JPH0486910A - Key input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To unnecessitate useless operation of a selection key and to prevent erroneous input by performing the change of the kind or order of an input mode changeable with the selection key with the use of a set means. CONSTITUTION:A mode changeover key 4a is operated and switched to a set mode to turned to be a specification set mode by inputting a code preliminarily determined by this set mode, for example, 0,0,7,(X). From among settable specifications, there is function selection of sequence and character changeover key 4b, that is, order selection of the changeover at the time of inputting charac ter, and the display indicating the changeover order at the time of inputting characters are displayed on a display part 3 when setting this specification. In this case, the current selection is reversely displayed. At the time of selection, a cursor key is used, and after that, the function setting of the sequence and the character changeover key 4b is performed by pushing a print key. In this case, the sequence and the function number of the character changeover key 4b are internally stored in the prescribed area of the specification storage area of a memory 12.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention: "Industrial Application Field" This invention relates to a key input device for inputting "kana" or "alphabet", and in particular, input for label printers whose operation is often unfamiliar. The present invention relates to a key input device suitable for use as a device.

``Prior art'' When inputting ``kana'' or ``alphabet'', if a key is provided for each character, the number of keys increases, so it is possible to input ``kana'' and ``alphabetic'' using one key. Key input devices are known in which switching between a kana input mode and an alphabet input mode is performed by operating a function key (for example, a word processor or a keyboard of a personal computer).

By the way, in conventional label printers, characters (kanji, kana, alphabets, etc.) were entered by entering character codes using a numeric keypad, but recently there are printers that allow you to directly enter "kana" and "alpha vent" using the keys. It has been developed. The key input device for this label printer has "kana" and "alphabet" written on the key tops as shown in Fig. 18, and "selection keys" (
Each time the input mode switching key (-) is operated, the character input mode is sequentially switched in the order shown in FIG. That is, each time the "selection key" is pressed, the input mode changes sequentially from alphabet (uppercase) - alphabet (lowercase) - katakana → hiragana → alphabet (uppercase).

``Problem to be Solved by the Invention'' However, this method does not allow printing of lowercase letters of the alphabet on labels due to the circumstances of each store using the label printer, even if lowercase letters of the alphabet are not printed on labels. In this case, there was an inconvenience that the "selection key" had to be pressed twice.

Furthermore, there is a risk that a mistake in operating the "selection key" may result in erroneous input of lowercase letters of the alphabet.

This invention was made in view of these circumstances. For example, if there is an input mode that is not used at all due to the circumstances of each store, there is no need to use the "selection key",
Another object of the present invention is to provide a key input device that is free from the risk of erroneous input.

"Means for Solving the Problem" This invention provides keys used for inputting multiple data, and one
The present invention is characterized by comprising a selection key that sequentially switches the input mode of the key each time the key is operated, and a setting means that sets the type and/or order of input modes that can be switched by the selection key.

[Operation] According to the above configuration, the setting means allows changing the type and/or order of input modes that can be switched using the selection key. For example, if there are four types of input modes: l: alphabet (uppercase) input mode, 2: alphabet (lowercase) input mode, 3: katakana input mode, 4: hiragana input mode, by operating the setting means, for example, ( b) 1→2→3→4→l (b) I→3-4→I (c) l-4→1 Change the order and/or type of input modes as appropriate according to the user's circumstances. be able to.

Therefore, since unnecessary input modes can be omitted, there is no need to use the "selection key" in vain. Furthermore, since the operation error of the "selection key" is avoided, there is no possibility of erroneous input.

"Embodiments" Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a label printing device 1 to which a key input device, which is an embodiment of the present invention, is applied, and FIG. 2 is a front view of the same device 1.
FIG. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 2 denotes a display/operation section, which includes a dot-type liquid crystal display 3, a group of function keys 4, and a numeric keypad 5. FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of this display/operation section 2.

The function key group 4 is used to set various functions. In this case, the operating mode of the device is switched by pressing the mode switching key 44a, and
As shown in the figure, the mode switches to "calling mode", "inspection mode", and "setting mode".

The functions of the operation keys in each of these modes are as follows.

"Paper feed key": Used to feed labels and receipts in each mode. Used to initialize the product.

"Mode switching key" is used for switching the operation mode of each mote (the modes are switched in the order of call-inspection general constant-call).

"+, return key", in the case of a calling mode, is used to issue an addition label. In setting and inspection mode, it is used to return to the previous state.

r Lot No., I, Add/Change Key" is used to input the loft number l in the call mode. In configuration mode,
Used for inserting and overriding character input.

r Lot No. 2, font size key": Used to input lot number 2 in the call mode. In configuration mode,
Changing the font size when inputting characters (use this).

“Abbreviated product name key”: In call mode, used to call an abbreviated number. In setting mode, it is used to call the product name master.

“Code key”: Used to call up a code number in call mode. In the inspection mode, it is used for inspection printing of I items. In setting mode, it is used to store data in memory.

“*key”: Used for printing labels in call mode. In inspection mode, it is used to print receipts. In setting mode, it is used to input data.

"r schedule, -key": Used to call up the schedule in the call mode. In setting mode, it is used to move the cursor to the left.

"Address, ↑ key": In call mode, used to call out the address. In inspection and setting mode, it is used to move the cursor upward.

"Message, ↓ key": Used to call up a message when in call mode. In inspection and setting mode, it is used to move the cursor downward.

"--Key": Used to subtract data in call mode. In the setting mode, it is used to move the cursor to the right.

"Sequential number, character switching key"("selectionkey"): In the case of a call mode, it is used to input serial number data. In the setting mode, it is used to switch the character type, that is, to switch the input mode. In this case, the characters to be switched are English (uppercase), English (lowercase), Katakana, and Hiragana names.

“Quantity, deletion key”: In call mode, used to input quantity data. In setting mode, it is used to delete data.

"Erase key": In call mode, used to select print type and operate print mask. In setting mode, it is used to move to maintenance operations. Used for initial product upgrade.

rO, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 keys: Used to input numerical values in each mode.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 6 denotes a character input key operation section for inputting "alphabet", "katakana", "hiragana", and "special symbol °".Here, FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the character input key operation section 6. As shown in this figure, in this character input key operation section 6, two characters or a character and a symbol are assigned to one key. Press the mode switch key j4a to
After selecting the setting mode, press "Serial number, character switching key" 4
Each time b is pressed, the type of character input by the same key changes from ``English (capital letter)'' to ``, as shown in Figures 8 to 11.
It is now possible to switch to ``English (lower case)'', ``Katakana'', and ``Hiragana''. Returning to Figure 1, 7 is the label issuing port, 8
is a label. In this case, the label 8 is issued with its backing properties intact.

Next, FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the label printing device l. In this figure, lO is a CPU (central processing unit), which controls each part of the device l. 11 is a program memory using ROM etc.
A program is written to control 0. Here, a memory map of the program memory 11 is shown in FIG. As shown in this figure, a "control program", a "key code to character code conversion table (encoder)", and a "character switching key table" are written in the program memory 11. In this case, the “key code-character code conversion table” further includes “
It consists of an English (uppercase) encoder, an English (lowercase) encoder, a katakana encoder, and a hirakana encoder.
When a character key on the operation unit 6 is operated, a key code corresponding to the pressed key is generated, and this generated key code is converted into a character code by the encoder (conversion table) of the input mode when the character key is operated. be done.

On the other hand, the above-mentioned "Character switching key table" stores six types of tables (1) to (2) that define the functions of the character switching keys. That is, if the current mode is 0: English (uppercase) input mode, l: English (lowercase) input mode 2, katakana input mode 3: hiragana input mode, the following six types of tables are stored.

■ 0→1-2-3 →0 ■ Table ■ Table ■ :o121 ■ 0-2-3-1 →0 table ■ ■ Table ■ □ ■ 0→ l →0 table ■ ■ 0→1-2→0 table ■ This "Character switching key table" is provided for each function type of r serial number and character switching key J4b.
This indicates which input mode the current input mode is to be switched to when the character switching key J4b is pressed. The column on the right shows the input mode to be changed.In other words, when the above table ■ is selected, when "2" (Katakana input mode) is pressed, "Serial number, character switching key J4b is pressed,"0" (English (uppercase) input) mode. That is, according to the specification settings described later, when you select one of the functions of the serial number and character switching key J4b from the above ■ to ■, the corresponding table is specified. The input mode switching process is performed according to the table specified when you press (In addition, in the explanation of the table above, the type and order of the input mode to be switched by each table is shown in the upper left of each table ■ to ■. ing).

When the character input key is operated, the "character code conversion table" of the currently set mode is used to convert the key code into a character code.

In FIG. 12, 12 is a memory that can be written/read freely without using a RAM or the like, and is used in the processing of CPU10. Here, FIG. 14 shows a memory map of the memory I2. As shown in this figure, the memory 12 has a "specification storage area (a type of flag)", a "flag/register/buffer area", a "preset data area", and a "summary data area". ing. in this case,
The “specification storage area” is set in non-volatile RAM. Additionally, the "preset data area" and the "summary data area" are constantly hacked up by batteries.

In the above "Specification storage area", "Serial number, function number of character switching key J4b (■ to ■
) is memorized (the initial value is set to ■),
On the other hand, the "flag register buffer area" stores the current input mode (the above-mentioned "0" to "3") (the initial value is set to "0"). Returning to FIG. 12, 13 is a printing section, which prints on the label 8 described above.

◇ Here, the above-mentioned function selection process of the serial number and character conversion key J4b will be explained.

In this embodiment, specifications are set by storing them in a non-volatile memory using the display/operation section 2, rather than by changing the normal dip switch. Furthermore, if the specifications are changed without permission by a user's operation, the device will no longer operate as desired by the user, so this function is made a hidden function. Therefore, the "specification setting mode" is entered only when the device is in a certain state and a special key operation is performed. Additionally, this "specification setting mote" allows for interactive input so that specification setting processing can be performed easily and without error.

In this case, the technology for setting the specifications for the nonvolatile memory is described in detail in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-240821, and in this embodiment, the "mode switching key J
4a to switch to "setting mode", and enter a predetermined cipher in this "setting mode", such as ro J, r
By inputting "o J, r7 J, r■", it becomes "specification setting mode". In addition, among the specifications that can be set, there is "function selection of the serial number and character switching key J4b, that is, selection of the switching order when inputting characters. When setting this specification,
A display showing the switching order when inputting characters as shown in FIG. 15 is displayed on the display section 3. In this case, the currently selected item is displayed in reverse. For selection, use the cursor keys and then press ■ (print key) to set the function of the "serial number, character switching key" 4b. In this case, the function number of the serial number and character switching key J4b is stored internally in a predetermined area of the specification storage area of the memory 12. For example,
If you select - English (lower case) - Katakana, "■" will be stored, and if you select English (upper case) - English (lower case) - Katakana - Hiragana, "■" will be stored.

◇ Next, the process when the serial number/character switching key J4b is operated is as shown in the flowchart of FIG.

That is, the function number stored in the specification storage area of the memory 12 is checked, and if the number is n (n=1
In the case of 6), the input mode is switched using the table. For example, if the function number is ■ and the current mode is "2" (Katakana input mode), it is switched to "0" (English (capital letter) input mode).

◇ Also, the process when operating the "r character key" is as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 17. That is,
When the "r character key" is operated, the current input mode is checked and the key code is converted to a character code using the conversion table for that input mode. For example, "character key"
When you operate , if the input mode is "l", it is converted to a character code using an English (lowercase) conversion table.

Note that the types and order of the input modes described above are not limited to those in the embodiment.

Further, in the above embodiment, the specification data is stored in the memory using the operation unit, but the specification data may be set using a dip switch.

Further, in the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to a label printer, but the present invention is not limited to label printers, and can be used as a key input device for any device that requires character input.

Further, in the above embodiment, the key code to character code conversion is performed by the CPU that controls the label printer, but the input device itself may perform this conversion and output the character code.

"Effects of the Invention" As explained above, the key input device of the present invention (in other words, the setting means (specification setting mode)) allows the types of input modes that can be switched using the selection key (serial number, character conversion key 4b). Since the order and/or order can be changed, unnecessary input modes can be omitted depending on the user's circumstances, and unnecessary operation of selection keys can be eliminated.Therefore, operation is simplified and input errors can be avoided. In addition, the manufacturer side has the advantage of being able to make customized products for each store without having to make special orders.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a label printing device to which a key input device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a side view of the same label printing device, and FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the operation/display unit 2. Figures 4 to 6 are diagrams showing the key layout in each mode, Figure 7 is an enlarged view of the character input key operation section 6, Figures 8 to 11 are diagrams showing the types of characters, and Figure 12 is a diagram showing the type of characters. 13 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the label printing device, FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a memory map of the program memory 11, FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a memory map of the memory 12, and FIG. Figures 16 and 17 showing examples of display
Each figure is a diagram for explaining the operation of the embodiment, and FIGS. 18 and 19 are diagrams for explaining the prior art, respectively. ■...Label printing device, 2...Display/operation unit, 4...Function key group, 4a...
Mode switching key 4b...Serial number, character switching key (selection key), 6
......Character input key-operation section, IO...CPU. 11...Program memory, 12...Memory (4a, 10.11.12 are setting means).

Claims (1)

[Claims] a key used for inputting multiple data; a selection key that sequentially switches the input mode of the key each time it is operated;
A key input device comprising: setting means for setting the type and/or order of input modes that can be switched by the selection key.