JP3317379B2 - Display screen input device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a display screen input device for inputting a processing command by touching a display screen with a finger or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, word processors, so-called word processors, which can create sentences, figures, charts, and the like and easily print them on paper have been widely used in offices and homes.

FIG. 14 shows an example of such an initial display screen of a word processor. In the example of the initial display screen shown in the figure, eight graphic menus, which are so-called icons, such as a document, a print, a postcard, and a business card, which can be understood at a glance, are displayed on the display screen 1 in four rows and two columns vertically. ing. The upper left icon 2 indicating the document processing is highlighted, which indicates that the document processing is currently specified (selected).

FIG. 15 schematically shows a keyboard for inputting commands and data on the display screen. In the example of the keyboard 3 shown in the figure, approximately 50 character keys 4 for inputting letters and numbers are arranged in the center, although it differs depending on the word processor production company or model. The upper part is composed of approximately ten processing designation keys 5, four cursor keys 6 to the right, an execution key 7 therebelow, a large horizontally long blank key 8 near the lower center, and about four to the left. A function switching key 9 and the like are provided. Further, an end key 10 for terminating the process is provided at the upper left, and another process designating key 11 of about 6 to 9 is provided at the upper left.

The cursor key 6 can move a cursor or a specified area on the display screen in the same direction as the arrow printed on the cursor key 6 by an input operation. For example, when the cursor key 6a on which a rightward arrow is printed is input, the reverse display of the document processing icon 2 in FIG.
Move to 2. By operating the cursor keys 6, the position on the display screen can be sequentially and freely moved up, down, left, and right.

The above-mentioned execution key 7 can execute the currently designated (selected) process by inputting it. For example, when the execution key 7 is operated in the state of the display screen 1 in which the document processing is designated (selected) by the reverse display in FIG. 14, the document processing indicated by the icon 2 designated by the reverse display is executed. You.

The processing mode (processing mode) of the document processing includes not only the input processing of characters and numbers but also various processing, for example, processing such as setting the number of digits, the number of lines, and the line spacing of one page in format setting. Editing includes processing such as copying, moving, inserting, and deleting, special characters include processing such as half-width, double-width, and subscripts, and highlighting includes processing such as underlining and inversion. There are many other processing modes.

If all of these many processes are assigned to each key, the number of keys increases, the keyboard becomes large, the range of operation is widened, and the operation becomes difficult. If the number of keys is too large, it becomes difficult to find a key corresponding to a desired process. Therefore, normally, the function switching key 9 and the processing designation key 5 or 11
Are used in combination, so that one key has a plurality of processing functions.

FIG. 16A shows an example of the processing designation key 5, and FIG. 16B shows an example of the function switching key 9. On the other hand, in the example of the processing designation key 5 shown in FIG. 5A, a copy key 5a is shown, and the copy key 5a includes "copy" on the upper surface, "graphic copy" on the front surface, and "copy" on the back surface. "Kanji dictionary" has been printed respectively. Thus, it can be seen that this one copy key 5a is provided with three processing functions of copying a document, copying a figure, and calling a kanji dictionary. On the other hand, in the example of the function switching key 9 shown in FIG.
b. The function switching key 9 includes a shift key and the like in addition to the above.

In FIGS. 1A and 1B, a document copy process can be selected by simply inputting the copy key 5a. If the function 1 key 9a and the copy key 5a are simultaneously operated, the figure copying process can be selected.
Further, by simultaneously inputting the function 2 key 9b and the copy key 5a, the kanji dictionary corresponding to the reading kana currently being input to the screen can be called. Some word processors have only the function 1 key 9a and do not have the function 2 key 9b, depending on the desktop model. In this case, the function 1 key 9
By inputting simultaneously the shift key a and the shift key normally arranged near this key, the same function as the input operation of the function 2 key 9b is performed. Therefore, in this case, in the above example, a total of three keys of the function 1 key 9a, the shift key, and the copy key 5a are input simultaneously.

In recent years, as shown in FIG. 16A, processing contents are not printed on the surface of a key or a board, but a plurality of small frames are provided on a display screen, the processing contents are displayed in these frames, and a keyboard is displayed. There is an array of processing designation keys simply numbered.

FIGS. 17 (a), 17 (b) and 17 (c) show examples in which processing contents (functions) are displayed on the display screen, and only the processing designation keys are numbered. 16A, an F4 key 14 shown on the keyboard 3 corresponds to the copy key 5a shown in FIG. 16A. Function 1 shown in FIG. 16 (b)
When the key 9a and the function 2 key 9b are not operated (when not operated), a plurality of small frames displayed at the lower end of the display screen 1 corresponding to the F4 key 14 as shown in FIG. In 15, a notice of “copy” is displayed. At this time, if the input operation of the F4 key 14 is performed, the copying process is executed. Then, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the function 1 key 9a is input, the guidance notice of the small frame 15 changes to "graphic copy". At this time, F4 key 14
Is input, the figure copying process is executed. When the function 2 key 9b (or the function 1 key 9a and the shift key) is input, the guidance notice in the small frame 15 changes to "Kanji dictionary". At this time, by inputting the F4 key 14, the reading process of the kanji dictionary is executed.

