JP4385864B2 - Mobile terminal and information input method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable terminal and an information input method, and in particular, a portable terminal such as a cellular phone that operates by inputting various information such as characters, symbols, and numerical values by operating various keys constituting the input unit, and The present invention relates to an information input method for the portable terminal.

  The portable terminal is required to be small and light in weight for portability. As a result, the installation area of the key for inputting information on the surface of the terminal becomes more and more narrow, and the number of installed keys is limited. For this reason, when a user of a mobile terminal selects a destination from a telephone directory stored in the terminal body and places a call, the user has to press a plurality of keys many times, and the operation is complicated. There is a case.

  In order to improve the operability by reducing the number of key inputs, a portable terminal provided with a function key composed of a cross movement key and a ball part has been conventionally known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this conventional portable terminal, when the cross movement key is pressed with the item selection screen displayed, the selection candidate item is changed according to the pressing movement direction, and the selection candidate item is selected by pressing the ball part. This is a configuration that is fixed as an item. Also, by rotating the ball part, the coordinate position of the image pasting position can be specified and changed. Here, since the cross movement key and the ball portion are installed at the same place, the movement distance of the finger when the user operates is minimized, and the operability is improved.

  A portable terminal having a fingerprint sensor function and including a key for inputting a different instruction depending on a pressed position is also conventionally known (for example, see Patent Document 2). In order to ensure security, this conventional portable terminal is capable of accurately authenticating fingerprints even if the area of the key mounted on the portable terminal equipped with a fingerprint sensor is reduced. By using the fingerprint sensor also as a key that can input a plurality of instructions, the fingerprint sensor can be configured with the same area as the plurality of keys.

JP-A-2002-229732 (Claims 1, 2, FIGS. 1 to 3, paragraphs 0015, 0030 to 0033, 0038 to 0059) JP 2002-335324 A (Claims 1, 2, FIGS. 1 to 5, paragraphs 0012 to 0034)

  However, since the conventional portable terminal described in Patent Document 1 is a key composed of a combination of a cross movement key and a ball part, there is a problem that the operation is complicated and difficult to remember, and the component cost and manufacturing cost are low. There are problems such as rising. In addition, the conventional portable terminal described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 2 can be shared with a plurality of keys simply to ensure the size of the fingerprint sensor, and does not reduce the number of key inputs. There is a problem that it is difficult to provide good operability to a plurality of counterparts.

  In addition, portable terminals that are provided with a plurality of dedicated keys or with a key for one-touch transmission function, for example, a key for a plurality of uses are also known in the past. However, the addition of a key makes it difficult to reduce the size and cost of parts. There are problems such as increased manufacturing costs.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a portable terminal and an information input method that can input information with a simple operation with an inexpensive configuration.

In order to achieve the above object, the portable terminal of the present invention is a portable terminal that displays information pre-assigned to a specific key on the display unit when the user presses the specific key with a finger. N (n is an integer of 2 or more) photosensors arranged on the circumference centered on a specific key and m photosensors (m is an integer of 2 or more smaller than n). When the number of photosensors in each divided range is on or off when the number of photosensors is divided into k (where n ≦ k × m), the largest or A calculation means for detecting a divided range from which a small number is obtained as a finger direction when a specific key is pressed with a finger, and a plurality of division ranges in advance corresponding to each of the directions indicated by the k divided ranges . Storage means for storing information and stored in the storage means From the number of information is obtained by a configuration having a selection displaying means for displaying on the display unit by selecting one of the information corresponding to the direction of the detected finger by calculating means.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a portable terminal that displays information pre-assigned to a specific key on the display unit when the user presses the specific key with a finger. A touch detection sensor for detecting a touch of a specific key, a fingerprint input means for inputting a fingerprint of the finger detected by the touch detection sensor, a fingerprint pattern input by the fingerprint input means, and a predetermined direction to the pattern of the fingerprint user of the touch sensor performs a distance calculation between the pattern of the fingerprint that has been previously registered finger when in contact with the finger, which based on the distance calculation result is registered from and calculating means for detecting the detection angle that corresponds to the closest pattern to the pattern of the inputted fingerprint of the previously prepared plurality of detection angle was as the direction of the finger, a plurality prepared in advance detected angle A storage unit that stores a plurality of pieces of information in advance corresponding to each of the information, and one of the plurality of pieces of information stored in the storage unit according to a detection angle indicating a finger direction detected by the calculation unit. It has a selection display means for selecting information and displaying it on the display unit . In the present invention, in the portable terminal in which the fingerprint input means is originally used for specifying a user for ensuring security, the direction of the finger can be detected using the fingerprint input means.

Here, the plurality of pieces of information are phone book data that is initially selected by a cursor, phone book data for a plurality of groups, or a plurality of function selection menus. For example, when the telephone book data initially selected by the cursor is set as a plurality of information, it is possible to make a call to the telephone number at the cursor position by simply pressing the specific key twice in succession.

In order to achieve the above object, the information input method of the present invention is an input for displaying information pre-assigned to a specific key on the display unit when the user presses the specific key with a finger. Information input method of a mobile terminal that performs m, and each of n (n is an integer of 2 or more) photosensors arranged on a circumference centered on a specific key (m is smaller than n) When dividing into k detection areas (where n ≦ k × m), the number of m photosensors that are on or off in each divided range is compared for each divided range. A first step of detecting the divided range where the largest or smallest number is obtained as the direction of the finger when a specific key is pressed with the finger, and each of the directions indicated by the k divided ranges storage means for storing in advance a plurality of information corresponding to the From the stored plurality of information, characterized in that it comprises a second step of displaying on the display unit by selecting one of the information corresponding to the direction of the finger detected by the first step.

In order to achieve the above object, the information input method of the present invention is an input for displaying information pre-assigned to a specific key on the display unit when the user presses the specific key with a finger. Information input method for a portable terminal that performs a first step of inputting a fingerprint of a finger whose contact is sensed by a touch sensor that senses the touch of a finger as pressing a specific key; a pattern of a fingerprint that is, performs a distance calculation in advance of that are registered fingerprints pattern of the finger when the user of the touch sensor from a predetermined direction are in contact with the finger, based on the distance calculation result, to the pattern of fingerprint is registered, the second to detect the detection angle that corresponds to the closest pattern to the pattern of the inputted fingerprint of the plurality of detection angles, which is prepared in advance as the direction of the finger steps When, from among the plurality of information stored in the storage means for storing in advance a plurality of information corresponding to each of a plurality of detection angles, which is prepared in advance, the direction of the finger detected by the second step And a third step of selecting one piece of information corresponding to the detected angle and displaying it on the display unit .

  In order to achieve the above object, the information input method according to the present invention determines the information displayed on the display unit by first pressing a specific key when the specific key is pressed twice in succession. The method further includes a fifth step of performing the steps. Here, the plurality of pieces of information are phone book data that is initially selected by a cursor, phone book data for a plurality of groups, or a plurality of function selection menus.

  According to the present invention, the direction of the finger pressing a specific key is detected from among a plurality of preset directions, and a plurality of pieces of information are previously stored corresponding to each of the plurality of directions. Information that is often used as the plurality of pieces of information is set by selecting one piece of information according to the detected direction from the plurality of pieces of information and displaying it on the display unit. Thus, frequently used information can be displayed in the direction in which the finger of a specific key is pressed, and the number of key operations required than before can be reduced.

  In addition, according to the present invention, when the plurality of pieces of information are set to preset telephone numbers of a plurality of other parties who frequently make calls, the number of key operations until the call can be reduced. Can provide easy and comfortable operability.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an external front view of an embodiment of a portable terminal according to the present invention. In the figure, a mobile phone 1 as an example of a mobile terminal is provided with a display unit 3 for displaying various types of information on the upper side of a housing 2 and a numeric input key 4 on the lower side of the housing 2. A cursor down movement key 5a, a cursor up movement key 5b, and an operation key 6 are provided between the display unit 3 and the numeric input keys 4. The operation key 6 is provided at a substantially central portion of the housing 2, and a photo sensor group 7 including 16 photo sensors is arranged on a circumference centering on the operation key 6.

  Further, a speaker 8 is provided above the display unit 3 of the housing 2, and a microphone 9 is provided below the number input keys 4. An antenna 10 protrudes from the upper end surface of the housing 2. The number input key 4 is assigned in advance so that not only numbers but also letters and symbols can be input.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the photosensor group 7 includes 16 pieces arranged at equiangular intervals on the circumference centered on the operation key 6 provided at substantially the center of the housing 2. It consists of photosensors 7-1 to 7-16. These photosensors 7-1 to 7-16 are in an ON state meaning that there is no light shielding in a normally used brightness environment when the finger is not approached, and there is a light shielding object when the finger is sufficiently approached It has been adjusted to be in the off state meaning.

  When the operation key 6 is pressed, a list of telephone numbers and / or names and a cursor are displayed on the display unit 3 from the telephone book held in the storage unit inside the housing 2. Here, the present embodiment is characterized in that in this display state, the user of the mobile phone 1 can make a call to the call destination telephone number selected by the cursor by pressing the operation key 6 again. To do. It is also possible to select any call destination telephone number in the list by operating the cursor down key 5a or the cursor up key 5b to move the cursor downward or upward.

  FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a portable terminal according to the present invention. In the figure, the same components as those in FIG. The mobile phone 1 shown in FIG. 3 has the above-described display unit 3, numeric input key 4, cursor down key 5a, cursor up key 5b, operation key 6, photo sensor group 7, speaker 8, microphone 9 and antenna 10. In addition, a control unit 13 that comprehensively controls the entire mobile phone, a radio unit 14 that performs radio communication with the nearest base station (not shown) via the antenna 10, and signals of transmission signals and reception signals A signal processing unit 15 that performs processing, and a voice processing unit that processes a received voice signal and various types of voice signals and supplies them to the speaker 8 or processes a transmission voice signal from the microphone 9 and supplies it to the signal processing unit 15 16, a display drive unit 17 that converts a display signal from the control unit 13 into a signal form suitable for display, supplies the signal to the display unit 3, and displays an image, and a storage unit that stores programs, phone book data, and the like 18 and It is configured to have the interior of the housing 2 FIG.

  As will be described later, the cellular phone 1 uses the cursor down movement key 5a, the cursor up movement key 5b, the operation key 6 and the photosensor group 7 to call the telephone number of the call destination specified as described later. A call signal or an incoming call response operation signal is generated by the control unit 13 and is supplied to the radio unit 14 via the signal processing unit 15, and is converted into a transmission signal in a predetermined signal form. Via wireless transmission to the nearest base station (not shown). Further, the transmission signal is supplied from the base station to the partner terminal via the public network and the communication path is established in a predetermined sequence.

  Thereafter, the call signal from the partner terminal is received by the antenna 10 via the public network and the base station, further received and processed by the radio unit 14, and then converted into a received voice signal by the signal processing unit 15 for further voice processing. The sound is supplied to the speaker 8 via the unit 16 and is subjected to electro-acoustic conversion to generate a received voice. On the other hand, the transmission voice is acoustic-electrically converted by the microphone 9 to become a transmission voice signal, which is supplied to the radio section 14 via the voice processing section 16 and the signal processing section 15, where the transmission signal of the predetermined frequency band Then, it is wirelessly transmitted to the base station via the antenna 10, and further transmitted from the base station to the other terminal via the public network. The above voice communication operation is well known.

  Next, the information input operation of the cellular phone according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 that performs the voice communication will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When detecting that the operation key 6 is pressed (step S1 in FIG. 4), the control unit 13 in FIG. 3 detects whether each of the photosensors 7-1 to 7-16 at that time is on or off. Thus, the pressing direction is detected (step S2 in FIG. 4).

  In the pressing direction detection in step S2, five photosensors in the first range from the photosensor 7-3 to the photosensor 7-7 shown in FIG. 2, and the photosensor 7-7 to the photosensor 7 are displayed. 5 photosensors in the second range up to −11, five photosensors in the third range from photosensor 7-11 to photosensor 7-15, and photosensor 7-15 to photosensor 7 For the five photosensors in the fourth range up to -3, the number of photosensors turned off for each range is counted, and the range with the largest count value is determined by the user who pressed the operation key 6 Detect as finger direction (pressing direction).

  That is, when the range with the largest count value is the first range, it is right, when it is the second range, it is lower, when it is the third range, it is left, and in the fourth range. In some cases, it is detected that the operation key 6 is pressed with a finger from above.

  For example, in the case shown in FIG. 5, most of the above four ranges from the photosensor 7-3 to the photosensor 7-7 by the finger 11 when the operation key 6 is pressed is selected. Since the number of the five photosensors in the first range is off is larger than the number of each of the five photosensors in the other second to fourth ranges because they are shielded from light, The control unit 13 detects that the operation key 6 is pressed from the right side and the pressing direction is the right.

  Here, the control unit 13 first has a cursor depending on whether the detection pressing direction of the operation key 6 is right, down, left, or up among the phone book data stored in the storage unit 18. The selected phone book data R, D, L, and U are registered, and the registered phone book data for which the cursor is first selected is displayed in accordance with the detection pressing direction of the operation key 6 (FIG. 4 step S3). Therefore, in the case shown in FIG. 5, since the control unit 13 detects that the operation key 6 is pressed from the right side, the phone book data R displayed on the display unit 3 is displayed as selected by the cursor. , It is possible to shift to a state of waiting for the next operation from the user.

  Subsequently, the control unit 13 determines whether or not the operation key 6 has been pressed (step S4 in FIG. 4). When the operation key 6 is not pressed, the cursor down movement key 5a or the cursor up movement key 5b is operated instead. (Step S5 in FIG. 4), and when operated, the cursor position displayed together with the telephone directory list on the display unit 3 is moved from the initial position according to the operation (Step S6 in FIG. 4).

  After the movement of the cursor position in the above step S6, it is monitored whether or not the operation key 6 is pressed again (step S4 in FIG. 4). Further, even when the cursor down movement key 5a and the cursor up movement key 5b are not operated, it is monitored whether or not the operation key 6 is pressed (step S4 in FIG. 4). When the control unit 13 detects that the operation key 6 is pressed in step S4, the control unit 13 calls the telephone number or the registered telephone number of the name indicated by the cursor position displayed on the display unit 3 at that time (see FIG. 4 step S7).

  In step S7, the control unit 13 generates a call signal for the call destination telephone number designated by the cursor position, and supplies the call signal to the radio unit 14 via the signal processing unit 15 in FIG. After being converted into a transmission signal of the following signal form, it is supplied to the public network or the like via the antenna 10 via the nearest base station, and a predetermined sequence is performed with the other terminal from this, so that the communication path Establish.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when a call is made to a frequently called party, calls are frequently made as data R, D, L, U of the phone book in which the cursor is first selected. By setting the telephone number in advance, it is possible to make a call to the telephone number of the callee immediately by pressing the operation key 6 twice in succession. It is possible to provide the user with simple and comfortable operability.

  Further, after the operation key 6 is pressed once, the cursor is moved to a telephone number other than the telephone number selected in advance by operating the cursor down movement key 5a or the cursor up movement key 5b. Thereafter, by pressing the operation key 6, a call can be made to an arbitrary telephone number from among the telephone numbers registered in the telephone directory as in the prior art.

  Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 shows an external front view of another embodiment of the portable terminal according to the present invention. In the figure, the same components as those in FIG. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a touch sensor 21 and a fingerprint input means 22 are added in place of the operation key 6 and the photosensor group 7 arranged around the operation key 6 of the embodiment shown in FIG. There is a feature in the point. In the fingerprint input means 22, fingerprint information of the finger when the operation key is touched with the finger from below the user is registered in advance. The touch sensor 21 also serves as an operation key. The fingerprint input means 22 is originally used to identify the user himself / herself for security purposes. In the present embodiment, the fingerprint input means 22 of the portable terminal originally having the fingerprint input means 22 is used. This is used to detect the key operation direction.

  In the control unit in the portable terminal, the input fingerprint pattern detected by the fingerprint input means 22 is the same (no rotation) with respect to the previously registered fingerprint information pattern, is rotated 90 degrees to the right, or rotated 90 degrees to the left The phone book data D, R, L, and U for which the cursor is first selected are registered for each of the four cases, that is, whether it is rotated 180 degrees.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, when the touch detection sensor 21 detects that the operation key is pressed by the finger, the fingerprint of the finger that is pressing the operation key at that time is detected by the fingerprint input means 22. The distance calculation with the previously registered fingerprint information is performed, and it is determined which of the above four patterns corresponds to the calculated result, and the registered telephone book in the determined one pattern Data D, R, L, or U is displayed on the display unit.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when the operation key is touched with a finger from the right side, for example, in the same operation as the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, the distance from the expected pattern of the fingerprint information In accordance with the calculation result, a list of phone book data can be displayed on the display unit 3 and the cursor can be displayed in a state where the cursor is first set to the registered phone book data R. Therefore, since the present embodiment can immediately call the call destination telephone number by pressing the contact detection sensor 21 twice in succession, the number of necessary key operations is reduced as compared with the prior art, A simple and comfortable operability can be provided to the user.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, by changing the programming of the control unit 13 in the mobile terminal, different groups depending on the direction of the finger pressing the operation key, that is, company, friend Needless to say, applications such as displaying a list of family members or displaying different function selection menus can be easily realized. Further, the display is not limited to the data in the phone book, but may be a fixed sentence frequently used in e-mail.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, 16 photosensors are divided into four detection ranges. However, each of the divided detection ranges allows five photosensors each to allow some photosensors to overlap. However, each of the divided detection ranges may be configured with four photosensors so as not to overlap, or each of the divided detection ranges may be configured with six photosensors. Furthermore, the number of data registered in advance so that the first cursor is positioned is four according to the division detection range, but is not limited to this. Of course, the present invention can be applied to other portable terminals such as PDAs other than the cellular phone.

  The present invention can provide improved operability to all portable terminals, and can be used particularly for small portable terminals that require a minimum number of keys.

It is an external appearance front view of one embodiment of a portable terminal of the present invention. It is an enlarged plan view of the principal part in FIG. It is a block diagram of one embodiment of a portable terminal of the present invention. It is a flowchart for operation | movement description of one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing when the operation key of the portable terminal of embodiment of FIG. 1 is pressed down with a finger | toe from right direction. It is an external appearance front view of other embodiment of the portable terminal of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cellular phone 2 Housing | casing 3 Display part 4 Number input key 5a Cursor down movement key 5b Cursor up movement key 6 Operation key 7 Photo sensor group 7-1 to 7-16 Photo sensor 11 Finger 13 Control part 14 Wireless part 18 Storage part 21 touch sensor 22 fingerprint input means

Claims (6)

When a user presses a specific key with a finger, the portable terminal displays information pre-assigned to the specific key on the display unit,
N (n is an integer of 2 or more) photosensors arranged on a circumference centered on the specific key ;
When the n photosensors are divided into k detection areas (where n ≦ k × m), each of which is m (m is an integer of 2 or more smaller than n), m sensors in each division range By comparing the number of photosensors that are turned on or off for each divided range, the divided range in which the largest or smallest number is obtained is detected as the direction of the finger when the specific key is pressed with the finger. Calculating means for
Storage means for storing a plurality of pieces of information in advance corresponding to each of the directions indicated by the k divided ranges ;
Selection display means for selecting one information corresponding to the direction of the finger detected by the calculation means from the plurality of information stored in the storage means and displaying the selected information on the display unit. A featured mobile terminal. When a user presses a specific key with a finger, the portable terminal displays information pre-assigned to the specific key on the display unit,
A touch sensor that senses a finger touch as a press of the specific key;
Fingerprint input means for inputting a fingerprint of a finger whose contact is detected by the contact detection sensor;
Performing a distance calculation between the fingerprint pattern input by the fingerprint input means and a pre-registered fingerprint pattern of the finger when the user touches the contact sensor from a predetermined direction; Based on the distance calculation result, a detection angle corresponding to a pattern closest to the input fingerprint pattern among a plurality of detection angles prepared in advance with respect to the registered fingerprint pattern is determined by the direction of the finger. Calculation means to detect as,
Storage means for storing a plurality of information in advance corresponding to each of the plurality of detection angles prepared in advance;
Selection display means for selecting one information corresponding to a detected angle indicating the direction of the finger detected by the calculation means from the plurality of information stored in the storage means and displaying the selected information on the display unit;
A portable terminal characterized by comprising: 3. The portable terminal according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of pieces of information are phone book data that is first selected by a cursor, phone book data for a plurality of groups, or a plurality of function selection menus. When the user presses a specific key with a finger, the information input method of the mobile terminal performs an input for displaying information pre-assigned to the specific key on the display unit,
Detection comprising n (n is an integer of 2 or more) photosensors arranged on the circumference centered on the specific key, each consisting of m (m is an integer of 2 or more smaller than n) photosensors. When k is divided into ranges (where n ≦ k × m), the largest or smallest number is obtained by comparing the number of m photosensors on or off in each divided range for each divided range. A first step of detecting the divided range as the direction of the finger when the specific key is pressed with the finger ;
The plurality of pieces of information stored in a storage unit that stores a plurality of pieces of information in advance corresponding to each of the directions indicated by the k division ranges, and detected by the first step. A second step of selecting one piece of information corresponding to the direction of the finger and displaying it on the display unit. When the user presses a specific key with a finger, the information input method of the mobile terminal performs an input for displaying information pre-assigned to the specific key on the display unit,
A first step of inputting a fingerprint of a finger that has sensed contact with a contact sensing sensor that senses a finger touch as a press of a specific key;
The distance between the fingerprint pattern input in the first step and the previously registered fingerprint pattern of the finger when the user touches the touch sensor from a predetermined direction is calculated. Based on the distance calculation result, a detection angle corresponding to a pattern closest to the input fingerprint pattern among a plurality of detection angles prepared in advance is detected as a finger direction with respect to a registered fingerprint pattern. A second step of:
The direction of the finger detected by the second step from among a plurality of pieces of information stored in a storage unit that stores a plurality of pieces of information in advance corresponding to each of the plurality of detection angles prepared in advance. A third step of selecting one information corresponding to the detected angle indicating and displaying on the display unit;
An information input method comprising: 6. The information input method according to claim 4 , wherein the plurality of pieces of information are phone book data that is first selected by a cursor, phone book data for each of a plurality of groups, or a plurality of function selection menus. .

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