JP3201367B2 - Character input device for portable information terminal - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a character input device for a portable information terminal, and more particularly to a character input device for a portable information terminal for inputting characters using a dial such as a roller or a jog dial.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when performing character input in a portable information terminal or the like, one character of the alphabet is assigned to one key for English input, and one character of a kana character for Japanese. Assign a key to one key.Press one key to input one character, use a keyboard to directly select and input characters, or use an analog touch panel to directly input character shape, stroke, etc. Character recognition is performed (prior art 1).

[0003] For small terminals such as mobile phones that emphasize portability, alphabets and Japanese kana characters are assigned to numeric keys for inputting telephone numbers, and one key is pressed several times. There is also a method of inputting characters by searching for a desired character or turning a dial to select and input characters to be input one by one (prior art 2).

On the other hand, as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-270674, character strings such as alphabets are displayed in a line on a screen, and a cursor or the like is moved to a character to be selected with respect to the character string. It has also been proposed to input a character by displaying the input character to inform the input character, rotating a rotary encoder to sequentially select a character string in the character, and deciding with a button (prior art 3).

Further, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 4-245837, there is also provided a means for selecting a telephone number by rotating a roller by using a roller which can be pushed, and inputting a number by pushing the roller. It has been proposed (prior art 4).

Further, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-187337, in the method of inputting characters using a dial, in order to speed up the input of characters, "A line" Means has been proposed in which a combination of "line", "sa line",... Is selected with a dial, and a desired combination is determined, and in the second stage, the characters present in each line are determined ( Prior art 5).

[0007]

However, such a conventional technique has the following problems to be improved. In the prior art 1, characters may be input using a keyboard. The reason for this is that if the keyboard is used as the input means, the size of the keys and the interval between the keys must be reduced to a certain value or less because of the size of the fingers, which makes the input device very inconvenient. On the other hand, if an attempt is made to maintain an appropriate size so as not to be inconvenient, a limit is imposed when the terminal itself is reduced in size, which is disadvantageous for miniaturization of the terminal.

In the prior art 2, characters are arranged in a one-dimensional array using a jog dial, and character search is performed in the order of “a → i → u → e → o → ka → ki → ku → ke → ko →.・ ・ 」
The character input is performed in the order of. The reason is that if characters are input in a one-dimensional array, it takes a long time to search for characters at distant positions. For example, the arrangement of characters is `` Aigami Okukoku Kokeshi Sesso Satsusatsu and nothing else is Hifumi Homami Mume and Yuyorari Rurowa Npo ° Poppo '' If you try to put "Moji Nyuriku", first enter "Momo", then go through "Me-mu-mi-mi -..." and enter "shi", then "sa-ko-ke -..." You must go back and forth between characters, such as "゛", then "N → → W →" and then "Ni". This is because inputting characters is very inconvenient.

In the prior art 3, as in the problem of the prior art 2, characters are arranged in a one-dimensional array, characters are searched, and characters are input. The reason is that, similarly to the reason for the second problem, if characters are input in a one-dimensional array, it takes a long time to search for characters at distant positions.

The prior art 4 is similar to the problem of the prior art 2 in that characters are arranged in a one-dimensional array, characters are searched for, and characters are input. The reason is that, in this case, if you select about 10 or more characters of numbers and symbols used on the phone, it will not be too difficult, but Japanese
This is because it is very difficult to select more than 100 types of characters such as alphanumeric characters and symbols.

In the prior art 5, when a character is selected only by pressing one roller and the roller is pressed, the consonant direction is set as a line, and the vowel direction is set as a column, the character is selected and then the roller is pressed. Is used to determine a consonant, and then select and determine a row. The reason is that, first of all, by adopting a hierarchical structure, a row is determined, and then when you try to select a column, you notice an error and cannot select the row again. The point is that the same method must be adopted as when characters are originally arranged and characters are selected. In addition, because it is intended to select characters with only one roller, and to select characters in a hierarchical structure, it is difficult to select characters intuitively even if a character table is displayed on the screen.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and has been developed for a character input device using a small space in a small device such as a portable information terminal and a device having a small number of input means. It is intended to be able to easily input characters including Japanese, alphanumeric characters and symbols. Another object of the present invention is to provide an environment in which characters can be input with only one hand, even in an environment where both hands cannot be used, and a pointing device such as a touch panel or a mouse in a portable portable information terminal. There is a need to easily input characters using a simple input device such as a dial without using the device. Further, another object of the present invention is to display a selectable character on a screen displaying the character, thereby giving feedback to a person who inputs the character, so that the character can be input more accurately. Is to do so.

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a character input device for a portable information terminal, comprising: a rotatable dial; and a rotatable and rotatable dial. A guide shaft that is slidably supported in the axial direction, and a rotation detector that is slidably mounted on the guide shaft and detects a rotation direction and a rotation amount of the dial;
A position detector provided on the guide shaft for detecting the position of the dial in the guide axis direction; and a switch for switching the function of the dial between a character input mode and a pointing mode for performing cursor movement, image scrolling, and the like. It is characterized by the following. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a character input device for a portable information terminal according to the first aspect, wherein the position detector is provided on a surface of the guide shaft at predetermined intervals in a length direction thereof. And a brush that is provided slidably along the guide shaft and electrically connects a pair of adjacent position detection electrodes, and is connected by the brush. The position of the dial is detected by detecting a combination of the electrodes. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a character input device for a portable information terminal according to the first aspect,
The position detector is attached to the guide shaft along the length direction, and a resistor that shows a uniform resistance value per unit length in the longitudinal direction, and the guide shaft is parallel to the resistor. And a conductor mounted in an insulated state and an electrode mounted on the dial and in contact with both the resistor and the conductor, the resistance and the conductor that change with the movement of the dial It is characterized in that the position of the dial is detected by detecting the resistance value between them. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the character input device for a portable information terminal according to the first aspect, wherein the position detector is provided on a surface of the guide shaft at a predetermined interval in a length direction thereof. A position detection electrode, and a first position detector that is provided slidably along the guide shaft and that is configured by a brush that electrically connects the pair of adjacent position detection electrodes. A resistor attached to the guide shaft along the length direction, and showing a uniform resistance value per unit length in the longitudinal direction, and the guide shaft,
It comprises a conductor mounted in an insulated state in parallel with the resistor, and a second position detector mounted on the dial and configured as an electrode in contact with both the resistor and the conductor. The changeover switch selectively enables the second position detector in a cursor movement mode and the first position detector in a character input mode. I do.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a character input device for a portable information terminal according to any one of the first to fourth aspects,
The dial is provided so as to surround the dial, and is operably connected to the changeover switch.When the changeover switch is operated to the character input mode side in this frame, a part of the dial is fitted. ,
A plurality of shallow grooves for the positioning are provided at intervals in the sliding direction of the dial, and with respect to these shallow grooves, the switch is located on the cursor movement mode side on the opposite side of the dial. A depression for moving the dial toward a predetermined position by being brought into contact with the dial when the dial is operated. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the character input device for a portable information terminal according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein in the character input mode, based on information from the rotation detector, a consonant of a Japanese character. A directional character group is switched, and a vowel direction of a Japanese character is selected based on information from the position detector. Further, the character input device in the portable information terminal according to the seventh aspect of the present invention is the first to fifth aspects.
In any one of the above, in the cursor movement mode, a vertical scroll display is performed based on information from the rotation detector, and a horizontal scroll display is performed based on information from the position detector. Features.
Further, the character input device for a portable information terminal according to claim 8 of the present invention detects the operation position of the changeover switch according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and performs character input based on the detection result. Control means for selectively switching between processing and cursor movement processing is provided.

According to the character input device of the portable information terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 8 of the present invention,
By switching the operational feeling of the dial between the time of character input and the time of moving the cursor, it is possible to operate the dial according to each mode. At the time of character input, the vowel direction of Japanese characters is selected by the horizontal operation of the dial, and the consonant direction is selected by the operation of the rotation direction of the dial, so that characters are input only by the dial. Character input can be performed faster than in the case. Further, at the time of cursor movement, horizontal scrolling is performed by moving the dial in the horizontal direction, and vertical scrolling is performed by rotating the dial, thereby performing text browsing and moving the cursor.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Referring to FIG. 1, in this embodiment, a display device 104 for displaying input characters, a control dial 115 for inputting characters and moving a cursor, and a function for switching a dial function to a character input mode or a cursor moving mode. And a guide 113 for guiding the lateral movement of the dial. The control dial 115 is connected to the display device 104.
The display device displays a selectable character 111 and a selectable character 114 on the display device, and further displays an input character 101, a conversion waiting character 102, and a character input waiting cursor 103 on the same screen.

At the time of character input, selectable characters are displayed on the display device. By turning the control dial 115, this character group can be sequentially changed to "Aioueo", "Kakikukeko", "Sashisusesoso", etc. It switches to the character group of. One of the selectable characters 111 is displayed in reverse video or the like, and is distinguished from other selectable characters 111 by being selected characters 114 indicating that the character is currently selected. The display during selection of the selected character 114 corresponds to each position of the control dial 115,
This instruction is displayed on the display device 104, and as shown in FIG. 1, the currently selected character can be identified by, for example, inverting the display to a position corresponding to the position on the control dial 115.

On the other hand, the buttons required for Japanese character conversion are the buttons 105 to 110. These buttons include a determination button 105 for performing a determination operation such as determination of an input character and a conversion character, a cancellation button 106 for performing a cancellation operation such as canceling a character being input or canceling a conversion, and performing Japanese conversion. Conversion button 107 for
Previous candidate button 1 for specifying the previous candidate of the character being converted
08, BS button 109 for deleting characters with incorrect input,
It comprises a character type switching button 110 for switching character types such as hiragana, katakana, alphanumeric characters and symbols.

Next, FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the present embodiment. In circuit terms, it generates screen display information,
A CPU 201 that performs processing according to the operation based on information of each switch, a program memory 202 in which processing contents of the CPU 201 are described, and writing and reading of information that the CPU 201 wants to temporarily store when performing any processing. , A display device 204 for displaying a screen during character input and other processing results of the CPU, a control dial rotation input 205 for a user to input information such as character input and cursor movement, control Dial left / right input 2
06, an input mode switching switch 207 for switching the dial function to a character input mode or a cursor movement mode, and various buttons 208.

FIG. 3 is a structural diagram of the present embodiment when the dial is used to input characters and when the cursor is moved. The input portion includes an outer frame 301, a dial guide 302 serving as a central axis when the dial is moved in the lateral direction, a stopper 304 for restricting the lateral movement of the dial, a dial 305, and an input mode switch 303. The dial 305 and the dial guide 302 are fixed to a main body housing or a main body substrate by a stopper 304.

The outer frame 301 is connected to an input mode changeover switch 303. By sliding the switch 303, the outer frame 301 is moved to change the operational feeling of the dial. This switch is electrically connected to CP
When the mode is switched, the information is passed to the CPU 201, and the CPU 201 performs a process according to the mode.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are layout diagrams at the time of character input. In FIG. 3A, the jagged portion on the upper side of the outer frame 301 indicates "a / i / u / e /"
This is a mechanism for obtaining a click feeling so that when a vowel such as "O" is selected, its movement is easily linked to the screen. By this means, when the dial 305 is moved in the horizontal direction, a total of five stages of movement can be performed. At this stage, any number of stages can be used as long as it is linked to the screen.For example, in an environment where the screen can be widened in the horizontal direction, the selected character string can be changed to "a / i / u / e / o / oka / ki / ku". It is also possible to display ten characters such as “Keiko” and divide the horizontal movement of the dial into ten steps.

FIG. 3B shows a state where the dial 305 is moved in the character input mode. This figure also shows that the dial 305 does not stop at the jagged peak but stops at the valley.

