l l l l l l l l lIl l l l lIl l l l l l l l l lI lI I lI l l l l l l l l l
US005210853A
United States Patent [191
[11]
[45]
Nakasuji et a1.
[54] ELECTRONIC DEVICE/DICTIONARY WITH
Yoshiro Kihara, both of Nara, all of
Japan
Nov. 15, 1989
18,
18,
18,
30,
1988
1988
1988
1988
[JP]
[JP]
[JP]
[JP]
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
.............................. ..
.......................... ..
.......................... ..
.............................. ..
63-293020
63-293021
63-293022
63-304815
Int. Cl.5 ..................... .. G06F 12/00; G06F 15/20
US. Cl. .................................. .. 395/425; 364/975;
' [58]
Field of Search ................ .. 395/DIG. l, DIG. 2,
364/DIG. 2
395/800, 275, l, 400, 425, 600, 65, 700; 364/419
References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
9/1978
Klausner et al. .................. .. 364/900
4,758,977
5,007,019
7/1988
4/1991
Morimoto et al. .
364/900
Squillante et al. ................ .. 395/275
suu MON rue wso mu FRI
SAT
2
-1
Electronic pocket notebooks
9a
9
3b
10
Primary Examiner-Robert B. Harrell
[57]
ABSTRACT
The information‘ searching apparatus in accordance
searched, the number of changed banks and address
data; and a table reading device for reading tabled infor
mation from the table memory device. This information
searching apparatus is so arranged as to search the tar
get information to be searched by obtaining the base
bank information based on the tabled information from
the table memory device, and by obtaining the number
of changed banks and the address data of the base bank
information. Further, this apparatus is arranged such
that the user may learn synonyms and antonyms, or the
translated terms, the phonetic symbols or the like of
index words in dictionary data. Such data may be
searched in a short period of time without any compli
cate operations, thereby to improve the learning ef?
4,117,542
18
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Dekker et al., IEEE Micro (1987) 7(3):22-34.
block;.a table memory device containing, in table, the
[51]
[52]
[56]
4/1987 United Kingdom .
banks serving as the basis of the information to be
Foreign Application Priority Data
Nov.
Nov.
Nov.
Nov.
2180973
with the present invention comprises: a memory device
having a plurality of banks and containing a plurality of
types of information data to be searched, as arranged in
[2]] Appl. No.: 437,431
[30]
May 11, 1993
Attorney, Agent, or Finn-Morrison & Foerster
[73] Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Osaka,
Japan
[22] Filed:
5,210,853
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
MPROVED INFORMATION STORAGE:
MEMORY CAPACITY RATIO
[75] Inventors: Masataka Nakasuji,
Yamatokoriyama; Toshiaki Fujiwara;
Patent Number:
Date of Patent:
ciency.
26 Claims, 14 Drawing Sheets
US. Patent
May 11, 1993
Sheet 1 of 14
5,210,853
I
.\
Eo:onu.an
.h16?‘
>9.2
mm\
.\
Ex
US. Patent
May 11, 1993
Sheet 3 of 14
5,210,853
T________‘
CARD KEY OR
POWER-ON KEY
OPERATED
NUMBER OF CHANGED
BANKS A I / MEANING DATA
REAL ADDRESS a READ
S1
INITIAL SCREEN
DISPLAYED
[88
FRoM SECCNDARTYI TABLE
MEMoRY UNIT
II
NUMBER OF CHANGED
BANKS A I MEANING DATA
INDEX WORD SPELLING
CHARACTERS
ENTERED! DISPLAYED
REALA DRESS aY HELD
f 82
IN RAM
II
I
INDEX woRD SEARCHING / 83
KEY OPERATED
MEANING DATA READ
FROM MEANING DATA
MEMORY UNIT
[S10
INDEX WORD DATA/
MEANING DATA
DEVELOPED
IN DISPLAY PATTERN
[$11
I
INDEX WORD SPELLING
CHARACTERS SEARCHED f8‘
. AND INDEX WORD DATA
READ / HELD
I
WORD NUMBER
/' 85
HELD IN RAM '
INDEX WORD / MEANINGS
DISPLAYED
I
BASE BANK NUMBER A/
SECONDARY
TABLE BANK NUMBER P/
SECONDARY TABLE
ADDRESS P READ FROM
/ 86
PRIMARY TOrBILTE MEMORY
FIG._3
II
BASE BANK NUMBER Al
SECONDARY
TABLE BANK NUMBER P/
SECONDARY TABLE
ADDRESS P
HELD IN RAM
V
fS7
S 12
U.S. Patent I
May 11, 1993
LCD
Sheet 6 of 14
/2
5,210,853
/’
12
LCD DRIVER /
f 11
CPU
I!
RAM
[15
RTc
[16
———-~
1a
110 PoRT
'
/
3b -\
‘
faa
3 M KEY
/ 17
KEY
SPELLING
cRARAcTERs 2
BATTERIES
POCKET NOTEBOOK
2
'
,
2
woRD No.
POCKET NOTEBOOK
Egg-358%
,
2
USED FoR RECORDING _
I
BLOCK NO. x
IN BLOCK
MEANING DATA
UPPER e BITS
LOWER 1o BITS
DATA
NUMBER Y
DICTIONARY DATA
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
I‘
'
w0RD NUMBERS woRD NUMBERS
OF SYNONYMS
0F ANTONYMS
oNE REcoRD
,_
INDEX woRD
DATA
'_|
_
FIG._ 10
US. Patent
May 11, 1993
SYNONYM
Sheet 8 of IANTONYM
14
CARD KEY OR
/ 89
POWER - ON KEY
OPERATED
II
KEY OPERATED
81
INITIAL SCREEN
DISPLAYED
MARK AND
DISPLAYED
I
INDEX WORD SPELLING ['82
CHARACTERS
ENTERED / DISPLAYED
'
S 11
WORD NUMBER OF
SYNONYMS / WORD NUMBER
OF ANTONYMS READ
I
INDEx wORD SEARCHING f 53
KEY OPERATED
I
BANK NUMBER OF ADDREss
II
INDEX wORD SPELLING
CHARACTERS
SEARCHED / WORD
/ 84
OF DIOTIIROEIAAJRY DATA
NUMBER OBTAINED
II
II
INDEX WORD READ
BANK NUMBER /
ADDREss OF
DIOTIONARY DATA READ
312
/
[813
/ 85
I
II
INDEX WORD,
WORD NUMBER OF
SYNONYMS / WORD NUMBER
OF ANTONYMS READ
INDEX WORD DEVELOPED [814
IN DISPLAY PATTERN
.
S15
INDEX WORDS
(SYNONYMS / ANTONYMS)
DISPLAYED
INDEX wORD DEVELOPED f 87
IN DISPLAY PATTERN
INDEX
WORD / MARKS
AND DISPLAYED
FIG._ 11
US. Patent
May 11, 1993
FIG._ 12A
Sheet 9 of 14
.
5,210,853
FIG... 128
FIG... 12C
FIG... 12D
9
OPERATION OF CARD KEY
r81
(TO SET ENGLISH — ENGLISH DICTIONARY MODE)
I
ENTRY OF INDEX WORD .
[82
I
OPERATION OF INDEX WORD SEARCHING KEY [53
(TO DISPLAY INDEX WORD ITRANSLATED TERM)
OPERATION OF PHONETIC SYMBOL KEY
(TO DISPLAY PHONETIC SYMBOL)
<7
f5‘
FIG._ 15
US. Patent
May 11, 1993
Sheet 10 of 14
5,210,853
FIG._ 13
I
DATAARE READ IN
BY ONE BYTE
/ 9"
YES
IS NUMERICAL
VALUE EQUAL
TO F1
?
YES
BRACKET [ DISPLAYED
NEXT ONE BYTE READ IN
[814
[815
S 16
IS NUMERICAL
YES
VALUE EQUAL
,
'
BRACKET]VDISPLAYED
NO
PHONETIC SYMBOL
DISPLAYED WITH
CHARACTER CODE
REPRESENTED BY
‘NUMERICAL VALUE
[s17
'
NEXT ONE BYTE READ IN
"
[819
[s20
STRING OF TRANSLATED
TERM READ IN
‘
STRING OF TRANSLATED
TERM DISPLAYED
[S21
US. Patent
May 11, 1993
Sheet 12 of 14
5,210,853
SPEL ING % { dif use
CHARACTERS '2
%
2
FIG._16A
‘
diffuse
FIG._16B
difjdzz]
<VERB>TO SPREAD
2
ABROAD
<ADJ>\glIJE%ELY SPREAD
2
'
o $PREAD ABROAD
2
[difjuzs]
WIDELY SPREAD OUT
FIG._ 166
FIG._ 160
{ SPEL ING 3V { MEANINGS ? %
cHARAcTERs '2
-
2
FIG... 18A
2
HQ. 188
L ART OF SELF-DEFENCE %2 L AIKIDOU ART OF }_2
FOR IMMOBILIZING
SELF-DEFENCE FOR
VIOLENT FORCE EXERTED
IMMOBIUZING FORCE
FROM ANOTHER PERSON
'
ExERTED
WITH USE THEREOF
HQ. 186
FIG._ 18D
I
-
US. Patent
May 11, 1993
V
POWER ON /
Sheet 13 of 14
5,210,853
81
S2
< DISPLAY ;
SETTING OF
LEARNING MODE
[53
SEARCH OF INDEX
woRD THE MEANING
/TRANSLATED TERMS
/
S14
THEREOF
.
I
ENTRY OF SPELLING
/ $4
CHARACTER
DEVELOPMENT
[515
FOR DISPLAY
I
V
V
S 16
ENTRY OF
f 55
DISPLAY
SEARCHING KEY
LEARNING
MOqDE
S10
YES
LEARNING
SEARCH OP MEANINGS' [57
ITRANSLATED TERMS
KEY
YES
7
DEVELOPMENT
[98
FOR DISPLAY
SEARCH 0F
V
DISPLAY ,
89
/ 5 11
INDEX wORD
DEVELOPMENT
FOR DISPLAY
\
FIG._ 17
KEY
PROCESSING
DISPLAY
[512
S 13
1
5,210,853
ELECTRONIC DEVICE/DICTIONARY WITH
IMPROVED INFORMATION STORAGE:
MEMORY CAPACITY RATIO
2
desires all the phonetic symbols of an index word, the
user may readily refer to them, regardless of the rele
vant parts of speech or translated terms of the index
word. In particular, the phonetic symbols are generally
described as put in parentheses (. . . , . . . ) or the like.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information
searching apparatus to be used in an electronic-type
This further facilitates the reference of all the phonetic
symbols of each index word.
dictionary, an electronic-type learning machine or the
dictionary of the type that data are being printed on
There is lately seen a tendency to use, instead of a
like, which is adapted to search and display, with re 10 paper, an information searching apparatus such as a
so-called electronic-type dictionary, an electronic-type
spect to an index word, the meanings and/or the trans
learning machine or the like which contains and is
lated terms, the synonyms, the antonyms,'the phonetic
symbols, and the like.
adapted to display the translated terms of index words.
In such an information searching apparatus, it now
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
becomes possible to store not only translated terms but
There is known a memory apparatus for storing a
also phonetic symbols, with the recent trend that the
large quantity of information to be searched, which
capacity of the memory element is increased. As to the
comprises a plurality of banks serving as memory units
display of phonetic symbols, it is proposed to arrange
set according to the circuit restrictions and the like such
the apparatus such that the phonetic symbols are dis
as the number of address signal lines. To read such 20 played continuously after the relevant parts of speech
information stored in such a memory apparatus, it is
or translated terms, as done in the print-type dictionary
required to designate the bank No. representing the
above-mentioned. However, in a conventional appara
bank containing the information, and the real address
tus of the type above-mentioned, the amount of infor
representing the area in this bank in which the informa
mation data at which the user can take a look, is gener
25
tion is being stored. A conventional information search
ally limited and small as compared with the print-type
ing apparatus has a table memory unit containing the
dictionary. Provision may be made such that the pho
bank No. and the real address of each information to be
netic symbols are displayed continuously after the rele
searched, and is arranged such that the information
vant parts of speech or translated terms as above-men
stored in the memory is read by referring to this table
30 tioned. With such provision, however, if it is desired to
memory unit.
learn all the phonetic symbols with respect to an index
In the conventional information searching apparatus
word regardless of the relevant parts of speech or trans
above-mentioned, the table memory unit should contain
lated terms thereof, it is required to often scroll or jump
bank Nos. and real addresses, the number of each of
the display screen or to search the phonetic symbols.
which is the same as the number of information data to
be searched. Accordingly, the memory capacity re 35 This causes the operation to be multi-staged or compli
cated, resulting in decrease in maneuverability.
quired for the information searching apparatus in its
Examples of the conventional information searching
entirety is apt to be increased. In particular, when the
apparatus
include apparatus comprising: an index word
increased number of banks is set so that a large quantity
of information data to be searched may be stored and
searched, a further increased memory, capacity is re
quired.
searching key; a synonym and antonym key; dictionary
data memory means containing index words, the syn
onyms and antonyms thereof as a series of dictionary
In this connection, there may be proposed a memory
unit in which a plurality of types of information data to
data; and synonym & antonym reading and display
means for reading and displaying the index words and
be searched are arranged in one block to which a bank
the synonyms & antonyms thereof stored in the dictio
nary data memory means. According to this apparatus,
when the synonym & antonym key is operated while an
index word is displayed after the index word searching -
No. is given, and there are stored bank Nos. of which
number is the same as the number of the blocks. In this
arrangement, however, if one block extends over two
vor more banks, one bank No. cannot correspond to one
block. This not only makes it complicate to control the
bank Nos., but also prevents the memory capacity re
quired for the table memory unit from being minimized.
This presents the problem that there cannot be readily
stored and searched a large quantity of information data
of which lengths are not always constant.
A conventional dictionary of the print type generally
contains, with respect to each of index words, a plural
ity of relevant parts of speech or translated terms. When
an index word has different phonetic symbols for the
respective parts of speech or translated terms thereof,
key has been operated, the synonyms and antonyms
stored, as a series of dictionary data, together with the
displayed index word, are read and displayed by the
synonym 8t antonym reading and displaying means.
According to the conventional apparatus above-men
tioned, the dictionary data memory means contains
index words, and the synonyms and antonyms thereof,
as a series of dictionary data. Accordingly, there is
required, for each index word, a memory area corre-,
sponding to the lengths of strings of the synonyms and
antonyms of the index word. Thus, the memory capac
ity required for the dictionary data memory means in its
each of the phonetic symbols is arranged continuously 60 entirety is apt to be increased. In particular, when the
after ‘the relevant part of speech or translated term.
More speci?cally, such arrangement enables the user to
readily understand and make sure of the part of speech
memory capacity is required.
or translated term to which each phonetic symbol re
searching apparatus having dictionary data memory
number of index words is increased, a considerable
In this connection, there is known an information
lates. On the other hand, even though the phonetic 65 means which contains, instead of the synonyms and
symbols are arranged continuously after the relevant
antonyms of index words, the bank Nos. or addresses of
parts of speech or translated terms, the user may readily
areas which contain the index words representing such
take a look at them. Accordingly, even though the user
synonyms and antonyms, as data stored together with
3
5,210,853
the index words. According to this apparatus, the sizes
of dictionary data memory areas required for indicating
the synonyms and antonyms for the respective index
words, may be made constant regardless of the lengths
of the strings of the synonyms and antonyms. However,
even in this apparatus, if the number of index words is
increased, there is also increased the number of data
representing bank Nos. or addresses for indicating the
areas in which the respective index words are stored.
Accordingly, this apparatus still presents the problem
that a considerable memory capacity is required if the
number of index words is increased to a very large
extent.
Instead of the print-type dictionary, there is proposed
an information searching apparatus such as a so-called
electronic-type dictionary, electronic-type leaning ma
chine or the like, including entry keys for entering spel
4
representing synonyms and antonyms, regardless of the
lengths of the strings thereof.
It is a still further object of the present invention to
provide an information searching apparatus with which
the user may make sure, in a learning mode, whether or
not he has memorized the index word, and with which,
when he feels uncertain of or has not memorized the
index word, he may make sure of or memorize the same
at the moment.
It is yet another object of the present invention to
provide an information searching apparatus with which
the user may readily and quickly learn, in a dictionary
mode, index words and the meanings or translated
terms thereof.
To achieve the objects above-mentioned, the infor
mation searching apparatus in accordance with the
present invention comprises:
information memory means having a plurality of
ling characters, display means and a display device
banks
for storing a plurality of types of information data
adapted to display, when spelling characters are en
tered, the index word corresponding to the characters 20 to be searched, a predetermined number of types of
information data to be searched being grouped in one
thus entered, and the meanings or translated terms of
block;
the index word. This apparatus further includes dictio
secondary table memory means containing, for every
nary data memory means containing, in a merely collec
information data to be searched, (i) the number of
tive manner, index words, and the meaning and trans
lated terms thereof. According to this apparatus, provi 25 changed banks which is the difference between (a) the
base bank No., i.e., the top bank No. of the area contain
sion is made such that, when the index word corre
ing the ?rst information data to be searched of a block
sponding to entered spelling characters is searched, the
containing information data to be searched and (b) the
index word, and the meanings and translated terms
top bank No. of the area containing the information data
thereof are simultaneously displayed.
30 to be searched, and (ii) the real address of the informa
However, when the index words, and the meanings
tion to be searched which is the top address of the area
and translated terms thereof are simultaneously dis
containing the information data to be searched;
played, it is a matter of course that the user can see the
primary table memory means containing, for every
index words together with the meanings and translated
block, (i) the top bank No. of the area containing the
terms thereof. It is therefore not possible for the user to 35 number of changed banks and the real address of the
make sure, at the time of reviewing his lesson, whether
first information data to be searched of each block in the
or not he has actually memorized the index words. In
secondary table memory means, (ii) secondary table
other words, such an information searching apparatus
bank Nos. serving as addresses, (iii) secondary table
presents the problem that the apparatus cannot be used
addresses and (iv) the base bank No. of each block;
for other purposes (learning or the like) than the pur 40 primary table reading means for reading, from the
pose of checking the meanings or translated terms of
primary table memory means, (i) the base bank No. of a
index words.
block containing information data to be searched, (ii)
the secondary table bank No. and (iii) the secondary
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
table address, based on the block No. representing the
It is an object of the present invention to provide an 45 block containing information data to be searched,
information searching apparatus in which information
secondary table reading means for reading, from the
to be searched may be simply controlled, and informa
secondary table memory means, the number of changed
tion to be searched having different lengths may be
banks for information data to be searched and the real
readily stored and searched.
address of the information to be searched, based on (i)
It is another object of the present invention to pro 50 the in-block information number representing where
vide an information searching apparatus in which the
the real address of the information data to be searched
memory capacity required for controlling information
is stored in the block in the secondary table memory
to be searched may be reduced and, even though a large
means, (ii) the secondary table bank No. and (iii) the
quantity of information is storedv and searched, this
secondary table address; and
memory capacity is not excessively increased.
55
information data reading means for reading, from the
It is a further object of the present invention to pro~
information memory means, the information data to be
vide an information searching apparatus with which the
searched, based on the base bank number, the number of
user may readily and quickly learn all the phonetic
changed banks and the real address of the information
symbols of an index word regardless of the parts of
to be searched.
speech or translated terms relevant to the index word,
According to the arrangement above-mentioned,
and with which the user may also readily and quickly
when there are supplied (i) a block number representing
learn or make sure of the parts of speech or translated
the block containing information to be searched, and (ii)
terms to which the phonetic symbols are respectively
an in-block information number representing where the
related, and which assures a good maneuverability even
real address of the information to be searched is stored
though the operation is complicated or multi-staged. 65 in the block in the secondary table memory means, the
It is still another object of the present invention to
primary table reading means reads, from the primary
provide an information searching apparatus which mini
table memory means, the base bank No. of the block
mizes the memory capacity required for dictionary data
containing the information to be searched, the second
5,210,853
' 5
ary table bank No. and the secondary table address,
6
The information searching apparatus in accordance
based on the block number.
with a further embodiment of the present invention
The secondary table reading means reads, from the
secondary table memory means, the number of changed
banks for the information to be searched and the real
comprises:
address of the information to be searched, based on the
in-block information number, the secondary table bank
No. and the secondary table address.
The information reading means reads, from the infor
mation memory means, the information to be searched,
based on (i) the bank No. obtained by adding the base
bank No. to the number of changed banks, and (ii) the
real address of the information to be searched. Thus, the
base bank No. stored in the primary table memory
means is added to the number of changed banks stored
in the secondary table memory means. Accordingly,
even though one block extends over two or more banks,
display means for displaying the spelling characters,
synonyms and antonyms of an index word;
index word input means for entering the index word
spelling characters;
index word searching means for searching the index
word;
synonym and antonym searching means for searching
the synonyms and antonyms of the index word;
whereby the index word corresponding to entered
spelling characters is displayed when the index word
searching means is operated after the index word input
means has been operated to enter the index word spel
ling characters, and the synonyms and/or antonyms of
the index word are displayed when the synonym and
antonym searching means is operated;
the bank No. of each information to be searched may be
dictionary data memory means containing, as a series
obtained. Therefore, the information to be searched
may be readily read. Further, there may be stored the 20 of dictionary data for every index word, an index word,
the word Nos. of the synonyms of the index word,
base bank Nos. of which number is equal to the number
and/or the word Nos. of the antonyms of the index
of blocks. Further, there is required, for data as to the
word, in an area determined by the word No. set for the
number of changed banks, a memory area smaller than
index word;
that for the bank Nos. Accordingly, even though a large
25
word No. reading means for reading the word Nos.
quantity of information to be searched is to be stored
for the synonyms and/or the word Nos. for the ant
and searched, the memory capacity may not be consid
onyms, stored in the dictionary data memory means;
erably increased.
and
The information searching apparatus in accordance
with another embodiment of the present invention com
prises:
display means for displaying an index word, parts of
speech, translated terms, phonetic symbols and the like;
index word reading & display means for reading and
displaying, on the display means, the index words
stored in the areas determined by the word Nos. for the
synonyms and/or the word Nos. for the antonyms in
the dictionary data memory means when the synonym
and antonym searching means is operated, these word
index word input means for entering an index word;
index word searching means for designating the dis 35 Nos. being read by the word No. reading means.
play of the parts of speech and the translated terms of an
According to the arrangement above~mentioned, the
entered index word;
word number reading means reads the word numbers of
phonetic symbol designating means for designating
the synonyms of an index word and/or the word num
the display of the phonetic symbols of the entered index
bers of antonyms of the index word, stored in the dictio
word; and
nary data memory means as a series of dictionary data
control means for displaying the parts of speech and
together with the index word. When the synonym and
translated terms of the entered index word when the
antonym key is operated, the index word reading means
index word searching means is operated after the index
word input means has been operated, and for continu
reads and displays, on the display means, the index
words stored in areas determined by the word Nos. read
ously displaying a plurality of phonetic symbols, if any, 45 by the word number reading means, in the dictionary
of the index word when the phonetic symbol designat
data memory means. More speci?cally, a series of die
ing means is operated, and for displaying, when the ' tionary data such as index words, are stored in areas
displayed phonetic symbols relate to speci?c parts of determined by the word Nos. in the, dictionary data
speech and/or speci?c translated terms of the index
memory means. Accordingly, it is suf?cient to store
word out of the parts of speech and/or translated terms
only the word Nos. as dictionary data representing
thereof, such speci?c parts of speech and/or speci?c
synonyms or antonyms. That is, when there are read
translated terms, together with the phonetic symbols.
index words stored in the dictionary data memory
According to the arrangement above-mentioned,
means based on the word Nos., the data thus read may
when the phonetic symbol key is operated, the control
be displayed as the synonyms or antonyms. Thus, it is
means may continuously display, on the display means, 55 suf?cient to store only the word Nos. as dictionary data
a plurality of phonetic symbols, if any, for the index
representing the synonyms or antonyms in the dictio
word. Accordingly, all the phonetic symbols for the
nary data memory means. Accordingly, the sizes of the
index word may be readily and quickly learned, regard
dictionary data representing the synonyms or antonyms
less of the relevant parts of speech or translated terms.
may be constant, regardless of the lengths of the strings
Further, when the displayed phonetic symbols relate 60 of the synonyms or antonyms. Further, the word Nos.
to speci?c parts of speech and/or speci?c translated
may be so set as to require a small memory area as
terms of the index word out of the parts of speech and
/or translated terms thereof, the control means is oper
compared with the memory areas for data such as the
bank Nos., addresses or the like..This may minimize the
ated to display the related speci?c parts of speech and
memory capacity required for the dictionary data mem
/or translated terms. Accordingly, the user may readily 65 ory means in its entirety.
and quickly learn or make sure of the parts of speech
The information searching apparatus in accordance
and/or translated terms to which the phonetic symbols
with still another embodiment of the present invention
are respectively related.
comprises:
'
5,210,853
7
display means for displaying the index word corre
sponding to entered spelling characters, the meanings
and/or translated terms of the index word;
dictionary data memory means containing, in a sepa
rated manner, index words, and the meanings and/or
translated terms of the index words;
index word input means for entering the index word
spelling characters;
nary data;
FIG. 11 is a ?ow chart illustrating the operations
executed in a CPU;
FIG. 12(a), 12(1)), 12(0) and 12(d) are views illustrat
ing the display examples of an LCD;
FIG. 13 is a ?ow chart illustrating the operations
executed in a CPU;
learning mode setting means for switching the opera
tion mode to a learning mode; and
8
FIG. 10 is a view of the data arrangement in dictio
_
control means for displaying, on the display means,
the meanings and/or translated terms of the index word
FIG. 14 is a front view illustrating an example of the
arrangement of the information searching apparatus of
the present invention so arranged as to display, with
respect to an entered index word, the translated terms,
corresponding to spelling characters without display of
the index word when, in the learning mode, the spelling
the parts of speech, the idiomatic phrases, the phonetic
symbols and the like;
According to the arrangement above-mentioned,
when, in the learning mode, the index word searching
ing the display examples of an LCD;
FIG. 15 is a ?ow chart of an example of the opera
characters are entered and the index word searching 15
tions of the information searching apparatus;
means is operated, and for displaying the index word
‘ FIG, 16(a), 16(b), 16(0), and 16(d) are views illustrat
only when a predetermined operation is made.
means is operated after spelling characters have been
entered, the index word corresponding to the entered
spelling characters is not displayed, but the meanings
and/or translated terms of the index word are dis
played. Thus, this apparatus may be used for learning or
the like for checking whether or not the user memorizes
the index word. Even in the learning mode, when a
predetermined operation is made, there may be‘ dis
played the index word together with the meanings and
FIG. 17 is a ?ow chart of an example of the opera
tions of the information searching apparatus;
FIG. 18(0), 18(b), 18(0), and 18(d) are view illustrat
ing the display examples of an LCD; and
FIG. 19 is a front view of the arrangement of the
information searching apparatus of the present inven
tion in a learning mode.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
The following description will discuss, with refer
ence to FIGS. 1 to 8, an embodiment of the present
/or translated terms thereof, or there may be displayed
only the index word. Accordingly, the user may imme
invention which is applied to an electronic-type dictio
diately make sure of or memorize the index word in a
treacherous memory or which he does not remember.
adapted to search and display the meanings of an index
word when the spelling characters thereof are entered.
0n the other hand, in other mode than the learning
mode, for example the English-English dictionary
mode, when spelling characters are entered and the
index word searching means is operated, there may be
simultaneously displayed the index word corresponding
to entered spelling characters, and the meanings and/or
translated terms of the index word. That is, a so-called
normal display processing may be executed. Thus, the
index word and the meanings or translated terms
nary apparatus as an information searching apparatus
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the electronic-type dic
tionary apparatus has an openable body 1 in the form of
a pocket notebook. The body 1 is provided at the upper
part of the left-hand portion 10 thereof with a liquid
crystal display device (hereinafter referred to as LCD)
2 serving as display means for displaying data contents
such as a message, a calculation result, an index word,
the meanings thereof, and the like. The LCD 2 has a dot
matrix arrangement. Input key groups 3a, 3b for enter
ing a variety of information data are respectively dis
posed at the right-hand portion 1b of the body 1 and the
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
45 at the lower part of the LCD 2. These input key groups
FIG. 1 to FIG. 19 show, in detail, information search
30, 3b form an input device 3.
ing apparatus in accordance with the present invention;
The input key group 30 is provided at the upper part
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the arrangement of a
thereof with a mode setting key group _4 for calling and
main portion of a control unit of the information search
setting a variety of functions of the electronic-type
thereof may be readily and quickly checked.
ing apparatus;
FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a memory arrangement
of a primary table memory unit, a secondary table mem
ory unit and meaning data table memory unit;
FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating the operations exe—
dictionary apparatus. The mode setting key group 4
includes an English-English dictionary key 4a for set
ting an English-English dictionary mode, and a variety
of keys for respectively setting modes of calender,
schedule, calculation, telephone number and memo.
cuted in a CPU;
55
The input key group 3a is provided at the center part
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the arrangement of
thereof with an alphabet key group 5 (for entering the
the information searching apparatus;
characters from A to O) for entering character informa
FIG. 5 is a front view of the arrangement of the infor
tion in alphabet. The input key group 3a is also pro
mation searching apparatus;
vided at the lower part thereof with a numerical value
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the arrangement of a 60 input key group 6 for entering numerical information
control unit;
when the apparatus is used as a calculator. Provision is
FIG. 7(a), 7(b) and 7(0) are views illustrating the
display examples of an LCD;
'
FIG. 8 is a view illustrating the data arrangement in
made such that the numerical value input key group 6 is
also used for entering portions of alphabets (P to Z). In
other words, the alphabet key group 5 and the numeri
a word No.;
65 cal value input key group 6 form index word input keys
FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the arrangement of a
20 for entering English index words.
main portion of a control unit for displaying the syn
onyms and antonyms of an index word;
A power-ON key 7, a power-OFF key 8 and other
keys are disposed between the mode setting key group
5,210,853
10
4 and the alphabet key group 5. In the apparatus, the
English-English dictionary key 4a also serves as the
power-ON key 7, and vice versa. More speci?cally,
provision is made such that, for example when the pow
according to a calender based on the date and time
er-ON key 7 is operated, the English-English dictionary
power to the circuits above-mentioned. The batteries 17
are so arranged as to support the RAM 15 while the
mode is set.
initially set by the input key group 3a and the like.
The body 1 of the electronic-type dictionary appara
tus further incorporates batteries 17 for supplying
‘
power of the electronic-type dictionary apparatus is
Disposed at the lower part of the input key group 3b
turned OFF, so that the memory contents are held.
are an operation key group 9 including an index word
searching key 90 for executing a search for an index
word, and other input keys. Disposed under the opera
tion key group 9 is a scroll key group 10 for scrolling
the display screen.
The following description will discuss the arrange
ment of a control unit of the electronic-type dictionary
apparatus above-mentioned.
.
Based on the operation program in the ROM 14, the
CPU 11 executes a processing according to data entered
from the input keys. The CPU 11 then executes a vari
ety of functions after the processing result has been
displayed on the LCD 2. For example, the CPU 11 is
adapted to serve as primary table reading means which
15 obtains (i) a block No. representing the block containing
the meaning data to be searched, based on the spelling
The control unit is housed in the body 1 and com
characters of an index word entered from the alphabet
posed of a microcomputer with a CPU 11 centered. The
key group 5, and (ii) an in-block meaning data No. rep
CPU 11 is connected to the LCD 2 through an LCD
resenting where the real address of the meaning data to
driver 12. The LCD driver 12 is a driving circuit for
driving the LCD 2 according to an instruction from the 20 be searched is stored in the block. The primary table
reading means also reads, from the primary table mem
CPU 11. The various input keys of the input key groups
ory unit 14a, the base bank No. of the block containing
30, 3b are connected to the CPU 11 through an I/O port
the meaning data, the secondary table bank No. and the
13. Accordingly, the CPU 11 may judge which input
secondary table address, based on the block No.
key has been pressed, based on the address of the I/O
25
The CPU 11 is also adapted to serve as secondary
port 13.
table reading means which reads, from the secondary
The body 1 of the electronic-type dictionary appara
table memory unit 14b, the number of the changed
tus includes a ROM 14, a RAM 15 and an RTC (Real
banks for the meaning data to be searched and the
Time Clock) 16 each of which is connected to the CPU
meaning data real address, based on the in-block mean
11.
ing data No., the secondary table bank No. and the
'The ROM 14 is a read-only memory having a plural
secondary table address.
ity of banks and contains an operation program of the
The CPU 11 is also adapted to serve as information
electronic-type dictionary apparatus and dictionary
reading means for reading, as information to be
data such as index word data and the spelling characters
searched, the meaning data from the meaning data
thereof, and the like.
35 memory unit 140 based on the base bank No., the num
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the ROM 14 in
cludes:
a meaning data memory unit 14c serving as informa
tion memory means for storing meaning data which are
a plurality of types of information to be searched and 40
which represent the meanings of a word corresponding
to the spelling characters of each index word entered
from the alphabet key group S;
ber of changed banks and the meaning data real address.
As to the CPU 11 having the arrangement above
mentioned, the following description will discuss, with
reference to a flow chart in FIG. 3, the operations exe
cuted in the CPU 11 adapted to display the meanings of
a word corresponding to index word spelling characters
entered from the alphabet key group 5 and the numeri
cal value input key group 6.
When the English-English dictionary key 40 or the
a secondary table memory unit 14b serving as second
ary table memory means containing (i) the number of 45 power-ON key 7 is operated, the English-English dic
changed banks which is the difference between (a) the
tionary mode is set. For example as shown in FIG. 7(a),
base bank No. i.e., the top bank No. in the area contain
the initial screen requiring the entry of spelling charac
ing the ?rst meaning data of the block containing the
ters of an index word is then displayed on the LCD 2
meaning data, each block being formed by the meaning
data of, for example, 1024 words, and (b) the top bank
No. in the area containing each meaning data, (ii) the
(S1). Then, the spelling characters of the index word are
50
displayed on the LCD 2 (S2). For example, when an
index word “pocket notebook” is entered from the
alphabet key group 5, data are displayed as shown in
meaning data real address which is the top address in
the area containing each meaning data, such number of
changed banks and meaning data real address being
stored for each meaning data; and
.
a primary table memory unit 140 serving as primary
table memory means containing, for each block, (i) the
top bank No. in the area containing the number of
entered by operating the alphabet key group 5 and
FIG. 7(b).
55
Provision may be made such that there may be re
ceived, at the step S2, not only the entry of spelling
characters of an index word, but also the operation for
instructing the display of words stored before and after
changed banks and the meaning data real address of the
the currently displayed words.
?rst meaning data in the block, (ii) the secondary table 60 When the operation of an index word searching key
bank No. serving as an address, (iii) the secondary table
90 is received (S3) and the index word searching key 9a
address, and (iv) the base bank No. of the block, in the
is operated, the word having spelling characters identi
secondary table memory unit 14b.
cal with those entered from the alphabet key group 5 is
The RAM 15 is a read/write random-access memory
searched in the index word spelling characters stored in
to be used for recording data entered from the input key 65 the ROM 14, and the index word data corresponding to
groups 3a and 3b or at the time when the CPU 11 is
operated. The RTC 16 is a real time clock which is a
circuit for counting, in real time, current date and time
the entered spelling characters are read from the ROM
14 and held in the RAM 15 (S4). For example, when the
spelling characters “pocket notebook” as shown in