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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention concerns an electronic dictionary for the electrical
translation of words or compound words from one language (source language)
into words or compound words of another language (target language); in
particular, it concerns the means of input into the electronic dictionary
of the words or compound words to be translated.
So-called electronic dictionaries have been commercially available. Such
electronic dictionaries require keyboard input, for example, of English
words or compound words to be translated, and display on a display unit
translated language information including the meanings of the translated
words, eg., Japanese words, their pronunciation, or their parts of speech.
FIG. 1 shows a perspective external view of such a conventional electronic
dictionary, and FIG. 2 shows a block diagram depicting the internal
configuration of such an electronic dictionary. In these diagrams, the
English word to be translated is entered in alphabetical characters from
keyboard 1 by a finger-pressing action of the operator. The alphabetical
characters are fed to retrieval controller 3. Then retrieval controller 3
retrieves the corresponding English word from semantic dictionary 2, and
the meaning and other items associated with the Japanese word
corresponding to the English word are displayed on display panel 4.
The above electronic dictionary, however, requires keyboard input in
alphabetic characters of the words or compound words to be translated, a
process liable to input errors due to misreading of keys or
misunderstanding, especially when the operator enters the words by looking
at the source document and the keyboard alternately. Therefore, each time
an input error is made, the word must be reentered by correcting the
error. Thus, input has been slow, requiring more than the time it takes to
consult an ordinary dictionary. Thus, the conventional electronic
dictionaries have been far from being practical, and they have not been
able to provide the full benefit of an electronic dictionary.
Further, when translating English words into Japanese, normally the
operator has to write on the source document containing the English words
so as not to forget the meanings in Japanese words output on the display
panel. The procedure has thus been extremely cumbersome.
Further, if the word or compound word to be translated is in a variant form
(e.g., the past tense or progressive form of a verb), in most cases the
user has to take the trouble to keyboard input the original or canonical
form of the word.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to solve the above problems.
Another object of the invention is to provide a practical, easy-to-use
electronic dictionary through improvements in electronic dictionary input
procedures.
Another object of the invention is to provide an electric dictionary with
improved output procedures.
A further object of the invention is to provide an electronic dictionary
capable of translation even where words appear in their variant forms.
To solve the deficiencies inherent in the existing technology, this
invention, concerning an electronic dictionary for the electronic
translation of words or compound words in one language to the
corresponding words or compound words in another language, is comprised of
an optical reader which optically reads the language to be translated; and
a translation unit which, based on the output information supplied by the
optical reader, outputs the translated language corresponding to the
target language. A display unit can be additionally provided to display
the translated language produced by the translation unit.
In a preferred embodiment of the electronic dictionary the optical reader,
translation unit, and display unit are part of an integral unit.
In another preferred embodiment, the optical reader is separate and
independent from the main unit, which is comprised of the translation and
display units, with the optical reader being electrically connected to the
main unit by means of a connector cord.
The electronic dictionary configured as described above operates as
follows:
Input of the words to be translated, which are recorded on a source
document, is done by using the optical reader. The optical reader is
comprised, for example, of a light source for illuminating the source
document and a photoelectric sensor which converts the light reflected
from the source document into electrical signals.
When the language to be translated is thus input, the translation unit,
based on the result of reading by the optical reader, outputs the
corresponding translated language information. The corresponding
translated language information, for example, includes the meanings of the
words, their pronunciation, and other information provided in an ordinary
dictionary.
The display unit displays the translated language information comprised of
the above information which is output from the translation unit.
According to this invention, optical input of the source language by the
optical reader eliminates the errors inherent in keyboard input of the
words to be translated, as done by conventional methods. The invention
thus solves the existing problem.
The electronic dictionary can be provided with a printer which prints at
least part of the translated language information produced by the
translation unit.
In a preferred embodiment, the optical reader and the printer are disposed
at fixed positions relative to each other so that said part of the
translated language information will be printed at a fixed position
relative to the input language.
Printing of the translated language information by a printer saves the
operator the trouble of writing down the words.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the optical reader
illuminates the medium containing the language to be translated with light
from an external source.
For the illumination with light from an external source, a condenser lens
may be provided to enable the optical reader to condense light from the
external source. Alternatively, a condenser, e.g., a solar collector may
be provided for condensing light from the external source.
In still another embodiment of the invention, the translation unit
identifies, based on the output from the optical reader, variants of the
language to be translated and, as a result of that identification, makes
predetermined changes at the word ending or ignores the word endings, and
produces translated language information corresponding to the original or
canonical form of the word. Corresponding target language information may,
for example, include the meanings of the canonical form of the source
words, their pronunciation, and other information necessary in a
dictionary.
According to this invention, optical input of the source language by the
optical reader eliminates the errors inherent in keyboard input of the
words to be translated, as done by conventional methods. Further, even if
the language to be translated is a variant, the electronic dictionary is
capable of producing translated language information consistent with the
canonical from of the word, irrespective of its variation. This provides a
function of an ordinary dictionary.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings;
FIG. 1 is a perspective view indicating the external view of a conventional
electronic dictionary.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram indicating the configuration of the electronic
dictionary shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic
dictionary in a first embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing details of the optical reader in the
electronic dictionary shown in FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 shows details of the semantic dictionary and the retrieval
controller comprising the electronic dictionary shown in FIG. 3.
FIG. 6 shows an example of a word library and a dictionary memory storage.
FIG. 7 is a perspective external view of the hand-held electronic
dictionary.
FIG. 8 is a perspective external view of the hand-held electronic
dictionary according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic
dictionary in another embodiment of this invention.
FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C are views showing the details of the printer.
FIG. 11 is a perspective external view of the hand-held electronic
dictionary.
FIG. 12 is a perspective external view of the hand-held electronic
dictionary according to another embodiment.
FIG. 13 a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic
dictionary in another embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the optical reader
which can be incorporated in the electronic dictionary of FIG. 13.
FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing another example the optical reader
which can be incorporated in the electronic dictionary of FIG. 13.
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating the operating principles of the light
collector in the optical reader shown in FIG. 15.
FIGS. 17A and 17B are perspective views showing examples of the
configuration electronic dictionary incorporating the optical reader of
FIG. 14 or 15.
FIG. 18 shows details of the semantic dictionary and the retrieval
controller incorporated in another embodiment of the electronic dictionary
shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the retrieval
controller.
FIG. 20, which is comprised of FIG. 20A and FIG. 20B, are flowcharts
showing operation of another example of the retrieval controller.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The following describes embodiments of this invention with reference to the
drawings.
FIG. 3 shows the internal configuration of an electronic dictionary,
constituting a first embodiment of this invention. FIG. 4 shows a detailed
diagram of the optical reader shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 shows a detailed
diagram of the semantic dictionary and retrieval control unit shown in
FIG. 3.
The electronic dictionary of this embodiment translates English words or
compound words to the corresponding Japanese words or compound words, and
also provides other information normally found in a usual dictionary, such
as pronunciation, example of usage, and parts of speech and word origin.
As shown in FIG. 3, the electronic dictionary is comprised of optical
reader 5, analog/digital converter (abbreviated as A/D converter) 6,
preprocessor 7, recognition dictionary 9, recognition controller 8,
semantic dictionary 10, retrieval controller 11, and display panel 12.
As shown in FIG. 4, optical reader 5 is comprised of light source 5a which
illuminates source document 14 on which the English words to be translated
are printed, lens 5b which condenses the light from light source 5a onto
source document 14, lens 5c which forms an image of the reflected light
from source document 14 on pickup sensor 5d, and pickup sensor 5d which
converts the light from the image into electrical signals indicating
brightness and darkness. Pickup sensor 5d can be a CCD a sensor, for
example. A/D converter 6 converts the analog signals from pickup sensor 5d
into digital signals, supplying the digital signals to preprocessor 7.
Preprocessor 7, in addition to converting received digital signals into
binary signals, performs smoothing, noise removal, and the like.
Recognition dictionary 9 contains standard alphabetic character patterns
for the recognition of optically read alphabetic characters. Recognition
controller 8, based on the standard patterns contained in recognition
dictionary 9, identifies the binary signals, or alphabetic characters that
have been read. Briefly stated, the identification method can be divided
into pattern matching and structural analysis. Pattern matching consists
of pre-storage of two-dimensional images of characters in the dictionary
as they are, and a process of matching a given input pattern, comprised of
binary signals that have been read, with a pattern in the dictionary.
Structural analysis consists of extraction of partial profiles of
characters from the characters; dictionary storage of descriptions of the
extracted partial profiles, and their interrelationships; and a process of
matching a given input pattern with the stored information. In this
embodiment the identification of alphabetic characters that are read can
be done by either pattern matching or structural analysis method.
Since headings and the first letter of the first word of a sentence in
English are written in uppercase, the recognition controller ignores cases
when identifying a character.
Semantic dictionary 10 contains dictionary storage of Japanese language
data corresponding to the English words that have been read in, including
word meaning, pronunciation symbols, related grammar, sentence examples
using a given word, synonyms and antonyms. Retrieval controller 11
retrieves from semantic dictionary 10 the Japanese word corresponding to a
given English word that has been read. As shown in FIG. 5, the retrieval
controller 11 has an internal configuration which includes: input buffer
15 which is used for temporary storage of character codes for the storing
of alphabetic characters corresponding to the single word which has been
identified by recognition controller 9; word library 16 which contains the
starting address of dictionary memory 20 (more on this later) which
contains English words to be translated and the meanings of the
corresponding Japanese words; address counter 17 for scanning the English
words stored in word library 16; register 18 for temporary storage of the
English words and their starting addresses which are read from word
library 16; and gate 19 which determines whether the English words
obtained from input buffer 15 and register 18 match. Semantic dictionary
10, on the other hand, consists of dictionary memory 20 containing
Japanese language information, such as the meanings of Japanese words and
their pronunciation symbols, as discussed above; and register 21 which
specifies the address for dictionary memory 20.
Display panel 12 displays the translated Japanese language information
which is retrieved by retrieval controller 11.
The following describes the operation of the electronic dictionary of the
above configuration.
When source document 14 containing the English words to be translated is
illuminated by light source 5a, as shown in FIG. 4, the reflected light is
fed into pickup sensor 5d through lens 5c. Pickup sensor 5d converts the
reflected light into electrical signals which are fed into recognition
controller 8 after undergoing binarization and related treatment in
preprocessor 7. Then recognition controller 8, using the aforementioned
pattern matching or structural analysis method, and by referencing the
alphabetical standard patterns stored in recognition dictionary 9,
identifies the individual alphabetic characters that have been read. It
then sends English word character codes, consisting of a group of
identified alphabetic characters, to retrieval controller 11.
FIG. 6 shows examples of word storage in word library 16 and dictionary
memory 20. In FIG. 6, the alphabetical writing in { } connected by chain
line with Japanese characters is not actually in the dictionary but are
inserted in the figure for explanation to English readers.
The following describes the translation operations. The string of
alphabetic codes equivalent to a single word that has been identified is
stored in input buffer 15 shown in FIG. 5. Then the English word and its
address code ("a" and "0001" in FIG. 6) are sent from the beginning of
word library 16 to the word buffer and address in register 18. Gate 19
then determines whether or not the character code (English word that has
been read in) stored in input buffer 15 matches the English word stored in
register 18. If there is no match, "1" is added to address counter 17,
which causes the next English word and address ("abandon" and "0002" in
the figure) in word library 16 to be sent to register 18. Then, as
described above, gate 19 determines whether or not the word in register 18
matches the English word that has been read in. Thus, the words in word
library 16 continue to be read until a match is found between the English
word that has been read in and an English word read from word library 16.
When a match of English words is determined by gate 19, the address
contained in register 18 at that time is sent to address register 21 of
semantic dictionary 10. Suppose, for example, that the English word that
has been read is "dictionary" and that this has been retrieved. Then, as
shown in FIG. 5, the code for address "0051" is sent to address register
21. Semantic dictionary 10 transfers the contents of dictionary memory 20,
using the address specified by address register 21 as starting addresses,
one by one to a display buffer which is not shown in the figure (although
in this embodiment the display buffer is provided in retrieval controller
11, it can be in semantic dictionary 10). In terms of the above
"dictionary" example, this operation is carried out until an endmark 22,
"*", in FIG. 6 is encountered, i.e., until the contents of address
0051-0090 have been transferred. The string of alphabetic characters thus
read optically are converted to corresponding Japanese word information
including Japanese word meaning, which is then displayed on display panel
12 via the display buffer.
FIG. 7 shows a perspective external view of the electronic dictionary used
in this embodiment. The type of electronic dictionary in FIG. 7 is a
hand-held electronic dictionary. The upper protrusion of the electronic
dictionary main unit, containing the elements shown in FIG. 3, contains
integrated optical reader 31 (of the same configurations as the optical
reader shown in FIG. 3). To optically read the English word to be
translated by using such an electronic dictionary, the user, using one
hand, lifts electronic dictionary main unit 30, brings optical reader 31
to the beginning of the English word to be translated, and while holding
optical reader 31 against source document 14 at that position, scans the
document to the right as shown in the figure. Then the alphabetic
characters on source document 14 are optically read, subsequently
converted to Japanese language information by the above described
operations, and are displayed on display panel 12.
Means are provided to keep the space between the surface of the source
document and the light receiving surface of the image sensor. Such means
may comprise protrusions 3a as shown in FIG. 3. The protrusions should be
slidable on the source document 14.
FIG. 8 shows the electronic dictionary used in a second embodiment of this
invention. It consists of scanner 32 containing a built-in optical reader
(FIG. 3), separate from electronic dictionary main unit 30a (configuration
shown in FIG. 3 with the optical reader removed), and in which the two
units are electrically connected with connector cord 33. In this type of
electronic dictionary, scanner 32 is held against source document 14, and
as described with reference to FIG. 7, source document 14 is scanned by
scanner 32, and the information picked up by the scanning process is
transferred to main unit 30 via connector cord 33, and the translated
Japanese word information is displayed on display unit 12 which is part of
main unit 30. Thus, a hand-held electronic dictionary allows simple, easy
document reading and input. Further, the electronic dictionary shown in
FIG. 6, requiring only scanning by scanner 32, makes for extremely handy
optical scanning of the source document.
As described above, the above-described embodiments allow the optical input
of the English words to be translated from the optical reader, reducing
the input errors stemming from keyboard operation in conventional methods,
enhancing operational speed and offering electronic dictionary functions
that are suited to practical applications.
Also, where the optical reader is made separate and independent from the
electronic dictionary main unit, and is connected to the main unit via a
connector cord, operation of the optical reader is simple, facilitating
the input of the words to be translated.
FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of the invention. The configuration of this
embodiment is generally identifical to that of the embodiment of FIG. 3.
But a printer 13 is provided to print the Japanese language information
displayed on display panel 12.
FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C show, as an example of a printer, details of a
thermal transfer printer using a thermal head. In FIG. 10A, the printer
for the main part consists of printer buffer 124 which receives as print
data the Japanese language information from dictionary memory 20 (FIG. 5);
and drivers 125 provided to drive respective thermal elements 126d, which
are serially connected to drivers 125. FIG. 10B is a schematic perspective
drawing showing the thermal head 126 consisting of an array of thermal
elements 126d that is mounted in actual situations. Transfer ribbon 127
passes in front of thermal head 126. This transfer ribbon 127 is pulled
out from spool 128 and taken up by reel 129. FIG. 10C is an enlarged side
view showing the relationship between thermal head 126 and transfer ribbon
127. As shown in the figure, transfer ribbon 127 is situated at frontal
part 126a of thermal head 126, and transfer ribbon 127 is comprised of
base film 127a, and ink layer 127b which is provided in a layer on one
side of the ribbon. The principal constituent of ink layer 127b is wax
which melts when heat is applied. Ink 127b, heated and melted in part by
thermal head 126 is transferred to the source document 14 which is placed
in front of the head. When semantic dictionary 10 transfers the contents
of dictionary memory 20, using the addresses specified by address register
21 as starting addresses, one by one to a display buffer which is not
shown in the figure (although in this embodiment the display buffer is
provided in retrieval controller 11, it can be in semantic dictionary 10),
it also transfers the dictionary memory contents to print buffer 124 (FIG.
10A).
In terms of the above "dictionary" example, this operation is carried out
until endmark 22, "*", in FIG. 6 is encountered, i.e., until the contents
of address 0051-0090 have been transferred. The string of alphabetic
characters thus read optically are converted to Japanese word information,
which is displayed on display panel 12 via the display buffer.
Printer 13 stores the Japanese language information (print data) from
dictionary memory 20 in print buffer 124 via the retrieval controller 11
(FIG. 10A). Subsequently, by appropriate timing provided by the timing
generator which is not shown in the figure, print data corresponding to
one vertical dot line are read from buffer 124, causing thermal dots 126d
to be heated by means of drivers 125. This, as shown in FIG. 10C, melts
ink layer 127b on transfer ribbon 127, resulting in thermal transfer of
one dot line of print data to source document 14 which is placed in front
of the ribbon. In this manner, printing of all the lines is performed
according to the timing signals which are supplied sequentially.
FIG. 11 shows a perspective external view of the electronic dictionary used
in this embodiment. The type of electronic dictionary in FIG. 11 is a
hand-held electronic dictionary. The upper protrusion 30u of the housing
40 of the electronic dictionary main unit 130, containing the elements
shown in FIG. 9, contains integrated optical reader 5 (of the same
configurations as the optical reader 5 shown in FIG. 3). Another
protrusion 30v, located below optical reader 105 at a fixed distance from
it, contains integral printer 13 (FIG. 9) in the protruding portion 113.
To optically read the English word to be translated by using such an
electronic dictionary, the user, using one hand, lifts electronic
dictionary main unit 130, brings optical reader 105 to the beginning of
the English word to be translated, and while holding optical reader 5
against source document 14 at that position, scans the document to the
right as shown in the figure.
During this operation, the printer is spaced a predetermined distance
behind the optical reader in the direction of scan so that the printer is
positioned between the English word being read and an English word in the
following line during the printing following the translation processing.
When the English word is scanned by the optical reader so that the
alphabetic characters on source document 14 are optically read, their
Japanese language information is displayed on display panel 12 and at the
same time is printed by printer 13 between the lines, during the scan,
contemporaneously (substantially simultaneously) with the optical reading
adjacent to the English word, in this case (with only the delay for
translation processing). It is also possible to print only the meaning of
the word from the Japanese language information.
FIG. 12 shows the electronic dictionary used in another embodiment of this
invention. It consists of scanner 132 containing an integrated optical
reader and a printer which is at a fixed position relative to the optical
reader, the scanner being separate from electronic dictionary main unit
130a (configuration shown in FIG. 9 with optical reader 5 and printer 13
removed), and in which the two units are electrically connected with
connector cord 33. In this type of electronic dictionary, scanner 132 is
held against source document 14, and as described with referrence to FIG.
11, source document 14 is scanned by scanner 132, and the information
picked up by the scanning process is transferred to main unit 130a via
connector cord 33, and the translated Japanese word information is
displayed on display unit 12 which is part of main unit 130a. At the same
time, printer 13 prints the meaning of the English word which has been
read, below the word and between lines. Thus, a hand-held electronic
dictionary allows simple, easy document reading and input. Further, the
electronic dictionary shown in FIG. 12, requiring only the scanning by
scanner 132, makes for extremely handy optical scanning of the source
document.
As described above, the embodiments of FIGS. 9 to 12 allows printing the
meanings of words or compound words translated between print lines on the
source document, and thereby saves the operator the trouble of writing
down translated words, freeing him from cumbersome operations. Thus, this
invention provides an electronic dictionary with improved operational
speed, suitable for practical use.
FIG. 13 shows another embodiment of the invention. This embodiment is
generally identical to the embodiment of FIG. 3. But, as is shown in
detail in FIG. 14, an optical reader is comprised of lens 205b which
condenses light from external source 205e (light supplied from a light
source external to the electronic dictionary) onto source document 14
containing the English words to be translated.
The optical reader requires no light source for illuminating the source
document. It lends itself to a simple configuration. As a result, the
whole electronic dictionary can be made light and compact, suitable as a
portable unit.
Another example of an electronic dictionary in which the source document is
illuminated by light from an external source is shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.
FIG. 15 is a perspective external view of the optical reader. FIG. 16
illustrates the operating principles of a light collector in the optical
reader shown in FIG. 15.
The electronic dictionary in the second embodiment of this invention has a
configuration identical to the electronic dictionary in the first
embodiment, except for the optical reader. Optical reader 230 in this
embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, is comprised of a generally planar light
collector 231 which condenses light from external source 5e; reflecting
mirror 232 which reflects the light from light collector 231; lenses 205f
and 5b; and pickup sensor 5d. Light collector 231, as shown in FIG. 16, is
provided with transparent plastic plate 233 in which is diffused
fluorescent dye 234. Light from external source 205e, entering the
interior of plastic plate 233 from its surface, strikes fluorescent dye
234; fluorescent light emitted from this location propagates forward while
being totally reflected by the surface of plastic plate 233. Most of this
is guided to tip 236 (FIGS. 15 and 16) of light collector 231, and is
radiated to the outside in the form of condensed light 237. Light from
external source 205e, entering from a large surface area, is thus
condensed on tip 236 of light collector 231. If the other end of plastic
plate 233 is blocked with reflecting mirror 238, the light undergoes
further condensation, and is radiated in high power from tip 236 which is
open. The high-powered condensed light undergoes directional changes by
reflecting mirror 232, as shown in FIG. 15, enters lens 205f, where it
undergoes further condensation, and strikes source document 14 as a beam.
The reflected light, then, as described in the first embodiment, is
converted to electrical signals by pickup sensor 5d through lens 5b. The
working principles of light collector 231 performing the above functions
have been developed by BASF and an experimental version of it, named
"Solar Collector", can be obtained from Morishita Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha.
FIGS. 17A and 17B are external views of different examples of the
electronic dictionary incorporating the light collector shown in FIGS. 15
and 16.
FIG. 17A shows a hand-held electronic dictionary. Electronic dictionary
main unit 240 is an integrated unit of the elements shown in FIG. 3. Upper
protrusion 241 of main unit 240 contains the optical reader 5, 230. To
optically read the English word to be translated by using such an
electronic dictionary, the user, using one hand, lifts electronic
dictionary main unit 240, brings the optical reader (protrusion 241) to
the beginning of the English word to be translated, and while holding the
optical reader against source document 14 at that position, scans the
document in a direction A to the right in the figure. Then the alphabetic
characters on source document 14 are optically read, subsequently
converted to a Japanese word by the above described operations, and are
displayed on display panel 12. In the configuration of FIG. 17A, the light
collector of FIGS. 15 and 16 can be formed to cover the entire surface of
the assembly including the display panel. The light collector is
transparent so that it does not interfere with the function of the
display. As an alternative, the condenser lens of FIG. 14 can also be
used.
FIG. 17B is an external view of another preferred example of an electronic
dictionary, wherein scanner 242 containing built-in optical readers 230 is
provided as a separate unit from electronic dictionary main unit 243
(having a configuration in which the optical reader has been removed), and
in which the two units are electrically connected with connector cord 244.
In this type of electronic dictionary, scanner 242 is held against source
document 14, and as described in FIG. 17A above, source document 14 is
scanned with scanner 242, and the information picked up by the scanning
process is transferred to main unit 243 via connector cord 244, and the
translated Japanese word information is displayed on display unit 12 which
is part of main unit 243. Thus, a hand-held electronic dictionary allows
simple, easy document read and input. Further, the electronic dictionary
shown in FIG. 17B, requiring only scanning by scanner 242, makes for
extremely handy optical scanning of the source document. In the
configuration of FIG. 17B, the light collector of FIGS. 15 and 16 can be
formed to cover the scanner 242 alone. The condenser lens of FIG. 14 can
be used as an alter | | |
