JPH0673131B2 - Input/Output Devices - Google Patents

Description

Description: FIELD OF THEINVENTION The present invention relates to an input/output device having a display function with a number of display digits that is shorter than the maximum number of characters that can be printed on one line.

The function of electronically inputting and outputting character strings is essential for the desired operation of electronic typewriters, so-called word processors, various computers, etc. In such character string input/output devices, character strings can be input by selecting a typewriting mode for normal kana characters or European characters.
There are also known systems that can create Japanese documents that contain kanji characters by using kanji conversion and romaji conversion.
An external storage mode in which a document is stored in an appropriate external storage device and the stored contents are printed out as necessary.
Some input devices allow the selection of a communication mode between the same type of device and the input device via an interface. Many of these input devices have a display unit shorter than one print line due to requirements for portability or device miniaturization. Such devices require different considerations than devices with large displays capable of displaying the entire input document or at least several print lines. The present invention is
This is effective for improving the usability of an input/output device which has a plurality of selectable operation modes and which has a display section shorter than one print line.

PRIOR ART Among the input/output devices that are the subject of the present invention, there are some that can be set to multiple operating modes, such as typewriting (printing) mode, external storage mode, and communication mode, but when switching between these functions, the function display is often inappropriate or the display device is expensive.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention The present invention aims to appropriately notify a user of the current operation mode in an input/output device capable of switching between a plurality of operation modes.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE An object of the present invention is to provide an input/output device having a function for easily and reliably displaying the currently selected operation mode in an input/output device having a plurality of operation modes.

Configuration of the Invention Means for solving the problem The object of the present invention is achieved by an input/output device having the configuration recited in the claims, i.e., an input/output device having a display device having a number of display digits less than the maximum number of characters printed in one line and capable of indicating that input data is the beginning or end of a print line using a line head mark and a line end mark, and a mode switching means for selectively switching input/output modes, and capable of switching the display mode of the line head mark and line end mark in accordance with the mode set by the mode switching means.

According to the input/output device of the present invention, the currently set mode can be confirmed very easily on the display device,
This avoids operational errors and improves usability.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Although the present invention is primarily directed to a Japanese language input/output device, it is clear that the present invention can also be applied to a Western language input/output device.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a Japanese language electronic typewriter, which is an example of an input/output device according to the present invention. This Japanese language electronic typewriter 1 is broadly composed of a printer section 10 and a keyboard section 20. As is well known in ordinary printing devices, the printer section 10 has a carriage 12 that moves along a guide rod 11, and a print head 13 carried by this carriage. This print head 13 can be, for example, a thermal head, and can print with low power consumption on thermal paper 15 placed on a platen 14, or on ordinary paper using a thermal transfer ribbon. Depending on the conditions,
Other print heads can also be used. A print section cover 16 is provided for ease of portability of the device and also functions as a paper receiver during use. A release lever 17 and a power switch 18 are also provided.

The keyboard section 20 has a long and narrow display 21, and as shown in Fig. 3, has character keys and symbol keys used in ordinary typewriters, as well as function switching keys specific to this device. In order to make the device more compact, this display is a small display that partially displays one printed line, and is preferably a liquid crystal display (LCD) that can display with low power consumption. However, other displays may also be used.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the functions of the input/output device according to the present invention. In addition to the basic functions of input, editing, printing, display, etc.,
It has a function for connecting to an external storage device and a communication function between the same models via an appropriate interface. These various functions can be selected and set by operating the corresponding keys.
Other features include a user dictionary for registering user-specific phrases and words, a learning function that prioritizes the output of the most frequently used characters and words, and an automatic power saving function that conserves power when not in use for long periods of time.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the configuration of the keyboard section of the input/output device according to the present invention, which is equipped with character keys, symbol keys, function keys, and operation keys necessary for implementing various functions in this device. Character and symbol keys 22 enclosed by a two-dot chain line
When pressed alone, the corresponding character or symbol is input to the device in the selected typewriting (printing) mode. The line feed/execution key 23 is a key for instructing a line feed during key input and for instructing execution in editing, connection to an external storage device, communication, etc. Character type selection key 24
is used to select whether the input characters will be alphanumeric, katakana, or hiragana. The space key 25 is used to input a space (blank). Characters input in this way are displayed on the display 21 in inverted white characters against a black background. The no conversion key 26 is pressed when the user wishes to confirm the displayed kana characters as is without converting them. This confirmation causes the display 21 to change to the normal display of black characters on a white background. In contrast, the conversion key 27 is pressed when converting the kana characters displayed on the display 21 into kanji. If there are many candidate kanji characters and they cannot all be displayed at once on the display 21, the next candidate kanji character can be displayed by successively pressing the conversion key 27. In this case, if the user has gone too far and wishes to return to the previous display, the previous candidate key 25 is pressed.
By pressing this, you can revert the displayed character or word back to the previously displayed candidate kanji.

The shift keys 29 on the left and right are operated by pressing the character/symbol key 22 at the same time to shift the character/symbol marked above the key. For example, when the katakana or hiragana mode is selected, the character/symbol is displayed as a lowercase kana character or other character/symbol.
If you are in alphanumeric mode, you can enter lowercase letters, but if you press the shift key 29 at the same time, you can enter uppercase letters. Also, the shift lock key 30
This eliminates the need to hold down the shift key all the time to continue its operation, and indicates that the key is pressed by lighting up an LED. This state can be released by pressing the shift key 29, and the LED goes out.

The second shift key 31 is used to input Chinese numerals, administrative district names, dates, etc., which are inscribed on the inclined front of the key.

The cursor key 32 is used to move the cursor on the display 21 left and right, or to move the displayed characters up and down, thereby displaying the previous and next characters on the display 21 from the current display.

The function key 33 can select an external storage mode for sending and receiving data to and from an external storage device by pressing it simultaneously with a specific key, for example the character key "a". Pressing it simultaneously with another key displays the remaining memory capacity and a list of registered users, and pressing it simultaneously with the left and right cursor keys can perform various functions such as displaying the beginning or end of a line. In addition, the function key 33 and a specific character key,
In this embodiment, the user can select a communication mode by simultaneously pressing "ra" and "n" in the communication mode. This communication mode allows data to be sent and received between devices of the same type via a public communication line or other appropriate line.

The registration key 34 is used for user registration, and registers a character string such as a sentence or phrase that is displayed and selected by the cursor key as a user dictionary when the registration key 34 is pressed again.

The symbol keys 35 are used to display a predetermined number of special symbols not shown on the keyboard, allowing the user to select and input a desired symbol.

Key 36 is a key for inputting romaji, and the LED on the upper left corner lights up when pressed. Key 37 is a key for instructing full text printing, and key 38 is a key for setting the print range. Key 39 is a key for setting or canceling tabs, and key
40 is a repeat key for repeating the same input.
Keys 41 to 47 are a group of keys for instructing the functions described above.

Keys 48 and 49 are paper feed keys for advancing and retracting the paper, respectively.

Key 50 is a delete key, and key 51 is a cancel/cancel key.
Key 52 is a key for inputting semi-voiced consonants, and key 53 is a key for inputting voiced consonants. By successively pressing the corresponding key, either a semi-voiced consonant or a voiced consonant can be input.

4 is a block diagram showing the main components of an input/output device according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the device comprises a central processing unit (CPU) 60, a keyboard 20, a display 21, a read-only memory (ROM) 61, and a random access memory (RAM).
The input/output device is made up of a read only memory 61 and a writeable memory 62. The read only memory 61 has a line start/end mark display program 611. The writeable memory 62 has a mode storage area 621 for storing the current mode of the input/output device. In this configuration, functions in various modes are performed by predetermined operations from the keyboard 20 as described above.

The main operations and associated actions of the input/output device according to the present invention will be disclosed below with reference to the keyboard of FIG.

In the normal typewriting mode, alphanumeric characters and katakana characters can be entered by pressing the corresponding selection key 24 to enter the appropriate mode, and then entering the characters using the character keys 22. The contents are displayed on the display 21, and document creation, printing, storage, updating, etc. are carried out. If necessary, the character type selection key
By switching 41, for example, if the number of dots for a full-width character in the horizontal direction is 24 dots, you can select either half-width or double-width, which makes it 12 dots half the number or double the number, which makes it 48 dots. Note that half-width is only valid for alphanumeric characters and some special symbols.

To input hiragana, press the hiragana selection key 24 (or the romaji selection key 36) and then press the character key 22. Hiragana input in this way is displayed in inverted on the display 21. If this display is correct and no conversion is required, the no conversion key 26 is pressed to confirm the display as normal. To input kanji, input the reading of the desired kanji in the hiragana mode or romaji mode and then press the conversion key 27. In response to this, candidate kanji or phrases will be displayed on the display 21, so
You can select the desired kanji or phrase by pressing the corresponding number key. If there are many candidate characters, you can use the conversion key
If the user presses the previous candidate key 27 again and goes too far to return to the previous candidate character group, the previous display can be restored by pressing the previous candidate key 28. This kanji conversion converts the character to the normal display.

The print range, i.e., how many characters are to be printed per line, can be preset by pressing the print range setting key 38 and the numeric keys.

The user dictionary can be registered, called up, deleted, displayed as a list, and printed as a list.

An example of a display device according to the present invention is shown in Fig. 5. In the normal typewriting mode, the display device 21 displays a head of line mark at the beginning of a line and an end of line mark at the end of a line, as shown in the figure.

As mentioned above, when the function key 33 and a specific character key, in this embodiment the character key "あ" (corresponding to the numeric key "1"), are simultaneously pressed, the external storage mode is entered. In this external storage mode, the contents of the input keys are stored in a suitable storage device, such as a floppy disk device or a compact disk device, and data stored in the external storage device can be received and displayed or printed by this input/output device. In the input/output device of the present invention, when the device is in such an external storage mode, the line head mark on the display 21 is changed to "0" as shown in FIG. 5 to inform the user. and the end of line mark In addition, the mark The above is one example, and it goes without saying that other configurations are possible.

Also, if a communication mode is selected to transmit and receive data between the same type of device via an appropriate communication line, the display will show the head of the line as shown in the lower part of Figure 5. and the end of line mark The mark in this case is merely one example, and it goes without saying that other suitable marks may be used.

With reference to the flow chart of FIG. 6, the operation regarding the change of the head and end marks of the line accompanying the mode change will be disclosed below.

When this flow starts, as in step 101, a line head corresponding to the currently set mode is displayed at a predetermined position on the display 21 based on the contents stored in the mode storage area 621.
Then, in step 102,
It is determined whether or not a key has been input. If there has been no key input, this determination is repeated. If the determination here is YES, then, as in step 103, it is determined whether or not the input key is a mode switching key.

If this determination is NO, processing corresponding to other input keys is carried out as in step 104 .

If the determination in step 103 is YES, the next step 105
The mode selected in is set in the mode storage area 621, and an altered display appears on the display 21 so that the line head mark and line end mark correspond to that mode.

Effects of the Invention The input/output device of the present invention has a simple configuration that utilizes the display, which is essentially essential, yet makes it clear at a glance which of multiple operating modes is selected, reducing the effort required for document creation and improving the usability of the input/output device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an input/output device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional explanatory diagram of the input/output device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an example of a keyboard of the input/output device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration for implementing the functions of the input/output device according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of a display device according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of an input/output device using a display device according to the present invention. The correspondence of the main reference symbols in the figures is as follows: 1: Input/output device (Japanese typewriter) 10: Printer section, 20: Keyboard section 21: Display 60: Central processing unit (CPU) 61: Read-only memory (ROM) 611: Start-of-line/end-of-line mark display program 62: Writable memory (RAM) 621: Mode storage area

─────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Continued from the front page (72) Inventor Yasushi Miyaoka Hitachi Software Engineering Co., Ltd. 6-81 Onoe-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture (72) Inventor Hiroshi Shimizu Hitachi Software Engineering Co., Ltd. 6-81 Onoe-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture (56) References JP 58-221889 (JP, A)

Claims (1)

[Claims] [Claim 1] A display device having a number of display digits less than the maximum number of characters printed in one line and capable of indicating that input data is the beginning or end of a print line by using a line head mark or line end mark; mode switching means for selectively switching input/output modes;
and switching a display mode of the line head mark and the line end mark in accordance with a mode set by the mode switching means.