JPH0833794B2 - Small electronic devices - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a small electronic device capable of storing various input data.

(Prior Art) A small electronic device such as a so-called electronic notebook can perform various functions. For example, in the business card book function, data such as a company name, a department, a telephone number, and an individual name can be input from a keyboard and stored. The stored data can be read out by retrieval and displayed on the display device.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) In such a small electronic device, the keys provided on the keyboard are small and the number of keys is limited due to dimensional restrictions. Therefore, the small electronic device has a drawback that the operability of data input is worse than that of a relatively large electronic device such as a personal computer. In spite of such inevitable drawbacks, a large amount of data must be input in order to effectively use each function in a small electronic device. When inputting data, the same data is often input. For example, in the business card book function described above, the same company name may be input many times. As described above, in the conventional small electronic device, since the same data has to be input many times using a keyboard with poor operability, there is a problem that the key operation is troublesome, and further incorrect data can be input. There is also a nature.

This problem can be solved to some extent by using a so-called "clipboard" provided in some kind of electronic notebook.
However, in order to use the clipboard, if the data is not stored in the clipboard in advance (that is, it is not stored in the memory area allocated as the clipboard in advance), the data will be input in the subsequent data input. Cannot be used.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a small electronic device in which the key operation is not troublesome even when the same data is input many times and the possibility of erroneous input is small.

(Means for Solving the Problem) A small electronic device of the present invention is a small-sized electronic device having a data input means, a storage means for storing the input data, and a display means for displaying the data stored in the storage means. An electronic device, a means for displaying on the display means a data group having a predetermined relationship with data to be input from the data input means, a means for selecting any one of the displayed data groups, And means for converting the selected data into the data to be input, whereby the above object is achieved.

(Examples) The present invention will be described below with reference to Examples.

FIG. 1 shows an external plan view of an embodiment of the present invention. The present embodiment is a small electronic device generally called an "electronic notebook". The electronic notebook 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a main body 2 and a main body cover 3.
It has. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the main body cover 3 of the electronic notebook 1 is opened.

The main body 2 includes a keyboard 4. Keyboard 4
Has an [ON] key 41 for turning on the power and an [OFF] key 42 for turning off the power. The mode switching unit 43 includes a key for switching the mode or selecting an application program to be executed. The data input unit 44 includes a plurality of alphabetic keys including an [S] key 441, a [1] key 446, and a [4] key 447.
It has a plurality of numeric keys including, an [ENTER] key 440 for completing data input, and the like. Keyboard 4 is also
A cursor movement key 45 for moving a cursor displayed on a liquid crystal display, which will be described later, a search key 46 for searching data, and a [C key for canceling processing.
・ CE] key 47, [SHIFT] key 48 to activate the second function assigned to a specific key, arrow key 4
It has a 9 and a [=] key 50. [H] key 442
When operated subsequently to the [SHIFT] key 48, it functions as a [HELP] key. [U] key 443 is [SHIFT] key 48
When operated subsequently to, functions as the [SEEK] key. The [Q] key 444 functions as an [EDIT] key when operated subsequently to the [SHIFT] key 48. When the [=] key 50 is operated following the [SHIFT] key 48, [A]
LARM] key. In the following, a key having the above-mentioned second function is called [SHIF
When the T] key 48 is operated subsequently, the key is referred to by the name of the second function. For example, when the [H] key 442 is operated subsequently to the [SHIFT] key 48, the [H] key 442 is referred to as the [HELP] key 442.

The body cover 3 is provided with a liquid crystal display (LCD) 5 capable of displaying a plurality of lines and a transparent keyboard 6. Instead of the LCD 5, another display device with low power consumption can be used. When a memory card containing an application program for expanding the functions of the electronic notebook 1 is inserted through an insertion opening (not shown) provided on the back surface of the body cover 3 near the hinge portion, the memory card is , Whose surface is visible through the transparent keyboard 6. The transparent keyboard 6 is used when executing an application program built in the memory card.

FIG. 2 shows the hardware structure of the electronic notebook 1. The control unit 8 that controls the electronic notebook 1 includes a CPU 81 and a gate array 8
Contains 2 The LCD 5 shown in FIG.
It is connected to the control unit 8 via the bitmap memory 52, the common driver 53, and the segment driver 54. LCD5
The data to be displayed on is supplied from the control unit 8 to the decoder 51. The decoder 51 decodes the data and writes it in the bitmap memory 52. The bitmap memory 52 is
This is a memory in which 1 bit is assigned to 1 dot of the LCD 5, and [1] is written in the bit corresponding to the dot to be turned on, and [0] is written in the other bit. The common driver 53 and the segment driver 54 display characters, figures, etc. on the LCD 5 according to the stored contents of the bitmap memory 52.

Reference numeral 45 indicates a key matrix for detecting a key input from the keyboard 4. Also, the reference number
Reference numeral 65 indicates a key matrix for detecting a key input from the transparent keyboard 6.

The control unit 8 also has a real time clock (RTC) 11,
An expansion terminal 12 for connecting a device such as a printer, a personal computer, and an electronic notebook of the same type as this embodiment to the electronic notebook 1, and an expansion terminal 13 dedicated to a memory card are connected. The extension terminal 13 has a male connector 14 and a male connector that are connected to the female connector 73 of the memory card 7.
A detection unit 15 for detecting that the female connector 73 of the memory card 7 is connected to 14 is connected.

The control unit 8 is further connected to a ROM 9 and a RAM 10 backed up by a battery (not shown). ROM9
Includes a basic program for executing basic functions such as data input from the keyboard 4 and the transparent keyboard 6 and display on the LCD 5, a calendar display function, a telephone book function,
There are multiple application programs for realizing the text creation function, schedule management function, memo function, business card book function, etc., and multiple tables with fixed contents used in the application program for calendar display, etc. It is stored. The RAM 10 is for storing variable information required by the application program stored in the ROM 9, data created using the application program, and the like. RAM1
0 indicates a telephone directory storage area 101 and a schedule storage area 10
2, memo data storage area 103, a table 10 for managing information about memo data in the memo data storage area 103
4, a mode storage area 105 for storing various modes,
A text data storage area 106, a management table 107 for managing the hierarchical relationship of text data in the text storage area 106, a business card data storage area 109, and a data exchange storage area for exchanging data between application programs. 110 is provided. RAM10 also has various variables,
Areas for pointers and flags are provided.

Next, the business card book function realized by the business card book program included in the application program of the electronic notebook 1 will be described. Referring to FIGS. 3 (a) to (c),
How the business card data is stored in the business card data storage area 109 will be described. FIG. 3 (a) shows one company data. The company data includes a company code 301 and company name data 302. The company code 301 is fixed length data, but the company name data 302 is variable length data.
Company data is separated from each other by a delimiter code 303. There are as many company data as there are different companies. When the user inputs a new company name when creating business card data using the business card book program, the new company data is formed in the business card data storage area 109. At this time, the company code 301 is automatically given by the business card book program.

FIG. 3 (b) shows one piece of department data. The department data includes a company code 301, a department code 304, a department name 305, a department telephone number 306, a department FAX number 307, and a department address 308. The department data is associated with the company data by the company code 301. There are as many department data as there are different companies. If the user inputs a new department name for a company when creating business card data using the business card book program, the new department data will be stored in the business card data storage area.
Formed within 109. At this time, the department code 304 is automatically given by the business card book program.

FIG. 3 (c) shows personal data for one person. The personal data includes a company code 301, a department code 304, a personal name 309, a personal telephone number 310, and a personal post 311. The personal data is associated with the company data and the department data by the company code 301 and the department code 304, respectively.

By storing the company data and department data separately from the personal data as described above, the storage area is consumed more than when the company name, department name, etc. are stored redundantly for a plurality of personal data. The size is reduced, and the data search described later becomes easy. Of course, it is also possible to store company data and department data in each personal data without storing such business card data.

The procedure for inputting business card data in the business card book program will be described with reference to FIG. When the business card book program is activated, first, a display requesting the input of the company name is displayed (step S1). In step S3, it is determined whether or not the data input in step S2 is one character. If one character, the process proceeds to step S4. If not, the process proceeds to step S14.

In step S4, the company names whose initials are the characters input in step S2 are read from the business card data storage area 109 and displayed in a list. This list display also provides options for entering a new company name that is not displayed. Next, it is determined in step S6 whether the key input in step S5 is to select the input of a new company name,
If a new company name is input, the process proceeds to step S14. If not, that is, when the company name is selected from the displayed items, the process proceeds to step S7. In step S7, the selected company name is displayed as the input company name. On the other hand, in step S14, the process of inputting the company name using the keyboard is performed. The company name entered here is the business card data storage area
If it is not already registered in 109, new company data as shown in FIG. 3 (a) is created.

Next, it is determined whether the department data corresponding to the selected company name is registered by checking the business card data storage area 109 (step S8). If the department data is registered, the process proceeds to step S9 to display a list of the registered department data. This list display also provides options for inputting new department data that is not displayed. If the department data is not registered, the process proceeds to step S15. After displaying the list in step S9,
It is determined in step S11 whether or not the key input in step S10 is to select the input of new department data, and if new department data is input, the process proceeds to step S15, otherwise, that is, the displayed If the department data is selected from the inside, the process proceeds to step S12. In step S12, the selected department data is displayed as the inputted department data. On the other hand, in step S15, department data input processing is performed using the keyboard. If the department data input here is not already registered in the business card data storage area 109, new department data as shown in FIG. 3B is created. In step S13, input processing of personal data is performed. By the above processing, the input of business card data for one person is completed.

As can be seen from the above description, in the business card book program of the present embodiment, when a company name is input, a list of company names already registered in another business card data is displayed and the displayed name is input. You can select the company name to be used.
Therefore, if the company name to be entered is already registered, the company name can be entered with a very simple operation. With respect to department data, a list of registered data is displayed and the department data can be selected from the displayed data, so that it becomes very easy to input department data as in the case of the company name.

Incidentally, the registered company name can be displayed by pressing a specific function key when entering the company name. Further, the function of displaying a list of registered data and selecting from the displayed data can be applied not only to the business card book program but also to other programs that require data input.

Figures 5A to 5J show display examples when the business card book program is executed. FIG. 5A shows a screen at the time of starting the business card book program, in which the input of the company name is required.

Although not shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, when the screen of FIG. 5A is displayed, the [SHIFT] key 48 and [H
If the [ELP] key 442 is continuously operated, the help screen is displayed as shown in FIG. 5B.

In the state shown in FIG. 5A or 5B, [S] key 441 and [ENTE
When the [R] key 440 is pressed, “S” is displayed as shown in FIG. 5C.
A list of registered company names starting with "." Is displayed. When the company name is selected by pressing the [4] key 447 here, the selected company name is displayed in the company name column as shown in FIG. 5D, and further registered in correspondence with the company name. List of department data is displayed. When the [1] key 446 is pressed to select the department data, the selected department data is displayed as shown in FIG. 5E, and
A display prompting for the name is displayed.

Figure 5F shows the display state after inputting the name, and the display requesting the input of the job title is displayed. FIG. 5G shows a display state after inputting a job title, and a display requesting the input of a personal telephone number is displayed. Enter the phone number as shown in Fig. 5H and press the [ENTER] key 440.
A display indicating that the input business card data is being stored is displayed as shown in FIG. 5I, and thereafter, the input business card data is displayed in a predetermined format as shown in FIG. 5J.

(Effect of the Invention) According to the present invention, even when inputting the same data as the data that has already been input, the data that has already been input can be used to efficiently input the data with a simple key operation. There is provided a small electronic device that can In the small electronic device of the present invention, since the data that has already been input can be used, the possibility of erroneous input of data is reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an appearance of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware structure of the embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a business card data storage method by a business card book program of the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram, FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining a business card data input procedure in the business card book program, and FIGS. 5A to 5J are display screens when the business card book program is executed. FIG. 1 ... Electronic notebook (small electronic device), 2 ... Main body, 3 ...
Main unit cover, 4 ... keyboard, 44 ... data input section,
5 ... LCD, 10 ... RAM, 109 ... Business card data storage area.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A small electronic device comprising a data input means, a storage means for storing the input data, and a display means for displaying the data stored in the storage means. Means for displaying on the display means a data group having a predetermined relationship to the data to be attempted, means for selecting any one of the displayed data groups, and attempting to input the selected data A small electronic device equipped with a means of converting data.