JPH0278324A - Keyboard - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain the arrangement change of the keys of one set of keyboard without replacing the keyboard by assigning an optional character, symbol or function or the like to each key by means of a program stored in a memory in an information processor by the operation of the operator and displaying the result of assignment on a key top display section. CONSTITUTION:The operator selects a user setting mode 11 in a key arrangement selection mode 10 on a key arrangement selection menu 9. A key display desired to be changed is selected by a cursor while observing a key arrangement display 16, a key 2 on the keyboard 5 having a character, symbol or function desired to be assigned to the key is depressed and a return key 1 is depressed further, then the setting is finished and the display of the display section 3 of the key top is revised into the character, symbol or function assigned newly. Moreover, the arrangement for key setting such as the JIS key arrangement is always obtained at the key setting.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a keyboard, and in particular, to keyboard applications,
and due to differences in operator experience.

This invention relates to a keyboard whose key arrangement can be arbitrarily changed.

[Conventional technology]

In conventional information processing devices, for example, IBM 55
5. , C) Kaitai Shinsho (Denpa Shimbunsha July 20, 1982)
As described on pages 25 to 27 of 1 issue), multiple types of keyboards are available, and depending on the purpose, one of the keyboards must be selected and connected for use.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

In the above-mentioned conventional technology, no consideration is given to changing the key arrangement of the keyboard, and when changing the key arrangement, the keyboard must be replaced with another type of keyboard, making it difficult to make changes. Sex was desired.

An object of the present invention is to change the key arrangement on one keyboard without replacing the keyboard.

[Means to solve the problem]

The above purpose is to assign arbitrary characters, symbols, functions, etc. to each key by an operator's operation using a program stored in the memory of the information processing device.
This is achieved by displaying functions etc. on a display section provided on the key top.

[For production]

In the keyboard of the present invention, characters, symbols, functions, etc. can be assigned to each key by an operator's operation, and a display section is provided on the key top of each key, and the assigned characters, symbols, functions, etc. can be assigned to each key. etc., so you can change the keyboard layout as you like.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. As shown in FIG. 2, a CPU section 6, a keyboard 5,
FIG. 1 shows details of the keyboard 5 of the information processing device comprising a display 7 and a printer 8. As shown in FIG.

Each key 2 of the keyboard 5 is provided with a display section 3 on its upper surface (hereinafter referred to as a key top), and has a structure capable of displaying the characters, symbols, etc. that the key means. When a request to change the key layout is made for the keyboard, when the operator (user) presses the key setting key 4 on the keyboard 5, the screen of the display 7 becomes a key layout selection mode screen, and the key layout can be changed. becomes. Key layout mode 1
5 has a built-in layout selection mode 10 (JIS layout, 50-syllabary layout, etc.) and a user setting mode 11. If you select one of the layouts in the former group, all keys will automatically become the selected layout. , the characters, symbols, and functions assigned to each key are displayed on the display section 3 of the key top.

If the latter is selected, any character, symbol, or function can be set for each key using the key layout display 16 on the screen. As an example, a case will be described below in which characters, symbols, and functions are set for keys corresponding to the setting key display (z) 12+ (2113+ +3114) in FIG. Select user setting mode 11. Select the key display you want to change with the cursor while looking at the key layout display 16 (the screen display for the key you want to change is
The color of the key display changes as shown in Figure 14. In addition, setting key display <1112+ (z) 13
indicates the key top display after setting if it has already been set. ) The character you want to assign to that key on keyboard 5.

By pressing the symbol/function key 2 and then the execution key 1, the setting is completed, and the display section 3 of the key top is also changed to display the newly assigned characters, symbols, and functions. Note that when setting keys, the key layout is always a JIS layout or the like for key setting.

As a means for changing the key arrangement of the keyboard 5 as described above and displaying the contents on the key tops, there is the following item (1). In addition, without using operations such as display display,
As a means to physically change the key layout, use (2) below.
There is a term.

(1) A key code table is provided in the memory within the CPU section 6, and the contents of the table are rewritten each time the key arrangement is set.A display device such as a liquid crystal is provided on the key top display section 3, and a display corresponding to the key code table is provided. CPU so that
A method of sending signals from the unit 6 to the keyboard 5.

(2) As shown in FIG. 4, the key top portion 17 on which characters, symbols, and functions are printed is detachable from the key 2 and can be replaced with the key top portion 17 of another key. The key top portion 17 has a different conductive code 18 printed on its back surface for each key, and the key 2 has a structure having a plurality of contacts 19. By attaching the key top portion 17 to the key 2, the contact point 19 of the attached key 2 comes into contact with the code ]8, and the CPU portion 6 electrically reads the information on the key top portion 17 and sets the key to the key top. A method of using printed characters, symbols, and functions as keys.

According to this embodiment, the key arrangement of the keyboard can be arbitrarily changed without replacing the keyboard, so one keyboard can be used for various purposes.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, the keyboard layout of characters, symbols, and functions can be changed arbitrarily without replacing the keyboard, so the key layout can be changed for each purpose or for each operator with different experience to facilitate the work. This change has the effect of improving the operator's work efficiency.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a detailed view of a keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
3 is an explanatory diagram of the key setting screen of the keyboard, and FIG. 4 is a detailed diagram of the keys of the keyboard. 1... Execution key, 2... Key, 3... Display section, 4...
...Key setting key, 5...Keyboard, 6...CP
U section, 7...Display, 8...Printer, 9.
...Key layout selection mode screen, 10.. Built-in layout selection mode, 11.. User setting mode, 12.. Setting key display 90. . 13... Setting key display, 14... Setting key display,
31.15...Key layout selection mode, 16...Key layout display. 17...Key top section, 18...Character, symbol mode. Ward 3

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a keyboard consisting of keys, a key input sensing mechanism, and a mechanism for converting key input into codes, a display mechanism is provided on the key top, and software is added to make the mechanism for converting key input into codes programmable. in,
A keyboard characterized by being able to change the key arrangement.