Electronic equipment, letter inputting method and program

An electronic device comprises a display unit that displays a letter/character; a touch pressing input unit including a plurality of keys arrayed in a matrix; the touch pressing input unit allowing touch-inputting a letter/character corresponding to a key touched by a user's finger; the touch pressing input unit allowing pressing-inputting a letter/character corresponding to a key pressed; and a control unit that manages control to cause the letter/character input by the touch pressing input unit to be displayed on the display unit; the control unit managing control so that, if a key is touched and pressed at the touch pressing input unit with the user's finger, a letter/character corresponding to the key pressed is displayed on the display unit, and so that, if a key is touched and released without being pressed by the user's finger at the touch pressing input unit, a letter/character corresponding to a key displaced at a position from which the user's finger has been released is displayed on the display unit.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Reference to Related Application

The present application is based upon Japanese patent application No. 2010-281472 filed on Dec. 17, 2010, now laid-open as JP Kokai Publication No. JP-P2012-128774A on Jul. 5, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto.

This invention relates to an electronic device capable of inputting a letter/character, a letter/character inputting method, and a program. More particularly, it relates to an electronic device that allows selecting a key pressing input or a flick input, a letter/character inputting method, and a program.

BACKGROUND

Heretofore, a key pressing input method of pressing a key that imparts a sense of click in inputting was prevalently used in this country as a letter/character inputting method for a mobile electronic device. Recently, such a mobile electronic device carrying a touch panel of a large format is becoming popular globally such that its share on the market is increasing in Japan as well. As the mobile electronic devices, carrying the touch panel, become popular, an increasing number of the mobile electronic devices use a touch input method in which the touch panel is touched for inputting. In light of the above, it has been proposed that both a key pressing input method and a touch input method may selectively be used in legacy electronic devices (see Patent Literatures 1 and 2).[Patent Literature 1] JP Patent Kokai Publication No. JP-P2002-244791A[Patent Literature 2] JP Patent Kokai Publication No. JP-P2007-60074A[Patent Literature 3] JP Patent Kokai Publication No. JP-A-9-23261

SUMMARY

However, in the legacy electronic devices that allow using both the key pressing input method and the touch input method, there is fear that a key is inadvertently touched during the key pressing input to make a touch input erroneously, or that a key is inadvertently pressed during the touch input to make a pressing input erroneously.

Recently, a flick input method, different from the touch input method, is attracting notice as the Japanese language inputting method. In the flick input method, if a character ‘’ (I) is to be input, a ‘’ (A) key is touched to display a ‘’ (I) key, a ‘’ (U) key, a ‘’ (E) key and a ‘’ (O) key. The user's finger is then slid to over the ‘’ (I) key to input the corresponding character. Since there are many users who favor the key pressing input method and also many users who favor the flick input method, such an electronic device that allows selectively using the two methods is thought to be desirable.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an electronic device, a letter/character inputting method and a program, whereby both the key pressing input method and the flick input method may be used in such a manner as to avoid mistaken inputting failure.

In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic device including a display unit that displays a letter/character and a touch pressing input unit including a plurality of keys arrayed in a matrix. The touch pressing input unit allows touch-inputting a letter/character corresponding to a key touched by a user's finger. The touch pressing input unit also allows pressing-inputting a letter/character corresponding to a key pressed. The electronic device also includes a control unit that manages control to cause the letter/character to input by the touch pressing input unit to be displayed on the display unit. The control unit manages control so that, if a key is touched and pressed at the touch pressing input unit with the user's finger, a letter/character corresponding to the key pressed is displayed on the display unit, and so that, if a key is touched and released without being pressed by the user's finger at the touch pressing input unit, a letter/character corresponding to a key disposed at a position from which the user's finger has been released, (i.e., a key released by the user's finger) is displayed on the display unit.

