JPH08314599A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To attain an input device suitable for minitualization and easily operable even by a beginner to promote further miniaturization and popularization of a personal computer, etc. CONSTITUTION: The keyboard of the personal computer, etc., is facilitated as a simple input device SIPD. A same alphabet key is repeatedly operated within a prescribed period by prescribed times, the specified key such as a set key SET is operated after the same alphabet key is repeatedly operated by the prescribed times or the plural keys are repeatedly operated by prescribed combination having a meaning. Thus, one character, a mark or a special function is inputted or designated so that the required number of the key in the input device is remarkably reduced and the input operation is faciliated.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an input device, for example, a keyboard of a personal computer and the like, and a technique particularly effective for simplifying the keyboard.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is a keyboard in which a plurality of keys corresponding to characters or symbols are arranged in a predetermined arrangement. There is also a digital processing device such as a personal computer provided with such a keyboard as an input device for an operator.

[0003]

In a conventional personal computer or the like, the keyboard is provided with a large number of keys, and the number of keys is to make the personal computer or the like multifunctional.
It tends to increase with higher performance. Further, each of the keys provided on the keyboard needs to have a predetermined size corresponding to the size of a human fingertip, and it cannot be made smaller than the limit. As a result, the miniaturization of the keyboard is restricted, which restricts the miniaturization of the personal computer and the like, and the beginner who tries to come into contact with the personal computer or the like first suffers from the learning of the key layout. This is an obstacle to the further spread of personal computers and the like.

An object of the present invention is to realize an input device which is suitable for miniaturization and which can be easily operated even by a beginner. Another object of the present invention is to further downsize and popularize a personal computer or the like having an input device.

The above and other objects and novel features of the present invention will be apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0006]

The outline of the representative one of the inventions disclosed in the present application will be briefly described as follows. That is, in an input device such as a personal computer, for example, by operating the same key continuously a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time, or after operating the same key a predetermined number of times continuously, a specific key is operated. One character or symbol or a special function is input or designated by operating the key or by successively operating a plurality of keys in a predetermined combination having a meaning.

[0007]

According to the above-mentioned means, the required number of keys in the input device such as a personal computer is significantly reduced,
The input operation can be simplified. As a result, it is possible to realize an input device that is suitable for downsizing and that can be easily operated even by a beginner, and further downsize and popularize a personal computer or the like.

[0008]

1 is a system configuration diagram of an embodiment of a personal computer to which the present invention is applied. 2 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a simple input device SIPD (input device) included in the personal computer of FIG. An outline of the configuration and operation of the personal computer and its simple input device SIPD of this embodiment will be described first with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, the personal computer of this embodiment has a so-called stored program type central processing unit CPU as its basic constituent element. A read only memory ROM, a random access memory RAM, a keyboard controller KYBC, a direct memory access controller DMAC and a display controller DPYC are coupled to the central processing unit CPU via a system bus SBUS of a predetermined bit. These blocks surrounded by dotted lines are mounted on one board as the main body of the personal computer. The keyboard controller KYBC is connected to a simple input device SIPD, which will be described later, and is connected to the display controller DPY.
A display device DPY is coupled to C.

Here, the central processing unit CPU performs a step operation according to a control program stored in a read-only memory ROM, executes a predetermined arithmetic processing, and controls / controls each unit of the personal computer.
In addition, the read-only memory ROM has a mask R, for example.
It is composed of an OM and stores a control program, fixed data and the like necessary for step operation of the central processing unit CPU. Further, the random access memory RAM is composed of a rewritable semiconductor memory such as a static RAM, and temporarily stores the calculation result of the central processing unit CPU and various data.

On the other hand, the keyboard controller KYBC
Captures characters or control information input from the simple input device SIPD into the main body. The display controller DPYC is, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display).
The direct memory access controller DMAC controls data transfer between the random access memory RAM and the display controller DPYC by the central processing unit CPU.
Realize at high speed without going through.

The simple input device SIPD is compatible with, for example, a keyboard conforming to the JIS standard, and as shown in FIG. 2, a keyboard interface unit KBIF, a key encoder unit KENC, a key panel interface unit KPIF and a timer circuit. A control unit CTLU made up of TIMR and a key panel KP (keyboard) are provided. Of these, the key panel interface section KP
The IF converts the key operation of the key panel KP by the operator into an electric signal and transmits it to the key encoder unit KENC. The key encoder unit KENC also generates a corresponding key code based on the key operation signal transmitted from the key panel interface unit KPIF and the time information by the timer circuit TIMR, and the keyboard interface unit KB is generated.
The IF performs interface matching with the keyboard controller KYBC to realize compatibility with a keyboard conforming to the JIS standard.

In this embodiment, the simple input device SIP
The key encoder unit KENC of D is configured such that the same key is continuously operated a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time, or after the same key is continuously operated a predetermined number of times, a specific key, that is, a set key. It has a function of identifying the input or designation of one character or symbol or a special function by operating the SET or continuously operating a plurality of keys in a predetermined combination having a meaning. As a result, the required number of keys in the input device of the personal computer can be significantly reduced and the input operation can be simplified, so that the input device suitable for downsizing and easily operated by a beginner can be realized. The computer can be further downsized and spread.

FIG. 3 shows a key layout diagram of the first embodiment of the simple input device SIPD included in the personal computer of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 shows a key operation diagram of the one embodiment. ing. Based on these figures, a specific key arrangement and key operation method of the simple input device SIPD of this embodiment and its features will be described.

In FIG. 3, the key panel KP of the simple input device SIPD of this embodiment is not particularly limited,
10 alphabetic keys A, K, S, T, N, H,
M, Y, R and W, two control keys C1 and C2,
One set key SET is provided. Of these, alphabet keys A, K, S, T, N, H, M, Y, R
And W are hiragana line, ka line, sa line, ta line, na line,
Corresponds to row, row, row, row and row.
Further, the control key C1 is used to input a special hiragana such as a voiced sound or "n", and the control key C2 is used to input a semi-voiced sound or a lower case character or an instruction such as a kanji conversion. further,
The set key SET is used to end a series of key operations for inputting or specifying one character or symbol or special function, and serves as an encoding start signal to the key encoder unit KENC.

In this embodiment, the input of characters by the key panel KP is based on Hiragana, and the operation method of the keys is not particularly limited, but the alphabet keys A and K corresponding to the line of Hiragana to be input are first. , S,
This is realized by successively operating T, N, H, M, Y, R or W the number of times corresponding to the row, and then selectively operating the control keys C1, C2 and the set key SET. That is, for example, when inputting the word “simple input device”, as shown in FIG. 4, first the alphabet key K is operated once, and then the set key SET is operated to input the hiragana “ka”. , After operating the alphabet key N once, the control key C1 and the set key S
Enter the hiragana "N" by operating ET continuously. Also, after operating the alphabet key A twice in succession, operate the set key SET to read the hiragana "I".
After inputting, and operating the alphabet key N twice in succession, the set key SET is operated to input the hiragana "ni".

Hereinafter, after operating the alphabet key Y three times in succession, the control key C2 and the set key SET are operated in succession to operate the lowercase letter "u", and the alphabet key A is operated three times in succession. After operating the set key SET to operate "U" and the alphabet key R twice in succession, after operating the set key SET to operate "RI" and the alphabet key Y five times in succession, Control key C2
And the set key SET are continuously operated to make small letters "yo".
After operating the alphabet key K three times in succession,
After operating the set key SET to operate "KU" and the alphabet key S five times in succession, after operating the set key SET to operate "SO" and the alphabet key A three times in succession, Operate the set key SET to
After operating the alphabet key T twice in succession, the set key SET is operated to input "chi". Finally, by operating the control key C2, the central processing unit CPU is instructed to perform the Kanji conversion process, and the input of the "simple input device" is completed.

It is needless to say that the input of the above-mentioned hiragana or the like is identified by the key encoder section KENC of the simple input device SIPD, and this key encoder section includes a counter for counting the number of times each key is operated. . Further, the input of these hiragana can be identified without operating the set key SET, that is, by the number of alphabetic keys operated until a predetermined time elapses. The timer circuit TIMR is used.

As described above, the simple input device SIPD of this embodiment includes the control unit CTLU including the key encoder unit KENC and the timer circuit TIMR.
The key encoder unit KENC includes alphabetic keys A, K, S, T, N, H, M, provided on the key panel KP.
The hiragana to be input is identified based on the number of operations of Y, R and W and the operation combination of the control keys C1 and C2.
In other words, the simple input device SIPD of this embodiment
Then, all the hiragana can be entered by simply providing 10 alphabetic keys and 2 control keys on the key panel KP, thereby significantly reducing the required number of keys in the input device of the personal computer, The input operation can be simplified. As a result, it is possible to realize an input device that is suitable for downsizing and that can be easily operated even by a beginner, and further downsize and popularize the personal computer.

FIG. 5 shows a key arrangement diagram of a second embodiment of a simple input device SIPD to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 6 shows a key operation diagram of the embodiment. . It should be noted that this embodiment relates particularly to the reduction of the keys related to the special functions of the personal computer, and the following description is also limited to the relevant portions.

In FIG. 5, the key panel KP of the simple input device SIPD of this embodiment is not particularly limited.
Ten numeric keys 1 to 0 arranged according to the IS standard, 26 alphabetic keys A to Z, and four period keys ". ], A return key “RETN”, a comma key “,” and a space key “SPACE”, and various special function keys provided on a general personal computer keyboard are not provided. Therefore, the simple input device SIPD of this embodiment
In this case, these special functions can be selectively designated by successively operating a plurality of keys in a predetermined combination having a meaning, and the key encoder unit KENC has a function for identifying these combinations. Have both.

That is, the key encoder section KENC of the simple input device SIPD has the alphabet keys S, T,
By operating O and P continuously, the designation of the special function corresponding to the so-called stop key STOP for stopping the program execution is identified, and the alphabet key Q is followed by the alphabet keys C, O, P and Y. By being operated, the designation of the special function corresponding to the so-called copy key COPY for instructing the hard copy of the display screen is identified. Further, by successively operating the alphabet key F and the numerical keys 1 to 4 after the alphabet key Q, the designation of special functions corresponding to so-called function keys F1 to F4 used for menu selection and the like are identified, By continuously operating the alphabet keys R, O, L, L and U or D after the alphabet key Q, a so-called roll-up key ROLL for instructing screen scrolling upward or downward.
The UP or roll down key ROLL D identifies the designation of the special function, respectively.

Similarly, the key encoder unit KENC has an alphabet key C, followed by an alphabet key C,
The continuous operation of A, P and S identifies the designation of the special function corresponding to the so-called Caps Lock key CASP which is used for switching between uppercase and lowercase input, and the alphabet key H, followed by the alphabet key H, C,
The continuous operation of L and R identifies the designation of the special function corresponding to the so-called home clear key HCLR for returning the display screen to the initial state. Further, by successively operating the alphabet keys H, E, L, and P after the alphabet key Q, the designation of the special function corresponding to the so-called help key HELP for calling the explanation screen is identified, and the alphabet key Q is designated. Then, the alphabet keys E, S, and C are continuously operated to identify the designation of the special function corresponding to the so-called escape key ESC for calling the menu screen or canceling the processing.

Thus, the simple input device S of this embodiment is
In the IPD, keys for designating various special functions are not provided on the key panel KP, and the key encoder unit KENC
Indicates that various special functions are selectively designated in response to a plurality of keys being operated in a predetermined combination having a meaning, that is, in a predetermined permutation corresponding to a term suitable for expressing the function. It has a function to identify that it has been done. In other words, the simple input device SI of this embodiment
In the PD, various special functions can be easily realized and added without providing a corresponding special key, thereby reducing the number of required keys of a so-called notebook personal computer or the like, and further simplifying it. It is possible to achieve miniaturization, miniaturization, and popularization.

The operation and effect obtained from the above embodiments are as follows. That is, (1) in an input device such as a personal computer,
For example, by operating the same key continuously a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time, or by operating the same key a certain number of times and then operating a specific key, or by means of a plurality of keys. By continuously operating in a predetermined combination with, by inputting or specifying one character or symbol or special function, it is possible to significantly reduce the required number of keys in an input device such as a personal computer. can get. (2) According to the above item (1), it is possible to simplify the input operation on the key panel of the personal computer or the like. (3) According to the above items (1) and (2), it is possible to obtain an effect that it is possible to realize an input device that is suitable for downsizing and can be easily operated even by a beginner. (4) According to the above items (1) to (3), it is possible to obtain an effect that the personal computer and the like can be further downsized and spread.

Although the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiments, the invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless to say. For example, in FIG. 1, the personal computer may have a dedicated interface for coupling the quick input device SIPD. Further, the simple input device SIPD and the display device DPY can be incorporated integrally with the main body of the personal computer, and their connection forms are also arbitrary. The personal computer does not have to have the direct memory access controller DMAC as an indispensable condition, and its block configuration and bus form can take various embodiments.

In FIG. 2, the block configuration of the simple input device SIPD is not restricted by this embodiment. FIG.
In the above, the key panel KP can be provided with an arbitrary number of control keys, and the arrangement and arrangement position of each key and the shape of the key panel KP are also arbitrary. In FIG. 4, a series of operation of the alphabet keys can be terminated by using the time information of the timer circuit TIMR without using the set key SET as described above. Also, control key C
Various embodiments may be considered for the functions of 1 to C2 and the set key SET and combinations thereof.

In FIG. 5, the key panel KP can be provided with dedicated keys corresponding to some special functions,
The arrangement and arrangement position of each key are also arbitrary. In FIG. 6, in this embodiment, a series of key operations relating to special functions are started by operating the alphabet key Q, but it is possible to provide a dedicated control key for that purpose. In this embodiment, the end of a series of key operations is autonomously identified by the key encoder unit KENC, but the return key RETN may be operated to notify the key encoder unit KENC. The number and combination of special functions of the personal computer, their names, and the like can take various embodiments, and the designation method thereof can be set arbitrarily.

In the above description, the case where the invention made by the present inventor is mainly applied to a personal computer and its key panel, which are the fields of application as the background, has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. , CAD (Computer Aided)
The same can be applied to a similar input device connected to a design computer and a workstation, an operation panel of various electronic devices, and the like. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is widely applicable to input devices that require at least a plurality of keys and devices and systems including such input devices.

[0030]

The effects obtained by the typical ones of the inventions disclosed in the present application will be briefly described as follows. That is, in an input device such as a personal computer, for example, by operating the same key continuously a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time, or after operating the same key a predetermined number of times continuously, a specific key is operated. By inputting or designating one character or symbol or special function by operating multiple keys continuously in a predetermined combination having a meaning,
The required number of keys in an input device such as a personal computer can be significantly reduced, and the input operation can be simplified. As a result, it is possible to realize an input device that is suitable for downsizing and that can be easily operated even by a beginner, and further downsize and popularize a personal computer or the like.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a personal computer including a simple input device to which the present invention is applied.

2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a simple input device included in the personal computer of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a key arrangement view showing a first embodiment of the simple input device of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a key operation diagram of the simple input device of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a key layout diagram showing a second embodiment of the simple input device of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a key operation diagram of the simple input device of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

CPU: Central processing unit, SBUS: System bus,
ROM: Read only memory, RAM: Random access memory, KYBC: Keyboard controller,
DMAC: Direct memory access controller,
DPYC …… Display controller, SIPD ……
Simple input device, DPY ... Display device. CTLU
...... Control unit, KBIF ...... Keyboard interface part, KENC ...... Key encoder part, TI
MR: timer circuit, KPIF: key panel interface section, KP: key panel.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Mayumi Suzuki 5-20-1, Josui Honcho, Kodaira-shi, Tokyo Hiratsuru ELS Engineering Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masabuchi Matsubuchi Kodaira, Tokyo 5-201-1 Jitsumizuhoncho, Ichi, Japan, within Hitate Super L.S.I. Engineering Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Natsuko Koizumi 5-201-1 Kamimizuhoncho, Kodaira, Tokyo Metropolitan Government In i Engineering Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kaoru Arai 5-20-1 Kamimizuhoncho, Kodaira-shi, Tokyo Hirate RLS AI Engineering Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takashi Matsumoto Kodaira, Tokyo 5-20-1 Kamimizuhonmachi Hiritsu Cho El SII Engineering Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Saito Only Tokyo Kodaira Josuihon-cho 5-chome No. 20 No. 1 Date standing ultra-El es Eye Engineering Co., Ltd. in

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An input device capable of inputting or specifying one character or symbol, a special function or the like by operating a plurality of keys. 2. The character or the symbol, the special function or the like is input or designated by operating the same key continuously a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time. 1 input device. 3. The character or symbol, the special function or the like is input or designated by operating a specific key after the same key has been operated a predetermined number of times in succession. The input device according to claim 1. 4. The character or the symbol, the special function or the like is input or designated by successively operating a plurality of keys in a predetermined combination having a meaning. Input device.