JPS61246823A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To increase the input information with simple operation by converting the information obtained from an input means provided at the device main body into predetermined information when the input means is connected attachably and detachably to the device main body. CONSTITUTION:When a keyboard 3 is not connected to a connector 4 and only a keyboard 2 is available, the most significant bit D7 of a key code register 2A is brought into '0', and when a character key, e.g., (5) arranged on a keyboard 2 is depressed, for example (45) in hexadecimal notation is stored in the key code register 2A as the key code and the code is read. On the other hand, when the keyboard 3 is connected to the connector and both the keyboards are available, the most significant bit D7 of the key code register 2A is brought into '1', and when the character key (5) arranged on the keyboard 2 is depressed, C5 in hexadecimal notation is stored in the register 2A and read.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field] The present invention relates to an input device applied to small electronic equipment such as a handy terminal.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, this type of device is known to have a keyboard for inputting information on the device main body side, and also to have a detachable keyboard that can be used by being attached to the device main body. When the removable keyboard is attached to the device main body, the device main body cannot know that fact.

Furthermore, the information that can be input from the keyboard provided on the device main body side is the same regardless of whether or not the detachable keyboard is attached to the device main body side.

[Objective] In view of the above-mentioned points, an object of the present invention is, when the removable input means is attached to the apparatus main body, the input means provided on the apparatus main body side An object of the present invention is to provide an input device that can convert information from normal information to predetermined information, and can increase input information through simple operations.

[Example] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an external view showing an embodiment of a small electronic device to which the present invention is applied.

In the figure, l is the main body of a small electronic device such as a handy terminal. 2 is a first keyboard disposed on the main body 1, and has a key code register 2A for storing the key code of the operated key. 3 is added to the main body L,
This is a second keyboard that can be attached to and detached from the main body l. 4
is a connector for electrically connecting the second keyboard 3 to the main body l, and has a detachable structure. Note that when the second keyboard 3 is not attached to the main body 1 via the connector 4, only the first keyboard 2 can be operated.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the connection relationship between the main body 1 and the second keyboard 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, a microprocessor (MPU) 7 is arranged on the main body 1 side to control various parts described later. The microprocessor 7 is connected to a memory 8 such as RAM (random ψ access memory) and ROM (ridden only memory), a display 9, a first keyboard 2, etc. via a path line 8. Connect electrically.

This pass line 8 is a second keyboard 3 that is added externally.
In order to connect to the expansion connector 4, it is also electrically connected to the expansion connector 4. Therefore, the second keyboard 3 can be electrically connected to the microprocessor 7 via the expansion connector 4 .

Further, a status display signal line 5 is provided that electrically connects the second keyboard 3 and the first keyboard 2 via the connector 4, and this line 5 allows the second keyboard 3 to be connected to the first keyboard 2. A status display signal S1 is sent to the first keyboard 2 as shown in FIG.
The most significant bit of the key code register 2A provided on the side D
Lead to 7〈.

As shown in FIG. 3, the key code register 2A has a length of 8 bits in this embodiment, and a key code for identifying the key is assigned to the lower 7 bits D and #D6 excluding the most significant bit D7. D7 is assigned as a bit indicating whether or not the second keyboard 3 is added, that is, whether or not the second keyboard 3 is attached to or detached from the main body 1.

In such a configuration, when the second keyboard 3 is not attached to the device main body l via the connector 4 and only the first keyboard 2 is operable, the most significant bit 07 of the key code register 2A is It becomes °0'. Therefore, at this time, if 1, for example, the character key country arranged on the first keyboard 2, is operated, the key code for that key code, for example, in IB notation, is "°°45" in the key code register 2A.
The key code can be read from the key code register 2A.

On the other hand, when the second keyboard 3 is attached to the device main body 1 via the connector 4 and both the first keyboard 2 and the second keyboard 3 are operable, the key code register 2A The most significant bit D? °°1°' is stored in .

Therefore, at this time, the first keyboard 2
When the character key ■ located in
'C5' is stored and becomes readable. That is,
At this time, the code corresponding to the character key ■ is converted from the normal code °°45° to "'C5", and the code can be read from the key code register 2A.

In this way, in this embodiment, a second keyboard 3 for addition is provided in addition to the first keyboard 2, and whether or not the second keyboard 3 is added is indicated by a register provided on the first keyboard 2 on the main body side. Since the key code is assigned to a specific bit of 2A, different key codes can be obtained from the first keyboard 2 depending on whether or not the second keyboard 3 is added.

[Effects] As explained above, according to one aspect of the present invention, when the removable input means is attached to the apparatus main body, information obtained from the input means provided on the attached main body is Since normal information is converted to predetermined information, input information can be increased with simple operations.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is an external view showing an example of the configuration of a small electronic device to which the present invention is applied, Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the device shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the device shown in Fig. 2. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of a key code register provided in the first keyboard. l... Device main body, 2... First keyboard, 2A... Key code register. 3...Second keyboard. 4...Connector, 5...Status display signal line. 6...Pass line, 7...MPIJ, 8...Memory, 8...Display device.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A first input means disposed on the device main body; a second input means detachable from the device main body; and when the second input means is attached to the device main body. and means for converting the information obtained from the first input means from normal information to predetermined information.