JPH0548478B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical Field The present invention relates to an electronic device, and more particularly to an electronic device capable of outputting cursive characters.

BACKGROUND ART Typewriters and other electronic devices capable of outputting characters, figures, etc. have been known for some time.

The output pattern of these electronic devices is generally printed characters, which is sufficient for transmitting textual information.

However, in the future, as there is a demand for increased expressiveness of output characters, it is expected that electronic devices capable of outputting cursive characters in which characters are connected will become commonplace.

For example, when you want to insert handwritten characters into text information in printed text, when a person who is not good at handwriting wants to create various documents, when the printed text feels cold, and when you want to add your own signature. In order to output beautiful handwritten characters, electronic devices such as cursive typewriters and printers are required.

To output such cursive characters, a cursive character pattern and an interpolation pattern that connects these character patterns are required, and a continuous cursive character pattern can only be formed by using the interpolation pattern.

By the way, in the case of cursive characters, unlike printed characters, stroke order is a problem, so if the stroke order can be displayed, the learning effect of cursive characters will be significantly improved.

Purpose The present invention can meet the above demands, and by pressing the one-stroke writing key,
It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic device configured to output cursive characters and interpolation patterns in the stroke order.

Embodiment The present invention will be described in detail below using an English typewriter type electronic device as an example.

FIG. 1 and the following illustrate one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a control circuit.

In FIG. 1, the reference numeral 1 indicates a central processing unit (CPU), to which a display device (DIS) 2 and a printer (PTR) 3 are connected as output devices.

The reference numeral 4 indicates a character generator (CG), and the reference numeral 5 indicates a pattern generator, both of which are connected to the CPU 1. These generate a pattern when given a predetermined address.

Further, a random access memory (RAM) 6 is connected to the CPU 1.

RAM6 is address part R1, non-interpolation flag part R
2, an identification code section R3, and a point section R4.

Details of each part of the RAM 6 will be described later.

On the other hand, symbols K1 to K8 are a group of input keys connected to the CPU 1. K1 is the print/cursive mode conversion key, K2 is the single stroke mode conversion key, K3
is the erase key, K4 is the right cursor key, K5 is the cursor key, K6 is the alpha alphabet character key group, K
What about 7? ,! K8 is a cursor deletion key for interpolation patterns.

Based on the above configuration, if the mode of the electronic device is now set to print mode, then
When the cursive mode conversion key K1 is pressed, the electronic device enters the cursive mode, and when K1 is further pressed, the electronic device returns to the print mode. Examples of printing "ENJOY" in print mode and cursive mode are shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. Next, a description will be given of the control operation from operating the alphabetic character key group K6 to "ENJOY" to printing cursive characters as shown in FIG. 2B.

In the present invention, a cursive character string as shown in FIG. 2B is decomposed into a character pattern as shown in FIG. 3A and an interpolation pattern as shown in FIG. 3B.

"ENJOY" is composed of a total of nine combinations of patterns, including five character patterns and four interpolation patterns, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

Therefore, when "ENJOY" is keyed in, a cursive character string can be generated by generating an interpolation pattern as shown in FIG. 3B and connecting adjacent characters.

To determine these interpolation patterns, it is sufficient to determine the positions of the pen-up point PU of the immediately preceding character and the pen-up point PD of the next character to be printed, and connect them with a straight line or curve.

Therefore, in the present invention, the processing code of one character is expressed by, for example, 16 bits as shown in Figure 3C, and the first bit indicates whether the character symbol pattern corresponding to this processing code requires an interpolation pattern. This flag is set to "0" if necessary, and "1" if not required. In addition,? or! Symbol patterns such as , etc. do not require interpolation patterns.

The 7 bits following this interpolation flag are codes for identifying characters and symbols, and the character generator 4 generates a corresponding character or symbol pattern based on this 7-bit address information.
The last 8 bits are information for the interpolation pattern, of which the upper 4 bits are the pen-down position of the cursive character pattern to be printed, and the lower 4 bits are the pen-up position.

For example, the pen down position and pen up position are
It is positioned as shown in FIG. 4A.

In other words, for a certain character, for example "e", the pen down point is determined to be 16 points and the pen up point is determined to be 16 points to the right. It is determined.

Now, according to ASC-CODE, the identification code of the letter "e" is 45, the pen down point is "A", the pen up point is "3", and the 16-bit code of the letter "e" is BCD. Expressed in code, it is "45A3". With this configuration, 16 x 16 = 256 types of interpolation patterns are required, and as shown in Figure 4B, interpolation patterns corresponding to addresses from "00" to "FF" are prepared, and these are stored in the generator 5.

Incidentally, in the case of this embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the processing code corresponding to the input key is once stored in the RAM 6 and then printed or displayed.

This is so that the cursive characters can be edited later. Using the above interpolation pattern, if you input "ENJOY!" now,
FIG. 5 shows the storage situation in the RAM 6. That is, addresses 0 to 5 are used to store the code of each character in cursive, as well as pen down and pen up points.

Note that since "!" does not require an interpolation pattern, the interpolation flag C/S is "1".

Now, the device is in cursive mode, and in this state, if you press the "E" key, the code "45A5" corresponding to this key will be generated, and the RAM 6
By supplying the address information "45" to the character generator 4, a character pattern is generated and printed or displayed on a display as shown in FIG. 6A.

As is clear from Figure 6A, this character has
Displayed with an interpolation pattern already attached.

When the "N" key is subsequently pressed, the code "4EB1" is generated and similarly stored in the RAM 6.

At this time, the CPU 1 confirms that the non-interpolation flag of "n" is "0", and then writes "5", which is the pen-up point information of the character "e", which is the immediately preceding character, and the character "n". Interpolation pattern information ``5B'' is generated based on the information ``B'' of the pen down point, and an interpolation pattern is generated by inputting ``5B'' to the pattern generator 5 as address information. The character is printed (displayed) following the previous character as shown in Figure B.

Thereafter, the character identification code "4E" is given to the character generator 4 as address information to generate a character pattern, and the character "n" is printed (displayed) as shown in FIG. 6C. Thereafter, the processing for each key input of "J", "O", and "Y" is similarly performed and printed (displayed).

On the other hand, when the last character "!" is pressed, a code "2100" is generated and this code is stored in the RAM6. FIG. 5 shows the storage state of the RAM 6 at this time.

CPU1 detects that the interpolation flag is "1", knows that the interpolation pattern is unnecessary, skips spaces by that pattern, and immediately executes
A pattern corresponding to the character code "21" is generated by the character generator 4 and printed.

This state is the state shown in FIG. 6D.

In this way, it is possible to print (display) cursive characters while determining whether or not an interpolation pattern is necessary based on the processing code. By the way, the method for displaying characters and symbols in the present invention is the seventh
It is accompanied by a cursor display as shown in the figure.

That is, when "ENJOY" is entered by key, a segment pattern for cursor display is prepared directly below each character pattern and interpolation pattern.

The cursor pattern consists of a long cursor (LC) pattern for characters directly below the character pattern and a short cursor (SC) pattern for the interpolation pattern directly below the interpolation pattern.

In the state shown in FIG. 7, the short cursor SC and long cursor LC immediately after the character "y" are currently ON, prompting the user to input the next character.

In addition, in the state shown in FIG. 7, press the left cursor key K5.
When you press 3 times, the cursor moves 3 points to the left, and a total of 3 cursors are turned on: the long cursor LC directly below the "j" and the short cursor SC on both sides.

This state is shown in FIG. 9A.

The reason why such a cursor is displayed is to indicate, for example, the range of the pattern affected by the operation when editing, such as erasing, inserting, or rewriting the letter "j".

The actual internal operation of such a display method will be explained below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

That is, in the initial state, the display 2 is cleared and is in a non-display state. As shown in FIG. 8A, only the long cursor at the first character digit position is turned on. Also, RAM
6 is all cleared and "0" is written. At this time, the interpolation flag is in a state where "1" is stored for the previous address.
This state is shown in FIG. 8C.

In this state, if the key input is ``E'', the CPU generates a processing code ``45A5'' in step S1 and moves the cursor pointer in RAM6.
Store this at the address pointed to by CP (step
S2), the cursor pointer CP moves to the next address position. This state is shown in FIG. 8D.

Furthermore, the CPU 1 inputs address information "45" to the character generator 4 at the current cursor position on the display 2, thereby displaying a pattern on "e" as shown in FIG. 8B ( Steps S3, S4). Simultaneously with this operation, the cursor pointer CP moves to the position CP' (step S5).

Then, as shown in FIG. 8A, the currently displayed cursor is turned OFF, and as shown in FIG. 8B, the next long cursor is turned ON (steps S6 and S7).

Then, the short cursor SC on both sides of the long cursor LC shown in Figure 8B, which is currently ON.
In order to turn ON and OFF the current cursor pointer CP' shown in FIG.
Read the interpolation flag C/S at the address immediately before the address in RAM6. Then, the process advances to step S9, and when it is determined that the interpolation flag C/S is "1",
In step S10, the short cursor SC immediately before the currently lit long cursor is turned OFF.
If the interpolation flag is "0", the short cursor
Turn SC ON (step S11). Then, in step S12, the interpolation flag of the address immediately after the RAM address indicated by the cursor pointer CP' is read out, and if this interpolation flag is "1" in step S13, the process advances to step S15, and the address immediately after the currently lit long cursor is read out. shoot cursor
OFF, and if it is "0", the shot cursor is turned ON in step S14. Furthermore, if the left cursor key K5 is pressed, the cursor is moved by the number of keys pressed in step S16, and the processing from step S6 onwards is performed, and when the right cursor key K4 is pressed, the processing from step S5 onwards is performed. Let's do it.

By controlling the short cursor for interpolation patterns and the long cursor for character patterns in this way, it is possible to clearly express the range of influence that the pattern output on the display corresponding to the next key input will have on the current display state. .

By the way, in the above example, in order to erase the character pattern "j", move the cursor below that character as shown in Figure 9A and press the erase key K3, and the character pattern as shown in Figure 9B is pressed. state.
In the case of Figure 9A, the long cursor and the short cursors on its left and right are ON.
This is clear from the RAM address in Figure 10A, where the short cursor on the left is connected to the interpolation patterns "1" and "2", the character pattern "4A" corresponding to the long cursor, and the short cursor on the right. This indicates that it is the processing code for the corresponding interpolation pattern "8B".

When the erase key K3 is pressed in this state, the first
As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, in step S1, the RAM address corresponding to the current cursor pointer CP is erased. Then, in step S2, the processing code of the address below the erased address is rewritten,
In step S3, information on the pen up point of the character "n" and information on the pen down point of the character "0" are read out anew. Then, in step S4, a new interpolation pattern is generated by the pattern generator, and in step S5, the following consecutive character patterns are output.

Erase operations can be performed in this manner.

By the way, if you press the interpolation pattern deletion key K8 if you want to delete only the interpolation pattern, the current
Only the interpolation pattern corresponding to the shot cursor that is ON is erased.

At this time, the contents of the RAM 6 are saved and the position of the cursor pointer CP does not change.

Erasing only the interpolation pattern in this way is useful when learning cursive characters, when you want to separate consecutive character patterns and check each cursive character, when you want to change the interpolation pattern, or when you want to change the interpolation pattern. This is very effective when you want to separate each character with ``etc'' or when character information is difficult to distinguish because the characters are continuous.

By the way, the one-stroke writing key K2 will be explained below.

In the present invention, the character generator 4,
The pattern generator 5 is configured as a generator that sequentially generates dot position information (DIND) for lighting both the character pattern and the interpolation pattern in the order in which they are written with one stroke when given address information.

The contents are shown in FIG.

That is, as shown in FIG.
DIND information for each pattern is 1 to n in order from the address.
The dots are stored as dot position information from _DIND1 to DINDn.

Based on this structure, in order to display one-stroke writing, enter "ENJOY" in advance in cursive mode, and write Figure 10A in RAM6.
Check the processing code as shown below.

FIG. 13 shows the control operation when the one-stroke writing key K2 is pressed in this state.

That is, in steps S1 and S2, the address ADR1, which is indicated by the address pointer of RAM6,
Clear ADR2.

Next, proceed to step S3, and the address section is set to RAM.
Read the code information of ADR1 of 6. Then, the process proceeds to step S4, and in order to detect the end of the character to be written in one stroke, it is determined whether the code of ADR1 is "0" or less, and if it is "0", the process is terminated, and the code is "0". If not, the process proceeds to step S5, and by inputting the code information as address information to the character generator 4, the "e" pattern is lit up one dot at a time.

Next, proceed to step S6, increment address ADR2 by +1, and set 8 bits as HP code information, with 4 bits of pen-up information in RAM of ADR1 as upper bits and 4 bits of pen-down information of RAM of ADR2 as lower bits (step S6). S7).

Next, proceed to step S8, move the displayed digit one digit to the right, and input the HP information as address information to the pattern generator 5 in step S9 in order to display the interpolation pattern, and insert the interpolation pattern into the currently displayed digit. are displayed in sequence.

Then, in step S10, ADR1 is increased by +1 and the process returns to step S3.

By repeating the above-described operations, it becomes possible to display a certain character string in one stroke, and learning the order of strokes becomes possible.

Since this embodiment is configured as described above,
It has a cursive character generator and an interpolation pattern pattern generator, and by providing a cursive output mode key, it can not only output printed characters, but also print or display cursive characters with continuous character spacing. Output can be performed.

Furthermore, by pressing the single stroke key, cursive characters and interpolation patterns can be output in the stroke order, providing a stroke order learning function.

In the above embodiment, only an English typewriter was described, but it can also be applied to cursive writing of other Japanese languages such as Japanese kana characters and kanji, and is highly effective in learning stroke order. can demonstrate.

Effects As is clear from the above explanation, according to the present invention, cursive character patterns and interpolation patterns can be output in the stroke order by pressing a single stroke key, which has a great effect on stroke order learning. I can do it.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The figure explains one embodiment of the present invention.
The figure is a block diagram of the control circuit, Figures 2A and B are illustrations of printed and cursive characters, Figure 3A is an illustration of cursive character patterns, Figure 3B is an illustration of interpolation patterns, and Figure 3B is an illustration of interpolation patterns. Figure 3C is an explanatory diagram showing the bit configuration of the processing code, Figure 4A is an explanatory diagram showing how to determine the pen-down point and pen-up point for the interpolation pattern, and Figure 4B uses Figure 4A. An explanatory diagram showing the types of interpolation patterns, Figure 5 is RAM
Figures 6A to D are explanatory diagrams showing the printing or display method, Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between cursive characters and the cursor, and Figure 8A is just before the first character is displayed. 8B is an explanatory diagram of the display state of the first character and the cursor movement state, and FIG. 8C is an explanatory diagram of the cursor position before storing the processing code.
An explanatory diagram of the contents of the RAM. Fig. 8D is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the RAM immediately after the processing code of the first character is stored. Fig. 9A is an explanatory diagram of the state with the cursor returned. Fig. 9B is an explanatory diagram with characters deleted,
Figure 10 A and B are immediately before and after the deletion of characters.
An explanatory diagram of the state of the RAM, Fig. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the method of processing cursive characters, and Fig. 12 is an explanation of the memory contents of the character generator and pattern generator when writing in one stroke using dot display. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the processing method for displaying a single stroke, and FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the erasure processing operation. 1...Central processing unit, 2...Display device, 3...
...Printer, 4...Character generator, 5
...Pattern generator, 6...Random access memory, K1...Print/cursive mode conversion key, K2...Single stroke mode conversion key, K3...
...Erase key, K4...Right cursor key, K5...
Left cursor key, K6...Alphabet character key group, K7...Symbol key, K8...Delete key, R
1...Address section, R2...Interpolation flag section, R3
...Identification code part, R4...Point part, LC...
...Long cursor, SC...Short cursor,
CP...Cursor pointer.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In an electronic device configured to be able to output cursive characters using cursive character patterns and interpolation patterns that connect these character patterns, a single stroke key is provided, and when this key is pressed, cursive characters are output. and an electronic device configured to be able to sequentially display or print the interpolated patterns in the stroke order.