JP3112296B2 - Time information input device and method, and electronic device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a time information input device suitable for use in an electronic organizer (portable computer).
And an electronic device .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an electronic organizer, a predetermined schedule is individually input and displayed in a list.
You can see it. FIG. 22 shows an example of displaying a list of schedules. In this example, the meeting is scheduled for January 9 and January 10
It is displayed that the user is on a business trip from the 11th to the 11th.

In order to perform such a display, for example,
An input as shown in FIG. 23 is required. That is, as for the schedule of the meeting, January 9 is input as the date when the meeting is held, 9:00 am is input as the time when the meeting is started, and 4:00 pm is set as the end time.
You need to enter 0 minutes. In addition, as for the schedule of the business trip, the start date is January 10, and the time is 7 am
0:00 minutes, end date is January 11, and time is 5 pm
It is necessary to input such as hour and minute.

[0004]

By the way, for example, 1
In a schedule where a meeting is held from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on Monday, it is natural to input both the date and time because the start time and end time are clear, It is also reasonable.

However, a schedule such as a business trip from January 10 to January 11 has a clear date, but the time information is not always clear. Therefore, in such a schedule, specifying only the date and not the time is a method suitable for a sense of life and is natural. However, in the conventional device, even in such a case, unless the time information is input together with the date, the main body of the electronic organizer cannot manage this as a schedule. Therefore, the user appropriately inputs a predetermined time in the morning as the start time and a predetermined time in the afternoon as the end time. Therefore, the operability was poor and inconvenient.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and is intended to manage a schedule without necessarily inputting time information.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a time information input apparatus comprising: a first mode for specifying both a date and a time;
Or a date, but not a time
Schedule in one of the modes
And of the start date and time of the requirements and input means for inputting the end date and time, enter
The start date and time and the end date and time of the message entered by
Enter in either the first mode or the second mode.
The determination means for determining whether the force has been applied, and the determination means,
Both the start date and time and the end date and time of the message are entered in the first mode.
If it is determined that the request has been made, the first form
The time zone defined by the start date and time and the end date and time is indicated by a bar.
To be displayed as a schedule within a predetermined display range.
And at least one of the start date and time and the end date and time of the business
If it is determined that is input in the second mode,
In a second format, different from format 1, the start date and time and end
The time zone specified by the end date and time is displayed in a bar
First display system for displaying a schedule within the display range
Input in the first mode by the control means and the determination means.
The time of the start date and time or the end date and time of the message
Set the time to the specified time within the display range.
The time is displayed as the closest time, and the
Of the message determined to have been entered in the second mode.
Set the start date and time or end date and time to the time within the display range.
The hour is displayed as the closest time at midnight
And a second display control means. In the time information input method according to claim 2, both the date and the time are input.
The first mode to specify, or the date to specify, but the hour
The time is not specified.
Input step for inputting the start date and time and end date and time of the message, and opening the message input by the processing of the input step.
The start date and time and the end date and time are in the first mode or the second mode
Determination mode to determine in which mode
And the start date and time of the message
It is determined that the end date and time are all entered in the first mode.
If the request has been made, the first date and time and the end date
The time zone specified by time is displayed in a bar
In addition to displaying the schedule in the box,
At least one of the start date and time and the end date and time is in the second mode
If it is determined that the input has been made, a format different from the first format is used.
In the second format, the start date and time and the end date
The specified time zone is displayed within the specified display range using a bar display.
Display control step to be displayed as a schedule
And input in the first mode by the processing of the judgment step
The time or end of the start date and time of the message that was determined to have been made
The time of the date and time is the time within the display range, and
The time is displayed as the time closest to the time.
Judging that the input was made in the second mode by the processing of step
Time of the start date and time or end date and time of the message
Is the time within the display range and closest to midnight
A second display control step of displaying the time.
And features. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the date and
First mode to specify both time or date
But does not specify the time in any mode of the second mode.
In either mode, the user
Enter the start date and time and the end date and time of the
Pen input means for inputting and input by the pen input means
If the start date and time and end date and time of the message are in the first mode or the second
The input mode is determined
The judgment means, and the start date and time and the end date of the message by the judgment means
If the time is determined to have been entered in the first mode
In the first case, the first format specifies the start date and time and the end date and time of the message.
The specified time zone is displayed within the specified display range using a bar display.
Display as schedule and start date of the business
At least one of the hour and end date and time is entered in the second mode.
If it is determined that the second form is different from the first form,
In the format of the start and end date and time of the message, respectively.
The displayed time zone is displayed within the specified display range using a bar display.
First display control means for displaying as joules;
Means has been determined to have been input in the first mode,
The time of the start date and time or the end date and time of the message
The time in the box and the time closest to the specified time
And display the second mode by the determination means.
The date and time of the message start date and time
Or the end date and time in the display range
Second display control for displaying the closest time at the previous midnight
Means.

