JP2009157898A - Character selecting device, navigator, and character selection program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make easy selection of character strings which become the same within the limited number of characters. <P>SOLUTION: When characters are input in a retrieval word input field 81 of a retrieval word input screen, keywords corresponding to the characters are displayed in keyword fields 86-88. The maximum number of displayed characters of the keyword fields 86-88 is five characters, and regarding the keywords whose first five characters are common such as "rainbow land", "rainbow sea" and "rainbow store", "rainb" is displayed in one field. When a user selects an integrated display, a navigator further displays the following character strings such as "land", "sea" and "store" in keyword fields 86-88 and has the user select one. When the user selects "land", for instance, the keyword such as "rainbow land" is composed following the "rainbow" selected beforehand. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a character selection device, a navigation device, and a character selection program, for example, a device that supports input of a character string.

In recent years, guiding a vehicle by a navigation device has been actively performed.
The navigation device has a function of searching for a route from a departure place to a destination, a function of detecting a position of the own vehicle using a sensor such as a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite or a gyro, and a route to the destination and the own vehicle. It has a function to display the current location of the map on the map.
In general, in a navigation device, as proposed in Patent Document 1, a plurality of items (name reading, genre, address, etc.) are stored in the destination data, and a place name / facility name of the destination is searched. In this case, candidate points are narrowed down by inputting the name, address, telephone number, etc. from the touch panel.
When input by reading or search by genre is completed, the narrowed candidate points are displayed in a list on the display screen, and a desired destination is designated from the list.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-271084

In such a navigation device, an invention for inputting various search terms with a simple operation is proposed in an unpublished application (Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-195499).
In the present invention, keywords are prepared in advance, and keyword candidates including input characters are displayed to allow a user to select a keyword and assist in inputting a search word.

FIG. 8 is a keyword data file according to a conventional example in which such keywords are stored. As shown in the figure, keywords such as “Rainbow Land”, “Rainbow Sea”, and “Rainbow Store” are stored.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a search word input screen. When a character is appropriately input using the character button group 84, the character is input to the search word input field 81. Then, the keyword corresponding to the character is retrieved from the keyword data file and displayed in the keyword columns 86 to 88.
When the user selects a keyword displayed in the keyword columns 86 to 88, the keyword is input to the search word setting column 89. When the user selects the completion button 85, a search is performed using the keyword input to the search word setting column 89.

However, since the number of characters displayed in the keyword columns 86 to 88 is five, if the five characters in front of the keyword are the same, the same characters are displayed in the keyword columns 86 to 88 and the keyword cannot be identified. .
In this case, after selecting one, check the following part, and if it is different from the intended one, re-enter it, or enter the displayed characters and enter the rest manually. It was.
In the above, an unpublished search using keywords proposed by the applicant has been described as an example, but when displaying a specific character string, the final result is displayed or displayed in the middle of obtaining the final result In any of the cases, there is a similar problem when there are restrictions on the character strings to be displayed.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to facilitate selection of character strings that are the same within a limited number of characters.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a character string storage unit that stores a plurality of character strings to be specified, a character input unit that inputs characters, and the input characters that are input Candidate acquisition means for acquiring a character string including a candidate character string from the character string storage means; display means for displaying the acquired candidate character string in a plurality of candidate display fields in a predetermined number of characters; and the candidate display field Selecting means for selecting the character string displayed in the display, the display means, among the obtained candidate character strings, a candidate character string that is common to all displays when displayed in the candidate display column Collectively, the common character string that is the common character string portion is displayed in one of the candidate display fields, and when the common character string is selected by the selection unit, the common character in each of the summarized candidate character strings Successor following the column Providing character selection apparatus characterized by displaying a string on the candidate display field.
In the invention according to claim 2, the character string storage means divides the character string into a common character string and a subsequent character string, and stores a subsequent character string subsequent to the common character string in association with each other, 2. The character selection device according to claim 1, wherein, when a common character string is selected, the display unit displays a subsequent character string according to the association.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, an excess determining means for determining whether or not the acquired candidate character string exceeds the number of characters of the predetermined unit; Dividing means for dividing by the number of characters of the unit, and when there is a common character string among the divided forward character strings, the display means collectively displays this as a common character string, and the common character The character selection device according to claim 1, wherein, when a column is selected, the divided subsequent character string is displayed as a subsequent character string.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the character selection device according to the first, second, or third aspect, wherein the character string is configured in a unit that makes sense.
In the invention according to claim 5, the display means is configured so that, when the first character of the subsequent character string is a special character, the candidate is such that the first character of the subsequent character string is a character other than the special character. The character selection device according to claim 1, wherein a character string to be displayed in a display field is displayed with a number of characters smaller than the number of characters of the predetermined unit.
In a sixth aspect of the present invention, when there is no subsequent character string in the character string selected by the selection means, a candidate character string corresponding to the sequence of character strings selected by the selection means is output. An output means is provided. The character selection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is provided.
In the invention described in claim 7, destination data search means for searching for destination data using the character string specified by the character selection device described in claim 6, and using the searched destination data There is provided a navigation device characterized by comprising guidance means for guiding a vehicle.
In the invention according to claim 8, from a character input function for inputting characters, and a character string storage means for storing a plurality of character strings to be specified with the character string including the input characters as a candidate character string A candidate obtaining function to obtain, a display function for displaying the obtained candidate character string in a plurality of candidate display fields in a predetermined number of characters, and a selection function for selecting a character string displayed in the candidate display field. A computer-implemented character selection program, wherein the display function collects candidate character strings that are common to all displays when displayed in the candidate display column from among the obtained candidate character strings. A common character string that is a character string portion to be displayed in one candidate display field, and when the common character string is selected by the selection function, a succeeding sentence following the common character string in each of the summarized candidate character strings Providing character selection program and displaying the columns on the candidate display field.

