Data processing: database and file management or data structures – Database design – Data structure types
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-03
2002-05-21
Hong, Stephen S. (Department: 2176)
Data processing: database and file management or data structures
Database design
Data structure types
C707S793000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06393443
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to electronic dictionary and thesaurus tools generally and more particularly to applications which allow automatic retrieval of information from computerized electronic dictionary and thesaurus tools.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In typical applications of electronic dictionaries, a user is invited to type a word and to instruct an electronic dictionary to provide a translation of the word. Thus, during typing, each time the user looks for a translation of a word, he must interrupt typing and look for the word in the electronic dictionary.
In order to overcome such inconvenience, computerized dictionary and thesaurus tools which allow users to address computerized dictionaries interactively during typing and to employ the dictionaries in conjunction with automatic word recognition tools are required.
In a data sheet published by TechnoCraft Co. Ltd. on May 9, 1997, a product entitled “Roboword” is described. The Roboword is a multilingual dictionary tool which enables a user to point a mouse to any word on the computer screen, and the definition of the word will pop up immediately under the mouse pointer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to provide computerized dictionary and thesaurus tools which are applied with automatic word recognition tools.
There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a method for providing computerized translation of words including:
placing a pointer at a first region on a display;
detecting a string of characters displayed in the first region;
determining, in the string of characters, a word written in a first language by identifying an entry for the word in a computerized dictionary data base;
obtaining a translated word, representing a translation of the word in a second language, from the computerized dictionary data base; and
displaying the translated word at a second region on the display.
Additionally, the method also includes the steps of:
retrieving at least one of a synonym and an antonym to the word in the second language from a computerized thesaurus data base; and
displaying the at least one of a synonym and an antonym at a third region on the display.
Further additionally, the method also includes the steps of:
retrieving at least one of a picture, a drawing and an icon corresponding to the word from a graphical dictionary data base; and
displaying the at least one of a picture, a drawing and an icon at a selected region on the display.
Preferably, the method also includes the steps of:
if the word is not found in at least one of the computerized dictionary data base, the computerized thesaurus data base, and the graphical dictionary data base, automatically searching a computerized misspeller dictionary data base in the second language for a match of the word to a represented misspelled word in the computerized misspeller dictionary data base; and
displaying a correctly spelled word in the second language which corresponds to the word at a fourth region on the display.
Additionally, the method also includes the step of displaying a message indicating that the word is misspelled, and that a correct spelling of the word includes the correctly spelled word.
Preferably, the determining step includes:
performing a spell-check on the word versus at least one of the computerized dictionary data base, the computerized thesaurus data base and the computerized misspeller dictionary data base;
determining that there is no entry for the word if the spell-check outputs an error indicating that the word is not found in any of the computerized dictionary data base, the computerized thesaurus data base and the computerized misspeller dictionary data base; and
determining that there is an entry for the word if the spell-check outputs an indication that the word is found in at least one of the computerized dictionary data base, the computerized thesaurus data base and the computerized misspeller dictionary data base.
Preferably, the step of determining that there is no entry for the word includes the step of displaying a message indicating that there is no entry available for the word on the display.
Additionally, the method also includes the step of displaying a message indicating that there is no text in the first region if the first region is a blank area.
Further additionally, the method includes the step of displaying an unrecognized word message if the first region includes an item which does not include a text.
Preferably, at least two of the following regions: the second region, the third region, and the fourth region include a common area. The second region and the third region may preferably include a common area.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the method also includes the step of linking at least one of the computerized dictionary data base, the computerized thesaurus data base, the graphical dictionary data base and the computerized misspeller dictionary data base to a pronunciation guide for providing a pronunciation of the word.
Additionally, the method also includes the step of linking at least one of the computerized dictionary data base, the computerized thesaurus data base, the graphical dictionary data base and the computerized misspeller dictionary data base to a phrase guide to retrieve at least a phrase which includes the word.
Further additionally, the method also includes the step of providing a coding scheme which indicates which one of the computerized dictionary data base and the computerized thesaurus data base is currently activated.
Preferably, the coding scheme includes at least one of a color coding and a letter coding of a selection icon which is employed to select one of the following data bases: the computerized dictionary data base, the computerized thesaurus data base, the graphical dictionary data base and any combination thereof.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the first language is identical to the second language, and the translated words includes a meaning of the word.
Preferably, the detecting step includes:
selecting a first window in which translation of words is required, and a second window in which translation of words is not required; and
ignoring text written in the first region, if the first region is in the second window, and detecting a string of characters displayed in the first region, if the first region is in the first window.
Additionally, the method also includes the steps of:
providing a grammar analysis of the word; and
displaying results of the grammar analysis on the display.
There is also provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a method for providing thesaurus data corresponding to selected words, the method including:
placing a pointer on a first region on a display;
detecting a string of characters displayed in the first region;
determining, in the string of characters, a word written in a first language by identifying an entry for the word in a computerized thesaurus data base;
obtaining at least one of a synonym and an antonym to the word in the second language from the computerized thesaurus data base; and
displaying the at least one of a synonym and an antonym to the word in the second language at a second region on the display.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method for providing a computerized translation of a word including:
scanning a text to obtain a scanned text;
placing a pointer at a first region on a display which includes a portion of the scanned text;
operating a character recognition procedure to detect a string of characters displayed in the first region;
determining, in the string of characters, a word written in a first language by identifying an entry for the word in a computerized dictionary data base;
retrieving a translated word, representing a translation of the word in a second language, from the computerized dictionary data base; and
displaying the translated word at a second regio
Brief Daniel
Kranc Moshe
Matitya Moshe
Neroslavskaya Elena
Rubin Moshe
Atomica Corporation
Hong Stephen S.
LandOfFree
Method for providing computerized word-based referencing does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method for providing computerized word-based referencing, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method for providing computerized word-based referencing will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2840674