Patent Publication Number: US-2013249832-A1

Title: Mobile terminal

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
     The present invention relates to a mobile terminal including a touch panel display. 
     BACKGROUND ART  
     Mobile terminals having a function for displaying words that are associated with a character or a character string input have become popular. For example, FIG. 3 in Patent Literature 1 discloses words as input prediction candidates displayed in a prediction candidate display region in a section lower than a message body region where a message body is displayed. 
     CITATION LIST  
     Patent Literature 
     Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2011-022907 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
     Technical Problem 
     However, in a mobile terminal including a conventional character input device described above, because words as input prediction candidates are displayed in the input prediction candidate display region in list form, a user thereof has to select a desired word by operating a given key, for example. In addition, because words as input prediction candidates are displayed in an enumerated fashion, it may be impossible to help the user intuitively input the desired input prediction candidate. 
     The present invention has been made to solve such problems and aims at providing a mobile terminal that enables more intuitive and easier input. 
     Solution to Problem 
     To solve the above-mentioned problems, a mobile terminal of the present invention includes a touch panel display; input prediction candidate storage means for storing input prediction candidates associated with character strings; input prediction candidate display means for referring to the input prediction candidate storage means on the basis of a character string input from input means and displaying corresponding input prediction candidates as pieces of input prediction candidate information around an input position; and input control means for, after detecting that one piece of input prediction candidate information is selected, inputting a corresponding input prediction candidate displayed as the piece of input prediction candidate information into the input position. 
     In this invention, input prediction candidates corresponding to a character string are displayed one by one as pieces of input prediction candidate information around the input position on the touch panel display. Because a user can input by operation of simply selecting one piece of input prediction candidate information from among the pieces of input prediction candidate information displayed around the input position, it is possible to provide input that is intuitive and easy for the user. 
     In addition, in the mobile terminal of the present invention, the input prediction candidate display means can display the pieces of input prediction candidate information as symbols. 
     In this invention, input prediction candidates corresponding to a character string are symbolized one by one and displayed around the input position on the touch panel display. The symbols herein mean objects into which character strings or pictographs, for example, as the input prediction candidates are graphically processed (converted) on a word-by-word or phrase-by-phrase basis. Because the user can input by operation of simply selecting one symbol from among the symbols displayed around the input position, it is possible to provide input that is intuitive and easy for the user. 
     In addition, the mobile terminal of the present invention further may also include priority assigning means for assigning priorities to the input prediction candidates stored in the input prediction candidate storage means. The input prediction candidate display means may change a display form of the pieces of input prediction candidate information displayed around the input position on the basis of the priorities. 
     In this case, a display form such as size or a pattern of the pieces of input prediction candidate information (symbol), or overlapping order of the pieces of input prediction candidate information is changed, whereby it is possible to provide more intuitive input for the user. 
     In the mobile terminal of the present invention, the priority assigning means may divide the input prediction candidates into a plurality of groups on the basis of the priorities and the input prediction candidate display means may switch the pieces of input prediction candidate information to be displayed around the input position from one group to another. 
     In this case, it is possible to display many pieces of input prediction candidate information around the input position where space is limited. 
     In the mobile terminal of the present invention, the input prediction candidate display means can, after detecting that flick or drag is performed in a predetermined direction on the touch panel display, display the pieces of input prediction candidate information belonging to another group in place of the pieces of input prediction candidate information displayed before the flick or drag is performed. In the mobile terminal of the present invention, the input prediction display means can, after detecting that flick or drag is performed on one piece of input prediction candidate information toward outside of the touch panel display, display another piece of input prediction candidate information that is not displayed before the flick or drag is performed. 
     Accordingly, in displaying other pieces of input prediction candidate information, it is possible to provide input that is more in intuitive and easier input for the user. 
     In the mobile terminal of the present invention, the priority assigning means can assign the priorities on the basis of use frequencies of the input prediction candidates. In the mobile terminal of the present invention, attribute information can be associated with each of the input prediction candidates stored in the input prediction candidate storage means and the priority assigning means can assign the priorities on the basis of an attribute of the terminal at time of inputting and the attribute information. 
     In this case, by assigning the priorities based on the attribute information, it is possible to provide more intuitive input for the user. 
     In addition, in the mobile terminal of the present invention, the input prediction candidate display means can display the pieces of input prediction candidate information surrounding the input position on the basis of positional information of the input position. In addition, in the mobile terminal of the present invention, the input prediction candidate display means can display the pieces of input prediction candidate information moving around the input position on the basis of positional information of the input position. 
