JP2006146356A - Character input program, information processor, and character input method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and efficiently input a character string other than kana and kanji. <P>SOLUTION: When Japanese input is performed in a cellular phone, a candidate list screen in which conversion candidates according to an input character string of hiragana are mixed with character type candidates 52 and 55 designating post-conversion of the input character string to a specified character type is formed. The character type candidate 52 simply designates conversion to a numerical character string or alphabetic character string, while the character type candidate 55 designates conversion to a character string having a specified meaning such as "date" or "time". When either character type candidate is selected, the candidate list screen is switched, and conversion candidates in which a character string of a character type corresponding to the designated candidate displayed in different display forms are displayed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a computer in which an operation unit including a plurality of character input keys to which characters of a plurality of character types including a kana are assigned and a display unit capable of displaying a character string are connected to the computer. The present invention relates to a program for setting a function for generating a character string corresponding to a key operation and outputting it to a running application. Furthermore, the present invention relates to an information processing apparatus in which the above program is incorporated, and a character input method in which the information processing apparatus is executed.

  As shown in FIG. 15, 12 character input keys 81 including a numeric key of 0 to 9, a confirmation key 82, a selection key 83, and predetermined functions are assigned to a general operation unit of a cellular phone. Function keys 84 and the like are provided. Each of the character input keys 81 of “0” to “1” is assigned hiragana for one line of 50 sounds and 3 to 4 English characters. Also, various symbols and line feed functions are assigned to the left and right character input keys 81.

  When a Japanese input mode is set when an e-mail is created, each character input key 81 functions as a key for inputting hiragana characters, and hiragana characters corresponding to the number of key operations are input as pre-conversion characters. . Furthermore, in recent mobile phones, a function for predicting a character string after conversion based on a pre-conversion character string assembled from input kana characters is set. Since the post-conversion character strings predicted by this function are displayed as a list of conversion candidates, the user can determine the post-conversion character string before the assembly of the pre-conversion character string is completed.

On the other hand, when inputting a numeric string or an English character string, it is necessary to change the character type to be input by the character input key 81 by operating the function key 84 to which the character type changing function is assigned before the input. is there.
Some recent mobile phones include a “post conversion” function. Post-conversion refers to converting the kana character string into a numeric string or an English character string by operating a predetermined function key after inputting the kana character string.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 16, a list of numbers and English character strings corresponding to the operation history are displayed together with conversion candidates extracted by the prediction function (portion surrounded by a dotted line in the figure) to accept the selection. There is also a model. Also, in Patent Document 1 below, each time a character input key is operated, a character string is assembled for each character type, these character strings are displayed as a list, and the selected character string is confirmed as a converted character string. Proposed method to do.

JP 2002-207559 A

  When changing the input target of the character input key with the character type change key, the character type to be input is cycled according to the operation of the character type change key, such as “Hiragana → English → Number → Hiragana ...”. The confirmation operation is accepted, or a menu screen for character type selection is displayed on the display unit to accept the selection. However, in any of these methods, a plurality of operations must be performed to select a character type. Moreover, since it is necessary to perform the same operation when returning the character type to be input to the original hiragana, the operation becomes very complicated when it is necessary to switch the character type many times.

  As an example, let us consider a case where a character string (September 20, 12:20, etc.), which is a combination of numbers and kana kanji and symbols, such as date and time, is input. For example, when the character string “September 20” is input, “9”, “month”, “20”, and “day” are sequentially input while alternately repeating the operation of switching the character type to numbers and the operation of switching to kana. Or after entering “920”, move the cursor between “9” and “2” to insert “Month”, then move the cursor to the end of the string and enter “Day” There is a need. As described above, since many keys other than the character input keys have to be operated, the operation becomes complicated, causing problems such as input errors and an increase in input time.

When using the post-conversion function, as shown in FIG. 17, in response to the operation of changing the character type, the display screen changes from a normal kana-kanji conversion display screen to a number string or English character string candidate. The display screen changes. By selecting a target character string on the list display screen, the converted character string can be confirmed. However, with this method, the hiragana character string is displayed as the input character string until the character type change operation is performed, so it is difficult to confirm whether the correct input has been performed. In particular, when the same character such as “111” is continuously input, it is necessary to perform an operation of repeating the character input and the cursor movement (for example, the input character string becomes “Oh”). However, there is a possibility that an input error occurs because the target numeric string cannot be confirmed.
Furthermore, this post-conversion function is a function that is not familiar to users who have no experience of inputting characters with a personal computer, and therefore has a problem that it is difficult to use.

  A method of displaying a numeric string or an English character string together with conversion candidates predicted from a kana character string is often fixed to a specific display format due to a problem of display space. Also in the example of FIG. 16 described above, the display is limited to single-byte character strings. Such a display has a problem that it cannot be converted into a format intended by the user and is difficult to use.

  According to the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the character string corresponding to the operation history is displayed for each character type according to the operation of the character input key, the content of the character string corresponding to the input purpose is confirmed. Can be input. However, even in this method, the formats displayed as candidates are limited, and various display formats have not been selected. Further, as described above, every time a character input key is operated, a mobile phone in recent years predicts and displays a conversion candidate. Therefore, a display column for this conversion candidate and a display for each character type candidate are displayed. It is difficult to display columns in parallel. In addition, the frequency of inputting numbers and English strings is much less than the frequency of inputting kana / kanji strings, so there is less frequency of using candidate displays for each character type, and the advantage of setting a display space. It seems that is not obtained.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above problem, and even when a character string other than kana kanji is input using a character input key to which characters relating to a plurality of character types are assigned, the character is simply and efficiently. The purpose is to be able to enter a column.

  In the character input program according to the present invention, an operation unit including a plurality of character input keys to which characters of a plurality of character types including a kana are assigned and a display unit capable of displaying a character string are connected. This is for setting a function for generating a character string corresponding to a key operation of the operation unit and outputting it to a running application in a computer. Character string assembling means, candidate extracting means, first and second described later Each of the candidate display means and the confirmation means includes a program for causing the computer to function.

In addition to the character input key, the operation unit can include a selection key for selecting a conversion candidate, a confirmation key for confirming the selected candidate, and the like. The kana assigned to the character input key is preferably hiragana, but is not limited to this and may be katakana. The character input keys are preferably arranged as so-called numeric keys, but are not necessarily limited to the arrangement.
The display unit is preferably configured to be large enough to display the pre-conversion character string and a plurality of conversion candidates. For example, a liquid crystal panel provided with a number of pixels capable of displaying a plurality of characters both vertically and horizontally can be used as the display unit.

  An “active application” is a function set by a computer using a dedicated program. This application is preferably designed to accept input of a character string, such as a word processor, mail editor, database system, etc., and create information incorporating the input character string.

The character string assembling means assembles a kana character string corresponding to the operation history each time the character input key of the operation unit is operated.
The candidate extracting means searches a database in which a predetermined number of converted character strings are stored using the kana character strings assembled by the character string assembling means, and extracts the converted character strings of the conversion candidates. The database can be stored in advance in the memory of the computer. In this database, many kana-kanji character strings can be registered as converted character strings. In addition, English character strings can be registered for foreign words and abbreviations.
The “kana / kanji character string” in this specification includes a kana character string and a kanji character string as well as a kana character string and kanji character string.

The first candidate display unit creates a candidate list screen in which the conversion candidates extracted by the candidate extraction unit and character type candidates for designating character types other than kana / kanji are mixed, and this candidate list is displayed. A screen is displayed on the display unit.
Here, the “character type candidate” corresponds to a selection button for designating a character type to be input, and can be considered to have a display mode that clearly indicates the designated character type. For example, a character string candidate such as a character string such as “numeric characters” or “alphabetic characters” expressed in a manner different from other conversion candidates (for example, surrounding the character string or changing the display color) can be used. .

  When a selection operation is performed on a predetermined character type candidate on the candidate list screen, the second candidate display means displays a character string corresponding to the operation history of the character input key for the character type corresponding to the candidate. A plurality of conversion candidates expressed in different display formats are created, and a candidate list screen based on these candidates is displayed on the display unit. For example, when a “numeric” character type candidate on the candidate list screen is selected, a numeric string corresponding to the operation history of the character input key up to that point is displayed in full-width, half-width, 3-digit It is possible to display a plurality of conversion candidates including the same numeric string, such as a comma-separated display for each, a numeric string with a predetermined sign or symbol (+,-, \, etc.), etc. it can.

  The confirmation means confirms the character string of the selected candidate as a converted character string when a selection operation is performed on a predetermined conversion candidate on the candidate list screen by the first or second candidate display means. The determined converted character string is output to the running application.

  According to each of the above means, when inputting kana / kanji, from the candidate list screen displayed by the first candidate display means, operating the character input keys so that the pre-conversion character string by kana is assembled. A target character string can be input by a method of selecting conversion candidates. In addition, when inputting a character string other than Kana / Kanji (numerical character string, English character string, etc.), select a character type candidate on the list display screen after operating the character input key according to the character to be input. Furthermore, by selecting a candidate from the second candidate list screen displayed in response to this selection, the target character string can be input. Therefore, even when a character string other than kana / kanji is input, the input can be completed only by performing a selection operation on the two types of list display screens. Therefore, the input can be performed easily and efficiently. Further, since there is only a need for a selection operation key, there is no need to provide a function key for changing the character type, and the key assignment can be simplified.

  It is desirable that at least a number other than kana is assigned to the character input key of the operation unit. In a preferred mode when such an operation unit is used, the character string assembling means assembles a numeric string together with the kana character string in accordance with an operation of a character input key. The first candidate display means can create a candidate for each of a plurality of types of information as a character type candidate for numbers, and each time a character input key is operated, the character string assembling means It is configured to determine whether or not each piece of information matches the assembled number string, and to include character type candidates corresponding to the information determined to match in the list display screen. In addition, the second candidate display means converts, for each character type candidate for numbers, a plurality of types of conversions in which the number strings assembled by the character string assembling means are represented in a format suitable for the information on the character type candidates. Configured to create candidates.

  For example, the first candidate display means can create a character type candidate for each piece of information such as date, time, and amount. For each character type candidate, the second candidate display means inserts a predetermined number of characters into the assembled number string in accordance with the display format of information corresponding to the candidate, and creates a candidate. For example, when a character type candidate related to a date is selected in a state where a numeric string “920” is assembled, candidates such as “September 20”, “9/20”, and “9.20” are selected. Can be created.

  Note that it is desirable to create candidates for at least date and time as character type candidates for numbers. This is information that has a high possibility of being used in e-mails and the like, and is a character string that has been complicated in the conventional input method. Further, in addition to these special information character type candidates, it is desirable to create character type candidates corresponding to general numeric strings (those that instruct conversion to only numeric strings).

  In another preferred aspect of the above program, frequency information is associated with the converted character string and each character type candidate in the database. The first candidate display means is configured to display the conversion candidates and the character type candidates extracted by the candidate extraction means in order from the highest frequency based on the frequency information.

  The frequency information related to the converted character string in the database is set based on the past usage history based on the general usage frequency, similarly to the conventional dictionary data for kana-kanji conversion. be able to. The frequency information related to the character type candidate can be set in the same manner as this. According to this aspect, the character type candidates can be preferentially displayed over the conversion candidates that are used less frequently in the kana-kanji conversion, so that the character type candidate selection operation can be performed efficiently.

  An information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an operation unit including a plurality of character input keys to which characters of a plurality of character types including a kana are assigned, a display unit capable of displaying a character string, the operation unit, and the display And a control unit configured to generate a character string corresponding to a key operation of the operation unit and output the character string to an active application. The control unit is mainly a computer, and includes character string assembling means, candidate extraction means, first and second candidate display means, and confirmation means by the character input program.

  In a preferred aspect of the information processing apparatus, at least a plurality of kana characters and one number are assigned to each character input key of the operation unit. Further, the character string assembling means assembles a numeric string together with the kana character string according to the operation of the character input key, and at the end of the kana character string according to the same character input key being operated continuously. While the characters are changed, the same characters are continuously arranged for the numbers according to the continuous operation.

  The information processing apparatus described above can be configured as a mobile phone. In addition, it can be configured as a game machine, a video deck, a DVD deck, an input unit of a home appliance with a remote control, or the like. The input unit and the display unit can be provided integrally with the main body unit in which the control unit is accommodated, or can be configured separately from the main body unit.

  A character input method according to the present invention is a computer in which an operation unit including a plurality of character input keys to which characters of a plurality of character types including a kana are assigned and a display unit capable of displaying a character string are connected. A character string corresponding to the key operation of the operation unit is generated and output to a running application. In this method, each time the character input key is operated, a step A for assembling a kana character string corresponding to the operation history, and a database storing a predetermined number of converted character strings in the step A Step B for extracting a converted candidate character string by searching by a character string, and a character candidate for specifying a character type other than kana / kanji mixed with the conversion candidate extracted in step B A first candidate list screen is created, and step C for displaying the candidate list screen on the display unit is executed. Further, when a selection operation is performed on a predetermined character type candidate on the candidate list screen, a character string corresponding to the operation history of the character input key is displayed in different display formats for the character type corresponding to the candidate. After creating a plurality of conversion candidates and displaying a second candidate list screen based on these candidates on the display unit, when a selection operation for a predetermined conversion candidate is performed on the second candidate list screen, The selected candidate character string is confirmed as a converted character string and output to the application.

  Step A of the character input method can be executed by the character string assembling means, step B can be executed by a candidate extracting means, and step C can be executed by a first candidate display means. Further, the process of displaying the second candidate list screen in response to the selection operation for the character type candidate can be executed by the second candidate display means, and the predetermined conversion candidate on the second candidate list screen is displayed. The process of determining the converted character string according to the selection operation can be executed by the determining means.

  According to this invention, even when inputting a character string other than kana kanji using an operation unit including a plurality of character input keys to which characters of a plurality of character types including kana are assigned, after inputting necessary characters, By performing the operation of selecting a candidate twice, a target character string can be input. Therefore, character strings other than kana / kanji can be input easily and efficiently, and the operability of the information processing apparatus using this type of operation unit can be improved.

  FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a Japanese input system in a mobile phone to which one embodiment of the present invention is applied. The Japanese input system 100 is activated during e-mail creation processing or the like, and executes a process of inputting Japanese into a running application (such as a mail editor).

  The operation unit 8 and the display unit 9 in FIG. 1 are provided in the main body of the mobile phone. The operation unit 8 is provided with a plurality of keys including a character input key, and a character is assigned to each character input key as in FIG. In the following, when referring to a specific character input key, it is represented by a number assigned to that key, such as “0 key” or “1 key”.

  The Japanese input system 100 includes an input information determination unit 1, a candidate creation unit 2, a post-conversion candidate creation unit 3, a candidate buffer 4, a screen display control unit 5, an output unit 6, a history storage unit 7, and the like. Each processing unit other than the candidate buffer 4 is mainly a function set in a CPU (not shown) of the mobile phone by a program. The candidate buffer 4 is set in a memory (not shown).

  When a predetermined key of the operation unit 8 is operated, the input information determination unit 1 takes in a signal generated by the operation and determines the operation content. Here, when a character input key is operated, information indicating which key is operated (hereinafter referred to as “key operation information”) is output to the candidate creation unit 2. When an operation for selecting a candidate is performed, information indicating what number candidate is selected (hereinafter referred to as “selection operation information”) is output to the post-conversion candidate creation unit 3 or the output unit 6. To do.

  Although details will be described later, the candidate creation unit 2 and the post-conversion candidate creation unit 3 create conversion candidates for the input character string of hiragana assembled according to the operation history of the character input keys. The created candidate is stored in the candidate buffer 4. The screen display control unit 5 reads out the candidates stored in the candidate buffer 4, creates a candidate list screen, and outputs the candidate list screen to the display unit 9.

  When the candidate selection operation is performed in a state where the candidate list screen is displayed on the display unit 9, the output unit 6 reads the candidate for the selection from the candidate buffer 4, and determines this as a converted character string To do. The confirmed converted character string is output to the history storage unit 7 and the running application (hereinafter referred to as “higher application”). When the history storage unit 7 receives the converted character string from the output unit 6, the history storage unit 7 executes a process of updating the use history in the learning history database 26b described later for the character string.

FIG. 2 shows a specific example of a candidate list screen created by the Japanese input system 100 by inputting characters.
In this example, the 0 key and the 4 key are operated for character input. In normal character input, an input character string based on hiragana is assembled according to the operation of the hourly character input key, and a candidate list screen (A) is displayed. In the candidate list screen (A), the input character string “WATA” corresponding to the operation history of the character input key is displayed in the upper row, and the character string of the conversion candidate predicted from the input character string (“ "I""I""Pass" etc.) are displayed. These conversion candidates are created by the candidate creation unit 2. In the figure, reference numeral 51 denotes a candidate selection cursor.

  Further, in this candidate list screen (A), in addition to the above conversion candidates, two candidates 52 having a configuration in which a predetermined character string is surrounded by a frame are displayed. These candidates 52 are for designating that the input character string is to be post-converted into a character string of a specific character type, and a character string (“number”) indicating the character type to be post-converted is indicated in the frame. "English characters") are listed. Hereinafter, these candidates 52 are referred to as “character type candidates”.

  When the operation of selecting the “numeric” character type candidate 52 is performed, the candidate list screen (A) is switched to the state of (B). Further, when an operation for selecting a character type candidate 52 of “English” is performed, the candidate list screen (A) is switched to the state of (C). In these candidate list screens (B) and (C), the input character string in the upper row changes to the designated character type (numerals and alphabets), and the input character string is displayed in full-width as a conversion candidate. The one displayed with is displayed.

  In the Japanese input system 100, when an operation for selecting a predetermined candidate is performed on the candidate list screens (B) and (C) switched according to the selection of the character type candidate 52, the selected candidate character is displayed. The column is determined as a converted character string and output to the upper application. Therefore, when inputting a numeric string or an English character string to the host application, after operating the character input key corresponding to the character string, the character type candidate 52 is selected on the candidate list screen (A) displayed first. Then, a desired conversion candidate may be selected on the candidate list screen (B) or (C) switched according to the selection. In other words, by performing a selection operation similar to character input by normal Kana-Kanji conversion twice, it becomes possible to input a numeric string or an English character string, thereby greatly increasing the efficiency of input. it can.

  In this embodiment, the frequency of use is set for each of the conversion candidates for kana-kanji conversion and the character type candidates 52, and the candidates are arranged in descending order of frequency on the candidate list screen (A). I have to. As a result, the “numeric” character type candidate 52 that is used more frequently than the kana-kanji conversion candidate (eg, “intestine”) that is used less frequently can be displayed first. Selection can be simplified.

  In the candidate list screens (B) and (C), a “close” button 53 is displayed together with the conversion candidates. When an operation for selecting the button 53 is performed, the screen can be returned to the state before the character type candidate 52 is selected (that is, the candidate list screen (A)).

FIG. 3 shows another example of the character input and candidate list screen.
(A) in the figure is a candidate list screen at the time when the character input keys of the 1 key and the 2 key are sequentially operated, and an input character string “Aka” is displayed in the upper row, and in the lower row, Conversion candidates ("red", "red", "Akasaka", etc.) predicted from this input character string are displayed.

  Further, in this candidate list screen (a), in addition to the respective character type candidates 52 of “numerals” and “English characters”, three character type candidates 55 of “date”, “time”, and “money” are displayed. . These character type candidates 55 are all intended to post-convert the input character string into a numeric character string, but are simply converted into a character string in that the purpose is to convert the character string into a character string having a specific meaning. It differs from the character number candidate 52 of “number” for designating conversion.

  When the “Date” character type candidate 55 is selected, the candidate list screen (a) is switched to the state shown in (b). In the candidate list screen (b), a numeric string “12” converted from the input character string “Aka” is displayed on the upper row, and “12th”, “January 2”, etc. are displayed as conversion candidates. , A character string of a date that can be derived from “12” is displayed.

  When the “time” character type candidate 55 is selected, the candidate list screen (a) is switched to the state (c). In this list display screen (c), a numeric string “12” that is post-converted from the input character string “Aka” is displayed at the top, and “12 o'clock”, “12 minutes”, etc. as conversion candidates. A character string of a time that can be derived from “12” is displayed.

  The candidate list screen when the “money amount” character type candidate 55 is selected is not shown here, but the same screen as the above (b) and (c) is set, and “12 yen” is set. Conversion candidates such as “12,000 yen” and “¥ 12,000” can be displayed.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, when displaying each character type candidate 52, 55, candidates that cannot be converted into correct information are excluded from the display targets.
FIG. 4 shows a candidate list screen when the input character string “Akasaka” is assembled by operating the character input keys in the order of 1 key, 2 keys, 3 keys, and 2 keys. The candidate list screen also displays kanji / kanji conversion candidates and character type candidates 52 and 55 for “number”, “alphabet”, “time”, and “money”. It is not displayed. This is because the character string “1232” when the input character string is post-converted into a numeric string does not become a character string representing a date (December 32 does not exist).

  Hereinafter, the software functions and specific processes necessary to realize the operations shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 will be described in order. In the following, the information for specifying the character type candidates 52 and 55 is referred to as “character type information”. This character type information is expressed by a character string (such as “date” and “time”) described in the display frame of the character type candidates 52 and 55.

  FIG. 5 shows the detailed functions of the candidate creation unit 2. The candidate creation unit 2 includes an input character string assembly unit 21, an input key string assembly unit 22, a candidate character string search unit 23, a character type candidate selection unit 24, a candidate arrangement unit 25, a dictionary database 26a, a learning history database 26b, A character type information frequency database 27a, a character type pattern database 27b, a character type buffer 28, and the like are included.

  The input character string assembling unit 21 receives key operation information from the input information determining unit and assembles an input character string using hiragana. On the other hand, the input key string assembling unit 22 assembles an array in which the operated keys are arranged in the order of operation (hereinafter referred to as “input key string”).

In this embodiment, the numbers corresponding to the keys are arranged as the input key string. Therefore, the input key string substantially represents an input character string with numbers.
The input character string assembling unit 21 switches the last character of the input character string when the same key is continuously operated, but the input key string assembling unit 22 assembles a key string reflecting this continuous operation. For example, when the key “1” is operated three times in succession, the character string assembled by the input character string assembly unit 21 is “U”, but the input key string assembled by the input key column assembly unit 22 is “111”. Become.

  A large number of kana / kanji character strings are stored in the dictionary database 26a. The learning history database 26b stores usage frequency information for each character string stored in the dictionary database 26a. The candidate character string search unit 23 searches these databases 26a and 26b using the hiragana character string assembled by the input character string acquisition unit 21, and extracts the character string that is a conversion candidate and its use frequency.

  In the character type information frequency database 27a, usage frequency information of each character type information is stored. The character type pattern database 27b stores key string pattern information suitable for each character type information. The character type candidate selection unit 24 extracts character type information matching the input key string by comparing each pattern in the character type pattern database 27b with the input key string, and then extracts the character type information from the character type information frequency database 27a. The usage frequency of the extracted character type information is read out. The character type buffer 28 is used for temporarily storing the extracted character type information and the usage frequency.

  The conversion candidates extracted by the candidate character string search unit 23 and the character type candidates selected by the character type candidate selection unit 24 are provided to the candidate arrangement unit 25 together with frequency information corresponding to each candidate. The candidate array unit 25 stores these candidates in the candidate buffer 4 in the order of passing, and finally executes a process of rearranging the candidate arrays in descending order of frequency. When the rearrangement is completed, the candidate arrangement unit 25 activates the screen display control unit 5. The screen display control unit 5 reads candidates from the rearranged candidate buffer 4 and creates the list display screen.

  FIG. 6 shows a configuration example of the character type information frequency database 27a. In this database 27a, a fixed use frequency is set for each character type information. The most frequently used is “date”, and in the order of “time”, “number”, “amount”, and “alphabet”.

  The above setting of the use frequency is performed based on the analysis result shown in FIG. FIG. 7 shows the result of the inventor analyzing a predetermined number of e-mails exchanged with a mobile phone and classifying them according to the type of numerical expression. According to this result, the expression representing the date is the largest at 38%, the expression representing the time is 18%, the expression representing the amount is 9%, and various other numerical expressions are extracted.

  In the example of FIG. 6, the frequency of “English characters” is set to zero. This is because the input frequency of English character strings is much lower than that of numeric character strings. In addition, as with Hiragana, multiple letters are assigned to one character input key, so it is possible to select a method of input after switching the character type to be input to English rather than post-conversion. It also considers that the nature is higher.

FIG. 8 shows a data configuration example of the character type pattern database 27b.
The character type pattern database 27b is obtained by associating the key sequence pattern assembled by the input key sequence assembly unit 22 with character type information that can be expressed by the pattern. In the figure, “-” means “no corresponding key” or “any key”. In addition, for each character type information of "English letters", "numbers", and "money", regardless of the number and arrangement of keys, all input key columns are applied, and the number of keys is set in each character type information. 0 ”and a pattern in which all keys are“ arbitrary ”are associated.

A specific example of processing for selecting character type candidates from the database 27a will be described.
For example, in the input key string “12” assembled by the input operation in the example of FIG. 3, the number of keys is 2, the first key is “1”, and the second key is “2”. According to FIG. 8, there is a pattern corresponding to this input key string for both “date” and “time” (see * 1 in FIG. 8). As a result, the input key string “12” conforms to both the expression of date and time, and the “date” and “time” are displayed as in the candidate list screen (A) of FIG. Both character type candidates 55 are displayed.

  On the other hand, the key string “1232” assembled by the input operation of the example of FIG. 4 has 4 keys, the first key is “1”, the second key is “2”, and the third key is “3” and the fourth key are “2”. For this key string, the database 27b in FIG. 8 has a corresponding pattern related to “time” (see * 2 in FIG. 8), but there is no corresponding pattern related to “date”. Therefore, the key string “1232” matches the time but does not match the date, and the character type candidate 55 of “date” is not displayed as shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 shows the detailed functions of the post-conversion candidate creation unit 3.
Thereafter, the conversion candidate creation unit 3 includes an information input unit 31, a character type format selection unit 32, a candidate assembly unit 33, a character type format database 34, a format buffer 35, and the like.

  The information input unit 31 receives selection operation information regarding a character type candidate from the input information determination unit 1 and also receives the input key string from the candidate creation unit 2. The character type format selection unit 32 recognizes a character type candidate indicated by the selection operation information, reads a format (display format) corresponding to the character type candidate from the character type format database 34, and stores it in the format buffer 35. In the character type format database 34, a table storing a plurality of types of formats is set for each character type information.

  When the reading of the format is completed, the character type format selection unit 32 notifies the candidate assembly unit 33. The candidate assembling unit 33 is provided with the input key string from the information input unit 31. Upon receiving a notification from the character type format selecting unit 32, the candidate assembling unit 33 reads a numeric string or an English character string corresponding to the input key string. A conversion candidate for post-conversion is created by applying each format in turn. As for the English character string, if there is a part in which the same key is continuously arranged in the input key string, the part is converted into one English character.

  FIG. 10 shows a configuration example of a format table related to “date” in the character type format database 34. Also in this example, similarly to the character type pattern database 27b, a key string pattern is set, and a character string format corresponding to the pattern is associated with each pattern. Each format includes macro variables $ 1, $ 2, $ 3, and $ 4. By assigning numbers corresponding to the first to fourth keys of the actual input key string to these variables, it is possible to assemble a conversion candidate character string.

  FIG. 11 shows an example in which conversion candidates are assembled from input key strings using the character type format database of FIG. In this example, the number of keys is 3, the first key is “1”, the second key is “2”, and the third key is “9”. Here, in FIG. 10, when data having a pattern corresponding to this key string is searched, two data marked with “*” can be extracted. Therefore, four types of conversion candidates “January 29”, “1/29”, “December 9”, and “12/9” are created by applying input key strings to the four formats related to these data. be able to.

  FIG. 12 shows an operation procedure of the Japanese language conversion system 100. Below, based on this FIG. 12, the flow of a process of the whole system is demonstrated. Note that “ST” in the following description and drawings is an abbreviation for steps.

The process of FIG. 12 is started when a predetermined key of the operation unit 8 is operated. If the operated key is a character input key, ST1 becomes “YES”, and after performing the candidate creation process of ST4, the process proceeds to ST6. In ST6, processing for creating and displaying the candidate list screen is executed.
When a character input operation is continuously performed a plurality of times, the flow of ST1, ST4, ST6 is executed every time the operation is performed, and the input character string and the candidate list screen are updated.

  When an operation for selecting a character type candidate is performed in a state where a candidate list screen including conversion candidates and character type candidates created in the candidate creation process is displayed on the display unit 9, ST2 becomes "YES" After performing the post-conversion candidate creation process in ST5, the process proceeds to ST6.

  The above ST4 is a process executed by the candidate creation processing unit 2, ST5 is a process executed by the post-conversion candidate creation processing unit 3, and ST6 is a process executed by the screen display control unit 5. It is. In ST6, a candidate list screen is created using the data stored in the candidate buffer 4 in ST4 or ST5, and this is displayed on the display unit 9. Thus, when the process proceeds to ST6 after executing ST4, a candidate list screen in which conversion candidates for kana-kanji conversion and character type candidates are mixed is displayed. When ST5 is executed after designation of character type candidates and the process proceeds to ST6, a candidate list screen including conversion candidates for post-conversion created from character strings of character types corresponding to the designated character type candidates is displayed. Is displayed. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the candidate list screen also displays the input character string corresponding to the candidate along with the candidate. This display is displayed during the candidate creation process and the post-conversion candidate creation process. Are performed using character strings stored in the working memory.

  When an operation for selecting a predetermined conversion candidate is performed on the candidate list screen displayed in ST6, ST3 becomes “YES” and the process proceeds to ST7, and the use history corresponding to the selected candidate character string is updated. To do. Thereafter, the process proceeds to ST8, and a process of outputting the selected candidate character string to the upper application is executed. If the selected conversion candidate is a conversion candidate for post-conversion (a candidate displayed in response to selection of a character type candidate), the process of ST7 is skipped.

If an operation other than the character input or the selection operation is performed, ST1 to ST3 are “NO”, the process proceeds to ST9, and processing corresponding to the operation is executed.
For example, when an operation for selecting the “Close” button 53 is performed on the candidate list screen updated in accordance with the selection of the character type candidate, a process of returning to the previous candidate list screen is executed. To do.

  In addition, when a character conversion operation is performed without selecting a conversion candidate or character type candidate created in the candidate creation process, a process for extracting a character string that completely matches the input character string from the dictionary database 26a. Execute. Furthermore, in this case, after clearing the candidate buffer 4 and storing the extracted character string as a new conversion candidate, the screen display process of ST6 is executed.

Next, a detailed procedure of the candidate creation process in ST4 will be described with reference to FIG. This process is started from ST101.
First, in ST101, an input character string is assembled according to the operated character input key. In next ST102, the candidate buffer 4 is cleared, and thereafter, the process proceeds to ST103.

  In ST103, a character string that matches forward with the input character string is extracted from the dictionary database 26a. In ST104, the usage frequency of the character string extracted in ST103 is read from the learning history database 26b. In ST105, each extracted character string is set as a conversion candidate and stored in the candidate buffer 4 together with the frequency of use.

Through the above-described ST103 to ST105, conversion candidates for kana-kanji conversion are extracted. When this extraction process ends, a process for setting character type candidates is started.
In this process, first, in ST106, an input key string is assembled according to the operated character input key. Next, after clearing the character type buffer 4 in ST107, the process proceeds to ST108, and attention is paid to the first data in the character type pattern database 27b.

  In ST109, it is determined whether or not the character type information in the data of interest is already stored in the character type buffer 4. If this determination is “NO”, the process proceeds to ST110, and it is determined whether or not the number of keys of the input key string assembled in ST106 matches the number of keys of the data of interest. If this determination is “YES”, the process proceeds to ST111, and it is determined whether or not the pattern of the input key sequence corresponds to the pattern of the key sequence of interest.

When ST111 becomes “YES”, the process proceeds to ST112, and character type information in the data of interest is stored in the character type buffer 4. Next, in ST113, the usage frequency corresponding to the character type information under consideration is read from the character type information frequency database 27a, and then in ST114, a character type candidate corresponding to the character type information is created. Further, in ST115, a process of storing the created character type candidate in the candidate buffer 4 together with the use frequency is executed.
Thereafter, the process proceeds from ST116 to ST117, moves the target of attention to the next data, and returns to ST109. If ST109 is “YES”, ST110 is “NO”, or ST111 is “NO”, the process proceeds to ST116 after the determination.

  By repeating the above processing, all character type information matching the input key string is extracted from the character type pattern database 27b, and character type candidates corresponding to the character type information are stored in the character type buffer 4. Become. When the process for the final data in the character type pattern database 27b is completed, ST116 becomes “YES” and the process proceeds to ST118. In ST118, a process of rearranging all candidates (conversion candidates and character type candidates) stored in the candidate buffer 4 in descending order of frequency of use is executed. The candidate creation process ends with this rearrangement.

Next, the detailed procedure of the post-conversion candidate creation process in ST5 will be described with reference to FIG. This process starts from ST201.
This process is executed in response to the list of candidates created by the candidate creation process being displayed on the display unit 9 and the selection of character type candidates in the list, and is assembled by the candidate creation process. The input key string is the processing target. First, after clearing candidate buffer 4 and format buffer 35 in ST201 and 202, a table corresponding to the selected character type candidate is read from character type format database 34 in ST203.

  In ST201, the clear process is performed after the data in the candidate buffer 4 is saved in another memory area for the return process when the “close” button 53 is operated. Further, the table read in ST203 is set in the work area of the memory.

  In the next ST204, attention is paid to the first data in the read table, and the key number and pattern of the input key string are compared with the key number and pattern of the data being focused. Here, if the number of keys coincides and the pattern of the data of interest corresponds to the input key string, both ST205 and 206 are “YES”, and the process proceeds to ST207. In ST207, the format of the data under attention is stored in the format buffer 35.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to ST209 via ST208, and after moving the target of attention to the next data, the process returns to ST205. Thereafter, by repeating the loop of ST 205 to 209 until the last data is processed, a format suitable for the input key string is extracted and stored in the format buffer 35.

  When the format extraction process ends, the process proceeds to ST210, and a character string that is a conversion candidate for post-conversion is created from the input key string based on each format in the format buffer 35. In subsequent ST211, each created conversion candidate is stored in the candidate buffer 4, and then the process is terminated.

  In this embodiment, since the use frequency is not set for the conversion candidates for post-conversion, the candidates are displayed in the order of creation. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the frequency of use is set in advance in each format in the character type format database 34, and the respective conversion candidates are displayed after being rearranged based on the frequency of use set in the original format. Also good. In addition, in accordance with the candidate selection operation, the frequency of use of the format that is the creation source of the selected candidate may be updated.

It is a functional block diagram of the Japanese input system set by the program concerning this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the candidate list display screen produced according to the character input. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of the candidate list display screen produced according to the character input. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of the candidate list display screen produced according to the character input. It is a detailed functional block diagram regarding a candidate preparation part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structural example of a character type information frequency database. It is a pie chart which shows the analysis result of the numerical expression in the mail of a cellular phone. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structural example of a character type pattern database. It is a detailed functional block diagram regarding a post-conversion candidate preparation part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structural example of a character type format database. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example which produced the conversion candidate from the input key sequence using the database of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a Japanese input system. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed procedure of a candidate preparation process. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed procedure of a post-conversion candidate creation process. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the operation part of a mobile telephone. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the conventional candidate list screen. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a switching of the candidate list screen by the conventional post-conversion function.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Japanese input system 1 Input information determination part 2 Candidate preparation part 3 Post conversion candidate preparation part 5 Screen display control part 6 Output part 8 Operation part 9 Display part 21 Input character string assembly part 22 Input key string assembly part 23 Candidate character string Search unit 24 Character type candidate selection unit 25 Candidate array unit 26a Dictionary database 27b Character type pattern database 32 Character type format selection unit 33 Candidate assembly unit 34 Character type format database 52, 55 Character type candidates

Claims (7)

In response to a key operation of the operation unit to a computer in which an operation unit including a plurality of character input keys to which characters of a plurality of character types including a kana are assigned and a display unit capable of displaying a character string are connected Is a program for setting the function to generate and output to a running application
A character string assembling means for assembling a kana character string corresponding to the operation history each time the character input key is operated;
Candidate extraction means for searching a database in which a predetermined number of converted character strings are stored using kana character strings assembled by the character string assembling means and extracting converted character strings of conversion candidates;
A candidate list screen is created in which the conversion candidates extracted by the candidate extraction means and character type candidates for designating character types other than kana / kanji are mixed, and the candidate list screen is displayed on the display unit. First candidate display means;
When a selection operation is performed on a predetermined character type candidate on the candidate list screen, a plurality of character strings corresponding to the operation history of the character input key are displayed in different display formats for the character type corresponding to the candidate. Second candidate display means for creating conversion candidates and displaying a candidate list screen based on these candidates on the display unit;
Confirming means for confirming a character string of the selected candidate as a converted character string when a selection operation is performed on a predetermined conversion candidate on the candidate list screen by the first or second candidate display means;
A program for inputting characters, which includes a program for causing the computer to function as each means. The character input key of the operation unit is assigned at least a number in addition to the kana,
The character string assembling means assembles a numeric string together with the kana character string according to the operation of a character input key,
The first candidate display means can create candidates for a plurality of types of information as character type candidates for numbers, and each time the character input key is operated, the character string assembling means assembles the candidates. It is configured to determine whether or not each information is matched to the number string, and to include a character type candidate corresponding to the information determined to match in the candidate list screen,
The second candidate display means, for each character type candidate for numbers, a plurality of types of conversion candidates that represent the number strings assembled by the character string assembling means in a format that matches the information of the character type candidates. The program for character input according to claim 1, which creates a character string.   The character input program according to claim 2, wherein the first candidate display means is capable of creating candidates for at least date and time as character type candidates for numbers.   The converted character string and each character type candidate in the database are associated with frequency information, respectively, and the first candidate display means converts the conversion candidate and each character type candidate extracted by the candidate extraction means. The program for character input described in any one of Claims 1-3 which was made to display sequentially from the thing with a high frequency based on each frequency information. An operation unit including a plurality of character input keys to which characters of a plurality of character types including a kana are assigned, a display unit capable of displaying a character string, the operation unit and the display unit are connected, and An information processing apparatus including a control unit configured to generate a character string corresponding to a key operation and output to a running application,
The controller is
A character string assembling means for assembling a kana character string corresponding to the operation history each time the character input key is operated;
Candidate extraction means for searching a database in which a predetermined number of converted character strings are stored using kana character strings assembled by the character string assembling means and extracting converted character strings of conversion candidates;
A candidate list screen is created in which conversion candidates extracted by the candidate extraction means and character type candidates for designating character types other than kana / kanji are mixed, and the candidate list screen is displayed on the display unit. First candidate display means;
When a selection operation is performed on a predetermined character type candidate on the candidate list screen, a plurality of character strings corresponding to the operation history of the character input key are displayed in different display formats for the character type corresponding to the candidate. Second candidate display means for creating conversion candidates and displaying a candidate list screen based on these candidates on the display unit;
Determining means for confirming a character string of the selected candidate as a post-conversion character string when a selection operation is performed on a predetermined conversion candidate on the candidate list screen by the first or second candidate display means; An information processing apparatus comprising means. At least a plurality of kana characters and one number are assigned to each character input key of the operation unit,
The character string assembling means assembles a numeric string together with the kana character string according to the operation of the character input key, and the last character of the kana character string according to the continuous operation of the same character input key. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein on the other hand, with respect to numbers, the same characters are continuously arranged according to the continuous operation. In a computer in which an operation unit including a plurality of character input keys to which characters of a plurality of character types including a kana are assigned and a display unit capable of displaying a character string are connected, according to the key operation of the operation unit A character string generated and output to a running application, each time the character input key is operated, a step A for assembling a kana character string corresponding to the operation history, and a predetermined number of converted character strings Is searched for the kana character string assembled in the step A to extract the converted character string of the conversion candidate, the conversion candidate extracted in the step B and the characters other than the kana / kanji Creating a first candidate list screen in which character type candidates for specifying types are mixed, and executing step C for displaying the candidate list screen on the display unit;
When a selection operation is performed on a predetermined character type candidate on the candidate list screen, a plurality of character strings corresponding to the operation history of the character input key are displayed in different display formats for the character type corresponding to the candidate. After the conversion candidates are generated and the second candidate list screen based on these candidates is displayed on the display unit, the selection is performed when a selection operation is performed on a predetermined conversion candidate on the second candidate list screen. A character input method comprising: determining a candidate character string that has been converted as a converted character string and outputting the character string to the application.

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