WO1996028776A1

WO1996028776A1 - Data input apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1996028776A1
Application number: PCT/JP1995/000390
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kazuo Murayama; Kenichi Kato
Original assignee: Kazuo Murayama; Kenichi Kato
Priority date: 1995-03-09
Filing date: 1995-03-09
Publication date: 1996-09-19
Also published as: AU1862595A; TW297881B

Abstract

When started, an application program reads setting of a key protect password stored in an EEPROM 77 of a mouse (4). A one-chip microcontroller (70) reads the password from the EEPROM 77, and a central processing unit (21) collates the password. When the result of collation is successful, the application program continues running, whereas if not the application program is stopped. This EEPROM 77 can store a plurality of passwords such as an identification number inherent to the mouse, e.g. a serial number of the mouse itself, a vendor designation number, etc., and the password of the application program.

Description

Specification

Title of invention

Data input device

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a data input device, and more particularly to a data input device for inputting information by designating a predetermined position on a display screen of a computer.

Background of the Invention

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a mouse has been frequently used as a data input device for inputting various data to a computer or specifying a position of a screen displayed by the computer. In general, such a mouse can only specify the position of the screen but cannot input characters. Therefore, when character input is required, release the mouse and return to the keyboard to execute character input. In order to improve this effort, recently, it has been proposed to provide a numeric key (numeric keypad) on the back of the mouse.

In addition, in order to prevent copying of software in recent years, it is common to attach a keypad for copy protection to the printer board, serial communication port, mouse input port, etc. of the computer. Is being done. As an example, in Fig. 9, the key adapter 202 is attached to the printer port 201 of the computer main body 200, and then the printer cable 203 is connected to the end. Is installed. In FIG. 10, a keyboard adapter 2 12 is attached to the end of the keyboard ′ cable 2 11 of the integrated computer main body 2 10, and then the keyboard 2 2 2 is connected.

However, with a conventional mouse, the input data is limited to numeric data only.If a frequently used function key is required, release the mouse and release the mouse. Will be returned.

In addition, when a key adapter for software copy protection is installed as in the past, it is necessary for the user to attach the key adapter to the application program, which is very user-friendly. It will be a great beam.

Purpose of the invention and about

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a data input device that does not require a key adapter for software copy prevention. It is another object of the present invention to provide a data input device capable of adding and maintaining a password for copy protection.

In order to achieve the above object, a data input device of the present invention has the following configuration. That is,

A data input device for inputting information displayed on the screen of a computer by designating a predetermined position on the screen during the start-up of any software. The data input device holds passcode data unique to the software. A feature is that a possible memory is provided inside.

A numeric keypad for inputting numerical or symbol information or specific function information; and a mode switching key provided with at least one or more keys for switching the type of information that can be input with the numeric keypad. Is further provided.

Further, at least one or more keys are provided on the side surface of the data input device main body, and further combined operation keys for inputting information by performing a composite operation with other keys are further provided. I do.

Further, a display means for displaying each mode state by the mode switching key is provided.

Further, the memory is an EEPROM that can be easily erased. Further, the memory is an EPROM or an erasable EPROM. Further, the memory is characterized in that the data input device K holds a structure of 151 ″.

Further, the memory is characterized in that a ^ symbol with E1 designated by one side of the software vendor is held.

Further, the password data is characterized in that the software is provided with an exclusivity number.

Further, the password data is set for each user who uses the software.

Further, an additional maintenance mode for rewriting or adding the passcode data is further provided.

In addition, in the additional maintenance mode, a predetermined operation of the mode switching key is performed. It is characterized by being set by

In the additional maintenance mode, a communication means is provided for performing rewriting or addition of the password data by a communication operation from a remote place. As described above, according to the first aspect of the data input device of the present invention, a key adapter for preventing copying of software is not required.

Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, since the data input device is provided with the mode switching key, the functions of the ten keys can be diversified.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the composite operation key is provided on the side surface, the operation can be performed without releasing the hand from the data input device.

Also, according to the invention of claim 4, since the display means for displaying the mode state is provided on the data input device, the switching mode can be visually confirmed.

According to the fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention, since the EEPROM or the erasable EPROM is used as the memory, the pass / read data of the memory can be replaced.

According to claims 7 to 10, the password data is set for each software user using a unique serial number and a fixed ^ sign specified by the vendor. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the copying of software and passcode data.

Also, according to the description of claims 11 and 12, since the password data addition / maintenance mode is provided, the password can be changed and added.

According to the invention of claim 13, since communication means capable of rewriting password data by a reception operation from a remote place is provided, rewriting and addition of password data can be performed by remote control.

As described above, by providing the data input device with a function for preventing software copy, the certificate number of the application / software copy protection ffl can be managed. In addition, the improved function and operability of the data entry keys enable efficient data entry, improve the security and operability of the entire computer system, and improve the soundness of the computer. Can capture the system environment.

説 ii theory of drawing FIG. 1 is an external perspective view when a data input device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a computer system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the back surface of the computer main body of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the computer system shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a data input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a view of FIG. 4 as viewed from the back.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of the data input device of the embodiment shown in FIGS. FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of a trackball portion of the data input device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a computer system to which a conventional copy-protection keygap used for a printer port is applied.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a computer system to which a conventional copy protection key adapter used for a key port is applied.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an example in which the present invention is applied to a computer system as a preferred embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view when a data input device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a computer system. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a back surface of the computer main body of FIG. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the computer system shown in the figure is, for example, a mouse with a numeric keypad as an input device, and is mainly composed of a computer 1, a monitor 2, a keyboard 3, a mouse 4, and a modem. It consists of five parts. On the back of the computer main unit 1, there are external interfaces such as a mouse port 11, a keyboard port 12, a serial port 13, and a mouse port 11 shown in FIG. There are provided a parallel port 14, a motor port 15, and a power connector 16.

The mouse port 11 can be connected to the mouse 4, the keyboard port 12 can be connected to the keyboard 3, the serial port 13 can be connected to the modem 5, and the monitor port 15 can be connected to the monitor 2. Each port is connected to an LSI for a peripheral controller for processing various functions, which is mounted inside the computer main body 1. Next, the circuit blocks of the computer main body 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, main control inside the computer main body 1 is executed by a central processing unit 21 which processes digital information shown in FIG. The central processing unit 21 is connected to a system bus 22 composed of address lines, data lines, and control lines.

The system bus 22 includes an interrupt controller 23 for performing interrupt processing by a signal or a timer input from the outside, a ROM 24 (Read Only Memory) as a read-only memory, and a command or the like input from the outside. A RAM 25 (Random Access Memory) is connected as a memory to which data can be written and read. In this ROM 24, a program for starting the computer 1 is written.

Also, a floppy disk 26 used for recording and storing data is connected to the system bus 22 via a floppy disk controller 27, which has a much larger capacity than the floppy disk 26. A hard disk 28, which is a large, high-speed read / write storage device, is connected via a hard disk controller 29 to output text and image data to the monitor 2. Monitor port 15 is connected via image processing controller 30 and mouse port 11, keyboard port 12, serial port 13, and normal port 14 handle each function. Connected via peripheral controller 31.

Next, a mouse 4 as a data input device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. By the way, with a conventional mouse equipped with a numeric keypad, the data to be input is limited to only numerical data, and if a frequently used function key is required, release the mouse as well. You end up returning to your keyboard. For this reason, the mouse 4 of this embodiment is provided with keys having various functions as described below.

As shown in FIG. 4, the outer shape of the mouse 4 is formed of, for example, plastic resin, which is large enough to be covered with a human palm. At the top of the mouse 4, there are a cable 41 that connects to the mouse port 11 of the console 1 and key switches 42, 43, and 44 that are often used to specify the position. "ESC key" Mode switching key ”and“ BS key ”. Also, a numeric keypad 45 is provided at the center of the mouse 4, and for example, keys such as numbers, symbols, functions, and control keys are arranged.

Further, on the side of the mouse 4, there are provided side keys 46, 47 which can be operated with the right thumb without releasing the mouse 4. For example, the side keys 46 are provided in the shift key and the side keys 4 are provided. 7 is used as a control key. As shown in FIG. 5, the side keys 46 and 47 are arranged at positions where the keys can be operated with the thumb when the mouse 4 is operated with the right hand.

In FIG. 4, at the upper left of the mouse 4, there are provided LEDs 48, 49 for operating the side keys 46, 47 to notify that the mode has been switched. You can check it.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is a trackball 50 force behind the mouse 4 for detecting the movement of the mouse 4. The track ball 50 is mounted so that it can be easily removed and cleaned when dust and dust adhere to the track ball by the cano 51. Further, in order to smoothly move the back surface 56 of the mouse 4 and the moving surface, Teflon-made convex portions 52, 53, 54, 55 are attached to the back surface 56 of the mouse 4. The rear surface 56 of the mouse 4 is fixed to the upper body of the mouse 4 with screws 57, 58, 59, 60.

Next, the internal configuration of the mouse 4 will be described with reference to FIGS.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, first, the mouse 4 is used as an electronic circuit for controlling a signal input from each key or a signal output from an external computer main body, for example, a one-chip microcontroller. Equipped with Troller 70. The one-chip microphone controller 70 mainly includes a central processing unit, a RAM for temporarily storing data being processed, a ROM for storing a mouse control program, and a signal between an external device. It has an I / O port for executing I / O. The one-chip microcontroller 70 is connected to the mouse port 11 of the computer 1 via a connector 71, and the one-chip microcontroller 70 and the connector 71 are connected to each other. A power supply line 72 for supplying power from the computer 1, a ground line 73, a data input line 74 for exchanging data with the computer 1, and a data output line. The power line 75 is connected.

Furthermore, in the IZO port built into the one-chip microcontroller 70, the input switches 81 are connected to key switches 42, 43, 44 and side keys 46, 47, respectively. The input board 82 and the output board 83 are provided with a key matrix circuit for reading the input of the ten keys 45. For example, if you want to change the number of these keys, you can easily change the number of keys by manipulating the number of IZO ports. The output board 84 is connected in series with LEDs (light emitting diodes) 48, 49 and resistors 93, 94 for current control.

The output port 85 and the input / output port 86 are connected to, for example, an EEPROM 77, which can hold data even without power supply and can electrically erase data. In the EPROM 77, for example, a plurality of identification numbers unique to the mouse, such as a serial number of the mouse 4 itself and a vendor designation number, and a plurality of passwords of an application program can be set.

The input port 87 has a photo that converts the movement of the mouse 4 into an electrical signal. Transistors 101, 102, 103, 104 and resistors 105, 106, 107, The circuit assembled in 08 is connected. In order to send optical signals to the phototransistors 101, 102, 103, and 104, LEDs (light emitting diodes) 111, 111, 112, 113, 114 are used. It is connected in series with the current control resistors 115, 116, 117, and 118.

Next, a mechanism for converting the movement of the mouse 4 into an electric signal will be described with reference to FIG.

A roller 122 for smoothly transmitting the rotational motion of the trackball 50 to the rotating shaft 120 is attached to the rotating shaft 120. A circular light-shielding plate 122 is attached to the end of the rotating shaft 120, and a number of slits 123 are circumferentially opened in the light-shielding plate 122. . The phototransistor 101 and the LED 111 are arranged such that the LED light passes through the light shielding plate 122 through the slit 123, and the phototransistor 101 Similarly, 02 and LED 112 are arranged so as to pass through the light shielding plate 132 via the slit 133. The phototransistors 101 and 102 are mounted at a slightly shifted timing at which the slit 123 blocks light. This Depending on the method, the rotation direction can be detected from the deviation of the light shielding timing.

The rotating shafts 120 and 130 are mounted at an angle of 90 ° to each other. The rollers 13 1 and 12 1 are in contact with the track ball 50. Light shield 1 3 2 and light shield 1 2 2, Photo transistor 103 and Photo transistor 10 1, Photo transistor 104 and Photo transistor 10 2. LED 113 and LED 111, LED 114 and LED 112 are also mounted at an angle of 90 °. The rotational movement of the rotation axis 120 and the rotation axis 130 allows the user to know the direction of the plane movement of the mouse 4.

Next, the operation of the computer system will be described.

In this computer system, when the power of the computer main unit 1 is turned on, the central processing unit 21 built in the computer main unit 1 operates in accordance with the instructions written in the ROM 2 by the hard disk controller. 29. The operating system program stored in the hard disk 28 is stored in the RAM 25 and started up.

Operating 'When the system is started, the central processing unit 21 controls the image processing controller 30 to operate the monitor 12 via the monitor port 15 and operate the system-start the system. Output the screen.

Here, a description will be given of a case where an application program with key protection is started by inputting a key from the keyboard 3.

In Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, when key data for starting the application program is input from the keyboard 3, the key data is transmitted via the keyboard 12 to the peripheral device. Reception processing is performed by the controller 31. The peripheral device controller 31 sends a signal to the interrupt controller 23 to urge the central processing unit 21 to receive the key data. The central processing unit 21 controls the hard disk controller 29 based on the key data, stores the application program stored in the hard disk 28 in advance in the RAM 25, and stores the application in the RAM 25. Start the program.

This application program is the key program written on the mouse 4. Go read the settings for the security code.

The procedure for reading the password setting is to control the peripheral device controller 31 and enter the predetermined password on the data input line 74 in the connector 71 connected to the mouse port 11. Send a read command. The microcontroller 70 receives the read command and the microcontroller 70 controls the output port 85 and the input / output port 86, reads the password written in the EEPROM 77, and reads the data output line 75. Send your PIN to. The password received by the peripheral device controller 31 from the data output line 75 via the mouse board 11 is collated by the central processing unit 21.

If the central processing unit 21 matches the password, the execution of the abrication program is continued. However, if the results of the password verification do not match, the application-program execution is stopped. In this way, when the application program is started, the application program is checked against a preset password to prevent unauthorized copying of the application program by a third party. Can be protected from use. On the other hand, the correctly matched application program accepts various processes operated by the mouse 4.

Next, the procedure for receiving data from the mouse 4 by the application program will be briefly described.

When key switch 4 2 (same as key switches 4 3 and 4 4 and side keys 4 6 and 4 7) is pressed, the one-chip microcontroller 70 switches to the input port of port 10. A predetermined key signal is received from step 81. This key signal is processed by the one-chip microcontroller 70, sent from the data output line 75 via the mouse port 11 to the peripheral controller 31 inside the computer body 1, and finally The application receives a key signal.

In particular, in the case of the key switch 43, when the key switch 43 is pressed, the one-chip microcontroller 70 becomes the input port 81 of the I / O port. Receive a signal from. This key input signal is processed by the one-chip microcontroller 70, and a signal is sent to the output port 84 to control the turning on and off of the LEDs 48 and 49. _ If necessary, the application program receives a key signal from the output line 75 as in the case of the key switch 42.

In the case of the numeric keypad 45, the one-chip microcontroller 70 sequentially outputs a signal every line from the output port 83 of the 1/0 board, and responds to the key input when there is a key input. Key signal is received from the input port 82 line. From the output port 83 and the input port 82, it is possible to detect which key of the key matrix is pressed. The key signal is processed by the one-chip microcontroller 70 and sent to the peripheral device controller 31 inside the main unit 1 via the data output line 75 via the mouse port 11. The application receives the signal.

When the mouse 4 is moved, the track ball 50 rotates, and the movement is transmitted to the rollers 12 1, 13 1, and the light shielding plate 12 attached to the rotating shafts 12 0, 130 2, 1 3 2 rotate. The slits 123, 133 on the light blocking plates 122, 132 block the light of the LEDs 111, 112, 113, 114. Thus, the transistors 101, 102, 103 and 104 convert the light into an electric signal and send it to the input port 87. This converted electrical signal is processed by the on-chip microcontroller 70, the data output line 75 passes through the mouse port 11, and the peripheral controller 31 inside the computer 1 Sent to the application and the program receives the mouse movement signal:

Next, an operation example of key input from the mouse 4 will be described.

When the key switch 4 3 of the mouse 4 is pressed once, the numeric keypad 45 can be used for inputting a number, and the mode switching state is displayed by lighting the LED 48. When the key switch 43 is pressed again, the numeric keypad 45 can be used as a function key, and the LED 49 lights up to indicate the mode switching state. In addition, when the mouse 4 is operated with the right hand, the side keys 46 and 47 are arranged at positions where the key can be operated by the parent, and input processing can be performed while the mouse 4 is being moved.

Next, an example of the addition and maintenance procedure of the password for the copy protection ffl stored in the EEPROM 77 will be described. Here, it is assumed that up to 20 passwords can be registered in the memory. Also, the PIN is known to customers who use the software This can be solved if the software supplier uses a predetermined function using the identification number of the mouse 4 and the password of the application program. For example, a simple method is to take an exclusive OR of both numbers for each bit. Notifying the customer of this result will result in a password that can only be used for one mouse 4.

First, when using the numeric keypad 45, simultaneously press and hold the key switches 42, 43, and 44 for 10 seconds in order to enter the password addition / maintenance mode. Addition ■ When the maintenance mode is set, LEDs 48 and 49 light up. After checking that it is lit, select the memory number to be registered from the numeric keys 45. For example, assuming the 18th, from the numeric keypad 4 5

Select by inputting “1” “8” and “R E T” key. Then, input the functionalized PIN from the numeric keypad 45, and finally enter the “R E T” key to finish.

When inputting from the keyboard 3 of the computer 1, set up a program that communicates with the mouse 4 from the computer 1 and operate from the keyboard 3 in the same way as using the numeric keypad 45. If the modem 5 is used, a communication program for the modem 5 is set up from the computer 1 and a call is made to the company that supplies the software, and the remote control is performed by the company that supplies the software. Add and maintain the security code with.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the mouse 4 is provided with the function of preventing copying of the software, thereby eliminating the need for the key adapter and rewriting the data in the EEPROM 77. In this way, the copy can be rewritten and added as a security code, so that a single mouse can protect a plurality of software from unauthorized copying. In addition, since the mode switching sides 46 and 47 are provided, the keypad 45 can be used effectively, and the LEDs 48 and 49 enable visual confirmation. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be applied to any device that uses a data input device. For example, although a mouse with a numeric keypad is used as the data input device in this embodiment, a trackball, joystick, wireless mouse, or the like used in a computer system may be used.

Further, in the present embodiment, the secret code for copy prevention is the force stored in the EEPROM 77, not limited to this, and the data can be erased by an erasable EPROM or other methods. You can also take a river that can be cut.

Claims

Claim range ffl

I. Launch any software! ), A data input device for inputting information displayed on a computer image by designating a predetermined position on the screen;

A data input device, characterized in that a memory capable of holding path data unique to the software is provided therein.

2. To switch between a numeric keypad for entering numerical or symbol information and specific function information and at least one or more 、 'reports!:! The data input device described in π′ίRequest 1 is further provided with a mode switching key of

3. At least one or more on the side of the main body of the data input device; open and operate a combined key for manipulating the f-information by performing complex operations with other keys. The data input according to claim 1, wherein A i is performed.

4. The data input device according to claim 2, further comprising an indicator for indicating each mode state by the mode switching key.

5. The data input device according to claim 1, wherein the memory is an EEPROM that can be erased gaseously.

6. The data input device according to claim 1, wherein the memory is an erasable EPROM.

7. The above-mentioned memory is characterized by the fact that "-" of i ik! Data manpower is maintained .;

8. The memory has the following characteristics: (1), (2), (3), (2), (3), (3), (3), (3), (3), (3), (3), (3), (3), (3), (3), (3), (3), (3), (3), (3), (3), (3), (3), and (3). Ta human power :：

9. The data human resource described in the request 1, characterized in that the password data can be transmitted to software software:

10. In the above-described pass 1, the user input to the software is set to,,,,,,,,,,,,,. : ''

. II above Pasuwa one Dode data, ^1;:! Is can instead say yes; Ii pressurized water 1 1, wherein the this further comprising an additional and maintenance mode for performing, ill, Day evening input ¾ ::

1 2. A numeric keypad for inputting numerical or symbol information or specific function information, and a mode switching key provided with at least one or more keys for switching the type of information that can be input using the numeric keypad. 21. The data input device according to claim 11, further comprising: setting the additional / maintenance mode by performing a predetermined operation of the mode switching key.

13. The data input device according to claim 11, wherein, in the addition / maintenance mode, a communication means for rewriting or adding the password data by a communication operation from a remote place is biased. .

14. A data input device for inputting information displayed on a computer screen by designating a predetermined position S on the one surface.

Data human equipment characterized by having special keys on the side of the body t L

15. The data input device according to claim 1, wherein the special key is a shift key.

16. The overnight input device according to claim 14, wherein the special key is a function key.