Character input apparatus
First Claim
1. A character input apparatus which is provided in a hand-held terminal having a display unit and which inputs information indicating a character to a controlling unit for controlling operation of the hand-held terminal, the character input apparatus comprising:
- an input unit having a data entry keypad including a predetermined number of data entry keys;
a code assignment table storing codes indicating characters that are assigned to the data entry keys, respectively;
a read unit for reading, in response to each manipulation on each of the data entry keys, a code corresponding to the manipulated data entry key from the code assignment table, and for inputting the code read to the controlling unit;
an assignment switching unit for switching, in response to a switching instruction, contents of the code assignment table to a combination of codes specified by the switching instruction; and
an instruction inputting unit for detecting when the data entry keys or other function keys provided in the hand-held terminal is manipulated according to a predetermined procedure, and for inputting a proper switching instruction to the assignment switching unit in accordance with a result of the detection.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A combination of character codes assigned to a plurality of existing data entry keys is switched when necessary, which makes it possible to input symbols and characters including kana characters by intuitive manipulations on keys that are smaller in number than the kinds of characters to be input. Further, providing a data entry keypad on a cover for covering a part of a display screen makes it possible to realize both a function of inputting characters and a function of presenting documents by using a large display screen that is necessary in electronic book players and so on.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. A character input apparatus which is provided in a hand-held terminal having a display unit and which inputs information indicating a character to a controlling unit for controlling operation of the hand-held terminal, the character input apparatus comprising:
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an input unit having a data entry keypad including a predetermined number of data entry keys;
a code assignment table storing codes indicating characters that are assigned to the data entry keys, respectively;
a read unit for reading, in response to each manipulation on each of the data entry keys, a code corresponding to the manipulated data entry key from the code assignment table, and for inputting the code read to the controlling unit;
an assignment switching unit for switching, in response to a switching instruction, contents of the code assignment table to a combination of codes specified by the switching instruction; and
an instruction inputting unit for detecting when the data entry keys or other function keys provided in the hand-held terminal is manipulated according to a predetermined procedure, and for inputting a proper switching instruction to the assignment switching unit in accordance with a result of the detection. - View Dependent Claims (3, 5)
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2. A character input apparatus which is provided in a hand-held terminal having a display unit with a cover for covering a part of the display unit and which inputs information indicating a character to a controlling unit for controlling operation of the hand-held terminal, the character input apparatus comprising:
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an input unit having a data entry keypad including a predetermined number of data entry keys;
a code assignment table storing codes indicating characters that are assigned to the data entry keys, respectively;
a read unit for reading, in response to each manipulation on each of the data entry keys, a code corresponding to the manipulated data entry key from the code assignment table, and for inputting the code read to the controlling unit;
an assignment switching unit for switching, in response to a switching instruction, contents of the code assignment table to a combination of codes specified by the switching instruction; and
an instruction inputting unit for detecting when the data entry keys or other function keys provided in the hand-held terminal is manipulated according to a predetermined procedure, and for inputting a proper switching instruction to the assignment switching unit in accordance with a result of the detection, wherein;
said data entry key pad is provided on a surface of a cover that does not face the display unit when a part of the display unit is covered with the cover; and
said input unit includes a manipulation detecting unit for detecting a manipulation of placing the cover on the display unit and an input controlling unit for inputting, to the read unit, information indicating each manipulation on each of the data entry keys of the data entry keypad while a result of the detection by the manipulation detecting unit indicates that the cover is placed on the display unit. - View Dependent Claims (4, 6)
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Specification