JP2001273288A - Character input device and computer readable recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a character input device with which an input-desired character string can be retrieved and inputted with entries as little as possible and further the retrieval can be facilitated even when the number of characters to be omitted is not known. SOLUTION: A first entry frame 136a corresponds to the leading character of a character string, a second entry frame 136b corresponds to a character in the middle of the character string, namely, to any character except for the leading and final characters and further, a third entry frame 136c corresponds to the final character of the character string. When the KANA of 'a', 'ku' and 'sa' are inputted to the entry frames, for example, a character string having reading of 'a' in the head, reading of 'ku' in the middle and reading of 'sa' in the end is extracted. In this case, the character to be inputted to the entry frame can be not only reading but also a description.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a character input device, and more particularly to a character string prediction input device for predicting and inputting a character string.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a character string to be entered by inputting a part of a character string (hereinafter referred to as "input desired character string").
Character string prediction input device exists.

In predicting a character string, the most common method is to predict the character string by inputting the first character of the character string.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-1986 discloses a text input device in which the number of characters to be input is reduced by using an abbreviation symbol. In other words, for example, "?"
"*" Is an abbreviation of one or more characters in a word, "-" is an abbreviation of a word, and the space between input characters is an abbreviation. This is to search for a character string to be tried. Also, in the on-line character recognition device in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-254050, it is disclosed that a horizontal line continuously written in two continuous character writing frames is used as an abbreviation symbol.

[0005]

However, in the case of predicting a character string by inputting the first character, the number of selection candidates increases, and the user searches for a character string to be input (a desired input character string). It takes time and effort. In addition, when performing input using an abbreviation symbol, the abbreviation symbol must be entered one by one. If the number of characters to be omitted has to be input and the number of characters to be omitted is unknown, the character string desired to be input cannot be searched.

Therefore, the present invention provides a character input device which can search and input a desired input character string with as few inputs as possible and can easily search even if the number of characters to be omitted is unknown. The purpose is to provide.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems. First, there is provided a character input device for inputting characters. An entry frame displaying means for displaying a plurality of entry frames; and a prediction means for estimating a character string as a selection candidate. At the beginning of the character string, the character entered in the first character corresponding entry box, which is the entry frame corresponding to the first character, is the other one of the entry boxes, and the last entry in the character string. Predicting means for predicting a character string having the last character input in the last character corresponding input box which is an input box corresponding to the character.

Thus, by inputting the first character and the last character of the desired character string in the entry box, the desired character string can be searched and input, so that the number of selection candidates can be reduced. This makes it easy to search for a desired character string. Further, it is possible to save the trouble of inputting an abbreviation symbol or the like one by one. Further, even if the number of characters of the input desired character string is not recognized, the input can be easily performed.

Second, in the first configuration, the number of entry frames displayed by the entry frame display means is three or more, and the entry frames other than the entry frame for the first character and the entry frame for the last character are provided. Corresponding to characters in the middle of the character string excluding the first character and the last character, the predicting means has a character input to the first character correspondence entry box at the beginning of the character string, and corresponds to the last character. Predicting a character string having a character entered in an entry box at the end and having a character entered in an entry box corresponding to the middle character at a position excluding the first character and the last character of the character string It is characterized by.

[0010] Therefore, the input desired character string can be searched and input simply by inputting the characters in the input desired character string separately at the beginning, the middle, and the end, so that the number of selection candidates can be further reduced. This makes it easy to search for a desired input character string, thereby improving prediction accuracy. In addition, various searches can be performed by inputting characters in the middle.

Thirdly, in the first or second configuration, the entry frames corresponding to the characters in the middle are arranged in order from the beginning to the end of the character string. I do.

Fourthly, in any one of the first to third configurations, when characters are input only to some of the plurality of entry boxes, The prediction means is characterized in that prediction is performed only from characters input in an input box in which an input is made. Therefore, the input desired character string can be searched only by arbitrarily inputting the characters in the input desired character string while distinguishing the characters at the beginning, the middle, and the end, so that various search methods are possible. And the prediction accuracy is improved.

Fifth, in any one of the first to fourth configurations, the entry frame is an entry frame for inputting handwritten characters, and the character input device is provided with the input frame. And character recognition means for recognizing a handwritten character input to the computer.

In a sixth aspect, in any of the first to fifth configurations, the character to be entered in the entry box is a reading of a character string. Also, the seventh
Is characterized in that the characters to be entered in the entry boxes are character string notations.

Eighthly, the present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium recording a character input program, wherein one of a plurality of entry boxes displayed on a display screen is a character entry box. At the beginning of the character string, the character entered in the first character corresponding entry box, which is an entry box corresponding to the first character in the column, is the other one of the entry boxes, and A prediction process of predicting a character string having the last character input in the last character corresponding entry frame that is an entry frame corresponding to the last character, and a display process of displaying selection candidates predicted by the prediction process;
In which a program for causing a computer to execute is recorded.

Thus, by inputting the first character and the last character of the desired character string in the entry box, the desired character string can be searched and input, so that the number of selection candidates can be reduced. This makes it easy to search for a desired character string. Further, it is possible to save the trouble of inputting an abbreviation symbol or the like one by one. Further, even if the number of characters of the input desired character string is not recognized, the input can be easily performed.

Ninth, in the above-described eighth configuration, the number of entry frames displayed on the display screen is three or more, and the entry frames other than the entry frame corresponding to the first character and the entry frame corresponding to the last character are designated by characters. Corresponding to characters in the middle except for the first character and the last character in the column, in the above-mentioned prediction processing, the character input in the first character corresponding entry box is at the beginning of the character string,
A character string having the characters entered in the last character corresponding entry box at the end, and having the characters entered in the entry boxes corresponding to the intermediate characters at positions excluding the first character and the last character of the character string Is predicted.

Therefore, the character string in the input desired character string can be searched and input simply by inputting the characters at the beginning, the middle, and the end, so that the number of selection candidates can be further reduced. This makes it easy to search for a desired input character string, thereby improving prediction accuracy. In addition, various searches can be performed by inputting characters in the middle.

A tenth feature is that, in the eighth or ninth configuration, the entry frames corresponding to the characters in the middle are arranged in order from the beginning to the end of the character string. I do.

Eleventh, in any one of the above-described eighth to tenth configurations, when characters are written in only some of the plurality of entry boxes, The prediction process is characterized in that prediction is performed only from characters entered in the entry frame where the entry is made. Therefore, the input desired character string can be searched only by arbitrarily inputting the characters in the input desired character string while distinguishing the characters at the beginning, the middle, and the end, so that various search methods are possible. And the prediction accuracy is improved.

In a twelfth aspect, in any one of the eighth to eleventh configurations, the entry frame is an entry frame for inputting handwritten characters, and the computer readable recording medium is And a program for causing a computer to execute a character recognition process for recognizing a handwritten character input in the entry frame.

A thirteenth feature is that, in any one of the eighth to twelfth structures, the character to be entered in the entry box is a reading of a character string. In a fourteenth aspect, in any one of the eighth to twelfth configurations, the character to be entered in the entry box is a notation of a character string.

[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, a character input device A according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a character input unit 10, a character string prediction unit 12, and a prediction dictionary 14.
, Candidate character string display means 16 and selection instruction input means 18
, A character string control means 20, a character string buffer 22, an output means 24, and a display means 26.

Here, the character input means 10 is for inputting characters by hand, and includes a coordinate input unit constituted by a digitizer, and a coordinate detecting unit for detecting coordinates input to the digitizer by handwriting. And a character recognition unit that performs character recognition from the detected coordinates. In addition,
This character input means 10 may be configured to include a keyboard and a kana-kanji conversion unit that performs kana-kanji conversion based on information input from the keyboard.

The character string predicting means 12 as the above-mentioned predicting means is capable of not only inputting a character or a character string (hereinafter simply referred to as a "character string") but not only a character group consisting of a plurality of characters but also one character. In this case, a character string following the character string is predicted and a selection candidate is output, and prediction is performed based on past use frequency, characters located before and after, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, the character string predicting means 12 includes a leading character correspondence extracting means 12a, an intermediate character correspondence extracting means 12b, and a last character correspondence extracting means 12c.
And an overlap candidate extraction unit 12d. This first character correspondence extracting means 12a is provided with a first entry box 136a (FIG. 3).
In this case, a character string is predicted on the basis of the characters entered in the second entry box 1.
36b (see FIG. 3), a character string is predicted based on the character entered in the last character correspondence extraction unit 12c.
The character string is predicted based on the characters entered in the third entry box 136c (see FIG. 3). The duplication candidate extraction unit 12d includes a selection candidate predicted by the first character correspondence extraction unit 12a, a selection candidate predicted by the middle character correspondence extraction unit 12b, and a selection candidate predicted by the last character correspondence extraction unit 12c. And to extract overlapping selection candidates. First entry box 136a, second entry box 136b, third entry box
Description of entry box 136c and first character correspondence extracting means 12a
The operations of the intermediate character correspondence extracting means 12b, the last character correspondence extracting means 12c, and the overlapping candidate extracting means 12d will be described later.

