JPS60258629A - Keyboard input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To avoid a misoperation due to mis-selection in a keyboard input device by using pilot lamps to form a mode display part and providing a mode collation part having an opening coincident with the lighting state of the display part to secure the coincidence between modes of a key function and a template. CONSTITUTION:Keys 11a-11c of the function key 11 provided on a keyboard 10 have functions sorted previously in response to programs. At the same time, pilot lamps 12a-12e are arranged on the keyboard 10 at places near those keys 11 to form a mode display part 12. This part 12 is driven by a mode control part. Then the modes of keys 11 corresponding to programs to be executed are displayed by the combinations of display modes (ON and OFF) of the pilot lamps 12. While plural sheets of templates 20 are prepared for each mode, and function display parts 22 are provided to the template 20. A mode collation part 23 is provided at the upper side of the template 20.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical Field The present invention relates to a keyboard input device such as an information processing device, and more particularly, the present invention relates to a keyboard input device for an information processing device, etc. The present invention also relates to a keyboard input device that can be applied to a word processor or the like.

Conventional technology In general, in order to downsize the keypad and improve operability, the number of keys is reduced and the same key has multiple different functions, and during operation, the function that corresponds to the zologram, etc. to be executed is selected. There is a keyboard input device configured to switch to and specify the function. In such devices, the following method has been known to indicate which of the plurality of functions a key is specified for.

For example, key identification symbols such as Fl, F2゜, etc. are engraved on the heads of the function keys 1a to 1f arranged as shown in Fig. 2, and the operator can set them according to each program. Some devices store the functions of each of the function keys 1a to 1f and perform desired key operations based on this memory. This method is good when it is simple, but when the number of programs and the number of keys and key functions increases and becomes complex, there are problems in that it takes a lot of effort to get used to it and often causes erroneous operations.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, there is an opening 2 having a shape corresponding to the function key row 1, and the function names 38 to 3f of each of the function keys 1a to 1f are displayed on the side of the opening 2. A template 4 is provided for each program, and the operator selects a template 4 corresponding to the program to be executed.
There is one that selects and attaches it to function key row 1. According to this, the functions of the function keys 1a to 1f can be seen at a glance based on the template 4, but there is a problem in that if the selection of the template 4 is incorrect, erroneous operations may occur.

Furthermore, if a display device such as a CRT is provided, the function names of the function keys 1a to 1f may be displayed on the 081 screen by a program. According to this, the function name corresponding to the executed program is always displayed correctly, making it possible to prevent erroneous operations.Especially when a program, etc. whose key functions change frequently is executed, the above-mentioned template can be used. It is more convenient than the replacement method. However, since several lines of the 081 screen are occupied for this display, there is a problem in that the display area that can be used for the original processing is limited.

In addition to the above-mentioned method, there is a method called a book method as shown in FIG.

This automatically switches the function of each key to the function displayed on the open page or template.
m-! for n keys! ! - If you set up a book for n
This is equivalent to having ×m keys. As a method for detecting an open target, as shown in FIG. A light source 7 is arranged to face the photosensor 6, and a number of connected holes 8 corresponding to the number of blanks are provided on each page 5 at a position facing the photosensor 6. An open page is detected based on a light detection signal from the sensor 6. Moreover, instead of providing the light source 7 of this method, as shown in FIGS. 6(4) and (B), the photosensors 6 are arranged in two rows, with one pair of photosensors at corresponding positions, and each There is also a device in which the hole 8 is detected by comparing the amount of light detected by a pair of photosensors 6, and an open hole 4 is identified based on this. In either method, the function of each key is switched to match the key function displayed on the identified open page. According to such a method, the key functions and their displays automatically correspond to each other, so that erroneous operations can be prevented, but there is a drawback that the configuration becomes complicated because a large number of photosensors are required. Also, as mentioned above,
The book method is for specifying a program that supports the key function display of the open page, and when you want to display the key function specified from the program side, that is, for the purpose of specifying the open page from the program side. cannot be applied.

OBJECTS An object of the present invention is to provide a key bead input device that can reliably select a template having a key function display corresponding to the Grodarum etc. to be executed and prevent erroneous operations.

Configuration Hereinafter, the configuration of the present invention will be explained based on embodiments.

An external view of the main parts of an embodiment to which the present invention is applied is shown in Fig. 1.
An overall functional block diagram is shown in FIG. 7, and a flowchart showing the operating procedure is shown in FIG. 8.

As shown in FIG. 1, each of the keys 11a to 11ie of the function keys 11 arranged on the keyboard 110 is classified in advance into the modes shown in Table 1 in correspondence with programs, etc., and each key has a plurality of functions. is set.

Further, a mode display section 12 is provided on the keyboard surface near the function keys 11, and is formed by a plurality of indicator lights 12a to 12e arranged and embedded. Each indicator light 1
2a to 12e display two states: "on" or "off"
An element used as a value display element, such as a light emitting diode or a tungsten lamp, can be used. In addition, the present invention is not limited to these indicator lamps, and a binary display element using a color display method or an uneven display method may be applied.

The mode display section 12 formed in this manner is driven by the mode control section 16 shown in FIG. Alternatively, a plurality of indicator lights 12a to 12e are turned on. That is, the mode of the function key 11 corresponding to the program to be executed is displayed by a combination of display modes (blinking or blinking) of the indicator lights (hereinafter referred to as code display).

On the other hand, the tensile rate 20 is made to correspond to each mode,
A plurality of function display sections 22a to 22 are formed near the upper side of the opening 21 that is attached to the function key 11.
c are provided, and the functions Fl, F2 . ... is displayed. Furthermore, a mode collation section 23 is provided on the upper side of the tenten plate 20, and is formed by arranging one or more apertures serving as see-through windows. The apertures 23c to 23e are not necessarily mechanical apertures, but may be any optical apertures that can transmit light, including mechanical apertures. This mode collation section 23 is formed to face the mode display section 12 of the keyboard 10, and each opening is made to match the combination of display modes of indicator lights lit in the same mode as the mode of the ten rate 20. It is provided.

For example, the tensile rate 20 shown in FIG.
Opening 23c at the position corresponding to c, 12d, 12e
, 23d, and 23e, the indicator light 1
This is the ten rate of the mode to be used when lighting 2c, 12d, and 12e.

For example, if this mode is &, table mode M1,
The function display sections 22a, 22b, 22c display functions Fl, F2. 'F3 is displayed. In addition, as another example, the tentening rate 20 shown in FIG.
Opening 23b in the appendix corresponding to 2b, 12d, 12e
, 23d, and 23e, it is used in a mode in which those indicator lights 12b, 12d, and 12e are turned on.

Therefore, by selecting a template having the mode collation section 23 with an opening formed at a position corresponding to the lit indicator light of the mode display section 12 and installing it, functions corresponding to each of the function keys 11a to 11ie can be used. The contents of the display sections 22a-22Q can be matched with the functions of the function keys 11a-lie specified by the program to be executed. This allows the operator to mechanically select the correct tensile strength.
Misoperation can be prevented.

Here, a specific example of the mode display method of the mode display section 23 will be explained. The easiest way is to use indicator light 12.
The mode is set one-to-one for a to 12e, and one of the indicator lights is turned on, and the mode matching section 23 of the tenten rate 20 is formed with one opening corresponding to the mode. Just take it as a thing.

According to this method, N modes can be distinguished using N indicator lights. Further, if the code display is used as described above, 2N modes can be distinguished by N indicator lights.

Next, the operation and operating procedure of this embodiment will be explained with reference to the overall functional block diagram of FIG. 7 and the flowchart of FIG. 8. First, when the program is started in step 101 in FIG. 8, a mode command for the function key 11 corresponding to the program is sent from the processing control section 15 to the mode control section 16 in step 102.

In the Stella 7' 103, the mode control section 16 lights up one of the indicator lights 12a to 12e of the mode display section 23, which is determined according to the input mode command.

The operator wears the template 20 having the mode matching section 23 that matches the mode display on the mode display section 12. In this state, in step 104 of FIG.
If there is key power from , the input control unit 13
In step 05, it is determined whether the key input is a general data key, a function key, or a function mode switching key. Therefore, in the case of general data, the process moves to Stella 7'' 106, and the general data processing is performed according to Grogura 4. If the function keys are manually operated, the process moves to step 107, and the function key converter 14 Based on the current mode input from the mode control section 16, the function key manual input is converted into control data for the corresponding function in that mode, and then sent to the processing control section 15.

As a result, the processing control unit 15, in step IO8,
Performs control data processing. In step 109, it is determined whether all the processing of the program has been completed at the end of the processing of Stellar f106 and 108, and if all the processing has been completed, the process moves to Stellar f110 and the processing operation is stopped.

Now, as far as I have explained so far, each of the function keys 11a to 11a can be selected by one program.
Each lc function is limited to one type. Therefore, the types of functions that can be used in one program are limited to the number of seven function keys 11. As a way to increase this, a loop consisting of steps 111 and 112 in FIG. 8 is provided. That is, one of the function keys 11 (for example, 11a) is used as a mode switching key, and the operation of this key causes the function key 11 to change.
The mode of the program can be switched to a predetermined mode, thereby substantially increasing the variety of functions that can be used with one program. In other words, step 105 in FIG.
If the key input determined in is a mode switching key, it is converted into control data according to the current mode via the input control section 13 and the function key conversion section 14, and is input to the control processing section 15. The control processing section 15 recognizes that the input control data in the Stellas 7'll and 112 is for mode switching, generates a predetermined new mode command, and sends it to the mode control section 16. As a result, the functions of each function key 11 are switched to those of the new mode, and the display on the mode display section 12 is also switched to the content corresponding to the new mode. Of course,
The operator replaces the template with a template corresponding to the new mode and performs key operations.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the mode display section is made up of an easily visible indicator light, and the program, etc. that is executed by the mode verification section, which has an aperture that matches the lighting state of the mode display section, is configured as follows. Since the key function mode corresponding to the template can be matched with the ten rate mode, the operator can easily and mechanically select the correct template, thereby preventing erroneous operations.

FIG. 10 shows an external view of main parts of another embodiment to which the present invention is applied. The difference between this embodiment and the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is as follows.
Indicator lights 12a to 1 in which mode display sections 12 are arranged in two rows
2e and 12f to 12j, the openings of the mode matching section 23 are also formed in two rows.

Each of the indicator lights 12f to 1 in the lower row of the mode display section 12
2j indicates each indicator light 12a to 12e at a corresponding position in the upper row.
It is designed to be driven the same way. On the other hand, the openings in the upper row of the mode collation unit 23 are the same as those in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, but the openings in the lower row are the indicator lights 12f to 12j that are not lit (12f in the illustrated example).

12g).

Therefore, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, even if, for example, the indicator light 12b is lit in addition to the indicator lights 12c, 12d, and 12e corresponding to the openings 22c, 22d, and 22e of the mode verification section, the mode is However, according to this embodiment, since the lighting of the indicator light 12g, which is driven in the same way as the indicator light 12b, can be confirmed through the opening 23g, it is possible to select the ten rate. can be carried out more reliably.

Effects As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to reliably select a key function display template that corresponds to the program to be executed, and therefore it is possible to prevent erroneous operations due to erroneous selection. Furthermore, since it can be configured using a simple binary display element such as a display lamp, the device configuration can be simplified.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a main part showing an embodiment of a keyboard input device according to the present invention, FIGS. 2 to 6 are external views of main parts of a conventional example, and FIG. 7 and FIG. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a modification of the tensile rate that can be used in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6; FIG. 10 is a diagram of another embodiment of the present invention. It is an external view of the main part. 10...Keyboard 11...Function keys 12...Mode display section 20...Ten rate 22...Function display section 23...Mode collation section Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Fig. 3 Fig. 4 Figure 5 (A) (B) Figure 6 (A) (B) Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9 Figure 10 Figure 1

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A keyboard having function keys; a function control means for selectively selecting a plurality of functions given to the function keys; a signal forming means for forming a signal according to a function selected; and a tentenure plate that can be detachably attached to the keyboard in association with the function key and has a function display indicating one of the plurality of functions. In the keyboard input device comprising: a visual display means whose display state is driven and controlled by the function control means, the function control means adjusts the visual display means to a display state corresponding to the selected function. and the template has an optical aperture means for making visible the display state of the visible display means corresponding to the function display of the teng plate when the teng plate is attached to the keyboard. A key date input device featuring: 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the visible display means includes a plurality of pairs of light emitting elements that are driven in the same way for each pair, depending on the display state, and the optical aperture means is a first optical aperture that transmits light from one of the light-emitting elements of the pair that is being driven, and a first optical aperture that transmits light from one of the light-emitting elements of the pair that is not driven in the display state of the corresponding visible display means. a second optical aperture for making the non-driven state of the other of the light emitting elements visible, and light from the other of the driven pair of light emitting elements is blocked; Device.