JP2010277545A - Character input device and character conversion method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To input characters without limitation of a range of the characters to be selected for conversion. <P>SOLUTION: A character input device 100 is provided with a touch panel 101, and a display part 111 laminated on the touch panel 101. A coordinate detection unit 102 detects coordinate values of two positions of contact between two objects and the touch panel 101. When the two objects move on the touch panel 101 in contact therewith and the distance between current coordinate values of the two contact positions becomes smaller than the distance between initial coordinate values of the two contact positions, a character conversion processing unit 105 converts a specific character string of character strings displayed on the display part 111, and having characters corresponding to the initial coordinate values of the two contact positions at both ends. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a character input device and a character conversion method.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in a wireless terminal device, as a character input device for inputting characters, there is a character input device having a display unit such as a touch panel that detects a coordinate value input by a touch operation and a display stacked on the touch panel. This character input device determines the processing content of the document data displayed on the display in response to an input operation (contact) on the touch panel.

  For example, when converting a character string included in document data displayed on a display (for example, kanji conversion), for example, two points of a start position and an end position of a character conversion target are input by a user's finger or a pen or the like. Can be specified.

  In addition, when the specified character conversion target section moves while touching the touch panel (when a drag operation is performed), the character input device changes the range of the character conversion target according to the direction in which the object moves. It has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Specifically, the character input device moves the end position of the character conversion target and moves the character conversion target end position when the object is dragged (or pen run) to the right with respect to the contact position touched again. When the range is expanded and the object is dragged leftward (or pen run) with respect to the contact position touched again, the character conversion target end position is moved to narrow the character conversion target range.

  In addition, when the object touches the touch panel again in the designated character conversion target section, the character input device displays the position corresponding to the coordinate value of the contact position between the object and the touch panel in the phrase in the character string to be converted. It has been proposed to designate as a delimiter position (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 08-14917 A JP 05-181839 A

  However, in the above-described conventional technique, the character input device changes the end position of the character conversion target or changes the phrase break position in the character conversion target section designated by the contact (coordinate input) between the object and the touch panel. Although it is possible, the start position of the character conversion target cannot be changed. In other words, in the above prior art, the start position of the character conversion target is fixed. Therefore, in the prior art, the range that can be selected as a character conversion target is limited.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a character input device and a character conversion method capable of inputting characters without limiting a range that can be selected as a character conversion target.

  The character input device of the present invention is a character input device having a touch panel and a display unit laminated with the touch panel, and detecting means for detecting coordinate values of two contact positions between two objects and the touch panel. The coordinates of the two contact positions detected this time are larger than the interval between the coordinate values of the two contact positions detected for the first time by moving the two objects while touching the touch panel. When the interval between the values is narrowed, for a specific character string having both ends of the character string displayed on the display unit corresponding to the coordinate value of the contact position of the two points detected first time And a conversion processing means for performing character conversion processing.

  The character conversion method of the present invention is a character conversion method in a character input device having a touch panel and a display unit laminated with the touch panel, and the coordinate values of two contact positions between two objects and the touch panel. By detecting and moving the two objects while touching on the touch panel, the contact position of the two points detected this time is larger than the interval between the coordinate values of the contact points of the two points detected first time. When the interval between coordinate values is narrowed, for a specific character string having both ends of the character string displayed at the display unit corresponding to the coordinate value of the two contact positions detected at the first time. The character conversion process was performed.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to perform character input without limiting the range that can be selected as a character conversion target.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the character input device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the flow of the character conversion process in the character input device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the conversion process in the character conversion process part which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the conversion process in the character conversion process part which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the conversion process in the character conversion process part which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the non-conversion process in the character conversion process part which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the non-conversion process in the character conversion process part which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the non-conversion process in the character conversion process part which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the flow of the character conversion process in the character input device which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The figure which shows the conversion process in the character conversion process part which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The figure which shows the conversion process in the character conversion process part which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The figure which shows the conversion process in the character conversion process part which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The figure which shows the conversion process in the character conversion process part which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The figure which shows the conversion process in the character conversion process part which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The figure which shows the conversion process in the character conversion process part which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The figure which shows the conversion process in the character conversion process part which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The figure which shows the conversion process in the character conversion process part which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The figure which shows the non-conversion process in the character conversion process part which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The figure which shows the flow of the character conversion process in the character input device which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. The figure which shows the conversion process in the character conversion process part which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. The figure which shows the conversion process in the character conversion process part which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. The figure which shows the conversion process in the character conversion process part which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. The figure which shows the non-conversion process in the character conversion process part which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. The figure which shows the non-conversion process in the character conversion process part which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. The figure which shows the conversion process in the character conversion process part which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
The configuration of the character input device according to the present embodiment is shown in FIG. Note that the character input device 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a touch panel 101 as a coordinate input unit and a display unit 111 (for example, a display) stacked with the touch panel 101.

  The coordinate detection unit 102 detects a coordinate input operation (contact) on the touch panel 101 with an object (such as a user's finger or pen). Specifically, the coordinate detection unit 102 detects coordinate values (for example, x, y coordinates) input to the touch panel 101. Then, the coordinate detection unit 102 outputs the detected coordinate value to the character conversion processing unit 105. Note that the coordinate detection unit 102 detects a plurality of contacts (that is, a plurality of coordinate values) between the object and the touch panel 101. For example, when the coordinate detection unit 102 detects coordinate values of two contact positions between two objects and the touch panel 101, the coordinate detection unit 102 outputs two coordinate values indicating the two contact positions to the character conversion processing unit 105. To do. For example, when the object and the touch panel 101 are continuously in contact, the coordinate detection unit 102 continues to output the coordinate value of the contact position to the character conversion processing unit 105.

  The document memory 103 stores a character string (document data) input from an input unit (not shown) by an operation on an operation key or the like by an object, for example. The document memory 103 stores readings of stored document data. The document memory 103 also updates the character string after the character conversion processing when the character conversion processing unit 105 performs character conversion processing (or no conversion processing) on the stored document data. Is stored.

  The ROM 104 stores, for example, a dictionary such as hiragana, katakana, and kanji.

  The character conversion processing unit 105 performs character conversion processing on the character conversion target character string specified based on the coordinate value input from the coordinate detection unit 102 in the document data stored in the document memory 103. Do. Specifically, first, when two coordinate values are input from the coordinate detection unit 102 for the first time, the character conversion processing unit 105 selects two coordinate values on the touch panel 101 from among the document data displayed on the display unit 111. A specific character string having both ends of the character corresponding to is designated as a character string to be character-converted (hereinafter referred to as an attention phrase). Then, the character conversion processing unit 105 outputs a portion corresponding to the noticeable phrase in the document data stored in the document memory 103 to the noticeable phrase information buffer 107 of the work memory 106. In addition, the character conversion processing unit 105 outputs the reading of the target phrase among the readings of the document data stored in the document memory 103 to the input buffer 108 of the work memory 106. Further, the character conversion processing unit 105 searches the ROM 104 (dictionary) for conversion candidates corresponding to the reading of the target phrase, and outputs the search results (conversion candidates) to the conversion candidate buffer 109 of the work memory 106.

  Then, for example, when the user moves while touching at two points on the touch panel 101, the two coordinate values detected this time are larger than the interval (distance between the two points) of the two coordinate values detected first time. When the interval is reduced (for example, when the user pinches in), the character conversion processing unit 105 performs character conversion processing on the target phrase stored in the target phrase information buffer 107. For example, the character conversion processing unit 105 outputs, to the display control unit 110, conversion candidates for the target phrase stored in the conversion candidate buffer 109.

  In addition, this is a case where the phrase of interest is converted, and the interval between the coordinate values of the two contact positions detected this time is wider than the interval between the coordinate values of the two contact positions detected for the first time. (For example, when the user performs a pinch-out), the character conversion processing unit 105 cancels the character conversion processing for the attention phrase (converted attention phrase) stored in the attention phrase information buffer (that is, , Return the attention phrase to the unconverted state). Specifically, the character conversion processing unit 105 stores the reading of the noticeable phrase stored in the input buffer 108 in the noticeable phrase information buffer 107. Then, the character conversion processing unit 105 outputs the attention phrase in the non-converted state to the display control unit 110. A detailed description of the character conversion processing in the character conversion processing unit 105 will be described later.

  The work memory 106 stores information regarding the target phrase specified by the character conversion processing unit 105. Specifically, the noticeable phrase information buffer 107 of the work memory 106 stores the noticeable phrase among the document data stored in the document memory 103. Also, the noticeable phrase information buffer 107 stores the reading of the noticeable phrase stored in the input buffer 108 when the converted noticeable phrase is changed to non-converted by the character conversion processing unit 105, and the conversion candidate is confirmed. If the conversion candidate is stored, the conversion candidate that has been confirmed among the conversion candidates stored in the conversion candidate buffer 109 is stored to update the phrase of interest to be stored. In addition, the input buffer 108 of the work memory 106 stores the reading of the character string corresponding to the noticeable phrase stored in the noticeable phrase information buffer 107 among the document data stored in the document memory 103 (reading of the noticeable phrase). . Further, the conversion candidate buffer 109 of the work memory 106 stores conversion candidates corresponding to the reading of the target phrase.

  The display control unit 110 instructs the display unit 111 to display the character string input from the character conversion processing unit 105.

  The display unit 111 displays a character string designated by the display control unit 110. For example, when the display unit 111 displays conversion candidates for the target phrase stored in the conversion candidate buffer 109, the user selects one of the conversion candidates for the target phrase by touching the touch panel 101 with an object.

  Next, the flow of processing in the character input device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 2 shows the flow of processing in the character input device 100 (FIG. 1). In the following description, the initial state of the conversion flag (ON (converting) or OFF (not converting)) indicating whether or not the target phrase is being converted is assumed to be 'OFF'.

  In step (hereinafter referred to as ST) 101, coordinate detection section 102 performs detection processing for detecting the coordinate value of the contact position between an object (here, the user's finger) and touch panel 101.

  In ST102, the character conversion processing unit 105 determines whether or not contact of two fingers (two coordinate values) is detected in ST101 (that is, whether two coordinate values are input from the coordinate detection unit 102). to decide. When the contact of two fingers (two coordinate values) is not detected (ST102: NO), the character conversion processing unit 105 does nothing and returns to ST102.

  On the other hand, when the contact of two fingers is detected (ST102: YES), in ST103, the character conversion processing unit 105 displays the document data stored in the document memory 103 (that is, displayed on the current display unit 111). A specific character string having both ends of the character corresponding to the coordinate value of the contact position of the two fingers detected for the first time in ST101 is read out as a target phrase. Then, the character conversion processing unit 105 stores the read attention phrase in the attention phrase information buffer 107. Further, the character conversion processing unit 105 reads the reading corresponding to the noticeable phrase stored in the noticeable phrase information buffer 107 from the document memory 103 and stores it in the input buffer 108. Further, the character conversion processing unit 105 searches the ROM 104 (dictionary) for conversion candidates corresponding to the reading of the target phrase stored in the input buffer 108 and stores the search results (conversion candidates) in the conversion candidate buffer 109.

  In ST104, the character conversion processing unit 105 determines whether the two fingers are separated from the touch panel 101 based on the coordinate values of the contact position between the object (user's finger) and the touch panel 101, which are sequentially detected by the coordinate detection unit 102. Judge whether or not.

  When the two fingers are not separated from the touch panel 101 (ST104: NO), in ST105, the character conversion processing unit 105 determines the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers detected for the first time (ST101) (2 It is determined whether or not the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers detected this time (distance between the two points) is narrower than the distance between the points). Specifically, the character conversion processing unit 105 compares the distance between the coordinate values of the two finger contact positions detected for the first time with the two finger contact positions input this time from the coordinate detection unit 102. It is determined whether or not the interval between the coordinate values is short.

  When the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers is narrowed (ST105: YES), in ST106, the character conversion processing unit 105 converts the attention phrase stored in the attention phrase information buffer 107 in ST103 (step 103). Or re-conversion processing). For example, the character conversion processing unit 105 reads the conversion candidate of the target phrase stored in the conversion candidate buffer 109 in ST103.

  In ST 107, the character conversion processing unit 105 outputs the candidate phrase conversion candidate to the display control unit 110. Then, the display control unit 110 updates the display of the conversion candidates on the display unit 111 by instructing the display unit 111 to display the conversion candidates.

  In ST108, the character conversion processing unit 105 changes the conversion flag to “ON”.

  On the other hand, when the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers is not narrowed (ST105: NO), in ST109, the character conversion processing unit 105 detects the contact of the two fingers detected for the first time (ST101). It is determined whether or not the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers detected this time is wider than the interval between the coordinate values of the positions. If the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers is increased (ST109: YES), in ST110, the character conversion processing unit 105 determines whether the attention phrase stored in the attention phrase information buffer 107 has been converted. Judge whether or not.

  When the noticeable phrase has been converted (ST110: YES), in ST111, the character conversion processing unit 105 performs no-conversion processing of the noticeable phrase stored in the noticeable phrase information buffer 107 in ST103. Specifically, the character conversion processing unit 105 stores the reading of the noticeable phrase stored in the input buffer 108 in ST103 in the noticeable phrase information buffer 107.

  In ST112, the character conversion processing unit 105 outputs the attention phrase (the attention phrase in an unconverted state) stored in the attention phrase information buffer 107 in ST111 to the display control unit 110. The display control unit 110 then updates the display of the document data on the display unit 111 by instructing the display unit 111 to display the phrase of interest.

  In ST113, the character conversion processing unit 105 changes the conversion flag to “OFF”.

  On the other hand, if the contact position of the two fingers is not widened (ST109: NO), or if the target phrase has not been converted (ST110: NO), the character conversion processing unit 105 does nothing and returns to ST104. .

  As described above, when the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers is narrowed (ST105: YES), the character conversion processing unit 105 performs conversion processing (or reconversion processing) on the target phrase. Do. On the other hand, when the attention phrase (specific character string) has been converted (ST110: YES), and the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers is increased (ST109: YES). First, the character conversion processing unit 105 returns the noticeable phrase to a non-converted state.

  On the other hand, when two fingers are separated from the touch panel 101 (ST104: YES), in ST114, the character conversion processing unit 105 determines whether or not the conversion flag is “ON”. When the conversion flag is “OFF” (ST114: NO), the process proceeds to ST119. On the other hand, when the conversion flag is “ON” (ST114: YES), in ST115, the character conversion processing unit 105 selects any one of the conversion candidates stored in the conversion candidate buffer 109, and the conversion candidate is selected. It is determined whether it has been confirmed. If the conversion candidate is not confirmed (ST115: NO), the process returns to ST115. On the other hand, when the conversion candidate is confirmed (ST115: YES), in ST116, the character conversion processing unit 105 pays attention to the conversion candidate determined in ST115 among the conversion candidates stored in the conversion candidate buffer 109. By storing the phrase in the phrase information buffer 107, the candidate phrase conversion candidate is determined.

  In ST117, the character conversion processing unit 105 outputs the attention phrase (the attention phrase after confirmation) stored in the attention phrase information buffer 107 in ST116 to the display control unit 110. The display control unit 110 then updates the display of the document data on the display unit 111 by instructing the display unit 111 to display the phrase of interest.

  In ST118, the character conversion processing unit 105 changes the conversion flag to “OFF”.

  In ST119, the character conversion processing unit 105 writes the attention phrase (the attention phrase determined in ST116) stored in the attention phrase information buffer 107 into the document memory 103. In ST120, the character conversion processing unit 105 clears the data stored in each buffer of the work memory 106. After ST120, the process returns to ST102.

  Next, details of the character conversion processing in the character conversion processing unit 105 of the character input device 100 will be described.

  First, as an example, as shown in FIG. 3A, a case will be described in which the display unit 111 displays document data “There are various types of documents”. In other words, the document data 103 stores document data “There are various types of documents”.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3B, the coordinate detection unit 102 corresponds to the coordinate value on the touch panel 101 corresponding to “de” displayed on the display unit 111 and “n” displayed on the display unit 111. It is assumed that coordinate values on the touch panel 101 are detected, that is, coordinate values of two points (contact of two fingers) are detected (ST102: YES shown in FIG. 2). In this case, as shown in FIG. 3B, the character conversion processing unit 105 is a specific character string having both characters ('de' and 'n') corresponding to the coordinate values of the contact positions of two fingers. “Kenkei-hin” is stored in the focused phrase information buffer 107 as the focused phrase (ST103 shown in FIG. 2). In addition, the character conversion processing unit 105 stores the reading of the phrase of interest “Denkei-in” in the input buffer 108. In addition, the character conversion processing unit 105 searches the ROM 104 (dictionary) for conversion candidates for the reading of the note of interest “Denkei-in”, and converts the search results (for example, “electric appliances”, “ “Denkaseihin 'etc.) is stored in the conversion candidate buffer 109.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3C, the user moves the two fingers while touching the touch panel 101, so that the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers detected for the first time in FIG. Assume that the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers detected this time is narrowed (ST105: YES shown in FIG. 2). In this case, as shown in FIG. 3C, the character conversion processing unit 105 reads the conversion candidate of the target phrase stored in the conversion candidate buffer 109 (ST106 shown in FIG. 2), and displays the read conversion candidate as the display control unit. It is displayed on the display unit 111 via 110 (ST107 shown in FIG. 2).

  As a result, when the user selects any one of the conversion candidates shown in FIG. 3C (ST115: YES shown in FIG. 2), the character conversion processing unit 105 selects the conversion candidate selected by the user as attention phrase information. By storing in the buffer 107, a candidate for conversion of the target phrase is determined (ST116 shown in FIG. 2).

  Next, as an example, as shown in FIG. 4A, a case where the display unit 111 displays document data “There are various electrical appliances” will be described. That is, the document memory 103 stores document data “There are various electrical appliances”.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 4B, the coordinate detection unit 102 corresponds to the coordinate value on the touch panel 101 corresponding to “electricity” displayed on the display unit 111 and the “product” displayed on the display unit 111. It is assumed that coordinate values on the touch panel 101 are detected (ST102: YES shown in FIG. 2). In this case, as shown in FIG. 4B, the character conversion processing unit 105 electrifies a specific character string “electrical” having both ends of the characters ('electricity' and 'product') corresponding to the coordinate value of the contact position of the two fingers. “Product” is stored as a target phrase in the target phrase information buffer 107 (ST103 shown in FIG. 2). Further, the character conversion processing unit 105 stores the reading of the attention phrase “Denkei-in” in the input buffer 108, and stores the conversion candidate of the reading of the attention phrase “Denkei-in” in the conversion candidate buffer 109.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4C, the user moves the two fingers while touching the touch panel 101, so that the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers detected for the first time in FIG. Assume that the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers detected this time is widened (ST105: NO and ST109: YES shown in FIG. 2). The attention phrase 'electric appliance' is a converted character string (ST110: YES shown in FIG. 2). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4C, the character conversion processing unit 105 stores the attention phrase reading “Denkei-in” stored in the input buffer 108 in the attention phrase information buffer 107, so Conversion processing is performed (ST111 shown in FIG. 2). That is, the character conversion processing unit 105 returns the attention phrase to the non-converted state. Then, as shown in FIG. 4C, the character conversion processing unit 105 causes the display unit 111 to display the target phrase “Denkei-in” stored in the target phrase information buffer 107 (FIG. 4C). ST112 shown in FIG.

  As described above, when the coordinate value of the contact position of the two points (two fingers) between the object and the touch panel 101 is detected, the character conversion processing unit 105 detects the interval between the two coordinate values detected for the first time. That is, when the interval between the two coordinate values detected this time is narrower than the interval between the character strings specified as the attention phrase, the attention phrase conversion processing is performed. On the other hand, the character conversion processing unit 105 detects this time with respect to the interval between the coordinate values of the two points detected for the first time (the interval between the character strings specified as the target phrase) when the attention phrase has already been converted. When the interval between the coordinate values of the two points is widened, no-conversion processing of the target phrase is performed.

  Therefore, in the character input device 100, the user designates the start position and the end position of the target phrase in the document data displayed on the display unit 111 on the touch panel 101, and uses two fingers for the interval of the target phrase. It is possible to perform the phrase conversion process (or no conversion process) only by narrowing (or expanding) the coordinate position of the contact position. In other words, in the character input device 100, the user only has to specify the portion where the character conversion process or the non-conversion process is to be performed as the character conversion target range.

  Thus, in this embodiment, the character input device designates a character string to be converted by touching the touch panel with an object, and changes the interval between the designated character strings (attention clauses), thereby converting the character. Perform processing (or no conversion processing). Thereby, in the character input device according to the present embodiment, the user can flexibly set the character conversion target range by freely selecting the start position and the end position of the character conversion target. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to input characters without limiting the range that can be selected as a character conversion target.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, in the character input device, only a specific character string (target phrase) to be converted is specified in the document data, and character conversion processing is performed only on the target phrase. That is, in the character input device, input of character strings other than the target phrase (for example, character strings that do not require kanji conversion) is completed without a confirming operation. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is only necessary to perform the character conversion process on the character string that requires the character conversion process, and the confirmation operation is performed on all the character strings including the character string that does not need the character conversion Compared with, the character input operation is simplified.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the character input device performs the character conversion process (or no conversion process) of the target phrase by an operation of changing the interval of the character string designated as the target phrase. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, there is no need to arrange buttons for character conversion processing on the touch panel screen in which the display area is limited.

(Embodiment 2)
In the present embodiment, the character input device converts the target phrase into a character string having the number of characters corresponding to the interval between the coordinate values of the two contact positions between the two objects and the touch panel during the character conversion process.

  Specifically, the character conversion processing unit 105 (FIG. 1) of the character input device 100 according to the present embodiment performs two objects (for example, two fingers) and a character during character conversion after designating the target phrase. If the distance between the coordinate values of the two contact positions with the touch panel 101 changes, and the number of characters corresponding to the distance between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two objects is less than or equal to the number of characters read in the target phrase, two A conversion candidate having the same number of characters as the number of characters corresponding to the coordinate value interval of the finger touch position is read from the conversion candidate buffer 109 and subjected to character conversion processing.

  Hereinafter, the flow of processing in the character input device 100 (FIG. 1) according to the present embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 5 shows the flow of processing in the character input device 100 (FIG. 1) according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 5, the same processes as those in FIG.

  In FIG. 5, when two fingers are not separated from the touch panel 101 (ST104: NO), in ST201, the character conversion processing unit 105 determines the coordinates of the contact positions of the two fingers detected for the first time (ST101) or the previous time. It is determined whether or not the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers detected this time has changed with respect to the interval between the values. When the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers has not changed (ST201: NO), the character conversion processing unit 105 does nothing and returns to ST104.

  On the other hand, when the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers has changed (ST201: YES), in ST202, the character conversion processing unit 105 determines the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers detected this time. It is determined whether or not the number of characters corresponding to is less than or equal to the number of characters read in the phrase of interest stored in the input buffer 108 in ST103.

  When the number of characters corresponding to the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of two fingers is equal to or less than the number of characters read in the target phrase (ST202: YES), in ST203, the character conversion processing unit 105 selects the target phrase as two fingers. A character conversion process for converting the character string into the character string corresponding to the coordinate value interval of the contact position is performed. For example, the character conversion processing unit 105 reads only conversion candidates with the number of characters corresponding to the coordinate value interval between the contact positions of two fingers among the conversion candidates for the target phrase stored in the conversion candidate buffer 109.

  On the other hand, when the number of characters corresponding to the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers is larger than the number of characters read in the phrase of interest (ST202: NO), the character conversion processing unit 105 performs ST111 as in the first embodiment. In ~ ST113, non-conversion processing is performed on the target phrase.

  Next, details of the character conversion processing in the character conversion processing unit 105 of the character input device 100 will be described.

  First, as an example, a case will be described in which the display unit 111 displays document data including a character string “Akana” as shown in FIG. 6A. That is, the document data 103 stores document data “... Clear”.

  Here, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, the coordinate detection unit 102 corresponds to the coordinate value on the touch panel 101 corresponding to “A” displayed on the display unit 111 and “NA” displayed on the display unit 111. It is assumed that coordinate values on the touch panel 101 are detected (ST102: YES shown in FIG. 5). In this case, as shown in FIG. 6B, the character conversion processing unit 105 identifies a specific character string “A” and “N” corresponding to the coordinate value of the contact position of the two fingers. N 'is stored as a target phrase in the target phrase information buffer 107 (ST103 shown in FIG. 5). In addition, the character conversion processing unit 105 stores the reading of the attention phrase “Akana” in the input buffer 108. That is, the number of characters read in the target phrase is five. In addition, the character conversion processing unit 105 stores the conversion candidate “Akana” in the conversion candidate buffer 109 for reading the noticeable phrase.

  Next, as illustrated in FIG. 6C, it is assumed that the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers becomes an interval of four characters by the user narrowing the two fingers while touching the touch panel 101. That is, the interval between the coordinate values of the two finger contact positions detected this time changes with respect to the interval between the coordinate values of the two finger contact positions detected for the first time in FIG. 6B (see FIG. 5). (ST201: YES) The number of characters (4 characters) corresponding to the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers is equal to or less than the number of characters (5 characters) for reading the target phrase (ST202: YES shown in FIG. 5). In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 6C, the character conversion processing unit 105 stores the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers detected this time among the conversion candidates of the target phrase stored in the conversion candidate buffer 109. Only conversion candidates having the same number of characters as the number of characters corresponding to (4 characters) (for example, “obvious”, “clear” shown in FIG. 6C) are read (ST203 shown in FIG. 5).

  Similarly, as shown in FIG. 6D, when the user further narrows the two fingers while touching the touch panel 101, the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers becomes an interval of three characters. To do. That is, the interval between the coordinate values of the two finger contact positions detected this time changes with respect to the interval between the coordinate values of the two finger contact positions detected last time in FIG. 6C (ST201 shown in FIG. 5). : YES) The number of characters (three characters) corresponding to the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers is equal to or less than the number of characters (5 characters) for reading the target phrase (ST202: YES shown in FIG. 5). In this case, as shown in FIG. 6D, the character conversion processing unit 105 sets the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers detected this time among the conversion candidates of the target phrase stored in the conversion candidate buffer 109. Only conversion candidates having the same number of characters as the corresponding number of characters (three characters) (for example, “Aka”, “Akira”, “Ryo” shown in FIG. 6D) are read (ST203 shown in FIG. 5).

  That is, when the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers changes during the character conversion, the character conversion processing unit 105 sets the attention phrase to the number of characters corresponding to the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers. Conversion is made to one of conversion candidates (4 characters in FIG. 6C, 3 characters in FIG. 6D).

  Next, as an example, as shown in FIG. 7A, a case where the display unit 111 displays document data including the character string “clear” will be described. In other words, the document data 103 stores document data “... clear”.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 7B, the coordinate detection unit 102 corresponds to the coordinate value on the touch panel 101 corresponding to “bright” displayed on the display unit 111 and “na” displayed on the display unit 111. It is assumed that coordinate values on the touch panel 101 are detected (ST102: YES shown in FIG. 5). In this case, as shown in FIG. 7B, the character conversion processing unit 105 uses a specific character string “bright” having both characters (“bright” and “na”) corresponding to the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers. “Kana” is stored as a target phrase in the target phrase information buffer 107 (ST103 shown in FIG. 5). In addition, the character conversion processing unit 105 stores the reading of the attention phrase “Akana” in the input buffer 108. That is, the number of characters read in the target phrase is five. In addition, the character conversion processing unit 105 stores the conversion candidate “Akana” in the conversion candidate buffer 109 for reading the noticeable phrase.

  Next, as illustrated in FIG. 7C, it is assumed that the distance between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers becomes an interval of four characters by the user spreading the two fingers while touching the touch panel 101. In other words, the interval between the coordinate values of the two finger contact positions detected this time changes with respect to the interval between the coordinate values of the two finger contact positions detected for the first time in FIG. 7B (shown in FIG. 5). (ST201: YES) The number of characters (4 characters) corresponding to the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers is equal to or less than the number of characters (5 characters) for reading the target phrase (ST202: YES shown in FIG. 5). In this case, as shown in FIG. 7C, the character conversion processing unit 105, as in FIG. 6C, of the contact positions of the two fingers detected this time among the conversion candidates of the target phrase stored in the conversion candidate buffer 109. Only conversion candidates having the same number of characters as the number of characters corresponding to the coordinate value interval (four characters) (for example, “obvious”, “clear” shown in FIG. 7C) are read (ST203 shown in FIG. 5).

  Similarly, as shown in FIG. 7D, when the user further spreads two fingers while touching the touch panel 101, the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers becomes an interval of five characters. To do. In other words, the interval between the coordinate values of the two finger contact positions detected this time changes with respect to the coordinate value interval between the two finger contact positions detected last time in FIG. 7C (ST201 shown in FIG. 5). : YES) The number of characters (5 characters) corresponding to the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers is equal to or less than the number of characters (5 characters) for reading the target phrase (ST202: YES shown in FIG. 5). In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 7D, the character conversion processing unit 105 sets the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers detected this time among the conversion candidates for the target phrase stored in the conversion candidate buffer 109. Only conversion candidates having the same number of characters as the corresponding number of characters (5 characters) (for example, “Akira” shown in FIG. 7D) are read out (ST203 shown in FIG. 5).

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7E, the user further spreads two fingers while touching the touch panel 101, so that the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers becomes an interval of 5 characters or more. . That is, the interval between the coordinate values of the two finger contact positions detected this time changes with respect to the interval between the coordinate values of the two finger contact positions detected last time in FIG. 7D (ST201 shown in FIG. 5). : YES) The number of characters (5 characters or more) corresponding to the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of two fingers is larger than the number of characters (5 characters) read for the target phrase (ST202: NO shown in FIG. 5). In this case, as shown in FIG. 7E, the character conversion processing unit 105 stores the reading of the noticeable phrase ('Akira kana') stored in the input buffer 108 in the noticeable phrase information buffer 107, so that No conversion processing is performed (ST111 shown in FIG. 5).

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 6C and D and FIGS. 7C and D, the character conversion processing unit 105 performs the case where the number of characters corresponding to the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of two fingers is equal to or less than the number of characters read from the target phrase. Performs character conversion processing by designating only conversion candidates for the number of characters corresponding to the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of two fingers. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7E, when the number of characters corresponding to the coordinate value interval between the contact positions of two fingers is larger than the number of characters read from the target phrase, the character conversion processing unit 105 To perform non-conversion processing.

  That is, in the character input device 100, the user changes the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers within the range of the number of characters read of the attention phrase in the character conversion process, thereby Conversion candidates can be narrowed down and selected. Further, in the character input device 100, during the character conversion process, the user increases the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers more than the interval corresponding to the number of characters read in the focused phrase, thereby No conversion processing can be performed on

  In this way, according to the present embodiment, the character input device displays only conversion candidates for the number of characters corresponding to the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of two points (two fingers) during character conversion processing. To do. That is, the character input device can narrow down only the conversion candidates having the number of characters corresponding to the coordinate value interval of the contact position of two points (two fingers) among all the conversion candidates as the conversion candidates for the target phrase. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the user can perform a character input operation more easily than when all conversion candidates for the target phrase are displayed.

(Embodiment 3)
In the present embodiment, the character input device performs character conversion processing in the same manner as in the first embodiment when character conversion is not being performed, and in the character conversion processing, as in the second embodiment. The character conversion process is performed.

  First, the flow of processing in the character input device 100 (FIG. 1) according to the present embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 8 shows the flow of processing in the character input device 100 (FIG. 1). In FIG. 8, the same processes as those in FIGS. 2 and 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 8, when two fingers are not separated from touch panel 101 (ST104: NO), as in the second embodiment, in ST201, character conversion processing unit 105 performs the first (ST101) or two detected last time. It is determined whether or not the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers detected this time has changed with respect to the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers.

  When the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers has changed (ST201: YES), in ST301, the character conversion processing unit 105 determines whether or not the conversion flag is 'ON'. That is, the character conversion processing unit 105 determines whether character conversion is currently being performed.

  When the conversion flag is “OFF” (ST301: NO), as in Embodiment 1, in ST105, the character conversion processing unit 105 determines the coordinate value of the contact position of the two fingers detected for the first time (ST102). It is determined whether or not the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers detected this time is narrower than the interval.

  When the conversion flag is “ON” (ST301: YES) or when the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of two fingers is narrowed (ST105: YES), in ST202, character conversion is performed as in the second embodiment. The processing unit 105 determines whether or not the number of characters corresponding to the coordinate value interval between the contact positions of the two fingers detected this time is equal to or less than the number of characters read in the target phrase.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 8, when character conversion is not being performed (ST301: NO), the character conversion processing unit 105 determines the coordinate value of the contact position of two fingers as in the first embodiment. When the interval is narrowed (ST105: YES), the character conversion process is performed on the target phrase, and when the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of two fingers is increased (ST201: YES and ST105: NO), there is no response to the target phrase. Conversion processing (ST111) is performed.

  In addition, when character conversion processing is performed on the target phrase from a state where character conversion is not being performed (ST301: NO and ST105: YES), or when character conversion is being performed (ST301: YES), that is, when character conversion processing is performed. The character conversion processing unit 105 performs character conversion processing in the same manner as in the second embodiment. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, in ST202, the character conversion processing unit 105 determines whether the number of characters corresponding to the coordinate value interval between the contact positions of the two fingers is equal to or less than the number of characters read in the target phrase. Judge whether or not. When the number of characters corresponding to the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers is equal to or less than the number of characters read in the target phrase (ST202: YES), the character conversion processing unit 105 performs the same as in the second embodiment. Thus, the target phrase is converted into a character string having the number of characters corresponding to the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers. On the other hand, when the number of characters corresponding to the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of two fingers is larger than the number of characters read in the target phrase (ST202: NO), the character conversion processing unit 105 performs the same as in the second embodiment. The noticeable phrase is returned to the non-converted state.

  Next, details of the character conversion processing in the character conversion processing unit 105 of the character input device 100 will be described.

  First, as an example, a case where the display unit 111 displays document data including the character string “Akana” as shown in FIG. Similarly to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6B, the coordinate detection unit 102 displays the coordinate value on the touch panel 101 corresponding to “A” displayed on the display unit 111 and the “displayed” on the display unit 111. Assume that a coordinate value on the touch panel 101 corresponding to “N” is detected (ST102: YES shown in FIG. 8). In FIG. 6B, the conversion-in-progress flag is “OFF”.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 9A, it is assumed that the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers becomes an interval of 4 characters by the user narrowing the two fingers while touching the touch panel 101. That is, the conversion flag is “OFF” (ST301: NO shown in FIG. 8), and the two detected this time are larger than the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers detected for the first time in FIG. 6B. The interval between the coordinate values of the finger contact positions becomes narrower (ST105: YES shown in FIG. 8), and the number of characters (4 characters) corresponding to the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers is the number of characters read from the target phrase. (5 characters) or less (ST202: YES shown in FIG. 8). In this case, as shown in FIG. 9A, the character conversion processing unit 105 selects the number of characters (4 characters) corresponding to the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers detected this time among the candidate conversions of the target phrase. Conversion candidates with the same number of characters (for example, “obvious”, “light” shown in FIG. 9A) are read out. Further, the character conversion processing unit 105 changes the conversion flag to “ON” (ST108 shown in FIG. 8).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 9B and FIG. 9C, in the state in which the conversion flag is “ON” in FIG. 9A (ST301: YES in FIG. 8), the user touches the touch panel 101 and touches two fingers. It is assumed that it is narrowed (FIG. 9B) or widened (FIG. 9C). Here, as shown in FIG. 9B and FIG. 9C, the number of characters corresponding to the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers is 3 characters (FIG. 9B) or 5 characters (FIG. 9C). The number of characters of “Akana” reading is 5 or less (ST202: YES shown in FIG. 8). In this case, as shown in FIGS. 9B and 9C, the character conversion processing unit 105 performs character conversion processing on the phrase of interest according to the number of characters corresponding to the coordinate value interval between the contact positions of two fingers. Specifically, in FIG. 9B, since the number of characters corresponding to the coordinate value interval between two finger contact positions is 3, the character conversion processing unit 105 converts the conversion candidate stored in the conversion candidate buffer 109. Of these, only conversion candidates having 3 characters are read out. In FIG. 9C, since the number of characters corresponding to the coordinate value interval between the contact positions of two fingers is five, the character conversion processing unit 105 determines the number of characters among the conversion candidates stored in the conversion candidate buffer 109. Read only conversion candidates that are 5 characters.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9D, for example, in the state where the conversion flag is “ON” in FIGS. 9A to 9C (ST301: YES shown in FIG. 8), the user touches the touch panel 101 with two fingers. Further, it is assumed that the distance between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers is equal to or longer than five characters (ST202: NO shown in FIG. 8). In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 9D, the character conversion processing unit 105 stores the attention phrase reading “Akana” stored in the input buffer 108 in the attention phrase information buffer 107, thereby converting the attention phrase without conversion. Processing is performed (ST111 shown in FIG. 8).

  Next, as an example, as in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7A, a case will be described in which the display unit 111 displays document data including the character string “clear”. Further, as in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7B, the coordinate detection unit 102 is displayed on the display unit 111 and the coordinate value on the touch panel 101 corresponding to “bright” displayed on the display unit 111. Assume that a coordinate value on touch panel 101 corresponding to “NA” is detected (ST102: YES shown in FIG. 8). In FIG. 7B, the conversion flag is “OFF”.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 10A, it is assumed that the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers becomes an interval of five characters by the user spreading the two fingers while touching the touch panel 101. That is, the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers changes (ST201: YES shown in FIG. 8), the conversion flag is “OFF” (ST301: NO shown in FIG. 8), and the first time in FIG. 7B. The interval between the coordinate values of the two finger contact positions detected this time is not narrower than the interval between the coordinate values of the two finger contact positions detected at the same time (interval of three characters) (see FIG. 8). ST105: NO). In this case, as shown in FIG. 10A, the character conversion processing unit 105 stores the reading of the attention phrase ('Akira kana') stored in the input buffer 108 in the attention phrase information buffer 107, thereby No conversion processing is performed (ST111 shown in FIG. 8). In addition, the character conversion processing unit 105 keeps the conversion flag “OFF” (ST113 shown in FIG. 8).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 10B, it is assumed that the user narrows two fingers while touching the touch panel 101 in the state where the conversion flag is “OFF” in FIG. 10A (ST301: NO shown in FIG. 8). . Here, as shown in FIG. 10B, the number of characters corresponding to the interval between the coordinate values of the contact positions of the two fingers is four, and the number of characters read for the attention phrase 'Akira kana' is five or less (see FIG. 8). ST: 202: YES shown in FIG. In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 10B, the character conversion processing unit 105 reads only conversion candidates having four characters from the conversion candidates stored in the conversion candidate buffer 109.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, when the character input is not being performed, the character input device, as in the first embodiment, performs the interval between the coordinate values of the two contact positions between the object and the touch panel. Depending on whether or not is narrowed, the character conversion process or the non-conversion process is performed on the target phrase. In addition, the character input device designates the number of characters of the candidate phrase conversion candidate as the number of characters corresponding to the coordinate value interval between the two contact positions in the same manner as in the second embodiment. Perform character conversion processing. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to perform character input without restricting the range that can be selected as the character conversion target and while narrowing down the conversion candidates for the target phrase.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above.

  In the present invention, in the coordinate detection unit of the character input device, as a detection method for detecting the coordinate value of the contact position between the touch panel and the object, for example, a capacitance method, a pressure sensitive method, an optical method, an ultrasonic method, etc. Any of these methods may be used. For example, when a capacitive touch panel is used, the coordinate detection unit detects the coordinates of the contact position with the object by detecting the capacitance between the touch panel and the object. Thereby, even if the touch panel and the object are not in direct contact, the coordinate detection unit can detect the coordinate value of the contact position between the touch panel and the object.

  The present invention can be applied to a portable terminal device including a character input device having a touch panel and a display unit laminated with the touch panel.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Character input device 101 Touch panel 102 Coordinate detection part 103 Document memory 104 ROM
105 Character conversion processing unit 106 Work memory 107 Attention phrase information buffer 108 Input buffer 109 Conversion candidate buffer 110 Display control unit 111 Display unit

Claims (4)

A character input device having a touch panel and a display unit laminated with the touch panel,
Detecting means for detecting coordinate values of two contact positions between two objects and the touch panel;
When the two objects move while touching on the touch panel, the coordinate value of the two contact positions detected this time is larger than the interval of the coordinate values of the two contact positions detected for the first time. When the interval is narrowed, a character is displayed with respect to a specific character string having both ends of the character corresponding to the coordinate value of the contact position of the two points detected first time among the character strings displayed on the display unit. Conversion processing means for performing conversion processing;
A character input device comprising: Further, the conversion processing means is a case where the specific character string is converted, and the two points detected this time than the interval between the coordinate values of the contact points of the two points detected for the first time. When the interval between the coordinate values of the contact position of is widened, the specific character string is returned to a non-converted state.
The character input device according to claim 1. The conversion processing means converts the specific character string into a character string having the number of characters corresponding to the coordinate value interval of the two contact positions detected this time.
The character input device according to claim 1. A character conversion method in a character input device having a touch panel and a display unit laminated with the touch panel,
Detect the coordinate value of the contact point between the two objects and the touch panel,
When the two objects move while touching on the touch panel, the coordinate value of the two contact positions detected this time is larger than the interval of the coordinate values of the two contact positions detected for the first time. When the interval is narrowed, a character is displayed with respect to a specific character string having both ends of the character corresponding to the coordinate value of the contact position of the two points detected first time among the character strings displayed on the display unit. Perform the conversion process,
Character conversion method.

Images