JPH09212274A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a keyboard reduced in its power consumption. SOLUTION: At the time of detecting the depression of an auxiliary key through a key matrix 1, whether a valid key in combination with the auxiliary key is depressed or not is judged. At the time of detecting the depression of an invalid key in combination with the auxiliary key, only the key data on the invalid key are sent to a master device 9. At the time of detecting the depression of the valid key in combination with the auxiliary key, the key data of the auxiliary key and the valid key are respectively sent to the master device 9, and when only the auxiliary key is depressed, the key data of the auxiliary key are inhibited from being sent.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to, for example, "SHIF
The present invention relates to a keyboard having a plurality of keys including auxiliary keys such as “T” key and “CTRL” key.
The present invention relates to control of sending key data to a host device of the keyboard.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a keyboard has ANK keys (alphabet, numbers, kana) and function keys, and auxiliary keys that change the role of the keys such as "SHIFT" key and "CTRL" key according to the purpose. Are arranged. The key interlock function is
N-key rollover is common, and all the pressed keys are detected in the pressing order or scanning order. For example, "A",
When the three types of keys "B" and "C" are pressed almost simultaneously in this order, the corresponding key data is sent from the keyboard to the host device in the order of detection. Similarly, for the auxiliary keys described above, key data corresponding to the auxiliary key is sent from the keyboard even if the auxiliary key is pressed individually or when the auxiliary key and an invalid key in combination with the auxiliary key are pressed almost at the same time. It is supposed to be done.

[0003]

In the above-mentioned conventional keyboard, even if the auxiliary key is pressed alone or the auxiliary key and the invalid key in combination with the auxiliary key are pressed almost at the same time, the auxiliary key is pressed. Since the data is sent to the higher-level device, the power was consumed and wasted accordingly. In particular, a keyboard that uses a battery as a power source or a keyboard that receives power from a host device that uses a battery as a driving source has been a factor that shortens the life of the battery.

[0004]

The input device according to the present invention, when the depression of an auxiliary key is detected, determines whether a valid key in combination with the auxiliary key has been depressed, and invalidates the combination with the auxiliary key. When a key press of a valid key is detected, only the key data of that invalid key is sent to the host device, and when a valid key press in combination with the auxiliary key is detected, the key data of the auxiliary key and its valid key is detected. Is sent to each host device, and when only the auxiliary key is pressed, the key data sending control means for prohibiting the sending of the key data of the auxiliary key is provided.

When detecting the pressing of the auxiliary key, the key data transmission control means determines whether or not a valid key in combination with the auxiliary key has been pressed. When the invalid key press in combination with the auxiliary key is detected, only the key data of the invalid key is sent to the host device, and when the effective key press in combination with the auxiliary key is detected, the auxiliary key and The key data of the valid key is sent to the host device, respectively, and when only pressing the auxiliary key, the sending of the key data of the auxiliary key is prohibited. In this way, when a key in which the combination with the auxiliary key is invalid is pressed, or when only the auxiliary key is pressed, the key data of the auxiliary key is not sent to the host device, so that power consumption can be improved.

[0006]

1 is a block diagram of a keyboard showing an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a key matrix in which a group of key switches corresponding to a plurality of keys is a drive line 4 and a receive. They are arranged in a matrix at the intersections of the lines 5. Reference numeral 2 is a decoder IC, which drives the drive line 4 based on a signal from a later-described microcontroller 7 which is input via the select line 3. 6 is LE for displaying the mode of the keyboard
D and 8 are interfaces that connect the microcontroller 7 and the host device 9.

The microcontroller 7 includes the key detecting section 11, the key identifying section 12, and the first key managing section 1 of the present invention.
3 and the key data transmission control means 10 having the functions of the second key management unit 14, and an auxiliary key such as "SHIFT"
When the press of the "T" key is detected, key data based on the press of the key is temporarily stored, and a flag indicating the status is set. When the release of the "SHIFT" key is detected subsequently, the key based on the release is detected. Without sending the data to the host device 9, the set flag is cleared to erase the key data of the temporary store.

Further, when the depression of the general key is detected subsequently after the flag is set, if the general key is valid for the combination with the "SHIFT" key, the key data of the temporarily stored "SHIFT" key is stored. And the key data of the depression of the general key is sent to the host device 9, and when the release of those keys is sequentially detected thereafter, the key data based on the release of each key is sent to the host device 9.
Respectively.

Further, when the flag based on the depression of the "SHIFT" key is set and then the depression of the invalid general key in combination with the key is detected, only the key data based on the depression of the general key is sent to the host device 9 When the release of the general key and the "SHIFT" key is sequentially detected, the key data based on the release of the general key is first transmitted to the host device 9, and then the key data based on the release of the "SHIFT" key. Is sent to the higher-level device 9 to clear the set flag and erase the key data of the temporary store.

