U.S. patent application number 09/418872 was filed with the patent office on 2002-05-02 for processing apparatus.
Invention is credited to HIRAYAMA, TOMOSHI.
Application Number | 20020050996 09/418872 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 11725470 |
Filed Date | 2002-05-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020050996 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HIRAYAMA, TOMOSHI |
May 2, 2002 |
PROCESSING APPARATUS
Abstract
An information processing apparatus, typically incorporated in a
small-size, portable computerized electronic data storage device,
has a display unit combined with a tablet which coacts with a
stylus to instruct a CPU to process stored information in different
modes. When desired pages of information are to be copied or
deleted, a displayed icon for a copying or deleting process is
touched by the stylus to display a corresponding window on the
display unit. The range of pages to be copied or deleted is
specified in the displayed window using the stylus. While the
desired pages are being copied or deleted, a moving image
indicating a visual representation of a copier or a shredder is
also displayed.
Inventors: |
HIRAYAMA, TOMOSHI; (TOKYO,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SONNENSCHEIN NATH & ROSENTHAL
P.O. BOX 061080
WACKER DRIVE STATION
CHICAGO
IL
60606-1080
US
|
Family ID: |
11725470 |
Appl. No.: |
09/418872 |
Filed: |
October 15, 1999 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09418872 |
Oct 15, 1999 |
|
|
|
07978450 |
Nov 18, 1992 |
|
|
|
07978450 |
Nov 18, 1992 |
|
|
|
07642944 |
Jan 18, 1991 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/473 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/0481 20130101;
Y10S 715/977 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/473 |
International
Class: |
G06T 015/70 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 19, 1990 |
JP |
P009626/90 |
Claims
I claim as my invention:
1. An information processing apparatus comprising: (a) input means
for inputting information; (b) memory means for storing the
inputted information as a plurality of pages; (c) display means for
displaying one of said pages at a time; (d) first indicating means
for indicating a first page of stored information to be processed;
(e) second indicating means for indicating a last page of stored
information to be processed; (f) means for controlling said display
means to successively display stored information from said first
page toward said final page; and (g) processing means for
processing the information ranging from said first page to said
last page.
2. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein each of said first and second indicating means comprises a
key displayed by said display means.
3. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein said processing means comprises means for processing the
information in a selected one of a plurality of different
selectable processing modes, said display means comprising means
for displaying a window indicating the selected processing
mode.
4. An information processing apparatus according to claim 3,
wherein each of said first and second indicating means comprises a
key contained in said window displayed by said display means.
5. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein said processing means comprises means for copying the
information ranging from said first page to said last page as
different pages in said memory means.
6. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein said display means comprises means for displaying the
number of pages ranging from said first page to said last page.
7. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein said processing means comprises means for deleting the
information ranging from said first page to said last page from
said memory means.
8. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein said input means comprising a tablet combined with said
display means.
9. An information processing apparatus according to claim 8,
wherein said processing means comprises means for processing the
information in a selected one of a plurality of different
selectable processing modes indicated by said icons, respectively,
said display means comprising means for displaying a plurality of
icons representing said processing modes, respectively, and means
for displaying a window indicating the selected processing mode,
and wherein said input means further comprises a stylus operable in
coaction with said tablet to select one of said processing modes by
touching the corresponding icon and moving into said window.
10. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein said display means comprises means for displaying an image
containing a visual representation of the manner in which said
processing means processes the information from said first page to
said last page.
11. An information processing apparatus according to claim 10,
wherein said processing means comprises means for processing the
information in a selected one of a plurality of different
selectable processing modes, said display means comprising means
for displaying movable images containing respective visual
representations of said different selectable processing means.
12. An information processing apparatus according to claim 11,
wherein said different selectable processing modes comprise a
deleting mode for deleting the information ranging from said first
page to said last page from said memory means, and a copying mode
for copying the information ranging from said first page to said
last page as different pages in said memory means, said movable
images representing a shredder and a copier, respectively,
associated with said deleting and copying modes.
13. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein said information processing apparatus is a portable
computerized electronic data storage device.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an information processing
apparatus for effectively retrieving data stored in an electronic
data storage device which has a stylus and a tablet for inputting
and outputting desired data.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Information processing apparatus for storing divided groups
or units of data (hereinafter referred to as "segment data") as
fixed-length pages in memories are known in the art. When such an
information processing apparatus is in operation, the user
specifies and retrieves a desired page of the stored segment data,
and displays the retrieved page on a display unit or records the
retrieved page on a recording medium. Generally, a page of the
stored segment data is identified using a keyboard. To specify a
succession of pages, the first page is identified with the
keyboard, and then the number of pages following the first page is
entered through the keyboard.
[0005] However, pages which a-e desired to be retrieved from the
stored segment data cannot be identified in the above manner with
information processing apparatus which employ a stylus as the input
device.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
information processing apparatus which is capable of identifying
successive pages of stored segment data with an instruction
inputted using a stylus, and also allows the user to obtain a clear
visual confirmation as to how many pages have been specified.
[0007] According to the present invention, an information
processing apparatus comprising input means for inputting
information, memory means for storing the inputted information as a
plurality of pages, display means for displaying one of the pages
at a time, first indicating means for indicating a first page of
stored information to be processed, second indicating means for
indicating a last page of stored information to be processed, means
for controlling the display means to successively display stored
information from the first page toward the final page, and
processing means for processing the information ranging from the
first page to the last page.
[0008] The processing means processes the information in a selected
one of a plurality of different selectable processing modes, and
the display means displays a window indicating the selected
processing mode.
[0009] For example, the processing means copies the information
ranging from the first page to the last page as different pages in
the memory means, and deletes the information ranging from the
first page to the last page from the memory means.
[0010] The input means comprises a tablet and a stylus which
operate in coaction with each other to instruct the processing
means to copy or delete the information ranging from the first page
to the last page.
[0011] The display means displays an image containing a visual
representation of the manner in which the processing means
processes the information from the first page to the last page. For
example, when the information is to be deleted, a shredder is
displayed by the display means, and when the information is to be
copied, a copier is displayed by the display means.
[0012] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description of illustrative embodiments thereof to be read in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference
numerals represent the same or similar objects.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C are a flowchart of an operation
sequence of an information processing apparatus according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C are a flowchart of an operation
sequence of an information processing apparatus according to
another embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a housing assembly of the
information processing apparatus;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the information processing
apparatus; and
[0017] FIGS. 5A through 5I and 6A through 6R are plan views showing
examples of data processing displayed while the information
processing apparatus is in operation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] FIGS. 3 and 4 show the hardware arrangement of an
information processing apparatus according to the present
invention. The information processing apparatus is shown as being
incorporated in a small-size, portable computerized electronic data
storage device.
[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, the electronic data storage device
includes a housing assembly comprising a pair of foldable and
unfoldable housings 16, 17. The housing 17 has a display unit 1 in
the form of a liquid crystal display unit, for example, for
displaying image data supplied from a CPU 21 (FIG. 4) or the like.
The display unit 1 has on its surface an input tablet 2 which may
comprise a transparent touch-sensitive device or the like. A stylus
or probe 3, which is usually stored in the other housing 16 when
not in use, coacts with the input tablet 2 for inputting desired
data into the electronic data storage device. The stylus 3 and the
tablet 2 jointly have a detector for detecting a change in the
electrostatic capacitance, for example, between the stylus 3 and
the tablet 2. When a certain position on the tablet 2 is pointed by
the tip of the stylus 3, the coordinates of that position can be
detected even without the stylus 3 being in contact with the tablet
2, and a cursor is displayed on the display unit 1 at the position
pointed by the tip of the stylus 3.
