JP2006127002A - Character information input device and character information input program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify character input by enabling predicted conversion of a certain character even if there is the possibility that there might be an endless number of predicted candidates for the character. <P>SOLUTION: A memory 25 has a predicted candidate dictionary 41 and a function table 42. A control part 20 searches the predicted candidate dictionary 41 for a plurality of predicted candidates based upon characters to be predicted that comprise undetermined or determined characters. When characters for predicted conversion are predetermined ones such as "today," the control part 20 calls a function from the function table 42 and creates a predicted candidate (e.g., the current date of September 24) based upon the function. The control part 20 adds the predicted candidate created based upon the function to the predicted candidates found in the predicted candidate dictionary 42 and displays the predicated candidates on the display of a display part 23. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a character information input device and a character information input program suitable for portable electronic devices such as mobile phone terminals and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants).

  Conventionally, for example, in a portable electronic device such as a mobile phone terminal or a PDA, a reduction in size and weight of a housing has been demanded. Therefore, it is generally difficult for such a portable electronic device to take a large space for an operation device for a user interface.

  On the other hand, in recent years, as with electronic devices such as general personal computers, these portable electronic devices also require functions such as character input and editing functions, connection to the Internet, and display of web pages. It has become.

  In particular, in a mobile phone terminal which is an example of a portable electronic device, according to a recent usage survey, the number of email communications exceeds the number of communications for a call. It can be recognized that the input and editing functions are one of important functions.

  Also, in current mobile phone terminals, so-called numeric keys are generally used as operation devices for character input and editing. Further, as operation devices for cursor movement and screen scrolling, for example, a jog dial or a cross key Etc. are provided.

  For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-216606 (Patent Document 1), a plurality of prediction candidates based on character information or the like keyed by the user is displayed on the screen of the monitor device to the user. An input character information conversion apparatus adopting a conversion method (so-called prediction conversion) in which a prediction candidate is determined when a user selects a desired prediction candidate from among the prediction candidates. And a monitor device are disclosed.

  According to the technique described in this publication, since a plurality of prediction candidates based on input character information are presented as prediction candidates that can be selected by the user, the user can select a desired prediction candidate from the plurality of prediction candidates. You can enter characters simply by selecting.

JP 2003-216604 A (FIG. 1)

  By the way, in the character input method by the predictive conversion as described above, a prediction candidate character (hereinafter simply referred to as a prediction candidate) displayed on the display screen is selected and confirmed just before the character input by the user or key input. In accordance with the characters that are made, the candidates are searched from the prediction candidate dictionary. Hereinafter, when searching for a prediction candidate from the prediction candidate dictionary, an unconfirmed character by a key input from the user or a confirmed character selected and confirmed immediately before is particularly referred to as a prediction conversion target character.

  More specifically, for example, when a prediction conversion target character of “Kyo” (unconfirmed prediction conversion target character) is input from the user, the prediction candidate dictionary, for example, predicts “Kyo”. “Kyo”, which is the non-converted character of the conversion target character, and “Kyou” of the predicted conversion target character, for example, “Today”, “Interest”, “Competition”, “Strong”, etc. Are predicted and displayed on the display screen.

  In addition, when the prediction candidate “Today” is selected and confirmed from among the prediction candidates “Today”, “Interest”, “Competition”, “Strong”,... ”Becomes a prediction conversion target character (a confirmed prediction conversion target character), and prediction candidates that are expected to follow immediately after“ today ”that is the prediction conversion target character are, for example,“ Ni ”,“ O ”,“ Ha ” , “De”, “,”,... Are retrieved from the prediction candidate dictionary and displayed on the display screen.

  That is, the prediction candidate searched from the prediction candidate dictionary is input after the character that has been subjected to prediction conversion target character key-input by the user, such as kana-kanji conversion, or the prediction conversion target character that has been selected and confirmed immediately before. Characters that are highly likely to be used.

  In addition, about each prediction candidate displayed on a display screen, and those arrangement order, for example, it is updated sequentially by the learning function based on the past use history, use frequency, etc. Further, when all of the plurality of prediction candidates searched from the prediction candidate dictionary cannot be displayed on the display screen, among the prediction candidates, for example, the past use frequency is high and the priority is set high. They are displayed on the display screen in order.

  On the other hand, the prediction candidate searched from the prediction candidate dictionary according to the prediction conversion target character is almost always a predetermined prediction candidate although it may slightly vary depending on the learning function or the like.

  In addition, since the prediction candidate dictionary is stored in a storage unit having a limited capacity such as an internal memory, the number of prediction candidates that can be registered in the dictionary is limited. Correspondingly, the number of prediction candidates searched from the prediction candidate dictionary is limited.

  For this reason, in the conventional character input method using predictive conversion, for example, there may be an infinite number of prediction candidates predicted corresponding to a certain character. If it is difficult to determine such a prediction candidate, the character is excluded from the target of prediction conversion.

  An example of a specific character in which there are infinite prediction candidates predicted corresponding to a certain character will be described later in the embodiment of the present invention.

  Therefore, when inputting characters that are not subject to prediction conversion, the user actually inputs the characters by key input or the like, and performs operations such as kana-kanji conversion as necessary. Will have to.

  In this case, when the user creates a desired series of sentences, the character input by the predictive conversion described above and the character input by the key input and the kana-kanji conversion are mixed, which is very important for the user. It is difficult to understand and complicated.

  The present invention has been proposed in view of such circumstances, and even when there is a possibility that there are infinite prediction candidates predicted corresponding to a certain character, An object of the present invention is to provide a character information input device and a character information input program that can perform predictive conversion, eliminate the complexity of character input by the user, and simplify the character input. To do.

  The character information input device of the present invention stores a prediction candidate dictionary in which a plurality of prediction candidate characters are registered as candidate characters to be predicted based on a prediction conversion target character that is an undefined character or a confirmed character. A candidate dictionary storage means, a prediction candidate search means for searching a plurality of prediction candidate characters corresponding to a prediction conversion target character from the prediction candidate dictionary, and a function table in which a function corresponding to a predetermined prediction conversion target character is registered Function table storage means, function call means for calling a function corresponding to a predetermined prediction conversion target character from the function table, function corresponding character generation means for generating a character based on the called function, and the function The character generated based on the prediction candidate character is added to a plurality of prediction candidate characters searched according to a predetermined prediction conversion target character from the prediction candidate dictionary as one of the prediction candidate characters. The prediction candidate presenting means for presenting each prediction candidate character to the user in a recognizable manner, instruction input obtaining means for obtaining an instruction input from the user, and a plurality of prediction candidate presenting means presenting The above-described problem is solved by including character input confirmation means that uses the prediction candidate character designated by the user as the confirmed input character from among the prediction candidate characters.

