JPH03123924A - Keyboard - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a keyboard whose input operation is simplified and operability is improved by generating an ASCII code by means of depressing a single key among eight keys or depressing keys in combination and adding numeric value by means of depressing one key to attain output. CONSTITUTION:A keyboard 1 is constituted of eight keys K0-K7 as code generation means generating numerized ASCII codes by depressing single key or depressing keys in combination, and an enter key K8 as a control means outputting a trigger for adding the numeric values of the ASCII code corresponding to the depressed key by depressing one key. The keys K0-K7 correspond to numeric values 2<0>-2<7>. Since the ASCII code is directly generated and corresponding numeric value is added to output the data in such constitution, the keyboard can be reduced considerably without using many keys. Thus, the input operation can easily be executed without permitting an operator to shift fingers greatly.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a keyboard for inputting data such as character data, function data, and control data.

(Prior Art) A keyboard is an input device for inputting data such as character data, function data, and control data.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional keyboard of this type. As shown in the figure, the keyboard 10 includes a keyboard main body 11 consisting of a plurality of keys arranged two-dimensionally,
It consists of an encoder 12 connected to this keyboard body 11. Further, the keyboard 10 is connected to a CRT display device 20.

The keyboard body 11 includes a plurality of keys including character keys such as numbers, kana, symbols, etc., some function keys, and control keys. When an operator presses the character key 1 function key or control key, the encoder 12 generates an ASCII code corresponding to these keys.

For example, when inputting the letter A, the operator selects and presses the key labeled with the letter A while moving his or her finger from among a large array of keys. Then, the encoder detects the two-dimensional position of the pressed letter A key and generates an ASCII code specific to this letter A key.

For example, when the operator presses the letter A key, the encoder detects this position and generates an ASCII code 40. Similarly, if the key for the letter B is pressed,
ASCII code 41 is generated, and character C generates ASCII code 42. ...is generated.

This two-digit ASCII code is converted from decimal to binary and expressed in 4 bits.
For example, for code 40, the last digit is "0000" and the first digit is "0100". Therefore, the ASCII code 40 is 01000000" (i.e. 2"-0,2
6-1, 2'-0, 2'-0, 23-0, 22-=0°2"-0, 2O-0).

Thus, when the key with letter A is pressed, a digital signal of 01000000'' is sent to encoder 1.
2 to the CRT display device 20.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, the conventional keyboard 10 has the following problems. That is, a large number of keys are arranged on the keyboard 10, and the area of the keyboard 10 becomes large. For this reason, it takes a considerable amount of time for the operator to move his/her finger to a desired character key, for example, among the characters A to Z, which places a burden on the operator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a keyboard that has a simple configuration, improves operability, and can reduce input time for specific characters, etc., thereby reducing the burden on the operator.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) In order to solve the above problems and achieve the objects, the present invention takes the following measures. The present invention provides a keyboard for inputting data by pressing a key, and a code generating means for generating a numerical ASCII code by pressing eight keys singly or in combination; The control means outputs a trigger for adding the numerical value of the ASCII code corresponding to the key pressed by the generating means.

(Effects) By taking such measures, the following effects are achieved. A numerical ASCII code is generated directly by pressing only 8 keys singly or in combination, and the trigger obtained by pressing a control key generates the ASCII code corresponding to the pressed key. Since the numerical values are added and output to the outside as data, the keyboard can be made much smaller without using the large number of keys as in the past. This allows the operator to easily perform input operations without having to move his or her fingers significantly.

(Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of the keyboard according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the keys of the keyboard. The keyboard 1 is constructed as follows.

First, as shown in FIG. 2, the keyboard 1 has eight keys K that serve as code generation means for generating numerical ASCII codes by pressing them singly or in combination. - to 1
8 is included in the ENTER key as a control means for outputting a trigger for adding the numerical value of the ASCII code corresponding to the pressed key by pressing one key.

The keys Ko to 7 correspond to the numerical values "2°" to "27".

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, one end of each of the eight keys Ko~ is grounded, and the other end is
Inversion buffer Ho “”” provided corresponding to 7
Each is connected to H7. Resistors R8 to R7 are provided corresponding to the eight keys K o '=K t, and one end is connected to the input end of the inverting buffer H6 to H7, and the other end is connected to the power source 1B.

On the other hand, one end of 8 is also grounded to the ENTER key, and the other end is connected to the shift register 16.

One end of the resistor R8 is connected to the input end of the shift register 16, and the other end is connected to the power source 1B.

The shift register 16 temporarily stores the manual input data from the ENTER key 8, and also delays this input data by a predetermined time and outputs it as a strobe signal STB to an external display device.

Further, the inversion buffer H8 inverts the input data from the shift register 16 and outputs the inverted data to the LCLK terminal of the register 15. The register 15 includes the inversion buffer H
When the control signal from H8 is input, the inverting buffer H8
- It adds the signals from H7 and holds the added output. Further, data is read from the register 15 in response to a control signal from the controller 20, and 8-bit ASCII data DATA is output.

FIG. 3 is a timing diagram of each signal of the keyboard.

The operation of the embodiment will be explained below with reference to the drawings. First, a case in which, for example, the character A is input will be explained. First, as an example of generating an ASCII code using a single key, it is assumed that an ASCII code 40 is generated. The operator simultaneously presses the key marked with "26" indicating "0100" as the upper digit "4" and 8 on the ENTER key. Then, 71 flows from the power supply element B to the ground via the resistor R6 and the key 6, and the input of the inverting buffer H6 becomes "L".
”.As a result, the output of the inverting buffer H6 becomes “H
”, and the ASCII code “26” is output.

On the other hand, the E generated by pressing 8 on the ENTER key
The NTER signal is held in shift register 16. Furthermore, this ENTER signal is input as a trigger to the LCLK terminal of the register 15 via the inversion buffer H8. That is, the ASCII code "26" from the inversion buffer H6 is directly latched into the register 15 by this trigger force. Furthermore, DAT from register 15
It is output as A6 to an external display device. Also, since the strobe signal STB delayed for a certain period of time from the shift register 16 is output to the display device that receives and receives the ASCII code, this strobe signal STB
The above code is taken as a trigger.

Next, as an example of generating an ASCII code by combining keys, it is assumed that, for example, an ASCII code 41 is generated. The operator enters 6 in the key with "262", which indicates "0100" by cutting off the upper digit "4", and "000" as "1".
Key K with “20” indicating 1” and ENTER.
Press the key 8 and 8 at the same time. Then, a current flows from the power source B to the ground through the resistor R6, the key 6, the resistor R8, and the key Ko. Since the inputs of the inverting buffers H8 and H6 both become "L", the ASCII code "2°#"2"" is output from the inverting buffers H, , H, respectively. Below, ENTE is pressed in the same way as when using the single key above.
By pressing 8 on the R key, a trigger is input from H8 to the LCLK terminal. Then, the ASCII code “
20" and "26" are added, and the addition output is latched directly into register 15.

Thus, from register 15 the ASCII code "20"
“26” is directly output as DATA 0.6 to an external display device.

As described above, according to this embodiment, only eight KiKo
=K Pressing 7 either singly or in combination will directly generate a numerical ASCII code, and pressing 8 on the ENTER key for control will cause the trite obtained by - to correspond to the pressed key. Since the numerical values of the ASCII codes are added by the register 15 and directly output in parallel to the outside as data DATA, the keyboard can be made significantly smaller without using a large number of character keys A-Z as in the conventional case. This allows the operator to easily perform manual operations without significantly moving his or her fingers, improving operability.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention, a numeric ASCII code is directly generated by pressing only eight keys singly or in combination, and a trigger obtained by pressing the control keys generates a numerical ASCII code. Since the numerical value of the ASCII code corresponding to the pressed key is added and outputted to the outside as data, the keyboard can be made significantly smaller without using a large number of keys as in the past. This allows the operator to easily perform input operations without significantly moving his or her fingers, making it possible to provide a keyboard with improved operability.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a keyboard according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing keys of the keyboard, FIG. 3 is a timing diagram showing signals of each part of the keyboard, and FIG. The figure is a schematic configuration diagram showing a peripheral circuit of a conventional keyboard. 1.10... Keyboard, 11... Keyboard body, 12... Encoder, 15... Register, 16...
...Shift register, 20...CRT display device, KO- to 7...ASCII code key K8...
ENTER key R1-R8...Resistance, HO-H8.
...Inversion buffer, 10B...power supply.

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a keyboard for inputting data by pressing a key, a code generating means generates a numeric ASCII code by pressing eight keys singly or in combination, and the code generating means is pressed by pressing one key. A keyboard comprising: a control means for outputting a trigger for adding a numerical value of an ASCII code corresponding to a key.