[0020] When the stylus 3 is taken out of the housing 16 and its tip
is brought into contact with the tablet 2, information relative to
the condition in which the tip of the stylus 3 touches the tablet 2
and the position where the tip 3 of the stylus 3 contacts the
tablet 2 is transmitted to the CPU 21, inputting desired data
thereinto. The housing 17 supports keyswitches 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d,
whereas the housing 16 supports keyswitches 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d. Signals
from these keyswitches are also supplied to the CPU 21.
[0021] The housing 16 also has a loudspeaker 7 for producing
audible signals and a battery case 8 for storing a battery. The
battery case 8 is normally closed by a lid which can be opened when
it is released by a lock mechanism 9 associated therewith. Various
electronic circuits and components in the housings 16, 17 are
energized when a power supply switch 10 on the housing 16 is turned
on. The housing 11 has a microphone 11 on an outer edge thereof for
picking up voice messages to be recorded in a solid-state recording
medium. The housing 11 has on a side edge thereof a key pad 12 for
recording desired voice messages. The key pad 12 includes a
recording key 12a, a playback key 12b, a stop key 12c, and a volume
key 12d for adjusting the level of sound to any one of high,
medium, and low levels at a time. When the these keys 12a, 12b,
12c, 12d are selectively pushed or shifted, a voice message picked
up by the microphone 11 is recorded, or a recorded voice message
can be reproduced by the loudspeaker 7.
[0022] The housing 16 also has a socket 13 defined in an outer edge
thereof for receiving an IC card such as of a ROM, a RAM, or the
like therein, and an expansional socket 14 defined in the outer
edge thereof for connection to an external device (not shown).
[0023] The housings 16, 17 are foldably interconnected by a hinge
15 which includes a flexible board for transmitting signals between
the housings 16, 17. Therefore, the housings 16, 17 can be folded
together for storage or spread out for use without electric
disconnection between electronic circuits and components in the
housings 16, 17. For example, the electronic data storage device as
it is unfolded has a longitudinal dimension of about 29 cm and a
transverse dimension of about 20.5 cm, and has a thickness of about
4 cm when folded. The display unit 1 has a length of about 15 cm
and a width of about 10 cm.
[0024] The electronic data storage device has an electronic
hardware arrangement as shown in FIG. 4. The electronic data
storage device includes a CPU 21 to which various components in the
form of ICs, etc. are connected through a bus 22.
[0025] A ROM 23 which is connected to the bus 22 stores various
programs including a system program for controlling operation of
the electronic data storage device, a character conversion program
for converting Japanese alphabetical characters into Chinese
characters in a word processor system, dictionary data for use with
the character conversion program, a character recognition program
for recognizing handwritten characters, dictionary data for use
with the character recognition program, and other data.
[0026] A working RAM 24 and a backup RAM 25 coupled to a power
supply 26 are also connected to the bus 22.
[0027] A timer IC 27, which is also energized by the power supply
26, counts clock pulses generated by a quartz oscillator 28 and
constantly produces present data relative to year, month, date, and
time.
[0028] The display unit 1 shown in FIG. 1 is controlled by a
display controller 29 which is controlled by the CPU 21. Display
data generated by the CPU 21 are supplied to the display controller
29 and written into a V-RAM 30 through the display controller 29.
The display data stored in the V-RAM 30 are then supplied to the
display unit 1 under the control of the display controller 29.
[0029] The tablet 2 combined with the display unit 1 and the stylus
3 are connected to the bus 22 through a tablet interface 31.
Therefore, data which are written on the inlet tablet 2 with the
stylus 3 are supplied through the tablet interface 31 to the CPU
21.
[0030] A voice signal picked up by the microphone 11 is converted
by a solid-state recording processor 32 into a digital signal,
which is stored in the backup RAM 25 under the control of the CPU
21. When voice signal data stored in the backup RAM 25 are
retrieved, they are converted by the solid-state recording
processor 22 into an analog signal, which is supplied through a
mixer 33 to the loudspeaker 7.
