Information search and display apparatus

Abstract: The apparatus (1) substantially reduces search time required in consecutively searching a plurality of files and/or a plurality of search terms. In the state where a first search result searched based on a search term entered by a signal input means (20) is displayed. If a second search is executed to obtain the second search result following the first search and, upon termination of the second search, the state of displaying the search result of the first search is restored.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an information search and display apparatus, and more particularly to an improvement of the information search and display apparatus for searching information recorded in a disc type recording medium. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART Conventionally, a portable type data disc reproducing apparatus has been proposed, (see e.g. EP-A-0 437 093) in which a huge amount of character information and image information contained in a word book, an English-Japanese dictionary and so forth is stored as digital data in an optical disc read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as CD-ROM) and a data corresponding to key words entered by the user is searched from the huge amount of data in a short time period, and displayed on a liquid crystal display. Further, some of this type of reproducing apparatus have been proposed such that the pronunciation of the wise sayings of famous persons and words displayed on the liquid crystal display may also be heard as a voice through a built-in speaker. In this type of reproducing apparatus, search of information for such as Japanese language is generally performed using phonetic character, since memory capacity for storing ideographic symbol of search information becomes large if an information is searched using ideographic symbols (i.e., if the search is done directly using "kanji" characters entered by the user). It is noted that the Japanese language includes "Kanji" characters i.e. the Chinese characters, which are the ideographic symbols, and "Hiragana" characters i.e. the Japanese cursive syllabarys, which are the phonetic characters. Therefore, when a search of information is desired, the key words to be searched must be entered at each time by the user using phonetic characters. Also, if a plurality of files are stored in one CD-ROM, only one file can be searched at a time. If it is desired to search information of another file which is different from the currently search file, the another file must be searched from initial state after closing the search of the currently searched file. For example, it will be supposed that, while studying the Japanese word of the term "PATENT" by using an English-Japanese dictionary as the search file, it becomes necessary to look up a word dictionary as the user wishes to study the definition of the term "patent" (this term is written with Kanji characters in Figure). In this case, the search of the English-Japanese dictionary is once terminated to return to the initial screen. The term "patent" (written in Kanji characters) is then searched using the word dictionary as the search file. After such search, if it is desired to return the state of displaying "PATENT" in the English-Japanese dictionary, the English-Japanese dictionary must be selected all over again in the initial screen to restore the screen of "PATENT" which has been terminated. There thus has been a problem that much labor and a tiresome operation are required. Likewise, even while searching one of files, if there is another information desired to search within the currently searched file, the current search must be once terminated to return to the initial screen, and the another information has to be then searched. In this state, even if it is desired to search back to the preceding information, the original information must be searched all over again from the initial screen. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the foregoing, an object of this invention is to provide a information search and display apparatus in which search time required in search of a plurality of documents is greatly reduced and a plurality of information in one or more files may be simultaneously searched while comparing one with another for reference. The foregoing object and other objects of the invention have been achieved by the provision of an apparatus according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 4. According to the present invention, in the state where a first search result is displayed, if a second search is requested by an operation of the input unit, the second search is executed to display the result on the display unit and, upon termination of the second search, the state of displaying the search result of the first search can be restored. Thereby, an operation as in the conventional apparatus in which, after once terminating the current search operation, the next search operation is started may be made unnecessary, thus search time required in executing a plurality of searches may be greatly reduced. The nature, principle and utility of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts are designated by like reference numerals or characters. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings: Fig. 1 is a schematic plane view showing an embodiment of the data reproducing apparatus according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic side view showing an embodiment of the data reproducing apparatus according to the present invention; Fig. 3 is a block diagram explaining with construction of such apparatus as a whole; Fig. 4 is a memory map explaining contents of a read only memory 41; Fig. 5 is a flowchart explaining a search processing of multiple files and multiple items; Fig. 6 is a flowchart explaining a search processing of multiple files and multiple items; Figs. 7A to 7G are schematic views showing display screen of multiple item search; and Figs. 8A and 8B are schematic views showing display screen of multiple item search. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of this invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings: (1) General construction of the embodiment In Figs. 1 and 2, a reference numeral 1 is generally denoted a disc reproducing apparatus, where the disc reproducing apparatus 1 is constituted by a main body 2 containing a data processing circuit system, and a lid 3. Here, the lid 3 is supported on the main body 2 in a manner rotatable about a support shaft 4 and, when not used (i.e., the lid is closed), it covers an upper surface 2A of the main body 2 to form a rectangular shape as a whole so that the resulting shape becomes smaller and is convenient for carrying. Further, a liquid crystal display 5 for displaying the information for example of character information read from CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory) is provided on the inward surface of the lid 3. When the disc reproducing apparatus 1 is used, the lid 3 is adapted such that it may be retained at a rotated position where the display screen of the liquid crystal display 5 is easily seen. On the other hand, the main body 2 is adapted so that a disc cartridge enclosing a CD-ROM recording such data file as a dictionary or an encyclopedia may be installed thereon, and a key mount 6 having various keys arranged thereon is rotatably supported by a rotation shaft on the upper surface of the main body 2. For example, arranged on the upper surface 2A of the main body 2 which are: alpha-numeric keys 7; a cursor movement key 8; selection keys 9 for selecting selection items; function keys 10 for selecting various processing modes; and a shift key 11. Further, supported on the main body 2 at the back reverse surface side 6B which is opposite to the upper surface 2A having various keys of the key mount 6 arranged thereon is a cartridge holder 12 into and from which a disc cartridge enclosing a CD-ROM can be inserted and removed. It is adapted to be rotated following the rotation of the key mount 6 (Fig. 2). (2) Construction of main body 2 As shown in Fig. 3, the main body 2 is constituted by: a reproducing block 16 including a disc drive for reproducing a recorded data from a data disc (i.e., CD-ROM) 15 enclosed in the disc cartridge; an audio signal processing block 17 for processing mainly an audio signal of read out data; a data processing block 18 comprising a display for executing search processing of the read out data to display it on the screen; and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 19 for controlling those blocks. Here, when an input signal S1 is entered from the keyboard 20, the CPU 19 delivers a control signal S2 to: a laser beam source driving unit 21; a thread feed motor 22; a biaxial actuator driving circuit 23; and a motor driving circuit 24, respectively of those in the reproducing block, so as to control the reproducing block 16 by the control signal S2. Specifically, the CPU 19 is adapted to rotate a spindle motor 25 at a constant linear velocity (CLV) or at a constant angular velocity (CAV) by controlling the motor driving circuit 24. It is also adapted to move a pickup 27 consisting for example of an objective lens 26, a photo detector and an optical element for detecting focus error attached on the biaxial actuator to a certain track (so-called diametrical control of the pickup) by controlling the thread feed motor 22. The CPU 19 is also adapted to move up and down the objective lens 26 of the pickup 27 by controlling the biaxial actuator driving circuit 23 to adjust focusing and to cause a beam spot irradiated on a desired track by turning left and right the objective lens 26 (so-called tracking control) so as to reproduce a data stored in the data disc 15. When a data signal is read out from the data disc 15, an error-detecting/data-detecting circuit 28 is to detect a focus error and/or a tracking error for example by obtaining what is called as sum and difference and it drives the objective lens 26 by supplying the focus error and/or the tracking error to the biaxial actuator driving circuit 23 to keep focusing and tracking at normal state, so as to read out the data accurately. In this connection, the laser beam irradiated onto the data disc 15 is controlled by supplying to the laser beam source driving circuit 21 a detecting signal detected from the laser beam which is output for example from a laser diode (not shown). The power of the laser beam is kept constant at all times during reproduction. Further, a sub-code area and a data area are provided for example for each one frame on the data disc 15, such as synchronizing signal, position information and time information being written in the sub-code area and such as character information being written in the data area. On the other hand, the reproducing signal containing such as synchronizing signal and time information reproduced from the data disc 15 is supplied to a CD (Compact Disc) signal processing circuit 31 of the audio signal processing block 17 by way of the error-detecting/data-detecting circuit 28. Here, the CPU 19 detects whether the data disc 15 mounted on the main body 2 is a so-called audio CD for storing an audio data or a so-called CD-ROM disc recorded such as character information for example, a dictionary or an encyclopedia, and supplies the detecting signal to the CD signal processing circuit 31. At this time, the CD signal processing circuit 31 separates the reproducing signal S3 supplied from the reproducing block 16 into a sub-data signal consisting such as synchronizing signal, time information and a main data signal, and, if the main data signal is an audio data, the audio data signal is supplied to a digital to analog converting circuit (D/A) 32. In the case of this embodiment, the audio data signal supplied to the digital to analog converting circuit 32 is converted into an analog signal and is supplied to an audio reproducing circuit 33 to derive an audio signal S4 to an output terminal 34. On the other hand, if the main data supplied to the CD signal processing circuit 31 is a character data or an image data or the like, the CD signal processing circuit 31 supplies such data signal to a CD-ROM signal processing circuit 35. At this time, the CD-ROM signal processing circuit 35 is adapted to read the supplied character data signal or the image data signal in accordance with a signal supplied from the CPU 19 through a RAM (Random Access Memory) 36 for temporary storage. In the case of this embodiment, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 41 stored a search program or the like and a RAM 42 are connected to a data bus 40, the read out character data signal or the like being transmitted thereto through the data bus 40. In this connection, the ROM 41 is formed as shown in Fig. 4 of two areas of a "Kanji-Kana" conversion data area 41A and a main ROM area 41B. Here, when a character pattern or the like is read out from a character ROM 43 in accordance with a character data signal, the data processing block 18 stores a display image within a video RAM 44 and is adapted to read the display image to the video RAM 44 by control of a display controller 45 on the basis of the control signal input from the CPU 19 to display it on the liquid crystal display 5 provided on the lid 3. A connector 50 for interface is provided on the main body 2 so that, when an external connecting terminal is connected to the connector 50, a switch 51 is turned on to reset the CPU 19 at the same time of such connection, whereby a command to be entered through the interface is processed at an external interface processing circuit 52 and the processed data is displayed on the liquid crystal display 5 through the data bus 40. (3) Search processing of multi files and multi items The CPU 19 is adapted so that, while keeping a search state of the search file or search item currently searched, it executes a search of another file or item and displays the two search results simultaneously on the liquid crystal display 5 based on the procedure shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7A to 7G. Specifically, starting a processing from step SP1, the CPU 19 proceeds to step SP2 to read the file data including a plurality of file names from the data disc 15 to display it on the screen, and requests the user to select one of file names with an image DSP1 as follows (Fig. 7A). When the user selects one of file names, such as "English-Japanese dictionary", the operation of the CPU 19 proceeds to step SP3 to memorize the selected file name. Successively, the operation of the CPU 19 proceeds to step SP4 to become a mode of entering a search condition, such as a search term with an image DSP2 as follows (Fig. 7B). When the user enters a search term such as "PATENT" written in English, the operation of the CPU 19 proceeds to step SP5 to memorize the search term entered by the user. The information memorized at the steps SP3 and SP5 are actually stored into the RAM 42. Successively, the CPU 19 executes the search at a step SP6, and displays the searched data at a step SP7 on the liquid crystal display 5 with an image DSP3 as follows (Fig. 7C). Here, the CPU 19 checks whether or not further new search request is entered at step SP8. If the new search requests is entered, the CPU 19 proceeds to step SP9 and examines whether the search request is for the same file or the other file. When the search request is for the other file, the CPU 19 proceeds to step SP10 to generate a window (W) as new image hierarchically overlapped on the preceding image. On the new window (W), a file data including a plurality of file names is displayed so as to request the user to select one of file names with an image DSP6 as follows (Fig. 7E). When the user selects one of file names, the operation of the CPU 19 proceeds to step SP12 to request the user to enter a search term with an image DSP8 as follows (Fig. 7F). Here, when the user enters the search term, the CPU 19 proceeds to step SP13 to execute the search, and the search result data is displayed within the window (W) at step SP14 with an image DSP10 as follows (Fig. 7G). Successively, the operation of the CPU 19 proceeds to step SP8 to check whether or not the other request is entered by the user. If the user enters that the further search is not necessary, the operation of the CPU 19 proceeds to step SP15 to examine whether or not there is the window on the liquid crystal display 5. When there is no window, CPU 19 proceeds to step SP2 to become the file selecting mode where the file data are displayed again (Fig. 7A). If the CPU 19 decides that there is any window at step SP15, the CPU 19 proceeds to step SP16 to read out the data stored into the RAM 42 at the steps SP3 and SP5, the state of the CPU 19 is controlled according to the data read out, and the window is closed at step SP17 to return to the state of displaying searched data (Fig. 7C). Of course, when existing the further search request at the step SP8, the CPU 19 checks again whether the search request is to same file or the other file, and if the user's search request is to the other file, the CPU 19 proceeds to step SP10 again to make a new window on the window generated before. Also, when the search request is to the same file at the step SP9, the CPU 19 waits for a user's request whether or not search term has to be selected from the displaying data. If the search term is not selected from the displaying data, the CPU 19 proceeds to step SP19 to generate a new window, and proceeds to step SP12 to wait for an input of search term by the user. Further, when obtaining the user's request that the search term is selected from the displayed data at step SP18, the CPU 19 proceeds to step SP20 to demand the designation of search term from the displaying data by the user. This operation is performed when the start and end position of the displayed character is designated by means of the cursor key 8. At this time, it is adapted to underline the designated character by the cursor for example. In this manner, if the search term is determined, the CPU 19 generates a window at step SP21, simultaneously proceeds to step SP22 to examine whether or not the selected character is ideographic symbol (in this case, Kanji written in the Japanese language). If it is an ideographic symbol, it is converted into phonetic character (in this case, Hiragana written in the Japanese language) at step SP23. Of course, if it is a phonetic character at step SP22, step SP23 is skipped (Fig. 8A). Here, if the correction of the selected character is necessary, it is done at step SP25, and the CPU 19 proceeds to step SP26 to execute the search. Successively, the operation of the CPU 19 proceeds to step SP27 to close the window once for making a new window for data display at step SP28, then searched data is displayed in this window at step SP29 (Fig. 8B). Thereafter, the operation of the CPU 19 proceeds to step SP8 again to wait for a command by the user. Further, if the user's request wants to enter a new search term at the step SP18, the CPU 19 generates a window as large as the liquid crystal display 5 at the step SP19, and proceeds to step SP12 and waits for the user's key input with an image DSP4 as follows (Fig. 7D). After this, the operation of the CPU 19 is repeated as above described. As above described, since the search data has been stored at steps SP3 and SP5, the second search can be performed in the state where the first search result is displayed. Further in this case, when the second search is terminated, the CPU can be automatically returned in the state where the first search result is displayed. (4) Operation and effect of the embodiment In the above construction, a data disc 15 storing four files such as an English-Japanese dictionary, a Japanese-English dictionary, a Japanese word dictionary and a Kanji-Kana dictionary, is installed in the cartridge holder 12, and the information search mode is attained by pressing the function keys 10, a file selection screen result as shown in Fig. 7A lists the names of the files. Here, if the user selects the English-Japanese dictionary, the display results as shown in Fig. 7B, and, when the term "PATENT" is designated, the search data is displayed on the screen as shown in Fig. 7C (steps SP1 through SP7). If, in this state, it is desired to search the meaning of "patent" (written in Kanji), while it is necessary in the conventional example to return to the initial screen. But the system in this embodiment proceeds to steps SP8 and SP9 from step SP7 to check whether or not another file is to be searched. If search of another file is selected by the function keys 6, a window is generated as shown in Fig. 7E on the right half of the display screen to display a file selection image. At this time, when the user moves the cursor to select the word dictionary, a search term input image of the word dictionary is displayed within the window. Here, if the user designates "patent" (written in Hiragana) as the search term (Fig. 7F), search data of the two dictionaries of the English-Japanese dictionary and the word dictionary are displayed as shown in Fig. 7G on the display (step SP14). At this time, when the search of the word dictionary is terminated (i.e., if search of another words in the English-Japanese dictionary is desired), the CPU 19 reads the past search process at step SP16 and then proceeds directly to the search display screen of the English-Japanese dictionary through step SP6, so as to continue search operation. As the data necessary for search of a CD-ROM or the like is memorized in this manner, it can be returned to the state where the original search data is displayed automatically. Further, if the currently searched file is the word dictionary, the CPU 19 decides at steps SP8 and SP9 whether or not the user desires to search another item in the same file while displaying the content of the currently searched data and, if a multi item is searched by the function keys F6, the system proceeds to step SP18 to perform the multiple search on the same file (Figs. 8A and 8B). At this time, if the user designates "application" (written in Kanji) as the search characters by underlining the characters thereof at step SP20, the CPU 19 recognizes that the designated characters are the ideographic symbols and executes Kanji/Kana conversion sequentially through step SP21, step SP22 and step SP23, so as to display "application" (written in hiragana) within the window with an image DSP13 as follows (Fig. 8A). In the image DSP13, bold-faced characters are written in Japanese in Figs. 8A and 8B, underlined characters are written in Kanji, and the part of "[ application ]" is written in Hiragana. In this case, if the conversion into Hiragana has been accurately executed, the CPU 19 executes the search and displays the search result within the window at step SP26 with an image DSP15 as follows (Fig. 8B). Here, if the user instructs to close the window to (step SP8), the CPU 19 goes back to the search result display mode for the first search. According to the above construction, since multiple file search can be performed: a plurality of files stored in one piece of CD-ROM can be used as an integrated dictionary; dictionaries of several languages and/or various database can be shared; search time can be greatly reduced; and it is possible to achieve a search while making a comparison with another recorded data. Further, multiple search in the same file is made possible and, in such a case, the designated search character is converted into phonetic characters if a search character for further search exists in the displayed image. Thereby the search time may be greatly reduced. (5) Other embodiments It should be noted that, while in the above described embodiment a description has been given with respect to a case where four files such as the English-Japanese dictionary, the Japanese-English dictionary, the Japanese word dictionary and the Kanji-Kana dictionary are stored in the data disc 15, it is possible to widely apply this to cases where another combination of documents is stored. Further, while in the above described embodiment a description has been given with respect to a case where the window at the time of multiple file search and multiple item search is displayed on the right half of the screen, the present invention is not limited to this and it is also possible to display the window at another position for example by dividing the screen into upper and lower halves, and also possible to display the window as large as the screen completely. Furthermore, while in the above described embodiment a description has been given with respect to a case where only two hierarchies are displayed, the present invention is not limited to this and it is also possible to use a hierarchical display of three or more hierarchies. Moreover, while in the above described embodiment a description has been given with respect to a case where multi file search and multi item search are executed in accordance with the flowchart as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the present invention is not limited to this and search may be executed based on other procedures. Further, while in the above described embodiment a description has been given with respect to a case where the search characters are underlined at the time of multi item search, the present invention is not limited to this and the search characters may be displayed in an inverted manner and application of displaying in a manner of character blinking is widely applicable. Furthermore, while in the above described embodiment a description has been given with respect to a case where a portion of the displayed data on the screen is designated as the search word, the present invention is not limited to this and key input is also possible.

Claims: An electronic dictionary apparatus using an optical disc (15), said optical disc (15) being recorded with dictionaries in the CD-ROM format, said apparatus comprising: a disc reproducing unit (16) for reproducing dictionary data from said optical disc; a controller (19) for discriminating whether an optical disc loaded in said apparatus is an optical disc recorded with dictionaries in the CD-ROM format or not, and for controlling the operation of said disc reproducing unit (16); an input unit (20) for inputting command signals to said controller (19), the inputted command signal being used to select and search one of said dictionaries of said optical disc (15), and a display unit (5) for displaying the reproducing data from said disc reproducing unit (16) as the search result under the control of said controller (19), a memory (42) for storing reproduced dictionary data and the input data used to search, and wherein said controller (19) controls said disc reproducing unit (16) to search a first dictionary and reproduce first dictionary data according to first input data of said input unit (20), if said controller (19) discriminates that the optical disc (15) is recorded with dictionaries in the CD-ROM format, characterised in that said controller is for controlling the following steps: the display unit (5) displays said first dictionary data, the first dictionary data are stored in a memory (42), a window (w) is generated on said display unit (5), a second dictionary is searched and second dictionary data are displayed in said window (w) according to second input data of said input unit (20), and when the second search operation of the second dictionary is finished, the controller (19) reads out the stored data from said memory (42), closes the window (w) and displays the first dictionary data on said display unit (5). An electronic dictionary apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus further comprises a cabinet (2) for accommodating said disc reproducing unit (16) and said controller (19), said input unit (20) is provided on the top surface of said cabinet (2) and said display unit (5) is provided on said cabinet (2). An electronic dictionary apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said display unit (5) is rotationally (4) mounted on said cabinet (2). A search method of an electronic dictionary apparatus using an optical disc (15), said optical disc (15) containing dictionaries in the CD-ROM format, said apparatus having a disc reproducing unit (16) for reproducing dictionary data from said optical disc (15), a controller (19) for controlling the operation of said disc reproducing unit (16), an input unit (20) for inputting command signals to said controller (19), the inputted command signal being used to select dictionary data of said optical disc (15) and to search at least one dictionary on said optical disc (15), a display unit (5) for displaying data reproduced by said disc reproducing unit (16) as the search result under the control of said controller (19), said method comprising the steps of : providing a memory (42) for storing reproduced dictionary data and input data used to search, discriminating whether an optical disc (15) loaded in said apparatus is an optical disc containing dictionaries in the CD-ROM format or not and controlling the operation of said disc (16) reproducing unit; searching a first dictionary on said optical disc according to the search terms inputted by said input unit by said controller; displaying first dictionary data reproduced by said reproducing unit (16) on said display unit (5); said method being characterised by: storing the first dictionary data in said memory (42); generating a window for searching data from a second dictionary on said optical disc (15) by said controller (19) according to second input data from said input unit (20); searching the second dictionary on said optical disc (15) according to said second input data inputted by said input unit (20) by said controller (19) and displayed in the window; displaying in the window of said display unit (5) second dictionary data reproduced from said reproducing unit (16); closing said window when the search operation using the second dictionary is finished; and reading out the data stored in said memory (42) and automatically displaying it on said display unit (5).

Inventors: HAYASAKA KOICHI, YOSHII FUMIHIKO, HAYASAKA, KOICHI, YOSHII, FUMIHIKO, HAYASAKA, KOICHI, SONY CORPORATION, YOSHII, FUMIHIKO, SONY CORPORATION
Applicants: SONY CORP, SONY CORPORATION
Application year: 1993
Main classification: G11B27
IPC codes: G11B27, G11B17, G11B19, G11B33, G09B5, G09B19, G06F15