(1) In the invention described in claim 1, common character strings of candidate character strings can be displayed together, and a character string can be efficiently displayed in a column where the number of display characters is limited.
(2) In the invention described in claim 2, a character string can be divided and stored in advance into a common character string and a subsequent character string.
(3) In the invention according to claim 3, when the character string cannot be displayed in the candidate display field, it is divided, and when there is a character string after the division, this is summarized. Can be displayed.
(4) In the invention described in claim 4, when there is no further subsequent character string in the subsequent character string, the character string selected from the candidate character string can be specified by the last subsequent character string.
(5) In the invention described in claim 5, a subsequent character string starting from a character other than the special character can be displayed in the candidate display field.
(6) In the invention described in claim 6, common character strings of candidate character strings can be displayed together.
(7) In the invention described in claim 7, the destination data can be acquired by the character string specified by the character selection device described in claim 6, and the vehicle can be guided.
(8) In the invention according to claim 8, a character selection program capable of collectively displaying the common character strings of the candidate character strings and efficiently displaying the character strings in a field where the number of display characters is limited Can be provided.

(1) Outline of Embodiment When characters are input in the search word input field 81 of the search word input screen (FIG. 2A), the corresponding keywords are displayed in the keyword fields 86 to 88 (candidate display fields). The The user can input this in the search word setting field 89 by selecting the displayed keyword.
The maximum number of characters that can be displayed in the keyword fields 86 to 88 is five. For example, the front five characters are common, such as “Reinbo Land”, “Reinbo Sashi”, “Reinbo Toa”, etc. For things, “Reinbo” is displayed together in one column. When the user selects the display combined into one, the navigation device further displays “Lando”, “Shi”, “Sutoa”, and the subsequent character strings in the keyword columns 86 to 88, and the user Ask to choose. For example, when the user selects “Lando”, a keyword is configured such as “Reienbo Land” after “Reienbo” selected previously.

(2) Details of First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a navigation device to which the character selection device of this embodiment is applied.
The navigation device is mounted on a vehicle and includes a current position detection device 10, an information processing control device 20, an input / output device 40, and an information storage device 50 as shown in FIG.
First, the current position detection device 10 has the following configuration. The absolute direction sensor 11 is, for example, a geomagnetic sensor that detects in which direction the vehicle is located based on detection of the N direction based on a magnet, and may be any means that detects the absolute direction.

The relative azimuth sensor 12 detects, for example, whether or not an intersection is bent, and may be an optical rotation sensor attached to a rotating part of a handle, a rotational resistance volume, or an angle sensor attached to a wheel part.
Further, a gyro sensor that detects a change in angle using an angular velocity may be used. That is, any means capable of detecting an angle that has changed relative to the reference angle (absolute direction) may be used.
The distance sensor 13 may be, for example, one that detects and counts the rotation of a wheel, or one that detects acceleration and integrates twice. That is, any means capable of measuring the moving distance of the vehicle may be used.

The GPS receiver 14 is a device that receives a signal from an artificial satellite, and can obtain various information such as the signal transmission time, the position information of the receiver, the moving speed of the receiver, and the traveling direction of the receiver.
The beacon receiving device 15 is a device that receives a signal transmitted from a transmitting device installed at a specific point. In particular, VICS information can be obtained, and information related to vehicle travel such as traffic jam information, current position information, and parking lot information can be obtained.

The data transmission / reception device 16 is a device for communicating with the outside of the vehicle using a telephone line or radio waves and exchanging information.
For example, there are various usage methods such as a car phone, ATIS, VICS, GPS correction, and inter-vehicle communication, and it is possible to input / output information related to traveling.
Next, the information processing control device 20 performs calculation and control based on the information input from the current position detection device 10 and the input / output device 40 and the information stored in the information storage device 50, and displays the calculation result on the display 42. , A means for controlling to output to the output means such as the printer 43 or the speaker 44.

