JPS63291112A - Keyboard input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate the use of the function key of an operator without narrowing the displaying area of the display of a data processing device by displaying a function assigned to the function key to a character displaying means on a keyboard input device. CONSTITUTION:By a program executed by a data processing device, a function key data erasing command is transmitted to a keyboard input device, at first, a function key data memory FKM3 is made into an initial condition, and thereafter, a function key data registering command is transmitted. When the function assigned to a desired function key is displayed at a liquid crystal display LCD7 and a function key is pushed, a code set by a function key data registering command is transmitted from a keyboard input device. Thus, since the setting can be executed independently for a program executed by the data processing device, the function assigned to the function key is displayed, the operation of the operator is made easier.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a keyboard input device, and more particularly to a keyboard input device connected to a data processing device for inputting character/numeric information etc. by an operator.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, this type of keyboard input device has a plurality of function keys used by an operator to instruct a program executed on a data processing device to execute a specific function. It is normal for each program to have different functions. Therefore,
In order to inform the operator of the functions corresponding to each function key, the functions corresponding to each function key are displayed at the bottom of the CRT display installed in the data processing device, or a template is printed with the functions corresponding to each function key. is being placed on the keyboard.

When a function key is pressed on such a keyboard input device, a predetermined code corresponding to the function key is sent to the data processing device, and a program executed in the data processing device selects the function key. It is detected that is pressed and the corresponding function is executed.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

The method of displaying the functions corresponding to each function key of the conventional keyboard input device described above is based on the C
When displaying on an RT display, the effective display area of the CRT display is narrowed, and when using a template, the template must be replaced every time the program executed in the data processing device changes, so the operation becomes complicated. .

[Means for solving problems]

The keyboard input device connected to the data processing device of the present invention includes a transmitting unit that encodes information regarding keys input from the keyboard and transmits the encoded information to the data processing device, and a memory that stores data received from the data processing device. The apparatus is characterized in that it comprises means, character display means disposed adjacent to at least one key, and control means for selectively displaying data from the data processing device on the character display means. In this keyboard input device, the data received from the data processing device includes key designation information that specifies one key arranged adjacent to the character display means, character string display information that can be displayed on the character display means, and the character string display information that can be displayed on the character display means. Contains at least one item of information that is one item with code string information that can be converted into keyboard input information in a data processing device,
Character string display information in the same item as the key designation information is displayed in a portion of the character display means adjacent to the key specified by the key designation information received from the data processing device, and the key is pressed. The code string information in the same item as the key designation information is sometimes transmitted to the data processing device.

〔Example〕

Next, the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the keyboard input device of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a central control unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) that controls the entire keyboard device, 2 is a data transmitting/receiving circuit (hereinafter referred to as DRS), 3 is a function key data memory (hereinafter referred to as FKM), and 4 is a program memory (hereinafter referred to as FKM).
5 is a key matrix scan circuit (hereinafter referred to as SCN), 6 is a key matrix circuit (hereinafter referred to as MTX),
7 is a liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as LCD), 8 is a liquid crystal display drive circuit (hereinafter referred to as DRV), 9 is a data receiving line, 1
0 is a data transmission line.

Further, FIG. 2 is a top view showing an example of the keyboard of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 2, the keyboard input device of this embodiment has a JIS layout keyboard having 10 function keys (hereinafter referred to as f.1. to f.10) and CD7 arranged above these function keys. have.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained. Normally, when any key on the keyboard shown in Figure 2 is pressed, 5CN
5 detects this and notifies the CPU 1. C.P.
For U1, unless the pressed key is f・1, ~f・10,
The DR 32 transmits one code corresponding to the pressed key fixedly determined in advance to the data processing device via the data transmission line 10. If the pressed key is f.1. ~f
- If it is one of 10, CPU1 checks FKM3 and stores 1 corresponding to the pressed function key.
The three or more codes are transmitted to the data processing device by DRS2. Here, if information corresponding to the pressed function key does not exist in FKM3, the CPUI does not send anything to the data processing device.

Next, the operation of storing information corresponding to a function key into FKM3 will be explained. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the format of function key data received from the data processing device in FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the function key data received from the data processing device includes a command code 31. Function key number 32, function key function character string 33 for displaying the function assigned to the function key with the specified number. It includes a function key code string 34 to be sent to the data processing device when a function key with a designated number is pressed. There are two types of command codes 31: a function key data registration command and a function key data deletion command. When the command code 31 is a function key data deletion command, the data after it has no meaning. In addition, in FIG. 3, STX is a code that means the beginning of function key data, and ET
X is a code that means the end of function key data, and C/R is a code that means the end of one function key function character string and one function key code string.

When the keyboard input device of this embodiment starts operating, F
Nothing is stored in KM3, and in this state f.1.
Even if ~f.10 is pressed, nothing is sent to the data processing device. Upon receiving the function key data registration command from the data processing device, the CPUI stores the received function key data in FKM3,
The function key function character string 33 therein is displayed on the LCD 7 above the function key with the designated number. Further, upon receiving a function key data erasing command from the data processing device, the CPU 1 clears all FKM3 to an initial state, and erases the display on the LCD 7. Therefore, by sending a function key data deletion command to this keyboard input device by a program executed by the data processing device to first set the FKM3 to the initial state, by sending a function key data registration command, the desired data can be set. The function assigned to the function key is displayed on the LCD 7, and when the function key is pressed, the code set by the function key data registration command is transmitted from the keyboard input device.

These settings can be made independently for each program executed by the data processing device, and the functions assigned to the function keys are displayed on the LCD 7, making operations extremely easy for the operator.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the present invention provides a character display means for displaying the assigned function above the function key of the keyboard input device, and the content to be displayed on the character display means and when the function key is pressed. By making it possible to send and set the code sent from the data processing device to the data processing device from the data processing device to the keyboard input device, the functions assigned to the function keys are displayed on the character display means on the keyboard input device. This has the effect of making it easier for the operator to use the function keys without narrowing the display area of the display of the processing device.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the keyboard input device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a top view showing an example of the keyboard of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a data processing device in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example format of function key data received from the computer. 1... Central control unit (CPU), 2... Data transmission/reception circuit (DR3), 3... Function key data memory (FKM), 4... Program memory (PG)
M), 5...Key matrix scan circuit (SCN)
, 6... Key matrix circuit (MTX), 7...
Liquid crystal display (LCD), 8... Liquid crystal display drive circuit (DRV), 9... Data receiving line, 10.
...Data transmission line, 31...Command code, 32.
...Function key number, 33...Function key function character string, 34...Function key code string, f.1. ~f・10...Function key. $frgJ well 2 times

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In a keyboard input device connected to a data processing device, a transmitting means for encoding information regarding keys input from the keyboard and transmitting the encoded information to the data processing device, and a memory for storing data received from the data processing device A keyboard input device comprising: a character display means disposed adjacent to at least one key; and a control means for selectively displaying data from the data processing device on the character display means. (2) In the keyboard input device according to claim (1), the data received from the data processing device includes key designation information specifying one key arranged adjacent to the character display means and the character display means. the character string display information that can be displayed on the keyboard and the code string information that can be converted into keyboard input information in the data processing device, the information being received from the data processing device of the character display means; Character string display information in the same item as this key designation information is displayed in the area adjacent to the key specified by the key designation information, and when the key is pressed, code string information in the same field as the key designation information is displayed. A keyboard input device that sends data to a data processing device.