PURPOSE: To obtain a simply structured, inexpensive character input device by providing a means that recognizes an inputted character pattern judging from a moving direction, moving time and moving sequence, all of which are detected by a detection means that has an operating plate for character input and detects the moving direction of the operating plate.

CONSTITUTION: The operating plate 13 can move in eight directions on a same plane, and its moving direction is detected by turning on one or two among switches SW1WSW4. They are switches with fine strokes, and fixed on the four sides of the operating plate 13 or fixed on the side of an enclosure. Consequently an operator's finger hardly feels the movement in the direction even if it presses the operating plate 13. A switch input system comes in a static type employing only an input port and a dynamic type outputting a timing signal from an output port. A microprocessor MPU processes the inputs of the switches SW1WSW4 and controls the loads of a plunger PL, an LED or the like. A pull-up resistance R and a capacitor C prevent chattering.