JP2001282788A - Electronic dictionary device, method for switching language to be used for the same, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic dictionary device capable of switching a language a be used by a simple operation. SOLUTION: When a power source S/W is turned on (step 201), a timer is started (step 203) and it is monitored whether a language changeover S/W is turned on or not (step 205). When the language changeover S/W is turned on within the time of the timer, voice inputting from a user is received (step 211) and inputted voices are converted into data by software for voice identification (step 213). These data are collated with data previously registered for each language (step 217) and when they are matched, processing of switching to the relevant language is performed (step 219).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an electronic dictionary device, and more particularly, to an electronic dictionary device having a multilingual function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 5 shows an operation of a conventional communication terminal as an application example of an electronic dictionary device, such as an LCD (a display unit 111 in FIG. 1).
Is described using an example of the screen displayed on the screen. Screen 50
Reference numeral 1 denotes a menu screen of the communication terminal. A mark indicating the remaining battery level and a mark indicating the antenna reception sensitivity are displayed on the first line of the screen, and the menu setting screen is displayed on the second line. Characters to explain (Setting Menu), 3rd to 5th lines
The menu item is displayed on the line. Further, on the sixth line, which is the last line, "OK" indicating a confirmation, a triangle mark indicating an up and down arrow, and "Quit" indicating an end are displayed.

In order to switch the language displayed on the screen, first, the state of the screen 501 is set, and "Language" on the third line is selected by pressing a predetermined key. "Lang
The screen state after "uage" is selected is the screen 503. Screen 50
In the third line, a mark indicating the remaining battery level and the antenna reception sensitivity is displayed on the first line, as in the screen 501, and the menu item "Language" is displayed on the second line.
The user can read "Danish", "Dutch", "Engli"
The user can switch the language by moving the cursor to the language to be switched among the languages on and after the fifth line that cannot be completely displayed on the LCD and pressing a predetermined determination key. Language switching is performed in the above-described procedure. In addition, a function for navigating on the display screen has been added as a response in case of switching apologizingly.

[0004]

However, since the switching navigation is performed in the currently used language,
The operation is difficult for a user who does not understand the navigation language. Further, the operation differs for each language used, and it is difficult to remember the actual procedure.

[0005]

According to the present invention, a first storage area for storing a plurality of dictionaries prepared for each language and a second storage for storing voice recognition software are provided. Area, registration means for registering a word for each language, determination means for determining whether a word detected by the voice recognition software matches a word registered in the registration means, In the case of a match, means for deriving a language corresponding to the word from the registration means, and switching means for setting the language derived from the registration means as a switching destination language and switching a dictionary to be used to a dictionary of the switching destination language. Is proposed.

Further, the present invention provides a dictionary switching method for an electronic dictionary device having a first storage area for storing a plurality of dictionaries prepared for each language and a second storage area for storing voice recognition software. Method, a word is registered for each language, and it is determined whether or not the word detected by the voice recognition software matches the registered word,
When the words match, a language corresponding to the word is derived, the derived language is set as a switching destination language, and a dictionary to be used is switched to a dictionary of the switching destination language. I do. Further, the present invention proposes a recording medium in which computer software for causing an electronic dictionary device to execute the above switching method is recorded.

[0007]

Next, a mobile communication terminal to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a mobile communication terminal to which the present invention is applied, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are processing flowcharts for explaining the operation of the mobile communication terminal to which the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention includes a CPU 101, an RF unit 103,
In addition to the baseband 105, the ROM 107, the RAM 109, and the antenna 125, a display unit 111, a key 113, a codec 115, an MIC (microphone) 117, an SP (speaker) 119, and a vibration motor 123 are provided. The control of the entire mobile communication terminal is performed by the CPU 101.

The RF section 103 transmits a voice signal, a data signal (including message information), a control signal, and the like from the antenna 125, and receives a voice signal, a data signal, a control signal, and the like from the antenna 125. The baseband unit 105 modulates and demodulates the transmission and reception signals, and the codec 115 performs A / D conversion (analog-digital conversion) and D / A conversion (digital-analog conversion). MIC117 is a voice input unit, SP1
19 corresponds to an audio output unit.

The CPU 101 operates according to a program described in the ROM 107 in accordance with control signals from the keys 113 and the baseband 105 to execute various functions of the main body. The ROM 107 stores a dictionary prepared for each language and software for voice recognition.
The CPU 101 is also connected to the RAM 109,
It stores history data of transmitted / received messages (transmission / reception history and transmitted / received message information) and the like. Vibration motor 1
23 notifies the incoming call by vibrating the main body.
Specifically, in a public place such as a train,
If you do not want to emit audible sound from the main body,
23, the main body of the mobile communication terminal is vibrated to notify the user of necessary information. The display unit 111 displays, in addition to information provided to the main body, functions and setting items provided in the main body. The keys 113 include dial buttons for inputting the telephone number of the called telephone, off-hook keys for calling or answering, and function keys for setting various functions.

FIG. 2 is a processing flowchart of the communication terminal to which the present invention is applied. When the power supply S / W is turned on (step 2
01), the timer starts (step 203), and it is monitored whether or not the language switching S / W is turned on (step 2).
05). Further, it is determined whether or not a timer time-out has occurred (step 207). If the timer has timed out, an input / output operation (LCD display, key input, etc.) in a preset language (the initially set language) is performed (step 20).
9).

When the language switch S / W is turned on within the timer time, a voice input from the user is received (step 211), and the input voice is converted into data by voice recognition software (step 213). This data is compared with the data registered in advance for each language (step 217). If they match, the processing is switched to the language (step 219). If there is no match, the number of retries is confirmed. (Step 215). If the number of retries is less than the specified value (five times in this case), the process waits for a voice input from the user again (step 211). On the other hand, when the number of retries reaches the specified value, the input / output operation in the preset language (the initially set language) (LCD display,
Key input, etc.) (step 209).

Next, the processing for switching to the language (step 219) will be described in detail with reference to FIG. When the switching process is started (Step 301), first, the dictionary to be used corresponding to each language is switched (Step 303). That is, access to the dictionary 300 for the preset language is released, and access to the dictionary for the switching destination language is started. Next, the display is switched (step 305). When the input interface is switched following the switching of the display unit (step 307), the switching process ends (step 309).

The above-described series of operations will be described with reference to specific registration data (FIG. 4). In this description, it is assumed that English is set as the preset language. Further, the user registers (records) words corresponding to each language in advance according to a predetermined procedure. That is, in the storage area shown in FIG. 4, "Goddag" for Danish, "Hello" for English, and "Bonjo
ur "," Guten Tag "for German," Ciao "for Italian, and" Ru "for Spanish.
ego, si, hola ". When the language is switched, a word corresponding to the language is pronounced.

In FIG. 2, when the power supply S / W is turned on (step 201), a timer starts (step 2).
03) and monitors whether the language switching S / W is turned on (step 205). Further, it is determined whether or not a timer time-out has occurred (step 207).
9). When the language switching S / W is turned on within the timer time, a voice input from the user is received (step 21).
1). For example, if the user pronounces "Bonjour", the input voice "Bonjour" is converted into character data "Bonjour" by voice recognition software (step 213). This data is compared with a word registered in the storage area (FIG. 4) in advance (step 217). In this case, the matching data "Bonjour"
Exists, the switching process to French corresponding to "Bonjour" is performed (step 219). If there is no match, the number of retries is confirmed (step 215). If the number of retries is less than five, the process waits for a voice input from the user again (step 211). On the other hand, if the number of retries has reached 5, the input / output operation (LCD display, key input, etc.) in the preset language (English) is performed (step 209).

Next, the process of switching to French (step 219) will be described in detail with reference to FIG. When the switching process is started (Step 301), first, the dictionary to be used corresponding to each language is switched (Step 303). That is, access to the English dictionary 300 is released, and access to the French dictionary is started. Next, the display is switched from English to French (step 305). Following the switching of the display unit, the input interface is switched from English to French (step 307). When the switching of the input interface ends, the switching process ends (step 309). 2 and 3 may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium such as a memory card and used. If the software and the dictionary data are stored in a storage medium such as a memory card and used, the language used can be easily switched in an existing mobile communication terminal.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above.
Obviously, the language to be switched to and the registered word are not limited to those described above. For example, in addition to the above example, Finnish, Greek, Norwegian, Portuguese, Swedish, Turkish, and the like can be used as the switching destination language. It is clear that words can be registered corresponding to these languages. In addition to being usable not only for mobile communication terminals but also for electronic dictionary dedicated machines, the range of use of translators and personal computers is wide.

[0017]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electronic dictionary device capable of switching the language to be used with a simple operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a mobile communication terminal to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a processing flowchart of a mobile communication terminal to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a processing flowchart of a mobile communication terminal to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a data configuration diagram for voice registration.

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram of a conventional LCD display screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 CPU 107 ROM 111 Display unit 117 MIC

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An electronic dictionary device comprising: a first storage area for storing a plurality of dictionaries prepared for each language; and a second storage area for storing voice recognition software. Registering means for registering, a word detected by the voice recognition software, and determining means for determining whether or not a word registered in the registering means matches; if the word matches, Means for deriving a language corresponding to a word from the registration means, and a switching means for setting a language derived from the registration means as a switching destination language and switching a dictionary to be used to a dictionary of the switching destination language. Electronic dictionary device. 2. A language switching method for an electronic dictionary device comprising: a first storage area for storing a plurality of dictionaries prepared for each language; and a second storage area for storing voice recognition software. A word is registered for each language, and it is determined whether the word detected by the voice recognition software matches the registered word. If the word matches, a language corresponding to the word is determined. A derivation language is used as a switching destination language, and a dictionary to be used is switched to a dictionary of the switching destination language. 3. A storage medium storing computer software for causing an electronic dictionary device to execute the method according to claim 2.