JP5655926B2 - Electronic device, program, and search method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device having a search function, such as an electronic dictionary device having a touch panel display screen, a program, and a search method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electronic dictionary device in which a dictionary entry word is searched using a character (string) displayed by key input as a keyword (searched character (string)) and its explanation information is displayed has been put into practical use.

  In order to input a search character string for the dictionary search, not only a key input unit (keyboard) but also a handwriting input unit is provided. Kanji characters that cannot be read by the user are input by handwriting in the handwriting input unit. An electronic dictionary device with a handwriting input function that can be recognized, input as the search character string, and displayed as a dictionary search is also considered (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition, the display screen for displaying the input search character string and the description information retrieved from the dictionary is configured as a touch panel display screen, and any of the description information displayed on the touch panel display screen is displayed. The word is touched so as to be a locus of a predetermined shape. Then, an electronic dictionary device is also conceivable in which a dictionary search of the arbitrary word is performed in another dictionary (transition destination dictionary) according to the shape of the touched locus and the explanation information is displayed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).

JP 2005-165533 A JP 2005-189993 A

  In the electronic dictionary device provided with the conventional touch panel display screen, by touching an arbitrary word in the displayed explanation information, the touched word is transferred to another dictionary and searched. Can do.

  However, since the transition destination dictionary is determined according to the shape of the locus when the word is touched, the user needs to know in advance the shape of the locus of the touch operation corresponding to the dictionary to be changed. In addition, the user needs to know in advance whether the character type of the touched word is a character type that can be handled as a search character string in the transition destination dictionary.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and it is very easy and appropriate to make a transition to another search method, such as transitioning an arbitrary displayed character string to another dictionary as a search character string. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic device, a program, and a search method that enable a dictionary search by transitioning to a different search method.

The electronic device according to claim 1 is:
A touch panel display,
Input screen display means for displaying an input screen including a plurality of search character input areas corresponding to a plurality of types of search methods on the touch panel display unit;
Search character input means for inputting a search character string to be searched in one of a plurality of search character input areas displayed by the input screen display means in response to a user operation;
When a search character string is input to one search character input area by the search character input means, a search process of a type corresponding to the one search character input area is executed, and display of the one search character input area is performed. And a search character display control means for erasing other search character input areas and displaying a list of headwords as a search result on the touch panel display unit,
When the search character string input to the one search character input area is touched according to a user operation and dragged in a predetermined direction, the input screen redisplay control for redisplaying the other search character input areas that have been deleted Means,
When a search character string dragged in response to the user operation is dropped on the other search character input area re-displayed by the input screen re-display control means, the type of search corresponding to the search character input area Search type switching means for switching to and executing a search,
It is characterized by having.

The electronic device according to claim 2 is the electronic device according to claim 1,
Dictionary storage means for storing a plurality of dictionaries in which a plurality of headwords and explanation information of each headword are associated;
A dictionary selection unit that selects a dictionary to be searched from a plurality of dictionaries stored by the dictionary storage unit according to a user operation,
The input screen display means displays an input screen including a plurality of search character input areas corresponding to the type of search on the touch panel display section when a dictionary is selected by the dictionary selection means. .

The electronic device according to claim 3 is the electronic device according to claim 2,
One of the headwords displayed as a list by the search character display control means is touched and dragged in response to a user operation and dropped into the one search character input area displayed on the touch panel display by the search character display control means. Search character replacement display control means for displaying the dropped headword as a new search character string,
It is characterized by having.

The electronic device according to claim 4 is the electronic device according to claim 2,
Description information display control for searching and reading out the description information corresponding to one of the headwords displayed as a list by the search character display control means from the dictionary selected by the dictionary selection means and displaying it on the touch panel display unit Means,
A word included in the explanation information displayed by the explanation information display control means is touched and dragged in response to a user operation, and is displayed in the one search character input area displayed on the touch panel display by the search character display control means. Search character replacement display control means for displaying the dropped word as a new search character string when dropped,
It is characterized by having.

The program according to claim 5 is:
A program for controlling a computer of an electronic device having a touch panel display unit,
The computer,
Input screen display means for displaying an input screen including a plurality of search character input areas corresponding to a plurality of types of search methods on the touch panel display unit;
Search character input means for inputting a search character string to be searched in one of a plurality of search character input areas displayed by the input screen display means in response to a user operation;
When a search character string is input to one search character input area by the search character input means, a search process of a type corresponding to the one search character input area is executed, and display of the one search character input area is performed. And a search character display control means for erasing other search character input areas and displaying a list of headwords as a search result on the touch panel display unit,
When the search character string input to the one search character input area is touched according to a user operation and dragged in a predetermined direction, the input screen redisplay control for redisplaying the other search character input areas that have been deleted Means,
When a search character string dragged in response to the user operation is dropped on the other search character input area re-displayed by the input screen re-display control means, the type of search corresponding to the search character input area Search type switching means for executing search by switching to
It is characterized by making it function as.

The search method according to claim 6 is a search method in an electronic device having a touch panel display,
An input screen display step for displaying an input screen including a plurality of search character input areas corresponding to a plurality of types of search methods on the touch panel display unit;
A search character input step of inputting a search character string to be searched for in one of a plurality of search character input areas displayed by the input screen display step according to a user operation;
When a search character string is input to one search character input area in the search character input step, search processing of a type corresponding to the one search character input area is executed, and display of the one search character input area is displayed. And a search character display control step of erasing other search character input areas and displaying a list of headwords as a search result on the touch panel display unit,
When the search character string input to the one search character input area is touched according to a user operation and dragged in a predetermined direction, the input screen redisplay control for redisplaying the other search character input areas that have been deleted Steps,
When a search character string dragged in response to the user operation is dropped on the other search character input area re-displayed by the input screen re-display control step, the type of search corresponding to the search character input area And a search type switching step for executing a search by switching to.

  According to the present invention, when an arbitrary displayed character string is changed to another search method as a search character string, it is possible to change to an appropriate search method very easily and perform a search.

1 is a front view showing an external configuration of an electronic dictionary device 10 according to an embodiment of an electronic apparatus of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic circuit of the electronic dictionary device 10. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing dictionary search processing of the electronic dictionary device 10; The figure which shows operation | movement at the time of touch-and-dragging the search character (sequence) input from the search character input area E with the dictionary search process of the said electronic dictionary apparatus 10. FIG. The figure which shows operation | movement at the time of dragging and dropping the search character (sequence) input from the search character input area E with the dictionary search process of the said electronic dictionary apparatus. When the headword searched and displayed in the headword list area M in accordance with the dictionary search processing of the electronic dictionary device 10 is dragged and dropped into the search character input area E1 for “headword” search as a new search character (column) FIG. An arbitrary word in the explanation information searched and displayed in the preview area PV in accordance with the dictionary search processing of the electronic dictionary device 10 is dragged as a new search character (column) to the search character input area E1 for searching for “entry word”. The figure which shows the operation | movement at the time of & drop. The figure which shows operation | movement at the time of dragging a part of search character string input into the search character input area E1 with the dictionary search process of the said electronic dictionary apparatus 10, and inputting blank word "-". The figure which shows operation | movement at the time of double-touching a part of search character string input into the search character input area E1 with the dictionary search process of the said electronic dictionary apparatus 10, and inputting a wild card "?".

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a front view showing an external configuration of an electronic dictionary device 10 to which an electronic apparatus according to the present invention is applied.

  The electronic dictionary device 10 includes a foldable case in which a main body case 11 and a lid case 12 can be expanded / closed via a hinge portion 13. On the surface of the main body case 11 where the folding case is developed, a key input unit (keyboard including a character input key 14a, a dictionary specifying key 14b, a “translation / decision” key 14c, a cursor key 14d, speakers 15L and 15R, etc. ) 14 and a handwriting input unit (sub-screen) 16.

  The handwriting input unit (sub-screen) 16 has a structure in which a touch position detection device that detects a position touched by a user with a pen, a finger, or the like and a display device are integrated. A transparent touch panel 16t is overlaid on a 256 × 64 dot liquid crystal display screen 16d. The input area of the handwriting input unit 16 is switched to a handwritten character input area for inputting handwritten characters, a button input area for various functions, or an area where each input area is mixed, as necessary.

  And the locus | trajectory accompanying the handwriting input in the state which the said handwriting input part 16 was switched to the handwritten character input area is echoed back and displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 16d.

  Further, on the surface of the lid case 12, for example, a touch panel display unit (main screen) 17 with a backlight of 480 × 320 dots is provided for almost the entire surface. Similarly to the handwriting input unit (subscreen) 16, this touch panel display unit (main screen) 17 is integrated with a touch position detection device that detects a position touched by a user with a pen, a finger, or the like, and a display device. The structure is such that a transparent touch panel 17t is superimposed on the liquid crystal display screen 17d.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic circuit of the electronic dictionary device 10.

  The electronic dictionary device 10 is configured by a computer that reads a program recorded in various storage media or a transmitted program and whose operation is controlled by the read program. The electronic circuit includes a CPU ( a central processing unit) 21 is provided.

  The CPU 21 controls the operation of each part of the circuit using the memory (RAM) 23 as a work area according to a system program 25 for device control stored in advance in the storage device (flash ROM) 22.

  The system program stored in the storage device 22 is activated in response to an input signal corresponding to a user operation from the key input unit (keyboard) 14, the handwriting input unit 16, or the touch panel display unit 17.

  In addition to the key input unit 14, the handwriting input unit 16, the storage device 22, and the memory 23, the CPU 21 is connected to a touch panel display unit 17 and the like.

  As a system program 25 for device control stored in the storage device 22, in addition to the system program that governs the overall operation of the electronic dictionary device 10, a keyword search corresponding to a search character (string) input by the user is performed. A headword search program to be performed, an explanation information display program to read and display various explanation information such as translations, meaning contents, and example sentences (examples) corresponding to the headword specified from the searched headword list are stored. The

  The program for dictionary search processing including the headword search program and the explanation information display program includes a function of dragging and dropping a search character string touched on the touch panel display unit 17, a dragged search character string. When the drop destination is an icon of another dictionary, the function to transition to the headword search state by the other dictionary, the headword touched in the headword list searched for headwords corresponding to the search character string , Drag & drop to search character (column) input area, Drag and drop the touched character string to the search character (column) input area in the preview information corresponding to the specified headword Includes a drop function.

  Then, dictionary data 24 is stored in the storage device 22. The dictionary data 24 includes “Japanese dictionary” 24a, “English-Japanese dictionary” 24b, “Japanese-English dictionary”, “English-English dictionary”, “Encyclopedia”, etc. Dictionary data of different languages is stored in advance or additionally input.

  The memory 23 includes a display memory 26, a touch position memory 27, a drag direction memory 28, a search character (column) memory 29, a designated word memory 30, a designated entry word memory 31, etc. Accordingly, a working memory area for storing various data input / output to / from the CPU 21 as necessary is secured.

  The display memory 26 stores data to be displayed on the handwriting input unit 16 and data to be displayed on the touch panel display unit 17 independently.

  In the touch position memory 27, the coordinates of the touch position on the handwriting input area detected by the transparent touch panel 16t of the handwriting input unit 16, the touch position on the display screen detected by the transparent touch panel 17f of the touch panel type display unit 17 are stored. Coordinates are stored.

  In the drag direction memory 28, the movement direction of the coordinates of the touch position stored in the touch position memory 27 is analyzed according to the touch and drag operation on the display screen in the touch panel type display unit 17, and the display is performed. The drag direction indicating whether it has moved in the up, down, left, or right direction on the screen is stored.

  In the search character (string) memory 29, the search target input in the search character input area E (E1 to En) of the search character input screen Ga (see FIG. 4A) displayed as the initial screen for dictionary search. Are stored. In the search character input area E of the search character input screen Ga, for example, in the case of the “Sienius English-Japanese Dictionary” shown in FIG. 4A, a search character input area E1 for searching for “headword”, Search character input area E2 and a search character input area E3 for "example sentence search".

  The designated word memory 30 stores a single character string (word) displayed in correspondence with the position touched on the display screen of the touch panel display unit 17. Note that the user-specified word touched in this case is identified by the reverse display H (see FIG. 4C).

  The specified headword memory 31 stores the headword specified by the cursor Cu in the headword list area M (see FIG. 4B) displayed by dictionary search corresponding to the search character string.

  Next, a dictionary search function in the electronic dictionary device 10 having the above configuration will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing dictionary search processing of the electronic dictionary device 10.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an operation when the search character (string) input from the search character input area E is touched and dragged in accordance with the dictionary search processing of the electronic dictionary device 10.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an operation when the search character (string) input from the search character input area E is dragged and dropped in accordance with the dictionary search processing of the electronic dictionary device 10.

  When a user-desired dictionary is selected in response to the operation of the dictionary designation key 14b of the key input unit (keyboard) 14, for example, as shown in FIG. 4A, the selected dictionary “Sienius English-Japanese Dictionary” ( 24b) is displayed on the touch panel display 17 (step S1).

  When the character input key 14a is operated in the display state of the search character input screen Ga (step S2 (Yes)), the character corresponding to the key operation is stored in the search character (column) memory 29 and the search character is displayed. This is displayed in the search character input area E1 for searching for “entry word” selected by default in the input area E (step S3). Then, a headword that matches the search character stored in the search character (column) memory 29 is searched from the “Sienius English-Japanese Dictionary” (24b). Are displayed in a list in the headword list area M, and explanation information corresponding to the searched first candidate headword is read from the dictionary and displayed in the preview area PV (step S4).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, when “pereion” is input, the search character string “pereion” corresponding to the key operation is stored in the search character (string) memory 29 and the search character input area. The search is performed in the search character input area E1 for searching for “headword” of E (step S3), and the headword that matches the search character string “pereion” is searched from the dictionary, and the first candidate headword “ “peregrine” is designated by the cursor Cu and stored in the designated headword memory 31. Then, the explanation information corresponding to the headword “peregrine” stored in the designated headword memory 31 is read from the selected dictionary “Sienius English-Japanese Dictionary” (24b) and displayed in the preview area PV ( Step S4).

  When the user finds a desired headword in the headwords displayed in the headword list area M and selects the headword and double-touches with the touch pen P (step S5 (Yes )), The double-touched entry word is stored in the designated entry word memory 31, and the description information corresponding to the entry word stored in the designated entry word memory 31 is stored in the selected dictionary “Sianius English-Japanese Dictionary” ( 24b) and displayed on the touch panel display 17 in full screen size (step S6).

  In the specific examples shown in FIGS. 4 (A) and 4 (B), headwords that match the user-desired search character string “pereion” are collected in the selected dictionary “Sienius English-Japanese Dictionary” (24b). Not.

  Therefore, in order to search the user-desired search character string “pereion” using another dictionary, or to search as [sung phrase] or [example sentence] collected in the dictionary, first, FIG. As shown, when the search character string “pereion” displayed in the search character input area E1 for searching for “keyword” in the touch panel type display unit 17 is touched with the touch pen P (step S7), it exists at the touch position. The search character string “pereion” is highlighted H (step S8).

  Here, when the search character string “pereion” displayed in reverse video H is dragged while being touched with the touch pen P, the drag direction analyzed and stored in the drag direction memory 28 is a predetermined direction (downward or horizontal). ) Is determined (step S9).

  If it is determined that the drag direction of the search character string “pereion” is a predetermined direction (downward) as indicated by an arrow X in FIG. 4C (steps S9 → S10 (downward) Direction)), as shown in FIG. 4D, in addition to the search character input area E1 for "headword" search, the search character input area E2 for "speech search" and the search character for "example sentence search" The search character input area E where the input area E3 also exists is redisplayed, and the dictionary name icons “Lantham House Eiwa”, “Large Source Spelling”, etc. of each of the other dictionaries stored as the dictionary data 24 are arranged. The dictionary movement area D is displayed (step S11).

  Here, as indicated by an arrow X in FIG. 5E, the search character string “pereion” in the dragged state is displayed as another dictionary name icon “Lantham House Eiwa” displayed in the other dictionary movement area D. If it is determined that it has been dragged and dropped to the position (step S12 (dictionary name)), the dictionary “Sienius English-Japanese Dictionary” selected as the search target is added to the other dictionary “Lantham House English-Japanese” at the dropped position. "(Step S13).

  Then, as shown in FIG. 5 (F), the headword that matches the drag-and-dropped search character string “pereion” is searched from the other switched dictionary “Rantum House Eiwa” (24b). The list is displayed in the headword list area M. At the same time, the retrieved first candidate headword “pereion” is designated by the cursor Cu and stored in the designated headword memory 31. Then, the explanation information corresponding to the headword “pereion” stored in the designated headword memory 31 is read from the other switched dictionary “Rantum House English and Japanese” (24b) and displayed in the preview area PV. (Step S4).

  As a result, the dictionary name icon of each of the other dictionaries arranged and displayed in the other dictionary moving area D as it is, with the search character string “pereion” key-inputted in the first selected dictionary “Sienius English-Japanese Dictionary” being selected. It can be reused as a search character string in another appropriate dictionary arbitrarily selected from “Rantam House Eiwa”, “Ojigen Spelling”. For this reason, there is no need to re-operate the dictionary designation key 14b to reselect another dictionary or to re-enter the same search character string, and it is not necessary to know the destination dictionary in advance. It is possible to easily change to an appropriate dictionary and search the dictionary. The other dictionaries displayed in step S11 are discriminated before displaying whether or not the headwords stored in the designated headword memory 31 are included, and the dictionary names including the headwords are displayed. Is desirable.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5D, the search character string “pereion” being dragged in a predetermined direction (downward) is re-displayed as shown in FIG. 5G. When it is determined that the character is dragged and dropped to the position of the search character input area E3 for “example sentence search” in the input area E (step S12 (other input fields)), the dictionary “Sienius English-Japanese” selected as the search target is selected. The dictionary is switched to the search mode of “example sentence search” from the search mode of the “entry word” search selected as the default (step S14).

  Then, when the execution of the search is instructed by operating the “translation / decision” key 14c (step S15 (Yes)), the “Senius English-Japanese Dictionary” (24b) selected as the search target is referred to as “ A search for example sentences including the search character string “pereion” dragged and dropped into the search character input area E3 for “example sentence search” is executed and displayed in a list on the touch panel display unit 17 (step S16).

  As a result, the search character string once entered in the search character input area En of any search mode in the search character input area E is moved to the search character input area En ′ of another search mode in the same dictionary and reused. This can save a lot of time and effort for character input.

  As the search character string is touched and dragged from the search character input area E1 for searching for the “entry word”, the search character input area E including the search character input areas E2,. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 5J, there is a search character input area E4 for searching “Japanese example sentence” that cannot be handled by the character type “English” of the search character string “pereion” being dragged. In such a case, the search character input area E4 that cannot be handled is displayed in gray J, and the search character string being dragged is not dropped.

  FIG. 6 shows that a search term displayed in the search term list area M in accordance with the dictionary search process of the electronic dictionary device 10 is dragged as a new search character (string) to the search character input area E1 for searching for a “keyword”. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement at the time of & dropping.

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 6 (A) and 6 (B), a desired search character string is entered in the search character input area E1 for searching for “headword” in the dictionary “Seniors English-Japanese” (24b) selected by the dictionary designation key 14b. When “take” is entered (steps S1, S2 (Yes) → S3), headwords that match the search character string “take” are searched for and displayed in the headword list M, and by cursor Cu by default. The explanation information corresponding to the designated first candidate entry word “take” is displayed in the preview area PV (step S4).

  Here, as shown in FIG. 6C, when a user-desired headword “take-home” is touched from the headword list searched and displayed in the headword list area M (step S20). Yes)), the headword “take-home” existing at the touch position is highlighted H and stored in the designated word memory 30 (step S21).

  Here, with the headword “take-home” displayed in reverse video H being touched with the touch pen P, the headword is dragged upward as indicated by an arrow X in FIGS. When the search character input area E1 for search is dropped as a new search character string (step S22 (Yes)), the headword search that matches the new search character string “take-home” that has been dragged and dropped is forwardly matched. Processing is executed. In this case, a new search character string “take-home” dragged and dropped from the headword list area M is searched as the first candidate headword “take-home” in the headword list area M and scrolled. In addition, the explanatory information corresponding to the first candidate headword “take-home” is read from the selected dictionary “Sienius English-Japanese” (24b) and displayed in the preview area PV. (Step S23).

  Thereby, it is possible to perform a dictionary search using a desired headword as it is as a new search character string from the headword list area M once searched and displayed according to an arbitrary search character string.

  At this time, as shown in FIGS. 4C to 5H, a new search character string “take-home” dragged and dropped into the search character input area E1 for “headword” search is again displayed. Touch and drag downward and drop to any other dictionary name icon “Lantham House Eiwa”, “Large Source Spelling” ... displayed in the other dictionary movement area D for reuse (steps S7 to S13) ), It can be dropped and reused in the search character input areas E2,... In other search modes redisplayed in the search character input area E (steps S7 to S12 → S14 to S16).

  FIG. 7 shows a search character input for searching for “entry word” using an arbitrary word in the explanation information searched and displayed in the preview area PV as a dictionary search process of the electronic dictionary device 10 as a new search character (string). It is a figure which shows the operation | movement at the time of dragging and dropping to the area E1.

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, a desired search character string is entered in the search character input area E1 for searching for “headword” in the dictionary “Seniors English-Japanese” (24b) selected by the dictionary designation key 14b. When “take” is entered (steps S1, S2 (Yes) → S3), headwords that match the search character string “take” are searched for and displayed in the headword list M, and by cursor Cu by default. The explanation information corresponding to the designated first candidate entry word “take” is displayed in the preview area PV (step S4).

  Here, as shown in FIG. 7C, when the word “tackle” desired by the user is touched from the explanation information searched and displayed in the preview area PV (step S24 (Yes)), the touch position The word “tackle” existing in is highlighted H and stored in the designated word memory 30 (step S25).

  Here, the headword “tackle” displayed in reverse video H is touched with the touch pen P and dragged upward as indicated by an arrow X in FIGS. 7C to 7E to search for “headword”. When the search character input area E1 is dropped as a new search character string (step S26 (Yes)), a headword search process that matches the new dragged and dropped new search character string “tackle” is executed. The That is, headwords that match the new search character string “tackle” dragged and dropped from the description information preview area PV are searched and displayed in the headword list area M, and the first candidate headline. The explanation information corresponding to the word “tackle” is read from the currently selected dictionary “Sinious English-Japanese” (24b) and displayed in the preview area PV (step S27).

  Thereby, it is possible to perform a dictionary search using the desired word as a new search character string as it is from the preview area PV once searched and displayed according to an arbitrary search character string.

  Also in this case, as shown in FIGS. 4C to 5H, the new search character string “tackle” dragged and dropped to the search character input area E1 for “headword” search is again displayed. Touch and drag in the direction and drop it to any other dictionary name icon “Lantham House Eiwa”, “Large Source Spelling” ... displayed in the other dictionary movement area D for reuse (steps S7 to S13) , It can be dropped and reused (steps S7 to S12 → S14 to S16) in the search character input areas E2,.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an operation when a blank word “˜” is input by dragging a part of the search character string input to the search character input area E1 in accordance with the dictionary search processing of the electronic dictionary device 10. .

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, a desired search character string is entered in the search character input area E1 for searching for “headword” in the dictionary “Seniors English-Japanese” (24b) selected by the dictionary designation key 14b. When “peer” is input (steps S1, S2 (Yes) → S3), headwords that match the search character string “peer” are searched and displayed in the headword list M, and by cursor Cu by default. Explanation information corresponding to the designated first candidate headword “* peer1” is displayed in the preview area PV (step S4).

  Here, in order to perform a blank word search by inputting a blank word “˜” into an arbitrary spelling portion in the search character string “peer” input and displayed in the search character input area E1, FIG. As shown in C), for example, the right “e” is touched with the touch pen P and dragged in the right direction indicated by the arrow X (steps S7 to S10 (lateral direction)).

  Then, as shown in FIG. 8D, the character string “er” touched and dragged in the right direction in the search character string “peer” and the character string “pe” remaining in front of the character string “pe” A blank word “˜” BW is input, and a blank word search explanation screen T for inputting a blank word “˜” in a portion where the number of characters and the spelling are not known is searched for (step S17).

  When execution of the search is instructed by operating the “translation / decision” key 14c (step S15 (Yes)), the heading corresponding to the search character string “pe-er” input with the blank word “˜” is input. A word search process is executed (step S16).

  As a result, for the search character string input and displayed in the search character input area E1, a blank word “˜” BW can be input very easily at the touch position by simply touching and dragging to the right. A blank word search can be executed.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an operation when a wild card “?” Is input by double-touching a part of the search character string input in the search character input area E1 in accordance with the dictionary search processing of the electronic dictionary device 10. is there.

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, a desired search character string is entered in the search character input area E1 for searching for “headword” in the dictionary “Seniors English-Japanese” (24b) selected by the dictionary specifying key 14b. When “peer” is input (steps S1, S2 (Yes) → S3), headwords that match the search character string “peer” are searched and displayed in the headword list M, and by cursor Cu by default. Explanation information corresponding to the designated first candidate headword “* peer1” is displayed in the preview area PV (step S4).

  Here, in order to perform a wild card search by replacing an arbitrary spelling part in the search character string “peer” input and displayed in the search character input area E1 with a wild card “?”, FIG. ), For example, the right “e” is double-touched with the touch pen P (step S18 (Yes)).

  Then, as shown in FIG. 9D, the wild card “?” WC is input at the position of the character “e” double-touched in the search character string “peer”, and the number of characters is known. A wild card search explanation screen T for displaying a headword by inputting a wild card “?” In a portion where the spelling is unknown is displayed (step S19).

  When the execution of the search is instructed by operating the “translation / decision” key 14c (step S15 (Yes)), the headline corresponding to the search character string “pe? R” to which the wild card “?” Is input. A word search process is executed (step S16).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, a wild card “?” Is input between any characters in the search character string “peer” input and displayed in the search character input area E1, and the wild card is entered. In order to perform the search, as shown in FIG. 9E, for example, a double touch between the characters “ee” with the touch pen P is performed (step S18 (Yes)).

  Then, as shown in FIG. 9F, a wild card “?” WC is inserted between the characters “ee” double-touched in the search character string “peer” and the number of characters is known. A wildcard search explanation screen T for entering a wildcard “?” In a portion where the spelling is unknown and searching for a headword is displayed (step S19).

  When the execution of the search is instructed by operating the “translation / decision” key 14c (step S15 (Yes)), the heading corresponding to the search character string “pe? Er” into which the wild card “?” Is input. A word search process is executed (step S16).

  Thus, by simply double-touching an arbitrary character portion of the search character string input and displayed in the search character input area E1, the wild card “?” WC can be replaced or input at the touch position very easily. To perform a wildcard search.

  Therefore, according to the dictionary search function in the electronic dictionary device 10 having the above configuration, when the search character string “pereion” input and displayed in the search character input area E is touched with the touch pen P and dragged downward, the dictionary data 24 is obtained. The other dictionary movement area D in which the dictionary name icons “Lantham House Eiwa”, “Large Source Spelling”... Of each of the other dictionaries stored are arranged. Then, when the search character string “pereion” in the drag state is dragged and dropped to the position of the other dictionary name icon “Rantam House Eiwa” displayed in the other dictionary movement area D, it is selected as a search target. The dictionary “Sienius English-Japanese Dictionary” is switched to another dictionary “Rantam House English-Japanese” at the dropped position, and a dictionary search of the search character string “pereion” is executed.

  For this reason, there is no need to re-operate the dictionary designation key 14b to reselect another dictionary or to re-enter the same search character string, and it is not necessary to know the destination dictionary in advance. It is possible to easily change to an appropriate dictionary and search the dictionary.

  Further, according to the dictionary search function in the electronic dictionary device 10 having the above-described configuration, an arbitrary entry word in the entry words searched and displayed in the entry word list area M is touched with the touch pen P and the search character input area E is reached. When dragging and dropping, an arbitrary entry word dragged and dropped becomes a new search character string, and a dictionary search based on a dictionary selected as a search target is executed.

  For this reason, it is possible to perform a dictionary search using the desired headword as it is as a new search character string from the headword list area M once searched and displayed according to an arbitrary search character string.

  Further, according to the dictionary search function in the electronic dictionary device 10 having the above configuration, an arbitrary word in the description information searched and displayed in the preview area PV is touched with the touch pen P and dragged to the search character input area E. When dropped, the dragged and dropped arbitrary word becomes a new search character string, and a dictionary search based on the dictionary selected as the search target is executed.

  For this reason, it is possible to perform a dictionary search using the desired word as a new search character string as it is from the preview area PV of the explanation information once searched and displayed according to an arbitrary search character string.

  Further, according to the dictionary search function in the electronic dictionary device 10 having the above configuration, when an arbitrary character portion of the search character string input and displayed in the search character input area E is touched with the touch pen P and dragged to the right, the touch is performed. & Blank word "~" BW is input between the dragged character part and the character in front of it, and blank word "~" is input to the part where neither the number of characters nor the spelling is known. Execution becomes possible.

  Therefore, for the search character string input and displayed in the search character input area E, a blank word “˜” BW can be input very easily at the touch position by simply touching and dragging the right character position. A blank word search can be executed.

  Further, according to the dictionary search function in the electronic dictionary device 10 having the above-described configuration, when an arbitrary character portion of the search character string input and displayed in the search character input area E is double-touched with the touch pen P, the double-touched character portion. It is possible to execute a wild card search by entering a wild card “?” In which the number of characters is known and the spelling is unknown and entering a wild card “?” WC. .

  For this reason, with respect to the search character string input and displayed in the search character input area E1, by simply double-touching an arbitrary character portion, the wild card “?” WC can be replaced or input at the touch position very easily. To perform a wildcard search.

  Note that each processing method by the electronic dictionary device 10 described in each of the embodiments, that is, each processing method in the dictionary search processing shown in FIGS. 4 to 9 in accordance with the flowchart of FIG. As a program that can be executed, it is stored in an external storage medium such as a memory card (ROM card, RAM card, etc.), magnetic disk (floppy disk, hard disk, etc.), optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD, etc.), semiconductor memory, etc. Can be distributed. Various computer terminals having a touch panel display unit (17) and storing a dictionary database (24) read the program stored in the external storage medium into the storage device (22) by the storage medium reading unit, By controlling the operation by the read program, an efficient dictionary search function corresponding to the touch operation described in the above embodiments can be realized, and the same processing by the method described above can be executed.

  Further, program data for realizing each of the above methods can be transmitted on a communication network (Internet) N as a program code form, and a computer terminal (program server) connected to the communication network (Internet) N ) The above program data can be fetched from 30 to realize an efficient dictionary search function according to the touch operation described above.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention at the stage of implementation. Further, each of the embodiments includes 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 each embodiment or some constituent elements are combined in different forms, the problems described in the column of the problem to be solved by the invention If the effects described in the column “Effects of the Invention” can be obtained, a configuration in which these constituent requirements are deleted or combined can be extracted as an invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Electronic dictionary apparatus 11 ... Main body case 12 ... Cover body case 13 ... Hinge part 14 ... Key input part (keyboard)
14a ... Character input key 14b ... Dictionary designation key 14c ... "Translation / decision" key 14d ... Cursor keys 15L, 15R ... Speaker 16 ... Handwriting input unit 16d ... Liquid crystal display unit 16t ... Transparent touch panel 17 ... Touch panel type display unit 17d ... Liquid crystal Display unit 17t ... Transparent touch panel 21 ... CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 22 ... Storage device 23 ... Memory 24 ... Dictionary data 24a ... Japanese dictionary 24b ... English-Japanese dictionary 25 ... System program 26 ... Display memory 27 ... Touch position memory 28 ... Drag method memory 29 ... Search character (sequence) memory 30 ... Designated word memory 31 ... Designated headword memory

Claims (6)

A touch panel display,
Input screen display means for displaying an input screen including a plurality of search character input areas corresponding to a plurality of types of search methods on the touch panel display unit;
Search character input means for inputting a search character string to be searched in one of a plurality of search character input areas displayed by the input screen display means in response to a user operation;
When a search character string is input to one search character input area by the search character input means, a search process of a type corresponding to the one search character input area is executed, and display of the one search character input area is performed. And a search character display control means for erasing other search character input areas and displaying a list of headwords as a search result on the touch panel display unit,
When the search character string input to the one search character input area is touched according to a user operation and dragged in a predetermined direction, the input screen redisplay control for redisplaying the other search character input areas that have been deleted Means,
When a search character string dragged in response to the user operation is dropped on the other search character input area re-displayed by the input screen re-display control means, the type of search corresponding to the search character input area Search type switching means for switching to and executing a search,
An electronic device characterized by comprising: Dictionary storage means for storing a plurality of dictionaries in which a plurality of headwords and explanation information of each headword are associated;
A dictionary selection unit that selects a dictionary to be searched from a plurality of dictionaries stored by the dictionary storage unit according to a user operation,
The input screen display means displays an input screen including a plurality of search character input areas corresponding to the type of search on the touch panel display unit when a dictionary is selected by the dictionary selection means. The electronic device according to claim 1. One of the headwords displayed as a list by the search character display control means is touched and dragged in response to a user operation and dropped into the one search character input area displayed on the touch panel display by the search character display control means. Search character replacement display control means for displaying the dropped headword as a new search character string,
The electronic apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: Description information display control for searching and reading out the description information corresponding to one of the headwords displayed as a list by the search character display control means from the dictionary selected by the dictionary selection means and displaying it on the touch panel display unit Means,
A word included in the explanation information displayed by the explanation information display control means is touched and dragged in response to a user operation, and is displayed in the one search character input area displayed on the touch panel display by the search character display control means. Search character replacement display control means for displaying the dropped word as a new search character string when dropped,
The electronic apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: A program for controlling a computer of an electronic device having a touch panel display unit,
The computer,
Input screen display means for displaying an input screen including a plurality of search character input areas corresponding to a plurality of types of search methods on the touch panel display unit;
Search character input means for inputting a search character string to be searched in one of a plurality of search character input areas displayed by the input screen display means in response to a user operation;
When a search character string is input to one search character input area by the search character input means, a search process of a type corresponding to the one search character input area is executed, and display of the one search character input area is performed. And a search character display control means for erasing other search character input areas and displaying a list of headwords as a search result on the touch panel display unit,
When the search character string input to the one search character input area is touched according to a user operation and dragged in a predetermined direction, the input screen redisplay control for redisplaying the other search character input areas that have been deleted Means,
When a search character string dragged in response to the user operation is dropped on the other search character input area re-displayed by the input screen re-display control means, the type of search corresponding to the search character input area Search type switching means for executing search by switching to
A program designed to function as A search method in an electronic device having a touch panel display,
An input screen display step for displaying an input screen including a plurality of search character input areas corresponding to a plurality of types of search methods on the touch panel display unit;
A search character input step of inputting a search character string to be searched for in one of a plurality of search character input areas displayed by the input screen display step according to a user operation;
When a search character string is input to one search character input area in the search character input step, search processing of a type corresponding to the one search character input area is executed, and display of the one search character input area is displayed. And a search character display control step of erasing other search character input areas and displaying a list of headwords as a search result on the touch panel display unit,
When the search character string input to the one search character input area is touched according to a user operation and dragged in a predetermined direction, the input screen redisplay control for redisplaying the other search character input areas that have been deleted Steps,
When a search character string dragged in response to the user operation is dropped on the other search character input area re-displayed by the input screen re-display control step, the type of search corresponding to the search character input area And a search type switching step for executing a search by switching to.

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