Character input device, character input method, and character input program

Abstract

To provide an apparatus in which a user can efficiently obtain a desired single character.SOLUTION: A character input apparatus 10 includes a candidate display unit 130 that displays a conversion candidate of an input character, a character division unit 330 that, when detecting a first operation of selecting a conversion candidate, divides the selected conversion candidate into single characters one bye one, a single character display unit 140 that displays the single characters side by side, and a display control unit 320 that, when detecting a second operation of selecting the single character displayed on the single character display unit 140, outputs the selected single character.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for assisting in inputting a single Chinese character. [Background technology]

[0002] When a user wants to input one kanji character (hereinafter referred to as a single character), the user can obtain the desired single character by inputting a string of two or more characters and deleting the characters other than the single character. Also, when obtaining a single character by conversion, many conversion candidates are displayed, and the user must select the relevant single character from among the many conversion candidates, which makes the operation cumbersome.

[0003] In order to eliminate the complication of this operation, various devices have been devised to easily input single characters. Patent Document 1 describes a method for selecting the first character or the last character. Specifically, if a user wants to output the first character (the first character), he or she presses a first conversion key, and if he or she wants to output the last character (the last character), he or she presses a last conversion key. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-212213 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to explicitly press either the first character or the last character. Also, if the desired single character is neither the first character nor the last character, there is a risk that the user will not obtain the result that he or she desires.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which enables a user to efficiently obtain a single character that he or she desires. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one example of the present disclosure, the character input device includes a candidate display unit that displays conversion candidates for an input character, a character splitting unit that splits the selected conversion candidates into single characters one by one when a first operation of selecting a conversion candidate is detected, a single character display unit that displays the single characters side by side, and a display control unit that outputs the selected single character when a second operation of selecting a single character displayed on the single character display unit is detected.

[0008] In this configuration, a single character can be easily obtained by performing a first operation and a second operation for selecting a character string displayed as a conversion candidate.

[0009] According to an example of the present disclosure, the single-character display unit of the character input device may display a single character in an enlarged manner.

[0010] This configuration makes single characters easier to recognize and select.

[0011] According to an example of the present disclosure, the candidate display unit of the character input device may display predictive conversion candidates for input characters.

[0012] This configuration allows the user to quickly input characters.

[0013] According to an example of the present disclosure, a size adjustment unit that determines the width of the single-character display unit depending on the number of single characters may be provided.

[0014] In this configuration, even if the number of single characters is large, the user can efficiently select single characters.

[0015] According to an example of the present disclosure, the size adjustment unit of the character input device may cause a slide bar to be displayed on the single character display unit depending on the number of single characters.

[0016] With this configuration, even when the number of single characters is large, the user can select single characters more efficiently. Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an apparatus that enables a user to efficiently obtain a single character that he or she desires. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a character input device of this example. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the character input device of this example. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3(A), FIG. 3(B), FIG. 3(C) and FIG. 3(D) are schematic image diagrams of the character input device of this example. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the flow of processing in the character input device of this example. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic image diagram of a character input device according to the first modified example. [Figure 6] 6(A) and 6(B) are schematic image diagrams of a character input device according to the second modification. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a character input device according to the second modification. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a character input device according to the third modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to several drawings.

[0020] <1. Application Examples> First, an example to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a schematic image diagram of a character input device 10 of this example. A display unit 100 of the character input device 10 includes a character display unit 110, a keypad display unit 120 (not shown in Fig. 1), a candidate display unit 130, and a single character display unit 140. The character input device 10 is, for example, a smartphone on which an email application is installed.

[0021] The text display unit 110 displays the string before confirmation or the string after confirmation, which is input by the user.

[0022] The keypad display unit 120 (not shown in FIG. 1) is, for example, a 12-key (numeric keypad) keyboard. The user inputs characters using the keypad displayed on this keypad display unit 120.

[0023] The candidate display unit 130 displays the conversion candidates retrieved by performing the conversion of the characters input by the user. This conversion candidate displays the normal conversion candidate (hereinafter, the normal conversion candidate) and the prediction conversion candidate. The prediction conversion candidate refers to a list of a plurality of predicted character strings based on the text input in the past or the registered dictionary by inputting a specific number of characters (for example, 1 character) in hiragana.

[0024] The single-character display unit 140 displays the character string selected by the user in the candidate display unit 130. More specifically, the single-character display unit 140 displays the character string selected by the user in the candidate display unit 130 at a predetermined interval for each single character. Note that the predetermined interval is wider than the interval between the characters of the character string displayed in the candidate display unit 130.

[0025] Using FIG. 1, an example in the case where the user inputs the single character "fu" of the character string "Gifu" is shown. At this time, instead of converting the single character, the user inputs "Gifu" and selects the single character "fu" from that character string. By performing this operation, the user can input the single character "fu".

[0026] The specific processing flow will be described. The user inputs "gi" to the text display unit 110. The candidate display unit 130 outputs conversion candidates such as "false", "technology", "bank", ···, "Gifu", etc.

[0027] The user selects the character string "Gifu". More specifically, the user long-presses the character string "Gifu" in the candidate display section 130. When the user long-presses the character string "Gifu", the single-character display section 140 displays the single characters "岐" and "阜" separately. At this time, the single characters "岐" and "阜" are displayed in the single-character display section 140 with a predetermined interval therebetween.

[0028] The user taps the single character "阜" with a finger or slides the finger toward the side of "阜". By doing this, the single character "阜" is output to the character display section 110.

[0029] With such a configuration, the user can efficiently input single characters. Furthermore, since a certain interval is provided between single characters, the user can easily select the single character they want to select.

[0030] <2. Configuration Example> FIG. 1 is a schematic image diagram of the character input device 10 of this example. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the character input device 10 of this example. FIGS. 3(A), 3(B), 3(C), and 3(D) are schematic image diagrams of the character input device 10 of this example.

[0031] First, a more specific configuration example of the character input device 10 will be described using the schematic image diagram of FIG. 1 and the block diagram of FIG. 2 described above.

[0032] The character input device 10 includes a display section 100, an operation detection section 200, a control section 300, and a database 400. The display section 100 includes a character display section 110, a keypad display section 120, a candidate display section 130, and a single-character display section 140. The control section 300 includes a candidate search section 310, a display control section 320, and a character splitting section 330.

[0033] The character input device 10 is, for example, a mail application installed on a smartphone. The user operates the smartphone to perform character input.

[0034] (Configuration of the Display Section 100) When a user inputs characters, the character display unit 110 displays the character string before or after the character string is confirmed.

[0035] The keypad display unit 120 is, for example, a 12-key (numeric keypad) board. The type of keypad display unit 120 is not limited as long as it is a keyboard that allows character input. That is, the keypad display unit 120 may be any of a 12-key (numeric keypad) board, a QWERTY keyboard, a 50-key keyboard, and the like. The user inputs characters using the keypad displayed on the keypad display unit 120.

[0036] The candidate display unit 130 displays conversion candidates searched by executing conversion of the characters input by the user. The conversion candidates displayed include normal conversion candidates and predictive conversion candidates.

[0037] The single-character display unit 140 displays the character string selected by the user in the candidate display unit 130. More specifically, when the user selects a conversion candidate, the single-character display unit 140 displays the selected character string with a predetermined interval between each single character. Note that the single characters displayed in the single-character display unit 140 are preferably configured to enlarge and display the character string selected by the user in the candidate display unit 130. This allows the user to easily recognize the single characters.

[0038] (Configuration of operation detection unit 200) Specifically, the operation detection unit 200 is a touch panel provided on the display unit 100. The operation detection unit 200 detects an operation input to the display unit 100, that is, an operation on the character display unit 110, the keypad display unit 120, the candidate display unit 130, and the single-character display unit 140.

[0039] The operation detection unit 200 outputs the operation content to the candidate search unit 310 of the control unit 300. Note that the method of detecting an operation by the operation detection unit 200 is known, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0040] (Configuration of control unit 300) The control unit 300 includes a candidate search unit 310, a display control unit 320, and a character segmentation unit 330. The candidate search unit 310 outputs to the candidate search unit 310 the character ("gi" in FIG. 1) input to the character display unit 110 based on the result of the operation detection unit 200 detecting the input operation of the user.

[0041] The candidate search unit 310 uses the detected input to search the database 400 for predictive conversion candidates that at least have a reading that matches the normal conversion candidates, and acquires them.

[0042] The candidate search unit 310 outputs the acquired normal conversion candidates and predictive conversion candidates (hereinafter, conversion candidates) to the display control unit 320. The display control unit 320 outputs the conversion candidates to the candidate display unit .

[0043] The character segmentation unit 330 segments a character string selected by a user from among the conversion candidates displayed in the candidate display unit 130 into single characters. The character segmentation unit 330 outputs the segmented single characters to the display control unit 320.

[0044] The display control unit 320 outputs the single characters to the single character display unit 140. At this time, the display control unit 320 instructs the single character display unit 140 to display the single characters with a predetermined interval (space) between each pair of single characters.

[0045] (Database 400 configuration) Conversion candidates (normal conversion candidates, predictive conversion candidates) are stored in the database 400. A known method is used for configuring the conversion candidates in the database 400, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0046] (Processing flow of character input device 10) A more specific process flow will be explained using the schematic diagrams of Figure 3(A), Figure 3(B), Figure 3(C), and Figure 3(D). The user selects the single character "ギフ" from the character string "ギフ".

[0047] As shown in FIG. 3(A), the user inputs "gi" into the character display unit 110. The operation detection unit 200 detects that a conversion button (not shown) has been pressed, and searches the database 400 for conversion candidates for "gi" by the candidate search unit 310. At this time, the operation detection unit 200 may be configured to detect that a character has been input even if the user does not press the conversion button, and search the database 400 for conversion candidates for "gi".

[0048] The candidate search unit 310 searches the database 400 for conversion candidates such as "false", "technology", "bank",..., "Gifu", etc. The candidate search unit 310 outputs the conversion candidates to the display control unit 320. The display control unit 320 outputs the conversion candidates to the candidate display unit 130. The candidate display unit 130 displays the conversion candidates.

[0049] The user selects the character string "Gifu" from the candidates displayed on the candidate display unit 130. More specifically, the user long-presses the character string "Gifu" on the candidate display unit 130. The operation detection unit 200 detects this long-press operation. This long-press operation corresponds to the "first operation" in the present invention.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 3(B), the operation detection unit 200 outputs to the character splitting unit 330 the operation in which the user has long-pressed the character string "Gifu". The character splitting unit 330 splits the character string "Gifu" into single characters "qi" and "fu". The character splitting unit 330 outputs the single characters "qi" and "fu" to the display control unit 320. The display control unit 320 inserts a predetermined interval (space) between the single characters "qi" and "fu", and outputs the single characters "qi" and "fu" to the single-character display unit 140.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 3(C), the user selects the single character "fu" from the single characters "qi" and "fu" displayed on the single-character display unit 140. The operation in which the user selects the single character "fu" corresponds to the "second operation" in the present invention. At this time, the user may perform an operation of sliding a finger to the right in FIG. 3(C), that is, on the side of the single character "fu".

[0052] As shown in FIG. 3(D), the operation detection unit 200 detects that the user has selected the single character "阜". The operation detection unit 200 outputs to the character segmentation unit 330 that the single character "阜" has been selected. The character segmentation unit 330 outputs the single character "阜" to the display control unit 320. The display control unit 320 outputs the single character "阜" to the character display unit 110.

[0053] <3. Operation Example> FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the character input device 10. Using FIG. 4, the specific processing flow of the character input device 10 will be described.

[0054] The user inputs characters to the character display unit 110. By this, the operation detection unit 200 detects that the conversion button has been pressed, and the candidate search unit 310 searches for conversion candidates from the database 400. The candidate search unit 310 outputs the conversion candidates to the display control unit 320, and the display control unit 320 outputs the conversion candidates to the candidate display unit 130. The candidate display unit 130 displays the conversion candidates (S101).

[0055] The user long-presses and selects (first operation) the desired character string from the candidates displayed on the candidate display unit 130. The operation detection unit 200 detects this first operation (S102).

[0056] The operation detection unit 200 outputs to the character segmentation unit 330 that the first operation has been executed. The character segmentation unit 330 divides the character string into single characters. The character segmentation unit 330 outputs the single characters to the display control unit 320. The display control unit 320 outputs the single characters to the single-character display unit 140 (S103).

[0057] The user selects the single characters displayed on the single-character display unit 140 (second operation) (S104).

[0058] The operation detection unit 200 detects that the second operation has been executed, and outputs the selected single characters to the character segmentation unit 330. The character segmentation unit 330 outputs the single characters to the display control unit 320. The display control unit 320 outputs the single characters to the character display unit 110 (S105).

[0059] By providing such a character input device 10, the user can easily input single characters. Also, single characters are displayed with a predetermined interval between them. This enables the user to easily recognize single characters.

[0060] <4. Modified Example> · Modified Example 1 FIG. 5 is a schematic image diagram of a character input device 10A according to Modified Example 1. Note that the character input device 10A is, for example, document creation software installed in a personal computer. That is, when the user uses the character input device 10A, instead of operating with a finger as in the configuration example, the user operates using a hardware keyboard and a mouse. Other configurations of the character input device 10A are the same as those in the configuration example, and descriptions of the same parts are omitted.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 5, the user inputs "gi" into the character display unit 110 of the character input device 10A. As a result, strings such as "false", "technology", "bank", "Gifu", etc., which are conversion candidates, are output to the candidate display unit 130A.

[0062] The user Use the mouse to right-clicks on the string Place the cursor "Gifu". This operation corresponds to the "first operation" in Modified Example 1 of the present invention.

[0063] The operation detection unit 200 outputs to the character splitting unit 330 that the user has right-clicked on the string "Gifu". As a result, the character splitting unit 330 splits the string "Gifu" into single characters "ki" and "fu". The character splitting unit 330 outputs the single characters "ki" and "fu" to the display control unit 320. The display control unit 320 inserts a predetermined interval between the single characters "ki" and "fu" and outputs the single characters "ki" and "fu" to the single-character display unit 140A.

[0064] The user clicks and selects the single character "fu" from among the single characters "ki" and "fu" displayed on the single-character display unit 140A. This operation corresponds to the "second operation" in Modified Example 1 of the present invention.

[0065] The operation detection unit 200 detects that the user has selected the single character "阜". The operation detection unit 200 outputs to the character segmentation unit 330 that the single character "阜" has been selected. The character segmentation unit 330 outputs the single character "阜" to the display control unit 320. The display control unit 320 outputs the single character "阜" to the character display unit 110.

[0066] By having such a configuration, even if the character input device 10A is a personal computer, the user can easily input single characters. Also, since single characters are displayed with a predetermined interval between them, the user can easily recognize the single characters.

[0067] ·Modification Example 2 FIG. 6(A) and FIG. 6(B) are schematic images of the character input device 10B of Modification Example 2. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the character input device 10B of Modification Example 2. The control unit 300B further includes a size adjustment unit 340. Other configurations of the character input device 10B are the same as those in the configuration example, and descriptions of the same parts are omitted.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 300B includes a candidate search unit 310, a display control unit 320, a character segmentation unit 330, and a size adjustment unit 340. The size adjustment unit 340 determines the width of the single character display unit 140B according to the number of single characters in the character string input by the user.

[0069] A more specific processing flow will be described with reference to FIGS. 6(A), 6(B), and 7. An example where the user inputs the single character "繹" from the character string "演繹法" will be used for the description.

[0070] As shown in FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B), the user inputs "え" to the character display unit 110 of the character input device 10B. As a result, "絵", "得", "枝", ···, "演繹法", etc., which are conversion candidates, are output to the candidate display unit 130.

[0071] The user selects the character string "deductive method" from the candidates displayed on the candidate display unit 130. More specifically, the user long-presses the character string "deductive method" on the candidate display unit 130. The operation detection unit 200 detects this long-press operation (the first operation).

[0072] The operation detection unit 200 outputs to the character splitting unit 330 that the character string "deductive method" has been long-pressed by the user. The character splitting unit 330 splits the character string "deductive method" into single characters "演", "繹", and "法".

[0073] The character splitting unit 330 outputs the single characters "演", "繹", and "法" to the size adjustment unit 340. The size adjustment unit 340 calculates the width of the single-character display unit 140B from the number of single characters.

[0074] More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B), the size adjustment unit 340 determines the width of the single-character display unit 140B. As shown in FIG. 6(A), the size adjustment unit 340 fixes the width of the single-character display unit 140B and uses the slide bar 145 according to the number of single characters that can fit within the width of the single-character display unit 140B if not all single characters can be displayed within the width of the single-character display unit 140B. Also, as shown in FIG. 6(B), the size adjustment unit 340 widens the width of the single-character display unit 140B according to the number of single characters.

[0075] The character splitting unit 330 outputs the single characters "演", "繹", and "法" to the display control unit 320. The display control unit 320 inserts a predetermined interval between the single characters "演", "繹", and "法" and outputs the single characters "演", "繹", and "法" to the single-character display unit 140B in FIG. 6(A) and the single-character display unit 140B in FIG. 6(B).

[0076] The user selects the single character "繹" from the single-character display unit 140B or the single characters "演", "繹", and "法" displayed on the single-character display unit 140B.

[0077] The operation detection unit 200 detects that the user has selected the single character "绎". The operation detection unit 200 outputs to the character splitting unit 330 that the single character "绎" has been selected. The character splitting unit 330 outputs the single character "绎" to the display control unit 320. The display control unit 320 outputs the single character "绎" to the character display unit 110.

[0078] Even with such a configuration, the user can easily input a single character. Also, even in a configuration where the number of single characters in the selected character string is large, the user can easily select a single character.

[0079] Note that in Modification 2, the size adjustment unit 340 is shown as a configuration that adjusts the width of the single character display unit 140B and the single character display unit 140B. However, a configuration that adjusts the height of the single character display unit 140B or the single character display unit 140B may also be used. In this case, when the number of single characters is large, the single character display unit 140B or the single character display unit 140B may be displayed in two rows.

[0080] ·Modification 3 FIG. 8 is a schematic image diagram of the single character display unit 140C of the character input device 10C according to Modification 3. Other configurations of the character input device 10C are the same as those in the configuration example, and descriptions of the same parts are omitted.

[0081] The single characters "岐" and "阜" in the single character display unit 140C are displayed with an index 150 attached. The index 150 is a numerical representation of the display order of the single characters. This index 150 may be stored in the database 400. The user may be able to input a single character by inputting the numerical value described in the index 150 without selecting the single character.

[0082] Even with such a configuration, the user can easily input a single character. Also, even in a configuration where the number of single characters in the selected character string is large, the user can easily input a single character by inputting the index.

[0083] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and the components can be modified in the implementation stage without departing from the gist of the invention. In particular, the order of the operation processing procedures in each device is not limited to the above-described order, and the order may be changed as necessary. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining multiple components disclosed in the above-described embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, components across different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

[0084] Furthermore, the correspondence between the configuration according to the present invention and the configuration according to the above-mentioned embodiment can be described as follows. <Additional Notes> A candidate display unit (130) that displays conversion candidates for input characters; a character dividing unit (330) that divides the selected conversion candidate into single characters one by one when a first operation of selecting the conversion candidate is detected; A single character display unit (140) for displaying the single characters in a row; and a display control unit (320) that outputs the selected single character when a second operation of selecting the single character displayed on the single character display unit is detected. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 10, 10A, 10B, 10C...Character input device 100...Display section 110...Character display area 120...Keypad display 130, 130A...Candidate display section 140, 140A, 140B, 140C... Single character display 145…Slide bar 150…Index 200…Operation detection unit 300, 300B…Control section 310…Candidate search section 320...Display control unit 330…Character division part 340…Size adjustment section 400...Database

Claims

1. a candidate display section that displays conversion candidates for input characters; a character splitting unit that splits the selected conversion candidate into single characters one by one when a first operation of selecting the conversion candidate displayed on the candidate display unit is detected; a single-character display unit that displays the single characters divided by the character dividing unit in a line; a display control unit that outputs the selected single character when a second operation of selecting the single character displayed on the single-character display unit is detected, A character input device, wherein a size of the single character displayed in the single character display section is larger than a size of a character related to the conversion candidate displayed in the candidate display section.

2. A character input device as described in claim 1, wherein the spacing between the single characters displayed in a row in the single character display section is wider than the spacing between characters related to the conversion candidates displayed in the candidate display section.

3. The character input device according to claim 1 , wherein the candidate display unit displays predictive conversion candidates for the input characters.

4. 4. The character input device according to claim 1, further comprising a size adjustment unit that determines a width of the single-character display area in accordance with the number of the single characters.

5. The character input device according to claim 4 , wherein the size adjustment section displays a slide bar on the single-character display section in accordance with the number of the single characters.

6. An information processing device, a candidate display step of displaying conversion candidates for the input character on a candidate display unit; a dividing step of dividing the selected conversion candidate into single characters, one character at a time, when a first operation of selecting the conversion candidate displayed on the candidate display unit is detected; a single-character display step of displaying the single characters divided in the dividing step on a single-character display unit; an output step of outputting the selected single character when a second operation of selecting the single character displayed on the single-character display unit is detected; The single-character display step is a step of displaying the single characters arranged in the single-character display section larger than characters related to the conversion candidates displayed in the candidate display section in the candidate display step.

7. a candidate display step of displaying conversion candidates for the input character on a candidate display unit; a dividing step of dividing the selected conversion candidate into single characters, one character at a time, when a first operation of selecting the conversion candidate displayed on the candidate display unit is detected; a single-character display step of displaying the single characters divided in the dividing step on a single-character display unit; and when a second operation of selecting the single character displayed on the single-character display unit is detected, an output step of outputting the selected single character is executed by the information processing device. The single-character display step is a step of displaying the single characters arranged in the single-character display section larger than characters related to the conversion candidates displayed in the candidate display section in the candidate display step, in a character input program.

Images