JP7476577B2 - Learning equipment, learning methods and programs - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a learning device, a learning method, and a program for learning words.

Conventionally, as a device for learning words, an electronic dictionary has been considered that accumulates and stores words and their meanings searched for from dictionary information with the words as entry words as search history, and outputs each word and its meaning stored in the search history as a vocabulary book, thereby enabling efficient learning of each word (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2015-179335 A

Conventional electronic dictionaries allow efficient vocabulary learning by displaying vocabulary book data generated based on a search history of words searched for, for example, by operating a dedicated [vocabulary book] key for opening the vocabulary book data, which allows the user to switch between words and their meanings in sequence, or by transferring the generated vocabulary book data to an electronic vocabulary book, which is a small, easily portable electronic device, and then displaying the transferred words and their meanings in sequence in the electronic vocabulary book.

However, with the vocabulary list function based on the search history of such conventional electronic dictionaries, the user cannot look back and study words that they have previously searched for and learned, unless they take the initiative and consciously open the vocabulary list.

The present invention was made in consideration of these problems, and aims to provide a learning device, learning method, and program that allows a user to appropriately review and study words without having to perform operations to check words that the user has previously studied.

The learning device according to the present invention comprises:
A learning device having a processor,
The processor,
an execution control process for exclusively executing a plurality of functions capable of learning words by exclusively activating a plurality of programs corresponding to the plurality of functions, each of which can be independently activated, based on a user operation and exclusively displaying information generated by each of the plurality of programs in a first display area provided on a screen ;
a storage control process for storing in a storage means a learning history of the words to be learned in the function executed by the execution control process together with learning histories of a plurality of words to be learned in functions previously executed by the execution control process;
A display control process is executed in which a plurality of words whose learning history is stored in the storage means, including words that have been the subject of learning in the past other than words that have been the subject of learning in the function being executed by the execution control process, are selected in sequence under predetermined conditions, and information regarding the words selected in sequence under the predetermined conditions is displayed sequentially in a specific area on the screen different from the first display area while information regarding the function being executed is kept displayed on the screen, so that the display state is maintained even if the exclusively executed program is switched .

1 is a diagram showing the external configuration of an electronic dictionary 10 according to an embodiment of a learning device, a learning method, and a program of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic circuit of the electronic dictionary 10. 4 is a diagram showing an example of learning history data stored in a learning history storage area 22f of the electronic dictionary 10. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of selection criterion setting data corresponding to review support modes (1) to (6) stored in a selection criterion management table 22h of the electronic dictionary 10. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a learning process of the electronic dictionary 10. 5 is a flowchart showing a review support interrupt process executed as an interrupt process at predetermined time intervals in association with a learning process of the electronic dictionary 10; 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an example of the display operation of the main display area 17M and the sub-display area 17S associated with learning with an English dictionary in accordance with the learning process and review support interrupt process of the electronic dictionary 10. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an example of the display operation of the main display area 17M and the sub-display area 17S associated with learning with a Japanese dictionary in accordance with the learning process and review support interrupt process of the electronic dictionary 10.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 shows the external configuration of an electronic dictionary 10 according to an embodiment of the learning device, learning method, and program of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic circuitry of the electronic dictionary 10.

The electronic dictionary 10 may be configured as a dedicated electronic dictionary, as described below, or as a tablet-type PDA (personal digital assistant), PC (personal computer), mobile phone, e-book, portable game machine, etc., equipped with a dictionary search function.

The electronic dictionary 10 is configured with a foldable case in which the main body case 11 and the cover case 12 can be opened/closed via a hinge section 13. When the foldable case is opened, the main body case 11 is provided with a key input section (keyboard) 14 including a [Home] key 14a, a function designation key 14b, a character input key 14c, a [Decision] key 14d, a [Back] key 14e, a cursor key 14f, a [Shift] key 14g, a [History] key 14h, and a [Review support] key 14i, an audio output section (including a speaker) 15, and an audio input section (including a microphone) 16.

The lid case 12 is also provided with a touch panel display unit (display) 17. The touch panel display unit 17 is an integrated structure of a touch position detection device that detects the position touched by the user with a pen or finger, and a display device, and is configured by overlaying a transparent touch panel on a backlit color LCD display screen.

The display area of the touch panel display unit 17 is divided into a large main display area 17M in the center, a touch key area 17A along the right edge, and a sub-display area 17S along the bottom edge.

The touch key area 17A is provided with touch keys (such as the Home key BH and the Back key BR) for pressing certain keys in the key input section 14 and specifying certain functions of the electronic dictionary 10 by touching.

In the main display area 17M, information about the function being executed is displayed in response to the execution of a function arbitrarily selected based on user operation.

In the sub-display area 17S, information about words that were the subject of study by functions previously executed by the user based on the execution history of functions related to word study executed based on user operations is selected at predetermined time intervals in order according to the selection criteria corresponding to the review support mode stored in the review support mode storage area 22g and the selection criteria management table 22h described below, and is displayed as information encouraging the user to review (re-study) the word.

