# US 2014/0194186 A1 · Character input device, character input interface control method, and program > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0194186 A1 - Document ID: US20140194186A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/738,336 - Filed: 2013-01-10 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-10 - Assignees: NEC Casio Mobile Communications, Ltd. - Applicants: NEC Casio Mobile Communications, Ltd. - Inventors: Naomichi TAKAHASHI - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140194186A1 ## CPC - A63F 13/00: Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions - G06F 3/0233: {Character input methods} - A63F: CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract A character input device of the present invention includes a skill estimation unit that estimates the skill of a user in character input operation, based on the history of key operation by the user. In this character input device, a determination period for determining an input character being selected by a character input interface unit is increased or decreased, according to the skill estimated by the skill estimation unit. The character input interface unit selects the character based on the number of times at which a same key has been depressed, and judges whether or not the determination operation of the character has been performed, based on the determination period. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A character input device comprising: a skill estimation unit that estimates a skill of a user in character input operation, based on a history of key operation by the user; a character input interface unit that selects an input character based on a number of times at which a same key has been depressed; a determination period storage unit that stores an original determination period, selected by the user, for determining the character being selected; and a control unit that increases or decreases the determination period according to the skill estimated by the skill estimation unit, wherein during the determination period the character input interface unit judges whether or not a determination operation of the character has been performed. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The character input device according to claim 1, wherein when the skill estimated by the skill estimation unit is low, the determination period is increased. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The character input device according to claim 1, wherein the skill estimation unit estimates the skill of the user in the character input operation, based on a period of time needed for a predetermined key operation or a period of time needed for inputting a predetermined number of characters. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The character input device according to claim 1, wherein the skill estimation unit estimates the skill of the user in the character input operation when the user performs dial transmission. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The character input device according to claim 1, wherein an estimation result of the skill of the user in the character input operation by the skill estimation unit is held for a predetermined period; and the determination period is changed at a predetermined timing. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The character input device according to claim 1, wherein the skill estimation unit estimates the skill of the user in the character input operation, based on a number of times of correction key depressions during a predetermined monitor period. ### Claim 7 A character input interface control method comprising: estimating a skill of a user in character input operation by a skill estimation unit, based on a history of key operation by the user; storing an original determination period, selected by the user, for determining the character being selected by a character input interface unit; and increasing or decreasing the determination period according to the skill estimated by the skill estimation unit, wherein during the determination period the character input interface unit selects the character based on a number of times at which a same key has been depressed and judges whether or not a determination operation of the character has been performed, based on the determination period. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The character input interface control method according to claim 7, comprising: increasing the determination period when the skill estimated by the skill estimation unit is low. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The character input device according to claim 2, wherein the skill estimation unit estimates the skill of the user in the character input operation, based on a period of time needed for a predetermined key operation or a period of time needed for inputting a predetermined number of characters. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) The character input device according to claim 2, wherein the skill estimation unit estimates the skill of the user in the character input operation when the user performs dial transmission. ### Claim 11 (depends on 3) The character input device according to claim 3, wherein the skill estimation unit estimates the skill of the user in the character input operation when the user performs dial transmission. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The character input device according to claim 9, wherein the skill estimation unit estimates the skill of the user in the character input operation when the user performs dial transmission. ### Claim 13 (depends on 2) The character input device according to claim 2, wherein an estimation result of the skill of the user in the character input operation by the skill estimation unit is held for a predetermined period; and the determination period is changed at a predetermined timing. ### Claim 14 (depends on 3) The character input device according to claim 3, wherein an estimation result of the skill of the user in the character input operation by the skill estimation unit is held for a predetermined period; and the determination period is changed at a predetermined timing. ### Claim 15 (depends on 4) The character input device according to claim 4, wherein an estimation result of the skill of the user in the character input operation by the skill estimation unit is held for a predetermined period; and the determination period is changed at a predetermined timing. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The character input device according to claim 9, wherein an estimation result of the skill of the user in the character input operation by the skill estimation unit is held for a predetermined period; and the determination period is changed at a predetermined timing. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The character input device according to claim 10, wherein an estimation result of the skill of the user in the character input operation by the skill estimation unit is held for a predetermined period; and the determination period is changed at a predetermined timing. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The character input device according to claim 11, wherein an estimation result of the skill of the user in the character input operation by the skill estimation unit is held for a predetermined period; and the determination period is changed at a predetermined timing. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The character input device according to claim 12, wherein an estimation result of the skill of the user in the character input operation by the skill estimation unit is held for a predetermined period; and the determination period is changed at a predetermined timing. ### Claim 20 (depends on 2) The character input device according to claim 2, wherein the skill estimation unit estimates the skill of the user in the character input operation, based on a number of times of correction key depressions during a predetermined monitor period.