[0031] A dialer 34 produces an audio signal, which corresponds to a
dual tone signal of a push-button dialing system, in response to
data indicative of a desired telephone number from the CPU 21. The
audio signal is supplied from the dialer 34 through the mixer 33 to
the loudspeaker 7.
[0032] A key interface 35 is supplied with signals from the key
switches 5a through 5d, and the key switch associated with the stop
key 12c. The key interface 35 converts the supplied signals into
signals which are supplied to the CPU 21. Signals from the key
switch associated with the power supply switch 10, the key switches
6a through 6d, and the key switches associated with the keys 12a,
12b, 12d are supplied to the interface 35 through a power supply
36. When any one of these key switches is actuated, the power
supply 36 is first turned on, and thereafter the signal from the
key switch is supplied to the interface 35.
[0033] Interfaces 37, 38 for connection to an IC card and an
external circuit, respectively, are connected in the sockets 13,
14, respectively.
[0034] Now, operation of the electronic data storage device will be
described below. First, a process of retrieving and deleting or
shredding segment data which have been stored in the V-RAM 30 by
the CPU 21 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A through 1C
and 5A through 5I.
[0035] When the power supply switch 10 on the housing 16 is pushed,
an array 40 of irons, i.e., graphic symbols on a menu that are
accompanied by corresponding characters, is displayed in a hatched
area 50 of the screen of the display unit 1 as shown in FIG.
5A.
[0036] When the stylus 3 is brought into contact with a "WRITE"
iron 51 representing a pencil on a righthand portion of the hatched
area 50, characters "ACTION" 51a, "CONNECTION" 51b, and "REPORT"
51c are displayed on an edge of the righthand portion of the
hatched area 50 in a step ST1 (FIG. 1A). The characters "ACTION"
51a, "CONNECTION" 51b, and "REPORT" 51c are also displayed when an
icon "PROCESS" 52 or "RESERVE" 53 is touched by the stylus 3. Then,
the tip of the stylus 3 touches "REPORT" 51c to display a report
image 70 on the display unit 1. The user can draw any desired
images in the report image 70. At this time, however, it is assumed
that the report image 70 contains a rabbit 71 which is stored in a
first page of segment data stored in the V-RAM 30 that are to be
shredded.
[0037] Then, a "SHREDDER" icon 54 is touched by the tip of the
stylus 3 in a step ST2. When the tip of the stylus 3 is moved from
the "SHREDDER" icon 54 into a displayed active area beyond a line
72 in a step ST3 as shown in FIG. 5A, an enlarged shredder image 74
is displayed in an image frame 73 (FIG. 5A) in the report image 70,
the shredder image 74 including the number of pages "0" to be
shredded at a position where the tip of the stylus 3 has left off.
At the same time, the "SHREDDER" icon 54 is erased. The shredder
image 74 also includes a graphic representation 81 of a
shredder.
[0038] After the step ST3, the CPU 21 resets B (back) and F
(forward) page counters to zero in a step ST4. These page counters
represent data stored in back and forward areas of the V-RAM 30,
and operate when respective B and F keys 75, 76 for turning over
pages in the report image 70 as shown in FIG. 5B are touched by the
tip of the stylus 3.
[0039] In a next step ST5, only a "FIRST" key 77 in the window of
the shredder image 74 is enabled, while other keys for indicating
pages which are displayed in the window are disabled and covered
with halftone dot meshing. Specifically, a "CANCEL" key 78, "LAST"
key 79, and a "START" key 80 are disabled.
[0040] The tip of the stylus 3 touches the B key 75 or the F key 76
to select segment data to be shredded in a step ST6. If the B key
75 is touched by the stylus 3 four times, then first through fourth
pages of segment data are successively "turned over" in the display
unit 1. These pages are successively displayed in the display unit
1 until the fourth page which represents the segment data
containing an image 82 of an automobile, for example, is displayed
as shown in FIG. 5C. The segment data themselves do not contain
page numbers because it would be cumbersome to change, increment,
or decrement page numbers in the displayed segment data each time
they are deleted.
[0041] While the pages are being turned over, the shredder image 74
remains unchanged except the page number. Then, the CPU 21
determines in a step ST7 whether the "FIRST" key 77 is touched by
the stylus 3 or not. If not, then control returns through another
processing step ST8 to the step ST7 again. If the "FIRST" key 77 is
touched by the stylus 3 in the step ST7, then control goes to a
step ST9 in which the "LAST" key 79 and the "CANCEL" key 78 in the
shredder image 74 are enabled. The number of pages to be shredded
is set to "1" in a step ST10, and then the first address of the
displayed page is stored in a memory X in a step ST11. Thereafter,
the CPU 21 determines in a step ST12 whether the B key 75 or the F
key 76 is touched by the stylus 3 or not. If the B key 75 is
touched by the stylus 3, then the displayed segment or page number
is decremented by 1 in a step ST13 (FIG. 1B), and the B counter
associated with the B key 75 is incremented by 1 in a step ST14.
Then, the sum of 1 and the absolute value .vertline.B-F.vertline.
representing the difference between the counts of the B and F
counters is displayed as the page number in a step ST15. Control
then goes from the step ST15 back to the step ST12. If the F key 76
is touched by the stylus 3 in the step ST12, then the displayed
segment or page number is incremented by 1 in a step ST16, and the
F counter associated with the F key 76 is incremented by 1 in a
step ST17. Then, the sum of 1 and the absolute value
.vertline.B-F.vertline. representing the difference between the
counts of the B and F counters is displayed as the page number in a
step ST18. Control then goes from the step ST18 back to the step
ST12.
[0042] If neither the B key 75 nor the F key 76 is touched by the
stylus 3 in the step ST12, then the CPU 21 determines in a step
ST19 (FIG. 1A) whether the "LAST" key 79 is touched by the stylus 3
or not. If not, then the CPU 21 determines in a step ST20 (FIG. 1B)
whether the "CANCEL" key 78 is touched by the stylus 3 or not. If
the "CANCEL" key 78 is touched by the stylus 3, then the process is
canceled in a step ST21. After the step ST21, control returns to
the step ST4. If the "CANCEL" key 78 is not touched by the stylus 3
in the step ST20, then control goes through another processing step
ST22 back to the step ST12. If the "LAST" key 79 is touched by the
stylus 3 in the step ST19, then only the "START" key 80 and the
"CANCEL" key 78 are enabled in a step ST23 (FIG. 1A). Then, the CPU
21 stores the first address of the page whose page number is
displayed in the shredder image 74 in a memory Y in a step ST24.
The CPU 21 determines in a step ST25 (FIG. 1C) whether the
difference Y-X between the first addresses in the memories X, Y is
positive (Y-X>0) or not. If the difference Y-X is positive, then
the page data between the value X in the X memory and the final
address of the segment data starting with the value Y in the memory
Y are established as the segment data to be canceled or discarded
in a step ST26. If the difference Y-X is negative, then the page
data between the value Y in the memory Y and the final address of
the segment data starting with the value X in the memory X are
established as the segment data to be canceled or discarded in a
step ST27.
[0043] The steps ST26, ST27 are described in more detail below. If,
for example, successive second, third, and fourth segment data or
pages among first through fifth segment data or pages are to be
canceled or discarded, then the first address (i.e., "9020") of the
second page is stored in the memory X in the step ST11, and the
first address of the fourth page (i.e., "9080") is stored in the
memory Y in the step ST24. The step ST25 determines whether
Y-X=9080-9020=60 is positive or not. If the difference Y-X is
positive in the step ST26, the segment data or page data between
the value X, i.e., the first address 9020 of the second page and
the final address of the page starting with the value Y, i.e., the
first address 9080 of the fourth page are established as the pages
to be canceled or shredded. Therefore, the second, third, and
fourth pages are established as the pages to be canceled or
shredded. If the difference Y-X is negative in the step ST27, then
the fourth, third, and second pages are set as the pages to be
canceled or shredded.
