JP2001100895A - Keyboard and data processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve ease in input operation and a key input function. SOLUTION: The keyboard to be operated for inputting key information to electronic equipment is composed of a substrate 10 and a key array 20, composed of 55 enter keys 21 arranged in a matrix form on the substrate, and when 2×2 pieces, namely, four adjacent enter keys 21 are selected arbitrarily from among the key array 20, four selected enter keys 21 are operated singly or while simultaneously combining two to four keys.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a keyboard and a data processing device operated for inputting key information. More specifically, a key array including a plurality of input keys arranged on a substrate and arranged in a matrix is provided, and any two adjacent 2 × 2 input keys are used alone or By operating four to four combinations in combination, the easiness of the input operation and the key input function can be improved.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the development of technology, various electronic devices have been developed. For example, a data processing device is an example. A keyboard is connected to the data processing device, and key information is input by operating the keyboard by an operator (operator). Then, based on the input key information, the data processing device displays the key information on a display device.
For this reason, a keyboard with good operability is being developed with the aim of improving work efficiency.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing an example of the appearance of a keyboard 300 according to a conventional system. Keyboard 30 shown in FIG.
0 is an array based on JIS (Japanese Industrial Regulations), for example, 1
09 input keys 310 are arranged so as to be able to be pressed down on a board section 320 which is a main body of the keyboard. These 109
Of the input keys 310, 49 input keys are character input keys that are pressed to input alphabetic characters, hiragana, symbols, numbers, spaces, and the like. And two input keys 3
10 is pressed in combination with these character input keys.
HIFT ”input keys 312a and 312b, and the remaining 58
The input keys 310 are function input keys that are pressed to input an execution, a function function, a deletion, and the like.

When 26 input keys 310 displayed as "A" to "Z" are simply pressed, for example, lowercase letters "a" to "z" are input, and two "SHIFT" input keys 312a are input. , 312b, by pressing an input key 310 for displaying "A" to "Z", "A" to "Z" are input in capital letters. Thus, the "SHIFT" input keys 312a, 312
By using 12b, “A” to “Z” and “a” to
Where 52 input keys 310 are required to input “z”, the operation can be performed using 26 input keys 310 and one “SHIFT” input key 312a (or 312b).

For example, when inputting the symbol "&",
By pressing the "6" input key 310 with the other hand while pressing the "SHIFT" input key 312a with one hand, "&" can be input. When inputting the hiragana "a" or the like, the user presses the input key 310 of "hiragana / katakana" display to convert to the "hiragana / katakana" input mode, and then presses the input key 310 of "a" display. By doing so, you can enter "A". In addition,
Here, "SHIF" is displayed at the left end of the
The “T” input key 312a is changed to the “R” input key 310.
"SHIFT" input keys 312b are arranged one at a time on the right end of the screen so as to correspond to operations by both hands.

[0006]

However, according to the conventional keyboard 300, the "SHIFT" input keys 312a and 312b are provided, and the input keys are pressed while the "SHIFT" input keys 312a (or 312b) are pressed. 3
By pressing and inputting 10, many operations can be performed with a small number of input keys.

For this reason, for example, the "SHIFT" input key 312a (or 312b) and the input key 310 must be operated with two fingers, or the "SHIFT" input key 312a (or 312b) and the input key When the hand 310 is not in close proximity, the finger does not reach the "SHIFT" input key 312a (or 312b) and the input key 310 with one hand, which hinders the easiness of operation such that the user must operate with both hands. is there. Therefore, the present invention has been created to solve the above-described problems, and has as its object to provide a keyboard and a data processing device capable of improving the ease of input operation by devising an operation method. And

[0008]

In order to solve the above problems, a keyboard according to the present invention is a keyboard operated for inputting key information to an electronic device, comprising a substrate and a matrix formed on the substrate. And a key array composed of a plurality of input keys arranged, and when any two adjacent 2 × 2 input keys are arbitrarily selected from the key array, the selected four input keys are used alone. Alternatively, two to four are simultaneously operated.

According to the keyboard of the present invention, a plurality of input keys constituting a key array are arranged in a matrix on a substrate, and four adjacent 2 × 2 input keys are arbitrarily selected from the key array. Sometimes, input is performed by operating these selected four input keys individually or in combination of two to four, so that the operation can be easily performed with one hand and one finger.

Further, the data processing apparatus according to the present invention has a keyboard operated for inputting key information, a display means for displaying key information input by the keyboard, and a keyboard based on the key information input by the keyboard. Control means for controlling the input and output of the display means. The keyboard includes a substrate and a key array comprising a plurality of input keys arranged in a matrix on the substrate. X When four input keys are arbitrarily selected, the selected four input keys are operated alone or in combination of two to four simultaneously. It is.

According to the data processing device of the present invention, the above-mentioned keyboard is connected, and the key information input by operating the keyboard can be displayed on the display means by the control means. Therefore, it is possible to provide a keyboard and a data processing device capable of improving the easiness of the input operation and the key input function.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a configuration example of a keyboard 100 as an embodiment according to the present invention. In this embodiment, a key array composed of a plurality of input keys arranged on a substrate and arranged in a matrix is provided, and any two adjacent 2 × 2 input keys are used alone or By operating two to four in combination, the easiness of the input operation and the key input function can be improved.

The keyboard 100 shown in FIG. 1 is extremely suitable for application to a data processing device such as a personal computer. The keyboard 100 is mounted on the board 10
And a key array 20. The key array 20 is disposed on the substrate. The key array 20 includes a plurality of input keys 21 arranged in a matrix.
When the input key 21 is pressed, key information is input. Pressing the input key 21
When four adjacent 2 × 2 input keys 21 are arbitrarily selected from the key array 20, the selected four input keys 21 are pressed singly or in combination of two to four simultaneously. ing.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the control system when key information is input from the keyboard 100. Here, it is assumed that the key information based on the input keys 21 pressed on the keyboard 100 is determined. In step ST1 shown in FIG.
It is determined whether or not four adjacent 2 × 2 input keys 21 are simultaneously pressed at 0, and if it is pressed, the process proceeds to step ST2, and if not, the process proceeds to step ST3. In this step ST2, the key information indicated by the four input keys 21 pressed at the same time, for example, a function function or the like is executed, and the process ends.

When the process proceeds to step ST3, it is determined whether or not two input keys 21 adjacent to the right are pressed at the same time. If so, the process proceeds to step ST4; if not, the process proceeds to step ST5. move on. In this step ST4, key information indicated by the two input keys 21 pressed at the same time, for example, hiragana and the like are displayed, and the process ends.

When the operation proceeds to step ST5, it is determined whether or not two input keys 21 which are adjacent to each other in the downward direction are simultaneously pressed. If the input key 21 is pressed, the operation proceeds to step ST6. If not, the operation proceeds to step ST7. move on. In step ST6, key information indicated by the two input keys 21 pressed at the same time, for example, a lowercase alphabet or the like is displayed, and the process ends.

When the operation proceeds to step ST7, the input key 2
It is determined whether or not 1 has been pressed alone. If it has been pressed, the process proceeds to step ST8. If it has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step ST1 again. In this step ST8, key information indicated by the input key 21 pressed alone, for example, an uppercase alphabet or the like is displayed, and the process ends.

As described above, by determining the position and the number of the pressed input keys 21, the adjacent 2 × 2 four input keys 21 can be pressed singly or by combining two to four simultaneously. Key information can be input.
The position and the number of the pressed input keys 21 can be determined by, for example, a key ON signal indicating unique position information output when the input key 21 is pressed. The four input keys 21 are arbitrarily selected from the key array 20 shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an operation example when the input key 21 which is arbitrarily selected is pressed. FIG. 3A shows the output of a key ON signal indicating unique position information when the input key 21 is individually pressed down.
When 1 is pressed alone, for example, the key ON signal S of K11
Outputs 1. Similarly, when the input key 21 is pressed alone, for example, a key ON signal S2 of K12 is output. When the input key 21 is pressed alone, for example, the key ON signal of K21 is output.
The signal S3 becomes K when the input key 21 is pressed alone.
A key ON signal S4 of No. 22 is output.

FIG. 3B shows an input key 2 of and.
1 shows the output of the key ON signal when the keys 1 and 2 are simultaneously pressed, and at this time, the key ON signal S1 and the key ON signal S2 are output. FIG. 3C shows the output of the key ON signal when the and input keys 21 are simultaneously pressed, and at this time, the key ON signal S2 and the key ON signal S4 are output. Further, FIG. 3D shows a case where the input keys 21 are simultaneously pressed, and at this time, the key ON signal S1 and the key ON signal S2, and the key ON signal S3 and the key ON signal S4 are output. .

As described above, by pressing the input keys 21 individually or in combination, the unique key ON signal S
Can be obtained. Then, by performing control based on this unique key ON signal, the input key information is executed. In addition, in the input keys 21 of
The same applies to the case where two input keys 21 are simultaneously pressed.

Next, a keyboard as an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a plan view including a partial cross section showing a configuration example of the keyboard 100 as an embodiment according to the present invention. For example, the board portion 30 shown in FIG. 4 is a compact one having a size of, for example, about 10 cm in length, 22 cm in width, and about 2 cm in thickness, and has a substrate 10 disposed therein. One end of a cable 15 or the like is connected to the substrate 10, and the other end of the cable 15 is connected to a data processing device (not shown). The substrate 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Input key 2 constituting key array 20
Reference numeral 1 has a square shape, and is disposed so as to be able to be pressed down on the substrate. In this example, 55 input keys 21 are arranged adjacently so as to form a 5 × 11 matrix.

Here, alphabetic characters, hiragana, symbols, function functions, and the like, which are input by pressing the 55 input keys, are displayed as shown in FIG. The display at the center of the input key is input when the key is pressed alone, and the uppercase letters "A" to "Z" and the numbers "1" to "0" are displayed. Also,
The display near the periphery of the upper surface of the input key indicates what is input when pressed in combination with the input key 21 adjacent in the display direction. For example, hiragana characters "A" to "N" are displayed on the right side of the upper surface of the input keys.

In addition, lowercase alphabetic characters such as "a" to "z", and symbols "<",
"?" And the like are displayed. Further, "f1" to "f1" indicating a function
2 ”and the like, and“ Insert ”and the like indicating operation instructions and the like are displayed. Then, for example, when the user wants to input “M”, he presses the input key 21 displaying “M”. When the user wants to input "shi", two input keys 21 for "M" display and "N" display are simultaneously pressed. When the user wants to input “n”, two input keys “N” and “Y” are displayed.
Press 1 at the same time. To input "f12", four input keys 21 of "M" display, "N" display, "X" display and "Y" display are simultaneously pressed. Other display inputs are made in a similar manner.

As shown in FIG. 4, on the upper surface of these 55 input keys 21, an area to be pressed when at least two or four input keys 21 are simultaneously pressed in combination is defined. The pressed area is displayed by being segmented by a line segment. In addition, the pressed area is displayed in different colors. For example, green is pressed in the pressed area with the input keys 21 adjacent in the left-right direction, blue is pressed in the pressed area with the input keys 21 adjacent in the vertical direction, and pressed in the input keys 21 adjacent to the four corners. The area is painted yellow.

Thus, for example, in a case where the input of desired key information must be simultaneously depressed in combination with the input key 21, the division line and the color of the depressed area displayed on the upper surface of the input key can be easily viewed. Therefore, the combination of the input keys 21 to be pressed can be easily recognized.

As described above, the input operation can be easily performed by following the display on the upper surface of the input key. Note that the substrate 10, the key array 20, and the input keys 21 are not limited to these, but may be any as long as they have the same effect. In addition, the arrangement and display of the input keys 21 are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to this.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the keyboard 100. The substrate 10 shown in FIG. 5 includes, for example, a switch group 11, a key information generation unit (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) 13
And read-only memory (ROM)
And ) 14 and a cable 15 is connected to the key information generating unit 13.

The key information generator 13 is provided with a PIO (Parallel)
el Input / Output; parallel interface), and has 16 ports as shown in FIG. Among them, eight of the ports Ai (i = 0 to 7) are used for input as A ports, and the ports Bj (j = 0 to 7)
Are set for output as B ports. The ports Ai and Bj are wired in a matrix to form an 8 × 8 key matrix. At this time, the port Ai and the port Bj are not connected.

The key matrix includes a switch group 1
1 are provided with 55 switches 12 and the like. The switch 12 employs an off contact, and the turned on switch 12 short-circuits the B port and the A port. This switch 12
Are arranged so as to be turned on when the input key 21 (see FIG. 4) is pressed. In FIG. 5, for convenience of explanation, the arrangement of the 55 input keys 21 is matched. Not.

The key information generator 13 constantly outputs high-level (hereinafter, "H" level) data to all the ports Ai of the A ports. Then, low-level (hereinafter, “L” level) data is sequentially output to the B port so as to scan from the port B0 to the port B7, and this scanning output is repeated. At this time, "H" level data is output to all ports other than the ports to which "L" level data has been output at the B port.

As a result, when the input key 21 is depressed and the switch 12 short-circuits the port Ai and the port Bj, the input data at the port A is "L" level data input only to the short-circuited port. Value (for example, 01111111
Etc.). At this time, the output data at the B port is a value (for example, 10111111 or the like) at which the “L” level data is output only to the short-circuited port.

The key information generator 13 has a ROM 14
The ROM 14 has a key ON signal S
m (m = 1 to 55) position information table Tp
Is stored in advance. The key ON signal Sm indicates the unique position information of the 55 input keys 21, and the coordinates of the input data of the A port and the output data of the B port (input data,
Output data) is used as an access signal. The key information generating unit 13 reads out the key ON signal Sm from the ROM 14 based on the input data at the port A and the output data at the port B when the switch 12 is turned on, and via the cable 15 Transfer to device.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the data processing device 200. Data processing device 200 shown in FIG.
Has a keyboard 100, a control device 30 or the like as control means, and a display 40 or the like as display means. The keyboard 100 and the control device 30 are connected by a cable 15, and the control device 30 and the display 40 are connected by a cable 16 or the like. And are connected by.

The display 40 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays key information such as characters and symbols. Further, the control device 30 is, for example, a personal computer main body or the like, and has a
ocessing Unite; hereinafter, CPU. ) 31 and R
OM32 and the like. A character information table Th and a control information table Tc are stored in advance in the ROM 32. The character information table Th is a character code H,
The control information table Tc includes a control command C.

The character code H is character information for representing characters and symbols (for example, "A" and "%") on the display 40, and the control command C is used by the CPU 31 to perform various control operations (for example, function functions). Execution, printer control, etc.). The character code H and the control command C correspond to the key ON signal S
m is an access signal.

Here, the CPU 31 reads out the ROM 3 based on the key ON signal Sm transferred from the keyboard 100.
The character code H is read from the character information table Th of No. 2 and displayed on the display 40. Or, the CPU 31
Is the key ON signal S transmitted from the keyboard 100
The control command C is read from the control information table Tc of the ROM 32 based on m, and control based on the control command C is performed.

Next, an operation example of the data processing device 200 as an embodiment according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an operation example of the data processing device 200. Here, adjacent 2 × 2 “M” indications shown in FIG.
Input keys 21 for "N" display, "X" display and "Y" display
Is arbitrarily described. As shown in FIG. 7, the case where the input key 21 of "M" indicating the capital letter "M" is depressed and the lower switch 12 is turned on will be described first. in this case,
When the output data of 10111111 is output to the B port of the key information generation unit 13, the input data of 10111111 is input to the A port.

Based on the coordinates (10111111, 10111111) of the input data and the output data, for example, the key ON signal S1 is obtained from the position information table Tp stored in the ROM 14.
3 is read out by the key information generator 13 and the key ON signal S13 is transferred to the CPU 31. Then, based on the transferred key ON signal S13, the character code H of "M" is read from the character information table Th of the ROM 32 by the CPU.
31 and read “M” on the display 40.

When the input keys 21 of "M" display and "N" display, which are a combination indicating "Hi" of the hiragana, are simultaneously depressed, two switches 1 located below each of them are displayed.
2 will be described. In this case, when the output data of 10111111 is output to the B port of the key information generation unit 13, the input data of 10111111 is input to the A port, and the output data of 11011111 is output to the B port.
Input data of 10111111 is input to the port.

The position information table Tp stored in the ROM 14 based on the coordinates (10111111, 10111111) and (10111111, 11011111) of these input data and output data.
For example, the key ON signals S13 and S14 are read out by the key information generation unit 13, and the key ON signals S13 and S14 are read out.
S14 is transferred to the CPU 31. Then, based on the transferred key ON signals S13 and S14, the character code H of "S" is read from the character information table Th of the ROM 32 by the CPU.
It is read out by 31 and “S” is displayed on the display 40.

Further, the input keys 21 for displaying "N" and "Y", which are combinations indicating the lowercase alphabet "n", are simultaneously depressed, and two keys located below the respective keys are displayed.
The case where two switches 12 are turned on will be described.
In this case, when the output data of 11011111 is output to the B port of the key information generation unit 13, the input data of 10011111 is input to the A port.

The coordinates of the input data and the output data (10
011111, 11011111) from the position information table Tp stored in the ROM 14, for example, the key ON signal S14,
S25 is read by the key information generation unit 13, and the key ON signals S14 and S25 are transferred to the CPU 31. Then, based on the transferred key ON signals S14 and S25, the character information table Th of the ROM 32 is set to "n".
Is read by the CPU 31 and "n" is displayed on the display 40.

Further, the input keys 21 for displaying "M", "N", "X" and "Y", which are combinations indicating "f12" of the function function, are simultaneously depressed.
The case where the four switches 12 located below each of them are turned on will be described. In this case, when the output data of 10111111 is output to the B port of the key information generation unit 13, the input data of 10011111 is input to the A port. When the output data of 11011111 is output to the B port, the input data of 10011111 is input to the A port.

The coordinates of the input data and the output data (10
For example, key ON signals S13, S14, S24, S25 are read out from the position information table Tp stored in the ROM 14 based on (0111111, 10111111) and (10011111, 11011111) by the key information generation unit 13, and the key ON is performed.
The signals S13, S14, S24, S25 are transferred to the CPU 31. Then, the transferred key ON signals S13, S
Based on the control information table Tc of the ROM 32, the control command C of "f12" is
The CPU 31 executes the function function “f12”. The other input keys 21 are similarly operated.

The above-described input operation is performed by using the adjacent input key 2
Since 1 is pressed alone or 2 to 4 are pressed simultaneously, the input operation can be performed with one hand and one finger. Further, since key information can be input even when the input keys 21 are pressed in combination, the number of input keys can be greatly reduced as compared with the conventional method.

As described above, according to the keyboard 100 and the data processing device 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention,
55 input keys 21 arranged in a 5 × 11 matrix forming the key array 20 are provided above the substrate 10. The key information is input to the display 40 by depressing the 2 × 2 adjacent four input keys 21 arbitrarily selected from the key array 20 singly or in combination of two to four. Therefore, it can be easily operated with one hand and one finger.

Therefore, the easiness of the input operation and the key input function can be improved. In the present embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 4, the operated area is displayed on the upper surface of the input key by dividing the area with a line segment and a color. However, the present invention is not limited to this. good. For example,
An uneven object may be provided in the operated area so that the combination of the input keys 21 can be recognized by touch of a finger or the like.

[0049]

As described above, according to the keyboard of the present invention, a plurality of input keys are provided on a substrate and arranged in a matrix to constitute a key array. 2 × 2 four input keys are operated alone or in combination of two to four. With this configuration, the operation can be easily performed with one hand and one finger.

Further, according to the data control device of the present invention, the above-mentioned keyboard is provided, and control means for controlling the input / output of the display means based on the key information input by the keyboard is provided. Therefore, the easiness of the input operation and the key input function can be improved. The present invention is very suitably applied to a keyboard for inputting key information to a data processing device such as a personal computer.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a keyboard 10 according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a configuration example of a zero.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation example of a control system when key information is input on the keyboard 100;

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an operation example when the arbitrarily selected input key 21 is pressed.

FIG. 4 shows a keyboard 100 as an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a plan view including a partial cross-section showing a configuration example of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the keyboard 100.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the data processing device 200.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an operation example of the data processing device 200.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing an appearance example of a keyboard 300 according to a conventional method.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Substrate 12 Switch 13 Key information generation part 14 ROM 20 Key array 21 Input key 30 Control device (Control means) 31 CPU 32 ROM 40 Display (Display means) 100 Keyboard 200 Data processing device

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A keyboard operated for inputting key information to an electronic device, comprising: a substrate; and a key array including a plurality of input keys arranged in a matrix on the substrate. When the adjacent 2 × 2 four input keys are arbitrarily selected from the key array, the selected four input keys are operated alone or in combination of two to four simultaneously. A keyboard characterized in that: 2. The keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the input keys have a rectangular shape. 3. The key information input when operated alone or in combination of two to four at the same time on the upper surface of the input key. Keyboard described. 4. An operation area when at least two to four are simultaneously operated is defined on an upper surface of the input key, and the operation area is displayed by being divided by a line segment, or The keyboard according to claim 1, wherein an identification object having an uneven shape is provided in the operation area. 5. An operation area when at least two to four operations are simultaneously performed is defined on an upper surface of the input key, and the operation areas are displayed in different colors. The keyboard according to claim 1, wherein: 6. A keyboard operated for inputting key information, display means for displaying key information input by the keyboard, and input / output of the display means based on the key information input by the keyboard The keyboard comprises: a board; and a key array including a plurality of input keys arranged in a matrix on the board, and 2 × 2 keys adjacent to the key array. Wherein the four input keys are arbitrarily selected, and the selected four input keys are operated alone or in combination of two to four simultaneously. .