JPS58222329A - Keyboard device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To inform always a correct function name to an operator, by displaying each function name of plural program function keys according to external display information. CONSTITUTION:A small-sized display 13 for function name display which can optionally change the display content is provided in response to a program function key group 11 on a keyboard. The display content of the display 13 is written automatically in response to the program content to be executed at the processor side.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to a keyboard device having a plurality of program function keys.

[Technical background of the invention and its details]

2. Description of the Related Art Keyboard devices used in general computer systems and the like are usually provided with a plurality of program function keys. These program function keys have specific meanings within the program that the operator is executing at that time. Therefore, it is necessary for the operator himself to know what function each of the program function keys has at that time, and conventionally, the first
A function display mechanism as shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 2 was used. That is, the four function display mechanism shown in FIG.
The name plate l on which the function name is written corresponding to each of The name plate 1 can be replaced at will.

The function display mechanism shown in FIG. 2 is a cylinder on which the function names for each gramogram function key for each of the programs of the number of blocks are attached in advance with a predetermined line spacing for each gramogram unit. The display body 3 is rotatably housed within the keyboard body, and the keyboard body is provided with a display window 4 that can display each function name of a selected line of the cylindrical display body 3. According to the program to be processed, the operator can arbitrarily select the content displayed in the front window 4, that is, the function name of each program function key, by operating the rotary dial 5.

However, each of the above-mentioned conventional function display mechanisms has the following drawbacks. That is, the operator has to select and set the function display contents according to the program to be processed, which has the drawback of placing a heavy burden on the operator. In addition, since the function display selection means is used by the operator himself, it is useless if the operator sets the display incorrectly. Furthermore, when a change in function occurs, a new name plate 1 or cylindrical front body 3 must be created, which requires a lot of effort. Furthermore, in the configuration shown in FIG.
is significantly limited. i,,i,.

As described above, each of the conventional function display means has four drawbacks.

[Purpose of the invention]

The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and it is possible to automatically select and display the function names of each of the plurality of program function keys provided on the keyboard according to the content of the work to be processed. To provide a keyboard device that can always inform an operator of the correct function name without requiring a selection operation, and can set a large number of function names that can be displayed.

[Summary of the invention]

The present invention provides a small display device for displaying function names whose display contents can be changed arbitrarily in correspondence with a group of program function keys on a keyboard, and the display contents of this display device should be executed on the processing device side. Automatically change the settings according to the program's own answers so that it is always correct.
This function is designed to inform the operator of new function names.

[Embodiments of the invention]

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to four aspects. Third
The figure is a plan view showing the components of a keyboard device in one embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 11 is a program function key, and 12 is a group Φ including various function keys other than the program function key 11 and various keys such as letters, numbers, and symbols. The various types of Φ- described above are provided with the existing key layout 1j condition. 13 is the upstream program function key 11
This is a liquid crystal display unit that displays the names of each function.It receives display data from the upper processing unit (computer main unit) and displays the function names according to the content in, for example, a dot pattern.Hereinafter referred to as this liquid crystal display The unit is called LCDU.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an information processing apparatus using the keyboard device having the configuration shown in FIG. 3 above. In the figure, 100 is the computer main body, 200
is a keyboard display terminal placed under the control of the computer main body 1oo, and L is the computer main body 100 and the keyboard display terminal 200.
M is the same modem. 101
107 to 107 constitute the components of the computer main body 100, 101 is a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU), 102 is a main storage device (hereinafter referred to as MEIJ), 10
3 is an external storage control unit (hereinafter referred to as EV-C'I'L);
Reference numeral 104 denotes an external storage unit, such as a disk file (DISK).
), 105 is an input/output control unit (i10-CT L ),
106 is an input/output device (Ilo), and 707 is a communication control unit (CC).

Here, in addition to the existing various data storage areas, the disk file 104 includes a function name display information storage area (xi).
is maintained for 14 years. In this storage area (xg), data for displaying the function names of the program function keys 11 for various programs to be handled is registered in advance.
With the start of program processing, data for displaying function names specific to the program is retrieved from the storage area (xg) and sent to the middle-board display terminal 200 under the control of the CPU I0I.

201 to 207 constitute the components of the keyboard display terminal 200, 201 is a communication control section, 202 is a terminal control device (Tc), 203
204 is a CRT display unit, and 204 is a CRT controller (CRT
C, ), 204BiJ: cRT display buffer, 20
5 is the display control unit (
L, CDC; hereinafter referred to as LCD controller), 205
B is a buffer for LCD UCD, 206 is a keyboard, 2
07 is a keyboard controller (KBC), and 207B is a key manual buffer.

Here, the operation in practice will be explained. LCDUJJ
Display pattern data of various function names displayed on the screen (i.e., characters, symbols, etc. including kanji to display the function names of each program function key 11 for each program that can be selectively used by the operator) The pattern data) is registered and saved in a storage area (xg) of a disk file 104 provided in the computer main body 100 in advance using a predetermined utility program or the like. In order to carry out the work (program) for which the operator is responsible,
On the keyboard 206, enter the job number (
. received by the communication control unit 102 of the C
Input to PUl0I. CPU10I uses EM-, CTL1 to read the corresponding program from disk file 104 based on the input job number.
A control command is given to 0j9, and the program file corresponding to the job number specified by the operator is sent to the disk file 104.
U・□・、Read the machine and write the program to VLE, u
After loading the program into the program storage area 102, processing according to the program is started. At this time, the CPU 10I first reads the display pattern data representing the function name unique to the job from the storage area (xE) of the disk file 104.
Hm1 command is given, function name display pattern data unique to the job number p1 is read from the disk file 104, and the display pattern data is ia g M J (1
Once stored in a predetermined area of g, the data is sent to the keyboard display terminal 200 via the communication control unit 107, the modem M1 transmission path, etc. The display pattern data on this transmission path is received by the communication control unit 201 of the keyboard display terminal 200 through the modem IJt-M, and then sent to the terminal control device zozz valve and stored in the display buffer 7205B of the LCD controller 205. .

The LCD controller 205 has a display buffer 205B.
After writing the display pattern data to the LCD
It drives and controls the UI 3 and causes the LCD UI 3 to display and output function names according to the contents stored in the display buffer 205B. In this way, the function name of each of the valley program function keys 1°1 corresponding to the job (program) selected by the operator is automatically displayed on the LCDUIJ. Next, when the operator selects another job (program), the function name display pattern data unique to the newly selected job (i.e., job number) is transferred from the disk file 104 according to the operation of the controller. is sent to the keyboard display terminal 200, and is sent to the L in the board display terminal 200.
Display buffer 2 provided in the CD controller 205
The contents of 05B are updated, and the display contents of the LCDUI 3 are replaced with the function name pattern for the newly selected job (program).

In this way, program function =? - Since the displayed contents of the function names of JJ% are automatically rewritten according to the job to be executed (selected program), there is no need for the operator to change the function names, and therefore there is no operational burden on the operator. In addition to reducing the number of errors, the correct function name can always be displayed, improving reliability and operability. Furthermore, once the display pattern data of function names is registered in the computer main body 100 (disfile 104 of the computer main body 100), all the keyboards connected to the computer main body 100 can use that pattern in common.
Different function names can be displayed simultaneously for each keyboard. In addition, even if a function name is changed or expanded, all that is required is to change the registered contents of the storage area (XE) of the disk file 104 or expand the area. is extremely easy to do.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, a liquid crystal display unit (LCυD) was used for the function name display section, but the invention is not limited to this.For example, a flat display such as a light emitting diode array, etc. It can also be constructed using units.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As detailed above, according to the present invention, in a keyboard device having a plurality of program function keys, the function name of each program function key is automatically selected and displayed according to the content of the function to be processed. I can do it,
It is possible to always inform the operator of the correct function name, and it is also possible to set a large number of displayable function names.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figures 1 and 2 are plan views showing conventional function name display mechanisms, Figures 3 and 4 are diagrams showing the configuration of one embodiment, and Figure 3 is a plane facing the main keyboard device. 4 are block diagrams showing the system configuration sequence. 11...Program function key, 13...
Liquid crystal display unit (LC!DU), 100...
・Computer 'f'ly type, 200...Keyboard display terminal, 205...Display control unit (L
CD controller), 205B... LCDU display buffer, 206... Keyboard, 207... Keyboard controller, 207B... Key eight (sofa).

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A keyboard device comprising a display section that displays function names of a plurality of program function keys according to external display information.