JPH11272396A - Information presenting method, information processor and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to easily and accurately grasp the outline of informa tion contents from the contents of an imaged display without requiring opera tional labor such as scrolling and page feeding by making it possible to simulta neously display much more information as compared with a display consisting of only characters in the case of displaying a text sentence on a display screen of limited dimensions. SOLUTION: The information processor is provided with a storage means 7 for storing a character string and an image corresponding to the character string, an extraction means 6 for extracting the character string stored in the means 7 from an inputted text sentence and a display switching means 5 for substituting an image corresponding to the extracted character string for the extracted character string to display the image or displaying the character string itself in accordance with an inputted instruction at the time of displaying the text sentence.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information presenting method for displaying text on a narrow display screen of a portable small information terminal or the like, and an information processing apparatus using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, electronic mail, electronic publishing, WWW
With the spread of the (World Wide Web) and other devices, portable information terminal equipment has become smaller and more sophisticated, and individuals can read information from recording media using small equipment at hand and easily perform various information processing such as display and processing. I can do it. The storage capacity, processing capacity, screen resolution, etc. of these portable information terminal devices are steadily improving with technological advances, while the size of the display screen is limited in terms of the portability and ease of handling of the device. I have to be restricted. No matter how good the screen resolution is, for example, when displaying text information to humans, it is necessary to display characters large enough to be readable by humans, so if the screen is small, the amount of information that can be presented at one time Will decrease. Especially,
In the case of a narrow screen in which one sentence of ordinary text cannot be displayed, it is difficult to grasp the contents of the sentence due to the poorness of the list of contents. Conventionally, in such a case, it was only possible to successively display the subsequent text information on the screen one by one using a screen scrolling function or a page turning function. In addition, as one approach to compressing the text content and transmitting it efficiently, studies such as automatic text abstraction / summarization are being conducted. It does not solve the problem when displaying text information on an extremely small number of displays.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to present more information at a time when displaying text information in a display screen of a limited size than displaying only text. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information presenting method capable of performing the method and an information processing apparatus using the method.

[0004]

(1) According to the information presenting method of the present invention, a character string and an image corresponding to the character string are stored in a storage means, and an input text sentence is stored in the storage means. Extracting the extracted character string and displaying the text sentence, according to the input instruction, replacing the extracted character string with an image corresponding to the extracted character string, or displaying the character string as it is. I do.

According to the present invention, when displaying a text sentence on a display screen of a limited size, more information can be presented at once than when displaying only characters. Therefore, the user can easily and accurately grasp the outline of the information contents from the imaged display contents without troublesome operations such as scrolling and page turning.

(2) An information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus having a display unit for displaying at least input information, wherein a storage means for storing a character string and an image corresponding to the character string; Extracting means for extracting a character string stored in the storage means from an input text sentence, and, when displaying the text sentence, converting the extracted character string into an image corresponding to the extracted text string according to an input instruction. Replace
Alternatively, a display switching means for displaying the character string as it is is provided.

According to the present invention, when displaying a text sentence on a display screen of a limited size, more information can be presented at once than in the case of displaying only characters. Therefore, the user can easily and accurately grasp the outline of the information contents from the imaged display contents without troublesome operations such as scrolling and page turning.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a main part of a portable small information processing apparatus such as an electronic book using the information presentation method of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an input unit 1 includes a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, and the like, and is used to input various instructions.

The display section 2 constitutes a display screen such as a liquid crystal display on which text and images can be displayed. For example, a text sentence (or a text sentence extracted from audio data) read from a recording medium such as a CD-ROM by a predetermined information reading unit 4 such as a CD-ROM drive is input to a text analysis unit 6. Then, morphological analysis processing, syntax analysis processing, and the like are performed, and based on the analysis results, a character string registered in the text / image correspondence dictionary 7 is extracted from the text sentence and temporarily stored in the storage unit 3. ing.

When the text / image replacing unit 5 displays the text on the display unit 2, the text / image is extracted from the text in response to an instruction from the user input from the input unit 1 (temporarily stored in the storage unit 3). The stored character string is displayed on the display unit 2 as it is or by replacing it with an image registered in the text / image correspondence dictionary 7.

FIG. 4 shows the text / image correspondence dictionary 7.
As shown in (1), a character string is registered in association with image data to be displayed instead of the character string. FIG. 4 shows, for example, six types of image data and their file names. Image data shall have a unique identifier like the file name in this example,
Moving images / still images, color / monochrome, etc., do not matter. Here, it is assumed that each image is an image having a size that can be displayed by, for example, one character. One or more character strings are associated with each image file name. For example, the entry "Image file A" is associated with the strings "Have a call" and "Please call me", which displays the phone image instead of these strings. It means that you can do it. Character strings and images generally used, such as character strings associated with image files A to C, may be registered in a text / image correspondence dictionary in advance. The vocabulary used individually by each user, such as “XX department manager” and “△ □ -chan”, as in E, and the image corresponding to the vocabulary may be registered by the user as necessary (see FIG. 10). .

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the processing operation of the text analysis unit 6 of the information processing apparatus of FIG. When, for example, a text sentence read from a recording medium is input to the text analysis unit 6 (step S1), the text sentence is disclosed in, for example, "Basics of Natural Language Analysis" (Hozumi Tanaka, Sangyo Tosho). By performing such conventional morphological analysis, syntax analysis, etc., for example, words, phrases,
Decompose it into a character string such as a sentence consisting of multiple clauses. The character string obtained as a result of the analysis is collated with the character string registered in the text / image correspondence dictionary 7, and a character string that can be imaged (registered in the text / image correspondence dictionary 7 in the text sentence). Is extracted (step S2).

The text analysis unit 6 associates position information in the text sentence of the extracted character string that can be converted into an image with an image file name registered in the text / image correspondence dictionary 7. Data is created (this is called a text analysis result), and the storage unit 3
(Step S3).

The text analysis result temporarily stored in the storage unit 3 is information on which character string is replaced with what image and displayed. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, a text sentence “Thank you very much for the demonstration to the manager of XX” is analyzed by referring to the text / image correspondence dictionary 7 as shown in FIG. Part 6
As a result of the analysis, it is determined that the character strings “○ × Manager” and “Thank you very much” can be imaged. As a result of the text analysis, FIG.
As shown in, for example, a character string that can be imaged is surrounded by "[]", and a semicolon ";"
And the image file name.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the processing operation of the text / image replacing unit 5. The text / image replacement unit 5 reads the text analysis result temporarily stored in the storage unit 3 (step S11), and at the same time, searches for a character string that can be imaged. When a character string that can be converted into an image is searched, the image of the file name associated with the character string is read from the text / image correspondence dictionary 7, and the character string is replaced with an image and displayed on the display unit 2 ( Step S12 to step S1
3). On the other hand, a character string that cannot be imaged is displayed on the display unit 2 as it is (step S14).
The processing from step S11 to step S14 is performed until the reading of the text analysis result stored in the storage unit 3 is completed (step S15).

As a result, information in which text and images are mixed is displayed on the display unit 2. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a processing operation when the text / image replacing unit 5 performs display switching based on an instruction input by the user from the input unit 1.

When the user designates a part of the text information displayed on the display unit 2 using a predetermined pointing device of the input unit 1, the position information of the designated portion in the text sentence is changed to text / image. Replacement unit 5
(Step S21). If the designated portion includes the portion currently displayed as an image, the text / image replacing section 5 refers to the text analysis result stored in the storage section 3 as shown in, for example, FIG. Then, the image included in the designated portion is replaced with a character string corresponding to the image and displayed on the display unit 2 (steps S22 to S23). On the other hand, by referring to a text analysis result such as that shown in FIG. When the character string is included, the character string is replaced with an image corresponding to the character string and displayed on the display unit 2 (steps S24 to S25).

Thus, the user can switch the display from an image to a character string and from the character string to an image by, for example, continuous operation of the pointing device (for example, repeated operation of mouse click).

Next, with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the operation of the text / image replacing unit 5 for replacing a character string with an image will be specifically described. Here, it is assumed that the display screen 30 of the display unit 2 has a size of only eight characters. Also, it is assumed that the image is large enough to fit in the display space for one character.

As shown in FIG. 7, "O" is displayed on the display screen 30.
X Thank you very much for the demonstration to the director. " Text / image correspondence dictionary 7 as shown in FIG.
As a result, the character strings “○ × Manager” and “Thank you very much” can be made into an image. By replacing the character string with an image and displaying it, the entire text sentence is displayed for eight characters. It fits on screen 30. If the user can immediately understand the contents represented by the image by looking at the display screen 30, the text matter can be grasped at a glance without any operation of scrolling or page turning.

At this time, the user operates the image display portion 3
By designating the input device 1 and 32 using the pointing device of the input unit 1, the image display portions 31 and 32 thereof are displayed.
Can be switched to a character string associated with each image and displayed. That is, by designating the image display portion 31 in the display screen 30, the character string "Ox section length" associated with the image is replaced with the image on the display screen 30 and displayed.
By designating the image display portion 32 in the display screen 30, the character string “Thank you very much” associated with the image is replaced with the image and displayed on the display screen 30. In FIG. 7, since there is only a display area for eight character sentences, the entire sentence cannot be displayed on the display screen 30 at one time. In that case, operations such as scrolling and page turning are required.

It is desirable to display some special display on the display screen 30 such as changing the display color or font so that the character string replaced with the image can be easily distinguished from the character string not replaced with the image. . In FIG. 7, character strings that can be displayed as images are distinguished by diagonal lines.

Conversely, by clicking on the hatched portion, the character string can be displayed as an image. FIG.
Suppose that a text sentence "Please call home immediately" is displayed on the display screen 30 as shown in FIG. As a result of referring to the text / image correspondence dictionary 7 as shown in FIG. 4, a character string of "immediately", "home", and "please call" can be imaged.
By replacing the character string with an image and displaying it,
In the display screen 30 having a display area for eight characters, the display screen 30 displays all of the contents of the text in the display area for four characters.
Can be displayed.

At this time, the user operates the image display portion 35.
Is designated using the pointing device of the input unit 1, and only the character string "Please call me" associated with the image is displayed on the display screen 30, so that the user can respond to the image. You can check the attached character string.

As described above, usually, a text sentence is displayed as an image as much as possible, and only when necessary (only when instructed by the user) is displayed by switching the displayed portion to a character string. Thus, more information can be displayed on a display screen of a limited size than in the case of displaying only characters. Therefore, the user can easily and accurately grasp the outline of the information contents from the imaged display contents without troublesome operations such as scrolling and page turning.

FIG. 9 shows a modification of the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1. The same parts as those of FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and only different parts will be described. That is, in FIG. 9, the communication unit 9 is replaced with the information reading unit 4 of FIG. 1 or further provided in addition to the information reading unit 4, and the text sentence received by the communication unit 9 (or the text sent by the voice The contents shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. The information processing apparatus having the configuration as shown in FIG. 9 is applicable to, for example, a portable small communication terminal such as a paging terminal, a mobile phone, and a PHS.

FIG. 10 shows still another modification of the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1. The same parts as those of FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and only different parts will be described. That is,
FIG. 10 further includes an updating unit 10 for updating the text / image correspondence dictionary 7.

The updating unit 10 needs vocabularies used individually by each user, such as “○ × Manager” and “△ □ -chan” as in the image files D and E in FIG. Accordingly, the text / image correspondence dictionary 7 can be re-edited so that the user can use it more easily.
That is, an image input through the input unit 1 (an image created by using a keyboard or various pointing devices on the display screen of the display unit 2 or a predetermined image captured by a CCD camera, a scanner, or the like). An image (here, for example, a file name) may be automatically given to an image captured from an embedded device, or an image file may be input.
In response to an instruction from the user, the input image and the character string input from the input unit 1 are newly associated with each other and registered in the text / image correspondence dictionary 7.

In FIG. 10, the information reading unit 4
As shown in FIG. 9, the communication unit 9 may be used.
As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, by using an image that can convey more information in a smaller area than a character, more information can be displayed on the display screen at one time than in the case of displaying only characters. Can be displayed,
The user can easily understand the contents of the text sentence. on the other hand,
If you want to check the original character string of the part displayed as an image, you can always restore the original text sentence by specifying the image part.

The text / image replacement unit 5, the text analysis unit 6, and the text / image correspondence dictionary 7 (particularly a general-purpose part) that execute the processing shown in FIGS. As a program that can be executed by a computer, the program can be stored in a recording medium such as a floppy disk, hard disk, CD-ROM, DVD, or semiconductor memory and distributed.

[0031]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When displaying a text sentence on a display screen of a limited size, more information can be presented at once than in displaying only text. Therefore, the user can easily and accurately grasp the outline of the information contents from the imaged display contents without troublesome operations such as scrolling and page turning.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of a main part of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation of a text analysis unit.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation of a text / image replacement unit.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of storage contents of a text / image correspondence dictionary.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a specific example of a text sentence and an example of a text analysis result of the text sentence.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a processing operation when the text / image replacement unit performs display switching based on an instruction input by the user from the input unit.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for specifically explaining a character / image replacement operation of a text / image replacement unit with an image;

FIG. 8 is a diagram for specifically explaining a character / image replacement operation of a text / image replacement unit with an image;

FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of a main part of another information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of a main part of still another information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Input part 2 ... Display part 3 ... Storage part 4 ... Information reading part 5 ... Text / image replacement part 6 ... Text analysis part 7 ... Text / image correspondence dictionary 9 ... Communication part 10 ... Update part

Claims (3)

[Claims] When storing a character string and an image corresponding to the character string in a storage unit, extracting a character string stored in the storage unit from an input text sentence, and displaying the text sentence, An information presentation method characterized by replacing an extracted character string with an image corresponding to the extracted character string in accordance with an input instruction, or displaying the extracted character string as it is. 2. An information processing apparatus having a display unit for displaying at least input information, a storage unit for storing a character string and an image corresponding to the character string, and the storage unit based on an input text sentence. Extracting means for extracting the character string stored in the text sentence, when displaying the text sentence, replacing the extracted character string with an image corresponding to the extracted character string, or leaving the character string unchanged An information processing apparatus, comprising: display switching means for displaying. 3. A machine readable recording medium recording a program for displaying an input text sentence on a display screen, wherein the storage means stores a character string and an image corresponding to the character string. Extracting means for extracting a character string stored in the storage means from the input text sentence, and when displaying the text sentence, the extracted character string is converted into an image corresponding to the extracted character string in accordance with the input instruction. A display switching means for replacing or displaying the character string as it is, and a recording medium recording a program for executing the following.