Character input device, character input method and character input program

Abstract

The conversion candidate reference part retrieves a conversion candidate for a given input string, using a dictionary. An adjustment part adapts the sequence of conversion candidates. An acknowledgment acceptance part causes the conversion candidates retrieved by the conversion candidate reference part to appear in the sequence adapted by the adjustment part and outputs the confirmed, selected string to an application program. The adjustment part estimates the priority rank of each conversion candidate according to the type of dictionary from which the conversion candidate was retrieved and adjusts the sequence of conversion candidates retrieved by the conversion candidate reference part based on the estimated priority rank.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for inputting character strings. State of the art

[0002] Character input devices are typically used in various electronic devices, such as mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, etc.) and personal computers (PCs). The character input device extracts conversion candidates for input strings entered through user input operations. For example, a Japanese input device receives input strings, such as kana strings, and extracts strings obtained by kana-to-kanji conversion of the input strings as conversion candidates. These conversion candidates also include predicted conversion candidates. The character input device confirms the conversion candidates selected by the user as a confirmed string for the input string.

[0003] The user selects a desired conversion candidate as a confirmed string from among the displayed conversion candidates. Therefore, the character input device can improve user usability by displaying the string (confirmed string) that the user intends to enter in a higher position within the display of conversion candidates.

[0004] Some character input devices have a configuration that allows the The display order of conversion candidates (sequence of conversion candidates) is adapted based on learning results learned from the history of confirmed strings for input strings (input history of strings) (e.g. see patent document 1). Bibliography Patent document

[0005] Patent document 1: Japanese patent application disclosure document, publication no. 2007-310589. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical Problem

[0006] However, there are various types of application programs (hereinafter referred to simply as applications) into which users enter strings. For example, there are messaging applications used for business communications, social networking service applications used for conversations and communications with friends, etc., on SNS and the like, and map applications used for searching for movement routes or the like.

[0007] Users employ different types of applications depending on the situation. Furthermore, the vocabulary (confirmed strings) that users wish to enter varies according to the type of application. For example, if the target application is a map application, place names (addresses), station names, names of landmarks, etc., are the vocabulary the user wishes to enter. In the case of social networking (SNS) applications, keywords and trending words are the vocabulary the user wishes to enter.

[0008] Therefore, conventional character input devices can display the vocabulary the user intends to enter in higher positions among conversion candidates for certain types of applications, but they might not be able to display the vocabulary the user intends to enter in higher positions among conversion candidates for other types of applications. That is, conventional character input devices have a problem in that they can only improve usability for certain types of applications, while decreasing usability for others.

[0009] One objective of the present invention is to provide a technology that can improve user operability with respect to character input, regardless of the type of target application program. Means to solve the problem

[0010] The character input device of the present invention is configured as shown below to achieve the aforementioned objective.

[0011] The conversion candidate reference part retrieves conversion candidates for the input string using a dictionary. For example, in a dictionary used with a character input device for Japanese input, interpretations and vocabulary are registered in association. The vocabulary is, for example, a string obtained by kana-kanji conversion of the associated interpretation. The conversion candidates retrieved by the conversion candidate reference part may, for example, consist only of vocabulary where the input string and the interpretation completely match, or they may include vocabulary where the input string and the interpretation do not completely match, and the input string exhibits a pre-match with the interpretation (so-called predictive conversion candidates).

[0012] The adaptation part adjusts the sequence of conversion candidates obtained from the conversion candidate reference part. The confirmation operation acceptance part displays the conversion candidates obtained from the conversion candidate reference part in a sequence adapted by the adaptation part and outputs a selected confirmed string to a target application program.

[0013] Furthermore, the memory component stores classification data that classifies application programs by type. Additionally, the dictionary is provided according to the type of application program.

[0014] The fitting part then estimates a priority rank for each conversion candidate according to some kind of dictionary from which that conversion candidate was retrieved, and fits a sequence of conversion candidates retrieved by the conversion candidate reference part based on an estimated priority rank.

[0015] According to this configuration, the sequence of conversion candidates obtained from the conversion candidate reference part is adapted according to the type of application program that outputs the acknowledged string. This makes it possible to improve user usability with regard to character input, regardless of the type of target application program (the application program that outputs the acknowledged string).

[0016] Furthermore, the character input device of the present invention can be configured, for example, to A conversion candidate reference part that retrieves conversion candidates obtained using a dictionary for an input string; an acknowledgment operation acceptance part that displays the conversion candidates retrieved by the conversion candidate reference part and outputs a selected acknowledged string to a target application program; and a memory part that stores classification data containing application programs classified by type. The dictionary is provided according to the type of application program. The conversion candidate reference part retrieves the conversion candidates, which are obtained using a dictionary according to a type of application program to which the confirmed string is output.

[0017] According to this configuration, conversion candidates are retrieved using a dictionary according to the type of application program that outputs the confirmed string. Therefore, even with this configuration, user operability with respect to character input can be improved regardless of the type of target application program (the application program that outputs the confirmed string).

[0018] Furthermore, the character input device can be configured to include, for example, a classification reference part that, together with the application program, obtains a type of this application program from a host device.

[0019] Furthermore, the character input device can be configured to include, for example, a type determination part that collects a type dictionary for each application program, from which the acknowledged string output sent to that application program is retrieved, and determines a type of application program based on this collection result.

[0020] Furthermore, the character input device can be configured to include, for example, a setting operation acceptance part that accepts a setting operation for each application program to set a type of that application program. Effects of the invention

[0021] According to the present invention, user operability with regard to character input can be improved regardless of the type of target application program. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [ Fig. [1] is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of an electronic terminal device in which the character input device of this example is used. [ Fig. 2] is a block diagram showing a configuration of main parts of the smartphone in this example. [ Fig. Figure 3] is a diagram showing a configuration of the dictionary database. [ Fig. [4] is a flowchart showing character input processing on the smartphone in this example. [ Fig. [5] is a flowchart showing character input processing on the smartphone of modification example 1. [ Fig. Figure 6] is a flowchart showing the processing of application downloads on the smartphone of modification example 2. [ Fig. Figure 7] is a block diagram showing a configuration of main parts of the smartphone from modification example 4. [ Fig. [8] is a diagram for describing collection data generated by the collection part. [ Fig. [9] is a flowchart showing character input processing on the smartphone of modification example 4. [ Fig.

[10] is a flowchart showing type update processing, in which the smartphone updates 4 types of applications stored in the application memory portion. DESCRIPTION OF THE EXECUTION FORMS

[0022] The embodiments of the present invention are described below. <1. Application Example>

[0023] Here, a case where the string input device is applied to a smartphone is described as an example, but the string input device can also be applied to other electronic devices, such as tablet devices, personal computers (desktop PCs), etc.

[0024] Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of a smartphone to which the character input device of this example is applied. A touch panel 52 is attached to the screen of the display 51 of the smartphone 1 of this example (hereinafter referred to as smartphone 1). The smartphone 1 detects the user's input operation by sensing the pressure position of the touch panel 52 as pressed by the user (the pressure position on the screen of the display 51).

[0025] Smartphone 1 accepts input of a character string for a selected application program (hereinafter referred to simply as the application) that is currently running. In this example, Japanese character input is described as an example. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, if string input operations are accepted by the user, a key display area 60, a string display area 61 and a conversion candidate display area 62 will be displayed on the screen of the smartphone 1.

[0026] Keypad display area 60 shows several key images that the user presses when entering strings. String display area 61 shows unacknowledged and acknowledged strings that the user has entered on smartphone 1. Conversion candidate display area 62 shows conversion candidates for the unacknowledged string displayed in string display area 61. An unacknowledged string is a string that the user has entered by pressing key images displayed in keypad display area 60. An acknowledged string is a string for which the user has performed an acknowledgement operation on the unacknowledged string. The acknowledgement operation involves selecting a conversion candidate, which is displayed in conversion candidate display area 62.

[0027] It is noted that the conversion candidate display area 62 can be configured to display connection candidates that follow the acknowledged string, which is acknowledged by the current acknowledgment operation in the event that an acknowledgment operation is being performed.

[0028] Furthermore, the smartphone in this example stores classification data that specifies the type (category) of each downloaded application. That is, the smartphone stores classification data that links applications to their respective application types. These application types include, for example, map applications, social networking (SNS) applications, and business applications. The smartphone in this example also has dictionaries for each application type (e.g., map application dictionary, SNS application dictionary, business application dictionary). These dictionaries contain definitions and related vocabulary.The conversion candidates displayed in conversion candidate display area 62 can only be vocabulary strings whose interpretations in the dictionary completely match the input string (unconfirmed string), but can also include vocabulary strings whose interpretations recorded in the dictionary do not completely match the input string, but have a forward match (so-called predictive conversion candidates).

[0029] It is noted that from the point of view of user screen visibility, it is preferred that the smartphone 1 displays the key display area 60, the string display area 61 and the conversion candidate display area 62 only in the case of accepting string input operations by the user, rather than having a configuration that they are always displayed.

[0030] The smartphone in this example sets the priority rank of conversion candidates retrieved using a dictionary of a type corresponding to the type of application in which the user performs string input operations higher than the priority rank of conversion candidates retrieved using other types of dictionaries. For example, if the type of application in which the user performs string input operations is a map application, conversion candidates retrieved using the map application dictionary are assigned a higher priority rank than conversion candidates retrieved using other types of dictionaries (SNS application dictionary, business application dictionary, and the like).In this example, conversion candidates with a higher priority rank are displayed earlier in the order in conversion candidate display area 62. The application in which string input operations are performed by the user is the target application program referenced in this application.

[0031] Therefore, the smartphone 1 in this example can adapt the sequence of conversion candidates displayed in the conversion candidate display area 62 according to the type of application in which the user performs string input operations. In other words, the smartphone 1 in this example displays vocabulary that the user intends to enter in this type of application as conversion candidates in the upper part of the conversion candidate display area 62, according to the type of application in which the user performs string input operations. This can improve user usability for character input regardless of the type of application in which the user performs string input operations. <2. Configuration example>

[0032] Fig. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main parts of the smartphone in this example. The smartphone 1 in this example includes a control unit 11, a screen display part 12, an operation position detection part 13, a communication part 14, a dictionary database 15 (Dictionary DB 15), an application memory part 16, a display 51, and a touch panel 52.

[0033] The control unit 11 controls the operation of each part of the main body of the smartphone 1. Furthermore, the control unit 11 includes a conversion candidate reference part 21, an adaptation part 22, a confirmed string reference part 23, and an application execution part 24. The conversion candidate reference part 21, the adaptation part 22, the confirmed string reference part 23, and the application execution part 24, which are included in the control unit 11, are described later.

[0034] The screen display part 12 controls the screen display on the display 51 according to the instructions from the control unit 11.

[0035] The operation position detection part 13 detects the operation position (print position) by the user on the touch field 52, which is attached to the screen of the display 51, and outputs it to the control unit 11.

[0036] The communication module 14 performs data communication with servers connected via networks, such as the internet. For example, the communication module 14 also performs communications related to downloading applications to run on the main body of the smartphone 1, accessing websites, voice communication with other mobile devices, sending and receiving emails, social networking services (SNS), etc., from servers connected via networks.

[0037] In dictionary DB 15, as in Fig. Figure 3 shows a general dictionary 15a, a map application dictionary 15b, a social network application dictionary 15c, a business application dictionary 15d, and so on. The general dictionary 15a is a dictionary that is usually used regardless of the type of application. The map application dictionary 15b is a dictionary that lists vocabulary suitable for entering strings in map applications. For example, the map application dictionary 15b is a dictionary that lists addresses, station names, landmark names, etc., as vocabulary. The social network application dictionary 15c is a dictionary that lists vocabulary suitable for entering strings in social network applications. For example, the social network application dictionary 15c is a dictionary that lists keywords, abbreviations, slang, etc., as vocabulary.The Business Application Dictionary 15d is a dictionary that lists vocabulary suitable for entering character strings in business applications. For example, the Business Application Dictionary 15d is a dictionary that lists business terms as vocabulary. Each dictionary lists the character string of that vocabulary, interpretation strings, language parts, etc., in association with each vocabulary entry.

[0038] It is noted that in Fig. 3. The map application dictionary 15b, the SNS application dictionary 15c, and the business application dictionary 15d are merely examples and do not imply that there are three types of application classifications. There can be any number of application classifications, as long as there are two or more types. Furthermore, for each type of application, a dictionary is recorded in dictionary database 15, which lists the vocabulary suitable for entering strings in that type of application.

[0039] Application memory part 16 stores applications downloaded from web servers, etc. Smartphone 1 can run applications stored in application memory part 16. Furthermore, application memory part 16 stores the type of each application for each stored application.

[0040] Next, the conversion candidate reference part 21, the adaptation part 22, the reference part 23 for confirmed strings and the application execution part 24, which are included in the control unit 11, are described.

[0041] The application execution part 24 carries out the application specified by the user.

[0042] The conversion candidate reference part 21 retrieves conversion candidates for input strings (unconfirmed strings) entered by the user using various dictionaries (general dictionary 15a, map application dictionary 15b, SNS application dictionary 15c, business application dictionary 15d, etc.) listed in dictionary database 15. The conversion candidates retrieved in the conversion candidate reference part 21 can only be vocabulary strings whose definitions, as recorded in each dictionary, completely match the input strings (unconfirmed strings). However, they can also include vocabulary strings whose definitions, as recorded in the dictionary, do not completely match the input strings but exhibit a forward match (so-called predictive conversion candidates).

[0043] The adaptation part 22 adapts the sequence of conversion candidates obtained from the conversion candidate reference part 21 according to the type of target application.

[0044] The reference part 23 for confirmed strings outputs the confirmed string, for which a confirmation operation is performed by the user, to the target application.

[0045] The target application referred to here is the application to which the acknowledged string reference part 23 outputs the acknowledged string, and is the application being executed in the application execution part 24 at that time.

[0046] The control unit 11 of the smartphone 1 is configured with a hardware CPU, memory, and other electronic circuits. The hardware CPU functions as the conversion candidate reference part 21, the adaptation part 22, the confirmed string reference part 23, and the application execution part 24 in response to the execution of the character input program according to the present invention. The memory also includes an area to extend the character input program according to the present invention and an area to temporarily store data generated during the execution of the character input program. The control unit 11 can be an LSI integrating a hardware CPU, memory, and the like. Furthermore, the hardware CPU is a computer that executes the character input method according to the present invention. <3. Operational Example>

[0047] Fig. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing character input processing on the smartphone in this example. The smartphone 1 runs an application (target application) in which character input is performed by the user in application execution part 24. The screen of display 51 shows the key display area 60, the string display area 61, and the conversion candidate display area 62. In response to the smartphone 1 accepting a character input operation from the user (s1), the character input is added to the unacknowledged string (s3) at that time. For example, if no unacknowledged string is entered, the character input from the current character input operation might be… " is, the smartphone 1 " " in s3 to the unconfirmed string. Furthermore, the smartphone 1 does the following in the case that, in response to the unconfirmed string " " is, the character input from the current character input operation " " is, " " in s3 to the unconfirmed string.

[0048] The conversion candidate reference part 21 retrieves conversion candidates, obtained using various dictionaries listed in dictionary DB 15, for the unconfirmed string obtained in s3 (s4). In this example, the conversion candidates retrieved in s4 include predictive conversion candidates.

[0049] The adaptation section 22 adjusts the sequence of conversion candidates retrieved in s4 (s5). In s5, conversion candidates retrieved using a dictionary corresponding to the type of application that is the target of the character input are assigned a higher priority rank than conversion candidates retrieved using other dictionaries. For example, if the type of target application is a map application, the priority rank of conversion candidates retrieved using the map application dictionary 15b is increased compared to the priority rank of conversion candidates retrieved using the general dictionary 15a, the SNS application dictionary 15c, and the business application dictionary 15.Similarly, if the target application is an SNS application, the priority rank of conversion candidates retrieved using the SNS application dictionary 15c is increased compared to the priority rank of conversion candidates retrieved using the general dictionary 15a, the map application dictionary 15b, and the business application dictionary 15d. Furthermore, if the target application is a business application, the priority rank of conversion candidates retrieved using the business application dictionary 15d is increased compared to the priority rank of conversion candidates retrieved using the general dictionary 15a, the map application dictionary 15b, and the SNS application dictionary 15c. Adaptation part 22 determines the sequence of conversion candidates in descending priority rank.Smartphone 1 displays the conversion candidates retrieved in s4 in the conversion candidate display area 62 in the sequence determined by the matching part 22, (s6) and returns to s1.

[0050] In this example, the adaptation part 22 can set the priority rank of conversion candidates retrieved using the general dictionary 15a lower than conversion candidates retrieved using a dictionary according to the type of application that is the target of the character input, and higher than conversion candidates retrieved using other dictionaries. Furthermore, priority ranks can be associated with dictionary types according to the type of application that is the target of the character input. The priority rank of conversion candidates retrieved using dictionaries with a higher priority rank is increased.

[0051] It is noted that for multiple conversion candidates retrieved from the same type of dictionary, the priority rank can be determined based on an input history, etc.

[0052] Furthermore, in response to the smartphone 1 accepting an acknowledgment operation from the user (s2), the smartphone 1 outputs the conversion candidate selected by the current acknowledgment operation as an acknowledged string (s7) and returns to s1. In s7, the unacknowledged string in string display area 61 is replaced by the acknowledged string, and this acknowledged string is output to the target application.

[0053] In this way, according to the smartphone 1 in this example, the sequence of conversion candidates displayed in the conversion candidate display area 62 can be adapted according to the type of application in which the user performs character input. Therefore, regardless of the type of application that is the target of the user's character input, the user experience for character input can be improved. <4. Modification Example>• Modification Example 1

[0054] The main part of smartphone 1 of this modification example 1 also features the in Fig. The configuration shown in Figure 2 is described. Character input processing in the smartphone 1 of this modification example 1 is described. Fig. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the character input processing on the smartphone of modification example 1.

[0055] In response to the smartphone 1 from modification example 1 accepting a character input operation from the user (s11), the smartphone 1 adds the character input to the unacknowledged string at this point (s13). s11 is the same processing as s1 described previously, and s13 is the same processing as s3 described previously.

[0056] The smartphone 1 of this modification example 1 retrieves conversion candidates for the unacknowledged string using a dictionary of a type corresponding to the type of application in which the user is performing character input (s14). Furthermore, the smartphone 1 of this modification example 1 retrieves conversion candidates for the unacknowledged string using the general dictionary 15a (s15).

[0057] Adaptation part 22 adjusts the sequence of conversion candidates retrieved in s14 and s15 (s16). In S16, the priority rank of the conversion candidates retrieved in s14 is set higher than the priority rank of the conversion candidates retrieved in s15. Adaptation part 22 determines the sequence of conversion candidates in descending priority rank. Smartphone 1 displays the conversion candidates retrieved in s14 and s15 in the conversion candidate display area 62 in the sequence determined by adaptation part 22 (s17) and then returns to s11.

[0058] Furthermore, in response to the smartphone of this modification example 1 accepting an acknowledgment operation from the user (s12), the smartphone 1 outputs the conversion candidate selected by the current acknowledgment operation as an acknowledged string (s18) and returns to s11. In s18, the unacknowledged string displayed in string display area 61 is replaced by the acknowledged string, and this acknowledged string is output to the target application.

[0059] In this way, the smartphone 1 of this modification example retrieves conversion candidates using a dictionary of a type corresponding to the type of application in which character input is performed and the general dictionary 15a. For example, if the type of application in which character input is performed is a map application, conversion candidates are retrieved using the map application dictionary 15b and the general dictionary 15a. In other words, if the type of application in which character input is performed is a map application, conversion candidates are not retrieved using dictionaries of types that do not correspond to the type of application in which character input is performed, such as the SNS application dictionary 15c or the business application dictionary 15d.

[0060] It is noted that in this example, the general dictionary 14a is a dictionary that corresponds to all types of applications.

[0061] In this way, the smartphone 1 of this modification example 1 can also adapt the sequence of conversion candidates displayed in the conversion candidate display area 62 according to the type of application in which the user performs character input. Therefore, regardless of the type of application that is the target of the user's character input, the user experience for character input can be improved.

[0062] Furthermore, because the processing load for retrieving conversion candidates can be reduced, the time increase from accepting the character input operation in s11 to displaying the conversion candidates in the conversion candidate display area 62 in s17 can also be reduced. • Modification example 2

[0063] The main part of smartphone 1 of this modification example 2 also features the in Fig. The configuration shown in example 2 is displayed. Smartphone 1 in this modification example 2 performs the configuration shown in Fig. 4 or Fig. The character input processing shown in section 5 is performed.

[0064] The smartphone 1 of this modification example 2 accesses a web server (not shown) via the communication part 14, and when the application is downloaded, it receives the type of this application from the web server.

[0065] Fig. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the process for downloading an application to the smartphone in this modification example 2. The user operates the smartphone 1 to access a web server to download an application.

[0066] The smartphone 1 requests the download of an application in response to the communication part 14 being connected to the web server via a network (s21, s22).

[0067] The web server transmits the type of this application, along with the application requested for download by smartphone 1, to smartphone 1.

[0068] The smartphone 1 stores the downloaded application and the type of this application in association with each other in the application memory part 16 in response to the fact that the download of the application and the type of application are obtained from the web server (s23, s24).

[0069] In this way, the smartphone 1 of this modification example 2 also obtains the type of application downloaded from the web server in response to the fact that the application is being downloaded from the web server.

[0070] The web server in this modification example 2 corresponds to the host device referred to in the present invention. Furthermore, the communication part 14 corresponds to the classification reference part referred to in the present invention. • Modification example 3

[0071] Furthermore, the smartphone 1 can be configured to allow the user to set and change the type (type of app) associated with each application stored in application memory part 16. In this case, the smartphone 1 can be configured not to obtain the type of this application at the time of downloading the application, or it can be configured to obtain it. • Modification example 4

[0072] Furthermore, the smartphone 1A can be configured to collect, for each application stored in the application memory part 16, the types of dictionaries for which the vocabulary of confirmed character strings, confirmed when character input is performed for that application, is retrieved, and to determine the type of application based on the collection result.

[0073] Fig. Figure 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main parts of the smartphone in this modification example 4. The smartphone 1A in this modification example 4 differs from the previous example in that a collection part 25 is additionally provided in the control unit 11a. Fig. 7 will be the configurations that are in Fig. The two items shown are similar and have been assigned the same reference numbers.

[0074] Collection part 25 collects, for each application stored in application memory part 16, the number of times a vocabulary of confirmed character strings is retrieved from the dictionary when characters are entered for that application. Collection part 25 generates, for example, in Fig. 8 Collection data shown. For example, when character input is performed for application A, in the case that the type of dictionary from which the vocabulary of the confirmed string, confirmed by the confirmation operation, is retrieved is the map application dictionary 15b, collection part 25 increments the count value of the map application dictionary 15b of application A by 1.

[0075] Furthermore, collection part 25 updates the application type associated with each application stored in application memory part 16 at a predetermined time. The time for updating the application type could be, for example, midnight on the first day of each month, after a certain period of time (e.g., one or two months) has passed since the last update, or at some other time.

[0076] Fig. Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the character input processing of the smartphone in this modification example 4. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 9, after processing with respect to the output of the confirmed string with respect to s7, the smartphone 1A increments the counter value of the type of dictionary by 1, from which the vocabulary of the confirmed string, confirmed by the current confirmation operation, is retrieved for the application currently performing character input (s31), and returns to s1.

[0077] Fig. Figure 10 is a flowchart showing an update processing procedure in which the smartphone of this modification example 4 updates the types of applications stored in the application memory portion.

[0078] Collection part 25 determines the target application whose type is to be updated (p41). Collection part 25 retrieves the collection data (see Fig.8), which were generated for the target application specified in s41 (s42). Collection part 25 determines the type of dictionary that has the maximum count value in the collection data referenced in s42 as the type of target application and updates the type associated with the corresponding application stored in application memory part 16 to the type specified here (s43). Collection part 25 determines the presence or absence of unprocessed applications (s44) and returns to s41 if unprocessed applications are present. Collection part 25 terminates this processing if no unprocessed applications are present.

[0079] In this way, the type of application in the smartphone of this modification example 4 can be updated based on the collection result obtained by collecting character input for that application.

[0080] It is noted that in the foregoing example the present invention is described using a character input device for Japanese input as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to character input devices for other languages ​​such as English.

[0081] Furthermore, the character input device can have a configuration that transmits the input string to a server device and receives conversion candidates from the server device.

[0082] The present invention is not limited in form to the embodiment described above and can be further developed by modifying the basic elements within a range that does not deviate from the essence of the present invention during an implementation phase. Furthermore, various inventions can be formed by suitably combining several basic elements disclosed in the embodiment described above. For example, some basic elements can be omitted from the total of the basic elements illustrated in the embodiment. Moreover, the basic elements of different embodiments can be suitably combined. In addition, the sequence of each step in the flowcharts described in the examples above is merely an example and can be suitably modified within a possible range.

[0083] Furthermore, the relationship of correspondence between the configuration according to the present invention and the configurations according to the embodiments described above can be described in the following appendix. <anhang>• Appendix 1

[0084] A character input device comprising: a conversion candidate reference part (21) which obtains conversion candidates which are retrieved using a dictionary (15a to 15d) for an input string, an adaptation part (22) that adapts a sequence of conversion candidates that are referenced by the conversion candidate reference part (21), a confirmation operation acceptance part (23) that displays the conversion candidates obtained from the conversion candidate reference part (21) in a sequence adapted by the adaptation part (22) and outputs a selected confirmed string to a target application program; and a memory portion (16) that stores classification data specifying a type of application program, in which the dictionary (15a to 15d) is provided according to the type of application program, and the matching part (22) estimates a priority rank of each conversion candidate according to a type of dictionary (15a to 15d) from which that conversion candidate is retrieved, and matches a sequence of conversion candidates retrieved from the conversion candidate reference part (21) based on an estimated priority rank. • Appendix 2

[0085] A character input device comprising: a conversion candidate reference part (21) which obtains conversion candidates which are retrieved using a dictionary (15a to 15d) for an input string, an acknowledgment operation acceptance part (23) that displays the conversion candidates obtained from the conversion candidate reference part (21) and outputs a selected acknowledgment string to a target application program, and a memory portion (16) that stores classification data specifying a type of application program, in which the dictionary (15a to 15d) is provided according to the type of application program, and the conversion candidate reference part (21) refers to the conversion candidates which are retrieved using a dictionary according to a type of application program to which the confirmed string is output. Reference symbol list 1.1A Smartphone 11, 11a Control unit 12 Screen display section 13 Operation position detection section 14 Communication section 15 Dictionary database (Dictionary DB) 15a General Dictionary 15b Map Application Dictionary 15c SNS Application Dictionary 15d. Business application dictionary 16 Application memory section 21 Conversion candidate reference part 22. Adjustment section 23 Reference part for confirmed strings 24 Application execution part 25 Collection section 51 ads 52 Touchpoint 60 key display area 61 String display area 62 Conversion candidate display area< / anhang>

Claims

[1] Character input device comprising: a conversion candidate reference part that retrieves conversion candidates that are obtained using a dictionary for an input string; an adaptation part that adapts a sequence of conversion candidates that are referenced by the conversion candidate reference part; an acknowledgment operation acceptance part that displays the conversion candidates obtained from the conversion candidate reference part in a sequence adapted by the adaptation part, and outputs a selected acknowledgmented string to a target application program; and a memory component that stores classification data specifying the type of application program, the dictionary is provided according to the type of application program, and The matching part estimates a priority rank for each conversion candidate according to some kind of dictionary from which that conversion candidate is retrieved, and matches a sequence of conversion candidates retrieved from the conversion candidate reference part based on an estimated priority rank. [2] Character input device comprising: a conversion candidate reference part that retrieves conversion candidates that are obtained using a dictionary for an input string; an acknowledgment operation acceptance part that displays the conversion candidates obtained from the conversion candidate reference part and outputs a selected acknowledgmented string to a target application program; and a memory component that stores classification data specifying the type of application program, the dictionary is provided according to the type of application program, and The conversion candidate reference part refers to the conversion candidates that are retrieved using a dictionary according to a type of application program to which the confirmed string is output. [3] Character input device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a classification reference part which, together with the application program, obtains a type of this application program from a host device. [4] Character input device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a type determination part which collects a type of dictionary for each application program from which the acknowledged character string output to that application program is retrieved, and determines a type of application program based on this collection result. [5] Character input device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a setting operation acceptance part which accepts a setting operation for each application program to set a type of that application program. [6] Character input method, wherein a computer stores classification data specifying types of application programs in a memory portion of a character input device and is provided with a dictionary for each type of application program, and wherein the computer performs the following: a conversion candidate reference step for retrieving conversion candidates that are obtained using the dictionary for an input string; an adjustment step to adjust a sequence of conversion candidates that were referenced in the conversion candidate reference step; and a confirmation operation acceptance step to display the conversion candidates that were referenced in the conversion candidate reference step, in a sequence that was adapted in the adaptation step, and output a selected confirmed string to a target application program, wherein the fitting step is a step to estimate a priority rank of each conversion candidate according to some kind of dictionary from which that conversion candidate was retrieved, and to fit a sequence of the conversion candidates retrieved in the conversion candidate reference step based on an estimated priority rank. [7] Character input method, wherein a computer stores classification data specifying types of application programs in a memory portion of a character input device and is provided with a dictionary for each type of application program, and the computer performs the following: a conversion candidate reference step for retrieving conversion candidates that are obtained using the dictionary for an input string; an adjustment step to adjust a sequence of conversion candidates that were referenced in the conversion candidate reference step; and a confirmation operation acceptance step to display the conversion candidates that were referenced in the conversion candidate reference step, in a sequence that was adapted in the adaptation step, and output a selected confirmed string to a target application program, wherein the fitting step is a step to estimate a priority rank of each conversion candidate according to some kind of dictionary from which that conversion candidate was retrieved, and to fit a sequence of the conversion candidates retrieved in the conversion candidate reference step based on an estimated priority rank. [8] Character input program, wherein a computer stores classification data specifying types of application programs in a memory portion of a character input device and is provided with a dictionary for each type of application program, and the character input program causes the computer to execute: a conversion candidate reference step for retrieving conversion candidates that are obtained using the dictionary for an input string; an adjustment step to adjust a sequence of conversion candidates that were referenced in the conversion candidate reference step; and a confirmation operation acceptance step to display the conversion candidates that were referenced in the conversion candidate reference step, in a sequence that was adapted in the adaptation step, and output a selected confirmed string to a target application program, wherein the fitting step is a step to estimate a priority rank of each conversion candidate according to some kind of dictionary from which that conversion candidate was retrieved, and to fit a sequence of the conversion candidates retrieved in the conversion candidate reference step based on an estimated priority rank. [9] Character input program, wherein a computer stores classification data specifying types of application programs in a memory portion of a character input device and is provided with a dictionary for each type of application program, and the character input program causes the computer to execute: a conversion candidate reference step for retrieving conversion candidates that are obtained using the dictionary for an input string; a confirmation operation acceptance step to display the conversion candidates that were referenced in the conversion candidate reference step, and output a selected confirmed string to a target application program, wherein the conversion candidate reference step is a step to obtain the conversion candidates, which are retrieved using a dictionary according to a type of application program to which the confirmed string is output.

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