JP2000148367A - Character processor, its method, and storage medium having stored its program thereon - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make changeable input pictures in accordance with the current inputting means. SOLUTION: This character input device which can utilize both a keyboard and an input panel discriminates whether the current inputting means is the keyboard or the panel (S1102) based on the signal of a remote control button for using an inputted key of the keyboard or the input panel and closes the character input panel corresponding to the key of the keyboard (S1111) when the panel is switched to the keyboard.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to Japanese language processing, and more particularly to a method for correctly and quickly inputting characters while using means for inputting using a displayed input panel and means for inputting using a keyboard. The present invention relates to a character processing device and a method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, Japanese character input is divided into a case where a keyboard is used and a case where a keyboard is not used. In the latter case, a method in which a panel imitating a keyboard image is displayed on the screen and the user designates and selects a desired button in the panel with a cursor to perform an operation equivalent to pressing a key on the keyboard. Used.

[0003] This method does not require a keyboard having a large number of keys, so that it is possible to input data with a small remote controller. Also, unlike the keyboard, by arranging buttons on the panel that correspond to one word with one button,
It is possible to input in word units, which is suitable for inputting specific terms. However, when inputting a word that does not exist on the panel, it is not possible to type each character directly, and it is necessary to move the cursor to the button corresponding to the desired character and instruct the user to press that button. , The keyboard is easier to type.

[0004]

In the panel input, a panel for input is displayed in an area other than the input field, and a cursor is displayed on the panel. On the other hand, in the keyboard input, an input panel is not displayed, and a cursor indicating an input position is displayed in an input field. As described above, since the display forms of the input screens are different from each other, when the panel input and the keyboard input are used together, the user instructs switching of the input unit to be used, and the user changes the display form of the input screen consciously. There is a need. Therefore, if the number of switching is large, the operation becomes very complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an input screen corresponding to an input means intended by a user without requiring a user to perform an input operation switching instruction. To provide a character processing device for switching the display.

[0006]

According to the present invention, as a means for achieving the above-mentioned object, a character input device for inputting characters using a keyboard and a character display device are provided on a character processing device. Panel input means for inputting a character corresponding to a particular button by selecting a specific button from the input panel, and determining whether the input is made by the key input means or the panel input means. And a display means for displaying a screen suitable for the input means determined by the determination means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a key input unit for inputting characters using a keyboard and a specific button selected from an input panel displayed on a screen correspond to the button. A panel input unit for inputting a character to be input, and a character processing method in a character processing device capable of using the input unit, when input is performed, a determination step of determining whether the input is performed by the key input unit or the panel input unit; A display step of displaying a screen suitable for the input unit determined by the determination means.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, a key input unit for inputting characters using a keyboard and a specific button are selected from an input panel displayed on a screen in a storage medium. In a character processing device capable of using a panel input unit for inputting a character by selecting a character corresponding to the button, when an input is made, it is determined which of the key input unit and the panel input unit is used. And a display process for displaying a screen suitable for the input unit determined by the determination unit.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the character processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

In the configuration shown in the figure, a CPU 110 is a microprocessor, performs calculations for character processing, makes logical decisions, and the like.
Control each component connected to 30.

The BUS 230 includes three buses, an address bus AB, a control bus CB, and a data bus DB. The address bus AB is connected to the microprocessor C
An address signal that specifies a component to be controlled by the PU is transferred. The control bus CB transfers and applies a control signal of each component to be controlled by the microprocessor CPU110. Data bus DB
Performs data transfer between components.

The ROM 120 is a fixed read-only memory. For example, the control program stored in the program area PA is provided to the CPU 110. The control program includes an operating system, a character input processing program, an address book input program, a program corresponding to a processing procedure described later in the flowchart, and the like.

The RAM 130 is a random access memory functioning as a work memory of the CPU 110, and includes the following UBUF, YBUF, DIC, DBPOOL, FZ
It has areas such as TBL and OBUF. It is also used for temporary storage of various data from each component.

UBUF is a user data buffer,
This is a memory for storing user data input from the keyboard KB. YBUF is used when the character input from the keyboard KB is a kana-kanji conversion target reading.
This is an input reading buffer memory for storing the reading.
DIC is a word dictionary for performing kana-kanji conversion.
DBPOOL is a homophone candidate storage memory that stores information obtained by analyzing and converting the reading of the input reading buffer memory YBUF into phrases. FZTBL uses an auxiliary word as a word dictionary D
9 is an attached word string conversion table for associating with combination information stored in an IC. The OBUF is an area that functions as an output buffer memory for temporarily storing characters that cannot be read as kana-kanji conversion targets and results of kana-kanji conversion.