The information processing control device 20 has the following configuration.
The central processing unit (CPU) 21 performs overall calculation and control of the entire navigation device.
The first ROM 22 stores a navigation program, in particular, a navigation program related to current position detection, route search, display guidance, and the like.
The sensor input interface 23 is a means for receiving information from the current position detection device 10.

The RAM 24 stores information input by the user such as destination information and passage point information input by the input device 41, which will be described later, and results calculated by the CPU 21 based on the user input information, This is a storage means for storing a route search result or map information read from the information storage device 50.
The communication interface 25 is a means for inputting / outputting information from the current position detecting means 10, particularly information obtained from the outside.

The second ROM 26 stores a program related to navigation, a navigation program related to voice guidance, particularly a character selection program for performing character selection processing described later.
The image processor 27 is processing means for processing the vector information processed by the CPU 21 into image information.
The clock 28 keeps time.
The image memory 29 is means for storing image information processed by the image processor 27.
The audio processor 30 processes the audio information read from the information storage device 50 and outputs it to the speaker 44.

The input / output device 40 includes an input device 41 for inputting data such as a destination, a passage point, and a search condition by a user, a display 42 for displaying an image, a printer 43 for printing information, and a speaker 44 for outputting sound. The The input device 41 includes, for example, a touch panel, a touch switch, a joystick, a key switch, and the like disposed on the surface of the display 42.
The display 42 displays a map around the current location, various operation screens, and a travel route to the destination.

The information storage device 50 is connected to the information processing control device 20 via the transmission path 45.
The information storage device 50 includes a map data file 51, an intersection data file 52, a node data file 53, a road data file 54, a photo data file 55, a destination data file 56, a guidance point data file 57, a keyword data file 58, and offset data. A file 59 and other data files 60 are stored.
The information storage device 50 is generally composed of a DVD-ROM or CD-ROM that is an optical storage medium, or a hard disk that is a magnetic storage medium, but various information such as a magneto-optical disk and a semiconductor memory. You may comprise with a storage medium.

  The map data file 51 stores map data such as a national road map, a road map of each region, or a house map. The road map is composed of roads such as main arterial roads, expressways and narrow streets, and ground targets (facility etc.). A house map is a city map in which a figure representing an outer shape of a ground structure, a road name, and the like are displayed. A narrow street is, for example, a relatively narrow road having a road width equal to or less than a predetermined value below a national road or prefectural road, and road to which traffic regulation information such as “one-way” is not added.

  In the intersection data file 52, data on intersections such as the geographical position coordinates and names of the intersections are stored in the road data file 54. Is the road location and type, the number of lanes, and road-related data such as the connection relationship between the roads, and the photo data file 55 shows various facilities, sightseeing spots, or places where visual indications such as major intersections are required. The image data of the copied photograph is stored in the guide point data file 57. The guidance data of the point where guidance is required, such as the content of the guidance display board installed on the road and the guidance of the branch point, is stored in another data file 60. Other data are stored in the.

Although details will be described later, the destination data file 56 includes, for example, “Tokyo Rainbow Land”, a character string for displaying on the display 42 facilities and sightseeing spots for setting the destination, "Tokyo / Reinland" etc., and a search key for searching for the character string are stored.
The keyword data file 58 stores keywords for supporting the input of search terms, and the offset data file 59 stores keywords that follow the keywords in the keyword data file 58.

As will be described later, in the present embodiment, the keywords of the keyword data file 58 and the offset data file 59 are used as a plurality of character strings to be specified.
For this reason, the information storage device 50 functions as a character string storage unit that stores a plurality of character strings to be specified by the keyword data file 58 and the offset data file 59.
It should be noted that a modification in which a character string for displaying a facility or the like for setting as a destination instead of a keyword or a search key is a plurality of character strings to be specified is also possible.

FIG. 2A is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the display 42 on which the search word input screen is displayed.
A touch panel constituting the input device 41 (FIG. 1) is formed on the surface of the display 42. When the user touches a button or the like displayed on the display 42, information corresponding to the button is input to the navigation device 1. Can be done.
The search word input field 81 is a field for inputting the character selected by the character button group 84. In the figure, the “Re” button is selected, and “Re” is displayed in the search term input field 81. It is also possible to input a plurality of characters.
The search term input field 81 functions as a character input field for inputting characters. Thus, the navigation device 1 includes character input means for inputting characters.

The keyword columns 86 to 88 are columns that display, as a candidate character string, keywords corresponding to the characters input in the search word input column 81, for example, which are searched for by front matching, and function as candidate display columns.
These fields assist the user's input operation by the navigation device 1 predicting and displaying the character string that the user is about to input.
In the present embodiment, the maximum number of display characters (the number of characters in a predetermined unit) is 5, and a maximum of 5 characters can be displayed.
The user can select a keyword by touching any one of the keyword columns 86 to 88.

  As described above, the navigation device 1 includes a candidate acquisition unit that acquires, from the character string storage unit (information storage device 50), a character string including the input character that has been input as a candidate character string, and the acquired candidate character string (searched) Display means for displaying a keyword) in a plurality of candidate display fields (keyword fields 86 to 88) in a predetermined number of characters N (for example, 5 characters), and a character string displayed in the candidate display field, for example, a user The selection means to select by selection operation (touch) from is provided.

In the example of the figure, the keyword columns 86 to 88 include keywords corresponding to “re” input in the search word input column 81, such as “reinbo”, “rekishi”, and “restraun”, respectively. The first five characters of (character string) are displayed.
In the keyword field 86, “Reinbo” corresponds to the three keywords “Reinbo Land”, “Reinbo Shishi”, and “Reinbo Toa”. Since these keywords have the same five characters in front, they are displayed in the keyword column 86 as a representative.

The search word setting field 89 is a field for determining a search word. When a character selected by the character button group 84 is input, and a keyword is selected by the keyword fields 86 to 88, a keyword is input. Is done.
For example, when “Re” is selected by the character button group 84, “Re” is displayed in the search word setting field 89, and a keyword corresponding to “Re” is displayed in the keyword fields 86 to 88.
When the user selects “REINBO” in the keyword field 86, the display in the search word setting field 89 changes to “REINBO”.

The display of the search word setting field 89 is displayed in an unconfirmed mode, for example, by enclosing with a symbol such as [or] when a part of a keyword is input. Is displayed in the confirmation mode.
The completion button 85 is a button for confirming the search word in the search word setting field 89, and the correction button 82 is a button for correcting the input in the search word input field 81 and the search word setting field 89, and the return button 83. Is a button for returning to the screen before the transition to the search word input screen.

When “REINBO” in the keyword column 86 is selected on the search word input screen configured as described above, the search word input screen is displayed as shown in FIG.
In the keyword columns 86 to 88, “Rando”, “Shi”, and “Sutoa” which are character strings following “Reinbo” are displayed.
The user can select any of the character strings following “Reinbo” by selecting one.
In the example shown in the figure, “Land” is selected, and the keyword “Rein Land” is confirmed and displayed in the search term setting field 89.

As described above, the display means of the navigation device 1 displays the candidate character strings (keywords) obtained from the character string memory means (information storage device 50) in the candidate display fields (keyword fields 86 to 88). The candidate character strings (for example, “Reinbo Rando”, “Reinboshii”, “Reinboa Toa”) that all display in common are put together and the common character string part Is displayed in one candidate display field, and when the common character string is selected by the selection means (touch of the keyword fields 86 to 88), the combined character string is displayed. Subsequent character strings (for example, “Lando”, “Shi”, “Satoa”) following the common character string in each candidate character string are displayed in the candidate display column.
Then, when there is no subsequent character string in the character string selected by the selection unit, the navigation device 1 arranges a series of character strings selected by the selection unit (for example, “Reinbo / Rando”). Output means for outputting a candidate character string corresponding to (for example, “reinland”) to the search word setting field 89.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a search result screen, and shows a result of searching for “reinland” input on the search word input screen.
The search result display column 66 is a column for displaying a list of searched spot names. In the example of the figure, up to five items can be displayed at a time, and the top five point names such as “Tokyo Rainbow Land” and “Tohoku Rainbow Land” are displayed in the order of search order.

Here, when the user selects “Tokyo Rainbow Land”, the navigation device 1 searches the information storage device 50 for information such as coordinate values related to “Tokyo Rainbow Land”, sets the information as the destination, and the current position detection device 10. Etc. to guide the vehicle to the destination “Tokyo Rainbow Land”.
As described above, the navigation device 1 functions as a character string selection device that selects a character string (keyword) according to the above procedure, and also includes destination data search means for searching for destination data using the specified character string. And guidance means for guiding the vehicle using the searched destination data.

The detail button 67 is displayed for each spot name, and when the user touches the detail button 67 of the desired spot name, the navigation device 1 searches for spot information corresponding to the spot name and displays it on the display 42.
The previous button 74 and the next button 77 are buttons for scrolling down and scrolling up the point names in the search result display field 66 one by one.

The page buttons 75 and 76 are buttons for scrolling down and scrolling up the point names in the search result display field 66 in page units, respectively.
The scroll bar 71 represents the position of the currently displayed result among all the search results, and can be scrolled up or down by touching and dragging the scroll bar 71.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a logical configuration of the destination data file 56.
The item “point name” is a character string to be searched, and is used to be displayed as a search result on the search result screen.
The location names are classified by semantic units such as “Tokyo / Rainbow Land” and “Universal / Studio / Tokyo”. For example, “Rainbow Land” is highlighted in “Tokyo Rainbow Land”. The character string corresponding to the selected keyword can be displayed in a identifiable manner.

That is, the keyword is composed of an array of character strings composed of meaningful units.
In this way, the division by the semantic unit in advance does not make sense such as “Yunibasa”, “Rusutajio”, etc. if the keyword is divided by the maximum number of display characters as it is. This is to prevent a character string.

The item “search key” is a kana notation of a spot name, and is divided into semantic units corresponding to the spot name.
When the user inputs a search word by inputting characters without inputting a keyword, the corresponding character string is searched using the “search key”.

The item “keyword” is a keyword set for the location name. When the user inputs a keyword, a search is performed using the keyword.
As keywords, for example, “Tokyo Rainbow Land”, “Tokyo”, “Reinland”, etc., a plurality of keywords are set in a semantic unit.
The item “coordinate” is a coordinate value such as the latitude and longitude of the point, and the item “telephone number” is the telephone number of the facility located at the point.

FIG. 5A is a diagram showing an example of a logical configuration of the keyword data file 58.
The item “front keyword” is a character string corresponding to the front five characters of the keyword. This corresponds to the maximum number of characters displayed in the keyword columns 86 to 88, and when the maximum number of characters to be displayed is n, the character string corresponds to the front n characters of the keyword.

The item “number of related items” is the number of offset keywords subsequent to the forward keyword.
For example, there are three offset keywords “Lando”, “Shi”, and “Sutoa” for the front keyword “Reinbo”, so the number of items related to the front keyword “Reinbo” Is 3.

The item “related item” is an offset number of the subsequent offset keyword, and sub-items “offset 1”, “offset 2”,... Are formed corresponding to the offset keyword.
It functions as an offset keyword address in the offset data file 59.

For example, there are “offset 1” to “offset 3” for the forward keyword “reinbo”, and the offset numbers are “25” to “27”, respectively.
In the offset data file 59 described below, the offset keywords with the offset numbers “25” to “27” are “Land”, “Shi”, and “Sutoa”, respectively. Are combined to form the keywords “Reinbo Rando”, “Reinbo Sashi”, and “Reinbo Toa”.

FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating an example of a logical configuration of the offset data file 59.
The offset data file 59 stores a character string following the front keyword.
The item “offset number” is an offset number of the offset keyword.
The item “offset keyword” is an offset keyword following the front keyword, and is a character string within the maximum number of display characters.

The item “configuration level” indicates how many offset keywords are counted from the front keyword.
For example, the keyword “Yuniba Salas Tokyo” has the forward keyword “Yunibasa”, and the offset keywords “Ru”, “Stajio”, “Tokyo” “Ru” is second from the front keyword, and “Sutajio” is third.

The item “number of related items” is the number of offset keywords further following the offset keyword.
For example, the offset keyword “Rando” for the keyword “Reinland” is 0 because there is no subsequent offset keyword, and the offset keyword “Ru” for the keyword “Yuniba Salas Tokyo” is used. Since the subsequent offset keyword “Stajio” exists, it is 1.

The item “related item” records the offset number of the subsequent offset keyword when there is an offset keyword subsequent to the offset keyword.
For example, “Ru” of the offset number “156” is followed by “Stajio” of the offset number “157”, and “Sutajio” is further followed by “Tokyo” of the offset number “158”. Follow.
For this reason, selecting “Yunibasa” as the keyword gives the offset keywords “Ru”, “Stajio”, and “Tokyo”, and the keyword “Yunibaza Studio Tokyo” Is formed.

As described above, in this embodiment, the keywords are classified by the semantic unit and further divided by the maximum number of display characters.
For example, the keyword “Yuniba Sarus” is a semantic category, but since the maximum number of display characters is 5, it is classified as “Yuniba Sa” and “Ru”.

  This is because if you classify only by the maximum number of display characters, the offset keyword that follows "Yunibasa" becomes "Rusutajio" and the meaning becomes unknown, so first classify the keywords by semantic units, What was classified by the semantic unit was classified by the maximum number of display characters.

  In this way, the character string storage means (information storage device 50) divides the character string into a common character string (forward keyword) and a subsequent character string (offset keyword) by the keyword data file 58 and the offset data file 59, and The subsequent character string subsequent to the common character string is stored in association with the offset number, and when the common character string is selected, the display means displays the subsequent character string in accordance with the association.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a procedure for searching for a destination by the navigation device 1.
The following processing is performed by the CPU 21 (FIG. 1) according to a predetermined program.
First, the navigation device 1 accepts input of characters from the character button group 84 (FIG. 2A) on the search word input screen (step 5).
The character may be a single character or a character string composed of a plurality of characters.

When a character is input, the navigation device 1 displays it in the search word input field 81 and searches the keyword data file 58 for a forward keyword that matches the character in advance, and obtains the top three search rankings ( Step 10).
The search order is determined using an appropriate algorithm such as learning from a past history.

Next, the navigation device 1 displays the acquired forward keyword in the keyword columns 86 to 88 (step 15).
And the navigation apparatus 1 receives selection of the keyword (in this case a front keyword) displayed on the keyword columns 86-88 (step 20).

When the navigation device 1 accepts the selection, it confirms the item “related item” in the keyword data file 58 (FIG. 5), and confirms whether a lower configuration level, that is, an offset keyword exists (step 25).
If there is no offset keyword (step 25; N), the navigation device 1 displays the keyword input in the search word setting field 89 in the confirmation mode, and confirms the keyword (step 30).

When the offset keyword exists (step 25; Y), the navigation apparatus 1 uses the offset number to acquire the subsequent offset keyword from the offset data file 59 (FIG. 5) and displays it in the keyword columns 86 to 88 ( Step 15).
In this case, the navigation device 1 sets the search word setting field 89 to the unconfirmed mode.

When the navigation device 1 accepts selection of display in the keyword columns 86 to 88 (step 20), the navigation device 1 displays the offset keyword selected subsequent to the keyword already displayed in the search word setting column 89.
Thereafter, the navigation device 1 repeats steps 15 to 25 until there is no subsequent offset keyword.

  When the navigation device 1 accepts the selection of the completion button 85 after the keyword is determined in the search word setting field 89 in this way (step 35; Y), the navigation device 1 stores the keyword in the destination data file 56 (FIG. 4). The destination is searched by searching for the keyword in the item “keyword” (step 40).

Then, the search results, that is, the destinations are displayed in a list on the search result screen (FIG. 3) (step 45).
On the other hand, when the selection of the completion button 85 is not accepted (step 40; N), the navigation device 1 returns to step 5 and accepts the input of the next keyword.

In the above example, the keywords are classified in units of the maximum number of display characters in advance by the forward keyword and the offset keyword. It can also be configured.
Then, the navigation apparatus 1 can set keywords in the same manner as described above, using the keyword data file 58 and the offset data file 59 updated by learning in this way.

  For example, if the keyword “Yuniba Saar” is used, and the maximum number of characters to be displayed is five, it is divided into “Yuniba Sa” and “Ru” by dividing it into the fifth character from the front. “Yunibasa” can be stored as a forward keyword of the keyword data file 58, “ru” can be stored as an offset keyword of the offset data file 59, and both can be associated by an offset number.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a procedure for dividing a keyword in real time. It is assumed that the maximum number of display characters is 5, and the keyword in the keyword database from which the keyword is acquired is not classified in units of maximum display characters.
When the navigation device 1 acquires a keyword corresponding to the character input by the user from the keyword database (step 60), the navigation device 1 checks whether or not the character exceeds five characters (step 65).

If the number does not exceed 5 characters (step 65; N), the navigation device 1 proceeds with the process as it is.
On the other hand, when it exceeds 5 characters (step 65; Y), the navigation apparatus 1 divides the keyword into 5 characters from the front (step 70).
Then, the navigation device 1 stores and registers the front five characters in the keyword data file 58 as the forward keyword, registers the subsequent character string stored in the offset data file 59 as the offset keyword, and stores these by the offset number. Ordering is performed (step 75).

  In this way, the divided character strings are stored in association with each other in the order in which they are input as a unit, and from the next time, the keyword fields 86 to 88 are created based on the stored data when setting the destination. When the selected content is selected, the same operation as the previous time is guaranteed, and a candidate character string based on the input history divided by the most meaningful unit is presented.

In this example, the navigation apparatus 1 includes an excess determination unit that determines whether or not the acquired candidate character string exceeds a predetermined number of characters N (for example, 5 characters), and if it is determined that the acquired candidate character string exceeds the number of candidate characters. A dividing means for dividing the number of characters in a predetermined unit is provided.
When there is a common character string among the divided forward character strings, the display means collectively displays the character strings as a common character string. When the common character string is selected, the divided subsequent character string is displayed. Is displayed as a subsequent character string.