The prediction dictionary 14 is a dictionary used when the character string prediction means 12 performs prediction, and includes a word dictionary, a synonym dictionary, a word transition table, a part of speech connection table, and the like. Here, the word dictionary stores word information, and performs prediction from reading of a character string, so that each word is registered in association with the reading. The synonym dictionary stores information on synonyms of a certain word. The word transition table stores information on words that are easily connected to a certain word, and the part-of-speech connection table stores information on parts of speech that are easily connected to a certain word. is there.

The candidate character string display means 16 displays the character string predicted by the character string prediction means 12 on a display means 26.
And has a function of displaying the predicted character string as a selection candidate on the display unit 26.
At this time, for example, the display is performed for each of the maximum predetermined number (for example, five) of predicted character strings.

The selection instruction input means 18 is for selecting a desired selection candidate from the displayed selection candidates. The coordinate input unit and the coordinate detection unit are
It constitutes a part of the selection instruction input means 18, and has a function of detecting a selection candidate selected by the user.

The character string control means 20 has a function of storing character string data of a selection candidate selected by the selection instruction input means 18 in a character string buffer 22. The character string buffer 22 is for storing data of the selected character string.

The output means 24 has a function of outputting the character string data in the character string buffer 22 to the application in use when the input is determined. The display means 26 is composed of an output monitor or the like, and the character input means 10
Displays the input character string, predicted selection candidates, input confirmed selection candidates, and the like.

FIG. 2 shows the hardware configuration of the configuration shown in FIG. 1 described above. That is, the character input device A
The input unit 100, the memory 110, and the display unit 130
And a CPU 150.

Here, the input section 100 is an input device for performing various inputs, and is specifically constituted by a digitizer or the like. The input unit 100 is used for inputting characters by hand, selecting a desired selection candidate from the displayed selection candidates, and the like. That is, the input unit 100 corresponds to a part of the character input unit 10 and a part of the selection instruction input unit 18. Note that the input unit 100 may be configured by a keyboard or the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, the memory 110 stores an entry frame display program 112, an input coordinate detection program 114, a character recognition program 116, a character string prediction program 118, a prediction dictionary 120, a candidate character string Display program 122 and selection instruction detection program 12
4 and a character string control program 126.

Here, the entry frame display program 112
Is a program for displaying the entry frame 136 on the display screen 132. This functions as the entry frame display means.

The input coordinate detection program 114
Is a program for detecting coordinates input by the input unit 100. The character recognition program 116 is a program for recognizing input characters based on the detected input coordinates. The input coordinate detection program 114 and the character recognition program 116 are a part of the character input unit 10 and the selection instruction input unit 1.
8 corresponds to a part of FIG.

The character string prediction program 118 is a program for predicting a character string following an input character string and outputting a selection candidate. The character string prediction program 118 predicts a character string based on past usage frequency, characters located before and after, and the like. I do. This character string prediction program 118 corresponds to the character string prediction means 12.

This character string prediction program 118 is the program shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG.
And an intermediate character correspondence extraction program 118b, a last character correspondence extraction program 118c, and a duplication candidate extraction program 118d. The leading character correspondence extraction program 118a is a program that predicts a character string based on the characters entered in the first entry box 136a, and the middle character correspondence extraction program 118b is a second entry box 136b.
Is a program that predicts a character string based on the characters entered in the third character.
This is a program for predicting a character string based on the characters entered in the entry box 136c. The first character correspondence extraction program 118a corresponds to the first character correspondence extraction means 12a, the middle character correspondence extraction program 118b corresponds to the middle character correspondence extraction means 12b, and the last character correspondence extraction program 118c corresponds to the last character correspondence extraction means. 12c. Also, a duplicate candidate extraction program 118d
Is a selection candidate predicted by the leading character correspondence extraction program 118a and an intermediate character correspondence extraction program 11
The selection candidate that is overlapped between the selection candidate predicted by 8b and the selection candidate predicted by the last character correspondence extraction program 118c is extracted.

The prediction dictionary 120 has the same configuration as the prediction dictionary 14, and is a dictionary used when the character string prediction program 118 performs prediction.
It comprises a thesaurus, a word transition table, a part of speech connection table, and the like.

The candidate character string display program 12
2 is a program for displaying the character string predicted by the character string prediction program on the display unit 130,
The display unit 130 has a function of displaying the predicted character string as a selection candidate. This candidate character string display program 122 corresponds to the candidate character string display means 16.

The selection instruction detecting program 124
Is a program for detecting a selection candidate selected from the displayed selection candidates, and detects the selected selection candidate based on the input coordinates detected by the input coordinate detection program 114. This selection instruction detection program 124 corresponds to a part of the selection instruction input means 18.

The character string control program 126
Is a program for storing character string data of the selected selection candidate in the character string buffer 152. This character string control program 126 is a program
It corresponds to.

The memory 110 is also provided with a program for displaying entry frames.

The display unit 130 is a display device for displaying image data, and is constituted by an LCD. That is, the input unit 100 and the display unit 130 are configured as an LCD-integrated digitizer. Note that the display unit 130 may be configured by a CRT monitor or the like. The display unit 130 corresponds to the display unit 26. The character input area 13 displayed on the display unit 130
4 is configured as shown in FIG. 3 in the normal input mode. That is, the entry frame 136 and the character string editing area 13
8, selection candidate display area 140, prediction instruction key 14
2 and a confirmation instruction key 144. The character input area 134 is displayed on a part of the display screen 132 of the display unit 130, and is displayed over a display image of the application software when using word processor application software.

The entry frame 136 is an entry frame for performing handwriting input, and includes a first entry frame 136a, a second entry frame 136b, and a third entry frame 136c. Write one character at a time. The first entry box 136a corresponds to the first character of the predicted character string, and the second entry box 136b corresponds to a character in the middle of the predicted character string, that is, the first and last characters of the predicted character string. Corresponds to characters other than characters. Further, a third entry frame 136c
Corresponds to the last character of the expected string.

The character string editing area 138 is a display area for sequentially displaying the character strings that have been fixed and input. The selection candidate display area 140 is a display area for displaying a predetermined number of selection candidates extracted by prediction or the like. In order to select one of the plurality of selection candidates, it is sufficient to perform a pressing operation on the area of the selection candidate, and to designate a part of a certain selection candidate as a range, drag the range. do it. The prediction instruction key 142 is used when performing prediction of a character string, and a prediction process is performed by performing a pressing operation. Further, the confirmation instruction key 144 is used when the selection candidate is confirmed and input, and the confirmation input process is performed by pressing the confirmation candidate.

The CPU 150 is a central control unit for controlling the operation of each unit in the character input device A. This CPU 150 has a character string buffer 152.

The operation of the character input device A having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. First, a character is input from the input unit 100 into at least one of the entry boxes 136a, 136b, and 136c (S10). Then, based on the coordinates detected by the input coordinate detection program 114, character recognition is performed by the character recognition program 116 (S1).
1) The character recognition result is displayed on the display unit 130 by the character string control program 126. That is, the entry frame 136
When the characters in a, 136b, and 136c are input by handwriting, the recognized characters are converted into a printed state and displayed.

When a prediction instruction is given by the prediction instruction key 142, the character string prediction program 118
Predicts selection candidates (S13, S14). On the other hand, if another character is to be input without performing the prediction, the process returns to step S10.

In the character string prediction program 118, selection candidates are predicted according to a subroutine shown in FIG. That is, the subroutine of step S14 is
This is a flowchart shown in FIG. This step S14
Corresponds to the prediction processing.

That is, first, selection candidates are extracted by the leading character correspondence extraction program 118a based on the characters entered in the first entry box 136a (S30). That is, a character string in which the character entered in the first entry box 136a is at the head position of the character string is extracted by prediction or the like. This extracted character string is retained.

Next, an intermediate character correspondence extraction program 118
b, selection candidates are extracted based on the characters entered in the second entry box 136b (S31). That is, the second
A character string in the middle of the character entered in the entry frame 136b, that is, a character string at a position other than the first and last characters is extracted by prediction or the like. This extracted character string is retained.

Next, the last character correspondence extraction program 118
With c, selection candidates are extracted based on the characters entered in the third entry box 136c (S32). That is, the third
The character string in which the character entered in the entry frame 136c is at the last position of the character string is extracted by prediction or the like. This extracted character string is retained.

Then, among the selection candidates extracted as described above, duplicate selection candidates are extracted (S33). That is,
The selection candidate extracted in step S30, the selection candidate extracted in step S31, and the selection candidate in step S3
The selection candidates included in all the selection candidates extracted in step 2 are extracted. In this way, the characters entered in the first entry box 136a are at the beginning, the characters entered in the second entry box 136b are in the middle, and the characters entered in the third entry box 136c are the last. Although a column is extracted, when a plurality of character strings are extracted, prediction and the like are performed and ranking is performed according to the certainty factor and the like. As described above, the first
A character string in which the character entered in the entry box 136a is at the head, the character entered in the second entry box 136b is in the middle, and the character entered in the third entry box 136c is at the end is predicted.

In the above description, the character input to each entry box is the reading of a character string,
At 32, a character string having an input character reading is predicted. If there is no entry in the corresponding entry frame in steps S30 to S32, the prediction of the selection candidate is canceled for this entry frame, and in step S33, only the entry frame for which prediction was performed is duplicated. Extract selection candidates.

When the character string of the selection candidate is predicted, the character string is displayed (S15). That is, the candidate character string display program 122 receives the information on the character string predicted from the character string prediction program 118 and displays the information in the selection candidate display area 140 of the display unit 130. This corresponds to a display process for displaying the selection candidates selected by the prediction process.

Next, it is determined whether or not a character string has been selected (S16). This is performed by detecting whether or not an operation of selecting a predetermined selection candidate has been performed. When the character string is selected, the data of the character string of the selected selection candidate is stored in the character string buffer 22 (S1).
8). On the other hand, when the character string is not selected, if there is further input of a character in the entry frame, the process returns to step S11.

Thereafter, when a confirming operation is performed by the confirm instruction key (S19), the confirmed selection candidate, that is, the character string selected by the character string displayed in the selection candidate display area 140 is displayed in the character string editing area. 138, and the character string buffer 22 is cleared (S20).

The operation shown in the above flowchart will be described according to an actual entry example. First, as shown in FIG. 6A, it is assumed that "wa" is entered in the first entry box 136a and "chi" is entered in the third entry box 136c (S10). It is assumed that nothing has been entered in the second entry frame 136b. Then, character recognition is performed (S12), and the recognition result is displayed (S13).

When a prediction instruction is given by pressing the prediction instruction key 142, character string prediction is performed (S1).
4). That is, first, the leading character correspondence extraction program 11
According to 8a, a character string having the character (read) of "wa" at the beginning is extracted (S30). In addition, the last character correspondence extraction program 118c extracts a character string having the character (read) of "chi" at the end (S32). Then, a duplicate character string is extracted (S33). In other words, "wa" at the beginning
A character string having the character (Yomi) and the character having the character (Yomi) at the end is extracted. Since nothing is entered in the second entry box 136b, step S
31 is canceled.

As the extracted character string as a selection candidate, for example, as shown in FIG. 6B, "us, us, rut, sharing" is displayed (S15). Then, for example, "we" is selected from the plurality of selection candidates (S16), and the confirmation instruction key 144 is pressed (S19).
It is output to the character string editing area 138 (S2
0).

As shown in FIG. 7A, "a" is entered in the first entry box 136a, "ku" is entered in the second entry box 136b, and "sa" is entered in the third entry box 136c. Is entered, a character string having the character "a" (reading) at the beginning, the character "ku" (reading) in the middle, and the character "sa" (reading) at the end Is extracted. As the extracted character string as a selection candidate, for example, as shown in FIG. 7B, “Asakusa, Akikusa, darkness, darkness” is displayed.

