Calculation data display devices and method

Abstract: A calculation data display device (10) including a display (16) which displays input calculation data in colors. When specified calculation data is input (B1), the calculation data display device (10) displays the calculation data input after the specified calculation data in a color different from a regular color (B7). The calculation data displayed in the different color is operated as calculation data belonging to the specified calculation data. First, when the specified calculation data is input (B1) in the calculation data inputting process, the calculation data input (B2) after the specified calculation data is displayed in a color different from the regular one (B7) until the user inputs releasing data (B9). When the input calculation data is operated, the data displayed in the color different from the regular one is operated as the data belonging to the specified data input (B1) immediately before the data displayed in the different color.

Description: The present invention relates to calculation data display devices and methods for displaying input calculation data. Recently, a computer, for example, even an electronic calculator which is small-sized and generally used widely, is capable of performing various complicated operations including general calculations of arithmetic operations, function calculations, calculations using square roots, calculations of any selected ones of angle units (degrees, radians or grades) or any one of base numbers which include binary, octal, decimal and hexadecimal numbers, or calculations using programmed calculation expressions. In such a case, the calculation expressions contain numerals, symbols and/or operators corresponding to the respective calculations. In the conventional computer, the calculation expressions sequentially keyed-in and displayed are all displayed in the same color. Thus, it cannot be recognized at a glance where the current keyed-in data is positioned, what the current keyed-in data belongs to, or what unit the keyed-in data has. In order to avoid this undesirable situation, for example, the unit or kind of data is expressed or displayed with a symbol in a specified area on the display screen. JP-A-05035686 describes an electronic desk calculator which displays the depth of a parenthesis mark at the time of inputting the closing parenthesis mark. The depth of an open parenthesis mark input using opening parenthesis input key 2 is displayed at a displaying part 8 in a format different from the displaying format of the numeric values also displayed on displaying part 8. JP-A-56016237 describes a display unit in an electronic desk top calculator that enables an easy reading of memory data, by performing the display of memory data of each memory register in different colors. US-A-4,409,666 describes an electronic desk top calculator with indication function of stored data range, indicating when data processed by an operator exceeds a predetermined value. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a calculation data display device by which the user is able to recognize at a glance the input state of a calculation or operation expression including a range of numerical values covered by a symbol and set units of numeral values. This object is achieved by the subject matters of independent apparatus claim 1 and independent method claim 22. Preferred embodiments are subject matter of the dependent claims. FIG. 1 is a block diagram indicative of the structure of an electronic circuit of a calculation data display device as an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a flow chart indicative of the whole process performed by the calculation data display device; FIG. 3 is a flow chart indicative of a general calculation process performed by the calculation data display device; FIGS. 4A-4F each illustrate a display operation corresponding to a key operation involved in the general calculation process performed by the calculation data display device; FIG. 5 is a flow chart indicative of a front function calculation process performed by the calculation data display device; FIGS. 6A-6C each illustrate a display operation corresponding to a key operation involved in the front function calculation process performed by the calculation data display device; FIG. 7 is a flow chart indicative of an angle calculation process performed by the calculation data display device; FIG. 8 is a flow chart indicative of an N-ary calculation process performed by the calculation data display device; FIGS. 9A and 9B each illustrate a display operation corresponding to a key operation involved in an angle calculation process performed by the calculation data display device; FIGS. 10A and 10B each illustrate a display operation corresponding to a key operation involved in the N-ary calculation process performed by the calculation data display device; FIG. 11 is a flow chart indicative of a program calculation process performed by the calculation data display device; FIGS. 12A-12C each illustrate a display operation corresponding to a key operation involved in a condition setting calculation routine of the program calculation process performed by the calculation data display device; and FIGS. 13A and 13B each illustrate a display operation corresponding to a key operation involved in the inputting operation of a calculation or operation expression in the program calculation process performed by the calculation data display device. An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram indicative of the structure of an electronic circuit of a calculation data display device 10 as an embodiment of the present invention. The calculation data display device 10 includes a CPU 11, which starts up a system program stored beforehand in a ROM 13 in accordance with a keyed-in signal from a key-in unit 12 to thereby control the respective circuit elements. CPU 11 is connected to the key-in unit 12, ROM 13, as well as to a RAM 14 and a color liquid crystal display 16 via a color display driver 15. The key-in unit 12 is provided with a numeral input key sub-unit 12a; a function/symbol key sub-unit 12b; a "menu" key 12c; an angle unit setting key unit composed of a "DEG" (degree) key 12c 1 , "RAD" (radian) key 12c 2 , and "GRA" (grade) 12c 3 ; base setting keys composed of a binary "2" key 12d 1 , an octal "8" key 12d 2 , a decimal "10" key 12d 3 , and a hexadecimal "16" key 12d 4 ; a condition "COND" key 12e; cursor keys "" 12f 1 , "┌ 12f 2 , "←" 12f 3 , and "→" 12f 4 ; and an enter "ENT" key 12g. The numeral input key unit 12a has a ten-key sub-unit (not shown) of keys "0"-"9", a decimal point "." key operated to numbers and a decimal point, respectively. The function/symbol key unit 12b has symbol keys (not shown) which include arithmetic operation keys including "+", "-", "x", "+", and "=" keys; a front function key sub-unit which includes front function keys (in the present specification, the front function is defined as any one of trigonometric functions ("sin x", "cos x", and "tan x", ...), square and cubic root functions (√x, 3 x ), common and natural logarithmic functions (log x, ln x), exponential functions (e x and 10 x ) where x is a variable); an "AC" key; and symbol keys including a "C" key, and an open bracket "(" key and a closing bracket ")" key which are operated to input a calculation or operation expression in conjunction with the numeral input key sub-unit 12a. The "menu" key 12c is operated to display a menu selection screen to select a desired calculation mode, for example, from five kinds of calculation modes (a general calculation mode, a front function calculation mode, an angle calculation mode, an N-ary calculation mode and a program calculation mode). The angle unit setting key "DEG" 12c 1 , "RAD" 12c 2 , or "GRA" 12c 3 is operated to select an angle unit "DEG", "RAD" or "GRA" and designate the kind of an input numerical value in the set angle calculation mode. The N-ary setting keys "2" 12d 1 , "8" 12d 2 , "10" 12d 3 and "16" 12d 4 are operated to select the corresponding binary, octal, decimal and hexadecimal numbers and to designate the corresponding kinds of input numerical values, respectively, in the set N-ary calculation mode. The "COND" key 12e is operated to set conditions corresponding to the result of the calculation in the set program calculation mode. The cursor keys "", "┌, "←", "→" 12f 1 , 12f 2 , 12f 3 , and 12f 4 are operated to move the corresponding cursors on the display screen to select corresponding data. The "ENT" key 12g is operated to fix the direction of a change to a calculation mode selected in the menu and fixation of set conditions. ROM 13 contains a system program which controls the operation of the whole electronic circuit of this device, and subprograms which include a general calculation program, a front function calculation program, an angle calculation program, a N-ary calculation program and a program calculation mode program corresponding to various operational modes. RAM 14 includes a display register 14a, a data storage 14b, a work area 14c, a mode flag register M, a front function key register L, an angle key register F and an N-ary key register N. The display register 14a stores in the form of a bit map color display data to be displayed on the display 16. The data storage 14b stores the calculation or operation expression data input and displayed by the operation of the key-in unit 12, data on the result of the calculation, and set condition data. Various data are input to/read from the work area 14c as required depending on various calculations made in CPU 11. The mode flag register M stores flag data indicative of a calculation mode selected and set on the menu selection screen for the calculation modes. When any one of the front function keys included in the function/symbol key unit 12b is operated, "1" is set in the function/square root key register L. When the "┌ key 12f 2 indicative of release of the set state of such function is operated, "0" is set in the register L. When the "DEG" key 12c 1 is operated, "1" is set in the angle key register F; when "RAD" key 12c 2 is operated, "2" is set; and when "GRA" key 12c 3 is operated, "3" is set. When the "2" key 12d 1 is operated, "1" is set in the N-ary register N; when the "8" key 12d 2 is operated, "2" is set; when the "10" key 12d 3 is operated, "3" is set; and when the "16" key 12d 4 is operated, "4" is set. The operation of the inventive calculation data display device will be described next. FIG. 2 is a flow chart indicative of the whole process performed by the calculation data display device. FIG. 3 is a flow chart indicative of a general calculation process performed by the calculation data display device. FIGS. 4A-4F each illustrate a display operation corresponding to a key operation involved in the general calculation process performed by the calculation data display device. In the whole process of FIG.2, when the "menu" 12c of the key-in unit 12 is first operated, the menu select screen is displayed on the display 16 to select a calculation mode in the device, as shown in FIG. 4A (step S1→S2). In this case, as the calculation modes in which a menu is selectable, for example, the "GEN", "FRO", "ANG", "N-ARY" and "PRO" are displayed in different colors as indicating the general calculation mode, front function calculation mode, angle calculation mode, N-ary calculation program mode, and program calculation mode, respectively. When in the displayed menu selection screen the cursor keys "", "┌, "←" and "→" 12f 1 , 12f 2 , 12f 3 and 12f 4 are selectively operated to move the reverse display position of the menu selection screen and any calculation mode is selected and the "ENT" key 12g is operated, mode flag data corresponding to the selected calculation mode is set in the mode flag register M of RAM 14 and a mode display color indicative of the set calculation mode is displayed in an upper right-hand area of the display 16 (step S3→S4, S5→S6). When, for example, the "GEN" calculation mode is selected and set, "red" is displayed as the mode display color; when the "FRO" calculation mode is selected and set, "blue" is displayed as the mode display color; when the "ANG" calculation mode is selected and set, "yellow" is displayed as the mode display color; when the "N-ARY" calculation mode is selected and set, "green" is displayed as the mode display color; and when, the "PRO" calculation mode is selected and set, "orange" is displayed as the mode display color. When any calculation mode is selected and set on the menu select screen in this way, a calculation corresponding to the selected menu is made (step SA, SB, SC, SD or SE). More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4A or B, when the general calculation mode "GEN" of the menu select screen is selected and set, the corresponding mode color "red" is displayed on the upper right-hand corner of the display 16 and the general calculation of FIG. 3 is started up (step S3 →SA). When in the general calculation of FIG. 3, the numeral input key sub-unit 12a is operated to input, for example, "5" to calculate "5+31=", as shown in FIG. 4C, the input numerical data "5" is displayed in the basic display color "green" on the display 16 in the general calculation mode (step A1→A2). Since in this case no function data has been input, control returns to a step A1 where it is determined whether any key has been operated (step A3→END). As shown in FIG. 4D, when the function/symbol key 12b is operated to input "+", the input function data "+" is displayed in black (step A4→A5). In this case, as the function data "+" is input, the corresponding calculation is made and its result is displayed. Since the input calculation or operation expression at this time is "5+" alone, no actual calculation is made and control again returns to step A1 directed to determination of the key operation (step A6, A7, END). When the numeral input keys 12a are operated to input "31", as shown in FIG. 4E, in the state where "5" and "+" are displayed in green and black, respectively, the input numerical data "31" is displayed in green and the already input and displayed function data "+" is also changed to and displayed in green (step A1→A2, A3→A8). As shown in FIG. 4D, when the function data "+" is displayed in black, it is recognized that the function data "+" has been input just now. As shown in FIG. 4E, when the function data "+" has changed to green immediately after the numerical data "31" has been input, it is recognized that the function data "+" had been already input before the numerical data "31" was input. As shown in FIG. 4F, when the function/symbol key 12b "=" of the key-in unit 12 is operated, the function data "=" input this time is displayed in black instead of the function data "+" displayed so far in green (step A4→A5). This causes the input and displayed calculation "5+31=" to be made and the result of the calculation to be is displayed as "36" (step A6, A7). Thus, as the calculation or operation expression is input in the general calculation, function data included in the calculation expression is displayed in black only for the duration from the time when the function data was input to the time when the next numerical data is input. Thus, the user can recognize at a glance that the data to be input next is numerical data. Since the input data is displayed in green only until the next function data is input, the user can recognize at a glance that the data to be input next is function data. Thus, a possible mistake is prevented from occurring in the inputting order of terms of the calculation expression. FIG. 5 is a flow chart indicative of a front function calculation process performed by the calculation data display device. FIGS. 6A-6C each illustrate a display operation corresponding to a key operation involved in the front function calculation process performed by the calculation data display device. When the front function calculation mode is selected and set in the menu selection screen, data indicative of the front function calculation mode is set in the mode flag register M of RAM 14, and the "blue" mode display color is displayed in the upper right-hand corner of the display 16 to thereby start up the front function calculation of FIG. 5 (step S3-S6→SB). When in the front function calculation of FIG. 5 the numeral input key 12a and function/symbol key 12b of the key-in unit 12 are operated to input "2+", as shown in FIG. 6A, in order to calculate "2+√(2+3)+5", it is determined that no "1" is set in the front function key register L of RAM 14. Thus, the input data "2+" is stored in the data storage 14b of RAM 14 and displayed in black on the display 16 (step B1→B2→B3→B4). As shown in FIG. 6B, when the function/symbol key 12b is operated to input "√" data, "1" set in the front function key register L of RAM 14 and "√" data is stored and displayed on the display 16 subsequently to the "2+" stored already in the data storage 14b (step B1→B5, B6). When the numeral input keys 12a and function symbol key 12b are operated to input "2+3" as numerical data covered by the square root "√" symbol, it is determined that "1" has been set in the front function key register L of RAM 14. Thus, the input numerical data "2+3" is displayed in red and "√(2+3)" is stored in the data storage 14b (step B2→B3→B7, B8). As shown in FIG. 6C, when the "┌ key 12f 2 is operated, it is determined that "1" has been set in the front function key register L. Thus, the register L is reset at "0" (step B9→B10→B11). When the function/symbol key 12b and numeral input key 12a are then operated to input "+5", it is determined that no "1" is set in the front function key register L. Thus, "+5" is stored subsequently to "2+√(2+3)" stored so far in the data storage 14b and displayed in black on the display 16 (step B2→B3→B4). Thus, in the front function calculation, the numerical data and function data input subsequently to the operation of the front function key are displayed in red until the "┌ key 12f 2 is operated and the range of data covered by the front function key is displayed and stored in brackets "()" and the corresponding calculation is made. Thus, the range of data covered by the front function key is not required to be keyed in "()", and is discriminated and displayed in a different color, and hence inputting the calculation expressions is simplified. FIG. 7 is a flow chart indicative of an angle calculation process performed by the calculation data display device. FIG. 8 is a flow chart indicative of an N-ary calculation process performed by the calculation data display device. FIGS. 9A and B each illustrate a display operation corresponding to a key operation involved in the angle calculation process performed by the calculation data display device. FIGS. 10A and B each illustrate a display operation corresponding to a key operation involved in the N-ary calculation process performed by the calculation data display device; When the angle calculation mode is selected and set in the menu select screen, data indicative of the angle calculation mode is set in the mode flag register M of RAM 14 and displayed in yellow in the upper right-hand corner of the display 16 to thereby start up the angle calculation of FIG. 7 (steps S3-S6→SC). When the "DEG" key 12c 1 of the key-in unit 12 is operated in the angle calculation of FIG. 7, "1" is set in the angle key register F of RAM 14 (step C1→C2); when the "RAD" key 12c 2 is operated, "2" is set in the angle key register F (step C3→C4); and when the "GRA" key 12c 3 is operated, "3" is set in the angle key register F (step C5→C5). When the "DEG" key 12c 1 is operated, a red character indicative of the set "DEG" is displayed at the lower left-hand corner of the display 16 (step C7). When the "RAD" key 12c 2 is operated, a blue character indicative of the set "RAD" is displayed at the lower left-hand corner of the display 16 (step C7). When the "GRA" key 12c 3 is operated, a green character indicative of the set "GRA" is displayed at the lower left-hand corner of the display 16 (step C7). Once a colored character is displayed on the display, it continues to be displayed until the mode concerned is terminated. When the numeral input key 12a is operated subsequently to the operation of the angle setting key, the numeral data input subsequently to the operation of the "DEG" key 12c 1 is displayed in red (step C8→C9→C10) in the set "DEG" state where "1" is set in the angle key register F. The numeral data input subsequently to the operation of the "RAD" key 12c 2 is displayed in blue (step C8→C11→C12) in the set "RAD" state where "2" is set in the angle key register F. The numeral data input subsequently to the operation of the "GRA" key 12c 3 is displayed in green (step C8→C13→C14) in the set "GRA" state where "3" is set in the angle key register F. When no particular angle unit has been set, or when "0" has been set in the angle register F, numerical data input by the numeral input key 12a is displayed in black (step C8→C15). For example, when the "DEG" key 12c 1 is first operated, as shown in FIG. 9A, to calculate "DEG sin 30+GRA cos 60=", "1" is set in the angle key register F and a red character indicative of the set angle unit "DEG" is displayed in the lower left-hand corner of the display 16 (step C1→C2, C7). When "sin 30+ " is then input, its numerical data "30" is displayed in red as data having the "DEG" unit (step C8→C9→C10). When the "GRA" key 12c 3 is then operated, as shown in FIG. 9B, "3" is set in the angle key register F and a green character indicative of the set angle unit "GRA" is displayed in the lower left-hand corner of the display 16 (step C5→C6, C7). When "cos 60" is then input, its numerical data "60" is displayed in green as data having the "GRA" unit (step C8→C13→C14). When "=" is then input, the calculation "DEG sin 30 + GRA cos 60 " is made and the result of the calculation is displayed as "1.0878" (step C16→C17, C18). Thus, in the angle calculation, a color character corresponding to the angle unit set at present is displayed at the lower left-hand area of the display 16 depending on the operation of the "DEG" key 12c 1 , "RAD" key 12c 2 or "GRA" key 12c 3 and the keyed-in numerical data is displayed in the same color as the set angle unit color character. Thus, the angle unit set at present and the angle units corresponding to the respective numerical data included in the calculation expression can be recognized at a glance. When the N-ary calculation mode is set in the menu select screen, data indicative of the N-ary calculation mode is set in the mode flag register M of RAM 14 and the corresponding display color "green" is displayed at the upper right-hand corner of the display 16 to thereby start up the N-ary calculation of FIG. 8 (steps S3-S6→SD). In the state where the N-ary calculation process has been started up, characters "BIN", "OCT", "DEC" and "HEX" indicative of binary, octal, decimal and hexadecimal bases, are arranged and displayed in red, blue, black and green, respectively, in the lower left-hand area of the display 16. When the "BIN" key 12d 1 of the key-in unit 12 is operated in the N-ary calculation of FIG. 8, "1" is set in the N-ary key register N of RAM 14 (step D1→D2). When the "OCT" key 12d 2 is operated, "2" is set in the N-ary key register N (step D3→D4). When the "DEC" key 12d 3 is operated, "3" is set in the N-ary key register N (step D5→D6). When the "HEX" key 12d 4 is operated, "4" is set in the N-ary key register N (step D7→D9). When the numeral input key 12a is operated subsequently to the operation of the N-ary setting key, the numerical data input subsequently to the operation of the "BIN" key 12d 1 is displayed in red and stored as the binary data in the data storage 14b, in the "BIN" state where "1" is set in the N-ary key register N. The numerical data input subsequently to the operation of the "OCT" key 12d 2 is displayed in blue and stored as the octal data in the data storage 14b, in the "OCT" state where "2" is set in the N-ary key register N. The numerical data input subsequently to the operation of the "DEC" key 12d 3 is displayed in black and stored as the decimal data in the data storage 14b, in the "DEC" state where "3" is set in the N-ary key register N. The numerical data input subsequently to the operation of the "HEX" key 12d 4 is displayed in green and stored as the hexadecimal data in the data storage 14b, in the "HEX" state where "4" is set in the N-ary key register N (step D9→D10, D11). When, for example, the "BIN" key 12d 1 is operated, as shown in FIG. 10A, to calculate "BIN 01 + HEX AB=", "1" is set in the N-ary register N (step D1→D2). When the "01+" is then input, its numerical data "01" is displayed in red as binary data and stored in the data storage 14b (step D9→D10, D11). Subsequently, when the "HEX" key 12d 4 is operated, as shown in FIG. 10B, "4" is set in the N-ary register N (step D7→D8). When the "AB" is then input, its numerical data "AB" is displayed in green as hexadecimal data and stored in the data storage 14b (step D9→D10, D11). When the "=" is then input, it is determined whether the calculation expression stored in the data storage 14b is composed of only numerical data having the same base (step D12→D13). In this case, since the calculation expression "01 + AB" stored in the data storage 14b is composed of binary data and hexadecimal data, it is determined that the calculation expression is not composed of numerical data having the same base. Thus, those data are converted to corresponding decimal data which are then added and the result of the calculation is displayed in black as "172" (step D13→D14). When it is determined that the calculation expression keyed in and stored in the data storage 14b is composed of numerical data having the same base, the calculation is made in accordance with the base data set in the N-ary key register N and the result data is displayed in the corresponding color (step D13→D15). Thus, in the N-ary calculation, the characters "BIN", "OCT", "DEC" and "HEX" indicative of binary, octal, decimal and hexadecimal numbers are arranged and displayed in red, blue, black and green, respectively, in the lower left-hand area of the display 16, the respective numerical data of the calculation expression are displayed in different colors corresponding to their base characters. When the numerical data is all of the same base, the result of the calculation is displayed in the same color. When those data are of different bases, they are converted to decimal numbers, which are then operated and the result of the operation is displayed in black. Thus, the states in which the respective base units involved in the input calculation expression are set can be recognized at a glance. FIG. 11 is a flow chart indicative of a program calculation process performed by the calculation data display device. FIGS. 12A-12C each illustrate a display operation corresponding to a key operation involved in the condition setting calculation routine of the program calculation process performed by the calculation data display device. FIGS. 13A and 13B each illustrate a display operation corresponding to a key operation involved in the inputting operation of a calculation expression in the program calculation process performed by the calculation data display device. When the program calculation mode is set in the menu select screen, data indicative of the appropriate program calculation mode is set in the mode flag register M of RAM 14, a mode display color "orange" is set in the upper right-hand corner of the display screen 16, and the program calculation process of FIG. 11 is started up (steps S3-S6→SE). When the "COND" key 12e of the key-in unit 12 is operated, as shown in FIG. 12A, in the program calculation process of FIG. 11, the condition setting display screen in which the three calculation conditions expressed by "RED", "BLUE" and "GREEN" are set and displayed on the display 16 (step E1→E2). When in the state where the condition setting display screen has been displayed, the cursor is moved to "RED" and "<3.245" is input; "┌ key 12f 2 is then operated to move the cursor to "BLUE" and "=3.245" is input; "┌ key 12f 2 is then operated to move the cursor to "GREEN" and ">3.245" is input as conditions indicative of the ranges of the result of the calculation; and "ENT" key 12g is operated, the three input conditions are stored in correspondence to respective color data in the data storage 14b, and conditions are set in which "RED" is displayed when the result of the calculation is "smaller than 3.245"; "BLUE" is displayed when it is "equal to 3.245"; "GREEN" is displayed when it is "larger than 3.245" (step E3→E4, E5→E6). Display items corresponding to the set condition menu ones then appear (in this case, a blank display screen before the calculation expression is input appears) (step E7). As shown in FIG. 12B, when the numeral input key 12a and function/symbol keys 12b of the key-in unit 12 are operated in combination to input, for example, "3 x 2.16 + 2=", this calculation expression is stored in the data storage 14b of RAM 14 and the calculation concerning the calculation expression is made (step E8→E9). In this case, when it is determined that the result of the calculation of the expression "3 x 2.16 ÷ 2=" is "3.24", which corresponds to the red display indicative of the set conditions "being smaller than 3.245", the result of the calculation "3.24" is displayed in red (step E10→E11). As shown in FIG. 12C, when the numeral input key sub-unit 12a and function/symbol keys 12b of the key-in unit 12 are operated in combination to input, a calculation expression for example, of "3 x 2.17 + 2=", this calculation expression is stored in the data storage 14b of RAM 14 and the calculation concerning the calculation expression is made (step E8→E9). In this case, when it is determined that the result of the calculation of the expression "3 x 2.17 + 2=" is "3.255", which corresponds to the green display indicative of the set conditions "being larger than 3.245", the result of the calculation "3.255" is displayed in green (step E12→E13). In addition, when a calculation expression is input and the result of the calculation is "3.245", which corresponds to the blue display indicative of the set conditions "being equal to 3.245", the result of the calculation "3.245" is displayed in blue (step E8→E9, E14→E15). When the result of the calculation does not satisfy any conditions, data on the result of the calculation is displayed in black (step E16). Thus, in the condition setting calculation routine of the program calculation process, three different color data are stored in correspondence to the conditions set optionally and data on the results of the calculation are displayed in different colors corresponding to the respective set conditions. Thus, the user can recognize at a glance what conditions the result of the calculation belongs to. When a calculation expression using a plurality of brackets "()" is input, as shown in FIG. 13A or B, and it is determined that the bracket "(" key has been operated at a first time, the bracket "(" symbol is displayed in black (step E17→E18→E19). When it is determined that the bracket "(" key has been operated at a second time, the bracket "(" symbol is displayed in red (step E17→E20→E21). When it is determined that the bracket "(" key is operated at a third time, the bracket "(" symbol is displayed in green (step E17→E22→E23). When it is determined that the bracket "(" key is operated at a fourth time, the bracket "(" symbol is displayed in blue (step E17→E24→E25). When the ")" key has been operated, it is displayed in the same color as the opposing "(" symbol of brackets "()" of the pair concerned (step E26→E27). Thus, when many pairs of brackets "()" symbols are used in a single calculation expression, the respective pairs of "()" symbols are displayed in different colors to be recognized at a glance. Thus, according to the calculation data display device, if, for example, the square root key is operated as a calculation or operation expression is input when a front function calculation is made, numerical data/function data input subsequently to the square root symbol are displayed in colors different from the basic display color to thereby indicate that they are calculation data covered by and processed as belonging to the square root symbol. If the "┌ key 12f 2 is operated, the subsequent input numerical data/function data are displayed in the basic display color to thereby indicate that those data are not covered by the square root symbol and are processed as regular data. Thus, the range of data covered by a specified symbol in a calculation or operation expression to be input is not required to be bracketed but can be recognized at a glance. While in the respective embodiments the display color of calculation data has been illustrated as being changed to recognize the state and kind of the calculation data, for example, the displayed font of letters and numerals involved in the numerical data may be changed to achieve the same purpose. Alternatively, characters may be displayed in italics or reverse display be employed instead to achieve the same purpose.

Claims: A calculation data display device comprising: calculation data input means (12) for inputting calculation data, calculation means (11) for operating the input calculation data, display control means for displaying the input calculation data, detecting means for detecting a predetermined specified one of the calculation data sequentially input using said calculation data input means (12), characterized in that said calculation means (11) is adapted to operate the calculation data input after the detected predetermined specified one of the calculation data as calculation data belonging to the predetermined specified one of the calculation data, and said display control means is adapted to display in different types of display the calculation data operated as belonging to the detected predetermined specified one of the calculation data, and the calculation data input before the detected predetermined specified one of the calculation data. The calculation data display device according to claim 1, characterized in that said calculation data display device further comprises a terminating means for terminating displaying the input calculation data by the display control means. The calculation data display device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said calculation data display device further comprises a bracket calculation means for operating as bracketed data the calculation data input after the detected predetermined specified one of the calculation data and displayed by the display control means. The calculation data display device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the predetermined specified one of the calculation data comprises at least one of front function data defined as data on trigonometric functions, square and cubic root functions, common and natural logarithmic functions, exponential functions. The calculation data display device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the display control means comprises a color display for displaying in different colors the calculation data input before and after the predetermined specified one of the calculation data. The calculation data display device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said calculation data display device further comprises: arithmetic operation data detecting means for detecting input arithmetic operation data, and arithmetic operation display means for displaying in different types of display the detected arithmetic operation data and the calculation data input before the detected arithmetic operation data. The calculation data display device according to claim 6, characterized in that said calculation data display device further comprises: numerical data detecting means for detecting numerical data input using the calculation data input means (12), and wherein said display control means displays in the same type of display the detected arithmetic operation data displayed by the arithmetic operation display means and the calculation data input before the detected numerical data. The calculation data display device according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that said calculation data display device further comprises an operation means for operating sequentially the calculation data input using the calculation data input means (12), and wherein the display control means further comprises: result display means for displaying the result of the operation by the operation means, and wherein said arithmetic operation display means displays the latest arithmetic operation data alone among the arithmetic operation data input using the calculation data input means (12). The calculation data display device according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the display control means comprises a color display for displaying in different colors the arithmetic operation data and the calculation data input before the arithmetic operation data. The calculation data display device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said calculation data display device further comprises: kind designating means (12c 1 -12c 3 , 12d 1 -12d 4 ) for designating the kinds of the numerical data to be input using the calculation data input means (12), display type setting means (C2, C4, C6; D2, D4, D6, D8) for setting a different display type for each of the kinds of the numerical data designated by the kind designating means (12c 1 -12c 3 , 12d 1 -12d 4 ), and kind display means (C10, C12, C14, C15, C10) for displaying the numerical data input using the calculation data input means (12) and having the kinds designated by the kind designating means (12c 1 -12c 3 , 12d 1 -12d 4 ) in a type of display set by the display type setting means (C2, C4, C6; D2, D4, D6, D8). The calculation data display device according to claim 10, characterized in that the kinds of the numerical data designated by the kind designating means (12c 1 -12c 3 , 12d 1 -12d 4 ) involve the unit of either an angle or a base. The calculation data display device according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that said calculation data display device further comprises: character display means for displaying character data corresponding to the kinds of the numerical data designated by the kind designating means (12c 1 -12c 3 , 12d 1 -12d 4 ); and character display control means for displaying the character data displayed by the character display means in the types of display set by the display type setting means (C2, C4, C6; D2, D4, D6, D8). The calculation data display device according to one of daims 10 to 12, characterized in that said calculation data display device further comprises a calculation control means (11) for designating the respective kinds of calculation data among a series of calculation data input using the calculation data input means (12). The calculation data display device according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the display control means comprises a color display for displaying the numerical data input using the calculation data input means (12) in different colors corresponding to the kinds designated by the kind designating means (C2, C4, C6; D2, D4, D6, D8). The calculation data display device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that said calculation data display device further comprises: range setting means for setting a range with numerical data, display type correspondence means for placing a type of display in corresponding relationship to the range set by the range setting means, operation means for operating the calculation data input using the calculation data input means (12), determining means for determining whether the result of the operation obtained by the operation means is within the range set by the range setting means, and operation result display means for displaying the result of the operation in the type of display placed in the corresponding relationship to the set range by the display type correspondence means using the determination result. The calculation data display device according to claim 15, characterized in that the range setting means further comprises a plural range setting means for setting a plurality of ranges, and wherein the display type correspondence means further comprises plural-display type correspondence means for placing different types of display in corresponding relationship to the ranges of the plurality set by the plural range setting means. The calculation data display device according to one of daims 15 or 16, characterized in that the display control means further comprises a color display for displaying the result of the operation in a color. The calculation data display device according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that said calculation data display device further comprises: open bracket detecting means for detecting open bracket data among the input calculation data, closing bracket detecting means for detecting closing bracket data among the input calculation data, and bracket display means for displaying the open and closing bracket data detected by the open and closing bracket detecting means in the same type of display when the open and closing brackets concerned compose a pair. The calculation data display device according to claim 18, characterized in that the display control means further comprises a color display for displaying in the same color the open and closing bracket data involving the corresponding open and closing brackets which compose a pair. The calculation data display device according to one of claims 18 or 19, characterized in that said calculation data display device further comprises: open bracket display means for displaying the detected corresponding open bracket symbols in different types of display, and closing bracket display means for displaying the detected closing bracket data in the same type of display as the detected open bracket data corresponding to the closing bracket data and displayed by the open bracket display means. The calculation data display device according to one of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that the display control means further comprises a color display for displaying in the same color the open and closing bracket data involving the corresponding open and closing brackets which compose a pair. A calculation data display method which comprises the steps of: inputting calculation data, operating the input calculation data, displaying the input calculation data, and detecting a predetermined specified one of the calculation data sequentially input, characterized in that said operating step operates the calculation data input after the detected predetermined specified one of the calculation data as calculation data belonging to the predetermined specified one of the calculation data, and said displaying step displays in different types of display the calculation data operated as belonging to the detected predetermined specified one of the calculation data, and the calculation data input before the detected predetermined specified one of the calculation data. The calculation data display method according to daim 22, characterized in that said calculation data display method further comprises the following steps: detecting input arithmetic operation data, and displaying in different types of display the detected arithmetic operation data and the calculation data input before the detected arithmetic operation data. The calculation data display method according to one of claims 22 or 23, characterized in that said calculation data display method further comprises the following steps: designating the kinds of the input numerical data, setting a different display type for each of the designated kinds of the numerical data, and displaying the input numerical data and having the designated kinds in the set type of display. The calculation data display method according to one of claims 22 to 24, characterized in that said calculation data display method further comprises the following steps: setting a range with numerical data, placing a type of display in corresponding relationship to the set range, operating the input calculation data, determining whether the result of the obtained operation is within the set range, and displaying the result of the operation in the type of display placed in the corresponding relationship to the set range using the determination result. The calculation data display method according to one of claims 22 to 25, characterized in that said calculation data display method further comprises the following steps: detecting open bracket data among the input calculation data, detecting dosing bracket data among the input calculation data, and displaying the detected open and closing bracket data in the same type of display when the open and closing brackets concerned compose a pair.

Inventors: ASAYAMA YOSHINORI, MASHIMO TAKUYA, NAKANO YUKIHIRO, OKANO MITSURU, SATOH TOMOAKI, SHINDO TEIJI, TAKENAKA MAKOTO, ASAYAMA, YOSHINORI, MASHIMO, TAKUYA, NAKANO, YUKIHIRO, OKANO, MITSURU, SATOH, TOMOAKI, SHINDO, TEIJI, TAKENAKA, MAKOTO, Asayama, Yoshinori, c/o Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Mashimo, Takuya, c/o Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Nakano, Yukihiro, c/o Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Okano, Mitsuru, c/o Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Satoh, Tomoaki, c/o Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Shindo, Teiji, c/o Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Takenaka, Makoto, c/o Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
Applicants: CASIO COMPUTER CO LTD, CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: G06F15
IPC codes: G06F15