Electronic device, electronic device control method and program

Abstract

To improve an operability for attaching or removing a tag to an arbitrary entry word.SOLUTION: When a swipe operation TW is given to a free area of a screen (e.g., an entry word explanatory screen G3) displaying an arbitrary entry word, data on a tag associated with the entry word is set ("presence" of tag setting) to tag setting data when the tag is not set so as to be associated with the entry word, and a tag FSr with a kind (e.g., red) of the set tag is additionally displayed in the free area in the screen. When the tag is set so as to be associated with the displayed arbitrary entry word (when the tag FSr is added in the screen), in response to the swipe operation TW to the free area in the screen, the setting of the tag associated with the entry word of the tag setting data is changed to "absence", and the tag FSr is deleted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device, a control method for an electronic device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, electronic dictionaries are widely used by students in the course of their studies to look up explanatory information such as word translations, word meanings, and example sentences.

[0003] An electronic dictionary stores various dictionary data, such as English-Japanese dictionaries and Japanese-English dictionaries, in an internal storage device such as a ROM. It searches the dictionary data for the headword of a word entered by the user, reads out explanatory information such as translations, meanings, and example sentences associated with the searched headword, and displays it on the display screen, allowing the user to study the word.

[0004] Generally, in the case of a book dictionary, a user attaches a sticky note to the position of a word (headword) of interest on a page where the word appears, so that the user can easily check the word later. Some electronic dictionaries also have a function that stores sticky note data in association with any headword in dictionary data (attaching a sticky note), making it easier for the user to check words of interest (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-015515 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In conventional electronic dictionaries, in order to attach or detach a tag to an arbitrary entry word, it is necessary to operate a tag icon provided on the menu bar or to display a screen dedicated to tags.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device, a control method for an electronic device, and a program that can improve the operability of attaching and removing tags to any entry word. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The electronic device according to the present invention includes a display unit, and when a swipe operation is detected with a headword displayed on the display unit, the electronic device determines whether the detected position of the swipe operation is within a predetermined area, and when the detected position is within the predetermined area, accepts the swipe operation as an operation for executing a sticky note setting process for a sticky note associated with the headword, and as the sticky note setting process, when the swipe operation is detected, if the sticky note is not set for the headword, sets the sticky note for the headword. At the same time, the number of times that the sticky notes associated with the entry word have been attached and removed is counted up. The control unit executes a process of removing the tag from the entry word if the tag has already been set to the entry word. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the external configuration of an electronic dictionary 10 according to an embodiment of an electronic device, a control method for an electronic device, and a program of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic circuit of the electronic dictionary 10. [Figure 3] 10 is a diagram showing an example of tag setting data (22d) stored in a tag setting data storage area 22d of the electronic dictionary 10. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing a dictionary search process corresponding to the dictionary search function of the electronic dictionary 10. [Figure 5] 3A to 3C are diagrams showing display operations according to dictionary search processing of the electronic dictionary 10. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a sticky note setting process corresponding to the sticky note function of the electronic dictionary 10. [Figure 7] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing display operations associated with setting a tag in accordance with a tag setting process for a tag associated with an entry word in the electronic dictionary 10. [Figure 8] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing a display operation accompanying deletion of a tag in accordance with the tag setting process of the electronic dictionary 10. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing a sticky note display process corresponding to the sticky note function of the electronic dictionary 10. [Figure 10] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing the display operation of the sticky note list screen G4 in accordance with the sticky note display process of the electronic dictionary 10. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the display operation of a search history list screen G5 in accordance with the search history display process of the electronic dictionary 10. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] (Configuration of the embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the external configuration of an electronic dictionary 10 according to an embodiment of the electronic device, the control method for the electronic device, and the program of the present invention.

[0012] The electronic dictionary 10 may be configured as a dedicated electronic dictionary as described below, or may be configured as a tablet-type PDA (personal digital assistant), PC (personal computer), mobile phone, e-book, portable game machine, or the like equipped with a dictionary search function.

[0013] Electronic dictionary 10 is configured with a foldable case in which main body case 11 and lid case 12 can be opened and closed via hinge section 13. When the foldable case is opened, the surface of main body case 11 is provided with key input section (keyboard) 14 including a [Home] key 14a, function specification keys 14b, character input keys 14c, [Translate / Enter] key 14d, [Back / List] key 14e, cursor keys 14f, [Shift] key 14g, and [History] key 14H, a voice output section 15, and a voice input section 16.

[0014] A touch panel display unit (display) 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 the user with a pen or finger and a display device are integrated together, and is configured by overlapping a transparent touch panel on a backlit color liquid crystal display screen.

[0015] At the left end of the touch panel display unit 17, there is provided a touch icon area 17A that displays touch icons (such as a [Highlighter] icon BM and a [Sticky Note] icon BF) for performing touch operations to press some keys on the key input unit 14 or to specify some functions of the electronic dictionary 10.

[0016] The function specification keys 14b of the key input unit 14 are keys for directly specifying the dictionary content (such as [Encyclopedia] or [Encyclopedia]), the dictionary content category (such as [Japanese], [Old Japanese], [Chinese-Japanese] or [English-Japanese]), the learning content category ([Learning]), [Content List], and one of the tool categories, [Study Notebook], which are displayed on each key.

[0017] Furthermore, when a key of the key input unit 14 is operated after the [Shift] key 14g is operated, it functions as a key with a frame on the key top, instead of the key function without a frame on the key top. For example, when the [Translate / Enter] key 14d is operated after the [Shift] key 14g is operated (hereinafter referred to as the [Shift]+[Enter] key), it becomes the [Register] key for activating the function of registering data designated as the registration target. The [Shift]+[Delete] key becomes the [Setting] key.

[0018] The electronic dictionary 10 of the embodiment has a sticky note function that sets or deletes sticky note data associated with a headword based on a swipe operation by the user on the headword explanation screen G3 that is displayed after a headword search. The swipe operation is an example of a gesture operation.

[0019] The swipe operation includes not only the swipe operation TW (see Figures 7 and 8) using the touch pen P or a fingertip on the headword explanation screen G3 displayed on the touch panel display unit 17, but also the drag operation of the mouse cursor or mouse pointer displayed on the screen.

[0020] 1 shows the electronic dictionary 10 in a state where a blue sticky note FSb indicating that blue (sticky note type) sticky note data has been set in association with the entry word on the entry word explanation screen G3 for the entry word "establish" in the "English-Japanese 1" dictionary, and a blue sticky note window FSbw in which the set sticky note data is opened. In the memo area M of this blue sticky note window FSbw, a handwritten memo "test" arbitrarily entered by the user is written.

[0021] In the tag FSb and tag window FSbw, for example, the memo area M on the left side corresponds to the glued image area, and the type area K on the right side corresponds to the non-glued image area.

[0022] The [History] key 14H of the key input section 14 is a key for displaying a list of previously searched entry words on the touch panel display section 17 as a search history list screen G5 (see FIG. 11).

[0023] The [marker] icon BM in the touch icon area 17A is an icon for specifying any character string displayed on the touch panel display unit 17 and adding a highlight (coloring it).

[0024] The [sticky note] icon BF in the touch icon area 17A is an icon for specifying a plurality of functions related to sticky note data.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic circuit of the electronic dictionary 10. As shown in FIG.

[0026] The electronic circuit of the electronic dictionary 10 includes a control unit (CPU: Central Processing Unit) 21, which is a computer.

[0027] The control unit 21 controls the operation of each part of the circuit in accordance with a dictionary control program 22a pre-stored in a memory unit (storage) 22 such as a flash ROM, or a dictionary control program 22a read by a recording medium reading unit 24 from an external recording medium 23 such as a memory card and stored in the memory unit 22, or a dictionary control program 22a downloaded from a web server (here, a program server) 30 on the communication network N via a communication unit 25 and stored in the memory unit 22.

[0028] The control unit 21 is connected to a memory unit 22, a recording medium reading unit 24, and a communication unit 25 via a data and control bus, as well as to a key input unit 14, an audio output unit 15, an audio input unit 16, and a touch panel display unit 17.

[0029] The storage unit 22 includes a program storage area for storing a dictionary control program 22a, a dictionary data storage area 22b, a search history data storage area 22c, a sticky note setting data storage area 22d, a working data storage area 22e, and the like.

[0030] The dictionary control program 22a includes a system program that controls the overall operation of the electronic dictionary 10, a program for establishing a communication connection with external electronic devices via the communication unit 25, a program for performing a headword search based on various dictionary data stored in the dictionary data storage area 22b, a program for storing the search history for the searched headword in the search history data storage area 22c, and a program for executing a sticky note function that sets, deletes, or displays sticky note data in association with the headword searched for.

[0031] The dictionary data storage area 22b stores various dictionary data (dictionary content), such as a Japanese dictionary, a Japanese dictionary, an English-Japanese dictionary, a Japanese-English dictionary, etc. The dictionary data (dictionary content) has a dictionary search function that, based on a character or a character string to be the subject of dictionary search input by keyboard or specified on the display screen, searches a dictionary for explanatory information of a headword corresponding to the character or character string, and outputs the information by display or voice.

[0032] The search history data storage area 22c stores information indicating the type of dictionary data in which the entry word was searched (for example, dictionary name: Japanese 1, Japanese 2, etc.) in association with the entry word searched for by the entry word search.

[0033] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the tag setting data (22d) stored in the tag setting data storage area 22d of the electronic dictionary 10. As shown in FIG.

[0034] The sticky note setting data memory area 22d stores, in association with a headword for which sticky note data has been set according to the sticky note function, information on the dictionary that has the headword (for example, the dictionary name), information indicating whether or not a sticky note has been set ('yes' means that a sticky note has been attached (set) and 'no' means that the sticky note has been removed (deleted)), information on the number of times a sticky note has been set, information indicating the type (color) of the sticky note, and information on notes written on the sticky note.

[0035] The working data memory area 22e temporarily stores (holds) various data as needed, such as data input in response to user operations and data acquired or generated by the control unit 21, in accordance with the control of the operation of each part of the circuit in accordance with the dictionary control program 22a by the control unit 21.

