JPH11212967A - Prediction input device/method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device/method for minimizing the typing work of a user inputting Japanese and other languages and precisely and speedily realizing the input. SOLUTION: A prediction input device used together with a character input device is provided with a subsequent character string database 51 mutually relating and storing one character string and a subsequent character string candidate list predicted from it, a means calling the subsequent character string candidate list corresponding to the character string at the most rear of the already inputted character strings, a judgment means 52 judging the character string at the most rear in response to the call, a retrieval means 53 retrieving the subsequent character string candidate list corresponding to the judged character string from the subsequent character string database 51, a display means 24 displaying the subsequent character string candidate list, a selection means 15 selecting the appropriate subsequent character string when the appropriate subsequent character string exists in the displayed candidate lists and a means inputting the selected subsequent character string.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a Japanese input device for converting a kana character input into a kana-kanji character to create a sentence mixed with a kanji-kana character, and more particularly, includes a device for preparing a sentence in another language. Related to character input devices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An apparatus for creating a Japanese sentence by inputting Japanese is called a Japanese word processor, so-called word processor, and has two types of dedicated machines and word processing software operating on a personal computer. . Each of them basically realizes almost the same function. The main functions of a general word processor include inputting Japanese, which is a mixture of kanji and kana, editing, printing, and saving a document.

In the Japanese input function, kana-kanji conversion is widely used. Kana-Kanji conversion is to input a reading for a Japanese sentence and convert the kana to Kanji to be converted according to a dictionary that associates the reading with the Kanji.
To create a sentence mixed with kanji and kana. In order to realize efficient text creation, the input method of reading, the method of selecting the unit to be converted, the method of selecting the kanji to be converted, etc.
Numerous techniques have been presented. There are two types of reading input methods: a method of inputting one kana character with one key and a method of inputting Roman characters. In the following description, input by either input method is referred to as “kana input”. Also,
As a method of selecting the converted kanji, for example, if the kanji converted for kana input is different from the intended one, another candidate is displayed, and a method of selecting an intended kanji from among them is representative. It is a target. Further, there is a method in which a learning function is provided in order to minimize the work load of conversion and selection for obtaining an intended kanji. Furthermore, whether the conversion is performed efficiently also depends on the structure of the dictionary, and there is a method that can create a dictionary unique to the user. Various techniques in these conventional Japanese input devices and methods include:
In each case, the purpose is to create sentences accurately, quickly and easily.

[0004]

However, most prior arts using the kana-kanji conversion method are based on the premise that kana input is always performed. For example, even if the intended kanji is "season" and "season" is surely displayed by one conversion, it is necessary to input "kisetsu" before that. One of the techniques for reducing the work load of such kana input is a word registration function. For example,
If you register "ki" as a reading for "season",
By simply inputting "ki" and converting to kanji, "season" is displayed. The word registration function is particularly effective when long words are frequently used. As an application of the word registration function, not only words but also phrases and sentences may be registered.
Even when such a registration function is used, it is necessary to always input a character string ("" in the above example) corresponding to the kanji to be converted and perform the conversion operation.

On the other hand, Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-52500 discloses a technique that enables a subsequent character string to be selectively input without performing any kana input. The Japanese character input device disclosed in this publication stores the history of words that have been converted to kana-kanji characters during text creation, selects frequently converted words and stores them separately as frequent words, and stores those frequent words. A list of words can be displayed on the screen. When the user wants to input a word in the frequently-used word list displayed on the screen, the user can select the word to make the word input confirmed. For example, suppose that the word "season" frequently appears in the text being created. Then, in the frequent word list displayed on the screen, for example, “3. Season” is displayed. When the user next comes to the scene where he wants to input the word “season”, he inputs the key “3”. At this time, the user does not need to input “ki” and does not need to press the conversion key. However, in this method, an appropriate frequent word is not displayed unless a sentence of a certain length is created, and a short sentence will not yield much results. Further, it is not intended to predict and store frequently occurring words in advance before writing a sentence.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to realize accurate and quick Japanese input by minimizing user's key input operation on a keyboard, so-called typing work, when using a Kana-Kanji conversion method for Japanese input. To provide an apparatus and a method for doing so. It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method for reducing the typing work load and realizing accurate and quick text input even in writing text in a language other than Japanese.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a predictive input device according to the present invention used together with a character input device firstly includes one character string and one or more characters predicted from the one character string. A subsequent character string database is provided in which a subsequent character string candidate list including a plurality of subsequent character strings is stored in association with each other. Calling means for calling a subsequent character string candidate list corresponding to the character string positioned at the end of the already input character string during the character input operation; Determining means for determining a character string to be searched; searching means for searching the subsequent character string database for a subsequent character string candidate list corresponding to the determined character string; display means for displaying the searched subsequent character string candidate list; When there is an appropriate succeeding character string in the succeeding character string candidate list, a selecting means for selecting the appropriate succeeding character string and a means for inputting the selected succeeding character string are provided.

