Abstract: A method and apparatus for validating the electronic and coding of an incoming ideographic character, having a particular complexity and encoded according to a group of predetermined basic stroke elements and stroke sequencing rules to define an incoming character code, for use in association with a set of standard ideographic characters, encoded according to the group of pre-determined stroke elements and stroke sequencing rules to define standard character codes, each standard character having a certain complexity, the set being ordered according to the complexities of the standard characters.

Abstract: An electronic typewriter includes a plurality of character keys, a specification selector, a printer circuit, and a memory for storing a plurality of specification tables, each having a plurality of key data. A data processing circuit detects a determined one of the plurality of specification tables in response to a selection signal from the specification selector, and reads out the corresponding key data from the specification table selected in accordance with the operation of the character keys, thereby driving the printer circuit in accordance with the key data. The specification selector includes a plurality of selection switches formed on the same keyboard together with the plurality of character keys.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electronic typing of symbolic language texts is disclosed. A twelve-key keyboard utilizing a modified four-corner identifier system permits construction of a first shape identifier code utilizing indicia which represent the shape of a character to be reproduced. Alternatively, a phonetic identifier code utilizing a phonetic alphabet can be constructed to represent the character. The identifier code is used to select one or more characters stored in a data processing system memory, each character selected by the shape identifier code having the same four-corner identifier indicia, and each character selected by the phonetic identifier code having the same phonetic spelling.

Abstract: This invention relates to a keyboard device for typing and inputting characters in Chinese and other oriental languages. In particular, the keyboard device of this invention comprises a plurality of keys representing selected strokes, combinations of strokes, radicals and some characters, collectively called the configurations, which are arranged in a particular way and thus makes it possible to type and to input Chinese and oriental characters entirely by touch. By dividing each oriental character into components which resemble the special configurations on the keys, the typing and inputting can be carried out by depressing the keys representing the component configurations without the need of any "menu" selection step. The keyboard device and method of this invention can be used in typewriters, word processors, computers, typesetting machines, teletype machines, telecommunication machines and other machines that use or require a keyboard to input characters in Chinese or other oriental languages.

Abstract: A keyboard arrangement suitable for use in typewriters, word processors, computer terminals and the like includes a number of manually actuable key members supported in a given array. Different letter formats can be selected for those key members corresponding to letter characters, wherein each of the letter character key members is made to correspond to a selected one of at least two different letters. Accordingly, a user can select, for example, either the conventional typewriter letter format or a new format wherein letters are assigned to the key members according to the frequency of use of the letters in a given language and the relative ease of accessibility of each key member to the fingers of the user's hands. In one embodiment, the key members in the left-hand portion of the keyboard array are arranged in columns which slope downwardly toward the left side of the array, and the key members in the right hand portion of the array form columns which slope downwardly toward the right side of the array.

Abstract: A keyboard is disclosed for an ideographic language, in particular for Japanese. The disclosed keyboard includes the positioning of up to eight similar descriptors on a single key. Combination of the descriptors to form compound or complex ideograms is accomplished by actuating two or more keys in the usual order of "writing" a Japanese character.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for typing Japanese text is disclosed. The method is characterized by operator manipulation of a keyboard to produce input signals to a microprocessor. The input signals are in the form of kana, English alphabet, numerals, and punctuation, as well as delimiting signals which may be used in combination with kana input to produce corresponding text material in kanji. The microprocessor is responsive to combinations of the kana input signals and delimiting code signals to produce adjusting outputs which call up from memory signals which produce the desired kanji output. A CRT display is provided for displaying keyboard signals and, when called for, kanji symbols from memory.Where it is desired to type kanji symbols which cannot be called up by the operator through the use of kana and delimiting coding signals, alternative procedures using word analysis and graphic inputs are provided.

Abstract: An impact printing mechanism which contains a great number of printing types in a minimized spacing is disclosed. Types are arranged in rows of columns on a plurality of substantially planar type carrying elements which are accommodated in equally spaced parallel relationship in a removable casing. Selection of a type is attained by three dimensional movements including horizontal movements of the elements within and perpendicular to their planes and a vertical movement of an element within its plane.The type carrying elements are carried on a carrier while a print hammer is mounted on an independent carrier. The former carrier includes an outer section and an inner section mounted for movement on the outer section, and means for lifting a type carrying element is mounted on the outer section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively key-inputting a Kanji (Chinese and Japanese ideogram) in a Japanese sentence are disclosed. The operator keys-in a reading of a desired Kanji through a keyboard, and candidate Kanjis for that reading are displayed on a display screen so that the operator chooses a relevant Kanji for entry out of the displayed candidate Kanjis. In entering the reading of a Kanji, blocks which are in correspondence to character keys located in home positions of the keyboard and in the neighborhood thereof are displayed on the display screen and candidate Kanjis corresponding to the reading of the desired Kanji are displayed in the blocks. The operator then keys a character key corresponding to a relevant candidate Kanji displayed on the display screen.

Abstract: Method for altering the supply of characters which are represented by data stored in the character generator of an ideographic typewriter and which can be displayed, under control of the character generator, in at least one standard character area of a display device for the display of ideographic characters, which method includes: displaying, in the standard character area, a first character for which data is already stored in the character generator; reducing the size of the first character displayed in the standard character area with respect to at least one dimension of the character if required; displaying, in the standard character area, at least one further character for which data is already stored in the character generator, to create a new character constituted by the first and further characters as thus displayed; and storing in the character generator data representing the new character which then forms part of the supply of characters.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for controlling and ordering Chinese characters wherein a Chinese character is formed from a set of form-strokes and the strokes which form the characters are divided into four basic stroke subsets. The stroke subsets include a horizontal stroke subset, a vertical stroke subset, a sloping stroke subset and a dot stroke subset along with associated turn and curve strokes. Strokes are further divided into two twin subsets, which are the elements of the Chinese ideograms. Ordering and controlling Chinese characters from the form-strokes permits the design and construction of simplified Chinese word processing, printing and communication devices and retrieval of information from mass storage of Chinese characters.

Abstract: A character shaping device includes a tablet or the like upon which characters are written or drawn, and a device for determing distribution functions for the character as projected in the x- and y-directions. From this information the "center of gravity" of the character is calculated, and the x- and y-dimensions of the character are detected to determine the character area. The image is then centered within a normalization area and enlarged or reduced in size according to scale factors dependent upon the relative dimensions of the character area and the normalization area, to obtain a well balanced and sized character which may then be printed along with other characters to form sentences on a printed document or the like.

Abstract: A word processing system for Chinese type characters includes a keyboard with a generally standard key arrangement for encoding the characters in accordance with their basic stroke type and sequence. Up to eight basic stroke types may be employed, although a five stroke system is preferred. Recurrent code sequences of two, three, four and five strokes are identified. An "end of character" code may be generated with the space bar. Preferred sequences are assigned key positions so as to provide an ergonometrically efficient keyboard. Average typing speeds using the keyboard are comparable on a character/word basis to those for English.

Abstract: Typewriter keyboards for English and German are disclosed that assign vowels and consonants to keys on both sides of the keyboard to maximize the number of successive keystrokes by the same hand and to minimize the number of successive keystrokes by the same finger. Three high frequency vowels and two high frequency consonants are assigned to home keys that lie directly under the fingers of the left hand. Three high frequency consonants, a high frequency vowel, and the space are assigned to home keys that lie directly under the fingers of the right hand. A single elevated case shift key is located on the left hand end of the lower letter key row. The elevated stroking surface of the carriage return key is located at the right hand ends of the lower letter key row and the home key row. Steeply inclined key tops slope down toward neighboring home keys to guide fingers to the proper home position and to facilitate actuating non-home keys.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing Chinese or other ideographic characters. An operator enters upon a keyboard a sequence of sub-structures composing the character to be printed. The particular set of sub-structures disclosed enables an operator to type in the sub-structures in a manner substantially identical with the way in which the words would be written, thus minimizing special training necessary for the operation of the system. Apparatus is disclosed for processing signals from the keyboard to identify and print in dot-matrix form the proper Chinese characters.

Abstract: A device for the processing of linguistic information containing a keyboard unit, an electronic processing unit and an output registration unit, with the keyboard unit processing keys for symbols distributed over a right hand side group to be operated by the right hand and a left hand side group to be operated by the left hand. The device has an electronic processing unit containing a memory, a decoder and a control unit, with the keyboard unit possessing space keys, the keys for symbols in the right hand side group having priority over the keys for symbols in the left hand side group. The keys for symbols in the right hand side group have priority from left to right and from top to bottom; the keys for symbols in the left hand side group have priority from right to left and from top to bottom.

Abstract: A character selection keyboard for use in connection with an ideographic language of which the characters can each comprise one or more of a set of character components, as defined. The keyboard comprises an array of character component keys each bearing a symbol corresponding to a character component. Some of the components have separate linguistic identity and can accordingly be used in isolation to constitute characters in the ideographic language; these components are all depicted within a part of the array which is visually distinct from the rest of the keyboard. The keyboard can be connected in a composing system in which data defining the structure of the characters constituted by the components selected by key actuation is derived from a programmable store in response to key signals generated by the key actuation. The keyboard may also be used in typewriters, telex machines, and other systems requiring data input.

Abstract: A Korean language typewriter system for reproducing Korean words. A keyboard has keys for each of the word arrangements of Korean alphabet elements into words and the respective keys generate a binary number signal corresponding to a respective one of the arrangements. Further keys for each of the plurality of alphabet elements of the Korean alphabet generate a binary number signal corresponding to a respective one of the alphabet elements. A memory stores sets of hexadecimal numbers each representing an elementary alphabet element on a matrix of a predetermined size.