JPH0535681A - Item selective input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the operation convenience, to make low-priced and to increase the number of selection items by providing a matrix displaying part, a row item selecting key, a column item selecting key and an input item selecting means. CONSTITUTION:When a matrix displaying part arranges and displays in a matrix shape plural items (4 rowsX5 columns=20 items), four row item selecting keys 25 are arranged in correspondence to each row in the row direction and five column item selecting keys 24 are arranged in correspondence to each column in the column direction. Here, for example, when the row item selecting keys 25 corresponding to a second row of the matrix displaying part are operated and the column item selecting keys 24 corresponding to a third column are operated, an input item selecting means selects the item of the second row and the third column to cross with the selected row and column as 80 input item. Then, out of plural items displayed in the matrix shape, a certain arbitrary item can be easily selected by using a push-button system key, etc., the operation convenience is improved and the number of the selection items is low-pricedly increased.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an item selection input device such as an information processing terminal device called a handy terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an item selection input device of a handy terminal, one shown in FIG. 7 or that shown in FIG. 8 has been known. That is, in FIG. 7, the liquid crystal display device 2 and the keyboard 3 are arranged on the upper surface of the terminal body 1, and the item selection key 4 is arranged on the upper surface of the terminal body 1 near the lower portion of the liquid crystal display device 2. In this case, five types of item displays A, B, C, D, and E are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction on the lower side of the liquid crystal display device 2. One item selection key 4
Are juxtaposed near the bottom of the liquid crystal display device 2. This item selection key 4 is a push-button type key, and when an arbitrary item selection key 4 is pressed, one corresponding item is selected. The keyboard 3 is provided with function keys 5 and keys 6 such as numerical keys.
On the other hand, in FIG. 8, a liquid crystal display device 12 and a keyboard 13 are arranged on the upper surface of the terminal body 11, and a transparent touch panel key 14 is provided on the upper surface of the liquid crystal display device 12. In this case, a plurality of item displays A, B, C, D, which are matrix-displayed on the liquid crystal display device 12,
Touch panel key 1 above any item display of E and F
When 4 is pressed, one corresponding item is selected. Note that the keyboard 13 is provided with function keys 15 and keys 16 such as a numeral and the like.

[0003]

However, although the former item selection input device can be realized at low cost, it has a drawback that the number of items is small (5 items in the example of FIG. 7).
In addition, the latter item selection input device is excellent in user-friendliness, has a large number of items that can be selected, but is very expensive, and since the touch panel key 14 is directly touched with a finger, the display is difficult to see due to a fingerprint or the like. There was a drawback that Therefore, if you can select any item from multiple items displayed in a matrix by using inexpensive push-button type keys without arranging the touch panel keys on the display unit, it is convenient for the user. It is obvious that the number of items to be selected is large, the display is not polluted, and the cost is low. An object of the present invention is to make it possible to select an arbitrary item from a plurality of items displayed in a matrix by using a push-button type key or the like.

[0004]

The means of the present invention are as follows. (1) The matrix display unit is a liquid crystal display device or a CRT display device that displays characters, figures, and the like in dots, and displays a plurality of items in a matrix when selecting items. (2) The row item selection keys are push-button-type keys, etc., which are arranged corresponding to the respective rows of the matrix display section and which select items in the row direction. In this case, the row item selection keys are arranged near the matrix display portion along the row direction of the display portion (for example, the Y direction of the XY coordinate system). (3) The column item selection key is a push-button type key or the like which is arranged corresponding to each column of the matrix display section and which selects an item in the column direction. In this case, the column item selection keys are arranged near the matrix display portion along the column direction (for example, the X direction) of the display portion. (4) When the row item selection key and the column item selection key are operated, the input item selection means uses the item on the matrix display portion corresponding to the intersection of the selected row and column as the input item. select.

[0005]

The operation of the means of the present invention is as follows. Now, the matrix display section has multiple items (4 rows x 5 columns = 2).
0 items are arranged and displayed in a matrix, four row item selection keys are arranged corresponding to each row in the row direction, and five column item selection keys corresponding to each column in the column direction. Are arranged. Here, for example, when the row item selection key corresponding to the second row of the matrix display portion is operated and the column item selection key corresponding to the third column is operated, the input item selection means switches to the selected row and column. Cross 2
The item in the third column of the row is selected as the input item. Therefore, an arbitrary item can be selected from a plurality of items displayed in a matrix using a push-button type key or the like.

[0006]

[First Embodiment] An embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an external view of a handy terminal. A liquid crystal display device 22 and a keyboard 23 are arranged on the upper surface of a terminal body 21. The liquid crystal display device 22 arranges and displays a plurality of items (4 rows × 5 columns = 20 items) in a matrix as key input items and displays processing results. The liquid crystal display device 22 is provided on the upper surface of the terminal body 21. Five column item selection keys 24 arranged along the X direction (column direction) near the lower end of the column for selecting items in the column direction.
Is provided, and Y is provided near the right end of the liquid crystal display device 22.
Four line item selection keys 25, which are arranged along the direction (row direction) and are used to select items in the row direction, are provided. Note that the keyboard 23 is provided with function keys 26 and keys 27 such as numeric keys. Like these keys, the column item selection key 24 and the row item selection key 25 are also push-button type keys. is there.

FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram showing a main part of the item selection input device. When the column item selection key 24 arranged at the lower end of the liquid crystal display device 22 is operated or the row item selection key 25 arranged at the right end part of the liquid crystal display device 22 is operated, chattering is removed from the key input signal. It is provided to the circuit 31. The chattering removal circuit 31 removes chattering that occurs when a key is pressed, and generates an interrupt signal KEYINT indicating that there is a key input.

In the key information buffer 32, the column item selection key 24, the row item selection key 25, or the column item selection key 24 and the row item selection key 25 are pressed according to the key information read signal KEYINF.
Is a buffer for knowing whether or not both are pressed. The column key position buffer 33 is a buffer for knowing which one of the column item selection keys 24 has been pressed according to the column key position read signal XKEY. The row key position buffer 34 is a buffer for knowing which of the row item selection keys 25 is pressed according to the row key position read signal YKEY.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the item selection input device, and it is determined whether or not there is a key input by the key interrupt signal KEYINT generated from the chattering removal circuit 31 (step S1). Here, if there is no key input, the process waits for key input to repeat this loop. Now
From the item selection key 4, key interrupt signal KEYINT
Is generated and there is a key input, the key information read signal K
EYINF is generated, and the key information is read via the key information buffer 32 (step S2). Next, the read key information is determined, and only the column item selection key 24 is pressed, the row item selection key 25 is pressed, or both the column item selection key 24 and the row item selection key 25 are pressed. It is checked whether or not (step S3).

Here, when only the column item selection key 24 is pressed, a column key position read signal XKEY is generated in order to know a specific key position, and the column key position information is sent via the column key position buffer 33. Read (step S4). Then, by referring to this key position information, the selected item string is displayed in an identifiable manner (step S5). FIG. 4 shows a display example in this case. In the state where “item 1” to “item 20” are displayed in a matrix of 4 rows and 5 columns, the column item selection key 24 in the second column is pressed, “Item 2”, “item 7”, “item 12”, and “item 17” belonging to the second column are highlighted as selection candidates. At this stage, since the item in the row direction has not been determined, the process returns to step S1 and waits for key input.

On the other hand, when only the row item selection key 25 is pressed and is pressed, a row key position read signal YKEY is generated in order to know a specific key position, and the row key position buffer 34 is used to output the row key position. Read information (step S
6). Next, with reference to this key position information, the selected item row is identified and displayed (step S7). FIG. 5 shows a display example in this case. When the line item selection key 25 on the second line is pressed, "item 6", "item 7", "item 8", and "item 9" belonging to the second line are displayed. , ”“ Item 10 ”are highlighted as selection candidates. At this stage, the items in the column direction have not been determined, so the process returns to step S1 and waits for key input.

When both the column item selection key 24 and the row item selection key 25 are pressed, the column key position reading signal XKEY and the row key position reading are made in order to know the concrete column key position and row key position. Generates a signal YKEY and outputs the column key position buffer 33 and the row key position buffer 3
The column key position information and the row key position information are read via 4 (steps S8 and S9). Next, with reference to these key position information, a specific item at which the selected column key position and row key position intersect is identified and displayed (step S10). Figure 6
Shows a display example in this case, where the item in the second row and second column is selected as an input item. When the specific item is selected in this manner, the process for the item becomes executable (step S11), and when the process is completed, the process returns to step S1 to wait for the next key input.

As described above, in this embodiment, by simultaneously pressing the column item selection key 24 and the row item selection key 25, only an arbitrary item is selected as an input item from a plurality of items displayed in a matrix. be able to.

[0014]

[Second Embodiment] In this embodiment, a transparent touch panel key is laminated and arranged on a display portion so that it can be used together with a touch panel. That is, in the case where there are a large number of items to be selectively input displayed on one screen in a certain state, it is desired that one item display is considerably smaller than the size (input area) of one touch switch by touching with a finger. There are cases where it is difficult to select and enter the item. Therefore, normally, items are selected by touch input, but in a special case where many items are displayed, items can be selected by the column item selection key 24 and the row item selection key 25.

[0015]

According to the present invention, an arbitrary item can be selected from a plurality of items displayed in a matrix by using a push-button type key or the like, which is convenient for the user and can be selected. The number of items is large, and it can be realized at a lower cost than the touch panel type. Further, since the display unit is not directly touched, the screen can be effectively used without being soiled by fingerprints or the like.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a handy terminal of this embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram showing a main part of this embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of this embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of displaying items when only items in a column direction are selected.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of displaying items when only items in a row direction are selected.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of displaying items when items in the row direction and the column direction are selected.

FIG. 7 is an external view of a handy terminal showing a conventional example.

FIG. 8 is an external view of a handy terminal showing another conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 22 liquid crystal display device 24 column item selection key 25 line item selection key 33 key information buffer 33 column key position buffer 34 line key position buffer

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. An item selection input device for selecting an arbitrary item as an input item from a plurality of items, and a matrix display section for displaying a plurality of items arranged in a matrix when selecting an item. A row item selection key which is arranged corresponding to each row of the matrix display unit and which selects an item in the row direction, and a column item which is arranged corresponding to each column of the matrix display unit and which selects an item of the column direction When the selection key and the row item selection key are operated and the column item selection key is operated, the item on the matrix display portion corresponding to the intersection of the selected row and column is selected as an input item. An item selection input device, comprising: