JPS63195720A - Switch input control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate an input operation having the definition of a high frequency by providing a mode switch to realize plural defining operations to an input switch and enabling a user to change these definitions. CONSTITUTION:When a power-on state is detected, a CPU 2 reads the input register 15 of a switching part 1 and checks whether the push-buttons 10-14 are depressed or not. In the case of no depressing, a normal mode is started. On the other hand in the case of depressing the push-buttons 10-14, it is checked whether the pushed button is equal to an on-line button 10 or not. If so, a set-up mode is started. If not, it is checked whether the push button is equal to a mode button 14 or not. If so, an assign mode is started. If not, the normal mode is started. In other words, both a power-on button and the mode button 14 are pressed to start the assign mode where the functions are set in modes 1 and 2 of input switches 11 and 12.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] (Table of contents) Overview Industrial field of application Conventional technology Problems to be solved by the invention Means for solving the problems (Fig. 1) Working example (a) One example Explanation of the configuration (FIGS. 2, 3, and 4) (b) Explanation of the operation of one embodiment (FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8) (c) Other embodiments Description of the Effects of the Invention [Summary] In a switch input control method that obtains definition 1n information for operated input switches, it is easy to use a limited number of input switches (to make it possible to have multiple definitions for input switches). By providing a mode switch for the input switch and a definition information storage section for the input switch whose definition can be changed, the user can arbitrarily select the definition of each input switch.

[Industrial application field]

According to the present invention, a user can arbitrarily select the definition of an input switch on an operator panel provided in a printer device or the like.

Related to switch input control method.

2. Description of the Related Art In printer devices and the like, an operator panel is provided for an operator to perform normal operations.

This operator panel is equipped with input switches such as pushbutton switches and contact switches, and indicators such as LED lamps, and the operator operates the input switches to
Make the desired specifications.

For example, in a printer device, functions such as paper setting (inhalation), paper ejection, position adjustment, print pitch designation, print character type designation, and other function designations and selections are performed by manually operating switches.

While there are many such specifications, the number of manual switches is limited due to constraints on the physical size of the operator panel, manufacturing costs, etc.

Therefore, there is a need for an input control method that allows users to easily use a limited number of input switches.

[Conventional technology]

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the prior art.

As shown in Figure 9(A), there are four push buttons 10, 11, 12, and 13 on the input switch section (operator panel) l.
is provided, this pushbutton 1.0.11
．． If 12.13 has a single function, only four functions can be specified. In the illustrated example, the push button 10 specifies the online/offline switching function, and the push button 11 specifies the paper page feed operation (F).

rm feed) is specified, and the change operation (Li
ne feed) specification, and the push button 13 is provided with a reset operation specification.

In order to make a large number of specifications possible with such a limited number of pushbuttons, simultaneous depression of a plurality of pushbuttons is permitted, thereby making it possible to make multiple specifications of the pushbuttons.

For example, pressing the pushbuttons 12 and 13 at the same time specifies a slight line feed, and pressing the pushbuttons 11 and 113 at the same time specifies paper suction.

To achieve this, a conversion table is provided on the ROM (read-only memory) shown in FIG. 9(B), which is a correspondence table between push buttons and designated functions. Functions and designated functions for pressing a plurality of pushbuttons were provided as a table.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

On the other hand, printer devices and the like have functions that are frequently used and functions that are used less frequently depending on the purpose of use, and these vary depending on the user.

In conventional technology, functions that are generally considered to be frequently used are set to single-key press mode at the design stage, and functions that are considered to be frequently used are set to multiple-key press mode, but some users may prefer functions that are considered to be frequently used to press multiple keys. There are also some that are used frequently.

In the conventional technology, due to the limitation on the number of pushbuttons, even for items that are used frequently, it is necessary to provide simultaneous pressing of multiple pushbuttons. There was a problem that the definitions were fixed and the user could not freely set the definitions for ease of use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a switch manual control method that allows a user to easily operate frequently used definitions and also allows the user to freely set definitions.

[Means for solving problems]

FIG. 1 is a diagram explaining the principle of the present invention.

In the figure, the same parts as those shown in Fig. 9 are indicated by the same symbols, 14 is a mode switch, which specifies the input mode, and is provided in the switch section l, and 2 is a control switch. 3 is a definition storage section that reads the output state of the switch section 1 and obtains the corresponding definition information by referring to a definition storage section (to be described later); The definition information can be stored and the definition information can be changed.

In the present invention, the definitions of the input switches 10 to 12 can be changed by changing the definition information in the definition storage section 3.

[Effect]

In the present invention, a mode switch 14 is provided in FIG. 1, and a plurality of definitions can be assigned to the input switches 10 to 12, and these definitions can be changed by the user.

Therefore, it is possible to achieve both the ease of operation of frequently used definitions and the advantage that users can individually set definitions.

〔Example〕

(a) Explanation of the configuration of one embodiment FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of one embodiment of the present invention, showing a printer device, FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the operator panel having the configuration shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of switch input control of the configuration shown in FIG. 2;

In the figure, the same parts as those shown in FIGS. 1 and 9 are indicated by the same symbols, and 15 is an input register that temporarily stores the pressed state of each switch 10 to 12. 16a and 16b are mode display lamps (Fig. 3)
, which displays the input mode by the mode switch 14; 2 is the aforementioned control unit, which is composed of a CPtJ (processor) and executes processing for the normal mode, setup mode, and assignment mode; 3a is the R
AM (random access memory), which is a battery-backed, rewritable memory, has an input mode register 30 indicating the input mode, and definitions (functions) of input switches 11 and 12 in input modes 1 and 2, which will be described later. 3, which has an assignment register 31 that stores
b is a ROM (read only memory), which includes an entry point table 32 that stores the start address (factory entry point) and function name of the execution program for each defined function, and a conversion table 33 that stores the defined functions for the pressed buttons ( 9(B)) and a program storage unit 3 that stores each function execution program corresponding to the entry point of the entry point table 32.
4.

Note that the RAM 3a and ROM 3b constitute the definition storage section 3.

4 is a bus, which connects the control unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) 2, the switch unit 1, RAM 3 a, ROM 3 b, and a driver to be described later, and exchanges data, etc.;
a is a driver, which connects the printer unit described later to the CP
5b is a printer unit that is driven according to the instructions of U2, and has a dot print head 50, a paper feed mechanism 51, a spacing mechanism 52, and a paper 53.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the mode switch 14 is pressed once, mode 1 is set, and the mode display lamp 16a lights up, and when the mode switch 14 is pressed once again (that is, when it is pressed twice), mode 2 is set, and the mode display lamp 16a lights up. 16b lights up, then 1
When pressed twice, the mode becomes the initial state and mode O, and the mode display lamps 16a and 16b do not light up.

On the other hand, depending on this input mode, each input switch 10 to
The definition of 12 is fixed in mode 0, and the input switches 10 to 12 and the mode switch 14 are respectively "online/offline switching", "page break", "line break",
"Mode switching" is defined, and these are stored as a correspondence table in the conversion table 33 as shown in FIG.

Further, in modes 1 and 2, the definitions of input switches 11 and 12 indicate the functions shown in spaces 1 to 4, that is, the functions set in the changeable assignment register 31.

Further, setup modes are provided as in the conventional case, and their functions are set in the conversion table 33.

In this example, among the functions of the setup mode, frequently used functions can be freely set in spaces 1 to 4 using the assignment mode described later.

The states set in spaces 1 to 4 can be specified by pressing the mode switch 14 and input switches 111.12.

That is, in the fixed conversion table 33, as shown in FIG.
Definition functions of each manual switch 10 to 12 in mode 0 and multiple switches 10 to 1 in setup mode
4 simultaneous press definition functions are set in advance, and the assignment register 31 stores the definition functions of spaces 1 to 4 set by the user in mode 1 and mode 2. This definition function is selected and set by the user from those in the setup mode using the assignment mode described later.

The entry point table 32 indicates entry points a, 'wa, and % for each of the functions l to n, which indicate the start addresses of the corresponding execution programs 1 to n in the program storage section 34.

(b) Description of operation of one embodiment FIG. 5 is a startup processing flowchart, FIG. 6 is a normal mote processing flowchart, FIG. 7 is an assignment mode processing F170-diagram, and FIG.
The figure is an explanatory diagram of assignment mode operation.

In FIG. 5, when the CPU 2 detects power-on,
The input register 15 of the switch section 1 is read and it is detected whether or not the push button 10-14 is pressed.If the push button 10-14 is not pressed, the normal mode activation shown in FIG. 6 is performed.

On the other hand, if any of the push buttons 10 to 14 is pressed, it is checked whether the pressed button is the online button 10 or not. If it is the online button 10, it starts the 7-soto-up mode, and if it is not the online button 10, it checks if it is the mode button 14, and if it is the mode button 14, it starts the assign mode as shown in FIG. If not, start up in normal mode.

That is, to start the assign mode for setting functions in mode 1.2 of the input switch 11.12, press the mode button 14 while turning on the power, and press the online button 10 while turning on the power to start the setup mode. Press , otherwise normal mode will be activated.

Next, normal mode processing will be explained using FIG. 6.

The CPU 2 executes this process every time the push button 10-12 is pressed.

■ The CPU 2 inputs the input mode register 30 of the RAM 30.
8 times.

The input mode register 30 has a ternary counter function, and the contents are incremented each time the CPU 2 presses the mode button 14.

If the contents of the input mode register 30 are rlJ, mode l
Therefore, the CPU 2 checks whether the pressed button is the FF button 11 from the contents of the input register 1.5.

If it is the FF button 11, the space number n for indexing the assignment register 31 is set to "1" and the process proceeds to step (2).

(2) On the other hand, if the pressed button is not the FF button 11 in step (2), the CPU 2 checks whether the pressed button is the LF button 12.

If the pressed button is the LF button 12, the CPU 2 sets the space number n to "2" and proceeds to step (2).

Conversely, if the pressed button is not the LF button 12, the CPU 2
Since this is the pressing of the online button 10, step ■
Proceed to.

■ If the CPU 2 determines in step ■ that the contents of the input mode register 30 are not "1", the contents are changed to ",2".
Ask yourself 8 times.

If the content of the input mode register 30 is not "2", C
Since PU2 is in mode O, proceed to step (2).

On the other hand, if the content of the input mode register 30 is "2", the CPU 2 is in mode 2, so it is checked from the content of the manual register 15 whether the pressed button is the FF button 11.

If the FF button is 11, the CPU 2 sets the space number n to "3" and proceeds to step (2).

(2) If the pressed button is not the FF button 11 in step (2), the CPU 2 rotates three times to see if the pressed button is the LF button 12.

If the pressed button is the LF button, the CPU 2 sets the space number n to "4" and proceeds to step (2).

Conversely, if the pressed button is not the LF button, the CPU 2 will proceed to step (2) since the online button 10 has been pressed.

(2) When the CPU 2 determines the space number n to be "1" to "4", the CPU 2 refers to the assignment register 31, reads out the corresponding definition function data, and proceeds to step (2).

■ On the other hand, the push button of CPU2 is FF button 11,
If it is determined that none of the LF buttons 12 is pressed, the conversion table 33 is referred to from the pressed button, the corresponding definition function data is read out, and the process proceeds to step (2).

■ When the definition function data is read in step ■ or ■, as explained in FIG. The execution program indicated by the entry point of the program storage section 34 is read out and executed.

In this way, the mode button 14 and the input capo button 10-
12, the corresponding definition function is read from the assignment register 31 and the conversion table 33, and the corresponding execution program is executed.

This change in the contents of the assignment register 31 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

(i) As explained in FIG. 5, when the CPU 2 starts up in the assignment mode, the space number n is set to "1".

(ii) The CPU 2 causes the printer unit 5b to print out the functions that can be set in the assignment register 31 via the driver 5a as shown in FIG.

That is, the CPU 2 uses the entry point table 32 as follows:
The function names of the functions that can be set are read out and given to the driver 5a to be printed by the head 50.

(iii) Next, the CPU 2 returns the head 50 to the initial position using the spacing mechanism 52, and
Each time the button 11 is pressed, the head 50 is sequentially moved to the beginning of the function name printed on the paper.

The operator presses the FF button 11 to move the head 50 to the beginning of the next function name, and moves the head 50 to the desired function name.
, and press the LF button 12 there.

(iv) When the CPU 2 detects the depression of the LF button 12, it determines the corresponding function from the position of the head 50, and sets this in the assignment register 31 as the function of space n.

(v) Next, the CPU 2 checks whether the space number n has reached the maximum number of functions that can be set, "4", and if it has not reached it, sets it to n+IGn. Operator presses mode button 14
When pressed, the CPU 2 returns to step (ii) to set the function of the next space number.

On the other hand, when the CPU 2 determines that n=4, the setting up to space 4 is completed and the assignment mode is ended.

In this way, the FF button 1 is assigned to the assignment register 31.
1. The function of the LF button 12 in mode 1.2 can be set.

In addition, in FIG. 5, when the setup mode is activated, the CPU 2 refers to the conversion table 33 based on the combination of the two pressed input buttons 10 to 14, reads out the defined function, and converts the entry point table. 32
, the entry point is retrieved, and the corresponding execution program in the program storage section 34 is executed.

(C) Description of other embodiments In the embodiments described above, the assignment function of setting a function in the assignment register 31 is performed using a printer according to a specific pressing procedure of a push button. The selected function may be loaded into the assignment register 31 from the host or ROM via an interface.Although the name of the function to be selected is printed, it may also be displayed on a display.

In addition, the assign register 31 is backed up by battery R.
As explained in AM, in short, it is sufficient as long as the memory is retained even when the power is turned off. Non-volatile
It may be a RAM or an EEPROM, and moreover, the assignment register 31 may be constructed from a ROM, which may be replaced.

Furthermore, an example of application to a printer device was explained;
Other devices may be used, and the functions defined are not limited to those in the embodiment.

Although the present invention has been described above using examples, the present invention can be modified in various ways according to the gist of the present invention, and these are not excluded from the present invention.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, a mode switch is provided, multiple definitions can be assigned to the input switch, and this definition can be changed by the user, making it easy to input frequently used definitions. This also has the effect that the user can independently set this definition according to the purpose of use, and each user can freely set the switch function in a way that is most convenient for each user.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram of the principle of the present invention, Figure 2 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram of the operator panel configured in Figure 2, and Figure 4 is a switch input diagram configured in Figure 2. Control explanatory diagram, FIG. 5 is a startup processing flow diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a normal mode processing flow diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is an assignment mode processing flow diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. , FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the assign mode of FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the prior art. In the figure, 1--operator panel (switch section), 2-
Control unit, 3--Definition storage unit, 10-12-Manual switch, 14--Mode switch, 31-Assign register.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A switch unit (1) including a mode switch (14) for specifying an input mode and input switches (10 to 12);
- 12) a definition storage section (3) that stores definition information and can change the definition information; the mode switch (14) and the input switch (10 - 12);
), and a control unit (2) that reads the output state of the definition storage unit (3) and obtains the corresponding definition information by referring to the definition storage unit (3), and changes the definition information in the definition storage unit (3) to input the input information. A switch input control method characterized in that the definition of the switches (10 to 12) can be changed.