JPH03208116A - Multiple-item input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the frequency of transfers to be small if item information is transferred from a computer to a card once by constituting a multiple item input device used for the computer by means of a socket into which the IC card as a storage means can be inserted and a control means controlling the writing or reading of item information into or from the card. CONSTITUTION:When the IC card storing display data, arrangement data showing a display area and the like is inserted into a first or second slot 12 or 13, CPU 1 read data of the card inserted through an IC card control circuit 11, transfers it to a system memory 2. A KANJI (Chinese character) character generator 4 converts data into KANJI and it is transferred to a screen memory 8, whereby it is displayed in a liquid crystal display device 10 through a screen control circuit 9. Then, a touch key 6 is depressed based on said data and it is outputted to a host computer from an interface 14 when a key code allocated to the item is inputted through a key control circuit 5, whereby the display of a subsequent screen is executed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a multi-item input device used in a computer.

<Prior Art> Conventionally, various devices have been proposed as multi-item input devices for inputting item information into a host computer.

Utility Model Publication No. 61-26975 and Special Publication No. 5B-1468
The one shown in Publication No. 6 is mechanical, and the item names etc. are displayed by an input sheet. For this reason, it was not possible to easily change item names, etc. Therefore, the present applicant has recently proposed a method that allows item names to be easily changed by electronically displaying item names using a liquid crystal display (Patent Application No. 63-20
Publication No. 3344). This multi-item input device is designed to input data by pressing the screen from a transparent touch panel placed on a liquid crystal display, and uses memory instead of a conventional input sheet. Data such as item names and key definition data are stored in this memory.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> By the way, in the multi-item input device described above, any of the following methods can be considered as a method for storing data in the memory.

(2) When starting up the system, data is transferred from the host computer to the multi-item input device, and the transferred data is stored in the memory of the multi-item input device.

■Uninterrupted operation of multi-item input devices. That is, the multi-item input device is equipped with a backup power source so that data transferred from the host computer can be retained in the memory even after the system power is turned off.

■Fix data to ROM, etc.

However, the above method (2) has the problem that data must be transferred from the host computer every time the system is started up, which is time consuming. In particular, in a system in which a plurality of multi-item input devices are connected to one computer, there is a problem in that data must be transferred from the computer to each multi-item input device, which takes more time and effort.

Furthermore, although method (2) saves the effort of transferring data from the computer each time the system is started up, there is a problem in that the device becomes expensive because it requires a backup power source. In addition, method (2) has the problem that the equipment becomes expensive and the data is fixed, so it lacks versatility.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a multi-item input device that is inexpensive and can reduce the effort required to transfer data from a computer.

Means for Solving the Problems To achieve the above object, the present invention is connected to a computer and has a liquid crystal touch panel type input section, and displays information on the input section sent from the computer. Item information such as display data to be displayed and layout data representing the display area of the display data is stored in the storage means, while determining which display data is selected from the input data from the input section and the item information stored in the storage means. In the multi-item input device for inputting item data indicating whether or not the item has been inputted into the computer, an IC card socket into which an IC card as the storage means can be inserted; The present invention is characterized by comprising a control means for controlling writing of the item information to the card and reading of the item information from the IC card.

In addition, in the present invention, the IC card socket can accommodate two IC cards, and the control means selects one of the two IC cards inserted into the IC card socket. The item information stored in one of the IC cards can be read and stored in the other IC card.

<Operation> In the above configuration, the control means controls writing of the item information to the IC card and reading of the item information from the IC card via the IC card socket. In this way, since the above item information is stored in the IC card, once the above item information is transferred from the computer to this IC card, there is no need to transfer the above item information every time the computer is started up. , the number of transfers can be reduced.

Further, the IC card socket can accommodate two IC cards, and the control means can control one of the two IC cards inserted into the IC card socket.
If the item information stored on the C card is read and stored on one of the other IC cards, connect multiple multi-item input devices to one computer and When storing item information in the IC card of a multi-item input device, first insert the IC card into the IC card socket of any one of the above-mentioned multi-item input devices, and then input the item information from the computer to the multi-item input device. The item information is stored in the IC card. Next, insert the IC card of another multi-item input device into the IC card socket of the multi-item input device, and use the control means of the multi-item input device to transfer the item information from the IC card that has stored the above-mentioned item information. is read and stored in the IC card of the other multi-item input device.

Then, the IC card with the new item information stored therein is removed from the IC card socket and inserted into the IC card socket of the other multi-item input device. below,
Similarly, the item information is copied from the IC card storing the item information to the IC card of another multi-item input device. Therefore, it is only necessary to transfer the item information from the computer to one multi-item input device, and the effort of transferring from the computer can be saved. In addition, if the data transmission path from the computer to the multi-item input device and the data transmission path from the multi-item input device to the computer are separate, the transmission path from the computer to at least one multi-item input device is The number of transmission paths can be reduced.

<Example> Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 1 is an external view of a multi-item input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In this FIG. 1, 100 is a keyboard equipped with console keys for inputting fixed data such as numerical data, 110 is a touch key power unit for inputting item data, and 120 is equipped with a RAM backed up by a battery. IC with two sets of slots for inserting IC cards
This is a card socket. The above-mentioned touch key power section 110
is arranged in a matrix on the top surface of the liquid crystal display device.
Transparent tab keys consisting of 8XIO keys are stacked. These 18×10 keys can be definably combined to form any number of item keys. Then, the item name is displayed in the area of the liquid crystal display device corresponding to each item key. This item name is changed by switching multiple screens (page switching), thereby expanding the number of items.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the multi-item input device.

In this figure 2, l is a CPU, 2 is a system memory, 3 is a program memory, 4 is a Kanji CG (character generator), 5 is a key control circuit, 6 is a touch key, 7
is the console key, 8 is the screen memory, 9 is the screen control circuit, IO is the LCD (liquid crystal display), II is the IC card control circuit, l2 and l3 are the first terminals for the IC card, respectively.
, the second slot, and l4 are interfaces with the host computer (hereinafter abbreviated as host I/P).

Now, the first slot l2 or the second slot 13
The IC stores data such as display data as shown in FIG. 7 and layout data representing the display area of the display data.
It is assumed that the card is inserted. The above CPUI is
The first or second
Reads the data of the IC card inserted into the slot,
While being transferred to the system memory 2, the display data is converted into display characters using the Kanji CG4, and then transferred to the screen memory 8 and displayed on the LCDIO via the screen control circuit 9. When the touch key 6 is pressed based on the display data displayed on this LCDIO and the key code assigned to that item is input via the key control circuit 5, the CP
U'l outputs this key code from the host I/F 14 to the host computer, and displays the next screen based on the screen switching data. By repeating the above operations, a multi-item screen is displayed and the key code assigned to each item is output.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a memory map of each memory shown in FIG. 2.

The system memory 2 includes a work area for storing various data, etc., and an area for storing table information and display data corresponding to each page, which will be described later.

Kanji CG4 is assigned to the same address as the above IC card, is switched to the IC card by bank switching, and display data read from the system memory 2 (
This is a pattern generator that develops code data) into a dot pattern in screen memory.

The screen memory 8 stores screen information of item name information displayed on the LCDIO in the form of a dot map. This screen information is developed and stored from the display data every time the benophone is switched.

lth slot 12. IC inserted into second slot 13
The above-mentioned various data are downloaded to the card from the host computer when setting up the system or changing the abbreviation program for changing the processing operations of the host computer.

The data loaded into the IC card is developed in the system memory according to a predetermined format during initialization processing when the power is turned on.

Figure 4 shows the item data table.

This table is partitioned by page number.

Each page has multiple screens or one screen, and each screen is assigned a screen number. Defining data such as an item start position and an item size are assigned to each item key consisting of a combination of 18×10 matrix keys. The item start position indicates the reference position of the item key (matrix key in the upper left corner), and the item size indicates the number of matrix keys in the vertical and horizontal directions from this item start position. Furthermore, for each item key, it is determined whether or not to output the item number (output code) to be supplied to the host computer as input data, screen switching data indicating whether or not to switch the screen, and the above item number to the host computer. The code output flag and display data are assigned.

The above-mentioned screen switching data is set when the host computer creates the abbreviation program and is downloaded to the IC card, and if the page data and screen data are each "0", the screen will not be switched. Also,
If the page data and screen data are data other than "0", the screen is automatically switched to the screen corresponding to the numerical value. Further, if the code output flag is "1", the output code is output to the host computer, and if it is "0", the output code is not output. Using these data, screen switching can be performed automatically without receiving instructions from the host computer, and the amount of data transferred to and from the host computer can be reduced. Further, by setting the code output flag, the switch operation for switching pages can be omitted. In other words, the item key can be substituted for a page switching key, making it highly versatile and flexible.

Figure 5 is a table that is developed from the item data table in Figure 4 each time the screen is switched, and output codes to be output to the host computer in response to predetermined key code signals (notes/codes) held by matrix keys. (soft code) is determined. The application program is created so that the host computer handles this soft code as one item name.

Therefore, flexibility can be given to application program design by arbitrarily setting the soft code.

The above operation is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

That is, when the touch key is pressed in step S61,
In step S62, the hard code is converted into an item number (output code) based on the conversion table shown in FIG. Then, in step S63, the screen switching data corresponding to the item number is referred to from the item data table shown in FIG. It is determined in step S64 whether the page data of this screen switching data is "0", and if it is "0", the process proceeds to step 868, whereas if it is not "0", step S65
Proceed to. In step S65, the next screen to be opened is specified from the page data and screen data. Then, the process advances to step S66, and after clearing the screen memory 8 (FIG. 2), the display data to be displayed on the specified screen is transferred to the screen memory 8. In the next step 868, the code output flag is referred to from the item data table based on the item number obtained in step S62, and in step S69 it is determined whether the flag is "0°". If the item number is not input to the computer, the process returns to step S61, whereas if it is not "0," the process proceeds to step S70, where the item number is input to the computer, and then the process returns to step S61.

FIG. 7 shows specific data to be stored in the IC card.

Here, the file information is information indicating whether or not this IC card contains touch key data. In addition, the management data is the card number. , data division information indicating whether the touch key data is divided into two IC cards, and data such as data name and data creation date.

The item arrangement data is the data in the item data table of FIG. 4 excluding display data.

Further, the display data is display data for each item.

The private character data is data consisting of the number of private characters and the pattern of the private characters.

FIG. 8 is a connection diagram when n multi-item input devices of this embodiment are connected to one host computer.

Each multi-item input device 81, 81, . . . has a dedicated transmission line 8 2, 8 2, . . . and a terminal 83, 83.
．． It is connected to the host computer 84 via .

Each data shown in FIG. 7 is downloaded from the host computer 84 to the IC card of one multi-item input device 8l when the system is installed and when the application program of the host computer 84 is changed. and,
In initialization processing at startup, this downloaded multi-item input device transfers the item arrangement data and display data to the system memory 2 (Figure 2) based on the management data of the IC card, as shown in Figures 4 and 2. Fifth
Unfold as shown. In this development, the IC card slot is selected by bank switching, and based on the management data, the IC cards are read in order from the lowest address value assigned to the IC card, and are expanded into the system memory 2. After confirming whether the data has been divided into two IC cards, the data of the second IC card is expanded into the system memory 2. Hereinafter, multi-item input operations are possible according to the flowchart in FIG.

In this way, the data shown in Figure 7 is stored in the IC card, so once the above data is downloaded from the host computer to this IC card, the above data can be stored in the host computer every time the system is started up. There is no need to transfer from a computer, reducing the number of transfers.

Furthermore, the data downloaded to the IC card of one multi-item input device can be copied to the IC card of another multi-item input device as follows.

That is, the downloaded copy source IC card is inserted into one IC card slot, and the copy destination IC card is inserted into the other IC card slot. Then, by operating the copy mode key provided on the console keys 7 (FIG. 2), a copy operation is performed according to the flowchart in FIG. 9.

First, the copy mode key is pressed in step S92 from the state of waiting for human input in step S91 of FIG. Then, the process advances to step S93, where the card in the first slot l2 is read, and if reading is possible, step S93 is performed.
The process proceeds from step S94 to step S95. Then, the card in the second slot l3 is read, and if reading is possible, it is determined in step S97 whether there is data on the card in the second slot, and if there is no data, the card in the first slot is read in the next step S98. data is transferred to system memory 2. Then, the process advances to step S99, and the data transferred to the system memory 2 is transferred to the card in the second slot. When the data transfer is completed, the process returns to step S91.

Note that if the copy mode key is not pressed in step S92, the process waits for other processing in step Slot. Further, if it is not possible to read in step S94, step S10
2, the process returns to step S93 or step S91.

If reading is not possible in step S96, step S103 to step S95 or step S9
Return to 1. Further, if there is data in the card in the second slot in step S97, the process advances to step S104, and if the data is to be overwritten, the process advances to step 99B and performs the following processing.
If it is not overwritten, the process returns to step S91.

In this way, if data is downloaded from the host computer to the IC card of one multi-item input device, it can be copied to the IC card of another multi-item input device on the multi-item input device side. The trouble of downloading from the host computer can be saved. In addition, if the data transmission path from the host computer to the multi-item input device and the data transmission path from the multi-item input device to the host computer are separate, the host computer The number of transmission paths can be reduced.

<Effects of the Invention> As is clear from the above, the multi-item input device of the present invention has an IC card socket into which an IC card as a storage means can be inserted, and an IC card input device through the IC card socket. Since the IC card is equipped with a control means for controlling writing of item information and reading of item information from the IC card, once the item information is transferred from the computer to this IC card, the above information is transferred every time the computer is started up. There is no need to transfer item information, and the number of transfers can be reduced. Furthermore, since an IC card is used as a storage means, the device can be made inexpensive.

Further, in the multi-item input device of the present invention, the IC card socket allows two IC cards to be inserted, and the control means is configured to be able to accommodate two IC cards. By making it possible to read the item information stored in one of the two IC cards inserted into the IC card socket and store it in the other IC card. , when using multiple multi-item devices connected to a computer, it is only necessary to transfer item information from the computer to one multi-item input device, reducing the number of times item information is transferred from the computer. I can do it,
Furthermore, if the data transmission path from the computer to the multi-item input device and the data transmission path from the multi-item input device to the computer are separate, the transmission path from the computer to at least one multi-item input device is It would be good if there was
The number of transmission lines can be reduced.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a multi-item input device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the multi-item input device, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram of each memory shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a memory map, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an item data table in the above embodiment, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a barcode conversion table in the above embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing input operations of the multi-item input device. 7 is a diagram showing the data format of the IC card in the above embodiment, FIG. 8 is a system configuration diagram when a plurality of the above multi-item input devices are connected to one host computer, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the data format of the IC card in the above embodiment. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of copying data from one IC card to another IC card in the above embodiment. 1...CPU, 2...System memory, 5...Key control circuit, 6...Touch key 10...LCD, 1
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...IC card control circuit, 12.13...Slot, l4...Host I/F, 100...Keyboard, 110...Touch key power unit, 120...Socket for IC card. Patent applicant: Sharp Corporation Agent
Patent attorney Aoyama Aoyama and one other person Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 6 Figure 9

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) It is connected to a computer and has a liquid crystal touch panel type input section, and items such as display data sent from the computer and displayed on the input section and layout data representing the display area of the display data The computer stores the information in the storage means, and inputs item data indicating which display data has been input from the input data from the input section and the item information stored in the storage means into the computer. In the item input device, there is an IC card socket into which an IC card as the storage means can be inserted, and the item information can be written to the IC card or the item can be read from the IC card through the IC card socket. A multi-item input device comprising: control means for controlling reading of information. (2) The multi-item input device according to claim 1, wherein the IC card socket is adapted to accommodate two IC cards, and the control means is inserted into the IC card socket. The item information stored in one of the two IC cards is read and the other IC card is read.
A multi-item input device characterized in that the data is stored in a C card.