Character inputting method allowing input of a plurality of different types of character species, and information processing equipment adopting the same

• US 5,535,119 A
• Filed: 06/11/1993
• Issued: 07/09/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Nakajima, Akira, Ito, Jun, Taniguchi, Shigeki, Kumai, Hiroyuki, Matsuda, Yasumasa, Tomita, Hiromi, Kawase, Masaki, Suzuki, Toyokazu, Kashiwa, Hirobumi
• Primary Examiner(s): Weinhardt, Robert A.
• Application Number:
  US08/075,400
• Time in Patent Office: 1,124 Days
• Field of Search: 364/419.02, 364/419.03, 364/419.07, 364/419.09, 364/419.1, 364/419.11, 364/419.14, 364/419.15, 364/419.16, 400/110, 345/171, 341/23, 341/28
• US Class Current: 704/3
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/53 Processing of non-Latin text kana-to-kanji conversion G06F40/129; vowelisation G06F40/232

Abstract

An information processing equipment providing easy operations of changing-over character species, and, in which characters can be entered without being conscious of the designation of a character mode. Signals entered from an input device are handled in conformity with all of a romaji (Roman character) input system, a kana (Japanese syllabary) input system and an alphanumeric input system. Results obtained with the respective input systems are all displayed in the predetermined part of a display screen. In the equipment, the character mode intended by a user is estimated as to the entered character string, and is automatically selected. In another aspect of performance, a controller determines whether or not a character mode likelihood decision unit and a character code translation unit are started, in accordance with the results of the comparisons between the key code string and the registered contents of a learning information buffer. The position of the entered key code string as corresponds to the length of the longest one of the key code strings is detected as a boundary position, the entered key code string is translated into character codes with the unit of the translation being a key code string which extends up to the detected boundary position, and the translated character codes are displayed.

Claims

1. An information processing equipment wherein character codes of a plurality of character species are held in correspondence with one key code;

comprising;

an input means for entering key codes;

a translation means for translating each of said key codes entered from said input means, into character codes of said plurality of character species corresponding to said each of said key codes, and for delivering the translated character codes;

a display means including a first display area in which characters are displayed separately in the respective character species, for displaying in said first display area character strings corresponding to said translated character codes delivered from said translation means; and

a designation means for designating a desired character string part within a desired one of said character strings displayed in said first display area;

said display means including a second display area into which said character string part designated by said designation means is moved from said first display area.

2. An information processing equipment as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a decision means for computing likelihoods of said respective character species in accordance with predetermined conditions as to said character strings displayed in said first display area, and for deciding one of said character species in accordance with said likelihoods;

said display means having a function of altering at least one of a display position and a display aspect in said first display area as to the characters strings of the characters species decided by said decision means.

3. An information processing equipment as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a memory means for storing said key codes entered from said input means and said character codes delivered for said key codes by said translation means, in correspondence with said respective character species therein; and

a character string translocation means for designating a desired character string within the character string displayed in said second display area, and for giving an instruction of translocating said desired character string part in said second display area, back into said first display area;

said display means, responsive to said instruction of translocating, translocating said character string part designated by said character string translocation means, back into said first display area, and displaying character strings of the other character species corresponding to the translocated character string part, in said first display area with reference to said memory means.

4. An information processing equipment as defined in claim 3, further comprising:

a decision means for computing likelihoods of said respective character species in accordance with predetermined conditions as to said character strings displayed in said first display area, and for deciding one of said character species in accordance with said likelihoods, each time the translocation is performed;

said display means having a function of altering at least one of a display position and a display aspect in said first display area as to the character species decided by said decision means.

5. An information processing equipment as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a word dictionary memory means for use with said translation means in performing said translating, said word dictionary memory means for storing therein key code strings which correspond to a plurality of words, respectively.

6. An information processing equipment wherein character codes of a plurality of character species are held in correspondence with one key code;

comprising;

an input means for entering key codes;

a translation means for translating each of said key codes entered from said input means, into character codes of said plurality of character species corresponding to said each of said key codes, and for delivering the translated character codes; and

a display means including a first display area in which characters are displayed separately in the respective character species, for displaying in said first display area character strings corresponding to said character codes delivered from said translation means;

said translation means having a function of delivering a specific character code of a predetermined specific character along with one character code in a case where said one character code is obtained using a plurality of key codes in the translation.

7. An information processing equipment as defined in claim 6, wherein a sum between the number of said specific character codes delivered from said translation means and that of said one character codes delivered from said translation means is equal to the number of the key codes translated by said translation means.

8. An information processing equipment as defined in claim 6, wherein said case where said one character code is obtained using said plurality of key codes is a case where said translation means handles the entered key codes in conformity with a romaji (Roman character) input method.

9. An information processing equipment as defined in claim 6, wherein said display means includes a second display area into which a character string part designated from within a desired one of said character strings displayed in said first display, is moved from said first display area, and displays said specific character in only said first display area.

10. An information processing equipment as defined in claim 6, wherein said display means inhibits displaying said specific character at a first position of said first display area.

11. An information processing equipment as defined in claim 6, wherein said display means includes a second display area into which a character string part designated from within a desired one of said character strings displayed in said first display, is moved from said first display area, and further comprising:

a memory means for storing said key codes entered from said input means and said character codes delivered for said key code by said translation means, in correspondence with said respective character species therein; and

a character string translocation means for giving an instruction of translocating a desired character string part within the character string displayed in said second display area, back into said first display area;

said display means having;

a function of translocating, responsive to said instruction, said character string part designated by said character string translocation means, back into said first display area; and

a function of displaying a character which corresponds to a key code stored for said specific character in said memory means, instead of said specific character in a case where said specific character exists at a first position of the character string displayed in said first display area, after the translocation thereof.

12. An information processing equipment as defined in claim 6, further comprising:

a designation means for designating a desired character string part within a desired one of said character strings displayed in said first display area;

said display means including a second display area, and having;

a function of moving said character string part designated by said designation means, into said second display area;

a function of translocating said character string part designated within said second display area back into said first display area; and

a function of deleting said specific character and the characters of the other character species displayed in correspondence with said specific character in said first display area, in a case where said specific character is brought to a first position of the character string displayed in said first display area, by the translocation of designated character string part from said second display area to said first display area.

13. A character inputting computer method, implemented using computer means, wherein characters are entered by input means and employing key codes each of which corresponds to character codes of a plurality of character species, and by selecting any of the plurality of character species;

comprising;

a first step of generating key codes, and holding a string of the generated key codes (herein below, termed "input key code string");

a second step of allowing a user of said method to designate any of said plurality of character species;

a third step of calculating likelihoods of the respective character species in accordance with predetermined conditions as to said input key code string, and selecting any of said character species in accordance with the calculated likelihoods;

a fourth step of translating said input key code string into character codes of the character species designated by said user unless the designated character species is the same as the character species selected at said third step, and into character codes of the character species selected at said third step if the designated character species is different from the character species selected at said third step; and

a fifth step of invalidating the selection of said character species done at said third step, and simultaneously restoring the input key codes to character codes of the character species designated at said second step, said fifth step being executed at need;

wherein at least one combination of the input key code string and the character species is stored, said combination being selected from the group which consists of a combination of said input key code string having been subject to the execution of said fifth step (herein below, termed "suppression learning key code string") and said character species restored at said fifth step (herein below, termed "suppression learning character species"), and a combination of said input key code string at a time when said second step has been executed (herein below, termed "non-conversion learning key code string") and said character species at the time (herein below termed "non-conversion learning character species"); and

wherein thenceforth, said third step is inhibited to be executed for said input key code string newly generated at said first step, in either of a case where the newly generated input key code string agrees with said suppression learning key code string and where the character species selected then agrees with said suppression learning character species, and a case where said newly generated input key code string agrees with said non-conversion learning key code string and where the character species selected then agrees with said non-conversion learning character species.

14. A character inputting device wherein character codes of a plurality of character species are held in correspondence with one key code;

comprising;

a key code generation means for generating key codes;

a character code translation means for translating a string of said key codes into character codes of one of said character species as designated beforehand (herein below, termed "designated character species");

a likelihood computation means for calculating likelihoods of the respective character species in accordance with predetermined conditions as to said string of said key codes generated by said key code generation means (herein below, termed "input key code string");

a character mode alteration means for selecting any of said character species with respect to said input key code string in accordance with said likelihoods calculated by said likelihood computation means, and for altering the designation of the character species so as to use the selected character species as said designated character species;

a learning information memory means for previously storing key code strings (herein below, termed "learning key code strings") in correspondence with the character species thereof (herein below, termed "learning character species") therein;

a comparison means for comparing said input key code string with said learning key code strings, and said designated character species with said learning character species; and

a means for inhibiting said likelihood computation means so as not to calculate said likelihoods in a case where the comparisons by said comparison means have shown that said designated character species agrees with any of said learning character species and that said input key code string agrees with any of the learning key code strings of said designated character species.

15. A character inputting device defined in claim 14, further comprising:

a correction means for accepting a correction instruction given by a user of said device, and for executing a correction process in which the alteration of said designated character species based on said likelihoods as has been done by said character mode alteration means is invalidated to restore said designated character species to the original character species before having been altered; and

a registration means for storing said original character species and said input key code string which has been subject to the likelihood calculations as has formed a cause of the invalidated character species alteration, as the learning character species and the learning key code string in said learning information memory means, respectively, in a case where the correction by said correction means has been made.

16. A character inputting device as defined in claim 14, further comprising:

a character species designation means for accepting a character species designation given by a user of said device, and for altering said designated character species to the character species of the given designation; and

a registration means for storing said designated character species before the alteration and said input key code string having been generated under said designated character species before said alteration, as the learning character species and the learning key code string in said learning information memory means, respectively, in a case where said alteration of said designated character species by said character species designation means has been made.

17. A character inputting device as defined in claim 14, further comprising:

a load means for loading document data from external memory means storing therein documents which have been already created; and

a registration means for translating into corresponding key codes some of character codes which are contained in said document data loaded by said load means, for storing the resulting key code string as said learning key code string in said learning information memory means, and for also storing alphanumeric character species for said learning key code string translated from alphanumeric character codes and the set character species at a time of the load for said learning key code string translated from kana (Japanese syllabary) character codes, as the respective learning character species of said learning key code string in said learning information memory means.

18. A character inputting device as defined in claim 14, wherein, in a case where said comparisons by said comparison means have shown that said designated character species and any of said learning character species are in agreement and that said input key code string and any of the learning key code strings of said designated character species are partially in agreement, said likelihood computation means calculates said likelihoods in relation to only a key code string part which is other than the agreeing key code string part.

19. A character inputting device wherein character codes in a plurality of character species are allocated to one key input;

comprising;

an input means for allocating one key code in response to one key input;

a word dictionary memory means for storing therein key code strings which correspond to a plurality of words, respectively, said word dictionary memory means being provided for each of said plurality of character species;

a boundary position decision process means for deciding if a key code string entered from said input means agrees with said key code strings stored in said word dictionary memory means, as to all the stored key code strings, and for detecting as a boundary position that position of the entered key code string which corresponds to a length of a longest one of the key code strings decided to agree;

a translation means for translating said entered key code string into character codes with a unit of translation being a key code string which extends up to said boundary position detected by said boundary position decision process means; and

a display means for displaying characters which correspond to said character codes translated by said translation means.

20. A character inputting device as defined in claim 19, wherein:

said boundary position decision process means detects boundary positions successively by decisions as to a key code string which succeeds the detected boundary position;

a decision means is further comprised for successively deciding the respective character species of key code strings which extend up to said boundary positions successively detected by said boundary position decision process means; and

said translation means translates said key code strings which extend up to said boundary positions detected by said boundary position decision process means, into character code strings of said character species decided by said decision means.

