Chinese character search method and apparatus thereof

• US 7,889,927 B2
• Filed: 03/03/2006
• Issued: 02/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Roger Dunn
• Original Assignee: Roger Dunn
• Inventors: Dunn, Roger
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehta; Bhavesh M
• Assistant Examiner(s): RAHMJOO, MANUCHEHR
• Application Number:
  US11/366,548
• Publication Number:
  US 20060204100A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,810 Days
• Field of Search: 382/185, 382/183, 382/182, 382/186, 382/187
• US Class Current: 382/185
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/3322 using system suggestions G06F16/3325 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/129 Handling non-Latin characters, e.g. kana-to-kanji conversion
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/53 Processing of non-Latin text kana-to-kanji conversion G06F40/129; vowelisation G06F40/232

Abstract

The present invention provides a Chinese character search method. According to the method, the user first inputs the notation of the known character. When the input notation is received, some corresponding Chinese characters are shown in the display. Then, the user chooses the correct character for which he is searching. Next, symbols are added to this character to represent the unknown Chinese character in the word. Then, those words containing this character are searched and are shown in a display.

Claims

1. A Chinese Character search method for selecting a desired Chinese character from a plurality of pre-stored Chinese characters based upon incomplete identification of the desired Chinese character, comprising:

(a) inputting a notation corresponding to a known reference Chinese character containing at least a first component part in common with said desired Chinese character;

(b) searching the pre-stored Chinese characters based on the notation to find said known reference Chinese character;

(c) breaking said known reference Chinese character into a plurality of component parts that comprise said first component part and displaying said component parts; and

(d) selecting at least said first component part and then searching again the pre-stored Chinese characters based on at least said first component part to find at least one candidate for selecting the desired Chinese character from the plurality of pre-stored Chinese characters based upon the incomplete identification of the desired Chinese character.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said notation is Pin Yin notation.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said notation is bopomofo notation.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step (d) further comprises using a predetermined symbol to represent an unidentified portion of said desired Chinese character.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising displaying a plurality of candidate Characters including said first component part.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step (d) further comprises generating a list of candidate characters containing said first component part at a right side relative to an unidentified portion of said desired Chinese character.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step (d) further comprises generating a list of candidate characters containing said first component part at a left side relative to an unidentified portion of said desired Chinese character.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step (d) further comprises generating a list of candidate characters containing said first component part at a top side of, bottom side of, or around an unidentified portion of said desired Chinese character.

9. A non-transitory computer readable memory medium encoded with a computer executable program to implement a method for selecting a desired Chinese character from a plurality of pre-stored Chinese characters based upon incomplete identification of the desired Chinese character, comprising:

(a) inputting a notation corresponding to a known reference Chinese character containing at least a first component part in common with said desired Chinese character;

(b) searching the pre-stored Chinese characters based on the notation to find said known reference Chinese character;

(c) breaking said known reference Chinese character into a plurality of component parts that comprise said first component part and displaying said component parts; and

(d) selecting at least said first component part and then searching again the pre-stored Chinese characters based on at least said first component part to find at least one candidate for selecting the desired Chinese character from the plurality of pre-stored Chinese characters based upon the incomplete identification of the desired Chinese character.

10. The non-transitory computer readable memory medium encoded with a computer executable program to implement a method for selecting a desired Chinese character from a plurality of pre-stored Chinese characters based upon incomplete identification of the desired Chinese character, according to claim 9, wherein the step (d) further comprises generating a list of candidate characters containing said first component part at a user specified location of said desired Chinese character.