FIGS. 3C and 3D are layout diagrams when the cursor is moved. When you move the cursor, you want to remove the click sensation when you move in the horizontal direction, unlike when entering characters. To realize this, the input mode changeover switch 303 is slid to the cursor movement mode side. When the input mode switch 303 is set to the cursor movement mode, the dial 305 comes into contact with the lower part of the outer frame. The lower part of the outer frame 301 has a concave shape at the center, so that when the hand is released from the dial 305, the structure naturally returns to the center.

Next, a method of horizontal scrolling in the cursor movement mode will be described. A first example of the horizontal scrolling of the image is a pattern for specifying the position of the screen to be scrolled and displayed in accordance with the stop position of the dial 305 in the left-right direction. For example, for an image that cannot be displayed on the screen without horizontal scrolling, the image is divided into n. Here, the value of n indicates the resolution in detecting the dial 305 in the horizontal direction. This resolution indicates the number of divisions when the position of the dial 305 is specified when the dial 305 is moved from the leftmost to the rightmost when the dial 305 is moved in the horizontal direction. For example, if the resolution is 8 bits, the display position by the horizontal scroll is divided into 256 and the dial 305 is displayed.
The screen corresponding to the horizontal output of is displayed. At this time,
If the dial 305 is moved to the leftmost position, the leftmost of the horizontal scroll image is displayed. If the dial 305 is moved to the rightmost position,
In other words, the rightmost side of the horizontal scroll image is displayed. A second example is a pattern in which the distance from the center when the dial 305 is moved in the left-right direction is converted into the scroll speed. In this case, in the default state, that is, when the hand is released from the dial 305, the dial 305 is located at the center position of the moving frame.
By moving the dial 305 to the left from this center position,
The image scrolls to the left and moves to the right to scroll the image to the right. The scroll speed of the image at this time is made proportional to the amount of deviation from the center position of the dial 305. That is, if the dial 305 moves away from the center position,
That is, the scrolling speed in the horizontal direction increases. In the shape of the outer frame 301 in FIG. 3, the structure is considered assuming the pattern of the second example. That is, when the user does not touch the dial 305 when browsing the normal screen, the dial 305 exists at the center position and does not scroll in the horizontal direction. Conversely, when the former pattern is assumed, the lower part of the outer frame 301 may be removed.

Here, a case is considered where all screens cannot be displayed on the display device 104 when browsing a screen such as a map. Basic operations of screen scrolling are vertical scrolling and horizontal scrolling.
The vertical scroll is performed by rotating the dial 305, and the horizontal scroll is performed by moving the dial 305 in the left-right direction. First, it is assumed that the center of the map image is displayed on the display device 104. Here, when looking at the upper part of the map, the dial 305 is rotated upward. By rotating the dial 305 upward, the image scrolls downward, and the upper part of the image can be seen. Conversely, when looking at the lower part of the map, the dial 305 is rotated downward. Next, when viewing the left portion of the map, the dial 305 is moved leftward from the center position. By moving the dial 305 to the left, the image scrolls to the right and the left portion of the image can be viewed. Conversely, when looking at the right part of the map, the dial 305 is moved rightward from the center position. The horizontal scroll speed corresponds to the amount of movement of the dial 305 from the center position. When you stop scrolling, release the dial 305.
Returns to the center position, and the amount of movement from the center position becomes zero, so scrolling stops.

FIG. 3D shows a state in which the dial 305 is moved in the horizontal direction in the cursor movement mode. When the dial 305 is moved in the horizontal direction, the lower part of the outer frame 301 is moved. When the hand is bent and released, the repulsive force causes the dial 305 to return to the center position.

Next, FIG. 4 shows a structure capable of simultaneously detecting the lateral movement of the dial 404 and the rotation thereof. FIG. 4 shows a plurality of position detection electrodes 4 for detecting the movement axis 401 of the dial 404 and the horizontal position of the dial 404.
02, a brush 403 formed inside the dial 404, a contact 405 for the rotation of the dial 404, and an electrical signal of the electrode 405. To CPU 20
1 and wirings 406 and 407 for transmission to an electric circuit. Here, the reason why the wiring is divided into two is that at least two electric wirings are required when a general jog dial position detection method is used. In the present embodiment, the position detecting electrode 402
And the brush 403 constitute a position detector.

FIG. 5 shows the position detecting electrode 402 and the brush 40.
3 is an enlarged view, and reference numerals 4021 to 4024 denote individual electrodes. The position detecting electrode 402 also needs a wiring 408 for transmitting an electric signal to the CPU 201 or the like. The wiring 408 passes through the inside of the moving shaft 401 and does not directly contact the brush 403 attached to the dial 404. The brush 403 moves from the electrode 4021 to the electrode 4024 in the lateral direction, contacts between the electrodes, and plays a role of a switch for connecting the respective electrodes. For example, when the brush 403 exists between the electrode 4022 and the electrode 4023, the electrode 4022 and the electrode 4023 come into electrical contact with each other, the resistance between the wiring 4083 and the wiring 4082 becomes 0 ohm, and the wiring is electrically connected. State.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 shows the assignment of positions at the time of character input according to the present invention when divided into five stages. One of the left and right sides of the moving axis 401 is set as the origin, one end is set to 0%, and the other end is set to 100%. This axis 401
Is divided into five equal parts, and P0, P1, P2, P3, P4 from the 0% side
Is assigned. For example, in the case of FIG. 6, 0% ≦ P <20% → P0 20% ≦ P <40% → P1 40% ≦ P <60% → P2 60% ≦ P <80% → P3 80% ≦ P ≦ 100% → Assign to P4. When a position is detected by an electrode as shown in FIG. 4, the contact number corresponding to the position is divided into five and the position information from P0 to P4 is assigned when the number corresponds to each position.

A method for inputting characters will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 1, when the control dial 115 is moved right and left, it is the same as moving the dial 404 in FIG.
When indicating the position of 0, selectable character 11 in FIG.
The character "ko" of the number 1 is highlighted and the user is notified that the character selected by the user is "ko". This informing method may be reverse display or shaded display so that the selected character and the non-selected character can be distinguished so that the user can identify it. Similarly, when the dial indicates the position of P1, the character of "ke" is displayed. When the dial indicates the position of P2, the character of "ku" is displayed. In the case of P3, the character of "ki" is displayed. Let it.

If the character to be input does not exist in the selectable characters 111, the control dial 115 is rotated to display other selectable characters 111. For example, when the control dial 115 is rotated upward, the character "Kakikukeko" is currently displayed. When the control dial 115 is rotated downward, the character "Sashisuseso" is displayed. It is so.

When the currently input character type is Hiragana and the character to be input next is katakana, the character type switch button 110 is pressed once to switch to another character set. It is not necessary to specify the order in which the character types are switched, but as an example, the following is used: if the characters are switched cyclically each time the button is pressed, such as Hiragana → Katakana → Alphanumeric → Symbol → Hiragana But easy to understand.

In order to input a character displayed on the display device 104 in FIG. 1, the following procedure is taken. First, the user operates the control dial 115 to highlight and select "MO". Next, OK button 10
5 is pressed once, and the control dial 115 is again operated to highlight and select “Ji”.
Press 5 once.

In this way, "moji-no" is input. At this time, these characters are set as decorative characters by underlining or the like to indicate that the characters have not been converted into Japanese. Here, the conversion button 107 and the previous candidate button 108
Is used to select a target conversion character string. When a character string "character" is found, the enter key 105 is pressed once to determine the conversion character. The characters are input in this manner.

If the character being input is erroneously input, the character is deleted using the BS button 109 and input is made again.

Next, the scroll operation will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the main body initial state display screen 601 in FIG. 7 is set to an initial state. In this state, when the dial 115 is rotated as indicated by an arrow in the figure of the main body vertical scroll display screen 602, scrolling is performed in the vertical direction. When the control dial 115 is moved in the horizontal direction, the screen is scrolled in the horizontal direction as shown in a main body horizontal scroll display screen 603.

