Crossword puzzle generating apparatus and crossword puzzle generating method

A crossword puzzle generating method for generating a crossword puzzle by placing a plurality of character strings lengthwise and widthwise on a face of board that includes an arbitrary number of cells arranged in a lengthwise direction and a widthwise direction and does not include black cells in which no characters are filled, in an initial stage,

• the crossword puzzle generating method comprising:
• a first step of setting, in the face of board, a target area for placement of one character string made up of an arbitrary number of characters, the first step being carried out by a target area setting unit of a computer;
• and
• a second step of placing, in the target area set by the target area setting unit, one character string made up of an arbitrary number of characters falling within an area length of the target area, the second step being carried out by a character string placing unit of the computer,
• wherein
• the target area setting unit sets the target area at a position that secures a widest next character string free area as a free area capable of placement of a next character string without restriction owing to an existing character in a crossing cell and restriction owing to an existing character in an adjoining cell, in a remaining area except the target area and an existing area where a character string has already been placed, and
• the crossword puzzle is generated by executing processing in the first step by the target area setting unit and processing in the second step by the character string placing unit, repeatedly every one character string.