GB2213971A - Output system of a dictionary name for translation machine - Google Patents

Abstract

In a transition machine, there is provided a dictionary name output device for generating and displaying the name of one or more dictionaries used in a translation process when the translation sentences are displayed. <IMAGE>

Description

OUTPUT SYSTEM OF DICTIONARY NAME FOR USE IN A TRANSLATION MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a dictionary name output system for generating names of one or more dictionaries used in a translation process on an output unit when translation sentences are generated on said output unit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Generally, when an input original sentence is translated in an electronic translation machine, the translation process is performed using a user registering dictionary, technical term dictionary and learning dictionary together with a basic term dictionary in order to perform an appropriate translation. Referring to the respective kinds of the dictionaries mentioned above except the basic term dictionary, there can be provided a plurality of dictionaries in each kind of the dictionaries in the translation machine in correspondence with the field of the translation such as dictionaries for "data process" and for "electronics" as to the technical term dictionary and the various kinds of dictionaries mentioned above can be selectively used in performing the translation.

In a conventional translation machine, however, since the display on the screen of the output unit for selecting a required dictionary among a plurality of kinds of dictionaries is different from the display on the screen of-the output unit for performing the translation process.

Therefore, when it is desired to confirm which dictionary or dictionaries are selected during the translation process, the translation must be interrupted and the display mode must be returned to a dictionary selection mode menu once more, the operation of which is troublesome and there is a problem that the efficiency thereof is lowered. Moreover, there is a problem that, when the translated sentence is printed out, it can not be confirmed which dictionary or dictionaries were used in the translation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An essential object of the present invention is to provide a translation dictionary name output system, in which the names of one or more dictionaries used in the translation are generated to be displayed together with original sentences and translated sentences when the translation sentences are generated to be displayed, thereby enabling to see the names of one or more dictionaries used in the translation during the translation process and after the translation sentences are printed out.

In order to accomplish the object mentioned above, the translation dictionary name output system according to the present invention is characterized in that; in a translation machine in which input original sentences in a file are translated using one or more designated dictionaries among a plurality of dictionaries and grammatical rules stored in memory means so that the translated sentences are generated on an output display unit, there is provided dictionary name output means for generating names of one or more dictionaries used in the translation process when said translated sentences are generated on said output display unit, whereby the names of one or more dictionaries used in the translation process are generated on said output unit by said dictionary name output means when the obtained translated sentences are generated on said output display unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a translation machine according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an operating constitution of the translation module shown in Fig. l, Fig. 3 is a flow chart showing a translation dictionary name selecting and generating process, Figs. 4(a) to (e) are schematic diagrams-showing examples of the display in performing the translation dictionary selecting and generating process shown in Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a printed translation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of a translation dictionary name output system according to the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the attached drawings.

In Fig. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a controller composed of a central processing unit (referred to as CPU hereinafter) 2 and a main memory 3. Reference numeral 4 denotes a translation module comprising a translation CPU (not shown), translation programming unit (not shown) and buffers (not shown). Reference numeral 5 denotes a memory device for storing a basic term translation dictionary and grammatical rules which are used when original sentences are translated by the translation module 4. Reference numeral 6 denotes a user dictionary unit in which words can be freely registered by a user. Reference numeral 7 denotes a technical term dictionary unit storing technical terms.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a learning dictionary unit for learning which translation word should be used with priority among a plurality of translation words corresponding to each of the original words given in the basic term dictionary in the memory device 5. Reference numeral 9 denotes a display unit such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), numeral 10 denotes a printer unit for printing the output translation sentences, and numeral 11 denotes a key board having various kinds of keys for entering the characters of the input original document and for entering instructions to the translation machine. Herein, as to the user dictionary, technical term dictionary and learning dictionary mentioned above, each kind of the dictionaries may have a plurality of dictionaries each having a different individual name.

When a source language is entered in the translation machine mentioned above, the translation module 4 translates the source language into a target language.

That is to say, the source language entered by operating possible keys on the key board 11 is transferred to the translation module 4 under the control of the CPU 2.

Subsequently, the translation module 4 translates the entered source language into the target language using the basic term dictionary and grammatical rules stored in the memory device 5 and using the user dictionary unit 6, technical term dictionary unit 7 and learning dictionary unit 8. The translation results are once stored in the main memory 3 and displayed on the display unit 9.

In Fig. 2, a dictionary consulting (DC) unit 12 consults each kind of the designated dictionaries to be described later among a plurality of dictionaries stored in the user dictionary unit 6, technical term dictionary unit 7 and learning dictionary unit 8 and consults the basic term dictionary stored in the memory device 5 so as to obtain grammatical data such as a part of speech and a translation word for each of the words of the entered original sentences. Subsequently, a syntax analyzer unit 13 decides the structure of the sentences such as relationships between words in the sentences (e.g., Subject, Verb, Object and Complement) with reference to the grammatical rules stored in the memory device 5.A meaning analyzer unit 14 judges a meaningly correct translation word from a plurality of meaningly incorrect translation words for each word of the original sentences on the basis of the syntax analyses executed by the syntax analyzer unit 13. A generator unit 15 generates translation sentences from the inner structure of the analyses of the original sentences by the dictionaries and grammatical rules mentioned above.

Fig. 3 is a flow chart showing a procedure of a translation dictionary name selecting and generating process in which each kind of dictionaries for translation are selected and the names of the selected dictionaries are generated when the translation sentences are generated on the display unit 9 or in the printer 10.

The operation of the translation dictionary name selecting and generating process will be described hereinafter with reference to Figs. 1, 3 and 4.

In the step S1, an initial menu display as shown in Fig. 4(a) is displayed on the screen of the display unit 9.

In the step S2, an index number of processing item to be performed is entered by typing a corresponding key on the key board 11 among the processing items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, displayed in the initial menu display shown in Fig.

4(a).

In the step S3, it is judged whether or not a key for entering an index number "2" (i.e., user dictionary selection) is typed to be entered in the step S2. In case the user dictionary selection key "2" is typed to be entered, the program goes to step S4, and if the typed key is not the user dictionary selection "2", the program goes to step S6.

In the step S4, the list of the names of the user dictionaries previously registered in the user dictionary unit 6 is displayed as shown in Fig. 4(b). Though the file names are simply represented as user 1, user 2, ... in Fig.

4(b), the file names actually displayed are the names given at the time of the registration.

In the step S5, a required user dictionary is selected by typing a corresponding key on the key board 11 with reference to the list of the names of the user dictionaries displayed on the screen of the display unit 4 and the program goes back to step S1.

That is to say, in the case that a numeric key "1" for entering the user dictionary name "user 1" is typed, the name "user 1" is stored in the user dictionary name buffer (not shown) in the main memory 3 so that the required user dictionary is designated. In the case that an index number "99" for Cancel is entered, the contents of the user dictionary name buffer are cleared.

In the step S6, it is judged whether or not an index number "3" for selecting a technical term dictionary is selected to be entered in step S2. In the case the technical term dictionary selection "3" is selected, the program goes to step S7, and if the technical term dictionary selection "3" is not entered, the program goes to step S9.

In the step S7, the list of the names of the technical term dictionaries previously registered in the technical term dictionary unit 7 is displayed on the screen of the display unit 9 as shown in Fig. 4(c).

In the step S8, similar to the case of the user dictionary, a required technical term dictionary is selected by typing the corresponding key on the key board 11 with reference to the list of the names of the technical term dictionaries displayed on the screen and the program goes back to step S1.

The name of the technical term dictionary selected as described above is stored in the buffer for storing technical term dictionary names in the main memory 3 so that the required technical term dictionary is designated. In the case that an index number "99" for Cancel is entered, the contents of the buffer for storing the technical term dictionary names are cleared.

In the step S9, it is judged whether or not an index number " 4" for selecting a learning dictionary is selected to be entered in the step S2. In the case the learning dictionary selection "4" is selected to be entered, the program goes to step S10 and if the learning dictionary selection "4 " is not selected, the program goes to step S12.

In the step S101 the list of the names of the learning dictionaries previously registered in the learning dictionary unit 8 is displayed on the screen of the display unit 9 as shown in Fig. 4(d). In Fig. 4(d), though the file names are simply represented as "learning 1", "learning 2", actually, the file names given at the time of the registration are displayed.

In the step Sll, a required learning dictionary is selected with reference to the list of the names of the learning dictionaries by typing a corresponding numeric key on the key board 11 and the program goes back to step S1.

The name of the learning dictionary selected as described above is stored in the buffer (not shown) for storing a learning dictionary name in the main memory 3 and a required learning dictionary is designated. Moreover, when an index number "99" for Cancel is entered, the contents of the buffer for storing the learning dictionary name are cleared.

In the step S12, it is judged whether or not an index number 1" for translation process is selected in the step S2. In case the translation process "1" is selected, the program goes to step S14 and if the translation process "1" is not selected, the program goes to step S13.

If an index number other than the numbers "1", "2", "3" and "4" is selected to be entered in step S2, the other process corresponding to the selected number is performed in the step S13 and the program goes back to step S1.

In the step S14, the translation process is displayed as shown in Fig. 4(e). However, in this step, there are not yet displayed a dictionary name and a translation result composed of the original sentences and of the translated sentences but there is displayed only a frame of a display for translation process.

In the step S15, the names of the respective user, technical and learning dictionaries are displayed, which are stored in the buffers for storing the names of the user, technical and learning dictionaries in the main memory 3 in the steps S5, S8 and Sll respectively.

The display shown in Fig. 4(e) displays that "user 1" is selected as a user dictionary name and that "data process" is selected as a technical term dictionary name and that no learning dictionary is selected so as to be blank.

Since the display mentioned above is always displayed on the screen throughout the translation process, the current dictionary in use can be confirmed any time during the translation process.

In the step S16, the subsequent processing procedure is designated by typing a corresponding key on the key board 11.

In the step S17, it is judged whether or not the process designated in the step S16 is a printing process.

In case the printing process is designated, the program goes to step S18 and if the printing process is not designated, the program goes to step S19.

In the step S18, the translation results consisting of original sentences and translated sentences are printed out by the printer unit 10 as shown in Fig. 5 and the program goes back to step S16. At the time of printing, the names of the user, technical term and learning dictionaries, which are selected to be stored in the respective dictionary name buffers in the main memory 3 in the steps S5, S8 and Sll respectively, are also printed on the head portion of a sheet of paper for printing.

In the step S19, it is judged whether or not the process designated in the step S16 is finished. In case the designated process is finished, the display on the screen goes back to the initial menu display in the step S1. If the process is not finished, the program goes to step S20 and a normal translation process is performed and the program goes back to step S16.

The normal translation process mentioned above means a process of entering original sentences, translation of original sentences, correction of translated sentences and display of the translated sentences. That is to say, for example, when an original sentence is entered and the translation thereof is executed, the original sentence and the translated sentence thereof are contrastably displayed on the screen of the display unit 9 as shown in Fig. 4(e).

The user dictionary, technical term dictionary and learning dictionary respectively stored in the buffers in the main memory 3 are actually used in the translation process besides the dictionary of basic terms stored in the memory device 5.

As described above, according to the present invention, when an original and the translation thereof are contrastably displayed on the screen of the display unit 9 as shown in Fig. 4(e) during the translation process, also the names of the dictionaries stored in the respective buffer in the main memory 3 are selectively displayed, therefore, the names of the dictionaries currently in use can be confirmed without returning the display to the dictionary selection mode of steps S1 to S11 during the translation process. Accordingly, usage of a dictionary by mistake can be prevented in the translation process.

Moreover, since the names of the dictionaries used in the translation process (i.e., stored in the respective dictionary name buffers) are also printed when the translation results are printed by the printer unit 10, it can be seen from the printed translation results which dictionaries were used in the translation process.

In the embodiment described above, though the translation example between English and Japanese is shown, translations between other languages may be performed.

Though there are provided three kinds of dictionaries such as a user dictionary unit 6, technical term dictionary unit 7 and learning dictionary unit 8 in which required dictionaries can be selectively used besides the dictionary of basic terms, the present invention is not limited to this and any combination among the three kinds of dictionaries will do and other kinds of dictionaries may be added. That is to say, any dictionary unit will do besides the dictionary of basic terms so long as one or more dictionaries in the unit can be selected by selecting the names thereof among a plurality of dictionaries stored in the memory. Moreover, in the embodiment, though only one dictionary is selected among a plurality of dictionaries in the user dictionary unit 6 with reference to the display shown in Fig. 4(b), a plurality of dictionaries may be selected at one time of translation.Similarly, in the case of the other kinds of dictionaries, a plurality of dictionaries may be selected and used at one time of translation.

In the embodiment mentioned above, though the selection of the processing items shown in Fig. 4(a) and the selection of each kind of the dictionaries with reference to Figs. 4(b) to 4(d) are executed by entering corresponding numbers on the key board 11, the selections may be executed by setting the cursor position to a desired processing item or the names of each kind of the dictionaries so as to be entered. Moreover, the names of the dictionaries may be directly entered. In the embodiment, though the names of the dictionaries are displayed on the head line on the screen of the display unit 9, the names of the dittionaries may be displayed in any part on the screen. Also, the format of the display of the translation is not limited to a format as shown in Fig. 4(e) and other format can be used.

Also in the case of printing, similar modifications can be used.

In the embodiment, though the names of the dictionaries are always displayed on a part of the screen of the display unit, the names of the dictionaries may be displayed on the screen only when a specific key provided on the key board 11 is operated to be designated in the case the screen of the display unit is so small that the space for displaying the names of the dictionaries can not be secured.

As described above, according to the present invention, since the names of the dictionaries currently in use can be confirmed during the translation process, it is prevented for an operator to use a dictionary for translation by mistake. Moreover, the names of the dictionaries for translation currently in use can be easily confirmed without returning the display to the dictionary selection mode.

In the case that the printer unit is used as the output unit, it can be confirmed only by seeing the printed paper which dictionary or dictionaries were used in the translation process.

Claims (1)

1. CLAIM :

   1. An output system of one or more translation dictionary names for use in a translation machine, comprising: memory means for storing one or more kinds of dictionaries and grammatical rules which are used for translation, output device for outputting translation sentences, and dictionary name output means for generating the name of one or more dictionaries used in the translation process when the translation sentences are generated on said output device.