CN1009228B - Electronic dictionary - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic dictionary for electronic translation of words or compound words in a source language to the corresponding words or compound words in a target language comprises an optical reader which optically reads the source language to be translated, and a translation unit which produces, on the basis of the data output from the optical reader, output of a target language corresponding to the source language.

Description

Electronic dictionary

The present invention relates to a kind of electronic dictionary, be used for word or compound word that word or compound word electricity with a kind of language (source language) are translated into another kind of language (target language); What the invention particularly relates to is the device that is input in the electronic dictionary of waiting to translate word or compound word.

So-called electronic dictionary can have been bought on market.These electronic dictionaries all need the keyboard input of English word for example to be translated or compound word, and show the information of being translated language on display unit, these information comprise the meaning of a word of being translated word (for example Japanese vocabulary), their pronunciation or their part of speech.

Fig. 1 shows the stereoscopic figure of traditional electronic dictionary, and Fig. 2 shows the calcspar of describing this electronic dictionary inner structure.In these figure, English word to be translated is imported by letter by keyboard 1 by operator's finger presses effect.These letters are sent to retrieval controller 3.Then, retrieval controller 3 retrieves corresponding English word from semantic dictionary 2, and demonstrates on display board 4 and corresponding to the relevant speech of the Japanese vocabulary of this English word meaning and other project.

But, above-mentioned electric dictionary requires by waiting that the letter of translating word or compound word carries out the keyboard input, this is a process that is easy to produce input error, its reason is that misreading out of key or mistake understand, especially operator's easier makeing mistakes just when seeing that alternately source file and keyboard carry out the word input.Therefore, in case produce an input error, just must re-enter this word by correcting this mistake.So input is very slow, it is also long that the time ratio of cost is looked into the normal dictionary required time.Therefore, traditional electronic dictionary is far apart apart from practical application, can't fully show the strong point of electronic dictionary.

Moreover when English word was translated into Japanese, in general the operator must write out and comprise this English word at interior source file, so just can not forget the meaning of a word of Japanese vocabulary output on display board.This step is extremely loaded down with trivial details.

In addition, if word to be translated or compound word are in the form when carrying out (for example the past tense of verb or) of distortion, in most of the cases the user also must face needs keyboard to import the original shape of this word or the trouble of canonical form.

An object of the present invention is to address the above problem.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic dictionary practicality, wieldy by the loading routine that improves electronic dictionary.

Another object of the present invention provides an electronic dictionary with the written-out program that has improved.

Even another object of the present invention provides one and can translate word to be translated and occur the electronic dictionary that also can translate with the form that has changed.

In order to solve shortcoming intrinsic in the prior art, the this invention that relates to the electronic dictionary of the respective word that a kind of word or compound word electricity of language can be translated into another kind of language or compound word comprises: an optical reader, and it can read language to be translated with optical means; Translation unit, it can be exported and the corresponding language of being translated of target language according to the output information that optical reader is supplied with.Attaching to provide a display unit to translate language to show the quilt that is produced by translation unit.

In the optimum implementation of this electronic dictionary, optical reader, translation unit and display unit all are the parts of an integrated unit.

In another optimum implementation, optical reader separates with main unit, mutual independence, and main unit comprises translation unit and display unit, realizes being electrically connected between optical reader and the main unit with the connector flexible cord.

The course of work by the electronic dictionary of above-mentioned formation is as follows:

Use optical reader to realize being recorded in the input that treating on the source file translated word.This optical reader for example can be made up of a light source and a photoelectric sensor, and light source is used to illuminate source file, and photoelectric sensor converts the light by the source file reflection to electric signal.

When language to be translated was imported like this, the result that translation unit is read according to optical reader exported accordingly and is translated language message.Translated language message accordingly the meaning of a word, their pronunciation and other information that provides in normal dictionary for example are provided.

Display unit shows by the quilt that comprises above-mentioned information of translation unit output translates language message.

According to the present invention, the light of the source language by optical reader input has been eliminated in the classic method in the inherent error of waiting to translate under the keyboard input condition of word.Like this, the present invention has just solved this problem in the prior art.

