JPH06301462A - Data input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make operation easy while suppressing misoperation by selecting the kind of a character code to be outputted by adjusting a way of key pressing operation. CONSTITUTION:A key information reception judgement part 6 judges whether or not a key on the data input device A is pressed and a key depression pressure decision part 7 judges whether or not detected pressure corresponding to depression pressure is larger than a reference value and decides that a character code of the 1st kind when the detected pressure is higher or of the 2nd kind when lower is selected. Then a character code output part 8 temporarily outputs the character of the currently selected kind to an information processor body 3. Then the information processor body 3 outputs the character corresponding to the character code to a display device 4. A user looks at the character to judge whether or not the character matches the character that the user desires to input, and releases the key when so to determine the character code or adjusts the depressing pressure to change the character.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is connected to an information processing device such as a personal computer, a word processor or a workstation.
The present invention relates to a data input device (keyboard) in which a plurality of different character codes are assigned to each key.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 13 is a partial key layout diagram of a data input device (keyboard) in a conventional personal computer. FIG. 14 is a system configuration diagram including the data input device. In FIG. 13, reference numeral 1 denotes one key of a group of keys for output display on a display device, to which different character codes of a numeral "4" and a symbol dollar mark "$" are assigned. . Also, in the figure,
Reference numeral 2 denotes a character code selection key (SHIFT key) which is pressed when the dollar mark "$" is selected from the character codes assigned to the key 1. In FIG. 14, A is a data input device (keyboard) having a key group as shown in FIG. 13, 3 is information such as a computer main body for discriminating character codes sent from the data input device A and performing various data processing. The processing device main body 4 is a display device such as a CRT monitor for displaying a character code or the like sent from the data input device A.

Next, the operation will be described. First, when the number “4” is to be sent to the information processing apparatus main body 3 and is to be displayed on the display device 4, the key 1 in the data input device A is pressed. Then, the character code corresponding to the numeral "4" is sent from the data input device A to the information processing device main body 3, and the character code is determined inside the information processing device main body 3, and the display device 4
The number "4" is displayed on. Next, when the dollar sign “$”, which is a symbol, is to be sent to the information processing device main body 3 and is to be displayed on the display device 4, first, the character code selection key (SHIFT
T key) 2 is pressed, and the character code selection key is pressed and operated, and then key 1 is pressed. Then, the character code corresponding to the dollar mark “$” is sent from the data input device A to the information processing device main body 3, the character code is judged internally, and the symbol dollar sign “$” is displayed on the display device 4. To be done.

[0004]

In the conventional data input device A, when the dollar sign "$" which is a symbol is input, for example, a character code selection key (SHIFT key) 2
And the key 1 with the dollar sign "$" must be pressed together and the character code selection key 2 must be pressed first. For this reason, the operation cannot be performed with one finger, and an operation error such as pushing an unnecessary key is caused.

In particular, if an object such as a book is mistakenly placed on the data input device A and the key continues to be pressed, the character code by the key continues to be output, and the display device 4 displays the character code. The same character (symbol) appears repeatedly in. In this case, if the activated software is a word processor or the like, there is a possibility that the already created document will be erased.

The present invention was devised to solve the above problems, and is desired in a data input device in which a plurality of different character codes are assigned to each key. Make the character code selectable with one operation, and eliminate the inconvenience that the same character code corresponding to the key is repeatedly output even if the key is pressed and held by mistake. The purpose is to do.

[0007]

A first data input device according to the present invention is a data input device in which a plurality of different character codes are assigned to each key, and whether or not a key is pressed. Means for detecting whether or not the pressing pressure applied to the key is detected and comparing it with a reference value. If the detected pressing pressure is larger than the reference value, the character code of the first type is determined. A means for determining two types of character codes, a means for detecting whether or not a key pressing operation is released, and a type of character code being determined at the time of release detection when the release of the key pressing operation is detected. It is characterized in that it comprises means for outputting and means for prohibiting the fixed output of the character code while the release is not detected.

A second data input device according to the present invention detects whether or not a key is pressed in a data input device in which a plurality of different character codes are assigned to each key. Means and means for detecting the pressing-down speed with respect to the key and comparing it with a reference value; when the detected pressing-down speed is larger than the reference value, it is judged as the first type character code; A means for determining a code, a means for detecting whether or not a pressing operation on a key has been released, and a means for definitely outputting a character code of the type determined at the time of detecting the release when the release of the key pressing operation is detected. , And means for prohibiting the fixed output of the character code while the release is not detected.

[0009]

When the key is pressed, the pressing pressure or pressing speed detected at that time becomes either larger or smaller than the reference value, and depending on the pressing value, the character code of the first kind or the character of the second kind Judged as a code. However, the character code of the determined type is not yet output unless the pressing operation on the key is released.

When the key pressing operation is released, the character code of the type determined at the time of detecting the release is definitely output. That is, when the detected pressing pressure or pressing speed is larger than the reference value, the first type character code is output, and when it is smaller than the reference value, the second type character code is output.

In the operation of a key to which a plurality of character codes are assigned, the kind of character code to be output is selected according to the pressing pressure or the pressing speed of the key, so that the character code is selected once. It becomes possible by the operation of. In addition, the selected character code is actually confirmed and output when the key pressing operation is released.Because the character code is not actually output before the key pressing operation is released, there is a mistaken operation. Even if the key is held down, the same character code will not be repeatedly output.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an information processing device such as a personal computer, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged key layout diagram of a data input device according to an embodiment. In FIG. 1, A is a data input device (keyboard) having a group of keys as shown in FIG. 2, and 3 is a computer main body for discriminating character codes sent from the data input device A and performing various data processing. The information processing apparatus main body 3 is a C for displaying a character code or the like sent from the data input apparatus A and processed by the information processing apparatus main body 3.
A display device such as an RT monitor or a liquid crystal display panel.

The data input device A, a part of which is shown in FIG. 2, has a plurality of keys, and two different character codes are assigned to each key. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 is one of a group of keys for output display on the data input device A, and is a numeral "4" as a character of the first type,
A character code different from the dollar mark “$” which is a symbol as the second type character is assigned. A pair of left and right character code selection keys (S
The HIFT key) is not specifically required for the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a division diagram of character codes. The character code is roughly divided into an alphanumeric character input group and a kana character input group, and each group is a group of the first type character code (“1”, “2”, “Q”,
“A” and its lowercase letters) and second-type characters (“!”, “” ”,“ Ta ”,“ chi ”, and other open letters) are assigned.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the data processing unit 5 in the data input device A. Reference numeral 6 denotes a key information reception determination unit including means for detecting whether or not a key has been pressed, and means for detecting whether or not a key has been pressed, and a reference numeral 7 denotes a pressing pressure on the key. A key pressing pressure determination unit including means and means for comparing the detected pressing pressure with a predetermined reference value;
Determines that the character code to be output is the first type character code (such as the numeral "4") when the detected pressing pressure is larger than the reference value as a result of the comparison, and the detected pressing pressure is the reference value. When it is smaller than the value, it is determined that the character code to be output is the second type character code (such as the symbol dollar mark “$”), and the determined character code is output to the key information reception determination unit 6. It is a character code output unit. When the release of the key pressing operation is detected, the key information reception determining unit 6 determines the character code of the type output by the character code output unit 8 at the time of detecting the release, and outputs the determined character code. While the release of the operation is not detected, the temporary output of the character code is performed, but the fixed output is prohibited.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. As an example, it is assumed that the key 1 having the numeral "4" and the dollar sign "$" as a symbol is pressed and operated. First, the key information reception determination unit 6 determines whether or not a key on the data input device A has been pressed (step ST1). When a key pressing operation is detected, the key pressing pressure determination unit 7 determines whether the detected pressure P'corresponding to the pressing pressure P is higher than the reference value Pth (step ST2).

Example 1 In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, the characteristic of the detected pressure P'which is electrically detected by the key pressing pressure determination unit 7 by the pressing pressure P is linear. When the detected pressure P'which changes linearly becomes higher than the reference value Pth, it is determined that the first type character code (numeral "4") is selected (step ST).
3). On the contrary, when the detected pressure P ′ by the pressing pressure P becomes lower than the reference value Pth, it is determined that the second type character (dollar mark “$”) is selected (step ST
4). Next, the character code output unit 8 provisionally outputs the character code of the currently selected type to the information processing device body 3 (step ST5). Then, the information processing device body 3 outputs the character (symbol) corresponding to the character code to the display device 4. The user looks at the characters (symbols) displayed on the display device 4 and uses it as a basis for determining whether or not it matches what he / she desires to input. In this case, when the detected pressure P'is larger than the reference value Pth, the numeral "4" is displayed.
When it is small, it becomes a dollar sign "$".
If the user is satisfied with the currently displayed character (symbol), the user releases the pressing operation on the key and determines the character code to be output. If not, the pressing pressure is adjusted to change the displayed character (symbol), and when the desired character (symbol) is reached, the pressing operation is released to determine the character code to be output.

The key information reception judgment unit 6 judges whether or not the key being pressed is released (step ST
6). Unless it is released, the process returns to step ST2 and steps ST3 or ST4 to step ST5 → ST6 →
Since the process is looped to ST2, the fixed output of the character code is prohibited. While the loop is in progress, a character of the type corresponding to the key pressing pressure P is displayed on the display device 4 by the temporary output of the character code, but since the key is not released and it is not a fixed output, Even if a key such as a book is left on the data input device A and the key is continuously pressed, the same character is not repeatedly input many times. Therefore, there is no possibility that data such as already created documents will be erased by overwriting. When it is determined that the key has been released, the character code selected at the time of the release is determined to be finally determined, and the character code is determined and output (step ST7). Then, the process returns to step ST1 to wait for the next key input.

Example 2. Example 1 above. In the above, the characteristic of the detected pressure P'with respect to the pushing down pressure P was linear. On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
When the characteristic of the detected pressure P ′ with respect to the above is made into a curved shape that is convex upward, the pushing-down pressure P is reduced to that in the first embodiment. It is possible to switch between the first type character code and the second type character code at a lower level than in the case of. In this case, the first type character code can be selected with a smaller pressing force. On the contrary, as shown in FIG. 8, when the characteristic of the detected pressure P'with respect to the pressing pressure P is formed into a curved shape having a downward convex shape, the pressing pressure P is reduced to that in the first embodiment. It is possible to switch between the first type character code and the second type character code at a higher level than in the above case. In this case, stronger pressing pressure is required to select the first type character code.

By preparing some judgment criteria as described above, it is possible to improve the operability of selecting the character code type according to the difference in the strength of the user. This is advantageous for people with disabilities.

Example 3. In this method, the character code type is selected by the pressing speed instead of the pressing pressure. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the data processing unit 5 in the data input device A. The key information reception determination unit 6 including means for detecting whether or not a key has been pressed and means for detecting whether or not a key has been pressed has been described in the first embodiment. Is the same as. The key information reception determination unit 6 determines, when the release of the key pressing operation is detected, means for determining the character code of the type output by the character code output unit 8a and outputting the determined character code, and a key. A means for temporarily outputting the character code but prohibiting the fixed output while the release of the pushing operation is not detected is included. Reference numeral 7a is a key pressing speed determination unit including means for detecting the pressing speed for the key and means for comparing the detected pressing speed with a predetermined reference value. As a result of the comparison, 8a indicates that the character code that should be output when the detected pressing speed is higher than the reference value is the first type character code (such as the numeral "4").
When the pressing speed is lower than the reference value, the character code to be output is determined to be the second type character code (such as the dollar sign “$” that is a symbol), and the determined character code is used as a key. The character code output unit outputs the information to the information reception determination unit 6.

Regarding the operation, in principle, the first embodiment is adopted. In the above description and the flowchart of FIG. 5, "detection pressure P '" is replaced with "detection speed V'" and "reference value Pth" is replaced with "reference value Vth". In, the "push-down pressure" may be read as the "push-down speed". As shown in FIG. 10, the detected speed V'changes linearly according to the pressing speed V, but when the detected speed V'is higher than the reference value Vth, it is determined that the first type character code is selected. When the detected speed V'is lower than the reference value Vth, it is determined that the second type character code is selected.

Example 4. When the characteristic of the detected speed V'with respect to the push-down speed V is changed to a linear curve as shown in FIG. It is possible to switch between the first type character code and the second type character code at a lower level than in the case of. In this way, the character code of the first type can be selected at a slower pressing speed. On the contrary, as shown in FIG. 12, when the characteristic of the detected speed V'with respect to the push-down speed V is formed into a curved shape that is convex downward, the push-down speed V is set to the value in the third embodiment. It is possible to switch between the first type character code and the second type character code at a higher level than in the above case. In this case, a faster pressing speed is required for selecting the first type character code.

In any of the above embodiments, SHIFT as a character code selection key, which has been conventionally required, is used.
The keys (there are a pair on the left and right) can be omitted, and the key layout can be simplified. SH for most other purposes
This is not the case when using the IFT key.

[0026]

As described above, according to the data input device of the present invention, even if a plurality of character codes are assigned to a key, the method of pressing the key (pressing pressure or speed of pressing) can be adjusted. Since the type of character code to be output can be selected, only one key operation is required to make that selection, and operability can be improved while suppressing the occurrence of operation mistakes. In addition, the character code is not output unless the key pressing operation is released, so the same character code may be repeatedly output even if the key is held down by mistake such as placing an object on the data input device. Instead, it is possible to avoid an unforeseen situation such as erasing a document already created by a word processor.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a system configuration diagram of an information processing apparatus including a data input device according to.

FIG. 2 Example 1. FIG. 6 is a key layout diagram of the data input device of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a classification diagram of character codes.

FIG. 4 Example 1. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a data processing unit in FIG.

FIG. 5: Example 1. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of FIG.

FIG. 6 Example 1. FIG. 6 is a characteristic diagram of the detected pressure with respect to the pressing pressure in FIG.

FIG. 7: Example 2. FIG. 6 is a characteristic diagram of the detected pressure with respect to the pressing pressure in FIG.

FIG. 8: Example 2. FIG. 6 is another characteristic diagram of the detected pressure with respect to the pushing pressure in FIG.

FIG. 9: Example 3. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a data processing unit in FIG.

FIG. 10: Example 3. FIG. 7 is a characteristic diagram of the detected speed with respect to the pushing speed in FIG.

FIG. 11: Example 4. FIG. 7 is a characteristic diagram of the detected speed with respect to the pushing speed in FIG.

FIG. 12: Example 4. FIG. 7 is another characteristic diagram of the detected speed with respect to the push-down speed in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a key layout diagram of a conventional data input device.

FIG. 14 is a system configuration diagram including a conventional data input device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A ... Data input device 1 ... Key having "4" and "$" 3 ... Information processing device body 4 ... Display device 5 ... Data processing unit 6 ... Key information reception Judgment unit 7 ... Key pressing pressure judgment unit 7a ... Key pressing speed judgment unit 8 ... Character code output unit 8a ... Character code output unit P ... Pressing pressure P '... Detected pressure Pth・ ・ ・ Reference value V ・ ・ ・ Pushing down speed V '・ ・ ・ Detection speed Vth ・ ・ ・ Reference value

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Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A data input device in which a plurality of different character codes are assigned to each one key,
A means for detecting whether or not the key has been pressed, a means for detecting the pressing pressure applied to the key and comparing it with a reference value, and when the detected pressing pressure is larger than the reference value, it is judged as a first-class character code. When it is smaller than the standard value, it is the second
Means for determining the character code of the type, a means for detecting whether or not the pressing operation on the key is released, and a release of the key pressing operation, the character code of the type determined at the time of the release detection is fixedly output. And a means for inhibiting fixed output of the character code while the release is not detected. 2. A data input device in which a plurality of different character codes are assigned to each one key,
A means for detecting whether or not the key has been pressed, a means for detecting the pressing down speed for the key and comparing it with a reference value, and when the detected pressing down speed is higher than the reference value, it is judged as the first type character code. When it is smaller than the standard value, it is the second
Means for determining the character code of the type, a means for detecting whether or not the pressing operation on the key is released, and a release of the key pressing operation, the character code of the type determined at the time of the release detection is fixedly output. And a means for inhibiting fixed output of the character code while the release is not detected.