     In this case, the pieces of input prediction candidate information become more visually prominent, and thus it is possible to help the user input more intuitively. 
     In addition, in the mobile terminal of the present invention, the input control means may, after detecting that one piece of input prediction candidate information is tapped or that one piece of input prediction candidate information is flicked toward the input position, input an input prediction candidate displayed as the piece of input prediction candidate information into the input position. 
     In this case, because the user can input one piece of input prediction candidate information selected from among the pieces of input prediction candidate information displayed around the input position by tapping or flicking the one piece to the input position, it is possible to provide input that is intuitive and easy for the user. 
     In addition, in the mobile terminal of the present invention, the input control means may, after detecting that one piece of input prediction candidate information is dragged and dropped between character strings that have been input, input an input prediction candidate displayed as the piece of input prediction candidate information between the character strings. 
     In addition, in the mobile terminal of the present invention, the input prediction candidate display means may, after detecting that one input prediction candidate is pinched out or double tapped, display a piece of input prediction candidate information corresponding thereto in enlarged form and the input control means may adjust a display size of the input prediction candidate to be input into the input position on the basis of a display size of the piece of input prediction candidate information. In addition, in the mobile terminal of the present invention, the input prediction candidate display means may, after detecting that one input prediction candidate is pinched in, display a piece of input prediction candidate information corresponding thereto in reduced form and the input control means may adjust a display size of the input prediction candidate to be input into the input position on the basis of a display size of the piece of input prediction candidate information. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     With the mobile terminal of the present invention, intuitive and easy input becomes possible. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an external view of a mobile terminal according to a present embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the mobile terminal depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram for explaining one example of a screen of a mail application. 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram for explaining one example of display at the time of flicking on the screen of the mail application. 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the mobile terminal depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating a flow of input character control in the mobile terminal depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the input character control following  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  includes explanatory diagrams for explaining input control that is different from that of the present embodiment in an input control unit. 
         FIG. 9  includes explanatory diagrams for explaining a method for displaying objects. 
         FIG. 10  includes explanatory diagrams for explaining a method for switching display objects. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS  
     An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. If possible, like numerals refer to like parts, and duplicated explanation will be omitted.  FIG. 1  is an external view of a mobile terminal according to the present embodiment.  FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the mobile terminal depicted in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  is a diagram for explaining one example of a screen of a mail application.  FIG. 4  is a diagram for explaining one example of display at the time of flicking on the screen of the mail application. Terms indicating directions such as “upper”, “lower”, “left”, and “right” in the explanations are convenient words based on states depicted in the drawings. 
     This mobile terminal  1  includes a touch panel display (input means)  3 , an application control unit  5 , and a character input control unit  10  as depicted in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . 
     The touch panel display  3  is arranged on a surface of one side of a housing  2  and is an electronic component also having an input/output function. In the touch panel display  3 , input to and output from the touch panel display  3  are controlled by a touch panel display control unit  3   a . Examples of input that the touch panel display control unit  3   a  receives include contact with the touch panel display  3  by a user using his/her fingers or a pen for a touch panel, for example. Examples of output that the touch panel display control unit  3   a  performs include displaying a display screen as depicted in  FIG. 3  displayed through the mail application or visual contents such as characters or images on the touch panel display  3 . The touch panel display control unit  3   a  outputs received input to the character input control unit  10  via the application control unit  5  and receives output from the character input control unit  10  via the application control unit  5 . 
     The application control unit  5  is a component that executes various applications. Examples of the applications that the application control unit  5  executes include the mail application, a memo pad application, and a scheduler. The application control unit  5  displays various application screens on the touch panel display  3  and also relays input to and output from the touch panel display  3  and input to and output from the character input control unit  10 . Hereinafter, a case when the character input control unit  10  operates on the mail application that the application control unit  5  executes will be described. 
     The mail application that is one of applications that the application control unit  5  controls will be described here with reference to  FIG. 3 . The mail application provides functions such as input of a mail message body, transmission, reception of a mail, and display of a received mail for the user.  FIG. 3  illustrates one example of a screen of the mail application (hereinafter, referred to as a mail screen) that is displayed on the touch panel when the mail application is started. This mail screen  13  includes a message body display region  14 , an input character display region  17 , a menu display region  18 , and an input region  19 . 