In addition to the guidance notification by the small frame 15, a notification for guiding the key operation itself is also displayed. For example, a guidance notification such as “function 1 key + execution key = continuous processing” is given. At this time, function 1 key 9
By simultaneously inputting the command a and the execution key 7 (see FIG. 15), the currently executed processing such as copying is continuously performed.

In addition to the above processing, there are usually four input modes for the character input processing from the keyboard 3. That is, there are four input modes: open input, katakana input, uppercase English input, and lowercase English input. Usually, according to the setting (selection) of these input modes, a guidance notification of “Kana”, “Kana”, “English large” or “English small” is displayed on the lower right side of the display screen.

FIG. 18 shows an example of keys for setting the character input mode. "Eng University" key 1 shown in the figure
7, the three keys, the "Kana" key 18 and the "English small kana" key 19, are shown together for the sake of explanation, but the actual layout on the keyboard is slightly It is arranged left and right apart. Arrows shown in the figure indicate the switching directions of the respective character input modes. In other words, the independent “Eiji University”
The key 17 and the “Kana” key 18 can be directly switched from any other character input mode to uppercase English input or open input by operating these keys. On the other hand, the "English small kana" key 19 is a key having a plurality of functions. On the one hand, when the input operation of the "English small kana" key 19 is performed in the open input mode, it is possible to switch to the katakana input. On the other hand, when the "English small kana" key 19 is operated in the uppercase alphabet input mode, You can now switch to lowercase input.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an algorithm of the above-described character input mode setting (switching) process. This will be described briefly. In the figure, when any key of the keyboard 3 is operated (S1), it is determined whether or not the operated key is the "English large" key 17 (S2). If it is (Y in S2), the mode is switched to the input mode for uppercase English letters (S3), and the input mode setting process ends. In addition, the “English University” key 17
If not (N in S2), it is next determined whether or not the input operation is the "Kana" key 18 (S4).
If the input operation is (Y in S4), the mode is switched to the open input mode (S5), and the input mode setting process ends. When neither the input operation of the "English large" key 17 nor the input operation of the "kana" key 18 is performed (N in S4), it is determined whether or not the input operation is the "English small kana" key 19 subsequently. (S6). If it is the input operation of the "English small kana" key 19 (Y in S6), it is determined whether or not the input operation of the "English small kana" key 19 is performed in the open input mode. (S7) If the current input mode is the open mode (Y in S7), the mode is switched to the katakana input mode (S8), and the input mode setting process ends. If the current input mode is not the open mode (S
7) N), it is further determined whether or not the input operation has been performed in the uppercase alphabet input mode (S9). If it is the current uppercase alphabet input mode (Y in S9), the mode is switched to the lowercase alphabet input mode. (S10), the input mode setting process ends. If it is determined that the input mode is not the current uppercase alphabet input mode, the invalid "English small kana" key 19 has been input in the inappropriate input mode. In this case, the input mode setting process is immediately terminated. I do. Also,
If the "English small kana" key 19 has not been operated in S6, it means that a key other than the mode setting key has been operated. In this case, the input mode setting process is immediately terminated and Move to the processing of.

[0017]

As described above, in the prior art, it often occurs that two or more keys must be operated at the same time, for example, in the case of copying.
Even if a user who can perform a blind touch input operation that performs an input operation without visually recognizing the key is good, usually, the input operation is often performed while looking at the key. There is a problem in that the input operation must be performed, which is extremely complicated and inconvenient.

Further, when switching modes, for example, when switching the character input mode, if the key operation method or procedure is different depending on the target mode, the user is not required to operate the display screen for a short time. The key operation procedure must be judged apart from the processing operation of the above. This was also troublesome and dissatisfied.

An object of the present invention is to realize a screen input method for performing a complicated input operation requiring an input operation in which a plurality of keys are combined in one process by a simple input operation.

[0020]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display screen input device for displaying a message on a display screen (see the principle block diagram of FIG. 1A). Message display means 21, a coordinate detection means 22 for detecting an input from the coordinates of the display position of the message displayed by the message display means 21, and a coordinate detection means 2.
Command output means 2 for outputting a command corresponding to the coordinates of the display position of the message when the coordinates of the display position of the message are detected.
And 3.

The instruction is executed by inputting an instruction to a display position of one message among messages corresponding to a plurality of functions in the word processor displayed on the display screen, for example. And
A display corresponding to an input operation of a plurality of input keys is displayed at the one message display position, for example. Further, the command output means has, for example, a correspondence table of a message display area, a message, and a command code for each screen number.

The display screen input device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention (second invention) is shown in FIG. 1 (b).
Reference), a coordinate detecting means 26 for detecting an instruction input to the coordinates of the display position of the message on the display screen, and a plurality of coordinates each time the instruction input to the coordinates of the display position of the message is detected by the coordinate detecting means 26. And a display cyclic switching means 27 for cyclically switching and displaying these messages.

In accordance with a sixth aspect of the present invention, a control mode corresponding to each of the plurality of messages is switched in response to the display switching of the plurality of messages by the display patrol switching means 27. The control mode includes, for example, a hiragana,
This is the character input mode for Katakana and English characters.

The coordinate detecting means 22 of the first invention or the coordinate detecting means 26 of the second invention comprises, for example, a touch panel arranged on a display screen.

