JP2001142595A - Key input device and storage medium storing its program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize operation by a mouse, a pointing device and a touch panel by using only a keyboard. SOLUTION: An input part 2 consists of a keyboard having character keys, conversion keys and selection keys. When a character key is operated to input a character string and a conversion key is operated, a CPU 1 stores the character string in RAM 3 and displays converted character string candidates obtained by converting the inputted character string and plural conversion candidates corresponding to the inputted character string from a conversion dictionary storing plural conversion candidate including prescribed command candidates on a display part 6. When a command candidate is selected by the operation of the selection key, the CPU 1 executes command processing based on the command candidate. A document made by command processing is written in a storage medium 5 by a storing device 4, printed by a printing part 7 and transmitted from a transmission control part 8 at need.

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 and a storage medium storing a program for the key input device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a key processing device such as a personal computer or a word processor, a keyboard having character keys, conversion keys, cursor keys and other keys is used, and a mouse cursor is moved on a screen using a mouse. Operations such as specifying a position, starting an application, and specifying a command are performed. In a small key processing device such as a notebook computer or a portable communication terminal, a similar operation is performed using a pointing device or a touch panel instead of a mouse.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional personal computers and word processors, a keyboard is frequently used when performing operations such as creation and editing of texts, spreadsheets, and application development. When you take your hand off the keyboard and operate the mouse while working,
There is a problem that work efficiency is significantly reduced. Further, in a notebook personal computer, a portable communication terminal, or the like, the operability of a pointing device or a touch panel used in place of a mouse is poor, so that there is a problem that the working efficiency is further reduced. An object of the present invention is to make it possible to work with a mouse, a pointing device, and a touch panel by using only a keyboard.

[0004]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a key input device comprising: a keyboard having character keys for inputting characters according to an operation (corresponding to the input unit in FIG. 1 in the embodiment); The conversion character string candidate and the predetermined command candidate corresponding to the input character string input by the operation of the character key and converted from the input character string are stored in predetermined storage means (in the embodiment, the conversion dictionary shown in FIG. 2). (In the embodiment, it corresponds to the CPU 1 in FIG. 1), and when an instruction to select a conversion character string candidate is given, the conversion character string candidate Is displayed in place of the input character string (corresponding to the CPU 1 in FIG. 1 in the embodiment), and when a command to select the predetermined command candidate is given, the command In the command execution unit (embodiment executes the command processing based on Complementary of FIG 1 CP
(Corresponding to U1)).

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium including a character input procedure for inputting a character string in response to an operation of a character key on a keyboard, and an input character string corresponding to the input character string input by the character input procedure. A first display control procedure for reading a converted character string candidate and a predetermined command candidate obtained by converting a string from a predetermined storage unit and displaying the read command, and when the conversion character string candidate is instructed to be selected, the converted character string candidate Is executed instead of the input character string, and command execution means for executing a command process based on the command candidate when an instruction to select the predetermined command candidate is issued. A key input processing program is stored.

According to the invention of the key input device according to the first aspect or the invention of the storage medium according to the sixth aspect, when a character string is inputted by operating a character key of a keyboard,
Corresponding to the input character string, a conversion character string candidate obtained by converting the input character string and a predetermined command candidate are displayed. When an instruction to select a conversion character string candidate is given, the conversion character string is converted to an input character string. Instead, it is displayed, and when a command candidate is selected and instructed, the command processing is executed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a key input device including a keyboard having character keys for inputting characters in response to an operation (corresponding to the input unit in FIG. 1 in the embodiment), and operating the character keys. Display control means (in the embodiment, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a command candidate corresponding to the input character string input by the user) read out from a predetermined storage means (corresponding to the conversion dictionary shown in FIG. 2 in the embodiment). 1
And a command execution means (in the embodiment, corresponding to the CPU 1 of FIG. 1) for executing a command process based on the command candidate when an instruction to select the predetermined command candidate is given. , Is provided.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium comprising: a character input procedure for inputting a character string in response to an operation of a character key on a keyboard; and a predetermined command candidate corresponding to the input character string input by the character input procedure. Key input processing for executing a display control procedure for reading out and displaying a predetermined command from a predetermined storage means, and a command execution procedure for executing a command processing based on the command candidate when an instruction for selecting the predetermined command candidate is given. Program is stored.

According to the invention of the key input device described in claim 2 or the invention of the storage medium described in claim 7, when a character string is input by operating a character key of a keyboard, the input character string is A corresponding predetermined command candidate is displayed, and when a command candidate is instructed to be selected, the command processing is executed.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a key input device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a key input device according to a first embodiment. In FIG. 1, a CPU 1 exchanges commands and data with the following units via a system bus in accordance with a key input processing control program stored in advance in a built-in ROM. Control. The input unit 2 is constituted by a keyboard having a plurality of keys, and inputs data and commands to the CPU 1 according to operations. For this reason, the keyboard is provided with character keys for inputting characters, numbers and symbols, conversion keys for converting the input characters, up / down / left / right cursor keys as selection keys, and the like.

The RAM 3 has an input character string buffer for temporarily storing character string data input from the input unit 2. The storage device 4 drives the mounted storage medium 5, and
Data is written to or read from the storage medium 5 by a command from the CPU 1. The display unit 6 displays a character string input from the input unit 2 and displays various function icons and application icons in response to a display command of the CPU 1. The printing unit 7 prints data such as characters according to a print command of the CPU 1. The transmission control unit 8 exchanges data with another device communicatively connected via a communication line or a network in accordance with a communication command of the CPU 1.

The CPU 1 has a ROM in which a conversion dictionary for character string conversion is stored. FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the conversion dictionary. The conversion dictionary includes a “kana conversion dictionary” shown in FIG. 2A and an “English word conversion dictionary” shown in FIG. These conversion dictionaries correspond to a plurality of other forms of characters corresponding to the input kana character or English word character string, and also correspond to commands related to the input character string. For example, in FIG. 2A, in addition to the conversion character string candidate for the kanji “left”, the symbol “←”, and the katakana “hidari” for the input character string “hidari”,
The command of “mouse: move left” is registered as a command candidate. Also, in FIG. 2B, “ICO
For the character string "N", "icon", "Ico"
In addition to the conversion character string candidates of “n” and “ICON”, a command of “screen: icon” is registered as a command candidate. That is, the conversion dictionary stores a plurality of conversion candidates including a conversion character string candidate obtained by converting the input character string and a predetermined command candidate.

Next, the data processing operation in the key input device of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of the CPU 1 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and the screens of the display unit 6 shown in FIGS. . FIG. 3 shows a flow of the key processing, in which it is determined whether or not there is a key input from the input unit 2 (step A1). If there is a key input, the key input is determined (step A2). It is determined whether or not the key input is a character key (step A3). If the key input is a character key, the input character is stored in the input character buffer of the RAM 3 (step A4). Next, the input character is displayed as an input candidate at the cursor position (step A5), and the cursor position is shifted right and displayed (step A6). Then, returning to step A1, it is determined whether or not there is a key input.
When there is a key input of a character key, the processing of steps A1 to A6 is repeated. For example, "Hidari",
When there is a character input such as "click" or "aikon", the screen a in FIG. 5, the screen g in FIG. 6, and the screen n in FIG.
The input characters are displayed as input candidates as shown in FIG. An underline is displayed in the character string of the input candidate.

If the input key is not a character key in step A3 of the flow of FIG. 3, it is determined whether or not the input key is a conversion key (step A7). If it is the conversion key, the input character string buffer is searched for a conversion dictionary (step A8). Then, a list of conversion candidates is displayed (step A9). For example, when the conversion key is turned on in the state of the screen a in FIG. 5, as shown in the screen b, a list 13 of conversion candidates corresponding to "HIDARI" in the input character string buffer is displayed. When the conversion key is turned on in the state of the screen g in FIG. 6, a list 14 of conversion candidates corresponding to "click" in the input character string buffer is displayed as shown in a screen h. Also, the screen n of FIG.
When the conversion key is turned on in the state of
As shown in FIG. 7, a list 17 of conversion candidates corresponding to "Aikon" in the input character string buffer is displayed. At this time, the first conversion candidate is highlighted and displayed as a temporary candidate.

After the list of conversion candidates is displayed, a conversion candidate selection process shown in step A10 of the flow of FIG. 3 is executed in response to the operation of the up / down / left / right cursor keys and the return key. That is, the temporary candidate is changed according to the operation of the cursor key, and the temporary candidate highlighted is selected as the conversion candidate according to the operation of the return key. Then, it is determined whether or not the selected conversion candidate is a character string candidate (step A11). If it is a character string candidate, the selected converted character string is displayed instead of the character string of the input candidate being displayed (step A12).

For example, when the return key is turned on in the state of the screen b in FIG. 5, as shown in the screen c,
The "left" converted character string displayed in reverse video is displayed instead of the input character string. In the state of the screen h in FIG.
When the return key is turned on, as shown in the screen i, the conversion character string of "click" which is highlighted is displayed instead of the input character string. Further, when the return key is turned on in the state of the screen p in FIG. 7, as shown in the screen q, the conversion character string of the highlighted “icon” is displayed instead of the input character string.

After step A12, the selected converted character string is stored in the document buffer (step A13), and the input character string buffer is cleared (step A14). Then, returning to step A1, it is determined whether or not there is a new key input.

In step A11, if the selected conversion candidate is not a character string candidate, the selected conversion candidate is a command candidate, so the selected candidate is determined as a command (step A15). For example, when the down cursor key is turned on three times in the state of the screen b in FIG. 5, the command candidate “mouse: move left” in the conversion candidate list is highlighted as a temporary candidate as shown in a screen d. You. Thereafter, when the return key is turned on, “mouse: move left” is determined as a command. Also, the screen h in FIG.
In this state, when the down cursor key is turned on twice, the command candidate "mouse: left click" in the conversion candidate list is highlighted as a temporary candidate as shown in a screen j.

Thereafter, when the return key is turned on, "mouse: left click" is determined as a command. Alternatively, when the down cursor key is turned on three times, the command candidate “mouse: right click” in the conversion candidate list is highlighted as a temporary candidate as shown in screen k. Thereafter, when the return key is turned on, "mouse: right click" is determined as a command. Further, when the down cursor key is turned on twice in the state of the screen p in FIG. 7, the command candidate “screen: icon” in the conversion candidate list is highlighted as a temporary candidate as shown in a screen r. . Thereafter, when the return key is turned on, “screen: icon” is determined as a command.

After the command is determined in step A15, the input character string buffer is cleared (step A1).
6) Delete the input candidate character string being displayed (step A)
17). Then, the determined command processing is executed (step A18). After the command processing, the process returns to step A1 to determine the presence or absence of an input key. In step A7, if the input key is not the conversion key, it is determined whether or not the input key is another key (step A19). If the input key is another key, other processing corresponding to the key is executed. (Step A20). Then, returning to step A1, it is determined whether or not there is an input key.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the command processing in step A18 of FIG. In this flow, the content of the determined command is determined (step B1), and processing according to the determination result is performed. The command is "mouse:
It is determined whether or not "move left" (step B2). If the command is received, the mouse cursor is moved one step to the left (step B3). For example, screen e in FIG.
In, the mouse cursor 12-1 moves to 12-2.

Next, it is determined whether or not the cursor key has been operated (step B4). If the cursor key has been operated, the mouse cursor is moved by one step in the cursor pointing direction (step B5). Thereafter, in step B4, it is determined whether or not a cursor key has been operated. Then, each time the cursor key is operated, the mouse cursor is moved by one in the cursor pointing direction.
Step move. That is, during execution of the process of moving the mouse cursor, the mouse cursor is moved in accordance with the operation of the cursor key. For example, in the state of the screen e in FIG. 5, when the left cursor key is turned on once and the down cursor key is turned on twice, as shown in the screen f, the mouse cursor moves from the position 12-2 to the position 12-3. Move to the position, that is, the position of the function icon D.

If it is not "command: move left" in step B2, it is determined whether or not the determined command is "screen: icon" (step B6). In the case of this command, a default icon (for example, the icon at the head position) is provisionally selected from a plurality of icons displayed on the screen (step B7). For example, in the screen r of FIG. 7, when the return key is turned on while “screen: icon” is temporarily selected, as shown in a screen s, a plurality of icons 16 displayed at the top of the screen are displayed. The icon at the position 16-1 at the upper left end is highlighted and provisionally selected.

After the icon is provisionally selected in step B7, it is determined whether or not a cursor key has been operated (step B8). When the cursor key is selected,
The temporary selection is switched to the icon in the direction indicated by the cursor (step B9). Then, this flow ends. For example,
When the right cursor key is turned on once in the state of the screen s in FIG. 7, the temporary selection is switched to the icon at the position 16-2 as shown in the screen t.

If the cursor key is not operated in step B8, it is determined whether or not another key is operated (step B10). When another key is operated, the temporary selection is canceled (step B11). Then, this flow ends. For example, when the return key is operated in the state of the screen t in FIG. 7, the temporary selection of the highlighted 16-2 icon is canceled and the selected selection is made, and as shown in the screen u, the icon of the icon is displayed. Open the application screen.

If the determined command is not "screen: icon" in step B6, it is determined whether a "mouse: left click" command is determined (step B12). When this command is determined, a left mouse click signal is output (step B1).
3). Then, this flow ends. For example, when the return key is operated in the state of the screen j in FIG. 6, the function icon D at the position of the mouse cursor key of 12-3 is selected as shown in the screen m, and an instruction to execute the function D is given. Mouse left click signal is output.

If the command determined in step B12 is not "mouse: left click", it is determined whether a "window: switch" command is determined (step B14). When this command is determined, the window order is switched (step B15). Then, this flow ends. That is, the screen of the first rank (desktop) is changed to the lowest rank, and the screens of the second rank and below are changed to one rank higher.

If the command determined in step B14 is not "window: switch", it is determined whether a "window: minimize" command has been determined (step B16). When this command is determined, the active window is minimized (step B17). That is, the desktop screen is reduced and displayed in a task bar area or the like. Then, this flow ends.

If the command determined in step B16 is not "window: minimize", another processing is performed according to the determined other command (step B1).
8). Then, this flow ends. For example, in the state of the screen k in FIG. 6, if the return key is operated when the “mouse: right click” command is highlighted, a mouse right click signal is output and the screen v
, A shortcut menu 15 is displayed.

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, when a character string is input by operating a character key on the keyboard, a converted character string candidate corresponding to the input character string and converted from the input character string, and Displays a predetermined command candidate,
When a conversion character string candidate is instructed to be selected, the converted character string is displayed in place of the input character string. When a command candidate is selected and instructed, the command processing is executed. Therefore, without using a mouse, a pointing device, or a touch panel, it is possible to perform not only a character conversion function but also a command execution function by operating the character keys of the keyboard, thereby significantly improving the work efficiency as a key input device. Can be.

In this case, the command candidate is a command for moving the mouse cursor displayed on the screen of the display unit 6. When the command candidate is selected by the selection key, that is, the up / down / left / right cursor key, the CPU 1 outputs the mouse cursor. To move. Therefore, the same operation as when the mouse is operated by operating the keyboard can be performed, and extremely efficient work can be performed.

Further, in this case, during execution of moving the mouse cursor, the mouse cursor is moved only by operating the cursor keys, so that high operability of the mouse can be realized by the keyboard.

The command candidate is an icon selection command. When the command candidate is selected by a selection key, that is, an up / down / left / right cursor key, the CPU 1
Execute the application software of the icon. Therefore, the application software can be easily started in the same manner as when the mouse is operated by operating the keyboard.

In the above embodiment, when a character string is input, a conversion character string candidate obtained by converting the input character string and a predetermined command candidate corresponding to the input character string are displayed. However, when a character string is input, first, only a command candidate corresponding to the input character string may be displayed first. Thereafter, when the conversion key is operated, a conversion character string candidate obtained by converting the input character string and a command candidate displayed first are displayed.

For example, when a character string of "click" is input, command candidates of "mouse: left click" and "mouse: right click" are displayed, and then operation of a cursor key and operation of an enter key are performed. Executes a left mouse click or right mouse click command. Therefore, the command can be executed more quickly.
In this case, a characteristic character string corresponding to the command candidate, for example, “Masumi (left mouse click)”, “Masumi (right mouse click)” or the like may be registered in advance. On the other hand, when the conversion key is operated while the command candidates are displayed, “click”, “CLICK”, “cli
A conversion character string candidate such as "ck" is displayed.

