JP2011014101A - Information display device, information display method, information display program, and electronic dictionary - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently display a headword candidate list screen including a candidate list of headwords and description preview information.SOLUTION: The device includes a dictionary data storage unit 23b which stores dictionary information including a headword and description information; an input unit 22 for inputting characters; a control unit 21 which searches dictionary information including a headword corresponding to the input characters from the dictionary data storage unit 23b; and a display unit 17 which displays a candidate list of headwords in the searched dictionary information and description preview information corresponding to a headword candidate selected from the candidate list, in either a vertical division style in which a screen is vertically divided or a horizontal division style in which the screen is horizontally divided. The character string length of each headword candidate included in the candidate list displayed on the display unit 17 in the vertical division style is compared with the width of a candidate list area, and the display style is changed based on the comparison result.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information display technique for displaying a headword candidate list and related information corresponding to a headword candidate selected from the candidate list.

  Information processing technology that handles dictionary information in which a headword and commentary information on the headword are associated has become widespread. For example, in an electronic dictionary, a character that is a search keyword is input, a headword is searched based on the character or character string, and a list of searched headword candidates and commentary information corresponding to the selected headword candidate There is known a headword search preview technique for displaying the preview information (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition, as a display style of the headword candidate list screen in the headword search preview technology described above, a style (vertical split style) for displaying each display area of the candidate list and the preview information in the vertical direction, and a screen There is known a style (horizontal division style) in which the image is divided and displayed in the horizontal direction. Furthermore, an electronic dictionary that can switch and display a headword candidate list screen in both display styles by a key operation is also known.

JP 2001-134568 A

  In the display style described above, the vertical division style can increase the number of headword candidates displayed in the candidate list as compared to the horizontal division style. On the other hand, the displayable character string length of headword candidates is shorter than that of the horizontal division style. In each display style, the area ratio between the two display areas of the candidate list and the preview information in the headword candidate list screen is fixed. Further, even in an apparatus that can change the character size of the displayed character, the character size of the character displayed on the entry word candidate list screen cannot be changed by key operation.

  When the headword candidate list screen is displayed according to the vertical division style of such display styles, if there is a headword candidate with a long character string length in the candidate list, the display of the headword candidate is displayed in the candidate list. May be interrupted at the edge of the display area. In such a case, an inconvenience such as making it difficult for the user of the apparatus to select a headword candidate will be imposed. On the other hand, if there is only a short word string candidate in the candidate list, a lot of white space remains in the candidate list display area, and the user feels inefficiency of area division. .

  In such a case, as described above, if the display style is switched from the vertical division style to the horizontal division style by a key operation, it is expected to reduce the above-described problem. However, the determination of whether or not to switch the display style is troublesome because it is always based on the determination of the user who viewed the display state of the headword candidate list screen. In particular, in the case of repeatedly searching a dictionary by inputting a number of search keywords, the operability for the user is extremely poor.

  Thus, with the conventional headword search preview technology, the headword candidate list screen including the candidate list and preview information cannot be efficiently displayed.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problem, and an information display device, an information display method, and an information display device capable of efficiently displaying a headword candidate list and related information of a selected headword candidate on a screen, An object is to provide an information display program and an electronic dictionary.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides means [1]-[12] below.
[1] A first format in which a candidate word candidate list corresponding to a character or a character string and related information corresponding to a candidate word selected from the candidate list are arranged in a vertically divided display screen Display means for displaying in one of the selected formats out of the second format in which the display screen is divided in the horizontal direction;
A character string length of a candidate word included in a candidate list when displayed on the display means in the first format is compared with a width length of the candidate list, and based on the comparison result, Selecting means for selecting the first or second format;
An information display device comprising:
[2] The selection means compares the character string length of a predetermined headword candidate included in the candidate list when displayed on the display means in the first format with a length longer than the width length of the candidate list. In the case of a result, the information display device according to the above [1], wherein the second format of the display means is selected.
[3] Display means for displaying a candidate word candidate list corresponding to a character or character string and related information corresponding to a candidate word selected from the candidate list by dividing the display screen in the vertical direction;
Changing means for changing the width of the candidate list so as to be equal to or longer than a character string length of a predetermined headword candidate included in the candidate list;
An information display device comprising:
[4] The changing unit may change the character size of the predetermined entry word candidate so that a character string length of the predetermined entry word candidate included in the candidate list is equal to or less than a width length of the candidate list. The information display device according to [3], wherein the information display device is changed.
[5] In a first format in which a candidate list of headwords corresponding to characters or character strings and related information corresponding to headword candidates selected from the candidate list are arranged by dividing the display screen vertically. A comparison step of comparing the character string length of the headword candidate included in the candidate list when displaying with the width length of the candidate list;
A selection for selecting one of the first format and the second format in which the display screen is divided in the horizontal direction and arranged based on the comparison result in the comparison step. Steps,
A display step of displaying the candidate list and the related information in a format selected in the selection step;
An information display method characterized by comprising:
[6] In the selection step, the comparison result in the comparison step is such that the character string length of a predetermined entry word candidate included in the candidate list when displayed in the first format is longer than the width length of the candidate list. If the result is, the information display method according to [5], wherein the second format is selected.
[7] A change step of changing the width of the candidate word candidate list corresponding to the character or character string so as to be equal to or longer than the character string length of the predetermined candidate word candidate included in the candidate list;
A display step of displaying the candidate list whose width has been changed and related information corresponding to the headword candidate selected from the candidate list by dividing the display screen in the vertical direction;
An information display method characterized by comprising:
[8] In the changing step, the character size for the predetermined headword candidate is set so that a character string length for the predetermined headword candidate included in the candidate list is equal to or shorter than a width length of the candidate list. The information display method according to [7], wherein the information display method is changed.
[9] A computer that causes a display device to display a candidate word candidate list corresponding to a character or a character string and related information corresponding to a candidate word selected from the candidate list.
Character string lengths of headword candidates included in the candidate list when the candidate list and the related information are displayed on the display device in the first format in which the display screen is divided in the vertical direction, and the candidate list A comparison step for comparing with the width, and
Selection to select one of the first format and the second format in which the display screen is divided in the horizontal direction and arranged based on the comparison result in the comparison step Steps,
A display step of causing the display device to display the candidate list and the related information in the format selected in the selection step;
Information display program to execute.
[10] A computer that causes a display device to display a candidate word candidate list corresponding to a character or a character string and related information corresponding to a candidate word selected from the candidate list.
A change step of changing the width of the candidate word candidate list to be equal to or longer than the character string length of the predetermined candidate word included in the candidate list;
A display step of causing the display device to display the candidate list with the changed width and the related information corresponding to the headword candidate selected from the candidate list in a format in which the display screen is divided in the vertical direction and displayed. ,
Information display program to execute.
[11] Storage means for storing dictionary information including an entry word and commentary information on the entry word;
An input means for entering a search keyword;
Search means for searching the storage means for dictionary information including a headword corresponding to the input search keyword;
A first format in which a candidate list of headwords in the searched dictionary information and commentary information corresponding to a headword candidate selected from the candidate list are arranged in a vertically divided display screen; and a display screen Display means for displaying in any one of the selected formats among the second format that is divided in the horizontal direction;
A character string length of a candidate word included in the candidate list when displayed on the display means in the first format is compared with a width length of the candidate list, and the display means Selecting means for selecting the first or second format;
An electronic dictionary characterized by comprising:
[12] Storage means for storing dictionary information including an entry word and commentary information on the entry word;
An input means for entering a search keyword;
Search means for searching the storage means for dictionary information including a headword corresponding to the input search keyword;
Display means for dividing the display screen in the vertical direction and displaying the candidate word candidate list in the searched dictionary information and the commentary information corresponding to the candidate word candidate selected from the candidate list;
Changing means for changing the width of the candidate list so as to be equal to or longer than a character string length of a predetermined headword candidate included in the candidate list;
An electronic dictionary characterized by comprising:

  According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently display the candidate word candidate list and the related information of the selected candidate word on the screen.

1 is an external view of an electronic dictionary to which an information display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. 1 is a schematic block configuration diagram of an electronic dictionary to which a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a display example of a headword candidate list screen displayed when a headword search is performed for dictionary information of a Japanese dictionary. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the headword search of an electronic dictionary and preview display in 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the headword search of an electronic dictionary and preview display in 2nd embodiment. It is the example of the headword candidate list screen displayed by the process of the electronic dictionary in 2nd embodiment, and the example of the conventional headword candidate list screen. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the headword search of an electronic dictionary and preview display in 3rd embodiment. It is an example (example by a 1st method) of the headword candidate list screen displayed by the process of the electronic dictionary in 3rd embodiment. It is an example (example by a 2nd method) of the headword candidate list screen displayed by the process of the electronic dictionary in 3rd embodiment. It is an example (example by a 3rd method) of the headword candidate list screen displayed by the process of the electronic dictionary in 3rd embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First embodiment]
FIG. 1 shows an external view of an electronic dictionary to which the information display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied. In the figure, an electronic dictionary 1 has a power key 11, a plurality of arranged character keys 12, a determination key 13, four cursor keys 14, a next heading key 15a, and a previous heading key as an operation system configuration. 15b and a display style switching key 16. These operation systems can be constituted by a general keyboard. Further, the electronic dictionary 1 includes a display unit 17 as a configuration of the display system.

  The power key 11 is a key for turning on / off the power of the electronic dictionary 1. The character key 12 is a key for inputting alphanumeric characters. The determination key 13 is a key for determining a selected headword candidate. The cursor key 14 is an input cursor displayed on the screen of the display unit 17 when inputting characters, and a selection cursor displayed to indicate a selected item (for example, to indicate a selected entry word candidate). It is a key for moving. The cursor key 14 has keys in four directions, up, down, left and right.

  The next heading key 15a is a key for moving the page by one screen (one page) in a state where the candidate word candidate list is displayed on the screen of the display unit 17. The previous heading key 15b is a key for returning the page for one screen in a state where the candidate word candidate list is displayed. The next heading key 15a and the previous heading key 15b are collectively referred to as a heading feed key 15. The display style switching key 16 is a key for switching the display style of the headword candidate list screen that displays both the candidate list and the explanation preview information corresponding to the selected headword candidate.

  The display unit 17 is configured by a display device using, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of an electronic dictionary to which the first embodiment of the present invention is applied. In the figure, the same components as those in the external view shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the electronic dictionary 1 includes a display unit 17, a control unit 21, an input unit 22, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 23, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 24. The ROM 23 is divided into at least a program storage unit 23a and a dictionary data storage unit 23b.

  The control unit 21 is configured to include, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 21 controls the entire electronic dictionary 1 by reading the electronic dictionary control program stored in the program storage unit 23a into the RAM 24 and executing it. In the first embodiment, by reading and executing the information display program from the electronic dictionary control program, the candidate word candidate list and the comment preview information of the selected candidate word candidate are efficiently displayed on the display unit 17. The details will be described.

  The input unit 22 is an operation input unit including various keys that are components of an operation system. The dictionary data storage unit 23b is a dictionary information database in which dictionary information of various dictionaries such as a Japanese dictionary, an English-Japanese dictionary, and a Japanese-English dictionary is collected for each dictionary. In the first embodiment, the dictionary information of the Japanese dictionary from the dictionary information database will be described as an example. The dictionary information of the Japanese dictionary stored in the dictionary data storage unit 23b is databased by associating headwords with commentary information corresponding thereto. The RAM 24 temporarily stores the work area for developing the electronic dictionary control program and the dictionary information read from the dictionary data storage unit 23b, and various settings such as the number of dots for determining the display style and the size of characters to be displayed. It is used as a work work area for temporarily storing information.

  FIG. 3 shows a display example of the headword candidate list screen displayed on the display unit 17 when the headword search is performed on the dictionary information of the Japanese dictionary for each display style. FIG. 6A shows an example in which the screen is displayed in a vertical division style (first format) obtained by dividing the screen in the vertical direction, and FIG. 10B shows a horizontal division style (second format) obtained by dividing the screen in the horizontal direction. It is a displayed example. In FIG. 3A, a headword candidate list screen 3a which is a vertically divided style is configured to include an input field 31, a candidate list area 32, and a preview area 34.

  The input field 31 is an input interface for inputting a character or a character string to be searched when the user presses the character key 12 of the input unit 22. In the example of FIG. 6A, the character keys 12 corresponding to “K”, “O”, “K”, “U”, “S”, “A”, “I” of the input unit 22 are sequentially pressed. As a result, the control unit 21 sequentially reads the key code of each character key 12 and performs conversion from Romaji to Hiragana. Then, the control unit 21 echoes “Kokusai”, which is the converted Hiragana character string, back to the input field 31.

  The candidate list area 32 is an area where headword candidates corresponding to the characters or character strings input in the input field 31 are retrieved from the dictionary data storage unit 23b and displayed together in a candidate list. In the example of FIG. 3A, 15 headword candidates corresponding to the character string “Kokusai” input in the input field 31 are displayed in a list from the top to the bottom in the candidate list area 32. It shows a state. The screen of FIG. 10A shows a state in which the selection cursor 35 is positioned at the head entry word 33 that is the head entry word of the candidate list in the candidate list area 32. Therefore, this screen indicates that the head entry word 33 “Kokusai [Kansai]” is currently selected.

  In the example of FIG. 3A, when there are 16 or more headword candidates, one line of the candidate list in the candidate list area 32 is operated by operating the up and down keys of the cursor keys 14 of the input unit 22. The candidate list can be paged by one screen by scrolling in units or by operating the heading key 15 of the input unit 22.

  Depending on the headword candidate, the length of the character string may exceed the width of the candidate list area 32, and the sentence of the headword may not fit in the candidate list area 32. In such a case, an arrow mark A is displayed as in the headword candidate list screen 3a in FIG. 3A to inform the user that the sentence is interrupted.

  The preview area 34 is an area where comment information corresponding to a headword candidate selected by the selection cursor 35 is read from the dictionary data storage unit 23b and comment preview information which is at least part of the comment information is displayed. is there. This commentary preview information is the amount of information that can be displayed in the preview area 34 of the commentary information. Therefore, the preview area 34 has a role as a preview screen for commentary information.

  Next, in FIG. 3B, the headword candidate list screen 3 b that is a horizontal division style includes an input field 31, a candidate list area 36, and a preview area 38. A selection cursor 39 is positioned at the head entry word 37 that is the head entry word of the candidate list in the candidate list area 36.

  Between the headword candidate list screen 3b in FIG. 3B and the headword candidate list screen 3a in FIG. 3A, the screen configuration of the candidate list area 36 and the preview area 38, the candidate list area 32, and the preview area The screen configuration of 34 is different. Since the horizontal width of the candidate list area 36 that is the horizontal division style is longer than the horizontal width of the candidate list area 32 that is the vertical division style, the display of the horizontal division style is interrupted even if the character string length of the headword candidate is longer. Less likely

  Next, operations for searching for an entry word in the electronic dictionary and displaying a preview in the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the control unit 21 of the electronic dictionary 1 reads out the electronic dictionary control program (including the information display program) stored in the program storage unit 23a into the expansion work area of the RAM 24 and starts execution, the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. Is executed. When an input field is displayed on the screen of the display unit 17 (S401), it waits for input of various keys of the input unit 22 (S402).

  When the enter key 13 of the input unit 22 is pressed (S402 enter key), the process of this flowchart ends. On the other hand, when the character key 12 of the input unit 22 is pressed (S402 character key), the control unit 21 reads the key code of the character key 12 and converts it from Romaji to Hiragana, and echoes the character back to the input field ( S403).

  Next, the control unit 21 searches for a headword that matches the search key from the dictionary information database of the national language dictionary stored in the dictionary data storage unit 23b using the character or character string input in the input field as a search key ( In S404, the candidate word candidate list is read out to the work work area of the RAM 24 and a candidate word candidate list is created (S405).

  Next, the control unit 21 extracts the number of headword candidates that can be included in the candidate list area in the vertical division style from the top of the candidate list. Then, the control unit 21 compares the character string length of each of the extracted headword candidates with the horizontal width of the candidate list area, and the character string length of any one of the headword candidates becomes the horizontal width of the candidate list area. If it exceeds, the control unit 21 determines the display style to be the horizontal split style, and otherwise determines the vertical split style (S406).

  Next, when the display style is determined to be the vertical division style (S407 vertical division), the control unit 21 sets the headword candidate list screen to the vertical division style (S408), while the control unit 21 sets the display style. When the horizontal division style is determined (S407 horizontal division), the headword candidate list screen is set to the horizontal division style (S409).

  Then, the control unit 21 displays a list of headword candidates extracted in the process of step S406 from the top in the candidate list area in the set display style, and displays the selection cursor at the head headword. Further, the comment information corresponding to the head entry word where the selection cursor is positioned is read from the dictionary data storage unit 23b, and the comment preview information having an amount of information sufficient to fit in the preview area is extracted. Then, the comment preview information is displayed in the preview area (S410). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S402 to wait for input.

  The electronic dictionary 1 can apply the above-described display style determination processing even when the candidate list is scrolled or paged after the first headword candidate list screen is displayed. That is, even when the candidate list is scrolled line by line using the cursor key 14 of the input unit 22 or the candidate list is paged using the heading feed key 15, the control unit 21 is shown in FIG. Processing similar to steps S406 to S410 in the flowchart can be executed. As a result, the headword candidate list screen displayed each time the cursor key 14 or the heading key 15 is pressed can be displayed in a display style corresponding to the candidate list.

  The entry word candidate list screen is displayed on the display unit 17, and the decision key 13 of the input unit 22 is pressed in a state where the comment preview information corresponding to the entry word candidate selected by the selection cursor is displayed. Explanation information corresponding to the headword is displayed in full screen.

  With the above processing, the electronic dictionary in the first embodiment displays the horizontal display style when it detects that there is at least one headword candidate that causes a sentence to break when the headword candidate list screen is displayed in the vertical division style. Changed to split style and displayed. Thereby, the electronic dictionary can select an optimal display style according to the character string length of the headword candidate, and can display an efficient headword candidate list screen.

  In the process of step S406 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 21 extracts the number of headword candidates that can be included in the candidate list area in the vertical division style from the top of the candidate list, and extracts this The display style is determined to be the horizontal division style only when the length of any one of the headword candidates exceeds the width of the candidate list area. However, when processing is performed in this manner, if the display style is frequently switched when the candidate list is continuously scrolled or paged, it may be difficult to view.

  In order to prevent and reduce this, when the number of extracted candidate words for one screen whose character string length exceeds the width of the candidate list area is detected in a number corresponding to a predetermined ratio, the display style is displayed. May be determined as the horizontal division style. For example, in the case of the headword candidate list screen 3a in the vertically divided style shown in FIG. 3A when the predetermined ratio is 30%, the maximum number of headword candidates displayed in the candidate list area 32 is 15 When the character string length of 4 (when rounded off after the decimal point) or 5 (when rounded off after the decimal point) headword candidate exceeds the width of the candidate list area 32, The display style is changed to the horizontal division style as in the headword candidate list screen 3b.

  In the process of step S406, the control unit 21 pays attention to the headword candidate at the head of the extracted headword candidates, and when it detects that the character string length exceeds the horizontal width of the candidate list area, the control style is changed. The horizontal division style may be determined. By doing in this way, since the control part 21 does not need to calculate the character string length about all the extracted headword candidates, it can lighten the calculation process and can follow the key operation and the display switching. Improves. Therefore, efficient display of the candidate list and the explanation preview information can be performed while keeping high followability between key operation and display switching.

[Second Embodiment]
Since the external appearance and block configuration of the electronic dictionary to which the information display device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is applied are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, description of these configurations is omitted.

  Next, operations for searching for an entry word in the electronic dictionary and preview display in the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the control unit 21 of the electronic dictionary 1 reads out the electronic dictionary control program (including the information display program) stored in the program storage unit 23a into the expansion work area of the RAM 24 and starts execution, the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. Is executed. Since the process of step S501-S505 is the same as the process of step S401-S405 of the process in 1st embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the specific description is abbreviate | omitted.

  Following the processing in step S505, the control unit 21 extracts the number of headword candidates that can be included in the candidate list area in the vertical division style from the top of the candidate list. Then, the control unit 21 selects a headword candidate having the longest character string length from the extracted headword candidates, and selects the candidate list so that the character string length of this headword candidate does not exceed the width of the candidate list area. Adjust the width of the area and the width of the preview area. Then, the control unit 21 determines the display style to be the vertical division style based on the adjusted screen configuration (S506).

  In this case, if the width of the candidate list area is made too large, the width of the preview area becomes too small and it becomes difficult to see the explanation preview information displayed there. Therefore, a maximum width value is provided for the variable width value of the candidate list area, and the control unit 21 sets the display style to the horizontal division style when the character string length of the longest headline candidate is longer than the maximum width value. Control to determine.

  Since the process of step S507-S510 is the same as the process of step S407-S410 of the process in 1st embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the specific description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a headword candidate list screen displayed on the display unit 17 by processing of the electronic dictionary in the second embodiment and an example of a conventional headword candidate list screen. FIG. 5A shows a display example in the electronic dictionary of the second embodiment. In the headword candidate list screen 6a of this figure, the width of the candidate list area 61 and the width of the preview area 62 are adjusted so that the sentences of all 15 headword candidates displayed in the candidate list area 61 are not interrupted. This shows how it is displayed. On the other hand, FIG. 5B is a display example in a conventional electronic dictionary. In the headword candidate list screen 6b of this figure, the sentence of three headword candidates among the 15 headword candidates displayed in the candidate list area 63 is interrupted, which makes it difficult to see the candidate list. Show.

  The electronic dictionary 1 can apply the above-described screen configuration determination process and display style determination process even when the candidate list is scrolled or page-turned after the first headword candidate list screen is displayed. it can. That is, even when the candidate list is scrolled line by line using the cursor key 14 of the input unit 22 or the candidate list is paged using the heading feed key 15, the control unit 21 is shown in FIG. Processing similar to steps S506 to S510 in the flowchart can be executed. Thus, the headword candidate list screen displayed each time the cursor key 14 or the heading key 15 is pressed can be displayed with the screen configuration and display style corresponding to the candidate list.

  With the above processing, the electronic dictionary in the second embodiment is configured such that the candidate list area and the preview area are not interrupted so that all of the headword candidate sentences in the candidate list displayed on the vertically divided headword candidate list screen are not interrupted. The width of was adjusted. Furthermore, when the limit of width adjustment is exceeded, the display style is changed to the horizontal split style. As a result, the electronic dictionary can take an optimal screen configuration according to the character string length of the headword candidate based on the vertical split style display style, and display an efficient and easy-to-read headword candidate list screen. Can do.

  In the process of step S506 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 21 extracts the number of headword candidates that can be included in the candidate list area in the vertical division style from the top of the candidate list, and extracts this The width of the candidate list area and the width of the preview area are adjusted so that the character string length of the longest headword candidate among the headword candidates does not exceed the horizontal width of the candidate list area, as in the first embodiment, When the number of extracted headword candidates for one screen whose character string length exceeds the horizontal width of the candidate list area is detected in a number corresponding to a predetermined ratio, the width of the candidate list area and the width of the preview area are calculated. You may make it adjust.

Further, in the process of step S506, the control unit 21 focuses on the headword candidate at the head of the extracted headword candidate, and when it detects that the character string length exceeds the width of the candidate list area, The width of the candidate list area and the width of the preview area may be adjusted so that the candidate character string length does not exceed the horizontal width of the candidate list area. By doing in this way, since the control part 21 does not need to calculate the character string length about all the extracted headword candidates, it can lighten the calculation process and can follow the key operation and the display switching. Improves. Therefore, efficient display of the candidate list and the explanation preview information can be performed while keeping high followability between key operation and display switching.

[Third embodiment]
The external appearance and block configuration of the electronic dictionary to which the information display device according to the third embodiment of the present invention is applied are also the same as those in the first embodiment described above, and thus description of these configurations is omitted.

  Next, operations for searching for an entry word in the electronic dictionary and displaying a preview in the third embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the control unit 21 of the electronic dictionary 1 reads out the electronic dictionary control program (including the information display program) stored in the program storage unit 23a into the expansion work area of the RAM 24 and starts execution, the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. Is executed. Since the process of steps S701-S705 is the same as the process of steps S401-S405 of the process in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4, its specific description is omitted.

  Following the processing in step S705, the control unit 21 extracts the number of headword candidates that can be included in the candidate list area in the vertical division style from the top of the candidate list. Then, the control unit 21 selects a headword candidate having the longest character string length from the extracted headword candidates, and selects the candidate list so that the character string length of this headword candidate does not exceed the width of the candidate list area. Adjust the text size for the display of the area and preview area. Then, the control unit 21 determines the display style to be the vertical division style (S706).

  For example, there are the following three methods for adjusting the character size. The first method is an adjustment method in which both the candidate list area and the preview area are changed to the same character size. The second method is a method of adjusting the character size of only the candidate list area. In the third method, the control unit 21 compares the character string length of each extracted headword candidate for one screen with the horizontal width of the candidate list area, and the headword candidate whose character string length exceeds the horizontal width of the candidate list area. This is a method for adjusting the character size only.

  In this case, if the character size is too small, it may be difficult for some users to see. Therefore, a minimum size value is provided for the character size option value, and the control unit 21 controls the display style to be determined as the horizontal division style when the character size becomes the minimum size value.

  Since the process of step S707-S710 is the same as the process of step S407-S410 of the process in 1st embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the specific description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIGS. 8 to 10 show examples of headword candidate list screens displayed on the display unit 17 by the electronic dictionary processing in the third embodiment. FIG. 8 shows an example in which the character size is adjusted and displayed by the first method. The headword candidate list screen 8 shown in FIG. 16 has a character size of 16 for display in the candidate list area 81 and the preview area 82 so that the sentences of all 15 headword candidates displayed in the candidate list area 81 are not interrupted. It shows a state of being set and displayed as a dot.

  FIG. 9 shows an example in which the character size is adjusted and displayed by the second method. In the headword candidate list screen 9 shown in the figure, the character size related to the display of the candidate list area 91 is set to 16 dots so that the sentences of all 15 headword candidates displayed in the candidate list area 91 are not interrupted. A state is shown in which the character size relating to the display of the preview area 92 is displayed with the standard size of 24 dots.

  FIG. 10 shows an example in which the character size is adjusted and displayed by the third method. The headword candidate list screen 10 shown in FIG. 10 has a headword candidate 102 whose character string length exceeds the horizontal width of the candidate list area 101 so that the sentences of all 15 headword candidates displayed in the candidate list area 101 are not interrupted. , 103 and 104, the character size related to the display is set to 16 dots, and the character size related to the display of the other headword candidates and the preview area 105 is displayed with the standard size of 24 dots. ing.

  The electronic dictionary 1 can apply the above-described screen configuration determination process and display style determination process even when the candidate list is scrolled or page-turned after the first headword candidate list screen is displayed. it can. That is, even when the candidate list is scrolled line by line using the cursor key 14 of the input unit 22 or the candidate list is paged using the heading feed key 15, the control unit 21 is shown in FIG. Processing similar to steps S706 to S710 in the flowchart can be executed. Thereby, the headword candidate list screen displayed each time the cursor key 14 or the heading key 15 is pressed can be displayed with the character size and the display style corresponding to the candidate list.

  Through the above processing, the electronic dictionary in the third embodiment is configured such that the candidate list area, the preview area, and the preview area are not interrupted so that all the headword candidate sentences in the candidate list displayed on the vertical word style candidate word list screen are not interrupted. The character size related to the display of was adjusted. Furthermore, when the character size becomes the minimum size value, the display style is changed to the horizontal division style. As a result, the electronic dictionary can take an optimal screen configuration according to the character string length of the headword candidate based on the vertical split style display style, and display an efficient and easy-to-read headword candidate list screen. Can do.

  In the process of step S706 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 21 extracts the number of headword candidates that can be included in the candidate list area in the vertical division style from the top of the candidate list, and extracts this The character size related to the display of the candidate list area and the preview area has been adjusted so that the character string length of the longest headword candidate among the headword candidates does not exceed the width of the candidate list area. When the number of headword candidates extracted for one screen whose character string length exceeds the width of the candidate list area is detected in a number corresponding to a predetermined ratio, the characters related to the display of the candidate list area and the preview area The size may be adjusted.

  Also, in the processing of step S706, the control unit 21 focuses on the headword candidate at the head of the extracted headword candidate, and when it detects that the character string length exceeds the width of the candidate list area, You may make it adjust the character size regarding a display of a candidate list area | region and a preview area | region so that the character string length of a word candidate may not exceed the horizontal width of a candidate list area | region. By doing in this way, since the control part 21 does not need to calculate the character string length about all the extracted headword candidates, it can lighten the calculation process and can follow the key operation and the display switching. Improves. Therefore, efficient display of the candidate list and the explanation preview information can be performed while keeping high followability between key operation and display switching.

  In addition, it can also be set as the structure which combined 2nd embodiment and 3rd embodiment mentioned above. That is, it is also a preferable example that the adjustment of the width of the candidate list area and the adjustment of the character size related to the display of the candidate list area are appropriately combined.

  The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to an electronic dictionary, and can be applied to, for example, an electronic apparatus or an information processing apparatus having an information processing function such as a mobile phone or a personal computer.

  Moreover, you may make it implement | achieve the function of a part of information display apparatus which is embodiment mentioned above, for example, a control part with a computer. In this case, an information display program for realizing the control function is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the information display program recorded on the recording medium is read by the computer system and executed. Also good. Here, the “computer system” includes an OS (Operating System) and hardware of peripheral devices. The “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a portable recording medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, and a memory card, and a storage device such as a hard disk built in the computer system. Furthermore, the “computer-readable recording medium” dynamically holds a program for a short time like a communication line when transmitting a program via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. In this case, a volatile memory in a computer system serving as a server or a client in that case may be included and a program that holds a program for a certain period of time may be included. Further, the above program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above, or may be realized by a combination with the program already recorded in the computer system. .

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was explained in full detail with reference to drawings, the concrete structure is not restricted to this embodiment, The design etc. of the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention are included.

1 Electronic Dictionary 11 Power Key 12 Character Key 13 Enter Key 14 Cursor Key 15 Heading Key 15a Next Heading Key 15b Previous Heading Key 16 Display Style Switching Key 17 Display Unit 21 Control Unit 22 Input Unit 23 ROM
23a Program storage unit 23b Dictionary data storage unit 24 RAM

Claims (12)

A first form in which a candidate list of headwords corresponding to a character or a character string and related information corresponding to a headword candidate selected from the candidate list are arranged in a vertically divided display screen; Display means for displaying in one of the selected formats out of the second format in which the frame is divided in the horizontal direction;
A character string length of a candidate word included in a candidate list when displayed on the display means in the first format is compared with a width length of the candidate list, and based on the comparison result, Selecting means for selecting the first or second format;
An information display device comprising:   The selection means is a comparison result that a character string length for a predetermined headword candidate included in the candidate list when displayed on the display means in the first format is longer than a width length of the candidate list. The information display device according to claim 1, wherein a second format of the display means is selected. Display means for displaying a candidate list of headwords corresponding to characters or character strings and related information corresponding to headword candidates selected from the candidate list by dividing the display screen in the vertical direction;
Changing means for changing the width of the candidate list so as to be equal to or longer than a character string length of a predetermined headword candidate included in the candidate list;
An information display device comprising:   The changing unit changes the character size of the predetermined headword candidate so that a character string length of the predetermined headword candidate included in the candidate list is equal to or shorter than a width length of the candidate list. The information display device according to claim 3. When displaying a candidate list of headwords corresponding to characters or character strings and related information corresponding to headword candidates selected from the candidate list in a first format in which the display screen is divided vertically and arranged. A comparison step of comparing the character string length of the headword candidate included in the candidate list and the width length of the candidate list;
A selection for selecting one of the first format and the second format in which the display screen is divided in the horizontal direction and arranged based on the comparison result in the comparison step. Steps,
A display step of displaying the candidate list and the related information in a format selected in the selection step;
An information display method characterized by comprising:   In the selection step, the comparison result in the comparison step is a result that a character string length of a predetermined entry word candidate included in the candidate list when displayed in the first format is longer than a width length of the candidate list. 6. The information display method according to claim 5, wherein the second format is selected in the case of A change step of changing the width of the candidate word candidate list corresponding to the character or the character string so as to be equal to or longer than the character string length of the predetermined candidate word candidate included in the candidate list;
A display step of displaying the candidate list whose width has been changed and related information corresponding to the headword candidate selected from the candidate list by dividing the display screen in the vertical direction;
An information display method characterized by comprising:   In the changing step, the character size of the predetermined headword candidate is changed so that a character string length of the predetermined headword candidate included in the candidate list is equal to or shorter than a width length of the candidate list. The information display method according to claim 7. A computer that displays a candidate list of headwords corresponding to characters or character strings and related information corresponding to headword candidates selected from the candidate list on a display device,
Character string lengths of headword candidates included in the candidate list when the candidate list and the related information are displayed on the display device in the first format in which the display screen is divided in the vertical direction, and the candidate list A comparison step for comparing with the width, and
A selection for selecting one of the first format and the second format in which the display screen is divided in the horizontal direction and arranged based on the comparison result in the comparison step. Steps,
A display step of causing the display device to display the candidate list and the related information in the format selected in the selection step;
Information display program to execute. A computer that displays a candidate list of headwords corresponding to characters or character strings and related information corresponding to headword candidates selected from the candidate list on a display device,
A change step of changing the width of the candidate word candidate list to be equal to or longer than the character string length of the predetermined candidate word included in the candidate list;
A display step of causing the display device to display the candidate list with the changed width and the related information corresponding to the headword candidate selected from the candidate list in a format in which the display screen is divided in the vertical direction and displayed. ,
Information display program to execute. Storage means for storing dictionary information including a headword and commentary information of the headword;
An input means for entering a search keyword;
Search means for searching the storage means for dictionary information including a headword corresponding to the input search keyword;
A first format in which a candidate list of headwords in the searched dictionary information and commentary information corresponding to a headword candidate selected from the candidate list are arranged in a vertically divided display screen; and a display screen Display means for displaying in any one of the selected formats among the second format that is divided in the horizontal direction;
A character string length of a candidate word included in a candidate list when displayed on the display means in the first format is compared with a width length of the candidate list, and based on the comparison result, Selecting means for selecting the first or second format;
An electronic dictionary characterized by comprising: Storage means for storing dictionary information including a headword and commentary information of the headword;
An input means for entering a search keyword;
Search means for searching the storage means for dictionary information including a headword corresponding to the input search keyword;
Display means for dividing the display screen in the vertical direction and displaying the candidate word candidate list in the searched dictionary information and the commentary information corresponding to the candidate word candidate selected from the candidate list;
Changing means for changing the width of the candidate list so as to be equal to or longer than a character string length of a predetermined headword candidate included in the candidate list;
An electronic dictionary characterized by comprising:

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