The disk 150 is an auxiliary storage unit including a hard disk and a floppy disk, and stores user data edited on a user data buffer UBUF. The stored user data can be read and used on a user data buffer as needed. Furthermore,
A user information editing program such as an operating system, a character input processing program, and an address book program is stored on a floppy (registered trademark) disk, and is read into a load area on
0 may be provided.

DBUF 150 is a display buffer memory for holding data to be displayed by CRT 200. The CPU 110 develops a bitmap image on the display buffer memory with reference to the character generator 220 and the like.

The RC 170 is a remote control transmitting device (hereinafter, remote control) including a remote control button interface. An infrared transmitter for transmitting a remote control signal is provided, and transmission is performed by an internal infrared light emitting element. Various function buttons such as a cursor movement button for moving a cursor, a selection button for instructing designation execution at the current cursor position, and a panel change button for changing a panel at the time of panel input are provided.

REPT 160 is a remote control receiver, and has an infrared receiver for receiving a remote control signal transmitted by RC 170. Reception is performed by an infrared sensor.

The KB 180 is a keyboard including a keyboard interface, and includes character symbol input keys such as alphabet keys, hiragana keys, and katakana keys. Various keys such as a conversion key for instructing a conversion, a next candidate display key for changing the displayed conversion candidate to the next candidate, and a selection key for selecting a desired conversion candidate from the displayed homophone conversion candidate sequence Function keys. The keyboard KB180 is used by being connected to the apparatus main body as needed.

The CR 190 is a cursor register for holding address information indicating a cursor position to be displayed on the CRT 210. The CPU 110 sets the cursor register C
Can read and write the contents of R. The CPU 110 can change the cursor position by rewriting the address information in the cursor register CR.

The CRTC 200 is a CRT controller, and based on information supplied from the cursor register CR190 and the display buffer memory DBUF150,
In addition to supplying image signals to the CRT 210 as a display device,
The CRT 210 is controlled by supplying a synchronization signal or the like.

The CRT 210 is an example of a display device using a cathode ray tube or the like. The display of the dot configuration pattern and the cursor on the display device CRT 210 is controlled by a CRT controller CRTC 200.

The CG 220 is a character generator for generating or holding pattern data of characters and symbols to be displayed on the CRT 210.

In the above configuration, when input data is supplied from the user via the remote controller RC 170 or the keyboard KB 180, first, an interrupt signal is sent to the microprocessor CPU 110, and the microprocessor CPU 110 is stored in the ROM 120. Read out various control signals and according to those control signals,
Various controls are performed.

Hereinafter, an example in which the display of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration is switched to the display expected by the user by determining the input means from the input characters will be described with reference to FIGS. This will be described below.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a panel pattern displayed on the screen of the CRT 210 at the time of panel input processing in the apparatus of the present embodiment. In FIG.
Reference numeral 1 denotes an edit area for panel input, 202 denotes an edit position cursor for panel input, 203 denotes a cursor for moving in the panel, and 204 denotes a group of buttons arranged in the panel.

By pressing the cursor movement button of the remote control RC 170, the cursor 203 is moved to a desired button position in the panel, and by pressing the selection button of the remote control RC 170 there, the character displayed at that button position is displayed. It can be input to the editing area 201. As with the character buttons, the edit button for deleting or the like is also used for the button group 204.
Buttons on the panel. By pressing the panel change button on the remote controller, the display contents can be changed to the panel patterns shown in FIGS.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a panel used in the kana input mode of the panel input processing. This is a panel pattern suitable for inputting hiragana, katakana and kanji. Here, it is assumed that there are four pages in total.
The page is switched to another page in response to selection of the previous page button or the next page button, or an instruction to move the cursor out of the page.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a panel used in the alphanumeric input mode of the panel input process. This is a panel pattern suitable for inputting alphanumeric characters.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a panel used in the symbol input mode of the panel input processing. This is a panel pattern suitable for inputting symbols.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a panel used in the special input mode of the panel input processing. A list of sub-panel modes is displayed on this panel, and the user performs a panel transition by moving the cursor to a button corresponding to a desired panel mode and pressing a selection button.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a panel used in the Greek / Russian character input mode in the special input mode of the panel input processing.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a panel used in the last name notation input mode in the special input mode of the panel input process. In this panel mode, when a button corresponding to a desired reading is selected from the index panel based on the first reading, the display is shifted to a panel in which the last name is arranged with the reading at the top. The name notation input mode also has a similar panel pattern.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a panel used in the Internet term input mode in the special input mode of the panel input process. Internet URL
Words frequently used at the time of input are arranged as buttons.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display on the CRT 210 at the time of the address book input processing in the apparatus of the present embodiment. As input fields, name field, reading kana field, title field,
〒 (zip code), address, TEL (telephone number), F
AX (FAX number) column, URL (homepage URL)
Column and memo column are displayed. The user moves the cursor to the input space on the right side of the tag display, and inputs desired information by panel input or keyboard input.

When the selection button on the remote controller is pressed while the cursor is in the input field, panel input is activated, and an input panel as shown in FIGS. 3 to 10 is displayed. On the other hand, if a key on the keyboard is pressed, an input cursor is displayed in the input field, and input can be continued from the keyboard on the input field.

The input panel to be displayed differs depending on the type of the input field when the selection button of the remote controller is pressed, as follows.

When pressed in the name column, a special menu panel shown in FIG. 6 for selecting a last name panel or a first name panel is displayed. In this column, the kana input panel of FIG. 3 is used in addition to the first and last name panels of FIG. No other panels are used.

When the button is pressed in the reading kana field, the kana input panel shown in FIG. 3 is displayed. Only the kana input panel is used in this field.

When the button is pressed in the address field, the kana input panel shown in FIG. 3 is displayed. In this section, all but the Internet terminology panel of FIG. 9 are used. This is because symbols, Western characters and the like are sometimes used in apartments and apartment names.

When the button is pressed in the box 〒, TEL box or FAX box, the alphanumeric panel shown in FIG. 4 is displayed. Only the alphanumeric panels are used in these fields.

When the button is pressed in the URL field, the Internet term panel shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. In this column, the alphanumeric panel shown in FIG. 4 is also used.

When the button is pressed in the memo box, a kana input panel shown in FIG. 3 is displayed. This panel uses all panels.

As described above, by setting not only the initial display panel but also other input panels that can be switched during input by using the input fields, it is possible to perform a display expected by the user.

When a key on the keyboard is depressed during panel input, the panel display is erased, and an input cursor is displayed in the input field together with the editing result up to that point. Thereafter, it is possible to continue key input from the keyboard.

As described above, even when the remote controller and the keyboard are used in combination, it is possible to perform a display expected by the user by judging from which input is performed.

Hereinafter, a control example of the apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of the character input process.

In step S1101, the remote controller RC17
It waits for the 0 button to be pressed or key input to the keyboard KB180, and when the input is performed, the flow proceeds to the next step S1102. By pressing the remote control button or key input of the keyboard KB180, the remote control R
The REPT 160 or the keyboard KB 180 receiving the remote control signal of C 170 issues an interrupt request to the CPU 110, and the CPU 110 processes the interrupt request. Hereinafter, a signal from the input button or key is referred to as a message.

In step S1102, the input means is determined from the input message. That is, it is determined whether the signal is from a keyboard or a remote controller. If the current input method has changed from the previous one,
The process proceeds to step S1111, and if there is no change, the process proceeds to step S1103.

In step S1103, the currently entered input field is determined. If it has been changed from the immediately preceding input column, the flow proceeds to step S1111; otherwise, the flow proceeds to step S1104.

In step S1104, the type of the input message is determined, and based on that, S1105 to S1105 are executed.
The process branches to one of the processes 1110.

Step S1105 is a process of inputting a character key. When it is determined that the reading is to be converted, the reading is stored in the input reading buffer YBUF. If it is determined that the reading cannot be performed, the data is stored in the output buffer OBUF.

Step S1106 is a process of performing kana-kanji conversion, in which the reading character string held in the input reading buffer YBUF is converted into kana-kanji characters, and a conversion candidate of a homophone is output to the homophone candidate storage memory DBPOOL.

Step S1107 is a process for moving the cursor, in which the cursor is moved up, down, left and right according to the input message.

Step S1108 is processing for the user to make a selection at the current cursor position and input status. The panel input is a process of inputting a character on the button displayed at the cursor position. If it is determined that the input character is a reading to be converted, it is stored in the input reading buffer YBUF. If it is determined that the reading cannot be performed, the data is stored in the output buffer OBUF. If the selection is made when the conversion candidates are displayed, the process is to determine the conversion candidates being displayed and output them to the output buffer.

Step S1109 is a panel setting process in which the settings of the panel to be displayed are changed according to the input instruction. This is performed when the input is a panel change button of the remote controller.

Step S1110 is equivalent to step S110.
This is a process when there is an input that does not correspond to 5 to 1109, and a process corresponding to each input is executed.

Step S1111 is a process for making a setting for changing the display according to the changed contents when the input means or the input field is changed. When the input means is changed from the panel input to the keyboard input, the setting is changed so that the panel being displayed is deleted. If the input is changed from keyboard input to panel input, change the settings to display the panel. When the input field is changed, the setting is changed so that a panel corresponding to the changed input field is displayed.

Step S1112 is a display process of re-forming and displaying an image of a portion to be changed as a result of the above-described processes. For example, when a new character is to be added to the screen, a character pattern corresponding to the character code is generated by the character generator CG220, and the display buffer D
Output to an appropriate area of BUF150.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the input means on which an input has been made is different from the input means on the immediately preceding input, the display is switched to a display in accordance with the new input means. Can be performed efficiently.

The present invention may be applied to an apparatus composed of a single device or a system composed of a plurality of devices. In addition, a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to an apparatus or a system, and a computer in the apparatus or the system reads out and executes the program codes stored in the storage medium. May be achieved by:

Further, by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium by a computer in the apparatus or the system, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are directly realized, but also the instructions based on the instructions of the program code. The case where the above-described functions are realized by processing of an OS or the like running on a computer is also included.

In these cases, the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

[0065]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Key input means for inputting characters using a keyboard,
When an input is made in a device that can use a panel input means for inputting a character corresponding to the specific button by selecting a specific button from the input panel displayed on the screen, the input is performed by either input means. Is determined, and a screen suitable for the determined input means is displayed, so that there is an effect that the input operation of the user can be made more efficient.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a character input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a panel displayed in panel input of the character input device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a panel pattern in a kana input mode.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a panel pattern in an alphanumeric input mode.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a panel pattern in a symbol input mode.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a panel pattern for switching a special menu.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a panel pattern in a Greek / Russian character input mode.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a panel pattern in a first and last name input mode.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a panel pattern in the Internet terminology input mode.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display when the address book program is activated.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of character input.

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. Key input means for inputting characters using a keyboard, panel input means for inputting a character corresponding to a specific button by selecting a specific button from an input panel displayed on a screen, When an input is made, a determination unit that determines whether the input is made by the key input unit or the panel input unit, and a display unit that displays a screen suitable for the input unit determined by the determination unit Character processing device characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. When the input means determined by the determination means is a panel input means, the display means:
The character processing device according to claim 1, wherein an input panel is displayed. 3. When the input means determined by the determination means is a panel input means, the display means:
3. The character processing device according to claim 2, wherein a cursor is displayed on the input panel. 4. The character processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the input means determined by the determination means is a key input means, the display means hides an input panel. . 5. The character processing according to claim 1, wherein when the input means determined by the determination means is a key input means, the display means displays a cursor at a character input position. apparatus. 6. The determination means further determines whether or not the determined current input means is the same as the input means in the immediately preceding input, and the display means determines that the determination is not the same as the input means in the immediately preceding input. 2. The character processing device according to claim 1, wherein the display is changed to a screen suitable for a current input unit. 7. The display means displays an input panel when the input means determined by the determination means is a panel input means, and deletes the displayed input panel when the input means is a key input means. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein
3. The character processing device according to 1. 8. A key input unit for inputting a character using a keyboard, and a panel input unit for inputting a character corresponding to the button by selecting a specific button from an input panel displayed on a screen. In an available character processing device, when an input is made, a determination step of determining whether the input is performed by the key input unit or the panel input unit; and a screen suitable for the input unit determined by the determination unit. And a display step of displaying. 9. The character processing method according to claim 8, wherein, when the input unit determined in the determining step is a panel input unit, an input panel is displayed in the displaying step. 10. When the input unit determined in the determining step is a panel input unit, in the displaying step,
The character processing method according to claim 9, wherein a cursor is displayed on the input panel. 11. The character processing method according to claim 8, wherein when the input unit determined in the determining step is a key input unit, the input panel is not displayed in the displaying step. . 12. The character processing according to claim 8, wherein when the input unit determined in the determining step is a key input unit, a cursor is displayed at a character input position in the displaying step. Method. 13. In the determining step, it is further determined whether or not the determined current input section is the same as the input section in the immediately preceding input. In the displaying step, it is determined that the input section is not the same. 9. The character processing method according to claim 8, wherein the display is changed to a screen suitable for the current input unit. 14. In the displaying step, when the input unit determined in the determining step is a panel input unit, the input panel is displayed, and when the input unit is a key input unit, the displayed input panel is deleted. 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein
Character processing method described in. 15. A key input unit for inputting characters using a keyboard, and a panel input unit for inputting a character corresponding to the button by selecting a specific button from an input panel displayed on a screen. In an available character processing device, when an input is made, a determination step of determining whether the input is performed by the key input unit or the panel input unit; and a screen suitable for the input unit determined by the determination unit. A storage medium storing a character processing program for causing a computer to execute a display step of displaying.