JP4164656B2 - Character input mechanism and character input method for portable radio telephone and portable radio telephone - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a character input mechanism of a portable radio telephone, and more particularly to a character input mechanism, a character input method, and a portable radio telephone of a portable radio telephone capable of inputting characters without requiring keystroke with a key.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, the technical progress of mobile phones has been remarkable, starting with voice calls as telephones, and using the numeric keys for telephone calls of mobile wireless telephones for character input, and images containing characters on an enlarged display screen By displaying, for example, it is possible to transmit and receive images including the Internet, which is popular as the I mode. Recently, a mobile phone that has a built-in camera and can transmit a photographed image has appeared.
[0003]
When the telephone call key of the portable radio telephone is also used for character input, since the numeric keys for telephone call are 10 from 0 to 9, normally the kana is 10 keys and the alphabet is 8 Numbers, kana, and alphabets are selected by switching modes. In addition, a symbol is assigned to the “#” key, and a control function is assigned to the “*” key.
[0004]
For kana input, kana are assigned to the numeric keys in the order of each row by the arrangement of known kana 50 syllables, and are arranged in the well-known ABC order for input of the English alphabet. An alphabet is assigned to each numeric key. However, since there are ten numeric keys, a plurality of kana characters or alphabets are overlapped on one key. Therefore, since it is necessary to input a plurality of types of characters separately from one key, in the conventional method, different characters assigned to the line are input according to the number of consecutive keystrokes of the same key. For example, in the case of kana character input, the [2] key assigned to the “ka” line is pressed five times in succession, and the [4] key assigned to the “ta” line is pressed once, which is a control key. When the [→] key is pressed, the [4] key assigned to the “ta” line is continuously pressed three times, and the confirmation key is pressed, the character string [Kotatsu] is input. Here, it is considered that the continuous keystroke of the same key is once stopped by the keystroke of the [→] key, and the character is determined in the same manner as when the keystroke of another key is shifted. In the case of the English alphabet, a maximum of four different alphabets are assigned to the same key, but as in the case of the kana character, the type of each character is distinguished by the number of consecutive keystrokes. Various symbols are input according to the number of consecutive keystrokes of the symbol key [#].
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-6-152711 [Patent Document 2]
JP-A-8-79360 [0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, the character input of the current mobile radio telephone is input by a combination of a plurality of keys in a limited space, which requires a certain amount of familiarity and is not necessarily easy for the user to use. I can't say that.
[0007]
FIG. 7 is a schematic external view showing an example of a conventional portable radio telephone, in which 700 is a portable radio telephone, 711 is an upper casing, 712 is a lower casing, 720 is a key input unit, 721 is a numeric keypad, and 722. Is a four-way key or jog dial, 723 is a control key, and 760 is an image display unit.
[0008]
In the character input method of a portable radio telephone as described above that is widely used, input is performed by a combination of a numeric key 721 and a control key including a four-way key (or jog dial) 722. When the input character is determined, an operation that always passes through the four-way key 722 is entered, and the movement distance for the operation becomes long. Further, since the finger frequently moves on the numeric keypad 721, there is a problem that the finger movement vector is also different, the input efficiency is not good, and the finger fatigue is large.
[0009]
As a method of saving labor for this input method, a telephone having a character information input means that is provided with one slide means, displays a plurality of characters sequentially on the screen by the reciprocating operation of the slide means, and selects and confirms with a selection confirmation key. Is disclosed in JP-A-6-152711. The present invention is for inputting character information such as a destination name in a telephone application, and is not efficient for inputting text such as mail.
[0010]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-79360 discloses a disc-shaped jog dial whose side surface can be operated independently in the circumferential direction and the radial direction. By rotating the jog dial, the cursor of the list displayed on the screen can be moved, and selection can be confirmed by pressing in the radial direction, but it is not possible to directly input characters.
[0011]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a character input method for a portable radio telephone having a narrow space, a short finger movement distance, and a uniform movement vector.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The character input mechanism of the portable wireless telephone of the present invention is:
The sliding part provided on the case of the mobile radio telephone can move so that each of the numbers 0 to 9 assigned with kana and alphabets can be designated, and the sliding part moves in the moving direction of the sliding part. Input operation for designation in the left-right direction perpendicular to the direction is possible, and in one-way input operation, it is assigned to the number specified by the sliding position of the sliding part corresponding to the number of input operations One character in the selected kana or alphabet is selected, and the selected character can be fixedly input in the input operation in the other direction.
[0013]
The sliding portion is slidable in a linear direction, and the sliding portion has a protruding portion in the left-right direction orthogonal to the sliding direction, and an input operation is performed by rotation of the sliding portion by pressing of the protruding portion. Preferably, the sliding portion is slidable with respect to the swinging shaft held in the casing so as to be swingable in the rotation direction and is fixedly held in the rotation direction. The left and right pressure switches by rotation of the left and right overhangs provided at the tip of the swing shaft are designated by the contact between the contact provided corresponding to the numeral position of 9 and the contact provided on the sliding portion. One character may be selected and confirmed by the above operation.
[0014]
Further, the sliding part can slide in a linear direction, and the sliding part has an operation lever provided so as to protrude in the left-right direction perpendicular to the sliding direction, and the sliding part by pressing the operating lever. It is preferable that an input operation is performed by the operation of a push switch provided on the sliding portion, and the sliding portion can slide in a guide block fixed to the housing, and the guide block is placed at a numerical position of 0 to 9. Corresponding contacts and contacts for transmitting the operation of the press switch, and information on the selection and confirmation of the number position and one character are externally provided by contact with the contacts provided on the corresponding sliding portions. May be transmitted.
[0015]
A recess provided corresponding to the rocking shaft or the guide block numbers 0 through 9 position holding the sliding portion, the ball being pressed by provided a spring in the sliding portion, and the recess It is preferable to slide while in contact. [0016]
The character input method of the portable wireless telephone of the present invention is:
A sliding portion provided on the casing of the portable wireless telephone that can move so that a number from 0 to 9 assigned with kana and alphabets can be designated and can be input in the left-right direction orthogonal to the moving direction. The character input method used is that the sliding part is slid to specify a desired kana and a number from 0 to 9 assigned with alphabets, and the sliding part is slid according to the number of input operations in a predetermined direction. One character in the kana or alphabet assigned to the number designated by the moving position is selected, and the character selected by the input operation in the other direction is fixedly input.
[0017]
The portable wireless telephone of the present invention is
It has the character input mechanism described above.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic external view of a portable radio telephone having a character input mechanism according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 100 is a portable radio telephone, 111 is an upper case, 112 is a lower case, 120 is a character input mechanism, 121 is an operation knob, 122 is a slide groove, 150 is a control key, and 160 is an image display unit.
[0019]
Next to the slide groove 122 provided on the upper surface of the lower housing 112, a position mark of 1 to 0 and a row name and alphabet of kana assigned to each number are displayed. The operation knob 121 can be slid between the indications 1 to 0 along the slide groove 122 and can feel a response with a click feeling so that the position can be easily confirmed at each position. Further, the operation knob 121 can be tilted to the left and right. In the left tilt, the kana or alphabet in each row of the kana line assigned to the number at the position of the operation knob 121 according to the input mode corresponds to the number of tilts. The selected kana or alphabet is confirmed in the rightward inclination after selection. That is, the selection of the number key to which a desired character is assigned, the keystroke of the selected number key for a predetermined number of times, and the confirmation operation by the keystroke of the confirmation key, which are performed by the conventional portable radio telephone, are performed by sliding the operation knob 121. Can be executed by selecting a number by the operation knob 121, selecting a character assigned to the number by tilting the operation knob 121 a predetermined number of times, and confirming a character by tilting the operation knob 121 to the right, and all the operations can be performed using the operation knob. It can be performed continuously without being separated from 121.
[0020]
2 is a schematic perspective view of the character input mechanism 120. FIG. 3 is a partial view of the character input mechanism 120. FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the operation knob 121 in FIG. 2 is a view in the direction of arrow B of the first holding portion 124 of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is also a partial view of the character input mechanism 120, and FIG. 3A is a partially enlarged view of the vicinity of the substrate 131 of FIG. FIG. 4B is a partially enlarged view of the CC cross section of FIG.
[0021]
The operation knob 121 is engaged with the swing shaft 123 so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction of the swing shaft 123 and fixed in the rotational direction. It can be slid and swayed by an operator's finger.
[0022]
Both ends of the swing shaft 123 are swingably held by a first holding portion 124 and a second holding portion 125 fixed to the lower housing 112, and movement in the axial direction is fixed by a collar 129. Yes. The oscillating shaft 123 has a cylindrical shape whose bottom surface is cut into a flat shape, and the cylindrical portion engages with the cylindrical surface portion inside the sliding knob 121 so as to be slidable in the axial direction. The movement in the mutual rotation direction is prevented by the engagement portion 127 protruding from 121 to the flat portion of the swing shaft 123.
[0023]
A recess 128 is provided on the upper surface of the swing shaft 123 so as to correspond to the position marks 1 to 0 displayed on the surface of the lower housing 112. A spring hole 141 is provided, and a spring 142 is accommodated in the spring hole 141 and presses the ball 140 toward the upper surface of the sliding shaft 123 at the tip. Therefore, when the sliding knob 121 is slid, the operator feels a click at a position where the ball 140 coincides with the depression 128, and the position mark positions 1 to 0 are easily selected.
[0024]
A substrate 131 is provided on the lower flat portion of the swing shaft 123, and the substrate 131 is positioned on both sides of the position of the substrate 131 corresponding to the position marks 1 to 0 displayed on the surface of the lower housing 112. A contact 139 is provided, and is connected to a CPU (not shown) from the first holding unit 124 via the wiring 138 via the inside of the substrate. On the other hand, a contact piece 132 is provided on the surface of the operation knob 121 facing the substrate 131 via a spring 133. When the operation knob 121 is slid, it slides on the contact point 139 of the substrate 131. By connecting the contacts on both sides of the position, the position information of the operation knob 121 is transmitted to the CPU.
[0025]
Lever 134 protrudes on both sides in the horizontal direction at a position corresponding to the first holding portion 123 of the swing shaft 123, and the tip of the lever 134 is pressed by the spring 137 from the first holding portion 123, respectively. A contact 135 and a contact 136 are respectively provided on the lower surface of the lever 134 and the inner surface of the first holding portion 124 corresponding thereto, and the contact knob 121 is inclined although the contacts are not in contact in a normal state. The lever 134 on the side rotates against the spring 137 so that the contact 135 and the contact 136 are in contact with each other, and the inclination information of the contact knob 121 is transmitted to the CPU via the wiring 138.
[0026]
Based on the information from the contact point 139 and the contact points 135 and 136, the same operation corresponding to the conventional key input of the character input key and the key input of the confirmation key is performed. Since the operation after the processing of information from the contact is the same as that of the prior art, the description is omitted here.
[0027]
Next, a character input mechanism according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the portable radio telephone body is the same as that of the first embodiment, reference is made to FIG. 5A and 5B are schematic partial views in the vicinity of the operation knob 220 of the character input mechanism. FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view, FIG. 5B is a top view, and FIG. 5C is a top view with the operation lever removed. (D) is an enlarged side sectional view showing the vicinity of the substrate.
[0028]
The operation knob 220 includes a sliding block 221 and a first operating lever 222 and a second operating lever 223 that are attached to the left and right of the sliding block 221 so as to be swingable downward. The first operating lever 222 and the second operating lever 223 are respectively attached to the sliding block 221 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction via a shaft 224 with a rib provided on the upper surface of the sliding block 221 interposed therebetween. Is held at an upper position by a spring (not shown) and is configured to press a pressing switch 230 attached to the sliding block 221 when rotated downward.
[0029]
The slide block 221 is engaged with a guide block 241 fixed to the lower surface of the slide groove 122 so as to be slidable in the slide groove direction. There are overhanging portions on both sides of the lower part of the sliding block 221, and engage with grooves provided on both sides of the lower part of the guide block 241.
[0030]
Inside the bottom surface of the guide block 241, a recess 238 corresponding to the position of the position mark 1 to 0 displayed on the surface of the lower housing 112 is provided. On the other hand, a spring hole is formed on the bottom surface of the sliding block 221. 251 is provided, and a spring 252 is accommodated in the spring hole 251, and the ball 250 is pressed toward the bottom surface of the guide block 241 at the tip. Therefore, when the sliding block 221 is slid, a click feeling is given to the operator at a position where the ball 250 coincides with the depression 238, and the position mark positions 1 to 0 are easily selected.
