JPH0542704B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field] The present invention relates to an improvement in a word processor capable of storing a plurality of document files.

[Technical background]

Many of the word processors to which the present invention is directed are developed with the functions of so-called electronic typewriters and are capable of inserting, deleting, and other editing of text. Electronic typewriters, which form the basis of such word processors, are not only capable of printing directly when the keys are pressed, but also have a built-in storage device of a desired capacity so that they can print after a predetermined or arbitrary time. There are many things that I did.

Therefore, it consists of a read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as ROM) that includes a program memory in which a predetermined program is written and a pattern memory that stores patterns such as characters and symbols, and a rewritable memory (hereinafter referred to as RAM). It has a built-in storage device. Various functions are performed by this built-in storage device and the central processing unit CPU for controlling them.

It is convenient to use a thermal head as the printing mechanism because of its small size, light weight, and quietness, but other known devices may also be used.

By utilizing the built-in mechanism, such electronic typewriters can function not only as normal typewriters and word processors, but also as data transmitting and receiving devices that exchange information between various computers, external storage devices, etc. There are also some that can be used.

On the other hand, unlike models that are targeted only at specialized engineers, devices such as electronic typewriters that are targeted at a wide range of demand groups can be equipped with these functions quickly and with the simplest operation possible. There is a demand that must be fulfilled.

Nevertheless, in the past, with this type of equipment, as the functions that could be performed became more diverse, the required operations became more complicated. I regret that I was not able to take full advantage of the features that I had worked so hard to achieve.

[Disclosure of the invention]

The present invention improves usability by changing the display contents depending on the state of the document file, that is, whether it is newly created or already created, when selecting a desired document file from among a plurality of document files that can be stored in advance. The purpose is to provide an improved word processor.

This object is to provide a word processor having the structure described in the claims, that is, a first memory that can store a plurality of document files, a second memory that stores the usage status of those files, and a second memory that can store a plurality of document files. a third memory that stores a program that stores a procedure for creating a new document file and a program that calls a created document file to a work area of the first memory; , and control means for selecting one of the two programs according to the state of the file selected by the selection means.

With the word processor according to the present invention, the displayed content changes depending on whether the selected document file is newly created or has already been created, making it easy to recognize if the document file number is called incorrectly, and changing the name of the already created file. Usability is improved by allowing each call.

[Embodiments of the invention]

The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate examples.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an electronic typewriter including a word processor according to the present invention, which is roughly divided into a keyboard section K and a printer section P.

In the figure, the keyboard section K has a required number of letter and number keys, various symbol keys, a space bar SP, a code key CODE, and various control keys, as is well known in ordinary typewriters. It is arranged.

These keys also include the left and right margin set keys required for normal typing.
LM, RM, tab set/clear key TAB+,
There are formatting keys such as TAB-, tab key TAB, carriage return key C/R, margin release key MR, backspace key B.SP, and a group of keys specific to electronic typewriters.

Key groups for electronic typewriter control include, for example, the repeat key Re that repeats the same action, the light margin flash RMF that prints right-aligned characters such as the date, the centering CTR that prints in the center of the left and right margins, and the underline key Un. , a mode key Mo for selecting the print mode, a line space switch LS for setting line spacing, and a mode switch MS.

Also, cursor movement key Cu, print key PRNT to start printing, exit key EXIT to display the initial display, delete key DEL, insert key INS,
Continue key for instruction to resume operation
It has a group of keys that are mainly used in word processor mode, such as CONT, an escape key for canceling a function, and ESC.
In addition, there are index keys for feeding and returning printing paper, reverse index keys IND, R.
IND is also installed.

Furthermore, the code key CODE has the function of expanding functionality by pressing any of various key groups at the same time. For example, by pressing the code key CODE and the tab set key TAB+ at the same time, a decimal tab can be set at the digit where the current printer head is located. In addition, in word processor mode, when normal character keys such as "F" and "R" are pressed, those characters are printed, but when the code key CODE and these character keys "F" and "R" are pressed at the same time, those characters are printed. Then, a search mode or a replace mode is obtained, and a data transfer mode to an external device (TRANSMIT) mode is obtained by pressing the code key CODE and the character key "T".

This keyboard section K is provided with an appropriate display section D, which selectively displays letters and numbers corresponding to the pressed key, as well as data and setting modes in the storage device, for operational convenience. We are trying to make it more convenient for you. This display section D can have an appropriate number of digits using a liquid crystal display (LCD), which is advantageous in terms of power consumption, element size, etc., but in order to make the entire device handy, It is often set to around 20 to 30 digits.

Note that a connector CN for using this device as a data transmitting/receiving device is provided at an appropriate position such as on the side surface of the keyboard section.

In addition, when this device is configured for handy portable use, a carrying handle CH is provided as shown.

The printer section P has a cover C that serves as a paper receptacle when opened during use. There is a platen PL under the cover C, and a printer head PH that moves along the platen PL is disposed. This printer head PH can be of any known construction, but a thermal head is advantageous in terms of its small size, convenience, and quietness. The thermal head can print directly on thermal paper, or on plain paper via a thermal transfer ribbon.

The printer head PH is attached to a carriage Ca guided by a guide bar GB, and prints while moving along the platen PL on the paper indicated by the broken line. Note that the printing paper should not be placed on the platen.
A paper release lever PR is provided which is held down on the PL and released if necessary.

An electronic typewriter including a word processor according to the present invention is turned on and off by a power switch SW. When this electronic typewriter is used as a portable device, it is primarily powered by the built-in battery power supply, but it may also be used with other external power sources, such as mains power or other power sources using a suitable adapter. Needless to say.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of an electronic typewriter including a word processor according to the present invention. Each of these elements includes the parts disclosed in FIG. 1 such as the keyboard part K, display part D, and printer part P, and parts such as the central processing unit CPU, storage device ROM, and RAM built into the main body case. It consists of Auxiliary circuits for these parts include a keyboard driver KD, a display controller DC, and a printer driver interface PI.

Furthermore, it has an external interface driver/receiver IR to enable connection with external equipment in the mode as a data transmitting/receiving device. Therefore, it is possible to exchange information with various computers and external storage devices including machines of the same type.

For each of the elements forming each block of FIG. 2, most of the elements or equipment are well known, such as
It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it can be constructed using LSI and other circuit elements as well as a printer mechanism and the like.

The word processor according to the present invention is capable of printing documents in addition to the WP (word processor) mode in which normal files are stored, edited, and printed by switching the mode selector MS shown in FIG.
It can be used arbitrarily in either NORMAL (typewriter) mode or TERMINAL mode for data transmission and reception.

Therefore, as shown in Figure 3a, the ROM contains programs for searching and replacing.
A new creation program with built-in FP and RP, as well as new creation procedures for document files.
Calling program C that calls NP and the created document file to the specified work area (RAM).
It has a built-in P.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 3b, the RAM contains not only document files (to be described later), but also input buffers IB,
The line buffer LB, display buffer LCDB, cursor pointer Cu.P, character storage area LHA, maximum input number of characters Mx.L, etc. are provided to store keystroked content or externally transmitted content at a predetermined location in the RAM. Once memorized, edit the file.
It is configured to be able to print.

Furthermore, within the RAM, there is a memory _M1 that can store a plurality of document files, and a memory _M2 that stores the usage status of those document files.
One of the plurality of document files is selected, and the control means determines whether the file selected by the selection means is a newly created file (not yet created) or a created file. Either one of the programs NP and CP is selected.

When using the electronic typewriter according to this embodiment in WP mode or NORMAL mode, formatting is performed using left and right margin keys LM, RM, tab set/clear keys TAB+, TAB-, etc. Note that the set mode and the like are displayed as guidance on the display section D.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the process of creating a new file or calling an already created file in the word processor according to the present invention.

When WP mode is selected by switching the mode selector MS, this flow starts.
In block 11, the contents of memory _M2 storing the status of the document file in memory _M1 are displayed.
That is, the entire file number is displayed on the liquid crystal display (LCD) as, for example, "F:12*45*789FileNo. ? ". Note that the symbol * indicates that the file with the number located therein has been created, and the file with the number displayed indicates that it has not yet been created.

Next, in block 12, for example, if the number key representing "2" is pressed between the displays,
The control means centered around the central processing unit CPU reads the second file, and it is determined in block 13 whether the selected file is a new file or an already created file. Block 1
Since the number key representing "2" is pressed in step 2, the determination result in block 13 is Y, and the newly created program NP is selected. Block 14
At this point, a file name input request display is displayed on the liquid crystal display (LCD), for example, "F ₂ File Name ? ". Note that _F2 is the file number. Therefore, the new creation process can proceed after inputting the file name from the keyboard KB.

On the other hand, in block 12, if you press the number key representing "3" to select the third file, the third file has already been created, so
In block 13, N becomes the calling program CP.
is selected and the file name and file size are displayed on the liquid crystal display (LCD), for example “F ₃ (50)”.
"Name: _TEXST3 " is displayed.F3 is the file number,
(50) is the file size, i.e. the number of bytes,
TEXST3 is the file name. After that, you can proceed with editing the file.

As described above, according to the electronic typewriter according to the present invention, the display changes depending on the status of the document file selected from the document file list for selecting a document file, thereby improving usability.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations can be made within the scope of the present invention.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external structure and partially broken internal structure of an electronic typewriter having the function of a word processor according to the present invention. Second
The figure is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic typewriter including a word processor according to the present invention. FIGS. 3a and 3b are diagrams illustrating the configurations of the storage devices ROM and RAM for explaining the functions of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing the operation of the search function of the word processor according to the present invention. In the figure, the correspondence of main reference numerals is as follows. K: Keyboard section, P: Printer section, D: Display section, C: Cover, SP: Space bar, CN: Connector, C/R: Carriage return key, R.
SP: backspace key, Cu: cursor key,
TAB: Tab key, MR: Margin release key,
LM: Left margin, RM: Right margin, Ca: Carriage, GB: Guide bar, PH: Printer head, PL: Platen, PR: Paper release lever,
SW: Power switch, CODE: Code key,
ESC: escape key, FP: search program,
RP: replacement program, NP: newly created program, CP: called program, _M1 : first memory,
_M2 : 1st memory, _M3 : 3rd memory, CPU:
Central processing unit, IB: Input buffer, LB: Line buffer, LCD B: Display buffer, Cu.P: Cursor pointer, LHA: Character storage area, Mx.L:
Maximum number of characters input.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A first memory that can store a plurality of document files, a second memory that stores usage states of those document files, and selects one of the plurality of document files. a third memory that stores a program that stores a procedure for creating a new document file and a program that calls a created document file to a work area of the first memory; A word processor comprising: control means for selecting one of the two programs according to the state of a document file.