JP2013003803A - Character input device, control method for character input device, control program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a user's operation burden associated with character input.SOLUTION: A character input device 13 comprises: an operation detection part 54 for detecting a user's operation of inputting closed-curve-shaped loci to an input screen of the character input device 13; an input candidate generation part 55 and a candidate output control part 61 for, in conjunction with the operation of inputting the closed-curve-shaped loci that is detected by the operation detection part 54, sequentially replacing one candidate character string to be displayed in an input character determination area 20 and simultaneously displaying multiple candidate character strings; a control part 5 for, when receiving an operation of selecting the definite character string from a user, determining the candidate character string, which is displayed in the input character determination area by the candidate character string display means, to be the definite character string; and an input character type switching part 57 for selecting one candidate character string group from multiple candidate character string groups that individually include at least one candidate character string. The input candidate generation part 55 and the candidate output control part 61 extract the candidate character strings to be displayed from the candidate character string group selected by the input character type switching part 57.

Description

  The present invention relates to a character input device that can reduce a user's operation burden associated with character input.

  In recent years, the operation of electronic devices is not a hardware operation via buttons, but is a software operation via a touch panel. In particular, many portable information terminals such as so-called smartphones are simply provided with a hardware interface that bears the minimum necessary functions, and the number of keys tends to decrease. This is because if an input interface is realized with a software key, even if the number of keys increases, the manufacturing cost and the weight of the device do not increase, and the interface can be designed flexibly.

  Since character input places a heavy burden on the user's operation, there is a great demand for improving the interface, and attempts are being made to reduce this. Here, if the display screen is enlarged in order to display the software interface in a large size, the casing of the device also becomes large, so that portability that is particularly important in a portable information terminal is impaired. On the other hand, if the operation keys that can be used in accordance with the limited display area are limited, the operability as an interface is impaired. Therefore, it becomes the focus of the subject to make portability and operability compatible.

  Patent Document 1 below discloses a technique related to a touch-type character input device that allows characters to be easily input by selecting characters by specifying coordinates. According to the present invention, when a user cannot correctly press a character to be input, an erroneous input character can be easily corrected. That is, it is assumed that a large number of keys are arranged in a limited area, so that many user operation errors occur, and the operability is improved by facilitating correction.

  Patent Document 2 below discloses a technique related to a user interface for efficiently selecting items in a multifunctional information processing apparatus. Further, Patent Document 3 below discloses a technique related to an information input device and the like for realizing character input and editing operations with high operability with a small number of operation members. That is, the above two conventional techniques reduce the number of operations and the number of operation keys required for input while maintaining operability.

  On the other hand, predictive input is known as a device for reducing the operation burden of character input. This is to infer the character string that the user intends to input from the first character string of the character string that is found during the input, and to display a list of candidates so that the user can select the desired character string. This is a function for reducing the number of operations required for character input (hereinafter, this estimated character string is referred to as a “candidate character string”). For example, when the user inputs “ha”, a word having “ha” at the head, such as “have”, “happy”, “hard”, “happen”, is displayed, and the user selects one of the candidates. The remaining characters can be omitted by selecting. This is an especially important function for Japanese input that requires Kana-Kanji conversion. When you type "A", you can select candidates such as "Aozora", "Autumn", "Warm", "A", "A", etc. indicate. This candidate is extracted based on the input history of the user, the arrangement of words before and after the user, and the like.

JP 2009-545802 A (released on December 24, 2009) JP 2007-316760 Gazette (released on December 6, 2007) JP 2010-39768 A (published February 18, 2010)

  In the above-described conventional technology, when predictive input or kana-kanji conversion accompanied by this is performed on an information terminal with a limited display area, a list of candidate character strings cannot be efficiently presented. That is, when a character string to be input is complemented by predictive input, it is necessary to present a selection candidate corresponding to a desired input character to the user in a list format, but the display area is small in a terminal where portability is important Therefore, the list is difficult.

  If the list cannot be presented properly, the character selection position may pass the candidate character string to be input, and inconveniences such as extra operations for correction may be considered. The invention described in the above-described prior art relates to an interface for reducing the input by assisting the character input itself to be input, and assumes a case where a list of candidate character strings is assumed. The presentation method is not devised.

  In addition, the prediction input has a problem in operability for selecting a candidate character string. That is, in particular, a portable terminal is often operated with one hand, and even a simple operation of selecting one from candidates increases the burden. Therefore, it is desirable that this selection operation be simple. Predictive input is also used in conventional information terminals, but not only the list and its display are not devised as described above, but complex operations are required to select candidate character strings.

  Furthermore, as a candidate character string for the input character “a”, for example, “blue sky”, “autumn”, etc. that consist of kanji composing the idiom, “a”, “唖”, etc. that are single kanji characters, “a” in katakana, etc. However, when such different types of candidate character strings are mixed, there is a problem that the number of candidate character strings that can be displayed for each character type is limited, for example.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to efficiently display a list of candidate character strings when inputting characters to an electronic device with a limited display area, The selection operation is so simple and intuitive that it can be performed with one hand, thereby providing a character input device with a light input burden.

In order to solve the above-described problem, a character input device of the present invention includes:
(1) A character input device that displays a plurality of candidate character strings estimated as candidates for a confirmed character string based on a character string input by a user so that the user can select a confirmed character string from the plurality of candidate character strings. There,
(2) operation detection means for detecting an input operation of a locus of a closed curve performed by the user on the input surface;
(3) The plurality of candidate character strings are displayed while sequentially switching one candidate character string to be displayed in the input character determination area in conjunction with the input operation of the closed curved locus detected by the operation detecting means. Candidate character string display means;
(4) a character string confirming unit that uses the candidate character string displayed in the input character determination area by the candidate character string display unit as the confirmed character string when the user performs an operation to select the confirmed character string; With
(5) comprising candidate character string group switching means for selecting one candidate character string group from a plurality of candidate character string groups each including at least one candidate character string;
(6) The candidate character string display means extracts the plurality of candidate character strings to be displayed from the candidate character string group selected by the candidate character string group switching means.

In addition, in order to solve the above-described problem, a control method for a character input device according to the present invention includes:
(1) A character input device that displays a plurality of candidate character strings estimated as candidates for a confirmed character string based on a character string input by the user so that the user can select a confirmed character string from the plurality of candidate character strings. A control method,
(2) an operation detecting step of detecting an input operation of a locus of a closed curve performed by the user on the input surface;
(3) Displaying the plurality of candidate character strings while sequentially replacing one candidate character string to be displayed in the input character determination area in conjunction with the input operation of the closed curved locus detected in the operation detecting step. Candidate character string display step to be performed,
(4) A character string confirmation step in which, when there is a user's operation for selecting the confirmed character string, the candidate character string displayed in the input character determination area in the candidate character string display step is the confirmed character string. And including
(5) a candidate character string group switching step of selecting one candidate character string group from a plurality of candidate character string groups each including at least one candidate character string;
(6) In the candidate character string display step, the plurality of candidate character strings to be displayed are extracted from the candidate character string group selected in the candidate character string group switching step.

  When inputting characters into a portable electronic device having only a limited display area, it is necessary to efficiently present a candidate character string and to select it easily. That is, an excellent interface that achieves both portability and operability is indispensable.

  According to the above-described configuration, the locus of the closed curve is drawn so as to draw a circle while the pointing tool (hereinafter simply referred to as “pointing tool”) such as the finger of the user who performs the operation or the stylus is in contact with the input surface. (Hereinafter, this operation is referred to as a “rotation operation.” In addition, a rotation operation in one direction of clockwise / counterclockwise rotation is referred to as “forward rotation operation”, and rotation in the direction opposite to the forward direction. The operation is referred to as “reverse rotation operation”), and the list of candidate character strings is sequentially replaced and displayed.

  Thereby, the candidate character strings can be efficiently presented to the user in a list so that the operation amount until the character string to be input can be selected can be instantly grasped. Further, the rotation operation for selecting the candidate character string is simple and intuitive enough to be performed with one hand. Therefore, in an electronic device in which portability is particularly important, it is possible to reduce the burden of user character input.

  Furthermore, the user performs an operation of selecting a confirmed character string only for a plurality of candidate character strings extracted from one candidate character string group among a plurality of candidate character string groups. That is, not all possible candidate character strings are selectable display targets, but only candidate character strings included in a certain candidate character string group are targeted. Therefore, it is possible to display candidate character strings that effectively use a limited display area.

In the character input device,
(1) The candidate character string group is preferably set for each character type.

  According to the above configuration, since the candidate character strings are classified into a plurality of candidate character string groups for each character type, the user can easily input candidate character strings of different character types.

The candidate character string group switching means includes:
(1) It is desirable to switch the candidate character string group when an operation performed by the user to quickly play the input surface is detected.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem caused by mixing different types of candidate character strings, it is conceivable to present only candidate characters having the same character type as the character type to be input. However, for example, although the character string to be input is a character string having a high input frequency, the selected input character type is different from that of the character string, so that it is not displayed as the candidate character string. There may be a problem. In order to input a character string belonging to a different character type, the character string currently being input is confirmed, the presentation of the candidate character string is erased, the predetermined key is operated to switch to the character type, and the desired character string It is necessary to take the three steps of inputting, and the operation tends to be complicated.

  According to the above configuration, the candidate character string group to be operated can be switched by an operation of quickly flicking the input surface (so-called flick). Candidate character string groups corresponding to the columns can be easily selected.

The candidate character string display means includes:
(1) The user selects the label information indicating the other candidate character string group together with the plurality of candidate character strings extracted from the candidate character string group selected by the candidate character string group switching means. Therefore, it is desirable to display the candidate character string group indicated by the sign information in a switchable manner.

  According to the above configuration, the sign information of each candidate character string group (for example, the attribute of the candidate character string group) is displayed together with the candidate character string, and the user switches the candidate character string group by selecting and operating the sign information. be able to. Therefore, the user can easily select a candidate character string group corresponding to the character string to be input.

  The character input device may be realized by a computer. In this case, a control program for realizing the character input device by a computer by causing the computer to operate as each unit of the character input device, and A computer-readable recording medium on which it is recorded also falls within the scope of the present invention.

  As described above, the character input device according to the present invention allows a plurality of candidate character strings estimated as candidates for a confirmed character string based on a character string input by the user, and determines a confirmed character string from the plurality of candidate character strings. Is a character input device that displays in a selectable manner, an operation detecting means for detecting an input operation of a closed curve-like locus performed by the user on the input surface, and an operation of the closed curve-like locus detected by the operation detecting means. In conjunction with the input operation, candidate character string display means for displaying the plurality of candidate character strings while sequentially replacing one candidate character string to be displayed in the input character determination area, and a user who selects the confirmed character string When there is an operation, the candidate character string display means includes a character string confirmation means that uses the candidate character string displayed in the input character determination area as the confirmed character string, and at least one previous character string display means Candidate character string group switching means for selecting one candidate character string group from a plurality of candidate character string groups each including a candidate character string, and the candidate character string display means is selected by the candidate character string group switching means The plurality of candidate character strings to be displayed are extracted from the candidate character string group.

  Further, the control method of the character input device of the present invention includes a plurality of candidate character strings estimated as candidates for a confirmed character string based on a character string input by a user, and a confirmed character string is selected from the plurality of candidate character strings. Is a control method for a character input device that can be selected, an operation detecting step for detecting an input operation of a closed-curved locus performed by a user on the input surface, and the closed curve detected in the operation detecting step A candidate character string display step for displaying the plurality of candidate character strings while sequentially replacing one candidate character string to be displayed in the input character determination area in conjunction with the input operation of the shape trajectory, and the confirmed character string A character string confirmation step in which the candidate character string displayed in the input character determination area in the candidate character string display step is the confirmed character string when there is a user operation to select; And a candidate character string group switching step of selecting one candidate character string group from a plurality of candidate character string groups each including at least one candidate character string, wherein the candidate character string display step includes: In this method, the plurality of candidate character strings to be displayed are extracted from the candidate character string group selected in the character string group switching step.

  Therefore, when inputting characters to an electronic device with a limited display area, the candidate character strings can be efficiently listed so that the user can instantly grasp the number of operations until the user can select the character string to be input. In addition to being able to be displayed, the selection operation is so simple and intuitive that it can be performed with one hand, so that the burden of character input on the user can be reduced.

  Furthermore, the user performs an operation of selecting a confirmed character string only for a plurality of candidate character strings extracted from one candidate character string group among a plurality of candidate character string groups. That is, not all possible candidate character strings are selectable display targets, but only candidate character strings included in a certain candidate character string group are targeted. Therefore, it is possible to display a candidate character string that effectively uses a limited display area.

It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the portable information terminal which incorporated the character input device which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. (A) is an example of a character input screen displayed on the portable information terminal, and (b) is a case where the user holds the portable information terminal with the right hand and touches the numeric keypad for Japanese input with the thumb of the right hand. It is an example of an input screen in which a character string whose input has not been confirmed is displayed by inputting “a” in the operation. (C) is an input that has not been confirmed by subsequently inputting “ka”. It is an example of the input screen on which the character string is displayed. (A) is an example of a screen that presents a list of candidate character strings, and (b) is a screen in which the selection interface is displayed when the user rotates the indicator at an arbitrary position on the display screen after the selection interface is displayed. It shows a state of rotating in accordance with this movement. (A) is an example of an input screen that is displayed when the user erroneously inputs “turning point” where “weather” should be input, and (b) relates to the erroneously written portion. It is an example of the input screen by which the character string was reversely displayed, and (c) is an example of a screen for presenting a list of candidate character strings corresponding to “Tenki”. Two appearance examples of the portable information terminal are shown. Examples of possible selection interfaces are shown below. (A) shows that candidate character strings are arranged on the outer periphery of a drum whose rotation axis is horizontal, and this drum rotates from top to bottom according to the rotation operation. (B) shows a selection interface for presenting a list by presenting candidate character strings on the outer periphery of a drum whose rotation axis is vertical and rotating the drum from right to left according to the rotation operation. In (c), the panel displaying each candidate character string is arranged in an arc shape with a depth, and the character displayed on the front panel is rotated as a candidate character string in the input character determination area. This represents a selection interface for displaying the panel so as to be changed along the arc from right to left in accordance with the operation. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process which the said portable information terminal performs. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the portable information terminal which incorporated the character input device which concerns on different embodiment of this invention. (A) is an example of an input screen displaying a selection interface for candidate character strings related to “a”, and (b) is a character string “warm” given as a candidate character string, and the input character is determined. (C) shows that the selection interface is displayed on the right side of the center of the screen and the input character determination area is arranged in the 2 o'clock direction. (D) shows that the selected interface is displayed at the lower left of the screen and the input character determination area is arranged in the 8 o'clock direction. (E) shows that the selected interface is displayed at the lower right of the screen. The input character determination area is arranged in the 4 o'clock direction. (A) shows the case where the input character determination area is arranged at the tip of a line extending vertically upward from the center of the selection interface a, and (b) and (c) are the centers of the selection interface, respectively. (D) shows the positional relationship between the line extending vertically upward from the line and the line extending from the center to the input character determination area by the angle formed by these lines. This shows that the character is determined by the above-mentioned angle around the input character determination area. An example of an input character determination area is shown. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process which the said portable information terminal performs. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process which a selection interface display position determination part performs. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the portable information terminal incorporating the character input device which concerns on further different embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the character input screen displayed on the said portable information terminal. It is an example of the selection interface which can be switched in the said character input device, (a) is a selection interface for kanji kanji conversion, (b) is a selection interface for single kanji conversion, (c) is an alphanumeric character and a symbol (D) represents a selection interface for English input, and (e) represents a selection interface for Chinese input. A symbol indicating the character type is displayed on the tag in the foremost selection interface, which indicates that when the tag is selected, the tag selection interface is switched. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process which the said portable information terminal performs.

[Embodiment 1]
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, portable information terminal 100 is assumed as an electronic device incorporating character input device 11. In the description, it is assumed that characters are input using the numeric keypad 21 for Japanese input, but a software keyboard corresponding to various languages such as an English keyboard having a Qwerty layout may be used. Therefore, predictive input includes not only Japanese kana-kanji conversion but also input completion in other foreign languages.

〔Overview〕
The outline | summary of the character input device 11 which concerns on this Embodiment is demonstrated based on FIG. FIG. 2A is an example of the input screen 22 displayed on the portable information terminal 100 (see FIGS. 1 and 5) in which the character input device 11 is built. FIGS. 5B and 5C show the Japanese input numeric keypad 21 displayed on the display screen of the portable information terminal 100 having a touch panel when the user holds the portable information terminal 100 with the right hand. By touching with the thumb of the right hand that is gripped, "A" is input first (Fig. (B)), and then "KA" is input (Fig. (C)). It is an example of the input screen 22 on which the character string is displayed.

  Of the keys shown in the figure, the key shown as “Confirm” is a key for confirming character input. In other words, by pressing this key, a character string whose input has not been confirmed is confirmed and displayed on the screen. A key indicated as “clear” is a key for erasing the most recent one of the input characters.

  Next, list display of candidate character strings when performing predictive input will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3A is an example of a screen that displays a list of candidate character strings displayed when the user presses and holds the key corresponding to “A”. In this embodiment, when an arbitrary position on the display screen is pressed and held, an interface for displaying a list of circular candidate character strings (hereinafter referred to as “selected interface”) is displayed as shown in FIG. Is done. For example, when “A” is pressed for a short time and then “KA” is pressed for a long time, candidate character strings related to “Aka” are displayed in the same manner as in FIG. In other words, the character string input up to the point of long press becomes the target of prediction input, and the candidate character string is displayed on the selection interface 1.

  In FIG. 3B, after the selection interface 1 is displayed, the selection interface 1 is adjusted in accordance with this movement by the user performing a rotation operation (input operation for a locus of a closed curve) at an arbitrary position on the display screen. It represents a state of rotating clockwise / counterclockwise. Note that this rotation operation does not have to be performed on the selection interface 1. That is, when the user presses and holds the key corresponding to the character to be input on the Japanese input numeric keypad 21 and the selection interface 1 is displayed, the user can proceed to the rotation operation as it is. Thereby, since it is not necessary to move a finger from the long-pressed key to the selection interface 1, it is possible to reduce the operation burden on the user.

  A small circle inside the selection interface 1 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B is an input character determination area 20. That is, when the selection interface 1 on which the candidate character string is placed rotates in conjunction with the rotation operation, the candidate character string on the input character determination area 20 is switched. At this time, in accordance with this replacement, the uncertain input characters on the input screen 22 are also replaced with the candidate character strings and displayed. The user selects and inputs a character string by rotating the selection interface 1 so that a desired candidate character string is arranged on the input character determination area 20 and pressing the enter key.

  In FIG. 7B, the “A” key is pressed to input the unconfirmed character string “A”, and the long pressing operation is detected by continuing to press the key, and the selection interface 1 is displayed. By making the candidate character string “warm” coincide with the input character determination area 20 in the subsequent rotation operation, “warm” is also displayed as an undetermined character string on the input screen 22.

  Next, description will be made based on FIG. 4 for designating a range of a confirmed character string (determined character string) and re-inputting a character string included in the designated range (selection range). FIG. 4A is an example of the input screen 22 that is displayed when the user has erroneously input “turning point” where “weather” is to be input. FIG. 5B is an example of the input screen 22 in which the character string relating to the part is highlighted when the user selects the erroneous part. Furthermore, FIG. 10C is an example of a screen that presents a list of candidate character strings corresponding to “Tenki” by the user pressing and holding the part for a long time. As shown in the figure, the user can easily correct the confirmed character string by listing again the candidate character strings corresponding to the character string in the designated range.

  2, 3, and 4 described above, an input screen 22 such as a so-called “notepad” is shown as an application for inputting characters. It may be an input screen. For example, it is possible to operate in a text box for inputting a single line of text in a web browser or the like, and the present embodiment is not limited to the character input situation or the type of application.

[Appearance of portable information terminal 100]
The appearance of portable information terminal 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 shows two appearance examples of the portable information terminal 100 according to the present embodiment. The portable information terminal 100 includes a display unit 2, operation switches 7, and a key input unit 8.

  The difference between the portable information terminal 100 a and the portable information terminal 100 b is the presence or absence of the key input unit 8. In the portable information terminal 100a, the display unit 2 also serves as an input device that receives a user input as a touch panel (input surface), and thus the key input unit 8 is unnecessary. On the other hand, since the portable information terminal 100b can accept input by the key input unit 8, the display unit 2 does not have to be a touch panel.

[Configuration of portable information terminal 100]
A configuration of portable information terminal 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the portable information terminal 100. As illustrated, the portable information terminal 100 includes a character input device 11, a display unit 2, and a storage unit 3.

  The character input device 11 includes an input unit 4, a control unit (character string determination means) 5, and an output control unit 6. The control unit 5 includes a long press input detection unit 51, a selection range detection unit (selection range detection unit) 52, a selection range character string acquisition unit (selection range character string acquisition unit) 53, and a rotation operation detection unit (operation detection unit) 54. , And an input candidate generation unit (candidate character string display unit) 55, and the output control unit 6 includes a candidate output control unit (candidate character string display unit) 61 and a character output control unit 62. Note that portions that are not directly related to the present embodiment, for example, a portion that realizes a call or image shooting, are omitted from the description of the configuration and the block diagram.

  Hereinafter, the character input device 11 (input unit 4, control unit 5, long press input detection unit 51, selection range detection unit 52, selection range character string acquisition unit 53, rotation operation detection unit 54, input candidate generation unit 55, output control The function which each structure bears in order of the part 6, the candidate output control part 61, the character output control part 62), the display part 2, and the memory | storage part 3 is demonstrated.

(Character input device 11)
The character input device 11 is a device that accepts a character string input operation from a user and outputs the input character string to the portable information terminal 100. Here, the character string refers to a set (including a format and a display format) including at least one of characters (including all language characters used in various countries around the world), numbers, and symbols. In this embodiment, the character input device 11 is included in the portable information terminal 100. However, the character input device 11 and the portable information terminal 100 can communicate with each other, and the character input device installed outside. 11 may be configured to output the character string input from the user via the mobile information terminal 100.

  The input unit 4 is a device that detects an operation from a user, and as described above, can be realized as a touch panel in the present embodiment. That is, the input unit 4 detects a touch operation on the touch panel and outputs information (for example, two-dimensional coordinates) indicating the position to the control unit 5.

  The control unit 5 determines the content of the input operation on the input unit 4 according to the operation screen displayed on the display unit 2. Specifically, the control unit 5 receives information indicating the position where the touch on the display surface of the display unit 2 received from the input unit 4 is detected, and the Japanese input numeric keypad displayed on the display unit 2 at that time. (Input interface) The input character string is identified according to the image of 21. Further, when the control unit 5 detects pressing of the confirmation key by the user, the control unit 5 outputs the candidate character string on the input character determination area 20 to the character output control unit 62 as a character string whose input is confirmed.

  The long press input detection unit 51 determines whether or not the operation performed by the user on the input unit 4 is a key long press operation. Specifically, when the position information input from the input unit 4 at a predetermined time interval has not changed more than a predetermined time after the input is started, the long press input detection unit 51 performs the long key press operation. The character information (for example, character code) input until the long press operation is performed is output to the input candidate generation unit 55. On the other hand, when the position information input from the input unit 4 is interrupted or the position information changes before the predetermined time elapses, the long press input detection unit 51 determines that the long press input has not been performed. .

  The selection range detection unit 52 determines whether or not the operation performed by the user on the input unit 4 is an operation for selecting a part or all of the display area. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the position information input at a predetermined time interval from the input unit 4 is changed (so-called drag operation) while the pointing tool is in contact with the surface of the input unit 4. Then, the position information of two vertices on at least one diagonal line of the rectangle specified by the above operation is output to the selection range character string acquisition unit 53.

  The selection range character string acquisition unit 53 determines whether or not a character is included in the range by acquiring character information of data included in the selection range, and if the character is included, the character Information is output to the input candidate generation unit 55.

  The rotation operation detection unit 54 determines whether or not a rotation operation is performed on the input unit 4. Specifically, when the position information input from the input unit 4 at a predetermined time interval changes so as to draw a circular trajectory inside a rectangle having a predetermined size, it is determined that a rotation operation is being performed. At the same time, the rotation direction (clockwise / counterclockwise) and the speed (change amount of the position information per unit time) are output to the input candidate generation unit 55.

  The input candidate generation unit 55 estimates the character string that the user intends to input from the first character string of the character string that is found during the input, and uses this as a candidate character string to be presented to the user as the candidate output control unit 61. Output to. As a method for inferring the candidate character string, for example, the user's input history stored in the storage unit 3, the input frequency of each word, the arrangement of words before and after, or extraction based on grammatical rules, etc. Technology may be used.

  The output control unit 6 determines whether or not an undetermined input character remains. Specifically, for example, if a character is pushed onto the stack whenever a user inputs a character, and if the character is deleted by pressing the clear key, the character is deleted by popping from the stack and the number of characters accumulated in the stack. The above determination can be made by counting.

  The candidate output control unit 61 displays the selection interface 1 on the display unit 2. Specifically, based on the touch detection position information and input characters input from the control unit 5 and the set of candidate character strings input from the input candidate generation unit 55, the candidate character strings are arranged in a circle. An output signal representing the selection interface 1 to be presented as a list is output to the display unit 2. Moreover, the displayed selection interface 1 is deleted from the display unit 2 by stopping the output signal.

  The character output control unit 62 outputs an output signal for displaying the input characters input from the control unit 5 to the display unit 2. In addition, when the clear key is pressed, an output signal for deleting the most recent one of the input characters left undefined is output to the display unit 2.

(Display unit 2)
The display unit 2 is a device that displays characters, images, and the like. The type of device is not limited as long as it has a function of processing and displaying signals input from the output control unit 6, the candidate output control unit 61, and the character output control unit 62. For example, the device can be configured by a liquid crystal display or a CRT display. In FIG. 1, the input unit 4 that receives input from the user and the display unit 2 that presents the output of the device to the user are shown separately (for example, the portable information terminal 100b shown in FIG. 5). The liquid crystal display screen is provided with a touch panel so that it can also function as an input device, and both can be realized as an integrated device (for example, like the portable information terminal 100a shown in the figure) Constitution).

(Storage unit 3)
The storage unit 3 is a non-volatile storage device that stores input candidate data used by the input candidate generation unit 55, and can be configured by, for example, a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, a DVD, or the like. In the present embodiment, the storage unit 3 is shown in FIG. 1 as a device built in the portable information terminal 100, but may be realized as an external storage device connected to the outside of the portable information terminal 100.

[Show / hide selected interface]
As outlined above, when the user is performing character input (there is an unconfirmed input character), if the long press input detection unit 51 detects a long key press, the input candidate generation unit 55 is long. A candidate character string for the character string input up to the time of pressing is generated. In the present embodiment, the list is presented by displaying it on the selection interface 1. That is, the long press input detection unit 51 distinguishes between short press and long press, and displays the selection interface 1 using the long press operation as a trigger.

  When the user presses the confirmation key, the candidate character string that was on the input character determination area 20 is selected, the input is confirmed, and the selection interface 1 is hidden. Here, the selection interface 1 may be hidden by selecting the candidate character string and confirming the input when the pointing tool that has been rotated is released from the touch panel without pressing the confirmation key. Thereby, the number of operation steps for pressing the confirmation key can be reduced.

  When the clear key is pressed while the selection interface 1 is displayed, the character output control unit 62 deletes the most recent one of the unconfirmed input characters, and the candidate output control unit 61 hides the selection interface 1. The long press input detection unit 51 waits for the long press operation again. If no uncertain input characters remain after character deletion by the clear key, the process returns to the standby state for character input.

  Each candidate character string that has passed through the input character determination area 20 by a forward rotation operation may be sequentially deleted from the display on the selection interface 1. Thereby, it is possible to secure a display frame that can sufficiently display subsequent candidate character strings in a limited display area.

  On the other hand, among the candidate character strings that have passed through the input character determination area 20, for example, the latest candidate character string may be left without being deleted from the selection interface 1. Accordingly, when the candidate character string is rewound and displayed by the reverse rotation operation, the user can predict the candidate character string displayed on the input character determination area 20 by the single reverse rotation operation.

  Further, the farther the candidate character string is from the input character determination area 20, in other words, the greater the number of rotation operations required to display the candidate character string on the input character determination area 20, You may make it display a candidate character string lightly.

  Furthermore, the range in which the predetermined display position of the selection interface 1 is changed or the line of sight of the user (which can be estimated from the contact position of the pointing tool) is blocked depending on the position of the pointing tool that contacts the input unit 4. The selection interface 1 may not be displayed. For example, assuming an input with the right hand (or a stylus held by the right hand), the range corresponding to the fourth quadrant (x ≧ 0, y ≦ 0) with the contact position on the input unit 4 as the origin of coordinates is The selection interface 1 may not be displayed. Alternatively, assuming an input with the left hand (or a stylus held by the left hand), the range corresponding to the third quadrant (x ≦ 0, y ≦ 0) with the contact position with respect to the input unit 4 as the origin of coordinates is The selection interface 1 may not be displayed. At this time, the user may set his / her dominant hand (hand used for input operation).

[Selection interface shape]
The shape of the selection interface will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 illustrates possible shapes for the selection interface.

  Up to this point, the description has been based on the assumption that the shape of the selected interface is circular. However, if a list of candidate character strings can be presented when inputting characters to an electronic device with a limited display area, the shape is circular. Not limited. For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, candidate character strings are arranged on the outer periphery of the drum 30 whose rotation axis is horizontal, and a list is presented by rotating the drum from top to bottom in accordance with the rotation operation. Good. In this case, by pressing the enter key, a candidate character string on the input character determination area 20 provided at the center on the outer periphery of the drum is selected, and the input is confirmed.

  Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6 (b), candidate character strings are arranged on the outer periphery of the drum with the rotation axis vertical, and the drum can be displayed as a list by rotating from right to left in accordance with the rotation operation. Good. Further, as shown in FIG. 6C, the panel displaying each candidate character string is arranged in an arc shape with a depth, and the character displayed on the frontmost panel is displayed as a candidate character string on the input character determination area 20. As an alternative, the panel may be displayed so as to be replaced along the arc from right to left in accordance with the rotation operation. In this case, by making the selection interface 31 itself a 3D image, it can be displayed more easily to the user.

  Note that a predetermined value may be used as a parameter related to the display of the selected interface, or a user may arbitrarily set the parameter. Examples of the parameters include a diameter of a circular or drum selection interface, a font size of a candidate character string displayed inside, and the like.

  Alternatively, the diameter of the selection interface of a circle, a drum shape, or an arc may be changed according to the number of candidate character strings. However, even if there are a large number of candidate character strings, there is an upper limit on the size of the area to be displayed, so by displaying candidate character strings in a swirling manner, it is possible to display many candidate character strings. It may be. Alternatively, the upper limit number of candidate character strings to be displayed on the selection interface may be set by the user. In this case, for example, a numerical value such as 5, 10, 15 or the like may be input by the user from a setting screen using radio buttons or the like.