The operation of the keyboard constructed as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the microcontroller of the keyboard, and FIG. 3 is a timing chart of key data transmission at the time of pressing and releasing the key, of which (a) is “SHI
This shows the time when only the "FT" key is operated, and (b) shows "SH
The timing of key data transmission when an effective general key (here, key "A") in combination with the "IFT" key and that key is operated is shown, and (c) shows "SHIFT.
The timing of key data transmission when the T "key and an invalid general key in combination with the key (herein, referred to as the key" B ") is operated is shown. (D) shows" SHIFT "
The timing of key data transmission when the "T" key, the valid key "A" and the invalid key "B" in combination with the key are operated, and the broken line arrow in the figure indicates that key data transmission is prohibited. The solid arrow indicates the key data transmission.

When executing the key scan, the microcontroller 7 operates the decoder 2 via the select line 3 to drive the drive line 4, and reads the state of the key matrix 1 from the receive line 5 (S1).
Then, it is determined whether or not the key is scanned (S2),
When the key cannot be scanned, various registers such as the key drive line are updated (S3), and it is determined whether or not the scanning of all the key switches has been completed (S4). If not completed, the process returns to step 1 again. After returning, the keys are sequentially scanned.

Here, when the "SHIFT" key of the auxiliary key is pressed as shown in FIG. 3A, the microcontroller 7 scans it and determines whether the key is pressed or released ( S5). When it is confirmed that the key is released, the process proceeds to step 14, but when it is confirmed that the key is pressed, "S
It is determined whether the key is a "HIFT" key (S6). When it is determined that the pressed key is the "SHIFT" key, key data based on the pressed key is temporarily stored, a flag indicating the status is set (S7, S8), and the key is scanned again (S1). ~ S4). At this point, the key data is only temporarily stored, and the host device 9
Not sent to.

When the "SHIFT" key is released, it is scanned in the same manner as described above to determine the state of the key (S
5). In this case, since the key is released, step 14 is selected and it is determined whether the key is the "SHIFT" key. If the key is a general key, the process proceeds to step 13. However, if it is determined that the key is a "SHIFT" key, it is determined whether the flag of the key is set (S15). When it is judged that the key data has been sent, step 13 is selected for sending the key data when the key is released, but when it is judged that the flag is set, it is judged that the "SHIFT" key is operated independently. To clear the flag to erase the key data in the temporary store (S16), and start scanning the key (S1 to S
4). In this way, key data is not sent to the higher-level device 9 by a single operation of the auxiliary key such as the "SHIFT" key (see FIG. 3).
(A)).

Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, "SHIF
If the key "A" is pressed after pressing the "T" key,
The microcontroller 7 operates in the same manner as described above, using the "SHIF
After temporarily storing the key data when the "T" key is pressed and setting the flag, the process for the key "A" is started. In that case, first, step 6 is selected in step 5, step 9 is selected in step 6, and "SHIFT" is selected.
It is determined whether or not the flag by pressing the key is set. Key "A" when the flag is cleared
When it is determined that the key is pressed alone, the key data when the key is pressed is saved in the transmission buffer (S13), but when it is determined that the flag is set, the key "A" is regarded as the "SHIFT" key. It is determined whether the combination is valid (S10). When the combination is invalid, the key data of the key "A" is saved in the transmission buffer as described above (S13), but when it is judged to be valid, the key data when the temporarily stored "SHIFT" key is pressed is sent out. And the flag is cleared (S11, S12), the key data of the key "A" is saved in the transmission buffer (S13), and the key scan is started (S1 to S4). At this point, when the key "A" is pressed, the "SHIFT" key and the key data of the key "A" are sent to the host device 9.

When the "SHIFT" key and the key "A" are sequentially released, first, step 15 is selected through steps 5 and 14, and it is judged whether or not the flag of the "SHIFT" key is set. . in this case,
Since the flag is cleared in step 12, the key data for opening is saved in the transmission buffer. Then confirm the next released key (S5), which is "S
It is determined whether the key is a "HIFT" key (S14). In this case, since the key is "A", step 13 is selected to save the key data by releasing the key in the transmission buffer.
In this way, when the "SHIFT" key and the key "A" are valid for the combination, "SHIFT" is pressed when the key "A" is pressed.
The key data of the key is also sent to the higher-level device 9, and when released, the key data is sequentially sent to the higher-level device 9.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3 (c), "SHI
When the "FT" key and the key "B" are sequentially pressed,
The microcontroller 7 first temporarily stores the key data when the "SHIFT" key is pressed and sets the flag (S
5, S6 to S8). After that, step 6 is selected in step 5, step 9 is selected in step 6, and it is determined whether or not the flag by pressing the "SHIFT" key is set. In this case, since the flag is set, it is determined in step 10 whether the key "B" is valid for the combination with the "SHIFT" key. When the combination is valid, step 11 is selected, but when it is determined that the combination is invalid, only the key data when the key "B" is pressed is saved in the transmission buffer (S13). At this point, the key data of the "SHIFT" key is not sent to the host device 9 and the key "B"
Only the key data of is sent.

When the "SHIFT" key and the key "B" are sequentially released, first, step 15 is selected through steps 5 and 14, and it is determined whether or not the flag of the "SHIFT" key is set. . In this case, since the flag has not been cleared, the flag is cleared and the process proceeds to step 3. Then, the released key is confirmed, and it is determined whether or not it is the "SHIFT" key (S
5, S14). Since the confirmation of the release is the key "B", step 13 is selected to save the key data by the release of the key "B" in the transmission buffer. In this way, "SHIF
If the combination of "T" key and "B" key is invalid,
The key data of only the key “B” is transmitted to the higher-level device 9 without transmitting the key data of the “SHIFT” key to the higher-level device 9.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG.
When the "HIFT" key, the "B" key, and the "A" key are pressed in this order, the microcontroller 7 first selects "SH".
Temporarily store the key data of the “IFT” key, then send the key data of the key “B” to the host device 9, and then the key “A”
When it is confirmed that the key has been pressed, the key data and the key data of the temporarily stored "SHIFT" key are sent to the host device 9. When the keys are released in the above order, the key data is sent to the host device 9 in that order.

As described above, in this embodiment, "S
When only the "HIFT" key is operated, the "SHIFT"
When the "T" key and the key and the invalid key "B" are operated, the microcontroller 7 does not send the key data of the "SHIFT" key to the host device 9.
The effect of achieving low power consumption is obtained.

In the above-described embodiment, the key data is sent when the key is pressed and released, but it may be made when the key data is sent. Further, although the microcontroller 7 determines whether to send the key data based on software, it may be configured by hardware instead of software.

Further, since the present embodiment is functionally compatible with the N-key rollover, it can be applied to low power consumption regardless of the form of keyboard such as desktop, laptop, and notebook type. .

[0022]

As described above, according to the present invention, when only the auxiliary key is operated, or when the auxiliary key and its key and an invalid general key are operated, the key data sending control means operates the auxiliary key. Since the key data is not sent to the host device, the battery life is extended as compared with the conventional keyboard using the battery as a power source.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram of a keyboard showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a keyboard microcontroller.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart of key data transmission when a key is pressed and released.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Key Matrix 2 Decoder IC 7 Micro Controller 9 Host Device

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. When the depression of an auxiliary key is detected, it is determined whether or not a valid key in combination with the auxiliary key is depressed, and when the depression of an invalid key in combination with the auxiliary key is detected, the invalid key is detected. Only the key data of the key is sent to the host device, and when it is detected that the valid key is pressed in combination with the auxiliary key, the key data of the auxiliary key and its valid key is sent to the host device respectively, and the auxiliary key is pressed. An input device comprising key data transmission control means for prohibiting transmission of the key data of the auxiliary key when only. 2. The key data transmission control means includes a key detection unit for detecting the pressing and releasing of the key, and when the key detection unit detects the pressing of the key, it is an auxiliary key or a general key other than the auxiliary key. When an auxiliary key is pressed, the pressing of the auxiliary key is held and the auxiliary key is pressed, and when the key is a general key, the general key is pressed. When the release of the key is detected, it is identified whether it is an auxiliary key or a general key other than the auxiliary key, and when it is an auxiliary key, the auxiliary key release is notified, and when it is a general key, a general key release is notified. When the general key press notification is received from the key identification unit, it is identified whether the auxiliary key press notification has already been received, and when the auxiliary key press notification has not been received, the key based on the notified general key press Data When it is sent to the upper device and the notification of pressing the auxiliary key has already been received, it is identified whether the auxiliary key and the general key that received the notification are valid for the combination, and when the combination with the auxiliary key is invalid, the general key Only the key data based on the press of the key is sent to the host device, and when the combination with the auxiliary key is valid, the key data based on the press of the auxiliary key and the notified general key is sent to the host device, and A first key management unit that clears the pressing of the auxiliary key held in the key identification unit, and a key device based on the release of the general key when the general key release notification is received from the key identification unit. When the auxiliary key release notification is received, it is discriminated whether or not the pressing of the auxiliary key is held in the key identifying section, and the holding of the auxiliary key is cleared. When the auxiliary key is released, the key data based on the release of the auxiliary key is sent to the host device. When the auxiliary key is held down, the holding of the press is cleared to prohibit the key data from being sent out. The input device according to claim 1, further comprising a second key management unit that prohibits transmission of key data.