JP6547504B2 - Character input device, character input method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a character input device for inputting a character combining a plurality of character parts, a character input method , and a control program thereof.

  Thai characters (Thai characters) are phonetic characters and consist of a combination of the first character / first character part and the second character / second character part, one of which is a consonant character and the other is a vowel It is written as a combined character combined as a character.

  Then, when inputting the Thai character, there is a rule to input a consonant character as the first character and a vowel character as the second character. However, in the letter notation of the Thai character, the consonant character and the vowel character constituting the same character The position relationship with the vowel character is after (right), above, below, or exceptionally before (left) with respect to consonant characters.

  Conventionally, a Thai input keyboard (full keyboard) is used as a character input device for inputting Thai characters.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of Thai character input using the conventional Thai input keyboard KB and the keyboard KB.

  The first and second character / character parts can be input by selectively pressing (or touching) the character keys K1 to K46, and as with the QWERTY keyboard for English input, the lower right of each key Kn The characters written in can be input only by operating the key Kn, and the characters written in the upper left of each key Kn can be input by simultaneously operating or sequentially operating the [shift] key Ks and the key Kn.

  For example, if a foreigner who has visited Thailand has no knowledge of Thai characters and sees characters written in various menus, catalogs, signs, etc., and then searches for a dictionary by entering the characters, the foreigner , I do not even know which part of the character is a consonant character or a vowel character.

  Therefore, in the case of a Thai character where the consonant character is located before (left) and the vowel character after (right), the consonant character is taken as the first character / first character part as described in the Thai character, and the vowel character is As a second character / second character part from among the character keys K1 to K46 and input.

  However, as shown in FIG. 10 (B), when the Thai character T1 whose vowel character c2 is located in front (left) of the consonant character v1 is input, the rule requires that the character key K28 + K39 be input in order However, a foreigner who does not have knowledge of the Thai character can not input the same Thai character T1 by performing key input in the order of the character key K39 + K28 according to the description of the Thai character T1.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10C, when the Thai character T2 whose vowel character c6 is located above the consonant character v1 is input, in the above rule, key input must be performed in the order of character keys K28 + Ks · K11. However, foreigners who do not have knowledge of the Thai character can not input the same Thai character T2 because key input is performed in the order of the letter key Ks · K11 + K28 according to the notation of the Thai character T2.

  A conventional electronic device for inputting Thai characters, which is provided with a mechanism for inputting Thai characters with a small number of keys without requiring the Thai input keyboard KB is considered (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2005-212375 A

  In either the conventional Thai input keyboard KB or the Thai label printer, if the user does not know which part of the consonant and vowel characters constituting the Thai character are in, the Thai character is correctly input. Is difficult. Furthermore, for users who do not have knowledge of Thai characters, the first character / first character parts and the second character / second character parts that constitute the desired Thai character are any characters of the Thai language input keyboard KB. It is difficult to even find out if it is written on the key Kn.

  The Khmer language in Cambodia, which is a peripheral country of Thailand, and the Burmese language in Myanmar, etc. (referred to as Thai language languages) have the same characteristics as the Thai language, and the same is true for users who do not have knowledge of the language. It is difficult to enter language characters correctly.

  Thus, not only in the Thai language, in a language that composes a character by combining a consonant and a vowel, it is necessary for the user to find and input the consonant part and the vowel part included in the desired character, There is a problem that it is difficult for users who do not have language knowledge to input characters of the same language correctly.

The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and it is possible to easily input a character in which a consonant character and a vowel character are combined, even for a user who is not familiar with the language corresponding to the character. It aims at providing an input device, a character input method , and its control program.

The character input device according to the present invention, a consonant character selection means for selecting one consonant character according to a user operation from among a plurality of consonant letters, the consonant character selected by the consonant character selection means and the consonant character Candidate character selection means for selecting any one of a plurality of candidate characters in combination with combinable vowel characters according to a user operation, and information corresponding to each of a plurality of words serving as a headword A headword acquiring means for acquiring a plurality of headwords corresponding to candidate characters selected by the candidate character selection means from a dictionary database, and a user from among a plurality of headwords acquired by the headword acquiring means And character input means for inputting the character of the entry word selected according to the operation .

Character input method according to the present invention, there is provided a character input method for a communication terminal and a server apparatus are connected via a network, depending on the request signal for the character input according to the user operation from the communication terminal the transmitted server apparatus the display data of the list of consonant characters to the communication terminal, wherein the data consonant character selected in response to user operation of the communication terminal from the display data of the list of the transmitted consonant characters received by the server apparatus, the display data of the list of candidate characters that combines and vowels combinable characters consonant characters and the consonant characters the received said server device transmits to the communication terminal, the transmitted candidate character The server device receives data of candidate characters selected according to the user operation of the communication terminal from the display data of the list in the list, and corresponds to each of a plurality of words serving as headwords That transmitted from the dictionary database information stores a plurality of headword corresponding to the received candidate character acquired by the server device, the data of a plurality of entry words that the acquired to the server apparatus the communication terminal The communication terminal is characterized in that a character of a headword selected according to a user operation is input from among a plurality of headwords transmitted from the server device .

  According to the present invention, it is possible for a user who is not familiar with the language corresponding to the character to easily input the character in which the consonant character and the vowel character are combined.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic circuit of the character input device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The front view which shows the external appearance structure at the time of implementing the said character input device 10 by electronic dictionary apparatus 10D. The front view which shows the external appearance structure at the time of implementing the said character input device 10 by the tablet terminal 10T. 5 is a flowchart showing character input control processing of the character input device 10; 10 is a flowchart showing combined character (font) image display control processing in character input control processing of the character input device 10; FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display operation (part 1) corresponding to a user operation according to the character input control process of the character input device 10; FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display operation (part 2) corresponding to a user operation according to the character input control processing of the character input device 10; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display operation (part 3) corresponding to a user operation according to the character input control processing of the character input device 10; The functional block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic circuit at the time of implementing the said character input device 10 as the server apparatus 10S. The figure which shows the example of an input of the Thai character using the conventional Thai input keyboard KB and the said keyboard KB.

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

  FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic circuit of the character input device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The character input device 10 of this embodiment has a Thai dictionary search function (dictionary search mode) and a character input function (text input mode).

  The character input device 10 is constituted by a computer which reads a program recorded in various recording media or a transmitted program and whose operation is controlled by the read program. A central processing unit) 11 is provided.

  The CPU 11 is a device control program stored in advance in the memory 12 or a device control program read from the external storage medium 13 such as a ROM card into the memory 12 via the storage medium reading unit 14 or the Internet (communication network The operation of each part of the circuit is controlled in accordance with the device control program downloaded from the Web server (in this case, the program server) 20 on N via the communication unit 15 and read into the memory 12.

  The device control program stored in the memory 12 is an input signal according to a user operation from the key input unit 16, an input signal according to a user operation from the touch panel display unit 17, or the Internet N connected externally. It is activated in response to a communication signal with the Web server 20 or a connection communication signal with an external recording medium 13 such as an EEPROM (registered trademark), RAM, or ROM externally connected via the recording medium reading unit 14.

  The memory 12, the recording medium reading unit 14, the communication unit 15, the key input unit 16, the touch panel display unit 17 and the like are connected to the CPU 11.

  The device control program stored in the memory 12 includes data communication with a system program that controls the entire operation of the device 10, each Web server 20 on the Internet N connected externally, a user PC (Personal Computer), etc. A communication program for storing the character information is stored, and in addition to the display of the dictionary information, a character input control processing program 12a for inputting Thai characters is stored.

  In the memory 12, a Thai dictionary database (Thai language heading list data) 12b in which a Japanese-Thai-English dictionary / Thai-English dictionary (for example, an 8,000-word dictionary) is collected is stored, and Thai characters are input. First character (first character part; consonant) list data area 12c1, second character (second character part; vowel) combination character list data area 12c2, third character (third character part) combination character list data area 12c3, Thai character font data area 12d, Thai language input setting data area 12e, etc. are secured. Then, a Thai dictionary database (Thai language heading list in the present invention) is incorporated in the main body and controlled to obtain a heading list from the built-in data. The Thai dictionary database (the Thai heading list in the present invention) may be acquired from a dictionary database on the Internet without being incorporated in the main body.

  In the first character (first character part; consonant) list data area 12c1, all consonant characters v1 to v35 used for the first character of each entry word of the Thai dictionary (12b) (FIG. 6 (B The list data of the first character (parts) selection screen Gt1) is stored as table data of the character code of each consonant character v1 to v35. In the first character (first character part; consonant) list data area 12c1, data of five vowel characters c1 to c5 (see FIG. 6B) which come before (left) on the representation of Thai characters. Is added to the beginning and stored.

  In the second character (second character part; vowel) combination character list data area 12c2, each first character / first character part stored in the first character (first character part; consonant) list data area 12c1 Combination character list data of characters combining the vowel characters cn ... that can be combined after (right) or above or below the first character / first character part for each (consonant characters v1 to v35) is a table of character codes It is stored as data. For example, the list data of the second character (parts) combination character selection screen Gt2 shown in FIG. 7B is a combination of vowel characters c6,..., C21,. , T3,..., T4 are list data. In the second character (second character parts) combination character list data area 12c2, five vowel characters c1 to c5 added to the head of the first character (first character parts) list data area 12c1 (see FIG. A list data combining combinable consonant letters vn... After the vowel letter cn (right) is also stored every 6 (B) reference). For example, in the list data of the second character (parts) combination character selection screen Gt2 shown in FIG. 6C, consonant characters v1, v2,... Which can be combined with the vowel character c2 that comes before (left) are combined , T2,... Are combined character list data.

  Note that a character consisting of a combination of the first character (first character part) and the second character (second character part) stored in the second character (second character part) combination character list data area 12c2 The list data is stored including information indicating the position of the combination of the first character (first character part) and the second character (second character part).

  In the third character (third character parts) combination character list data area 12c3, the second characters / second character parts stored in the second character (second character parts; vowel) list data area 12c2 are combined Combination character list data (see FIG. 7C) of characters (character strings) combining the consonant vn... And the vowel characters cn. It is memorized.

  In the case of an entry word of 8,000 words stored in the Thai language dictionary database 12b of the present embodiment, the first character (first character parts) list data area 12c1, the second character (second character parts) combination character list The number of headwords whose head matches the character (or character string) consisting of the combination of the characters (character parts) sequentially selected from the data area 12c2 and the third character (third character parts) combination character combination character list data area 12c3 is The maximum number is narrowed to a predetermined number (35) or less.

  In the Thai character font data area 12d, data of the font (image) corresponding to the character code of all the Thai characters is divided by character parts of the Thai character, consonant characters (parts) and vowel characters (parts). The letters are integrated and combined into upper and lower letters and stored.

  In the Thai input setting data area 12e, a text in the case where a headword retrieved from the Thai dictionary database 12b is inputted as a text in response to activation of Thai input according to the character input control processing program 12a The setting data of the input mode (Thai language input system) is stored.

  FIG. 2 is a front view showing an appearance configuration when the character input device 10 is implemented by the electronic dictionary device 10D.

  In the case of the electronic dictionary device 10D in FIG. 2, the CPU 11, the memory 12, the recording medium reading unit 14, and the communication unit 15 are built in the lower side of the device body to be opened and closed, and the key input unit 16 is provided. The touch panel display unit 17 is provided on the upper side. The key input unit 16 includes a character input key 16a, various dictionary selection keys 16b, a translation / decision key 16c, a back key 16d, and a cursor key 16e.

  The touch panel display unit 17 of the electronic dictionary device 10D in FIG. 2 selects a first character (part) selection screen Gt1 corresponding to the first character (first character parts) list data 12c1 according to the activation of the Thai language input. The second character (part) corresponding to the second character (second character part) combination character list data 12c2 when the first character (first character part: vowel character) c2 of the exception is selected from 6 (see B)) An example of display of the combination character selection screen Gt2 (see FIG. 6C) is shown (details will be described later).

  FIG. 3 is a front view showing an appearance configuration when the character input device 10 is implemented by a tablet terminal 10T.

