JP2008077584A - Translation retrieval system, method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a translation retrieval system easy for a user to use and understand. <P>SOLUTION: The translation retrieval system includes a field-based dictionary database in which field-based dictionaries constitute a hierarchical structure. This system further includes a retrieval object information fetching means for prompting a user to designate a character string and a field to be retrieved; a retrieval means for retrieving a translated word of the retrieval character string fetched by the retrieval object information fetching means for the field fetched by the retrieval object information fetching means in the field-based dictionary database, performing the retrieval, when the translated word cannot be retrieved, for a field in a higher layer on the hierarchical structure, until the translated word can be retrieved; and a retrieval result presentation means for presenting the retrieval result by the retrieval means to the user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a translated word search system, method, and program, and can be applied, for example, when a user terminal searches a translated word from a translated word search server.

There is a translation support dictionary device described in Patent Literature 1 as a translation device for translations that is intended to improve the efficiency and speed of translation work. By preparing a plurality of dictionary databases and a plurality of example databases, this apparatus can display parallel translations of words constituting phrases specified by the user and examples of the phrases.
JP 2005-141630 A

  However, since the conventional technique described in Patent Document 1 only searches and displays a plurality of databases, it is difficult to display only the information of the translation that the user wants. The user must find the desired translation from among the displayed candidates. Also, when searching for long words such as idioms, clauses and phrases, it is difficult for the user to know which words should be combined to make a translated word. In particular, it is difficult for beginners to select an appropriate translation from search results.

  Therefore, a translation search system, method, and program that are easy to use and understand for users are desired.

  The translated word search system of the first aspect of the present invention includes (1) a field-specific dictionary database in which field-specific dictionaries have a hierarchical structure; and (2) a search that allows a user to specify a search character string and a search target field. And (3) search for the translation of the search character string taken in by the search target information take-in means for the search target field taken in by the search target information take-in means in the field-specific dictionary database. And a search means for searching for a translated word for a higher-level search target field in a hierarchical structure when the search cannot be performed, and for searching for a translated word by moving the search target field to a higher level unless search is possible (4) the above search And a search result presenting means for causing the user to present a search result by the means.

  The translated word search method of the second aspect of the present invention includes (0) a field-specific dictionary database, search object information fetching means, search means, and search result presentation means. (1) The field-specific dictionary database has a hierarchical structure. The constructed field-specific dictionaries are stored, (2) the search target information fetching means allows the user to specify the search character string and the search target field, and (3) the search means is the search target The translation of the search character string captured by the information capture means is searched for the search target field captured by the search target information capture means in the field dictionary database. As long as the search cannot be performed, the translated word is searched for the upper search target field, and the search target field is moved to the upper level to search for the translated word. (4) The search result presenting means Characterized in that it is presented to the over The.

  The translated word search method of the third aspect of the present invention includes (0) a computer, (1) a field-specific dictionary database in which field-specific dictionaries have a hierarchical structure, and (2) a search character string and a search target. Search target information fetching means for designating a field, and (3) the search target information fetching means in the field-specific dictionary database fetches the translation of the search character string fetched by the search target information fetching means. A search means for searching for a search target field and searching for a translated word for a higher-level search target field in a hierarchical structure when the search is not possible; (4) It is made to function as a search result presentation means which makes a user present the search result by the said search means.

  According to the present invention, if a user designates a field and a search character string, a translated word retrieved from a field-specific dictionary in the designated field or a higher field is presented, so that the user can easily use and understand the translated word search system. , Methods and programs can be realized.

(A) First Embodiment Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a translated word search system, method and program according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(A-1) Configuration of First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a translated word search system according to the first embodiment, and a detailed configuration of a translated word search server is also shown.

  In FIG. 1, a translated word search system 100 according to the first embodiment is configured by connecting a user terminal 101 (101 </ b> A to 101 </ b> C) and a translated word search server 103 via a network 102.

  A user terminal 101 (FIG. 1 illustrates three units 101A to 101C) is a terminal such as a personal computer having a communication function used by a user, and can access the translated word search server 103 through the network 102. Is. In the case of the first embodiment, the user terminal 101 is general-purpose in relation to the translated word search server 103 and is not a dedicated terminal, and dedicated software for accessing the translated word search server 103 is also available. It is unnecessary. For example, the user terminal 101 is a terminal such as a general personal computer, and is equipped with a general-purpose browser.

  The network 102 is a network such as the Internet. In the first embodiment, the user terminal 101 and the translated word search server 103 are connected to each other via the network 102. However, the same apparatus has the functions of the user terminal 101, the translated word search server 103, and the like. It may be one that exhibits the above functions. That is, the translated word search system 100 according to the first embodiment may be constructed as a stand-alone device, or the translated word search system 100 may be constructed as a portable electronic dictionary.

  The translated word search server 103 is a server that searches for information on a phrase (search pole) input by the user to the user terminal 101 and displays the search result on the user terminal 101.

  The translated word search server 103 includes, for example, the translated word search program (including various data) of the first embodiment in a server class computer having a communication function with a built-in mass storage device or attached externally. The translated word search server 103 functionally has the detailed configuration shown in FIG. 1.

  Functionally, the translated word search server 103 has a screen display input unit 104, a search unit 106, a machine translation unit 107, a hierarchical technical term dictionary database 108, and a general dictionary 109 for translation.

  The screen display input unit 104 has a function of displaying screen information on the user terminal 101. Some screen information displayed by the screen display input unit 104 includes an input field, a radio button, an operation icon, and the like. In the case of such screen information, the screen display input unit 104 is input by the user. Is to capture. The screen display input unit 104 displays, for example, a form for the user to input a search phrase (search input screen; see FIG. 3) on the user terminal 101, or causes the user terminal 101 to display a search result (FIGS. 5 and 6). Display).

  Note that the screen display input means 104 incorporates the above-described form information. Further, the screen display input means 104 stores a plurality of forms so as to cope with differences in the OS, browser, etc. in the user terminal 101, and applies one that matches the OS, browser, etc. from among them. May be.

  The search means 106 searches for a phrase that has been requested by the screen display input means 104 and has been requested. The retrieval means 106 not only retrieves information from the hierarchical dictionary database 108 and the translation dictionary 109 but also includes the machine translation by the machine translation means 107 in the retrieval result depending on the case.

  The machine translation unit 107 translates a certain phrase or sentence into another language while referring to the hierarchical dictionary database 108 and the translation dictionary 109 under the control of the search unit 106. As the machine translation unit 107, an existing machine translation engine can be applied. In the first embodiment, since the input language of the word or phrase to be searched is English and the search result (translation word or the like) is Japanese, the machine translation unit 107 converts English into Japanese. It performs machine translation.

  The hierarchical technical term dictionary database 108 is a database in which technical terms for each field are registered, and the dictionary part for each field is hierarchized as described later. The hierarchical technical term dictionary database 108 also holds hierarchical information. In one record in the hierarchical technical term dictionary database 108, an entry word (English), a translation (Japanese), a part of speech (Japanese), an explanatory sentence (Japanese), an example (English and Japanese), and the like are described. ing. The record may include field information.

  The general dictionary for translation 109 is dictionary data of general terms necessary for translation by the machine translation means 107. One record in the general translation dictionary 109 also includes a headword (English), a translation (Japanese), a part of speech (Japanese), an explanatory sentence (Japanese), an example (English and Japanese), and the like. .

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a hierarchical structure in the hierarchical technical term dictionary database 108. The specific data storage structure of the hierarchical technical term dictionary database 108 may be any structure as long as it can access the specialized field instructed to be searched.

  In FIG. 2, the hierarchical structure has a tree shape with the root node as a “general term”, and the lower the tree, the more specialized the field.

  The end node includes only information on the upper node and technical terminology in the field. For example, the node “inorganic chemistry” includes only the information that the upper node is “chemistry” and the technical term of inorganic chemistry (which may include technical terms of organic chemistry). “Organic Chemistry” includes only information on technical terms of organic chemistry and that the upper node is “Chemical”.

  The intermediate node in which both the upper node and the lower node exist includes, for example, information on which field the upper node is. The intermediate node includes information on the terminology related to itself, which is not the terminology of the subordinate node of itself. The node “Natural Science” includes information that the upper node is “General Term” and the subordinate nodes “Physics”, “Chemistry”, “Mathematics” of Physics, Chemistry, and Math Contains information on technical terms (eg, biological terminology).

  The “general term” that is the root node includes information on terms that do not belong to the technical terms of social science, natural science, and technology of the subordinate nodes “social science”, “natural science”, and “technology”. Note that the root node “general term” may not include term information, and the general term information may be entrusted to the translation general dictionary 109.

(A-2) Operation of the First Embodiment Next, the operation of the translated word search system 100 according to the first embodiment (the translated word search method of the first embodiment) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the translated word search server 103.

  When the user accesses the translated word search server 103 from the user terminal 101, an authentication unit (not shown) of the translated word search server 103 authenticates the user. If the authentication is OK, the process shown in FIG. 4 is started. 104 displays a search input screen as shown in FIG. 3 on the user terminal 101 (for example, displayed as a window screen), and inputs a search word and a search field (step 400).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the search input screen 301 includes an input field 302 for inputting a search term, a “search” icon 303 for instructing start of search, and a field designation portion 304 for designating a search field. The field designation portion 304 includes a character string representing a field and a radio button arranged in front of the character string (the default is “general field”, for example), and is hierarchized by the start position of the character string. The user can recognize this. The hierarchical structure of the field designation portion 304 corresponds to the hierarchical structure of the hierarchical technical term dictionary database 108. The radio button, for example, can specify an alternative field, but may function as a check box that allows a plurality of fields to be specified. In addition, a search instruction that does not specify a field may be accepted (the following is described as being this case).

  The user inputs a search term into the input field 302 using the keyboard of the user terminal 101, clicks a desired search field radio button using a mouse or the like, and inputs the search word and the search field are correct. When the determination is made, the “search” icon 303 is clicked using a mouse or the like. The screen display input means 104 takes in the search term and the search field input in this way.

  The information on the search input screen 301 includes information that functions as a program. For example, when the “search” icon 303 is clicked when no search word is input in the input field 302, a warning sound is generated. I will let you. Although omitted in FIG. 3, the search input screen 301 includes a “cancel” icon, and the search operation can be stopped.

  The search terms and field information captured by the screen display input means 104 are given to the search means 105. The search means 106 first searches the hierarchical technical term dictionary database 108, and the corresponding information is stored in the hierarchical technical term dictionary database. It is determined whether it exists in 108 (step 401). If it exists, the search result is given to the screen display input means 104, and the screen display input means 104 forms a search result screen (see FIG. 5) when it is obtained by the search in step 401, and the user terminal 101 is displayed (step 405).

  In the search of the designated field in the hierarchical technical term dictionary database 108, the node related to the designated field is the search target, and the other nodes are not the search target.

  If the search cannot be performed by the search in the designated field as described above, the search beyond that may be stopped, or the search may be continued for higher nodes. In the latter case, for example, in the case where the search cannot be performed by the search of the designated field “chemistry”, the search is performed by “natural science” (in this case, other lower nodes “mathematics”, “physical” "" Is not a search target), and "general terms" is a search target if "natural science" cannot be searched.

  If the field is not designated, the lower level waste is searched in order from the upper level. In the example of FIG. 2, first, “general terms” are examined, and then the fields of “social science”, “natural science”, and “technology” are examined. If not, check "politics", "economy", "law", "physics", "chemistry", "mathematics", "machinery", and "electricity". If multiple data are found in the same hierarchy, display multiple data.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a search result screen when a search result is obtained by searching the hierarchical technical term dictionary database 108. The search result screen has, for example, a configuration in which search result display is added to the configuration of the search input screen.

  FIG. 5 shows a case where “solution” is designated as the search term and “inorganic chemistry” is designated as the field. “Solution” is registered as “Solution” in the chemical field, “Solution” in the mathematical field, “Solution” in the technical field, and “Solution” in the translation dictionary. is there. However, because the designated field is “inorganic chemistry”, even if it is not searched for “inorganic chemistry”, the search result screen 501 includes information searched for in the upper “chemistry” and described in the “chemistry” dictionary. It is. Since the designated field (inorganic chemistry) may be different from the retrieved field (chemistry), field information is also included in the display of the search result.

