JPS60204383A - Electronic typewriter - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent an error indication from occurring for preventing an unappropriate processing and prevent unnecessary spaces from being inserted in a line, by a method wherein when a line-indenting key is depressed during printing in a line, an appropriate processing is conducted, and thereafter a line-indenting operation is carried out. CONSTITUTION:An electronic typewriter comprises the line-indenting key for starting printing with a paragraph-break by indenting from a normal left margin by a predetermined number of characters when starting a new line, as at the beginning of a composition, a buffer for momentarily storing data inputted through a keyboard, and a memory for storing the position of a printing head in the line being printed. In the typewriter, a controlling means is provided for performing a line-indenting operation after performing a line-feeding operation, in the case where the head is located at a position other than the left margin position when the line-indenting key is depressed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field] The present invention relates to an electronic typewriter that prints data after temporarily storing data from a keyboard in an internal buffer.

[Technical background]

Although such electronic typewriters can print directly when the keys are pressed, many have a built-in storage device of a desired capacity so that printing can be performed after a predetermined or arbitrary time.

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). a device storage device and a central processing unit CP for controlling them;
Various functions are performed by U. It is convenient to use a thermal head as the printing mechanism (printer) because of its small size, light weight, and quietness, but it goes without saying that other known devices can also be used.

By utilizing such built-in mechanisms, such electronic typewriters not only function as normal typewriters, but also function as word processors, and can also process data to exchange information with various computers, external storage devices, etc. There are also devices that can be used as transmitting and receiving devices. On the other hand, unlike devices targeted at specialized engineers, devices such as electronic typewriters that are targeted at a wide range of demand groups can be equipped with these features quickly and easily with ease of operation. There is a requirement that the function must be fully demonstrated. Nevertheless, in conventional devices of this type, as the functions to be performed become more diverse, the required operations become more complicated. Therefore, tool fIh
As the functions became more sophisticated, they became less user-friendly, and there was a sense of regret that even the best features could not be fully utilized.

[Disclosure of the invention]

An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic typewriter with an improved printing line feed processing function when a line indent key is pressed. The line indent key is a key for inserting the space necessary to start printing by indenting a predetermined number of characters from the normal left margin and adding a paragraph when starting a new line, such as at the beginning of a sentence. be.

This object is to provide an electronic typewriter having the structure described in the claims, that is, a storage means for storing the position of the print head in the printing line direction, and a position of the printing navel I' to the left when a line indent key is operated. This is accomplished by an electronic typewriter having a control means for performing a line indentation operation after performing a line feed operation when the line indentation operation is at a position other than the margin.

According to the electronic typewriter according to the present invention, when the line indent key is pressed in the middle of a printed line, the line indent operation can be executed after completing appropriate processing. Therefore,.

Error displays to prevent inappropriate processing and unnecessary space insertion in the middle of lines are avoided, making electronic □typewriter operation simpler and improving usability.

[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 one embodiment of an electronic typewriter according to the present invention, which is roughly divided into a keyboard section and a printer section P.

In the figure, the keyboard part L (includes a group of keys such as the required number of letter and number keys, various symbol keys, space bar SP1 code key C, etc., as is well known in ordinary typewriters.
01) E and a group of various control keys are provided. These keys also include left and right margin set keys 1, which are required for normal typing. M, IIM, Tabset/
Formatting keys such as clear key TAB+, TAB-, tab key TAII, key middle return key C/R, margin release key MR, bank space key n, sr+
There is also a set of keys specific to electronic typewriters.

As a group of keys for controlling electronic typewriters, for example, there is a repeat key Re that does not repeat the same operation, a light margin flash RMF that prints right-aligned characters such as the date, and a centering CTI that prints in the center of r11 of the left and right margins. , an underline key 1111, a mode key Mo for selecting a print mode, a line space switching LS for setting line spacing, and a mode switching old. Also, cursor movement key Cu, print key PRNT for starting printing.
, Exit key BXIT to display the initial display, Delete key D
EL, insert key INS.

It also has a group of keys mainly used in the word processor mode, such as a continue key 〇〇NT for instructing to resume operation, and an escape key ESC for canceling a function. Note that index keys and reverse index keys IND, R, and IND for feeding and returning printing paper are also provided. Note that the code key C0DE has the function of expanding the function by pressing it simultaneously with any of a group of various keys. For example, when the code key C0DE and the margin release key MR are pressed at the same time, a line indentation operation is performed in which the printer head PH is moved to a position that is a predetermined character, for example, five characters lower than the left margin. In addition, when operating the normal tab key TAB, the RAD PH moves to the printer to the tab position set as the front, but if the code key C0rlE and tab key TAll are pressed at the same time, a paragraph indent operation is performed. . Also, bank space key B,
Each press of SP moves the carriage to the left by -space and erases the characters on the display section D-L to form a space, while the call key CO and backspace key B are pressed. , S11 are pressed at the same time, the carriage returns to the beginning of the line in one motion, +1. A so-called express bank space operation is performed in which all characters on the display section D-1 are also erased.

In addition, the keyboard 1" section (1) is equipped with an appropriate display section that displays letters, numbers, etc. corresponding to the pressed key,
Displays corresponding to the data in the storage device and the setting mode are selectively displayed to facilitate operation. This display section can be made of an appropriate number of digits, such as that of 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 preferable to
It is often selected on the order of digits.

Note that a connector CN for use of this device as a data transmitting/receiving device is provided at an appropriate position such as on the side surface of the keyboard section. Furthermore, when the device is configured for handy portability, 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 mechanism l'P that moves along this platen.
H is arranged. This printer head PH can be of any known construction, but a thermal head is advantageous in terms of its small size, lightness, large size, 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 mounted on a carriage Ca guided by a guide bar GB, and performs a printing operation while moving on a sheet of paper indicated by a broken line along a platen pr.

A paper release lever PR is provided for holding the printing paper on the platen P and releasing it as necessary.

The electronic typewriter according to the present invention has a power switch SW.
It is turned on and off by When this electronic typewriter is used as a portable device, it is primarily powered by the built-in battery power supply, but it goes without saying that it can also be used with other external power sources, such as mains power or other power sources using a suitable adapter. .

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the electronic typewriter according to the present invention. Each of these elements includes the parts disclosed in FIG. 1, such as the keyboard part K, display part 1) and printer part P, as well as the central processing unit CPU, storage device ROM, and RAM built into the main body case. etc. As auxiliary circuits for each of these parts, the keyboard driver KD, display controller 1-roller 1)C
1 and a printer driver interface P1. Furthermore, in order to enable connection with external equipment in the mode as a data transmitting/receiving device, it has an external interface driver/receiver IR.

Therefore, information can be exchanged with devices of the same type, various computers, and external storage devices.

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

The electronic typewriter according to the present invention prints the current text by switching the mode selector MS shown in FIG.
It can be used arbitrarily in any of the following modes: ORMAL mode, WP (word processor) mode for storing, editing, and printing files, and TERMINAL mode for transmitting and receiving data. Therefore, not only a text memory but also an internal buffer is provided in the RAM so that the contents of keystrokes or contents transmitted from the outside can be temporarily stored. Similarly, by providing a display buffer, in addition to printing immediately in response to a key press, the contents of the pressed key are temporarily displayed on the display, and the contents of the pressed key are temporarily displayed on the display, and the contents of the pressed key are temporarily displayed on the display. It is also possible to print sequentially from the first page. When using the electronic typewriter according to this embodiment in NORMAL mode I or ridge mode, format settings are performed using left and right margin keys 1. This is done by pressing M, RM, tab set/clear key T, B-to, TAB-. Note that the set mode 1, etc. is displayed as guidance on the display section.

Generally, when creating a document, the beginning of a sentence is lowered by a number to form a paragraph to make it easier to read. In such a case, in conventional typewriters, this is performed by the required number of times or each time the space bar SP is pressed. Such operations are complicated and, in some cases, inconvenient as the number of spaces may become inconsistent. Therefore, in conventional electronic typewriters of this type, line indentation is automatically performed in accordance with predetermined key operations. also existed.

However, in such a conventional device, if a line indent operation is performed when there is data in the middle of a line or in an internal buffer, an error message will be displayed or the printer will be displayed.
Inappropriate processing was sometimes performed (11), such as performing a space motion only on a predetermined character bone, regardless of the position of +111.

Therefore, in the electronic typewriter according to the present invention,
To deal with this situation, the current printer head p
The system is configured to perform the most appropriate processing by determining whether or not the position of H is in the middle of the row and whether or not there is an empty sofa inside. That is, when the line indent key (code key C0DE and margin release key MR2 and below are the same) is operated in the above-mentioned state, a printing line feed process is first performed, and then the print head is moved from the left margin to a predetermined character bone, e.g. It is configured so that it can be moved to a position five characters lower in one motion. Therefore, appropriate line indentation operation is always possible, and of course no error message is displayed, improving usability in the above-mentioned situation.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing the operation when the above-described line indentation operation is performed in the present invention. When this flow starts, in block 10 -
Key import of character bones is performed. Continuing block 11
It is determined whether the input key is the line (12) indent key. If this determination is N, normal key processing is performed.

If this determination is Y, it is subsequently determined in block 12 whether there is any data in the internal buffer. If the data is present (Y), the data in the internal buffer is output to the printer as shown in block 13. After that, there is no data in the internal buffer (II
As shown in block 14, the printer head PH is moved to the position of the left margin LM with a new line.

On the other hand, if there is no data in the internal buffer and the result is N, it is determined in the next block 15 whether or not the position of the printer head PH is within the left margin LM. If this determination is N, the printer head p in block 14 is
Perform H movement operation.

If the determination in block 15 is Y, and if the processing in block 14 has been completed, as in block 16, the printer head P11 is moved to a position corresponding to the left margin LM+5 characters. Furthermore, as in block 17, the display section D
(LCD) is cleared (□(13)), and the series of processing is completed in order to proceed to the next new operation.

The operation of the electronic typewriter according to the present invention when typing a sentence as shown in FIG. 4 will now be described. In addition, the line 5 spaces down from the left margin LM is
The tab position is the position of the line indent, 5 spaces below it, and the RM is the right margin.

FIG. 5 is an example of a line indentation operation in an electronic typewriter according to the present invention. The numbers in parentheses shown at the right end indicate position numbers for convenience of explanation. First, at +11, start the sentence by 5 points from the left margin LM.
To lower the space, press line indent key L, IN
After pressing D, press the key until the main text "One hot...off" is pressed, and the carriage return key C/R is pressed.
The process moves to the second line, and similarly moves to the third line. A line indentation operation is required after the sentence-end drink in (3).

Since this line is originally in the middle of a line, in conventional electronic typewriters, after operating the carriage return key C/H (14), the line inden I key 1. , it was necessary to press lND. In the electronic typewriter according to the present invention, by pressing the line inden (・key L, NO) immediately after d r I n k, the process according to the above-mentioned flow is performed, and the printer will be moved.

Next, as in (4), press the tab key TAB and line inden I key 1. , INl] and input She...the following as shown in (5). And...anyi
vl+ere.

After that, press the line inden I key 1. , IN+1
Just press . Thereafter, by performing operations such as (6) and (7), typing in the form shown in FIG. 4 is completed. In the case of sentences that end in the middle of a line or at the end of a sentence that is shorter than the right margin, as in (3), (4), and (5), or when there is no data in the internal buffer as in (4), The feature that the line indentation operation from state t1'' is implemented by a pure operation is jq.

Although a preferred embodiment has been disclosed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

(]5)

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external structure and partially broken internal structure of an electronic typewriter having functions according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic type-like according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flow diagram for explaining the present invention in detail. FIG. 4 is an example of text for explaining the operation of the electronic typewriter according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is an operation example for explaining the operation of the electronic typewriter according to the present invention. In the figure, the correspondence of main reference symbols is as follows. K: Keyboard section P nib link section D: Display section C: Cover SP space bar CN: Connector C/R: Garri position return key n, sp: Bank space key 11. Summer ND Ni Line Indent Key Cu: Cursor Key TA13: Tab Key (16) MR: Margin Release Key LM: Left Margin 19M: Right Margin Ca: Carriage GB; Guide Bar pH To Printer I/PL Nibraten PR2 Paper Release Release -SW: Power switch C0Dr! : Ko!゛One person for key patent Agent for Brother Industries, Ltd. (patent attorney) Hikaru Esaki Agent (patent attorney) Senshi Esaki (17) ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ , -~n dimension LOψt%/ ++No -no -no, yw

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In an electronic typewriter that prints data after temporarily storing data from the keyboard in an internal buffer, a line that lowers the print start position in a print line by a predetermined character frame from the left margin position. an indent key; a storage means for storing the position of the print head in the printing line direction; and when the position of the print head is at a position other than the left margin when the line inden I key is operated, after performing a line feed operation; An electronic typewriter comprising: a control means for controlling the execution of a line indentation operation.