JPH03270445A - Keyboard device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To recognize the speaker of a message to other participants even when plural persons make conversation by transmitting a character string stored in a register while attaching the character string before a character string to be inputted from keys. CONSTITUTION:When an output control means 7 changes over an output switch 8 to a first dotted line side (upside) and simultaneously outputs a control signal for reading an identifying character string storing means 5, characters stored in the identifying character string storing means 5 are read and outputted to an output terminal. Continuously, when the output control means 7 changes over the output switch 8 to a solid line side (downside) and simultaneously gives a control signal for reading a message storing means 6, the character string of the message stored in the message storing means 6 is outputted to the output terminal 6. In such a way, the name of the speaker is transmitted before the message. Thus, the persons reading this message in personal computer communication can know the name of the speaker.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Summary] This invention relates to a keyboard device for a personal computer having a function of transmitting and receiving data via a communication line.

When using the chat function of a PC communication service via a single device connected to a single telephone line, other participants will now be able to tell who is speaking the message even if multiple people are having a conversation. The purpose is to provide a keyboard device for

Multiple keyboards are connected to the main body of a personal computer, and each keyboard is equipped with a register that stores a specific character string set in advance, and the character string stored in the register is placed before the character string input using the keys. It is configured to include a switching means for additionally sending out.

[Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to a keyboard device for a personal computer having a function of transmitting and receiving data via a communication line.

In recent years, with the spread of personal computers.

It is being used not only for administrative processing such as calculations, and for controlling software development tools and equipment, but also as a means of communication by connecting to a telephone line and communicating with a PC.

Computer communication involves connecting one host computer to a personal computer or word processor via a telephone line, sending and receiving e-mails to each other, and exchanging information between friends accessing the electronic bulletin board. In addition to this feature, it also includes a feature called chat. The chat function simultaneously displays character strings entered from the keyboard on the display in real time between terminals that have this function selected via the host computer.

This allows you to have telephone-like conversations with multiple people at the same time.

In order to have a conversation with the other party using the chat function, you must prepare a computer that can be connected to the PC communication host computer via a telephone line, and complete the procedures to subscribe to the service so that you can use the PC communication service. There is a need to do.

[Conventional technology] In traditional personal computer systems.

It is composed of a main body containing a control section for storing and calculating, and auxiliary storage devices such as floppy disks and hard disks, a display device for displaying processing results, and a keyboard device for inputting data. In order to perform PC communication, this configuration is further combined with a modem that connects to a telephone line, and the PC communication service can only be used by connecting to the host computer via the telephone line.

However, when having a real-time conversation with multiple people using a chat function, etc., depending on the topic at the time,
It is conceivable that many more people will access the topic at the same time and participate in the conversation, but in order to participate in the conversation, each person who participates in the conversation must also prepare a personal computer to access the host computer and use it via a telephone line. Must be connected to a host computer.

[Problem to be solved by the invention] In order to have a conversation using the conventional chat function described above,
As many telephone lines and personal computers as terminals are required as there are people participating in the conversation.

However, when multiple people on the same floor try to use the chat function, the telephone lines prepared on the floor are seized, resulting in a shortage of lines for normal telephone use.

There is also a method of having multiple people use one terminal to have a conversation, but in this case it becomes difficult to tell who is inputting a message from the keyboard.

The problem is that the conversation becomes confusing.

The present invention provides a method for using the chat function of a PC communication service through a single device connected to a single telephone line, and even if multiple people are having a conversation, the person who is sending the message will not be able to communicate with the other participants. The purpose is to provide a keyboard device that makes it easy to understand.

[Means to solve the problem] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the principle configuration of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, A is the overall system configuration, B is the basic configuration of the keyboard, and C is an explanatory diagram of the operation.

In A of Fig. 1, 1 is a personal computer main body (including display, etc.), 2 is a modem connected to a telephone line, and 3 is a personal computer with multiple units (#1 to
#n) represents a connected keyboard device, in B, 4 is a mode changeover switch, 5 is an identification string storage means,
6 represents a message storage means, 7 represents an output control means, and 8 represents an output switch.

According to the present invention, a plurality of keyboard devices are connected to one personal computer, and each keyboard device is provided with a storage means for storing a character string representing a speaker, and when a message is sent, a character string representing a speaker is displayed before the message is sent. It is added.

[Operation] As shown at A in FIG. 1, the personal computer main body 1 is connected to a modem 2 and connected to a host computer for personal computer communication via a telephone line. This personal computer main body 1 includes a plurality of keyboard devices 3 (
#l to #n, where n≧2) are connected, and each keyboard device 3 is operated by a different user.

The principle structure of the keyboard device shown in B is explained with reference to C1. First, the mode selector switch 4 is switched to the dotted line side (upper side), and when the user enters a character string such as his or her name, the character string is displayed. is stored in the identification character string storage means 5. After this, when the mode selector switch 4 is switched to the solid line side (lower side) and a message is inputted by key, the character string of the message is stored in the message storage means 5.0 Next execution instruction input is supplied to the output control means 7 Then, the output control means 7 first switches the output switch 8 to the dotted line side (upper side), and at the same time outputs a control signal to read out the VA-specific academic character string storage means 5. The characters are read out and output to the output terminal.

When the output control means 7 subsequently switches the output switch 8 to the solid line side (lower side) and simultaneously supplies a control signal to read the message storage means 6, the character string of the message stored in the message storage means 6 is output to the output terminal. Output.

In this way, as shown in FIG. 1 C9 as an example, the name of the speaker is transmitted before the message, so that the person reading the message can know the name of the speaker through other personal computer communication.

Simultaneous transmission of messages from multiple keyboard devices can be controlled by priority control or the like.

[Embodiment] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A shows the configuration of one keyboard device, and FIG. 2B shows the configuration of one keyboard device.

A shows a connection configuration of a plurality of keyboard devices.

, 10 is a keyboard device, 11 is a key switch 512 for inputting a character string by keystroke, an execution key indicating that the input of a character string is completed, and 13 is a pressed key switch 512.
A key switch control unit outputs a character code corresponding to ν, 14 is a mode changeover switch that changes the operating mode of the keyboard, 15 is a register that stores a character code representing an arbitrary character string, and 16 is a register that stores a character code that is input from the key switch. 17 is an output switch that selects the output of register 15 and the output of buffer register 16; 18 is a priority control first switch; 1
Reference numeral 9 denotes an output control unit for controlling the output of the register 15 and buffer register 16 and the output switcher 7, and 20 denotes a second priority control switch.

21 is a priority control unit that performs control to give priority to the execution request signal of the subsequent stage when the execution request signal from the own keyboard device and the execution request signal supplied from the subsequent keyboard device are input; 22 is the output terminal of the keyboard; 23 represents an execution request signal terminal, 24 represents an execution request signal input terminal from the next stage keyboard device, and 25 represents a data input terminal from the next stage keyboard device.

A plurality of keyboard devices 10 are connected in sequence and used as shown in FIG. 2B. In B, IOA,
The IOB and IOC each have the same configuration as the keyboard device in FIG. 2A, and each terminal 22 to 25 shown in the configuration in A.
2B, 22A to 25A, 2 of each keyboard device shown in 2B.
2B-25B.

22C to 25C (24C and 25C are not shown).

To explain the operation of the configuration shown in A.5, first, manually (or automatically) move the mode selector switch 14 to side a, and input a character string that can identify the person using the keyboard device using the key switch 11. The key switch control unit 13 converts the characters into codes, and these character strings are stored in the register 15. After this, 1. During normal use, the mode selector switch 14 should be moved to the b side, and the key switch control section 13 should be moved to the b side.
The output of the buffer register 16 is connected directly to the input of the buffer register 16.

When inputting a normal character string, by pressing a key on the key switch 11, a character code corresponding to the pressed key is output from the key switch control section 13.

The data is stored in the buffer register 16.

When you have finished inputting the text string such as a message, press the ENTER key 1.
When 2 is pressed, an execution request signal is generated and input to the priority control unit 21. At this time, if an execution request signal from another keyboard device is not input from the terminal 24, the priority control section 55 turns on the priority control first switch 18 of the keyboard device, drives the output control section, and performs priority control. The second switch 20 is driven to maintain the output of the output switch 17 connected to the output terminal 22.

When the output control section 19 is driven, first the output switch 17 is activated.
is switched to the a side to output the character code of the register 15 to the output terminal 22, and then the output switch 17 is switched to the b side to output the character code stored in the buffer register to the output terminal 22.

In this embodiment, the output of each keyboard device is switched and controlled in series, and the output terminal of the final keyboard device (2nd ICIB, 1OA) is input to the personal computer main body, displayed on the display, and sent to the telephone via the modem. sent to the line.

Next, the configuration of a second embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3A is a configuration diagram of one keyboard device.

B shows a configuration diagram of priority control among a plurality of keyboard devices.

In FIG. 3A, 11 to 19 all correspond to circuits or devices with the same reference numerals in FIG. 2A.

The difference from the configuration in FIG. 2A is that in FIG. 3B.

Explain using.

That is, a plurality of keyboard devices ff1OA-10C having the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 3A are provided in parallel,
An execution request signal output from the execution key 12 in each keyboard device is input to a request terminal (represented by REQ) of the priority selection control section 30, and the priority selection control section 30 makes a selection to the switch 18 of each keyboard device. Signal (displayed with SEL)
is entered.

With this configuration, multiple keyboard devices ff0A-
When an execution request signal is input from 10B, one of the requests generated at the same time is selected according to a preset priority order (younger number priority or older number priority, etc.), and a selection signal is sent to the selected keyboard device. Output. If multiple execution request signals are not generated at the same time, the i! A stream signal is supplied.

Priority selection control unit 3 for the keyboard device that generated the request
When a selection signal is supplied from register 15.0, switch 18 is closed and output control section 19 is driven. register 1
6, character strings are sequentially read out, output to the data line, and input to the personal computer via the priority selection control section 3o.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention, it is possible to connect two or more keyboard devices to one personal computer and perform PC communication, and even if the chat function is used, the distance of 2 Å or more from each keyboard is It is possible to inform other users of the person who is speaking the message, and since only one telephone line is required, line utilization efficiency can be improved.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the principle of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the second embodiment of the present invention.

In Figure 1.

1: Personal computer body 2: Modem 3: Keyboard device 4: Mode changeover switch 5: Identification string storage means 6: Message storage means 7: Output control means 8: Output switch

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a keyboard device for a personal computer having a function of transmitting and receiving data via a communication line, a plurality of keyboards are connected to the main body of the personal computer, and each keyboard has specific characters input in advance. What is claimed is: 1. A keyboard device comprising: a register for storing a string; and a switching means for adding a string stored in the register to the front of a string input from a key and transmitting the string.