JP4848345B2 - Character input device, character input method, character input program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a character input device, a character input method, a character input program, and a recording medium, and more particularly to a technique that enables character input using a simple input device such as a game controller.

Conventionally, a keyboard is used as an input device for inputting characters. There are over tens of alphabets, hiragana, katakana, symbols, etc., and if katakana, kanji, etc. are included, the number of types is very large. Many keys are arranged.
Since it is necessary to arrange a large number of keys as described above, it is necessary to widen an area required for input. Therefore, the keyboard needs to have a certain size.

  However, in a controller of a game machine, a mobile phone, and the like, these controllers and the mobile phone themselves are much smaller than a normal keyboard, and an input area cannot be widened.

  Therefore, conventionally, in order to input characters with such a controller or mobile phone, for example, a character palette in which input candidate characters such as alphabets and hiragana are arranged in a matrix is displayed on the screen, and the controller or mobile phone is displayed. A technique for inputting characters using a cross key (or an input stick or the like) provided and a determination key provided separately from the cross key is known.

  However, in this prior art, for example, in the case of hiragana, it is necessary to display a 51-character character palette of “an” on the screen, and in the case of alphabets, an 28-character character palette of “az” is displayed on the screen. Of these, it is difficult to quickly determine a character to be input as a selection state, and even if the user is skilled in this input method, it is difficult to increase the character input speed.

On the other hand, in mobile phones, etc., each of the numeric keys 0-9 and the numeric keypad including the * key and # key are assigned about 3 to 4 alphabets and symbols, and input candidates each time one key is pressed. There is also known a technique of inputting characters by switching characters and determining an input character with a determination key.
This technique has the advantage that it is not necessary to display a large number of character candidates on the screen, and the input can be performed to some extent earlier. However, until a certain level of skill, there is a drawback that it takes a long time to input characters.

  In light of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a character input technique that is easy to operate.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a first input candidate character string display zone and a second input candidate character string display, each of which is displayed on a predetermined display device and in which input candidate characters are displayed in a line. A zone display control means for controlling display of the zone, and determining an input character from among the input candidate characters in response to an input from the input means, and the determined input character is displayed on the display device Input character determining means for sending to a predetermined character input zone, wherein the zone display control means includes both the first input candidate character string display zone and the second input candidate character string display zone. A shared area where one character of the input candidate character is displayed is displayed in a crossed state, and in response to an input from the input means, the first input candidate character string table For at least one of the zone and the second input candidate character string display zone, the input candidate characters displayed in the display zone are scrolled, and the character input determining means inputs the input candidate characters displayed in the shared area Of input candidate characters that are determined as characters or displayed adjacent to the input candidate characters displayed in the shared area in the first input candidate character string display zone and the second input candidate character string display zone Is determined as an input character, and the zone display control means further includes the first input candidate so that the input candidate character determined as the input character is displayed superimposed on the character input zone. Provided is a character input device that performs display control of a character string display zone and a second input candidate character string display zone.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the first input candidate character string display zone and the second input candidate character string display, which are each displayed in the display screen area of a predetermined display device, and the input candidate characters are displayed in a row therein. A zone display control means for controlling display of the zone; and determining input characters from among the input candidate characters in response to an input from the input means; and displaying the determined input characters on the display screen of the display device Input character determination means for sending to a predetermined character input zone displayed in a region, and a character input method executed by a character input device, each of which includes the first input candidate. A state in which the character string display zone and the second input candidate character string display zone are crossed by sharing a common area where one character of the input candidate character is displayed In response to an input from the input means, the input candidate characters displayed in the display zone are displayed for at least one of the first input candidate character string display zone and the second input candidate character string display zone. A step of scrolling, and the character input determining means determines an input candidate character displayed in the shared area as an input character in response to a predetermined input from the input means, or the first input candidate Determining a predetermined one of the input candidate characters displayed adjacent to the input candidate characters displayed in the shared area in the character string display zone and the second input candidate character string display zone as an input character; And the zone display control means displays the input candidate characters displayed in the shared area superimposed on the character input zone, or the first A predetermined one of the input candidate characters displayed adjacent to the input candidate character displayed in the shared area in the force candidate character string display zone and the second input candidate character string display zone is superimposed on the character input zone. There is also provided a character input method for performing display control of the first input candidate character string display zone and the second input candidate character string display zone.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, the first input candidate character string display zone and the second input candidate in which the computer is displayed in the display screen area of the predetermined display device and the input candidate characters are displayed in a line inside the computer. Zone display control means for performing display control of a character string display zone; and determining input characters from among the input candidate characters in response to an input from the input means; and displaying the determined input characters on the display device And functioning as input character determination means for sending to a predetermined character input zone displayed in the display screen area, and the zone display control means includes the first input candidate character string display zone and the second input candidate character string. The display zone is displayed in a state where both share a common area where one character of the input candidate character is displayed and is crossed. In response to the input, for at least one of the first input candidate character string display zone and the second input candidate character string display zone, the input candidate characters displayed in the display zone are scrolled, The character input determining means determines an input candidate character displayed in the shared area as an input character in response to a predetermined input from the input means, or the first input candidate character string display zone and the first input character string display zone A predetermined one of the input candidate characters displayed adjacent to the input candidate character displayed in the shared area in the two input candidate character string display zone is determined as an input character; The display control means displays the input candidate characters displayed in the shared area superimposed on the character input zone, or displays the first input candidate character string display zone and the second The predetermined input character displayed adjacent to the input candidate character displayed in the shared area in the force candidate character string display zone is displayed so as to be superimposed on the character input zone. A computer program that performs display control of the first input candidate character string display zone and the second input candidate character string display zone is also provided.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, the first input candidate character string display zone and the second input candidate in which the computer is displayed in the display screen area of the predetermined display device and the input candidate characters are displayed in a line inside the computer. Zone display control means for performing display control of a character string display zone; and determining input characters from among the input candidate characters in response to an input from the input means; and displaying the determined input characters on the display device And functioning as input character determination means for sending to a predetermined character input zone displayed in the display screen area, and the zone display control means includes the first input candidate character string display zone and the second input candidate character string. The display zone is displayed in a state where both share a common area where one character of the input candidate character is displayed and is crossed. In response to the input, for at least one of the first input candidate character string display zone and the second input candidate character string display zone, the input candidate characters displayed in the display zone are scrolled, The character input determining means determines an input candidate character displayed in the shared area as an input character in response to a predetermined input from the input means, or the first input candidate character string display zone and the first input character string display zone A predetermined one of the input candidate characters displayed adjacent to the input candidate character displayed in the shared area in the two input candidate character string display zone is determined as an input character; The display control means displays the input candidate characters displayed in the shared area superimposed on the character input zone, or displays the first input candidate character string display zone and the second The predetermined input character displayed adjacent to the input candidate character displayed in the shared area in the force candidate character string display zone is displayed so as to be superimposed on the character input zone. There is also provided a computer readable recording medium on which a computer program for performing display control of the first input candidate character string display zone and the second input candidate character string display zone is recorded.

In the following, an embodiment in which the video game machine is operated as a character input device by carrying out the character input method according to the present invention on the video game machine will be described. In this embodiment, a video game machine is used. However, when the character input method according to the present invention is implemented on a personal computer, a mobile phone, a PDA, or the like, the personal computer may be operated as a character input device. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that this is possible.
This video game machine uses a program recorded on a disc such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or hard disk to display an image relating to a game such as a player character and its belongings and objects around the player character on a display device. In a scene where character input such as name input or conversation screen is required, a screen for character input is displayed and this video game machine is operated as a character input device. Make it possible. In addition, without recording the program regarding a game on this CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, hard disk, etc., only this program for operating this video game machine as a character input device is recorded. Of course, it can also be used as a character input device.

  FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a video game machine that operates as a character input device by executing a character input program recorded on a disc in this embodiment. The video game machine includes a game machine main body 100 connected to a display device (not shown), and an operation device 200 connected to the game machine main body 100 via a connection cord 202 and a connector 203. In the illustrated example, input / output between the game machine main body 100 and the operation device 200 is performed via a cable, but these may be performed by wireless connection.

The operation device 200 is connected to the game machine main body 100 through a connection cord 202 drawn from the device main body 201. A connector 203 is provided at the tip of the connection cord 202, and the operation device 200 is connected to the game machine body 100 by inserting the connector 203 into a jack provided on one side of the game machine body 100. ing. Note that the input / output between the controller device 200 and the game machine main body 100 may be performed wirelessly without using the connection cord 202. In this case, for example, a wireless transceiver is provided in each of the operation device 200 and the game machine main body 100.
<Game console body>

  As shown in FIG. 2, the game machine main body 100 has a main control unit 110, an image processing unit 120, an acoustic control unit 130, a disk control unit 140, a communication control unit 150, an interface unit 160, and the above-described units 110 to 160. A main bus B is connected for communication. The main control unit 110 includes a CPU, a peripheral device controller that performs interrupt control and DMA (direct memory access) transfer control, a RAM (main memory) for temporarily recording programs and the like, and overall management of each unit. And a ROM storing a control program for performing control. The CPU develops a control program recorded on a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, hard disk or the like in a main memory, and realizes a plurality of functions to be described later.

  The image processing unit 120 is a combination of a geometry transfer engine that performs coordinate transformation of image data to be displayed, and a combination of polygons and sprites (polygons such as triangles and quadrilaterals) based on drawing instructions from the main control unit 110 A graphics processing unit that performs drawing processing of the game image, a frame buffer that temporarily records the game image that has been drawn, and an image decoder that performs decoding processing of the image data as necessary. The display device DP reads and displays the image recorded in the frame buffer. By continuously performing such drawing processing and recording in the frame buffer, it is possible to display a game image including a moving image element, for example, a movement of a character or a change in facial expression on the display device DP.

  The sound control unit 130 includes a sound reproduction processing processor for reproducing music under the control of the main control unit 110, a sound buffer for temporarily recording music data, and the like. The music data recorded in the sound buffer is output to the speaker SP.

  The disk control unit 140 reproduces a program or data recorded on a disk such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or hard disk so that the main control unit 110 can recognize (hereinafter, the reproduced data is referred to as “reproduction data”). A disk drive device for reproducing the data, a CD-ROM decoder for decoding the data when the error correction (ECC) code is added to the playback data, and temporarily recording the playback data from the disk drive device in the main memory. A buffer for recording data is provided.

  The communication control unit 150 includes a communication control device that performs communication control with the main control unit 110 via the main bus B. The communication control unit 150 is detachably mounted with an operation device 200 and a replaceable memory card MC as an example of a nonvolatile recording medium. The content operated by the operation device 200 is transmitted to the communication control device by synchronous communication. The communication control device transmits the operation content sent from the operation device 200 to the main control unit 110. Thus, the operator's intention is transmitted to the main control unit 110, and the main control unit 110 can perform processing according to the operator's intention based on the program being executed.

The interface unit 160 is connected to an external electronic device and takes in external data from the connected external electronic device. As an input device, for example, a keyboard can be connected to the game machine main body 100 through the interface unit 160.
<Operation device>

FIG. 3 is a front view of the operating device 200. The device main body 201 of the operation device 200 is provided with a first operation unit 210 and a second operation unit 220 on the upper surface thereof, and on the side surfaces thereof, a third operation unit 230 and a fourth operation unit 240 are provided. It is provided.
The first operation unit 210 includes a cross key 211 for pressing operation, and the cross key 211 forms an operator. The function of the first operation unit 210 can be set by a program recorded on the disk or the like.
The second operation unit 220 includes four operation buttons 221 to 224 having a cylindrical shape for pressing operation. Each operation button 221 to 224 has Δ, ○, ×, and □ as identification marks on the head thereof, so that the function assigned to each operation button 221 to 224 can be easily identified. The function of the second operation unit 220 can be set by a program recorded on the disc.

The third operation unit 230 includes two operation buttons 231 for pressing operation arranged in the vertical direction. Similarly, the fourth operation unit 240 also includes two operation buttons 241 for pressing operation arranged in the vertical direction. The functions of the third and fourth operation units 230 and 240 can also be set by a program recorded on the disc.
The operation device main body 201 is further provided with a joystick 251, and it is possible to input by pushing in the axial direction of the joystick, that is, in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the operation device 200. A switch (not shown) is provided at the end of the joystick 251 on the controller side, and a signal P1 is output when the above-described pushing operation is performed. Similarly, a switch (not shown) is provided at an end of the joystick 252 on the controller side, and a signal P2 is output when the above-described pushing operation is performed. As described above, both of the joysticks 251 and 252 can detect that the joysticks 251 and 252 are pushed into the controller for a predetermined distance or more.
<Character input device>

  The game machine body 100 receives an input from the operation device 200 configured as described above through the communication control unit 150. In the game machine main body 100, when a power-on or reset process is performed in a state where a disk is mounted on the disk control unit 140, the CPU of the main control unit 110 executes the OS recorded in the ROM. When the OS is executed, the CPU initializes the entire apparatus such as operation check and controls the disk control unit 140 to develop the game program and character input program recorded on the disk in the main memory. And execute.

A functional block as shown in FIG. 4 is formed by the CPU, the memory, and the program expanded in the memory, and the character input control unit 400 is realized. In response to an input from the operation device 200, the character input control unit 400 displays a vertical crossbar 510 (first input candidate character string display zone) and a horizontal crossbar 520 (second input candidates) shown in FIG. The display control of the character string display zone) and the determination of the character to be input are performed.
The vertical crossbar 510 is formed by a zone surrounded by the boundary line L1, and the first input candidate characters are displayed in a line in the zone. The horizontal crossbar 520 is formed by a zone surrounded by the boundary line L2, and the second input candidate characters are displayed in a line in the zone.

As shown in FIG. 4, the character input control unit 400 includes an input detection unit 410, a zone display control unit 420 (zone display control means), an input candidate character recording unit 430, and an input character determination unit 440 (input character determination). Means) and the function of the function control unit 450 are formed. In the zone display control unit 420, functions of a vertical crossbar display control unit 421, a horizontal crossbar display control unit 422, a cursor display control unit 423, and a character input zone display control unit 424 are formed.
The display of the character input zone does not necessarily have to be executed in the character input program. When the character input is required in the game program or the like, the character input program is called and the character input zone displayed in the game program is displayed. Character input may be performed. In this case, it is not necessary to form the function of the character input zone display control unit 424. This example will be described later as <calling a character input program from a game program>.

  The input detection unit 410 detects an input from the operation device 200, and the zone display control unit 420, the input character determination unit 440, and the function control unit 450 each perform an operation corresponding to the input detected by the input detection unit 410. Go and execute the character input process.

FIG. 5 shows a screen displayed on the display device by the character input control unit 400 formed in this way.
As shown in FIG. 5, in the display screen area D of the display device, the vertical crossbar display control unit 421 and the horizontal crossbar display control unit 422 in the zone display control unit 420 include the vertical crossbar 510 and the horizontal crossbar. A bar 520 is displayed so that both share the shared area 532 and cross.

  The input candidate character recording unit 430 records input candidate characters and matrix arrangement information in which information representing a matrix in which these input candidate characters are arranged as matrix elements is recorded. An example of a matrix having input candidate characters as matrix elements is shown in FIG. In the matrix shown in this example, hiragana 51 sounds and input candidate characters “BS”, “conversion”, and “mode” are arranged in a matrix of 8 rows and 10 columns. Note that there are only three hiragana sounds for the columns in which “ya”, “yu”, “yo” are arranged, and in the columns in which “wa”, “wo”, “n” are arranged, and in other columns Since there are 5 hiragana sounds, between “Ya” and “Yu”, “Yu” and “Yo”, “Wa” and “O”, and “O” and “N”, respectively. By inserting a space, the number of matrix elements in this column was made equal to the number of matrix elements in the other columns. Note that other characters, symbols, and the like can be used instead of spaces.

  In this embodiment, a vertical crossbar and a horizontal crossbar such as “BS” (backspace), “conversion” (Japanese Kana-Kanji conversion), “mode” (Hiragana, Katakana, Kanji, alphanumeric mode switching), etc. The function execution code displayed inside is handled in the same way as “character”, and these codes are also recorded in the input candidate character recording unit 430. In addition, characters such as hiragana, katakana, and alphabet, arithmetic symbols, parentheses, units, and other input in general are collectively referred to as character input.

  The vertical crossbar display control unit 421 reads input candidate characters and matrix arrangement information from the input candidate character recording unit 430 and displays one column in the matrix shown in FIG. In addition, the vertical crossbar control unit 421 receives a predetermined input from the operation device 200 and displays the input candidate characters displayed in the vertical crossbar 510 in the column direction or row of FIG. Scroll in the direction. For example, in response to an upward input or a downward input from the cross key 211, the input candidate characters displayed in the vertical crossbar 510 are scrolled upward and downward (column direction in the matrix shown in FIG. 6), respectively. Let

  The horizontal crossbar display control unit 422 reads input candidate characters and matrix arrangement information from the input candidate character recording unit 430, and displays one row in the matrix shown in FIG. 6 in the horizontal crossbar 520. In addition, the horizontal crossbar control unit 422 receives a predetermined input from the operation device 200 and displays input candidate characters displayed in the horizontal crossbar 520 within the horizontal crossbar 520 in the row direction or column of FIG. Scroll in the direction. For example, in response to a left input and a right input from the cross key 211, the input candidate characters displayed in the horizontal crossbar 520 are scrolled to the left and right (the row direction in the matrix shown in FIG. 6), respectively. Let

  The cursor display control unit 423 highlights the character by displaying a cursor with respect to the predetermined character.

  The character input zone display control unit 424 performs display control of the character input zone 540. In the example of FIG. 5, the character input zone 540 is parallel to the horizontal crossbar 520, and the vertical crossbar 510 and the horizontal crossbar 520 are displayed so that the input area 531 is superimposed on the character input position of the character input zone. Has been. In the example of FIG. 5, only one line of the input character string is displayed in the character input zone, but a plurality of lines may be displayed by folding the input character string in the character input zone.

The input character determination unit 440 is displayed in the input area 531 in response to detection of a predetermined input from the operation device 200, in this example, an input from the operation button 221 of the operation device 200 by the input detection unit 410. Input candidate characters are determined as input characters.
Here, the input area 531 is displayed in the shared area 532, an area where input candidate characters (“shi” in FIG. 5) adjacent to the characters displayed in the shared area 532 are displayed, or displayed in the shared area 532. This is one area selected from the areas in which the input candidate characters (“se” in FIG. 5) adjacent to the input characters are displayed. In this example, since the character input zone is horizontal writing, the area above or below the character displayed in the shared area 532 is set as the input area 531, but for example, when the character input zone is vertical writing, The area on the right or left of the character displayed in the shared area 532 can be used as the input area 531.

  The function control unit 450 includes “BS” and “conversion” indicated by reference numerals 511 and 512 in the vertical crossbar 510 in FIG. 5 and “BS” indicated by reference numerals 521, 522 and 523 in the horizontal crossbar 520, respectively. ”,“ Conversion ”,“ mode ”, etc., when the input from the operation button 221 as the predetermined input is made in a state where the function code is displayed in the input area 531, processing corresponding to the displayed function code, For example, when “conversion” is input, switching between the hiragana input mode and the katakana input mode or the alphanumeric input mode is performed.

Note that “mode” is displayed in the horizontal crossbar 520, whereas “mode” is not displayed in the vertical crossbar 510, but this is simply the case of the vertical crossbar 510 in the example of FIG. This is because there is no “mode” in the display area. By scrolling the characters in the vertical crossbar 510 by an input from the operation device 200, it is possible to display “mode” in the vertical crossbar 510.
<Operation of character input device>

  Hereinafter, an operation of the character input device in an example in which a character input program is executed on the game machine main body 100 and the game machine main body 100 operates as a character input device will be described. It should be noted that character input can also be performed by calling this character input program in a scene where character input is required while the game machine body 100 is executing a game program, which will be described in other embodiments described later.

  Details of the character input operation through the character input screen displayed by the character input device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 5, a vertical cross bar 510 is a zone surrounded by a boundary line L1, and is displayed as a vertically long rectangle in this embodiment. The horizontal crossbar 520 is a zone surrounded by the boundary line L <b> 2, and is displayed as a horizontally long rectangle in this embodiment, and the vertical crossbar 510 and the horizontal crossbar 520 are displayed crossed in the shared area 532. In the shared area 532, one of the input candidate characters displayed on the vertical crossbar 510 and the horizontal crossbar 520 is displayed.

  In the present embodiment, the input character determination unit 440 determines an input candidate character adjacent below the input candidate character displayed in the shared area 532 as an input character and outputs it to the character input zone 540. The area where the input candidate character determined as the input character is displayed is shown as an input area 531 in FIG. The zone display control unit 420 displays the vertical crossbar 510, the horizontal crossbar 520, and the character input zone 540 so that the character determined as the input character is superimposed on the character input position in the character input zone 540.

The vertical crossbar control unit 421 reads input candidate characters and matrix arrangement information from the input candidate character recording unit 430 and displays one column in the matrix shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, “sa, shi, su, se, so” and “BS” and “conversion” respectively indicated by reference numerals 511 and 512 are displayed.
The horizontal crossbar control unit 422 reads input candidate characters and matrix arrangement information from the input candidate character recording unit 430, and displays one row in the matrix shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, “A, K, S, T, N, H, M, R, W” is displayed, and, similarly to the vertical crossbar 510, indicated by reference numerals 521, 522, and 523, respectively. “BS”, “Conversion”, and “Mode” are displayed.

In the shared area 532, either the input candidate character displayed on the vertical crossbar 510 or the input candidate character displayed on the horizontal crossbar 520 is displayed. In this embodiment, the input in the vertical crossbar 510 is displayed. Candidate characters (“su” in FIG. 5) are displayed.
In FIG. 5, when there is an input from the operation button 221 of the controller device 200, the input character determination unit 440 determines the input candidate character (“se” in the example of FIG. 5) displayed in the input area 531 as the input character. And output to the character input zone.

  When inputting a desired character, input in the vertical and horizontal directions is performed through the cross key of the operation device 200, and the input candidate characters in the vertical crossbar 510 and the horizontal crossbar 520 are appropriately scrolled as described above. The desired character is displayed in the input area 531. Thereafter, by inputting the operation button 221, a desired character is output to the character input zone 540.

Hereinafter, a process of displaying a desired character in the input area 531 by inputting from the cross key 211 will be described.
When receiving the upward input or the downward input side of the cross key 211, the zone display control unit 420 does not change the display in the horizontal crossbar 520 and is surrounded by the boundary line L1 in the vertical crossbar 510. In the zone, the input candidate characters are scrolled by one character in the column direction of the matrix shown in FIG. 6 (upward or downward in the display screen of FIG. 5) (first display control operation). As described above, in the following description, the character display itself in the vertical crossbar 510 and the horizontal crossbar 520 is executed by the vertical crossbar control unit 421 and the horizontal crossbar control unit 422, respectively.

  With this operation, the characters displayed in the shared area 532 also change. For example, when there is an upward input in the state of FIG. 5, the input area 531 is displayed under “se” in the matrix shown in FIG. 6 instead of “se” that has been displayed so far. “So” is displayed. When the upward input is made again, “BS” which is the function code displayed under “below” in the matrix shown in FIG. 6 is displayed.

From the state shown in FIG. 5, the input candidate character is moved up by one character in the zone surrounded by the boundary line L1 of the vertical crossbar 510 by the upward input from the cross key 211 (upward in the column direction in the matrix shown in FIG. 6). The scrolled state is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, in the horizontal crossbar 520, the character string displayed inside thereof is not changed from the state of FIG. 5 except for the shared area 532. On the other hand, in the vertical crossbar 510, the character string shown therein is scrolled up by one character from the state shown in FIG.

On the other hand, if there is a downward input in the state of FIG. 5, the input area 531 is displayed above the “se” in the matrix shown in FIG. 6 instead of the “se” displayed so far. Is displayed.
As described above, arbitrary input candidate characters can be displayed in the input area 531 from among the input candidate characters displayed in the vertical crossbar by performing the upward or downward input of the cross key. Therefore, when the desired input candidate character is displayed at an arbitrary position in the vertical crossbar 510, the desired character is input by performing the upward or downward input of the cross key as described above. be able to. For example, when “se” is input, a column including “sashisuseso” in FIG. 6 is displayed in the vertical crossbar 510, and the cross key is input upward or downward to input “se” in the input area 531. By displaying, “se” can be input.
Note that it is possible to arbitrarily determine which input from the operation device 200 is assigned to the up scroll operation and the down scroll operation. For example, contrary to the above example, the downward input may be assigned to the upward scroll operation, the upward input may be assigned to the downward scroll operation, and the upward scroll operation, downward It is also possible for the user to assign an arbitrary input to the scroll operation in the direction. Similarly, an operation for changing input candidate characters, which will be described later, is not limited to the input assignment as described in the present embodiment, but can be arbitrarily assigned.
Similarly, it is possible to arbitrarily determine which input from the operation device 200 is assigned to the operation of scrolling the input characters in the horizontal direction described below. For example, in the following description, the left input can be replaced with the right input, and the right input can be replaced with the left input.

  When the left input or the right input side of the cross key 211 is received, the zone display control unit 420 displays the input candidate characters displayed in the vertical crossbar 510 and the input candidate characters displayed in the horizontal crossbar 520. 6 operates so as to scroll one character in the column direction (left direction or right direction in FIG. 5) in the matrix shown in FIG. 6 (second display control operation). Thus, each input candidate character displayed in the vertical crossbar 510 and the horizontal crossbar 520 is to the right of the input candidate character in the matrix of FIG. The display is changed to adjacent input candidate characters. Similarly, each input candidate character displayed in the horizontal crossbar 520 is input to the input candidate character adjacent to the left of the input candidate character in the matrix of FIG. 6 when a right direction input from the cross key 211 is received. And the display is changed.

Therefore, unlike when the cross key 211 is input upward or downward, when the left input or right input side of the cross key 211 is received, the vertical crossbar 510 and the horizontal crossbar 520 In both cases, the character string displayed inside is scrolled together. The details are shown below.
In FIG. 5, when there is an input in the left direction of the cross key 211, input candidate characters in the vertical crossbar 510 and the horizontal crossbar 520 are left on the screen of FIG. 5 (left in the column direction in the matrix of FIG. 6). It is scrolled and displayed one character to the left. As a result, “ta” in the horizontal crossbar 520 moves to the shared area.
As a result, in the vertical crossbar 510 in FIG. 5, the input candidate characters of the column including “Sashisuseso” in the matrix shown in FIG. 6 are shown, but after the left direction input, as described above As a result of the scrolling, the input candidate character input of the column including “Tatetsuto” that is the column on the right side of the column including “Sashisuseso” in the matrix shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. .

In addition, since the input candidate characters displayed in the vertical crossbar 510 are displayed in the shared area 532, “ta” in the horizontal crossbar 520 is not displayed, and the input candidate characters positioned in the shared area 532 in the vertical crossbar 510 are displayed. “Tsu” is displayed. Instead of “se” in the state of FIG. 5, “te” is displayed in the input area 531 as shown in FIG. 8.
On the other hand, when the cross key 211 is input in the right direction, the input candidate characters in the vertical crossbar 510 are scrolled as described above, so that in the matrix shown in FIG. The input candidate characters for the column containing “Kashikuseko” are displayed, whereas the input candidate characters for the column containing “Kakikukeko” are displayed. In addition, “ku” is displayed instead of “su” in the shared area 532, and “te” is displayed in place of “se” in the input area 531.
As described above, in the second display control operation, the input candidate characters displayed in the vertical crossbar 510 and the horizontal crossbar 520 are scrolled to the left or right in the row direction of the matrix shown in FIG. The

  Next, the positional relationship between the character input zone and the character input area when the desired character is input by the input from the operation button 221 after the desired character is displayed at the position of the input region 531 in this way will be described. .

In the state of FIG. 5, when “SE” is determined as an input character in response to the character determination input, the character string “I am” displayed as the input character in the character input zone 540 is determined. It is necessary to add the character “se”.
in this case,
(1) Fix the relative position of the input candidate characters displayed in the input area 531 with respect to the display screen area D of the display device DP (that is, fix the vertical crossbar and horizontal crossbar, respectively), and set the character input zone 540 Move relative to the vertical crossbar 510 by at least one character,
(2) The character input zone 540 is fixed on the display screen area D of the display device DP, and the input area 531 is moved relative to the character input zone 540 by at least one character (therefore, the vertical crossbar 510 and the horizontal crossbar 520 are moved). Both are moved relative to each other by at least one character),
The following two operations are possible. In either example, the relative movement is performed for at least one character in order to prevent the input characters from overlapping.

FIG. 9 shows a state in which “SE” is input by the operation (1) in response to the character determination input from the state of FIG. In FIG. 5, the position of the vertical crossbar 510 on the display is indicated by a solid line Y, and the position of the left end of the character string display zone is indicated by a dotted line y. As shown in FIG. 9, the display positions of the vertical crossbar 510 and the input area 531 on the screen after input remain at the position of the solid line Y as in FIG. 5. On the other hand, the display position at the left end of the character input zone 540 is shifted by one character to the left from the dotted line y.
FIG. 10 shows a state where the character determination input is received from the state of FIG. 5 and “SE” is input by the operation (2). As shown in FIG. 10, the display positions on the screen of the vertical crossbar 510 and the input area 531 after the input are shifted by one character to the right from the position of the solid line Y in FIG. On the other hand, the display position at the left end of the character input zone 540 remains at the position of the dotted line y.

  Further, when the input zone, the vertical cross bar 510, and the horizontal cross bar 520 are moved, the portion that protrudes from the screen is not displayed. For example, in the example of (2), the horizontal crossbar 520 moves to the left from the state of FIG. 5, but as shown in FIG. 11, the input candidate character “A” that goes out of the screen in the horizontal crossbar 520. , “Ka” is not displayed on the screen.

Next, in the examples of FIGS. 5 to 11, an example in which hiragana input is performed is shown. However, for those who are proficient in Roman characters, “a, ka, sa, ta, hana, ya, et al. Instead of displaying “W”, “A, K, S, T, N, H, M, Y, R, W” may be displayed. Thereby, the romaji input master can select input candidate characters more intuitively by romaji notation. An example of this is shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 12, the vertical crossbar 510 and the horizontal crossbar 520 include hiragana notation in addition to Roman notation.
In the present embodiment, function codes “BS”, “conversion”, and “mode” are displayed as shown in the respective drawings. When inputting Japanese, hiragana, katakana, alphanumeric characters, etc., switching of input modes, CAPS lock, switching of cursor movement mode, etc. are performed by selecting these function codes.

  Regarding the muddy sound input when performing Japanese input, among the operation units to which no input is assigned in the operation device 200, for example, the operation unit 221 in the operation device 200, the lower operation unit (X is displayed in FIG. 3). The operation unit) can be assigned to the muddy sound input, and the operation unit may be pressed so that the line is in a muddy state. Similarly, for the semi-turbid sound, for example, the upper operation unit (the operation unit indicated by a square in FIG. 3) of the operation unit 221 in the operation device 200 can be assigned to the semi-turbid sound input. In this case, the types of input required for the character input process are increased by two types due to the input only for the muddy sound and the semi-voiced sound.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13, muddy points 550 are arranged in “ka line”, “sa line”, “ta line”, “ha”, respectively, and semi-turbid points 551 are arranged in “ha”. In addition, when inputting a muddy sound or a semi-turbid sound, the character determination input is performed in a state where the muddy point and the semi-voiced sound are matched with the input area 531, respectively. .
More specifically, by performing character determination input in a state where the cloud point 550 is matched with the input area, the clear sound “sa, shi, su, se, so” displayed on the vertical crossbar 510 is changed to “za, It is displayed as a cloudy sound. A desired muddy sound can be input by performing character determination input in accordance with the input region 531 in accordance with the character to be input in this state, “Z, J, Z, Z, Z”.
FIG. 13 shows a case where “ZE” is input, and shows a state in which “ZE” is set in the input area 531 after performing the character determination input by aligning the cloud point 550 in the line with the input area 531. Yes. By performing character determination input in this state, it is possible to input “ze”. Further, since the cloud point 550 is already selected as described above, the cloud point 550 is highlighted among the cloud point 550 and the semi-turbid point 551 as shown in FIG.
After inputting the muddy sound, the muddy sound of “za, ji, z, z, z” is called “sa, shi, shi, ze, so” by inputting the character decision again by aligning the cloud point 550 with the input area 531. Returned to Kiyone.
In addition, when there is a predetermined input, in this example, from the operation button 222, the muddy point 550 is selected, a so-called toggle state, and the cursor display control unit 423 highlights the muddy sound 551. In the toggle state, the clean sound may be muddy. In this case, the toggle state can be canceled by inputting from the operation button 222, and the muddy sound can be returned to the clear sound.

As another form, as shown in FIG. 14, when muddy sound 560 and semi-muddy sound 561 are arranged in advance in the horizontal crossbar 520 and muddy sound or semi-muddy sound is input, the muddy sound and semi-muddy sound are respectively adjusted to the input area 531. By entering the character determination input in the state, it is possible to input muddy sound and semi-turbid sound. FIG. 14 shows a state in which “Z” is set in the input area 531 after the character decision input is performed by matching the muddy sound 560 with the input area 531 in the horizontal crossbar 520. Further, since the muddy sound has been selected as described above, the muddy sound 560 of the muddy sound 560 and the semi-muddy sound 561 is highlighted as shown in FIG.
In addition, in this form, for lines that are not muddy, such as line, line, line, line, line, line, etc., the display of these lines is dimmed and cannot be selected, In the character selection operation, these lines are skipped to avoid unnecessary movement.
As another example, as shown in FIG. 15, a muddy sound line (a line, a zigzag line, a line line, a line line) or a semi-muddy sound (a line) may be arranged in advance in the horizontal crossbar 520. it can.

In the above embodiment, the input candidate characters in the vertical crossbar 510 are shown as an example in the shared area 532, but the input candidate characters in the horizontal crossbar 520 can also be displayed in the shared area 532. An example of this is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 16, in the shared area 532, “sa”, which is an input candidate character in the row “Akasana ~” in the matrix shown in FIG. 6 displayed in the horizontal crossbar 520 is displayed. .
In this example, “sa” is displayed at the top of the vertical crossbar 510, “shi” is displayed in the display area below, “su” is displayed in the display area below, and the display area below is shared. Since it is the area 532, as described above, “sa”, which is an input candidate character displayed in the horizontal crossbar 520, is displayed.
In this way, in the vertical crossbar 510, “sa”, “shi”, “su” in the columns displayed in the matrix shown in FIG. In the shared area, “sa” in the row displayed in the horizontal crossbar 520 (“Akasana” row) is displayed.

Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 16, in the area below the shared area 532, that is, in the input area 531, characters already displayed in the columns displayed in the vertical crossbar 510 (“sa”, “shi”). , “Su”), “se” in this example.
As another form, the character corresponding to the shared area 531 in the vertical crossbar 510 (“se” in this example) is overlaid by the character displayed in the horizontal crossbar 520 (“sa” in this example). As an example, the input area 531 below the shared area 532 may be configured to display a character next to “S” which is an overlaid character, that is, “SO”.

Further, by using a learning function or the like, a character that the user will input next is estimated from a history of input characters, a dictionary, or the like so far, and among the input candidate characters in the vertical crossbar 510 and the horizontal crossbar 520 The input candidate characters that are estimated to be input can be highlighted.
In this example, the zone display control unit 420 forms a recording unit for recording the history of input characters in the main memory, learns from the recorded input character history, and then is input candidate characters to be input next I tried to guess.
In the state of FIG. 5, the character string “I am set” has already been input in the character input zone 540, and it is presumed that the next input candidate character to be input is “re” by the learning function or the like. A case will be described as an example. In this case, the zone display control unit 420 detects whether “re” is displayed on at least one of the vertical crossbar 510 and the horizontal crossbar 520. In this example, “Re” is not displayed on either the vertical crossbar 510 or the horizontal crossbar 520, and the input candidate character that is estimated cannot be highlighted as it is.

In the present embodiment, when such input candidate characters that are estimated to be input next are not displayed in the vertical crossbar 510 and the horizontal crossbar 520, as shown in FIG. In addition to the vertical crossbar 510 and the horizontal crossbar 520, the display control unit 420 is surrounded by a boundary line L3 so that a column including the input candidate characters to be estimated is displayed in the matrix shown in FIG. The estimated character display bar 570 formed by the vertically long rectangular zone is displayed. In this example, the estimated character display bar 570 displays either a row or a column including the estimated input candidate character in the matrix shown in FIG.
In addition, the input candidate character estimated to be input next is highlighted as indicated by reference numeral 571 in FIG. This highlighting is performed by the cursor display control unit 423 in the zone display control unit 420.

When an input candidate character that is estimated to be input next is displayed in the vertical crossbar 510 or the horizontal crossbar 520, the input candidate character is simply highlighted. Even in this case, the estimated character display bar 570 as described above may be displayed so as to be distinguishable from the vertical crossbar 510, the horizontal crossbar 520, and the character input zone 540. It is preferable to perform the highlighted display of the input candidate character thus estimated in a form that can be distinguished from the highlighted display in the input area 531.
Preferably, by performing input from an operation unit that is not used for other inputs in the operation device 200, for example, input from the operation button 224, input candidate characters estimated to be input next are matched with the input region 531. Like that. Thereby, the estimated input candidate character can be easily input according to the input area 531.
More preferably, both the highlighting of the estimated input candidate character as in the above-described example and the matching of the input candidate character estimated to be input next to the input area 531 by the input of the operation button 224 are performed. Thus, after confirming the estimated input candidate character, it is possible to easily input the character according to the estimated input candidate character in accordance with the input area 531.

  Next, another example of the position of the character input zone 540 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 18, in this example, the character input zone 540 is overlapped with the horizontal crossbar 520. When overlapping in this way, it is preferable to display the characters in the character input zone and the characters in the horizontal crossbar 520 so that they can be identified by changing the display method. For example, the alpha value of a character already entered in the character input zone 540 (the character on the left side of the input area 531) is lowered so that the inputted character string is easy to see, either one of the characters is displayed in three dimensions, and the display color These characters can be distinguished from each other by a method such as changing.

In this example, since the shared area 532 and the input area 531 coincide with each other, the screen is simplified when the input candidate character is selected, and the input candidate character is more easily selected by improving the visibility. be able to.
In the example of FIG. 18, the horizontal crossbar 520 and the character input zone 540 are displayed so as to overlap each other, but one of the horizontal crossbar 520 and the character input zone 540 has a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the vertical crossbar 510. It is also possible to display so that the other does not overlap by displaying the other and making the other orthogonal to each other as in FIG.
In this case, even if the input area 531 and the shared area 532 are matched, both the input candidate character string displayed in the vertical crossbar 510 and the horizontal crossbar 520 and the character string input to the character input zone are superimposed. Disappear.

For example, the horizontal crossbar 520 is crossed with a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the vertical crossbar 510 so that the horizontal crossbar 520 is V-shaped, U-shaped, inverted U-shaped, / shaped, \ -shaped. An example of displaying the above is given. In this example, although the vertical crossbar 510, the horizontal crossbar 520, and the character input zone 540 share one character in the shared area 532, the character strings displayed in these zones do not overlap each other.
As an example of this, FIG. 19 shows an example in which the horizontal crossbar 520 is displayed in a V shape to cross the vertical crossbar 510 with a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the vertical crossbar 510.

In the example of FIG. 19, the display mode of the vertical crossbar 510 is not changed from that of the other examples. Therefore, the scrolling of input candidate characters in the vertical crossbar 510 is the same as in the other examples. It can be carried out.
The horizontal crossbar 520 is displayed in a straight line in the horizontal direction in the other examples, but is displayed in a V shape in the example of FIG. However, the horizontal crossbar 520 is scrolled substantially in the same manner as other examples. Specifically, each input candidate character displayed in the horizontal crossbar 520 is input candidates adjacent to the right of the input candidate character in the matrix of FIG. The display is changed to text. Similarly, each input candidate character displayed in the horizontal crossbar 520 is input to the input candidate character adjacent to the left of the input candidate character in the matrix of FIG. 6 when a right direction input from the cross key 211 is received. And the display is changed.

FIG. 20 shows a display of the vertical crossbar 510, the horizontal crossbar 520, and the character input zone 540 after the left input from the cross key 211 in the state of FIG. As shown in FIG. 20, the horizontal crossbar 520 and the character input zone 540 also indicate that the input candidate characters are scrolled to the left as in the other examples.
As described above, in the example illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20, the zone display control unit 420 includes the input candidate character string displayed in the vertical crossbar 510 and the character string input in the character input zone 540. A vertical cross bar 510 is displayed so as to be substantially orthogonal. Moreover, the zone display control unit 420 displays the input candidate character string displayed in the horizontal crossbar 520 so as to form a predetermined inclination angle with the input candidate character string displayed in the vertical crossbar 510. The input candidate character strings displayed in the vertical crossbar 510 and the horizontal crossbar 520 and the character strings input to the character input zone 540 are not superimposed.

Next, when correcting a character already input or adding a character, it is necessary to move the input area 531 to a position in the character string already input in the character input zone 540. In the example shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, when “cur” for moving the cursor indicated by reference numeral 580 is arranged in the horizontal crossbar 520 and there is a predetermined input, in this example, an input from the operation button 223, cur580 is toggled, and the cursor display control unit 423 highlights cur580.
While cur 580 is toggled and highlighted, the vertical crossbar 510 and the horizontal crossbar 520 move in parallel up, down, left and right with respect to the up / down / left / right direction inputs from the cross key 211. The input area 531 can be moved to a desired position in the character input zone 540 (third display control operation). While the cur 580 is in the toggle state, the first display control operation and the second control operation described above are not performed with respect to the input from the cross key 211. Therefore, the input is performed in the vertical crossbar 510 and the horizontal crossbar 520. Candidate characters are not scrolled. In addition, when there is an input from the operation button 223 again, the toggle state is canceled and the highlighted display of the cur 580 is also ended.

In FIG. 21, the input area 531 is at a position adjacent to the right of “,” which is the character last input in the character input zone 540, which is indicated by reference numeral 541 in the drawing. In this state, when a character is added at a position between “Ta” and “Shi” that are already input as indicated by reference numeral 542 in the figure, the input area 531 is moved to the position indicated by reference numeral 542. It is necessary to let
In this case, cur 580 is toggled, and left direction input is performed from cross key 211 to move cur 580 in the figure to the left by three characters on the screen. As described above, in this state in which cur 580 is highlighted in a toggle state, the vertical cross bar 510 and the horizontal cross bar 520 are parallel to the upper, lower, left, and right directions in response to the up / down / left / right direction inputs from the cross key 211. Since it moves, the input area also moves left by three characters. As a result, the input area 531 can be set between “TA” and “SH” indicated by reference numeral 542. This state is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 22, the toggle state is canceled by inputting from the operation button 223 again, and the input candidate characters are input in the vertical crossbar 510 or the horizontal by inputting in the vertical and horizontal directions from the cross key 211. It returns to the state where it can scroll in the crossbar 520. As a result, a desired input candidate character displayed in the input area 531 is input to the desired input candidate character displayed in the input area 531 by inputting the operation button 221 after the desired input candidate character is displayed in the input area 531. Can be entered between “and”. Thereby, it is possible to add a character to a character already input in the character input zone 540.
In the above example, the third display control operation as described above is performed by inputting from the operation button (in this example, the operation button 223). The third display control operation can also be performed without using the input.
In this embodiment, the third display control operation is performed by performing character determination input in a state where cur 580 in FIG. Accordingly, in this state, the vertical crossbar 510 and the horizontal crossbar 520 translate in the vertical and horizontal directions with respect to the up / down / left / right direction inputs from the cross key 211, thereby moving the input area 531 within the character input zone 540. It becomes possible to move to the desired position.
Thus, while the third display control operation is being performed, cur 580 remains in the input area 531 as it is. Therefore, cur 580 is still displayed in the input area 531 even when the input area 531 is set to a desired position in the character input zone 540. When the character determination input is performed in this state, the third display control operation is canceled and the normal character input state is restored, so that the input area 531 is aligned with a desired position in the character input zone 540, and is vertically and horizontally In response to each direction input, the first display control operation and the second display control operation described above are respectively performed, and character input can be performed.

As another form, instead of displaying the cur 580 for moving the cursor, the third display control operation described above is performed while a predetermined input, for example, the operation button 231 or 241 on the operation device 200 is pressed. The input area 531 may be moved to a desired position in the character input zone 540.
In each of the above embodiments, the function of making the clear sound muddy is executed by the muddy point 550, the function of making the mute sound of the clear sound is executed by the semi-maze point 551, and the function of changing the display control operation is executed by the cur 580. ing. As described above, in the present invention, by displaying a symbol for executing a special function such as change of input candidate character type or change of table control operation (hereinafter referred to as function symbol) together with the input candidate character, These functions can be executed.
Not limited to these cloud points, etc., “A, i, u, e, o” is made small letters such as “a, i, ぅ, e, ぉ”, uppercase or lowercase letters are specified in the alphabet, stuttering and sounding Even if it is required to execute a function such as inputting a voice, a function symbol for executing these specific functions is displayed together with input candidate characters in the same manner as in the case of the muddy sound. It is possible to perform the function.
In this case, as in the case of muddy sound,
(1) The function is executed by performing character determination input in accordance with the function symbol in the input area 531 and the function execution is terminated by performing character determination input in accordance with the function symbol again in the input area 531.
(2) When a specific input, for example, a specific operation button is input, the function symbol is toggled to execute the function, and when a specific operation input is made again, the execution of the function is terminated.
The following two operations are possible.
Although the zone display control unit 420 executes functions such as muddying and changing the display control operation, the function control unit 450 may execute the functions.

<Calling a character input program from a game program>
In the example described above, the function of the character input zone display control unit 424 is formed in the input detection unit 410 in the character input control unit 400, and the character input zone is displayed in the character input program.

However, as described above, the display of the character input zone is not necessarily executed by the character input program. When character input is required in a game program or the like, the game program or the like displays an area or window in which characters are input and calls the character input program. In the character input program, such characters are input. The character determined as the input character by the input character determination unit 440 can be output to the area or window to be displayed.
In this case, it is not necessary to form the function of the character input zone display control unit 424 in the character input control unit shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, taking a game program as an example, an example will be described in which an area or a window (hereinafter simply referred to as a character input zone) in which characters are input in the game program is displayed and the character input program is called.
The CPU of the game machine main body 100 controls the disk control unit 140 to develop and execute a game program recorded on a disk such as a CD-ROM or a hard disk on the main memory, and the functions as shown in FIG. The game control unit 600 is realized by forming blocks.

As shown in FIG. 23, in the game program 600, a game executing unit 601, a character input program calling unit 602, and a game screen display unit 603 are formed.
The game execution unit 601 executes a game in response to an input from the game player through the operation device 200, and the game screen display unit 602 displays a screen of a game executed in the game execution unit 601. When character input is required during the progress of the game, the character input program calling unit 603 calls the character input program described above, and the game execution unit 601 displays the character input zone 540.
The operation of the character input process in this example will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In FIG. 24, the game execution unit 601 executes a game (S101), and determines whether or not to input characters during the progress of the game (S102). When no character input is performed (S101N), the process returns to S101. When performing character input (S101Y), the game screen display unit 602 lowers the α value and brightness of the game screen (S103), and the character input program calling unit 603 calls the character input program (S104).
Thereafter, the called character input program causes the vertical crossbar 510 and the horizontal crossbar 520 to be overlaid on the game screen by the game execution unit 601 (S105), and character input is performed as described above. Processing is executed (S106). As a result, the character input program sends the determined input character to the game execution unit 601, and the game execution unit 601 displays the sent character in the character input zone 540.

  The game execution unit 601 determines whether or not the character input process has been completed (S107), and if not completed (S107N), the game execution unit 601 returns to S106 and continues the character input process. When the character input is completed (S107Y), the calling of the character input program is terminated, the overlay display of the vertical crossbar 510, the horizontal crossbar 520, and the character input zone 540 is also canceled (S108), and the game is returned to (S109). ).

As described above, in the character input device and the character input method shown in the present embodiment, since there are few types of input required for character input, it is easy to learn a character input operation. Further, for example, the up, down, left and right inputs on the joystick 251 are assigned to the up direction input, the down direction input, the left direction input and the right direction input, respectively, and the push button of the joystick 251 is used as a character decision input. By assigning, it is possible to input characters using only the joystick 251 portion of the controller device 200.
Furthermore, since the point character selection cursor and the character input position substantially coincide, the eye movement during input is small, and the eyes are tired. Also, annoyance of character selection and cursor movement is avoided. In addition, since a character string can be input intuitively with only a cursor and a selection button, even a beginner can easily input characters.

Explanatory drawing of the whole structure of the video game machine which operate | moves as a character input device. The main composition explanatory view of a game machine main part. The front view of an operating device. Functional structure explanatory drawing of a character input control part. Explanatory drawing of the character input determination using a vertical crossbar and a horizontal crossbar. Explanatory drawing of the matrix which uses an input candidate character as a matrix element. Explanatory drawing of the character input determination using a vertical crossbar and a horizontal crossbar. Explanatory drawing of the character input determination using a vertical crossbar and a horizontal crossbar. Explanatory drawing of the character input determination using a vertical crossbar and a horizontal crossbar. Explanatory drawing of the character input determination using a vertical crossbar and a horizontal crossbar. Explanatory drawing of the character input determination using a vertical crossbar and a horizontal crossbar. Explanatory drawing of the character input determination using a vertical crossbar and a horizontal crossbar. Explanatory drawing of the character input determination using a vertical crossbar and a horizontal crossbar. Explanatory drawing of the character input determination using a vertical crossbar and a horizontal crossbar. Explanatory drawing of the character input determination using a vertical crossbar and a horizontal crossbar. Explanatory drawing of the character input determination using a vertical crossbar and a horizontal crossbar. Explanatory drawing of the character input determination using a vertical crossbar and a horizontal crossbar. Explanatory drawing of the character input determination using a vertical crossbar and a horizontal crossbar. Explanatory drawing of the character input determination using a vertical crossbar and a horizontal crossbar. Explanatory drawing of the character input determination using a vertical crossbar and a horizontal crossbar. Explanatory drawing of the character input determination using a vertical crossbar and a horizontal crossbar. Explanatory drawing of the character input determination using a vertical crossbar and a horizontal crossbar. The function block diagram of the game control part 600 which calls a character input program. The flowchart for demonstrating the operation | movement of a character input process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Game machine body 110 Main control part 120 Image processing part 130 Sound control part 140 Disk control part 150 Communication control part 160 Interface part 200 Operation apparatus 203 Connector 210 Operation part 211 Cross key 240 Operation part 241 Operation button 251 Joystick 252 Joystick 400 Character Input control unit 410 Input detection unit 420 Zone display control unit 421 Vertical crossbar display control unit 422 Horizontal crossbar display control unit 423 Cursor display control unit 424 Character input zone display control unit 430 Input candidate character recording unit 440 Input character determination unit 450 Function control unit 510 Vertical crossbar 520 Horizontal crossbar 531 Input area 532 Shared area 540 Character input zone

Claims (15)

Zone display that controls the display of the first input candidate character string display zone and the second input candidate character string display zone, each of which is displayed in a display screen area of a predetermined display device and in which input candidate characters are displayed in a line. Control means;
In response to an input from the input means, the input character is determined from among the input candidate characters, and the determined input character is transferred to a predetermined character input zone displayed in the display screen area of the display device. Input character determination means for sending,
The zone display control means is a state in which the first input candidate character string display zone and the second input candidate character string display zone are crossed by sharing a common area where one character of the input candidate character is displayed. In response to an input from the input means, the input candidate characters displayed in the display zone for at least one of the first input candidate character string display zone and the second input candidate character string display zone Scroll to
In response to a predetermined input from the input means, the character input determining means determines an input candidate character displayed in the shared area as an input character, or the first input candidate character string display zone and A predetermined one of input candidate characters displayed adjacent to the input candidate characters displayed in the shared area in the second input candidate character string display zone is determined as an input character;
Further, the zone display control means displays the input candidate characters displayed in the shared area superimposed on the character input zone, or displays the first input candidate character string display zone and the second input candidate characters. The first input candidate such that a predetermined one of the input candidate characters displayed adjacent to the input candidate characters displayed in the shared area in the column display zone is displayed superimposed on the character input zone. Display control of the character string display zone and the second input candidate character string display zone;
Character input device. Input candidate characters displayed in the first input candidate character string display zone and the second input candidate character string display zone, and matrix arrangement information representing a matrix in which these input candidate characters are arranged in a matrix as matrix elements; And an input candidate character recording part in which is recorded,
The zone display control means reads input candidate characters and matrix arrangement information recorded in the input candidate character recording unit, displays one column in the matrix in the first input candidate character string display zone, Display one row in the matrix in the input candidate character string display zone,
Further, the zone display control means is responsive to an input from the input means,
(1) The input candidate character strings displayed in the first input candidate character string display zone are scrolled in the column direction in the matrix, and the input candidate character strings in the second input candidate character string display zone are not scrolled. A first display control operation that operates;
(2) Second display control that operates to scroll both the input candidate character strings displayed in the first input candidate character string display zone and the second input candidate character string display zone in the row direction in the matrix. Operation and
Is feasible,
The character input device according to claim 1. The zone display control means can distinguish already input characters in the character input zone from input candidate characters in the first input candidate character string display zone and the second input candidate character string display zone. As each zone is displayed,
The character input device according to claim 1 or 2. The character input determining means determines input candidate characters displayed in the shared area as input characters,
The zone display control means includes the first input candidate character so that an input candidate character string displayed in the first input candidate character string display zone and a character string input in the character input zone are substantially orthogonal to each other. Display column display zone, and
The zone display control means has an input candidate character string displayed in the second input candidate character string display zone having a predetermined inclination angle with an input candidate character string displayed in the first input candidate character string display zone. 4. The character input device according to claim 3, wherein the input candidate characters and the character string input to the character input zone are not overlapped by displaying in such a manner. The zone display control means displays the first input candidate character string display zone and the second input candidate character string display for the display screen area of the display device before and after the input character determination operation is performed by the input character determination means. Display the relative position of the zone,
The character input device according to claim 1. When the input character determination operation is performed by the input character determination unit, the zone display control unit performs the first input candidate character string display zone and the second input candidate character string on the display screen area of the display device. The display zone is displayed by moving at least one character relative to the character input zone.
The character input device according to claim 1. The zone display control means includes
A function symbol for executing a specific function is displayed together with the input candidate character,
When the function symbol is determined as the input character, the specific function is executed, and when the function symbol is determined again as the input character, the execution of the specific function is terminated.
The character input device according to claim 1. The zone display control means includes
A function symbol for executing a specific function is displayed together with the input candidate character,
The specific function is executed in response to a predetermined input from the input means, and when the predetermined input is made again from the input means, the execution of the specific function is terminated in response to this.
The character input device according to claim 1. The zone display control means includes
By learning from the history of input characters, guess the next input candidate character to be input,
In response to a predetermined input from the input means, the estimated input candidate character is
1) display in the shared area, or
2) Display adjacent to input candidate characters displayed in the shared area in the first input candidate character string display zone and the second input candidate character string display zone.
The character input device according to claim 1. The zone display control means includes
By learning from the history of input characters, guess the next input candidate character to be input,
When it is detected whether the estimated input candidate character is displayed in at least one of the first input candidate character string display zone and the second input candidate character string display zone, and is not displayed in either The input candidate characters and matrix arrangement information recorded in the input candidate character recording unit is read, and the row or column containing the estimated input candidate characters in the matrix is displayed in the display screen area.
The character input device according to claim 2. The zone display control means includes
By learning from the history of input characters, guess the next input candidate character to be input,
In response to a predetermined input from the input means, the estimated input candidate character is
1) display in the shared area, or
2) Display adjacent to input candidate characters displayed in the shared area in the first input candidate character string display zone and the second input candidate character string display zone.
The character input device according to claim 1.   The character input device according to claim 1, further comprising highlighting means for highlighting input candidate characters displayed in the input area. Zone display that controls the display of the first input candidate character string display zone and the second input candidate character string display zone, each of which is displayed in a display screen area of a predetermined display device and in which input candidate characters are displayed in a line. Control means;
In response to an input from the input means, the input character is determined from among the input candidate characters, and the determined input character is transferred to a predetermined character input zone displayed in the display screen area of the display device. A character input method executed by a character input device each having an input character determination means for sending,
A state in which the zone display control means crosses the first input candidate character string display zone and the second input candidate character string display zone while sharing a common area where one character of the input candidate character is displayed. In response to an input from the input means, the input candidate characters displayed in the display zone for at least one of the first input candidate character string display zone and the second input candidate character string display zone The step of scrolling,
In response to a predetermined input from the input means, the character input determining means determines an input candidate character displayed in the shared area as an input character, or the first input candidate character string display zone and Determining a predetermined one of the input candidate characters displayed adjacent to the input candidate character displayed in the shared area in the second input candidate character string display zone as an input character,
Further, the zone display control means displays the input candidate characters displayed in the shared area superimposed on the character input zone, or the first input candidate character string display zone and the second input candidate characters. The first input candidate such that a predetermined one of the input candidate characters displayed adjacent to the input candidate characters displayed in the shared area in the column display zone is displayed superimposed on the character input zone. A character input method for performing display control of a character string display zone and a second input candidate character string display zone. Display control of the first input candidate character string display zone and the second input candidate character string display zone in which the computer is displayed in the display screen area of a predetermined display device and the input candidate characters are displayed in a line inside the computer. A zone display control means to perform, and an input character is determined from among the input candidate characters in response to an input from the input means, and the determined input character is displayed in a display screen area of the display device While functioning as input character determination means to be sent to a predetermined character input zone,
The zone display control means is a state in which the first input candidate character string display zone and the second input candidate character string display zone are crossed by sharing a common area where one character of the input candidate character is displayed. In response to an input from the input means, the input candidate characters displayed in the display zone for at least one of the first input candidate character string display zone and the second input candidate character string display zone Scrolls
In response to a predetermined input from the input means, the character input determining means determines an input candidate character displayed in the shared area as an input character, or the first input candidate character string display zone and A predetermined one of input candidate characters displayed adjacent to the input candidate characters displayed in the shared area in the second input candidate character string display zone is determined as an input character;
Further, the zone display control means displays the input candidate characters displayed in the shared area superimposed on the character input zone, or displays the first input candidate character string display zone and the second input candidate characters. The first input candidate such that a predetermined one of the input candidate characters displayed adjacent to the input candidate characters displayed in the shared area in the column display zone is displayed superimposed on the character input zone. A computer program for performing display control of a character string display zone and a second input candidate character string display zone. Display control of the first input candidate character string display zone and the second input candidate character string display zone in which the computer is displayed in the display screen area of a predetermined display device and the input candidate characters are displayed in a line inside the computer. A zone display control means to perform, and an input character is determined from among the input candidate characters in response to an input from the input means, and the determined input character is displayed in a display screen area of the display device While functioning as input character determination means to be sent to a predetermined character input zone,
The zone display control means is a state in which the first input candidate character string display zone and the second input candidate character string display zone are crossed by sharing a common area where one character of the input candidate character is displayed. In response to an input from the input means, the input candidate characters displayed in the display zone for at least one of the first input candidate character string display zone and the second input candidate character string display zone Scrolls
In response to a predetermined input from the input means, the character input determining means determines an input candidate character displayed in the shared area as an input character, or the first input candidate character string display zone and A predetermined one of input candidate characters displayed adjacent to the input candidate characters displayed in the shared area in the second input candidate character string display zone is determined as an input character;
Further, the zone display control means displays the input candidate characters displayed in the shared area superimposed on the character input zone, or displays the first input candidate character string display zone and the second input candidate characters. The first input candidate such that a predetermined one of the input candidate characters displayed adjacent to the input candidate characters displayed in the shared area in the column display zone is displayed superimposed on the character input zone. A computer-readable recording medium on which a computer program for performing display control of a character string display zone and a second input candidate character string display zone is recorded.

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