JP2011086116A - Keyboard device, user interface device, and information processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a keyboard device excellent in operability, eliminating the need for a mouse device in coloring items, and enabling graphical operations using color samples on a screen of a display device. <P>SOLUTION: The keyboard device includes first, second and third coloring keys 11, 12, 13, cursor keys 30d, 30u, 30l, 30r, and enter keys 20a, 20b. Upon pressing operation, the first, second and third coloring keys 11, 12, 13 output code signals instructing an information processing apparatus to switch between a normal mode in which the input of items including characters is performed and a coloring mode in which items are colored. Responding to pressing operation, the cursor keys 30d, 30u, 30l, 30r output the same code signal as a distance encoder of the mouse device that is operated to move during the coloring mode. The enter keys 20a, 20b output by pressing operation, the same code signal as the left click button of the mouse device that is pressed during the coloring mode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a user interface device for inputting / outputting information interposed between an information processing device such as a personal computer and a user, and in particular, a unique code signal to each information processing device by a pressing (keystroke) operation. The present invention relates to a keyboard device having a plurality of keys for output.

  2. Description of the Related Art Generally, information processing devices such as personal computers are applied as a user interface (UI) device such as a keyboard device, a mouse device as an information input device, a display device as an information output device, a printer device, or the like. .

  Here, for example, when creating a presentation document or the like using a personal computer to which a document creation or table creation application such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint (all are trademarks or registered trademarks) is applied, Then, while looking at the original sheet (original sheet by software) displayed on the screen of the display device, a character is input by pressing a key on the keyboard device.

  The user also operates the mouse device while looking at a color sample (color sample by software, palette) in which multiple color icons representing each color displayed on the screen are arranged in parallel, although less frequently than character input. Then, the mouse pointer is moved to the color icon representing the desired color and clicked there to determine the desired color, and the item (character) such as a character, line, character or line background is colored with the desired color.

  In this way, coloring items using color samples displayed on the screen of the display device allows the user to perform a graphical operation as if selecting a desired color from a real color sample. Is excellent. On the other hand, when moving the mouse pointer on the color sample, it is necessary to release the right hand from the keyboard device and move it to the mouse device, which is troublesome work for the user and is inferior in operability.

  On the other hand, Patent Documents 1 to 3 disclose techniques for coloring items using only a keyboard device without using a mouse device.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which color information such as red is assigned in advance to a specific key in a keyboard device, and characters are colored with the color indicated by the key by simultaneous operation of the key and the shift key. It is disclosed.

  In Patent Document 2, a correspondence relationship between color information and a character string uniquely corresponding to the color information is stored as a color information dictionary, and the character information is input by using a keyboard device. A technique is disclosed in which color information corresponding to a character string is extracted with reference to a dictionary.

  In Patent Literature 3, command information indicating hue increase / decrease / saturation increase / decrease / brightness increase / decrease is assigned to six keys of a keyboard device, respectively, and the hue, saturation, and the like are specified for a designated portion designated by a mouse pointer. A technique is disclosed in which the brightness and the brightness are finely adjusted by operating six keys.

JP 05-091212 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 04-348481 JP 04-245387 A

  Keyboard devices according to related techniques, including those disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3, do not require a mouse device for coloring items, and do not need to be changed from the keyboard device to the mouse device. Excellent in performance.

  However, the keyboard device according to the related art is inferior in operability in that a graphical operation cannot be performed while viewing a color sample displayed on the screen of the display device.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a keyboard device that is excellent in operability, because a mouse device is not necessary for coloring an item, but a graphical operation can be performed using a color sample on the screen of a display device. Is to provide.

  According to the present invention, the keyboard device includes a plurality of keys, and each of the plurality of keys outputs a unique code signal to the information processing device by a pressing operation. The plurality of keys include a coloring key, a cursor key, and a cursor key. The color key is a code signal for instructing the information processing device to switch between a normal mode in which an item including characters is input and a color mode in which color is applied to the item is pressed. The cursor key outputs the same code signal as the distance encoder of the mouse device to be moved in the coloring mode in response to the pressing operation, and the enter key of the mouse device to be pressed in the coloring mode. A keyboard device characterized by outputting the same code signal as the left click button by pressing operation is obtained. .

  The coloring key may be provided exclusively for switching between the normal mode and the coloring mode. Alternatively, the plurality of keys may further include an F1 key to an F12 key, and the coloring key may be shared with any one of the F10 key to the F12 key. Alternatively, the plurality of keys further include a character input key for a character input key, a shift key, a control key, an alternation key, or a function key, and the coloring key is also used as the character input key, The code signal of the coloring key may be output by simultaneously pressing the character input key and the shift key, the control key, the alternation key, or the function key.

  The item may include a line and a background of the character and the line in addition to the character, and the coloring key may be provided for each of the items.

Further, according to the present invention, in the user interface device that inputs and outputs information between an information processing device that creates a document file including the colored item and a user, the keyboard device and A display device capable of displaying a color sample in which a plurality of color icons representing the item, mouse pointer, and color are arranged in parallel on a screen in accordance with a signal input from an information processing device, and the user interface The device operates according to the following steps when coloring the item:
-Switching from the normal mode to the coloring mode based on the pressing operation of the coloring key of the keyboard device,
When the coloring mode is entered, place the color sample on the screen of the display device,
In response to a pressing operation of the cursor key of the keyboard device, the mouse pointer is moved to a desired color icon of the color sample on the screen of the display device,
-Based on a pressing operation of the enter key of the keyboard device, a coloring color is determined for a color corresponding to the color icon indicated by the mouse pointer,
-In response to a pressing operation of the cursor key of the keyboard device, the mouse pointer is moved to the coloring start position of the item on the screen of the display device,
-Based on the pressing operation of the enter key of the keyboard device, the coloring start position indicated by the mouse pointer is determined,
In response to the pressing operation of the cursor key of the keyboard device, the mouse pointer is moved to the coloring end position of the item on the screen of the display device,
-Based on the pressing operation of the enter key of the keyboard device, the coloring is determined on the coloring end position indicated by the mouse pointer, and the item is colored.
A user interface device is obtained that switches from the coloring mode to the normal mode based on a pressing operation of the coloring key of the keyboard device.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the storage unit and the calculation unit are provided, and the calculation unit performs coloring according to the BIOS, the operation system, and the application program for creating the document file stored in the storage unit. In the information processing device for creating a document file including the item, the information processing device having the user interface device is obtained.

  The keyboard device according to the present invention does not require a mouse device for coloring an item, but can perform a graphical operation using a color sample on the screen of a display device, and is excellent in operability.

It is a figure which shows the keyboard apparatus by Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the coloring key of the keyboard apparatus shown by FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the keyboard apparatus shown by FIG. It is a figure which shows the screen of a display apparatus in order to demonstrate operation | movement of the keyboard apparatus shown by FIG. It is a figure which shows the keyboard apparatus by Example 2 of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating operation | movement of the keyboard apparatus shown by FIG.

  A keyboard device according to the present invention is one of user interface devices that input / output information between an information processing device and a user, and each outputs a unique code signal to the information processing device by a pressing operation. Has a key.

  Here, the information processing apparatus has a storage means and a calculation means, and the calculation means creates a document file including items such as colored characters according to a program stored in the storage means. As a user interface device, a display device is connected in addition to a keyboard device, and a mouse device can also be used.

  In particular, in this keyboard device, the plurality of keys include a coloring key, a cursor key, and an enter key.

  The coloring key outputs a code signal for instructing the information processing device to switch between the normal mode and the coloring mode by a pressing operation. The normal mode is a mode for executing input of items including characters. On the other hand, the coloring mode is a mode for executing coloring on an item.

  In the coloring mode, the cursor key outputs the same code signal as that of the distance encoder of the mouse device to be moved according to the pressing operation.

  The enter key outputs the same code signal as the left click button of the mouse device to be pressed in the coloring mode by the pressing operation.

  With this configuration, the keyboard device does not require a mouse device for coloring an item, but can perform a graphical operation using a color sample on the screen of the display device, and is excellent in operability.

  In other words, this keyboard device does not require a mouse device for coloring items, and it is not necessary to switch from the keyboard device to the mouse device, so it has excellent operability and enables document files to be created in a short time. On the other hand, it is possible to perform a graphical operation while looking at the color sample displayed on the screen of the display device without a sense of incongruity as if the user used a conventional mouse device.

  The keyboard device is only added with a coloring key for switching between the normal mode and the coloring mode, and is the same or substantially the same size as the standard keyboard device defined by the JIS standard or the like.

  In addition, when coloring an item, the user can use the mouse device as usual instead of the keyboard device.

  Hereinafter, a more specific embodiment of a keyboard device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Example 1]
Referring to FIG. 1, the keyboard device according to the first embodiment of the present invention inputs / outputs information by interposing between, for example, a personal computer (not shown) as an information processing device and a user, as in the related art. This is one of the user interface devices to be performed, and includes a plurality of keys for outputting unique code signals to a personal computer by pressing operations. This keyboard device is a JIS standard 109 Japanese keyboard except for the coloring keys described later.

  Here, the personal computer has a ROM, a RAM, and a hard disk drive as storage means, and a CPU as calculation means. The CPU performs coloring according to, for example, a word from Microsoft as an application program for creating a basic input and output system (BIOS), an operation system (OS), and a document file stored in the storage unit. A document file including items such as written characters and lines is created. In addition to a keyboard device that is an information input device, a personal computer is connected to a display device that is an information output device, and a mouse device that is an information input device can also be used as a user interface device. Furthermore, it is set in both hardware and software.

  In particular, in this keyboard device, the plurality of keys include first, second, and third coloring keys 11, 12, and 13, cursor keys 30d, 30u, 30l, and 30r for downward, upward, leftward, and rightward, and enter. Keys 20a and 20b. The cursor keys 30d, 30u, 30l, and 30r and the enter keys 20a and 20b are in accordance with the JIS standard 109 Japanese keyboard.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first, second, and third coloring keys 11, 12, and 13 are provided exclusively for switching between the normal mode and the coloring mode. A code signal unique to the present invention for instructing the information processing device to switch the information is output by a pressing operation. The normal mode is a mode for executing input of items including characters. On the other hand, the coloring mode is a mode for executing coloring on an item. The first, second, and third coloring keys 11, 12, and 13 are provided for mode switching of characters, lines, and backgrounds of characters and lines as items, respectively.

  In the normal mode, the cursor keys 30d, 30u, 30l, and 30r output a code signal for instructing to move the cursor prompt displayed on the display device in response to the pressing operation, and are moved in the coloring mode. The same code signal as a distance encoder (mechanical rotary encoder or optical encoder) of a mouse device (not shown) is output in response to a pressing operation.

  In the normal mode, the enter keys 20a and 20b output a code signal indicating the determination of an event item executed according to various programs by a pressing operation, while in the coloring mode, the left click of the mouse device to be pressed. The same code signal as the button is output by pressing.

  Now, specific codes assigned to the first, second, and third coloring keys 11, 12, and 13 are detected and detected by the CPU of a personal computer that operates according to the following special application that operates. For example, the special application program is recorded in advance on an optical medium or the like, is bundled when the keyboard device is sold, and is executed by the CPU of the personal computer when the user installs the hard disk drive or the like of the personal computer. This special application program works in conjunction with an application program such as Microsoft Word to create a document file containing colored characters, lines, and items such as characters and line backgrounds. Is executed.

  The pressed state of the first, second, and third coloring keys 11, 12, and 13 is monitored by a personal computer that operates according to a special application. When pressing of the first, second, and third coloring keys 11, 12, and 13 is detected, the coloring mode is entered, and the coordinates of the mouse device that is the pointing device are placed on the cursor keys 30d, 30u, 30l, and 30r of the keyboard device. A movement function is assigned, and the mouse pointer on the screen of the display device can be moved. Further, the enter key 20a, 20b is assigned a function of pressing the left click button of the mouse device, and a determination function is enabled. Thereafter, when pressing of the first, second, and third coloring keys 11, 12, and 13 is detected again, the normal mode is entered.

  In this way, it is possible to input color information by operating the keyboard device alone without operating the mouse.

  The user interface device according to this embodiment is interposed between a personal computer that creates a document file including colored characters, lines, and items such as characters and line backgrounds, and inputs and outputs information. 1 and a color sample in which a plurality of items, mouse pointers, and color icons representing colors are arranged in parallel on the screen in response to a signal input from the information processing device. A possible display device (not shown).

  Hereinafter, the operation of the user interface device will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 together with the flowchart of FIG. 3 and the screen of the display device of FIG.

  The user interface device operates according to the following steps when coloring an item.

  The personal computer is currently executing a word, which is an application program for creating a document file, a word window is displayed on the screen of the display device, the keyboard device is in a normal mode, and is used for character input. The key, cursor keys 30d, 30u, 30l, 30r, enter keys 20a, 20b, etc. are pressed by the user, and the character string “Iroha” is input. At this time, the character string “Iroha” is a standard black color, and the background of the three characters is the same white color as a software document sheet.

  When the character string “Iloha” is colored red, when the first coloring key 11 of the keyboard device is pressed, the normal mode is switched to the coloring mode (step S0).

  When the coloring mode is entered, a color sample CS is arranged on the screen of the display device as shown in FIG. 4 (step S1).

  Next, the mouse pointer is moved to a desired color icon in the color sample CS on the screen of the display device in response to the pressing operation of the cursor keys 30d, 30u, 30l, and 30r of the keyboard device (steps S2 and S3). .

  Based on the pressing operation of the enter keys 20a and 20b of the keyboard device, the coloring color corresponding to the color icon indicated by the mouse pointer is determined as “red” (steps S4 and S5).

  In response to the pressing operation of the cursor keys 30d, 30u, 30l, and 30r of the keyboard device, the mouse pointer is moved to the character “I” that is the coloring start position of the character string “IROHA” on the screen of the display device (step S8). ).

  Based on the pressing operation of the enter keys 20a and 20b of the keyboard device, the coloring start position pointed to by the mouse pointer is determined to be the character “I” (step S9).

  In response to the pressing operation of the cursor keys 30d, 30u, 30l, and 30r of the keyboard device, the mouse pointer is moved to the character “ha” that is the coloring end position of the character string “Iroha” on the screen of the display device (step S10). , S11).

  Based on the pressing operation of the enter keys 20a and 20b of the keyboard device, the coloring end position pointed to by the mouse pointer is determined as the character “C” (steps S12 and S13).

  Based on the pressing operation of the first coloring key 11 of the keyboard device, the character string “Iroha” is colored in red, and then the coloring mode is switched to the normal mode (steps S14 and S15).

  As described above, the character string “Iroha” as an item was colored in red without using a mouse device.

[Example 2]
In the second embodiment of the present invention, the coloring keys are physically provided in a general keyboard device, but the coloring keys are physically increased by combining with the quasi-blank keys that are rarely used. This is different from the first embodiment. For this reason, detailed description of the same or similar parts as those in the first embodiment is omitted.

  Referring to FIG. 5, the keyboard device according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes an F10 key 61, an F11 key 62, and an F12 key 63.

  In this keyboard device, the coloring keys for switching between the normal mode and the coloring mode are also used as the F10 key 61, the F11 key 62, and the F12 key 63. The F10 key 61, the F11 key 62, and the F12 key 63 are used for mode switching of characters, lines, and backgrounds of characters and lines as items, respectively.

  Referring to FIG. 6, the assignment (reading) of the command code to the mode switching for the characters, lines, and the background of the characters and lines to the F10 key 61, F11 key 62, and F12 key 63 uses a further special application. According to this further special application, the personal computer performs the assignment.

  The pressed state of the F10 key 61, the F11 key 62, and the F12 key 63 is monitored by a personal computer that operates according to a special application. When pressing of the F10 key 61, the F11 key 62, and the F12 key 63 is detected, the coloring mode is entered, and the coordinate movement function of the mouse device that is a pointing device is assigned to the cursor keys 30d, 30u, 30l, and 30r of the keyboard device. The mouse pointer on the screen of the display device can be moved. “Enter keys 20a and 20b are assigned with the function of pressing the left click button of the mouse device, and the determination function is enabled. Thereafter, pressing of the F10 key 61, F11 key 62, and F12 key 63 is detected again. When it is done, it enters the normal mode.

[Example 3]
The third embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment in that the coloring key is also used as a character input key normally provided in a general keyboard device. For this reason, detailed description of the same or similar parts as those in the first embodiment is omitted.

  Although not shown, the keyboard device according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a character input key for a character input key, a shift key, a control (Ctl) key, an alternation (Alt) key, or a function (Fn) key. I have.

  In this keyboard device, the coloring key for switching between the normal mode and the coloring mode is also used as three character input keys. The three character input keys are used for mode switching for characters, lines, and backgrounds of characters and lines as items.

  However, the code signal that commands mode switching for characters, lines, and the background of characters and lines is output for the first time when the character input key and the shift key, control key, alternation key, or function key are pressed simultaneously. .

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the technical scope described in the claims of the present application. It goes without saying that there is.

11 First Coloring Key 12 Second Coloring Key 13 Third Coloring Key 30d, 30u, 30l, 30r Cursor Key 20a, 20b Enter Key 61 F10 Key 62 F11 Key 63 F12 Key CS Color Sample

Claims (7)

In the keyboard device that includes a plurality of keys, and each of the plurality of keys outputs a unique code signal to the information processing device by a pressing operation.
The plurality of keys include a coloring key, a cursor key, and an enter key,
The coloring key outputs a code signal for instructing the information processing device to switch between a normal mode for inputting an item including characters and a coloring mode for executing coloring to the item by a pressing operation,
In the coloring mode, the cursor key outputs the same code signal as the distance encoder of the mouse device to be moved according to the pressing operation,
The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein the enter key outputs the same code signal as the left click button of the mouse device to be pressed in the coloring mode.   The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein the coloring key is provided exclusively for switching between a normal mode and a coloring mode. The plurality of keys further include an F1 key to an F12 key,
The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein the coloring key is shared with any one of the F10 key to the F12 key. The plurality of keys further include a character input key for a character input key, a shift key, a control key, an alternation key, or a function key,
The coloring key is also used as the character input key,
The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein the code signal of the coloring key is output by a simultaneous pressing operation of the character input key and the shift key, the control key, the alternation key, or the function key. The item includes, in addition to characters, a line, a character and a background of the line,
The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein the coloring key is provided for each of the items. In a user interface device that inputs and outputs information, interposed between an information processing device that creates a document file containing the colored item and a user,
A keyboard device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A display device capable of displaying a color sample in which a plurality of color icons representing the item, mouse pointer, and color are arranged in parallel on a screen in accordance with a signal input from an information processing device;
The user interface device operates according to the following steps when coloring the item:
-Switching from the normal mode to the coloring mode based on the pressing operation of the coloring key of the keyboard device,
When the coloring mode is entered, place the color sample on the screen of the display device,
In response to a pressing operation of the cursor key of the keyboard device, the mouse pointer is moved to a desired color icon of the color sample on the screen of the display device,
-Based on a pressing operation of the enter key of the keyboard device, a coloring color is determined for a color corresponding to the color icon indicated by the mouse pointer,
-In response to a pressing operation of the cursor key of the keyboard device, the mouse pointer is moved to the coloring start position of the item on the screen of the display device,
-Based on the pressing operation of the enter key of the keyboard device, the coloring start position indicated by the mouse pointer is determined.
In response to the pressing operation of the cursor key of the keyboard device, the mouse pointer is moved to the coloring end position of the item on the screen of the display device,
-Based on the pressing operation of the enter key of the keyboard device, the coloring is determined on the coloring end position indicated by the mouse pointer, and the item is colored.
Switching from the coloring mode to the normal mode based on a pressing operation of the coloring key of the keyboard device;
A user interface device. A document file including the item that is colored according to a BIOS, an operation system, and an application program for creating a document file stored in the storage unit; In the information processing equipment that creates
An information processing apparatus comprising the user interface device according to claim 6.

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