JPS62105223A - Function expansion system for pf key - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To expand the control functions of PF keys without any limitation by assigning a switching function for control functions to one of plural PF keys. CONSTITUTION:A PF key function table storage part 4 is stored with a PF key function table where plural groups of control function definitions corresponding to respective PF keys of PF key arrays PF0-PFn. A function switching function for the PF keys is assigned to the PF0 at any time and control functions of the remaining (n) keys PF1-PFn are switched according to the PF key function table. Further, a PF key switching part 5 detects the operation of the PF0 key, a next group of control function definitions is read out of the function table storage part 4 for the PF keys and stored in an effective PF key function storage part 6. Consequently, the control function of the PF keys are expanded almost without any limitation.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Summary] A control function switching function is assigned to one of a plurality of PF primary keys for controlling a computer, etc., and a plurality of different functions are assigned to each PF primary key of the remaining PF primary key groups. PF primary key control functions of the remaining PF primary key groups are switched all at once to predetermined contents according to the number of operations of the PF primary key provided with a switching function.

[Industrial application field]

The present invention provides a PF in a program processing device such as a computer.
This invention relates to a control method for a primary key (program function key or program function key), and particularly relates to a method for switching and expanding the types of functions that can be controlled by a PF primary key.

[Conventional technology]

tt JE IStea Finally, in devices that perform program processing such as personal computers and word processors, a certain number of PF primary keys are generally provided on the key-powered device, and multiple control functions (command functions) necessary for program processing are preset on each PF.
Many methods are used to assign primary keys for easy operation.

Normally, one PF primary key is associated with one control function, but an alter key is also provided as a hard key to switch the PF primary key control function.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

In the conventional PF key formula, the functions that can be controlled by the PF primary key are fixed, and even if a change key is used in combination, the functions that can be expanded are limited to twice the number of PF primary keys. Furthermore, the number of usable PF primary keys is generally limited due to structural limitations of the keyboard, which is inconvenient when it is necessary to provide users with various control functions regarding program processing.

[Failure to solve the problem]

The present invention eliminates restrictions on the number of functions that can be controlled by the PF primary key.

Create a required number of control function sets that are assigned to a certain number of PF primary keys, create a table, and select these sets in sequence each time you operate one PF primary key assigned for function switching. It is used to associate and enable use. The control functions associated with the PF keys are displayed in the PF primary key display area on the display surface.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the principle of the present invention.

In the figure, 1 is a PF key string, 2 is a display, 3 is a PF key display area 24, a PF key function table storage unit,
5 represents a PF key function switching section, 6 represents an effective PF primary key function storage section, and 7 represents a PF key function/function control section.

The PF key string includes n+1 PF keys PF1 to PFn, and each PF primary key control function is displayed correspondingly in the PF primary key display area 3 of the display 2.

The PF primary key function table storage unit 4 stores PF key strings PFO~
A PF primary key function table is stored in which a plurality of sets of control function definitions associated with each PF key of PFn are registered.

The PF primary key function switching function is always assigned to the PFO key, and the remaining n PFI keys or PF
Switch the control function of the n key according to the PF primary key function table.

When the PF key function switching unit 5 detects that the PFO key has been operated, it reads the next set of control function definitions from the PF primary key function table storage unit 4.

The valid PF primary key function is stored in the storage unit 6.

The control function definitions (codes) stored in the effective PF primary key function storage unit 6 indicate the set of control functions currently associated with the PFI key to PFn key, and the contents are shown on the display 2. It is displayed in the PF primary key display area 3.

When either PFI or PFn key is operated, the PF key function control section 7 validates the definition of the control function corresponding to that key. Takes from a set of definitions and executes its control.

[Effect]

Any number of sets of control functions can be registered in the PF primary key function table, and the PF primary key control functions can be expanded almost without limit. The contents of the control function for assigning each PF primary key can be easily changed by rewriting the table.

The PF key function switching unit 5 manages the read position of the PF key function table 19 section 4, and
Each time the FO key is operated, the read position is updated one by one.

■ and ■ in FIG. 2 show examples of switching the PF primary key control function.

〔Example〕

FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated embodiment includes:
The PF main key is selected and operated using a PF main key or cursor displayed on the display screen, without using a key switch having one mechanical contact or touch detection means.

In the figure, 1' is the PF key row, 2 is the display, and 3
is a PF primary key display area, 4 is a PF primary key function table storage area, 5 is a PF key function change unit, 6 is a valid PF primary key function storage area, 7 is a PF primary key function control area, 8 is a PFF key 9 represents a PF primary key indication control unit, 10 represents a cursor control unit, and 11 represents a cursor.

Note that the elements indicated by 2 to 7 are the same as those used in FIG. However, the PF key string 1' in FIG. 2, unlike the PF key string 1 in FIG.

The PFF key indication address storage section 8 holds the screen address of the display 2 for each of n1,100 PFO keys to PFn keys.

The PF primary key display control unit 9 controls each PF primary key control function held in the valid PF primary key function storage unit 6.

A PF key sequence 1' is displayed in the PFF key display area 3 of the display 2 in correspondence with each address/address held in the PFF key display address storage section 8.

The operator moves the cursor 11 onto a desired PF key via the cursor control unit 10 and presses the ENTER key (not shown) to issue an input instruction. The cursor control section 10 notifies the PF key machine functional change section 5 and the PF'' key function control section 7 of the cursor address to which the input instruction has been given.

If the input PF primary key is a PFO key, the PF key function change unit 5 is activated and reads out the next set of PF primary key control function definitions from the PF primary key function table storage unit 4.
The contents of the valid PF key function storage section 6 and the PF key string 1' displayed on the display 2 are updated.

Further, if the PF primary key is one of the manually inputted PF primary key PFI key to I) Fn key, the PFF key function control unit 7 is activated, recognizes the PF primary key, and executes the corresponding control.

PF key machine functional change section 5 and PFF key function control section 7
compares the cursor address and the PF primary key indication address, respectively, and identifies the PF primary key control function corresponding to the matching PF primary key indication address.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, the set of control functions assigned to a certain number of PF keys can be switched and changed with almost no restrictions, so it is possible to provide a variety of control functions with a small number of keys, and also To facilitate changing the control functions available to the user.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a fundamental block diagram of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of switching the PF primary key control function according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention. 1 in Figure 1: PF key row 2: Display 3: PF primary key display area 4: PF primary key function table storage section 5: PF key function functional change section 6: Valid PF primary key function storage section 77 PF key function control part

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a program processing device equipped with a plurality of PF keys (1), a plurality of arbitrary sets are registered in which definitions of different control functions are associated with each of the plurality of PF keys (1). A PF key function table storage unit (4) is provided, and a switching function of the PF key control function is always defined for a specific one of the plurality of PF keys, and the switching function is defined. Every time a specific PF key is operated, the next set of control function definitions is read out sequentially from the PF key function table storage section (4) and applied to each of the plurality of PF keys (1). A PF key function expansion method characterized by association and switching of PF key control functions.