WO1999015944A2

WO1999015944A2 - Method and apparatus for searching and displaying data

Info

Publication number: WO1999015944A2
Application number: PCT/KR1998/000197
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hyung Taek Lim
Original assignee: Hyung Taek Lim
Priority date: 1997-09-24
Filing date: 1998-07-07
Publication date: 1999-04-01
Also published as: WO1999015944A3; KR100330552B1; KR19990026342A

Abstract

A method and apparatus is provided for searching data based on a user input and displaying them on a user interactive display in a particular manner. Search conditions are input from the user. Data is searched from the database based on the search conditions and is respectively divided into first and second elements therof. Each of the subelements of the first element is sequentially and separately displayed on a first portion of the display, and the corresponding sounds are simultaneously output in synchronization with the display of each of the subelements of the first element for a first display duration. Subsequently, each of the subelements of the second element is displayed on a second portion of the display, and also the corresponding sounds are simultaneously output in synchronization with the display of each of the subelements of the second element for a subsequent second display duration. The first and second elements are then displayed together for the the second display duration.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEARCHING AND DISPLAYING DATA

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field:

The present invention relates in general to a method and apparatus for searching and displaying a plurality of data, and in particular, to a method and apparatus for searching a plurality of data according to a user input, dividing each data into a plurality of data elements, and displaying them separately and sequentially on a user interactive display.

2. Description of the Related Art : As the use of computers has become wide spread and has

' proliferated among various kinds of people, various educational tools have been developed to educate people more efficiently and conveniently using a computer. These tools include, for example, educational software for facilitating learning foreign languages which stores certain amounts of words in a database and displays the meaning and spelling of each word selected by a user input. However, since these educational software display the meaning and spelling of the selected word at the same time, the educational effects which were expected therefrom have not been achieved. This can be accounted for by the fact that displaying the meaning and spelling of the selected word together may not give users sufficient time to think about the meaning of the word. Therefore, in order to resolve the above-mentioned problem, it is desirable to display the meaning of the selected word a predetermined time interval after displaying the spelling of the word to allow for users to think about the meaning of the displayed word.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for searching data having at least two elements based on a user input and sequentially displaying each element of the data on a user interactive display.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for searching data having at least two elements based on a user input, displaying one element on one portion of a user interactive display in advance, and a predetermined time after the display of the one element starts, displaying the other element on another portion of the display. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method for searching a plurality of data from a database based on a user input and sequentially and repetitively displaying the searched plurality of data on a user interactive display in a data processing system is provided. The method comprises the steps of receiving search conditions from the user; receiving a repetition display count from the user; searching a plurality of data from the database in response to the search conditions; storing the plurality of data searched from the database into a memory; dividing each of the searched plurality of data into first and second elements thereof, the first and second elements having a plurality of subelements; and for each of the searched plurality of data, displaying the first element thereof on a first portion of the display for a first display duration, in advance, and then displaying the second element thereof on a second portion of the display for a second display duration. The first and second elements are displayed together for the second display duration. The displaying step is repeated as many times as the display repetition count.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The aforementioned aspects and other features of the invention will be explained in the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figs, la-lb illustrate user interfaces on a user interactive display of a word-educational system in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a high level block diagram illustrating a word-educational system in accordance with the present invention; and Fig. 3 is a logic flowchart illustrative of a method for displaying words in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to Fig. 2, there is shown a schematic block diagram of a word-educational system in accordance with the present invention. As illustrated, the word-educational system comprises a user data input unit 210 for receiving data such as search conditions from a user, a memory 220 for temporarily storing the data input from the user, a word database 250 for storing a- number of word entries (including the meaning and spelling thereof) in a sequential order, a search unit 230 for searching a word(s) from the word database 250 in response to the search conditions from the user, and a word-display unit 240 for displaying the searched word(s) on a user interactive display. The memory 220 is used to temporarily store the word(s) searched from the word database 250.

The user data input unit 210 receives predetermined types of data from users, including the start and end entry numbers of words to be searched, and a repetition display count per word. These data are temporarily stored in the memory 220 to be utilized later. These data will be described below in more detail with reference to Fig. la.

The user interface of a word-educational system in accordance with the present invention, as shown in Fig. la, can be implemented utilizing any suitable programming language such as Visual Fox Pro 2.0 of Microsoft Corporation. Input parts for receiving data from the user are located at the bottom of a graphic display 100. The user inputs the start and end entry numbers of words into left boxes 110 and 112, respectively, to select words to be displayed on the user interactive display. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the above selection method is exemplary and various kinds of methods can be utilized for selecting words to be displayed. For example, the user can input the start entry number of words to be displayed and the number of words to be subsequently displayed, or can input the group number- in a database where data is partitioned into several groups of words in a predetermined manner.

Besides the start and end entry numbers of words to be displayed, the user can input a display count value for determining how many times words will be repetitively displayed or time values ("spelling-display duration" and "meaning-display duration") for determining how long the spelling and meaning of words will be displayed. These values are input to input boxes 114, 116, and 118, respectively. In general, these values are set to default values in the system, but when the user wants to change them, the input boxes 114, 116, and 118 can be used.

Four triangle-type buttons 120-126 on the right side of the input boxes 110-118 are used for controlling the display order of words as searched. A word corresponding to the start entry number will be displayed when the user clicks the button 120, and a word corresponding to the end entry number will be displayed when the user clicks the button 126. Also, the buttons 122 and 124 are used to display the previous and next word from a word currently displayed, respectively. A word which is currently displayed on the display can be printed out by manipulating an output button 128.

Also, the user can decide whether or not it is necessary to continue displaying a particular word at a later time using an omission button 130. If the user learns any word currently displayed on the display so that it is not required to be displayed any more, the user click the omission button 130 so that the current word is not displayed any more. Accordingly, by using the omission button 130, it is possible to display only words which are not yet memorized by a user. If the user clicks a full button 132, all the words will be displayed regardless of whether or not the omission button 130 is selected with regard to any word. In order to implement this operation, a display flag field is added to each word entry in the word database 250. This will be described in detail in the following descriptions in connection with the word-display unit 240. Referring back to Fig. 2, the search unit 230 searches a sequence of words (entries) from the word database 250 in response to the start and end entry numbers input from the user. The searched words are stored in the memory 220.

The word-display unit 240 sequentially displays the words stored in the memory 220 on a user interactive display. If the full button 132 is not currently selected, each display flag corresponding to each word searched from the word database 250 must be checked. Only words having a display flag set to "1" can be displayed on the display. First, the spelling of a word will be displayed for the spelling-display duration selected by the user, and then the meaning thereof will be displayed, for example, on the portion of the window 100 below the portion where the spelling is displayed, for the meaning-display duration which is also selected by the user. As a result, there exists a predetermined time interval between the time when the spelling of a word starts to be displayed and the time when the corresponding meaning starts to be displayed.

Referring now to Fig. 1, the spelling of a word 134 corresponding to the start entry number is displayed at the top of the window 100 on the user interactive display.

Preferably, each letter of the spelling of the word is presented separately and sequentially and the pronunciation thereof can be also provided in synchronization with the presentation. For example, in the case that the word

"nephew" is to be displayed on the window 100, "n", "e",

"p" , "h" , "e", and "w" are presented separately and sequentially, and their pronunciations are output in synchronization. Then, after the spelling-display duration elapses, the meaning 136 starts to be displayed on the portion below the portion where the spelling 134 is displayed as shown in Fig. lb. Also, sounds indicative of the meaning 136 can be provided together.

Fig. lb illustrates the status of the window 100 where the spelling and meaning of a word are presented together. After the meaning-display duration elapses, the current word will be cleared from the window 100, and the next word will be provided in the same window 100 in the same manner as described above. This display process is continued until the display of a word corresponding to the end entry number has been completed. Further, after the completion of the display of the word corresponding to the end entry number, the words with entry numbers ranging from the start entry number to the end entry number can be repetitively displayed according to the display count value input from the user. Fig. 3 is a logic flowchart illustrative of a method for displaying words in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated at step 302, the user inputs some data including the start and end entry numbers of words to be displayed, and the display count. The start and end entry numbers are stored in the memory 220 to be used for searching the corresponding words from the word- database 250. The words searched from the word-database 250 will be displayed on the user interactive display in a sequential order. Further, the words will be repetitively displayed as many times as the display count.

At step 304, a sequence of words are selected from the word-database 250 by using the start and end entry numbers input from the user. At step 306, for every word searched from the word-database 250, a determination is made whether or not the display flag of the word has been set to "1." If the word does not have a display flag set to "1," it will not be displayed on the display, and control passes to step 312 to check the display flag of the next word. If the value of the display flag of the word is "1," the spelling of the word will be displayed on the display at step 308. As previously described, each letter of the spelling can be separately and sequentially displayed, and further the pronounciation of the word or each letter can be provided in synchronization with the display. These letters are presented for the spelling-display duration. The spelling- display duration can be set as a default value in the system. Alternatively, the user can input this value at step 302.

After the spelling-display duration elapses, the meaning of the word will be displayed on the portion of the window below the portion where the spelling is displayed at step 310. As a result, the spelling and meaning of the word will be displayed together on the display for the meaning- display duration. Preferably, the sounds indicative of the meaning of the word can be output together with the display thereof. After the meaning-display duration elapses, the display is cleared, and the next word is read from the memory at step 312.

At step 314, a determination is made as to whether the remaining words (not displayed yet) exist in the memory 220. If not, control passes to step 316. Step 306 to step 314 are repeated until all the words stored in the memory 220 have been displayed on the user interactive display. Further, at step 316, a display count from the user is checked to determine that the display of all the words has been repeated as many times as the display count input from the user. If not yet, all the words will be displayed again through the above steps 306-314. Finally, if the repetitive display has been completed for all the words, then the process ends at step 318. As previously described, the word-educational system in accordance with the present invention gives users sufficient time to think about the meaning of words and also facilitates the more efficient memorization of words by users, with the introduction of a short time interval between the time when the spelling of a word starts to be displayed and the time when the meaning thereof starts to be displayed. Also, since sounds can be supported together with the display of words, the educational effect may be greatly enhanced. While the invention has been described with respect to the particular embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the modifications may be made without departing form the spirit and scope of the present invention. These embodiments are for the purpose of example and illustration only and are not to be taken to limit the scope of the invention narrower than the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

What is Claimed:

1. A method for searching data from a database based on a user input and displaying the searched data on a user interactive display in a data processing system, the method comprising the steps of: receiving search conditions from the user; searching data from the database in response to the search conditions; dividing the searched data into first and second elements thereof, the first and second elements having a plurality of subelements; sequentially and separately displaying each of the subelements of the first element on a first portion of the display and simultaneously providing corresponding sounds in synchronization with the display of each of the subelements of the first element for a first display duration; and subsequently displaying each of the subelements of the second element on a second portion of the display and simultaneously providing corresponding sounds in synchronization with the display of each of the subelements of the second element for a second display duration, wherein the first and second elements are displayed together for the second display duration.

2. The method according to Claim 1, wherein the first and second display durations are set to default values in the data processing system.

3. A method for searching a plurality of data from a database based on a user input and sequentially and repetitively displaying the searched plurality of data on a user interactive display in a data processing system, the method comprising the steps of: receiving search conditions from the user; receiving a repetition display count from the user; searching a plurality of data from the database in response to the search conditions; storing the plurality of data searched from the database into a memory; dividing each of the searched plurality of data into first and second elements thereof, the first and second elements having a plurality of subelements; and for each of the searched plurality of data, displaying the first element thereof on a first portion of the display for a first display duration, in advance, and then displaying the second element thereof on a second portion of the display for a second display duration, wherein the first and second elements are displayed together for the second display duration and said displaying step is repeated as many times as the display repetition count .

4. The method according to Claim 3, wherein the search conditions include start and end entry numbers of data to be searched from the database.

5. The method according to Claim 3, wherein the first and second display durations are set to default values in the data processing system.

6. The method according to Claim 3, wherein the first and second display durations are set to input values from the user.

7. An apparatus for searching data from a database based on a user input and displaying the searched data on a user interactive display, comprising: input means for receiving search conditions from the user; means for searching data from the database in response to the search conditions; means for dividing the searched data into first and second elements thereof, the first and second elements having a plurality of subelements; means for sequentially and separately displaying each of the subelements of the first element on a first portion of the display and simultaneously providing corresponding sounds in synchronization with the display of each of the subelements of the first element for a first display duration; and means for subsequently displaying each of the subelements of the second element on a second portion of the display and simultaneously providing corresponding sounds in synchronization with the display of each of the subelements of the second element for a second display duration, wherein the first and second elements are displayed together for the second display duration.

8. An apparatus for searching a plurality of data from a database based on a user input and sequentially and repetitively displaying the searched plurality of data on a user interactive display, comprising: means for receiving search conditions from the user; means for receiving a repetition display count from the user; means for searching a plurality of data from the database in response to the input search conditions; means for storing the plurality of data searched from the database; means for dividing each of the searched plurality of data into first and second elements thereof; and means for sequentially displaying the searched plurality of data on the display, said displaying means including means for displaying the first element of the data on a first portion of the display for a first display duration, in advance, and then subsequently displaying the second element of the data on a second portion of the display for a second display duration, wherein the first and second elements are displayed together for the second display duration and said displaying means is activated as many times as the display repetition count to repeat the sequential display of the searched plurality of data.

9. A computer readable storage device containing a computer program for searching data from a database based on a user input and displaying the searched data on a user interactive display, comprising: input means for receiving search conditions from the user; means for searching data from the database in response to the input search conditions; means for dividing the searched data into first and second elements, the first and second elements having a plurality of subelements; means for sequentially and separately displaying each of the subelements of the first element on a first portion of the display and simultaneously providing corresponding sounds in synchronization with the display of each of the subelements of the first element for a first display duration; and means for subsequently displaying each of the subelements of the second element on a second portion of the display and simultaneously providing corresponding sounds in synchronization with the display of each of the subelements of the second element for a second display duration, wherein the first and second elements are displayed together for the second display duration.

10. A computer readable storage device containing a computer program for searching a plurality of data from a database based on a user input and sequentially and repetitively displaying the searched plurality of data on a user interactive display, comprising: means for receiving search conditions from the user; means for receiving a repetition display count from the user; means for searching a plurality of data from the database in response to the input search conditions; means for storing the plurality of data searched from the database; means for dividing each of the searched plurality of data into first and second elements thereof; and means for sequentially displaying the searched plurality of data on the display, said displaying means including means for displaying the first element of the data on a first portion of the display for a first display duration, in advance, and then subsequently displaying the second element of the data on a second portion of the display for a second display duration, wherein the first and second elements are displayed together for the second display duration and said displaying means is activated as many times as the display repetition count to repeat the sequential display of the searched plurality of data.