JPS628216A - Data input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To constitute a data input device which is easy to operate and less in malfunction by arranging a visual device through a light transmissive switch group and arranging keys according to visual information. CONSTITUTION:The light transmissive switch group 2 is arranged on the display screen of a CRT display device 3 and keys are operated according to a key operation guide image plane displayed on the display device 3. Coordinate data on operates keys are detected by a control unit 1. A coordinate analyzing and converting part is provided in the control unit 1, key codes generated by a host device and coordinate ranges corresponding to the key codes are stored, and it is retrieved whether obtained coordinate data are within their coordinate ranges or not. When so, a corresponding key code is outputted and when not, the coordinate data are discarded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a data input device, and more particularly to a data input device connected to a terminal device or the like of an information processing device.

Traditional data input devices consist of a group of switches such as a keyboard.
The configuration has a fixed size uniquely determined by these switch groups. As described above, since conventional data input devices are of a fixed keyboard type, it is impossible to change the size, position, and meaning of the keyboard depending on the purpose of use. Therefore, there is a drawback that a data input device with good operability cannot be provided to an unspecified number of operators.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a data input device that provides good operability for an operator and eliminates erroneous operations.

Structure of the Invention The data/input device according to the present invention includes a group of translucent switches, means for generating coordinate position data corresponding to each operation switch in response to the operation of each switch in the switch group, and means for storing coordinate position range data that predetermines the effective switch range of a group; means for storing in advance a key code corresponding to a switch operation within this effective switch range; a means for detecting the presence in the position range data and outputting key code information; a group of translucent switches are arranged on a key operation guidance screen; visual information instructed to be displayed on this guidance screen; This configuration allows the practical arrangement and meaning of keys to be assigned according to the user's needs.

1 凰μ Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail using the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, in which 1 indicates a control unit, and based on the coordinate position data of the operated switch of the translucent switch group 2, the key code corresponding to this switch is transmitted to the host device. 11 (see FIG. 2). This light-transmitting switch group 2 includes, for example, C
The keys are arranged on the display surface of the RT display device 3 and can be operated according to a key operation guidance screen displayed on the display device @3.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 1 shown in FIG. 1. The control unit 1 includes a host device 11, an input/output control section 12. Data input control information analysis section 13. Coordinate transformation'
III control information storage unit 14. X-axis control section 15. Y-axis control section 16. Coordinate detection unit 17. It has a coordinate analysis conversion section 18.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of data input control information issued from the host device 11, and the data input control information includes X-axis range information 21. Similarly Y@
It is composed of range information 22 and key code information 23 corresponding to the coordinates within this effective coordinate range.

Next, the operation of the control unit 1 will be explained.

Data input control information shown in FIG. 3 is provided from the host device 11 to the input/output control section 12 for data input. The data input control information input to the input/output control section 12 is sent to the data input control information analysis section 13, where the contents of the data input control information are analyzed and stored in the coordinate transformation control information storage section 14 as coordinate transformation control information. be done.

Here, when the operator presses a key on the key unit 2, key press data is entered from the key unit 2 into the X-axis control section 15 and the Y-axis control section 16, respectively, as position information. X-axis control section 15. The press data that entered the Y-axis control section 16 enters the coordinate detection section 17 and becomes coordinate data, which is then sent to the coordinate analysis conversion section 1.
8 is input. The coordinate data input to the coordinate analysis conversion unit 18 is compared with the coordinate conversion control information stored in the coordinate conversion control information storage unit 14, and if the input coordinate data matches the valid designated range, it corresponds to this input coordinate data. A key code is generated and sent to the input/output control section 12. If the coordinate data is not within the specified range, it will be discarded. The input/output control section 12 sends the sent key data to the host device 11.

Since you can specify a range of key correspondences for a certain pair of keys using the X- and Y-axes, pressing any key switch in that range will give you the same key code, and you can freely change the X- and Y-axis specifications. Keys can be placed anywhere and with any size.

Here, if the translucent switch unit 2 is placed on the screen of the display device 3 such as a CRT, the switch unit can be operated according to the key operation guidance screen displayed on the CRT. , especially suitable for interactive input operations. In addition to the CRT, a guide board displaying a key operation guide screen may also be used.

Furthermore, if the key code 23 is stored in advance as a key code table including key codes that correspond to each switch position of the switch group 2 on a one-to-one basis, the information in this key code table can be updated. By doing so, the meaning of each switch can be changed in various ways. In this case, the guidance display screen may be changed accordingly.

Effects of the Invention According to the present invention, as explained above, by arranging a visual device through a group of translucent switches and arranging keys in accordance with visual information, a data input device that is easy for an operator to operate and is less likely to be erroneously operated is provided. It becomes possible to realize this.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a specific example of the control unit shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of data input control information. Explanation of symbols of main parts 1... Control unit 2... Key code 3... CRT device 14... Coordinate transformation control information storage section 17...・
・・Coordinate detection part

Claims (1)

[Claims] A translucent switch group, a means for generating coordinate position data corresponding to each operation switch in response to the operation of each switch of the switch group, and coordinate position range data for predetermining an effective switch range of the switch group. a means for storing;
Means for storing in advance a key code corresponding to a switch operation within the effective switch range, and outputting the key code information by detecting that coordinate position data generated by the operation switch exists in the coordinate position range data. A data input device characterized in that the translucent switch group is arranged on a key operation guidance screen.