CN1486564A - Method and device for querying name from personal information database - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention discloses a method and apparatus for retrieving names from a personal information database. The method involves sequentially inputting at least the first letter of the surname, a predetermined character, and at least the first letter of the first given name. The query string is updated each time a new letter is entered. The letters before the predetermined character are compared with the surname in the database, and the letters after the predetermined character are compared with the first given name in the database. This query method improves query efficiency without compromising accuracy.

Description

Method and device for querying name from personal information database

technical field

The present invention relates to a method and a device for inquiring a name from a personal information database, in particular to a method and a device for inquiring a name in a directory of a mobile phone, and a wireless communication terminal using the same method and device.

Background technique

A computer or personal digital assistant (PDA) may contain different kinds of databases of personal information, each typically including a name and specific data corresponding to the name such as phone numbers, addresses, e-mail addresses, notes, and the like.

Similarly, mobile phones also include at least one directory. Typically, a directory consists of entries including a person's name and their telephone number. Personal name includes last name, first name and optional middle name. A user can obtain a person's phone number by looking up the corresponding name from a directory.

Many methods have been proposed for name lookup. One existing query method is to enter a string representing a person's name. By comparing the entered character string with the names of all entries in the directory, a matching entry will be found, and then the corresponding phone number will be displayed on the screen.

As is well known, mobile telephones include keypads for the number keys 0-9. These numeric keys can be used to enter phone numbers. Also, some number keys correspond to 26 letters and are used to input these letters. For example, number key 2 represents A, B and C; 3 represents D, E and F; 4 represents G, H and I, 5 represents J, K and L; 6 represents M, N and O; 7 represents P, Q, R and S; 8 for T, U and V; and 9 for W, X, Y and Z.

As described above, in the existing query method, the user should input a character string including all letters in the whole name including the surname and the first name. Since a full name usually contains 6 or more letters, and a number key can represent 3 to 4 letters, it is very troublesome for the user to input a character string to be queried. Even more unfortunately, the results of the query are not available until the user has finished typing all the characters of the name. In many cases, therefore, the user has to enter more information than is required. However, once the entry is complete, the mobile phone will automatically look up and display the desired phone number on the screen.

Obviously, this existing inquiry method has following defect aspect input:

1. The user has to enter a long string to look up the name.

2. The user has to enter more information than is required.

3. The query result cannot be obtained during the input period, that is, the result cannot be obtained until the input is completed.

This query method is not fast and convenient in terms of input.

However, this query method has advantages in terms of matching. Once the string is entered, an entry with the same name as the entered string is matched and displayed on the screen. The query method is fast and convenient in terms of matching.

In the second name query method, the user only needs to press a single number key. The mobile phone then looks up all the entries in which the first letter of the name corresponds to the number key pressed. In this method, the input operation is simplified. In most cases, however, multiple entries may be queried, since a numeric key represents 3 to 4 letters, and individuals may have the same first letter in their name. For example, if the user presses the number key "4", names such as "Guo QingZhong", "Guo Ping", "HALLRandy", "ILAN David" will be displayed on the screen. (Here, "Guo QingZhong" and "Guo Ping" are the Latin spellings of the Chinese names according to their pronunciation, and the pinyin of the Chinese characters are indicated below.) In such cases, the user needs to move the cursor and/or scroll the screen to display Locate the desired name among the names in . Only when a particular name is located is the phone number corresponding to the selected name displayed. Obviously, as the number of multiple displayed names increases, it will be very troublesome for the user to find the name to be queried.

The second query method has the advantage that the user only needs to press a single key. It is fast and convenient in terms of input. However the problem is that many entries are matched and displayed on the screen and the user has to further select the desired entry to get the phone number. Not quick and easy in terms of matching.

Other query methods improve by making a compromise between the above two extreme methods. For example, in the third inquiry method, when the first letter is input, names in the directory having a surname beginning with the input first letter are displayed. When the second letter is entered, names in the directory having a surname beginning with the entered two letters are displayed. The more letters you enter, the more accurate the displayed first name will be. With such a method, it is not necessary to enter all the letters of the name to be queried until the correct name is found.

There is also a fourth query method called the predictive input method. In this method, each time a key is pressed, a lookup is made in the directory with the letter pressed. Candidates are then presented for the key representatives most likely to be pressed. If the candidate is correct, the user confirms it. If not, the user continues to press more keys. The more letters the user enters, the more accurate the candidate. With such a method, it is not necessary to enter all the letters of the name in question before finding the correct name. For example, to query "patent", the user first presses the key "7", and then "PC" is displayed; then presses "2", and then "PC" is displayed; then presses "8", and then "SAT" is displayed; and then presses "3". ", then "save" is displayed; then press "6", and then "patent" is displayed. At this time, only 5 keys were pressed to find a 6-letter word.

However, in the third and fourth methods, letters must be entered sequentially. In other words, the user cannot enter the letters of the last name until the user has entered the letters of the first name. If there are several identical surnames in the directory, the user still needs to select or continue to press the key. The number of pressed keys is still relatively large.

Therefore, there is a need for an improved name lookup method that is quick and easy both in terms of entry and matching.

An object of the present invention is to provide a name query method which can reduce the number of pressed keys while maintaining high matching accuracy and efficiency.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a name query device for implementing the name query method of the present invention.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication terminal utilizing the name inquiry method and device of the present invention.

Contents of the invention

The present invention provides a method for searching names from a personal information database including personal names each having a surname and a first name and special data corresponding to the name. The method comprises the steps of: initializing a query string; inputting letters; updating the query string by trailing the entered letters after the current query string; comparing the query string with names in a personal information database; selecting such names, wherein Include all single letters in the updated query string in the same order that they appear in the names as they appear in the updated query string; display the selected names; repeat the steps above as needed; from the displayed names Locate the desired name to obtain its corresponding specific data from the personal information database. In the method, the inputting step includes the step of sequentially inputting at least the first letter of the surname, predetermined characters and at least the first letter of the first name. The comparing step includes comparing at least one letter preceding the predetermined character in the query string to the last name in the personal information database, and comparing at least one letter following the predetermined character in the query string to the first name in the personal information database. The selecting step includes selecting names that have a surname that contains letters preceding predetermined characters in the updated query string and that appear in the surnames in the same order as they do in the updated query string, and that having first names that contain letters after predetermined characters in the updated query string, and the letters appear in the first names in the same order as in the updated query string.

In the above method, letters can be input through a numeric keypad, wherein some numeric keys each represent a plurality of letters. The predetermined character may be a null character. The step of inputting predetermined characters may include the step of pressing a space bar or a number key '1'.

In one aspect of the present invention, the step of inputting letters can be one of the following four steps, press the number key once to input the first letter represented by the pressed key, press the number key twice to input the first letter represented by the pressed key For two letters, press the number key three times to input the third letter represented by the pressed key, and press the number key four times to input the fourth letter represented by the pressed key.

In another aspect of the invention, the step of inputting letters may include the step of short pressing a numeric key, and the step of comparing may further include the step of giving a predicted character string as a query string, the predicted character string being represented by a series of pressed numeric keys The most used string among multiple strings.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, the step of inputting letters may include the steps of long pressing a number key; displaying all letters represented by the pressed key in a temporary horizontal bar on the screen; moving the cursor along the displayed letters in turn; and when the cursor Release the key when pointing to the letter you want to enter.

In addition, the input letter can be the first letter of Chinese Pinyin, or the first letter of the last name, first name or middle name of a Latin name. The displaying of the selected names may include displaying the selected names in A to Z order. The step of locating a name may include the steps of pressing a predetermined key; and moving a cursor to a next displayed name. The predetermined key may be a numeric key "0".

The present invention also provides an apparatus for querying names from a personal information database including names of individuals, each name having at least a surname, a first name and special data corresponding to the name. The means comprises: means for initializing a query string; means for entering letters and predetermined characters; means for updating the query string by appending the entered letters to the current query string; means for querying by comparing string with the names in the personal information database, match the updated query string with the names in the personal information database, and select names that contain all the single letters in the updated query string that appear in The order in these names is the same as in the updated query string; means for displaying the selected names; for locating the desired name from the displayed names to obtain its corresponding special data from the personal information database installation. In the device, the input device is configured for sequentially inputting at least the first letter of the surname, the predetermined character and at least the first letter of the first name. The matching means is configured to compare at least one letter before the predetermined character in the query string with the last name in the personal information database, compare the at least one letter after the predetermined character in the query string with the first name in the personal information database, and select names that have a last name that contains letters preceding the predetermined characters in the updated query string, and that these letters appear in the last name in the same order as in the updated string, and that have a The first names contain letters following the predetermined characters in the updated query string, and the letters appear in the first names in the same order as in the updated string.

In the above device, the input device may be a numeric keypad, wherein some numeric keys each represent a plurality of letters.

In one aspect of the present invention, the input device can also be configured for pressing the number key once to input the first letter represented by the pressed key, pressing the number key twice to input the second letter represented by the pressed key, pressing the number key three times To enter the third letter represented by the pressed key, press the number key four times to enter the fourth letter represented by the pressed key.

In another aspect of the invention, the input means may be configured for short presses of numeric keys, and the comparison means may be configured for proposing as a query string a predicted character string represented by a series of pressed numeric keys The most used string among multiple strings.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, the input device can be configured as a long press of a numeric key; display all letters represented by the pressed key in a temporary horizontal bar on the screen; move the cursor along the displayed letters in turn; Release the pressed key when entering the letter.

In addition, the display device may be configured to display the selected names in the order of A to Z.

The present invention also provides a wireless communication terminal with one of the above devices.

Obviously, the query method and apparatus of the present invention provide a compromise between accuracy and convenience in terms of input and matching. With the intelligent query method, the efficiency of input is improved without reducing the accuracy of query.

Description of drawings

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a mobile phone.

Fig. 2 is a flowchart of the query process according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of an inquiry device according to the present invention.

Detailed ways

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

A typical mobile phone is shown in FIG. 1 . A mobile phone 10 includes a keypad 1 and a screen 2 . The keyboard 1 includes number keys 0-9 and function keys such as a hang up key, a menu key, and a cancel key. Screen 2 is used to display information such as phone numbers, names to be inquired, and short messages.

In an embodiment of the invention, the user is allowed to enter more than one letter but less than all letters in the name. Each time the user enters a letter, the mobile phone updates the query string, matches it with an entry in the directory, and displays the matching name on the screen. Based on the displayed name, the user can decide to locate the desired name by scrolling the cursor or enter more letters for a more accurate match. When the user confirms the desired name, its corresponding number is displayed on the screen.

In the embodiment of the present invention, inputting the number key 1 or the space bar represents a blank character, indicating that the letter input subsequently is in the first name. Such input of predetermined characters will make the matching result more accurate. More precisely, letters entered before the predetermined character may be considered to be in the last name, and letters entered after the predetermined character may be considered to be in the first name. When matching, consider a string representing a sequence of input letters. In the preferred matching mode, the first letter of the character string can be regarded as the first letter of the surname, and other letters before the predetermined character can be regarded as the letters in the surname. The letters can also be considered entered in the same order as they appear in the entry. The letter immediately following the predetermined character may be considered as the first letter of the first name. Subsequent letters are also considered letters in the first name and are entered in the same order as they appear in the first name. Here, it is not necessary to input letters in sequence. Just enter the letters in the same order that they appear in the name being queried. For example, "GuoQingZhong" and "Guan QinZhou" can be considered to match the input string G QZ. However, if the input string is G QZG, only "Guo QingZhong" is found. Since "Guan QinZhou" does not include the "G" after Z, it cannot find it.

The user can use the keyboard to input letters in various ways. In one embodiment, the user may press the number key once to enter the first letter represented by the pressed key, press the number key twice to enter the second letter represented by the pressed key, and press the number key three times to enter the pressed key For the third letter represented, press the number key four times to enter the fourth letter represented by the pressed key.

In another embodiment a predictive input method is used. In this embodiment, letters are entered by short pressing the number keys. Each time a key is pressed, the predicted string is proposed for the key pressed. As mentioned above, the predicted string is the most used string among all the strings represented by the series of pressed keys. It is used as query string in matching.

In another embodiment, the long press input method may be used in conjunction with the short press input method. Here, the term "short press" means that the key is pressed and released immediately. Here, the term "long press" means that the key is pressed for a while and then released. More precisely, the user presses a number key such as number key 4 . Simultaneously pressing activates an internal timer in the mobile phone. A timer measures the time of the compression and compares it with a predetermined value. When the key is released and the pressing time is shorter than the predetermined value, it is considered that the input letter may be G, H or I. If the key is pressed long enough that the time of pressing exceeds the predetermined value, temporary horizontal bars will pop up on the screen to display G, H or I in sequence. While held down, the cursor scrolls across the bar and indicates from G to I. When the cursor points to the desired letter, the user releases the key. Then enter the desired letter. Letters on other numeric keys can be entered in the same way. In this way, if a short key is used for input, matching can be done in an ambiguous manner. For example, if the character string 479 is entered with short keys, one of G, H and I, one of P, Q, R and S is included. and a combination of one of W, X, Y and Z will be used to match against entries in the directory. That is, "Guan QinZhou", "Guo QingZhong", "Guo Ping" and "HALL Randy" can be considered to match string 479. This is called fuzzy matching mode. If the character string 479 is entered with a long key for the letters G, Q and Z, only the combination GQZ is used for matching. At this time, "Guan QinZhou" and "Guo QingZhong" were found in the query. This is called exact query mode. Depending on the code repetition of the entries in the Directory, the user can select either matching mode.

The input method can also be designed to input the first letter represented by the number key by short pressing, and input the second to fourth letters by long pressing.

When several names are displayed on the screen during the query, the user can enter another letter for a more accurate match, or simply press a specific key such as "0" or "#" to scroll the cursor to locate the desired name.

Fig. 2 is a flow chart of the process of inquiring a name from a directory of a mobile phone, and Fig. 3 is a block diagram of an inquiring device according to the present invention. The query process will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 .

The process starts with step S20. In step S20, the query string is initialized to be empty. In step S30, the mobile phone waits for a new input to occur.

Step S40 judges whether the new input is "1". If so, the process proceeds to step S42. Step S42 judges whether the query string contains "1". If yes, the newly input "1" is ignored, and the process returns to step S30 to wait for a new input. If "1" is not contained, the query string is updated in step S44 by merging the input with the string, and the process returns to step S30. If the input is not "1", the process further judges whether it is one of 2 to 9 in step S50.

If the input is one of 2 to 9, the process proceeds to step S52. Step S52 updates the query string by merging the input with the string in either fuzzy mode (corresponding to a short press) or exact mode (corresponding to a long press). In step S54, according to the record format of the query string, the updated query string is used for matching with entries in the directory in a fuzzy matching mode or an exact matching mode. In matching, letters entered before "1" are compared with the last name in the directory, and letters entered after "1" are compared with the first name in the directory. In step S56, the matching names are displayed on the screen, and the cursor points to the first matching name. Then, the process returns to step S30 to wait for a new input.

If the input is not one of 2 to 9, the process further judges whether it is "0" in step S60. When the input is "0", step S62 judges whether the query string is empty. If empty, the process ignores the input "0" and returns to step S30 to wait for a new input. If the string contains some digits, the cursor moves down to the next matching name. Then, the process returns to waiting for new input.

If the input is not "0", step S70 further judges whether the input is "OK", indicating that the desired name is confirmed. When the input is not "OK", the process ignores the input and returns to step S30 to wait for a new input. If "OK", the screen displays the phone number corresponding to the located and matching name. The process then ends at step S90.

A query device 100 according to an example of an implementation is shown in FIG. 3 . In this figure, the query device 100 includes an initialization device 102 , an input device 104 , an update device 106 , a matching device 108 , a display device 110 and a positioning device 112 . When the user wants to query the name from the mobile phone directory, the mobile phone can be set to the query state. The activation initialization means 102 initializes the query string to empty. In general, the input device 104 is preferably a numeric keypad of a mobile phone. A conventional correspondence is used between the numeric keypad and the 26 letters. In the present invention, the input device 104 can be used to input predetermined characters, such as inputting a blank character by pressing the space bar or the number key "1", indicating that the subsequent input letters will be considered as in the first name. The updating means 106 replaces the current query string by merging the input letters with itself, and provides the updated character string to the matching means 108 . Matching means 108 compares letters entered before "1" in the string with letters in the last name of the entry, and letters entered after "1" in the string with letters in the first name of the entry. It then selects entries whose names contain the letters in the string, and where the letters appear in those names in the same order as they appear in the updated query string. The matching device 108 then provides the matching name to the display device 110 . Matching names are displayed in A to Z order. The locating means 112 may be used to locate a desired name from among the displayed names to obtain its corresponding telephone number.

In a preferred embodiment, the input device 104 can also be used to input a predetermined number such as "0" and provide information to the pointing device 112 to input "0". The pointing device 112 then moves the cursor on the screen to the next matching name.

The input device 104 can also be used to input letters by long pressing, and provide long pressing information to the display device 110 . The display device 110 then pops up a temporary horizontal bar on the screen, wherein all the letters represented by the pressed key are displayed, and the cursor moves along the letters in sequence.

Preferably, the device includes an initial timer for comparing the duration of the key press with a predetermined value to determine whether to perform input by long pressing.

Suppose the mobile phone directory contains several entries, listed in order from A to Z as "Guo Ping", "Guo QingZhong", "Han Ping", "HALL Randy", "Han LingZhong", and "ILAN David". It is also assumed that the user is going to obtain the phone number of "HanLingZhong".

If the user first enters "4" with a short press, all names match and are displayed because their first letter is G, H or I. The cursor is positioned on the first matching name "GuoPing". At this time, if the user wants to position the cursor to "Han Lingzhong", he must press "0" three times. However, if the user further enters "5" via a short press, the query string is updated to "45" and the matching names are reduced to "HALL Randy", "HanLingZhong" and "ILAN David". The cursor is positioned on "HALL Randy". At this time, input "0" again and the cursor will move to the name "Han LingZhong". Alternatively, a further "9" can be entered by a short press. The query string is again updated to "459". At this time, only the name "Han LingZhong" matches.

Alternatively, the user may first enter "4" with a long press and select "H" from the temporary bar. At this time, "HALL Randy" and "Han LingZhong" are matched. Then, the user positions the cursor to the desired name by further pressing "0" or "9".

The user can also enter "415" with a short press. At this time, since the input of "1" means that the following "5" represents the letter in the first name, only "Han LingZhong" is matched.

Obviously, with the query method of the present invention, the efficiency of input is improved without reducing the accuracy of query.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers modifications and variations that come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims (19)

1. one kind is used for from the method for personal information database query name, and described personal information database comprises individual's name, and each name comprises surname, first name at least and corresponding to the special data of described name, described method comprises the steps:

A) initial interrogation character string;

B) input alphabet;

C) trail by the letter that will import and after current inquiry string, upgrade described inquiry string;

D) name in comparison query character string and the personal information database;

E) select such name, wherein comprise single letters all in the inquiry string of described renewal, the order that described letter occurs in these names identical with in the inquiry string that upgrades;

F) show the name of selecting;

G) repeating step b as required)-f);

H) name that the location is wanted from the name that shows is to obtain its corresponding special data from personal information database;

It is characterized in that,

Input step comprises at least the first letter of importing surname successively, the step of at least the first letter of the book character and first name;

Comparison step comprises the surname in described at least one letter and the personal information database before the book character in the comparison query character string, and first name in described at least one letter after the book character and the personal information database in the comparison query character string;

Select step to comprise and select such name, the surname that these names have comprises the letter before the book character in the inquiry string of renewal, and the order that described letter occurs in these surnames identical with in the inquiry string that upgrades, and first name that has of these names comprises the letter after the book character in the inquiry string of renewal, and the order that occurs in these first names of these letters identical with in the inquiry string that upgrades.

2. method according to claim 1, wherein said letter is imported by numeric keypad, in this keyboard some numerical keys each represent a plurality of letters.

3. method according to claim 2, wherein the step of input alphabet is one of following steps:

Push first letter of the key representative that numerical key once pushes with input;

Push second letter of the key representative that the numerical key secondary pushes with input;

Push the trigram of the key representative that numerical key three times pushes with input;

Push the 4th letter of the key representative that numerical key four times pushes with input.

4. method according to claim 2, wherein the step of input alphabet comprises short step of pushing numerical key, comparison step also comprises and proposes the step of prediction character string as described inquiry string, and described prediction character string is to use maximum character strings in a series of a plurality of character strings of pushing the numerical key representative.

5. method according to claim 2, wherein the step of input alphabet comprises the steps:

The long numerical key of pushing;

All letters that on screen, show the pressing key representative in the temporary transient horizontal stripe;

Successively along the alphabetical moving cursor that shows; And

When described cursor pointing want to import alphabetical the time, discharge the key of pushing.

6. according to each described method of claim 1 to 5, the letter of wherein said input is a Chinese character phonetic initial letters.

7. according to each described method of claim 1 to 5, the letter of wherein said input is the initial of surname, first name or the middle name of Latin name.

8. according to each described method of claim 1 to 5, show that wherein the step of the name of selecting comprises the step that shows the name of selecting with A to the order of Z.

9. according to each described method of claim 1 to 5, the step of wherein locating name comprises the steps:

Push predetermined key; And

Moving cursor is to the name of next demonstration.

10. method according to claim 9, wherein said predetermined key are numerical key " 0 ".

11. method according to claim 9, wherein said book character is a null character (NUL).

12. method according to claim 11, the step of wherein importing book character comprises the step of pushing space bar.

13. method according to claim 11, the step of wherein importing book character comprises the step of pushing numerical key " 1 ".

14. one kind is used for from the device of personal information database query name, described personal information database comprises individual's name, and each name comprises surname, first name and corresponding to the special data of name, described device comprises:

The device that is used for the initial interrogation character string;

The device that is used for input alphabet and book character;

Be used for trailing the device that upgrades described inquiry string in current inquiry string by the letter that will import;

Device, be used for name by comparison query character string and personal information database, inquiry string that coupling is upgraded and the name in the personal information database, and select such name, these names comprise single letters all in the inquiry string of described renewal, and described letter appears at identical with in the inquiry string that upgrades of order in these names;

Be used to show the device of the name of selection;

Be used for locating the name of wanting, from personal information database, to obtain the device of its corresponding special data from the name that shows;

It is characterized in that,

Described input unit is configured to import successively at least the first letter of surname, at least the first letter of the described book character and first name;

Described coalignment is configured to the surname at least one letter and the personal information database before the book character in the comparison query character string, described at least one letter in the comparison query character string after the book character and first name in the personal information database, and select such name, the surname that these names have comprises the letter before the book character in the inquiry string of renewal, and described letter appears at identical with in the character string of upgrading of order in these surnames, and first name that has of these names comprises the letter after the book character in the inquiry string of renewal, and described letter appears at identical with in the character string of upgrading of order in these first names.

15. device according to claim 14, wherein said input unit is a numeric keypad, and each represents a plurality of letters the some of them numerical key.

16. device according to claim 15, wherein said input unit also is configured to push first letter of the key representative that numerical key once pushes with input, push second letter of the key representative that twice of numerical key push with input, push the trigram of the key representative that numerical key three times pushes with input, push the 4th letter of the key representative that numerical key four times pushes with input.

17. device according to claim 15, wherein said input unit is configured to the short numerical key of pushing, described comparison means also is configured to propose the prediction character string as inquiry string, and described prediction character string is to make character string with the most use in a plurality of character strings of a series of key representatives of pushing.

18. device according to claim 15, wherein said input unit are configured to the long numerical key of pushing; All letters that on screen, show the key representative of pushing in the temporary transient horizontal stripe; Successively along the alphabetical moving cursor that shows; And described cursor pointing want to import alphabetical the time discharge button.

19. a wireless communication terminal comprises each the described device according to claim 14 to 18.

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