JP2005044220A - Character input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce operation labor for inputting character strings of dictionary data in a character input device which has a display device displaying an input candidate character and a storage device storing the dictionary data including a set of character strings and uses the input candidate character displayed in the display device for receiving input of the characters sequentially. <P>SOLUTION: A car navigation device having the display device displaying the input candidate character and an internal memory control device 16 carrying the dictionary data including a set of character strings sequentially receives input characters via a touch panel, searches for a character following the input character string in a dictionary character string, which is contained in the dictionary data as a component of the dictionary data and includes the input character string constructed of the input characters at the front end, and makes the display device omit display for characters excepting the searched characters and magnify and display the rest of the characters. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a character input device that sequentially receives input of characters using input candidate characters displayed on a display device, and is suitable for use in a car navigation device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a character input device that displays input candidate characters on a display device and sequentially receives input of characters using the input candidate characters displayed on the display device. For example, there is a car navigation device in which a 50-sound table of kana is displayed on a display, and one of these 50 sounds is sequentially received by a user performing touch panel input or cursor movement and determination input.

  In such a character input device, when the user sequentially inputs characters, the character string including the input character string that is sequentially input is searched from the dictionary data in the storage device, and the searched character string Has a function of acquiring a character following the input character string and toning down the display on the display device of characters other than the acquired character (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 6 shows an example of screen display by such a function. First, the screen display 53 in the case where no character is input by the user includes a 50-sound part 51 in which input candidate characters of 50 kana characters are highlighted (indicated by hatching in the drawing), and character input is displayed. It has an input character string display section 52 displaying only a prompt 55 for prompting.

  Thereafter, when the user inputs characters such as “ku”, “u”, and “ko” sequentially, the display changes like the screen display 54. In other words, the character string “kuuko” and the prompt 55 are displayed on the input character string display portion 52, and the characters other than “i”, “e”, “fu”, “mi”, “me” and “ The highlighted display is toned down. This is because, in the dictionary stored in the storage device of the character input device, as a character string starting with the input character string “kuuko”, “i”, “e” as the characters following the input character string “kuuko” This indicates that only those having “fu”, “mi”, “me”, and “” ”.

As described above, when inputting a character string included in the dictionary, only characters that can be input candidates are highlighted to facilitate character input.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-50768

  However, as described above, the method of toning down characters that are not candidates for input does not change the amount of finger movement, for example, with touch panel input, as compared to the case where all 50-character characters are highlighted. For example, there is no change in the number of operations for character input even with cursor input. Further, since the presence of the highlight portion and the tone-down portion gives the user a feeling of tooth loss on the screen, there is a difficulty in visibility.

  In view of the above points, the present invention has a display device that displays input candidate characters and a storage device that has dictionary data that includes a set of character strings, and a character that uses the input candidate characters displayed on the display device. An object of the present invention is to reduce the time and effort of inputting a character string of dictionary data in a character input device that sequentially receives the input.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 includes a display device (20) for displaying input candidate characters, a storage device (16) for storing dictionary data including a set of character strings, and the display device. Input accepting means (220 to 240) for sequentially accepting input of characters using the display of the input candidate characters, and a dictionary character string that the dictionary data has as its elements, from the characters that are sequentially accepted by the input accepting means A search means (250, 260) for searching for a character following the input character string in a dictionary character string including the input character string at the beginning, and display of characters other than the character searched by the search means on the display means. An omission control means (270 to 290, 375, 390, 395) that omits and displays the remaining characters in a dense manner is provided.

  Thus, a character having a display device for displaying input candidate characters and a storage device having dictionary data including a set of character strings, and sequentially accepting input of characters using the input candidate characters displayed on the display device In the input device, the display of characters other than those necessary for inputting the dictionary character string in the dictionary data is omitted, and the remaining characters are displayed together. Can be reduced. Further, since the display of unnecessary input candidate characters is omitted, visibility is improved.

  Note that displaying densely may or may not display each character closely. In other words, the term “dense” means that when only characters remaining due to the omission of characters are focused, the display intervals of those characters need only be denser than before the omission of characters.

  In addition, the density is not limited to the density of the geometric distance of the display. For example, the number of button operations when moving from one character to the next is reduced, for example, movement between displayed characters. It is a concept that also includes a state in which the time and effort of the operation can be saved, that is, a crowding from the viewpoint of the operation amount.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the character input device according to the first aspect, when the number of characters searched by the search means is less than or equal to a predetermined number, the omission control means displays the character on the display means. Characters other than are omitted, and the remaining characters are displayed densely.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the character input device according to claim 1, wherein the input receiving means detects the contact of the specific character on the display area of the display device, thereby The touch panel receives an input, and the omission control unit further enlarges the display area of the character searched by the search unit and displays the enlarged display area on the display device.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the character input device according to the third aspect, when the number of characters searched by the search means is less than or equal to a predetermined number, the omission control means displays the character on the display means. Characters other than are omitted, the remaining characters are displayed densely, and the display area of the characters is enlarged and displayed.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the character input device according to the first aspect, the display device displays the input candidate characters in a predetermined sequence, and the omission control means includes the predetermined sequence. When a certain line does not contain the character searched by the search means, the display means is made to omit the display of the line.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the character input device according to claim 5, wherein when the number of lines including characters searched by the search means is less than a predetermined number, the display means This is characterized in that the display of lines that do not include is omitted, and the remaining characters are displayed densely.

  Further, the invention according to claim 7 is the character input device according to claim 5, wherein the input receiving unit detects the contact of the specific character on the display area of the display device, thereby The touch panel receives an input, and the omission control unit further enlarges the display area of the character searched by the search unit and displays the enlarged display area on the display device.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the character input device according to claim 7, wherein when the number of lines including characters searched by the search means is less than a predetermined number, the display means The display of lines that do not include the characters is omitted, the remaining characters are displayed densely, and the display area of the characters is further enlarged and displayed.

  In addition, the code | symbol in the bracket | parenthesis of each said means shows the correspondence with the specific means as described in embodiment mentioned later.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a car navigation apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The car navigation device 1 includes a position detector 11, an internal memory control device 16, an operation switch group 17, an external memory control device 19, a display device 20, a remote control sensor 21, and a control circuit 18 connected thereto. In addition, the car navigation apparatus 1 can exchange information by connecting to the Internet, a dedicated information center, or the like via a connection with the external network 14 by a mobile communication device such as a mobile phone 13.

  The display device 20 has a display surface such as a liquid crystal display and a speaker. When a video signal is input from the control circuit 18, the display device 20 displays the video on the display surface of the liquid crystal display or the like, and receives an audio signal from the control circuit 18. If there is, the sound is output to the speaker.

  The operation switch group 17 includes a plurality of mechanical switches 26 provided around the display surface of the display device 20 and an input device such as a touch panel 25 provided so as to overlap the display surface. For example, a signal based on pressing of a push button is output to the control circuit 18, and a signal based on touch on the touch panel 25, that is, a signal including information on the touch and the touched position is output to the control circuit 18. To do.

  The remote control sensor 21 outputs a signal received from the remote control 22 that transmits a radio signal using infrared rays or the like to the control circuit 18 based on a user operation.

  The position detector 11 includes a well-known geomagnetic sensor 12, a gyroscope 13, a vehicle speed sensor 14, and a GPS receiver 15 for GPS (Global Positioning System) that detects the position of the vehicle based on radio waves from a satellite. And current position information based on detection of these sensors 12 to 15 is output to the control circuit 18. Since these sensors 12-15 have errors of different properties, they are configured to use a plurality of sensors in a complementary manner. Depending on the accuracy, it may be configured by a part of the above-described components, and may further include a steering rotation sensor, a wheel sensor for each drive wheel, etc. (not shown).

  The internal memory control device 16 includes a nonvolatile storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and reads data from the nonvolatile storage medium based on a control command from the control circuit 18 and data if possible. Control writing of. Information stored in the nonvolatile storage medium includes so-called map matching data for improving the accuracy of position detection, various data including map data and landmark data, and a program for operation of the car navigation device 1. Etc.

  The external memory control device 19 controls data reading and data writing to an external storage medium such as a DVD-ROM, a memory stick, or a memory card, if possible. Examples of information stored in the external storage medium include map matching data, map data, landmark data, and the like added to the storage medium controlled by the internal memory control device 16.

  The control circuit 18 is configured as a normal computer, and includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a flash memory, an I / O, and a bus line for connecting these configurations. The control circuit 18 executes a program for the operation of the car navigation device 1 read from the ROM and the external memory control device 19, and reads information from the ROM, RAM, and flash memory when executing the program. The information is written in and the signals are exchanged with the position detector 11, the operation switch group 17, the external memory control device 19, the display device 20, the remote control sensor 21 and the like via the I / O.

  Specifically, when the car navigation apparatus 1 is activated, the control circuit 18 reads and executes a boot program, an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) from the ROM, and executes hardware control and process based on the OS. Perform management. Processes that operate on the OS include menu programs, route search programs, map display programs, and other programs.

  In the following, the operation that the control circuit 18 reads and executes a program will be described as the operation of the executed program.

  The menu program hierarchically displays various programs operating on the OS according to the function and purpose of the program, and starts execution of the program selected by the user from the menu displayed. Note that menu display is performed by outputting image data of the menu to the display surface of the display device 20, and the user selects a remote control terminal (hereinafter referred to as a remote control) 22 or an operation switch via the remote control sensor 21. Detection is performed based on a signal input to the control circuit 18 by a selection operation (cursor movement, confirmation button press, etc.) on the group 17.

  The route search program automatically selects an optimum route from the current position to the destination when the destination position is input by the remote controller 22 or the operation switch group 17, and forms a guidance route to display the display device. 20 is displayed. A Dijkstra method or the like is known as a method for automatically setting an optimum route.

  The map display program includes a vehicle current position mark based on the current position information input from the position detector 11, map data read from the external memory control device 19, and additional data such as a guidance route formed by the route search program. Overlaid on the display surface of the display device 20.

  The route search program of this embodiment can input the character string of the name of the facility at the destination as one method of inputting the destination. That is, when the route search program receives a character string of the name of the destination by the user, the route search program is included in advance in the map data of the internal memory control device 16 or created separately by the user and stored in the internal memory control device 16. The facility having the name is searched from the location information, and the route search to the facility corresponding to the search result and the route display are performed. In order to realize such a function, the route search program uses a character input program for facilitating a user input character string.

  Specifically, the route search program activates the character input program when receiving a character string input of a route search destination. As will be described in detail below, the character input program specifies an input character string based on the operation of the user's operation switch group 17 and the remote controller 22, outputs the specified input character string to the route search program, and ends.

  FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of the operation of this character string input program. When the character string input program is started by the route search program as described above, first, in step 210, a 50-sound display is displayed on the display device 20. Specifically, an image as shown in the display screen 31 of FIG. 3 showing the change in the screen display of the display device 20 is displayed on the display device 20.

  The display screen 31 includes a 50 sound part 32, an input character string display part 33, a correction button 35, a return button 36, a number display part 37, a kana button 38, a kana button 39, an alphabetic button 40, a numerical symbol button 41, and a completion button. 42 is provided.

  The 50 sound part 32 includes character buttons as input candidate characters arranged in a normal 50 sound table format. Using the display on the display surface of the display device 20 of these character buttons, the user can input characters.

  Specifically, the user touches the part of the touch panel 25 corresponding to the display area of the character button on the display surface, and a signal including information on the touch and the touched position is input to the control circuit 18. As a result, the character input program detects that the character has been selected. By this detection, the character input program accepts a character input by the user.

  Further, the character input program targets one of these character buttons, emphasizes the display of the target button from the other buttons, and allows the user to move the mechanical switch 26 and the remote control 22 up, down, left, and right. When a predetermined mechanical button is pressed and a signal indicating that the mechanical button has been pressed is input to the control circuit 18, the display screen of the display device 20 targets the character input program based on the signal. It changes to the buttons on the top, bottom, left and right next to it. In addition, when the user presses a predetermined mechanical button for determining the mechanical switch 26 or the remote controller 22 and a signal indicating that the mechanical button has been pressed is input to the control circuit 18, the character input program receives the signal. Based on this, it is detected that the currently targeted button has been selected. By this detection, the character input program accepts a character input by the user.

  In addition, the correction button 35, the return button 36, the kana button 38, the kana button 39, the alphabetic button 40, and the numeric symbol button 41 use these displays on the display surface of the display device 20 as in the case of the character buttons described above. Thus, an input operation for selecting one of the buttons can be performed.

  Subsequent to Step 210, in Step 220, it is determined whether or not the character button, the correction button 35, or the completion button 42 using the display screen as described above has been selected. This determination process is repeated until these buttons are selected. If there is a selection, the process proceeds to step 230.

  In step 230, it is determined whether or not the button whose selection has been detected in step 220 is the completion button 42. If the button is the completion button 42, the character string sequentially input up to the present time is converted into the program of the start source (this implementation). In the form, the program is passed to a route search program), and then the process ends. Thus, the completion button 42 is a button for the user to indicate that the character input has been completed. If the selected button is other than the completion button 42, that is, if it is a character button or a correction button 35, the process proceeds to step 240.

  In step 240, if the button whose selection is detected in step 220 is a character button, the selected character is displayed in the input character string display unit 33 on the display device 20. Specifically, the selected character is displayed at the position where the prompt 34 is displayed in the input character string display unit 33, and the prompt 34 is moved to the right side of the displayed character. 20 to do. By repeating the loop including step 240 shown in FIG. 2, a character string composed of characters sequentially input is displayed on the input character string display unit 33. If the button whose selection has been detected in step 220 is the correction button 35, the character on the left side of the current prompt 34 position is deleted, and the prompt 34 is moved to the position of the deleted character string. To the display device 20. In this way, the input characters can be canceled and corrected.

  Next, in step 250, the input character string currently displayed on the input character string display part 33 is compared with dictionary data. Specifically, among the names of points included in the point information of the internal memory control device 16, a character string representing the name starts from the input character string is stored in a predetermined area in the memory of the control circuit 18. List up. Thus, in the present embodiment, a set of spot names included in the spot information of the internal memory control device 16 corresponds to dictionary data, and a character string representing the spot name corresponds to a dictionary character string.

  Next, in step 260, a character that does not follow is searched. The next character refers to the character next to the input character string at the beginning of the name of the point listed in step 250. That is, in step 260, for each of the names of the points listed, the next character is extracted and the list is created in the memory of the control circuit 18, and the list of characters not extracted is also stored in the memory. To create. It should be noted that two or more of the same characters are not listed in the list obtained by extracting the next character.

  Next, in step 270, it is determined whether there is a character that does not follow. Specifically, it is determined whether the list of unextracted characters created in step 260 is empty or empty. If there is a character that does not continue next, the process proceeds to step 275, and if not, the process returns to step 220.

  In step 275, it is determined whether the next character is N characters or less (N is an integer). The number N of characters is a value set in advance by the designer or user of the character input program, and is 6, for example. Whether or not the next character is N or less is determined by whether or not the number of characters in the extracted character list created in step 260 is N or less. If N characters or less, the process proceeds to step 290; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 280.

  In step 280, the standard display of 50 sounds is displayed on the display device 20. Specifically, a screen similar to the screen 31 in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display device 20. However, the input character string display unit 33 displays a character string composed of characters sequentially input after the start of the character input program, and a prompt 34 following the character string.

  Next, in step 285, the characters included in the list of unextracted characters created in step 260 are toned down (see display screen 54 in FIG. 6), and then the process returns to step 220.

  In step 290, the display device 20 is caused to perform a 50-sound shortened enlarged display. Specifically, as in the display screen 45 of FIG. 3, the 50 sound part 43 in which only the characters included in the extracted character list created in step 260 are left as character buttons is displayed in the display screen 31 of FIG. Instead of the 50 sound part 32, it is displayed. At this time, the display area of each character button to be displayed is enlarged and displayed. The display screen 45 in FIG. 3 is a screen displayed by the display device 20 in this way. Although there is no change in the display area of the 50 sound part 32 and the 50 sound part 43 as a whole, it is sufficient to touch the edge of the display area of each character button in touch panel input. The area to move is effectively narrowed. Therefore, each button is more effectively packed than when the 50 sound part 32 is displayed. After the process of step 290, the process returns to step 220.

  By the character input program as described above, characters input by the user using the screen displayed on the display device 20 in step 210 are received in the processing of steps 220 and 230, and the received characters are displayed in step 240. In step 250, a character string representing the name of the point in the map data is searched for a dictionary character string including the input character string at the head, and in step 260, the character following the input character string is searched for in the searched character string. Search for.

  Then, in steps 270 to 290, the display device 20 is made to omit the display of characters other than the searched characters, the remaining character buttons are densely packed, and the display area of the searched characters is enlarged at the same time.

  By repeating such processing, character strings sequentially input by the user are finally passed to the route search program.

  As a result, the display of characters other than the characters necessary for inputting the dictionary character string in the dictionary data is omitted, the remaining characters are displayed densely, and the remaining characters are displayed enlarged. In both the touch panel input and the input by moving the target of the mechanical switch 26, the remote controller 22, etc., it is possible to reduce the effort of inputting the character string of dictionary data as a whole. Further, unnecessary input candidate characters are not displayed, and the remaining characters are enlarged and displayed, so that the visibility is improved.

  In step 275, the process of omission, density, and enlargement is performed only when the number of remaining characters is equal to or less than the predetermined number. Therefore, the process of omission, density, and enlargement is performed only when the effect of such process is high. Display can be made.

  When the character input program detects selection of the return button 36 during the process of FIG. 4, the character program immediately ends the process. As a result, the process immediately before the immediately preceding program (route search program in this embodiment) calls the character input program is resumed.

  In addition, when it is detected that the kana button 39 is selected during the process of FIG. 4, the character program determines that the character input thereafter is katakana. When it is detected that the kana button 38 has been selected, the character program determines that the character input thereafter is hiragana.

  If it is detected during the processing of FIG. 4 that the alphabet button 40 has been selected, the character program has alphabetic characters (A, B, C, +, =, etc.) as character buttons instead of the 50 sound part 32. A group of buttons is displayed on the display device 20.

  4, when it is detected that the numeric symbol button 41 is selected, the character program replaces the 50 sound portion 32 with numbers (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 , 8, 9) are displayed on the display device 20 as buttons having character buttons.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The configuration and operation of the car navigation device 1 according to the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the character display program. In the following, portions of the character display program of the second embodiment that are different from those of the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of the character display program according to the present embodiment. Note that the steps denoted by the same reference numerals in FIGS. 2 and 4 perform the same process, and the description of these steps is omitted here.

  If it is determined in step 270 that there is a character that does not continue, the process proceeds to step 375, and it is determined whether or not the line including the next character is M lines or less (M is an integer). The number M of lines is a value set in advance by the designer or user of the character input program, and is 4, for example. Here, the row is a row in a predetermined two-dimensional array such as the 50 sound section 32 in FIG. Specifically, a row is a column including five character buttons arranged vertically, such as a row, a row, a row, and so on. In the present embodiment, the vertical alignment is a row, but the horizontal alignment may be a row. Whether or not the line including the next character is equal to or less than M lines is determined based on which line the character in the extracted character list created in step 260 belongs to, and the list This is done by counting the number of lines that contain the characters inside. If there are more than M rows, the process proceeds to step 280, and if it is less than or equal to M lines, the process proceeds to step 390.

  In step 390, a 50-sound shortened enlarged display is performed. An example of this display is shown in FIG. 3 and the display screen 46 in FIG. 5 have the same functions, and a detailed description thereof is omitted here. As a specific process of step 390, the 50 sound part 44 in which only the characters belonging to the line including the next character counted in step 375 are left as character buttons is displayed instead of the 50 sound part 32 of FIG. Let At this time, the display area of each character button to be displayed is enlarged and displayed. Although there is no change in the display area of the 50 sound part 32 and the 50 sound part 44 as a whole, the touch panel input only requires touching the end of the display area of each character button. The area to move is effectively narrowed. Therefore, each button is effectively denser than the case of the 50 sound part 32. After the process of step 390, the process proceeds to step 395. The process of step 395 is equivalent to the process of step 285.

  By the character input program as described above, characters input by the user using the screen displayed on the display device 20 in step 210 are received in the processing of steps 220 and 230, and the received characters are displayed in step 240. In step 250, a character string representing the name of the point in the map data is searched for a dictionary character string including the input character string at the head, and in step 260, the character following the input character string is searched for in the searched character string. Search for.

  Then, in steps 375, 390, and 395, the display device 20 is made to omit the display of the line that does not include the searched character, the remaining character buttons are gathered together, and the display area of the searched character is enlarged at the same time.

  By repeating such processing, character strings sequentially input by the user are finally passed to the route search program.

  This eliminates the display of lines that do not contain any of the following characters, thereby eliminating the display of characters other than the characters necessary for inputting the dictionary character string in the dictionary data. Since the characters belonging to it are displayed densely and the remaining characters are enlarged, a character string input of dictionary data as a whole is possible, both in the touch panel input and in the input by moving the target of the mechanical switch 26, the remote controller 22, etc. It is possible to reduce the labor of the operation. Further, unnecessary input candidate characters are not displayed, and the remaining characters are enlarged and displayed, so that the visibility is improved.

  In step 375, the omission, density, and enlarged display processes are performed only when the number of remaining lines is equal to or less than the predetermined number. Therefore, the omission, density, and enlarged processes are performed only when the effect of such processes is high. Display can be made.

  In each of the above embodiments, the car navigation device 1 is shown as an example of a character input device. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the car navigation device 1, and may be a mobile phone or the like. That is, a display device that displays input candidate characters and a storage device that has dictionary data including a set of character strings, and sequentially accepts input of characters using the input candidate characters displayed on the display device. Any device may be used.

  In addition, as the dictionary data, in each of the above-described embodiments, a set of the names of points included in the map data is used. However, the dictionary data is not necessarily limited to this, and is included in, for example, the phone book data of a mobile phone. It may be a set of names or telephone numbers. That is, a set of character strings stored in the storage device is sufficient.

  In each of the above embodiments, 50 kana sounds are used as input candidate characters displayed on the display device 20, but this may be an alphabet, a number, a symbol, or the like. That is, any character can be used.

It is a figure showing composition of car navigation device 1 concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart of operation | movement of the character string input program in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the change of the screen display of the display apparatus 20 in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart of operation | movement of the character string input program in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the 50 sound reduction enlarged display in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the change of the screen display of the display apparatus 20 in a prior art.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Car navigation apparatus, 11 ... Position detector, 12 ... Geomagnetic sensor,
13 ... Gyroscope, 14 ... Vehicle speed sensor, 15 ... GPS receiver,
16 ... Internal memory control device, 17 ... Operation switch group, 18 ... Control circuit,
19 ... External memory control device, 20 ... Display device, 21 ... Remote control sensor,
22 ... remote control, 23 ... mobile phone, 24 ... external network, 25 ... touch panel,
26 ... mechanical switch, 32 ... 50 sound part, 33 ... input character string display part,
34 ... Prompt, 35 ... Correction button, 36 ... Back button, 37 ... Number display section,
38 ... Kana button, 39 ... Kana button, 40 ... English button, 41 ... Numeric symbol button,
42 ... Complete button, 43 ... 50 sound part, 44 ... 50 sound part, 51 ... 50 sound part,
52 ... Input character string display section, 55 ... Prompt.

Claims (8)

A display device (20) for displaying input candidate characters;
A storage device (16) for storing dictionary data including a set of character strings;
Input receiving means (220 to 240) for sequentially receiving input of characters using display of input candidate characters of the display device;
Retrieval means for retrieving a character string following the input character string in a dictionary character string that is a dictionary character string that the dictionary data has as its element, and that first includes an input character string that includes characters sequentially received by the input receiving unit (250, 260),
Omission control means (270-290, 375, 390, 395) for causing the display means to omit the display of characters other than the character searched by the search means and to display the remaining characters in a dense manner. Character input device. The omission control means causes the display means to omit the display of characters other than the character when the number of characters searched by the search means is a predetermined number or less, and further displays the remaining characters in a dense manner. The character input device according to claim 1. The input receiving means is a touch panel that receives an input of the character by detecting a contact with a display area of the specific character in the display device,
2. The character input device according to claim 1, wherein the omission control unit further enlarges the display area of the character searched by the search unit and causes the display device to display the enlarged display area. The abbreviation control means causes the display means to omit the display of characters other than the character when the number of characters searched by the search means is equal to or less than a predetermined number, further displays the remaining characters densely, and further The character input device according to claim 3, wherein the display area of characters is enlarged and displayed. The display device displays input candidate characters in a predetermined sequence,
The said omission control means makes the said display means omit the display of the said line, when a certain line does not contain the character searched by the said search means among the said predetermined arrangements. Character input device. When the display unit includes a predetermined number or less of lines including the character searched by the search unit, the display unit causes the display unit to omit display of the line not including the character and to display the remaining characters densely. The character input device according to claim 5, wherein The input receiving means is a touch panel that receives an input of the character by detecting a contact with a display area of the specific character in the display device,
6. The character input device according to claim 5, wherein the omission control unit further enlarges the display area of the character searched by the search unit and causes the display device to display the enlarged display area. The display device, when the number of lines including the character searched by the search means is less than a predetermined number, to cause the display means to omit the display of the line not including the character, to further display the remaining characters densely, The character input device according to claim 7, wherein the display area of the character is enlarged and displayed.

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