For example, in FIG. 1, the sub-display area 17S of the touch panel display unit 17 shows the previously learned word "take" and its meaning "to touch, grab, seize," along with the date of the last time it was learned [last time: 21/11/19], as information encouraging retrospective learning (relearning) of the word.

The [Home] key 14a of the key input unit 14 is a key that causes the menu screen GM, which is the home screen of the electronic dictionary 10, to be displayed in the main display area 17M of the touch panel display unit 17.

The function specification keys 14b of the key input section 14 are used to directly specify the dictionary content (e.g., [X Dictionary]), dictionary content category (e.g., [Japanese], [Classical Japanese], [Chinese-Japanese], [English-Japanese]), learning content [Content List], and one of the tool categories [Study Notebook], which are displayed along with each key.

In addition, when a key on the key input section 14 is operated after the [Shift] key 14g is operated, it can function as a key surrounded by a box, rather than the key function shown without a box next to that key. For example, when the [Enter] key 14d is operated (hereinafter referred to as [Shift] + [Enter] keys) after the [Shift] key 14g is operated, it becomes the [Register] key for starting the function of registering data designated as the object of registration. The [Shift] + [Delete] keys become the [Set] key.

The [History] key 14h of the key input unit 14 is a key that displays a list of previously searched words stored in the search history storage area 22e (described below) in the main display area 17M of the touch panel display unit 17 as a search history screen (not shown).

The [Review Support] key 14i of the key input section 14 is a setting key for the review support mode that sets the selection criteria for selecting and displaying information about previously studied words stored in the learning history storage area 22f described below in order at predetermined intervals in the word review learning function (review support function) of the electronic dictionary 10 of the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic circuit of the electronic dictionary 10 includes a CPU (processor) 21, which is a computer.

The CPU 21 controls the operation of each part of the circuit according to a program (including a search processing program 22a and a learning processing program 22b) previously stored in a memory unit (storage) 22 such as a flash ROM, or a program read by a recording medium reading unit 24 from an external recording medium 23 such as a memory card and stored in the memory unit 22, or a program downloaded via a communication unit 25 from a web server (here, a program server) 30 on a communication network N and stored in the memory unit 22.

The CPU 21 is connected to a memory unit 22, a recording medium reading unit 24, and a communication unit 25 via a data and control bus, as well as to a key input unit 14, a voice output unit 15, a voice input unit 16, and a touch panel display unit 17.

The audio output unit 15 includes a main speaker that outputs audio based on audio data stored in the memory unit 22 or recorded.

The voice input unit 16 includes a built-in microphone that inputs voice from the user, etc.

The memory unit 22 includes a program memory area for storing programs (including a search processing program 22a and a learning processing program 22b), as well as a learning content memory area 22c, a dictionary data memory area 22d, a search history memory area 22e, a learning history memory area 22f, a review support mode memory area 22g, and a selection criteria management table 22h.

The search processing program 22a stores a system program that controls the overall operation of the electronic dictionary 10, a program for connecting to external electronic devices via the communication unit 25, and a program for executing a dictionary search function that searches for an entry word based on various dictionary content data (English-Japanese dictionary/Japanese-English dictionary/Japanese dictionary/...) stored in the dictionary data storage area 22d and stores the search history for the searched entry word (word) in the search history storage area 22e.

The learning process program 22b includes a program for executing learning processes based on each learning content 22cn... stored in the learning content storage area 22c, a program for storing execution history related to word learning in the learning history storage area 22e in association with word search processing based on the dictionary content (22d) and various learning processes based on the learning content 22cn, and a program for selecting information related to the words to be learned in order at predetermined intervals based on the execution history related to word learning stored in the learning history storage area 22e in accordance with the selection criteria corresponding to the review support mode stored in the review support mode storage area 22g and the selection criteria management table 22h, and displaying the information encouraging review learning (relearning) of the word in the sub-display area 17S of the touch panel display unit 17.

The learning content storage area 22c stores learning content data for various types of learning, such as word learning content 22c1 for learning the meaning of words, grammar learning content 22c2 for learning grammar corresponding to words, pronunciation learning content 22c3 for learning the pronunciation of words, and mock test content 22c4 for conducting mock tests for various language proficiency tests.

The dictionary data storage area 22d stores various dictionary content data, such as an English-Japanese dictionary, a Japanese-English dictionary, an English-English dictionary, and a Japanese dictionary. The dictionary content data has a function of searching the dictionary for explanatory information of a word that corresponds to a character or character string that is the subject of a dictionary search, for example, entered by keyboard or specified on the display screen, and outputting the information by display or voice.

For each of the various dictionaries, the dictionary content data includes text data such as words that are head words, explanatory information including the meaning and content of the words, examples/phrases/compound words that include the words, and audio data that corresponds to the text data.

The electronic dictionary 10 of the embodiment can execute all the processes for learning words to improve the user's understanding of words, such as searching for words to learn and checking their meanings, pronunciations, example sentences, etc., and conducting word tests, based on each of the learning contents 22c1, 22c2, ... stored in the learning content storage area 22c and the dictionary content stored in the dictionary data storage area 22d.

In addition, the electronic dictionary 10 of the embodiment exclusively starts and executes the program of any one of the contents stored in the learning content storage area 22c and the dictionary data storage area 22d, selected in response to a user operation.

The search history storage area 22e stores, as search history, words searched for by headword search from the dictionary content stored in the dictionary data storage area 22d.

Figure 3 shows an example of learning history data stored in the learning history storage area 22f of the electronic dictionary 10.

The learning history storage area 22f stores, as a learning history, the words learned in the learning process for searching for words based on the dictionary content (22d) and various learning processes based on the learning content 22cn, the words learned in the learning process, the type of content learned, the access location (address, etc.) of the words learned in the content, the date and time when the words were learned in the content, and the number of times the words were learned in the content, in the order of the learning date and time.

When a learning process is executed with the same word in the same content as the learning target, the learning history of the word to be learned that is already stored in the learning history storage area 22f is updated with the learning date and time of the word and the number of times it has been learned, and the latest learning history is stored.

The review support mode memory area 22g stores the mode data (here, any of modes (1) to (6)) of the review support mode that is set in response to the operation of the [Review Support] key 14i.

The selection criteria management table 22h stores the selection criteria data for selecting a learning subject as a review candidate from the learning history stored in the learning history storage area 22e at predetermined time intervals in order, as different selection criteria corresponding to each of the review support modes (1) to (6).

Figure 4 shows an example of selection criteria setting data corresponding to review support modes (1) to (6) stored in the selection criteria management table 22h of the electronic dictionary 10.

In the selection criteria management table 22h of the embodiment, for the learning history stored in the learning history storage area 22f, in the review support modes (1) to (3), a selection criterion is set to select all types of content that were the subject of learning. In mode (1), a timing set based on the learning date and time and the number of times of learning (learning frequency) is stored as the selection criterion (for example, the optimal timing for reviewing from the previous learning process based on human forgetting characteristics: 1 day after the first time (2nd time)/3 days after (3rd time)/10 days after (4th time)/30 days after (5th time)...), and in mode (2), the order of the learning history (for example, the order of the oldest (earliest) learning date and time) is stored as the selection criterion, and in mode (3), randomness is stored as the selection criterion.

On the other hand, in the review support modes (4) to (6), a selection criterion is set for selecting the type of learning process currently being performed from among the types of content to be studied, and, as in modes (1) to (3), in mode (4), a timing set based on the study date and time and the number of studies (1 day/3 days/10 days/30 days after the first study, etc.) is stored as the selection criterion, in mode (5) , the order of the study history (oldest (earliest) study date and time) is stored as the selection criterion, and in mode (6) , random is stored as the selection criterion.

In the embodiment, among the review support modes (1) to (6), mode (1) is set as the default, and when the review support mode is set to any of modes (2) to (6), and when a user-specified learning process is not being executed (for example, when the menu screen GM is displayed with no content to be learned selected), learning subjects (words) in the learning history that are candidates for review are selected at a timing set based on the learning date and time and the number of times learned, for all types of content in the learning history in accordance with the selection criteria corresponding to the default mode (1).

In the electronic dictionary 10 configured in this manner, the CPU 21 controls the operation of each part of the circuit according to the instructions written in the search processing program 22a and the learning processing program 22b, and the software and hardware work together to realize the learning function and review support function, as described in the operation description below.

Next, the operation of the electronic dictionary 10 according to the embodiment will be described.

Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the learning process of the electronic dictionary 10.

Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the review support interrupt process that is executed as an interrupt process at predetermined intervals in conjunction with the learning process of the electronic dictionary 10.

Figure 7A shows an example of the display operation of the main display area 17M and the sub-display area 17S associated with learning with an English dictionary in accordance with the learning process and review support interrupt process of the electronic dictionary 10.

Figure 7B shows an example of the display operation of the main display area 17M and the sub-display area 17S associated with learning with a Japanese dictionary in accordance with the learning process and review support interrupt process of the electronic dictionary 10.

<Learning process (FIG. 5)>
When the search processing program 22a and the learning processing program 22b are started in response to power-on, the CPU 21 divides and sets the display area of the touch panel display unit 17, excluding the touch key area 17A, into a main display area 17M and a sub-display area 17S (step S1), and displays the menu screen GM (see Figure 1) as a home screen in the main display area 17M (step S2).

When any content (e.g., an English-Japanese dictionary) is selected in response to a user operation on the menu screen GM (step S3 (Yes)), the CPU 21 starts a learning process based on the selected content (English-Japanese dictionary) and displays an entry word search screen GK in the main display area 17M for inputting and searching an entry word in the English-Japanese dictionary, as shown in FIG. 7A for example (step S4).

When the word "genius" that the user wishes to look up is input as the word to be learned in response to the operation of the character input key 14c on the headword search screen GK, and a headword search from the English-Japanese dictionary is instructed by operating the [Decision] key 14 (step S5 (Yes)), the CPU 21 executes a headword search for the input word "genius" (step S6), and displays the headword (word) "genius" searched for in the English-Japanese dictionary and explanatory information including its meaning in the main display area 17M as the execution result of this learning process (step S7).

