Electronic device, character input method

Abstract

An electronic device capable of inputting characters appended with language-specific symbols through a keyboard having keys corresponding to basic characters of the language. The electronic device, in the process of causing a display to display a character string corresponding to keys input through the keyboard having the above keys, displays a guide display of the following information based on input rules for inputting undetermined characters and keys for inputting characters appended with language-specific symbols to the above basic characters: information indicating a key for causing the undetermined input character displayed on the above display to produce a character conversion using language-specific symbols; and information indicating the converted character.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device and a character input method for inputting characters to which language-specific symbols are added. Background Art

[0002] A technology for a character input device is known that combines multiple key operations to input characters in a language having more characters than the number of keys on a keyboard, such as Vietnamese, which has a large number of vowels and characters with vowel marks or tone marks attached (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 05-081280

[0006] In conventional character input devices, although characters with multiple types of vowel marks or tone marks can be input by combining multiple key operations, it is difficult to remember input rules for inputting characters, such as which key can be operated to input which character with which mark.

[0007] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electronic device and a character input method capable of easily inputting characters to which language-specific symbols are added. Summary of the invention

[0008] An electronic device, characterized in that it comprises: a keyboard having keys corresponding to basic characters of a language; a display; and a processor, wherein the processor, in causing the display to display a character string corresponding to a key input through the keyboard, based on an input rule for inputting undetermined characters and keys for inputting characters obtained by appending language-specific symbols to the basic characters, performs a guide display displaying the following information: information indicating a key for causing the undetermined characters displayed on the display to produce a character conversion using language-specific symbols; and information indicating the converted characters.

[0009] A character input method, characterized in that the following processing is performed by a processor of an electronic device having a display and a keyboard having keys corresponding to basic characters of a language: in the process of causing the above-mentioned display to display a character string corresponding to a key input through the above-mentioned keyboard, based on an input rule for inputting undetermined characters and keys for inputting characters obtained by appending language-specific symbols to the above-mentioned basic characters, a guide display is performed to display the following information: information indicating a key for causing the input undetermined character displayed on the above-mentioned display to produce a character conversion using language-specific symbols; and information indicating the converted character.

[0010] A recording medium, characterized in that it records a program for causing a computer of an electronic device having a display and a keyboard having keys corresponding to basic characters of a language to perform the following processing: in the process of causing the above-mentioned display to display a character string corresponding to a key input through the above-mentioned keyboard, based on an input rule for inputting undetermined characters and keys for inputting characters obtained by appending symbols specific to the above-mentioned language to the above-mentioned basic characters, a guide display is performed to display the following information: information indicating a key for causing the input undetermined characters displayed on the above-mentioned display to produce a character conversion using symbols specific to the above-mentioned language; and information indicating the converted characters. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 It is a front view showing the appearance structure of an electronic dictionary 10 according to an embodiment of the electronic device, the character input method, and the program of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 2 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic circuit of the electronic dictionary 10 .

[0013] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing the Vietnamese alphabet.

[0014] Figure 4 The diagram shows tone symbols added to Vietnamese letters.

[0015] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing an example of a TELEX input rule for inputting Vietnamese characters using the alphabet keys [A] to [Z].

[0016] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing an example of input rules in the TELEX system when an input character string includes vowels, diphthongs, and triphthongs.

[0017] Fig. 7A This is an overall flowchart of Vietnamese input processing based on TELEX input rules.

[0018] Figure 7B This is an overview of the processing of classification according to input keys in Vietnamese input based on the input rules of the TELEX method.

[0019] Fig. 8A and Figure 8B It is a diagram showing a method of analyzing the structure of an input undetermined character string in Vietnamese input processing based on TELEX input rules.

[0020] Fig. 9 This is a diagram showing a portion of a Vietnamese conversion table based on TELEX input rules stored in the Vietnamese conversion table storage unit 22 e of the electronic dictionary 10 .

[0021] Fig.10 This is a diagram showing an example of the operation of inputting a Vietnamese character string according to each of the categories (1) to (8) of the Vietnamese input process of the electronic dictionary 10 .

[0022] Fig.11 This is a flowchart showing a common process (step S0 ) executed in the preceding stage of each process of category ( 1 ) to category ( 8 ) in the Vietnamese input process of the electronic dictionary 10 .

[0023] Fig.12 1 is a flowchart showing the processing of classification (1) in the Vietnamese input processing of the electronic dictionary 10 .

[0024] Fig.13 This is a flowchart showing the processing of classification (2) in the Vietnamese input processing of the electronic dictionary 10 .

[0025] Fig.14 This is a flowchart showing the processing of classification (3) in the Vietnamese input processing of the electronic dictionary 10 .

[0026] Fig.15 This is a flowchart showing the processing of classification (4) in the Vietnamese input processing of the electronic dictionary 10 .

[0027] Fig.16 This is a flowchart showing the processing of classification (5) in the Vietnamese input processing of the electronic dictionary 10.

[0028] Fig.17 This is a flowchart showing the processing of classification (6) in the Vietnamese input processing of the electronic dictionary 10.

[0029] Fig.18 This is a flowchart showing the processing of classification (7) in the Vietnamese input processing of the electronic dictionary 10.

[0030] Fig.19This is a flowchart showing the processing of classification (8) in the Vietnamese input processing of the electronic dictionary 10.

[0031] Fig. 20 1 is a flowchart showing a Vietnamese input support process executed by the electronic dictionary 10 together with a Vietnamese input process based on the TELEX input rule.

[0032] Fig.21 1 is a diagram showing an example of the display operation of the pop-up guidance Gp corresponding to the input assistance modes 1 to 4 accompanying the input of the Vietnamese language according to the Vietnamese input assistance process of the electronic dictionary 10 .

[0033] Fig. 22 1 is a diagram showing an example of the display operation of the pop-up guidance Gp of the electronic dictionary 10 in accordance with the input assistance mode 5 accompanying the input of the Vietnamese language in accordance with the Vietnamese language input assistance process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0035] Figure 1 It is a front view showing the appearance structure of an electronic dictionary 10 according to an embodiment of the electronic device, the character input method, and the program of the present invention.

[0036] The electronic device may be configured as an electronic dictionary 10 for language learning described below, or may be configured as a tablet-type PDA (personal digital assistants), a PC (personal computer), a mobile phone, an electronic book, a portable game machine, or the like.

[0037] The electronic dictionary 10 is configured as a foldable housing having a main housing 11 and a cover housing 12 that can be unfolded / closed via a hinge 13. A key input unit (keyboard) 14 including a [Home] key 14a, a function assignment key 14b, a character input key 14c, a [Translate / Determine] key 14d, a [Back / List] key 14e, a cursor key 14f, a [Shift] key 14g, etc., a voice output unit (including a speaker) 15, and a voice input unit (including a microphone) 16 are provided on the front of the main housing 11 after the foldable housing is unfolded.

[0038] In addition, a touch panel display unit (display) 17 is provided on the front of the cover housing 12. The touch panel display unit 17 is a structure in which a touch position detection device for detecting a position touched by a user with a pen or finger, etc. and a display device are integrated, and is formed by overlapping a transparent touch panel with a color liquid crystal display screen with a backlight.

[0039] A touch key area 17A is provided at the right end of the touch panel display unit 17. In the touch key area 17A, keys and function labels ([Home], [Course], [Translation / Decision], etc.) for performing a pressing operation on some keys in the key input unit 14 or a designation operation on some functions of the electronic dictionary 10 by touch operation are printed at a fixed position.

[0040] The [Home] key 14 a is a key for causing the display unit 17 to display a home screen (not shown).

[0041] The function designation key 14b is used to directly designate the dictionary content ([Great Dictionary], [Encyclopedia], etc.) identified by each key, the category of dictionary content ([Mandarin], [English-Japanese], [Japanese-English], [Japanese-Japanese], [Japanese-Vietnamese], etc.), [Content List], and a category of tools [Learning Book] respectively.

[0042] When the key of the key input unit 14 is operated after the [Shift] key 14g is operated, it can function as a key described in a surrounding frame at the top of the key, rather than a key described in a manner without a surrounding frame at the top of the key. For example, when the [Translate / Determine] key 14d is operated (hereinafter referred to as the [Shift]+[Determine] key) after the [Shift] key 14g is operated, it becomes the [Register] key for starting the function of registering the data designated as the registration object. The [Shift]+[Delete] key becomes the [Set] key.

[0043] The electronic dictionary 10 of the embodiment has a Vietnamese input function in TELEX mode. For example, when the category [Vietnamese-Japanese] of the dictionary content is specified and a Vietnamese entry search is performed using the Vietnamese-Japanese dictionary, the Vietnamese characters (93 characters in total) are input according to the TELEX input rules and using the letter keys [A] to [Z] (26 characters in total) (basic characters representing Roman letters) of the character input key 14c.

[0044] The electronic dictionary 10 of the embodiment also has a Vietnamese input assistance function. According to the Vietnamese input assistance function, when inputting Vietnamese characters according to the input rules of the TELEX method, a pop-up guide Gp is ​​displayed with the following instructions (guide data) for the character string displayed as undetermined input: which letter key will be operated next to which mark (vowel mark or tone mark) will be added, changed, moved, or deleted in the character string and the character string will be converted.

[0045] exist Figure 1In the example of the Vietnamese input assist function, when the character string "tieng" of the search target term is input in the term search area A of the dictionary search screen GV of the Vietnamese-Japanese dictionary (here, the input of all the character strings in front of the cursor Cu indicating the input position of the character is undetermined), a pop-up guide Gp indicating the following instructions (guide data) is displayed: If any of the keys [F], [S], [R], [X], and [J] is operated next, the vowel character "e" is added with the tone marks C1 (grave), C2 (acute), C3 (hook), C4 (tilde), and C5 (underdot) corresponding to each key, and the vowel character "e" is converted. In addition, Figure 1 The pop-up guide Gp shown is an example in which the guide (guide data) for converting vowel characters is marked in a horizontal arrangement, but it is possible to arbitrarily select whether to mark the guide (guide data) in a horizontal arrangement or in a vertical arrangement according to the user operation.

[0046] According to the Vietnamese input assisting function accompanying the Vietnamese input in accordance with the TELEX input rule, even if the user is not familiar with the input rule, the user can easily input characters to which symbols unique to the Vietnamese language are added.

[0047] Figure 2 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic circuit of the electronic dictionary 10 .

[0048] The electronic circuit of the electronic dictionary 10 includes a CPU (processor) 21 as a computer.

[0049] CPU21 controls the operation of each circuit part according to the dictionary system program 22a, Vietnamese input processing program 22b, Vietnamese input auxiliary processing program 22c pre-stored in the storage unit (storage means) 22 such as flash ROM, or the programs 22a, 22b, 22c read from the external recording medium 23 such as a memory card by the recording medium reading unit 24 and stored in the storage unit 22, or the programs 22a, 22b, 22c downloaded from the Web server (herein, program server) 30 on the communication network N via the communication unit 25 and stored in the storage unit 22.

[0050] The CPU 21 is connected to the storage unit 22 , the recording medium reading unit 24 , the communication unit 25 , the key input unit 14 , the voice output unit 15 , the voice input unit 16 , and the touch panel display unit 17 via a data bus and a control bus.

[0051] The storage unit 22 includes, in addition to the program storage units (22a, 22b, 22c) for storing the dictionary system program 22a, the Vietnamese input processing program 22b, and the Vietnamese input auxiliary processing program 22c, a dictionary content data storage unit 22d, a Vietnamese conversion table storage unit 22e, a Vietnamese input guide data storage unit 22f, a Vietnamese input auxiliary mode storage unit 22g, and a display data storage unit 22h.

[0052] The dictionary content data storage unit 22d stores dictionary content data (Mandarin) 22d1, dictionary content data (English) 22d2, dictionary content data (Vietnamese) 22d3, etc. containing multiple types of dictionary contents according to each dictionary category as an application using the corresponding content.

[0053] The Vietnamese conversion table storage unit 22e stores a conversion table of Vietnamese characters (strings) based on the input rules of the TELEX method (see Fig. 9 ) data, in which, according to the type of each letter key to be input (input key), each character string of the conversion object and its character code are recorded in correspondence with each character string obtained after the key input (character string after key input) and its character code.

[0054] The Vietnamese input guide data storage unit 22f stores guide data (including input keys, characters (strings) to be converted, and characters (strings) after conversion), which is used to guide the content of conversion in advance when a character conversion with addition, change, movement, or deletion of a mark (vowel mark or tone mark) is generated in any character in the input undetermined character string by inputting certain letter keys in the process of inputting a Vietnamese character string according to the input rule of the TELEX method. The guide data can be generated by the Vietnamese input assisting function.

[0055] The Vietnamese input assistance mode storage unit 22g stores input assistance mode data indicating which type of conversion guide data is selected and displayed from among the guide data stored in the Vietnamese input guide data storage unit 22f for guiding the content of character conversion accompanied by addition, change, movement, and deletion of marks when the pop-up guide Gp is ​​displayed by the Vietnamese input assistance function.

[0056] For example, the mode for selecting and displaying guide data related to the addition of vowel marks is set to <Input Assistance Mode 1>, the mode for selecting and displaying guide data related to the addition or change of tone marks is set to <Input Assistance Mode 2>, the mode for selecting and displaying guide data related to the deletion of tone marks is set to <Input Assistance Mode 3>, the mode for selecting and displaying guide data related to the movement of tone marks is set to <Input Assistance Mode 4>, and the mode for displaying all types of guide data is set to <Input Assistance Mode 5>. These input assistance modes n are arbitrarily selected and specified by the user.

[0057] The display data storage unit 22 h stores image data in, for example, a bitmap format that the CPU 21 causes the touch panel display unit 17 to display in accordance with the operation of the electronic dictionary 10 .

[0058] The dictionary system program 22a includes: a system program that manages the overall operation of the electronic dictionary 10, a program for communicating with external electronic devices via the communication unit 25, and a program for executing various functions corresponding to various contents or tools using various data including various content data 22d1, 22d2, etc. stored in the storage unit 22d.

[0059] The Vietnamese input processing program 22b includes a program for executing a Vietnamese input function that uses the alphabetic keys [A] to [Z] (a total of 26 characters) of the character input key 14c to input Vietnamese characters (a total of 93 characters) in accordance with the input rules of the TELEX system.

[0060] The Vietnamese input assistance processing program 22c includes a program for executing a Vietnamese input assistance function, etc. The Vietnamese input assistance function is to display a pop-up guide Gp for indicating which letter key will be operated next to add, change, move, or delete which symbol (vowel symbol or tone symbol) in the string and convert the string, with the string displayed as an undetermined input as the object.

[0061] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing the Vietnamese alphabet.

[0062] The Vietnamese alphabet includes 26 general letters "a" to "z" and 7 letters (unique characters) M1 to M7, which are letters unique to the Vietnamese language with vowel marks (B1 (breve), B2 (hat), B3 (horn)) or stroke mark T added.

[0063] In addition, the four characters "f", "j", "w" and "z" are not used in original Vietnamese, but are used in proper nouns, foreign words, etc.

[0064] Figure 4 The diagram shows tone symbols added to Vietnamese letters.

[0065] In Vietnamese, Figure 4 The 12 vowel characters of the letters "a", "e", "i", "o", "u", and "y" (in Vietnamese, "y" is considered a vowel) shown in the first column are added with 5 tone marks (C1 (xuansheng), C2 (ruisheng), C3 (wensheng), C4 (diesheng), and C5 (zhongsheng)), so there are 60 vowel characters with tone marks.

[0066] Therefore, Vietnamese characters exist by Figure 3 The 33 characters of the alphabet without tone marks are shown and Figure 4 The 60 vowel characters with tone marks added thereto constitute a total of 93 characters. The character fonts of these 93 Vietnamese characters are stored in the storage unit 22 together with the dictionary content data (Vietnamese) 22d3 of the dictionary content data storage unit 22d, for example.

[0067] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing an example of a TELEX input rule for inputting Vietnamese characters using the alphabet keys [A] to [Z].

[0068] For example, when inputting a unique character M2 in which a vowel sign B2 (circumflex) is added to a vowel character "a", the [A] key for inputting the vowel character "a" is inputted twice in succession. When inputting unique characters M4 and M5 in which a vowel sign B2 (circumflex) is added to vowels "e" and "o", the same key is inputted twice in succession, similarly to the case of inputting a unique character M3 in which a horizontal stroke sign T is added to a consonant character "d".

[0069] In addition, when inputting the unique character M1 with the vowel symbol B1 (circumflex mark) added to the vowel character "a", input the [A] key and the [W] key. The same is true when inputting the unique characters M7 and M6 with the vowel symbol B3 (antennary mark) added to the vowel characters "u" and "o". In addition, when the vowel symbol B3 (antennary mark) is added to the double vowel character "uo", it is sufficient to input the [W] key once after inputting the [U] key and the [O] key. In addition, by inputting the [W] key once, it is also possible to input the unique character M7 with the vowel symbol B3 (antennary mark) added to the vowel character "u".

[0070] In addition, for each vowel character (see Figure 4 In the first column of the text, in the case of additional tone mark C1 (xuansheng), enter the [F] key, in the case of additional tone mark C2 (ruisheng), enter the [S] key, in the case of additional tone mark C3 (wensheng), enter the [R] key, in the case of additional tone mark C4 (fallingsheng), enter the [X] key, and in the case of additional tone mark C5 (zhongsheng), enter the [J] key.

[0071] In the vowel characters to which the tone marks C1 to C5 are added (refer to Figure 4 To delete the tone mark Cn, enter the [Z] key.

[0072] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing an example of input rules in the TELEX system when an input character string includes vowels, diphthongs, and triphthongs.

[0073] [1] When there is one vowel character (monophony) in the input character string, a tone mark is added to the vowel character.

[0074] [2] When the input character string contains two vowel characters (diphthongs), a tone mark is added to the first vowel character.

[0075] [3] When the input character string has three vowel characters (triphthongs), a tone mark is added to the second (center) vowel character.

[0076] [4] [Exception] When the input character string contains two vowel characters (diphthongs) followed by a consonant character, a tone mark is added to the second vowel character.

[0077] [5] [Exception] When there is a vowel character (specific characters M1, M2, M4, M5, M6, M7) with a vowel mark Bn (n=1, 2, 3) in the input character string, the tone mark is added to the vowel character Mn first.

[0078] [6] [Exception] When the consonant character "g" and the diphthong character "ia" are consecutive in the input character string, the tone mark Cn is added to the vowel character "a".

[0079] [7][Exception] When the consonant character "q" and the diphthong character "ua" are consecutive in the input character string, the tone mark Cn is added to the vowel character "a". In addition, when the consonant character "q" and the diphthong character "uy" are consecutive, the tone mark Cn is added to the vowel character "y".

[0080] [8][Prerequisite] When there is a combination of vowel characters that do not exist in the input character string, even if the key for adding the tone mark Cn ([F][S][R][X][J]) is entered, the tone mark Cn is not added, and the character corresponding to the entered key ("f", "s", "r", "x", "j") is simply added.

[0081] [9] [Prerequisite] When there is a combination of vowel characters that does not exist in the input character string, the vowel symbol Bn is not added.

[0082]

[10] After the tone mark Cn is added to the vowel character of the diphthong according to the input rules of [2][4] (the tone mark Cn is added to the first vowel character), when a consonant character is input, the input tone mark Cn moves (the tone mark Cn moves to the second vowel character).

[0083] In addition, in the TELEX method, although there are various input rules in addition to the input rules described so far, their description is omitted. In addition, for vowel characters among basic characters, the input rule for keys used to input characters with vowel marks added is set as the first input rule, and the input rule for keys used to input characters with tone marks added is set as the second input rule.

[0084] In the electronic dictionary 10 constructed in this way, the CPU 21 controls the operation of each circuit part according to the commands recorded in the dictionary system program 22a, the Vietnamese input processing program 22b and the Vietnamese input auxiliary processing program 22c, and the software and hardware work together to realize the Vietnamese input function and Vietnamese input auxiliary function described in the following operation description.

[0085] Next, the operation of the electronic dictionary 10 according to the embodiment will be described.

[0086] Here, in order to facilitate understanding of the Vietnamese input rule in the TELEX system, an operation corresponding to the Vietnamese input function is described in advance, and then an operation corresponding to the Vietnamese input assisting function is described.

[0087] (Vietnamese input processing)

[0088] Fig. 7A and Figure 7B is a diagram showing an overview of Vietnamese input processing based on TELEX input rules, wherein: Fig. 7A This is the overall flow chart. Figure 7B This is an overview of the processing classified according to the input key.

[0089] Note that the outlines of the processes of categories (1) to (8) described below do not include all the processes corresponding to the input rules of the TELEX system.

[0090] Category(1):

[0091] After inputting the vowel characters that can generate Vietnamese-specific characters ( Figure 5 In the case of the key [A][E][O] corresponding to the character (Type1) of M2, M4, M5, etc.), the undetermined input vowel character located just before the cursor Cu is converted, or (and) the vowel characters "a", "e", "o" are simply added to the undetermined input character string, or (and) the tone mark in the undetermined input character string is moved (step S1).

[0092] Category(2):

[0093] After inputting the vowel characters that can generate Vietnamese-specific characters ( Figure 5 In the case of the key [W] corresponding to the character (Type2) of M1, M7, M6, etc.), the conversion of the undetermined vowel character input immediately before the cursor Cu, or (and) the simple addition of the specific character (vowel character) M7 to which the vowel sign B3 (antenna sign) is attached is performed (step S2).

[0094] Category(3):

[0095] After inputting the consonant characters that can generate Vietnamese-specific characters ( Figure 5 In the case of a key [D] corresponding to a character (such as M3, etc.), the undetermined consonant character "d" immediately before the cursor Cu is converted, or (and) the consonant character "d" is simply added (step S3).

[0096] Category(4):

[0097] After inputting and can generate tone marks ( Figure 4 In the case of keys [F][S][R][X][J] corresponding to characters C1 to C5) of the cursor, a tone mark Cn is added to the undetermined vowel character input immediately before the cursor Cu, or (and) the input characters "f", "s", "r", "x", "j" are simply added (step S4).

[0098] Category(5):

[0099] After entering the tone mark ( Figure 4 In the case of the key [Z] corresponding to the character C1 to C5) of the cursor Cu, the tone mark is deleted from the undetermined vowel character immediately before the cursor Cu, or (and) the input character "z" is simply added (step S5).

[0100] Category(6):

[0101] After entering the same tone mark as the movable tone mark ( Figure 4 In the case of the keys [I][U][Y] corresponding to the vowel characters C1 to C5) of FIG. 1 , the tone mark in the input undetermined vowel character immediately before the cursor Cu is moved, or (and) the input characters "i", "u", "y" are simply added (step S6).

[0102] Category(7):

[0103] When the key [B][C][G][H][K][L][M][N][P][Q][T][V] corresponding to a consonant character is input, the tone mark in the undetermined vowel character immediately before the cursor Cu is moved, or (and) the input character is simply added (step S7).

[0104] Category(8):

[0105] When the keys [(space)][*][?][-] corresponding to other symbols are input, the input symbol is added and the undetermined character string is determined. When the cursor keys [←][→] are input, the cursor Cu is moved and the undetermined character string is determined.

[0106] Fig. 8A and Figure 8B It is a diagram showing a method of analyzing the structure of an input undetermined character string in Vietnamese input processing based on TELEX input rules.

[0107] In Vietnamese input processing, such as Fig. 8A As shown, the composition of the input undetermined character string is analyzed by determining whether it is a vowel character or a consonant character in sequence from the position of the cursor Cu to the front, and the group of consecutive consonant characters adjacent to the cursor Cu is classified as [Group A], the group of consecutive vowel characters closest to the cursor Cu is classified as [Group B], the consonant character immediately before the vowel character of Group B is classified as [Group C], and the remaining characters (whether vowels or consonants) are classified as [Group D] for analysis.

[0108] For example, Figure 8B As shown, in the case of the character string "don phuo┃" (here it is regarded as a foreign language, so the symbol is omitted) in which the preceding syllable is determined and the succeeding syllable is not determined, it is classified into [Group A] "uo", [Group B] "h", [Group C] "p" and analyzed.

[0109] By analyzing the input undetermined character string in this way, when the character string is a character string having a combination of [group B], that is, when it is a character string that can convert vowel characters for vowel symbol Bn or tone symbol Cn, the branch is made according to the key [A] to [Z] of the letter input next. Fig. 7A and Figure 7B The processing of categories (1) to (7) shown (steps S1 to S7).

[0110] The process of classification (8) (step S8) is performed regardless of the analysis result of the input undetermined character string.

[0111] Fig. 9 This is a diagram showing a portion of a Vietnamese conversion table based on TELEX input rules stored in the Vietnamese conversion table storage unit 22 e of the electronic dictionary 10 .

[0112] Fig.10 This is a diagram showing an example of the operation of inputting a Vietnamese character string according to each of the categories (1) to (8) of the Vietnamese input process of the electronic dictionary 10 .

[0113] Fig.11 This is a flowchart showing a common process (step S0 ) executed in the preceding stage of each process of category ( 1 ) to category ( 8 ) in the Vietnamese input process of the electronic dictionary 10 .

[0114] When it is determined in step S01 that the [group D] of the undetermined (converted) character string input by the user operation of the key input unit 14 does not include a vowel character and in step S02, the [group B] exists in the undetermined (converted) character string, Fig. 7A and Figure 7B As shown, the processing of categories (1) to (7) corresponding to the input letter keys [A] to [Z] is performed (step S03).

[0115] In step S02 , when [Group B] does not exist in the undetermined (converting) character string, the input characters are simply added (step S04 ).

[0116] Figures 12 to 19 This is a flowchart showing the processing of classification (1) to classification (8) in the Vietnamese input processing of the electronic dictionary 10.

[0117] As Fig.10As shown in the corresponding category (1) [Addition of vowel mark], when the [A] key is input from the cursor Cu position to the input of the undetermined character string "ta" (here the tone mark C2 is omitted) including the vowel character "a" to which the tone mark C2 (sharp voice) is added and the consonant character "t", the CPU 21 transfers to Fig.12 The processing of the classification (1) shown in the figure (step S1) is performed based on the Vietnamese conversion table 22e (refer to Fig. 9 ) A process of further adding a vowel sign B2 (circumflex) to the vowel character "a" to which the tone sign C2 (sharp voice) is added and converting it into a unique character M2 (steps S11→S12).

[0118] As Fig.10 As shown in the corresponding category (1) [Removal of vowel sign and addition of a / e / o], when the [E] key is input from the cursor Cu to the input of the undetermined character string "nhiet" (here the vowel sign B2 is omitted) including the consonant character "t", the diphthong character "ie" to which the vowel sign B2 (circumflex) is added, and the consonant character "nh", the CPU 21 transfers to Fig.12 The processing of the classification (1) shown in the figure (step S1) is performed based on the Vietnamese conversion table 22e (refer to Fig. 9 ) A conversion process of deleting the vowel sign B2 (circumflex) from the vowel character "e" and a process of simply adding the input vowel character "e" (steps S11→S12).

[0119] As Fig.10 As shown in the corresponding category (1) [Movement of tone mark and addition of a / e / o], when the [O] key is input from the cursor Cu to the input of the undetermined character string "ngoe" (here, the tone mark C2 is omitted) including the diphthong character "oe" to which the tone mark C2 (sharp tone) is added and the consonant character "ng", the CPU 21 transfers to Fig.12 The processing of the classification (1) shown in the figure (step S1) is performed based on the Vietnamese conversion table 22e (refer to Fig. 9 ) The conversion process of moving the tone mark C2 (sharp tone) from the first vowel character "o" to the second vowel character "e" and the process of simply adding the input vowel character "o" (steps S11→S12).

[0120] In addition, when the [A] key, the [E] key, or the [O] key is input, when the [Group B] of the undetermined character string does not include the input character "a" or "e" or "o", CPU21 simply adds the input vowel character "a" or "e" or "o" at the position of the cursor Cu (steps S11→S13).

[0121] As Fig.10 As shown in the corresponding category (2) [Addition of vowel mark], when the [W] key is input from the cursor Cu position to the character string "gui" including the diphthong character "ui" and the consonant character "g" whose input is not determined, the CPU 21 transfers to Fig.13 The processing of the classification (2) shown in the figure (step S2) is performed based on the Vietnamese conversion table 22e (refer to Fig. 9 ) A process of adding a vowel sign B3 (antenna sign) to the vowel character "u" and converting it into a unique character M7 (steps S21→S22).

[0122] As Fig.10 As shown in the corresponding category (2) [addition of vowel u (here vowel symbol B3 is omitted)], when the [W] key is input for the undetermined consonant character "q" located in front of the cursor Cu, the CPU 21 transfers to Fig.13 The processing of the category (2) shown (step S2) is performed by simply adding the vowel character "u" to which the vowel sign B3 (antenna sign) is attached at the position of the cursor Cu (steps S23→S24), by determining that [Group B] does not exist and the last character of [Group A] is "q".

[0123] As Fig.10 As shown in the corresponding category (2) [Conversion of vowels], when the [W] key is input from the cursor Cu position to the input of the undetermined character string "gu" (here the vowel symbol B3 is omitted) including the vowel character "u" (special character M7) to which the vowel symbol B3 (antenna symbol) is added and the consonant character "q", the CPU 21 transfers to Fig.13 The processing of the classification (2) shown in the figure (step S2) is performed based on the Vietnamese conversion table 22e (refer to Fig. 9 ) is a process of converting the vowel character "u" (unique character M7) to which the vowel sign B3 (antenna sign) is added into the input character "w" (steps S21→S22).

[0124] In addition, when the [W] key is input, when [Group B] does not exist in the undetermined character string, or even if [Group B] exists, [Group B] does not include any of the vowel characters "a", "u", "o", and the last character of [Group A] is not any of the consonant characters "b", "d", "g", "h", "l", "q", "r", "s", "v", "x" but other characters, CPU21 simply adds the input consonant character "w" at the position of cursor Cu (steps S23→S25).

[0125] As Fig.10 As shown in the corresponding category (3) [Conversion of consonant d], when the [D] key is input for the undetermined consonant character "d" located in front of the cursor Cu, the CPU 21 transfers to Fig.14 The processing of the classification (3) shown (step S3) is performed by determining that [Group B] does not exist and the last character of [Group A] is the consonant character "d", thereby converting the consonant character "d" into the consonant character "d" (unique character M3) with a horizontal stroke mark T added based on the Vietnamese conversion table 22e (steps S34→S35).

[0126] As Fig.10 As shown in the corresponding classification (3) [conversion of consonant d (here the horizontal stroke mark T is omitted) and addition of d], when the [D] key is input for the consonant character "d" (unique character M3) with the horizontal stroke mark T added and the input in front of the cursor Cu is not determined, the CPU 21 transfers to Fig.14 The processing of the classification (3) shown (step S3) is performed by determining that [Group B] does not exist and the last character of [Group A] is the consonant character "d" (unique character M3) to which a horizontal stroke mark T is attached, thereby converting the consonant character "d" (unique character M3) to which a horizontal stroke mark T is attached into the consonant character "d" without the horizontal stroke mark T based on the Vietnamese conversion table 22e, and then simply adding the input consonant character "d" at the position of the cursor Cu (steps S34→S35).

[0127] In addition, in the processing of classification (3) when the [D] key is input (step S3), if [Group B] does not exist in the undetermined character string and the last character of [Group A] is not the consonant character "d" or the consonant character "d" with a horizontal stroke mark T added (unique character M3), CPU21 performs the processing of simply adding the input consonant character "d" at the position of the cursor Cu (steps S34→S36).

[0128] In addition, in the processing of classification (3) when the [D] key is input (step S3), if there is a [group B] having vowel characters of a diphthong to which the tone mark Cn is attached in the undetermined character string, and there is a [group A], CPU21 performs a conversion process of moving the tone mark Cn from the first vowel character to the second vowel character and a process of simply adding the input character "d" (steps S31→S32→S33).

[0129] As Fig.10 As shown in the corresponding category (4) [Addition of tone mark], when the [F] key is input from the cursor Cu to the input of the undetermined character string "tien" (here the vowel mark B2 is omitted) including the consonant character "n", the diphthong character "ie" to which the vowel mark B2 (circumflex) is added, and the consonant character "t", the CPU 21 transfers to Fig.15 The processing of the classification (4) shown in the figure (step S4) is performed based on the Vietnamese conversion table 22e (refer to Fig. 9 ) The conversion process of further adding the tone mark C1 (xuansheng) to the second vowel character "e" to which the vowel mark B2 (circumflex mark) is added (steps S41→S42→S45→S454).

[0130] As Fig.10 As shown in the corresponding category (4) [Removal of tone mark and addition of input characters], when the [F] key is input from the cursor Cu to the input of the character string "tien" (here the vowel mark B2 and the tone mark C1 are omitted) including the consonant character "n", the diphthong character "ie" to which the vowel mark B2 (circumflex) and the tone mark C1 (deep tone), and the consonant character "t" whose input is not determined, the CPU 21 transfers to Fig.15 The processing of the classification (4) shown in the figure (step S4) is similar to the above, by determining that [Group A] does not contain any of the consonant characters "f", "s", "r", "x", "j", and "z", and [Group B] has a diphthong character, and [Group A] to [Group C] contain two vowel characters and a consonant character, thereby performing the conversion based on the Vietnamese conversion table 22e (refer to Fig. 9 ) The conversion process of deleting the tone mark C1 (xuansheng) from the second vowel character "e" and the process of simply adding the input consonant character "f" (steps S41→S42→S45→S454).

[0131] In addition, Fig.15In step S42 of the processing of the category (4) shown, when it is determined that [Group B] of the input undetermined character string contains a vowel character of a single vowel, CPU21 performs a conversion process of adding a tone mark Cn corresponding to the input key (any one of [F][S][R][X][J]) to the vowel character, or performs the conversion process and a process of adding the input consonant character (any one of "f", "s", "r", "x", "j") (step S42→S43).

[0132] In addition, Fig.15 In step S42 of the processing of the category (4) shown, when it is determined that [Group B] of the input undetermined character string contains tri-vowel characters, CPU 21 performs a conversion process of adding a tone mark Cn corresponding to the input key (any one of [F][S][R][X][J]) to the second vowel character, or performs the conversion process and a process of adding the input consonant character (any one of "f", "s", "r", "x", "j") (step S42→S44).

[0133] In addition, Fig.15 In the process of the category (4) shown, when it is determined in step S42 that [Group B] of the input undetermined character string contains diphthong characters and in step S45 it is determined that [Group A] to [Group C] contain a character string "gia" composed of a consonant character "g" and a diphthong character "ia", CPU 21 performs conversion processing to add a tone mark Cn corresponding to the input key (any one of [F][S][R][X][J]) to the second vowel character "a" (step S45→S451).

[0134] In addition, in the case where it is determined in step S45 that the character string "qua" consisting of the consonant character "q" and the diphthong character "ua" is included between [Group A] and [Group C], CPU21 performs conversion processing on the second vowel character "a" by adding the tone mark Cn corresponding to the input key (any one of [F][S][R][X][J]) (step S45→S452).

[0135] In addition, the same is true when it is determined in step S45 that the character string "quy" composed of the consonant character "q" and the diphthong character "uy" is included between [Group A] and [Group C]. CPU21 performs conversion processing to add the tone symbol Cn corresponding to the input key (any one of [F][S][R][X][J]) to the second vowel character "y" (step S45→S453).

[0136] In addition, when it is determined in step S45 that the character string between [Group A] to [Group C] does not contain any of "gia", "qua", or "quy", nor does it contain other character strings composed of diphthongs and consonant characters, CPU21 performs conversion processing on the first vowel character among the diphthong characters by adding the tone symbol Cn corresponding to the input key (any one of [F][S][R][X][J]) (step S45→S455).

[0137] On the other hand, when it is determined in step S41 that [Group A] contains any one of the consonant characters "f", "s", "r", "x", "j", or "z", CPU 21 performs a process of simply adding the input consonant character (any one of "f", "s", "r", "x", or "j") at the position of cursor Cu (steps S41→S46).

[0138] As Fig.10 As shown in the corresponding category (5) [Release of tone mark], when the [Z] key is input from the cursor Cu to the input of the character string "mang" (here the vowel mark B1 and the tone mark C4 are omitted) including the consonant character "ng", the vowel character "a" of the single vowel added with the vowel mark B1 (circumflex) and the tone mark C4 (falling tone), and the consonant character "m" whose input is not determined, the CPU 21 transfers to Fig.16 The processing of the classification (5) shown (step S5) is performed by determining that [Group A] does not contain any of the consonant characters "f", "s", "r", "x", "j", and "z", and that [Group B] contains the tone mark C4, thereby performing a conversion process to delete the tone mark C4 from the vowel character "a" (steps S51→S52→S53).

[0139] In addition, when it is determined in step S51 that [Group A] contains any one of the consonant characters "f", "s", "r", "x", "j", and "z", or when it is determined in step S52 that [Group B] does not contain the tone mark Cn, CPU21 simply adds the input consonant character "z" at the position of the cursor Cu (step S54).

[0140] As Fig.10 As shown in the corresponding category (6) [Movement of tone mark and addition of i / y / u], when the [I] key is input from the cursor Cu to the input of the undetermined character string "thoa" (here the tone mark C1 is omitted) including the diphthong character "oa" to which the tone mark C1 (xuansheng) is added and the consonant character "th", the CPU 21 transfers to Fig.17The processing of the classification (6) shown in the figure (step S6) is performed based on the Vietnamese conversion table 22e (refer to Fig. 9 ) The conversion process of moving the tone mark C1 (xuansheng) from the first vowel character "o" to the second vowel character "a" and the process of simply adding the input vowel character "i" (steps S61→S62→S63).

[0141] In addition, when it is determined in step S61 that [Group A] includes any one of the consonant characters "f", "s", "r", "x", "j", and "z", or when it is determined in step S62 that [Group B] does not include a diphthong character to which the tone mark Cn is attached, CPU 21 performs a process of simply adding the input vowel character (any one of "i", "u", and "y") at the position of the cursor Cu (step S64).

[0142] As Fig.10 As shown in the corresponding category (7) [Movement of tone mark and addition of input characters] of the present invention, when the [N] key is input forward from the position of the cursor Cu to the input undetermined character string "toa" (here the tone mark C2 is omitted) including the diphthong character "oa" to which the tone mark C2 (sharp tone) is added and the consonant character "t", the CPU 21 transfers to Fig.18 The processing of the category (7) shown (step S7) is performed by determining that there is no [Group A] ([Group A] is empty) and that [Group B] contains the diphthong character "oa" to which the tone mark C2 is attached, thereby performing a conversion process of moving the tone mark C2 (sharp tone) from the first vowel character "o" to the second vowel character "a" based on the Vietnamese conversion table 22e and simply adding the input vowel character "n" (steps S71→S72→S73).

[0143] In addition, when it is determined in step S71 that [Group A] exists, or when it is determined in step S72 that [Group B] does not include a diphthong character with the tone mark Cn added to the leading character, CPU21 performs a process of simply adding the input vowel character "n" at the position of the cursor Cu (step S74).

[0144] As Fig.10 As shown in the corresponding category (8) [Addition of symbols and determination of character string during conversion], when the [(space)] key is input, CPU 21 transfers to Fig.19 The process of the category (8) shown (step S8) is to simply add the input "(space)" at the position of the cursor Cu to make the inputted character string finalized (steps S81→S82→S84).

[0145] As Fig.10 As shown in the corresponding category (8) [Cursor movement and determination of character string during conversion], when the cursor key is input, CPU 21 transfers to Fig.19 The process of the category (8) shown (step S8) is to move the cursor Cu and to make the input of the undetermined character string finalized (steps S81 → S83 → S84).

[0146] In this way, referring to Fig. 7A and Figure 7B to Figure 19 In the character (string) input process performed by the Vietnamese input function according to the input rule of the TELEX method described above, in the Vietnamese input auxiliary function, for a character (string) whose input is not determined, when a conversion of the character (string) with the addition, change, shift, or deletion of a vowel mark or a tone mark is generated by the subsequent input of certain character (letter) keys, a pop-up guide Gp is ​​displayed in advance to guide which character (letter) key input will cause what conversion of the undetermined character (string) (see Figure 1 ).

[0147] (Vietnamese input assistance)

[0148] Fig. 20 1 is a flowchart showing a Vietnamese input support process executed by the electronic dictionary 10 together with a Vietnamese input process based on the TELEX input rule.

[0149] The Vietnamese input support process is repeatedly executed (steps Q1 to Q5) with respect to the input undetermined character (string) every time a character corresponding to the key input of the alphabetic keys [A] to [Z] is input according to the above-mentioned Vietnamese input process (steps S0 to S8).

[0150] When a certain character is input according to the Vietnamese input process (steps S0 to S8 ), the CPU 21 determines whether or not there is an input-unconfirmed character (string) including the input character (step Q1 ).

[0151] When it is determined that there is a character (string) whose input is not yet confirmed (YES in step Q1 ), the CPU 21 deletes the previous guidance data stored in the Vietnamese input guidance data storage unit 22 f (step Q2 ).

[0152] Then, the CPU 21 sequentially performs the following processing for each character X (X="a" to "z") among the 26 characters that are alphabets (steps Q3s to Q3e).

[0153] When the character X is input by key (assuming that the character X is input by key), the CPU 21 determines whether the inputted character X is not a simple addition to the undetermined character (string) but a conversion of the undetermined character (string) with at least one of addition, change, shift, and deletion of a mark (vowel mark or tone mark) in the undetermined character (string) based on the input rule of the TELEX method in the Vietnamese input process (step Q31).

[0154] When it is determined that the input of character X will cause the undetermined character (string) to undergo conversion ("Yes" in step Q31), CPU 21 determines whether the type of conversion of the undetermined character (string) that is determined to undergo conversion is the type of conversion corresponding to the specified input assistance mode n based on the input assistance mode n (n=1 to 5) arbitrarily specified by the user and stored in the Vietnamese input assistance mode storage unit 22g (step Q32).

[0155] When the type of conversion of the undetermined character (string) that is determined to be converted by the input of character X is determined to be the type of conversion corresponding to the specified input assistance mode n ("Yes" in step Q32), CPU21 generates guide data for guiding the content of the conversion in advance (including the character X assumed to be input by key, the character (string) to be converted (the character (string) to be converted), and the character (string) after conversion), and stores it in the Vietnamese input guide data storage unit 22f (step Q33).

[0156] Then, the CPU 21 updates the character X assumed to be input by the key to the next character among the 26 characters which are alphabets, and repeats the processing after step Q31 (steps Q3e->Q3s).

[0157] In addition, when it is determined that the character X assumed to be input by key is simply added to the undetermined character (string) and does not cause the undetermined character (string) to undergo conversion of the character (string) ("No" in step Q31), or when it is determined that a conversion of the character (string) will occur ("Yes" in step Q31), but it is determined that the type of conversion is not the type of conversion corresponding to the specified input assistance mode n ("No" in step Q32), CPU 21 updates the character X assumed to be input by key to the next character among the 26 characters that are letters, and repeats the processing after step Q31 (steps Q3e→Q3s).

[0158] Afterwards, when the update of the character X assumed to be input by key to the next character and the repeated processing of the key input of the letter "z" (steps Q3s to Q3e) are completed, CPU21 determines whether guide data is stored in the Vietnamese input guide data storage unit 22f (step Q4).

[0159] When it is determined that the Vietnamese input guide data storage unit 22f stores guide data ("Yes" in step Q4), the CPU 21 generates a pop-up guide Gp based on the guide data (including the character X assumed to be input by key, the character (string) to be converted (the character (string) to be converted), and the character (string) after conversion), for example, Figure 1 As shown, the pop-up guidance Gp is ​​displayed in correspondence with the character "e" to be converted in the character string "tieng" whose input is not determined (step Q5).

[0160] Here, when the user inputs a key of a letter according to the content of the pop-up guide Gp or inputs other keys, CPU21 performs the Vietnamese input processing (steps S0 to S8) described above, with the undetermined character (string) as the object, and in the former case, performs conversion processing of the character (string) accompanied by at least any one of addition, change, movement, and deletion of a symbol (vowel symbol or tone symbol) corresponding to the content of the pop-up guide Gp, and in the latter case, performs conversion processing of the character (string) corresponding to other keys or performs processing of adding characters corresponding to other keys.

[0161] Thereafter, when all undetermined character strings are determined according to the Vietnamese input process (steps S0 to S8 ), the CPU 21 ends the Vietnamese input process including the Vietnamese input support process (YES in step S9 ).

[0162] Fig.21 The figure shows an example of the display operation of the pop-up guide Gp corresponding to the input assistance modes 1 to 4 accompanying the input of Vietnamese according to the Vietnamese input assistance process of the electronic dictionary 10. The pop-up guide Gp shown in the figure is an example in which the instructions (guide data) for converting vowel characters are arranged vertically and marked.

[0163] <Input Assist Mode 1>

[0164] In a state where the mode data stored in the Vietnamese input assistance mode storage unit 22g is set to input assistance mode 1, when an undetermined character string "an" is input by key according to Vietnamese input processing and displayed in, for example, the entry search area A of the display unit 17 (steps S0 to S8), the CPU 21 displays a pop-up guide Gp (steps Q1 to Q5) that instructs the following contents corresponding to the vowel character "a" of the undetermined character string according to Vietnamese input assistance processing: when the [A] key corresponding to the vowel character "a" is subsequently input, a conversion process of adding a vowel mark B2 (circumflex accent) to the undetermined vowel character "a" is performed; when the [W] key corresponding to the consonant character "w" is subsequently input, a conversion process of adding a vowel mark B1 (circumflex accent) to the undetermined vowel character "a" is performed.

[0165] <Input Assist Mode 2>

[0166] When the undetermined character string "an" is input by key and displayed in the entry search area A of the display unit 17 in the state set to the input assistance mode 2 (steps S0 to S8), the CPU 21 displays a pop-up guide Gp (steps Q1 to Q5) in accordance with Vietnamese input assistance processing, corresponding to the vowel character "a" of the undetermined character string, which indicates the following contents: when the [F] key corresponding to the consonant character "f" is input next, the undetermined vowel character "a" is added with the tone mark C1 (xuansheng) Conversion processing; when the [S] key corresponding to the consonant character "s" is input subsequently, a conversion processing of adding the consonant symbol C2 (sharp sound) to the undetermined vowel character "a" is performed; when the [R] key corresponding to the consonant character "r" is input subsequently, a conversion processing of adding the consonant symbol C3 (questioning sound) to the undetermined vowel character "a" is performed; when the [X] key corresponding to the consonant character "x" is input subsequently, a conversion processing of adding the consonant symbol C4 (falling sound) to the undetermined vowel character "a" is performed.

[0167] <Input Assist Mode 3>

[0168] When the input assistance mode 3 is set, when an undetermined character string "an" (the tone mark C4 is omitted here) including a vowel character "a" to which a tone mark C4 (falling tone) is added is input by key and displayed in the entry search area A of the display unit 17 (steps S0 to S8), the CPU 21 performs Vietnamese input assistance processing and displays a pop-up guide Gp (steps Q1 to Q5) corresponding to the undetermined vowel character "a" to which a tone mark C4 (falling tone) is added, which instructs the following content: when the [Z] key corresponding to the consonant character "z" is subsequently input, a conversion process is performed to delete the tone mark C4 (falling tone) from the undetermined vowel character "a".

[0169] <Input Assist Mode 4>

[0170] In the state set to the input assistance mode 4, when an undetermined character string "oa" (here, the tone mark C1 is omitted) including a diphthong of a vowel character "o" to which a tone mark C1 (xuansheng) is added is input by key and displayed in the entry search area A of the display unit 17 (steps S0 to S8), the CPU 21 displays a pop-up guide Gp for the following contents corresponding to the diphthong character "oa" of the undetermined character string according to the Vietnamese input assistance processing (steps Q1 to Q5): In the case where the [I] key corresponding to the vowel "i" is input, a conversion process is performed to move the tone mark C1 (xuansheng) attached to the undetermined first vowel "o" to the second vowel "a", and a process of simply appending the input vowel "i" is performed; in the case where the [Y] key corresponding to the vowel "y" is input subsequently, a conversion process is performed to move the tone mark C1 (xuansheng) attached to the first vowel "o" to the second vowel "a", and a process of simply appending the input vowel "y" is performed.

[0171] Fig. 22 1 is a diagram showing an example of the display operation of the pop-up guide Gp corresponding to the input assistance mode 5 accompanying the input of Vietnamese in accordance with the Vietnamese input assistance process of the electronic dictionary 10. The pop-up guide Gp shown in the figure is an example in which the instructions (guide data) for converting vowel characters are arranged vertically and marked.

[0172] When the input assistance mode 5 (a mode for displaying all types of guide data related to the conversion of character strings) is set, when an undetermined character string "oa" (the tone mark C1 is omitted here) of a diphthong including the vowel character "o" to which the tone mark C1 (xuansheng) is added is input by key and displayed in the entry search area A of the display unit 17 (steps S0 to S8), the CPU 21 performs Vietnamese input assistance processing and displays a pop-up guide Gp for guiding the conversion of the following eight types of character strings (1) to (8) corresponding to the diphthong character "oa" of the undetermined character string (steps Q1 to Q5).

[0173] (1) Guidance when the [W] key corresponding to the consonant character "w" is input: the conversion process is performed in which the tone mark C1 (xuansheng) attached to the undetermined first vowel character "o" is moved to the second vowel character "a" and the vowel mark B1 (circumflex accent) is attached to the second vowel character "a".

[0174] (2) Guidance when the [F] key corresponding to the consonant character "f" is input: a conversion process of deleting the tone mark C1 (xuansheng) and a process of simply adding the input consonant character "f" are performed.

[0175] (3) Guidance when the [S] key corresponding to the consonant character "s" is input: conversion processing is performed to change the tone mark C1 (xuansheng) to the tone mark C2 (ruisheng).

[0176] (4) Guidance when the [R] key corresponding to the consonant character "r" is input: conversion processing is performed to change the tone mark C1 (xuansheng) to the tone mark C3 (wensheng).

[0177] (5) Guidance when the [X] key corresponding to the consonant character "x" is input: conversion processing is performed to change the tone mark C1 (xuansheng) to the tone mark C4 (xiesheng).

[0178] (6) Guidance when the [Z] key corresponding to the consonant character "z" is input: conversion processing is performed to delete the tone mark C1 (xuansheng).

[0179] (7) Guidance when the [I] key corresponding to the vowel character "i" is input: conversion processing of moving the tone mark C1 (xuansheng) to the second vowel character "a" and processing of simply adding the input vowel character "i" are performed.

[0180] (8) Guidance when the [Y] key corresponding to the vowel character "y" is input: conversion processing of moving the tone mark C1 (xuansheng) to the second vowel character "a" and processing of simply adding the input vowel character "y" are performed.

[0181] Therefore, according to the Vietnamese input function and Vietnamese input assisting function of the electronic dictionary 10 of the embodiment, when inputting a character string, the CPU 21 determines whether a conversion of the character or character string with addition, change, shift, or deletion of a vowel sign or a tone sign will occur for each key of a letter assumed to be input next, based on the input rule of the TELEX method, with respect to the character or character string whose input is displayed as undetermined and whose key input is performed. And, if it is determined that the character or character string whose input is undetermined will be converted, a pop-up guide Gp is ​​displayed in which the converted character or character string and the character corresponding to the key used to convert the character or character string are arranged and marked, corresponding to the position of the character or character string that will be converted.

[0182] Therefore, when inputting a Vietnamese character string, even if the user does not remember the input rules of the TELEX method very well, he or she can know on the spot which key to press to input which character with which mark attached, and can easily input even characters with language-specific marks attached.

[0183] In addition, according to the Vietnamese input assistance function of the electronic dictionary 10 of the embodiment, when the user arbitrarily selects and pre-specifies an input assistance mode representing the type of character conversion (addition, change, movement, deletion, etc. of symbols) based on the input rules of the TELEX method, the CPU 21 only displays the characters of the type corresponding to the specified input assistance mode or the content related to the conversion of the character string as a pop-up guide Gp.

[0184] This makes it possible to display the pop-up guidance Gp focused on the content necessary for the user without making the content of the pop-up guidance Gp cluttered and difficult to read.

[0185] Furthermore, although the embodiment describes a case where the user arbitrarily selects and specifies an input assistance mode n from a plurality of input assistance modes (input assistance modes 1 to 5 in the embodiment), the type of conversion or the number of modes represented by the input assistance mode is of course not limited to the embodiment.

[0186] Furthermore, when a Vietnamese character string is input, for example, the user can arbitrarily select whether to display or not display the pop-up guide Gp based on the Vietnamese input assisting function, depending on the user's understanding of the input rules.

[0187] The above embodiment is described in terms of inputting a Vietnamese character string, but even in other languages, it can be applied to the case where characters with symbols unique to the other language are added to the basic characters corresponding to the keys of the keyboard. In addition, the symbols added to the basic characters are not limited to vowel symbols or tone symbols, and various symbols corresponding to the language can be combined and applied to input a character string of the language.

[0188] The processing methods of the electronic device (electronic dictionary) 10 described in the above-mentioned embodiments, namely Fig. 7A and Figure 7B and Figures 11 to 19 The Vietnamese input process shown in the flowchart of Fig. 20Each method such as the Vietnamese input auxiliary processing shown in the flowchart can be published as a computer-executable program by storing it in a medium of an external recording device such as a memory card (ROM card, RAM card, etc.), a magnetic disk (floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, etc.), an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD, etc.), a semiconductor memory, etc. In addition, the computer (CPU) of the electronic device reads the program recorded in the medium of the external recording device into the storage device and uses the read program to control the action, thereby realizing the Vietnamese input function and Vietnamese input auxiliary function described in the above-mentioned embodiments, and can perform the same processing based on the above-mentioned method.

[0189] In addition, the data of the program used to implement the above-mentioned methods can be transmitted in the form of program code on the communication network (N), and the data of the above-mentioned program can be taken into an electronic device from a computer device (program server) connected to the communication network (N) and the storage device can store the data, thereby realizing the above-mentioned Vietnamese input function and Vietnamese input auxiliary function.

[0190] The invention of this application is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications can be made in the implementation stage without departing from its main purpose. Moreover, the inventions of various stages included in the above-mentioned embodiments can be extracted by appropriately combining the disclosed multiple constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the various embodiments or some constituent elements are combined in different forms, if the problem described in the column of the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved and the effect described in the column of the effect of the invention can be obtained, then the structure after the constituent elements are deleted or combined can also be extracted as an invention.

Claims

1. An electronic device, characterized in that: have: A keyboard having a plurality of first keys corresponding to basic characters of a language other than numbers; Display; and processor, The above processors In the process of causing the display to display a character string corresponding to a key inputted through the keyboard, Based on the input rule of the undetermined input character and the first key for inputting a character obtained by adding a symbol specific to the language to the basic character, the first key for converting the undetermined input character displayed on the display into a character using the symbol specific to the language is determined, and a guide display is performed that displays the following information: information indicating the determined first key; and information indicating the converted character. The input rule of the above-mentioned first key is an input rule including the following judgment: when input is made through the first key, whether to simply add the above-mentioned basic characters corresponding to the above-mentioned first key input to the characters of the undetermined input displayed in the above-mentioned display, or to make the characters of the undetermined input displayed in the above-mentioned display undergo character conversion using symbols unique to the above-mentioned language.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, The keyboard has a second key different from the first key.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, The above processors A guide display is performed that displays information indicating the confirmed first key and information indicating the converted character, corresponding to the position of the character to be converted among the characters whose input is not confirmed and displayed on the display.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, The characters obtained by adding a symbol unique to the language to the basic characters are characters obtained by adding a vowel symbol or a tone symbol to the basic characters.

5. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, A storage unit is provided, wherein the storage unit stores a first input rule for the first key for inputting a character in which a vowel mark is added to the basic character and a second input rule for the first key for inputting a character in which a tone mark is added to the basic character, The above processors Based on the undetermined input character and the first input rule and the second input rule stored in the storage unit, a guide display is performed to display the following information: information indicating the first key determined for causing the undetermined input character displayed in the display to produce a character conversion using vowel marks and tone marks; and information indicating the converted character.

6. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, The above processors The input rule of the first key to be displayed as the guide is selected from a plurality of input rules of the first key for inputting characters obtained by adding a symbol unique to the language to the basic characters based on a user operation.

7. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, The character conversion using the language-specific symbol is a character conversion that involves at least one of adding, changing, moving, and deleting the language-specific symbol with respect to the input-unconfirmed character displayed on the display.

8. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, The above processors Some or all of the types of conversion corresponding to the addition, change, movement, and deletion of the symbols specific to the language, selected by the user operation, are set as a mode for displaying the information. Based on the input rule of the undetermined character and the first key, the first key is determined for converting the undetermined character displayed on the display into a character using a symbol unique to the language of the type corresponding to the set mode.

9. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, The above processors The following guide display is performed: information indicating the first key for converting the character displayed on the display whose input is not confirmed to be input using a symbol unique to the language, and information indicating the converted character are displayed in a pop-up manner when the first key can be input.

10. The electronic device according to claim 9, Whether or not to display the above-mentioned guide in a pop-up manner is selected according to the user's operation.

11. A character input method, characterized in that: The following processing is performed by a processor of an electronic device having a display and a keyboard having a plurality of first keys corresponding to basic characters of a language other than numbers: In the process of causing the display to display a character string corresponding to a key inputted through the keyboard, Based on the input rule of the undetermined input character and the first key for inputting a character obtained by adding a symbol specific to the language to the basic character, the first key for converting the undetermined input character displayed on the display into a character using the symbol specific to the language is determined, and a guide display is performed that displays the following information: information indicating the determined first key; and information indicating the converted character. The input rule of the above-mentioned first key is an input rule including the following judgment: when input is made through the first key, whether to simply add the above-mentioned basic characters corresponding to the above-mentioned first key input to the characters of the undetermined input displayed in the above-mentioned display, or to make the characters of the undetermined input displayed in the above-mentioned display undergo character conversion using symbols unique to the above-mentioned language.

12. A recording medium, characterized in that: A program is recorded, the program being for causing a processor of an electronic device having a display and a keyboard having a plurality of first keys corresponding to basic characters of a language other than numbers to perform the following functions: In the process of causing the display to display a character string corresponding to a key inputted through the keyboard, Based on the input rule of the undetermined input character and the first key for inputting a character obtained by adding a symbol specific to the language to the basic character, the first key for converting the undetermined input character displayed on the display into a character using the symbol specific to the language is determined, and a guide display is performed that displays the following information: information indicating the determined first key; and information indicating the converted character. The input rule of the above-mentioned first key is an input rule including the following judgment: when input is made through the first key, whether to simply add the above-mentioned basic characters corresponding to the above-mentioned first key input to the characters of the undetermined input displayed in the above-mentioned display, or to make the characters of the undetermined input displayed in the above-mentioned display undergo character conversion using symbols unique to the above-mentioned language.

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