JP2022148870A - Information retrieval device, information retrieval method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To further increase retrieval efficiency by effectively using retrieval information of other people existing in the vicinity.SOLUTION: Another information retrieval device communication-connected to a dictionary storage unit 22b associating and storing headwords and their explanation information includes: a shared retrieval history storage unit 22d that receives and stores information on a headword whose explanation information is referred to by a user operation; and a control unit 21 that, when at least one character is input as a key for retrieving a headword from the dictionary storage unit 22b, extracts a headword also from the shared retrieval history storage unit 22d together with the dictionary storage unit 22b based on the at least one character, causes a retrieval candidate display unit 42 to display the headword extracted from the dictionary storage unit 22b, and causes a touch panel display unit 17 to display the headword extracted from the shared retrieval history unit 22d as a shared retrieval candidate 42A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to an information retrieval device, an information retrieval method, and a program suitable for electronic dictionaries and the like.

Techniques have been proposed for electronic dictionaries having dictionary functions that enable more effective word learning. (For example, Patent Document 1)

JP 2015-179335 A

When performing a search character string search in an electronic dictionary, including the technology described in Patent Document 1, in addition to a normal search in which search candidates are narrowed down each time a character string is entered as a search character string, A search method for predicting search candidates by referring to past search histories has been put into practical use.

Of these, the search method that predicts search candidates refers to the past search history of the electronic dictionary alone, and does not reflect the search results of other electronic dictionaries or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its object is to effectively utilize search information of others existing in the surroundings, and to improve the efficiency of information search. An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, an information retrieval method, and a program.

In one aspect of the present invention, a dictionary storage unit that stores headwords and their explanation information in association with each other is connected to another information retrieval device for communication, and receives headword information whose explanation information is referred to by a user operation. and a shared search history storage unit for storing the dictionary storage unit and the shared search history storage unit when at least one character is input as a key for searching for a headword from the dictionary storage unit based on the at least one character. a headword extracting unit for extracting headwords from the shared search history storage unit; and a headword extracting unit for displaying the headwords extracted from the dictionary storage unit in a first display area. and a first display control unit for displaying the headword in the second display area.

According to the present invention, it is possible to effectively utilize search information of others existing in the surroundings, and to further improve search efficiency.

1 is a diagram showing the external configuration of an electronic dictionary according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an electronic circuit of the electronic dictionary according to the same embodiment; 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of dictionary search processing under a mode setting in which the search situation is shared with others around the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of the touch panel type display unit when [English-English-Japanese dictionary] is selected according to the embodiment;

An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an electronic dictionary will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[Constitution]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing the external configuration of an electronic dictionary 10 according to the embodiment. Note that this embodiment is configured not only as an electronic dictionary 10 described below, but also as a tablet-type PC (Personal Computer) equipped with a dictionary function, a smartphone, an electronic book, a portable game machine, a server on a communication network. and so on.

The electronic dictionary 10 comprises a foldable case in which a body case 11 and a lid case 12 can be opened/closed via a hinge portion 13 . [Home] key 14a, function designation key 14b, character input key 14c, [decision] key 14d, [return] key 14e, [BOX] key 14f, cursor movement A key input section 14 (hardware keys) including a key 14g, a [shift] key 14h, etc., an audio output section (including a speaker) 15, an audio input section (including a microphone) 16, and the like are provided.

A touch panel type display unit 17 is provided on the surface of the lid case 12 . The touch panel type display unit 17 has a structure in which a touch position detection device for detecting a position touched by the user of the electronic dictionary 10 with a pen or fingers and a display device are integrated, and a transparent touch panel is provided on a backlit liquid crystal screen. are laminated.

A [Home] key 14a of the key input unit 14 is a key for causing the key input unit 14 to display a home screen. Although not shown, a plurality of icons registered according to initial settings of the electronic dictionary 10 or user operations are displayed. Each icon is a drawing or symbol for realizing a function corresponding to the notation of the icon. For example, it includes an application icon that directly activates a function (application) that uses dictionary content or learning content, and a group icon that displays a list screen of icons of a plurality of functions belonging to one category.

The function designation key 14b of the key input unit 14 is used to select the dictionary content ([Daijirin], etc.) written on each key, and the category of the dictionary content ([National language], [Ancient language], [Kanji], [English-English-Japanese], etc.). These keys are used to directly specify [list of contents] and [study notebook], one category of tools.

Further, when the keys of the key input unit 14 are operated continuously after the [Shift] key 14h is operated, they are not written without a frame on the key top, but are written with a frame. functions as a key. For example, when the [Delete] key is operated after the [Shift] key 14h is operated, it functions as a [Set] key instead of the [Delete] key.

In FIG. 1, [English-English-Japanese dictionary] is selected, and two characters [te], which is the beginning of a headword, are input to the search character string input section 41 located in the upper part of the touch panel display section 17 as an example. showing. A certain number of English words corresponding to the character string [te] are displayed as a search candidate display part 42 in the lower left part of the search character string input part 41. The notation indicates a provisionally selected state. In the box display section 43 on the lower right side of the search character string input section 41, part of the explanatory information based on the English-English dictionary content is displayed corresponding to the currently selected English word [Te]. Indicates status.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the electronic circuit of the electronic dictionary 10. As shown in FIG.
The electronic circuit of the electronic dictionary 10 includes a control section (CPU: Central Processing Unit) 21 which is a computer. The control section 21 controls the operation of each section of the circuit according to a control program pre-stored in the storage section 22 such as a flash ROM. The number of processors such as CPUs may be one or two or more.

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

The control unit 21 is connected to a storage unit 22, a recording medium reading unit 24, and a communication unit 25 via a data bus and a control bus. Connect the display unit 17 .

The storage unit 22 stores a system program that controls the overall operation of the electronic dictionary 10, a communication program that communicates with an external device via the communication unit 25, a search processing program storage area 22a, and a dictionary data storage area 22b. , a search history storage area 22c, a common search history database 22d, and a work data storage area 22e.

The search processing program storage area 22a is based on various dictionary contents (English-English dictionary/English-Japanese dictionary/Japanese-English dictionary/English-English dictionary/Japanese dictionary/encyclopedia/...) stored as dictionary data in the dictionary data storage area 22b. , a control program for retrieving and displaying a headword desired by the user and descriptive information such as translations, meanings, usage examples, and explanations associated with the headword. Various dictionary contents are stored in the dictionary data storage area 22b, and headwords and description information of the headwords are stored in association with each other. That is, the dictionary data storage area 22b functions as a dictionary storage unit that stores headwords and their explanation information in association with each other.

In the search history storage area 22c, the headwords that are the search target when the headwords and their description information are displayed as the search results according to the search according to the user's operation when the electronic dictionary 10 operates independently. is stored as a search history together with information on the number of searches.

Common search history database 22d includes users of this electronic dictionary 10, and when sharing the fact that a headword has been selected in a similar external electronic dictionary 10 and the explanation information thereof has been displayed, the search history database 22d is stored according to the operation described later. , headwords to be searched are stored in a database as a search history together with information on the number of searches. In other words, the common search history database 22d functions as a shared search history storage unit that receives and stores information on headwords whose explanation information is referred to by user operations in other communication-connected information search devices.
When at least one character is input as a key for searching for an entry word from the dictionary storage unit, the search processing program storage area 22a stores the entry word from the shared search history storage unit as well as from the dictionary storage unit based on the at least one character. It functions as an entry word extraction unit that extracts

In the work data storage area 22e, various data acquired or generated by the control unit 21 and data input according to user operations are stored in accordance with the control of the operation of each circuit unit according to the control program by the control unit 21. Data is temporarily stored (held) as needed.

The communication unit 25 is wirelessly connected to similar information retrieval devices such as electronic dictionaries existing in the vicinity based on the BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) standard, which is one of wireless PAN (Personal Area Network) technologies, for example. do.
The communication unit 25 receives headword information for which explanation information is referred to by a user's operation in another information search device connected for communication. Further, the communication unit 25 functions as a transmission unit that transmits the information of the headword whose explanation information is displayed to another information retrieval device connected for communication.
The communication unit 25 also wirelessly connects to a web server or the like on an external network (not shown) via a wireless router or the like to download a control program or the like.

[motion]
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
In this operation, a user using the electronic dictionary 10 shares a search history with his/her classmates in one classroom in a school, so as to improve the efficiency of searching the dictionary during class. I assume.

In this embodiment, when performing a dictionary search using the electronic dictionary 10, it is possible to select a mode as to whether or not to share the search situation with others around the user. In the touch panel type display unit 17 of FIG. 1, the operation in the mode in which the search history is not shared with other people around is shown as indicated by "waiting for communication/permission with peripheral terminal" on the upper right side of the screen. ing. In this mode, for example, a certain number of search candidates are displayed in alphabetical order in response to the operation of the [Enter] key 14d when a partial character string "te" from the beginning of the headword is entered. .

Further, under this mode, when the setting to use the search history in the electronic dictionary 10 is selected, it corresponds to the input of the search character string based on the contents stored in the search history storage area 22c. Display a certain number of search candidates for headwords.

A mode in which the display of the character string portion is switched to "allowing" when the user touches the character string portion "Waiting for permission" on the touch panel display unit 17, and the search history is shared with others around the user. to move to.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the contents of dictionary search processing executed by the control unit 21 by turning on the function of the communication unit 25 under the mode setting for sharing the search history with other people around.

The control unit 21 starts operation as a basic observer (receiving device) through broadcast communication conforming to the BLE (registered trademark) standard by the communication unit 25 (step S101).

When operating as an observer, the control unit 21 continues to receive, through the communication unit 25, a previously established electronic dictionary beacon indicating that it is operating as an electronic dictionary.

Next, the control unit 21 obtains a preset threshold value for the number of receptions of electronic dictionary beacons from other terminals existing in the vicinity at that time, for example, 10 or more if the number of students in one class is 35. It is determined whether or not the reliability of the information stored in the common search history database 22d is ensured (step S102).

When receiving this electronic dictionary beacon, it is thought that the strength of the radio wave will decrease when the beacon passes through the wall that exists between the adjacent classrooms. By limiting what can be obtained, only the terminals of classmates existing in the same classroom can be selected and counted.

If it is determined in step S102 that the number of received electronic dictionary beacons is less than the preset threshold value (NO in step S102), it is assumed that the reliability of the information stored in the common search history database 22d cannot be ensured. After resetting the contents of the common search history database 22d (step S111), the process returns to step S102.

If it is determined in step S102 that the number of received electronic dictionary beacons is equal to or greater than the preset threshold value (YES in step S102), the reliability of the information stored in the common search history database 22d can be ensured. Next, the control unit 21 determines whether the [Enter] key 14d of the key input unit 14 for commanding a search based on the search character string input to the search character string input unit 41 in the electronic dictionary 10 has been operated. (step S103).

If it is determined that the [Enter] key 14d has not been operated (NO in step S103), then the control unit 21 determines that the received electronic dictionary beacon contains search word information. Based on whether or not there is at least one entry word, it is determined whether or not the entry word has been selected by other peripheral terminals and displayed on the explanatory information box display section 43 for that entry word for reference (step S109).

If it is determined that an electronic dictionary beacon containing search word information has not been received (NO in step S109), the control unit 21 assumes that other peripheral terminals have not selected an entry word, and the control unit 21 It returns to the process from step S102.

In this manner, under an operating environment in which the number of received electronic dictionary beacons is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value, the control unit 21 repeatedly executes the processes of steps S102, S103, and S109 so that the electronic dictionary 10 receives a search command. or wait for receipt of an electronic dictionary beacon containing search word information.

In step S109, at least one of the received electronic dictionary beacons contains search word information, another terminal selects a headword, and the explanatory information for the headword is displayed. If it is determined that the search word has been read and referred to (YES in step S109), the control unit 21 updates and stores the included search word information in the common search history database 22d (step S110). At this time, if the information of the search word to be stored has already been stored in the common search history database 22d, the information on the number of receptions corresponding to the search word is updated by "+1".

After updating and storing the common search history database 22d in step S110, the control unit 21 returns to the process from step S102.

If it is determined in step S103 that the [determination] key 14d for commanding a search based on the search character string input to the search character string input unit 41 has been operated (YES in step S103), the control unit 21 Based on the retrieved character string, the dictionary data storage area 22b and the shared search history database 22d are referenced to search for headwords, and a list of headwords is displayed as the search results (step S104).

In FIG. 4, [English-English-Japanese dictionary] is selected, and two characters [te], which is the beginning of the headword, are input to the search character string input section 41 located at the top of the screen of the touch panel display section 17, and [Confirm]. A display state when the key 14d is operated is shown as an example. On the upper right side of the same screen, it is displayed that the mode of sharing the search history with other people around is selected, as indicated by "Communicating/permitting with peripheral terminals". When this sharing mode is selected, it is assumed that the same screen as that shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on other peripheral terminals as well, although the input state of the search character string differs from terminal to terminal.

In the lower left part of the search character string input section 41, as an English word corresponding to the character string [te] input as the search candidate display section 42, based on the contents of the common search history database 22d, the shared search history information , two English words [tender] [temporary] are displayed in the common search candidate display portion 42A in descending order of the number of duplicate receptions.

In the common search candidate display section 42A, a cursor C is added to indicate that the English word [tender] on the upper side, which has a larger number of duplicated receptions, is tentatively selected. Corresponding to the position of the cursor C, the box display section 43 on the right side also displays a detailed explanation based on the actual dictionary contents regarding the meaning of the English word [tender]. In this figure, in order to avoid complication of the drawing, the wording in the box display section 43 is largely omitted ([*-meaning of tender-]).
That is, the control unit 21 causes the headword extraction unit to display the headword extracted from the dictionary storage unit in the first display area, and displays the headword extracted from the shared search history storage unit in the second display area. It functions as a first display control unit that causes

Further, in the search candidate display section 42 at the bottom of the common search candidate display section 42A, a search is performed using the English-English-Japanese dictionary content stored in the dictionary data storage area 22b based on the input search character string [te]. As headwords, for example, six English words [team] [teem] [telegram] [term(1)] [term(2)] [terrorism] are displayed.

In this way, under the setting of the mode that shares the search history with other devices in the surroundings, in response to the character input from the beginning of the headword, search is performed among the headwords that have already been searched on the surrounding terminals. Items with the highest number are displayed preferentially. Therefore, during a class, for example, the search result obtained by a person who performs a quick search operation on other terminals in the same classroom is quickly shared as a history, and is utilized for the search operation with the own electronic dictionary 10. - 特許庁be able to.

The control unit 21 accepts a key operation for selecting and determining a headword with the cursor movement key 14g and the [determine] key 14d with respect to the list display of the headword search results, and responds to the selected headword. Detailed explanation information is displayed on the box display section 43 (step S105).
That is, the control unit 21 reads out explanatory information from the dictionary storage unit corresponding to one entry selected from the plurality of headwords displayed by the first display control unit, and displays it in the third display area. It functions as a second display control unit.

The control unit 21 updates and stores the common search history database 22d so as to reflect the information of the headword selected in the electronic dictionary 10 (step S106).

In addition, the observer (receiving device) operation in the broadcast communication is temporarily stopped and switched to the broadcaster (transmitting device) operation, and an electronic dictionary beacon including information on the headword selected in step S105 is transmitted to surrounding terminals. (step S107). By receiving this electronic dictionary beacon, the terminals in the surrounding area use the included entry word information to update and store the respective common search history databases 22d.

Regarding this transmission operation, instead of sequentially transmitting an electronic dictionary beacon containing entry word information, entry word information is included when a predetermined number of search histories searched with the electronic dictionary 10 are accumulated in the search history storage area 22c. A dictionary beacon may be transmitted.

After that, the control unit 21 stops the temporary broadcaster operation in the broadcast communication, switches to the observer (receiving device) operation and returns (step S108), and then returns to the process from step S102.

[Effects of Embodiment]
As described in detail above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to effectively utilize the search information of others existing in the surroundings, and to further improve the search efficiency.

In addition, in this embodiment, the search results are received from the terminals of other people nearby and stored as a history. You can share your search history with each other by sending a call to

Furthermore, in this embodiment, only when the number of communicable electronic dictionary beacons is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value, search results received from nearby terminals of others are stored in the common search history database 22d. Therefore, the reliability of the shared search history information can be ensured.

In addition, in the present embodiment, terminals of other persons in the surroundings that satisfy a predetermined received radio wave intensity are made effective. It is easy to distinguish between areas, and it becomes easy to control the operation.

Also, although not shown in this embodiment, for example, identification information given each time in a class or the like is attached to the header portion of the electronic dictionary beacon transmitted by the electronic dictionary 10, and only electronic dictionary beacons having the same identification information are received. is determined to be valid, it is possible to group and use individual types of information without complicating exchanged information even in the same space.

Furthermore, it is conceivable to perform time limit control such that the information stored in the common search history database 22d is automatically cleared when, for example, a period of time equivalent to one hour of class has elapsed. By clearing the storage contents of the common search history database 22d in such a relatively short period of time, it is possible to search for appropriate headwords each time corresponding to the transition of classes.

On the contrary, for example, the information stored in the common search history database 22d may be retained while being accumulated for a relatively long period of time, for example, about one year. In this case, if the storage contents of the common search history database 22d can be transferred to the terminal of another person, the information of the search history accumulated in other classes or grades can be inherited, and the search efficiency can be further improved. becomes possible.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that when at least one character of a headword is entered, corresponding headword candidates are displayed. It is also possible to display a certain number of search word information stored in the history database 22d as candidates in descending order of the number of corresponding reception numbers. In such an operation, there is a possibility that the desired headword will appear among the candidates even in a state where no characters are input, and the retrieval efficiency can be further improved.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be variously modified in the implementation stage without departing from the scope of the invention. Moreover, each embodiment may be implemented in combination as much as possible, and in that case, the combined effect can be obtained. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiments, the problems described in the column of problems to be solved by the invention can be solved, and the effects described in the column of effects of the invention is obtained, the configuration from which this constituent element is deleted can be extracted as an invention.

The invention described in the original claims of the present application is appended below.
[Claim 1]
a dictionary storage unit that stores headwords and their explanation information in association with each other;
a shared search history storage unit that receives and stores information on headwords whose explanation information is referred to by a user's operation in another information search device connected for communication;
When at least one character is input as a key for searching for a headword from the dictionary storage unit, a headword is extracted from the shared search history storage unit as well as from the dictionary storage unit based on the at least one character. an extractor;
a headword extracted from the dictionary storage unit by the headword extraction unit is displayed in a first display area, and a headword extracted from the shared search history storage unit is displayed in a second display area; a display control unit;
An information retrieval device comprising:
[Claim 2]
second display control for reading out explanatory information from the dictionary storage unit corresponding to one entry selected from the plurality of headwords displayed by the first display control unit and displaying the explanation information in a third display area; Department and
a transmission unit for transmitting information of headwords whose explanation information is displayed by the second display control unit to the other information retrieval device connected for communication;
2. The information retrieval device of claim 1, further comprising:
[Claim 3]
3. The shared search history storage unit stores the received headword information when a communication connection is possible with a number of the other information search devices equal to or greater than a preset threshold value. Information retrieval device as described.
[Claim 4]
4. The information search device according to claim 1, wherein said shared search history storage unit stores headword information obtained by reception from said other information search device that satisfies a predetermined received radio wave intensity.
[Claim 5]
5. The information retrieval device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said shared retrieval history storage unit stores information of retrieval character strings from said other information retrieval device including predetermined identification information.
[Claim 6]
6. The information search device according to claim 1, wherein said shared search history storage unit clears stored content according to preset time conditions.
[Claim 7]
An information search method in a device having a dictionary storage unit that stores headwords and their description information in association with each other,
a shared search history storage step of receiving and storing information of headwords whose explanation information is referred to by a user's operation in another information search device connected for communication;
When at least one character is input as a key for searching for a headword from the dictionary storage unit, headwords are retrieved from the contents stored in the shared search history storage step as well as from the dictionary storage unit based on the at least one character. headword extraction step to extract;
The headword extracted from the dictionary storage unit in the headword extraction step is displayed in a first display area, and the headword extracted from the stored content in the shared search history storage step is displayed in the second display area. a first display control step that causes
An information retrieval method having
[Claim 8]
A program executed by a computer contained in a device provided with a dictionary storage unit that stores search character strings and their description information in association with each other, the program comprising:
a shared search history storage unit that receives and stores headword information for which explanation information is referred to by a user's operation in another information search device that is communicatively connected;
When at least one character is input as a key for searching for a headword from the dictionary storage unit, a headword is extracted from the shared search history storage unit as well as from the dictionary storage unit based on the at least one character. an extractor;
a headword extracted from the dictionary storage unit by the headword extraction unit is displayed in a first display area, and a headword extracted from the shared search history storage unit is displayed in a second display area; a display control unit;
A program that works as

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Electronic dictionary 11... Main body case 12... Lid case 13... Hinge part 14... Key input part 14a... [Home] key 14b... Function designation key 14c... Character input key 14d... [Enter] key 14e... [Return] key 14f --- [BOX] key 14g --- Cursor movement key 14h --- [Shift] key 15 --- Voice output unit 16 --- Voice input unit 17 --- Touch panel type display unit 21 --- Control unit (CPU)
22 Storage section 22a Search processing program storage area 22b Dictionary data storage area 22c Search history storage area 22d Common search history database 22e Work data storage area 23 External recording medium 24 Recording medium reading section 25 Communication section 41 Search character string input section 42 Search candidate display section 42A Shared search candidate 43 Box display section C Cursor

Claims (8)

a dictionary storage unit that stores headwords and their explanation information in association with each other;
a shared search history storage unit that receives and stores information on headwords whose explanation information is referred to by a user's operation in another information search device connected for communication;
When at least one character is input as a key for searching for a headword from the dictionary storage unit, a headword is extracted from the shared search history storage unit as well as from the dictionary storage unit based on the at least one character. an extractor;
a headword extracted from the dictionary storage unit by the headword extraction unit is displayed in a first display area, and a headword extracted from the shared search history storage unit is displayed in a second display area; a display control unit;
An information retrieval device comprising: second display control for reading out explanatory information from the dictionary storage unit corresponding to one entry selected from the plurality of headwords displayed by the first display control unit and displaying the explanation information in a third display area; Department and
a transmission unit for transmitting information of headwords whose explanation information is displayed by the second display control unit to the other information retrieval device connected for communication;
2. The information retrieval device of claim 1, further comprising: 3. The shared search history storage unit stores the received headword information when a communication connection is possible with a number of the other information search devices equal to or greater than a preset threshold value. Information retrieval device as described. 4. The information search device according to claim 1, wherein said shared search history storage unit stores headword information obtained by reception from said other information search device that satisfies a predetermined received radio wave intensity. 5. The information retrieval device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said shared retrieval history storage unit stores information of retrieval character strings from said other information retrieval device including predetermined identification information. 6. The information search device according to claim 1, wherein said shared search history storage unit clears stored content according to preset time conditions. An information search method in a device having a dictionary storage unit that stores headwords and their description information in association with each other,
a shared search history storage step of receiving and storing information of headwords whose explanation information is referred to by a user's operation in another information search device connected for communication;
When at least one character is input as a key for searching for a headword from the dictionary storage unit, headwords are retrieved from the contents stored in the shared search history storage step as well as from the dictionary storage unit based on the at least one character. headword extraction step to extract;
The headword extracted from the dictionary storage unit in the headword extraction step is displayed in a first display area, and the headword extracted from the stored content in the shared search history storage step is displayed in the second display area. a first display control step that causes
An information retrieval method having A program executed by a computer contained in a device provided with a dictionary storage unit that stores search character strings and their description information in association with each other, the program comprising:
a shared search history storage unit that receives and stores information on headwords whose explanation information is referred to by a user's operation in another information search device connected for communication;
When at least one character is input as a key for searching for a headword from the dictionary storage unit, a headword is extracted from the shared search history storage unit as well as from the dictionary storage unit based on the at least one character. an extractor;
a headword extracted from the dictionary storage unit by the headword extraction unit is displayed in a first display area, and a headword extracted from the shared search history storage unit is displayed in a second display area; a display control unit;
A program that works as

Images