     The message body display region  14  is a section that displays a message body  14   a  input by the user and a cursor (input position)  14   b  indicating a position into which characters are to be input. The input character display region  17  is a section that displays a character string input via the touch panel display  3  in real time. The menu display region  18  displays menu buttons  18   a  for starting various functions. The input region  19  is a section that displays keys  19   a  for inputting characters, for example. Examples of the character or the character string include hiraganas, katakanas, alphabets, numerals, and signs. 
     The character input control unit  10  is a component that controls characters input into the screen displayed on the touch panel display  3 , and has a control unit  20  for implementing functions on character input control, an input prediction candidate storage unit (input prediction candidate storage means)  30  for storing input prediction candidate associated with character strings, and a history management storage unit  40  for storing use frequencies in association with the input prediction candidates. 
     The control unit  20  controls the touch panel display  3 , the application control unit  5 , the input prediction candidate storage unit  30 , and the history management storage unit  40 . The control unit  20  has a symbol generation unit (input prediction candidate display means)  21 , an input control unit (input control means)  22 , and a priority assigning unit (priority assigning means)  23 . 
     The symbol generation unit  21  is a component that refers to the input prediction candidate storage unit  30  on the basis of a character string input via the touch panel display  3  and displays the corresponding input prediction candidates as symbols (pieces of input prediction candidate information)  15  (hereinafter, referred to as “objects  15 ”) around the cursor  14   b  (see  FIG. 3 ). Assuming that one character such as ┌ ┘ also is referred to as a character string herein, the following description will be made. 
     The symbol generation unit  21 , for example, after receiving a character string ┌ ┘ input by the user, reads input prediction candidates associated with the character string ┌ ┘ from a dictionary table  31 , a pictograph table  32 , and a prediction conversion table  33  contained in the input prediction candidate storage unit  30 , and displays the object  15  around the cursor  14   b  displayed on the mail screen  13 . The term “around the cursor  14   b”  indicates being in an area where the objects  15  do not overlap the cursor. The objects  15  include objects  15   a  into which character strings are converted and objects  15   b  into which pictographs or images are converted. 
     The input control unit  22  is a component that, when one of the objects  15  selected by the user is flicked (selected) to the cursor  14   b  by a finger  60 , inputs an input prediction candidate contained in the one of the objects  15  into the cursor  14   b.  When one of the objects is flicked toward the cursor  14   b  via the touch panel display  3 , the input control unit  22  causes the message body display region  14  on the mail screen  13  to display the input prediction candidate corresponding to the one of the objects as the message body  14   a  via the application control unit  5 . 
     The priority assigning unit  23  is a component that assigns priorities to input prediction candidates stored in the input prediction candidate storage unit  30 . The priority assigning unit  23  refers to the history management storage unit  40  described later, and assigns priorities based on use frequencies corresponding to the input prediction candidates. The symbol generation unit  21  can change a display form such as color or display size of the objects  15  displayed around the cursor  14   b  on the basis of the priorities. 
     The input prediction candidate storage unit  30  has the dictionary table  31  for storing kanji characters associated with character strings, the pictograph table  32  for storing pictograph images associated with character strings and names thereof, and the prediction conversion table  33  for storing prediction character strings associated with character strings. The history management storage unit  40  stores as the numbers of times use frequencies with which input prediction candidates displayed as the objects  15  are actually used as the message body  14   a.    
       FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal  1  is configured with a CPU  51  for executing an operating system or an application program, for example, a main storage unit  52  constructed of a ROM and a RAM, an auxiliary storage unit  53  constructed of a hard disk or a memory, for example, as the input prediction candidate storage unit  30  or the history management storage unit  40 , an input unit  54  such as an operation button and the touch panel display  3 , and an output unit  55  such as the touch panel display  3 . Each function of the application control unit  5  and the control unit  20  described above is implemented by causing the CPU  51  and the main storage unit  52  to read predetermined software and, under control of the CPU  51 , causing the touch panel display  3  to display information, reading information input at the touch panel display  3 , or causing the main storage unit  52  and the auxiliary storage unit  53  to read and write data. 
     Processes in controlling input characters that are characterizing portions of the present embodiment will be described hereinafter with reference to  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating a flow of input character control in the mobile terminal.  FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the input character control following  FIG. 6 . 
     The input character control when the mail application is operating by the application control unit  5  will be described herein. In the mobile terminal  1  when the mail application is operating, the touch panel display  3  first receives input of a character from the user and notifies the application control unit  5  (S 1 ). For example, a character string ┌ ┘ is input via the touch panel display  3 , and the application control unit  5  is notified of this character string ┌ ┘. 
     Next, the application control unit  5 , after receiving the character string ┌ ┘, displays the character string ∉ ┘ in the input character display region  17  on the mail screen  13  and also notifies the control unit  20  of this character string ┌ ┘ (S 2 ). 
     Next, the symbol generation unit  21  included in the control unit  20 , after receiving the character string ┌ ┘, inquires of each of the dictionary table  31 , the pictograph table  32 , and the prediction conversion table  33  in the input prediction candidate storage unit  30  whether there is a character string or a pictograph associated with the character string ┌ ┘ (S 3 ,  5 ,  7 ). 
     Next, the symbol generation unit  21 , when finding input prediction candidates such as ┌ ┘, ┌ ┘, and ┌ ┘ associated with the character string ┌ ┘ in the dictionary table  31 , reads these input prediction candidates from the dictionary table  31  (S 4 ). In addition, the symbol generation unit  21 , when finding input prediction candidates for pictographs whose names start with ┌ ┘ in the pictograph table  32 , reads these input prediction candidates from the pictograph table  32  (S 6 ). 
     In addition, the symbol generation unit  21 , when finding input prediction candidates such as ┌   ┘, ┌   ┘, and ┌ !┘ associated with the character string ┌ ┘ in the prediction conversion table  33 , reads these input prediction candidates from the prediction conversion table  33  (S 8 ). 
     Next, the symbol generation unit  21  inquires of the history management table  41  in the history management storage unit  40  whether there is information on use frequencies with respect to the respective input prediction candidates read from the dictionary table  31 , the pictograph table  32 , and the prediction conversion table  33  (S 9 ). The symbol generation unit  21 , when finding information on the numbers of times as the use frequencies associated with the respective input prediction candidates in the history management table  41 , reads the numbers of times together with the input prediction candidates (S 10 ). 
     Next, the symbol generation unit  21  generates the objects  15  for the respective input prediction candidates read from the dictionary table  31 , the pictograph table  32 , and the prediction conversion table  33  (S 11 ). At this time, the priority assigning unit  23  assigns priorities to the above objects  15  on the basis of the numbers of times as the use frequencies read from the history management table  41 . The symbol generation unit  21  changes the size or color of the objects  15  on the basis of these priorities (S 12 ). 
     For example, based on the use frequencies read from the history management table  41 , the symbol generation unit  21  may change the display form of the objects  15  to LL size for 100 times or more, L size for 50 times or more, M size for 11 times or more and 49 times or less, and S size for 10 times or less. In addition, if objects only in one kind of size are displayed as a result of the above-described change, it is possible to change the display form again. For example, if objects in M size only are displayed, the symbol generation unit  21  may change again the display form to LL size for 40 times or more and 49 times or less of use frequency, L size for 30 times or more and 39 times or less, M size for 20 times or more and 29 times or less, and S size for 19 times or less. 
     In addition, based on the priorities assigned by the priority assigning unit  23 , the symbol generation unit  21  may change the display form such that the overlapping order of the objects  15  changes. For example, the priority assigning unit  23  may assign higher priorities to input prediction candidates for which the numbers of times as their use frequencies are larger, and the symbol generation unit  21  may change the display form such that objects corresponding to the input prediction candidates with higher priorities are displayed on the further front side. 
     Next, the symbol generation unit  21  controls the application control unit  5  to display the objects  15  in accordance with the size or color determined at step S 12  around the cursor  14   b  displayed on the mail screen  13  (S 13 ), and displays the objects  15  around the cursor  14   b  (S 14 ). 
     At this time, the priority assigning unit  23  divides the objects  15  into a plurality of groups on the basis of the use frequencies, and the symbol generation unit  21  can switch the objects  15  to be displayed around the cursor  14   b  from one group to another. For example, the priority assigning unit  23  may divide the objects  15  into a first group and a second group on the basis of the use frequencies and the symbol generation unit  21  may switch the groups from one to another by receiving input of “NEXT CANDIDATE” button among the buttons  18   a  displayed in the menu display region  18  via the touch panel display  3 . In this case, the application control unit  5  receives the input of “NEXT CANDIDATE” button among the buttons  18   a  displayed in the menu display region  18  via the touch panel display  3  (S 15 ), and notifies the symbol generation unit  21  of this information (S 16 ). The symbol generation unit  21  receiving this information controls the application control unit  5  (S 17 ) and causes the objects  15  belonging to the second group to be displayed around the cursor  14   b  (S 18 ). Accordingly, it is possible to display the objects  15  in large numbers as input prediction candidates around the cursor  14   b  where space is limited. 
     Next, the application control unit  5 , after receiving information indicating that one of the objects  15  corresponding to ┌ !┘ is flicked to the vicinity of the cursor  14   b  from the touch panel display  3 , for example, as depicted in  FIG. 4  (S 19 ), notifies the input control unit  22  of this information (S 20 ). The input control unit  22 , after receiving this information, receives an input prediction candidate ┌   !┘ corresponding to the flicked one of the objects as a character string to be input into the cursor  14   b  (S 21 ). Next, the input control unit  22  controls the application control unit  5  (S 22 ) and causes the character string thus received to be displayed at the cursor  14   b  (S 23 ). 
     The input control unit  22 , after receiving the input prediction candidate ┌   5  !┘ corresponding to the flicked one of the objects  15  as the character string to be input into the input position in the message body at step S 21 , updates the number of times as a use frequency associated with the input prediction candidate ┌   ′┘ by incrementing the number by “one” with respect to the history management table  41  stored in the history management storage unit  40  (S 24 ). 
     As described above, with the mobile terminal  1  of the present embodiment, input prediction candidates corresponding to a character string are converted into objects one by one and displayed around the cursor  14   b  on the mail screen  13 . The user can input the message body  14   a  by performing easy operation of simply flicking one object among the objects  15  as the input prediction candidates displayed around the cursor  14   b  via the touch panel display  3 . As a result of this, it is possible to provide input that is intuitive and easy for the user. 
     In the foregoing, the present invention has been described in detail based on an embodiment thereof. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. Various modifications as described below can be made within the scope not departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     The input control unit  22  in the above embodiment has been described with an example in which when one of the objects  15  selected by the user is flicked toward the cursor  14   b  with the finger  60 , an input prediction candidate contained in the one of the objects  15  is input into the position where the cursor  14   b  is displayed, but the present invention is not limited to this. The input control unit  22 , when detecting that one symbol displayed around the cursor  14   b  is selected, needs to be able to input an input prediction candidate contained in the objects into the cursor  14   b,  and input control described below may be performed, for example. Note that an explanation will be made without being limited to the input for the mail application in the following description. 
       FIG. 8(A)  is an explanatory diagram for explaining input control that is different from that of the above-described embodiment in the input control unit. A cursor  114   c  indicates a position where a character to be input next is to be displayed. For example, the input control unit  22  may, after detecting that one object  15   c  displayed around the cursor  114   c  is tapped with the finger  60  of the user via the touch panel display  3  (see  FIG. 1 ), display a character  114   d  as an input prediction candidate corresponding to the one object in a display region  114 . More specifically, after the object  15   c  in which a character string of ┌   ┘ is contained is tapped by the user, the character string  114   d  of ┌   ┘ is input in the display region  114 . 
       FIG. 8(B)  is, similarly to  FIG. 8(A) , an explanatory diagram for explaining input control that is different from that of the above-described embodiment in the input control unit  22 . For example, the input control unit  22  may, after detecting that one object  15   d  displayed around the cursor  114   c  is dragged and dropped in the direction of an arrow indicated in  FIG. 8(B)  by the finger  60  of the user via the touch panel display  3  (see  FIG. 1 ), display a character  114   e  as an input prediction candidate corresponding to the one object at the position where it is dropped in the display region  114 . More specifically, after an object  15   d  in which a character string of ┌ ┘ is contained is dragged and dropped by the user, the character string  114   e  of ┌ ┘ is inserted into the position where it is dropped in the display region  114 . 
       FIG. 8(C)  is, similarly to  FIG. 8(A) , an explanatory diagram for explaining input control that is different from that of the above-described embodiment in the input control unit  22 . For example, the input control unit  22  may, after detecting that one object  15   e  displayed around the cursor  114   c  is pinched out with the fingers  60  of the user via the touch panel display  3  (see  FIG. 1 ), display the one object in an increased size. In other words, after the object  15   e  in which an image is contained is pinched out by the user, the size of the object becomes larger. Subsequently, selecting operation such as flick, tap, or drag and drop is performed by the user, whereby the image in larger size is input in the display region  114 . Alternatively, instead of the pinch-out operation described above, double-tap operation may be performed. In addition, the object  15   e  may be an object in which a character string is contained other than only an object in which an image is contained. 
     In addition, the input control unit  22  may, after detecting that the one object  15   e  displayed around the cursor  114   b  is pinched in with the fingers  60  of the user via the touch panel display  3 , display the one object in a reduced size. Subsequently, selecting operation such as flick, tap, or drag and drop is performed by the user, whereby the image in smaller size is similarly input in the display region  114 . 
     In addition, the symbol generation unit  21  in the above embodiment has been described with an example in which input prediction candidates are read from the dictionary table  31  or other tables contained in the input prediction candidate storage unit  30  and the objects  15  are randomly displayed around the cursor  14   c  in the display region  14  as depicted in  FIG. 9(A) , but the present invention is not limited to this. 
       FIG. 9(B)  is a diagram for explaining a method for displaying objects. For example, the symbol generation unit  21  may display the objects  15  on the basis of the positional information of the cursor  14   c  in such a manner that the objects surround the cursor  14   c.  More specifically, the objects  15  may be displayed along the circumferential direction of a circle centering on the cursor  14   c.  It is also possible to arrange the objects  15  in a plurality of concentric layers as depicted in  FIG. 9(B) . In this case, for example, the objects  15  with higher priorities assigned by the priority assigning unit  23  may be displayed at positions closer to the cursor  14   c . Alternatively, the objects  15  arranged in the outer circumference may be displayed while slowly rotating counterclockwise (in the direction of an arrow A indicated in FIG.  9 (B)), whereas the objects  15  arranged in the inner circumference may be displayed while slowly rotating clockwise (in the direction of an arrow B indicated in  FIG. 9(B) ). Accordingly, the objects  15  are displayed more visually, which exerts an effect of catching the user&#39;s eyes more easily. 
       FIG. 9(C)  is, similarly to  FIG. 9(B) , an explanatory diagram for explaining a method for displaying objects. For example, the symbol generation unit  21  may display the objects  15  on the basis of the positional information of the cursor  14   c  in such a manner that the objects move around the cursor  14   c . More specifically, the objects  15  may be displayed while moving near the cursor  14   c  from the upper side of the display region  14  toward the lower side of the display region  14  (in the direction of arrows indicated in  FIG. 9(C) ). In addition, the symbol generation unit  21  may repeat the displaying of the objects  15 , once having reached the lower side of the display region  14 , moving again from the upper side of the display region  14  to the lower side of the display region  14 , or may perform the displaying of different objects  15  consecutively moving from the upper side of the display region  14  to the lower side of the display region  14 . Furthermore, the objects  15  may be moved straight in the direction indicated by the arrows depicted in  FIG. 9(C)  or moved snaking (in a swinging image). In addition, the direction in which the objects  15  are moved may be the horizontal direction other than only the vertical direction. 
     In addition, the symbol generation unit  21  may increase the sizes of the objects  15  and decrease the number of the objects  15  displayed in the display region  14  for a visually-impaired person, for example. 
     It is desirable that the methods for displaying the objects  15  by the symbol generation unit  21  as described above be configured to allow the user to freely select from a setup menu, for example. 
     The above embodiment has been described with an example in which the priority assigning unit  23  divides the objects  15  into the first group and the second group on the basis of the use frequencies and the symbol generation unit  21  switches the groups from one to another by receiving input of “NEXT CANDIDATE” button among the buttons  18   a  displayed in the menu display region  18  via the touch panel display  3 . However, the present invention is not limited to this. 
       FIG. 10(A)  is an explanatory diagram for explaining a method for switching display objects. For example, the symbol generation unit  21  may, after detecting that flick or drag in a predetermined direction on the touch panel display  3  is performed, display the objects  15  belonging to another group in place of the objects  15  displayed before the flick or drag. More specifically, when the objects  15  belonging to the first group are displayed around the cursor  14   c , the symbol generation unit  21  may, after detecting a sliding (flick) operation from left to right like turning a page via the touch panel display  3 , switch the display so that the objects  15  belonging to the second group (another group) are displayed around the cursor  14   c.    
       FIG. 10(B)  is an explanatory diagram for explaining a method for switching display objects. For example, after detecting that one object  15   f  is flicked or dragged toward outside of the touch panel display  3 , the symbol generation unit  21  may display, in place of the object  15   f  thus flicked or dragged, another object  15   g  that is not displayed before this flick or drag is performed. More specifically, the symbol generation unit  21  may, after detecting that the one object  15   f  is dragged and dropped to the outside of the display region  14  via the touch panel display  3 , delete the object  15   f  thus dropped and instead display the object  15   g  corresponding to a new candidate in the display region  14 . In this case, the symbol generation unit  21  may display the object  15   g  corresponding to the new candidate behind the objects  15  already displayed as depicted in  FIG. 10(B) . 
     The above embodiment has been described with an example in which the priority assigning unit  23  assigns priorities to input prediction candidates on the basis of use frequencies read from the history management table  41 , but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the prediction conversion table  33  of the input prediction candidate storage unit  30 , other than input prediction candidates associated with character strings, attribute information such as “private” or “business” may be associated with the character strings. Examples of the attribute information include category information. A character string ┌   ┘ can be associated with category information of “for general/business use”, and a character string ┌ ┘ can be associated with category information of “for private use”. 
     The priority assigning unit  23  can assign priorities to input prediction candidates, for example, based on attributes of the terminal at the time of character input such as input time or a destination address of a mail and the above-described attribute information. The symbol generation unit  21  can determine colors, sizes, and overlapping order of objects on the basis of the priorities thus assigned. Accordingly, it is possible to provide respective user interfaces based on usage scenes. 
     In addition, the priority assigning unit  23  can, when assigning priorities on the basis of attributes of the terminal at the time of character input such as input time or a destination address of a mail, use information on the use frequencies stored in the history management table  41 . For example, if it is between 5:00 AM and 11:00 AM, by incrementing the number of times as the use frequency for an input prediction candidate ┌ ┘ stored in the history management table  41  by “five”, it becomes possible to raise the priority of the input prediction candidate ┌ ┘. Similarly, by incrementing the number of times as the use frequency for an input prediction candidate ┌ ┘ stored in the history management table  41  by five if it is between 11:00 AM and 17:00 PM, or by incrementing the number of times as the use frequency for an input prediction candidate ┌   ┘ stored in the history management table  41  by “five” if it is between 17:00 PM and 5:00 AM, for example, the same process becomes possible. 
     The mobile terminal  1  of the above embodiment has been described with an example in which the character input control unit  10  operates on the mail application, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is possible to start up the character input control unit  10  also on a memo pad application or a scheduler, for example. 
     The mobile terminal  1  of the above embodiment has been described with an example in which input of a character string from the user is received via the input keys  19   a  displayed on the touch panel display  3 , but the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration for receiving the input via hard keys provided to a surface of the housing, for example, is also conceivable. 
     In addition, in the history management table  41  stored in the history management storage unit  40 , other than the numbers of times as the use frequencies, “a subsequent input prediction candidate” that can be input subsequently to an input prediction candidate may be stored. For example, if a character string of ┌ ┘ is input after the input of the input prediction candidate ┌ ┘, this character string of ┌ ?┘ is stored as a subsequent input prediction candidate. Accordingly, after an object corresponding to the input prediction candidate ┌ ┘ is flicked, the objects  15  corresponding to the character string ┌ ?┘ is displayed around the cursor  14   b.    
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST  
       1  . . . mobile terminal,  2  . . . housing,  3  . . . touch panel display (input means),  3   a  . . . touch panel display control unit,  5  . . . application control unit,  10  . . . character input control unit (character input control),  13  . . . mail screen,  14  . . . message body display region,  14   a  . . . message body,  14   b  . . . cursor (input position),  15  . . . objects (pieces of input prediction candidate information, symbols),  17  . . . input character display region,  18  . . . menu display region,  18   a  . . . menu buttons,  19  . . . input region,  19   a  . . . input keys,  20  . . . control unit,  21 . . . symbol generation unit (symbol generation means),  22  . . . input control unit (input control means),  23  . . . priority assigning unit (priority assigning means),  30  . . . input prediction candidate storage unit (input prediction candidate storage means),  31  . . . dictionary table,  32  . . . pictograph table,  33  . . . prediction conversion table,  40  . . . history management storage unit,  41  . . . history management table,  51  . . . CPU,  52  . . . main storage unit,  53  . . . auxiliary storage unit,  54  . . . input unit,  55  . . . output unit