CN117389424A

CN117389424A - Character input device, character input method, and computer-readable storage medium

Info

Publication number: CN117389424A
Application number: CN202310652691.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 太田纮史
Original assignee: Omron Corp
Current assignee: Omron Corp
Priority date: 2022-07-11
Filing date: 2023-06-05
Publication date: 2024-01-12
Also published as: JP2024009428A

Abstract

The invention provides a character input device, a character input method and a computer readable storage medium, which provide a function for improving the character input efficiency. The character input device includes a determination section, a candidate section, and a restoration section. The determination unit causes a determination display area of a display to display a determination character string determined for each input character string. When a part of characters of the specified character string displayed in the specified display area are deleted, the candidate unit causes the specified character string to be displayed as a candidate in a candidate display area of the display. When an input operation for selecting a specific character string displayed as a candidate in a candidate display area is performed, the restoring unit returns the display of the specific character string in which a part of characters displayed in the specific display area is deleted to a state before deletion.

Description

Character input device, character input method, and computer-readable storage medium

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a technique for supporting character input, and more particularly, to a character input device, a character input method, and a computer-readable storage medium.

Background

A user designs various character input methods using a software keyboard mounted on an electronic device such as a smart phone. When a user corrects an erroneous input using a software keyboard, a function (e.g., UNDO (UNDO) function) of canceling a previous operation among functions that can be easily performed in a hardware keyboard may not be available in some cases.

Therefore, when the user corrects the erroneous input, it is necessary to delete a plurality of character strings including the character input in error and input the corrected character again. Patent document 1 describes a method for supporting re-input after deleting a character input in error when an input character string is input in error.

[ Prior Art literature ]

[ patent literature ]

Patent document 1 Japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2014-103533

Disclosure of Invention

[ problem to be solved by the invention ]

However, when the configuration described in patent document 1 is used to correct an erroneous input, there is a possibility that a user erroneously deletes a character string that should not be deleted. For example, when the user inputs "today's rainfall" as "today's descent AND", the user needs to delete the character string of "descent AND" and re-input it as "rainfall".

In the stage of the deletion, consider that the user deletes the character string "Tianjian" and. In other words, it is considered that the user deletes the character string that the user does not want to delete. That is, the user needs to input the erroneously deleted character string again, and the user has a very complicated input operation, which is inconvenient.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a function that improves the efficiency of character input.

[ means of solving the problems ]

In order to achieve the above object, the character input device of the present invention is configured as follows.

The character input device includes a determination section, a candidate section, and a restoration section. The determination unit causes a determination display area of a display to display a determination character string determined for each input character string. When a part of characters of the specified character string displayed in the specified display area are deleted, the candidate unit causes the specified character string to be displayed as a candidate in a candidate display area of the display. When an input operation for selecting a specific character string displayed as a candidate in a candidate display area is performed, the restoring unit returns the display of the specific character string in which a part of characters displayed in the specific display area is deleted to a state before deletion.

In the above configuration, when a user deletes a character input by mistake, even if a character string that should have been left is deleted, the deleted character string can be acquired as a conversion candidate. Therefore, the user can input the desired character string displayed in the conversion candidate, and thus the user's convenience improves.

When a part of characters of a specified character string displayed in a specified display area is deleted, a candidate unit of the character input device extracts candidates corresponding to the input character string related to the specified character string, and causes the extracted candidates to be displayed in a candidate display area.

When a candidate other than the specified character string displayed in the candidate display area is selected, the restoring unit of the character input device causes the specifying unit to replace the candidate selected at this time with a new specified character string with respect to the remaining character strings of the specified character string displayed in the specified display area that have not been deleted but remain at this point in time.

The candidate unit of the character input device causes the specified character string displayed in the specified display area to be displayed as a candidate in the candidate display area of the display when all characters of the specified character string are deleted.

When all characters of the specified character string displayed in the specified display area are deleted, if a candidate displayed in the candidate display area is selected, the restoring unit of the character input device causes the specifying unit to display the character string associated with the candidate selected at this time as a new specified character string.

[ Effect of the invention ]

The invention can provide a function for improving the character input efficiency.

Drawings

Fig. 1 (a) and 1 (B) are image diagrams of character input by the character input device of the application example.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of the character input device according to configuration example 1.

Fig. 3 (a), 3 (B) and 3 (C) are image diagrams of character input by the character input device of configuration example 1.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of the character input device according to the operation example.

Fig. 5 (a) and 5 (B) are schematic diagrams of character input by the character input device of configuration example 2.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of the character input device of configuration example 2.

Fig. 7 (a) and 7 (B) are image diagrams of character input by the character input device of configuration example 3.

Fig. 8 (a), 8 (B) and 8 (C) are image diagrams of character input by the character input device of modification 1.

Fig. 9 (a) and 9 (B) are image diagrams of character input by the character input device according to modification 2.

[ description of symbols ]

10: character input device

20: display device

21: character input unit

22: candidate display area

23: input field

30: operation detecting section

35: display control unit

40: control unit

41: determination part

42: candidate part

43: recovery unit

50: dictionary database

80: smart phone

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to several drawings.

< 1. Application example >

Fig. 1 (a) and 1 (B) are image diagrams of character input by the character input device 10. The user makes a mail using the character input device 10. The user enters characters in the mail application.

The character input device 10 is mounted on an electronic device such as a smart phone, for example. The electronic device is not limited to a smart phone, and may be a device capable of inputting characters, such as a tablet computer or a personal computer. In configuration example 1, for example, description will be made based on a configuration including a character input section in which the cancel function cannot be easily utilized as described above.

Specifically, an example of character input by a user will be described. The smart phone 80 includes a touch screen. The user starts an application program (hereinafter referred to as an application) installed in the smart phone 80.

The user for example starts a mail application. The user enters a character string in the input field 23. The mail application is used in the above example, but the type of application is not limited as long as it has a function of enabling character input.

The character input device 10 receives a result that the user has operated the touch panel of the smartphone 80. For example, a user starts a mail application to create a mail, and performs character input. The character input device 10 detects an operation of starting character input by a user. The character input device 10 activates the display 20 (character input section 21, candidate display area 22, input field 23) by detecting the operation of inputting characters.

As shown in fig. 1 (a) and 1 (B), an example in which the user inputs a character string "initially implemented" in the input field 23 will be described. At this time, the user inputs the character string "original implementation" as the character string "original implementation" by mistake. That is, the following configuration will be described assuming that the user wants to correct the character "off".

The backspace key is used by the user to correct the character "off" of the character string "initially closed. More specifically, the user uses the backspace key to perform deletion in the order of the characters "through", and "off".

Here, the user erroneously further deletes the character "intention". The character input device 10 detects that the character "intention" is deleted, and acquires the character string (remaining character string) remaining in the input field 23, that is, "initial". Thus, the character input device 10 causes the character string "original" to be displayed in the candidate display area 22. That is, in the candidate display area 22, a conversion candidate (character string "original") including the character "original" deleted by mistake is displayed.

The user selects the character string "original" displayed in the candidate display area 22. The character input device 10 outputs the selected character string "original purpose" to the input field 23. At this time, the character input device 10 replaces the character "original" remaining in the input field 23 with the character string "original".

With this configuration, even when the user erroneously deletes a character string, a desired character string can be acquired as a conversion candidate. That is, the user does not need to input the erroneously deleted character string again. Therefore, convenience for the user is improved.

< 2. Structural example 1 >

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of the character input device according to configuration example 1. Fig. 3 (a), 3 (B) and 3 (C) are image diagrams of character input by the character input device of configuration example 1. The example of the character input device 10 is not limited to a smart phone, and any electronic device capable of inputting other characters may be used.

As shown in fig. 2, the character input device 10 includes: a display 20, an operation detecting unit 30, a display control unit 35, a control unit 40, and a dictionary database 50.

As described above, the display 20 includes the character input section 21, the candidate display area 22, and the input field 23. For example, as shown in fig. 1 (a) and 1 (B), the character input unit 21 and the candidate display area 22 are arranged on the screen of the smartphone 80. Various keys for character input are displayed in the character input section 21. The candidate display area 22 displays conversion candidates or candidates for selection by a method described later. Further, for example, the character input section 21 is a software keyboard.

A touch screen is included in the smartphone 80. The touch screen detects an operation of a user. More specifically, the touch panel detects operations of the input field 23 of the mail application, the character input section 21 included in the display 20, and the candidate display area 22. The detection of the operation includes, for example, an operation position, a time length of the operation, a time change of the operation position, and the like. The detection results of these operations are output to the operation detection section 30. The operation detection unit 30 outputs the result to the display control unit 35 and the control unit 40 based on the result input from the touch panel. The display control unit 35 outputs the display 20 to display the operation result. Further, the input field 23 corresponds to "determination display area" of the present invention.

The control unit 40 includes a determination unit 41, a candidate unit 42, and a restoration unit 43. The control unit 40 includes a hardware central processing unit (Central Processing Unit, CPU), a memory, and other electronic circuits. When the character input program of the present invention is executed, the hardware CPU operates as the determining unit 41, the candidate unit 42, and the restoring unit 43. The memory has a structure in which an area for expanding the character input program of the present invention or an area for temporarily storing data generated when the character input program is executed is provided. The control unit 40 may be a large-scale integrated circuit (Large Scale Integrated circuit, LSI) formed by integrating a hardware CPU, a memory, and the like. In addition, the hardware CPU is a computer that performs the character input method of the present invention.

The determination unit 41 acquires a character string inputted to the input field 23 by the user. The determination unit 41 causes the input field 23 to display a determination character string (hereinafter, first character string) for the input character string.

When a part of the first character string (hereinafter, the second character string) displayed in the input field 23 is deleted, the candidate unit 42 causes the first character string to be displayed as a candidate in the candidate display area 22. The operation detection section 30 detects an operation in which the second character string is deleted.

The restoring unit 43 returns the display of the identification character string in which the remaining character strings (hereinafter, third character string) of the partial characters in the input field 23, which are displayed as candidates in the candidate display area 22, are deleted, to the state before deletion. That is, the restoring unit 43 selects the first character string displayed in the candidate display area 22, and causes the third character string to be displayed in the input field 23 instead of the first character string.

The dictionary database (database) 50 (hereinafter, dictionary DB 50) stores a pronunciation, a conversion candidate for the pronunciation, a display priority of each conversion candidate in a normal conversion process, and the like. In addition, as described above, the conversion candidates selected in the candidate display area 22 are temporarily stored.

As a more specific example, the process of inputting characters by the user will be described with reference to fig. 2, 3 (a), 3 (B), and 3 (C). The user operates the character input unit 21 to input a character string "initially implemented". However, as shown in fig. 3 (a), the user erroneously inputs a character string "initially closed.

The display control unit 35 outputs the first character string "initially closed" as a specific character string to the input field 23. At this time, the character string "Guan Che" is a character string input erroneously. The determination unit 41 stores the first character string "junior guan" in the dictionary DB 50. The determination unit 41 divides the first character string "original purpose" into, for example, character strings "original purpose" and "Guan Che" and stores the same.

The determination unit 41 may divide the first character string in units of the determined character string when dividing the first character string. More specifically, when the user inputs the first character string "initially closed" and the character string "closed" by dividing the first character string "initially closed" into character strings "initially closed" and the character string "Guan Che" may be stored by dividing the first character string "initially closed" and the character string "closed" into character strings.

At this time, the user notices an input error and corrects the character "off". More specifically, the user deletes the character string "Guan Che" using the backspace key of the character input unit 21. However, as shown in fig. 3 (B), the user deletes the second string "intention Guan Che". That is, as shown in fig. 3 (C), the third character string "first" is displayed in the input field 23.

As shown in fig. 3 (B), the operation detecting section 30 detects that the second character string "intention Guan Che" which is a part of the first character string "intention is deleted. The operation detection unit 30 outputs the result that the second character string "the character Guan Che" is deleted to the candidate unit 42. The candidate unit 42 extracts the first character string "original" + "Guan Che" including the second character string "original Guan Che" from the dictionary DB 50.

As shown in fig. 3 (C), the candidate unit 42 acquires the first character string "original" + "Guan Che" and outputs the first character string "original" + "Guan Che" to the display control unit 35. In this case, since the third character string "original" remains, the display control unit 35 causes the candidate display area 22 to display the first character string "original" including the third character string. That is, the display control unit 35 displays the unit stored in the dictionary DB 50 in the candidate display area 22.

The user selects the first character string "original" displayed in the candidate display area 22. Accordingly, the operation detecting section 30 detects that the first character string "original" is selected, and outputs the result to the restoring section 43.

The restoring unit 43 outputs the display control unit 35 to exchange the third character string "original" displayed in the input field 23 with the first character string "original". The display control unit 35 exchanges the third character string "original" with the first character string "original" and displays the first character string "original" in the input field 23.

With this configuration, even when a part of the conversion candidates displayed in the input field 23 is deleted erroneously, the character string deleted as a conversion candidate can be output to the candidate display area 22. That is, the user does not need to input the erroneously deleted character string again. Therefore, the user can efficiently input characters.

< 3 action case >)

Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed by the character input device 10 according to the operation example. The flow of the processing of the character input device 10 will be described with reference to fig. 1 (a), 1 (B), 2, 3 (a), 3 (B), 3 (C), and 4.

The user inputs a first character string "initially closed in the input field 23. The display control unit 35 outputs the first character string "initially closed" as a specific character string to the input field 23. The determination unit 41 stores the first character string "junior guan" in the dictionary DB 50 (S101). The determination unit 41 divides the first character string "original purpose" into, for example, character strings "original purpose" and "Guan Che" and stores the same.

The operation detection unit 30 detects whether or not the character string of the input field 23 is deleted (S102).

When detecting that the character string of the input field 23 is deleted (Yes in S102). More specifically, the operation detection section 30 detects that the second character string "intention Guan Che" which is a part of the first character string "intention" + "Guan Che" is deleted (S103).

The operation detection unit 30 outputs the result that the second character string "the character Guan Che" is deleted to the candidate unit 42. The candidate unit 42 extracts a first character string "original closing" including a second character string "original Guan Che" from the dictionary DB 50. At this time, since the third character string "original" remains, the display control unit 35 displays the first character string "original" of the unit stored in the dictionary DB 50 in the candidate display area 22 (S104).

The operation detection unit 30 detects that the user selects the first character string "original" displayed in the candidate display area 22 (S105). The operation detection unit 30 outputs the result to the restoration unit 43.

The restoration unit 43 outputs the display control unit 35 to display the third character string "original" remaining in the input field 23 by exchanging it with the first character string "original" (S106). The display control unit 35 causes the input field 23 to display the first character string "original purpose".

By performing such processing, even in the case where a part of the conversion candidates displayed in the input field 23 is deleted erroneously, a desired character string can be output as a conversion candidate to the candidate display area 22. That is, the user does not need to input the erroneously deleted character string again, so that the user can efficiently input characters.

< 4 structural example 2 >

Next, the character input device of configuration example 2 will be described with reference to the drawings. In configuration example 2, the processing is different in the case where the erroneously input character string is not deleted and remains. The other structures are the same as those of the character input device 10 of the configuration example 1, and the description of the same parts is omitted.

Fig. 5 (a) and 5 (B) are image diagrams of character input by the character input device of configuration example 2. As shown in fig. 5 (a), the user inputs the first character string "initially closed" by mistake in the input field 23. The determination unit 41 stores the first character string "junior guan" in the dictionary DB 50. The determination unit 41 divides the first character string "original purpose" into, for example, character strings "original purpose" and "Guan Che" and stores the character strings.

The user notices the input error and corrects the character "off". More specifically, the user deletes the character string "Guan Che" using the backspace key of the character input unit 21. However, as shown in fig. 5 (a), the user deletes only the second character string "through". That is, as shown in fig. 5 (B), a third character string "initially off" is displayed in the input field 23.

The operation detection section 30 detects that the second character string "pass" which is a part of the first character string "pass initially" is deleted. The operation detection unit 30 outputs the result of deleting the second character string "through" to the candidate unit 42. The candidate portion 42 extracts a first character string "Guan Che" including a second character string "pass" from the dictionary DB 50.

As shown in fig. 5 (B), the candidate portion 42 acquires the first character string "Guan Che". Further, the candidate unit 42 outputs the display control unit 35 to display the conversion candidates (in this case, "execute", "tank truck", etc.) corresponding to the pronunciation "guankhe" of the first character string in the candidate display area 22. The display control unit 35 causes "Guan Che", "carry-out", "tank car" to be displayed in the candidate display area 22 as a conversion candidate including the first character string "Guan Che". The priority of the conversion candidates displayed in the candidate display area 22 may be a priority based on the input history of the user, or may be a priority displayed by lowering the priority of the deleted character string "Guan Che".

The user acquires a desired conversion candidate from the candidate display area 22. For example, the user selects the string "go through". Thus, the operation detection unit 30 detects that the character string "go" is selected, and outputs the result to the restoration unit 43.

The restoring unit 43 determines that a different character string "pass through" (hereinafter, a fourth character string) among the first character string "original" + "Guan Che" inputted by the user at the beginning. In other words, it is determined that the fourth character string "execution" different from the first character string "Guan Che" is selected.

The restoration unit 43 outputs the display control unit 35 to exchange a part of the third character string "off" for the fourth character string "through". The display control unit 35 exchanges the third character string "off" with the fourth character string "on", and displays the character string "original on" in the input field 23.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of the character input device of configuration example 2. The flowchart shown in fig. 6 differs from the flowchart of fig. 4 in structural example 1 in the processing at step S103 and thereafter. The other processes are the same as those of the process of structural example 1, and therefore omitted.

The operation detection section 30 detects that the second character string "the first character string" is deleted (S103). The operation detection unit 30 outputs the result of deleting the second character string "through" to the candidate unit 42. The candidate portion 42 extracts a first character string "Guan Che" including a second character string "pass" from the dictionary DB 50.

The candidate portion 42 acquires the first character string "Guan Che". Further, the candidate unit 42 outputs the conversion candidates "execute" and "tank truck" corresponding to the pronunciation "guankhe" of the first character string to the display control unit 35, and displays the conversion candidates "execute" and "tank truck" in the candidate display area 22. The display control unit 35 causes "Guan Che", "carry-out", "tank car" to be displayed in the candidate display area 22 as a conversion candidate including the first character string "Guan Che" (S201).

The user acquires a desired conversion candidate from the candidate display area 22. The operation detection section 30 outputs the selected conversion candidate to the restoration section 43. The restoring unit 43 determines whether the fourth character string "carry through" is different from the first character string "Guan Che" inputted at the beginning (S202).

When the restoring unit 43 determines that the first character string "Guan Che" is different from the fourth character string "execution" (Yes in S202), it outputs the result to the display control unit 35 so that a part of the third character string "off" is exchanged with the fourth character string "execution". The display control unit 35 exchanges the third character string "off" with the fourth character string "enter", and displays the character string "enter" in the input field 23 (S203).

When the restoring unit 43 determines that the first character string "Guan Che" is identical to the selected character string "Guan Che" (S202: no), it outputs the result to the display control unit 35 so that a part of the third character string "off" is replaced with the first character string "Guan Che". The display control unit 35 changes the third character string "off" to the first character string "Guan Che" and displays the first character string "initially closed" in the input field 23 (S204).

With this configuration, the character string to be input can be easily obtained in the middle of the operation of correcting the error in character input. That is, the user does not need to input the erroneously deleted character string again, so that the user can efficiently input characters.

< 5 structural example 3 >

Next, the character input device of configuration example 3 will be described with reference to the drawings. Structural example 3 differs from the processing of structural example 1 in which all the first character strings are deleted. The other structures are the same as those of the character input device 10 of the configuration example 1, and the description of the same parts is omitted.

Fig. 7 (a) and 7 (B) are image diagrams of character input by the character input device of configuration example 3. As shown in fig. 7 (a), the user inputs the first character string "initially closed" by mistake in the input field 23. The determination unit 41 stores the first character string "junior guan" in the dictionary DB 50. The determination unit 41 divides the first character string "original purpose" into, for example, character strings "original purpose" and "Guan Che" and stores the character strings.

The user notices the input error and corrects the character "off". More specifically, the user deletes all of the first character string "initially closed" using the backspace key of the character input unit 21. Thereby, the first character string is deleted entirely. That is, the "first character string that is initially input" and the "second character string that is deleted" are in the same state. Thereby, no character string (third character string) remains in the input field 23.

The operation detection section 30 detects that the first character string "original closing" (in other words, the second character string "original implementing") is deleted. The operation detection unit 30 outputs the result of the deletion of the second character string "original execution" to the candidate unit 42. The candidate part 42 extracts the second character string from the dictionary DB 50 the first character string "initially closed" obtained by "initially implemented.

As shown in fig. 7 (B), the candidate portion 42 acquires a first character string "initially closed. Further, the candidate unit 42 outputs to the display control unit 35 to display a conversion candidate (in this case, the correct character string "initially implemented" or the like) corresponding to the reading "chuzhongguankhe" of the first character string in the candidate display area 22. The display control unit 35 causes the candidate display area 22 to display a conversion candidate including the first character string "initially closed.

The user acquires a desired conversion candidate from the candidate display area 22. For example, the user selects the character string "initially implemented". Thus, the operation detection unit 30 detects that the character string "original execution" is selected, and outputs the result to the restoration unit 43.

The restoring unit 43 determines that a character string "original implementation" (hereinafter, a fourth character string) different from the first character string "original implementation" originally inputted by the user is selected.

The restoration unit 43 outputs the result of the selection of the fourth character string "original execution" to the display control unit 35. The display control unit 35 displays a fourth character string "original implementation" in the input field 23.

With this configuration, the character string to be input can be easily obtained in the middle of the operation of correcting the error in character input. That is, the user does not need to input the erroneously deleted character string again, so that the user can efficiently input characters. In addition, even when all the input character strings are deleted, character input can be efficiently performed.

< 6 modification 1 >

Next, the character input device of modification 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. In modification 1, an example in which a character string including a word is input in combination like a sentence is described, unlike the example in which a phrase is used in configuration 1. The other structures are the same as those of the character input device 10 of the configuration example 1, and the description of the same parts is omitted.

As a more specific example, a process of inputting characters by the user will be described with reference to fig. 8 (a), 8 (B), and 8 (C). The user operates the character input unit 21 to input the character string "ginger is" spicy "with the character string". As shown in fig. 8 (a), the user erroneously inputs the character string "ginger is" +character string "pulled".

The determination unit 41 stores the first character string "ginger is pulled" in the dictionary DB 50. The determination unit 41 divides the first string "ginger is pulled" into, for example, strings "ginger is" and "string" pulled "and saves the string.

The user notices the input error and corrects the character "pulled". More specifically, the user deletes the string "pulled" using the backspace key of the character input unit 21.

However, as shown in fig. 8 (a), the user deletes the second string "ginger is" + "pulled". That is, as shown in fig. 8 (B), the third character string "raw" is displayed in the input field 23.

The operation detection unit 30 detects that the second string "ginger is" + "pulled" is deleted as a part of the first string "ginger is" + "pulled". The operation detection unit 30 outputs the result of the deletion of the second string "ginger is" + "pulled" to the candidate unit 42. The candidate unit 42 extracts a first character string "ginger yes" including a second character string "ginger yes" from the dictionary DB 50.

As shown in fig. 8 (B), the candidate portion 42 acquires the first character string "ginger yes". Further, the candidate unit 42 outputs to the display control unit 35 to display a conversion candidate (in this case, "up-down is", "winning is", etc.) corresponding to the reading "shengjiangshi" of the first character string in the candidate display area 22. The display control unit 35 causes the candidate display area 22 to display "up-down yes" and "winning yes" as conversion candidates including the first character string "ginger yes".

The user acquires a desired conversion candidate from the candidate display area 22. For example, the user selects the string "ginger yes". Thus, the operation detection unit 30 detects that the character string "ginger yes" is selected, and outputs the result to the restoration unit 43.

The restoration unit 43 determines that the first string "ginger is" in "+" pulled "of the first string" ginger "inputted by the user at the beginning is selected.

The restoration unit 43 outputs the display control unit 35 to exchange a part of the third character string "raw" for the first character string "ginger yes". The display control unit 35 displays the third character string "raw" and the first character string "ginger yes" in exchange.

Next, as shown in fig. 8 (C), the candidate unit 42 acquires a candidate for association of the first character string "ginger yes". The candidate unit 42 outputs the display control unit 35 to display the associated candidate (in this case, "spicy" or the like) corresponding to the first character string "ginger yes" in the candidate display area 22. The display control unit 35 causes the candidate display area 22 to display a conversion candidate including a candidate ("spicy") associated with the first character string "ginger is" selected.

In this case, the constitution may be: the conversion candidate "pulled" inputted as the first character string is also displayed as a conversion candidate in the candidate display area 22. In this case, the priority associated with the display of the conversion candidate "pull" may be lowered for display. The priority may be based on deletion of the backspace key or the like being performed.

In the above example, a method of dividing and inputting each sentence segment is described. However, the same result can be obtained in the case of input with a plurality of sentence fragments. For example, it may be configured such that: even when the user inputs the character string "shagjiangshide" and a plurality of sentence pieces at a time, the candidate unit 42 determines to divide and input the character string "shagjiangshi" + "lade" for each sentence piece. As a method other than dividing into sentence pieces, the candidate portion 42 may be determined based on the input history, habit, and the like of the user.

With this configuration, a character string in which a part of the combination of character strings is erroneously deleted as in the sentence displayed in the input field 23 can be used as a conversion candidate, and a desired character string can be output in the candidate display area 22. That is, the user does not need to input the erroneously deleted character string again. Further, the user can acquire the predictive conversion candidate associated with the selected character string, so that character input can be efficiently performed.

< 7. Modification 2 >

Next, the character input device of modification 2 will be described with reference to the drawings. In contrast to the kana input mode of the character input unit 21 in the configuration example 1, the modification example 2 is different in that the character input unit 21 is in the english alphabet input mode. Other structures are the same as those of the character input device 10, and the description of the same parts is omitted. The character input unit 21 in fig. 9 a and 9B uses a 12-key keyboard (number key), but may be configured as a clitoris (QWERTY) keyboard.

The following description will be given with respect to an example in which the character input unit 21 is in the english input mode. However, the type of language input as a character string is not limited to the english letter input mode, but may be other kinds of languages. The type of language may be, for example, chinese in which a user inputs a pronunciation expression of a word (desired character string) to be inputted as a character string, german in which spelling of a word to be inputted as a character string is inputted, or the like.

As a more specific example, a process of inputting characters by the user will be described with reference to fig. 9 (a) and 9 (B). When the user operates the character input unit 21 to input the first character string "address", the user erroneously inputs the first character string "address" as shown in fig. 9 (a).

The display control unit 35 outputs the first character string "advise" as a specific character string to the input field 23. At this time, the user inputs the character "advise" by mistake (s is wrong). The determination unit 41 stores the first character string "advance" in the dictionary DB 50. The determination section 41 holds the first character string "advise".

At this time, the user notices the input error and corrects a part of the character "s" of the first character string. More specifically, the user deletes the character "se" using the backspace key of the character input unit 21. However, as shown in fig. 9 (B), the user deletes the second character string "ise". That is, as shown in fig. 9 (B), the third character string "adv" is displayed in the input field 23.

As shown in fig. 9 (B), the operation detecting section 30 detects that the second character string "ise" which is a part of the first character string "advise" is deleted. The operation detection unit 30 outputs the result of deleting the second character string "ise" to the candidate unit 42. The candidate unit 42 extracts the first character string "advise" including the second character string "ise" from the dictionary DB 50.

As shown in fig. 9 (B), the candidate unit 42 acquires the first character string "advise", and outputs the first character string "advise" to the display control unit 35. In this case, the display control unit 35 causes the candidate display area 22 to display the first character string "advise". In this case, the display control unit 35 may display the fourth character string "adv" as a result of the candidate unit 42 searching the dictionary DB 50 using the third character string "adv".

The user selects the first character string "advise" displayed in the candidate display area 22. Thus, the operation detecting unit 30 detects that the first character string "advise" is selected, and outputs the result to the restoring unit 43.

The restoration unit 43 outputs the display control unit 35 to exchange the third character string "adv" displayed in the input field 23 with the first character string "advase". The display control unit 35 changes the third character string "adv" to the first character string "advase" and displays the first character string "advase" in the input field 23.

With this configuration, it is possible to output a desired character string as a conversion candidate to the candidate display area 22 for a character string in which a part of the character string input using the english input mode displayed in the input field 23 is deleted erroneously. That is, the user does not need to input the erroneously deleted character string again. Further, the user can acquire the predictive conversion candidate associated with the selected fourth character string or the like, so that character input can be efficiently performed.

The present invention is not limited to the above examples, and constituent elements may be modified and embodied in a range not departing from the gist thereof in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed using appropriate combinations of a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the examples. For example, several constituent elements may be deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the examples. Further, constituent elements in different examples may be appropriately combined.

Further, the correspondence between the structure of the present invention and the above-described structure can be described as follows.

< additionally remembered >

The character input device (10) includes a determination unit (41), a candidate unit (42), and a restoration unit (43). A specification unit (41) displays, for each input character string, a specification character string specified for the input character string in a specification display area (23) of a display (20). When a part of characters of a specified character string displayed in a specified display area (23) is deleted, a candidate unit (42) causes the specified character string to be displayed as a candidate in a candidate display area (22) of a display (20). When an input operation for selecting a confirmation character string displayed as a candidate in a candidate display area (22) is performed, a restoring unit (43) returns the display of the confirmation character string, in which some characters displayed in the confirmation display area (23) are deleted, to a state before deletion.

Claims

1. A character input device, comprising: a specification unit that, for each input character string inputted, causes a specification character string specified for the input character string to be displayed in a specification display area of a display;

a candidate unit that causes the specified character string displayed in the specified display area to be displayed as a candidate in a candidate display area of the display when a part of characters of the specified character string displayed in the specified display area are deleted; and

and a restoring unit configured to return, when an input operation is performed to select the specific character string displayed as a candidate in the candidate display area, the display of the specific character string in which a part of characters displayed in the specific display area is deleted to a state before deletion.

2. The character input device according to claim 1, wherein the candidate section extracts a candidate corresponding to the input character string related to the specified character string when a part of characters of the specified character string displayed in the specified display area is deleted, and causes the candidate extracted here to be displayed in the candidate display area as well.

3. The character input device according to claim 2, wherein the restoring unit causes the determining unit to replace, when a candidate other than the specified character string displayed in the candidate display area is selected, the candidate selected at this time with a new specified character string with respect to remaining character strings of the specified character string displayed in the specified display area that are not deleted but remain at this point in time.

4. The character input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the candidate section causes the specified character string to be displayed as a candidate in a candidate display area of the display in a case where all characters of the specified character string displayed in the specified display area are deleted.

5. The character input device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the restoring unit causes, when all characters of the specified character string displayed in the specified display area are deleted and a candidate displayed in the candidate display area is selected, the specifying unit to display a character string related to the candidate selected at this time as a new specified character string.

6. A character input method is implemented by a computer as follows: a determining step of displaying, for each input character string inputted, a determination character string determined for the input character string in a determination display area of a display;

a candidate step of causing the specified character string displayed in the specified display area to be displayed as a candidate in a candidate display area of the display when a part of characters of the specified character string displayed in the specified display area are deleted; and

and a restoration step of returning, when an input operation of selecting the specific character string displayed as a candidate in the candidate display area is performed, display of the specific character string in which a part of characters displayed in the specific display area is deleted to a state before deletion.

7. A computer-readable storage medium storing a character input program that causes a computer to execute the steps of: a determining step of displaying, for each input character string inputted, a determination character string determined for the input character string in a determination display area of a display;