JPH05274262A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To input information, etc., such as a printed or handwritten character, etc., to a system device as a keyboard signal similarly to a key operation input from a key board device. CONSTITUTION:Information such as the character printed or handwritten to an original is read, the inputted C information is recognized, a keyboard operation code preparation part 6 prepares a keyboard operation code from the recognition code and a keyboard signal preparation part 8 converts it into a keyboard signal to output it to the system device 3. At the time of inputting a command signal from the system device 3 by way of a keyboard signal input/ output part 10, a host signal processing part 16 emulates a command obtd. by analyzing it and sends the return signal of the emulation result to the system 3.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical information reading device (OCR) used by connecting to various data processing devices (computer body) including a document creating device, an automatic translation device, etc., and a system device such as a filing device. ) Etc. regarding the input device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a keyboard device is often used as an input device of a system device such as a data processing device or a filing device, but it takes time to get used to the key input operation of the keyboard device. It was
Therefore, as an input means for assisting a key input operation by a keyboard device, an OCR for optically reading and inputting handwritten or printed characters and symbols, a handwriting of characters handwritten directly on a board surface, a pressure sensor group, etc. There has been proposed a device including a tablet input device or the like that detects a character and recognizes a character or the like corresponding to the handwriting to input.

For example, there are the following devices. (1) Recognize characters handwritten from a tablet, determine the recognized characters, convert them into output codes of a system distinguishable from the output code from the keyboard device, and output the output code and keyboard via an adapter. A character input device that integrates the output code from the device and outputs it to the control processing body (see, for example, JP-A-61-223974). (2) When a handwritten OCR is connected to an information input device capable of inputting information from a voice or a keyboard device and a kanji or the like that is unreadable is input, an information input device capable of handwriting input by the handwritten OCR (for example, Actual Kaisho 6
No. 2-62368).

(3) Instead of the key input of the keyboard device or the push button input on the panel, a handwritten input character or an instruction input by voice is recognized, and a registration table is created in advance in correspondence with the recognition result. An information processing device that selects a registered process (see, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 62-187340). (4) The logic of a keyboard device that outputs a character and a numeric code by pressing a key, a hand scanner and an OCR character read by the hand scanner to generate a character and a numeric code and output from the keyboard device. A personal computer input device having a character and number recognition unit for outputting the sum and handling the input from both the keyboard device and the hand scanner as the same input (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 64-64-
50114).

[0005]

However, each of the above-mentioned devices has the following problems. (1) The system of the output code is different for the character input of the tablet and the keyboard device, and the processing efficiency is required because the control processing body that receives the output code must perform the processing to determine the output code of both. Not only cannot be used for conventional general data processing devices. In addition, since only the characters can be handwritten on the tablet and various control information cannot be input like the keyboard device, the tablet device cannot be completely used in place of the keyboard device.

(2) Since the voice input, the input by the keyboard device, and the handwritten OCR input must be input to the main body through separate input interfaces and different recognition processing must be performed respectively, the configuration and program of the data processing apparatus main body are It is complicated and not versatile. (3) The pre-registered process can only be selected by handwritten character input or voice input, and various information cannot be freely input as in the case of key input by the keyboard device, and special processing is not possible. Limited to use.

(4) Inputs from the keyboard device and the hand scanner are only character and numeric codes, and other control codes and the like cannot be input. In addition, in general data processing devices such as personal computers and word processors, it is not designed to input character and number codes from the keyboard interface, but to enter the key pressing position (key code) and its on / off information. Since the process of converting it into a character or numerical code or control code is performed in the main body, inputting the character and numerical codes is not versatile.

Further, since the logical sum of the codes output from the keyboard device and the hand scanner is output, there is a possibility that simultaneous input by the both will occur to the data processing device main body. As described above, in all of the above-described conventional input devices, the key input by the keyboard device is mainly used.
R or a tablet input device can be used as an auxiliary input device, and the number of input means other than the keyboard device is increased, which complicates the configuration of the data processing device main body or increases the processing load, or There was a problem of lacking versatility.

In addition to transmitting data from an input device such as a keyboard device to the system device side, it is also common today to transmit a command signal or the like from the system device to the keyboard device side. Next, an example of the command signal is shown. Set / Reset Status Indicators Echo Select Alternate Scan Codes Read ID Set Typematic Rate / Delay Enable Default Disable Set Default Set All Keys Set Key Type Resend Reset However, in the conventional input device as described above, the command signal transmitted from the system device However, it cannot be used as a complete substitute for the keyboard device, nor can it be used together with the keyboard device.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and makes it possible to handle all input information such as characters printed or handwritten on a manuscript in the same way as key operation input from a keyboard device, and input operation. It is an object of the present invention to provide an input device capable of significantly improving the versatility and versatility of a computer and performing appropriate processing for a command transmitted from a system device.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an information inputting means for optically reading and inputting information such as characters printed or handwritten on a manuscript, and the information inputting means. Information recognition means for recognizing information and outputting the recognition code, keyboard operation code creating means for converting the recognition code from the means into a keyboard operation code, and a keyboard corresponding to the keyboard operation code from the means for a system device A keyboard signal generating means for converting into a signal and a keyboard signal output means for outputting the keyboard signal to a system device such as a data processing device via a keyboard interface are provided, and a command signal from the system device is inputted to input the command. Command analysis means for analyzing and the command analyzed by that means Means for performing emulation in accordance with, to provide an input device provided with means for outputting an emulation result of the return signal by that unit to the system unit.

Further, the above-mentioned information input means, information recognition means, keyboard operation code generation means, keyboard signal generation means, keyboard signal output means, and a keyboard device are provided or connected, and a keyboard signal is generated by a key input from the keyboard device. And a keyboard signal switching means for switching the keyboard signal from the keyboard signal generating means to the keyboard signal output means, and a command signal input means for inputting a command signal from the system unit, and a command signal input by the means. For outputting to the keyboard device, command analysis means for analyzing the command of the input command signal, means for performing emulation according to the command analyzed by the means, return signal of the emulation result by the means, and keyboard To provide an input device provided with means for outputting the laid et return signal to the system unit.

Further, the information input means, the information recognition means, the keyboard operation code generation means, the keyboard signal generation means, the keyboard signal output means, the keyboard device and the keyboard signal switching means are provided, and the command signal from the system device is input. Command signal input means for
Means for outputting the command signal input by the means to the keyboard device, command analysis means for analyzing the command of the input command signal, means for performing emulation according to the command analyzed by the means, and emulation result by the means And an input device provided with means for analyzing a return signal from the keyboard device and a return signal from the keyboard device and selecting an appropriate signal to output to the system device.

[0014]

When the input device according to the present invention recognizes by inputting and recognizing printed or handwritten characters or voice information, the recognition code is converted into a keyboard operation code, and the keyboard operation code corresponds to the system device. It is converted into a keyboard signal (key code and its ON / OFF signal) and output to a system device such as a data processing device via a keyboard interface. Also, a command signal is input from the system device, the command is analyzed, emulation according to the command is performed, and a return signal of the emulation result is output to the system device.

Therefore, the system device side can process printed or handwritten characters and voice information in the same manner as the information input by the key operation from the keyboard, and can process the information in accordance with the command transmitted from the system device. Since the emulation can be performed in the same manner as the keyboard device, various data processing device bodies (system devices) using the conventional keyboard device can be used by connecting to the keyboard interface without any change.

When a keyboard device is provided or connected, a command signal is input from the system device,
If the command signal is output to the keyboard device, the command is analyzed, emulation according to the command is performed, and the return signal of the emulation result and the return signal from the keyboard device are output to the system device, the connection is established. The keyboard device can also be emulated by a command sent from the system unit. Furthermore, if the return signal of the emulation result and the return signal from the keyboard device are analyzed and an appropriate signal is selected and output to the system device, the optimum one of the emulation results performed by the input device and the keyboard device is selected. Can be sent to the system unit.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a data processing device using the input device according to the present invention. In this data processing device, an input device 1 is connected via a keyboard interface (I / F) cable 2 to a system device 3 having a document creation function, a data processing function, etc.
The input device 1 has a function of optically reading information such as characters printed or handwritten on a document (paper or the like) inserted through the insertion slot 1a and converting the information into a keyboard signal.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an input device 1 shown in FIG. 2 showing a first embodiment of the present invention together with a system device 3. The input device 1 includes an information input unit 4, an information recognition unit 5, a keyboard operation code creation unit 6, a keyboard operation code creation information storage unit 7, a keyboard signal creation unit 8, a keyboard signal creation information storage unit 9, and a keyboard signal input / output. The unit 10 and the host signal processing unit 16 are provided. Also, the voice input unit 11a and the voice recognition unit 11b.
May be provided.

