JP2006129268A - Information processing apparatus, article selling data processing apparatus, character input method, character input computer software program, and character input computer software program storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing apparatus which easily determines whether an input mode is a KANA syllabary input mode, square-form-of-KANA syllabary input mode or alphabet input mode in response to operation of a select key. <P>SOLUTION: The information processing apparatus comprises: a control panel 1 including a touch sensor and a bit map display which are operated from an operator; a ten key display means for bit map display of ten key buttons 4a-4j; a first button display means for displaying a KANA select button 7; a second button display means for displaying an alphabet select button 9; and a third display means for displaying a numeral select button 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus or merchandise sales data processing apparatus that does not have hardware such as a keyboard or numeric keypad for inputting information, a character input method implemented on such a processing apparatus, a character input computer, The present invention relates to a storage medium for storing a software program and a character input computer software program.

  Conventionally, an electronic cash register without a keyboard has an input keyboard connected externally for registering product information and internal data is set, or update data is downloaded from a store computer through a communication line. The maintenance of the electronic cash register was troublesome, and the operating time of the electronic cash register was reduced.

  In addition, a plurality of alphabets are assigned to some keys of the data key, and the other keys of the data key and some keys of the control key are assigned to some keys. There has been an electronic device with a keyboard in which only one of specific alphabets (A, S, U, E, I, O) among a plurality of alphabets is assigned to overlap with some of the keys.

  By inputting data from a key to which only a specific alphabet is assigned, the user has entered an efficient word input in which word candidates are narrowed down because a part of the alphabet string is fixed (Patent Document) 1).

JP 2002-207558 A (see 11th paragraph, FIG. 1)

  However, in the conventional character input method, the alphabet and numbers are fixedly printed on the numeric keypad, and the user can distinguish whether the input mode is hiragana 50-character input, katakana 50-character input, or English character input. There was a problem that it was difficult to do.

  In view of the above-described problems, the present invention is an information processing apparatus that easily distinguishes between input modes of hiragana 50-character input, katakana 50-character input, and English character input in response to an operation of a selection key, and product information It is an object of the present invention to provide a processing device, a character input method, a character input / computer / software / program, and a character input / computer / software / program storage medium.

  One embodiment of the present invention includes, for example, an operation panel having a touch sensor and a bitmap display operated by an operator, and displayed on the operation panel and corresponding to 50 kana characters. 10 line display areas for displaying the first characters of 10 lines, 10 number display areas for displaying numbers [0] to [9], and 26 alphabets [A] to [Z], respectively. Numeric keypad display means for bitmap display of numeric keypad buttons each having an alphabet display area to be displayed, and the line display area are activated to shift to the input mode of 50 kana characters, and the numeric display area and the alphabet display area are inactivated. A first button display means for displaying a hiragana selection button to be activated, an alphabet display area, and a ten-key button The second button display means for displaying an alphabet selection button for inactivating the numeric display area and the line display area, and the numeric display area are activated, while the mode is shifted to one alphabetic character input mode corresponding to the key count. The gist of the present invention is that the information processing apparatus includes a third button display unit that shifts to a number input mode and displays a number selection button that inactivates the line display area and the alphabet display area.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, for example, an operation panel having a touch sensor and a bitmap display operated by an operator, and the first characters of 10 lines from [A] to [W] in correspondence with 50 kana characters 10 line display areas for respectively displaying numbers, 10 number display areas for displaying numbers [0] to [9], and 26 alphabet display areas for displaying 26 alphabets [A] to [Z], respectively. Numeric keypad display means for displaying a numeric keypad with a bitmap, and in response to the number of keystrokes, each of the numeric keypad buttons activates one of the line display area, alphabet display area, and numeric display area, and waits for information input Toggle selection button for displaying a toggle selection button for displaying any one input mode of kana 50 characters, English letters and numbers And summarized in that an information processing apparatus comprising: a down display means.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, for example, an input keyboard display unit that displays an input character keyboard of a touch sensor type that prompts an operator to input information, and a hiragana 50-syllabary character, the line [A] to [Wa] [A] to [Z] a first button display means for displaying the first character of the tenth line of the line on the ten numeric keypads, and displaying a hiragana selection button for shifting to the hiragana 50-syllabic character input mode. And the second button display means for displaying an alphabet selection button for inputting one alphabetic character corresponding to the number of times the key is pressed on the numeric keypad, Display the number of [9] on the ten numeric keypads, and display the expanded number display mode. And summarized in that an information processing apparatus including a third button display means for displaying the numeric selection buttons, the that.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, for example, in response to the operation of the hiragana selection button, the first character of the tenth line from the [A] line to the [Wa] line is changed to the ten numeric keypads in correspondence with the hiragana 50 syllabary character. In response to the operation of the first button display means and alphabet selection button to display and shift to the hiragana 50-syllabic character input mode, 26 alphabets from [A] to [Z] are respectively displayed on the numeric keypads In response to the operation of the second button display means for switching to one English character input mode corresponding to the number of times the keypad is pressed and the number selection button, 10 numbers from [0] to [9] are entered. In response to the operation of the third button display means for displaying numbers on the numeric keypad and shifting to the numeric input mode and the kana selection button, Correspondingly, a fourth button display means for displaying the first characters of the 10th line from the [A] line to the [W] line to the 10 numeric keypads respectively and shifting to the input mode for Katakana 50-syllabary characters, The gist is that the product sales data processing device is provided.

  One aspect of the present invention is a touch sensor type character input method that prompts an operator to input information, for example, in response to an operation of a hiragana selection button and corresponding to a hiragana 50-character, [A] line From the first 10 characters of the [Wa] line to each of the ten numeric keypads, inputting 50 hiragana characters, responding to the operation of the kana selection button, corresponding to the 50 katakana characters, In response to the step of displaying katakana on the ten characters of the ten lines from the [A] line to the [W] line to the ten numeric keypads and inputting the katakana syllabary characters, and the operation of the alphabet selection button, from [A] The 26 alphabets of [Z] are displayed on the numeric keypad, and one English letter corresponding to the number of keystrokes on the numeric keypad is input. And a step of responding to the operation of the number selection button, displaying numbers from [0] to [9] on the ten numeric keypads, and inputting the numbers. The gist.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the line display area, the numeric display area, and the alphabet display area displayed on the numeric keypads are changed by the mode switching operation. A merchandise sales data processing apparatus, a character input method, a character input / computer / software / program, and a character input / computer / software / program storage medium can be provided.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described together with illustrated examples. 1 to 16 show a first embodiment. In each figure, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or equivalent parts, and duplicate descriptions are omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of an operation panel used in the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. The information processing apparatus includes an operation panel 1 having a touch sensor and a bitmap display operated by an operator, and 10 displayed on the operation panel 1 and corresponding to 50 kana characters in the [a] line to the [wa] line 10. 10 line display areas for displaying the first character of each line, from the upper left to the lower right in the figure, "A", "KA", "SA", "TA", "NA", "HA", "MA" , “YA”, “RA”, “WAON”, and 10 number display areas for displaying numbers [0] to [9], respectively, “7”, “8” from the upper left to the lower right in the figure. ”,“ 9 ”,“ 4 ”,“ 5 ”,“ 6 ”,“ 1 ”,“ 2 ”,“ 3 ”,“ 0 ”and 26 alphabets from [A] to [Z] As the alphabet display area, ". @:", "ABC", "DEF", "GHI", "J" Numeric keypad buttons 4a to 4j having "L", "MNO", "PQRS", "YUV", and "WXYZ", are arranged in the vicinity of the numeric keypad buttons 4a to 4j, and activate the row display area to generate 50 kana characters. First button display means for inputting characters and displaying a hiragana selection button 7 for inactivating the numeral display area and the alphabet display area.

  However, the present invention is not limited to the layout in which the line display area, the number display area, and the alphabet display area are illustrated. For example, the order of the line display areas is “a” to “wao” from the lower right to the upper left in the figure. It may be changed to "". Similarly, the order of the numeric display area and the alphabet display area can be arbitrarily changed.

  In addition, the symbol button 5 is arranged below the numeric keypad button 4h, and the space button 6 is arranged below the numeric keypad button 4i. When any numeric keypad button is selected, a symbol or a space can be input in conjunction. .

  Further, a keyboard icon 2 is displayed on the operation panel 1 in the upper right corner portion in the figure, and the operator touches the keyboard icon 2 so that the input character keyboard 3 is superimposed on the operation panel 1 and displayed with high priority. be able to.

  The input character keyboard 3 includes a full-width button, a half-width button, a hiragana selection button 7, a kana selection button 8, an alphabet selection button 9, a number selection button 10, a previous page button near the left side of the numeric keypad buttons 4a, 4d, 4g, and 4j. Next page buttons are displayed.

  Also, on the input character keyboard 3, a back button (Back Space), a delete button (Delete), an undo button, a cursor key, and a conversion range are designated in the vicinity of the right side of the numeric key buttons 4c, 4f, 4i and the space button 6 row. A candidate selection key, a conversion button, and a confirmation button are displayed. The input character keyboard 3 is also displayed with a close button 11 that causes the input character keyboard 3 to disappear from the screen.

  The operation panel 1 includes the current time, date and time, information title, business day, cash register number, transaction number, responsible person, end button, input button, change button, delete button, receipt button, preview button, print button, and return. In addition to the button and the confirmation button, a menu tab, an inspection tab, and a master job tab are displayed at arbitrary positions.

  On the illustrated customer master screen of the operation panel 1, customer code tables are sorted and displayed in ascending order, and an input box for change is displayed below the customer code table in the order of customer code, customer name, and valid / invalid category. Yes. For example, if the customer code is “11”, male is 10 years old or younger, and “highlight” is selected in the highlighted display, the numerical value “11” corresponding to the input box for change and the character string “male 10 years old or younger” The pressing mode of the effective button is displayed as a bitmap image.

  The operation panel 1 has a computer software program booted from the hard disk or read-only memory to the main memory at the stage when the power of the information processing device such as an electronic cash register is energized, and after executing the self-diagnosis program, The product sales data management program starts. The information processing apparatus shown in the figure displays a state where the operator has selected and operated the keyboard icon 3.

  The present invention displays the customer layer code “11” line and the hiragana selection button 7 of the operation panel 1 after the electronic cash register as the merchandise sales data processing apparatus is activated in the bitmap state in the highlight state, and the line display area Can be displayed on the numeric keypad buttons 4a-4j as clear characters, and the number display area and alphabet display area can be inactivated and displayed as gray-out characters. .

  However, the present invention is not limited to the default screen that displays the hiragana selection button 7 in the highlight state. For example, the customer code “11” line, the hiragana selection button 7, the kana selection button 8, the alphabet selection button 9, the number All of the selection buttons 10 may be bitmap-displayed in a highlight state.

  In short, the input mode can be confirmed using means for visually confirming which information input state or selection operation the information processing apparatus requests from the operator. Therefore, the present invention can also be applied to a flashing display and a sounding function for each input mode instead of the height light state.

  FIG. 2 is a front view of the operation panel used in the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. A duplicate description of the same members as those illustrated in FIG. 1 is omitted.

  The ten key buttons 4a to 4j respectively display the first characters of the 10th line from the [A] line to the [Wa] line in the 10 line display areas by the operation of the hiragana selection button 7. Each head character shown in the figure can be displayed with a font size larger than the default font size activated by the information processing apparatus.

  In this case, the information processing apparatus displays the row display area in the highlight state while being superimposed on the inactivated numeric display area and alphabet display area while maintaining the highlight state of the hiragana selection button 7. That is, the line display area is activated and the first characters of the “A” to “WA” lines are enlarged and displayed so that the operator can easily recognize the hiragana input mode.

  FIG. 3 is a front view of the operation panel used in the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. A duplicate description of the same members as those illustrated in FIG. 1 is omitted.

  On the input character keyboard 3, a character input frame 15 is displayed above the numeric keypad buttons 4a to 4c. The character input box 15 displays a character string of “male 10 years old or younger”. For example, a character string input operation is performed by operating the hiragana selection button 7 to activate the line display area, and the numeric keypad 4d “ta” is pressed once, the symbol button 5 is pressed five times, the numeric keypad 4j “wa” is pressed three times, ten-key button 4c “sa” is pressed four times, ten-key button 4a “a” is pressed twice, ten-key button 4c “sa” is pressed twice, and symbol button 5 is pressed five times. Keypad 4h “ya” is keyed five times, keypad button 4a “a” is keyed three times, keypad button 4c “sa” is keyed once, keypad button 4a “a” is keyed twice, right button is pressed once After the key is pressed, the keypad button 4a “A” is pressed twice, the keypad button 4b “ka” is pressed once, and the conversion button is operated a plurality of times to display a desired Kanji conversion candidate on the character input frame 15. ,Confirm It is possible to commit a string of as "10 years old man" by a single operation.

  FIG. 4 is a front view of the operation panel used in the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. A duplicate description of the same members as those illustrated in FIG. 1 is omitted.

  The numeric keypad 4a includes a line display area 20 in the upper right, a number display area 21 in the upper left, and an alphabet display area 22 in the lower row. The other numeric keypad buttons 4b to 4j have a similar layout and a row display area at the upper right, a number display area at the upper left, and an alphabet display area at the lower level.

  The input character keyboard 3 has a full-width button 32, a half-width button 33, a hiragana selection button 7, a kana selection button 8, an alphabet selection button 9, a number selection button 10, a previous page button 30, and a next page button 31 at the left end. It is displayed.

  Further, the input character keyboard 3 displays a symbol button 5 and a space button 6 in the lower row, a backward button 27, a delete button 28, an undo button 29, a cursor key 23, a candidate selection key for designating a conversion range on the right side. 24, a conversion button 25, and a confirmation button 26 are displayed.

  The line display area 20 displayed on the numeric keypad button for inputting the “A” line is activated by the operation of the hiragana selection button 7, and the “A” character is highlighted as in the numeric keypad display mode 34 shown on the right side of the figure. Display with status. On the other hand, the numeric display area 21 and the alphabet display area 22 are inactivated and displayed as grayout characters “7” and “. @ /:”.

  Similarly, the line display area 20 is activated by the operation of the kana selection button 8 and displays the “a” character in a highlighted state as in the ten key display mode 35. On the other hand, the numeric display area 21 and the alphabet display area 22 are inactivated.

  Similarly, the alphabet display area 22 is activated by the operation of the alphabet selection button 9 and displays “. @ /:” Characters in a highlighted state as in the numeric keypad display mode 36 shown on the right side of the figure. On the other hand, the row display area 20 and the number display area 21 are inactivated.

  Similarly, the number display area 21 is activated by the operation of the number selection button 10 and displays “7” number in a highlight state as in the numeric keypad display mode 37 shown on the right side of the figure. On the other hand, the line display area 20 and the alphabet display area 22 are inactivated.

  The operation of the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 5. The information processing device is an interface in which a computer software program for character input is started after power is turned on, a software module is loaded from the hard disk or read-only memory into the main memory, and the central processing unit CPU executes the software module. The peripheral device connected to is driven, and the start step 40 (hereinafter, step is abbreviated as “S”) proceeds.

  The input character keyboard 3 detects a key operation (for example, approach detection to the operation panel 1, contact detection, or transition from contact to non-contact) by the key press S41, and transmits an operation state to the information processing apparatus. The CPU determines the button operated in the input type determination S42.

  When the information processing apparatus reads the module stored in the main memory and executes an instruction by the CPU and detects the operation of the hiragana selection button 7, the information processing apparatus shifts to the hiragana bitmap display S43 and drives the interface to input characters on the operation panel 1. After switching the keyboard 3 to the hiragana display screen, while executing the command of the next module, the process proceeds to hiragana mode switching S44, and “Hiragana characters” corresponding to the number of keystrokes of the numeric keypads 4a to 4j are received via the bus. Then, the character string is stored in the main memory, and one cycle of processing is terminated (end S40).

  Similarly, when the information processing apparatus detects an operation of the kana selection button 8, the process proceeds to the kana bitmap display S46, switches the input character keyboard 3 of the operation panel 1 to the katakana screen, and then proceeds to the katakana mode switching S47. The katakana characters corresponding to the number of keystrokes of the ten key buttons 4a to 4j are received, the character string is stored, and the processing of one cycle is ended (end S40).

  Similarly, when the operation of the alphabet selection button 9 is detected, the information processing apparatus shifts to the alphabet bitmap display S48, switches the input character keyboard 3 of the operation panel 1 to the alphabet screen, and then shifts to the alphabet mode switching S49. The English characters corresponding to the number of keystrokes of the numeric keypad buttons 4a to 4j are received, the character string is stored, and the processing of one cycle is terminated (end S40).

  Similarly, when the operation of the number selection button 10 is detected, the information processing apparatus shifts to the numeric bitmap display S50, switches the input character keyboard 3 of the operation panel 1 to the numeric screen, and then shifts to the numeric mode switching S51. The number corresponding to the number of keystrokes of the numeric keypad buttons 4a to 4j is received, the character string of the number is stored, and the process of one cycle is terminated (end S40).

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the CPU appropriately switches the screen of the input character keyboard 3 through the interface, so that the information input mode can be visually expressed for the operator, and the operator's work time Can be shortened and work errors can be reduced.

  The operation of the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the information processing apparatus, the CPU reads the customer management information from the main memory, drives the interface, and highlights the line of the customer segment code “11” displayed on the operation panel 1 and highlights the customer segment code “highlighted” in the change column 51. 11 "is displayed in the input box, and the customer group code change permission is given to the operator.

  The information processing apparatus detects the selection operation of the keyboard icon 2 provided in the upper right corner of the operation panel 1 by the CPU through the touch sensor, and causes the input character keyboard 3 to be pop-up displayed on the operation panel 1. In the selection button arrangement area 52, for example, the CPU determines default data read from the main memory, selects the hiragana selection button 7 and the full-width button 32 in the initial state, and displays them in the highlight state.

  In this case, when the input character keyboard 3 is displayed on the screen with an area of half or less than the area of the operation panel 1, the input character keyboard 3 is overlapped so that the area where the operation panel 1 cannot be seen is small and the operator operability is improved. Can be improved.

  In addition, the input character keyboard 3 is promoted by the CPU by controlling the display sequence so that the input character keyboard 3 is positioned in the vicinity of the change column 51 when popped up. Furthermore, it is possible to arrange the character input frame 15 (see FIG. 3) to perform the character input work efficiently.

  Subsequently, the character string corresponding to the numeric keypad key pressed from the input character keyboard 3 by executing the command of the CPU can be input to the change column 51 and edited. For example, after displaying a plurality of conversion candidates for a character string input with hiragana by operating a conversion button, the conversion button is selected by operating the up button 53 or the down button 54 from the cursor key 23 and confirmed. The Kanji conversion of the character string can be terminated by operating the button 26.

  In addition, the information processing apparatus uses a CPU that responds to an operation of an arbitrary selection button from among the hiragana selection button 7, the kana selection button 8, the alphabet selection button 9, and the number selection button 10 arranged in the input switching area 55, with a numeric keypad. The display mode of the buttons 4a to 4j is switched. Even in the same information input mode, the CPU can input the character code of the input character string in full-width or half-width by the switching operation of the full-width button 32 and the half-width button 33, and can display it in the change column 51. it can.

  Further, when the information processing apparatus inputs a long character string in the hiragana input mode, the CPU identifies the kanji portion from the hiragana character string in response to the operation of the candidate selection key 24 provided in the phrase switching area 56. can do.

  Subsequently, the operator confirms the character string divided into hiragana and kanji by displaying the change column 51 and then operates the confirm button 26 provided in the input end area 57 to confirm the converted kanji to the CPU. be able to.

  When the customer code stage is changed to move the focus position, the previous page button 30 or the next page button 31 provided in the page change area 58 can be operated to move the height area to the CPU. .

  FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the electronic cash register as the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. A duplicate description of the same members as those illustrated in FIG. 1 is omitted.

  The electronic cash register 60 is a keyboard icon 2 provided in the upper right corner of the operation panel 1 for displaying a customer master screen that is controlled based on customer data, a customer data management software program, and a character input program read from the main memory by the CPU. The input character keyboard 3 superimposed on the operation panel 1, the operator display 62 provided behind the operation panel 1, the customer display 63 provided behind the operator display 62, and the left direction of the operation panel 1 The printer 64 provided at the front, the receipt issuing port 65 provided in front of the printer 64, the hand scanner 66 connected to the electronic cash register 60 by wire, the drawer 67 for storing cash, and the electronic information input from the input character keyboard 3 A removable disk 68 for accumulation is provided.

  In the illustrated electronic cash register 60, the CPU reads out bitmap information from the main memory by a touch operation of the keyboard icon 2 and displays the input character keyboard 3 in a pop-up on the operation panel 1, and the CPU receives information input from the operator as input characters. It can be received through the keyboard 3 and stored in an internal memory (not shown) or a removable removable disk (eg, SD card, compact flash memory).

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an electronic cash register as an information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. A duplicate description of the same members as those illustrated in FIG. 1 is omitted.

  The electronic cash register 60 includes, for example, a CPU, a cache memory, a register, and a microprocessor including a read-only memory that stores microcode. The electronic cash register 60 is connected to the operation panel 1, the input unit 80 connected to the operation panel 1, and the input unit 80. The key input control unit 81 placed on the printed wiring board, the storage unit 70 (random access memory or static random access memory) connected to the key input control unit 81, and connected to the key input control unit 81 for input or conversion. An output unit 69 for outputting the character information to the operation panel 1, the operator display 62, and the customer display 63 through a bus and an interface.

  In order to achieve the object of the first embodiment, the key input control unit 81 includes an input character combination processing unit 82 using a controller that processes character information input from the operation panel 1, a comparator, and a controller. The combination selection part 83 which selects the combination of the character by is provided.

  Furthermore, in order to achieve the object of the first embodiment, the storage unit 70 by the read-only memory includes data of the hiragana key font 71, the kana key font 72, the alphabet key font 73, the numeric key font 74, and kanji conversion. A program for the dictionary 75 is stored.

  The operation panel 1 transmits the character information input through the input character keyboard 3 (see FIG. 1) pop-up displayed on the operation panel 1 to the input unit through the bus. The key input control unit 81 processes the character information transmitted through the bus by the input character combination processing unit 82, determines the number of times the same numeric keypad is pressed and another keypad key press by a counter, and processes the combination of character strings.

  The combination selection unit 83 receives the character string information from the input character combination processing unit 82 via the bus, selects hiragana characters, katakana characters, alphabetic characters, and numbers corresponding to the character string combinations through the multiplexer, and selects a character string. .

  Further, the key input control unit 81 selects a bitmap display font corresponding to the information input mode from the storage unit 70 among the hiragana key font 71, the kana key font 72, the alphabet key font 74, and the numeric key font 74 according to the execution result of the CPU. From the bus, data is appropriately selected, and the data is output from the bus to the operation panel 1 via the output unit 69. As shown in FIG. 4, the output bitmap display displays numeric keypad buttons 4 a to 4 j generated from different fonts for each of the hiragana input mode, katakana input mode, alphabet input mode, and numeric input mode.

  Further, the output unit 69 appropriately displays numbers, kanji, katakana characters, and alphabet characters on the operator display 62 and the customer display 63 based on the execution result of the CPU, and converts the kanji into the kanji conversion dictionary. Characters can also be displayed.

  9 to 12 are enlarged views of the operation panel used in the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the customer code “11” line displayed on the operation panel 1 is highlighted, and the information on the customer code “11” highlighted in the change column 51 is displayed in the input box. Grant permission to change customer demographic code.

  The information processing apparatus detects a selection operation of the keyboard icon 2 provided in the upper right corner of the operation panel 1 and displays the input character keyboard 3 on the operation panel 1 in a pop-up manner. In the selection button arrangement area 52, for example, the hiragana selection button 7 and the full-width button 32 are selected in the initial state and displayed in the highlight state.

  Subsequently, the character string corresponding to the numeric keypad key pressed from the input character keyboard 3 can be input to the change column 51 and edited.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the information processing apparatus responds to the operation of an arbitrary selection button among the hiragana selection button 7, the kana selection button 8, the alphabet selection button 9, and the number selection button 10 arranged in the input switching area 55. Then, the display mode of the ten key buttons 4a to 4j (see FIG. 4) is switched. Even in the same information input mode, the character code of the input character string can be input in full-width or half-width by switching the full-width button 32 (see FIG. 4) and half-width button 33 (see FIG. 4). It can be displayed in the name input box.

  In the candidate menu bar 59 shown in the upper part of the figure, “1. male”, “2. male voice”, “3. Dansei”, “4” for the character string “dansei” input from the numeric keypad buttons 4a to 4j. .. 4 types of conversion candidates are displayed. The operator can press the up button 53 or the down button 54 to select a conversion candidate, and can terminate the kanji conversion of the character string by operating the confirm button 26 (see FIG. 4).

  Here, when switching the character input mode of the information processing apparatus, the operator selects an arbitrary selection button from among the hiragana selection button 7, the kana selection button 8, the alphabet selection button 9, and the number selection button 10 arranged in the input switching area 55. , And the display mode of the numeric keypad buttons 4a to 4j can be switched based on the execution result of the CPU. However, after the operation of the hiragana selection button 7, the full-width button 32 is highlighted, and the half-width button 33 is inactivated and changed to a gray-out character.

  Further, by the switching operation of the kana selection button 8, the CPU initially sets the default to half-width input, and the half-width button 33 is inactivated and changed to a gray-out character. Further, by the switching operation of the alphabet selection button 9 or the number selection button 10, the CPU initially sets the default to a half-width, and the half-width button 33 is inactivated and changed to a gray-out character.

  As illustrated in FIG. 11, when a long character string is input in the hiragana input mode, the information processing apparatus responds to the operation of the candidate selection key 24 (see FIG. 4) provided in the phrase switching area 56 and detects hiragana characters. The kanji part can be specified from the column.

  The operator confirms the character string divided into hiragana and kanji by displaying the change column 51 and then confirms the converted kanji by operating the confirm button 26 (see FIG. 4) provided in the input end area 57. can do.

  As shown in FIG. 12, when changing the stage of the customer code and moving the focus position, the previous page button 30 or the next page button 31 provided in the page change area 58 is operated, and based on the execution result of the CPU. The height area can also be moved.

  13 to 16 are enlarged views of the input character keyboard of the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. A duplicate description of common members is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the input character keyboard 3 includes a plurality of numeric keypads 4 in which the hiragana input mode is set, a hiragana selection button 7 in a highlight state, a close button 11 that causes the input character keyboard 3 to disappear from the screen, a height In addition to the full-width button 32, the conversion button 25, the confirm button 26, the backward button 27, the delete button 28, the undo button 29, the previous page button 30, the next page button 31, the symbol button 5, and the space button 6, Key, candidate selection key.

  The numeric keypad 4 highlights the first character of the “A” line to the “Wa” line in the activated line display area and displays it in a highlighted state, so that the operator can easily confirm the hiragana input mode. Can do.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the input character keyboard 3 highlights the first characters of the “A” to “W” lines in the activated line display area in which the katakana input mode is set, and displays them in the highlighted state. Therefore, the operator can easily confirm the katakana input mode.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the input character keyboard 3 displays characters “. @ /:”, “ABC” to “WXYZ” in the activated alphabet display area in which the alphabet input mode (English input) is set. Since it is highlighted and displayed in a highlight state, the operator can easily check the alphabet input mode.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the input character keyboard 3 highlights the numbers “0” to “9” and displays them in the highlighted state in the activated number display area in which the number input mode is set. Therefore, the operator can easily check the numeric input mode.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 17 is a front view of an operation panel used in the information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. A duplicate description of members common to the operation panel shown in FIG. 1 is omitted.

  The input character keyboard 3 is different from the first embodiment in that a toggle selection button 16 for displaying “Hiragana” is provided. Toggle selection button 16 sequentially shifts to “Hiragana selection button”, “Kana selection button”, “Alphabet selection button”, “Number selection button” in response to the number of keystrokes, and toggle selection in the state of “Number selection button” When the button 16 is pressed, the sequence of returning to the “Hiragana selection button” is repeated.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the input character keyboard 3 shifts to the “Hiragana selection button” in response to the number of times the toggle selection button 16 is pressed, and activates the line display area of the full-width button 32 and the numeric keypad button 4 to highlight. In the state, the first character of the “a” line to the “wa” line is displayed. Other alphabet display areas and numeric display areas are inactivated and gray-out characters are displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the input character keyboard 3 shifts to the “kana selection button” in response to the number of times the toggle selection button 16 is pressed, activates the line display area of the full-width button 32 and the numeric keypad button 4 and highlights it. In the state, the first character of “A” line to “W” line is displayed. Other alphabet display areas and numeric display areas are inactivated and gray-out characters are displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the input character keyboard 3 shifts to the “alphabet selection button” in response to the number of times the toggle selection button 16 is pressed, activates the alphabet display area of the full-width button 32 and the numeric keypad button 4 and highlights it. In the state, “. @ /:”, “ABC” to “WXYZ” English characters are displayed. Other line display areas and numeric display areas are inactivated and gray-out characters are displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 21, the input character keyboard 3 shifts to the “number selection button” in response to the number of times the toggle selection button 16 is pressed, and activates the number display area of the full-width button 32 and the numeric keypad 4 to highlight. Characters “0” to “9” are displayed in the state. Other line display areas and alphabet display areas are inactivated and gray-out characters are displayed.

(Third embodiment)
22 to 27 are front views of an input character keyboard according to the third embodiment of the present invention. A duplicate description of members common to the operation panel shown in FIG. 2 is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the input character keyboard 3 activates the full-width button 32 in response to the operation of the hiragana selection button 7 and activates the row display area of the numeric keypad 4 to “A” in the highlight state. Since the first character of the line to “Wa” line is displayed superimposed on the other numeric display area and the alphabet display area, the first character can be displayed on the entire numeric keypad button.

  As shown in FIG. 23, in response to the operation of the kana selection button 8, the input character keyboard 3 activates the full-width button 32, activates the row display area of the numeric keypad 4, and “a” in the highlight state. Since the first character of the line to “wa” line is displayed superimposed on the other numeric display area and the alphabet display area, the first character can be displayed on the entire numeric keypad button.

  As shown in FIG. 24, in response to the operation of the alphabet selection button 9, the input character keyboard 3 activates the half-width button 33, activates the alphabet display area of the numeric keypad 4, and “. @” In the highlight state. /: ”,“ ABC ”to“ WXYZ ”are displayed superimposed on other line display areas and numeric display areas, so that English characters can be displayed on the entire numeric keypad button.

  As shown in FIG. 25, the input character keyboard 3 activates the half-width button 33 in response to the operation of the number selection button 10, activates the number display area of the numeric keypad 4, and “0” in the highlight state. Since the numeral “9” is displayed superimposed on the other line display area and the alphabet display area, the numeral can be displayed on the entire numeric keypad button.

  FIG. 26 is a perspective view of an electronic cash register as an information processing apparatus according to the third embodiment. A duplicate description of the same members as those illustrated in FIG. 7 is omitted.

  The electronic cash register 60 is a keyboard icon 2 provided in the upper right corner of the operation panel 1 for displaying a customer master screen that is controlled based on customer data, a customer data management software program, and a character input program read from the main memory by the CPU. An input character keyboard 3 superimposed on the operation panel 1, a customer display 63 provided behind the operation panel 1, a printer 64 provided separately on the left side of the operation panel 1, and provided in front of the printer 64. A receipt issuing port 65, a hand scanner 66 connected to the electronic cash register 60 by wire, a cash drawer 67 for storing cash, and a removable disk 68 for storing electronic information input from the input character keyboard 3 are provided.

  In the illustrated electronic cash register 60, the CPU reads out bitmap information from the main memory by a touch operation of the keyboard icon 2 and displays the input character keyboard 3 in a pop-up on the operation panel 1, and the CPU receives information input from the operator as input characters. It can be received via the keyboard 3 and stored in an internal memory (not shown) or a removable removable disk 68 (for example, an SD card or a CompactFlash (registered trademark) memory).

  FIG. 27 is a perspective view of an electronic cash register whose design has been modified as an information processing apparatus according to the third embodiment. A duplicate description of the same members as those illustrated in FIG. 26 is omitted.

  The electronic cash register 60 is a keyboard icon 2 provided in the upper right corner of the operation panel 1 for displaying a customer master screen that is controlled based on customer data, a customer data management software program, and a character input program read from the main memory by the CPU. An input character keyboard 3 superimposed on the operation panel 1 by an input character keyboard display means by a computer software program, an operator display 62 erected at an angle standing upright with respect to the operation panel 1, A customer display 63 provided behind the operator display 62, a printer 64 built in the left direction of the operation panel 1, a receipt issuing port 65 provided in front of the printer 64, and an electronic cash register 60 are wire-connected to the printer. 64, a hand scanner 66 for placing cash 67, and a removable disk 68 for storing the electronic information which is information input from the input character keyboard 3.

  In the illustrated electronic cash register 60, the CPU reads out bitmap information from the main memory by a touch operation of the keyboard icon 2 and displays the input character keyboard 3 in a pop-up on the operation panel 1, and the CPU receives information input from the operator as input characters. It can be received via the keyboard 3 and stored in an internal memory (not shown) or a removable removable disk 68 (for example, an SD card or a CompactFlash (registered trademark) memory).

  As described above, in the third embodiment, since the activated selection button and the display area in the numeric keypad are displayed in the highlight state, the operator can easily confirm the information input mode.

  Note that the actions and effects described in the embodiments of the present invention only list the most preferable actions and effects resulting from the present invention, and the actions and effects according to the present invention are included in the embodiments of the present invention. It is not limited to what has been described.

The front view of the operation panel used for 1st Embodiment. The front view of the operation panel used for 1st Embodiment. The front view of the operation panel used for 1st Embodiment. The front view of the input character keyboard used for 1st Embodiment. 3 is a flowchart of the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. The figure which shows the operation | movement flow of the information processing apparatus concerning 1st Embodiment. The perspective view of the electronic cash register concerning a 1st embodiment. The block diagram of the electronic cash register concerning a 1st embodiment. The front view of the operation panel used for 1st Embodiment. The front view of the operation panel used for 1st Embodiment. The front view of the operation panel used for 1st Embodiment. The front view of the operation panel used for 1st Embodiment. The front view of the input character keyboard used for 1st Embodiment. The front view of the input character keyboard used for 1st Embodiment. The front view of the input character keyboard used for 1st Embodiment. The front view of the input character keyboard used for 1st Embodiment. The front view of the input character keyboard used for 2nd Embodiment. The front view of the input character keyboard used for 2nd Embodiment. The front view of the input character keyboard used for 2nd Embodiment. The front view of the input character keyboard used for 2nd Embodiment. The front view of the input character keyboard used for 2nd Embodiment. The front view of the input character keyboard used for 3rd Embodiment. The front view of the input character keyboard used for 3rd Embodiment. The front view of the input character keyboard used for 3rd Embodiment. The front view of the input character keyboard used for 3rd Embodiment. The perspective view of the information processing apparatus concerning 3rd Embodiment. The perspective view of the information processing apparatus concerning 3rd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Operation panel, 2 ... Keyboard icon, 3 ... Input character keyboard, 4 ... Numeric keypad button, 7 ... Hiragana selection button, 8 ... Kana selection button, 9 ... Alphabet Selection button, 10 ... number selection button, 11 ... close button, 15 ... character input frame, 16 ... toggle selection button, 20 ... line display area, 21 ... number display area, 22 ... Alphabet display area, 32 ... Full-width button, 33 ... Half-width button 59 Conversion candidate menu bar, 60 ... Electronic cash register

Claims (12)

An operation panel having a touch sensor and a bitmap display operated by an operator;
Displayed on the operation panel, 10 line display areas for displaying the first characters of 10 lines from [A] line to [Wa] line corresponding to 50 kana characters, respectively, [0] to [9] Ten-key display means for displaying a ten-key button having a bitmap display of ten numeric display areas each for displaying numbers and 26 alphabet display areas for respectively displaying 26 alphabets from [A] to [Z];
A first button display means for activating the line display area to shift to the input mode for the kana 50-syllabary character and displaying a hiragana selection button for inactivating the numeric display area and the alphabet display area;
The alphabet display area is activated to shift to an alphabetic input mode corresponding to the number of times the numeric keypad is pressed, and to display an alphabet selection button for inactivating the numeric display area and the line display area. 2 button display means;
A third button display means for activating the number display area to shift to the number input mode and displaying a number selection button for inactivating the line display area and the alphabet display area;
An information processing apparatus comprising:   The line display area is activated, the first character is displayed in katakana, and the input mode of the katakana 50-syllabary character is entered, and a kana selection button for inactivating the numeric display area and the alphabet display area is displayed. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a button display unit.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation panel further includes a fifth button display unit that displays a keyboard icon that pops up an input character keyboard including the numeric keypad buttons.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a closed icon display unit that displays a closed icon that shifts the input character keyboard from the operation panel to a non-display state. An operation panel having a touch sensor and a bitmap display operated by an operator;
Corresponding to 50 kana characters, 10 line display areas for displaying the first 10 characters from line [a] to [wa], 10 for displaying numbers [0] to [9], respectively. A numeric keypad display means for displaying a bitmap of numeric keypad buttons each having an alphabet display area for displaying each of the 26 alphabets from [A] to [Z],
In response to the number of keystrokes, each of the numeric keypad buttons is activated in any one of the line display area, alphabet display area, and numeric display area, and the kana 50 characters, English letters, and numbers in the information input waiting state are activated. Toggle selection button display means for displaying a toggle selection button for displaying any one input mode;
An information processing apparatus comprising: An input keyboard display means for displaying an input character keyboard of a touch sensor system that prompts an operator to input information;
Corresponding to the hiragana 50 syllabary characters, the hiragana selection that displays the first 10 characters from the [A] line to the [Wa] line on the ten numeric keypads, and shifts to the input mode of the 50 hiragana characters First button display means for displaying a button;
A second button for displaying 26 alphabets from [A] to [Z] on the numeric keypad, and displaying an alphabet selection button for inputting one alphabetic character corresponding to the number of times of keystrokes to the numeric keypad. Display means;
Third button display means for displaying numbers selected from [0] to [9] on the ten numeric keypads, and displaying a number selection button for shifting to the number input mode;
An information processing apparatus comprising:   Corresponding to the katakana 50-syllabary characters, the first characters of the 10th line from the [A] line to the [W] line are displayed in enlarged katakana on each of the ten numeric keypad buttons, and the mode is changed to the katakana 50-sound character input mode. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising fourth button display means for displaying a selection button.   The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a character input frame that sequentially displays information input from the numeric keypad button. In response to the operation of the hiragana selection button, the first characters of the tenth line from the [A] line to the [Wa] line are displayed on the ten numeric keypads in correspondence with the hiragana 50 syllabary characters. First button display means for shifting to the input mode;
Responding to the operation of the alphabet selection button, 26 alphabets from [A] to [Z] are displayed on the numeric keypad, respectively, and a transition is made to one English character input mode corresponding to the number of times the numeric keypad is pressed. Second button display means for causing;
In response to the operation of the number selection button, a third button display means for displaying the numbers [0] to [9] on the ten numeric keypads respectively and shifting to the number input mode;
In response to the operation of the kana selection button, the first character of the 10th line from the [A] line to the [W] line is displayed on each of the ten numeric keypad buttons corresponding to the 50 katakana characters, and the 50 katakana characters are displayed. A fourth button display means for shifting to a character input mode;
A product sales data processing device comprising: A touch sensor type character input method that prompts an operator to input information,
In response to the operation of the hiragana selection button, the first characters of the 10th line from the [A] line to the [Wa] line are displayed on the 10 numeric keypads, corresponding to the hiragana 50 syllabary characters, Step to enter,
In response to the operation of the kana selection button, the first character of the 10th line from the [A] line to the [W] line is displayed on each of the ten numeric keypad buttons corresponding to the 50 katakana characters, and the 50 katakana characters are displayed. A step for entering characters,
Responding to the operation of the alphabet selection button, displaying 26 alphabets from [A] to [Z] on the numeric keypad, and inputting one alphabetic character corresponding to the number of times the key is pressed on the numeric keypad; ,
Responding to the operation of the number selection button, displaying numbers from [0] to [9] on the ten numeric keypads, and inputting the numbers;
The character input method characterized by including.   A computer software program for executing the character input method according to claim 10 on an information processing apparatus. A storage medium for storing a computer software program for executing the character input method according to claim 10 on an information processing apparatus.

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