JPS62140125A - Keyboard device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the operability of a keyboard device by changing the contents set to each function key into a display pattern to display this pattern on the function key and changing automatically the display contents in response to the change of the function contents. CONSTITUTION:Various functions are supplied with operations of function keys set on a keyboard 17 of a keyboard device for input of numeric characters and characters. These input functions are transmitted to a CPU 11 from a terminal controller 12 and the contents of the functions are converted into a display pattern of a display device 13. While a dot matrix is produced for display. This converted matrix data is displayed on the device 13 via a display controller 15. A tablet 14 is used to set the display contents of the function keys and these display contents are converted into the display patterns by the same operation as that carried out for input of functions and then delivered. In such a way, the operability of the keyboard device is improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION The present invention relates to a keyboard device having function keys capable of setting a plurality of functions.

The importance of keyboard devices as information input devices for computers has been increasing in recent years.

In particular, recently it has become possible to set execution commands and input data to a single key in advance, and input the execution commands and data just by pressing the key, instead of manually inputting duplicate commands and data over and over again. The importance and necessity of function keys that enable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Function keys such as those described above can be set by the user, and each user must keep track of the contents of the function keys that he or she has set. Conventionally, as a first method, it has been possible to reconfirm the setting contents by displaying the contents of the function keys on the screen of a display device (display).

As a second method, as shown in FIG. 6, it is possible to confirm the setting contents by writing the setting contents on the function key and fixing it on or to the side of the function key. In FIG. 6, numeral 1 indicates the contents of key settings, and numeral 2 indicates a function key.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention In the first method, the contents of the function keys are displayed only temporarily while the screen displaying them is displayed, and it is impossible to keep the contents displayed all the time.

Furthermore, in the second method, much labor is required to reconfigure the function keys, and the advantage of the function keys, which is the ease of reconfiguring functions, is lost.

Means to Solve the Problem In order to solve the above problem, the present invention displays the function content set for each function key on the key, and automatically changes the displayed content as the function content is updated. Update to . In addition, it is possible to set the display contents in cases where the setting function is complicated and it is difficult to see if the function contents are displayed as they are.

Operation The present invention displays the contents set on the function keys by converting them into a display pattern, and automatically updates the contents as the contents of the keys are reset.

Furthermore, when display contents are set, the set display contents are converted into a display pattern and displayed on the function keys.

Embodiment An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1st
The figure is a plan view of a keyboard device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1o is a keyboard device having function keys, and each function key has a liquid crystal pattern display board.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a pattern display board for one function key. The pattern display board has liquid crystals arranged in a matrix of dots, and the dots can be made opaque by applying a voltage pattern to display characters or patterns.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration diagram of a keyboard device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a keyboard having function keys and a normal keyboard for inputting characters and numbers are configured separately, but the same can be considered if they are integrated. In FIG. 3, 11 is a CPU of the main body of the computer, 12 is a terminal control device, 13 is a graphic display (display device), and 14 is a tablet for inputting shift ports and coordinates. Reference numeral 16 is a display controller for function keys, and reference numeral 16 is a display pattern storage section (hereinafter referred to as display buffer), which stores data corresponding to the dot matrix of the liquid crystal. The 16 display controllers are configured to control voltage patterns based on the above display matrix data. 1o
1 is a keyboard having function keys, and 17 is a keyboard for inputting characters and numbers.

Next, the operation of the keyboard device having the above configuration will be explained. First, when a function is input to one function key 17 from the keyboard 17, the content is transmitted from the terminal control device 2 to the CPTJ 21, and after being converted into a display pattern, dot matrix data for display is generated. The converted display matrix data is stored in the display buffer 6 via the terminal control device 2. The display controller 6 controls and displays the voltage pattern based on the stored matrix data.

Furthermore, the operation when setting the display contents on the function keys will be explained. For example, a matrix screen as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display device 13, and the screen and the tablet 4 are used to input a display pattern for one function key. FIG. 6 shows an example of input butter. The pattern data inputted as shown in FIG. 5 is transmitted to the CPH and converted into dot matrix data for display, as in the previous case. Thereafter, the matrix data converted in the same manner as described above is stored in a display buffer and displayed under the control of the display controller.

Effects of the Invention As described above, the present invention makes it possible to display the function contents set for each F/F-7GY key in a keyboard device having function keys capable of setting a plurality of functions, and to re-set the function. By automatically updating the display contents accordingly, the currently set function contents can be made clear (to the user). Furthermore, in the keyboard device of the present invention, the display contents can be set by the user, so that it is possible to display complex functions or display using shift ports.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a keyboard device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view of a root function key pattern display board in the same keyboard device, and FIG. 3 is an overall view of the keyboard device according to the same embodiment. 4 is a plan view showing a matrix screen for setting display contents displayed on the display, FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an example of inputting display contents using symbols, and FIG. 6 is a conventional keyboard. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing display contents of the device. 10...Keyboard having function keys, 11...CPU, 12...Terminal control device, 13...Display device (graphic display), 14... ...Tablet, 16...
...Display controller, 16...Display pattern storage section, 17...Keyboard for inputting numbers and characters. Name of agent: Patent attorney Toshio Nakao and 1 other person No. 1
Figure 2

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) Function keys that allow multiple function settings,
A keyboard device comprising a display means capable of displaying the function contents set by the key, and an updating means for automatically updating the display contents of the display means in accordance with resetting of the function. (2) The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein the function keys allow display contents to be set according to function settings.