JP6543780B2 - Character input device, character input method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a character input device, a character input method, and a program.

  Conventionally, devices using touch panels, such as smartphones and tablet terminals, are widely used, and character input using software keyboards displayed on the touch panel screen is also possible. As a character input method, a toggle method and a flick method are widely adopted. In the toggle method, a plurality of characters are assigned to one key of the software keyboard, and the character of the input candidate is sequentially changed each time the key is repeatedly tapped, and the display is updated. In the flick method, when one key of the software keyboard is tapped long, characters of multiple selection candidates are displayed at the center, vertically and horizontally, and when the finger is slid toward a desired character, it is determined as the character and displayed Is updated.

  On the other hand, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic device in which characters are input from a touch panel. That is, in this electronic device, a plurality of pieces of information are allocated to the information input frame and displayed, and when one of the information is pressed, the sub information is displayed in the frame adjacent to the pressed frame, and when released, immediately before Information or sub-information displayed in the frame that has been pressed is decided as input information.

JP, 2010-33525, A

  However, in the input method according to the prior art, since a plurality of character keys are densely arranged on the software keyboard, after performing one input, when attempting to perform the next input, oneself operating on the software keyboard It creates an area where the finger of the finger can not be seen, and it sometimes gets in the way of finding the next character key. For example, in the flick method, the character key of the selected character is displayed up, down, left, and right so as to surround the character key at the center of the representative character, but the finger whose part of the character key of the selected character is on the key of the representative character is It was in the way and sometimes I could not see it.

  Furthermore, in the above-mentioned prior art, the software keyboard is displayed on the screen of the touch panel with a certain occupying area, and the desired character is selected from above, so the space for implementing other display at the time of character input is It was limited. Today, information terminals such as smartphones are attractive advertising places, but with the software keyboard displayed in this way, advertising space could not be secured.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and improves the operability of the user's character input and, at the same time, makes it possible to secure a display space such as an advertisement even when characters are input. , A character input method, and a program are provided.

To solve the above problems, a character input device according to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a character input device using a touch panel, and the process accepts an operation for character selection area displayed on the touch panel, the touch panel An input processing means for outputting at least position information indicating an upper operation position, a storage means for holding a plurality of tables each showing a character group selectable in each of a plurality of areas obtained by dividing the character selection area; When a first operation is performed on the character selection area, one of the plurality of areas is identified based on the position information related to the first operation, and a table corresponding to the area is selected from the storage unit. When a second operation is performed on the character selection area, one of the plurality of areas is identified based on the position information related to the second operation, Referring to serial the selected table, and character identification processing means for identifying a character, a display control means for displaying the specified character on the touch panel, advertisement control to display the advertisement on the entire of the character selection area The character selection area is divided into first to eighth areas, and the first to eighth areas are selected as the selectable character group, "A line, or The first character group consisting of "ki, ku", the second character group consisting of "け, 、, 行 line", the third character group consisting of "行, 、, 、, ぬ", and "ね" A fourth character group consisting of a line, a fifth character group consisting of a line, a y, a yo, a sixth character group, and a sixth character group consisting of a line, wa, and a symbol Any one of the seventh character group concerned and the eighth character group pertaining to the operation is allocated without duplication, and the display control means When any one of the first to eighth regions of the character selection region is selected, an indicator to the effect that the selection has been made is displayed, but the indicator is translucent and displayed in the entire region of the character selection region It is displayed over the ad.

Character input method according to another aspect of the present invention is a character input method according to the character input device using a touch panel, and the process accepts an operation for character selection area displayed on the touch panel, on the touch panel At least a step of outputting position information indicating an operation position, and when a first operation is performed on the character selection area, one of the plurality of areas is specified based on the position information related to the first operation. And selecting a table corresponding to the area from the storage means, and when a second operation is performed on the character selection area, one of the plurality of areas based on the position information related to the second operation Identifying one and identifying characters with reference to the selected table; and displaying the identified characters on the touch panel If, anda step of displaying the advertisement to the whole of the character selection area, the character selection area is divided into a region of the first to eighth, in the region of the first to eighth, As the selectable character group, there are a first character group consisting of "A line, K, K, K", a second character group consisting of "A, K, K, A line", and "Tara line, N," The third character group consisting of "", the fourth character group consisting of "", "," and the fourth character group consisting of "", and the fifth character group consisting of "", ",", "," And the seventh character group pertaining to the symbol and the eighth character group pertaining to the operation are assigned without overlapping, and When any of the first to eighth regions is selected, an indicator to the effect that the selection has been made is displayed, but the indicator is translucent to cover the entire character selection region. It is displayed over the indicated advertising.

A program according to another aspect of the present invention is a program incorporated in the character input device using a touch panel, the character input device, and accept and process operation for the character selection area displayed on the touch panel, An input processing means for outputting at least position information indicating an operation position on the touch panel; a storage means for holding a plurality of tables each showing a group of characters selectable in each of a plurality of regions obtained by dividing the character selection region; When a first operation is performed on the character selection area, one of the plurality of areas is identified based on the position information related to the first operation, and a table corresponding to the area is selected from the storage unit. When the second operation is performed on the character selection area, the second operation is performed based on the position information related to the second operation. Identifies one, by referring to the selected table, the character specifying processing means for identifying a character, display control means for displaying the specified character on the touch panel, an advertisement on the entire of the character selection area The character selection area is divided into first to eighth areas, and the first to eighth areas are selected as the selectable character group. A first group of characters consisting of lines, lines, lines, lines, a second character group consisting of lines, lines and lines, and a third group of lines consisting of lines and lines The fourth character group consisting of "I, No, Ha Line", the fifth character group consisting of "Ma Line, Ya, Yu, Yo", and the sixth character group consisting of "Ra Line, Wa, and" , And the seventh character group relating to the symbol and the eighth character group relating to the operation are assigned without overlapping, When any one of the first to eighth regions of the character selection region is selected, the indication control means displays an indicator to the effect that the character selection region has been selected, but the indicator is translucent to make the character selection region It is displayed superimposed on the advertisement displayed in the entire area of.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a character input device, a character input method, and a program capable of improving the operability of character input by the user and securing a display space such as an advertisement even when characters are input. Can.

It is a block diagram of the character input device which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the character input device which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. (A) thru | or (c) are screen transition diagrams of the screen displayed in the process in process of the character input device based on 1st Embodiment of this invention. (A)-(c) is a figure which shows the example of another display of the guide area | region of FIG. It is a block diagram of the character input device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. (A) thru | or (c) are screen transition diagrams of the screen displayed in the process in process of the character input device based on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the character input device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. (A) thru | or (d) is a screen transition diagram of the screen displayed in the process in process of the character input device based on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. (A) thru | or (d) is a screen transition diagram of the screen displayed in the process in process of the character input device based on 4th Embodiment of this invention. (A) thru | or (c) are screen transition diagrams of the screen displayed in the process in process of the character input device based on 5th Embodiment of this invention. (A) thru | or (c) are screen transition diagrams of the screen displayed in the process in process of the character input device based on 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the information terminal to which the character input device which concerns on 1st thru | or 6th embodiment of this invention is applied.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the character input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention and it will be described.
As shown in the figure, the character input device includes a character input system 1 and a touch panel 2. The character input system 1 includes an input processing unit 11, a character specification processing unit 12, a database (hereinafter abbreviated as DB) 13, and a display control unit 14, and the touch panel 2 further includes an operation unit 21 and a display unit 22. ing. More specifically, the output of the operation unit 21 is connected to the input of the character input unit 11, and the output of the character input unit 11 is connected to the input of the character specification processing unit 12. The output is connected to the input of the display control unit 14. The output of the display control unit 14 is connected to the input of the display unit 22. The character identification processing unit 12 is connected so as to be able to exchange data with the DB 13.

  In such a configuration, an initial screen is displayed on the display unit 22 of the touch panel 2. The appearance of the display is, for example, as shown in FIG. 3A, and although details will be described later, a character input area 101, an operation guide area 102, and a character selection area 103 are provided.

  When a tap operation is performed in the character selection area 103, operation information is sent to the input processing unit 11 of the character input system 1. The operation information also includes position information (for example, coordinate information) on the touched screen. When the character selection area 103 is tapped for the first time (first operation), the input processing unit 11 performs input processing, specifies coordinate information of the tapped position, and sends it to the character identification processing unit 12. The character specification processing unit 12 selects a table for character specification based on the coordinate information. Then, the character specification processing unit 12 sends tap position information for specifying the tapped position to the display control unit 14. The display control unit 14 updates the display of the display unit 22 based on the tap position information. Specifically, the display mode is changed so as to make the tapped area visible.

  When the character selection area 103 is tapped next (second operation), the input processing unit 11 performs input processing, specifies coordinate information of the tapped position, and sends it to the character specification processing unit 12. The character specification processing unit 12 specifies a character by referring to the previously specified table for character specification based on the coordinate information. Then, the specified character information or the like is sent to the display control unit 14. The display control unit 14 updates the display of the display unit 22 based on the information of the characters. Specifically, the specified character is displayed in the character input area 101. The above operation is repeated to input desired characters into the character input area 101.

  Hereinafter, the processing procedure by the character input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This corresponds to the character input method according to the first embodiment. Here, the screen transition diagrams of FIGS. 3A to 3C will be referred to as appropriate.

