JP3276281B2 - Character input 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 character input device for inputting input characters, for example, a stamp making device in which irregularities corresponding to the input character string are formed on a stamp face member, or an input character string printed on a tape. The present invention can be applied to a tape printing apparatus or the like that performs the above.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A stamp making device and a tape printing device are required to be inexpensive due to limited applications, and the number of characters to be formed on a stamp member or tape in one operation is small. Various keys are arranged on the housing of the apparatus main body without separately preparing them.

In addition, since a large amount of space is allocated to a structure in which a stamp is mounted to form irregularities on a stamp surface member, and a structure in which a tape is conveyed or printed on a tape, a panel for taking in characters is used. Although the screen must be small, the input operation is somewhat inconvenient.However, the key is made as small as possible, dial keys are used, and multiple functions are assigned to one key. ing.

[0004]

Here, if it is attempted to further increase the key arrangement efficiency and reduce the occupied area of the operation panel surface, the key used only for a single function is frequently used because it is frequently used. It is conceivable to assign other functions.

When a plurality of functions are assigned to one key, the key and another key are operated at the same time, or a predetermined other key is operated before operating the key. However, it is necessary to discriminate a plurality of functions by the control unit, and the operability is still insufficient.

[0006] Such a problem that the operability is slightly deteriorated when the key arrangement efficiency is increased can be similarly applied to a word processor, a personal computer, and the like in which a keyboard is separately provided.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and has as its object to provide a character input device capable of improving both key arrangement efficiency and operability.

[0008]

In order to solve this problem, a character input device according to the present invention comprises: (1) a plurality of cursor movement keys; and (2) a plurality of candidate characters arranged in a predetermined order. Character string input means for inputting a signal corresponding to the character of (3), character string input state determination means for determining the current input state of the character string input by the character string input means,
(4) When one of the operation signals is given from the cursor movement key, an operation corresponding operation content indicating whether to execute a cursor movement operation or another operation related to character input is displayed in a character string input state. An operation content storage means storing for each combination of the type and the type of the operation signal, (5)
When any one of the operation signals is given from the cursor movement key, the operation content is stored in the operation content storage means, which is determined by the operation signal and the current character string input state determined by the input state determination means. Operation corresponding operation execution means for executing an operation corresponding to the operation corresponding operation content.

[0009] Depending on the current input state of the character string, even if the cursor movement key is operated to instruct the cursor to move relative to the character, the cursor movement cannot be accepted. In view of this point, the present invention accepts an operation of a cursor movement key in a current input state of a character string for which movement of a cursor is not accepted as an operation command relating to another character input, and provides two kinds of functions ( One is associated with a cursor movement function). The operation when the cursor movement key is operated is determined by the current input state of the character string. Therefore, in order to discriminate the two types of functions associated with the cursor movement key, simultaneously operate other keys or use the cursor. It is not necessary to operate other keys before operating the movement keys.

As described above, in the character input device of the present invention, since two functions are associated with the cursor movement keys, the number of keys arranged can be reduced, and the area required for the key input section can be reduced. I can .

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which a character input device according to the present invention is applied to a seal making device will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

The seal making apparatus according to this embodiment is roughly divided into an electrical component (such as an information processing unit and an imprint transfer control unit) shown in FIG. 2 and a mechanical optical component (such as a printing unit or a printer) shown in FIG. A light irradiation unit). Note that FIG.
Also shows the configuration of the seal body. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the stamp making apparatus.

First, the electrical components of this embodiment are shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

This electrical component is mainly for controlling the mechanical optical component by taking in imprint pattern information, and corresponds to a kind of information processing apparatus. Like the device, the input unit 1
0, a control unit 20, and an output unit 30. The control unit 20 performs a process according to information from the input unit 10 and a processing stage at that time, and controls the mechanical and optical components via the output unit 30 according to the processing result and the like. is there.

The input unit 10 comprises a key input unit 11, a changeover switch 12 for switching the state of the apparatus, and various detection sensor groups 13.

The changeover switch 12 is constituted by, for example, a dial switch, and instructs power ON, power OFF, activation of exposure to the stamp body (seal face member), and opening of the lid 65 of a space accommodating the stamp body. Or something. As the detection sensor, a sensor that detects a seal type, a sensor that detects attachment of an ink ribbon, and a sensor that detects attachment or a position of a plate making sheet described later is provided.

The key input unit 11 is roughly divided into a character selection dial unit 11 for outputting a general operation signal for character input.
B and a function key unit 11A that outputs operation signals related to functions other than character input and special operation signals for character input such as input character deletion and symbol character input.

As shown in FIG. 4, the character selection dial portion 11B has a central circular portion 80 when viewed from above.
And a four-part annular part 81 to 84 around the part, and a part 85 around the part.
FIG. 5 shows the character assignment and the character input function assignment in the character selection dial section 11A. In FIG. 5, circular and annular portions are indicated by rectangles for simplicity of notation in the drawing.

An outermost annular portion (hereinafter referred to as a character selection dial) 85 is rotatable clockwise and counterclockwise, and is positioned, for example, at an angle divided into 54 in the circumferential direction as a unit angle. You can do it. Character selection dial 85
As shown in FIG. 5, “aiueo...” Is printed on the outer periphery and “ABCDE...” Is printed on the inner periphery. Things. Note that the character signals for, for example, “A” and “A” assigned to the same unit angle are the same, and the control unit 20 determines “A” in accordance with the character type signal held internally at that time. "A" or "A" has been input.

A portion 81 on the back side of the inner ring portion, hereinafter referred to as a cursor up key, is a press key.
The characters “@” and “unconverted” are printed on the cursor up key 81. As will be described in detail later, the control unit 20 responds to the character input state at that time,
In response to the operation signal from the cursor up key 81,
It is determined whether the upward movement of the cursor has been instructed or the non-conversion has been instructed for the provisionally confirmed character.

Also, the left part of the inner annular part "hereinafter,
The cursor left movement key "82" is a press key, and characters "←" and "lower case" are printed on the cursor left movement key 82. Control unit 20
As described later in detail, in response to an operation signal from the cursor left movement key 82, a leftward movement of the cursor is instructed or a character selection dial 85 is selected in accordance with the character input state at that time. Determine whether a lowercase letter has been indicated for the input candidate character indicated by.

Further, a portion "below referred to as a cursor down key" 83 on the front side of the inner ring portion is a press key, and the cursor down key 83 includes "↓" and "conversion reading". The word "short" is printed. As will be described later in detail, the control unit 20 responds to the operation signal from the cursor down movement key 83 in accordance with the character input state at that time, whether the movement of the cursor down is instructed or not. It is determined whether a kanji conversion or a kanji conversion with a shortened reading has been instructed for the determined character.

Furthermore, a portion 84 on the back side of the inner ring portion, hereinafter referred to as a cursor right movement key, is a press key.
The characters “→” and “Oh A” are printed. As will be described later in detail, the control unit 20 responds to the operation signal from the cursor right movement key 84 in accordance with the character input state at that time, whether the movement of the cursor to the right has been instructed or not. It is determined whether "Hiragana", "Katakana", or "Alphabet" has been designated as the character type after the input candidate character.

A central circular portion "hereinafter referred to as a selection line feed key" 80 is a press key, and characters "select" and "line feed" are printed on the selection line feed key 80. As will be described later in detail, the control unit 20 responds to the operation signal from the selection line feed key 80 in accordance with the character input state at that time, whether the selection of the input candidate character is instructed or the line feed is instructed. Determine what was done.

The output section 30 is composed of a mechanical optical component drive circuit group 31 for driving and controlling each component of a mechanical optical component, which will be described later, and a drive circuit 32 of the display device 33. The circuits 31 and 32 drive corresponding components under the control of the control unit 20.

As shown in FIG. 6, the display device 33 includes a liquid crystal display 33A capable of displaying, for example, six characters, and a plurality of indicators 33B-1 to 33B-n, which are arranged around the liquid crystal display 33A. Consists of The liquid crystal display 33A displays a guidance message for the user and a character string input by the user. Each indicator 33B-1,..., 33B-n
, The characters 33C-1,..., 3C indicating the attribute or status assigned to the indicator
3C-n is printed and the corresponding indicator 33
.., 33B-n are turned on, off, and blink to indicate the contents of the current attribute and state.

In the case of this embodiment, the display screen at the time of character input basically employs a cursor fixed display system in which the cursor is fixedly displayed at the fifth character display position of the liquid crystal display 33A. The display position of the input candidate character indicated by the character selection dial 85 is set to the sixth character display position on the liquid crystal display 33A. Further, as a display mode of each character on the liquid crystal display 33A, there are a "positive display", a "negative display", and a "flashing display" which repeats these. "Positive display" is a display mode of fixed characters and semi-fixed characters, "Negative display" is a display mode of provisional fixed characters, and "flashing display" is a display of input candidate characters indicated by the character selection dial 85. It is an aspect. In the following, the characters (positive characters and semi-fixed characters) targeted for “positive display” are called “positive characters”, and the characters targeted for “negative display” (temporary confirmed characters) are called “negative characters”, Characters to be displayed (input candidate characters) are called “blinking characters”.

The mechanical and optical component drive circuit group 31
Are composed of various drive circuits, but are collectively shown here. Among the components of the mechanical optical components, there are various components that require drive control, as described later,
In practice, there is a drive circuit for each component.

The control unit 20 is constituted by, for example, a microcomputer, and includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22,
RAM 23, character generator ROM (CG-R
OM) 24, an input interface 25, and an output interface 26 are connected via a system bus 27.

The ROM 22 stores various processing programs for creating a seal including a processing program for character input executed by the CPU 21 (see FIG. 1) and fixed data such as dictionary data for kana-kanji conversion. .

The RAM 23 is used as a working memory by the CPU 21 and stores fixed data relating to user input. RAM
23 is backed up even when the power is turned off.

The CG-ROM 24 stores dot patterns (fonts) of characters and symbols prepared in the stamp making apparatus, and corresponds to code data for specifying characters and symbols. Output a dot pattern to be printed.

The input interface 25 performs an interface between the input unit 10 and the control unit 20.
The output interface 26 includes an output unit 30 and a control unit 20.
Interface between the two.

The CPU 21 uses a processing program in the ROM 22 determined according to an input signal from the input unit 10 and a processing stage at that time, while using the RAM 23 as a working area.
The processing is performed by using the fixed data stored in the storage device 3 as appropriate, and the processing status, the processing result, and the like are displayed on the display device 33 and the respective components of the mechanical and optical components (FIG. 3) are driven. Or make a seal.

FIG. 7 shows a buffer provided in the input interface 25, various buffers prepared for character input in the RAM 23, and the like. Of course, the buffer configuration for character input is not limited to this.

The input interface 25 includes a character selection dial buffer 90 for buffering a character signal from the character selection dial 85 and a press key buffer 91 for buffering operation signals from the press keys 80 to 85. The RAM 23 stores a kanji candidate buffer 92 for buffering kanji candidates at the time of kana-kanji conversion, and whether the character signals buffered in the character selection dial buffer 90 are to be fetched as "hiragana", "katakana" or "alphabet". A first character type buffer 93A for buffering information and a second character type buffer 93B for buffering information as to whether a character signal buffered in the character selection dial buffer 90 is to be captured as uppercase or lowercase. A text area 94 for storing the input character string together with information on whether each character is a fixed character, a semi-fixed character, or an unfixed character; a cursor position buffer 95 buffering cursor position information; Display buffer 9 buffering the content to be displayed on display 33A Bets are prepared.

Next, the structure of the mechanical optical components and the seal body will be described with reference to FIG.

The stamp body 40 is composed of a stick stock 41, a sponge member 43 for improving the conformity of the stamp face member to the paper surface, and a flat stamp face member 42.
The stamp face member 42 is composed of a base layer 42A that is not reactive to ultraviolet rays and an ultraviolet curable resin layer 42B.
2B is exposed to the outside. The ultraviolet curable resin layer 42B can be removed with a predetermined liquid except for the cured portion.

The mechanical and optical components shown in FIG. 3 are mainly composed of a printing configuration and an ultraviolet irradiation configuration.

The printing configuration follows the thermal transfer system,
Fixed print head 50, platen roller 51, ink ribbon 52, supply reel 53, take-up reel 54
And a roller 55 for changing the traveling direction of the ink ribbon 52. Further, a guide member (e.g., for mounting a plate making sheet or a plate making sheet) which guides the plate making sheet inserted through the insertion hole 56 of the plate making sheet (see FIG. 8), the discharge hole 57 of the plate making sheet, or the insertion hole 56 of the plate making sheet to the printing position. (Including a detection sensor for detecting the position) 58, and a separation mechanism 59 for separating the ink ribbon 52 and the plate making sheet running from the printing position, and guiding the separated plate making sheet to the discharge hole 57.

As shown in FIG. 8, the plate making sheet 60 is composed of a sheet body 62 having an adhesive applied to the back surface thereof, and a release paper 61 provided on the back surface thereof. The plate-making sheet 60 is of the same size regardless of the type of the seal, and has a through hole 6 that provides a reference for the printing start position.
3A and 63B are symmetrically formed. However, the sheet body 62 has a different stamping surface member 42 depending on the type of stamp.
62A having the same shape as the outer shape of
And a half cut, and the portion 62A
It is made to be able to peel off only. When the plate making sheet 60 is inserted from the insertion hole 56, the plate making sheet 6
The end of the print head 50 and the ink ribbon 52 are superimposed on each other and positioned at a print position between the print head 50 and the platen roller 51.

Under the control of the control unit 20, the print head 50 generates heat when the heating driving circuit (see reference numeral 31 in FIG. 2) operates to transfer the ink of the ink ribbon 52 to the plate 60. is there.

Here, in the ink ribbon 52 of the thermal transfer system, the transferred portion is depleted of ink and becomes transparent. That is, the transferred ink ribbon 52 includes a portion that can transmit ultraviolet rays (a portion from which ink has been removed) and a portion that blocks transmission of ultraviolet rays (a portion where ink remains). Therefore, the imprint pattern is subjected to a printing process, and the transferred ink ribbon 52 in which a portion corresponding to the imprint pattern becomes transparent is used as a negative film.

At the time of plate making, the ink ribbon 52 and the plate making sheet 60, which have passed through the printing section consisting of the print head 50 and the platen roller 51, are overlapped with the separating mechanism 59 by the platen roller 51 (or a driving roller (not shown)). The ink ribbon 52 and the plate making sheet 60 are separated by the separating mechanism 59.

The separated plate 60 is sent out to a discharge hole 57. On the other hand, the separated ink ribbon 52
The seal body 40 is stopped at a position facing the ultraviolet curable resin layer 42B. The ink ribbon 52 that has traveled during such a plate making operation is taken up by a take-up reel 54.
It is made to be wound up by.

The plate making sheet 60 discharged from the discharge hole 57
By peeling off the printed portion 62A and attaching the printed portion 62A to the top of the stamp body 40, it is possible to visually recognize what kind of stamp surface the stamp body 40 has.

As an ultraviolet irradiation structure, an ultraviolet irradiation light source (for example, having a parabolic mirror) 70 is provided, for example, in a fixed manner, and is turned on and off by the control unit 20. Further, a transparent plate 71 which moves forward and backward by a moving mechanism (not shown) sandwiches the ink ribbon 52 and
The second ultraviolet curing resin layer 42B is provided on the opposite side. That is, the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light source 70 is applied to the transparent plate 71 and the ink ribbon (negative film) 5.
2 to reach the ultraviolet curable resin layer 42B. The transparent plate 71 is moved to the advance position (switch 12).
(A position taken when instructing to start exposure) increases the adhesion between the ink ribbon 52 functioning as a negative film and the ultraviolet curable resin layer 42B, and the ink ribbon 5 at the retracted position.
It is made so as not to disturb the running of No. 2.

Both ends of the transparent plate 71 in the direction of travel of the ink ribbon 52 are rounded, for example, so as not to damage the ink ribbon 52 at the time of contact. The rounded ends of the transparent plate 71 slightly project from the general surface, and when the transparent plate 71 moves to bring the ink ribbon 52 into contact with the stamp surface member 42, the tension is increased and the adhesion is improved. Function to increase the

Next, a flow of a general procedure performed by a user for creating a seal using the seal creating apparatus of this embodiment will be described.

After the user operates the changeover switch 12 to turn on the power, the user operates various keys of the key input unit 11 to input the imprint pattern information (character string). The input of the imprint pattern information involves not only the input of the character string constituting the imprint, but also the input of various attributes such as a character typeface, vertical and horizontal writing, and character size.

When the user completes the input of the imprint pattern information, the user generally operates the layout display key of the key input unit 11 to execute the layout display and confirms whether or not the imprint is desired. . By layout display,
After confirming the validity of the imprint, the user inserts the plate making sheet 60 until it comes into contact with the insertion hole 56, and then enters the key input unit 1.
By operating the first plate-making key, the plate-making process is executed to cause the ink ribbon 52 to form a negative film. CPU 21
When the plate making key is operated, after the input character string is expanded in the print buffer on the RAM 23 according to various attributes related to the input character string, the print head 50 and the platen roller 51 are driven to perform printing. The negative film is produced by executing the process, and the negative film is transported to a position facing the stamp face member 42.

When the plate making process is completed, the user operates the changeover switch 12 to instruct exposure. The CPU 21
The ultraviolet irradiation light source 70 is activated to irradiate the stamp surface member 42 with ultraviolet rays. At this time, the irradiation is continued until the irradiation time determined according to the type of the mounted stamp body 40 elapses, and the predetermined irradiation time elapses. At the same time, an exposure completion message is displayed, and the irradiation of the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source 70 is stopped. By such exposure processing, only the portion corresponding to the imprint pattern of the ultraviolet curable resin layer 42B of the stamp face member 42 is cured.

When the exposure is completed, the user operates the changeover switch 12 to instruct opening of the lid 65, and when the lid 65 is opened, the exposed stamp body 40 is taken out. Thereafter, the unprinted portion of the stamp body 42 of the stamp body 40 taken out is immersed in a container containing a predetermined liquid (for example, water) and reciprocated and washed to remove the non-cured portion, thereby forming irregularities on the stamp member 42. Let it form. Thereafter, a predetermined liquid is wiped off from the stamp body 40 with a cloth or the like to complete the stamp.

According to the present invention, during the character input operation, the press keys 80 to 85 (especially 81 to 85) in the character selection dial portion 11B are used.
84) has a feature in the processing when the button is pressed. Hereinafter, the CPU 21 at this time will be described with reference to FIG.
Will be described.

When any of the pressed keys 80,..., 85 in the character selection dial section 11B is pressed, the operation signal is buffered in the pressed key buffer 91 and is notified to the CPU 21 from the input interface 25. .

At this time, the CPU 21 starts the processing shown in FIG. 1A, first determines which pressed key has been operated (step 100), and also stores the contents stored in the text area 94 in the RAM 23. , The current character input state is recognized (step 101). And CP
U21 executes an operation determined by the determined operation key and the recognized character input state (step 102).

Since the cursor movement key is frequently used in the character input operation, no function other than the cursor movement function has been conventionally assigned. This embodiment focuses on the fact that, depending on the character input state, the cursor movement may not be accepted even if the cursor movement key is operated to instruct the cursor to move relative to the character. According to the processing shown in (1), when the cursor movement key is operated, "cursor movement operation" or "other operation" is executed according to the character input state.

FIG. 1B is a flowchart showing the detailed processing of steps 101 and 102 in the case where the result of the determination in step 100 is that the cursor up key 85 has been operated.

First, the CPU 21 determines whether or not a negative character exists in the text area 94 (step 20).
0). The negative character is a provisionally determined character as described above,
In the case of this embodiment, only hiragana can be a negative character, which is changed to a semi-determined character by a non-conversion command, and is subjected to kanji conversion by a conversion command.

If there is no negative character, the CPU 2
1 determines whether or not a positive character exists in the text area 94 (step 201). The positive character is a fixed character or a semi-fixed character as described above. In the case of a fixed character, no further change is possible. The semi-determined character is a state in which a change between "Hiragana" and "Katakana" is made by a non-conversion command, and "Hiragana"
If the character is already a confirmed character in "Katakana", no further change is possible.

If it is determined that neither the negative character nor the positive character exists, the cursor up key 51 is operated in a character input state in which neither upward movement of the cursor nor no conversion is accepted. CPU with or without
21 issues a warning (step 202), notifies that the operation cannot be performed, and returns to the state before the operation. At this time, the pressed key buffer 91 is cleared.

On the other hand, when there is no negative character but there is a positive character, the CPU 21 determines whether or not a blinking character exists in the text area 94 (step 20).
3). If the blinking character does not exist in the text area 94, the cursor is immediately moved upward (the line of the display character string is one line higher because the cursor fixed display method is adopted). When the blinking character is present in the text area 94 (step 204), the cursor is moved upward with the disappearance of the blinking character (step 205), and the processing for the operation ends. At this time, the pressed key buffer 91 is cleared.

Note that the blinking character is a character indicated by the character selection dial 85 as described above, and it is not clear whether or not to input it. Therefore, in step 205, the blinking characters are eliminated.

In the above-mentioned cursor moving operation, the contents of the cursor position buffer 95 are updated, and the display buffer 96 is updated.
Is also updated. If the blinking character disappears, the text area 94 is also updated. If a semi-fixed character is a positive character, the character in the text area 94 is updated to a fixed character when the cursor is moved.

The operation of moving the cursor on the first line where the semi-fixed character exists may be replaced with an operation of changing between "Hiragana" and "Katakana".

If a negative character exists, the CPU 21
Determines whether a blinking character exists in the text area 94 (step 205). If the blinking character does not exist in the text area 94, the non-conversion operation is immediately performed (step 206).
, A non-change operation with the disappearance of the blinking character is performed (step 207), and the processing for the operation ends. At this time, the pressed key buffer 91 is cleared.

The non-conversion operation is an operation for converting a negative character into a positive character. In this case, the positive character is a semi-determined character. In this non-conversion operation, the text area 94 and the display buffer 96 are updated.

When any of the other pressed keys 80, 82, 83, 84 is operated, as described above, the CPU 21 executes an operation determined by the operation key and the character input state. FIG. 9 is a chart showing the relationship between operation keys, character input states, and actions. Note that the selection line feed key 80
The description of the operation at the time of the operation is omitted.

When the cursor down key 83 is operated, a warning is issued in a character input state in which neither the kana-kanji conversion operation nor the cursor down operation is accepted, and the other cursor down operations are performed. The kana-kanji conversion operation is executed in the unacceptable character input state, and the movement under the cursor is executed in other character input states. In the kana-kanji conversion operation, the kanji candidates are stored in the kanji candidate buffer 92.
The display buffer 96 displays the kanji candidates in the kanji candidate buffer 92, and waits for a selection command from the user.

When the cursor left movement key 82 is operated, although not described in detail, in a character input state in which neither lower case conversion (including uppercase return when alphabetical characters are input) nor cursor left movement is accepted. In a character input state in which a warning is issued and the cursor leftward movement operation cannot be accepted, a lowercase conversion operation is performed, and in other character input states, a cursor leftward movement operation is performed. In addition, in the lowercase conversion operation at the time of hiragana or katakana input (understood by the first character type buffer 93A), only the character at the position of the cursor is converted to lowercase. On the other hand, in the lowercase conversion operation at the time of alphabet input (understood by the first character type buffer 93A), the contents of the second character type buffer 93B are reversed between “lowercase” and “uppercase” and are reflected in subsequent character inputs. Let it.

Further, when the cursor right movement key 84 is operated, the details will be omitted, but hiragana, katakana,
A warning is issued in the character input state in which neither the A conversion operation nor the cursor right movement operation for switching between alphabets is accepted, and the A A conversion operation is executed in the character input state in which the other cursor right movement operation cannot be accepted. The cursor right movement operation is executed in other character input states. In the A-A conversion operation, the contents of the first character type buffer 93A are cyclically switched between "Hiragana", "Katakana", and "Alphabet" for each operation.

FIG. 10 shows the operation and the liquid crystal display 33.
9 shows an example of a change from the display content of A.

Now, as shown in FIG. 10A, it is assumed that "Aio" is displayed in negative characters. It is assumed that the cursor left key 82 is operated twice in this state.
Here, since only negative characters exist, the CPU 21
Receives this operation signal as a cursor left movement command,
Execute the left movement operation. Therefore, the display shown in FIG.
The result is as shown in FIG.

Note that the display of symbols (line head marks) surrounding numbers in FIG. 10 indicates the current line number and the head of the line number, and the outlined character is a fixed character or a semi-determined character (negative character). Indicates that it exists in that line.

It is assumed that the cursor up key 81 is operated once in the state shown in FIG. In this state, since only negative characters are present, the CPU 21 accepts this operation signal as a no-conversion command, and displays the conversion target negative characters on the left side of the cursor as positive characters, as shown in FIG. In addition, the line head mark is changed to a white display.

Assume that the cursor right movement key 84 is operated twice in the display state shown in FIG. Here, since the negative character and the positive character are present and the blinking character is not present, the CPU 21 receives this operation signal as a cursor rightward movement command, and executes the rightward movement operation. Therefore, the display is as shown in FIG.

According to the above embodiment, the operation of the cursor movement key in the character input state where the movement of the cursor cannot be accepted is accepted as an operation command relating to another character input, and two functions (one is Cursor movement function), the number of keys arranged can be reduced, and the area required for the key input unit can be reduced. In this way, 2 corresponding to the cursor movement key
It is not necessary to operate another key at the same time or to operate another key before operating the cursor movement key in order to distinguish the types of functions.

Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the four types of cursor movement keys 81 to 84 are set to the annular character selection dial 8.
5, the area required for the key input unit can be reduced from this point as well.

Further, according to the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, since the operations of the four types of cursor movement keys 81 to 84 are assigned, the number of operations of each cursor movement key is balanced. In this regard, the life of the device is improved. That is, in the case of the stamp making device, the number of input lines is small, so that the frequency of vertical cursor movement is lower than the frequency of horizontal cursor movement, and the character type ( Between lowercase and uppercase, between A and A)
The number of operations of each cursor movement key is balanced.

The application device of the character input device of the present invention is not limited to a seal making device, but can be applied to other devices having a cursor movement key. The present invention is preferably applied to an apparatus having a small input panel surface, but can also be applied to an apparatus having a separate keyboard such as a personal computer or a word processor. That is, the present invention can be applied to a device having no character selection dial.

[0081]

As described above, according to the character input device of the present invention, two kinds of functions (one is a cursor movement function) can be associated with the cursor movement keys, and the number of keys can be reduced. It is possible to reduce the area required for the input unit, and to operate the other keys at the same time, It is not necessary to operate the keys of .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a processing flowchart at the time of operating a cursor movement key according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a layout diagram showing a mechanical optical component of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an external configuration of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of a character selection dial section 11B of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a display device 33 according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a buffer and the like of a RAM during character input according to the embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a plate making sheet 60 of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an operation when operating a cursor movement key according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a change in display content according to an operation in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 input unit, 11 key input unit, 20 control unit, 21
... CPU, 22 ... ROM, 23 ... RAM, 30 ... output unit, 85 ... character selection dial, 81 ... cursor up key,
82: Cursor left key, 83: Cursor down key, 84: Cursor right key.

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Tomoyuki Shinmura 2-10-18 Higashikanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Inside King Gym Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hitoshi Hayama 3-5-3 Yamato, Suwa-shi, Nagano Seiko Inside Epson Corporation (56) References: Japanese Utility Model 57-67348 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 3/023 G06F 3/02 G06F 3/033

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A plurality of cursor movement keys, character string input means for inputting a signal corresponding to a desired character from a plurality of candidate characters arranged in a predetermined order, and characters input by the character string input means Character string input state determining means for determining the current input state of a column; and when one of the operation signals is given from the cursor movement key, a cursor movement operation is performed or another operation related to character input is performed. An operation content storing means for storing an operation corresponding operation content representing each of the combinations of the type of the character string input state and the type of the operation signal, and one of the operation signals is given from the cursor movement key. At this time, according to the operation corresponding operation content stored in the operation content storage means, which is determined by the operation signal and the current character string input state determined by the input state determination means. Character input device characterized by having an operation corresponding operation execution means for executing the operation. 2. The character input device according to claim 1, further comprising a rotatable annular character selection dial for outputting character information located at a position where the character designation mark is directed. A character input device, wherein a moving key is disposed inside the ring of the ring of the character selection dial. 3. The character input device according to claim 1, wherein when one of the operation signals is given from the cursor movement key, a state in which cursor movement is possible and another state related to character input. And a display mode for an input character string. 4. The character input device according to claim 1, wherein the other state relating to character input includes at least a state where an undetermined character is being converted during kana-kanji conversion .