JPH0365718A - Terminal equipment provided with exclusive display device for displaying function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To display the name of a function on a display on a keyboard according to an instruction from software by attaching the display exclusively used for displaying the function of a function key to the keyboard of a terminal equipment. CONSTITUTION:The completion report 3 of the loading of the program of a terminal equipment 1 or the function switching key push-down report 5 of the keyboard 4 or the report 6 from a host computer by on-line is received by the CPU 2 of the terminal machine 1. The name of the function each software defined severally to the function key is stored as data in an auxiliary storage device 7. The terminal equipment 1 retrieves the data requested by each report from the auxiliary storage device 7, and loads it in a video RAM 8 for the exclusive display for displaying the function. By such operation, the name of the function the software defined severally to the function key is displayed on the exclusive display 9 for displaying the function.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a terminal device in which functions specific to software are defined in function keys.

[Conventional technology]

Traditionally, when a function was defined for a function key, a handwritten function explanation sheet was attached if the software was created by a user, or a printed sheet was attached to the key if the software was sold by a manufacturer. It was used either by displaying it on a CRT display or by displaying it in the form of a menu bar.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

The conventional method of using a sheet explaining the functions described above requires replacing the sheet every time the software used changes, and when the number of software used increases, the number of sheets increases proportionally, so sheet management is difficult. becomes difficult. Furthermore, it is easy to make the mistake of pressing the wrong key due to the sheet being shifted during operation.

In the method of displaying the menu bar on the CRT screen, the menu bar takes up space on the screen and the screen cannot be used effectively. Furthermore, since there is a distance between the menu bar on the CRT screen and the function keys, there is a drawback that it is easy to make a mistake by pressing the wrong key.

[Means to solve the problem]

The terminal device with a display dedicated to displaying functions of the present invention includes a keyboard with a display for displaying functions, a video RAM for displaying characters on the display above the keyboard, and a display that is defined differently depending on the software. an auxiliary storage device for storing function names as data;
and means for displaying the name of the function on the display above the keyboard according to instructions from the software.

〔Example〕

Next, the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the terminal with a display dedicated to displaying functions has an auxiliary storage device 7. Video RAM8. Function display only display 9
It is configured with

Next, the operation of the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings. First, notice 3. Completion of loading the program on terminal 1.
Or notification of press of function switch key of keyboard 45. or online notification from the host computer 6
The CPU 2 of the terminal 1 receives the information.

The auxiliary storage device 7 stores as data the names of functions individually defined for function keys by each software.

The terminal device 1 searches the auxiliary storage device 7 for data required by each notification, and displays the video RA for a display dedicated to displaying functions.
Load it into M8.

As a result of the above operations, the names of the functions defined by the software for the individual function keys are displayed on the function display only display 9.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, by attaching a display dedicated to displaying function keys to the keyboard of a terminal, the present invention provides function explanation sheets for function keys that are proportional to the number of software when using multiple software on one terminal. There is no need to manage the functions, and there is no need to replace the function explanation sheet depending on the software used.

In addition, in order to display functions in close proximity to the function keys,
This has the effect of preventing operational errors such as misalignment of sheets that are replaced by the operator's hands and incorrect key presses due to the physical distance between the CRT display and the function keys when using a menu bar.

East 1 diagram

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a terminal with a display dedicated to displaying functions of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Terminal, 2... CPU, 4... Keyboard, 7... Auxiliary storage device, 8... Video RAM for display dedicated to displaying functions, 9... Display dedicated to displaying functions.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A keyboard with a display for displaying functions, a video RAM for displaying characters on the display above the keyboard, and auxiliary memory for storing function names defined differently for each software as data. 1. A terminal device with a display dedicated to displaying functions, characterized by having a device and means for displaying function names on a display above a keyboard according to instructions from software.