In the electronic device according to the present invention, it is preferred that, upon initiation of an input operation at the touch pressing input unit, if the key is touched and pressed by the user's finger at the touch pressing input unit, the control unit sets a pressing input mode as a current input mode. The control unit sets a touch input mode as a current input mode if the key is touched and released without being pressed by the user's finger at the touch pressing input unit.

In the electronic device according to the present invention, preferably the control unit fixedly secures the input mode to the pressing input mode or to the touch input mode until an input letter/character is finally determined or until an application being used comes to a close.

In the electronic device according to the present invention, preferably a pre-set one or ones of the plurality of keys is transversely (or laterally) elongated in shape as compared to the other keys.

Preferably, the electronic device according to the present invention further includes a touch input unit arranged at a pre-set location at a periphery of the touch pressing input unit. The touch input unit is able to touch-input a corresponding letter/character when the touch input unit is touched by the user's finger. The control unit manages control to display the corresponding letter/character in the display unit when the user's finger has touched and released the touch input unit.

In the electronic device of the present invention, the touch pressing input unit preferably includes, from one key to another, a key member arranged on a substrate via a hinge exhibiting repellant elasticity, a dome-shaped contact, a fixed contact and a tactile sensor. The dome-shaped contact and the fixed contact come into contact with each other when the key member is pressed such as to detect the pressing of the key. The tactile sensor is mounted on the key member to detect touching by the user's finger.

In the electronic device of the present invention, the touch input unit preferably includes another tactile sensor different from the above mentioned tactile sensor to detect touch pressure by the user's finger.

In the electronic device according to the present invention, the touch pressing input unit preferably includes a display element to display a letter/character from one key to another. The touch input unit includes another display element to display a letter/character. The control unit manages control so that, when a user's finger has touched a key for a pre-set time, an input navigation corresponding to the key touched will be displayed on the corresponding display element and on the other display element.

In the electronic device according to the present invention, preferably the control unit is set to one out of the pressing input mode and the touch input mode depending on the application being used. Or, the user is preferably capable of selectively setting the mode.

In the electronic device according to the present invention, the control unit preferably sets a telephone number input mode when the display unit displays a standby display picture and a user's finger has pressed a key in the touch pressing input unit. The control unit also preferably sets an address book searching mode or a Web searching mode when the display unit displays a standby display picture and the user's finger has touched and then released the key in the touch pressing input unit.

In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for inputting a letter/character using an electronic device that comprises: a display unit that displays a letter/character, a touch pressing input unit including a plurality of keys arrayed in a matrix, and a control unit that manages control to cause the letter/character input by the touch pressing input unit to be displayed on the display unit. The touch pressing input unit allows touch-inputting a letter/character corresponding to a key touched by a user's finger. The touch pressing input unit allows pressing-inputting a letter/character corresponding to a key pressed. The method includes displaying, when a key is touched and pressed at the touch pressing input unit by a user's finger, a letter/character corresponding to the key pressed on the display unit, and displaying, when a key is touched and released without being pressed by the user's finger at the touch pressing input unit, a letter/character corresponding to the key released by the user's finger (i.e., a key disposed at a position from which the user's finger has been released) in the display unit.

In a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a program executed by an electronic device. The electronic device includes: a display unit that displays a letter/character, a touch pressing input unit including a plurality of keys arrayed in a matrix, and a control unit that manages control to cause the letter/character input by the touch pressing input unit to be displayed on the display unit. The touch pressing input unit allows touch-inputting a letter/character corresponding to a key touched by a user's finger. The touch pressing input unit also allows pressing-inputting a letter/character corresponding to a key pressed. The program allows executing: displaying, when a key is touched and pressed in the touch pressing input unit by a user's finger, a letter/character corresponding to the key pressed on the display unit, and displaying, when a key is touched and released without being pressed by the user's finger at the touch pressing input unit, a letter/character corresponding to a key released by the user's finger (i.e., a key disposed at a position from which the user's finger has been released) on the display unit.

According to the present invention, in a configuration in which both the conventional pressing input method that imparts the sense of click and the more recent touch input method used in a touch panel mobile phone may be used to enter a letter/character, it is possible to avoid inputting failure caused by confusion between the two input methods.

MODES

An electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment 1 of the present invention includes a display unit (10ofFIG. 2) that displays a letter/character, and a touch pressing input unit (20ofFIG. 2) including a plurality of keys arrayed in a matrix. The touch pressing input unit allows touch-inputting a letter/character corresponding to a key touched by a user's finger. The touch pressing input unit also allows pressing input for pressing-inputting a letter/character corresponding to a key pressed. The electronic device also includes a control unit (40ofFIG. 2) that manages control to cause the letter/character input by the touch pressing input unit to be displayed on the display unit. The control unit also manages control so that, if a key is touched and pressed at the touch pressing input unit with the user's finger, a letter/character corresponding to the key pressed will be displayed on the display unit, and so that, if a key is touched and released without being pressed by the user's finger at the touch pressing input unit, a letter/character corresponding to a key released by the user's finger (i.e., a key disposed at a position from which the user's finger has been released) will be displayed on the display unit.

The letter/character inputting method according to an exemplary embodiment 2 of the present invention is such a letter/character inputting method that includes: displaying, when a key is touched and pressed at the touch pressing input unit by a user's finger, a letter/character corresponding to the key pressed on the display unit (step A4ofFIG. 4), and displaying, when a key is touched and released without being pressed by the user's finger at the touch pressing input unit, a letter/character corresponding to a key released by the user's finger (i.e., a key disposed at a position from which the user's finger has been released) on the display unit (step A6ofFIG. 4).

The program according to an exemplary embodiment 3 of the present invention is such a program allowing executing: processing of displaying, when a key is touched and pressed at the touch pressing input unit by a user's finger, a letter/character corresponding to the key pressed in the display unit (step A4ofFIG. 4), and processing of displaying, when a key is touched and released without being pressed by the user's finger at the touch pressing input unit, a letter/character corresponding to the key released by the user's finger (i.e., a key disposed at a position from which the user's finger has been released) on the display unit (step A6ofFIG. 4).

It is noted that symbols for referring to the drawings as used in the present application are only for assisting in understanding and are not intended for limiting to the modes shown in the drawings.

An electronic device1according to Example 1 of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.FIG. 1depicts a plan view schematically showing the appearance of the electronic device according to Example 1 of the present invention.FIG. 2depicts a block diagram schematically showing a circuit configuration of the electronic device according to Example 1 of the present invention.FIG. 3depicts a schematic view showing the configuration of a touch pressing input unit in the electronic device according to Example 1 of the present invention.

The electronic device1according to Example 1 of the present invention is a mobile electronic device to which letter(s)/character(s) may be entered and which is capable of displaying the letter(s)/character(s) entered. The electronic device1may be a collapsible mobile phone, as shown inFIG. 1. In the plan view ofFIG. 1, the electronic device1includes two touch input units30on both sides of a touch pressing input unit20that is to operate as an actuation unit. The electronic device also includes a display unit10on top of the touch pressing input unit20.

The electronic device1includes, as component units, the display unit10, the touch pressing input unit20, the touch input units30, and a control unit40, as shown inFIG. 2.

The display unit10is a device that displays thereon the information, such as a letter/character, as entered. In appearance, the display unit10is arranged on top of the touch pressing input unit20in the electronic device1(seeFIG. 1). The display unit10is electrically connected to the control unit40(seeFIG. 2). The display unit10may be a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL display device or the like provided that the device used visually imparts the information to the user.

The touch pressing input unit20is a device that allows touch input (flick input) or pressing input, depending on actuation by a user. In appearance, the touch pressing input unit20includes a plurality of keys (including “Ten-keys” (or numerical keypad), a decision key50or the like) arrayed in a matrix. The touch pressing input unit20is disposed below the display unit10between the two touch input units30(seeFIG. 1), and is electrically connected to the control unit40(seeFIG. 2). The keys of the touch pressing input unit20detect the presence or absence of touch, based on a weak pressure due to touch, while detecting the presence or absence of pressing based on a strong pressure due to pressing. The touch pressing input unit20outputs to the control unit40a touch signal, indicating which of the keys the user is touching, or a pressing signal, indicating which of the keys the user is pressing. The touch pressing input unit20has a function to display the state of key actuation each time the key is actuated, in order for the user to recognize the state of his/her actuation. The touch pressing input unit20includes, on a substrate29, a protective sheet21, a tactile sensor22, a display element23, a key member24, a protuberance25, a hinge (portion)26, a dome-shaped contact27and a fixed contact28, from one key to another (seeFIG. 3).

The protective sheet21is a sheet that protects the surface of the tactile sensor22. The protective sheet21is affixed to the surface of the tactile sensor22, and is transparent or semi-transparent to make the letters/characters displayed on the display element23visible.

The tactile sensor22is a sensor that detects the touch, and is affixed to the surface of the display element23. The surface of the tactile sensor22is covered by the protective sheet21. The tactile sensor22may, for example, be in the form of a touch panel composed by a thin felt sheet of carbon fibers and pair electrodes arranged on both sides of the felt sheet. When the user's finger touches a key, the tactile sensor22captures and detects it with binary values of on/off dependent on the touch pressure. The tactile sensor22is electrically connected to the control unit40. The tactile sensor22detects (e.g.) changes in the electrical resistance between the electrodes caused by the finger's touch pressure to output a detected signal to the control unit40. The presence or absence of the touch to the key may be detected by measuring any suitable physical quantities, such as changes in the electrical capacitance of the tactile sensor22, in place of measuring the changes in its electrical resistance.

The display element23is a device that displays the navigation (with letters/characters) of the operation methods. The display element23is affixed to the surface of the key member24and has its surface covered by the tactile sensor22. The display element23is electrically connected to the control unit40. The display element23may be a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL display device or the like provided that the device used visually provides the information to the user.

The key member24is a component part that receives the pressing pressure from the user's finger, and has its surface covered by the display element23. The key member24is mounted on the substrate29via the hinge26exhibiting repellant elasticity. The key member24includes the protuberance25on its surface facing the dome-shaped contact27. When the key member24is pressed with more than a pre-set pressure, the protuberance25presses down the dome-shaped contact27mounted on the substrate29. The dome-shaped contact27becomes dished under the press-down pressure to come into contact with the fixed contact28. At the same time as key pressing-down is detected, a click feel is imparted to the user's finger under the repellant elasticity of the dome-shaped contact27and the hinge26.

The substrate29is a circuit substrate in which the dome-shaped contact27and the fixed contact28are provided from one key member24to another. The fixed contact28is provided at a position on the substrate surface in register with the protuberance25of the key member24. The dome-shaped contact27is provided to cover the fixed contact28. The dome-shaped contact27exhibits repellant elasticity such that it becomes dished in shape under the force of pressing down of the key member24to come into contact with the fixed contact28, and also such that the dome-shaped contact is moved away from the fixed contact28to resume its original position when the pressure of pressing the key member24is canceled. The dome-shaped contact27and the fixed contact28are electrically connected to the control unit40. The pressing of the key is detected by the dome-shaped contact27and the fixed contact28coming into contact with each other.

The touch input units30allow touch input (flick input) by user's actuation, and are provided on left and right sides of the touch pressing input unit20(seeFIG. 1). The touch input units30are electrically connected to the control unit40(seeFIG. 2). Each touch input unit30senses the weak pressure due to touch to detect the presence or absence of touch. The touch input units30output to the control unit40a touch signal indicating whether or not the user's finger is touching. The touch input units30possess the function to display the state of actuation on the key at the touch pressing input unit20, each time the key is actuated, and are configured to allow the user to recognize his/her actuation with ease. In a casing, not shown, of the electronic device1, each of the touch input units30includes a protective sheet, not shown, a tactile sensor31and a display element32in this order when looking from its front surface side. The protective sheet, not shown, the tactile sensor31and the display element32in the touch input unit30may be configured like the protective sheet21, the tactile sensor22and the display element23in the touch pressing input unit20, respectively.