Can also be for electronic dictionary be equipped with a printer, this printer can partly print the information of translating language by the quilt of translation unit generation at least.

In an optimum implementation, optical reader and printer relative position is each other fixed, and the said part of language to be translated information is exactly what fix with respect to the print position of this input language like this.

Being translated language message with printer prints makes the operator save the trouble that need write these words.

In another optimum implementation of the present invention, optical reader is used from the bright language to be translated that comprises of the illumination of external light source at interior medium.

For the light with external light source throws light on, can be equipped with a collector lens so that make optical reader can assemble light from external light source.On the other hand, can also be equipped with a condenser (for example sunlight collector) and assemble light from external light source.

In another embodiment of the invention, translation unit is discerned the distortion of language to be translated according to the output of optical reader, and because this identification, translation unit has produced the declination of regulation or has ignored this declination, and has produced with the original shape of this speech or canonical form is corresponding is translated language message.Corresponding target language information for example can comprise the meaning of a word of the canonical form of source word, their pronunciation and other necessary information in a dictionary.

According to the present invention, the input of the light of the source language by optical reader eliminated keyboard input in the classic method wait to translate the word situation following consolidate error.Moreover even language to be translated is a kind of distortion, this electronic dictionary can produce also that the quilt consistent with the canonical form of this word translated language message and no matter how it changes.It has just possessed the function of a normal dictionary like this.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a stereographic map of showing conditional electronic dictionary outward appearance;

Fig. 2 is the calcspar of displaying electronic dictionary structure as shown in Figure 1;

Fig. 3 is a calcspar that shows the electronic dictionary structure in the first embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a stereographic map, expresses the details of the optical reader in the electronic dictionary as shown in Figure 3;

Fig. 5 shows and forms the semantic dictionary of electronic dictionary and the details of retrieval controller as shown in Figure 3;

Fig. 6 has provided the example of dictionary and dictionary memory;

Fig. 7 is the stereographic map of portable electronic dictionary outward appearance;

Fig. 8 is the stereographic map according to the portable electronic dictionary outward appearance of second embodiment;

Fig. 9 is the calcspar of the electronic dictionary structure in another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 10 A, 10B and 10C show the details of printer.

Figure 11 is the stereographic map of portable electronic dictionary outward appearance;

Figure 12 is the stereographic map by the portable electronic dictionary outward appearance of another embodiment;

Figure 13 is the calcspar of the electronic dictionary structure of expression another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 14 is a synoptic diagram, has shown an example of the optical reader in the electronic dictionary of the Figure 13 that can pack into;

Figure 15 is a synoptic diagram, has shown another example of the optical reader in the electronic dictionary of the Figure 13 that can pack into;

Figure 16 shows the principle of work of the condenser in optical reader as shown in figure 15;

Figure 17 A and 17B are two stereographic maps, express the example of the electronic dictionary structure of the optical reader that has Figure 14 or 15.

Figure 18 shows the semantic dictionary in another embodiment of the electronic dictionary as shown in Figure 1 of packing into and the details of retrieval controller.

Figure 19 is a process flow diagram, illustrates the course of work of retrieval controller;

Figure 20 is a process flow diagram, illustrates the course of work of another example of retrieval controller.

Below, describe embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

What Fig. 3 represented is the inner structure of an electronic dictionary, and it has constituted first embodiment of the present invention.Fig. 4 shows the details at the optical reader shown in Fig. 3.Fig. 5 shows the details at semantic dictionary shown in Fig. 3 and retrieval control module.

The electronic dictionary of the present embodiment is translated into corresponding Japanese vocabulary or compound word to English word or compound word, and provide the out of Memory that in general in normal dictionary, can find, such as pronunciation, usage for example, part of speech and etymology, being constructed as follows of this electronic dictionary:

As shown in Figure 3, this electronic dictionary comprises optical reader 5, analog/digital converter (abbreviating A/D converter as) 6, pretreater 7, identification dictionary 9, identification controller 8, semantic dictionary 10, retrieval controller 11 and display board 12.

As shown in Figure 4, optical reader 5 comprises light source 5a, it is printed on the top waits that the source file 14 of translating English word illuminates, optical reader 5 also comprises lens 5b, the optical convergence that it sends light source 5a also comprises lens 5c to source file 14, it makes the reflected light imaging on pickoff sensor 5d from source file 14, also comprise pickoff sensor 5d, it converts the light from this video to the electric signal of indication shading value.Pickoff sensor 5d for example can be a ccd sensor.A/D converter 6 will become digital signal from the analog signal conversion of pickoff sensor 5d, and this digital signal is fed to pretreater 7.Pretreater 7 carries out functions such as smoothing processing, noise eliminating in addition the binary signal except the digital signal that will receive converts to.Identification dictionary 8 comprises the alphabetical style of standard, discerns the letter of reading with optical means with them.Identification controller 9 is discerned binary signal and is discerned the letter that has been read out in other words according to being included in standard pattern in the recognition dictionary 9.In brief, this recognition methods can be divided into style coupling and structure analysis.Style coupling comprises that the appointment input style that will be made up of the binary signal of having read according to the two-dimentional video of alphabetical former state pre-these letters of storage in this identification dictionary and one and a style of discerning in the dictionary carry out matching ratio.Structure analysis comprises: the partial contour that extracts letter from these letters; Description and their mutual relationship to the partial contour that is removed are carried out the dictionary storage; And the input style of an appointment and the information of being stored carried out matching ratio process.In the present embodiment, finish to the identification of the letter that is read out or by the style matching method or by structured analysis method.

Owing to always the entry word and the title of English sentence are capitalized, so identification controller is no matter only identify the situation of a letter.

Semantic dictionary 10 comprises the dictionary with the corresponding Japanese data of English word of having read in is stored, comprising example sentence, synonym and the antonym of the meaning of a word, diacritic, dependent parser, use specified word.Retrieval controller 11 retrieves and the corresponding Japanese vocabulary of having read of appointment English word from semantic dictionary 10.As shown in Figure 5, the inner structure of retrieval controller 11 is as follows: input buffer 15, store alphanumeric codes with it temporarily, and the function of alphanumeric codes is storages with the corresponding letter of word that has been identified by identification controller 9; Dictionary 16, it comprises the start address (following this point that describes in detail again) of dictionary memory 20, and dictionary memory 20 comprises the meaning of a word of English word to be translated and corresponding Japanese vocabulary; Address counter 17 is used for scanning the English word that is stored in dictionary 16; Register 18 is used for English word that interim storage read by dictionary 16 and their start address; And door 19, decide by input buffer 15 and the English word that obtains by register 18 whether meet coupling by it.On the other hand, semantic dictionary 10 comprises dictionary memory 20, comprises in memory 20 such as the meaning of a word of the Japanese vocabulary of above-mentioned discussion and their diacritic etc.; In semantic dictionary 10, also comprise register 21, be used for the address of regulation dictionary register 20.

Display board 12 shows that retrieving the quilt that comes out by retrieval controller 11 translates Japanese information.

When comprising the source file 14 of waiting to translate English word and illuminated by light source 5a as shown in Figure 4, reflected light scioptics 5c is sent to pickoff sensor 5d.Pickoff sensor 5d converts this reflected light to electric signal, and this electric signal stands to be sent in the identification controller 8 after binarization reaches relevant processing in pretreater 7.By using aforesaid style coupling or structured analysis method and being stored in the standard alphabet style of discerning in the dictionary 9 by reference, identification controller 8 identifies the letter one by one that has been read out then.Then, will deliver to retrieval controller 11 by the English word alphanumeric codes that one group of letter that is identified is formed.

Fig. 6 shows the word storage example in dictionary 16 and dictionary memory 20.Among Fig. 6, in { }, write letter in fact not in dictionary, but insert in this accompanying drawing with the explanation of doing the English-language reader with what dot-and-dash line was connected with Japanese character.

The course of work of translation below will be described.Be stored in as shown in Figure 5 the input buffer 15 with the alphanumeric codes string of identified word equivalence.Then, the address code (being " a " and " 0001 " among Fig. 6) of this English word and it is delivered to word impact damper 18a and address 18b in the register 18 by the reference position of dictionary 16.Then by door 19 decision be stored in the input buffer 15 alphanumeric codes (English word that has been read into) whether and be stored in English word in the register 18 and be complementary and meet.If be not inconsistent, then address counter 17 adds 1, and this just makes next English word and address (" abandon " (casting out) and " 002 " in Fig. 6) in the dictionary 16 be sent to register 18.Then, as previously discussed, whether this word of door 19 decision registers 18 conforms to the English word coupling that has been read into.Like this, the word in the dictionary 16 just is read out continuously, until till finding when mating the English that conforms between the English word of reading at the English word that has read in by dictionary 16.When door 19 had determined an English word that conforms to, at this time the address that comprises in register 18 was sent to the address register 21 of semantic dictionary 10.For example, suppose that the English word of having read is " dictionary " and suppose that this word is retrieved out.Then as shown in Figure 6, the code of address " 0051 " is delivered to address register 21.Semantic dictionary 10 uses the address by address register 21 appointments as start address the content of dictionary memory 20 to be sent to display buffer, the foregoing that transmits only is one, not shown display buffer (though, display buffer is provided in the retrieval controller 11 in the present embodiment, but this display buffer also can be placed in the semantic dictionary 10).According to above-mentioned " dictionary " example, this operation proceeds to the end mark of meeting among Fig. 6 22 always, when " * " till, that is to say until till when having transmitted all the elements of address 0051-0090.The alphabetic string of reading with optical means is so all converted to corresponding Japanese vocabulary information,, by display buffer this Japanese information is presented on the display board 12 then comprising the Japanese vocabulary meaning of a word.

Fig. 7 is the stereoscopic figure of the electronic dictionary that uses in the present embodiment.Electronic dictionary type among Fig. 7 belongs to a kind of portable electronic dictionary.A teat is arranged at the top of the electronic dictionary main unit of various parts containing as shown in Figure 3, and the structure that this teat comprises integrated optical reader 31(it and as shown in Figure 3 optical reader is identical).Read English word to be translated in order to use such electronic dictionary light, hand of user is mentioned the main unit 30 of electronic dictionary, optical reader 31 taken wait to translate the English word section start, and on this position, allow optical reader 31 and source file 14 close, simultaneously scan source file 14 to the right as shown in Figure 7.Then, read letter on the source file 14, sequentially convert them to Japanese information by the above-mentioned course of work and they are presented on the display board 12 with optical means.

Fig. 8 is the electronic dictionary that uses in second embodiment of the present invention.It comprises a scanner 32, scanner 32 contains the optical reader (Fig. 3) of dress in, scanner 32 separates with electronic dictionary main unit 30a that (structure of main unit as shown in Figure 3, just optical reader is removed), realize being electrically connected with connector flexible cord 33 between these two unit.In such electronic dictionary, hold scanner 32 near source file, and as with reference to description to Fig. 7, with scanner 32 scan source files 14, and will be sent to main unit 30a through connector flexible cord 33 by the information that scanning process is picked up, and on display board 12, demonstrate the Japanese vocabulary information of being translated as a main unit 30a part.Therefore, reading and the input of carrying out file with portable electronic dictionary just is easy to, simply.In addition, it is extremely convenient, flexible with the electronic dictionary that scanner 32 scans source file being carried out photoscanning with shown in Figure 8 only needing.

As mentioned above, above-mentioned embodiment allows by optical reader light input English word to be translated, and has therefore just reduced the error originated from input that derives from keyboard operation in the conventional method, improved operating speed and the function that is suitable for practice is provided for electronic dictionary.

Fig. 9 has provided another embodiment of the invention.The structure of the present embodiment in general structure with embodiment shown in Figure 3 is identical, and still, other is furnished with a printer 13, is used to be printed on the Japanese information that shows on the display board 12.

Figure 10 A, 10B and 10C have provided a kind of details of using the heat transfer printer of hot drift as the example of printer.In Figure 10 A, the major part of this printer comprises printer buffer 124, and it will be from dictionary memory 20(Fig. 5) Japanese information receive as print data; Also comprise driver 125, drive each thermal element 126d with it, thermal element 126d is connected on the driver 125 serially.Figure 10 B is stereographic map, and it shows the hot drift 126 that the thermal element 126d that installed by actual conditions by a row forms.Transmitting colour band 127 passes through in the place ahead of hot drift 126.This transmission colour band 127 is pulled out by spool 128 and is strained by reel 129.Figure 10 C is an enlarged drawing that shows hot drift 126 and transmit relation between the colour band 127.Shown in Figure 10 C, transmit the anterior 126a that colour band 127 is positioned at hot drift 126, transmit colour band 127 and form by basement membrane 127a and ink lay 127b, this ink lay is a thin layer in colour band one side.The chief component of ink lay 127b is to heat the wax that promptly melts.To be sent on the source file that places hot drift the place ahead by the printing ink 127b that melt hot drift 126 heating rear sections.When semantic dictionary 10 one by one is sent in figure unillustrated display buffer to the content of dictionary memory 20 by the address of address register 21 appointments as start address by using (though display buffer is configured in the retrieval controller 11 in the present embodiment, but it also can be configured in the semantic dictionary 10), semantic dictionary 10 also is sent to print buffer 124(Figure 10 A to this dictionary memory content).

By the example of above-mentioned it " dictionary ", this course of work proceeds to the end mark 22 that runs among Fig. 6 always, when " * " till, that is to say when proceeding to the content of having transmitted address 0051-0090 till.The alphabetic string that such light is read converts Japanese vocabulary information to, and Japanese vocabulary information is displayed on the display board 12 through display buffer.

Printer 13 stores controller 11(Figure 10 A by retrieval in print buffer 124) come from the Japanese information (print data) of dictionary memory 20.Subsequently, through the timing that the suitable timing generator by not shown provides, read and a corresponding print data of vertical dotted line from impact damper 124, thereby focus 126d is heated by driver 125.Like this, just melted the ink lay 127b that transmits on the colour band 127 shown in Figure 10 C, the result just is sent on the source file 14 that is positioned at colour band the place ahead the heat of a dotted line in the print data.In this manner, according to the timing signal of sequentially feeding just finished wired printing.

Figure 11 is the electronic dictionary stereoscopic figure that uses in this embodiment.Electronic dictionary type shown in Figure 11 belongs to portable electronic dictionary.Electronic dictionary main unit 130 includes each parts as shown in Figure 9, and the top teat 30u of main unit 130 comprises integrated optical reader 5(has identical structure with optical reader 5 shown in Figure 3).Below optical reader 5, there are another teat 30V, teat 30V to contain integrated printer 13(Fig. 9) apart from its a distance.For reading English word to be translated by a kind of like this electronic dictionary light of use, the user is with one portable electronics dictionary main unit 130, optical reader 5 is taken the section start of English word to be translated, allow optical reader 5 near source files 14 in this position, then scan source file to the right as shown in figure 11.

In this operating period, printer is positioned between the English word of the English word that is read out and next line.When the alphabetical light on the source file 14 was read, their Japanese information just was presented on the display board 12, printed this Japanese information by printer 13 between each row simultaneously.The meaning of a word of only printing in the Japanese information also is fine.

Figure 12 is the electronic dictionary that uses in another embodiment of the invention.It comprises scanner 132, scanner 132 comprises integrated optical reader 5 and printer 13, printer 13 is certain with respect to the distance of optical reader 5, scanner 132 and electronic dictionary main unit 130a be separate (structure of main unit 130a as shown in Figure 9, wherein remove optical reader 5 and printer 13), between two unit, realize being electrically connected with connector flexible cord 33.In such electronic dictionary, hold scanner 132 near source file 14, and with reference to the description that Figure 11 is carried out, come scan source file 14 with scanner 132, the information of scanning process being picked up through connector flexible cord 33 is sent to main unit 130a, the Japanese vocabulary information that is translated shows on display unit 12, and display unit 12 is parts of main unit 130a.Meanwhile, printer 13 is printing the English word speech meaning of having read below this speech and between two row.Therefore, carry out the reading of file and import just very simple, easy with this portable electronic dictionary.In addition, the photoscanning of carrying out source file with the electronic dictionary that scanner 132 scans with only needing as shown in figure 12 also is extremely convenient, flexible.

As mentioned above, all can print the speech meaning of waiting to translate word or compound word between the print line at source file, the operator saved to write out the trouble of being translated word, thereby the operator is broken away from from loaded down with trivial details operation from each embodiment of Fig. 9 to 12.Therefore, the present invention just provides an electronic dictionary that has improved operating speed and be suitable for practice.

Figure 13 is another embodiment of the invention.In general the present embodiment is identical with the embodiment of Fig. 3.But as Figure 14 was shown specifically, optical reader 205 included a plurality of lens 205b, and its is being supplied with by light source from the electronic dictionary outside from its light of external light source 205e() optical convergence wait to translate on the source file of English word to comprising.

Optical reader does not need any one light source and illuminates source file.This just helps to obtain a simple structure.Thereby can whole electronic dictionary do light compactness, be suitable for making portable units.

Figure 15 and 16 is another examples by the bright source file of illumination of external light source.

Figure 15 is the stereographic map of optical reader outward appearance.Figure 16 illustrates the principle of work of condenser in the optical reader shown in Figure 15.

Except that optical reader, the structure of the electronic dictionary in the electronic dictionary structure in second embodiment of the present invention and first embodiment is identical.Optical reader 230 in the present embodiment as shown in figure 15 comprises: assemble the condenser 231 from the light of external light source 205e; Reflection is from the reflection of light mirror 232 of condenser 231; Lens 205f and 5b; Pickoff sensor 5d.For as shown in figure 16 condenser 231 provides transparent plastic plate 233,234 diffusions of fluorescent stain are arranged in plate 233.Enter impact fluorescence stain 234 after the inside of plastic plate 233 from the surface of the light slave plate 233 of external light source 205e; Fluorescent in this position emission is propagated forward, is subjected to the reflection on plastic plate 233 surfaces simultaneously.Major part wherein is led to end 236(Figure 15 and 16 of condenser 231), and be radiated the outside with the form of converging light 237.Light from external light source 205e all is focused on the end 236 of condenser 231 after injecting from large-area surface like this.If block with the other end of catoptron 238 with plastic plate 233, then light will stand further to assemble and radiate with very big intensity from the end 236 of outside opening.As shown in figure 15, the variation of direction has taken place by the effect of catoptron 232 in this high-intensity converging light, and enters lens 205f, and this light stands further convergence in lens 205f; And as an impinging light beam source file 14.Then, as described in the first embodiment, the picked sensor 5d of these reflected light scioptics 5b converts electric signal to.BASF has researched and developed the principle of work of the condenser 231 that can finish above-mentioned functions, can be referred to as its experimental prototype of " Solar Collector " (sunlight collector) from Morishita Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha.

Figure 17 A and 17B are the outside drawings of different instances that has inserted the electronic dictionary of the condenser shown in Figure 15 and 16.

Figure 17 A represents a portable electronic dictionary.Electronic dictionary main unit 240 is integrated units of each parts as shown in Figure 3.The top teat 241 of main unit 240 comprises optical reader 5.For by using such electronic dictionary light to read English word to be translated, the user is with the main unit 240 of a portable electronics dictionary, optical reader (teat 241) is taken the place that begins that waits to translate English word, allow optical reader near source file 14 in this position, scan source file to the right is shown in the A among Figure 15.Then, the letter on the source file 14 is carried out optical reading, the operating process of narrating by the front subsequently converts the letter on the source file 14 to Japanese vocabulary, and shows on display board 12.In the structure of Figure 17 A, can make the whole surface of the condenser reflex lid arrangement of Figure 15 and 16.Condenser is transparent, so it does not hinder the function of display.On the other hand, also can use the collector lens of Figure 14 instead.

Figure 17 B is the outside drawing of another preferred example of electronic dictionary, the scanner 242 that contains interior dress optical reader 230 wherein is (having removed optical reader in the structure of main unit) that are provided as a unit that separates with electronic dictionary main unit 243, realizes being electrically connected with connector flexible cord 244 between separative element and main unit.In such electronic dictionary, hold scanner 242 near source file 14, and as above described in Figure 17 A, with scanner 242 scan source files 14, the information of picking up in scanning process is transferred into main unit 243 through connector flexible cord 244, the Japanese vocabulary signal that is translated shows on display unit 12, and this display unit 12 is parts of main unit 243.Carry out the file reading and import very simple, easy with this portable electronic dictionary.Moreover the photoscanning of using only needing shown in Figure 17 B to carry out source file with the electronic dictionary that scanner 242 scans also is extremely convenient, flexible.In the structure of Figure 17 B, can make the only topped scanner 242 of condenser of Figure 15 and 16.In addition, also can use the collector lens of Figure 14 instead.

All be to use external light source to read-import to wait from the characteristics of the embodiment of Figure 13 to 17A, 17B and translate word.Hence one can see that, and optical reader has just no longer been needed a light source.So just alleviate the burden of operator's switch light source, made the size and the weight that reduce electronic dictionary become possibility, so just provided a kind of portable, practical electronic dictionary.

Figure 18 represents the inner structure of the retrieval controller of another one embodiment.The whole inner structure of the present embodiment is equal to embodiment as shown in Figure 3.But the retrieval controller of the present embodiment 313 is in following each side difference.That is,, be used for the alphabetical number that is counted of checking that the initial moment when the word impact damper 18a of input buffer 15 and register 18 coupling conforms to begins for retrieval controller 313 provides a door 320; Also provide storage impact damper 321a, be used to store the alphabetical existing number that conforms to; Also provide storage impact damper 321b, be used to be stored in the number of letters that conforms to (in case finished a word lookup operation, the content of impact damper 321a just is moved to impact damper 321b) of the last word lookup operating period acquisition; Also provide door 322, which counting that is used for determining being stored in the letter counting that conforms to of impact damper 321a and 321b is bigger; Suffix register 323 also is provided, is used to store the declination storehouse, as " ed " and " ing "; Inspection door 324 also is provided, is used for the suffix of register 323 and the consistance between the input buffer 15 are checked; Also provide one to revise door 325, be used for revising the suffix of input buffer 15.

Figure 19 is a process flow diagram, and the course of work of checking controller 313 is described.To be stored in the alphanumeric codes string of word equivalence identified in identification controller 8 in the input buffer 15 as shown in figure 18.Then the address code of English word and it (being " a " and " 0001 " in the figure) is begun to deliver to word impact damper 18a and address 18b in the register 18 from dictionary 16.Then, door 19 decisions be stored in the input buffer 15 alphanumeric codes (English word that promptly has been read into) whether and the English word in being stored in register 18 mate conform to (step 429 among Figure 19).If conform to, door 322 decisions are the big or existing letter countings (impact damper 321a) big (step 430) that conform to of the last letter counting (impact damper 321b) that conforms to.If the existing letter counting that conforms to has then found next word (step 439) more than or equal to a last counting.

On the other hand, if the existing letter counting that conforms to is less than Last counting, then this just illustrated this search procedure from the word next door sought by having gone, show or this dictionary in do not exist this word or the appointed word to comprise a declination.Under such a case, 322(sees Figure 18 with door) output deliver to a unillustrated controller among Figure 18.Then, according to instruction from this controller, inspection door 324 judges whether the suffix in the input buffer 15 conforms to (step 431) if suffix to be translated has special shape to change with suffix register 323 couplings, under the situation that " ing " ending (as " ging " or " ming ") is arranged at present participle or gerund, perhaps have in the past the time under the situation of " ed " ending (as " rred "), then inspection door 324 changes back to alternative word by the mode of omitting suffix its original shape (step 435).According to the instruction from the controller of receiving inspection door 324 outputs, the word that is included in the input buffer 15 by 325 pairs at suffix correction door carries out the word correction.If appointment speech declination is failed by the check of step 431, and if judge that the version of suffix " ing " is " ying " (step 432), then suffix " ying " is modified as " ie " (step 436 and 440) by suffix correction door 325.If the suffix of appointment or " ies " or " ied " then change over it " y " (step 437 and 440) in both cases.At last, if suffix is not special version, promptly the past tense to verb adds " ed " simply, a verb to be become present participle or gerund adds " ing ", or a word has suffix " ' S " to show it is the possessive case, and all these suffixes are all given up (step 438 and 440) by door 325.Handle the variation of suffix just by these programs.If control procedure advances to step 439 after above-mentioned treatment step, if promptly found next word, then address counter 17 adds 1, and this just makes next word and address (being " abandon " (giving up) and " 0002 " in the drawings) in the dictionary 16 be stored in the register 18.Then, whether conform to by the word in door 19 criterion registers 18 similarly with the English word coupling of having read in.So the word in the dictionary 16 continues to be read out, until till when between English word that has read in and the English word from dictionary 16, read, having found concerning that coupling conforms to.

If arrived at step 440, then finished the search procedure of word once more, but this time be (step 429) finished at the alternative word of having revised suffix (modular word).

If arrive step 441, just illustrate that the word of being sought is not in dictionary 16.In this case, for example can on display board 12, show a message for this reason and finish this operation by unillustrated controller among the figure according to the output of inspection door 324.

As mentioned above, the above-mentioned embodiment version of waiting to translate word that can identify appointment is translated language message to obtain the quilt corresponding with the canonical form of waiting to translate word.So no longer need in classic method to be done, before word is input to dictionary, must be modified as alternative word their original shape.These characteristics make actual electronic dictionary improve operability together with the use of optical reader.

In the embodiment of Figure 19, show some suffix that needs special processing, but also can be arranged to some other suffix that needs special processing.More like this example of other suffix comprise the comparative degree suffix (as " er ", " ier ", " ger ") of adjective and adverbial word and the highest suffix of adjective and adverbial word (as " est ", " iest ", " " gest ").

Another kind of scheme as shown in Figure 19 program, also can arrange like this: after any step in the step 435,436 and 437 of suffix correction, to through the word completing steps of correction 429 and 430, if and in step 430 the answer is in the negative, completing steps 432 and 433 then.In Figure 20, this program has been made graphic extension.

In each above-mentioned embodiment, retrieval all is that first word from dictionary begins.But also can arrange like this: first alphabetical initial word of retrieving since the word that is transfused to (being that light is read) begins to carry out.

Claims (4)

1, a kind of electronic dictionary is used for reading with optical means a kind of word of source language, is the respective word of another kind of language with said word translation, and exports the said word that is translated, and it is characterized in that comprising:

An optical reader, it comprises that one is used to throw light on and is printed on the light source of the source file of word to be translated on it, a light that is used for reflecting from said source file changes the photoelectric sensor of electric signal into, also comprise a for example optical element of lens, be used for the light that reflects from said source file is invested said photoelectric sensor;

An output block that is used to export the word that is translated, wherein said optical reader is configured to manually to move the form of (but manual scanning), and be configured to be adjacent to said output block, form entire combination with this output block, word to be translated is by means of said optical reader moving (scanning) and import on said source file, and translation result is being exported from the not far place of word to be translated.

2,, it is characterized in that said output block is a display device according to the electronic dictionary of claim 1.

3,, it is characterized in that said output block is a printer according to the electronic dictionary of claim 1.

4, according to the electronic dictionary of claim 1, it is characterized in that said optical reader has a light collector, be used to collect from the light source projects of said electronic dictionary outside light, and said optical reader uses natural light to read word to be translated as light source to said source file.

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