The following effects can be obtained by the present embodiment described above.
(1) When the character strings to be displayed in the keyword field are common, these can be displayed together as one.
(2) By dividing a keyword into a forward keyword and an offset keyword and storing the keyword, the keyword can be divided in units of the maximum number of display characters.
(3) By dividing and storing the keyword divided by the semantic unit into the forward keyword and the offset keyword, the keyword can be divided by the semantic unit and the maximum number of display characters.
(4) The user can configure a keyword by selecting the displayed forward keyword and offset keyword.
(5) Keywords that are not classified in units of the maximum number of displayable characters are classified in units of the maximum number of characters, and the results are stored in the keyword data file 58 and the offset data file 59, so that keyword division can be learned.

(3) Details of Second Embodiment In the first embodiment described above, a case has been described in which the common character string and the subsequent character string are uniformly divided by the predetermined number of characters (5 characters in the embodiment).
On the other hand, in the second embodiment, when the character string is divided by a predetermined number of characters, in order to avoid the following character string from becoming difficult to understand by becoming a special character such as “tsu”, the following character string The common character string or the succeeding character string (the previous succeeding character string) is displayed with a smaller number of characters than the predetermined number so that the first character is a character other than the special character.

Here, the special character means a long sound "-", a kana character (semitone character).
Abandoned pseudonyms (semitones) are written in small hiragana characters, for example, the sound “tsu”, roaring “nya” “yu”, “other”, “a” “i” “ぅ” “e” “ぉ” ”, Etc.
Note that the sound repellent “n” may also be included in the special character.

The second embodiment will be described below. The system configuration diagram of the navigation device to which the second embodiment is applied is the same as that of the first embodiment.
FIG. 10 shows a delimitation of facility names (keywords) when the number of display characters in the keyword columns 86 to 88 is five.
FIG. 10A shows an example in which the keywords are uniformly divided by 5 display characters, and FIG. 10B shows an example in which the following characters are separated so that the beginning of the subsequent characters is not a special character.

FIG. 11 illustrates a display state of the display 42 when keywords separated by the number of display characters are displayed in the keyword columns 86 to 88 as illustrated in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 11A, the character strings initially displayed in the keyword columns 86 to 88 are displayed as “Sesomitori”, “Segiwarudo”, and so on.
When “Sesomi Sutori-to” is selected on this display screen, as shown in FIG. 11B, the keyword field 86 displays “-to” and a character string starting with a special long sound. This makes it difficult to read the displayed character string.
Even when “Sechigaraiyo” is selected on the screen of FIG. 11A, although not shown, the character string “tto” that is difficult to read is displayed in the keyword display field 86.

FIG. 12 illustrates a display state of the keyword columns 86 to 88 according to the second embodiment.
In the present embodiment, instead of dividing by the number of display characters, as illustrated in FIG. 10B, by separating the subsequent characters so that the beginning of the characters is other than the special characters, the keyword field 86 in FIG. As shown in 88, the number of characters is “Sesomisuto” and “Sechigarai”, which is more than the number of characters to be displayed.
For example, when “Sesomisuto” is selected in the keyword field 86 on this screen, an easy-to-read character string such as “RITO” is displayed in the keyword field 86 as shown in FIG. Can do.
Similarly, when “Sechigarai” is selected, easy-to-read “Yotto” is displayed in the keyword field 86 on the next screen.

  As for the keyword in this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 10B, the preceding character string is shortened and separated so that the first character of the subsequent character becomes a character other than the special character. In one embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 5, keywords may be stored in advance by separating them with a forward keyword and an offset number.

  Further, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, in addition to storing a keyword that is previously partitioned, it may be partitioned when displayed.

However, in the case of the second embodiment, the separation process is performed as follows.
That is, when a character string is displayed in the keyword columns 86 to 88 at the beginning or after that, it is temporarily divided by the number of display character strings (5 in the embodiment described above) corresponding to the character string to be displayed (step A). .
Then, it is determined whether or not the beginning of the character string following the segmentation is a special character (step B).
If the beginning of the character string following the delimiter is not a special character (step B; N), the character string is delimited at a temporary delimiter.
On the other hand, if the beginning of the character string following the delimiter is a special character (step B; Y), the temporary delimiter is copied forward by one character, and the determination of (step B) is performed again.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the subsequent character string displayed in the keyword field can be displayed as an easily recognized character string.

In the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, the navigation device (destination input device) assumed to be used in Japan has been described. That is, the input device 41 for inputting a keyword is composed of Japanese syllabary keys that are Japanese input units, and the destination data file 56 and the keyword data file 58 store data related to destination search in Japan. The specification navigation device has been described.
However, the environment in which the navigation device is used is not limited to Japan. By making the specification of the input device 41 and each data correspond to the region, the input function using the keyword data described above can be used in various countries.

For example, as an example of a navigation device (character selection device) for use outside Japan, a device having an alphabet key corresponding to English (English character) input may be used.
Furthermore, the apparatus may be adapted to input any language such as German, Spanish, French, Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Russian. For example, in the case of a navigation device that supports Chinese input, the input device 41 includes an input keyboard 422 that supports Chinese pinyin input.

The language to be input need not necessarily correspond to the country (region) to be used for the navigation device. For example, a navigation device that supports German input may be used in France. In this case, in the destination data file 56, the keyword data file 58, etc., data to be searched when performing destination search, that is, data to be compared with input characters (for example, destination name, keyword, address, etc.) ) Stores data corresponding to the input language.
In addition to the input language, data corresponding to the language of the country (region) to be used may be stored in the data to be searched.
In addition, data that is not a search target when performing destination search, for example, additional information data, need not store data corresponding to the input language. For example, data corresponding to the input language, data corresponding to the language of the country (region) to be used are stored as the data that is not the search target, Data corresponding to both languages of a given country (region) may be stored.

It is a system configuration figure of a navigation device. It is the figure which showed the search word input screen. It is the figure which showed the search result screen. It is the figure which showed the logical structure of the destination data file. It is the figure which showed logical structures, such as a keyword data file. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the procedure which searches the destination. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the procedure which divides | segments a keyword in real time. It is the figure which showed the conventional keyword data file. It is the figure which showed the conventional search word input screen. It is a figure showing about the division | segmentation of a facility name (keyword) when the number of display characters of a keyword column is five. It is a figure showing the display state of the display at the time of displaying the keyword column for the keyword divided by the number of display characters. It is the figure which illustrated the display state of the keyword column by 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Navigation apparatus 10 Current position detection apparatus 20 Information processing control apparatus 40 Input / output apparatus 41 Input apparatus 42 Display 50 Information storage apparatus 56 Destination data file 58 Keyword data file 59 Offset data file 81 Search term input field 82 Correction button 83 Return button 84 Character buttons 85 Complete button 86 Keyword field 87 Keyword field 88 Keyword field 89 Search word setting field

Claims (8)

Character string storage means for storing a plurality of character strings to be specified;
A character input means for inputting characters;
Candidate acquisition means for acquiring from the character string storage means a character string including the inputted input character as a candidate character string;
Display means for displaying the acquired candidate character string in a plurality of candidate display fields in a predetermined number of characters;
Selecting means for selecting a character string displayed in the candidate display field,
The display means includes
Among the acquired candidate character strings, candidate character strings that are common to all displays when displayed in the candidate display field are collected, and the common character string that is the common character string part is defined as one candidate display field. Displayed on the
A character selection device, wherein when the common character string is selected by the selection means, a subsequent character string following the common character string in the combined candidate character strings is displayed in the candidate display column. The character string storage means divides the character string into a common character string and a subsequent character string, and stores a subsequent character string subsequent to the common character string,
The character selection device according to claim 1, wherein when a common character string is selected, the display unit displays a subsequent character string according to the association. Excess determination means for determining whether the acquired candidate character string exceeds the number of characters of the predetermined unit;
A dividing unit that divides the candidate character string by the number of characters of the predetermined unit when it is determined that it exceeds
Comprising
When there is a common character string among the divided forward character strings, the display means collectively displays the character strings as a common character string. When the common character string is selected, the divided subsequent characters are displayed. The character selection device according to claim 1, wherein the character string is displayed as a subsequent character string.   The character selection device according to claim 1, wherein the character string is configured in a meaningful unit. When the first character of the subsequent character string is a special character, the display means displays the character string to be displayed in the candidate display column so that the first character of the subsequent character string is a character other than the special character. Display the number of characters less than the predetermined number of characters.
The character selection device according to claim 1, wherein:   When there is no subsequent character string in the character string selected by the selection means, the apparatus further comprises an output means for outputting a candidate character string corresponding to a sequence of character strings selected by the selection means. The character selection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Destination data search means for searching for destination data using the character string specified by the character selection device according to claim 6;
Guidance means for guiding the vehicle using the searched destination data;
A navigation device comprising: A character input function for inputting characters,
A candidate acquisition function for acquiring a character string including the input character as a candidate character string and acquiring from a character string storage unit that stores a plurality of character strings to be specified;
A display function for displaying the acquired candidate character strings in a plurality of candidate display fields in a predetermined number of characters;
A selection function for selecting a character string displayed in the candidate display field, and a character selection program that realizes by a computer,
The display function is
Among the acquired candidate character strings, candidate character strings that are common to all displays when displayed in the candidate display field are collected, and the common character string that is the common character string part is defined as one candidate display field. Displayed on the
When the common character string is selected by the selection function, a character string program that displays a succeeding character string following the common character string in each of the collected candidate character strings in the candidate display column.

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