The information input unit 4 optically reads information such as characters printed or handwritten on a sheet and information of special marks indicating control information by a scanner, binarizes the information, and sends it to the information recognition unit 5. .. The information recognizing unit 5 performs character and special mark recognition processing by OCR on the binarized information received from the information input unit 4, and sends the recognition code to the keyboard operation code creating unit 6.

Based on the information stored in the keyboard operation code creation information storage unit 7, the keyboard operation code creation unit 6 uses the recognition code sent from the information recognition unit 5 as a keyboard operation code (corresponding to a key operation. Code) and sends it to the keyboard signal creation unit 8. The keyboard operation code creation information storage unit 7 stores information referenced by the keyboard operation code creation unit 6 in a table format,
For all information including characters and special marks that can be recognized by the information recognition unit 5, a keyboard operation code in which those recognition codes are used as indexes is registered.

The keyboard signal creation section 8 uses the keyboard operation code sent from the keyboard operation code creation section 6 as a keyboard signal (on the keyboard device) based on the information stored in the keyboard signal creation information storage section 9. It is converted into a key code when the key is pressed and its ON / OFF signal) and sent to the keyboard signal input / output unit 10.
The keyboard signal creation information storage unit 9 stores information referred to by the keyboard signal creation unit 8, and each keyboard signal data corresponding to each keyboard operation code (1 key input) on the keyboard device is registered in a table format. Has been done.

The keyboard signal data is, for example,
When the character "A" is input from the keyboard device to the system device, the keyboard device inputs the key to the system device along with the physical position (key code) of the character "A" in the key arrangement on the keyboard device. Data indicating that the key has been pressed (ON) and released (OFF) is notified, and means notification information regarding key press and key release determined for each key on the keyboard device.

The keyboard signal input / output unit 10 sends the keyboard signal data received from the keyboard signal creating unit 8 to the system unit 3 via the keyboard I / F cable 2 for exchanging data between the system unit 3 and the keyboard unit. It outputs or receives a command signal or the like transmitted from the system device 3 and sends it to the host signal processing unit 16. The host signal processing unit 16 receives a command signal or the like from the system device (hereinafter also referred to as “host”) 3 via the keyboard signal input / output unit 10 and performs various processes.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional arrangement of the host signal processing section 16. This host signal processing unit 1
Reference numeral 6 denotes a host command analysis unit 17 that performs a process of analyzing a command of a command signal from the system device 3 and a process of outputting a return signal of an emulation result to the system device 3, and an analysis by the host command analysis unit 17. The command processing emulator unit 20 includes various emulator groups for performing emulation according to the command.

The command processing emulator section 20 includes an ID reading emulator 18 for performing emulation for reading the ID of the keyboard device, a reset emulator 19 for performing emulation for resetting the keyboard device, and other emulators for performing various emulations. ing. The voice input unit 11a and the voice recognition unit 11 are indicated by the broken lines in FIG.
b is provided, voice information is input from the voice input unit 11a, the voice recognition unit 11b recognizes the voice information, and the recognition code is sent to the keyboard operation code creation unit 6. Can be done.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a keyboard operation code creation table, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a storage format of keyboard operation code creation information, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a storage format of keyboard signal creation information. In this keyboard operation code creation table, an expansion table for storing information of special marks indicating control information is added to a table for storing information such as characters and symbols.

The keyboard operation code creation information consists of recognition data and keyboard operation data, and the recognition data is information such as characters and symbols corresponding to each key on the keyboard (for example, "0", "A", "A", etc.). ) And a special mark (eg "Space""Upcursor""Linefeed""Shift")
This is a mark indicating an instruction function such as “full-width / half-width”), and the keyboard operation data is information of keyboard operation for inputting each of those pieces of information.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the keyboard operation data for inputting "0" corresponding to the recognition data "0" has the number of key operations = 2 (two key operations are required as the operation data control information. "," And a pointer to the "alphanumeric" key for keyboard signal creation information indicating the operation of the "alphanumeric" key, and a "0" key for the keyboard signal creation information indicating the operation of the "0" key. It consists of a pointer and.

