JPH06202778A - Keyboard device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve an input processing by making the way of the output of character of function stamped on a key top further understandable. CONSTITUTION:In a key board device in which a character 6 or a function 34 are inputted by simultaneously pressing certain keys 1 and 32 and adjacent keys 10 and 23, the character 6 or the function 34 is stamped on the key top according to a direction in which the adjacent keys 10 and 23 to be simultaneously pressed are present.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a keyboard device for inputting a character or a function by simultaneously pressing two adjacent keys. In recent years, with downsizing of computer hardware, it has been required to input more types of characters with a more limited number of keys.

In order to cope with many kinds of character input with a limited number of keys, for example, by adjoining two adjacent keys at the same time, different kinds of characters are output as compared with the case where each key is pressed alone. It is necessary to incorporate the mechanism to be built into the device.
At that time, in order to make it easier for the user to confirm which character is pressed and which character is output, it is necessary to engrave not only the character that is typed alone but also the character that is typed simultaneously on the key top. .

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional keyboard device for inputting a character in which two adjacent keys are simultaneously typed is, for example, as follows. That is, this keyboard device has a keyboard configured to press a certain key alone, or a certain key and its adjacent key at the same time, a means for determining simultaneous keying of adjacent keys, and an adjacent key that has been simultaneously pressed. A means for generating a key code corresponding to the key is provided.

[0004]

However, in such a keyboard device, the engraved position of a character indicated by simultaneous keying with an adjacent key on the key top of a key is the adjacent key that is pressed simultaneously with that key. Since it is not necessarily aligned with the direction of and, it was difficult to understand in which direction the character engraved on the keytop could be pushed out simultaneously with the adjacent key. As a result, there is a problem that the efficiency of input processing is low.

The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional problems, and in the key top of the key,
By aligning the engraved position of the character or function that is issued by simultaneous keying with the adjacent key to the direction of the adjacent key that is pressed at the same time as that key, the method of engraving the character or function engraved on the key top is made easier to understand, The purpose is to improve input processing.

[0006]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the principle of the present invention. According to the present invention, in a keyboard device in which a character 6 that is a simultaneous keystroke between a certain key 1 and its adjacent key 10 is input, the adjacent key 10 that simultaneously strikes the character 6 on the keytop exists. It is characterized by being engraved according to the direction.

Further, according to the present invention, in a keyboard device capable of calling a function 34 which is a simultaneous keystroke of a certain key 32 and an adjacent key 23 thereof, the function 34 is adjacently keystroked on the keytop. It is characterized in that it is stamped according to the direction in which 23 exists. Further, the present invention is characterized in that a font, a size, a font, a color, and a background pattern 5 of the marking are different in all or a part depending on the marking direction of the character 6 or the function 34.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the base pattern 5 is formed continuously with a part of the adjacent key 10.

[0009]

According to the keyboard device of the present invention having such a configuration, a certain character or a certain function is marked on the keytop in accordance with the direction in which the adjacent keys to be simultaneously keyed are present, and the direction of the marking. The font, size, typeface, color, and background pattern of the stamp are made different for each, and the background pattern is formed continuously with a part of the adjacent key. You can make it easier to understand. As a result, the efficiency of input processing can be improved.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the present invention in which three keys on the keyboard device are extracted and shown. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a key for outputting a character, and an engraved mark 2 composed of an S character, an engraved mark 4 composed of a U character and a ground pattern 3, a R character and a ground pattern 5 on the key top of the key 1. Engraved marks 6 are formed respectively.

Reference numeral 7 is an adjacent key on the upper side of the key 1. The adjacent key 7 is provided with a background pattern 8 which is the same as the background pattern 3 of the marking 4 of the key 1, and a marking 9 consisting of the letter M. Has been formed. Reference numeral 10 denotes an adjacent key on the right side. The adjacent key 10 is provided with a background pattern 11 which is the same as the background pattern 5 of the marking 6 of the key 1, and the marking 1 composed of the letter T.
2 is formed.