[Rotation operation of selection interface]
As outlined above, after the selection interface 1 is displayed, when the user performs a rotation operation at an arbitrary position on the display unit 2, the selection interface 1 is rotated clockwise / counterclockwise in conjunction with the rotation operation. Rotate to.

  The rotation operation may be performed without releasing the pointing tool from the display unit 2 with the key long pressing operation for displaying the selection interface 1, or after the long pressing operation, the pointing tool is once released from the display unit 2 and confirmed. The pointing tool may be brought into contact with the display unit 2 again so as not to press the key, and may be performed at that position. Therefore, for example, after long-pressing with “A”, the rotation operation can be performed even if the key is shifted from the key corresponding to “A”. That is, the position on the display unit 2 to be rotated is arbitrary.

  The candidate character string may be rewound and displayed by rotating the selection interface 1 in the direction opposite to the rotation direction corresponding to the forward rotation operation by the reverse rotation operation. At this time, as illustrated in FIG. 3A described above, the candidate character string on the input character determination area 20 is positioned at the top of the list, so that the candidate character string exists before that. If not, the selection interface 1 may not be rotated in response to the rotation operation in the reverse direction. Alternatively, the candidate character string located at the end in the list of candidate character strings may be displayed by a reverse rotation operation. This eliminates the need for the user to continue the forward rotation operation until the last candidate character string is displayed on the input character determination area, particularly when the number of candidate character strings is large.

  The correspondence between the rotation speed of the pointing tool and the rotation speed of the selection interface 1 can be arbitrarily set by the user. That is, for example, the selection interface 1 can be set to rotate slowly even if the indicator is rotated quickly. Also, the correspondence between the rotation direction of the pointing tool and the rotation direction of the selection interface 1 can be arbitrarily set by the user. That is, the user can set from the predetermined setting screen whether the selection interface 1 is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise with respect to the forward rotation operation.

[Re-enter the confirmed character string]
As outlined above, the user designates a confirmed character string, and long-presses the designated part to display the selection interface 1, thereby reselecting a candidate character string included in the designated part. it can. The display style of the selection interface displayed here and the method of the rotation operation are the same as described above.

  If you want to re-convert Japanese Kana to another Kanji, for example, if you want to re-convert “Turning” to “Weather”, first change it back to “Tenki”, which is the Kana of “Turning” A character string is presented by the selection interface 1. The method of returning kanji to kana is also possible with the prior art.

[Processing executed by portable information terminal 100]
A flow of processing executed by the portable information terminal 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by the portable information terminal 100.

  First, the input unit 4 detects a touch operation on the touch panel from the user, and outputs information indicating the position to the control unit 5 to start processing (“start” in FIG. 7). The control unit 5 determines whether or not the user's operation is an operation for character input by identifying the input content (S1).

  When the control unit 5 determines that the touch operation is a character input operation because the identified input content is character information (YES in S1), the long press input detection unit 51 determines that the operation is a key length. It is determined whether or not the operation is a push operation (S2). When it is determined that the operation is a long press operation (YES in S2), the long press input detection unit 51 outputs the character information input until the long press operation is performed to the input candidate generation unit 55. On the other hand, when it is determined that the operation is not a long press operation (NO in S2), the long press input detection unit 51 outputs the character to the character output control unit 62, assuming that a character input is performed by the short press operation. The character output control unit 62 outputs an output signal for displaying the input character to the display unit 2 (S4), and the input unit 4 again waits for the user's touch operation (“END” in FIG. 7).

  On the other hand, when the control unit 5 determines that the touch operation is not a character input operation in S1 because the identified input content is not character information (NO in S1), the selection range detection unit 52 displays the input operation. It is determined whether or not the operation is to select a part or all of the area (S5). If it is determined that the operation is a selection operation (YES in S5), the position information of the two vertices of the selected rectangle is output to the selection range character string acquisition unit 53, and control is transferred to the long press input detection unit 51. On the other hand, if it is determined that the operation is not a selection operation (NO in S5), the input unit 4 again waits for the user's operation ("end" in FIG. 7).

  The long press input detection unit 51 determines whether or not the input operation in the selected range is accompanied by a long key press operation (S6). That is, after selecting a part or all of the display area, it is determined whether or not the operation at the last position where the input is detected is a long press operation. When it is determined that the operation is a long press operation (YES in S6), the selection range character string acquisition unit 53 determines whether or not a character is included in the selection range (S7). When the selection range character string acquisition unit 53 determines that the character string is included in the range (YES in S7), the character string included in the selection range is acquired (S8), and the character acquired to the input candidate generation unit 55 Output a column. On the other hand, when it is determined that the operation is not a long press operation (NO in S6) and when it is determined that a character string is not included in the selection range (NO in S7), the input unit 4 again waits for the user's touch operation (FIG. 7 “End”).

  Next, the input candidate generating unit 55 generates a set of candidate character strings to be presented to the user in accordance with the character string input from the long press input detecting unit 51 or the selection range character string acquiring unit 53 (S3). This is output to the candidate output control unit 61. The candidate output control unit 61 arranges the candidate character strings in a circle from the touch detection position information and input characters input from the control unit 5 and the set of candidate character strings input from the input candidate generation unit 55. Then, an output signal representing the selection interface 1 to be presented as a list is output to the display unit 2 (S9), and control is returned to the control unit 5.

  The control unit 5 stands by until there is a touch operation from the user. When the operation input made by the user is pressing of the confirmation key (YES in S10), the control unit 5 uses the candidate character string on the input character determination area 20 as the character string for which the input is confirmed, and the character output control unit 62. Output to. The character output control unit 62 outputs an output signal for displaying the input character to the display unit 2 (S4), and the input unit 4 again waits for the user's touch operation (“END” in FIG. 7). On the other hand, when the determination key is not pressed (NO in S10), the rotation operation detection unit 54 determines whether or not the operation corresponds to the rotation operation (S11). When determining that the operation does not correspond to the rotation operation (NO in S11), the control unit 5 determines whether or not the operation is pressing of the clear key (S12).

  When determining that the clear key is pressed (YES in S12), the control unit 5 transfers control to the character output control unit 62. The character output control unit 62 deletes one input character left unconfirmed (S13). At the same time, the output control unit 6 determines whether or not input characters remain (S14). If an input character remains, further operations can be performed on the character, so the candidate output control unit 61 stops outputting an output signal for displaying the selection interface 1 to the display unit 2 and presses and holds it. Control is transferred to the input detection unit 51. The long press input detection unit 51 stands by until there is a long key press operation from the user (S2). On the other hand, if no input characters remain, the input unit 4 waits for the user's touch operation again (“END” in FIG. 7). On the other hand, if it is not determined that the clear key has been pressed (NO in S12), the control unit 5 waits again until there is a touch operation from the user.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the rotation operation detection unit 54 corresponds to the rotation operation (YES in S11), the rotation direction and speed are output to the input candidate generation unit 55. The input candidate generation unit 55 generates input candidates again according to the rotation operation (S3), and the candidate output control unit 61 rotates the selection interface 1 to redisplay the input candidates (S9).

[Effect of portable information terminal 100]
When character input is performed on the portable information terminal 100 having a limited display area, the candidate character strings are efficiently listed so that the user can instantly grasp the number of operations until the character string to be input can be selected. In addition to being able to be displayed, the selection operation is simple and intuitive enough to be performed with one hand, so that the burden of character input on the user can be reduced.

[Embodiment 2]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail based on FIGS. In the present embodiment, portable information terminal 200 is assumed as an electronic device incorporating character input device 12. Similarly to the first embodiment, the software keyboard is not limited to the Japanese input numeric keypad 21, and the prediction input is also targeted for input complementation in a foreign language. Furthermore, only the structure added to Embodiment 1 mentioned above is demonstrated below. That is, the configuration described in the first embodiment is also included in the second embodiment.

〔Overview〕
The outline | summary of the character input device 12 which concerns on this Embodiment is demonstrated based on FIG. FIG. 9 is an example of a character input screen displayed on the portable information terminal 200 (see FIG. 8) incorporating the character input device 12.

  In the first embodiment described above, the selection interface 1 is displayed in the center of the display unit 2, and the input character determination area 20 is the tip of the line (12 o'clock direction) extending vertically upward from the center of the selection interface 1. It was fixed. If the display position of the selection interface 1 is fixed in this manner, for example, the selection interface may be blocked by an operating indicator, or the input character string may overlap the display, thereby deteriorating the operability of the device. There is a risk.

  As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, the display position is such that the selection interface 1 and the indicator or the input character string are not overlapped as much as possible within the range where the selection interface 1 does not protrude from the display area. To decide. Further, as shown in the figure, the arrangement of the input character determination area 20 in the selection interface 1 is also determined so that the input character determination area 20 is a character input destination on the input screen.

  FIG. 9A is an example of an input screen that displays the candidate character string selection interface 1 related to “A” by long pressing the numeric keypad corresponding to “A” at the beginning of the sentence. Here, since the selection interface 1 is displayed so that the input character determination area 20 matches the input destination at the upper left of the screen and the selection interface 1 satisfies the predetermined condition, the selection interface 1 is displayed at the upper left of the screen. The input character determination area 20 is arranged in the 9 o'clock direction in the selection interface 1. FIG. 5B shows an example of an input screen when the selection interface 1 is rotated so that the character string “warm” raised as the candidate character string is placed on the input character determination area. As described above, the selection interface 1 is displayed on the right side of the center of the screen, and the input character determination area 20 is arranged on the selection interface 1 in the 11 o'clock direction.

  Similarly, in FIG. 5C, the selection interface 1 is displayed on the right side of the center of the screen, and the input character determination area 20 is arranged in the 2 o'clock direction. In FIG. 4D, the selection interface 1 is displayed at the lower left of the screen, and the input character determination area 20 is arranged in the 8 o'clock direction. In FIG. 5E, the selection interface 1 is displayed at the lower right of the screen, and the input character determination area 20 is arranged in the 4 o'clock direction.

  If there is no display position that can satisfy the predetermined condition, the selection interface 1 is displayed at a predetermined position. A specific processing procedure will be described below.

[Configuration of portable information terminal 200]
A configuration of portable information terminal 200 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the portable information terminal 200. As illustrated, the portable information terminal 200 includes a character input device 12, a display unit 2, and a storage unit 3.

  The character input device 12 includes an input unit 4, a control unit 5, and an output control unit 6. The control unit 5 includes a long press input detection unit 51, a selection range detection unit 52, a selection range character string acquisition unit 53, a rotation operation detection unit 54, an input candidate generation unit 55, and a selection interface display position determination unit (display position determination unit). ) 56, and the output control unit 6 includes a candidate output control unit 61 and a character output control unit 62.

  As described above, parts not directly related to the present embodiment are omitted from the description of the configuration and the block diagram. Moreover, the point which can implement | achieve an input part and an output part as an integrated apparatus is also the same. Further, the same components as those included in the portable information terminal 100 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. Therefore, only functions performed by the selected interface display position determination unit 56 will be described.

  The selection interface display position determination unit 56 determines a display position on the display unit 2 that displays the selection interface 1 and an arrangement position of the input character determination area 20 on the selection interface 1, and information necessary for the display (for example, selection (Position information on the center of the interface 1) is output to the candidate output control unit 61 (a specific procedure for determining the position and the like will be described later). At this time, the candidate output control unit 61 receives the touch detection position information and input characters input from the control unit 5, the set of candidate character strings input from the input candidate generation unit 55, and the selection interface display position determination unit 56. Based on the input information, an output signal representing the selection interface 1 is output to the display unit 2.

  The user can switch the operation / non-operation of the selected interface display position determination unit 56 according to the setting. That is, when the operation is validated, the portable information terminal 200 shown in the present embodiment is obtained, and the display position of the selection interface 1 is displayed at an optimum position according to the input destination. On the other hand, when the operation is invalidated, the mobile information terminal 100 described above is used, and the display position of the selection interface 1 can be fixed at, for example, a position set in advance or a position arbitrarily set by the user.

[Determination of display position of selected interface 1]
A method of determining the position where the selection interface 1 is displayed on the input screen will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10A shows a case where the input character determination area 20 is arranged at the tip of the line extending vertically upward from the center of the selection interface 1a (direction at 12 o'clock). FIGS. 7B and 7C show the positional relationship between a line extending vertically upward from the center of the selection interface 1b and 1c and a line extending from the center to the input character determination area 20, respectively. This is indicated by the angles θ ₁ and θ ₂ formed by the lines. Further, FIG. 4D shows that the display position of the selection interface 1 is determined by the angle formed with the input character determination area 20 as the center. From the following, it is assumed that an arbitrary value of the angle formed above is θ (0 ° ≦ θ <360 °).

  The selection interface display position determination unit 56 first sets the input character determination area 20 in the selection interface 1 in the arrangement shown in FIG. 10A, that is, the arrangement of θ = 0 °, and the input character determination area 20 is the character input destination on the input screen. When the selection interface 1 is displayed so as to be, it is determined whether or not the selection interface 1 overlaps the pointing tool and the confirmed character string. Specifically, the display range is specified from the angle θ formed, the position information of the character input destination, and the radius (or diameter) of the selection interface 1, and data included in this range is acquired.

  Next, whether or not the display range of the selection interface 1 is included in the display range of the display unit 2, whether or not the position information indicated by the pointing tool is included in the range, and the character information that has been determined in the acquired data 3 points of whether or not is included. When the selection interface 1 is included in the display range, and it can be determined that the indication tool and the confirmed character string are not included in the range in which the selection interface 1 is displayed, the selection interface display position determination unit 56 displays in the range. The angle θ formed at that time is output to the candidate output control unit 61. If even one of the above conditions is not satisfied, the selection interface display position determination unit 56 determines not to display the range, increases the value of θ by a predetermined amount, and determines the three points again.

  As described above, the selection interface display position determination unit 56 determines the above three points while incrementing θ by a predetermined amount, and first determines to display the selection interface 1 in the display range that satisfies all the conditions. . FIG. 10D schematically shows this determination procedure.

  If the above three conditions are not properly satisfied for any θ, the selection interface display position determination unit 56 reduces the number of candidate character strings to be presented to the user by a predetermined number and displays the display range of the selection interface 1. , And search for θ satisfying the above three conditions again from the arrangement of θ = 0 °. As a method for reducing the display range of the selection interface 1, for example, it is conceivable to reduce the diameter of the selection interface 1 represented by a circle by a predetermined number of points. At this time, a lower limit may be provided for the diameter so that the selection interface 1 does not become too small.

  Even if the display range of the selection interface 1 is reduced to the lower limit as described above, it is conceivable that an appropriate θ cannot be found, for example, when the above three conditions are not properly satisfied. In order to avoid such a situation, when θ cannot be determined by a predetermined process, the selection interface 1 may be displayed with a predetermined θ. For example, if there is a character input destination in the upper left area when the display area of the display unit 2 is divided into four parts in the vertical and horizontal directions, θ = 60 ° (10 o'clock direction). That is, when characters are written horizontally from left to right, θ that is expected to have the least overlap with a character string that has been determined based on the character input destination may be set. Similarly, if there is a character input destination in the upper right area, for example, θ = 300 ° (direction at 2 o'clock).

  In addition, in the above, the position information indicated by the pointing tool is included in the display range of the selection interface (the selection interface and the pointing tool overlap) that the contact position (position) of the pointing tool that has been long-pressed to the input unit 4 Information) is included in the display range of the selected interface displayed by the long press operation. Here, if the selected interface and the pointing tool overlap, the pointing tool is shielded by the pointing tool, making it difficult to see, and the operability of the device may be deteriorated. Therefore, as described above, it is possible to avoid duplication with the pointing tool by displaying the selection interface so as not to include the contact position (position information) with respect to the input unit 4 of the pointing tool that has been pressed for a long time. The operability is not reduced.

  Further, a part of the selection interface 1 that overlaps with the confirmed character string may be transparently displayed. The ease of character input is improved by seeing through the characters.

[Modification of Input Character Determination Area 20]
A modification of the input character determination area 20 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 shows an example of the input character determination area 20. As shown in the figure, by making the input character determination area 20 a rectangle protruding from the selection interface 1, it is easy to match the character input destination. Moreover, since the selection interface 1 can be shifted from the text line in which the user is inputting characters, there is little overlap with the confirmed character string. The shape of the input character determination area 20 may be any shape that protrudes from the selection interface 1 to the character input destination region, and is not limited to a rectangle as shown in FIG.

[Processing executed by portable information terminal 200]
A flow of processing executed by the portable information terminal 200 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by the portable information terminal 200. Here, the process executed by the portable information terminal 200 is mostly the same as the process executed by the portable information terminal 100 described with reference to FIG. 7, and the same process is described by attaching the same reference numerals. Is omitted. Therefore, only the input candidate display position determination process (S15 in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13) will be described below.

  The flow of input candidate display position determination processing executed by the selection interface display position determination unit 56 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by the selected interface display position determination unit 56 in S15 of FIG.

  The selected interface display position determination unit 56 first initializes θ = 0 ° (S21). Next, based on the set θ, a display range when the selection interface 1 is displayed so that the input character determination area 20 is a character input destination on the input screen, and data included in the range are acquired. (S22).

  Next, whether or not the range is included in the display range of the display unit 2 (S23), whether or not the range includes position information indicated by the pointing tool (S24), and the acquired data has been confirmed. It is determined in turn whether character information is included (S25). When all these conditions are properly satisfied (YES in S23, NO in S24, NO in S25), the angle θ formed at that time is output to candidate output control unit 61.

  On the other hand, if even one of these conditions is not properly satisfied (NO in S23, YES in S24, YES in S25), the selected interface display position determination unit 56 sets the value of θ to a predetermined amount (here, 1 ° as an example) (S26). If the value of θ is not 360 ° (NO in S27), the above condition is determined again based on the incremented θ. On the other hand, if the value of θ is 360 ° and there is no room for further determination (YES in S27), the selection interface display position determination unit 56 reduces the display range by reducing the diameter of the selection interface 1. (YES in S28), the above process is repeated again.

  On the other hand, when the display range of the selection interface 1 cannot be narrowed any more (NO in S28), a predetermined value is set as the angle θ formed (S29), and this is output to the candidate output control unit 61.

[Effect of portable information terminal 200]
When inputting characters to the portable information terminal 200 with a limited display area, the candidate character strings are efficiently listed so that the user can instantly grasp the number of operations until the user can select the character string to be input. Can be displayed. At this time, the display position of the selection interface 1 for displaying a list can be set to an optimum position based on the position of the pointing tool and the character input destination so as not to obstruct the input operation. In addition, since the selection operation is simple and intuitive enough to be performed with one hand, the user's burden of character input can be reduced.

[Embodiment 3]
Finally, Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, portable information terminal 300 is assumed as an electronic device incorporating character input device 13. Similarly to the first embodiment, the software keyboard is not limited to the Japanese input numeric keypad 21, and the prediction input is also targeted for input complementation in a foreign language. Furthermore, only the structure added to Embodiment 1 and 2 mentioned above is demonstrated below. That is, the configurations described in the first and second embodiments are also included in the third embodiment.

〔Overview〕
The outline | summary of the character input device 13 which concerns on this Embodiment is demonstrated based on FIG. FIG. 15 is an example of a character input screen displayed on the portable information terminal 300 (see FIG. 14) incorporating the character input device 13.

  In this embodiment, a selection interface corresponding to each character type is generated and displayed so that the user can recognize that these can be easily switched. In the illustrated example, the user can grasp that there are candidate character strings in different character types by displaying the four selection interfaces 32 to 36 corresponding to the four character types in an overlapping manner. Further, it can be seen that the selection interfaces 32 to 36 corresponding to the character type to be input can be switched and used in accordance with a predetermined operation.

  Here, in order to input a character string that belongs to another character type while the user is inputting characters (when there is an undetermined input character), the selected character string is fixed and the selection interface is selected. There is no need to turn off the display. That is, in the example shown in the figure, the user is undecided while inputting “A”, but the multi-step operation in which the user confirms the input by pressing the confirm key, switches the character type, and then performs the input again. Is not necessary. It is only necessary to perform a simple switching operation so that a selection interface corresponding to another character type is displayed in the foreground from the state shown in the figure.

  Next, the types of selected interfaces will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is an example of a selection interface that can be switched in the character input device 13, where (a) is a selection interface 32 for kanji conversion, and (b) is a selection interface 33 for single-kanji conversion, (c). Represents a selection interface 34 for alphanumeric characters and symbols, (d) represents a selection interface 35 for English input, and (e) represents a selection interface 36 for Chinese input. As illustrated in the figure, by presenting candidate character strings classified by character type, the user can intuitively grasp that the user can switch to the character type to be input, and access each candidate character string. Therefore, more candidate character strings can be presented without increasing the operation burden necessary for the purpose. However, the criteria for classifying candidate character strings are not limited to character types, and can be classified according to any criteria.

  Here, the character type means characters used in each language (for example, hiragana, katakana, and kanji for Japanese, alphabet for English, and Pinyin for Chinese), numbers, and symbols. Such as.

[Configuration of portable information terminal 300]
A configuration of portable information terminal 300 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the portable information terminal 300. As illustrated, the portable information terminal 300 includes a character input device 13, a display unit 2, and a storage unit 3.

  The character input device 13 includes an input unit 4, a control unit 5, and an output control unit 6. The control unit 5 includes a long press input detection unit 51, a selection range detection unit 52, a selection range character string acquisition unit 53, a rotation operation detection unit 54, an input candidate generation unit 55, and an input character type switching unit (candidate character string group switching unit). ) 57, and the output control unit 6 includes a candidate output control unit 61 and a character output control unit 62.

  As described above, parts not directly related to the present embodiment are omitted from the description of the configuration and the block diagram. Moreover, the point which can implement | achieve an input part and an output part as an integrated apparatus is also the same. Furthermore, since the description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol to the structure same as the structure contained in the portable information terminal 100 mentioned above, only the function which the input character type switching part 57 bears is demonstrated.

  The input character type switching unit 57 detects a switching operation by the user, switches a plurality of selection interfaces 1 based on this, and outputs information about the switched character types to the input candidate generation unit 55. At this time, the input candidate generation unit 55 outputs a candidate character string corresponding to the information to the candidate output control unit 61 based on the information on the character type.

  The user can switch the operation / non-operation of the input character type switching unit 57 by setting. That is, when the operation is validated, the portable information terminal 300 shown in the present embodiment is displayed, and the selection interfaces 32 to 36 corresponding to the respective character types are displayed so as to be switched. On the other hand, when the operation is invalidated, the mobile information terminal 100 shown in the first embodiment is obtained, and candidate character strings of different character types are presented together on the single selection interface 1.

  Further, when the user performs a rotation operation, after the candidate character string located at the end in a certain selection interface passes through the input character determination area 20, it may be automatically switched to the subsequent selection interface. In other words, the input character type switching unit 57 switches to a selection interface corresponding to another character type when all candidate character strings of the selected interface being operated are presented without detecting an explicit switching operation from the user. You can Alternatively, as exemplified in the first embodiment, the candidate character string located at the top in the same selection interface may be re-presented, and forward rotation operation is prohibited after the last candidate character string. You may make it do. Such an operation can be arbitrarily set by the user.

[Clarification that different character types exist]
Another method for clearly indicating to the user that a different character type exists will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 17, a symbol indicating the character type is displayed on each tag (sign information) 37 on each selection interface 32 to 36, and when a desired tag 37 is selected, the selection interface corresponding to that tag 37 can be switched to. To express. Thereby, the user can recognize that there is a selection interface corresponding to each character type, and these can be easily switched.

  That is, the candidate character string is classified into a plurality of selection interfaces 32 to 36 based on the character type, and it is only necessary to indicate to the user that these can be switched and input. The design by the tag illustrated in FIG. Not only can various designs be considered.

[Character type switching operation]
The switching operation of the selection interfaces 32 to 36 may be anything as long as it is associated with a signal that can be detected by the input character type switching unit 57. For example, the touch panel (display unit 2, input unit 4) may be switched by a quick flipping operation (so-called flick), or when the mobile information terminal 300 includes an acceleration sensor, the terminal body is switched by a shaking operation (so-called shake). Also good. In these cases, the forward / reverse switching can be set by appropriately associating the flick or shake direction with the switching direction.

  It is also possible to set which character type is displayed so that it can be switched. For example, the user arbitrarily selects which of the character types that can be input by the character input device 13 such as kanji idiom conversion, single kanji conversion, alphanumeric characters and symbols, English, Chinese, etc. can be switched in the actual input operation. It may be possible to set from the screen.

[Processing executed by portable information terminal 300]
A flow of processing executed by the portable information terminal 300 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by the portable information terminal 300. Here, the process executed by the portable information terminal 300 is mostly the same as the process executed by the portable information terminal 100 described with reference to FIG. 7, and the same process is described by attaching the same reference numerals. Is omitted. Therefore, hereinafter, only the processing (S16 and S17 in FIG. 18) performed by the input character type switching unit 57 will be described.

  When the rotation operation detection unit 54 determines that the operation by the user does not correspond to the rotation operation (NO in S11), the rotation operation detection unit 54 transfers the control to the input character type switching unit 57. When the input character type switching unit 57 determines that the operation corresponds to an operation for changing the input character type (YES in S16), the input character type switching unit 57 outputs a signal corresponding to the character type designated for the change to the input candidate generating unit 55 (S17). ), Transfer control to this.

  On the other hand, when the input character type switching unit 57 determines that the operation does not correspond to an operation for changing the input character type (NO in S16), the input character type switching unit 57 determines whether the operation is a press of the clear key ( S12), control is transferred to the controller 5.

[Effect of character input device 300]
When inputting characters to the portable information terminal 300 having a limited display area, the candidate character strings are efficiently listed so that the user can instantly grasp the number of operations until the user can select the character string to be input. Can be displayed. In this list display, it is possible to indicate to the user that the candidate character strings are classified into the plurality of selection interfaces 32 to 36 based on the character type as the classification standard, and that these can be switched and input. Since the selection operation and the switching operation are simple and intuitive enough to be performed with one hand, the burden of character input on the user can be reduced.

[Example of software implementation]
Finally, each block of the character input device 11, the character input device 12, and the character input device 13, especially the control unit 5, may be realized in hardware by a logic circuit formed on an integrated circuit (IC chip). Alternatively, it may be realized by software using a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

  In the latter case, the character input device 11, the character input device 12, and the character input device 13 are a CPU that executes instructions of a program that realizes each function, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores the program, and a program that expands the program. A random access memory (RAM), a storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the program and various data, and the like. The object of the present invention is the program code (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of the control program for the character input device 11, the character input device 12, and the character input device 13, which is software for realizing the functions described above. Is supplied to the character input device 11, the character input device 12, and the character input device 13, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) is recorded on the recording medium. This can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code.

  Examples of the recording medium include tapes such as magnetic tapes and cassette tapes, magnetic disks such as floppy (registered trademark) disks / hard disks, and disks including optical disks such as CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. IC cards (including memory cards) / optical cards, semiconductor memories such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM, PLD (Programmable logic device), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), etc. Logic circuits can be used.

  The character input device 11, the character input device 12, and the character input device 13 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited as long as it can transmit the program code. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication network, and the like can be used. The transmission medium constituting the communication network may be any medium that can transmit the program code, and is not limited to a specific configuration or type. For example, even with wired lines such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) line, infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth (registered trademark), IEEE 802.11 wireless, HDR ( It can also be used by radio such as High Data Rate (NFC), Near Field Communication (NFC), Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA), mobile phone network, satellite line, and digital terrestrial network. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

  The present invention can be applied to an electronic device that requires character input.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Selection interface 2 Display part 3 Memory | storage part 4 Input part (input surface)
5 Control part (character string confirmation means)
6 Output Control Unit 7 Operation Switch 8 Key Input Unit 11 Character Input Device 12 Character Input Device 13 Character Input Device 20 Input Character Determination Area 21 Japanese Input Numeric Keypad 22 Input Screen 31 Selection Interface 32 Selection Interface 33 Selection Interface 34 Selection Interface 35 Selection interface 36 Selection interface 37 Tag (signs information)
51 Long press input detection unit (operation detection means)
52 selection range detection unit (selection range detection means)
53 Selection range character string acquisition unit (selection range character string acquisition means)
54 Rotation operation detection unit (operation detection means)
55 Input candidate generation unit (candidate character string display means)
56 Selection interface display position determination unit (display position determination means)
57 Input character type switching unit (candidate character string group switching means)
61 Candidate output control unit (candidate character string display means)
62 character output control unit 100 portable information terminal 200 portable information terminal 300 portable information terminal

Claims (7)

A character input device for displaying a plurality of candidate character strings estimated as candidates for a confirmed character string based on a character string input by a user so that the user can select a confirmed character string from the plurality of candidate character strings,
Operation detecting means for detecting an input operation of a locus of a closed curve performed by the user on the input surface;
Candidate character string display for displaying the plurality of candidate character strings while sequentially replacing one candidate character string to be displayed in the input character determination area in conjunction with the input operation of the locus of the closed curve detected by the operation detecting means Means,
A character string confirming unit that uses the candidate character string displayed in the input character determination area as the confirmed character string by the candidate character string display unit when the user operates to select the confirmed character string; ,
A candidate character string group switching means for selecting one candidate character string group from a plurality of candidate character string groups each including at least one candidate character string;
The candidate character string display means extracts the plurality of candidate character strings to be displayed from the candidate character string group selected by the candidate character string group switching means.   The character input device according to claim 1, wherein the candidate character string group is set for each character type.   3. The character input device according to claim 1, wherein the candidate character string group switching unit switches the candidate character string group when detecting an operation of quickly playing the input surface performed by a user. 4.   The candidate character string display means displays the marker information indicating other candidate character string groups together with the plurality of candidate character strings extracted from the candidate character string group selected by the candidate character string group switching means, The candidate character string group from which the candidate character string display means extracts the plurality of candidate character strings is displayed in a switchable manner to a candidate character string group indicated by the marker information as selected by a user. Item 4. The character input device according to any one of Items 1 to 3. A control method for a character input device that displays a plurality of candidate character strings estimated as candidates for a confirmed character string based on a character string input by a user so that the user can select a confirmed character string from the plurality of candidate character strings. There,
An operation detecting step for detecting an input operation of a locus of a closed curve performed by the user on the input surface;
A candidate character string for displaying the plurality of candidate character strings while sequentially replacing one candidate character string to be displayed in the input character determination area in conjunction with the input operation of the locus of the closed curve detected in the operation detecting step. A display step;
A character string determining step using the candidate character string displayed in the input character determination area in the candidate character string display step as the determined character string when the user operates to select the confirmed character string. With
A candidate character string group switching step of selecting one candidate character string group from a plurality of candidate character string groups each including at least one candidate character string;
In the candidate character string display step, the plurality of candidate character strings to be displayed are extracted from the candidate character string group selected in the candidate character string group switching step.   A control program for operating the character input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control program causes a computer to function as each means. A computer-readable recording medium on which the control program according to claim 6 is recorded.

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