JP2010271972A - Character input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform character input highly convenient for a user by reducing loads of character input processing without requiring complicated user operation in inputting characters. <P>SOLUTION: When a screen is transited to one having a character input area, such as an input form, by a user's screen operation, a control unit of the character input device displays a character input panel 100 to a display part 11. Even when the character input panel 100 is opened and no character is input to an input character creation part 101, a predicted conversion candidate display part 102 displays predicted candidate candidates of a character and the user selects an arbitrary candidate from among the prediction candidate candidates. A selected prediction conversion candidate is input to the input character creation part 101. Then, when creation of a character or character string in the input character creation part 101 is finally completed, the character or the character string is input to the target character input area. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a character input device, and more particularly to a character input device that performs character input processing in accordance with an input by a user operation.

  For example, a terminal device such as a mobile phone or a personal computer (PC) is provided with a character input function for inputting characters according to a user operation. In addition, a display device such as a liquid crystal television can be connected to a server or the like through a communication line to receive various services. In such a case, character input can be performed using a character input function. Is increasing.

  When inputting characters using the character input function, various types of characters related to the input character, such as conversion candidates at the time of kana-kanji conversion operation and prediction candidates for the next input character after input, are usually used for convenient input. A list of selection candidates is presented to the user of the device. Here, the convenience of the terminal is improved by storing the candidates selected by the user of the apparatus and adjusting the priority of the candidates at the next and subsequent operations. In general, such a function is called a learning function.

Regarding character input technology, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a character input system that achieves high prediction accuracy in a word predictive conversion function and enables efficient conversion backward word prediction. Is disclosed. The character input system includes a character input device, a server device, and a download system. The character input device includes basic dictionary information storage means, auxiliary dictionary information and / or auxiliary dictionary information storage means, conversion source character string information acquisition means, conversion Candidate word / phrase information generation means, auxiliary dictionary search means, conversion candidate word / phrase information change means, and conversion candidate word / phrase presentation means. The server device includes a holding unit that holds network data designation information, a character string information collection unit, a dictionary information creation unit, and a transmission unit. The download system includes a character input device and a server device.
In the above character input system, conversion candidates are displayed according to the priority by referring to the priority word / phrase table extracted from the basic dictionary and the past history table. Further, the dictionary server creates a dictionary in which frequently used phrases are extracted from the crawl web site as appropriate, and downloads the dictionary to the mobile terminal according to the user's download request.

JP 2008-305385 A

As described above, when character input is performed by the character input function, a prediction conversion candidate is presented to the user, so that the user can input a character by selecting an arbitrary phrase or character from the prediction conversion candidate. It can be done easily and quickly.
Here, conventionally, in order to present a predictive conversion candidate, it is first necessary to input some character. That is, when a user first inputs some characters to a device having a character input function, the device selects a prediction conversion candidate corresponding to the input character and presents it on the screen.

  When entering characters, the first character to be entered may be almost fixed. For example, in URL input, most characters such as “http: //” are input first. Even in such a case, with the conventional character input function, it is necessary for the user to input a character each time, display a predicted conversion candidate, and select a desired character or character string from the predicted conversion candidate. The work was cumbersome and it was by no means convenient.

In addition, in the case of a system that downloads a dictionary from a dictionary server to a user's terminal device and uses it for presenting a prediction conversion candidate as in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to provide a dedicated dictionary server. It is necessary to perform the download operation.
In addition, there is a system in which a selection candidate list corresponding to an input character is presented when a user inputs characters by using a character input function to a search site provided by the Internet or the like. However, in the case of such a system, a technique such as Ajax is required. For example, in the case of a terminal device equipped with an old WEB browser or a server that does not support Ajax, the selection candidate as described above is used. There arises a problem that the presentation process cannot be handled.

  In addition, there is a method to embed a default character string in advance in the input form for character input, but with this method, characters that the user has not input can be entered on the character input panel without permission. Therefore, when the user does not need this input, the user must delete the input himself / herself, which is very troublesome.

  Furthermore, an apparatus having a character input learning function stores previously input characters and character strings as history data so that conversion candidates can be presented in a priority order corresponding to the history data. . Here, according to the conventional method, new history data is stored in the flash memory every time an input character is determined when performing character input. However, the flash memory has a limited number of erasable and writable times, and if erasing and writing are frequently performed, there arises a problem that the flash memory is worn and reliability and operation performance are impaired.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and does not require a complicated user operation when performing character input, and reduces the load of character input processing, and character input that is highly convenient for the user. An object of the present invention is to provide a character input device that enables the above.

  In order to solve the above problems, a first technical means of the present invention includes a display unit, a control unit that performs display control on the display unit, and an operation unit that receives a user operation, and a screen that is displayed on the display unit. In the character input device for inputting characters to the character input area set to, the control unit has a character input panel for creating a character or a character string to be input to the character input area according to an operation on the operation unit. When a predetermined operation for displaying a character on the display unit and completing the creation of a character or character string is performed, control is performed to input the character or character string that has been created into the character input area. When the character input panel is displayed on the display unit, the prediction conversion candidates that can be selected by a user operation are extracted from the dictionary data and displayed using predetermined dictionary data. It is.

  According to a second technical means, in the first technical means, the control unit displays the predictive conversion candidate in a state where character input for creating a character or a character string is not performed on the character input panel. It is a feature.

  The third technical means includes a communication unit that is connectable to an external server via a communication line in the first or second technical means, and the control unit displays the screen on which the character input area is set. When it is displayed on the display unit, it accesses a server that holds dictionary data associated with the character input area, downloads and holds dictionary data, and uses the downloaded and held dictionary data as predetermined dictionary data. This is characterized in that predictive conversion candidates are extracted from the data and displayed.

  According to a fourth technical means, in the third technical means, link information for linking to dictionary data for downloading dictionary data is set in association with each character input area. Is.

  According to a fifth technical means, in the fourth technical means, the dictionary data is text data that can be downloaded only by setting link information associated with the character input area.

  A sixth technical means uses, in any one of the first to fifth technical means, past history dictionary data that stores characters or character strings created on the character input panel as history data as the predetermined dictionary data. In the past history dictionary data, when a predetermined operation for completing the creation of the character or character string created on the character input panel is performed, the character information contained in the created character or character string is changed to the history dictionary data. It is characterized by memorizing as.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a character input device capable of reducing the load of character input processing and inputting characters that are highly convenient for the user without requiring complicated user operations when inputting characters. be able to.

It is a block diagram for demonstrating one Embodiment of the character input device by this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the character input panel used in order to perform character input. It is a figure which shows an example of the remote control applicable as an operation part of the character input device of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of assignment of the operation key of a remote control. It is a figure which shows the example of a display when performing a character input to the input character preparation part of a character input panel. It is a figure for demonstrating the usage example of the character input device by this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of the WEB dictionary downloaded by the search screen of FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of a state where a character input panel is opened on the search screen of FIG. 7. It is a figure for demonstrating the priority setting of the phrase displayed on a prediction conversion candidate display part. It is a figure which shows the example of a table of the priority set to dictionary data. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the prediction conversion candidate of the state in which the character is input into the input character preparation part. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the example of a process when displaying a character input panel. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the extraction process example of the candidate for character conversion. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the example of extraction of a candidate when there exists a WEB dictionary. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process example when recording an input character as past history data. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process which extracts a candidate according to the priority from all the dictionary data.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining an embodiment of a character input device according to the present invention. The character input device 10 according to the present embodiment includes a display unit 11, an operation unit 12, a storage unit 13, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 14, a control unit 17, and a communication unit 16.
The display unit 11 includes a display screen for displaying various information, and a display unit such as a liquid crystal panel can be used. Alternatively, a single display device may be used. The operation unit 12 enables operation input by a user, and various operation input means such as a remote control device, operation buttons, a touch panel, and a mouse can be applied.

  The storage unit 13 is a non-volatile storage unit such as a flash memory or an HD (Hard Disc), and stores a program for realizing the character input function of the character input device 10. The program is read by the control unit 15 as appropriate. It is issued and executed. Further, the storage unit 13 stores a basic dictionary 32 used when inputting characters and a past history dictionary 31 based on past input histories by the user. The basic dictionary 32 is preset in the storage unit 13. The past history dictionary 31 stores past character input history data.

  The control unit 15 includes a CPU and the like, and performs overall control of the character input device by executing a program stored in the storage unit 13 or the like. The RAM 14 is used as a work area when the control unit 15 executes a program. Further, the RAM 14 temporarily stores character information temporarily selected for creating a character or character string to be input in accordance with an operation on the operation unit 12, a prediction conversion candidate used for character input, and the like. . Further, the dictionary data of the WEB dictionary downloaded from the server 20 is temporarily stored.

  The communication unit 16 is an I / F unit that enables Internet connection via a communication line. The character input device can be connected to the server 20 connected to the Internet via the communication unit 16. The server 20 stores and holds dictionary data (WEB dictionary 33) that can be used by the character input device. The server 20 can store and hold a plurality of WEB dictionaries 33, and the character input device 10 can perform character conversion using a specific WEB dictionary 33 in accordance with a character input area that is a character input target. These WEB dictionaries 33 may be distributed over a plurality of servers.

  When performing character input, the control unit 15 displays a screen having a specific character input area on the display unit 11 and enables character input to the character input area. The user performs an operation of inputting characters in this character input area by operating the operation unit 12. At this time, the control unit 15 causes the character for creating character information to be input to the character input area. An input panel is displayed on the display unit 11. Then, in response to a user operation on the operation unit 12, a character or a character string is created on the character input panel. At this time, the character prediction conversion candidates are presented in the character input panel, and the user can select these prediction conversion candidates. Then, when a character or character string is created on the character input panel and finally a predetermined operation for completing the creation is performed, the created character or character string is input to the character input area.

  In FIG. 1, a configuration using a WEB dictionary 33 in addition to the basic dictionary 32 and past history dictionary 31 as a character conversion dictionary, and a prediction conversion candidate using only the basic dictionary 32 and past history dictionary 31 without using the WEB dictionary 33. Can be adopted. When the WEB dictionary 33 is used, the communication unit 16 of the character input device 10, the server 20 connected via the Internet 21, and the WEB dictionary 33 held in the server 20 are necessary. It is also possible to input characters without using the WEB dictionary 33. In this case, the communication unit 16, the server 20, and the WEB dictionary 33 are not essential components.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a character input panel used for inputting characters.
The character input panel 100 is opened on the screen to create a character or character string for character input when, for example, character input is performed on a screen provided by a specific service or application. It is configured as a UI (user interface).
For example, when the user wants to input characters into the character input area of the WEB page displayed by the HTML browser, or when the user wants to input characters into the URL input area of the browser, the character input panel 100 is used. Characters and character strings to be input to the target character input area can be created.

  A dictionary used for displaying a prediction conversion candidate is associated with a character input area such as a WEB page. For example, in the first setting example, the dictionary associated with the character input area is the basic dictionary 32 and the past history dictionary 31 stored in the storage unit 13 of the character input device 10, and the WEB dictionary 33 that can be acquired from the server 20. Shall not be used. When this character input area is displayed or selected, prediction conversion candidates are displayed using these basic dictionary 32 and past history dictionary 31.

  In the second setting example, the WEB dictionary 33 held in the server 20 is used in addition to the basic dictionary 32 and the past history dictionary 31 described above. This is realized, for example, by writing dictionary link information in a portion describing a character input area of a WEB page. Thereby, when the character input area is displayed or selected, the predetermined WEB dictionary 33 is accessed using the link information, the dictionary data of the WEB dictionary 33 is downloaded, and temporarily stored in the RAM 14 of the character input device 10. I will let you. These dictionaries are used to appropriately display prediction conversion candidates.

The dictionary data of the WEB dictionary is held as text data that can be downloaded simply by setting link information in a character input area such as a WEB page. As a result, conventional techniques such as Ajax are not required, and there is no need to provide special functions as in the conventional browser or server provided on the character input device side, thereby improving versatility. .
In this case, since the dictionary data held in the server is text data, it is easy to add / update / delete dictionary data, and whether or not to download the dictionary data depends on the HTML description related to the character input area. Can be controlled.
Hereinafter, an operation example will be described for each of the first setting example and the second setting example.

(First setting example)
When the screen is changed to a screen having a character input area such as the input form by the user's screen operation, the control unit 15 of the character input device displays a character input panel 100 as shown in FIG. Let For example, when a WEB page is displayed on a WEB browser and the WEB page is switched by a user operation and a WEB page having a character input area is displayed, the control unit 15 of the character input device 10 causes the WEB page or A character input panel 100 as shown in FIG. 2 is displayed based on information previously associated with the character input area of the WEB page.

  In this case, the character input panel 100 can be displayed in a form superimposed on the WEB page being displayed from above. Alternatively, when the cursor is moved to a character input area such as a WEB page, the character input panel 100 may be displayed based on information previously associated with the character input area. That is, the character input panel 100 is automatically displayed when a character input area for inputting characters is displayed or when a specific character input area is selected by a cursor or the like. To.

The character input panel 100 includes an input character creation unit 101 that creates characters and character strings to be input to a character input area such as a target WEB page, and a predicted conversion candidate list of characters input to the input character creation unit 101. A predictive conversion candidate display unit 102 to be displayed and a key assignment display unit 103 indicating key assignments of the operation unit when inputting characters are displayed. A character string desired by the user can be created in the input character creation unit 101 of the character input panel 100. However, this character string includes the case of one character, and will be described as a character string for the sake of simplicity.
When the character input panel 100 is displayed, for example, the key assignment of a remote controller or the like configured as the operation unit 12 is changed, and a character string for the character input panel 100 can be created.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a remote controller applicable as the operation unit of the character input device of the present invention. The key operation unit of the remote controller includes a numeric key 201, a direction key 202, an enter key 203, an end key 204, a return key 205, and a function key 206 as shown in FIG. Here, the function keys 206 include four keys of blue, red, green, and yellow, and individual functions can be assigned to the keys.
As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 15 of the character input device 10 includes a state where the character input panel 100 is not displayed (character input panel OFF) and a state where the character input panel 100 is displayed (character input panel). ON), the function assigned to the operation key of the remote controller 200 is changed.

  In the example of FIG. 4, for example, when the character input panel is OFF, the numeric key 201 is assigned a link movement function on the browser, but when the character input panel is ON, it is assigned to the character input function. Similarly, in the case of ON / OFF of the character input panel, the direction key 202 is assigned a cursor movement function (ON), character input cursor movement, conversion phrase cursor movement, etc. (OFF) on the browser. The decision key 203 is assigned with link movement (ON) on the browser, history character selection / conversion phrase determination, etc. (OFF).

The return key 205 is assigned a function (ON) for moving to the previous page and a function (OFF) such as BS or DEL / prediction cancellation / conversion cancellation. The end key 204 is assigned a browser end (return to TV display) function (ON) and a character input cancel function (OFF). Furthermore, a function for browser (ON), blue: kanji conversion, red: reverse order, green: character type change, yellow: input completion (OFF) are assigned to the function key 206.
Note that the operation keys to which the above functions are assigned are not limited to the operation keys of the remote controller, but a hardware key group of the device main body or a key of the software keyboard displayed on the screen can also be applied. In the following description, it is assumed that the keys of the remote control are used.

  Returning to FIG. When a user inputs a character in a character input area such as a target WEB page, the user creates a character string in the input character creation unit 101 of the character input panel 100 and completes the character string. Can input the character string. When the input character creation unit 101 creates a character string, an operation for confirming a candidate selected from among conversion candidates may be performed. The above completion operation is an operation different from this confirmation operation. This is a predetermined operation performed to complete the creation of the character string in the input character creation unit 101.

  As a feature of the embodiment according to the present invention, even if the character input panel 100 is opened and no character is input to the input character creation unit 101, the prediction conversion candidate display unit 102 The prediction conversion candidates for characters are displayed, and the user can select an arbitrary candidate from these prediction conversion candidates. The selected predictive conversion candidate is input to the input character creation unit 101, and the user can continue further input.

  In this case, the preset basic dictionary 32 is stored and held in the storage unit 13 of the character input device 10, and the past history dictionary 31 is also stored and held. As shown in FIG. 2, when the character input panel 100 is first opened and there is no past history, conversion candidates are extracted from the preset basic dictionary 32 according to the priority, and the prediction conversion candidate display unit 102 is displayed. Is displayed. The priority is predetermined for each word stored in the basic dictionary 32. In the example of FIG. 2, preset words starting with “a” are displayed as predictive conversion candidates.

  The past history dictionary 31 stores past character input histories. When there is history data in the past history dictionary 31 when the character input panel 100 is opened and no character is input to the input character creation unit 101, the priority of the history data The prediction conversion candidate can be displayed according to the above.

  In the conventional character input device, the predictive conversion candidate is not displayed unless any character is input first. However, in the embodiment according to the present invention, when the character input panel 100 is opened, no character is displayed. Predictive conversion candidates are displayed in a state where no input has been made. Accordingly, the user can obtain an opportunity to select a prediction candidate at a stage where characters are not input, thereby improving input efficiency and obtaining high convenience.

  When a character is not input to the input character creation unit 101 and a prediction conversion candidate is not selected, the user creates a desired character string by inputting a character to the input character creation unit 101 of the character input panel 100. Can continue. In this case, a desired character can be input using the assignment of the numeric keys 201 of the remote controller. For example, in the example of FIG. 2, a state where “ASA” is input to the input character creation unit 101 is shown. As displayed on the key assignment display portion 103, “A” can be input using the numeric key “1”, and “SA” can be input using the numeric key “3”. Can do. If the number key “1” is continuously pressed, the character on the line can be toggled.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display example when inputting characters in the input character creation unit of the character input panel. When “ASA” is input to the input character creation unit 101, a prediction conversion candidate that matches forward with “ASA” is displayed on the prediction conversion candidate display unit 102. Thereby, predictive conversion during character input becomes possible. These prediction conversion candidates are extracted from the past history dictionary 31 or the basic dictionary 32 stored in the storage unit 13 of the character input device 10. The user can select an arbitrary one from the displayed prediction conversion candidates. If the blue key is pressed in the “asa” state, kanji conversion can be performed, and if the green key is pressed, the character type can be changed.

As described above, the input character creation unit 101 creates a character string desired by the user and completes it. As described above, the completion is an operation different from the character determination, and indicates a predetermined operation for completing the creation of the character string in the input character creation unit 101.
Here, as the predetermined operation, the character string creation can be completed by operating the yellow key of the function keys 206. When the creation of the character string is completed, the character string is input to a character input area such as a target WEB page.

  Further, by storing the past history data as described above in the past history dictionary 31, the prediction conversion candidate at the next input changes according to the history data in the past history dictionary 31. For example, words stored in the past history dictionary 31 can be displayed with the highest priority on the prediction conversion candidate display unit 102. In this example, the highest priority refers to the upper left position of the prediction conversion candidate display unit 102.

  As a feature of the embodiment according to the present invention, simply inputting a character string to the input character creating unit 101 and confirming it with or without conversion is stored as history data in the past history dictionary 31 of the storage unit 13. Never happen. A character or character string is created and completed in the input character creation unit 101, and the completed character string is input to the target character input area, so that it is recorded as history data in the past history dictionary 31. Unless it is completed, no history data remains even if character strings are converted or deleted. In addition, when a completed character string includes a plurality of words / phrases, it can be automatically divided into a plurality of words / phrases and left as history data.

  The past history dictionary 31 is stored in, for example, a non-volatile recording medium such as a flash memory. However, the flash memory has a limited number of times it can be erased and written, and wears if it is frequently erased and written. Therefore, there arises a problem that reliability and operation performance are impaired. In the embodiment according to the present invention, writing to the flash memory is not performed until the character or character string is created and completed as described above, so the wear of the flash memory is reduced and the life and reliability are improved. Can be made.

