthermore, since characters are input by two-stage operations of a key selection operation and a movement input operation within the key, only one very simple operation is required for each stage. Since there is no need to perform the combination operation with the key input device 2, it is possible to provide the key input device 2 that is easy for the elderly and the disabled to perform complicated combination operations.
[0011]
The invention according to claim 2 includes a touch input detecting unit 72 configured to detect a touch input on the screen 10, and the selection key determining unit 75 is displayed on the screen by the touch input detecting unit 72. When it is detected that one of the plurality of keys has been touched, it is determined that the key has been selected, and the input direction determining means 76 allows the touch input detecting means 72 to display the selected image enlarged and displayed on the screen. When a bar touch input that is input while being moved by a predetermined length or more while being touched from the first touched point in the key area is detected, the moving direction is determined.
[0012]
According to the present invention, an input can be detected by touching the screen with a touch pen, a finger, or the like, so that an operation when selecting a key or moving an input is more intuitive and easy to understand, and an input operation can be performed more easily. it can.
[0013]
The invention according to claim 3 includes a non-contact input detecting unit configured to detect a non-contact input to the screen 10, and the selection key determining unit 75 is displayed on the screen by the non-contact input detecting unit. When it is detected that one of the plurality of keys has been input in a non-contact manner, it is determined that the key has been selected, and the input direction determination means 76 enlarges the screen by the non-contact input detection means. In a case where a bar input which is input by moving a predetermined length or more without touching from the first input point in the displayed selection key area is detected, the moving direction is determined. .
[0014]
Here, as the non-contact input detecting means, for example, one configured to detect non-contact input to the screen by detecting an eye movement of an input person can be used.
[0015]
If such a non-contact input detecting means is used, for example, as long as it can detect eye movement, even an input person having a handicap can input characters. At this time, since the size of each key displayed on the screen is relatively large, the selection is relatively easy even by the eye movement, and the selected key is displayed in an enlarged manner. Can be easily performed, and thus a sufficiently practical input device can be obtained.
[0016]
Here, the selection key enlarged display means 78 is configured to be able to display a plurality of characters in the area of the enlarged selection key, and the character selection output means 79 is arranged on the surface of the selection key from its reference position. When a character is displayed in the moving direction determined by the input direction determining means 76, it is preferable that the character be selected and output.
[0017]
In the present invention, a character at a position corresponding to the input movement direction of the character displayed on the key surface of the selection key is selected and output, so that the input operation can be intuitively and easily grasped, and the input operation can be easily performed. Performance can be improved. Further, at the time of the input operation, the character displayed on each character key can be visually confirmed, so that the input operation can be performed easily and quickly.
[0018]
Here, the input direction determining means 76 can determine the moving direction into eight directions of a lower left direction, a lower direction, a lower right direction, an upper left direction, an upper direction, an upper right direction, a left direction, and a right direction. When a character is displayed on the surface of the selection key from the reference position in the movement direction determined by the input direction determination means 76, the character selection output means 79 selects and outputs the character. Is preferred.
[0019]
In this way, up to eight types of characters can be set for one character key. Therefore, for example, 96 characters can be set with 12 character keys. Therefore, it is possible to set various characters such as 26 characters for inputting Japanese Roman characters and English for inputting characters, 10 characters for inputting numbers 0 to 9 such as various numbers, and other symbols and the like to each character key. . If the setting is made so that Japanese input is performed by Roman alphabet input, the remaining 70 characters other than 26 alphabetic characters can be set to other various symbols and characters, so that more symbols and the like can be set.
[0020]
Further, it is preferable that the key display means 77 displays the same character as a plurality of characters displayed when each key is enlarged and displayed or at least one of the characters in the area of each key. .
For example, when Japanese Kana is set, the characters of "Adan" in each line of A line to W line (A, K, S, T, N, H, M, Y, R, W) Is displayed, characters which can be input by the key can be easily grasped, and input operability can be improved.
[0021]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a computer system 1 using a key input device 2 of the present embodiment.
The computer system 1 includes a computer main body 3, a display device 4, and a key input device 2.
The computer main body 3 is the same as a normal personal computer or the like, and includes a CPU, a memory, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, a power supply, and the like inside.
The display device 4 is a normal display device 4 such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display, and is configured to be connected to the computer main body 3 and to display the processing contents thereof.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 2, the key input device 2 includes a liquid crystal screen 10 provided at a central portion of the upper surface, and a plurality of buttons 51 to 65 disposed on both sides thereof.
The liquid crystal screen 10 is a screen on which a touch input of a pressure-sensitive type, an electromagnetic type, or the like can be performed, and the key input device 2 is configured to detect a touch input by a pen, a finger, or the like.
On the liquid crystal screen 10, in an initial state, twelve keys 21 to 32 are displayed in four rows and columns and three rows and columns.
Each of the keys 21 to 32 has the following arrangement as a standard arrangement (for both Japanese and English), and is capable of inputting Japanese Roman characters, English characters, numerals, and symbols.
[0023]
Each number is set and displayed on the left side of the key top of each of the character keys 21 to 32 (left side with respect to the center of the key top which is the reference position). That is, in the three first-stage character keys 21 to 23, the numeral "1" is assigned to the character key 21, the numeral "2" is assigned to the character key 22, and the numeral "3" is assigned to the character key 23 in order from the left character key. The number “4” is set to the character key 24, the number “5” is set to the character key 25, and the number “6” is set to the character key 26 from the left side to the three character keys 24 to 26 of the second row, From the left side, the number “7” is set to the character key 27, the number “8” is set to the character key 28, and the number “9” is set to the character key 29 from the left to the three character keys 27 to 29. In the three character keys 30 to 32, the numeral "0" is set in the character key 30, the symbol "," is set in the character key 31, and the symbol "." Is set in the character key 32 from the left.
[0024]
The upper side of the key top of each of the character keys 21 to 32 is located on the left side (upper left side with respect to the center of the key top), the center (upper side relative to the center of the key top), and the right side (with respect to the center of the key top) (Upper right side), the character key 21 is “() ′”, the character key 22 is “｛｝”, the character key 23 is “「 ”, and the character key 24 is“ <> ｀ ”. The character key 25 is “[] tilde symbol”, the character key 26 is “/% │”, the character key 27 is “− + =”, the character key 28 is “＠ * #”, and the character key 29 is “￥ & ＄”. , ".:;" In the character key 30, ", _ ~" in the character key 31, and ".!?" In the character key 32, respectively.
[0025]
Further, vowels “A”, “I”, “I” and “V” are provided on the lower left side of the key tops of the five character keys 21 to 25 (lower left side with respect to the center of the key tops) among the twelve character keys 21 to 32. "U", "E", and "O" are set. In addition, “tsu” is set below the key top of the key 24.
[0026]
The other character keys 26 to 32 are set with three alphabetical characters each other than the vowels "A", "I", "U", "E", and "O". Specifically, when the key top center is shown in the order of the lower left side, the lower side, and the lower right side, "YWX" is assigned to the character key 26, "KGF" is assigned to the character key 27, and "KGF" is assigned to the character key 28. “SZJ”, “TDV” for character key 29, “NCQ” for character key 30, “HBP” for character key 31, and “RML” for character key 32 are respectively set.
That is, in Japanese Roman alphabet input, a consonant "K, S, T, N, H, R, Y" for inputting "ka line, sa line, ta line, na line, wa line, ra line, ya line" Is displayed on the lower left side of each of the character keys 26 to 32, and the consonants "G, Z, D, B" and "ma line, wa line" for inputting "ga line, za line, da line, ba line" are displayed. The consonants “M, W” and “C” to be input are displayed below the character keys 26 to 32, and the consonants “P” and “F, J, V, Q, L, “X” is displayed on the lower right side of each of the character keys 26 to 32.
[0027]
On the other hand, the buttons 51 to 65 are set with various functions used for switching input modes and inputting characters. That is, on the key tops of the buttons 51 to 65, symbols and characters indicating functions input when the buttons 51 to 65 are pressed alone are displayed.
Note that there are four input modes, “kana mode”, “alphabet mode”, “numerical mode”, and “symbol mode”.
[0028]
The button 52 is displayed with "numeric characters" on its surface, and has a function of switching the input mode to "numeric mode" for inputting numerals. In the case of the numerical mode, when each of the character keys 21 to 32 is touched, the numbers “1 to 0”, comma “,” and period “.” Set in the keys are input.
[0029]
The button 53 is displayed with “Symbol” on its surface, and has a function of switching the input mode to “Symbol mode” for inputting symbols. In the symbol mode, when each character key 21 to 32 is touched one to three times, the first to third symbols set to the key are input.
[0030]
The button 54 is displayed with “A / A” on its surface, and the input mode can be switched to “Kana mode”, and the function of switching the “Kana mode” to “Hiragana mode” or “Katakana mode” is also set. I have.
[0031]
The button 56 displays “a / A” on its surface, and has a function of switching the input mode to the “alphabet mode” and switching to the “lowercase mode” or the “uppercase mode”.
[0032]
On the other hand, as a function key for assisting editing or the like at the time of other character input, a symbol such as a right arrow is displayed on the surface of the button 51, and a tab key function for moving a cursor to the right at regular intervals is set. Have been.
On the button 55, a symbol such as an up arrow is displayed on the surface thereof, and a function for switching the alphabet to uppercase or lowercase when one character is input in the alphabet mode, a “Hiragana mode” and a “Katakana mode”. It has a function to switch the kana (kana) when inputting one character to uppercase or lowercase, and a function of a general shift key is set.
[0033]
“Ctrl” is displayed on the surface of the button 57, and the function of the control key is set. On the button 58, "Alt" is displayed on its surface, and the function of the Alt key is set.
On the button 59, "BS" is displayed on its surface, and a function of a backspace key for deleting one character to the left of the cursor position is set.
On the buttons 60, 61, 62, and 64, arrows in up, left, right, and down directions are displayed on the surface, and functions of cursor keys are set.
[0034]
The button 63 is set with the function of a return key for determining an undetermined character or for starting a new line after determination.
On the button 65, "Space / Conversion" is displayed on its surface, a function as a space key for inputting a space, and a conversion key for converting an input character into a kanji or the like and displaying a conversion candidate which is subsequently input. Function has been set.
[0035]
Next, an internal configuration for realizing the key input device 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an internal configuration for realizing the key input device 2.
The key input device 2 includes a touch input detecting unit 72 that detects a touch on the liquid crystal screen 10 with a pen or a finger as described above, an input processing unit 73, and a screen control unit 74 that controls the screen 10. Be composed.
[0036]
The touch input detecting means 72 includes a pin touch operation (tap operation) for touching the character keys 21 to 32 on the screen 10 with a pen or a finger so as not to move the character keys 21 to 32 for a predetermined length or more, and a movement for a predetermined length or more. It is configured to be able to determine and detect a bar touch operation to be performed.
Further, when discriminating the bar touch operation, the touch input detecting means 72 causes each of the character keys 21 to 32 to touch the character keys 21 to 32 as shown in FIG. When performing a bar touch operation of moving by a predetermined length while touching in any of the upper right direction 103, the left direction 104, the right direction 105, the lower left direction 106, the lower direction 107, the lower right direction 108), the bar touch is performed. The moving directions 101 to 108 by the operation can be determined.
[0037]
Of the eight directions, the seven directions excluding the right direction 105 are, as described above, the key top center positions of the seven types of characters displayed at the key tops (character key reference positions) in each of the character keys 21 to 32. Position) with respect to position (direction).
That is, a maximum of seven types of characters are set in each of the character keys 21 to 32, and the relative position of each character displayed at the key top of each of the character keys 21 to 32 (the key top center position, that is, the position with respect to the reference position) That is, the directions are set so as to correspond to eight directions 101 to 108 as moving directions to be described later.
[0038]
The touch input detection unit 72 includes a selection key determination unit 75 and an input direction determination unit 76. That is, when the touch input detection unit 72 detects a pin touch operation, the selection key determination unit 75 detects which key has been pin-touched, and determines that the pin-touched key has been selected. Then, the information of the selection key is output to the input processing means 73.
When the touch input detecting means 72 detects a bar touch operation, the input direction determining means 76 determines the moving direction of the bar touch operation and outputs information on the moving direction (input direction) to the input processing means 73.
[0039]
In the touch input detecting means 72, the moving direction of the bar touch input operation is determined by the following method.
That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the touch input detecting means 72 determines the moving direction only based on the start point (A) where the touch is first made in the key area and the end point (B) where the pen or the like is away from the screen 10. I do. That is, the touch input detecting means 72 detects the direction 110 of the end point (B) viewed from the start point (A), determines which area in each direction shown in FIG. Determine the direction. As described above, since the moving direction is determined only by the start point (A) and the end point (B), the movement direction is not limited to the touch path 111.
[0040]
The method of determining the moving direction based on the start point (A) and the end point (B) is not particularly limited. For example, when the upward direction 102 is set to an angle of 0 ° (360 °) when viewed from the start point (A), When the end point (B) is within a 45 ° angle range of 22.5 ° to 337.5 ° as viewed from the start point (A), it is determined as the upward direction 102, and when the end point (B) is in the 112.5 ° to 157.5 ° range. When it is within the angle range, it may be determined as the lower right direction 108. That is, it is only necessary to determine whether or not the angle range is divided into eight by 45 °.
[0041]
The input processing unit 73 includes a key display unit 77, a selection key enlarged display unit 78, and a character selection output unit 79.
The key display unit 77 controls to display a plurality of keys 21 to 32 on the screen 10 via the screen control unit 74 as an initial state.
When the information of the selected key is input from the selection key discriminating means 75, the selected key enlarging display means 78 enlarges and displays the selected key portion on the liquid crystal screen 10 via the screen control means 74. Perform control. By such enlargement control, the selected key is enlarged and displayed on the liquid crystal screen 10 as shown in FIG.
[0042]
The character selection output unit 79 performs a bar touch input operation in the enlarged key area, and when information on the moving direction is input from the input direction determining unit 76, the character selection output unit 79 uses the combination of the key displayed in an enlarged manner and the moving direction. The specified character is selected, and the character data is output to the computer main body 3.
In the present embodiment, the characters displayed in the moving input direction of the bar touch from the key top center, which is the reference position, are selected and output in the enlarged key top. Although no character is displayed on the right side 105 side of the key tops of the character keys 21 to 32, when the character key 21 to 32 moves to the right side, the character (number) on the left side 104 side is selected and displayed. Is set to
[0043]
The above character input procedure will be described more specifically.
For example, in FIG. 2, when the character key 28 is touched, first, the selection key determination means 75 of the touch input detection means 72 detects that the character key 28 is touched by the pen, and the selected key information is displayed. Output to the input processing means 73.
When a touch input is detected in a state where a plurality of character keys 21 to 32 are displayed on the screen 10, the input processing unit 73 uses the selection key enlargement display unit 78 to display the touched character key 28 on the screen 10. To enlarge. In response to the instruction from the selection key enlarged display means 78, the character keys 28 are enlarged and displayed on the screen 10 via the screen control means 74 as shown in FIG.
[0044]
Next, when a bar touch operation is performed on the enlarged character key 28, the operation, that is, the moving direction is detected by the input direction determining unit 76 of the touch input detecting unit 72. The input processing means 73 uses the character selection output means 79 to select a character specified by the combination of the moving direction and the enlarged character key 28 and outputs the character to the computer main body 3.
For example, when a bar touch operation is performed on the character key 28 in the downward direction 107, the character selection output unit 79 selects and outputs the character “Z” on the keytop corresponding to the moving direction 107. Similarly, when moving to the upper right direction 103, the character of "#" is selected and output, and when moving to the left direction 104, the character of "8" is selected and output. It should be noted that also when the character moves in the right direction 105, the character “8” is selected and output. Thus, the bar touch input is performed.
[0045]
Note that such a bar touch input is performed in two input modes of “kana mode” and “alphabet mode” among four input modes of “kana mode”, “alphabet mode”, “numerical mode”, and “symbol mode”. What is necessary is just to make it usable. This is because, when the “numerical mode” or the “symbol mode” is selected, it is often the case that only numbers and symbols are input. However, the bar touch input may be enabled even when the “numerical mode” or the “symbol mode” is selected.
[0046]
According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Since a plurality of characters can be set to each of the character keys 21 to 32, when displaying a plurality of keys 21 to 32 on the screen 10, the number of keys to be displayed can be reduced, and the size of each key 21 to 32 is reduced. Can be relatively large. For this reason, even if it is an elderly person or a disabled person, the selection operation of the keys 21 to 32 can be performed relatively easily.
Further, the selected key is enlarged and displayed, and the input character can be specified only by performing a bar touch input within the key. Therefore, a character input operation can be easily performed, and the key input device can be easily operated.
That is, since characters are input by two-stage operation of selecting operation of the keys 21 to 32 and moving input operation in the selected and enlarged key region, the operation for each stage is performed by pin touch or bar touch. Only one very simple operation is required. For example, since there is no need to perform a combination operation with a button or the like, the key input device 2 that can be easily input by an elderly person or a disabled person who has difficulty performing a complicated combination operation. can do.
[0047]
(2) The character selection output unit 79 selects and outputs the character at the position corresponding to the moving direction during the bar touch input operation from the characters displayed on the key tops of the character keys 21 to 32. The operation can be grasped intuitively and easily, and the input operability can be improved. Further, at the time of the input operation, the characters displayed on the enlarged character keys 21 to 32 can be visually confirmed, so that the input operation can be performed easily and quickly.
[0048]
(3) Since a maximum of seven characters are set for one character key 21 to 32, the number of character keys 21 to 32 can be greatly reduced as compared with the conventional case where one character is set for one key, and a key input device. 2 can also be made smaller. Further, since the number of character keys 21 to 32 can be reduced, each character key 21 to 32 can be relatively large compared to the size of the key input device 2, and the selection operation of each key 21 to 32 can be easily performed. That is, even the elderly and the disabled can easily perform key selection input.
[0049]
(4) Even with as few as 12 character keys 21 to 32, 26 characters used for Japanese Roman alphabet input and English input, 10 characters of numbers 0 to 9 for inputting various numbers and the like, parentheses, etc. A total of 74 types of characters, 38 characters of various symbols, can be set for each of the character keys 21 to 32. For this reason, it is possible to input more characters than can be directly input with a general keyboard, so that there is sufficient operability and input can be made easier.
[0050]
(5) Since the character keys 21 to 32 are displayed in an enlarged manner on the screen 10, the user can easily and reliably use the bar touch input operation in each of the moving directions 101 to 108. Therefore, the user can reliably select the character to be selected, and input operability can be improved. Further, as the character keys 21 to 32 become larger, the range of determination of each of the moving directions 101 to 108 by the input direction determining means 72 is expanded, so that the moving directions 101 to 108 can be reliably determined.
[0051]
(6) Characters necessary for input are set in each of the character keys 21 to 32 with eight directions 101 to 108 for distinguishable movement directions, so that characters such as alphabets, symbols, and numbers are bar-touched without switching the input mode. Can be entered with. Therefore, input operability can be improved.
[0052]
(7) Since the moving directions are set to eight directions of the upper left direction 101, the upper direction 102, the upper right direction 103, the left direction 104, the right direction 105, the lower left direction 106, the lower direction 107, and the lower right direction 108, the intervals in each direction are different. Since they become equal to each other, erroneous determination by the input direction determining means 72 can be reduced. In addition, since the directions 101 to 108 are also used for writing characters, the input is very rhythmic and easy to input, so that input operability can be improved.
[0053]
(8) Since numbers that appear next to alphabetic characters in the text are selected by a bar touch operation in the left direction 104 and the right direction 105, for example, as compared with a case where only the left direction 104 is set, for example, Since numbers can be input by performing a bar touch operation in the same direction as the bar touch operation direction of the input character, it is easy to input the numbers even in the text.
[0054]
(9) The input direction determination means 76 determines the movement direction of the bar touch input from the start point and the end point, and does not need to recognize all the trajectories of the pen or the like at the time of input, so that the determination process can be performed quickly.
[0055]
(10) In each of the keys 21 to 32, characters (alphabet) are divided into lower side, numbers are divided into left side, and symbols are divided into upper side. Can be further improved.
[0056]
(11) The alphabets used for inputting Roman characters are arranged in the order of the Japanese syllabary, such as “A, I,... O”, “K, S, T, N. Operability can be improved. Further, since the consonant voice is arranged next to the character for inputting the clear sound, the key arrangement can be more easily remembered.
[0057]
(12) Since a bar touch operation capable of inputting alphabets, numbers, and symbols is set regardless of the input mode, the input operability can be further improved particularly when alphabets, numbers, symbols, and the like are mixed. .
[0058]
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and modifications, improvements, etc. within a scope that can achieve the object of the present invention are included in the present invention.
For example, a non-contact input detecting unit may be provided instead of the touch input detecting unit 72 so that a non-contact input to the screen 10 can be detected. As the non-contact input method, for example, various known non-contact input methods such as a pen input method using electromagnetic induction and a method of detecting an eye movement of an input person can be used.
[0059]
Further, the arrangement of characters on each character key is not limited to the arrangement disclosed in each of the above embodiments, and may be set as appropriate upon implementation.
For example, as the alphabet arrangement, an arrangement in the order of ABC used in a mobile phone or the like may be used, and the character arrangement may be appropriately selected in implementation. Further, a "Kana syllabary arrangement" from the line A to the line A may be set.
[0060]
In the above-described embodiment, when the direction of bar touch movement is set to eight directions, eight directions of the lower left direction, the lower direction, the lower right direction, the upper left direction, the upper direction, the upper right direction, the left direction, and the right direction are used. Is not limited to these directions.
Further, in each of the above embodiments, the bar touch operation in eight directions or four directions can be discriminated. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and two directions, three directions, five directions, six directions, seven directions, and nine or more directions can be used. May be set so that the number of other directions can be determined.
[0061]
Further, the moving direction of the bar touch may be set according to the arrangement (display) of characters on each character key. In particular, in the bar touch input operation, if the eight directions, that is, one direction is within an angle range of 45 degrees, the user can sufficiently separate the input. Therefore, based on such eight directions, the number of characters is larger than that. When the number of characters is small, the input in the direction in which no character is set may be ignored, or the input in that direction may be regarded as the input in the direction in which the adjacent character is set, and processed. In short, the discrimination of the bar touch input direction may be appropriately set according to the set number of characters.
For example, if five characters are displayed on each of the character keys 21 to 32, five moving directions may be determined at the time of a bar touch operation.
[0062]
In the above embodiment, when a plurality of keys 21 to 32 are displayed on the screen 10, seven types of characters are displayed on each key top. However, only one to six types of characters may be displayed. Alternatively, characters may not be displayed. Even when the number of displayed characters is small or not displayed, the number of keys is small, so that the key arrangement can be memorized relatively easily, so that the input operation can be executed. However, if there is a display, there is an advantage that even a beginner can easily operate.
[0063]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, since characters are input by two-stage operations of a key selection operation and a movement input operation within the key, the operation at each stage is very simple. Since only a single operation is required, for example, there is no need to perform a combination operation with a button or the like, it is possible to provide a key input device that can be easily input by an elderly person or a disabled person who has difficulty performing a complicated combination operation. In addition, since multiple characters can be set for one key, the number of keys to be displayed on the screen can be reduced, the size of each key can be made relatively large, and even if the elderly or disabled, the key selection operation can be performed. Can be performed relatively easily. Furthermore, the selected key is enlarged and displayed, and the input character can be specified by the input moving direction within the key, so that the character input operation can be easily performed.
[0064]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, an input can be detected by touching the screen with a touch pen, a finger, or the like, so that an operation at the time of selecting a key or moving an input is more intuitive and easy to understand, and an input operation is performed. Can be performed more easily.
[0065]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, if various non-contact input detecting means are used, a key input device that can be used by various types of persons with disabilities and the like can be provided.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since eye movement can be detected, even an input person having a handicap can input characters.
[0066]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the character at the position corresponding to the input moving direction of the character displayed on the key surface of the selection key is selected and output, so that the input operation can be grasped intuitively and easily. And input operability can be improved. Further, at the time of the input operation, the character displayed on each character key can be visually confirmed, so that the input operation can be performed easily and quickly.
[0067]
According to the invention described in claim 6, up to eight types of characters can be set to one character key. For example, 96 characters can be set by 12 character keys. Therefore, in addition to 26 alphabetic characters, various characters such as numbers and symbols can be set and input to each character key.
[0068]
According to the invention described in claim 7, characters that can be input by the key can be easily grasped, and input operability can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the key input device in the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the key input device in the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a moving direction at the time of a bar touch input in the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the key input device in which keys are enlarged and displayed in the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Computer system
2 Key input device
3 Computer body
4 Display device
10 LCD screen
21-32 character keys
51-65 buttons
72 Touch input detection means
72 Input direction determining means
73 input processing means
74 Screen control means
75 Selection key discriminating means
76 Input direction determination means
77 Character selection output means
78 Selection key enlarged display means
101-108 Moving direction

Claims (7)

Screen and
Key display means for displaying a plurality of keys on the screen,
Selection key determining means for determining that one key has been selected from the plurality of keys displayed on the screen;
Selection key enlargement display means for enlarging and displaying the selection key determined by the selection key determination means on the screen;
An input direction determining unit that detects an input that moves a predetermined length or more in the selection key area enlarged and displayed on the screen, and that can determine a moving direction thereof;
Character selection output means for selecting and outputting a character specified according to the combination of the movement direction and the selection key determined by the input direction determination means,
A key input device comprising: The key input device according to claim 1,
A touch input detection unit configured to detect a touch input to the screen,
The selection key determination unit, when the touch input detection unit detects that one of the plurality of keys displayed on the screen has been touched, determines that the key has been selected,
The input direction determination means detects, by the touch input detection means, a bar touch input that is moved and moved by a predetermined length or more while being touched from the first touched point in the area of the selection key enlarged and displayed on the screen. A key input device for determining a moving direction when the key input is performed. The key input device according to claim 1,
A non-contact input detecting means configured to be able to detect a non-contact input to the screen,
The selection key determination unit, when the non-contact input detection unit detects that one of the plurality of keys displayed on the screen has been input in a non-contact manner, determines that the key has been selected,
The input direction discriminating means is a bar which is moved by a predetermined length or more while being kept in a non-contact state from a point first inputted in the area of the selection key enlarged and displayed on the screen by the non-contact input detecting means. A key input device for determining a moving direction when an input is detected. The key input device according to claim 3,
The key input device, wherein the non-contact input detecting means is configured to detect a non-contact input to the screen by detecting an eye movement of an input person. The key input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The selection key enlarged display means is configured to be able to display a plurality of characters in the area of the enlarged selection key,
The character selection output means, when a character is displayed on the surface of the selection key from the reference position in the movement direction determined by the input direction determination means, selects and outputs the character. Key input device characterized. The key input device according to claim 5,
The input direction determining means can determine the moving direction in eight directions of a lower left direction, a lower direction, a lower right direction, an upper left direction, an upper direction, an upper right direction, a left direction, and a right direction,
The character selection output means, when a character is displayed on the surface of the selection key from the reference position in the movement direction determined by the input direction determination means, selects and outputs the character. Key input device characterized. The key input device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The key display means displays the same character as a plurality of characters displayed when each key is enlarged and displayed or at least one of the characters in an area of each key. Input device.

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