Reverse electronic dictionary using synonyms to expand search capabilities

Claim 1

An improved computer implemented reverse electronic dictionary of the type wherein one or more search words are entered to retrieve a word sought, the improvements comprising: a wide database of synonyms compartmented into synonym groups which are associated with each main entry and definition word, said synonym groups being formed through the cooperation of a thesaurus with a dictionary, and each of said synonym groups being assigned a numeric code to assist in the retrieval process such that when the search words are entered their numeric codes are located and thereafter the dictionary definitions are searched for definitions containing those numeric codes, the words having definitions containing those numeric codes being displayed as candidate words, said synonym groups thereby enabling a wider variation of the search words entered to retrieve the word sought, and said numeric codes being assigned to said synonym groups by frequency of occurrence to shorten search time.

Claim 3

A method for retrieving a word from a computer implemented reverse electronic dictionary containing a wide database of synonyms compartmented into synonym groups wherein all main entry words and definition words have assigned numeric codes designating the synonym groups, said method comprising: inputting the dictionary; inputting N defining words; searching the dictionary for word N; locating and storing the numeric code for word N; searching the dictionary for word N-1; locating and storing the numeric code for word N-1; repeating the search and storage until all N words have been searched; comparing the numeric codes whereby the one with lower numerical value becomes the primary search code and the one with the next higher numerical value becomes the secondary search code; searching the dictionary definitions for a match with the primary search code; searching a dictionary definition containing the primary search code for a match with the secondary search code; displaying as a candidate word a word containing both the primary search code and the secondary search code in its definition; repeating the search throughout the entire dictionary for words containing both search codes in their definitions; displaying all candidate words; and reporting that the search is complete, whereby the wide database of synonyms provides greater variety in the set of defining words that can be inputted thus increasing the probability of accessing the word sought.

Claim 4

A method for retrieving a word from a computer implemented reverse electronic dictionary containing a wide database of synonyms compartmented into synonym groups wherein all main entry words and definition words have assigned numeric codes designating the synonym groups, said method comprising: inputting the dictionary; inputting N defining words; searching the dictionary for word N; locating and storing the numeric code for word N; searching the dictionary for word N-1; locating and storing the numeric code for word N-1; repeating the search and storage until all N words have been searched; comparing the numeric codes whereby the one with lower numerical value becomes the primary search code and the one with the next higher numerical value becomes the secondary search code; searching the dictionary definitions for a match with the primary search code; searching a dictionary definition containing the primary search code for a match with the secondary search code; displaying as a candidate word a word containing both the primary search code and the secondary search code in its definition; repeating the search throughout the entire dictionary for words containing both search codes in their definitions; displaying all candidate words; and reporting that the search is complete, whereby the wide database of synonyms provides greater variety in the set of defining words that can be inputted thus increasing the probability of accessing the word sought.

Claim 5

A method for establishing a computer implemented reverse electronic dictionary containing a wide database of synonyms compartmented into synonym groups wherein all main entries and definition words have assigned numeric codes designating the synonym groups or non-synonym status, said method comprising: inputting an entire thesaurus containing main entry words, secondary entry words and their respective synonyms; identifying each main entry word; identifying duplications of the main entry word being processed; removing the duplications; appending synonyms associated with the duplications to those of the main entry word being processed; assigning a numeric code, in numerical order, to each main entry word; identifying each secondary entry word; assigning the appropriate numeric code to each secondary entry word, said numeric code obtained from the secondary entry word in its location as a main entry word; storing the thesaurus with all assigned numeric codes; inputting an entire dictionary containing main entry words and definitions; identifying each dictionary main entry word; searching the thesaurus for each dictionary main entry word; locating the dictionary main entry word in the thesaurus; assigning the numeric codes from the word in the thesaurus to the same word in the dictionary; assigning a unique numeric code to each dictionary main entry word not found in the thesaurus; removing the entire thesaurus; identifying each word used in the definition of each dictionary main entry word; searching the dictionary main entry words for each definition word; locating each definition word as a dictionary main entry word; assigning the corresponding dictionary main entry word numeric codes to each definition word; sorting all numeric codes for each definition into ascending order; removing all duplicate numeric codes in each definition; positioning the sorted numeric codes from the definition words immediately following each dictionary main entry word; and storing the processed dictionary file, whereby the wide database of synonyms expands search capabilities by increasing the number of definition words associated with a synonym group.

Claim 6

A method for establishing a computer implemented reverse electronic dictionary containing a wide database of synonyms compartmented into synonym groups wherein all main entries and definition words have assigned numeric codes designating the synonym groups or non-synonym status, said method comprising: inputting an entire thesaurus containing main entry words, secondary entry words and their respective synonyms; identifying each main entry word; identifying duplications of the main entry word being processed; removing the duplications; appending synonyms associated with the duplications to those of the main entry word being processed; assigning a numeric code, in numerical order, to each main entry word; identifying each secondary entry word; assigning the appropriate numeric code to each secondary entry word, said numeric code obtained from the secondary entry word in its location as a main entry word; storing the thesaurus with all assigned numeric codes; inputting an entire dictionary containing main entry words and definitions; identifying each dictionary main entry word; searching the thesaurus for each dictionary main entry word; locating the dictionary main entry word in the thesaurus; assigning the numeric codes from the word in the thesaurus to the same word in the dictionary; assigning a unique numeric code to each dictionary main entry word not found in the thesaurus; removing the entire thesaurus; identifying each word used in the definition of each dictionary main entry word; searching the dictionary main entry words for each definition word; locating each definition word as a dictionary main entry word; assigning the corresponding dictionary main entry word numeric codes to each definition word; sorting all numeric codes for each definition into ascending order; removing all duplicate numeric codes in each definition; positioning the sorted numeric codes from the definition words immediately following each dictionary main entry word; and storing the processed dictionary file, whereby the wide database of synonyms expands search capabilities by increasing the number of definition words associated with a synonym group.