The protective sheet, not shown, is a sheet that protects the surface of the tactile sensor31. The protective sheet is affixed to the surface of the tactile sensor31, and is transparent or semi-transparent to make the letters/characters displayed on the display element32visible.

The tactile sensor31is a sensor that detects touch, and is affixed to the surface of the display element32. The surface of the tactile sensor31is covered by a protective sheet, not shown. The tactile sensor31may, for example, be in the form of a touch panel formed by a thin felt sheet of carbon fibers sandwiched between pair electrodes. When the user's finger touches a key, its tactile sensor captures and detects the touch with binary values of on/off dependent on the touch pressure. The tactile sensor31is electrically connected to the control unit40, and detects changes in the electrical resistance between the electrodes caused by the finger's touch pressure to output a detected signal to the control unit40. The presence or absence of the touch to the key may be detected by measuring any suitable physical quantities, such as changes in the electrical capacitance of the tactile sensor31, in place of measuring the changes in its electrical resistance.

The display element32is a device that displays the navigation of the operation methods in letters/characters. The display element32is affixed to the surface of the casing of the electronic device1and has its surface covered by the tactile sensor31. The display element32is electrically connected to the control unit40. The display element32may be a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL display device or the like provided that the device used visually provides the information to the user.

The control unit40includes a micro-processor as a principal component and, like the legacy computer device, includes storage means (unit), such as RAM or ROM. The operations of various component parts are controlled by program(s) stored in these storage means.

In Example 1, touch panels are used as the tactile sensors22,31. Alternatively, any sensor capable of detecting the touch may be used in place of panel- or sheet-shaped sensors.

The operation of the electronic device according to Example 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.FIG. 4depicts a flowchart schematically showing the operation of the control unit in the electronic device according to Example 1 of the present invention.FIG. 5depicts a schematic view showing an example display state during the usual, non-actuated (stand by) times of the touch pressing input unit and the touch input units of the electronic device according to Example 1 of the present invention.FIG. 6depicts a schematic view showing an example display state after touching a key ‘’ (A) of the touch pressing input unit and the touch input units of the electronic device of Example 1 of the present invention. As for the specific configuration of the electronic device1, reference may be had toFIGS. 1 to 3.

Initially, the control unit40determines whether or not the key of the touch pressing input unit20has been touched by the user's finger (step A1). If the key has not been touched (NO of the step A1), processing reverts to the step A1.

If the key has been touched (YES at the step A1), and the user's finger has touched a key in the touch pressing input unit20for a pre-set time, the control unit40causes the input navigation corresponding to the so touched key to be displayed in letters/characters or the like on the display element23of the touch pressing input unit20(step A2). The input navigation may also be displayed on the display element32of the touch input units30as necessary.

In the step A2, the state of demonstration on the display element23of the touch pressing input unit20usually appears as shown for example inFIG. 5. When the user touches the key ‘’ (A) of the touch pressing input unit20, the states of demonstration in the display elements23of the touch pressing input unit20and that in the display elements32of the touch input units30are changed as shown inFIG. 6. Specifically, it is shown visually which letter/character will be entered depending on in which direction the user's finger be slid at the time of flick input. As such, display is performed such that five characters are associated (or corresponded) to a single key in a pre-set sequence, and a row of the Japanese 50-character kana syllabary is selected based on the selected key. Then, a column of the kana syllabary is selected based on a direction of movement of an actuation point or actuation force (pressure) following a start of the actuation. In this manner, a single kana character may be selected by way of flick input.

After the step A2, the control unit40determines whether or not a key has been pressed in the touch pressing input unit20(step A3). If no key has been pressed (NO at the step A3), processing transfers to step A5.

If any key has been pressed (YES at the step A3), the control unit40performs pressing input processing in step A4for the character pertinent to the pressed key (the corresponding character is displayed on the display unit10). Then, processing reverts to the step A1(start).

If no key has been pressed (NO at the step A3), the control unit40determines whether or not the user's finger has moved apart from the key in the touch input units30(step A5). If the user's finger has not moved apart from the key (NO at the step A5), processing reverts to the step A3.

If the user's finger has moved apart from the key (YES at the step A5), the control unit40performs flick input processing in step A6for the character pertaining to the key which the user's finger has ultimately released (the corresponding character is displayed in the display unit10). Then, processing reverts to the step A1.

In Example 1, the distinction between the pressing input and the flick input is made automatically. However, it may be set in advance, according to the user's favor, which of the inputs is to be used. By so doing, it is possible to prevent inputting failure in which a user attempting only key pressing input inadvertently touches a key before inputting the first letter/character to flick-input a letter/character in a manner contrary to his/her intention.

In Example 1, the flick-input navigation is displayed as soon as a key is touched. Alternatively, the navigation may be displayed after a key has been touched for a pre-set time. In the latter case, no foreign feeling will be imparted to a user exploiting just the key pressing input. However, if the display is retarded, there is a fear that a user exploiting just flick input may not feel comfortable. It is therefore necessary to properly adjust the time length until the navigation is displayed.

In Example 1, it is possible, in a configuration in which a letter/character may be entered by both the pressing inputting method and the flick input method, to make distinction automatically between the two methods to avoid an input error. It is noted that the former method that imparts the sense of click to the user has extensively been used, whereas the latter method has recently come into use in e.g., a touch panel type mobile phone. By this automatic distinction, the user may select the pressing input or the flick input in the present Example as desired. Moreover, by providing the touch pressing input unit20(i.e., pressing keys) with the display elements23and providing the touch input unit(s)30with the display elements32, it is possible to implement an interface easier to use for the user. In addition, by arraying the touch input unit30(display fitted with a touch panel) laterally of the Ten-keys in the touch pressing input unit20, flick input may be made with the use feeling of the user of the legacy Ten-key pressing input system unchanged. Since the flick input may be made without touching the main display unit10, those who are desirous to make flick input and are not desirous to touch the main display for fear of his/her fingerprint being left thereon may also use the flick input.

An electronic device according to Example 2 of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.FIG. 7depicts a flowchart schematically showing operation of a control unit in the electronic device of Example 2 of the present invention.FIG. 8depicts a schematic view showing changes in the display state brought about by pressing a key ‘’ (A) of a touch pressing input unit in the electronic device of Example 2 of the present invention.FIG. 9is a schematic view showing an input operation of inputting ‘’ (I) in the touch input unit of the electronic device of Example 2.

Example 2 is a modification of Example 1, and differs from the latter in the operation of a control unit (corresponding to the control unit40ofFIG. 2). In the present Example, the input mode is fixed at the pressing input mode (key pressing input system) to prevent that, when a user's finger has pressed a key and thereafter released the key, the letter/character as pressed is erroneously entered as a flick input. It is noted that the configuration of an electronic device is the same as that of the electronic device of Example 1 (seeFIGS. 1 to 3). As for the configuration of components of the electronic device, reference may be made toFIGS. 1 to 3.

Initially, the control unit40verifies whether or not the user's finger has touched a key in the touch pressing input unit20(step B1). If the user's finger has not touched a key (NO of the step B1), processing reverts to the step B1.

If the user's finger has touched the key (YES of the step B1), the input navigation (letters/characters) for the key touched in the touch pressing input unit20is displayed, under control by the control unit40, on the display element(s)23of the touch pressing input unit20(step B2). The input navigation may also be made on the display element(s)32of the touch input units30as necessary.

In the step B2, demonstration on the display elements23of the touch pressing input unit20, shown for example inFIG. 5, is made as in usual manner. However, when the user touches a key ‘’ (A) in the touch pressing input unit20, the demonstration on the display elements23of the touch pressing input unit20and that on the display elements32of the touch input units30are changed as shown inFIG. 6. Viz., it is visually displayed which letter/character will be entered dependent on in which direction the user's finger be slid in the course of flick input.

After the step B2, the control unit40verifies whether or not a key in the touch pressing input unit20has been pressed (step B3). If no key has been pressed (NO at the step B3), processing transfers to a step B8.

If a key has been pressed (YES at the step B3), the control unit40verifies the input to be a pressing input and sets the mode to a pressing input mode (step B4). It is noted that the pressing input mode is sustained until a letter/character input candidate is determined to be an input letter/character and, during the so sustained input mode, no flick input can be made. In Example 2, it is prevented from occurrence by this pressing input mode, that, when the user's finger has released the key that has been pressed, the corresponding letter/character is erroneously entered as being a flick input.

After the step B4, the control unit40causes demonstration that the mode is now at the pressing input mode (step B5). This demonstration is made on the display unit10in a manner intelligible to the user, such as by demonstration or lighting a lamp.

After the step B5, the control unit40manages control so that a letter/character, corresponding to the key pressed, and displayed on the display element23, will be displayed on the display unit10as an input letter/character candidate(s) (step B6). The input letter(s)/character(s) is here termed a ‘candidate(s)’ because a decision whether or not to make conversion/non-conversion into a kanji character with the use of a prediction dictionary has not been made.

After the step B6, the control unit40manages control so that a letter/character to be entered as input letter/character candidate when a corresponding key to be pressed next time will be displayed on the display element23pertaining to the pressed key (step B7). For example, if, in case the key “” (A) is pressed twice, an input letter/character candidate “” (I) is entered, the demonstration on the key is changed to “” (I) if the key “” (A) is pressed as shown inFIG. 8.

If the key has not been pressed (NO at the step B3), the control unit40verifies whether or not the user's finger has moved apart from the key in the touch pressing input unit20(step B8). If the finger has not moved apart from the key (NO at step B8), processing reverts to the step B3.

If the user's finger has moved apart from the key (YES at the step B8), the control unit40verifies whether or not the input mode has been set to the pressing input mode (step B9). If the input mode has been set to the pressing input mode (YES at the step B9), processing transfers to step B11.

If the input mode has not been set to the pressing input mode (NO at the step B9), the control unit40determines that the input is the flick input. The control unit40manages control to display the letter/character, displayed on the key the user's finger has released (i.e., a key disposed at a position from which the user's finger has been released) or on the display element23or32of the touch input unit20, on the display unit10as being an input letter/character candidate (step B10).

For example, if it is desired to enter ‘’ (A) in step B10, the ‘’ (A) key is touched with a finger, which is then immediately released from the key. On the other hand, if it is desired to enter ‘’ (I), the ‘’ (A) key is first touched with the finger and then the finger is slid to a site of the character ‘’ (I) displayed, where the finger releases the character, as shown inFIG. 9.

After the step B7, in case the pressing input mode has been set (YES at the step B9) or after the step B9, key pressing inputs or flick inputs of as many input letter/character candidates as the user desires to input may be made. When the user has finished inputting the desired input letter/character candidates, the control unit40manages control to execute the processing of conversion into kanji characters or conversion with the aid of a prediction dictionary, in response the user's actuations (step B11). However, in the step B11, the processing of conversion may be skipped depending on the contents of the user's actuation. If it is desirable to leave the input non-converted, it is sufficient that the input letters/characters are ultimately set as definitely by the decision key50without performing the conversion operation.

After the step B11, the control unit40verifies whether or not the decision key50has been pressed (step B12). If the decision key50has not been pressed (NO at the step B12), processing reverts to the step B1.

If the decision key50has been pressed (YES at the step B12), and the pressing input mode has been set, the control unit40cancels the pressing input mode (step B13).

After the step B13, the control unit40finally sets the input character candidate as being an input character (step B14), followed by reverting to the step B1(start).

In Example 2, it has been mentioned that, at the time of key pressing input or flick input, the letter/character displayed on the display element23corresponding to the key pressed or the key the user's finger has released is displayed on the display unit10as a letter/character input candidate. However, the demonstration may also be made in a different manner provided that a letter/character input can be selected by key pressing input or flick input. For example, if the input is the key pressing input, the demonstration may be made using a letter/character input table shown in Patent Literature 3. If the input is the flick input, the demonstration may be made by identifying the input letter/character candidate from the finger touch start and end points.

In Example 2, the input mode is set to the pressing input mode at the same time as the first letter/character is entered, only when the input is the key pressing input, such as to disable flick input. It is however possible to make the same setting for flick input. Viz., it is possible that, when the first letter/character is entered by flick input, only flick inputs are accepted until input letter/character candidates being entered are finally determined to be input letters/characters. By so doing, it is possible to inhibit input failure by key pressing input during the flick input. In this case, it is desirably indicated on the display unit10, during an input operation, that the present state of operation is such a state that accepts only the key pressing input or the flick input. Such indication is preferably made in a way intelligible to the user, such as by demonstration on the display unit or by lamp lighting.

In Example 2, the navigation for flick input is displayed as soon as a key is touched. Alternatively, the navigation for flick input may be displayed after a key has been touched for a pre-set period of time. In the latter case, no uncomfortable feeling will be imparted to a user exploiting only the key pressing input. However, if the display is excessively retarded, there is fear that a user exploiting just flick input may not feel comfortable. It is therefore necessary to properly adjust the period of time until the navigation is displayed.

Example 2 may give rise to advantageous effects similar to those obtained with Example 1.

An electronic device according to Example 3 of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.FIG. 10depicts a plan view schematically showing the appearance of an electronic device according to Example 3 of the present invention.

Example 3 is a modification of Example 1. In the present Example, the touch input units (30ofFIG. 1), provided on left and right sides of the touch pressing input unit20, are dispensed with and the sizes of pre-set keys of the touch pressing input unit20are enlarged in the left-right direction. Viz., the transverse lengths of the pre-set keys are made longer than the other keys, as shown inFIG. 10, in order to allow the finger slide direction to be identified only by a tactile sensor (equivalent to22ofFIG. 3) pertaining to the key. Otherwise, the present Example is similar to Example 1 in configuration and operation.

In Example 3, pre-set Ten-keys are elongated in size in the transverse direction to allow for flick input with the use feeling to the user of the legacy Ten-key pressing input unchanged.

It is noted that, when the first letter/character has been entered by key pressing input or flick input in the Examples 1 to 3, an input mode may be set respectively to the key pressing input mode or the flick input mode until the input letters/characters being entered are finally set as input letters/characters or an application being used comes to a close. Or, the inputting mode may be set beforehand to the key pressing input or flick input. By so doing, it is possible to inhibit input error that a key is touched during the key pressing input mode operation to cause flick input or that a key is pressed erroneously during the flick input mode operation.

In the Examples 1 to 3, the input mode may also be selected and set from one application to another. In this case, it is possible for a user to select and use an input mode he/she feels desirable from one application to another.

Moreover, in the Examples 1 to 3, the contents of an address book or the Web may immediately be searched in case of flick input, or a telephone number may be entered in case of pressing input, with the state of the display picture being a standby display picture. This enhances user friendliness in comparison with the case of a terminal that allows only for key pressing input or flick input.

The particular exemplary embodiments or examples may be modified or adjusted within the gamut of the entire disclosure of the present invention, inclusive of claims, based on the fundamental technical concept of the invention. Moreover, a wide variety of combinations or selection of elements disclosed herein may be made within the framework of the claims. Viz., the present invention may naturally cover a wide variety of modifications or corrections that may occur to those skilled in the art in accordance with the entire disclosure of the present invention, inclusive of claim and the technical concept of the present invention. Also numerical values recited in the present disclosure may be selected or adjusted as desired.