  In addition, the character information input program of the present invention is a prediction conversion from a prediction candidate dictionary in which a plurality of prediction candidate characters are registered as candidate characters to be predicted based on a prediction conversion target character that is an unconfirmed character or a fixed character. A function corresponding to a predetermined prediction conversion target character is obtained from a step in which the prediction candidate search means searches for a plurality of prediction candidate characters corresponding to the target character and a function table in which a function corresponding to the predetermined prediction conversion target character is registered. The function call means calls, the function corresponding character generation means generates a character based on the function called by the function call means, and the character generated based on the function is used as one of the prediction candidate characters. In addition to the plurality of prediction candidate characters searched from the prediction candidate dictionary by the prediction candidate search means according to the predetermined prediction conversion target character, A step in which the prediction candidate presenting means presents recognizable to the user, a step in which the instruction input obtaining means obtains an instruction input from the user, and a plurality of prediction candidate characters presented by the prediction candidate presenting means. Among them, the character input confirming means sets the predicted candidate character designated by the user as the confirmed input character, and causes the computer to execute these steps to solve the above-described problem.

  That is, according to the present invention, a function call is performed using a prediction conversion target character, and a prediction candidate is generated by the function calculation. Therefore, the number of prediction candidates that can be generated corresponding to a certain character is reduced by the function calculation. There will be countless numbers.

  In the present invention, since a function call is performed using a prediction conversion target character and a prediction candidate is generated by the function calculation, there is an infinite number of prediction candidates predicted corresponding to a certain character. Even in some cases, the prediction candidates can be easily generated.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, it is not necessary for the user to actually input the character by key input or the like, or to perform operations such as kana-kanji conversion, and it is not necessary to perform complicated character input operations.

  Further, according to the present invention, when a user creates a desired series of sentences, character input by predictive conversion and character input by key input and kana-kanji conversion are not mixed, and predictive conversion Therefore, character input is simplified.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a character information input device and a character information input program of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In the present embodiment, a mobile phone terminal is cited as an example of a device to which the character information input device and character information input program of the present invention are applied.

  Of course, the content described here is merely an example, and it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to this example.

[Schematic internal structure of mobile phone terminal]
FIG. 1 shows a schematic internal configuration of the mobile phone terminal according to the present embodiment.

  The communication antenna 22 is, for example, a built-in antenna, and transmits and receives signal radio waves for calls and packet communication.

  The communication circuit 21 performs frequency conversion, modulation, demodulation, and the like of transmission / reception signals.

  Note that data transmitted and received by packet communication is image data, e-mail, program data, and other various data.

  The received call voice data is sent to the control unit 20 via the data line.

  The control unit 20 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), decodes the call voice data, and sends the decoded voice data to the speaker 30 via the data line.

  The speaker 30 includes a digital / analog converter and an amplifier. The speaker 30 digitally / analog-converts and amplifies the voice data, and then outputs it. Thereby, a call voice is obtained.

  The speaker 30 also includes a ring tone speaker that outputs a ring tone and music data after digital / analog conversion and amplification.

  The microphone 31 is a microphone for transmission, and includes an analog / digital converter and an amplifier.

  The call voice signal input via the microphone 31 is amplified to a predetermined level by an amplifier, converted to digital voice data by an analog / digital converter, and sent to the control unit 20 via a data line. After being encoded, it is sent to the communication circuit 21 and further subjected to various processing such as modulation and frequency conversion, and then transmitted from the communication antenna 22.

  The display unit 23 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display and a display drive circuit for the display device, and displays an image or the like on the display. In the mobile phone terminal according to the present embodiment, when character information is input, the character information is displayed on the display screen.

  The operation unit 24 includes keys such as a numeric keypad, an utterance key, a clear key, an end / power key, a manner key, and a memo key provided on a casing (not shown) of the mobile phone terminal according to the present embodiment, a jog dial, or a cross. It has a key and an operation signal generator for generating an operation signal according to the operation of each key.

  The clock unit 26 has a clock function for generating time information such as year / month / date / time, a timer function for measuring time, a calendar function, a function for setting a user-desired year / month / day and time, and the like.

  Although details will be described later, in the case of the present embodiment, the clock unit 26 performs the above-described clock function, timer function, and the like in response to a request from the control unit 20 at the time of function calculation at the time of inputting character information. Time information obtained by the calendar function is sent to the control unit 20.

  The audio processing unit 32 performs reproduction processing such as decompression decoding of music data that has been compression-encoded, as well as audio and music based on various sound quality adjustment values (for example, volume, equalizing, etc.) set by the control unit 20. A process of correcting data and the like and outputting it to the speaker 40 is performed.

  The image processing unit 33 corrects the video data based on various image quality adjustment values (for example, white balance, brightness, contrast, gamma correction, etc.) set by the control unit 20 and outputs the video data to the display unit 23.

  The vibrator 34 includes a weight at a position eccentric with respect to the rotating shaft of the motor, for example. The vibrator 34 is configured to generate vibration by the rotation of the motor under the control of the control unit 20, and is used to notify the user of an incoming call in a so-called manner mode, for example. Is done.

  The LED (light emitting diode) 35 includes an incoming LED, an auxiliary light LED for photographing a camera, a backlight LED for the display unit 23, an illumination LED for each key, and a drive circuit for each LED.

  The GPS unit 36 receives a radio wave transmitted from a geodetic satellite in a so-called GPS (Global Positioning System) via a GPS antenna, and obtains the latitude and longitude of the current position based on the received radio wave.

  GPS is a system that knows the position (longitude / latitude) of the receiving terminal on the earth by receiving radio waves transmitted by 24 geodetic satellites (NAVSTAR) launched by the US Department of Defense. is there.

  The GPS signal received by the GPS unit 36 is sent to the control unit 20.

  The electronic wallet unit 27 is configured by a so-called non-contact IC card. The non-contact IC card includes a communication device for performing wireless information communication with an electronic wallet reader / writer provided in, for example, an automatic ticket gate or a store in a station via an antenna for proximity communication; A CPU and a memory are included.

  Here, for example, when the electronic wallet unit 27 passes through the automatic ticket gate of the station, the electronic ticket gate, the station name information of the entrance station and the entry station, the ticket gate information indicating entry and participation, and the entry from the entrance station. The fare information to the station is received, and information on the balance of the electronic wallet is transferred to the control unit 20 together with the information.

  In addition, when the electronic wallet unit 27 purchases a product at a store or the like, the electronic wallet unit 27 makes a payment including the payment amount at the time of purchase of the product, the purchased item, the name of the purchase store, the purchase date and time, etc. Information is received and the settlement information is sent to the control unit 20.

  Note that the non-contact IC card of the electronic wallet unit 27 may be built in the mobile phone terminal of the present embodiment, or may be a removable external IC card. When the contactless IC card of the electronic wallet unit 27 is an external IC card, the mobile phone terminal includes an external IC card slot for removably inserting the external IC card, and the IC card slot includes the non-contact IC card. A contact IC card is inserted.

  The external memory interface (I / F) 37 performs writing / reading of data to / from the external memory, for example, when a removable external memory is loaded in a memory slot (not shown) of the mobile phone terminal of the present embodiment. .

  The memory 25 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory).

  The ROM is an OS (Operating System), a control program for the control unit 20 to control each unit, various initial setting values, font data, and application program code for character information input for character input of the present embodiment to be described later. In addition, application program codes for performing various processes on images, program codes for various applications installed in mobile phone terminals, identification information (ID) of the mobile phone terminals, and the like are stored. . This ROM includes a rewritable ROM such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), e-mail data, a telephone directory or e-mail address set by the user, photo image data, downloaded photo data, It is also possible to store ringtone data, music data, character data, a prediction candidate dictionary 41 used for prediction conversion, a function table 42, and other various user setting values. The contents of the function table 42 will be described later.

  The RAM stores data as needed as a work area when the control unit 20 performs various data processing.

  In addition to the above-described encoding and decoding of the call voice data, the control unit 20 controls the voice processing unit 32 and the image processing unit 33 in addition to the control of outgoing and incoming calls and the notification control at the time of incoming call. Control of each component of the mobile phone terminal and various arithmetic processes are performed.

  Further, the control unit 20 executes each program in the memory 25. Although detailed operation will be described later, in the case of the present embodiment, the control unit 20 executes an application program for inputting character information in the memory 25.

  In addition, although not shown in FIG. 1, the mobile phone terminal of the present embodiment includes a browser function for browsing web pages on the Internet, an external cable connector, an optical lens, an image sensor, and the like. A camera unit that captures a still image or a moving image under the control of the unit 20, for example, a battery that is a detachable secondary battery and a power management IC that supplies power from the battery to each unit.

  Note that other configurations normally provided in the mobile phone terminal are omitted.

[Character input function]
The mobile phone terminal of the present embodiment can realize the following two functions as functions for character input by the control unit 20 executing an application program for character information input.

  That is, the mobile phone terminal according to the present embodiment has a certain number of characters depending on the character (predicted conversion target character) that the user has input from the operation unit 24 or the like and the character selected and confirmed immediately before (predictive conversion target character). Such a prediction candidate is searched from the prediction candidate dictionary 41 of the memory 25, the prediction candidate obtained by the search is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 23, and from the prediction candidates displayed on the display screen, When the user selects a desired prediction candidate, a so-called prediction conversion function is provided, which is adapted to determine the prediction candidate as an input character.

  In addition, the mobile phone terminal according to the present embodiment is linked with the prediction conversion function, reads a function calculation expression corresponding to a predetermined prediction conversion target character from the function table 42 of the memory 25, and obtains it based on the function calculation expression. In addition to the prediction candidate searched by the prediction conversion function 41 from the prediction candidate dictionary 41 as one of the prediction candidates, a function (hereinafter referred to as a function call function) is also provided on the display screen. .

[Function table]
Hereinafter, an example of the function table 42 of the memory 25 in the mobile phone terminal of the present embodiment will be described.

  Note that, as will be described below, the function arithmetic expression calling process corresponding to the prediction conversion target character from the function table 42 is realized by the control unit 20 executing the application program for character information input. Is.

  FIG. 2 shows a part of the function table 42 of the memory 25.

  In the present embodiment, the function table 42 shown in FIG. 2 associates a predetermined predictive conversion target character that links the function call function and the predictive conversion function with an arithmetic expression of a function corresponding to the predictive conversion target character. It is a correspondence table in which information is registered.

  Here, in the function table 42 shown in FIG. 2, prediction conversion target characters related to time are registered as the predetermined prediction conversion target characters, and function arithmetic expressions corresponding to the prediction conversion target characters related to these times are registered. An example is given. In addition, the function table 42 illustrated in FIG. 2 exemplifies a prediction conversion target character when the user performs key input from the operation unit 24 as the predetermined prediction conversion target character.

  Although not shown in the example of FIG. 2, the function table 42 according to the present embodiment includes not only the predicted conversion target character when the user inputs a key from the operation unit 24, but also the selection and selection immediately before. Correspondences between the predicted conversion target characters and the function arithmetic expressions that have been confirmed are also registered.

  Hereinafter, for example, when the current date (today's date) is Friday, September 24, 2004, and the current time is 9:55:47, the function call function and the predictive conversion function will be described. , A predetermined prediction conversion target character to be linked, a calculation expression of a function read from the function table 42 according to the predetermined prediction conversion target character, and a prediction candidate character obtained based on the function calculation expression will be described. .

  Further, in the following description, “Example 1” in FIG. 2 is given as a display example when displaying the prediction candidate obtained by the function calculation on the display screen.

  In FIG. 2, the function table 42 in the memory 25 according to the present embodiment includes “Kyo”, “Kinou”, “Ototoi”, “Tomorrow”, “Tomorrow” as examples of predetermined prediction conversion target characters relating to time. "Yobi", "Kongetsu", "Raigetsu", "Saraigetsu", "Senigetsu", "Nen", "Rainen", "Saraien", "Sakuen", "Ima" Characters such as... Are registered.

  In the example of FIG. 2, the prediction conversion target character when the user inputs a key from the operation unit 24 is taken as an example. However, the prediction conversion target character selected and confirmed immediately before and the function arithmetic expression 2 are “today”, “yesterday”, “the day before yesterday”, “tomorrow”, “the day after tomorrow”, “day of the week”, “this month”, “next month”, “next month”, “ Kana-kanji converted characters such as “Last month”, “Year”, “Next year”, “Next year”, “Last year”, “Now”,.

  Further, in this function table 42, as a function arithmetic expression corresponding to a predetermined prediction conversion target character relating to the above time, a function calculation expression of “= TODAY ()” is “ The function operation formula of “= TODAY () -1” is used for the prediction conversion target character of “Yesterday”, and the same applies to “= TODAY ()-2” and “Ashita” for “Otoi”. For example, “= TODAY () +1” and “= TODAY () +2” are registered for “Assumed”.

  Also, “= WEEKDAY ()” is registered for “Yobi”, “= MONTH ()” for “Kongetsu”, and “= MONTH ()” for “Raigetsu”. “= MONTH () +2” is registered for “+1” and “Saragetsu”, and “= MONTH () −1” is registered for “Sengetsu”.

  Also, “= YEAR ()” is registered for “Nen”, “= YEAR () +1” for “Rainen”, and “= YEAR () +2” for “Saraen”. , “= YEAR () −1” is registered for “Sakuen”.

  Furthermore, “= NOW ()” is registered for “now”.

  For example, when the prediction conversion target character is “Kyo”, the control unit 20 obtains a function calculation formula of “= TODAY ()” for the prediction conversion target character of “Kyo” from the function table 42 of FIG. At the same time, the time information of “September 24”, which is today's date, is acquired from the clock unit 26 of FIG. 1, and for example, “September 24” is obtained from the time information and the function arithmetic expression of “= TODAY ()”. A text character representing “day” is generated, and the text character of “September 24” is set as one of the prediction candidates, in addition to the prediction candidate searched from the prediction candidate dictionary 41 by executing the prediction conversion function, the display unit 23 On the display screen.

  When the prediction conversion target character is “Kino”, the control unit 20 calls a function arithmetic expression “= TODAY () −1” for the prediction conversion target character of “Kino” from the function table 42. The time information of “September 24”, which is today's date, is acquired from the clock unit 26, and from the above-mentioned “September 24” from the time information and the function calculation formula of “= TODAY () −1”. A text character representing “September 23”, which is a date obtained by subtracting one day, is generated, and the text character of “September 23” is set as one of the prediction candidates, and the prediction conversion dictionary is executed by executing the prediction conversion function. In addition to the prediction candidates retrieved from 41, the information is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 23.

  The same applies to the following. For example, when the prediction conversion target character is “Ashita”, the control unit 20 calculates the function calculation formula “= TODAY () +1” for the prediction conversion target character “Ashita” from the function table 42. And a text character representing “September 25”, which is a date obtained by adding one day to the time information of “September 24”, which is today's date acquired from the clock unit 26, is used as the prediction candidate dictionary 41. Are displayed on the display screen of the display unit 23 in addition to the prediction candidates retrieved from.

  For example, when the prediction conversion target character is “Yobi”, the control unit 20 calls the function calculation expression “= WEEKDAY ()” for the prediction conversion target character of “Yobi” from the function table 42. The time information representing Friday, which is the current day of the week, is acquired from the clock unit 26, and the text “(Fri)” indicating Friday is obtained from the time information and the function calculation formula of “= WEEKDAY ()”. A character is generated, and the text character of “(Fri)” is displayed as one of the prediction candidates on the display screen of the display unit 23 in addition to the prediction candidate searched from the prediction candidate dictionary 41 by executing the prediction conversion function. Let

  Further, for example, when the prediction conversion target character is “Kongetsu”, the control unit 20 calls a function calculation expression “= MONTH ()” for the prediction conversion target character of the “Kongetsu”, and Time information representing “September” of this month is acquired from the clock unit 26 shown in FIG. 1, and a text character representing “September” is generated from the time information and a function calculation expression of “= MONTH ()”, for example. Then, the text character of “September” is displayed as one of the prediction candidates on the display screen of the display unit 23 in addition to the prediction candidate searched from the prediction candidate dictionary 41 by executing the prediction conversion function.

  For example, when the prediction conversion target character is “Raigetsu”, the control unit 20 calculates the function calculation formula “= MONTH () +1” for the prediction conversion target character of “Raigetsu” from the function table 42. And the time information representing “September” of this month is acquired from the clock unit 26, and from the time information and the function calculation expression of “= MONTH () +1”, the month of “September” is set for one month. A text character representing the added “October” is generated, and the text character of “October” is displayed as one of the prediction candidates in addition to the prediction candidate searched from the prediction candidate dictionary 41 by executing the prediction conversion function. It is displayed on the display screen of the unit 23.

  The same applies to the following. For example, when the predicted conversion target character is “Saraigetsu”, the control unit 20 reads “= MONTH () +2” from the function table 42 for the predicted conversion target character of “Saraigetsu”. A prediction candidate obtained by searching the prediction candidate dictionary 41 for a text character representing “November” obtained by adding two minutes to the time information representing “September” of this month acquired from the clock unit 26. In addition to the above, it is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 23.

  Further, for example, when the predicted conversion target character is “Nen”, the control unit 20 calls a function arithmetic expression “= YEAR ()” for the predicted conversion target character of “Nen”, and from the clock unit 26. Time information representing “2004” of this year is acquired, and a text character representing, for example, “2004” is generated from the time information and a function arithmetic expression of “= YEAR ()”, and the text of “2004” is generated. Characters are displayed as one of the prediction candidates on the display screen of the display unit 23 in addition to the prediction candidates searched from the prediction candidate dictionary 41 by executing the prediction conversion function.

  When the prediction conversion target character is “raien”, the control unit 20 calls a function calculation expression “= YEAR () +1” for the prediction conversion target character of “raien” from the function table 42. , Time information representing “2004” of the current year is acquired from the clock unit 26, and “2004” is added to one year from the time information and “= YEAR () +1” function arithmetic expression. A text character representing “2005” is generated, and the text character of “2005” is taken as one of the prediction candidates, in addition to the prediction candidate searched from the prediction candidate dictionary 41 by executing the prediction conversion function, Display on the display screen.

  The same applies to the following. For example, when the predicted conversion target character is “Saraen”, the control unit 20 uses the function table 42 to calculate the function “= YEAR () +2” for the predicted conversion target character of “Saraenen”. A text character representing “2006”, which is obtained by adding two years to the time information representing “2004” of this year acquired from the clock unit 26 and retrieved from the prediction candidate dictionary 41, is called as an arithmetic expression. In addition, it is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 23.

  Further, for example, when the predictive conversion target character is “now”, the control unit 20 calls a function operation expression “= NOW ()” for the “now” predictive conversion target character, and from the clock unit 26, Time information representing the current date and time, and a text character representing, for example, “2004/9/24 9:55 AM” is generated from the time information and a function arithmetic expression of “= NOW ()”. In addition to the prediction candidate retrieved from the prediction candidate dictionary 41 by executing the prediction conversion function, the text character of “2004/9/24 9:55 AM” is set as one of the prediction candidates on the display screen of the display unit 23. To display.

  In the present invention, the types of functions registered in the function table are not limited to the example in FIG. 2. For example, “= HOUR ()” for the predicted conversion target character “Jikan”. The function calculation expression of “= MINUTE ()” is associated with the prediction conversion target character of “FUN”, and the function calculation expression of “= SECOND ()” with respect to the prediction conversion target character of “BOU”. A function arithmetic expression may be associated. Also, the correspondence between the function expression and the prediction conversion target character is not limited to the example in FIG. 2. For example, the function calculation of “= TODAY ()” is performed on “Kyo” as the prediction conversion target character. An expression may be associated.

[Related function table]
In the present embodiment, for example, when a character generated by a function call by the function table 41 shown in FIG. 2 described above becomes a new predictive conversion target character, a function used when the predictive conversion target character is generated. The related function associated with is also set.

  In the present embodiment, the related function table of FIG. 3 is also included in the function table 41.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the related function.

  In FIG. 3, as an example, among the function table 41 of FIG. 2 above, function arithmetic expressions corresponding to predictive conversion target characters of “Kyo”, “Kino”, “Ototoi”, “Ashita”, “Asatte”, and A correspondence table with related functions associated with these function arithmetic expressions is shown.

  In FIG. 3, for example, “Kyo” is set as a prediction conversion target character, and the function arithmetic expression “= TODAY ()” is called from the function table 41 of FIG. 2 based on the prediction conversion target character, as described above. When the text character of “September 24” is generated from the function arithmetic expression and the time information, and when the text character of “September 24” is set as a new predictive conversion target character, the control unit 20 From the related function table of FIG. 3, an arithmetic expression “= WEEKDAY ()” is called as a related function associated with the previously described function arithmetic expression “= TODAY ()”.

  Then, the control unit 20 acquires the calculation expression of “= WEEKDAY ()” and the time information representing today's “Friday” from the clock unit 26, and the time calculation and the function calculation of the above “= WEEKDAY ()”. From the expression, a text character of “(Fri)” indicating “Friday” is generated, and the text character of “(Fri)” is regarded as one of the prediction candidates, and the prediction candidate is executed by executing the prediction conversion function. In addition to the prediction candidates retrieved from the dictionary 41, they are displayed on the display screen of the display unit 23.

  Further, for example, “Kino” is set as a prediction conversion target character, and based on this prediction conversion target character, the function calculation expression “= TODAY () −1” is called from the function table 41 of FIG. When the text character of “September 23” is generated from the information and the text character of “September 23” is set as a new predictive conversion target character, the control unit 20 displays the related function table of FIG. From the above, an equation of “= WEEKDAY () −1” is called as a related function associated with the above-described function equation “= TODAY () −1”.

  Then, the control unit 20 acquires the arithmetic expression “= WEEKDAY () −1” and time information representing “Friday” today from the clock unit 26, and the time information and the above “= WEEKDAY () −1”. "(Thu)" text character that indicates that yesterday is Thursday is generated from the function formula of "," and the prediction conversion function is executed with the "(Thu)" text character as one of the prediction candidates Is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 23 in addition to the prediction candidates retrieved from the prediction candidate dictionary 41.

  The same applies to the following. For example, “Ashita” is set as a prediction conversion target character, and the function calculation expression “= TODAY () +1” is called from the function table 41 of FIG. When the text character of “September 25” is generated from the time information and the text character of “September 25” is set as a new predictive conversion target character, the control unit 20 From the function table, an arithmetic expression “= WEEKDAY () +1” is called as a related function associated with the above-described function arithmetic expression “= TODAY () +1”.

  Then, the control unit 20 obtains the arithmetic expression “= WEEKDAY () +1” and the time information representing today's “Friday” from the clock unit 26, and the time information and the above “= WEEKDAY () +1”. Generate a text character of “(Sat)” indicating that tomorrow is Saturday from the function formula, and predict by executing the predictive conversion function with the text character of “(Sat)” as one of the prediction candidates In addition to the prediction candidates retrieved from the candidate dictionary 41, they are displayed on the display screen of the display unit 23.

[Example of screen display when entering characters]
Next, in the mobile phone terminal of the present embodiment, display screen display examples such as prediction candidates generated from the function table 42 based on the prediction conversion target character and the function arithmetic expression are described with reference to FIGS. explain.

  The display screen display control described below is realized by the control unit 20 executing an application program for inputting character information.

  Here, in the mobile phone terminal of the present embodiment, as an example, when the text of an e-mail is created, the control unit 20 executes the application program for character information input of the present embodiment to display the display unit 23. For example, assume that the screens shown in FIGS. 4 to 8 are displayed on the display screen.

  That is, in the case of the examples shown in FIGS. 4 to 8, on the display screen, at least a character input area 51 in which characters input by the user are displayed, and a prediction candidate display area 52 in which prediction candidates are displayed. Is arranged.

  One of the character input area 51 and the prediction candidate display area 52 is activated by a predetermined activation instruction input from the user via the operation unit 24. When the character input area 51 is in the active state, the control unit 20 displays characters in the character input area 51 according to the key input of the operation unit 24 by the user or uses the operation unit 24 via the operation unit 24. Processing such as movement display of the character input cursor 53 according to an instruction from the user is performed.

  When the prediction candidate display area 52 is in the active state, the control unit 20 moves the character input cursor 53 in accordance with an instruction from the user via the operation unit 24 in the prediction candidate display area 52. A display candidate is selected and confirmed according to an instruction from the user via the operation unit 24.

  First, in the example of FIG. 4, in the character input area 51, for example, a “54 date and time notice” character 54 is displayed as a confirmed character that has already been entered, and one character of the confirmed character 54 that has already been entered. A character input cursor 53 is displayed on the left side of the minute.

  As described above, when the character 54 “Announcement of date and time” is confirmed, the control unit 20 sets, for example, “notification”, which is the last word of the confirmed characters 54, as a prediction conversion target character, The prediction candidate searched from the prediction candidate dictionary 41 based on the prediction conversion target character is displayed in the prediction candidate display area 52. In FIG. 4, specific character examples of prediction candidates are omitted.

  Next, when the character input area 51 is in an active state, the user operates a key or the like of the operation unit 24, so that for example “ When the character “Kyou” is input, the control unit 20, as shown in FIG. 5, the character “Kyo” with an underline indicating that the character input area 51 is not confirmed, A character input cursor 53 is arranged. The character input cursor 53 is arranged on the leftmost character of the unconfirmed character.

  Then, the control unit 20 sets the character “Kyo”, which is an undetermined character in the character input area 51, as a prediction conversion target character, and sets a prediction candidate searched from the prediction candidate dictionary 41 based on the prediction conversion target character as a prediction candidate. It is displayed in the display area 52.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the control unit 20 searches the prediction candidate dictionary 41 based on the prediction candidate dictionary 41 and uses the function candidate table 41 shown in FIG. Also search for the function call used.

  Here, when the predictive conversion target character is an undetermined character of “Kyo” as in the example of FIG. 5, the control unit 20 uses the function table 41 shown in FIG. “= TODAY ()” which is a function operation expression corresponding to the character is called.

  Further, when a function arithmetic expression is called from the function table 41, the control unit 20 acquires information used for the function arithmetic expression, and generates a prediction candidate text character from the acquired information and the function arithmetic expression. To do.

  That is, in the case of the example of FIG. 5, the control unit 20 acquires time information of today's date, for example “September 24”, from the clock unit 26 of FIG. For example, a text character representing “September 24” is generated from the information and a function arithmetic expression “= TODAY ()”, and the text character “September 24” is generated as one of the prediction candidates.

  Then, the control unit 20 displays the prediction candidate previously retrieved from the prediction candidate dictionary 41 and the prediction candidate generated by the function call (in this example, the text characters “September 24”) in the prediction candidate display area. 52 is displayed.

  At this time, when the control unit 20 arranges each prediction candidate in the prediction candidate display area 52, the prediction candidate searched from the prediction candidate dictionary 41 is learned by a learning function based on the past use history, use frequency, or the like. For example, the prediction candidates generated by the function call are arranged in a predetermined order (third or fourth in the example of FIG. 5) among the priorities. .

  That is, according to the present embodiment, the prediction candidate generated by the function call is arranged on the lower side of the prediction candidates searched from the prediction candidate dictionary 41 with the highest priority, so that the user can The prediction candidate that is most likely to be selected and confirmed at the time of character input is not arranged on the lower side of the prediction candidate generated by the function call (that is, at the top).

  More specifically, in the case of the example of FIG. 5, in the prediction candidate display area 52, as a prediction candidate searched from the prediction candidate dictionary 41, an unconverted character of “Kyo” as a prediction conversion target character “ “Today” and “Today”, “Interest”, “Competition”, “Joint”, etc., which have been converted from “Kyo” as the prediction conversion target character, are sequentially arranged from the upper left corner according to their priority. In addition, “September 24”, which is a prediction candidate generated by the function call, is added by being inserted at the third position in the priority order.

  In the example of FIG. 5, a candidate selection cursor 56 is displayed on the prediction candidates that can be selected by the user among the prediction candidates in the prediction candidate display area 52. In the case of the example in FIG. 5, the candidate selection cursor 56 is displayed on the prediction candidate “Kyo” having the highest priority.

  Next, after a predetermined active instruction is input from the user via the operation unit 24 and the prediction candidate display area 52 is activated, the user operates the operation unit 24 as shown in FIG. 6, for example. Accordingly, it is assumed that the control unit 20 moves the candidate selection cursor 56 onto the prediction candidate “September 24”.

  In the state of FIG. 6, when the prediction candidate “September 24” is selected and confirmed according to an instruction from the user via the operation unit 24, the control unit 20 performs the character input of FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 7, the prediction candidate indicated by the candidate selection cursor 56 in the prediction candidate display area 52 at the position where the unconfirmed character (predictive conversion target character) is displayed in the area 51. Place and display the characters.

  As a result, the characters “September 24” are confirmed and displayed in the character input area 51 as shown in FIG.

  In the character input area 51, the character “September 24” is displayed as the entered confirmed character 54, and a character input cursor 53 is displayed to the left of the entered confirmed character 54. Will be.

  Next, the control unit 20 sets “September 24”, which is the last word among the confirmed characters 54 in the character input area 51, as a prediction conversion target character, and based on the prediction conversion target character, the prediction candidate dictionary 41. Are displayed in the prediction candidate display area 52.

  At the same time, when searching for a prediction candidate based on the prediction conversion target character, the control unit 20 performs a search for a function call using the function table 41 as well as a search using the prediction candidate dictionary 41. .

  Here, in this embodiment, the predictive conversion target character in the example of FIG. 7 is the date character “September 24” obtained by the function call first.

  That is, the prediction conversion target character at this time is a character generated by the function call by the function table 41 described above, and therefore the control unit 20 is associated with the function when the prediction conversion target character is generated. The related function is searched from the related function table as shown in FIG.

  In the case of the above-mentioned example, “Kyo” in FIG. 6 is a prediction conversion target character, and the function operation expression “= TODAY ()” is called from the function table 41 of FIG. Since the text character of “September 24” is generated from the arithmetic expression and the time information, and the text character of “September 24” is set as a new predictive conversion target character, the control unit 20 of FIG. From the related function table, an arithmetic expression “= WEEKDAY ()” is called as a related function associated with the function arithmetic expression “= TODAY ()”.

  Then, the control unit 20 obtains the arithmetic expression of “= WEEKDAY ()” and time information representing today's day of the week (“Friday”) from the clock unit 26, and the time information and the above “= WEEKDAY ()”. Is generated from the function expression of “Friday”, and the text character of “(Fri)” is one of the prediction candidates as shown in FIG. In addition to the prediction candidates previously retrieved from the prediction candidate dictionary 41, they are arranged and displayed in the prediction candidate display area 52.

  Further, as shown in the example of FIG. 7, when a prediction candidate is searched from the related function table, the control unit 20 searches from the related function when placing each prediction candidate in the prediction candidate display area 52. The predicted candidates are arranged at the top of the priority order, and thereafter, the prediction candidates searched from the prediction candidate dictionary 41 are arranged in the order of the priority order.

  That is, according to this embodiment, when the prediction candidate obtained from the related function table is placed in the prediction candidate display area 52 as in the example of FIG. 7, the prediction candidate is selected by the user. The prediction candidate is arranged in the prediction candidate display area 52 so that the prediction candidate is the highest.

  More specifically, in the case of the example of FIG. 7, the prediction candidate “(Fri)” generated based on the search of the related function table is arranged at the highest position in the prediction candidate display area 52. Then, the prediction candidates “ni”, “o”, “ha”, “de”,... Detected from the prediction candidate dictionary 41 are arranged in the order of priority.

  In the case of the example of FIG. 7, the candidate selection cursor 56 is displayed on the prediction candidate “(gold)” arranged at the top.

  Next, after a predetermined active instruction is input from the user via the operation unit 24 and the prediction candidate display area 52 is activated, an instruction from the user via the operation unit 24 indicates “(Fri) ”Is selected and confirmed, the control unit 20 sets the prediction candidate as shown in FIG. 8 at the position where the character input cursor 53 is displayed in the character input area 51 of FIG. 7. In the display area 52, “(gold)” that is the character of the prediction candidate pointed by the cursor for candidate selection 56 is arranged and displayed.

  As a result, the character “(gold)” is confirmed and displayed in the character input area 51 as shown in FIG.

  In the character input area 51, the character “(Fri)” is displayed as the entered confirmed character 54, and a character input cursor 53 is further displayed to the left of the entered confirmed character 54. Will be.

  Further, at this time, the control unit 20 sets “(gold)” that is the last word among the confirmed characters 54 in the character input area 51 as a prediction conversion target character, and based on the prediction conversion target character, the prediction candidate dictionary 41. Are displayed in the prediction candidate display area 52.

  In this embodiment, the function arithmetic expression (= WEEKDAY ()) used for obtaining the prediction conversion target character of “(Fri)” is another function as shown in FIG. Since it is not associated with an arithmetic expression, a prediction candidate placed in the prediction candidate display area 52 corresponding to the prediction conversion target character of “(Fri)” is retrieved from the prediction candidate dictionary 41. Made.

  That is, in the case of the example of FIG. 8, in the prediction candidate display area 52, “NI”, “NO”, “HA”, “ .., “N”, “M”,... Are arranged in order of priority.

[Flowchart for character input]
Next, the flow of processing when the control unit 20 of the mobile phone terminal of this embodiment is executing an application program for inputting character information will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 9, when the execution of the application program for inputting character information is started, the control unit 20 first determines whether or not a character is input by the user from the operation unit 24 as a process of step S10. ing.

  When it is determined in step S10 that no character has been input, the control unit 20 proceeds to step S20. When it is determined that a character has been input, the control unit 20 proceeds to step S11.

  If it determines with the input of the character having been made in step S10 and advances a process to step S11, the control part 20 will set the character input in step S10 as a prediction conversion object character, and the said prediction conversion object character will be mentioned above. It is determined whether or not the character is a function call character from the function table 42 as shown in FIG.

  When the control unit 20 determines in step S11 that the character input in step S10 is a predictive conversion target character that calls a function from the function table 42, the control unit 20 proceeds to step S12. If it is determined that the character is not the character to be predicted and that calls the function from step S22, the process proceeds to step S22.

  In step S11, when it is determined that the character is not a prediction conversion target character that calls a function from the function table 42 and the process proceeds to step S22, the control unit 20 extracts a prediction candidate from the prediction candidate dictionary 41 based on the prediction conversion target character. Search for.

  Next, the control unit 20 advances the processing to step S23, and stores the prediction candidates searched from the prediction candidate dictionary 41 in step S22 in the prediction candidate display area 52 as shown in FIGS. Then, after arranging and displaying in the order of priority, the process returns to step S10.

  Here, after returning from step S23 to step S10 as described above, in step S10, when the process proceeds to step S20 because no new character is input, the control unit 20 performs the above prediction. It is determined whether or not any prediction candidate is selected and confirmed by the user via the operation unit 24 from among the prediction candidates arranged in the candidate display area 52.

  When it is determined in step S20 that no prediction candidate has been selected, the control unit 10 returns the process to step S10, and in step S20, has determined that any prediction candidate has been selected and confirmed. Sometimes the process proceeds to step S21.

  When the process proceeds to step S21, the control unit 20 displays the prediction candidates selected and confirmed in step S20 in the character input area 51 as shown in FIGS.

  After performing the process of step S21, the control unit 20 advances the process to the next step S22.

  When the process proceeds from step S21 to step S22, the control unit 20 selects the character selected and confirmed in step S20 and displayed in the character input area 51 in step S21 as a new prediction conversion target. A prediction candidate is searched from the prediction candidate dictionary 41 based on the prediction conversion target character.

  The control unit 20 then proceeds to the next step S23, and the prediction candidates retrieved from the prediction candidate dictionary 41 in the step S22 are predicted candidate display areas 52 as shown in FIGS. Are arranged and displayed in order of priority, and the process returns to step S10.

  In step S11 described above, when the process proceeds to step S12 by determining in step S11 that the character input in step S10 is a prediction conversion target character that calls a function from the function table 42, the control unit First, 20 searches for the prediction candidate from the prediction candidate dictionary 41 based on the prediction target character of the function call.

  At the same time, the control unit 20 advances the processing to step S13, calls a function operation expression from the function table 42 shown in FIG. 2 described above based on the prediction conversion target character of the function call, and further performs the function operation. As described above based on the formula, for example, the prediction candidate character is generated from the time information acquired from the clock unit 26 and the function calculation formula.

  After the process of step S13, the control unit 20 proceeds to step S14. In step S14, the prediction searched from the prediction candidate dictionary 41 in step S12 as described above with reference to FIGS. The candidates and the prediction candidates generated based on the function arithmetic expression in step S13 are arranged and displayed in the prediction candidate display area 52.

  Then, the control part 20 advances a process to step S15.

  When the process proceeds to step S15, the control unit 20 generates the prediction candidates arranged in the prediction candidate display area 52 from the prediction candidates via the operation unit 24 based on the function arithmetic expression. It is determined whether or not the selected prediction candidate has been selected and confirmed.

  When it is determined in step S15 that the prediction candidate generated based on the function arithmetic expression is not selected, the control unit 10 returns the process to step S10 described above, while on the other hand, based on the function arithmetic expression. If it is determined that the prediction candidate generated in this way has been selected and confirmed, the process proceeds to step S16.

  When the processing proceeds to step S16, the control unit 20 performs registration for calling the related function from the related function table as shown in FIG. 3 with respect to the function arithmetic expression when the prediction candidate is generated. It is determined whether or not there is.

  When the control unit 20 determines in step S16 that registration for calling a related function is performed on the function arithmetic expression when the prediction candidate is generated, the control unit 20 returns the process to step S12, while the prediction is performed. When it is determined that the registration of calling the related function is not made for the function arithmetic expression when the candidate is generated, the process proceeds to step S24.

  When the process proceeds to step S24, the control unit 20 displays the prediction candidates selected and confirmed in step S15 in the character input area 51 as shown in FIGS. Return processing to.

[Other Embodiments]
In the above-described embodiment, an example in which a function call is performed using a prediction conversion target character relating to time, that is, the function calculation expression of the function table 41 is a function related to time, and the prediction conversion target character is also a character corresponding to time. However, the present invention is not limited to those related to the time.

  Hereinafter, as another embodiment of the present invention, an example in which a function call is performed using a predictive conversion target character related to an electronic wallet will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1 described above, the mobile phone terminal of this embodiment includes an electronic wallet unit 27. According to the electronic wallet unit 27, for example, an electronic wallet reader / writer provided in a store or the like. It is possible to purchase products and the like by wirelessly communicating information with each other.

  The deposit / withdrawal history information and balance information in the electronic wallet unit 27 are stored in the memory 25 under the control of the control unit 20.

  Here, in the present embodiment, for example, a prediction conversion target character related to the electronic wallet is associated with a function arithmetic expression for reading out deposit / withdrawal and purchase history information in the electronic wallet unit 27, balance information of the electronic wallet, etc. from the memory 25 By registering the function table, it is possible to call the function according to the predictive conversion target character relating to the electronic wallet.

  That is, as an example, a function expression for reading the balance information of the electronic wallet unit 27 from the memory 25 as a function corresponding to the predicted conversion target character is the character “Zandaka” as one of the predicted conversion target characters. In the case of being registered in the function table, for example, when the character “Zanda” is input by the user, the control unit 20 performs the function calculation according to the prediction conversion target character of “Zanda”. The formula is called from the function table, and the balance information of the electronic wallet unit 27 is read from the memory 25 based on the function calculation formula, and a prediction candidate representing the balance (for example, “3000 yen” when the balance is 3000 yen) ) Is displayed in the prediction candidate display area 52 in addition to the other prediction candidates searched from the prediction candidate dictionary 41.

  Further, for example, the character “Kaimono” is set as one of the prediction conversion target characters, and information on the latest settlement amount of the purchase made in the electronic wallet unit 27 as the function corresponding to the prediction conversion target character is stored in the memory 25. In the case where a function arithmetic expression for reading from the function table is registered in the function table, for example, when the user inputs, for example, a character “Kaimono”, the control unit 20 A function arithmetic expression corresponding to the prediction conversion target character is called from the function table, information on the latest payment amount by the electronic wallet unit 27 is read from the memory 25 based on the function arithmetic expression, and a prediction candidate ( For example, in the case where a product of 525 yen is recently purchased, “525 yen”) is displayed in the prediction candidate display area 52 in addition to other prediction candidates searched from the prediction candidate dictionary 41. To.

  Next, as another embodiment of the present invention, an example in which a function call is performed using a predicted conversion target character related to a position will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1 described above, the mobile phone terminal according to the present embodiment includes a GPS unit 36. According to the GPS unit 36, the current position and desired information can be obtained from GPS positioning information and map information. The position can be searched.

  Positioning information in the GPS unit 36 and map information prepared in advance are managed by the control unit 20.

  Here, in the present embodiment, for example, a function calculation formula for associating the prediction conversion target character relating to the current position or a desired position with the positioning information or map information of the GPS unit 36 is registered in the function table. Thus, it is possible to call a function corresponding to the prediction conversion target character relating to the current position or a desired position.

  That is, as an example, the function calculation formula for obtaining the current location information based on the positioning information of the GPS unit 36 as a function corresponding to the predicted conversion target character is a function expression for setting the character “here” as one of the predicted conversion target characters. In the case of being registered in the table, for example, when the character “here” is input by the user, the control unit 20 sets the function arithmetic expression corresponding to the prediction conversion target character of “here” to Called from the function table, acquires latitude and longitude positioning information from the GPS unit 36 based on the function arithmetic expression, and further, a prediction candidate representing the current location by a map search corresponding to the positioning information (for example, the current location is “Tokyo "Minato-ku ..." is displayed in the prediction candidate display area 52 in addition to other prediction candidates searched from the prediction candidate dictionary 41.

  In addition, the function call by the prediction conversion target character regarding the electronic wallet described in the other embodiments described above, the function call by the prediction conversion target character regarding the position, and the function call by the prediction conversion target character regarding the time described above are combined. May be.

[Summary]
As described above, according to the mobile phone terminal of the present embodiment, a function call is performed according to a prediction conversion target character, and a prediction candidate obtained by the function calculation expression is searched from the prediction candidate dictionary 41. In addition to the prediction candidates, there are infinite number of prediction candidates, for example, when characters related to time, electronic wallet, position, etc. are used as prediction conversion target characters. Even if there is a possibility, an appropriate prediction candidate can be searched from the prediction conversion target character.

  Therefore, according to the mobile phone terminal of the present embodiment, the user can easily input character information.

  The above description of the embodiment is an example of the present invention. For this reason, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made according to the design or the like as long as the technical idea according to the present invention is not deviated.

  The present embodiment is not limited to a mobile phone terminal, and can be applied to, for example, inputting characters in a PDA, a personal computer, a digital television receiver, a remote controller of a car navigation device, a portable audio visual device, or the like.

It is a block diagram which shows the schematic internal circuit structure of the mobile telephone terminal of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the function table which matched the prediction conversion object character and the function operation formula in this invention embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the function table in which the function further linked | related with the prediction conversion object character, the function computing equation, and the function computing equation was registered. This is an example of the display screen when entering characters, in which the characters “Announcement of date and time” are already entered fixed characters, and the character input cursor is displayed to the left of the entered fixed characters. FIG. It is an example of the display screen at the time of character input, and is a figure which shows the example in which the prediction candidate according to the prediction conversion object character of "Kyo" is displayed. It is an example of the display screen at the time of a character input, and is a figure which shows the example of a display in which the prediction candidate of "September 24" is selected from the prediction candidates according to the prediction conversion object character of "Kyo". It is an example of the display screen at the time of character input, the prediction candidate of “September 24” is selected from the prediction candidates corresponding to the prediction conversion target character of “Kyo”, and the character of “September 24” is selected. It is a figure which shows the example of a display when an input is decided. It is an example of the display screen at the time of a character input, and is a figure which shows the example of a display in the state in which the new prediction candidate was displayed after the input of the character of "September 24" was confirmed. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process when the control part of the mobile telephone terminal of this embodiment is executing the application program for character information input.

Explanation of symbols

  20 control unit, 21 communication circuit, 22 communication antenna, 23 display unit, 24 control unit, 25 memory, 26 clock unit, 27 electronic wallet unit, 30 speaker, 31 microphone, 32 sound processing unit, 33 image processing unit, 34 vibrator , 35 LED, 36 GPS unit, 37 External memory interface

Claims (8)

A prediction candidate dictionary storing unit storing a prediction candidate dictionary in which a plurality of prediction candidate characters are registered as candidates of characters predicted based on a prediction conversion target character that is an undefined character or a confirmed character;
Prediction candidate search means for searching a plurality of prediction candidate characters corresponding to the prediction conversion target character from the prediction candidate dictionary stored in the prediction candidate dictionary storage means;
A function table storage means for storing a function table in which a function corresponding to a predetermined predictive conversion target character is registered;
Function calling means for calling a function corresponding to the predetermined predictive conversion target character from the function table stored in the function table storage means;
A function corresponding character generating means for generating a character based on the function called by the function calling means;
A character generated by the function-corresponding character generation unit based on the function is regarded as one of the prediction candidate characters, and the prediction candidate search unit searches the prediction candidate dictionary according to the predetermined prediction conversion candidate character. In addition to the prediction candidate characters, prediction candidate presentation means for presenting each of these prediction candidate characters in a recognizable manner to the user;
An instruction input acquisition means for acquiring an instruction input from a user;
A character input confirming unit that uses a prediction candidate character designated by the user via the instruction input obtaining unit as a confirmed input character from among the plurality of prediction candidate characters presented by the prediction candidate presenting unit. Character information input device. The character information input device according to claim 1,
The prediction candidate presenting means arranges a plurality of prediction candidate characters searched by the prediction candidate search means from the prediction candidate dictionary according to the predetermined prediction conversion target character based on a predetermined priority, and the function A character information input device characterized by inserting the predicted candidate character generated by the corresponding character generating means based on the function into an array position of a predetermined order excluding the highest position of the predetermined priority order. The character information input device according to claim 1,
The function table storage means stores a related function table in which other functions associated with the function corresponding to the predetermined predictive conversion target character are registered,
When the predicted candidate character generated by the function-corresponding character generating means is determined as the confirmed input character by the character input determining means, the function calling means searches the related function table and generates the function-corresponding character A character information input device that, when there is another function associated with the function used when the means generates the prediction candidate character in the related function table, calls the other function from the related function table. . The character information input device according to claim 3,
The prediction candidate presenting means arranges a plurality of prediction candidate characters searched by the prediction candidate search means from the prediction candidate dictionary according to the predetermined prediction conversion target character based on a predetermined priority, and the function A character information input device, wherein the candidate character generated by the corresponding character generation unit based on the other function is arranged at the highest arrangement position of the predetermined priority. The character information input device according to claim 1,
Having time information acquisition means for acquiring time information;
The function table storage means stores a function table in which a function for time calculation corresponding to a predetermined predictive conversion target character relating to time is registered,
The function-corresponding character generation means performs a function calculation using the function called by the function calling means according to a predetermined prediction conversion target character related to the time and the time information acquired by the time information acquisition means, A character information input device that generates a prediction candidate character representing a time corresponding to the predetermined prediction conversion target character. The character information input device according to claim 1,
Having an electronic wallet information acquisition means for acquiring electronic wallet information;
The function table storage means stores a function table in which a function for electronic wallet information calculation corresponding to a predetermined predictive conversion target character related to the electronic wallet is registered,
The function-corresponding character generating means performs a function calculation using the function called by the function calling means according to a predetermined prediction conversion target character related to the electronic wallet and the electronic wallet information acquired by the electronic wallet information acquiring means. Thus, a prediction candidate character representing the electronic wallet information corresponding to the predetermined prediction conversion target character is generated. The character information input device according to claim 1,
It has positioning information acquisition means for acquiring positioning information,
The function table storage means stores a function table in which a function for position calculation corresponding to a predetermined predictive conversion target character related to a position is registered,
The function-corresponding character generation means performs a function calculation using the function called by the function calling means according to a predetermined prediction conversion target character related to the position and the positioning information acquired by the positioning information acquisition means, A character information input device that generates a prediction candidate character representing a position corresponding to the predetermined prediction conversion target character. A prediction candidate search means corresponds to the prediction conversion target character from a prediction candidate dictionary in which a plurality of prediction candidate characters are registered as candidates of characters predicted based on a prediction conversion target character that is an indeterminate character or a fixed character. Searching for a plurality of predicted candidate characters,
A function calling means calling a function corresponding to the predetermined prediction conversion target character from a function table in which a function corresponding to the predetermined prediction conversion target character is registered;
Based on the function called by the function calling means, the function corresponding character generating means generates a character;
A character generated by the function-corresponding character generation unit based on the function is regarded as one of the prediction candidate characters, and the prediction candidate search unit searches the prediction candidate dictionary according to the predetermined prediction conversion target character. In addition to the prediction candidate characters, the prediction candidate presenting means presents each of these prediction candidate characters in a recognizable manner to the user;
An instruction input acquisition means for acquiring an instruction input from a user;
A step in which the character input confirmation means sets a prediction candidate character designated by the user via the instruction input acquisition means as a confirmed input character from among the plurality of prediction candidate characters presented by the prediction candidate presentation means; Have
A character information input program for causing a computer to execute these steps.

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