JP2011257941A - Character input device, character decoration method and character decoration program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a character input device capable of easily and appropriately decorating a selected character.SOLUTION: The character input device comprises: a character selection section 30 that selects a character; an input detection section 50 that continuously detects an input position with input means; and a character decoration section 40 that continuously perform a decoration process on the character selected by the character selection section 30 based on a movement direction and a movement amount of the input position continuously detected by the input detection section 50.

Description

  The present invention relates to a character input device, a character decoration method, and a character decoration program, and more particularly, to a character input device including input means such as an input key, a touch panel, and a touch pad.

  In any information device that is equipped with an input means from a desktop personal computer to a small mobile phone terminal, the ease of inputting characters and figures is an important condition when selecting those information devices. In particular, a small terminal such as a mobile phone terminal has a limited space for installing the input means. Therefore, an input means and an input method that can accurately perform a desired input with a simple operation are required. Therefore, various input means and input methods have been proposed so far (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

  For example, the input device disclosed in Patent Document 1 determines a position where a finger or the like touches at the beginning of a touch pad to which a region is divided into a plurality of characters and assigned characters, and displays a selection candidate assigned to the position. In addition, a character selection candidate is determined based on the movement amount of the finger from the position.

  In addition, the mobile phone disclosed in Patent Document 2 determines the key input of the key input unit, displays a selection candidate group related to characters and the like according to the input, and selects by the amount of movement of the finger on the touch pad after that Confirm the candidate.

  Furthermore, in the data editing method disclosed in Patent Document 3, when an area on the screen related to the selected editing target is touched with a pointing device (pen), a plurality of editing menu icons are displayed around the touched point, By moving the pen toward the icon related to the above process, the items to be edited are sequentially narrowed down, finally one edit process is determined, and the edit process is executed.

  According to the above input device, mobile phone, and data editing method, it is possible to input a desired character or the like by a simpler method than before.

JP 2007-193465 A JP 2001-274888 A JP-A-9-204426

  The input device, the mobile phone, and the data editing method only present a selection method for selecting a character or the like from a plurality of candidates or selecting an item related to editing processing.

  In addition, the above input device and mobile phone are common in that characters and items are selected using a pointing device such as a touch pad, but the operation of selecting by moving a finger or the like on the touch pad is a key operation. Operation is difficult compared to input by pressing. This is due to the fact that a completely different character or item is selected if the finger moves even slightly.

  On the other hand, in recent years, as symbolized by the spread of pictograms and animation characters in e-mails, there is an increasing need to improve the visual appeal by decorating displayed characters. Displayed even if the size or angle of the character changes due to processing that changes the decoration of the character, such as the size of the character size, the inclination angle of the italic character, the color of the character or the shade of the shadow, etc. The meaning of the characters themselves does not change. For this reason, it is desirable to perform a process of changing the decoration of characters using a pointing device such as a touch pad.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a character input device, a character decoration method, and a character decoration program capable of easily and accurately decorating a selected character. And

  The character input device of the present invention includes a character selection unit that selects a character, an input detection unit that continuously detects an input position by an input unit, and a moving direction and movement of the input position that is continuously detected by the input detection unit. A character decoration unit that continuously performs a decoration process related to the character selected by the character selection unit based on the amount.

  According to the above configuration, the selected character can be easily and accurately decorated by continuous operation input with a finger or the like.

  In the character input device of the present invention, the character decoration unit determines the type of the decoration process based on the moving direction of the input position.

  According to the above-described configuration, for example, it is possible to perform different decoration processing depending on whether the input movement direction by a finger or the like is in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction.

  In the character input device of the present invention, the character decoration unit determines the degree of the decoration process based on the amount of movement of the input position.

  According to the above configuration, for example, a large amount of decoration can be performed when the input position by a finger or the like moves greatly, and a small amount of decoration can be performed when the input position by a finger or the like moves small. The desired decoration can be given to the.

  In the character input device of the present invention, the input detection unit detects the size of an input area by the input unit, and the character decoration unit has a size of the input area of a predetermined time or more and less than a predetermined area. After the state continues, the decoration processing is performed based on the moving direction and moving amount of the input position by the input means.

  According to the above configuration, for example, it is possible to identify whether the input is a key input or a drag operation according to the contact area, and the decoration process can be performed in the case of the drag operation, and the key input and the decoration process are continuously performed. Can do.

  Further, in the character input device of the present invention, when the character decoration unit does not detect an input by the input detection unit after the input area size continues for a predetermined time or more and less than a predetermined area, The decoration process is terminated.

  According to the above configuration, the decoration process can be easily ended by terminating the input such as the drag operation after performing the decoration process on the character.

  In the character input device of the present invention, the decoration processing may include processing for continuously changing the inclination of the character selected by the character selection unit, processing for continuously changing the shadow of the character, and color of the character. Is a process for continuously changing the character size, and a process for continuously changing the character size.

  According to the above configuration, even if a slight error is input, only the degree of decoration processing is slightly different, and the meaning of the character itself after the decoration processing does not change. Can be performed accurately and accurately.

  In addition, the character input device of the present invention includes a display unit that displays characters that have been subjected to decoration processing continuously by the character decoration unit.

  According to the said structure, the result by which the decoration process was performed to the character can be confirmed visually.

  In the character input device of the present invention, the character selection unit selects from characters input by the key input unit, and the input detection unit detects an input position to the touch pad.

  According to the above configuration, in a character input device having a key input unit and a touch pad, it is possible to easily and accurately decorate a selected character by continuous operation input with a finger or the like.

  In the character input device of the present invention, the character selection unit selects from characters input by a touch panel having a key input unit, and the input detection unit detects an input position on the touch panel.

  According to the above configuration, in a character input device having a touch panel, it is possible to easily and accurately decorate a selected character by continuous operation input with a finger or the like.

  Further, the character decoration method of the present invention includes a step of selecting a character, a step of continuously detecting an input position by the input means, and a moving direction and a moving amount of the continuously detected input position, Continuously performing a decoration process relating to the selected character.

  According to the above method, it is possible to easily and accurately decorate a selected character by continuous operation input with a finger or the like.

  Further, the character decoration program of the present invention provides a computer with a step of selecting a character, a step of continuously detecting an input position by the input means, and a moving direction and a moving amount of the continuously detected input position. And a step of continuously performing the decoration processing related to the selected character.

  According to the above program, it is possible to easily and accurately decorate a selected character by continuous operation input with a finger or the like.

  According to the present invention, the selected character can be easily and accurately decorated.

The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the character input device in embodiment of this invention The figure which showed typically an example of the operation part and display part in the character input device in embodiment of this invention The flowchart which shows the procedure of the character decoration process of the character input device in embodiment of this invention The figure which showed typically the relationship between the movement of the finger | toe in the touchpad input mode of embodiment of this invention, and the decoration process of a character The figure which showed typically the mode of the decoration of the character at the time of moving a finger | toe upwards in the touchpad input mode of embodiment of this invention The figure which showed typically the mode of the decoration of the character at the time of moving a finger | toe leftward in the touchpad input mode of embodiment of this invention The figure which showed typically the mode of the decoration of the character at the time of moving further to the left after moving a finger | toe upwards in the touchpad input mode of embodiment of this invention

  Hereinafter, a character input device, a character decoration method, and a character decoration program according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  As a character input device of this embodiment, a portable terminal device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and other character input devices can be considered, for example.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a character input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. A character input device 100 shown in FIG. 1 mainly includes an operation unit 10, a control unit 20, a character selection unit 30, a character table 31, a character decoration unit 40, an input detection unit 50, a timer 60, and a display unit 70. The

  The operation unit 10 includes a key unit 11 and a pad unit 12. The key unit 11 is an operation unit (numeric keypad) that allows a character, a symbol, or the like to be input uniquely by pressing a key. The pad unit 12 is an operation unit that can continuously input a movement direction and a movement amount by moving a pressed finger or the like. As the configuration of the pad portion 12, there are an electrostatic type and a resistive film type, but either can be applied in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, as will be described later, the operation unit 10 in which the key unit 11 and the pad unit 12 are integrated will be mainly described. However, the operation unit 10 may not be integrated. The finger is one of input means for performing an operation input to the key unit 11 and the pad unit 12, and a stylus pen or the like may be used as the input means instead of the finger.

  The control unit 20 performs overall control of the overall operation of the character input device 100, such as detection of operation input from the operation unit 10 and execution of character decoration processing described later.

  The character selection unit 30 receives a key input from the key unit 11 and refers to the character table 31 to select a character with a corresponding key code.

  The character decoration unit 40 performs a decoration process on the selected character based on information related to the movement direction and movement amount of the input position related to the input to the pad unit 12 by a finger or the like. Specific decoration processing will be described later.

  The input detection unit 50 continuously detects an input position due to contact of a finger or the like on the pad unit 12. At this time, the input detection unit 50 can detect the coordinates of the input position, and can detect the movement direction and the movement direction based on the information on the coordinates. Further, the control unit 20 performs various processes based on detection by the input detection unit 50. For example, when the size of the contact area is detected by the input detection unit 50 at a predetermined cycle and the contact area is less than the predetermined area for a predetermined time or more, the control unit 20 uses the touch pad from the key input mode for performing key input. Convert input mode to touchpad input mode for input. When the input detection unit 50 does not detect a contact input for a predetermined time or more, the control unit 20 determines that the input operation for the decoration process is completed, and ends the character decoration process.

  The contact area is determined based on sensing capacitance in the case of an electrostatic touch pad, for example, and based on a resistance value corresponding to pressure in the case of a resistive touch pad. Is judged. Input is detected by contact in the electrostatic type and by pressing in the resistive film type. Therefore, instead of converting the input mode based on the contact area, the input mode may be converted based on the pressed area. Further, the contact area and the pressed area are examples of the input area.

  The timer 60 measures time for the input detection unit 50 to grasp the passage of time.

  The display unit 70 is a display that displays characters input from the key unit 11, characters after decoration processing based on the input from the pad unit 12, and the like.

Next, a decoration process related to characters of the character input device 100 having the above-described configuration will be described.
Here, a mobile phone terminal in which the key unit 11 and the pad unit 12 are integrated will be described as an example of the character input device 100.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating an operation unit and a display unit of the character input device 100 according to the present embodiment. In the operation unit 10, the key unit 11 and the pad unit 12 are integrated. In the key input mode, when the touch pad portion on which a numeric key or the like is printed is pressed with a finger or the like, the input detection unit 50 performs key input. Detect. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, since the entire rectangle is configured by a touch pad, the operation unit 10 touches the inside of the rectangle with a finger or the like and moves it while touching. The detection unit 50 detects the input based on the moving direction and moving amount of a finger or the like. Therefore, in the touch pad input mode, even when a finger or the like passes over a numeric key or the like, it is not detected as a key input for pressing the key.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of decoration processing relating to characters of the character input device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, in the key input mode, when the input detection unit 50 detects a key press on the key unit 11 (step S101), the control unit 20 displays a character corresponding to the pressed key on the display unit 70. (Step S102). At that time, the control unit 20 refers to the character table 31 via the character selection unit 30 and selects a character corresponding to the key code of the pressed key.

  Subsequently, the input detection unit 50 determines the size of the contact area between the operation unit 10 and a finger or the like when performing input (step S103). When the contact area is larger than the predetermined area, the control unit 20 determines that there is a character input from the key unit 11 and determines whether or not a key is pressed through the input detection unit 50 (step S104). When the key press is detected, the control unit 20 displays the character corresponding to the pressed key on the display unit 70 as in step S102 (step S105). As long as the input detection unit 50 detects a key press, the procedure from step S104 to step S105 is repeated.

  In addition, when contact is detected in step S103 but the contact area is smaller than the predetermined area for a predetermined time or longer, the control unit 20 determines that the decoration process is being performed on the characters input so far. Then, in order to decorate the selected character, the mode is shifted to the touch pad input mode (step S106).

  In the touch pad input mode, first, the input detection unit 50 detects a continuous position input from the pad unit 12 and detects whether or not a finger or the like is moved (step S107). When movement of a finger or the like is detected, the control unit 20 determines the movement direction (step S108). The moving direction is calculated from the displacement of the finger position acquired at a predetermined interval. Then, based on the determination result of the movement direction by the control unit 20, the character decoration unit 40 performs a decoration process assigned to each movement direction on the selected character (steps S109 to S111).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the relationship between the movement of a finger or the like and the character decoration process in the touch pad input mode. In the present embodiment, the types of decoration processing depending on the movement direction of a finger or the like are assigned to four directions for execution. The example of FIG. 4 shows a state in which “Aka” is first keyed in as a kana character and conversion candidates “red”, “Akasaka”, “red”, and the like are displayed. In the display state illustrated in FIG. 4, when a state where the contact area of a finger or the like is smaller than a predetermined area has passed for a predetermined time or longer, the control unit 20 shifts to the touch pad input mode.

  In the example of FIG. 4, when the finger or the like moves upward from the position where the finger is first pressed, a decoration process is performed in which the inclination angle when displaying the input character in italics is changed stepwise (continuously). In addition, when the finger moves to the left from the position where the finger is first pressed, a decoration process is performed in which the size of the input character size is changed stepwise. In addition, when the finger moves downward from the position where the finger is first pressed, a decoration process is performed in which the color of the input character is changed stepwise (changes like a gradation). In addition, when the finger moves to the right from the position where the finger is first pressed, a decoration process is performed to gradually change the shade of the shadow when the shadow is displayed on the input character. A type of decoration process is assigned to each moving direction so as to perform such a decoration process.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing how characters are decorated when a finger is moved upward in the touchpad input mode. When the upward movement from the pad unit 12 is detected, the character decoration unit 40 performs a decoration process for changing the selected character to an italic character. The character decoration unit 40 sets the proportion of decoration so that the inclination increases as the amount of movement of the finger or the like in the upward direction increases, and the control unit 20 displays the italic character with an inclination corresponding to the amount of movement on the display unit. 70. That is, the character decoration unit 40 determines the degree of decoration processing based on the amount of movement of the input position. Therefore, the operator can intuitively and easily determine the degree of the decoration process while watching the change in the inclination of the characters continuously displayed on the display unit 70.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a character decoration when a finger is moved leftward in the touchpad input mode. When the leftward movement from the pad unit 12 is detected, the character decoration unit 40 performs a decoration process for changing the size of the selected character. The character decoration unit 40 sets the proportion of decoration so that the character size increases as the amount of movement of the finger or the like in the left direction increases, and the control unit 20 displays the character of the size corresponding to the amount of movement on the display unit. 70. Therefore, the operator can intuitively and easily determine the degree of the decoration process while watching the change in the size of the characters continuously displayed on the display unit 70.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing the decoration of characters when the finger is moved upward in the touchpad input mode and then further moved to the left. When the upward movement from the pad unit 12 is detected, the character decoration unit 40 performs a decoration process for changing the selected character to an italic character. Thereafter, when the leftward movement from the pad unit 12 is detected, the character decoration unit 40 performs a decoration process for changing the size of the selected character. As shown in FIG. 7, the decoration process for making a character italic and the decoration process for enlarging the size of the character are continuously performed. Therefore, the character after the finger is moved becomes a large italic character. Thus, by continuing the state in which the finger or the like is in contact, two or more kinds of decoration processing can be performed continuously. In addition, the operator can intuitively and easily determine the degree of the decoration process while observing changes in the inclination and size of characters continuously displayed on the display unit 70.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 3, as described above, when the character decoration unit 40 performs the decoration process according to the movement direction and movement amount of a finger or the like, the control unit 20 updates the display on the display unit 70 each time ( Step S110). Thus, the state of the displayed characters is continuously updated as the input position continuously changes.

  If the state in which contact is not detected in step S103 continues for a predetermined time or longer, the control unit 20 determines that the character input is completed and that the decoration process is not performed on the input character, and the character is determined (step). S112). This completes a series of operations related to character input and decoration processing.

  In step S107, the input detection unit 50 repeats detection of movement for a predetermined period when movement of a finger or the like is not detected. If the finger or the like is removed from the touch pad and the contact is not detected in the repeated detection, the control unit 20 finishes the character input, and does not perform the decoration process for the selected character thereafter. The character is determined and determined (step S112). This completes a series of operations related to character input and decoration processing.

  As described above, according to the character input device 100 of the embodiment of the present invention, after a character is input and selected by a key operation, the character is selected based on the moving direction and moving amount of a finger or the like on the touch pad. Characters can be continuously decorated. Also, when performing decoration processing by moving a finger or the like, even if the movement of the finger slightly fluctuates, completely different characters and items will not be selected, and the influence of erroneous operations can be minimized. it can. Conventionally, it is difficult to move a finger or the like on the touch pad compared to the input by pressing a key. Especially, a small mobile phone terminal or the like requires a careful operation and may take a long time to input. This is a big advantage compared to what was there.

  Further, by changing the amount and direction of movement of the finger, for example, a plurality of decoration processes can be performed successively, for example, character size → tilt → character size. Further, since the decoration process can be performed while visually confirming the result display, the decoration process desired by the operator can be performed accurately and easily. In addition, since the character input device 100 can determine switching between the key input mode and the touch pad input mode based on the contact area of a finger or the like to the pad portion 12, the process from character input and selection to decoration processing. It can be executed with few operations.

  In addition, the decoration process may be, for example, the size of a character, the inclination angle of an italic character, the color of a character or the shade of a shadow, but is not limited to this, and the character displayed even if the display form changes Includes a wide range of processes that do not change their meaning.

  In the present embodiment, the character input device in which the key unit 11 and the pad unit 12 of the operation unit 10 are integrated has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, a key for performing key input. The character input device in which the unit and the pad unit that can continuously input the movement direction and the movement amount are separately provided may be used. In this case, switching between the key input mode and the touch pad input mode may be performed via a predetermined setting unit.

  Further, instead of providing the key part 11 and the pad part 12, a touch panel having a key input part may be provided. In this case, a character is selected based on the input to the key input unit of the touch panel, and the input position of the touch input to the touch panel is detected.

  In the present embodiment, the example in which the types of decoration based on the difference in the movement direction are assigned to the four types of up, down, left, and right is not limited to this. For example, the type of decoration is 2 in the vertical direction. It may be assigned only to the type or assigned in 8 directions.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is useful for a character input device, a character decoration method, a character decoration program, and the like that can easily and accurately decorate selected characters.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Character input device 10 Operation part 11 Key part 12 Pad part 20 Control part 30 Character selection part 31 Character table 40 Character decoration part 50 Input detection part 60 Timer 70 Display part

Claims (11)

A character selector for selecting characters;
An input detection unit for continuously detecting the input position by the input means;
A character decoration unit that continuously performs a decoration process related to the character selected by the character selection unit based on the movement direction and the movement amount of the input position continuously detected by the input detection unit;
A character input device comprising: The character input device according to claim 1,
The character decoration unit is a character input device that changes a type of the decoration process based on a moving direction of the input position. The character input device according to claim 1,
The character decoration unit is a character input device that determines a degree of the decoration process based on a movement amount of the input position. The character input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The input detection unit detects the size of the input area by the input means,
The character decoration unit performs the decoration process based on the moving direction and the moving amount of the input position by the input unit after the input area size is longer than a predetermined time and less than the predetermined area. apparatus. The character input device according to claim 4,
The character decoration unit is a character input device that ends the decoration process when the input detection unit stops detecting an input after the input area size is less than a predetermined area for a predetermined time or more. A character input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The decoration process includes: a process for continuously changing the inclination of the character selected by the character selection unit; a process for continuously changing the shadow of the character; a process for continuously changing the color of the character; A character input device which is at least one of processes for continuously changing the size of the character. The character input device according to claim 1, further comprising:
A character input device comprising a display unit for displaying characters that have been subjected to decoration processing continuously by the character decoration unit. A character input device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The character selection unit selects from the characters input by the key input unit,
The input detection unit is a character input device that detects an input position to the touch pad. A character input device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The character selection unit selects from characters input by a touch panel having a key input unit,
The input detection unit is a character input device that detects an input position on the touch panel. Selecting a character;
Continuously detecting the input position by the input means;
Continuously performing a decoration process relating to the selected character based on the moving direction and the moving amount of the input position continuously detected;
A character decoration method. On the computer,
Selecting a character;
Continuously detecting the input position by the input means;
Continuously performing a decoration process relating to the selected character based on the moving direction and the moving amount of the input position continuously detected;
A character decoration program for running.

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