JPS63221463A - Japanese word input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable even an operator unfamiliar with key input operations to perform the effective input of Japanese word, by displaying the contents of KANA (Japanese syllabary)/KANJI (Chinese character) converted word and phrase on a display means in the form of a list. CONSTITUTION:The character codes are supplied to a Japanese word converting part 23 via an input interface part 24 with operation of key on a keyboard 1. The part 23 performs the KANA/KANJI conversion with reference to a Japanese word dictionary 25 and an idiom data base 26. These converted words and phrases are registered to a selection input memory part 27 and at the same time displayed on a display device 15. Thus, the KANA/KANJI converted words and phrases are displayed on the device 15 in the form of a list. As a result, even an operator unfamiliar with key input operations refers to said list for selection of words and phrases and can effectively perform the input of Japanese words.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] "Industrial Application Field" The present invention relates to a Japanese input device that can manually create sentences containing kanji and kana, such as a Japanese word processor, and particularly relates to a Japanese input device that can manually create sentences containing kanji and kana, such as a Japanese word processor. This invention relates to a Japanese input device that can easily create sentences containing kanji and kana using .

"Prior Art" FIG. 6 shows the general configuration of a Japanese language input device. Japanese input devices that perform kana-kanji conversion are:
A keyboard 1 is provided as a means for performing manual input such as kana. Human power data from the keyboard 1 is converted into a corresponding code by the human power interface section 2, and then stored in the Japanese language conversion section 3 and supplied to the output interface section 4. Output interface section 4 is CR
It is connected to a display device 5 such as T, etc., and when a kana reading is entered manually from the keyboard, the content is displayed in kana.

When the inputted pronunciations become a certain unit, the user instructs kana-kanji conversion from the keyboard 1. Here, the unit is one consisting of, for example, one idiom, one phrase, or an appropriate combination thereof. When kana-kanji conversion is instructed, this instruction command is sent to the Japanese conversion section 3. The Japanese conversion unit 3 searches the Japanese dictionary 6 for jukugo data or bunsetsu data corresponding to the pronunciation code stored up to that point. Then, as a result, convertible data corresponding to the kana code is selected.

When the first candidate as convertible data is selected from the Japanese conversion unit 3, the output interface unit 4 erases the reading kana display on the display device 5, and instead displays the first candidate as the conversion result in that part. to be displayed. The user looks at this display and confirms whether the text has been converted into the intended Japanese.

If the conversion results are different, the user instructs the keyboard 1 to display the next candidate. As a result, the next candidate is selected from the Japanese converter 3, and the second candidate is displayed on the display device 5 instead of the first candidate.

In this way, the conversion results are displayed one after another until the intended Japanese is displayed.

When the desired Japanese language is displayed and an instruction is given to select it from the keyboard 1, the conversion result is determined and its contents are sent to the data storage section 7.

In this way, the processing of Japanese as a sentence containing kanji, kana, and kanji proceeds.

In this way, conventional Japanese input generally involves the following operations.

(1) Decide on the Japanese language you want to use manually.

(2) Manually write the pronunciations corresponding to the conversion unit.

(3) Provide instructions for Japanese conversion.

(4) If the conversion result is not the intended one, perform a selection instruction operation for the next conversion candidate.

(5) Repeat the operation in (4) above until the desired result is obtained.

(6) When the target conversion result is obtained, perform an instruction operation to select the conversion result to confirm it.

Of the operations (1) to (6) above, the most time-consuming step, except for (1), varies depending on the skill level of the user, but in most cases (2) reading kana human power and (4) In other words, if the user is not accustomed to manual input from the keyboard, (2) pronunciation kana manual input will take the most time, and once the user becomes proficient with key operations, the selection instruction operation (4) will take the most time. The specific gravity increases.For operation (4),
Efforts have also been made to reduce the number of operations for indicating the next candidate by reflecting the conversion state of Japanese dark that has been applied in the past in the priority of conversion candidates as a learning result.

In order to improve the functionality of the Japanese language processing system in conventional Japanese input devices, measures have been taken to increase the conversion unit for Japanese and to have the processing system automatically determine the conversion unit. Efforts are being made to reduce the number of instruction operations required for Japanese conversion as shown in (3).

Furthermore, as a method for simplifying the operations after (2), past Japanese conversion results are also reused. A typical example of these is an operation called copying. In this operation, the user specifies by key operation the portion of the Japanese text displayed on the display device 5 that is to be reused, and copies it to a predetermined location in the Japanese text. If this copying function can be used effectively, it is possible to input Japanese sentences without having to perform instructions for conversion or selection of candidates. However, in order to realize such a copying function, it is necessary to display in advance a usable portion of previously input text on the display device 5 and to specify it using the keyboard. For this reason, if the length of one unit of Japanese to be reused is about the size of an idiom, the length is not very long, so it is more efficient to perform kanji-kana conversion by reading input rather than using the copy function. This means that you can make various inputs. That is, the scope of use for Japanese input using the copying function is limited, such as when manually inputting relatively long sentences or mathematical formulas.

``Problems to be solved by the invention'' Traditionally, when trying to improve the functionality of Japanese language processing systems using Japanese input devices, it has been necessary to create large-scale idiom dictionaries that contain connection and conjugation information for parts of speech in Japanese sentences, and complex A sophisticated processing program is required to properly process the syntax. Furthermore, in order to efficiently perform the Japanese language conversion that the user intended, the Japanese language processing that includes frequently used phrases is repeatedly performed on the same device, and the Japanese language conversion mechanism of the processing system selects conversion candidates. History needs to be learned. This has resulted in an increase in the cost of the Japanese input device, and has also resulted in placing an excessive burden on novice users who are not accustomed to key operations.

For the reasons explained above, the following two points are required of users of Japanese input devices.

(i) As a basic skill, the ability to accurately input keys that correspond to the pronunciation of Japanese sentences.

(ii) Skills to understand the flow of conversion processing and perform appropriate conversion and selection instruction operations according to the functions of the Japanese language processing system being used.

In order to perform manual Japanese at a more practical speed, it was necessary (iii) to practice key operations and the like to become sufficiently familiar with the Japanese input device.

Although conventional Japanese input devices have a learning function as described above, learning cannot be performed simply by displaying Japanese sentences related to the sentence to be input on the display. Directly read the words manually,
The only way to do this was to have the device learn the conversion results.

In this way, with conventional Japanese input devices, the method of operating the device, which focuses on key operations, is aimed at experienced users, and little consideration has been given to simple input methods for those who are inexperienced in operating the device. Ta.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a Japanese language input device having an input means that allows even an inexperienced person to input Japanese characters efficiently.

"Means for Solving Problems" The present invention includes (i>keyboard), (11) kana-kanji conversion means for converting kana-kanji readings input from the keyboard, and (iii) kana-kanji conversion. A Japanese language input device is provided with display means for displaying the displayed words as a list, and (iv) display word input means for selecting and inputting the words displayed by the display means.

That is, in the present invention, by displaying a list of 5-phrases that have been converted into kanji and kana characters at present or in the past, it is possible to select from this list a considerable portion of the words to be input.

Therefore, it is possible to speed up Japanese input, especially for those who are inexperienced in key operations. Here, the list will normally display the actually inputted phrases in order, but the list will be displayed for another document that can be used as a reference, and the Japanese language will be started. It is also possible.

Note that duplication of words can be avoided by displaying the words in a matrix arrangement while adding words corresponding to the new reading ability of the display means. For example, if the phrases are displayed sequentially from the upper left to the lower right of the display section, they can be easily selected by specifying the row and column. In addition, the display means can display the possibility of reuse of the word or phrase by displaying the ambiguous phrase selected by the display word input means differently from other words, thereby making it easier to use.

In addition, the display means reads out and displays words with the same pronunciation as the words and phrases that match the inputted Japanese sentences and the words that are selected by the display word manual means.
It is possible to display words and phrases that are frequently selected. If the database stores information such as the frequency of use and connection relationship with other words for each word, it will be possible to display words related to the entered code phrase, making it easier for users to use. It becomes possible to display S1 phrases with high probability.

"Example" The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to Examples.

"First Embodiment" FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a Japanese language input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

This Japanese input device 11 is comprised of a device main body 13 with a display screen 12 and a keyboard 14 connected thereto. Other input/output devices such as a printer can be connected to the device main body 13 as necessary. The display screen 12 is divided into two screens, upper and lower, in a special mode called "selection mode." The upper screen is called the selection screen 15, and the lower screen is called the text screen 16. On the selection screen 15, up to 100 types of words are displayed in a matrix of 10XIO. The text screen 16 displays the input text.

The keyboard 14 includes character keys 17 for inputting characters, and function keys 18 and numeric keys 19 for setting the device to a predetermined mode or function. The character keys 17 are composed of several dozen keys, each of which corresponds to one or more Japanese pronunciations, alphanumeric characters, or symbols. When these pronunciations, symbols, etc. are selected by key operation, a corresponding character code is generated. In normal manual character manipulation performed by experts, the Japanese pronunciation to be input is manually input in kana or romaji. Then, for example, instruct kanji-kana conversion on a word-by-phrase basis, and at this time select a desired one from among the plurality of conversion results displayed on the display screen 12,
When the conversion results are displayed one by one, the user inputs words one after another by sequentially specifying the conversion results and displaying the desired one. At this time, the display screen 12
may consist of only the text screen 16.

As already explained, such input operations are not easy for unskilled users who are not accustomed to using the keys manually. This is because such users directly look for the character display written on the character key 17 and press the key. Therefore, in this embodiment, the user sets the device to the "selection mode", thereby eliminating the need for human effort to convert words and phrases into kanji and kana. The mode can be set to "selection mode" by, for example, pressing the first function key 18A, or the mode can be selected numerically using the numeric keypad 19 when the menu is displayed on the display screen 12. .

Now, when the "selection mode" is designated, numbers 1 to 10 are displayed horizontally and vertically on the selection screen 15, as shown in FIG. 1.

These are row numbers and column numbers, respectively, and the displayed words can be selected by numerically inputting them from the numeric keypad 19. For example, “Kanji” in the 3rd row and 2nd column
If the word ``32'' is displayed and the user is trying to enter this character manually, simply input the number ``32'' from the numeric keypad 14, which specifies the row number and column number in order, to complete the human cover for this word. become.

On the selection screen 15 displayed in the "selection mode", words corresponding to the new pronunciation input are displayed. This is to avoid duplicate display. New reading input words are
When they are registered according to the procedure described later, they are displayed in the order of registration from the upper left to the lower right of the selection screen 15. At this time, only the first few words of a relatively long phrase are displayed. A maximum of 100 types of words and phrases are displayed on the display screen 12 of this embodiment, but if more words and phrases are registered than this, the display contents are changed again in order from the upper left of the display screen I2.

In other words, when 100 types of words are displayed, 1
When displaying the 01st type of word/phrase, the 101st word/phrase will be displayed in the upper left corner of the display screen 12 where the oldest displayed Buddhist scripture is located at this stage.

Even when 100 types of words are displayed on the display screen 12, in this embodiment, in order to display the most recently inputted word to the user, this word is underlined. Of course, other display methods can be used, such as increasing the brightness of the displayed characters only for the word or phrase, or displaying them blinking. Furthermore, in this device, the selected trigon phrase is displayed in a different color from the other colors to indicate that it is frequently used.

For example, the color may be changed to a warmer color as the number of selections increases. With this kind of innovation, users can easily select words based on both elapsed time and frequency of use.

FIG. 2 schematically shows the circuit configuration of this Japanese language input device. A display device 21 having a display screen 12 is connected to a Japanese language conversion section 23 via an output interface section 22. The Japanese conversion section 23 is constituted by a computer system including a CPU (central processing unit), and is connected to the keyboard 14 via an input interface section 24. It is also connected to a Japanese dictionary 25, a jukusute database 26, a selection input storage section 27, and a data storage section 28.

Here, the Japanese dictionary 25 is a dictionary for performing kanji-kana conversion. The phrase database 26 is a storage unit that stores data for converting phrases. The selection input storage section 27 is a storage section for storing words and phrases to be displayed on the selection screen 15 and their display modes. The data storage unit 28 is a storage unit that stores documents created by converting kanji to kana. Selection screen 1 shown in Figure 1
5, the new reading input word is registered by comparing and determining the word with the existing word when the word converted by the Japanese conversion unit 23 is sent to the data storage unit 28. It has become.

FIG. 3 is for explaining the registration work for displaying on the selection screen for the Japanese input device configured as described above. The operation of the Japanese language input device will be explained with reference to FIG.

The user can use the keyboard 14 shown in FIG. 1 or FIG.
When the key operation is performed, the character code is supplied to the Japanese conversion section 23 via the human interface section 24. The Japanese conversion unit 23 refers to the Japanese dictionary 25 and the phrase database 26 to determine conversion candidates. The interface unit 22 then outputs the character code for that word.
and displayed on the text screen 16 in the display device 21. If the displayed conversion content is not what the user desires, the user instructs the display of the next candidate. in this case,
The Japanese conversion unit 23 selects the next candidate and displays it on the text screen 16 in the same manner. If the user starts manually manipulating the next word or phrase without making any changes to the displayed content, the conversion of the word or phrase input just before is confirmed (step 3 in FIG. 3). Note that the selection input storage section 2
When 7 is used to input words, the conversion is confirmed at once.

Once the conversion of a predetermined word is confirmed in this way, the data entered for that word (human data) is compared with the input data for each word on the selection screen 15. It is determined whether there is matching input data inside (step ■)
. This is done by successively comparing the data read from the selection input storage unit 27, which stores input data in rows and columns in correspondence with the selection screen 15, with the input data whose conversion has been finalized. As a result, if there is a matching word/phrase (Y), the display mode of the selection manual data for the matching word/phrase is changed. In this embodiment, the display color is changed.

On the other hand, if there is no matching human power data on the selection screen 15 (step 2; N), this kanji code string is registered in the selected human power storage section 27. At this time, the pointer in the selection manual storage section 27 is advanced by one to specify the location to be registered. At the same time, the Japanese conversion unit 23 displays the converted phrase at the corresponding position on the selection screen 15 (step ■).

By the way, in this embodiment, the selection input storage section 27 stores a maximum of 10
Since input data for only 0 types of words can be registered, if 100 types of words have already been registered, by moving the pointer forward by one as described above, the input data can be registered at the earliest point in time. The word input data will be replaced with new human input data. Of course, if the input data to be deleted instead is a frequently used word whose display color was changed in step It is effective to erase the data instead.

Next, an example of data input operation will be shown. Assume that you are creating a completely new document, and you want to change the following sentences.

"By changing the display brightness or display color of characters, the user can easily find frequently used characters from the selection screen depending on the display mode." In this case, initially there is nothing on the selection screen 15. is not displayed, and no data is stored in the selection manual storage section 27.

(1) Then, the user presses the character key 17 on the keyboard 14.
Enter the pronunciation of ``Moji'' using , and confirm the word ``Character''. At this time, text screen 16
Since the keyboard 14 is used, the input method is substantially the same as the conventional input method. When confirming the conversion, other homophones such as "Moji" may appear first, so
It is necessary to give conversion instructions and selection instructions. Therefore, the special keys used for this purpose are character keys other than reading kana (
For example, it is necessary to use the line feed key, escape key, control key, etc.). Once the conversion is confirmed,
The word "character" is displayed in the upper left corner of the selection screen 15 (first row, first column).

(2) Next, the user inputs the flat name "NO". This is not displayed on the selection screen 15.

(3) The user then inputs the words "display" and "brightness" in their respective pronunciations and confirms the conversion. "display"
The characters ``BRIGHTNESS'' are displayed in the 1st row, 2nd column, 1O of the text screen 16, and the characters ``BRIGHTNESS'' are displayed in the 1st row, 3rd column, respectively.

(4) Next, the user inputs the flat name "Or". This is also not displayed on the selection screen 15 like "no". However, such words that appear repeatedly and are long to some extent may be displayed on the selection screen 15 by performing a special registration operation even if they are flat names.

(5) The user then inputs the "display color". If we divide this ``display color'' into two words, ``display'' and ``color,'' we can input the number ``1'' from the keyboard for the first word ``display.''
This can be done easily by inputting 2". When the input of "display" is confirmed, the color changes because this word has been used twice. For the next word "color", a normal input operation is performed, and this is displayed in the first row and fourth column of the selection screen 15.

(6) Next, input after "wo" is performed. In this process, the words "display" and "character" can be entered manually using numerical values from the keyboard 14.

As described above, in the Japanese score input device of this embodiment, it is possible to determine the input of a phrase that appears once by inputting two types of numerical values, row and column. If the rows and columns on the selection screen 15 are classified from "0" to "9" at the maximum, the numeric keypad 19 only needs to be operated twice for one word including rows and columns. Even inexperienced people can quickly work together.

In this first embodiment, the selection screen 15 and the text screen 16 are arranged vertically, but it goes without saying that they may be arranged on the left and right sides of the display screen. It is also effective to display these items while moving them to an arbitrary location using multi-window display.

It is also convenient to set the number of display items on the selection screen 15 to two or more as necessary, and to give each display content its own character.

Furthermore, in this first embodiment, only the words and phrases actually created manually are registered on the selection screen 15, but it is also possible to call up texts in related fields and display data on the words and phrases used for them on the selection screen 15. It's okay. This makes it possible to utilize the selection screen 15 from the time of first input. Furthermore, in this example, the shortest units of kanji, such as verbs and nouns, were treated as one phrase, but it is also possible to register a long sentence that spans several lines as one phrase if necessary. Of course. Furthermore, it is also effective from the point of view of input operations to register things such as English place names and mathematical formulas as one unit of words as needed.

As explained above, in this first embodiment, the selection screen 1
Since the words and phrases registered for display in 5 are limited to newly appearing words and phrases, various words and phrases can be displayed effectively even though the space on the display screen is small.

"Second Embodiment" FIG. 4 shows an outline of the circuit configuration of a Japanese language input device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 4, parts that are substantially the same as those in FIG. 2 are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted as appropriate. Note that the external appearance of the device used in this second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and its illustration is omitted.

Now, in the first embodiment, data that can be displayed on the selection screen 15 is registered in the selection input storage section 27 in the number of matrix elements on that screen (100 in the previous embodiment). In contrast, in this second embodiment, such data is registered in the selection input storage section 27 and also in the phrase database section 31. At this time, the phrase database section 3
In I, not only the kanji code string of this data but also the position of the data referred to in the phrase database section 31 immediately before inputting this data is registered as reference data. The purpose of this is to connect related words and phrases, and when one is manually input as data, one or more related words can be displayed on the selection screen 15, making it easier for the user to input. .

That is, since the related information of each Kogo phrase is stored in the phrase database section 31, it is possible to grasp the positions of related phrases using one phrase as a key. Since the position of each word/phrase is fixed in the phrase database section 31, each position directly displays the related word/phrase.

FIG. 5 shows the operating procedure of the Japanese language input device in this second embodiment.

In the Japanese input device in this second embodiment, each time data is input, the input data is compared with data stored in the idiom database 31 (step ■).
. And if there is no match (step ■; Y)
, add the input data to the phrase database 31 (
Step ■).

At this time, the position information of the data referenced immediately before is registered together with the input data. The human power data newly registered in this way is displayed on the selection screen 15 (FIG. 1) (step 2).

On the other hand, if the input data is data that already exists in the phrase database 31, step
), the reference data described above for the input data is read from the idiom database unit 31 (step
). Then, it is determined whether the reference data as this related information exists in the selection input storage section 27 (step 2). If there is a match (step ■; Y), there is no need to newly display this on the selection screen 15.

Therefore, in this case, the color in which the word is displayed is changed to indicate that the word is likely to be selected next. In some cases, it may be effective to temporarily display this in a blinking manner.

If there is no data located in the selection input storage unit 27 (step ■; N), the related data is stored in the selection input storage unit 27.
to register and display it (step ■).

However, the words and phrases that are registered in this way as highly relevant often lose their relevance when other words and phrases are input. Therefore, the word/phrase extracted by the processing in step (2) may be displayed for a certain period of time, and the display position may be given over to another word/phrase again.

In this second embodiment, for example, when the word "selection" is input, the word "screen J" or "input J" is displayed on the selection screen 15. The advantage is that compound words can be handled extremely smoothly by humans.

In addition, in the first and second embodiments described above, words and phrases on the selection screen were selected using the keyboard.
Similar designation is also possible using a coordinate designation means such as a light ben or a mouse. Further, in the embodiment, one screen is divided and displayed, but display contents may be allocated to two or more screens.

"Effects of the Invention" As explained above, according to the present invention, the contents of words converted into kana-kanji are displayed as a list on the display means, so even difficult words whose pronunciations are unknown can be input easily. Can be done.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figures 1 to 3 are for explaining the first embodiment of the present invention, of which Figure 1 is an external view of the Japanese input device;
Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of this Japanese input device, Fig. 3 is a flow chart showing the registration work for displaying on the selection screen, and Figs. 4 and 5 are the second embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the Japanese input device, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating data display and writing control of the selected input storage section. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the general configuration of a Japanese language input device. 12...Display screen, 13...Group/device body, 1
4...Keyboard, 15...Selection screen, 23...Japanese conversion section, 25...Japanese dictionary, 26...Mature Kogo Database, 27...
- Selection human power storage section, 31... Idiom data pace section. Applicant: Japan Atomic Energy Corporation, Agent

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A keyboard, a kana-kanji conversion means for converting the reading input from the keyboard into kana-kanji, and a display that displays part or all of the words converted into kana-kanji as a list. 1. A Japanese language input device comprising: means for inputting words and phrases displayed by the display means; and display word input means for selecting and inputting words displayed by the display means. 2. The Japanese language input device according to claim 1, wherein the display means displays words in a matrix arrangement while adding words corresponding to the new pronunciation input. 3. The Japanese language input device according to claim 1, wherein the display means displays the word selected by the display word input means differently from other words. 4. The Japanese language input device according to claim 2, wherein the display means sequentially displays the words from the upper left to the lower right of the display unit that displays the words. 5. The Japanese language input device according to claim 1, wherein the display means reads words and phrases that match the Japanese sentences read and input from the database and displays them. 6. The Japanese language input device according to claim 1, wherein the display means reads out from the database words with the same pronunciation as the words selected by the display word input means and displays them. 7. The Japanese language input device according to claim 2, wherein the display word input means selectively inputs words arranged in rows and columns by specifying rows and columns.