Information processing apparatus, information processing method, storage medium, and program

A graphical user interface allows a user to easily input a character via a small-sized display screen without having to use a keyboard, wherein first and second page bars are displayed in a page bar display area, and a first and second display windows are displayed on the first and second page bars, respectively. The positions of the first and second display windows on the first and second page bars are changed in response to an inputting operation performed by a user. Characters displayed in the respective first and second display windows are determined in accordance with the positions of the first and second display windows. Forward retrieval is performed in accordance with the characters displayed, and retrieved data is displayed in an entry display area and a main body display area. By changing the position of a cursor, which is displayed on a page bar when the two characters displayed in the respective display windows are fixed, the user can select a desired word from those which are displayed in the entry display area. The word selected from the words starting with the two fixed characters and a main body corresponding to the selected word are displayed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, a storage medium, and a program, and more particularly, to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, a storage medium, and a program, which allow a user to easily retrieve information from an electronic dictionary via a small-sized user-friendly display screen.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, paper is mainly used as a medium in publishing of books, newspaper, magazines, or the like. However, as great advances have been achieved in the computer technology and computer are becoming increasingly popular in a wide variety of fields, and networks have been well established, electronic publishing using no paper medium has also become popular.

Electronic publishing is suitable in particular for contents including a large amount of information, such as dictionaries, handbooks, encyclopedias, and illustrated reference books. For example, only a single CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory) can store as large an amount of information as an entire content of an encyclopedia, which needs 30 books if it is described using a paper medium. Thus, many dictionaries, handbooks, encyclopedias are now published in the form of digital data including not only text data but also still image data, audio data, and motion image data, rather than in the form of paper books. Such digital data can be stored in storage media, personal computers, or playback apparatuses. A user can obtain desired information by performing retrieval in terms of an entry using a personal computer or a playback apparatus in which dictionary data is stored or on which a storage medium including dictionary data stored therein is mounted.

As a result of rapid popularization of the Internet, on-line dictionaries are also widely used. Such an on-line dictionary data is stored in a server and can be accessed by users via the Internet. Furthermore, a great advance is achieved in the technology of storage media, and small-sized high-capacity media have become available. As a result, it has become possible to realize small-sized electronic dictionaries.

However, for users who are unaccustomed to using a keyboard, it is very difficult to input a word to be retrieved, and such a user tends to use a conventional paper dictionary. In a case in which an electronic dictionary is used on a small-sized portable device (such as a small-sized electronic book player or a PDA (Personal Digital Data Assistants) which is now widely used because of its easy portability, a keyboard provided thereon is difficult to use because of its small size. In some cases, no keyboard is provided, and users must perform a complicated operation to input characters. This makes it difficult for a user to input characters in dictionary retrieval.

In a case in which a word to be retrieved is input without using a keyboard, it is desirable that a user can visually recognize the relative position of a character being retrieved. This is very convenient in particular for those users who are accustomed to using conventional paper dictionaries. That is, if a GUI (Graphical User Interface) indicates the relative position of a character being retrieved, the GUI can provide a dictionary retrieval function which can be easily used by users who are accustomed to using paper media.

However, if a plurality of characters (all or part of 26 alphabetic characters) are displayed on a single screen so that a user can visually recognize the relative positions of characters being retrieved and so that the user can select a desired character from the displayed characters, or so that a character being selected is displayed, the GUI for inputting characters without using a keyboard becomes complicated. In many cases, an electronic dictionary or a PDA has a small-sized display screen. If a GUI including a large number of characters in a small size is displayed on such a small-sized display screen, the characters are difficult to read, and thus inputting operations become difficult.

In a case in which dictionary retrieval is performed using an apparatus having a large-sized display screen, such as a personal computer, an electronic dictionary is generally used together with another software program such as a web browser or a word processor. In this case, many window screens are opened on a limited physical display screen, and thus there is also a need for a small-sized user-friendly window screen for use in retrieval of information from an electronic dictionary.

In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a technique which allows a user to easily retrieve information from an electronic dictionary via a display screen which can be easily handled even if it has a small size.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a first information processing apparatus comprising input operation reception means for receiving a user inputting operation, first display control means for controlling displaying a display window in which one character is displayed, second display control means for controlling, in accordance with the user inputting operation received by the input operation reception means, displaying the character in the display window displayed under the control by the first display control means, and character acquisition means for acquiring the character displayed under the control of the second display control means.

The first information processing apparatus may further comprise third display control means for controlling displaying a graphics image indicating an area within which the display window, which is displayed under the control of the first display control means, is allowed to move, wherein the first display control means may control displaying the display window such that the position of the display window is moved, in accordance with the user inputting operation received by the input operation reception means, within the graphics image displayed under the control of the third display control means, and the second display control means may determine, in accordance with the position of the display window, which character is to be displayed in the display window, and may display the determined character in the display window.

The first information processing apparatus may further comprise storage means for storing electronic book data, retrieval means for retrieving data from the electronic book data stored in the storage means, in accordance with the character acquired by the character acquisition means, and third display control means for controlling displaying the data retrieved by the retrieval means.

The first display control means may control displaying a plurality of display windows, the character acquisition means may acquire a plurality of characters which are displayed, under the control of the second display control means, in the plurality of display windows, and the retrieval means may retrieve, from the electronic book data stored in the storage means, first data corresponding to the plurality of characters acquired by the character acquisition means.

The first information processing apparatus may further comprise forth display control means for controlling displaying a graphics image indicating a particular area, and position information acquisition means for acquiring information indicating a position, which is selected, by a user, within the area displayed under the control of the forth display control means, in accordance with a user inputting operation received by the input operation reception means, wherein the retrieval means may further retrieve, in accordance with the information indicating the position acquired by the position information acquisition means, second data included in the first data retrieved in accordance with the plurality of characters acquired by the character acquisition means.

The present invention also provide a first information processing method comprising an input operation reception step of receiving a user inputting operation, a first display control step of controlling displaying a display window in which one character is displayed, a second display control step of controlling, in accordance with the user inputting operation received in the input operation reception step, displaying the character in the display window displayed under the control performed in the first display control step, and a character acquisition step of acquiring the character displayed under the control performed in the second display control step.

The present invention also provides a first storage medium including a program, stored therein, comprising an input operation reception step of receiving a user inputting operation, a first display control step of controlling displaying a display window in which one character is displayed, a second display control step of controlling, in accordance with the user inputting operation received in the input operation reception step, displaying the character in the display window displayed under the control performed in the first display control step, and a character acquisition step of acquiring the character displayed under the control performed in the second display control step.

The present invention also provides a first program comprising an input operation reception step of receiving a user inputting operation, a first display control step of controlling displaying a display window in which one character is displayed, a second display control step of controlling, in accordance with the user inputting operation received in the input operation reception step, displaying the character in the display window displayed under the control performed in the first display control step, and a character acquisition step of acquiring the character displayed under the control performed in the second display control step.

The present invention also provides a second information processing apparatus comprising storage means for storing electronic book data, input operation reception means for receiving a user inputting operation, first display control means for controlling displaying, at a specific position, a display window in which one character is displayed, second display control means for controlling, in accordance with the user inputting operation performed on the input operation reception means, displaying the character in the display window displayed under the control by the first display control means, character acquisition means for acquiring the character displayed under the control of the second display control means, third display control means for controlling displaying a graphics image indicating a particular area, position information acquisition means for acquiring information indicating a position, which is selected, by a user, within the area displayed under the control of the third display control means, in accordance with a user inputting operation received by the input operation reception means, retrieval means for retrieving particular data from the electronic book data stored in the storage means, in accordance with the character acquired by the character acquisition means and in accordance with the information indicating the position acquired by the position information acquisition means, and forth display control means for controlling displaying the particular data retrieved by the retrieval means.

The first display control means may control displaying a plurality of display windows, and the character acquisition means may acquire a plurality of characters which are displayed, under the control of the second display control means, in the plurality of display windows.

The present invention also provides a second information processing method comprising a storage step of storing electronic book data, an input operation reception step of receiving a user inputting operation, a first display control step of controlling displaying, at a specific position, a display window in which one character is displayed, a second display control step of controlling, in accordance with the user inputting operation received in the input operation reception step, displaying the character in the display window displayed under the control performed in the first display control step, a character acquisition step of acquiring the character displayed under the control performed in the second display control step, a third display control step for controlling displaying a graphics image indicating a predetermined area, a position information acquisition step of acquiring information indicating a position, which is selected, by a user, within the area displayed under the control performed in the third display control step, in accordance with a user inputting operation received in the input operation reception step, a retrieval step for retrieving particular data from the electronic book data stored in the storage step, in accordance with the character acquired in the character acquisition step and in accordance with the information indicating the position acquired in the position information acquisition step, and a fourth display control step for controlling displaying the particular data retrieved in the retrieval step.

The present invention also provides a second storage medium including a program, stored therein, comprising a storage step of storing electronic book data, an input operation reception step of receiving a user inputting operation, a first display control step of controlling displaying, at a specific position, a display window in which one character is displayed, a second display control step of controlling, in accordance with the user inputting operation received in the input operation reception step, displaying the character in the display window displayed under the control performed in the first display control step, a character acquisition step of acquiring the character displayed under the control performed in the second display control step, a third display control step for controlling displaying a graphics image indicating a predetermined area, a position information acquisition step of acquiring information indicating a position, which is selected, by a user, within the area displayed under the control performed in the third display control step, in accordance with a user inputting operation received in the input operation reception step, a retrieval step for retrieving particular data from the electronic book data stored in the storage step, in accordance with the character acquired in the character acquisition step and in accordance with the information indicating the position acquired in the position information acquisition step, and a fourth display control step for controlling displaying the particular data retrieved in the retrieval step.

The present invention also provides a second program comprising a storage step of storing electronic book data, an input operation reception step of receiving a user inputting operation, a first display control step of controlling displaying, at a specific position, a display window in which one character is displayed, a second display control step of controlling, in accordance with the user inputting operation received in the input operation reception step, displaying the character in the display window displayed under the control performed in the first display control step, a character acquisition step of acquiring the character displayed under the control performed in the second display control step, a third display control step for controlling displaying a graphics image indicating a predetermined area, a position information acquisition step of acquiring information indicating a position, which is selected, by a user, within the area displayed under the control performed in the third display control step, in accordance with a user inputting operation received in the input operation reception step, a retrieval step for retrieving data from the electronic book data stored in the storage step, in accordance with the character acquired in the character acquisition step and in accordance with the information indicating the position acquired in the position information acquisition step, and a fourth display control step for controlling displaying the particular data retrieved in the retrieval step.

In the first information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program according to the present invention, an inputting operation is performed by a user, displaying a display window for displaying one character therein is controlled, displaying the character in the display window is controlled in accordance with the inputting operation performed by the user, and the character being displayed is acquired.

In the second information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program according to the present invention, electronic book data is stored, an inputting operation is performed by a user, displaying a display window for displaying one character therein is controlled so as to be displayed at a specific position; displaying the character in the display window is controlled in accordance with an inputting operation performed by the user, the character being displayed is acquired, displaying a graphics image indicating a specific area is controlled, information indicating a position selected by a user within the area indicated by the graphics image is acquired in accordance with an inputting operation performed by the user, data is retrieved from the electronic book data in accordance with the acquired character and the acquired information indicating the position, and the retrieved data is displayed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is described in further detail below with reference to preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

First, an electronic book providing system is described with reference toFIG. 1.

