Information Retrieval Device, Information Retrieval Support Method, and Program

Abstract

To obtain desired explanation information by using the input of other information that assists retrieval even if part of information on a headword is unknown at the time of dictionary retrieval.SOLUTION: An information retrieval device includes: a dictionary data storage area 22b in which explanation information corresponding to multiple types of narrowing-down information is stored; a key input unit 14 that inputs a first type (character) of narrowing-down information including a symbol indicating that part of contents is unknown; a voice input unit 16 that inputs a second type (voice) of narrowing-down information different from the first type of narrowing-down information input by the key input unit 14; and a control unit 21 that obtains a corresponding candidate for explanation information by searching the dictionary data storage area 22b based on the character narrowing-down information and voice narrowing-down information that have been input.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information retrieval device, Information Retrieval Support Method and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In existing electronic dictionaries, even when part of a spelling is unknown, it is possible to perform a search using a wild card [*]. In addition to the search using a wild card, a technique for performing a jump search for other words having similar pronunciation symbols has been proposed. (For example, Patent Document 1)

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] There has been a demand for a method of retrieving a desired word from a dictionary for a foreign language by utilizing the pronunciation content when part of the spelling of a foreign language word to be searched is unknown but the pronunciation itself of the word is memorized.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an information retrieval device capable of obtaining desired explanatory information using other information input for assisting the search even when part of the information of a headword is insufficient during dictionary search, Information Retrieval Support Method and a program.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a display control unit that displays a first input area in which first type Narrowing Down information can be input as a search condition for retrieving information, and the first type ofNarrowing Down information Information indicating that the first type of narrowing-down information is incomplete is attached a determination unit that determines whether or not; and the display control unit, when the first type of Information indicating that the first type of narrowing-down information is incomplete is attached to the narrowing-down information is determined to be input in the first input area by the determination unit, as an additional search condition, a second type of Narrowing Down a second input area in which information can be input to start the display of characterized in that

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, even if some of the information of the headword is insufficient during dictionary search, it is possible to obtain desired explanatory information by using the input of other information that aids in the search.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment when the present invention is applied to an electronic dictionary will be described with reference to the drawings. [Configuration] FIG. 1 is a front view showing the external configuration of the electronic dictionary 10 according to this embodiment. Note that this embodiment is not only configured as the electronic dictionary 10 described below, but may also be configured as a tablet PC (Personal Computer) with a dictionary function, a smartphone, an e-book, a portable game machine, a server on a communication network, or the like.

[0010] The electronic dictionary 10 is configured to include a foldable case in which its main body case 11 and lid case 12 can be unfolded / closed via a hinge portion 13. On the surface of the main body case 11 with the foldable case unfolded, there are provided a key input unit 14 (hardware keys) including a [Home] key 14a, function designation keys 14b, character input keys 14c, [Enter] key 14d, [Back] key 14e, [BOX] key 14f, cursor movement keys 14g, [Shift] key 14h, etc., an audio output unit (including a speaker) 15, and an audio input unit (including a microphone) 16.

[0011] Also, a touch panel display unit 17 is provided on the surface of the lid case 12. The touch panel display unit 17 has a structure in which a touch position detection device that detects the position touched by a pen or a finger by a user of the electronic dictionary 10 and a display device are integrated, and is configured by laminating a transparent touch panel on a liquid crystal screen with a backlight.

[0012] The [Home] key 14a of the key input unit 14 is a key for displaying a home screen on the key input unit 14. Although not particularly shown, a plurality of icons registered according to the initial settings or user operations of the present electronic dictionary 10 are displayed. Each icon is a drawing or symbol for realizing a function corresponding to the notation of the icon. For example, it includes application icons that directly activate functions (applications) for using dictionary contents and learning contents, and group icons that display a list screen of icons of a plurality of functions belonging to one category.

[0013] The function designation key 14b of the key input unit 14 is a key for directly designating dictionary contents or the like indicated on each key. The function designation key 14b includes a [Multiple Dictionaries] key that does not specifically identify the category of dictionary contents, keys for designating the same category ([Japanese] key, [Archaic Language] key, [Japanese-Chinese] key, [English-English-Japanese] key, etc.), a [Contents List] key for displaying a list of dictionary contents, and a [Study Notebook] key that is one category of tools.

[0014] Also, when a key of the key input unit 14 is operated continuously after the [Shift] key 14h is operated, it functions as a key with a frame around it instead of a key with no frame around it indicated on the key top. For example, when the [Delete] key is operated after the [Shift] key 14h is operated, it functions as the [Settings] key instead of the [Delete] key.

[0015] In FIG. 1, the [English-English-Japanese Dictionary] is selected, and in the headword input unit 41 located at the upper part of the touch panel display unit 17, a state is shown in which the word input tag (ABC) 41A among the three aligned word input tags (ABC) 41A, example sentence input tag 41B, and set phrase input tag 41C is selected by a touch operation. In the character string input unit 41D (first input area) immediately below it, a character string [t*m] (first type of narrowing information) serving as the headword is input. Inside the character string input unit 41D, there are further arranged on the right end side a voice input button 41E for inputting the headword by voice, a [Handwriting] button 41F for using handwriting input in combination, an [abc] button 41G for performing further separate word input, and a [Search] button 41H for executing a search based on the input headword, and each touch operation is possible.

[0016] Also, below the headword input unit 41, it is displayed as a guide message that when [the number of characters is known but the spelling is unknown], the symbol [?] is input instead of the character, and when [both the number of characters and the spelling are unknown], the symbol [*] is input for the part where the spelling of several consecutive characters is unknown.

[0017] As described above, in the character string input unit 41D, in accordance with the guidance message, it shows a state where an English word [t*m] including a symbol [*] indicating that the number of characters and the spelling are unknown is input.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the electronic circuit of the electronic dictionary 10. The electronic circuit of the electronic dictionary 10 includes a control unit (CPU: Central Processing Unit) 21 which is a computer. The control unit 21 controls the operations of each part of the circuit according to a control program stored in advance in a storage unit 22 such as a flash ROM. The number of processors such as the CPU may be one or two or more.

[0019] Note that at least one of the control program and the dictionary data described later may be read from an external recording medium 23 such as a memory card by a recording medium reading unit 24 and stored in the storage unit 22, or may be stored in the storage unit 22 with data downloaded from a web server or the like on an external network (not shown) via the communication unit 25.

[0020] The control unit 21 is connected to the storage unit 22, the recording medium reading unit 24, the communication unit 25 via a data bus and a control bus, and is also connected to a key input unit 14, an audio output unit 15, an audio input unit 16, and a touch panel display unit 17.

[0021] The storage unit 22 stores a system program that controls the overall operation of the electronic dictionary 10, a communication program for communicating and connecting with external devices via the communication unit 25, and also stores storage areas for programs and data for executing various functions by the electronic dictionary 10, such as a search processing program storage area 22a, a dictionary data storage area 22b, a search history storage area 22c, and a work data storage area 22d.

[0022] The search processing program storage area 22a is an area that stores a control program for retrieving and displaying, based on various dictionary contents (English-English-Japanese dictionary / English-Japanese dictionary / Japanese-English dictionary / English-English dictionary / Japanese dictionary / encyclopedia / ...) stored as dictionary data in the dictionary data storage area 22b (predetermined storage unit), explanatory information such as a translation word, semantic meaning, usage example, and explanation corresponding to a user-desired headword, as well as various table storage areas 22a1 used when performing a search in response to an input other than character input of the headword. In the search history storage area 22c, when a headword and its explanatory information are displayed as search results according to a search in response to a user operation, the headword targeted for the search is stored as a search history together with information on the number of times of that search.

