JP2002082759A - Keyboard device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To propose a keyboard device which can make a simple calculation without any troublesome operation. SOLUTION: The keyboard device having keys for inputting numbers, symbols, etc., is provided with a display 2 which displays numbers, calculation symbols, etc., an arithmetic means which has an electronic-calculator function, and a changeover switch 3 for switching between the electronic-calculator function and other keyboard functions; when this changeover switch 3 is set to the electronic-calculator function, the keys for inputting the numbers, symbols, etc., are used as input keys for the electronic-calculator function and the display 2 becomes a display for the electronic-calculator function, so that calculations can be made.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a keyboard device suitable for use in a personal computer or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, characters and
2. Description of the Related Art A keyboard device having a number of keys such as letters, numbers and symbols is used for inputting numbers and symbols.

[0003]

However, when a small amount of calculation is desired, the calculation cannot be performed unless spreadsheet software or calculator software is activated on the personal computer.

[0004] For this reason, there is an inconvenience that when a little calculation is desired, the user has to take out the calculator to perform the calculation, even though there is a keyboard device in front of him.

[0005] In view of the above, the present invention proposes a keyboard device capable of performing a small calculation without performing a troublesome operation.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a keyboard device having keys for inputting numbers, symbols, and the like, a display for displaying numbers, calculation symbols, and the like, arithmetic means having a calculator function, and the calculator. A switch for switching between a function and a simple keyboard function is provided. When this switch is used as the calculator function, keys for inputting numbers, symbols, and the like are input keys for the calculator function, and the display is a display for the calculator function. Thus, the calculation can be performed.

According to the present invention, the keys for inputting numbers, symbols, and the like of the keyboard device become input keys of the calculator function only by making the changeover switch have the calculator function. Can be performed.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the keyboard device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a top view of a keyboard device according to this embodiment. In this FIG. 1 example, a well-known personal computer has many keys for inputting letters, numbers and symbols.

In this embodiment, a display 2 is provided near a numeric keypad 1 for inputting numbers on a keyboard device, and displays numbers, calculation symbols and the like of a well-known calculator on the upper portion thereof. The display 2 is constituted by, for example, a liquid crystal display device.

In this embodiment, a microcomputer having a calculator function is provided in the keyboard device.

Further, in this embodiment, the keyboard device is provided with a changeover switch 3 for switching between a simple keyboard function and a calculator function.

When the changeover switch 3 is set to a mere keyboard function side, many keys for inputting characters, numerals and symbols of the keyboard device are made to function as input keys of a personal computer as is well known in the art.

When the changeover switch 3 is set to the calculator function side, the microcomputer (calculation means) having the calculator function is set to the operating state, the display 2 is set to the operating state, and the numeric keypad of the numeric keypad 1 is set to the numeric input key. Further, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the symbol keys of the keyboard device are made to correspond to the input keys of the calculator function.

For example, the symbol key “/” is replaced by the “÷” key, the symbol key “*” is replaced by the “×” key, and the symbol key “−” is replaced by the “−” key.
Key, symbol key “+” to “+” key, symbol key “E”
"inter" is replaced by "@" in the "=" key.

In this embodiment, a battery as a power supply is built in a predetermined position of the keyboard device.

Next, the operation of the keyboard device of the present embodiment will be described. When it is determined that the numeric keypad of the keyboard device is used as a numeric keypad of the calculator function when performing a small calculation (step S1), the changeover switch 3 is set to the calculator function side (step S2).

At this time, the microcomputer having a calculator function (arithmetic means) is activated and the display 2 for displaying numbers, calculation symbols and the like is activated.

Next, it is determined whether or not the personal computer is powered on (step S3). When the personal computer is powered on, the display 2 and the micro computer 2 constituting the calculator function are connected via the bus of the personal computer. Power is supplied to the computer, the numeric keypad 1 and the like (step S4). When the personal computer is not turned on, power is supplied from the built-in battery to the display 2, the microcomputer, the numeric keypad 1 and the like constituting the calculator function. Supply.

Thereafter, the numerical keypad 1 and the like are used as a calculator, and the calculation result is displayed on the display 2 (step S6). Therefore, according to the present example, when a slight calculation is desired, the changeover switch 3 is set to the calculator function side, and the numeric keypad of the numeric keypad unit 1 performs the calculator function, and can perform a small calculation without troublesome operation. Is good.

Next, it is determined whether or not to stop using the calculator function (step S7). If not, step S6 is continued. To stop using the calculator function, use the keyboard device for inputting characters and numerals. That is, it is determined whether or not it is used as a mere keyboard function (step S).
8) If not used, end.

When the mere keyboard function of the keyboard device is used, this switching step 3 is set to the keyboard function side, that is, the character / numeric input side (step S).
9). In this case, it is used as a keyboard device of a personal computer as in the related art.

Next, it is determined whether or not to stop using the keyboard function of the keyboard device (step S11). If not stopped, step S10 is continued, and if stopped, the process ends.

As described above, according to this embodiment, when the personal computer is running, when performing a small calculation, the changeover switch 3 is set to the calculator function side without performing the cumbersome operation of bringing out the calculator. Just by using a keyboard device in front of you, you can calculate and use it.

According to this embodiment, the calculator function can be used using the built-in battery even when the personal computer is not running.

It is to be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described example, and may adopt various other configurations without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0027]

According to the present invention, when performing a small calculation while the personal computer is running, it is possible to simply set the changeover switch to the calculator function side without performing the cumbersome operation of bringing out the calculator. It is easy to use because it can be calculated with the keyboard device in front of you.

According to the present invention, a calculator function can be used using a built-in battery even when the personal computer is not running.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a top view illustrating an example of an embodiment of a keyboard device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for describing the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 keypad, 2 display, 3 switch

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Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A keyboard device having keys for inputting numbers, symbols, and the like, a display for displaying numbers, calculation symbols, and the like, arithmetic means having a calculator function, and a changeover switch for switching between the calculator function and a mere keyboard function. When the changeover switch is set to the calculator function, a key for inputting the numbers, symbols, and the like serves as an input key for the calculator function, and the display serves as a display for the calculator function, so that calculations can be performed. A keyboard device characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein a battery is provided, and the battery is used as a power source when the changeover switch functions as the calculator.