JP2010257392A - Device and method for inputting character, computer readable program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce operation needed when a user inputs character information to a Web content or the like to improve convenience in a character input device. <P>SOLUTION: A category estimation part 254 obtains attribute information from an input form in an input column being an input object in the Web content 101 and estimates category information corresponding to the attribute information of the input form. A word extraction part 256 extracts from a dictionary 270 a word corresponding to the attribute information. Also, a word is extracted from the dictionary 270 on the basis of the estimated category information. A candidate word determination part 258 determines a word to be output as a candidate character string 200C from words output by the word extraction part 256 as a result of extraction. A candidate character string output part 260 makes a monitor display the candidate character string 200C. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a character input device, a character input method, a computer-readable program, and a recording medium, and more particularly to a character input device, a character input method, a computer-readable program, and a recording medium that can predict a character string to be input. It relates to the medium.

  With the recent development of information technology, opportunities for users to input various information to information processing devices are increasing.

  In particular, when using various services on the Internet, a user may input information such as a name, an address, and an e-mail address for Web content including an input form as shown in FIG. . When the opportunity to use such a service increases, the user must repeatedly input the same information into various input forms, which causes a problem that it is complicated.

  In order to solve such a problem, Patent Document 1 stores a technique in which data input in an input form in the past is stored, and past input data is used when inputting similar information next time. Is disclosed. Specifically, in Patent Document 1, the automatic entry system stores attribute information and an input character string associated with an input form for each input form in a terminal or a server, and displays a new Web content. The web content is analyzed according to the call operation by the user, and the character string to be input is determined from the attribute information accompanying the input form and the history data for each stored input form. The determined character string is automatically entered.

JP-A-2005-327260

  However, in the conventional method as described in Patent Document 1, the system for browsing the Web content itself analyzes the Web content and determines the input character string from the attribute information attached to the input form. The input string is automatically embedded in the input form and displayed.

  For this reason, even if a plurality of input character strings exist as candidates for a certain input form, only one candidate is embedded and displayed in the input form. Therefore, when the character string candidate automatically embedded by the system is different from the character string desired by the user, the user must input the character string from the beginning. In particular, when multiple users use the system or when users input different information for each input form for various input forms, the character string displayed as a candidate is the character desired by the user. The probability of being different from the column is high. Therefore, the probability that the user is required to input the character string from the beginning increases.

  That is, in the conventional method, a character string that is different from the character string desired by the user is often displayed as a candidate. Therefore, the character string displayed as a candidate is deleted and the character string is newly displayed to the user. As a result, there may be a situation where the user needs a complicated operation.

  The present invention has been conceived in view of such circumstances, and its purpose is to reduce the operations required when a user inputs character information to Web content or the like, thereby improving the convenience of the character input device. Is to improve the performance.

  A character input device according to the present invention is a character input device for inputting a character string to be input to an input form for content including an input form corresponding to attribute information, and an input unit that receives input of information; First storage means for storing a character string in association with at least one of attribute information and category information, and first for extracting a character string stored in the first storage means in correspondence with attribute information of the input form Extracting means, estimating means for estimating category information corresponding to the attribute information of the input form, and extracting a character string stored in the first storage means corresponding to the category information estimated by the estimating means Extraction means, a character set extracted by the first extraction means and the second extraction means, a candidate setting means for setting as a candidate for a character string to be input to the input form, and an input means In response to an input of comprising, a character string selected from the character string candidate setting means is set, and output means for outputting a character string to be input to the input form.

  In the character input device according to the present invention, the estimation means includes a second storage means for storing related information for associating the attribute information with the category information, and an attribute corresponding to the content input form in the second storage means. And determining means for determining category information associated with the information as an estimation result.

  In the character input device according to the present invention, the first storage means further associates the character string with the reading kana of the character string, and does not associate with the attribute information and the category information but associates the character string with the reading kana. It is preferable that the first extraction unit extracts the character string from the first storage unit based on the reading pseudonym input to the input unit.

  In the character input device according to the present invention, the candidate setting means is associated with either attribute information or category information in the character string extracted by the first extraction means or the second extraction means. It is preferable to set a higher priority to a character string that is not associated with either attribute information or category information.

  In the character input device according to the present invention, the second storage means specifies the attribute information by a character string, and the determination means is at least one of the attribute information corresponding to the content input form in the second storage means. It is preferable to determine category information associated with attribute information that matches a part as an estimation result.

  The character input device according to the present invention updates the first storage means so that the character string output by the output means is stored in correspondence with the attribute information of the input form in the first storage means. It is preferable to further comprise an updating means for performing the above.

  In the character input device according to the present invention, the estimating means estimates a plurality of category information corresponding to the attribute information of the content, and the updating means is the first storage means, and the character string output by the output means is It is preferable to update the first storage means so as to be stored corresponding to the category information corresponding to the attribute information corresponding to the input form.

  In the character input device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the first extraction unit and the second extraction unit extract the character string even when the input unit does not accept the input of the character string. .

  The character input device according to the present invention preferably further includes candidate display means for displaying the candidates set by the candidate setting means on the display device.

  A character input method according to the present invention is a character input method that is executed in a character input device that includes first storage means for storing a character string and inputs characters into an input form in content displayed on a display device. A step of storing the character string in association with the attribute information and the category information in the first storage means, a step of extracting the attribute information corresponding to the input form, and a first storage corresponding to the extracted attribute information. Extracting a character string stored in the means; estimating a category information corresponding to the extracted attribute information; and a character string stored in the first storage means corresponding to the estimated category information. A step of extracting, and a step of setting a character string extracted based on attribute information and category information as a character string candidate to be input to the input form. When, and a step of outputting the character string set as the candidate, as a character string to be input to the input form.

  A program according to the present invention is a computer-readable program that is executed in a character input device that includes first storage means for storing a character string and inputs characters into an input form in content displayed on a display device. In the character input device, the step of storing the character string in the first storage means in association with the attribute information and the category information, the step of extracting the attribute information corresponding to the input form, and the extracted attribute information Extracting the character string stored in the first storage means, estimating the category information corresponding to the extracted attribute information, and storing in the first storage means corresponding to the estimated category information The extracted character string and the character string extracted based on the attribute information and category information are entered in the input form. And setting as a candidate of the character string to be a character string specified as a candidate, and a step of outputting as a character string to be input to the input form.

  A recording medium according to the present invention includes a first storage unit that stores a character string, and is a computer-readable program that is executed in a character input device that inputs characters into an input form in content displayed on the display device. Is stored in the first storage means in association with the attribute information and the category information, and the attribute information corresponding to the input form is extracted from the character input device. A step, a step of extracting a character string stored in the first storage means corresponding to the extracted attribute information, a step of estimating category information corresponding to the extracted attribute information, and a correspondence to the estimated category information Extracting the character string stored in the first storage means, and extracting based on the attribute information and the category information And the character string, and setting as a candidate of the character string to be input to the input form, the character string set as a candidate, and a step of outputting as a character string to be input to the input form.

  According to the present invention, character strings are extracted in two stages as candidates for character strings to be input to the input form. That is, for the attribute information corresponding to the input form that is the input target of the character string, the character string in the database is extracted based on the attribute information, and further, based on the category information estimated based on the attribute information. The character string in the database is extracted.

  By presenting the extracted character string as a candidate, the user can input characters by a simple operation of selecting a character string from the presented candidates. Even when a plurality of character string candidates are assumed as character strings to be input to the input field, the plurality of character strings are set as candidates, and the user selects a character string from the plurality of character strings. be able to. Therefore, when a plurality of character strings are assumed as candidates, only one character string can be set as a candidate from among the plurality, and thus, the user deletes the character string set as a candidate once and then again It is possible to avoid a situation where an operation for inputting a character string is required.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the candidate setting unit can set a character string that is not associated with attribute information or category information as a candidate if a reading is input to the input unit. Even when a character string is not associated with attribute information or category information in the database, such as when the user inputs content for the first time, the user can receive support for character input.

It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the character input device which is one Embodiment of the character input device of this invention. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the computer system which comprises the character input device of FIG. It is an external view of the remote control of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of the input form used as the object of character string input by the character input device of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the HTML (HyperText Markup Language) form for displaying the input form of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen (character input screen) by the application which comprises the character input device of FIG. It is a figure which shows the other example of the display screen of the input form which the character input device of FIG. 1 makes the input object of a character string. It is a figure which shows typically an example of the data structure of the dictionary of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the information stored in the category estimation part of FIG. 1 in order to estimate a category based on attribute information. It is a figure which shows the other example of the display screen (character input screen) by the application which comprises the character input device of FIG. It is a figure which shows the further another example of the display screen (character input screen) by the application which comprises the character input device of FIG. It is a flowchart of the process performed after starting the character input device of FIG. 1 until outputting an input character string.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a character input device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[Functional configuration of character input device]
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a character input device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This character input device should be installed in devices that can browse Web content and input characters, such as personal computers (PCs), personal digital assistants (PDAs), televisions, and mobile phones. Is possible. In such a device, when a Web content including an input form is acquired via a network such as the Internet, displayed by the Web content browsing apparatus 100 or browsing software, and a character is input to the input form, the character input apparatus Then, a character string for input (including the case of one character) is generated, and the generated character string is passed to the Web content browsing apparatus 100 or browsing software. In response to this, the Web content browsing apparatus 100 embeds the input character string acquired in the input form and displays the Web content.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional structure of the character input device according to the present embodiment.
The character input device 200 can communicate with the Web content browsing device 100.

  In the Web content browsing apparatus 100, the Web content 101 including the input form information 102 is reproduced (displayed or the like).

  In the Web content browsing apparatus 100, when information specifying one input field among one or a plurality of input fields displayed based on the input form information 102 is input, the Web content browsing apparatus 100 displays a character input device. An instruction to activate a function as a character input device is input to 200. The designation of the input field is performed based on an operation of an input device such as a remote controller (hereinafter referred to as “remote controller”) or a keyboard by the user.

  In the character input device 200, the input unit 250 includes character input operation information 200A that is information specified by the user for character input, such as character input, kanji conversion, and input completion, and the character input device. Input of candidate selection information 504, which is information indicating which candidate the user has selected from the candidates presented by 200, is accepted.

  The category estimation unit 254 estimates a category corresponding to the attribute information by referring to the dictionary 270 stored in the character input device 200 based on attribute information obtained by extraction from the input form information 102 or the like. The result is output to the word extraction unit 256.

  In the present embodiment, the dictionary 270 is stored in the character input device 200, but is stored in a device separate from the devices constituting the character input device 200. The character input device 200 is connected via a network. Thus, the dictionary 270 may be referred to.

  The word extraction unit 256 extracts words from the dictionary 270 based on the input character information (character input operation information 200A), and outputs the extracted words to the candidate word determination unit 258. Also, the word extraction unit 256 extracts words from the dictionary 270 based on the category information acquired from the category estimation unit 254 and outputs the extracted words to the candidate word determination unit 258.

  The candidate word determination unit 258 determines the words to be output as candidate character strings and the order of presentation from the words extracted by the word extraction unit 256.

  The candidate character string output unit 260 outputs the words determined by the candidate word determination unit 258 to the monitor 770 as the candidate character string 200C in the order determined by the candidate word determination unit 258. As a result, the candidate character string 200C is displayed on the screen of the monitor 770. Thus, the candidate character string output unit 260 that outputs the candidate character string 200C as a display target constitutes candidate display means for displaying the character string candidates set by the candidate setting means.

  In the present embodiment, the character input device 200 may include a display device (monitor 770), or does not include a display device, and the candidate character string 200C is displayed on an external display device by a candidate display unit. Character string candidates may be displayed by transmitting information for this purpose.

  The user repeats operations such as selection of the presented candidate character string, character input, and kanji conversion, and creates a character string for input to each input field of the input form. Each time the character input device 200 receives input of the character input operation information 200A and the selection candidate 200B, the character input device 200 changes the character string candidates listed as the candidate character string 200C. Character input device 200 includes an input character string creation unit that creates a character string based on input information such as selection information of candidate character strings, character input, and character input operation information such as kanji conversion received by input unit 250. May be. The input character string creation unit holds an intermediate character string of the input character string 220D to be input to the input field, and each time the input unit 250 receives an input, the intermediate character string is generated based on newly input information. Update. The character string created by the input character string creation unit may be output to the monitor 770 via the output unit as an intermediate character string.

  When the creation of the character string for the input field is completed and an input completion instruction based on a user operation is received via the input unit 250, the input character string output unit 262 determines the character string determined by the input completion instruction. (Input character string 200D) is output to the Web content browsing apparatus 100 as a character string to be input to the input field to be processed in the input form information 102.

  When the character input device 200 includes the input character string creation unit as described above, when an input completion instruction is received, the character string held as a halfway character string is set as the input character string 220D and the input character string output unit 262. Is output.

The dictionary update unit 252 updates the dictionary 270 based on the input character string 200D.
[Hardware configuration of character input device]
The character input device according to the present embodiment is substantially realized by computer hardware, a program executed by the computer hardware, and data stored in the computer hardware. FIG. 2 shows an internal configuration of the computer system 700.

  In the present embodiment, the Web content browsing device 100 and the character input device 200 are realized by the computer system 700. Hereinafter, in this specification, when necessary, whether the computer system 700 functions as the Web content browsing apparatus 100 or the character input apparatus 200 will be described.

  Referring to FIG. 2, this computer system 700 includes a computer 750 having an optical disk drive 751 and a magnetic disk drive 752, a monitor 770, and a remote controller 700A.

(Computer hardware configuration)
In addition to the optical disk drive 751 and the magnetic disk drive 752, the computer 750 includes an input device 753 such as a power button, a remote control interface (I / F) 755 that receives a signal from the remote control 700A, and a CPU (central processing unit) 756. including.

  The remote control I / F 755, the CPU 756, the optical disk drive 751, and the magnetic disk drive 752 are connected by a bus 757.

  The computer 750 is connected to the bus 757 and is connected to the bus 757, and is also connected to the bus 757 and is a random access memory (program command, system program, work data, etc.). RAM) 759.

  Although not shown here, the computer 750 may further include a network adapter board that provides connection to a network and a communication device that performs wireless communication.

  Both the program and input information for causing the computer system 700 to realize the function of the character input device are stored in the optical disk 760 or the magnetic disk 761 inserted into the optical disk drive 751 or the magnetic disk drive 752, and further transferred to the hard disk 762. The Alternatively, data such as a program may be transmitted to the computer 750 through a network (not shown) and stored in the hard disk 762. The program is loaded into the RAM 759 when executed. The program may be directly loaded into the RAM 759 from the optical disk 760, from the magnetic disk 761, or via a network.