The CPU 21 stores the information about the searched entry word (word) "genius" in the search history storage area 22e as execution information for this learning process (step S8).

The CPU 21 also stores in the learning history storage area 22f, in association with the word "genius" to be learned, the type of content (English dictionary) which is the type of learning process, the access location (address of the English-Japanese dictionary) of the entry word (word) "genius" which is the execution information, the learning date and time of this learning process [2019/12/01], and the number of learning times [1], as shown in FIG. 3 for example (step S9).

In this learning process, for example, if the word "continue" from the Eiken content "Eiken Test 1" included in the mock test content 22c4 is asked as the learning subject and displayed in the main display area 17M, and the result of the correct/incorrect judgment of the meaning of the word "continue" entered by the user as the answer is also displayed in the same main display area 17M (steps S4 to S7), the execution flag for the asking and judgment of the word "continue" from "Eiken Test 1" is stored as execution information in the corresponding address of the Eiken content "Eiken Test 1" (step S8). Then, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, the word "continue" to be learned, the type of content (Eiken Test 1) which is the type of learning process, the access location of the word "continue" in "Eiken Test 1" which is the execution information (address within the Eiken content "Eiken Test 1"), the learning date and time of this learning process [2019/12/01], and the number of learning times [1] are stored in the learning history storage area 22f in association with each other (step S9).

After this, if the learning process in the selected content is not terminated and is repeated (step S10 (No)), the CPU 21 repeats the processes of steps S5 to S10, and when the learning process in the selected content is terminated (step S10 (Yes)), the CPU 21 redisplays the menu screen GM (see Figure 1) as the home screen in the main display area 17M (step S2).

On the other hand, when the learning process using the user's arbitrary content is not being performed, that is, when the menu screen GM is displayed in accordance with the process of step S2 (step S3 (No)), and the [Review Support] key 14i is operated to change the learning support mode, that is, to change the selection criteria for reviewing the learning objects (words) stored in the learning history storage area 22f (step S11 (Yes)), the CPU 21 displays a learning support mode setting window (not shown) on the menu screen GM to change and set the learning support mode to one of modes (1) to (6) in response to the user's operation. The learning support mode setting window is configured to display, for example, the contents of the selection criteria management table 22h (see FIG. 4).

When a learning support mode corresponding to the user's arbitrary selection criteria is specified in the learning support mode setting window, the CPU 21 stores the data of the specified learning support mode (any of modes (1) to (6)) in the learning support mode memory area 22g and changes the selection criteria to the specified one (step S12).

<Review Support Interruption Processing (Figure 6)>
The review support interrupt process is performed in accordance with the learning process described with reference to Fig. 5, in a state where some screen is displayed in the main display area 17M by executing a user-selected function, including displaying the menu screen GM after power-on, and is repeated every time the CPU 21 determines that a predetermined time (e.g., 10 seconds to 3 minutes) has elapsed since power-on, asynchronously with the execution of the function. The predetermined time may be a time preset by the learning process program 22b, or may be a time set by the user.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, when the CPU 21 determines that a predetermined time has elapsed while the word learning process is being performed based on the dictionary content (English-Japanese dictionary) selected by the user, the CPU 21 acquires the selection criteria for selecting study subjects in the learning history storage area 22f as review candidates, which are set in the selection criteria management table 22h, based on the data of the review support mode (any of modes (1) to (6)) stored in the review support mode storage area 22g (step B2).

Based on the selection criteria acquired in response to the review support mode, the CPU 21 selects a learning object that corresponds to the selection criteria from among the learning objects (words) stored in the learning history storage area 22f as the execution history of each past learning process (step B3).

Assuming that the review support mode is mode (4), the selection criteria for the study object is "timing set based on the study date and time and the number of times of study targeted at the type of content being executed," and since the type of content being executed is an English-Japanese dictionary here, the CPU 21 selects a study object (word) that corresponds to the timing set based on the study date and time and the number of times of study (for example, the optimal timing according to the elapsed time based on forgetting characteristics and the number of times of study) from among the study objects (here, "genius," "take," ...) associated with [Type: English dictionary] in the learning history storage area 22f (see FIG. 3). Here, it is assumed that the study object "take" has been selected.

The CPU 21 acquires the word "take" and its primary meaning "touch, grab, seize" (e.g., the first meaning) stored in the search history storage area 22e as information related to the selected learning subject (word) "take" (step B4).

As shown in Fig. 7A, while maintaining the entry word search screen GK in the main display area 17M, the CPU 21 displays in the sub-display area 17S the acquired word "take" and its meaning "touch, grab, seize" together with the date corresponding to the previous learning date and time [Last time: 21/11/19] as information encouraging review learning (relearning) of the word "take" (step B5). Note that in addition to the date corresponding to the previous learning date and time of the acquired word "take", the sub-display area 17S may also display information indicating the learning content (English-Japanese dictionary) for the word (e.g., the content name), or either one of them.

The processing of steps B1 to B5 is repeated each time it is determined that a predetermined time (e.g., 10 seconds to 3 minutes) has elapsed since the power was turned on, unless the processing of steps B6 to B7 and B8 below is performed. Therefore, regardless of the display in the main display area 17M according to the user's optional learning processing, each time the predetermined time elapses, the sub-display area 17S will sequentially repeat or switch between displaying previously studied words and information about those words selected from the learning history storage area 22f according to the selection criteria for review candidates corresponding to the review support mode.

When the user touches the sub-display area 17S to indicate that he or she wishes to review (re-study) the word "take" displayed in the sub-display area 17S (step B6 (Yes)), the CPU 21 retrieves the review target headword (word) "take" and explanatory information including its meaning from the contents of the English-Japanese dictionary stored in the dictionary data storage area 22d based on the access location (address of the English-Japanese dictionary) stored in the learning history storage area 22f in association with the indicated word "take" (study target) as execution information for the learning process in which the word "take" is searched for as a headword and learned (step B7).

The CPU 21 switches the display of the acquired entry word (word) "take" and its explanatory information from the entry word search screen GK for the entry word (word) "genius" that was previously displayed in the main display area 17M, and executes a learning process to review the word "take" (step B8).

This allows the user to easily identify appropriate words that the user has studied in the past and to review (re-study) them, without having to go back and select and re-study words that the user has studied in the past through the user's own operations.

When the review support mode is set to mode (5) during the execution of the learning process using the English-Japanese dictionary shown in FIG. 7A, the CPU 21 selects and acquires the learning object (here, "genius", "take", ...) associated with [Type: English dictionary] in the learning history storage area 22f (see FIG. 3) in order of oldest (earliest) learning date and time, and displays the acquired learning object (word) and its main meaning in the sub-display area 17S as information encouraging review learning (relearning) of the word (steps B2 to B5).

In addition, when the review support mode is set to mode (6) during execution of the learning process using the English-Japanese dictionary shown in FIG. 7A, the CPU 21 randomly selects and acquires a learning object from among the learning objects (here, "genius", "take", ...) associated with [Type: English dictionary] in the learning history storage area 22f (see FIG. 3), and displays the acquired learning object (word) and its main meaning in the sub-display area 17S as information encouraging review learning (relearning) of the word (steps B2 to B5).

Also, for example, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the content of the Japanese dictionary, 〇Jien, is selected and the Japanese language learning process is being performed, and the review support mode is set to one of modes (4) to (6), the CPU 21 selects a learning subject from among the learning subjects (here, "America"...) associated with [Type: Japanese Dictionary] in the learning history storage area 22f (see FIG. 3) using selection criteria corresponding to the mode (n), and displays the selected learning subject (word) (here, "America") and its main explanation "A general term for North and South America," together with the date corresponding to the previous learning date and time [Last time: 19/11/10] in the sub-display area 17S as information encouraging review learning (relearning) of the word (steps B2 to B5).

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, when the menu screen GM is displayed in the main display area 17M, the review support mode is set to the default mode (1), so the selection criteria for the study object is "timing set based on the study date and time and number of times of study (study frequency) for all types of content," and the CPU 21 selects a study object (word) corresponding to the timing set based on the study date and time and number of times of study from among all study objects (here, "genius," "continue," "take," "America," ...) regardless of [type] stored in the study history storage area 22f (see FIG. 3), and displays the selected study object (word) (here, "take") and its meaning "touch, grab, seize" together with the date corresponding to the previous study date and time [Last time: 19/11/21] in the sub-display area 17S (step B5).

Of course, the selection criteria for the learning objects (words) selected as review candidates from the learning history storage area 22f are not limited to the selection criteria set in the selection criteria management table 22h described with reference to FIG. 4.

(Summary of the embodiment)
According to the learning function and review support function of the electronic dictionary 10 of the embodiment, when a learning process including words as learning targets is executed based on the user's arbitrary learning content (22c, 22d) including dictionary content, the results of the execution of the learning process such as a headword search screen GK including the words and their explanatory information are displayed in the main display area 17M of the touch panel display unit 17, and the execution history of the learning process that corresponds to the words to be learned, the type of content, the access location of the content, the learning date and time, and the number of times of learning is stored in the learning history memory area 22f.

The execution history of the learning process stored in the learning history storage area 22f is selected at every preset time interval according to the selection criteria for review candidates (22h: timing, history order, or random based on the learning date and time and the number of times of learning (learning frequency) for all types of learning content or the learning content currently being executed) corresponding to the user's arbitrary review support mode (1), (2), ... (6), and the words to be studied in the selected execution history and information about the words are displayed in the sub-display area 17S in sequence, repeatedly or interchangeably.

When a word displayed in the sub-display area 17S is touched and designated, the learning process including that word is executed again based on the access location of the learning content associated with the designated word (study subject) and stored in the learning history storage area 22f. This allows the user to easily notice words that were previously studied and that are appropriate for the user, and to carry out review learning (relearning), without having to go back and select and review words that were previously studied by the user through their own operation.

This means that, for example, the user can appropriately review and study words while performing any function of their choice, without having to perform any operation to check words that they have previously studied.

The methods of processing by the electronic dictionary 10 described in each of the above embodiments, i.e., the learning process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 and the review support interrupt process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6, can all be distributed as programs that can be executed by a computer and stored in an external storage medium such as a memory card (ROM card, RAM card, etc.), a magnetic disk (floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, etc.), an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD, etc.), or a semiconductor memory. The computer (CPU) of the electronic device then loads the program stored in the external storage medium into the storage device, and the operation is controlled by the loaded program, thereby realizing the learning function and review support function described in each of the above embodiments and executing similar processing using the above-mentioned methods.

In addition, the program data for implementing each technique can be transmitted over a communications network (N) in the form of program code, and the program data can be imported into an electronic device from a computer device (program server) connected to this communications network (N) and stored in a storage device, thereby implementing the aforementioned learning function and review support function.

The present invention is not limited to each embodiment, and various modifications can be made in the implementation stage without departing from the gist of the invention. Furthermore, each embodiment includes inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriate combinations of the multiple constituent elements disclosed. 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 a different form, if the problem described in the "Problem to be Solved by the Invention" column can be solved and the effect described in the "Effect of the Invention" column can be obtained, the configuration in which the constituent elements are deleted or combined can be extracted as the invention.

The inventions described in the original claims of this application are set forth below.

[Appendix 1]
A learning device having a processor,
The processor,
an execution control process for selectively executing a plurality of functions that enable vocabulary learning based on a user operation;
a storage control process for storing in a storage means a learning history of the words to be learned in the function executed by the execution control process together with learning histories of a plurality of words to be learned in functions previously executed by the execution control process;
a display control process for selecting, in order under a predetermined condition, a plurality of words whose learning history is stored in the storage means, including words that have been previously learned other than the function being executed by the execution control process, and displaying information about the words selected in order under the predetermined condition in a specific area on the screen while keeping information about the function being executed displayed on the screen;
A learning device that performs.

[Appendix 2]
a plurality of programs corresponding to the plurality of functions, each of which can be independently activated;
the execution control process exclusively starts the plurality of programs based on a user operation, and exclusively displays information generated by each of the plurality of programs in a first display area provided on the screen, thereby exclusively executing the plurality of functions;
the display control process sequentially displays information about the words selected in order under the determined condition in a second display area provided on the screen and different from the first display area so that the display state is maintained even when a program to be exclusively executed is switched;
2. A learning device as described in appendix 1.

[Appendix 3]
The processor,
executing the display control process asynchronously with the plurality of functions executed by the execution control process;
3. A learning device according to claim 1 or 2.

[Appendix 4]
the display control process sequentially selects a plurality of words whose learning history is stored in the storage means at predetermined time intervals, and sequentially displays information about the selected words at the predetermined time intervals in a specific area on the screen that does not interfere with the display of information about the function being executed;
A learning device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

[Appendix 5]
When a process related to learning a word selected by a user is performed in each function executed by the execution control process, the storage control process adds and stores an execution history of the process related to the learning of the word selected by the user in the storage means as the learning history.
A learning device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

[Appendix 6]
the execution history of the process related to the word learning includes information that can identify the word that was the subject of the execution, and the elapsed time since the execution or the frequency of the execution,
the display control process sequentially selects words that the user previously targeted for learning and that are stored in the storage means at predetermined time intervals based on an elapsed time or an execution frequency of a process related to past learning of each word, which is identified from the execution history;
6. A learning device as described in appendix 5.

[Appendix 7]
the execution history of the process related to the word learning includes information indicating the word that was the subject of the execution and the function that was executed;
the display control process sequentially selects words that the user has previously targeted for learning and that are stored in the storage means at predetermined time intervals based on past functions executed for each word, the past functions being identified from the execution history;
7. A learning device according to claim 5 or 6.

[Appendix 8]
the display control process, in a state where an arbitrary function selected by the user from among the plurality of functions is being executed, selects words that the user previously targeted for learning and that are stored in the storage means, in order at predetermined time intervals, based on a past function corresponding to the function being executed and identified from the execution history;
8. A learning device as described in appendix 7.

[Appendix 9]
The plurality of functions include any one of a word search, a word test, and a word learning.
A learning device as described in any one of appendix 1 to appendix 8.

[Appendix 10]
the display control process sequentially displays information about the sequentially selected words, together with information indicating execution of a function previously executed using the word as a target or information indicating the function, at a position on the screen that does not interfere with the display of information about the function currently being executed;
A learning device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

[Appendix 11]
the display control process sequentially selects words that the user previously targeted for learning, which are stored in the storage means, at predetermined time intervals based on a human forgetting characteristic over time and an elapsed time from the execution of a process related to past learning of each word, which is specified from the execution history;
7. A learning device as described in appendix 6.

[Appendix 12]
the display control process selects words that the user previously targeted for learning, which are stored in the storage means, in order of elapsed time from the execution of a process related to past learning of each word, identified from the execution history, at predetermined time intervals;
7. A learning device as described in appendix 6.

[Appendix 13]
the display control process randomly selects words that the user has previously selected as study targets at predetermined time intervals based on the study history stored in the storage means;
2. A learning device as described in appendix 1.

[Appendix 14]
the specific area on the screen is a fixed display area that maintains a display state regardless of the execution of any one of the plurality of functions,
the display control process sequentially displays information about the words selected in order in the fixed display area.
A learning device as described in any one of appendix 1 to appendix 13.

[Appendix 15]
The processor,
When a command for re-learning is performed while information about the word is being displayed in the specific area on the screen, the word being displayed in the specific area at the time of the command is targeted, and a re-learning process is performed based on a function previously executed for the word.
A learning device as described in any one of appendix 1 to appendix 14.

[Appendix 16]
The processor of the electronic device
selectively executing a plurality of functions capable of learning words based on a user operation;
storing a learning history of the words to be learned by the executed function in a storage means together with learning histories of a plurality of words to be learned by functions executed in the past;
a plurality of words whose learning history is stored in the storage means, including words that have been previously learned other than the function being selectively executed, are selected in order under a predetermined condition, and information about the words selected in order under the predetermined condition is sequentially displayed in a specific area on the screen while information about the function being executed is kept displayed on the screen;
How to learn.

[Appendix 17]
The processor of the learning device
an execution control process for selectively executing a plurality of functions that enable vocabulary learning based on a user operation;
a storage control process for storing in a storage means a learning history of the words to be learned in the function executed by the execution control process together with learning histories of a plurality of words to be learned in functions previously executed by the execution control process;
a display control process for selecting, in order under a predetermined condition, a plurality of words whose learning history is stored in the storage means, including words that have been previously learned other than the function being executed by the execution control process, and displaying information about the words selected in order under the predetermined condition in a specific area on the screen while keeping information about the function being executed displayed on the screen;
A program for executing.

10. Electronic dictionary (learning device)
14 ... Key input section (keyboard)
14a... [Home] key 14b... Function designation key 14c... Character input key 14d... [Decision] key 14e... [Back] key 14f... Cursor key 14g... [Shift] key 14h... [History] key 14i... [Review support] key 15... Audio output unit (speaker)
16 ... Audio input section (microphone)
17 ... Touch panel display
17A: Touch key area 17M: Main display area 17S: Sub display area 21: CPU (processor)
22 ... Memory unit (storage)
22a...Search processing program 22b...Learning processing program 22c...Learning content storage area 22c1...Vocabulary learning content 22c2...Grammar learning content 22c3...Pronunciation learning content 22c4...Mock test content 22d...Dictionary data storage area 22e...Search history storage area 22f...Learning history storage area 22g...Review support mode storage area 22h...Selection criteria management table 23...External recording medium (storage)
24 ... recording medium reading unit 25 ... communication unit 30 ... Web server N ... communication network (Internet)

Claims (16)

A learning device having a processor,
The processor,
an execution control process for exclusively executing a plurality of functions capable of learning words by exclusively activating a plurality of programs corresponding to the plurality of functions, each of which can be independently activated, based on a user operation and exclusively displaying information generated by each of the plurality of programs in a first display area provided on a screen ;
a storage control process for storing in a storage means a learning history of the words to be learned in the function executed by the execution control process together with learning histories of a plurality of words to be learned in functions previously executed by the execution control process;
a display control process for selecting, in order under a predetermined condition, a plurality of words whose learning history is stored in the storage means, including words that have been the subject of learning in the past other than the words that have been the subject of learning in the function being executed by the execution control process, and displaying information about the words selected in order under the predetermined condition in a specific area on the screen different from the first display area, while keeping information about the function being executed displayed on the screen, so that the display state is maintained even if the exclusively executed program is switched;
A learning device that performs. A learning device having a processor,
The processor,
an execution control process for selectively executing a plurality of functions that enable vocabulary learning based on a user operation;
a storage control process for storing in a storage means a learning history of the words to be learned in the function executed by the execution control process together with learning histories of a plurality of words to be learned in functions previously executed by the execution control process;
a display control process which selects, in order under a predetermined condition, a plurality of words whose learning history is stored in the storage means, including words that have been the subject of learning in the past other than the words that have been the subject of learning in the function being executed by the execution control process, and sequentially displays information about the words selected in order under the predetermined condition in a specific area on the screen while keeping information about the function being executed on the screen ; and
A learning device that performs . A learning device having a processor,
The processor,
an execution control process for selectively executing a plurality of functions that enable vocabulary learning based on a user operation;
a storage control process for storing in a storage means a learning history of the words to be learned in the function executed by the execution control process together with learning histories of a plurality of words to be learned in functions previously executed by the execution control process;
a display control process for selecting a plurality of words, the learning history of which is stored in the storage means, in sequence at predetermined time intervals, including words that have been the subject of learning in the function being executed by the execution control process but have been the subject of learning in the past , and for displaying information about the words selected at the predetermined time intervals in a specific area on the screen that does not interfere with the display of information about the function being executed, while keeping information about the function being executed displayed on the screen;
A learning device that performs . A learning device having a processor,
The processor,
an execution control process for selectively executing a plurality of functions that enable vocabulary learning based on a user operation;
a storage control process for storing in a storage means a learning history of the words to be learned in the function executed by the execution control process together with learning histories of a plurality of words to be learned in functions previously executed by the execution control process;
a display control process for selecting, in order under a predetermined condition, a plurality of words whose learning history is stored in the storage means, including words that have been the subject of learning in the past other than the words that have been the subject of learning in the function being executed by the execution control process, and sequentially displaying, with information about the function being executed being displayed on the screen, information about the words selected in order under the predetermined condition, together with information about a function that has been executed in the past using the word as the target or information about the function, in a specific area on the screen that does not interfere with the display of information about the function being executed ;
A learning device that performs . A learning device having a processor,
The processor,
an execution control process for selectively executing a plurality of functions that enable vocabulary learning based on a user operation;
a storage control process for storing in a storage means a learning history of the words to be learned in the function executed by the execution control process together with learning histories of a plurality of words to be learned in functions previously executed by the execution control process;
a display control process for selecting, in order under a predetermined condition, a plurality of words whose learning history is stored in the storage means, including words that have been the subject of learning in the past other than the words that have been the subject of learning in the function being executed by the execution control process, and sequentially displaying information about the words selected in order under the predetermined condition in a specific area on the screen while keeping information about the function being executed displayed on the screen;
a re- learning process for executing a re-learning process based on a function previously executed for a word that was displayed in the specific area when a re- learning instruction operation was performed while information about the word was displayed in the specific area;
A learning device that performs . When a process related to learning a word selected by a user is performed in each function executed by the execution control process, the storage control process adds and stores an execution history of the process related to the learning of the word selected by the user in the storage means as the learning history.
A learning device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 . the execution history of the process related to the word learning includes information that can identify the words that were executed, and the elapsed time since the execution or the frequency of the execution,
the display control process sequentially selects words that the user previously targeted for learning and that are stored in the storage means at predetermined time intervals based on an elapsed time or an execution frequency of a process related to past learning of each word, which is identified from the execution history;
A learning device according to claim 6 . the execution history of the process related to the word learning includes information indicating the word that was the subject of the execution and the function that was executed;
the display control process sequentially selects words that the user has previously targeted for learning and that are stored in the storage means at predetermined time intervals based on past functions executed for each word, the past functions being identified from the execution history;
A learning device according to claim 6 or claim 7 . the display control process, in a state where an arbitrary function selected by the user from among the plurality of functions is being executed, selects words that the user has previously targeted for learning and that are stored in the storage means, in order at predetermined time intervals, based on a past function corresponding to the function being executed and identified from the execution history;
A learning device according to claim 8 . The plurality of functions include any one of a word search, a word test, and a word learning.
A learning device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 . the display control process sequentially selects words that the user previously targeted for learning, which are stored in the storage means, at predetermined time intervals based on a human forgetting characteristic over time and an elapsed time from the execution of a process related to past learning of each word, which is specified from the execution history;
A learning device according to claim 7 . the display control process selects words that the user previously targeted for learning, which are stored in the storage means, in order of elapsed time from the execution of a process related to past learning of each word, identified from the execution history, at predetermined time intervals;
A learning device according to claim 7 . the display control process randomly selects words that the user has previously selected as study targets at predetermined time intervals based on the study history stored in the storage means;
A learning device according to any one of claims 1 to 12 . the specific area on the screen is a fixed display area that maintains a display state regardless of the execution of any one of the plurality of functions,
the display control process sequentially displays information about the words selected in order in the fixed display area.
A learning device according to any one of claims 1 to 13. The processor of the electronic device
a plurality of programs corresponding to each of the plurality of functions, each of which can be independently activated, are exclusively activated based on a user operation, and information generated by each of the plurality of programs is exclusively displayed in a first display area provided on a screen, thereby exclusively executing a plurality of functions capable of learning words;
storing a learning history of the words to be learned by the executed function in a storage means together with learning histories of a plurality of words to be learned by functions executed in the past;
a plurality of words whose learning history is stored in the storage means, the plurality of words including words that have been the subject of learning in the past other than the words that have been the subject of learning in the exclusively executed function, are selected in sequence under a predetermined condition, and while keeping information about the function being executed displayed on the screen, information about the words selected in sequence under the predetermined condition is sequentially displayed in a specific area on the screen different from the first display area so that the display state is maintained even if the exclusively executed program is switched;
How to learn. The processor of the learning device
an execution control process for exclusively executing a plurality of functions capable of learning words by exclusively activating a plurality of programs corresponding to the plurality of functions, each of which can be independently activated, based on a user operation and exclusively displaying information generated by each of the plurality of programs in a first display area provided on a screen ;
a storage control process for storing in a storage means a learning history of the words to be learned in the function executed by the execution control process together with learning histories of a plurality of words to be learned in functions previously executed by the execution control process;
a display control process for selecting, in order under a predetermined condition, a plurality of words whose learning history is stored in the storage means, including words that have been the subject of learning in the past other than the words that have been the subject of learning in the function being executed by the execution control process, and displaying information about the words selected in order under the predetermined condition in a specific area on the screen different from the first display area, while keeping information about the function being executed displayed on the screen, so that the display state is maintained even if the exclusively executed program is switched;
A program for executing.