  When the process is started, the display unit 22 first displays an initial screen (S1). The appearance of the initial screen is as shown in FIG. 3A. The character input area 101 is displayed at the top of the initial screen 100, and the operation guide area 102 is displayed below it. Under the operation guide area 102, a character selection area 103 is displayed. Here, for convenience of explanation, the character selection area 103 is shown by being surrounded by a broken line, but the broken line is not actually displayed. At the center of the character selection area 103, a mark 104 indicating a center point is shown. As shown in FIG. 3 (b), the character selection area 103 has first to eighth areas 103a to 103h divided radially by four straight lines passing through the central point, and each area 103a to 103h Selectable characters are assigned to 103 h, respectively.

In the operation guide area 102, selectable characters assigned to the areas 103a to 103h of the character selection area 103 are shown in a list form.
For example, they are assigned as follows.
The first area 103a, the second area 103b, the third area 103c, the third area 103c, and the fourth area 103d. The sixth area 103f, the line, the war, the seventh area 103g, and the eighth area 103h operation

  Although details will be described later, when the character selection area 103 is tapped first (first operation), selectable character groups are specified according to this assignment, and the next taps in the first to eighth areas 103a to 13h ( Assign characters that can be identified in the second operation). For example, when the first area 103a is tapped first, the characters "A", "I", "U", "E", "O" can be selected as characters selectable for the first to eighth areas 103a to 103h after that. "", "", "" And "" are assigned respectively. Next, when it is tapped (second operation), the character is specified by the tapped area.

  When the character selection area 103 of the screen 100 is tapped (YES in S2), the input processing unit 11 receives an operation from the operation unit 21 and performs input processing (S3). That is, the input processing unit 11 sends position information (for example, coordinate information) included in the operation information to the character specification processing unit 12.

  The character specification processing unit 12 selects a table for character specification stored in the DB 13 based on the position information, further specifies a tap position based on the position information, and causes the display control unit 14 to tap position information. Send (S4). The display control unit 14 updates the display of the display unit 22 based on the tap position information. Specifically, on the screen 110 as shown in FIG. 3B, the display mode is changed so that the tapped area in the character selection area 103 can be viewed. In this example, since it is assumed that the first area 103a is tapped, the indicator 105 is shown to overlap the area.

  Subsequently, the input processing unit 11 determines whether the character selection area 103 is tapped again (S6), repeats this determination (NO at S7) until a predetermined time elapses, and when the predetermined time elapses (S6) YES in S7), this process ends. On the other hand, when it is detected that the character selection area 103 is tapped again (YES in S6), the input processing unit 11 performs input processing in response to the operation information from the operation unit 21 (S8). That is, the input processing unit 11 sends position information (for example, coordinate information) included in the operation information to the character specification processing unit 12.

  The character identification processing unit 12 identifies the tap position based on the position information, refers to the previously identified table, identifies the character corresponding to the tapped area, and displays the tap position information and the character information Send to section 14 (S9). The display control unit 14 updates the display of the display unit 22 based on the tap position information and the character information. Specifically, on the screen 120 as shown in FIG. 3C, the display mode is changed so that the tapped area in the character selection area 103 can be viewed. In this example, it is assumed that the fifth area 103 e is tapped, so the index 106 is shown to overlap the area. Further, the specified character is displayed in the character input area 101. Thus, the series of processing for character input is completed.

  In the above description, an example in which one hiragana is specified and input by two taps in the character selection area 103 has been described, but numbers and alphabets can also be specified by the same method. In that case, the operation guide area 102 displays a list as shown in FIG. 4 (a) or FIG. 4 (b). 4A is a list displayed in the operation guide area 102 when inputting alphabets, and FIG. 4B is a list displayed in the operation guide area 102 when inputting numbers. Each is shown. For example, the input processing unit 11 detects a tap on the mark 104 and changes the table to be referred to by the character specification processing unit 12 as appropriate. Good. However, it is not limited to this.

  In the first embodiment, selectable characters are identified by the first tap (first operation) to the character selection area 103, and selectable characters are assigned to the first to eighth areas 103a to 103h. Although an example is shown in which the character corresponding to the tapped area is specified and displayed in the character input area 101 by the next tap (second operation), the display of the operation guide area 102 is performed when the first tap is made. May be switched as shown in FIG. 4 (c). That is, here, it is assumed that the first area 103a is tapped first, but in that case, if the first to eighth areas 103a to 103h are tapped next, "A", "I", "U" "," "E", "o", "ka", "ki", "ku" may be switched to a table showing that selection is possible. In this way, the operability of the user will be further enhanced.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the character group assigned to the first to eighth areas of the character selection area is recognized with reference to the list of operation guide areas, It is possible to input desired characters simply, quickly and accurately by 2-tap operation. At this time, since the operation guide area is displayed in an area different from the character selection area, it is possible to prevent the operation guide area from being obscured by the finger when selecting a character. Further, since the first to eighth regions of the character selection region correspond to eight directions of left, right, upper and lower diagonally equally divided radially by four straight lines passing through the central point, it is easy to learn the operation.

Second Embodiment
Next, FIG. 5 shows the configuration of a character input device according to a second embodiment of the present invention and will be described. Here, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

  As shown in the figure, in the character input device, the character input system 1 includes an advertisement control unit 15 and an advertisement DB 16 in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. Various advertisement information is stored in the advertisement DB 16 in HTML format or the like. In such a configuration, in the character input process, the advertisement control unit 15 reads the advertisement information from the advertisement DB 16 and sends it to the display control unit 14. The display control unit 14 displays an advertisement by superimposing an advertisement display area on the character selection area of the character input screen. The advertisement control unit 15 may periodically update or add information on the advertisement DB 16.

  Hereinafter, the advertisement display on the screen performed in the process of character input will be described in detail with reference to the screen transition diagrams of FIGS. 6A to 6C. Here too, in order to simplify the description, the same components and areas as those in FIG. 3 are assigned the same reference numerals and redundant explanations will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, in the initial screen 200, an advertisement display area 201 is provided so as to overlap the character selection area 103, and an advertisement is displayed in the advertisement display area 201. At this time, since the mark 104 indicating the center point for the area division of the character selection area 103 is displayed from above the advertisement, it is possible to select the character referring to the list of the operation guide area 102 from above the advertisement. It becomes. In addition, although the case where advertisement display area 201 corresponds with character selection area 103 is illustrated here, it may be a relation which a part of area overlaps.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, when the first tap is made, an indicator 105 indicating that the tapped area is selected is displayed on the screen 210. The indicator 105 allows the user to proceed with the operation while confirming the position where the user has tapped. Also in this process, since the advertisement display area 201 is provided so as to overlap in the character selection area 103, the state in which the advertisement is displayed is maintained. However, for the display portion of the index 105, the display of the index 105 is prioritized, and a part of the advertisement is hidden by the index 105. The index 105 may be translucent to be superimposed on the advertisement.

  As shown in FIG. 6C, when the next tap is made, an indicator 106 indicating that the tapped area is selected is displayed on the screen 220 as described above. Also in this process, since the advertisement display area 201 is provided so as to overlap in the character selection area 103, the state in which the advertisement is displayed is maintained. However, as described above, a part of the advertisement is hidden by the indicator 106. By the second tap, the character is specified, and the specified character is displayed in the character input area 101 of the screen 220. Note that the indicator 106 may be translucent to be superimposed on the advertisement.

  6 (a) to 6 (c), when an advertisement of interest is displayed in the character input process, tapping the advertisement detail button 202 shifts to the URL of the advertisement and displays the screen. You can also switch to a full screen view of your ad.

  The above description is given taking the case of hiragana input as an example, but it is of course possible to input numbers and alphabets as in the first embodiment.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the advertisement display area is provided in the same area in a wide character selection area in addition to the effects of the first embodiment. Character input can be performed easily, quickly, and accurately by 2-tap operation. A screen displayed on an information terminal such as a smartphone appeals to the user, and since it is an attractive advertisement destination for advertisers, it is possible to display advertisements in a wide area even when inputting characters in this way. Contributes to improving the value of products.

Third Embodiment
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The configuration of the character input device according to the third embodiment of the present invention is the same as that shown in FIG. 1, so the same reference numerals will be used for the same components and the description will be continued with reference to FIG.

  The character input device according to the third embodiment makes it possible to effectively use the small screen and input characters even when the screen area is small compared to the first embodiment. Specifically, the display of the operation guide area is not always displayed, but is displayed for a predetermined time at a timing desired by the user, so as to effectively utilize the display space.

  The processing procedure of the character input device according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This corresponds to the character input method according to the third embodiment. Here, the screen transition diagrams of FIGS. 8A to 8D will be referred to as appropriate.

  When this process is started, the display unit 22 first displays an initial screen (S21). The appearance of the initial screen is as shown in FIG. 8A, and the character input area 301 is displayed at the top of the initial screen 300, and the character selection area 303 is displayed below it. Here, for convenience of explanation, the character selection area 303 is shown surrounded by a broken line, but the broken line is not actually displayed. At the center of the character selection area 303, a mark 304 indicating a center point is shown. As shown in FIG. 8C, the character selection area 303 has first to eighth areas 303a to 303h divided radially by four straight lines passing through the central point, and each area is selected. Selectable characters are assigned to each of 303a to 303h.

  When the character selection area 303 of the screen 300 is tapped (YES in S22), the input processing unit 11 receives an operation from the operation unit 21 and performs an input process (S23). Subsequently, the input processing unit 11 determines whether or not the tapped one is the mark 304 indicating the center point (S24). If it is the center point (YES in S24), the character specification processing unit 12 is applicable. The table information to be extracted is extracted from the DB 13 and sent to the display control unit 14, and the display control unit 14 displays a list in the operation guide area 302 as shown in FIG. 8B (S25). Then, this display is made until the predetermined time passes, and when the predetermined time passes (YES in S26), the display of the list on the operation guide area 302 is erased (S27), and the process returns to step S21.

  In the operation guide area 302, selectable characters assigned to the respective areas 303a to 303h of the character selection area 303 are shown in a list form. Since this assignment is the same as that of the first embodiment, the duplicated description is omitted.

  On the other hand, when it is not the mark 304 indicating the center point that has been tapped (NO in S24), the input processing unit 11 sends the position information (for example, coordinate information) included in the operation information to the character identification processing unit 12 The character specification processing unit 12 selects a table for character specification stored in the DB 13 based on the position information, further specifies a tap position based on the position information, and causes the display control unit 14 to tap position information. Send (S28). The display control unit 14 updates the display of the display unit 22 based on the tap position information (S29). Specifically, on the screen 320 as shown in FIG. 8C, the display mode is changed so that the tapped area in the character selection area 303 can be viewed. In this example, since it is assumed that the first area 303a is tapped, the indicator 305 is shown to overlap the area.

  Subsequently, the input processing unit 11 determines whether the character selection area 303 is tapped again (S30), repeats this determination (NO in S31) until the predetermined time elapses, and when the predetermined time elapses (S30) S31 is YES), this process is complete | finished. On the other hand, when it is detected that the character selection area 303 is tapped again (S30: YES), the input processing unit 11 performs input processing in response to the operation information from the operation unit 21 (S32). That is, the input processing unit 11 sends position information (for example, coordinate information) included in the operation information to the character specification processing unit 12.

  The character identification processing unit 12 identifies the tap position based on the position information, refers to the previously identified table, identifies the character corresponding to the tapped area, and displays the tap position information and the character information It sends to the section 14 (S33). The display control unit 14 updates the display of the display unit 22 based on the tap position information and the character information. Specifically, on the screen 330 as shown in FIG. 8D, the display mode is changed so that the tapped area in the character selection area 303 can be viewed. In this example, since it is assumed that the fifth area 303 e is tapped, the indicator 306 is shown to overlap the area. Further, the specified character is displayed in the character input area 301. Thus, the series of processing for character input is completed.

  The above description is given taking the case of hiragana input as an example, but it is of course possible to input numbers and alphabets as in the first embodiment.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment of the present invention, even if the display basin is narrower than the touch panels of the first and second embodiments, it is preferable that the user desires to display the operation guide area. Since it is performed only for a predetermined time at the timing to perform and is erased after the time elapses, effective use of the area becomes possible. In particular, it is extremely effective when the area of the touch panel is small, such as a wristwatch type information terminal.

Fourth Embodiment
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The configuration of the character input device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is the same as that shown in FIG. 5, so the same reference numerals will be used for the same components and the description will be continued with reference to FIG.

  Hereinafter, with reference to the screen transition diagrams of FIG. 9A to FIG. 9D, the advertisement display on the screen performed in the process of character input will be described in detail. Here too, in order to simplify the description, the same configurations and areas as those in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, in the initial screen 400, an advertisement display area 401 is provided so as to overlap the character selection area 303, and an advertisement is displayed in the advertisement display area 401. At this time, since the mark 304 indicating the center point for the area division of the character selection area 302 is displayed from above the advertisement, the character can be selected from above the advertisement. In addition, although the case where advertisement display area 401 corresponds with character selection area 303 is illustrated here, it may be a relation which a part of area overlaps.

  When the mark 304 indicating this center point is tapped, a screen 410 as shown in FIG. 9B is displayed. That is, in the screen 410, the operation guide area 302 is displayed overlapping the advertisement display area 401. The operation guide area 302 is erased after a predetermined time has passed and returns to the initial screen 400 as shown in FIG. 9A again.

  Then, in the initial screen 400, when the first tap is made by the user in an area other than the mark 304, as shown in FIG. 9C, the screen 420 indicates that the tapped area is selected. An indicator 305 is displayed. By this index 305, the user can proceed with the operation while confirming the position tapped by the user. Also in this process, since the advertisement display area 401 is provided so as to overlap in the character selection area 303, the state in which the advertisement is displayed is maintained. However, for the display portion of the indicator 305, the display of the indicator 305 is given priority, and a part of the advertisement is hidden by the indicator 305. Note that this index 305 may be made translucent and superimposed on the advertisement.

  When the next tap is made, as shown in FIG. 9D, in the same manner as described above, the screen 430 displays an indicator 306 indicating that the tapped area is selected. Also in this process, since the advertisement display area 401 is provided so as to overlap in the character selection area 303, the state in which the advertisement is displayed is maintained. However, as described above, a part of the advertisement is hidden by the indicator 306. By the second tap, the character is specified, and the specified character is displayed in the character input area 301 of the screen 430. The indicator 306 may be translucent to be superimposed on the advertisement.

