JPH0615127U - Data input device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] An input device with a keyboard that retains the advantages of the one-handed operation mode and can be operated by a healthy person in the same manner as the conventional method without being aware of the standard operation mode and the one-handed operation mode. I will provide a. In a data input device for inputting data with a keyboard 1 having a function switching key 1a for switching a function of a predetermined key, when the function switching key 1a is depressed for a time set by a time setting means 2 or more,
A function switching signal is sent to the function holding releasing means 2 by the judging means 3, and the function holding releasing means 4 receives the signal and switches and holds the function of the data input key 1b to shift to the one-hand operation mode. When the function switching key 1a is stopped from being pressed down within the time set by the time setting means 2, the function holding release means 4 sends a function release signal to the function holding release means 4 by the judging means 3. The function of the data input key 1b which is switched in response to the signal is released and the mode is shifted to the standard operation mode.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a data input device for inputting data with a keyboard in various terminal devices used for personal computers, word processors, medical devices, analysis devices, and the like.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 FIG. 5 shows an example of a keyboard used as a data input means in a personal computer, a word processor, various terminal devices used in medical equipment, analytical equipment, and the like. This keyboard is mainly composed of data input key and function key, the data input key is used for inputting letters and numbers, and the function key is used for erasing the display screen, stopping running programs and using a personal computer. It is used to perform various controls. Some of such function keys are used to switch the function of the data input key, such as the [CTRL] key and the [SHIFT] key. For example, when the [A] key is pressed down on the keyboard shown in FIG. 5, the code of "a" is input, but when this key and the [SHIFT] key are pressed down at the same time, the code of "A" is input. Thus, the [SHIFT] key serves to switch the function of one data input key. In this way, one data input key is usually used for several kinds of functions by the function switching keys such as the [CTRL] key and the [SHIFT] key.

In the past, when the function of the data input key was switched by the function switching key, it was conventionally performed by pressing down the [SHIFT] key and the data input key at the same time. A one-handed operation mode has been adopted for people with injuries. This means that once a function-switching key such as the [SHIFT] key is pressed down, that function is retained even after the pressing is stopped. It is possible. The release of the one-handed operation mode, that is, the switching to the standard operation mode is performed by pressing the function switching key that was pressed down again.

[0004]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 However, according to this method, it is necessary to explicitly switch between the standard operation mode and the one-hand operation mode, and a keyboard operation that is always aware of both modes is required for use. That is, according to this method, even if the function switching key is depressed even for a moment, the function is retained. Therefore, for example, in order to press the key in the standard operation mode after using the [SHIFT] key, the [SHIFT] key must be pressed. ] Key must be pressed again, which requires a different operation compared to the conventional method. Therefore, for a healthy person who is accustomed to the conventional operation, this method requires an extra operation as compared with the conventional method, and the operation becomes complicated, which causes an erroneous input.

The present invention has been made in view of these drawbacks, and retains the advantages of the one-handed operation mode as it is, and a healthy person can use the conventional method without being aware of the standard operation mode and the one-handed operation mode. It is an object of the present invention to provide an input device having a keyboard that can be operated in the same manner as.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 In order to solve the above problems, a data input device of the present invention is a data input device for inputting data by using a keyboard, and a keyboard 1 having a function switching key 1a for switching the function of a predetermined key, It has a time setting means 2 for setting a time, a judging means 3 for measuring / determining the time when the function switching key 1a is pressed down, and a function holding / releasing means 4 for controlling holding / releasing of the function. When the function switching key is pushed down for a time set by the time setting means 2 or more, the holding release means 4 holds the function in the depressed state even after the depression of the function switching key is stopped, When the pressing time of the function switching key is within the time set by the time setting means, the function is released when the pressing is stopped. Characterized in that it.

[0007]

[Action]

 When the function switching key 1a is pushed down for more than the time set by the time setting means 2, the function holding signal is sent to the function holding releasing means 2 by the judging means 3, and the function holding releasing means 4 receives this signal. The function of the data input key 1b is switched and held. When the function switching key 1a is stopped from being pushed down within the time set by the time setting means 2, the function holding release means 4 sends a function release signal to the function holding release means 4 by the determination means 3. In response to this signal, the function of the switched data input key 1b is released.

[0008]

【Example】

 An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 shows an example of a keyboard used in the data input device of the present invention, and in this embodiment, a [SHIFT] key will be described as an example of a function switching key. FIG. 4 is a time chart showing a pattern of the pressing timing of the [SHIFT] key and the [A] key which is one of the data input keys. 2 and 3 are flowcharts showing the operation of the present invention. Here, the case where the function of the [SHIFT] key is not generated while the [SHIFT] key is not pressed is the standard operation mode, and the case where the function of the [SHIFT] key is generated is the one-hand operation mode. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a data input device of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a keyboard, which comprises a data input key 1b for inputting data and a function switching key 1a for mainly switching the functions of the data input key 1b. Reference numeral 2 is a time setting means for setting a predetermined time for the determination means 3. Reference numeral 3 is a judging means for comparing and judging the pressing time of the function switching key 1a and the time set by the time setting means 2, and 4 is a signal from the judging means 3 for holding the switching of the function of the data input key. It is a function retention releasing means for performing and releasing the function. When the function switching key 1a is pushed down for more than the time set by the time setting means 2, 3 sends a function switching signal to the function holding release means 4, and the function switching key 1a is set by the time setting means 2. If the pressing is stopped within a certain time, a function release signal is sent to the function holding release means 4. Here, switching holding and releasing of the function of the data input key can be realized by a simple logic circuit or the like not shown. The data when the data input key is pressed is input to the CPU.

Next, the operation of the present invention in the case of software processing using a microcomputer or the like will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 and 3. First, prior to use, a reference count value for determining the pressing time of the [SHI FT] key is set (S1). This count value is for comparison with the count value of the timer counter that measures the time when the [SHIFT] key described later is pressed. When the predetermined time can be set, the flag is cleared (S2). This flag is used to judge whether it is the one-hand operation mode as described later.It indicates that the flag is in the standard operation mode when it is off (flag = 0) and when it is on. (Flag = 1) indicates the one-handed operation mode.

Next, in S3, it is determined whether or not the [SHIFT] key is pressed down. If not, the process proceeds to S4 to determine whether or not the data input key is pressed down. If the data input key is not depressed, the process returns to S3 and the same operation is repeated. If the data input key is depressed, the process proceeds to the subroutine S4 'for data input. The flowchart of this subroutine is as shown in FIG. 3. First, in S51, it is judged whether or not the standard operation mode is set. If it is the standard operation mode, normal key input is performed (S53), and the one-hand operation mode is selected. If it is a key, key input (hereinafter referred to as "shift data input") is performed in the state where the function of the [SHIFT] key is generated (S52). For example, when the [A] key is pressed, the code "a" is input in the standard operation mode, and the code "A" is input in the one-hand operation mode. Then, after the data is input in S51 or S52, the process returns to the main routine, and it is determined again in S3 whether the [SHIFT] key is pressed. If the [SHIFT] key is not pressed, the above-mentioned S4 is performed. , S3 or S4, S4 ', S3 are repeated.

If the [SHIFT] key is depressed, the timer counter is cleared to zero in S5, and then the timer counter is incremented in S6. Then, in S7, it is determined whether or not the data input key is pushed down. If not, the process proceeds to S9, and if it is pushed down, the shift data key input described above is performed in S8. Proceed to S3. This is a procedure for making data key input with the function of the [SHIFT] key always activated when the [SHIFT] key and the data input key are pressed at the same time.

In S9, it is again determined whether or not the [SHIFT] key is pressed. If the [SHIFT] key is pressed, the process returns to S6 and the timer counter is incremented again to repeat the operation. If the [SHIFT] key is not pressed, the operation proceeds to S10, the timer counter value is compared with the reference counter value set in S1, and if the timer counter value is larger than the set value, the operation proceeds to S11 and the one-hand operation mode is set. If, on the contrary, the counter value is smaller than the set value, the process proceeds to S12 and the standard operation mode is set. In any case, the process proceeds to S3 and the above series of operations is repeated.

In the algorithm configured as described above, its operation will be described based on FIG. 4 showing a specific example of the pressing timing of the [SHIFT] key and the [A] key which is one of the data input keys. FIGS. 4a and 4b show a case where the [SHIFT] key is pressed for a shorter time than the time T corresponding to the reference count value set in S1 of the flowchart of FIG. 2, and in FIG. 4a, [SHIFT] is shown. Since the key and the [A] key are pressed at the same time, data is input in S8 and the code "A" is input. Further, in FIG. 4b, since the time the [SHIFT] key is pressed is shorter than T, the standard operation mode is set at S12 when the [SHIFT] key is released, and the code of "a" is input at the data input subroutine of S4 '. Will be done. FIG. 4c shows a case where the time the [SHIFT] key is pressed is longer than the time T set in S1 of the flowchart of FIG. 1, and in this case, when the [SHIFT] key is released, one hand is pressed in S11. The operation mode is entered, and the code "a" is input by the data input subroutine of S4 '. Here, the set time T is set so that a normal person does not keep pressing the [SHIFT] key during normal operation, so a normal person does not need to be aware of the one-handed operation mode and the standard operation mode. It is possible to perform key input using conventional keyboard operations, and it is possible for people with minor physical disabilities or injured hands to use the one-hand operation mode by pressing the [SHIFT] key for a set time or longer. Become. Note that it is considered that a person with a slight physical disability or a person who has a hand injury operates the keys themselves slowly, so there is no problem even if the set time T becomes longer than a predetermined length.

According to the above-mentioned algorithm, if a person with mild disabilities uses the one-handed operation mode and then the healthy person thinks that it is the standard operation mode and makes a key input, an erroneous operation will occur. This is solved because if a healthy person first presses the [SHIFT] key at the time of key input, the mode shifts to the standard operation mode. In addition, the above algorithm should be forcibly switched to the standard operation mode when there is no key input for a certain period of time, so that it is possible to deal with the case where there is a certain period of time between the use of a physically handicapped person and a healthy person. You can

The above embodiments show the case where the present invention is processed by software using a microcomputer or the like, but the present invention is not limited to these and can be realized by a simple logic circuit. Is also possible.

[0017]

【effect】

 According to the data input device of the present invention, the advantages of the one-handed operation mode conventionally used can be maintained, and a normal person can operate in the same manner as the conventional method without being aware of the standard mode and the one-handed operation mode. It becomes possible to provide an input device equipped with a keyboard.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a data input device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of S4 ′ in the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a time chart showing an example of the timing of pressing the [SHIFT] key and the [A] key.

FIG. 5 is an example of a keyboard of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Keyboard 2 Time Setting Means 3 Judging Means 4 Function Retaining Means

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Office reference number FI technical display location H03M 11/12 G06F 15/20 502 G 6798-5L

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A data input device for inputting data using a keyboard, comprising a keyboard having a function switching key for switching a function of a predetermined key, a time setting means for setting a predetermined time, and a time for which the function switching key is depressed. And a function holding release means for controlling holding / release of the function, and the function holding release means is pressed down more than the time set by the time setting means by the function switching key. In that case, the function in the depressed state is retained even after the depression of the function switching key is stopped, and if the depression time of the function switching key is within the time set by the time setting means, the depression is stopped. A data input device characterized by canceling its function at a point of time.