Method and apparatus for encoding, storing and accessing characters of a Chinese character-based language

Claim 1

A generator for generating Chinese character symbols comprising: memory means for storing individual characters at memory locations represented by a two-part computer-readable code, the first part defining a predetermined radical element common to a plurality of characters, and the second part identifying the stroke forms contained at predetermined locations within the balance of the individual character; means for fetching said stored characters from said memory means, said fetching means including means for entering into said character generator said two-part code and means for accessing the memory location within said memory means corresponding to said entered two-part code; input means including a keyboard for controlling said means for fetching in response to manual key-in operations, said input means including means for causing entry of said first part of said two-part code in response to the operation of a key in a first section of said keyboard and means for causing entry of said second part of said two-part code in response to the operation of one or more keys in a second section of said keyboard, the keys in said first section being operated to select one of said predetermined elements common to a plurality of characters and the keys in said second section being operated to indicate the stroke-form content of the balance of a character, excluding said predetermined common element; and wherein said fetching means also includes means for entering a predetermined code in lieu of said first part, said predetermined code indicating the absence of any said predetermined radical element common to a plurality of characters.