JPH096513A - Input character variable type input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To reduce input misses by easily executing input operation when inputting characters. CONSTITUTION: A keyboard capable of controlling the display/non-display of a key top character and changing a displayed character is used. A character shape storing part 1 stores a displayed character and a key code storing part 2 stores an output character code to be outputted to an output part 5. A key entry control part 3 discriminates a key entry state and specifies a character in a range to be inputted next to a character input part 4. The input part 4 displays the specified character on a specified key. In the case of Roman character/KANA (Japanese syllabary) conversion, an alphabet to be operated at initiat state is displayed on a key top based upon a prescribed character array in the initial state and then an alphabet in the succeeding input range is displayed on a key top based on a Roman character rule in each depression of one key. At the end of input of one Roman character, a KANA character candidate obtained by Roman character/KANA conversion is displayed on the key top, and when the candidate is selected, a corresponding KANA code is outputted and the processing is returned to the initial state. When a control part or the like is provided with a KANA/KANJI (Chinese character) conversion function, a KANJI code or the like can also be outputted.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a character input device for inputting characters from a keyboard to an information processing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a character is input to an information processing device using a keyboard, particularly Japanese romaji, a character input state is used as a technique for preventing an input error and effectively performing an input process. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-88804 discloses a Roman character input device for highlighting keys in accordance with the above.

The "Romaji input device" described in this publication is based on a rule of combination of alphabets forming a Roman character by a Roman Kana-Kanji conversion control unit.
The valid / invalid key of the key to be operated next is determined, and the normal / dark display of each key top on the display device is performed by the touch panel display control unit. The vowel that can follow the consonant after the consonant key is input.・ Only the modifier keys are highlighted.

[0004]

In the "Romaji input device" described in the above-mentioned publication, in a keyboard in which all the English keys are fixedly arranged, only the effective key of the Romaji input characters is highlighted. It was done,
Only the valid keys are shown by highlighting the keys, and the process at the time of pressing the invalid key is not taken into consideration. Further, there is a problem in that deletion of the number of keys and miniaturization of the keyboard are not considered because all the alphabetic keys are arranged.

Further, since the "Romaji input device" relates to a keyboard in which all alphabetic keys are fixedly arranged, the key to be pressed next is set and displayed at a predetermined position which is easy to operate. Is also not considered. Further, in the Roman character input device, only the English character is input, and the function of converting Roman characters into Japanese Kana characters is left to the upper processor.

An object of the present invention is to provide only the minimum necessary keys on the keyboard according to the input state, so that the number of keys of the keyboard can be reduced and the input operation at the time of character input can be facilitated. Another object of the present invention is to provide a character input device capable of reducing input mistakes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a character input device capable of reducing input mistakes by effectively operating only the keys corresponding to the characters that can be input according to the character input state.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an input device capable of easily performing kana conversion input by displaying kana characters after romaji kana conversion in a desired arrangement on a key top with good operability as appropriate. .

Another object of the present invention is to provide an input device capable of easily performing kanji conversion input by displaying kanji characters after kana-kanji conversion in a desired arrangement on a key top with good operability. .

Another object of the present invention is to provide an input device which has a function of outputting a character code of a kana character or a kanji character after conversion of romaji, roman kana and kana characters, and which can reduce the load on the host processor. is there.

[0011]

In order to solve the above problems, an input character variable type input device of the present invention is a character shape storage means for storing the shape of a character, a character code storage means for storing a character code, A character allocating means for allocating a character effective as an input to the key top according to the input state, a key display means for displaying the character allocated to each key on the key top by referring to the character shape storing means, and Display means for displaying the character assigned to the pressed key and output means for outputting the character code corresponding to the character assigned to the pressed key.

The input character variable type input device of the present invention is also effective for forming a character shape storage means for storing the shapes of alphabetic characters and kana characters, a character code storage means for storing a character code, and a Roman character. Romaji kana information storage means for storing the combination of letters and the correspondence between the combination of letters and kana characters, and the assignment and input of the next valid alphabet key to the keytop according to the input state by referring to the romaji kana information storage means A character allocating means for allocating a candidate kana character to a key top when a combination of the selected alphabetic characters corresponds to the kana character, and a key top for the alphabetic character and the kana character allocated to each key by referring to the character shape storing means. , A character display means for displaying the character assigned to the pressed key, and a character code corresponding to the kana character assigned to the pressed key And output means for outputting.

Further, the input character variable type input device of the present invention is effective in constructing a character shape storage means for storing the shapes of alphabetic characters, kana characters and kanji characters, a character code storage means for storing a character code, and a Roman character. Depending on the input state, refer to the alphabetic kana-kanji information storage means for storing the combination of alphabetic characters, the correspondence between alphabetic characters and kana characters, and the combination of alphabetic characters or the combination of kana characters and kanji, and the alphabetic kana-kanji information memory means. The next valid alphabetic character is assigned to the keytop, when the entered alphabetic character combination corresponds to a kana character, the candidate kana character is assigned to the keytop, and the input kana character combination corresponds to a kanji character. At this time, by referring to the character allocating means for allocating the candidate kanji to the key top and the letter, kana and kanji assigned to each key by referring to the character shape storing means And the key display means for displaying-up,
Display means for displaying the character assigned to the pressed key and output means for outputting a character code corresponding to the alphabetic character, kana character, or kanji character assigned to the pressed key.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, a key and a character shape information storage unit 1 which stores character shape information and is readable,
A character code corresponding to a character is stored, and a readable character code information storage unit 2 and a valid character in the range to be input next are keyed in accordance with a rule that composes a character according to a key input operation state. A key input control unit 3 having a function of assigning to the top and a character input key are possessed, and the character assigned to each key by referring to the character shape information storage unit 1 based on the assignment information from the key control unit 3. A character input unit 4 having a function of displaying on the key top,
The external output unit 5 has a function of outputting the character code corresponding to the character assigned to the pressed key to the outside.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

The keyboard of this embodiment can be used without fixed display of input characters unique to each key. The key top of the key is provided with, for example, a display device for changing the display character, and the character input unit 4, the key input control unit 3, etc., so that the display, non-display, and display character can be variably controlled by a control signal. Make up.

The key input control unit 3 has a function of identifying a character input state and assigning a valid character, which is a character in the range to be input next, to each key of the character input unit 4 according to the input state. . That is, in the initial state of key input, display control is performed so that all characters that may be operated first are displayed on the key top in a predetermined character arrangement. Further, after the first key operation, only the characters corresponding to the next key input characters, which may be input according to the character input rule, are displayed on the desired key. The same applies to the following, and normally, the desired input operation is completed by several key input operations, and the initial state is restored. For example, in the case of normal Romaji-Kana conversion input, the first display characters are Q, C,
Furthermore, the characters are displayed excluding V, L, etc. by the conversion method,
After that, only the limited characters are displayed for each key operation. In this case, in the key input operation, one kana input is completed by one to three alphabet input operations.

The character input section 4 refers to the character shape information 1 to obtain information on the shape of the valid character assigned from the key input control section 3, and displays the valid character on each key top based on the information. To do. On the other hand, a key to which no character is assigned deletes the character that has been displayed until then. Then, a key on which nothing is displayed is treated as an invalid key, and the character input unit 4 invalidates the input even if the key is pressed.

The key input control section 3 refers to the character code information 2 to transfer the character code corresponding to the character assigned to the pressed valid key to the upper processor through the external output section 5.

According to the present embodiment, when a character is input from the keyboard, it is possible to display and provide only the inputtable character keys according to the input state to the user, so that only the minimum number of necessary keys is required. Since it is only necessary to prepare the key on the keyboard, it is possible to reduce input mistakes at the time of character input, and it is possible to reduce the number of keys because it is not necessary to always prepare unnecessary keys.

(Embodiment 2) A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings with regard to an example of Romaji-kana conversion input. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the transition of the input state at the time of Rome, and the management of the key input state will be described first with reference to this.

In the present embodiment, in order to determine an effective alphabet for forming a Roman character, since the Roman character is composed of a combination of two or three alphabetic characters, the first Roman character (for example, KA is K , SYO waits for S) to be input [first character input waiting state],
The state of waiting for the second letter (for example, A for KA, Y for SYO) to be entered, which is composed of two or three alphabetic characters, and the three letters. The input state of the Roman character is managed under the assumption of three key input states of the state (waiting for the input of the third character) of waiting for the input of the third letter of the composed Roman character (for example, O for SYO).

In the case of a Roman character composed of two alphabetic characters, after transitioning from the "first character input waiting state" to the "second character input waiting state", it returns to the "first character input waiting state" again. In the case of a Roman alphabet consisting of three letters,
The letter entered in [Waiting for second character input] is H
If it is Y, it is determined that the Roman character is composed of three English characters, and the state transits to the [third character input waiting state]. On the contrary, if the alphabetic character input in the [second character input waiting state] is not H or Y, it is determined that the Roman character is composed of two characters, and the state transits to the [first character input waiting state].

However, in the [first character input waiting state], if the input character is a character ending with one character, for example, [-], it is left as it is [first character input waiting state] and the next Roman character first character is input. Wait for

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of this embodiment based on the management of the input state of the Roman character input as described above.

In the present embodiment, the shape information of alphabetic characters and kana characters is stored, and the readable character shape information storage unit 1
1 and a valid combination of English characters for composing a Roman character are stored and can be read out, and a correspondence between the combination of Roman characters and a kana character is stored. Romaji kana conversion information storage unit 13 that can be stored and a character code corresponding to a Kana character are stored, and the readable character code information storage unit 14 is stored.
By referring to the Roman character configuration information storage unit 12, the function of assigning the next valid English character to the keytop according to the input state, and when the combination of the input alphabetic characters is in a state corresponding to a kana character, A key input control unit 15 having a function of assigning a candidate kana character to a key top by referring to the Roman character kana conversion information storage unit 13,
It has a character input key, and the character shape information storage unit 11
Character input section 16 having the function of displaying the alphabetic characters and kana characters assigned to each key on the key top by referring to, and the input character having the function of displaying the alphabetic characters and kana characters assigned to the pressed key The display unit 17 and the external output unit 18 having a function of outputting the character code corresponding to the kana character assigned to the pressed key to the outside.

In this embodiment, the processing for inputting in Japan is executed in the following procedure.

The key input control section 15 identifies the above-mentioned key input states ([first character input waiting state], [second character input waiting state], [third character input waiting state]) and according to each state. The minimum effective alphabetic characters for composing the Roman alphabet are retrieved from the Roman alphabet composition information storage unit 12, and the effective alphabetic characters are assigned to the respective keys of the character input unit 16.

In the character input unit 16, the character shape information storage unit 1
By referring to 1, the shape information of the assigned English character is acquired from the key input control unit 15 and displayed on each key top. On the other hand, if there is a character that has been displayed in the key that was not assigned an alphabetic character, delete it,
The keys that are not displayed are treated as invalid keys,
It is not entered when the key is pressed.

When the key input control section 15 recognizes that any valid key has been pressed, the alphabet assigned to the pressed key is displayed on the input character display section or a small display section different from the display section. And the like are displayed on the input character display unit 17. On the other hand, even if an invalid key to which no alphabetic character is assigned is pressed, it is ignored.

When a Roman character is formed by the English characters input from the character input unit 16, the key input control unit 15 acquires the candidate Kana characters (Hiragana, Katakana) from the Roman character Kana conversion information storage unit 13 and inputs the characters. It is assigned to an appropriate key top of the section 16. For example, if [TU] is entered, [T], [T], [T], [T] are assigned.

In the character input unit 16, the character shape information storage unit 1
1, the shape information of the assigned kana character is acquired from the key input control unit 15 and displayed on each appropriate key top. On the other hand, if the kana characters are not assigned to the keys, if there are any characters that have been displayed up to that point, those characters are erased, and keys that are not displayed are treated as invalid keys.

Then, the key input control unit 15 refers to the character code information storage unit 14 to transfer the character code corresponding to the kana character assigned to the pressed valid key to the upper processor through the external output unit 18. .

According to the present embodiment, when Japanese characters are input from the keyboard using Roman characters, only the characters that can be input according to the input state can be provided to the user, so that only the minimum necessary number of keys can be displayed on the keyboard. Since you only have to prepare it, you can reduce input mistakes in inputting characters.

Further, since it has a function of converting Roman characters into Kana characters, it can be used as a simple word processor.

(Embodiment 3) An example of kana-kanji conversion input according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Also in the present embodiment, the management of the key input state is the same as the operation of the transition of the input state of Roman letters in FIG. Further, FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the present embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the shape information of English characters, Kana characters, and Chinese characters is stored, and the readable character shape information storage unit 21 and the effective combination of English characters for forming the Roman characters are stored. In addition, the readable Roman character configuration information storage unit 22 stores the correspondence between Roman character combinations and Kana characters, and the readable Roman character Kana conversion information storage unit 23, the combination of Kana characters and Kanji characters. And a readable character code information storage unit 25 that stores a readable and readable Kana-Kanji conversion information storage unit 24 and a kana character and a character code corresponding to a Kanji character. By referring to the Roman character configuration information storage unit 22, the function of assigning the next valid English character to the keytop according to the input state and the combination of the input English characters correspond to the kana character. When it becomes a state where the kana kanji conversion information storage unit 23 is referred to, the function of assigning a candidate kana character to the key top and the combination of the inputted kana characters correspond to a kanji By referring to the conversion information storage unit 24, the key input control unit 2 having a function of assigning to a candidate Kanji key top
6 and a character input unit 27 having a character input key and having a function of displaying the alphabetic characters, kana characters, and Chinese characters assigned to each key by referring to the character shape information storage unit 21. , An input character display unit 28 having a function of displaying an alphabetic character, kana character, or kanji assigned to the pressed key, and a character code corresponding to the kana character or kanji assigned to the pressed key to the outside. The external output unit 29 has a function of outputting.

In this embodiment shown in FIG. 4, Japanese input processing is executed in the following procedure.

The key input control section 26 identifies the above-mentioned key input state [first character input waiting state], [second character input waiting state], [third character input waiting state], and displays a Roman character according to each state. A valid English character for composition is searched and acquired from the Roman character configuration information storage unit 22, and the valid English character is assigned to each key of the character input unit 27.

In the character input unit 27, the character shape information storage unit 2
By referring to 1, the shape of the assigned alphabetic character is acquired from the key input control unit 26 and displayed on each key top. On the other hand, if there is a character to which no alphabetic character is assigned and there is a character that has been displayed up to that point, that key is erased, and the key that is not displayed is treated as an invalid key.

When the key input control unit 26 recognizes that any valid key has been pressed, the alphabetic character assigned to the pressed key is displayed on the input character display unit 28. on the other hand,
Even if an invalid key without an alphabetic character is pressed, it is ignored.

When the Roman characters are formed by the English characters input from the character input unit 27, the key input control unit 26 acquires the candidate Kana characters (Hiragana, Katakana) from the Roman character Kana conversion information 23 and acquires the character input unit 27. Assign to the key top of. For example, if [TU] is entered, [T], [T], [T], [T] are assigned.

In the character input unit 27, the character shape information storage unit 2
With reference to, the shape of the assigned kana character is acquired from the key input control unit 26 and displayed on each key top. On the other hand, if there is a character to which a kana character has not been assigned and there is a character that has been displayed until then, that key is erased, and a key that is not displayed is treated as an invalid key.

Further, when the Kanji is composed of the Roman characters input from the character input unit 27, the key input control unit 26
Stores the kanji information that is the candidate for kana-kanji conversion information storage unit 2
4, and assigns it to the key top of the character input unit 27. For example, if [ki] is entered, [tree] [ki]
[Period] [Note] etc. are assigned.

The character input unit 27 refers to the character shape information storage unit to acquire the shape information of the assigned Chinese character from the key input control unit 26, and displays it on each key top. On the other hand, if there is a character that has been displayed in the key to which no kanji has been assigned, that character is erased, and the key that is not displayed is treated as an invalid key.

Then, the key input control unit 26 refers to the character code information storage unit 25 to send the character code corresponding to the kana character or the Chinese character assigned to the pressed valid key to the upper processor through the external output unit 29. Forward.

According to the present embodiment, when inputting Roman characters in Japanese from the keyboard, only the characters that can be input according to the input state can be provided to the user. Since you only have to prepare it, you can reduce input mistakes when entering characters.

Further, since it has a function of converting Roman characters into Kana characters and Kana characters into Kanji, it can be used as a simple word processor.

In the above embodiment, the input character variable type having a function of displaying valid characters which are characters in the range to be input next according to the input state is assigned to each key of the character input section and displayed. I explained only the input device,
It is effective to use such an input device function in combination with a function of a normal input device so that both functions can be switched, in order to increase the degree of freedom and operability of various key input operations. In this case, the display on the key top for the normal input function may be configured as a switching display of the minimum required fixed characters using the variable display, or a fixed display of characters may be separately displayed on the key top etc. It can be realized by configuring.

The display arrangement on the key top is
Variable display device for alphabetic characters, kana characters, and kanji so that they can be appropriately arranged and displayed in positions with good operability in alphabetical order, Japanese syllabary order, bias, and whispering order, etc., according to the input state. It is effective to make it selectable by taking advantage of the characteristics of using.

It should be noted that overflow of display characters such as character input and input other than display and key display described above, for example, temporary input of alphabets including reduced alphabets, display of converted kanji number more than the number of keys, etc. Etc., it may be configured such that display or switching display is appropriately performed by the combined use of operation of other common keys such as function keys or control keys, and the corresponding character code is output after confirmation and this type of configuration. Can be easily implemented based on the usual method for input function. Further, it goes without saying that the conventional key input processing method is applied to the reset processing at the time of erroneous input in the key operation and other normal character input functions.

[0054]

According to the input character variable type input device of the present invention, only limited characters according to the character input state or the input operation state are displayed on the key top, so only the minimum number of necessary keys is displayed. Since it will be prepared on the keyboard, and the input of hidden keys will be invalid, the number of keys on the keyboard can be reduced, the input operation at the time of character input becomes easy, and input mistakes can be reduced. Character input can be simplified.

Further, according to the present invention, the kana candidates after the conversion of romaji and kana and the kanji candidates after the conversion of kana and kanji are also displayed in the desired arrangement on the key top at an appropriate position. The operability of Kana-to-Kanji conversion input is improved and the character input can be simplified. Further, since it also has a function of converting a Roman character into a kana character or a kanji character and outputting the character code, the effect is remarkable in that the burden on the upper processor can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing transition of input states for explaining management of input states according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 11, 21 Character shape information storage unit 2, 14, 25 Character code information storage unit 3, 15, 26 Key input control unit 4, 16, 27 Character input unit 5, 18, 29 External output unit 12, 22 Roman character configuration Information storage unit 13, 23 Romaji-Kana conversion information storage unit 17, 28 Input character display unit 24 Kana-Kanji conversion information storage unit

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A character shape storage means for storing the shape of a character, a character code storage means for storing a character code, and a character allocation means for allocating a character that is next valid for input to a key top according to an input state. The key display means for displaying the character assigned to each key on the key top by referring to the character shape storage means, the display means for displaying the character assigned to the pressed key, and the key assigned to the pressed key An input character variable type input device comprising: an output unit that outputs a character code corresponding to a character. 2. A character shape storage means for storing the shapes of letters and kana characters, a character code storage means for storing a character code, a valid combination of letters and a combination of letters and kana characters for forming a roman letter. Romaji-kana information storage means for storing correspondence, assignment of the next valid alphabetic character to the keytop according to the input state by referring to the romanization-kana information storage means, and the combination of the input alphabetic characters corresponds to the kana character At this time, character assigning means for assigning candidate kana characters to key tops, display means for displaying the alphabetic characters and kana characters assigned to each key on the key tops by referring to the character shape storage means, and the pressed key Character display means for displaying the character assigned to the key, and output means for outputting the character code corresponding to the kana character assigned to the pressed key. Input character variable type input device. 3. A character shape storage means for storing the shapes of letters, kana characters and kanji, a character code storage means for storing a character code, a valid combination of letters forming a roman character, a combination of letters and a kana character. Refer to the English kana / kanji information storage means for storing the correspondence and the combination of alphanumeric characters or the combination of kana characters and the correspondence of kanji, and refer to the aforementioned alphanumeric kana / kanji information storage means to enter the next valid alphabetic key top according to the input state. Allocate, assign the candidate kana character to the keytop when the entered alphabetic character corresponds to the kana character, and assign the candidate kanji character to the keytop when the entered kana character combination corresponds to the kanji. The character assigning means for performing, the key display means for displaying the alphabetic characters, kana characters, and kanji characters assigned to each key on the key top by referring to the character shape storing means, and pressed. Display means for displaying the characters assigned to the keys, and the letters assigned to the pressed keys,
An input character variable type input device, comprising: an output means for outputting a character code corresponding to a kana character or a kanji character.