FIG. 8 shows a basic flow of character input, and FIG. 9 shows a flow of cursor movement. In FIG. 8, the resistance value VR
The reading 703 is assumed to detect the lateral position of the control dial 115 and extract analog data such as a resistor. FIG. 9 shows a control dial 115 operated by an input mode changeover switch 112.
5 is a flowchart showing a method of software flow control when the function is switched to a character input mode or a cursor movement mode.

Here, "Is the output of the character input / cursor movement switch changed?" (Step 802)
Means for detecting a change in the output of the input mode changeover switch 112 as an interrupt signal by hardware and outputting the change to the CPU 201 so as to capture the output of the input mode changeover switch 112 every time an interrupt occurs. And means for checking the output of the input mode changeover switch 112 at regular intervals by software polling. Either of these methods may be used. However, if the processing amount of the CPU 201 is to be reduced, it is better to use an interrupt. Since there is no need to perform processing for this part except when the switch 112 does not change, the processing amount is reduced. It is possible to reduce.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 shows a structure in which the position is detected using a resistor, as opposed to the structure in which the electrode 402 detects the horizontal position of the dial in FIG. The position detector according to the present embodiment includes a resistor 901 which is a resistance material having a uniform resistance value per unit length, a character position detection electrode 902 used for position detection at the time of character input, and a cursor position detection electrode 905. , Dial 904, dial rotation detection electrode 903
Consists of

FIG. 11 is a three-dimensional view of FIG. Next, a part that cannot be expressed in FIG. 10 will be described with reference to FIG. An electrode for sending the output result of the dial part character position detecting electrode 906 and the dial rotation detecting electrode 903 for creating a contact point of the electrode adjacent to the character position detecting electrode 902 as an electric signal to another device such as the CPU 201. Electrodes 907 and 908 that are both wirings
Consists of Two electrodes are required for the same reason as described with reference to FIG.

Next, the dial portion character position detecting electrode 90
12 is shown in FIG. 12, and a resistor 901, a character position detecting electrode 902, and a cursor position detecting electrode 90 are shown in FIG.
5 shows an enlarged view of a portion 5. Electrode for character position detection 902
Is further disassembled, the conductor electrode 9021, the conductor electrode 90
22, the conductor electrode 9023, the conductor electrode 9024, the conductor electrode 9025, the insulator 9026, the insulator 9027,
An insulator 9028 and an insulator 9029 are provided.
The position of the dial at the time of character input is detected by contact between the conductor electrode group, the insulator group, and the dial portion character position detecting electrode 906, but the principle is the same as that described with reference to FIG.

Further, the character position detecting electrode 902 is sandwiched between the resistor insulator 909 and the cursor position detecting electrode insulator 910 so as not to make electrical contact with the resistor 901 and the cursor position detecting electrode 905. Structure.
The wiring for the character position detecting electrode 902 is composed of the resistor insulator 909 and the cursor position detecting electrode insulator 91.
What is necessary is just to wire so that it may pass through 0.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the dial 904. The dial 904 is a part that the user touches and rotates, and a dial operating part 9041 made of an insulator, a resistor 901, a brush 9042 for making electrical contact with the cursor position detecting electrode 905,
Dial part character position detecting electrode 906 is connected to dial 904.
And a groove 9043 for moving the dial part character position detecting electrode 906 together when the dial 904 is moved in the left-right direction. Further, since the brush 9042 is also a conductor, it is necessary to perform a process such as insulating the brush 9042 side of the dial character position detecting electrode 906 so as not to contact the dial character position detecting electrode 906.

In this embodiment, the same operation and effect as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

The shapes, dimensions, and the like of each component shown in the above embodiment are merely examples, and can be variously changed based on design requirements and the like. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, a guide 1013, a dial 1015, and an input mode changeover switch 1012 are arranged beside the display device 1004, and an enter button 1005, a cancel button 1006, a conversion button 1007, a previous candidate button 1008, a BS button 10
09 and the character type switching button 1010 may be arranged below the display device 1004.

[0046]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained. The first effect is to provide a rotary dial for inputting characters including Japanese and a mechanism for moving the dial in a horizontal direction, display a character string to be input on the screen, and try to select oneself. By giving a decoration to the user, such as highlighting the characters being considered, visually appealing to the user, the characters can be input easily and with one hand. The reason is that by searching the consonant direction of Japanese characters by rotating the dial and selecting the vowel direction by moving the dial laterally, the character can be selected only by operating the dial.

The second effect is that the operability of the dial is switched by a switch, and in response to the operation of the switch, a click feeling is obtained when moving in the horizontal direction when inputting a character, and a click feeling is not given when moving the cursor. In addition, the operability to automatically return to the center position when the hand is released from the dial can be obtained. The reason for this is that the switch that switches operability is integrated with a frame that creates a click feeling or a mechanism that returns to the center when you release your hand, a key-shaped mold is created on one side of this frame, and a recess is formed in the center on the other side The key-shaped part of this frame comes into contact with the dial when entering characters by creating a mechanism with a key, and this key-shaped part separates from the dial when the cursor moves, and a mechanism to return the dial to the center position The operability suitable for character input and cursor movement can be obtained by contacting the created part.

The third effect is that when the cursor moves, the resistor,
By selectively using a conductive electrode when inputting characters, power consumption can be reduced as compared with a case where position detection is performed using only a resistor. The reason is that compared to the position detection using a resistor, which must keep the A / D converter operating to detect the position, the electrode system, in which current flows only when the electrodes are in contact, consumes less power. Because it can be reduced. In addition, since the movement of the cursor requires fine movement, it is desirable to use a resistor to detect the position. However, the position detection at the time of inputting a character does not require a rough detection of about five steps. Because there is no.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a main part of a main body according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an input mode changeover switch according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic view of a main part of a dial according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged external schematic view of a main part of the dial of one embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining mapping of a dial position at the time of character input in one embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram when a cursor is moved in one embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a character input flowchart according to one embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a character input / cursor movement switch according to an embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a dial according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an external view of a dial according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a dial character position detecting electrode according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of a dial guide shaft according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram of a dial according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a front view of a main part of a main body showing a modification of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 input character 102 conversion waiting character 103 character input waiting cursor 104 display device 105 enter button 106 cancel button 107 conversion button 108 previous candidate button 109 BS button 110 character type switching button 111 selectable character 112 input mode switching switch 113 guide 114 selected character 115 control dial 201 CPU 202 program memory 203 work memory 204 display device 205 control dial rotation input 206 control dial left / right input 207 input mode changeover switch 208 various buttons 301 outer frame 302 dial guide 303 input mode changeover switch 304 stopper 305 dial 401 moving axis 402 Position detection electrode (position detector) 403 Brush (Position detector) 404 Dial 405 Electrode (rotation detector) 406 Wiring 407 Wiring 408 Wiring group 4021 Electrode 4022 Electrode 4023 Electrode 4024 Electrode 4081 Wiring 4082 Wiring 4083 Wiring 4084 Wiring 601 Main body initial state display screen 602 Main body vertical scroll display screen 603 Body horizontal scroll display screen 701 Start step 702 Horizontal position change detection step 703 Resistance reading step 704 Resistance judgment A step 705 Resistance judgment B step 706 Resistance judgment C step 707 Resistance judgment D step 708 Set column status E Step 709 Character code determination step 710 Character group display step 711 Selected character reverse display step 712 Confirmation key confirmation step 713 Confirmation of input characters and text Input step 714 End step 715 Set column status A step 716 Set column status B step 717 Set column status C step 718 Set column status D step 801 Start step 802 Function change switch output change detection step 803 Function switch Switch mode discrimination step 804 Step to shift to cursor movement mode 805 End step 806 Step to shift to character input mode 901 Resistor 902 Electrode for character position detection 903 Dial rotation detection electrode 904 Dial 905 Electrode for cursor position detection 906 Dial character position detection Electrode for electrode 907 Electrode A 908 Electrode B 909 Insulator for resistor 910 Insulator for cursor position detection electrode 9021 Conductor electrode 9022 Conductor electrode 9023 Conductor Body electrode 9024 Conductor electrode 9025 Conductor electrode 9026 Insulator 9027 Insulator 9028 Insulator 9029 Insulator 9041 Dial operation unit 9042 Brush 9043 Groove 1001 Input character 1002 Conversion waiting character 1003 Character input waiting cursor 1004 Display device 1005 Decision button 1006 Cancel button 1007 Convert button 1008 Previous candidate button 1009 BS button 1010 Character type switch button 1011 Selectable character 1012 Input mode switch 1013 Guide 1014 Selected character 1015 Dial

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A rotatable dial, a guide shaft rotatably and slidably supported in a direction of a rotation axis, and a slidably mounted on the guide shaft for rotating and rotating the dial. A rotation detector for detecting an amount, a position detector provided on the guide shaft for detecting a position of the dial in the guide axis direction, and a function of the dial for a character input mode and a pointing mode for cursor movement and image scrolling. A character input device in a portable information terminal, comprising: a changeover switch that switches between the character input device and the character input device. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the position detector comprises:
A plurality of position detection electrodes provided on the surface of the guide shaft at predetermined intervals in the length direction thereof, and a pair of adjacent position detection electrodes provided slidably along the guide shaft. A portable information terminal comprising a brush for electrically connecting each other, and detecting the position of the dial by detecting a combination of position detection electrodes connected by the brush. Character input device. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the position detector comprises:
A resistor mounted on the guide shaft along the length direction, and showing a uniform resistance value per unit length in the longitudinal direction, and mounted on the guide shaft in parallel with the resistor and in an insulated state. And a conductor, which is attached to the dial, is configured with an electrode that contacts both the resistor and the conductor,
A character input device for a portable information terminal, wherein a position of a dial is detected by detecting a resistance value between a resistor and a conductor that changes with movement of the dial. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the position detector comprises:
A plurality of position detection electrodes provided on the surface of the guide shaft at predetermined intervals in the length direction thereof, and a pair of adjacent position detection electrodes provided slidably along the guide shaft. A first position detector constituted by a brush for electrically connecting the first and second position detectors, the first position detector being mounted on the guide shaft along a length direction, and exhibiting a uniform resistance value per unit length in the longitudinal direction. A resistor, a conductor mounted on the guide shaft in parallel with the resistor and in an insulated state, and an electrode mounted on the dial and in contact with both the resistor and the conductor. A second position detector, wherein the changeover switch selectively activates the second position detector in the cursor movement mode and the first position detector in the character input mode. Like Character input device in a portable information terminal, characterized by being. 5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the dial is provided so as to surround the dial, and is operatively connected to the changeover switch.
When the changeover switch is operated to the character input mode side, a part of the dial is fitted, so that a plurality of shallow grooves for positioning are arranged at intervals in the sliding direction of the dial. When the changeover switch is operated to the cursor movement mode side on the opposite side of the dial with respect to these shallow grooves, the dial is brought into contact with the dial, thereby bringing the dial to a predetermined position. A character input device in a portable information terminal, wherein a dent for moving the character input device is provided. 6. The position detector according to claim 1, wherein a character group in a consonant direction of a Japanese character is switched based on information from the rotation detector in a character input mode. A vowel direction of a Japanese character is selected based on information from the character input device. 7. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, in a cursor movement mode, a vertical scroll display is performed based on information from said rotation detector, and a horizontal scroll display is performed based on information from said position detector. A character input device in a portable information terminal, wherein a scroll display is performed. 8. A control means according to claim 1, wherein an operation position of said changeover switch is detected, and based on a result of the detection, a control means for selectively switching between a character input process and a cursor movement process is provided. A character input device for a portable information terminal, comprising: