JP2002099375A - Character input device and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To provide a character input device having an input assisting system capable of easy input operation and accurate display. [Solution] A character input device includes an input operation unit, a display unit, and a past. A recording unit that records a character input to the input unit as an input candidate, an input candidate extraction unit that extracts a candidate character that is input following a newly input character based on the recorded character, and a character that is displayed on the display unit. A display control unit for controlling display, wherein the display control unit causes the display unit to display the extracted candidate characters in a display form different from the characters already displayed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a character input device and a recording medium, and more particularly, to a character input device and a recording medium having an input assisting system for assisting a character input operation with a personal computer or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when an input operation is performed by a personal computer or the like, an input board is displayed on a screen and a function selected by a user is enlarged and displayed.
For example, when entering MS-Word symbols and special characters,
The selected character is enlarged and displayed (see FIG. 51).

Further, an input frame or an input board is displayed on a screen, and data input by the user in the past and the order of the input data are stored as a data array. If the beginning of the input data matches the order of the stored input data and the input data, the data of the matched part is automatically deleted, and the stored data list is replaced instead. A function (so-called auto-complete function) that clearly indicates to the user what is to be executed by performing batch input by replacing with "." Furthermore, in a data input device that displays a button, an input frame, or an input board for inputting data on a screen, and the data to be input and the order of the input data are almost constant, the data input by the user follows the predetermined pattern. When the next data entered by the user is limited and can be predicted with a remarkably high probability, a function to clearly indicate to the user the next data to be entered by the user has been realized. I have.

[0004]

In the conventional character input device having the above-mentioned input assisting system, at the time of input operation, functions and data to be input are displayed in the same manner as other functions and data. Therefore, it was difficult to judge the input. In particular, when there are many candidates based on the prediction of the data to be input next by the user, the candidate data is predicted in various directions from the character data input in the past, and the next input data candidate is correctly indicated to the user. That was not realized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a character input device having an input assisting system capable of easy input operation and accurate display.

[0006]

According to the present invention, an input operation unit, a display unit, a recording unit for recording characters input in the past as input candidates, and a new input based on the recorded characters. An input candidate extraction unit that extracts a candidate character that is input after the extracted character, and a display control unit that controls character display on the display unit, wherein the display control unit converts the extracted candidate character into a character that has already been extracted. There is provided a character input device for displaying on a display unit a display form different from the displayed character.

That is, according to the present invention, when predicting what is to be input from character data input in the past,
The display form desired by the user can be changed so that the predicted character can be accurately understood by the user.

The input operation unit according to the present invention includes a keyboard and a pointing device such as a mouse for indicating a position. The display unit according to the present invention means a display that outputs and visually expresses information by an input operation from an input operation unit and an operation of a program that drives each unit according to the input operation.

The extracted candidate characters are displayed in any one of an enlarged display, a raised display, a color change display, a bold display, a blinking display, or a combination thereof. The above display format shows the next data even when the position of the character data that may become the next input candidate is small or arranged in an irregular order. Make decisions easier.

[0010] In the present invention, the input candidate extracting unit may include not only general characters but also abbreviated codes, dictionary words, and at least one of preset data dictionary words as candidate characters.
Extract one. Further, as a candidate character, a phrase, a sentence, or a figure is edited or a notation of a function button for assisting it is extracted. In this way, by incorporating a large number of character data for predicting input candidates, input candidate data can be predicted from multiple angles. In the present invention, as a method of extracting a candidate character by the input candidate extracting unit, the character input in the past matches the character newly input, and either the use frequency or the data registration order is higher. An example is given of a method of performing priority based on data.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium used for a character input device having an input operation unit and a display unit, wherein characters input in the past using the recording unit are input candidates. And a function of extracting a candidate character to be input subsequent to a newly input character based on a character recorded by using the input candidate extracting unit, and a function of extracting the candidate character by using the display control unit. A recording medium recording a character input program for controlling a character display and causing a computer to execute a function of displaying extracted candidate characters on a display unit in a display mode different from that of already displayed characters is provided.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a character input device and a recording medium according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 50, but the present invention is not limited by the embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a device block diagram of a character input device 50 having an input assistance system according to one embodiment of the present invention. The character input device 50 includes an input device 201 having a keyboard and / or a mouse, a central processing unit 202,
Display devices such as cathode ray tube displays and liquid crystal displays
203, recording devices 204 and 205 such as a magnetic recording medium or a magneto-optical recording medium, and a memory (R
AM) 206 and a read-only memory (ROM) 207. The central processing unit 202 is constituted by a CPU or the like of a personal computer.