[0008]

[0009]

The time information input device according to claim 1 and claim 2.
In the time information input method according to the first aspect, and the electronic device according to the third aspect, the schedule start date and time and the end date and time together with the schedule item specify the date and time in the first mode, or , The date is specified but the time is not specified. The input time slot of the business is displayed as a schedule within a predetermined display range in a bar-shaped display in the first format or the second format . Start date / time or end of the message entered in the first mode
The end date and time is the time within the display range and
Is displayed as the time closest to the time when The start date / time or end date / time of the message entered in the second mode is
A time within the display range, and the closest time to midnight
Is displayed.

[0010]

[0011]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an embodiment in which the time information input device of the present invention is applied to an electronic organizer (portable computer). The main body 1 is provided with a power switch 2, which is turned on when the apparatus is used and turned off when the use is stopped. Provided on the left of the power switch 2 is a brightness adjustment switch 3 for adjusting the brightness of the screen 8 (the brightness of the LCD 22 described later). A case 4 is provided on the side of the main body 1. The case 4 has a switch 7 at the tip, and a main body 1 through a cord 5.
Is stored when not in use. When the pen 6 is taken out of the case 4, it can be arranged in a groove 10 formed horizontally above the main body 1. A speaker 9 is provided on the left side of the groove 10 to output a predetermined sound.

Two switches 1 are provided on the upper right side of the main body 1.
1 and 12 are provided. The switch 11 is a changeover switch for changing the brightness of the backlight described later, for example, to two levels, and the switch 12 is a volume changeover switch for changing the volume of the sound output from the speaker 9 to, for example, three levels. Switch 13 provided on left side of main body 1
Is a stop switch that is operated when a predetermined operation is stopped halfway (for example, when a sound being emitted is stopped). A memory (IC) card 70 is also provided on the left side of the main body 1.
(See FIG. 5). A socket 15 is provided on the rear side of the main body 1. A socket 16 is also provided inside the battery mounting portion 1a for mounting the battery 19 on the rear side of the main body 1. For example, RS2
A 32C cable, a modem, other adapters, and the like are connected. Further, a connection terminal 18 of an AC adapter 17 is provided above the left side of the main body 1.

FIG. 2 shows a more detailed configuration example of the screen 8. In this embodiment, the tablet 21 (X
The tablet 21a for detecting the position in the axial direction and the tablet 21b) for detecting the position in the Y-axis direction are provided at the top. An LCD 22 is provided below the tablet 21. The LCD 22 is composed of glass plates 22a and 22b provided above and below, and a liquid crystal 23 inserted between them. A fluorescent plate (EL) 26 is provided below the LCD 22. When the fluorescent plate 26 as the backlight generates light, the light is transmitted to the LCD.
Illuminate 22. Since the tablets 21a and 21b are formed of a transparent member, an image displayed on the liquid crystal 23 is observed from above in the figure. Printed circuit board (PC
B) 25 is loaded with a component (not shown) and is electrically connected to the LCD 22 via a rubber connector 24. Further, the conductive film 27 is also electrically connected to the tablet 21.

FIG. 3 shows a more detailed configuration example of the fluorescent plate 26. In this embodiment, an insulating film 33 is disposed between an electrode 31 and a light emitting section (the other electrode) 32. By applying a predetermined voltage between the electrode 31 and the light emitting unit 32, the light emitting unit 32 emits light. The electrode 31 and the light emitting section 32 are formed in a plate shape, and can irradiate the screen 8 uniformly.

As a backlight, a fluorescent tube may be used. In addition, a fluorescent tube is provided as a side light on the side of the main body, and the light is transmitted to the LC by a light transmitting member.
It is also possible to transmit to the rear of D22 so that it can be illuminated.

FIG. 4 shows the position detection by a tablet and LC.
FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing the principle of display by D. Tablet 2
1 has, for example, 512 electrodes in the X-axis direction,
It has 342 electrodes in the Y-axis direction. This allows
It becomes possible to detect 512 × 342 pixels. The tablet controller 46 controls the clock generation circuit 45a, and sequentially applies a predetermined voltage to each of the 342 electrodes. Next, the clock generation circuit 45b is controlled,
Voltage is sequentially applied to the twelve electrodes. That is, the tablet 21 is scanned by the clocks generated by the clock generation circuits 45a and 45b. When the pen 6 approaches a predetermined position on the tablet 21, a predetermined capacitance is formed between the tablet 21 and the pen 6. When the pen 6 is pressed against the tablet 21, the switch 7 at the tip of the pen 6 is turned on, so that a charge generated between the pen 6 and a predetermined electrode on the tablet 21 is detected. It is supplied to the controller 46. Since the tablet controller 46 manages the clock generation timing of the clock generation circuits 45a and 45b, the tablet controller 46 can detect the pressed position on the tablet 21 by the pen 6 from the detection signal supplied from the pen 6 and the clock generation timing. it can. The tablet controller 46 supplies the operation coordinates of the pen 6 thus detected to the CPU 41. CPU4
1 is always monitoring the position where the pen 6 presses the tablet 21 and the switch 7 is turned on (pen down), and the position where the pen 6 is separated from the tablet 21 and the switch 7 is turned off (pen up). Then, input is accepted by pen down, and input is confirmed by pen up.

On the other hand, the CPU 41 controls the LCD controller 4
3 and writes data corresponding to the image to be displayed in the memory (V-RAM) 44. LCD controller 4
3 reads data from the memory 44 and supplies a signal corresponding to the data to the drive circuit 42b. LCD 22
It has 512 electrodes in the horizontal direction and 342 electrodes in the vertical direction corresponding to the tablet 21. The drive circuit 42a sequentially applies a predetermined voltage to 342 electrodes one by one. Further, the drive circuit 42b sequentially applies voltages corresponding to image data to the 512 electrodes. Thus, each pixel on the LCD 22 is scanned, and the LCD 22 is scanned.
A predetermined image is displayed on 22.

FIG. 5 shows a more detailed electrical configuration of the main body 1. The CPU 41 is connected to various ICs via a bus line 57. In the ROM 51, for example, a kana-kanji conversion program for a word processor function and a dictionary table therefor, as well as a recognition program for handwritten input and a dictionary table therefor are written, in addition to the system program of the entire apparatus.
The working RAM 52 stores data necessary for operation as needed. A backup battery 54 (a battery different from the battery 19) is connected to the backup RAM 53, so that necessary data is backed up even when the power of the apparatus main body is turned off. The timer IC 55 is connected to the battery 54, counts the clock from the crystal oscillator 56, and outputs data of the date and time at that time. LC described above
The D controller 43 and the tablet controller 46 are also
It is connected to the CPU 41 via the bus line 57.

The audio processing circuit 58 includes the sockets 14 to 1
A predetermined audio signal is generated in response to an input from the CPU 6 or a command from the CPU 41 and output to the adder 59. The voice memory 61 is controlled by the CPU 41 and outputs a predetermined voice (for example, a warning sound “Eh?”) Stored in advance to the adder 59. The adder 59 adds the output of the audio processing circuit 58 and the output of the audio memory 61 and outputs the result to the speaker 9 via the audio volume controller 60. The volume controller 60 is connected to the volume selector switch 12, and the volume can be controlled by operating the switch.

A power supply circuit 64 (when the power switch 2 is turned on, the battery 1
9 or power supplied from the AC adapter 17) is supplied via the inverter circuit 63. The brightness of the fluorescent screen 26 can be switched between two levels (for example, a brightness suitable for a bright room and a brightness suitable for a dark room) via the inverter circuit 63 by switching the changeover switch 11. In addition, by controlling the brightness adjustment switch 3, the brightness of the LCD 22 can be controlled to a desired value in multiple steps. The switch 65a is turned on / off according to whether the battery 19 mounted on the main body 1 is a primary battery or a secondary battery. The switch 65b detects the capacity of the battery 19, and is turned on / off according to the size of the capacity. These switches 65 a and 65 b are connected to the key interface 62 via the power supply circuit 64. The key interface 62 is also connected to the brightness adjustment switch 3, the changeover switch 11, the stop switch 13, and the like. The key interface 62 supplies signals corresponding to ON / OFF of these switches to the cPU 41.

An Ic card 70 is connected to the socket 14, and the cPU 41 can exchange data, programs, and the like with the Ic card 70 via an Ic card interface 66. In addition, sockets 15, 1
The adapter 6 is connected to the CPU 6 via the extension interface 68.

Next, a process for inputting time information will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. First, in step S1, the CPU 41 sets a type plate 85 as a tool for inputting time information.
It is determined whether or not (FIG. 13) is drawn on the screen 8. If the type plate 85 is not displayed, the process proceeds to step S2, and other processes are executed. If the type plate 85 is displayed, the process proceeds to step S3, and the time information (date and time) entry field 8
It is determined whether or not the cursor has been moved to 3b (FIG. 13). If not, the process proceeds to step S4, where other processing is executed. Whether the cursor has been moved or not can be determined based on whether the time information display area 83b has been touched with the pen 6, or whether the clock button 89 has been touched with the pen 6 (FIG. 13). ). When the cursor is moved to the time information display area 83b, the process proceeds to step S5, and the type plate 85 is switched to a time information input board (FIG. 14). At this time, the cancel button 99 of the type plate 85 (FIG. 14)
Is prohibited because it cannot be used. This prohibited state is notified to the user by making the display of "cancel" of the cancel button 99 unclear.