[0036] In the electronic dictionary 10 configured in this manner, the control unit 21 controls the operation of each part of the circuit in accordance with the instructions written in the dictionary control program 22a, and the software and hardware work together to realize dictionary search functions and sticky note functions, as described in the operation explanation below.

[0037] (Operation of the embodiment) Next, the operation of the electronic dictionary 10 according to the embodiment will be described.

[0038] <Dictionary search processing> FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a dictionary search process corresponding to the dictionary search function of the electronic dictionary 10. As shown in FIG.

[0039] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the display operation according to the dictionary search process of the electronic dictionary 10. In FIG.

[0040] In response to a user operation, for example as shown in FIG. 5(A), when a character (or string) to be searched for (here, "provider") is entered into the headword input area AE on the headword input screen G1 displayed on the touch panel display unit 17 (step S1), the control unit 21 searches for a headword corresponding to the string entered into the headword input area AE from the dictionary data stored in the dictionary data storage area 22b (step S2).

[0041] As shown in Figure 5(B), the control unit 21 displays on the touch panel display unit 17 a search result list screen G2 which lists the dictionary names ND1, ND2, ... in which the headword "provider" was searched and associates the headword with the dictionary names ND1, ND2, ... (step S3).

[0042] In the list LS of the search result list screen G2, if there is a dictionary headword for which sticky note data is set ("Yes") based on the sticky note setting data (22d), the control unit 21 displays the dictionary name (here, "P term" ND4) along with a green sticky note present symbol MFg indicating the type (color) of the sticky note (step S4).

[0043] On the search result list screen G2, a dictionary entry word selected from the list LS is displayed in a distinctive manner H by being highlighted, and the distinctively displayed dictionary entry word H and its explanation are displayed in the preview area PV.

[0044] In the list LS of the search result list screen G2, for example, by touch operation or key operation of the cursor keys 14f, an entry word of any dictionary (here, "provider" of "P term" ND4) is selected and identified H, and when the [Translate / Confirm] key 14d is operated (step S5 (Yes)), the control unit 21 displays on the touch panel display unit 17 an entry word explanation screen G3 in which the entry word "provider" of the selected dictionary "P term" is associated with an explanation of the entry word by opening it, as shown in Figure 5 (C) (step S6).

[0045] On the headword explanation screen G3, if sticky note data is set ("Yes") for the displayed headword (here, "provider" in the "P term" dictionary) based on the sticky note setting data (22d), the control unit 21 adds and displays a green sticky note FSg indicating an image of the type (color) of the sticky note that has been set (step S7).

[0046] Here, when an operation to open the set sticky note is performed, for example, by touching the sticky note FSg or the [Sticky Note] icon BF (step S8 (Yes)), the control unit 21 displays a green sticky note window FSgw with the data of the set sticky note opened along the bottom edge of the headword explanation screen G3, as shown in Figure 5 (C) (step S9).

[0047] On the other hand, when another key operation or touch operation is performed, the control unit 21 executes a process according to the other operation (step S10).

[0048] In addition, the sticky note window (green sticky note window FSgw in Figure 5(C)) that opens the data of the sticky note set to the headword can be displayed not only on the headword explanation screen G3 of the headword in question, but also in the preview area PV of the explanation of the headword to which the sticky note is set (here, associated with the sticky note symbol MFg) on the search result list screen G2 (see Figure 5(B)) in response to the operation of opening the set sticky note.

[0049] Furthermore, in the dictionary search process described above, we have explained the case of a multiple dictionary search targeting multiple dictionaries without specifying the dictionary to be used for the headword search. However, even in the dictionary search process in which any dictionary is specified, the dictionary search process can be performed in the same manner as described above, except that it is not necessary to add the dictionary names ND1, ND2, ... to the headwords in the list LS on the search result list screen G2 (see Figure 5(B)).

[0050] <Sticky note setting process> FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a sticky note setting process corresponding to the sticky note function of the electronic dictionary 10. As shown in FIG.

[0051] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display operation accompanying setting of a tag in accordance with the tag setting process for a tag associated with an entry word in the electronic dictionary 10. In FIG.

[0052] For example, according to the dictionary search process described above (see Figures 4 and 5), when a swipe operation TW is performed with the touch pen P to the right (from the sticky note memo area M (glued image area) to the type area K (non-glued image area)) on the empty area (here, the empty area in the display line of the headword "A (syllable)") on the headword explanation screen G3 of the headword (here, "A (syllable)" in the "Japanese Language 1" dictionary) displayed on the touch panel display unit 17, as shown in Figure 7(A), the control unit 21 detects the swipe operation TW (step T1 (Yes)), and determines that the detected position is a predetermined area (empty area) on the headword explanation screen G3 (step T2a (Yes)).

[0053] Here, the predetermined area (empty area) of the entry word explanation screen G3 is a blank area in the explanation area including the display line of the entry word and the display line of the explanation.

[0054] The control unit 21 determines whether the swipe amount corresponding to the detected swipe operation is equal to or greater than a predetermined movement amount (step T2b), and if it determines that the swipe amount is equal to or greater than the predetermined movement amount (step T2b (Yes)), executes a sticky note setting process.

[0055] Note that if a swipe operation on an empty area in a screen other than the headword explanation screen G3 is detected, or if a swipe operation on an area displaying some information other than an empty area where characters or the like are displayed is detected even on the headword explanation screen G3 (steps T1 (Yes), T2 (No)), or if the amount of swipe detected is less than a predetermined amount of movement even on an empty area of the headword explanation screen G3 (steps T1 (Yes), T2a (Yes), T2b (No)), the control unit 21 executes other processing according to the swipe operation. In other words, the control unit 21 determines whether the detected position of the swipe operation TW is within a predetermined area (empty area), and if it is determined that the detected position of the swipe operation TW is within the predetermined area, the control unit 21 executes the processing of step T2b. If a swipe operation on an area other than a predetermined area for executing the sticky note setting processing (for example, the empty area of the headword explanation screen G3) is detected, the control unit 21 does not execute the sticky note setting processing. In one embodiment, the processing of step T2b may be omitted. That is, the control unit 21 may execute the sticky note setting process when a swipe operation on a predetermined area for executing the sticky note setting process is detected (step T2a).

[0056] As shown in Figure 7 (A), when it is determined that a swipe operation TW of a predetermined movement amount or more has been performed on the empty area of the headword explanation screen G3 (step T2b (Yes)), the control unit 21 proceeds to sticky note setting processing and determines, based on the sticky note setting data (22d), whether sticky note data has been set in association with the headword on the headword explanation screen G3 on which the swipe operation TW was performed (step T3).

[0057] Here, the state in which sticky data is set means that the entry word of the entry word explanation screen G3 is stored in the sticky setting data (22d) and the information indicating whether or not the sticky note is set is "yes." Also, the state in which sticky data is not set means that the entry word of the entry word explanation screen G3 is not stored in the sticky setting data (22d), or even if it is stored, the information indicating whether or not the sticky note is set is "no."

[0058] In step T3, if it is determined that no sticky note data has been set in association with the headword (here, "a (syllable)" in the "Japanese Language 1" dictionary) on the headword explanation screen G3 on which the swipe operation was performed (step T3 (No)), the control unit 21 stores the sticky note setting information "Yes" in association with the headword "a (syllable)" in the "Japanese Language 1" dictionary in the sticky note setting data (22d), and stores the information on the number of times a sticky note has been set by incrementing it by "1". In addition, the information on the type (color) of the set sticky note is stored as, for example, "red" by default (step T4).

[0059] For example, the number of times a sticky note has been set will be "1" if a sticky note is set (attached) for the first time to an entry in a dictionary, and "2" if the setting is deleted (removed) and then set (attached) again.

[0060] As shown in Figure 7 (B), the control unit 21 adds and displays a red sticky note FSr showing an image of a sticky note of the set type (red by default) in an empty area within the headword explanation screen G3 where the sticky note has been set, for example, where a swipe operation TW has been accepted, along the direction of the swipe operation TW (the direction from the sticky note memo area (glued image area) M toward the type area (non-glued image area) K) (step T5).

[0061] The empty area in the headword explanation screen G3 where the sticky note is displayed is not limited to the empty area where the swipe operation is accepted, but may be a preset empty area, the largest empty area among a plurality of empty areas, or the like.

[0062] Here, as shown in Figure 7(C), when the memo area M of the sticky note FSr displayed on the headword explanation screen G3 is touched with the touch pen P (step T6 (Yes)), the control unit 21 displays a red sticky note window FSrw along the bottom edge of the headword explanation screen G3, which opens the sticky note data set in step T4 (step T7).

[0063] Then, when a handwritten note is input using the touch pen P into the note area M of the displayed sticky note window FSrw (step T8 (Yes)), the control unit 21 stores the input note data in association with the corresponding sticky note data (here, the headword "a (syllable)") in the "Japanese Language 1" dictionary in the sticky note setting data storage area 22d (step T9).

[0064] Also, as shown in Figure 7 (C), when the area K of the type (red) of the sticky note FSr displayed on the headword explanation screen G3 is touched with the touch pen P (step T10 (Yes)), the control unit 21 changes the data of the type (color) of the corresponding sticky note each time the touch is performed, for example, red → yellow → light blue → green → blue → red → ..., displays the sticky note of the changed type (color), and changes the type (color) information of the sticky note setting data (22d) (step T11).

[0065] In addition, when the set sticky note window FSrw is displayed on the headword explanation screen G3 in accordance with step T7, the data of the corresponding sticky note type (color) may be changed in the same manner as described above each time the type (color) area K of the sticky note window FSrw is touched.

[0066] In addition, the type (color) of the sticky note may be changed by changing the display of the type (color) of the sticky note (FSr in Figure 7) depending on the distance the swipe operation TW is performed in the empty area within the headword explanation screen G3, or may be changed depending on the location where the swipe operation is performed (for example, the row within the headword explanation screen G3), or may be changed depending on the number of times the sticky note is set, or may be changed by selecting from a menu of sticky note types (colors).

[0067] For example, if the distance of the swipe operation TW is less than a predetermined first threshold, the color of the sticky note may be a first color (e.g., red), and if the distance of the swipe operation TW is equal to or greater than the predetermined first threshold and less than a predetermined second threshold, the color of the sticky note may be a second color (e.g., yellow). Similarly, if the relationship n-th threshold<n+1-th threshold holds (n is a natural number), and if the distance of the swipe operation TW is equal to or greater than the n-th threshold and less than the n+1-th threshold, the color of the sticky note may be the n+1-th color (e.g., green). Furthermore, if the location where the swipe operation is performed corresponds to the line immediately below the explanatory text (explanatory information) in the headword explanation screen G3, the color of the sticky note may be a first color (e.g., red); if the location where the swipe operation is performed corresponds to the line immediately below the bottommost line of the explanatory text in the headword explanation screen G3, the color of the sticky note may be a second color (e.g., red); and if the location where the swipe operation is performed corresponds to the nth line from the bottommost line of the explanatory text in the headword explanation screen G3, the color of the sticky note may be an nth color (e.g., blue).

[0068] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display operation accompanying deletion of a tag in accordance with the tag setting process of the electronic dictionary 10. In FIG.

[0069] For example, in accordance with the dictionary search process described above (see Figures 4 and 5), when a swipe operation is accepted by performing a swipe operation TW with the touch pen P to the left (from the sticky note type area (non-glued image area) K toward the memo area (glued image area) M) of a predetermined amount or more on the empty space (here, the empty space in the display line of the sticky note FSr) on the headword explanation screen G3 of the headword (here, "a (syllable)" in the "Japanese Language 1" dictionary) for which sticky note data is set and displayed on the touch panel display unit 17, as shown in Figure 8(A) (steps T1 (Yes), T2a (Yes), T2b (Yes)), the control unit 21 proceeds to sticky note setting processing.

[0070] Based on the sticky note setting data (22d), the control unit 21 determines whether sticky note data is set in association with the headword ("a (syllable)" in the "Japanese Language 1" dictionary) on the headword explanation screen G3 where the swipe operation TW was performed (step T3).

[0071] Here, when it is determined that sticky data is set in association with the headword (“a (syllable)” of the “Japanese Language 1” dictionary) on the headword explanation screen G3 on which the swipe operation TW was performed (step T3 (Yes)), the control unit 21 erases the sticky note FSr displayed on the headword explanation screen G3 as shown in FIG. 8(B) (step T12), and changes the sticky note setting information associated with the headword of the corresponding dictionary (“a (syllable)” of the “Japanese Language 1” dictionary) in the sticky note setting data (22d) to “none” (step T13). Furthermore, when sticky note data is set for the headword, the above-mentioned empty space may include the sticky note FSr. In other words, the control unit 21 may erase the sticky note FSr even when the swipe operation TW is performed on the sticky note FSr.

[0072] In addition, the sticky note setting process, including the setting and deletion of sticky notes, described above, can be performed not only on the headword explanation screen G3, but also on the preview area PV of the explanation of the headword selected (identification display H) from the list LS on the search result list screen G2 (see Figure 5 (B)).

[0073] <Sticky note display processing> FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a tag display process corresponding to the tag function of the electronic dictionary 10. As shown in FIG.

[0074] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the display operation of the tag list screen G4 according to the tag display process of the electronic dictionary 10. As shown in FIG.

[0075] For example, when an operation to instruct the display of sticky notes is accepted by touching the [Sticky Note] icon BF or by selecting the "Sticky Note" item included in the notebook menu displayed in response to key operation of the function specification key [Study Note] 14b (step P1), the control unit 21 causes the touch panel display unit 17 to display a sticky note list screen G4 (step P2), which lists dictionary headwords for which sticky notes have been set "Yes" based on the sticky note setting data (22d) in the order stored in the sticky note setting data (22d) (the order in which the sticky notes were set), as shown in FIG. 10(A).

[0076] On the sticky note list screen G4, dictionary entries with a sticky note setting of "Yes" (here, "A," "paint," "pufferfish," etc.) are displayed in a list, each associated with a sticky note presence symbol (MFr, MFy, MFr, etc.) indicating the type (color) of the sticky note and the dictionary name ("Japanese 2" ND1, "Japanese 1" ND2, "Japanese 2" ND3, etc.).

[0077] Furthermore, on the sticky note list screen G4, the dictionary entry word selected from the list (the first entry word by default) is displayed in a distinctive display H by inverting the display or the like, and a sticky note window (here, a red sticky note window FSrw) that opens the sticky note data set for the dictionary entry word that has been displayed in a distinctive display H is displayed along the bottom edge of the sticky note list screen G4.

[0078] Here, as shown in FIG. 10(B), when the sort button [Dictionary] SB1 located along the top edge of the sticky note list screen G4 is touched (second operation) (step P3 (Yes)), the control unit 21 sorts and displays the headwords of the listed dictionaries by dictionary type (step P4).

[0079] Also, as shown in FIG. 10(C), when the sort button [Sticky Note] SB2 located along the top edge of the sticky note list screen G4 is touched (first operation) (step P5 (Yes)), the control unit 21 sorts and displays the dictionary headwords listed by the type (color) of sticky note that has been set (step P6).

[0080] On the sticky note list screen G4, for example, by touch operation or key operation of the cursor keys 14f, a headword to which any sticky note has been set (here, the red sticky note symbol MFr and the headword "a (syllable)" associated with the dictionary name "Japanese 1" ND5) is selected and identified and displayed H, and then the [Translate / Confirm] key 14d is operated (step P7 (Yes)), and the control unit 21 displays the headword explanation screen G3 with the data of the corresponding sticky note opened on the touch panel display unit 17 (step P8), as shown in Figure 5 (C).

[0081] In the sticky note display process described above, the sorting process of headwords to which sticky notes have been set by type (color) of sticky note, which is executed in response to the operation of the sort button [Sticky Note] SB2, can be performed not only on the sticky note list screen G4, but also on headwords displayed with a sticky note symbol added in the list LS of the search result list screen G2 (see Figure 5 (B)), in the same manner as described above.

[0082] Furthermore, in the sticky note display process described above, the sticky note list screen G4 displays a list of headwords for which the sticky note setting data (22d) has a sticky note setting of "Yes", i.e., headwords with sticky notes attached, but it is also possible to display a list that includes headwords for which the sticky note setting is "No", i.e., headwords for which the sticky note has been removed (or which had a sticky note attached in the past), in such a way that they are identifiable, and sort the headwords by dictionary type or by sticky note type (color) as described above.

[0083] <Search history display processing> FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the display operation of the search history list screen G5 in accordance with the search history display process of the electronic dictionary 10. As shown in FIG.

[0084] For example, when an operation to display previously searched entry words is accepted by operating the [History] key 14H, the control unit 21 causes the touch panel display unit 17 to display a search history list screen G5, which lists dictionary entry words stored in the search history data storage area 22c, as shown in FIG. 11.

[0085] Here, when the [Sticky Note] button FB located along the top edge of the search history list screen G5 is touched, the control unit 21 determines, if there is a headword included in the search history for which sticky note data was previously set (attached) and then deleted (removed), that is, a headword for which a sticky note has been attached and removed, based on the headword for which the sticky note setting data (22d) has been set to "none" (here, "kashi [shackle]") in the "Japanese Language 1" dictionary.

[0086] Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 21 displays the entry word ("kashi [shackle]" in "Japanese Language 1" ND5) to which the sticky note has been attached or removed by adding the set number of times "3" in the sticky note setting data (22d) as the number of times the sticky note has been attached or removed DF.

[0087] By checking the headings in the search history that have the number of times a sticky note has been attached and removed DF, the user can learn, for example, whether the word was important to the user or difficult to remember, and use this information to help them learn the word.

[0088] On the search history list screen G5, a dictionary entry selected from the list is displayed in a distinctive manner H by being highlighted, and the distinctively displayed dictionary entry H and an explanation of the entry can be displayed in the preview area PV for confirmation.

[0089] (Summary of the embodiment) According to the electronic dictionary 10 of the embodiment, when a swipe operation TW is performed on an empty area (a specified area) of a screen displaying an arbitrary headword (such as the headword explanation screen G3 or the preview area PV of the search result list screen G2), if a sticky note is not set in association with the headword, sticky note data associated with the headword is set in the sticky note setting data (22d) (sticky note setting "present"), and a sticky note FSr of the set sticky note type (for example, red) is added and displayed in the empty area of the screen.

[0090] When the memo area M of the sticky note FSr is touched, a sticky note window FSrw is displayed with the data of the corresponding sticky note in the sticky note setting data (22d) opened, and when a handwritten memo is input into the memo area M of the sticky note window FSrw, the input memo data is stored in association with the corresponding entry word in the sticky note setting data (22d).

[0091] When the type (color) area K of the sticky note FSr or sticky note window FSrw is touched, the type (color) is changed and displayed with each touch operation, and is stored in association with the corresponding entry word in the sticky note setting data (22d).

[0092] On the other hand, if a sticky note is set in association with any displayed headword (a sticky note FSr is added to the screen), in response to a swipe operation TW on an empty area on the screen, the sticky note setting associated with the headword in the sticky note setting data (22d) is changed to "none" and the sticky note FSr is erased.

[0093] This allows the user to associate a desired type (color) of sticky note with a desired entry word with a very simple swipe operation, or to delete a sticky note that has been set. This significantly improves the operability of attaching and removing sticky notes to any entry word.

[0094] Furthermore, according to the electronic dictionary 10 of the embodiment, on the tag list screen G4, which lists the tag data-set entry words "with" tag data displayed based on the tag setting data (22d), operating the sort button [Dictionary] SB1 (second operation) sorts and displays the list of tag words by dictionary type, and operating the sort button [Sticky] SB2 (first operation) sorts and displays the list of tag words by tag type (color). Then, by selecting (displaying in distinctive display H) a tag word of a desired type of dictionary (such as dictionary name ND1) or a desired type (color) of tag (such as red tagged symbol MFr) to which a tag has been set (attached) and operating the [Translate / Enter] key 14d, the tag word explanation screen G3 is displayed with the corresponding tag data opened.

[0095] This allows you to easily find the desired entry word to which you have attached a tag, and check the explanation of that entry word and the sticky note, etc. Therefore, the operability for checking the entry word to which you have attached a tag can be greatly improved.

[0096] In the embodiment, when a swipe operation TW is performed in the right direction (from the sticky note memo area (glued image area) M toward the type area (non-glued image area) K) in a predetermined area (empty area) of the headword explanation screen G3, the sticky note setting process changes the sticky note setting data to "yes" and displays the sticky note FSr, and when a swipe operation TW is performed in the left direction (from the sticky note type area (non-glued image area) K toward the memo area (glued image area) M), the sticky note setting process changes the sticky note setting data to "no" and erases the sticky note FSr. Not limited to this, when the transition to the sticky note setting process is made by detecting a swipe operation TW, regardless of the direction of the swipe operation TW, if the current sticky note setting data is "no," it may be changed to "yes" and the sticky note FSr may be displayed, and if the current sticky note setting data is "yes," it may be changed to "no" and the sticky note FSr may be erased.

[0097] The dictionary search function, sticky note function, search history storage and display function, etc., possessed by the electronic dictionary 10 of the above embodiment can be provided as a web application on a web server (here, a dictionary server) 30 on the communication network N, so that a user can operate an electronic device such as a tablet terminal (PDA) that can communicate with the dictionary server 30 as an input / output terminal, and the dictionary server 10 can operate in the same manner as the above embodiment.

[0098] The methods of each process performed by the electronic dictionary 10 described in the above embodiments, i.e., the dictionary search process shown in the flowchart of Fig. 4, the tag setting process shown in the flowchart of Fig. 6, the tag display process shown in the flowchart of Fig. 9, and the search history display process described with reference to Fig. 11, can all be stored as programs executable by a computer and distributed on a medium of an external storage device such as a memory card (a ROM card, a RAM card, etc.), a magnetic disk (a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, etc.), an optical disk (a CD-ROM, a DVD, etc.), or a semiconductor memory. Then, the control unit (CPU) of the electronic device loads the program stored on the medium of this external storage device into the storage device, and the operation is controlled by the loaded program, thereby realizing the various functions described in the embodiments and executing similar processes using the above-mentioned methods.

[0099] In addition, the program data for realizing each method can be transmitted over a communication network (N) in the form of program code, and the program data can be imported into an electronic device from a computer device (program server) connected to this communication network (N) and stored in a storage device, thereby realizing the various functions described above.

[0100] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and various modifications can be made in the implementation stage without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the embodiments may be implemented in appropriate combinations, in which case the combined effects can be obtained. Furthermore, the embodiments include various inventions, and various inventions can be extracted by combining selected elements from the disclosed elements. For example, if the problem can be solved and the desired effect can be obtained even if some elements are deleted from all elements shown in the embodiments, the configuration from which these elements are deleted can be extracted as an invention.

[0101] The inventions described in the original claims of this application are set forth below.

[0102] [Appendix 1] A display unit; When a swipe operation is detected while the headword is displayed on the display unit, it is determined whether or not the detected position of the swipe operation is within a predetermined area; An electronic device comprising: a control unit that, when the detected position is in a predetermined area, accepts the swipe operation as an operation for executing a sticky note setting process for a sticky note associated with the headword.

[0103] [Appendix 2] The electronic device described in Appendix 1, wherein the specified area is an empty area within an explanation area in which an explanation of the headword including the headword is displayed.

[0104] [Appendix 3] The sticky note setting process includes: 3. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a process of displaying a sticky note in the predetermined area, or a process of erasing the sticky note displayed in the predetermined area.

[0105] [Appendix 4] 3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit displays the sticky note at a position where the swipe operation is accepted.

[0106] [Appendix 5] 3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit, when detecting the swipe operation of a predetermined amount of movement, accepts the swipe operation as an operation for executing a sticky note setting process.

[0107] [Appendix 6] 3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit displays a sticky note in the predetermined area along a direction of the swipe operation.

[0108] [Appendix 7] the sticky note has a glued image area and a non-glued image area; The control unit When the swipe operation from the glued image area side to the non-glued image area side is received while no sticky note is displayed on the display unit, the sticky note is displayed on the display unit; When the swipe operation from the non-glued image area to the glued image area is received while the sticky note is displayed on the display unit, the sticky note is erased. 1. An electronic device according to claim 1 or 2.

[0109] [Appendix 8] The electronic device described in Appendix 3, wherein the control unit changes the type of the sticky note in response to a specified operation on the sticky note and displays the changed type in an area showing the type of the sticky note.

[0110] [Appendix 9] The electronic device described in Appendix 3, wherein the control unit changes the type of the sticky note depending on the distance at which the swipe operation is accepted, and displays the changed type in an area indicating the type of the sticky note.

[0111] [Appendix 10] The electronic device described in Appendix 3, wherein the control unit changes the type of the sticky note depending on the area where the swipe operation is accepted, and displays the changed type in the area showing the type of the sticky note.

