JPH07160392A - Key code variable keyboard - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate the labor needed for changing the key codes by providing a nonvolatile memory which reeds and writes the key codes corresponding to each key matrix switch of a key matrix and a keyboard controller which controls the nonvolatile memory, etc., and receives the key code changing commands from a host device to rewrite the key codes stored in the nonvolatile memory. CONSTITUTION:A keyboard includes a key matrix 1, a nonvolatile memory 2 which reads and writes the key codes, a host device 5, an interface 3 which transfers the key codes and various commends to the device 5, and a keyboard controller 4 which controls those preceding component parts and performs the transmission/reception of key codes. The initial value of the key code showing the function of each key is previously registered in the memory 2. Then the key codes are sent to the device 5 based on the registered initial value as long as no key code changing command is received from the device 5. Therefore the key codes corresponding to the matrix 1 can be freely changed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a keyboard connected to a terminal, and more particularly to a keyboard whose key code can be changed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of keyboard outputs a key code corresponding to the function of a key one-to-one. Even if the key code can be changed, the contents of the non-volatile memory inside the keyboard can be rewritten by operating the keys of the keyboard to convert the key code.

For example, the variable output code type keyboard disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-123314 has a built-in microcomputer connected to an information processing device by a serial interface and has a rewritable nonvolatile memory. By changing the contents of the non-volatile memory by operating the keys on the keyboard, the output code to the information processing device, that is, the key code is changed.

[0004]

In this conventional keyboard, when it is necessary to change the key code, it is necessary to rewrite the contents of the non-volatile memory in the keyboard by operating the keys on the keyboard. When there are many, there is a problem that it takes time and requires a lot of human labor.

An object of the present invention is to provide a keyboard which does not require labor for changing the key code.

[0006]

A variable key code keyboard according to the present invention controls a key matrix for key input, a non-volatile memory for reading and writing a key code corresponding to each key matrix switch of the key matrix, and a non-volatile memory. The keyboard controller rewrites the key code in the non-volatile memory in response to the key code change command from the host device.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, a keyboard of an embodiment of the present invention includes a key matrix 1, a nonvolatile memory 2 in which a key code is written and read, an interface 3 for exchanging key codes and various commands with a host device 5, and these. And a keyboard controller 4 for controlling the transmission and reception of key codes.

An initial value of a key code representing the function of each key is registered in advance in the non-volatile memory 2, and when the key code conversion command is not sent from the host device 5, the initial value is followed. The key code is transmitted to the host device 5. For example, the key code of the initial value is the same as the arrangement of the key matrix switch of the key matrix 1 of FIG. When the key "Q" is pressed, the keyboard controller 4 recognizes through the lines X2 and Y1 that the keys on the lines X2 and Y1 have been pressed, and generates addresses corresponding to the keys on the lines X2 and Y1 to generate the nonvolatile memory. Read 2. At this time, since the key code representing the character "Q" is written in the nonvolatile memory 2 as the key code of the key on the lines X2 and Y1, the keyboard controller 4 reads the key code of the character "Q", Interface it 3
To the higher-level device 5 via. Similarly, when the "TAB" key of the key matrix 1 is pressed, the keyboard controller 4 reads the key code representing the "TAB" command from the non-volatile memory 2 by the signal from the lines X1 and Y1 and sends it to the host device 5. To do. Although only 16 keys are shown in the key matrix in FIG. 1, there are actually more keys.

Next, when there is a change in the key layout due to the arrangement location, user preference, etc., the host device 5 sends a key code change command to the keyboard controller 4 via the interface 3. The keyboard controller 4 clears the memory 2 and then writes the changed contents from the higher-level device 5 into the nonvolatile memory 2. After that, when there is a key input, the changed new key code is read from the memory 2 by the host device 4 and sent to the host device 5.

When returning to the initial state, the host device 5 sends a reset command to the keyboard controller 4, resets the nonvolatile memory 2, and then returns to the initial keyboard code.

As the non-volatile memory 2, a memory backed up by a battery, a flash, an EEPROM, or the like that retains stored contents even when the power is turned off and is rewritable is used.

[0013]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the key code corresponding to the key matrix can be freely changed, it is necessary to create a dedicated keyboard even if the key layout is different for each user. It is possible to easily support a wide range with the same hardware.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of reference symbols] 1 non-volatile memory 2 keyboard controller 3 key matrix 4 host device

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A key matrix having a plurality of key matrix switches, a non-volatile memory for writing and reading a key code corresponding to each key matrix switch position of the key matrix, and a key code from a host for controlling them. A key code variable keyboard comprising: a keyboard controller that rewrites a key code table in the non-volatile memory in response to a change command, wherein the key code is changed by a command from a host device. 2. The key code variable keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the keyboard controller resets the key code to the non-volatile memory before rewriting.