Key input device

Abstract

A key input device includes a key input section, mode switching section, key backlight, and key backlight lighting control section. The key input section inputs characters by key input in a plurality of character input modes. The mode switching section switches a plurality of character input modes. The key backlight is placed on a lower surface of the key input section and is lighted in a plurality of colors. The key backlight lighting control section changes the lighting color of the key backlight in accordance with switching of character input modes. A cell phone is also disclosed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A key input device comprising: 
 key input means for inputting characters by key input in a plurality of character input modes;    switching means for switching a plurality of character input modes;    a key backlight which is placed on a lower surface of said key input means and is lighted in a plurality of colors; and    lighting control means for changing a lighting color of said key backlight in accordance with switching of character input modes.    
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 said key input means comprises a plurality of keys,    said key backlight comprises light-emitting means located at lower surfaces of the respective keys, and    said lighting control means changes a lighting color of only the light-emitting means located at the lower surface of a key which can be used for character input operation in a set character input mode.    
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 said device further comprises storage means for storing correspondence data between a plurality of character input modes and a plurality of colors, and    when a signal indicating that a character input mode is switched is input from said key input means, said key backlight lighting control means determines a lighting color of said key backlight by referring to said storage means.    
     
     
         4 . A device according to  claim 3 , wherein 
 said storage means comprises first storage means which cannot be overwritten, and    the correspondence data is stored as an initial setting value in the first storage means.    
     
     
         5 . A device according to  claim 4 , wherein 
 said storage means comprises second storage means which can be overwritten, and    said key backlight lighting control means writes the correspondence data as a user setting value in the second storage means.    
     
     
         6 . A device according to  claim 5 , wherein said key backlight lighting control means preferentially refers to a user setting value when the user setting value is stored.  
     
     
         7 . A device according to  claim 3 , wherein 
 said storage means further comprises key backlight application setting lighting color data for setting a lighting color of said key backlight, and key backlight application setting lighting position data for setting a lighting position of said key backlight, and    said key backlight lighting control means determines a lighting color of said key backlight by referring to at least one of key backlight application setting lighting color data and key backlight application setting lighting position data.    
     
     
         8 . A device according to  claim 7 , wherein said key backlight lighting control means downloads key backlight application setting lighting color data and key backlight application setting lighting position data.  
     
     
         9 . A cell phone comprising a key input device defined in  claim 1.