INPUT METHOD FOR NUMERAL OR CHARACTER

PURPOSE: To provide an input method for numerals and characters which facilitates the input of numerals using keys for up and down, and right and left instructions and is suitable even for password number input. CONSTITUTION: Assuming that numerals are written on the key arrangement of the cross key of a game pad and cursor keys which are arranged at upper and lower, and right and left positions in a diamond shape for easy mounting even on a general remote controller, the depression order of the keys and Arabic characters are made to correspond to each other. For example, 1 corresponds to up and down indications, 2 to up, right, left, and down, 3 to up, right left, right, and down, 4 to up, left, right, up, and down, 5 to up, left, right, down, and left, 6 to up, left, down, right, and left, 7 to up, right, and down, 8 to up, left, right, down, and up, 9 to up, left, right, up, right, and down, and 0 to up, left, down, right, and up. When a user inputs a numeral by pressing a key, the numeral that the user has inputted is determined on a device side on condition that the depression order of the key matches the correspondence, and the determination is reported. When not, on the other hand, an input failure, etc., is reported.