(Second setting example)
In the second setting example, link information of the WEB dictionary 33 is associated with a character input area such as a target WEB page.
Here, when the screen operation of the user makes a transition to a screen having a character input area such as an input form of a WEB page, or when a transition to a state in which the character input area is selected, the control unit 15 of the character input device The character input panel 100 is displayed on the display unit 11. This operation is the same as in the first setting example, and the configuration of the character input panel 100 is also the same as in the first setting example.

  When the character input panel 100 is displayed, the key assignment of the remote controller configured as the operation unit 12 is changed, and a character string for the character input panel 100 can be created. When a user inputs a character in a character input area such as a target WEB page, the user creates a character string in the input character creation unit 101 of the character input panel 100 and completes the character string. Can input the character string.

  In the first setting example, even when the character input panel 100 is opened and no character is input to the input character creation unit 101, the prediction conversion candidate display unit 102 displays the past history dictionary 31 or Although the prediction conversion candidate based on the basic dictionary 32 is displayed, in the second setting example, the conversion candidate including the WEB dictionary 33 can be displayed. From these conversion candidates, a user's arbitrary prediction conversion candidate can be selected. The selected predictive conversion candidate is input to the input character creation unit 101, and the user can continue to input thereafter.

Here, in a state where the character input panel 100 is first opened, predicted conversion candidates are displayed from the past history dictionary 31, the basic dictionary 32, and the downloaded WEB dictionary 33 according to the priority of the word. For example, when the priority of the words in the WEB dictionary 33 is increased and the past history dictionary 31 is set as the next priority, the prediction conversion candidate display unit 102 first displays the words in the WEB dictionary 33 with priority. .
The priority of each word / phrase in the WEB dictionary 33 can be set in advance on the server 20 side. Thereby, for example, when the service provider provides the WEB dictionary 33 on the server 20, the priority of the word desired by the service provider can be intentionally increased.

In this case, the priorities of the words in the three dictionaries (the past history dictionary 31, the basic dictionary 32, and the WEB dictionary 33) are all compared with the priorities set in association with the respective words, and the type of dictionary is determined. Regardless, the prediction conversion candidate display unit 102 can display the images in the descending order of priority.
Alternatively, a priority may be given to each dictionary, and for example, the word / phrase in the WEB dictionary 33 may be given priority, and then the word / phrase in the past history dictionary 31 may be displayed.

When a character is not input to the input character creation unit 101 and a prediction conversion candidate is not selected, the user creates a desired character string by inputting a character to the input character creation unit 101 of the character input panel 100. Can continue.
When “ASA” is input to the input character creation unit 101, a prediction conversion candidate that matches forward with “ASA” is displayed on the prediction conversion candidate display unit 102. Thereby, predictive conversion during character input becomes possible.

  In the second setting example, these prediction conversion candidates are extracted from the downloaded WEB dictionary 33, the past history dictionary 31 stored in the storage unit 13, or the basic dictionary 32. In this case, since the input character is “ASA”, among the words / phrases in each dictionary, a word that directly matches “ASA” is extracted as a prediction conversion candidate, and is displayed on the prediction conversion candidate display unit 102 according to its priority. Then, as in the above example, the prediction conversion candidate display unit 102 may display the words matching “Asa” in each dictionary in the order of highest priority, or according to the priority for each dictionary. For example, a word that matches forward with “Asa” in the WEB dictionary 33 may be displayed first.

  As described above, the input character creation unit 101 creates a character string desired by the user and completes it. Here, the character string creation can be completed by operating the yellow key of the function keys 206. When the creation is completed, the character string is input to a character input area such as a target WEB page.

(Use example of character input device)
A usage example of the character input process using the character input device as described above will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of use of the character input device according to the present invention. In this example, the character input device is used in the television 40. The television 40 is an embodiment in which a character input device is implemented. In this case, the display unit 11 of the character input device 10 is realized by a display unit that constitutes the display screen of the television 40, and the operation unit 12 can be realized by a remote control for operating the television 40. The television 40 has a communication means that can be connected to the Internet, and this portion is applied as the communication unit 16 of the character input device.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, the example which applied the character input device based on this invention with respect to the HTML content for searching the menu of a movie is shown.
Here, it is assumed that the TV 40 displays the HTML content related to the movie menu search acquired from the WEB. The movie menu search content is provided from a server of a specific service provider, and the WEB dictionary 33 is also provided from the server of the service provider.

In the example of FIG. 6, three character input force areas (input elements) 41, 42, and 43 are set for the movie menu search screen for HTML content. The first character input area 41 is a character input area for “searching from a title” of a movie, and the second character input area 42 is a character input area for “searching by performers”. The third character input area 43 is a character input area for “searching by director”.
Each of these character input areas 41, 42 and 43 is associated with link destination information of a dictionary to be used. For example, the description of the dictionary of the link destination of the character input area is written in the HTML document. Thereby, it can link to a specific dictionary for every character input area.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of the WEB dictionary 33 downloaded on the search screen of FIG. When the display screen is changed to the search screen of FIG. 6 by a user operation, the television 40 reads the dictionary link destination of each character input area 41, 42, 43 of the search page, and if it is the WEB dictionary 33, the WEB dictionary. The server holding the 33 is accessed, and the corresponding WEB dictionary 33 is downloaded. In this case, a WEB dictionary (title search dictionary) 33a suitable for title search is prepared in the first character input area 41 searched from the title, and dictionary data is downloaded from the WEB dictionary 33a. Similarly, for the second character input area 42 searched from performers and the third character input area 43 searched from directors, WEB dictionaries (performer search dictionaries) 33b suitable for performer search are also provided. WEB dictionaries (director search dictionaries) 33c suitable for search are prepared, and dictionary data is downloaded respectively.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of a state in which the character input panel is opened on the search screen of FIG. When the third character input area 43 for “search from director” is selected on the search screen of FIG. 7, a character input panel 100 is displayed as shown in FIG. In this case, selection of the character input area 43 simply indicates a state in which the cursor has moved to the character input area 43.
Here, words and phrases of dictionary data downloaded from the supervisor search dictionary 33c are displayed on the predictive conversion candidate display unit 102 of the character input panel 100 according to the priority. In this case, since the name of the director for search is displayed as a prediction conversion candidate, the user can easily search for and select the target prediction conversion candidate. Here, as a feature according to the present invention, the input character creation unit 101 of the character input panel 100 displays predictive conversion candidates even in a state in which no character is input, from which the user can input characters. You can select the words to use.

  As described above, in the actual use scene of the character input device according to the present invention, the dictionary data of the WEB dictionary 33 can be optimally selected in advance in accordance with the characteristics of the characters to be input to the character input area. The convenience of the user can be improved, and it is sufficient to prepare dictionary data according to specific characteristics, so that the load on the server side and the load on the character input device side can be reduced. In addition, when the service provider provides the WEB dictionary 33, it is possible to use the dictionary by selecting the service provider's selected dictionary data by intentionally distributing the dictionary data selected by the service provider. .

As a download timing of the WEB dictionary 33 on the television 40, when the screen is changed to the search screen of FIG. 6 by a user operation, all the character input areas 41, 42, and 43 included in the search screen are searched from the dictionary. Let the data download. Then, on the television 40, the downloaded data is displayed as a predicted conversion candidate on the predicted conversion candidate display unit 102 according to the priority.
As another example, when the cursor is moved to any of the character input areas 41, 42, and 43 after the search screen of FIG. 6 is displayed, the dictionary is changed from the linked dictionary to the character input area. Data may be downloaded.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the priority setting of words to be displayed on the predictive conversion candidate display unit. In the character input device 10, when displaying the predicted conversion candidate word / phrase on the predicted conversion candidate display unit 102 of the character input panel 100, the priority set for the word / phrase of each dictionary data is determined, and the priority is set according to the priority. It displays on the prediction conversion candidate display part 102 in order with a high order.
The dictionary data used for the display judgment of the prediction conversion candidates is the WEB dictionary 33, the past history dictionary 31, and the basic dictionary 32 as described above. At this time, the WEB dictionary may not be used depending on the attribute of the character input area of the page displayed by the character input device 10, but three dictionaries are used here.

  When displaying the predicted conversion candidate words on the predicted conversion candidate display unit 102 of the character input panel 100, dictionary data downloaded from the WEB dictionary 33, dictionary data held in the past history dictionary 31 and the basic dictionary 32 of the character input device 10 In each of these, priority is set by the priority setting unit 110. The priority setting unit 110 is a functional block realized by the control unit 15 of the character input device 10.

  The priority setting unit 110 sets the priority of words to be displayed on the prediction conversion candidate display unit 102. In this case, information indicating the priority is set in each word / phrase of each dictionary (WEB dictionary 33, past history dictionary 31, basic dictionary 32). The priority setting unit 110 determines the priority of words to be displayed on the predictive conversion candidate display unit 102 according to a predetermined rule based on the priorities of these words, and the dictionary data corresponding to each word according to the priorities. Extract from and display.

  For example, when there is dictionary data of the WEB dictionary 33 as the predetermined rule, it is defined that the WEB dictionary data is preferentially displayed. In this case, predictive conversion candidates are extracted using the dictionary data of the WEB dictionary 33 downloaded from the server 20. At this time, information indicating priority is given to each word / phrase in the dictionary data of the WEB dictionary 33. This priority is used to select an extracted phrase.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a priority table set in dictionary data. As shown in FIG. 10, each word / phrase in the dictionary data is associated with information indicating priority. In this example, it is assumed that the higher the numerical value of the priority, the higher the priority.
For example, when displaying the predictive conversion candidate on the predictive conversion candidate display unit 102, when it is determined that the dictionary data in FIG. 10 is prioritized, the character input device 10 displays the predictive conversion candidate in order from the word with the highest priority. Be displayed on the unit 102. At this time, when predictive conversion candidates are displayed on the input character creation unit 101 of the character input panel 100 in a state where no character is input, the prediction conversion candidates are displayed in order of priority based on the priorities of all words. You can make it. Further, in a state where characters are input to the input character creation unit 101, the priorities of words that match forward with the characters can be compared and displayed as predictive conversion candidates in descending order of priority.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 11, when “kai” is input to the input character creation unit 101 of the character input panel 100 by a user operation, the character input device 10 moves forward from the table of FIG. 10 to “kai”. For the matching reading words, their priorities are determined and displayed on the predictive conversion candidate display unit 102 in descending order of priority. In this example, as shown in FIG. 11, priority is determined from the words that coincide with “Kai” in the table of FIG. 10 like “member”, “purchase”, “chairman”, “circulation”, etc. Are displayed in descending order.

In the above example, the priority of the WEB dictionary 33 has been described as an example, but the same applies to the basic dictionary 32 and the past history dictionary 31. For example, as a predetermined rule, when the dictionary data of the basic dictionary 32 and the dictionary data of the past history dictionary 31 are preferentially displayed as prediction conversion candidates, the dictionary data of the basic dictionary 32 and the dictionary data of the past history dictionary are used. Are displayed on the prediction conversion candidate display unit 102 from words with high priority.
For example, if there is no past history data in a state where no character is input to the input character creation unit 101, the dictionary data in the basic dictionary 32 is displayed in the predictive conversion candidate display unit 102 in the order of high priority words / phrases. Display. In addition, when any character is input to the input character creation unit 101, in a state where there is no past history, words that match the character from the dictionary data in the basic dictionary 32 are displayed in order of priority.

  If there is past history data stored in the past history dictionary 31, this data can be displayed in preference to the words in the basic dictionary 32. Also for the dictionary data of the past history dictionary 31, a priority is set for each word. For example, the priority can be set to be higher in the order of the time when the creation of the character string is completed closest to the present time. Moreover, the setting which makes a priority high in order with high use frequency may be sufficient.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining a processing example when the character input panel is displayed. The character input panel is a character input UI that is opened on the screen in order to create characters and character strings for character input on the screen provided by a specific service or application. Using the input panel, a character string can be created in a target character input area.

  In the character input device, when the character input panel that is the character input UI is activated (step S1-Yes), a candidate for character conversion (predictive conversion candidate) is extracted (step S2), and the extracted candidate is displayed (step S2). Step S3). For example, when the WEB page is displayed by the user operation when the WEB page is displayed by the user operation and the WEB page having the character input area is displayed, the character input panel is activated. The character input panel can be displayed based on information previously associated with the character input area. Specific processing of predictive conversion candidate extraction processing will be described next. This process completes the activation of the character input panel.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining an example of candidate extraction processing for character conversion. When the character input panel is activated and a candidate (predictive conversion candidate) is extracted, the character input device 10 determines whether or not past history data that is a past character input history exists (step S11). If there is past history data, candidates with high priority are extracted from the past history data (step S12). Then, it is determined whether or not the total number of extracted candidates exceeds the maximum value (step S13). The maximum value corresponds to, for example, the number of words that can be displayed on the prediction conversion candidate display unit 102 of the character input panel.

  If the total number of candidates extracted here exceeds the maximum value, the candidate extraction process is completed. If the total number does not exceed the maximum value, candidates with high priority are extracted from the basic dictionary data (step S14). That is, when the number of past history data to be displayed is less than the number of data that can be displayed on the prediction conversion candidate display unit 102, candidates are extracted from the basic dictionary data and displayed after the past history data. Further, the candidate extraction process is also terminated when no past history data exists in step S11.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining an example of candidate extraction when there is a WEB dictionary. When the character input panel is activated and candidates (predictive conversion candidates) are extracted, the character input device determines whether WEB dictionary data exists as dictionary data that can be input to the character input panel (step S21). The determination of the WEB dictionary data is based on, for example, whether or not the WEB dictionary data can be downloaded from the link destination information based on the link destination information written in the description of the character input list that is the character input destination of the character input panel. To do.

  If the WEB dictionary data exists, the character input device extracts a candidate with high priority from the WEB dictionary (step S22). Then, it is determined whether or not the total number of extracted candidates exceeds the maximum value (step S23). The maximum value corresponds to, for example, the number of words that can be displayed on the prediction conversion candidate display unit 102 of the character input panel.

  If the total number of candidates extracted here exceeds the maximum value, the candidate extraction process is completed, and if it does not exceed the maximum value, it is next determined whether or not past history data exists (step S24). ). Even when the WEB dictionary data does not exist in step S21, the presence of past history data is countered in step S24. If there is past history data, candidates with high priority are extracted from the past history data (step S25). Then, it is determined whether or not the total number of extracted candidates exceeds the maximum value (step S26).

  If the maximum value is not exceeded, a candidate with high priority is extracted from the basic dictionary data (step S27). That is, when the WEB dictionary data to be displayed is less than the number of data that can be displayed on the predictive conversion candidate display unit 102, candidates are extracted from the past history data and displayed, and when the number of data that can be displayed is less than The candidates are extracted from the basic dictionary data and displayed. If the total number of extracted candidates exceeds the maximum value in step S23 and step S25, the candidate extraction process is completed.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining a processing example when an input character is recorded as past history data.
After the character input panel, which is a character input UI, is activated, a character string is created for the input character creation unit 101, and a character panel ending operation is performed (step S31). This end operation is either a completion operation that indicates that character input to the input character creation unit 101 has been completed, or a cancel (end) operation that ends the operation of the character input panel regardless of whether or not there is character input. is there. In the case of a cancel operation (step S32—Yes), even if a character string is created in the input character creation unit 101, the created character string is canceled and the input process of the character input panel is terminated.

  If it is not a cancel operation, it is determined whether or not an input process has been performed (step S33). If input processing has been performed, the input data is stored in the flash memory as past history data (step S34), and the character input panel is terminated (step S35). Further, the character input panel is also terminated when the input process is not performed in step S33.

  As described above, in the character input panel, the character string is created in the input character creation unit 101 and completed, and is recorded as history data in the past history dictionary 31. Unless it is completed, no history data remains even if character strings are converted or deleted. Thereby, wear of the flash memory can be reduced.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining processing for extracting candidates from all dictionary data according to their priorities.
First, the character input device 10 determines whether there is WEB dictionary data corresponding to a character input area (input element) such as a WEB page (step S41). The existence of the WEB dictionary data is confirmed based on the link destination information written in the description of the input element that is the character input destination of the character input panel. If there is a WEB dictionary, the character input device 10 acquires the WEB dictionary data (step S42).

  If WEB dictionary data does not exist in step S41, or if WEB dictionary data is acquired in step S42, candidates having high priority are extracted from all the existing dictionary data (step S43). In this case, all the dictionaries are the WEB dictionary, the past history dictionary, and the basic dictionary. Further, when there is no WEB dictionary, there are two past history dictionaries and a basic dictionary. And the candidate (predictive conversion candidate) extracted by step S43 is displayed on the predictive conversion candidate display part 102 of a character input panel (step S44).

  Next, it is determined whether or not character input panel processing has been performed, that is, whether or not processing has been performed on the character input panel by performing some operation on the character input panel (step S45). If the process is performed, the process is not an end process (step S46-No), and if the process is an input process (step S47-Yes), a candidate having a high priority is selected from all dictionary data based on the current input. Is extracted (step S48). That is, based on the characters input by the input character creation unit 101 of the character input panel 100, candidates with high priority are extracted from, for example, all dictionary data that match forward with the characters. And the extracted candidate is displayed on the prediction conversion candidate display part 102 of the character input panel 100 (step S44).

If the character input panel process is not performed in step S45 and if the input process is not input in step S47, the process returns to step S45 again to determine the character input panel process. If it is the end process in step S46, the candidate extraction process is ended.
As described above, prediction conversion candidates can be extracted from all usable dictionary data according to the priority of each dictionary data without giving priority to specific dictionary data.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Character input device, 11 ... Display part, 12 ... Operation part, 13 ... Memory | storage part, 14 ... RAM, 15 ... Control part, 16 ... Communication part, 17 ... Control part, 20 ... Server, 21 ... Internet, 31 ... Past history dictionary, 32 ... basic dictionary, 33 ... WEB dictionary, 33a ... title search dictionary, 33b ... performer search dictionary, 33c ... director search dictionary, 40 ... television, 41, 42, 43 ... character input area, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Character input panel, 101 ... Input character preparation part, 102 ... Prediction conversion candidate display part, 103 ... Key allocation display part, 110 ... Priority setting part, 200 ... Remote control, 201 ... Number key, 202 ... Direction key, 203 ... Decision key, 204 ... End key, 205 ... Return key, 206 ... Function key.

Claims (6)

A character input that has a display unit, a control unit that performs display control on the display unit, and an operation unit that receives a user operation, and performs character input to a character input area set on a screen displayed on the display unit In the device
The control unit displays a character input panel for creating a character or a character string to be input to the character input area in response to an operation on the operation unit on the display unit, and completes the creation of the character or the character string When a predetermined operation is performed, a control is performed to input a character or a character string for which the creation has been completed into the character input area,
When the character input panel is displayed on the display unit, the control unit uses predetermined dictionary data to extract and display predictive conversion candidates that can be selected by a user operation from the dictionary data. Character input device.   The character input device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit displays the prediction conversion candidate in a state where character input for creating the character or character string is not performed on the character input panel. Character input device characterized by. The character input device according to claim 1, further comprising a communication unit that can be connected to an external server via a communication line,
When the control unit displays a screen on which the character input area is set on the display unit, the control unit accesses a server holding dictionary data associated with the character input area, and downloads the dictionary data. A character input device that holds and downloads and holds the dictionary data as the predetermined dictionary data, and extracts and displays the prediction conversion candidates from the dictionary data.   4. The character input device according to claim 3, wherein link information for linking to the dictionary data in order to download the dictionary data is set in association with each of the character input areas. Character input device.   5. The character input device according to claim 4, wherein the dictionary data is text data that can be downloaded only by setting the link information associated with the character input area. In the character input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, using, as the predetermined dictionary data, past history dictionary data that stores characters or character strings created by the character input panel as history data,
The past history dictionary data includes character information included in the character or character string that has been created when a predetermined operation for completing the creation of the character or character string created on the character input panel is performed. A character input device which is stored as dictionary data.

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