  9 (a) to 9 (c), when an advertisement of interest is displayed in the character input process, tapping the advertisement detail button 402 shifts to the URL of the advertisement and displays the screen. You can also switch to a full screen view of your ad.

  The above description is given taking the case of hiragana input as an example, but it is of course possible to input numbers and alphabets as in the first embodiment.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the advertisement display area is provided in the same area in a wide character selection area in addition to the effect of the third embodiment. Character input can be performed easily, quickly, and accurately by 2-tap operation. In a wristwatch-type information terminal, being able to display an advertisement in a wide area despite the limited area of the touch panel contributes to the improvement of the value of the product.

Fifth Embodiment
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The configuration of the character input device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is the same as that shown in FIG. 1, so the same reference numerals will be used for the same components and the description will be continued with reference to FIG. The fifth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the character selection area is displayed near the right end or the left end according to the user's skill.

  Hereinafter, screen display performed in the process of character input will be described in detail with reference to the screen transition diagrams of FIGS. 10 (a) to 10 (c). The processing procedure is the same as that of the first embodiment (the flowchart in FIG. 2), and therefore, different parts will be mainly described here.

  As shown in FIG. 10A, in the initial screen 500, the character selection area 503 is allocated in the form of a rectangular area having a width approximately half the width of the screen near the right end or the left end according to the user's skill. . In the figure, the broken lines are shown for the convenience of description, and only the mark 504 indicating the center point is actually displayed. However, the character selection area 503 may be displayed by a broken line. In this example, it is assumed that the right-handed user taps with the thumb, so the character selection area 503 is set near the right end of the screen, and the mark 504 is displayed. Whether to be displayed near the right end or the left end of the screen can be set by user setting. Thus, the user can select characters from above the character selection area 503.

  When a certain area is tapped, the screen is switched to the screen 510 as shown in FIG. 10 (b). That is, on this screen 510, the area tapped by the user is indicated by the index 505. In this example, it can be seen that the first area 503a is tapped.

  When the next tap is made, as shown in FIG. 10C, in the same manner as described above, the screen 520 displays an indicator 506 indicating that the tapped area is selected. In this screen 520, it can be understood that the fifth area 503e is tapped by the user. Thus, the character is identified by two taps, and the identified character is displayed in the character input area 501. In this example, "O" is selected and displayed.

  The above description is given taking the case of hiragana input as an example, but it is of course possible to input numbers and alphabets as in the first embodiment.

  As described above, according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, since the character selection area is allocated as a rectangular area near the right end or the left end of the screen, the user holds the information terminal with one hand, etc. Characters can be input more simply and quickly.

Sixth Embodiment
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The configuration of the character input device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention is the same as that shown in FIG. 5, so the same reference numerals will be used for the same components and the description will be continued with reference to FIG.

  Hereinafter, the advertisement display on the screen performed in the process of character input will be described in detail with reference to the screen transition diagrams of FIGS. 11 (a) to 11 (c). Here, for the sake of simplicity of the description, the same components and areas as those in FIG. 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 10A, in the initial screen 600, an advertisement display area 501 is provided in a wide range including the character selection area 503 by overlapping a part of the character selection area 503. The ad is displayed on the At this time, since the mark 504 indicating the center point for the area division of the character selection area 503 is displayed from above the advertisement, the character can be selected from above the advertisement.

  Then, in the initial screen 600, when the first tap is made by the user, as shown in FIG. 10 (b), the screen is switched to the screen 610, and the indicator 505 indicating that it is selected is displayed in the tapped area. Ru. This indicator 505 allows the user to proceed with the operation while confirming the position where he has tapped. Also in this process, the advertisement display area 601 is provided so as to overlap in a wide area partially overlapping the character selection area 503, and therefore, the state in which the advertisement is displayed is maintained. However, for the display portion of the index 505, the display of the index 505 is prioritized, and a part of the advertisement is hidden by the index 505. The index 505 may be translucent and displayed on the advertisement.

  When the next tap is made, as shown in FIG. 10C, in the same manner as described above, the screen 620 displays an indicator 506 indicating that the tapped area is selected. Also in this process, since the advertisement display area 601 is provided so as to overlap in the character selection area 503, the state in which the advertisement is displayed is maintained. However, as described above, a part of the advertisement is hidden by the indicator 506. By the second tap, the character is specified, and the specified character is displayed in the character input area 501 of the screen 620. The index 506 may be translucent and displayed on the advertisement.

  10 (a) to 10 (c), when an advertisement of interest is displayed in the character input process, tapping the advertisement detail button 602 shifts to the URL of the advertisement and displays the screen. You can also switch to a full screen view of your ad.

  The above description is given taking the case of hiragana input as an example, but it is of course possible to input numbers and alphabets as in the first embodiment.

  As described above, according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, the advertisement display area is provided in the same area in a wide character selection area in addition to the effects of the fifth embodiment. Character input can be performed easily, quickly, and accurately by 2-tap operation.

Seventh Embodiment
Finally, FIG. 12 shows an example of a hardware configuration of an information terminal to which the character input device according to the first to sixth embodiments can be applied. The information terminal includes various devices such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a PDA, a mobile phone, a game machine, a notebook computer, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the information terminal 700 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 701, a hard disc drive (HDD) 702, a read only memory (ROM) 703, a random access memory (RAM) 704, a communication I / F 705, A touch panel 709 in which the external I / F 706, the display unit 707, and the operation unit 708 are integrated is provided. These are communicably connected via a bus 710.

  In such a configuration, the CPU 701 controls the entire information terminal 700. An HDD 702 is a non-volatile storage device holding programs and various data. The ROM 703 is a non-volatile memory in which programs and various data are stored. A RAM 704 is a volatile memory that provides a work area when executing a program. The CPU 701 functions as a character input device in combination with the touch panel 709 by reading and executing a program such as the HDD 702 or the like.

  Besides, the communication I / F 705 is an interface for realizing communication with an external device, and for example, when acquiring advertisement information or when jumping to a link of an advertisement destination, with the external device via the communication I / F 705 Communication is performed.

  As described above in detail, according to the first to seventh embodiments of the present invention, a character input device using the touch panel 2 is provided. The character input device includes the character selection area (103, 303, or 503) of the operation guide area (102, 302, or 502) displayed on the touch panel 2 and the character selection area (103, 303, or 503). And an input processing unit 11 as an input processing unit that outputs at least position information indicating an operation position on the touch panel 2. Furthermore, it has DB13 as a storage means which holds a plurality of tables showing selectable character groups in each of a plurality of regions obtained by dividing the character selection region (103, 303 or 503). Furthermore, when the first operation is performed on the character selection area (103, 303, or 503), one of the plurality of areas is specified based on the position information related to the first operation, and the storage unit When a table corresponding to the area is selected and the second operation is performed on the character selection area (103, 303, or 503), one of the areas is selected based on the position information related to the second operation. Character specifying processing unit 12 as a character specifying processing unit for specifying characters with reference to the selected table, and a display control unit as a display control unit for displaying the specified characters on the touch panel 2 And fourteen. Among these, the input processing means, the character specification processing means, and the display control means are functions of the character input system 1 realized by the CPU 701 reading and executing a program such as the HDD 702.

  Here, the character selection area (103, 303, or 503) is divided into first to eighth areas (103 a to 103 h, 303 a to 303 h, or 503 a to 503 h) radially by four straight lines passing through the central point. In the first to eighth areas, the first character group consisting of "A line, I, I, K" as the selectable character group, and A second character group, a third character group consisting of "a line, n, n, n" and a fourth character group consisting of a "ne n's, a line" and "ma line, y, y, y The fifth character group consisting of "", the sixth character group consisting of "ら line, を, 、", the seventh character group relating to the symbol, and the eighth character group relating to the operation are overlapped. Assigned to the operation guide area 102, and the first to eighth areas (103a to 103h, 303 To 303 h, or it may be made a display suggesting that any of the first to eighth character group to 503a to 503h) are assigned to selectable. Therefore, in this case, by displaying the operation guide area, which character group is selectably assigned to the first to eighth areas (103a to 103h, 303a to 303h, or 503a to 503h) of the character selection area It becomes possible to grasp exactly.

  An advertisement display area (201, 401, or 601) is provided in an area overlapping the character selection area 103, and the advertisement control unit 15 displays an advertisement in the advertisement display area (201, 401, or 601) in the character input process. May be provided. That is, in this case, since the character selection area (103, 303, or 503) and the advertisement display area (201, 401, or 601) are the same area, the first to eighth areas (103 a to By tapping 103h, 303a to 303h, or 503a to 503h), it becomes possible to specify and display a desired input character.

  The character selection area 503 may be allocated as a rectangular area to the left or right of the screen. In this case, it is possible to input with one thumb while holding the information terminal with one hand.

  It is also possible to realize the above-described processing procedure as a character input method. Furthermore, the present invention can also be implemented as a program that causes a character input device to function as described above, and a computer-readable storage medium that stores the program.

  As mentioned above, although one embodiment of the present invention was described, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to this, and various improvement and change are possible in the range which does not deviate from the meaning.

  For example, what is displayed in the greetings of the character input area is not limited to the advertisement, and a slide show or the like with a user-selected image may be displayed.

1 character input system 2 touch panel 11 input processing unit 12 character specification processing unit 13 database 14 display control unit 21 operation unit 22 display unit

Claims (6)

A character input device using a touch panel,
An input processing unit that receives and processes an operation on a character selection area displayed on the touch panel, and outputs at least position information indicating an operation position on the touch panel;
Storage means for holding a plurality of tables each showing a character group selectable in each of a plurality of areas obtained by dividing the character selection area;
When a first operation is performed on the character selection area, one of the plurality of areas is identified based on the position information related to the first operation, and a table corresponding to the area is specified by the storage unit. When a second operation is performed on the character selection area, one of the plurality of areas is identified based on the position information related to the second operation, and the selected table is referred to. Character identification processing means for identifying characters,
Display control means for displaying the specified character on the touch panel;
Advertisement control means for displaying an advertisement in the entire area of the character selection area;
The character selection area is divided into first to eighth areas,
In the first to eighth regions, as the selectable character group, a first character group consisting of "A line, I, I, K" and a second character consisting of "I, I, K" A group consisting of a third character group consisting of a row, a row, a row, a row, a row, a fourth row of characters consisting of a row, and a row consisting of a row, row, yu, yo The sixth character group consisting of five character groups, “ら line, わ, ん”, the seventh character group relating to the symbol, and the eighth character group relating to the operation are assigned without overlapping It has been
The display control means displays an indicator to the effect that it is selected when any of the first to eighth regions of the character selection region is selected, but the indicator is translucent to select the character A character input device displayed superimposed on an advertisement displayed in the entire area of the area . The display control means further displays an operation guide area on the touch panel, and any one of the first to eighth character groups is selectably assigned to the first to eighth areas in the operation guide area. Make a sign that suggests
The character input device according to claim 1. A character input method using a character input device using a touch panel,
Receiving and processing an operation on a character selection area displayed on the touch panel, and outputting at least position information indicating an operation position on the touch panel;
When a first operation is performed on the character selection area, one of the plurality of areas is identified based on the position information related to the first operation, and a table corresponding to the area is selected from the storage unit. Step to
When a second operation is performed on the character selection area, one of the plurality of areas is identified based on the position information related to the second operation, and the character is referred to with reference to the selected table. Identifying steps,
Displaying the specified character on the touch panel;
Displaying an advertisement throughout the character selection area;
Have
The character selection area is divided into first to eighth areas,
In the first to eighth regions, as the selectable character group, a first character group consisting of "A line, I, I, K" and a second character consisting of "I, I, K" A group consisting of a third character group consisting of a row, a row, a row, a row, a row, a fourth row of characters consisting of a row, and a row consisting of a row, row, yu, yo The sixth character group consisting of five character groups, “ら line, わ, ん”, the seventh character group relating to the symbol, and the eighth character group relating to the operation are assigned without overlapping It has been
When any one of the first to eighth regions of the character selection region is selected, an indicator to the effect that the selection has been made is displayed, but the indicator is displayed semitransparently and displayed over the entire region of the character selection region. Text input method to be displayed superimposed on the ad . An operation guide area is further displayed on the touch panel, and a display indicating that any of the first to eighth character groups is selectably assigned to the first to eighth areas in the operation guide area. Do
A character input method according to claim 3. A program incorporated into a character input device using a touch panel,
The character input device
Input processing means for the touch panel to accept and process operation for the character selection area displayed, at least outputs position information indicating the operation position on the touch panel,
A storage unit that holds a plurality of tables showing selectable character groups in each of a plurality of regions obtained by dividing the character selection region;
When a first operation is performed on the character selection area, one of the plurality of areas is identified based on the position information related to the first operation, and a table corresponding to the area is specified by the storage unit. When a second operation is performed on the character selection area, one of the plurality of areas is identified based on the position information related to the second operation, and the selected table is referred to. Character identification processing means for identifying characters,
Display control means for displaying the specified character on the touch panel;
Advertisement control means for displaying an advertisement in the entire area of the character selection area;
As mechanism,
The character selection area is divided into first to eighth areas,
In the first to eighth regions, as the selectable character group, a first character group consisting of "A line, I, I, K" and a second character consisting of "I, I, K" A group consisting of a third character group consisting of a row, a row, a row, a row, a row, a fourth row of characters consisting of a row, and a row consisting of a row, row, yu, yo The sixth character group consisting of five character groups, “ら line, わ, ん”, the seventh character group relating to the symbol, and the eighth character group relating to the operation are assigned without overlapping It has been
The display control means displays an indicator to the effect that it is selected when any of the first to eighth regions of the character selection region is selected, but the indicator is translucent to select the character A program that is displayed over the ad displayed in the entire area of the area . The display control means further displays an operation guide area on the touch panel, and any one of the first to eighth character groups is selectably assigned to the first to eighth areas in the operation guide area. Make a sign that suggests
The program according to claim 5.