JP4548667B2 - Input device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device such as a word processor for inputting data such as characters.

  As is well known, when changing the character size of input character data in a word processor, set the character size change mode in the character data input state and specify the range of character data to be changed by operating the cursor. In addition, by setting and executing the changed character size (double, quadruple, ½ double, etc.), the character data input in the standard size is enlarged or reduced.

Also, a key input method has been proposed in which the character size is changed together with the character input by changing the operation stroke of the character key (Patent Document 1). This key input system is equipped with springs with different spring constants, and an outer piston and an inner piston that can be moved by pressing down the key top are provided in the cylinder. On the other hand, the inner and outer pistons are moved together by pushing down the key top deeply with a strong push-down force, and the different movements of these pistons are detected by the detection contact provided in the cylinder. This enables character input with different character sizes.
JP-A-6-95784

  However, the character size changing process in the conventional word processor needs to be performed by interrupting the character data input process and setting the character size changing mode, so that an extra key for setting the size changing mode is required each time. There is a troublesome operation. Further, in the conventional key input method, since the character size is changed by the difference in the operation stroke of the character key, the structure of the character key becomes complicated. Increasing the number, such as more than one, is not practical because the key structure becomes more complicated and the key shape becomes larger.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is not necessary to interrupt the character data input process and newly set a character size change mode. An object of the present invention is to provide an input device that can be changed and has a simple structure.

An input device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises an input means having a character key for inputting character data, a first storage means for storing character data input by the character key of the input means, when the character key is operated, a counting means for counting the operation time of the letter keys, and time setting means for setting a time for the process of changing the character size arbitrarily, the length of time measured by the clock means The character size changing means capable of changing the character size data of the character data step by step up to three or more steps every time set by the time setting means, and the character size data changed by the character size changing means Second storage means for storing corresponding to the character data stored in the first storage means, display means for displaying the character data input from the input means, and the character support. It is characterized in in accordance with the process of changing the character size that has and a display control means for changing the size of the character data displayed on the display means according's changing means.

  The input device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the input device according to the first aspect of the invention, further comprising a size change setting means for setting the character size change processing by the character size changing means to either enlargement or reduction processing. It is characterized by having prepared.

The input device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the input device according to the first or second aspect , further comprising a magnification setting means for setting a character size change magnification, wherein the character size changing means measures the time by the time measuring means. Each time the length of time reaches the time set by the time setting means , the character size change process is performed step by step according to the change magnification set by the magnification setting means.

  According to the input device of the present invention, when character data is input by operating a character key, the operation time of the character key that has been input is measured, and the length of this time, that is, the operation time of the character key. The character size data of the input character data is changed according to the length of the character and stored in association with the input character data. For example, by continuously operating the character key of the desired character, the character of the input character The size is gradually enlarged or reduced with the operation time. Therefore, it is possible to change the size of the input character data very easily and to simplify the structure without having to interrupt the input processing of the character data and newly set the character size change mode. Can do.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic circuit of a word processor according to an embodiment of an input device of the present invention.
The electronic circuit of this word processor is controlled by a control unit (CPU) 11 to control the operation of the entire circuit.
The control unit 11 activates a system program stored in advance in the ROM 13 in response to a key operation signal supplied from the key input unit 12, and controls the operation of each part of the circuit. In addition to the key input unit 12 and the ROM 13, a character generator 14, a kana-kanji conversion table 15, a RAM 16, a changeover switch A17, a changeover switch B18, and a timer 19 are connected, and a liquid crystal dot matrix display unit 21 is connected via a display control unit 20. In addition, the printer unit 23 is connected via the print control unit 22.

  The key input unit 12 is provided with a character input key 12a including a kana character key, a numeric key, and a symbol key for inputting an arbitrary character string (document), and conversion, determination, registration, and the like of various input data. Various control keys such as a conversion key, an execution key, and a print key that are operated when performing printing and the like, cursor keys that are operated when performing cursor movement and data selection on the display screen, and the like are provided.

  The ROM 13 stores in advance a system control program by the control unit 11 such as a control program in various data input modes, a kana-kanji conversion control program, a character size change control program, and a print control program.

  In the character generator 14, font data corresponding to all character codes that can be input by the key input unit 12 is stored in advance, and display data to be displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 21 or printing to be printed by the printer unit 23. Each corresponding font data is read out by the control unit 11 according to the data.

  In the kana-kanji conversion table 15, a large number of kanji character codes corresponding to various single kanji characters, words, and idioms and kana character codes corresponding to the respective readings are associated with each other and stored in advance as table data.

  The change-over switch A17 is for selectively setting the character size change magnification by switching the switch. For example, in addition to the standard (full-width) size setting position, the double side on the enlargement side, the quadruple side, and the half side on the reduction side. , It has a switch switching position with a 1 / 4-fold angle.

  The change-over switch B18 switches the number of steps for stepwise reaching the maximum magnification when the character size of the input character data is enlarged or reduced to the magnification selected and set by the change-over switch A17. For example, a switch switching position is provided in 2 stages, 3 stages, and 4 stages.

  The timer 19 measures the time associated with key operations such as a character input key operated by the key input unit 12 and various control keys. A time setting dial is provided for setting a key operation time corresponding to the switching timing per stage when the character size is changed to the magnification set by the switching switch A17 by the number of stages set by the switching switch B18. ing.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a data register in the RAM 16 provided in the electronic circuit of the word processor. The RAM 16 includes an input buffer 16a, a display buffer 16b, an attribute memory 16c, a size setting register 16d, a change stage number register 16e, a change count register 16f, and a repeat time register 16g.

  The input buffer 16a stores and holds character data input in accordance with the operation of the character input key of the key input unit 12 as character code data. The display buffer 16b stores a font pattern of characters read from the character generator 14 corresponding to the character code data stored in the input buffer 16a in accordance with the key input operation, and is stored in the display register 16b. The character font pattern is output to the display control unit 20 and displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 21.

  The attribute memory 16c stores attribute information (character type / character size) corresponding to each character code data stored in the input buffer 16a. The attribute memory 16c corresponds to the character code data from the character generator 14. The font pattern read out in this manner is read out according to the attribute information stored in the attribute memory 16c, written in the display register 16b, and displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 21.

  The size setting register 16d stores character size data (change magnification) associated with standard or enlargement / reduction set by the switch operation of the changeover switch A17.

The change step number register 16e stores the change step number up to the maximum change magnification when changing the character size set by the changeover switch B18.
The number-of-changes register 16f is set with the number of times the character size has been changed for the character data keyed in immediately before.

  The repeat time register 16g stores the key operation time corresponding to the switching timing per stage when changing the character size set by the time setting dial provided in the timer 19.

  The printer unit 23 includes a line-type thermal print head, a carriage drive motor, a platen drive motor, and the like, and is driven and controlled from the control unit 11 via the print control unit 22. In synchronization with the print output of each print data, the carriage is moved in the sub-scanning direction by the width of one dot line by the carriage drive motor, and when one line printing is completed, the platen is rotated by the width of one line by the platen drive motor. Paper is fed.

Next, the operation of the word processor having the above configuration will be described.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing key input processing in the word processor.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the character size change setting contents in the word processor and the character size change state associated with the character key operation. FIG. 4A shows the change size, the number of change steps, the key operation time (change timing). (B) is a diagram showing a display example of changing the input character size accompanying the continuous operation of the character input key.

  First, as shown in FIG. 4A, when the change character size is set as a quadruple size on the enlargement side by operating the changeover switch A17, the change size data is stored in the size setting register 16d in the RAM 16.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 4A, when the changeover switch B18 is operated to set the number of character size change steps to three, the change step number is stored in the change step number register 16e in the RAM 16.

  Furthermore, when the character size change timing (key operation time) is set to 2 seconds as shown in FIG. 4A by the dial operation of the time setting dial provided in the timer 19, the key operation time in the RAM 16 is set. Stored in the repeat time register 16g.

The change count register 16f in the RAM 16 is set to “1” in the initial process of the key input process in FIG.
That is, for example, when “A” is selected and pressed in the character input key in the key input unit 12, it is determined that the character input key is operated, and accompanying the continuous key operation from the time of the character key operation. The elapsed time is counted by the timer 19, and the key operation elapsed time measured by the timer 19 has passed the key operation time (size change timing) “2 seconds” stored in the repeat time register 16g in the RAM 16. It is determined whether or not (Step S1 → S2).

  Here, it is determined that the key operation elapsed time counted by the timer 19 from the time when the character input key “A” is operated does not exceed the key operation time “2 seconds” stored in the repeat time register 16g. If the character data “A” corresponding to the operation key has been input to the input buffer 16a in the RAM 16, it is determined whether or not the character data “A” has been input. Character code data corresponding to “A” is stored in the input buffer 16 a in the RAM 16 (steps S 2 → S 3 → S 4).

  In this case, in the attribute memory 16c in the RAM 16, the attribute information (character type / character size) associated with the character code data of the key input character data “A” is, for example, (Mincho / Are stored as full-width).

  Then, the Mincho full-size character font “A” read from the character generator 14 is written to the display register 16 b in the RAM 16, output to the display control unit 20, and displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 21 [ See FIG. 4B].

  When it is determined that the key operation elapsed time counted by the timer 19 of the character input key “A” has passed the key operation time “2 seconds” stored in the repeat time register 16 g, It is determined whether the changed character size set and stored in the size setting register 16d is set to “standard (full-width)” without change, or “enlarged” or “reduced” with change. (Steps S1-> S2-> S5).

  If it is determined that the changed character size set and stored in the size setting register 16d in the RAM 16 is set to “standard (full-width)” without change, the character input key “A” As long as the key input operation of “” continues, the process of step S 1 → S 2 → S 3 or S 1 → S 2 → S 5 → S 3 is repeated, and the full-size input character data “A” remains displayed.

  On the other hand, the changed character size set and stored in the size setting register 16d in the RAM 16 is not “standard (full-width)” without change, but, for example, as shown in FIG. ) "Is determined to be set, whether or not the number of size changes set in the change count register 16f in the RAM 16 has reached the number of size change stages set and stored in the change stage number register 16e. Determination is made (steps S5 → S6).

  Here, the change count register 16f in the RAM 16 is initially set with the size change count set to “1” (a double-byte character input associated with the first key input is counted as one time). In the register 16e, for example, as shown in FIG. 4A, since the size change stage number is set to “3”, the change count “1” has not reached the change stage number “3”. When the determination is made, it is determined that the change is an enlargement change based on the change character size “enlarge (4 × 2)” stored in the size setting register 16d in the RAM 16, and the key input character data “A” 2 Stage expansion processing is performed (steps S6 → S7 → S8a to S10).

  That is, if it is determined in step S7 that it is an enlargement change, first, the change character size (setting magnification) “4 × 2” set and stored in the size setting register 16d in the RAM 16 is changed to the maximum magnification. The input character “A” currently stored as a full-width character in the input buffer 16a is enlarged and generated in double-width at the uniform enlargement magnification “double-angle” based on the size-changed step number “3” set and stored in the step-number register 16e. The character size of the attribute information stored in the attribute memory 16c corresponding to the input character "A" is changed from (full-width) to (double-width) (steps S8a and S9).

  Then, the full-width font pattern of the input character data “3” stored in the display buffer 16b in the RAM 16 is changed to a double-width font pattern, and is changed to the liquid crystal display unit 21 as shown in FIG. It is displayed (step S10).

  That is, when the character input key in the key input unit 12 is pressed and the duration of the pressing operation is 2 seconds, the input character data is enlarged and displayed in the second double size. .

The size change count set in the change count register 16f in the RAM 16 is incremented by (+1) and set to “2” (step S11).
Thereafter, when it is determined that the same character input key “A” is continuously operated and the key operation time “2 seconds” stored in the repeat time register 16g is again passed, the RAM 16 It is determined that the changed character size set and stored in the size setting register 16d is not “standard (full-width)” without change, but “enlarged (quadrature)”, and the number of changes in the RAM 16 It is determined whether or not the number of times of size change set in the register 16f has reached the number of size change stages set and stored in the change stage number register 16e (steps S1->S2->S5-> S6).

  Here, the number of times of size change is incremented and set to “2” in the change count register 16f in the RAM 16, and the number of size change stages is set to “3” in the change stage number register 16e. It is determined that the change number “2” has not reached the change step number “3”, and the change can be enlarged based on the change character size “enlarge (4 × 2)” set and stored in the size setting register 16d in the RAM 16. If it is determined that there is, the third-stage enlargement process of the key input character data “A” is performed (steps S6 → S7 → S8a to S10).

  That is, if it is determined in step S7 that it is an enlargement change, first, the change character size (setting magnification) “4 × 2” set and stored in the size setting register 16d in the RAM 16 is changed to the maximum magnification. The input character “A” currently stored as a double-width character in the input buffer 16a is enlarged and generated to a quadruple size with a uniform magnification “double angle” based on the size change step number “3” stored in the step number register 16e. The character size of the attribute information stored in the attribute memory 16c corresponding to the input character "A" is changed from (double angle) to (4 double angle) (steps S8a and S9).

  Then, the double-width font pattern of the input character data “3” stored in the display buffer 16b in the RAM 16 is changed to a quadruple-width font pattern, and as shown in FIG. The change is displayed (step S10).

  In other words, when the character input key in the key input unit 12 is pressed and the duration of the pressing operation is 2 seconds, the input character data is displayed in a double-width double-size format. When the duration of the pressing operation is 4 seconds, the display is enlarged and displayed in the third stage, which is a quadruple angle.

Then, the size change count set in the change count register 16f in the RAM 16 is incremented by (+1) and set to "3" (step S11).
Thereafter, when it is determined that the same character input key “A” is continuously operated and the key operation time “2 seconds” stored in the repeat time register 16g is again passed, the RAM 16 In the change count register 16f, the size change count is incremented and set to “3”, and in the change step count register 16e, the size change step count is set to “3”. Is determined to have reached the change stage number “3”, and the character size of the input character data “A” is maintained at the maximum magnification “4 ×” (steps S 1 → S 2 → S 5 → S 6 → S1).

When the pressing operation of the character input key “A” is cancelled, the series of key input processes is ended (step S1 → END).
On the other hand, when the character size of the key input character data is reduced and changed, the key operation time set in the repeat time register 16g is obtained by continuously pressing the character input key in the same manner as in the case of the enlargement and change processing. Each time, the input buffer 16a is stored with a uniform reduction magnification based on the size change step number set and stored in the change step number register 16e having the change character size (set magnification) set and stored in the size setting register 16d as the maximum magnification. The input characters that have been reduced are generated stepwise (step S7 → S8b), the character size data stored in the attribute memory 16c is reduced and changed (step S9), and the font stored in the display buffer 16b. Pattern reduction / change processing (step S10) is sequentially executed.

  Therefore, according to the word processor configured as described above, when the character input key “A” of the key input unit 12 is pressed, the character code data corresponding to the input character data “A” is first stored in the input buffer 16 a in the RAM 16. The character size data stored in the corresponding attribute memory 16c is set to standard (full-width), and the full-width character font is written in the display buffer 16b and displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 21. When the character input key “A” is continuously pressed, the enlargement magnification “4 ×” set by the changeover switch A17 is changed to the maximum magnification every repeat time “2 seconds” set by the timer 19. With the change step number “3” set by the switch B18, the character size data of the input character data “A” is changed and displayed step by step from full-width to double-width to quadruple-width. During the changing process, the character data input process is interrupted one by one, and the input key can be changed to a desired one just by operating the character input key as it is without troublesome extra key operations for setting the size changing mode. You can easily change the font size.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic circuit of the word processor concerning embodiment of the input device of this invention. The figure which shows the structure of the data register in RAM with which the electronic circuit of the said word processor is equipped. The flowchart which shows the key input process in the said word processor. It is a figure which shows the change state of the character size in the said word processor, and the change state of the character size accompanying character key operation, The figure (A) is a setting of change size, the number of change steps, and key operation time (change timing). The figure which shows an example, The figure (B) is a figure which shows the example of a change display of the input character size accompanying the continuous operation of a character input key.

Explanation of symbols

11 ... Control unit (CPU)
12 ... Key input unit 13 ... ROM
14 ... Character generator 15 ... Kana-Kanji conversion table 16 ... RAM
16a ... Input buffer 16b ... Display buffer 16c ... Attribute memory 16d ... Size setting register 16e ... Change stage number register 16f ... Change count register 16g ... Repeat time register 17 ... Changeover switch A
18 ... changeover switch B
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 19 ... Timer 20 ... Display control part 21 ... Liquid crystal dot matrix display part 22 ... Print control part 23 ... Printer part

Claims (3)

An input means having a character key for inputting character data;
First storage means for storing character data input by a character key of the input means;
When the character key of the input means is operated, the time measuring means for measuring the operation time of the character key ;
A time setting means for arbitrarily setting the time for changing the character size;
Stepwise changeable character size changing means to the three or more stages the character size data of the character data for each length of measurement time is the time set by the time setting means by said time measuring means,
Second storage means for storing the character size data changed by the character size changing means in correspondence with the character data stored in the first storage means;
Display means for displaying the character data input from the input means;
An input device comprising: display control means for changing a size of character data displayed on the display means in accordance with a character size changing process by the character size changing means. further,
The input device according to claim 1, further comprising a size change setting unit configured to set the character size changing process by the character size changing unit to either enlargement or reduction. further,
Has a magnification setting means to set the font size change magnification,
The character size changing means performs character size change processing step by step according to the change magnification set by the magnification setting means every time the length of the time measured by the time measuring means reaches the time set by the time setting means. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the input device is performed.

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