[0031]
Substrates 242 are provided on both side surfaces inside the upper portion of the guide block 241, and the first contact 233, the second contact 234, the third contact 235, and the fourth contact are provided on each substrate 242 in the vertical direction. 236 is provided along the longitudinal direction, and the second contact 234 is provided apart in the longitudinal direction corresponding to the position of the position mark of 1 to 0 displayed on the surface of the lower housing 112, A position signal is transmitted via the wiring inside the substrate 242. The first contact point 233 and the third contact point 235 are provided on the sliding block 221 and transmit respective operation signals of the pressing switch 230 that senses the inclination of the operation levers 222 and 223, and the fourth contact point 236. Is connected to an external power source to supply power to the second contact piece 226 and the pressing switch 230 via the fourth contact piece 228. The first, third and fourth contacts may be continuous in the longitudinal direction.
[0032]
On the other hand, the first contact 233, the second contact 234, the third contact 235, and the fourth contact 236 facing both surfaces of the double-sided substrate 242 are respectively connected to the first and second surfaces of the sliding block 221 via springs 229. The contact piece 225, the second contact piece 226, the third contact piece 227, and the fourth contact piece 228 are provided. When the sliding block 221 is slid, the respective contact points of the substrate 242 facing each other are provided. Slide. The first contact piece 225 is connected to one pressing switch 230 on the sliding block 221, and the third contact piece 227 is connected to the other pressing switch 230 on the sliding block 221, and the second contact piece 226 is supplied with power from the fourth contact piece 228, and the fourth contact piece 228 is further connected to both pressing switches 230 to supply power.
[0033]
Based on the information from the second contact 234, the first contact 233, and the third contact 235, the same operation corresponding to the conventional key input of the character input key and the key input of the confirmation key is performed. Since the operation after the processing of information from the contact is the same as that of the prior art, the description is omitted here.
[0034]
Next, a character input mechanism according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a schematic external view of a portable radio telephone provided with a character input mechanism according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the first and second embodiments, the example has been described in which a character input mechanism is provided on the keyboard portion of a conventional portable radio telephone. In the third embodiment, a character input mechanism is provided on the side of the screen display unit. It is a form.
[0035]
In the figure, 300 is a portable radio telephone, 310 is a case, 320 is a character input mechanism, 321 is an operation knob, 322 is a slide groove, 350 is a control key, 351 is a four-way key, and 360 is an image display unit. The character input mechanism 320 is configured by the same mechanism as that of the first embodiment and the second embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted. By arranging the character input mechanism 320 beside the image display unit 460, the portable radio telephone can be further downsized.
[0036]
Up to this point, the character input mechanism of the portable wireless telephone has been described by taking three embodiments as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be widely applied to portable terminals that require character input. The sliding part can be moved so that the mechanism can specify numbers from 0 to 9 assigned with kana and alphabet, and it can be selected by moving the sliding part for designation to the left and right. In the selection operation, any mechanism may be used as long as one character of the kana or alphabet assigned to the number designated by the number of selection operations is selected, and the selected character can be confirmed in the selection operation to the other.
[0037]
In the embodiment, the selection operation in the left and right direction with respect to the moving direction of the sliding part for designation was rotation in both directions. However, the switch mechanism is replaced with a non-contact sensor, etc. -It may be selectable, even if it has design features by arranging the scales arranged in a vertical row in a fan shape and changing the operation knob from a slide movement to a dial type rotary movement The character input mechanism may be provided on the side surface of the lower housing.
[0038]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention has an effect that the character input method of the portable radio telephone can be simplified in a narrow space with a short finger movement distance and a uniform movement vector. This is because a slide mechanism having selection / determination means is used in place of the conventional numeric keypad composed of independent keys.
[0039]
In addition, since the input mechanism is compact, it is advantageous for downsizing the mobile phone.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic external view of a portable radio telephone provided with a character input mechanism according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a character input mechanism.
FIG. 3 is a partial view of a character input mechanism.
(A) is the AA cross section of the knob for operation of FIG.
(B) is a B direction arrow directional view of the 1st holding | maintenance part of FIG.
FIG. 4 is a partial view of a character input mechanism.
(A) is the elements on larger scale of the board | substrate vicinity of Fig.3 (a).
(B) is the elements on larger scale of the CC cross section of Fig.3 (a).
FIG. 5 is a schematic partial view near the operation knob of the character input mechanism.
(A) is sectional drawing.
(B) is a top view.
(C) is a top view of the state where the operation lever is removed.
(D) is an enlarged side sectional view showing the vicinity of the substrate.
FIG. 6 is a schematic external view of a portable radio telephone provided with a character input mechanism according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a schematic external view showing an example of a conventional portable wireless telephone.
[Explanation of symbols]
100, 600, 700 Mobile radio telephone 111, 711 Upper casing 112, 212, 712 Lower casing 120, 320 Character input mechanism 121, 220, 321 Operation knob 122, 322 Slide groove 123 Swing shaft 124 First holding Part 125 Second holding part 126 Sliding surface 127 Engagement part 128 Recess 129 Color 131 Substrate 132 Contact piece 133 Spring 134 Lever 135, 136 Contact 137 Spring 139 Contact 140, 250 Ball 141, 251 Spring hole 142, 252 Spring 150, 350, 723 Control key 160, 360, 760 Image display unit 221 Sliding block 222 First operation lever 223 Second operation lever 224 Shaft 225 First contact piece 226 Second contact piece 227 Third contact Piece 228 fourth contact piece 29 spring 230 press switch 233 first contacts 234 second contact 235 third contact 236 fourth contact 241 guide block 242 substrate 310 housing 351 four-direction key 720 key input unit 721 numeric keypad 722 four-direction key or the jog dial

Claims (9)

  The sliding part provided in the casing of the mobile radio telephone can be moved so that each of the numbers 0 to 9 assigned with kana and alphabets can be designated, and the sliding part is moved by the sliding part. An input operation for designation in the left-right direction orthogonal to the direction is possible. In the input operation in one direction, the number designated by the sliding position of the sliding portion corresponding to the number of input operations A character input mechanism for a portable radio telephone, wherein one character in a kana or alphabet assigned to the character is selected, and the selected character can be confirmed and input in an input operation in the other direction.   The sliding portion is slidable in a linear direction, the sliding portion has a protruding portion in the left-right direction orthogonal to the sliding direction, and the input operation is performed by rotation of the sliding portion by pressing of the protruding portion. The character input mechanism for a portable radio telephone according to claim 1, wherein:   The sliding portion is slidable with respect to a swing shaft that is swingably held in the casing in the rotation direction and is fixed and held in the rotation direction. The numerical position is designated by contact between the contact provided corresponding to the numerical position of the contact and the contact provided on the sliding portion, and left and right by rotation of left and right overhangs provided at the tip of the swing shaft. 3. The character input mechanism for a portable radio telephone according to claim 2, wherein the one character is selected and confirmed by an operation of a push switch.   The sliding portion is slidable in a linear direction, and the sliding portion has operation levers provided so as to project in the left and right directions orthogonal to the sliding direction, and the sliding portion is pressed by the operation lever. The character input mechanism of the portable radio telephone according to claim 1, wherein the input operation is performed by an operation of a push switch provided on the mobile phone.   The sliding portion is capable of sliding in a guide block fixed to the housing, and the contacts provided corresponding to the numerical positions 0 to 9 and the operation of the pressing switch are transmitted to the guide block. 5. The information on the number position and the selection and confirmation of the one character is transmitted to the outside by contact between the contact point for performing the contact and the contact point provided on the corresponding sliding portion. Character input mechanism for mobile radio telephones. The swing shaft has a recess provided corresponding to the numerical positions of 0 to 9, and a ball provided on the sliding portion and pressed by a spring comes into contact with the recess of the swing shaft. The character input mechanism of the portable radio telephone according to claim 3, which slides while moving. The guide block has a concave portion provided corresponding to the numerical positions of 0 to 9, and a ball provided on the sliding portion and pressed by a spring slides while contacting the concave portion of the guide block. The character input mechanism of the mobile radio telephone according to claim 5, which moves. A sliding portion provided on the casing of the portable radio telephone that can move so that a number from 0 to 9 assigned with kana and alphabets can be designated and can be input in the left-right direction orthogonal to the moving direction. The character input method used,
The sliding part is slid to specify a desired kana, a number from 0 to 9 assigned with alphabets, and specified by the sliding position of the sliding part according to the number of input operations in a predetermined direction. A character input method for a mobile radio telephone, comprising: selecting a character in a kana or alphabet assigned to a number and confirming and inputting the character selected by an input operation in another direction. A portable radio telephone having the character input mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 7 .

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