Further, the keyboard operation data for inputting "A" corresponding to the recognition data "A" is key operation number = 2 as operation data control information and keyboard signal creation information indicating operation of the "Katakana" key. From the pointer that points to the "Katakana" key and the pointer that points to the "3" key in the keyboard signal creation information that indicates the operation of the "3" key (since the "A" key also serves as the "3" key) Become.

Similarly, as for the special mark, as shown in FIG. 4, the keyboard operation data for inputting the "up cursor" corresponding to the recognition data (upward arrow) indicating "up cursor" is the operation data control information. Number of key operations =
1 (not shown in FIG. 4) and a pointer pointing to the "up cursor" key in the keyboard signal creation information indicating the operation of the "up cursor" key. Further, the keyboard signal creation information is composed of keyboard signals when each key is pressed and released, as shown in FIG.

Next, the operation between the respective parts relating to the command processing from the system device 3 by the input device 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The keyboard signal input / output unit 10 sends a command signal from the system device 3 to the host signal processing unit 16, and outputs a emulation result return signal from the host signal processing unit 16 to the system device 3.

Upon receipt of the command signal from the keyboard signal input / output unit 10, the host / command analysis unit 17 analyzes the command and causes the emulator in the command processing emulator unit 20 in accordance with the command to emulate the command signal. When the emulation result return signal is received from the keyboard signal processing unit 16
Send to.

Next, the processing of the host / command analysis unit 17 when a command is received from the system unit 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When a command signal from the host (system device) is input, the command is analyzed, an emulator that executes processing according to the command is called, and the emulator is caused to emulate the command. A return signal (ac
When receiving the k signal), the ack signal is returned to the host. For example, when a command for reading the ID of the keyboard device is input from the host, the ID reading emulator 18 is caused to perform emulation and the return signal of the emulation result is sent back to the host.

Next, the operation between the respective parts relating to the information input by the input device 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. First, the information recognition unit 5 outputs a pointer pointing to keyboard operation data corresponding to the corresponding character in the keyboard operation code creation information storage unit 7 as a result of the recognized character.

As shown in FIG. 8, this keyboard operation data has the number of key operations as operation data control information and the operation information of a key as operation data, and the number of key operations is the recognized character or control information. The number of key operations when the special mark shown is actually input from the keyboard device. The operation data corresponds to the input operation procedure, and the key operations (types of input keys) are arranged by the number of key operations in the order of input. A pointer pointing to the corresponding key stored in the keyboard signal creation information storage unit 9 is set in the key operation information.

Upon receiving the pointer from the information recognizing unit 5, the keyboard operation code creating unit 6 extracts the number of key operations and the operation data corresponding to the pointer, and operates the key operation information (keyboard in order from the operation data by the number of key operations). A pointer to signal creation information) is input and output to the keyboard signal creation unit 8. The keyboard signal generation unit 8 sequentially outputs the code of the corresponding key and the keyboard signal indicating the pressing and releasing of the key to the keyboard signal input / output unit 10 by the pointer from the keyboard operation code generation unit 6. Then, the keyboard signal input / output unit 10 uses the keyboard I / F
The keyboard signal is output to the system unit 3 via the cable 2.

Next, the process of inputting information by the input device 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First,
When a character or a special mark is input from the information input section 4, it is sent to the information recognition section 5, and the information recognition section 5 performs the recognition process and sends the pointer to the keyboard operation code creation section 6.

Upon receiving the pointer, the keyboard operation code creating section 6 obtains the key operation number Kt from the keyboard creating code information for the corresponding data pointed to by the pointer, and sets the key operation extraction number Kn to 0. The number Kt of key operations is compared with the number Kn of key operations taken out, and if they are equal, it is judged whether or not the input is completed. If YES, the process ends. If NO, the character input process by the character input unit 4 is repeated.

On the other hand, if Kt and Kn are not equal, 1 is added to Kn by the keyboard signal creation unit 8 to obtain the operation of the Kn-th key from the operation data, and the pointer pointed to is pressed from the keyboard signal creation information. When the keyboard signal is obtained, the keyboard signal input / output unit 10 outputs the keyboard signal. Further, when the release-time keyboard signal is obtained from the keyboard signal generation information by the pointer pointed to by the operation of the Kn-th key and is output by the keyboard signal input / output unit 10, the process returns to the process of comparing Kt and Kn.
And Kn become equal, the process is repeated.

Next, an example of actual character input processing in the input device 1 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. Here, a case of inputting the katakana “A” will be described. When the information input unit 4 reads the katakana “A” written on the sheet and sends it to the information recognition unit 5, the information recognition unit 5 recognizes the katakana “A” and recognizes the keyboard operation creation information “A”. The pointer pointing to is sent to the keyboard operation code creation unit 6. Then, the keyboard operation code creation unit 6 causes the recognition data “A” in the information stored in the keyboard operation code creation information storage unit 7.
Including the data of the number of key operations as the keyboard operation data corresponding to, the pointers for the operation of the'Katakana 'key and the operation of the' 3 'key are used as the keyboard signal generation unit
Send to.

In the keyboard signal creation unit 8, the keyboard signal when the "Katakana" key is pressed, the keyboard signal when the "Katakana" key is released, and "" in the information stored in the keyboard signal creation information storage unit 9 by the pointer. The keyboard signal when the 3'key is pressed and the keyboard signal when the '3' key is released are output to the keyboard signal input / output unit 10. In this way, information such as characters input by means other than key input is output to the system unit as a keyboard signal as if the key input was made from the keyboard unit.

As shown in FIG. 4, an expansion table is added to the keyboard operation code creation table, and a space, cursor movement, line feed,
Since special mark information for instructing shift, full-width / half-width, etc. is stored, the control information by these marks is also converted to a keyboard signal and sent to the system device 3 as if it was input by a key operation from the keyboard device. be able to. Therefore, the system device can process input information from other than the keyboard device as the same data as the key operation input from the keyboard device.

The effects of the input device of this embodiment will be listed below. First, as to the improvement of the man-machine interface, (1) it is not necessary to remember the key layout, so that the input becomes easy. (2) The skill of key operation becomes unnecessary. (3) Even without using an unfamiliar keyboard device, control information corresponding to not only characters but also various control keys by handwriting input (for example, space, cursor movement, shift, full-width / half-width, double-width, line feed, break) (Page, conversion, etc.) can also be input, improving operability. (4) There is no risk of erroneous input unless you make a mistake in entering the characters. (5) It is possible to easily perform a fixed input operation such as starting a business program that is used everyday, by reading a card on which a series of operation information is printed and starting the apparatus. (6) Even persons with disabilities can easily input characters and the like.

With respect to hardware, (7) Since all input information is input as keyboard signals from the keyboard I / F, there is an increase in the load of performing different recognition processing on the system device side depending on the input means. Absent. (8) It can be used as it is for most data processing devices using a general keyboard device, and has versatility. (9) Miniaturization can be facilitated without lowering operability. (10) When applied to a filing device, the amount of data can be small because a code, not an image, can be input during the filing process, and resources such as a memory in the system device can be effectively used. Further, the command signal from the system unit can be emulated as in the keyboard unit.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. 11 is an external perspective view of an input device 1'of this embodiment and a system device 3 using the same, and FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the input device 1'shown in FIG. 11 together with the system device 3, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the host signal processing unit 16 of the input device 1 ', together with the keyboard device 12, parts common to those in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 are assigned the same reference numerals and explanations thereof are omitted. To do.

In this embodiment, the keyboard device 12 is connected to the input device 1'through the keyboard I / F cable 13, and as a new function of this input device 1 ',
As shown in FIG. 12, a keyboard control information storage unit 14 and a keyboard signal switching unit 15 are added to the functions of the input device 1 described above. The keyboard control information storage unit 14 stores information set by the information input unit 4 at the start and end of information input, and the keyboard signal switching unit 15 refers to the information. The keyboard signal switching unit 15 switches between the keyboard signal from the keyboard device 12 and the keyboard signal data from the keyboard signal generating unit 8 according to the keyboard control information, and outputs it to the keyboard signal input / output unit 10.

A host / command router unit 21 is added to the host signal processing unit 16 and is connected to the keyboard device 12 via a keyboard I / F cable 13. The host command router unit 21 sends the command signal received from the keyboard signal input / output unit 10 to the host command analysis unit 17 and the keyboard device 12, and receives the command signal from the host command analysis unit 17 and the keyboard device 12. The process of sending the return signal of the emulation result to the keyboard signal input / output unit 10 is performed. Furthermore, the command processing emulator unit 20
In addition, a set / default emulator 22 for performing emulation to restore the state to the default state is added.

Next, the processing of the host / command router unit 21 when a command is received from the system unit 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When a command signal from the host (system unit) is input,
The command signal is transmitted to the host / command analysis unit 17 to analyze the command and emulate the analyzed command. After that, it is determined whether or not the keyboard device is connected, and if it is connected, the command signal is transmitted to the keyboard device and the device waits.
If it is not connected, it waits as it is.

When the ack signal, which is the return signal of the emulation result, is received from the host command analysis section 17, it is judged whether or not the keyboard device is connected, and if it is connected, the reception of the return signal from the keyboard device is awaited. When the ack signal which is the return signal of the emulation result is received from the keyboard device, it is transmitted to the host together with the ack signal from the host command analysis section 17. Also, if no keyboard device is connected,
Ac which is a return signal from the host command analysis unit 17
Only the k signal is transmitted to the host, and this processing ends.

For example, when a set / default command for returning the state to the default state is received from the host, the set / default by the command is performed and the set / default command is transmitted to the keyboard device. Then, it sends back the ack signal, which is the return signal of the emulation result of its own set / default, and the ack signal, which is the return signal of the emulation result of the set / default in the keyboard device.

Next, the operation between the respective parts relating to the information input by the input device 1 shown in FIG. 12 will be described. When information input is started from the information input unit 4, prohibition information is set in the keyboard control information, and permission information is set when the information input ends. The keyboard signal switching unit 15 uses the prohibition or permission information stored in the keyboard control information storage unit 14 controlled by the information input unit 4 to control the keyboard device 1.
It is determined whether the keyboard signal from 2 is output or invalidated.

That is, when the keyboard control information is permission information, when there is an input from the keyboard device 12, the keyboard signal input / output unit 10 outputs the keyboard signal to the system unit 3, and when it is prohibition information, the information input unit 4 is used.
Since the keyboard signal corresponding to the information such as characters input from is being output, the input from the keyboard device 12 is invalidated.

Next, the information input switching process in this input device 1'will be described. When the information input by the optical input from the information input unit 4 is started, the prohibition information is output and stored in the keyboard control information storage unit 14. Then,
The keyboard signal switching unit 15 refers to the information stored in the keyboard control information storage unit 14 and determines whether the information is prohibition information. If it is the prohibition information, it is judged as the prohibition state, the input from the keyboard 12 device is invalidated, and the process returns to the process of referring to the keyboard control information.

After that, when the information input unit 4 finishes the input of the information, the permission information is output to the keyboard control information storage unit 14 and stored therein. Therefore, the keyboard signal switching unit 15 refers to the permission information, determines that the prohibition has been released, validates the input from the keyboard device 12, and if there is an input from the keyboard device 12, changes the keyboard signal to the keyboard signal. Output to the input / output unit 10. As a result, while giving priority to the information input by the optical input in the information input unit 4, the input from the keyboard device 12 can be performed so as not to be simultaneously input.

Here, a new effect of the input device 1'of this embodiment will be described. As an improvement of the man-machine I / F, (1) When the input from the keyboard device is simpler and more convenient, it can be used, so that the flexibility of the input work is increased. (2) The keyboard device and the optical reading device can be connected to the system device by one connection cord (keyboard I / F cable), and the input work by the optical reading device and the keyboard device can be alternately performed. Further, a keyboard device provided or connected to this input device can also execute a command from the system device.

Next explained is the third embodiment of the invention. The functional configuration of the input device in this embodiment is shown in FIG.
The input device 1'is substantially the same as the input device 1 ', but the function of the host signal processing unit 16 is slightly different. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the host signal processing unit 16 in this embodiment together with the keyboard device 12, and the portions common to FIG. 13 are assigned the same reference numerals and explanations thereof are omitted.

The host signal processing unit 16 analyzes the return signal of the emulation result and the return signal from the keyboard device, selects an appropriate signal, and outputs the signal via the keyboard signal input / output unit 10 to the system unit 3 A result analysis unit 23 for outputting to is provided. Further, the command processing emulator section 20 is provided with a self-diagnosis emulator 24 for emulating self-diagnosis of the apparatus. That is, the host / command router unit 21 receives a command signal from the system unit (host),
The command signal is transmitted to the host / command analysis unit 17 and also to the keyboard device 12 and the result analysis unit 23.

The host command analysis unit 17
The command signal received from the command router unit 21 is analyzed, the emulator according to the command is called from the command processing emulator unit 20 to perform emulation, and the return signal of the emulation result is sent to the result analysis unit 23. The result analysis unit 23, based on the command signal received from the host / command router unit 21, analyzes the host / command analysis unit 17 and the keyboard device 1.
An appropriate signal is selected from the return signals respectively received from 2 and sent to the keyboard signal input / output unit 10.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the processing of the result analysis section 23 when a command signal is received from the system unit 3. The result analysis unit 23 stores the command from the host, and when receiving the ack signal which is the return signal from the host / command analysis unit 17 and the keyboard device 12, analyzes the both ack signals based on the stored command. ..

Based on the result of the analysis, it is judged whether or not the ack signal can be returned to the host without any problem, and Y
In case of ES, the ack signal is sent to the keyboard signal input / output unit 10
To the host via. Further, if NO, for example, if either one is an error, an ack signal indicating the error, and if the packet is retransmitted, either packet
After adjusting the k signal, an appropriate ack signal is selected and transmitted to the host through the keyboard signal input / output unit 10, and this process is ended.

Next, the processing when the self-diagnosis command is received from the system unit 3 will be described. When the keyboard signal input / output unit 10 inputs a self-diagnosis command signal from the system unit (host) 3, it sends it to the host / command router unit 21, and the host / command router unit 21 sends the self-diagnosis command signal to the host / command analysis unit 17 and the keyboard. It is sent to the device 12 and the result analysis unit 23.

The host command analysis unit 17 analyzes the self-diagnosis command signal and calls the self-diagnosis emulator 24. The self-diagnosis emulator 24 performs self-diagnosis emulation and returns a return signal indicating a diagnosis result indicating whether the device is normal or abnormal. Ack signal of host command analysis unit 1
7, the host command analysis unit 17 sends the ack signal to the result analysis unit 23.

On the other hand, the keyboard device 12 also performs self-diagnosis emulation by the self-diagnosis command signal received from the host / command router section 21, and sends the ack signal of the diagnosis result to the result analysis section 23 via the keyboard I / F cable 13. send. The result analysis unit 23 stores the self-diagnosis command from the host, and when receiving the ack signal of the diagnosis result from the host command analysis unit 17 and the keyboard device 12, the result analysis unit 23 outputs both based on the stored self-diagnosis command. Analyze the ack signal.

Based on the result of the analysis, it is judged whether or not there is any abnormality (error), and if both are normal, the ac
The k signal is transmitted to the host via the keyboard signal input / output unit 10. If either of them is an error, the input device as a whole adjusts the ack signal such as determining the error, and sends an appropriate ack signal selected by the adjustment to the host through the keyboard signal input / output unit 10 to perform this processing. To finish.

In this way, an appropriate signal can be transmitted from the return signal of the emulation result in the input device and the keyboard device to the system device. Therefore, when the ack signal of the return signal sent to the system device includes some information (for example, a reply of the emulation result) other than a simple processing end notification, the logical consistency of the results of the input device and the keyboard device can be maintained. ..
Note that the actual command from the system unit, the emulation method by that command, and the logic of the emulation result differ depending on the system.
Although various embodiments are possible, the description will be limited to the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0066]

As described above, according to the input device of the present invention, information such as characters handwritten or printed on a manuscript, various control information, and the like are the same keyboard signals as the key operation input from the keyboard device. Since it can be input to the system device as it is, it can be used by directly connecting it to various data processing devices using a general keyboard device, and the versatility and flexibility of the input means are increased, thus improving the man-machine interface. Can be made Also,
A keyboard device can be provided or can be connected, and the input information by the information input means other than the keyboard device and the input information by the keyboard device are not simultaneously output to the system device, and reliable information input is possible. ..

Further, emulation according to a command from the system unit can be performed, and a return signal of the emulation result can be output to the system unit. Further, a command from the system unit can be sent to the keyboard device which is provided or connected, and the return signal can be output to the system unit. Furthermore, the return signal of the emulation result of itself and the return signal from the keyboard device can be analyzed and an appropriate signal can be selected and output to the system device. Therefore, the command transmitted from the system unit can be appropriately processed, so that the system unit can be connected to an ordinary system unit and used as a complete substitute for the keyboard unit, or the keyboard unit can be used together.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an input device 1 shown in FIG. 2 together with a data processing device 3. FIG.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a data processing device using the input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a host signal processing unit 1 of the input device 1 shown in FIG.
It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of 6.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a storage format of a keyboard operation code creation table.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a storage format of keyboard operation code creation information.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a storage format of keyboard signal creation information.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing when a command is received from the system device 3 in the host command analysis section 17 of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a storage format of keyboard operation data.

9 is a flowchart showing an information input process in the input device 1 shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram for explaining an example of actual character input processing by the input device 1.

FIG. 11 is an external perspective view of a data processing device using the input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

12 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an input device 1'shown in FIG. 11 together with a data processing device 3. FIG.

13 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a host signal processing section 16 of the input device 1'shown in FIG. 12 together with the keyboard device 12;

14 is a flowchart showing processing when a command is received from the system device 3 in the host / command router section 21 of FIG.

FIG. 15 is an input device 1 ′ according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
The keyboard device 1 has the functional configuration of the host signal processing unit 16 of FIG.
It is a block diagram shown with 2.

16 is a flowchart showing a process when a command is received from the system device 3 in the result analysis unit 23 of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1'Input device 2, 13 Keyboard interface (I / F) cable 3 System unit 4 Information input unit 5 Information recognition unit 6 Keyboard operation code creation unit 7 Keyboard operation code creation information storage unit 8 Keyboard signal creation unit 9 Keyboard signal Creation information storage unit 10 Keyboard signal input / output unit 11a Voice input unit 11b Voice recognition unit 12 Keyboard device 14 Keyboard control information storage unit 15 Keyboard signal switching unit 16 Host signal processing unit 17 Host
Command analysis unit 18 ID readout emulator 19 Reset emulator 20 Command processing emulator unit 21 Host
Command router 22 Set / default emulator 23 Result analyzer 24 Self-diagnostic emulator

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An information input means for optically reading and inputting information such as characters printed or handwritten on a manuscript, and an information recognizing means for recognizing the information input by the means and outputting the recognition code. A keyboard operation code creating means for converting the recognition code from the means into a keyboard operation code, a keyboard signal creating means for converting the keyboard operation code from the means into a keyboard signal corresponding to the system device, and the keyboard signal A keyboard signal output means for outputting to a system device such as a data processing device via an interface, a command analysis means for inputting a command signal from the system device and analyzing the command, and a command analyzed by the means Means for performing emulation according to the An input device comprising means for outputting a return signal of a simulation result to the system device. 2. An information input means for optically reading and inputting information such as characters printed or handwritten on a manuscript, and an information recognizing means for recognizing the information input by the means and outputting the recognition code. A keyboard operation code creating means for converting the recognition code from the means into a keyboard operation code, a keyboard signal creating means for converting the keyboard operation code from the means into a keyboard signal corresponding to the system device, and the keyboard signal A keyboard signal output means for outputting to a system device such as a data processing device through an interface is provided or connected to the keyboard device, and a keyboard signal by a key input from the keyboard device and a keyboard signal from the keyboard signal creating means are provided. Keyboard for switching and sending to the keyboard signal output means A command signal input means for inputting a command signal from the system device, a means for outputting the command signal input by the means to the keyboard device, and a command for the input command signal. Command analyzing means for analyzing, means for performing emulation according to the command analyzed by the means, and means for outputting a return signal of an emulation result by the means and a return signal from the keyboard device to the system device are provided. An input device characterized by the above. 3. Information input means for optically reading and inputting information such as characters printed or handwritten on an original, and information recognizing means for recognizing the information input by the means and outputting the recognition code. A keyboard operation code creating means for converting the recognition code from the means into a keyboard operation code, a keyboard signal creating means for converting the keyboard operation code from the means into a keyboard signal corresponding to the system device, and the keyboard signal A keyboard signal output means for outputting to a system device such as a data processing device through an interface is provided or connected to the keyboard device, and a keyboard signal by a key input from the keyboard device and a keyboard signal from the keyboard signal creating means are provided. Keyboard for switching and sending to the keyboard signal output means A command signal input means for inputting a command signal from the system device, a means for outputting the command signal input by the means to the keyboard device, and a command for the input command signal. Command analyzing means for analyzing, means for performing emulation according to the command analyzed by the means, and analyzing the return signal of the emulation result by the means and the return signal from the keyboard device, selecting an appropriate signal, and selecting An input device comprising means for outputting to a system unit.