[0025]

The operation of the above configuration will now be described. In the first invention, the message display means 21 displays a message on a display screen. The coordinate detecting means 22 detects an input from the coordinates of the display position of the message displayed by the message displaying means 21. Instruction output means 23
Outputs the command corresponding to the coordinates when the coordinates of the display position of the message are detected by the coordinates detecting means 22.

In the second invention, the coordinate detecting means 26 detects an instruction input to the coordinates of the display position of the message on the display screen. The display patrol switching means 27 includes a coordinate detecting means 26.
Each time a command input to the coordinates of the display position of the message is detected, a plurality of messages are circulated and sequentially switched and displayed.

[0027]

Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an initial input display screen of a word processor according to one embodiment. The input display screen 40 shown in FIG. 1 is composed of a display device 41 composed of a bitmap display such as a liquid crystal display and a coordinate input device 42 composed of a tablet arranged so as to be superposed thereon. This word processor has a basic operation of a touch input (touch input) with a pen or a fingertip on an input display screen 40 shown in the figure, and a coordinate recognition function for recognizing a touch position on the input display screen 40 by the coordinate input device 42 described above. It has.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of such a word processor. In FIG. 1, a central processing unit 31 is composed of a microprocessor or the like, and controls each component in the system via a bus 32. A memory 33 is connected to the bus 32, and the display device (display) 41 is connected via a screen interface 41a, and a coordinate input device (screen touch mechanism) 42 is connected via a screen touch interface 42a. It is connected.

The memory 33 is a writable and readable memory (RAM), a program area for storing a program to be executed by the central processing unit 31 for performing control, a document area for storing a created document, An image area for temporarily storing image data to be displayed on the display 41, and a table area for storing various data tables used when executing the program are provided.

The central processing unit 31 reads a data table corresponding to the screen number from the memory 33 based on the currently displayed screen number. The data table stores a plurality of sets of data including coordinate data indicating a display area, image data to be displayed in the display area, data indicating processing contents indicated by the display image, and the like. The central processing unit 31 generates image data for one screen based on the data of these data tables, and stores the generated image data in the image area of the memory 33. Then, a display drive circuit (not shown) is driven via the screen interface 41a based on the image data stored in the image area,
An image is displayed on the input display screen 40.

The bus 32 has a keyboard 34 in addition to the above.
Is connected via a keyboard interface 34a, an external storage device 35 such as a floppy disk device is connected via an external storage interface 35a, and a printer device 36 is connected via a print interface 36a.

The keyboard 34 is a keyboard having the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 15, and outputs a key input operation signal to the central processing unit 31. Central processing unit 31
Executes a process based on this key input signal. The keyboard 34 is also connected to the screen touch interface 42a via the keyboard interface.

The external storage device 35 stores the central processing unit 3
1 is a device for driving a disk device under the control of 1 to read a program stored in a floppy disk or the like, or to read and write document data from a floppy disk.

The printer device 36 is, for example, a thermal transfer printer, and prints a document displayed on the display 41 or a document stored in the memory 33 or the external storage device 35 in accordance with a predetermined print format.

In the example of the display screen shown in FIG. 2 described above, the input display screen 40 has ten icon display frames 41-1 to 41-10 at the center of the screen, five horizontally and two vertically. Is displayed. In the icon display frame 41-1 at the left end of the upper part, a document icon based on an image display imitating one document and the character display of "document" are displayed. From this document icon, icons of “print”, “calendar”, “postcard”, and “auxiliary” are sequentially displayed to the right. The lower five icon display frames 41-6 to 41-10 are blank. Here, icons representing application programs other than those described above are displayed. Alternatively, the user can register an arbitrary icon.

The above-described document icons indicate processes such as creation, correction, deletion, copying, moving, and storage of a document.
The print icon indicates a process of printing a created document, graphic, or the like by a printer. The calendar icon
A process of displaying a calendar centering on the current date and time and registering a schedule is shown. The postcard icon indicates a process of automatically writing a postal code, an address entry column, a sender entry column, or the like, a document in a communication column, an image graphic, or the like according to the size of a postcard or a predetermined position. And
The auxiliary icon mainly indicates processing by an application program of a floppy disk which is an external storage device.

The coordinate input device 42 is, for example, a tablet of a pressure-sensitive type, an electromagnetic induction type or the like. This coordinate input device 4
When detecting a touch input from a pen or a fingertip, the 2 outputs the input coordinate position (coordinate data of the input position) to the central processing unit 31 via the screen touch interface 42a and the bus 32. The central processing unit 31 specifies the display area of the valid icon display frame (an image is displayed in the icon display frame) based on the input coordinate data based on the currently read data table. It checks whether or not the icon is input, and recognizes the input of the icon. Then, based on the recognition result, the central processing unit 31 executes the process indicated by the icon if any of the icons has been input. In the example shown in the drawing, it is indicated that the document icon 41-1 has been selected and input is being performed with the fingertip 43.

In the above configuration, the display of the input display screen 40 and the input method will be described with reference to the following display state diagram, taking as an example a case where a document icon is input to perform document processing.

FIG. 4A shows the display state of the input display screen 40 in the document processing, and FIG. 4B shows the display state of the subsequent editing processing. FIG. 2B shows only the upper left and lower left portions of the screen in an enlarged manner.

As shown in FIG.
Indicates that a document input from the keyboard 34 or the like is “123456789” in the first line from the top and “ABCD” in the second line.
EFG "and the third line," Aie ". Place one space from the end "e" and move to cursor 4.
4 is displayed. The cursor 44 indicates a position for inputting a document content such as the next character or graphic. When a character or the like is input from the keyboard 34 or the like, each time a character is input, the cursor 44 sequentially moves rightward (from the right end to the left end of the next stage). To) move automatically. The cursor 44 can be moved to an arbitrary position by inputting a cursor key on the keyboard 34 or touching an arrow of a cursor key figure 45 displayed on the lower right of the input display screen 40. it can.

At the lower left of the input display screen 40, a plurality of small frames 46 (46-1, 46-2,..., 46-5,...)
Are displayed, and characters such as "end", "character input", "character size", "character modification", and "edit" are displayed in the display. These small frames and displays represent input keys for touch input (hereinafter referred to as touch buttons). For example, as shown in the figure, when the editing touch button 46-5 in which "edit" is displayed in the small frame is touch-input with the fingertip 43, the editing process is started, and the editing screen shown in FIG. It is displayed on the display screen 40.

In both cases (a) and (b), the left end of the plurality of touch buttons is the "end" touch button 46-1. The end touch button 46-1 is for terminating (or interrupting) the work being processed based on the display of the current input display screen 40. For example, FIG.
In this case, if the end touch button 46-1 is touch-input, the editing process is completed and the screen returns to the input display screen of FIG. This end touch button 46-1
Is always displayed on almost all display screens. In FIG. 13B, the copy icon 46-7 is touch-input.

Subsequently, in the editing process shown in FIG.
The input method will be described by taking as an example a case where the copy icon 46-7 is touch-input to perform a document copy process.
FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C show an input display screen 40 in the copy processing.
It is a figure showing the display state of. These figures also show only the upper left and lower left portions of the screen in an enlarged manner. FIG.
As shown in (b) and (c), in the copying process, the touch buttons of “previous page”, “next page” and “end of sentence” are always displayed in addition to the end touch button 46-1. By touch-inputting these, the display on the screen can be directly moved to the previous page, the next page, or the end of the sentence without using scrolling by moving the cursor. A display area for a guidance notice (message) is provided below the display of the plurality of touch buttons, and a message for guiding or instructing a current or next input operation is displayed in the message display area. Is done.

In the example of the copying process, "copy range" and "head position designation" are first displayed as shown in FIG. The message display of "copy range" indicates that a process for determining the copy range is to be performed on this input display screen, and the message display 47 of "designation of start position" is for determining the copy range. Indicates that the head position should be specified.

According to the instruction on the message display 47 for designating the head position, the character "A" at the head position of the copy range to be copied from now on is fingertip 43, as shown in FIG.
When the touch input is performed, the character "A" is displayed in reverse video to indicate that the touch input has been recognized. Further, the message display 47 of "designation of the start position" is changed to the message display 48 of "designation of the end position". Change.

Subsequently, when the character "D" at the end position of the copy range is touch-input as shown in FIG. 9C in accordance with the instruction of the end position designation message display 48, this touch input is recognized. , The first character “A” of the above-mentioned copy range
From this point, the characters up to the character "D" at the end position of the copy range that has been input by touching are highlighted in a lump. Then, as the copy range is determined in this manner, the next processing, that is, the message display 49 of “designation of copy destination” is displayed in the message display area. In addition to the display, a message display 50 of "Function 1 key + Execution key continuous processing" is displayed.
Is also displayed, and if necessary, "AB"
It is notified that copying of "CD" can be continuously performed at an arbitrary copying destination.

By simultaneously inputting the function 1 key and the execution key of the keyboard 34 in accordance with the message display 50, copying can be continuously performed at a plurality of copying destinations. However, as described above, the operation of such key input is complicated, and despite the fact that work has been performed only by touch input on the input display screen 40 up to this point, the operation is not performed here. Operating the keyboard 34 away from the work environment of only the input display screen 40 interrupts the work flow.

In this embodiment, the message display is also set as a touch button, so that any part of the message display 50 indicated by a broken line in FIG. Exactly the same processing is performed as when the function 1 key and the execution key are simultaneously input.

FIGS. 6 (a), 6 (b), 6 (c) and 6 (d) show a case where the message display 50 (hereinafter referred to as a message touch button) is touch-input and a continuous copying process is selected. This shows a display state of continuous copying. In addition, each figure shows only the upper left portion of the input display screen 40.
After selecting the continuous copying process by touch input as described above, for example, as shown in FIG. 11A, the position 51 on the fourth line below the character "9" in the first line is copied. When a touch input is made with the fingertip 43 as a position, the sentence "ABCD" set in the above range is copied from the touch input position 51 as shown in FIG.

Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 9C, a position 52 below the character "A" in the line (fifth line) following the copied sentence "ABCD" is touch-input. Then, as shown in FIG. 11D, the sentence "ABCD" set in the above range is copied again from the position 52 where the touch input is made. This continuous touch input may be anywhere in the text input area on the input display screen 40. In addition, touch buttons such as “previous page”, “next page”, or “end of sentence” shown in FIG. After the display is moved by touch input of, it is of course possible to copy by touch input of a desired position. This continuous copying process is continued until the end touch button 46-1 is touched.

As described above, in the present embodiment, not only the touch button surrounded by a small frame but displaying one processing content, but a message display below the touch button, which is usually displayed as a mere guidance notice of a work procedure, is displayed. In addition, the touch input can be performed as a touch button (message touch button), thereby greatly simplifying the input operation.

Such processing is not limited to the above-described copying processing, but may be applied to any processing requiring one or more key operations of the keyboard 34 in one processing. it can.

FIG. 7 shows the configuration of a data table stored in the memory to execute the display contents of such a message touch button. The data table 61 shown in the figure is prepared in advance for each screen number (of course, it may be prepared for each work category). First, the number of messages corresponding to the screen number is set in the head data area 61-0 of the table. In the example shown in the figure, the number of n messages is prepared, and a numerical value “n” is set in the data area 61-0. Next to the head data area 61-0, data areas 61-1 to 61- corresponding to each message.
followed by n. Each data area 61-i (i = 1, 2,
.., N, and so on) have three sub-regions 61-i-
1, 61-i-2, and 61-i-3.

In the sub-region 61-i-1, a pointer to a coordinate data storage region indicating the display range (touch range) of the message with the number i is set. Also, the sub area 61-i
In -2, a pointer of the storage area of the message data of the number i is set. The macro code of the number i corresponding to the message of the number i (message touch button) is set in the sub area 61-i-3.

A coordinate data table 62 is prepared for the above coordinate data. The coordinate data table 62
The coordinate data storage areas 62-i each include 1 to n coordinate data storage areas 62-i. Each coordinate data storage area 62-i has a top coordinate (a top frame) indicating an upper left position of a display area (rectangular frame) for displaying a message touch button of number i. Xi-0, Yi-0) and end coordinate (Xi-m, Yi-m) indicating the lower right position of the rectangular frame are stored. Then, for example, the data area 6
The pointer of the sub area 61-1-1 of 1-1 indicates the start address of the coordinate data storage area 62-1 of the coordinate data table 62.

Further, a message data table 63 is prepared for the above message data. The message data table 63 also includes 1 to n message data storage areas 63-i, and the pointer of the sub area 61-i-2 of the data area 61-1 indicates the coordinate data table 6
2 shows the start address of the message data storage area 62-i. Here, for example, “function 1 key + execution key continuous processing” is stored in a character code.

Then, for the above macro code,
A code data table 64 is provided. The code data table 64 also includes 1 to n code data storage areas 64-3-i. At the beginning of each code data storage area 64-3-i, the macro code 64-
1 is stored, and subsequently, in the case of the command code 64-2 corresponding to the message touch button with the number i, for example, the command code “A” in the case of the code data storage area 64-3-1.
“A”, “AB”, and “AC” are stored. Also,
For example, in the case of the code data storage area 64-3-2, instruction codes “BA” and “BB” are stored.

The number of instruction codes indicates the number of input operation keys on the keyboard 34 indicated by the message touch buttons, and the contents of the instruction codes are operation signal codes of the input operation keys or are called in response to the operation signals. Command. For example, a code data storage area 64-3-i in which a macro code corresponding to the message touch button "function 1 key + execution key continuous processing" is stored.
Stores a function 1 key input operation signal code or a function 1 key processing command called in response to this signal and an execution key input operation signal code or an execution key processing command called in response to this signal. I have. In other words, the processing content of the macro code is a process corresponding to an input operation to a plurality of input keys indicated by a message display (message touch button). The operation of this embodiment having the above configuration will be described below with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS. The display and input processing of the touch buttons corresponding to each processing are performed by the conventional algorithm. Therefore, the description of the display and input processing of these touch buttons is omitted, and the display of the message touch buttons is omitted. Only the input processing will be described below. These processes are performed while the central processing unit 31 of the control unit controls each peripheral device.

FIG. 8 is a general flowchart of the message touch button process. As shown in the figure, first, the number of the currently displayed screen is detected (step S7).
1). This process is a process of reading a screen number assigned to each input display screen 40 corresponding to a process to be performed.

Next, a data table (message button table) 61 corresponding to the read screen number is read from a predetermined area of the memory, and based on the read message button table 61, display of a message touch button, which will be described in detail later, is performed. (Step S7)
2).

Then, the system waits for a touch input from the user on the input display screen 40 (step S73), recognizes that the touch input has been performed by the output signal from the coordinate input device 42, and uses the coordinate discrimination circuit to execute the touch. It is detected that the input is to the message touch button based on the coordinates of the input position (step S74).

Subsequently, based on the touch input, each process, which will be described in detail later, is executed by the code data table (macro table) 64 corresponding to the message touch button (step S75).

Next, the processing in step S72 of the message touch button processing will be described in detail. FIG.
It is a flowchart of the display processing of the message touch button corresponding to a screen number in said step S72.
In this process, an addition counter built in the central processing unit 31 is used as a message counter. Of course, a counter register may be set in a predetermined area in the memory 33, and this may be used as a message counter.

As shown in the figure, first, the message button table 61 corresponding to the currently displayed screen number is set (step S81). This processing is performed in step S71.
This is a process of reading out the message button table 61 corresponding to the screen number read out from the predetermined area of the memory.
In addition, the head data area 61-
A process of setting the number of messages stored in 0 to a message counter is also performed. Then, the following step S82
In steps S86 to S86, processing is sequentially performed on the head data areas 61-1 to 61-n of the read message button table 61.

That is, first, a virtual button field is set (step S82). This processing is performed in the data area 6
1-1, the coordinate data of the coordinate data storage area 62-1 of the coordinate data table 62 read out based on the pointer of the sub area 61-1-1, that is, the head coordinates (X1-0,
Y1-0) and end coordinates (X1-m, Y1-m) do not have a frame display, that is, a virtual input button area (button field) in the visual field on the input display screen is set using a mask or the like.

Subsequently, a corresponding message is displayed in the set button field (step S8).
4). This processing is performed in the sub area 61 of the data area 61-1.
The message data table 63 is searched based on the pointer of -1-2 to detect the message data storage area 63-1, and the detected message data storage area 63-
Read out all the character codes stored in 1 and
This is a process of expanding the image of the message display based on the read character code in the image memory and displaying the image on the input display screen 40.

Next, it is determined whether or not all the message touch buttons to be displayed on the input display screen 40 have been displayed (step S85). This process is to determine whether the message counter has counted up.

If the message counter has not yet counted up (N in S85), all the message touch buttons have not been displayed. In this case, the process returns to step S82, and steps S82 to S86 are executed again. . As a result, when a plurality of message touch buttons are displayed on the one input display screen, step S
Steps 82 to S86 are repeated, and the coordinate data of the coordinate data storage area 62-i of the coordinate data table 62 is sequentially read out for each of the above processes from i = 1 to n, and a plurality of corresponding button fields are sequentially set. Is done. Similarly, i =
From 1 to n, the character codes of the message data storage area 63-i of the message data table 63 are sequentially read out for each of the above processes, and a plurality of corresponding message touch buttons are sequentially displayed.

If the message counter has counted up in step S85 (S85 is Y),
The process ends. Next, the processing in step S75 of the message touch button processing described above will be described in detail.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the macro code execution process started by the touch input of the message touch button in step S75. First, a processing macro area is read based on the coordinates of the touch input position obtained in step S74 (step S91). In this process, the coordinate data table 62 is searched to detect a coordinate data storage area 62-i in which coordinate data including the coordinates of the touch input position in a set range is stored, and then the detected coordinate data storage area 62-i
This is a process for detecting the head address of the message button table 61 and detecting the data area 61-i (processing macro area) of the message button table 61 having the detected head address as a pointer. As a result, the processing content (processing message) of the message touch button input by touch input is determined.

Next, a macro command is determined based on the determined processing macro area (data area 61-i) (step S92). This process is a process of reading the macro code of the number i stored in the sub area 61-i-3 of the detected data area 61-i. This allows
The macro command of the number i corresponding to the message touch button of the number i is determined.

Subsequently, processing corresponding to the determined macro command is executed (step S93). In this process, the code data table (macro table) 64 is read from the memory, a plurality of instruction codes in the code data storage area 64-3-i corresponding to the macro code of the determined number i are read, and the plurality of instruction codes are read. Executes a plurality of processes indicated by the instruction code.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, a virtual frame (touch button area) that is invisible on the display is set in the display area displayed in the form of a normal message, and one virtual frame is set in the virtual frame. Is set as a message touch button for inputting the macro command. After the instruction code corresponding to the macro code is read out from the macro table 64, it is controlled by a normal command processing program.

In the key input from the keyboard 34, for example, the above-described continuous copying process, the selection of the figure copying mode by simultaneous input of the function 1 key and the F4 key shown in FIG. The function shown in) is a processing function by simultaneous keying of multiple keys, such as calling a kanji dictionary by simultaneously inputting the 2 key and the F4 key, and from the normal character input mode to the Japanese language, English, Selects a ruled format and then sets the format, such as when processing multiple keystrokes to determine a hierarchically deep processing function, or calculating a horizontal subtotal and vertical total in a spreadsheet For example, there is a key macro processing by a complex key operation for performing the key operation. If the processing by the macro command in the present embodiment described above is applied to these processings, the processing is performed by one touch input.

The above-described macro processing algorithm is also incorporated in the copy processing algorithm described in the above-described display state diagram, whereby the continuous copy processing described in the display state diagram is performed. Taking this copying process as an example, the operation of macro processing performed in general processing will be described below.

FIG. 11 is an operation flowchart after a copy range is specified in the copy processing. In FIG. 5, when the copy range is designated (see the inverted display of "ABCD" in FIG. 5C) (step S101), a process for designating the copy destination is executed (step S102). In this process, the input buttons for designation of the destination (see “previous page”, “next page”, and “end of sentence” in FIG. 5C) re-displayed, and an instruction message (FIG. (See (c) “Specify copy destination” and “Function 1 key + execution key consecutive processing”).
The process of displaying the instruction message is a process of displaying a message touch button corresponding to the screen number shown in the flowchart of FIG.

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not a touch input has been made on the touch button of the small frame display (step S10).
3) If there is no touch input to the touch button (S
Then, it is determined whether or not the edit screen (the text input area of the input display screen 40) is touch-input (step S104). If the edit screen has not been touch-input (N in S104), it is further determined whether or not the message touch button has been touch-input (step S105).

In this determination, if the message touch button is touch-input (Y in S105), a macro command corresponding to the message is generated (step S10).
6). This processing is the macro code execution processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10, and a plurality of instruction commands corresponding to the macro commands are generated as described above.

Then, after executing the control according to the processing by the plurality of command commands (step S107), it is determined whether or not the copying processing is completed (step S10).
8). In this process, it is determined whether or not the end input button 46-1 is touch-input.

If the copying process has not been completed (N in S108), the process returns to step S103 and returns to step S1.
The processing after 03 is performed. If the message touch button has not been touched in step S105 (N in S105), the process proceeds to step S108. As a result, if the copying process is not completed, step S1
03 waits for another touch input. If the edit screen is touch-input in step S104 (S1
04 is Y), and performs processing for controlling the cursor in the screen (1).
10), proceed to step S107. As a result, the cursor display moves to the touch input position, and, for example, "ABCD" for which the copy range is determined as shown in FIG. 6B is copied from that position. In step S105 in the previous processing cycle, the message touch button “function 1
If the touch input to the "key + execute key continuous process" has been performed, in step S107, for example, the above-mentioned "ABCD" is continuously copied as shown in FIG. 6D.

If it is determined in step S103 that the touch button is touch-input (Y in S103), the process proceeds to a function process corresponding to the touch-input touch button (step S109), and proceeds to step S107. . This process is a process corresponding to the input of only one normal process designating key.

As described above, the macro command processing for copying is performed. In the processing other than the copying, the processing based on the macro command is similarly performed. Next, a second embodiment in which the processing mode is switched by touch input will be described.

FIGS. 12A to 12D are display state diagrams of the input display screen 40 in the second embodiment. In addition, FIG.
(D) shows approximately a screen quadrant at the lower right of the input display screen 40. "Kana" at the lower right of the screen shown on the left side of FIG.
The display indicates that the character input mode is the current kana character input mode. This “Kana” display also has a virtual button area without a small frame, and as shown in the figure,
When the display is touched, the mode display changes from “Kana” to “Kana” as shown on the right side of the figure. That is, the character input mode is set to the kana character input mode.

When the "kana" display is touch-input as shown on the left side of the figure (b), the mode display changes from the above "kana" to "English large" as shown on the right side of the figure. . That is, the character input mode is set to the English uppercase input mode.

When this "English large" display is touch-inputted as shown on the left side of the same figure (c), the display changes to the "English small" display as shown on the right side of the figure, and the character input mode is changed to English small letter. Is set to the input mode.

Then, when this "English small" display is touch-inputted as shown on the left side of FIG. 10D, the display changes to "Kana" display as shown on the right side of the figure. Thus, the input display screen 4
By simply touch-inputting the display of the character input mode on 0, the processing mode changes in a circular manner from “Kana” to “Kana” to “English large” to “English small” to “Kana”. Therefore, at the time of switching the character input mode, there is no need to perform the complicated operation of determining and switching the input operation procedure of, for example, three keys while thinking in mind.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of switching the character input mode. In the figure, first, a touch input is detected (step S12).
0). Then, it is determined whether or not the coordinates of the detected touch input position are within the range of the mode display position (step S121). If the coordinates of the touch input position are not within the range of the mode display position (N in S121), processing other than mode switching has been selected. In this case, the mode switching processing is immediately terminated. If the coordinates of the touch input position are within the range of the mode display position (S121: Y), then it is determined whether or not the current character input mode is the hiragana character input mode (mode display is "kana"). (Step S122).

If the input mode is the hiragana character input mode (S122: Y), the character input mode is changed to the katakana character input mode (mode display is "kana") (step S123), and the mode switching process is terminated. I do.

If the current character input mode is not the hiragana character input mode in step S122 (S122: N), then it is determined whether the current character input mode is the katakana character input mode. (Step S1
24) If it is the katakana character input mode (S124)
Y), the character input mode is changed to a character input mode of English capital letters (the mode display is "English large") (step S12).
5), end the mode switching process.

If the current character input mode is not the katakana character input mode in step S124 (S124: N), then it is determined whether or not the current character input mode is the English uppercase character input mode. (Step S
126), if it is a character input mode of English capital letters (S1)
26 is Y), the character input mode is changed to a character input mode of English small letters (the mode display is "English small") (step S).
127), the mode switching process ends.

If the current character input mode is not the English uppercase character input mode in step S126 (S126: N), then it is determined whether the current character input mode is the English lowercase character input mode. If it is determined (step S128) that the character input mode is the English lowercase character input mode (Y in S128), the character input mode is changed to the hiragana character input mode (step S129), and the mode switching process ends.

If the current character input mode is not the English lowercase character input mode in step S128 (N in S128), it is not the current character input mode (the character input mode is not displayed). Yes, and in this case, the character input mode switching process is immediately terminated.

[0093]

According to the present invention, a message display representing a process requiring a plurality of key operations can be touch-inputted, so that a complicated operation conventionally performed by inputting two or more keys is performed. The input operation can be performed by one input operation, so that the operation becomes easy and the work environment for screen input is improved. In addition, since multiple modes are circulated and switched only by touch input of the current mode display, for example, switching between multiple modes conventionally performed by a combination of key operations such as a character input mode can be performed by a simple touch input operation. Therefore, the input operation is facilitated from this aspect, and the work environment for screen input is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is a block diagram showing the principle of the present invention (part 1);
(b) is a principle block diagram (part 2) of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an initial input display screen of a word processor according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a word processor according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4A is a display state diagram of an input display screen in document processing, and FIG. 4B is a display state diagram of a subsequent editing process.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are display state diagrams of an input display screen in copy processing.

FIGS. 6 (a), (b), (c), and (d) are display state diagrams when copying is continuously performed.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams showing the configuration of a data table for executing the contents of a message display.

FIG. 8 is a general flowchart of a message touch button process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a message touch button display process.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a macro code execution process.

FIG. 11 is an operation flowchart after a copy range is specified in a copy process.

FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D are display state diagrams of an input display screen according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of switching a character input mode.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional word processor initial display screen.

FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically showing a keyboard for inputting commands and data on a conventional display screen.

FIG. 16A is a diagram showing an example of a conventional processing designation key;
(b) is a diagram showing an example of a function switching key.

17 (a), (b), and (c) are views showing an example in which processing contents are displayed on a conventional display screen, and processing designation keys are arranged with only numbers attached thereto.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a key for setting a conventional character input mode.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an algorithm of a conventional character input mode setting process.

[Explanation of symbols]

21 Message display means 22, 26 Coordinate detection means 23 Command output means 27 Display switching means 31 Central processing unit 32 Bus 33 Memory 34 Keyboard 35 External storage device 36 Printer 40 Input display screen 41 Display device (display) 41-1 41-10 Icon display frame 42 Coordinate input device (screen touch mechanism) 43 Fingertip 44 Cursor 45 Cursor key display 46-1, 46-2, 46-5, 46-7 Small frame (touch button) 47, 48, 49 Message Display 50 Message display (message touch button) 51, 52 Touch input position 61 Data table (message button table) 61-i (i = 1, 2,..., N) Data area 61-i-1, 61-i -2, 61-i-3 Sub-area 62 Coordinate data table 62 i coordinate data storage area 63 message data table 63-i message data storage area 64 code data table (macro table) 64-3-i code data storage area

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yoshinori Suda 3-1, Aisal, Ichinoseki, Iwate Prefecture Inside FJT Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-5-313802 (JP, A) JP-A-5-35382 (JP, A) JP-A-4-369705 (JP, A) JP-A-63-109523 (JP, A) JP-A-5-87629 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷⁾ G06F 3/02 G06F 3/03 G06F 3/033 G06F 3/14 330 G06F 17/21 586

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] A coordinate input device disposed on the display screen for detecting an instruction input to the display screen and outputting the indicated position, and indicating the coordinate position on the display screen with the indicated position to the coordinate input device. In a display screen input device provided with a screen position detecting means for detecting as a command, a command corresponding to a plurality of functions corresponding to an input operation of a plurality of input keys in character processing is associated with a coordinate position detected by the screen position detecting means. The corresponding information, operation button display means for displaying operation buttons on the display screen, and when the coordinates of the position of the operation button displayed by the operation button display means are detected by the screen position detection means, A command output unit for specifying a command corresponding to a coordinate position from the correspondence information and outputting the command. 2. The display screen input device according to claim 1, wherein the operation buttons are displayed together with a text message indicating the contents of the plurality of functions to be processed. 3. The correspondence information has button display area data, processing function content display data, and an instruction code in association with each screen number for switching the display screen. Display input device as described. 4. A coordinate input device for detecting an instruction input to a display screen and outputting the indicated position is superimposed on the display screen, and detects the instruction position to the coordinate input device as coordinates on the display screen. Screen position detection means, correspondence information associated with a coordinate position detected by the screen position detection means for a command corresponding to a plurality of functions corresponding to input operations of a plurality of input keys in character processing, Button display means for displaying an operation button; and when the coordinates of the position of the operation button displayed by the button display means are detected by the screen position detection means, an instruction corresponding to the coordinate position is specified from the correspondence information. And a command output means for outputting the command. 5. The display screen input device according to claim 4, wherein the operation buttons are displayed with a text message indicating the contents of the plurality of functions to be processed. 6. The correspondence information has button display area data, processing function content display data, and an instruction code associated with each screen number at which the display screen is switched. Display input device as described. 7. A coordinate input device disposed on the display screen for detecting an instruction input to the display screen and outputting the indicated position, wherein the instruction position for the coordinate input device is set to a coordinate on the display screen. In a processing method in a display screen input device provided with a screen position detecting means for detecting as a coordinate position, a command corresponding to a plurality of functions corresponding to an input operation of a plurality of input keys in character processing is detected by the screen position detecting means. Holding the corresponding information associated with the operation button, displaying an operation button accompanied by text notification on the display screen, and when the coordinates of the position of the displayed operation button are detected by the screen position detection means, the coordinates are displayed. A processing method, wherein an instruction corresponding to a position is specified and output from the correspondence information.