[0112] [Appendix 11] the sticky note setting process includes a process of setting sticky note data in association with the entry word, the control unit causes the display unit to display a list of the entry words for which the sticky note data is set, in association with a symbol indicating the type of the sticky note for each entry word in the list; When a first operation is received on the display unit that displays the list of entry words, the list of entry words is sorted by the type of the sticky note and displayed. 1. An electronic device according to claim 1 or 2.

[0113] [Appendix 12] the sticky note setting process includes a process of setting sticky note data in association with the entry word, the control unit searches for a plurality of entry words corresponding to the characters input by the user from a plurality of dictionary data, and causes the display unit to display a list of the searched plurality of entry words, with a symbol indicating the type of the sticky note associated with the entry word for which the sticky note data is set among the plurality of entry words. 1. An electronic device according to claim 1 or 2.

[0114] [Appendix 13] The electronic device described in Appendix 12, wherein when a first operation is received on the display unit displaying the list of headwords, the control unit sorts and displays the list of headwords based on the type of sticky note.

[0115] [Appendix 14] The control unit of the electronic device equipped with the display unit When a swipe operation is detected while the headword is displayed on the display unit, it is determined whether or not the detected position of the swipe operation is within a predetermined area; If the detected position is in a predetermined area, the swipe operation is accepted as an operation for executing a sticky note setting process for a sticky note associated with the headword. A control method for an electronic device in this way.

[0116] [Appendix 15] A control unit of an electronic device having a display unit, When a swipe operation is detected while the headword is displayed on the display unit, it is determined whether or not the detected position of the swipe operation is within a predetermined area; If the detected position is in a predetermined area, the swipe operation is accepted as an operation for executing a sticky note setting process for a sticky note associated with the headword. A program to make it work like this. [Explanation of symbols]

[0117] 10...Electronic dictionary (electronic device) 14...Key input section 17...Touch panel display 21...Control unit (CPU) 22a...Dictionary control program 22b...Dictionary data storage area 22c…Search history data storage area 22d... Sticky note setting data storage area G1... Headword input screen G2...Search result list screen G3... Headword explanation screen G4... Sticky note list screen G5...Search history list screen AE... Headword input area NDn...Dictionary name FSr…red sticky note FSg...Green sticky note MFg...Green sticky note symbol MFr...Red sticky note symbol TW...Swipe operation FSrw...red sticky note window FSgw...Green sticky note window M...Memo area (glue image area) K...Type area (non-glued image area) BF...[Sticky Note] icon SB1...Sort button [Dictionary] SB2...Sort button [sticky note] FB...[Sticky Note] button DF: Number of times sticky notes were attached and removed PV...Preview area P... Touch pen

Claims

1. A display unit; When a swipe operation is detected while the headword is displayed on the display unit, it is determined whether or not the detected position of the swipe operation is within a predetermined area; When the detected position is in a predetermined area, the swipe operation is accepted as an operation for executing a sticky note setting process for a sticky note associated with the headword; a control unit that executes, as the sticky note setting process, when the swipe operation is detected, a process of setting the sticky note to the headword if the sticky note has not been set to the headword and counting up the number of times the sticky note associated with the headword has been attached and removed, and a process of canceling the setting of the sticky note if the sticky note has already been set to the headword. electronic equipment.

2. the predetermined area is a blank area in an explanation area in which an explanation of the entry word including the entry word is displayed; The electronic device according to claim 1 .

3. When the sticky note is set to the headword, the control unit displays the sticky note at a position where the swipe operation is accepted.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1.

4. When the control unit detects the swipe operation of a predetermined movement amount, the control unit accepts the swipe operation as an operation for executing a sticky note setting process.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1.

5. when displaying a list of a plurality of headwords, the control unit displays information indicating the number of times the sticky note has been attached and removed in association with a headword among the plurality of headwords that has a history of attachment and removal of the sticky note, 3. The electronic device according to claim 1.

6. The control unit of the electronic device equipped with the display unit When a swipe operation is detected while the headword is displayed on the display unit, it is determined whether or not the detected position of the swipe operation is within a predetermined area; When the detected position is in a predetermined area, the swipe operation is accepted as an operation for executing a sticky note setting process for a sticky note associated with the headword; As the sticky note setting process, when the swipe operation is detected, if the sticky note has not been set to the headword, a process is executed to set the sticky note to the headword and count up the number of times the sticky note associated with the headword has been attached and removed, and if the sticky note has already been set to the headword, a process is executed to remove the setting of the sticky note. A control method for an electronic device in this way.

7. A control unit of an electronic device having a display unit, When a swipe operation is detected while the headword is displayed on the display unit, it is determined whether or not the detected position of the swipe operation is within a predetermined area; When the detected position is in a predetermined area, the swipe operation is accepted as an operation for executing a sticky note setting process for a sticky note associated with the headword; As the sticky note setting process, when the swipe operation is detected, if the sticky note has not been set to the headword, a process is executed to set the sticky note to the headword and count up the number of times the sticky note associated with the headword has been attached and removed, and if the sticky note has already been set to the headword, a process is executed to remove the setting of the sticky note. A program to make it work like this.

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