JP2000056877A - Touch panel type layout free keyboard - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the area of an input part and to use a key array which a user desires by giving a touch panel system where the key array of a keyboard can freely be selected. SOLUTION: A processor is constituted of a display part 101 formed of a folding-type liquid crystal display device and a computer body 102, An input part which electrically displays a key array and can input data by the combination of the liquid crystal display device and a touch panel is provided on the surface of the body 102. The basic key array (English type array, ABC order array, Japanese syllabary array and the like) is supplied by software. In generating an original key array, a layout can visually be generated/registered by using a key array change tool prepared for a personal computer, Since the keyboard array of good operability can be supplied at every software which is to be used, it is not necessary to display an unnecessary key and therefore operability can be improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information input device, and more particularly to an improvement of a keyboard which is an input device of an information processing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 12 is a plan view showing an example of a mechanical keyboard which is an input device of a conventional computer.
In a keyboard having a conventional mechanical key switch as shown in FIG. 12, the character arrangement is fixed to an English type arrangement, so that it is difficult for an unfamiliar user to handle and a person who is not good at personal computers. In addition, the layout of control keys (CTRL, DEL, ENTER key, etc.) is different between commercially available PC98 type key layout and DOS / V machine type key layout, so that even a skilled user can operate from one personal computer to the other personal computer. Is performed, or in a blind type or the like, erroneous input frequently occurs due to a difference in key arrangement.

[0003]

As described above, in the conventional mechanical keyboard, since the character arrangement is fixed to the English type arrangement, it is difficult for an unfamiliar user to handle, and it is impossible to change the key arrangement. It was possible.

[0004] Some word processor-dedicated devices have a key arrangement in the order of ABC. However, in the case of this keyboard, on the other hand, it is difficult for a user who is used to typing in English to use the keyboard.

[0005] By the way, as personal computers and displays have been miniaturized, mechanical keyboards are still used.

With the progress of mobile computers, mechanical keyboards cannot be touch-type unless they have a certain size, which is an obstacle to miniaturization.

[0007] In the future, even if functions such as voice input are realized by the progress of computer technology, it is considered that a manual input device is required.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a touch panel type keyboard in which a key arrangement can be freely selected.

[0009] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-240920 proposes a switch for touch input from a display with a touch panel as a switch using a touch panel.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-314602 discloses a device in which a key is displayed on a touch panel device to enable a key input. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-314602 discloses a liquid crystal panel including a liquid crystal panel for displaying a key arrangement and a touch panel arranged thereon. There has been proposed a liquid crystal keyboard capable of displaying a plurality of key arrangements without changing the keyboard.

[0010]

According to the present invention, there is provided a touch panel layout-free keyboard which achieves the above-mentioned object, wherein a key arrangement is electrically displayed and input is possible by a combination of a liquid crystal display device and a touch panel. That is, the present invention includes, in place of a keyboard, input means including a touch panel arranged on a liquid crystal display panel, and displays a key arrangement selected by a user on the liquid crystal display panel, and is touched from the touch panel. The key code is used as a key input.

According to the present invention, a key for input key selection is displayed on the key arrangement displayed on the liquid crystal panel, and when the key for input key selection is pressed, a list of registered key arrangements is displayed. Are displayed on the liquid crystal panel, and one key arrangement can be freely switched to another key arrangement.

According to the present invention, an arbitrary key array created by a user can be used in addition to a standard keyboard image when an input key array is selected. And

According to the present invention, the information input means of the remote control operation terminal includes input means comprising a touch panel arranged on a liquid crystal display panel, and the liquid crystal display panel has a key of a device selected by a user. The array is displayed, and a remote control operation for the device is performed by using a code of a key touched from the touch panel as a key input.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration in which the present invention is applied to a mobile personal computer. Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the present invention includes a display unit 101 including a foldable liquid crystal display device (liquid crystal panel) and a computer main body 102.
On the surface of the main body 102, there is provided an input unit for electrically displaying and inputting a key arrangement by a combination of a liquid crystal display device and a touch panel.

In the embodiment of the present invention, since a mechanical portion such as a key switch and a projection are eliminated, a thin, small, and lightweight input device can be realized.

Basic key layout (English type layout, A
BC order, Aiou order, etc.) are provided by software, and when creating an original key layout,
The layout can be created and registered visually using the key layout change tool provided on the personal computer.

In the embodiment of the present invention, an easy-to-use keyboard arrangement can be provided depending on the software used, so that unnecessary keys and the like do not need to be displayed, and operability is improved. The present invention, in another embodiment, includes, as an information input unit of a remote control operation terminal, an input unit including a touch panel disposed on a liquid crystal display panel, and the liquid crystal display panel includes a device selected by a user. A key arrangement may be displayed, and the code of the key touched from the touch panel may be used as a key input to perform a remote control operation on the device.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of the input device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, an input device provided in a computer main body has a configuration in which a liquid crystal display device 202 and a touch panel 201 are combined instead of a conventional mechanical keyboard.

The operation of one embodiment of the present invention will be described. When the power of the computer is turned on, a basic key layout is displayed on the input device.

An input key selection bar is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 202 of the input device. By pressing this input key selection bar from the touch panel, a list of input key arrangement selections as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed. The key arrangement can be changed by selecting a desired key arrangement from these.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of input key array selection items. Referring to FIG. 3, in addition to the PC98 English type array, the DOS / V English type array, the ABC array, and the AIUEO array, there is also provided a handwriting input dual purpose array for recognizing characters input by handwriting from the touch panel. The items of the memories 1 to 5 in which the original layout in which the is created are registered are displayed.

FIG. 4 shows an English sentence type array, and FIG.
BC order arrangement, FIG. 6 shows a normal order (A), when lower case is selected (B) of the Aiyo order arrangement, FIG. 7 shows an arrangement with a handwriting input field for a word processor, and FIG. 8 shows a right-handed ten key input arrangement (A), left-handed (B), FIG. 9 shows an example of an original layout 1 as a left-right facing arrangement, and FIG. 11 shows an example of an original layout 2 as an original layout 2. To create the original layout, assign the key layout with the graphic creation software tool, define the functions such as alphanumeric characters and control keys for each key of the defined key layout, and register the created original layout in the memory Is done.

Each key is electrically displayed by the liquid crystal display device 202. For example, the layout of the English-type key arrangement shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 202 by storing bitmap image information in a frame memory or the like of a personal computer (not shown), and the displayed key is pressed on the touch panel 201. The touch panel 20
1. A table storing the correspondence between display keys and their coordinate positions is searched from coordinate position information output from a circuit for detecting the XY coordinate position pressed on the key 1, and a key code corresponding to the key at the pressed position Is generated. On the other hand, for example, FIG.
Even when the ABC order arrangement is selected, it is detected that the key displayed at the pressed XY coordinate position on the touch panel is pressed, and a key code corresponding to the key code is generated. Is done.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the touch panel 20
In 1, the system is configured so as to reduce the erroneous input rate by electrically detecting how much pressure and how long each key is pressed and automatically learning a user-specific input pattern. Is also good. For example, an erroneous input can be avoided by touching the input unit but not sensing it if it is weak, or touching the input unit and not sensing it if it is not released within a certain time.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The present invention is not limited to an input device of a computer, and a controller of a game machine, an operation unit such as a television receiver and a stereo device, and information input of a device that has been operated with buttons, such as a remote controller, a telephone, and a calculator. As a device,
It is applicable by combining a liquid crystal display device and a touch panel.

The remote controller had to be operated with separate remote controllers for each device such as a television receiver, a stereo device such as a mini-component, an air conditioner, etc. According to the present invention,
As shown in FIG. 11, by applying the combination of the liquid crystal display device and the touch panel, a single remote control can operate a plurality of devices such as a television, an air conditioner, a stereo, and a video.

Although an integrated remote control device has been developed and sold, since the names and arrangements of buttons are fixed, the operation method differs for each device, and the operation procedure is not always clear.

On the other hand, according to this embodiment, the operation of a plurality of devices can be switched and selected with one remote control. That is, when the power of the remote control is turned on, a menu for selecting a device is displayed. When a television is selected, a key arrangement of the remote control for the television is displayed. When an air conditioner is selected, a key arrangement of the remote control of the air conditioner is displayed. Is displayed.

[0029]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Unlike a conventional keyboard, it is not necessary to lay out all the keys, so the area of the input unit can be reduced, and a key arrangement that can be touch-typed is possible, making it possible to realize a smaller mobile computer. It works.

Further, according to the present invention, since the key layout can be selected, the user can use a desired key layout, and even a user who is not good at keyboard input can use a favorite key layout. The effect is as follows.

Further, according to the present invention, manual input is also possible, and there is an effect that use of a word processor or the like is facilitated by minimizing key input of the word processor.

Further, according to the present invention, since the key arrangement and the mouse pad can be used in the entire input section, various operations can be performed with few movements.

According to the present invention, since there are no mechanical parts and no projections, it is possible to develop a product which is thinner and lighter and resistant to water and dust. This has the effect of expanding versatility and expanding application fields.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an input unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an input key layout selection display according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a key arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a key arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a key arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a key arrangement in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a key arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a key arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a key arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing an example of a mechanical keyboard.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Display part 102 Computer main body and input part 201 Touch panel 202 Liquid crystal display

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An input means comprising a touch panel disposed on a liquid crystal display panel, wherein the liquid crystal display panel displays a key arrangement selected by a user from a plurality of key arrangements registered in advance, An information processing apparatus, wherein a code of a key touched on a touch panel is used as a key input. 2. An input key selection key is displayed on the key arrangement displayed on the liquid crystal panel. When the input key selection key is pressed, a list of key arrangements registered in advance is displayed. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a key array selected from the list is displayed on the liquid crystal panel, and the key array can be freely switched from one key array to another key array. 3. An input means comprising a touch panel arranged on a liquid crystal display panel, a key arrangement of an arbitrary layout created by a user is registered in a storage means, and an input key arrangement is selected. An information processing apparatus, wherein a key can be input using an arbitrary key layout created by the user in addition to a standard full keyboard image. 4. An input means comprising a touch panel disposed on a liquid crystal display panel as input means for inputting information of a remote control operation terminal, wherein a key arrangement of a device selected by a user is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel. And a remote control operation performed on the device by using a code of a key touched from the touch panel as a key input. 5. An input unit comprising a touch panel on a liquid crystal display panel instead of a button or a mechanical key switch, wherein a key or button arrangement registered in advance is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel. An electronic device that performs a process corresponding to a key or button touched on a touch panel being depressed.