JP2014238705A - Input device, input method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable input operation with improved user convenience.SOLUTION: There is provided an input device including an input control unit that receives, according to the operation to keys or pictograms displayed on at least one of a key pad area and a prediction candidate display area, the input of the character of the operated key or the operated pictogram, the operation being performed to a touch screen that can display pictograms having a plurality of attributes in a mixed state in a prediction candidate display area different from a key pad area; a storage unit that stores operation history information indicating a history of the operation to the pictograms in a history table for prediction candidates; and a display control unit that displays the predetermined number of pictograms selected from the pictograms having a plurality of attributes in the prediction candidate display area on the basis of the operation history information stored in the history table for prediction candidates.

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device, an input method, and a program.

  In a device equipped with a touch panel or a touch pad, a user inputs characters or the like using a touch screen. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a key input method for operating a character input key on a touch screen.

  For example, when creating an e-mail message, it is assumed that pictographs and the like are input in addition to normal characters (Hiragana, Kanji, Katakana). In the keypad area of the touch screen, a pictograph, emoticon, and symbol list can be switched and displayed separately from the character input key to input pictograms and the like from the list.

JP 2012-243014 A

  However, when inputting pictograms or the like, the user needs to operate a specific key for switching to a screen for a list of pictograms or the like. That is, the user needs to know in advance that when a specific key is operated, the screen is switched to a list of characters, emoticons, and symbols.

  Also, searching for a favorite pictogram, emoticon or symbol from a list of pictograms or the like may take time due to the large amount of information displayed in the list.

  In view of the above problems, an object of one aspect is to provide an input operation with improved user convenience.

In order to solve the above problem, according to one aspect,
An operation on a touch screen capable of displaying a plurality of pictograms having a plurality of attributes in a prediction candidate display area different from the keypad area, and is displayed in at least one of the keypad area and the prediction candidate display area An input control unit that inputs characters of the operated key or the operated pictogram in response to an operation on the operated key or pictogram;
A storage unit that stores operation history information indicating a history of operations on the pictogram in the prediction candidate history table;
A display control unit that displays a predetermined number of pictograms selected from the pictograms of the plurality of attributes in the prediction candidate display area based on the operation history information stored in the prediction candidate history table;
An input device is provided.

  According to one embodiment, an input operation with improved user convenience can be provided.

The figure which showed the screen example of the smart phone which concerns on one Embodiment. The figure which showed the function structural example of the smart phone which concerns on one Embodiment. The figure which showed the example history table for lists which concerns on one Embodiment. The figure which showed the example history table for prediction candidates which concerns on one Embodiment. The flowchart for performing the input process which concerns on one Embodiment. The figure for demonstrating the input operation which concerns on one Embodiment, and the display of a pictogram. The figure which showed the other example of the log | history table for prediction candidates which concerns on one Embodiment. The flowchart for performing the input process which concerns on one Embodiment. The figure which showed the hardware structural example of the smart phone which concerns on one Embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in this specification and drawing, about the substantially same structure, the duplicate description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol.

[Screen example]
First, a screen example of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 shows a screen example of a smartphone as an example. Below, it demonstrates using the smart phone 1 as an example of an electronic device. However, the electronic device is not limited to the smartphone 1 and may be any information device as long as it has a touch panel or a touch pad and has a function capable of recognizing a user's operation on the touch screen. For example, the electronic device may be a PC (Personal Computer), a tablet terminal, a mobile phone, a portable music player, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable game device, and other web devices. The electronic device may be a printer, a digital home appliance, or the like.

  In the present embodiment, the smartphone 1 has a touch panel (not shown) provided on the main body 10 and a touch screen 11 arranged behind the touch panel. The smartphone 1 inputs characters or the like in response to touching or pressing on the touch screen 11. As the touch screen 11, a liquid crystal display (LCD: Liquid Crystal Display), an organic electroluminescence display (organic EL, OELD: Organic Electroluminescence Display), or the like can be used.

  On the touch screen 11, for example, display areas of a keypad area 12, an input prediction candidate display area 15, and an input display area 16 are provided from the bottom of the screen.

  In the keypad area 12, as an example of a software keyboard, for example, a character input key 13 is displayed in the center, and function keys 14 are displayed on the left and right. In the smartphone 1 according to the present embodiment, characters can be input using the character input key 13.

  For example, in the toggle input, the character input key “A”, “KA”, “SA”,... Divided into 3 × 4 key areas is repeatedly tapped (hereinafter referred to as a tap operation). This is a method of inputting characters according to the number of taps in any of the tapped lines “a”, “ka”, “sa”. For example, in toggle input, “A” is input when the “A” key is tapped once, “I” is input when tapped twice, and “U” is input when tapped three times.

  In the input prediction candidate display area 15, prediction candidate characters are displayed in response to an operation on the character input key 13. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the character input key 13 is pressed in the order of “A” → “SA”, and “Asa”, “Asahi”, “Morning”, “Asahi” are displayed in the input prediction candidate display area 15. ”And“ Sun mark ”are displayed. Here, the sun mark 17s is an example of a pictograph. In the input display area 16, the character “ASA” is displayed. Here, since the input is not yet confirmed, the character “ASA” is underlined.

  In the input display area 16, characters corresponding to operations on the character input keys 13 are displayed. For example, when the user selects a desired character from the input prediction candidate display area 15, the input of the character displayed in the input display area 16 is confirmed. For example, when the user selects “morning” from the input prediction candidate display area 15, “morning” is displayed in the input display area 16.

[Function configuration example]
Next, a functional configuration example of the smartphone according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 shows a functional configuration example of the smartphone according to the present embodiment.

  The smartphone 1 includes a position detection unit 21, an input control unit 22, a display control unit 23, a storage unit 24, and a selection unit 25. The functions of the input device 101 according to the present embodiment are realized by the input control unit 22, the display control unit 23, the storage unit 24, and the selection unit 25.

  The position detection unit 21 detects which position in the keypad area 12 or the input prediction candidate display area 15 has been operated based on the contact position of the finger on the touch panel of the touch screen 11.

  The input control unit 22 controls input of characters and the like according to the detected operation. For example, the input control unit 22 inputs a character corresponding to the detected operation on the character input key 13. In addition, when the display screen is switched to a screen of a list of pictograms, emoticons, symbols, and the like, the input control unit 22 inputs a pictogram and the like according to an operation on the list of pictograms and the like.

  The display control unit 23 switches and displays software keys including character input keys 13 and function keys 14 and a list of pictograms such as pictograms in the keypad area 12 of the touch screen 11. The display control unit 23 switches the display to a pictogram list screen according to a specific operation, for example, an operation to the detected function key 14.

  A pictogram is one of visual symbols (signs) displayed to indicate some information such as emotion that is difficult to express with letters. The pictogram can include at least four visual symbols of “pictogram”, “emoticon”, “symbol”, and “decome (registered trademark) pictogram”. In the following description, pictograms having three attributes of pictograms, emoticons, and symbols are used as examples of pictograms.

  The display control unit 23 can display a plurality of pictograms having a plurality of attributes in the prediction candidate display area 17 different from the keypad area 12. In the prediction candidate display area 17, a predetermined number of pictograms selected from at least pictograms, emoticons, and symbols are displayed. The predetermined number is not only the number of pictograms that can be displayed in the prediction candidate display area 17 on the keypad area 12 as shown in FIG. 1, but also the prediction candidate display area 17 as shown in FIG. May be the number of pictograms that can be displayed in the prediction candidate display area 17 when the prediction candidate display area 17 is opened. The display position of the prediction candidate display area 17 may be the same as or different from the display position of the input prediction candidate display area 15.

  The storage unit 24 stores operation history information indicating a history of operations on the pictogram. 3 and 4 show examples of tables storing pictogram operation history information. FIG. 3 shows a list history table 24a, and FIG. 4 shows a prediction candidate history table 24b.

  The storage unit 24 stores pictogram operation history information for each attribute of pictograms, emoticons, and symbols in the list history table 24a.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the storage unit 24 stores operation history information of three attributes of pictographs, emoticons, and symbols for each attribute and stores them in the list history table 24a. For example, in the list history table 24a, operation history information of pictograms is stored in order from the most recently used pictogram for pictogram attributes. For example, when a pictograph of a note is newly operated, the storage unit 24 stores it at the top (No. 1) of the attribute of the pictograph. As a result, the pictograms stored in order from the top of the pictogram attributes are stored in the second and subsequent pictogram attributes. Similarly, for the emoticons, the storage unit 24 stores the emoticons in the list history table 24a in order from the most recently used emoticon. Similarly, for the symbols, the storage unit 24 stores the symbols in the list history table 24a in order from the most recently used symbol.

  In addition, the prediction candidate history table 24b shown in FIG. 4 stores pictogram operation history information in which pictograms, emoticons, and symbols are mixed. That is, the storage unit 24 stores operation history information in which pictograms, emoticons, and symbols are mixed. For example, when a pictograph of a note is newly operated, the storage unit 24 stores the pictograph at the head (No. 1) as a pictogram 24b1 used most recently. As a result, the pictograms 24b2, 24b3,... Stored in order from the top are stored with being shifted one by one from the second. The pictogram may include pictograms of other attributes such as Decome (registered trademark) pictograms.

  The selection unit 25 selects a predetermined number of pictograms to be displayed in the prediction candidate display area 17 from a plurality of attribute pictograms based on the operation history information stored in the storage unit 24. The selection unit 25 may select a predetermined number of pictograms in order from the operation history pictogram stored in the head (No. 1) based on the operation history information stored in the prediction candidate history table 24b of FIG. .

  Therefore, pictograms having a plurality of attributes such as pictographs, emoticons, and symbols can be displayed in the prediction candidate display area 17 based on the operation history information. However, the predetermined number of operation history information stored in the prediction candidate history table 24b may be all pictograms having the same attribute. In that case, all the pictograms displayed in the prediction candidate display area 17 at that time have the same attribute.

[Input processing example 1]
Next, an input processing sequence according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for executing input processing according to an embodiment.

  For example, when the user taps one of the character input keys 13 in the keypad area 12 shown in FIG. 1, the input process according to the present embodiment is started.

  At that time, first, the position detection unit 21 detects which key of the character input key 13 is tapped based on the contact position of the finger on the touch panel of the touch screen 11. The input control unit 22 inputs the character at the position of the detected tap operation (step S10). For example, in the input display area 16 shown in FIG. 6A, the “ka”, “ta”, and “wa” keys of the character input key 13 are tapped, converted into katakana, and “Kitter” is input. An example is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 1, when input prediction candidate characters, pictograms, symbols, etc. are displayed in the input prediction candidate display area 15 (step S12), and the user taps the pictogram A (here, the pictogram 17s), The input control unit 22 inputs the pictogram A (step S14).

  Next, the storage unit 24 updates the operation history information stored in the prediction candidate history table 24b (step S16). That is, the storage unit 24 stores the pictogram A at the head of the prediction candidate history table 24b. For example, when the inputted pictogram A is a smiley face, the pictogram A is placed at the head (No. 1) of the emoticon attribute in the list history table 24a and the head (No. 1) of the prediction candidate history table 24b. Remembered. In addition, operation of step S18 and step S28 is mentioned later.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, when the user presses the numeric key 14a in the keypad area 12 (step S20), the position detection unit 21 detects that the numeric key 14a is pressed. Based on the detection result, the display control unit 23 switches the character input key 13 in the keypad area 12 from a character to a number (numeric keypad) as shown in FIG. 6B (step S22). The display control unit 23 displays pictograms such as pictograms, emoticons, symbols, etc. in the prediction candidate display area 17 (step S22). Specifically, the display control unit 23 stores a predetermined number of pictograms in the prediction candidate display area 17 from the top of the prediction candidate history table 24b of FIG. 4 based on the operation history information stored in the prediction candidate history table 24b. Is displayed. Therefore, the pictogram used most recently at that time is displayed at the top of the pictogram, and the pictogram used more recently is displayed earlier.

  Here, when the user taps the pictogram A, the input control unit 22 inputs the pictogram A (step S14). For example, when the user taps the emoticon 17a displayed in the prediction candidate display area 17 in FIG. 6B, the input control unit 22 inputs the emoticon 17a. As a result, as shown in the input display area 16 of FIG. 6C, the emoticon 17a is input after “Kitter”. Next, the storage unit 24 updates the operation history information stored in the prediction candidate history table 24b (step S16). As a result, the emoticon 17a is stored at the head of the prediction candidate history table 24b.

  In addition, when the operation history information illustrated in FIG. 7A is stored in the prediction candidate history table 24b, when the user taps the heart pictogram 24b4, the input control unit 22 inputs the pictogram 24b4. To do. At this time, the storage unit 24 updates the operation history information stored in the prediction candidate history table 24b. As a result, the fifth pictogram 24b4 stored in the prediction candidate history table 24b is stored at the head of the prediction candidate history table 24b as shown in FIG. 7B.

  Returning to FIG. 5, next, the position detection unit 21 determines whether the clear key is pressed (step S18). For example, in FIG. 6D, the clear key 17f is indicated by “Clear”.

  If it is determined that the clear key has not been pressed, this processing ends. At this time, the prediction candidate history table 24b remains in a state where the operation history information shown in FIG. 7B is stored.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S18 that the clear key has been pressed, the display of the character immediately before the cursor in the input display area 16 is deleted. The storage unit 24 does not update the operation history information stored in the prediction candidate history table 24b (step S28). That is, the storage unit 24 stores the operation history information stored in the prediction candidate history table 24b immediately before the update process in step S16 is performed.

  For example, if the character in front of the cursor in the input display area 16 is a “heart” pictogram, the operation history information stored in the prediction candidate history table 24b is the time when the “heart” pictogram is input. The state changes from FIG. 7A to the state of FIG. 7B, and the pictograph 24b4 of “heart” is stored at the head.

  In this state, when the clear key is pressed in step S18 of FIG. 5, the display control unit 23 determines that this operation is a cancel request from the user, cancels the input of the “heart” pictogram, and displays the input display area. The display of the pictograph of “heart” immediately before the cursor is deleted from 16. At the same time, the operation history information stored in the prediction candidate history table 24b returns from the state shown in FIG. 7B to the state shown in FIG. 7A, and the “heart” pictogram 24b4 is moved to the original position (FIG. 7B). The position immediately before the head position shown in FIG. That is, in step S28 in FIG. 5, the operation history information is not updated.

  Next, in step 24 of FIG. 5, as shown in FIG. 6B, the user presses the pictograph / symbol key 14 b in the keypad area 12. In that case, the position detector 21 detects that the pictograph / symbol key 14b has been pressed. Based on the detection result, the display control unit 23 switches the keypad area 12 to a list screen for each attribute (pictogram, emoticon, symbol) of the three attribute pictograms as shown in FIG. S26). At this time, “Kitter” is displayed in the input display area 16 regardless of the display of the input display area 16 in FIG.

  In FIG. 6D, a list screen of pictograms, emoticons, and symbols is displayed in a switchable manner by tabs 18 respectively. In FIG. 6D, the pictogram tab 18 is selected, and a screen 19 showing a list of pictograms is displayed.

  Since the processing after step S14 has already been described, it is omitted here.

  As described above, according to the smartphone 1 according to the present embodiment, a pictogram in which a plurality of attributes are mixed in order from the most recently used pictogram can be displayed in the prediction candidate display area 17. Accordingly, the user can smoothly input a pictogram that the user wants to use, and an operation procedure for displaying a screen displaying a list for each attribute of the pictogram and a labor for finding a desired pictogram from the list display can be saved.

  In particular, as shown in FIG. 6D, the smartphone 1 according to the present embodiment can switch and display a list screen for each pictogram attribute (pictogram, emoticon, symbol) in the keypad area. . In addition, for example, a pictogram selected based on the frequency of use can be displayed in a prediction candidate display area different from the keypad area, with attributes mixed. Thus, according to the smartphone 1 according to the present embodiment, the user can select and input a pictogram from, for example, two input methods for each usage frequency.

  For example, in the prediction candidate display area, a pictogram that is assumed to be frequently used for each user of the smartphone 1 is displayed according to the use history of the pictogram. That is, a pictogram customized for each user is displayed in the prediction candidate display area. Therefore, the user can select and input a frequently used pictogram from the prediction candidate display area earlier. However, since pictograms with high usage frequency are displayed across the attributes in the prediction candidate display area, not all pictograms can be displayed at once.

  On the other hand, in the list for each pictogram attribute, all pictograms can be displayed in a state where the pictogram, emoticon, or symbol attribute is classified into categories. Therefore, the user can generally display a list for each pictogram attribute for a pictogram to be input although the usage frequency is low, and select and input a necessary pictogram from the list. In general, even if a pictogram is used less frequently, a pictogram frequently input by the user can be a candidate for a pictogram displayed in the prediction candidate display area reflecting its usage history. As described above, the prediction candidate display area also has a function of providing an environment in which it is easy to input a pictogram that the user often inputs even if it is a pictogram that is generally less frequently used.

  In addition, in the smart phone 1 which concerns on this embodiment, although the pictogram used most recently was displayed on the prediction candidate display area 17, the order of the pictogram displayed on the prediction candidate display area 17 is not restricted to this. For example, you may display in the prediction candidate display area 17 in an order from a pictogram with high use frequency. The operation history information stored in the prediction candidate history table 24b preferably includes the number of times and the use time of the target pictogram. And it is preferable that the display control part 23 displays on the prediction candidate display area 17 in an order from the pictogram which a user has high possibility of using based on the frequency | count of use and use time. Thereby, it is possible to provide an input operation that further improves user convenience.

  Further, according to the smartphone 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the operation history information that is not intended for erroneous input from being reflected in the display of the prediction candidate display area 17 by the operation of the clear key 17f. Thereby, the precision of the pictogram displayed on the prediction candidate display area 17 can be improved, and the input operation which further improved the convenience for the user can be provided.

[Delete]
In the present embodiment, a delete key 51 is provided separately from the clear key 17f in FIG. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6E, when the user selects the “heart” pictograph and performs a long press operation, the screen changes to the editing screen illustrated in FIG. When the user selects the delete key 51 indicated by “delete from list” on the editing screen, the storage unit 24 deletes the pictograph of “heart” from the prediction candidate history table 24b. For example, when the operation history information shown in FIG. 7A is stored in the prediction candidate history table 24b, when the user selects the pictograph “heart” and presses the delete key 51, the operation history information shown in FIG. The “heart” pictogram 24b4 is deleted from the prediction candidate history table 24b shown in FIG. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6H, the “heart” pictogram 17 e is not displayed in the prediction candidate display area 17.

[Input processing example 2]
Next, an input processing sequence according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating another example of input processing according to an embodiment. Here, when the user presses the numeric key 14a in the keypad area 12 (step S30), the position detection unit 21 detects that the numeric key 14a has been pressed. As a result of the detection, the display control unit 23 switches the character input key 13 in the keypad area 12 from a character to a number as shown in FIG. At this time, the display control unit 23 confirms the attributes of the input display area 16 to which input is performed by the input control unit 22 (step S32), and displays pictograms such as pictograms, emoticons, symbols and the like that match the attributes of the input display area. It displays on the prediction candidate display area 17 (step S34). A pictogram that does not match the attributes of the input display area 16 is displayed at the front of the pictogram that has been used most recently, and the pictogram that has been used is displayed earlier.

  Here, the attribute of the input display area 16 is an attribute of an application executed for an input character displayed in the input display area 16. Depending on the attribute of the input display area 16, the attribute of the pictogram displayed in the prediction candidate display area 17 may be different.

  For example, when the attribute of the input display area 16 is a mail text input, the application executed for the input characters in the input display area 16 is a mail application. In that case, a pictogram including four attributes of a pictograph, an emoticon, a symbol, and a Decome (registered trademark) pictograph can be used. Therefore, it is preferable that the pictogram displayed in the prediction candidate display area 17 includes four attributes of pictograph, emoticon, symbol, and Decome (registered trademark) pictograph. In this case, the attributes of the pictogram displayed in the prediction candidate display area 17 need not be limited according to the attributes of the input display area 16.

  On the other hand, when the attribute of the input display area 16 is SMS (short message service) or memo, the SMS or memo application is executed for the input characters in the input display area 16. In this case, pictograms and Decome (registered trademark) pictograms cannot be used as input characters. Therefore, the pictogram attributes that can be displayed in the prediction candidate display area 17 are limited to symbols and emoticons so that pictograms and Decome (registered trademark) pictograms are not displayed.

  When the attribute of the input display area 16 is URL input, the web application is executed according to the input character. In this case, pictograms, emoticons, and Decome (registered trademark) pictograms cannot be used as URL input characters. Therefore, the pictogram attributes displayed in the prediction candidate display area 17 are limited to symbols only, so that pictograms, emoticons, and Decome (registered trademark) pictograms are not displayed.

  That is, when the attribute of the input display area 16 is SMS or URL, the display control unit 23 restricts the attribute of the pictogram displayed in the prediction candidate display area 17.

  In this way, the display control unit 23 displays pictograms such as pictograms, emoticons, symbols, and the like that match the attributes of the input display area 16 in the prediction candidate display area 17 (step S34). Next, when the pictogram displayed in the prediction candidate display area 17 is operated for a long time, the display control unit 23 displays the editing screen of FIG. 6G, and the position detection unit 21 is set to display priority. (Step S36).

  The user's favorite pictogram is to be displayed preferentially in the prediction candidate display area 17. In this case, the user selects the priority display key 52 indicated by “priority display” on the editing screen. When the priority display key 52 is selected, the storage unit 24 determines that it is a request for priority display with respect to the operated pictogram, and the pictogram (here, which is operated by long-pressing the head (No. 1) of the prediction candidate history table 24b) Then, the operation history information of the pictograph 17e) of FIG. 6 (e) is stored. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6 (i), the display control unit 23 displays the pictogram (here, the pictogram 17e) that has been pressed and pressed based on the operation history information stored in the prediction candidate history table 24b. It displays on the head of the prediction candidate display area 17 (step S40). Thereafter, this process is terminated. Accordingly, the display control unit 23 always displays the pictograph 17e for which priority display is set at the top of the prediction candidate display area 17 with priority.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S36 that the priority display key 52 is not selected, the display control unit 23 predicts a pictogram based on the operation history information stored in the prediction candidate history table 24b as usual. The information is displayed in the candidate display area 17 (step S38). Thereafter, this process is terminated.

  As described above, according to the smartphone 1 according to the present embodiment, the attributes of the pictogram displayed in the prediction candidate display area 17 can be limited according to the attributes of the input display area 16. Thereby, the possibility that the pictogram that the user wants to use is included in the prediction candidate display area 17 is increased, and erroneous input can be reduced.

  Moreover, according to the smart phone 1 which concerns on this embodiment, the user can set the pictogram which a user wants to display preferentially. According to this, the pictogram for which priority display is set is displayed at the top of the prediction candidate display area 17. Thereby, it can avoid that the pictogram used well is displayed below the prediction candidate display area 17, or it becomes non-display. In the present embodiment, the pictogram for which priority display is set is displayed at the top of the prediction candidate display area 17, but is not limited to this. However, it is preferably displayed near the top of the prediction candidate display area 17.

(Hardware configuration example)
Finally, a hardware configuration example of the smartphone 1 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the smartphone according to the embodiment.

  The smartphone 1 according to the present embodiment includes an input device 101, a display device 102, an external I / F 103, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 104, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 105, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 106, and a communication I / F 107. , And HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 108, etc., which are connected to each other via a bus B.

  The input device 101 includes a keyboard and a mouse, and is used to input each operation signal to the smartphone 1. The display device 102 includes a display equipped with a touch panel and displays information on a touch screen.

  The communication I / F 107 is an interface that connects the smartphone 1 to a wireless network. Thereby, the smartphone 1 can perform data communication and a call with other devices (devices such as “other smartphones”) via the communication I / F 107.

  The HDD 108 is a non-volatile storage device that stores programs and data. The stored programs and data include an OS (Operating System) that is basic software for controlling the entire apparatus, and application software that provides various functions on the OS. The HDD 108 manages stored programs and data by a predetermined file system and / or DB (Data Base).

  The external I / F 103 is an interface with an external device. The external device includes a recording medium 103a. Thereby, the smartphone 1 can read and / or write the recording medium 103 a via the external I / F 103. The recording medium 103a includes a floppy (trademark or registered trademark) disk, a CD (Compact Disk), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), an SD memory card, a USB memory (Universal Serial Bus memory), and the like. is there.

  The ROM 105 is a nonvolatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that can retain internal data even when the power is turned off. The ROM 105 stores programs and data. The RAM 104 is a volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that temporarily stores programs and data. The storage unit 24 may store the operation history information in the list history table 24 a and the prediction candidate history table 24 b using the storage area of the RAM 104 or the HDD 108.

  The CPU 106 is an arithmetic device that realizes overall control and mounting functions of the smartphone 1 by reading a program and data from the storage device (for example, “HDD” or “ROM”) onto the RAM 104 and executing the processing. is there. For example, the smartphone 1 executes overall control such as input control and display control by the CPU 106 executing various control programs stored in the ROM 105. The position detection unit 21, the input control unit 22, the display control unit 23, and the selection unit 25 of the smartphone 1 according to the above embodiment are realized by a process that is executed by the CPU 106 by a program installed in the HDD 108 or the like.

  Although the input device and the input method according to the embodiment have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and improvements can be made within the scope of the present invention. The input processes described in the above embodiments can be combined within a consistent range.

  1: Smartphone, 10: Main body, 11: Touch screen, 12: Keypad area, 13: Character input key, 14: Function key, 16: Input display area, 17: Prediction candidate display area, 21: Position detection unit, 22 : Input control unit, 23: display control unit, 24: storage unit, 24a: list history table, 24a1, 24a2, 24a3: operation history information, 24b: prediction candidate history table, 24b1, 24b2, 24b3: operation history information 25: selection part, 51: delete key, 52: priority display key

Claims (9)

An operation on a touch screen capable of displaying a plurality of pictograms having a plurality of attributes in a prediction candidate display area different from the keypad area, and is displayed in at least one of the keypad area and the prediction candidate display area An input control unit that inputs characters of the operated key or the operated pictogram in response to an operation on the operated key or pictogram;
A storage unit that stores operation history information indicating a history of operations on the pictogram in the prediction candidate history table;
A display control unit that displays a predetermined number of pictograms selected from the pictograms of the plurality of attributes in the prediction candidate display area based on the operation history information stored in the prediction candidate history table;
An input device comprising: The display control unit
Updating the pictogram displayed in the prediction candidate display area based on the operation history information stored in the prediction candidate history table according to the timing when the prediction candidate history table is updated.
The input device according to claim 1. The storage unit
In response to a cancellation request for the operated pictogram, the operation history information immediately before the prediction candidate history table was last updated is stored in the prediction candidate history table.
The input device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The display control unit
According to the attribute of the input display area where input is performed by the input control unit, the attribute of the pictogram to be displayed in the prediction candidate display area is limited.
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the input device is an input device. The display control unit
In response to a request for priority display for the operated pictogram, the pictogram for which the priority display is requested is displayed preferentially in the prediction candidate display area.
The input device according to claim 1, wherein: The storage unit
In response to a request for deletion of the operated pictogram, the operation history information of the pictogram for which the deletion request has been made is deleted from the prediction candidate history table.
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the input device is an input device. A touch screen that can display a list of each pictogram attribute of a plurality of attributes in the keypad area, and can display a mixture of pictograms of a plurality of attributes in a prediction candidate display area different from the keypad area. An input control for inputting a character of the operated key or the operated pictogram in response to an operation on the key or pictogram displayed in at least one of the keypad area and the prediction candidate display area. And
A storage unit that stores operation history information indicating a history of operations on the pictogram in the prediction candidate history table;
Based on the operation history information stored in the prediction candidate history table, a predetermined number of pictograms selected from the plurality of attribute pictograms are displayed in the prediction candidate display area separately from the list for each attribute of the pictogram. A display control unit;
An input device comprising: An operation on a touch screen capable of displaying a plurality of pictograms having a plurality of attributes in a prediction candidate display area different from the keypad area, and is displayed in at least one of the keypad area and the prediction candidate display area In response to an operation on the operated key or pictogram, input a character of the operated key or the operated pictogram,
Storing operation history information indicating a history of operations on the pictogram in the prediction candidate history table;
Based on the operation history information stored in the prediction candidate history table, a predetermined number of pictograms selected from the plurality of attribute pictograms are displayed in the prediction candidate display area.
An input method in which the computer executes the process. An operation on a touch screen capable of displaying a plurality of pictograms having a plurality of attributes in a prediction candidate display area different from the keypad area, and is displayed in at least one of the keypad area and the prediction candidate display area In response to an operation on the operated key or pictogram, input a character of the operated key or the operated pictogram,
Storing operation history information indicating a history of operations on the pictogram in the prediction candidate history table;
Based on the operation history information stored in the prediction candidate history table, a predetermined number of pictograms selected from the plurality of attribute pictograms are displayed in the prediction candidate display area.
A program that causes a computer to execute processing.

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