JPH04256889A - Time information input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable inputting time information easily and in a short time. CONSTITUTION:For inputting time information, a mode (S3) to input a time, a mode (S5) to input a limit time information, a mode (S7) to input a term within a day, and a mode (S9) to input a term over two days are provided, and the indications for each special input for the selection of each mode are done. By this, only minimum input is required.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a time information input device suitable for use in an electronic notebook device (portable computer).

0002

2. Description of the Related Art In an electronic notebook device, a predetermined schedule can be set, for example, as shown in FIG.
It can be configured to input everyday sentences such as "4:00 to 3 days".

[0003] Also, as shown in FIG.
The start and end times are displayed, such as "From 4:30 p.m. on the 24th of August 1990" or "Until 8:45 a.m. on August 25, 1990."
Up/down buttons 151a to 151e and 15
2a to 152e, it is possible to adjust to a predetermined time by incrementing or decrementing the numbers indicating the respective year, month, day, hour and minute by one.

0004

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the method shown in FIG. 15, although it is possible for humans to understand the expression, it is not possible for an electronic notebook device (portable computer) to understand the expression and automatically perform a predetermined process. It is difficult to write in the schedule sheet.

[0005] Furthermore, in the method shown in FIG. 16, the start time and end time are each expressed as absolute numbers, so the electronic notebook device automatically reads these inputs.
It becomes possible to automatically post this schedule to a schedule sheet. However, according to this method, when inputting a schedule such as meeting someone at 3 o'clock, the electronic notebook device always determines that the time setting is complete when both the start time and end time are input. Therefore, in order to input the same time for both the start time and end time, the user has to operate many buttons, which is inconvenient.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and is intended to allow time information to be input more easily.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The time information input device of the present invention has a mode for inputting the time at which a predetermined action is performed;
At least two of a mode in which a time limit for performing a predetermined action is entered, or a mode in which a period defined by a start time and an end time for a predetermined action are entered
The present invention is characterized by comprising a selection means that can select one mode, and an input means that is set to an input mode corresponding to the selection by the selection means.

[0008]

[Operation] In the time information input device having the above configuration, for example, there are two modes: a mode for inputting the time to meet someone, a mode for inputting the deadline time for something, and a period defined by the start time and end time. When at least two of the three input modes are selected by the selection means, the input means is set to the input mode corresponding to the selection. Therefore, it becomes possible to input time information easily.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of an embodiment in which the time information input device of the present invention is applied to an electronic notebook device (portable computer). The main body 1 is provided with a power switch 2, which is turned on when the device is used and turned off when the device is discontinued. A brightness adjustment switch 3 is provided to the left of the power switch 2 to adjust the brightness of the screen 8 (brightness of the LCD 22, which will be described later). Further, a case 4 is provided on the side of the main body 1. This case 4 houses a pen 6, which has a switch 7 at its tip and is connected to the main body 1 via a cord 5, when not in use. When this pen 6 is taken out from the case 4, the main body 1 is
It can be placed in a groove 10 horizontally formed in the upper part of the housing. A speaker 9 is provided on the left side of the groove 10 to output a predetermined sound.

There are two switches 11 on the upper right side of the main body 1.
, 12 are provided. The switch 11 is a change-over switch that changes the brightness of the backlight, which will be described later, into, for example, two levels, and the switch 12 is a volume change-over switch that changes the volume of the sound output from the speaker 9 into, for example, three levels. The switch 13 provided on the left side of the main body 1 is
This is a stop switch that is operated when stopping a predetermined operation midway (for example, when stopping the sound being emitted). There is also a memory (IC) card 70 (Fig. 5) on the left side of the main body 1.
A socket 14 is arranged in which a device (see above) is attached. A socket 15 is provided on the rear side of the main body 1. A socket 16 is also provided inside a battery mounting section 1a on the rear side of the main body 1 into which a battery 19 is mounted. For example, RS232C cables, modems, and other adapters are connected to these sockets 15 and 16. Furthermore, on the upper left side of main body 1, there is an
A connection terminal 18 of the adapter 17 is provided.

FIG. 2 shows a more detailed example of the configuration of the screen 8. As shown in FIG. In this example, tablet 21 (X
A tablet 21a for detecting the position in the axial direction and a tablet 21b for detecting the position in the Y-axis direction are provided at the top. An LCD 22 is provided below the tablet 21. The LCD 22 is composed of glass plates 22a and 22b provided above and below, and a liquid crystal 23 inserted between the glass plates 22a and 22b. A fluorescent screen (EL) 26 is arranged below the LCD 22. When the fluorescent screen 26 as a backlight generates light, the light is transmitted to the LCD.
22. Since the tablets 21a and 21b are formed of transparent members, the image displayed on the liquid crystal 23 can be observed from above in the figure. Printed circuit board (PCB)
) 25 is loaded with parts (not shown) and is electrically connected to the LCD 22 via a rubber connector 24. It is also electrically connected to the tablet 21 through a conductive film 27 .

FIG. 3 shows a more detailed example of the structure of the fluorescent screen 26. In this embodiment, an insulating film 33 is placed between the electrode 31 and the light emitting section (the other electrode) 32. By applying a predetermined voltage between the electrode 31 and the light emitting section 32, the light emitting section 32 emits light. The electrode 31 and the light emitting section 32 are formed in a plate shape, and can illuminate the screen 8 uniformly.

[0013] In addition to this, it is also possible to use a fluorescent tube as the backlight. In addition, a fluorescent tube is installed on the side of the main body as a side light, and the light is transmitted to the LC using a light transmission member.
It is also possible to transmit the light to the rear of the D22 so that it can be illuminated.

FIG. 4 shows position detection using a tablet and LC
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing the principle of display by D. tablet 2
1 has, for example, 512 electrodes in the X-axis direction,
It has 342 electrodes in the Y-axis direction. This results in
It becomes possible to detect 512×342 pixels. The tablet controller 46 controls the clock generation circuit 45a and sequentially applies a predetermined voltage to each of the 342 electrodes. Next, the clock generation circuit 45b is controlled, and the clock generation circuit 45b is controlled.
A voltage is sequentially applied to the 12 electrodes. That is, the tablet 21 is scanned by clocks generated by the clock generation circuit 45a and the clock generation circuit 45b. When the pen 6 approaches a predetermined position on the tablet 21, a predetermined capacitance is formed between the tablet 21 and the pen 6. When the pen 6 is pressed against the tablet 21, the switch 7 at the tip of the pen 6 is turned on.
The electric charge generated between the terminal and a predetermined electrode on the tablet 21 is detected and supplied to the tablet controller 46 via an amplifier 47. Since the tablet controller 46 manages the clock generation timing of the clock generation circuits 45a and 45b, it is possible to detect the pressed position by the pen 6 on the tablet 21 from the detection signal supplied from the pen 6 and the clock generation timing. can. The tablet controller 46 supplies the thus detected operation coordinates of the pen 6 to the CPU 41. CPU41
constantly monitors the position where the pen 6 presses the tablet 21 and the switch 7 is turned on (pen down) and the position where the pen 6 leaves the tablet 21 and the switch 7 is turned off (pen up). Then, press the pen down to accept the input, and press the pen up to confirm the input.

On the other hand, the CPU 41 is connected to the LCD controller 4.
3 and writes data corresponding to the image to be displayed in the memory (V-RAM) 44. LCD controller 4
3 reads data from the memory 44 and supplies a signal corresponding to the data to the drive circuit 42b. LCD22 is
It has 512 electrodes in the horizontal direction and 342 electrodes in the vertical direction, corresponding to the tablet 21. The drive circuit 42a applies a predetermined voltage to each of the 342 electrodes one by one. Further, the drive circuit 42b sequentially applies voltages corresponding to image data to the 512 electrodes. In this way, each pixel on the LCD 22 is scanned, and the LCD
A predetermined image will be displayed on 22.

FIG. 5 shows a more detailed electrical configuration of the main body 1. The CPU 41 is connected to various ICs via a bus line 57. In addition to the system program for the entire device, the ROM 51 has written therein, for example, a kana-kanji conversion program for the word processor function, a dictionary table therefor, a recognition program for handwritten input, a dictionary table therefor, and the like. The working RAM 52 stores data necessary for operation as needed. A backup battery 54 (separate from the battery 19) is connected to the backup RAM 53, so that necessary data is backed up even when the power to the main body of the apparatus is turned off. The timer IC 55 is connected to the battery 54, counts the clock from the crystal oscillator 56, and outputs the date and time data at that point in time. The above LCD
The controller 43 and tablet controller 46 are also connected to the CPU 41 via a bus line 57.

The audio processing circuit 58 connects the sockets 14 to 1.
A predetermined audio signal is generated in response to an input from 6 or a command from CPU 41, and is output to adder 59. The sound memory 61 is controlled by the CPU 41 and outputs a pre-stored predetermined sound (for example, a warning sound "eh?") to the adder 59. The adder 59 adds the output of the audio processing circuit 58 and the output of the audio memory 61, and outputs the result to the speaker 9 via the audio volume controller 60. A volume changeover switch 12 is connected to the volume controller 60, and the volume can be controlled by operating the switch 12.

The fluorescent screen (backlight section) 26 includes a power circuit 64 (when the power switch 2 is turned on, the battery 1
9 or an AC adapter 17) is supplied via an inverter circuit 63. The brightness of the fluorescent screen 26 can be adjusted to two levels via the inverter circuit 63 by switching the selector switch 11 (for example, a brightness suitable for a bright room and a brightness suitable for a dark room).
can be switched to Separately, by controlling the brightness adjustment switch 3, the brightness of the LCD 22 can be controlled to a desired value in multiple stages. The switch 65a is turned on/off depending on whether the battery 19 attached to the main body 1 is a primary battery or a secondary battery. The switch 65b is connected to the battery 19.
The capacitance of the capacitor is detected and the device is turned on/off depending on the size of the capacitance. These switches 65a, 65b, etc. are connected to the key interface 62 via a power supply circuit 64. The key interface 62 is also connected to the brightness adjustment switch 3, the changeover switch 11, the stop switch 13, and the like. The key interface 62 supplies signals corresponding to on/off of these switches to the CPU 41.

An IC card 70 is connected to the socket 14, and the CPU 41 can exchange data, programs, etc. with the IC card 70 via an IC card interface 66. In addition, sockets 15, 1
6 is connected to an adapter 71, and is connected to the CPU 41 via an expansion interface 68.

Next, the process for inputting time information will be explained with reference to FIG. First, the CPU 41 determines whether the buttons 91a to 91d (FIG. 9) have been touched with the pen 6 in step S1. If these buttons are not touched, the process advances to step S2 and other processing is executed. Buttons 91a to 91
If d has been operated, the process advances to steps S3, S5, S7, and S9, and it is determined which one of them has been operated. The button 91a is a button that is selected when inputting a predetermined time (at) to do something, such as calling Mr. Sato at 5 o'clock, for example. The button 91b is a button that is selected when setting a deadline (up to) for something, such as compiling a report by March 5th, for example. In addition, buttons 91c and 91d are pressed from 1 o'clock to 3 o'clock.
Select this when setting a period (from ~ to ~) defined by both the start time and end time, such as having a meeting until March 23rd or traveling from March 23rd to March 26th. The button 91c is selected when the period is within one day, and the button 91d is selected when the period is over two days or more. These buttons 91a to 9
If 1d is selected, steps S4, S6,
Proceeding to S8 and S10, each board of the type plate 84 (FIG. 9) is switched to a dedicated display (input mode).

Next, display examples of the screen 8 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 8 to 14.

In FIG. 8, the "Kaku" page is displayed. This writing mode can be set by touching the "kaku" button 80 with the pen 6. In this writing mode, you can select any of the following pages: Actions, Connections, or Reports. The action page is a page for recording a plan to perform some kind of action, such as a business trip or a deadline for creating a report. Also,
The connection is a page for entering address, phone number, etc. Also, a report is a page on which, for example, an idea that comes to mind is written down. In FIG. 8, an action page is opened. An icon display area 81 is provided at the top of the screen, in which a plurality of icons 8 are displayed.
3 is displayed. Among these icons 83, move the pen 6 down to the "Katsuji" icon (in FIG. 8, this icon is not displayed because it has already been pulled out to the input display area 82), and then continue moving the pen 6 to the input display area. When the pen is pulled down to 82 and the pen is raised there, the type plate 84 is enlarged and displayed as shown in FIG. This type plate 84 has squares 85, and the squares 85
When a predetermined character is handwritten on the screen 5 with the pen 6, the stroke is pattern recognized, and the character obtained as a result of the pattern recognition is displayed in the square 85. When the recognized and displayed characters are correct, when the write button 86 is touched with the pen 6, the characters displayed in the square 85 are written in the input display area 82, for example, in the subject entry area 82a. This writing position can be specified by touching a predetermined position in the input display area 82 with the pen 6 to display a cursor (not shown) there. That is,
The characters displayed in the square 85 will be written at the position where the cursor is located.

Area 82b of input display area 82 is an area for inputting time information (date and time). When inputting time information here, if the clock button 88 is touched with the pen 6, the display on the type plate 84 changes to a board for inputting time information as shown in FIG. In addition, by touching the board button 87 with the pen 6, a window (not shown) is displayed, and a desired board such as a short sentence input board, a telephone input board, etc. is displayed from among the various boards displayed in the window. It is now possible to choose.

When the type plate 84 is set as a board for inputting time information, the input mode to be initially set when any of the buttons 91a to 91d is operated (that is, the input mode in the initial state) can be determined as appropriate. It is now possible to select and set. In this embodiment, the mode when the button 91c is first selected is displayed as the initial state. That is,
In this mode, the start time and end time within one day are input, so the year, month, day, hour and minute indicating the start time and the hour and minute indicating the end time are displayed. In this example, the start time is January 22, 1991.
It is displayed as starting at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday (Tuesday), and the end time is displayed as ending at 11:00 a.m. When commanded to switch the type plate 84 to a time information input board, the CPU 41 monitors the output of the timer IC 55 and displays the next hour closest to the current time as the start time and end time. What is the hour here?1
It is defined as a time when the minute value is 00, such as 00:00, 2:00, 3:00, etc. For example, in the case of the embodiment, the icon "calendar" 83 in the icon area 81
As shown in a and "Tokei" 83b, the current time is 10:23 AM on January 22, 1991, so the next hour is 11:00 AM on January 22, 1991. 0
0 minutes is displayed as the start time. The end time is also set to the same time as the start time.

Buttons 92d and 92u delay the year or
Buttons 93d and 93u are buttons for delaying or advancing the month, and buttons 94d and 94u are buttons for delaying or advancing the day. Similarly buttons 95d and 95
u is a button for delaying or advancing the start time, and buttons 96d and 96u are buttons for delaying or advancing the start time by minutes. Buttons 97d, 97u and 98d, 98u are buttons for delaying or advancing the hours and minutes of the end time, respectively. Buttons 99 and 100 are buttons for advancing the start time and end time in 15 minute increments, respectively.

In the area 103a of the type plate 84, if the bell is to be rung at a predetermined time, such as 5 minutes before, 10 minutes before, 20 minutes before the displayed start time, etc., the time is displayed. can be set and displayed. The time is displayed on buttons 101d and 101.
It can be selected as appropriate by u. If a blank space is displayed here as the time to ring the warning bell, this means that the warning bell is not set to ring. Furthermore, the type of bell can be set and displayed in the area 103b. In this setting, one of blank, melody, "It's time", chime, bell, and "Next meeting" can be selected as appropriate using the bell mark button 102a or 102b. In the areas 104 and 106 provided on the right side of the start time and end time, it is possible to appropriately select and display the type of main bell and final bell that announce when the start time or end time has arrived. It has become. For example, by selecting the bell mark button 105a or 105b as appropriate, you can select a melody, ``It's time'', a chime, a bell, ``Next meeting'', or blank. There is. The same applies to the area 106, and the type of final bell can be set by appropriately selecting the bell mark button 107a or 107b. Of course, these buttons are operated by touching them with the pen 6.

FIG. 10 shows a state in which each of the above-mentioned buttons is touched with the pen 6 and a predetermined input is performed. In this figure, it has been input that the warning bell should be rung with a melody five minutes before the opening time. Also, at the start time (
The setting input is that a chime (as a main bell) is to be sounded. Additionally, the end time has been changed from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. At this end time, a bell is sounded as the final bell.

[0028] Such a setting is performed when the backup RAM 5
3 is stored. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, A is set as the year, month, and day of the start time within one day, B is set as the hour and minute, and
If C is set as the hour and minute of the end time, touch the button 91a with the pen 6 in this state and set the time (to).
When the mode is changed, A is set as the year, month, and day, and B is set as the hour and minute (FIG. 11). Also, Figure 1
0, the button 91b is touched with the pen 6,
When the mode is shifted to the deadline time (up to) mode, A is set as the year, month, and day, and C is set as the hour and minute (FIG. 12). Furthermore, in the state shown in FIG. 10, if the button 91d is operated and the mode is shifted to a mode for a period of two days or more (from ~ to ~), the start time is set to A, the hour and minute are set to A, and the end time is set to the year. A is set as the month and day, and C is set as the hour and minute (FIG. 13). If the button 91c is operated again while the button 91a, 91b or 91d has been operated, the year, month, and day of the start time are set to A, the hours and minutes are set to B, and the hours and minutes of the end time are set to C (Fig. 10). In other words, it will return to its original state.

To further explain this using an example of an actual screen, when the button 91a in FIG. 10 is touched with the pen 6, the screen becomes as shown in FIG. 11. In FIG. 11, the end time and the type of final bell (and therefore, the buttons corresponding thereto) in FIG. 10 are omitted. The time is the same as the start time in FIG.

In FIG. 10, when the button 91b is touched with the pen 6, the screen changes as shown in FIG. In FIG. 12, the display of the year, month, day, hour and minute, as well as the type of bell, etc. on the start time side in FIG. 10 are erased, and the year, month, day, hour and minute are displayed on the end time side. The year, month, and day are the same as the year, month, and day of the start time in FIG. 10, and the time is the same as the end time in FIG. Then, buttons 111d to 113u for advancing or delaying the respective numerical values are displayed corresponding to the year, month, and day of the end time.

Furthermore, in the state shown in FIG. 10, when the button 91d is touched with the pen 6, the year, month, and day of the end time are also displayed as shown in FIG. The year, month, and day of this end time are the same as the year, month, and day of the start time.

Next, as shown in FIG.
After inputting the predetermined time information in 4, when the pen 6 is pressed down on the write button 86, the display of the write button 86 is inverted as shown in FIG. Then, when the pen 6 is lifted up from the write button 86, the type plate 84
The time information displayed in is written into the time information input display area 82b of the input display area 82. In this way, once time information has been written in the area 82b, if you want to erase the display, press the clear button 89 on the type plate 84.
can be touched with the pen 6. Also, by touching the clear button 89 with the pen 6, the area 82b
If you want to cancel the erased operation after erasing the display, use the pen 6 to touch the type plate 84.
All you have to do is touch the cancel button 90. In this way, the previous operation (operation of the clear button 89) is canceled, and the time information that was displayed in the area 82b before touching the clear button 89 is displayed again.

[0033] In this way, time information (date, time,
After writing the pre-bell, main bell, final bell, etc.) on each required page, move the pen 6 down to the type plate 84, drag the pen 6 to the icon display area 81, and then move the pen up there to display the type plate 84. is canceled, and the "Katsuji" icon is accommodated and displayed in the icon display area 81. When the time information is input in this way, the CPU 41 reads this time information and
The time information entered into weekly, monthly or yearly schedules will be automatically written. However, in order to perform this writing, it is necessary to touch the button 121a, 121b, or 121c displayed on the right side of the area 82b with the pen 6 so that it is highlighted. In the embodiment of FIG. 14, only the buttons 121a corresponding to daily and weekly schedules and the button 121b corresponding to monthly schedules are highlighted, so this area 8
The schedule input and displayed in 2b is written into the daily schedule, weekly schedule, and monthly schedule. However, since the button 121c corresponding to the annual schedule is not highlighted, the time information in the area 82b will not be reflected in the annual schedule.

[0034] Therefore, after completing such writing, touch the button ``Mill'' 122 with the pen 6 to shift from the writing mode to the viewing mode, and then select the daily, weekly, or monthly schedule. The time information entered in writing mode is written as a schedule.

In the above, there are four modes: a mode for inputting one time, a mode for inputting a deadline, a mode for inputting a period of one day or less, and a mode for inputting a period of two days or more.
However, the number of modes is not limited to four, and it is clear that the operability will be much improved if there are two or more modes compared to one. be.

[0036]

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the time information input device of the present invention, two or more modes for inputting time information are provided, and time information is input in the selected input mode. You only need to enter time information, so
The operation becomes easy and it becomes possible to set and input necessary time information in a short time.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a portable computer to which a time information input device of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a screen in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the structure of an example of the fluorescent screen in the example of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical connection relationship between the LCD and the tablet in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the overall electrical connection relationship of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating state transitions in the embodiment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a diagram of an input screen for explaining the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a diagram of an input screen for explaining the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a diagram of an input screen for explaining the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a diagram of an input screen for explaining the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 6;

FIG. 12 is a diagram of an input screen for explaining the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 6;

FIG. 13 is a diagram of an input screen for explaining the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 6;

FIG. 14 is a diagram of an input screen for explaining the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 6;

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of conventional time information display.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a conventional time information input operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

6 Pen 8 Screen 21 Tablet 22 LCD 84 Type plate 88 Clock button

Claims (1)

[Claims] [Claim 1] A mode for inputting a time at which a predetermined action is to be performed, a mode for inputting a time limit for performing a predetermined action, or a period defined by a start time and an end time at which a predetermined action is performed. 1. A time information input device comprising: a selection means capable of selecting at least two modes from among input modes; and an input means set to an input mode corresponding to the selection by the selection means.