Character input device, character input method, and character input program stored on computer-readable storage medium

A character input method for detecting, with a computer, a predictive conversion suggestion for an input character, the method comprising:

• detecting a reading of the input character;
• detecting matching between the reading of the input character and a group stored in a database, the group including a plurality of group conversion suggestions each being associated with a common element of the group;
• detecting, in response to the reading of the input character at least partially matching a name of the group, a symbol representing an attribute of the group classifying the plurality of group conversion suggestions by a characteristic different from the common element of the group;
• displaying at least one normal predictive suggestion corresponding to the input character;
• in response to detecting the symbol, displaying the symbol;
• and
• in response to receiving, via a touchscreen, a selection of the symbol, displaying the group conversion suggestions.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a character input program for causing a computer to detect a predictive conversion suggestion for an input character, which when read and executed, causes the computer to perform operations comprising:

• detecting a reading of the input character;
• detecting matching between the reading of the input character and a group stored in a database, the group including a plurality of group conversion suggestions each being associated with a common element of the group;
• detecting, in response to the reading of the input character at least partially matching a name of the group, a symbol representing an attribute of the group classifying the plurality of group conversion suggestions by a characteristic different from the common element of the group;
• displaying at least one normal predictive suggestion corresponding to the input character;
• in response to detecting the symbol, displaying the symbol;
• and
• in response to receiving, via a touchscreen, a selection of the symbol, displaying the group conversion suggestions.