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

Abstract

To provide a character input device, a method, and a program that improve efficiency of character input.SOLUTION: In a character input device 10, a control unit 40 includes a determination unit, a candidate unit, and a recovery unit. The determination unit displays, for each input character string, a determined character string determined for the input character string in a determined display area of a display. The candidate unit displays, when some characters of the determined character string displayed in the determined display area are deleted, the determined character string as a candidate in a candidate display area of the display. The recovery unit causes, when an input operation is performed to select the determined character string displayed as the candidate in the candidate display area, the determination unit to return the display of the determined character string from which some characters displayed in the determined display area have been deleted to a state before deletion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for assisting character input.

Background Art

[0002] Various character input methods have been devised for users to use the software keyboard installed in electronic devices such as smartphones. When correcting an incorrect input using the software keyboard, users may not be able to use a function (e.g., UNDO function) to cancel the previous operation, which is easily executable on a hardware keyboard.

[0003] Therefore, when a user corrects an incorrect input, it is necessary to delete a plurality of character strings including the incorrectly input character and re-perform the character input after correction. Patent Document 1 describes a method for assisting re-input after deleting an incorrectly input character when the input character string is an incorrect input.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, when correcting an incorrect input using the configuration described in Patent Document 1, there is a risk that the user may accidentally delete a character string that should not be deleted. For example, when the user should input "It will rain today" but inputs "It will drop candy today" instead, the user needs to delete the character string "It will drop candy today" and input "It will rain today" again.

[0006] During this deletion process, users might accidentally delete the string "The sun will fall with candy." In other words, users might delete strings they don't want to delete. This means users would have to re-enter the strings they accidentally deleted, making the input process very cumbersome and inconvenient.

[0007] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a function that improves the efficiency of character input. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objective, the character input device of this invention is configured as follows.

[0009] This character input device comprises a confirmation unit, a candidate unit, and a recovery unit. The confirmation unit displays the confirmed string for each input string in the confirmation display area of ​​the display unit. The candidate unit displays the confirmed string as a candidate in the candidate display area of ​​the display unit when some characters of the confirmed string displayed in the confirmation display area are deleted. The recovery unit causes the confirmation unit to restore the display of the confirmed string with deleted characters to its state before the deletion when an input operation is performed to select a confirmed string displayed as a candidate in the candidate display area.

[0010] In this configuration, when a user deletes a character they have mistyped, even if a character that should have been kept is deleted, the deleted character can still be retrieved as a conversion candidate. Therefore, the user can input the desired character displayed as a conversion candidate, improving user convenience.

[0011] When some characters in the confirmed string displayed in the confirmation display area are deleted, the candidate section of this character input device extracts candidates corresponding to the input string that is attached to the confirmed string, and displays these extracted candidates in the candidate display area as well.

[0012] If a candidate other than the confirmed string displayed in the candidate display area is selected, the recovery unit of this character input device instructs the confirmation unit to replace the remaining confirmed strings that are currently displayed in the confirmation display area with the newly selected candidate as the new confirmed string.

[0013] The candidate section of this character input device will display the confirmed string as a candidate in the candidate display area of ​​the display unit if all characters of the confirmed string displayed in the confirmed display area are deleted.

[0014] When all characters of the confirmed string displayed in the confirmation display area are deleted, and a candidate displayed in the candidate display area is selected, the recovery unit of this character input device causes the confirmation unit to display the string corresponding to the selected candidate as the new confirmed string. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] This invention provides a function that improves the efficiency of text input. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] Figures 1(A) and 1(B) are illustrative diagrams showing how text input is performed using a text input device in an application example. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the character input device in Configuration Example 1. [Figure 3] Figures 3(A), 3(B), and 3(C) are illustrative diagrams showing character input using the character input device of Configuration Example 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of a character input device in operation. [Figure 5] Figures 5(A) and 5(B) are illustrative diagrams showing how to input text using the text input device of Configuration Example 2. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the character input device in Configuration Example 2. [Figure 7]FIG. 7(A) and FIG. 7(B) are conceptual diagrams of character input by the character input device of Configuration Example 3. [Figure 8] FIG. 8(A), FIG. 8(B), and FIG. 8(C) are conceptual diagrams of character input by the character input device of Modification Example 1. [Figure 9] FIG. 9(A) and FIG. 9(B) are conceptual diagrams of character input by the character input device of Modification Example 2.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to several drawings.

[0018] <1. Application Example> FIG. 1(A) and FIG. 1(B) are conceptual diagrams of character input by the character input device 10. A user creates an email using the character input device 10. The user inputs characters into the mail application.

[0019] The character input device 10 is mounted on an electronic device such as a smartphone. Note that this electronic device is not limited to a smartphone, and any device capable of character input such as a tablet or a personal computer may be used. In Configuration Example 1, the description will be based on a configuration including a character input means that cannot easily use the UNDO function as described above.

[0020] Specifically, an example in which a user inputs characters will be described. The smartphone 80 has a touch panel. The user activates an application (hereinafter referred to as an app) installed on the smartphone 80.

[0021] The user activates, for example, the mail app. The user inputs a character string into the input field 23. In this example, the mail app is used for description, but any app having a function capable of character input may be used, and the type of the app is not limited.

[0022] The character input device 10 receives the result of the user's operation on the touch panel of the smartphone 80. For example, the user starts a mail application to create a mail and performs character input. The character input device 10 detects an operation for starting the user's character input. By detecting this operation of performing character input, the character input device 10 activates the display 20 (character input section 21, candidate display area 22, input field 23).

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1(A) and 1(B), an example in which the user inputs the character string "persevere in the original aspiration" into the input field 23 will be used for explanation. At this time, the user erroneously inputs the character string "persevere completely in the original aspiration" instead of "persevere in the original aspiration". That is, the following configuration will be described assuming the case where the user wants to correct the character "completely".

[0024] The user uses the backspace key to correct the character "completely" in the character string "persevere completely in the original aspiration". More specifically, the user uses the backspace key to delete the characters in the order of "persevere" and "completely".

[0025] Here, the user erroneously deletes the character "aspiration" further. The character input device 10 detects that the character "aspiration" has been deleted, and acquires "first", which is the character string (remaining character string) remaining in the input field 23. As a result, the character input device 10 displays the character string "first aspiration" in the candidate display area 22. That is, in the candidate display area 22, a conversion candidate (character string "first aspiration") including the character "aspiration" that has been erroneously deleted is displayed.

[0026] The user selects the character string "first aspiration" displayed in the candidate display area 22. The character input device 10 outputs the selected character string "first aspiration" to the input field 23. At this time, the character input device 10 replaces the remaining character "first" in the input field 23 with the character string "first aspiration".

[0027] With such a configuration, even when the user erroneously deletes a character string, a desired character string can be acquired as a conversion candidate. That is, the user does not need to re-enter the character string that has been erroneously deleted. Therefore, the convenience of the user is improved.

[0028] <2. Configuration Example 1> Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the character input device in Configuration Example 1. Figures 3(A), 3(B), and 3(C) are illustrative diagrams showing character input using the character input device in Configuration Example 1. Note that the character input device 10 is not limited to smartphones; any other electronic device capable of character input may be used.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the character input device 10 includes a display unit 20, an operation detection unit 30, a display control unit 35, a control unit 40, and a dictionary database 50.

[0030] As described above, the display unit 20 includes a character input unit 21, a candidate display area 22, and an input field 23. For example, as shown in Figures 1(A) and 1(B), the character input unit 21 and the candidate display area 22 are arranged on the screen of the smartphone 80. Various keys for character input are displayed on the character input unit 21. The candidate display area 22 displays conversion candidates acquired by the method described later, as well as narrowed-down conversion candidates. For example, the character input unit 21 is a software keyboard.

[0031] The smartphone 80 is equipped with a touch panel. This touch panel detects user operations. More specifically, the touch panel detects operations on the input field 23 of the email application, and on the character input section 21 and candidate display area 22 provided on the display 20. Operation detection includes, for example, the position of the operation, the duration of the operation, and the temporal change of the position of the operation. The results of these operation detections are output to the operation detection unit 30. The operation detection unit 30 outputs these results to the display control unit 35 and the control unit 40 according to the results input from the touch panel. The display control unit 35 outputs to the display 20 to display according to the operation results. The input field 23 corresponds to the "confirmed display area" of the present invention.

[0032] The control unit 40 comprises a confirmation unit 41, a candidate unit 42, and a recovery unit 43. The control unit 40 is composed of a hardware CPU, memory, and other electronic circuits. When the hardware CPU executes the character input program according to this invention, the confirmation unit 41, the candidate unit 42, and the recovery unit 43 operate. The memory has an area for deploying the character input program according to this invention and an area for temporarily storing data generated during the execution of the character input program. The control unit 40 may be an LSI integrating the hardware CPU, memory, etc. The hardware CPU is a computer that executes the character input method according to this invention.

[0033] The confirmation unit 41 retrieves the string entered by the user in the input field 23. The confirmation unit 41 displays the input string as a confirmed string (hereinafter referred to as the first string) in the input field 23.

[0034] The candidate unit 42 displays the first string as a candidate in the candidate display area 22 when a part of the first string displayed in the input field 23 (hereinafter referred to as the second string) is deleted. The operation detection unit 30 detects the operation that deleted the second string.

[0035] The recovery unit 43 restores the display of the confirmed string, which has had some of the remaining characters (hereinafter referred to as the third string) displayed in the input field 23 deleted, to its state before the deletion of the first string displayed as a candidate in the candidate display area 22. In other words, the recovery unit 43 replaces the third string with the first string and displays it in the input field 23 because the first string displayed in the candidate display area 22 has been selected.

[0036] The dictionary database 50 (hereinafter referred to as dictionary DB50) stores the reading, conversion candidates for that reading, and the display priority of each conversion candidate in the normal conversion process. In addition, as described above, it temporarily stores the conversion candidate selected in the candidate display area 22.

[0037] As a more specific example, the procedure for a user to input characters will be described using FIGS. 2, 3(A), 3(B), and 3(C). The user operates the character input unit 21 and inputs the character string "persevere in the original aspiration". However, as shown in FIG. 3(A), the user mistakenly inputs the character string "fulfill the original aspiration".

[0038] The display control unit 35 outputs the first character string "fulfill the original aspiration" as the confirmed character string to the input field 23. At this time, the character string "fulfill" is the character string that was mistakenly input. The confirmation unit 41 stores the first character string "fulfill the original aspiration" in the dictionary DB50. The confirmation unit 41 stores the first character string "fulfill the original aspiration" by splitting it into, for example, the character string "original aspiration" and the character string "fulfill".

[0039] When the confirmation unit 41 executes the splitting of the first character string, it is advisable to split it in units of the confirmed character string. More specifically, when the user separates the first character string "fulfill the original aspiration" into the character string "original aspiration" and the character string "fulfill" and inputs them, it is advisable to split and store them as the character string "original aspiration" and the character string "fulfill".

[0040] At this time, the user notices the input error and corrects the character "fulfill". More specifically, the user uses the backspace key of the character input unit 21 to delete the character string "fulfill". However, as shown in FIG. 3(B), the user deletes the second character string "original aspiration fulfill". That is, as shown in FIG. 3(C), only the third character string "original" is displayed in the input field 23.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3(B), the operation detection unit 30 detects that the second character string "original aspiration fulfill", which is part of the first character string "fulfill the original aspiration", has been deleted. The operation detection unit 30 outputs the result of the deletion of the second character string "original aspiration fulfill" to the candidate unit 42. The candidate unit 42 extracts from the dictionary DB50 the first character string "original aspiration" + "fulfill" that includes the second character string "original aspiration fulfill".

[0042] As shown in FIG. 3(C), the candidate unit 42 obtains the first character string "Initial intention" + "Complete thoroughness", and outputs the first character string "Initial intention" + "Complete thoroughness" to the display control unit 35. In this case, since the third character string "Initial" remains, the display control unit 35 causes the first character string "Initial intention" including the third character string to be displayed in the candidate display area 22. That is, the display control unit 35 causes it to be displayed in the candidate display area 22 in units stored in the dictionary DB50.

[0043] The user selects the first character string "Initial intention" displayed in the candidate display area 22. As a result, the operation detection unit 30 detects that the first character string "Initial intention" has been selected, and outputs the result to the recovery unit 43.

[0044] The recovery unit 43 outputs to the display control unit 35 to swap the third character string "Initial" and the first character string "Initial intention" displayed in the input field 23. The display control unit 35 swaps the third character string "Initial" and the first character string "Initial intention", and displays the first character string "Initial intention" in the input field 23.

[0045] By configuring in this way, even if a part of the conversion candidate displayed in the input field 23 is accidentally deleted, the character string deleted as the conversion candidate can be output to the candidate display area 22. That is, the user does not need to re-enter the character string that was accidentally deleted. Therefore, the user can input characters efficiently.

[0046] <3. Operation example> FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the character input device 10 in the operation example. The processing flow of the character input device 10 will be described using FIGS. 1(A), FIGS. 1(B), FIGS. 2, FIGS. 3(A), FIGS. 3(B), FIGS. 3(C), and FIGS. 4.

[0047] The user inputs the first string "Initial Aspiration Fully Achieved" into the input field 23. The display control unit 35 outputs the first string "Initial Aspiration Fully Achieved" as the confirmed string to the input field 23. The confirmation unit 41 saves the first string "Initial Aspiration Fully Achieved" in the dictionary DB50 (S101). The confirmation unit 41 saves the first string "Initial Aspiration Fully Achieved" by splitting it into, for example, the string "Initial Aspiration" and the string "Fully Achieved".

[0048] The operation detection unit 30 detects whether the string in the input field 23 has been deleted (S102).

[0049] When the operation detection unit 30 detects that the string in the input field 23 has been deleted (S102: Yes). More specifically, the operation detection unit 30 detects that the second string "Aspiration Fully Achieved", which is a part of the first string "Initial Aspiration" + "Fully Achieved", has been deleted (S103).

[0050] The operation detection unit 30 outputs the result of the deletion of the second string "Aspiration Fully Achieved" to the candidate unit 42. The candidate unit 42 extracts the first string "Initial Aspiration Fully Achieved" including the second string "Aspiration Fully Achieved" from the dictionary DB50. At this time, since the third string "Initial" remains, the display control unit 35 displays the first string "Initial Aspiration" of the unit stored in the dictionary DB50 in the candidate display area 22 (S104).

[0051] The operation detection unit 30 detects that the first string "Initial Aspiration" displayed in the candidate display area 22 has been selected by the user (S105). The operation detection unit 30 outputs the result to the recovery unit 43.

[0052] The recovery unit 43 outputs to the display control unit 35 to display by swapping the third string "Initial" remaining in the input field 23 and the first string "Initial Aspiration" (S106). The display control unit 35 displays the first string "Initial Aspiration" in the input field 23.

[0053] By executing such processing, even if a part of the conversion candidates displayed in the input field 23 is accidentally deleted, the desired character string can be output to the candidate display area 22 as a conversion candidate. That is, since the user does not need to re-enter the accidentally deleted character string, the user can efficiently perform character input.

[0054] <4. Configuration Example 2> Next, the character input device according to Configuration Example 2 will be described with reference to the drawings. In Configuration Example 2, it is different in the process when the accidentally input character string is left without being deleted. Other configurations are the same as those of the character input device 10 in Configuration Example 1, and the description of the same parts will be omitted.

[0055] FIG. 5(A) and FIG. 5(B) are conceptual diagrams of character input by the character input device of Configuration Example 2. As shown in FIG. 5(A), the user accidentally inputs the first character string "Shoshi Kansetsu" into the input field 23. The confirmation unit 41 stores the first character string "Shoshi Kansetsu" in the dictionary DB50. The confirmation unit 41 stores the first character string "Shoshi Kansetsu" by splitting it into, for example, the character string "Shoshi" and the character string "Kansetsu".

[0056] The user notices the input error and corrects the character "Kansetsu". More specifically, the user deletes the character string "Kansetsu" using the backspace key of the character input unit 21. However, as shown in FIG. 5(A), the user only deletes the second character string "Kansetsu". That is, as shown in FIG. 5(B), the third character string "Shoshi Kan" is displayed in the input field 23.

[0057] The operation detection unit 30 detects that the second character string "Kansetsu", which is part of the first character string "Shoshi Kansetsu", has been deleted. The operation detection unit 30 outputs the result of the deletion of the second character string "Kansetsu" to the candidate unit 42. The candidate unit 42 extracts the first character string "Kansetsu" including the second character string "Kansetsu" from the dictionary DB50.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 5(B), the candidate unit 42 acquires the first character string "完徹". Further, the candidate unit 42 outputs to the display control unit 35 to display in the candidate display area 22 the conversion candidates (in this case, "貫徹", "関鉄", etc.) corresponding to the reading "かんてつ" of the first character string. The display control unit 35 causes "完徹", "貫徹", and "関鉄" to be displayed in the candidate display area 22 as conversion candidates including the first character string "完徹". Note that the priority order of the conversion candidates displayed in the candidate display area 22 may be based on the user's input history or may display with the priority order of the deleted character string "完徹" lowered.

[0059] The user acquires the desired conversion candidate from the candidate display area 22. For example, the user selects the character string "貫徹". Thereby, the operation detection unit 30 detects that the character string "貫徹" has been selected and outputs the result to the recovery unit 43.

[0060] The recovery unit 43 determines that a different character string "貫徹" (hereinafter, the fourth character string) among the first character string "初志" + "完徹" initially input by the user has been selected. In other words, it is determined that a fourth character string "貫徹" different from the first character string "完徹" has been selected.

[0061] The recovery unit 43 outputs to the display control unit 35 to swap a part "完" of the third character string and the fourth character string "貫徹". The display control unit 35 swaps the third character string "完" and the fourth character string "貫徹" and causes the character string "初志貫徹" to be displayed in the input field 23.

[0062] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the character input device of Configuration Example 2. The flowchart shown in FIG. 6 is different from the flowchart of FIG. 4 in Configuration Example 1 in the processing after step S103. Since the other processing is the same as the processing flow of Configuration Example 1, it is omitted.

[0063] The operation detection unit 30 detects that a second string "彻" which is part of the first string "初志完彻" has been deleted (S103). The operation detection unit 30 outputs the result of the deletion of the second string "彻" to the candidate unit 42. The candidate unit 42 extracts the first string "完彻" including the second string "彻" from the dictionary DB50.

[0064] The candidate unit 42 obtains the first string "完彻". Further, the candidate unit 42 outputs to the display control unit 35 to display the conversion candidates "贯彻", "関鉄" corresponding to the reading "かんてつ" of the first string in the candidate display area 22. The display control unit 35 causes the candidate display area 22 to display "完彻", "贯彻", "関鉄" as conversion candidates including the first string "完彻" (S201).

[0065] The user obtains a desired conversion candidate from the candidate display area 22. The operation detection unit 30 outputs the selected conversion candidate to the recovery unit 43. The recovery unit 43 determines whether the fourth string "贯彻" is different from the first string "完彻" at the beginning of input (S202).

[0066] When the recovery unit 43 determines that the first string "完彻" and the fourth string "贯彻" are different (S202: Yes), it outputs to the display control unit 35 to swap a part "完" of the third string and the fourth string "贯彻". The display control unit 35 swaps the third string "完" and the fourth string "贯彻" and displays the string "初志贯彻" in the input field 23 (S203).

[0067] When the recovery unit 43 determines that the first string "完彻" and the selected string "完彻" are the same (S202: No), it outputs to the display control unit 35 to swap a part "完" of the third string and the first string "完彻". The display control unit 35 swaps the third string "完" and the first string "完彻" and displays the first string "初志完彻" in the input field 23 (S204).

[0068] With such a configuration, it is possible to easily obtain the string that was originally intended to be input during the process of correcting an error in character input. That is, since the user does not need to re-enter the string that was accidentally deleted, the user can perform character input efficiently.

[0069] <5. Configuration Example 3> Next, the character input device according to Configuration Example 3 will be described with reference to the drawings. Configuration Example 3 differs in the processing after all of the first string has been deleted in Configuration Example 1. Other configurations are the same as those of the character input device 10 in Configuration Example 1, and descriptions of the same parts will be omitted.

[0070] FIG. 7(A) and FIG. 7(B) are conceptual diagrams of character input by the character input device of Configuration Example 3. As shown in FIG. 7(A), the user accidentally inputs the first string "Shoshi Kansetsu" into the input field 23. The confirmation unit 41 stores the first string "Shoshi Kansetsu" in the dictionary DB50. The confirmation unit 41 stores the first string "Shoshi Kansetsu" by splitting it into, for example, the string "Shoshi" and the string "Kansetsu".

[0071] The user notices the input error and corrects the character "Kansetsu". More specifically, the user deletes all of the first string "Shoshi Kansetsu" using the backspace key of the character input unit 21. As a result, all of the first string is deleted. That is, the "first string input first" and the "second string deleted" are in the same state. From this, the input field 23 is in a state where no string (third string) remains.

[0072] The operation detection unit 30 detects that the first string "Shoshi Kansetsu" (or rather, the second string "Shoshi Kanten") has been deleted. The operation detection unit 30 outputs the result of the deletion of the second string "Shoshi Kanten" to the candidate unit 42. The candidate unit 42 extracts the first string "Shoshi Kansetsu" obtained from the second string "Shoshi Kanten" from the dictionary DB50.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 7(B), the candidate unit 42 acquires the first character string "初志完徹". Further, the candidate unit 42 outputs to the display control unit 35 so as to display in the candidate display area 22 a conversion candidate (in this case, a correct character string such as "初志貫徹") corresponding to the reading "しょしかんてつ" of the first character string. The display control unit 35 causes the candidate display area 22 to display the conversion candidate including the first character string "初志完徹".

[0074] The user acquires a desired conversion candidate from the candidate display area 22. For example, the user selects the character string "初志貫徹". As a result, the operation detection unit 30 detects that the character string "初志貫徹" has been selected, and outputs the result to the recovery unit 43.

[0075] The recovery unit 43 determines that a character string "初志貫徹" (hereinafter, the fourth character string), which is different from the first character string "初志完徹" initially input by the user, has been selected.

[0076] The recovery unit 43 outputs the result that the fourth character string "初志貫徹" has been selected to the display control unit 35. The display control unit 35 displays the fourth character string "初志貫徹" in the input field 23.

[0077] With such a configuration, in the middle of the work of correcting a character input error, the character string that the user originally wants to input can be easily acquired. That is, since the user does not need to re-enter the character string that has been accidentally deleted, the user can input characters efficiently. Also, even when all the input character strings are deleted, characters can be input efficiently.

[0078] <6. Modification Example 1> Next, the character input device according to Modification Example 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. Modification Example 1, unlike the example using idiomatic expressions in Configuration Example 1, describes an example in which character strings including particles are combined and input like a sentence. Other configurations are the same as those of the character input device 10 in Configuration Example 1, and descriptions of the same parts will be omitted.

[0079] As a more specific example, the procedure for a user to input characters will be described using FIGS. 8(A), 8(B), and 8(C). The user operates the character input unit 21 and inputs the character strings "ginger is" and "spicy". As shown in FIG. 8(A), the user accidentally inputs the character string "ginger is" + the character string "Eiki".

[0080] The confirmation unit 41 stores the first character string "ginger is Eiki" in the dictionary DB50. The confirmation unit 41 stores the first character string "ginger is Eiki" by splitting it into, for example, the character string "ginger is" and the character string "Eiki".

[0081] The user notices the input error and corrects the character "Eiki". More specifically, the user deletes the character string "Eiki" using the backspace key of the character input unit 21.

[0082] However, as shown in FIG. 8(A), the user deletes the second character string "shoga is" + "Eiki". That is, as shown in FIG. 8(B), the third character string "raw" is displayed in the input field 23.

[0083] The operation detection unit 30 detects that the second character string "shoga is" + "Eiki", which is part of the first character string "ginger is" + "Eiki", has been deleted. The operation detection unit 30 outputs the result of the deletion of the second character string "shoga is" + "Eiki" to the candidate unit 42. The candidate unit 42 extracts the first character string "ginger is" that includes the second character string "shoga is" from the dictionary DB50.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 8(B), the candidate unit 42 acquires the first character string "ginger is". Further, the candidate unit 42 outputs to the display control unit 35 to display in the candidate display area 22 the conversion candidates (in this case, "Shoya is", "Masaga is", etc.) corresponding to the reading "shoga is" of the first character string. The display control unit 35 causes "Shoya is" and "Masaga is" to be displayed in the candidate display area 22 as conversion candidates that include the first character string "shoga is".

[0085] The user obtains a desired conversion candidate from the candidate display area 22. For example, the user selects the string "ginger is". As a result, the operation detection unit 30 detects that the string "ginger is" has been selected and outputs the result to the recovery unit 43.

[0086] The recovery unit 43 determines that, out of the first string "ginger is" + "garai" initially entered by the user, the first string "ginger is" has been selected.

[0087] The recovery unit 43 outputs to the display control unit 35 instructing it to swap part of the third string "raw" with the first string "ginger is". The display control unit 35 then displays the swapped third string "raw" and first string "ginger is".

[0088] Next, as shown in Figure 8(C), the candidate unit 42 obtains connection candidates for the first string "ginger is". The candidate unit 42 outputs the connection candidates corresponding to the first string "ginger is" (in this case, "spicy", etc.) to the display control unit 35 to display in the candidate display area 22. The display control unit 35 displays the conversion candidates including the selected connection candidate for the first string "ginger is" ("spicy") in the candidate display area 22.

[0089] In this case, the conversion candidate "Garai," which was entered as the first string, may also be displayed in the candidate display area 22 as a conversion candidate. In this case, it is preferable to lower the display priority of the conversion candidate "Garai." This priority should be based on whether or not a deletion such as backspace key has been executed.

[0090] Furthermore, the above example explained how to input text by separating it into phrases. However, the same result can be obtained even when multiple phrases are input. For example, even if the user inputs the string "ginger is spicy" and multiple phrases at once, it would be good if the candidate section 42 is configured to determine that the text was input by separating it into phrases, such as "ginger is" + "spicy". In addition to phrases, the candidate section 42 may also determine the method of separation based on the user's input history or habits.

[0091] With this configuration, even if a string has had part of a combination of characters accidentally deleted, as in the text displayed in input field 23, the desired string can be output as a conversion candidate in the candidate display area 22. In other words, the user does not need to re-enter the accidentally deleted string. Furthermore, the user can obtain predictive conversion candidates that connect to the selected string, enabling efficient character input.

[0092] <7. Variation 2> Next, the character input device according to Modification Example 2 will be described with reference to the figures. Modification Example 2 differs in that the character input unit 21 in Configuration Example 1 is in kana input mode, while the character input unit 21 in Modification Example 2 is in English input mode. The other configurations are the same as those of the character input device 10, and the explanation of the same parts will be omitted. Note that the character input unit 21 in Figures 9(A) and 9(B) uses a 12-key keyboard (numeric keypad), but a QWERTY keyboard arrangement may also be used.

[0093] The following explanation assumes that the character input unit 21 is in English input mode. However, the type of language entered as a string is not limited to English input mode; other types of languages ​​may also be used. For example, the language could be Chinese, where the user is asked to input the phonetic transcription of the word(s) to be entered as a string (desired string), or German, where the user is asked to input the spelling of the word(s) to be entered as a string.

[0094] As a more concrete example, Figures 9(A) and 9(B) will be used to explain the procedure for a user to input characters. The user operates the character input unit 21 and, instead of inputting the first string "advice", mistakenly inputs the first string "advise" as shown in Figure 9(A).

[0095] The display control unit 35 outputs the first string "advise" as a confirmed string to the input field 23. At this time, the user mistakenly enters the characters "advise" (with an incorrect 's'). The confirmation unit 41 saves the first string "advise" to the dictionary DB 50. The confirmation unit 41 saves the first string "advise".

[0096] At this point, the user notices the input error and corrects the character "s" in the first string. More specifically, the user uses the backspace key on the character input section 21 to delete the character "se". However, as shown in Figure 9(B), the user deletes the second string "ise". That is, as shown in Figure 9(B), the third string "adv" is displayed in the input field 23.

[0097] As shown in Figure 9(B), the operation detection unit 30 detects that the second string "ise," which is part of the first string "advise," has been deleted. The operation detection unit 30 outputs the result of the deletion of the second string "ise" to the candidate unit 42. The candidate unit 42 extracts the first string "advise" containing the second string "ise" from the dictionary DB 50.

[0098] As shown in Figure 9(B), the candidate unit 42 acquires the first string "advise" and outputs the first string "advise" to the display control unit 35. In this case, the display control unit 35 displays the first string "advise" in the candidate display area 22. Alternatively, the display control unit 35 may display the fourth string "advice" as a result of the candidate unit 42 searching the dictionary DB 50 using the third string "adv".

[0099] The user selects the first string "advise" displayed in the candidate display area 22. As a result, the operation detection unit 30 detects that the first string "advise" has been selected and outputs the result to the recovery unit 43.

[0100] The recovery unit 43 outputs to the display control unit 35 instructing it to swap the third string "adv" and the first string "advise" displayed in the input field 23. The display control unit 35 swaps the third string "adv" and the first string "advise" and displays the first string "advise" in the input field 23.

[0101] With this configuration, if a part of a string entered using the English input mode displayed in the input field 23 is accidentally deleted, the desired string can be output as a conversion candidate in the candidate display area 22. In other words, the user does not need to re-enter the accidentally deleted string. Furthermore, the user can obtain predictive conversion candidates that connect to the selected fourth string, etc., enabling efficient character input.

[0102] Furthermore, this invention is not limited to the above example, and in the implementation stage, the components can be modified and materialized without departing from the gist of the invention. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining the multiple components disclosed in the above example. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the above example. Furthermore, components from different examples may be appropriately combined.

[0103] Furthermore, the correspondence between the configuration of this invention and the configuration described above can be described as follows: <Note> The character input device (10) comprises a confirmation unit (41), a candidate unit (42), and a recovery unit (43). The confirmation unit (41) displays the confirmed string for each input string in the confirmation display area (23) of the display unit (20). The candidate unit (42) displays the confirmed string as a candidate in the candidate display area (22) of the display unit (20) when some characters of the confirmed string displayed in the confirmation display area (23) are deleted. The recovery unit (43) causes the confirmation unit (41) to restore the display of the confirmed string with some characters deleted in the confirmation display area (23) to its state before the deletion when an input operation is performed to select a confirmed string displayed as a candidate in the candidate display area (22). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0104] 10...Text input device 20...Indicator 21...Text input section 22...Candidate display area 23…Input field 30... Operation detection unit 35…Display Control Unit 40... Control Unit 41...Determined part 42…Candidate section 43…Recovery Department 50…Dictionary Database 80... Smartphone

Claims

1. A confirmation unit that displays the confirmed string for each input string in the confirmation display area of ​​the display unit, When some characters of the confirmed string displayed in the confirmed display area are deleted, the candidate unit displays this confirmed string as a candidate in the candidate display area of ​​the display unit, extracts candidates corresponding to the input string relating to this confirmed string, and displays the extracted candidates in the candidate display area as well. A character input device comprising: a character input device; when an input operation is performed to select the confirmed string displayed as a candidate in the candidate display area, a recovery unit that causes the confirmed string display, in which some characters displayed in the confirmed display area have been deleted, to return to its state before deletion; and when a candidate other than the confirmed string displayed in the candidate display area is selected, a recovery unit that causes the confirmed unit to replace the remaining characters of the confirmed string that have not been deleted and are displayed in the confirmed display area at that time with the new confirmed string relating to the selected candidate.

2. The character input device according to claim 1, wherein if all characters of the confirmed string displayed in the confirmed display area are deleted, the candidate section displays the confirmed string as a candidate in the candidate display area of ​​the display.

3. The character input device according to claim 1, wherein when all characters of the confirmed string displayed in the confirmed display area are deleted, and a candidate displayed in the candidate display area is selected, the recovery unit causes the confirmation unit to display the string corresponding to the selected candidate as the new confirmed string.

4. A confirmation step in which, for each input string, the confirmed string for that input string is displayed in the confirmation display area of ​​the display unit, When some characters of the confirmed string displayed in the confirmed display area are deleted, the candidate step includes displaying this confirmed string as a candidate in the candidate display area of ​​the display, extracting candidates corresponding to the input string relating to this confirmed string, and displaying the extracted candidates in the candidate display area as well. A character input method in which, when an input operation is performed to select the confirmed string displayed as a candidate in the candidate display area, the computer performs a recovery step to restore the display of the confirmed string, from which some characters displayed in the confirmed display area have been deleted, to its state before deletion, The recovery step, if a candidate other than the confirmed string displayed in the candidate display area is selected, replaces the remaining confirmed string that is not deleted and is displayed in the confirmed display area at that time with the new confirmed string relating to the selected candidate. Text input method.

5. A confirmation step in which, for each input string, the confirmed string for that input string is displayed in the confirmation display area of ​​the display unit, When some characters of the confirmed string displayed in the confirmed display area are deleted, the candidate step includes displaying this confirmed string as a candidate in the candidate display area of ​​the display, extracting candidates corresponding to the input string relating to this confirmed string, and displaying the extracted candidates in the candidate display area as well. A character input program that, when an input operation is performed to select the confirmed string displayed as a candidate in the candidate display area, causes the computer to perform a recovery step to restore the display of the confirmed string, which has had some characters deleted from the display area, to its state before the deletion, The recovery step, if a candidate other than the confirmed string displayed in the candidate display area is selected, replaces the remaining confirmed string that is not deleted and is displayed in the confirmed display area at that time with the new confirmed string relating to the selected candidate. A text input program.

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