JP2010108243A - Keyboard input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a keyboard input device controlling cursor movement or screen scroll according to how a user operates each character key on a keyboard without specifying a character key to be used also as a cursor key. <P>SOLUTION: When a "switch" key is operated to set a cursor mode and a character input key is operated (A1), a cursor movement amount 1 (small) is set in single key input operation (A3a), and a cursor movement amount 2 (large) is set in multiple key input operation (A2 and A3b). When the input position of the character input key is moved (A4), a cursor moving direction is determined from pre-move and post-move key input positions (A5 and A6), and a cursor Cu displayed on a display part is moved and displayed in the determined cursor moving direction (A7). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a keyboard input device that controls cursor movement, screen scroll display, and the like in response to a keyboard operation by a user in an electronic information device having a display screen.

  In recent years, electronic information devices represented by PCs (Personal Computers) have been considered to reduce size and weight by reducing the number of keyboard keys while maintaining key input functions, such as portable information terminals and mobile phones. .

In such a keyboard of electronic information devices, cursor keys such as “↑”, “↓”, “←”, “→” are dedicated to move and display the cursor on the display screen and scroll the display screen. There is an “input device” that can be used as a cursor key by switching without being provided (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-279419

  Although the conventional input device does not require a dedicated cursor key and can be reduced in size and weight, the character input key that is also used as the cursor key is specified by switching. Until then, there is a problem of poor usability.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and does not specify a character key that is also used as a cursor key, and controls cursor movement and screen scrolling according to the method of user operation of each character key on the keyboard. An object of the present invention is to provide a keyboard input device that can be controlled.

  The keyboard input device according to claim 1, a key input unit in which a plurality of keys are arranged, an input key storage unit that stores a previous input key and a current input key continuously input by the key input unit, Based on the previous input key and the current input key stored by the input key storage means, the key movement determination means for determining the movement direction of the position of the input key, and the state of the key input by the key input unit A moving amount setting means for setting a cursor moving amount or a screen scroll amount, and a display device in the moving direction determined by the key movement determining means with the cursor moving amount or the screen scroll amount set by the moving amount setting means. Display control means for moving the cursor displayed on the screen or scrolling the screen.

  The keyboard input device according to claim 2 is the keyboard input device according to claim 1, wherein the movement amount setting means is configured such that the amount of movement of the cursor or the amount of movement of the cursor according to the number of keys previously input by the key input unit. It is characterized by setting the screen scroll amount.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the keyboard input device according to the first aspect, the movement amount setting means is configured to measure the time from the previous input key input to the current input key input by the key input unit. In accordance with this, the cursor movement amount or the screen scroll amount is set.

  The keyboard input device according to claim 4 is the keyboard input device according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the cursor is moved as a display control target in accordance with the number of keys previously input by the key input unit. Or a control object setting means for setting screen scroll, wherein the display control means is configured such that when the object of display control is set to cursor movement by the control object setting means, the cursor set by the movement amount setting means When the cursor displayed on the display device is moved in the movement direction determined by the key movement determination means by the movement amount, and the display control target is set to the screen scroll by the control target setting means, The screen scroll amount set by the movement amount setting means is displayed on the display device in the movement direction determined by the key movement determination means. Scrolling the screen shown is characterized in that.

  According to the present invention, a keyboard that can perform cursor movement control and screen scroll control according to a user operation method of each character key on the keyboard without specifying a character key that is also used as a cursor key. An input device can be provided.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  A keyboard input device according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured to be mounted on a portable information terminal (portable PC) 10 described below, or includes various character input keys such as a mobile phone and a stationary PC. It is mounted on an electronic information device.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an external configuration of a portable information terminal (portable PC) 10 equipped with a keyboard input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The portable information terminal (portable PC) 10 includes a foldable case in which a main body case 11 and a lid case 12 can be expanded / closed via a hinge portion 13. On the surface of the main body case 11 where the folding case is unfolded, a key input unit (keyboard) 14 provided with a character input key 14a, a function key 14b, an “execute” key 14c, a “switch” key 14d, and the like is provided. The “switch” key 14d is a key for switching the keyboard between a normal mode for inputting characters and a cursor mode for controlling the movement of the cursor. Note that the key input unit 14 is not provided with an operation key for instructing the up / down / left / right directions for moving and displaying the cursor Cu.

  A liquid crystal display unit 15 with a backlight is provided on the surface of the lid case 12 for almost the entire surface.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic circuit of the portable information terminal (portable PC) 10.

  The electronic circuit of the portable information terminal (portable PC) 10 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 21.

  The CPU 21 is a PC control program stored in advance in a ROM (flash memory) 22, a PC control program read into the ROM 22 from an external storage medium such as a ROM card, or a Web server on the Internet (in this case, a program server) ), Various work data are stored in the RAM 23 in accordance with the PC control program read into the ROM 22 and the operation of each part of the circuit is controlled.

  The PC control program stored in the ROM 22 is used as an input signal corresponding to a user operation from the key input unit 14, a communication signal with each Web server on the Internet, or a connection communication signal with an externally connected storage medium. It is activated in response.

  In addition to the ROM 22, RAM 23, and key input unit 14, the CPU 21 is connected to a liquid crystal display unit 15 and the like.

  The PC control program stored in the ROM 22 is mainly a system program (OS; Operation System) 22a that controls the overall operation of the portable information terminal (portable PC) 10, and includes document creation processing, spreadsheet processing, and image processing. , Various application programs 22b that execute voice processing, etc., and a cursor mode program 22c that is activated in response to an input of the “switch” key 14d of the key input unit 14 and executes a moving display process of the cursor Cu according to a user operation. Remembered.

  In the RAM 23, a switch mode register 23a, a plurality of key input registers 23b, a previous key register 23c, a current key register 23d, a key movement direction register 23e, a key movement are stored as registers for storing work data associated with the execution of the cursor mode program 22c. A time register 23f, a cursor movement amount register 23g, and the like are secured.

  The scroll amount register 23h is additionally secured in the portable information terminal (portable PC) 10 equipped with a keyboard input device according to the second embodiment to be described later.

  In the switching mode register 23a, mode data indicating the cursor mode or the normal mode is switched and stored in accordance with the input of the “switch” key 14d of the key input unit 14.

  The multiple key input register 23b stores multiple key input data indicating that the multiple character input keys 14a of the key input unit 14 are simultaneously input.

  In the previous key register 23c and the current key register 23d, previous input key data and current key input key data associated with a user operation of the character input key 14a of the key input unit 14 are stored.

  The key movement direction register 23e indicates the movement direction of the key operation position determined according to the previous input key data stored in the previous key register 23d and the current input key data stored in the current key register 23d. Key movement direction data is stored.

  In the key movement time register 23f, movement time (speed) data between key operations, which is an input time difference between the previous input key data and the current key input key data associated with the user operation of the character input key 14a of the key input unit 14, is stored. Remembered.

  In the cursor movement amount register 23g, the movement amount data per unit time of the cursor Cu is a movement amount 1 (small if the first character input key 14a input after switching to the cursor mode is one key input. ), When a plurality of key input data is stored in the plurality of key input register 23b, it is stored and set as a movement amount 2 (large).

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user operation state with respect to the key input unit (keyboard) 14 of the portable information terminal (portable PC) 10.

  In the portable information terminal (portable PC) 10 equipped with the keyboard input device according to the first embodiment, after switching to the cursor mode according to the input of the “switch” key 14d, for example, the user's two fingers f1, f2 When a plurality of character input keys 14a,... Are input simultaneously, the amount of movement of the cursor Cu that is moved and displayed in response to a subsequent user operation is set as the amount of movement 2 (large) as described above. 23g. Then, when both or one of the two fingers f1 and f2 is moved in either the up, down, left, or right direction while continuing the pressing input state with respect to the character input key 14a, the input position of the character input key 14a is moved in the moving direction. The cursor Cu is moved and displayed in the corresponding direction with the set movement amount 2 (large).

  When the display data displayed on the display unit 15 in accordance with the execution of the movement display of the cursor Cu is part of the data to be displayed and is display data that can be scrolled, the movement of the cursor Cu is performed. When the position has reached the end of the screen and the input of the character input key 14a is continued, the screen scroll is executed in the direction in which the cursor Cu has moved.

  Next, the cursor movement function of the first embodiment in the portable information terminal (portable PC) 10 equipped with the keyboard input device having the above configuration will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing cursor mode processing (1) of the first embodiment in the portable information terminal (portable PC) 10.

  In response to the input of the “switch” key 14d, mode data indicating that the cursor mode has been switched is stored in the switch mode register 23a, and the character input is performed in the state where the cursor mode process (1) in FIG. 4 is activated. If it is determined that the key 14a has been input (step A1 (Yes)), it is determined whether or not a plurality of character input keys 14a,... Have been input (1 key input) (step A2).

  Here, when it is determined that one key is input (step A2 (No)), a movement amount 1 (small) is stored in the cursor movement amount register 23g (step A3a), and when it is determined that a plurality of keys are input. (Step A2 (Yes)), the movement amount 2 (large) is stored and set in the cursor movement amount register 23g (step A3b).

  The key for which this input has been determined is stored in the current key register 23d. When the input position of the character input key 14a is moved and a newly input key is detected, it is determined that the key has been moved (step A4 (Yes)), and the key data input at the beginning is The current key register 23d is rewritten and stored in the previous key register 23c, and the destination key data is read and stored in the current key register 23d (step A5).

  Then, the moving direction of the key operation position is determined according to the previously input key data stored in the previous key register 23d and the current input destination key data stored in the current key register 23d. The key movement direction data is stored in the key movement direction register 23e (step A6).

  Then, in the key movement direction stored in the key movement direction register 23e, the cursor Cu displayed on the display unit 15 moves the movement amount 1 (small) or 2 (large) stored in the cursor movement amount register 23g. Is moved and displayed (step A7).

  Thereafter, when the user operation on the character input key 14a is canceled and the input of the key data of the destination of the current input is canceled (step A8 (Yes)), the movement display of the cursor Cu is stopped, and the series of The cursor mode process (1) is terminated (END).

  Therefore, according to the cursor movement function of the first embodiment in the portable information terminal (portable PC) 10 equipped with the keyboard input device having the above-described configuration, the “switch” key 14d is input and the cursor mode is set. When the character input key 14a is entered, the cursor movement amount 1 (small) is set for one key input, and the cursor movement amount 2 (large) is set for a plurality of key inputs. When the input position of the character input key 14a is moved, the cursor movement direction is determined from the key input positions before and after the movement, and the cursor Cu displayed on the display unit 15 is set at the set cursor movement amount. The display is moved and displayed in the determined cursor movement direction. For this reason, it is not necessary to provide a cursor-dedicated key, and a character key that is also used as a cursor key is not specified. The amount of cursor movement is set according to the number of key inputs of an arbitrary character input key, and a desired moving direction. The cursor Cu can be moved and displayed.

  In the first embodiment, after the cursor mode (1) is set, the cursor movement amount 1 (small) or 2 (large) is selected and set depending on whether the key input of the character input key 14a is a plurality of keys. It was set as the structure to do. On the other hand, as will be described in the second embodiment, after the cursor mode (2) is set, the key is the input time difference between the previous key input key and the current key input key accompanying the user operation of the character input key 14a. A configuration may be adopted in which the cursor movement amount or the screen scroll amount is set according to the movement time (speed).

(Second Embodiment)
In the portable information terminal (portable PC) 10 equipped with the keyboard input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, a scroll amount register 23h is additionally secured in the RAM 23 as shown in FIG.

  In the cursor movement amount register 23g and the scroll amount register 23h, the cursor movement amount and the screen scroll amount are determined and stored in accordance with the key movement time (speed) stored in the key movement time register 23f.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the cursor mode process (2) of the second embodiment in the portable information terminal (portable PC) 10.

  In response to an input of the “switch” key 14d, mode data indicating that the cursor mode has been switched is stored in the switch mode register 23a, and character input is performed in a state where the cursor mode process (2) in FIG. 5 is activated. If it is determined that the key 14a has been input (step B1 (Yes)), it is determined whether or not a plurality of character input keys 14a,... Have been input (1 key input) (step B2).

  Here, when it is determined that one key is input (step B2 (No)), the cursor movement mode is set (step B3c), and when it is determined that a plurality of keys are input (step B2 (Yes)), The screen scroll mode is set (step B3s).

  When it is determined that the input position of the character input key 14a has moved after the cursor movement mode is set by the one key input (step B4c (Yes)), the key data input at the beginning is the current key key. The register 23d is rewritten and stored in the previous key register 23c, and the destination key data is read and stored in the current key register 23d (step B5c). Further, the time difference from the previous key to the current key input is calculated and stored in the key movement time register 23f.

  Then, the moving direction of the key operation position is determined according to the previously input key data stored in the previous key register 23d and the current input destination key data stored in the current key register 23d. The key movement direction data is stored in the key movement direction register 23e (step B6c).

  The cursor movement amount is determined according to the key movement time (speed) stored in the key movement time register 23f and stored in the cursor movement amount register 23g (step B7c).

  Then, the cursor Cu displayed on the display unit 15 is moved and displayed in the key movement direction stored in the key movement direction register 23e according to the cursor movement amount stored in the cursor movement amount register 23g (step B8c). ).

  Thereafter, when the user operation on the character input key 14a is canceled and the input of the key data of the destination of the current input is canceled (step B9c (Yes)), the movement display of the cursor Cu is stopped, and the series The cursor mode process (2) is completed (END).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step B2 or B3s that the input position of the character input key 14a has moved after the screen scroll mode is set by a plurality of key inputs (step B4s (Yes)), the cursor movement is performed. As in the mode, the key data input first is rewritten from the current key register 23d to the previous key register 23c and stored, and the destination key data is read and stored in the current key register 23d. (Step B5s).

  Then, the movement direction of the key operation position is determined according to the previously input key data stored in the previous key register 23d and the current input destination key data stored in the current key register 23d. The key movement direction data is stored in the key movement direction register 23e (step B6s).

  The screen scroll amount is determined according to the key movement time (speed) stored in the key movement time register 23f and stored in the scroll amount register 23h (step B7s).

  Then, the data displayed on the display unit 15 is scrolled and displayed in the key movement direction stored in the key movement direction register 23e by the screen scroll amount stored in the scroll amount register 23h (step B8s). ).

  Thereafter, when the user operation with respect to the character input key 14a is canceled and the input of the key data of the destination of the current input is canceled (step B9s (Yes)), the scroll display of the display data is stopped, and the series The cursor mode process (2) is completed (END).

  Therefore, according to the cursor movement function of the second embodiment of the portable information terminal (portable PC) 10 equipped with the keyboard input device having the above-described configuration, the “switch” key 14d is input and the cursor mode is set. When the character input key 14a is input, the cursor movement mode is set for one key input, and the screen scroll mode is set for a plurality of key inputs. When the input position of the character input key 14a is moved, the movement direction is determined from the key input positions before and after the movement, and the cursor movement amount or screen scroll amount corresponding to the key movement time (speed) is determined. Then, the movement display of the cursor Cu according to the movement direction and the movement amount or the scroll display of the display screen according to the movement direction and the scroll amount is performed. For this reason, there is no need to provide a cursor-dedicated key, and a character key that is also used as a cursor key is not specified, and the amount of movement of the cursor can be determined by the movement of the input position of any character input key and the speed of the movement. The screen scroll amount can be set, and the cursor Cu can be moved and displayed in a desired moving direction, or the display screen can be scrolled.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention at the stage of implementation. Further, each of the embodiments includes inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in each embodiment or some constituent elements are combined in different forms, the problems described in the column of the problem to be solved by the invention If the effects described in the column “Effects of the Invention” can be obtained, a configuration in which these constituent requirements are deleted or combined can be extracted as an invention.

1 is a front view showing an external configuration of a portable information terminal (portable PC) 10 equipped with a keyboard input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic circuit of the portable information terminal (portable PC) 10. FIG. The figure which shows an example of the user operation state with respect to the key input part (keyboard) 14 of the said portable information terminal (portable PC) 10. The flowchart which shows the cursor mode process (1) of 1st Embodiment in the said portable information terminal (portable PC) 10. The flowchart which shows the cursor mode process (2) of 2nd Embodiment in the said portable information terminal (portable PC) 10.

Explanation of symbols

10 ... Personal digital assistant (portable PC)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Main body case 12 ... Cover body case 13 ... Hinge part 14 ... Key input part 14a ... Character input key 14b ... Function key 14c ... "Execution" key 14d ... "Switch" key 15 ... Liquid crystal display part (main screen)
21 ... CPU
22… ROM
22a ... System program (OS)
22b ... Application program 22c ... Cursor mode program 23 ... RAM
23a ... Switch mode register 23b ... Multiple key input register 23c ... Previous key register 23d ... Current key register 23e ... Key movement direction register 23f ... Key movement time register 23g ... Cursor movement amount register 23h ... Scroll amount register f1, f2 ... User's finger

Claims (4)

A key input section in which a plurality of keys are arranged; and
Input key storage means for storing the previous input key and the current input key that are continuously input by the key input unit;
Key movement determination means for determining the movement direction of the position of the input key based on the previous input key and the current input key stored by the input key storage means;
A movement amount setting means for setting a cursor movement amount or a screen scroll amount according to a state of key input by the key input unit;
Display control means for moving the cursor displayed on the display device or scrolling the screen in the movement direction determined by the key movement determination means with the cursor movement amount or screen scroll amount set by the movement amount setting means; ,
A keyboard input device comprising:   2. The keyboard input device according to claim 1, wherein the movement amount setting means sets a cursor movement amount or a screen scroll amount according to the number of keys previously input by the key input unit.   The said movement amount setting means sets a cursor movement amount or a screen scroll amount according to the time from the input of the previous input key by the key input unit to the input of the current input key. Keyboard input device. Control target setting means for setting a display control target to cursor movement or screen scroll according to the number of keys previously input by the key input unit,
When the object of display control is set to cursor movement by the control object setting means, the display control means is determined by the key movement determination means with the cursor movement amount set by the movement amount setting means. When the cursor displayed on the display device is moved in the movement direction and the display control target is set to screen scroll by the control target setting means, the screen scroll amount set by the movement amount setting means is used. Scrolling the screen displayed on the display device in the movement direction determined by the key movement determination means;
The keyboard input device according to claim 1 or claim 3, wherein

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