  This program includes a plurality of instructions for causing the computer 750 to realize the functions of the character input device 200 according to the present embodiment. Some of the basic functions required to implement these functions are provided by operating system (OS) or third party programs running on the computer 750 or modules of various toolkits installed on the computer 750. Therefore, this program does not necessarily include all functions necessary for realizing the functions of the character input device according to this embodiment. If this program contains only instructions that execute control of the character input device described above by calling an appropriate function or “tool” in a controlled manner to obtain a desired result, Good. The operation of computer system 700 is well known and will not be repeated here.

  Note that recording media on which programs and data for realizing the functions of the character input device are recorded are CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), MO (Magneto-Optical disc), MD (Mini Disc), and DVD. The present invention is not limited to the optical disk 760 such as (Digital Versatile Disc), and the magnetic disk 7761 such as FD (flexible disk) and hard disk. Tapes such as magnetic tape and cassette tape, card-type recording media such as IC (Integrated Circuit) card and optical card, and semiconductors such as mask ROM, EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), and flash ROM It can be either memory. However, the computer system 700 needs to be equipped with a reading device for reading from these recording media.

  In this embodiment, the CPU 756 executes a program recorded on the hard disk 762, the optical disk 760, or the magnetic disk 761, thereby allowing the input unit 250, the dictionary update unit 252, the category estimation unit 254, the word extraction unit 256, and candidate word determination. 258, a candidate character string output unit 260, and an input character string output unit 262. Information (data) necessary for executing the processing described in the dictionary 270 and this specification is recorded in the hard disk 762, the optical disk 760, the magnetic disk 761, and the RAM 759.

(Remote control hardware configuration)
Remote control 700A includes an information processing device 780 that controls the overall operation of remote control 700A. The remote controller 700A corresponds to a signal generator 786 for transmitting a radio signal, a key input unit 785 including keys such as a numeric key 701 described later, and an operated key in the key input unit 785. And a storage device 781 for storing the content of the signal to be output.

  When the key input unit 785 is operated in the remote controller 700A, a signal corresponding to the operated key is output from the signal transmission device 786.

  Computer 750 receives the signal output from remote control 700A at remote control I / F 755.

(Appearance of remote control)
FIG. 3 shows the appearance of the remote control 700A in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 3, remote control 700 </ b> A has numeric keys 701 composed of 12 buttons corresponding to the numbers “1” to “12”, and positions to be operated such as a cursor displayed on monitor 770. Up, down, left, and right directions, an up key 711, a down key 712, a left key 713, a right key 714, a decision key 710 for confirming information being input, and various kinds of keys according to the operating state of the computer 750 The function keys 712 to 724 to which the functions are assigned are included.

[Configuration of input form]
Next, a display example of the input form displayed based on the input form information 102 will be described.

(Display example of input form)
FIG. 4 shows an example of a display screen for displaying Web contents including an input form.

  The Web content displayed as the screen 400 includes input forms such as first name and last name. In the process of inputting characters into an arbitrary input form, the user first designates the input form to be input by operating the remote controller or the mouse pointer. When detecting a character input instruction by the user, the computer 750 activates the character input device, generates a character string using the character input device, and passes the generated character string to the Web content browsing device 100. The Web content browsing apparatus 100 embeds the acquired character string in the input form and redisplays the Web content.

  The screen 400 includes an input field 401 for inputting the last name part of the user's first and last names, an input field 402 for inputting the first name part, an input field 411 for inputting the reading of the last name part, and the first name part. And an input field 412 for inputting a reading.

  The screen 400 includes an input field 421 for inputting the user's e-mail address and an input field 422 for re-entering the e-mail address.

The screen 400 also includes input fields 431 and 432 for inputting the user's gender.
The screen 400 includes input fields 441 and 442 for inputting the user's postal code.

  The screen 400 includes input fields 451, 461, and 471 for inputting the user's address.

  The screen 400 also includes input fields 481, 482, 483 for inputting the user's telephone number.

The screen 400 also includes an input field 491 for inputting information on the user's office.
(An example of data constituting the input form)
FIG. 5 shows an example of an HTML form corresponding to the Web content shown in FIG.

  The Web content browsing apparatus 100 acquires HTML form data as shown in FIG. 5 and displays it on a display device such as the monitor 770 in the format shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 5, input fields 401 and 402 in screen 400 in FIG. 4 correspond to descriptions 501 and 502 in the HTML form shown in FIG.

  Also, the input fields 411, 412, 421, 422, 431, 432, 444, 442, 461, 471, 481, 482, 483, 491 are respectively described in the descriptions 511, 512, 521, 522, 531 in FIG. 532, 541, 542, 561, 571, 581, 582, 583, 591.

  A description corresponding to each input field in the HTML form is referred to as an input form corresponding to each input field in this specification.

  Specifically, among the input fields in FIG. 4, the input field 401 corresponding to “last name” is <input name = “sei” type = “text” size = “16” / It is expressed in the form of>. Among these, <input> is an HTML tag indicating the input form itself, and values specified in the input tag such as name, type, and size are attribute information characterizing the <input> tag. In the present specification, these are referred to as attribute information accompanying the input form.

  When an input form “Last Name” is designated as a character input target, an application constituting the character input device 200 is activated on the computer 750.

  At this time, the attribute information accompanying the “last name” input form is passed from the Web content browsing device 100 to the character input device 200. Specifically, the CPU 756 that executes an application configuring the character input device 200 uses an HTML form that is a basis of the web content screen 400 displayed on the monitor 770 by the application for functioning as the web content browsing device 100. , Read attribute information about the input form to be input.

Hereinafter, as an example, it is assumed that the value of the name attribute of the <input> tag, “sei”, is passed.
[Description of Function of Character Input Device 200]
(Display screen by application that constitutes the character input device)
An example of a display screen (character input screen) by an application constituting the character input device 200 is shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 6, a character input screen 910 includes a display column 911 for displaying a character string in a process of editing a character string input to each input column of the input form of FIG. 4, and a character displayed on the display column 911. A display field 912 for displaying a character string candidate predicted as a column, a display field 913 indicating the contents corresponding to each of the twelve keys of the numeric key 701, and a function assigned to the function key 721 are shown. A display field 914 and a display field 915 indicating the function assigned to the function key 722 are included.

  When the character input device includes the input character string creation unit as described above, the halfway input character string held by the input character string creation unit is displayed in the display field 911.

  In the display field 911, a character string that has been input but has not been converted to Kana-Kanji and has not yet been confirmed is underlined and displayed as shown in FIG. In the display column 911, a cursor 911A indicating a position where a character to be input next is inserted is displayed.

  In the present specification, a character input to the character input device 200 and a character input to the Web content browsing device 100 are distinguished from each other. Characters for creating “input character string 200D” to be output as a character string to be embedded in the input form are input to character input device 200 by an operation on remote controller 700A or the like.

  According to the display in the display field 913 in FIG. 6, the input of the hiragana of the “a” line is assigned to the “1” key of the numeric key 701. By continuously operating the “1” key, the characters displayed in the display column 911 according to the number of operations are “A”, “I”, “U”, “E”, “O”, “A”, “I”. … Changes like “A” “I”….

  Also, the input of hiragana in the “ka” line is assigned to the “2” key of the numeric key 701. By continuously operating the “2” key, the characters displayed in the display column 911 based on the operation are “ka” “ki” “ku” “ke” “ko” “ka” “ki”. It changes like ...

  Also, input of hiragana characters in the “sa” line is assigned to the “3” key of the numeric key 701. By continuously operating the “3” key, the characters displayed in the display column 911 based on the operation are “sa”, “shi”, “su”, “se”, “so”, “sa”, and “shi”. It changes like ...

  The “4” key, “5” key, “6” key, “7” key, “8” key, “9” key, and “11” key of the numeric key 701 respectively include the “ta” line, The input of hiragana for the “na”, “ha”, “ma”, “ya”, “ra”, and “wa” lines is assigned.

  A function of inputting information for performing predetermined processing on the character displayed in the display field 911 according to the number of times of operation of the key is assigned to the “10” key of the numeric key 701. Predetermined processing means that if an odd number of operations are performed, a cloud point is added to the character at the position to the left of the position where the cursor 911A is displayed, or a cloud point is applied to a character with a cloud point. Corresponds to the process of changing to lower case ("A" is changed to "A") or canceling lower case when an even number of operations are performed.

  A function of inputting blanks by the number of characters corresponding to the number of operations is assigned to the display field 911 in the “12” key of the number key 701.

  According to the display in the display field 914, the function key 721 is assigned a function for instructing the kanji conversion of the hiragana character string displayed in the display field 911.

  According to the display in the display column 915, the function key 722 has a character string displayed in the display column 911 as input information for the input column to be processed in the screen 400 as character input information. The function to end the input application processing is assigned.

  In the display field 911 of the character input screen 910 in FIG. 6, the character “TA” that has been input but is in a state before being confirmed is shown. As described above, this corresponds to a state where the “4” key of the numeric key 701 is operated once in the remote controller 700A.

  The display column 912 includes a plurality of character strings (“resigned”, “retired”, “coping”, “position”, “composed”, which are included in the dictionary 270 and extracted from the candidate character string 200C based on the reading of “ta”. Physical condition, “praise”, “stand”, “stand up”, “degree”).

  In this state, when the upper key 711, the lower key 712, the left key 713, the right key 714, and the determination key 710 are operated to select and determine a character string from those displayed as candidate character strings, the CPU 756 Replaces the character string displayed in the display field 911 with the determined character string. For example, when the character string “retired” is selected, “retired” is displayed in the display field 911, and the cursor 911A is displayed immediately after the character string “retired”. In this state, when the numeric key 701 is further operated, the hiragana character assigned to the numeric key is displayed in an unconfirmed state immediately after “retirement” in the display field 911, and based on the displayed hiragana character. The candidate character string 200C extracted in this way is updated. In this manner, the character string displayed in the display column 911 is updated based on the selection of the presented candidate character string 200C and the key operation of the numeric key 701 or the like. When the input completion key 915 is operated, the input character string output unit 262 outputs the character string on the display unit 911 to the Web content browsing apparatus 100 as the input character string 200D.

  In the display column 912, the selected character string is displayed by being surrounded by a thick frame. FIG. 6 shows a state where “retired” is selected. The character string selected in the display field 912 is changed by operating the upper key 711, the lower key 712, the left key 713, and the right key 714.

(Kanji conversion function of character input device)
The character input device 200 according to the present embodiment has a kanji conversion function in addition to the prediction candidate presentation function, and has a function of converting a reading being input into a kanji as a reading kana. When a target character string is not presented as a prediction candidate, such as when a new word is input, a character string is generated by combining kanji characters converted by the kanji conversion function. When the character string to be input to the input form can be generated, the input completion function is executed, and the generated character string is passed from the input character string output unit to the Web content browsing apparatus 100.

  For example, when an operation for inputting a reading “Tanaka” is performed on an input form “last name” (input field 401 of the screen 400), the character input device 200 uses the kanji conversion function to change the character “Tanaka”. Assume that a character string “Tanaka” is generated based on the column and the input completion function is executed.

  When the Web content browsing apparatus 100 acquires information generated by the character input apparatus 200 in which the character string “Tanaka” is generated in the input form “surname”, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the Web content browsing apparatus 100 acquires the specified input form. The display on the screen 400 is updated so as to embed the character string. In this way, using the character string generated by the character input device 200, the web content browsing device 100 displays the web content.

(General processing using a dictionary)
In the character input device 200, the dictionary update unit 252 updates the dictionary 270 when prediction candidate selection, kanji conversion, and input completion functions are executed.

  The dictionary update unit 252 updates the dictionary data by using the data acquired as attribute information associated with the input form and the respective confirmed character strings at the time of the prediction candidate selection, kanji conversion, and input completion function.

  In the example described so far, the name attribute value “sei” passed as the attribute information is associated with the determined character string “Tanaka”, and 270 data in the dictionary is updated. If the attribute value and the fixed character string are not registered in the dictionary, new registration is performed.

Here, the data structure of the dictionary 270 will be described.
(Dictionary data structure)
Hereinafter, the data content, dictionary lookup, and update method of the dictionary 270 used in the character input device 200 will be described. First, the data contents of the dictionary 270 will be described.

FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the data configuration of the dictionary 270.
Referring to FIG. 8, dictionary 270 stores a reading 2714 for each word and a notation 2715 corresponding to reading 2714 in a database format.

  In addition to the words stored in the dictionary 270, there are also words in which attribute information 2712 and information indicating a category estimated from the attribute information 2712 (category information 2713) are stored.

  That is, the words stored in the dictionary 270 include words to which attribute information and category information are assigned and words to which no attribute information is assigned.

In the dictionary 270, each word is stored with a number 2711.
When an input form to be input is designated by the user and the character input device is activated, attribute information associated with the designated input form is acquired via the input unit 250. At the time of prediction candidate selection and kanji conversion, the dictionary 270 is updated so that notation and reading are stored in the dictionary 270 together with the acquired attribute information. When the input is completed, the dictionary 270 is updated so that the character string transmitted to the web content browsing apparatus 100 as the input character string 200D and the acquired attribute information are stored in the dictionary 270. When the category is estimated from the attribute information, the category information is also given and stored. A method of category estimation by the category estimation unit 254 will be described later.

  The notation, reading, attribute information, and category information stored in the dictionary 270 in this way are used when generating the input character string 200D for the subsequent input form.

  When a character string not in the dictionary is output as the input character string 200D, the dictionary update unit 252 updates the dictionary 270 by registering the character string in the dictionary 270 anew.

  Examples of character strings that are not in the dictionary include hiragana, katakana, and alphanumeric characters that do not require kanji conversion, and compound words that combine dictionary words. For example, if `` Hinamatsuri '' is not registered in the dictionary, the `` Hinamatsuri '' is a character string that can be input without Kanji conversion, and when such a character string is entered, the reading and notation will be `` Hinamatsuri '' Is added to the dictionary 270 together with the attribute information at that time (attribute information corresponding to the input form to be processed at that time). When the word “festival” exists in the dictionary, “hina” is input to the display field 911 without conversion, and immediately after that, the character string “festival” is converted into kanji on the display field 911. When the input is completed with the compound word string “Hinamatsuri” generated, the character string with the reading “Hinamatsuri” and the notation “Hinamatsuri” is displayed along with the attribute information at that time. , Added to dictionary 270.

(Dictionary update)
The dictionary 270 is referred to when the character input device 200 is activated or each time a character is input to the display field 911, and the character string displayed as a candidate in the display field 912 is updated.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6, when “ta” is input, the input unit 250 acquires the input character “ta”. In response to this, the word extraction unit 256 refers to the dictionary 270, extracts the word whose reading begins with “TA”, and passes the notation to the candidate word determination unit 258. At this time, if attribute information and category information are given, the information is also passed.

  When “ta” is input, according to the dictionary 270 shown in FIG. 8, “retired”, “retired”, “Tanaka”, “Tanaka”, and “Takeda” are extracted as candidates.

  Thereafter, when “NA” is further input, the reading before confirmation displayed in the display field 911 is “TANA”. In response to this, the word extraction unit 256 extracts, from the dictionary 270, the word that matches the front with the reading “Tana”. For example, “Tanaka” and “Tanaka” are extracted.

  In the Web content screen 400 shown in FIG. 4 and the HTML form shown in FIG. When information to be converted into notation and information to be determined as a character string to be input to the input field to be processed (as a character string to be output to the Web content browsing device 100) are input to the character input device 200 The input character string output unit 262 outputs the notation (Tanaka) as the input character string 200D corresponding to the input field of “last name”. Then, the dictionary update unit 252 acquires “sei”, which is the name attribute, among the attribute information attached to the “surname” input form. In this case, the dictionary update unit 252 updates the dictionary 270 so as to add information of a word whose reading is “Tanaka”, whose notation is “Tanaka”, and whose attribute information is “sei”.

  If the dictionary 270 originally includes word information (word information that does not include attribute information) with the reading “Tanaka” and the notation “Tanaka”, the dictionary update unit 252 In addition, the dictionary 270 is updated so as to add the attribute information “sei”.

No. 30 in FIG. 8 indicates information relating to the word registered in this way.
(Prediction of candidate string)
Next, when a certain input form is specified when browsing another Web content, the character input device 200 is activated.

  At startup, the word extraction unit 256 and the category estimation unit 254 acquire attribute information corresponding to the input form.

  Then, the word extraction unit 256 determines whether there is a word having the same or similar attribute information in the dictionary and extracts candidates. The category estimation unit 254 estimates a category based on the acquired attribute information.

Here, the category estimation by the category estimation unit 254 will be described.
(Category estimation)
The category estimation unit 254 estimates the category to which the character string to be input to the input form belongs from the attribute information acquired from the HTML data including the input form.

  The category may include name, surname, first name, furigana, login name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, company name, and the like.

  A keyword for identifying the category is determined in advance, and the category is identified from the text information included in the acquired attribute information.

  The category estimation unit 254 stores information for estimating a category based on attribute information. An example of the information is shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 9, a category 2722 is associated with each number 2721, and a keyword 2723 is associated with each category 2722. For example, the category “last name” of the number “1” is associated with a plurality of keywords including “name” “last” “sei” “last name” “l_name”. Each category 2722 may be associated with a single keyword 2723 or may be associated with a plurality of keywords 2723 as shown in FIG.

  In the table shown in FIG. 9, the keyword associated with the category means that the attribute information belongs to the category by including the keyword in the attribute information. That is, when “name”, “last”, “sei”, “last name”, and “l_name” are included in the attribute information, the attribute information is handled as belonging to the category “last name”.

  When the acquired attribute information is “lastname”, since the keyword includes “last”, the category estimation unit 254 estimates that the category is “last name”. When the attribute information is “sei_kana”, the keywords include “sei” and “kana”, so the category is determined to be “last name” or “furigana”. When a plurality of keywords are included for one attribute information, a plurality of categories may be estimated.

  In order to store a plurality of category information for one word in the dictionary 270 in step S12, which will be described later, category information to which information indicating whether it belongs to each category or not in each category is added. It is good to store by the method of giving for every word. In addition, as a category, a category such as a furigana of a surname may be defined on the condition that a plurality of keywords belong. In this specification, the furigana of the surname is expressed as “surname (furigana)”.

  A method is also conceivable in which typical attribute information patterns are collected in advance and assigned to categories, and category estimation is performed using the patterns as learning data.

  For example, “sei_kana” is “Furigana”, “firstname” is “First Name”, “first_yomi” is “First Name”, “email” is “Mail Address”, and so on. For each attribute information character string, it is determined which category it belongs to. The attribute information that has acquired the category to which the similar attribute information belongs is determined by determining whether the attribute information of the learning data is similar to the attribute information of the learning data based on the matching or similarity of the text information. Estimate as the category to which it belongs.

  Attribute information for which category estimation could not be performed, such as no keyword or no similar attribute information, ends without a category.

  In this way, the category estimation unit 254 estimates the category based on the acquired attribute information and outputs it to the word extraction unit 256.

(Word extraction based on estimated categories)
The word extraction unit 256 extracts the word notation associated with the category matching the output category from the dictionary 270 and adds it to the notation input from the word extraction unit 256.

  A specific example of the category estimation method performed by the category estimation unit 254 will be described. For example, it is assumed that the attribute information is “sei” and the category is “surname”. When the information estimated by the category estimation unit 254 is acquired, the word extraction unit 256 extracts a word whose category matches “last name” from the dictionary 270. According to the information shown in FIG. 8, No. 30 “Tanaka”, No. 31 “Tanaka”, No. 32 “Takeda”, and No. 33 “Nakada” are extracted.

  In this way, by extracting candidates based on attribute information and category information, it is possible to present candidates without causing the user to input a single reading when the character input device is activated.

  By extracting words with similar attribute information and words with matching category information, it is possible to use a character string input in the past even if the attribute information does not completely match.

  Since only attribute information or category information is used at the time of startup, reading information is not required among the information stored in the dictionary 270. Therefore, a word having attribute information can be extracted as a candidate at the time of activation if there is at least notation information (notation 2715 in FIG. 8).

  When a user inputs a character in a state where a candidate is presented when the character input device 200 is activated, a word is extracted based on the input character. Even if the attribute information matches, the words whose readings do not match are excluded from the candidates.

  If the user inputs “NA” in the state where there are candidates “Tanaka”, “Nakada”, “Tanaka”, and “Takeda” extracted from the attribute information “sei” at startup, the reading starts from “TA”. Candidates that start with are not extracted, but only “Nakada” starting with “NA” is extracted. When the user inputs a character, the word extraction unit 256 extracts a word (notation) whose reading matches forward even if the attribute information and category information do not match or are similar.

  Here, a character string starting with “NA” is extracted. Therefore, when a character is input, the word extracted by the word extraction unit 256 includes a word having the same or similar attribute information, a word not matching or similar, and a word to which no attribute information is given. become.

  The candidate word determination unit 258 determines the priority order of the words extracted as candidates so that those having the same attribute information are displayed with higher priority (the order is earlier), and the candidate characters are determined. The data is output to the column output unit 260.

  In the dictionary 270, when a word in which reading and notation are stored and attribute information is not stored is generated and output as the input character string 200D, the dictionary updating unit 252 adds the acquired attribute to the word. The dictionary 270 is updated to add information. When a word storing reading, notation, and attribute information is output as an input character string 200D for an input form (input field) having attribute information different from the stored attribute information, the dictionary updating unit 252 The dictionary 270 is updated so that new attribute information is added to the word. In this case, a plurality of attribute information is assigned to one reading / notation pair. When there are a plurality of attribute information, a plurality of category information estimated from the attribute information is also given.

  In the dictionary 270, a word to which attribute information is assigned and a word to which no attribute information is given are mixed, but a word group to which no attribute information is given can be replaced with a normal kana-kanji conversion dictionary. The dictionary 270 is divided into a plurality of parts. One is a dictionary A that stores only word information such as reading and notation, and the other is information that associates word information such as notation and attribute information with reading. The stored dictionary B may be used.

