CN1354849A

CN1354849A - User input device with memory

Info

Publication number: CN1354849A
Application number: CN00808698A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 约翰·昆廷·菲利普斯
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-06-10
Filing date: 2000-06-06
Publication date: 2002-06-19
Also published as: GB9913529D0; GB2350913A; JP2003502748A; CA2376587A1; KR20020022695A; EP1192522A1; AU5234800A; GB2350913B; WO2000077600A1; MXPA01012713A; BR0011731A

Abstract

A module(2)has user input means(8, 9, 10)and a memory(27)storing a program. Consequently, a program-controlled apparatus(1), with which the module is in communication, can be provided with input means adapted to the program being run.

Description

User input device with memory

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a combined memory and user input device for a program control apparatus.

Background

Nintendo (RTM) Gameboy (RTM) is a well-known portable video game machine. Nintendo (RTM) Gameboy (RTM) comprises a housing, inside which are mounted: a processor, a display screen and a button-type user input device. The program of the video game is provided in the form of a ROM card inserted into the main body so that the processor can run the program stored in the ROM card. A problem with nintendo (RTM) Gameboy (RTM) is that the arrangement of buttons must serve different types of games, and a user input device suitable for one platform game is generally not optimal for a race car game or a flight simulation game.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention is intended to solve this problem of the portable television game machine. However, the invention is more generally applicable to program control devices, such as: personal digital appliances and smart phones provide suitable user input means for specific programs.

According to the present invention, there is provided a program control device including a main portion and an auxiliary portion, the main portion including: processor and display device for displaying images controlled by the processor, the accessory part comprising: a storage device storing a program for the processor and a user input device, wherein the accessory part may be temporarily installed on the main part in order to transfer the program code to the main part and to transfer data generated when the user input device is operated to the main part, the data providing an input for the program when the processor runs the program.

According to the present invention, there is provided a program control device including:

the main part comprises:

a processor, and

a display device controllable by the processor for displaying an image, and

first and second appendages, respectively, comprising:

a storage device storing programs for the processor and the user input device, respectively,

wherein,

in order to transfer the program code to the main part and data (including instructions) generated when the user input device is operated to the main part, the sub part may be temporarily and interchangeably installed on the main part, the data providing input to the program when the processor runs the program;

the user input means of the first appendage being different from the user input means of the second appendage; and is

The data that can be transmitted from the first sub-part is in the same format as the data that can be transmitted from the second sub-part.

As a result, the format of the data is independent of the form of the user input device, for example: whether it is analog or digital in operation.

When the program runs, the program code may be transferred entirely to the main part for storage in the main part. Alternatively, the code may be read from the dependent portion while the program is running.

Preferably there are complementary electrical connection means between the main part and the or each accessory part which, when fitted together, provide a path for communication of said codes and data. However, data and codes can be transmitted from the sub-part to the main part through the free space using electromagnetic waves.

Preferably, one or each of the sub-parts includes a circuit which is responsive to operation of its user input means to generate said data for transmission to the main part. In a simple case, the user input means may comprise a switch located between two contacts of the connector, so that the main part can detect whether the switch is open or closed.

Preferably, the data contains a code composed of a plurality of bits of the same length. Alternatively, each of the above data may contain one of a plurality of instruction codes with optional parameters, such as: instruction type + number.

The form of the main portion may be substantially determined by the form of the display device and the auxiliary portion may be connected to an edge of the main portion. Preferably, the display device has a side edge, and the attachment portion may be connected to the side edge of the display device. Preferably, the auxiliary part is provided with user input means, the main part and the auxiliary part having complementary connection means for transmitting data generated on operation of the user input means of the auxiliary part to the main part, said data providing input to said program when said program is run by the processor. Preferably, the attachment portion and the auxiliary portion are configured to provide a handle for the apparatus.

The user input device may take a variety of forms depending on the software in the storage device. For example, keyboards are well suited for programs that require text entry, whereas the traditional "Gameboy" keyboard arrangement is suitable for platform games. The user input device need not be a manually operated device and may include a microphone.

The storage device may store one or more programs.

For convenience, one or each of the storage devices will contain solid state ROM. However, the storage device may also include a magnetic disk drive and a magnetic disk.

According to the invention, there is also provided an accessory part for use in the apparatus of the invention.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of the plug-in module of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with a keyboard module;

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of a keyboard module;

FIG. 7 is a front view of a second embodiment of the present invention; and

fig. 8 is a front view of an alternative plug-in module in the embodiment of fig. 7.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the invention are described below by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

With reference to fig. 1 and 2, the apparatus according to the invention comprises a body 1 and an insertion module 2. The body 1 is rectangular in plan view and has a raised portion 3 extending from one side to the middle along the body 1. The liquid crystal display 4 is mounted on the upper surface of the elevated portion 3. A multipath connector 5 is mounted on the front surface of the elevated portion 3 at the midpoint of the main body 1. A pair of hooking elements 6, 7 are located at one end of the body 1, opposite the raised portion 3.

The insert module 2 is provided with a multi-way connector (not shown) for connection with the multi-way connector 5 of the main body 1 and a groove (not shown) for engagement with the hooking elements 6, 7 so that the insert module 2 can be detachably connected to the main body 1. The device is also rectangular in side view after the plug-in module 2 has been mounted.

The upper surface of the pluggable module is provided with a cross membrane switch element 8 and two circular membrane switch elements 9, 10.

Referring to fig. 3, a battery 20 is installed in the main body 1 to supply power to the main body 1 and to the circuit of the plug-in module 2 through a switch; a microprocessor 21; a display driver 22 of the display screen 4; a ROM 23; RAM24 and I/O interface circuitry 25. The microprocessor 21, display driver 22, ROM23, RAM24 and I/O interface circuit 25 are interconnected by a multiplexed address and data bus 26. The bus 26 extends into the plug-in module 2 via the connector 5 (fig. 2) and is connected to the ROM27 of the plug-in module 2. As a result, the microprocessor 21 can read the program instruction codes from the ROM27 of the plug-in module 2. The ROM27 stores programs for platform games.

The

membrane switch elements

8, 9, 10 are connected to a command processing circuit 28 inserted in the module 2. The instruction processing circuit 28 outputs an 8-bit instruction code to the I/O interface circuit 25 and an interrupt signal to the microprocessor 21 in accordance with the operation of the

membrane switch elements

8, 9, 10. Both the 8-bit command code and the interrupt signal pass through the connector 5.

The operation of the microcomputer is well known to those skilled in the art and will not be repeated here. However, the generation and processing of user input instructions will still be described.

Referring to FIG. 4, instruction processing circuit 28 includes: a first third input or gate 30, the inputs of which are connected to switches operated by respective arms of the cross membrane switch element 8; a second third input or gate 31, the inputs of which are connected to the switch operated by the remaining one arm of the cross membrane switch element 8 and the switches of the circular membrane switch elements 9, 10, respectively; a two-input or gate 32, the input of which is the output of the three-input or

gate

30, 31; a clock 33; a two-input and gate 34, the input of which is connected to the output of the two-input or gate 32 and the clock 33; and an 8-bit latch 35. Latch 35 is clocked by the output of two-input and gate 34.

Six of the inputs of the latch 35 are connected to switches operated by the arms of the cross membrane switch element 8 and to the circular membrane switch elements 9, 10. The other two inputs of latch 35 are connected to 0V. The outputs of the latches 35 are connected to respective contacts of a connector 36 which mates with the connector 5 on the body 1 (fig. 2). The output of the two-input and gate 34 is connected to the other contact of the connector 36.

At rest, the inputs of the three-input or

gates

30, 31 and the latch 35 are both logic 0. When the user presses the first circular membrane switch element 9, the corresponding switch is closed, making the first input of the latch 35 and one input of the second three-input or gate 31 a logic 1, then the output of the second three-input or gate becomes a logic 1, as a result of which the output of the two-input or gate 32 also becomes a logic 1. When the output of the two-input or gate 32 is logic 1, if a clock pulse occurs, the output of the and gate 34 becomes logic 1 during the clock pulse. The pulse output by and gate 34 is clocked by latch 35 so that a logic 1 on the first input and a logic 0 on the other input of the latch are transmitted to its output. The pulse from and gate 34 also enters the break in microprocessor 21 (fig. 3) through connector 36. Microprocessor 21 responds to the interrupt by reading the output of latch 35 through I/O interface circuit 25 (fig. 3). The response of the microprocessor 21 to the read latch output depends on the program run by the microprocessor 21, for example: the program stored in the ROM27 in the module 2 is inserted.

It will be seen that the same sequence of events will follow after the depression of another membrane switch element, and that the operation of each element will produce a unique code at the output of latch 35.

Referring to fig. 5, another plug-in module 40 having a membrane western character matrix keypad 41 mounted on its upper surface has its ROM programmed with character processing software.

Referring to fig. 6, the switches of the keypad 41 are arranged in rows and columns. Pulses are supplied to the rows in turn by the ring counter 42. The output of the ring counter 42 is also fed to the input of the encoder 43. The encoder outputs a three-bit binary code that determines the row to which the pulse is applied, e.g.,

row

0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. The columns of the matrix are also connected to the input of a similar encoder 44. The outputs of the

encoders

43, 44 are connected to the address inputs of an n x 8 bit ROM 45. The 8 outputs of ROM45 are connected to corresponding inputs of 8-bit latch 46. The outputs of the latches 46 are connected to corresponding contacts of a connector 47 for mating with the connector 5 (fig. 2) on the body.

Three of the columns of the matrix are connected to inputs of a first three-input or gate 48 and the other three columns are connected to inputs of a second three-input or gate 49. The outputs of the three-input or

gates

48, 49 are connected to the inputs of a two-input or gate 50. The output of the two-input or gate is connected to the read enable input of ROM45 and to the input of delay 51. The output of delay 51 is connected to the clock input of latch 46 and to a contact of connector 47.

When the user presses one key of the keyboard 41, for example, presses the a key, one of the columns (column 2) is connected to one of the rows (row 2) for a short time. In this case, since the cycle of the ring counter is short, when connecting row 2 with column 2, a pulse is applied to row 2. As a result, the pulse will be applied to one input of the first three-input or gate 48 and to one input of the second encoder 44. At this time, both

encoders

43, 44 output 010, and thus the address input to the ROM45 is 010010.

The output of the first three-input or gate 48 becomes a logic 1 so that the output of the two-input or gate 50 also becomes a logic 1. The output of two-input or gate 50 becomes a logic 1 so that ROM45 can read the data. As a result, the 8-bit code of address 010010 located in ROM45 appears at the output of the ROM. The code is then input to the latch 46 and transferred to the output of the latch when the pulse output of the two input or gate 5 is transferred to the latch 46 through the delay 5. The delay provides time to stabilize the input of latch 46 before the latch is input with the clock signal.

The output of delay 51 is also output to an interrupt input of microprocessor 21 (FIG. 3) so that microprocessor 21 reads the output of latch 46 through I/O interface circuit 25 (FIG. 3).

Referring to fig. 7, a second embodiment of the present invention comprises a rectangular panel 60. The liquid crystal display occupies substantially all of one side of the panel 60. First and second clip-on handles are provided on the left and right sides of the panel 60. The first clip-on handle 62 is electrically equivalent to the plug-in module described in the above first embodiment, and an electrical connection is established between the first clip-on handle 62 and the microcomputer circuit of the panel 60. The second clip-on handle 63 does not contain a ROM and only includes user input instruction processing circuitry. An electrical connection is established between the second clip-on handle 63 and the microcomputer circuitry of the panel 60 to enable the microcomputer circuitry to receive commands input by a user therefrom.

The first clip-on handle 62 has three membrane switch elements 64, 65, 66, while the second clip-on handle 63 has a trackball 67.

Referring to FIG. 8, an alternative pair of first clip-on handles 72 is provided with a pressure sensitive touch bar 74 for use as a user input device; while the second clip-on handle 73 has no input device.

Claims

1. A program control device comprising a main portion and an auxiliary portion, the main portion comprising: processor and display device for displaying images controlled by the processor, the accessory part comprising: a storage device storing a program for the processor and a user input device, wherein the accessory part may be temporarily installed on the main part in order to transfer the program code to the main part and to transfer data generated when the user input device is operated to the main part, the data providing an input for the program when the processor runs the program.

2. A program control device comprising:

the main part comprises:

a processor, and

a display device controllable by the processor for displaying an image, and

first and second appendages, respectively, comprising:

a storage device storing respective programs for the processor and the user input device,

wherein,

in order to transfer the program code to the main part and data generated when the user input device is operated to the main part, the sub part may be temporarily and interchangeably installed on the main part, the data providing an input for the program when the processor runs the program;

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein complementary electrical connection means are provided between the main part and the or each accessory part, which when fitted together provide a path for communication of said code and data.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the or each accessory part includes a circuit which is responsive to operation of the user input device to generate said data to be transmitted to the main part.

5. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein said data comprises a code consisting of a plurality of bits of the same length.

6. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each of said data contains one of a plurality of instruction codes.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the data element contains additional parameters.

8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the form of the main portion is determined primarily by the form of the display device and the appendage is connectable to an edge of the main portion.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the display device has a side edge, and the appendage is attachable to the side edge of the display device.

10. Apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, comprising a secondary part having user input means, wherein the primary and secondary parts have complementary connection means for transferring data generated on operation of the user input means of the secondary part to the primary part, said data providing input to said program when said program is run by the processor.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the appendage and the auxiliary portion are configured to provide a handle for the apparatus.

12. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the user input means comprises a keyboard.

13. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the or each storage device comprises solid state ROM.

14. An attachment for apparatus according to any preceding claim.