JPH0628084A - Information processor and composite information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automatically execute switching and to improve using procedure by judging the usability of a keying means and activating the keying means when it is usable, or activating a virtual keying means when the keying means is unusable. CONSTITUTION:The status of a keyboard 2 is detected by a keyboard detecting device 3 and whether the keyboard can be used or not is judged based upon the status. When the keyboard can not be used, a message demanding character input from a touch panel 5 and a virtual keyboard are displayed on a display device 4. When a user touches a key on the displayed screen, the touched key is inserted into the position of a key cursor. When input from the panel 5 is commanded within a prescribed time, the input processing of a character from the panel 5 is executed. When the keyboard 2 is drawn out within a prescribed time after the input processing, input from the keyboard can be executed by automatic switching, and when the keyboard 2 is stored, the input format is automatically switched to input from the panel 5.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing device and a composite information processing device.

[0002]

[Prior art]

Conventional Example 1 An information processing device having a keyboard, for example, a character input device is known in which a keyboard can be housed in a main body in order to reduce the installation area of the device. In this device, when a character input is required, the user needs to take out the keyboard and perform the character input work.

In addition to a keyboard, an information processing apparatus having a touch panel, a tablet, and a mouse as a position indicating device displays a virtual keyboard graphic on a display device and designates a key position of the graphic. It is known to input characters. It is possible to switch between using a keyboard and using a virtual keyboard.

Conventional example 2 A composite information processing apparatus having a keyboard for inputting data such as characters and information, setting an original to be read in a reading section, and moving the set original to read the original. It has been known.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example 1, since the state of the keyboard is detected when the apparatus is started up, there is a problem in that it is not possible to cope with a change in the state of the keyboard thereafter. It was

Further, when the position pointing device is in the active state with the keyboard housed, the keyboard cannot be activated. That is, when the character input is started using the position pointing device in the state where the keyboard is housed, but if it is desired to change to the character input from the keyboard in the middle of the process, once the character input processing from the position pointing device is finished, the keyboard is pulled After activating the keyboard with the keyboard, the character input process must be performed again, and the degree of freedom is low, and it is difficult for the user to use.

Further, in the above-mentioned conventional example 2, when a document is set on the reading portion, the document covers a part of the keyboard. Therefore, when the key is operated, the document must be lifted to perform the key operation. It was annoying.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and provide an information processing apparatus capable of automatically switching the active states of a keyboard and a virtual keyboard by detecting the housed state of the keyboard. Especially.

Another object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and, when an original is set, at least a portion corresponding to the keyboard portion covered with the original is keyed by means other than the keyboard. An object is to provide a composite information processing device capable of inputting.

[0010]

An information processing apparatus according to the present invention displays on a display screen of the display means in cooperation with the key input means for key input by key operation, the display means, and the display means. In an information processing apparatus having a virtual key input means for converting a position of a key into a key code, a usability judging means for judging whether or not the key input means is usable, and an affirmative judgment is made by the usability judging means. If
And a control means for activating the virtual key input means when the key input means is activated and a negative determination is made.

Further, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention detects the key input of the key input means at predetermined time intervals, and as a result of the detection by the detection means, there is no key input during the predetermined time. And a switching means for activating the key input means when the affirmative determination is made by the usability determination means and for activating the virtual key input means when a negative determination is made. Characterize.

Further, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises notifying means for notifying that the virtual key input means can be used when the virtual key input means is activated. And

A composite information processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a detachable keyboard for key input by key operation, a reading means for moving an original inserted from a mounting location side of the keyboard and scanning the original, In an information processing apparatus having a document read by a reading unit or a display unit for displaying a key input by the keyboard,
When a document is read by the reading unit with the keyboard attached to the attachment location, at least a portion of the predetermined keyboard image corresponding to the portion of the keyboard covered by the document is displayed on the display screen of the display unit. Display control means for displaying, and a virtual keyboard for converting a key position of a display screen of the display means into a key code in cooperation with the display means in which the keyboard portion is displayed by the display control means. And

[0014]

In the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, whether or not the key input means can be used is determined by the usability determination means, and if the usability determination means makes a positive determination, the control means activates the key input means. If the determination is negative, the control means activates the virtual key input means.

Further, the key input of the key input means is detected by the detection means at every predetermined time, and as a result of the detection by the detection means, there is no key input within the predetermined time and the usability determination means makes a positive determination. If so, the switching means activates the key input means, and if a negative determination is made, the virtual key input means is activated by the switching means.

Further, when the virtual key input means becomes active, the notification means notifies that the virtual key input means can be used.

In the composite information processing apparatus according to the present invention, when the document is read by the reading means in the state where the keyboard is mounted at the mounting location, at least the portion of the keyboard covered with the document out of the predetermined keyboard image. The corresponding portion is displayed on the display screen of the display means by the display control means, and the virtual keyboard converts the key position on the display screen of the display means into a key code in cooperation with the display means on which the keyboard portion is displayed by the display control means. To do.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.

This is an example of the information processing apparatus, and the appearance of the information processing apparatus is shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a main body, and a keyboard 2 is accommodated in the lower portion of the main body so as to be drawn out.
The keyboard 2 in the stored state is shown by a broken line in FIG. 3 showing the bottom surface of the main body 1. Reference numeral 3 is a keyboard state detection device for detecting whether or not the keyboard 2 is housed. A display device 4 is for displaying various information. Reference numeral 5 denotes a touch panel as a position indicating device for indicating the position of a mark or the like displayed on the display device 4 with a finger or a pen, for inputting characters and giving an instruction to the present system.

In FIG. 1, 2 to 5 indicate the same parts as in FIG. A keyboard control circuit 6 converts a key code and communicates with the keyboard 2. An interface circuit 7 converts a signal from the touch panel 5.

Reference numeral 31 is a sensor for detecting whether or not the keyboard 2 is housed, and is constituted by a simple mechanical switch or the like. Reference numeral 32 is a keyboard state detection circuit for converting the detection signals (5V and 0V) from the sensor 31 into ON / OFF of bits. The sensors 31 and 32 form a keyboard state detection circuit keyboard state detection device 3.

A ROM 8 stores a control program. Reference numeral 9 denotes a RAM, which is used as a work area when performing calculation and processing. A CPU 10 executes various applications and controls various devices.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of the control program stored in the ROM 8 shown in FIG.

In step S2, the state of the keyboard 2 is detected by the keyboard state detection device 3, and based on the detected state of the keyboard, it is determined in step S3 whether the keyboard 2 is usable.

If the result of the determination in step S3 is negative, the process proceeds to step S4. Step S4
At, a message prompting for character input from the touch panel 5, for example, a message "Please touch a key on the screen" and a virtual keyboard are displayed on the display device 4. An example of the screen displayed is shown in FIG. When the user touches the key on this screen, the touched key is inserted at the position of the key cursor.

Then, in step S5, it is determined whether or not there is an input instruction from the touch panel 5 within a predetermined time. If the result of the determination is negative, step S
14. If a message or virtual keyboard is displayed on the display device 4 in step S14,
The display is ended. Then, it returns to step S2.

On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S5 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, one character is input from the touch panel 5. That is, the input position and the position on the display device 4 are calculated, which key of the virtual keyboard is designated, and the input key is processed. Then, in step S7, it is determined whether or not the character input from the input key is completed. In this step, it can be determined by the type of the input key. For example, a line feed key, an enter key, an end key, or the like can be used as the end determination condition. Then, in step S8, it is determined whether or not the next input is made within a predetermined time from the time of the last input from the touch panel 5. As a result of the determination, if there is an input, the process returns to step S6, and if there is no input, the process proceeds to step S14. By the process of step S8, the user switches to the character input from the keyboard after performing some character input, so that automatic switching can be performed corresponding to the case where the keyboard 2 is pulled out.

On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S7, when the character input is completed, that is, when a point other than the virtual keyboard is designated, it is determined that the character input is completed,
Control goes to step S15. In step S15, after the display of the message and the virtual keyboard is completed, the character input is completed.

On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S3 is that the keyboard 2 is usable, the process proceeds to step S9. If the message or the virtual keyboard is displayed in step S9, the display ends. Then, in step S10, the touch panel 5
It is determined whether there is an input from. As a result of the judgment,
When a negative determination is made, the process returns to step S2, and when an affirmative determination is made, the process proceeds to step S11. Step S
By the process of 10, the state change of the keyboard 2 can be detected after the state detection in step S2, and the device used for input can be changed.

In step S11, one character is input from the keyboard 2, and in step S12, it is determined whether or not the character input is completed. If the result of the determination is affirmative, step S15 follows. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S13. In step S13, it is determined whether or not there is the next input within a predetermined time from the time of the last key input. As a result of the determination, if there is an input, the process returns to step S11, and if there is no input, the process proceeds to step S14. By the processing of step S13, when the user stores the keyboard 2 after inputting some characters from the keyboard 2, the input from the touch panel is automatically switched.

In this embodiment, an example in which the keyboard is stored in the lower part of the main body has been described, but it is also possible to store the keyboard on the side of the main body and detect whether or not the keyboard is stored. Of course.

In this embodiment, a touch panel is used as the position pointing device, but a mouse or tablet may be used instead of the touch panel.

Second Embodiment This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the method of detecting whether or not the keyboard can be used. That is,
In the first embodiment, whether or not the keyboard 2 is housed in the main body is detected by the keyboard state detection device 3 and it is determined whether or not the keyboard is usable. However, in the present embodiment, from the main body side. Issue commands to the keyboard,
Whether or not the keyboard can be used is determined by whether or not the keyboard responds to the command. If there is no response from the keyboard, the keyboard is disconnected from the main unit and it is determined that the keyboard cannot be used. In this case, it is only necessary that the command and the response can be communicated between the main body and the keyboard, so that it can be applied to a wireless keyboard.

Third Embodiment FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the present invention.

This is an example of the composite information processing apparatus, and its appearance is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 601 denotes the apparatus main body.
A keyboard 602 is provided with a plurality of keys 603 and can be attached to and detached from the apparatus body 1. A keyboard set switch 616 detects whether the keyboard 602 is attached or detached.

A display portion 604 is provided on the lid portion of the apparatus. Reference numeral 604A is a display surface, and 605 is a touch panel provided on the display surface 604A.

Reference numeral 606 is a document, which is set in the reading section through the document insertion port 601A. A document set switch 607 detects whether or not the document 606 is set.

In FIG. 6, 601, 602, 604,
Reference numerals 605, 607 and 616 indicate the same parts as in FIG. 60
Reference numeral 8 denotes a paper (original) feed motor, which is a set original 606.
Is to be sent.

A ROM 610 stores a control program. A RAM 611 is used for work. A control unit 609 controls each unit according to the control program of the ROM 610.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the control program stored in the ROM 610 shown in FIG.

In step S81, initialization processing of the entire system is performed, and in step S82, it is determined whether to switch to the scanner reading mode. If the result of the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S88, other processes are performed in step S88, and the process returns to step S81.

On the other hand, as a result of the judgment in step S82,
If an affirmative decision is made, the operation proceeds to step S83 and waits until the document set switch is turned on. Next, in step S84, it is determined whether or not the keyboard set switch 616 is ON, and if the result of this determination is affirmative, then the flow proceeds to step S85. In step S85, the keys of the keyboard 602 that are hidden by the original 606 are displayed on the display surface 604A (see FIG. 9) so that they can be operated by the touch panel 605. Then, in step S86, the touch panel 605 and the keyboard 6
02, the read file name is input, and the document 606 is read in step S87. Then, it returns to step S82.

On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S84,
If the keyboard set switch 16 is not turned on, the process proceeds to step S86.

[0046]

As described above, according to the information processing apparatus of the present invention, it is determined whether the key input means can be used. If the result of the determination is affirmative, the key input means is turned on. Since the virtual key input means is set to the active state when the active state is set and a negative determination is made, the active states of the key input means and the virtual key input means can be automatically switched from the housed state of the keyboard.

Further, according to the composite information processing apparatus of the present invention, when a document is read while the keyboard is mounted in a predetermined mounting location, at least a predetermined keyboard image of the keyboard covered by the document is displayed. The part corresponding to the part is displayed on the display screen, and the virtual keyboard is adapted to convert the key positions on the display screen into key codes in cooperation with the display means on which the keyboard part is displayed, so that the original is set. In this case, at least a portion corresponding to the keyboard portion covered with the document can be key-input by means other than the keyboard.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an information processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an external appearance of the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a bottom surface of the information processing device shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a control program stored in the ROM 8 shown in FIG.

5 is a diagram showing a display example of the display device 4 shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a composite information processing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an outer appearance of a composite information processing apparatus according to a third embodiment.

8 is a flowchart showing an example of a control program stored in ROM 610 shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a display surface 604A.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 keyboard 3 keyboard state detection device 4 display device 5 touch panel 6 keyboard control circuit 7 interface circuit 8 ROM 9 RAM 10 CPU 31 sensor 32 keyboard state detection circuit 601 main body 602 keyboard 604 display unit 604A display surface 605 touch panel 606 original document 607 original set switch 608 Paper feed motor 609 Control unit 610 ROM 611 RAM 616 Keyboard set switch

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A key input means for inputting a key by a key operation, a display means, and a virtual key input means for cooperating with the display means to convert the position of a key displayed on the display screen of the display means into a key code. In an information processing apparatus having :, a key availability determining unit that determines whether the key input unit is usable, and if the key availability determination is affirmative, the key input unit is activated and a negative If judged,
An information processing apparatus comprising: a control unit that activates the virtual key input unit. 2. The detecting means for detecting the key input of the key input means at predetermined time intervals, and as a result of the detection by the detecting means, there is no key input during the predetermined time, and If a positive determination is made by the usability determination means, the key input means is activated,
An information processing apparatus comprising: a switching unit that activates the virtual key input unit when a negative determination is made. 3. The notification device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising notification means for notifying that the virtual key input means can be used when the virtual key input means is activated. Information processing device. 4. A detachable keyboard for key input by key operation, and a reading unit for moving an original inserted from a mounting location side of the keyboard to scan the original.
In an information processing apparatus having a document read by the reading unit or a display unit for displaying a key input by the keyboard, when a document is read by the reading unit when the keyboard is mounted at a mounting location, a predetermined value is set. Display control means for displaying at least a portion of the keyboard image corresponding to the portion of the keyboard covered by the document on the display screen of the display means, and the display means in which the keyboard portion is displayed by the display control means. A composite information processing apparatus comprising: a virtual keyboard that operates to convert a key position on the display screen of the display means into a key code.