JPH04367966A - information processing equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus capable of switching the dictionary used when converting an input character string into a desired character string.

0002

[Prior Art] Conventional kana-kanji conversion is generally done by using a dictionary that combines pronunciation, notation, and part-of-speech information, and performing analysis between words or sentences in light of Japanese grammar. .

[0003] When this kana-kanji conversion method is used to convert fields such as addresses and names, which have different vocabulary and categories from the usual kana-kanji conversion dictionary, for example, "Surugasisuru goose" (Suruga town, Suruga city) is converted. Place names are often translated incorrectly, or erroneously, as in ``printing starving goose''.

[0004] Therefore, in character input methods limited to inputting addresses, for example, as described in JP-A-2-72472, a place name dictionary that holds place name notations and hierarchical information is used to input higher place names (for example, An input method is known in which displayed place names are selected hierarchically from Tokyo (Tokyo) to lower place names (Setagaya Ward, Kyodo, etc.).

[0005]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] The input method described above is an input method specially prepared for limited functions such as an address book input function. Most of the character strings that appear in this input function are a list of place name words such as "Tokyo" and "Setagaya-ku", and the method of Kana-Kanji conversion is to cut out the word from the beginning, so it is possible to convert it to normal Kana-Kanji. It is easier than conversion and has relatively high conversion accuracy, so it is effective as an address-specific input method in the address book input function.

However, even in normal kana-kanji conversion of documents, it may be necessary to input address, name, etc. In this case, the address input function does not function for normal kana-kanji conversion, resulting in strange conversion results as shown above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing device that can easily and accurately correct parts of addresses and names that are erroneously converted during kana-kanji conversion in ordinary documents. shall be.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention has been made to achieve the above object, and includes an input means for inputting character codes and a relationship between the character codes and characters. a plurality of dictionaries; a conversion means for converting the character code into a predetermined character using the dictionary and outputting the conversion result and/or conversion candidates; and a conversion result and/or output by the conversion means. Alternatively, an information processing device comprising display means for displaying conversion candidates, and dictionary switching means having a function of switching the dictionary while the conversion results and/or conversion candidates are displayed on the display means. is provided.

In this case, it is preferable that the dictionary switching means has a function of causing the display means to display a display indicating a method for switching dictionaries while the conversion results and/or conversion candidates are being displayed. Furthermore,
It is preferable to have a function of detecting switching of dictionaries, and, when the switching is detected, to perform character conversion using the new switched dictionary.

[0010] Furthermore, the conversion means has a cursor means capable of specifying a desired part of the conversion result, and the conversion means performs the character conversion to be performed in response to dictionary switching. It may also be carried out for the part after the part where it is.

[0011] Possible dictionaries include a general dictionary used in normal character conversion, a place name dictionary, a personal name dictionary, and a postal code dictionary that associates numbers with addresses.

The dictionary switching means may have a function of displaying a method for switching to the general dictionary on the display means when the dictionary is switched to another dictionary other than the general dictionary.

[0013]

[Operation] When a character code is input by the input means, the conversion means performs character conversion based on a dictionary. Then, the conversion results and/or conversion candidates are displayed on the display means. Further, the dictionary switching means causes the display means to display a method for switching dictionaries.

However, depending on the conversion results and/or conversion candidates, it may be difficult to obtain the correct kanji. For example, when converting a place name into kana-kanji, a completely random conversion result and/or conversion candidate may be displayed.

In this case, the user causes the dictionary switching means to switch dictionaries according to the switching method. In this case, the dictionary to be switched to will naturally vary depending on the object of character conversion. Switch to the place name dictionary for place names, the personal name dictionary for personal names, and the postal code dictionary for numbers, that is, postal codes.

[0016] Then, the converting means detects this switching of the dictionary and performs character conversion anew using the switched dictionary. In this case, character conversion is performed for all parts after the part specified by the cursor. However, it may be configured to perform the process only on the portion designated by the cursor.

The dictionary switching means causes the display means to display a method for switching to the general dictionary or another dictionary while the dictionary is being switched to another dictionary other than the general dictionary.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

The present embodiment includes an input device 201 for inputting readings and instructing switching of dictionaries, a display device 202 for displaying the results of kana-kanji conversion and displaying a method for switching dictionaries, It mainly consists of an external storage device 203 that stores dictionary documents, a CPU 208, a memory 211, and a cursor position management section 212.

[0021] The external storage device 203 stores a plurality of dictionaries used to obtain kanji notation based on readings input from the input device 201 such as a keyboard, and to convert addresses/names according to the present invention. ing. In this embodiment, the dictionaries include a general dictionary 204 and a place name dictionary 20.
5. It has a personal name dictionary 206 and a postal code dictionary 207. Note that the postal code dictionary 207 is a dictionary that associates numbers, that is, postal codes, with addresses.

The medium of the external storage device 203 is not particularly limited, and a plurality of types may be used in combination. Therefore, the various dictionaries described above may be stored in a medium with a high processing speed, such as a ROM, or may be stored in a medium, such as a flexible disk, which is set by the user as necessary. Further, depending on the performance balance of the entire system, for example, a common dictionary such as the general dictionary 204 may be stored in the ROM, and a dedicated dictionary such as the place name dictionary 205 may be stored in a flexible disk.

The CPU 208 has a function of executing various programs for converting a character string inputted from the input device 201 into kana-kanji using the above-mentioned dictionary. By executing the program, a control unit 209 and an input device 2 control the entire device.
A notation search unit 210 and the like that searches the dictionary based on the character string input from 01 is configured as software.

Furthermore, the CPU 208 of this embodiment has a function of switching dictionaries in order to convert technical terms such as place names into kana-kanji with high accuracy in ordinary documents. The cursor position control unit 212, which will be explained in detail later along with the operation explanation, automatically converts addresses, names, etc. when switching dictionaries. It has the function of controlling the cursor necessary to determine the first reading to be performed. Here, a cursor is not limited to a short bar used to indicate the input position of a character in a word processor, etc., but also an expression used to represent the target area when performing a certain task, such as a character. It also includes frames surrounding the columns or shading.

The input device 201 has a numeric keypad 401 as shown in FIG. The numeric keypad 401 is used not only for inputting numbers, but also for selecting conversion candidates in kana-kanji conversion. In other words, as shown in Figure 3, which will be explained later,
The conversion candidates are displayed on the display device 202 as a matrix corresponding to the upper three rows of key arrangement of the numeric keypad 401. In FIG. 3, the matrices are shown as candidate matrices 308, 313. However, the display manner of conversion candidates, the method of selecting candidates, etc. are not limited to this.

The memory 211 is for storing data created by the CPU 208 and conversion results.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the kana-kanji conversion and dictionary switching process according to the present invention.

After the operation starts, when the operator inputs the pronunciation of the sentence to be created during normal document input and instructs conversion, kana-kanji conversion is executed (step 101). The conversion candidates are then displayed on the display device 202 (step 102).

The display state of the display device 202 at this time is shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b).

FIG. 3(a) shows a state in which readings have been input. On the screen 301, a cursor 303 waiting for character input is located immediately after the already input reading. After this, if you wish to continue inputting readings, simply press the character key, and the input readings will begin to enter from the position of the cursor 303.

[0032] The input character string 302 indicates, for example, that the pronunciation of the address "Yokohamashitsuka to Kumaiokacho" has been input. As a result of the conversion of this reading, what is expected is the address "Maioka-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama City" as shown as the target character string 304 (of course, the target character string 304 is the same as the actual screen (It is not shown in the figure, but is included in the figure for explanation.)

However, when normal kana-kanji conversion is actually performed, since a dictionary dedicated to addresses is not used,
), the result will be as shown in the conversion result 306 on the screen 305.

The square surrounding the "Yokohama" portion is a candidate display cursor, and conversion candidates for the portion designated by this cursor are displayed in the candidate matrix 309.

The reading input cursor 307 is the conversion result 30
It is located just after 6. Therefore, if there is no need to select a candidate, that is, if the conversion has been performed correctly, just input the next reading and it will be displayed from the position of the cursor 307.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, a dictionary switching method display 308 is displayed above the candidate matrix 309.

Next, among the conversion results 306, since the part up to "Totsuka, Yokohama City" has been correctly converted, the candidate display cursor is moved to the incorrectly converted part, in this case "Kumai" (Fig. 3 (see (c)). Then, the display state of the conversion result 306 in FIG. 3(b) is the conversion result 3 on the screen 310.
It changes like 11. In addition, the reading input cursor 31
2 is displayed at the same position as the cursor 307 in FIG. 3(b).

[0038] In this case, the candidates are displayed from the candidate matrix 309 showing candidates for "Yokohama".
This has changed to a candidate matrix 314 showing candidates for "ku". This display includes the correct conversion result "ku".

To select "ward" from the candidate display 314, the corresponding key, in this case the "8" key 402, is pressed. In this way, normal kana-kanji conversion is performed.

However, even if the candidates are displayed repeatedly, it may be difficult to convert them into correct kanji by using the general dictionary 204. For example, regarding the kana-kanji conversion of the place name "Maioka Town",
It is expected that it will be difficult. In such a case, the user can use the above-mentioned dictionary switching method display 308, 3.
Switch the dictionary according to the method shown in 13.

That is, the user presses the "AND" key 403 on the numeric keypad 401 to instruct switching of dictionaries (step 103). Then, the dictionary switching process described in steps 104 to 109 will be executed.

It should be noted that, as a matter of course, if the "AND" key is not pressed, the process returns to step 101 in which normal kana-kanji conversion is continued.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a screen display corresponding to the processing from step 104 onwards.

When there is an instruction to switch dictionaries, the types of dictionaries held in the external storage device 203 are displayed (step 104). A screen 501 in FIG. 5(a) shows this situation. The screen 501 shows the previous screen, that is, FIG.
), a dictionary type display 503 is displayed at the position where the candidate matrix 314 was displayed. In addition, conversion result 3
11 is displayed as is as a conversion result 502.

Now, since the object to be converted, in this case "Maiokacho", is an address, press the key corresponding to "Address" in the dictionary type display 503, that is, "7" on the numeric keypad 401.
'' key to select the place name dictionary 205 (step 105).

[0046] The system then uses the selected dictionary as
Set as a dictionary for kana-kanji conversion (step 106)
).

[0047] Then, the candidate display cursor 5 on the screen 501
Using the location 04 as a base point, address conversion is performed using the place name dictionary 205 (step 107). As a result, there is a high possibility that the conversion result 502 will be converted correctly, like the conversion result 506 in FIG. 5(b).

In this case, as in the case of normal kana-kanji conversion, conversion candidates for the portion designated by the candidate display cursor 507 are displayed in the candidate matrix 509. Further, selection of a candidate is also performed by the same operation, that is, by selecting a candidate using the numeric keypad 401. Furthermore, if the candidate at the top of the candidate matrix 509 (the top row in the case of the screen 505) is acceptable, you can proceed to the next operation without selecting the candidate, and a dictionary switching method display 508 is displayed. The same is true.

In this case, an example was explained in which the place name dictionary 205 was selected, but if the personal name dictionary 206 and the postal code dictionary 207 are selected in step 105, the personal name conversion (step 108) and the postal code conversion(
Step 109) is performed.

After performing the kana-kanji conversion triggered by switching the dictionary, return to step 102 and proceed to step 10.
Kanji conversion using the dictionary selected in step 5 can be continued.

[0051] If the user presses the "AND" key on the numeric keypad 401 again after completing the necessary address conversion, the dictionary type display 511 will be displayed on the screen 510 (
(See Figure 5(c)). Therefore, if you want to perform normal kana-kanji conversion, you can select the general dictionary here.

In the above embodiment, the dictionary used for kana-kanji conversion can be changed as needed, so the hit rate of kana-kanji conversion can be increased. Furthermore, since the dictionary is switched according to the user's instructions, an appropriate dictionary is selected.

Furthermore, it is possible to switch dictionaries even during kana-kanji conversion. Therefore, you can input readings all at once and switch dictionaries when selecting candidates.
There is no reduction in operability. Furthermore, since conversion can be performed once using a general dictionary and the dictionary can be switched only when there are no suitable candidates, the number of dictionary switches can be minimized.

[0054] In the above embodiment, only kana-kanji conversion was explained, but the invention is not limited to this.
Of course, it is also applicable to some kind of processing equivalent to kana-kanji conversion. It is also naturally possible to switch dictionaries when kana-kanji conversion is not being performed.

[0055]

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, when converting addresses, names, postal codes, etc. during the creation of general documents, it is possible to simply instruct to switch dictionaries when modifying the converted results. , can be easily done. Therefore, the user can easily use the conversion function using a special dictionary as described above. In particular, before conversion, it is often unclear whether a term (such as an address) is included in a general dictionary, so the method of the present invention of switching dictionaries after checking the conversion result is difficult to implement in real life. Effective for document creation.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the overall processing of this embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen display according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a numeric keypad of this embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen display according to the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An input means for inputting character codes; a plurality of dictionaries that describe relationships between the character codes and characters;
A conversion means for converting the character code into a predetermined character using the dictionary and outputting the conversion result and/or conversion candidates, and displaying the conversion result and/or conversion candidate output by the conversion means. An information processing apparatus comprising: a display means for displaying the conversion result and/or a conversion candidate; and a dictionary switching means having a function of switching the dictionary while the conversion result and/or conversion candidate is displayed on the display means. 2. The dictionary switching means has a function of causing the display means to display a display indicating a method for switching dictionaries while the conversion results and/or conversion candidates are being displayed. An information processing device according to claim 1. 3. The converting means has a function of detecting switching of dictionaries, and when detecting the switching, performs character conversion using the new switched dictionary. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. 4. A cursor means capable of specifying a desired part of the conversion result, wherein the conversion means performs character conversion triggered by dictionary switching, using a character specified by the cursor means at that time. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the information processing apparatus performs the processing on a portion after the portion where the information is displayed. 5. One of the dictionaries is a general dictionary used in normal character conversion, and the dictionary switching means is a method for switching to the general dictionary in a state where the dictionary is switched to a dictionary other than the general dictionary. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a function of displaying the information on said display means. 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of the dictionaries is a place name dictionary. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of the dictionaries is a personal name dictionary. 8. The information processing according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7, wherein any one of the dictionaries is a postal code dictionary that associates numbers with addresses. Device.