Multiple language computer-interface input system

• US 6,182,099 B1
• Filed: 02/26/1998
• Issued: 01/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Nakasato, Shigemi
• Primary Examiner(s): Feild, Joseph H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kindred, Alford W.
• Application Number:
  US09/031,048
• Time in Patent Office: 1,069 Days
• Field of Search: 707/536, 707/531, 707/500, 707/526, 345/438, 364/725.01, 704/8, 704/9, 704/10, 704/277, 704/251-257, 704/231, 704/2
• US Class Current: 715/236
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/232 Orthographic correction, e.g. spell checking or vowelisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/263 Language identification
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/53 Processing of non-Latin text kana-to-kanji conversion G06F40/129; vowelisation G06F40/232

Abstract

A multiple language input system of this invention includes input systems corresponding to a plurality of languages. This multiple language input system recognizes a target language in accordance with various pieces of information from an application or information set by an environment setting function in the multiple language input system. When the target language is Japanese, the system causes a Japanese processing section to perform Japanese input processing. When the target language is English, the system causes an English processing section to perform English input processing. When the target language is Chinese, the system causes a Chinese processing section to perform Chinese input processing.

Claims

1. A multiple language input system comprising:

input means for inputting character data;

a plurality of language dictionaries each storing word information about a corresponding one of different languages;

a plurality of language processing means provided for the respective languages, each of said language processing means processing the input character data in accordance with the word information in a corresponding one of said plurality of language dictionaries; and

control means for enabling one of said plurality of language processing means in accordance with an input target language, wherein;

said control means includes recognition means for recognizing the input target language as one of the plurality of languages, and enables one of said language processing means in accordance with the recognition result obtained by said recognition means;

said recognition means recognizes the input target language in accordance with font information set through an arbitrary application executed on said multiple language input system;

said recognition means recognizes the input target language in accordance with format information set through an arbitrary application executed on said multiple language input system; and

said control means sends a font changing command to the arbitrary application wherein the formation information includes vertical writing, and the font information set through the arbitrary application indicates a font other than a Japanese font.

2. A multiple language input method applied to a computer system, comprising:

inputting character data;

recognizing an input target language as one of a plurality of languages;

enabling one of a plurality of language processing sections, each having word information provided for a corresponding one of a plurality of languages, in accordance with the recognition result obtained in recognizing the input target language; and

processing the input character data by using the word information in said enabled language processing section, wherein;

said recognizing of the input target language includes recognizing the input target language in accordance with format information set through an arbitrary application executed on said computer system; and

said enabling of one of a plurality of language processing sections includes sending a font changing command to the arbitrary application when the format information indicates vertical writing, and the font information set through the arbitrary application indicates a font other than a Japanese font.

3. A computer-readable memory storing computer-executable program code for performing processing for a plurality of languages, the program code comprising:

first means for causing a computer to input character data;

second means for causing a computer to recognize an input target language as one of a plurality of languages;

third means for causing a computer to enable on of a plurality of language processing sections, each having word information provided for a corresponding one of the plurality of languages, in accordance with the recognition result; and

fourth means for causing a computer to process the input character data by using the word information in said enabled language processing section,

wherein the third means causes a computer to send a font changing command to the arbitrary application when the format information indicates vertical writing, and the font information set through the arbitrary application indicates a font other than a Japanese font.