JP2004206533A - Device, program and method of information input - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device, a program and a method of information input for promptly inputting information which can be expressed in a matrix form while securing a display area as wide as possible and without restricting information quantity. <P>SOLUTION: The information input device is provided with a pointing device 6 which specifies an optional position on a display screen and an information input processing means 21. The information input processing means 21 has a character coordinate allocation part 24 for allocating the information to coordinates in the matrix shape by using the position specified by the pointing device 6 as a datum point; a specific coordinate/character conversion part 25 for converting the position into information corresponding to coordinates at a transfer destination on the basis of allocation by the character coordinate allocation part 24 when the position is transferred in a state specified by the pointing device 6; and a display processing part 26 for displaying the converted information on an input position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information input device, an information input program, and an information input method used for, for example, industrial panel display devices and portable terminal devices.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, when digital values and parameters used for process control are digitally displayed on an industrial panel display device or the like, a large 10-segment is required to ensure the visibility of the numerical values and parameters from a distance. -Light emitting diodes (LEDs) were used.
[0003]
In recent years, miniaturization, high luminance, and wide viewing angle of liquid crystal display devices and the like have been advanced, and such small liquid crystal display devices can be used for industrial panel display devices. On the other hand, small liquid crystal display devices are also used in portable devices such as personal digital assistants (PDAs).
[0004]
Many of such portable information terminals and the industrial panel displays do not have a keyboard. Information such as characters and symbols digitally displayed using a small liquid crystal display device and numerical values and parameters for process control is generally input by a pointing device such as a mouse or a touch panel. ing.
[0005]
A conventionally used input device will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13A shows a display screen for text creation on the portable information terminal. In FIG. 13A, an input text is displayed in a display area 101 in a display screen 100 which is a touch panel. At the same time, a keyboard 103 is simulated in the input operation area 102 below the screen of the display area 101.
[0006]
An input position 104 where characters and symbols are input is selected by being pressed in the display area 101 by a stylus pen 105 operating a touch panel. After the stylus pen 105 is released from the display screen 100, a display portion of a desired character or symbol displayed on the keyboard 103 is pressed. The character or symbol corresponding to the pressed portion is recognized, and the character or symbol is input at the input position 104.
[0007]
FIG. 13B shows a display screen for creating a table in the portable information terminal. In FIG. 13B, an input table is displayed in a display area 101 in a display screen 100 which is a touch panel. At the same time, an entry area 106 is displayed in the input operation area 102 below the screen of the display area 101.
[0008]
An input cell 107 into which a character or a symbol is input is pressed and selected in the display area 101 by a stylus pen 105 operating a touch panel. After the stylus pen 105 is released from the display screen 100, desired characters or symbols are directly written in the writing area 106 by pressing. The directly written symbols and characters are recognized and input to the input cell 107.
[0009]
FIG. 13C shows a display screen of a mail confirmation on the portable information terminal. In FIG. 13C, received mails, folders, and the like are displayed in a display area 101 in a display screen 100 that is a touch panel. At the same time, a menu 108 is displayed in an overlapping manner in the input operation area 102 on the display area 101.
[0010]
The selection folder 109 for the input operation is pressed and selected by the stylus pen 105 for operating the touch panel. After the stylus pen 105 is released from the display screen 100, a desired folder is pressed and selected from the menu 108. In response to this selection, the mails in the selected folder 109 are displayed in a list in the display area 101.
[0011]
As described above, in the conventional input device, the input operation area 102 for operating an application is provided on the display screen 100 together with the display area 101.
[0012]
However, in these conventional input devices, the screen that can be used for the display area 101 is reduced by the input operation area 102.
[0013]
13A and 13B, when the input operation area 102 for input is large on the display screen 100, the amount of information that can be displayed besides the input display (keyboard 103 and entry area 106) is limited. Will be less.
[0014]
Further, in FIG. 13C, since information other than information registered in advance in the selection input operation area 102 (menu contents with the selection folder 109) cannot be selected, the amount of information for selective input is greatly limited. I will.
[0015]
The applicant of the present application has proposed a setting numerical value changing method and a setting numerical value changing device in Patent Document 1, for example. In the setting numerical value changing method according to Patent Literature 1, when the numerical value display area of the display device is pressed with a finger and the finger is slid upward in the pressed state, the setting numerical value displayed in the numerical display area can be changed. .
[0016]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-338600
[0017]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The setting numerical value changing method described in Patent Document 1 is suitable for inputting about ten types of information from 0 to 9 like numbers. However, there is a problem in that input of information having 51 characters only by inputting hiragana, such as input of Japanese characters, requires repeated updating of information. For example, in the method described in Patent Literature 1, in a configuration in which “A” is displayed first, if “A” is to be displayed, “A → I → U → E → O → K → → ku ... yo → wa → "and 44 updates are required.
[0018]
The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and focuses on the fact that many types of information such as character input represented by the above hiragana can be expressed in a matrix format. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information input device, an information input program, and an information input method capable of promptly inputting expressible information while securing a wide display area and without limiting the amount of information.
[0019]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The information input device according to the present invention is an input device for information expressed in a matrix format, and includes pointing means (for example, a pointing device 6 in the embodiment of the present invention) for specifying an arbitrary position on a display screen. Information input processing means (for example, information input processing means 21 in the embodiment of the present invention) for inputting information in accordance with the position specification by the pointing means, and the information input processing means is designated by the pointing means. Information coordinate allocating means (for example, a character coordinate allocating unit 24 in the embodiment of the present invention) for allocating the information to the coordinates on the display screen in a matrix form using the set position as a reference point, and the pointing point by the pointing means. When the position is moved in a state where the position is designated, the allocation by the information coordinate allocating means is performed. (For example, a designated coordinate / character conversion unit 25 in the embodiment of the present invention) for converting the information into coordinates corresponding to the coordinates of the movement destination, and displaying the information converted by the conversion means at an input position. This is provided with a display means (for example, the display processing unit 26 in the embodiment of the present invention) for causing the display to perform. With such a configuration, a wide display area can be ensured, and information can be input effectively without limiting the amount of information. Further, information can be input quickly.
[0020]
It is preferable that the information coordinate allocating unit sets a position designated as an information input position by the pointing unit as a reference point. Thus, an operation for selecting information can be performed in a region near the information input position.
[0021]
The conversion means may determine the information in accordance with the release of the designation by the pointing means. With such a configuration, information can be easily determined with a small number of operations.
[0022]
On the other hand, the information input program according to the present invention is an input program for information expressed in a matrix format, and the information input program sends the information to a computer using a position designated by a pointing unit as a reference point. Allocating the coordinates on the display screen in a matrix, and, when the position is moved in a state where the position of the reference point is designated by pointing means, based on the allocation, information corresponding to the coordinates of the movement destination is obtained. The conversion step and the step of displaying the converted information at the input position are executed. By causing a computer to execute such an information input program, a wide display area can be ensured, and information can be input effectively without limiting the amount of information. Further, information can be input quickly.
[0023]
Here, the reference point may be a position designated as the information input position by the pointing means. Thus, an operation for selecting information can be performed in a region near the information input position.
[0024]
Further, in the conversion step, information may be determined in accordance with cancellation of designation by the pointing means. As a result, information can be easily determined with a small number of operations.
[0025]
An information input method according to the present invention is a method for inputting information expressed in a matrix format, wherein a step of allocating the information to the coordinates on the display screen in a matrix with a position specified by a pointing unit as a reference point. When the position is moved in a state where the position of the reference point is designated by pointing means, a step of converting the information into information corresponding to the coordinates of the movement destination based on the assignment, and a step of displaying the converted information It is provided with. By such a method, a wide display area can be ensured, and information can be input effectively without limiting the amount of information. Further, information can be input quickly.
[0026]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0027]
First Embodiment of the Invention
An information input device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with an example of a device that executes character input. In particular, the information input device relates to input of information expressed in a matrix format. Here, the information expressed in a matrix format refers to information recognized by the user as being capable of being arranged two-dimensionally. As a typical example, there is information expressed in Japanese hiragana. Hiragana is expressed in a matrix format over 11 rows, such as a row, a row, and a row. In addition to Japanese, foreign languages such as Hangul, element symbols, and the like are also expressed in a matrix format. Furthermore, a case may be recognized where two-dimensional arrangement is possible between specific users. For example, industrial parameters are also recognized among specific users in a matrix format.
[0028]
According to the present invention, when inputting information expressed in a matrix format as described above, information is virtually arranged in a matrix on a display screen, and characters are input by selecting the arranged information.
[0029]
The configuration of the information input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the information input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 1, the input device includes a CPU 1, a ROM 2, a RAM 3, a display device 4, a display memory 5, a pointing device 6, a control circuit 7, an A / D converter 8, and a data bus 9.
[0031]
The CPU 1 controls the operation of the input device according to a program stored in the ROM 2. The CPU 1 is connected to a ROM 2, a RAM 3, a display memory 5, a control circuit 7, and an A / D converter 8 via a data bus 9. The CPU 1 operates a program in cooperation with the ROM 2 to operate the character input function in the present embodiment.
[0032]
The ROM 2 is a semiconductor memory or the like, and stores an information input program for causing the CPU 1 to control the operation of the information input device, data necessary for the control, and the like. The RAM 3 is a semiconductor memory or the like, and is used as a work area or a data storage area for the CPU 1.
[0033]
The display device 4 is a display unit including a liquid crystal display device, a CRT, a PDP, and the like, and displays various display contents. The display memory 5 is a semiconductor memory that stores display data from the CPU 1. The display data stored in the display memory 5 is read and output to the display device 4. The display device 4 displays display contents according to the display data.
[0034]
The pointing device 6 is a means for designating a position on the screen, and outputs a designated position signal indicating the designated position in accordance with the designation operation. The pointing device 6 is composed of, for example, a touch panel of an analog resistive type or a capacitive type. The touch panel is stuck on the display surface of the display device 4 in an overlapping manner. When a predetermined position is designated by being pressed by a stylus pen, a finger or the like, the pointing device 6 outputs a designated position signal indicating the designated position. The pointing device 6 may be constituted by a mouse. In this case, the position on the screen can be specified by clicking the left click button of the mouse, and the position of the cursor when the left click button is clicked is set as the specified position.
[0035]
The control circuit 7 is a circuit that controls the application of a voltage to the pointing device 6 such as a touch panel.
[0036]
The A / D converter 8 is composed of a semiconductor integrated circuit or the like, and converts an output voltage of the pointing device 6 into a digital value so that the CPU 1 can process the output voltage.
[0037]
When a mouse is used as the pointing means, an I / O port is connected as an interface between the mouse and the data bus 9, and data transfer between the mouse and the CPU 1 is executed.
[0038]
Next, the configuration of functional blocks of the information input device will be described with reference to FIG.
[0039]
The information input processing means 21 includes an input position pointing detection unit 22, a specified position movement detection unit 23, a character coordinate allocation unit 24, a specified coordinate / character conversion unit 25, and a display processing unit 26.
[0040]
The input position pointing detection unit 22 has a function of detecting whether or not an input position at which a character is to be input is specified based on information on the specified position included in the specified position signal.
[0041]
The designated position movement detection unit 23 has a function of detecting movement of the designated position designated by the pointing device 6 based on a change in designated position information included in the designated position signal.
[0042]
The character coordinate allocating unit 24 has a function of allocating a plurality of characters in a matrix to coordinates on the display screen with the designated position specified by the designated position signal as a reference point.
[0043]
When the designated position movement detecting unit 23 detects movement of the designated position, that is, when the designated coordinate / character converting unit 25 moves the position in a state designated by the pointing device 6, the designated coordinate / character converting unit 25 uses the character coordinate allocating unit 24. It has a function of converting to characters corresponding to the coordinates of the destination based on the assignment.
[0044]
The character display processing unit 26 has a function of displaying the converted characters on the display device 4.
[0045]
Next, a processing flow of the information input device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the information input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Here, it is assumed that a screen as shown in FIG. 4A is first displayed on the display device 4, and the user operates the pointing device 6 composed of a touch panel with a stylus pen to input characters. Will be described.
[0046]
It is assumed that the user points the character input position 32 in the display screen 30 with the stylus pen, that is, presses the display portion of the input position 32 with the stylus pen. At this time, the pointing device 6 detects the user's pointing and outputs a designated position signal indicating designated position coordinates, which is a pointing position, to the input position pointing detection unit 22.
[0047]
The input position pointing detection unit 22 detects whether the specified position is at the character input position 32 based on the specified position signal output from the pointing device 6 (ST1). Here, the input position 32 refers to an area where characters can be input. When the designated position is at the character input position 32, the input position pointing detection unit 22 outputs a designated position signal to the character coordinate allocating unit 24.
[0048]
The character coordinate allocating unit 24 acquires designated position coordinates from the designated position signal, sets the coordinates as a reference point, and sets matrix coordinates in the display screen 30. Then, the character coordinate allocating unit 22 allocates a character to each of the matrix coordinates, and generates a character coordinate allocating signal including the coordinates and information about the character associated with the coordinates. For example, in the case of inputting Japanese characters, each character of the Japanese syllabary of "Aiokakikukeko ..." Assigned to. The character coordinate allocating unit 24 outputs a character coordinate allocating signal to the designated coordinate / character converting unit 25. Note that the character assigned to each coordinate by the character coordinate assignment unit 24 is not displayed on the coordinate.
[0049]
Next, the designated position movement detection unit 23 confirms whether or not the designated position has moved on the display screen 30 in the designated state (ST2). For example, it is checked whether the user has moved on the screen while pressing the screen with the stylus pen.
[0050]
Upon detecting the movement of the designated position, the designated position movement detection unit 23 reads the designated coordinates of the designated position of the movement destination based on the designated position signal output from the pointing device 6. The designated position movement detecting section 23 outputs the read designated coordinates to the designated coordinate / character converting section 25 as a designated coordinate signal.
[0051]
The designated coordinate / character conversion unit 25 converts the designated coordinates into a character signal corresponding to the designated coordinates based on the designated coordinate signal output from the designated position movement detection unit 23 (ST3). In the conversion, the character coordinate assignment signal output from the character coordinate assignment unit 24 is referred to. More specifically, based on the coordinates and character assignment included in the character coordinate assignment signal, the character is converted into a character assigned to the designated coordinate.
[0052]
The designated coordinate / character conversion unit 25 outputs a character signal specifying the converted character to the display processing unit 26.
[0053]
The display processing unit 26 generates a display signal for displaying a character based on the character signal, and outputs it to the display device 4 (ST4). The display device 4 displays a character at the input position based on the display signal.
[0054]
Thereafter, the input position pointing detection unit 22 determines whether or not the pointing has been released (ST5).
[0055]
When the pointing is released, the pointing device 6 outputs a pointing release signal to the designated position movement detection unit 23. The designated position movement detection unit 23 ends the process of detecting the movement of the designated position according to the pointing release signal. In response, the selection of the input of the character displayed at the input position 32 is determined. Until the pointing is released, the steps from the step of detecting the movement of the designated position (ST2) to the step of outputting the display signal (ST4) are repeated.
[0056]
When the pointing is released, the information input processing means 21 determines whether or not to stop the series of character input processing (ST6). For example, when the pointing device 6 does not detect that the display screen 30 is pointed by the stylus pen, the designated position signal is not output, and the character input processing is stopped. When the pointing device 6 detects that the display screen 30 is newly pointed, the designated position signal is output, and the character input processing is continued.
[0057]
Next, the hiragana input in the pen input type PDA will be specifically described using the display screen shown in FIG. In addition, the liquid crystal display of the PDA functions as a touch panel.
[0058]
As shown in FIG. 4A, a display area 31 is displayed on the display screen 30 of the liquid crystal display. In the display area 31, a part of the sentence "New PDA" is displayed.
[0059]
For example, when the character “he” is input to the input position 32 immediately to the right of “ha” in this sentence, the input position 32 of the display area 31 is first pointed by the input pen 33 operating the touch panel. At this time, the pointing device 6 serving as a touch panel outputs a designated position signal indicating the designated position, which is the pointed position, to the input position pointing detection unit 22.
[0060]
The input position pointing detection unit 22 detects whether the specified position is at the character input position 32 based on the specified position signal output from the pointing device 6. In this case, since the designated position is at the input position 32, the input position pointing detection unit 22 outputs a designated position signal to the character coordinate allocating unit 24.
[0061]
The character coordinate allocating unit 24 acquires designated position coordinates from the designated position signal, sets the coordinates as a reference point, and sets matrix coordinates in the display screen 30. In this example, “A”, “I”, “U”, “E”, “O”, “KA”,..., “N” are respectively set on coordinates of a region 34 surrounded by a dotted line as shown in FIG. Are assigned. The character "A" is assigned to the reference point. In FIG. 4B, 51 characters are shown for understanding, but are not displayed on the screen simply because the 51 characters are allocated in a matrix at each position shown. In FIGS. 4C and 4D, similarly assigned characters are not displayed.
[0062]
Then, the character coordinate allocating unit 24 generates a character coordinate allocating signal including the coordinates and information on the character associated with the coordinates. The character coordinate allocating unit 24 outputs a character coordinate allocating signal to the designated coordinate / character converting unit 25.
[0063]
At the stage shown in FIG. 4B, since the input pen 33 is at the position of the reference point, the designated position movement detection unit 23 does not detect the movement of the designated position, and the input position 32 The assigned letter "A" is displayed.
[0064]
As shown in FIG. 4C, when the input pen 33 is slid to the right while maintaining the pointing state, that is, while maintaining the designated state, the display is changed from the current display character “A” to “KA”. The processing at this time will be described in detail. When detecting the movement of the designated position in the designated state, the designated position movement detection unit 23 detects and reads the designated coordinates of the designated position of the movement destination based on the designated position signal output from the pointing device 6, and It is output to the designated coordinate / character conversion unit 25 as a designated coordinate signal.
[0065]
The designated coordinate / character conversion unit 25 converts the designated coordinates into a character signal corresponding to the designated coordinates based on the designated coordinate signal. In this case, the character is converted to a character indicating “ka” and output to the display processing unit 26. The display processing unit 26 generates a display signal for performing a display for changing the character displayed at the input position 32 in the display area 31 from “A” to “KA” based on the character signal, and outputs the display signal to the display device 4. I do. The display device 4 displays “?” At the input position 32 based on the display signal.
[0066]
Similarly, when the input pen 33 is moved rightward, the display at the input position 32 is sequentially changed to “ka”, “sa”, “ta”, “na”, and “ha”. Thereafter, when the input pen 33 is moved downward, the display at the input position 32 is sequentially changed to “ha”, “hi”, “fu”, and “to”. FIG. 4D shows an example of a screen display in a state where the input pen 33 is moved to coordinates to which “he” is assigned.
[0067]
Next, when the input pen 33 is separated from the display screen 30, the character displayed at the input position 32 is fixed at "he", and the input character is determined as "he".
[0068]
In the above-described example, the input pen 33 is moved rightward and then downward, but may be moved obliquely to reach "to" from "a". In this case, characters assigned to coordinates at which the input pen 33 passes are sequentially displayed. For example, the display changes to “a”, “ki”, “su”, “te”, “ne”, and “to”.
[0069]
Here, the input of “to” once determined can be changed to another character by further pointing in the area where “to” has been input and moving the designated position in the pointing state. In this case, "he" is the character assigned to the reference point. In the case of 51 characters, "fu" is displayed by moving the input pen 33 upward, and "ho" is displayed by moving the input pen 33 downward.
[0070]
Furthermore, as in the case of the character input described above, when the input character is a hiragana character, this character is given a voiced or semi-voiced point or converted to lowercase.
[0071]
For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a character "@" for attaching a voiced dot, a character "@" for adding a semi-voiced dot, and a character "lower case" to be converted to lower case are included in a matrix composed of a plurality of characters. After the characters are input, the displayed characters are pointed, and by selecting these characters, a voiced point / semi-voiced point is added or converted to lower case. Alternatively, a displayed character may be marked by selecting and clicking on the displayed character.
[0072]
In the above-described example, an example has been described in which, when an input position is designated, characters are assigned in a matrix using the position as a reference point. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, after the input position is specified, the reference point may be specified at a position different from the input position. In this case, the characters are allocated on the coordinates in a matrix based on the specified reference point. Can be
[0073]
In the information input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, since the input information is changed by moving the specified position in the specified state, there is no need to provide a dedicated area for inputting information on the screen. . Therefore, a wide display area can be secured. Further, since it is possible to input all information arranged in a matrix, the amount of information is not limited. Furthermore, information that can be expressed in a matrix form is effective because the user himself / herself recognizes the matrix, in other words, the user himself selects the information on the matrix while thinking of the matrix in his / her head. You can enter information into In addition, this information input device can promptly input information. For example, in the method described in Patent Literature 1, in a configuration in which “A” is displayed first, if “A” is to be displayed, “A → I → U → E → O → K → It was necessary to update 44 times, such as → → → → → →, but with the information input device according to the present invention, the information input device according to the present invention requires “a → → → → → → → → → And only 10 updates.
[0074]
Embodiment 2 of the invention
A case where the input device described in Embodiment 1 of the present invention is applied to word processing software will be described. Here, a description will be given using a pen input type PDA in which a liquid crystal display functions as a touch panel. In this case, an information input program for realizing the input function of the present invention is incorporated in word processing software.
[0075]
When performing character input on word processing software, an input panel for performing various operations is displayed on a part of the screen. FIG. 6 is a screen layout diagram showing the input area.
[0076]
The input panel 41 includes a “start” icon 42, a “backward” icon 43, a “conversion” icon 44, a “fix” icon 45, a “blank” icon 46, a “lowercase” icon 47, a “half-width / full-width” icon 48, The “alphanumeric” icon 49 is displayed. When each icon is clicked, a program associated with each icon is activated and performs various processes.
[0077]
The program associated with the “start” icon 42 has a function of starting character input as described above. At the same time, it has a function of stopping character input by pointing in the state of character input. The program associated with the “retreat” icon 43 has a function of changing the input character in the state of character input.
[0078]
The program associated with the “conversion” icon 44 has a function of converting the input hiragana into kanji. The program associated with the “confirm” icon 45 has a function of selecting and confirming a desired kanji from conversion candidate kanji. The program associated with the “blank” icon 46 has a function of inputting a blank in a character input state.
[0079]
The program associated with the “lowercase” icon 47 has a function of converting input characters to lowercase. The program associated with the “half-width / full-width” icon 48 has a function of changing the input characters to full-width or half-width in a character input state. The program associated with the “alphanumeric” icon 49 has a function of inputting alphanumeric characters.
[0080]
Subsequently, the character input using the input panel 41 will be specifically described. On the liquid crystal display of the PDA, the input pen 33 is used to point and activate word processing software. Then, a display screen on the application in which characters can be input is displayed (FIG. 7).
[0081]
When the application of the word processing software is started, the application for character input is started at the same time. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, an input panel 41 for the character input is displayed on the display screen 31 of the word processing software.
[0082]
In FIG. 7A, “PDA with a new input method” is input in the display area 31 in the display screen 30. The character input using the input panel 41 will be described by taking as an example the case where "Benri" is input at the input position 42 immediately after the Hiragana "Ha".
[0083]
In this case, first, the “start” icon 42 on the input panel 41 is pointed by the input pen 33. By this pointing, the state shifts to a character input state where characters can be input.
[0084]
In this state, the characters "be", "n", and "ri" are input by the method described in the first embodiment of the invention. More specifically, by pointing using the input pen 33 at the input position, after displaying “a”, the designated position is moved to display “he” and confirmed. Thereafter, a cloud point is added to “he”. Input "n" and "ri" in the same manner.
[0085]
In FIG. 7, the input character is underlined to indicate the state of character input (FIG. 7B). As shown in FIG. 7C, when the "conversion" icon 44 is pointed in this character input state, the state shifts to a kanji conversion state in which hiragana is converted to kanji. In this kanji conversion state, in order to perform kanji conversion, any part of the display portion 34 of the character string "Benri" is pointed.
[0086]
The input pen 33 is moved in the vertical and horizontal directions while maintaining this pointing. Then, kanji characters of conversion candidates such as “convenience” and “patent” are displayed at the input position 42. When the kanji “convenient” is selected, when the kanji is displayed at the input position 42, the “confirmation” icon 45 is pointed. Then, the converted kanji is determined to be “convenient” (FIG. 7D).
[0087]
After the conversion to the kanji “convenient” is determined, when the “start” icon 42 is pointed, the character input state is stopped (FIG. 8E). In response, the underline under “Convenient” disappears.
[0088]
As shown in FIG. 8F, for example, when the hiragana “Benri” is input, the “Start” icon 42 on the input panel 41 is pointed by the input pen 33. By this pointing, the state of the character input is stopped, and the input of the hiragana "Benri" ends.
[0089]
Also, for example, as shown in FIG. 8G, when the kanji character is erroneously determined to be "patent", the "retreat" icon 43 is pointed. By this pointing, the state is returned from the state in which the kanji conversion is determined to the state in which "Benri" is converted into kanji. Then, “convenience” is newly selected and changed.
[0090]
As described above, the second embodiment of the present invention has the same effects as those of the first embodiment.
[0091]
Embodiment 3 of the Invention
In a third embodiment of the present invention, a case will be described in which numerical values and parameters are displayed on a display panel of an industrial instrument. Here, a case where the display panel is configured by a touch panel will be described.
[0092]
FIG. 9 is a screen layout diagram showing a display panel of an industrial instrument. As shown in FIG. 9, the display screen 60 of the display panel displays PV input parameters, output parameters, control parameters, and special setting parameters.
[0093]
As shown in FIG. 9A, a display area 61 is displayed on the display screen 60 of the display panel. In the display area 61, input and display areas of industrial parameters for controlling the manufacturing apparatus, such as PV input parameters, output parameters, control parameters, and special setting parameters, are displayed.
[0094]
For example, as shown in FIG. 9B, when the parameter “A3” is input to the input position 62a of the PV input parameter, first, the input position 62a of the touch panel is pointed by the finger 63 of the setter.
[0095]
Then, the parameter “A1” is displayed at the input position 62a. Here, “A1” is assigned to the position of the reference point using a matrix-like parameter as shown on the right side of FIG. 9B. At the same time, coordinates are assigned to the respective parameters B1, C1, D1, A2,... In a matrix.
[0096]
As shown in FIG. 9C, when the finger 63 is slid rightward in the pointing state, that is, in the specified state, the current display parameter “A1” is changed to “A2”, “A3”,. Then, the display of the input position 62a changes in order. The processing for changing the display in this way is the same as the processing described in the first embodiment of the present invention, and thus the description is omitted.
[0097]
When the finger 63 separates from the display screen 60, the display parameter displayed at the input position 62a is fixed to the parameter “A3”, and the input parameter is determined to be “A3”.
[0098]
For example, when inputting the control parameter “C2”, the finger is moved rightward from the first display parameter “A1” to display “A2”, and the finger 63 is further moved downward to change “C2”. Display.
[0099]
As described above, the third embodiment of the present invention has the same effects as those of the first embodiment.
[0100]
Other embodiments of the invention.
In the above example, the information to be input is a character. However, the information is not limited to this and may be a symbol or a numerical value. Further, the present invention can be applied to selection of an arrival time of a destination station in a timetable.
[0101]
In the above-described embodiment, the character assigned to the reference point is input information such as a character located at the upper left corner of the matrix (for example, the character “A” or the parameter “A1”). Not limited to this, it can be provided at any position of the matrix.
[0102]
For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the character "" at the lower right corner of the matrix can be provided. For example, when the input position is near the lower right end of the display screen, if the position of “a” is the reference point, it is difficult to move the pointing device 6 rightward or downward to select a character. On the other hand, by setting the reference point to "", the pointing device can be moved leftward or upward, and characters can be easily selected.
[0103]
Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, even when the character "A" is used as a reference point, characters are arranged around the entire circumference of the reference point symmetrically up, down, left, and right with respect to this reference point. A matrix can be configured. Thus, no matter where the input position is on the display screen, the character can be easily selected by moving the pointing device 6.
[0104]
For example, as shown in FIG. 12, a character such as the character "nu" near the center of the matrix may be used as the reference point. Thus, no matter which character in the matrix is selected, the pointing device 6 can be moved by almost the same distance to quickly select the character.
[0105]
Note that the distance from the reference point to the character to be selected on the matrix may be reduced according to the moving speed of the pointing device 6. For example, the information on the initial speed at which the pointing device 6 starts moving is included in the designated position signal, and based on this information, the space between the characters in the matrix is reduced.
[0106]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information input device, an information input program, and an information input method capable of rapidly inputting information that can be expressed in a matrix format while securing a wide display area and without limiting the amount of information. Can be.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a conversion unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the input device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a layout diagram illustrating an example of a display screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of characters in a matrix according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a layout diagram illustrating an example of an input panel according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a layout diagram illustrating another example of the display screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a layout diagram showing another example of the display screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a layout diagram illustrating another example of the display screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing reference points of characters in a matrix according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating another reference point of a character in a matrix according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing another example of characters in a matrix according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a layout diagram illustrating an example of a display screen using a conventional technique.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 CPU, 2 ROM, 3 RAM, 4 display device,
5 display memory, 6 pointing device, 7 control circuit,
8 A / D converter, 9 data bus, 21 information input processing means,
22 input position pointing detection unit, 23 designated position movement detection unit,
24 character coordinate assigning unit, 25 designated coordinate / character converting unit,
26 Display processing unit

Claims (7)

An input device for information expressed in a matrix format,
Pointing means for designating an arbitrary position on the display screen;
Information input processing means for inputting information according to the position designation by the pointing means,
This information input processing means,
Information coordinate allocating means for allocating the information in a matrix to the coordinates on the display screen with the position designated by the pointing means as a reference point,
When the position is moved in a state where the position of the reference point is designated by the pointing means, based on the assignment by the information coordinate assigning means, converting means for converting to information corresponding to the coordinates of the movement destination,
An information input device comprising a display unit for displaying the information converted by the conversion unit at an input position. 2. The information input device according to claim 1, wherein the information coordinate allocating unit uses a position designated as an information input position by the pointing unit as a reference point. The information input device according to claim 1, wherein the conversion unit determines information in response to cancellation of designation by the pointing unit. An input program for information expressed in a matrix format,
This information input program sends
Allocating the information in a matrix to the coordinates on the display screen with the position specified by the pointing means as a reference point,
When the position is moved in a state where the position of the reference point is designated by pointing means, based on the assignment, converting the information into information corresponding to the coordinates of the movement destination;
An information input program for executing a step of displaying converted information at an input position. 5. The information input program according to claim 4, wherein a position designated as an information input position by said pointing means is used as a reference point. 6. The information input program according to claim 4, wherein in the conversion step, information is determined in accordance with cancellation of designation by the pointing means. An input method of information expressed in a matrix format,
Allocating the information in a matrix to the coordinates on the display screen with the position specified by the pointing means as a reference point,
When the position is moved in a state where the position of the reference point is designated by pointing means, based on the assignment, converting the information into information corresponding to the coordinates of the movement destination;
An information input method, comprising a step of displaying converted information.

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