The RAM 206 has a past input object table, a next input candidate selection table, and a display form table. The display mode table includes an enlargement table, a floating table, a color table, a thickness table, a blinking table, and a combination table, which constitute each table for changing a display mode described later. Also, ROM
207 has a database table.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the input assist system of the character input device 50 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
The character input device 50 viewed from the functional block is an input operation unit.
101, a display unit 104 for performing display according to an input operation performed by the input operation unit 101, a past input recording unit 106 for occasionally recording characters input in the past, and a database reference unit 10
7, an input candidate extracting unit 102, and a display unit 104 of a candidate character (hereinafter, referred to as “candidate character”) to be input following the newly input character by the input candidate extracting unit 102.
And a display control unit 103 for controlling the display mode. The display control unit 103 includes an external recording unit 10 that records processing contents such as a display mode table selected by the display control unit 103.
5 is connected.

The input assist system of the character input device 50 will be described with reference to the device block diagram of FIG. 1 and the functional block diagram of FIG. The input candidate extraction unit 102 includes an input operation unit
According to the character input from the input device 201 which is 101,
Candidate characters are extracted in cooperation with the ROM 207 as the database reference unit 107, the RAM 206 as the past input recording unit 106, and the central processing unit 202. Display control unit 103
Is obtained from the characters input from the input device 201 in the ROM 207.
The display form of the character of the candidate extracted by the cooperation of the RAM 206 and the central processing unit 202 is controlled so as to be changeable, and the display form table selectively set is input to the input candidate extracting unit 102 through the external recording unit 105. To instruct.

The display unit 104 displays, from the characters input from the input device 201, processing contents indicating character candidates which may be input next and are extracted by cooperation of the ROM 207, the RAM 206, and the central processing unit 202. The information is displayed on the display device 203. The past input recording unit 106 reads the characters input from the input device 201 and outputs the input candidate extraction unit 102 to the central processing unit 20.
2 performs a reference process when extracting candidate characters, and stores characters continuously input by the input device 201 into the RAM 206.
To record. The database reference unit 107 includes the input device 20
The ROM 207 performs reference processing when the central processing unit 202, which is the input candidate extracting unit 102, extracts candidate characters from the characters input in step 1.

The operation of the input assist system in the character input device 50 will be described with reference to a display form table with reference to the main flowchart of FIG. Note that the entire character information to be input from the input device 201 is “Akai wa Aki wa Akinoiro” (“red leaves, autumn becomes autumn color”), and the fifth character has already been reached, "Akaiha" has been input, and it is assumed that the input starts from the sixth character "A".

First, in step 301, the input of the sixth character "A" by the input device 201 is accepted. Step 302
Then, as shown in the left column of FIG. 4, reference is made to “red”, “blue”, “green”, etc. from the contents of the past input items of the past input recording unit 106 that have been input in the past. In step 303, FIG.
As shown in the right column of FIG.
Reference is made to "you", "aki", "red", etc. from the contents of the database stored in the OM 207. Step 30
In step 4, the next input candidate is extracted by the input candidate extracting unit 102 from the reference contents of the steps 302 and 303. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, "red" is extracted as a candidate as data that matches in the reference contents of step 302 and step 303 and has either the use frequency or the data registration order higher. In step 305, an instruction to change the display form of the next candidate and the extracted “red” is recorded in the external recording unit 105.
In step 306, the next candidate and the extracted “red” are displayed on the display device 203 in the display format based on the instruction to change the display format recorded in the external recording unit 105. In step 307, the RAM 206 and the central processing unit determine whether or not characters have been continuously input from the input operation unit 101.
Extract using 202 linkage. If it is determined in step 307 that characters have been continuously input, the process proceeds to step 308. On the other hand, if the user has executed the input work stop processing in step 307, the input assist system is ended.

In step 308, the characters continuously inputted in steps 301 and 307 are additionally recorded, for example, continuously for each punctuation mark. For example, when "A" is continuously input after "A" of the sixth character, "Aki" is recorded in the past input recording unit 106. In step 309, the input "Aki" is created as a past input object table in which the nth character is "A" and the (n + 1) th character is "G", as shown in FIG. By repeating the above process,
When inputting the ninth character “A” in “Akai wa Aki wa Akinoiro”, the past input object table created in Step 309 is referred to in Step 302 to make “Ki” as the next candidate. Is selected.

The details of step 305 will be described with reference to the subroutine flowchart of FIG. In step 305,
A display mode table for changing the display mode of the character determined as the next candidate on the screen of the display device 203 as the display unit 104 is read from the RAM 206. Here, the input assisting system will be described with an example in which an enlarged table is read as a display form table.

First, in step 30511, the designated enlargement table number is set. In step 30512, it is determined whether or not the enlargement table number designated in step 30511 exists. In step 30513, the step 30511
If there is no enlargement table number specified in the above, as shown in FIG. 8, for example, the initial value of the enlargement table number is “1”.
Therefore, the enlargement table number “1” is set. In Step 30514, the above-mentioned Step 30511 or the above-mentioned Step
As shown in FIG. 8, for example, the enlargement table number “1” and the enlargement table contents “the number of dots indicating the input candidate is +4”, as shown in FIG.
I Read. In step 30515, an instruction to enlarge the enlarged contents read in step 30514 is issued. The content instructed to be enlarged in step 30515 is the
At 306, it is displayed on the screen of the display device 203. FIG. 9 shows an example of a screen using the enlargement table. In this example, the “RE” button on the screen is enlarged and displayed.

As described above, the input assisting system combines the data input in the past with the elements of the database, and incorporates a large number of elements for the prediction processing.
A multiplicity of next candidates can be predicted, and input operations when repeatedly inputting a character string or the like become easy. In addition, the input assist system predicts what will be input from character data input in the past, and displays the predicted character on the screen of the display device 203 in a different display form, so that the user can select the next candidate. The character determined to be can be accurately recognized.

In the above description, an example in which the enlarged table is selected as the display mode table has been described. The following describes another display mode table read from the RAM 206, and the character determined as the next candidate is displayed on the screen of the display device 203. Here is an example of changing the display. Here, each subroutine of step 305 will be sequentially described with reference to each flowchart of FIGS. 10 to 14, examples of contents of each display mode table will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 19, and examples of corresponding screen displays will be sequentially described with reference to FIGS. 20 to 24. .

An example in which the floating table is selected will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step 30521, the designated floating table number is set. Step 30
At 522, it is determined whether or not the floating table number specified at the step 30521 exists. Step 30523
If there is no floating table number designated in step 30521, as shown in FIG. 15, for example, the initial value of the floating table number is "1", so that the floating table number "1" is set. Step 3052
In step 4, the step 30521 or the step 30523
For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the floating table number "1" is added to the floating table number "1" for the floating table number "1".
Read "2." In step 30525, an instruction is given for lifting the contents of the lifting read in step 30524. The contents instructed to float in step 30525 are displayed on the screen of the display device 203 in step 306. FIG. 20 shows an example of a screen using the floating table. In this example, the “RE” button on the screen is displayed in a raised manner.

An example in which a color table is selected will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step 30531, the designated color table number is set. In step 30532, it is determined whether or not the color table number specified in step 30531 exists. In step 30533, if there is no color table number designated in step 30531, as shown in FIG. 16, for example, the initial value of the color table number is “1”, so the color table number “1” is set. I do. Step 30
At 534, the step 30531 or the step 30533
For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the color table number “1” is read for the color table number “1”, and the color table content “red” is read based on the color table number designated by the user. In step 30535, step 30
A color instruction is given for the color content read in 534. The contents designated by the color in step 30535 are displayed on the screen of the display device 203 in step 306. FIG. 21 shows a screen example based on the color table. In this example, only the “RE” button on the screen is displayed, for example, changing to red.

An example in which the thickness table is selected will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step 30541, the designated thickness table number is set. In step 30542, it is determined whether or not the thickness table number specified in step 30541 exists. In step 30543, the step 30
If there is no thickness table number designated in 541, as shown in FIG. 17, for example, the initial value of the thickness table number is “1”, so the thickness table number “1” is set. In step 30544, according to the thickness table number specified in step 30541 or step 30543,
As shown in FIG. 17, for example, for the thickness table number “1”, the content of the thickness table “the number of dots of the thickness indicating the input candidate is +1” is read. In step 30545, a thickness instruction is issued for the thickness content read in step 30544. The content whose thickness has been designated in step 30545 is displayed on the screen of the display device 203 in step 306. FIG. 22 shows a screen example based on the color table.
In this example, only the “RE” button on the screen is displayed in bold.

An example in which the blinking table is selected will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step 30551, the designated blinking table number is set. In step 30552, it is determined whether or not the blinking table number designated in step 30551 exists. In step 30553, step 30
If there is no blinking table number designated by 551, as shown in FIG. 18, for example, the initial value of the blinking table number is “1”, so the blinking table number “1” is set. In step 30554, as shown in FIG. 18, for example, the blinking table number "1" is read from the blinking table number "1" for the blinking table number "1" according to the blinking table number designated in step 30551 or step 30553. In step 30555, a blinking instruction is issued for the blinking content read in step 30554. Step 30555
The content instructed to blink by is displayed on the screen of the display device 203 in step 306. FIG. 23 shows a screen example by blinking. In this example, only the “RE” button on the screen blinks at one second intervals and is displayed.

FIG. 14 shows an example in which a combination table is selected.
It will be described based on. First, in step 30561, the designated combination table number is set. Step 3056
In step 2, it is determined whether or not the combination table number specified in step 30561 exists. Step 3056 above
If there is no combination table number specified in 1, the combination table number "1" is set in step 30563, for example, as shown in FIG. 19, since the initial value of the combination table number is "1". Step 3056
In step 4, based on the combination table number specified in step 30561 or step 30563, as shown in FIG. 19, for example, the combination table contents are “enlargement instruction”, “lift up instruction” for combination table number “9”. "No color", "Color indication", "Thickness indication", "Flashing indication".

In step 30565, the above-mentioned step 30564 is executed.
The presence or absence of the combination contents read in is determined. Similarly, in step 30566, it is determined whether or not there is any floating instruction content of the combination content read in step 30564. Further, in step 30567, it is determined whether or not there is a color instruction content of the combination content read in step 30564. Further, in step 30568, it is determined whether or not there is any thickness instruction content of the combination content read in step 30564. Further, in step 30569, the aforementioned step 30564
It is determined whether or not there is a blink instruction content of the combination content read in.

Next, in step 3056A, processing for instructing enlargement is performed when there is enlargement instruction content in step 30565. The flowchart of step 3056A performs the same processing (step 30511 to step 30515) as the subroutine of the enlargement table shown in FIG. In step 3056B, if there is a floating instruction content in step 30566, a process of giving a floating instruction is performed. The flowchart of step 3056B is similar to the subroutine of the floating table shown in FIG.
(Steps 30521 to 30525) are performed, and thus description thereof is omitted. In Step 3056C, Step 3056
If there is a color instruction content in step 7, a process of giving a color instruction is performed.
The flowchart of step 3056C is similar to the subroutine of the color table shown in FIG.
Step 30535) is performed, and a description thereof will be omitted. In step 3056D, if there is the thickness instruction content in step 30568, a process of instructing the thickness is performed. Step 3056
The flowchart of D is similar to the subroutine of the thickness table shown in FIG.
30545) is performed, and the description is omitted. Step 3056
In E, when the content of the flashing instruction is present in the step 30569, a process of giving a flashing instruction is performed. In the flowchart of step 3056E, the same processing (step 30551 to step 30555) as the subroutine of the blinking table shown in FIG. 13 is performed, and thus the description is omitted.

At step 30564, as shown in FIG. 19, for example, for the combination table number "9", the contents of the combination table are "enlargement instruction", "no floating instruction", "color instruction", "thick". When "read instruction is present" and "flashing instruction is present", the contents of the instruction are displayed on the screen of the display device 203 in step 306. FIG. 24 shows a screen example using the combination table. In this example, only the “RE” button on the screen is enlarged, changes to red, becomes thicker, and blinks at one-second intervals.

In the character input device 50, the input candidate extracting unit 30
Characters that may be entered next as candidates according to (6) include general characters, informal symbols, dictionary words, preset data dictionary words, editing functions for words, phrases, sentences, and figures, and phrases, sentences, and figures. An input character determination table having an operation function such as an input device or an input device is read from the RAM 206.

The operation of the input assist system in the character input device 50 will be described for each of the input character determination tables.
This will be described below with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

An example in which an abbreviated code is used as an input character determination table to determine an input candidate will be described. First,
In step 371, input of data from the input device 201 is accepted. In step 372, the past input recording unit 106 uses the past input data stored in the RAM 206 to process the data input in step 371, for example, the input data "i" as shown in FIG. hand,
Reference is made to past input items such as "", "&", and "!". At step 373, the database reference unit 107
As shown in FIG. 27, using the idiom dictionary stored in M207 and a database of data used by other users in the past, as shown in FIG. , The database "U", "", "&" and so on.

Next, at step 374, the RAM 206,
Using the cooperation of the ROM 207 and the central processing unit 202, the input candidate extraction unit 102 determines the next input candidate from the reference contents referred to in the steps 372 and 373. For example, as shown in FIG.
And the abbreviation code "" that matches the reference in step 373
Is determined as the next data input candidate. Step 37
In step 5, the display control unit 103 records an instruction to change the display mode based on the display mode table in the external recording unit 105 in the same manner as in step 305, as in step 305. .

In step 376, “” determined as the next candidate is displayed on the display device 203 based on the instruction to change the display mode recorded in the external recording unit 105. In step 377, it is determined using the cooperation between the RAM 206 and the central processing unit 202 whether or not characters have been continuously input from the input operation unit 101. If it is determined in step 377 that characters have been continuously input, the flow shifts to step 378. On the other hand, if the user has executed the input work stop processing in step 377, the input assist system is ended.

At step 378, the characters continuously inputted at steps 371 and 377 are additionally recorded continuously. In step 379, as shown in FIG. 29, a past input object table is created in which the nth character is "i" and the (n + 1) th character is "". Further, “i” and the next input data such as “”, “&”, “!”, Etc. are stored in the past input recording unit 10 using the cooperation of the RAM 206 and the central processing unit 202.
6 records or updates the past input contents as input data and the next input data candidate.

FIG. 30 shows an example of a screen displayed on the screen of the display device 203 in the step 376. In this example, only the button "" on the screen is enlarged and displayed.

A case where a dictionary word is used as an input character determination table and input candidates are determined will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step 371, data input from the input device 201 is accepted. Step 37
In FIG. 31, the past input recording unit 106 uses the past input data stored in the RAM 206 as shown in FIG.
For the input data "no", the past input object "face",
References such as "daily report" and "person". In step 373,
As shown in FIG. 32, the database reference unit 107 uses the idiom dictionary stored in the ROM 207 and a database such as data used by other users in the past as shown in FIG. , "Accounting", "daily report", etc. are referred to.

Next, at step 374, the RAM 206
Using the cooperation of the ROM 207 and the central processing unit 202, the input candidate extraction unit 102 determines the next input candidate from the reference contents referred to in the steps 372 and 373. For example, as shown in FIG.
And the dictionary word "daily" that matches in the reference contents of step 373
Is determined as the next data input candidate. Step 37
In step 5, the display control unit 103 records the instruction to change the display mode based on the display mode table in the external recording unit 105 in the same manner as in step 305, with the "daily report" determined as the next input candidate in step 374. I do.

In step 376, the "daily report" determined as the next candidate is displayed on the display device 203 based on the instruction to change the display mode recorded in the external recording unit 105. In step 377, it is determined using the cooperation between the RAM 206 and the central processing unit 202 whether or not characters have been continuously input from the input operation unit 101. If it is determined in step 377 that characters have been continuously input, the flow shifts to step 378. On the other hand, if the user has executed the input work stop processing in step 377, the input assist system is ended.

At step 378, the characters continuously inputted at steps 371 and 377 are additionally recorded continuously. In step 379, as shown in FIG. 34, a past input object table is created in which the n-th character is "no" and the (n + 1) -th character is "daily report". In addition, the next input data as "the," "face", "Daily", and the like "people", RAM20
6 and the central processing unit 202, the past input recording unit 106 records and updates the contents of the past input as input data and the next input data candidate.

FIG. 35 shows an example of a screen displayed on the screen of the display device 203 in step 376. In this example, only the “daily report” button on the screen is displayed in red.

An example in which data set by the user in advance is used as an input character determination table to determine an input candidate will be described. First, in step 371, data input from the input device 201 is accepted. In step 372, the past input recording unit 106 uses the past input data stored in the RAM 206 to process the data input in step 371, for example, the input data "ha" as shown in FIG. Then, refer to the past input items such as “SOS text”, “this morning”, “SST text”. In step 373, the database reference unit 107 uses the idiom dictionary stored in the ROM 207 and a database such as data used by other users in the past as shown in FIG. For example, for the input data "ha", reference is made to the database "future", "SST publication sentence", "yesterday" and the like.

Next, at step 374, the RAM 206
Using the cooperation of the ROM 207 and the central processing unit 202, the input candidate extraction unit 102 determines the next input candidate from the reference contents referred to in the steps 372 and 373. For example, as shown in FIG.
And the data "SST publication sentence" set in advance by the user who matches with the reference contents of step 373 is determined as the next data input candidate. In step 375, the “SST publication sentence” determined as the next input candidate in step 374
In the same manner as in step 305, the display control unit 103 records an instruction to change the display mode in the display mode table in the external recording unit 105.

In step 376, the "SST publication sentence" determined as the next candidate is displayed on the display device 203 based on the instruction to change the display mode recorded in the external recording unit 105. In step 377, the RAM 206 and the central processing unit 20 determine whether or not characters have been continuously input from the input operation unit 101.
Judge using the cooperation of 2. If it is determined in step 377 that characters have been continuously input, the flow shifts to step 378. On the other hand, if the user has executed the input work stop processing in step 377, the input assist system is ended.

At step 378, the characters continuously inputted at steps 371 and 377 are additionally recorded continuously. In step 379, as shown in FIG. 39, a past input material table is created in which the n-th character is "wa" and the (n + 1) th character is "SOS publication sentence", "this morning", "SST publication sentence" and the like. In addition, “HA” and the next input data “SOS text”, “This morning”, “SST text”, etc.
The past input recording unit 106 records and updates past input contents as input data and the next input data candidate using the cooperation between the M206 and the central processing unit 202.

FIG. 40 shows an example of a screen displayed on the screen of the display device 203 in the step 376. In this example, only "SST posted text" on the screen is displayed in red.

As a candidate character, a case where a notation of a function button for editing or assisting a phrase, a sentence, or a figure is used as an input character determination table to determine an input candidate will be exemplified. First, in step 371, data input from the input device 201 is accepted. In step 372, the past input recording unit 106 uses the past input data stored in the RAM 206 to process the data input in step 371, for example, the input data "", as shown in FIG. And the past input "[Reverse] button"
Refer to “[←] button”, “te”, etc. Step 37
In FIG. 42, the database reference unit 107 uses the idiom dictionary stored in the ROM 207 and a database such as data used by other users in the past as shown in FIG.
With respect to the data input in step 301, for example, the input data "ke", reference is made to the database "ma", "[backward] button", "[return] button" and the like.

Next, at step 374, the RAM 206
Using the cooperation of the ROM 207 and the central processing unit 202, the input candidate extraction unit 102 determines the next input candidate from the reference contents referred to in the steps 372 and 373. For example, as shown in FIG.
And the editing function "[back] button" for the input phrase, sentence, figure, etc., which matches the reference content of step 373, is determined as the next data input candidate. In step 375, the "[reverse] button" determined as the next input candidate in step 374 is set in the same manner as in step 305 described above.
The display control unit 103 records an instruction to change the display mode based on the display mode table in the external recording unit 105.

In step 376, the "[back] button" determined as the next candidate is displayed on the display device 203 based on the instruction to change the display mode recorded in the external recording unit 105. In step 377, the RAM 206 and the central processing unit determine whether or not characters have been continuously input from the input operation unit 101.
Judgment is made using the 202 linkage. If it is determined in step 377 that characters have been continuously input, the flow shifts to step 378. On the other hand, if the user has executed the input work stop processing in step 377, the input assist system is ended.

At step 378, the characters continuously inputted at steps 371 and 377 are additionally recorded continuously. In step 379, as shown in FIG. 44, the n-th character is “ke” and the (n + 1) -th character is “[Reverse] button”,
It is created as a past input object table with “[←] button” and “te”. In addition, "ke" and the next input data such as "[back] button", "[←] button", "te" etc.
The past input recording unit 106 records and updates the past input contents as input data and the next input data candidate using the cooperation of the RAM 206 and the central processing unit 202.

FIG. 45 shows an example of a screen displayed on the screen of the display device 203 in the step 376. In this example, only the “[Reverse] button” on the screen is displayed enlarged.

As a candidate character, a notation of a function button for editing or assisting a phrase, a sentence, or a figure is used as an input character determination table, and another example in which an input candidate is determined will be described. First, in step 371, the input device 20
Accepts data input from 1. In step 372, the past input recording unit 106 uses the past input data stored in the RAM 206 to process the data input in step 371, for example, the input data "2", as shown in FIG. Then, reference is made to the past input “3”, “[number] button”, “[half-width] button” and the like. At step 373, the database reference unit 107
As shown in FIG. 47, using the idiom dictionary stored in M207 and a database of data used by other users in the past, as shown in FIG. , Database "[line feed] button", "1", "[number] button" and so on.

Next, at step 374, the RAM 206
Using the cooperation of the ROM 207 and the central processing unit 202, the input candidate extraction unit 102 determines the next input candidate from the reference contents referred to in the steps 372 and 373. For example, as shown in FIG.
"[Numerical] button", such as the input word, sentence, figure or input device that matches the reference content of step 373
Is determined as the next data input candidate. Step 37
In step 5, the display control unit 103 outputs an instruction to change the display mode based on the display mode table to the external recording unit in the same manner as in step 305, as in step 305. Record at 105.

In step 376, the "[number] button" determined as the next candidate is displayed on the display device 203 based on the instruction to change the display mode recorded in the external recording unit 105. In step 377, the RAM 206 and the central processing unit determine whether or not characters have been continuously input from the input operation unit 101.
Judgment is made using the 202 linkage. If it is determined in step 377 that characters have been continuously input, the flow shifts to step 378. On the other hand, if the user has executed the input work stop processing in step 377, the input assist system is ended.

At step 378, the characters continuously inputted at steps 371 and 377 are additionally recorded continuously. In step 379, as shown in FIG. 49, a past input object table is created in which the n-th character is “2” and the n + 1-th character is “3”, “[number] button”, and “[half-width] button”. . Further, the past input recording unit 106 stores “2” and the next input data such as “3”, “[number] button”, “[half-width] button”, etc. using the cooperation of the RAM 206 and the central processing unit 202. Record or update the input data as the input data and the next input data candidate.

FIG. 50 shows an example of a screen displayed on the screen of the display device 203 in the step 376. In this example, only the "[number] button" on the screen is displayed in an enlarged manner. In the above embodiment, each example of character input for Japanese is shown, but it will be understood that the present invention can also be used for character input for English.

[0060]

According to the present invention, when a character to be input is predicted from character data input in the past, a display form desired by the user can be changed so that the user can accurately recognize the predicted character. . Candidate characters are
It is displayed in an enlarged display, raised display, color change display, bold display, blinking display or a combination of these, so it is arranged when the position of the candidate character data is small or in an irregular order. Even if there is, make it easier to determine what indicates the next data.

The input candidates recorded in the recording unit are not only general characters, but also abbreviated codes, dictionary words, data dictionary words set in advance, function buttons for editing words, sentences, figures, and the like, or Since there is an auxiliary operation button for assisting an input operation in the input operation unit, a large number of character data can be incorporated for prediction of input candidates, and prediction of input candidate data can be diversified. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a character input device having an input assisting system capable of performing an input operation easily and performing accurate display.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a device block diagram of an input assistance system of a character input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the input assistance system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a main flowchart for explaining the operation of a display control unit in the input assistance system.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining table creation in the flowchart of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining input candidate determination in the flowchart of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an exemplary view for explaining an example of creating a past input object table in the flowchart of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of an enlargement table.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an enlargement table.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display using an enlargement table.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a floating table.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine of a color table.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a thickness table.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a blinking table.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a combination table.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a floating table.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a color table.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a thickness table.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a blinking table.

FIG. 19 illustrates a combination table.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display using a floating table.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display using a color table.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display using a thickness table.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display by a blinking table.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display by a combination table.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating an input character determination table in the input assistance system.

FIG. 26 is a view for explaining the contents of a past input object table in the flowchart of FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a view for explaining the contents of a database in the flowchart of FIG. 25;

FIG. 28 is an exemplary view for explaining an example of input candidate determination in the flowchart of FIG. 25;

FIG. 29 is a view for explaining an example of creating a past input object table in the flowchart of FIG. 25;

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display based on an input character determination table.

FIG. 31 is a view for explaining another example of the contents of the past input object table in the flowchart of FIG. 25;

FIG. 32 is an exemplary view for explaining another example of the contents of the database in the flowchart of FIG. 25;

FIG. 33 is an exemplary view for explaining another example of input candidate determination in the flowchart of FIG. 25;

FIG. 34 is a view for explaining another example of creating a past input object table in the flowchart of FIG. 25;

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display by the input character determination table.

FIG. 36 is a view for explaining another example of the contents of the past input object table in the flowchart of FIG. 25;

FIG. 37 is a view for explaining another example of the contents of the database in the flowchart of FIG. 25;

FIG. 38 is an exemplary view for explaining another example of input candidate determination in the flowchart of FIG. 25;

FIG. 39 is an exemplary view for explaining another example of creating a past input object table in the flowchart of FIG. 25;

FIG. 40 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display based on an input character determination table.

FIG. 41 is a view for explaining another example of the contents of the past input object table in the flowchart of FIG. 25;

FIG. 42 is an exemplary view for explaining another example of the contents of the database in the flowchart of FIG. 25;

FIG. 43 is an exemplary view for explaining another example of the input candidate determination in the flowchart of FIG. 25;

FIG. 44 is a view for explaining another example of creating a past input object table in the flowchart of FIG. 25;

FIG. 45 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display based on an input character determination table.

FIG. 46 is a view for explaining another example of the contents of the past input object table in the flowchart of FIG. 25;

FIG. 47 is an exemplary view for explaining another example of the contents of the database in the flowchart of FIG. 25;

FIG. 48 is an exemplary view for explaining another example of input candidate determination in the flowchart of FIG. 25;

FIG. 49 is an exemplary view for explaining another example of creating a past input object table in the flowchart of FIG. 25;

FIG. 50 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display by the input character determination table.

FIG. 51 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display during a conventional input operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 input operation unit 102 input candidate extraction unit 103 display control unit 104 display unit 105 external storage unit 106 past input recording unit 107 database reference unit 201 input device 202 central processing unit 203 display device 204 external recording device 205 magnetic recording device 206 RAM 207 ROM

Continued on front page F term (reference) 5B020 CC12 FF17 FF53 GG13 5E501 AA14 AC34 BA05 BA08 CA03 CB09 EA12 FA13 FA42 FB04 FB28 FB30 FB44

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An input operation unit, a display unit, a recording unit that records a previously input character as an input candidate, and a candidate input following a newly input character based on the recorded character. An input candidate extracting unit for extracting characters of the character, and a display control unit for controlling character display on the display unit, wherein the display control unit displays the extracted candidate characters in a display form different from the already displayed characters. A character input device characterized in that the character input device is displayed on a unit. 2. The extracted candidate character is displayed in one of an enlarged display, a raised display, a color change display, a bold display, and a blinking display, or a combination thereof. Character input device. 3. An input candidate extraction unit as a candidate character,
3. The character input device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a general character, an abbreviation code, a dictionary word, and a preset data dictionary word is extracted. 4. An input candidate extracting unit as a candidate character,
The character input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the character input device is configured to edit a word, a sentence, or a figure or extract a description of a function button for assisting the editing. 5. An input candidate extracting unit which selects a candidate character based on data in which a previously input character matches a newly input character and in which either the use frequency or the data registration order is higher. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
14. The recording medium according to any one of the preceding claims. 6. A recording medium used for a character input device having an input operation unit and a display unit, wherein a function of recording characters input in the past using the recording unit as input candidates is provided. A function of extracting a candidate character to be input subsequent to a newly input character based on a character recorded using the extracting unit, and controlling a character display on the display unit by using the display control unit. And a function of displaying a candidate character on a display unit in a display mode different from that of a character already displayed.