JP2007193455A - Character input device, terminal device, character input program and character input method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify a user's character input operation by displaying various input candidates corresponding to the present state of the user in displaying a list of a plurality of input candidates predicted from a character inputted by the user. <P>SOLUTION: Various sensors such as a GPS sensor for detecting a current position, a temperature sensor for detecting the ambient temperature, and an acceleration sensor for detecting a moving speed are provided on a cellular phone. When a character is inputted by the user, a plurality of input candidates are retrieved from a dictionary database based on the input character. When an input candidate corresponding to any one sensor is present in the retrieved input candidates, the detection output of the sensor corresponding to this input candidate is displayed in a list as one of input candidates. When an input candidate of "temperature" is present, for example, in the input candidates retrieved from the dictionary database, the present temperature detected by the temperature sensor is displayed, for example, as "25°C" as the one of input candidates. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention is suitable for application to a terminal device such as a mobile phone, a PHS phone (PHS: Personal Handyphone System), a PDA device (PDA: Personal Digital Assistant), or a desktop or notebook personal computer device. The terminal device, the character input program, and the character input method, in particular, the character input device, the terminal device, and the character input for simplifying the user input operation by displaying various input candidates corresponding to the current state of the user The present invention relates to a program and a character input method.

  Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-165460 discloses a portable terminal device that can input an address at the current position as a character string without performing a complicated input operation. In this portable terminal device, when a character string related to a position such as “here”, “genzaichi”, “jutsujo” is input when a sentence is created (= when a character is input), the CPU The GPS wireless unit is controlled to detect the current position of the mobile terminal device, and longitude / latitude information corresponding to the current position detected by the GPS wireless unit is calculated.

  In the memory of the portable terminal device, address conversion information for converting each longitude / latitude information into corresponding address information is stored together with dictionary information storing conversion candidates corresponding to each input character string. .

  The CPU detects conversion candidates corresponding to the input character string from the dictionary information in the memory and controls display on the display unit, and also calculates address information corresponding to the calculated longitude / latitude information from the address conversion information in the memory. The address information is detected and displayed on the display unit together with the conversion candidates.

  As a result, the address corresponding to the current position of the mobile terminal device can be displayed together with each conversion candidate by simply inputting a character string related to the position such as “here”, “genzaichi”, “juju”. Therefore, the user can input an address corresponding to the current position only by a simple operation of selecting address information from the conversion candidates displayed on the display unit.

JP 2005-165460 A (pages 8 to 9: FIGS. 1 and 7)

  However, in the case of the mobile terminal device disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, since only the address corresponding to the current position detected by the GPS wireless unit can be included in a plurality of conversion candidates and displayed, the current situation of the user There is a problem that only a part of the input candidates corresponding to (= only the address corresponding to the current position) can be displayed.

  That is, as parameters indicating the current state of the user, parameters such as the temperature, humidity, direction, walking speed, etc., as well as the address corresponding to the current position of the user, can be said to be parameters indicating the current state of the user. For this reason, if more parameters can be displayed as input candidates in addition to the above address, the user's input operation can be further simplified.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described situation, and displays a variety of input candidates corresponding to the current state of the user so that the user's input operation can be further simplified. An object is to provide a terminal device, a character input program, and a character input method.

The character input device according to the present invention is a means for solving the above-described problems.
A dictionary database storing a plurality of input candidates predicted from input characters;
Sensor-specific input candidate storage means in which input candidates assigned to each sensor of a sensor group composed of a plurality of sensors are stored;
Input candidate search means for searching the dictionary database for input candidates predicted from the input characters;
Target input candidate search means for determining whether or not there is an input candidate stored in the sensor-specific input candidate storage means among the input candidates searched from the dictionary database by the input candidate search means;
When an input candidate stored in the sensor-specific input candidate storage unit is searched from input candidates searched from the dictionary database by the target input candidate search unit, a sensor corresponding to the searched input candidate Corresponding sensor detection means for detecting from the sensor-specific input candidate storage means,
Among the detection outputs from each sensor of the sensor group, the input candidates corresponding to the detection outputs from the sensors detected by the corresponding sensor detection means are included in the input candidates searched by the input candidate search means, and displayed. Display control means for displaying a list on the means.

In addition, the terminal device according to the present invention is a means for solving the above-described problems.
Operation means for performing character input operation;
A dictionary database in which a plurality of input candidates predicted from characters input via the operation means are stored;
A sensor group composed of a plurality of sensors;
Sensor-specific input candidate storage means in which input candidates assigned to each sensor of the sensor group are stored;
Input candidate search means for searching the dictionary database for input candidates predicted from the input characters;
Target input candidate search means for determining whether or not there is an input candidate stored in the sensor-specific input candidate storage means among the input candidates searched from the dictionary database by the input candidate search means;
When an input candidate stored in the sensor-specific input candidate storage unit is searched from input candidates searched from the dictionary database by the target input candidate search unit, a sensor corresponding to the searched input candidate Corresponding sensor detection means for detecting from the sensor-specific input candidate storage means,
Among the detection outputs from each sensor of the sensor group, the input candidates corresponding to the detection outputs from the sensors detected by the corresponding sensor detection means are included in the input candidates searched by the input candidate search means, and displayed. Display control means for displaying a list on the means.

Moreover, in order to solve the above-mentioned subject, the character input program which concerns on this invention
Let the computer function as input candidate search means for searching input candidates predicted from the input characters from the dictionary database,
Sensors in which input candidates assigned to each sensor of a sensor group composed of a plurality of sensors are stored in the input candidates searched from the dictionary database by causing a computer to function as the input candidate search means Causing the computer to function as target input candidate search means for determining whether or not there is an input candidate stored in another input candidate storage means;
When the input candidate stored in the sensor-specific input candidate storage unit is searched from the input candidates searched from the dictionary database by causing the computer to function as the target input candidate search unit, the search is performed. The computer is caused to function as corresponding sensor detection means for detecting the sensor corresponding to the input candidate that has been input from the sensor-specific input candidate storage means,
Among the detection outputs from the sensors of the sensor group, input candidates corresponding to the detection outputs from the sensors detected by causing the computer to function as the corresponding sensor detection means function the computer as the input candidate search means. Thus, the computer is caused to function as a display control unit that is included in the retrieved input candidates and displayed as a list on the display unit.

In addition, the character input method according to the present invention is a means for solving the above-described problems.
A search step of searching the dictionary database for input candidates predicted from the input characters by the input candidate search means;
The target input candidate searching means stores the input candidates assigned to each sensor of the sensor group composed of a plurality of sensors among the input candidates searched from the dictionary database in the search step. A determination step of determining whether there is an input candidate stored in the candidate storage means;
In the determining step, when an input candidate stored in the sensor-specific input candidate storage unit is searched from the input candidates searched from the dictionary database, the corresponding sensor detection unit detects the input A corresponding sensor detection step of detecting a sensor corresponding to a candidate from the sensor-specific input candidate storage means;
The display control means includes the input candidates corresponding to the detection output from the sensor detected in the corresponding sensor detection step among the detection outputs from each sensor of the sensor group in the input candidates searched in the search step. And a list display step for displaying a list on the display means.

  In the present invention, input candidates assigned to each sensor of a sensor group composed of a plurality of sensors are stored in the sensor-specific input candidate storage means. When a character is input, input candidates predicted from the input character are searched from the dictionary database, and the input candidates searched from the dictionary database are stored in the sensor-specific input candidate storage means. It is detected whether there is an input candidate.

  When an input candidate stored in the sensor-specific input candidate storage unit is searched from input candidates searched from the dictionary database, a sensor corresponding to the searched input candidate is assigned to the sensor-specific input candidate. Detect from input candidate storage means.

  Of the detection outputs from the sensors in the sensor group, the input candidates corresponding to the detection outputs from the sensors detected from the sensor-specific input candidate storage means are included in the input candidates searched from the dictionary database. Are displayed in a list on the display means.

  Thereby, it is possible to display the detection output detected by the sensor corresponding to the input character as an input candidate, included in each input candidate normally searched from the dictionary database.

  The present invention can display various input candidates corresponding to the current state of the user detected by each sensor, such as an address corresponding to the current position of the user, temperature, humidity, direction, walking speed, and the like. For this reason, a user's input operation in the case of character input can be simplified more.

  The present invention can be applied to a mobile phone.

[Configuration of mobile phone]
As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile phone according to the embodiment of the present invention has an antenna 1 and a communication circuit 2 that perform wireless communication with a base station, and an acoustic output such as a ringtone and a received voice. In addition to collecting the transmitted voice from the speaker unit 3, the microphone unit 4 functioning as a voice sensor for collecting the voice around the mobile phone, and displaying images (moving images, still images, etc.), characters, etc. Display unit 5, an operation unit 6 for performing a predetermined input operation or selection operation, a light emitting unit 7 (LED: Light Emitting Diode) for notifying light of incoming / outgoing calls, a still image of a desired subject or It has a camera unit 8 for capturing a moving image and a vibration unit 9 for notifying the user of incoming / outgoing calls by vibrating the casing of the mobile phone.

  In addition, as an example, this mobile phone has the following plurality of sensors. That is, this mobile phone detects the traveling speed of the mobile phone based on the GPS antenna 10 (GPS: Global Positioning System) and the GPS unit 11 that detect the current position of the mobile phone and the acceleration of the mobile phone. An acceleration sensor 12, a temperature sensor 13 for detecting the temperature around the mobile phone, a pressure sensor 14 for detecting the pressure applied to the mobile phone, and a light amount for detecting the amount of light around the mobile phone A sensor 15; an odor sensor 16 for detecting an odor (odor) around the mobile phone; a geomagnetic sensor 17 for detecting a direction; a memory 18 storing various programs and information described below; And a control unit 19 for controlling the operation of the entire telephone.

  The memory 18 includes a communication processing program (communication program) for performing communication processing, various sensor control programs for controlling the sensors 11 to 17 including the microphone unit 4, and a camera for controlling imaging of the camera unit 8. A control program, a character input program for performing character input processing to be described later, a dictionary database storing various dictionary data to be referred to at the time of character input, and the sensors 11 to 17 including the microphone unit 4 are preliminarily determined by the user. Use sensor information that indicates the sensor that is specified for use, input candidates predicted from characters input by the user, and use the predictive input function to select the desired input candidates from the displayed input candidates Predictive input function ON / OFF information indicating whether or not to perform input is stored

The memory 18 includes a parameter display target input candidate set in advance as a character corresponding to each sensor, and when the same character as the parameter display target input candidate is input by the user, it is included in each prediction input candidate. A parameter table, schedule book, phone book, incoming and outgoing e-mail data, telephone and e-mail incoming and outgoing histories, content files such as music content and video content, etc. stored in association with displayed parameters It is remembered.

[Configuration of parameter table]
FIG. 2A shows an example of a parameter table stored in the memory 18. As can be seen from FIG. 2, the parameter table stores parameter display target input candidates for each sensor such as the GPS sensor 11 and the acceleration sensor 12. This parameter display target input candidate indicates an input candidate for displaying an input candidate (parameter) corresponding to a detection output of a predetermined sensor. When detecting an input candidate corresponding to the character input by the user, the control unit 19 determines whether or not the same input candidate as the parameter display target input candidate exists in the input candidate, When the same input candidate exists, an input candidate (parameter) indicating the detection output of the sensor corresponding to the parameter display target input candidate is included in the detected input candidate and displayed on the display unit 5.

  Specifically, for example, among the input candidates detected based on the character “ge” input from the user, for example, there is an input candidate of “present location” which is one of the parameter display target input candidates. In this case, the control unit 19 includes the place name of the current position of the mobile phone, which is the detection output of the GPS sensor 11 corresponding to the parameter display target input candidate of “current location”, as the parameter, in the detected input candidate. Display control is performed on the display unit 5.

  Similarly, for example, if there is an input candidate of “temperature” that is one of the parameter display target input candidates among the input candidates detected based on the character “ki” input from the user, The control unit 19 includes the temperature around the mobile phone, which is the detection output of the temperature sensor 13 corresponding to the “temperature” parameter display target input candidate, as the parameter, and includes the detected input candidate in the display unit 5. The display is controlled.

  FIG. 2 (b) shows an example of the parameters that are included in the input candidates and displayed based on the detection output of each sensor. As can be seen from FIG. 2 (b), the GPS sensor 11 Is displayed as the input candidate (= parameter), the place name indicating the current position of the mobile phone, such as “Osaki” and “Shinagawa” detected by the GPS sensor 11, is input It will be displayed as a candidate.

  Similarly, when the detection output of the acceleration sensor 12 is displayed as the input candidate, the moving speed of the mobile phone such as “120 steps / minute” detected by the acceleration sensor 12 is displayed as the input candidate. When the detection output of the temperature sensor 13 is displayed as the input candidate, the ambient temperature around the mobile phone such as “28 ° C.” detected by the temperature sensor 13 is displayed as the input candidate. Become.

  Further, when the detection output of the geomagnetic sensor 17 is displayed as the input candidate, directions such as “east”, “west”, “south”, “north”, etc. detected by the geomagnetic sensor 17 are used as the input candidate. When the detected output of the base station area is displayed as the input candidate, the “Tokyo”, “Shinagawa” detected based on the communication area information transmitted from the base station with which the control unit 19 is currently communicating is displayed. The base station area such as “” is displayed as the input candidate.

  Further, in the parameter table, when the input candidate of the parameter is selected by the user from the input candidates displayed in a list as described above, the input candidate for the character input next by the user is selected. “Next candidate prediction target character” indicating what is predicted and displayed based on what is stored.

  For example, when an input candidate for a place name that is a parameter corresponding to the GPS sensor 11 is selected by the user from among the input candidates displayed in a list, the control unit 19 performs the next character input from the user. Refer to the “next candidate prediction target character” section of the parameter table. In this example, since “parameter” is defined as the next candidate prediction target character of the GPS sensor 11, the control unit 19 predicts the next input candidate based on the place name input candidate selected by the user. Thus, display control is performed.

  Similarly, when an input candidate of, for example, 25 ° C. that is a parameter corresponding to the temperature sensor 13 is selected by the user from among the input candidates displayed in a list, the control unit 19 then inputs a character from the user. Refer to the “next candidate prediction target character” section of the parameter table. In this example, since “input character” is defined as the next candidate prediction target character of the temperature sensor 13, the control unit 19 predicts the next input candidate based on the next character input by the user. Thus, display control is performed.

The next candidate prediction target character may be fixedly set by the manufacturer of the mobile phone or may be arbitrarily set by the user.

[Character input operation]
Next, a character input operation in the mobile phone of the embodiment having such a configuration will be described.

[Predictive input function settings]
First, in the mobile phone of the embodiment, for example, when “ba” is input by the user, “ba” → “every time the conversion key of the operation unit 6 is pressed or the rotation operation key is rotated. “Normal input function” that sequentially displays each input candidate like “wing” → “place” → “婆” → “罵”... , “Place”, “Case”, “Address”, etc. are provided with a “predictive input function” that displays a list of input candidates predicted from the input character “BA”. When the “sensor dictionary input function” that displays input candidates (= the above parameters) corresponding to the detection output of each sensor corresponding to the characters input by the user is used, the “predictive input function” is selected in advance. There is a need to.

  For example, in the case of the mobile phone according to the present embodiment, when the “character input tool” menu is selected from the tool menu, a “predictive conversion switching menu” is displayed as shown in FIG. In the predictive conversion switching menu, the operation unit 19 displays the characters “normal” indicating that the normal input function is selected and the characters “prediction” indicating that the predictive input function is selected. Each time the predetermined key 6 is pressed, the display is alternately switched and displayed. In this case, the user presses a predetermined key on the operation unit 6 to display the character “prediction” and then presses the enter key.

When the control unit 19 detects the pressing operation of the determination key while displaying the character “prediction” in the prediction conversion switching menu, the control unit 19 recognizes that the “prediction input function” is selected by the user, Predictive input ON / OFF information indicating that the “predictive input function” is used as the character input function is stored and controlled in the memory 18. As a result, it is possible to use a “sensor dictionary input function” that displays input candidates (parameters) corresponding to detection outputs from any of the sensors in a list including normal input candidates.

[Setting of sensor dictionary input function]
Next, in order to use the “sensor dictionary input function”, it is necessary to select the above-mentioned “predictive input function”, specify the use of the sensor dictionary input function, and select the sensor to be used.

  That is, the control unit 19 displays the “sensor dictionary input selection menu” on the display unit 5 together with the “predictive conversion switching menu” on the menu screen of the “character input tool” as shown in FIG. It has become. When this “sensor dictionary input selection menu” is selected by the user, as shown in FIG. 3B, the characters “ON” for designating the use of the sensor dictionary input function, the sensor dictionary input function A character “OFF” for prohibiting the use is displayed on the display unit 5.

  When the user prohibits the use of the sensor dictionary input function, the user moves the cursor to the display position of the character “OFF” and presses the enter key to designate the use of the sensor dictionary input function. Moves the cursor to the display position of the character “ON” and presses the enter key.

  When the determination key is pressed after the cursor is moved to the display position of the character “ON”, the control unit 19 displays a selection screen for the sensor to be used as shown in FIG. To do. As the sensor selection screen to be used, a list of names of sensors such as a GPS sensor, an acceleration sensor, a temperature sensor, etc., and a check box for displaying whether or not each sensor is selected are displayed.

The user moves the cursor to the display position of the name of the desired sensor to be used and presses the enter key. When detecting the pressing operation of the determination key, the control unit 19 recognizes that the use of the sensor on which the cursor is positioned is designated by the user, and indicates that the sensor is selected with respect to the check box of the sensor. Display. FIG. 3C shows an example in which “GPS sensor”, “temperature sensor”, and “base station area (for detecting the geographical range of the mobile phone)” are selected by the user as sensors to be used. It is.

[Character input operation using sensor dictionary input function]
The flow chart of FIG. 4 shows the flow of character input operation using the sensor dictionary input function. The flowchart of FIG. 4 is executed by the control unit 19 based on a “character input program” stored in the memory 18 when inputting characters such as e-mail, schedule book, and telephone book. The control unit 19 starts at the timing when the character input from the user is detected.

  When the control unit 19 starts this flowchart, first, in step S1, the prediction input function ON / OFF information stored in the memory 18 is read to determine whether or not the use of the prediction input function is specified by the user. Is determined. If the use of the prediction input function is designated by the user, the process proceeds to step S2, and if the use of the prediction input function is not designated by the user, the process proceeds to step S8. In step S8, since the use of the prediction input function is not specified by the user, the control unit 19 ends the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 and is input from the user based on the above-described “normal input function”. Input processing of the characters.

  In contrast, when the process proceeds to step S2 by determining that the use of the predictive input function is designated by the user, the control unit 19 stores input candidates corresponding to the characters input by the user. 18 is detected from the dictionary database stored in step 18, and the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S 3, the control unit 19 refers to the “parameter display target input candidate” section of the parameter table stored in the memory 18, and selects “parameter display target input” from the input candidates detected from the dictionary database. It is determined whether or not there is an input candidate designated as “candidate”. If there is no input candidate designated as “parameter display target input candidate” among the input candidates detected from the dictionary database, the process proceeds to step S9, and each of the input candidates detected in step S2 is detected. The input candidates are displayed on the display unit 5 and the process proceeds to step S6.

  On the other hand, if there is an input candidate designated as a “parameter display target input candidate” among the input candidates detected from the dictionary database, the control unit 19 determines in step S4 this “parameter display target input candidate”. The sensor corresponding to the input candidate designated as “is detected. Then, based on “use sensor information” stored in the memory 18, it is determined whether or not the use of the detected sensor is designated by the user.

  When the use of the sensor is not designated by the user, the control unit 19 advances the processing to step S9, and displays each input candidate detected based on the character input from the user in the step S2. Then, the display is controlled as a list, and the process proceeds to step S6.

  On the other hand, if the use of the sensor is designated by the user, the process proceeds to step S5, and detection detected by the sensor corresponding to the input candidate designated as the “parameter display target input candidate”. Input candidates (parameters) corresponding to the output are included in each input candidate detected in step S2 and displayed on the display unit 5 in a list-controlled manner.

  Specifically, for example, when a character “ki” is input by the user, the control unit 19, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), the “motivation” predicted from the input character “ki”, Input candidates such as “today”, “suddenly”, “return home”... “Temperature” are detected from the dictionary database (step S2).

  Next, the control unit 19 determines whether or not there is an input candidate defined as a “parameter display target input candidate” in the parameter table among the input candidates (step S3). In this case, the input candidate of “temperature”, which is one of the input candidates detected based on the input character “ki” from the user, is “parameter display target input” of the parameter table as shown in FIG. Defaulted as “candidate”. Further, as can be seen from FIG. 2A, the sensor corresponding to this “temperature” input candidate is the “temperature sensor”.

  For this reason, the control part 19 takes in the detection output from the temperature sensor 13 shown in FIG. 1, and inputs the input candidate which shows the present temperature corresponding to this detection output, such as "32 degreeC", to FIG.5 (b). As shown, display control is performed on the display unit 5 in each input candidate (step S5).

  Similarly, when the user inputs a character “BA”, for example, the control unit 19, as shown in FIG. 6A, predicts “BABA”, “BACK” predicted from the input character “BA”. ”,“ Number ”...“ Location ”and the like are detected from the dictionary database.

  Next, the control unit 19 determines whether or not there is an input candidate defined as a “parameter display target input candidate” in the parameter table among the input candidates. In this case, the input candidate of “place”, which is one of the input candidates detected based on the input character “ba” from the user, is displayed as “parameter display target input” in the parameter table as shown in FIG. Defaulted as “candidate”. Further, as can be seen from FIG. 2A, the sensor corresponding to this “place” input candidate is the “base station area”.

  For this reason, the control unit 19 detects the communication area where the mobile phone is currently located based on the communication area information received from the base station via the antenna 1 and the communication circuit 2 shown in FIG. Input candidates indicating the current location such as “Osaki” corresponding to this communication area are included in each input candidate as shown in FIG.

  Similarly, when the user inputs a character “G”, for example, as shown in FIG. 6 (d), the control unit 19 predicts the “limit” and “energy” predicted from the input character “G”. ”,“ Limited ”...“ Current location ”and the like are detected from the dictionary database.

  Next, the control unit 19 determines whether or not there is an input candidate defined as a “parameter display target input candidate” in the parameter table among the input candidates. In this case, an input candidate of “current location” that is one of input candidates detected based on the input character “ge” from the user is “parameter display target input” of the parameter table as shown in FIG. Defaulted as “candidate”. Further, as can be seen from FIG. 2A, the sensor corresponding to the input candidate of the “current location” is “GPS sensor”.

  For this reason, the control unit 19 takes in the detection output from the GPS sensor 11 shown in FIG. 1, and selects an input candidate indicating the current position of the mobile phone, such as “Osaki”, corresponding to this detection output, as shown in FIG. As shown in e), display control is performed on the display unit 5 in each input candidate.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5B, FIG. 6B, and FIG. 6E, the parameters displayed by being included in each normal input candidate (= input candidates corresponding to the detection output of the sensor) When selecting the user, the user operates the operation unit 6 to move the cursor to the parameter display position and presses the enter key. When this pressing operation is detected, the control unit 19 converts the character input by the user into the input candidate character where the cursor is currently positioned, and displays it. As a result, when the user inputs the character “KI” and selects the parameter, as shown in FIG. 5C, the input character “KI” indicates “32” indicating the current temperature. It is converted into the character “° C.” and input.

Similarly, when the user inputs the character “BA” and selects the above parameter, as shown in FIG. 6C, the input character “BA” indicates the current location “Osaki”. When the user inputs the character “G” and selects the above parameter, as shown in FIG. 6C, the character “G” inputted is It is converted into the character “Osaki” indicating the current position and input.

[Next input candidate prediction]
Next, returning to the flowchart of FIG. 4, in step S <b> 6, the control unit 19 determines whether or not a parameter input candidate has been selected from among the input candidates by the user. If a parameter input candidate is selected, the process proceeds to step S10. If an input candidate other than the parameter is selected, the process proceeds to step S7.

  When the process proceeds to step S10 by selecting a parameter input candidate by the user, the control unit 19 determines whether or not the next character has been input by the user. If it is detected that the next character has been input, the process proceeds to step S11. If it is not detected that the next character has been input, the process proceeds to step S7.

  When the process proceeds to step S11 when the next character is input from the user, the control unit 19 refers to the parameter table shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not to detect based on.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, for example, when the user selects the parameter “32 ° C.” by inputting the character “KI”, it can be seen from FIG. In addition, the next candidate prediction target character for the temperature sensor 13 that has detected the temperature of “32 ° C.” is defined as “input character”. This is because the input of parameters is selected by the user, and for the next character input by the user, input candidates are detected from the dictionary database based on the character input from the user (= “input character” above). It shows that

  Similarly, for example, as shown in FIG. 6D, FIG. 6E, and FIG. 6C, when the user selects the parameter “Osaki” by inputting the letter “G”, As can be seen from FIG. 2, the next candidate prediction target character for the GPS sensor 11 that has detected the current location of “Osaki” is defined as “parameter”. This indicates that the input of the parameter is selected by the user, and for the next character input by the user, input candidates are detected from the dictionary database based on the parameter selected by the user.

  Therefore, when the control unit 19 detects whether the next input candidate to be detected is “input character” or “parameter” based on the parameter table, based on the detected target. The input candidates corresponding to the characters input by the user are detected from the dictionary database and displayed in a list on the display unit 5, and the process proceeds to step S7.

In this way, when a parameter is selected by the user, the next input character can be determined by setting whether the input candidate to be detected for the next input character is “parameter” or “input character”. More appropriate input candidates can be detected, and the list of input candidates can be displayed more quickly.

Next, it is determined in step S6 that an input candidate other than the parameter has been selected, or in step S10, it is determined that the next character input is not performed after the parameter input candidate is selected. When the input candidate is displayed based on the next candidate prediction target character in step S11 and the process proceeds to step S7, the control unit 19 determines whether or not the user has input the next character. If it is detected that the next character is input, the process returns to step S2, and if it is not detected that the next character is input, the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. To do.

[Effect of the embodiment]
As is clear from the above description, the mobile phone according to this embodiment includes various input candidates corresponding to the current state of the user, such as temperature, current position, direction, moving speed, and direction, in addition to normal input candidates. Can be displayed. For this reason, a user's character input operation can be simplified more.

[Modification]
In the above description of the embodiment, the present invention is applied to a cellular phone. However, the present invention is not limited to this cellular phone, but also a PHS phone (PHS: Personal Handyphone System), a PDA device (PDA: Personal Digital Assistant). ), And may be applied to other terminal devices such as notebook type and desktop type personal computer devices. Even in this case, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

  Also, in FIG. 5A, FIG. 6A, and FIG. 6D, the parameters corresponding to the characters input by the user are illustrated as being displayed at the end of the input candidate list. However, the parameter display position may be displayed at an arbitrary position such as the top or middle of the input candidate list, or the parameter display position may be designated in advance by the user.

  Finally, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment that has been disclosed as an example of the present invention. The above-described embodiment is within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. It should be added that various changes can be made according to the design and the like even if other than the above.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile phone according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied. It is a schematic diagram of a parameter table provided in the mobile phone according to the embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating selection setting operation of the sensor dictionary input function in the mobile telephone of embodiment, and selection selection operation of the sensor used in a sensor dictionary input function. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the sensor dictionary input operation | movement in the mobile telephone of embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a character input at the time of the sensor dictionary input of the mobile telephone of embodiment. It is a figure which shows the other example of a character input at the time of sensor dictionary input of the mobile telephone of embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Antenna 2 Communication circuit 3 Speaker part 4 Microphone part 5 Display part 6 Operation part 7 Light emission part (LED) 8 Camera part 9 Vibration unit 10 GPS antenna 11 GPS unit 12 Acceleration sensor 13 temperature sensor, 14 pressure sensor, 15 light quantity sensor, 16 odor sensor, 17 geomagnetic sensor, 18 memory, 19 control unit

Claims (6)

A dictionary database storing a plurality of input candidates predicted from input characters;
Sensor-specific input candidate storage means in which input candidates assigned to each sensor of a sensor group composed of a plurality of sensors are stored;
Input candidate search means for searching the dictionary database for input candidates predicted from the input characters;
Target input candidate search means for determining whether or not there is an input candidate stored in the sensor-specific input candidate storage means among the input candidates searched from the dictionary database by the input candidate search means;
When an input candidate stored in the sensor-specific input candidate storage unit is searched from input candidates searched from the dictionary database by the target input candidate search unit, a sensor corresponding to the searched input candidate Corresponding sensor detection means for detecting from the sensor-specific input candidate storage means,
Among the detection outputs from each sensor of the sensor group, the input candidates corresponding to the detection outputs from the sensors detected by the corresponding sensor detection means are included in the input candidates searched by the input candidate search means, and displayed. A character input device comprising: display control means for displaying a list on the means. The character input device according to claim 1,
Of the detection outputs from the sensors of the sensor group, the sensor includes a sensor information storage unit that stores sensor information indicating sensors used to display input candidates.
The display control means is detected by the corresponding sensor detection means when the sensor detected by the corresponding sensor detection means is stored in the use sensor information storage means as a sensor used for displaying the input candidate. Input candidates corresponding to detection outputs from the sensors are included in the input candidates searched by the input candidate search means and displayed in a list on the display means, and the sensors detected by the corresponding sensor detection means are Characters that are not stored in the use sensor information storage means as sensors used for displaying candidates, only the input candidates searched by the input candidate search means are displayed in a list on the display means. Input device. The character input device according to claim 1 or 2,
Among the input candidates displayed in a list, when an input candidate corresponding to the detection output from the sensor is selected as a character to be input, an input candidate corresponding to the character input immediately after the selection is selected. A search target of input candidates indicating whether to search based on a character input immediately after the search or to search based on an input candidate corresponding to a detection output from the selected sensor is stored for each sensor. Search target storage means,
When the input candidate corresponding to the detection output from the sensor is selected as a character to be input, the input candidate search means selects the search target of the sensor that has output the detection output corresponding to the selected input candidate. Based on the detection result, the input candidate corresponding to the character input immediately after the selection is searched from the dictionary database based on the input character, or immediately after the selection. An input candidate corresponding to the character input to is searched from the dictionary database based on the input candidate character corresponding to the detection output from the selected sensor. Operation means for performing character input operation;
A dictionary database in which a plurality of input candidates predicted from characters input via the operation means are stored;
A sensor group composed of a plurality of sensors;
Sensor-specific input candidate storage means in which input candidates assigned to each sensor of the sensor group are stored;
Input candidate search means for searching the dictionary database for input candidates predicted from the input characters;
Target input candidate search means for determining whether or not there is an input candidate stored in the sensor-specific input candidate storage means among the input candidates searched from the dictionary database by the input candidate search means;
When an input candidate stored in the sensor-specific input candidate storage unit is searched from input candidates searched from the dictionary database by the target input candidate search unit, a sensor corresponding to the searched input candidate Corresponding sensor detection means for detecting from the sensor-specific input candidate storage means,
Among the detection outputs from each sensor of the sensor group, the input candidates corresponding to the detection outputs from the sensors detected by the corresponding sensor detection means are included in the input candidates searched by the input candidate search means, and displayed. Display control means for displaying a list on the means. Let the computer function as input candidate search means for searching input candidates predicted from the input characters from the dictionary database,
Sensors in which input candidates assigned to each sensor of a sensor group composed of a plurality of sensors are stored in the input candidates searched from the dictionary database by causing a computer to function as the input candidate search means Causing the computer to function as target input candidate search means for determining whether or not there is an input candidate stored in another input candidate storage means;
When the input candidate stored in the sensor-specific input candidate storage unit is searched from the input candidates searched from the dictionary database by causing the computer to function as the target input candidate search unit, the search is performed. The computer is caused to function as corresponding sensor detection means for detecting the sensor corresponding to the input candidate that has been input from the sensor-specific input candidate storage means,
Among the detection outputs from the sensors of the sensor group, input candidates corresponding to the detection outputs from the sensors detected by causing the computer to function as the corresponding sensor detection means function the computer as the input candidate search means. A character input program that causes a computer to function as a display control means that is included in the input candidates searched for and displayed in a list on the display means. A search step of searching the dictionary database for input candidates predicted from the input characters by the input candidate search means;
The target input candidate searching means stores the input candidates assigned to each sensor of the sensor group composed of a plurality of sensors among the input candidates searched from the dictionary database in the search step. A determination step of determining whether there is an input candidate stored in the candidate storage means;
In the determining step, when an input candidate stored in the sensor-specific input candidate storage unit is searched from the input candidates searched from the dictionary database, the corresponding sensor detection unit detects the input A corresponding sensor detection step of detecting a sensor corresponding to a candidate from the sensor-specific input candidate storage means;
The display control means includes the input candidates corresponding to the detection output from the sensor detected in the corresponding sensor detection step among the detection outputs from each sensor of the sensor group in the input candidates searched in the search step. And a list display step for displaying a list on the display means.

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