JP2007018468A - System for converting english to katakana english - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system for converting English to Katakana English, which is different from a conventional system for converting Katakana to Kanji, and has a database with a specific lookup table for English words to Katakana English words and also may provide the Katakana English word by receiving an input spelled in English. <P>SOLUTION: It is difficult to input Katakana, English by combining a consonant with a vowel in a Japanese way in Roman characters. This Katakana English conversion system has a different input means for Katakana English from that, for other Katakana, Hiragana, and Kanji; uses the database with the specific lookup table for English words to Katakana English; and converts English to Katakana English based on the above mentioned means and the database; wherein the method can be used as a Japanese input system for a mobile terminal of a mobile telephone by being added to the conventional system for converting Katakana to Kanaji, and also the Japanese input system can be effectively used for learning English by paying attention to Katakana English and its original English, as well as by preventing Katakana English is abused. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention is not a conventional kana-kanji conversion system, but a dedicated English / katakana conversion system for inputting Katakana notation words (hereinafter referred to as Katakana English) whose origin is English into a Japanese application program running on a computer. The present invention relates to a katakana English conversion system which has an English correspondence table in a database and can obtain the corresponding katakana English by inputting English spellings.

  At present, when inputting Japanese into an application program on a computer, it is common to use a Japanese Industrial Standard JIS X4064 Kana-Kanji conversion system or a system conforming thereto. In the present invention, the terminology defined in JIS X4064 will be used in principle. There are two types of input methods: a Roman character input method using English keys and a Kana input method using Kana keys. At present, the romaji input method seems to be used more often. The Romaji input system converts Roman input to kana based on the romaji kana conversion table of Table 1 and Table 2 of JIS X4063 or a conversion table conforming to it, and further converts part or all of it into kanji using the kana-kanji conversion system. It is input as a kanji-kana mixed text. Similarly, in Katakana English, based on the above-mentioned Roman Kana conversion table, enter directly in Katakana input mode, input in Hiragana input mode, and then convert to Katakana, or the above-mentioned dictionary of Kana-Kanji conversion system Katakana English is also included in, so Kana is converted to Katakana English in the same way that Kana is converted to Kanji and input. Of course, Katakana English can also be entered using the kana input method, which will be described later. First, the following describes problems when inputting katakana English using the Roman character input method.

  The Romaji kana conversion table used in the Romaji input method is based on the classification of Japanese consonants and vowels, so there is no problem when converting from Romaji to Japanese characters, but from Romaji to Katakana English. If there is a very contradiction. That is, words starting with “l” and “r” in English are classified into “ra” lines of the same kana in Japanese. Similarly, “s” and “th” and “b” and “v” , “S” and “B” are classified similarly. In Japanese, except for “n”, vowels are always accompanied by consonants, but in English there are often no vowels. Therefore, the “lamp” meaning “light” in Katakana English usually has to be input as “ranpu” in Roman letters, “sinkutanku” in “think tank”, and “ba-charu” in “virtual”. In English, they are “lamp”, “think tank”, and “virtual”. Despite the fact that Japanese use a lot of Katakana English, they are insensitive to the contradiction between Katakana English and its origin. Therefore, when Japanese write English, they often mistake the spelling of l and r, s and th, and b and v. In particular, there are many mistakes between l and r. Moreover, when speaking English, it is not only a difference in pronunciation but also a factor that makes it difficult to use these properly. Of course, if you misspell these spellings in English, you won't be able to speak English at all, or you'll end up with another word that you don't expect. Next, the case where the kana input method is used without using the Roman character input method will be described.

  Using the Kana input method, Katakana English can be input directly or converted with the Kana key on the Japanese keyboard. To enter Katakana, Hiragana and Kanji characters except for Katakana English, it may be more natural to use the Kana key. Also, in the case of mobile terminals such as mobile phones, the number of keys (buttons) is small, so that there are differences in the operation method, so katakana English can be input directly or converted using kana keys (buttons). It has become. However, the contradiction between Katakana English described in the previous paragraph and its origin, English, is not resolved. Conversely, since romaji input is not performed, there is no need to be aware of the contradictions between English and Katakana English, which may be a background factor that abuses Katakana English.

  At present, Katakana English tends to be used frequently because it is easy to use, despite the fact that there is a contradiction in the relationship with English, which is the origin of the word. It can be said that Katakana English is a negative effect for people who are learning English in earnest. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of using correct Japanese, there is a movement to abolish katakana English as much as possible and replace it with Japanese original kana and kanji. On the other hand, all katakana English should be written in English. Some people argue that. After all, it is necessary to change the Japanese attitude toward Katakana English. I think that the influence of computer input as a means of writing katakana English is significant in the modern age when everyone uses computers. Various methods have been considered at the research level as improvements to the Japanese input method of this computer, but all have been devised to combine katakana, hiragana and kanji including katakana English as much as possible. For this reason, it is inevitably different from the current method, and there are proposals using a keyboard with a special arrangement, and it has not been widely spread. The current keyboard layout and Romaji input method are well established, so it seems difficult to change drastically. Katakana English has other problems than computer input methods, but as a result, Katakana English is now separated from its original English, and there is no system to regulate or standardize it. May be said to be flooded with Japanese. However, the increasing number of Katakana English has some harmful effects, but if used well, it can also improve Japanese practical English skills.

  Foreign words that have been used for a long time are often written in katakana, but they are translated into Japanese and have little similarity to the origins such as Portuguese and English. There is no sense of incongruity even if the words are treated like other katakana, hiragana and kanji. However, Katakana English, which has been increasing in recent years, has a strong connection with English, and it is impossible to use a Roman character input method that combines Japanese consonants and vowels for Katakana English input. The current Kana-Kanji conversion system also provides a Katakana-English dictionary, which can be used to convert Katakana English to English. However, since this dictionary is built into the Kana-Kanji conversion system, if this dictionary is used, the sound of Kanji and Katakana English will be the same. For example, even when converting “Ran” to Kanji, “LAN” And “run” are included in the conversion candidates, and it cannot be said that the operability is improved. For that reason, the Katakana English dictionary is not built in by default. After all, it may be impossible to handle Katakana English and other Katakana, Hiragana and Kanji characters together. Therefore, in the present invention, Katakana English and other katakana, hiragana and kanji are intended to be considered separately. The katakana English conversion system of the present invention is used for inputting katakana English, and other katakana, hiragana and kanji input uses the conventional kana-kanji conversion system. Alphanumeric characters and symbols can be entered in either system. Since the Katakana English input system of the present invention is combined with the conventional Kana-Kanji conversion system, the Katakana English can be input not only by the Katakana English conversion system but also by the conventional Kana-Kanji conversion system. it can. Moreover, although the combination form is different, it can also be added to a Japanese input system of a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone. Therefore, this system is easy to introduce into existing systems. In the case of Japanese input including kana and kanji, a new system that combines a katakana English conversion system and a conventional kana-kanji conversion system shall be created, and its operation explanation and operation method are described in “Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention” This will be explained in the section. First, I will explain the operation of the Katakana English conversion system.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a katakana English conversion system. The operation when inputting Katakana English into a Japanese word processor running on a computer will be described. The numbers in () in the description are the numbers of each block. Since this system is built in software, the parts are not clearly separated as shown in this block diagram. It is written only for function explanation. The input unit (1) receives an English character string input from the keyboard by the user and stores it in the buffer (2) in the order of input. The buffer (2) is usually stored for each English word or phrase. The output of the buffer, which is an English character string, is always sent to the display / output unit (7), and the character string is displayed at the cursor position of the word processor. At the same time, the character string is sent to the Katakana English conversion unit (4). In this state, when the user presses a confirmation key (Enter key), it becomes a confirmation command (10), and the displayed English character string is confirmed and passed to the word processor. On the other hand, when the user presses a conversion key (space key or the like), it becomes a conversion command (9), and this system converts the English character string sent from the buffer (2) into the input item of the database (5). Search whether it is registered in the specified format field. (The search uses forward matching as a standard, but backward matching and intermediate matching are also possible. Also, similar search is also possible as an optional function.) If the English character string is found as a result of the search, The katakana English in the format column designated for the output item of the database (5) corresponding thereto is sent to the display / output unit (7), and the English character string displayed at the cursor position is replaced with katakana English. When the character string to be searched is not found, the user is informed that it cannot be found by making an electronic sound or changing the color of the character string to be searched. The user corrects the input English character string using the Del key or Back-Space key of the keyboard, and presses the conversion key again. In this case, for example, when only “comp” is input and the conversion key is pressed with respect to the input of “computer”, a plurality of English character strings are detected. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3 near the cursor position. Such a display window is displayed, and the detected English character string and its meaning are displayed in parallel in the vertical direction. When all the character strings cannot be displayed on one display window, the display window has a vertical scroll bar so that it can be selected sequentially. When multiple character strings are displayed in the display window, when the user selects the desired character string with the mouse, the display window disappears, and the English character string displayed at the cursor position is selected. Replace with Katakana English corresponding to English strings. When the confirm key is pressed, it becomes a confirm command (10), and the displayed katakana English is confirmed and passed to the word processor. (As an optional function, if the conversion key is continuously pressed before pressing the enter key, the designated input / output character string, that is, the English character string and Katakana English can be displayed and selected alternately. As an optional function, when the enter key is pressed, the pronunciation signal of the corresponding English word or phrase is sent to the pronunciation device 8. This function is always used to recognize the difference between katakana English and its pronunciation. Katakana English conversion system is a system that inputs English spelling and converts it into Katakana English, but it can also be input as it is without conversion, so it can also input alphanumeric characters and symbols. . As an optional function, Katakana English (can also be displayed in Hiragana) can be converted back to the corresponding English. In this case, by using the clipboard (11) of the computer, the katakana English copied to the clipboard (11) can be input to the katakana english conversion unit (4), and the user presses the conversion key to input the conversion command (9). put out. First, this system checks the character code of the character string copied to the clipboard (11). If it is determined that the character string is a katakana character, it is determined that the character string is in Katakana English, and this system determines whether the character string is registered in the specified format field of the output item of the database (5). Search for. (If the character string is hiragana, first convert the character code of the character string, change the hiragana to katakana, and then search. If it is an English character, it will be converted from English to Katakana English. .) If the Katakana English is not found, the user is notified that it cannot be found by making an electronic sound or changing the color of the Katakana English. The user corrects the character string on the clipboard (11) and presses the conversion key again. When the katakana English is found as a result of the search, the English character string in the designated format field of the corresponding input item is sent to the display unit / output unit (7), and the English character string is sent to the position of the cursor of the word processor. indicate. When the user presses the confirmation key, it becomes a confirmation command (10), and the displayed English character string is confirmed and passed to the word processor. In the case of a new system that combines a katakana English conversion system and a conventional kana / kanji conversion system, katakana English converted by the kana / kanji conversion system can be used as an input to the katakana english conversion system. In this case, katakana English can be converted into an English character string. Details will be described in the section “Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention”.

