Character input apparatus

1. A character input apparatus which generates character string data, comprising:

key-in means for inputting a character by a keystroke;

writing input means for inputting a character by writing;

means for storing character strings;

control means for controlling the storing means to store a first character input by the key-in means and a second character input by the writing input means in the storing means in a form of a single character string including the first character and the second character;

a display device to display information; and

display controlling means for controlling the display device to display a function key on the display device;

the writing input means comprising:

coordinate detecting means for detecting coordinates of an object input by the writing input means, the coordinate detecting means being laid on the display device; and

handwriting detecting means for detecting a handwritten character based on the coordinates and,

the control means executing a preset editing control with respect to the character string when the coordinate detecting means has detected a pressure applied to a position corresponding to the function key,

display controlling means starting display of the function key when the coordinate detecting means has detected the writing after inputting a character by the keystroke.

2. The character input apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the key-in means includes a preset key and holding means for holding a character type inputted through the preset key, and when the writing input means accepts a character input and then a key operation for the key-in means is again performed, the key-in means accepts a character in the character type held by the holding means.

3. The character input apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the coordinate detecting means detects a coordinate to which an external pressure is applied.

4. A character input apparatus which generates character string data, comprising:

key-in means for inputting a character by a keystroke;

writing input means for inputting a character by writing;

means for storing character strings;

control means for controlling the storing means to store a first character input by the key-in means and a second character input by the writing input means in the storing means in a form of a single character string including the first character and the second character;

a display device to display information; and

display controlling means for controlling the display device to display a function key on the display device;

the writing input means comprising:

coordinate detecting means for detecting coordinates of an object input by the writing input means, the coordinate detecting means being laid on the display device; and

handwriting detecting means for detecting a handwritten character based on the coordinates and,

the control means executing a preset editing control with respect to the character string when the coordinate detecting means has detected a pressure applied to a position corresponding to the function key,

the display controlling means terminates the display of the function key when the key-in means was operated after inputting a character through the writing inputting means.

5. The character input apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the key-in means includes a preset key and holding means for holding a character type inputted through the preset key, and when the writing input means accepts a character input and then a key operation for the key-in means is again performed, the key-in means accepts a character in the character type held by the holding means.

6. The character input apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the coordinate detecting means detects a coordinate to which an external pressure is applied.

7. A character input apparatus which generates character string data, comprising:

a key-in unit configured to input a character by a keystroke;

a writing input unit configured to input a character by writing;

a storage configured to store character strings;

a control unit configured to control the storage to store a first character input by the key-in unit and a second character input by the writing input unit in the storage in a form of a single character string including the first character and the second character;

a display device to display information; and

a display controlling unit configured to control the display device to display a function key on the display device;

the writing input unit comprising:

a coordinate detecting unit configured to detect coordinates of an object input by the writing input unit, the coordinate detecting unit being laid on the display device; and

a handwriting detecting unit configured to detect a handwritten character based on the coordinates and,

the control unit executing a preset editing control with respect to the character string when the coordinate detecting unit has detected a pressure applied to a position corresponding to the function key,

the display controlling unit starting display of the function key when the coordinate detecting unit has detected the writing after inputting a character by the keystroke.

8. The character input apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the key-in unit includes a preset key and holding unit configured to hold a character type inputted through the preset key, and when the writing input unit accepts a character input and then a key operation for the key-in unit is again performed, the key-in unit accepts a character in the character type held by the holding unit.

9. The character input apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the coordinate detecting unit detects a coordinate to which an external pressure is applied.

10. A character input apparatus which generates character string data, comprising:

a key-in unit configured to input a character by a keystroke;

a writing input unit configured to input a character by writing;

a storage configured to store character strings;

a control unit configured to control the storage to store a first character input by the key-in unit and a second character input by the writing input unit in the storage in a form of a single character string including the first character and the second character;

a display device to display information; and

a display controlling unit configured to control the display device to display a function key on the display device;

the writing input unit comprising:

a coordinate detecting unit configured to detect coordinates of an object input by the writing input unit, the coordinate detecting unit being laid on the display device; and

a handwriting detecting unit configured to detect a handwritten character based on the coordinates and,

the control unit executing a preset editing control with respect to the character string when the coordinate detecting unit has detected a pressure applied to a position corresponding to the function key,

the display control unit terminates the display of the function key when the key-in unit was operated after inputting a character through the writing inputting unit.

11. The character input apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the key-in unit includes a preset key and holding unit configured to hold a character type inputted through the preset key, and when the writing input unit accepts a character input and then a key operation for the key-in unit is again performed, the key-in unit accepts a character in the character type held by the holding unit.

12. The character input apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the coordinate detecting unit detects a coordinate to which an external pressure is applied.