JPH04323710A - Character input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily and quickly input even complicated sentences including alphanumeric characters and KANA (Japanese syllabary) characters together on a character input device like the keyboard or the like of a word processor, a personal computer or the like. CONSTITUTION:A Japanese-language word processor is provided with a keyboard 10 and a finger switch 20. The finger switch 20 is constituted as the switch for switching between alphanumeric input mode and the KANA input mode. The finger switch 20 is go constituted that its operation signal is transmitted to the control part in the Japanese-language word processor through a cord. When the Japanese-language word processor is used to input sentences including alphanumeric characters and KANA characters together, characters are inputted mainly through the keyboard 10 in the same manner as normal word processor work, and a button of the finger switch 20 is depressed with a thumb at the time of switching between the alphanumetic input mode and the KANA input mode.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to character input devices such as word processors and keyboards for personal computers, and in particular, to character input devices such as word processors and keyboards for personal computers, particularly those used for inputting relatively complex sentences like Japanese word processors. The present invention relates to a character input device suitable for.

0002

[Prior Art] Conventionally, keyboards used in Japanese word processors have double character input keys for inputting alphanumeric characters and kana; The device is configured to switch between an alphanumeric input mode and a kana input mode by operating a mode key.

0003

In general, there is a strong demand for keyboards for word processors, personal computers, etc. to enable easy and quick input operations.

[0004] Character input keys for inputting alphanumeric characters and kana characters are arranged uniformly according to the JIS and new JIS standards, so it is relatively easy to use these keys as long as you are skilled. Character input work can be performed easily and quickly. Therefore, even with the above-mentioned conventional keyboard, when only alphanumeric characters or kana characters are input continuously, it is not necessary to operate the mode key for each character, and the input operation is relatively simple.

[0005] However, for example, when inputting a sentence containing a mixture of alphanumeric characters and kana characters, the mode key must be operated frequently. In particular, the various mode keys
are located in different positions depending on the manufacturer and model.
Therefore, you can easily use the model without having to be experienced with a specific model.
It is difficult to operate the keyboard without looking at it;
Because you have to look at the computer, display, document, etc. alternately,
There is a problem that input operations are troublesome. Furthermore, even if you are proficient with one model, the mode keys may be arranged differently on other models.
It is difficult even for an experienced person to operate the device without looking at it, and this problem is of great practical importance.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and provides a character input device that allows even complex sentences such as a mixture of alphanumeric characters and kana to be input with simple and quick operation. That is the issue.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above-mentioned problems, the character input device of the present invention includes a keyboard, a switch that can be worn on the hand, and a switch that can be operated by the hand. It is characterized by having the keyboard and switches share input functions.

[0008]

[Operation] In the present invention, the switch is configured so that it can be worn on the hand, and can be operated by the hand. Here, input functions are shared between the keyboard and switches, so for example, character input keys for inputting alphanumeric characters and kana characters can be used.
If you give the keyboard the function of a mode key and also give the switch the function of a mode key, you can operate the switch attached to your hand even when inputting text that is a mixture of alphanumeric characters and kana. This allows the character input keys to be switched between alphanumeric input mode and kana input mode. At this time, since the switch is worn on the hand, there is no need to look at the switch as long as the user knows how to operate the switch in advance. As a result, it is possible to easily and quickly input even complex sentences such as those mixed with alphanumeric characters and kana characters by looking only at the display section or the original document.

[0009] From the following examples of the present invention, these effects of the present invention will become clearer, and other effects of the present invention will become clearer.

0010

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a Japanese word processor equipped with an embodiment of a character input device according to the present invention, and FIG.
3 is a front view showing the detailed configuration of the finger switch in FIG. 1, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing how to use the finger switch of FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG.

In FIG. 1, this Japanese word processor includes a keyboard 10 and a finger switch 20, which is an example of a switch that can be worn on the hand and can be operated by the hand. ing. Here, especially the finger switch 20
is configured as a switch for switching between alphanumeric input mode and kana input mode. This Japanese word processor further includes a keyboard 10 and finger switches 20.
The computer is generally configured to include a display section 30 for displaying Japanese sentences inputted through the computer.

The keyboard 10 includes character input keys 11 for selectively inputting alphanumeric characters or kana characters as shown within the broken lines in the figure, and various control keys 12 as shown outside the broken lines in the figure.
has. The character input key 11 is, for example, JIS or new JI.
The control keys 12 can be arranged in different positions depending on the manufacturer and model. Note that the display unit 30 is an LCD (liquid crystal display), an EL
(electroluminescent) element, CRT (cathode ray tube), etc.

As shown in FIG. 2, the finger switch 20 has a switch body 21 attached to a ring 22 with a button 21a facing outside the finger, and an operation signal for the switch body 21 is transmitted via a cord 23. The information is transmitted to a control section (not shown) in the Japanese word processor. This finger switch 20, for example, as shown in FIG.
The ring 22 is used by being attached to the index finger 31 so that the button 21a of the switch body 21 faces toward the thumb 32.

Character input operations in the Japanese word processor configured as described above will be explained below.

[0015] When using this Japanese word processor to input sentences containing a mixture of alphanumeric characters and kana characters,
As in professional work, characters are input mainly via the keyboard 10. Here, enter alphanumeric input mode or kana input mode.
When switching the keyboard, the user presses the button 21a of the switch body 21 with the thumb 32, and then inputs characters via the keyboard 10.

In this way, in this embodiment, the keyboard 1
0 and the finger switch 20 share the input function, that is,
By pressing the button 21a of the finger switch 20 with the thumb 32, it is possible to switch between alphanumeric input mode and kana input mode, so it is possible to input complex sentences such as a mixture of alphanumeric and kana characters. Even in such cases, input can be made easily and quickly while looking only at the display unit 30 or the original document.

The finger switch 20 is, of course, not limited to the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. For example, the finger switch 20 may be configured so that it can be worn on the palm or wrist, and the button can be pressed down on a desk to switch. It may be configured as follows. Also, if such a switch is connected wirelessly instead of via the cord 23, the cord 23 is eliminated.
Easy and convenient to operate.

[0018]

As explained above, according to the character input device of the present invention, the switch is configured to be wearable in the hand and can be operated by the hand, and the keyboard and the switch have input functions. Since the functions are divided, even complex sentences containing alphanumeric characters and kana can be input easily and quickly.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a Japanese word processor equipped with an embodiment of a character input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the detailed configuration of the finger switch in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing how to use the finger switch of FIGS. 1 and 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Keyboard 11 Character input key 12 Control key 20 Finger switch 21a button 22 Ring 23 code 31 Index finger 32 Thumb

Claims (1)

[Claims] [Claim 1] A keyboard comprising a keyboard and a switch configured to be wearable in the hand and operable by the hand, the keyboard and the switch sharing input functions. A character input device characterized by: