JPH0271616A - Character input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To execute a processing such as the input or correction of a character, etc., and to miniaturize equipment by performing the input of the character in which a specific mark is displayed on the same column or position in a display body. CONSTITUTION:The states of input switches SW1-SW4 are held at FFs 7-10, respectively, and are read in a CPU 5 via a buffer 11 controlled by an address decoder 6. The CPU 5 supplies an instruction to an LCD control part 13 corresponding to the state of each switch, and makes an LCD 14 perform character display. The character 17 is displayed on a present display device 18 in an equipment main body 15, and the input of the character in which the specific mark is displayed on the same row or position as that of the display device 16 is performed by the operation of an input key 18, a shift key 19, a left key 20, and a right key 21.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field] The present invention relates to a character input method for a character input device.

[Conventional technology]

Character input is generally performed manually using keys, and one key per character or a shift key is used to correspond to multiple characters. As a result, the keyboard is large, like a keyboard for a personal computer, so a simplified method was used to input characters on measuring instruments, calculators, etc.

For example, there are devices that restrict the input characters to only alphabets and have one key correspond to a plurality of alphabets so that the displayed alphabet changes cyclically each time the key is pressed, and there are also devices that combine a shift key. However, in both cases, the keys required for input were at least on the + side, and the lettering for function explanations on those keys gave a rather complicated feel. Furthermore, since it is generally not possible to modify characters that have been input repeatedly, it was necessary to provide a new dedicated key.

In addition, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 150035/1980, a display digit was provided separately, characters were displayed there, and when the desired character was found, input was performed by pressing a dedicated input key.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, the method of inputting characters by associating multiple characters with the shift key or one key has fewer keys than a full-fledged keyboard, but it is difficult to input, and on the other hand, the method of the above-mentioned published patent No. 150035-1982 Compared to the above-mentioned method, the number of exponents and the input method are easier, but a separate display digit is required, which is a disadvantage in reducing the size of the entire device. Furthermore, when the number of characters to be inputted increases, character selection is performed each time a character is input, which causes a problem in that inputting time rapidly increases.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and when inputting characters, especially alphabetical characters (in addition to katakana, hiragana, etc.) with a very small number of input keys, a specific symbol is placed in the same line or position as the input character. It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel character input device that inputs a desired character by displaying the character and selecting the character by operating an input key.

[Means for solving the problem] A display body that displays characters such as letters and symbols, input keys for performing display shifting, selection, input, etc. of characters displayed on the display body, and states of the input keys. a key reading means for temporarily holding the key reading means; and determining a character to be displayed on the display body and a display position of the character according to the state of the input key based on the result of the key reading means, and displaying the character on the display body. The present invention is characterized in that the display means is configured to input characters in which specific symbols are displayed in the same column or position on the display body.

〔Example〕

The present invention will be described in detail below based on examples.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the basic configuration of a character input device according to the present invention. The state of a plurality of input keys 1 is detected by the key reading means 2, and based on the result, the display means 3 detects the display body 4.
A character corresponding to the input of input key 1 is displayed.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram when a CPU is used.

There are four switches in total, and the status of each switch is CP.
When reading from U5, S W + is flip-flop 7
In the example in which the state of S W 2 is held in the flip-flop 8, S W g is held in the flip-flop 9, and S W a is held in the flip-flop 10, "l" is set at switch-on.
The state of each switch is read by the CPU 5 via a buffer 11 controlled by an address decoder 6.

On the other hand, the character display is a liquid crystal display board (hereinafter referred to as LCD).
In this case, the CPU 5 gives commands to the LCD controller 13 which directly controls the LCD 14 in accordance with the above-mentioned switches. CPU5 and LCD controller 13 are LC
Communication is performed through the D controller interface circuit 12.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an example of a device having the character input device of the present invention.

A display 16 and four keys are arranged on a plane on the main body 15 of the device. Character 17 is currently displayed on display 16. 18 is an input key 19 is a shift key, 20 is a left key, and 21 is a right key.

An input method using such keys will be described below, but key arrangements and combinations other than this example are also possible.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a blink display when the alphabet is displayed on the display as an example.

Blink display is a display in which black dots are displayed in the shaded area shown in Figure 4 (C) alternately with M at the place where M is displayed in Figure 4 (B). appears to be shining again. Hereinafter, characters with this blinking display will be shown surrounded by a square as shown in FIG. 4(a).

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the start, confirmation, re-input, etc. of character input. As an example, the alphabet is input.

Immediately after the power is turned on, when characters can be entered, only the first character is displayed on the left end of the display, as shown in Figure 5 (a), and nothing else is displayed. The characters are displayed in a blinking manner. The displayed character is M in FIG. 5(a) because it is in the middle of the 26 letters of the alphabet in ABC order, but the setting can be changed to make it easier to input. In the following, it is assumed that M is displayed on the initial screen.

Next, based on the input method described later, °'MARKET I
N” is input and displayed (Figure 5 (b))
, If you want to confirm the input with “MARK E T”, perform the display shift described below and press the end of the word you want to confirm (
In the example, it is only necessary to blink T"°), so when performing the operation after input, it is only necessary to align the blink position. - Press the universal key 18 in the state shown in Fig. 5 (b) As shown in Figure 5(c), the screen returns to the character input start screen and input is possible again.Furthermore, when the input key 18 is pressed in the state of Figure 5(C), the "" confirmed in Figure 5(b) is pressed. MARK
ET II is displayed and character input is possible again.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the movement of the blink display when inputting characters.

Enter "MARK" using the character input method described later, and the blink is at the last K (FIG. 6(a)).

“K If there are no characters to the right of 11, right key 21
When is pressed once, the last blinking character at the end of the previous copy is copied to the right and blinks at the same time, as shown in Figure 6(b).

Similarly, as shown in Fig. 6(C), 'M A RK'
If you press the right key 21 once when the R of "M A RK" is blinking, the blink will move to the K of "M A RK" one place to the right (Fig. 6 (d)). When the left key 20 is pressed once while the is blinking, the blink moves to M one position to the left (FIG. 6(f)).

That is, unless there is a blink at the end of the input character and the right key 21 is pressed, only the blink moves left and right each time the key is pressed to the right or left.

Note that if the number of characters exceeds the limit of the display device, the entire display will shift if Blink attempts to move beyond the extreme end. However, when blinking to the left, the first character of the input characters,
You cannot move further to the right than the maximum number of characters that can be entered.

FIG. 7 is a diagram specifically showing a method for selecting characters.

Characters can be selected only where they are displayed as blinks, and the rest have been confirmed, so if you want to change the characters, move the blink to the character you want to change as described in Figure 6.

Figure 7(a) shows "F II is in a blinking display. In this state, if you press the left key 20 once while holding down the shift key 19, the previous F changes to °゛E°゛ and at the same time becomes a blinking display. (Figure 7(b)).

On the other hand, in Figure 7 (b), "D" is displayed as a blinking display. In this state, if you press the right key 21 once while holding down the shift key 19, the previous D becomes "E'" and the display becomes blinking at the same time. (Figure 7(d)).

In other words, each time you press the left key 20 while holding down the shift key 19, the blink position does not change and the characters change in the opposite way to the alphabets, and similarly, each time you press the right key 21 while holding down the shift key 19, the characters change to the alphabets. go.

As described above, it has been decided that characters that can be entered will be displayed with blinking, and that even blinking will be displayed. By using the shift key, you can move the blink and select characters using the left and right keys.

Furthermore, although the explanation has been made so far using a blink display, it is also possible to perform this using other symbols such as a cursor or an arrow.

In the embodiment, the alphabet is used, but characters can be input in exactly the same way with hiragana and katakana by changing the characters in alphabetical order.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, the character input device of the present invention allows character input, correction, etc. to be performed using only the display that can display only the characters desired to be input, the left and right key shift keys, and the input keys, resulting in miniaturization and low cost of the device. can be measured.

As long as you keep in mind the basic operations of keys, such as left and right shifts and forward/reverse shifts for letters in alphabetical order (or alphabetical order), you will not have to give explanations for each key, so it will look good and be easy to operate. improves. Furthermore, since the keys are so simple, there is no problem in using the same keys for functions other than character input.

On the other hand, without having to press the input key each time a character is confirmed, it is possible to re-enter even if - degrees are confirmed, and this can be used to make corrections, eliminating the need for the backspace key.

There are very few keys, and if you limit it to character input, you can do it with at least three keys.If you use the CPU to perform each control and consider switch chattering using software, you will not need any complicated matrix circuits, and you will be able to control the character display speed. The effect is that it is possible to respond very flexibly, such as displaying the next character based on, for example, a statistical correlation between two characters.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the basic configuration of a character input device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram when using a CPU. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an example of a device having a character input device of the present invention. FIGS. 4(a) to 4(C) are diagrams illustrating the blink display when the alphabet is displayed on the display as an example. FIGS. 5(a) to 5(d) are diagrams showing opening, confirmation, re-input, etc. of character input. FIGS. 6(a) to 6(f) are diagrams showing the movement of a blink display, etc. when inputting characters. FIGS. 7(a) to 7(d) are diagrams specifically showing a method for selecting characters. 1... Input key 2... Key reading means 3... Display means 4... Display body 5... CPU 6... Address decoder 7, 8. 9. 10...Flip-flop 11.
...Buffer 12...LCD controller interface circuit 13...LCD controller 14...LCD 15...Device body 16...Display 17...Character 18...Input key 19... Shift key 20...Left key 21...Right key or higher Applicant Seiko Epson Co., Ltd. Agent Patent attorney Masaharu Kamiyanagi and 1 other person Figure 3 Figure 7

Claims (1)

[Claims] A display body for displaying characters such as letters and symbols; input keys for shifting, selecting, inputting, etc. the characters displayed on the display body; and key reading means for temporarily retaining the state of the input keys. a character to be displayed on the display according to the state of the input key based on the result of the key reading means, and a display means for determining the display position of the character and displaying the character on the display; A character input device characterized in that characters in which specific symbols are displayed in the same column or position are input.