Particularly, in a character input device for inputting Japanese characters, the predictive input device according to the present invention is used together with a kana-kanji conversion device. Also in this case, the character string of 1 and the 1
And a subsequent character string database that stores a subsequent character string candidate list composed of one or more subsequent character strings predicted from the character string described above. And determining a character string located at the end of the undetermined character string before setting the character string in which the kana-kanji conversion has been performed with respect to the kana input, corresponding to the determined character string Search means for searching the subsequent character string candidate list from the subsequent character string database, display means for displaying the searched subsequent character string candidate list, and, if there is an appropriate subsequent character string in the displayed subsequent character string candidate list, There is a selection unit for selecting an appropriate subsequent character string, and a unit for setting the character string located at the end and the selected subsequent character string in an input confirmed state.

In another example according to the present invention, there is provided a calling means for calling a subsequent character string candidate list, and a calling process of the subsequent character string candidate list is started in response to the call by the calling means.

In the predictive input method of the present invention used together with the kana-kanji conversion method for performing Japanese input, first, one character string and one or a plurality of subsequent character strings predicted from the one character string are used. The following character string candidate lists are associated with each other and stored in advance in the subsequent character string database. During the character input operation, the character string located at the end of the undetermined character string is determined before the character string in which the kana-kanji conversion has been performed for the kana input is set to the input confirmed state. A subsequent character string candidate list corresponding to the determined character string is searched from the subsequent character string database. Then, the searched subsequent character string candidate list is displayed. If there is an appropriate subsequent character string in the displayed subsequent character string candidate list, the appropriate subsequent character string is selected. Finally, the character string located at the end and the selected subsequent character string are set in the input confirmed state.

[0011]

According to the present invention, a candidate list of a succeeding character string predicted from an already input character string is presented to the user, and if the candidate list includes a subsequent character string desired by the user, the user designates the subsequent character string. The input confirmation of the character string can be completed simply by performing the above operation. In this case, the user does not need to input the subsequent character strings one by one and does not need to press the kana-kanji conversion key. As a result, the number of times of typing by the user is reduced. In addition, since the selected subsequent character string is accurately stored in the database in advance, there is no erroneous input or erroneous conversion.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, mainly regarding an apparatus and a method for inputting Japanese sentences. However, it will be apparent from the following description that the basic principles of the present invention in Japanese can be easily applied to other languages.

[0013] The predictive input device and method for Japanese according to the present invention, in its implementation, is used with a conventional kana-kanji conversion mechanism. Alternatively, it is incorporated in a conventional kana-kanji conversion mechanism.

FIG. 1 is a schematic functional block diagram showing an example of a kana-kanji conversion device incorporating a prediction input device according to the present invention. The example of FIG. 1 shows an example in which a general sequential conversion type kana-kanji conversion device is combined. In the sequential conversion method, kanji conversion is performed for a target kana input in response to an operation of pressing a kana-kanji conversion key on a keyboard. At this time, the kanji converted by the operation of the conversion key and displayed on the display screen is usually in an undetermined state, and can be changed to another converted kanji. The character string in the undetermined state is displayed on the display screen so that the character string in the confirmed state can be distinguished, and is stored in a predetermined temporary storage location. Then, if the converted kanji is the intended one, the input kanji is pressed or the next kana input is started, so that the converted kanji is in the input confirmed state. Here, the input confirmed state means not only that the display format on the display screen is in the confirmed state, but also that the input form is stored as a confirmed character string in a predetermined storage location. On the other hand, if the converted kanji is not the intended kanji, the conversion candidate kanji list of the next candidate is displayed in response to a further operation such as pressing the conversion key again, and the operation of selecting the intended kanji from the list is generally performed. It is done on a regular basis.

