JP3194406B2 - Information processing device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus having a keyboard as an input device and capable of easily specifying an input character type.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Keyboards are widely used throughout the world as input devices for various information processing devices and the like.

[0003] In general, characters used in documents and the like are not limited to alphabets, but also include a great variety of numbers and various symbols. On the other hand, the number of keys that can be provided on the keyboard is limited by the size of the keyboard. Also,
Providing too many keys will reduce operability. Therefore, usually, a plurality of characters are assigned to one character key, and these characters are used in combination with a shift key or the like.

In a Japanese word processor that needs to use kanji, hiragana, and katakana in addition to alphabets, numbers, and symbols, a mode for inputting alphanumeric characters is not sufficient with shift keys alone. In addition to (alphanumeric mode), a mode (Japanese mode) for inputting Japanese characters (hiragana, katakana, kanji) is provided, and by operating the character type designation key, one of the character type modes (alphanumeric Mode, Japanese mode) and input characters. The character type designation key for instructing the switch from the alphanumeric mode to the Japanese mode is commonly used as a hiragana designation key and a katakana designation key, which will be described later.

In the Japanese mode, there are two types of input methods, a kana input and a Roman character input. Kana input is a method of directly inputting hiragana characters drawn on character keys. For example, when "" is entered, the character keys with "" are operated. on the other hand,
The Roman character input is a method of inputting a Roman character notation of a hiragana to be input using a character key of an alphabet. In this Roman character input, the information processing apparatus converts the input character string of the alphabet into Hiragana and displays it on the screen. For example, when "HA" is input, "" is displayed on the screen. The user selects one of the input methods according to his / her preference and inputs.

The input between Hiragana and Katakana can be distinguished by operating the Hiragana designating key (or Katakana designating key) in the Japanese mode to enter the Hiragana input state (or Katakana input state). Done. As described above, the hiragana designation key and the katakana designation key generally also serve as a key for switching from the alphanumeric mode to the Japanese mode. Therefore, it can be considered that there are three character type modes: an alphanumeric mode, a hiragana mode, and a katakana mode. Hereinafter, the Japanese mode in which the hiragana can be input will be referred to simply as “Hiragana mode”, and the Japanese mode in the katakana input state will be referred to as “Katakana mode”. There are cases.

In the Japanese mode (Hiragana mode, Katakana mode), one character key is used depending on whether the character key is operated alone or in combination with the shift key.

The input of the kanji is performed by inputting the reading of the kanji in hiragana (regardless of the input of the kana and the input of the romaji) and then performing the kana-kanji conversion. This kana-kanji conversion is performed by operating a conversion instruction key. In many cases, kana-kanji conversion cannot be performed on a character string input in katakana.

[0009] Such a technique is disclosed in, for example, JP-A-1-211115 and JP-A-3-48316.

[0010]

In the above prior art, the character type designation key must be frequently operated, which is troublesome. In particular, in Japanese sentences, hiragana, katakana, alphabets, and various symbols are present in a mixed manner, so that this problem is remarkable.

Further, in many cases, as many as four characters are assigned to one key, and there is a problem that it is difficult to understand how to input a target character. Furthermore, once the operation is erroneous, not only cannot correct characters be input, but also a work for correcting this is required, which has been a major factor in reducing the efficiency of document input. Such problems, especially among beginners, have further reduced even slow input speeds.

As another problem, as the density of various electronic components and the technology for mounting components have been increased,
At present, very small personal computers can be developed. However, such an ultra-small personal computer has a problem that the keys on the keyboard are too small and the operability is extremely poor. In order to ensure good keyboard operability, in reality,
It was difficult to make it smaller than A4 size and B5 size. Thus, the keyboard has been a major problem in miniaturizing the information processing device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a keyboard which facilitates an operation of designating a character type at the time of keyboard input, and an information processing apparatus having the keyboard.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a keyboard which is reduced in size mainly by reducing the number of keys, and an information processing apparatus having the keyboard.

[0015]

Means for Solving the Problems To solve the above problems,
Because, as one embodiment of the present invention, it is configured to include plural keys
Input means for outputting key data indicating the operated key
When a signal representing a column and a character is input from the outside, the sentence
Informing means for informing characters, and keys output by the input means
Data and two or more characters with different input modes
Storage means for storing the associated definition table ;
When key data is output from the input means, the key data
The two or more characters associated with
The key data is acquired from the
During the period, a signal representing each character of the two or more characters is input to the input mode.
The process of sequentially outputting to the notification means is repeated for each mode.
When the operation of the control means and the key during the operation acceptance is completed,
The last reported character among the characters reported by the above reporting means
And a determination means for determining as an input character, that
An information processing apparatus is provided.

[0016]

[0017]

[0018]

[0019]

[0020]

[0021]

[0022]

[0023]

[0024]

[0025]

[0026]

[0027]

[0028]

[0029]

[Function] When a key is pressed, the key remains pressed
While the statement is held, the statements assigned to the key
The process of sequentially informing the characters is repeated. And the key
The character reported when the press is released is confirmed
Is treated as a character.

[0030]

[0031]

[0032]

[0033]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an input device 2
, A processing device 1 and a display device 3.

The input device 2 includes a keyboard 20 and a keyboard controller 22.

As shown in FIG. 2, the keyboard 20 has various character keys 200 and control keys.

At the key top of each character key 200, one or more characters or symbols that can be input by operating the character key 200 are stamped. These plural characters and symbols can be used by changing the character type mode (alphanumeric mode, hiragana mode, katakana mode), or by using in combination with the shift key 2024 or the like. Further, in the hiragana mode and the katakana mode, the key operation required to input the same character differs depending on the input method (kana input, Roman character input).

The control keys are used to input various instructions necessary for editing a document. In this embodiment,
Hiragana designation key 2020, Katakana designation key 202
1. Alphanumeric designation key 2022, input method designation key 202
3, shift key 2024, shift lock key 2025,
A cursor key 2026, a conversion key 2027, and the like are provided.

The hiragana designation key 2020, the katakana designation key 2021, and the alphanumeric designation key 2022 are for inputting an instruction to change the character type mode. For example, when the hiragana designation key 2020 is operated, the mode becomes the hiragana mode, and the hiragana input becomes possible.

Shift key 2024, shift lock key 2
Numeral 025 is used when a plurality of characters or symbols are assigned to one character key in each character type mode (alphanumeric mode, hiragana mode, katakana mode). However, as will be described later, in the present embodiment, these can be selectively used without using the shift key 2024 and the like.

In this embodiment, the shift-2024
The above character type modes are further subdivided based on the presence or absence of the operation. In this manner, a total of six (= 3 × 2) modes divided based on the character type mode and whether or not the shift key 2024 is operated are referred to as “input modes” in this specification. In the following description, the state in which the shift key is not pressed in the alphanumeric mode (input mode) is referred to as [alphanumeric] mode,
The state in which the shift key is pressed is referred to as [alphanumeric + shift] mode. Similarly, [Hiragana] mode, [Hiragana + Shift] mode, [Katakana] mode, [Katakana +
Shift] mode. In the case of simply the alphanumeric mode, the meaning includes both the [alphanumeric] mode and the [alphanumeric + shift] mode. Also, a hiragana designation key 2020, a katakana designation key 2021, an alphanumeric designation key 2
022, shift key 2024, shift lock key 202
5 may be collectively referred to as an "input mode designation key".

An input method designation key 2023 is used to input an instruction to select an input method (a kana input method or a Roman character input method) in the hiragana mode and the katakana mode. By operating the input method designation key 2023, the kana input method and the Roman character input method are alternately switched. Of course, the operation of the input method designation key 2023 is effective only in the hiragana mode and the katakana mode. In the alphanumeric mode, even if the input method designation key 2023 is operated, the input is invalidated.

Cursor key 2026, conversion key 2027
Basically, it is the same as before. Therefore,
A description of these will be omitted.

Next, the keyboard controller 22 will be described.

The keyboard controller 22 detects a key operation on the keyboard 20, and outputs a signal (key data) indicating the content of the detected key operation to the processing device 1.
Output to The detection of the operation state of the keyboard 20 and the output to the processing device 1 are performed every predetermined time regardless of the presence or absence of the operation of the keyboard 20.

The processing device 1 is composed of a microprocessor, a ROM, and a RAM in terms of hardware. The microprocessor executes predetermined arithmetic processing using programs and data stored in the ROM or the like, thereby realizing various functions (or processing units for performing the functions) described later. I have. FIG. 1 shows a configuration realized in the processing apparatus 1.

The processing device 1 internally includes an interrupt processing unit 10, a key code table 11, a key code buffer 12, a key code acquisition BIOS 13, an editing processing unit 14, and a display processing unit 15. It is composed of

The interrupt processing unit 10 monitors an input signal (key data) from the key code controller 22 to determine whether or not a character key has been operated on the keyboard 20. Is it
Alternatively, a function is provided for identifying whether or not the same character key as before was kept pressed.
If the operation is a new operation, a function of referring to the key code definition table 11 and acquiring the key code of the character / symbol associated with the operated character key and its input mode is provided. I have. Then, the acquired key code is stored in the key code buffer 12. on the other hand,
If the same character key is kept pressed, a function is provided for sequentially displaying characters and the like assigned to the character key.

Further, when the input mode designation key is operated, the input mode ([alphanumeric] mode, [alphanumeric + shift] mode, [hiragana] mode, [hiragana + shift] mode, [katakana] mode , [Katakana + Shift] mode).

The key code definition table 11 stores signals (key data) output from the keyboard controller 22.
And the input mode, and the key code of the character or symbol associated with the key data in each input mode. An example of the key code definition table will be described later with reference to FIG.

The key code buffer 12 is for storing the key code acquired by the interrupt processing unit 10 and the input mode in which the key code is defined in association with each other. Since a plurality of characters (key codes) are assigned to one character key on the keyboard 20, the key code buffer 12 also stores a plurality of (in this embodiment, up to six) key codes and input modes simultaneously. You can do it.

The key code acquisition BIOS 13 acquires one of the six key codes stored in the key code buffer 12 and outputs this to the editing processing unit 14. The key code obtained from the key code buffer 12 is determined according to an instruction from the interrupt processing unit 10.
It is changed sequentially.

The editing processing unit 14 stores the key code BIOS1
Then, a position for displaying a character or the like corresponding to the key code input from step 3 is determined. Then, it instructs the display processing unit 15 to display the character. Also, the interrupt processing unit 1
In accordance with the instruction from 0, a predetermined editing process is performed on the already input character data, and an instruction to display the processing result is output.

The display processing unit 15 creates data to be displayed on the display device 3 in accordance with an instruction from the editing processing unit 14. In this case, the character image data etc.
The one stored in the character generator 16 is used.

The display device 3 actually displays the data specified by the processing device 1, and in this embodiment, uses a CRT.

Next, an example of the key code definition table 11 will be described with reference to FIG.

As described above, the present embodiment employs the concept of "input mode" in which the character type mode is further divided based on whether or not the shift key 2024 is operated. Therefore, the key code definition table 11 also corresponds to this. The key code definition table 11 includes key data 110 indicating each character key (more precisely, a signal sent from a keyboard controller),
A key code assigned to each input mode for each input mode is stored in association with each other. For example, the key data 110a (note: left blank in the figure) contains "8" in the [alphanumeric] mode,
In [alphanumeric + shift] mode, "8" is [Hiragana]
In the mode, “Y” is assigned, in the [Hiragana + Shift] mode, “ゅ” is assigned, in the [Katakana] mode, “Y” is assigned, and in the [Katakana + Shift] mode, “U” is assigned. In FIG. 3, for the sake of easy understanding of the description,
Although characters such as 8 "and" Y "are described, a key code indicating these characters is actually stored.

FIG. 4 shows a part of the data stored in the RAM in the processing device 1. A key code buffer 12 is provided in the RAM. Key code buffer 12
Is provided with an area 120 for storing key codes and an area 122 for storing an input mode in which each key code is defined. For example, the area 122a includes the area 12
The input mode in which the key code stored in 0 is defined is stored. In addition, a return input mode storage area 100 for storing input modes, a current input mode storage area 102, and a key data storage area 104 are provided on the RAM. These are for storing information necessary for an actual operation. Specific data stored in these and how to use them will be described in the operation description.

In the present embodiment, the "control means" and the "determining means" in the claims refer to the operation of the interrupt processing unit 10, the key code buffer 12, the key code acquisition BIOS and the like in cooperation. It is realized. "Notification means" and "notification device" are CRT
3. It includes the display processing unit 15 and the like.
The “return information” is the return input mode storage area 10
This corresponds to the information stored in “0”.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the following description, the characterizing portion of this embodiment, that is, the character assigned to the character key is sequentially displayed by keeping the same character key pressed. In addition, the description will be focused on appropriately changing the input mode itself accordingly. Here, it is assumed that the input of Hiragana and Katakana is performed by a kana input method.

After startup, the interrupt processing unit 10 waits for a signal periodically sent from the keyboard controller 22 to enter a standby state (step 500). As described above, the keyboard controller 22 detects the operation state of the keyboard 20 every predetermined time regardless of whether any key is actually operated, and continuously outputs the result every predetermined time. ing.

When receiving the signal from the keyboard controller 22, the interrupt processing unit 10 confirms the content,
It is determined whether any key operation has been performed (step 505). As for the shift key 2024, both pressing and releasing of the shift key 2024 are included in the key operation here.

If the key operation has not been performed, the interrupt processing section 100 deletes the contents of the key data memory 104 (step 507), and thereafter returns to step 500 and returns to the standby state. If key operation has been performed,
Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the operated key is a control key (step 510). If it is a control key, it is further determined whether or not the control key is an input mode designation key (step 515). If it is not an input mode designation key, the interrupt processing unit 10 proceeds to step 520 and executes a process separately defined for the control key. If the key is an input mode designation key, the input mode corresponding to the key operation is stored in the current input mode storage area 10.
0, and are registered in the return input mode storage area 102 (step 525). Thereafter, the process returns to step 500 again, and returns to the standby state.

After this, the return input mode area 100
The input mode registered in the current input mode area 10 is simply referred to as the “return input mode” at that time.
The input mode stored in 2 is simply referred to as the "current input mode" at that time.

If the result of determination in step 510 is that the key is not a control key (that is, if the operated key is a character key), the interrupt processing unit 10 refers to the key data storage area 104 and The key data entered this time is
It is determined whether the key data matches the previously input key data (step 530). As a result, if they match, it is considered that the character key operated last time is kept pressed down to the present, and step 55
Go to 0. Conversely, if the two are different, it is considered that the key operation up to the previous time has been completed or that a new character key has been operated, and the process proceeds to step 535.

In principle, even when the same character key is operated a plurality of times in succession (for example, when "88" is input), it is possible that the current key data matches the previous key data. There is. However, in practice, the interval at which the keyboard controller 22 detects the operation state of the keyboard 20 is much faster than the speed of keyboard operation by a human, so this is virtually impossible. Even if "8" and "8" are input twice consecutively, there is a state in which no key is operated for a short time (for humans) between "8" and "8". During this time, key data indicating that no key is operated is output from the keyboard controller 22.
Therefore, it is possible to clearly distinguish between a state where the same character key is kept pressed and a state where the same character key is continuously pressed a plurality of times. However, if the interval at which the keyboard controller 22 outputs a signal is too short, it is difficult to change the displayed characters in a very short time. Therefore, in step 530, when the same key data has continued for a predetermined number of times or more, it may be determined that the state in which the same character key is kept pressed is continued for the first time.

In step 535, the interrupt processing unit 10 determines the character that has been displayed up to that time. The key data input this time is stored in the key data storage area 1.
04. Accordingly, the key data stored in the key data storage area 104 up to this time is deleted. Thereafter, the interrupt processing unit 10 refers to the key code definition table 11 and refers to the key code defined for the key data and all of the input modes defined in the key code (in this embodiment, , Up to 6
One). Then, these are stored in the key code buffer 12 (step 540).

Further, the interrupt processing section 10 issues an instruction to the key code BIOS 13 to display the character corresponding to the current return input mode at the next position on the display screen of the display device 3 (step 545). . In response to this, the key code BIOS 13 reads the key code in the return input mode from the key code buffer 12 and outputs this to the display processing unit 15 through the editing processing unit 14.
The display processing unit 15 acquires image information necessary for displaying the character (key code) from the character generator 16 and causes the display device 3 to display the image information. Then, the process returns to step 500 again to be in a standby state.

If the result of determination in step 530 is that the characters are the same character key, the interrupt processing unit 10 sends an instruction to the keyboard BIOS 13 to replace the currently displayed character with the next key code buffer 12. The character corresponding to the key code stored in the column of is displayed. Further, an input mode in which the newly displayed character (key code) is defined is obtained with reference to the area 122, and this is registered as the current input mode (step 550). For example, the key code of the currently displayed character is the area 120
If it is stored in (b), the area 120 (c)
The character corresponding to the key code stored in is displayed. The input mode stored in the area 122 (c) is set as the current input mode.

Thereafter, the current input mode is changed to [alphanumeric]
It is determined whether the mode corresponds to one of the mode, the [Hiragana] mode, and the [Katakana] mode (step 560). As a result, if any of them is applicable, the current input mode at that time is also registered as the return input mode (step 565). Then, the process returns to step 500. On the other hand, if none of the above three cases, ie, the current input mode is [alphanumeric + shift] mode
[Hiragana + Shift] mode and [Katakana + Shift]
If it is one of the modes, the process returns to step 500 without doing anything. That is, while the same character key is kept pressed, steps 500 to 530 and steps 550 to 565 are repeatedly executed. Therefore, during this time, the characters defined for the character key are sequentially displayed on the display device 3. For example, in the Hiragana mode, when the character key 2028 is pressed for the first time and kept as it is, the display device 3 first displays “Y”, as shown in FIG.
Followed by “ゅ” → “U” → “U” → “8” → ”(”
→ “Y” →… is displayed sequentially.

When the user releases his / her finger from the character key 2028 while “ョ” is displayed, “ョ” is determined and remains displayed. But in this case, "yo"
Is not registered as the return mode. Therefore, when any key is operated next, the input is started in the [Katakana] mode. Therefore, as shown in FIG.
Even after confirming the “Hi” in the [Hiragana + Shift] mode, when the character key 2029 is operated, the [Hiragana]
The mode “?” Is displayed. By operating the conversion key 2027 after inputting the desired hiragana in this way, a kanji can be obtained.

One of the three frequently used input modes ([alphanumeric] mode, [hiragana] mode, [katakana] mode) among the six input modes is registered as the return input mode. Even if the input mode is changed by holding down the same character key, the frequently used [alphanumeric] mode and [Hiragana] are used as the initial state when the next character is input. Mode and [Katakana] mode are automatically set. The user may be allowed to select an input mode that can be the return input mode.
By doing so, for example, a user who rarely uses English sentences can set only [Hiragana] mode and [Katakana] as the return input mode, and the operability is further improved.

According to the embodiment described above, the input mode designation operation can be facilitated. Thereby, the work efficiency of document input is greatly improved. Also, operation errors are reduced. In addition, considering the frequency of using the input mode,
It is easier to use because it is given priority. In addition, the order of the input mode change is the same as that shown in the above embodiment,
Not limited. For example, [alphanumeric] mode → [Hiragana]
Mode → [Katakana] mode → [alphanumeric + shift] mode → [Hiragana + shift] mode → [Katakana + shift]
The mode order may be used.

Although not described in the above description, in the case of using the Roman alphabet input method, when displaying in the [Hiragana] mode, the alphabet being input at that time (characters whose display is sequentially updated) is displayed. Alternatively, Roman alphabet kana conversion may be performed with the alphabet displayed immediately before the alphabet, and the result may be displayed. When the key is operated to input "ha" to input "ha", if "a" is kept pressed, this is converted to "wa" in the [Hiragana] mode and displayed.

Without performing such special processing, the transition from the alphanumeric mode to the hiragana mode (or katakana mode or the like) by the Roman character input method is always performed using the hiragana designation key or the katakana designation key. However, there is no problem in practical use. This is because a scene in which only one hiragana, katakana, or the like exists in many alphabets or symbols does not actually exist. Normally, a large number of hiragana, katakana, and kanji appear continuously. That is, it is not necessary to frequently change the mode from the alphanumeric mode to the hiragana mode (or katakana mode) based on Roman time input.

After the input mode is changed without introducing the concept of the return input mode, the character corresponding to the input mode may always be displayed first. In this case, the information stored in the key code definition table and the key code buffer need not include information indicating the input mode in which the character is defined. In this case, the interrupt processing unit 10 may simply instruct the key code BIOS to display a character corresponding to the key code stored in the “next column” of the key code buffer 12.

In the above embodiment, the input mode designating key is provided so that the input mode changing operation as in the prior art can be performed. However, these may be eliminated. By doing so, the number of keys provided on the keyboard 20 can be reduced, so that the size of the device can be reduced. In particular, these input mode designating keys (especially shift keys) are frequently operated, so that large keys are generally used in many cases. Therefore, the effect of size reduction is great, and it is particularly suitable for a portable information processing device. Characters assigned to one key are not limited to the JIS system, the QWERTY system, and the like. For example, the character of the line may be assigned to one key, and the sound of the line may be assigned to another key.

In the above embodiment, when the same character key is continuously pressed, the characters associated with the character key are sequentially displayed on the display device as images. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the reading of the characters may be sequentially notified by voice. In this way, even a physically handicapped person can easily change the input mode. In addition, input characters can be confirmed at the same time. The input mode designating key is generally arranged on the outermost side in the key arrangement, and erroneous operation is likely to occur only with the blind touch. The effect is naturally useful not only for the visually impaired but also for those without disabilities. It should be noted that for those who do not have any obstacles, it may be merely an alarm that the input mode has been changed. The notification may be made using both sound and image.

In the above embodiment, the keys on the keyboard are associated with the characters to be actually input via signals such as key data and key codes and codes (for example, a key code definition table, a character generator). . However, this is merely for the convenience of signal processing, and in principle, keys are directly associated with input characters.

In the above embodiment, the processing device 1 includes the key code table 11, the key code buffer 12, the key code acquisition BIOS 13, and the interrupt processing unit 10. Is only output. However, the input device 2 may include the key code table 11 or the like, and output the key code to the processing device 1. In this case, of course, if the same key is kept pressed,
During this time, the key code output from the input device 2 also changes sequentially. Therefore, the processing device 1 only needs to have a function of displaying a character corresponding to the key code output from the input device 2.

In the above embodiment, the time during which a key is kept pressed is directly measured to display characters (or input mode).
Is not changed, but the processing is substantially equivalent to this. Needless to say, the time may be measured directly.

The processing device 1, the input device 2, and the display device 3
It does not necessarily have to be configured separately. An information processing apparatus in which two or three of these are integrated may be used. The function of the present invention may be provided in the input device itself.

The method of selecting one of the characters sequentially displayed while the key is pressed is not limited to the method described in the above embodiment. For example, when a key is pressed for a certain period of time or more, even if the key is released thereafter, characters assigned to the key are sequentially displayed,
An instruction to select one of them may be input using a separately provided switch (for example, a mouse button).

[0085]

As described above, according to the present invention, the operation of designating the character type and the like can be facilitated .

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a keyboard 20.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a key code definition table 11;

FIG. 4 is an example of data stored in a RAM included in the processing device 1.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing operation.

FIG. 6 is a chart showing timing of display character change.

FIG. 7 is an example of a screen display showing how a display character is changed.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Processing device, 2 ... Input device, 3 ... Display device, 10 ... Interrupt processing unit, 11 ... Key code table, 12 ... Key code buffer, 13 ... Key code acquisition BIOS, 14 ... Editing unit, 15
... Display processing unit, 16 ... Character generator,
20: keyboard, 22: keyboard controller, 100: return input mode storage area, 102:
... Current input mode storage area 104... Key data storage area 200... Character key 2020... Hiragana designation key 2021.
022: Alphanumeric designation key, 2023: Input method designation key, 2024: Shift key, 2025: Conversion key, 2026: Cursor key, 2027:
... Execute key, 2028 ... Line feed key, 2029 ...
Cancel key,

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-1-119817 (JP, A) JP-A-4-360221 (JP, A) JP-A-5-173691 (JP, A) JP-A-2-264319 (JP) , A) (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 3/023

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] An input unit including a plurality of keys and outputting key data indicating an operated key; a notifying unit notifying the character when a signal representing the character is input from the outside; and key data but to be output, input each other mode
Storage means for storing a definition table in which two or more characters having different characters are associated with each other; and when the key data is output from the input means, the two or more characters associated with the key data are defined. A signal representing each character of the two or more characters is obtained until the operation of the key data is released from the table.
Repeat the process of sequentially outputting to the above notification means for each input mode.
Control means for returning, and when the operation of the key during operation acceptance is completed, among the characters notified by the notification means, determination means for determining the last notified character as an input character. Information processing device. 2. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the upper Symbol control means has a return information specifying any input mode, the key data from the input means is output, the An information processing apparatus characterized by sequentially outputting signals representing a plurality of characters obtained from a definition table, starting from signals representing characters in an input mode specified by the return information. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the return information is changeable. 4. An information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said control means stores the character entry mode in which the determination means has been determined as the restoration information, the information processing apparatus, characterized in that. 5. A character input receiving method in an information processing device to which a keyboard having a plurality of keys to which a plurality of characters are assigned is connected, wherein the information processing device is configured such that when the key is pressed, the key is pressed. As long as they remain , each other assigned to the key
Repeat the process to sequentially notify multiple characters with different input modes.
Ri returns, the characters that are broadcast when the pressing of the key is released, treated as committed characters, the character input reception method, characterized in that.