JPH10207608A - Key inputting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a key inputting device in which keys can be easily remembered and hit by decreasing the number of keys, and miniaturization can be attained. SOLUTION: A key inputting device 2 is provided with plural keys 21-32 in which plural character keys are set, and how many times the keys 21-32 are continuously pressed is detected by a key input detecting means 101. Then, the character keys corresponding to the number of times of key pressing are selected from among the plural character keys set in the keys 21-32 and outputted by a key input processing means 102. Thus, the plural character keys can be set in one key 21-32 so that the number of keys can be reduced compared with a normal keyboard, and the key inputting device 2 can be miniaturized. Also, the number of keys is small so that the keys can be easily remembered and hit.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a key input device for inputting Japanese and English, and more particularly, to a portable telephone (P).
HS), an electronic organizer, a wrist watch, a small word processor (word processor), a personal computer (PC), and the like.

[0002]

BACKGROUND ART In recent years, information devices such as personal computers have been widely used in companies and homes. As such information devices, desktop and notebook personal computers and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) are usually used.

[0003] When characters are input with these information devices, a keyboard is usually used. In this keyboard input, an input using an alphabet is widely used. That is, since the input using 26 letters of the alphabet has a small number of keys to remember and can easily perform a blind touch, not only English input but also Japanese input is widely used as Roman input.

[0004]

By the way, the conventional keyboard has a problem that it is difficult to reduce the size because 80 or more keys are arranged in a complicated manner. In addition, there is also a problem that it is difficult to master a large number of keys using both hands. In particular, recent telephones and wristwatches have improved functions so that data such as an address book can be input and stored. There is a need for a key input device that can input words and English characters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a key input device which can reduce the number of keys, can be easily remembered and hit easily, and can be easily miniaturized.

[0006]

A key input device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
A key input device 2 having the keys 21 to
2, a plurality of character keys are set, and key input detecting means 101 for detecting how many times the keys 21 to 32 are continuously pressed, and a plurality of character keys set for the keys 21 to 32 are set. And key input processing means 102 for selecting and outputting a character key corresponding to the number of times the key is pressed.

In such a key input device 2, a plurality of character keys can be set for one key, so that the number of keys can be reduced as compared with a normal keyboard. For example, when configuring a keyboard capable of inputting 26 letters of the alphabet,
If every two characters are assigned to each key, it is possible to input with about 13 keys, the number of keys can be halved, and the key input device 2 can be downsized. Also, because the number of keys is small,
Keys are easy to remember and easy to hit.

Further, a plurality of character keys set for each of the keys 21 to 32 can be selected by the number of times the keys 21 to 32 are pressed, and it is not necessary to provide another key such as a shift key for selection. And the size can be further reduced. Furthermore, since the set character key can be selected only by changing the number of times the keys 21 to 32 are pressed, the selection operation is intuitive and easy to understand, and the operability can be further improved.

In this character key selection operation, for example, first to Nth N character keys are set to the keys 21 to 32, and the key input processing means 102 is set to the keys 21 to 32.
When N is pressed N times, the Nth character key may be selected and output. More specifically, when first and second character keys are set for the keys 21 to 32, the key input processing means 102 is set to the keys 21 to 32.
When the key 2 is pressed once, the first character key is selected and output, and when the keys 21 to 32 are pressed twice, the second character key is selected and output. . With this setting, the character key number matches the number of times the keys 21 to 32 are pressed, so that it is easier to remember and operate.

The key input detecting means 101 comprises a key 21
If a number of keys are pressed more than the number of character keys set to ~ 32, the number of times the number of character keys is pressed is ignored, and it is assumed that the keys 21-32 are pressed again from once. 3
It is preferable to count the number of keystrokes of 2. For example,
When a key in which the first and second character keys are set is pressed three times, two of the three times (for the number of character keys) are ignored, and the remaining minutes, that is, one time press It will be. In this case, even if the key is pressed the wrong number of times, if the key is kept pressed, the correct character key can be selected, so that the operability can be improved.

It is preferable that the key input detecting means 101 determines the number of times the key has been pressed when a key other than the pressed key is pressed. When selecting and inputting each character key, each key is pressed one or more times. Therefore, when a certain key is pressed once, it cannot be determined whether the key is further pressed or finished once. For this reason, if a key different from the pressed key is pressed, the number of times of hitting the previously pressed key at that time may be determined.

With this configuration, it is possible to continuously input a plurality of keys, and it is possible to improve input operability.

At this time, a predetermined feed key is set as a key for determining the number of times of tapping, and the key input detecting means determines, at the time when the feed key is pressed, the key pressed before pressing the feed key. The number of times of keying may be determined. When two character keys set for one key are input in succession, other keys cannot be pressed halfway, but if this feed key is set, input can be performed reliably.

In the key input device 2 of the present invention, alphabets "A", "I", "U", "E", and "O" representing vowels are independently set as the plurality of keys. Five vowel keys 21 to 25 and a plurality of consonant keys 26 to 32 in which at least two consonants are respectively set.
It is preferable to provide

In such a key input device 2, vowels, that is, "A", "I", "U", "E", and "O" are set to independent keys 21 to 25, so that these characters Just press once to enter. For this reason, the number of times of key input at the time of vowel input, which is the most frequently used in both Japanese and English, can be reduced, thereby improving operability and enabling high-speed input.

The key input device 2 comprises a consonant key 2
It is preferable that when the vowel keys 21 to 25 are pressed following the steps 6 to 32, the number of keystrokes of the consonant keys 26 to 32 is determined, and the input of the vowel keys 21 to 25 is also determined.
When inputting Japanese romaji, basically "consonant +
The keys are pressed in the order of "vowel". Therefore, the vowel key 21
If the input character is determined at the time of pressing ~ 25, the operation by the feed key becomes unnecessary, and the input operability can be further improved.

On the other hand, the key input device 2 may determine the number of keystrokes of the consonant key when another consonant key, a vowel key or a predetermined feed key is pressed after the consonant key. In an input other than the Roman alphabet input such as an English input, there is no rule of “consonant + vowel” as in the case of the Roman alphabet input, and thus it may be necessary to continuously input two characters set to the same key. In this case, the input may be confirmed by pressing the feed key. On the other hand, in English input as well, characters set to different keys are often input successively, and in this case as well, if the feed key is pressed to confirm, the number of key presses will increase.
Therefore, if the input can be determined by pressing other consonant keys or vowel keys in addition to the feed key, the input operability can be improved.

The key input device 2 has at least four
It has twelve keys 21 to 32 in three rows of right and left rows, and five of the keys 21 to 25 have alphabets “A”, “I”, “U”, “E”,
A character key to enter "O" is set,
Character keys for inputting consonants may be set to the keys 26 to 32 other than the keys to which "A", "I", "U", "E", and "O" are set.

With such a key input device 2, the most frequently used vowel, "A", in both Japanese and English,
“I”, “U”, “E”, “O” are assigned to independent keys 21 to
Since they are set to 25, these characters can be entered with a single key press. For this reason, the number of keystrokes at the time of vowel input can be reduced, operability is improved, and high-speed input is also possible.

The above "A", "I", "U",
Keys 26 to 32 other than keys to which "E" and "O" are set
Include "K", "S", "T", "N", "H",
A first character key for inputting “M” and “Y” is set,
These "K", "S", "T", "N", "H",
The keys 26 to 32 to which “M” and “Y” are set are “G”, “Z”, “D”, “n”, “B”,
A second character key for inputting “R” and “W” may be set.

In such a key input device 2, the keys 26 to 32 in which consonants are set and the keys 21 to 32 in which vowels are set
By sequentially pressing 25 and 25, it is possible to input Japanese in Roman characters. Therefore, when entering Japanese,
If an operation of pressing the key twice is performed on average, the input can be performed, and high-speed input can be performed. Also, in the Roman alphabet input, the "K" key for inputting the "ka" line, the "G" key for inputting the "ga" line of the voiced sound, and the "S" key for the "S" key for inputting the "sa" line are input. Press the “Z” key to enter
The "D" key to input the "da" line is set to the "T" key to input the line, and the "B" key to input the "ba" line to the "H" key to input the "ha" line is set. , The associated clear tone and dull tone can be entered using the same key (by changing the number of key presses). Therefore, the input operation of the muddy sound can be easily remembered, and the input operation can be performed at high speed.

Further, the above "K", "S", "T",
The consonant keys 26 to 32 in which “N”, “H”, “M”, and “Y” are set include “C” as a third character key,
Character keys for inputting “F”, “J”, “L”, “P”, “V”, and “tsu” are respectively set, and “H”,
“Q” is assigned to the consonant keys 30 and 32 to which “Y” is set.
It is preferable that a fourth character key for inputting "X" is set.

These "C", "F", "J", "L", "Q", "V",
If "X" is set as the third or fourth character key, not only Roman alphabet input but also English input can be performed. In addition, since the alphabets used for both Japanese and English input have the same arrangement, they can be easily remembered and operability can be improved.

The above "A", "I", "U",
"E", "O", "K", "S", "T", "N",
Keys 21 to 32 to which “H”, “M”, and “Y” are set include “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “5”,
"6", "7", "8", "9", "*", "0",
It is preferable that a number key for inputting a number and a symbol of “#” is set, and a mode switching unit 103 for switching a key input mode between a numerical key input and a character key input is provided.

If a numeric key is provided, not only character input but also numeric input can be performed. For this reason,
You can also enter numeric data, enter phone numbers into phone books such as mobile phones, watches, and electronic organizers, and make phone calls.
English can be entered. In particular, the number keys
Since they are arranged in three rows on the left and right sides, they have the same arrangement as the push buttons of various telephones such as a mobile telephone, and can be easily applied to telephones and faxes. further,
Since character keys for inputting "A", "I", "U", "E", and "O" are arranged in two rows from the top,
The key arrangement can be easily remembered and the operability can be improved.

The key input device 60 of the present invention includes at least 15 keys 21 to 35 in 5 rows and 3 columns, and 5 keys 21 to 25 are alphabets representing vowels. "A", "I",
Character keys for inputting "U", "E", "O" are set, and "A", "I", "U",
Keys 26 to 35 other than keys to which "E" and "O" are set
May be set to a character key for inputting a consonant.

In this case, the "A", "I", "U",
Keys 26 to 35 other than keys to which "E" and "O" are set
Include “tsu”, “K”, “S”, “T”, “N”,
A first character key for inputting “H”, “M”, “Y”, “R”, “W” is set, and these “tsu”, “K”,
Keys 26 to 29 in which “S”, “T”, “H” are set,
31, "n", "G", "Z", "D",
Preferably, a second character key for inputting "B" is set.

If the key arrangement is such that vowels and consonants are arranged on the fifteen keys 21 to 35, when the Japanese clear sound "ka line" is inputted by "Roman", "wa line" is input. Each consonant “K” to “W” has an independent key 2
It can be set to 7 to 35, and can be input by two keying operations of the consonant keys 27 to 35 and the vowel keys 21 to 25, so that the average number of keystrokes can be further reduced.

Here, the "A", "I", "U",
"E", "O", "tsu", "K", "S", "T",
The keys 21 to 32 to which “N”, “H”, and “M” are set include “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “5”,
"6", "7", "8", "9", "*", "0",
Numeric keys for inputting numbers and symbols of “#” may be set, and mode switching means 103 for switching the key input mode between numeric key input and character key input may be provided.

If a numeric key is provided, not only character input but also numeric input can be performed. For this reason,
A telephone number can be input with numerical data, a mobile phone, a wristwatch, an electronic organizer, and the like, and numbers, Japanese, and English can be input with a minimum number of keys.

The key input device 10 includes at least 15 main keys 81 to 95 in three rows, five rows and five rows.
And 26 characters of the alphabet and a predetermined symbol may be assigned to the first character key and the second character key of each of the keys 81 to 95 and set.

If 15 main keys 81 to 95 are provided, for example, two character keys, that is, a total of 30 character keys can be set for each key 81 to 95. Therefore, in addition to the 26 letters of the alphabet, the main keys 81 to 95 can be set to include Japanese punctuation marks ",", reading marks ".", Etc., which are frequently used in Japanese input. it can. Similarly, in addition to the 26 letters of the alphabet, the main keys 81 to 9 include commas "," and periods "."
It can be set to 5 and it can handle English input sufficiently.

At this time, of the main keys 81 to 95, 6 rows of 3 rows of upper and lower rows and 2 rows of left and right rows set as vowel zones
The first character keys of the five main keys among the five main keys include vowels "A", "I", "U", "E",
A vowel key for inputting "O" is set, and nine main keys in upper, lower, left, and right, three rows, which are set as consonant zones, have "K", "S", "T" as first character keys. ,
Consonant keys for inputting "N", "H", "M", "Y", "R", "W" are set, and "G", "Z", " D "," P "," B ",
Keys for inputting “C”, “F”, “V”, and “L” may be set.

The vowels "A", "I", "U", "E",
"O", "K", "K", "S", "T", "N", "H", "M",
Since “Y”, “R”, and “W” are set as the first character keys of the keys 81 to 95, it is possible to input frequently used characters in Roman alphabet input with good operability.

Further, "A" of the vowel zone,
For the keys "I", "U", "E", and "O", "Q", "J", period ".", Comma ",", and "X" are input as second character keys. Preferably, a key is set. With such a configuration, the present invention can be applied not only to Roman alphabet input but also English input.

In the key input device 10 of the present invention, "Q", "W", "E", "R", "R" T "
Are set as the first character keys in the middle row, from left to right, as "A", "S",
Keys 86 to 90 for inputting "D", "F", and "G" are set, and "Z", "X", "C", and "V" are provided in the lower row as the first character keys from the left. , "B" are set, and the keys "Q",
"W", "E", "R", "T", "A", "S",
"D", "F", "G", "Z", "X", "C",
The keys to which “V” has been set include “Y”, “U”, “I”, “O”, “P”, “H”,
"J", "K", "L", semicolon ";", "N",
Keys for inputting “M”, comma “,”, and period “.” May be set.

In this case, the key sequence of the QWERTY layout, which has been widely used and used in the related art, can be set to the 15 main keys 81 to 95, so that a person who is used to the QWERTY layout can easily learn the key layout. Can be used immediately.

[0038]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present embodiment is used as a key input device 2 of a mobile phone 1 as shown in FIG. The mobile phone 1 has a microphone 3 and a speaker 4
And the liquid crystal display 5 are provided,
Key input device (key input unit) 2 on which a plurality of keys are arranged
Is provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, the key input device 2 is provided with a total of 18 keys arranged in six rows in the upper and lower rows and three rows in the left and right rows. A main key for inputting numbers and characters is constituted by ~ 32. In addition, function keys 51 to 56 are provided by six keys in the upper and lower rows.
Is set.

Main keys 21 to 32 and function keys 51 to 5
5, each character and function are set. That is, on the left side of the key top of each of the main keys 21 to 32, a numeric key used for inputting a telephone number or the like is set, and on the right side, for example, alphabets used for Japanese or English input in Roman characters. A character key has been set.

Here, the arrangement of the character keys in the main keys 21 to 32 is such that a vowel key is set on the upper side, and a vowel key is combined with the vowel key in the Roman alphabet input on the lower side. Consonant keys for inputting "Wa" are arranged in order from the upper side.

One of the features of the present invention is that Roman input is adopted in contrast to conventional Japanese input on a mobile phone based on the kana character syllabary arrangement. Roman character input has fewer characters than the kana character 50 sounds.
The operation is easier than when sound is assigned to each key,
In addition, with the recent spread of personal computers and the like, most users who input Japanese use Roman characters, so there is an advantage that it is easy to work on.

Further, in the Roman alphabet input, the appearance frequency of each character has a regularity, the frequency of vowels is the highest, and consonants appear almost in the order of the Japanese syllabary "K, S, T, N ...".
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the vowel keys are set collectively on the upper main keys 21 to 25, and the consonant keys are arranged on the lower keys 26 to 32 in descending order of frequency. The order is easy to hit.

More specifically, each of the keys 21 to 32 has a numeral array as a numeral array, and the numeral 21 is assigned to the key 21 in order from the upper left side.
, The number “2” on the key 22 and the number “3” on the key 23
, The number “4” on the key 24 and the number “5” on the key 25
, The number "6" on the key 26 and the number "7" on the key 27
, The number “8” on the key 28 and the number “9” on the key 29
, The symbol “*” on the key 30 and the number “0” on the key 31
Is set so that the symbol "#" is set to the key 32 so that a telephone operation can be performed.

Each of the keys 21 to 25 is used as a character array.
Include “A”, “I”, “U”,
“E” and “O” are arranged as the first character keys. The sequence is "A", "I", "U", "E", "O" from left to right and from first to second row.
It is set in consideration of the ease of remembering the characters.

On the other hand, each of the keys 26 to 32 has, as a first character key, "K", "S",
The consonant keys "T", "N", "H", "M", and "Y" are arranged. These arrays contain the "ka" row, "sa"
Row, “ta” row, “na” row, “ha” row, “ma” row, “ya”
The consonants in the row are arranged in order of Akasatana. Further, on the keys 31 and 32, consonant keys "R" and "W" are arranged as second character keys. In this arrangement, the remaining “ra” and “wa” rows are arranged.

The keys 26 to 30 include "G", "Z", "D", "n", and "B" as second character codes.
Keys are arranged. That is, the "ga" line,
Consonants "G" to input "za" line, "da" line, "ba" line,
"Z", "D", and "B" are the Kiyane "ka" lines, "sa" lines,
"K", "S", to input "ta" line, "ha" line,
The tone is set so as to correspond to “T” and “H”, and the tone is arranged so as to correspond to the muddy tone.

Since "N" for inputting the "na" line is used as a key for inputting a sound-repellent "n" in Roman alphabet input, the second of the keys 29 to which "N" is set is used.
"N" is arranged as a character key of.

In the key 30, "P" for inputting a "@" line is set as the third character code. Further, the key 32 is set with a prompt sound "tsu" as a third character code.

Each of these characters is written on the upper right side of each of the keys 21 to 32, as shown in FIG.

Further, on the lower right side of the keys 21 to 32,
Characters used only for English input are described, and each is set as a third character key (a part is a fourth character key). In other words, the keys 26 to 29, 31 include "C", "F", "J",
“L” and “V” are set. Also, keys 30, 3
2, “Q” and “X” are set as fourth character keys.

On the other hand, in the function keys 51 to 56, in addition to various functions set for telephones, functions for character input are also set. That is, the key 51 has a menu function for displaying a menu for changing the character input mode to a numeric (standard) input mode, a Japanese input mode, an English input mode, or the like. When the mode switching menu is displayed with the menu key 51, the power key 54 is used to switch between kana (Japanese) input and English input.

A forward key (cursor key) is set for the keys 52 and 53. The feed key is used not only for moving the cursor (character input position) but also for confirming the input in English input.

In the function key 55, a period ",", a reading ".", A comma ",", and a period "." Are set. Basically, in the Japanese input mode, when the key 55 is pressed once, the punctuation mark “,” is input, and when the key 55 is pressed twice, the reading point “.” Is input.
In the English input mode, when the key 55 is pressed once, a comma “,” is pressed, and when the key 55 is pressed twice, a period “.” Is input.

The function keys 56 are used to input vowels, "ya", "yu", and "yo" in lowercase letters "a", "i",
A lowercase function is set to convert to "ゥ", "「 "," o "," ャ "," ュ "," ョ ", and to convert alphabets to lowercase.

Next, an input processing function in the key input device 2 having the above-described key arrangement will be described with reference to a block diagram shown in FIG. First, the keys 21 to 32, 51
The key input detecting means 101 detects whether or not .about.56 has been pressed. For example, if a timer interrupt is performed in a fixed cycle (for example, 1 to 10 ms), and I / O ports and the like assigned to the keys 21 to 32 and 51 to 56 are checked to determine whether or not there is a key input, Good.

If it is determined that there is no key input, the timer interrupt is repeated at a constant cycle and the key input is waited. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a key input, the key input processing means 102 performs an input process.

The key input detecting means 101 can detect how many times each of the keys 21 to 32 has been continuously pressed. At this time, the key input detecting means 101
If a key is pressed more than the number of the plurality of character keys set in the keys 21 to 32, the number of times the character key is pressed is ignored and the key is assumed to be pressed again from once. It is set so as to count the number of key strokes 21 to 32. For example, when a key in which the first and second character keys are set is pressed three times, two out of three times are pressed.
The number of times (for the number of character keys) is ignored, and the remaining minutes, that is, one press is performed. Since the key input detecting means 101 is set as described above, even if the user presses the wrong number of times, the correct character key can be selected by continuing to press the key, so that the operability can be improved.

The key input detecting means 101 is set so as to determine the number of times the key has been pressed when a key other than the pressed key is pressed. That is, when selecting and inputting each character key, each key 21 to 32 is pressed one or more times. Therefore, when a certain key is pressed once, it is determined whether the key is further pressed or once pressed to end. Cannot be determined. For this reason, when a key different from the pressed key is pressed, the number of times the previously pressed key is hit at that time is determined.

When the menu key 51 and the kana / alphabet switching key 54 are pressed, the mode switching means 10
3 is operated, and the input mode of the key input processing means 102 is set.

The key input processing means 102 performs processing so that predetermined numerals and characters are output according to the set input mode and the input key. Then, the outputted numbers and characters are displayed on the liquid crystal display 5 via the screen control means 104.

Hereinafter, the output processing of numbers and characters in the key input processing means 102 will be described in detail. First, when each of the keys 21 to 32 is pressed when the input mode is set to the number input mode, the key input processing means 102 outputs the numbers set to the keys 21 to 32. Therefore, in the state of making a telephone call, a telephone number can be input to make a call, and if a telephone number is entered in the telephone directory, the telephone number can be entered and registered.

When the Japanese input mode is set, characters (Katakana) corresponding to the key input operation are output and displayed on the liquid crystal display 5, as shown in FIG. That is, when the keys 21 to 25 are pressed once,
“A” to “O” are output. Also, consonant keys 26-3
When the vowel keys 21 to 25 are pressed after pressing 2, the clear sounds "K" to "W" are output. That is, the key 26 is set to 1
Pressing twice selects "K", and subsequently pressing key 21 selects "A", so "K + A" is output and "K" is output. Similarly, when the keys 26 and 22 are pressed in sequence, "" is output.

When the key 32 is pressed twice, "W" is selected, and when the key 21 is pressed subsequently, "A" is selected. Therefore, "W + A" is output as "W". Similarly, after pressing the keys 26 to 32 once or twice to select the first or second character keys, the other keys are also used for the keys 21 and 22.
By pressing the vowel No. 5, each character in the “ka” line to the “wa” line is output.

Further, after the keys 26 to 28 and 30 are pressed twice to select "G", "Z", "D" and "B", the vowels of the keys 21 to 25 are pressed to select "Ga" and "G". The",
The dull sounds in the “da” and “ba” rows are output. Also, key 3
Press 0 three times to select the third character key "P", and then press the vowels of keys 21-25 to get "P",
The characters "pi", "pu", "pe", and "po" are output.

When the key 32 is pressed three times, a third character key, a prompt sound "tsu" is output, and when the key 29 is pressed twice, a second character key, a sound-repelling sound "n" is output. Further, by pressing "Y" of the key 32 between the consonant and the vowel, a repetitive sound is output. For example, when the keys 26, 32, and 21 are sequentially pressed once, "K" is output as "K + Y + A". When the keys 32 and 25 are sequentially pressed once after pressing the key 26 twice, "Gyo" is output as "G + Y + O".

When the key 55 is pressed once, a period "," is output, and when the key 55 is pressed twice, a reading point "." Is output.

Conventionally, in the case of inputting katakana arranged in Japanese syllabary with a cellular phone, characters are determined by pressing a cursor key for each character and performing a feed operation. Uses a Roman character input in which the keys are pressed in the order of "consonant + vowel".
Characters can be determined when .about.25 is pressed (and when the key 29 is pressed twice), and the feed operation is not required.

In this embodiment, an example is shown in which katakana is input as Japanese input. However, by providing a kanji conversion function for a function key or setting a hiragana input mode, general kana / kanji mixing can be performed. You can also input Japanese.

On the other hand, when the English input mode is set, a character (alphabet) corresponding to the key input operation is output and displayed on the liquid crystal display 5, as shown in FIGS. That is, when the keys 21 to 25 are pressed once, “A” to “O” are output. Also, key 26
-32 is pressed once, the first character key is "K",
"S", "T", "N", "H", "M", "Y" are output.

When the keys 26 to 32 are pressed twice, “G”, “Z”, “D”, “L”, “B”, “R”,
“W” is output. Note that "L" is set as the third character key of the key 29, but "n" of the second character key is for Japanese input. Is set to be output.

Further, the keys 26 to 28 and 30 to 32
Pressing "C", "F", "J", "P", "V",
“X” is output. “X” of the key 32 is a fourth character key, but since the third character key “tsu” is for Japanese, “X” is set to be input in English input.
When the key 30 is pressed four times, “Q” is output.

In order to input the lowercase letters of the alphabet, as shown in FIG. 6, a key 56 for setting the lowercase conversion function after pressing a key for inputting each alphabet is pressed.
You just have to press. The menu 51 may be set so that lowercase letters are set to a standard state, the lowercase letters of the alphabet are input by a normal key operation, and the letters are converted to uppercase letters by pressing the key 56.

In the case of the alphabet, since there is no rule of "consonant + vowel" as in Roman alphabet input, for example, the key 26 is pressed once and twice to input "K" and "G". Key 26 to enter case and "C"
The input cannot be distinguished by pressing three times. Therefore, it is set so that each character is determined by inputting the feed key 53 or another key.

For example, when inputting "K" and "G" successively, after pressing the key 26 once, the key 53 is pressed to determine "K", and after the key 26 is pressed twice, the key 53 is pressed. Press to confirm "G". Further, when characters set to different keys are successively input, the character is determined without pressing the key 53. That is,
To enter “K” and “S” continuously, press key 26
The key 27 may be pressed after the key is pressed twice.

According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. 1) Since a plurality of character keys can be set for one key, Roman character input and English input can be performed using 12 main keys 21 to 32, which are significantly smaller than those of a conventional keyboard. Therefore, the size of the key input device 2 can be reduced, and the key input device 2 can be easily applied to a very small device such as a mobile phone or a wristwatch. Can be easily mastered.

2) Furthermore, a plurality of character keys set for each of the keys 21 to 32 can be selected by the number of times the keys 21 to 32 are pressed, and there is no need to provide another key such as a shift key for selection. The number of keys can be reduced, and the size can be further reduced. Furthermore, since the set character key can be selected only by changing the number of times the keys 21 to 32 are pressed, the selection operation is intuitive and easy to understand, and the operability can be further improved.

3) The first character key can be input by keying each of the keys 21 to 32 once, and the second key can be input by keying twice.
Can be entered, and the character key number and keys 21 to 3 can be entered.
Since the number of times of pressing 2 matches, the key operation becomes easier to remember and the operability can be improved.

4) The number of keys 21 exceeds the set number of character keys.
Even if the user presses .about.32 by mistake, the set number of times of tapping is ignored, and if the key is kept pressed, a correct character key can be selected, so that operability can be improved.

5) The number of times the keys 21 to 32 are hit can be determined by hitting another key, for example, another consonant key or a vowel key, so that a plurality of characters can be input continuously. Input operability can be improved.

6) In particular, in the Japanese input mode,
Vowel keys 21 to 25 because Roman letters are used
The character can be determined at the point when the key is pressed (and the point at which the key 29 is pressed twice), and there is no need to perform the feed operation of pressing the key 53, so that the number of key strokes can be reduced and the operability is further improved. Can be.

7) Since the feed key 53 is provided, even when another key cannot be input continuously, such as when the character set to the same key is input continuously when inputting English, the feed key 53 is definitely determined. can do.

8) The most frequently used vowels in both Japanese and English, namely "A", "I", "U", "E", "O"
Are set to the independent keys 21 to 25, these characters can be input by pressing the key once. For this reason, the number of times of keying in frequently used vowel input can be reduced. Therefore, input operability can be improved, and high-speed input can be performed.

9) Vowels "A", "I", "U",
Since “E” and “O” are arranged from the first row to the second row and from left to right, the key positions of each vowel can be easily remembered, and the operability can be further improved.

10) Keys 26 to 32 in which consonants "K" to "W" are set, and keys 2 in which vowels "A" to "O" are set
Since the keys are set separately for 1 to 25, Japanese can be input by inputting Roman letters of "consonant + vowel".
For this reason, when inputting Japanese, it is possible to input by performing an operation of pressing the key twice on average. For example, “A” line to “W” line are set for ten keys, and each key is set. The input operability can be improved and a high-speed input can be performed as compared with the Japanese syllabary arrangement in which each character is input by pressing the character 1 to 5 times.

11) In the keys 26 to 32 in which the consonants are set, the alphabet used for inputting Roman characters is
Alphabets written above the surface of each key 26-32 and used only for English input are written below the surface of each key 26-32, and are commonly used in Japanese and English. Can be arranged in the same way, making it easier to remember key positions. Therefore, especially when switching between Japanese input mode and English input mode,
The key arrangement is easy to remember, and the operability at the time of key input can be further improved. In addition, alphabets used only for inputting English are written on the lower side of the keys 26 to 32, so that characters for Japanese input and characters for English input can be easily distinguished, and operability is improved. Can be improved.

12) Use “G”, “Z”, “D”, and “B” to input a muddy sound, press “N” twice to input a sound-repelling “n”, or “consonant + Y + The vowels are used to input repetitive sounds, and the input of voiced sounds, etc., using a combination of characters similar to the Roman alphabet input on a conventional general keyboard, so that key operations can be quickly learned and operability improved. You can input at high speed.

13) Further, in the input of Roman characters,
"K" to input "K" line and "G" to input "G" line
The key 27, "S" for inputting the "sa" line, and "Z" for inputting the "the" line to the key 27, "T" for inputting a line, and "D" for inputting a line. Are set to the key 28, and "H" for inputting a row C and "B" for inputting a row are set to the key 30, respectively. Can be entered. For this reason, the key position for the muddy sound can be easily grasped, the input operation can be easily remembered, and the input can be performed at high speed.

14) Each of the keys 21 to 32 is also provided with a numeric key, so that not only character input but also numeric input can be performed. This is especially true for mobile phones, watches,
An address and a telephone number can be easily input to a telephone directory such as an electronic organizer. That is, the twelve keys 21 to 23
2, it is possible to realize three input modes, that is, numeric input for inputting a number or the like by telephone, Japanese input by Roman alphabet input, and English input, and can be applied to various inputs, The key input device 2 can be high.

15) Further, the twelve keys 21 to 32
Since the keys are arranged in four rows and three rows in the upper and lower rows, the arrangement of the numeric keys is the same as the arrangement of the push buttons in various telephones such as mobile phones, and can be easily applied to telephones and faxes.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, the same or equivalent components as those of the first embodiment include:
The same reference numerals are given, and the description is omitted or simplified.

In this embodiment, one key is used as a key for character input.
The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that three keys 33 to 35 are used in addition to the two keys 21 to 32 to use a total of fifteen keys. The basic configuration of setting separately for keys is the same.

That is, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG.
Main keys 21 to 35 and six function keys 71 to 76 in two rows of upper and lower rows and three rows of left and right rows are provided.

Here, in the function keys 71 to 76, various functions set for the telephone are set, and the key 73 is set.
Has a mode switching function for changing the character input mode to a number (standard) input mode, a Japanese input mode, an English input mode, and the like. The key 72 has a lowercase conversion function set. Although the feed key (cursor key) is not shown, it is appropriately set to keys 74, 76 and the like.

On the other hand, the same numeric keys as in the first embodiment are set for the main keys 21 to 32. Also, key 3
Various functions for a telephone are set in 3-35, and these keys 33-35 are provided as function keys in the telephone 1. In this embodiment, they are also used for character input. ing.

The keys 21 to 25 are vowels "A", "I",
“U”, “E”, and “O” are set. Note that the key tops are written in katakana as "A", "I", "U", "E", "O". Also, the keys 27 to 35
"K", "S", "T", "N",
“H”, “M”, “Y”, “R”, and “W” are set. In the first embodiment, “R” and “W” are not set as independent keys. However, in this embodiment, since the number of character keys is increased, “R” and “W” are also set as independent keys 34,
It is set to 35.

Further, in the key 26, a prompt sound "tsu" is set as a first character key, and a repellent sound "n" is set as a second character key. Although not shown on the key top, the keys 27 to 29 and 31 have "G",
Characters for inputting the sound of “Z”, “D”, and “B” are set as second character keys. Furthermore, "C", "F", "J", "L", "Q", "V",
“X” may be set as the second character key or the third character key of each of the keys 27 to 35.

Also in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, by switching the input mode and pressing each key, it is possible to input each character of numbers, Japanese and English. At this time, the input operation of each character is, for example, the second character key, the key may be pressed twice, which is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.

Also in this embodiment, the functions and effects 1) to 15) of the first embodiment can be obtained. 16) Since the number of keys has been increased, "R"
"W" and "tsu" can be input by one key input operation, and when these characters are input, operability can be improved.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the same or corresponding components as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted or simplified.

The key input device 10 of the present embodiment is used as an input device of a personal computer having a personal computer main body and a display composed of a liquid crystal or a CRT. As shown in FIG.
A main key area 80 composed of 15 main keys 81 to 95 in a row, and a support key area 150 composed of five support keys 151 to 155 in five rows of upper and lower one row and right and left below the main key area 80. It is configured as a subject.

The key input device 10 is usually placed on a desk and input with the right hand. At this time, use the index finger that is easy to move
1, 82, 86, 87, 91, and 92 are input, and the other three rows of keys 83 to 85, 88 to 90, and 93 to 95 are input with the middle finger, ring finger, and little finger, respectively.
It is efficient to input 5 with the thumb. However, this setting is a basic operation to the last, and when a plurality of keys are pressed at the same time, the input may be made using an appropriate finger. Further, the input may be performed using the left hand, or the key input device 10 may be supported by the left hand without being placed on the desk.
The basic home position is set to keys 87 to 90 in the middle of the main key area 80.

Main keys 81 to 95 and support key 15
The characters 1 to 155 are set as shown in FIG. That is, alphabets used for Japanese or English input in Roman characters are set on the upper and lower left sides of the key tops of the main keys 81 to 95, and symbols and numbers are set on the upper and lower right sides. A function and an F number are set at the lower end of the key top.

The arrangement of the character keys in the main key area 80 is determined by comparing the order of ease of striking each key in the main key area 80 with the frequency of use of vowels and consonants of the alphabet when inputting Roman characters. It is arranged, and the vowels and consonants are arranged in the middle, upper, and lower rows in the order of ease of hit given on this key arrangement in the order of higher use frequency, respectively,
The keys in each row are arranged from the reference side to the opposite side.

The support keys 151 to 155 mainly have functions such as conversion, non-conversion and shift, and are provided with 15 keys 81 to 9 arranged in the main key area 80.
5 in combination with the key input device 10 to execute various functions.

Therefore, character keys in which various characters are set are constituted by the fifteen keys 81 to 95 in the main key area 80, and function keys are constituted by the five keys 151 to 155 in the support key area 150. ing.
The characters set for the character keys are not limited to alphabets, but include numbers, symbols, functions, key numbers, and the like.

One side (left side in the illustrated example) of the main key area 80 is set as a reference side where the index finger becomes a home position, and a zone composed of two rows of keys on the reference side is set as a vowel zone for inputting vowels. And the main key area 8
A zone consisting of the key group of the remaining three rows of 0 was set as a consonant zone for inputting a consonant.

The vowel zone consisting of two rows of keys on the reference side includes 6 of 81, 82, 86, 87, 91 and 92.
Keys 81, 82, 86,
Vowel keys “A”, “I”, “U”, “E”, and “O” representing vowels are arranged as first character keys in 87, 91, and 92, respectively, as follows. That is, among the vowel keys, the middle keys 87 and 86 each have “A”,
The "I" key tap keys are arranged, "U" and "E" key tap keys are arranged in the upper keys 82 and 81, respectively, and "O" and "O" are sound-plucked in the lower keys 92 and 91, respectively. Hmm"
Keying keys are arranged.

In this arrangement, when the forefinger of the right hand is used as the home position of the vowel zone, the frequently used "A" key is arranged as the key 87 at the position of the home position of the forefinger, and the key 86 next to it is arranged. The key “I” is arranged at the top, and the keys “U”, “E”, and “O” are arranged in the order of use frequency in the upper and lower rows. The arrangement on the vowel zone is “A”, “I”, “U”,
The characters are set so as to be "E" and "O" in consideration of ease of remembering the characters.

On the other hand, in the consonant zones in the three right columns, "K", "S",
"T", "N", "H", "M", "Y", "R",
"W" consonant keys are arranged. More specifically,
The middle keys 88, 89, 90 are "K"
The keys are "S" and "T".
4, 85 are keys of "N", "H", "M" in order from the left side, and further lower keys 93, 94, 95 are keys of "Y", "R", "W" in order from the left side. It has a basic structure. And these arrays are "ka" rows,
"Sa" row, "ta" row, "na" row, "ha" row, "ma" row,
The arrangement is made so that the consonants of the "ya" line, the "ra" line, and the "wa" line are arranged in the middle, upper, and lower rows of the key in the order of akasatana, and further from the reference side to the opposite side.

It should be noted that such an arrangement is set in consideration of the order of ease of striking and the order of frequency of use of the Roman alphabet as in the arrangement of the vowels. When the home position of the zone is set, the key “K” frequently used in Japanese is arranged at the key 88 at the position of the middle finger of the middle tier. Also, next to the key 88 at the middle finger position,
A key 89 provided with “S” is provided, and a key “T” is arranged on a key 90 beside the key 89. As the order goes from the reference side to the opposite side, “N” is assigned to the key 83, “H” is assigned to the key 84, and "M" for 85
The key 93 is provided with “Y”, the key 94 is provided with “R”, and the key 95 is provided with “W”.

The second character key of the vowel key and the consonant key (the upper character of the characters arranged above and below each of the keys 81 to 95 in the main key area 80. Entered when a key is pressed twice), "Q", "J", "X", "."
"P", "B", "G" which constitutes a semi-voiced sound and a voiced sound by combining ",", a prompt "", a period ",", a reading ".", A long sound "-", a dot "•" and a vowel. ”,“ Z ”,“ D ”
Is assigned.

More specifically, “A”, “I”, “U”,
Keys 87, 86, 82, 8 corresponding to "E" and "O"
1, 92 include “Q”, “J”, “.”, “,”,
An “X” is arranged, a prompt sound “tsu” is arranged on a “n” key 91, and keying keys 83, 84 and 85 corresponding to “N”, “H” and “M” in the upper row of the consonant zone are arranged. , "P",
“B” and points “•” are arranged, and “K”, “S”,
Keying keys 88, 89, 90 corresponding to "T"
"G", "Z", and "D" are arranged, and keying keys 93 and 9 corresponding to "Y", "R", and "W" in the lower row.
4, 95, punctuation marks “,”, reading marks “.”, And long sounds “−” are arranged. In the present embodiment, the key arrangement is for the case of operation with the right hand. However, when the operation is performed with the left hand, it goes without saying that the reference side is opposite to that in the illustrated example and is arranged left and right.

Further, the keys 85, 91, 93 to 95 are set such that they can be input in the English input mode. That is, the keys 85, 91, 93 to 95 include:
As the second character key in English input mode,
“C”, “′”, “F”, “V”, and “L” are set. In the key 91, “CAPS” is set as the first character key in the English input mode.

Note that "F" and "V" set in the keys 93 and 94 may be used even when inputting Roman characters. Therefore, in the Japanese input mode, these keys 93 and 94 are "Y" and "R" when they are hit once.
Is input, if the key is pressed twice, punctuation marks “,” and “.” Are input, and if the key is pressed three times, “F” and “V” are input. In the English input mode, the punctuation marks “,” and “.” Are not used, so that if the keys 93 and 94 are pressed twice, “F” and “V” are set.

On the other hand, the support key area 150 has a key 151 having a shift function, a kana-kanji conversion function, and a space input function from the reference side (left side), and a function of kana-kanji non-conversion and a function of switching the input mode to English input. Key 152, a key 153 having a backspace input function and a function of switching an input mode to a numeric symbol input, a key 154 having a delete (DEL) function and a function of switching an input mode to katakana input, and a line feed input And a key 155 having a half-width input function.

Each of the main keys 81 to 95 is also provided with a first character key, that is, a numeric array which is input by a single keystroke when the number symbol mode is set. In this numeric arrangement, numeric keys are set in three central rows of the main key area 80, and arithmetic symbol keys are set in two right and left rows. Specifically, the symbol “−” is assigned to the key 81 and the number “7” is assigned to the key 82 in order from the upper left side of the main key area 80.
, The number “8” on the key 83 and the number “9” on the key 84
, A symbol “/” is set to the key 85, a symbol “+” is set to the key 86, and a numeral “4” is set to the key 87 from the middle left side.
But the key 88 has the number "5" and the key 89 has the number "6"
, A symbol “*” is set to the key 90, and further from the lower left, a number “0” is assigned to the key 91, a number “1” is assigned to the key 92, a number “2” is assigned to the key 93, and a number “2” is assigned to the key 94. 3 is set to the key 95 and the symbol “.” Is set.

Further, each of the main keys 81 to 95 has a second character key, that is, 2 characters, when the number symbol mode is set.
A symbol array that is input by a single keystroke is also set. In this symbol arrangement, a parenthesis symbol "" is assigned to the key 81, a parenthesis symbol "" is assigned to the key 82, a semicolon symbol ";"
4, a colon symbol ":" is set to the key 85, and a symbol "%" is set to the key 85. Also, in order from the middle left, a parenthesis symbol "(" is assigned to the key 86, a parenthesis symbol ")" is assigned to the key 87, and the key 88
Is a modifier symbol "＠", a key 89 is an AND symbol "&",
A key 90 has a sharp sign “#” set thereon, and a modifier 91 “!” Has been assigned to the key 91, a question symbol “?” Has been assigned to the key 92, and a yen symbol “￥” has been assigned to the key 93 from the lower left.
The key 94 is set with a dollar sign “記号”, and the key 95 is set with a sign “=”.

In such a key input device 10,
In the Japanese input mode (standard) or the katakana input mode, a consonant key and a vowel key are sequentially input to perform Japanese input by Roman alphabet input. At this time, as in the above-described embodiment, the first character key is selected by pressing the consonant key once, and the second character key is selected by pressing the key twice, and is determined when the vowel key is pressed. Is done.

In the Japanese input mode, when the conversion key 51 or the non-conversion key 52 is pressed after the character key is input, various conversion processes such as kana-kanji conversion and non-conversion (hiragana) are performed. Done. As described above, the processing for one key input operation is completed, and if there is the next key input, the above processing is repeated to sequentially perform key input.

On the other hand, in the English input mode, each key is sequentially pressed for input. At this time, when the character set to the same key or the same character is continuously input, for example, the key 8
To continuously input “P” and “N” of No. 3 key 83
Is pressed twice, the non-conversion key 152 and the return key 155 are pressed to perform a feed operation, and then the key 83 is pressed once to input.

When a character set to a different key is input, for example, when "S" of the key 89 and "D" of the key 90 are successively input, after the key 89 is hit once, the key You only need to hit 90 twice. in this way,
In the alphabet mode, after a certain key is pressed, another different key or a key 152 or 155 capable of performing a feed operation is pressed, thereby confirming the input.

When the number symbol mode is set, each key 81 to 95 is pressed once to input each numeral (character) in the numeric array, and twice to input each symbol (character) in the symbol array. Is entered. Also in this case, as in the English input mode, after a certain key is pressed, another different key or a key 152 or 155 capable of performing a feed operation is pressed, thereby confirming the input.

In many cases, numbers and symbols are successively input, so that a fixed mode of a numeric array or a symbol array is set.
Numbers and symbols can be entered by simply tapping each key once. In this case, the feed operation is not required when the same number or symbol is continuously input, so that the input operability can be further improved.

The functions and F-numbers set for the keys 81 to 95 are respectively assigned to the keys 152 and 153 and the keys 81
To 95 at the same time.

In this embodiment as well, the same functions and effects 1) to 16) as in the above embodiments can be obtained. In addition, since not only characters and numbers but also symbols and the like are set in the keys 81 to 95, operability at the time of inputting symbols can be improved.

Further, in addition to the 26 letters of the alphabet, the main keys 81 to 95 can be set including punctuation marks "," and reading marks "."
It can handle Japanese input even with a small number of keys. Similarly, in addition to the 26 letters of the alphabet, the main keys 81 to 95 can be set to include, for example, commas "," and periods "."

The present invention is not limited to the configuration of each of the above embodiments, but includes modifications within a range that can achieve the object of the present invention.

For example, the key input device to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the mobile phone 1, but may be a normal desk phone or F-key.
It may be applied to AX. Further, the present invention is not limited to a telephone, and may be applied to a wristwatch, a calculator, an electronic organizer, a portable personal computer, a PDA (personal digital assistant), a numeric keyboard connected to a personal computer, and the like. In short, the key input device of the present invention
The present invention can be applied to various devices that require character input. In particular, since the number of keys is about 12 to 15 and numbers, Japanese, and English can be input, it is suitable for input devices of various small information devices.

In the key input device 10 according to the third embodiment, a number symbol input mode is provided in addition to the character (Japanese input or English input) mode. However, even if this input mode is not set, So that you can enter numbers and symbols,
Press each key 81-95 three times (some keys 85, 93-95
For example, it may be set so that a number is input when the key is pressed four times and a symbol is input when the key is pressed four times (five times with some keys). In this case, the mode switching operation is not required when inputting numbers or symbols, so that the operability can be improved especially when about 1 to 3 numbers or symbols are input during character input. it can.

Further, the types and specific arrangements of the characters (including numbers and symbols) set in each of the key input devices 2 and 10 are not limited to those described in each of the above embodiments, and may be appropriately changed in implementation. Just set it.

For example, in the third embodiment, the alphabets set on the main keys 81 to 95 of the key input device 10 are set separately for the vowel zone and the consonant zone. However, as shown in FIG. The alphabet of the main keys 81 to 95 may be set according to the QWERTY arrangement.

That is, the upper row 1 of the main key area 80
In the columns 81 to 85, keys for inputting "Q", "W", "E", "R", "T" are set as a first character key in order from the left, and a second character key is set. As "Y",
Keys for inputting "U", "I", "O", and "P" are set, and the upper alphabet in a general keyboard of the QWERTY layout is set. Also, the first row of keys 86 to 90 in the main key area 80 includes the first key.
"A", "S", "D", "F",
"G" is used as a second character key for "H", "J",
Keys for inputting "K", "L", "; (semicolon) /-(long sound)" are set. Further, the keys 91 to 95 in the lower row are “Z” as the first character key,
“X”, “C”, “V”, and “B” are “N”, “M”, “, (comma) /, (punctuation)” as second character keys.
Keys for inputting “. (Period) /. (Reading)” and “Caps” are set.

With such a key arrangement, the key order of the QWERTY arrangement, which has been widely used and used in the past, can be set to the fifteen main keys 81 to 95.
A key layout can be easily learned by a person who is accustomed to the WERTY layout and can be used immediately. In addition, because Japanese punctuation marks “,”, punctuation marks “.”, Plucking sounds “n”, and long sounds “-” are also set in Japanese, not only in English input but also in Operability can also be improved.

When the frequency of symbol input is low, the key input device 10 may omit the symbol arrangement as shown in FIG. In this key input device 10, the arrangement of characters and numbers is the same as that of the key input device 10 in FIG.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12, it is also possible to set only keys to keys 81 to 95 without numeric keys.

When the key input device 10 is used exclusively for English, a key arrangement suitable for English input may be used as shown in FIG. That is, the keys 85, 93-9
The second letter key of 5 is the alphabet "C",
Only "F", "V" and "L" are set, and "Shift / Space", "Num", "M"
"ark", "Help", and "Menu" are set. Other keys have the same settings as those in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 14, QWERTY
The key input device 10 having an English-only arrangement according to the arrangement may be used. That is, the main keys 81 to 95 include the key 9
1 except that only “;”, “,” and “.” Are set as the first character keys of 0, 93 and 94.
The same key as the array of 0 is set, and the support keys 151 to 151 are set.
155 may be set the same as in FIG. Figures 13 and 1
As shown in FIG. 4, if the key input device 10 is dedicated to English, it can be a simple key input device suitable for English input.

Further, according to the present invention, as in the above embodiments, the number of the main keys is about 12 to 15 in the key input device 2,
The present invention is not limited to ten keys, and can be applied to a key input device having a smaller or larger number of keys. In short, the present invention can be widely applied to a key input device in which a plurality of character keys are set for one key.

Further, in a cellular phone or the like, keys having functions and the like set to the keys 33 to 35 of the second embodiment may be arranged at left and right positions instead of up and down of numeric keys. , "R", and "W" may be arranged beside the main keys 21 to 32.

The order of each key of vowels and consonants is not limited to that of the above-described embodiments. For example, "U", "A", "I" are arranged in keys 21 to 23, and keys 25, The order may be changed by arranging “E” and “O” in 26, or the order may be changed by arranging consonant keys from the top to the bottom and from left to right. In short, the number and arrangement of the main keys, the arrangement of characters for each key, and the like may be set as appropriate for the implementation.

Further, the key input device of the present invention may be configured by incorporating hardware for realizing the key input processing means 102 or the like in the key input device. The function may be realized by being incorporated in a device and utilizing a CPU or the like of the device.

[0143]

As described above, according to the key input device of the present invention, the number of keys can be reduced, the keys can be easily remembered and hit, and the size can be easily reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a mobile phone to which a key input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a key arrangement of the key input device of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the key input device of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a key input operation in Japanese input.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a key input operation in English input.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a key input operation in English input.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a mobile phone to which a key input device according to a second embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a key arrangement of the key input device of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a key arrangement of a key input device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a key arrangement of a key input device according to a modification of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a key arrangement of a key input device according to a modification of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a key arrangement of a key input device according to a modification of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a key arrangement of a key input device according to a modification of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a key arrangement of a key input device according to a modification of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2, 10, 60 key input device 5 liquid crystal display 21 to 35, 81 to 95 main key 101 key input detecting means 102 key input processing means 103 mode switching means

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. A key input device having a plurality of keys, wherein a plurality of character keys are set for each key, and key input detecting means for detecting how many times the key has been continuously pressed. And a key input processing means for selecting and outputting a character key corresponding to the number of times the key is pressed from among a plurality of character keys set for the key. 2. The key input device according to claim 1, wherein each of said keys is set with first to N-th character keys, and said key input processing means sets said keys to N.
A key input device for selecting and outputting an Nth character key when pressed once. 3. The key input device according to claim 2, wherein each of said keys is set with first and second character keys, and said key input processing means presses said key once. A key input device for selecting and outputting a first character key in such a case, and selecting and outputting a second character key when the key is pressed twice. 4. The key input device according to claim 1, wherein the key input detecting means is configured to determine whether a key is pressed more than a plurality of character keys set for the key. Is a key input device for counting the number of times a key has been pressed, assuming that the number of times the character key has been pressed is ignored, ignoring the number of times the character key is pressed. 5. The key input device according to claim 1, wherein said key input detecting means determines the number of times the key has been hit when a key other than the pressed key is pressed. A key input device, comprising: 6. The key input device according to claim 5, wherein the key input detecting means determines the number of times the key has been pressed before pressing the feed key when the predetermined feed key is pressed. A key input device, characterized in that: 7. The key input device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of keys are alphabets representing vowels, “A”, “I”, “U”, “E”,
A key input device comprising: five vowel keys in which “O” is independently set; and a plurality of consonant keys in which at least two consonants are respectively set. 8. The key input device according to claim 7, wherein when the vowel key is pressed following the consonant key, the key input device determines the number of taps of the consonant key, and A key input device characterized in that an input is also determined. 9. The key input device according to claim 7, wherein the key input device operates the consonant key when another consonant key, a vowel key, or a predetermined feed key is pressed following the consonant key. A key input device for determining the number of keystrokes. 10. The key input device according to claim 1, wherein at least four rows of upper and lower rows and three rows of right and left rows are provided.
Keys, and five of the keys have alphabets "A", "I",
Character keys for inputting "U", "E", "O" are set, and "A", "I", "U",
A key input device characterized in that character keys for inputting consonants are set to keys other than the keys to which "E" and "O" are set. 11. The key input device according to claim 10, wherein the keys other than the keys set with “A”, “I”, “U”, “E”, and “O” include “K”. , "S",
First letter keys for inputting "T", "N", "H", "M", "Y" are set, and these "K", "S",
The keys to which "T", "N", "H", "M", and "Y" are set are "G", "Z", "D", "n",
A key input device, wherein a second character key for inputting "B", "R", and "W" is set. 12. The key input device according to claim 11, wherein the “K”, “S”, “T”, “N”, “H”,
The consonant keys to which "M" and "Y" are set include "C" and "C".
A third character key for inputting "F", "J", "L", "P", "V", "tsu" is set, respectively, and further a consonant key to which "H" and "Y" are set Contains "Q",
A key input device, wherein a fourth character key for inputting "X" is set. 13. The key input device according to claim 11, wherein the “A”, “I”, “U”,
"E", "O", "K", "S", "T", "N",
Keys with “H”, “M” and “Y” set include:
"1", "2", "3", "4", "5", "6",
Numeric keys for inputting numbers and symbols of “7”, “8”, “9”, “*”, “0”, and “#” are set, and the key input mode is switched between numeric key input and character key input A key input device provided with mode switching means. 14. The key input device according to claim 1, wherein at least five upper and lower five rows and three left and right rows are provided.
Keys, and five of the keys have alphabets "A", "I",
Character keys for inputting "U", "E", "O" are set, and "A", "I", "U",
A key input device characterized in that character keys for inputting consonants are set to keys other than the keys to which "E" and "O" are set. 15. The key input device according to claim 14, wherein the keys other than the keys set with “A”, “I”, “U”, “E”, and “O” include “tsu”. , "K",
"S", "T", "N", "H", "M", "Y",
A first character key for inputting "R" and "W" is set,
The keys to which these “tsu”, “K”, “S”, “T”, and “H” are set are “n”, “G”, “Z”,
A key input device, wherein a second character key for inputting "D" and "B" is set. 16. The key input device according to claim 15, wherein the “A”, “I”, “U”, “E”, “O”,
"Tsu", "K", "S", "T", "N", "H",
Keys with “M” set include “1”, “2”,
"3", "4", "5", "6", "7", "8",
Numeric keys for inputting numbers and symbols of “9”, “*”, “0”, and “#” are set, and mode switching means for switching the key input mode to numeric key input and character key input is provided. A key input device characterized by the above-mentioned. 17. The key input device according to claim 1, wherein at least three rows of upper and lower rows and five rows of left and right rows are provided.
Main keys, and each of these keys is set with 26 alphabetical characters and predetermined symbols assigned to a first character key and a second character key of each key. Key input device. 18. The key input device according to claim 17, wherein, among the main keys, five main keys out of six main keys in three rows of upper and lower rows and two rows of left and right rows set as vowel zones are provided. Vowel "A" as the first character key,
A vowel key for inputting "I", "U", "E", "O" is set, and three contiguous zones are set.
The nine main keys in the column have the first character keys "K", "S", "T", "N", "H", "M",
Consonant keys for inputting "Y", "R", and "W" are set, and "G", "Z",
"D", "P", "B", "C", "F", "V",
A key input device, wherein a consonant key for inputting "L" is set. 19. The key input device according to claim 18, wherein “A”, “I”, “U”,
The keys to which "E" and "O" are set are keys for inputting "Q", "J", period ".", Comma "," and "X" as the second character keys, respectively. A key input device characterized by being performed. 20. The key input device according to claim 17, wherein in the upper row of the main key area, "Q", "W", "E",
Keys for inputting "R" and "T" are set, and in the first row of the middle row, "A", "S",
Keys for inputting “D”, “F”, and “G” are set, and “Z”, “Z”,
Keys for inputting “X”, “C”, “V”, and “B” are set, and the “Q”, “W”, “E”,
"R", "T", "A", "S", "D", "F",
The keys to which “G”, “Z”, “X”, “C”, and “V” are set include “Y”, “U”,
"I", "O", "P", "H", "J", "K",
A key input device in which keys for inputting "L", semicolon ";", "N", "M", comma ",", and period "." Are set.