[0044] After the successive segment data to be shredded are
specified in the step ST26 or ST27, e.g., after the second through
fourth pages to be shredded are identified, the CPU 21 determines
in a step ST28 whether the key touched by the stylus 3 is the
"START" key 80 or the "CANCEL" key 78. If either the key 78 or the
key 80 is not touched by the stylus 3, then the CPU 21 executes
another processing step ST29 and executes the step ST28 again. If
the "CANCEL" key 78 is touched by the stylus 3 in the step ST29,
then the process is canceled in a step ST30, after which control
returns to the step ST4. If the "START" key 80 is touched by the
stylus 3 in the step ST28, the "START" key 80 is displayed in a
hatched mode, indicating that the "START" key 80 is activated, as
shown in FIG. 5D. The shredding process now starts to be executed.
As shown in FIG. 5E, the display unit 1 displays segment data 83,
to be successively shredded, as they move from the "WRITE" icon 51
toward the displayed shredder 81 in the shredder image 74. The
displayed segment data 82 are then put into a slot 84 of the
displayed shredder 81 as shown in FIG. 5F, and cut into small
shredded pieces 85 as shown in FIG. 5G. The displayed shredded
pieces 85 are then placed in a container 86 as shown in FIG. 5H.
These images are successively displayed to allow the user to obtain
a clear visual confirmation of the shredding of the segment data
83. The shredding process which is being executed is displayed as
described above in a step ST31. Then, the corresponding segment
data stored in the memory are erased in a step ST32, and a message
87 indicating that the shredding process is completed is displayed
as shown in FIG. 5I in a step ST33. When the user puts the stylus 3
into contact with a displayed "CONFIRM" key 88, the B and F
counters are reset to zero in a step ST34. The program for the
shredding process now comes to an end.
[0045] A process of retrieving and copying a desired succession of
segment data or pages from the stored segment data will be
described below with reference to FIGS. 2A through 2C and 6A
through 6R.
[0046] When the power supply switch 10 on the housing 16 is pushed,
the array 40 of irons is displayed in the hatched area 50 of the
screen of the display unit 1 as shown in FIG. 6A.
[0047] When the stylus 3 is brought into contact with the "WRITE"
iron 51 on the righthand portion of the hatched area 50, the
characters "ACTION" 51a, "CONNECTION" 51b, and "REPORT" 51c are
displayed on the edge of the righthand portion of the hatched area
50 in a step STE1 (FIG. 6A).
[0048] When the tip of the stylus 3 touches "REPORT" 51c to display
a report image 70 on the display unit 1. The user can draw any
desired images in the report image 70. At this time, however, it is
assumed that the report image 70 contains a rabbit 71 which is
stored in a first page of segment data stored in the V-RAM 30 that
are to be copied.
[0049] Then, a "COPY" icon 55 is touched by the tip of the stylus 3
in a step STE2, as shown in FIG. 6A. As shown in FIG. 6B, a copying
window remains small in size in an area positioned above the line
72. When the tip of the stylus 3 is moved into an active area
beyond the line 72 in a step STE3 as shown in FIG. 6B, the copying
window is enlarged and displayed as a copy image 91 in an image
frame 90 (FIG. 6C) in the report image 70, the copy image 91
including the number of pages "0" to be shredded at a position
where the tip of the stylus 3 has left off. At the same time, the
"COPY" icon 54 is erased. The copy image 91 also includes a graphic
representation 96 of a copier.
[0050] After the step STE3, the CPU 21 resets the B (back) and F
(forward) page counters to zero in a step STE4. These page counters
represent data stored in back and forward areas of the V-RAM 30,
and operate when respective B and F keys 75, 76 for turning over
pages in the report image 70 as shown in FIG. 6D are touched by the
tip of the stylus 3.
[0051] In a next step STE5, only a "FIRST" key 77 in the window of
the copy image 91 is enabled, while other keys for indicating pages
which are displayed in the window are disabled and covered with
halftone dot meshing. Specifically, a "CANCEL" key 93, "LAST" key
94, and a "START" key 95 are disabled.
[0052] The tip of the stylus 3 touches the B key 75 or the F key 76
to select segment data to be copied in a step STE6. If the B key 75
is touched by the stylus 3 three times, then first through three
pages of segment data are successively "turned over" in the display
unit 1. These pages are successively displayed in the display unit
1 until the third page which represents the segment data containing
an image 97 of a lion, for example, is displayed as shown in FIG.
6G. The segment data themselves do not contain page numbers because
it would be cumbersome to change, increment, or decrement page
numbers in the displayed segment data each time they are
discarded.
[0053] While the pages are being turned over, the copy image 91
remains unchanged as shown in FIG. 6E, which shows that no pages
are turned over. Then, the CPU 21 determines in a step STE7 whether
the "FIRST" key 92 is touched by the stylus 3 or not. If not, then
control returns through another processing step STE8 to the step
STE7 again. If the "FIRST" key 92 is touched by the stylus 3 in the
step STE7, then control goes to a step SE9 in which the "LAST" key
94 and the "CANCEL" key 93 in the copy image 91 are enabled as
shown in FIG. 6F. FIG. 6F shows a display condition in which the B
key 75 or the F key 76 is about to be touched to turn over pages.
The number of pages to be copied is set to "1" in a step STE10, and
then the first address of the displayed page is stored in a memory
X in a step STE11. Thereafter, the CPU 21 determines in a step
STE12 whether the B key 75 or the F key 76 is touched by the stylus
3 or not. If the B key 75 is touched by the stylus 3, then the
displayed segment or page number is decremented by 1 in a step
STE13 (FIG. 2B), and the B counter associated with the B key 75 is
incremented by 1 in a step STE14. Then, the sum of 1 and the
absolute value .vertline.B-F.vertline. representing the difference
between the counts of the B and F counters is displayed as the page
number in a step STE15. FIGS. 6F and 6G show that the displayed
pages are turned over to the first and third pages, respectively.
Control then goes from the step STE15 back to the step STE12. If
the F key 76 is touched by the stylus 3 in the step STE12, then the
displayed segment or page number is incremented by 1 in a step
STE16, and the F counter associated with the F key 76 is
incremented by 1 in a step SET17. Then, the sum of 1 and the
absolute value .vertline.B-F.vertline. representing the difference
between the counts of the B and F counters is displayed as the page
number in a step STE18. Control then goes from the step STE18 back
to the step STE12.
[0054] If neither the B key 75 nor the F key 76 is touched by the
stylus 3 in the step STE12, then the CPU 21 determines in a step
STE19 (FIG. 2A) whether the "LAST" key 94 is touched by the stylus
3 or not. If not, then the CPU 21 determines in a step STE20 (FIG.
2B) whether the "CANCEL" key 93 is touched by the stylus 3 or not.
If the "CANCEL" key 93 is touched by the stylus 3, then the process
is canceled in a step STE21. After the step SE21, control returns
to the step STE4. If the "CANCEL" key 93 is not touched by the
stylus 3 in the step STE20, then control goes through another
processing step STE22 back to the step STE12. If the "LAST" key 94
is touched by the stylus 3 in the step SE19, as shown in FIG. 6H,
then only the "START" key 95 and the "CANCEL" key 93 are enabled in
a step STE23 (FIG. 2A). Then, the CPU 21 stores the first address
of the page whose page number is displayed in the copy image 91 in
a memory Y in a step STE24. The CPU 21 determines in a step STE25
(FIG. 2C) whether the difference Y-X between the first addresses in
the memories X, Y is positive (Y-X>0) or not. If the difference
Y-X is positive, then the page data between the value X in the X
memory and the final address of the segment data starting with the
value Y in the memory Y are established as the segment data to be
copied in a step STE26. If the difference Y-X is negative, then the
page data between the value Y in the memory Y and the final address
of the segment data starting with the value X in the memory X are
established as the segment data to be copied in a step STE27.
[0055] The steps STE26, STE27 are described in more detail below.
If, for example, successive second and third segment data or pages
among first through fourth segment data or pages are to be copied,
then the first address (i.e., "9020") of the second page is stored
in the memory X in the step STE11, and the first address of the
third page (i.e., "9080") is stored in the memory Y in the step
STE24. The step STE25 determines whether Y-X=9080-9020=60 is
positive or not. If the difference Y-X is positive in the step
STE25, the segment data or page data between the value X, i.e., the
first address 9020 of the second page and the final address of the
page starting with the value Y, i.e., the first address 9080 of the
third page are established as the pages to be copied. Therefore,
the second and third pages are established as the pages to be
copied. If the difference Y-X is negative in the step STE27, then
the third and second pages are set as the pages to be copied.
[0056] After the successive segment data to be copied are specified
in the step ST26 or ST27 and sheets to be printed are set in
position, the stylus 3 touches the "LAST" key 94, as shown in FIG.
6H. Immediately thereafter, the display unit 1 displays segment
data 98, to be successively copied, as they move from the "WRITE"
icon 51 toward the displayed copier 96 in the copy image 74. With
the "LAST" key 94 finally touched by the stylus 3, the displayed
segment data 98 are displayed over the copier 96, as shown in FIG.
6J. Then, a destination where the identified pages are to be copied
is selected in a step STE28. For example, the stylus 3 is put in
contact with a displayed WRITE PAGE 99 as shown in FIG. 6K. Then,
the number of copies to be produced is selected in a step STE29.
For example, a displayed key 100 (FIG. 6L) representing "2" is
touched by the stylus 3, and the "START" key 95 is touched by the
stylus 3. Then, the CPU 21 determines in a step STE30 whether the
key touched by the stylus 3 is the "START" key 95 or the "CANCEL"
key 93. If either the key 95 or the key 93 is not touched by the
stylus 3, then the CPU 21 executes another processing step STE31
and executes the step STE30 again. If the "CANCEL" key 93 is
touched by the stylus 3 in the step STE30, then the process is
canceled in a step STE32, after which control returns to the step
STE4. If the "START" key 80 is touched by the stylus 3 in the step
ST30, the "START" key 95 is displayed in a hatched mode, indicating
that the "START" key 95 is activated, as shown in FIG. 6L. The
copying process now starts to be executed. As shown in FIGS. 6L
through 60, a sliding panel 101 of the displayed copier 96 is moved
back and forth, indicating that the segment data are copied. After
the movement of the sliding panel 101 is finished, the copied
segment data 98 move toward the "WRITE" icon 51 and are absorbed by
the "WRITE" icon 51, as shown in FIGS. 6P and 6Q, indicating the
copying process, in a step STE33. In a step STE34, as many copies
of the segment data as desired to be produced are duplicated in a
final area of the memory at the destination. The completion of the
copying process is then displayed in a step STE34 as shown in FIG.
6R. The B and F counters are reset to zero in a step ST35. The
program for the copying process is now finished.
[0057] As described above, desired successive segment data or pages
in storage can easily be retrieved and canceled or copied using the
stylus 3, while permitting the user to visually confirm the
shredding or copying process.
[0058] Having described preferred embodiments of the invention with
reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that
the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments and that
various changes and modifications could be effected by one skilled
in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the
invention as defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *