Electronic device, electronic device control method, control program, and recording medium

Abstract

To improve work efficiency of searching in an electronic apparatus having a function of searching phrases.SOLUTION: An electronic apparatus (1) comprises an input unit (10) which has a handwriting input area (10A) and accepts an input handwritten by a user, a search character specification unit (421) which specifies a search character being an object to be searched, a number-of-characters specification unit (422) which specifies the number of characters allowed to be inputted to the handwriting input area (10A), a character position specification unit (423) which specifies a character position of a first input character (W1), a search unit (43) which searches a phrase on the basis of the search character, the number of characters, and the character position which are specified for the first input character (W1), and a display control unit (44) which displays a search result on a display unit (30).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electronic device, a control method for an electronic device, a control program, and a recording medium. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, electronic devices have been known that input characters and search for related words based on the characters. For example, as described in Patent Document 1, an electronic dictionary is known in which kanji characters are input and a search is performed based on the input kanji characters. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-172640 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In electronic devices having the above-described function of searching for words and phrases, there is room for improvement in the efficiency of the search process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problem, an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes: an input unit having a handwriting input area and accepting handwritten input from a user; a search character specification unit that specifies a search character to be searched for based on the input character input into the handwriting input area; a character number specification unit that specifies the number of characters that can be input into the handwriting input area based on the size of a first input character that has been completed to the handwriting input area and the position of the first input character relative to the handwriting input area; a character position specification unit that specifies the character position of the first input character in a string consisting of the specified number of characters based on the position of the first input character in the handwriting input area; a search unit that searches for words or phrases based on the search character, the number of characters, and the character position specified for each of the first input characters; and a display control unit that displays the search results on a display unit.

[0006] In order to solve the above-described problems, a control method for an electronic device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a control method for an electronic device that has a handwriting input area and an input unit that accepts handwriting input by a user, the method comprising: The computer of the electronic device Based on the input characters entered in the handwritten input area, a search character to be searched is selected. The computer a search character specifying step of specifying a number of characters that can be input into the handwriting input area based on a size of a first input character that has been input into the handwriting input area and a position of the first input character relative to the handwriting input area; The computer a character position determination step for determining a character position of the first input character in a character string consisting of the specified number of characters based on a position of the first input character in the handwriting input area; The computer a character position specifying step of specifying a character position, and based on the search character, the number of characters, and the character position specified for the first input character, The computer a search step for searching for a phrase; The computer The search results are displayed on the display unit to make and a display step. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the efficiency of searches in an electronic device having a function for searching for words. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a main configuration of an electronic device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of an electronic device. [Figure 3] 10 is an example of a screen displayed on the display unit when one input character is input into the handwriting input area so as to be positioned at the beginning of a character string. [Figure 4] 10 is an example of a screen displayed on the display unit when one input character is input into the handwriting input area so as to be positioned at the end of a character string. [Figure 5] 10 is an example of a screen displayed on the display unit when two input characters are input. [Figure 6] 10 is another example of a screen displayed on the display unit when two input characters are input. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of processing performed in a search method using an electronic device. [Figure 8] 10 is an example of a screen displayed on a display unit when an input operation for instructing to move characters is performed on the electronic device. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 10 is an example of a screen displayed in the handwriting input area when part of a character is input. [Figure 11] 10 is another example of a screen displayed in the handwriting input area when part of a character is input. [Figure 12] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing an example of a series of screen changes displayed in a handwriting input area when an instruction to divide a character is input. [Figure 13]10A to 10C are diagrams showing an example of a series of screen changes displayed in a handwriting input area when an instruction to combine characters is input. [Figure 14] 10 is an example of a screen displayed when an instruction to increase the number of characters by a drag operation is input. [Figure 15] 10 is another example of a screen when an instruction to increase the number of characters by a drag operation is input. [Figure 16] 10 is an example of a screen displayed when an instruction to increase the number of characters by a pinch-in operation is input. [Figure 17] 10 is an example of a screen displayed when an instruction to increase the number of characters by a pinch-out operation is input. [Figure 18] 10 is an example of a screen displayed when an instruction to increase the number of characters by writing new characters is input. [Figure 19] 10 is an example of a screen displayed when an instruction to decrease the number of characters is input by a drag operation using a device. [Figure 20] 10 is an example of a screen displayed when an instruction to decrease the number of characters by a pinch-in operation is input. [Figure 21] 10 is another example of a screen when an instruction to decrease the number of characters by a pinch-in operation is input. [Figure 22] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a search method in an electronic device. [Figure 23] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing performed when an additional input is received in the electronic device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [Embodiment 1] [Overview of Electronic Device 1] An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, an electronic device 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described as an application example of an electronic device according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the main parts of the electronic device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Specific examples of the electronic device 1 include, but are not limited to, an electronic dictionary, a smartphone, a tablet electronic device, a feature phone, and a personal computer.

[0010] The electronic device 1 according to this embodiment has multiple contents and can activate them. The contents are a combination of data and a display application, but the display application may be included in the contents or may be linked to an external application.

[0011] For example, when electronic device 1 receives information (input information, e.g., a character string) input by a user, it may search for data corresponding to the information from among a plurality of content data stored therein and display the data. In this case, content data may include, but is not limited to, dictionary data, text data, document data, image data, and schedule data. For example, electronic device 1 may launch an application for viewing document data or text data (e.g., an e-book) and search for a character string in the viewed data. In other words, electronic device 1 may function as a search electronic device for general-purpose content. Electronic device 1 may also have content for purposes other than data viewing. For example, electronic device 1 may have an application such as a game application or a memo pad as content and be able to execute the game application.

[0012] In addition, the electronic device 1 according to the present embodiment has a handwriting search function. When the electronic device 1 receives an input of characters by handwriting, it specifies a search phrase based on the characters. Further, the electronic device 1 searches for information related to the search phrase based on the search phrase and displays the search result. Hereinafter, the characters input to the electronic device 1 are referred to as "input characters W".

[0013] 〔Main Component Configuration of Electronic Device 1〕 FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the appearance of the electronic device 1. Hereinafter, the main component configuration of the electronic device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electronic device 1 includes an input unit 10, a storage unit 20, a display unit 30, and a control unit 40. In the following description, the direction indicated by the arrow X in FIG. 2 is referred to as the "horizontal direction", and the direction indicated by the arrow Y is referred to as the "vertical direction". Also, in a character string consisting of a plurality of characters, the one read first is referred to as the "front", and the one read later is referred to as the "rear". For example, in the phrase "material cost", the side where the character "material" is located with respect to the character "cost" is referred to as the front, and the side where the character "cost" is located is referred to as the rear.

[0014] The input unit 10 receives an input from the user and outputs a signal corresponding to the input to the control unit 40. As shown in FIG. 2, the input unit 10 includes a handwriting input area 10A and a keyboard input unit 10B. The handwriting input area 10A is an area for receiving a handwriting input from the user. The handwriting input area 10A outputs information indicating the position where the handwriting input by the user was performed to the control unit 40. The keyboard input unit 10B is a physical key for receiving an operation on the electronic device 1, and includes, for example, character keys, a determination key, and cursor keys.

[0015] The storage unit 20 stores various information used in the electronic device 1. The storage unit 20 is composed of, for example, a non-volatile device such as a flash memory or a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a volatile device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory). Further, the storage unit 20 in the present embodiment stores a search character database 21.

[0016] Search character database 21 is a database containing information indicating the shapes of multiple characters, such as kanji characters, that can be determined as search characters. Dictionary database 22 is a database consisting of data associating multiple entry words with multiple items related to each entry word. For example, the entry word "approximately" is associated with information about the explanation and meaning of the kanji character "approximately" as an item.

[0017] The display unit 30 is a display that displays various information under the control of the display control unit 44. For example, the display unit 30 displays an entry word display area 31 and an item display area 32. The entry word display area 31 is an area that displays a list of entry words obtained as a result of a search. The item display area 32 is an area that displays an item corresponding to the entry word selected in the entry word display area 31. The display unit 30 may be realized by any device that is capable of displaying information, but specific examples include a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, and a plasma display.

[0018] 2, display unit 30 is a touch panel including handwriting input area 10A, and displays a screen showing the range of handwriting input area 10A. Furthermore, display unit 30 displays input character W input by the user in handwriting input area 10A.

[0019] 2, the display unit 30 may display information indicating the content currently being used, information indicating the remaining battery power of the electronic device 1, and a toolbar 33 displaying various tools available on the electronic device 1. From the viewpoint of convenience, it is preferable that these screens are displayed so as not to be covered by the handwriting input area 10A, the entry word display area 31, the item display area 32, etc.

[0020] The control unit 40 executes various processes in the electronic device 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit includes an input content specification unit 41, a search content specification unit 42, a search unit 43, and a display control unit 44. The control unit 40 performs a process of searching for words and phrases based on input characters W input in the handwriting input area 10A in particular, and displaying the search results on the display unit 30. Hereinafter, of the input characters W input in the handwriting input area, the first input character will be referred to as the first input character, and the second input character will be referred to as the second input character. The same applies to the third and subsequent input characters W.

[0021] The input content identification unit 41 identifies the input content to the handwriting input area 10A. Specifically, the input content identification unit 41 acquires, from the handwriting input area 10A, a signal corresponding to the content of the input to the handwriting input area 10A, for example, the position where the handwritten input was made. Upon acquiring the signal, the input content identification unit 41 recognizes that an input has been made to the handwriting input area 10A and identifies the content of the input. For example, when the input content identification unit 41 acquires information indicating the position where the input to the handwriting input area 10A was made, the input content identification unit 41 determines that a first input character W1 has been input and further identifies the shape of the first input character W1. The input content identification unit 41 outputs input information including information indicating the identified shape of the first input character W1 and the position where the first input character W1 was input to the search content identification unit 42. Note that the first input character W1 refers to the input character W that was first input when the handwriting input area 10A was in a state where it was able to accept input.

[0022] Search content specification unit 42 includes a search character specification unit 421, a character count specification unit 422, and a character position specification unit 423. When search content specification unit 42 acquires input information from input content specification unit 41, it specifies information related to the words and phrases to be searched for in search unit 43 based on the information, and outputs the specified information to search unit 43.

[0023] Search character specification unit 421 specifies a search character to be searched for, based on input character W input into handwriting input area 10A. Specifically, search character specification unit 421 acquires input information from input content specification unit 41. Upon acquiring the input information, search character specification unit 421 refers to search character database 21 in storage unit 20 and specifies a search character based on the shape of input character W included in the input information. For example, search character specification unit 421 determines the degree of match between the shape of input character W and the shape of the search character using a technique such as image recognition, and specifies a character with a high degree of match as a search character. Search character specification unit 421 outputs information indicating the specified search character to search unit 43.

