JP2007086971A - Character input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a character input device for inputting Japanese, which is more easily usable even by a person who is familiar with the input method of a portable telephone, and which is suitably applied to a tape printer. <P>SOLUTION: When any undecided character is input by a Japanese syllabary turning key, Japanese syllabary/Chinese character conversion starts for any undecided character string constituted of undecided characters input until that time without depressing a Japanese syllabary/Chinese character conversion key, and some conversion candidates are displayed, and one of those conversion candidates is put in a selected status. In this status, when a digit key arranged at a place different from the place of the Japanese syllabary turning key, and associated with the digit of any of keys 0 to 9 is depressed, a Chinese character is decided in the conversion candidate which is being selected at present, and a digit associated with the depressed key is input. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a character input device capable of inputting Japanese characters, and more particularly to a character input device suitable for application to a tape printer for creating a label.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a small portable device such as a cellular phone, a key input means has a plurality of characters and functions in one key in order to input many characters with a small number of keys and realize functions in order to reduce the size. Assigned. The input method that assigns multiple character types to one key is “A”, “KA”, “SA”, “TA”, “NA”, “HA”, “MA”, “YA”, “RA”, If you press one of the keys marked "Wa" on the key top, each time you press it, for example, the key "A" will be "A" → "I" → "U" → " "E"-> "O"-> "A"-> ..., etc., the display cycles through the range of the 50-sound table row, and when the target character is displayed, another character is displayed on the key top. There is known an input method called “kana turning” for inputting a target character by pressing a confirmation key or a confirmation key.

  Other input methods for assigning multiple character types to one key include character keys that share kana and number keys, and input switching keys that switch between kana and number input. There is known an input method in which a target character is input by pressing a character key after switching whether the character is a kana or a number with an input switching key. As variations of this, there are various types such as those for switching kana and alphabet as input switching, those for switching numbers and alphabet, and those for switching kana, numbers and alphabet. In particular, with respect to a mobile phone, both a method for switching the character type and a kana turning are applied to one key.

  In general, in a character input device capable of Japanese input, in order to input a kanji-kana-mixed sentence, it is converted into kanji by pressing the kanji conversion key after inputting the kana once. ing.

  Also in kana turning input, it is known that after inputting a kana once, it is converted into a kanji by pressing a kanji conversion key (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  On the other hand, a technique is also known in which, while a kana is being input, the input content is automatically identified, and the input device arbitrarily converts the kanji and displays kanji candidates that are expected to be appropriate.

  By the way, a tape printer for creating a label is not often carried around like a mobile phone. For this reason, miniaturization has the advantage of reducing manufacturing costs and installation space, but in the case of a tape printer, extreme miniaturization is not required.

Conventionally, the only Japanese input method for tape printers is to input Roman characters or kana directly.
Japanese Patent No. 3222352

  However, due to the explosive spread of mobile phones in recent years, products compatible with input methods similar to mobile phones are desired for those who are familiar with the input method of mobile phones in tape printers. In that case, the input method corresponding to the extreme miniaturization requirement as in the conventional mobile phone can be used as it is because the number of keys is reduced and many character types and functions are realized. There is a problem that it takes a lot of trouble when trying to execute the target function.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and it is possible to input a target character without taking a lot of time and effort, so that stress can be avoided. It is an object of the present invention to provide a character input device capable of inputting Japanese that is easy to use even for a person familiar with, and is suitable for application to a tape printer.

  In order to achieve the above object, a character input device according to claim 1 is provided with various keys and display means for displaying a character string input with the various keys, and is a character input device capable of inputting Japanese. There are a plurality of keys corresponding to each line of the 50-sound table. When a key corresponding to a predetermined line is pressed among the plurality of keys, the display means circulates the kana characters within the range of the line each time the key is pressed. And pressing the key corresponding to another line different from the predetermined line to determine the kana character being displayed corresponding to the predetermined line, and the next kana character corresponding to the other line Kana turning input means for inputting kana characters by continuing to input, conversion dictionary storage means for storing a kanji conversion dictionary for converting kana characters to kanji, and kana characters by the kana character input means Was entered The kanji conversion means for searching the conversion dictionary storage means for kanji candidates that can be converted from the kana character string composed of the characters input from the kana turn input means; and the kanji candidates searched by the kanji conversion means Candidate display control means for controlling display on the display means, kanji determination means for converting and determining the kana character string into the kanji candidates, and the plurality of keys corresponding to each row of the 50-sound table are arranged separately. And a character input means for inputting a non-kana character other than a kana character, and when the input by the character input means is made, the kana character string is set as the kanji candidate by the kanji determination means. The conversion is finalized and the non-kana characters are input.

  A character input device according to a second aspect is the character input device according to the first aspect, wherein the non-kana characters are numerals.

  The character input device according to claim 3 is the character input device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the candidate display control means displays the kanji candidate at a position different from the kana character string. And

  A character input device according to claim 4 is the character input device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the character input device is applied to a tape printer.

  In the character input device according to claim 1, when a kana character is input by the kana turning input means, the kanji conversion means converts a kanji candidate that can be converted from a kana character string made up of the characters input from the kana turning input means. Search from dictionary storage means. The retrieved Chinese character candidates are displayed on the display means by the candidate display control means. After that, when a non-kana character is input from a key arranged separately from the key arranged for kana turning, a kana character string consisting of characters inputted from the kana turning input means is searched by the kanji determination means. The conversion to a kanji candidate is confirmed, and the non-kana character is input.

  This allows you to display kana conversion candidates for kana character strings by simply inputting kana characters by turning kana characters, without having to perform any special key operations. At the same time, the character type is switched from the kana character to the non-kana character and the non-kana character is input without any special key operation.

  That is, the character input operation is simplified, the target kana character and the non-kana character can be easily input, and the Japanese sentence mixed with kanji can be input quickly.

In the character input device according to claim 2, the non-kana characters are numbers.
Thereby, kana character input and numeric input can be made compatible without any special key operation, the character input operation is simplified, and the desired kana character and numeric can be easily input. This makes it possible to quickly input Japanese sentences containing numbers.

  In the character input device according to claim 3, the kanji conversion candidates are displayed at a position different from the kana character string.

  Thereby, kanji conversion can be performed while confirming a kana character string made up of characters input from the kana turning input means.

  In the character input device according to claim 4, the character input device is applied to a tape printer.

  Thereby, in the tape printer, it becomes possible to quickly input Japanese sentences mixed with kanji including numbers.

  Hereinafter, a tape printer according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings based on a specific embodiment.

  First, a schematic configuration of the tape printer according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic upper external view of the tape printer according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a schematic right side external view thereof.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a keyboard 2 is disposed on the front side of the tape printer 1 according to the present embodiment. The keyboard 2 includes a character input key group 3 in which various character input keys for creating a text composed of document data are applied from the second to the fourth level of the keyboard 2, and the fifth level includes a text input key group 3. Print key 4 for instructing printing, and return key 5 for instructing execution and selection of various processes for confirming kanji as a kanji conversion candidate during line feed command or kana-kanji conversion (in this embodiment, the return key is used as a confirmation key) The cursor key 7 for moving the cursor up and down and left and right on the liquid crystal display (LCD) 6 that displays characters such as characters over a plurality of lines, the next candidate for kanji conversion candidates during kana-kanji conversion The next candidate key 8 for instructing the display of a key and a function key group 9 in which a plurality of function keys for setting various functions such as character size, character modification, and deletion are arranged in the first row. That. The number / kana turning key group 10 that forms part of the character input key group 3 and is arranged in the second and third lines of the keyboard 2 will be described later. In the character input key group 3, numbers, kana, English letters, various symbols, and the like can be input.

  In addition, on the rear side of the tape printer 1, a cassette storage portion 12 for storing a tape cassette 11 (see FIG. 3) described later is disposed so as to be covered with a storage cover 13. A control board 14 that constitutes a control circuit section is disposed below the keyboard 2. In addition, a label discharge port 15 through which a printed tape is discharged is formed on the left side surface portion of the cassette storage unit 12. Further, an adapter insertion port 16 to which a power adapter is attached and a connector 17 to which a USB cable for connection to a personal computer (not shown) is attached are provided on the right side surface portion of the cassette housing portion 12.

  Further, the cassette housing portion 12 has a thermal head 18, a platen roller 19 facing the thermal head 18, a tape feeding roller 20 on the downstream side of the platen roller 19, and the tape feeding roller 20. In addition to the tape drive roller shaft 21 to be arranged, a ribbon take-up shaft 22 for feeding an ink ribbon accommodated in the tape cassette 11 is also arranged.

  The thermal head 18 is a flat plate having a substantially vertically long shape when viewed from the front, and a predetermined number of heating elements (in the present embodiment, 128) are provided on the left end edge of the front surface. It is arranged in a line along. Further, the thermal head 18 is arranged on the left end edge of the front surface of the substantially square heat sink 23 formed of a plated steel plate, a stainless steel plate or the like so that the arrangement direction of the heat generating elements is the side of the left end edge portion of the heat sink 23. It is fixed with an adhesive or the like so as to be parallel to the surface. The heat radiating plate 23 is screwed or the like so that the arrangement direction of the heat generating elements is substantially perpendicular to the transport direction of the print-receiving tape 31 (see FIG. 3) in the opening 30 (see FIG. 3) of the tape cassette 11. Is attached to the lower side of the cassette housing 12.

  Further, the ribbon take-up shaft 22 is rotationally driven via a suitable drive mechanism from a tape feed motor 60 (see FIG. 4) constituted by a stepping motor or the like described later. The tape drive roller shaft 21 is rotationally driven from the tape feed motor 60 (see FIG. 4) via an appropriate transmission mechanism, and rotationally drives a tape drive roller 32 (see FIG. 3) described later.

  Next, a schematic configuration when the tape cassette 11 is mounted in the cassette housing portion 12 of the tape printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view of the tape cassette mounted on the tape printer according to the present embodiment with the cover removed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the tape cassette 11 has a print-receiving tape 31 made of a transparent tape, an ink ribbon 33 for printing on the print-receiving tape 31, and a back-side printing on the print-receiving tape 31 on which printing has been performed. The double-sided adhesive tape 34 is wound around a tape spool 35, a reel 36, and a tape spool 37, respectively, and is rotatably inserted into a cassette boss 38, a reel boss 39, and a cassette boss 40 standing on the bottom surface of the tape cassette. In addition, an ink ribbon take-up reel 41 for taking up the used ink ribbon 33 is provided.

  The unused ink ribbon 33 wound around the reel 36 and pulled out from the reel 36 is overlapped with the print-receiving tape 31 and enters the opening 30 together with the print-receiving tape 31, and the thermal head 18 and the platen roller 19. Pass between. Thereafter, the ink ribbon 33 is separated from the print-receiving tape 31, reaches the ink ribbon take-up reel 41 that is rotationally driven by the ribbon take-up shaft 22, and is taken up by the ink ribbon take-up reel 41.

  The double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape 34 is wound around and stored on a tape spool 37 with the release paper facing outside, with the release paper superimposed on one side. The double-sided adhesive tape 34 drawn out from the tape spool 37 passes between the tape drive roller 32 and the tape feeding roller 20, and the adhesive surface on the side where no release paper is present is attached to the print-receiving tape 31. Worn.

  As a result, the print-receiving tape 31 wound around the tape spool 35 and pulled out from the tape spool 35 passes through the opening 30 in which the thermal head 18 of the tape cassette 11 is inserted. Thereafter, the print-receiving tape 31 to which the double-sided adhesive tape 34 is bonded is rotatably provided at one side lower part (lower left side part in FIG. 3) of the tape cassette 11 and is rotated by receiving the drive of the tape feed motor 60. It passes between the tape drive roller 32 and the tape feed roller 20 disposed opposite to the tape drive roller 32, and is sent out of the tape cassette 11 to the tape discharge port 15 (see FIG. 1), the printing tape 42 is discharged. In this case, the double-sided adhesive tape 34 is pressed against the print-receiving tape 31 by the tape driving roller 32 and the tape feeding roller 20.

  Next, the cutting device 43 that automatically cuts the print-receiving tape 31 to which the double-sided adhesive tape 34 is bonded will be briefly described. A plate-like auxiliary frame 44 is erected immediately inside the main body frame of the tape printer 1 corresponding to the left side of the tape cassette 11, and a fixed blade 45 is fixed to the auxiliary frame 44 upward. A left and right pivot shaft 46 fixed to the auxiliary frame 44 is pivotally supported in the vicinity of the front end of the operation lever 47 extending in the front-rear direction. A movable blade 48 is attached to face the fixed blade 45 at a corresponding portion. Further, the rear end portion of the operation lever 47 is configured to be vertically swingable by a swing drive mechanism (not shown) connected to a cutting motor 61 (see FIG. 4), and the movable blade 48 is always a fixed blade. It is held in a state separated from 45.

  Then, the printing tape 42 printed by the thermal head 18 and bonded with the double-sided adhesive tape 34 passes from the tape cassette 11 between the fixed blade 45 and the movable blade 48 to the outside of the tape discharge port 15 (see FIG. 1). Therefore, the cutting motor 61 driven by the cutting signal causes the rear end of the operation lever 47 to swing up and down via the swing drive mechanism, and the movable blade 48 approaches the fixed blade 45, The printing tape 42 is cut by these double blades 48 and 45.

  By the way, as the print-receiving tape 42 fed out from the tape cassette 11, four types having tape widths of 6 mm, 9 mm, 12 mm, and 18 mm are prepared, and these four types are provided on the bottom wall portion of the tape cassette 11. In order to detect any one of the tape widths, a protruding piece 49 that combines the presence or absence of four protruding claws is provided. A cassette sensor 62 (see FIG. 4) for detecting the tape width from the combination of the protruding claws of the protruding piece 49 is attached to the bottom surface of the cassette housing portion 12 that supports the lower side of the tape cassette 11. . That is, the cassette sensor 62 outputs a cassette signal of “0100” when the tape width is 9 mm, for example, and a cassette of “1100” when the tape width is 18 mm. A signal is output, and when the tape cassette 11 is not loaded, a cassette signal of “0000” is output.

  Next, the circuit configuration of the tape printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the tape printer according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the control circuit unit 63 formed on the control board 14 of the tape printer 1 includes a CPU 64, a CG (character generator) ROM 65, a ROM 66, an EEPROM 67, a RAM 68, and an input / output interface (I / F) 69. And a communication interface (I / F) 70 and the like. The CPU 64, CGROM 65, ROM 66, EEPROM 67, RAM 68, input / output interface (I / F) 69, and communication interface (I / F) 70 are connected to each other via a bus line 71 to exchange data with each other. Done.

  Here, the dot pattern data corresponding to each character is stored in the CGROM 65. The dot pattern data is read from the CGROM 65, and the dot pattern is displayed on the liquid crystal display (LCD) 6 based on the dot pattern data. The

  The ROM 66 stores various programs. The CPU 64 performs various calculations based on various programs stored in the ROM 66.

  In addition, the ROM 66 classifies dot pattern data for printing for each of a large number of characters for printing characters such as alphabet letters and symbols, for each typeface (Gothic typeface, Mincho typeface, etc.). For each typeface, four types of print character sizes (16, 24, 32, and 48 dot sizes) are stored corresponding to the code data. In addition, graphic pattern data for printing a graphic image including gradation expression is also stored.

  A kanji conversion dictionary storage area 66A for storing a kanji conversion dictionary used for kana-kanji conversion is also provided. This kanji conversion dictionary, when given a kana character string, is a kanji character string and a converted character string for kanji conversion that converts kanji only kanji or kanji-kana mixed character strings. Are data associated with each other. In most cases, there are a plurality of idioms or kanji kana-mixed character strings that have the same reading, and therefore a plurality of data are associated with one kana character string as converted data. The kanji conversion dictionary is data in which a kana character string and a converted kanji are associated with each other for single kanji conversion to be converted into one kanji when a kana character string is given. In many cases, too, there are a plurality of kanji characters with the same reading, and therefore a plurality of data are associated with one kana character string as converted data. This kanji conversion dictionary corresponds to a kana character string of one or more characters.

  Further, the ROM 66 reads out the display drive control program for controlling the liquid crystal display controller (LCDC) 72 corresponding to the character code data such as characters and numbers inputted from the keyboard 2 and the data in the print buffer 45A to read the thermal data. Various programs necessary for controlling the tape printer 1 such as a print drive control program for driving the head 18 and the tape feed motor 60 are stored.

  In addition, the EEPROM 67 stores some of the setting values set by the various keys of the function key group 9. The EEPROM 67 stores print data received from an external computer device via the connector 17 (see FIG. 2), dot pattern data of various symbol data, etc. with a registration number, and the tape printer 1 These stored contents are retained even when the power is turned off.

  The RAM 68 is for temporarily storing various calculation results calculated by the CPU 64. The RAM 68 is provided with various memory areas such as a print buffer 68A, an edit input area 68B, a display image buffer 68C, and a work area 68D. In this print buffer 68A, dot patterns for printing such as a plurality of characters and symbols, the number of applied pulses that are the amount of energy for forming each dot, and the like are stored as dot pattern data, and the thermal head 18 is stored in the print buffer 68A. Dot printing is performed according to the dot pattern data. In the edit input area 68B, edit text as label data such as document data input from the keyboard 2 is stored. The display image buffer 68C stores graphic data displayed on the liquid crystal display 6 and the like.

  The input / output I / F 69 drives the keyboard 2, cassette sensor 62, display controller (LCDC) 72 having a video RAM for outputting display data to the liquid crystal display (LCD) 6, and the thermal head 18. A driving circuit 73 for driving the tape feeding motor 60, a driving circuit 74 for driving the cutting motor 61, and a driving circuit 75 for driving the cutting motor 61 are respectively connected.

  In addition, the communication I / F 70 is configured by, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) or the like, and is connected to an external computer device by a USB cable or the like to enable bidirectional data communication.

  Therefore, when characters or the like are input via the character keys of the keyboard 2, the text (document data) is sequentially stored in the edit input area 68B, and based on the dot pattern generation control program and the display drive control program. A dot pattern corresponding to a character or the like input via the keyboard 2 is displayed on a liquid crystal display (LCD) 6. The thermal head 18 is driven via the drive circuit 73 to print the dot pattern data stored in the print buffer area 68A. In synchronization with this, the tape feed motor 60 feeds the tape via the drive circuit 74. Control is performed. Also, the edit input area 68B sequentially stores print data input from an external computer device via the communication I / F 70, and is stored as dot pattern data in the print buffer area 68A based on a dot pattern generation control program. Then, printing is performed on the print-receiving tape 31 through the thermal head 18.

  Next, the display screen displayed on the LCD 6 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is an example of a typical display screen in an unconfirmed state with an unconfirmed character string. As shown in FIG. 5, it is composed of two lines, and it is possible to display 8 characters in full-width each. The first line is a conversion candidate display screen 80 on which kanji conversion candidates for kana-kanji conversion are displayed, and the second line is an edit display screen 81 on which the input and edited character string is displayed.

  Currently, “conference room” is displayed in reverse on the conversion candidate display screen 80, and subsequently “Kaigi Shitsu” is displayed in black characters on a plain white color, and is displayed on the edit display screen 81. Is a half-width character “1:” being displayed in a normal display, followed by “Kaigi Shitsu” being reversed and displayed as a full-width character. A cursor is displayed under “T”. The tape printer 1 can input a document consisting of a plurality of lines, but “1:” indicates that the first line is displayed. The subsequent reverse display of “Kaigitsutsu” indicates that an unconfirmed character string “Kaigitsutsu” has been input. “Conference room” and “Kaigi Shitsu” in reverse display displayed on the conversion candidate display screen 80 are 2 as conversion candidates when converting “Kaigi Shitsu” displayed on the edit display screen 81 to Kana-Kanji. It shows that there is a phrase “meeting room” and “kaigitsu” when it is not converted.

  Next, a screen display in a confirmed state with no unconfirmed character string will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, nothing is displayed on the first line, and the second line displays “1:” half-width characters in the normal display, followed by “conference room 3” in full-width characters. . A cursor is displayed in the digit next to “3”. “1:” indicates that the tape printer 1 can input a document consisting of a plurality of lines, but displays the first line as described above. The subsequent “conference room 3” represents that the character string “conference room 3” in the finalized state is input. The cursor is operated on the character string based on the position. When the character is in a confirmed state with no unconfirmed characters as shown in FIG. 5, kana-kanji conversion is not performed, and therefore there is no conversion candidate displayed on the conversion candidate display screen 80 in the first line.

  Next, the number / kana turning key group 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 6, and an outline of the operation when the number key and the kana turning key are pressed will be described. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a key arrangement of each numeric key and kana turning key in the number / kana turning key group 10 occupying the second and third lines of the keyboard 2.

  As shown in FIG. 6, 10 keys are arranged in a row in the upper row, numbers 1 to 9 and 0 are written on the key top, and an independent key is assigned to each number ( Hereinafter referred to as numeric keys).

  On the other hand, in the lower row, 11 keys are arranged in a row, and “a”, “ka”, “sa”, “ta”, “ ”,“ Ha ”,“ ma ”,“ ya ”,“ ra ”,“ wa ”, and other keys, and“ key ”. In the case of a key in which a kana character is written, when one of the keys is pressed, for example, if the key is “A”, “A” → “I” → “U” → “E” → Keys with other characters written on the key top when the target character is displayed, such as “O” → “A” → ... A target character is input by pressing the return key 5. This input method is called “kana turning”. Therefore, “a”, “ka”, “sa”, “ta”, “na”, “ha”, “ma”, “ya”, “ra”, and “wa” are called kana turning keys.

""-"Represents a muddy point, a semi-daku, and a long sound. Each time this key is also pressed, the display cycles through “”, “°”, “-”, “”, and so on. For example, if “゛” is input after “ka”, “ga” is input instead of the input “ka”. In addition, since the dakuten and the semi-turbid point are attached only to a specific character, after the character that does not have a semi-turbid point but may have a dakuten, """→"-"→""" → ... A circle is displayed with “°” removed. In addition, after a character that does not have a dakuten or semi-dakuten, the display changes at first glance as “-” → “-” →. These “゛” are essential for Japanese input, so they may be included in the kana turning key in a broad sense. As another embodiment, the “゛” key may include a punctuation mark or a reading mark. At that time, the keys including them become kana turning keys in a broad sense.
However, in this embodiment, only the “a” key, “ka” key,..., “Wa” key are used as kana turning keys, and the “°°” key is not included in the kana turning keys. .

  In the case of a number key, a number corresponding to the pressed key is input as a confirmed character. On the other hand, in the case of the kana turning key, simply pressing one of the keys does not determine the input kana character only by changing the candidate for the kana character. In this state, if any other kana turn key is pressed, the kana character corresponding to the previously pressed key is temporarily displayed on the kana character displayed when another kana turn key is pressed later. The character is determined. At the same time, candidates for kana characters corresponding to the kana turning key pressed later are displayed. At this time, both the kana character input corresponding to the key pressed earlier and the kana character input corresponding to the key pressed later are unconfirmed characters. Incidentally, although there is no difference between the two unconfirmed characters, the kana character input corresponding to the previously pressed key is not a display as a candidate for the kana character but a determined value. In this way, although it is an unconfirmed character, the confirmation of the value is referred to as “provisionally confirmed”, and the temporarily confirmed character is referred to as a provisionally confirmed character.

  In order to provisionally confirm the displayed kana character candidates, there is another method of pressing a provisional confirmation key (not shown). For example, if you want to enter “Kaki”, press the “ka” key to enter the first “ka” and then press the “ka” key to enter the next “ki”. "" Changes to "ki" and the second character is not entered. In such a case, it is used to temporarily determine the first character as “ka”. “Kaki” can be input by pressing the “ka” key once, pressing the temporary confirmation key once, and pressing the “ka” key twice. Since “Kaki” in this case are both unconfirmed characters, they are called unconfirmed character strings.

  In the example of “Kaki”, the second character “Kiki” was in a state before provisional confirmation. The undetermined character string “Kaki” is subject to Kanji conversion.

  As a temporary determination of the displayed kana character candidate, a method of moving the cursor position in the unconfirmed character string by further pressing the left cursor key or the right cursor key among the cursor keys 7 There is also. While the undetermined character string is displayed, the cursor can move only within the range of the undetermined character string. However, if the cursor is at the position of the last character of the unconfirmed character string, it can be moved to the right one (hereinafter the same). The cursor position of the newly moved destination becomes the input position of the next character to be input.

  Next, referring again to FIGS. 5 and 13, the operation during kana-kanji conversion (unconfirmed state) and the operation in the confirmed state with only the confirmed characters and no unconfirmed characters will be described in detail.

  In FIG. 5, an unconfirmed character string “Kaigi Shitsu” is displayed on the edit display screen 81, and “Conference Room” and “Kaigi Shitsu” are displayed as conversion candidates on the conversion candidate display screen 80. Has been. Currently, “Conference Room” is highlighted to indicate that it is selected. When the next candidate key 8 is pressed in this state, the conversion candidate “conference room” on the conversion candidate display screen 80 is displayed in a normal display, and the conversion candidate “Kaigitsutsu” is displayed in reverse. Further, when the next candidate key 8 is pressed, the “conference room” is reversed again, and “Kaigi Shitsu” returns to the normal state. Further, even if a previous candidate key (not shown) is pressed from the state displayed on the conversion candidate display screen 80 in FIG. 5, the selection of the conversion candidate is changed, and “conference room” is changed to a normal display. "Is highlighted. When a previous candidate key (not shown) is further pressed, the “conference room” is reversed again, and “Kaigitsutsu” returns to the normal state.

  In this example, “Kaigi Shitsu” has only two conversion candidates “Conference Room” and “Kaigi Shitsu”, but when there are more conversion candidates, only the amount that can be displayed at one time is the conversion candidate display screen 80. By pressing the next candidate key 80 or a previous candidate key (not shown), the next conversion candidate is selected or the previous conversion candidate is selected, and the current candidate is gradually displayed. It operates to display conversion candidates that are not currently displayed instead of conversion candidates. When the next candidate key 80 or a previous candidate key (not shown) is pressed several times, the conversion candidate in the selected state is configured to circulate.

  As described above, the kanji conversion dictionary stored in the kanji conversion dictionary storage area 66A includes idiom conversion data and single kanji conversion data. For this reason, conversion candidates corresponding to unconfirmed character strings include those that are searched from data for idiom conversion and those that are searched from data for single kanji conversion. Depending on the undetermined character string, only one of the conversion candidates may correspond, but a corresponding one may be found from both.

  Next, as described above, when the right cursor key among the cursor keys 7 is pressed, the cursor moves to the right in the range of the unconfirmed character string “Kaigi Shitsu”. If the cursor is at the position of “T” and the right cursor key is pressed, it is possible to move one to the right. When the left cursor key is pressed, the cursor moves to the left in the range of the unconfirmed character string “Kaigitsutsu”. At this time, if there is a character in a state before temporary confirmation that becomes a circular display when the kana turning key is pressed, it is provisionally confirmed.

  Next, when the return key 5 is pressed in the state shown in FIG. 5, the unconfirmed character string on the edit display screen 81 is replaced with the currently selected conversion candidate. Since the replaced character is displayed as a fixed character, the reverse display disappears and a normal display is obtained. At that time, the conversion candidate display screen 80 is in a state where no characters are displayed. In the example of FIG. 5, nothing is displayed on the upper part of the LCD 6, and the half-width character “1:” and the full-width character “Conference Room” are both displayed in black characters on a normal white background, and the cursor Is positioned to the right of the last character “room” of the replaced character string. In this way, the fact that an unconfirmed character string is replaced with a kanji character to enter a definite state is called kanji character confirmation. Note that the cursor moves to the right of the last character of the replaced character string when the kanji character is determined, regardless of where the cursor is positioned before the kanji character is determined.

  Next, an operation when the numeric key described above is pressed in the state shown in FIG. 5 will be described. This case is similar to when the return key 5 is pressed. For example, when the “3” key is pressed as a numeric key, as shown in FIG. 13, nothing is displayed on the upper part of the LCD 6, and the half-width character “1:” is displayed in the lower part, followed by the full-width character “ Both of the conference rooms 3 ”are displayed in black characters on a normal white background, and are positioned to the right of the last character“ 3 ”.

  This is exactly the same as when the return key 5 is pressed in the state of FIG. 5 and then the “3” key is pressed. As described above, pressing a numeric key has a function of confirming an unconfirmed character string while replacing it with a conversion candidate, and a function of inputting a number indicated by the pressed numeric key itself.

  When a symbol is input, the operation is the same as when a numeric key is pressed. Also, when an alphabetic character is entered, if it is in the Roman character input mode, it is entered as an indeterminate character according to when the kana turning key is pressed, but if it is in the alphabetic input mode, the number key is pressed. Operates in the same way as time.

  Up to this point, the description has been made when there is an unconfirmed character on the edit display screen 81 (unconfirmed state), but the case where there is no unconfirmed character (confirmed state) will be described using the example of the screen display of FIG. To do. As described above, nothing is displayed on the first line as shown in FIG. 13, and the second line is “Normal” in the normal display, followed by “Conference Room 3” in half-width characters. Is displayed. A cursor is displayed in the digit next to “3”.

  In the state shown in FIG. 13, when the right cursor key is pressed among the cursor keys 7, the cursor position is moved to the right by one. However, since it is currently located at the far right of the movable positions, no further movement is possible. When the left cursor key is pressed, the cursor position is moved to the left by one.

  Next, when the input sentence extends over a plurality of lines, it is effective to press the upper cursor key and the lower cursor key among the cursor keys 7, and one line displayed on the edit display screen 81 at the lower part of the LCD 6. Each time the display is pressed, it is switched line by line. Accordingly, the display of the number of lines currently set to “1:” also changes to the corresponding line number.

  Next, when the kana turning key is pressed in the state shown in FIG. 13, the edit display screen 81 on the lower part of the LCD 6 is mixed with the confirmed character string that has been input so far, and is positioned at the position indicated by the cursor. The kana characters corresponding to the pressed kana turning key are displayed in reverse video. At that time, the cursor is at the position of the kana character being highlighted. Further, on the conversion candidate display screen 80 in the upper part of the LCD 6, characters as conversion candidates are displayed, and one of them is highlighted and is in a selected state. That is, the screen display in the unconfirmed state described in FIG.

  Next, when the number key is pressed in the state shown in FIG. 13, the number corresponding to the number key is added to the cursor position in the confirmed state. The cursor moves one position to the right.

  Pressing the return key 5 results in a line feed. Also, pressing the next candidate key 8 or a previous candidate key (not shown) is invalid.

  When a symbol is input, the operation is the same as when a numeric key is pressed. In addition, when an alphabetic character is entered, if it is in the Roman character input mode that inputs a kana character while converting it into a Roman character, it will be entered as an unconfirmed character according to when the kana turning key is pressed. In the case of the alphabet input mode, the same operation as when the numeric key is pressed is performed.

Next, the operation flow of the tape printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 7 is a main flowchart showing the overall processing of the tape printer according to this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 7, first, in step (hereinafter abbreviated as S) 1, the CPU 64 of the tape printer 1 performs an initialization process at the time of activation. In the initialization process, the print buffer 68A and edit input area 68B of the RAM 68 are cleared, the work area 68D is set to a predetermined set value stored in the ROM 66 or the EEPROM 67, and the display image buffer 68C is input accepting character input. A display image on the screen is displayed on the LCD 6. Incidentally, the display of the input reception screen at this time is a state where the input character string “conference room 3” is not entered from the screen display shown in FIG. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S2, and key input from the keyboard 2 is accepted. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S3. In S3, the kana turning keys (“A”, “K”, “SA”, “TA”, “NA”, “HA”, “MA”, “YA”, “RA”, “WA” keys are selected in S2. It is determined whether (any) is pressed. When pressed (S3: YES), the process proceeds to S4. When not pressed (S3: NO), the process proceeds to S9.

  In S4, kana input processing by kana turning is performed. Specifically, as described above, whether or not the kana turning key is pressed in a state where there is no unconfirmed character, whether there is an unconfirmed character before provisional confirmation, how many times it is if it is continuously pressed, etc. In response to this, any character on the line corresponding to the character described on the key top is acquired. In addition, the CPU 64 determines the type of key that has been pressed, the number of times the key has been pressed continuously, the acquired character, an unconfirmed character string that includes an unconfirmed character that has been input, the cursor position within the unconfirmed character string, and the like. Update / management of various information related to kana turning and unconfirmed character input is performed using the work area 68D of the RAM 68.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to S5. In S5, the display of the lower display of the LCD 6 and the edit display screen 81 is updated. The confirmed character string is managed in the edit input area 68B of the RAM 68. Similarly to this, various information regarding the unconfirmed character string managed in the work area 68D of the RAM 68 and the display target on the edit display screen 81 are used. The image of the area corresponding to the edit display screen 81 of the display image buffer 68C of the RAM 68 is updated from the number of lines and the like. Then, the updated image is displayed again on the LCD 6.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to S6 to perform kanji conversion processing. Specifically, the Chinese character conversion dictionary corresponding to the unconfirmed character string managed in the work area 68D of the RAM 68 is searched for and read out from the Chinese character conversion dictionary storage area 66A of the ROM 66. Various information for searching the Kanji conversion dictionary and various information for displaying conversion candidates (for example, the number of conversion candidates, which conversion candidate is selected, etc.) are also stored in the work area 68D of the RAM 68. It is managed.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to S7. Here, the display update of the conversion candidate display screen 80 in the upper part of the LCD 6 is performed. Specifically, the conversion candidates of the display image buffer 68C of the RAM 68 are displayed so as to display the kanji conversion candidates searched in S6 based on various information for displaying the conversion candidates managed in the work area 68D of the RAM 68. The image of the area corresponding to the display screen 80 is updated. Then, the updated image is displayed again on the LCD 6. Next, the process proceeds to S8. Here, it is determined whether or not the processing is terminated as a result of determining that a power key (not shown) has been pressed in other processing (S17) described later. When the process is to be ended (S8: YES), the tape printer 1 is turned off to end the process. When the process is not completed (S8: NO), the process proceeds to S2.

  Next, a description will be given of S9 that is shifted to when it is determined in S3 that the key is not a kana turning key (S3: NO). In S9, it is determined whether a previous candidate key or a next candidate key 8 (not shown) has been pressed. When the previous candidate key or the next candidate key 8 (not shown) is pressed (S9: YES), the process proceeds to S10, and when not pressed (S9: NO), the process proceeds to S11. In S10, the Kanji conversion dictionary stored in the Kanji conversion dictionary storage area 66A of the ROM 66 is searched again according to whether it is the previous candidate or the next candidate, and a new conversion candidate is read out. At that time, various information for searching the kanji conversion dictionary managed in the work area 68D of the RAM 68, various information for displaying conversion candidates (for example, the number of conversion candidates, which conversion candidate is selected, Etc.) is also updated. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S7.

  Next, a description will be given of S11 that is shifted when it is determined that the previous candidate key or the next candidate key 8 (not shown) is not pressed in S9 (S9: NO). In S11, it is determined whether or not a numeric key (1 key, 2 key,..., 9 key, 0 key) is pressed. When the number key is pressed (S11: YES), the process proceeds to S12. When the number key is not pressed (S12: NO), the process proceeds to S15. In S12, kanji determination processing is performed. That is, the edit input area 68B of the RAM 68 is updated so that the currently selected Chinese character candidate is inserted or added at the cursor position of the confirmed character string, and the kana turning and unconfirmed characters managed in the work area 68D of the RAM 68 are updated. Various information related to input, various information for searching the kanji conversion dictionary, various information for displaying conversion candidates, and the like are cleared. If the state when the numeric key is pressed is a confirmed state with no unconfirmed character string, nothing is done in S12.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to S13. In S13, numeric input processing is performed. Specifically, the edit input area 68B of the RAM 68 is updated so that a number corresponding to the pressed number key is inserted or added at the cursor position of the confirmed character string. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S14. Here, the display update of the conversion candidate display screen 80 in the upper part of the LCD 6 and the display update of the lower part of the LCD 6 and the edit display screen 81 are performed.

  More specifically, the conversion candidate display screen 80 of the display image buffer 68C of the RAM 68 displays no kanji conversion candidates based on various information for displaying the conversion candidates managed in the work area 68D of the RAM 68. Update the image in the corresponding area. In addition, various information related to the confirmed character string managed in the edit input area 68B of the RAM 68, various information related to the unconfirmed character string managed in the work area 68D of the RAM 68, and display targets on the edit display screen 81 are displayed. The image of the area corresponding to the edit display screen 81 of the display image buffer 68C of the RAM 68 is updated from the number of lines and the like. Then, the updated image is displayed again on the LCD 6. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S8.

  Next, S15 which is shifted to S11 when it is determined that the numeric key has not been pressed (S11: NO) will be described. Here, it is determined whether or not the return key 5 which is a key for determining the Chinese character is pressed. When the return key 5 is pressed (S15: YES), the process proceeds to S16. When the return key 5 is not pressed (S15: NO), the process proceeds to S17. In S16, kanji determination processing is performed. That is, the edit input area 68B of the RAM 68 is updated so that the currently selected Chinese character candidate is inserted or added at the cursor position of the confirmed character string, and the kana turning and unconfirmed characters managed in the work area 68D of the RAM 68 are updated. Various information related to input, various information for searching the kanji conversion dictionary, various information for displaying conversion candidates, and the like are cleared. When the return key 5 is pressed in a confirmed state where there is no unconfirmed character string, a line feed process is performed instead of the kanji confirmation process in S16. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S14.

  Next, description will be made on S17 which is shifted to the case where the return key 5 which is a key for confirming kanji in S15 is not pressed (S15: NO). Here, processing is performed except when the kana turning key, previous candidate key, next candidate key 8, numeric key, and return key 5 are pressed. For example, when a power key (not shown) is pressed, processing is performed here. In this case, it is determined whether the power key is pressed, and a power OFF flag is set in the work area 68D of the RAM 68 so that determination can be made in S8. Also, a cursor movement process when the cursor key 7 is pressed, a printing process when the print key 4 is pressed, and various processes when a key related to the function key group 9 is pressed are performed here. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S8.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 8 to 13, transition of screen display accompanying key operation will be described regarding kana-kanji conversion. Meanwhile, reference is also made to the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 8 shows a screen displayed on the LCD 6 when no character input has been made yet immediately after the initialization process of S1 and one “K” key of the kana turning key is pressed in the key input of S2. It is a figure. When the “ka” key is pressed, it is determined whether the key is a kana turning key in S3.

  Since the “ka” key is a kana turning key (S3: YES), a kana turning input process is performed in S4. Since the “ka” key is pressed for the first time this time, the input character is determined to be “ka”. In S5, “ka” is highlighted as an undetermined character string on the lower display of the LCD 6 and the edit display screen 81. Next, in S6, in order to perform kana-kanji conversion using the undetermined character string “ka”, a conversion candidate is searched in the kanji conversion dictionary stored in the kanji conversion dictionary storage area 66A of the ROM 66. In this case, “convert”, “section”, “family”, “mosquito”, “possible”, “house”, “over”, and “below” are searched as displayable conversion candidates. Next, in S7, the conversion candidates searched in S6 are displayed on the upper display of the LCD 6, on the conversion candidate display screen 80. At that time, the first “ized” is displayed in reverse as it is selected. Since it is not determined to end in S8 (S8: NO), the process proceeds to S2 again.

  Next, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a screen when the “A” key is pressed twice after the “KA” key shown in FIG. 8 is pressed. First, when the “A” key is pressed once in S2, it is determined whether or not it is a kana turning key in S3. Since the “A” key is a kana turning key (S3: YES), a kana turning input process is performed in S4. Since the “A” key is pressed for the first time this time, “A” is determined as the input character. In S5, “Ka” is highlighted and displayed as an undetermined character string on the edit display screen 81 in the lower part of the LCD 6. Next, in S6, a conversion candidate is searched with the kanji conversion dictionary stored in the kanji conversion dictionary storage area 66A of the ROM 66 in order to perform kana-kanji conversion using the undetermined character string “ka”. Some search candidates are searched in the same manner as described above, and are displayed on the conversion candidate display screen 80 in the upper part of the LCD 6 in S7. Since it is not determined to end in S8 (S8: NO), the process proceeds to S2 again.

  When the “A” key is pressed again in S2, it is determined in S3 whether the key is a kana turning key. Since the “A” key is a kana turning key (S3: YES), a kana turning input process is performed in S4. Since the “A” key is the second time this time, it is determined that the input character is “Yes”. In S5, “KA” is displayed in reverse as an undetermined character string in place of “KA” on the lower display of the LCD 6 and the edit display screen 81. Next, in S6, a conversion candidate is searched with the kanji conversion dictionary stored in the kanji conversion dictionary storage area 66A of the ROM 66 in order to perform kana-kanji conversion using the unconfirmed character string “KAI”. This time, “Meeting”, “Shell”, “Subordinate”, “Time”, “Open”, and “Buy” were searched as displayable conversion candidates. Next, in S7, the conversion candidates searched in S6 are displayed on the upper display of the LCD 6, on the conversion candidate display screen 80. At that time, the first “meeting” is highlighted and displayed as being selected. FIG. 9 shows this state. Since it is not determined to end in S8 (S8: NO), the process proceeds to S2 again.

  Next, FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen when the “ka” key is pressed twice and the “°” key is pressed after the “a” key shown in FIG. 9 is pressed twice. First, when the “ka” key is pressed once in S2, it is determined whether it is a kana turning key in S3. Since the “ka” key is a kana turning key (S3: YES), a kana turning input process is performed in S4. Since it is another key that was pressed before the “ka” key was pressed, the “ka” key is the first key press, and the input character is determined as “ka”. In S5, “Kaika” is highlighted and displayed as an undetermined character string on the edit display screen 81 in the lower part of the LCD 6. Next, in S6, a conversion candidate is searched with the kanji conversion dictionary stored in the kanji conversion dictionary storage area 66A of the ROM 66 in order to perform kana-kanji conversion using the unconfirmed character string “Kakaika”. Some search candidates are searched in the same manner as described above, and are displayed on the conversion candidate display screen 80 in the upper part of the LCD 6 in S7. Since it is not determined to end in S8 (S8: NO), the process proceeds to S2 again.

  When the “ka” key is pressed again in S2, it is determined whether the key is a kana turning key in S3. Since the “ka” key is a kana turning key (S3: YES), a kana turning input process is performed in S4. Since the “ka” key is the second time this time, the input character is determined to be “ki”. In S5, “Kai-Kai” is displayed in reverse as an undetermined character string in place of “Kaika” on the lower display of the LCD 6 and the edit display screen 81. Next, in S6, a conversion candidate is searched for in the kanji conversion dictionary stored in the kanji conversion dictionary storage area 66A of the ROM 66 in order to perform kana-kanji conversion using the unconfirmed character string “KAIKI”. Some search candidates are searched as described above. Next, in S7, the conversion candidates searched in S6 are displayed on the upper display of the LCD 6, on the conversion candidate display screen 80. Since it is not determined to end in S8 (S8: NO), the process proceeds to S2 again.

  When the “°” key is pressed, it is determined whether the key is a kana turning key in S3. Since the “゛” key is not a kana turning key (S3: NO), the process proceeds to S9. In S9, it is determined whether or not the previous candidate key or the next candidate key 8 is not shown. Since it is neither of them (S9: NO), it transfers to S11. In S11, it is determined whether it is a numeric key. Since it is not a numerical key (S11: NO), it transfers to S15. In S15, it is determined whether or not the return key 5 is a confirmation key. Since it is neither the return key 5 (S15: NO), the process proceeds to S17.

  S17 is other processing. Among these, it is determined as the “゛” key, and processing similar to the kana turning key is performed. The input by this key also changes by cycling between “「 ”,“ ° ”, and“ − ”written on the key top. Since it is the first press this time, it is determined to be “”. In the lower part of the LCD 6, “Kai-ki” is highlighted as an undetermined character string on the edit display screen 81, but “ki” at the end of this character and “” inputted this time are combined to become “gi”, The edit display screen 81 is “KAIGI”. Next, in order to perform kana-kanji conversion using the undetermined character string “Kaigi”, conversion candidates are searched using the kanji conversion dictionary stored in the kanji conversion dictionary storage area 66A of the ROM 66. This time, “conference”, “skepticism”, “marine technique”, and “pleasant skill” are searched as displayable conversion candidates. Next, the currently searched conversion candidate is displayed on the conversion candidate display screen 80 in the upper part of the LCD 6. At that time, the first “conference” is displayed in reverse video as being selected. This state is shown in FIG. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S8. Since it is not determined to end in S8 (S8: NO), the process proceeds to S2 again.

  Next, FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a screen when the “sa” key is pressed twice after the “ka” key is pressed twice and the “°” key shown in FIG. First, when the “sa” key is pressed once in S2, it is determined whether or not it is a kana turning key in S3. Since the “sa” key is a kana turning key (S3: YES), a kana turning input process is performed in S4. Since a different key was pressed before the “sa” key was pressed, the “sa” key was pressed for the first time, and the input character is determined to be “sa”. In S5, “Kaigisa” is highlighted as an undetermined character string on the lower display of the LCD 6 and the edit display screen 81. Next, in S6, a conversion candidate is searched for in the kanji conversion dictionary stored in the kanji conversion dictionary storage area 66A of the ROM 66 in order to perform kana-kanji conversion using the undetermined character string “KAIGISA”. Some search candidates are searched in the same manner as described above, and are displayed on the conversion candidate display screen 80 in the upper part of the LCD 6 in S7. Since it is not determined to end in S8 (S8: NO), the process proceeds to S2 again.

  When the “sa” key is pressed again in S2, it is determined in S3 whether the key is a kana turning key. Since the “sa” key is a kana turning key (S3: YES), a kana turning input process is performed in S4. Since the “sa” key is the second time this time, the input character is determined to be “shi”. In S5, the lower display of the LCD 6 and the editing display screen 81 are displayed with “KAIGISHI” highlighted as an undetermined character string instead of “KAIGISA”. Next, in S6, a conversion candidate is searched for in the kanji conversion dictionary stored in the kanji conversion dictionary storage area 66A of the ROM 66 in order to perform kana-kanji conversion using the unconfirmed character string “KAIGISHI”. This time, “skeptical” and “conference” are searched as displayable conversion candidates. Next, in S7, the conversion candidates searched in S6 are displayed on the upper display of the LCD 6, on the conversion candidate display screen 80. At that time, the first “skeptical” is displayed in reverse video as being selected. FIG. 11 shows this state. Since it is not determined to end in S8 (S8: NO), the process proceeds to S2 again.

  Next, FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a screen when the “ta” key is pressed three times after the “sa” key shown in FIG. 11 is pressed twice. First, when the “ta” key is pressed once in S2, it is determined whether or not it is a kana turning key in S3. Since the “ta” key is a kana turning key (S3: YES), a kana turning input process is performed in S4. Since a different key was pressed before the “ta” key was pressed, the “ta” key was pressed for the first time, and “ta” was determined as the input character. In S5, “Kaigi” is highlighted as an undetermined character string on the lower display of the LCD 6 and the edit display screen 81. Next, in S6, a conversion candidate is searched for in the kanji conversion dictionary stored in the kanji conversion dictionary storage area 66A of the ROM 66 in order to perform kana-kanji conversion using the unconfirmed character string “Kaigi”. Some search candidates are searched in the same manner as described above, and are displayed on the conversion candidate display screen 80 in the upper part of the LCD 6 in S7. Since it is not determined to end in S8 (S8: NO), the process proceeds to S2 again.

  When the “ta” key is pressed again in S2, it is determined in S3 whether the key is a kana turning key. Since the “ta” key is a kana turning key (S3: YES), a kana turning input process is performed in S4. Since the “ta” key is the second time this time, the input character is determined to be “chi”. In S5, “Kaigi Shichi” is displayed in reverse as an undetermined character string on the edit display screen 81 in the lower part of the LCD 6 in place of “Kaigi”. Next, in S6, a conversion candidate is searched with the kanji conversion dictionary stored in the kanji conversion dictionary storage area 66A of the ROM 66 in order to perform kana-kanji conversion using the unconfirmed character string “Kaigi Shichi”. Some search candidates are searched in the same manner as described above, and are displayed on the conversion candidate display screen 80 in the upper part of the LCD 6 in S7. Since it is not determined to end in S8 (S8: NO), the process proceeds to S2 again.

  When the “ta” key is pressed again in S2, it is determined in S3 whether the key is a kana turning key. Since the “ta” key is a kana turning key (S3: YES), a kana turning input process is performed in S4. Since the “TA” key is the third time this time, the input character is determined to be “TSU”. In S5, “Kaigi Shitsu” is highlighted on the editing display screen 81 in the lower part of the LCD 6 as an unconfirmed character string instead of “Kaigi Shichi”. Next, in S6, a conversion candidate is searched for in the kanji conversion dictionary stored in the kanji conversion dictionary storage area 66A of the ROM 66 in order to perform kana-kanji conversion using the unconfirmed character string “Kaigi Shitsu”. This time, “Conference Room” and “Kaigi Shitsu” were searched as displayable conversion candidates. Next, in S7, the conversion candidates searched in S6 are displayed on the upper display of the LCD 6, on the conversion candidate display screen 80. At that time, the first “conference room” is displayed in reverse video as being selected. This state is shown in FIG. Since it is not determined to end in S8 (S8: NO), the process proceeds to S2 again.

  Next, FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a screen when the “3” key is pressed after the “TA” key shown in FIG. 12 is pressed three times. First, when the “3” key is pressed once in S2, it is determined whether or not it is a kana turning key in S3. Since the “3” key is not a kana turning key (S3: NO), the process proceeds to S9. In S9, it is determined whether any of the previous candidate key (not shown) or the next candidate key 8 is pressed. Since it is not those keys (S9: NO), it transfers to S11. In S11, it is determined whether the key is a numeric key. Since the “3” key is a numeric key (S11: YES), the process proceeds to S12. In S12, the unconfirmed character string “Kaigi Shitsu” is confirmed as a conversion candidate in the “conference room” in the selected state, and “conference room” is a confirmed character string managed in the edit input area 68B of the RAM 68. Added / inserted at the cursor position. The input state is also a confirmed state with no undetermined characters.

  Since the series of processes starting from FIG. 8 is input from a state in which there is no confirmed character string, “conference room” is currently stored in the edit input area 68B as the confirmed character string. Next, the process proceeds to S13, where “3” corresponding to the pressed “3” key is inputted as a confirmed character, and the confirmed character string “meeting room” managed in the edit input area 68B of the RAM 68 is entered. The character string added and confirmed later is “conference room 3”. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S14. In S14, a screen display in a confirmed state without an undetermined character string is performed. Specifically, nothing is displayed on the upper display of the LCD 6 and the conversion candidate display screen 80, and “conference room 3” is displayed on the lower display of the LCD 6 and “1:” indicating the line number, following the line number. The cursor is displayed in the digit to the right of “3”. The above is the description of FIG.

  The LCD 6 corresponds to display means. The kana turning keys of the “a” key, “ka” key, “sa” key,..., “Wa” key and the CPU 64 that executes S2, S3, and S4 of FIG. The kanji conversion dictionary storage area 66A of the ROM 66 corresponds to the conversion dictionary storage means. CPU64 which performs S6 of FIG. 7 is equivalent to a Chinese character conversion means. The CPU 64 that displays the conversion candidates on the conversion candidate display screen 80 of the LCD 6 in S7 and S14 of FIG. 7 corresponds to the candidate display control means. CPU64 which performs S12 and S16 of FIG. 7 is equivalent to a Chinese character determination means. The numeric keys 0 to 9 and the CPU 64 that executes S2, S11, and S13 correspond to the character input means.

  The above is the description of the tape printer in the present embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the description here, and it goes without saying that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Yes.

  In the present embodiment, the character input device is applied to the tape printer, but may be applied to other devices.

1 is a schematic upper external view of a tape printer according to an embodiment. It is a schematic right side external view of the tape printer. It is a top view at the time of removing the cover of the tape cassette with which the tape printer is mounted. It is a block diagram which shows the control structure of a tape printer. It is explanatory drawing of a display screen. It is a schematic diagram showing a key arrangement of each numeric key and kana turning key in a number / kana turning key group. It is a main flowchart which shows the whole process of a tape printer. It is explanatory drawing explaining the transition of the screen display accompanying key operation. It is explanatory drawing explaining the transition of the screen display accompanying key operation. It is explanatory drawing explaining the transition of the screen display accompanying key operation. It is explanatory drawing explaining the transition of the screen display accompanying key operation. It is explanatory drawing explaining the transition of the screen display accompanying key operation. It is explanatory drawing explaining the transition of the screen display accompanying key operation.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tape printer 2 Keyboard 6 Liquid crystal display 5 Return key 8 Next candidate key 10 Number / kana turning key group 63 Control circuit part 64 CPU
66 ROM
66A Kanji conversion dictionary storage area 68 RAM
68B Edit input area 68C Display image buffer 68D Work area 80 Conversion candidate display screen 81 Edit display screen

Claims (4)

In a character input device comprising various keys and display means for displaying a character string input by the various keys, and capable of inputting Japanese
There are a plurality of keys corresponding to each line of the 50-sound table, and when a key corresponding to a predetermined line is pressed among the plurality of keys, the display means circulates the kana characters within the range of the line each time the key is pressed. And pressing the key corresponding to the other line different from the predetermined line to determine the kana character being displayed corresponding to the predetermined line, and the next kana character corresponding to the other line Kana turning input means for inputting kana characters by continuing to input,
Conversion dictionary storage means storing a kanji conversion dictionary for converting kana characters into kanji;
Kanji conversion means for searching the conversion dictionary storage means for kanji candidates that can be converted from a kana character string consisting of characters input from the kana turning input means when the kana turning input means is input. When,
Candidate display control means for controlling to display the kanji candidates searched by the kanji conversion means on the display means;
Kanji determination means for converting and determining the kana character string to the kanji candidate;
Character input means for inputting non-kana characters other than kana characters, having other keys arranged separately from the plurality of keys corresponding to each row of the 50-note table,
A character input device characterized in that, when input is made by the character input means, the kanji character determining means converts the kana character string into the kanji candidate and inputs the non-kana characters.   The character input device according to claim 1, wherein the non-kana characters are numerals.   The character input device according to claim 1, wherein the candidate display control means displays the kanji candidate at a position different from the kana character string.   The character input device according to claim 2, wherein the character input device is applied to a tape printer.

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