Next, proceeding to step S6, the unspecified mark "-" indicating that the time display on the time information input board of the type plate 85 does not specify a predetermined time.
It is determined whether "-" has been set. If one or both of the hour and minute are displayed on the unspecified mark, the process proceeds to step S7, and it is determined whether or not the unspecified mark is set at the start time. If the start time has been set, the process proceeds to step S8, and the undetermined memory is turned on. If it is not the start time, it means that the end time is an unspecified mark, and the process proceeds to step S9, where the memory of the undetermined end time is turned on.

That is, the CPU 41 manages the start time information and the end time information, for example, as shown in FIG. 11. If the start time B is an unspecified mark, the CPU 41 stores the undetermined memory corresponding thereto. turn on. If the end time D is set to an unspecified mark, the corresponding undetermined memory is turned on. As described above, after the undetermined memory is turned on in step S8 or S9, or when it is determined in step S9 that the unspecified mark is not displayed, the process proceeds to step S10, and the start time and It is determined whether all the minutes have been set by numbers, that is, whether or not the minutes have been set in the specific mode. Alternatively, it is determined whether both the hour and the minute of the end time have been set by numerals, that is, whether or not the end time has been set in the specific mode. If it is set in the specific mode, the process proceeds to step S11. If the start time is set in the specific mode, the process proceeds to step S12, and the undetermined memory is turned off. If the start time is not set in the specific mode, it means that the end time has been set in the specific mode, and the process proceeds to step S13, and the undetermined memory is turned off.

After the undetermined memory of the start time or the undetermined memory of the end time is turned off in step S12 or S13, or when it is determined in step S10 that the time display is not set in the specific mode, Proceeds to step S14, and it is determined whether the clear button 98 (FIG. 14) has been touched by the pen 6. When the clear button 98 is touched, the process proceeds to step S15, and the time information display area 83
It is determined whether or not there is time information already written in b (FIG. 16). If the time information has already been written, the process proceeds to step S16, and all the time information displayed there is deleted. Then, the cancel button 99 is enabled. If no time information is displayed in the time information display area 83b, the process returns to step S6.

If the clear button 98 has not been touched, the process proceeds to step S17, and the cancel button 99
Is touched by the pen 6. If the cancel button 99 has been touched, step S
In step S19, it is determined whether or not the cancel button 88 is in a usable state.
To erase the data written in the time information display area 83b and return to the state before that. For example, if the clear button 98 is touched once and the display of the time information display area 83b is erased, and then the cancel button 99 is touched, the touch of the clear button 98 is canceled, and the time information display area 83b includes The time information before touching the clear button 98 is displayed. If the cancel button 99 is not in a usable state, the process returns from step S18 to step S6.

If it is determined that the cancel button 99 has not been touched, the flow advances from step S17 to step S20 to determine whether the write button 87 (FIG. 15) has been touched. Write button 87 is pen 6
If it is touched, the process proceeds to step S21, at which time all the time information displayed on the time information input board of the type plate 85 is written in the backup RAM 53 and displayed in the time information display area 83b. Next, proceeding to step S22, the state of the start time undetermined memory and the end time undetermined memory is also stored in the backup RAM.
53 is written. Then, the process proceeds to step S23, where the cancel button 99 is set in a usable state (FIG. 16). Thereafter, the process returns to step S6.

In step S20, the write button 8
If it is determined that No. 7 has not been touched, the process proceeds to step S24, where buttons 93a, 93b, 95b, and 9 are used to set the sound type, time, etc.
It is determined whether or not 7b (FIG. 14) is touched by the pen 6, and if touched, the process proceeds to step S25, and the display is switched to a display corresponding to the function of each button. The details will be described later. And step S
Upon completion of the process in the step S25, the process returns to the step S6.

If it is determined in step S24 that various buttons have not been touched, the process proceeds to step S26, where the type plate 85 is moved to the icon area 81.
It is determined whether or not it has been accommodated in the. If not, the process proceeds to step S27, and after performing other processes, returns to step S6. When the type plate 85 is stored in the icon area 81, the input processing of the time information is ended.

Next, with reference to the flow charts shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a process for displaying the time information thus written will be described. First, step S
At 31, it is determined whether or not the mode has shifted to a mode in which the schedule can be viewed, that is, a “view” button 84a (FIG. 12)
It is determined whether or not has been operated, and if it has not been operated, the process proceeds to step S32, and other processing is executed. When the button 84a is touched with the pen 6 and the viewing mode is set, the process proceeds to step S33, and the pointer is set to the first one of the schedules stored in the backup RAM 53. And step S
Go to 34 and change the schedule indicated by the pointer to
One case is taken out from the backup RAM 53. Further, the process proceeds to step S35, and it is determined whether or not there are any more schedules. If another schedule exists, the process proceeds to step S36, and it is determined whether or not the schedule has a date to be displayed in the list. For example, if it is now instructed to display the January schedule on the screen, it is determined whether the schedule read from the backup RAM 53 has a January date. If the date does not have the date of January, the process proceeds to step S37, and the pointer is set to the next schedule in the backup RAM 53. Then, the process returns to step S34, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

If it is determined in step S36 that the schedule has a date to be displayed in a list (if the schedule has a date of January), the process proceeds to step S38, and the schedule corresponding to the start time is undecided. It is determined whether the memory and the undetermined memory corresponding to the end time are off. If undecided memory is off, time is special
Since the mode is set in the fixed mode, that is, by setting some numerical values, the process proceeds to step S39, and the schedule name (subject name) and time information are displayed in the input display area 83. At this time, the period from the start time to the end time is indicated by a solid line. In the screen example (FIG. 18) described later, the period between the start time and the end time is displayed by arranging relatively short vertical lines at equal intervals. After such display is performed, the process returns to step S37, and the pointer of the schedule is moved to the next schedule.
Then, the processing after step S34 is repeated again.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S38 that the undetermined memory is turned on, the process proceeds to step S40, and it is determined whether or not it is the undetermined memory at the start time. If the undetermined memory of the start time is on, the process proceeds to step S41, and the start time display position is set to a position corresponding to 00:00:00 of the start date. Here, setting at the corresponding position means that the start time is 0 if the time (00:00) can be displayed.
The time is set to 0:00. For example, when the schedule is displayed on a scale that can display only the time after 7:00, the time is set to 00:00 within the displayable time range. Is set as the display position of the start time.

[0033] In step S40, when the pending memory of the start time is determined not to be turned on, since the starting time is set by some specific numerical values, the time at step S42, designated by the numerical Is set as the start time of the start day. Of course, also in this case, as in the case of step S41, the time closest to the numerical value in the displayable range is set as the display position.

After the processing in step S41 or S42 is completed, the process proceeds to step S43, and it is determined whether or not the memory whose end time has not been determined is on. If the undetermined memory of the end time is turned on, step S44
The display position of the end time is set to a position corresponding to 23:59 on the end date. Also in this case, the corresponding position is the time closest to the displayable range. If the undetermined memory of the end time is off, the step S
Proceeding to 45, the time specified specifically by the numerical value is set as the end time display position as it is. As in the case described above, also in this case, the closest time within the displayable range is set as the end time display position.

After the processing of step S44 or S45 is completed, the process proceeds to step S46, where the item name (subject name) of the schedule is displayed in the input display area 83 together with the set time information (FIG. 18). In this case, the display from the start time to the end time is displayed in a format (design) different from that in step S39. In the embodiment described later, it is indicated by a shaded line. Step S
After the processing in step S46 is completed, the process returns to step S37, and the subsequent processing is repeatedly executed.

Next, a specific display example will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the operation for writing the time information will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 12, the "cut" button 84b displayed on the right side of the screen 8 is touched with the pen 6, and the display is inverted. This sets the writing mode and allows you to select the page to write either an action, connection, or report. In this embodiment, the action is selected because time information is input. An icon display area 81 is provided at an upper portion of the screen 8, and various icons 82 including an icon 82a of "cage" are displayed therein. Input display area 83
Is, for example, an area 83a for inputting characters indicating the type (category) of a schedule such as private or business.
And an area 83b for inputting a schedule name (item name, subject), an area 83c for inputting time information, an area 83d for inputting a name of a related person such as a client, and an area for inputting other memos. 83e, but no information is displayed because it has not yet been entered.

In this state, when the pen 6 is pen-downed to the icon "claw" 82a, the icon 82a
Is displayed in reverse video, and an arrow is displayed below it (not shown). This arrow points the pen 6 to the input display area 83.
It is suggested to drag in the direction of. Following the arrow, the user drags the pen 6 in the direction of the input display area 83 while dragging the pen 6 down to the icon 82a (drag), and pen-ups there.
As shown in the figure, the print plate 85 is enlarged and displayed in the input display area 83. The type plate 85 is a necessary tool when writing predetermined information in the input display area 83.
Assuming that the time information is input first, the user touches the time information with the pen 6 on the display area 83c or the clock button 89 displayed there with the pen 6, and the type plate 85 is displayed in FIG. Changes from the handwritten character input board shown in FIG. 14 to the time information input board shown in FIG. Touching the area 83c or the clock button 89 with the pen 6 is an operation corresponding to moving the cursor to the time display area 83c in step S3 in FIG.

Buttons 91a to 91d are provided on the time information input board, and one time (to) or a time (to up to) as a time limit for performing any action, or one day It is possible to set a period defined by a start time and an end time within (from to) or a period defined by a start time and an end time over two days (from to to), respectively. Has become. Immediately after the type plate 85 is pulled out from the icon display area 81, an initial setting is made in advance so that a period within one day is selected. Which of the four times or periods is to be displayed as the initial state can be appropriately selected. As the time information, the hour immediately after the current time is displayed as a start time and an end time.

Here, the hour means a time in which the minute unit is 00 minutes, such as 1:00 and 2:00. FIG.
In the case of the embodiment, the date is January 8 and the time is 8:13 am, as the current time information is displayed on the icons of “Calendar” and “Tokei” in the icon display area 81 at the top. Minute, the start date of the type plate 85 is set to January 8, 1991, and the start time is 9:00 pm, which is the hour immediately after 8:13 pm. . The end time is 9 pm, which is the same as the start time.
0:00 is set. By adjusting the buttons 94a to 94c displayed below the date, the date can be moved forward or backward, respectively.

Further, by touching the buttons 94d and 94e displayed below the hours and minutes of the start time with the pen 6, the hours and minutes can be moved forward and backward, respectively. When the button 94f composed of a clock mark is touched with the pen 6, the minute unit can be advanced in units of 15 minutes. However, for example, when the display of the minute before the operation is 05 minutes, if the button 94f is touched once, the display becomes 15 minutes instead of 20 minutes (= 5 + 15). When the button 94f is further touched, the display changes from 15 minutes to 30 minutes. When the button 94f is operated in this manner, 15 minutes is not added to the minute displayed immediately before, but 15 minutes, 3 minutes
The minute is set to a state of 0 minute, 45 minutes, or 00 minutes. When the button 94f is touched for the first time, 15 minutes, 30 minutes advanced from the minute displayed immediately before,
It will be set to 45 minutes or 00 minutes. Button 9
6d, 96e and 96f are used to set the hours and minutes of the end time, and buttons 94d and 94 for setting the start time are set.
e and 94f, respectively.

In the area 92a on the left side of the start date, by touching the button 93a with the pen 6, it is possible to set the time to sound the bell. In the area 92b below the area 92a, the type (sound type) of the pre-bell is indicated by a button 9
3b. The time of the yorin is set, for example, 5 minutes before the start time, 10 minutes before the start time, and the sound type is a bell, a melody,
It is set like a chime. Alternatively, the message can be selected, such as "It's time", "It's next meeting", and so on. A state in which nothing is displayed is determined to indicate that the bell is not sounded. For example, if "chime" is set here "5 minutes ago", the CPU 41 monitors the output of the timer IC 55,
When it is 5 minutes before the start time set here, the audio memory 61 is controlled to output the chime sound to the speaker 9 via the volume controller 60. This allows the user to know that the time has arrived 5 minutes before the scheduled time.

Similarly, in the area 95a provided on the right side of the start time, a main bell to be sounded when the start time is reached can be designated. This designation is made by button 95b
Can be selected. The area 97a on the right side of the end time
Displays the sound type of the final bell. This sound type is button 97
b can be selected. The sound type of the main bell and the final bell is the same as the sound type of the pre-bell.

FIG. 15 shows a state in which each button is operated with the pen 6 in the state of FIG. 14 to set a predetermined start time and end time. In this embodiment, the start date is set to January 9, 1991. The start time is set to the unspecified mode. That is, both the hour and the minute are set to “−−”. Of the buttons 94d,
If the pen 6 is touched once on the right arrow on which the upward arrow is displayed, the displayed time is from 00 to 01,
02 and 03 are sequentially incremented by one. Then, after reaching 59, when the pen 6 is touched once more, the illustrated unspecified mark “−−” is displayed. From this state in which the unspecified mark is displayed, when the number is further incremented by one, the number 00 appears.

When one of the buttons 94d on which the downward arrow shown on the left side is displayed is touched with the pen 6, the display is decremented by one, contrary to the above-described case. This means that the other time buttons 94e, 96
The same applies to d and 96e.

In this embodiment, 4:00 pm is set as the end time. After the predetermined time information is input in this manner, the write button 87 is pressed with the pen 6
Touching the button changes the state shown in FIG. 15 to the state shown in FIG. That is, the time information set and input on the time information input board of the type plate 85 is written in the time information display area 83c. Further, at this time, in FIG. 15, the cancel button 99 which has been set to the unusable state (therefore, has been intentionally set to an unclear display state).
Can be used in the state shown in FIG. 16 and is converted into a clear display state. In the state of FIG. 16, when the clear button 98 is touched with the pen 6, the time information displayed in the time information display area 83c is deleted. Then, when the cancel button 99 is touched with the pen 6 thereafter, the immediately preceding operation (that is, the operation of the clear button 98) is canceled, and the state before the clear button 98 is operated, that is, the time information display area 83c displays the type. The state returns to the state in which the time information on the time information input board of the plate 85 has been transcribed.

After inputting the time information in this way, when a predetermined name (subject) is to be given to the time information, the pen 6 is touched on the area 83b where the subject is to be written. Then, as shown in FIG.
The cursor 90 is displayed on b, and the time information input board of the type plate 85 changes to a handwritten character input board. A square 86 is displayed on the handwritten character input board. When a predetermined character is input by hand with the pen 6 in the square 86, the handwriting is pattern-recognized, and the character obtained as a result of the pattern recognition is displayed. It is displayed on the grid 86. If the character obtained by the pattern recognition is correct, touch the write button 87 with the pen 6 to
The character displayed in No. 6 is written at the position where the cursor 90 is located. Then, the characters in the mesh 86 are deleted. FIG. 17 shows a state in which the subject "calling" is written in the area 83b. That is, on Wednesday, January 9, 4 pm
This means that the schedule for making a telephone call by 0:00 is written.

In order to see the schedule written in this manner in a list, the “mill” button 84a is touched with the pen 6 in the state of FIG. Then, Figure 1
As shown in FIG. 8, instead of the "cut" button 84b, the "mill" button 84a is highlighted, and the mode is changed from the writing mode to the viewing mode. Pages to view include daily, weekly, monthly, check, action, phone, address, and reports. In the embodiment of FIG. 18, since the page of the day is open, FIG.
The page displaying the schedule entered with the subject of "Calling" written in step 7, ie,
A page displaying the schedule of January 9 is displayed. That is, assuming that the currently opened page is the page of January 9 of the day, the CPU 41 picks up the schedule written in the backup RAM 53 that has January 9 as the target date. Then, the information is displayed here. In this embodiment, two subject schedules, "calling" and "meeting" are displayed.

As described above, the start time of the "calling" schedule is written in the unspecified mode (FIG. 16). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 18, the period of this “calling” schedule is indicated by a shaded line. On the other hand, since the schedule of the “meeting” is written in the specific mode, the interval between the start time and the end time is indicated by vertical lines arranged at equal intervals. As described above, since the two periods are displayed in different designs, the user can easily recognize the difference between the two periods. That is, "meeting"
Is performed from 12:00 to 2:50 in the afternoon of January 9, and this cannot be moved,
Since "calling" is not specified, it is possible to easily identify that the call may be made at any time during this period.

FIG. 19 shows a state in which the page of the week is opened among the pages to be viewed. In the case of the embodiment, a one-week schedule from January 6 to January 12 is displayed. Thus, when the page for viewing the schedule from January 6 to 12 is opened, the CPU
Reference numeral 41 reads the schedule of the time information in which the target date exists within this period from the backup RAM 53 and displays it here.

Here, too, it can be seen that the schedules for "calling" and "meeting" on January 9 are displayed in different designs. Further, in FIG. 19, since the day can be represented by 24 hours, the start time of “calling” is January 9
It can be seen that it is 00:00 of the day. On the other hand, in the embodiment of FIG. 18, since the displayable period is from 7:00 in the morning to 10:00 in the night, the position of the start time of “calling” is January 9 It can be seen that it is set to 7:00 am, which is closest to 00:00.

In the above embodiment, only the start time is input in the unspecified mode. FIG. 20 shows a case where not only the start time but also the end time is input in the unspecified mode. . That is, in this case, the start time is
The unspecified time is January 10, and the end time is
The unspecified time is set on January 11, 1991. After writing such a schedule, the schedule is displayed on a page for viewing the schedule, as shown in FIG. That is, the business trip from January 10 to January 11 shown in FIG. 20 is displayed as a period from 00:00 am on January 10 to 23:59 on January 11.

In the above description, the case where only the start date and the end date are specified and the start time and the end time are unspecified and the setting and input are performed has been described.
Can also be applied to time information set by operating. That is, in this case, since only the day is specified and the time is not specified, the time is processed as a period from 00:00 am to 23:59 am on that day.

In addition, when the time information is input in hours and minutes, only the time is specified without specifying the minutes,
Alternatively, the present invention can be applied to the case where the input is made in the opposite manner. The point is, like date and time, or hour and minute, 1
When at least two pieces of time information are input to specify one time, one may be input in a specific mode and the other may be input in an unspecified mode.

[0054]

As described above, according to the time information input device according to the first aspect, the time information input method according to the second aspect, and the electronic device according to the third aspect, both the schedule requirements and The start date and time and the end date and time of the message are input in the first mode for specifying both the date and time, or in the second mode for specifying the date but not for the time, and the time of the input message is entered. The band in the first or second format
In the bar-shaped display, the schedule is displayed within a predetermined display range, and the start date of the message input in the first mode is displayed.
Set the hour or end time to a time within the display range.
Is displayed as the time closest to the specified time .
Of the start date and time or the end date and time of the message entered in
Time, a time in the display range, since the displayed as a time closest to midnight, improved operability, not only to allow the schedule writing in a short time, complex schedules Can be managed according to the sense of life.

[0055]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a portable computer to which a time information input device of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of a screen in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a configuration of one embodiment of a fluorescent plate in the embodiment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical connection relationship between the tablet and the Lcd in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an overall electrical connection relationship in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the embodiment in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment in FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the embodiment in FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the backup RAM of the embodiment in FIG. 5;

FIG. 12 is an explanation of a screen for operating the embodiment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 13 is an explanation of a screen for operating the embodiment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 14 is an explanation of a screen for operating the embodiment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 15 is an explanation of a screen for operating the embodiment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 16 is an explanation of a screen for operating the embodiment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 17 is an explanatory view of a screen for operating the embodiment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 18 is an explanation of a screen for operating the embodiment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 19 is an explanation of a screen for operating the embodiment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 20 is an explanation of a screen for operating the embodiment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram of a screen for operating the embodiment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a conventional display.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a conventional input method.

[Explanation of symbols]

 6 pen 8 screen 21 tablet 22 LCD 41 CPU 53 backup RAM 81 icon display area 83 input display area 83c time information display area 85 type plate 86 square 89 clock button

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] A first mode for specifying both date and time.
Or a date, but not a time
Schedule in one of the modes
Input means and the start date and end of the requirements input by the input means for inputting a start and end time of the business
The expiration date and time of either the first mode or the second mode
Determining means for determining whether the input has been made in any one of the modes, and the determining means determines whether the start date and time and the end date and time of the
In any case, it is determined that the input has been made in the first mode.
In the first format, the start date and time and the end date and time of the business
The time zone specified by
Within the schedule and
At least one of the start date and time and the end date and time of the
If it is determined that the input has been made in the first mode, the first form
In a second format different from the formula, the start date and time and end of the message
Prescribed time zone specified by date and time is displayed in bar form
First display control for displaying a schedule within a range
Means, and the determination means has made an input in the first mode.
The time of the start date and time or the end date and time of the message determined
Is the time within the display range, and
Display as the time closest to the time and
The determination means determines that the input has been made in the second mode.
Of the start date and time or end date and time of the message
Set the time to a time within the display range, and
Bei and second display control means also displays a close time
A time information input device characterized in that the time information is input. 2. The start date and time and the end date of the schedule item
The time information input method of the time information input device
There, the first mode to identify both the date and time, or day
In the second mode where the date is specified but the time is not specified
In either of the modes, the start date and time and end of the message
An input step of inputting a date and time; and opening of the message input by the processing of the input step.
The start date and time and the end date and time correspond to the first mode or the second mode.
Determination to determine whether the entered in either mode of over de
And the start date and time of the business by the processing of the determining step.
It is determined that the end date and time have all been entered in the first mode.
If specified, the start date and time of the message in the first format
The time zone specified by the
Displayed as a schedule within the display range of
At least one of the start date and time and the end date and time of the
If it is determined that the input has been made in the second mode,
In a second format different from the first format,
The time zone specified by the start date and time and the end date and time of the message
As a schedule within the specified display range
A first display control step of causing the image forming apparatus to enter the first mode by the processing of the determining step.
Or the time of the start date and time of the
Is the time of the end date and time, a time within the display range,
When displayed as the time closest to the specified time
In both cases, by the processing of the determination step, the second mode
Of the start date and time of the message determined to have been entered
Set the time or the end date and time to a time within the display range.
Then, the second time to be displayed as the closest time at midnight
Time information including a display control step of
input method. 3. A first mode for specifying both date and time.
Or a date, but not a time
In one of the modes, the user
The start date and time and the end date and time of the desired schedule
Pen input means for inputting the message, and the start date and time of the message input by the pen input means
And the end date and time of the first mode or the second mode
Judgment means for judging in which mode the input was made
If, by the judgment means, the start and end date and time of the business
In any case, it is determined that the input has been made in the first mode.
In the first format, the start date and time and the end date and time of the business
The time zone specified by
Within the schedule and
At least one of the start date and time and the end date and time of the
If it is determined that the input has been made in the first mode, the first form
The start date of each of the above terms in a second format different from the formula
The time zone specified by the hour and end date and time is indicated by a bar.
The first to display as a schedule within a certain display range
The display control means and the determination means determine that the input has been made in the first mode.
The time of the start date and time or the end date and time of the message determined
Is the time within the display range, and
Display as the time closest to the time and
The determination means determines that the input has been made in the second mode.
Of the start date and time or end date and time of the message
Set the time to a time within the display range, and
Bei and second display control means also displays a close time
An electronic device, comprising: