CA1173974A

CA1173974A - Portable word processor

Info

Publication number: CA1173974A
Application number: CA000392337A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Miho Tanaka
Original assignee: Sony Corp
Current assignee: Sony Corp
Priority date: 1980-12-16
Filing date: 1981-12-15
Publication date: 1984-09-04
Also published as: GB2090032B; AU7796881A; AU547004B2; JPH0215153Y2; JPS57103547U; FR2496295B1; DE3149859A1; FR2496295A1; NL8105650A; GB2090032A

Abstract

WORD PROCESSOR

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A portable word processor incorporates a keyboard for typing in data relating to a textual document, a microprocessor for processing the data, and a microcassette recorder for storing each page of the textual data when typing of the page is complete. A
half-line liquid-crystal character display is situated on an operating panel of the word processor above the keyboard. The microprocessor includes a text buffer memory having a capacity corresponding to one page, for example, 1800 characters or 66 lines of text. An above-line scroll key and a below-line scroll key are included on the operation panel to control the presentation on the character display. When the above-line scroll key is depressed, the half-line segment next previous to the half line being presented on the display is furnished from the text buffer memory to a buffer/driver associated with the display. When the below-line scroll key is depressed, the next successive half line is furnished to the buffer/driver. These keys bear distinctive markings to aid in operator function recognition.

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Description

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BACKG~OUND OF THE INYENTION
_ Field of the Invention:
This invention rela~es to word processing apparatus, and is particularly directed to a portable word processor having a fractional-line keyboard display thereon.
Description of the Prior Art:
Conventional word processors normally include a typewriter keyboard, a microprocessor-based data processing circuit, a CRT or other display device for visually presenting all or part of a page of text, and a magnetic disk drive for recording, o~ a magnetic disk, the data corresponding to the text typed on the keyboard.
A previously typed document can be easily edited or revised using such a word processor. A previously typed segment of the document can be recalled from storage on the magnetic disk, and the text can be suitable altered or the format thereof changed by typing predetermined commands on the keyboard. The portions of the text being so altered are displayed on the display device so that the operator can carry out any textual editing or revision while watching the display device.
After the editing or revision is complete, the final text can be stored on the magnetic disk, or can be transferred to magnetic tape, printed on a desired stock of paper by an electric printer, or transferred over a communication medium to a distant location.

Conventional word processors are constructed as either free standing modules or desk-top units, and require standard AC power. Further, the display device of the conventional word processor is rather large, being designed to present a display of at least a full line of the text, and, in most cases, a disp~ay of a full page thereof. Thus, these word processors have been too heavy and cumbersome to be used as portable devices, and it has not been possible to adapt them for use outside the office.
Recently, there has developed a need to produce textual documents away from the office, such as at meetings and conventions, and while travelling.
However, until now there has not been provided a rugged yet versatile word processor which can be constructed to be battery powered, and made compact and rugged enough to be portable.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a chief object of this invention to provide a novel word processor device well suited for portable use.
It is another objec~ of this invention to pro-vide a portable novel word processor device which is versa-tile and rug~ed.
It is a more specific obJect of this invention to provide a portable word processor device having a fractional-line character display.

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It is a further object of this invention to provide a portable word processor device equipped with a microcassette recorder or similar device for storing data relating to pa~es of a typed document, and also having a keyboard and a half-line display, all disposed on an operation panel of the word processor device.
It is a more specific object to construct such a word processor device, as aforesaid, which can be made small enough to fit into an a~tache case or other similar hand-carried case.
Another object of th;s in~ention is to provide such a word processor in which a pair of display control keys select the particular half-line of a typed document which is to be displayed.
According to an aspect of this invention, a word processor device is provided on which textual data relating to a stream of textual characters can be entered for composing and/or editing a textual document. The stream of characters is constituted by a sequence of lines each having up to a predetermined number of characters therein. The lines are divisible into fractional-line --segments, such as half lines, each with a substantially equal number of characters a fraction of the predetermined number constituting the entire line. The word processor device of this invention comprises a keyboard having a plurality of alphabetic, numerical, and other symbol keys ~ 73~ ~ ~

on which the stream of characters is typed a~d a carriage-return key for demarking a juncture of two successive lines; a fractional-line display arrangement for displaying up to the maximum number of characters of a fractional line segment, thereby visibly presenting the characters of the associated segment; data processing circuitry for receiving and storing textual data entered on the keyboard and furnishing to the fractional-line display arrangement the data relating to one of the fractional-line seg~ents; and first and second display control keys coupled to the data processing circuitry for causing the latter to furnish selectively to the fractional-line display arrangement a fractional-line segment next adjacent the one frac~ional-line segment presently being displayed thereon. Thus, actuation of one or the other of the display control keys causes either ~he next successive or the next previous segment to be presented on the display arrangement.
Preferably, the display control keys are marked to enable an operator to recognize the function thereof more easily, such as by use of bent arrows showing the direction of character stream progression associated with the respective keys.

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In a preferred embodiment, the display arrange-ment shows a half line, and the first and second display control keys act to shift the stream of charact0rs forward or backward by a half line, even though this can involve progressing to the former half of the next sUccessive line or the latter half of the next previous line.
The wo~d processor device of this invention can be constructed small enough so ~hat one side thereof, constituting an operation panel r is not substantially larger than a page of letter-size paper. The word processor device is easily powered by batteries. An external electric page printer can be connected to the word processor device for producing a final, high-quality typed document.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the ensuing detailed description of a preferred embodiment, which should be considered in connection with the accompany-ing drawings~
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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Fig. 1 is a plan view of an operation panel of a word processor device according to an embodiment of this invention.

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Fi~. 2 is a schematic circuit diagram of ~he device of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a flow chart explaining operation of the circuit ~f Fig. 2 in carrying out control of the character display.
Figs. 4A and 4B are charts illustrating the display function of the word processor device of this ~nvention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERR~D EMBODIMENT
With reference to the acco~panyislg drawings, Fig. 1 shows an operation pan~l of a word processor device embodying ~his invention. The specific cons~ruction and functions of this embodiment are disclosed in detail in the copendin~ patent app3i~ation ser. No . 391, 773, Filed December 8, 1981, having a common assi~nee herewith.
ile the details ther~of need not all be reneàted here, the purpose of ex~laining the present invention is well .served by the following brief discussion.
The operation panel has a keyboard 1 thereon generally arranged in a s~andard, or so-called "Ql~TY"
configuration, including an array of character keys fo~
typing letter, numbers, and punctuation, and als~
including the usual carriage return, tab, and backspace keys. Also included are a space bar situated at the lowQr center of the keyboard 1 with steno space keys to the left and right thereof. A code key and a reset kPy are respec-tively included to the left and to the right of the steno ~397~

space keys.
The steno space keys are used to carry out a steno function and are intended to reduce both the number of keystrokes and operator stroke time, and thereby to improve operator accuracy and efficiency. The steno function generates a predetermined group of characters when the steno space key and another single key are depressed. For example, if the "A" key and the steno space key are depressed, the word "AND" will be generated.
The steno function can also be used to generate suffixes to follow word stems.
As shown in Fig. 1, several of the keys on the keyboard 1 are marked with a code function word as well as a particular character symbol. The code key is used together with a selected one of the keys to generate an associated function command code. For example, a page-end command code is generated by depressing the code key and then depressing the P key. The reset key serves to deactivate any ccded function and to return the keyboard 1 to its typing function.
A ~eyboard character display 2,which is a liquid crystal display (LCD), is disposed above the keyboard 1 and shows a half-line of text, i.e., 40 characters, each of which is a 5 X 10 dot matrix.

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A built-in microcassette recorder 3 is included at the upper righ~-hand portion of the operation panel.
A microcassette recorder control panel 40 includes keys REW, STOP, PLAY, FFWD, REC, and PAUSE to initiate rewind, stop, play, fast-forward, record, and pause functions, respectively. These control keys are used during audio recording and playback, and their functions are well known. None of these keys, except the STOP key,are actuable when textual data is being transferred to or from a tape in the microcassette recorder 3. The PLAY key is used to play back dictation or other audio recording, and to initiate transfer of textual data from the tape in the microcassette recorder 3.
A display control panel 5 is positioned to the left of the microcassette control panel 4, and includes a cursor-left key 5a, a cursor-right key 5b, a character-delete key 5c, a character-insert key 5d, an above-line scroll key Se, and a below-line scroll key 5f. These keys 5a through 5f are used to control the presentation displayed on the keyboard display 2, and are especially useful in an editing operation.
During a typing operation and during any editing, a cursor is displayed on the LCD character display 2 at the position at which the next character to be typed on the keyboard 1 will appear. Preferably, the cursor takes ~i73974 the form of a bar positioned below the character position.
During an editing operation, the cursor-left key 5a and the cursor-right key 5b are used to move the cursor left and right to a desired editing position, for sxample, to insert or delete a character.
The character-delete key 5c is pressed to delete any character at the cursor position and to close up the resulting space. The character-insert key 5d is depressed to insert a character or a space at the cursor position, or to adjust the spacing between words.
The above-line scroll key 5e is depressed to display the first 40 characters of a particular line, or to display the last 40 characters of a previous line.
Similarly, the below-line scroll key 5f is depressed to display the last 40 characters of a particular line, or to display the first 40 characters of the next successive line. The function of these keys 5e and 5f will be discussed in greater detail later.
A built-in loudspeaker 5 and a built-in condenser microphone 7 are included on the operation panel. The microphone 7 is used in rPcording dictation or audio infor-mation, and the loudspeaker 5 is used for listening to played back dictation or other recorded audio.
An on-off switch 8 is also included on the operation panel.
The general arrangement of the electronic control circuitry for the above-described word processor can be explained with reference to Fig. 2. Elements - _g_ ~3~74 previously described with reference to Fig. 1 are identified in Fig. 2 the same reference numerals, and a detailed description thereof will not be repeated.
As shown in Fig. 2, a keyboard module 10 includes a keyboard encoder 11 coupled to the keyboard 1 and also to the display control keys 5. Also, a display module 12 includes a display character buffer/
driver 13 for driving the liquid crystal display 2.
A microprocessor is used to control operation of the word processor, and includes an interface 14 coupled to the keyboard encoder 11 ~nd to the display character buffer/driver 13, a central processing unit or CPU 15, a read-only memory or ROM 16 on which a control program for controlling the word processor is permanently stored, a text buffer memory 17 having a capacity for storing up to one full page of textual information, and a data bus 18 connecting the interface 14, the CPU 15, the ROM 16, and the text buffer memory 17.
A microcassette control board 19, shown generally by a dash line enclosure, has a recorder interface coupled to the recorder 3, the control keys ~ nd the microphone 7 and also to the data bus 18. A muting circuit 21 is also -included between the interface 20 and the speaker 5 to prevent data tones from being reproduced on the speaker 6 when textual information is transfered from the cassette recorder 3 to the text buffer memory 17.
Although not shown, the interface 20 inoludes a frequency shift keyer to convert data to a stream of ~l ~173~74 marks and spaces represented, for example, by audio tones with a frequency of 600 Hz and 300 Hz, respectively.
This frequency shift keyer is also operative to convert such tones,picked up from the tape in the microcassette recorder 3,back into binary data.
As mentioned above, the text buffer memory 17 has a capacity to store up to one full page of textual data. Preferably, this corresponds to up to 1800 eight-bit bytes for storing up to a maximum of 1800 typed characters or 66 lines. This memory c~pacity corresponds approximately to one page of text on standard (i.e., letter-size) paper. The text buffer memory 17 serves to store data corresponding to a particular page of a textual document temporarily until such data can be tranferred to the microcassette 31. Of course, the text buffer memory 17 also serves to store a particular page of textual data called up from the microcassette recorder 3 so that that page of textual data can be edited.
In the word processor as described above, a stream of characters is typed on the keyboard 1, and encoded characters are furnished from the keyboard encoder 11 through the interface 14 to the text buffer memory 17 to be stored therein. As previously mentioned, ~he memory 17 has a capacity corresponding to a single typed page, and in this embodiment, the capacity is 1800 characters.

~l73974 When the operator has finished typing a particular page, the textual data stored in the memory 17 can be transfered to a microcasse~te tape in the recorder 3. This is carried out by typing a command on the keyboard 1. When this is done, a corresponding com~and signal is furnished to the CPU 15, and, in response, the CPU transfers the textual data stored in the memory 17, in se~uence, to the recorder interface 20. Then the textual data is recorded as a sequence of 300 Hz and 600 Hz spaces and marks.
A he~der code train is recorded on the micro-cassette tape immediate before the textual data is read out from the memory 17 to provide synchronizing signals, a block number code, and other codes associated with the textual data to be recorded.
By use of the function keys 4, audio signals can be recorded, such as dictation to identify a particular document to which textual data relates, interspersed with the textual data, on the same cassette.
As described hereinabove, the character display

2 of the above-described word processor is a half-line .
display. More specifically, in this embodiment, each typed line has a maximum length of 80 characters, with each page having up to 66 lines. Accordingly, the half-line character display 2 shows up to 40 characters, and also is arranged to identify the current page number and line number of the particular portion of a typed textual ~L73~7~

document being displayed thereon, as well as an indication of whether the displayed textual data are on the le~t (former) or right (latter) half of the particular line.
To accomplish this, the CPU 15 selects the particular half of the coded textual data stored in the text buffer memory 17 to be supplied through the interface 14 to the character display buffer/driver 13, and such half line is displayed on the half-line character display 2.
During typing, since the display 2 can present only a maximum of 40 characters, the characters displayed are the former 40 characters of a particular line. When the number of characters typed on the keyboard 1 exceeds 40 for any particular line, then the latter 40 characters are displayed.
The above-line scroll key 5e and the below-line scroll key 5f are used to arrive at and display a particular half line of the data stored in the memory 17, for example, so that the data can be properly editea and revised. Once the particular half line is reached, the words being displayed can be corrected or changed by using the keys Sa through 5d, together with the keys of the keybo~rd 1.
With the word processor as described hereinabove, when an operator desires to display the textual portion immediately before or immediately following the portion presently being displayed, the above-line scroll key or the below-line scroll key can be depressed. As shown in -~ 3~ 7 ~

Fig. 1, these keys 5e and 5f bear respective symbolic markings to aid in the operator's recognition of their functions. In this embodiment, the symbolic markings are each in the form of bent arrows showing the general direction of progression of the displayed half line associated with actuation of the respective keys 5e and 5f.
The above-line s~roll key 5e and the below-line scroll key 5f cooperate wi~h the CPU 15 and ROM 16 to carry out the half-line selection operation generally as illustrated in the flow chart of Fig. 3.
As explained in that flow chart, the program stored in the ROM 16 detects whether any of the editing control keys 5a through 5f have been actuated, as is indicated by step [1]. If any such key is ac~uated, then it is determined whether the below-line scroll key 5f has been actuated (step [2]). If this key 5f has been depressed, then the routine proceeds to step [ll]. Otherwise, it is determined whether the above-line scroll key 5e has been actuated (step [3]). If so, the routine proceeds to step [21].
If neither the below-line scroll key 5f nor the above-line scroll key Se has been depressed, then the program proceeds to step [~] and an editing routine is carried out according to such other of the remaining keys 5a through 5d which is depressed.

~73~74 In step [11], when the below-line scroll key 5f is depressed, it is firs~ determined whether the former half (i.e., the first 40 characters) thereof is being displayed. If so, the data corresponding to the latter half of the same line are furnished to the display character buffer/driver 13 (step [12]~. However, if the former half line is not being displayed, the textual data corresponding to the former half of the next successive line is furnished to the buffer/driver 13 (step [13]).
In the event that the last line (i.e., line 66) is already being displayed, step [13] is operative to display the former half of the same line.
In step [21~, when the above-line scroll key 5e is depressed, it is first determined whether the latter half of the particular line is being displayed. If so, the textual data corresponding to the former half of the same line is furnished from the text buffer memory 17 to the character display buffer/driver 13. However, if the latter half is not being displayed, then the textual data corresponding to the latter half of the next previous line is furnished to the buffer/driver 13 (step [23]).
In the event that the very first line (i.e., line 1) of a particular page is presently being displayed, step [23]
is operative to display the latter half of the same first line.

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Finally, after any of the steps [4], [12], [13], [22], or [23] is executed, the program return back to step [l] to await another depression of one of the edit control keys 5a through 5f.
Figs. 4A and 4B more clearly explain the operation of the keys 5e and 5f. In these drawings, a page 30 of a printed document is formed of successive lines AB, CD, and EF, respectively divided into former half lines A, C, and E, and latter half lines B, D, and F. If, for example, the former half line A is being displayed on the display 2, the operator can depress below-line scroll key 5f to display the nex~ successive half line B. Another actuation of this key 5f will display the half line C.
On the other hand, if the latter half line F
is being presented on the display 2, the operator can depress the above-line scroll key Se and the next previous half line E will be displayed. A subsequent actuation of this key 5e will result in the half line D
being displayed.
The use of a half-line liquid crystal display 2, constructed and operated as described hereinabove, enables the word processor of this invention to be constructed as a compact unit, and enables the same to be powered by batteries contained within the word processor.

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In addition, the half-line display 2 and the associated above-line and below-line scroll keys 5e and 5f greatly facilitate the editin~ of textual data, and permit efficienL preparation of typed documents, even when at a location away from the office or while traveling.
T~hile the above-described embodiment uses a half-line display 2 in which 40 characters of an 80-character line are displayed, it should be apparent that this invention could be practiced with other display formats. For example, if a line contained 90 characters, a one-third-line display could be used to display a first, middle, or last 30 characters of each line.
T~hile the invention has been described with reference to a single preferred embodiment thereof, it is apparent that many modifications and variations could be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention, which are to be defined by the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

l. A word processor device on which textual data relating to a stream of textual characters can be entered for composing and/or editing a textual document, the stream of characters being formed as a sequence of lines, each line having up to a predetermined number of characters therein and being divisible into suc-cessive fractional-line segments, each having a substan-tially equal fractional plurality of said predetermined number of characters, comprising keyboard means having a plurality of character keys for entering said stream of characters; fractional-line display means for displaying up to said fractional plurality of characters thereby visibly presenting the characters of one of said fractional-line segments; data processing means for receiving and storing said textual data entered on said keyboard means and furnishing to said fractional-line display means the data relating to one said fractional-line segment; and first and second display control keys coupled to said data processing means for causing the latter to furnish selectively to said fractional-line display means a fractional-line segment next adjacent the one fractional-line segment presently being displayed thereon, whereby said fractional-line display means presents a display of a selected one of the next suc-cessive and the next previous such segment in response to actuation of one of said display control keys.
2. A word processor device according to claim 1, wherein said fractional-line segments are half-line segments and said fractional-line display means includes a half-line display for displaying one of a former half-line segment and a latter half-line segment of one said line.
3. A word processor device according to claim 2, wherein said predetermined number of characters in each of said lines is substantially 80 characters, so that each of said half-line segments has substantially 40 characters.
4. A word processor device according to claim 1, wherein said data processing means comprises a micro-processor having a text buffer memory therein for storing said textual data, and having a memory capacity for storing up to an amount of said data corresponding to one page.
5. A word processor device according to claim 4, wherein said memory capacity is substantially 1800 characters.
6. A word processor device according to claim 4, wherein said memory capacity is substantially 66 lines.
7. A word processor device according to claim 1, wherein said first display control key cooperates with said data processing means to advance the fractional line of said stream of characters displayed on said fractional-line display means by one said fractional-line segment when such key is actuated; and said second display control key cooperates with said data processing means to move back the fractional line of said steam of characters displayed on said fractional-line display means by one said fractional-line segment.
8. A word processor device according to claim 7, wherein, in order to facilitate operator key function recognition, said first and second display control keys have respective symbolic markings each formed of a bent arrow showing the direction of general progression of the displayed fractional-line segment associated with actuation of the respective display control key.
9. A word processor device according to claim 7, wherein, in order to facilitate operator key function recognition, said first and said second display control keys have associated therewith respective key markings ? and ?.
10. A word processor device according to claim 1, wherein said device is constructed as a battery-powered portable unit having an operation panel containing said keyboard means; wherein said fractional-line display means is formed as a liquid crystal display disposed on said operation panel in proximity to said keyboard means;
and further comprising cassette recorder means for recording on and playing back from a tape cassette therein, and including operating keys each disposed on said opera-tion panel, and with which portions of said stream of characters corresponding to respective pages of said textual document can be stored on respective segments of magnetic tape of said cassette contained therein.