JP2003005900A - Method and device for inputting character string - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To input a character string by the input of the remarkably small number of characters. SOLUTION: A character string input method includes word extraction display functions (S1 to S4) extracting the set of words where the character inputted by a character input key is made to a head character from a plurality of words stored in a storage part, and arranging and displaying it in a display part and word selection/input functions (S5 and S6) selecting and inputting the word from the set of the extracted words.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a character string input method and a character string input device suitable for application to a terminal device such as a mobile phone.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a terminal device such as a mobile phone, a character string is input using a predetermined key when registering a destination of a telephone number or transmitting an electronic mail.
However, a device such as a mobile phone is downsized in order to enhance portability, and there are restrictions on the number and size of keys provided.
Therefore, for example, a character string must be input with one thumb, and the operation of inputting the character string is troublesome. As a simplification of this, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-47791, when a character string input halfway and a character string from the beginning to the middle of a word stored in a storage device match,
Proposals have been made to input the word as a character string.

[0003]

However, even in the technique of the above publication, character input must be performed until the character string at the beginning of the word stored in the storage device matches, for example, "Asai", When a plurality of words having the same number of characters from the beginning, such as "Asaichi," exist in the storage device, many characters must be input in the end. Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to:
An object of the present invention is to provide a character string input method and a character string input device capable of inputting a character string with a minimum of character input.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a character string input device including a character input unit, a display unit for displaying a character string, and a storage unit for storing a plurality of words. In the character string input method used, a word candidate having a character input by the character input unit as a leading character and extracting word candidates from a plurality of words stored in the storage unit and displaying them side by side on the display unit A character string input method comprising an extraction display function and a word selection input function of selecting and inputting a word from the extracted word candidates. This allows you to enter just one character,
After that, it is possible to input a character string simply by selecting a word from the word candidates displayed side by side. For example, even a character string input device that has a small number of input keys and requires a lot of time to input the character string is simple. You can enter a character string in.

Further, the word candidate extraction / display function sets the input character as the first character when a predetermined extraction execution input unit is operated after the first character is input by the character input unit. It is conceivable to extract the word candidates. In addition, at least one or more kinds of a word first character used for extracting the word candidate and a character for inputting a different character are assigned to each of the character input sections so that the word can be input. Each time the character input unit is operated, the candidate extraction / display function sequentially selects and displays each character assigned to the character input unit, and when the first character of the word is selected and input, It is also conceivable to extract and display the word candidates having the first character as the first character. Further, the word candidate extraction display function is selected when a predetermined character confirmation input unit is operated after the word leading character is selected by the operation of the character input unit, or when a predetermined time has elapsed. It is also possible to extract and display the word candidates having the above-mentioned first character of the word as a head.

In addition, the word selection input function sequentially selects words from the word candidates each time a predetermined word selection operation section is operated, and the word candidate extraction / display function uses the word candidates. It is also conceivable that a word number identifying each word candidate is displayed and the word selection / input function selects a corresponding word when the word number is input from a predetermined numeral input section.

It is also conceivable that the word candidate extraction / display function displays the word candidates based on a predetermined word display rule. As the predetermined word display rule,
Displaying the word candidates in the order of high input frequency, displaying the word candidates in order from the newest or oldest input history, and further displaying the word candidates in alphabetical order or alphabetical order. Something to be displayed is possible.

When a character or a character string is additionally input from the character input unit after the word candidates are extracted by the word candidate extraction / display function, based on a predetermined word re-extraction rule, A word candidate re-extraction display function for further narrowing down the word candidates from the word candidates and displaying them side by side on the display unit may be considered. The word re-extraction rule is the same as the character string consisting of the input first character and the character or character string additionally input after that, or the character string following the character string in alphabetical order or alphabetical order. It is conceivable to further narrow down the word candidates in which the character string to be placed is placed at the beginning. Further, a method in which the character string input method is regarded as a character string input device may be considered.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments and examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings to provide an understanding of the present invention. It should be noted that the following embodiments and examples are examples of embodying the present invention and are not of the nature to limit the technical scope of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a mobile phone A according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a key operating method in the mobile phone A according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 to 5 are views for explaining a method of displaying words in the mobile phone A according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of character string input in the mobile phone B according to the embodiment of the present invention. , Fig. 7
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a method of displaying words on the mobile phone B according to the embodiment of the present invention.

First, the configuration of the mobile phone A according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Mobile phone A
Is a communication control unit 11, a voice input / output processing unit 12, an input unit 1
3, a display unit 14, a storage unit 15, and a control unit 16. The communication control unit 11 performs various controls regarding wireless communication. The voice input / output processing unit 12 is
It is composed of a speaker, a microphone, etc. (not shown), and performs input / output and amplification processing of audio signals. The input unit 13 is a sheet key or a button, and as shown in FIG. 2A, is composed of input keys such as a numeric keypad (numerical key) 21, up / down / left / right arrow keys 22, and a start key 23. . The input unit 13 is operated by a user to input a telephone number or a character string and to perform or suspend other processing. The display unit 14 is a display device such as a liquid crystal panel, and displays a character string input from the input unit 13 and a character string, a symbol, or the like as a result of other processing. The storage unit 15 is, for example, a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory, and stores a character string (word) input from the input unit and other data. The control unit 16
Is composed of an MPU, a main memory, a ROM, and other peripheral devices (not shown), and controls processing relating to voice data and character data with other components 11 to 15 according to a program registered in advance in the ROM. . This mobile phone A is
The character string input method has a feature, and other configurations and functions are well known, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

Next, with reference to FIG. 2, an operation method of character input by the input unit 13 will be described. The ten-key pad 21 is configured to be used for both inputting numbers and letters (using both the character input section and the number input section). That is, after performing a predetermined input operation, for example, pressing the "#" → "start" key, the character input mode is set until a predetermined release operation is performed. The "1" to "9" and "0" keys on the numeric keypad 21 are respectively "A row" to
The characters "Ra line" and "Wa line" are assigned,
Each time the ten keys are pressed, different characters can be sequentially selected. For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, every time the user presses "1" on the ten-key pad 21, the characters in the line "a" → "i" → "u", and so on, are sequentially displayed. You can choose. Then, when the desired character is selected, the desired character is input by, for example, pressing the "start" key 23. Further, in addition to the characters for individually inputting each character as described above, each of the ten-keys has the first character of the word used to call a word registered in advance in the storage unit 15 ( Corresponds to the first character of the word) is assigned to be enterable. For example, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), each time the user presses "1" on the ten-key pad 21, each character in the A line for individually inputting a character is followed by the underlined A line. word first character, "a" → "i" → are sequentially selected so that the "U" ,,,. Then, when the desired word first character is selected, for example, by pressing the "start" key 23 (corresponding to the character confirmation input unit), the selected character is selected as shown in FIG. 3 (b). The word to be the first character is extracted from the words in the storage unit 15 and displayed side by side on the display unit 14 as candidates of words that can be selected and input. In this state, when a word is selected using the up and down arrow keys 22 and the right arrow key is pressed to confirm the selection, the character string of the selected word is input. In this way, the word start character and other characters are individually assigned to the respective keys, and the word start character is not provided and the "start" key 23 is pressed when the character is selected. Confirm the character and press the other key, for example, the "→" key 22
When (corresponding to the extraction execution input section) is pressed,
A word having the selected character as the first character may be extracted and displayed. Here, it is assumed that the words stored in the storage unit 15 are registered in advance by a predetermined registration operation, for example, in the order of the Japanese syllabary. in this way,
You can enter characters by one character and then select a word from the displayed word candidates to enter the character string, so you can easily enter the character string even on a mobile phone with few input keys.

Next, with reference to FIG. 5, a processing procedure of character string input executed by the control unit 16 will be described.
In the following, S1, S2, ... Represent the processing procedure (step) numbers. Further, it is assumed that the user has performed a predetermined operation for shifting to the character input mode before the processing of FIG. 5 is performed.

First, in S1, a character selection process is performed by the ten keys 21. As shown in FIG. 2B, this is a process in which each time any of the ten keys 21 is pressed, the characters assigned to that key are sequentially selected and displayed on the display unit 14. Next, in S2, the character selected in S1 is the first character of the word (FIG. 2B).
It is determined whether the character is an underlined character). If it is determined that the word is the first character, the process proceeds to S3, and if not, the process proceeds to S6. In S3, a process for moving to the next step (S4) of displaying a word is performed. This means that, for example, when the “start” key 23 (corresponding to the character confirmation input unit) is pressed, the process proceeds to the next step, or even before the “start” key 23 is pressed, A process such as automatically shifting to the next step as time passes is conceivable.

Next, in S4, the word candidates having the leading character of the word selected in S1 as the head are extracted from the words registered in the storage unit 15 and displayed side by side on the display unit 14 (S1 to S1). S4 corresponds to the processing of the word candidate extraction display function). Here, there are several possible methods for displaying the words, as shown below. One of them is, for example, that when words are registered in the storage unit 15 in advance, they are arranged in alphabetical order or alphabetical order and displayed in that order. In addition, it is also conceivable to perform a process of managing the input history of each word (described later) and arrange the words in the order of newest or oldest input results, or in order from the one with the highest usage frequency (input frequency).

Next, in S5, a process of selecting one word from the extracted word candidates is executed. As a method of selecting a word, for example, the up / down arrow keys 22
It is conceivable that each time (corresponding to the word selection operation unit) is pressed, the next word (or the previous word) is selected (the cursor display is moved to the corresponding position at the same time) in the arranged order. To be Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, together with the word candidates, a number for identifying each word (corresponding to rank 30 of word input time described later in FIG. 3B) is displayed, and the numeric keypad 21 ( The word corresponding to the number input by the numeral input unit may be selected (the cursor display is moved to the corresponding position at the same time). FIG. 3C shows the state of FIG.
An example in which the third word “Tomorrow” is selected by pressing the “3” key is shown.

Next, in S6, the word selected in S5 or a character different from the word start character input in S1 (when determined to be No in S2) is the above-mentioned character of the control unit 16. Temporarily stored in main memory. At this time, if the character string input so far exists, the character string is additionally stored after the character string and temporarily stored (S5 → S6 corresponds to the processing of the word selection input function).

Next, the process proceeds to S7, and the management process of the input history of the word is performed. The word input history management process is, for example, a process of rearranging the words stored in the storage unit 15 in order from the newest word having been input, or a process in which the use frequency (input frequency) is high. It is the process of changing. FIG. 3A is an example in which the word candidates having “a” as the first character are arranged and stored in the storage unit 15 in order from the newest word having the input result. Figure 3
The number in (a) represents the rank 30 of the word input time, and the smaller the value, the more recently input word. FIG. 3B shows an example in which this is displayed on the display unit 14. The word input history management process (S6) at this time is a process of moving the words selected in S5 to the position where the rank 30 of the word input time is "1" and rearranging the words. Further, FIG. 4A is an example in which the word candidates having “A” as the first character are arranged and stored in the storage unit 15 in descending order of frequency of use. FIG. 4B shows an example in which this is displayed on the display unit 14. Figure 4
The number in (a) represents the word usage count of 40. At this time, the word input history management process (S6) is a process of counting up and storing the number of times the word is used for the word selected in S5, and then rearranging the words from the one having the highest number of times of use of the word. Is.

Next, in S9, after the key input detection processing is performed, in S9, it is determined whether or not the end input of character input, for example, the key of "#" → "OFF" is pressed. Is determined. If it is determined in S9 that the end input has not been performed, the process returns to S1 and the processes of S1 to S9 are repeated until the end input is performed. On the other hand, if it is determined in S9 that the end input has been performed, after the character string temporarily stored in S6 is passed to another process (for example, a destination registration process of a telephone number) (S9), The process ends.

[0019]

EXAMPLE Next, a mobile phone B which is an application example of the mobile phone A will be described. The mobile phone B selects from the word candidates in which a word having the input first character of the word as the first character is extracted, and further, the second character of the word from the second character input from the numeric keypad 21. Also, the comparison is performed in the order of the Japanese syllabary, and the word in the later order is extracted as a new word candidate. The processing procedure will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 6, S1
Since the processes of S1 to S9 are exactly the same as the processes of S1 to S9 of FIG. 5, the description thereof is omitted here. After the word candidates are displayed in S4, the process proceeds to S41. S41
In the same manner as in S1, after the selection processing of the second character by the ten keys 21 is performed, it is determined whether or not the second character is selected (S42). If it is determined in S42 that the second character has been selected, the process proceeds to S43, and if not, the process proceeds to S5 described above, and the word selection process is performed. In S43, S4
From the word candidates extracted in step S1, the same character string as the first character input in S1 and the second character input next in S41, or in the order of the Japanese syllabary from the character string. The words in which the succeeding character string (that is, the character string arranged in the order of the Japanese syllabary and arranged later) are further narrowed down, and the narrowed down new word candidates are displayed on the display unit 1.
After being displayed side by side in 4 (S41 to S43 correspond to the processing of the word candidate re-extraction display function), the process proceeds to S5 described above, and word selection processing is performed. Figure 7 (a) shows "A".
This is an example in which the word candidates having a leading character are arranged and stored in the storage unit 15 in the order of Japanese syllabary. An example of displaying this on the display unit 14 (display example in S4) is shown in FIG. 7B.
Is. Furthermore, FIG.
The second character "ka" is input, and the word beginning with the character string "a" consisting of the first character "a" and the next character "ka" and the character string "aka" in alphabetical order This is also an example in which the following words “yaku”, “yawn” ,, are further narrowed down and displayed from the word candidates shown in FIG. 7B. Thus, by re-extracting the word with the second letter,
If there are many choices included in the word candidates, the words can be further narrowed down, which facilitates word selection. Of course, 3
The above-mentioned word candidates may be further narrowed down by performing the same processing for the characters and thereafter.

[0020]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By entering a single character, you can display a list of words that begin with that character, and you can enter a character string by simply selecting the desired word from the list, so you can easily enter a character string with as few characters as possible. It will be possible.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a mobile phone A according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a key operating method in the mobile phone A according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a word display method on the mobile phone A according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a method of displaying words on the mobile phone A according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a method of displaying words on the mobile phone A according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of character string input in the mobile phone B according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a method of displaying words on the mobile phone B according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... Communication control unit 12 ... Voice input / output processing unit 13 ... Input section 14 ... Display unit 15 ... Storage unit 16 ... Control unit 21 ... Numeric keypad 22 ... Arrow keys 23 ... Activation key 30 ... Ranking of word input time 40 ... Word usage count S1, S2, ... Step number

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A character string input method using a character string input device, comprising: a character input unit; a display unit for displaying a character string; and a storage unit for storing a plurality of words. A word candidate extraction and display function for extracting a word candidate having the first character as the first character from a plurality of words stored in the storage unit and displaying the word candidates side by side on the display unit, and a word from the extracted word candidates. A character string input method comprising: a word selection input function for selecting and inputting. 2. The word candidate extraction / display function sets the input character as the first character when a predetermined extraction execution input unit is operated after the first character is input by the character input unit. The character string input method according to claim 1, wherein the word candidates are extracted. 3. At least one or more of each of a character leading part used for extracting the word candidates and a character used for entering a different character are assigned to each of the character input parts so as to be enterable. When the word candidate extraction / display function sequentially selects and displays each character assigned to the character input unit every time the character input unit is operated, and the word first character is selected and input The character string input method according to claim 1, wherein the word candidates having the first character as the first character are extracted and displayed. 4. The word candidate extraction and display function, after the word top character is selected by the operation of the character input unit,
The character string input method according to claim 3, wherein when a predetermined character confirmation input unit is operated, the word candidates having the selected first character of the word as a head are extracted and displayed. 5. The word candidate extraction / display function, after the word top character is selected by the operation of the character input unit,
The candidate of the word having the selected first character of the word as a head is extracted and displayed after a lapse of a predetermined time.
The character string input method described in. 6. The character string input method according to claim 1, wherein the word selection input function sequentially selects words from the word candidates each time a predetermined word selection operation unit is operated. . 7. The word candidate extraction / display function displays a word number identifying the word candidate together with the word candidate, and the word selection / input function inputs the word number from a predetermined numeral input section. The character string input method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a corresponding word is selected when the input is performed. 8. The character string input method according to claim 1, wherein the word candidate extraction / display function displays the word candidates based on a predetermined word display rule. 9. The character string input method according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined word display rule is to display the word candidates in an order of high input frequency. 10. The character string inputting method according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined word display rule is to display the word candidates in order from the newest or oldest word having the input result. 11. The character string input method according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined word display rule is to display the word candidates in alphabetical order. 12. The character string input method according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined word display rule displays the word candidates in alphabetical order. 13. When a character or a character string is additionally input from the character input unit after the word candidates are extracted by the word candidate extraction / display function, based on a predetermined word re-extraction rule, 11. The character string input method according to claim 1, further comprising a word candidate re-extraction display function of narrowing down word candidates from the word candidates and displaying them side by side on the display unit. 14. The word re-extraction rule is the same as or different from the character string in the order of the Japanese syllabary, which is the same as the character string consisting of the input first character and the character or character string additionally input after that. The character string input method according to claim 13, wherein the candidate of the word in which the succeeding character string is arranged at the head is further narrowed down. 15. The word re-extraction rule is the same as or subsequent to the character string consisting of the input first character and then the additionally input character or character string or in alphabetical order from the character string. The character string input method according to claim 13, wherein the word candidates in which the character string is arranged at the head are further narrowed down. 16. A character string input device comprising a character input unit, a display unit for displaying a character string, and a storage unit for storing a plurality of words, wherein a character input from the character input unit is set as a leading character. A word candidate extraction display unit for extracting word candidates from the word storage unit and displaying them side by side on the display unit; and a word selection input unit for selecting and inputting a word from the extracted word candidates. A character string input device characterized by: