JP3257540B2 - Scale type simple input device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a scale-type simple input device, and more particularly to a scale-type simple input device capable of reducing the area of a keyboard.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, miniaturization of portable personal computers and portable information terminals has been progressing, and the necessity of reducing the area of a keyboard has increased.

A technique for reducing the number of keys to reduce the area of a keyboard is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-1029.
No. 79 publication ”. This technique will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a layout diagram showing a key arrangement of the “one-handed keyboard”. Referring to FIG. 9, one-handed keyboard 801 includes 15 primary keys 802.
And five control keys 803 and ten function keys 804
, Four cursor keys 805 and kana mode key 80
6, a symbol mode key 807, and a number mode key 808
And a shift key 809. When each of the kana mode key 806, the symbol mode key 807, and the numeric mode key 808 is turned on, a lamp is displayed.

The primary keys 802 for data input are arranged in three rows and five rows. One of them corresponds to five characters for vowels. The last two columns correspond to the clear Japanese consonant and 10 semi-voiced sounds. The four characters of the voice sound are input by the shift function of the corresponding clear sound. The remaining alphabets are entered using the shift function. The voiced sound can also be input by tapping the corresponding consonant of the consonant twice. In this way, the input of Japanese characters in Roman characters and the input of English characters in alphabets can be realized with good operability.

Further, a control key 803, a function key 804, a cursor key 805, a kana mode key 806, a symbol mode key 807, a number mode key 808, a shift key 809, etc. are arranged around the main key 802 to perform normal data input. The same functions as those for a keyboard are realized.

An input device using a scale (= scale) is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 59-18603.
No. 5 publication ". This is a cursor switch key switch that allows the cursor on the screen to be moved with a single key and allows the operator to freely use continuous movement and unit amount movement.

That is, "a key top, first displacement detecting means for forming an electrical output corresponding to the vertical displacement of the key top, and a key displacement corresponding to the horizontal displacement of the key top." To form an electrical output
And a displacement detecting means, wherein the two displacement detecting means output an output signal for continuous movement of the cursor and an output signal for unit scale movement of the cursor. "
It is.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above-mentioned "Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
The problem with the technology described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 102979 is that when inputting characters, symbols, and numbers, the kana mode key 806, the symbol mode key 807, and the numeric mode key 808 must be used, respectively. Shift key 809 to separate uppercase and lowercase letters
Must be used, which is complicated and difficult to operate.

Further, the above-mentioned “Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-18603”
The problem of the technology described in "No. 5 Publication" is that it cannot be used for inputting characters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a scale-type simple input device which is easy to operate, has a small area, and can realize a significant size reduction of the entire device.

[0011]

A first scale-type simple input device according to the present invention comprises an input key for inputting a corresponding character at a position where the character is depressed and a plurality of delimiters on which a plurality of characters are printed. A first groove is formed by traversing the column in the X-axis direction.
Each has a scale in which a second groove is cut in the Y-axis direction so that the input key can move along the first groove or the second groove.

A second scale type simple input device according to the present invention is the first scale type simple input device, wherein different characters can be input by pressing the input key in two steps.

The third scale type simple input device of the present invention is the second scale type simple input device, wherein
A type character, a second type character, a third type character, and a fourth type character are printed, the input key provided with a terminal, and the first type character in the second groove of each column. , A sensor corresponding to the second type of character, a sensor corresponding to the third type of character, and the scale including a sensor corresponding to the fourth type of character.

A fourth scale-type simple input device according to the present invention is the third scale-type simple input device, wherein the keyboard includes the input keys and the scale, and corresponds to the first type of character. A sensor, a sensor corresponding to the second type of character, a sensor corresponding to the third type of character,
A logical sum circuit that generates a logical sum of outputs of all sensors corresponding to the fourth type of character; a sensor corresponding to the first type of character; a sensor corresponding to the second type of character; A decoder for creating / outputting character code data from the outputs of all sensors corresponding to the type 4 character and the sensors corresponding to the type 4 character; forming a differential of the output of the OR circuit, and outputting as a keying pulse A differentiating circuit,
A register that stores the character code data from the decoder; and a processor that inputs and processes the keying pulse and the character code data from the register.

A fifth scale type simple input device according to the present invention is the third or fourth scale type simple input device, wherein the first type of character is an uppercase alphabet or a symbol, and the second type of Lowercase alphabet or symbol as a character, hiragana as the third type of character,
Katakana is made to correspond to the fourth type of character.

[0016]

According to a sixth scale type simple input device of the present invention, characters are printed on the outer side and the inner side, respectively.
A dial having a sensor, a reference line for pressing and inputting a character, a first terminal for contacting the first sensor and inputting a character corresponding to the reference line, and a second terminal.
· Contacts third sensor have a input key having a second terminal for distinguishing the inside and outside of character, the reference line
When it is pressed down to one step depth when
When the character outside the dial is pressed to two levels
In this case, the characters inside the dial are input .

A seventh scale-type simple input device according to the present invention is the sixth scale-type simple input device, comprising the input key, the dial, the second sensor, and the third sensor. A keyboard, an OR circuit that creates a logical sum of outputs of all of the second sensor and the third sensor, and a logical sum circuit of all of the first sensor, the second sensor, and the third sensor. A decoder for creating and outputting character code data from an output, a differentiation circuit for forming a derivative of the output of the OR circuit, and outputting the result as a keying pulse; a register for storing the character code data from the decoder; And a processor for inputting and processing the pulse and the character code data from the register.

[0019]

Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a sensor. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the input key 10. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a computer to which the present invention is applied.
Referring to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of the present invention includes an input key 10 and a scale 20 on which characters are printed. The scale 20 is composed of a plurality of divided columns. Each column has a “hiragana” in the vertical direction (Y-axis plus direction) and a vertical direction (Y-axis minus direction).
"Katakana", "uppercase alphabet or symbol" in the horizontal direction (X-axis minus direction), and "lowercase alphabet or symbol" in the horizontal direction (X-axis plus direction) are printed. Here, the height direction is defined as the Z axis (the upper side is plus).

For example, in the leftmost column,
“A”, “A”, “A”, and “a” are printed, and “n”, “n”, “＄”, and “%” are printed in the rightmost column, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 2, the scale 20 has one Z-axis groove cut across the column in the X-axis direction, and each column has a Z-axis groove with respect to the Y-axis. The groove is carved. The input key 10 can be moved along the groove, and a character corresponding to the moved position can be input.

Then, the wall surface T1-T2- of the groove of each column.
Sensors are installed on T3-T4 and wall surfaces T5-T6-T7-T8.

Referring to FIG. 3, wall surfaces T1-T2-T3
−T4 includes the sensor 301, the sensor 302, the sensor 30
3 are installed, and a sensor 304 is installed on the wall surface T5-T6-T7-T8.

Referring to FIG. 4, the input key 10
Is provided with a spring 101 and a terminal 102, and when pressed weakly, the terminal 102
3. Touching the sensor 304 and pressing it down strongly contacts the lower sensor 302, sensor 303 and sensor 304.

Further, taking the leftmost column as an example, the terminals 102 of the input keys 10 move in the columns, and the sensors 301, 302, 303, and 30 are moved.
When touching No. 4, the letters "A", "a", "A", "A"
Is configured to be input.

That is, when the input key 10 is pressed right below, "A" (one step in the minus direction of the Z axis) is pressed, and when the input key 10 is pressed deeper right below, "a" (two steps in the minus direction of the Z axis). When the input key is moved upward, "A" (one step in the Y-axis plus direction) is input, and when the input key 10 is moved downward, "A" (one step in the Y-axis negative direction) is input.

Referring to FIG. 5, in the first embodiment of the present invention, a keyboard 70, an OR circuit 71, a decoder 72, a differentiating circuit 73, a register 74, a processor 75, and a main memory 76 are provided. And a display device 77.

The outputs of all the sensors (see FIG. 3) of the keyboard 70 are input to an OR circuit 71 and a decoder 72. The output of the OR circuit 71 is input to the differentiating circuit 73. The output of the decoder 72 is input to the register 74. The outputs of the differentiating circuit 73 and the register 74 are input to the processor 75. A main storage device 76 is connected to the processor 75, and characters are displayed on the display device 77 under the control of the processor 75.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 shows the first embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a time chart illustrating the operation of the embodiment. FIG.
When, for example, "A" of the keyboard 70 is pressed (cycle T1 in FIG. 6), the logical sum circuit 71 creates a logical sum of outputs from all the sensors of the keyboard 70 (cycle T2 in FIG. 6). ). At this time, since only the output of the sensor 301 corresponding to “A” is “1”, the output of the OR circuit 71 is also “1” (cycle T in FIG. 6).
2).

Further, a keyboard 70 is provided by the decoder 72.
Are coded and output as code data (cycle T2 in FIG. 6). This is character code data decoded corresponding to the character.

Next, the OR circuit 71 is operated by the differentiating circuit 73.
Is formed, and a tap pulse indicating that the key has been pressed is output (cycle T3 in FIG. 6). Also,
The register 74 receives the code data from the decoder 72. The code data from the register 74 is output in synchronization with the keying pulse (cycle T3 in FIG. 6).

Next, the processor 75 fetches the keying pulse and the code data from the register 74 (cycle T4 in FIG. 6).

As described above, characters can be input. The positions of the characters in one column can be freely combined. Also, the above description is based on one input key 10
And one example of the scale 20, which can be combined with a plurality of input keys 10 and a plurality of scales 20.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a detailed explanatory view showing the second embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7, the second embodiment of the present invention includes an input key 11 and a dial 21.

The dial 21 has an input character printed on the front and a sensor 401 and a sensor 40 corresponding to the character on the back.
2, a sensor 403, a sensor 404,... As for the characters of the dial 21, for example, “uppercase alphabet, hiragana, or symbol” is arranged on the outside, and “lowercase alphabet, katakana, or symbol” is arranged on the inside.

When the dial 21 is rotated and the input key 11 is matched with the reference line, the input key 11 is pressed to input a character matching the reference line. Also,
When pressed to one depth, characters outside dial 21 (eg, “A”) are input. When pressed to two depths, characters inside dial 21 (eg, “a”) are input. Is done.

Referring to FIG. 8, the input key 11
Has a terminal 103 and a terminal 104, and the terminal 103
Are in contact with the sensors 401,... Of the dial 21 corresponding to the characters matching the reference line of the input key 11, and the terminal 10
4 is a character outside the dial 21 (for example,
"A"), characters inside the dial 21 (for example,
It is configured to contact either the sensor 501 for inputting the character “a”) or the sensor 601.

The sensor 501 and the sensor 601 are configured so as to make a round around the groove horizontally, and determine an input character by a logic circuit from a combination of outputs from all the sensors.

Further, the second embodiment of the present invention is similar to that of FIG.
The present invention can be applied to a computer as shown in FIG.

[0040]

A first effect of the present invention is that the keyboard is reduced in size, and the size and weight of a portable personal computer and a portable information terminal can be reduced.

The reason is that the configuration is such that characters are input by a combination of an input key and a scale, or the characters are input by a combination of an input key and a dial.

A second effect of the present invention is that since the space required for key input is small, it can be used as an input device such as a computer incorporated in a device having no space for placing a general keyboard. .

A third effect of the present invention is that since the operation is easy, it can be applied as an input device for a handicapped person with one hand.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a sensor.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an input key.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a computer to which the invention is applied.

FIG. 6 is a time chart illustrating the operation of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a detailed explanatory diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 input key 11 input key 20 scale 21 dial 70 keyboard 71 OR circuit 72 decoder 73 differentiating circuit 74 register 75 processor 76 main memory 77 display device 101 spring 102 terminal 103 terminal 104 terminal 301 sensor 302 sensor 303 sensor 304 sensor 401 sensor 402 sensor 403 sensor 404 sensor 501 sensor 601 sensor 801 keyboard 802 primary key 803 control key 804 function key 805 cursor key 806 kana mode key 807 symbol mode key 808 number mode key 809 shift key

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. An input key for inputting a corresponding character at a position where the character is depressed, and a plurality of separated columns on which a plurality of characters are printed. A first groove is engraved, and a second groove is engraved in each of the columns in the Y-axis direction so that the input key can move along the first groove or the second groove. And a scale-type simple input device. 2. The scale-type simple input device according to claim 1, wherein different characters can be input by depressing the input key in two steps. 3. An input key on which a first type of character, a second type of character, a third type of character, and a fourth type of character are printed and provided with a terminal, and the second groove of each of the columns. A scale corresponding to the sensor corresponding to the first type of character, the sensor corresponding to the second type of character, the sensor corresponding to the third type of character, and the sensor corresponding to the fourth type of character The scale type simple input device according to claim 2, comprising: 4. A keyboard having the input keys and the scale, a sensor corresponding to the first type of character,
A logical sum circuit for forming a logical sum of outputs of all sensors corresponding to the second type of character, sensors corresponding to the third type of character, and sensors corresponding to the fourth type of character; A sensor corresponding to the kind of character, a sensor corresponding to the second kind of character, a sensor corresponding to the third kind of character,
And a decoder that creates and outputs character code data from the outputs of all sensors corresponding to the fourth type of character, a differentiation circuit that forms a derivative of the output of the OR circuit, and outputs the result as a keying pulse; 4. A scale type simple input device according to claim 3, further comprising: a register for storing said character code data, and a processor for inputting and processing said keying pulse and said character code data from said register. . 5. An uppercase alphabet or a symbol as the first type character, a lowercase alphabet or a symbol as the second type character, hiragana as the third type character, and katakana as the fourth type character. The scale type simple input device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein: 6. A dial having a first sensor on which characters are printed and rotated on the outside and the inside, respectively, a reference line for pressing and inputting characters, and contacting the first sensor to correspond to the reference line. A first terminal for inputting a character
And contacting the second and third sensors have a input key having a second terminal for distinguishing the inside and outside of the characters,
When it matches the reference line, press down to one level
If the character outside the dial is two levels deep
When pressed, the characters inside the dial are entered
A scale type simple input device characterized by the above-mentioned . 7. The input key, the dial, and the second key.
A keyboard provided with the third sensor and the third sensor; a logical sum circuit that generates a logical sum of outputs of the second sensor and the third sensor; and the first sensor;
A decoder for creating and outputting character code data from the outputs of all of the second sensor and the third sensor; a differentiation circuit for forming a differential of the output of the OR circuit and outputting the result as a keying pulse; 7. A scale-type simplified input according to claim 6 , further comprising a register for storing the character code data from the CPU, and a processor for inputting and processing the keying pulse and the character code data from the register. apparatus.