JPH03241456A - Kana/kanji converter of touch panel input system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily and quickly perform the input of KANJI (Chinese character) with the comparatively small number of times of Key setting by displaying the Japanese syllabary of (reading) classifying by every index by an information processing system provided with the key input part of small number of keys and of small size. CONSTITUTION:A display means is comprised of an LCD display means 3, and an input means consists of the input means 1 with constitution having a touch panel at the front of the LCD display means 3. The Japanese syllabary of (reading) is classified by every index and is displayed on the LCD display means 3, and KANA (Japanese syllabary) character data selected from displayed KANA character data is selected by the touch panel, and it is displayed on an input character display area. Furthermore, KANJI data corresponding to the KANA character data is displayed on the LCD display means 3 as a candidate KANJI, and selected KANJI data is displayed on the screen of the LCD. In such a way, it is possible to realize a KANA/KANJI converter with the information processing system provided with only a key input part with the small number of keys and of small size.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improvement in a touch panel input type kana-kanji conversion device suitable for use in small word processors and various other small information processing systems, and particularly relates to improvements in kana-kanji conversion devices using a touch panel input method suitable for use in small word processors and various other small information processing systems. In an information processing system that is equipped with a function to convert input kana (kana) character data into kanji data and perform character processing without using multiple keys, it is possible to input the required kanji easily and accurately. The present invention relates to a touch panel input type kana-kanji conversion device that has expanded the scope of use.

In recent years, information processing systems such as word processors and personal computers have become indispensable for Japanese language processing functions.In particular, in order to input kanji unique to Japanese, it is necessary to input kana character data and convert it into kanji data. Character processing function to convert,
A so-called kana-kanji conversion processing function has been added.

Here, the kana-kanji conversion process in conventional information processing systems will be briefly described.

In information processing systems with conventional character processing functions, J
It is assumed that an input device having a keyboard with a large number of keys, such as an IS keyboard, is used, and inputting kana character data requires selection of a large number of keys.

When inputting kanji, first input kana character data, but since there are generally multiple kanji with the same reading, the display order is determined in advance so that the desired kanji can be easily selected. Let me remember it.

Then, the "reading" corresponding to the input kana character data
Kanji (so-called candidate kanji) are read out from a kanji dictionary, one character or a plurality of characters (words), and displayed in order of display rank.

In this way, the kanji with the input "yomi" are
The characters are displayed in order according to the display order, and when the desired kanji is displayed, select the kanji and press the enter key.

In addition, methods have also been adopted in which multiple single Chinese sentences, such as nine characters, are displayed simultaneously on the same screen, or multiple sets of words are displayed simultaneously on the same screen.

However, conventional kana-kanji conversion processing is based on the use of a large number of keys, and the user inputs the desired kana character data by operating the character keys to display candidate kanji, select candidate kanji, etc. requires operating the function keys.

Note that a detailed explanation of the kanji data dictionary, display order storage memory, kanji selection function, kanji data display function, etc. required for this kana-kanji conversion will be omitted.

As described above, in information processing systems that have conventional character processing functions, especially the so-called kana-kanji conversion processing function that inputs kana character data and converts it into kanji data, JI
Key input devices with a large number of keys, such as the S keyboard,
In other words, it assumes character input using mechanical keys, has only a small manual key unit with a small number of keys, mainly inputs numbers, etc., and has not realized kana-kanji conversion using an input device that does not input a large amount of characters. .

However, in recent years, many information processing systems with only a small number of keys and a key manual have appeared, and even these small information processing systems do not require any special knowledge and can efficiently write kanji. Although input is desired,
The kana-kanji conversion device that can be used in such a system is
It doesn't exist yet.

In this invention, we will solve the disadvantages of conventional kana-kanji conversion devices, and in particular, we will develop a touch panel input type kana-kanji conversion device suitable for use in information processing systems equipped with only a small key input unit with a small number of keys. By providing a kana-kanji conversion device that solves the inconvenience of not having a keypad and makes it possible to input kanji with a relatively small number of key settings, it is possible to utilize this type of information processing system that only has a small key input section. The purpose is to expand the scope.

In this invention, an input means, a display means, a kanji data storage means in which kanji data which are homophones corresponding to "yomi" are stored;
Display ranking information storage means for storing display ranking information for displaying kanji data that are homophones corresponding to the reading, and kanji conversion candidate search for searching for kanji conversion candidates from the kanji data storage means according to the display ranking. and means for searching and displaying homophonic kanji data corresponding to the ``yomi'' from the kanji data storage means according to the display order in response to the ``yomi'' input from the input means, and displaying the displayed kanji. In an information processing system having a kana-kanji conversion function that converts a kanji corresponding to a "yomi" by selecting from conversion candidates, the display means is a display means constituted by an LCD display means, and the input means is an LCD display means. It consists of an input means having a touch panel on the front side, and has a reading of 50.
The index portion for dividing the sounds into indexes and displaying them on the LCD display means is selected by the display means, and the kana character data selected from among the kana character data displayed in the index division on the screen of the LCD is selected according to the state of the touch panel. a kana character data input display means for displaying the kana character data in the input character display area; a candidate kanji display means for displaying the kanji data corresponding to the kana character data input in the input character display area as candidate kanji on the LCD display means; and a kanji display means for displaying the selected kanji data as a candidate result on the screen of the LCD.

Next, embodiments of the touch panel input type kana-kanji conversion device of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment of the main configuration of a touch panel input type kana-kanji conversion device of the present invention. In the drawing, 1 is a touch sensor, 2
3 is an XY address conversion unit, 3 is a bitmap type display device, 4 is a processing unit, 5 is a data storage memory, 5a is a kana-kanji dictionary area, and 5b is a display order data area.

The functions of each part in the block diagram of FIG. 1 are outlined as follows.

The touch sensor l is an input unit for inputting kana (kana), selecting kanji, etc. when setting the kana-kanji conversion mode.

The XY address converter 2 has a function of outputting the sense position of the touch sensor 1.

This XY address conversion unit 2, together with the touch sensor 1,
It constitutes a function of performing software-based input corresponding to the key positions displayed on the screen of the bitmap display device 3, that is, a touch panel type input means.

The bitmap display device 3 is a display means composed of an LCD display means.

The processing unit 4 has a function of performing processing in accordance with the information input from the touch sensor 1, and as in the past, the processing unit 4 performs processing according to the display order of the display order data area 5b in the data storage memory 5, and displays the kana-kanji dictionary. A kanji conversion candidate search function that searches for kanji conversion candidates from area 5a and a touch sensor l
In response to the "yomi" input from , the kanji data of homophones corresponding to the "yomi" is searched and displayed from the kana-kanji dictionary area 5a according to the display order, and the "yomi" is selected from the displayed kanji conversion candidates. It has a kana-kanji conversion function that converts kanji into corresponding kanji.

Furthermore, as a new function, the 50 syllables of "yomi" are divided into indexes and displayed on the bitmap display device 3.The index part has a display function and a display device! A kana character data input display function selects the kana character data selected from the kana character data displayed as an index on the LCD screen of 3 based on the information from the touch sensor 1 and displays it in the input character display area. , display! 3. Candidate kanji display function that displays kanji data corresponding to kana character data input in the input character display area on the LCD screen as candidate kanji on the LCD screen, and LC that displays the selected kanji data as a candidate result.
It also has a kanji display function that displays on the D screen.

The data storage memory 5 is a memory having a kana-kanji dictionary area 5a and a display order data area 5b.

In this kana-kanji dictionary area 5a, the input “yomi”
and the corresponding kanji are memorized. That is,
This is a kanji data storage means that stores kanji data that are homophones and allographs corresponding to "yomi".

Furthermore, data indicating the display order of each kanji is stored in the 1-display order data area 5b. That is,
This is display order information storage means for storing information on the display order for displaying kanji data that are homophones and allographs corresponding to "yomi".

As shown in FIG. 1, the touch panel input type kana-kanji conversion device of the present invention is equipped with an input means in which a touch sensor 1 is arranged on the front surface of a display device 3, and has small keys that do not have many keys like a keyboard. It has a human resources department.

When performing kana-kanji conversion, the index portion is displayed on the screen of the display device 3 by dividing the 50 syllables of "yomi" into indexes. Specifically, three lines of 50 syllables are divided into four sections, for example, and kana character keys are displayed so that the kana characters corresponding to each section can be selected.

Therefore, in this case, by selecting any one of the four sections, a desired kana character can be selected and input.

The subsequent kana-kanji conversion process is basically the same as that of the conventional kana-kanji conversion device.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when character input mode is set in the touch panel input type kana-kanji conversion device of the present invention. In the drawing, A1 is an edit line area, A2 is an input control key area, A3 is a "cancel" key area, A4 is an input mode selection key area, A5 is a "set" key area, and A6 is a character key display area.

When the character input mode is set on the item selection screen (not shown), a screen as shown in FIG. 2 is displayed.

That is, at the top of the screen is a horizontal edit line area A1, on the left side of the screen is a vertical input control key area A2 and "Cancel" key area A3, and on the right side is a vertical edit line area A1. An input mode selection key area A4 and a "set" key area A5 are respectively displayed.

The central part surrounded by each of these areas Al-A3 is the character key display area A6, and in the state of the initial setting screen, there is a 1-line horizontal kana character string selection key area and a multi-line character selection key area. The key area is displayed.

The kana character string selection key area includes the "Akasa" key to select kana character strings from "A line to Sa line" of the Japanese syllabary, and the "Tanaha" key from "Ta line to Ha line". , the "Maya" key from "Ma line" to "Ra line", and the "Waaya" key to select "Wa line", "A line", and "Ya line", a total of 4 kana characters. Column selection keys are displayed.

FIG. 2 shows a state in which the "Akasa" key at the upper left corner of the kana character string selection key area is selected. In FIG. 2, it is assumed that, for example, when the "Kana/Kana" mode in the input mode selection key area A4 is selected on the initial setting screen, the "Akasa" key is set.

When this "Akasa" key is selected, the lower part of the character key display area A6, that is, the character selection key area, displays each character corresponding to the 15 characters of the "A line to Sa line" of the Japanese syllabary, and the voiced mark. "..." key, handakuten "・" key, long tone "-"
” key is displayed.

In the character input operation, when you press the kana character display area in the character selection key area with your finger on the display screen shown in Figure 2, the pattern of the input kana character will be displayed in the edit line area A1. .

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the "convert" key is pressed after inputting the kana character "ai" on the display screen of FIG.

After inputting the character "Ai" in the edit line area A1, if you press the display area of the "Convert J key" displayed in the input control key area A2 on the left with your finger, the character in the edit line area A1 will disappear and the character will be replaced. In addition, in the character key display area A6 in the center surrounded by each area A1 to A5 (kana character string selection key area and single character selection key area in Figure 2), as shown in Figure 3, kana characters " The homophone candidate for ``Ai'' is displayed according to the preset display order, for example, ``Ai''.
They are displayed in the order of ``Ai'', ``Ai'', ``Koi'', ``姶'', and ``Ai''.

Note that the "previous candidate j key" and the "next candidate" key are displayed below the character key display area A6, similar to the conventional kana-kanji conversion device, but if the number of homophone candidate kanji groups is small, Needless to say, there is no need to use it.

When the display screen in Figure 3 is in the kanji candidate selection state, select a desired kanji from the displayed candidates and press the display area of that kanji with your finger, and the desired kanji will appear in the edit line area A1. displayed and entered at the same time.

Here, the input operation of kana characters using the touch panel input type kana-kanji conversion device of the present invention will be specifically explained.

Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of changes in the display screen and key settings due to input operations, in which (1) to (4) one of the ephemeral character string selection key areas is selected, and (5) In (1), “
After selecting the "Akasa" key, the kana character "Ai" is entered, (6) is the state where the "Convert" key is pressed in (5),
(7) shows a state in which the kanji candidate "ai" is selected in (6).

FIG. 4(1) shows the display state of the character selection key area when the "Akasa" key is selected in the kana character string selection key area.

FIG. 4(2) shows the display state of the character selection key area when the "Tanaha" key is selected within the same kana character string selection key area.

FIG. 4(3) shows the display state of the character selection key area when the "Maya" key is selected within the same kana character string selection key area.

FIG. 4 (4) similarly shows the display state of the character selection key area when the "Waaya" key is selected within the kana character string selection key area.

In the display states shown in Figure 4 (1) to (4), if you select any one of the character string selection key areas that you would like to input, "3 lines" of 50 syllables will be displayed in the character selection key area A5.
Each character corresponding to the 15 characters, a voiced mark "・'" key, a handakuten "・" key, and a long sound "-" key are displayed.

For example, as shown in Figure 4 (1), if you select the "Akasa" key in the kana character string selection key area and input the kana character "Ai", the editor will appear as shown in Figure 4 (5). ``Ai'' is displayed in the line area A1, and if you press the display area of the ``Convert'' key in the input control key area A2 with your finger, the kana character ``AI'' is displayed as shown in Figure 4 (6). A group of candidate kanji for homonyms will be displayed.

On the display screen shown in Figure 4 (6), if you press the display area of the kanji ``ai'' to select it, the kanji ``ai'' will be displayed in the editing line area Al and the kanji will be displayed as shown in Figure 4 (7). is input.

As described above, in the touch panel input type kana-kanji conversion device of the present invention, the index portion is displayed by the display means as shown in FIG.
As shown in 1) to (4), a one-line kana character string selection key area is provided horizontally within the character key display area A6, and the ``kana character string selection key'' is divided into indexes for the 50 sounds of ``yomi''. ”
is displayed, and when this character string selection key is selected, the corresponding character selection key is displayed in the area below it (multiple lines).
to be displayed.

In addition, the kana character data input and display means shown in Fig. 4 (
5), when the "kana character string selection key" in the character key display area A6 is selected, the selected kana character data is displayed in the edit line area A1, which is the input character display area.

When the "convert" key is pressed, the candidate kanji display means displays kanji data corresponding to the kana character data displayed in the edit line area A1 as a candidate kanji in the character key display area A6.

Furthermore, the selected kanji data is displayed as a candidate result in the edit line area A1 on the LCD screen by the kanji display means, as shown in FIG. 4 (7).

Next, the operation of the touch panel input type kana-kanji conversion device of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 when inputting kana characters will be explained with reference to a flowchart.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the main processing flow when inputting kana characters in the touch panel input type kana-kanji conversion device of the present invention.
1 to #14 indicate steps.

When inputting kana characters, when an item is selected on an item selection screen (not shown), it is determined in step #l whether a character input mode has been selected.

If character input mode is selected, step #
Proceed to step 2 to display a character input screen as shown in Figure 2.

In step #3, the "Kana/Kana" key display area of the input mode selection key area A4 is pressed with a finger to set the "Kana-Kanji input" mode.

In step #4, it is determined whether one key display area in the kana character string selection key area has been selected, and if any one of the key display areas in the kana character string selection key area has been selected. If so, proceed to the next step #5 and press the character selection key area in the character selection key area as shown in Figure 4 (1) to (4).
Displays three lines of character keys for the selected 50 syllables.

In the next step #6, it is determined whether the character key display area in the character selection key area has been selected, and if any one of the character selection keys has been selected, the next step #6 is
Proceeding to step 7, the selected kana character is displayed in the edit line area A1 as shown in FIG. 4 (5).

In the next step #8, it is determined whether or not a key display area within 2-86 has been selected for each area.

If, as a result of the judgment in step #8, the character key display area in the character selection key area is selected, return to step #7 and select the edit line as shown in Figure 4 (5). The newly selected kana character is displayed in area A1.

Also, as a result of the judgment in step #8, if any one of the character string selection key display areas in the kana character string selection key area is selected, proceed to step #5 again.
Returning to FIG. 4, the character keys for three lines of the selected 50 syllables are displayed in the character selection key area as shown in FIGS. 4 (1) to (4).

As a result of the determination in step #8, if the display area of the "convert" key in the input control key area A2 is selected, the process advances to the next step #9.

At step #9, as shown in FIG. 4 (6), candidate kanji groups of homophones corresponding to the characters in the edit line area A1 are displayed in accordance with a preset display order.

In step 310, it is determined whether or not the input is from the candidate kanji key. If the input is not from the candidate kanji key, the process proceeds to step #11.

In step #11, it is determined whether the input is the "r previous candidate" key or the "next candidate" key.

As a result of the judgment in step #11, if the input is the ``previous candidate'' key or the ``next candidate'' key, proceed to the next step #12.
to display the ``previous candidate'' or ``next candidate'' kanji group,
Return to step #lO again.

Similar processing is performed below.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step #10 that the candidate kanji key is being input, the process proceeds to step #13, where the selected candidate kanji is confirmed and the edit is performed as shown in Figure 4 (6). The confirmed kanji is input and displayed in the line area A1.

In step #14, it is determined whether or not the input of kana characters has been completed, and if it has not been completed, the process returns to the previous step #4 and the same process is performed.
Finish the flow in the diagram.

By the above processing of steps #1 to #14 in Fig. 5,
A character input operation is performed using the touch panel input type kana-kanji conversion device of the present invention.

According to the touch panel input type kana-kanji conversion device of this invention, an information processing system with only a small key input section with a small number of keys, such as an information processing system such as an electronic notebook, can be used with 5 display screens. Even if the capacity of ``Yomi'' is small, the 50 syllables of ``yomi'' are divided into indexes and displayed, making it possible to input kanji easily and quickly with a relatively small number of key settings.

In other words, even if there are many types of kana characters such as the 50 syllables, by dividing the 50 syllables of the ``yomi'' into indexes, it can be written on a small-capacity LC.
It is divided into multiple groups of 15 to 20 sounds each that can be displayed on the D screen, so by selecting the display of the "yomi" character key that contains the desired kana character, 1
It becomes possible to input kana characters by setting as few keys as 5 to 20 syllables.

Furthermore, since the number of keys displayed on one screen is small, it is easy to select a desired key, and there is less room for mistakes in selection.

Furthermore, the same applies when displaying candidate kanji groups, for example,
Even when there is a large number of kanji data that are homophones corresponding to the "yomi" such as a word, you can select multiple kanji by pressing the display area of the "previous candidate" key or "next candidate" key with your finger. Since the screen can be divided and displayed sequentially, and there are few selection keys on the same screen, erroneous selections are less likely to occur.

As mentioned above, it is easy to add a kana-kanji conversion function even to an information processing system equipped with only a small manual key unit with a small number of keys, and the range of its use is significantly expanded. The effect is produced.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing one embodiment of the essential configuration of the touch panel input type kana-kanji conversion device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a character input mode setting in the touch panel input type kana-kanji conversion device of the present invention. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen shown in Figure 2 when the ``convert'' key is pressed after inputting the kana character ``ai''; Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen in Figure 2. , a diagram showing an example of changes in display screen and key settings due to input operations, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the main process flow when inputting kana characters in the touch panel input type kana-kanji conversion device of the present invention. In the drawing, 1 is a touch sensor, 2 is an XY address converter, 3 is a bitmap type display device, 4 is a processing unit, and 5 is a touch sensor.
is a data storage memory, 5a is its kana-kanji dictionary area, and 5b is a display order data area.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] An input means, a display means, a kanji data storage means that stores kanji data that are homophones corresponding to "yomi";
Display ranking information storage means for storing display ranking information for displaying kanji data that are homophones corresponding to the reading, and kanji conversion for searching for kanji conversion candidates from the kanji data storage means according to the display ranking. candidate search means, in response to the input of the "yomi" from the input means, searches and displays kanji data of homophones corresponding to the "yomi" from the kanji data storage means according to the display order; In an information processing system having a kana-kanji conversion function that converts a kanji corresponding to a "yomi" by selecting from the displayed kanji conversion candidates, the display means comprises a display means constituted by an LCD display means; The input means consists of an input means having a touch panel on the front of the LCD display means, and has 50 readings.
index division display means for dividing sounds into indexes and displaying them on the LCD display means; and displaying kana character data selected from among the kana character data displayed in index division on the screen of the LCD according to the state of the touch panel. Kana character data input/display means for selecting and displaying the Kana character data in the input character display area; and candidate kanji display means for displaying the kanji data corresponding to the kana character data input in the input character display area as candidate kanji on the LCD display means. A touch panel input type kana-kanji conversion device, comprising: a kanji display means for displaying selected kanji data as a candidate result on the screen of the LCD.