"Predictive input" of the predictive input device according to the present invention
Means that a character string that has already been input or the last character string of a converted character string is determined, a character string to be succeeded is predicted, the candidates are presented, and kana input is actually performed. That is, a desired subsequent character string is input by selecting from the candidates. In this method, as a basis for predicting a succeeding character string from the last character string, relevance between specific words in Japanese, grammatical connection relation, and the like are used.

The predictive input device according to the present invention operates in close connection with a conventional kana-kanji conversion device, and will be described as an integrated device including the functions of both devices. The Kana-Kanji conversion and subsequent character string processing engine 30 (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “engine”), which is the core of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, executes both the conventional Kana-Kanji conversion processing and the prediction input processing according to the present invention. FIG. 1 schematically shows a mechanism for managing and operating data and control. The apparatus of FIG. 1 realizes a Japanese input function as a whole, and may be implemented as a part of the application software 80, or may be implemented as an application software.
It may be implemented as a module that can be activated and used by the software 80. The application software 80 may be word processing software itself or other application software such as spreadsheet software or graphic software. The main components centering on the engine 30 are the input unit 10, the display unit 20, the storage unit 40, the subsequent character string processing unit 50, and the kana-kanji conversion dictionary database 60.

The input unit 10 includes actual keys on the keyboard such as a kana input key 11, a kana-kanji conversion key 12, an input confirmation key 13, and a subsequent character string selection key 15, and the like. Is passed to the engine 30. In the figure, the keys other than the succeeding character string selection key 15 are the same as those of a normal kana-kanji conversion device.

The display unit 20 includes an undetermined character string display unit 2
1, confirmed character string display unit 22, kana-kanji conversion candidate display unit 2
3. The following character string candidate display section 24 is included, and the engine 30
Is displayed on the display screen under the control of, and gives visual information to the user. The display units other than the subsequent character string candidate display unit 24 are the same as those of a normal kana-kanji conversion device.

The storage unit 40 has an undetermined character string storage unit 41
And a confirmed character string storage unit 42. The undetermined character string storage unit 41 is a temporary storage unit that stores a character string in a state before being determined, that is, a character string in an undetermined state, of a character string input in kana and a character string converted into kanji. The confirmed character string storage unit 42 is a storage unit that stores a character string whose input is confirmed by, for example, an operation of pressing a confirm key. These are the same as a normal kana-kanji conversion device. Also,
The kana-kanji conversion dictionary database 60 is provided in a normal kana-kanji conversion device. The illustrated sequential conversion type kana-kanji conversion mechanism portion schematically illustrates an example, and is not limited to only these components.

The succeeding character string processing unit 50 is a main part of the predictive input device according to the present invention, and
1, a last character string determination unit 52 and a subsequent character string candidate search unit 53 are included. First, the subsequent character string database 51
Is a database designed and constructed in advance. However, a function that allows the user to add contents to this database at any time may be provided. In the subsequent character string database 51, a specific character string and one or a plurality of character strings predicted to follow the specific character string are related to each other and stored. In Japanese (although in many other languages, of course), the string that should follow a particular string is generally somewhat limited. The present invention
The regularity between such character strings is used. For example, if the specific character string is "patent", then it can be said that there is a high probability that a character string such as "apply", "apply", or "acquire" will be input. Also, "weak meat"
It is very likely that the word "great food" will follow the word.

Therefore, in the subsequent character string database 51, for example, for one character string "patent", the predicted "application", "application", "acquisition",.
, Etc., are created and stored in a state where they are associated with each other. Therefore, if you access the character string `` patents, '' you can apply for, apply for, and obtain as a list of subsequent character string candidates.
Can be extracted.

Next, when the kana-kanji conversion is performed on the kana-input character string and the converted kanji is still in an undetermined state, the last character string determination unit 52 determines whether the character string in the undetermined state is The character string at the end (that is, also at the end of the text being created) is determined. Judging means recognizing. The unit of the last character string to be determined at this time is a design item, and may be any of a character, a phrase, or a sentence. The last character string thus determined serves as an index into the subsequent character string database 51.

