Search device, search method, and program

Abstract

To improve the usability of bilingual searches in three or more languages. [Solution] The search device includes a restriction unit that, when one language is selected from three or more languages, restricts the characters of the headword that can be entered into the input field displayed on the display unit to characters of the selected one language; a search unit that searches for translations in the remaining two or more unselected languages ​​that correspond to the headword entered into the input field using characters of the selected one language; and a display control unit that displays the headword entered into the input field and the translations in the two or more languages ​​searched for by the search unit in a predetermined order on the display unit.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a search device, a search method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a technology in which an electronic dictionary allows selection of multiple language modes (for example, a mode for translating Japanese into English and a mode for translating Japanese into Chinese), and converts conversational text in one language into conversational text in another language and displays it depending on the selected language mode. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-33160 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In electronic dictionaries, there is no technology that can display the corresponding translations in two or more languages ​​for a headword in one language. Therefore, if you want to look up the translation of a Japanese headword in English and another foreign language, you have to use a Japanese-English dictionary and a dictionary corresponding to that foreign language.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of one aspect of the present invention is to improve the usability of searching for translations in three or more languages. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A search device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a control unit that, when one language is selected from three or more languages, limits the characters of a headword that can be entered into an input field displayed on a display unit to characters of the one selected language, searches for translations in the remaining two or more unselected languages ​​that correspond to the headword entered into the input field using characters of the one selected language, and displays the headword entered into the input field and the searched translations in the two or more languages ​​in a predetermined order on the display unit.

[0007] A search method according to one embodiment of the present invention is a search method executed by a search device, which, when one language is selected from three or more languages, limits the characters of headwords that can be entered into an input field displayed on a display unit to characters of the selected one language, searches for translations in the remaining two or more unselected languages ​​that correspond to the headword entered into the input field using characters of the selected one language, and displays the headword entered into the input field and the searched translations in the two or more languages ​​in a predetermined order on the display unit.

[0008] A program according to one embodiment of the present invention causes a processor to execute a process in which, when one language is selected from three or more languages, the characters of a headword that can be entered into an input field displayed on a display unit are limited to characters of the selected one language, the processor searches for translations in the remaining two or more unselected languages ​​that correspond to the headword entered into the input field using characters of the selected one language, and the processor displays the headword entered into the input field and the translations in the two or more languages ​​that are found in a predetermined order on the display unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the above aspect, it is possible to improve the ease of use of searching for translations in three or more languages. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the external configuration of an electronic dictionary. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an electronic dictionary. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of first bilingual information. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of second bilingual information. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of third bilingual information. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a search process. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of transition of a display screen when a Japanese tab is selected. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a transition of a display screen when a Vietnamese tab is selected. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a transition of a display screen when an English tab is selected. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen for setting the display order of headwords and translations. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a search device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, an electronic dictionary will be used as an example of a search device. In the following description, detailed description of configurations, functions, and operations that are the same as or equivalent to those of conventional electronic dictionaries will be omitted.

[0012] 1, the electronic dictionary 1 includes a first housing 3 on which a plurality of buttons (keys) 2 are arranged, and a second housing 5 on which a touch panel display (hereinafter referred to as "touch panel") 4 is arranged. The first housing 3 and the second housing 5 are engaged with each other via hinges provided on each housing in such a manner that the angle between the surface of the first housing 3 on which the buttons 2 are arranged and the surface of the second housing 5 on which the touch panel 4 is arranged can be changed and can be maintained at a desired angle.

[0013] The buttons 2 on the first housing 3 are buttons that accept user operations on the electronic dictionary 1 and are, for example, physical button switches. The buttons 2 include buttons used for inputting characters and buttons that perform operations and functions on the electronic dictionary 1. The buttons 2 that perform operations and functions on the electronic dictionary 1 include, for example, a power button 201 that turns the power of the electronic dictionary 1 on and off, direction buttons 202 that accept operations such as changing the cursor position and scrolling the screen, and a "back" button 203 that switches the display on the touch panel 4 to the display of the next higher hierarchical level. The buttons 2 that perform operations and functions on the electronic dictionary 1 also include, for example, a home button 204 that displays a home screen and a content button 205 that displays a top screen of predetermined content. A plurality of buttons 2 are arranged in a predetermined layout on the top surface of the first housing 3, and the first housing 3 on which the buttons 2 are arranged functions as a hardware keyboard for the electronic dictionary 1.

[0014] The touch panel 4 of the second housing 5 is an input / output device in which a digitizer is placed over the display surface of a display such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, and can accept user operations on the electronic dictionary 1. The touch panel 4 is provided with a display area 401 that displays, for example, a home screen, a menu screen, and screens of each content, and a button area 402 that functions as buttons for performing predetermined operations and functions. The button area 402 includes, for example, an area that functions as a home button, an area that functions as a "back" button, and an area that functions as a menu button. The button area 402 may be provided, for example, outside the display surface of the display, or may be provided within the display surface of the display. If the button area 402 is provided within the display surface of the display, the button area 402 may be displayed only when a specific screen is displayed.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic dictionary 1 includes a control unit 601, a keyboard 602, a touch panel 4, and a storage unit 604.

[0016] The control unit 601 controls the overall operation of the electronic dictionary 1. The functions of the control unit 601 are realized by, for example, a processor such as an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) executing a predetermined control program. The control unit 601 includes a restriction unit 601a, a search unit 601b, and a display control unit 601c. When one language is selected from three languages: Japanese, English, and Vietnamese as a foreign language other than English, the restriction unit 601a restricts the characters of an entry word that can be entered into an input field displayed on the display 603a to characters of the selected language. The search unit 601b searches for translations in the remaining two unselected languages ​​that correspond to the entry word entered into the input field using characters of the selected language. The display control unit 601c displays the entry word entered in the input field and the translations in the two languages ​​searched by the search unit 601b on the display 603a in a predetermined order. The functions and operations of the restriction unit 601a, the search unit 601b, and the display control unit 601c will be described in detail below.

[0017] The keyboard 602 is an input device including the above-mentioned plurality of buttons 2. The touch panel 4 is an input / output device including a display 603a as a display device (display unit) and a digitizer 603b as an input device.

[0018] The storage unit 604 stores (contains) first bilingual information 604a, second bilingual information 604b, third bilingual information 604c, etc. The first bilingual information 604a is information in which Japanese headwords and their corresponding Vietnamese and English translations are associated in display order, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The second bilingual information 604b is information in which Vietnamese headwords and their corresponding Japanese and English translations are associated in display order, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The third bilingual information 604c is information in which English headwords and their corresponding Vietnamese and Japanese translations are associated in display order, as illustrated in FIG. 5. These three pieces of bilingual information are, for each of the three languages, Japanese, Vietnamese, and English, information in which headwords in that language and their corresponding translations in the other two languages ​​are associated in display order. With this bilingual information, the headword of the selected language and the corresponding translations in the remaining two languages ​​can be displayed on the display in this order, as will be described in detail later. The first bilingual information 604a also functions as a dictionary that combines the functions of a Japanese-Vietnamese dictionary and a Japanese-English dictionary. The second bilingual information 604b also functions as a dictionary that combines the functions of a Vietnamese-Japanese dictionary and a Vietnamese-English dictionary. The third bilingual information 604c also functions as a dictionary that combines the functions of an English-Vietnamese dictionary and an English-Japanese dictionary. The Japanese headwords in the first bilingual information 604a and the Japanese translations in the second bilingual information 604b and the third bilingual information 604c are not limited to being written in hiragana, but may also include katakana and kanji. The storage unit 604 includes a read-only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM). The ROM stores, for example, first translation information 604a, second translation information 604b, and third translation information 604c.

[0019] In the electronic dictionary 1, when the content button 205 that displays the top screen of the Japanese, Vietnamese, and English trilingual dictionary is pressed, the control unit 601 starts the search process shown in Fig. 6. This search process will be described in detail below. Note that the search process shown in Fig. 6 also indicates a search method.

[0020] When the search process illustrated in FIG. 6 starts, the control unit 601 first, in step S1, causes the display 603a to display a display screen 701a, which is the top screen of the trilingual dictionary illustrated in FIG. 7. The display screen 701a has three language tabs selectable by the user: a Japanese tab 702a, a Vietnamese tab 702b, and an English tab 702c, and an input field 703 into which a headword is input. Note that selecting one language tab from the Japanese tab 702a, the Vietnamese tab 702b, and the English tab 702c also means selecting one language from Japanese, Vietnamese, and English. This makes it easy for the user to select a language. In the display screen 701a displayed in step S1, the Japanese tab 702a is selected as the default. The selected language tab is displayed so as to be distinguishable from the other language tabs, for example, by being displayed in reverse video or in a different color. In the example of the display screen 701a, the selected Japanese tab 702a is displayed in reverse video so that it can be distinguished from the other language tabs.

[0021] Next, in step S2, the control unit 601 (restriction unit 601a) restricts the characters of headwords that can be entered into the input field 703 to characters of the language corresponding to the selected language tab. Specifically, when the Japanese tab 702a is selected, the characters of headwords that can be entered into the input field 703 are restricted to Japanese characters. Japanese characters include hiragana, katakana, and kanji. When the Vietnamese tab 702b is selected, the characters of headwords that can be entered into the input field 703 are restricted to Vietnamese characters. Vietnamese characters include, for example, alphabets (excluding F, J, W, and Z), alphabets with tone marks, and alphabets with special notation (alphabet with vowel marks, etc.). Note that Vietnamese is a language that uses tone marks and alphabets with special notation. In this way, the electronic dictionary 1 can use languages ​​that use tone marks and alphabets with special notation. When the English tab 702c is selected, the characters of the headword that can be input into the input field 703 are limited to English characters. English characters are alphabetic characters.

[0022] Next, in step S3, the control unit 601 determines whether a language tab other than the selected language tab has been selected. The language tab is selected by, for example, touching the language tab. If the determination result in step S3 is YES, the control unit 601 changes the selected language tab to the newly selected language tab in step S4. As a result, the newly selected language tab is displayed so as to be distinguishable from the other language tabs, for example, by being displayed in reverse video or in a different color. For example, if the newly selected language tab is the Vietnamese tab 702b, the Vietnamese tab 702b is displayed in reverse video, as in the display screen 701c illustrated in FIG. 8. If the newly selected language tab is the English tab 702c, the English tab 702c is displayed in reverse video, as in the display screen 701e illustrated in FIG. 9. After step S4, the process returns to step S2, and the process of limiting the characters of the headword that can be entered in the input field 703 to characters of the language corresponding to the selected language tab (the newly selected language tab) is performed again.

[0023] On the other hand, if the determination result in step S3 is NO, the control unit 601 determines in step S5 whether or not a headword (character or character string) in a language corresponding to the selected language tab has been input into the input field 703. The headword is input into the input field 703 by pressing button 2. If the input of headwords into the input field 703 is limited to Japanese, pressing button 2 allows only Japanese characters to be input. If the input of headwords into the input field 703 is limited to Vietnamese, pressing button 2 allows only Vietnamese characters to be input. Vietnamese characters are input using the TELEX method. As such, if Vietnamese is selected, character input using the TELEX method is possible, and therefore the Vietnamese tab 702b can also be said to be a language tab that allows character input into the input field 703 using the TELEX method. If the input of headwords into the input field 703 is limited to English, pressing button 2 allows only English characters to be input.

[0024] If the decision result in step S5 is NO, the process returns to step S3, and the process of deciding whether or not a language tab other than the selected language tab has been selected is performed again.

[0025] On the other hand, if the determination result in step S5 is YES, the control unit 601 (search unit 601b) searches in step S6 for a bilingual translation in the language corresponding to the unselected language tab that corresponds to the entry word entered in the input field 703. Specifically, if the Japanese tab 702a is selected, a bilingual translation in Vietnamese and a bilingual translation in English that corresponds to the Japanese entry word entered in the input field 703 are searched for based on the first bilingual information 604a illustrated in FIG. 3. If the Vietnamese tab 702b is selected, a bilingual translation in Japanese and a bilingual translation in English that corresponds to the Vietnamese entry word entered in the input field 703 are searched for based on the second bilingual information 604b illustrated in FIG. 4. If the English tab 702c is selected, a bilingual translation in Vietnamese and a bilingual translation in Japanese that corresponds to the English entry word entered in the input field 703 are searched for based on the third bilingual information 604c illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0026] Then, in step S7, the control unit 601 (display control unit 601c) causes the display 603a to display the entry word entered in the input field 703 and the translations in the two languages ​​searched for in step S6 in a predetermined order.

[0027] Specifically, if the headword entered in input field 703 is a Japanese headword and the searched translations of the two languages ​​are a Vietnamese translation and an English translation searched based on the first translation information 604a illustrated in FIG. 3, the Japanese headword entered in input field 703 and the searched Vietnamese translation and English translation are displayed on display 603a in the order in which they are registered in the first translation information 604a (in the order of Japanese headword, Vietnamese translation, and English translation), as shown in display screen 701b illustrated in FIG. 7. JPEG2026036701000002.jpg18167Display screen 701b also has a headword area 704b, which displays the Japanese headword "ringo" entered in input field 703 and a predetermined number of headwords following "ringo", with "ringo" being displayed in reverse video so as to be distinguishable from other headwords.The predetermined number of headwords following "ringo" are displayed based on first translation information 604a.

[0028] If the headword entered in input field 703 is a Vietnamese headword and the searched translations of the two languages ​​are a Japanese translation and an English translation searched based on the second translation information 604b illustrated in FIG. 4, the Vietnamese headword entered in input field 703 and the searched Japanese translation and English translation are displayed on display 603a in the order in which they are registered in the second translation information 604b (in the order of Vietnamese headword, Japanese translation, English translation), as shown in display screen 701d illustrated in FIG. 8. JPEG2026036701000003.jpg49167

[0029] If the headword entered in the input field 703 is an English headword and the searched translations of the two languages ​​are a Vietnamese translation and a Japanese translation searched based on the third translation information 604c illustrated in FIG. 5, the English headword entered in the input field 703 and the searched Vietnamese translation and Japanese translation are displayed on the display 603a in the order in which they are registered in the third translation information 604c (English headword, Vietnamese translation, Japanese translation), as shown in the display screen 701f illustrated in FIG. 9. JPEG2026036701000004.jpg17167The display screen 701f also has a headword area 704f, which displays the English headword "apple" entered in the input field 703 and a predetermined number of headwords following "apple," with the English headword "apple" entered in the input field 703 being displayed in reverse video so as to be distinguishable from other headwords.The predetermined number of headwords following "apple" are displayed based on the third translation information 604c.

[0030] In this way, in step S7, the headword entered in input field 703 and the translations in two languages ​​searched for in step S6 are displayed on display 603a in the order described above, thereby improving visibility when displaying translations in two languages ​​for a headword in one language.

[0031] After step S7, the process returns to step S3, and the process of determining whether a language tab other than the currently selected language tab has been selected is performed again.

[0032] The above is the search process. Note that this search process ends when, for example, the power button 201 or another content button 205 is pressed.

[0033] According to the electronic dictionary 1 described above, one language is selected from three languages: Japanese, English, and a foreign language other than English. By inputting an entry word in the selected language, translations in the remaining two languages ​​corresponding to the entry word can be searched for and displayed on the display 603a. This eliminates the need for a user to search two dictionaries (a Japanese-Vietnamese dictionary for the foreign language and a Japanese-English dictionary) when the user wants to know the translations in the remaining two languages ​​corresponding to a entry word in one language (for example, a Japanese-Vietnamese translation and an English translation of a Japanese entry word). This improves the ease of searching for translations in three languages: Japanese, English, and another foreign language (for example, Vietnamese).

[0034] The above-described embodiments are illustrative examples for the purpose of facilitating understanding of the invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. The search device, search method, and program can be modified and changed in various ways without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0035] For example, in step S7 of the search process illustrated in FIG. 6, the order in which headwords and their translations in two languages ​​are displayed on display 603a may be changeable by settings. For example, when English is selected, the display order may be changeable using a settings screen 801 illustrated in FIG. 10. The settings screen 801 is a screen that is displayed on display 603a by, for example, a touch operation on a menu screen displayed on display 603a. The settings screen 801 has a rank input field 802a in which the display order of Japanese translations is input, a rank input field 802b in which the display order of Vietnamese translations is input, and a rank input field 802c in which the display order of English headwords is input. The user can change the display order of the Japanese translations, the Vietnamese translations, and the English headwords by inputting desired display orders ("1," "2," "3") in these three rank input fields. In the setting screen 801 shown in Figure 10, the display orders of "2", "3", and "1" are entered in the three order input fields 802a, 802b, and 802c, thereby setting the display order to be English headword, Japanese translation, and Vietnamese translation. JPEG2026036701000005.jpg17167 Note that an area 803 including the selected language, "English," is displayed in inverse video on the setting screen 801. The setting screen 801 also has a button 804, and when the button 804 is pressed (touched), the display order setting according to the display order input in the three order input fields at that time is confirmed, and the setting screen 801 is closed.

[0036] Furthermore, in step S7 of the search process illustrated in FIG. 6, the order in which the headword and its translation in two languages ​​are displayed on the display 603a may be a predetermined order, regardless of the order in which they are registered in the first translation information 604a, the second translation information 604b, and the third translation information 604c.

[0037] Furthermore, although character input into input field 703 is performed by pressing button 2, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, character input may be performed by pressing (touching) a software keyboard displayed on display 603a, or by handwriting input into a handwriting input field displayed on display 603a. In this case, the software keyboard may be displayed on display 603a by, for example, pressing (touching) a software keyboard icon displayed in a predetermined area of ​​input field 703. The handwriting input field may be displayed on display 603a by, for example, pressing (touching) a handwriting input icon displayed in a predetermined area of ​​input field 703. Input into the handwriting input field is performed by, for example, handwriting input using a touch pen.

[0038] In addition, in this embodiment, one language is selected from three languages, namely, Japanese, Vietnamese, and English, but the three languages ​​are not limited to these languages ​​and may be other three languages, such as, for example, Japanese, French, and English.

[0039] Furthermore, in electronic dictionary 1, one language is selected from three languages ​​by selecting one language tab from three language tabs, but one language may also be selected from three languages ​​by selecting one language from three languages ​​displayed in a pull-down format.

[0040] Furthermore, in the electronic dictionary 1, one piece of bilingual information may be stored in the storage unit 604 instead of the three pieces of bilingual information (first bilingual information 604a, second bilingual information 604b, and third bilingual information 604c). JPEG2026036701000006.jpg17167In this case, based on one piece of translation information, translations in two languages ​​corresponding to the headword may be searched for, and the headword and the translations in the two languages ​​found may be displayed on display 603a in a predetermined order.

[0041] Furthermore, although one language is selected from three languages ​​in the electronic dictionary 1, one language may be selected from four or more languages. In this case, one language may be selected from four or more languages ​​by selecting one language tab from four or more language tabs corresponding to the four or more languages. Alternatively, if there are many selectable languages, one language may be selected from four or more languages ​​displayed in a pull-down menu. Note that when one language is selected from four or more languages ​​in this manner, four or more pieces of bilingual information or one piece of bilingual information may be stored in the storage unit 604 instead of the three pieces of bilingual information 604a, 604b, and 604c. Here, the four or more pieces of bilingual information are information in which, for each of the four or more languages, a headword in that language is associated with a corresponding bilingual translation in the remaining three or more languages ​​in display order. One piece of bilingual information is information in which words in four or more languages ​​that have the same meaning are associated with each other. Then, based on four or more pieces of translation information or one piece of translation information, translations in the remaining three or more unselected languages ​​corresponding to the headword in the selected language may be searched for, and the headword in the one language and the searched translations in the three or more languages ​​may be displayed on display 603a in a predetermined order.

[0042] In the above explanation, the electronic dictionary 1 has been given as an example of a search device according to the present invention, but the search device according to the present invention is not limited to the electronic dictionary 1 and may be an electronic device such as a personal computer such as a tablet computer or a smartphone. Furthermore, the search device according to the present invention may communicate with a server storing the first bilingual information 604a, the second bilingual information 604b, and the third bilingual information 604c via wired or wireless communication, for example, to acquire the bilingual information. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1: Electronic dictionary, 601a: Restriction unit, 601b: Search unit, 601c: Display control unit 603a: display, 604: storage unit, 604a: first bilingual information 604b: Second bilingual information, 604c: Third bilingual information

Claims

1. When one language is selected from three or more languages, the characters of the entry word that can be input into the input field displayed on the display unit are limited to the characters of the one selected language; Searching for translations in the remaining two or more languages ​​that are not selected that correspond to the entry word entered in the input field using characters in the one selected language; a control unit that causes the display unit to display, in a predetermined order, the headword entered in the input field and the searched translation in the two or more languages; A search device comprising:

2. When one language tab is selected from three or more language tabs corresponding to the three or more languages ​​displayed on the display unit, the control unit selects the one language from the three or more languages.

2. The search device according to claim 1.

3. The three or more languages ​​include languages ​​that use tone marks.

2. The search device according to claim 1.

4. The three or more languages ​​include languages ​​that use specially written alphabets.

2. The search device according to claim 1.

5. The three or more language tabs include a language tab that allows characters to be input into the input field using the TELEX method.

3. The search device according to claim 2.

6. a storage unit for storing, for each of the three or more languages, bilingual information in which an entry word in the language is associated with a corresponding translation in the remaining two or more languages ​​in display order; 2. The search device according to claim 1, further comprising:

7. 7. The search device according to claim 6, wherein the control unit sets a display order of the translations in the two or more languages ​​in the translation information by an external operation.

8. A search method executed by a search device, When one language is selected from three or more languages, the characters of the entry word that can be input into the input field displayed on the display unit are limited to the characters of the one selected language; Searching for translations in the remaining two or more languages ​​that are not selected that correspond to the entry word entered in the input field using characters in the one selected language; The headword entered in the input field and the retrieved translations in the two or more languages ​​are displayed on the display unit in a predetermined order. A search method characterized by:

9. When one language is selected from three or more languages, the characters of the entry word that can be input into the input field displayed on the display unit are limited to the characters of the one selected language; Searching for translations in the remaining two or more languages ​​that are not selected that correspond to the entry word entered in the input field using characters in the one selected language; The headword entered in the input field and the retrieved translations in the two or more languages ​​are displayed on the display unit in a predetermined order. A program characterized by causing a processor to execute a process.

Images