[0023] In the work data storage area 22d, various data such as data input in response to a user operation, data acquired or generated by the control unit 21, etc. are temporarily stored (held) as necessary in accordance with the control of the operations of each part of the circuit according to the control program by the control unit 21.

[0024] The communication unit 25 wirelessly connects to external devices such as similar electronic dictionaries existing in the vicinity, and also wirelessly connects to a web server etc. on an external network (not shown) via a wireless router etc. to download a control program etc., based on, for example, the BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) standard which is one of the wireless PAN (Personal Area Network) technologies.

[0025] [Operation] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. [First Operation Example] In this operation example, the search operation executed by the control unit 21 when a user of the electronic dictionary 10 inputs the pronunciation of an English word with unknown spelling by voice from the state shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

[0026] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the processing content until the control unit 21 displays candidates for English words to be searched according to the program stored in the search processing program storage area 22a. Initially, the control unit 21 displays the character input unit 41D (first input area) of the touch panel display unit 17 and accepts character input, for example, [t*m] (first type of narrowing information) (step S101). That is, the control unit 21 functions as a display control unit that displays a first input area where the first type of narrowing information can be input as a search condition for retrieving information from a predetermined storage unit.

[0027] The control unit 21 determines whether at least part of the spelling is unknown based on whether "?" or "*" is included in the input character string (step S102). That is, the control unit 21 functions as a determination unit that determines whether information indicating that the first type of narrowing information is incomplete is attached to the first type of narrowing information input to the first input area. In the case of the input character string "t*m", it is determined that "*" is included (YES in step S102), and the control unit 21 displays the voice input unit 42 (second input area) below the character input unit 41D (step S103). In the voice input unit 42, a speaker mark 42A is displayed at the leading position, and it is determined whether the user has the intention to perform voice input based on whether the user performs a touch operation on this mark (step S104).

[0028] When the speaker mark 42A is touched (YES in step S104), assuming that the user has the intention to perform voice input, the control unit 21 accepts voice input by the voice input unit (step S105).

[0029] The control unit 21 sends a series of voice data input at a certain sound pressure level or higher from the voice input unit 16 to the work data storage area 22d for buffer storage, and then performs voice analysis processing on the voice data to convert it into time-series data of phonemes (step S106).

[0030] Based on the time series data of the phonemes, the control unit 21 searches for the corresponding pronunciation symbol by referring to the pronunciation symbol table stored in the various table storage areas 22a1 (step S107).

[0031] FIG. 5 illustrates a part of the contents of the pronunciation symbol table stored in the various table storage areas 22a1. The pronunciation symbols corresponding to the pronunciations represented by kana are listed, and as shown in the figure, in many cases, a plurality of pronunciation symbols correspond to one kana.

[0032] The control unit 21 uses one or more pronunciation symbols obtained for each kana of each phoneme, then refers to the similar pronunciation table stored in the various table storage areas 22a1 to derive pronunciation candidates, and displays the derivation result on the voice input unit 42 (step S108).

[0033] FIG. 4(A) is a diagram illustrating a state in which a character string ([term] in kana notation, the second type of narrowing information) corresponding to the voice input to the voice input unit 42 is displayed based on the content voice-input by the user of the electronic dictionary 10.

[0034] Thereafter, the control unit 21 repeatedly determines whether the [Enter] key 14d of the key input unit 14 is operated, and waits for an instruction to search for a word (step S109).

[0035] In step S109, when it is determined that the [Enter] key 14d has been operated (YES in step S109), the control unit 21 performs a word search based on the input conditions including at least character input (step S110).

[0036] When there is a string input [t*m] and a voice input [term], the control unit 21 searches for words stored in the dictionary data storage area 22b whose first character is [t], last character is [m], and the number of characters does not matter as long as there are some characters in between. Further, the control unit 21 narrows down the word candidates based on the inspection result such that the pronunciation corresponds to [term] in katakana notation.

[0037] In addition, when there is a [?] in the input string, the candidates for words are searched while taking into account the number of characters as well.

[0038] When there are a plurality of input conditions, the control unit 21 reduces the number in the narrowing down, and lists the candidates for words that are highly likely to be desired by the user on the touch panel display unit 17 (step S111), and the processing of FIG. 3 is terminated here. When a candidate in the list display is selected, the process shifts to a state of displaying the explanation information of the word of the candidate. FIG. 4(B) shows, as a result of the search, two words [term 1 (noun)][term 2 (verb)] are displayed on the left side screen of the touch panel display unit 17, and the word [term 1 (noun)] on the top side is tentatively selected as the default. On the right side 44 of the screen, a part of the explanation information of the word [term 1 (noun)] that is tentatively selected is displayed within the displayable range.

[0039] Also in step S102, when it is determined that neither "?" nor "*" is included in the input string and a part of the spelling is not unclear (NO in step S102), and in step S104, when the speaker mark 42A of the voice input unit 42 is not touched and it is determined that the user has no intention of performing voice input (NO in step S104), the control unit 21 directly proceeds to step S110 and executes a search for words using only the input string.

[0040] Particularly in step S104, when the speaker mark 42A of the voice input unit 42 is not touched and it is determined that the user has no intention of performing voice input, even though there is a "?" or "*" indicating that a part of the input string is unclear, there is no input for narrowing down words of other types. Therefore, it is highly likely that other words that the user is less likely to desire will also be listed as candidates at the same time, and as a result, the search efficiency is reduced compared to the case where voice is not input.

[0041] In the first operation example, for the pronunciation input by voice, candidates for the pronunciation represented by kana characters are obtained using a pronunciation symbol table and a similar pronunciation table. However, depending on the configuration of the table, it is conceivable to deliberately have multiple derived results. For example, it may be possible to search for corresponding candidates by obtaining multiple kana notations [ターム] [タイム] as results for the pronunciation [ターム]. In this way, it is possible to perform a search while allowing for subtle individual differences included in the original pronunciation, such as the difference between [エイ] and [アイ] in some British dialects (e.g., [ゲイト] [gate] is pronounced as [ガイト]).

[0042] [Second operation example] In this operation example, when a user of the electronic dictionary 10 selects a kanji dictionary and handwrites a kanji with some unknown radicals on the touch panel display unit 17, the operation for displaying kanji candidates while also using the input of a reading string will be described. A predetermined symbol [?] is used for the unknown radical part during the handwriting input.

[0043] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing content until the control unit 21 displays candidates for the kanji to be searched according to the program stored in the search processing program storage area 22a. Initially, the control unit 21 displays the handwriting input unit 52 (first input area) on the touch panel display unit 17 and accepts character input by handwriting (step S201). That is, the control unit 21 functions as a display control unit that displays a first input area in which first type narrowing information can be input as a search condition for retrieving information from a predetermined storage unit.

[0044] After the handwriting input, when the [Recognition] button that is also displayed is operated, the control unit 21 executes character analysis processing on the input kanji (step S202).

[0045] According to the analysis result, the control unit 21 determines whether or not the radical of the symbol [?] is included in the handwritten Chinese character (step S203). That is, the control unit 21 functions as a determination unit that determines whether or not information indicating that the first type of narrowing information is incomplete is attached to the first type of narrowing information input to the first input area.

[0046] When the radical of the symbol [?] is not included in the handwritten Chinese character (NO in step S203), the control unit 21 lists candidate Chinese characters with high similarity on the touch panel display unit 17 based on the result of character analysis (step S208), and thus ends the process of FIG. 6.

[0047] When any one of the candidate Chinese characters listed on the touch panel display unit 17 is touched, the explanatory information regarding the Chinese character is read from the dictionary data storage area 22b and displayed on the touch panel display unit 17.

[0048] Also in step S203, when it is determined that the radical of the symbol [?] is included (YES in step S203), the control unit 21 displays the reading character input unit 51 (second input area) on the touch panel display unit 17 and automatically shifts to a state in which the reading of the Chinese character is input (step S204).

[0049] In this input state, the control unit 21 accepts character input to the reading character input unit 51 (step S205).

[0050] When the [Determine] key 14d is operated after character input, the control unit 21 determines whether or not at least one of the symbols [*][?] is included in the received input characters for reading (second type of narrowing information) (step S206).

[0051] When it is determined that neither of the symbols [*][?] is included (NO in step S206), the control unit 21 narrows down candidate Chinese characters with high similarity according to the input characters for reading and the part obtained by removing the radical of the symbol [?] from the result of character analysis (step S209).

[0052] Then, the narrowed-down Chinese character candidates are listed on the touch panel display unit 17 (step S208), and the processing of FIG. 6 is completed here.

[0053] Also, in step S206, when it is determined that at least one of the symbols [*][?] is included in the input characters of the reading (YES in step S206), the control unit 21 narrows down the Chinese character candidates with high similarity according to the characters obtained by removing the symbols [*][?] from the input characters of the reading and their positions, and the part obtained by removing the radical of the symbol [?] from the result of character analysis (step S207).

[0054] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state where a symbol [?] is input to the part of the radical (tsukuri) corresponding to the [fish] radical in the handwritten input unit 52, and then a reading [*yu] is input in the reading character list input unit 51 to be subsequently displayed.

[0055] When there are such two inputs, the control unit 21 executes a process of narrowing down, as candidates, those Chinese characters having the [fish] radical in the Chinese character dictionary data stored in the dictionary data storage area 22b and having [yu] at the end of the reading (step S207). Then, the narrowed-down Chinese character candidates are listed on the touch panel display unit 17 (step S208), and the processing of FIG. 6 is completed here.

[0056] As described above, in addition to the handwritten input of Chinese characters including symbols indicating that a part of the radical is unknown, the input of a reading with a part unknown is combined to narrow down the Chinese character candidates. Therefore, compared with the case where only a part of the radical of a Chinese character is unknown, the search for Chinese character candidates can be executed more efficiently.

[0057] [Effect of the Embodiment] As described in detail above, according to the present embodiment, even if some information of the headword is insufficient during dictionary search, it is possible to obtain the desired explanatory information by using the input of other information that assists in the search.

[0058] In the present embodiment, since the input of information serving as a keyword is performed by combining two of character input by operating the key input unit 14, voice input by the voice input unit 16, and handwritten character input on the touch panel display unit 17, for example, it is possible to cope with an existing hardware structure in an information retrieval device such as an electronic dictionary without an additional burden.

[0059] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist thereof at the implementation stage. Also, each embodiment may be implemented by appropriately combining them as much as possible, and in that case, the combined effects can be obtained. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriate combinations of a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiment, if the problems described in the column of the problems to be solved by the invention can be solved and the effects described in the column of the effects of the invention can be obtained, the configuration from which these constituent elements are deleted can be extracted as an invention.

[0060] The invention described in the original claims of the present application is appended below. [Claim 1] A display control unit that displays a first input area in which first type narrowing information can be input as a search condition for retrieving information from a predetermined storage unit; A determination unit that determines whether or not information indicating that the first type narrowing information is incomplete is attached to the first type narrowing information input to the first input area; Comprising: When the determination unit determines that information indicating that the first type narrowing information input to the first input area is incomplete is attached to the first type narrowing information, the display control unit displays a second input area in which second type narrowing information can be input as an additional search condition. An information retrieval device characterized by the above. [Claim 2] The determination unit determines whether information indicating that the second type of narrowing-down information is incomplete is attached to the second type of narrowing-down information input to the second input area. The information retrieval apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that. [Claim 3] The first type of narrowing-down information and the second type of narrowing-down information are information input by at least two of character input by keyboard operation, voice input, and handwritten character input. The information retrieval apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that. [Claim 4] A display control step of displaying a first input area in which first type of narrowing-down information can be input as a search condition for retrieving information from a predetermined storage unit; A determination step of determining whether information indicating that the first type of narrowing-down information is incomplete is attached to the first type of narrowing-down information input to the first input area; having When it is determined in the determination step that information indicating that the first type of narrowing-down information is incomplete is attached to the first type of narrowing-down information input to the first input area, the display control step displays a second input area in which second type of narrowing-down information can be input as an additional search condition. The information retrieval method, characterized in that. [Claim 5] A program executed by a computer incorporated in a device having a predetermined storage unit, the computer being a display control unit that displays a first input area in which first type of narrowing-down information can be input as a search condition for retrieving information from the storage unit; a determination unit that determines whether information indicating that the first type of narrowing-down information is incomplete is attached to the first type of narrowing-down information input to the first input area; functioning as When the display control unit determines that information indicating that the first type of narrowing-down information input to the first input area by the determination unit is incomplete is attached to the first type of narrowing-down information, the display control unit displays a second input area in which the second type of narrowing-down information can be input as an additional search condition. A program characterized by the above.

Explanation of symbols

[0061] 10…Electronic dictionary 11…Main body case 12…Cover case 13…Hinge part 14…Key input unit 14a…[Home] key 14b…Function designation key 14c…Character input key 14d…[Enter] key 14e…[Back] key 14f…[BOX] key 14g…Cursor movement key 14h…[Shift] key 15…Voice output unit 16…Voice input unit 17…Touch panel display unit 21…Control unit (CPU) 22…Storage unit 22a…Search processing program storage area 22a1…Various table storage areas 22b…Dictionary data storage area 22c…Search history storage area 22d…Work data storage area 23…External recording medium 24…Recording medium reading unit 25…Communication unit 41…Heading word input unit 41A…Word input tag 41B…Example sentence input tag 41C…Set phrase input tag 41D…Character string input unit 41E…Voice input button 41F…[Handwriting] button 41G… [abc] button 41H… [Search] button 42… Voice input section 51… Character list input section 52… Handwriting input section

Claims

1. A display control unit that displays a first input area in which first type narrowing information can be input as a search condition for searching for information, A determination unit that determines whether or not information indicating that the first type narrowing information is incomplete is attached to the first type narrowing information input to the first input area, Comprising, When the determination unit determines that information indicating that the first type narrowing information is incomplete is attached to the first type narrowing information input to the first input area, the display control unit starts displaying a second input area in which second type narrowing information can be input as an additional search condition, An information search device characterized by this.

2. The first type narrowing information is information input by character input by keyboard operation or handwritten character input, The second type narrowing information is information input by voice input, The information search device according to claim 1, characterized by this.

3. The determination unit determines whether or not information indicating that the second type narrowing information is incomplete is attached to the second type narrowing information input to the second input area, The information search device according to claim 1, characterized by this.

4. The first type narrowing information is information input by handwritten character input, The second type narrowing information is information input by character input by keyboard operation or handwritten character input, The information search device according to claim 3, characterized by this.

5. An information search support method executed by an information search device, A display control process for displaying a first input area in which first type narrowing information can be input as a search condition for searching for information, A determination process for determining whether or not information indicating that the first type narrowing information is incomplete is attached to the first type narrowing information input to the first input area, Including, When the determination process determines that information indicating that the first type narrowing information is incomplete is attached to the first type narrowing information input to the first input area, the display control process starts displaying a second input area in which second type narrowing information can be input as an additional search condition, An information search support method characterized by this.

6. A computer, A display control unit that displays a first input area in which first type narrowing information can be input as a search condition for retrieving information. A determination unit that determines whether information indicating that the first type narrowing information is incomplete is attached to the first type narrowing information input to the first input area. Functioning as When the determination unit determines that information indicating that the first type narrowing information input to the first input area is incomplete is attached, the display control unit starts displaying a second input area in which second type narrowing information can be input as an additional search condition. A program characterized by the above.

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