CN1218213A

CN1218213A - Keyboard with single key to correct input codes and control method thereof

Info

Publication number: CN1218213A
Application number: CN 97122901
Authority: CN
Inventors: 许鸿章; 高黄晓; 庄明山
Original assignee: Acer Computer Co Ltd
Current assignee: BenQ Corp
Priority date: 1997-11-24
Filing date: 1997-11-24
Publication date: 1999-06-02
Anticipated expiration: 2017-11-24
Also published as: CN1112628C

Abstract

A keyboard able to change key code with a single modifying key and its control method features that pressing one of Alt, Ctrl and Shift keys and immediately releasing it without pressing any modifying key between the pressing and releasing can change the key codes of the key to be switched into another key codes. For example, the another key codes can represent multimedia function, resulting in that the key to be switched becomes the hot key for multimedia. Thereafter, pressing the same key and immediately releasing it can return the hot key of multimedia back to original key codes.

Description

Keyboard and control method thereof with single key to correct input codes

Present invention is directed to the input media of computer system, particularly relevant for a kind of keyboard and control method thereof with single key to correct input codes.

Because the function of central processing unit (CPU) promotes day by day, make that multimedia functions such as handling sound and image have been the indispensable person of computer system now.Right known computer system is controlled multimedia operation, on the whole is to change between different application software and get by the operation slide-mouse.Usually under the windows workspace system environments, be converted to Another Application software by an application software, system can obtain required function with slide-mouse through a series of some selection operation, for example the document handling procedure desire to watch image and sound optical disk in the CD player (DVD) data, listen to the music of sound CD (Audio CD) or pull out and connect modem etc., even operations such as the volume of desire adjustment control sound, tonequality, quality of balance, all need through actions such as a succession of complicated slide-mouse move, locatees and clicks, to quite inconvenience of user.

Therefore, there is proposition to add tens hot keys (hotkeys) at keyboard place as the computer system input media, be CD for example, Video, Play, FF, FR, Volume+, Volume-, Mute, keys such as Telephone, the sound CD is read in expression respectively, read image and sound optical disk, play, fast searching forward, fast searching backward, heighten volume, turn down volume, noise reduction, functions such as dialing/receiving calling, and through driver connection multimedia resource, the user just is able to the directly interaction of multimedia resource of hot key and computer system by this, makes the user all must carry out computer system inner multimedia control function under any DASE.But, be setting in response to tens hot keys, must consider to increase keyboard area or keep original keyboard area, yet no matter in which way, all having needs to increase the circuit and the unfavorable factor of increase cost such as die sinking again to dwindle the hot key area.

And another settling mode be with multikey complex method row it, for example pin one of keys such as Ctrl, Alt and Shift person earlier, simultaneously again by person one of among other set keys such as the function key F1-F12 etc., and carry out set multimedia function by driver.Though this method do not have above-mentioned need increase when adding hot key circuit and again die sinking etc. increase the shortcoming of cost, but start the mode of a certain specific multimedia function with compound keys mat driver, must press the key of set combination simultaneously with two fingers respectively, also need be dependent on the function that memory is remembered the compound keys representative, for quite inconvenience of user, moreover selected compound keys may be adopted by other system software, causes systemic-function imperfect.

For solving the problem that above-mentioned known techniques causes, fundamental purpose of the present invention is to provide employed keyboard of a kind of computer system and control method thereof, only needs with the just changeable key of single modifier keys.

Another object of the present invention, be to provide employed keyboard of a kind of computer system and control method thereof, need not to change the physical construction of QWERTY keyboard, just be able to single modifier keys handoff functionality key, PrintScreen key, ScrollLock key or Pause key etc. and become the multimedia hot key.

For obtaining above-mentioned purpose, the present invention can be by providing a kind of keyboard with single key to correct input codes to finish, and this keyboard comprises: a key array, a storage device and a pick-up unit.Key array is switched key by at least one modifier keys and plural number and is construed as.Storage device is then in order to store the first key group and the second key group.Pick-up unit then in order to detect that modifier keys is pressed whether; If the number of times that modifier keys is pressed is an even number, then is switched key and just is configured to the first key group; If the number of times that modifier keys is pressed is an odd number, then is switched key and is configured to the second key group.

Moreover the present invention also can be by providing a kind of control method with single key to correct input codes to finish, and the key that makes plural number be switched the key representative must switch between one first key group and one second key group.At first, this controlling party genealogy of law provides a keyboard, and this keyboard comprises at least one modifier keys and is switched key.Then, detecting modifier keys with a pick-up unit does not have and is pressed; If modifier keys is pressed, then judge the key that is switched the key representative.Then, belong to the first key group if be switched the key of key representative, then through switching to the second key group; Belong to the second key group if be switched the key of key representative, then through switching to the first key group.

For above-mentioned and other purposes of the present invention, feature and advantage can be become apparent, a preferred embodiment cited below particularly, and conjunction with figs. are described in detail below:

Brief Description Of Drawings:

Fig. 1 block diagram that to be demonstration be connected with host computer according to the keyboard of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; And

Fig. 2 is the process flow diagram of demonstration according to the inventive method one preferred embodiment.

Embodiment:

Alt key, Ctrl and shift key normally use in the mode of compound keys in known keyboard, meaning is promptly pinned Ctrl, Alt or shift key earlier again by another key, just can change the function or the character (character) of another key of being pressed, for example, press Shift+A in the compound keys mode, then import capitalization A; If press Ctrl+C in the compound keys mode, the then action that representative is interrupted under DOS.Therefore Ctrl, Alt and shift key are called as modifier keys (modifier keys), the key that need press simultaneously through changing function or character can be described as by modifier keys (modifiable keys), and this can be function key, letter key, numerical key or symbolic key etc. by modifier keys.

It is known when one of these modifier keys person is not decontroled through pressing separately, system can set corresponding modifier keys usage flag (modifier-activeflag) and nearest modifier keys counter (recent-modifiercounter), in brief, the state that just upgrades (update) this key is pressed (make), and any action can't be done by system.This state only offers some programs that need reference, such as Basic Input or Output System (BIOS) (BIOS), operating system (operating system) or some application software with reference to use.This state can be placed in a certain storage arrangement of system, after this modifier keys is decontroled, modifier keys usage flag (modifier-activeflag) and nearest modifier keys counter (recent-modifier counter) just are reset removing, and the storage arrangement content returns back to modifier keys again without the state of pressing.In other words, if modifier keys does not have other to be pressed by modifier keys between being put by one by one,, only be to set (set) and reset the position that (reset) represents modifier keys for system, modifier keys there is no the essence effect.

And the present invention utilizes this characteristic, decontrol immediately when having only modifier keys to be pressed, one does not have when inserting by modifier keys between putting by one, just the key of function key, PrintScreen key, ScrollLock key or Pause key is replaced with another group by one of original group, and another group key after changing can be represented all multimedia function, becomes the multimedia hot key and be able to single modifier keys handoff functionality key, PrintScreen key, Scro1lLock key or Pause key etc.

Please refer to shown in Figure 1ly, keyboard 1 according to the present invention comprises at least: a key array lO, a microprocessor 11, a read-only memory device 12.Microprocessor 11 is the sequential operation operations that store in read-only memory device 12 according to burning, and the key of storage key array 10 each key representative, the key group of the original representatives of key such as memory function key, PrintScreen key, ScrollLock key or Pause key and represent the key group of multimedia function after switching particularly, this read-only memory device 12 also can be made in the microprocessor 11.On the whole, keyboard 1 is via microprocessor 11 output scanning signals, to know that studying carefully what person of meaning in some keys that key array 10 comprised is pressed by the user, delivers to host computer 2 places by microprocessor 11 with the corresponding key of pressing key again.

Key array 10 includes plural key, if the configuration that this keyboard 1 is ibm personal computer standard 101 keys, then key array 10 has a pair of Alt key 15, a pair of Ctrl 16, a pair of

shift key

17,18,12 function keys 19 of cap lock key (indicating with F1-F12 respectively), a PrintScreen key 20, a ScrollLock key 21, a Pause key 22 and a NumLock key 23.In addition, keyboard 1 still comprises: a NumLock pilot lamp 24, a CapsLock pilot lamp 25 and a ScrollLock pilot lamp 26, generally get with the light emitting diode construction respectively, and with the light on and off state of light emitting diode, respectively in order to the open and close of expression NumLock key 23, cap lock key 18 and ScrollLock key 21 representative functions.Key array 10 still has a Space key 27, in order to the input blank spaces, as the list separator of input between character, the layout of general keyboard is to make two Alt keys 15, two Ctrl 16 and two shift keys 17 be left-right symmetric with respect to Space key 27 promptly as shown in Figure 1.Above-mentioned each key for example can a thin film switch cooperates a diode, also or with magnetic detector (nagnet sensor) row.

Microprocessor 11 is with plural line scanning drive wire 13 and several column turntable driving line 14, knows that studying carefully what key of meaning in the key array 10 is pressed.For example, above-mentioned each key can be to be connected to 14 of delegation's turntable driving line 13 and column scan drive wires in the serial connection mode, and microprocessor 1 can be to these line scanning drive wires 13 P-SCAN again and again.When if a certain key is pressed, 14 conductings that electric current must be arranged of then corresponding line scanning drive wire 13 and column scan drive wire, microprocessor 11 detects already, according to being stored in the search tabulation (lookup table) that stores in the read-only memory device 12, export the corresponding key acquisition of pressing key to host computer 2 again.

According to the present invention, definition is when having only Alt key 15, Ctrl 16, one of shift key 17 person is pressed and decontrols immediately, one do not have between putting by one insert any during by modifier keys, then will be stored in and represent function key 19 in the read-only memory device 12, PrintScreen key 20, ScrollLock key 21, or the key of Pause key 22 etc. is replaced with another group by one of original group, in this way, another group key after switching can be represented multimedia function respectively, be CD for example, Video, Play, FF, FR, Volume+, Volume-, Mute, Telephone etc., the sound CD is read in expression respectively, read image and sound optical disk, play, fast searching forward, fast searching backward, heighten volume, turn down volume, noise reduction, pull out function such as answer the call, and with single modifier keys handoff functionality key 19, PrintScreen key 20, ScrollLock key 21, or Pause key 22 etc. becomes the multimedia hot key.And follow-up if press Alt key 15, Ctrl 16 or the shift key 17 that starts the multimedia hot key function again and decontrol immediately, then the key group of function key 19, PrintScreen key 20, ScrollLock key 21 or Pause key 22 representative multimedia hot keys is switched back the key group of original representative.

Know that for making the user keyboard is at present by the state of modifier keys, the key group that belongs to original key group or represent multimedia function is studied carefully by system, and then the present invention one of utilizes in NumLock pilot lamp 24, CapsLock pilot lamp 25 and the ScrollLock pilot lamp 26 that keyboard 1 had the person to do demonstration.If function key 19, PrintScreen key 20, ScrollLock key 21 or Pause key 22 are the state of original key group, then pilot lamp presents in the lasting light on and off mode of static state; If function key 19, PrintScreen key 20, ScrollLock key 21 or the key group state of Pause key 22 for having multimedia function, then pilot lamp shows with dynamic flashing mode.So when pilot lamp shows with dynamic flashing mode, relevant with function key 19, PrintScreen key 20, ScrollLock key 21 or the Pause key 22 pilot lamp light on and off state before switching to tool multimedia function key group state, if pilot lamp is light yellow originally, after then entering multimedia function key group state, the time that pilot lamp system put out with the light yellow time, long flashing mode showed, for example: the light yellow time is 1.5 seconds, and the time of putting out is 0.5 second; If pilot lamp going out originally, then enter multimedia function key group state after, be that the short flashing mode of time that is putting out with the light yellow time shows that for example: the light yellow time is 0.5 second, the time of putting out is 1.5 seconds.In this way, by the flicker of pilot lamp whether, current state is original key group or the key group of representing multimedia function as can be known.And by the flicker display mode of pilot lamp, this pilot lamp was bright originally or went out as can be known, knew indirectly whether the pilot lamp function has started, and for example, if NumLock pilot lamp 24 was light yellow originally, all keys in expression NumLock key 23 belows are numerical key; If NumLock pilot lamp 24 was to go out originally, all keys in expression NumLock key 23 belows are the direction shifting bond(s).

When being pinned earlier as one of the Alt key 15, Ctrl 16 or the shift key 17 that switch person, press next simultaneously again by modifier keys, this can be function key, letter key, numerical key or symbolic key etc. by modifier keys, then just can change press by the function of modifier keys or character (character), for example, press Shift+A in the compound keys mode, then import capitalization A; If press Ctrl+C in the compound keys mode, the then action that representative is interrupted under DOS.That is keyboard 1 of the present invention is still possessed the function of known compound keys input.

Please refer to shown in Figure 2ly, it is the process flow diagram according to the inventive method one preferred embodiment.Among this figure, in order to switching multi-media hot key whether modifier keys is shift key 17, through switching person is example with function key 19 or the PrintScreen key 20 that is of little use, ScrollLock key 21 and Pause key 22 then, so in order to show that present key group state person is ScrollLock pilot lamp 26.

At first detect shift key 17 and whether be pressed, if do not have, then continue the trace routine of step 30, that is continue key array 10 is done scanning with microprocessor 11 in step 30; If detecting Shft key 17 is pressed, proceeds to step 31 and judge whether shift key 17 is decontroled.If judge that in step 31 shift key is decontroled, then carry out step 34; If not, then proceed to step 32 and judge that have denys a certainly to be pressed by modifier keys, if not, then return step 31, on the contrary the composite key function of execution in step 33 then.

Whether so proceed to step 34 item judges that the multimedia hot key function is set and starts already, if not, expression desires to enter the multimedia hot key function, then proceed to step 35 with function key 19, PrintScreen key 20, the key of ScrollLock key 21 and Pause key 22 is replaced with multimedia key group by one of original group, after setting the multimedia hot key for, judge whether light yellow of ScrollLock pilot lamp 26 to step 36 again, if the ScrollLock pilot lamp is light yellow originally, after then entering the key group state of multimedia function, the time that system put out with the light yellow time, long flashing mode showed, for example: the light yellow time is 1.5 seconds, and the time of putting out is 0.5 second; If ScrollLock pilot lamp 26 is going out originally, then enter the key group state of multimedia function after, be that the short flashing mode of time that is putting out with the light yellow time shows that for example: the light yellow time is 0.5 second, the time of putting out is 1.5 seconds.

If judge to such an extent that the multimedia hot key function is set in step 34, presentation function key 19, PrintScreen key 20, ScrollLock key 21, Pause key 22 is former to have had the multimedia hot key function, pressing shift key 17 this moment is to remove the multimedia hot key function, so proceed to step 39 pair function key 19, PrintScreen key 20, ScrollLock key 21 and Pause key 22 are reset, its key is reverted back to original key group, judge the flicker pattern of ScrollLock pilot lamp 26 again in step 40, if the light yellow time is 1.5 seconds, the time of putting out is 0.5 second, expression ScrollLock pilot lamp 26 originally is to continue light yellow before entering the multimedia hot key function, so make ScrollLock pilot lamp 26 continue light yellow in step 41; If not, then close ScrollLock pilot lamp 26 in step 42.

If the controlling party genealogy of law of the present invention presents in the mode of secondary program, after then above-mentioned

steps

37,38,41,42 etc. is finished, can return the master routine that is usefulness control method of the present invention.

Comprehensively above-mentioned, the keyboard and the control method thereof of key switched in the present invention with single modifier keys, be able in the physical construction of not changing QWERTY keyboard, also needn't use the compound keys mode, just obtained the multimedia hot key function, only need with the function key 19 of single modifier keys control criterion keyboard and the PrintScreen key 20 that is of little use, ScrollLock key 21 and Pause key 22 etc. switch to expression and read the sound CD, read image and sound optical disk, play, fast searching forward, fast searching backward, heighten volume, turn down volume, noise reduction, the multimedia hot key of functions such as dialing/receiving calling.Moreover, know that for making the user above-mentioned all keys study carefully meaning at present and represent key group or original key group of multimedia function, then the present invention one of utilizes in NumLock pilot lamp 24, CapsLock pilot lamp 25 or the ScrollLock pilot lamp 26 that keyboard 1 had the person, does demonstration whether to glimmer.

In the foregoing description, though be example with function key 19 or the PrintScreen key 20 that is of little use, ScrollLock key 21 and Pause key 22 as being switched key only, other former being arranged on the keyboard 1 are can it is also applicable to obtain identical effect person.And key array 10 has more than the configuration that is applicable to ibm personal computer standard 101 keys, and the 88 keys configuration that is usually used in notebook computer is also applicable.

Though the present invention discloses as above with preferred embodiment; right its is not in order to limiting the present invention, anyly has the knack of this operator, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention; when can doing to change and retouching, so protection scope of the present invention is as the criterion when looking the claim person of defining of the present invention.

Claims

1. keyboard with single key to correct input codes comprises:

One key array has at least one modifier keys, plural number is switched key;

One storage device is in order to store the first key group and the second key group; And

Whether one pick-up unit is pressed in order to detect this modifier keys; If the number of times that this modifier keys is pressed is an even number, then these are switched key and are configured to this first key group; If the number of times that this modifier keys is pressed is an odd number, then these are switched key and are configured to this second key group; Before right this modifier keys is decontroled,, then do not list the number of times that this modifier keys is pressed in as if having one to be pressed simultaneously by modifier keys through pressing after.

2. the keyboard with single key to correct input codes as claimed in claim 1, wherein, these are switched key is function key.

3. the keyboard with single key to correct input codes as claimed in claim 1, wherein, these are switched key is printScreen key, ScrollLock key and Pause key etc.

4. the keyboard with single key to correct input codes as claimed in claim 1, wherein, this pick-up unit is a microprocessor.

5. the keyboard with single key to correct input codes as claimed in claim 4, wherein, this pick-up unit is with a delegation's turntable driving line and a column scan drive wire, is used to detect having not that this modifier keys is pressed.

6. the keyboard with single key to correct input codes as claimed in claim 1, wherein, this storage device is a read-only memory device.

7. the keyboard with single key to correct input codes as claimed in claim 1 wherein, still comprises a pilot lamp, represents that with flashing mode these are switched key through setting this second key group for.

8. the keyboard with single key to correct input codes as claimed in claim 1, wherein, this modifier keys if there is this to be pressed simultaneously by modifier keys, is then carried out composite key function before being decontroled after pressing.

9. control method with single key to correct input codes, the key that makes plural number be switched the key representative must switch between one first key group and one second key group, and the control method of this single key to correct input codes comprises the following steps:

(a) provide a keyboard, this keyboard comprises that at least one modifier keys and these are switched key;

(b) detecting this modifier keys does not have and is pressed, and judge be pressed this modifier keys the back decontrol before, having does not have one to be pressed simultaneously by modifier keys; If have, then carry out this modifier keys and this by the composite key function of modifier keys, and finish this control method; And

(c) if this modifier keys is pressed, judge that these are switched the key of key representative, if these keys that are switched the key representative are for this first key group, then through switching to this second key group; If these keys that are switched the key representative are for this second key group, then through switching to this first key group.

10. the control method with single key to correct input codes as claimed in claim 9 wherein, still comprises step (d) if after these keys that are switched the key representative switch to this second key group, causes pilot lamp flicker.