JPH0145094B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an electronic device that can convert input alphabet data into kana data as kana expressed in Roman characters.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, in this type of device, when inputting a small ``tsu'' of the kana character for consonant delivery, after inputting a normal ``tsu'', an instruction to make the ``tsu'' smaller is given. , before entering a normal "tsu", instruct that the next kana to be entered should be in small letters, then enter a normal "tsu", and then enter a small "tsu".
I was getting .

[Problems to be solved by the invention] However, in the conventional device, the small
When inputting information, some kind of instruction must always be given, which poses a problem of poor operability.

[Means for solving the problem] In order to solve this problem, the present invention provides a first determining means for determining whether a key code signal is generated by a vowel character key or a consonant character key, and a first determining means that determines whether a key code signal is generated by a vowel character key or a consonant character key, and a method for determining the result of this determination. and a second determining means for determining whether or not the consonant letter key has been operated in succession based on the key code signal resulting from a new key operation, and means for generating a signal indicating a small "tsu" according to the determination result. Be prepared.

[Operation] In this configuration, when the second determining means determines that the consonant character keys have been operated successively, the small "tsu" of the kana character can be obtained.

[Example] An example of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the correspondence between alphabetic characters and kana characters used in one embodiment of the present invention.
All kana characters except for "A, I, U, E, O, N" are expressed as a compound of an alpha-Abet character representing a consonant and an Alpha-A alphabet character representing a vowel. Strictly speaking, the sound represented by "Y" is a semi-vowel, but in the explanation of this embodiment, it will be treated as a consonant, and no problem will arise in practice.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a signal input unit such as a key input device, which includes an input means (for example, a keyboard) for inputting the 26 alphanumeric characters and each command described below, and a code signal generation means for generating a code signal corresponding to each character or each command. , and a so-called encoder. Regarding the signal input unit 1, FIG. 3 shows the case of a small typewriter having a key input device.

31 is a character key for inputting 26 alphanumeric characters from A to Z, and 32 is a forced output to forcefully notify that when an "N" signal is input, it is a signal indicating "N". is the key,
If you want to input a code signal indicating a vowel following the “N” signal input, if it is “na, ni, nu, ne,
It is used to indicate that the code signal is not for composing a consonant.In the case of the present invention, except for special cases such as those mentioned above, if a code signal indicating a consonant is input next, the previous code signal is Since it is automatically determined that the "N" signal is a code signal indicating "N", the rate at which the forced output key 32 is pressed is extremely low. 34 is a space key for creating a space for one or more characters between characters, 35 is a print head (a symbol indicating the sound of a canoe, etc.) - a long key for inputting characters. 36 is a paper feed key for feeding the paper, which can be pressed with the thumb when typing with the typewriter 30 in the palm of the hand. Each character signal and command signal consists of 5 bits, and there is an additional 1 bit for distinguishing between vowels and consonants. I,
The discrimination bit of the code signal indicating "U, E, O" is set to "1", and the discrimination bit of the other 21 characters and the discrimination bit of the code signal indicating other commands except for forced output commands and long sound signals are set to "0". ”. It is also assumed that the code signal indicating the forced output command and the long sound symbol has its discrimination bit set to “1” as a quasi-vowel. A character conversion/command input means for switching, which corresponds to the character change key 37 in FIG. is provided with a lock mechanism (not shown). 3 is a consonant discrimination circuit which discriminates between a vowel signal and a consonant signal based on the discrimination bit, and if it is a vowel signal,
This is transferred to the character generator 5. The one-character buffer circuit 4 is a buffer storage circuit for delaying (waiting) the transferred consonant signal for one character period, and the output signal is transferred to the character generator 5. The character generator 5 forms an alphabetic character pattern corresponding to the input vowel signal or consonant signal, or forms a kana character pattern corresponding to a vowel signal alone, an "N" signal alone, or a combination of a vowel signal and a consonant signal. It has a so-called code conversion circuit for The character generator 5 may also be configured to select a pre-prepared alpha alphabetic character pattern or kana character pattern using each of the signals. 6 is a pin matrix printer,
These are printing devices such as thermal printers and inkjet printers, and display devices such as CRTs, light emitting diodes, and liquid crystals. 7 is an inverter for inverting the input signal, and 8 and 9 are AND gates whose output becomes "1" when all inputs have logic "1" signals.

Therefore, if it is desired to print or display alphanumeric characters now, the character conversion command input means 2, that is, the character change key 37 is not pressed. Therefore, one input of the AND gate 9 is always a logic "0" and the gate is not opened. The gate is open. Therefore, if you press a desired character key among the alphanumeric character keys 31A to 31Z,
In the signal input section 1, a code signal corresponding to each alphabet is generated, and the signal is directly transferred to the character generator 5 via an AND gate 8, regardless of whether it is a vowel or a consonant. Based on the transferred code signal, the character generator 5 generates a desired alphanumeric character pattern, and the desired alphanumeric character is printed or displayed on the printing or display device 6.

Next, if you wish to display or print kana characters, press the character change key 37.
A character conversion command signal generated by pressing the character change key 37 is transferred to the character generator 5, while putting the AND gate 8 in the blocked state and the AND gate 9 in the passing state. Therefore, when a desired one of the alphanumeric character keys 31A to 31Z is pressed, a code signal corresponding to each alphanumeric character is generated in the signal input section 1, and the signal is sent to the consonant discrimination circuit 3 via the AND gate 9. be transferred. The consonant discrimination circuit 3 determines whether the discrimination bit of the transferred code signal is "1" or not.
It determines whether it is "0", and if it is "0", it means a consonant signal, so it is transferred to the single character buffer circuit 4,
If it is "1", it means a vowel signal, so it is directly transferred to the character generator 5. Generally, in the case of kana characters, a consonant signal precedes the consonant signal, followed by a vowel signal, which is sent to the consonant discrimination circuit. Therefore, the preceding consonant signal waits in the character buffer circuit 4 until the next vowel signal is sent, and is transferred to the character generator 5 at the same time as the vowel signal arrives. In the character generator 5, a character pattern of the corresponding kana characters is formed by the three types of signals sent: the vowel signal, the consonant signal, and the character conversion command signal, and the character pattern is printed or displayed on the display device 6 as desired. Kana characters are printed or displayed. Let's explain the above process when printing or displaying the kana characters "France". The kana characters for "France" correspond to the alpha-abessive characters for "HURANSU". When the "H" signal is input, since the signal is a consonant signal, it is sent from the consonant discrimination circuit 3 to the one-character buffer circuit 4, where it waits for one character period. Next, when the "U" signal is input, since this signal is a vowel signal, it is sent directly from the consonant discrimination circuit 3 to the character generator 5. At this time, the "H" signal is also sent to the character generator 5, so these two signals and the character conversion command signal form the "F" character pattern, which is printed or printed on the display device 6. Is displayed. Subsequently, when the “R” signal and “A” signal are input in sequence, the “H” signal,
In the same manner as in the case of the "U" signal, the character pattern "F" is formed by the character generator 5 and printed or displayed. Next, when the "N" signal is input, since the signal is a consonant signal, it is sent from the consonant discrimination circuit 4 to the single character buffer circuit 4. The next input "S" signal is also a consonant signal, and at the same time that this signal is sent from the consonant discrimination circuit 3 to the character buffer circuit 4, the "N" signal is sent to the character generator 5. At this time, since no vowel signal is sent from the consonant discrimination circuit 3, it is immediately detected that the "N" signal is a signal indicating "n". Thus, a character pattern "n" is formed and printed or displayed. Next, when the “U” signal is input,
A character pattern "S" is formed by the "S" signal, "U" signal, and character conversion command signal, and is printed or displayed. If there is no consonant signal and only a vowel signal, a kana character (for example, "A") corresponding to the vowel signal (for example, "A") is formed from the vowel signal and the character conversion signal, and is printed or displayed. Of course it will be done. Also, when a vowel follows "N", it generally corresponds to "na, ni, nu, ne, no", but for example, "shinan"
As in (SINAN), "N" and "A" are each independent and may not mean a single letter.
In this case, after pressing the “N” character key,
It is necessary to press the forced output key 32 to indicate that "N" and "A" do not form one character. The code signal of the forced output key 32 has a discrimination bit of "1" as a quasi-vowel, and the original signal bit consisting of 5 bits is selected as a code that does not correspond to any of the character codes, so it is forced as an "N" signal. The character pattern "n" is formed by the output signal and the character conversion signal.
It goes without saying that signal codes other than the character codes mentioned above are not involved in character generation.

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, in which a consonant discrimination means is added to the first embodiment. Components that are the same as in FIG. 2 are given the same numbers. In general, two types of consonant signals are considered to be input consecutively: "N" indicating "n" is input, and a signal indicating a consonant is input. When the same consonant is repeated, the preceding consonant indicates a consonant. However, when "N" signals are consecutive, the preceding "N" signals do not mean a consonant. This embodiment has a means for distinguishing between these, and if it is a consonant, a small "tsu" is printed or displayed. Reference numeral 10 is a consonant discriminating circuit, which distinguishes between codes for "N" signals and signals that are not "N" signals (hereinafter referred to as "").
It has a function of determining the code of a signal (referred to as a signal) and converting it to a t signal if it is a signal code, and is composed of a so-called comparison circuit and a code conversion circuit. Here, the t signal is a signal code for forming a small "tsu" character pattern together with the character conversion command signal. Note that the code conversion circuit may be included in the character generator 5. Reference numeral 11 denotes a monostable multivibrator which outputs a logic "1" signal for one character period, and is triggered by the discrimination bit "1" when a vowel signal is sent from the consonant discrimination circuit 3. The present invention can be applied to either a serial bit format or a parallel bit format; however, in the case of a serial bit format, the discrimination bit is sent out first, and then the original code signal bit is sent out. 12 and 13 are AND gates whose output is "1" when all inputs are logic "1"; and 14 is an inverter for inverting the input signal. The operation of this embodiment will be explained using an actual example to make it easier to understand.
The case where "Nitsupon America France" is printed or displayed as shown in Figure 2 will be explained.

It is now assumed that the character change key 37 (corresponding to the character conversion command input means 2) is pressed, the AND gate 9 is in the passing state, and the AND gate 8 is in the blocking state. This occurs when the "N" character key is pressed. The "N" signal enters the consonant discrimination circuit 3 via the AND gate 9, where it is determined that it is a consonant signal, and the one-character buffer circuit 4
sent to. The character buffer circuit 4 waits until the next character is input. Next, when the "I" signal enters the consonant discrimination circuit 3, it is sent directly to the character generator 5 since it is a vowel signal. At this time, the monostable multivibrator 11 is activated by the discrimination bit "1" of the "I" signal, opens the gate of the AND gate 12, and closes the gate of the AND gate 13. The "N" signal is sent to the character generator 5 via the AND gate 12.
Therefore, the character generator 5 generates a character pattern "N" according to the "I" signal, the "N" signal and the character conversion command signal, and the character pattern is printed or displayed by the printing or display device 6.

Next, the “P” signal (this will be called the “P ₁ ” signal)
enters the consonant discrimination circuit 3, the "P ₁ " signal is sent to the single character buffer circuit 4 since it is a consonant signal. Subsequently, the "P" signal (this is referred to as the "P ₂ " signal) enters the consonant discrimination circuit 3 and is sent to the one-character buffer circuit, and at the same time, the preceding "P ₁ " signal is sent out from the one-character buffer circuit 4. However, at this time, no signal is output from the consonant discrimination circuit 3, the monostable multivibrator does not operate, the AND gate 12 is in the blocking state, the AND gate 13 is in the passing state, and the "P" ₁ '' signal enters the consonant discrimination circuit 10 via the AND gate 13.
In the consonant discriminating circuit 10, it is determined whether the signal is an "N" signal or a "" signal, and since the "P ₁ " signal is a "" signal, it is immediately converted into a t signal.
The converted signal enters the character generator 5, which generates a character pattern of a small "tsu" along with a character conversion command signal. Next, the “0” signal is the consonant discrimination circuit 3.
When the "0" signal is a vowel signal, it is sent directly to the character generator 5. On the other hand, at this time, the "P ₂ " signal is also sent out from the single character buffer circuit 4, but since the monostable multivibrator 11 is activated by the discrimination bit "1" of the "0" signal, the AND gate 12 passes. state, AND gate 13 is in the blocked state, so the "P ₂ " signal is sent to character generator 5 via AND gate 12. Therefore, the character pattern "Po" is formed by the "0" signal, the "P ₂ " signal and the character conversion command signal, and is printed or displayed. Then “N”
When the signal enters the consonant discrimination circuit 3, the "N" signal is sent to the single character buffer circuit 4 since it is a consonant signal. Here, the "N" signal is for outputting the kana character "N", and it is desired to provide a space for one character after printing or displaying "Nitsupon". That is, after the "N" signal, neither a vowel signal nor a consonant signal is applied. The aforementioned forced output key 32 is pressed to input a forced output signal to the consonant discrimination circuit 3. Since the forced output signal has a discrimination bit of "1" as a quasi-vowel, it activates the monostable multivibrator 11, passes the AND gate 12, and puts the AND gate 13 in the blocked state, so the "N" signal is It enters the character generator 5 through the AND gate 12, generates a character pattern "n" together with a character conversion command signal, and "n" is printed or displayed on a printing or display device. Next, when the space key 34 is pressed, a space signal is generated, and the signal is sent to a printing or display device via a line not shown, and in the case of printing, advances the print head by one character, and displays. In this case, the display of one character is suppressed. Next, when the "A" signal enters the consonant discrimination circuit 3, since the "A" signal is a vowel signal, it is sent directly to the character generator 5, and the "A" signal is sent directly to the character generator 5.
The character pattern "A" is formed by the signal and the character conversion command signal, and is printed or displayed.

Hereinafter, the printing or displaying up to "Merica Fra" is the same as the printing or displaying of "ni" described above, so the explanation will be omitted. Next, when the "N" signal enters the consonant discrimination circuit 3, the "N"
Since the signal is a consonant signal, single character buffer circuit 4
and waits for one character period. Subsequently, when the "S" signal enters the consonant discriminating circuit 3, the "S" signal enters the single character buffer circuit 4 instead of the "N" signal since it is a consonant signal. At this time, since no vowel signal is sent from the consonant discrimination circuit 3, the monostable multivibrator 11 is not activated, the AND gate 12 is in the blocking state, and the AND gate 13 is in the passing state, so that the "N" signal enters the consonant discrimination circuit 10 via the AND gate 13. If the input signal is an “N” signal, the consonant discrimination circuit 10
Since this is simply passed through, the "N" signal is sent to the character generator 5 as it is.

The character generator 5 generates a character pattern "N" from the "N" signal and the character conversion command signal, and prints or displays this on the printing or display device 6. Next, when the "U" signal enters the consonant discrimination circuit, it is sent directly to the character generator 5 since it is a vowel signal. At this time, the monostable multivibrator 11 operates, causing the AND gate 12 to pass and the AND gate 13 to block.
The "S" signal is sent to the character generator 5 via the AND gate 12. Therefore, in the character generator 5, the character pattern "S" is formed from the "U" signal, the "S" signal and the character conversion command signal, and is printed or displayed on the printing or display device. Thus, by applying an input signal in the form of alphanumeric characters as shown in FIG. 5A, kana characters as shown in FIG. 5B can be printed or displayed.

Note that the space key 34 can also be used as the forced output key 32. In other words, the space signal is the same as the forced output signal, and its discrimination bit is set to “1”.
It is sufficient to select a code that does not correspond to any character code as the original signal bit. In that case, when input as an original space signal, the character generator does not generate any character pattern, so a space for one character is formed.

In addition, in this example, a typewriter having only alphanumeric input keys is specifically shown, but it is also possible to add numerical input keys, symbol keys, etc., and it is also possible to add numerical input keys, symbol keys, etc. It is also possible to incorporate It can also be used as a peripheral device for large electronic computers.
Furthermore, the correspondence between alphabets and kana is not limited to that shown in the first diagram; in particular, "N" indicating the Hanel sound may be substituted with "M".

As described above, according to the present invention, a discrimination bit is provided to determine whether a signal generated by pressing an alphanumeric key is a vowel or a consonant, and by determining the discrimination bit, it is possible to easily determine whether a signal indicating a vowel or a consonant is generated. can be determined. Furthermore, the “N” signal is “na, ni, nu,
Whether the code signal is for composing either ``ne'' or ``n'' or is a code signal that indicates ``n'' by itself is immediately determined by the arrival of the next signal, and the consonant signal is automatically changed. Since the roman characters are distinguished from each other, it is possible to input signals in a format that is closer to the commonly used Roman alphabet format, making the operation simple and easy.

Furthermore, if the present invention is applied to a typewriter, it can be used for both alphabetic characters and kana characters, so one typewriter can be as effective as two typewriters, and the device can be made extremely compact, making it particularly portable. It is highly effective for use.

[Effects] As described above, according to the present invention, in order to input the kana character "tsu", the consonant keys are continuously operated without providing a dedicated key. ” can be obtained.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows the correspondence between alphabetic characters and kana characters used in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a small typewriter to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of another embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 5A and 5B show examples of input alphabetic characters and output kana characters. 1... Signal input unit, 2... Character conversion command input means, 3... Consonant discrimination circuit, 4... Single character buffer circuit, 5... Character generator, 6... Printing or display device, 10... Consonant discrimination Circuit, 11... Monostable multivibrator, 31... Alphabet character input key, 32... Forced output key, 33... Long key, 34... Space key, 35... Back key, 36... Paper feed key, 37...
Character change key.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An input means having alphabetic vowel letter keys and consonant letter keys, and by operating the vowel letter keys or consonant letter keys of the input means, a key code signal consisting of a plurality of bits corresponding to the key is generated. a signal generating means for determining whether the key code signal outputted from the signal generating means is based on the vowel letter key or the consonant letter key; vowel/consonant discriminating means for separately transmitting a signal and a key code signal based on the consonant letter key; and a vowel/consonant discriminating means for storing the key code signal based on the consonant letter key sent from the vowel/consonant discriminating means, and determining the next vowel or consonant. storage means whose stored contents are read out in accordance with the output from the vowel/consonant discriminating means of a key code signal representing the vowel/consonant discriminating means; In this case, the key code signal read from the storage means is first received, and it is determined whether or not the key code signal is caused by a specific alpha alphabet character key. If the key code signal is converted into a key code signal corresponding to the kana character "tsu" and transmitted, the key code signal sent from the consonant determining means is input, and the key code signal is Kana character "tsu"
character generating means for generating a signal indicating a pattern of the kana character "tsu"; 1. An electronic device comprising: a display means capable of visually displaying "one";