JPH09231235A - External dictionary retrieval device and method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the operation efficiency of the retrieval device/method and to reduce the burden of a user by deciding the character type of a retrieval character string to retrieve the dictionary suitable to this character string out of a CD-ROM and retrieving the meaning information, etc., corresponding to the character string out of the dictionary. SOLUTION: A dictionary information storage area 13 stores the KANA(Japanese syllabary)/KANJI(Chinese character) conversion dictionary information on the words, etc., corresponding to the reading of an input character string. A KANA/KANJI conversion program storage area 11 stores the information to convert the input character string into a KANA-KANJI mixture sentence. A retrieval character string information storage area 17 stores the retrieval character strings inputted via an input part 1. An external storage contains a CD-ROM 20 which stores plural dictionary information, and a CD-ROM control part 22 controls the reading of the dictionary information, etc., stored in the CD-ROM 20. Then a CPU 3 discriminates the character type of the input retrieval character string, retrieves the dictionary suitable to the character string out of the CD-ROM 20 based on the discrimination result of the character type, and retrieves the meaning information, etc., corresponding to the retrieval character string out of the dictionary.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a kana-kanji conversion system such as a personal computer or a word processor having a document creating function, and more particularly to a CD-ROM (Comp.
The present invention relates to an external dictionary search device and method using an external dictionary having a plurality of dictionaries stored in an external storage device such as an act disk (Read Only Memory) or a memory card.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a document creating apparatus such as a personal computer or a word processor having a document creating function,
For example, there is provided one having a function of retrieving a word and its semantic information from a plurality of dictionaries stored in an external storage device such as a CD-ROM or a memory card.

However, the above-mentioned external dictionary search function is a function that can be searched for from a dictionary word stored in a CD-ROM or the like and its meaning information for the first time using software for external dictionary search. Nothing could do an external dictionary search while processing. For this reason, when performing an external dictionary search using a CD-ROM in which a plurality of dictionaries are stored, the user has to select only one from the plurality of dictionaries in advance, and not the dictionary set by the user. And I couldn't do an external dictionary search. Further, when setting, the user can select only one dictionary from a plurality of external dictionaries, so that when searching from other dictionaries, a dictionary suitable for the search is appropriately selected and reset.

[0004]

As described above, since there has not been a kana-kanji conversion system that operates in conjunction with an external dictionary search, an external dictionary search can be performed using an external storage means that stores a plurality of dictionaries. In the case of making the selection, the selection of the dictionary is left to the judgment / operation of the user himself.

Further, once a dictionary has been set, a search cannot be performed without using the set dictionary, and when synonyms, meaning information, and examples related to reading input by kana-kanji conversion exist in other dictionaries, There was a problem that the dictionary had to be changed each time.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above matters. In the case of solving the above problems and performing an external dictionary search while creating a Japanese document by the Kana-Kanji conversion system,
When using a CD-ROM that stores multiple dictionaries,
After setting the dictionary once, it is not necessary to switch the dictionary even if the semantic information corresponding to the search character string is in another dictionary, so that the operation efficiency can be improved and the user's burden associated therewith can be reduced. An object is to provide an external dictionary search device that can be used.

[0007]

In order to solve the above problems, an input means for inputting reading information, the reading information input by this input means is stored, and kana-kanji conversion program information and the like are stored. Storage means for storing various control information, and a control section for controlling kana-kanji conversion by referring to kana-kanji conversion dictionary information stored in the storage means based on the reading information and the control information stored in the storage means. The control unit includes a display unit for displaying the converted character string or the unconverted character string converted by the control unit, and an external storage unit storing word information of various dictionaries and their semantic information. Based on the character type of the converted character string or the unconverted character string, a dictionary corresponding to the character type of the converted character string or the unconverted character string is searched from various dictionaries stored in the external storage means. As well as, find the semantic information or the like corresponding to the converted character string or unconverted string from this dictionary, is characterized in that the display outputs the search results on the display means.

According to the configuration of the present invention, when an external dictionary is searched for while creating a Japanese document in the Kana-Kanji conversion system, an external storage device storing a plurality of dictionaries, such as a CD-ROM or an IC card, is used. By using it, you can select the dictionary corresponding to the character type of the converted character string or the unconverted character string from the external storage device, and you can automatically search the semantic information corresponding to the selected dictionary to improve the operation efficiency and It is possible to reduce the burden on the user due to this.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a Kana-Kanji conversion system having an external dictionary search function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the input unit 1 has a keyboard 2 for inputting data, a control command, etc., and a keyboard control unit for controlling the data, control command, etc. input by the keyboard 2. It has 4 points.
In addition to the [Character] key, the [Numeric] key, the [Cursor] key, etc., the keyboard 2 has a [Conversion] key for instructing Kana-Kanji conversion, and a [Search] for instructing an external dictionary search. ] Keys and other function keys. The input section 1 is provided with a mouse (not shown) that can be used together with the keyboard 2 to give instructions such as control commands on a display screen.

A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 3 is responsible for controlling the entire apparatus, and here performs various controls such as kana-kanji conversion processing and external dictionary search processing. The output unit 5 has an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 6 for displaying various control information such as Kana-Kanji conversion results and external dictionary search results that have been subjected to control processing by the control unit 3 on the screen.
The D6 has an LCD control section 8 for displaying the control information on the screen.

The memory 7 stores various control program information which is referred to when the control section 3 is controlled. Here, a system program storage area 9 for storing system control program information for activating the present apparatus, A kana-kanji conversion program storage area 11 for storing kana-kanji conversion program information for converting an input character string input by the input unit 1 into a kana-kanji mixed sentence, and kana-kanji characters such as reading of the input character string and a word corresponding to the reading. A dictionary information storage area 13 that stores kana-kanji conversion dictionary information necessary for conversion processing, a utilization table information area 15 that stores character code information corresponding to each word, and a search input by the input unit 1 A search character string information storage area 17 for storing a character string, and an external dictionary search processing by the control unit 3 An internal memory composed of a work area 18 for storing the seed data and the like. External storage device 19
Is a CD-ROM 20 that stores a plurality of dictionary information.
And a CD-ROM control unit 22 for controlling reading of dictionary information and the like stored in the CD-ROM 20.

The input character string input by the input unit 1 is converted into a converted character string or an unconverted character string by the control unit 3 which receives this command by pressing the [convert] key of the keyboard 2. In addition, the character string that the user wants to search in the external dictionary among the input character strings input by the user is set as the search character string.

The kana-kanji conversion system configured as described above operates as follows. FIG.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing operation for automatically selecting an external dictionary in the Kana-Kanji conversion system having an external dictionary search function.

For example, in a document creation device such as a personal computer or a word processor, in its initial state, the CPU 3 causes the LCD 6 to display a dictionary selection window 21 for displaying a plurality of external dictionaries stored in the CD-ROM 20. (See FIG. 5 (a)). Here, the user selects only one desired item from the plurality of external dictionaries with a mouse or the like (step S201).
Along with this, the CPU 3 causes the LCD 6 to display a search window 23 for displaying catalog specifications (descriptions) corresponding to the selected dictionary (see FIG. 5B). If the user wants to end the search window 23, the user can end it by clicking the end menu in FIG. 5B with a mouse or the like.

Next, the user sets from the setting menu of the search window 23 whether or not to automatically select the external dictionary stored in the CD-ROM 20. Therefore, for example, when the automatic selection of the external dictionary is not performed (step S
202N), first, the user selects "not automatically sort" (not shown) from the setting menu of the search window 23. Then, the user inputs a search character string to be searched for in the external dictionary from the keyboard 2 (step S20).
3). This search character string is temporarily stored in the search character string information storage area 17a. Here, the user presses the function key for instructing the external dictionary search in order to refer to the semantic information and the like from the dictionary previously selected in the dictionary selection window 21 for this search character string (step S204). When the function key is pressed, the CPU 3 displays the dictionary headings previously selected in the dictionary selection window 21 in the utilization table information area 1
The work area 17 is referred to by referring to the character code information of 5.
It collates with the search character string stored in a (step S2).
05). The CPU 3 displays the collated result as the semantic information of the dictionary selected by the user on the search window 23 (step S206). For example, if the dictionary previously selected by the user in the dictionary selection window 21 is a Japanese dictionary, the CPU 3 selects a search character string, here, "cut", and the meaning information corresponding to this "cut" is the Japanese dictionary. Search from.

When the user automatically selects an external dictionary from the setting menu (Y in step S202), the user first selects "automatic selection" (not shown) from the setting menu of the search window 23. Then, the user determines whether or not to close the search window 23 displayed on the screen. This is the search window 23 displayed on the screen when the user operates the screen with a mouse or the like.
This makes it difficult to operate. Therefore,
When terminating this search window 23 (step S
207 Y), the user clicks the end menu of the search window 23 with a mouse or the like. Receiving this order,
The CPU 3 erases the search window 23 from the display screen. Then, in the case of Y in step S22, that is, the external dictionary search ends. If the search window 23 is closed, the search window 23
All the data such as the above catalog specifications are erased.

On the contrary, when the user does not close the search window 23 (N in step S207),
The user inputs a search character string to be searched for in the external dictionary from the keyboard 2 (step S208). The input search character string is temporarily stored in the search character string information storage area 17
b. The user presses the function key for instructing the external dictionary search in order to actually perform automatic selection of the external dictionary search from the external storage device 19 for the input search character string (step S209).

Next, the operation of searching from the external dictionary corresponding to the search character string will be described with reference to FIG. When the function key is pressed, the CPU 3 reads the search character string stored in the search character string information storage area 17b and determines the character type (Kanji, Yomi, number, alphabet, etc.) of the search character string (step S30).
1). In this determination, the CPU 3 refers to the utilization table information area 15 in which the character code information is stored and determines whether the leading portion of the search character string is a kanji character, a reading, a numeral, an alphabet, or the like.

For example, if the search character string input by the user is "patent right", the CPU 3 uses the character code information of the utilization table information area 15 as "special" located at the head of the search character string. By referring, the character type of the search character string is determined. In this case, since "special" is a kanji character, this search character string is determined to be a kanji character type. Further, assuming that the search character string input by the user is “ENGLAND”, the CPU 3 refers to the character code of the utilization table area 15 for “E” located at the head of the search character string in the same manner as above. The character type of the search character string. In this case, since "E" is the alphabet, this search character string is determined as the character type of the alphabet. The CPU 3 determines the character type of the search character string only by the character at the head of the search character string.

Therefore, it is determined whether the character type of the search character string input by the user is the same as the character type of the previously input search character string (here, it is assumed that there is the previously input search character string). In this case, the CPU 3 first determines the character type of the search character string input by the user based on the above determination method, and compares it with the work area 18a storing the character type of the search character string input last time. It is determined (step S302).

Therefore, when the character type of the search character string input by the user is the same as the character type of the search character string input last time (Y in step S303), the CPU
Reference numeral 3 retrieves the same dictionary as the previous one from the CD-ROM 20, and refers to the character code information in the utilization table information area 15 for the dictionary heading to collate it with the character type of the retrieval character string input by the user. (Step S30
4). Then, the CPU 3 causes the search window 23 to display the screen as the semantic information of the dictionary corresponding to the search character string on the screen (step S305), and proceeds to step B and returns to the determination step of step S207.

Here, for example, when the character type of the search character string input by the user and the character type of the search character string input last time are the character types of Kanji, the CPU 3 searches the dictionary corresponding to the search character string. When searching from the CD-ROM 20, here, as shown in FIG. 7, if the character type is Kanji, it is searched from a Hanwa dictionary, a Japanese-English dictionary, an errand dictionary, etc., and the semantic information of these dictionaries is displayed in the search window 23. (See FIG. 6). Since the retrieved semantic information may have an enormous amount of data, the CPU 3 temporarily stores it in the work area 18b and then displays it on the retrieval window 23.

On the other hand, when the character type of the search character string input by the user is different from the character type of the search character string input last time (N in step S303), the CPU
First, 3 determines the character type of the search character string input by the user based on the character type determining method, and the dictionary suitable for the character type of the search character string is the CD-ROM 20.
Is searched for (step S306). For example,
When the CPU 3 determines that the character type of the search character string is Kanji, the Kanji Japanese dictionary, the Japanese English dictionary, the vocabulary dictionary, etc. are searched from the CD-ROM 20 (as shown in FIG. 7) in the same manner as above, and the alphabetical characters are used. If it judges that there is, it searches the English-Japanese dictionary, the French-Japanese dictionary, the German-Japanese dictionary, and the like.

If there is no external dictionary corresponding to the character type of the search character string (N in step S307), that is, if there is no external dictionary corresponding to the character type of the search character string in the CD-ROM 20, The CPU 3 causes the search window 23 to display a warning message to that effect on the screen (step S308). Then, the process proceeds to step B and returns to the determination step of step S207.

When an external dictionary corresponding to the character type of the search character string exists in the CD-ROM 20 (Y in step S307), the CPU 3 uses the dictionary headline of the corresponding dictionary as the utilization table information area as described above. The character code information 15 is referred to, and the search character string input by the user is collated (step S309). And the CPU
3 displays the collated result as the semantic information of the dictionary corresponding to the search character string on the search window 23 (step S310). However, since the meaning information may become a huge amount of data, the meaning information is temporarily stored in the work area 18c and then displayed in the search window 23. Then, the process proceeds to step B and returns to the determination step of step S207.

According to the above-described embodiment, the CD-ROM 20 having a plurality of dictionaries built therein is used when an external dictionary is searched while a Japanese document is being created by the kana-kanji conversion system.
When using, the CPU 3 determines the character type of the search character string input by the user when the user presses a predetermined function key, and based on this determination, a dictionary suitable for the search character string is read from the CD-ROM 20. By performing the search, it is possible to search the dictionary for the semantic information corresponding to the search character string. Further, by displaying and outputting the search result in the search window, the dictionary selected by the user in the dictionary selection window 21 is displayed. Without being limited to this, the dictionary can be automatically switched according to the character type of the search character string, so that the operation efficiency can be improved and the user's burden associated therewith can be reduced.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the processing operation of the related word search of the external dictionary in the Kana-Kanji conversion system having the external dictionary search function. First of all, the related word search means that a word related to the search character string input by the user through the input unit 1, for example, a synonym (an opposite word, a synonym, a homonym, etc.) is also present in another dictionary. , Is also searched from other dictionaries.

For example, in a document creation device such as a personal computer or a word processor, in its initial state, the CPU 3 causes the LCD 6 to display a dictionary selection window 21 for displaying a plurality of external dictionaries built in the CD-ROM 20. (See FIG. 5 (a)). Here, the user selects only one desired item from a plurality of external dictionaries with a mouse or the like (step S401).
Along with this, the CPU 3 causes the LCD 6 to display a search window 23 for displaying catalog specifications (descriptions) corresponding to the dictionary selected by the user (see FIG. 5B). In addition, this search window 23
If the user wants to end the process, the user can end it by clicking the end menu of FIG. 5B with a mouse or the like.

Next, the user sets from the setting menu of the search window 23 whether or not to perform a related word search of the external dictionary stored in the external storage device 19. Here, for example, when the related word search in the external dictionary is not performed (N in step S402), the user first searches the search window 2
"Do not search related words" from the setting menu of 3 (not shown)
Select After that, the user inputs a search character string to be searched for a related word from the input unit 1 (step S403),
This search character string is once stored in the search character string information storage area 17
c. Here, the user refers to a related word in the dictionary preset in the dictionary selection window 21 and thus presses the function key for instructing the related word search (step S404). When the function key is pressed, the CPU 3 stores the dictionary headword previously selected in the dictionary selection window 21 in the search character string information storage area 17c by referring to the character code information in the utilization table information area 15. It collates with the retrieved character string (step S405). And
The CPU 3 causes the search result to be displayed and output on the search window 23 by the CPU 3 (step S40).
6). Here, for example, when the external dictionary set by the user in the dictionary selection window 21 is a Japanese dictionary, the homonym is used as the meaning information corresponding to the search character string and the related word of the search character string from the Japanese dictionary. Etc. are displayed and output together with the search window 23.

When the user searches for a related word in the external dictionary (Y in step S402), the user first selects "search related word" from the setting menu of the search window 23. After that, when the user determines that the search window 23 displayed on the screen is difficult to operate in the screen operation with a mouse or the like, that is, when the search window 23 is closed (Y in step S407), the search window 23 ends. Specify the menu with the mouse etc. to finish. Note that once the search window 23 is closed, all the data in this search window 23 is erased.

On the contrary, when the user does not close the search window 23 (N in step S407)
o), the CPU 3 determines whether or not to set a dictionary for performing a related word search from a plurality of dictionaries stored in the CD-ROM 20 (step S408).

When setting a dictionary for performing a related word search (Y in step S409), the user first selects "search related words" (not shown) from the setting menu of the search window 23. According to this selection, the CP
U3 again displays the external dictionary stored in the CD-ROM 20 on the dictionary selection window 21 (step S410). Along with this, the user selects (several) from the external dictionaries displayed in the dictionary selection window 21 based on the search character string to be inputted (step S411). Then, the user inputs a search character string to be searched for a related word from the input unit 1 (step S41).
2). The search character string is temporarily stored in the search character string storage area 17d. The user presses the function key of the keyboard 2 for instructing the related word search in order to actually perform the related word search from the CD-ROM 20 for the input search character string (step S).
413). By pressing this key, the CPU 3 searches for a related word in the dictionary selected by the user. With respect to this search, the CPU 3 refers to the character code information in the utilization table information area 15 for the heading of the dictionary selected by the user, and collates it with the search character string input by the user (step S414). Then, the CPU 3 displays the collation result in the search window 23 (step S415).

Here, for example, when the dictionary selected by the user is a Japanese language dictionary, a Hanwa dictionary and a similar dictionary, the CP
U3 searches the headings of the Japanese dictionary, the Hanwa dictionary and the similar dictionary by referring to the character code information in the utilization table information area 15, and searches for related words (related to the Japanese dictionary and the Hanwa dictionary) in the input search character string. The word is a homophone, etc., and the related words in the similar dictionary are opposite words, synonyms, etc.) in the search window 23. Then, the process returns to the determination step of step S407.

When the dictionary for performing the related word search is not set (N in step S409), for example, when the user specifies "not" (not shown) from the setting menu of the search window 23 with the mouse or the like, the CPU 3 causes the CPU 3 to operate. Similar to step S414, related words in all external dictionaries stored in the CD-ROM 20 are searched for the search character string by referring to the character code information. Regarding this search, for example, if the search character string is "Au", the CPU 3 reads all related dictionaries of this search character string "Au" from all external dictionaries stored in the CD-ROM 20, for example, in the case of an English-Japanese dictionary. For a Japanese dictionary such as "see", search for "fit" or the like. Then, the process returns to the determination step of step S407.

According to the above embodiment, in the case where an external dictionary search is performed while a Japanese document is being created by the Kana-Kanji conversion system, the CD-ROM 20 having a plurality of dictionaries built therein.
When using, the user can search for a related word corresponding to the search character string from the selected dictionary by selecting a plurality of dictionaries to be searched for related words in advance in the dictionary selection window 21 and select the dictionary. The related word corresponding to the search character string can be searched from all the dictionaries built in the CD-ROM 20 without selecting it in the window 21, and even if the related word corresponding to the search character string exists in another dictionary. It is not necessary to switch the dictionary each time, and the burden on the user can be reduced.

[0037]

As described above, according to the present invention, a CD-R having a plurality of dictionaries stored therein is used when an external dictionary search is performed while a Japanese document is being created by the kana-kanji conversion system.
When the OM is used, when the user presses the function key, the CPU determines the character type of the search character string input by the user, and based on this determination, searches the dictionary suitable for the search character string from the CD-ROM. The semantic information corresponding to the search character string can be searched from this dictionary, and the dictionary can be automatically switched according to the character type of the search character string, not limited to the dictionary selected by the user in the dictionary selection window. Therefore, once the dictionary is set, it is not necessary to switch the dictionary even if the semantic information corresponding to the search character string is in another dictionary, so that the operation efficiency is improved and the burden on the user is reduced. be able to.

Further, when performing a related word search, when a word (for example, a synonym) related to the search character string is stored in the CD-ROM in other dictionaries as well, information such as semantic information is stored. Related words corresponding to the search character string can be searched from the dictionary, and operation efficiency can be improved, and a wealth of information can be provided to the user.

Further, when performing a related word search, even if the dictionary is set once, if the related words or semantic information corresponding to the search character string are in another dictionary, it is not necessary to switch the dictionary each time. Therefore, the burden on the user can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a kana-kanji conversion system having an external dictionary search function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing operation for automatically selecting an external dictionary in the Kana-Kanji conversion system having an external dictionary search function according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing operation for automatically selecting an external dictionary in the Kana-Kanji conversion system having an external dictionary search function according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of a related word search of an external dictionary in a Kana-Kanji conversion system having an external dictionary search function according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a dictionary selection window displaying a list of external dictionaries stored in an external storage device according to the embodiment. (B) It is a figure which shows the search window which displays the catalog specification of the external dictionary stored in the external storage device concerning the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a search window for displaying a search result based on an external dictionary search process according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an external dictionary corresponding to a search character string according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Input part 2 ... Keyboard 3 ... CPU (central processing unit) 4 ... Keyboard control part 5 ... Output part 6 ... LCD (liquid crystal display device) 7 ... Memory 8・ ・ ・ LCD control unit 9 ・ ・ ・ System program storage area 11 ・ ・ ・ Kana-Kanji conversion program storage area 13 ・ ・ ・ Dictionary information storage area 15 ・ ・ ・ Utilization table information area 17 ・ ・ ・ Work area 19 ・ ・ ・ External Storage device 20 ... CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memor)
y) 21 ... Dictionary selection window 22 ... CD-ROM control unit 23 ... Search window

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Yuichiro Saito 1385 Shinmachi, Ome-shi, Tokyo Within Toshiba Software Engineering Co., Ltd. (72) Takahiro Suzuki 1385 Shinmachi, Ome-shi, Tokyo Toshiba Software Engineering Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hirofumi Goto 1385 Shinmachi, Ome-shi, Tokyo Within Toshiba Software Engineering Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kunihiro Sakamoto 1385 Shinmachi, Ome-shi, Tokyo Within Toshiba Software Engineering Co. (72) Inventor Hisaya Higashi 1385 Shinmachi, Ome-shi, Tokyo Inside Toshiba Software Engineering Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An input means for inputting reading information, a storage means for storing the reading information input by the input means and various control information such as kana-kanji conversion program information, and the storing means. A kana-kanji conversion control by referring to kana-kanji conversion dictionary information stored in the storage means based on the reading information and the control information stored in, and a conversion character string converted by the control part or The display unit for displaying the unconverted character string, and an external storage unit that stores word information of various dictionaries and their meaning information, and the control unit is the character string of the converted character string or the unconverted character string. Based on the above, a dictionary corresponding to the character type of the converted character string or the unconverted character string is searched from various dictionaries stored in the external storage means, and the dictionary is converted into the converted character string. Searching semantic information or the like corresponding to the string or unconverted string,
An external dictionary search device characterized in that the search result is displayed and output on the display means. 2. The control unit searches the external storage unit for word information related to the converted character string or the unconverted character string,
2. The external dictionary search device according to claim 1, wherein word information related to the converted character string or the unconverted character string is searched from other dictionary information stored in the external storage means. 3. An input means for inputting reading information, a storage means for storing the reading information input by the input means and various control information such as kana-kanji conversion program information, and the storing means. A kana-kanji conversion dictionary by referring to kana-kanji conversion dictionary information stored in the storage means based on the reading information and the control information stored in the storage means; In an external dictionary search device comprising display means for displaying a converted character string, and external storage means for storing word information of various dictionaries and their semantic information, the control unit includes a reading input by the input means. When the information is converted into kana-kanji, a fan provided in the input means for the converted character string or the unconverted character string obtained by the conversion processing. According to the depression of the option key, the character type of the converted character string or the unconverted character string is determined by referring to the storage means in which the character code is stored, and the determined converted character string or the unconverted character string While searching the external storage means for a dictionary suitable for the character type, the dictionary is searched for the semantic information or the like corresponding to the converted character string or the unconverted character string by referring to the character code of the storage means. The external dictionary search method is characterized in that the search result is displayed and output on the display means.