JP4780862B2 - String input method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a character string input method and a character string input device that are particularly suitable for application to a terminal device such as a mobile phone.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a terminal device such as a mobile phone, a character string is input using a predetermined key when performing telephone number address registration, e-mail transmission, or the like. However, mobile phones and the like are downsized to improve portability, and there are restrictions on the number and size of keys provided. For this reason, for example, it is necessary to input a character string with one thumb, and the input operation of the character string is troublesome. To simplify this, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-47791 discloses that when a character string input halfway matches a character string from the beginning to the middle of a word stored in the storage device, the word is changed. What has been made to input as a character string is proposed.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, even in the technique of the above publication, characters must be input until they match the character string at the beginning of the word stored in the storage device. For example, asasai, asaichi, When there are a plurality of words having the same number of characters from the beginning in the storage device, there is a problem in that many characters must be input after all.
Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a character string input method and a character string input device capable of inputting a character string by inputting as few characters as possible. is there.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a character string input method using a character string input device including a character input unit, a display unit that displays a character string, and a storage unit that stores a plurality of words. In the character input unit, one or more types of characters for individually inputting characters and one or more types of word leading characters used for extracting word candidates are assigned to be inputable. A character selection function for sequentially selecting each character assigned to the character input unit each time the button is operated and displaying it on the display unit, and the word selection character when the first character is selected by the character selection function. A word candidate extraction / display function for extracting word candidates starting from the first character from a plurality of words stored in the storage unit and displaying them side by side on the display unit, and a word from the extracted word candidates Selected Ri Na and a word select input function of inputting the word candidate extraction display function, with a candidate of the word to display a word number identifying the candidate of each of the word, the word select input function, predetermined when the number input portion and the word number is entered, a character string input and wherein the you to select the corresponding word. For example, the character input unit is a numeric keypad where each key is used for inputting the one or more types of characters, the one or more types of word head characters, and the word number.
This makes it possible to input a character string by simply inputting a single character and then selecting a word from the word candidates displayed side by side. For example, there are few input keys as in a mobile phone, and there is no need to input a character string. Even with such a character string input device, a character string can be easily input.
[0005]
Further, the word candidate extraction / display function may display the word candidates based on a predetermined word display rule.
[0006]
As the predetermined word display rule, the word candidates are displayed in the order of high input frequency, the word candidates are displayed in order from the newest or the oldest of the input results, and moreover, It is possible to display the word candidates in order or alphabetical order.
[0007]
In addition, when a word or a character string is further input from the character input unit after the word candidate is extracted by the word candidate extraction and display function, the word candidate is based on a predetermined word re-extraction rule. It is also possible to have a word candidate re-extraction display function for further narrowing down word candidates and displaying them side by side on the display unit.
[0008]
The pre-Symbol word re-extraction rule, the word first character and the characters next to the same string of additional input character or character string or than the character string subsequent look alphabetically or alphabetically It is possible to further narrow down the word candidates arranged at the head of the column.
Moreover, what caught the said character string input method as a character string input device is also considered.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments and examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings for understanding of the present invention. The following embodiments and examples are examples embodying the present invention, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the mobile phone A according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a key operation method in the mobile phone A according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 3 to 5 are diagrams for explaining a method of displaying words in the mobile phone A according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a character string input processing procedure in the mobile phone B according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a method of displaying words in the mobile phone B according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0010]
First, the configuration of the mobile phone A according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The mobile phone A includes a communication control unit 11, a voice input / output processing unit 12, an input unit 13, a display unit 14, a storage unit 15, and a control unit 16.
The communication control unit 11 performs various controls related to wireless communication.
The voice input / output processing unit 12 includes a speaker, a microphone, and the like (not shown), and performs voice signal input / output and amplification processing.
The input unit 13 is a sheet key, a button, or the like, and includes input keys such as a numeric keypad (21), up / down / left / right arrow keys 22, and an activation key 23 as shown in FIG. . The input unit 13 performs an operation for executing or interrupting a telephone number or character string input operation and other processes by a user operation.
The display unit 14 is a display device such as a liquid crystal panel, and displays a character string input from the input unit 13 and a character string, a symbol, or the like as a result of other processing.
The storage unit 15 is a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, for example, and stores a character string (word) and other data input from the input unit.
The control unit 16 is composed of an MPU (not shown), a main memory, a ROM, and other peripheral devices, and relates to voice data and character data with the other configuration units 11 to 15 according to a program registered in advance in the ROM. Control processing.
This mobile phone A is characterized by a method of inputting a character string, and since other configurations and functions are well known, description thereof will be omitted.
[0011]
Next, the operation method of character input by the input unit 13 will be described with reference to FIG.
The numeric keypad 21 is configured to be used for both numeric input and character input (also used as the character input unit and the numeric input unit). That is, after a predetermined input operation, for example, pressing of the “#” → “activation” key, etc., the character input mode is entered until a predetermined release operation is performed. “1” to “9” and “0” keys of the numeric keypad 21 are assigned characters “A line” to “Ra line” and “Wa line”, respectively, and each time the numeric key is pressed. In this configuration, different characters can be selected sequentially. For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, every time the numeric keypad “1” is pressed, the characters in the line are sequentially changed from “A” to “I” to “U”. You can choose. Then, in a state where the desired character is selected, for example, the “start” key 23 is pressed to input the desired character.
Further, in each numeric keypad, in addition to the characters for inputting each individual character as described above, the first character of the word used for calling a word registered in advance in the storage unit 15 (the aforementioned (Corresponding to the first letter of the word) is assigned to be inputable. For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, every time the numeric keypad “1” is pressed, the underlined line of the line is followed by each character of the line for inputting characters individually. word first character, "a" → "i" → are sequentially selected so that the "U" ,,,. Then, in a state where the desired first character of the word is selected, for example, by pressing the “activation” key 23 (corresponding to the character confirmation input section), the selected character is displayed as shown in FIG. The word as the first character is extracted from the word in the storage unit 15 and displayed side by side on the display unit 14 as a word candidate that can be selected and input. In this state, for example, when a word is selected using the up / down arrow key 22 and the selection is confirmed by pressing the right arrow key, a character string of the selected word is input.
Thus, in addition to individually assigning the word head character and other characters to each key, the word head character is not provided, and when the “activate” key 23 is pressed with the character selected, When a character is entered and another key, for example, the “→” key 22 (corresponding to the extraction execution input unit) is pressed, a word starting from the selected character is extracted and displayed. It may be.
Here, it is assumed that the words stored in the storage unit 15 are registered in advance by a predetermined registration operation, for example, in the order of the Japanese syllabary order.
In this way, you can enter characters for one character, then select a word from the displayed word candidates and enter a character string, so you can easily enter a character string even on a mobile phone with few input keys. .
[0012]
Next, the character string input processing procedure executed by the control unit 16 will be described with reference to FIG. Hereinafter, S1, S2,... Represent processing procedure (step) numbers. Further, it is assumed that a predetermined operation for shifting to the character input mode is performed by the user before the processing of FIG. 5 is performed.
[0013]
First, in S1, a character selection process using the numeric keypad 21 is performed. As shown in FIG. 2 (b), this is a process in which each time the numeric key 21 is pressed, the characters assigned to the key are sequentially selected and displayed on the display unit 14.
Next, in S2, it is determined whether or not the character selected in S1 is the word leading character (the underlined character in FIG. 2B). If it is determined that the character is the word leading character, the process proceeds to S3. If not, the process proceeds to S6.
In S3, a process for moving to the next step (S4) for displaying a word is performed. For example, for example, when the “start” key 23 (corresponding to the character confirmation input portion) is pressed, the process proceeds to the next step or even before the “start” key 23 is pressed, A process such as automatically shifting to the next step when time elapses can be considered.
[0014]
Next, in S4, word candidates starting from the first word character selected in S1 are extracted from the words registered in the storage unit 15 and displayed side by side on the display unit 14 (S1 to S4 are described above). Corresponds to processing of word candidate extraction display function). Here, there are several ways to display the words as shown below.
For example, when words are registered in the storage unit 15 in advance, they are arranged in alphabetical order or alphabetical order and displayed in that order.
In addition, it is possible to perform processing (to be described later) for managing the input history of each word and arrange them in order from the newest or oldest word that has been input, or from the highest used frequency (input frequency).
[0015]
Next, the process proceeds to S5, and a process of selecting one word from the extracted word candidates is executed.
As a word selection method, for example, each time the up / down arrow key 22 (corresponding to the word selection operation unit) is pressed, the next word (or the previous word) is selected according to the arranged order (corresponding simultaneously) It is conceivable that the cursor display is moved to a position). Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, along with the word candidates, a number for identifying each word (corresponding to a rank 30 of word input timing described later in FIG. 3B) is displayed, and the numeric keypad 21 ( You may comprise so that the word corresponding to the number input by the said number input part) may be selected (a cursor display will be moved to the corresponding position simultaneously). FIG. 3C shows an example in which the third word “Ashita” is selected by pressing the “3” key in the state of FIG. 3B.
[0016]
Next, the process proceeds to S6, and the word selected in S5 or the character different from the first character input in S1 (if determined to be No in S2) is stored in the main memory of the control unit 16. Temporarily stored. At this time, if there is a character string input so far, the character string is added and temporarily stored after the character string (S5 → S6 corresponds to the processing of the word selection input function).
[0017]
Next, the process proceeds to S7, where the word input history management process is performed.
The word input history management process includes, for example, the process of rearranging the words stored in the storage unit 15 in order from the newest word that has been input, or the order of use frequency (input frequency). It is a process to change.
FIG. 3A shows an example in which the word candidates having “a” as the first character are arranged and stored in the storage unit 15 in order from the input new word. The numbers in FIG. 3 (a) represent the rank 30 of the word input time, and the smaller the value, the more recently input the word. An example in which this is displayed on the display unit 14 is shown in FIG. The word input history management process (S6) at this time is a process of rearranging the words selected in S5 by moving the word input time rank 30 to the position of “1”.
FIG. 4A shows an example in which the word candidates having “a” as the first character are arranged and stored in the storage unit 15 in descending order of frequency of use. An example in which this is displayed on the display unit 14 is shown in FIG. The numbers in FIG. 4A represent the word usage count 40. The word input history management process (S6) at this time is a process of counting up and storing the word usage count for the word selected in S5 and rearranging the words in order from the word usage count. It is.
[0018]
Next, the process proceeds to S8, and after a key input detection process is performed, it is determined in S9 whether or not a character input end input, for example, a key "#" → "OFF" has been pressed. The
If it is determined in S9 that the end input is not performed, the process returns to S1 and the processes of S1 to S9 are repeated until the end input is performed.
On the other hand, if it is determined in S9 that the end input has been performed, the character string temporarily stored in S6 is transferred to another process (for example, a telephone number destination registration process) (S9). The process ends.
[0019]
【Example】
Next, a mobile phone B which is an application example of the mobile phone A will be described.
The mobile phone B uses the word candidate extracted from the input word first character as the first character, and the second character of the word from the second character input from the numeric keypad 21. Also, a word whose order is backward compared with the Japanese syllabary order is extracted as a new word candidate. The processing procedure will be described below using the flowchart of FIG.
In FIG. 6, the processing of S1 to S9 is exactly the same as the processing of S1 to S9 of FIG.
After the word candidates are displayed in S4, the process proceeds to S41.
In S41, after the second character selection process using the numeric keypad 21 is performed as in S1, it is determined whether or not the second character has been selected (S42).
If it is determined in S42 that the second character has been selected, the process proceeds to S43. If not, the process proceeds to S5 described above, and a word selection process is performed.
In S43, from the word candidates extracted in S4, the same character string as the first character input in S1, and then the second character input in S41, or more than the character string Words arranged in the order of the Japanese syllabary order (that is, the character strings arranged in the order of the Japanese syllabary and having the rearmost order) are further narrowed down, and the narrowed-down new word candidates are displayed on the display unit 14. After being displayed side by side (S41 to S43 correspond to the process of the word candidate re-extraction display function), the process proceeds to S5 described above, and a word selection process is performed.
FIG. 7A shows an example in which the word candidates having “a” as the first character are arranged and stored in the storage unit 15 in alphabetical order. FIG. 7B shows an example of displaying this on the display unit 14 (display example in S4). Further, FIG. 7C shows that the second character “ka” is input in S41, and the character string “aka” including the first character “a” and the next “ka” is the first word. FIG. 7 is an example in which the words “Aku”, “Yaku”, and so on following the character string “Aka” in alphabetical order are further narrowed down and displayed from the word candidates shown in FIG. .
In this manner, by re-extracting the word at the second character, if there are many options included in the word candidates, the selection can be further narrowed down, so that the word selection becomes easy.
Of course, the third and subsequent characters may be processed in the same manner to further narrow down the word candidates.
[0020]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to display a list of words starting from a character by simply inputting one character, and a character string can be input by simply selecting a desired word from the list. Character strings can be easily input with as few characters as possible.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a mobile phone A according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a key operation method in the mobile phone A according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a method for displaying words in the mobile phone A according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a word display method in the mobile phone A according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a method of displaying words in the mobile phone A according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a character string input processing procedure in the cellular phone B according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a method for displaying words on the mobile phone B according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Communication control part 12 ... Voice input / output processing part 13 ... Input part 14 ... Display part 15 ... Memory | storage part 16 ... Control part 21 ... Numeric keypad 22 ... Arrow key 23 ... Start key 30 ... Word input time order 40 ... Word use Number of times S1, S2, ... Step number

Claims (8)

In a character string input method using a character string input device including a character input unit, a display unit that displays a character string, and a storage unit that stores a plurality of words,
In the character input unit, one or more types of characters for individually inputting characters and one or more types of word leading characters used for extracting word candidates are assigned to be input,
A character selection function for sequentially selecting each character assigned to the character input unit and displaying it on the display unit each time the character input unit is operated;
When the word first character is selected by the character selection function, word candidates having the word first character as the first character are extracted from a plurality of words stored in the storage unit and displayed side by side on the display unit. Word candidate extraction display function,
A word selection input function for selecting and inputting a word from the extracted word candidates,
The word candidate extraction display function displays a word number for identifying each word candidate together with the word candidate,
The word selection input function selects a corresponding word when the word number is input from a predetermined number input unit,
When a character or a character string is additionally input from the character input unit after the word candidate is extracted by the word candidate extraction / display function, further from the word candidate based on a predetermined word re-extraction rule It has a word candidate re-extraction display function that narrows down word candidates and displays them side by side on the display unit,
The word re-extraction rule is
A word candidate in which a character string that is the same as a character string consisting of the first character of the word and then the additionally input character or character string or a character string that follows the character string in order of the alphabetical order of the character string is further arranged at the head it is intended to narrow, string input method. In a character string input method using a character string input device including a character input unit, a display unit that displays a character string, and a storage unit that stores a plurality of words,
In the character input unit, one or more types of characters for individually inputting characters and one or more types of word leading characters used for extracting word candidates are assigned to be input,
A character selection function for sequentially selecting each character assigned to the character input unit and displaying it on the display unit each time the character input unit is operated;
When the word first character is selected by the character selection function, word candidates having the word first character as the first character are extracted from a plurality of words stored in the storage unit and displayed side by side on the display unit. Word candidate extraction display function,
A word selection input function for selecting and inputting a word from the extracted word candidates,
The word candidate extraction display function displays a word number for identifying each word candidate together with the word candidate,
The word selection input function selects a corresponding word when the word number is input from a predetermined number input unit,
When a character or a character string is additionally input from the character input unit after the word candidate is extracted by the word candidate extraction / display function, further from the word candidate based on a predetermined word re-extraction rule It has a word candidate re-extraction display function that narrows down word candidates and displays them side by side on the display unit,
The word re-extraction rule is
Further narrowing down the word candidates that are the same as the first character of the word and then the additionally input character or character string, or that are preceded by the character string that follows the character string in alphabetical order. in it, the character string input method. Said word candidate extraction display function, a character string input process according to claim 1 or 2 to display the candidates of the word based on a predetermined word display rules. The character string input method according to claim 3 , wherein the predetermined word display rule is to display the word candidates in the order of high input frequency. The character string input method according to claim 3 , wherein the predetermined word display rule is to display the word candidates in order from the newest or oldest word that has been input. The character string input method according to claim 3 , wherein the predetermined word display rule is to display the word candidates in alphabetical order. The character string input method according to claim 3 , wherein the predetermined word display rule is to display the word candidates in alphabetical order. The character according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the character input unit is a numeric keypad that is used for inputting the one or more types of characters, the one or more types of first word characters, and the word number. Column input method.

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