JPH03218879A - information equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable easy printing of a document according to the format of a recording medium by providing a transparent display means for displaying information inputted through an input means, means for mounting the recording medium at a position which can be viewed through the display mean, and means for printing the information displayed on the display means onto the recording medium. CONSTITUTION:A paper 24 is inserted through a recording medium inlet 13, made at the upper part of a recording medium mounting device 3, into the recording medium mounting device 3 until it is stopped. A paper knob 19 is then rotated and the upper end of the paper 24 is aligned with the upper end of a display 2. Consequently, the format of the paper 24 can be viewed through the display 2. A user then inputs desired information on a keyboard 1, while viewing the format, thus preparing a document on the paper 24. When a 'print' key on the keyboard 1 is depressed and 'start printing' is inputted, a carrying roller 15 starts rotation to carry the paper toward the recording medium insertion port 20 of a printer thus printing the paper while carrying toward the recording medium inlet 13 of a display unit 5.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to an information device having a transparent display means.

(Prior Art) Among the information devices having conventional printing means, when creating and printing a document in a laptop type Japanese word processor as shown in Fig. 24, the following procedure is used. . The user first inputs characters, symbols, etc. by pressing keys on the keyboard 43, which is an input means. The input characters, symbols, etc. are displayed on a display 44 as a display means. This display 44 performs visible display by using liquid crystal or the like.

The user processes characters, symbols, etc. displayed on the display 44 using kana-kanji conversion and other editing functions to create a desired document. Next, when printing the created document on a recording medium such as paper, the user sets the recording medium at a predetermined position in the printer section 45. Thereafter, by instructing to start printing through the keyboard 43, the document created on the display 44 is printed on the recording medium.

By the way, there are cases where it is necessary to print a document, such as a resume or an application form, on a recording medium that has a format printed with rough lines, according to that format. However, the document displayed on the display 44 (hereinafter referred to as the displayed document) and the document actually printed on the recording medium (hereinafter referred to as the printed document) have different formats such as character spacing and line spacing. The format of the recording medium usually does not match, and is often printed out of or out of alignment with the format specified on the recording medium. Therefore, in order for the user to print according to the format of the recording medium, it is necessary for the user to accurately grasp the relative positional relationship between the displayed document and the printed document. Furthermore, in order to know the relative positional relationship between the displayed document and the printed document, it is necessary to perform a trial print several times, correct the format while checking the result of the trial print, and then try the trial print again. The problem was that we had no choice but to rely on a trial-and-error method of implementation.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to easily record a document when printing a document on a recording medium on which a format has been printed with ruled lines or the like in advance. The purpose is to provide an information device that can print documents according to the format of the medium.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problem) In order to achieve the above object, the information device of the present invention includes an input means for inputting information, and the information inputted through the input means. A transparent display means for displaying a display, a mounting means for placing a recording medium at a position where it can be seen through the display means, and printing for printing the information displayed on the display means on the recording medium. The means are provided.

(Function) Since the information device according to the present invention is configured as described above, the format of the recording medium placed on the upper part of the placing hand can be seen through the display means, and information can be transmitted through the input means. When inputting information, you can create a document as if you were creating information on a recording medium. Further, the information displayed on the display means is printed on the recording medium in the same format.

(Example) Next, an example of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is a laptop Japanese word processor.

FIG. 1a shows an external view of the laptop type Japanese word processor in this embodiment. The laptop-type Japanese word processor (hereinafter referred to as word processor) of this embodiment includes a keyboard 1 as an input means, a transparent display 2 as a display means, and a recording medium mounting device that is integrated with the keyboard 1 as an input means and a transparent display 2 as a display means. It consists of a device 3 and a printer 4 as a printing means. Here, the display 2 and the recording medium mounting device 3 are integrated to form a display unit 5, and as shown in FIG. It can be opened and closed freely.

The keyboard 1 consists of a large number of key input sections arranged vertically and horizontally, and when inputting information, the user inputs kana in the "kana" mode. There is also a ``conversion'' key to convert input kana to kanji, a ``next candidate'' key to select kanji, an ``enlarge/reduce'' key to enlarge or reduce characters, and a ``line feed'' key to create a new line.
It is equipped with a "page break" key for changing pages, etc., and various editing operations can be performed through the keyboard 1 in addition to creating documents. These controls are performed by a main CPU (not shown) provided in the main body of the word processor.

Information consisting of characters and symbols input through the keyboard 1 is displayed on the display 2.

The display 2 is fitted into the display unit 5.

Further, the display 2 has a transparent liquid crystal unit 6 and a liquid crystal display control circuit 7, as shown in FIG. The liquid crystal display control circuit 7 also includes an interface circuit 8 for inputting signals from the main body of the word processor.
and a screen buffer 9 for storing information to be displayed.
a liquid crystal driver 10 for driving the liquid crystal unit 6;
It includes a screen buffer 9 and a display controller 11 for controlling a liquid crystal driver 10.

A recording medium mounting device 3 is provided on the back of the display 2, and is configured integrally with the display 2. The recording medium mounting device will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3a, 3b, and 3c. Figure 3a shows
FIG. 3B is a front view of the display unit 5 formed by integrating the display 2 and the recording medium mounting device 3, FIG. 3B is a side view of the display unit 5, and FIG. 3C is a top view of the display unit. An insertion hole 12 is provided along the back of the display 2 from the top to the bottom of the display unit 5.

This insertion hole 12 has a width that is almost the same as the width of the display 2, a depth of about 1 inch, and passes through the display unit 5 from the upper end to the lower end. The upper and lower parts of the insertion hole 12 are chamfered, respectively, and these are respectively chamfered at the recording medium entrance 1.
3 and a recording medium outlet 14.

Next, regarding the printer as a printing means, see Figures 4 and 5.
This will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 4, the printer 4 includes a conveyance roller 15 for conveying the recording medium, a printing section 16, a sensor 18 for detecting the leading edge of the paper, a paper feed knob 19, and a recording medium insertion slot 20. It consists of Here, FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line AA' of the word processor shown in FIG. 1a. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the printer 4 includes an interface circuit 22 for inputting information from the main body of the word processor, a printer buffer 23 for storing information for printing characters, symbols, etc. The printer output control circuit 21 controls the buffer 723. Here, as described above, the display unit 5 composed of the display 2 and the recording medium mounting device 3 is provided with the recording medium outlet 14 at its lower part. Here, when the display 2 is in an upright state as seen in FIG. 4, the recording medium outlet 14 provided in the display unit 5,
Recording medium entrance/exit 17 provided in the word processor main body
are opposed to form one recording medium transport path.

In the word processor of this embodiment configured as described above, in order to create a document according to the format for a sheet whose format has been determined in advance by ruled lines, etc.
Follow the steps below.

Here, the formatted paper is an application form 24 as shown in FIG. 6 (hereinafter referred to as the paper).

First, as shown in FIG. 7, the paper 24 is inserted into the recording medium mounting apparatus 3 from the recording medium entrance 13 provided at the upper part of the recording medium mounting apparatus 3 until it stops. At this time, the paper 24 must be inserted so that the horizontal ruled lines are parallel to the horizontal sides of the frame of the display 2. Next, rotate the paper feed knob 19 to align the top edge of the paper 24 with the top edge of the display 2. As mentioned above, the display 2 uses a transparent liquid crystal unit, so when the paper 24 is placed on the recording medium mounting device 3 provided at the back of the display 2, as shown in FIG. The format of the paper 24 can be viewed through the display 2. The user inputs desired information through the keyboard 1 while looking at this format, and creates a document on the paper 24. "Regulated format available"
In this mode, on the display 2, as shown in FIG. 9, formats such as character spacing and line spacing can be freely set. For example, in FIG. 9, the first area 25 has 0 line breaks and 0 character spacing, the second area 26 has 0 line breaks and 1/2 character spacing, and the third area 27 has 1/4 line breaks and 1/2 character spacing. Character spacing 0
It is. These controls are performed by a main CPU (not shown) installed in the word processor main body.

When you create a document on the display 2 and the display on the display 2 reaches the bottom line 12, as shown in Figure 9, by commanding "Line feed" from the keyboard 1, it will appear in Figure 10. The display scrolls one line so you can see it. This functionality is no different from that of traditional word processors. At this time, display 2
The paper placed on the recording medium placement device 3 in synchronization with the above scroll is also transported by the conveyance roller 15 provided in the printer 4 section.
(shown in Figure 4) is fed by rotation. The feed width at this time is equal to the actual scroll width of the display on the display 2.

The paper is then fed line by line by repeating line breaks to create the desired document, until it reaches the bottom of the paper 24, as shown in FIG. If you want to return to the beginning of the sentence again in order to check whether there are any errors in the document you created, press the ``J key at the beginning of sentence'' from keyboard 1, and the display will change to the 9th
The state returns to the one shown in the figure, and the display starts from the first line. At this time, as the display 2 scrolls, the paper is also fed and returns to the first line as shown in FIG.

At this time, as described above, since the line feed width on the display 2 and the line feed width on the paper 24 are equal, the display on the display 2 and the format of the paper 24 do not deviate. As described above, the correspondence between the scroll amount of the display and the paper feed amount is controlled by the main CPU provided in the word processor main body.

Next, the printing operation will be explained. After completing the creation of the desired document on the display 2, transfer the document to the paper 24.
to print. First, by pressing the "Print" key on the keyboard 1, the mode is changed to "Print" mode. Next, when "start printing" is input, the conveyance roller 15 (shown in FIG. 4) starts rotating as shown in FIG. transport. As mentioned above, the sensor 1 is located near the conveyance roller 15.
8 is provided. The sensor 18 detects the upper end of the sheet being conveyed, and at the same time stops the conveyance roller 15 while supporting the sheet, as shown in FIG. Printing starts from the first line based on this position. At this time, the paper is printed while being fed toward the recording medium inlet 13 of the display unit 5. The format to be printed is the same as the format set when the document was previously created on the display 2, and the paper feed width for one line is also equal to the scroll width of the display 2. This allows the character spacing and line spacing of the document displayed on the display 2 to be printed on paper in actual size. After printing is completed, the paper is discharged through the insertion hole 12.

If you want to create a document on paper that does not have a specified format, follow the steps below. First, change to the "no specified format" mode using the keyboard 1. When you change to the "No predefined formatting" mode, you then enter the "Formatting" mode, where you set the format of the document you are creating. The format settings performed here apply to the entire area within the same document, and partial format settings are not possible. Next, the process of creating and printing a document is almost the same as the procedure for creating and printing a document in a conventional word processor, so the explanation will be omitted. Here, "No prescribed format"
When creating a document in this mode, the recording medium is not inserted into the recording medium mounting device 3.

At this time, since the display 2 uses a transmissive liquid crystal panel, the portion of the recording medium mounting device 3 can be visually observed through the display 2. Normally, liquid crystal display is performed in a black-based color, so if the color of the recording medium mounting device 3 is a black-based color, the display on the display becomes very difficult to see. Therefore, in order to increase the contrast and make the display easier to read, the recording medium mounting device 3 that can be seen through the display.
The parts are uniform and white.

Since the word processor of this embodiment has the configuration described above, the format preprinted on the paper can be checked through the display, and the document can be created in accordance with this format. Can be printed.

Therefore, it is possible to print a document in the same format on a recording medium that has a format in which ruled lines are printed in advance, without relying on the trial-and-error method as in the past. Further, even for unformatted recording media, documents can be created and printed without any problems using the functions of a conventional word processor.

The laptop-type Japanese word processor that is one embodiment of the present invention has been described above. Next, other embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is a small portable information device such as a handy printer.

FIG. 14a shows an external view of a small portable information device according to the present invention. The small portable information device of this embodiment includes a keyboard 25 as an input means, a transparent display 26 as a display means, and a printer 27 as a printing means. Here, the keyboard 25 and the printer 27 are constructed in the same housing, forming the main body of a small portable information device.

A cover 28 is attached to the display 26, and these together constitute a display unit 29. As shown in FIG. 14b, this display unit 29 is connected to the main body of the small portable information device. It can be opened and closed using the attachment part as a fulcrum.

The keyboard 25 consists of a large number of key input sections arranged vertically and horizontally, and when inputting information, the user inputs kana using a "kana" mote. You can also convert input kana to kanji with "
``Conversion'' key, ``Next Candidate'' key to select kanji, ``Enlarge/Reduce'' key to enlarge or reduce characters, ``Line Feed'' key to break a line in a document, ``Page Break'' key to break a page in a document, etc. In addition to creating documents, various editing operations can be performed using the keyboard 25. These controls are performed by a main CPU (not shown) provided in the main body of the small portable information device.

Information consisting of characters and symbols input through the keyboard 25 is displayed on the display 26. The block configuration of the display 26 is almost the same as that of the first embodiment described above, so a description thereof will be omitted. In the small portable information device of this embodiment, the range displayed on the display 26 corresponds to one page, and the characters, symbols, etc. displayed on the display 26 are not scrolled. In other words, the screen is switched page by page. Here, since liquid crystal display is normally performed in a black color, when the display is transparent as in this embodiment, the display by the liquid crystal overlaps with the background visible through the display 26, making the display extremely difficult to see. turn into. Therefore, as shown in Figure 14a, a flat cover 28 is placed on the back of the display 26 for use. This cover 28 is white to enhance the contrast with the display, and is provided with a hack light function to further improve visibility.

Characters, symbols, etc. input through the keyboard 25 and displayed on the display 26 are printed on the print object by the printer 27. The width W1 of this printer 27 is almost equal to the length W2 of the side of the display 26. This printer 27 has a roller 3 as shown in FIG.
0, an ink ribbon 31 and a print head 32. When printing, as shown in Figure 16,
After placing the object to be printed on a flat surface, the user places the main body so that the printer unit is in contact with the object to be printed. Thereafter, printing is performed by scanning the main body over the printing target in the BB° direction. At this time, roller 3
0 is provided with a means (not shown) for detecting the amount of movement, so that even if the moving speed changes when the roller 30 is moved over the printing object, printing will not be affected. There isn't. The ink ribbon 31 is fed out in accordance with the amount of movement of the roller 30, and the portion to which heat is applied from the print head 32 is transferred onto the object to be printed, forming an image.

Based on the above configuration, the operation when printing on a formatted printing object using the small portable information device of this embodiment will be described in detail.

Here, as a printing target with a prescribed format, the 17th
A reply postcard 33 (hereinafter referred to as a postcard) as shown in the figure will be taken as an example. On this postcard 33, a position for writing is specified in advance.

When creating printing information, first, as shown in FIG. 18a, a postcard 33 is inserted between the display 26 and the cover 28, and then the display 26 and the cover are inserted, as shown in FIG. 18b. A postcard 33 is sandwiched and fixed between the postcard 28 and the postcard 33.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 19, the postcard 33 is placed so that the position 34 at which printing is desired is in contact with the side C of the display 26 parallel to the printer 27. Next, while looking at the format of the postcard 33 that can be seen through the display 26, characters, symbols, etc. are input from the keyboard 25 on the display 26 according to the format. On the display 26, formats such as character spacing and line spacing can be freely set.

Next, the printing procedure will be explained.

Once the desired print information is formed on the display 26,
Next, the postcard 33 is taken out from between the cover 28 and the display 26 and placed on a flat place. keyboard 2
5 to enter the "print" mode, align the printer 27 with the position 34 where you want to start printing the postcard 33. As shown in FIG. 16, by subsequently moving the printer 27 over the postcard 33, desired information is printed on the postcard 33 in the format displayed on the display 26. At this time, the cover 28 and the display 2
6 is used by folding it and integrating it with the main body.

Since the small portable information device of this embodiment is configured as described above, it is possible to easily print in accordance with the format for printing items such as return postcards and name tags that have a predetermined format. can be administered.

Therefore, there is no need to repeatedly make adjustments through trial and error in order to match the printing to the format.

Although a small portable information device in which the display and the main body form the same housing has been described above, as another embodiment, the display and the main body may form separate housings. Hereinafter, a small portable information device in which a display and a main body are separate casings will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. As seen in FIG. 20, the small portable information device of this embodiment includes a keyboard 35 as an input means, a display 36 as a display means, and a printer 37 as an output means. Here, the keyboard 35 and printer 37 are constructed in the same housing, and constitute the main body of the small portable information device. Cover 3 for display 36
8 is attached, and this display 36 and cover 38 together constitute a display unit 39. Since the main body and the display unit 39 are connected by the connection cable 40, the display unit 39 can be used at a position away from the main body. As shown in FIG. 21, the cover 38 is attracted to the display 36 by magnets 41 provided at the four corners, and is configured to be detachable.

Here, the operation when printing on a formatted printing object using the small information device of this embodiment will be described in detail. The formatted object to be printed is the application form 24 (shown in FIG. 7) shown in the previous embodiment. When creating print information, as shown in FIG. 22a, first remove the cover 38 from the display 36, insert the paper 24 between them, and then attach the cover 38 to the display 36 again to remove the cover 38 from the display 36. The paper 24 is secured as shown. At this time, as seen in FIG. 23, the paper 24 is
The position 42 where you want to start printing is on side D of the display 36.
Place it so that it matches.

Next, the paper 24 is visible through the display 36.
While looking at the format, adjust Display 3 according to the format.
6, and input characters, symbols, etc. from the keyboard 35 to create desired print information.

The printing procedure is the same as the printing procedure of the previous embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted.

Since the small portable information device of this embodiment is configured as described above, it is possible to easily print objects in a predetermined format, such as application forms and reply postcards, in accordance with the format. can be applied. Furthermore, since the display means is detachably attached to the main body, it is possible to create print information on the actual print object, even for a print object that is significantly larger than the display means.

C Effects of the Invention] Since the information device according to the present invention has the configuration as described above, when printing a document on a recording medium on which a format has been printed in advance with ruled lines, etc., it is possible to easily print a document according to the format of the recording medium. documents can be printed.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 13 show embodiments of the present invention,
Fig. 1a is an external perspective view of a word processor according to an embodiment of the present invention with the display upright, Fig. 1b is an external perspective view of the display with the display retracted, and Fig. 2 shows the configuration of the display. In the block diagram, Fig. 3a is a front view of the display unit, Fig. 3b is a side view of the display unit, Fig. 3c is a top view of the display unit, Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the printer, and Fig. 5 is a block diagram. , a block diagram showing the configuration of the printer, FIG. 6 is an overall view of the application form, and FIG. 7 is a side view of the word processor with the paper set.
Figure 8 is a front view of the display with paper placed on it;
The figure is a front view of the display on which a document is created with paper placed on it, Figure 10 is a front view of the display when a line break is made, and Figure 11 is a front view of the display on which a document is created up to the bottom line of the paper. FIG. 12 is a front view, FIG. 12 is a side view of the word processor while conveying paper to the printer, and FIG. 13 is a side view of the word processor in a print standby state. 14 to 23 show other embodiments of the present invention, in which FIG. 14a is an external perspective view of a small information device;
Figure b is an external perspective view of the small information device with the display and cover open, Figure 15 is a sectional view of the printer section, and Figure 16 is an explanatory diagram of the operation when printing using the small information device. Figure 17 is an overall view of the reply postcard, Figure 18a
The figure is an external view of the small information device with a postcard inserted, Figure 18b is an external view of the small information device with the postcard fixed, and Figure 19 is an external view of the small information device with the postcard inserted. A top view of the small information device in the created state,
Fig. 20 is an external view of a small information device whose main body and display unit are in separate casings, Fig. 21 is an external view of the display unit, and Fig. 22a is an external view of the small information device with paper inserted. External view, Fig. 22b is an external view of the small information device with the paper fixed, Fig. 23 is a top view of the display unit with printed information created on the paper that can be viewed through the display, Fig. 24 1 is an external perspective view of a conventional word processor; FIG. 1...Keyboard 2...Display 3... Recording medium mounting device 4...Printer 5
... Display unit 12 ... Insertion hole 15 ...
・Conveyance roller 16...Printing section 1 8...Sensor

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) An input means for inputting information, a transparent display means for displaying the information input through the input means, and a recording medium placed at a position where it can be seen through the display means. An information device comprising: a mounting means; and a printing means for printing the information displayed on the display means onto the recording medium. (2) An input means for inputting information, a transparent display means for displaying the information input through the input means, and a printing means for printing the information displayed on the display means on a recording medium. 1. An information device, characterized in that the display means is detachable and is configured such that when placed on the recording medium, the recording medium can be viewed through the display means.