Finally, the subsequent character string candidate search unit 53 retrieves the subsequent character string candidate list corresponding to the character string by searching the subsequent character string database 51 based on the determined last character string. The data is passed to the engine 30.

Next, the operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a series of processes executed during Japanese input while using predictive input together with sequential conversion type kana-kanji conversion. Step 101 is an input waiting state, in which all input character strings are in an input confirmed state, and are waiting for the next kana input. In step 102, kana input is performed using the kana input key 11 of FIG. The entered kana input is displayed on the display screen as an undetermined state, and is temporarily stored in the undetermined character string storage unit in FIG. In step 103, the kana-kanji conversion key 12 is pressed. In step 104, in response to step 103, kana-kanji conversion is performed, and the converted character string is displayed and temporarily stored in the undetermined character string storage unit in FIG. The converted character string at this time is displayed as an undetermined character string. Next, in step 105, the last character string determination unit 52 of FIG.
Determines the last character string of the converted character string. here,
The last character string is not limited to the entire character string converted in step 104, but may be a part thereof. For example,
If the kana input of "Gogatsu Tenkiha" is converted to "May weather", even if "May weather" is determined as the last character string, only "Weather" is the last character. It may be determined as a column. The unit of the last character string is a matter of design.

Further, in step 106, the subsequent character string candidate search unit 53 of FIG. 1 searches the subsequent character string database 51 of FIG. 1 based on the last character string determined in step 105, and Retrieve the candidate list. The extracted succeeding character string candidate list is displayed on the display screen in step 107 and presented to the user. Next, in step 108, the user determines whether or not the character string converted by the kana-kanji conversion in step 104 is appropriate.

If the converted character string is not appropriate (NO), the process returns to step 103, where the kana-kanji conversion key is pressed again, and the kana-kanji conversion is performed again in step 104 to display another converted character string. If the converted character string is different and the last character string determined in step 105 is also different, another subsequent character string candidate list is retrieved and displayed in steps 106 and 107. Become.

In step 108, if the user determines that the kana-kanji conversion is appropriate (YES), the process proceeds to step 109, where the user has an appropriate subsequent character string in the displayed subsequent character string candidate list. It is determined whether or not. When displaying the following character string candidate list, if there are a plurality of character strings in the list, each character string can be distinguished by another number or symbol. In step 109, if the appropriate subsequent character string is in the candidate list (YES),
The process proceeds to the subsequent character string selection step shown in FIG. If it is determined in step 109 that the appropriate subsequent character string is not in the candidate list (NO), the process returns to step 102 and starts inputting the next kana to create a subsequent sentence. When a new kana input is started, the unconfirmed character string before that automatically enters the input confirmed state, and is stored in the confirmed character string storage unit 42 in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a subsequent character string selection step following the case where an appropriate subsequent character string is present in the candidate list in step 109 of FIG. In step 110,
The user selects an appropriate subsequent character string by pressing a subsequent character string selection key. For example, when a number is attached to each of a plurality of character strings in the candidate list, “press the subsequent character string selection key” means to press the corresponding numeric key. In step 111, in response to the operation in step 110, first, the converted character string in the undetermined state is set to the input confirmed state. Further, the subsequent character string selected in step 110 is input-confirmed so as to follow the tail. As a result, these input confirmed character strings are displayed as confirmed state character strings and are stored in the confirmed state character string storage unit in FIG. After that, in step 112, an input waiting state is set. The above series of steps is executed under the control of the engine 30 in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram exemplifying a state of a display screen in an apparatus embodying the present invention. FIG. 4A is an example of the screen state after the kana-kanji conversion is performed and the subsequent character string candidate list is displayed (after step 107 in FIG. 2). In the text creation screen 401, the input character string 402 up to ".. after completing the invention" is in a determined state, and the character string 403 of "Patent" shown in italics is converted to Kana-Kanji. The character string has not yet been determined.
The succeeding character string candidate list 404 displayed on the right side shows the following character string candidates corresponding to the last character string, “Patent”. In this case, assuming that "patent" is an appropriate converted character string, the user next searches for a desired subsequent character string in candidate list 404. If "Apply" is a desired character string, the selection is made by pressing the numeric key "4". As a result, the character string “patent is filed” is in an input confirmed state. As a result, the user has been able to input the character string of "apply" without performing any kana input operation of "shutugannsuru" and any kana-kanji conversion operation.

FIG. 4B shows that after the first kana-kanji conversion has resulted in improper conversion, the kana-kanji conversion key is pressed again to display a next candidate list 405 for kana-kanji conversion (also after step 107 in FIG. 2). 5 is an example of the screen state. Thus, the next candidate list 405 of the kana-kanji conversion
And the subsequent character string candidate list 404 are displayed on a screen so that the user can distinguish them. At this time, when the user presses the numeric key “3” for selecting “period” from the subsequent character string candidate list 404, the character string “use state” is set to the input confirmed state.

In the example of the screen shown in FIG. 4B, each element of the next candidate list 405 for kana-kanji conversion is also provided with a number, but when the number key is pressed, the number in any of the lists is intended. A means for discriminating whether or not there may be provided separately.
For example, it is possible to provide an instruction to make each list alternatively selectable. In addition to the above, since there are various modes in the method of selecting the next candidate in the conventional kana-kanji conversion, various modifications can be considered in combination with the prediction input according to the present invention.

Next, referring to FIG. 5, another example of a sequential conversion type Kana-Kanji conversion device incorporating the predictive input device according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 5A is a schematic functional configuration diagram showing only an input unit of the device according to the present example, in order to clarify the difference from the example of FIG. Since the configuration of other parts is the same as that of the example of FIG. 1, the following description will be made using the components in FIG. Is of course different.
In the example of FIG. 1, the subsequent character string candidate list is automatically displayed, whereas in this example, in response to the operation of the user pressing the subsequent character string candidate call key 14, the subsequent character string candidate list is displayed. Is displayed.

FIG. 5B is a flowchart similar to FIG. 2 for explaining the operation of the apparatus in this example. Step 201
Is in a Kana input waiting state. In step 202, kana input is performed using the kana input key 11. The entered kana input is displayed on the display screen as an undetermined state, and is temporarily stored in the undetermined character string storage unit in FIG. In step 203, the user performs an operation of pressing the kana-kanji conversion key 12. In step 204, in response to step 203, kana-kanji conversion is performed, and the converted character string is displayed and temporarily stored in the undetermined character string storage unit in FIG. The converted character string at this time is displayed as an undetermined character string. Next, in step 205, the user determines whether or not the character string converted by the kana-kanji conversion in step 204 is appropriate. If the converted character string is not appropriate (NO), step 2
Return to step 03 and press the Kana-Kanji conversion key again, step 2
At 04, Kana-Kanji conversion is performed again to display another converted character string.

In step 205, when the user determines that the kana-kanji conversion is appropriate (YES), the process proceeds to step 206. In step 206, the user presses a subsequent character string candidate call key. Thereby, the calling process of the subsequent character string candidate list is started. First, step 20
At 7, the last character string determination unit 52 of FIG. 1 determines the last character string of the converted character string. Here, similarly to the above-described example, the unit of the last character string is a matter of design. Further, in step 208, the subsequent character string candidate search unit 53 of FIG. 1 searches the subsequent character string database 51 of FIG. 1 based on the last character string determined in step 207, and generates a corresponding subsequent character string candidate list. Take out. The extracted subsequent character string candidate list is displayed on the display screen in step 209 and presented to the user.

Next, in step 210, the user determines whether or not the subsequent character string candidate list on the screen includes a desired subsequent character string. In step 210, if an appropriate subsequent character string is in the candidate list (YES), the process proceeds to a subsequent character string selection step similar to that shown in FIG. In step 210, if there is no appropriate subsequent character string in the candidate list (NO), the process returns to step 202,
Start typing the next kana to create the following sentence. Due to the start of new kana input, the undetermined character string before
The input is automatically determined and stored in the determined character string storage unit 42 in FIG.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, the process of calling the succeeding character string candidate is started only after the appropriate last character string intended by the user is presented on the screen. However, there is little useless processing in the whole processing in the Japanese input device. On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the subsequent character string candidate list is automatically displayed after the kana-kanji conversion is performed. Useless processing that a character string candidate list is displayed is added. However, there is no need for the user to press the call key to display the candidate list.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown an example in which the automatic conversion type kana-kanji conversion device and the prediction input device according to the present invention are combined. FIG. 6A is a schematic functional configuration diagram showing only the input unit of the device according to the present example, in order to clarify the differences from the above two examples. The configuration of the other parts is shown in FIG.
Therefore, the following description will be made using the components in FIG. 1, but the control executed by the engine 30 for each component is different. In this example, since the kana-kanji conversion is performed automatically, the kana-kanji conversion is automatically performed in parallel with the user's kana input operation. Therefore, the operation of the kanji kana conversion key by the user is basically unnecessary. In the example of FIG. 6, when automatic kana-kanji conversion is performed, a subsequent character string candidate list is automatically displayed, as in the example of FIG. FIG. 6B is a flowchart showing the operation of the device according to the present example. Step 301
Is in an input waiting state. In step 302, the user performs kana input, and automatic kana-kanji conversion in step 303 is performed in an appropriate delimiter. The subsequent operation flow is almost the same as the flow chart shown in FIG. 2, except that the kana-kanji conversion is inappropriate in step 308 (N
Only in O), the user performs an operation of pressing the Kana-Kanji conversion key in step 309 to obtain the next Kana-Kanji conversion candidate. If there is an appropriate character string in the subsequent character string candidate list in step 310, the process proceeds to a subsequent character string selection step similar to that of FIG.

In the example of FIG. 6, the subsequent character string candidate list is automatically displayed after the automatic kana-kanji conversion, but in another example, the user presses the call key as in the example of FIG. 5 after the automatic kana-kanji conversion. Thus, the subsequent character string candidate list can be called up and displayed.

In addition to the examples described above, various kana-kanji conversion methods can be combined with the prediction input method according to the present invention. The succeeding character string database in the present invention is basically constructed in advance and can be designed in any manner. For example, a general-purpose text that can handle general texts, a text that can deal with specialized texts, or a database that can be used by switching a plurality of databases for several fields as needed. In addition, a function that allows a user to add data to the database as needed may be provided.

Finally, the application of the basic principle of the present invention in inputting Japanese sentences to other languages will be described.
In any of the languages, it is considered that there is always a correlation relating to concatenation between specific character strings.
Of the subsequent character string processing unit 50 can be applied. For example, in English, Kana-Kanji conversion is not used, but by providing a subsequent character string candidate calling key as shown in FIG. Press the string call key. Then, the last character string determination unit determines the appropriate character string at the end, the subsequent character string candidate search unit retrieves the corresponding subsequent character string candidate list from the subsequent character string database, and presents the subsequent character string candidate list. I do. Then, the user selects and inputs a desired subsequent character string. In this way, by applying the present invention, it is possible to quickly input a sentence in any language.

[0041]

The predictive input device and method according to the present invention include:
In the Japanese input, by using in combination with the kana-kanji conversion, the user can efficiently perform the input operation. Specifically, the user can input a succeeding character string following the already-input character string without performing any kana input and conversion operations. In other languages,
The same principle and configuration can be applied, and efficient input is possible by selecting the subsequent character string. As a result, the number of times of typing by the user is greatly reduced, and the work load is reduced. In addition, when the presented succeeding character string is selected, the character string correctly stored in the succeeding character string database is copied, so that the possibility of erroneous input or erroneous conversion is significantly reduced as compared to the case of inputting one by one. Thus, more accurate sentences can be created. As described above, the present invention realizes a technique that is extremely useful for both beginners and skilled persons regarding keyboard input.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic functional configuration diagram showing an example of a kana-kanji conversion device incorporating a prediction input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the configuration of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the steps following the flowcharts of FIGS. 2, 5B, and 6B.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams exemplifying states of a display screen in an apparatus embodying the present invention; FIGS.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example in which the sequential conversion type kana-kanji conversion device is combined with the prediction input device according to the present invention.
(A) is a schematic functional configuration diagram showing only an input unit of the device according to the present example. (B) is a flowchart.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example in which an automatic conversion type kana-kanji conversion device is combined with a prediction input device according to the present invention. (A) is a schematic functional configuration diagram showing only an input unit of the device according to the present example. (B) is a flowchart.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Input part 11 Kana input key 12 Kana-kanji conversion key 13 Input determination key 15 Subsequent character string selection key 20 Display part 21 Undetermined character string display part 22 Fixed character string display part 23 Kana-kanji conversion candidate display part 24 Subsequent character string candidate display part Reference Signs List 30 Kana-Kanji conversion and subsequent character string processing engine 40 Storage unit 41 Undetermined character string storage unit 42 Fixed character string storage unit 50 Subsequent character string processing unit 51 Subsequent character string database 52 Last tail character string determination unit 53 Subsequent character string candidate search unit 60 Kana-Kanji conversion post office database 401 Text creation screen 402 Confirmed character string 403 Undetermined character string 404 Subsequent character string candidate list 405 Kana-Kanji conversion candidate list

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A predictive input device used with a character input device, wherein one character string and a subsequent character string candidate list comprising one or more subsequent character strings predicted from the one character string are stored in association with each other. A subsequent character string database, calling means for calling a subsequent character string candidate list corresponding to the character string located at the end of the already input character string, and Determining means for determining a located character string; searching means for searching the subsequent character string database for a subsequent character string candidate list corresponding to the character string determined by the determining means; and the succeeding character string searched by the searching means Display means for displaying a character string candidate list, and if there is an appropriate subsequent character string in the subsequent character string candidate list displayed by the display means, A prediction input device comprising: a selection unit that selects an appropriate subsequent character string; and a unit that inputs the selected subsequent character string in response to a selection made by the selection unit. 2. A predictive input device used together with a kana-kanji conversion device for performing Japanese input, comprising: a subsequent character string candidate list comprising one character string and one or more subsequent character strings predicted from the one character string. And a subsequent character string database storing the character string that has been subjected to Kana-Kanji conversion with respect to the kana input before the character string located at the end of the undetermined character string before entering the input confirmed state. Determining means for determining; searching means for searching the subsequent character string database for a subsequent character string candidate list corresponding to the character string determined by the determining means; and determining the subsequent character string candidate list searched by the searching means. A display unit to be displayed; and if the subsequent character string candidate list displayed by the display unit includes an appropriate subsequent character string, the appropriate subsequent character string is selected. -Option means and the prediction input device and having a means for the input confirmation state subsequent string string and the selected position to the end in response to the selection by said selection means. 3. A predictive input device for use with a kana-kanji conversion device for performing Japanese input, wherein: a subsequent character string candidate list comprising one character string and one or more subsequent character strings predicted from the one character string And a subsequent character string database storing the character string obtained by performing kana-kanji conversion on the kana input before the character string located at the end of the undetermined character string Calling means for calling a corresponding subsequent character string candidate list; determining means for determining a character string located at the end of the undetermined character string in response to a call by the calling means; determining by the determining means Search means for searching the subsequent character string database for a subsequent character string candidate list corresponding to the searched character string; and searching for the subsequent character string candidate list searched by the search means. Display means for displaying, when there is an appropriate subsequent character string in the subsequent character string candidate list displayed by the display means, selecting means for selecting the appropriate subsequent character string; and responding to the selection by the selecting means. Means for setting the last character string and the selected subsequent character string in an input confirmed state. 4. A predictive input method used together with a kana-kanji conversion method for performing Japanese input, wherein: a subsequent character string candidate list comprising one character string and one or more subsequent character strings predicted from the one character string Are stored in the subsequent character string database in association with each other, and before the character string in which the kana-kanji conversion has been performed for the kana input is determined to be in the input confirmed state, the character string located at the end of the undetermined character string is determined. Determining, searching the subsequent character string database for a subsequent character string candidate list corresponding to the determined character string; displaying the searched subsequent character string candidate list; If there is an appropriate subsequent character string, select the appropriate subsequent character string, and in response to the selection of the appropriate subsequent character string, select the last character string and the selected character string. A predictive input method, wherein the succeeding character string is set in an input confirmed state.