  If the search cannot be performed by searching the hierarchical technical term dictionary database 108, the search unit 106 searches the general dictionary for translation 109 to determine whether or not the corresponding information exists in the general dictionary for translation 109 (step). 402). If it exists, the search result is given to the screen display input means 104, and the screen display input means 104 forms a search result screen (not shown) when it is obtained by the search in step 402, and the user terminal 101 is displayed (step 406).

  If the search cannot be performed by searching the general dictionary 109 for translation, the search means 106 requests the machine translation means 107 to translate the search word, and the machine translation means 107 performs machine translation of the search word and inputs the translation result on the screen. Giving to the means 104 (step 403), the screen display input means 104 forms a search result screen (see FIG. 6) when the result is obtained by machine translation and displays it on the user terminal 101 (step 404).

  When machine translation is performed, the machine translation means 107 translates a specified field dictionary in the hierarchical technical term dictionary database 108 and its higher field dictionary in addition to the general translation dictionary 109 if a field is specified. . For example, if the chemical field is designated, the machine translation means 107 uses the dictionary of “chemistry”, “natural science”, and “general terms” in the hierarchical technical term dictionary database 108 in addition to the general dictionary 109 for translation. Translate. Here, the priority of the dictionary is in the order of “chemistry”, “natural science”, “general terms”, and the translation general dictionary 109.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a search result screen including the result of machine translation as a search result. The search result screen in this case also has a configuration in which the display of the search result is added to the configuration of the search input screen.

  FIG. 6 shows a case where the search term is “network solution” and the designated field is “technology”. Since the search term “network solution” itself is not registered in the dictionary of the predetermined field of the hierarchical technical term dictionary database 108 or the general dictionary 109 for translation, the machine translation unit 107 executes machine translation. In this machine translation, “technology”, “general terms”, and the translation general dictionary 109 are used, and the “technical” dictionary has the highest priority, so the word “network solution” is translated. The search result screen including the result of machine translation clearly indicates that the displayed translated word is obtained by “machine translation”.

(A-3) Effect of the First Embodiment According to the first embodiment, the translation information of the word that the user wants with a simple interface by combining the hierarchical technical term dictionary database and the machine translation. Can be provided.

(B) Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the translated word search system, translated word search server, method and program according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the translated word search system according to the second embodiment, in which the same and corresponding parts as those in FIG. 1 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. .

  The translated word search system 100A according to the second embodiment has a database registration function, and the translated word search server 103A of the second embodiment has a dictionary registration unit 105 in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment. is doing.

  In the case of the second embodiment, for example, on the initial display screen when the user terminal 101 (101A to 101C) accesses the translated word search server 103A, in addition to a field for inputting authentication information, “translated word search” Or a checkbox indicating whether the user wants “database registration” or the like.

  When database registration is requested by the user, if an authentication unit (not shown) issues authentication OK, the screen display input unit 104A displays a registration screen on the user terminal 101.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a registration screen. As shown in FIG. 8, the registration screen 801 is an input for inputting a field designation portion 802 for designating a field of technical terms, English, English part of speech, Japanese, Japanese part of speech, explanation (descriptive text), and an example. Fields 803 to 808 and a “registration” icon 809 for confirming input and instructing the translated word search server 103A to register.

  When the “registration” icon 809 is operated, the screen display input unit 104A provides the dictionary registration unit 105 with the designated field by the field designation part 802 and the input information of the input fields 803 to 808. Then, the dictionary registration unit 105 registers the input phrase information in the specified field (node) dictionary of the hierarchical technical term dictionary database 108.

  Since the input phrase information is registered in the hierarchical technical term dictionary database 108, it becomes a search term search target for the hierarchical technical term dictionary database 108 in step 401 described above. It can also be referenced in translation.

  According to the second embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the hierarchical technical term dictionary database 108 can be enhanced by the registration function.

(C) Other Embodiments In the above embodiments, the translation word search server is accessed via the network. However, the present invention is not limited to one computer or one device (for example, a portable electronic dictionary). The invention can also be realized.

  Further, even when the translated word search server is provided separately from the user terminal, the translated word search server may be realized physically by distributed processing of a plurality of servers.

  In each of the above embodiments, when the search result is displayed, in addition to the translated word and the part of speech, the example of the word and the explanatory text are displayed at the same time. However, only the translated word and the part of speech may be displayed. In addition, first, the translated word and the part of speech and the “detail” icon may be displayed, and when the “detail” icon is operated, an example or explanation of the word may be displayed.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the display of search results obtained by searching for a specified field (and higher fields) is shown. However, for all fields, the specified field ( In addition to displaying the search results in the upper field), other fields having translations of the search word may be notified (search results in other fields are buffered in the screen display input means. ). The field designation portion 304 on the search result screen may be used, and the radio button may be displayed in a mode different from the designated field (for example, by changing the color) to notify other fields having translated words. When such a radio button in another field is clicked, the displayed search result may be switched to another field.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the input of the search word is English and the Japanese translation is searched is shown, but the language of the search word and the language of the translation are not limited to this. Further, there may be a plurality of languages related to the search word and a plurality of languages related to the translated word. In this case, translations of all languages other than the language of the search word may be displayed as translations of a certain search word, and the language related to the search word and the language related to the translation word may be arbitrarily designated. . Further, the language here may include Braille, machine language, and the like.

  Moreover, although the case where the input of a search word was about 1 or 2 words was shown in the said embodiment, you may enable it to input a search object in a phrase, a clause, and a sentence unit. The “translation” of the name of the invention includes such phrases, sections, and sentences corresponding to the search character string in sentence units.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the method of presenting information to the user is shown as a display. However, instead of this, or in addition to this, another presentation method (for example, printing or pronunciation) may be applied. good.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the translated word search system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the hierarchical structure in the hierarchical type technical vocabulary dictionary database of 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the input screen for a search which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the translated word search server which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a search result screen when a search result is obtained by the search with respect to the hierarchical type technical term dictionary database of 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the search result screen containing the machine translation result of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the translated word search system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen for registration which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100, 100A ... Translated word search system, 101 (101A-101C) ... User terminal, 102 ... Network, 103, 103A ... Translated word search server, 104, 104A ... Screen display input means, 105 ... Dictionary registration means, 106 ... Search means, 107: Machine translation means 108: Hierarchical technical term dictionary database 109: General dictionary for translation

Claims (6)

A field dictionary database in which field-specific dictionaries have a hierarchical structure;
Search target information capturing means for allowing a user to specify a search character string and a search target field;
The search character string translated by the search target information fetching means is searched for the search target field fetched by the search target information fetching means in the field-specific dictionary database. A search means for searching for a translated word in the upper search target area and searching for a translated word by moving the search target area to a higher level unless search is possible.
A translated word search system comprising: search result presenting means for causing a user to present a search result by the search means. A machine translation means for machine-translating the search character string when the search means cannot search a translation of the search character string from the field dictionary database;
The translated word search system according to claim 1, wherein when the machine translation unit executes machine translation, the search result presentation unit causes the user to present the machine translation result as a search result.   3. The machine translation unit, when performing machine translation, uses a search target field and a higher-level field dictionary imported by the search target information capturing unit in the field dictionary database. Translated word search system described in.   4. The translated word search system according to claim 1, further comprising dictionary registration means for registering information inputted by a user in a field-specific dictionary designated by a user of the field-specific dictionary database. It has a field-specific dictionary database, search target information capturing means, search means and search result presentation means,
The above-mentioned field-specific dictionary database stores a field-specific dictionary in which a hierarchical structure is constructed,
The search target information capturing means allows the user to specify a search character string and a search target field,
When the search means searches the search target field taken in by the search target information fetching means in the field-specific dictionary database for the translation of the search character string fetched by the search target information fetching means, and cannot search , Search for a translation for a higher-level search target area in the hierarchical structure, and search for a translated word by moving the search target area to the upper level unless search is possible.
The search result presenting means causes the user to present a search result obtained by the search means. Computer
A field dictionary database in which field-specific dictionaries have a hierarchical structure;
Search target information capturing means for allowing a user to specify a search character string and a search target field;
The search character string translated by the search target information fetching means is searched for the search target field fetched by the search target information fetching means in the field-specific dictionary database. A search means for searching a translated word for the higher-level search target field and searching for a translated word by moving the search target field to a higher level unless search is possible.
A translated word search program that functions as search result presentation means for presenting a search result by the search means to a user.

Images