JPH07261901A - Interface conversion device and keyboard device provided with conversion device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an interface conversion device in order to connect another external equipment to a keyboard interface. CONSTITUTION:A nonvolatile memory 13 is prepared to store the data and a program which are needed for the interface conversion processing. A CPU 10 converts the signals inputted from the external equipments 90 and 91 through the general-purpose I/O 14 and 15 into the signals corresponding to the keyboard interface by using the data and the program stored in the memory 13. These converted signals are outputted through a keyboard I/O. In this case, the contents of the memory 13 are changed according to the equipments 90 and 91 which are applied. Thus, the universal applicability of an interface conversion device can be improved.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an interface conversion device for converting an input interface of various electronic devices into a keyboard input interface.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an interface conversion device has been used as a device for connecting various external devices to an information processing device (for example, a personal computer) via a keyboard interface.

The interface converter converts an output signal of an external device into a signal compatible with a keyboard interface. The interface conversion device is connected so as to be located between the keyboard and the information processing device. Then, the external device is connected to the interface conversion device. That is, the keyboard and the external device are arranged in parallel to the information processing device via the interface conversion device.

[0004]

However, in the conventional interface conversion device, since the control protocol of the I / O interface provided in the interface conversion device itself is fixed, applicable external equipment is dedicated. Was limited to the ones. Further, a command from a higher-level device (for example, a personal computer) is transmitted using a dedicated interface that connects a keyboard, which is difficult to create a program, and the higher-level device.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a highly versatile interface conversion device by making it possible to cope with the difference in control protocol between various devices.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an interface conversion device which also has a general-purpose interface for which a program can be easily created and which can be used to send a command from a host device.

[0007]

The present invention has been made to achieve the above object, and a first aspect thereof is as follows.
In an interface conversion device that is used by being connected between a keyboard and an information processing device that are connected via a dedicated interface, a connection unit to which the keyboard is connected and a connection unit to which the information processing device is connected are provided. Prepare,
A first I / O unit corresponding to the dedicated interface,
A second I / O unit to which another external device is connected;
Converting the signal input from the I / O unit into a signal corresponding to the dedicated interface and outputting the signal through the first I / O unit, wherein the converting unit is a rewritable nonvolatile memory. And an interface conversion device.

In this case, the second I / O unit is RS2.
32C, GP-IB, RS422 or Centronics is preferable.

The converting means further includes the first I / I.
It is preferable that the signal input through the O unit is converted into a signal corresponding to the interface of the second I / O unit and output through the second I / O.

The non-volatile memory is preferably constructed as a memory card.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in a keyboard device connected to an information processing device via a dedicated interface, a key matrix including one or more keys and a dedicated interface are provided. A first I / O unit to which the information processing device is connected,
A second I / O unit to which another external device is connected, a processing unit that detects the key operation and outputs a signal indicating the key operation through the first I / O unit, and the second I / O unit. A conversion unit for converting a signal input from the I / O unit into a signal corresponding to the dedicated interface and outputting the signal through the first I / O unit, wherein the conversion unit is a rewritable nonvolatile memory. There is provided a keyboard device characterized by including.

[0012]

The converting means converts a signal input from the second I / O section having high versatility (for example, RS232C, GP-IB, RS422, Centronics) into a signal corresponding to a dedicated interface for keyboard connection. And outputs through the first I / O unit. On the contrary, the first I / O
The signal input through the second I / O unit is converted into a signal corresponding to the interface of the second I / O unit and output through the second I / O. In this case, the conversion means can deal with various external devices by changing the programs and data stored in the rewritable nonvolatile memory. Furthermore, if the non-volatile memory is configured as a memory card, it can be easily adapted to various types of equipment by replacing the memory card. In addition, writing programs etc. to the memory card
This can be easily performed using a personal computer or the like compatible with a memory card.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The first embodiment will be described.

An interface conversion device 1 of this embodiment,
FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an information processing system including a host device 8 and external devices 90 and 91 to which the interface conversion device is applied.

The host device 8 is provided with a general-purpose serial interface (R232C in this embodiment) in addition to a dedicated interface for connecting the keyboard 80 (hereinafter, simply referred to as "keyboard interface"). The keyboard 80 and the mouse 81 are host devices 8 (for example, personal computers) to which this embodiment is applied.
Is prepared in advance. The external devices 90 and 91 are
It is a device that is going to be connected to the higher-level device 8 via the interface conversion device 1 of this embodiment. Here, the external device 90 is a general-purpose serial interface (R232C in this embodiment), while the external device 91 is a general-purpose parallel interface (GP-in this embodiment).
IB).

