JP2008250606A - Input device, input method and input program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily input a character to a computer. <P>SOLUTION: A cellphone has: a key input reception means (S02) receiving input of one of ten keys each allocated with at least one kana character; a kana character reception means (YES at S03) receiving input of the kana character allocated the received key; a character string determination means (S08 or S15) determining a character string based on at least one received kana character; and a transmission means (S10 or S17) transmitting the determined character string to a PC. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device, an input method, and an input program, and more particularly, to an input device applied to a portable device, an input method executed by the input device, and an input program.

  In recent years, cellular phones have become widespread, and techniques for inputting characters from cellular phones to personal computers have been developed. Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-192215 (Patent Document 1) describes a technique of using a mobile phone as a keyboard of a personal computer. However, in the conventional technology, the mobile phone is merely used as a keyboard.

  Mobile phones are used to create e-mail texts, write on Internet blog sites, and the like, and there are increasing opportunities for inputting text into mobile phones. For this reason, the kanji conversion function provided in the mobile phone has a learning function to facilitate kanji conversion. In addition, some of them have a predictive conversion function that stores texts that have been converted into Chinese characters in the past and that can be selectively displayed when a part of the reading of the text is input. Therefore, in the mobile phone, the function for converting characters into kanji is customized for each owner.

On the other hand, in a device that has a function for inputting characters, such as a personal computer, and is used by a plurality of people, if the learning function is enabled, the content learned based on the operation by another person is reflected. There is a problem that it may be difficult to use.
JP 2004-192215 A

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one of the objects of the present invention is to provide an input device capable of easily inputting characters to an external device.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an input method and an input program capable of easily inputting characters into an apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, according to one aspect of the present invention, an input device includes a key input receiving unit that receives an input of any of a plurality of keys to which at least one kana character is assigned, and a received key. Kana character accepting means for accepting input of kana characters assigned to the character string, character string determining means for determining a character string based on at least one accepted kana character, and transmitting the determined character string to an external device Transmitting means.

  According to this aspect, since a character string is determined based on at least one accepted kana character, an operator familiar with inputting kana characters can easily use a kana character to determine the character string. The character string can be easily determined. As a result, an input device capable of easily inputting characters to an external device can be provided.

  Preferably, the character string determining means includes kanji conversion means for converting at least one kana character into a character string of a kanji code.

  Preferably, the character string determination means converts at least one kana character into a character string of a kanji code, selects at least one candidate, and arranges at least one candidate based on past conversion history. And a selection accepting means for displaying one of them and accepting any one of the selections.

  According to this aspect, candidates obtained by converting at least one kana character into a character string of kanji code are rearranged and displayed based on the past conversion history, so one of the candidates after conversion is determined. Work can be facilitated.

  Preferably, the character string determining means transmits at least one kana character to an external device, and the external device receives at least one external candidate obtained by converting the at least one kana character from the external device. And external selection receiving means for displaying at least one received external candidate and receiving any one of the selections.

  According to this aspect, at least one kana character is transmitted to an external device, and at least one external candidate in which the external device converts at least one kana character is received from the external device and received. External candidates are displayed. For this reason, a character string can be determined from the external candidates converted by the external device. As a result, it becomes easier to determine the character string while using the conversion function of the external device.

  Preferably, it further includes a history storage unit that stores a history in which at least one kana character is associated with the character string determined by the character string determination unit, and the character string determination unit includes It further includes character string display means for displaying the associated character string and selection means for accepting selection of the displayed character string, and the transmission means transmits the selected character string.

  According to this aspect, a history that associates at least one kana character with the determined character string is stored, and a character string that is associated with the accepted kana character by the history is displayed. Sentences that are the same as or similar to the sentences can be easily input.

  Preferably, the transmission unit transmits the determined character string to an external device at a predetermined timing.

  According to this aspect, since the determined character string is transmitted to an external device at a predetermined timing, synchronization can be established with the external device.

  Preferably, the transmitting unit further transmits the accepted kana character to an external device in response to the kana character receiving unit receiving the kana character.

  According to this aspect, in response to accepting a kana character, the accepted kana character is transmitted to an external device. For this reason, the display of the input device and the display of the external device can be made the same.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, an input method includes a step of accepting an input of any of a plurality of keys to which at least one kana character is assigned, and an input of a kana character assigned to the accepted key. A step of determining a character string based on the received at least one kana character; and transmitting the determined character string to an external device.

  If this aspect is followed, the input method which can input a character into an external apparatus easily can be provided.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, an input program accepts an input of any of a plurality of keys to which at least one kana character is assigned, and inputs a kana character assigned to the accepted key. The computer is caused to execute a receiving step, a step of determining a character string based on the received at least one kana character, and a step of transmitting the determined character string to the outside.

  If this aspect is followed, the input program which can input a character into an external apparatus easily can be provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an input system according to one embodiment of the present invention. The input system includes a mobile phone 1 as an input device and a personal computer (PC) 100 as an external device for inputting characters. The mobile phone 1 and the PC 100 can perform wireless communication. Although an example of wireless communication is shown here, wired communication may be used. Since the hardware configuration of the PC 100 is well known, description thereof will not be repeated here. The PC 100 executes a driver program for inputting characters from the outside. This driver program deletes characters, for example, in accordance with the process of communicating with the mobile phone 1 on the PC 100, the process of receiving characters or commands transmitted from the mobile phone 1, the process of displaying the received characters on the display, and the command. Processes are executed.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the mobile phone according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, mobile phone 1 includes an operation side portion 3 and a display side portion 2. An operation key 14 and a microphone 13 are disposed on the inner side surface of the operation side portion 3, and a camera 24 (see FIG. 3) described later is disposed on the outer side surface opposite to the inner side surface.

  A liquid crystal display device (LCD) 16 and a first speaker 11 are disposed on the inner side surface of the display side portion 2. A second speaker 12 is disposed on the side surface of the display side portion 2. Although an example in which the mobile phone 1 includes the LCD 16 is shown here, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display may be used instead of the LCD 16.

  The operation side unit 3 and the display side unit 2 are rotatably connected by a hinge mechanism, and the operation side unit 3 and the display side unit 2 can be opened and closed. When the mobile phone 1 is folded and the operation side portion 3 and the display side portion 2 are in the closed state, the state of the mobile phone 1 is the closed style, and the mobile phone 1 is opened to open the operation side portion 3 and the display side portion. The state of the mobile phone 1 when 2 is in the open state is the open style. Whether the operation side unit 3 and the display side unit 2 are in an open state or a closed state is detected by an open / close sensor mounted on the operation side unit 3. As the open / close sensor, a proximity switch, a crimp switch, or the like can be used.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view showing details of the operation keys. Referring to FIG. 3, the operation keys 14 include a first soft key 7A, an instruction key 6, an enter key 5, a second soft key 7B, a call key 9A, a clear key 9B, an end key 9C, and a numeric keypad 8.

  The numeric keypad 8 includes ten keys representing characters 0 to 9, a key representing characters “*”, and a key representing characters “#”. A line is assigned to the key with the character “1”, a line is assigned to the key with the character “2”, and a line is assigned to the key with the character “3”. , A line corresponding to the key representing the character “4” is assigned, a line corresponding to the key representing the character “5” is assigned, and a line assigned to the key representing the character “6”. A row is assigned to the key representing the character “7”, a line is assigned to the key representing the character “8”, and a row is assigned to the key representing the character “9”. A line is assigned to the key with the character “0” assigned. Cloud keys, punctuation marks, etc. are assigned to the keys with the character “*”, and a line feed symbol is assigned to the keys with the character “#”. A plurality of kana characters or symbols are assigned to each of the numeric keys 8, and one of the plurality of kana characters or symbols is selected depending on the number of times the ten key 8 is pressed. For example, if the key with the character “1” is pressed once, the character “A” will be selected, if pressed twice, the character “I” will be selected, and if it is pressed five times, “O”. A kana character is selected.

  The first soft key 7A, the enter key 5 and the second soft key 7B are switches for instructing the buttons displayed on the LCD 16. Below the LCD 16, three buttons are displayed side by side. The button arranged on the left is the first soft key 7A, the button arranged inside is the enter key 5, and the button arranged on the right is Each corresponds to the second soft key 7B. When in the character input mode, three buttons are displayed with "conversion" on the left, "confirmed" on the inside and "alphanumeric kana" on the right to instruct the first soft key 7A to perform the conversion. Button is assigned, a button for confirming the converted character string is assigned to the decision key 5, and a button for instructing conversion to alphanumeric characters is assigned to the second soft key 7B.

  When at least one kana character is input by the numeric keypad 8, at least one input kana character is displayed on the LCD 16. When a plurality of kana characters are input with the numeric keypad 8, the plurality of kana characters are displayed on the LCD 16 in the order of input. When the first soft key to which a button for instructing conversion is assigned is pressed, the input kana character is converted into a character string. At least one kanji candidate is displayed below the LCD 16 by the conversion. A kanji candidate is a character string composed of characters of a kanji code, and is a kana, kana, kanji, or a combination of them. The instruction key is a key for selecting one of a plurality of kanji candidates.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the arrangement of instruction keys. Referring to FIG. 4, instruction key 6 includes an up arrow key 6A, a down arrow key 6B, a left arrow key 6C, and a right arrow key 6D. The instruction key 6 is used to select various menus displayed on the LCD 16, and is used to select any of a plurality of menus arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions.

  When the instruction key 6 is pressed, one kanji candidate is selected, and when the enter key 5 to which a button for confirming the character string is assigned is pressed, the selected character string is confirmed and displayed first. At least one kana character that has been replaced is replaced with a character string of the selected kanji candidate.

  The clear key 9B is a key for inputting an instruction to delete the input character or the converted character string. The end key 9C is a key for instructing the end of character input.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of an outline of functions of the mobile phone. Referring to FIG. 4, a mobile phone 1 includes a control unit 21 for controlling the entire mobile phone 1, a radio circuit 22 connected to an antenna 22A, a codec unit 28 for processing audio data, Each of the microphone 13 and the first speaker 11 connected to the codec unit 28, the tuner 23 connected to the antenna 23A, the AV decoder 29, the camera 24, the operation unit 25 that receives input of a user operation, and the LCD 16 A display control unit 30 for controlling the display of the display, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 31 used as a work area of the control unit 21, and a flash ROM (Flush Read) for storing a program executed by the control unit 21 Only Memory) 32, vibration unit 26, card interface ( I / F) 27, an external communication connection terminal 33 as a serial interface, and a communication unit 34.

  The radio circuit 22 receives the radio signal received by the antenna 22 </ b> A and outputs an audio signal obtained by demodulating the radio signal to the codec unit 28. The radio circuit 22 receives the audio signal from the codec unit 28 and outputs a radio signal obtained by modulating the audio signal to the antenna 22A. The codec unit 28 decodes the audio signal input from the radio circuit 22, converts the decoded digital audio signal to analog, amplifies it, and outputs it to the first speaker 11. The codec unit 28 receives an analog audio signal from the microphone 13, converts the audio signal to digital, encodes it, and outputs the encoded audio signal to the radio circuit 22.

  The tuner 23 is connected to the antenna 23A, and receives a broadcast signal received by the antenna 23A. The broadcast signal is a high frequency digital modulation signal including video data and audio data. The tuner 23 extracts a signal having a specific frequency from the high frequency digital modulation signal input from the antenna 23A. The tuner 23 also includes a deinterleave circuit and an error correction circuit. The tuner 23 demodulates the extracted high-frequency digital modulation signal having a specific frequency and outputs code data to the AV decoder 29. The AV decoder 29 includes a video decoder and an audio decoder, decodes the code data input from the tuner 23 to generate a video signal and an audio signal, outputs the video signal to the display control unit 30, and outputs the audio signal. D / A (digital / analog) conversion is applied to the second speaker 12. Although an example of receiving and playing back a digital television broadcast wave is shown here, an analog television broadcast wave may be received and played back. Further, instead of the television broadcast or in addition to the television broadcast, the broadcast radio wave of the radio broadcast may be received and reproduced.

  The display control unit 30 is controlled by the control unit 21 and controls the LCD 16 according to an instruction input from the control unit 21 to display an image on the LCD 16. The image displayed on the LCD 16 includes a moving image and a still image.

  The camera 24 includes a lens and a photoelectric conversion element such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor, and focuses light collected by the lens on a CMOS sensor. The CMOS sensor photoelectrically converts the received light to convert image data. Output to the control unit 21. The camera 24 is controlled by the control unit 21, starts imaging in response to an instruction from the control unit 21, and outputs the obtained still image data or moving image data to the control unit 21. The camera 24 includes an image processing circuit that executes image processing for improving the image quality of photoelectrically converted image data, and an A / D conversion circuit that converts image data from analog to digital. The control unit 21 outputs the still image data or moving image data output from the camera 24 to the display control unit 30 and displays the still image data or moving image data on the LCD 16 or encodes the still image data or moving image data using the compression encoding method, and the flash ROM 32. Or it memorize | stores in the memory card 27A with which card | curd I / F27 was mounted | worn. Thereby, the video content is recorded on the memory card 27A.

  The operation unit 25 includes operation keys 14 and a key backlight 25A. The operation key 14 receives an operation input from the user and outputs the received operation to the control unit 21. The key backlight 25A emits light under the control of the control unit 21.

  A removable memory card 27A is attached to the card I / F 27. The memory card 27A is, for example, CompactFlash, SmartMedia (registered trademark), SD (Secure Digital) / MiniSD / MicroSD memory card, memory stick, MMC (MultiMedia Card), xD picture card, and the like.

  The communication unit 34 communicates with the PC 100 and can transmit and receive data. The communication medium may be wireless or wired. In the case of wireless communication, any of electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared rays, etc. may be used.

  The control unit 21 can access the memory card 27A via the card I / F 27. When video content is recorded on the memory card 27A, the control unit 21 reads the video content from the memory card 27A and outputs code data included in the video content to the AV decoder 29. The AV decoder 29 decodes the code data input from the control unit 21 to generate a video signal and an audio signal, outputs the video signal to the display control unit 30, and D / A converts the audio signal to perform the second speaker. 12 is given. Thereby, the video content is reproduced.

  Here, an example in which a program to be executed by the control unit 21 is stored in the flash ROM 32 will be described. However, the program is stored in the memory card 27A, the program is read from the memory card 27A, and the control unit 21 is read out. May be executed. The recording medium for storing the program is not limited to the memory card 27A, but is a flexible disk, a cassette tape, an optical disk (CD-ROM (Compact Disc-ROM) / MO (Magnetic Optical Disc) / MD (Mini Disc) / DVD (Digital). Versatile Disc)), an optical card, a semiconductor memory such as a mask ROM, an EPROM, or the like. Alternatively, the mobile phone 1 may be connected to the Internet via the wireless circuit 22, and a program may be downloaded from a computer connected to the Internet and executed by the control unit 21. The program here includes not only a program directly executable by the control unit 21 but also a source program, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

  FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing an example of an outline of functions of the control unit together with data stored in the flash ROM. Referring to FIG. 5, in flash ROM 32, dictionary 71 for kanji conversion, association of kana characters with previously determined character strings, and determined character strings and character strings determined next to them are stored. The history information 73 for storing the association is stored. The control unit 21 transmits the determined character string, the key receiving unit 51 for receiving any input of the operation key 14, the character string determining unit 57 for determining the character string based on the kana character. And a transmission unit 55. The dictionary 71 includes, in addition to a dictionary stored in the mobile phone 1 in advance, such as a dictionary for kanji conversion, a dictionary downloaded and installed later by the user from the Internet. For example, a dictionary that converts to Kansai dialect.

  When the operation key 14 is pressed, the key receiving unit 51 receives a signal assigned to the operation key 14. Key reception unit 51 outputs the received signal to transmission unit 55 and character string determination unit 57.

  The key receiving unit 51 includes a kana character receiving unit 53. When the ten key 8 of the operation key 14 is pressed, the kana character accepting unit 53 selects one of a plurality of kana characters assigned to the ten key 8. One of a plurality of kana characters is selected based on the number of times the same numeric keypad 8 is continuously pressed a plurality of times. If the key representing the character “1” is pressed once, “A” is selected, if it is pressed twice, “Yes” is selected, and if “5” is pressed, “O” is selected. Select. The kana character accepting unit 53 outputs the accepted kana character to the transmitting unit 55 and the character string determining unit 57.

  The character string determination unit 57 includes a kanji conversion unit 61 and a prediction conversion unit 63. The kanji conversion unit 61 refers to the dictionary 71 stored in the flash ROM 32 and converts the kana character input from the kana character receiving unit 53 into a character string. The character string includes kanji. The term “kanji” as used herein refers to a character to which a kanji code is assigned, and includes double-byte hiragana, kanji, katakana, numbers, alphabetic characters, symbols, external characters, and combinations thereof. When a plurality of kana characters are continuously input from the kana character receiving unit 53, the kanji conversion unit 61 converts the plurality of kana characters into a character string.

  When a plurality of kanji candidates are associated with the dictionary 71 corresponding to at least one kana character, the kanji conversion unit 61 displays the plurality of kanji candidates side by side on the LCD 16. When any one of a plurality of kanji candidates is selected by the instruction key 6 and the determination key 5 is pressed, the kanji conversion unit 61 converts the kanji candidate selected when the determination key 5 is pressed into a character string. Determine and output to the transmitter 55.

  The kanji conversion unit 61 stores the kanji candidate selected when the determination key 5 was pressed in the past and at least one kana character in the flash ROM 32 in association with each other. That is, the kanji conversion unit 61 has a learning function. When a plurality of kanji candidates are associated with the dictionary 71 corresponding to at least one kana character, the kanji conversion unit 61 displays a plurality of kanji candidates side by side on the LCD 16, but the order of arranging the plurality of kanji candidates is as follows. In the past, kanji candidates stored in the flash ROM 32 in association with at least one kana character are preferentially arranged. For this reason, it is possible to easily select the same character string as the character string converted according to the same kana character input in the past or the arrangement of a plurality of kana characters.

  In addition, the kanji conversion unit 61 can store the kana character designated by the user and the character string designated by the user in the flash ROM 32 in association with each other. For example, a character string that is not registered in the dictionary 71 such as a person's name is stored in association with a kana character. Thus, when a kana character designated by the user is input, the kanji conversion unit 61 displays a character string associated with the kana character as a kanji candidate.

  The prediction conversion unit 63 refers to the history information 73 stored in the flash ROM 32 and converts the kana character input from the kana character reception unit 53 into a character string. The character string includes kanji and includes clauses or sentences. The history information 73 associates a character string previously determined by the character string determination unit 57 or the kanji conversion unit 61 with at least one character used to determine the character string. When a plurality of kana characters are continuously input from the kana character receiving unit 53, the prediction conversion unit 63 converts the plurality of kana characters into a character string associated with the kana characters by the history information 73.

  When a plurality of character strings are associated with the history information 73 corresponding to at least one kana character, the prediction conversion unit 63 displays the plurality of character strings side by side on the LCD 16. When any one of a plurality of character strings is selected by the instruction key 6 and the determination key 5 is pressed, the predictive conversion unit 63 determines the character string selected when the determination key 5 is pressed and transmits it. To the unit 55.

  Further, when the determination key 55 is pressed and the character string is determined, the prediction conversion unit 63 converts the determined character string into a character string with reference to the history information 73 stored in the flash ROM 32. The history information 73 associates a character string previously determined by the Kanji conversion unit 61 or the character string determination unit 57 with a character string determined next to the character string. When a plurality of character strings are associated with the history information 73 corresponding to the determined character string, the predictive conversion unit 63 displays the plurality of character strings side by side on the LCD 16. When any one of a plurality of character strings is selected by the instruction key 6 and the determination key 5 is pressed, the predictive conversion unit 63 determines the character string selected when the determination key 5 is pressed and transmits it. To the unit 55. At this time, the history information 73 is updated. Thus, according to the predictive conversion unit 63, when a character string is converted, a character string candidate determined next to the character string in the past is displayed in a selectable manner, so that the user inputs a kana character. It is possible to input a character string without any problem.

  The character string determination unit 57 determines information included in the address book stored in the flash ROM 32 as a character string and outputs the character string to the transmission unit 55. When the user inputs an instruction to refer to the address book, the address book is displayed on the LCD 16, and when an instruction to specify a part of the displayed address book is input, the specified part is determined as a character string. Thereby, the information in the address book owned by the individual user of the mobile phone 1 can be determined as a character string.

  The transmission unit 55 transmits the character string determined by the character string determination unit 57 to the PC 100. Thus, when the PC 100 receives the character string from the mobile phone 1, the PC 100 displays the character string on the display. In addition, when a kana character is input from the kana character receiving unit 53, the transmission unit 55 transmits the input kana character to the PC 100. The PC 100 can display the input characters.

  6 and 7 are flowcharts showing an example of the flow of character input processing. The character input process is a process executed by the control unit 21 when the control unit 21 of the mobile phone 1 executes an input program. With reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the control part 21 connects with PC100 which is an external apparatus, and establishes communication (S01). And it will be in a standby state until it receives any input of the operation key 14 (NO in step S02), and if any of the operation keys 14 is received, the process proceeds to step S03.

  In step S03, it is determined whether the signal corresponding to the input key is a kana character. If it is a kana character, the process proceeds to step S04; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S14. In step S04, the accepted characters are stored in the buffer and displayed on the LCD 16. If a kana character is already displayed on the LCD 16, it is displayed at a position next to the kana character. In step S05, one character accepted in step S02 is transmitted to PC 100. Thereby, one character is displayed on the PC 100.

  In step S06, predictive conversion is executed. With reference to the history information 73 of the flash ROM 32, the history information 73 including at least one kana character stored in the buffer is extracted. If even one piece of such history information is stored, a character string associated with at least one kana character stored in the buffer and the history information 73 is displayed on the LCD 16 as a prediction candidate (step S07). The history information 73 stores the date and time when the prediction candidate is stored for each prediction candidate, and when there are a plurality of prediction candidates, the prediction candidates whose date and time are close to the current date and time are displayed preferentially. In addition, the prediction candidates may be stored in the order in which they are stored, and when there are a plurality of prediction candidates, they may be displayed in order from the prediction candidates stored later.

  In the next step S08, it is determined whether or not one of the prediction candidates displayed on the LCD 16 has been selected. Judgment is made based on whether or not the decision key 5 is pressed. If determination key 5 is pressed and any one of at least one prediction candidate is selected, the process proceeds to step S09; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S14. In step S09, at least one kana character stored in the buffer is replaced with the determined prediction candidate, and the prediction candidate is displayed on the LCD 16. As a result, the selected prediction candidate is displayed on the LCD 16. For this reason, the user can input the character string of the prediction candidate before inputting all the reading candidates of the prediction candidate.

  In the next step S10, the character string stored in the buffer is transmitted to the PC 100. Thus, the character string of the prediction candidate is displayed on the PC 100. In the PC 100, when a kana character is displayed, the kana character is replaced with a prediction candidate and displayed. Since the prediction candidate is transmitted when the prediction candidate is determined, the display content of the mobile phone 1 and the display content of the PC 100 can be synchronized.

  Then, predictive conversion is performed based on the character string stored in the buffer (step S11). With reference to the history information 73 in the flash ROM 32, the history information 73 including the character string stored in the buffer is extracted. If at least one such history information is stored, the character string stored in the buffer and the character string associated with the history information 73 are displayed on the LCD 16 as prediction candidates (step S12). The character string displayed here is a character string determined next to the character string previously determined by the character string determining unit 57. When a plurality of character strings are associated with the history information 73 corresponding to the determined character string, the predictive conversion unit 63 displays the plurality of character strings side by side on the LCD 16. The history information 73 stores the date and time when the prediction candidate is stored for each prediction candidate, and when there are a plurality of prediction candidates, the prediction candidates whose date and time are close to the current date and time are displayed preferentially. In addition, the prediction candidates may be stored in the order in which they are stored, and when there are a plurality of prediction candidates, they may be displayed in order from the prediction candidates stored later.

  In the next step S13, the buffer is cleared, and the process returns to step S08. This is because a new kana character to be subjected to the next predictive conversion or kanji conversion is stored. When the process proceeds from step S13 to step S08, when any one of a plurality of character strings is selected by the instruction key 6 and the determination key 5 is pressed, the character string selected when the determination key 5 is pressed. Are stored in the buffer, and the prediction candidates are displayed on the LCD 16 (step S09). As a result, the selected prediction candidate is displayed on the LCD 16. For this reason, the user can input the character string of a prediction candidate, without inputting a kana character.

  In the next step S10, the character string stored in the buffer is transmitted to the PC 100, so that the prediction candidate character string is displayed on the PC 100. For this reason, the display content of the mobile phone 1 and the display content of the PC 100 can be synchronized.

  On the other hand, in step S14, it is determined whether a kanji conversion instruction has been accepted. If a kanji conversion instruction is accepted, the process proceeds to step S15; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S21. In step S15, referring to the dictionary 71 stored in the flash ROM 32, the kana characters stored in the buffer are converted into kanji. Specifically, the character string associated with at least one kana character stored in the buffer is extracted with reference to the dictionary 71 of the flash ROM 32. If even one such character string is extracted, all the extracted character strings are displayed on the LCD 16 as kanji candidates (step S16). When a plurality of character strings are extracted in the past, a character string determined in the past among the plurality of character strings is preferentially displayed on the LCD 16. Thereby, it becomes easy to input the same character string as the character string input in the past.

  In the next step S17, it is determined whether or not any one of the Chinese character candidates displayed on the LCD 16 has been selected. Judgment is made based on whether or not the decision key 5 is pressed. If determination key 5 is pressed and any one of at least one Chinese character candidate is determined, the process proceeds to step S18; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S21. In step S18, at least one kana character stored in the buffer is replaced with the determined kanji candidate, and the kanji candidate is displayed on the LCD 16. Thereby, the converted kanji candidates are displayed on the LCD 16. In step S19, the character string of the determined kanji candidate stored in the buffer is transmitted to the PC 100. Thereby, the character string of the determined kanji candidate is displayed on the PC 100. In the next step S20, the buffer is cleared and the process proceeds to step S21. This is because a new kana character to be subjected to the next predictive conversion or kanji conversion is stored.

  In step S21, it is determined whether a copy and paste instruction has been accepted. If a copy and paste instruction has been accepted, the process proceeds to step S22; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S25. The copy and paste instruction is an instruction for duplicating and pasting at least some characters from the already determined character string. In step S22, the newly pasted character string is stored in the buffer, and the newly pasted character string is displayed on the LCD 16. As a result, the copied character string is displayed on the LCD 16. In the next step S23, the character string stored in the buffer is transmitted to the PC 100. As a result, the character string designated by the copy and paste instruction is displayed on the PC 100. In the next step S24, the buffer is cleared, and the process proceeds to step S25. This is because a new kana character to be subjected to the next predictive conversion or kanji conversion is stored.

  In step S25, it is determined whether an address book reference instruction has been accepted. If an address book reference instruction is accepted, the process proceeds to step S26; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S29. The address book reference instruction is an instruction to paste a part of the address book stored in the flash ROM 32 in advance. The address book includes a name, a telephone number, and an e-mail address for each person.

  In step S26, a part of the newly referred address book is stored in the buffer, and a part of the newly referred address book is displayed on the LCD 16. Thereby, a part of the character string of the referenced address book is displayed on the LCD 16. In the next step S27, a part of the address book stored in the buffer is transmitted to the PC 100. Thereby, a part of the referenced address book is displayed on the PC 100. In the next step S28, the buffer is cleared and the process proceeds to step S29. This is because a new kana character to be subjected to predictive conversion or kanji conversion is stored.

  In step S29, it is determined whether a deletion instruction has been accepted. The deletion instruction is an instruction for deleting a part of the already input characters, and is input by pressing the clear key 9B, for example. When the deletion instruction is accepted, the changed character obtained by deleting the specified character from the characters displayed on the LCD 16 is displayed (step S30). When the clear key 9B is pressed, the display is immediately switched to the display of the changed character, so that the user can be notified that the deletion instruction has been accepted.

  In step S31, a delete command is transmitted to PC 100. The delete command includes a character to be deleted and position information of the character. The position information is information indicating the position of the character displayed on the LCD 16, for example, the number of characters from the beginning. Thereby, the displayed characters can be deleted on the PC 100, and the display content on the mobile phone 1 can be synchronized with the display content on the PC 100.

  In step S32, it is determined whether or not the input of characters has been completed. Specifically, it is determined whether or not pressing of the end key 9C is detected. If it is detected that end key 9C has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S33; otherwise, the process returns to step S02. In step S33, the communication connection established with the PC 100 is released. Specifically, the communication is disconnected.

  In the present embodiment, the prediction candidate is selected (YES in S08), and when the character string for converting the kana character is determined, the character string is transmitted to the PC 100 (S10). The determined character string may be transmitted when the determined number of character strings reaches a predetermined number, or when a predetermined time has elapsed. Further, a confirmed character string may be transmitted in response to receiving a request from the PC 100. This also makes it possible to synchronize the display between the mobile phone 1 and the PC 100.

<Modification>
In the embodiment described above, the mobile phone 1 is provided with the conversion engine for converting kana characters into kanji, but the kanji conversion engine provided in the PC 100 may be used. Normally, the kanji conversion engine provided in the PC 100 can perform advanced conversion compared to the kanji conversion engine provided in the mobile phone 1. Since the mobile phone in the modification uses the kanji conversion engine provided in the PC 100, the selection variation increases and the input of kanji becomes easy.

  FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing an example of an outline of functions of the control unit in the modification together with data stored in the flash ROM. Referring to FIG. 8, the difference from the function of control unit 21 shown in FIG. 5 is that conversion request unit 67 and conversion candidate reception unit 69 are added, and candidate display unit 65 is added to character string determination unit 57A. This is an added point. Since other configurations have been described above, description thereof will not be repeated here.

  The conversion request unit 67 receives a kana character from the kana character receiving unit 53 and transmits an instruction to convert the input kana character to the PC 100. The PC 100 stores the kana characters that have been received from the transmission unit 55 so far, and when receiving the conversion instruction from the conversion request unit 67, the PC 100 stores all the kana characters stored corresponding to the kana characters. The Chinese character candidate is returned to the mobile phone 1. Here, kanji candidates returned by the PC 100 are referred to as external conversion candidates.

  The conversion candidate receiving unit 69 receives at least one external conversion candidate from the PC 100 when the conversion request unit 67 transmits a conversion request. The conversion candidate receiving unit 69 outputs the received at least one external conversion candidate to the candidate display unit 65.

  The candidate display unit 65 displays at least one external conversion candidate input from the conversion request unit 67 on the LCD 16, and accepts any one selection from at least one external conversion candidate by the instruction key 6. When the determination key 5 is pressed, the external conversion candidate selected at that time is determined as a character string, and the determined character string is output to the transmission unit 55.

  FIG. 9 is a part of a flowchart showing an example of a character input process in the modification. Referring to FIG. 9, steps S01 to S15 have been described with reference to FIG. 6, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated here.

  In step S15, referring to the dictionary 71 stored in the flash ROM 32, the kana characters stored in the buffer are converted into kanji. Thereby, conversion candidates are extracted. In the next step S15A, a kanji conversion request is transmitted to the PC 100. Specifically, an instruction to convert Kana characters stored in the buffer to Kanji is transmitted to the PC 100. And the external conversion candidate which is a result of a Kanji conversion is received from PC100 (step S15B). In the next step S16A, all the conversion candidates extracted as a result of the Kanji conversion in step S15 and the external conversion candidates received in step S15B are displayed on the LCD 16. Any one of the conversion candidates and the external conversion candidates that are the same may be displayed. When a plurality of return candidates and external conversion candidate character strings are extracted, a character string determined in the past among the plurality of character strings is preferentially displayed on the LCD 16. Thereby, it becomes easy to input the same character string as the character string input in the past.

  In step S17A, it is determined whether one of the conversion candidates displayed on LCD 16 and the external conversion candidate has been selected. Judgment is made based on whether or not the decision key 5 is pressed. If determination key 5 is pressed and one of at least one conversion candidate and external conversion candidate is determined, the process proceeds to step S18; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S21.

  Since the processing after step S18 is the same as that shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the description thereof will not be repeated here.

  In the present embodiment, the mobile phone 1 has been described as an example of an input device. However, the invention is described as an input method or an input program for causing a computer to execute the input processing shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 7, or FIG. Needless to say, it can be captured.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

<Appendix>
(1) The input device according to claim 6, wherein the transmission unit transmits the determined character string when the character string is determined by the character string determination unit.
(2) The input device according to claim 4, wherein the transmission unit transmits the determined character string when the number of character strings determined by the character string determination unit reaches a predetermined number.
(3) The input device according to claim 6, wherein the transmission unit transmits the determined character string when a predetermined time elapses.
(4) The character string determination unit converts the at least one kana character into a kanji and selects at least one kanji candidate;
External kanji candidate receiving means for transmitting the at least one kana character to an external conversion device and receiving at least one external kanji candidate obtained by converting the at least one kana character by the external device;
The input device according to claim 1, further comprising: a selection receiving unit that displays at least one of the Chinese character candidates and at least one of the external Chinese character candidates and receives any one of the selections.

It is a figure which shows an example of the input system in one of the embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the mobile telephone in this Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the detail of an operation key. It is a figure which shows arrangement | positioning of an instruction | indication key. It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of the outline | summary of the function of a control part with the data memorize | stored in flash ROM. It is a 1st flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a character input process. It is a 2nd flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a character input process. It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of the outline | summary of the function of the control part in a modification with the data memorize | stored in flash ROM. It is a part of flowchart which shows an example of the character input process in a modification.

Explanation of symbols

  1 mobile phone, 2 display side, 3 operation side, 4 communication unit, 5 enter key, 6 instruction key, 6A up arrow key, 6B down arrow key, 6C left arrow key, 6D right arrow key, 7A 1st software Key, 7B second soft key, 8 numeric keypad, 9A call key, 9B clear key, 9C end key, 11 first speaker, 12 second speaker, 13 microphone, 14 operation keys, 21 control unit, 22 radio circuit, 22A antenna 23 tuner, 23A antenna, 24 camera, 25 operation unit, 25A key backlight, 26 vibration unit, 27 card I / F, 27A memory card, 28 codec unit, 29 AV decoder, 30 display control unit, 33 external communication connection Terminal, 51 key reception unit, 53 kana character reception unit, 55 transmission unit, 57, 57A Parts, 61 kanji conversion unit, 63 prediction conversion unit, 65 candidate display unit 67 converts the request unit, 69 conversion candidate receiving unit, 71 dictionary, 73 historical information.

Claims (9)

Key input receiving means for receiving an input of any of a plurality of keys to which at least one kana character is assigned;
A kana character accepting means for accepting an input of a kana character assigned to the accepted key;
A character string determining means for determining a character string based on at least one accepted kana character;
An input device comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit the determined character string to an external device.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein the character string determination unit includes a kanji conversion unit that converts at least one kana character into a character string of a kanji code. The character string determination means converts the at least one kana character into a character string of a kanji code and selects candidate selection means for selecting at least one candidate;
The input device according to claim 1, further comprising: a selection receiving unit that displays at least one of the candidates rearranged based on a past conversion history, and receives any one of the selections. The character string determining means transmits the at least one kana character to the external device, and the external device receives from the external device at least one external candidate obtained by converting the at least one kana character. Kanji candidate receiving means;
The input device according to claim 1, further comprising: an external selection receiving unit that displays the received at least one external candidate and receives any one selection. History storage means for storing a history of associating at least one kana character with the character string determined by the character string determination means;
The character string determining means includes a character string display means for displaying a character string associated with the received kana character by the history;
Selecting means for accepting selection of the displayed character string;
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits the selected character string to the external device.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits the determined character string to the external device at a predetermined timing.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting unit further transmits the accepted kana character to the external device in response to the kana character being accepted by the kana character accepting unit. Receiving one of a plurality of keys to which at least one kana character is assigned;
Receiving an input of a kana character assigned to the received key;
Determining a string based on at least one accepted kana character;
Transmitting the determined character string to an external device. Receiving one of a plurality of keys to which at least one kana character is assigned;
Receiving an input of a kana character assigned to the received key;
Determining a string based on at least one accepted kana character;
An input program for causing a computer to execute the step of transmitting the determined character string to an external device.

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