JPH086696A - Information processing apparatus and information processing method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make information input operation efficient and make the processor small- sized and thin by recognizing a light signal obtained by performing tracing operation on a resin-made sheet where symbols and character patterns are arranged by using an image input means and processing the signal. CONSTITUTION:To create a document, a user traces characters symbols to be inputted with the tip of the image input means 6 while an information input part 5 is positioned on the top surface of the body 3 of the processor as shown by the solid line in the figure. Consequently, the light from a light emitting element is applied to the traced characters and symbols on the information input part 5 from the image input means 6 and its reflected light is passed through a lens means installed in the image input means 6 to form an image corresponding to the characters on a light receiving element. The image on the light receiving element has its light shading difference converted by the light receiving element into an electric signal, which is sent to a character recognizing means; and what characters inputted by the image input means 6 are recognized and then KANJI conversion is performed when necessary, so that the data are sent to an information processing part and displayed at a display part 4.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a structure of an information processing device such as a computer and a word processor, and further, an information input device for performing a new information input method to the information processing device,
And an information processing method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, a conventional information processing apparatus is provided with a push-type keyboard, and by pressing a large number of keys arranged on the keyboard, information is input to the information processing apparatus, Information processing was performed based on the input information.

Recently, a pen computer has appeared,
The pen computer employs a method of operating an operation plate with a magnetic pen utilizing magnetic action and inputting information to the information processing apparatus.

[0004]

However, the type using the push-type keyboard described above has a structure in which a large number of keys are arranged and the keys are pressed. , In particular, there is a drawback that the keyboard becomes thick and it is difficult to configure a small device, and even if it can be made small to some extent, the operator can input by alphabetic input by pressing one key, In the case of Japanese input, in general, input Roman characters, that is, operate multiple keys for one Japanese character,
It was necessary to convert into Japanese and input, which was much more troublesome in program operation and word processing than in alphabet input.

When operating a large number of keys, it takes time for the operator to select keys until he or she learns the key arrangement of the alphabet, and even if the information processing apparatus is found to be convenient, the operation is troublesome. It was one of the reasons why it was not used widely by men and women of all ages.

Further, in the conventional information processing apparatus, in addition to the push-type keyboard, a well-known input means called a mouse is separately connected, and characters, symbols, etc. are inputted to the information processing apparatus to input the characters, symbols. The above-mentioned keyboard is used to display the above information on the display unit of the information processing apparatus, and the mouse is used to move a known cursor on the display unit to a desired position for character input.

Therefore, when the user of the information processing apparatus operates the word processor, etc., the cursor is moved using the mouse, and characters, symbols, etc. are input to the position of the cursor using the keyboard. Since it was processing information, it was troublesome to use these two means properly according to the operation. Also, a well-known direction key is installed on the keyboard, which allows the cursor to be operated, but it is difficult for the direction key to bring the cursor directly to a position desired by the user. After all there was a problem in usability.

The pen computer is a method of handwriting a character with a pen and recognizing the character for information processing. In this case, the character of the character is changed by the user or the pen having the magnetic action is used as an input plate. When inputting characters close to or apart from each other, unless the characters are input with great care, so-called "continuation" occurs, which is one of the causes of lowering the character recognition rate.

In order to eliminate these drawbacks, the present invention is a character input method which is not a handwritten character, has the above-mentioned cursor movement function, and can efficiently input information such as characters without changing these. A device structure is provided.

That is, it is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus at low cost by simplifying and improving the efficiency of information input operation in an information processing apparatus such as a computer and reducing the size and thickness of the information input apparatus. I am trying.

[0011]

In the information processing apparatus of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems, a sheet-like member made of resin is arranged in the information input section, and symbols and character patterns are arranged on the member.
The image input means provided with the optical means provided on the device traces the above, and the signal received by the light receiving means is character-recognized, etc. The structure is such that information is input, an operation, a display, and a cursor are moved.

That is, the information processing apparatus of the present invention includes an information input section, an information processing section for processing the information input from the information input section, and a display section for displaying the information processed by the information processing section. , An image inputting unit capable of inputting an image in cooperation with the information inputting unit and having at least a light receiving unit, and a pattern of characters, symbols or the like is registered on the surface of the information inputting unit, and the information is input by the image inputting unit. The structure is characterized in that information is input to the information processing unit by operating the surface of the input unit and the cursor position on the display unit is controlled based on the information.

An information input unit, an information processing unit that processes information input from the information input unit, a display unit for information processed by the information processing unit, and an image can be input in cooperation with the information input unit. And an image input means having at least a light receiving means, images of characters, symbols, etc. are written on the information input section, and the information input section is movable to a plurality of positions, and the information input section is provided at the first position by the image input section. The characters, symbols, etc. can be input to the display unit via the information processing unit by operating the information processing unit, and the image input unit is operated at the second position to operate the information input unit. The structure is characterized in that the position of the cursor displayed on the display unit is controlled via the.

Further, an information input unit, an information processing unit for processing information input from the information input unit, a display unit for information processed by the information processing unit, and an image inputtable in cooperation with the information input unit And an image input means having at least a light receiving means,
An information processing system configured by input mode switching means for contacting the information processing unit, wherein images such as characters and symbols are written on the information input unit, and the image input unit operates the information input unit to input information. In the device, when the characters, symbols, etc. are operated by the information input unit and the image input unit by mode switching by the input mode switching unit,
A structure in which a mode in which characters and symbols are input and displayed on the display unit and a mode in which the cursor position on the display unit is controlled when the characters and symbols are operated can be selectively operated. And

Further, an information input section, an information processing section for processing information input from the information input section, a display section for information processed by the information processing section, and an image inputtable in cooperation with the information input section And an image input means having at least a light receiving means,
The information input unit includes position determining means, images of characters, symbols, etc. are written on the information input unit, and the information input unit is movable to a plurality of positions. It is possible to input the characters, symbols, etc. to the display unit via the information processing unit by operating with, and at the second position, display the information input unit on the display unit by operating the information input unit with the image input means. It is characterized in that it has a structure for controlling the position of the generated cursor.

An information input unit, an information processing unit for processing information input from the information input unit, a display unit for information processed by the information processing unit, and an image input in cooperation with the information input unit And an image input means having at least a light receiving means,
The information input unit is composed of position determining means, and images of characters, symbols, etc. are written on the information input unit, the information input unit is movable to a plurality of positions, and the position when moving between the first position and the second position. A mode in which the determination means operates and the information input unit acts as a character or symbol input to the display unit;
The information processing unit determines and operates the cursor position control mode on the display unit by symbol input.

In each of the above constructions, the information input section,
An information processing unit for processing information input from the information input unit, a display unit for information processed by the information processing unit, and an image input unit capable of inputting an image in cooperation with the information input unit and having at least a light receiving unit. The information input section is movable to a plurality of positions, and the information input section has a structure to be superposed on the display section at least.

An information input unit, an information processing unit for processing information input from the information input unit, a display unit for information processed by the information processing unit, and an image input in cooperation with the information input unit And an image input means having at least a light receiving means,
The information input unit is composed of position detecting means, images of characters, symbols, etc. are written on the information input unit, and the information input unit is movable between a position overlapping with the display unit and a position not overlapping with the display unit. At a position where a part overlaps with the display part, the character on the information input part by the image input means,
When a symbol or the like is operated, the cursor on the display unit is position-controlled in correspondence with the coordinate position of the information input unit where the character is written.

An information input unit, an information processing unit that processes information input from the information input unit, a display unit for information processed by the information processing unit, and an image can be input in cooperation with the information input unit. In the image input means having at least a light receiving means, the information input section is made of a substantially transparent material, images of characters, symbols, etc. are written, and at least a plurality of positions including a position overlapping the display section. The character, the symbol, etc. can be viewed as an inverted character from the back side of the information input unit at a position where the image input unit overlaps the display unit, and the inverted character can be operated by the image input unit. By doing so, the information processing unit determines the cursor position control mode, and the position of the cursor on the display unit is controlled in correspondence with the coordinates of the character of the information input unit. That.

Further, an information input section, an information processing section for processing information input from the information input section, a display section for information processed by the information processing section, and an image inputtable in cooperation with the information input section And an image input means having at least a light receiving means,
It is characterized in that it is constituted by input mode switching means, and the area of the display portion corresponding to the information input portion can be reduced or enlarged when the input mode switching means is operated.

Further, an information input section, an information processing section for processing information input from the information input section, a display section for information processed by the information processing section, and an image inputtable in cooperation with the information input section In addition, the image input means having at least a light receiving means is arranged, characters and symbols are arranged on the information input section, and a plurality of characters, symbols, etc. are input when operating the image input section on the information input section. Then, the cursor position displayed on the display unit of the information processing device is moved to a position corresponding to the space between the plurality of characters.

[0022]

【Example】

(Embodiment 1) Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4.

FIG. 1 is an external view of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention when it is carried or stored, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a usage state of the information processing apparatus, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the information input unit, and FIG. 4 is an operation block diagram of the information processing apparatus.

When the user of the information processing apparatus carries the information processing apparatus 1 or when the information processing apparatus 1 is not used, the CR is used as shown in FIG.
A main body 2 in which a display unit 4 such as a T or an LCD is arranged, and a main body 3 in which an information input unit 5 or an information processing unit including a well-known CPU shown in FIG. 4 is stored are folded so that their inner surfaces face each other. To carry.

When used, the main body 2 and the main body 3 are opened and operated as shown in FIG. 2. When the main body 2 and the main body 3 are opened, the display unit 4 and the main body 3 installed on the main body 2 are opened. The arranged information input section 5 is exposed.

On the other hand, the information processing apparatus 1 is provided with an image inputting means 6 via a code 7 as shown in FIG. 2, and the image inputting means 6 may be an LED or the like if necessary. It has a well-known scanner structure including a light emitting element, a lens means, and an optical means including a light receiving element such as a CCD.

The operation method will be described.

When the user uses the information processing apparatus 1 having the structure, the apparatus is first opened as shown in FIG.

If the work is a word processing work, the user holds the image input means 6 in his hand and traces the information input section 5 installed on the surface of the main body 3 with the tip of the image input means 6.

The information input section 5 is, for example, in the form of a resin sheet, and the surface of the sheet is divided into a plurality of parts by dividing lines or minute irregularities as shown in FIGS. Various characters, symbols and the like as shown in FIG. 3 are displayed in the frame.

As shown in the example of FIG. 3, products for the Japanese market are provided with alphabets, Japanese syllabary, numbers, symbols for commanding the information processing apparatus, special symbols and the like.

Therefore, when the user creates a sentence, the tip of the image input means 6 is in the first position where the information input section 5 is located on the surface of the main body 3 as shown by the solid line in FIG. You can trace the characters and symbols you want to input with.

By doing so, as described above, the light from the light emitting element is radiated from the image input means 6 onto the traced characters and symbols of the information input section 5, and the reflected light is reflected by the image input means. Returning to the well-known lens means installed in 6, the reflected light passes through the lens means to form an image corresponding to the character on the light receiving element.

The image on the light receiving element is converted into a light signal by the light receiving element into an electric signal, and as shown in an operation block diagram of FIG. 4, a known character recognition means is provided through an interface (I / F). It is recognized what kind of character the information sent and input by the image input means 6 is, and thereafter, if necessary, Kanji conversion is performed through Kanji conversion software (FEP), and the information processing including the CPU and the like. Is reported to the department,
It is displayed on the display unit 4.

Characters and symbols that do not need to be converted to Kanji are treated as command signals to the information processing unit of the information processing apparatus 1 without being converted, and are stored in the information processing unit by the program stored in the information processing unit. It issues a predetermined operation to the information processing apparatus 1.

When the character input from the image input means 6 is an alphabet or the like, it may be configured so that it is input as the alphabet to the information processing device without being converted into Chinese characters, and in the conventional keyboard operation. It is also possible to input Roman letters in the alphabet and convert it to Japanese in the same manner as. Moreover, as in the case of the conventional information processing apparatus, FIG.
If symbols corresponding to the function keys F1, F2, etc. shown in FIG.
By tracing with, it is possible to perform the same operation as described above and execute the commands of these symbols.

These are not limited to word processing operations, but can also function as general computer functions.

If the hiragana and katakana are also arranged in the Japanese syllabary order so that the user can easily input the information, the information input section operated by the image input means 6 at the time of the word processor operation in Japanese described above. Since the letters above 5 are good for each letter (for example, in the case of other letters, there is no need to "type twice with T A" when inputting romaji by the conventional method), so the word processing work is extremely simplified and the efficiency is improved. Get better. Further, if the characters are arranged in the order of Japanese syllabary as shown in FIG. 3, even a user who is unfamiliar with the information processing apparatus 1 can easily judge and input the necessary character. Further, since the characters on the information input unit 5 are not interlocked with the switches as seen in the conventional information processing apparatus, the characters can be freely rearranged and input according to the preference of the user.

Further, since the key operation sound generated when operating the conventional keyboard is not generated at the time of inputting the characters, it is possible to prevent annoyance from surrounding people.

(Second Embodiment) A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

As described above, the present invention is characterized in that necessary information can be input by the image input means 6 and the information input section 5, but the key input is not the input method but is the same as the conventional key input. The conventional keyboard 10 can also be arranged so that it can be arranged for a person who wants to input by operation. Therefore, the information input by operating the image input unit 6 is input to the character recognition unit, but the information input from the keyboard 10 is converted into the Chinese character conversion software (F
EP) for information processing. In this way, if necessary, Kanji characters are converted, or sent to the information processing unit and processed as an operation command of the information processing unit.
Works.

The accuracy rate of the information input by the image input means 6 and processed by the character recognition means may be slightly lower than that of the information input by the keyboard 10, depending on the operation method. Since there is an advantage that the accuracy of the information entered in step 3 is high if there is no mistake in the pressed key input, the correct answer rate is high. It is possible to select quietness or the like and input the image with the image input means 6 or the keyboard 10 to operate with a high accuracy rate.

(Embodiment 3) In Embodiment 1, the information input section 5 is arranged on the display section 4 and the main body 3 arranged on the main body 2 when the main bodies 2 and 3 are folded to be in a stored state. Although the information input unit 5 is arranged so as to face each other, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 5, the information input unit 5 is provided with a storage portion in the main body 3 and the main body 3 is provided.
It is configured so that it can be taken in and out through the take-out opening on the side of
It is also easy to pull out the information input section 5 when the user inputs information to enable the above-mentioned operation.

In this case, the conventional keyboard 10 described in the second embodiment may be arranged at the position of the information input unit 5 shown in FIG. 2 (the position facing the display unit when stored). This is convenient for a person who wants to mainly operate the keyboard.

Further, the configuration shown in FIG. 2 is easy for an operator who mainly inputs information by the image input means 6 described above, and by doing so, it is suitable for the market where the key input is customary and the image. The structure of the information processing apparatus 1 can be configured to be different depending on the market in which the input means 6 is preferred.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, in a small information processing apparatus 1 such as a pen computer, the information input section 5 is provided in a part of the main body such as a cover 8 which protects the display section 5 when the apparatus is carried. It is also possible to place them.

(Embodiment 4) In the information input section 5, as described in Embodiment 1, the surface is divided into a plurality of sections, and characters and symbols are displayed on the sections. As compared with the structure in which the dividing line is not provided, the user can easily visually recognize the information input unit 5, but when tracing the character or symbol to be input by the image input unit 6, only the character is surely displayed. It is also necessary to make a trace so that the dividing lines are not input at the same time.

This is because if the dividing line is input at the same time as the character and the symbol, the accuracy rate at the time of trying to recognize the character by the character recognizing means may be lowered.

However, even if the user is urged to input with caution when inputting, he / she works hard at composition of the sentence when inputting,
There are many cases where attention is not paid to the accuracy of the trace operation.

Therefore, in the present invention, when the information input section 5 is traced by the image input means 6, the configuration of the information input section 5 is taken into consideration so that the user can work while paying sufficient attention to the text composition. There is.

That is, the dividing line of the information input unit 5 is changed in color from the characters, symbols, etc. arranged in the vicinity thereof, or even in the same color, its brightness is changed, and the trace is inputted by the image input means 6. At times, even if the dividing line and the characters and symbols are input at the same time, when the light from the light emitting element is reflected by these portions and is detected by the light receiving element, the line is converted into an electric signal having an intensity different from that of the character. I am careful to be done.

By doing so, even if the dividing line or the like covers the input range portion of the image input means 6 when a character or a symbol is input, the dividing line portion is not part of the character by the character recognizing means. It is possible to improve the recognition rate without being considered, and it is not necessary to put an excessive burden on the information input operation, which facilitates the input work.

If the dividing line is not identified by color but is formed by minute irregularities integrally formed from the information input section 5, the light receiving means can more easily identify the dividing line and the character or symbol. In addition, the recognizability of the traced portion and the guideability of the tip of the image input means 6 are improved.

(Embodiment 5) Another embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the first and third embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the information input section 5 is configured to be movable to a plurality of positions. Particularly, in FIG. When the information input section 5 is traced by the image input means 6 when the information input section 5 is traced at the first position which does not overlap, the information is processed, the information processing device is operated, and characters and the like are displayed on the display section 4. Although the configuration described above has been described, the present invention also has a structure and function capable of setting a well-known cursor on the display unit to a desired position by using the information input unit 5. This will be described in detail.

As described above, according to the present invention, the information input section 5 is movable with respect to the main body 3 of the information processing apparatus 1.

The user moves the cursor on the display unit 4 of the information processing apparatus 1 to a desired position, and a desired character is displayed at that position.
When inputting a symbol or the like, it is necessary to move the cursor to the desired position before inputting a character.

In this case, the user rotates the information input section 5 in the direction of the display section 4 as shown in FIG. The second position is a position where the information input unit 5 completely overlaps the display unit 4 with respect to the first position, but a known switch is installed between the first position and the second position, and The position of the input section 5 is constantly detected.

Therefore, when the information input section 5 moves to the second position, it is detected and the signal is sent to the information processing section. Then, the information processing apparatus 1 determines that the character / symbol input mode has shifted to the cursor position control mode, and operates the subsequent information for the cursor position control operation.

As an example, the information input section 5 is made of a transparent resin plate and has the structure in which the characters and symbols are marked on only one surface thereof. Since the characters and symbols are normally displayed when in the position, the user puts the information input unit 5 on the display unit 4, and when the information input unit 5 is in the second position, the transparent information is displayed. From the back surface of the information input unit 5, the characters, symbols, etc. are displayed as so-called upside-down characters.

When the user traces the portion of the inverted character corresponding to the desired position to move the cursor of the information input section 5 by the image input means 6, the inverted character is recognized by the action and the information is The information processing unit can determine which coordinate position of the character the display unit 4 corresponds to and move the cursor to that position.

The user confirms that the cursor has moved to the coordinates thus input, and if the cursor is at the desired position, the information input section 5 is returned to the first position, and at the first position, the above-mentioned operation is performed. The above operation (the characters and symbols on the surface of the information input section 5 are traced by the image inputting means 6) makes it possible to input desired characters and the like at the desired positions as described above.

As described above, only by using the information input means 6, the information processing device 1 can be made to input information efficiently,
The information processing device 1 becomes operable.

In the case of the present embodiment, the display section 4 and the information input section 5 are overlapped with each other, and a cursor is placed at a necessary position, for example, when a character is inserted in a text currently being created or an edit such as deletion is performed. Although it can be moved, when the display unit 4 and the information input unit 5 are overlapped with each other, the characters displayed on both are overlapped and are difficult to read.

In this case, it goes without saying that normal characters that are not upside down characters are displayed on the display body 4, and upside down characters are displayed on the information input section 5 due to the structure described above. With the upside-down letters, you will not misunderstand what is displayed in which. Further, the display unit 4 and the information input unit are separated from the display unit 5 by at least the thickness of the information input unit 5, and the image input unit 6 is provided.
There is no possibility that the lens means of (1) will be focused on both of the displayed characters and the characters will not be illegible. In this way, it is possible to read the inverted character and move the cursor to the character position without fail.

As described above, this is the effect of rotating the information input section 5 so that the characters on the information input section 5 are inverted and superimposed on the display section 4.

In this way, the well-known mouse function provided in the desktop type information processing apparatus is used as the image input means 6
And the information input unit 5 can cooperate with each other.
By providing the image inputting means 6 according to the present invention and combining it with various symbols and patterns of the information inputting section 5, it becomes possible to input various information without any other inputting means such as a well-known mouse. Information input and processing can be efficiently and efficiently executed without changing the input means.

The information input section 5 described in this embodiment can be moved not only by the rotating operation shown in FIG. 2 but also by the linear movement method shown in FIG.

(Sixth Embodiment) In the fifth embodiment, a method for setting the cursor to a desired position by tracing the inverted characters on the information input section 5 by the image input means 6 is described. However, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the resolution of cursor movement by the method is larger as the space in which one character such as the character or symbol on the information input unit 5 is shown is larger (the pitch between characters is larger). It gets worse.

Further, in order to improve the usability of the information input unit 5, when a blank portion where nothing is displayed is provided on the sheet as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cursor is placed on the blank portion. You can't do it even if you want to set. The cursor setting method in this case is described below.

In the blank portion shown in FIG. 3, which is not surrounded by the dividing line, special symbols such as line segments and points are numbered,
There is also a method of changing the thickness and displaying it, and the character, the symbol, etc. are recognized and moved to the coordinate position. Or 1 in Figure 3
If an arrow is displayed as shown by 5, and the blank portion is at the desired position where the cursor is to be set, the characters, symbols, etc. enclosed by the dividing line near the desired position are traced, After that, the arrow 15 is traced and stepwise moved left and right, or up and down, so that fine adjustment can be performed.

With such an operation, the cursor can be set also on the dividing line between the characters of the information input section 5 of the display section 4 and the like, and the resolution on the display body 4 is increased. The cursor can be moved.

When creating a sentence, the user sets the information input section 5 in the first position to input characters and symbols as described above, and after checking the input characters and symbols, if necessary,
The information input unit 5 is moved to a second position overlapping the display unit 4, and the relative positional relationship with the characters, symbols, etc. on the display unit 4 is confirmed via the transparent information input unit 5. The cursor is moved to the place where a new character is desired to be input, or a necessary portion for correction or the like by the above operation, and after confirming the movement, the information input unit 5 is moved to the first position again.

Along with the moving operation, the position detecting means of the information input unit 5 detects the position of the information input unit 5 and determines that the information processing apparatus 1 is set to the character / symbol input mode.

Thus, in the subsequent input using the image input means 6, the characters, symbols and the like on the information input section 5 traced by the image input means 6 are sequentially input and displayed at the cursor position. To go.

In each of the embodiments of the present invention, as one embodiment of the present invention, the image input means 6 inputs information to the information processing unit by tracing the characters, symbols, etc. of the information input unit 5. Although the method has been described, the invention is not limited to this, and the light receiving means such as the CCD is replaced by a so-called line sensor type in which the light receiving segments are arranged in a line, by a so-called surface sensor type in which the light receiving segments are arranged in a plane. With this structure, it is possible to input the information to the information processing unit by setting the image input unit 6 on the corresponding character or symbol of the information input unit 5 without tracing operation. However, it does not depart from the gist of the present invention.

As described above, if a normal character or symbol is recognized without using a special input mode switching means, it is recognized as a character / symbol input mode, and if it is determined as an inverted character, the cursor moves. It is possible to switch to the mode and operate the information processing apparatus, and this method is also one of the input mode switching means of the present invention.

(Seventh Embodiment) Another method for moving the cursor described in the sixth embodiment will be described.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the information input section 5
Although it has been described that the above dividing line is displayed by changing the lightness, the color, etc. from the character, the symbol, etc., by doing so, the light receiving means is operated by the light receiving means in the input operation of the image input means 6. Can be determined from the intensity of the detection signal.

For this reason, the information input section 5 is placed in the cursor position control mode such as the state where it is superimposed on the display section 4 and the inverted character on the information input section 5 is traced. When you want to position the cursor just above, trace the character, symbol, etc. corresponding to the position as described above, and when you want to position the cursor on the dividing line between the characters etc., between the characters Enter the characters on both the upper and lower sides or on the left and right sides, including the intervening dividing lines.

When the information processing means processes the information to determine that a plurality of characters have been input, it is possible to set the cursor on the dividing line between the characters.

By doing so, the display unit 4 is divided into a larger number than the number of characters displayed on the information input unit 5, the cursor is positioned on the display unit 4, and the cursor position can be set in a state where the resolution is increased. is there.

(Embodiment 8) In the above description, the state in which the information input section 5 is superimposed on the display section 4, that is, the correspondence between the display section 4 and the information input section 5 is coordinately equiscaled is described. In this case, the cursor movement pitch for the word processing operation or the like is basically the size corresponding to one character or half the pitch.

However, in the case of a drawing operation rather than a character input, this pitch is too large to draw a smooth curve or polygonal line. Therefore, the information input unit 5 is set to the first
By setting the position or the second position or the like, tracing an input mode switch (not shown) or an input mode switching symbol using the image input means 6, and performing signal processing in the information processing unit, the display unit is displayed. The operation is switched to the operation in which the area of the information input unit 5 corresponding to 4 is reduced to 1/4 or the like.

In this case, the display unit 4 shown in FIG. 2 is vertically and horizontally divided into four, and the areas of the information input unit 5 corresponding to the respective characters are also reduced at the same ratio.

In this state, when the characters, symbols, etc. of the information input unit 5 are traced and input to the information processing unit in the same manner as described above, the cursor is moved to the corresponding coordinates on the screen reduced by signal processing. Is possible.

In this mode, since the step interval of the cursor is also subdivided by the reduction ratio, it is possible to input a smooth curve, polygonal line, etc. at the time of drawing operation. Even in this case, it is needless to say that the operation method described in the above-mentioned embodiment for improving the resolution can be used together.

The reduction ratio is not limited to 1/4 and can be set to any other value, or any size including enlargement as necessary.

(Ninth Embodiment) A ninth embodiment will be described.

The method of inputting information via the information input section 5 as described above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 5 has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to this. It may be a member different from the processing device 1.

As an example, when a catalog of a certain product is placed near the information processing apparatus 1 and the catalog is entered as a database in the storage means of the information processing apparatus 1, it is determined as a database. As described above, by moving the cursor between the image input means 6 and the information input section 5 to a predetermined portion of the format, and tracing the necessary portion on the catalog of the character, symbol, etc. to be input to the portion. Enter with.

By doing so, the characters and the like input from the catalog are recognized as described above, and are taken in as necessary input information in the above-mentioned format.

Since the information taken in by the operation is recognized as a well-known text code, it can be easily used as a keyword for searching even after it is stored in the database. Unlike the information recorded as image data, there is an effect that later retrieval and replacement work can be performed easily and surely.

Further, when it is necessary to re-input a word or a sentence already displayed on the screen in the word processing work or the like, a predetermined portion of the display unit 4 of the CRT or LCD is changed to the image input unit 6. By tracing at the tip of, the character or the like displayed on the display 4 can be easily re-entered at the cursor position at that time.

By doing so, as described above, even a person unfamiliar with the keyboard can easily and surely input the necessary information into the information processing apparatus and process it.

(Embodiment 10) FIGS. 7 and 8 show the information input section 5 and show a pattern different from that of the above embodiment. FIG. 7 shows the three types of symbols for controlling the cursor position as an example. However, the input mode is set to the cursor position control mode by the input switching means, and the image input means 6 is operated.
Then, by inputting the symbol A in the figure, the cursor can be moved continuously from the current position in the horizontal direction, for example, by one pitch or at the clock cycle of the information processing apparatus.

B can be moved vertically from the current cursor position in the same manner as the horizontal operation.

C can be moved in an inclined direction such as a 45 ° direction in the same manner as the horizontal operation.

However, this is controlled by inputting the direction in each direction by another means and judging the plurality of signals by the information processing section.

FIG. 8 shows the information input section 5 in which a plurality of straight lines having different thicknesses in the vertical direction, the horizontal direction and the diagonal direction are arranged. The patterns are arranged in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6. Then, when the pattern is traced by the image inputting means 6, the straight lines having different thicknesses pass through the light receiving means of the image inputting means 6, and the image is inputted by processing the image relative to the moving distance. The locus of the means 6 is input to the information processing section, signal processing becomes possible, and the image input means 6 is displayed on the display section 4.
It is possible to draw the locus of, and it becomes possible to input fine graphics and images with high resolution.

[0101]

As described above, according to the present invention, as compared with the conventional information processing device, the device is downsized by the amount of the key pressing stroke, which is convenient for carrying, and occurs when inputting information. The operation sound of the key operation disappears and it is released from the trouble.

Also, in the case of inputting Roman letters in a word processor operation, compared to the operation method in which two letters of the alphabet corresponding to vowels and consonants are input, the hiragana and katakana gojyuon can be arranged in order. Not only is it easy to determine the location of the characters, but you can also directly input the necessary characters and convert them to Kanji, Katakana, or Hiragana as needed, improving the operational efficiency. This is because the present invention is a new method that is not restricted by the current standard keyboard layout and signal processing method, so that it is possible to freely set the character layout as well. This is an effect that can determine the arrangement of the five characters.

If a conventional keyboard can be connected if necessary, it is possible to selectively use these keyboards according to the work. As an easy-to-use information processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus can be widely used by men and women of all ages. Can be popularized.

In the present invention, since the structure using the optical means is adopted as the image input means 6, not only the characters and symbols but also the
In addition to inputting images such as lines and dots, the well-known cursor shown on the display unit 4 of the information processing device is moved to a designated position by a character, symbol, or the like arranged on the information input unit 5.
It becomes possible by combining with a means such as a line for dividing the characters, symbols, etc., and the image input means 6 which is the same input means.
Thus, it is possible to add a mouse function to the information processing apparatus 1 and it becomes easy to use.

Further, even when the characters and symbols displayed on the display unit 4 of the information processing apparatus 1 are to be re-input, the information can be easily obtained by tracing the necessary portion on the display screen by the image input means 6. It is possible to input.

Further, as described above, information can be input from a document or the like placed near the information processing apparatus 1 without key operation, and an easy-to-use information processing apparatus can be provided. As there is no interlocking switch structure,
The information processing device can be provided with high reliability and at low cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of an information processing apparatus of the present invention when it is carried and when it is not operated.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a usage state of the information processing apparatus according to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the information input unit of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the operation of the information processing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a configuration example of a pattern of an information input unit of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing another configuration example of the pattern of the information input unit of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Information processing device 2: Structural element of main body 3: Other structural element of main body 4: Display section 5: Information input section 6: Image input means 8: Cover of display section of information processing apparatus

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI Technical display location G06F 17/22 9288-5L G06F 15/20 507 B

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An information input unit, an information processing unit for processing information input from the information input unit, a display unit for displaying information processed by the information processing unit, and an information input unit in cooperation with the information input unit. An image input means having at least a light receiving means capable of inputting an image, and a pattern such as characters and symbols is registered on the surface of the information input portion, and the surface of the information input portion is operated by the image input means. An information processing apparatus having a structure for inputting information to the information processing unit and controlling a cursor position on the display unit based on the information. 2. An information input unit, an information processing unit that processes information input from the information input unit, a display unit for information processed by the information processing unit, and an image can be input in cooperation with the information input unit. And an image input means having at least a light receiving means, images of characters, symbols, etc. are written on the information input section, and the information input section is movable to a plurality of positions, and the information input section is provided at the first position by the image input section. The characters, symbols, etc. can be input to the display unit via the information processing unit by operating the information processing unit, and the image input unit is operated at the second position to operate the information input unit. An information processing apparatus having a structure for controlling the position of a cursor displayed on the display unit via a display. 3. An information input unit, an information processing unit that processes information input from the information input unit, a display unit for information processed by the information processing unit, and an image can be input in cooperation with the information input unit. In the image input means having at least a light receiving means, the input mode switching means for contacting the information processing section, the information input section is written with images of characters, symbols, etc.
An information processing apparatus for inputting information by operating the information input section with the image input means, wherein the characters, symbols, etc. are provided by the information input section and the image input means by mode switching by the input mode switching means. When operating, a mode in which characters and symbols are input and displayed on the display unit,
An information processing apparatus having a structure capable of selectively operating a mode for controlling a cursor position on the display unit when the characters, symbols, etc. are operated. 4. An information input unit, an information processing unit that processes information input from the information input unit, a display unit for information processed by the information processing unit, and an image can be input in cooperation with the information input unit. And an image input means having at least a light receiving means and a position determination means of the information input section, images of characters, symbols and the like are written on the information input section and can be moved to a plurality of positions. By operating the information input unit with the image input unit, it is possible to input the characters, symbols, etc. to the display unit via the information processing unit. At the second position, the information input unit is connected to the image input unit. An information processing apparatus having a structure for controlling the position of a cursor displayed on the display unit by operating the. 5. An information input unit, an information processing unit that processes information input from the information input unit, a display unit for information processed by the information processing unit, and an image can be input in cooperation with the information input unit. And an image inputting unit having at least a light receiving unit, and a position determining unit of the information input unit. The information inputting unit is provided with images of characters, symbols and the like and is movable to a plurality of positions. A mode in which the position determining means operates when moving between the second positions and the information input unit acts as a character or symbol input to the display unit, and a cursor position control mode on the display unit by the character or symbol input. An information processing apparatus having a structure in which the information processing section determines and operates. 6. An information input unit, an information processing unit that processes information input from the information input unit, a display unit for information processed by the information processing unit, and an image can be input in cooperation with the information input unit. 2. The image input means having at least a light receiving means, the information input section is movable to a plurality of positions, and the information input section has a structure to be superposed on the display section at least. The information processing device according to item 2, 3, 4 or 5. 7. An information input unit, an information processing unit that processes information input from the information input unit, a display unit for information processed by the information processing unit, and an image can be input in cooperation with the information input unit. And at least an image input unit having a light receiving unit and a position detection unit of the information input unit, and images of characters, symbols, etc. are written on the information input unit and do not overlap with a position overlapping at least the display unit. When the characters, symbols, etc. on the information input section are operated by the image input means at a position where the information input section is movable between positions and overlaps with the display section, An information processing apparatus having a structure in which a cursor on the display unit is position-controlled in correspondence with a coordinate position of an information input unit. 8. An information input unit, an information processing unit that processes information input from the information input unit, a display unit for information processed by the information processing unit, and an image can be input in cooperation with the information input unit. In the image input means having at least a light receiving means, the information input section is made of a substantially transparent material, images of characters, symbols, etc. are written, and at least a plurality of positions including a position overlapping the display section. The character, the symbol, etc. can be viewed as an inverted character from the back side of the information input unit at a position where the image input unit overlaps the display unit, and the inverted character can be operated by the image input unit. By doing so, the information processing unit determines that the cursor position control mode,
An information processing apparatus having a structure for performing position control by associating a cursor position on the display unit with coordinates where the character of the information input unit is located. 9. An information input unit, an information processing unit that processes information input from the information input unit, a display unit for information processed by the information processing unit, and an image can be input in cooperation with the information input unit. And a structure capable of reducing or enlarging the area of the display section corresponding to the information input section when the input mode switching section is operated. Information processing device. 10. An information input unit, an information processing unit that processes information input from the information input unit, a display unit for information processed by the information processing unit, and an image can be input in cooperation with the information input unit. In addition, the image input means having at least a light receiving means is arranged, characters and symbols are arranged on the information input section, and a plurality of characters, symbols, etc. are input when operating the image input section on the information input section. An information processing apparatus having a structure in which the cursor position displayed on the display unit of the information processing apparatus is moved to a position corresponding to the space between the plurality of characters. 11. An information input unit, an information processing unit that processes information input from the information input unit, a display unit that displays information processed by the information processing unit, and an information processing unit that cooperates with the information input unit. An image input means having at least a light receiving means capable of inputting an image, and a pattern of characters, symbols, etc. is registered on the surface of the information input portion, and the surface of the information input portion is operated by the image input means. An information processing method, comprising: inputting information to the information processing unit and controlling a cursor position on the display unit based on the information.