The interface conversion device 1 of this embodiment is
CPU 10, various memories 11, 12, 13 and various I
The I / O interfaces 14, 15, 16 and 17, a buzzer 180, a DIP switch 181, an LED 182, and various buses connecting these units.

The program memory 11 is composed of a ROM. The program memory 11 stores in advance various programs that define the operation of the interface conversion device itself. The program stored in the program memory 4 does not need to be changed according to the type (or control protocol) of the external device connected to the interface conversion device. In this embodiment, a storage capacity of 16 KB is prepared as the program memory 11.

The work memory 12 is composed of a RAM. The work memory 12 is for temporarily storing a signal before conversion and a signal after conversion when converting a signal sent from an external device into a signal corresponding to the keyboard interface of the host device 8. It is a thing.
Similarly, when converting a signal sent from the host device 8 into a signal corresponding to the interface of the external device, the signal is stored here. In this embodiment, the work memory 12 has a storage capacity of 16 KB.

The memory 13 is for storing information such as a control protocol which is different for each type of external equipment. The memory 13 is composed of a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM, a flash memory, and an F-RAM. Therefore, the information stored here is saved until it is rewritten next time, and does not disappear even if the power is turned off. By rewriting the information in the memory 13, the interface conversion device 1 of the present embodiment can be compatible with various external devices. The rewriting of the information is performed by serial I / O 14 and parallel I / O 14 described later.
External device 9 through O15 and keyboard I / O17
0, 91, can be performed by the host device 8. Details of data that can be stored in the memory 13 will be described later with reference to FIG.
Will be described in detail. It is preferable that the capacity of the memory 13 be prepared enough to store the protocols and the like for the number of I / Os 14 and 15 for connection to external devices (two in this embodiment). In this embodiment, a memory capacity of 32 KB is prepared as the memory 13.

It should be noted that by using a normal RAM, the memory 1
3 can be configured, but in this case, the stored information is not erased even if the battery for backup is provided and the external power supply to the interface conversion device 1 is stopped. It is preferable to do so. Further, if the memory 13 is configured to be removable like a memory card, it is also possible to use a non-rewritable ROM. However, in this case, it is necessary to prepare the memory 13 (memory card) for each type (more accurately, protocol type) of the external device using the memory 13. Needless to say, even when the memory 13 is composed of a rewritable nonvolatile memory, it may be structured as a memory card.

The serial I / O 14 is for connecting an external device 90 having a serial interface. The parallel I / O 15 is for connecting an external device 91 having a parallel interface. However, it is not always necessary to have both of these.
Only one of them may be used. Further, the number thereof is not limited to one as in the present embodiment. In this embodiment, a serial I / O 14 that complies with the RS232C standard is used, and a parallel I / O 15 is GP-.
It is equipped with one that complies with the IB standard. Besides this,
I / O that complies with standards such as RS422 and Centronics
May be provided. In addition, these I / O14,15,
It is also possible to connect a general-purpose interface of the host device 8 (in FIG. 1, the connection is indicated by a dotted line).

The parallel I / O 16 is a buzzer 180, L
This is for connecting the ED 182 and the DIP switch 181. The buzzer 180 and the LED 182 are for notifying the wrong connection and displaying the operating state. The DIP switch 181 is used to set various conditions when performing interface conversion.

The keyboard I / O 17 is for connecting the interface conversion device 1 to the host device 8 and the keyboard 81. These connections are made through the keyboard interface.

The CPU 10 has a function of performing interface conversion processing on signals input from the external devices 90 and 91 so as to correspond to a keyboard interface. On the contrary, the host device 8 through the I / O 17
The target external device 9 for the signal input from
The interface conversion function is provided so as to correspond to interfaces 0 and 91. The interface conversion processing is realized by executing processing using data and programs stored in the program memory 11 and the memory 13. The work memory 12 is used in the interface conversion process.

Further, the CPU 10 simultaneously outputs the output signals of the keyboard 8 and the mouse 81 and the output signals from the external devices 90 and 91 (more accurately, the signals obtained by the interface conversion of the output signals). It has a function of adjusting so that it is not output to the host device 8. In order to realize this, the output signals from the keyboard 8 and the mouse 81 are once input to the CPU 10 through the keyboard I / O 17, and then output again from the CPU 10 to the host device 8. In this embodiment, the CPU 10 is 8
I'm using the bit one.

Details of the data stored in the memory 13 will be described with reference to FIG.

In the memory 13, the protocol data area 1
A key code definition table area 131, a user program area 132, and a system area 133 are provided.

The protocol data area 130 is used for the present apparatus 1
This is an area for storing protocol data for I / O built in the.

The key code definition table area 131 is an area for storing the key code definition table 1311.
The key code definition table 1311 includes an address table 13111 and data 13112. The data 13112 is a part in which data to be actually output (data after interface conversion) is stored.
The address table 13111 is a table of the start addresses of the areas in which the data after interface conversion corresponding to the data before interface conversion sent from the external device 90 or the like are stored. The reason why such a configuration is adopted is that the data stored in the data 13112 can correspond to an indefinite length. In order to perform the interface conversion process, a key code definition table 1311 corresponding to each combination of the interface of the external device and the keyboard interface is required. Also, when the correspondence between the keys on the keyboard 80 and the key code is changed by a command from the higher-level device 8, a key code definition table adapted to the new correspondence is required. Therefore, by sending a command from the host device 8 or the like, it is possible to appropriately create and rewrite the key code definition table 1311. The management area 1310 is for storing information necessary for properly using the key code definition table 1311 that can be registered in plural numbers.

The user program area 132 is an area for storing the program code registered by the user. The user program area 132 is an area that is stored when the user registers the program code from the higher-level device 8. Whether the head address of the area 132 is fixed or variable depends on what is adopted as the CPU 10. If variable, the program code must be relocatable. When the memory 13 is used as a memory card, it is always variable.

The system area 133 is for each of these areas 13.
This is an area for managing 0, 131, and 132.

In the claims, "first I /"
The "O" corresponds to the keyboard I / O 17. The "second I / O" is the serial I / O1.
4, corresponding to the parallel I / O 15. The “conversion means” corresponds to the CPU 10, the program memory 11, the work memory 12, and the memory 13. The “rewritable non-volatile memory” corresponds to the memory 13.

Next, the operation of the interface conversion device 1 of this embodiment will be described.

Before using the interface conversion device 1, information necessary for the interface conversion processing (for example, protocol data, key code table 13).
11) needs to be stored in the memory 13 in advance. Therefore, first, the setting operation of the interface conversion device 1 itself will be described.

A terminal device is connected to the serial I / O 14,
A command for instructing data writing to the memory 13 and data to be written are sent. Then, the CPU 10 operates according to the program stored in the program memory 11, and writes the write data in the memory 13. In addition,
When there are a plurality of key code definition tables 1311 and the like in the memory 13, information such as which table to use is also input. Keyboard I / O17
A rewrite instruction or the like may be sent from the higher-level device 8 via the. Further, other auxiliary settings are performed by operating the setting DIP switch 181.

When the combination of these setting conditions, information and the like is limited to some extent, it is possible to use the input data from the external device 90 to automatically set. For example, some kinds of combinations of setting conditions are registered in the memory 13 from the beginning. Then, the input from the external device 90 connected to the serial I / O 14 is repeated. For example, if the external device 90 is a bar code reader, a bar code on which recommended data is printed is prepared in advance and can be read. The CPU 10 processes the input recommended data according to the setting conditions at that time. If the setting conditions do not correspond to the bar code reader used at this time, an error occurs. On the other hand, if the setting condition corresponds to the barcode reader, the input data can be processed without causing an error. Therefore, the CPU 10 is configured to change the combination of setting conditions to be used to another combination when an error occurs. The user can read the recommendation data repeatedly until the error disappears.
You can set the correct conditions.

Next, the outline of the interface conversion processing operation will be described.

External device 90 through serial I / O 14
When data is input from the
By referring to the key code definition table 1311, the corresponding key code is obtained.

The key code obtained here is the keyboard I
The data is sorted so as not to cause a contradiction with the data sent through the / O17, and then output to the higher-level device 8 through the keyboard I / O17. It should be noted that when outputting data to the higher-level device 8, the buzzer 180 sounds or the LED 182
May be turned on.

Depending on the setting, the character format can be output to the serial I / O 14 or parallel I / O 15 side.

At this time, the same type of connector (keyboard I /
Since the keyboard connection connector and the host device connection connector in O17 are lined up, there is a risk of incorrect insertion.
The power supply line on the interface is monitored and the LED 182 blinks when an incorrect insertion is made.

The external I / O 14 is basically connected directly to the serial I / O 14, but it can be connected remotely via a modem or the like. In this case, the control command and the telephone number of the modem are registered in the memory 13 in advance.

These series of operations are realized mainly by the CPU 10 executing the program code stored in the program memory ROM 4. Of course, it is also possible to register the necessary program code in the user program area 132 of the memory 13 and execute it.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a data format that can be handled when the present apparatus is used for character device. Regarding the leading delimiter code, header, and ending delimiter code, any character string except null character can be handled. Also,
In addition to the specified specific code, the end can also be used by specifying the time to see the timeout, the buzzer sounding, the LED lighting, and the number of characters limited by the number of characters.

A reception process on the premise of such a data format will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the condition of "head delimiter code present" is set in the interface conversion device 1, the reception buffer is read until the instructed code can be received. Furthermore, when the header removal function is set, the header is removed. The size of the header is also set.

Then, a loop is repeated in which the data is received and processed as instructed, the delimiter code is sent to the host device 8 as instructed, and the program returns to the beginning.

As described above, the interface conversion device of this embodiment has high versatility and can be used for various external devices. This leads to reducing the cost burden on the user.

The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

This embodiment is characterized in that the memory 13 in the first embodiment is replaced with a memory card 132 and a memory card control section 130 for controlling the memory card 132. Other than this, if the memory card 132 conforming to a general-purpose standard is used as the memory card 132, the memory card 132 is attached to an information processing device that supports the memory card 132, and a file copy command is issued. Just operate the memory card 13
It is possible to change the contents of item 2. It is also possible to easily prepare a plurality of memory cards 132 and replace them appropriately according to the application. In this way, even a computer or the like without specialized knowledge can be easily used.

A third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The system configuration of the present embodiment is characterized in that the keyboard 80 can be used to input data to the host device 8'which does not have a keyboard interface.

The host device 8'has only a general-purpose serial interface and does not have a keyboard interface. The interface conversion device 1 itself is the same as that shown in FIG.

When the input is performed using the keyboard 80, the key code is input to the interface conversion device 1 through the keyboard I / O 17.

The CPU 10 refers to the information stored in the memory 13 and converts the key code into a character packet form. And this is serial I / O7
Through the host device 8. Alternatively, depending on the setting conditions, without converting to a character packet,
The input key code is output to the higher-level device 8 as it is.

In this embodiment, the keyboard 8 is used for the host device 8'which does not have a keyboard interface.
0, the mouse 81 can be used for input. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the types and the number of interfaces that the higher-level device 8 should have, which is effective in reducing the size of the higher-level device 8. This embodiment is particularly useful when applied to an information device that is premised on pen input.

If a plurality of serial I / O 7 are provided, an external device 90 can be connected in addition to the host device 8 '. Therefore, the input from the external device 90 to the higher-level device 8'is also possible as in the above embodiment.

The setting of the device 1 is performed by transmitting commands and data from the host device 8 through the serial I / O 7.

It goes without saying that the system configuration of this embodiment can be applied to the host device 8 having a keyboard interface.

A fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The present embodiment is a keyboard having an interface conversion function. The configuration for interface conversion provided in the keyboard 80 'is basically as shown in FIG.
This is the same as the interface conversion device. That is, in addition to the key matrix 800, the keyboard 80 'of the present embodiment includes the CPU 10, various memories 11, 12, 13 and various I's.
The I / O interfaces 14, 15, 16, 17 and the buzzer 180 are provided. The data passed from the key matrix 800 and the matrix reading parallel I / O 19 to the CPU 1 is converted into a key code by using a program stored in the program memory 11, and the keyboard I
/ O17 to the higher-level device 8. The conversion into the key code can be performed using a program in the memory 13 depending on the setting. In addition to the keyboard matrix 800, data input from the serial I / O 14 can be converted into a key code by using the information stored in the memory 13, and can be output to the host device 8 through the keyboard I / O 17. When the external devices 90 and 91 are pointing devices, the input data can be converted into the data of a pointing device normally connected to the keyboard and output. The other operations are exactly the same as those of the apparatus shown in FIG.

Finally, a specific application example of the present invention will be described. An application example of the fourth embodiment is shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, and an application example of the first (or second and third) embodiments is shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 shows that the keyboard 80 'and the host device 8 have a serial I / F 14 in addition to the conventional dedicated I / F.
It is an example of connecting with. Data is transmitted from the host device 8 to the keyboard 80 'through the serial I / F. Then,
The keyboard 80 'converts the sent data into a key code format and outputs it to the host device 8 through the keyboard dedicated I / F. This has the advantage that other software operating simultaneously in the host device 8 can input information with respect to software that accepts only keyboard input, and can be applied to the automation of operator input work.

FIG. 9 shows the serial I / O of the keyboard 80 '.
External device 90 connected to F (for example, magnetic card reader, IC card reader, bar code reader, OCR
/ OMR reader), a pre-registered key code can be sent to the host device 8. As a result, it becomes possible to automatically log in to the higher-level device 8 or to automatically launch or automatically operate application software. In other words, instead of entering the user name and password, by operating the magnetic card or IC card,
It is possible to access the higher-level device 8. If a writable storage medium such as an IC card is used, the usage history and the like can be recorded in the recording medium. Furthermore, if the function of locking the key to disable the operation is not possible when the data registered in advance cannot be received, the safety of the system is enhanced.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the construction of a POS system using a workstation, a personal computer or the like. The host device 8 receives the keyboard 8 through the keyboard I / F.
Data can be output for 0 '. The keyboard 80 'can output the data through the serial I / O 14 or the parallel I / O 15 after performing a predetermined process on the received data. In the example of FIG. 10, these I / O1
The printer 21 and the cash box 22 are controlled by using the outputs from 4 and 15. Therefore, even when the main body of the host device 8 and the keyboard 80 'are installed separately, key input and printer output can be performed at hand. Moreover, the wiring may be neat because a large number of cables are unnecessary. The cash box is a device part used for an accounting device (register) for storing cash.

FIG. 11 shows the host device 8 and its keyboard 8.
The interface conversion device 1 is connected between 0 and 0. In FIG. 11A, the bar code reader (90) is connected to the serial I / O 14. In FIG. 11B, the measuring device (91) is connected to the parallel I / O 15. In FIG. 11C, the pointing device (9
1) is connected to the parallel I / O 15. By changing the protocol, program, etc. in the memory 13 according to the external devices 90, 91 connected in this way,
The same interface converter 1 is used for various external devices 9
It can be applied to 0,91. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated interface conversion device for each of the external devices 90 and 91.

[0067]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a highly versatile interface conversion device. Therefore, for example, the product can be easily connected to the keyboard interface with an external device using a general-purpose interface. As a result, the price of each external device can be reduced. Also, for each external device,
Since it is not necessary to purchase the interface conversion device, the cost burden on the user can be reduced. Further, it becomes possible to use a product that has conventionally required the use of dedicated software on a general application.

Further, at present, there are many standard cells in which an inexpensive CPU for easily implementing the present invention can be defined, so that it is considered that the cost will not be so high as compared with the conventional case.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a structure of data stored in a memory 13.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a receivable data format.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a procedure of data reception processing from an external device.

FIG. 5 is a second configuration in which the memory 13 is configured as a memory card.
It is a block diagram showing an example of.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a system configured by applying the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a system configured by applying the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a system configured by applying the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of use of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Interface conversion device, 8 ... Host device,
10 ... CPU, 11 ... Program memory, 12
...... Work memory, 13 ...... Memory, 14 …… Serial I / O, 15 …… Parallel I / O, 16 …… Parallel I / O, 17 …… Keyboard I / O, 19 ……
Key matrix I / O, 20 ... Mouse I / O
, 21 ... printer, 22 ... cash box, 80 ... keyboard, 81 ... mouse, 90 ...
External device, 91 External device, 180 Buzzer, 181, Dip switch, 182 LE
D, 800 ... Key matrix

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An interface conversion device, which is used by connecting between a keyboard and an information processing device connected via a dedicated interface, wherein the connection part to which the keyboard is connected is connected to the information processing device. A first I / O unit corresponding to the dedicated interface, a second I / O unit to which another external device is connected, and an input from the second I / O unit. Signal is converted into a signal compatible with the dedicated interface, and the first I / O
And a conversion means for outputting through the unit, wherein the conversion means includes a rewritable non-volatile memory. 2. The second I / O unit comprises RS232C, G
The interface conversion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the interface conversion apparatus complies with any one of P-IB, RS422, and Centronics. 3. The conversion means further comprises the first I / O.
The interface according to claim 2, wherein the signal input through the O unit is converted into a signal corresponding to the interface of the second I / O unit and output through the second I / O. Converter. 4. The interface conversion device according to claim 1, wherein the non-volatile memory is configured as a memory card. 5. A keyboard device connected to an information processing device via a dedicated interface, wherein a key matrix including one or more keys is connected to the information processing device corresponding to the dedicated interface. A first I / O unit, a second I / O unit to which another external device is connected, and a signal that detects the key operation and indicates the key operation through the first I / O unit. And a signal input from the second I / O unit to a signal corresponding to the dedicated interface, and the first I / O
And a conversion means for outputting through the unit, wherein the conversion means includes a rewritable nonvolatile memory.