Japanese Input Methods
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8/28/2008
The Windows Embedded CE operating system (OS) provides eight input methods (IMs) and an input method selector for the Japanese locale. The following table describes the input methods and samples.
| IM | Description |
|---|---|
Bushu-kensaku |
A search by radical engine that enables complex Kanji character selection based on radicals. UI is provided as a sample for customization. |
Soukakusu-kensaku |
A search by stroke engine that enables complex Kanji character selection based on character strokes. UI is provided as a sample for customization. |
Microsoft Kana |
An on-screen keyboard that enables input of Hiragana and Katakana directly. This IM is provided as sample code. |
Microsoft Roma |
An on-screen keyboard that enables input of the Western alphabet. This IM is provided as sample code. |
Multibox |
A sample UI for Japanese handwriting input that works with IME 3.1 and with Pocket IME. The source code is located in %_WINCEROOT%\Public\Common\Sdk\Samples\Multibox. |
All Character IM |
A sample IM that enables character input based on a comprehensive character list. |
Character Auto Complete (CAC) |
A sample UI that works with the handwriting recognition engine. This IM automatically updates a list of possible character candidates with each character stroke that the user draws. |
Handwriting Recognizer Engine (HWX) |
A handwriting recognition engine for supporting user-drawn ideographs and characters. You can use the Multibox and CAC IM samples to develop an IM for this engine, or create an entirely new UI. |
These input methods provide a convenient way for users to enter Japanese characters on a target device through a keyboard or an input panel using a stylus. The Japanese input methods support the full range of characters used in the Japanese alphabet: Kanji, the Chinese character set, the two syllabaries hiragana and katakana, and the Western alphabet (Romaji).
Windows Embedded CE provides two search panel engines that allow users to search for a specific Kanji character: the radical search engine, Bushu–kensaku, and the character–stroke engine, Soukakusu–kensaku. The radical search engine lets users perform a character search based on a specific radical. Radicals are small collections of strokes, which often indicate parts of the meaning of a Kanji character and are traditionally used to organize Kanji into dictionaries. The character–stroke search engine lets users search for a specific character by specifying the number of strokes that are required to write that character.
Windows Embedded CE also provides two on–screen keyboards that support the input of hiragana and katakana characters as well as the Western alphabet through an input panel.
In This Section
- Japanese Input Method Architecture
Provides an overview of the Input Method architecture.
- Using Japanese Input Methods
Provides an overview of how to customize the on–screen keyboards, handwriting panels, and search panels.
Related Sections
- Japanese
Provides an overview of the locale–specific support for Japanese.