[0024] The character number determination unit 422 determines the size of the first input character W1 based on the shape of the first input character W1 that has been completely input into the handwriting input area 10A. The first input character W1 refers to the character that is input first when the handwriting input area 10A is ready to accept input. The size of the first input character W1 is, for example, the size of a square that surrounds the first input character W1. The square has one side that is longer than the vertical length or horizontal length of the first input character W1.

[0025] Furthermore, character number specification unit 422 specifies the number of characters that can be input into handwriting input area 10A based on the specified size of first input character W1 and the position of first input character W1 relative to handwriting input area 10A. Character number specification unit 422 outputs information indicating the specified number of characters to character position specification unit 423 and search unit 43.

[0026] Based on the position of first input character W1 in handwriting input area 10A, character position specification unit 423 specifies the character position of first input character W1 in a character string consisting of the specified number of characters. Specifically, character position specification unit 423 acquires information indicating the number of characters that can be input to handwriting input area 10A from character number specification unit 422. Based on this information and information indicating the position at which first input character W1 was input, which is included in the input information, character position specification unit 423 specifies the ordinal position of first input character W1 in a character string consisting of the number of characters that can be input to handwriting input area 10A. Character position specification unit 423 outputs information indicating the specified character position of first input character W1 to search unit 43.

[0027] Furthermore, when a second input character W2 is input after a first input character W1 in the handwriting input area 10A, the character position identification unit 423 identifies the character position of the second input character W2 in the character string based on the position of the second input character W2 in the handwriting input area 10A using a method similar to the method used to identify the character position of the first input character W1.

[0028] The search unit 43 searches for a word or phrase based on the search character, the number of characters, and the character position that have been specified for the first input character W1. Specifically, the search unit 43 acquires, from the search content specification unit 42, information indicating the search character, information indicating the number of characters that can be input into the handwriting input area 10A, and information indicating the character position of the first input character W1. Upon acquiring this information, the search unit 43 refers to the dictionary database 22 in the storage unit 20 based on this information and searches for the target word or phrase. In other words, the search unit 43 performs a search when the first input character W1 is input and the search character, the number of characters, and the character position have been specified for the first input character W1, that is, when the search unit 43 acquires this information.

[0029] Furthermore, the search unit 43 searches for a phrase that includes the search character identified for the first input characters W1 at the character position identified for the first input characters W1 and that has at least the specified number of characters. The search unit 43 outputs information indicating the identified phrase to the display control unit 44 as information indicating the search result.

[0030] If the search result does not include a heading word that meets the search criteria, the search unit 43 may search with a reduced number of characters. In other words, the search unit 43 searches for a phrase that includes the search character specified for the first input characters W1 at the character position specified for the first input characters W1 and that has one character less than the specified number of characters.

[0031] Furthermore, when a second input character W2 is input after a first input character W1 in the handwriting input area 10A, the search unit 43 performs a narrowed search. Specifically, the search unit 43 searches for a phrase with at least the specified number of characters that includes the search character specified for the first input character W1 at the character position specified for the first input character W1 and that includes the search character specified for the second input character W2 at the character position specified for the second input character W2.

[0032] When display control unit 44 acquires information indicating the search results from search unit 43, it controls display unit 30 to display the information indicating the search results on display unit 30. Display control unit 44 may also reflect and display the content of the handwritten input by the user in handwriting input area 10A in handwriting input area 10A included in display unit 30. This allows the user to visually recognize the shape of the input character W that the user entered. In this embodiment, the handwritten input content (characters, parts of characters, etc.) is displayed in handwriting input area 10A until search character identification unit 421 identifies the search character of the handwritten input characters, and then switches to displaying characters in a predetermined font when the search character is identified.

[0033] Furthermore, the display control unit 44 may display a frame line B (see FIG. 3 ) surrounding an input area into which each input character W in a character string has been input, in the handwriting input area 10A included in the display unit 30. The frame line may, for example, match the square surrounding the first input character W identified by the character number identification unit 422. Furthermore, the display control unit 44 may display the frame lines in the handwriting input area 10A included in the display unit 30, the number of which matches the number of characters identified by the character number identification unit 422. This allows the electronic device 1 to allow the user to visually recognize the size of the input character W identified by the search content identification unit 42 and the number of characters identified based on the input character W.

[0034] <Example of search function> Specific examples of processing performed by the search content specification unit 42, the search unit 43, and the display control unit 44 will be described below. Fig. 3 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 30 when one input character is input into the handwriting input area 10A so as to be positioned at the beginning of a character string. Reference numeral 301 in Fig. 3 shows an example of a screen when an input character W having a size allowing two characters to be input into the handwriting input area 10A is input. Reference numeral 302 in Fig. 3 shows an example of a screen when an input character W having a size allowing three characters to be input into the handwriting input area 10A is input. Reference numeral 303 in Fig. 3 shows an example of a screen when an input character W having a size allowing four characters to be input into the handwriting input area 10A is input.

[0035] In each of the examples indicated by reference numerals 301, 302, and 303 in FIG. 3 , the search character identification unit 421 identifies the Chinese character " approx. " as a search character based on the shape of the first input character W1. In the example indicated by reference numeral 301 in FIG. 3 , the character number identification unit 422 identifies the number of characters that can be input into the handwriting input area 10A as "two characters." In the example indicated by reference numeral 302 in FIG. 3 , the character number identification unit 422 identifies the number of characters that can be input into the handwriting input area 10A as "three characters," and in the example indicated by reference numeral 303 in FIG. 3 , the character number identification unit 422 identifies the number of characters as "four characters." In each of the examples indicated by reference numerals 301, 302, and 303 in FIG. 3 , the character position identification unit 423 identifies the character position of the input character W as "the first character."

[0036] The search unit 43 searches for an entry word based on the information identified by the search character identification unit 421, the character number identification unit 422, and the character position identification unit 423. For example, in the example shown by reference numeral 301 in FIG. 3, the search unit 43 searches for an entry word having two or more characters and including the search character W "about" in the "first character." In the example shown by reference numeral 302 in FIG. 3, the search unit 43 searches for an entry word having three or more characters and including the search character W "about" in the "first character." In the example shown by reference numeral 303 in FIG. 3, the search unit 43 searches for an entry word having four or more characters and including the search character W "about" in the "first character."

[0037] In the example shown by reference numeral 301 in FIG. 3 , the handwriting input area 10A displays a frame B1 surrounding the first input character W1 and a frame B2 indicating that one more character can be input. Furthermore, headwords such as “promise,” “divisor,” and “terms and conditions” are identified as search results by the search unit 43 and displayed in the headword display area 31. Furthermore, in the example shown by reference numeral 302 in FIG. 3 , the handwriting input area 10A displays a frame B1 surrounding the first input character W1 and frame lines B2 and B3 indicating that two more characters can be input. Furthermore, headwords such as “promise” are identified as search results by the search unit 43 and displayed on the display unit 30. Furthermore, in the example shown by reference numeral 303 in FIG. 3 , the handwriting input area 10A displays a frame B1 surrounding the first input character W1 and frame lines B2 to B4 indicating that three more characters can be input. Furthermore, headwords such as “promissory note” are identified as search results by the search unit 43 and displayed on the display unit 30.

[0038] 4 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 30 when one input character is input into the handwriting input area 10A so as to be positioned at the end of a character string. Reference numeral 401 in FIG. 4 shows an example of a screen when an input character with a character size allowing two characters to be input into the handwriting input area 10A is input. Reference numeral 402 in FIG. 4 shows an example of a screen when an input character with a character size allowing three characters to be input into the handwriting input area 10A is input. Reference numeral 403 in FIG. 4 shows an example of a screen when an input character with a character size allowing four characters to be input into the handwriting input area 10A is input.

[0039] In the example shown in FIG. 4, the search character specification unit 421 specifies the Chinese character " は" as the search character based on the shape of the first input character W1. In the example shown by reference numeral 401 in FIG. 4, the character number specification unit 422 specifies the number of characters that can be input into the handwriting input area 10A as "two characters." In the example shown by reference numeral 402 in FIG. 4, the character number specification unit 422 specifies the number of characters that can be input into the handwriting input area 10A as "three characters," and in the example shown by reference numeral 403 in FIG. 4, the character number specification unit 422 specifies the number of characters as "four characters." In the example shown by reference numeral 401 in FIG. 4, the character position specification unit 423 specifies the character position of the input character W as "the second character." In the example shown by reference numeral 402 in FIG. 4, the character position specification unit 423 specifies the character position of the input character W as "the third character." In the example shown by reference numeral 403 in FIG. 4, the character position specification unit 423 specifies the character position of the input character W as the "fourth character."

[0040] The search unit 43 searches for an entry word based on the information identified by the search character identification unit 421, the character number identification unit 422, and the character position identification unit 423. For example, in the example shown by reference numeral 401 in FIG. 4, the search unit 43 searches for an entry word having two or more characters and including the search character W "は" in the second character. In the example shown by reference numeral 402 in FIG. 4, the search unit 43 searches for an entry word having three or more characters and including the search character W "は" in the third character. In the example shown by reference numeral 403 in FIG. 4, the search unit 43 searches for an entry word having four or more characters and including the search character W "は" in the fourth character.

[0041] In the example indicated by reference numeral 401 in FIG. 4 , a frame B2 surrounding the first input character W1 and a frame B1 indicating that one more character can be input are displayed in the handwriting input area 10A. Furthermore, headwords such as “referral” and “trial” are identified as search results by the search unit 43 and displayed on the display unit 30. Furthermore, in the example indicated by reference numeral 402 in FIG. 4 , a frame B3 surrounding the first input character W1 and frame lines B1 and B2 indicating that two more characters can be input are displayed in the handwriting input area 10A. Furthermore, a headword such as “stamp of approval” is identified as a search result by the search unit 43 and displayed on the display unit 30. Furthermore, in the example indicated by reference numeral 403 in FIG. 4 , a frame B4 surrounding the first input character W1 and frame lines B1 to B3 indicating that three more characters can be input are displayed in the handwriting input area 10A. Furthermore, a headword such as “impeachment trial” is identified as a search result by the search unit 43 and displayed on the display unit 30.

[0042] <Fuzzy search / blank search> Fig. 5 is an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 30 when two input characters W (a first input character W1 and a second input character W2) are input. Fig. 6 is another example of a screen displayed on the display unit 30 when two input characters W (a first input character W1 and a second input character W2) are input.

[0043] The electronic device 1 has a fuzzy search function that searches for a target phrase based on the input characters when only some characters of a phrase including multiple characters are input, and a blank search function.

[0044] Specifically, when a first input character W1 is input into the handwriting input area 10A in a size that allows multiple characters to be input, the search unit 43 searches for a phrase that includes the first input character W1. Thereafter, when a second input character W2 is input, the search unit 43 searches for a phrase that includes the search character specified for the first input character W1 at the character position specified for the first input character W1 and that includes the search character specified for the second input character W2 at the character position specified for the second input character W2, and that has at least the specified number of characters.

[0045] For example, if a user wants to search for the phrase "Hyakka Ryoran," the user can search for the desired phrase by entering "Hyakka," which is part of the phrase, in handwriting input area 10A large enough to input four characters, and with "Hyakka" positioned at the beginning of the string, as shown in Figure 5.

[0046] Furthermore, if a user wishes to search for the phrase "Kinshijyosoehana," the user can search for the desired phrase by inputting "ue" and "hana," which are parts of the phrase, into handwriting input area 10A in a size large enough to input four characters, with "ue" positioned second in the string and "hana" positioned fourth in the string, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0047] As described above, even if the user only remembers part of the target phrase, the electronic device 1 can accurately search for the target phrase. Since it is common for users to remember only part of the kanji for so-called compound phrases such as "Hyakka Ryoran" (a profusion of flowers) or "Kinjo Soehana" (a brocade flower), having this function improves the convenience of the electronic device 1.

[0048] <An example of a search method flow in electronic device 1> 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed in a search method (control method) using the electronic device 1. Hereinafter, an example of the flow of the search method in the electronic device 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0049] First, when handwriting input area 10A receives handwritten input by the user, handwriting input area 10A outputs a signal corresponding to the input to input content identification unit 41. Input content identification unit 41 identifies the content of the input based on the signal (S1). If the content of the input is a character input into handwriting input area 10A (YES in S1), input content identification unit 41 identifies the shape and position of the input first input character W1 (S2). Input content identification unit 41 outputs information indicating the identified shape and position of the first input character W1 to search content identification unit 42.

[0050] When the search content specification unit 42 acquires information indicating the shape and position of the first input character W1, it specifies information related to the character to be searched. Specifically, the search character specification unit 421 specifies the search character based on the shape of the input character W (S3: search character specification step). Here, the search content specification unit 42 determines whether the input character W is the first input character, i.e., the first input character W1 (S4). If the input character W is the first input character W1 (YES in S4), the character number specification unit 422 specifies the number of characters that can be input into the handwriting input area 10A based on the size of the first input character W1 (S5: character number specification step). Here, if the input character W is the second or subsequent character (NO in S4), there is no need to specify the number of characters. Therefore, the character number specification unit 422 does not perform the process of specifying the number of characters (S5).

[0051] After S5, or if the input character is not first input character W1 (NO in S4), character position specification unit 423 specifies the character position of first input character W1 based on the number of characters specified by character number specification unit 422 and the position where first input character W1 was input (S6: character position specification step). Search character specification unit 421, character number specification unit 422, and character position specification unit 423 output each of the specified information to search unit 43.

[0052] Upon acquiring the above-mentioned information, the search unit 43 refers to the dictionary database 22 and searches for an entry word based on the search character, the number of characters, and the character position identified for the input character W (S7: search step). Specifically, the search unit 43 searches for a phrase that includes the search character at the character position and has an entry word with at least the specified number of characters. The search unit 43 outputs information indicating the entry word that matches the conditions obtained as a result of the search to the display control unit 44 and the input content identification unit 41.

[0053] When the display control unit 44 acquires the information indicating the entry word, it displays it on the display unit 30 as a result of the search by the search unit 43 (S8: display step). Specifically, the display control unit 44 displays the entry word display area 31, which is a list made up of the entry words.

[0054] When the input content identification unit 41 acquires the information indicating the entry word, it determines whether a new second input character W2 has been input in the handwriting input area 10A (S9). If a new second input character W2 has been input in the handwriting input area 10A (YES in S9), the input content identification unit 41 identifies information related to the second input character W2. That is, the processing from S2 onward is performed again, and information such as the search character corresponding to the second input character W2 and the position where the second input character W2 was input is identified. However, as shown in FIG. 7, if the input character W is the second or subsequent character (NO in S4), there is no need to identify the number of characters, so the processing from S6 onward is performed without performing the processing of identifying the number of characters by the character number identification unit 422 (S5).

[0055] This allows the search unit 43 to perform a search based on the first input character W1 and the second input character W2. The same applies when a third input character W3, a fourth input character W4, etc. are further input after a search based on the first input character W1 and the second input character W2 has been performed.

[0056] On the other hand, if a new second input character W2 has not been input into the handwriting input area 10A (NO in S9), the input content identification unit 41 waits for a user to select an entry word (S10). If a user selects an entry word for which an item should be displayed (YES in S10), the input content identification unit 41A outputs information indicating the selection to the search unit 43A. Upon acquiring the information, the search unit 43A refers to the dictionary database 22 to search for an entry word corresponding to the entry word, and outputs information indicating the content of the entry word to the display control unit 44A. The display control unit 44A displays information indicating the content of the entry word corresponding to the acquired entry word in the item display area 32 (S11). Note that when the search result of S8 is displayed, the entry word displayed at the top of the entry word display area 31 may be displayed in the item display area 32, and the displayed content may be switched when the entry word is selected in S10.

[0057] <Effects of Electronic Device 1> As described above, electronic device 1 includes input unit 10 having handwriting input area 10A and accepting handwritten input from a user; search character specification unit 421 specifying a search character to be searched for based on input character W input into handwriting input area 10A; character number specification unit 422 specifying the number of characters that can be input into handwriting input area 10A based on the size of first input character W1 that has been input into handwriting input area 10A and the position of first input character W1 relative to handwriting input area 10A; character position specification unit 423 specifying the character position of first input character W1 in a string of characters consisting of the specified number of characters based on the position of first input character W1 in handwriting input area 10A; search unit 43 performing a search for words or phrases based on the search character, number of characters, and character position specified for first input character W1; and display control unit 44 displaying the search results on display unit 30.

[0058] In conventional electronic dictionaries, words beginning with the input characters are displayed as search results in alphabetical order, starting with the one with the fewest characters. Furthermore, specifying the number of characters in the desired search term requires a separate operation. In contrast, the above configuration allows a search for a word based on the number of characters specified based on the size and position of the input characters. In other words, the above configuration allows the operation of inputting the characters corresponding to the desired search term and the operation of inputting the number of characters in the desired search term to be performed as a single operation. Therefore, the electronic device 1 having the above configuration improves the efficiency of search operations.

[0059] Furthermore, in the electronic device 1, the search unit 43 may perform a search when the first input characters W1 are input and the search characters, the number of characters, and the character positions are respectively specified for the first input characters W1. According to the above configuration, a search for a word or phrase is performed without the user performing any operation for performing a search.

[0060] Furthermore, in the electronic device 1, the search unit 43 may search for a phrase having at least the specified number of characters that includes the search character specified for the first input characters W1 at a character position specified for the first input characters W1.

[0061] According to the above configuration, words with a number of characters less than the number specified based on the input character size are excluded from the search target, thereby reducing the number of words other than the target word displayed as search results, making it easier for users to find the target word and improving work efficiency.

[0062] Furthermore, when a second input character W2 is input after a first input character W1, the character position specification unit 423 may specify the character position of the second input character W2 in the character string based on the position of the second input character W2 in the handwriting input area 10 A. Furthermore, the search unit 43 may search for a phrase having at least the specified number of characters, which includes the search character specified for the first input character W1 at the character position specified for the first input character W1 and which includes the search character specified for the second input character W2 at the character position specified for the second input character W2.

[0063] According to the above configuration, search results for words and phrases based on the first input characters W1 can be further narrowed down based on the second input characters W2, so that words and phrases that the user wants to search for can be more accurately identified.

[0064] Furthermore, in the electronic device 1, the display control unit 44 may display in the handwriting input area 10A of the display unit 30 a frame line B that surrounds the input area for each character in the character string.

[0065] According to the above configuration, the user can recognize the number of input areas corresponding to the number of characters specified based on the size of the characters input by the user, thereby allowing the user to easily check the correspondence between the number of characters of the target word and the number of characters of the headword.

[0066] <Modification> FIG. 8 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 30 when an input operation instructing the electronic device 1 to move a character is performed. As shown in FIG. 8, the electronic device 1 may change the position of the input character W identified by the character position identification unit 423 based on a user's input. Specifically, when the input character W is selected in the handwriting input area 10A and an input operation is performed to move the input character W from the position where it was displayed to a different position, the input content identification unit 41 accepts the input. The input content identification unit 41 also outputs information indicating that the input has been performed to the character position identification unit 423 and the display control unit 44. The input operation described above is, for example, an operation in which, as shown by reference numeral 801 in FIG. 8, a position where the input character W (W1) is displayed is touched with a device D such as a touch pen, and the input character W (W1) is dragged from the frame line B2 surrounding the input character W (W1) toward the adjacent frame line B1, as shown by reference numerals 802 and 803 in FIG. 8.

[0067] When the character position specification unit 423 acquires information indicating that the input has been performed, it specifies a new character position of the input character W. In the example indicated by reference numeral 803 in FIG. 8, the character position specification unit 423 sets the new character position of the input character to "first character." Furthermore, the display control unit 44 moves the position of the input character W selected by the above-described input operation. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the display control unit 44 moves the position where the input character W (W1) is displayed from within the frame line B2 to within the frame line B1.

[0068] Furthermore, search unit 43 searches for a phrase based on the character position of input character W newly identified by character position identification unit 423. As described above, electronic device 1 allows the character position of input character W to be changed with a simple operation.

[0069] [Embodiment 2] Other embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. For ease of explanation, components having the same functions as those described in the above embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will not be repeated. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic device 1A according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. The configuration of the electronic device 1A according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to FIG. 9.

[0070] When an additional instruction is input after the first input character W1 is input in the handwriting input area 10A, the electronic device 1A searches for a word or phrase based on the content of the instruction and displays the search results. As shown in Fig. 9, the electronic device 1A differs from the electronic device 1 in that it includes a memory unit 20A and a control unit 40A instead of the memory unit 20 and the control unit 40.

[0071] Storage unit 20A stores search character database 21A. In addition to the information constituting search character database 21, search character database 21A further associates information indicating character parts forming the search character, such as the radical of the search character, as information related to the search character.

[0072] The control unit 40A includes an input content specification unit 41A, a search content specification unit 42A, a search unit 43A, and a display control unit 44A instead of the input content specification unit 41, the search content specification unit 42, the search unit 43, and the display control unit 44. In addition to the processes performed by the input content specification unit 41, the search content specification unit 42, the search unit 43, and the display control unit 44, the input content specification unit 41A, the search content specification unit 42A, the search unit 43A, and the display control unit 44A perform processes based on the content of an instruction input made to the handwriting input area 10A.

[0073] (Input content specification unit 41A) When an additional instruction is input to the handwriting input area 10A after the input of at least the first input character W1 is completed, the input content identification unit 41A identifies the content of the additional instruction. The input content identification unit 41A outputs information indicating the content of the identified instruction to the search content identification unit 42A.

[0074] The instruction input is, for example, an input of a part of a character P (see Figures 10 and 11), an input instructing the division of an input character W, an input instructing the combination of multiple input characters W, or an input instructing the increase or decrease of the number of characters determined based on the input character W.

[0075] (Search content specification unit 42A) Search content identification unit 42A acquires information indicating the content of the instruction input from input content identification unit 41A and performs processing according to the content of the instruction input. As shown in FIG. 9 , search content identification unit 42A includes search character identification unit 421A, character count identification unit 422A, and character position identification unit 423A instead of search character identification unit 421, character count identification unit 422, and character position identification unit 423. Search character identification unit 421A, character count identification unit 422A, and character position identification unit 423A perform processing according to the content of the instruction input in addition to the processing performed by search character identification unit 421, character count identification unit 422, and character position identification unit 423. Search content identification unit 42A also includes part identification unit 424, division unit 425, synthesis unit 426, and character count increase / decrease unit 427.

[0076] (Parts identification unit 424) The part identification unit 424 identifies a character part based on a part P of a character input in the handwriting input area 10A. A character part refers to a part of an element that forms one character. For example, a character part is a part of a kanji character such as a radical, a character structure, or a character posture. Note that the character part is not limited to these, and may be any element that can identify at least one character by the part. The part identification unit 424 outputs information indicating the identified character part to the search unit 43A as information related to the search content.

[0077] Furthermore, when the input character W is divided by the division unit 425, the part identification unit 424 identifies character parts based on the part P of the character generated by the division.

[0078] (Divided part 425) When an instruction input indicating that the input character W is to be divided with respect to the handwritten input area 10A is given, the dividing unit 425 divides the input character W. Specifically, when the input content specifying unit 41A receives an instruction input with respect to the handwritten input area 10A, the dividing unit 425 outputs information indicating that the instruction input has been given. When the dividing unit 425 acquires the information, in the search character specifying unit 421A, the dividing unit 425 acquires information indicating a search character specified based on the input character W. The dividing unit 425 divides the search character into (1) a plurality of characters, (2) a character and a part P of the character, or (3) parts P1 and P2 of the character. For example, the dividing unit 425 divides the character "材" into "木" and "才", and makes these adjacent characters. The dividing unit 425 may regard the "木" generated by the division as one character "木", or as "木" as "へん".

[0079] The dividing unit 425 may change the characters and / or parts of characters generated by the division based on a further instruction input by the user with respect to the handwritten input area 10A. For example, the dividing unit 425 may determine whether to regard the "木" generated in the above example as one character "木" or as "木" as "へん" based on an instruction input by the user. The dividing unit 425 outputs information indicating the determined character to the search character specifying unit 421A. Further, the dividing unit 425 outputs information indicating a part of the determined character to the part specifying unit 424.

[0080] As described above, the dividing unit 425 causes the search character specifying unit 421A and the part specifying unit 424 to recognize the input character W specified (recognized) as one character in the character string as a plurality of adjacent characters, an adjacent character and a part P of the character, or parts (P1, P2) of a plurality of adjacent characters in the character string.

[0081] When the input character W is divided, the dividing unit 425 outputs information indicating that the division has been performed to the character number specifying unit 422A.

[0082] (Combining unit 426) The combining unit 426 receives an instruction input for the handwritten input area 10A, and combines a plurality of input characters (W1, W2) recognized as another adjacent character in the character string so that they are recognized as one input character (W´) (see FIG. 13). In other words, the combining unit 426 combines the input characters W.

[0083] Specifically, after the first input character W1 and the second input character W2 are input to the handwritten input area 10A, when an instruction input for instructing to combine the input characters W is given, the input content specifying unit 41A outputs information indicating the content of the instruction input to the combining unit 426. When the combining unit 426 acquires the information, it combines the two adjacent input characters W1 and W2 specified by the instruction input into one input character W´. For example, when the characters "tree" are input as the first input character W1 and the second input character W2, respectively, and an input for instructing to combine these input characters is given, the combining unit 426 combines the first input character W1 and the second input character W2 to identify a new input character W´ of "forest". The combining unit 426 outputs information indicating the identified new input character W´ to the search character specifying unit 421A. In addition, the combining unit 426 outputs information indicating that the characters have been combined to the character count specifying unit 422A.

[0084] Note that the combination of characters is not limited to that between a plurality of input characters. For example, the combination of characters may be performed between one input character W and a part P of one character. For example, when an instruction input for instructing to combine "tree" with a part P of "tree" which is "side" and the input character W of "only" is given, the combining unit 426 identifies "material" as the new input character W´.

[0085] (Character count increase / decrease unit 427) Character number increment / decrement unit 427 receives an instruction input to handwriting input area 10A and increments or decrements the number of characters identified by character number specification unit 422A. Specifically, when input content specification unit 41A receives an instruction input instructing to increase or decrease the number of characters, it outputs information indicating that the instruction input has been received to character number increment / decrement unit 427. Upon receiving the information, character number increment / decrement unit 427 obtains information indicating the identified number of characters from character number specification unit 422A and increases or decreases the number of characters. Character number increment / decrement unit 427 outputs the number of characters after the increase / decrease to search unit 43A as information indicating the new number of characters.

[0086] (Search character specification unit 421A) When dividing unit 425 divides a character, search character specification unit 421A specifies a new search character based on input character W′ newly generated by dividing unit 425.

[0087] Furthermore, search character specification unit 421A specifies a new search character based on input character W' generated by combining characters in composition unit 426. In other words, search character specification unit 421A specifies a search character for input character (W') combined in composition unit 426.

[0088] (Character count specification section 422A) The character number specification unit 422A specifies a new number of characters based on the content of the input instruction (see FIGS. 14 to 21). For example, when characters are combined, the character number specification unit 422A specifies the new number of characters as the number of characters obtained by subtracting one character from the number of characters specified at the time the first input character W1 was input. When characters are divided, the character number specification unit 422A specifies the new number of characters as the number of characters obtained by increasing the number of characters specified at the time the first input character W1 was input by one character. The character number specification unit 422A outputs information indicating the specified new number of characters to the search unit 43A.

[0089] (Character position identification section 423A) When search content specification unit 42A divides or combines characters, or increases or decreases the number of characters, character position specification unit 423A specifies a new character position of input character W or part P of a character including a character part in the character string. Character position specification unit 423A outputs information indicating the specified character position of input character W or part P of a character to search unit 43A.

[0090] (Search unit 43A) After acquiring information indicating a search character from search content identification unit 42A, search unit 43A acquires information indicating a character part from part identification unit 424 and information indicating the character position of a part P of a character corresponding to the character part from character position identification unit 423A, and then performs a search based on the search character and character part. In other words, when at least a first input character W1 and at least one part P of a character corresponding to the character part are input into handwriting input area 10A of input unit 10, search unit 43A performs a search based on the search character identified based on first input character W1 and the character part identified based on the part P of the character.

[0091] Specifically, the search unit 43A searches for a phrase having at least the specified number of characters, which (1) includes the search character specified for the first input character W1 at the character position specified for the first input character W1, and (2) includes a character part at the character position specified for a part P of a character corresponding to the character part.

[0092] Furthermore, when an instruction to combine characters is input in handwriting input area 10A, search unit 43A acquires information indicating newly specified search characters from search character specification unit 421A. At this time, search unit 43A also acquires information indicating the new number of characters specified by character number specification unit 422A. In this case, search unit 43A performs a new search for words or phrases based on the acquired information.

[0093] Furthermore, when an instruction to divide a character is input in handwriting input area 10A, search unit 43A acquires information indicating a newly identified search character or a combination of a search character and a character part from search character specification unit 421A. At this time, search unit 43A also acquires information indicating the new number of characters specified by character number specification unit 422A. In this case, search unit 43A performs a new search for a word or phrase based on the acquired information.

[0094] Furthermore, when an instruction to increase or decrease the number of characters is input in handwriting input area 10A, search unit 43A acquires information indicating the newly specified number of characters from character number increase / decrease unit 427. In this case, search unit 43A newly searches for a word or phrase having more than the acquired number of characters.

[0095] After performing each of the above searches, the search unit 43A outputs information indicating the results of the searches to the display control unit 44A.

[0096] (Display control unit 44A) In addition to displaying the input characters W and the frame lines B, the display control unit 44A may also display information indicating the content of the input instruction. For example, when an instruction to combine characters is input in the handwriting input area 10A, the display control unit 44A may display a new input character W′ identified by the search character specification unit 421A in the handwriting input area 10A, instead of the input character W originally displayed. When an instruction to divide a character is input in the handwriting input area 10A, the display control unit 44A may display a new input character W′ or a character part P identified by the search character specification unit 421A in the handwriting input area 10A, instead of the input character W originally displayed. The display control unit 44A may also change the number of frame lines B to be displayed on the display unit 30, based on the number of characters newly identified by the character number specification unit 422A (see FIG. 14 ).

[0097] Furthermore, the display control unit 44A may change the number of frame lines B to be displayed on the display unit 30 based on information indicating the number of characters specified by the character number increasing / decreasing unit 427.

[0098] <Specific example of instruction input> Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 10 to 21, a specific example of processing when an instruction input is performed after the first input character W1 is input to the handwritten input area 10A in the electronic device 1A will be described. FIGS. 10 to 21 are examples of screens displayed in the handwritten input area 10A.

[0099] (Input of character parts) FIG. 10 is an example of a screen displayed in the handwritten input area 10A when a part P of a character is input. As shown in FIG. 10, in the handwritten input area 10A, the case where "kihen" is input as a part P of the character at the position of the first character and the Chinese character "ryo" is input as the first input character W1 at the position of the second character will be described.

[0100] The input content specifying unit 41A outputs information indicating the first input character W1 to the search content specifying unit 42. Thereafter, when "ki" as "hen" is input to the handwritten input area 10A, the input content specifying unit 41A specifies that an instruction input for adding and inputting a part P of a character to the handwritten input area 10A has been performed. The method for specifying that a part P of a character has been input to the handwritten input area 10A is not particularly limited. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, in the part P of the character input to the handwritten input area 10A, when the length in one direction (for example, the direction indicated by arrow Y in FIG. 10) is about the same as that of the first input character W1 and the length in another direction (for example, the direction indicated by arrow X in FIG. 10) is shorter than the length in the one direction, the input content specifying unit 41A determines that a part P of a character has been input to the handwritten input area 10A. Alternatively, when a line L is further input after a part P of a character is input to the handwritten input area 10A, the input content specifying unit 41A may determine that a part P of a character has been input to the handwritten input area 10A. The line L is a line indicating the range of the part that is lacking to specify one character based on the part P of the character. For example, when "hen" is input as the part P of the character, it is a line indicating the range of the part indicating "tsukuri".

[0101] In this case, based on the first input character W1, the search character identification unit 421A identifies the Chinese character "料" as the search character. Also, based on a part P of the character, the part identification unit 424 identifies the "木" in "へん" as a character part. Further, the character position identification unit 423A identifies that the part P of the character is input as the "first character" and the input character W is input as the "second character". Moreover, based on the size of the part P of the character, the character count identification unit 422A identifies the size of the frame line B1 indicating the character frame of the first character, and based on the size of the input character W, identifies the size of the frame line B2 indicating the character frame of the second character. Furthermore, based on the identified sizes of the frame lines B1 and B2, the character count identification unit 422A identifies the number of characters that can be input into the handwritten input area 10A. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the number of characters is "two characters".

[0102] In this case, the search unit 43A searches for a phrase of two or more characters that contains a Chinese character having "木" in "へん" as the first character and contains "料" as the second character. For example, the search unit 43A identifies phrases such as "材料" or "材料費" as search results.

[0103] FIG. 11 shows another example of a screen displayed in the handwritten input area 10A when a part P of a character is input. The part P of the character that can be input into the handwritten input area 10A is not limited to "へん". For example, as shown in FIG. 11, after a character "材" is input at a position located as the first character in a size where three characters can be input into the handwritten input area 10A as the first input character W1, a part P1 of the character "斗" is input as the second character, and a part P2 of the character "貝" is input as the third character, this case will be described.

[0104] Based on the part P1 of the character, the part identification unit 424 identifies "斗" as the character part of the second character, and based on the part P2 of the character, identifies "貝" as the character part of the third character. In this case, the search unit 43A searches for a phrase of three or more characters that contains "材" as the first character, contains a Chinese character having "斗" as the second character, and contains a Chinese character having "貝" as the third character. Such phrases are, for example, "材料費", etc.

[0105] As described above, even when the user inputs only a part of a character instead of the whole character, the electronic device 1A can accurately search for the target word or phrase.

[0106] (Character segmentation) Reference numerals 1201 to 1205 in FIG. 12 are diagrams showing an example of a series of flows of a screen displayed in the handwritten input area 10A when an instruction input for instructing character segmentation is performed. Hereinafter, an example of a series of flows of the character segmentation process performed in the electronic device la will be described using FIG. 12.

[0107] When receiving an instruction input for instructing to start character segmentation, the segmentation unit 425 starts character segmentation. The instruction input for instructing to start character segmentation is, for example, an input operation of drawing a line that passes through the input character W from outside the range of the handwritten input area 10A and reaches outside the range on the opposite side of the handwritten input area 10A, as shown by reference numerals 1201 and 1202 in FIG. 12.

[0108] When receiving the instruction input, the segmentation unit 425 divides the input character W based on the input line. In the example of reference numeral 1201 in FIG. 12, the segmentation unit 425 divides the input character W into two "trees" as shown by reference numeral 1202 in FIG. 12, based on the line drawn in the center of the input character W which is "forest".

[0109] In addition, as shown by reference numeral 1201 in FIG. 12, when a frame line B surrounding the input character W is displayed, the frame line B may also be divided into frame lines B1 and B2 surrounding the two "trees" as shown in the example of reference numeral 1202 in FIG. 12 and displayed.

[0110] As shown by reference numeral 1203 in FIG. 12, the segmentation unit 425 generates a part P1 of a character and a part P2 of a character by dividing the input character W. As an example, when the segmentation unit 425 divides "forest" as the input character W, it generates "tree" as "hen" and "tree" as "tsukuri".

[0111] To indicate that what is generated by the above division is part P1 and part P2 of the character, the display control unit 44A may change the positions and sizes of part P1 of the character, part P2 of the character, and the frame lines B1 and B2 surrounding them and display them. Specifically, as shown by reference numeral 1203 in FIG. 12, the display control unit 44A may move the position and size of the frame line B1 so that part P1 of the character is arranged at the position of "hen" in the handwritten input area 10A. Further, the display control unit 44A may move the position and size of the frame line B2 so that part P2 of the character is arranged at the position of "tsukuri".

[0112] Also, as shown by reference numeral 1204 in FIG. 12, the division unit 425 may further receive an instruction input to deform part P1 and part P2 of the generated character.

[0113] For example, when an operation of touching the inside of the frame line B1 multiple times in the handwritten input area 10A is received, the division unit 425 determines that an instruction input to regard part P1 of the character as one character is received. In this case, as shown by reference numeral 1204 in FIG. 12, the division unit 425 changes the "tree" as "hen" which is part P1 of the character to the "tree" as one input character W.

[0114] Also, when an operation of dragging from the position where part P2 of the character is displayed to a desired position within the frame line B2 in the handwritten input area 10A is received, the division unit 425 determines that an input instruction to change the type of part P2 of the character is received. For example, as shown by reference numeral 1204 in FIG. 12, when an input to move the "tree" as "tsukuri" which is part P2 of the character to the side where "hen" is located is received, the division unit 425 changes part P2 of the character to the "tree" as "hen" (reference numeral P2') as shown by reference numeral 1205 in FIG. 12.

[0115] Finally, when receiving an instruction input instructing to end the character splitting, the splitting unit 425 ends the splitting process of the input character W, and outputs information indicating the input character W and the partial character P generated by the splitting process to the search character specifying unit 421A or the part specifying unit 424. The instruction input instructing to end the character splitting is, for example, an input operation of touching outside the range of the handwritten input area 10A as indicated by reference numeral 1205 in FIG. 12.

[0116] The splitting unit 425 outputs information indicating the input character W and the partial character P2 generated by the above-described splitting process to the search character specifying unit 421A or the part specifying unit 424. Thereby, the search character is specified based on the input character W and the partial character P2, and the word search is performed. In the example shown in FIG. 12, a word including "wood" in the first character and "wood" as "hen" in the second character is searched. Such words are, for example, "lumber" and the like.

[0117] (Character composition) FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a series of flows of a screen displayed on the handwritten input area 10A when an instruction input instructing character composition is performed. Hereinafter, as shown by reference numeral 1301 in FIG. 13, an example in which the second and third characters are composed in a state where "material" is input as the first character, "rice" is input as the second character, and "bucket" is input as the third character will be described.

[0118] When the composition unit 426 receives an instruction input instructing to compose two input characters W, the composition unit 426 composes the two input characters W indicated by the instruction input. The instruction input for performing such an instruction is, for example, an operation of touching within the frame line B3 of the third character and dragging up to the frame line B2 of the adjacent second character, as shown by reference numeral 1301 in FIG. 13. When the handwritten input area 10A receives such an operation, the composition unit 426 composes the two input characters W. Specifically, as shown by reference numerals 1301 and 1302 in FIG. 13, the composition unit 426 composes "rice" of the second input character W2 and "bucket" of the third input character W3, and specifies the Chinese character "material" as the new second input character W'.

[0119] After performing the synthesis, the synthesis unit 426 outputs information indicating a new second input character W2' to the search character specifying unit 421A. Further, the character count specifying unit 422A specifies a new character count based on the synthesis. In the example shown in FIG. 13, the character count specifying unit 422A specifies the new character count as "2 characters". As a result, Chinese characters "材" and "料" are specified as search characters in the search character specifying unit 421A, and a phrase including "材" at the first character position and "料" at the second character position is searched in the search unit 43A.

[0120] In the example shown in FIG. 13, an example of synthesizing two input characters W has been described, but the character synthesis may be performed between one input character W and a part P of one character. For example, the synthesis unit 426 may synthesize "木" as "へん" and "木" as a character to form a character "林".

[0121] Note that the method of the instruction input for instructing character synthesis is not limited to a drag operation from the rear side to the front side of the character string, i.e., from the third character side to the second character side in the example shown in FIG. 13. For example, the instruction input for instructing character synthesis may be a drag operation from the front side to the rear side of the character string. Specifically, the instruction input may be a drag operation from the frame line B2 side to the frame line B3 side at reference numeral 1301 in FIG. 13. <00,00462>

[0122] (Increase or decrease in character count) FIGS. 14 to 21 are examples of screens displayed in the handwritten input area 10A when an instruction input for instructing an increase or decrease in character count is performed. Hereinafter, an example of how the character count increasing / decreasing unit 427 increases or decreases the character count will be described using FIGS. 14 to 21. FIGS. 14 to 18 are examples of increasing the character count, and FIGS. 19 to 21 are examples of decreasing the character count.

[0123] FIG. 14 is an example of a screen when an instruction input for instructing an increase in the number of characters by a drag operation is performed. As shown in FIG. 14, the instruction input for instructing an increase in the number of characters may be, for example, a drag operation from outside the range on the front side of the character string in the handwritten input area 10A to a blank portion where the frame lines B1 and B2 are not displayed within the range.

[0124] When the above-described operation is received, the character number increase / decrease unit 427 increases the character number specified by the character number specifying unit 422A. In the example shown by reference numerals 1401 to 1403 in FIG. 14, the character number is increased from "2 characters" to "3 characters". Here, the character number increase / decrease unit 427 specifies at which position in the character string the character number has increased. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 14, the character number is increased in front of the first character of the character string.

[0125] The character position specifying unit 423A determines a new character position of the input character W based on the increased character number. As a result, in the example shown by reference numeral 1403 in FIG. 14, the search unit 43A searches for a word of three or more characters including the Chinese character "上" at the second character. Further, the display control unit 44A may add and display a new frame line B3 on the front side of the character string based on the increased character number.

[0126] The operation of increasing the character number may be repeated. For example, as shown by reference numeral 1404 in FIG. 14, when the same operation as that of reference numeral 1401 is repeated, the character number increase / decrease unit 427 further increases the character number to "4 characters".

[0127] FIG. 15 is another example of a screen when an instruction input for instructing an increase in the number of characters by a drag operation is performed. As shown in FIG. 15, the instruction input for instructing an increase in the number of characters may be, for example, a drag operation from outside the range on the rear side of the character string in the handwritten input area 10A to a blank portion where the frame lines B! and B2 are not displayed within the range.

[0128] When receiving the above operations, the character count increase / decrease unit 427 increases the character count specified by the character count specifying unit 422A. In the example shown by reference numerals 1501 to 1503 in FIG. 15, the character count is increased from "2 characters" to "3 characters". Here, the character count increase / decrease unit 427 specifies at which position in the character string the character count has increased. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 15, the character count is increased behind the second character of the character string.

[0129] Based on the increased character count, the character position specifying unit 423A determines the new character position of the input character W. As a result, in the example shown by reference numeral 1503 in FIG. 15, the search unit 43A searches for a phrase of three or more characters including the Chinese character "上" at the first character. Also, the display control unit 44A may add a new frame line B3 to the last side of the character string based on the increased character count and display it.

[0130] The operation of increasing the character count may be repeated. For example, as shown by reference numeral 1504 in FIG. 15, when the same operation as that of reference numeral 1501 is repeated, the character count increase / decrease unit 427 further increases the character count to "4 characters".

[0131] FIG. 16 is an example of a screen when an instruction input for increasing the character count by a pinch-in operation is performed. As shown in FIG. 16, the instruction input for instructing to increase the character count may be, for example, a pinch-in operation in the blank portion in front of the character string in the handwritten input area 10A.

[0132] When receiving the above operations, the character count increase / decrease unit 427 increases the character count specified by the character count specifying unit 422A. In the example shown by reference numerals 1601 to 1602 in FIG. 16, the character count is increased from "2 characters" to "3 characters". Here, the character count increase / decrease unit 427 specifies at which position in the character string the character count has increased. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 16, the character count is increased behind the second character of the character string.

[0133] The character position specifying unit 423A determines a new character position of the input character W based on the increased number of characters. As a result, in the example shown by reference numeral 1602 in FIG. 16, the search unit 43A searches for a word of three or more characters that includes the Chinese character "材" at the first character position and the "米" as "へん" at the second character position. Further, the display control unit 44A may add a new frame line B3 to the last side of the character string based on the increased number of characters and display it. As shown by reference numeral 1602 in FIG. 16, when the same operation as that of reference numeral 1601 is repeatedly performed, the character number increase / decrease unit 427 further increases the number of characters to "4 characters".

[0134] FIG. 17 is an example of a screen when an instruction input for instructing an increase in the number of characters by a pinch-out operation is performed. As shown in FIG. 17, the instruction input for instructing an increase in the number of characters may be, for example, a pinch-out operation in a blank portion between the frame lines B1 and B2 of the character string in the handwritten input area 10A.

[0135] When receiving the operation as described above, the character number increase / decrease unit 427 increases the number of characters specified in the character number specifying unit 422A. In the example shown by reference numerals 1701 to 1703 in FIG. 17, the number of characters is increased from "2 characters" to "3 characters". Here, the character number increase / decrease unit 427 specifies at which position in the character string the number of characters has increased. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 17, the number of characters is increased between the first character and the second character of the character string.

[0136] The character position specifying unit 423A determines a new character position of the input character W based on the increased number of characters. As a result, in the example shown by reference numeral 1703 in FIG. 17, the search unit 43A searches for a word of three or more characters that includes the Chinese character "材" at the first character position. Further, the display control unit 44A may add a new frame line B3 between the frame lines B1 and B2 based on the increased number of characters and display it.

[0137] FIG. 18 is an example of a screen when an instruction input for instructing an increase in the number of characters by a write operation of a new input character W is performed. As shown from reference numeral 1801 to reference numeral 1802 in FIG. 18, the instruction input for instructing an increase in the number of characters may be, for example, a write operation of a new input character W2 in a blank portion where the frame lines B1 and B2 of the handwritten input area 10A are not displayed.

[0138] When receiving the above-described operation, the character number increase / decrease unit 427 increases the character number specified by the character number specifying unit 422A. In the example shown from reference numeral 1801 to reference numeral 1803 in FIG. 18, the character number is increased from "2 characters" to "3 characters". Here, the character number increase / decrease unit 427 specifies at which position in the character string the character number has increased. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 18, the character number is increased in front of the first character of the character string.

[0139] The character position specifying unit 423A determines a new character position of the first input character W1 based on the increased character number. The character position specifying unit 423A also determines the character position of the newly input second input character W2. As a result, in the example shown by reference numeral 1803 in FIG. 18, the search unit 43A searches for a word of three or more characters including the Chinese character "Xiang" which is the second input character W2 at the first character position and the Chinese character "Shang" which is the first input character at the second character position. Also, as shown by reference numeral 1803 in FIG. 18, the display control unit 44A may add and display a new frame line B3 at a position surrounding the second input character W2 based on the increased character number.

[0140] FIG. 19 is an example of a screen when an instruction input for instructing a decrease in the number of characters by a drag operation using a device D such as a touch pen is performed. The instruction input for instructing a decrease in the number of characters may be, for example, a drag operation from the frame line B4 indicating the character string of the handwritten input area 10A to the outside of the range of the handwritten input area 10A. Specifically, as shown from reference numeral 1901 to reference numeral 1902 in FIG. 19, the instruction input is a drag operation performed from within the frame line B4 to the outside of the range of the handwritten input area using the device D in a state where the frame lines B1 to B4 are displayed within the handwritten input area 10A.

[0141] When receiving an operation as described above, the character count increase / decrease unit 427 decreases the character count specified by the character count specifying unit 422A. In the example shown by reference numerals 1901 to 1903 in FIG. 19, the character count increase / decrease unit 427 decreases the character count from "4 characters" to "3 characters". Here, the character count increase / decrease unit 427 specifies at which position in the character string the character count has decreased. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 19, the character count is decreased by deleting the fourth character of the character string.

[0142] Based on the decreased character count, the character position specifying unit 423A determines the new character position of the input character W. As a result, in the example shown by reference numeral 1903 in FIG. 19, the search unit 43A searches for a word of three or more characters including the Chinese character "上" in the first character. Also, the display control unit 44A may delete the frame line B4 so as to correspond to the decreased character count.

[0143] The operation of decreasing the character count may be repeated. For example, as shown by reference numeral 1904 in FIG. 19, when an operation of dragging the frame line B2 outside the range of the handwriting input area 10A is performed, the character count increase / decrease unit 427 further decreases the character count to "2 characters". In the example shown by reference numerals 1904 to 1905 in FIG. 19, the character count increase / decrease unit 427 decreases the character count by deleting the second character of the character string.

[0144] FIG. 20 is an example of a screen when an instruction input for decreasing the character count by a pinch-in operation is performed. The instruction input for instructing to decrease the character count may be, for example, a pinch-in operation performed within the frame line displayed in the handwriting input area 10A. Specifically, as shown by reference numeral 2001 in FIG. 20, the instruction input may be a pinch-in operation within one frame line B three while the frame lines B1 to B4 are displayed.

[0145] When receiving the operation as described above, the character count increasing / decreasing unit 427 decreases the character count specified by the character count specifying unit 422A. In the example shown by reference numerals 2001 to 2002 in FIG. 20, the character count is decreased from "4 characters" to "3 characters". Here, the character count increasing / decreasing unit 427 specifies at which position in the character string the character count has increased. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 20, the character count is decreased by deleting the third character of the character string.

[0146] Based on the decreased character count, the character position specifying unit 423A determines the new character positions of the input character W and the character part P. Thereby, in the example shown by reference numeral 2002 in FIG. 20, the search unit 43A searches for a word of three or more characters including the Chinese character "材" at the first character position and the character "米" as "へん" at the second character position. Also, the display control unit 44A may delete the frame line B3 based on the decreased character count and display it in the handwritten input area 10A.

[0147] The operation of decreasing the character count as described above may be repeated. For example, as shown by reference numeral 2002 in FIG. 20, when a pinch-in operation is performed within the frame line B4, the character count increasing / decreasing unit 427 further decreases the character count to "2 characters".

[0148] FIG. 21 shows another example of a screen when an instruction input for instructing a decrease in the character count by a pinch-in operation is performed. As shown in FIG. 21, the input operation for instructing the character count by a pinch-in operation may be performed within a frame line in which a character or a part of a character has been input.

[0149] For example, as shown by reference numeral 2101 in FIG. 21, taking as an example the state where the frame lines B1 to B3 are displayed within the handwritten input area 10A, the input character W is input to the frame line B1, and a part P of the character is input to the frame line B2. In this state, as shown by reference numeral 2101 in FIG. 21, when a pinch-in operation is performed within the frame line B2, as shown by reference numeral 2102 in FIG. 21, the character count increasing / decreasing unit 427 decreases the character count from "3 characters" to "2 characters" by deleting the second character. At this time, the part P of the character input within the frame line B2 is also deleted simultaneously.

[0150] In the state shown by reference numeral 2101 in FIG. 21, the search unit 43A searches for a phrase of three or more characters that includes the Chinese character "材" in the first character and the "米" as "へん" in the second character. On the other hand, in the example shown by reference numeral 2103 in FIG. 21, the search unit 43A searches for a phrase of two or more characters that includes the Chinese character "材" in the first character.

[0151] <An example of the flow of the search method in the electronic device 1A> FIG. 22 is a flowchart for explaining the search method in the electronic device 1A. Hereinafter, an example of the flow of the search method in the electronic device 1A will be described with reference to FIG. 22.

[0152] If YES in steps S21 to S29 and S31 in FIG. 22, the processing is the same as when YES in steps S1 to S9 and S10 in FIG. 7, so the description is omitted. If NO in step S29, that is, if a new input character W is not input to the handwritten input area 10A, the input content specifying unit 41A determines whether an additional instruction input has been received in the handwritten input area 10A (S30). If an additional instruction input has been received (YES in S30), the input content specifying unit 41A specifies the content of the input, and in the electronic device 1A, processing corresponding to the content of the input is performed.

[0153] If it is determined that the input content specifying unit 41A has not received an additional instruction input (NO in S30), the input content specifying unit 41A waits for the selection of a heading word by the user's operation (S31). When a heading word for which an item is to be displayed is selected by the user's operation (YES in S31), the input content specifying unit 41A outputs information indicating that the selection has been made to the search unit 43A. When the search unit 43A acquires the information, it refers to the dictionary database 22, searches for an item corresponding to the heading word, and outputs information indicating the content of the item to the display control unit 44A. The display control unit 44A causes the display unit 30 to display the information indicating the content of the item corresponding to the acquired heading word (S32).

[0154] 23 is a flowchart illustrating a process flow performed when an additional instruction input is received in the electronic device 1A. Hereinafter, an example of a process flow performed when an additional instruction input is received after at least the first input character W1 is input in the electronic device 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0155] Input content identification unit 41A identifies the content of the input. If the input is an input to enter part of a character P (YES in S41), input content identification unit 41A outputs information indicating that part of a character P has been input to search content identification unit 42A. Part identification unit 424 refers to search character database 21A and identifies a character part based on the shape of part of a character P (S42). Part identification unit 424 outputs information indicating the identified character part to search unit 43A. Furthermore, character position identification unit 423A identifies the character position where part of a character P has been input, and outputs information indicating the character position to search unit 43A.

[0156] The search unit 43A performs a search based on character parts in addition to the search character identified for the input characters W that have been input so far. In other words, the search unit 43A further narrows down the search results based on the search character based on the character parts and performs a search (S43). Specifically, the search unit 43A searches for words or phrases that include the search character identified for the first input characters W1 at a specified character position and that include characters that include character parts identified for the character part P at a specified character position, and that have a number of characters equal to or greater than the number of characters identified for the input characters W that have been input so far. The search unit 43A outputs information indicating the search results to the display control unit 44A. The display control unit 44A causes the display unit 30 to display the search results (S24). Thereafter, the process returns to S29 in FIG. 22 .

[0157] If the additional instruction input is not the input of a part P of a character (NO in S41), the input content specifying unit 41A determines whether the additional instruction input is an instruction input for instructing any division of the input character W input to the handwritten input area 10A (S45). If the additional instruction input is an instruction input for instructing any division of the input character W input to the handwritten input area 10A (YES in S45), the division unit 425 divides the input character W. Specifically, the input content specifying unit 41A outputs information indicating the content of the instruction input to the search content specifying unit 42A. When the division unit 425 acquires the information, it divides the input character W indicated by the instruction input (S46) and generates a part P of a plurality of characters. Further, the division unit 425 outputs information indicating that the input character W has been divided to the display control unit 44A. When the display control unit 44A acquires the information indicating that the input character W has been divided, it causes the display unit 30 to display a part P of a plurality of characters generated by dividing the input character W (S47).

[0158] After S47, if an input for instructing deformation is performed on a part P of the plurality of divided characters (YES in S48), the division unit 425 deforms the part P of the character according to the input (S49). For example, as shown by reference numeral 1204 in FIG. 12, when an input for moving the "wood" as the part P2 of the character "つくり" is performed, the division unit 425 deforms the part P2 of the character to make it the "wood" as the "へん".

[0159] After deforming the part P of the character (after S49), or after S47, if an input for instructing deformation is not performed on a part P of the plurality of divided characters (NO in S48), the input content specifying unit 41 determines whether an input operation for ending the character division has been received (S50). When an input for completing the character division is received, the input content specifying unit 41 outputs information indicating that the input has been received to the division unit 425. When the division unit 425 acquires the information, it ends the division of the input character W and outputs information indicating the part P of the character generated by the division and / or the input character W' to the search character specifying unit 421A and the part specifying unit 424.

[0160] Search character specification unit 421A and part specification unit 424 specify a search character and character parts based on input character W' and character part P generated by division by division unit 425. Search character specification unit 421A and part specification unit 424 output information indicating the specified search character and character parts to search unit 43A. Search unit 43A searches for an entry word based on character part P after division and the search character and character parts specified for input character W' (S51), and outputs information indicating the search results to display control unit 44A. Upon acquiring the information indicating the search results by search unit 43A, display control unit 44A displays a list of entry words on display unit 30 based on the information (S52). Thereafter, the process returns to S29 in FIG. 22 .

[0161] If the additional instruction input is not an instruction input instructing to divide the input characters W (NO in S45), the input content identification unit 41A determines whether the additional instruction input is an instruction input instructing to combine the input characters W (S53). If the additional instruction input is an instruction input instructing to combine the input characters W (YES in S53), the combining unit 426 combines the input characters W. Specifically, the input content identification unit 41A outputs information indicating the content of the instruction input to the search content identification unit 42A. Upon acquiring the information, the combining unit 426 combines the input characters W selected by the instruction input based on the information (S54) to generate a new input character W'. The detailed method of this combination has already been described, so its description will be omitted here. The combination unit 426 outputs information indicating the generated input characters W' to the search character identification unit 421A. The search character identification unit 421A identifies a search character based on the input characters W' generated by the combination by the combination unit 426. Search character specification unit 421A outputs information indicating the specified search character to search unit 43A. Search unit 43A searches for an entry word based on the search character specified for the combined input character W' (S55), and outputs information indicating the search result to display control unit 44A. Upon acquiring the information indicating the search result by search unit 43A, display control unit 44A displays a list of entry words on display unit 30 based on the information (S56). Thereafter, the process returns to S29 in FIG. 22.

[0162] If the additional input instruction is not an instruction to combine the input characters W (NO in S53), the input content identification unit 41A determines whether the additional input instruction is an instruction to increase or decrease the number of characters (S57). If the input instruction is an instruction to increase or decrease the number of characters (YES in S57), the number of characters is increased or decreased in the number of characters increase / decrease unit 427, and a new number of characters is identified. Specifically, the input content identification unit 41A outputs information indicating the content of the input instruction to the search content identification unit 42A. Upon receiving the information, the number of characters increase / decrease unit 427 obtains information indicating the number of characters identified by the number of characters identification unit 422A, and increases or decreases the number of characters from the number of characters based on the content of the input instruction to identify a new number of characters (S58). Then, the process returns to S26 in FIG. 22. The detailed method of the increase / decrease has already been described, and therefore will not be described here.

[0163] If the additional input is not an instruction input instructing an increase or decrease in the number of characters (NO in S57), that is, if the input content specification unit 41A determines that the content of the instruction input does not specify any of the processes to be performed after the first input character W is input, the process proceeds to step S31. Such an input is made, for example, when the user accidentally touches the handwriting input area 10A.

[0164] <Effects of Electronic Device 1A> As described above, electronic device 1A includes part identification unit 424 that identifies character parts (kanji parts) based on character parts P, and character position identification unit 423A identifies the character positions of characters including the character parts in a character string. When at least first input character W1 and at least one character part P are input into handwriting input area 10A (input unit 10), search unit 43A may search for a phrase with at least the specified number of characters that includes the search character identified for first input character W1 at the character position identified for first input character W1 and that includes a character part at the character position identified for a character including the character part.

[0165] According to the above configuration, in the search for phrases of two or more characters, the search results based on the first input character W1 are narrowed down by one character part (such as "hen", "tsukuri", etc.).

[0166] As a result, when the user searches for a phrase of two or more characters, the user can obtain search results including the target phrase only by inputting one character of the phrase and at least one character part, so the work efficiency of the search is improved.

[0167] In any of the above aspects 1 to 5, the electronic device 1A includes a combining unit 426 that receives an instruction input and combines a plurality of input characters (W1, W2) recognized as another adjacent character in the character string into one input character W' for recognition. Further, the search character specifying unit 421A may specify a search character for the input character W' combined by the combining unit 426.

[0168] According to the above configuration, characters recognized as two characters can be combined into one with a simple operation. For example, characters recognized as two characters such as "rice" and "dou" can be combined into one character "ryou".

[0169] As described above, even if the input characters are different from the characters of the target phrase, the user does not need to re-enter the characters, and the target characters can be recognized with a simple operation, so the work efficiency of the search can be improved.

[0170] Further, the electronic device 1A may include a splitting unit 425 that receives an instruction input and causes an input character W recognized as one character in the character string to be recognized as a plurality of adjacent characters in the character string, an adjacent character and a part P of the character, or a part P of a plurality of adjacent characters.

[0171] According to the above configuration, based on the user's operation, one character can be split into two. For example, it becomes possible to search for characters recognized as the input character "ryou" as search characters "rice" and "dou".

[0172] Furthermore, electronic device 1A may include character number increasing / decreasing unit 427 that receives an instruction input and increases or decreases the number of characters specified by character number specifying unit 422A.

[0173] According to the above configuration, if the number of characters in the search character identified based on the size of the input characters is different from the number of characters in the target phrase that the user wants to search for, the user can input into the handwriting input area 10A to set the number of characters in the headword to the number of characters in the target phrase.

[0174] [Software implementation example] The functions of the electronic device 1 / 1A (hereinafter referred to as the "device") can be realized by a control program that causes a computer to function as the device, and a program that causes a computer to function as each control block of the device (particularly each part included in the control unit 40 / 40A).

[0175] In this case, the device includes a computer having at least one control device (e.g., a processor) and at least one storage device (e.g., a memory) as hardware for executing the program. The control device and storage device execute the program, thereby realizing the functions described in each of the above embodiments.

[0176] The program may be non-transitory and may be recorded on one or more computer-readable recording media. The recording media may or may not be included in the device. In the latter case, the program may be supplied to the device via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0177] Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the control blocks can be realized by logic circuits. For example, an integrated circuit in which a logic circuit that functions as each of the control blocks is formed is also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, the functions of the control blocks can also be realized by, for example, a quantum computer.

[0178] Furthermore, each process described in each of the above embodiments may be executed by AI (Artificial Intelligence). In this case, the AI ​​may run on the control device or on another device (for example, an edge computer or a cloud server).

[0179] 〔summary〕 An electronic device 1 according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an input unit 10 having a handwriting input area 10A and accepting handwritten input from a user; a search character specification unit 421 that specifies a search character to be searched for based on an input character W input into the handwriting input area 10A; a character number specification unit 422 that specifies the number of characters that can be input into the handwriting input area 10A based on the size of a first input character W1 that has been completed to be input into the handwriting input area 10A and the position of the first input character W1 relative to the handwriting input area 10A; a character position specification unit 423 that specifies the character position of the first input character W1 in a string of characters consisting of the specified number of characters based on the position of the first input character W1 in the handwriting input area 10A; a search unit 43 that searches for words or phrases based on the search character, number of characters, and character position specified for the first input character W1; and a display control unit 44 that displays the search results on the display unit 30.

[0180] In conventional electronic dictionaries, words beginning with the input characters are displayed as search results in alphabetical order, starting with the one with the fewest characters. Furthermore, specifying the number of characters in the word to be searched for requires a separate operation. In contrast, the above configuration allows a word to be searched for based on the number of characters specified based on the size and position of the input characters. In other words, the above configuration allows the operation of inputting the characters corresponding to the word to be searched for and the operation of inputting the number of characters in the word to be searched for to be performed as a single operation. Therefore, the electronic device 1 having the above configuration improves the efficiency of search operations.

[0181] In addition, in the electronic device 1 according to aspect 2 of the present invention, in the above aspect 1, the search unit 43 may perform a search when the first input character W1 is input and the search character, the number of characters, and the character position are each identified for the first input character W1.

[0182] According to the above configuration, a search for a word or phrase is performed without the user having to perform any operation for performing a search.

[0183] In addition, in the electronic device 1 according to aspect 3 of the present invention, in the above-mentioned aspect 1 or 2, the search unit 43 may search for a phrase of at least the specified number of characters that includes the search character specified for the first input characters W1 at a character position specified for the first input characters W1.

[0184] According to the above configuration, words with a number of characters less than the number specified based on the input character size are excluded from the search target, thereby reducing the number of words other than the target word displayed as search results, making it easier for users to find the target word and improving work efficiency.

[0185] Furthermore, in the electronic device 1 according to aspect 4 of the present invention, in the above-described aspect 1, when a second input character W2 is input after a first input character W1, the character position specification unit 423 may specify the character position of the second input character W2 in the character string based on the position of the second input character W2 in the handwriting input area 10A, and the search unit 43 may search for a phrase of equal to or more than the specified number of characters, which includes the search character specified for the first input character W1 at the character position specified for the first input character W1 and which includes the search character specified for the second input character W2 at the character position specified for the second input character W2.

[0186] According to the above configuration, search results for words and phrases based on the first input characters W1 can be further narrowed down based on the second input characters W2, so that words and phrases that the user wants to search for can be more accurately identified.

[0187] Further, in the electronic device 1A according to Aspect 5 of the present invention, in any of the above Aspects 1 to 4, it includes a part specifying unit 424 that specifies character parts (parts of Chinese characters) based on a part P of a character input to the handwritten input area 10A. The character position specifying unit 423A specifies the character position of a character including the part in the character string. When at least the first input character W1 and a part P of a character corresponding to at least one character part are input to the input unit 10, the search unit 43A may search for a phrase having a specified number of characters or more that includes the search character specified for the first input character W1 at the character position specified for the first input character W1 and includes the character part at the character position specified for the character including the character part.

[0188] According to the above configuration, in the search for a phrase of two or more characters, the search result based on the first input character W1 is narrowed down by one character part (such as "hen", "tsukuri", etc.).

[0189] Thereby, when the user searches for a phrase of two or more characters, by simply inputting one character of the phrase and at least one character part, the user can obtain a search result including the target phrase, thus improving the search work efficiency.

[0190] Further, the electronic device 1A according to Aspect 6 of the present invention, in any of the above Aspects 1 to 5, includes a combining unit 426 that receives an instruction input for the handwritten input area 10A and combines a plurality of input characters recognized as another adjacent character in the character string to be recognized as one input character. The search character specifying unit 421A may specify the search character for the input character W' combined by the combining unit 426.

[0191] According to the above configuration, characters recognized as two characters can be combined into one with a simple operation. For example, characters recognized as two characters such as "rice" and "bucket" can be combined into one character "fee".

[0192] As described above, even if the input characters are different from the characters of the target phrase, the user does not need to re-enter the characters, and can recognize the target characters with a simple operation, so that the search work efficiency can be improved.

[0193] Further, the electronic device 1A according to Aspect 7 of the present invention may include a dividing unit 425 that, in any of the above Aspects 1 to 6, receives an instruction input to the handwritten input area 10A and causes an input character W recognized as one character in a character string to be recognized as a plurality of adjacent characters, an adjacent character and a part P of a character, or a part P of a plurality of adjacent characters in the character string.

[0194] According to the above configuration, based on the user's operation, one character can be divided into two. For example, a character recognized as an input character "料" can be searched as search characters "米" and "斗".

[0195] Further, the electronic device 1A according to Aspect 8 of the present invention may include a character number increasing / decreasing unit 427 that, in any of the above Aspects 1 to 7, receives an instruction input to the handwritten input area 10A and increases or decreases the specified number of characters.

[0196] According to the above configuration, when the number of characters of the search characters specified based on the size of the input characters is different from the number of characters of the target phrase that the user wants to search, the user can make the number of characters of the heading phrase the same as the number of characters of the target phrase by inputting to the input unit.

[0197] Further, in the electronic device 1 according to Aspect 9 of the present invention, in any of the above Aspects 1 to 8, the display control unit 44 may cause the display unit 30 to display a frame line surrounding the input area of each character in the character string.

[0198] According to the above configuration, the user can recognize the number of input areas determined based on the size of the input characters input by the user. Thereby, the user can easily confirm the correspondence between the number of characters of the target phrase and the number of characters of the heading phrase.

[0199] Furthermore, a control method according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is a control method for electronic device 1 having handwriting input area 10A and input unit 10 that accepts input by handwriting input from a user, and includes: a search character specification step of specifying a search character to be searched for, based on input character W input into handwriting input area 10A; a character number specification step of specifying the number of characters that can be input into handwriting input area 10A, based on the size of first input character W1 that has been completed to handwriting input area 10A and the position of first input character W1 relative to handwriting input area 10A; a character position specification step of specifying the character position of first input character W1 in a string of characters consisting of the specified number of characters, based on the position of first input character W1 in handwriting input area 10A; a search step of searching for words or phrases, based on the search character, number of characters, and character position specified for first input character W1; and a display step of displaying the search results on display unit 30.

[0200] According to the above configuration, the same effects as those of the first aspect can be achieved.

[0201] The electronic device 1 according to each aspect of the present invention may be realized by a computer, in which case the control program for the electronic device 1 that causes the computer to operate as each part (software element) of the electronic device 1 to realize the electronic device 1 on the computer, and the computer-readable recording medium on which the control program is recorded, also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0202] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, new technical features can be formed by combining the technical means disclosed in each embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0203] 1, 1A electronic equipment 10 Input section 10A Handwriting input area 30 Display section 41, 41A Input content specification section 42, 42A Search content specification section 43, 43A Search Section 44, 44A Display control unit 421, 421A Search character specification section 422, 422A Number of characters specific part 423, 423A Character position identification part 424 Parts Identification Department 425 Split section 426 Synthesis Section 427 Character count increase / decrease section B, B1~B4 borders P, P1, P2 Part of a letter W, W´ input characters W1 First input character W2 Second input character

Claims

1. an input unit having a handwriting input area and configured to accept handwritten input by a user; a search character specification unit that specifies a search character to be searched for based on an input character input into the handwriting input area; a character number determination unit that determines the number of characters that can be input into the handwriting input area based on a size of a first input character that has been input into the handwriting input area and a position of the first input character with respect to the handwriting input area; a character position specification unit that specifies a character position of the first input character in a character string consisting of the specified number of characters, based on a position of the first input character in the handwriting input area; a search unit that searches for a phrase based on the search character, the number of characters, and the character position, which are respectively specified for the first input character; a display control unit that displays the search results on a display unit; An electronic device comprising:

2. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the search unit performs the search when the first input character is input and the search character, the number of characters, and the character position are respectively specified for the first input character.

3. 3 . The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the search unit searches for a phrase having a number of characters equal to or greater than the specified number of characters, the phrase including the search character specified for the first input character at the character position specified for the first input character.

4. When a second input character is input after the first input character, the character position specification unit specifies a character position of the second input character in the character string based on a position of the second input character in the handwriting input area; 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the search unit searches for a phrase having at least the specified number of characters, the phrase including the search character specified for the first input character at the character position specified for the first input character, and the search character specified for the second input character at the character position specified for the second input character.

5. a part identification unit that identifies a part of a kanji character based on a part of a character input in the handwriting input area, the character position identification unit identifies a character position of a character including the part in the character string; When at least the first input character and at least one part of the Chinese character are input to the input unit, 5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the search unit searches for a phrase having a number of characters equal to or greater than the specified number, the phrase including the search character specified for the first input character at the character position specified for the first input character, and the kanji part at the character position specified for a character including the kanji part.

6. a synthesis unit that receives an instruction input to the handwriting input area, and synthesizes a plurality of input characters that are recognized as different adjacent characters in the character string, and recognizes them as a single input character; The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the search character specification unit specifies the search character from the input characters combined by the combining unit.

7. The electronic device described in any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a splitting unit that accepts instruction input into the handwriting input area and recognizes the input character recognized as one character in the string as multiple adjacent characters in the string, adjacent characters and part of a character, or part of multiple adjacent characters.

8. The electronic device according to claim 1 , further comprising a character number increasing / decreasing unit that receives an instruction input to the handwriting input area and increases or decreases the specified number of characters.

9. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the display control unit causes the display unit to display a frame surrounding an input area for each character in the character string.

10. 10. A control program for causing a computer to function as the electronic device described in any one of claims 1 to 9, the control program for causing a computer to function as the search character specification unit, the character number specification unit, the character position specification unit, the search unit, and the display control unit.

11. A computer-readable recording medium having the control program according to claim 10 recorded thereon.

12. A method for controlling an electronic device having an input unit that has a handwriting input area and accepts input by a user's handwriting, comprising: a search character specification step in which a computer of the electronic device specifies a search character to be searched for based on an input character input into the handwriting input area; a character number specifying step of specifying a number of characters that can be input into the handwriting input area based on a size of a first input character that has been input into the handwriting input area and a position of the first input character with respect to the handwriting input area; a character position specifying step of specifying, by the computer, a character position of the first input character in a character string consisting of the specified number of characters, based on a position of the first input character in the handwriting input area; a searching step in which the computer searches for a phrase based on the search character, the number of characters, and the character position, each of which is specified for the first input character; a display step of causing the computer to display the search results on a display unit; A method for controlling an electronic device comprising:

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