Next, a database of the katakana English conversion system shown in FIG. 5 will be described. The database shown in FIG. 5 is a configuration example for explanation. Actually, all katakana English is registered in this table. However, non-English words such as foreign words, onomatopoeia, coined words or “energy saving” shall not be registered. These are assumed to be input as katakana or katakana or hiragana and converted by the kana-kanji conversion system as before. However, since English itself is a language that contains many foreign languages, I think that foreign languages other than English can be included as long as people who use English can understand it. The object of the present invention is to reduce unnecessary katakana English as much as possible, but to make necessary katakana English usable in English as much as possible. Accordingly, it is assumed that English that seems to be English at first glance but cannot be understood as English, for example, “image up” is not registered. Then, users should be aware of what is true English. Katakana English, which is used only in special fields, may be considered separately from general-purpose ones. Therefore, the database of the present invention has a structure that can be selected like a dictionary. For the input items of the database in FIG. 5, the American style and the British style can be selected. The English column is registered only if it is different from the American style, otherwise it is considered the same as the American style. When two words are separated by a comma in one column, as in “adapter, adapter”, either may be used. The English that can be registered is not limited to a single word, but may be a combination of a plurality of words such as “think tank”. When searching, symbols (period, comma, hyphen, slash, etc.) placed between or before and after two words are considered the same as spaces. On the other hand, the Katakana English notation format of the output items, as shown in Format 1, is a JIS term format that does not have a long snippet at the end and a Japanese normative format that has a syllabic suffix at the end. prepare. Also in this case, those not registered in the column of format 2 are regarded as the same as those of format 1. However, there are fluctuations in the JIS term format and Japanese language norm format, so that users can modify, delete, and add data to the English / Katakana English correspondence table according to the purpose. To. The English meaning column of the database is used when a plurality of candidates are displayed as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 in a search other than an exact match, and is used to make it easy to select an accurate candidate. In the English meaning column, do not use katakana, write meanings that are often used in English, and not as narrowly as possible. This is to prevent Katakana English from moving away from the original English. Also, both the input item and output item can be provided with columns after format 3, which can be used as an optional function as described below.
"Example of fields after format 3 of input items"
(B) English abbreviations If English spellings are long, register frequently used abbreviations. For example, if the English “Los Angeles” for Katakana English “Los Angeles” is registered in the format 1 column of the input item, “LA” is registered in the format 3 column, and format 1 and format 3 are specified simultaneously, Either “Los Angeles” or “LA” can be converted to “Los Angeles”. If you want to use LA as it is, just enter and confirm without conversion.
(B) Actually used English At first glance, it looks like English, but it may be incomplete as English. For example, in the case of “typo”, “type miss” is not understood in English. Since "typing error" is common, if this is registered in the format 4 field of the input item and a condition is set so that format 4 is specified at the time of reverse conversion, "typing error" is converted back. Thus, “typing error” is obtained.
"Example of fields after format 3 of output item"
(A) English phonetic symbol For example, when “computer” is actually pronounced in English, it sounds like “campuro” rather than “computer”. If this is registered in the column of format 3 of the output item, katakana English can be used as an English phonetic symbol. In the future, “Kampuro” may become official Katakana English.

  Using this Katakana English conversion system, if you enter English spelling and convert it to Katakana English, you can always be conscious of Katakana English and the English that is the source of it. Can be used effectively for learning English. Further, as an optional function, when a pronunciation device is provided so that katakana English can be pronounced, the pronunciation of the word can be further effective for learning English. Katakana English, on the other hand, is a very convenient notation. It is true that expressions that are difficult to express in Kana Kanji can be expressed relatively easily in Katakana English, even though they should not be used unnecessarily. In that case, just use it as usual without overdoing it. This katakana English conversion system is combined with a conventional kana-kanji conversion system and has an input function for katakana English. Therefore, if you are not familiar with this function, you do not need to use this function or use it as far as it can be used. Although the present invention has been described centering on a kana-kanji conversion system for computers, it is possible to add a katakana English conversion system to a conventional kana-kanji conversion system in any form of Japanese input system. That is. For example, since there are various forms of mobile terminals, the form of combination varies depending on the system, but will be described in the following “Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention”. After all, if the present invention is not applied to all Japanese input systems, Japanese people's awareness of Katakana English will not improve. If the system of the present invention is widely used, the Japanese will become more aware of Katakana English and prevent the inundation of Katakana that does not correspond to English. After all, I would like to see some guidelines on how to use Katakana English at public institutions. I hope that this invention will help.

(B) Combining Katakana English conversion system and conventional Kana-Kanji system As shown in Fig. 2, typical usage of Katakana English conversion system combines this system with JIS X4064 or a conventional Kana-Kanji conversion system that conforms to it. To create a new system. Although the operation method is different, a combination with a Japanese input system used for a portable terminal such as a cellular phone is also possible. As in the case of FIG. 1, since this system is assembled by software, the parts shown in FIG. 2 are not clearly separated. It is written only for function explanation. Various forms are conceivable depending on the form of the existing kana-kanji conversion system to be combined. However, the combination principle is the same. That is, Katakana English is input by a Katakana English conversion system, and other Katakana, Hiragana and Kanji characters are input by a conventional Kana-Kanji conversion system. Alphanumeric characters and symbols can be input from either system. Therefore, the new system requires an operation mode for inputting Katakana English, and the following Katakana English input mode key is provided for switching.
(A) Katakana English Input Mode Key A katakana English input mode key (for example, Ctrl key) is added as a logical key. The name of the Katakana English input mode key is for explanation only, and in fact, a simple short name may be used. Whether the Ctrl key or other key is used as the logical key is determined by the form of the conventional kana-kanji conversion system to be combined and the keyboard layout used. In the case of a portable terminal, since there are few keys (buttons), a menu is changed and a katakana English input mode is added. By pressing this key, the new system enters the Katakana English input mode.When you enter English spellings, they are saved and displayed in the buffer in the order in which they are entered, and the user can use the conversion key (space key). Etc.), the new system searches whether the input English character string is registered in the specified format field of the input item of the database, and if it is found, the specified format of the corresponding output item is found. Outputs Katakana English in the column. Input from the keyboard is only alphanumeric characters, but can be output as it is without conversion, so alphanumeric characters and symbols can be handled. In addition, Katakana English converted with the conventional Kana-Kanji system (can also be displayed in Hiragana) and Katakana English specified on the clipboard (can also be displayed in Hiragana) can be input, so that A so-called reverse conversion is also possible. Next, the specific operation of the new system will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a new system combining a katakana English conversion system and a conventional kana-kanji system. The conventional kana-kanji conversion system shown here is shown as a conceptual diagram, and details differ depending on the kana-kanji system actually used. The actual combination depends on the form of the kana-kanji system, but in the present invention, the conventional kana-kanji conversion system is used as it is, and the katakana English conversion system is added to it. ing. We will explain the operation when inputting Japanese into a Japanese word processor running on a computer using this new system. The numbers in parentheses in the description are the numbers of the respective blocks in FIG. Here, the switching operation between the katakana English conversion system and the conventional kana-kanji conversion system will be mainly described. The kana-kanji conversion unit (6) represents the kana-kanji conversion unit of the conventional system. The basic operation of the Katakana English conversion system is the same as that described in FIG. The input unit (1), buffer (2), and display / output unit (7) in FIG. 2 can share the katakana English conversion unit and the kana-kanji conversion unit. When combining conversion systems, these parts can be separate. In the new system, the switching control unit (3) is placed, and the output of the buffer (2) is sent to the Katakana English conversion unit (4), the kana-kanji conversion unit (6), or the mode used is switched. use. Alphanumeric characters and symbols can be handled by either system. When alphanumeric characters or symbols are input and the user presses the enter key (Enter key) as it is, a confirmation command (10) is obtained, and the alphanumeric or symbol output of the buffer (2) is directly passed to the word processor. In the case of Katakana, Hiragana, and Kanji conversion, except for Katakana English, the input character string is converted to Katakana or Hiragana as necessary in the input section (1), and the obtained character string is stored in the buffer (2) in phrase units. The kana character string is always sent to the display / output unit (7) and displayed at the cursor position of the word processor. At the same time, the character string is sent to the kana-kanji conversion unit (6). When the user presses a conversion key (space key or the like), it becomes a conversion command (9), and the kana-kanji conversion unit (6) converts part or all of the input kana character string into kanji, and the kanji The kana mixed text is sent to the display / output section (7), and the displayed kana character string is replaced with the kanji kana mixed text. When the user presses the confirm key, it becomes the confirm designation (10), and the kanji-kana mixed text is confirmed and passed to the word processor. If only the confirm key is pressed without pressing the conversion key, the character string of the kana is confirmed as it is and passed to the wart processor. Next, when the user presses the Katakana English input mode key (such as the Ctrl key), the new system enters the Katakana English input mode. When the user inputs English spelling from the keyboard, each English word or phrase is entered. Saved in buffer (2). The output of the buffer, which is an English character string, is always sent to the display / output unit (7), and the character string is displayed at the cursor position of the word processor. The English character string is sent to the Katakana English conversion unit (4) through the switching control unit (3). When the user presses the conversion key, it becomes the conversion command (9), and the new system searches whether the sent English character string is registered in the designated format field of the input item of the database (5). . When an English character string is found, Katakana English in the format column designated for the corresponding output item is sent to the display / output unit (7), and the displayed English character string is replaced with the Katakana English. When the user presses the confirmation key, the displayed katakana English is confirmed and passed to the word processor. If the confirm key is pressed without pressing the conversion key, the English character string is confirmed as it is and passed to the word processor. Next, the operation of the new system will be explained.

等）は、従来の仮名漢字変換方式で一般的に使われている形式であるが、他の形式でもかまわない。重要なことは、既存の仮名漢字変換システムの表示形式と、本発明で追加するカタカナ英語変換システムの表示形式を合わせることである。まず、新システムの初期状態は、仮名漢字変換部で設定した、ローマ字入力方式、平仮名入力モードで始まる。最初の文節「私は」の部分にはカタカナ英語がないので、従来どおり「ｗ

と平仮名で表示される。このまま確定キー（Ｅｎｔｅｒキー）を押すと、「わたしは」が確

に置き換わるので、確定キーを押すと、文字列「私は」が確定する。次の文節「コンピュータ」はカタカナ英語なので、カタカナ英語入力モード（Ｃｔｒｌキー等）を押して、カタカナ英語入力モードに切り換える。続けて、「ｃｏｍｐｕｔｅｒ」と入力すると、そのまま、

は、データベースの入力項目の形式１の欄の「ｃｏｍｐｕｔｅｒ」を探し、それに対応する出力項目の形式１の欄のカタカナ英語「コンピュータ」を取得し、表示されている

変換キーを押すたびに、「コンピュータ」と「ｃｏｍｐｕｔｅｒ」を繰り返し表示できるようにする。）「コンピュータ」が表示されている状態で確定キーを押すと、「コンピュータ」が確定する。（オプション機能として、確定キーを押し、カタカナ英語がワードプロセッサに渡されるとき、その英語の発音が出るようにする。これは、カタカナ英語と語源である英語の発音の差を常に認識するためである。）確定キーが押された時点で、新システムは、平仮名入力モードに戻る。なお、途中で、カタカナ英語入力モードの操作を止めたいときは、エスケープキーを押すと、新システムは、平仮名入力モードに

で「私はコンピュータを使った」がワードプロセッサに入力できたことになる。新システムの特長は、カタカナ英語の部分は、新旧いずれの方式でも入力できることである。すなわち、上記の場合でも、「コンピュータ」の入力を、従来どおり、ローマ字入力方式の平仮名入力モードまたは片仮名入力モードで「ｋｏｎｐｙｕ−ｔａ」と入力し、「コンピュータ」に変換することもできるし、仮名入力方式の平仮名入力モードで「こんぴゅーた」と入力し、片仮名に変換するか、または片仮名入力モードで直接「コンピュータ」と入力することもできる。このように、新システムのカタカナ英語変換部は、英字の綴りを入力し、それに対応するカタカナ英語に変換するシステムであるが、変換しないでそのまま出力もできるので、英数字及び記号も扱える。また、仮名漢字変換部で変換されたカタカナ英語をカタカナ英語変換部に入力し、対応する英語の文字列を出力することができる。すなわち、仮名文字列「コンピュータ」が表示されている状態でカタカナ英語入力モードキー（Ｃｔｒｌキー等）を押して、このシステムをカタカナ英語入力モードにし、変換キーを押すと、表示を「ｃｏｍｐｕｔｅｒ」に逆変換できる。再度、変換キーを押すと、表示を「コンピュータ」に戻すことができる。（逆変換の場合、カタカナ英語であることを確認するため、カタカナ英語「コンピュータ」が表示されている状態で、カタカナ英語入力モードキー（Ｃｔｒｌキー等）を押すのが、

名表記の場合、まず、平仮名から片仮名に文字種変換してから逆変換させる。）もちろん、これらの文字列が、データベースの指定された入出力欄に登録されていなければ、逆変換はできない。電子音や出したり、検索する文字列の色を変えたりして、逆変換されないことを利用者に知らせる。次に、カタカナ英語入力モードでの英文字の入力要領について説明する。As an explanation of the operation of the new system, I will explain the case where “I used a computer” is input to a Japanese word processor running on a computer. The setting of the conventional kana-kanji conversion unit is the Roman input method, and the input mode is the hiragana input mode. The input / output items of the Katakana English conversion database are specified in input format 1 (US style) and output format.

Etc.) is a format generally used in the conventional kana-kanji conversion method, but other formats may also be used. What is important is to match the display format of the existing kana-kanji conversion system with the display format of the katakana English conversion system added in the present invention. First, the initial state of the new system starts with the Roman character input method and Hiragana input mode set in the Kana-Kanji conversion unit. There is no Katakana English in the first sentence “I am”, so “w”

And hiragana are displayed. If you press the enter key (Enter key), “I am” will be confirmed.

The character string “I am” is confirmed by pressing the confirmation key. Since the next phrase “computer” is Katakana English, press the Katakana English input mode (Ctrl key or the like) to switch to the Katakana English input mode. Then, if you enter "computer",

Finds "computer" in the format 1 column of the input item of the database, acquires the katakana English "computer" in the format 1 column of the output item corresponding to it, and is displayed

Each time the conversion key is pressed, “ computer ” and “ computer ” can be repeatedly displayed. ) Press “ENTER” key while “ COMPUTER ” is displayed to confirm “COMPUTER”. (As an optional feature, press the Enter key so that when Katakana English is passed to the word processor, the English pronunciation will come out. This is to always recognize the difference in pronunciation between Katakana English and the source English. .) When the enter key is pressed, the new system returns to hiragana input mode. If you want to stop the Katakana English input mode, press the escape key and the new system will enter Hiragana input mode.

“I used a computer” was input to the word processor. The feature of the new system is that the Katakana English part can be entered using either the old or new system. That is, even in the above case, the input of “computer” can be converted to “computer” by inputting “konpyu-ta” in the Hiragana input mode or the Katakana input mode of the Roman character input method, as in the past. It is also possible to input “Computer” in the Hiragana input mode of the input method and convert it to Katakana, or directly input “Computer” in the Katakana input mode. As described above, the Katakana English conversion unit of the new system is a system that inputs English spellings and converts them to the corresponding Katakana English, but can also output them as they are without conversion, and can handle alphanumeric characters and symbols. In addition, katakana English converted by the kana-kanji conversion unit can be input to the katakana English conversion unit, and a corresponding English character string can be output. That is, when the katakana character string “ computer ” is displayed, the katakana English input mode key (Ctrl key or the like) is pressed to set the system to the katakana English input mode. When the conversion key is pressed, the display is reversed to “ computer ”. Can be converted. When the conversion key is pressed again, the display can be returned to “ computer ”. (In the case of reverse conversion, pressing the Katakana English input mode key (Ctrl key, etc.) while the Katakana English “ Computer ” is displayed to confirm that it is Katakana English.

In the case of name notation, first the character type is converted from hiragana to katakana and then reversely converted. Of course, if these strings are not registered in the specified input / output field of the database, reverse conversion cannot be performed. It informs the user that it will not be reversed by making a sound or changing the color of the character string to be searched. Next, the input procedure of English characters in the Katakana English input mode will be described.

とカーソル位置に表示され、その場合は、通常、それに対応するカタカナ英語は一つなので、変換キーを押すと、「コンピュータ」に変換される。「ｃｏｍｐｕｔｅｒ」の綴りを思い出せない場合、前方一致検索が標準なので、例えば、「ｃｏｍｐ」と入力することもで

ベースで検索すると、二つ以上の文字列が検出されるので、図３に示すように、カーソル位置の近くに表示窓が表示され、「ｃｏｍｐａｎｉｏｎ」、「ｃｏｍｐｒｅｓｓｏｒ」、「ｃｏｍｐｕｔｅｒ」が英語の意味と一緒に表示される。この場合、利用者が「ｃｏｍｐｕｔｅｒ」をマウス等で選択する

キー（Ｅｎｔｅｒキー）を押すと、「コンピュータ」が確定する。一方、仮名漢字変換部で変換されたカタカナ英語をカタカナ英語変換部に入力し、対応する英語の文字列を出力することができる。すなわち、仮名漢字変換部で入力、変換し「コンピュータ」が表示されているときに、カタカナ英語入力モードキー（Ｃｔｒｌキー等）を押して、このシステムをカタカナ英語入力モードにし、変換キーを押すと、表示を「ｃｏｍｐｕｔｅｒ」に逆変換できる。再度、変換キーを押すと、表示を「コンピュータ」に戻すことができ

を片仮名にコード変換するので、逆変換は可能である。もちろん、この場合、「コンピュータ」が、データベースの指定された出力欄に登録されていなければ逆変換はできない。変換できない場合、電子音や出したり、検索する文字列の色を変えたりして、逆変換されないことを利用者に知らせる。逆変換の場合も前方一致で検索できるので、

し、変換キーを押すと、図４のような表示窓が表示され、変換候補が英語の意味と一緒に表示される。マウス等で「コンピュータ」を選ぶと、表示窓が消え、カーソル位置に「コンピュータ」が表示される。再度、変換キーを押すと、「コンピュータ」が「ｃｏｍｐｕｔｅｒ」に変わる。さらに、変換キーを押すと、「コンピュータ」に戻る。そして、確定キーを押すと、表示されている文字列が確定される。オプション機能の類似検索

いる状態で、変換キーを押すと、新システムは、類似した英語の文字列として、「ｃｏｍｐｕｔｅｒ」を検出し、「ｃｏｍｐｕｔｅｒ」と表示するので、再度、変換キーを押すと、表示が「コンピュータ」に変わる。確定キーを押すと、「コンピュータ」を確定できる。この場合でも、似た英語が複数検出された場合、表示窓が表示され、複数の英語の候補が英語の意味と一緒に表示される。そこで「ｃｏｍｐｕｔｅｒ」をマウス等で選ぶと、表示さ

タ」を確定できる。確定キーが押されると、新システムは、従来の仮名漢字変換部で設定されたモードに戻る。If you enter English characters in Katakana English input mode and convert them to Katakana English,

Is displayed at the cursor position. In that case, there is usually only one Katakana English corresponding to it, so when the conversion key is pressed, it is converted to " computer ". If you can't remember the spelling of “computer”, you can enter “comp”, for example, because the prefix search is standard.

When searching on the basis, two or more character strings are detected. As shown in FIG. 3, a display window is displayed near the cursor position, and “companion”, “compressor”, and “computer” mean English. Is displayed together with. In this case, the user selects “computer” with a mouse or the like.

When the key (Enter key) is pressed, “ Computer ” is determined. On the other hand, katakana English converted by the kana-kanji conversion unit can be input to the katakana English conversion unit, and a corresponding English character string can be output. That is, when “ computer ” is displayed after being input and converted by the kana-kanji conversion unit, the katakana English input mode key (Ctrl key or the like) is pressed, the system is set to the katakana English input mode, and the conversion key is pressed. The display can be converted back to " computer ". Press the conversion key again to return the display to “ Computer ”.

Is converted to Katakana, so reverse conversion is possible. Of course, in this case, the reverse conversion cannot be performed unless the “computer” is registered in the designated output field of the database. If the conversion is not possible, the user is informed that the reverse conversion is not possible by making an electronic sound or making a search or changing the color of the character string to be searched. In case of reverse conversion, it is possible to search with forward matching.

When the conversion key is pressed, a display window as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed, and conversion candidates are displayed together with English meanings. When “Computer” is selected with a mouse or the like, the display window disappears and “ Computer ” is displayed at the cursor position. Again, press the conversion key, "computer" is changed to "computer". Further, when the conversion key is pressed, the screen returns to “ computer ”. Then, when the confirmation key is pressed, the displayed character string is confirmed. Similar search for optional functions

When the conversion key is pressed in the state, the new system detects “computer” as a similar English character string and displays “ computer ”. When the conversion key is pressed again, the display is “ computer ”. Changes to. Press the Confirm key to confirm “Computer”. Even in this case, when a plurality of similar English words are detected, a display window is displayed, and a plurality of English candidates are displayed together with the English meaning. If you select “computer” with a mouse etc., it will be displayed.

Can be confirmed. When the confirmation key is pressed, the new system returns to the mode set in the conventional kana-kanji conversion unit.

(B) Combined function of Katakana English conversion system and word processor When combining a word processor and a new system as in the case of (a) above, if some programs are modified mainly on the word processor side, the following will occur. Is possible. As an example, a case where “I used a computer” is input to a word processor will be described. The first “I am” part and the last “I used” part are input, converted, and finalized by a conventional kana-kanji conversion unit. In the “Computer” part, the Katakana English input mode key is pressed to enter the Katakana English input mode, “computer” is input, and the conversion key is pressed to convert to “Computer” for confirmation. At this time, not only the displayed “computer” but also the English character string “computer” is simultaneously passed to the word processor, and the word processor program is modified so that the word processor can store it as a hidden character. A hidden character is a function which can display or not display a hidden character by turning on / off the hidden character function. That way, the word processor can not only normally display "I used a computer", but can also display "I used a computer computer" or "I used a computer" that displayed hidden characters . In this way, even in Japanese sentences, English corresponding to Katakana English can be saved with hidden characters and displayed when necessary. Also, if Katakana English is used only in a specialized field in technical materials, etc., a database of English / Katakana English correspondence tables dedicated to that field will be created, and Katakana will be created based on that. Converting English to Katakana English with an English conversion system is very convenient when translating technical materials into English. In addition, a new automatic replacement program is created in the word processor, and Katakana English registered in the dedicated database is searched sequentially from the beginning to the end for existing document files. If found, the corresponding English is obtained from the database. If it is saved as a hidden character as described above, the katakana English of the existing file registered in the database can be saved as a hidden character.

(C) Incorporating a Katakana English conversion system into a Japanese input system for mobile terminals A Japanese input system for mobile terminals with a small number of input keys such as a mobile phone is different from a kana-kanji conversion system compliant with JIS X4064. Multiple English letters and kana are assigned to one key. Because of the small number of keys, the Kana-Kanji conversion system using the Kana key is used instead of the Romaji input method. The katakana English conversion system of the present invention can also be incorporated into this Japanese input system. Even if there is an operational difference from the JIS X4064 Kana-Kanji conversion system, if a “Katakana English input mode” is newly established, Katakana English can be input by inputting and converting English spellings. The operation method is roughly as follows. For example, when “Computer” is entered, “Katakana English input mode” is set, “comp” is entered using an alphabetic key, and the conversion key is pressed, conversion candidates are displayed as shown in FIG. If the “3” key is pressed, “Computer” is displayed, and “Computer” can be input by pressing the Enter key. Since the number of display characters is limited, the English meaning column may be arranged in the vertical direction instead of the horizontal direction, or the English meaning column may be omitted. If you do not want to use an alphabetic key, use the Kana key, enter "kon" or "con", and press the conversion key to display conversion candidates as shown in FIG. If the “3” key is pressed, “Computer” is displayed. If the Enter key is pressed, “Computer” can be input. Also in this case, the English meaning column may be arranged in the vertical direction instead of the horizontal direction, or may be omitted. Unlike adding a Katakana English dictionary to a conventional kana-kanji conversion system, the present invention separates the katakana English input from the other katakana, hiragana and kanji input operation modes. No matter how much character string data registered in the table is added, the operability at the time of Kanji conversion is not affected. In the case of a portable terminal, since the operation itself is fine, the function of the present invention may not be so effective as to be incorporated in a kana-kanji conversion system for a computer, but as mentioned above, there is always a contradiction between English and Katakana English. Yes. When entering katakana English with a Japanese input system, you must always be aware of the relationship with English. I would like you to incorporate the Katakana English conversion system of the present invention into your mobile device.

The invention's effect

Katakana English tends to increase more and more in the industry in the future, and since it is used easily, there is a risk of confusion if the usage is not organized and regulated to some extent. In other words, a considerable number of English has become popular among Japanese as katakana English. Therefore, effective use of katakana English can be effective in learning English. The following effects can be expected.
(B) Suppression of abuse of katakana English Currently, katakana English is abused because it is not used in correspondence with English. Also, katakana (in this case, not katakana English) is often used for subtle expressions that are difficult to express in kana and kanji. However, if this system is used by many people, it will be understood that inappropriate katakana is not related to English. Therefore, the effect of suppressing the abuse of Katakana English can be expected.
(B) Unification of Katakana English usage Katakana English is registered in the database, so even if there is a difference between the JIS format and the Japanese language norm format, the fluctuations beyond that may be minimized. I would like public organizations to lead that way.
(C) Improve the average level of Japanese English If you always use katakana English that can be used in English, the average English level of the Japanese will increase. I think that there should be a system for judging the level of understanding of Katakana English like the Kanji test.

  Katakana English conversion system block diagram   Block diagram of a new system combining the Katakana English conversion system and the traditional Kana-Kanji conversion system   Example 1 of display window showing a plurality of conversion candidates   Example 2 of display window showing a plurality of conversion candidates   Example database of English / Katakana English correspondence table

Explanation of symbols

1 A part that performs character type conversion when necessary from the keyboard 2 A buffer that temporarily stores character string data 3 A part that switches between the Katakana English conversion part and the conventional kana-kanji conversion part 4 A part that converts English to Katakana English 5 Database with English / Katakana English correspondence table 6 Conventional kana-kanji conversion part 7 Part that displays a character string and passes the confirmed character string to the application program 8 A device that pronounces the corresponding English at the time of confirmation (optional function)
9 When the user presses the conversion key, it becomes a conversion command. 10 When the user presses the confirmation key, it becomes a confirmation command. 11 Character string data specified by the mouse etc. and saved on the clipboard

Claims (2)

  In a system that inputs Japanese into a Japanese application program that runs on a computer, the input method of Katakana notation words (hereinafter referred to as Katakana English) that uses English as the source, other Katakana, Hiragana, Kanji, alphanumeric, and A system built separately from the symbol input method. The Katakana English input method has a database with a dedicated English / Katakana English correspondence table. Based on the database, the English character string input by the user is converted to Katakana English, and the resulting Katakana English is converted to Katakana English. It will be passed to the Japanese application program. This Katakana English input method does not use the current Romaji kana conversion method. Katakana excluding Katakana English, Hiragana, Kanji, Alphanumeric and Symbol input system shall be Japanese Industrial Standard JIS X4064 Kana-Kanji conversion system or a system conforming to it, but there is no limitation as long as Japanese can be input do not do.   For all devices and systems that input and output Japanese, input and output methods for Katakana notation words (hereinafter referred to as Katakana English) that use English as the source, and other Katakana, Hiragana, Kanji, alphanumeric, and symbol input / output A system built separately from the system. The Katakana English input / output system has a database with a dedicated English / Katakana English correspondence table, and based on that database, it is possible to perform bidirectional conversion from English to Katakana English and from Katakana English to English. This Katakana English input method does not use the current Romaji kana conversion method. The input / output method of Katakana, Hiragana, Kanji, alphanumeric characters and symbols other than Katakana English is not limited.

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