JPH1011190A - Processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to switch and select a suitable keyboard independently of application software by displaying a software keyboard in a window independent of the application software. SOLUTION: A main body device 22 is equipped with a software keyboard display means 23 which displays the software keyboard in the window, a software keyboard input means 24 which inputs data to the software keyboard, and a keyboard switching means 25. The software keyboard is actuated by clicking a switching button on the input screen and data are inputted by clicking its keys by using a mouse 27. The switching button is clicked after input operation on the software keyboard is finished, and then the software keyboard ends. Further, when the switching button is not clicked, data input from a hardware keyboard 26 is selected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a processing system such as a personal computer having a keyboard, and more particularly to a processing system which can be used by switching between a hardware keyboard and a software keyboard.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A device for inputting data by displaying a keyboard image on a display screen of a display device and clicking characters with a pointing device is called a software keyboard. In the conventional software keyboard, the application and the selection of the use of the software keyboard are defined by the application. The user cannot select and use a software keyboard or a hardware keyboard suitable for the input operation independently of the application.

[0003]

According to the present invention, a software keyboard is displayed in a window independent of the application, and a hardware keyboard is used for all input operations in order to switch and use a suitable keyboard depending on the skill of the application or the user.・ Keyboard and software
Select buttons are provided to select and use the keyboard.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to make it possible to select a hardware keyboard or a software keyboard independently of an application.

[0005] Therefore, in a processing system including a hardware keyboard, a pointing device, and a display device having a display screen of the present invention, and a main unit for processing an application for inputting and outputting data to and from the main unit, Means for displaying a software keyboard window on the display screen;
Keyboard switching button means for switching the connection of the hardware keyboard and the software keyboard to the application;
Means for pointing a key of a keyboard by the pointing device, and inputting data specified by the key to the application.

[0006] The software keyboard is displayed as an independent window in a window separate from the application window. Buttons for calling the software keyboard are provided on all screens for character input. The user normally enters data from a hardware keyboard, and when using a software keyboard, by selecting a function button on the display screen,
A software keyboard appears in the window and becomes available. The user can appropriately select whether to use the software keyboard or the hardware keyboard.

[0007]

Next, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1 showing an embodiment of the present invention, a processing system 20 includes a display device 21.
, A main unit 22, a hardware keyboard 26 connected to the main unit 22, and a mouse 27 as a pointing device. The main unit 22 includes software keyboard display means 23 for displaying a software keyboard in a window, software keyboard input means 24 for pointing the software keyboard to input data, and keyboard switching means 25 for displaying a keyboard switching button. , Is provided.

Referring to FIG. 2 illustrating a display screen in this embodiment, a display screen 1 includes a window 2 in which an application being processed by the main unit 22 is displayed and a window in which a software keyboard is selected and displayed. 3, a keyboard switching button 4 for switching between the hardware keyboard 26 and the software keyboard 3
And

Next, FIG. 2 exemplifying a display screen for the operation of this embodiment, and a flowchart 3 showing the operation of the main unit 22.
This will be described with reference to FIG. Normally, the user inputs data using the hardware keyboard 26 and does not use the software keyboard. However, by clicking the button 4 on the input screen with the mouse 27 (Y in step 31), the software keyboard is activated. Is displayed on the window (step 33). Data input is performed by clicking a key on the software keyboard on the window using the mouse 27 (step 34). When the user finishes the input operation using the software keyboard and clicks the switch button 4, the software keyboard ends (step 35). When all data input is completed (Step 3
6Y), the input operation ends. Switch button 4
If the user does not click (N in step 31), data input from the hardware keyboard 26 is selected (step 32).

[0011]

As described above, the effect of the present invention is that the software keyboard is displayed in a window independent of the application, so that the user can select a preferred keyboard from among a software keyboard and a hardware keyboard. Can be switched and selected independently of the application.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a display screen of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 20 processing system 21 display device 22 main unit 23 software keyboard display means 24 software keyboard input means 25 keyboard switching means 26 hardware keyboard 27 mouse

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A processing system comprising: a hardware keyboard; a pointing device; and a display device having a display screen; and a main unit for processing an application for inputting and outputting data to and from the display device. Means for displaying a window of a software keyboard on the display screen; keyboard switching button means for switching connection of the hardware keyboard and the software keyboard to the application; and keys of the software keyboard by the pointing device. Means for pointing and inputting data specified by the key to the application.