JPS63153621A - Computer input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a computer input device which eliminates the trouble of registering operation and has superior operability by allowing registration data to be inputted from outside the device. CONSTITUTION:The registration data which has key codes made to correspond to the area of visible information in a visible information sheet is received from external equipment 3 and stored in a storage means 16. The area of visible information is specified by an area specifying means after a desired visible information sheet 6 at the time of transmission and then the key code in correspondence relation with the specified area is taken out of the storage means 16 and sent from a transmitting and receiving means 14 to a computer main body 3. Consequently, the operation at the time of transmission is facilitated and the trouble of registering operation is eliminated.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to a computer input device used to input desired data into a computer main body,
In particular, the present invention proposes a novel computer input device that facilitates and simplifies data input operations.

<Prior art> Conventionally, as a computer input device, a keyboard is commonly used to input data by sequentially operating a plurality of keys arranged in a regular arrangement. A digitizer that inputs
There are touch panels that input by directly touching a light pen or finger on a CRT screen, mice that input by moving on a desk, and barcode leagues that input by tracing a barcode with a light pen. do.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> However, in the case of keyboards, there is a problem in that it takes a considerable amount of time for the operator to become accustomed to the key arrangement, become skilled in key operations, and improve the operating speed. Other input devices have better operability than keyboards, but have the disadvantage that they can only be applied to limited software because they have dedicated interfaces.

Therefore, the inventor of this invention developed a new computer input device that can be applied to all software and has excellent operability.

This computer input device is interposed between the keyboard and the computer main body, and before using it, a visual information sheet on which visible information is displayed is set in the device, and then an area specification operation of the visible information is performed. and keyboard operations in parallel to create registration data in which each designated area is associated with a key code, and this is registered in advance in the memory within the device. Therefore, from then on, by specifying a desired area on the visible information sheet, the corresponding key code can be retrieved from the memory and transmitted to the computer main body.

However, in the case of this device, although the operation at the time of transmission is easy and simple, it requires a complicated process of "registration" before using the device. Moreover, this registration work must be performed individually for each device, which is extremely labor-intensive.

The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a computer input device that eliminates the complexity of registration work by making it possible to import registration data from outside the device. shall be.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a computer input device interposed between a keyboard and a computer main body, which displays arbitrary visual information. an area specifying means for specifying an area of the visible information in which the sheet is removably installed; a receiving unit for receiving registration data from outside the apparatus, which is made by associating a key code with the area of the visible information; a storage means for storing the registration data received by the reception means; a data extraction means for referring to the registration data and retrieving a corresponding key code from the storage means based on the area specification to the area specification means; It was decided to provide a transmitting means for transmitting the retrieved key code to the computer main body.

<Operation> Prior to use of the device, registration data in which key codes are associated with visible information areas on the visible information sheet is received from an external device and stored in the storage means.

When transmitting, after setting the desired visible information sheet and specifying an area for the visible information using the area specifying means, the key code corresponding to the specified area is retrieved from the storage means and sent to the computer by the transmitting means. Sent.

According to this invention, the operation at the time of transmission becomes easy and simple, and the complexity of registration work can be eliminated.

<Embodiment> FIG. 1 shows a computer input device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

This computer input device 1 is interposed between a keyboard 2 and a computer main body 3, and includes a band portion 4 on which a visible information sheet is removably set, switches related to registration and transmission/reception operations, etc. The operating section 5 is provided with an operating section 5.

The band portion 4 is for detecting a pressing point by the operator on the visible information sheet, and is a recessed portion 7 in which the transparent holder 6 into which the visible information sheet is inserted is positioned and fixed.
and a clip 8 for holding the transparent holder 6 in the recess 7.

The visible information sheet displays arbitrary visible information, and specific examples thereof are shown in FIGS. 3 to 5.

The visual information sheet 1-Sl shown in FIG. 3 is a table showing how to operate the keyboard 2, that is, the functions of the computer and the types of keys operated to realize those functions are associated with each other. .

The visible information sheet S2 shown in FIG. 4 has English characters ^, B,
The characters are appropriately displayed in the order of C, . . . and in the order of the 50 syllabary characters.

The visible information sheet S3 shown in FIG. 5 displays the user's customers and their customer codes in correspondence.

Returning to FIG. 1, the operation unit 5 is a part used for operator operations during registration, transmission and reception, and includes a switch group 11 consisting of an operation changeover switch 9 and a sheet selection switch 10, as well as a number on which the sheet number is displayed. A display 12 is provided. The operation changeover switch 9 turns on the operation of the pad section 4.

This is for switching off. Seat selection switch 1
0 is for selecting the number of the visible information sheet set in the pad section 4.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the circuit configuration of the computer input device 1, in which the CPU 15 is connected to the pad portion 4. Switch group 11. In addition to the numeric display 12, there is also a key code receiving section 13.
Transmitting/receiving section 14. A storage unit 16 is connected to each.

The key code receiving section 13 receives the key code sent from the keyboard 2. The transmitting/receiving unit 14 not only transmits the key code read from the storage unit 16 and the key code sent from the keyboard 2 to the computer main body 3, but also transmits and receives registration data and other data to the computer main body 3 and other external devices. Has a function.

The registered data is one in which a predetermined key code string is associated with each area of visible information on the visible information sheet,
For example, in the visible information sheet S1 shown in FIG. 3, the area a surrounded by thick lines corresponds to the key code strings for the rcTRLJ key and the rsJ key.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the configuration of registered data regarding the visible information sheet S shown in FIG.

The visible information sheet S in Fig. 7 has two visible information areas.
One area ■ is defined by the vertex P given by the coordinates (XI, Yl) and the vertex P2 given by the coordinates (xz, yz), and the key code string rAJ is associated. There is. The other area ■ has coordinates (X+', Y
vertices p, l given by +') and coordinates (Xz', Yz'
) defined by the vertices p and l given by rBcDE
It corresponds to the key code string FJ.

Thus, the registered data for this visible information sheet S is as shown in FIG. 6, which is the start symbol.

Sheet number, sheet name, number of areas, data length.

Definition data of area (coordinate data of each vertex).

It includes the key code string length, the key code string (consisting of the key code string), and an end symbol.

Returning to FIG. 2, the CPU 15 controls the pad section 4, the switch group 11. Numeric display 12. It controls the input/output operations of the key code receiving section 13 and the transmitting/receiving section 14, and also controls the storage section 1.
While reading and writing data to and from 6, it performs various functions related to registration, transmission and reception, and executes various calculations and processes.

For example, as a function related to registration, the CPU 15 has a function of importing the registration data received by the transmitting/receiving section 14, storing the sheet number of this registration data in the sheet number storage memory 17 of the storage section 16, and storing the area (coordinate data of the apex). The area storage memory 18 has a function of storing each, and a function of storing a key code string of registered data in the key code string storage memory 19 in correspondence with the area.

Furthermore, as a function related to transmission, the CPU 15
It has a function of determining which area the position of the pressed point detected in 1 belongs to, a function of reading out a key code string corresponding to that area from the key code string storage memory 19, etc.

To perform a registration operation on the computer input device 1 having the above configuration, a registration program is started using external devices such as the keyboard 2 and the computer main body 3.

FIG. 8 shows the registration procedure by the computer main unit 3. First, step 1 in the figure (indicated by rSTIJ in the figure)
At this point, a sheet list as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the display device of the computer main body 3. This list includes five types of registered data with sheet numbers 1 to 5.
The sheet name and memory capacity are also shown for each registered data. When this list is displayed, the computer main unit 3 then waits for a key code to be sent from the keyboard 2 (step 2). Then, the operator looks at the display screen and requests registration. Select the registered data and enter its sheet number using the keyboard, but if the desired registered data is not displayed on the screen, scroll the screen and display the registered data with sheet numbers 6 or less on the display device. (Steps 4 and 5).

When a sheet number is designated by the keyboard 2, the key code for that number is passed through the computer input device 1 and sent to the computer main body 3.The key code for that number is sent to the computer main body 3 through the computer input device 1.The computer main body 3 corresponds to the sheet number. The registration data to be registered is sent to the computer input device 1 in the data format shown in FIG. 10 (step 6).

FIG. 11 shows a procedure for registering registration data in the computer input device 1. When the registration data is received by the transmitter/receiver 14 at the start point in the figure, the CPU 1
5 takes in the received data from the transmitting/receiving section 14, reads out the sheet number, and further refers to the sheet number storage memory 17 of the storage section 16 to determine whether the registration data for that sheet number has already been registered (steps 21 and 22). )
.

If it has not been registered, the determination in step 22 is “N”.
O'', the CPU 15 associates the sheet number, area, and key code string of the registration data and stores them in the sheet number storage memory 17, area storage memory 18, and key code string storage memory 19 of the storage unit 16, and also stores the sheet number, area, and key code string in the storage unit 16. is displayed on the numeric display 12 (steps 26 and 27).

Then, in the final step 28, a registration completion command is sent to the computer main body 3 via the transmitting/receiving section 14, thereby completing the registration of the registration data for that sheet number.

If step 22 "Is that sheet number already registered?"
When the determination power <"yEs", the CPU 15 generates a command to inquire whether it is okay to replace the already registered registration data with the registration data just received, and sends it to the computer main body 3 via the transmitter/receiver 14. (Step 23).

When the computer main body 3 receives the above-mentioned makeshift command, it displays a message on the display device asking whether or not to replace the registered data, and waits for instructions from the operator through key operations (steps in FIG. 8). 8).

If the operator instructs to replace the registered data, he/she will perform key operations accordingly; in this case, step 9 will be ``YES'' and a command for instructing the replacement will be sent to the computer input device 1. (Step 10).

Furthermore, if the operator performs a key operation to prohibit replacement of registered data, step 9 becomes "NO", and a command for prohibiting replacement is sent to the computer input device (step 11).

The above command is received by the key code receiving section 13 of the computer input device 1 (step 24 in FIG. 11).
, if the command is a replacement command,
The judgment in step 25 is “YES”, and step 2
In step 6, the registration data is stored in the storage unit 16, and in step 27
After the sheet number is displayed on the numeric display 12, a registration completion command is sent from the transmitting/receiving section 14 to the computer main body 3 (step 28).

If a command prohibiting replacement is received at the computer input device 1, the determination in step 25 becomes "NO", and in this case, a registration completion command is immediately sent to the computer main body 3 (step 28).

When this registration completion command is received by the computer main body 3, step 7 in FIG. The next step will be to register the registered data.

When all the registration work for the desired registration data is thus completed, data can be input into the computer main body 3 using the computer input device 1.

First, when the operation selector switch 9 is turned on, the numeric display 12
An arbitrary sheet number is displayed.

Seeing this 1 display, the operator presses the sheet selection switch 10.
Press , change the sheet number, and select the visible information sheet (Sl in this case) that you wish to use.

After inserting the visible information sheet S1 of that sheet number into the transparent holder 6, the transparent holder 6 is set on the pad section 4.

To execute a program or temporarily stop screen display, press an arbitrary position within area a on the visible information sheet S1 with your fingertip. The position of this pressing point is detected by the pad section 4, and the CPU 15 determines whether or not an area including this pressing point exists as a defined area by referring to the contents of the area storage memory 18. If a definition area exists, the CPU 5 reads the key code string corresponding to the definition area (here, the key code strings for the rCTRLJ key and the "S" key) from the key code string storage memory 19, and reads this out. is sent from the transmitting/receiving section 14 to the computer main body 3. As a result, the computer main body 3 executes the functions of the command, such as execution of a program and temporary suspension of screen display.

Therefore, even if the operator does not remember how to operate the keys on the keyboard 2, he or she can simply find the explanation ``Pausej'' written on the visible information sheet Sl and press it with his/her fingertip. You can get the action.

In addition to commands, if it is necessary to input parameters that are specific to each case, the parameters are input using the keyboard 2. In this case, the key code receiving section 1
The key code received in step 3 will be sent as is to the computer main body 3.

Note that although the above description has been made using the visible information sheet S1 shown in FIG. 3 as an example, other visible information sheets S2. The same applies to S3. For example, by using the visible information sheet S2 shown in FIG. 4, even an operator who is not familiar with the JIS layout keyboard can easily input data. Furthermore, by using the visible information sheet S3 shown in FIG. 5, even an operator who does not remember the customer code can easily and quickly input the customer code.

<Effects of the Invention> As described above, this invention has an interface equivalent to a keyboard, so it can be used for all software, and desired data can be transmitted simply by pressing on the visible information sheet. The operation is easy and simple, and even beginners can easily perform the input operation.

Furthermore, the user can create his or her own visual information sheet and use it for data input, making it possible to construct a computer input device that is extremely easy to use.

Furthermore, since it is now possible to import registration data from outside the device, if you create the registration data first, you can easily register each device by simply having the registration data transferred from the external device. The complicated work of "registration" before use is completely unnecessary. Furthermore, since the registered data can be held in an external medium, a large number of visible information sheets can be used beyond the capacity of the storage unit, which brings about a remarkable effect of achieving the purpose of the invention.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a computer input device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of the computer input device, and Figs. 3 to 5 show specific examples of visible information sheets. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of registered data. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing each area of visible information displayed on the visible information sheet. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the registration procedure in the computer main body. Flowchart, FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the display screen of the display device of the computer main body, FIG. It is. 1... Computer input device 2... Keyboard 3... Computer body 4
...Pad part 13...Key code receiving part 1
4... Transmission/reception section 15... CPU16...
・Storage part

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A computer input device interposed between a keyboard and a computer main body, which is used to specify an area of visible information in which a visible information sheet displaying arbitrary visible information is removably installed. an area specifying means; a receiving means for receiving registration data in which a key code is associated with the visible information area from outside the apparatus; a storage means for storing the registration data received by the receiving means; The data retrieving means refers to the registered data and retrieves the corresponding key code from the storage means based on the area designation for the area designation means, and the transmitting means transmits the retrieved key code to the computer main body. A computer input device consisting of (2) The storage means comprises a memory for storing areas of visible information and a memory for storing key codes in correspondence with areas of visible information. computer input device. (3) The computer input device according to claim 1, wherein the data retrieval means is a CPU.