JPS5839142A - Manual input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To use effectively the space of device installation and to cope with varied information inputs quickly, by using a free space as a transmission medium and designating a data processing through the identification signal from a manual input terminal part. CONSTITUTION:The operator selects a manual input terminal part (a) suitable for a work to be processed and installs this terminal part (a) near a manual input controlling part (b). One of plural waves is selected as a carrier wave used for communication between the terminal part (a) and the controlling part (b) and is set by a frequency switching circuit of local oscillating circuits 8 and 12. After transmitting the carrier wave, the controlling part (b) receives the identification signal from a generating circuit 7 to discriminate the other-party terminal part (a). When the operator scans a tablet 1, detection information is radiated from an antenna 9 through an error controlling circuit 3, a parallel-serial converting circuit 4, a transmission modulating part 5, and a frequency converting circuit 6. Detection information is received by the controlling part (b) and is demodulated and is supplied to a processing output circuit 16, and output information to an external device 18 is read out in accordance with a conversion table.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] The present invention relates to manual input devices.

Manual input devices such as keyboards and tablet input devices occupy an important position as man-machine interface devices that are in charge of inputting information to computer systems.
The content of information handled is becoming more diverse and complex, and the amount of information is becoming enormous.

In order to deal with the above situation, keyboards that use the shift key found on English typewriters are used for inputting alphabets, numbers, and kana characters, while keyboards that use ephemeral kanji conversion keys and keyboards that use ephemeral kanji conversion keys are used for inputting alphabets, numbers, and kana characters. A character array type tablet input device is available, and a page selection type keyboard or tablet such as a book type or slide type is available for inputting items such as product names and customer names. Furthermore, it has become possible to input digraphs and images using a keyboard.

The above-mentioned manual input devices all input positional information of pressed or touched keys on the keyboard or tablet that are manual input units, or position information of the tablet position, shift information using the shift key, conversion information using the kanji conversion key, and page selection information. The system converts the signals into predetermined signals based on the status information such as, and inputs these signals to an external device.

In conventional manual input devices, manual input control receives position information and status information from the above-mentioned position and emotion input unit, converts the information into predetermined signals based on the information, and inputs the fins to an external device. The parts are combined in a predetermined combination and connected by cables to form one manual input device. Therefore, when many types of manual input devices are required to handle various information contents and handle various tasks, each manual input section should be provided with its own manual input control section. 4, when the operation rate of each manual input device is low, the device installation space is used inefficiently.

Also, since the manual input section and the manual input control section are connected by a cable, even if the manual input control section can handle many types of manual input sections, it is difficult to replace the manual input section. In this case, interruption of business due to power cut,
There are many things that require assistance from maintenance workers, and there are also disadvantages in that the installation position of the manual input section is limited by the cable, and the cable obstructs the operator's actions, such as blocking the path.

The purpose of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional device, to easily replace various types of manual input sections, and to be able to be used together with a manual control section, thereby making effective use of the device installation space and allowing for inputting a variety of information. The object of the present invention is to provide a manual input device that allows quick response.

The manual input device of the present invention includes a manual input means that generates and inputs an input data signal corresponding to desired data by manually pressing or touching a button, and a modulation device that modulates a carrier wave according to the input data signal and emits it as a radio wave. an identification signal generating and transmitting means for generating an identification signal for identifying a manual input terminal section incorporating a firing means and at least the manual input means and the modulated firing means; processing output means that receives radio waves emitted from the manual input terminal section, performs data processing specified by the demodulated identification signal, and sends an output data signal corresponding to the demodulated input data signal to an external device; include.

Further, the manual input device of the present invention may be configured to have a plurality of carrier wave frequencies and include means for switching the carrier wave frequencies.

Furthermore, the manual input device of the present invention transmits the identification signal and input data signal twice for each unit data length, compares successive transmitted data after receiving and demodulating, and notifies data error if there is a discrepancy. It is also configured to include data v4p detection means.

Next, the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings.

Manual input sound: is a part that is directly operated by humans, so it should be configured with priority given to the first operation.In the present invention, the manual input section is a versatile device that can input all information in one device. Rather, a wide variety of types are prepared depending on the information to be input and the operability of the device, and a manual input control section is used to cope with the diversification of input information. There is a limit to the miniaturization of the manual input section due to operability.The manual input control section is an electronic circuit, and with the advancement of microcomputers, computers, memory, etc., it has not only been miniaturized but also has diversified functions. It is also possible to provide a highly expandable manual input device.

When carrying out work using many types of manual input units together with manual input control units, if they are fixedly connected to each other with cables as described above, it will be an inefficient use of space, and it is still difficult to use cables. Due to the drawbacks of the fixed type, such as the trouble of changing cable connections and the limitations on the installation position of the manual input section, the present invention does not require cables or cords to receive signals between the manual input section and the manual input control section. We decided to use free space instead of using .

As mentioned above, in order to couple various types of manual input parts to a manual input control part through free space, the present invention assigns a separate signal for identifying various types of manual input parts to each manual input part. This identification signal is sent out and detected, and the data processing specified by the 1wt separate signal is performed to send out output data compatible with various types of manual input sections.
In order to operate a plurality of manual input devices in close proximity and to cope with external noise, a plurality of carrier waves are prepared and switched as necessary.

FIGS. 1(a) and Φ) are diagrams of an embodiment of the present invention. In Jin's embodiment, a full-character array Bentouch type tablet is used as a manual input section, and data is input to an external device and the data is displayed on a display section.

First FI! J(a) is a manual input terminal unit (this corresponds to the above-mentioned manual input unit, but since it is movable, it is distinguished from the manual input unit and is hereinafter referred to as the manual input terminal unit), which is mainly a tablet 1. Status and position information generation circuit 21 error control circuit 3. ID generation circuit 7. Parallel-serial conversion circuit 4. Transmission modulator 5. Transmission frequency conversion circuit 69 includes local frequency oscillation circuit 8 and antenna 9.

#11 (Figure 3) is a manual input control section, mainly for antenna 10. Reception frequency conversion circuit 111 local frequency oscillation circuit 12. Receive/receive unit 13. Series-parallel conversion circuit 14. $
1 detection circuit 15. This output data is supplied to an external device 18 and a display section 17, including a processing output circuit 16.

Next, the operation will be explained in detail.

The operator selects the manual input terminal section (4th section) appropriate for the task to be processed.
The terminal shown in FIG. 1(a) is selected from a large number of available manual input terminals and installed as close as possible to the manual input control section (see FIG. 1(b)). Since the connection between the manual input terminal section and the manual input control section is by radio waves via free space, there is no need for the trouble of conventional connections and installation restrictions due to connection cable length, and there is no need for installation in close proximity. Therefore, the coupling can be made tighter, and the transmission output can be small.

First, the manual input control section 1 is powered on and is waiting for data to be input from the manual internal power terminal section. As mentioned above, multiple carrier waves are prepared for communication between the manual input terminal section and the manual input control section, and one of them is selected and transmitted to the transmission frequency conversion circuit 6 and the reception frequency conversion circuit 11. The local oscillation frequency to be supplied to the local frequency oscillation circuits 8 and 120 is set by a frequency switching circuit within this circuit.

Then, by turning on the power of the manual input terminal unit, a carrier wave is transmitted from the antenna 9, and is rearranged by the reception demodulation unit 13 via the antenna 1° and the reception frequency conversion circuit 11, and the carrier wave reception signal is transmitted to the reception demodulation unit 13. The signal was sent to the processing output circuit 16 and the lamp was turned on. 1l) Display on CRTK. By looking at these, the operator knows that the operator communication channel has been established, and sends an identification signal (hereinafter referred to as ID) to the ID generation circuit 7 via the tablet 1.

The ID is a code that identifies one of the many manual input terminal units available, and as will be described later, the manual input control unit recognizes what kind of manual input terminal unit the connected manual input terminal unit is. , prepare a conversion table for it. In response to the ID sending signal, the ID generating circuit 7 sends the ID stored in the register to the error control circuit 3. The error control circuit 3 functions as a pair with the error detection circuit 15 of the manual input control section, and is used to check whether the data transmitted from the manual input terminal section is received by the manual input control section without errors. be. In this embodiment, the data input to the error control circuit 3 is transmitted twice in succession, and the error detection circuit 15 collates the two successive data, and if they match, the data is sent to the processing output circuit 16tC. When this happens, a data error signal is sent to the processing output circuit 16 to display a visible and audible error indication. When a data error is displayed on the processing output circuit 16, the operator inputs the same data again. Error control circuit 3
Now, the ID of the parallel binary data received from the ID generation circuit 7.
is sent to the parallel-to-serial conversion circuit 4 twice in succession as described above. In the parallel-serial conversion circuit 4.

Parallel binary data corresponding to the input ID is converted into serial binary data and sent to the transmission modulation section 5. A modulated wave modulated with serial binary data corresponding to the input ID is output from the transmission modulation section 5, converted into a predetermined frequency band by the transmission frequency conversion circuit 6, and emitted via the antenna 9. The emitted radio waves are received by the antenna 10 of the manual input control section, frequency-converted by the reception frequency conversion circuit 11, and then supplied to the reception demodulation section 13 where they are demodulated and converted into serial binary data corresponding to the ID as a cover signal. is supplied to the serial-parallel conversion circuit 14. The serial-parallel conversion circuit 14 converts the input serial binary data into parallel binary data and supplies the data to the erroneous fin detection circuit 15 . Mistake 9 as mentioned above.
The detection circuit 15 checks for errors and supplies the correct ID to the processing output circuit 16. The processing output circuit 16 knows the connected manual input terminal section from the received IDE, and
A memory area or conversion table is designated that stores input information (typically using standardized codes) to an external device that corresponds to the status and location information of this manual input. Memo 9 provided in the processing output circuit 16
Conversion tables for manual input terminals that are frequently used are always stored in , but for manual input terminals that are rarely used or for manual input terminals that are not currently expected, conversion tables can be stored externally. It is structured so that it can be input and stored, and is highly expandable.

After transmitting the ID, the operator (inspection) confirms that no data signal is generated and starts inputting the required data using the tablet 1. That is, by searching for a character or the like to be input on the tablet 1, and touching the position with the pen, the character can be input using K. The status and position information generating circuit 2 scans the tablet 1, detects the status of the tablet and the position touched by the pen on the tablet 1, and supplies the status information and position information to the error control circuit 3 as parallel binary data.

The process of transmitting the parallel binary data of the status information and position information from the error control circuit 3 of the manual input terminal section to the error detection circuit 15 of the manual input control section is exactly the same as the above-mentioned ID transmission process, so the explanation will be omitted. do. In this way, status information and position information of parallel binary data are supplied from the error detection circuit 15 to the processing output circuit 16. In the processing output circuit L6, output information to the external device 18 corresponding to the received status information and position information is read out and sent to the external device 18 using the conversion table prepared as described above based on the ID. On the other hand, this output information is also supplied to the display unit 17, and the data input to the tablet l is displayed. When the data input is completed, the carrier wave can be cut off using the manual input terminal. When data errors occur frequently due to the influence of external noise, the local oscillation frequency currently being used in the local frequency oscillation circuits 8 and 12 is switched to another local oscillation frequency prepared by the switching circuit, and the carrier wave being used is changed. It is possible to prevent frequent occurrence of data errors due to external noise. When switching the frequency, the frequency is switched using a switching instruction signal from Taplet and 1, and manually using a dial, knob, or button switch.

As described above, in the embodiment, each corresponding conversion table is specified in the processing output circuit 16, and by using this, it is possible to deal with a variety of input information. In addition, since the manual input terminal and manual input control unit are connected by radio waves without the use of cables or cords, the manual input terminal can be replaced extremely easily. can be used effectively. In addition, since it has a plurality of carrier wave frequencies, it is possible to switch between them to prevent the shadowing of foreign fiber sounds, and to operate a plurality of manual input devices in close proximity.

In this embodiment, the communication between the manual input terminal section and the manual input control section is unidirectional, and therefore, communication path establishment and input data errors are all displayed on the manual input control section, but the manual input terminal section For operational convenience, or when it is necessary to start the data input operation only after a response from an external device or manual input control unit, it is necessary to connect the manual input terminal unit and the manual input control unit in both directions. Although it is necessary to communicate in both directions, the present invention is applicable even in the case of two-way communication, and is not limited to one-way communication.

In the embodiment, the manual input terminal unit transmits the status and position information of the tablet, which is a manual input device, as input data signals, but the present invention is not limited to this.
Of course, the present invention can also be applied to cases in which status and location information are converted into data signals using standardized codes and transmitted using a manual input terminal. In the embodiment, the input data signal is converted into output information to an external device using the modified pk specified by the received and demodulated ID, but the data processing specified by the IDE is limited to this. Instead, it is obvious that a microconbeater can be included in the processing output circuit to handle a variety of data processing specified by the ID.

As described above, in the present invention, by using a free space as a transmission medium and specifying data processing using the identification signal of the manual input terminal section m, it is possible to effectively utilize the equipment installation space. This has the effect of being able to quickly respond to various information inputs.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b) are diagrams of an embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram. In the figure, 1...Tablet%2...
・Status and position information generation circuit, 3...
Error control circuit, 4...Parallel-serial conversion circuit, 5...
...Transmission modulation unit, 6...Transmission frequency conversion circuit, 9, 10...Antenna, 7...I
D generation circuit, 8.12...Local frequency oscillation circuit, ? ...Reception frequency conversion circuit, 13...
・Reception demodulation section, 14...Serial-to-parallel conversion circuit, 15
... Erroneous detection circuit, 16 ... Processing output circuit, 17 ... Display section 1.1B ... External device. (of) (b') Figure 1

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] (1) Manual input means that generates and inputs an input data signal corresponding to desired data by manually suppressing or contacting it, and modulating and emitting means that modulates a carrier wave with the input data signal and emits it as a radio wave. and an identification signal generation/sending means for generating an identification signal for identifying a manual input terminal unit incorporating at least the manual input means and the modulation/emission means in the manual input terminal unit and transmitting it to the modulation/emission means, and the manual input/emission means. a receiving and demodulating means that receives and demodulates radio waves emitted from the terminal unit; and performs data processing specified by the demodulated identification signal and sends an output data signal corresponding to the demodulated input data signal to an external device. A manual input device comprising a processing output means. (2) A manual input device according to claim (1), characterized in that the manual input device has a plurality of carrier wave frequencies and includes means for switching the carrier wave frequency. (3) The identification signal and the input data signal are It is characterized by including a data vA detection means that transmits twice in succession for each unit data length, compares the received data one after another after receiving and demodulating, and in the case of a discrepancy, notifies a difference WA. A manual input device according to claim (1) or (2).