The marking 4 of the key 1 is formed so as to match the direction in which the adjacent key 7 on the upper side where the keys are simultaneously pressed is present. The character U of the stamp 4 and the character S of the stamp 2 are fonts,
The size, typeface, color, and background pattern 3 are different so that they can be easily distinguished. The base pattern 3 is
It is formed so as to be continuous with the base pattern 8 of the upper adjacent key 7.

The engraved mark 6 on the key 1 is formed so as to match the direction in which the right adjacent key 10 on which keys are simultaneously pressed is present. The character R of the stamp 6 and the character S of the stamp 2 are different in font, size, typeface, color, and background pattern 5, so that they can be easily distinguished. The base pattern 5 is
It is formed so as to be continuous with the background pattern 11 of the adjacent key 10 on the right side.

A mark 2 indicates a character which is produced by a single keystroke of the key 1. The engraved mark 4 indicates a character to be given by simultaneous keying with the adjacent key 7 on the upper side. An engraved mark 6 indicates a character to be given by simultaneous keying with the adjacent key 10 on the right side. Therefore, when key 1 is pressed alone,
When the character S is input and the key and the adjacent key 7 on the upper side are simultaneously pressed, the character U is input, and when the key 1 and the adjacent key 10 on the right side are simultaneously pressed, the character R is input. When the adjacent key 7 on the upper side is individually typed, the character M is input, and when the adjacent key 10 on the right side is individually typed, the character T is input.

Next, FIG. 3 shows a circuit configuration for generating a key code when the adjacent keys are simultaneously pressed. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 13 denotes a keyboard. When a key is pressed on the keyboard 13, the key code assigned to the key is input to the buffer 14 and stored therein. At the same time, the timer 15 starts and starts counting time.

Next, when there is no new input from the keyboard 13 within the time ΔT, the key code of the buffer 14 is transferred to the buffer 18 and the buffer 14 is reset. When there is a new input from the keyboard 13 within the time ΔT, the key code stored in the buffer 14 and the newly input key code are sent to the key code generator 16.

In the key code generator 16, the key code combination table 17 is referred to search for one new key code corresponding to the combination of two key codes,
If it exists, it is output to the buffer 18. If one key code corresponding to the combination of the two key codes is not found, the new key code is not sent to the buffer 18 and the buffer 14 is reset.

The new key code sent to the buffer 18 is decoded by the decoder 19 and the corresponding character is input. For example, in FIG. 2, when the key 1 and the upper adjacent key 7 are pressed at an interval of time ΔT or less,
That is, when the keys are simultaneously pressed, a key code corresponding to the letter U is generated from the combination of the key codes of the key 1 and the upper adjacent key 7. Key 1 and upper adjacent key 7
When is pressed at intervals of time ΔT or more, a character S corresponding to the key code of the key 1 and a character M corresponding to the key code of the adjacent key 7 are generated.

However, if the two keys 7 and 10 are pressed at intervals of time ΔT or less, the key code combination table 1
Since there is no key code corresponding to the combination of the key codes of the keys 7 and 10 in 7, a new key code is not output from the key code generator 16 to the buffer 18. Similarly, when the key 1 and the adjacent key 10 on the right side are simultaneously pressed, the character R is input, and when the key 1 is individually pressed, the character S is input. Also, the upper adjacent key 7
When the individual key is pressed, the character M is input, and when the adjacent key 10 on the right side is individually pressed, the character T is input.

In this way, the marking 4 and the marking 6 of the key 1
Are formed in accordance with the directions in which the adjacent keys 7 and 10 for simultaneous keying are present, and the letters U and R of the markings 4 and 6 are the font, size, typeface, color, background pattern 3, and the letter S of the marking 2. 5 are made different, and the background patterns 3 and 5 of the markings 4 and 6 are formed so as to be continuous with the background patterns 8 and 11 of the adjacent keys 7 and 10. Therefore, the characters U and R of the markings 4 and 6 are output. Is easier to understand.

Therefore, the efficiency of input processing can be improved. Next, FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the present invention, which shows a calculator capable of inputting a single number / symbol only with a numeric keypad. In FIG. 4, 20 indicates a calculator,
Reference numeral 21 is a display unit of the calculator 20. The number 2 on the display 21
2 is displayed.

Reference numeral 23 is a key for inputting the numeral 7 by a single keystroke, and the key 23 shows a percentage calculation function in accordance with the direction in which the engraved mark 24 made of the numeral 7 and the adjacent right-side key 25 for simultaneous keystroke are present. Engraved marks 27 composed of "%" and the base pattern 26 are formed respectively. The number 7 is input by single keystroke of the key 23, and the function of "%" is called by simultaneous keystroke with the key 25.

The key 25 is provided with a background pattern 28 which is the same as the background pattern 26 of the marking 27, and a marking 29 composed of the numeral 8 is also formed. The key 25 is a single keystroke to input the numeral 8. The background pattern 26 of the stamp 27 is
It is formed so as to be continuous with the base pattern 28 of the adjacent key 25. Reference numeral 30 is a key for inputting the numeral 9 by a single keystroke, and the key 30 is formed with a stamp 31 composed of the numeral 9.

Reference numeral 32 denotes a lower key of the key 23. The key 32 has a marking 33 composed of the numeral 4 and a memory clear function corresponding to the direction in which the upper adjacent key 23 for simultaneous keying exists. A marking 34 of "MC" and a marking 37 composed of "X" and a background pattern 36 indicating a multiplication function are formed in accordance with the direction in which the adjacent right-side key 35 for simultaneous keying exists. The key 32 is a single keystroke to input the number 4, a simultaneous keystroke with the key 23 calls the function "MC", and a simultaneous keystroke with the key 35 calls the function "x".

The key 35 has a background pattern 38 which is the same as the background pattern 36 of the marking 37. The ground pattern 36 of the stamp 37 is formed so as to be continuous with the ground pattern 38 of the adjacent key 35. In addition, the key 35 has an engraved mark 39 consisting of the numeral 5 and "M" showing the memory recall function in accordance with the direction in which the upper adjacent key 25 for simultaneous keying exists.
"R" stamp 40 and right side adjacent key 40A
A marking 42 composed of "÷" indicating a division function and a background pattern 41 is formed in accordance with the direction in which the pattern exists. Key 35
The number 5 is input by single keystroke, and the "MR" function is called by the simultaneous keystroke with the key 25, and the "÷" function is called by the simultaneous keystroke with the key 40. The base pattern 41 is formed so as to be continuous with the base pattern 43 formed on the adjacent key 40A. The key 40A is provided with a stamp 44 composed of the numeral 6, and the numeral 6 is input by single keystroke.

Reference numeral 45 is a lower key of the key 32, and the key 45 has an inscription 46 consisting of the numeral 1 and "M +" showing a memory addition function in accordance with the direction in which the upper adjacent key 32 for simultaneous keying exists. "," And a marking 50 composed of "+" and the background pattern 47 indicating the addition function are formed in accordance with the direction in which the adjacent right-side key 48 on which the keys are simultaneously pressed are present.

The number 1 is input by single keystroke of the key 45, the "M +" function is called by the simultaneous keystroke with the key 32, and the "+" function is called by the simultaneous keystroke with the key 48. The base pattern 49 is the base pattern 5 formed on the adjacent key 48 on the right side.
It is formed so as to be continuous with 0A. Further, the key 48 has a marking 51 made up of the numeral 2, an "M-" marking 52 indicating a memory subtraction function in accordance with the direction of the adjacent upper key 35 for simultaneous keying, and a right key for simultaneous keying. An engraved mark 55 composed of "-" indicating a subtraction function and a background pattern 54 is formed in accordance with the direction in which the adjacent keys 53 are present. Enter the number 2 with the independent keystroke of the key 48, and press the key 35
Simultaneous keystrokes with and call the "M-" function, and simultaneous keystrokes with key 53 call the "-" function.

The base pattern 54 is formed so as to be continuous with the base pattern 56 formed on the adjacent key 53 on the right side. In addition to the background pattern 56, the key 53 has a stamp 57 composed of the numeral 3.
Is formed, and the number 3 is input by single keystroke. Reference numeral 58 is a lower key of the key 45. The key 58 indicates an all clear function in accordance with the direction in which the engraved mark 59 of the numeral 0 and the upper adjacent key 45 for simultaneous keying are present.
Engraved marks 60 of "C" are formed respectively.

The numeral 0 is input by single keystroke of the key 58,
The function of "AC" is called by simultaneously pressing the key 45. Reference numeral 61 denotes a lower key of the key 48. The key 61 has a marking 62 formed of a comma "." And the display unit 2 according to the direction in which the upper adjacent key 48 for simultaneous keying exists.
Marks 63 of “C” indicating the function of clearing the display of 1 are formed respectively.

A comma "." Is input by single keystroke of the key 61, and a function of "C" is called by simultaneous keystroke with the key 48. Reference numeral 64 denotes a key on the right side of the key 61. The key 64 is provided with a mark 65 composed of “=” indicating the equal function, and the function of “=” is called by single keystroke of the key 64.

Therefore, when calling the "%" function, the key 23 and the adjacent key 25 on the right side may be simultaneously depressed. Also, when calling the function of "x", press key 3
2 and the adjacent key 35 on the right side may be tapped simultaneously. To call the function "÷", the key 35 and the adjacent key 40A on the right side may be simultaneously tapped. Also,
To call the "+" function, the key 45 and the adjacent key "48" on the right side may be tapped simultaneously. Also, "-"
When calling the function of, the key 48 and the adjacent key 53 on the right side may be simultaneously tapped.

On the other hand, when calling the "MC" function,
The key 32 and the adjacent key 23 on the upper side may be simultaneously pressed. To call the "MR" function, press the key 35
It suffices to simultaneously press the adjacent keys 25 on the upper side. When calling the function of "M +", the key 45 and the adjacent key 32 on the upper side may be simultaneously pressed. Also, "M
To call the "-" function, the key 48 and the adjacent key 35 on the upper side may be simultaneously pressed. When calling the "AC" function, the key 58 and the upper adjacent key 4
You can type 5 at the same time. When calling the function of "C", the key 61 and the adjacent upper key 48 may be simultaneously pressed.

As described above, since the way of imprinting the function imprinted on the key top is made easier to understand, the efficiency of the input process can be improved.

[0034]

As described above, according to the present invention, a character or a function is marked on the key top according to the direction in which the adjacent keys to be simultaneously tapped are present.
The font, size, typeface, color and background pattern of the stamped characters are different, and the background pattern is formed continuously on a part of the adjacent keys. Can be made easier to understand,
The efficiency of input processing can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of the principle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Keys 2, 4, 6, 9, 12: Marks 3, 5, 8, 11: Base pattern 7, 10: Adjacent keys 13: Keyboard 14, 18: Buffer 15: Timer 16: Key code generator 17: Key Code combination table 19: Decoder 20: Calculator 21: Display 22: Numbers 23, 25, 30, 32, 35, 40A, 45, 48,
53, 58, 61, 64: Keys 24, 27, 29, 31, 33, 34, 37, 39, 4
0, 42, 44, 46, 47, 50, 51, 52, 5
5,57,59,60,62,63,65: Marks 26, 28, 36, 38, 41, 43, 49, 50A,
54, 56: Base pattern

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A keyboard device for inputting a character (6) which is a simultaneous keystroke of a certain key (1) and its adjacent key (10), wherein the character (6) is displayed on the keytop. A keyboard device characterized by being engraved according to the direction in which adjacent keys (10) for simultaneous keying are present. 2. A key (32) and its adjacent key (23)
In a keyboard device capable of calling a function (34) which is a simultaneous keystroke with, the function (34) is marked on the keytop in accordance with the direction of the adjacent key (23) for simultaneous keystroke. Keyboard device characterized by. 3. The font, size, typeface, color of the marking for each direction of the marking of the character (6) or the function (34),
The keyboard device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein all or part of the base pattern (5) is different. 4. The base pattern (5) is attached to the adjacent key (1).
The keyboard device according to claim 3, wherein the keyboard device is formed so as to be continuous with a part of 0).