JPS62108328A - Multi-function keyboard - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain an extremely convenient multi-function keyboard by selecting one each of two KANA (Japanese syllabary) arrays and alphabet arrays by depressing a special key or a combination of this key and a function key. CONSTITUTION:When a character key 2 is depressed in accordance with a display of an array indicator 6 in an initial state, in each mode of an alphanumeric character and a KANA, a table select code TSC is set to '00' and '10', code conversion tables 9a, 9c are selected, and by depressing a character key 2a, a character code of P, 'te' or 'fu' is outputted, respectively. 'te' and 'fu' are selected by using a SHIFT key. In such a state, when an ESC key is depressed in the course of depressing a CTRL key, a display is changed, therefore, when the key 2 is depressed by seeing it, in case of the alphanumeric and KANA modes, the TSC is set to '01' and '10', the tables 9b, 9c are selected, and a character code of R, 'te' or 'fu' is outputted, respectively. Thereafter, in the same way, a keyboard function of four kinds of character arrays can be realized from two KANA arrays and alphabet arrays by the only one keyboard.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (A) Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a multifunctional keyboard for use in computer terminals, food processors, etc., in which the character arrangement of single character keys can be changed.

(b) Conventional Technology As disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 60-39146, in conventional keyboards, in order to make the function keys multi-functional, the key top of the function key has a first function name. Attached.

A second function name was attached to the surface of the keyboard near the function key, and a switch was provided to switch between the two functions, so that one function key was used for two types of functions.

(c) The character layouts of the temporary point keyboard that the invention aims to solve include the kana layout and the alphabet layout, but in recent years, research on these character layouts has become active, and the conventional keyboard layout as shown in Figure 5 has become popular. In place of the kana arrangement (under μ, called the old kana arrangement), a new kana arrangement (under μ, called the rr kana arrangement) as shown in Figure 6 has come to be considered. Also, in the alphabetical arrangement, an elegant DVORAK arrangement as shown in FIG. 8, which is different from the conventional QWERTY arrangement shown in FIG. 7, has come to be considered.

However, conventionally, as mentioned above, from several to several dozen
The only technology available is to diversify the functions of fixed function keys, and there is no one keyboard that can change the character arrangement related to almost all character keys.
For this reason, conventionally, in order to select the fourth arrangement from the plurality of character arrangements mentioned above, four types of keyboards were prepared, combining one of two kana arrangement and one of two alphabet arrangement, and the operator could I had no choice but to make a very preliminary decision.

(b) Means for solving intervening vertices The multifunctional keyboard of the present invention is equipped with 10 character keys, special keys, and function keys, and the key tops of the character keys have characters of the @1 kana arrangement and the first alphabet arrangement. is attached, and letters of a second kana arrangement and a second alphabet arrangement are attached to the key 1llu side of the character key, and
a plurality of code conversion tables respectively corresponding to the plurality of character arrangements; a plurality of arrangement display devices for displaying the selection status of the plurality of character arrangement; A key dart control section is provided which detects the pressing of a specific combination of the function keys, selects the corresponding code conversion table according to the detection result, and drives the corresponding array display 4.

(E) Operation In the present invention, if a special key or a certain combination of a special key and a function key is pressed.

Since one of the two kana and alphabetic layouts is selected (old kana-QWERTY).

(Old Kana-DVORAK), (New Kana-QWERTY)
, (New Kana-DVORxK) cr) The character arrangement of the four types of keyboards is realized by a single keyboard, and the selection status of one character arrangement is notified to the operator by the arrangement display.

(F) Embodiment FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the key arrangement of the keyboard (1) of the embodiment of the present invention, in which character keys (2) are in the A block, special keys (3) are in the B block, and special keys (3) are in the C block. numeric keypad +4)
, has a function key (5) in the D block.

Special keys 13) include kana/alphanumeric keys and 5HIFT
Shift mode switching key consisting of keys, CTRL key,
Equipped with ESC key, TAB key, etc.

Furthermore, the key code (1) is rQWERTYJ.

rDVORAKJ, "+F3 kana", "new kana"
An array display device consisting of a front panel on which are written character displays representing four types of character arrays, and four LEDs placed at the bottom of one front panel that light up the corresponding character displays by emitting light. (6) is provided.

Also, each of the single character keys (2) has DVOR on the key top.
With the alphabet of AK arrangement and kana of new kana arrangement,
The alphabet of the QWERTY layout and the kana of the old kana layout are marked on the side surface of the keys on the operator side, and FIG. 2 shows an example of the letter keys (2a).

Furthermore, the circuit configuration of the keyboard ttl includes a key matrix circuit (7), a keyboard control #gi, as shown in FIG.
8), DVORAK array, QWERTIE column.

Code conversion tables corresponding to the new kana arrangement and old kana arrangement (98), (9b), (9c), (9d)
, alphabet select code ASTC, kana select code KSTC, kana/alphanumeric code KLC, table select code TSC & control registers (1
0a) , (10b) , (10c) , (10d)
, QWERTll LED (
tta), LED for DVORAK (llb),
L E D (llc) for old kana, L E for new kana
D (lid) and LED for kana/alphanumeric mode (
12, Display register (1
3a) (13bX13c).

Next, the operation of the non-embodiment will be explained with reference to the chart 70 in FIG. 4 showing the contents of the key dart control section 8).

First of all, in the initial state? Since all control registers and display registers are reset.

L E D (ub) and (lid) are in a light-emitting state, and the array display ate+ノ, 1 display [)VORAKJ and "new kana" are lit. For this reason, the operator's
Knowing that the D V 0RAK layout and the new kana layout are selected, press the desired character key (2) while looking at the alphabet and kana on the key top, and in the alphanumeric mode, both KLC and ASTC will be set to "0". "that's why.

The table select code TSC is set to ro OJ, which causes the code conversion table for DVORAK (
9a) is selected, and in kana mode, KLC= rlJ
, ASTC = rOJ, so TSC is sected to "10", and the new kana code conversion table (
9C) is selected, and the matrix code of the pressed character key is converted to the corresponding character code. Therefore, in this case 1, for example, if you press the character key (2a), the character code for "te" or "fu" in the new kana arrangement will be output in kana mode, and rP in the DVORAK arrangement will be output in alphanumeric mode.
The character code J is output.

In addition, the selection of "te" and "fu" is the same as before, using 5HIFT.
All you have to do is use the key.

In this state, if you press the ESC key while holding down the CTRL key, ASTC will be inverted and become "1", and this will be written to the display register (13b) as SR2, so L E D (llb) will disappear. Display rDVORA
KJ goes out, LED (lla) emits light, and the display rQWERTYJ lights up. Therefore, if the operator presses the desired character key (2) while looking at the alphabet on the side of the key and the kana on the top of the key, the TSC will be sectioned to "01" in alphanumeric mode and the code conversion table for %QWERTY ( 9b) In kana mode, the TSC is set to "10" and the new kana code conversion table (9C) is selected. Therefore 5
When the character key (2a) is pressed, the character code ``te'' or ``fu'' is output in the kana mode as described above, and the character code rRJ in the QWERTY arrangement is output in the alphanumeric mode.

Furthermore, if you press the TAB key while holding down the CTRL key, KSTC will be inverted and become "1", and this will be written to the display register (13c) as SR3, so L E D (lid) will disappear. The display "New Kana" goes out, %LED (IIC) lights up and the display [Old Kana J b: lights up. Then, the operator looks at the alphabet and kana on the side of the key and selects the desired character key (2).
), in alphanumeric mode, QWERT
The code conversion table (9b) for Y is selected, but since TSC is set to "1" in kana mode, the code conversion table (9d) for old kana is selected, and therefore the one-character key (2a ) is pressed, "R" is pressed in alphanumeric mode.
, and in kana mode, the character code for "su" in the old kana layout is output.

Next, press the ESC key while holding down the CTRL key again. This time, ASTC will be reversed and become "0", so 1 display rDVoRAKJ will light up again, and you can see the alphabet on the top of the key and the kana on the side of the key. While writing,
Press key (2).

When the code conversion tables (9a) and (9d) for DVORAK in alphanumeric mode and for old kana in kana mode are selected, respectively, and the key to be pressed is the character key (2a),
The character code of "P" is output in the A number mode and "S" is output in the kana mode.In the present invention, by changing the character arrangement, one keyhode can output (DVORAK - new kana'), (Q
WERTY-new kana), (QWERTY-old kana), (
DVORAK-Old-hf )(1') 44 type keyboard functions.In the above embodiment, two specific combinations of special keys <CTRL-1-ESC> and (CTRL+
TAB > allows you to change one function, but you can use only one specific combination and change the four types of keyboard functions in the order of each press, or use four specific combinations and change that combination. 1=1 function
It may be made to correspond to

By the way, special keys are generally used alone or in combination with a single character key, so there is no way to change one function by pressing a specific combination of special keys as shown in this example. , it is not possible to change a single function unless the operator intentionally presses a combination of special keys at the same time, and for this reason, it is almost impossible to accidentally change a function during use.Similarly, special keys and function keys You can also press them at the same time in combination with General 1c%'! , so this method may be used to change the function. In order to avoid erroneous operation, it is preferable not to use the shift mode switching key, even if it is a special key, for this I geometry change.

(g) Effects of the Invention The multi-functional keyboard according to the present invention is the only keyboard that has four OT functions from two kana layouts and an alphabet layout.
It is very convenient because the keyboard function can be realized with various character arrangements, and since the selection status of the character arrangement is notified by the arrangement display, there is no risk of confusion for the operator. Also, the letters are attached to the key tops and the sides of the keys, making them very easy to read.

Furthermore, there is no need for a special changeover switch or key for changing one function, and there is almost no possibility that the function will be changed by mistake during use.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the key arrangement of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the character keys in this embodiment, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of this embodiment, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the process d in this embodiment, and FIG. Figure 6 shows the arrangement, Figure 6 shows the new kana arrangement, Figure 7 shows the new kana arrangement.
The figure shows the QWERTY arrangement, and Figure 8 shows the DVORAK
It is a figure showing an array. Explanation of main drawing numbers (21 (2a)...Character keys, (3)...Special keys, (5)...Function keys, (6)...Array display, (8)...・Keyboard control section, (9
a) to (9d)...Court conversion table, (1
0a) to (10d)...Control registers. (13a) to (13c)...display registers. Applicant Sanyo ItI%! Co., Ltd. Patent Attorney Yasuo Sano, Sea Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A character key, a special key, and a function key are provided, and the key top of the character key is provided with characters of a first kana arrangement and a first alphabet arrangement, and a second kana arrangement is attached to the key side of the character key. a plurality of code conversion tables respectively corresponding to the plurality of character arrangements, a plurality of arrangement display devices for displaying selection statuses of the plurality of character arrangements; and a key. determining the input, detecting a press of the special key or a specific combination of the special key and the function key, selecting the corresponding code conversion table according to the detection result, and selecting the corresponding code conversion table; A multi-functional keyboard characterized by being provided with a keyboard control unit that drives the.