In this case, the function of executing a command can be quickly performed only by operating the character keys of the keyboard without using a mouse, a pointing device, and a touch panel, and the work efficiency as a key input device is improved. Can be further increased.

In the above embodiment, the CPU 1
The control device and the conversion dictionary stored in advance in the ROM are controlled in accordance with the control program and the conversion dictionary. However, the control program and the conversion dictionary are also installed from the storage medium 5 so that the invention of the storage medium can be realized. Can be realized. Alternatively, it is also possible to receive a control program for key input processing and a conversion dictionary from the transmission control unit 8 from an external server or another device via a transmission medium such as a network line and control this device. In such a case, the processing of upgrading the program for the key input processing and the conversion dictionary does not involve hardware processing, so that a flexible response is possible.

[0038]

According to the first or sixth aspect of the present invention, when a character string is input by operating a character key on a keyboard, the input character string is converted according to the input character string. The converted character string candidate and the predetermined command candidate are displayed, and when the selection instruction of the converted character string candidate is given,
The converted character string is displayed instead of the input character string, and when a command candidate is instructed, the command processing is executed. Therefore, a mouse, a pointing device,
Even if a touch panel is not used, it is possible to perform not only a character conversion function but also a command execution function by operating a character key of a keyboard, thereby significantly improving the efficiency of key input processing.

According to the second or seventh aspect of the present invention, when a character string is input by operating a character key on a keyboard, a predetermined command candidate corresponding to the input character string is displayed, and When a candidate is selected and instructed, the command processing is executed. Therefore, even without using a mouse, a pointing device, and a touch panel, it is possible to more quickly perform the command execution function only by operating the character keys of the keyboard, and it is possible to further improve the work efficiency of the key input processing. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a key input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing contents of a conversion dictionary stored in a CPU of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of key processing of the CPU in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a command process in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view showing a screen of a display unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a screen of a display unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a view showing a screen of a display unit in FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 CPU 2 Input part 3 RAM 4 Storage device 5 Storage medium 6 Display part 7 Printing part 8 Transmission control part

Claims (7)

[Claims] A keyboard having a character key for inputting a character in response to an operation; a conversion character string candidate corresponding to an input character string input by the operation of the character key, the input character string being converted; First display control means for reading and displaying a command candidate from a predetermined storage means; and, when an instruction to select the converted character string candidate is given, displaying the converted character string candidate in place of the input character string. 2
A key input device comprising: a display control unit; and a command execution unit that executes a command process based on the command candidate when an instruction to select the predetermined command candidate is given. 2. A keyboard having a character key for inputting a character in accordance with an operation, and a display for reading out and displaying a predetermined command candidate corresponding to an input character string input by operating the character key from a predetermined storage means. A key input device comprising: control means; and command execution means for executing a command process based on the command candidate when an instruction to select the predetermined command candidate is given. 3. The command candidate is a mouse cursor movement command displayed on the display means, and the command execution means moves the mouse cursor when a command candidate selection instruction is given. 3. The key input device according to claim 1, wherein 4. The key input device according to claim 1, wherein the selection instruction is input by operating a predetermined key of the keyboard. 5. The command candidate is an icon selection command for selecting one or more icons displayed on the display unit, and the command execution unit receives an instruction to select the command candidate by the selection key. And executing application software corresponding to the selected one of the icons.
A key input device according to claim 1. 6. A character input procedure for inputting a character string in response to an operation of a character key of a keyboard, and a converted character string candidate corresponding to the input character string input by the character input procedure and converted from the input character string And a first display control procedure for reading and displaying a predetermined command candidate from a predetermined storage means, and when an instruction to select the conversion character string candidate is issued, the conversion character string candidate is replaced with the input character string. 2nd to display
And a command execution means for executing a command process based on the command candidate when the predetermined command candidate is instructed to be selected, and a key input process program for executing the command control process. 7. A character input procedure for inputting a character string in response to an operation of a character key on a keyboard, and a predetermined command candidate corresponding to the input character string input by the character input procedure is read out from a predetermined storage means. A storage medium which stores a display control procedure to be displayed, a command execution procedure to execute a command process based on the command candidate when an instruction to select the predetermined command candidate is issued, and a key input process program to execute the following.