As shown in FIG. 8A, first, "wa" is input in the first entry box 136a to predict a character string. For example, as shown in FIG. We, we, we, and me, both rut and share, are displayed as selection candidates, and assuming that the selection candidates have not been narrowed down yet, as shown in FIG. When "chi" is input in the third entry box 136c, the process returns from step S16 to step S11 via step S17, and performs a prediction instruction (S13), so that the final prediction is performed. By extracting an overlapping character string between the extracted character string and the character string extracted in step S32, for example, as shown in FIG.
"We, we, rut, sharing" will be displayed. Note that the extraction result in step S30 may be used while retaining the extraction result at the stage where “wa” is inserted in the first entry frame 136a.

In the above example, the description has been made assuming that the character to be entered in the entry frame is a reading of the character, but it may be written. In that case, it becomes possible to input kanji and the like.

In the above example, the selection candidate is predicted based on the first character and the last character, and the first character, the middle character, and the last character. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to predict from a character and an intermediate character, an intermediate character and the last character, only an intermediate character, and only the last character.

For example, when it is desired to detect a character string “XX method”, in the case of reading and inputting, the second entry box 136 b
May be input in the third entry box 136c, and "U" may be entered in the third entry box 136c.

As described above, according to the character input device of the present embodiment, it is possible to search for a desired input character string simply by specifying and inputting one or more characters in the character string.
The trouble of inputting the abbreviations and the like one by one can be saved.

In particular, since a desired character string can be searched only by arbitrarily inputting the characters in the desired character string at the beginning, the middle, and the end, various search methods are possible. Is easier to find, and the prediction accuracy is improved. In particular, even if the number of characters of the input desired character string is not recognized, the input can be easily performed. For example, when the user wants to input the place name “Tanosaka”, the user actually recognizes only the reading “Tanosaka” and recognizes “Tanosaka” or “Tasaka”. In the case where the space between characters to be input is used as an abbreviation symbol as in the conventional text input device in the above-mentioned conventional Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-1986, it is recognized from the beginning that "Tanosaka" has three Chinese characters. Then, the user must input "field" → blank → “hill”. If “field” → “hill” is input, the search cannot be performed. However, in this embodiment, the first
"Ten" is entered in the entry box 136a, and "Saka" is entered in the third entry box.
Is input, "Tanosaka" can be easily input.

Further, since the search is performed by inputting the characters while distinguishing the beginning, the middle, and the end of the character string, the number of selection candidates can be reduced, and the character string desired to be input can be easily searched.

The first entry frame 136a to the third entry frame 1
After inputting at least one of the selection candidates 36c and displaying the selection candidates, further input can be performed in the entry frame to further narrow down, so that the input can be performed more efficiently.

In the above embodiment, the description has been made on the assumption that the number of entry frames is three. However, the number of entry frames may be two or four or more. If there are two entry boxes, one entry box will correspond to the first character and the other entry box will correspond to the last character. If there are four or more, one entry box corresponds to the first character, another one entry box corresponds to the last character, and the other entry boxes correspond to the middle characters. It is in. In other entry frames, the entry frame closer to the entry frame corresponding to the first character also corresponds to the character closer to the top in the character string. For example, in the case of four entry boxes arranged horizontally, the leftmost entry box corresponds to the first character, the rightmost entry box corresponds to the last entry box, and the second entry box from the left. And the third entry box from the left correspond to characters in the middle except for the beginning and end, and the second entry box from the left corresponds to a character positioned before the third entry box from the left. .

In the above description, the character input device is described. However, a program for performing the operation of the character input device may be stored in a recording medium and read into the device. That is, the programs stored in the memory 110, in particular, the character string prediction program 118, the prediction dictionary 120, the candidate character string display program 122,
The selection instruction detecting program 124 and the character string control program 126 may be stored in a recording medium, and may be installed and used in a computer when necessary.

[0073]

According to the character input device and the computer-readable recording medium according to the present invention, the first character, the middle character, and the last character of the character string to be input are input to the entry box, Because you can search for and enter the desired character string, you can narrow down the number of choices,
It is easy to search for a desired input character string. Further, it is possible to save the trouble of inputting an abbreviation symbol or the like one by one. Further, even if the number of characters of the input desired character string is not recognized, the input can be easily performed.

Also, by inputting at least one of the first character, the middle character, and the last character of the input desired character string into the entry box, the search can be performed. Becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram functionally showing a configuration of a character input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a character input device based on an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display state on a display unit.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the character input device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the character input device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of the character input device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of the character input device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of the character input device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A Character input device 10 Character input means 12 Character string prediction means 12a First character correspondence extraction means 12b Intermediate character correspondence extraction means 12c Last character correspondence extraction means 12d Duplicate candidate extraction means 14 Prediction dictionary 16 Candidate character string display means 18 Selection instruction input means Reference Signs List 20 character string control means 22 character string buffer 24 output means 26 display means 100 input section 112 entry box display program 118 character string prediction program 118a first character correspondence extraction program 118b middle character correspondence extraction program 118c last character correspondence extraction program 136 entry box 136a First entry frame 136b Second entry frame 136c Third entry frame

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A character input device for inputting characters, an input frame for inputting characters, an input frame display means for displaying a plurality of input frames, and a prediction for predicting a character string as a selection candidate Means having at the beginning of the character string one of the above-mentioned entry boxes, the input character being an entry box corresponding to the first character in the character string. ,
A prediction means for predicting a character string which lastly has a character input to the last character corresponding input box which is another one of the above input boxes and which is an input box corresponding to the last character in the character string. And a character input device comprising: 2. The number of entry frames displayed by the entry frame display means is three or more, and entry frames other than the entry frame corresponding to the first character and the entry frame corresponding to the last character indicate the first character and the last character in the character string. Corresponding to the character in the middle of the exclusion, the prediction means has a character input to the first character corresponding entry box at the beginning of the character string, and has a character input to the last character corresponding entry box last. 2. The character input according to claim 1, wherein a character string having a character input to the entry box corresponding to the intermediate character at a position excluding the first character and the last character of the character string is predicted. apparatus. 3. The character input device according to claim 1, wherein the entry frames corresponding to the characters in the middle are arranged in order from the beginning to the end of the character string. 4. When characters are input in only some of the plurality of entry boxes, the prediction means performs prediction from only the characters input in the entry boxes in which the input is made. The character input device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein: 5. The input frame for inputting a handwritten character, wherein the character input device has character recognition means for recognizing a handwritten character input to the input frame. The character input device according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4. 6. The character input device according to claim 1, wherein the character to be entered in the entry box is a reading of a character string. 7. The character input device according to claim 1, wherein a character to be input in the entry box is a notation of a character string. 8. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for character input is recorded, wherein said one of a plurality of entry boxes displayed on a display screen is a first character in a character string. The character entered in the first character-corresponding entry box, which is an entry box corresponding to the character string, is located at the beginning of the character string, and corresponds to the other one of the entry boxes corresponding to the last character in the character string. A prediction process of predicting a character string having a character lastly entered in the last character corresponding entry frame which is an entry frame to be executed, and a display process of displaying selection candidates predicted by the prediction process. Computer-readable recording medium on which the program of the present invention is recorded. 9. There are three or more entry boxes displayed on the display screen, and the entry boxes other than the entry box corresponding to the first character and the entry box corresponding to the last character exclude the first character and the last character in the character string. Corresponding to characters in the middle, in the prediction processing, the character input in the first character corresponding entry box has at the beginning of the character string, and the character input in the last character corresponding entry box has last, and 9. The computer-readable method according to claim 8, wherein a character string having a character input to an entry box corresponding to an intermediate character at a position excluding the first character and the last character of the character string is predicted. recoding media. 10. An entry frame corresponding to the character in the middle is:
10. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 8, wherein the character strings are ordered from the top to the bottom. 11. In the case where characters are entered in only some of the plurality of entry boxes, in the prediction processing, a prediction is made only from the characters entered in the entry boxes with entries. 11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the step is performed.
A computer-readable recording medium according to claim 1. 12. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 12, wherein the input frame is an input frame for inputting a handwritten character, and the computer-readable recording medium includes a character recognition process for recognizing the handwritten character input to the input frame. 10. A program to be executed by a computer is recorded.
Or a computer-readable recording medium according to 10 or 11. 13. The character input to the entry box is a reading of a character string.
Or a computer-readable recording medium according to 11 or 12. 14. A character to be entered in the entry box is a notation of a character string.
Or a computer-readable recording medium according to 11 or 12.