JPS59140539A - Key input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To input an optional character pattern with an easy operation by allowing a part of plural input keys, at least, to correspond to individual dots of a dot matrix and inputting a dot character pattern with the depression of input keys. CONSTITUTION:Input functions of patterns of individual dots of display elements M1-Mn on a display device 1 are given to input keys of an input key group 3. Respective input keys of the key group 3 are arranged in a (5X7) matrix and correspond to individual dots constituting the dot matrix of display elements M1-Mn of the display device 1 in (1:1). A character pattern key 4 on the keyboard surface has such function that the input mode is shifted to the character pattern input mode when the key 4 is depressed once and the dot input of the character pattern is terminated when the key 4 is depressed twice. If an erasing key 5 is depressed, the character pattern inputted by the depression of the key group 3 is erased.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a key-powered device, and more particularly to a key-powered device for inputting arithmetic information or character patterns by pressing a plurality of input keys into an electronic device that performs arithmetic processing of information.

PRIOR ART This type of key-powered device is widely used as an input device for various electronic devices that perform arithmetic processing of information. It is placed on the keyboard surface. Each input key contains single or multiple types of calculation information, such as 0.
The receiver has the function of inputting information such as numerical data information of 9 to 9 and various calculation commands such as four arithmetic operations. When each key is pressed, the information associated with that key is input into the electronic device.

In this type of conventional key-operated device, each predetermined input key in a group of input keys is provided with one or more kinds of keys for inputting character pattern information such as kana and alphabets. Usually, there is a limit to the number of input keys relative to the number of character patterns, so one input key usually holds a plurality of types of character pattern information. Mode selection of which information, including input of character pattern information, can be input from several types of information held by one key is performed by pressing an input key, a so-called shift key, which has a mode selection function.

By the way, as the functions of small portable electronic devices such as calculators have become more sophisticated, devices that process character patterns have recently appeared, and the above-mentioned manual input device is also used as an input device for such small electronic devices. Widely used.

However, in the case of a key-operated device for a small electronic device, the space on the keyboard surface is restricted due to its small size, and the number of input keys that can be set is limited. Therefore, each input key has a wide variety of input functions, including a function for inputting character pattern information, and there are also many mode settings for selecting the functions. Moreover, due to space constraints, the size of each input key and the display of input functions formed on the back surface of the input key or on the keyboard surface become smaller and more crowded.

Therefore, when performing an input operation using such a key-powered device, the operator must identify the input key with the required function from the large number of small function displays clustered together on the back of the input key or on the keyboard surface. In addition, the user must operate the shift key many times in order to select the desired input mode from a wide variety of input modes. In other words, there is a drawback that input operations require effort and operability is poor.

In addition, in the configuration of the key input device as described above, each person has the ability to input the number of characters or multiple types of character patterns for each key, so the number of character patterns that can be set is limited by the input key. There is a limit due to the number of devices and the constraints imposed by the operability mentioned above. Therefore, the conventional key-powered device has the disadvantage that only a preset specific character pattern can be input.

Purpose The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art.The object of the present invention is to provide a key-powered device of the type mentioned at the beginning, which is easy to input, and which can input arbitrary character patterns using the key-powered device. The goal is to provide equipment.

EXAMPLES Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail based on examples shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the external appearance of an electronic desktop calculator (hereinafter abbreviated as a calculator) equipped with a key-powered device according to the present invention.

In the figure, a dot matrix display (hereinafter abbreviated as display) 1, indicated by reference numeral (3) 1, is provided at the top of the rectangular front face of the calculator. The display 1 is for displaying input numerical data, character patterns, numerical data of calculation results, codes, etc., and displays a dot matrix configuration arranged in 5 x 7 rows and columns as shown in Figure 2. A predetermined number of n display elements Ml to Mn are arranged in a row.

Further, a switch 2 for turning on and off the power of the calculator is arranged near the right side of the figure below the display 1.

In addition, the area below the display 1 on the front of the calculator is a keyboard surface, where there is a group of input keys arranged in a matrix of 5 x 7 rows and columns, similar to the dot matrix of display elements M1 to Mn. 3 is provided. Each input key in input key group 3 has one type of input function for calculation information such as numerical values "0 to 9", four arithmetic operations, and calculation commands for other calculations. A display corresponding to the input function is formed. For each input key press (4
) Therefore, the calculation information held by the receiver of that input key is input.

Further, in the present invention, each input key of the input key group 3 is given the function of inputting patterns for each of the display elements M1 to Mn of the display 1. Each input key in input key group 3 is 5×
7 are arranged in a matrix, and so that the matrix corresponds to the dot matrix of the display elements M1 to Mn of the display device 1, there is a one-to-one correspondence with each dot constituting the display elements M1 to Mn. . In a character pattern input mode to be described later, by pressing each input key of the input key group 3, input is performed to each corresponding dot in the display elements M1 to Mn.

Furthermore, a character pattern key 4 and an erase key 5 are arranged on the keyboard surface above the input key group 3. The character pattern key 4 is an input key that has the function of shifting the input mode to the character pattern input mode when pressed for the first time, and the function of ending the character pattern dot input when pressed for the second time. Further, the erase key 5 is an input key for erasing the input of the character I made by pressing the input key group 3 in the character pattern input mode before the input is completed by pressing the character pattern key a second time.

Next, the operation of this embodiment having the above configuration will be explained.

By first pressing the character pattern key 4, the input mode is set to the character pattern input mode.

Next, by pressing each input key of the input key group 3 according to the shape of the character pattern to be input, input is performed to each dot corresponding to the pressed input key, and the first display element of the display 1 is pressed. Each dot of M1 is lit, and a character pattern is input.

For example, when inputting the character pattern "Y", each input key in input key group 3 shown in Figure 1 is displayed as "F6" on the back.
,F7,F8,F9,FIO,Mc,+,F
2°F7. If you press the C, 8, 5, and 2,000J in order according to the shape of the letter pattern of "Y", each dot of the corresponding display element M1 will light up, and the display element will turn on as shown in Figure 2. The character pattern "Y" is displayed on M1.

Next, when the character pattern key 4 is pressed again, character pattern input ends. However, if you press the erase key 5 before pressing the character pattern key 4 again, the input "
The character pattern "Y" is deleted. That is, when a character pattern has been input incorrectly and is to be corrected, the erase key 5 is pressed.

As described above, after pressing the character pattern key 4, first press each input key in the input group 3 according to the shape of the character pattern to be input, and then press the character pattern key 4 again to input the character pattern. can do.

Display element M2 in FIG. M3 is "ma" and "yama" respectively.
This shows the display state when the character pattern is input.

In the above configuration, each input key in the input key group 3 has a function for inputting each dot, and each input key is not configured to correspond to a specific character pattern. The character pattern input function display formed on or near the back side of - (7) disappears. Furthermore, any character pattern can be input as long as it can be expressed in a dot matrix.

In addition, in the above embodiment, each input key of input key group 3
If the structure is made flat so that it is flush with the keyboard surface, input can be made even easier when the operator traces the shape of the character pattern as if writing on each input key with a writing implement-like member. It becomes the composition.

In the above embodiment, the arrangement of the input key group and the display drive! - Although the matrix is assumed to be a 5×7 matrix of rows and columns, it is of course not limited to this, and other matrix configurations such as 7×9 may also be used. Also, instead of all the keys, at least some of them may be made to correspond to the dot matrix.

Furthermore, the key manpower device of the present invention can of course be applied to electronic equipment that is not small in size and is different from the embodiments. The present invention can also be applied to electronic equipment equipped with a dot matrix printer as an output device.

(8) Effects As is clear from the above explanation, according to the present invention, in the key-powered device of the type mentioned at the beginning, at least a part of the input key group corresponds to each dot of the dot matrix,
Since the configuration is configured so that the character pattern is entered by dots when each input key is pressed, the function display for inputting the character pattern is removed from the keyboard surface or the back of the input key, and other function displays are easier to see. This makes input operations easier, especially when applied to small electronic devices. Furthermore, in the character pattern input mode, there is no need to select a mode based on the type of character, which simplifies the key operation for shifting. Furthermore, it is possible to input any character pattern as long as it can be expressed in a dot matrix.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a calculator to which a key-powered device according to the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration and display state of display elements of the dot matrix type display in FIG. 1. 1... Dot matrix display 3... Group of input keys 4... Character pattern keys
・Erase key M1-Mn...Display element (11) 224-

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A key-powered device characterized in that at least a part of a plurality of input keys corresponds to each dot of a dot matrix, and a dot-shaped character pattern is input by pressing each input key.