Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Stylus
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-22
2001-09-25
Hjerpe, Richard (Department: 2674)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Stylus
C345S172000, C345S168000, C345S171000, C345S173000, C341S021000, C341S022000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06295052
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an input unit available for a character input device and in an input technology and, more particularly, to a screen display key input unit for inputting characters and symbols indicated within key area displayed on a screen of an electric tool, for example electric notebook, small word processor or personal computer, by directly touching the keys with a pen or fingers, or by shifting a pointer on the screen with a mouse or a tablet.
2. Discussion of the Background
A personal computer, a word processor or the like is known well in the art as a general information processing unit and has been miniaturized wile keeping their high performance. A size of a computer has been shifted from a relatively large desk type general purpose computer to a laptop type small computer and further to a notebook type small-sized computer. But, such miniaturization recently makes no progress. Because, there is obviously a limit of miniaturization of keyboard when considering its handling.
Accordingly, it is remarkable for general companies which have utilized portable personal computers, electric notebooks, and portable remote terminals as their business portable tools to use a screen touch input system in which an input procedure is done by touching the screen with pen or fingers as hopeless.
Recently, as operating systems and software improved, a desktop computer and a note-size computer shift to utilize GUI (Graphic User Interface) in inputting operation without using a keyboard, wherein several icons displayed on a screen are selected by mouse.
But the present input system using a mouse and a pen on its screen is only appropriate for select inputting procedure of “MENU” and “COMMAND”. They are not suitable to input characters when writing a composition.
A freehand input system as one of pen input system is convenient for persons that are hard to deal with keyboard. But, the freehand input system does not assure enough recognition rate and needs much time for converting characters into Kanji-character, Katakana-character, Hiragana-character and the like. The character conversion in freehand input system is carried out stepwise though “freehand input”→“recognition”→“conversion”.
There is also known so-called “character input board” in which keys are arranged(displayed) on a screen (Soft Key) just like a general keyboard (Hard Key) so that the displayed respective keys are selected and inputted by an electric pen and a mouse.
These soft keys on the character input board are nothing but hard keys shown on a screen and are condensed within a narrow screen, which leads an operator into a bad operational environment.
One of the popular conventional character input board is so-called “QWERTY” keyboard as shown in
FIG. 55
or “Japanese syllabary” keyboard to smoothly input Japanese characters as shown in FIG.
56
. Both of keyboards are organized with 10 files, a moving area for pen and mouse is relatively large and size of each soft key is so small that the operator does not comfortably operate the keyboards.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a screen display key input unit for inputting keys displayed on a screen by using pen, mouse or the like, so that the number of keys is decreased and the operability for operators can be improved.
The present invention, which relates to a screen display key input unit for selecting and inputting keys displayed on a screen, is characterized by including keys displayed on the screen and being allocated at least first and second graphic character codes generating characters, digits and symbols; key input means for designating each key area showing said respective keys; and selection processing means for outputting either the first or second graphic character code based on a decision where said key input means designates within the key area.
According to the present invention as described above, a key can be allocated two graphic character codes, such as a letters, a digit, a symbol or the like, so that, for example, 26 alphabets can be defined on thirteen keys, thereby allowing the number of keys to be reduced to approximate half as compared with a conventional number of keys. As a result, the operability can be improved in view of the smaller degree of the movement of a pen, a mouse or the like for selecting the key and a larger size of each of the keys.
In the present invention, the key input means is touch-sensitive input means for touching the respective key area shown on the screen, and the selection processing means includes criterion means for deciding whether the touch-sensitive input means shifts over a predetermined length with continuous touch to the key area and character generation means for outputting the first graphic character code allocated to the key when the criterion means decides that a moving distance of the touch-sensitive input means is shorter than the predetermined length and outputting the second graphic character code allocated to the key when the criterion means decides that a moving distance of the touch-sensitive input means is longer than the predetermined length.
With the above structure, the key selection operations can be changed by changing the length which the key is touched with the touch input means, thus improving the operability of inputting.
In the present invention, the key input means is touch-sensitive input means for touching the respective key area shown on the screen, and the selection processing means includes criterion means for deciding whether the touch-sensitive input means keeps touching to the key area for a predetermined period of time and character generation means for outputting the first graphic character code allocated to the key when the criterion means decides that a touching period of time of the touch-sensitive input means is shorter than the predetermined period of time and outputting the second graphic character code allocated to the key when the criterion means decides that a touching period of time of the touch-sensitive input means is longer than the predetermined period of time.
With the structured described above, the key selection operation can be changed by changing the period of time while the key is touched with the touch input means, thus enhancing the operability of inputting.
In the present invention, the key input means is touch-sensitive input means for touching the respective key area shown on the screen, and the selection processing means includes criterion means for deciding whether the touch-sensitive input means pushes the key area under a predetermined pressure and character generation means for outputting the first graphic character code allocated to the key when the criterion means decides that a pressure degree applied by the touch-sensitive input means is lower than the predetermined pressure and outputting the second graphic character code allocated to the key when the criterion means decides that a pressure degree applied by the touch-sensitive input means is higher than the predetermined pressure.
With the above structure, the key selection operation can be changed by changing a pressure which the key is touched with the touch input means, thus improving the operability of inputting.
In the present invention, the key input means includes touch-sensitive input means for touching the respective key area shown on the screen and a push-button provided outside the screen, and the selection processing means has character generation means for outputting the first graphic character code allocated to the key when the key area is simply touched with the touch-sensitive input means without pressing the push-button and outputting the second graphic character code allocated to the key when the key area is touched with the touch-sensitive input means with pressing the push-button.
As to the above structure, in addition to a hand for carrying out the touch operation with the pen, a finger or the like, another hand is needed to push the button, but, the shift
Kato Syunji
Kato Yoshiya
Hjerpe Richard
Lesperance Jean
Misawa Homes Co. Ltd.
Oblon & Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt P.C.
LandOfFree
Screen display key input unit does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Screen display key input unit, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Screen display key input unit will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2442492