JP2024160678A - Character input method, character input program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a method for inputting a letter and a letter input program which can display a guide in a key used for inputting and can input letters in a short time.SOLUTION: The method includes the steps of: allocating group information including attribute information and detail information corresponding to the attribute information to an attribute information key of a letter input device; hitting the attribute information key and displaying group information in a guide display which is shown in the vicinity of a cursor of a display device, receives input of letters, and sequentially moves; causing a part of keys of the letter input device to function as a detail information selection key when the group information is being displayed; hitting the detail information selection key to move a selected region while displaying the group information in the guide display, and selecting one piece of the group information; confirming the selected detail information after the information selection step and turning off the guide display; and returning the function of the key which was caused to function as the detail information selection key to its original function after the step of confirming the detail information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to a character input method and a character input program.

Kana character input and romaji input have long been known as methods for inputting Japanese kana on a computer.

Kana character input has the advantage that you can type kana characters exactly as they are written, but it has the disadvantage that it uses more than 40 keys, so it takes time to memorize and learn the key layout.

In addition, with romaji input, users must mentally convert kana characters into romaji notation before inputting them, which places a burden on the user when inputting; it is tedious to have to press multiple keys to type a single kana character; and, although it is fewer than kana input, it uses more than 20 keys, so it takes time to remember and learn the key layout.

The character input method according to the present invention includes an information allocation step of allocating group information including attribute information and detailed information corresponding to the attribute information to an attribute information key of a character input device, an information display step of pressing the attribute information key to which the attribute information is assigned, and displaying the group information on a guide display that is displayed near a cursor on a display device and moves sequentially as characters are input, a first replacement step of causing some keys of the character input device to function as detailed information selection keys while the group information is displayed on the guide display, an information selection step of pressing the detailed information selection key while operating the attribute information key to display the group information on the guide display, moving a selection area in the direction in which the detailed information to be selected is displayed, and selecting one of the group information, a detailed information confirmation step of confirming the selected detailed information after the information selection step and erasing the guide display, and a second replacement step of returning the key that has functioned as the detailed information selection key to its original function after the detailed information confirmation step.

Further, a character input program according to the present invention includes an information allocation process for allocating group information including attribute information and detailed information corresponding to the attribute information to an attribute information key of a character input device; an information display process for displaying the group information on a guide display which is displayed near a cursor of a display device and moves sequentially as characters are input by pressing the attribute information key to which the attribute information is assigned; a first replacement process for causing a part of keys of the character input device to function as a detailed information selection key while the group information is being displayed on the guide display; an information selection process for pressing the detailed information selection key while operating the attribute information key to display the group information on the guide display, thereby moving a selection area in a direction in which the detailed information to be selected is displayed, and selecting one of the group information; a detailed information confirmation process for confirming the selected detailed information after the information selection process and disappearing the guide display; and a second replacement process for returning the key which has functioned as the detailed information selection key to its original function after the detailed information confirmation process.

This method allows input using a relatively small number of keys on the keyboard compared to kana input and romaji input. Also, compared to toggle input, the number of keystrokes required for character input is relatively smaller, and the guide display makes it convenient to select detailed information while viewing a list. Also, while the guide is displayed, some keys on the keyboard are replaced with detailed information selection keys 8, so a key that is in a position that is easy for the user to operate can be used as detailed information selection key 8, resulting in excellent operability.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view for explaining the present electronic calculator. FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the functional configuration of the present electronic computer. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the keyboard according to the first embodiment and a diagram for explaining the attribute information key 7. As shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the keyboard according to the first embodiment and a diagram for explaining the right selection key and the left selection key. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the keyboard according to the first embodiment of the present invention and a diagram for explaining voiced consonant keys, semi-voiced consonant keys, and suffixed consonant keys. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an input flow according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a flow diagram for inputting the "ma" row ("ma", "mi", "mu") according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a flow diagram for inputting the "ma" row ("me" and "mo") according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a guide display of the attribute information "ma" according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a display unit on which a guide display of the attribute information "ma" according to the first embodiment is displayed. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a table showing the relationship between the row selection keys of each row, which is attribute information, and characters, which are detailed information displayed in each area, in the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a guide display in which the attribute information "mi" is selected and displayed according to the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a diagram showing the display unit 3 on which a guide display in which the attribute information "mi" is selected and displayed according to the first embodiment of the present invention is displayed. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a flow diagram for inputting the "ka" row ("ka", "ki", "ku") according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a flow diagram for inputting the "ka" row ("ke" "ko") according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining a guide display of the attribute information "ka" according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a display unit on which a guide display of attribute information "ka" is displayed according to the first embodiment. FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining a flow diagram for inputting the "wa" row ("wa", "wo", "n") according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining a guide display of the attribute information "wa" according to the first embodiment. FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining a display unit on which a guide display of the attribute information "wa" according to the first embodiment is displayed. FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining a guide display in which the attribute information "n" according to the first embodiment is selected and displayed. FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining a diagram showing a display unit on which a guide display in which the attribute information "n" is selected and displayed according to the first embodiment of the present invention is displayed. FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining a diagram showing a display unit in which the guide display according to the first embodiment disappears and input kana characters are displayed. FIG. 24 is a plan view of the keyboard according to the second embodiment and a diagram for explaining the right selection key, the left selection key, the voiced sound key, the semi-voiced sound key, and the long consonant/short consonant key. FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining a diagram showing a display unit on which a diagram showing the positions of attribute information keys and keys for voiced consonants, semi-voiced consonants, and suffixed consonants is displayed. FIG. 26 is a diagram for explaining a keyboard showing the positions of the attribute information keys, voiced consonant keys, semi-voiced consonant keys, and syllabled and short consonant keys according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 27 is a plan view of a keyboard according to the third embodiment and a diagram for explaining a right selection key and a left selection key. FIG. 28 is a diagram for explaining the replacement of key functions and input processing performed when the character input method of the present invention is started (software is started). FIG. 29 is a diagram for explaining replacement of key functions and input processing performed during guide display.

[First embodiment]
Next, an embodiment of a character input method will be described with reference to the drawings, taking as an example a case where a computer 1 is used.

In the following explanation, "attribute information" refers to information for classifying characters into several groups, such as groups (rows) of kana characters classified by consonants, groups (rows) of kana characters classified by vowels in the kana 50-sound table, groups into which alphabetic characters are divided when alphabetic characters are divided, groups of kanji characters corresponding to the same kana reading in Japanese (including those with hiragana), or groups of kanji characters corresponding to Chinese pinyin. It is information on the characters that represent each group, so to speak. For example, the characters "ma," "mi," "mu," "me," and "mo" in the "ma" row are grouped together, with "attribute information" being "ma."

"Detailed information" is information that distinguishes between characters in a group of the same attribute, such as the first character in the same line of kana characters, or the first character in the same group of alphabetic characters, or the first character or word in a group of kanji characters that corresponds to the same reading of the kana in Japanese, or the first character or word in a group of kanji characters that corresponds to the pinyin in Chinese. For example, the characters "ma", "mi", "mu", "me", and "mo" in the group of attribute information "ma". ("ma" is both attribute information representing the group of the ma row, and detailed information "ma" as the first character in the ma row group.)

Furthermore, the character input method according to this embodiment, or a program for executing the character input method, can be executed by a character input device (including electronic computers, mobile terminal devices, etc.). Here, an electronic computer refers to a computer such as a personal computer, regardless of whether it is a notebook type (laptop type) or a desktop type.

The character input control device is a so-called keyboard. The keyboard does not have to have a touchpad. Any other type of device may be used as long as it can input attribute information and detailed information.

The "display unit" refers to a display panel such as an LCD screen, and has the function of displaying information such as text output from the processing means.

First, the character input method according to the first embodiment will be described below. Figure 1 shows the configuration of an electronic computer 1 according to the embodiment of this method. Note that the forward, backward, up, down, left and right directions are defined as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of electronic calculator 1. Electronic calculator 1 includes a character input control device (keyboard 2), a display unit 3, a control unit (CPU 4), and a storage unit (memory 6 and HDD 5) (other types of storage media may also be used). A communication unit, etc. may also be added. The program and various data for executing this method may be distributed from a storage medium included in the host computer to the storage unit (memory 6 and HDD 5) via a network.

Figure 2 shows the keyboard 2 of the electronic calculator 1. On the keyboard 2, attribute information keys 7 are arranged in a row in a row on the row where the home positions of the eight fingers excluding the thumb are located when using the character input method. From the left, the attribute information keys 7 are assigned one character per key for each character of attribute information: "a", "ka", "sa", "ta", "na", "ha", "ma", "ya", "ra", and "wa". The positions of the space key, enter key, shift key, alt key, etc. are the same as those of a conventional JIS layout keyboard.

The attribute information key is a key for calling up a group of attribute information for each row. For example, when you press attribute information key 7 for the "ma" row, you can call up the group of characters "ma," "mi," "mu," "me," and "mo."

A detailed information selection key 8 is arranged on the keyboard 2. The detailed information selection key is a key for selecting one character from a group of attribute information. In the first embodiment, there is a right selection key 9 and a left selection key 10. (The detailed information selection key is a general term for the right selection key and the left selection key.) In the first embodiment, the detailed information selection keys 8 (right selection key 9, left selection key 10) are arranged as shown in FIG. 4.

A voiced consonant key is a key that converts a silent attribute information group into the corresponding voiced consonant attribute information, or converts a silent consonant into the corresponding voiced consonant. In the first embodiment, the voiced consonant keys 11 are arranged as shown in FIG. 4.

The semi-voiced consonant key is a key that converts a silent attribute information group into the corresponding semi-voiced consonant attribute information, or converts a silent consonant into the corresponding semi-voiced consonant. In the first embodiment, the semi-voiced consonant keys 12 are arranged as shown in FIG. 4.

The "young consonant/geminated consonant key" is a key that converts a silent consonant attribute information group into the corresponding silent consonant/geminated consonant attribute information, or converts a silent consonant into the corresponding silent consonant/geminated consonant. In the first embodiment, the "young consonant/geminated consonant key 13" is arranged as shown in FIG. 4.

The input operation when inputting a character using such an electronic calculator 1 will be explained with reference to the figure, using the example of inputting the hiragana character "mikan" (orange).

Flow chart 6 is shown to explain the character input method according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, this input method has the steps of replacing an arbitrary key on the keyboard with the detailed information selection key 8 (FIG. 6, S3) before (or simultaneously with) the detailed information selection process (FIG. 6, S4), and replacing the detailed information selection key 8 with a key on the keyboard that has its original role (FIG. 6, S6) after (or simultaneously with) the detailed information selection process (FIG. 6, S4).

Figures 7 and 8 are flow diagrams for inputting the "ma" row according to the first embodiment. The user starts the input program and specifies the row in the kana 50-sound table (distinguishing kana by consonant), which is the attribute information of the character "ma" that the user wishes to input. Specifically, the user presses the "ma row attribute information key" on the keyboard 2 (Figure 7, S1). Then, information on the pressing of the ma row attribute information key is sent from the keyboard 2 to the CPU 4, which receives it.

The CPU 4 identifies the row of the 1st character in the kana 50-sound table from the row attribute information key information for each character. In this example, since the key pressed was the "ma row attribute information key," it is identified that the 1st character is in the "ma row."

When the "ma" row attribute information key is pressed, the CPU 4 displays a guide display 19 (FIG. 9) showing the attribute information "ma" and detailed information about that attribute "mi," "mu," "me," and "mo" (FIG. 10) on the display unit 3 of the electronic calculator 1 in the area corresponding to the cursor, i.e., near the location where the character is to be entered. The guide display is a display that shows detailed information belonging to the specified attribute based on the attribute information, and displays the character that is identified when an operation is performed according to the guide display 19. As shown in FIG. 9, it is shaped like a horizontal character, with the attribute information displayed on the left end and detailed information about the attribute displayed in the other areas. In the guide display 19, one area is provided for each character of detailed information in each row.

At the left end of the guide display 19, the attribute information area α area group is provided to the right of the attribute information area which is the starting point, and the α1 area, α2 area, α3 area, and α4 area are provided in order of proximity to the attribute information area, and are divided by a boundary not shown. The attribute information area displays the "a row" character of the Japanese syllabary as attribute information, the α1 area displays the "i row" character of the Japanese syllabary as detailed information, the α2 area displays the "u row" character of the Japanese syllabary as detailed information, the α3 area displays the "e row" character of the Japanese syllabary as detailed information, and the α4 area displays the "o row" character of the Japanese syllabary as detailed information. The relationship between the attribute information key of each row, which is the attribute information in the first embodiment, and the silent character, which is the detailed information displayed in each area, is as shown in the table in FIG. 11. The group information including the attribute information and the detailed information corresponding to the attribute information is stored in a storage device such as the HDD 5 or memory 6 of the electronic computer 1.

In this example, the attribute information "ma" is displayed in the attribute information area 14 on the left edge of the guide display 19, and detailed information on that attribute, "mi," "mu," "me," and "mo," are displayed from the left. The detailed information "mi" is displayed in the α1 area 15, "mu" in the α2 area 16, "me" in the α3 area 17, and "mo" in the α4 area 18. (Strictly speaking, the displayed "ma" is both attribute information indicating that it is a group in the ma row, and detailed information on "ma," the first character in the na row. The same is true for the other characters in the "a" row.)

The characters of the selected attribute information and detailed information, or the selected area, may be highlighted by changing the color, displaying the background and characters in black and white, or making them bold. Or the selected area may be highlighted by changing the color. Figure 8 is a diagram of a guide display 19 in which the area of the selected attribute information "ma" is displayed as a diagonal lined area. The guide display 19 may also be of another shape as long as the attribute information and detailed information are displayed. The number of α area groups may be increased or decreased depending on the number of detailed information.

As the guide is displayed, some of the keys on the keyboard (in this example, the no-conversion and conversion keys to the left and right of the space bar) stop their original functions and are replaced with detailed information selection keys 8 (Fig. 7, S3). In this example, the no-conversion key is replaced with detailed information selection key 8 (left selection key 10) which moves the area of the guide display 19 to the left, and the conversion key is replaced with detailed information selection key 8 (right selection key 9) which moves the area of the id display to the right. Detailed information selection key 8 is a collective term for right selection key 9 and left selection key 10.

Next, the user determines the row in the kana 50-sound table (distinguishing kana by vowel), which is the detailed information of the character to be entered. When the user presses the attribute information key 7, a character in the A row, which is the attribute information, is selected in the guide display 19 at the start of display. In this example, "ma", which is the attribute information of the ma row (and is also the first character, which is the detailed information of the ma row), is selected (Fig. 7, S2). When the user presses the ma row attribute information key (Fig. 7, S1), information on the keystroke of the ma row attribute information key is transmitted from the keyboard 2 to the CPU 4, which receives this. As a result, the CPU 4 determines that "ma" (here, as detailed information) has been specified, and the CPU 4 transmits the specified character to the display unit as character information. The display unit 3 receives the character information and displays the specified character "ma". At this point, the system goes into a standby state.

The user then determines the character "ichi" which is the detailed information (FIG. 7, S4). To select the character "mi", the user presses the right selection key 9 while the guide is displayed. The keystroke information is transmitted from the keyboard 2 to the CPU 4, which receives it.

The CPU 4 selects the detailed information "mi" in the "ma" row displayed in the α1 area 15, which is the area to the right of the attribute information.

The information of the selection of "mi" is sent from the keyboard 2 to the CPU 4, which receives it. As a result, the CPU 4 determines that "mi" has been selected, and the CPU 4 sends the specified character as character information to the display unit 3. The display unit 3 receives the character information and displays the specified character "mi" (Fig. 12) (Fig. 13). The specified character "mi" is specified and input by pressing any attribute information input key or the like again, or by pressing the enter key. At this point, the system enters a standby state. Once the character is specified and input is complete, the guide display 19 in the area near the cursor disappears (Fig. 7 S5). Furthermore, with the disappearance of the guide display 19, the replacement of the "no conversion" key and the "conversion" key with the detailed information selection key is completed, and the key functions return to their original "no conversion" and "conversion" functions (Fig. 7 S6).

Although some parts are omitted in each flow diagram, the left and right selections can be combined freely when pressing the detailed information selection key 8 to select characters. Pressing the right selection key 9 moves the selection to the adjacent area to the right. Pressing the left selection key 10 moves the selection to the adjacent area to the left. When the rightmost area is selected and a dead end has been reached, pressing the right selection key 9 again moves the selection to the leftmost area. When the leftmost area is selected and a dead end has been reached, pressing the left selection key 10 again moves the selection to the rightmost area.

Next, the user inputs the kana character "ka". Figures 14 and 15 are flow diagrams of inputting the "ka" row according to the first embodiment. The user presses the "ka row attribute information key" on the keyboard 2 (Figure 14, S1). Then, by the same process as described above, the attribute information "ka" is displayed at the left end of the guide display 19 in the shape of a horizontal single character, and the guide display 19 (Figure 16) displaying detailed information of the attribute "ki", "ku", "ke", and "ko" in order from the left is displayed near the cursor (Figure 17). As the character "mi" is input and displayed on the monitor, the cursor moves, and the guide display 19 for the "ka" row is also displayed by one character to the right of the position where the guide display 19 for the "ma" row was previously displayed (Figure 17). "ka" is displayed in the attribute information area 14, "ki" in the α1 area 15, "ku" in the α2 area 16, "ke" in the α3 area 17, and "ko" in the α4 area 18. The characters of the selected attribute information and detailed information, or the selected area, may be highlighted by changing the color, displaying the background and characters in black and white, or making them bold. Or the selected area may be highlighted by changing the color. Group information including the attribute information and the detailed information corresponding to the attribute information is stored in a storage device such as the HDD 5 or memory 6 of the electronic computer 1.

As the guide is displayed, some of the keys on the keyboard (in this example, the no conversion key and conversion keys to the left and right of the space key) stop their original functions and are replaced with detailed information selection keys 8 (Fig. 15 S3). In this example, the "no conversion" key is replaced with detailed information selection key 8 (left selection key 10) which moves the area of guide display 19 to the left, and the "conversion" key is replaced with detailed information selection key 8 (right selection key 9) which moves the area of guide display 19 to the right. Detailed information selection key 8 is a collective term for left selection key 10 and right selection key 9.

When the "Ka row attribute information key" is pressed, the information of the selection of "Ka", which is the attribute information of the "Ka row" (and is also the first character of the detailed information of the "Ka row"), is sent from the keyboard 2 to the CPU 4, which receives it. As a result, the CPU 4 determines that "Ka" (here as detailed information) has been selected, and the CPU 4 sends the selected character to the display unit 3 as character information. The display unit 3 receives the character information and displays the specified character "Ka" (FIG. 17). At this point, the standby state is entered. When selecting another character of the detailed information of the "Ka row", the right selection key 9 or the left selection key 10 is pressed here, but here, although it is desired to input "Ka", "Ka" has already been selected at the beginning of the guide display 19, which is the attribute information of the "Ka row" (and is also the first character of the detailed information of the "Ka row"), so the input of the next character is advanced. "Ka" is specified by pressing any of the attribute information keys 7, etc. again. If it is desired to input "KaKaKa", the "Ka row attribute information key" is pressed three times. Once the characters have been identified and input is complete, the guide display 19 around the cursor disappears (FIG. 15, S5). When the guide display 19 disappears, the replacement of the "No Conversion" key and the "Conversion" key with the detailed information selection keys ends, and the key functions return to their original "No Conversion" and "Conversion" functions (FIG. 14, S6).

Next, the kana character "n" is input. Figure 17 is a flow diagram of inputting the "wa" row according to the first embodiment. The user presses the "wa row attribute information key" on the keyboard 2 (Figure 18, S1). Then, by the same process as described above, the attribute information "wa" is displayed at the left end of the guide display 19 in the shape of a horizontal single character, and the guide display 19 (Figure 19) displaying the detailed information of the attribute "wo" and "n" in order from the left is displayed near the cursor (Figure 20). As the character "ka" is input and displayed on the monitor, the cursor moves, and the guide display 19 for the "wa" row is also displayed by one character to the right of the position where the guide display 19 for the "ka" row was previously displayed (Figure 20). The detailed information "wo" and "n" are displayed in the α1 area 15 for the detailed information "wo" and the α2 area 16 for "n". The group information including the attribute information and the detailed information corresponding to the attribute information is stored in a storage device such as the HDD 5 or memory 6 of the electronic computer 1.

As the guide is displayed (Fig. 18, S2), some of the keys on the keyboard (in this example, the no-conversion and conversion keys to the left and right of the space key) stop their original functions and are replaced with detailed information selection keys 8 (Fig. 18, S3). In this example, the no-conversion key is replaced with detailed information selection key 8 (left selection key 10) which moves the area of the guide display 19 to the left, and the conversion key is replaced with detailed information selection key 8 (right selection key 9) which moves the area of the guide display to the right. Detailed information selection key 8 is a collective term for left selection key 10 and right selection key 9.

Then, the user decides on the character 1, which is the detailed information. To select the character "ん", the user presses the right selection key 15 twice while the guide display 19 is on (Fig. 18, S4). Then, the information is sent from key b-2 to CPU 4, which receives it.

The CPU 4 selects the detailed information "n" from the wa row displayed in the α2 area 16 (Figure 21).

As a result, the CPU 4 determines that "n" has been selected, and the CPU 4 transmits the identified character as character information to the display unit 3. The display unit 3 receives the character information and displays the selected character "n" (Figure 22).

The specified character "ん" is specified and input by pressing any of the attribute information input keys again, or by pressing the Enter key. At this point, the system goes into a standby state. Once the character has been specified and input is complete, the guide display 19 in the area near the cursor disappears (FIG. 23). Also, with the disappearance of the guide display 19 (FIG. 18, S5), the replacement of the "No Conversion" key and "Conversion" key with the detailed information selection keys ends (FIG. 18, S6), and the key functions return to their original "No Conversion" and "Conversion" functions.

When inputting a voiced consonant, the user presses each row attribute information key, then presses the voiced consonant key 11, and selects it with the detailed information selection key 8. For example, when inputting "bi", the user presses the "ha row attribute information key" on the keyboard 2, which has "ha" written on it. Then, by the same process as described above, the attribute information "ha" is displayed on the left end of the guide display 19 in the shape of a horizontal bar, and the guide display 19 with the detailed information of the attribute "hi", "fu", "he", and "ho" displayed in order from the left is displayed near the cursor. "hi" is displayed in the α1 area, "fu" in the α2 area, "he" in the α3 area, and "ho" in the α4 area. The group information including the attribute information and the detailed information corresponding to the attribute information is stored in a storage device such as the HDD 5 or memory 6 of the electronic computer 1.

Next, the user presses the voiced consonant key 11. As a result, the guide display 19 for the "wa" row changes to "ba"
The attribute information is replaced with a guide display 19 for a row. Then, by the same process as described above, the guide display 19 is displayed near the cursor, with the attribute information "ba" at the left end of the horizontal bar-shaped guide display 19, and detailed information on the attribute "bi,""bu,""be," and "bo" displayed in that order from the left. "bi" is displayed in the α1 region, "bu" in the α2 region, "be" in the α3 region, and "bo" in the α4 region. Group information including the attribute information and detailed information corresponding to the attribute information is stored in a storage device such as the HDD 5 or memory 6 of the electronic computer 1.

The user then determines the character "ichi" which is the detailed information. To select the character "bi", the user presses the right selection key 9 while the guide is displayed. The keystroke information is sent from the keyboard 2 to the CPU 4, which receives it.

The CPU 4 selects the detailed information "bi" from the "ba" row displayed in the α1 area, which is the area to the right of the attribute information.

Information on the selection of "bi" is sent from keyboard 2 to CPU 4, which receives it. As a result, CPU 4 determines that "bi" has been selected, and CPU 4 sends the identified character as character information to display unit 3. Display unit 3 receives the character information and displays the identified character "bi." Similarly, for semi-voiced consonants, double consonants, and palindromic consonants, pressing the voiced consonant key 11, semi-voiced consonant key 12, and palindromic consonant/palindromic consonant key 13, respectively, replaces the silent consonant guide display 19 with the semi-voiced consonant, double consonant, or palindromic consonant guide display 19 corresponding to that silent consonant.

When selecting a voiced consonant, a silent consonant may be selected, and then the voiced consonant corresponding to the silent consonant may be changed by pressing the voiced consonant key 11. That is, after selecting "hi", pressing the voiced consonant key 11 may replace it with "bi". The same applies to semi-voiced consonants, double consonants, palatalized consonants, and double consonants.

After inputting the kana characters, the system will wait for the next character to be input (Figure 23). You can also enter the kanji conversion routine by pressing the space key or enter alphabet input mode by pressing the "half-width/full-width kanji" key, just like with conventional electronic calculators. When input is complete, the input program will end.

[Second embodiment]
A plurality of left selection keys 10 and right selection keys 15 may be provided. Fig. 24 is a diagram of a keyboard 2 in which detailed information selection keys are allocated to the left and right of the row of attribute information keys, five left selection keys 10 and five right selection keys 9, respectively. (As detailed information selection keys are provided to the row of attribute information keys, voiced sound keys 11, semi-voiced sound keys 12, and double consonant and semi-singed sound keys 13 are provided to the row of attribute information keys.) In the second embodiment, when selecting detailed information, a user only needs to type any of the five keys for each to instruct the movement of a selection area to the left or right, and multiple fingers can be used continuously, and precise fingering is not required, so that high-speed input is possible.

The above-mentioned key arrangement is an example, and is not limited to this. A diagram showing the position of each key may be displayed on the display unit 3 so that the user can easily understand the location of the attribute information keys, voiced consonants, semi-voiced consonants, and syllabary/geminated consonant keys (Fig. 25). The keyboard 2 may be provided with information on the attribute information keys, voiced consonants, semi-voiced consonants, syllabary/geminated consonant keys from the beginning (Fig. 26). In addition, punctuation marks, exclamation marks, question marks, etc. may be provided as one attribute information group, with punctuation marks being provided as keys.

With this configuration, the user can display all clear sounds by tapping the 10 attribute information keys and the left selection key and right selection key within two taps in the left and right directions. Even if voiced sound keys, semi-voiced sound keys, and double consonant and semi-longed sound keys are added, characters can be input by operating a small number of keys.

Since only a small number of keys are used for character input, users can input easily with very little finger movement. Also, since only a small number of keys are used for character input, users can easily memorize and learn the key arrangement, making touch-typing easy.

The presence of the guide display 19 also allows the user to instantly check detailed information at a glance. As the cursor is moved, the guide display 19 also moves with the cursor, and the guide is always displayed near the cursor, so the user does not have to move their eyes much between the character input position and the guide display 19, allowing for comfortable operation. When selecting detailed information, the keys on the keyboard are appropriately replaced with the detailed information selection keys 8 while the guide is displayed, so the user can use the keys on the keyboard that are convenient for input as the detailed information selection keys 8, reducing the burden on the fingers.

Also, if the guide display disappears when the shift key is pressed (the attribute information key stops functioning), the user can easily input a single English word in alphabetic characters while inputting Japanese kana. Here again, the input method of the present invention, which links the guide display with the replacement with the detailed information selection key 8, has an advantage.

If the attribute information keys were to stop functioning while the Fn key, Ctrl key, Windows key (Windows is a registered trademark), Esc key, etc., rather than just the Shift key, were pressed (if characters were being selected, the guide display would disappear at the same time and the replacement with the detailed information selection input keys would end), the user would be able to use software that employs the input method in question without interfering with the functioning of the Windows software.

In this input method, a specific key is replaced to function as the detailed information selection key 8 only during the detailed information selection process. The detailed information selection process is a process for selecting a single character, and keys such as the conversion and non-conversion keys on the keyboard are used after selecting a kana character, so they are not used during the detailed information selection process. Therefore, by replacing a specific key to function as the detailed information selection key 8 only during the detailed information selection process, as in this input method, it is possible to not interfere with the existing functions of keys such as the conversion and non-conversion keys.

The key assigned as the detailed information selection key 8 in the second embodiment and the third embodiment described below is not used in the process of selecting a character, so by replacing a specific key to function as the detailed information selection key 8 only in the detailed information selection process, as in this input method, the existing function of the key is not hindered.

In addition, because the input method uses a keyboard, it does not require the movement of fingers to a specific narrow area on the touch panel as in flick input, and characters can be input with relatively simple finger movements. In addition, because the input method uses a keyboard, input can be made using the fingers of both hands, realizing efficient input.

Also, the input method of grouping characters, inputting a character that represents the group, and then selecting each character in the group (hereafter referred to as group input) has been known for some time. Group input is often used in mobile phone terminal devices, etc. However, group input has not been used for character input on personal computers.

The reason for this is as follows: When entering a group, after entering the character that represents the group (attribute information), it is essential to carry out a process of selecting each character within the group (hereinafter, detailed information).

The selection is often made with a pointing device, but desktop computer keyboards often do not have a pointing device in the first place.

In addition, if you decide to use keyboard keys instead of a pointing device, it is desirable for the key to select detailed information to be located near the key to select attribute information, from the standpoint of fingering efficiency.

However, computer keyboards were originally designed with alphabetic input in mind, and keys such as the "←" and "→" keys are used relatively infrequently, so naturally these keys are placed on the periphery of the keyboard. As a result, when attempting to perform group input using existing keyboards, users are forced to move their fingers back and forth between keys in distant positions on the keyboard many times, making it difficult to input using efficient fingering.

Also, there was a problem with permanently allocating the detailed information selection key 8 to the vicinity of the attribute information key. That is, on a PC keyboard, each key serves as a key for inputting alphabets and symbols, which are assigned in the so-called QWERTY arrangement, and these roles cannot be ignored when it comes to inputting information.

To do this, it was necessary to provide a key that could fulfill both the existing role and the role of selecting detailed information, in the vicinity of the attribute information key, without interfering with either role. In other words, the challenge in introducing group input to a PC was to appropriately use both the existing role of the key and the role of selecting detailed information.

However, until now, there has been no input method or software that allows the keys to be used appropriately both for their existing role and for selecting detailed information.

In addition, to perform group input, it is necessary to be able to instantly understand whether a key is currently serving an existing function or a function for selecting detailed information while operating the key during the character input process, but a rational method for achieving this operation had not been adopted.

In this regard, it is certainly true that with an optical keyboard that uses a touch screen, it is easy to determine whether the new or old role is assigned to the keyboard by changing the display. However, in that case, the user must look away from the monitor and look at the keyboard every time, which is inconvenient.

For both desktop and laptop computers, the advantage of a physical keyboard is that it allows touch typing (also known as blind typing) without taking your eyes off the monitor. However, because physical keyboards do not allow you to instantly change the display of keys, it is difficult for users to instantly determine whether a new role or an old role is currently assigned to the keyboard while they are typing.

The software has the feature that the detailed information selection key 8 replaces the existing role of the keyboard keys only during the detailed information selection step (Fig. 6 S4), so the key for selecting detailed information can be located in close proximity to the key for selecting attribute information.

In addition, since it is replaced with the detailed information selection key 8 only while the guide is being displayed (detailed information selection process), it does not interfere with the existing role of the keys as keys for inputting alphabets and symbols assigned in the QWERTY layout.

In addition, because there is a clear indicator in the form of the guide display, the user can clearly recognize that the key functions as a detailed information selection key while the guide is displayed. Furthermore, since the guide is a display for selecting detailed information, and detailed information is selected through this display, it feels very natural to the user that the key functions as a detailed information selection key while the guide is displayed, and the user can experience a rational and comfortable operating feel.

In addition, with this software, users can achieve the above-mentioned comfortable group input without installing new hardware, even on keyboards that do not have a pointing device, such as many keyboards on desktop computers.

[Third embodiment]
The replacement of the attribute information key 7 and the detailed information selection key 8 (right selection key 9, right selection key 10) will be described in detail with reference to the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, the attribute information key 7 is arranged on the keyboard 2 as shown in FIG. 3, the detailed information selection key 8 (right selection key 9, right selection key 10) is arranged as shown in FIG. 27, and the voiced consonant key, semi-voiced consonant key, and vowel/short consonant key are arranged as shown in FIG. 5. In the third embodiment, step 3 of the flow chart 6 becomes "replace the 'Z X C V B no conversion' key with the left selection key and replace the 'N M , . / conversion' key with the right selection key," and step 6 becomes "replace the left selection key with the 'Z X C V B no conversion' key and replace the right selection key with the 'N M , . / conversion'key."

In the present character input method, it is desirable to be able to input symbols other than kana, English letters, etc., using existing standardized input methods. Therefore, the attribute information key 7 is assigned, whenever possible, to a key in the existing QWERTY layout to which no symbols are assigned. Also, when the attribute information key 7 and detailed information selection key 8 are pressed simultaneously with the shift key, they are made to function as English letter input keys (the caps lock function is used for lowercase letters). In this way, the kana character input function of the present character input method can be used without interfering with the symbol and English letter input functions of the existing character input method.

The table in Figure 28 is an example of key function replacement and input processing that is performed when the character input method is started (software startup).

The table in Figure 29 shows an example of key function replacement and input processing performed while the guide is displayed.

The character input method of this case may be configured as independent character input software, but it can also be configured as software that starts existing character input software in parallel and allows input while using the existing character input software. In that case, after the existing character input software is started, the role of the keys assigned by the existing character input software is replaced as shown in the table of Figure 28 by starting the software of this case, and then the role of the keys is replaced as shown in the table of Figure 29 together with a guide display, in a two-stage replacement.

While the principles of the present invention have been illustrated and described in preferred embodiments, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the invention may be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from such principles. The invention is not limited to the particular constructions disclosed in the present embodiments. We therefore claim all modifications and changes that come within the scope and spirit of the following claims.

1 Electronic calculator 2 Keyboard 3 Display unit 4 CPU
5 HDD
6 Memory 7 Attribute information key 8 Detailed information selection key 9 Right selection key 10 Left selection key 11 Voiced sound key 12 Semi-voiced sound key 13 Yoon/Gokon key 14 Attribute information area 15 α1 area 16 α2 area 17 α3 area 18 α4 area 19 Guide display

Claims (2)

an information allocation step of allocating group information including attribute information and detailed information corresponding to the attribute information to an attribute information key of a character input device;
an information display step of displaying the group information on a guide display which is displayed near a cursor on a display device and moves sequentially as characters are input by pressing the attribute information key to which the attribute information is assigned;
a first replacement step of causing a part of keys of the character input device to function as a detailed information selection key while the group information is being displayed on the guide display;
an information selection step of operating the attribute information key to display the group information on the guide display, and pressing the detailed information selection key to move a selection area in a direction in which the detailed information to be selected is displayed, thereby selecting one of the group information;
a detailed information confirmation step in which the selected detailed information is confirmed after the information selection step and the guide display disappears;
and a second replacement step of returning the key that has been made to function as the detailed information selection key to its original function after the detailed information determination step.
an information allocation process for allocating group information including attribute information and detailed information corresponding to the attribute information to an attribute information key of a character input device;
an information display process in which the attribute information key to which the attribute information is assigned is pressed, and the group information is displayed on a guide display that is displayed near a cursor on a display device and moves sequentially as characters are input;
a first replacement process for causing a part of keys of the character input device to function as a detailed information selection key while the group information is being displayed on the guide display;
an information selection process of operating the attribute information key to display the group information on the guide display, pressing the detailed information selection key to move a selection area in a direction in which the detailed information to be selected is displayed, and selecting one of the group information;
a detailed information confirmation process in which the selected detailed information is confirmed after the information selection process and the guide display disappears;
and a second replacement process for returning the key that has been made to function as the detailed information selection key to its original function after the detailed information confirmation process.