21. A character inputting device as defined in claim 19, further comprising:

a decision means for deciding the character species of the key input entered from said input means;

said input means accepting also an instruction for selecting one of said character species for said key input;

said word dictionary memory means including word dictionary memories of the respective character species;

said boundary position decision process means detecting said boundary position with reference to the key code strings stored in the word dictionary memory of the character species of the selection instruction in said input means;

said translation means translating said key code string which extends up to said boundary position detected by said boundary position decision process means, into a character code string of said character species of said selection instruction in said input means, and translating a key code string which succeeds said boundary position, into a character code string of said character species decided by said decision means.

22. A character inputting device as defined in claim 19, further comprising:

a decision means for deciding the character species of the key input entered from said input means;

said input means accepting also an instruction for selecting one of said character species for said key input;

said word dictionary memory means including word dictionary memories of the respective character species;

said boundary position decision process means detecting said boundary position with reference to the key code strings stored in the word dictionary memory of said character species decided by said decision means;

said translation means translating said key code string which extends up to said boundary position detected by said boundary position decision process means, into a character code string of said character species decided by said decision means, and translating a key code string which succeeds said boundary position, into a character code string of said character species of said selection instruction in said input means.

23. A character inputting device as defined in claim 19, further comprising:

a decision means for deciding the character species of said input accepted by said input means;

said decision means rendering the decision on that part of said key code string accepted by said input means which succeeds said boundary position detected by said boundary position decision process means.

24. A character inputting device as defined in claim 21, further comprising:

a means for accepting an instruction for appointing either of said word dictionary memory of said character species decided by said decision means and default word dictionary memory of said character species, as said word dictionary memory which is referred to by said boundary position decision process means.

25. A character inputting device as defined in claim 19, further comprising:

a prohibited key code detection means for detecting a key code which cannot become either of initial and final boundary positions, as to said key code string;

said boundary position decision process means refraining from deciding said boundary position even when said key code string entered from said input means has agreed with the key code string stored in said word dictionary memory means, in a case where said prohibited key code detection means has detected said key code which does not become said boundary position.

26. A character inputting device as defined in claim 25, wherein said prohibited key code detection means includes a prohibited pattern table in which key code strings not forming the boundary positions are stored beforehand, and detects said key code not becoming said boundary position, with reference to said prohibited pattern table.

27. A character inputting device as defined in claim 19, wherein:

said word dictionary memory means further stores therein attributes indicating the character species of key code strings which ought to exist before and behind the respective stored key code strings; and

said boundary position decision process means refers to the attribute to decide if said attribute is met, in a case where said key code string entered from said input means and any of said key code strings stored in said word dictionary memory means have agreed in the detection of said boundary position, and it refrains from deciding said boundary position even when said key code string entered from said input means has agreed with the key code string stored in said word dictionary memory means, in a case where said attribute is not met.

28. A character inputting device as defined in claim 27, wherein:

said word dictionary memory means further stores therein key code strings of words in which the plurality of character species coexist, and to which auxiliary attributes indicating said character species are affixed; and

said translation means refers to the auxiliary attribute, and translates said key code string into said character codes of said character species conforming to said auxiliary attribute.

29. A character inputting device as defined in claim 25, wherein:

said translation means further includes a function of translating said key code string into a kanji (Chinese character used in Japanese writing);

said boundary position decision process means refrains from deciding said boundary position even when said key code string has agreed with the key code string stored in said word dictionary memory means, in said case where said prohibited key code detection means has detected said key code which does not become said initial boundary position; and

said translation means translates said key code string into said kanji at said boundary position detected by said boundary position decision process means.

30. A character translation computing method, implemented using computer means, for a character inputting device wherein character codes in a plurality of character species are allocated to one key input;

comprising;

storing key code strings which correspond to a plurality of words, respectively, in a word dictionary memory means beforehand, said word dictionary memory means provided for each of said plurality of character species;

allocating one key code in response to one key input;

deciding if an entered key code string agrees with said key code strings stored in said word dictionary memory means, as to all the stored key code strings, and detecting as a boundary position that position of said entered key code string which corresponds to a length of a longest one of the key code strings decided to agree; and

translating said entered key code string into character codes with a unit of the translation being a key code string which extends up to said boundary position.