  The latter dictionary B is updated by the dictionary update unit 252 every time an input is made on the input form.

  When attribute information, reading, or notation that is not included in the dictionary B is input, the dictionary 270 is updated so that the information is added to the dictionary 270.

  When the character input device 200 is activated, the word extraction unit 256 refers to the dictionary B, extracts words with matching or similar attribute information and words with matching categories, extracts candidates, and outputs them to the candidate word determination unit 258. To do. The presentation order of words (notation) input to the candidate word determination unit 258 is appropriately determined, and is output as a candidate character string 200C via the candidate character string output unit 260. FIG. 10 shows a state in which the candidate character string 200C thus output is displayed.

  In the character input screen 910A of FIG. 10, no characters are displayed in the display field 911. This is because no character is input to the character input screen 910A. In the display column 912 of FIG. 10, notations included in the candidate character string 200C output as described above are displayed.

  When the keys on the remote controller 700A such as the numeric key 701 and the enter key 710 are operated from the state shown in FIG. 10 and characters are input to the display field 911, the word extracting unit 256 inputs the input characters. Accordingly, the dictionary B is referred to, a word whose reading matches forward is extracted from the words extracted at the time of activation, and the word whose reading matches forward is extracted by referring to the dictionary A. Merge extracted words and output candidates. The candidate output from the word extraction unit 256 is output as a candidate character string 200C via the candidate word determination unit 258 and the candidate character string output unit 260. FIG. 11 shows a state where the candidate character string 200C output in this way is displayed.

  In the display field 912 of the character input screen 910B in FIG. 11, the word notation extracted from the dictionary B and the word notation extracted from the dictionary A are merged with the character string displayed as a candidate.

  In the character input screen 910 </ b> B of FIG. 11, the character “NA” is displayed in the display field 911. This corresponds to the user inputting the character “NA”.

  In the character input screen 910B, “NA” is displayed in the display column 911 in a state before confirmation, and the candidates based on the prediction displayed in the display column 912 are candidates whose reading starts with “NA”. The

  Here, comparing FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, among the candidates displayed in the display field 912 of the character input screen 910A of FIG. 10, “Nakada” is a word to which attribute information is assigned, The word “sei” in the information is presented at the time of activation (display field 912 of the character input screen 910A), and even if “NA” is input, the input “NA” and the reading match forward. So remain as a candidate. Therefore, it remains in the display field 912 of the character input screen 910B of FIG.

  On the other hand, among the candidates displayed in the display field 912 of the character input screen 910A in FIG. 10, the candidates other than “Nakada” do not have the same reading as the input “NA”, so the character input screen in FIG. In 910B, no candidate remains.

  Among the candidates displayed in the display field 912 of the character input screen 910B in FIG. 11, candidates other than “Nakada” are attribute information by inputting “NA” on the character input screen 910A in FIG. This is a candidate extracted from a word to which “” is not assigned by a forward match of the input “NA”.

  As described above, when a character is input on the character input screen, the word extraction unit 256, the candidate word determination unit 258, and the candidate character string output unit 260 are not attached to the word to which the attribute information is attached. The words are merged and output as a candidate character string 200C.

  In the candidate extraction method described above, the example in which the dictionary 270 is configured by a plurality of dictionaries (dictionaries A and B) has been described, but the same applies even when the dictionary is not divided into a plurality of dictionaries as described above. Can be processed.

  Thus, merging and generating candidates is effective when candidates extracted in consideration of attribute information are ambiguous.

  When a character string that has not been input in the past is input, or when the candidate extracted in consideration of attribute information is incorrect in input to an input form with new Web content, the input form is displayed as in the conventional example. In the method of presenting the candidate in an embedded form, the user must erase the character string that has been erroneously presented and enter a new character.

  According to the present embodiment, when the candidate presented only from the attribute information is incorrect, it is possible to smoothly shift to candidate extraction based on the input characters. In this way, prediction from the entire dictionary 270 can be used regardless of whether attribute information is given. Thereby, when inputting a character, input assistance can be received anytime. It can be said that it is more convenient to present a candidate as one candidate than a method in which candidates are narrowed down to one and forcedly embedded in an input form as in the conventional example.

  In addition, there may be a plurality of candidates for certain attribute information, for example, when a plurality of people browse the same content on the same terminal. Furthermore, when new attribute information is input, candidates are extracted from similar attribute information, so that there may be a plurality of candidates. Even in such a case, the method of forcibly embedding any one in the input form as in the conventional example may embed an inappropriate candidate. If the character input device 200 can present a plurality of candidates as in the present embodiment, the user can select an appropriate candidate from them. In addition, candidates can be narrowed down by inputting characters in a state where a plurality of candidates are presented. Therefore, even when there are many candidates, the user can select the candidates with fewer character input operations.

(About prediction function)
Prediction function in character input device 200 when a user designates an input form (input field) “last name” as a character input target when browsing a certain Web content once and browsing the Web content again explain.

  When the input form is displayed by browsing again and the displayed input form is designated, the character input device 200 is activated in accordance with the designation.

  In the character input device 200, attribute information (for example, the value “sei” of the name attribute) attached to the input form “last name” is acquired based on the output of the input character string 200D when browsing the previous Web content. Then, the dictionary 270 is updated so that the notation corresponding to the input character string 200D is registered in the dictionary 270 in association with the attribute information.

  The Web content browsing apparatus 100 activates the character input apparatus 200 when an input form “last name” is designated during the current browsing.

  In response to this, in the character input device 200, the word extraction unit 256 acquires “sei” as attribute information corresponding to the input form. Then, in the dictionary 270, the word “Tanaka” associated with the acquired attribute information is extracted. The extracted word (notation) is output to the monitor 770 as the candidate character string 200C via the candidate word determination unit 258 and the candidate character string output unit 260.

  As a result, the monitor 770 displays the displayed candidate character string 200C by displaying it on the display field 912 of the character input screen 910A shown in FIG. 10, for example.

  By selecting a character string from the presented prediction candidates (candidate character string 200C), the user can input a target character string in the input form without inputting any single character.

  When a character string is selected from the presented prediction candidates by an operation on the remote controller 700A, the character string is input to the input unit 250 as a selection candidate 200B. At this time, the selection candidate 200B is displayed in the display field 911, and the current input character string matches the selection candidate 200B. In this state, when the input unit 250 receives input completion operation information, which is one of the character input operation information 200A, it is assumed that the input character string to the input form is determined, and the current input character string ( The selection candidate 200B) is output to the input character string output unit 262.

  When a character string is selected from the presented prediction candidates by operating the remote controller 700A, the input unit 250 determines the character string specified by the operation as the input character string 200D from the candidate character string 200C. Then, the character string may be output to the input character string output unit 262.

  Even when the Web content browsing apparatus 100 browses Web content different from that browsed in the past, the attribute information acquired corresponding to the input form specified in the different Web content is “sei”. For example, similarly, the word “Tanaka” can be presented as a candidate when the character input device 200 is activated without requiring the character input to the character input device 200. Thereby, it is possible to utilize the past history.

  Here, for the character string “Tanaka” presented as a candidate in a state where the user has not input characters to the character input device 200, the user wishes to input the character string to the input form. If not, that is, if it is desired to input another character string for the input form, the user may input the reading of the desired character string without selecting a predicted candidate. . In this case, the user is not required to perform an operation for deleting the predicted candidate.

  Thereby, as shown in the character input screen 910 </ b> B of FIG. 11, the input character reading is displayed in the display field 911. The characters representing the readings input in this way are sent to the monitor 770 separately from the candidate character string 200C. Thereby, on the monitor 770, the display content of the display field 911 of the character input screen 910A of FIG. 10 is updated to the display field 911 of the character input screen 910B of FIG.

  As shown in the display column 911 of the character input screen 910B in FIG. 11, when the first character inputted as a reading is not “ta”, “in the display column 911 of the character input screen 910A in FIG. “Tanaka” is not displayed in the display field 911 of the character input screen 910B of FIG. Instead, another candidate extracted corresponding to the input reading “NA” is displayed in the display field 911.

  As a result, when the presented prediction candidate is different from the word (character string) desired by the user, the operation can smoothly shift to an operation of inputting the target character string. Moreover, since a prediction candidate can be newly presented by inputting characters, it is possible to efficiently input a character string.

(Priority in displaying candidate strings)
When the word extraction unit 256 extracts a word, the candidate word determination unit 258 sets the priority order of the words extracted as candidates. Then, the candidate word determination unit 258 determines candidates to be displayed based on the number of candidates that can be displayed in the display field 911 from the words extracted by the word extraction unit 256 according to the priority order, and the candidate character string output unit To 260. The priority order of the candidates is set so that the attribute information corresponding to the input form and the word having the same or similar attribute information have a higher priority than the word to which no attribute information is assigned. For example, the priority is set in the order from the highest priority, the word having the same attribute information, the similar word, the word having the same category, the word having no attribute information or the word having no attribute information, The order in which candidates are presented is determined.

(About obtaining attribute information of input form)
In the present embodiment, an HTML form as shown in FIG. 5 is analyzed in the device and software for browsing Web contents, attribute information associated with the input form is acquired, and there is an instruction for character input to the input form. In this case, the character input device 200 is activated, and attribute information is passed to the character input device 200 as input data.

  The attribute information acquired by the character input device 200 may be performed by the character input device 200 itself instead of being acquired by the Web content browsing device 100 and transmitted to the character input device 200, or by another device. May be. When the character input device 200 directly acquires the attribute information, for example, the Web content browsing device 100 sends a description of a part corresponding to the input form in the HTML form to the character input device 200. The input device 200 detects a tag defining the input form in the description, and acquires attribute information included in the tag as attribute information associated with the input form.

  For example, in the case of the description 501 in the HTML form of FIG. 5, the character input device 200 detects the <input> tag and extracts the value of the name attribute from the attribute information.

  It is desirable that the attribute information associated with the designated input form can be passed to the character input device 200 as input information when a character input instruction is given to the input form.

(Processing flow for output of input string)
Here, the flow of processing from the start of the character input device 200 to the output of the input character string 200D executed in the character input device 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 12 which is a flowchart of the processing. .

  Referring to FIG. 12, when character input device 200 is activated, it is first determined in step S01 whether or not there is an input in input unit 250. If there is an input, the process proceeds to step S02.

  In step S02, it is determined whether the data input to the input unit 250 is a character input. In the case of character input, the process proceeds to step S03 and subsequent steps.

  Here, the character input means an input of a character representing reading. According to the character input screen 910 shown in FIG. 6, the character input is performed by operating the numeric key 701 on the remote controller 700A. When any other key is pressed, it is determined that a character input operation other than character input has been performed.

  In the character input device 200, when the number of characters input to the character input device 200 increases by one, the character input at the end of the character string is displayed in the display field 911 and there is a character string before confirmation. Is added as a dictionary search character string. Then, the word extraction unit 256 searches the dictionary 270 for a word whose reading matches the dictionary search character string. On the other hand, when a character is input in a state where there is no pre-determined character string, the word extraction unit 256 uses the character input at that time as it is as a dictionary search character string, and the word whose reading matches forward The dictionary is searched for whether there is any. In this way, each time a character is input, the number of character strings that are used as dictionary search character strings is increased, the dictionary 270 is searched, and the candidates displayed in the display column 912 are updated. Note that the character string displayed in the display field 911 is also updated in accordance with the update of the character string that becomes the search character string.

  In step S03, if the word extraction unit 256 has acquired attribute information associated with the input form to be input, the word extraction unit 256 searches the dictionary based on the acquired attribute information and the category information estimated from the acquired attribute information. With reference, a word whose reading matches the dictionary search character string is extracted from a word whose attribute information matches or is similar or a word whose category information matches. If the attribute information associated with the input form to be input has not been acquired, nothing is done.

  In step S04, a word whose reading matches the dictionary search character string is extracted from the entire dictionary 270 without using attribute information. A word is extracted regardless of whether the attribute information matches or is similar, and whether the attribute information is not given.

  In step S05, the candidate word determination unit 258 determines candidate words to be output and determines the rank. The word extracted in step S03 has a higher priority than the word extracted in step S04. The priority order may be determined in other manners. In another aspect, for example, a recently used word may have a higher priority, a more frequently used word may have a higher priority, or may be arranged in alphabetical order. It is assumed that frequency information for each word, latest usage information, and the like are stored in the dictionary 270.

  In step S06, the candidate character string output unit 260 outputs, as candidate character strings 200C, only the number that can be displayed from the candidates extracted in step S04 or step S10 in descending order of priority. In response to this, the display of the character input screen on the monitor 770 is updated. Thereafter, the process returns to step S01.

  On the other hand, if the input data is not a character input in step S02, the process proceeds to step S07. In step S07, the character input device 200 determines whether the character input device 200 is activated. The time of starting includes a time when a character input function is called in the Web content browsing apparatus 100, or a time when an input to a certain arbitrary input form is designated. If it is determined that the character input device 200 is activated, the process proceeds to step S08 and subsequent steps.

  In step S08, the word extraction unit 256 acquires attribute information associated with the input form to be processed.

  When the attribute information is acquired, the character input device 200 analyzes the HTML form data and detects the attribute information. The word extraction unit 256 acquires the HTML form data and accompanies the designated input form. Detect attribute information.

  When the attribute information is acquired, the category estimation unit 254 estimates the category in step S09. If the attribute information cannot be acquired in step S08, the process returns to step S01.

  The attribute information acquired in step S08 is stored until the input is completed by the character input device, and is used when searching the dictionary by inputting characters (S03) and updating the dictionary (S11). The

In step S09, the category of attribute information is estimated by the method described above.
In step S10, words with matching or similar attribute information and words with matching category information are extracted, and the process proceeds to step S05.

  Since the process proceeds to step S10 when the character input device 200 is activated, the character input device 200 is not input by operating the numeric key 701 and the like. Is unnecessary.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that it is not at the time of activation in step S07, the case where either character input operation information 200A other than character input or candidate selection information when the presented candidate is selected by the user is input. It is.

  Character input operations other than character input include Kanji conversion and input completion. Based on the input character input operation, the display of the display field 911 input frame on the character input screen 910 or the like is updated.

  In step S11, it is determined whether or not the input data to the input unit 250 is data for determining the character string displayed in the display field 911 as the input character string 200D. The process is returned to step S01. On the other hand, if it is determined that the data is for confirmation, the process proceeds to step S12.

  In step S12, the dictionary update unit 252 updates the dictionary 270 so as to register the reading and notation of the character string confirmed as the input character string 200D in the dictionary 270. At this time, only the notation may be registered in the dictionary 270. If the attribute information can be acquired at the time of startup, it is registered together with the attribute information. If already registered, information such as frequency information and latest usage information is updated.

  In step S13, the input character string is output to the web content browsing apparatus 100, and the process is terminated.

[Conceivable variations, etc.]
In the present embodiment described above, the input unit 250 constitutes an input unit that receives information input.

  The remote controller 700A for inputting information to the character input device 200 is provided apart from the character input device 200 (computer 750). However, the device for inputting information is integrated with the character input device 200. It may be provided.

  In the present embodiment described above, the hard disk 762 that stores the dictionary 270 and the like constitute the first storage unit that stores character strings in association with attribute information and category information.

  In the present embodiment, the input form is acquired by the word extraction unit 256 that acquires attribute information from the input form of the input field to be input and extracts a word (notation) corresponding to the attribute information from the dictionary 270. The first extraction means for extracting the character string stored in the first storage means corresponding to the attribute information is configured.

  Note that the first extracting means may simultaneously extract words corresponding to attribute information similar to the attribute information, for example, by partially matching the extracted attribute information.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the attribute information is acquired from the input form, and the category estimation unit 254 is configured to estimate the category information corresponding to the attribute information of the input form.

  In the present embodiment, the word extraction unit 256 that extracts words (notation) from the dictionary 270 based on the estimated category information stores the first information in the first storage unit corresponding to the category information estimated by the estimation unit. Second extracting means for extracting the character string that has been read is configured.

  In the present embodiment, the candidate extraction unit 258 that determines the word to be output as the candidate character string 200C from the words output as the extraction result from the word extraction unit 256, the first extraction unit and the second extraction unit Candidate setting means is configured to set the character string extracted as a candidate for a character string to be input to the input form.

  Then, the input character string output unit 262 that outputs the character string determined by the user's operation to the Web content browsing apparatus 100 as the input character string 200D is used for the character string set by the candidate setting unit according to the input to the input unit. Output means for outputting the character string determined from the inside as a character string to be input to the input form is configured.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  100 content browsing device, 101 Web content, 102 input form information, 200 character input device, 200A character input operation information, 200B selection candidate, 200C candidate character string, 200D input character string, 250 input unit, 252 dictionary update unit, 254 category Estimating unit, 256 word extracting unit, 258 candidate word determining unit, 260 candidate character string output unit, 262 input character string output unit, 270 dictionary, 400 screen, 401, 402, 411, 412, 421, 422, 431, 432 444, 442, 461, 471, 481, 482, 483, 491 input field, 501, 502, 511, 512, 521, 522, 531, 532, 541, 542, 561, 571, 581, 582, 583, 591 description 700 computer system 7 00A remote controller, 701 numeric keys, 710 enter key, 711 up key, 712 down key, 713 left key, 714 right key, 721-724 function keys, 750 computer, 751 optical disk drive, 752 magnetic disk drive, 753 input device, 757 Bus, 760 Optical disk, 761 Magnetic disk, 762 Hard disk, 770 Monitor, 780 Information processing device, 781 Storage device, 785 Key input unit, 786 Signal generation device, 786 Signal transmission device, 910, 910A, 910B Character input screen, 911 915 Display column.

Claims (12)

For content including an input form corresponding to attribute information, a character input device for inputting a character string to be input to the input form,
An input means for accepting input of information;
First storage means for storing a character string in association with at least one of attribute information and category information;
First extraction means for extracting a character string stored in the first storage means corresponding to the attribute information of the input form;
Estimating means for estimating category information corresponding to attribute information of the input form;
Second extraction means for extracting a character string stored in the first storage means corresponding to the category information estimated by the estimation means;
Candidate setting means for setting the character strings extracted by the first extraction means and the second extraction means as candidates for character strings to be input to the input form;
A character input device comprising: an output unit that outputs a character string selected from the character strings set by the candidate setting unit as a character string to be input to the input form in response to an input to the input unit. The estimation means includes
Second storage means for storing related information for associating attribute information with category information;
2. The character input device according to claim 1, further comprising: a determination unit configured to determine, as an estimation result, category information associated with the attribute information corresponding to the input form of the content in the second storage unit. The first storage means is
The character string is further associated with the reading kana of the character string,
A character string that is not associated with the attribute information and the category information but is associated with the reading name;
3. The character input device according to claim 1, wherein the first extraction unit extracts a character string from the first storage unit based on a reading pseudonym input to the input unit.   The candidate setting means uses a character string associated with either the attribute information or the category information among the character strings extracted by the first extraction means or the second extraction means as the attribute information. The character input device according to claim 3, wherein priority is set higher than a character string that is not associated with any of the category information. The second storage means specifies the attribute information with a character string,
The determination unit determines, as an estimation result, category information associated with attribute information that matches at least a part of the attribute information corresponding to the input form of the content in the second storage unit. Item 3. The character input device according to Item 2.   The said 1st memory | storage means is further provided with the update means to update the said 1st memory | storage means so that the character string which the said output means outputs may be memorize | stored corresponding to the attribute information of the said input form. The character input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The estimation means estimates a plurality of category information corresponding to the attribute information of the content,
In the first storage unit, the update unit stores the character string output by the output unit in correspondence with category information corresponding to attribute information corresponding to the input form. The character input device according to claim 6, wherein the storage means is updated.   The first extraction unit and the second extraction unit extract a character string even when the input unit does not accept input of a character string. The character input device described.   The character input device according to claim 1, further comprising candidate display means for displaying the candidates set by the candidate setting means on a display device. A character input method that is executed in a character input device that includes first storage means for storing a character string and that inputs characters into an input form in content displayed on a display device,
Storing the character string in the first storage means in association with the attribute information and the category information;
Extracting attribute information corresponding to the input form;
Extracting a character string stored in the first storage means corresponding to the extracted attribute information;
Estimating category information corresponding to the extracted attribute information;
Extracting a character string stored in the first storage means corresponding to the estimated category information;
Setting a character string extracted based on the attribute information and the category information as a character string candidate to be input to the input form;
Outputting a character string set as the candidate as a character string to be input to the input form. A computer-readable program comprising a first storage means for storing a character string and executed in a character input device for inputting characters into an input form in content displayed on a display device,
In the character input device,
Storing the character string in the first storage means in association with the attribute information and the category information;
Extracting attribute information corresponding to the input form;
Extracting a character string stored in the first storage means corresponding to the extracted attribute information;
Estimating category information corresponding to the extracted attribute information;
Extracting a character string stored in the first storage means corresponding to the estimated category information;
Setting a character string extracted based on the attribute information and the category information as a character string candidate to be input to the input form;
And a step of outputting a character string set as the candidate as a character string to be input to the input form. A recording medium for recording a computer-readable program, which includes a first storage unit for storing a character string and is executed in a character input device that inputs characters into an input form in content displayed on a display device,
The program is stored in the character input device.
Storing the character string in the first storage means in association with the attribute information and the category information;
Extracting attribute information corresponding to the input form;
Extracting a character string stored in the first storage means corresponding to the extracted attribute information;
Estimating category information corresponding to the extracted attribute information;
Extracting a character string stored in the first storage means corresponding to the estimated category information;
Setting a character string extracted based on the attribute information and the category information as a character string candidate to be input to the input form;
And a step of outputting a character string set as the candidate as a character string to be input to the input form.

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