In a content database11, content data of various electronic books, such as an electronic dictionary, are stored in the form of files according to a predetermined format.

The content data is described in a markup language such as XML (eXtensible Markup Language) and includes not only information to be played back or displayed as an electronic book but also a command used in playing back or displaying the electronic book. The content data may further include a command for referring to another content data, as required. In XML, unlike HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) in which the markup method is fixed, the markup method can be defined by a user, and a document structure can be described in a simple format. Furthermore, in XML, a tag can also be defined by a user, and data can be flexibly described in a form which can be easily understood by users.

A personal computer12may read content data described in XML from the content database11into a storage medium such as a magnetic disk14, an optical disk15, a magnetooptical disk16, or a semiconductor memory17(e.g., memory stick (trademark)) The personal computer12may transfer content data of an electronic book to an electronic book player18serving as an apparatus dedicated to playing back electronic books, which may store the received content data in an internal memory.

The content data stored in the personal computer12can be downloaded via the Internet20to, for example, a PDA21or a personal computer22of a user.

Although only one personal computer12is shown inFIG. 12, there may be two or more similar personal computers12. In a case in which there are a plurality of electronic publishers, personal computers managed by the respective electronic publishers may be connected to the Internet20.

A storage medium such as a magnetic disk14, an optical disk15, a magnetooptical disk16, or a semiconductor memory17is mounted on the PDA21, the personal computer22, the electronic book player18, or the like, of an individual user.

Content data downloaded from the personal computer12via the Internet and stored in the internal memory of the PDA21or the personal computer22, or content data of an electronic book stored in a storage medium (such as the magnetic disk14, the optical disk15, the magnetooptical disk16, or the semiconductor memory17) mounted on the PDA21or the personal computer22can be displayed on a display device or a touchpanel thereof.

In the electronic book player18, content data originally stored in its internal memory or content data stored by a user into its internal memory, or content data in the form of an electronic book stored in a storage medium mounted on the electronic book player18can be displayed on a display panel. Content data may also be downloaded from the personal computer12into the electronic book player18via the Internet20.

FIG. 2is a block diagram showing the construction of the personal computer22shown inFIG. 1.

A CPU (Central Processing Unit)31receives, via an input/output interface32and an internal bus33, various signals corresponding to commands input by a user using an input device34, or receives, via a network interface40, a control signal transmitted from another personal computer (e.g., the personal computer22), and performs various processes depending on the received signals. A ROM (Read Only Memory)35stores a program executed by the CPU31. Of various parameters used in the operation performed by the CPU31, those which are substantially fixed are also stored in the ROM35. A RAM (Random Access Memory)36stores a program executed by the CPU31and also stores varying parameters used in the execution of the program. The CPU31, the ROM35, and the RAM36are connected to each other via the internal bus33.

The internal bus33is also connected to the input/output interface32. The input device34is used by a user to input various commands to the CPU31, and specific examples thereof include a keyboard, a touchpad, a jog dial, and a mouse. A display device37displays various kinds of information in the form of a text or an image, and specific examples thereof include a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) and a liquid crystal display device.

An HDD (Hard Disk Drive)38drives a hard disk to write or read a program executed by the CPU31or other information. A magnetic disk14, an optical disk15, a magnetooptical disk16, or a semiconductor memory17is mounted on the drive39as required, and data is written or read to/from such a storage medium.

The network interface40is connected to another device (e.g., the personal computer12) via a particular cable, a wireless communication line, or the Internet20so as to communicate with that device.

Those parts from the input device34to the network interface40are connected to the CPU31via the input/output interface32and the internal bus33.

The personal computer12shown inFIG. 1is configured in a similar manner to the personal computer22described above with reference toFIG. 2, and thus the configuration of the personal computer12is not described in further detail herein.

FIG. 3is a block diagram showing the construction of the electronic book player18shown inFIG. 1.

The CPU (Central Processing Unit)51performs various processes in accordance with signals corresponding to various commands input by a user using a keyboard52or in accordance with control signals received via the communication unit58. A ROM (Read Only Memory)53stores a program executed by the CPU51. Of various parameters used in the operation performed by the CPU51, those which are substantially fixed are also stored in the ROM53. A RAM (Random Access Memory)54stores a program executed by the CPU51and also stores varying parameters used in the execution of the program.

An electronic book ROM55stores content data of an electronic book such as an electronic dictionary directly input from the personal computer12or downloaded from the personal computer12via the Internet20and the communication unit58.

A display controller56displays, under the control of the CPU51, various kinds of information in the form of a text or an image on a display panel57. The display device57displays, under the control of the display controller56, various kinds of information in the form of a text or an image. As for the display device57, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or a liquid crystal display device may be employed.

A interface59is connected to a drive60and a semiconductor memory17, and data is transferred via the interface59to/from the drive60or the semiconductor memory. A magnetic disk14, an optical disk15, or a magnetooptical disk16is mounted on the drive60as required, and data is written/read to/from such a storage medium.

To transmit/receive information, the communication unit58accesses the personal computer12via the Internet20, retrieves necessary information from the personal computer12, and downloads the retrieved information.

The internal structure of the PDA21is described below with reference toFIG. 4.

In synchronization with a clock signal supplied from an oscillator72, a CPU (Central Processing Unit)71executes various programs such as an operating system or a developed application program, stored in a flash ROM (Read Only Memory)73or EDO DRAM (Extended Data Out Dynamic Random Access Memory)74.

The flash ROM73is formed of a flash memory, which is one type of EEPROMs (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memories), and is generally used to store a program used by the CPU71and also store, of various parameters used in a computing operation, those parameters which are basically fixed. An EDO DRAM74stores a program executed by the CPU71and also stores varying parameters used in the execution of the program.

A memory stick interface75reads data from a memory stick91mounted on the PDA21and also writes data supplied from the CPU71into the memory stick91.

In synchronization with the clock signal supplied from the oscillator77, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface76inputs data or a program from a drive83, which is a USB device connected to the USB interface76, and supplies data supplied from the CPU71to the drive83. In synchronization with the clock signal supplied from the oscillator77, the USB (universal Serial Bus) interface76also inputs data or a program from a cradle84, which is another USB device connected to the USB interface76, and supplies data supplied from the CPU71to the cradle84.

The cradle84is a docking station serving to connect the PDA21and the personal computer via a cable and synchronizes data transmitted between them by means of hot sync.

The USB interface76is also connected to the drive83. The drive83reads data or a program from a magnetic disk14, an optical disk15, a magnetooptical disk16, or a semiconductor memory17, mounted on the drive83, and supplies the read data or program, via the USB interface76, to the CPU71or the EDO DRAM74, which is connected to the USB interface76. The drive83writes data or a program supplied from the CPU71into the magnetic disk14, the optical disk15, the magnetooptical disk16, or the semiconductor memory17, mounted on the drive83.

The PDA21can be connected to a cellular phone or a PHS (Personal Handyphone System) to access the personal computer12via the Internet20.

The flash ROM73, the EDO DRAM74, the memory stick interface75, and the USB interface76are connected to the CPU71via an address bus and a data bus.

The display device90receives data from the CPU71via an LCD bus and displays an image or a character corresponding to the received data. If a touchpad disposed on the display device90is operated, a touchpad controller78receives data corresponding to the operation performed on the touchpad (e.g., data indicating the coordinates of a touched point) from the display device90and supplies a signal corresponding to the received data to the CPU71via a serial bus.

To control the brightness of the display device90, an EL (Electroluminescence) driver79drives an electroluminescence device disposed on the backside of the liquid crystal display part of the display device90.

If an infrared communication unit80receives data from the CPU71, the infrared communication unit80transmits, using an infrared ray as a communication medium, the received data to another device (not shown) via a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter). On the other hand, if the infrared communication unit80receives infrared-ray data transmitted from another device, the infrared communication unit80supplies the received data to the CPU71. This allows the PDA21to communicate with another device via the UART.

An audio data playback unit82includes a speaker and an audio data decoding circuit, and serves to decode or reproduce audio data originally stored in the PDA21or audio data received via the Internet20and generate a sound/voice corresponding to the audio data. More specifically, for example, the audio data playback unit82generates a sound/voice corresponding to audio data received from the CPU71via a buffer81.

Keys88including input keys are used by a user to input various commands to the CPU71.

If a rotating operation or a pressure is applied to a jog dial89, the jog dial89supplies data corresponding to the applied operation to the CPU71.

A power supply circuit87converts a voltage supplied from a battery85mounted on the PDA21or an AC (Alternating Current) adapter86connected to the PDA21, and the power supply circuit87supplies a resultant voltage to various parts from the CPU71to the audio data playback unit82.

Referring now to a functional block diagram shown inFIG. 5, an operation of retrieving information from an electronic dictionary using the electronic book player18, the PDA21, or the personal computer22is described below.

InFIG. 5, an input device101corresponds to the input device34of the personal computer22, the keyboard52of the electronic book player18, the touchpad of the display device90of the PDA21, the jog dial89, or other types of input devices. If an inputting operation is performed on the input device101by a user, the input device101outputs a signal corresponding to the inputting operation to a control unit102.

In accordance with the signal indicating the operation performed, by the user, on the input device101, the control unit102controls a retrieval unit103so as to retrieve specific data from a dictionary database104, controls a display controller106so as to display information on a display unit107, and stores information necessary in retrieval of information from an electronic dictionary into a memory105. The memory105includes a register for retaining information necessary in the retrieval process, and temporarily stores various kinds of data used in the retrieval process.

Under the control of the control unit102, the retrieval unit103retrieves specified data from dictionary data stored in the dictionary database104and outputs the retrieved data to the display controller106. The dictionary database104serves to store the electronic dictionary data and is realized on a storage device disposed in an apparatus, such as the RAM36of the personal computer22, the electronic book ROM55of the electronic book player18, or the EDO RAM74of the PDA21, or is realized on a storage medium mounted on the apparatus, such as the magnetic disk14, the optical disk15, the magnetooptical disk16, the semiconductor memory17, or the memory stick91.

Under the control of the control unit102, the display controller106displays a GUI screen (described in detail later) for use in retrieval on the display unit107and displays a result of retrieval received from the retrieval unit103on the GUI screen. The display unit107for displaying the GUI screen or the retrieval result under the control of the display controller106corresponds to the display device37of the personal computer22, the display panel of the electronic book player18, or the display unit90of the PDA21.

Now, referring to a flow chart shown inFIG. 6, a first retrieval process performed by the electronic book player18, the PDA21, or the personal computer22is described below.

In step S1, the control unit102sets the value of n to1, wherein n indicates the number of first-type page bars used by a user to input a word to be retrieved. The control unit102then displays a frame of a display screen (that is a window frame including no page bars (described later) and no retrieval result).

In step S2, the control unit102generates a control signal for causing an nth page bar of the first type to be displayed, and outputs the generated control signal to the display controller106. The display controller106controls the display device107to display the nth page bar of the first type. In step S3, the control unit102generates a control signal for causing a display window to be displayed at an initial position and causing a corresponding character or a space to be displayed in the display window. The control unit102outputs the generated control signal to the display controller106. The display controller106controls the display unit107so as to display the display window at the initial position and also display the corresponding character or a space in the display window.

In step S4, the control unit102controls the retrieval unit103so as to forwardly search the dictionary database104in accordance with the characters displayed in the respective n display windows. A retrieved entry (index) obtained as a result of the retrieval, a predetermined number of entries directly following the retrieved entry, and a part of a main body corresponding to the retrieved entry are output to the display controller106. The display controller106controls the display unit107so as to display the received entries and the main body.

FIG. 7shows an initial screen for n=1. A first page bar131is displayed in a page bar display area121, and the display window132is displayed on the page bar131. In a case where retrieval is performed from an English-to-Japanese dictionary or an English dictionary, a first character of the alphabet, that is, “A”, is displayed in the display window. On the other hand, in a case where retrieval is performed from a Japanese dictionary or a Japanese-to-English dictionary, a first character of Hiragana (the Japanese alphabet) is displayed.

The position of the display window132is changed along the page bar131in response to an operation performed by a user. That is, the user can move the display window132to an arbitrary position by moving a cursor133using a mouse, a touchpad, or a jog dial. The cursor133may not be displayed. In this case, the display window132may be moved in response to a pressing operation applied to an arrow key or a rotating operation applied to a jog dial.

The entries retrieved in step S4are displayed in an entry display area122, and the main body retrieved in step S4is displayed in main body display area123. By operating a button141or142, the entries displayed in the entry display area122can be scrolled in a forward or backward direction. Similarly, by operating a button143or144, the main body displayed in the main body display area123can be scrolled in a forward or backward direction.

The number of entries displayed in the entry display area122and the data size of the main body displayed in the main body display area123are determined depending on the size of the respective display areas and the fonts employed. For example, in a case in which up to six entries are displayed in the entry display area122, six entries of those retrieved in step S4are displayed in the entry display area122, and the maximum possible size of data of the main body corresponding to the retrieved entries is displayed in the main body display area123.

A user may be allowed to set the size of the entry display area122, the size of the main body display area123, and the fonts of characters. In this case, the control unit102calculates the number of entries to be displayed and the data size to be displayed in the main body display area123in accordance with the setting performed by the user, and the control unit102supplies the result to the retrieval unit103. In accordance with the result, supplied from the control unit102and indicating the number of entries to be displayed and the data size to be displayed in the main body display area123, the retrieval unit103retrieves a specified number of entries and corresponding main bodies, and outputs the retrieved data to the display controller106.

When the display screen is very small in size, it may be desirable not to display the entries and the main body but to increase the size of the page bar display area121so as to improve the operability for users. In such a case, one or both of the entry display area122and the main body display area123may not be displayed. In this case, a corresponding part of processing in step S4is not performed. A user may be allowed to determine whether the entry display area122and the main body display area123should be displayed or not, and switch the operation mode so that they are displayed or not displayed.

In step S5, in accordance with the signal indicating the operation performed, by the user, on the input device101, the control unit102determines whether a character being displayed in the nth display window (e.g., the first display window132) has been finally selected. The selection of a character may be performed, for example, by double-clicking the mouse or the touchpad, pressing an Enter key, pressing the jog dial against the center thereof, or any other similar operation depending on the apparatus or the application.

If it is determined in step S5that a final character selection is not performed yet, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, in accordance with the signal indicating the operation performed, by the user, on the input device101, the control unit102determines whether it is commanded to move the position of the display window. The user may issue a command for moving the position of the display window by moving the cursor133using the mouse, the touchpad, or the jog dial. In this case, the display window may move in synchronization with the movement of the cursor133. Alternatively, the cursor133may not be displayed, but the display window may be moved in response to pressing an arrow key or rotating the jog dial. In the case where it is determined in step S6that it is not commanded to move the position of the display window, the process returns to step S5, and the above-described process is repeated.

If it is determined in step S6that it is commanded to move the position of the display window, the process proceeds to step S7. In step S7, in accordance with the signal indicating the operation performed, by the user, on the input device101, the control unit102generates a control signal for causing the position of the display window to be moved, and the outputs the generated control signal to the display controller106. The display controller106controls the display unit107so as to move the position of the display window by a distance corresponding to the operation performed by the user.

In step S8, in accordance with the position of the display window moved in step S7, the control unit102generates a control signal for displaying a character corresponding to the position of the display window and outputs the generated control signal to the display controller106. The display controller106controls the display unit107so as to display the specified character.

The position of the display window and the character displayed may be related as follows. For example, the length of the page bar is equally divided into as many segments as there are alphabetic characters, that is, 26, and alphabetic characters are assigned to respective segments. In this first method, although the manner of dividing the page bar depends on whether a Japanese word or an English word is retrieved, the manner does not depend on the individual dictionary. Thus, information indicating the manner of dividing the page bar may be stored in advance in the memory105.

Alternatively, in analogy to a paper dictionary, the page bar may be divided into segments such that each segment has a width corresponding to the number of entries starting with an alphabetic character assigned to that segment. More specifically, for example, because there are large number of words starting with “A”, a segment having a large width (large area) corresponding to the number of words starting with “A” is assigned to “A”. On the other hand, there are relatively small number of words starting with “Q”, and thus a segment having a small width (small area) corresponding to the number of words starting with “Q” is assigned to “Q”. In this second method, the manner of dividing the page bar into segments depends on an individual dictionary used in retrieval, and thus the control unit102calculates, in step S8, the correspondence between the character displayed in the display window and the position on the page bar at which the display window is displayed, and the control unit102determines the character to be displayed.

In a case in which the number of entries starting with a particular alphabetic character is very small and thus the simple assignment of a corresponding small width to a segment for that alphabetic character makes it difficult for a user to select that alphabetic character, a lower limit may be set for the width of the segments assigned to the respective alphabetic characters.

In a case in which retrieval is performed across a plurality of dictionaries, it is more preferable to equally divide the page bar into segments regardless of the alphabetic characters in accordance with the first method, because this method makes it unnecessary to take into account the differences in numbers of entries among the dictionaries, and thus required processing becomes simple.

In step S9, the control unit102acquires the character displayed in the nth display window as an nth character and stores the acquired character into the memory105.

In step S10, processing similar to step S4is performed, and the processing flow returns to step S5to repeat the process described above.

FIG. 8shows an example of the display screen, in which the first display window132has been moved to a certain position on the page bar131.

If the display window132is moved in response to an operation performed by a user, a character corresponding to the position of the display window132is displayed in the display window132. In this specific example, a character “C” is displayed in the display window132, the predetermined number of entries starting with “C” are displayed in the entry display area122, and a main body of an entry starting with “C” is displayed in the main body display area123.

In the case in which it is determined in step S5that a character has been selected, the process jumps to step S11. In step S11, the control unit102determines whether the number, n, of first-type page bars being currently displayed is smaller than the maximum number of first-type page bars that can be displayed.

If it is determined in step S11that the number, n, of first-type page bars being currently displayed is smaller than the maximum number of first-type page bars that can be displayed, the process proceeds to step12. In step S12, the control unit102increments the value of the register indicating the number of first-type page bars such that n=n+1, and the process flow returns to step S2to repeat the process described above.

FIG. 9shows an example of the display screen that is displayed when n=2. A new page bar134is displayed below the page bar131, and a display window135is displayed at the leftmost position on the page bar134. The cursor133has been moved from the position near the display window132to a position near the display window135. In a case in which the cursor133is not used to move the display window132or the display window135, it is possible to indicate which display window is currently processed, by reversing, in intensity, the character displayed in the display window being currently processed or by reducing the brightness of the display window that is not currently processed.

In an initial state, a character “A” is displayed in the display window135, and thus forward retrieval is performed using “CA” as a retrieval key. The predetermined number of entries starting with “ca” are displayed in the entry display area122, and a corresponding main body is displayed in the main body display area123.

In the specific example shown inFIG. 9, “A” is displayed in the display window135in the initial state. However, there is a possibility that a word having no second character following the first character is retrieved. Thus, in the initial state, taking into account the above, no character may be displayed in the second and following display windows.

For example, if the position of the display window135is moved until a character “H” is displayed therein as shown inFIG. 10, forward retrieval is performed using “CH” as a retrieval key. As a result, the predetermined number of entries starting with “ch” are displayed in the entry display area122, and a corresponding main body is displayed in the main body display area123.

In a case in which it is determined in step S11that the number, n, of first-type page bars being currently displayed is not smaller than the maximum number of first-type page bars that can be displayed, the process jumps to step S13, in which the control unit102generates a control signal for causing a second first-type page bar to be displayed, and outputs the generated control signal to the display controller106. The display controller106controls the display device107to display the second page bar. Then, in step S14, the control unit102generates a control signal for causing the cursor133to be displayed at an initial position on the side of the second page bar, and the control unit102outputs the generated control signal to the display controller106. The display controller106controls the display device107to display the cursor133at the initial position on the side of the second page bar,

FIG. 11shows an example of the display screen including the second page bar being displayed, wherein the maximum number of page bars of the first type is two. For the second page bar136, as with the page bar131or the page bar134, it may be equally divided into as many segments as there are alphabetic characters, and the display window may be displayed on one of segments. However, in this case, there is a possibility that, for example, “q” is displayed in the display window although there is no words having “q” at the third place following “ch”. Such a retrieval screen is not convenient for users. In view of the above, no display window may be displayed on the second page bar136, and only the cursor133may be displayed. In this case, the position of the cursor133may be moved in response to an inputting operation performed by a user.

In this case, dividing the second page bar136into segments and relating the segments to entries to be retrieved may be performed as follows. For example, the second page bar136is equally divided into as many segments as there are entries starting with “ch”, and the segments are assigned to the respective entries so that the position on the page bar136can be determined in accordance with an entry. Alternatively, entries starting with “ch” are grouped such that each group includes a predetermined number of entries (for example, the number of entries included in each group may be set to be equal to the number of entries that can be displayed at a time in the entry display area122), and the second page bar136may be equally divided into as many segments as there are groups, and the segments are assigned to the respective groups so that the position on the page bar136can be determined in accordance with a group.

In step S15, in accordance with a signal indicating an operation performed, by a user, on the input device101(command for moving the cursor position), the control unit102controls the retrieval unit103so as to search the dictionary database104for an entry corresponding to the concatenation of the characters being currently displayed in the n display windows and the position of the cursor133on the second page bar136. The retrieved entry (index), a predetermined number of entries directly following the retrieved entry, and a main body corresponding to the retrieved entry are output to the display controller106. The display controller106controls the display unit107so as to display the received entries and the main body.

In step S16, in accordance with a signal indicating an operation performed, by the user, on the input device101, the control unit102determines whether the cursor position has been fixed. Fixing the cursor position may be performed in a similar manner to selecting a character, described earlier with reference to step S5. More specifically, for example, the cursor position can be fixed by double-clicking the mouse or the touchpad, pressing the Enter key, pressing the jog dial against the center thereof, or any other similar operation depending on the apparatus or the application.

In a case in which it is determined in step S16that the position of the cursor133has not been fixed yet, the process proceeds to step S17. In step S17, in accordance with the signal indicating the operation performed, by the user, on the input device101, the control unit102determines whether it is commanded to move the position of the cursor133. The method of moving the position of the cursor133by the user may be similar to the that of moving the position of the display window described earlier with reference to step S6. More specifically, for example, the user can move the position of the cursor133by using the mouse, the touchpad, or the jog dial. The cursor133may not be displayed. In this case, the color of the page bar136may be partly changed from left to right in response to pressing an arrow key or rotating the jog dial. If it is determined in step S17that it is not commanded to move the position of the cursor133, the process flow returns to step S16to repeat the process described above.

In a case in which it is determined in step S17that it is commanded to move the position of the cursor133, the process proceeds to step S18. In step S18, in accordance with a signal indicating an operation performed, by the user, on the input device101, the control unit102generates a control signal for causing the position of the cursor133to be moved, and the outputs the generated control signal to the display controller106. The display controller106controls the display device107so as to move the position of the cursor133. The processing flow then returns to step S15to repeat the process described above.

FIG. 12shows an example of the display screen, in which the cursor133has been moved to a certain position on the page bar136.

In accordance with the operation performed by the user, the control unit102moves the position of the cursor133being displayed. Furthermore, in accordance with the position of the cursor133, the control unit102controls the retrieval unit103so as to retrieve entries to be displayed in the entry display area122and a main body to be displayed in the main body display area123from the dictionary database104. The retrieved data is output to the display controller106, which in turn controls the display device107to display the retrieved data.

In a case in which it is determined in step S16that the position of the cursor133has been fixed, the process proceeds to step S19. In step S19, as shown inFIG. 13, the control unit102moves the cursor into the entry display area122, and the entire process is completed. In a case in which the entry display area122or the main body display area123is not displayed during the retrieval process, the entry display area122or the main body display area123is displayed in step S19.

In step S19, the cursor137is displayed so that a user can select an entry from those displayed in the entry display area122. A selected entry may be underlined or reversed in intensity. The user can select a desired entry by moving the cursor137displayed in the entry display area122to a position corresponding to the desired entry. A main body corresponding to the entry pointed to by the cursor137is displayed in the main body display area123.

By performing the process described above, the user can easily retrieve an entry from the dictionary without having to use the keyboard to input characters corresponding to the entry. The GUI used in the dictionary retrieval is very simple. In a mode in which the entry display area122and the main body display area123are not displayed, only two characters are displayed on the display screen, and thus the characters can have a large enough size to easily read, even if the display screen of the apparatus is very small in size.

If the main body display area123is displayed during the retrieval process and a main body corresponding to an entry being currently retrieved is displayed in the main body display area123, the user can retrieve information from the dictionary in a very similar manner to retrieval from a conventional paper dictionary.

In the present embodiment, the maximum number of first-type page bars is two, the maximum number may be one, or, conversely, three or more. The second-type page bar may not be used, and retrieval may be perform using only the first-type page bars.

In a case in which it is desired to display the entry display area122or the main body display area123although the display screen is small in size, or in a case in which it is desired to further reduce the size of the page bar display area121because the display screen is very limited in size, the page bars131ad134may not be displayed.

Now referring to a flow chart shown inFIG. 14, a second retrieval process performed by the electronic book player18, the PDA21, or the personal computer22without displaying the page bars131and134is described below.

In step S31, the control unit102sets the value of a register indicating the number of display windows such that n=1, and the control unit102displays a frame of a display screen (that is a window frame including no page bars and no retrieval result).

In step S32, the control unit102generates a control signal for displaying an nth display window and buttons to be pressed by a user when the user wants to change a character displayed in the display window. The generated control signal is supplied to the display controller106. The display controller106controls the display unit107so as to display the nth display window and the buttons. Then, in step S33, the control unit102generates a control signal for displaying an initial character and outputs the generated control signal to the display controller106. The display controller106controls the display unit107so as to display the display window at a predetermined initial position and display the initial character in the display window.

The next step S34is performed in a similar manner to step S4shown inFIG. 6.

FIG. 15shows an example of the display screen in the initial state in which n=1. InFIG. 15, similar parts to those inFIG. 7are denoted by similar reference numerals and they are not described in further detail herein. The display screen shown inFIG. 15is similar to that shown inFIG. 7, which is displayed when the first retrieval process1is performed, except that a display window display area150is displayed instead of the page bar display area121.

A display window132similar to that described earlier with reference toFIG. 7is displayed at a predetermined fixed position in the display window display area150, and buttons151and152are also displayed in the display window display area150so that the button151or152can be used to change the character displayed in the display window132. For example, the buttons151and152may be operated by selecting the button151or152with a cursor133after moving the cursor133to the position of the button151or152by operating the mouse or the touchpanel. Alternatively, the button151or152may be operated by pressing a corresponding arrow key, rotating a jog dial, or performing another operation properly defined in a specific apparatus.

The next step S35is performed in a similar manner to step S5shown inFIG. 6.

In a case in which it is determined in step S35that a character has not been selected, the process proceeds to step S36. In step S36, the control unit102determines whether an inputting operation (selecting the button151or152by moving the cursor133to the corresponding position) requesting the character being displayed to be changed is performed. In a case in which it is determined in step S36that the inputting operation is not performed to request the character to be changed, the process flow returns to step S35to repeat the process described above.

If it is determined in step S36that the inputting operation requesting the character to be changed is performed, the process proceeds to step S37. In step S37, in accordance with the inputting operation, the control unit102changes the character being displayed.

Steps S38and S39are performed in a similar manner to steps S9and S10, respectively, shown inFIG. 6. After step S39, the flow returns to step S35to repeat the process described above.

For example, if a character “C” is displayed in the display window132as shown inFIG. 16in response to operating the button152described above with reference toFIG. 15, entries and a main body corresponding to the character “C” being displayed are displayed in the entry display area122and the main body display area123, respectively.

In a case in which it is determined in step S35that a character has been selected, the process proceeds to step S40. In step S40, the control unit102determines whether the number, n, of display windows being currently displayed is smaller than the maximum number of display windows.

In a case in which it is determined in step S40that the number, n, of display windows being currently displayed is smaller than the maximum number of display windows, the process proceeds to step S41. In step S41, the control unit102increments the value of n indicating the number of display windows being currently displayed such that n=n+1. Then the process flow returns to step S32to repeat the process described above.

Thus, as shown inFIG. 17, a second display window135is displayed together with buttons153and154, and forward retrieval is performed on the basis of the characters “C” and “A” displayed in the display windows132and135, respectively. Retrieved entries and main body are displayed in the entry display area122and the main body display area123. If the character displayed in the display window135is changed in response to an operation on the button154from “A” as shown inFIG. 17to “H” as shown inFIG. 18, forward retrieval is performed on the basis of the characters “C” and “H” displayed in the respective display windows132and135, and retrieved entries and main body are displayed in the entry display area122and the main body display area123, respectively.

In a case in which it is determined in step S40that the number, n, of display windows being currently displayed is not smaller than the maximum number of display windows, the process proceeds to step S42. In step S42, the control unit102, generates a control signal for displaying a page bar136similar to the second-type page bar used in the first retrieval process, that is, similar to the page bar136described earlier with reference toFIG. 11. The generated control signal is output to the display controller106. The display controller106controls the display unit107so as to display the page bar136.

In step S43, the cursor133is displayed at an initial position on the page bar136, in a similar manner as in step S14described above with reference toFIG. 6.

FIG. 19shows an example of the display screen for the case in which the maximum number of display windows is two, wherein the page bar136is displayed and furthermore the cursor133is displayed at the initial position on the page bar136. In the display screen displayed in the second retrieval process, as can be seen fromFIG. 19, the removal of the page bars131and134from the page bar display area121in the first retrieval process allows large-size characters to be displayed in the display windows132and135, even when the display window display area150is smaller in size than the page bar display area121.

Thereafter, steps S44to S48are performed in a similar manner as in steps S15to S19, and the entire process is completed.

That is, if the position of the cursor133is changed as shown inFIG. 20, entries and a main body corresponding to the position of the cursor133are displayed in the entry display area122and the main body display area123, respectively. Furthermore, if it is determined that the position of the cursor133has been fixed, then the cursor137is displayed as shown inFIG. 21so that a user can select one of entries displayed in the entry display area122. A selected entry may be underlined or reversed in intensity. The user can select a desired entry by moving the cursor137displayed in the entry display area122to a position corresponding to the desired entry. A main body corresponding to the entry pointed to by the cursor137is displayed in the main body display area123.

By employing the process described above, it becomes possible to retrieve information from an electronic dictionary via a user-friendly GUI on an apparatus having a small-sized display screen (such as the PDA21).

In the present embodiment, the maximum number of display windows is two, the maximum number may be one, or, conversely, three or more. The page bar136may not be used, and the retrieval process may be perform using only the display windows.

In the above examples, the electric dictionary is assumed to include only text data. However, also in a case in which the electric dictionary further includes still image data, audio data, or motion image data, the process can also be performed in a similar manner.

Note that the present invention can be applied not only to retrieval of information from a dictionary, but also to retrieval of information from general electronic books using an index as a retrieval key. A chapter number or a section number corresponding to a main body may be displayed in a display window, and the chapter number or the section number may be changed in response to an inputting operation performed by a user. In this case, in response to the chapter number of the section number being displayed, a subtitle of the corresponding chapter or section may be displayed in the entry display area122, and a beginning portion of a main body corresponding to the subtitle may be displayed in the main body display area123. This makes it possible for a user to quickly select a desired portion from an electronic book including an extremely large amount of information in a special field.

The process described above may be executed by software. When the process is executed by software, a program forming the software may be installed from a storage medium onto a computer which is provided as dedicated hardware or may be installed onto a general-purpose computer capable of performing various processes in accordance with various programs installed thereon.

Various types of storage media such as those shown inFIGS. 1 to 4may be used for the above purpose. That is, specific examples of storage media for this purpose include a magnetic disk14(such as a floppy disk), an optical disk15(such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory) and a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk)), a magnetooptical disk16(such as an MD (Mini-Disk) (trademark)), and a semiconductor memory17, in the form of a package medium on which a program is stored and which is supplied to a user separately from a computer.

In the present description, the steps described in the program stored in the storage medium may be performed either time-sequentially in accordance with the order described in the program or in a parallel or separate fashion.

In the present description, the term “system” is used to represent an entire set of a plurality of apparatuses.

As can be understood from the above description, the present invention has great advantages. That is, in the first information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program, according to the present invention, displaying a display window for displaying one character therein is controlled in accordance with an inputting operation performed by a user, displaying the character in the display window is controlled in accordance with an inputting operation performed by the user, and the character being displayed is acquired, thereby allowing the user to easily input a character via a display screen without having to use a keyboard. Because the display screen used in the above process is very simple, the display screen needs a small size.

In the second information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program, according to the present invention, electronic book data is stored, displaying a display window for displaying one character therein is controlled so as to be displayed at a specific position in accordance with an inputting operation performed by a user, displaying the character in the display window is controlled in accordance with an inputting operation performed by the user, the character being displayed is acquired, displaying a graphics image indicating a specific area is controlled, information indicating a position selected by a user within the area indicated by the graphics image is acquired in accordance with an inputting operation performed by the user, specified data is retrieved from the electronic book data in accordance with the acquired character and the acquired information indicating the position, and the retrieved data is displayed, whereby the user can easily input a character without having to use a keyboard and easily specify a position in the graphics image to retrieve information from the electronic book data in accordance with the input character and the input position information. Because the display screen used in the above process is very simple, the display screen needs a small size.