| 摘要 |
<p>This invention relates to an apparatus and a method for inputting Japanese characters. The invention is a simple input device with a 3×4 key-arrangement wherein 12 keys are prepared so that a user may simply and concisely input not only Japanese characters which consist of hiragana, katakana and kanji but also special characters and foreign-language characters. In the 3×4 key-arrangement, the 12 keys are classified into 9 character keys and 3 function keys. The first syllables for a 10-syllable group are allocated to 9 keys, and the primary and the secondary key functions are set up for those 9 keys. Each syllable group includes 8 syllables depending on vowel sounds, and each syllable group is mapped to the keys, and the 8 syllables in each group are matched with 8 keys in the secondary key function. The primary and secondary function keys are used to select the syllable groups and the 8 syllables respectively. The three functional keys consist of: a switching key for hiragana and katakana, a tertiary key for inputting a voiced consonant mark and a semi-voiced sound mark, and a menu key for inputting kanji and tertiary characters. The apparatus and a method for inputting Japanese characters are provided so that a user may simply and concisely input Japanese characters, which consist of hiragana, katakana and kanji, through the configuration of a simple input device having the 3×4 key arrangement.</p> |