  In the case of the tablet terminal 10T shown in FIG. 3, the CPU 11, the memory 12, the recording medium reading unit 14, and the communication unit 15 are incorporated in the terminal body, and various icons displayed on the touch panel display unit 17 as needed. A soft keyboard functions as the key input unit 16.

  The touch panel display unit 17 of the tablet terminal 10T in FIG. 3 has a second character (parts) combination character selection screen Gt2 corresponding to the second character (second character parts) combination character list data 12c2 (FIG. 6C). When Thai character T1 consisting of a combination of consonant character v1 and vowel character c2 is selected from the reference), the explanation information screen corresponding to the entry word (Japanese reading [K]) matching the selected Thai character T1 One display example of Ge is shown (the details will be described later).

  That is, the character input device 10 has the following functions (1) to (6).

  (1) From the first character (parts) selection screen Gt1 (see FIG. 7A) based on the first character (first character parts) list data (12c1), the beginning (previous) of a Thai character to be input It is possible to combine the first character (part) by selecting the first character (part) as the first character (part) or the consonant character vn (except the vowel character cn) located at / left) or the consonant character vn located at the center A second character (second character part) combined character list data (12c2) in which a combination character list is made up of a Thai character in which a vowel character cn (except exceptionally consonant character vn) is combined as a second character (part) A function of displaying a two-character (parts) combination character selection screen Gt2 (see FIG. 7B).

  (2) By selecting a combination character of the second character (part) corresponding to the Thai character to be input from the second character (part) combination character selection screen Gt2 (see FIG. 7B), A function of determining whether or not the number of entry words of a Thai dictionary (12b) having a head match with a Thai character combining the selected first character (part) and second character (part) is equal to or less than a predetermined number (35).

  (3) A predetermined number (35) of headwords of a Thai dictionary (Thai language heading list data) (12b) having a head match with a Thai character combining the first character (part) and the second character (part) The third character (third character part) combining the consonant character vn (or the vowel character cn) that can be combined as the next character of the Thai character when it is determined that the third character (part) is exceeded A function of displaying a third character (parts) combination character selection screen Gt3 (see FIG. 7C) based on the combination character list data (12c3).

  (4) The third character (parts) combination character corresponding to the Thai character to be input is selected from the third character (parts) combination character selection screen Gt3 (see FIG. 7C) A function of determining whether or not the number of entry words of the Thai language dictionary (12b) whose head matches with the Thai character in which the selected third character (part) is further combined is a predetermined number (35) or less.

  (5) A predetermined number (35) or less of entry words of a Thai dictionary (12b) having a head match with a Thai character combining the first character (part) and the second character (part), or the third When it is determined that the number of entry words of the Thai dictionary (12b) whose head matches the Thai character in which characters (parts) are further combined is less than or equal to a predetermined number (35), the entry word list screen listing the entry words A function to display Gm (see FIG. 7D).

  (6) By selecting an entry word desired by the user from the entry word list screen Gm (see FIG. 7D), in the dictionary search mode, an explanatory information screen Ge corresponding to the selected entry word (FIG. E) A function to display (refer to FIG. 6) and to input the character (character string) of the selected entry word as text in the text input mode.

  The first character (first character parts) list data (12c1), the second character (second character parts) combination character list data (12c2), the third character (third character parts) combination character list data (12c3) ) Is not stored in advance as table data in the memory 12, but each of the headwords is configured based on each headword of the Thai language stored in the Thai language dictionary database 12b as needed. The first character (part), the second character (part), and the third character (part) may be searched for and generated from the first character and the next character.

  In the character input device 10 configured as described above, the CPU 11 controls the operation of each part of the circuit according to the instruction described in the character input control processing program 12a, and the software and the hardware operate in cooperation with each other. Thus, the functions described in the following operation description are realized.

  Next, the operation of the character input device 10 according to the above configuration will be described.

  Here, an operation when the character input device 10 is implemented by the electronic dictionary device 10D will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the character input control process of the character input device 10.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing combined character (font) image display control processing in the character input control processing of the character input device 10.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display operation (part 1) corresponding to a user operation according to the character input control process of the character input device 10.

  First, in accordance with a user operation, (A) dictionary search mode or (B) text input mode is set, and Thai language input is activated (step S1).

  When the Thai dictionary [Japanese-Thai English Dictionary] is selected by the user operation of the dictionary selection key 15b at the activation of the Thai language input as shown in FIG. 6A, it is stored in the Thai language dictionary database 12b. A search term selection screen G targeting the Japanese-Thai-English / Japanese dictionary is displayed on the touch panel display unit 17.

  In the search term selection screen G targeting the Japanese-Thai-English / Japanese dictionary, “search by selecting from Thai vowels / consonants” is selected by the operation of the cursor key 16 e and the identification display h is performed. Then, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the [Translation / determination] key 16c is operated, the first character (first character parts) list data (12c1) in the memory 12 is read out, and the tie is made. In accordance with the character font data (12d), it is displayed on the touch panel display unit 17 as a first character (parts) selection screen Gt1 (step S2).

  Here, when the user wants to input a Thai character T1 shown in FIG. 6 (E) described later, the first character (part) and the second character (part) that constitute the Thai character T1 are in front (left The vowel character c2 as the first character (part) located in) is selected from the first character (part) selection screen Gt1 and is displayed for identification h (step S3).

  When the vowel character c2 is key-input by the conventional Thai input keyboard KB (refer to FIG. 10), as shown in FIG. 6 (Ba), the character key K39 in which the vowel character c2 is written is searched for Must be entered.

  Then, the second character (second character parts) combination character list data in the memory 12 corresponding to the vowel character c2 of the first character (first character parts) selected from the first character (parts) selection screen Gt1 (12c2) is read out (step S4), and the process proceeds to the combined character (font) image display control process in FIG. 5 (step SA).

  In the combination character (font) image display control process, based on the second character (second character parts) combination character list data (12c2) read from the memory 12, a first character (part) at the beginning thereof And the second character (part) is specified (step A1).

  Then, for the combination of the specified first character (part) and second character (part), the second character (part) (vowel) is combined above or below the first character (part) (consonant) It is judged whether or not the character corresponds to the upper and lower combination character (step A2).

  Here, when it is determined that the combination of the designated first character (part) and the second character (part) corresponds to the upper and lower combination character (step A2 (Yes)), the second character (part) ) A font image of one character in which (vowel) and the first character (part) (consonant) are combined in advance is read out and displayed as a candidate character by being added to the second character (parts) combination character selection screen Gt2 (Step A3).

  In addition, when it is determined that the combination of the designated first character (part) and the second character (part) does not correspond to the upper and lower combination characters (step A2 (No)), the second character (No) Parts) It is judged whether (vowel) corresponds to the previous vowel character combined before (left) of the first character (part) (consonant) (step A4).

  Here, when it is determined that the combination of the designated first character (part) and the second character (part) corresponds to the previous vowel character (step A4 (Yes)), the second character (parts) An image of 2 letters in size is generated by combining the font data of (vowel) in front (left) and the font data of the first character (part) (consonant) (right), and a second character (a second character (a candidate character) Parts) are displayed in addition to the combination character selection screen Gt2 (step A5).

  When it is determined that the combination of the designated first character (part) and the second character (part) does not correspond to the upper / lower combination character or the previous vowel character (step A4 (No)) ) The font data of the second character (part) (vowel) is followed (right), and the font data of the first character (part) (consonant) is combined before (left) to generate an image of 2 characters in size. As a candidate character, it is displayed by being added to the second character (parts) combination character selection screen Gt2 (step A6).

  Then, for the second character (second character part) combination character list data (12c2) read from the memory 12 in the step S4, the combination of the next first character (part) and the second character (part) If it is determined that there is (step A7 (Yes)), the next combination is designated (step A8).

  Then, for the combination of the first character (part) and the second character (part) designated in the step A8, the processing in the steps A2 to A7 is repeatedly executed, as shown in FIG. 6 (C), A second character (parts) combination character selection screen Gt2 in which candidate characters corresponding to the second character (second character parts) combination character list data (12c2) are listed is displayed.

  In addition, each candidate character which combined the said 1st character (part) and 2nd character (part) which are displayed in a list on the 2nd character (parts) combination character selection screen Gt2 shown in the said FIG. The vowel character c2 added and displayed at the beginning of the first character (part) selection screen Gt1 in FIG. 6B as the first character (part) is selected, and the same vowel character c2 is (Left) is a candidate character combining the consonant characters v1, v2, ... which can be combined as the second character (part), and any candidate character is displayed as a list by repeating the processing of the steps A4 and A5. Ru.

  Then, on the second character (parts) combination character selection screen Gt2, when the candidate character (Thai character) T1 in which the vowel character c2 and the consonant character v1 are combined is selected by the user and the identification display h (step S5) It is determined whether the number of headwords whose head matches the selected candidate character T1 among the headwords of the Thai language stored in the Thai dictionary database 12b is equal to or less than a predetermined number (35) Step S6).

  When the consonant character v1 is key-input with the conventional Thai input keyboard KB (see FIG. 10), as shown in FIG. 6 (Ca), the character key K28 in which the consonant character v1 is written is searched for Must be entered.

  Here, if it is determined that the number of headwords whose head matches the selected candidate character (Thai character) T1 is equal to or less than a predetermined number (35) (step S6 (Yes)), FIG. As shown, the lists [A] to [G] of the respective entry words are displayed on the touch panel display unit 17 as the entry word list screen Gm (step S10).

  In the entry word list screen Gm, when the entry word [A] of the Thai character T1 which the user desires to input is selected and identified and displayed h (step S11), the (A) dictionary search mode is set As shown in FIG. 6 (E), the selected candidate character is determined and input as a headword which is a fixed character, and the explanation corresponding to the headword (Japanese reading [K]) of the Thai character T1. Information is read from the Thai dictionary database 12b and displayed on the touch panel display unit 17 as an explanatory information screen Ge (step S12).

  When the (B) text input mode is set, the selected candidate character is determined as a headword which is a fixed character and is input, and a headword of the Thai character T1 is input as a text. (Step S12).

  On the other hand, at the step S6, the first match is made with a candidate character (Thai character) consisting of a combination of the first character (part) and the second character (part) selected from the second character (parts) combination character selection screen Gt2. If it is determined that the number of entry words exceeds the predetermined number (35) (step S6 (No)), the combination corresponds to the combination of the selected first character (part) and second character (part) The third character (third character parts) combination character list data (12c3) in the memory 12 is read out (step S7).

  Then, the Thai character font data (12d) corresponding to each combination of the first character (parts) to the third character (parts) in the third character (third character parts) combination character list data (12c3) is read out And a third character (parts) combination character selection screen Gt3 (see FIG. 7C) in which candidate characters (character strings) of the respective combinations of the first character (parts) to the third character (parts) are listed. It is displayed on the touch panel display unit 17 (step S8).

  Then, in the third character (parts) combination character selection screen Gt3, the combination of the first character (parts) to the third character (parts) is made according to the Thai character (character string) which the user wants to input as described above. When a candidate character (character string) is selected (step S9), again, among the headwords of Thai words stored in the Thai dictionary database 12b, the head match with the selected candidate character (character string) It is determined whether the number of entry words is less than a predetermined number (35) (step S6).

  Here, in the case of the entry word of 8,000 words stored in the Thai dictionary database 12b of the present embodiment, as described above, the first character (first character parts) list data (12c1) corresponding to the first character (first character parts) list data One character (parts) selection screen Gt1, second character (parts) combination character list data area (12c2) second character (parts) combination character selection screen Gt2, third character (third character) Parts) A headword whose head matches the character (or character string) consisting of a combination of characters (character parts) selected in order from the third character (parts) combination character selection screen Gt3 according to the combination character list data area (12c3) Is narrowed down to a predetermined number (35) or less.

  Thereby, it is determined that the number of headwords whose head matches the candidate character (character string) selected from the third character (parts) combination character selection screen Gt3 at this time is equal to or less than a predetermined number (35) (step S6) (Yes)), the processes of steps S10 to S12 are similarly performed.

  Regarding the operation in the case of selecting a desired entry word by sequentially selecting candidate characters (character strings) of each combination from the first character (parts) selection screen Gt1 to the third character (parts) combination character selection screen Gt3 This will be described with reference to FIG. 7 below.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display operation (part 2) corresponding to a user operation according to the character input control process of the character input device 10.

  In the first character (parts) selection screen Gt1 displayed as shown in FIG. 7 (A) according to the first character (first character parts) list data (12c1) according to the processing of the steps S1 and S2. The consonant character v1 of the first character (part) that the user wants to input is selected (step S3).

  Then, the second character (second character parts) combination character list data (12c2) corresponding to the selected first character (parts) consonant character v1 according to the process of the step S4, SA (A1 to A8) Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 7B, each candidate character Tn... Combining the vowel characters cn of the second character (part) that can be combined with the consonant character v1 of the first character (part) is listed The selected second character (parts) combination character selection screen Gt2 is displayed.

  In the second character (parts) combination character selection screen Gt2, a candidate character (Thai characters) consisting of a combination of the first character (parts) consonant character v1 desired to be input by the user and the vowel character c21 of the second character (parts) When T3 is selected (step S5), it is determined that the number of headwords whose head match with the selected candidate character (Thai character) T3 exceeds a predetermined number (35) (step S6 (No) ).

  Then, the third character (third character parts) combination character corresponding to the selected candidate character (combination of the first character (parts) and the second character (parts)) T3 according to the process of the steps S7 and S8. According to the list data (12c3), as shown in FIG. 7C, a candidate obtained by combining the third character (part) consonant character vn and the vowel character cn which can be further combined with the candidate character (Thai character) T3. A third character (parts) combination character selection screen Gt3 in which characters (character strings) are listed is displayed.

  In the third character (parts) combination character selection screen Gt3, a candidate character T3 in which the consonant character v1 of the first character (parts) desired to be input by the user and the vowel character c21 of the second character (parts) are combined When a candidate character (character string) obtained by combining three characters (parts) consonant character v8 is selected and identified and displayed h (step S9), a headword whose head matches the selected candidate character (character string) T3 + v8 Is determined to be equal to or less than a predetermined number (35) (step S6 (Yes)).

  Then, as shown in FIG. 7D, a list [A] and [B] of headwords each having a head match with the selected candidate character (character string) T3 + v8 serves as a headword list screen Gm on the touch panel display unit 17 Is displayed (step S10).

  Then, on the entry word list screen Gm, when the entry word [A] of the Thai character (character string) T3 + v8 that the user desires to input is selected and identified and displayed h (step S11), the (A) dictionary search mode is set. If it is set, as shown in FIG. 7E, the selected candidate character is determined as the final character and is input, and the entry word of the Thai character (character string) T3 + v8 (Japanese reading [K ] Is displayed (step S12).

  The conventional Thai input keyboard KB for the consonant character v1, the vowel character c21, and the consonant character v8 sequentially selected from the first character (parts) selection screen Gt1 to the third character (parts) combination character selection screen Gt3. When key input is performed according to (see FIG. 10), as shown in FIG. 7 (Aa) (Ba) (Ca), the character key K 28 with the consonant character v 1 written and the character key with the vowel character c 21 written K1, the character key Ks + K35 in which the consonant character v8 is written must be sequentially found and input.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display operation (part 3) corresponding to a user operation according to the character input control processing of the character input device 10.

  According to the processes of steps S1 and S2, the first character (part) consonant character v1 that the user wants to input is selected on the first character (part) selection screen Gt1 displayed as shown in FIG. 8A. (Step S3).

  Then, the second character (second character parts) combination character list data (12c2) corresponding to the selected first character (parts) consonant character v1 according to the process of the step S4, SA (A1 to A8) Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 8B, each candidate character Tn... In which the vowel character cn of the second character (part) that can be combined with the consonant character v1 of the first character (part) is combined is listed The selected second character (parts) combination character selection screen Gt2 is displayed.

  In the second character (parts) combination character selection screen Gt2, a candidate character (Thai character) T2 in which the vowel character c6 of the second character (parts) is combined on the consonant character v1 of the first character (parts) is selected When it is done (step S5), it is determined that the number of headwords whose head matches the selected candidate character (Thai character) T2 is equal to or less than a predetermined number (35) (step S6 (Yes)).

  Then, as shown in FIG. 8 (D), the entry word [A] whose head matches the selected candidate character T2 is displayed in a list on the touch panel display unit 17 as the entry word list screen Gm (step S10).

  Then, on the entry word list screen Gm, when the entry word [A] having the head match with the candidate character T2 is selected and the identification display h is made (step S11), as shown in FIG. The candidate character thus determined is determined and input as a headword which is a finalized character, and an explanatory information screen Ge corresponding to the headword (Japanese language [co-pro ...]) is displayed (step S12).

  The conventional Thai input keyboard KB (see FIG. 10) for the consonant character v1 and the vowel character c6 sequentially selected from the first character (parts) selection screen Gt1 and the second character (parts) combination character selection screen Gt2. When key input is performed by), as shown in FIG. 8 (Aa) (Ba), the character key K28 in which the consonant character v1 is written and Ks + K11 in which the vowel character c6 is written must be sequentially searched for and input. You must.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8 (B), for example, a consonant among the Thai characters of the selection items [A] to [U] listed and displayed on the second character (parts) combination character selection screen Gt2. Thai letter [A] that combines vowel letter c6 on letter v1, Thai letter [R] that combines vowel letter c23 on same consonant letter v1, and tie that combines vowel letter c24 on same consonant letter v1 The letter [S], Thai letter [T] combining vowel letter c25 under the same consonant letter v1, Thai letter [U] combining vowel letter c26 under the same consonant letter v1, said traditional Thai language input When it is desired to perform key input with the keyboard KB (see FIG. 10), as shown in FIG. 8C, the consonant v1 corresponding to each Thai character [A] [R] [S] [T] [U] Vowel letters c6, c23, c24, c25 to be combined up and down c26 each character key that is small notation K11, K41, K19, K6 to find and must be entered.

  Therefore, according to the character input device 10 configured as described above, the first characters (first character parts; consonant characters and vowel characters) that constitute the first character of each Thai dictionary entry stored in the Thai dictionary database 12b. ) Is displayed as the first character (parts) selection screen Gt1, and the first character (parts) of the Thai character that the user wants to input is selected from the first character (parts) selection screen Gt1, A list of candidate characters combining the second character (the second character part; vowel character and consonant character) that composes the first character of the entry word after (right) or above or below one character (part) A second character (parts) combination character selection screen Gt2 is displayed. Then, when a candidate character that the user wants to input is selected from the second character (parts) combination character selection screen Gt2, each headword whose head matches the selected candidate character is read from the Thai dictionary database 12b. If each entry word is equal to or less than a predetermined number (35), a list of entry words is displayed as the entry word list screen Gm. When a headword desired by the user is selected on the headword list screen Gm, (A) in the case of the dictionary search mode, the explanation information screen Ge corresponding to the selected headword is displayed, and (B) text input mode In the case of, the text of the selected headword is input.

  As a result, even if the user lacks knowledge of Thai language, the character parts of consonant characters and vowel characters that constitute the Thai character to be input are ordered in the order of the character parts in the Thai character → later or in the middle → By selecting as the first character (parts) → the second character (parts) in the order of upper (bottom), regardless of the rule of Thai character input to be input in the order of consonant characters → vowel characters, the input It becomes possible to easily input Thai characters that you want.

  Further, according to the character input device 10 configured as described above, when each entry word whose head matches the candidate character selected from the second character (parts) combination character selection screen Gt2 is not a predetermined number (35) or less, A list of candidate characters (character string) combining the third character (third character part; vowel character and consonant character) that composes the entry word in combination next to the selected candidate character is the third character (part) The combination character selection screen Gt3 is displayed. Then, when a candidate character (character string) that the user wants to input is selected from the third character (parts) combination character selection screen Gt3, each entry word whose head matches the selected candidate character (character string) The list is read out from the Thai dictionary database 12b, and a list of each entry is displayed as an entry list screen Gm.

  As a result, Thai characters (character strings) that the user wants to input can be easily input by narrowing down from the entry words of the Thai dictionary database 12b.

  Further, according to the character input device 10 having the above-described configuration, the first character (first character part; first character parts; consonant characters and vowel characters) is displayed on the first character (parts) selection screen Gt1. First character parts) List data (12c1), second characters (second character parts; vowel characters and consonant characters) that can be combined with the first character (parts) on the second character (parts) combination character selection screen Gt 2 A second character (second character part) combination character list data (12c2) for each of the first characters (parts) for displaying a list of candidate characters combined with each other, the third character (parts) combination character selection screen The second for displaying a list of candidate characters (character strings) combining the third character (third character part; vowel character and consonant character) that can be combined next to the second character (part) at Gt3 Character ) For each of the three characters (third character part) combined character list data (12c3) are both stored in advance generated as table data in the memory 12.

  Thereby, the process of displaying the first character (parts) selection screen Gt1, the second character (parts) combination character selection screen Gt2, and the third character (parts) combination character selection screen Gt3 can be executed at high speed. Users can easily and quickly enter Thai characters (strings) they want to enter.

  In the embodiment, since the number of entries of the entry words of the Thai language dictionary stored in the Thai language dictionary database 12b is 8,000 words, the first to third characters (first to third character parts) Characters (or character strings) consisting of combinations of characters (character parts) sequentially selected by the user from the first to third character (parts) selection screens Gt1 to Gt3 simply by preparing list data (12c1 to 12c3) And the number of headwords that match the beginning of the word is narrowed to a predetermined number (35) or less.

  On the other hand, when the number of entries of the entry words of the Thai dictionary stored in the Thai dictionary database 12b is extremely large such as 100,000 words or 200,000 words, the first to third characters (first to third characters (first to third characters) Character parts: fourth to n-th character (fourth to n-th character parts) list data (12c4 to 12cn) following the list data (12c1 to 12c3) are also generated in advance and stored as table data in the memory 12 There must be. In this case, instead of storing the table data, it is stored in the Thai dictionary database 12b each time as needed (while the number of narrowed entry words exceeds a predetermined number (35)). The first character (parts) to the n-th character (parts) are searched and generated in order from the first character constituting each headword based on each headword in Thai, and each corresponding first character ( Parts) The selection screen Gt1 to the n-th character (parts) combination character selection screen Gtn may be displayed in order.

  Further, although the Thai character input device 10 has been described in the above embodiment, the Khmer language of Cambodia, which is a peripheral country of Thailand, and the Burmese language of Myanmar, etc. (Thai language) are the same as the Thai language. In the same manner as described above, by configuring the character input device 10 for each language, it is possible to easily input a desired character composed of a combination of a plurality of character parts as described above.

  In each of the above embodiments, the case where the character input device 10 is implemented by the electronic dictionary device 10D or the tablet terminal 10T has been described. However, as described below with reference to FIG. You may implement as the server apparatus 10S on the internet (communication network) N. FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic circuit when the character input device 10 is implemented as a server device 10S.

  According to the server device 10S, by accessing the server device 10S (for example, a Thai character input site) from the communication terminal 30 of the user of the Internet N, as shown in FIGS. Accordingly, the first character (parts) selection screen Gt1 to the third character (parts) combination character selection screen Gt3 sequentially acquired (received) from the server device 10S to the communication terminal 30 are sequentially displayed.

  Then, in each of the selection screens Gt1 to Gt3 displayed on the communication terminal 30, the user selects the first to third characters (parts) of the Thai character that the user desires to input in turn, each time the selected The server device 10S searches for a headword whose head character matches a candidate character (character string) consisting of a combination of each character (part), and the communication terminal 30 acquires (receives) the list screen Gm of the headwords searched for the same word. Is displayed.

  Then, by selecting a desired entry word from the entry word list screen Gm displayed on the communication terminal 30, an explanation information screen Ge corresponding to the selected entry word is obtained (received) from the server device 10S. Or the selected entry word is input as text.

  Thereby, even for the communication terminal 30 of the user having no input function such as the Thai language, it is possible to easily input the character such as the Thai language consisting of a combination of a plurality of character parts that the user wants to input. It will be possible.

  In addition, the method and database of each process by the character input device 10 described in the said embodiment, ie, the character input control process shown to the flowchart of FIG. 4, The combination character (font) in the said character input control process shown to the flowchart of FIG. Memory cards (ROM cards, etc.) as programs that can be executed by a computer, each method such as image display control processing, and databases such as the dictionary database (12b) and each table data (12c1 to 12c3, 12d). It can be stored and distributed in an external recording medium 13 such as a RAM card, a magnetic disk (floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, etc.), an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD, etc.), a semiconductor memory, etc. Then, the computer of the electronic device such as the information communication terminal (10) or the server device (10S) reads the program stored in the external recording medium 13 into the memory 12, and the operation is controlled by the read program. The character input function described in each of the above embodiments can be realized, and similar processing by the method described above can be executed.

  Further, data of a program for realizing each of the above-mentioned methods can be transmitted on a communication network (N) in the form of a program code, and this program data is transmitted to an information communication connected to the communication network (N). The above-described character input function can also be realized by incorporating into the computer of the electronic device such as the terminal (10) or the server device (10S) by communication.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be variously modified at the implementation stage without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the above embodiments include inventions of various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by an appropriate combination of a plurality of disclosed configuration requirements. For example, even if some components are removed from all the components shown in each embodiment or some components are combined in different forms, the problems described in the section of the problem to be solved by the invention If the effect described in the column of the invention is obtained, a configuration in which this component is deleted or combined can be extracted as the invention.

  In the following, the invention described in the original claims of the present application is appended.

[1]
First character display control means for displaying a list of consonant characters on the display unit;
The display unit displays a list of candidate characters combining the consonant characters selected from the list of consonant characters displayed by the first character display control means according to the user's operation and the vowel characters that can be combined with the consonant characters. Second character display control means for causing
Finalized character determination means for determining a candidate character selected according to a user operation from the list of candidate characters displayed by the second character display control means as a finalized character;
A character input device characterized by comprising.

[2]
The fixed character determination means
A headword acquisition means for acquiring a headword corresponding to a candidate character selected according to a user operation from the list of candidate characters displayed by the second character display control means;
The candidate character selected according to the user operation is combined with a consonant character or vowel character that can be combined next to the candidate character when the number of the keyword acquired by the keyword acquisition means is not equal to or less than a predetermined number Next candidate character display control means for displaying a list of the next candidate characters on the display unit;
A headword reacquisition means for acquiring a headword corresponding to the next candidate character selected according to the user operation from the list of next candidate characters displayed by the next candidate character display control means;
Next candidate character repetition display control means for repeatedly displaying a list of next candidate characters by the next candidate character display control means until the number of headwords acquired by the headword reacquisition means becomes equal to or less than a predetermined number;
A headword list display control unit that causes the display unit to display a list of headwords when the number of headwords acquired by the headword acquisition unit or the headword reacquisition unit is equal to or less than a predetermined number;
The entry word finalized character determination means for inputting a letter of the entry word selected according to the user operation from among the entry words displayed in a list by the entry word list display control means,
The character input device according to [1], characterized in that

[3]
The first character display control means collectively displays a consonant character that is a part of a character and a vowel character that constitutes a character obtained by combining a vowel character on the left with a consonant character on the right,
The second character display control means has a character image display control means for displaying a candidate character obtained by combining a consonant character and a vowel character as a font image of the candidate character.
The character input device according to [1] or [2], characterized in that

[4]
The list of consonant characters displayed by the first character display control means includes consonant characters in front of vowel characters in the list of consonant characters constituting a character combining vowel characters after or above or below the consonant characters And display a list of the vowel characters that make up the combined letter after
The list of candidate characters displayed by the second character display control means includes candidate characters obtained by combining consonant characters before vowel characters and after them.
The character input device according to any one of [1] to [3], characterized in that

[5]
The candidate character combining the data of the list of consonant characters displayed by the first character display control means and the vowel characters combinable with the consonant characters for each consonant character displayed by the second character display control means Data of a list of next candidate characters combined with consonant characters or vowel characters that can be combined with the candidate character for each candidate character combining the vowel characters displayed by the next candidate character display control means Pre-stored as table data,
The character input device according to [2], characterized in that

[6]
The candidate character combining the data of the list of consonant characters displayed by the first character display control means and the vowel characters combinable with the consonant characters for each consonant character displayed by the second character display control means Data of a list of next candidate characters combined with consonant characters or vowel characters that can be combined with the candidate character for each candidate character combining the vowel characters displayed by the next candidate character display control means The consonant character, the vowel character that can be combined with the consonant character, and the consonant character or vowel character that can be combined with the candidate character that combines the vowel characters are searched in order from the first character that configures the lemma of the lemma list To generate
The character input device according to [2], characterized in that

[7]
A server device connected to a communication terminal via a network,
First character transmission control means for transmitting display data of a list of consonant characters to the communication terminal in response to a request signal for character input according to a user operation from the communication terminal;
Data of a consonant character selected according to a user operation of the communication terminal is received from the display data of the list of consonant characters transmitted by the first character transmission control means, and the received consonant character and consonant character are combined Second character transmission control means for transmitting display data of a list of candidate characters combined with possible vowel characters to the communication terminal;
A server apparatus comprising:

[8]
A computer of an electronic device provided with a display unit,
First character display control means for displaying a list of consonant characters on the display unit;
The display unit displays a list of candidate characters combining the consonant characters selected from the list of consonant characters displayed by the first character display control means according to the user's operation and the vowel characters that can be combined with the consonant characters. Second character display control means for causing
A determined character determination unit configured to determine a candidate character selected according to a user operation from the list of candidate characters displayed by the second character display control unit as a determined character;
Computer readable program to function as.

10: Character input device 10D: Electronic dictionary device 10T: Tablet terminal 10S: Server device 11: CPU
12 Memory 12a Character input control processing program 12b Thai dictionary database 12c1 to 12c3 First to third characters (first to third character parts) list data area 12d Thai character font data area 12e Thai input Setting data area 13 ... external recording medium 14 ... recording medium reading unit 15 ... communication unit 16 ... key input unit 17 ... touch panel display unit 20 ... Web server 30 ... communication terminal

Claims (10)

Consonant character selection means for selecting any consonant character from a plurality of consonant characters according to a user operation ;
Candidate character selection means for selecting any one of a plurality of candidate characters from a plurality of candidate characters obtained by combining the consonant character selected by the consonant character selection means and the vowel character that can be combined with the consonant character; ,
An entry word acquisition unit for acquiring a plurality of entry words corresponding to candidate characters selected by the candidate character selection unit from a dictionary database storing information corresponding to each of a plurality of words serving as entry words;
Character input means for inputting the character of the entry word selected according to the user operation from among the plurality of entry words acquired by the entry word acquisition means ;
Character input device provided with. The consonant character selection means selects any consonant character from among a plurality of consonant characters listed on the display unit according to a user operation,
The candidate character selection unit causes the display unit to display a list of a plurality of candidate characters obtained by combining the consonant character selected by the consonant character selection unit and the vowel character that can be combined with the consonant character, and the displayed candidate Select one of the candidate characters from the list of characters according to the user operation,
The entry word acquisition unit acquires, from the dictionary database, entry words of a predetermined number or less corresponding to the candidate characters selected by the candidate character selection unit,
The character input means inputs the character of the entry word selected according to the user operation from among the entry words of the predetermined number or less acquired by the entry word acquisition means.
The character input device according to claim 1. The entry word acquisition unit
The candidate if the character number of headwords obtained from the dictionary database corresponding to the selected candidate characters by the selection means is not less than the predetermined number, the selected candidate characters and the candidate characters in accordance with the user operation Next candidate character display control means for displaying on the display unit a list of next candidate characters in combination with consonant characters or vowel characters that can be combined next to
A headword reacquisition means for acquiring a headword corresponding to the next candidate character selected according to the user operation from the list of next candidate characters displayed by the next candidate character display control means;
Until the number of entry words acquired by the entry word reacquisition unit becomes equal to or less than the predetermined number, and the next candidate character repeat display control means to repeat the display of the list of next candidate characters by the next candidate character display control means,
The character input device according to claim 2, comprising: The character input means is
A headword list display control unit that causes the display unit to display a list of headwords when the number of headwords acquired by the headword acquisition unit is equal to or less than the predetermined number;
A determined character determination unit configured to determine a character of a headword selected according to a user operation from among a plurality of headwords displayed in a list by the headword list display control unit as a determined character used for input;
The character input device according to claim 3, comprising: The consonant character selection means collectively displays a consonant character which is a part of the character and a plurality of consonant characters constituting a character obtained by combining a vowel character on the left with a consonant character on the right, and displaying a plurality of consonant characters displayed Select one of the consonant characters according to the user operation from among the characters,
The candidate character selection means, Ru candidate character of a combination of a consonant characters and vowel characters are displayed as the font image of the candidate characters,
The character input device according to any one of claims 2 to 4 . In the list of consonant letters displayed by the consonant letter selection means , the consonant letters constituting the letter combining the vowel letters after or above or below the consonant letters are listed consonant letters before the vowel letters before the consonant letters Display a list of the vowel characters that make up the combined character
The list of candidate characters displayed by the candidate character selection means includes candidate characters obtained by combining consonant characters before the vowel characters.
The character input device according to claim 5 . Data of a list of consonant characters displayed by the consonant character selection unit; and data of a list of candidate characters combined with vowel characters combinable with the consonant character of each consonant character displayed by the candidate character selection unit Data of a list of next candidate characters combined with consonant characters or vowel characters that can be combined with the candidate character for each candidate character combined with the vowel characters displayed by the next candidate character display control means is previously made as table data Remembered,
The character input device according to claim 3 . Data of a list of consonant characters displayed by the consonant character selection unit; and data of a list of candidate characters combined with vowel characters combinable with the consonant character of each consonant character displayed by the candidate character selection unit Data of a list of next candidate characters combined with consonant characters or vowel characters combinable with the candidate character for each candidate character combined with the vowel characters displayed by the next candidate character display control means is a list of headword lists The consonant character, a vowel character that can be combined with the consonant character, and a consonant character or vowel character that can be combined with a candidate character that combines the vowel characters are searched and generated in order from the first character constituting the entry word.
The character input device according to claim 3 . A character input method in which a communication terminal and a server device are connected via a network,
The server device transmits display data of a list of consonant characters to the communication terminal in response to a request signal for character input according to a user operation from the communication terminal ;
The server device receives data of consonant characters selected according to a user operation of the communication terminal from the transmitted display data of the list of consonant characters,
The server device transmits display data of a list of candidate characters obtained by combining the received consonant characters and vowel characters that can be combined with the consonant characters to the communication terminal ;
The server device receives data of candidate characters selected according to a user operation of the communication terminal from the transmitted display data of the list of candidate characters.
The server device acquires a plurality of entry words corresponding to the received candidate characters from a dictionary database storing information corresponding to each of a plurality of words serving as entry words.
The server device transmits data of the plurality of acquired head words to the communication terminal,
The communication terminal inputs the character of the entry word selected according to the user operation from among a plurality of entry words transmitted from the server device .
Character input method . Electronic computer,
Consonant character selection means for selecting any consonant character from a plurality of consonant characters according to user operation ;
Candidate character selection means for selecting any one of a plurality of candidate characters from among a plurality of candidate characters obtained by combining the consonant character selected by the consonant character selection means and the vowel character that can be combined with the consonant character;
An entry word acquisition unit for acquiring a plurality of entry words corresponding to candidate characters selected by the candidate character selection unit from a dictionary database storing information corresponding to each of a plurality of words serving as entry words;
Character input means for inputting a letter of an entry word selected according to a user operation from among a plurality of entry words acquired by the entry word acquisition means ;
Computer readable program to function as.