JPH01118917A - Keyboard control system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a keyboard control method suitable for use in a personal computer.

(Prior Art) A keyboard attached to a personal computer or the like is generally controlled by a CPU dedicated to the keyboard (referred to as a keyboard controller), which is separate from the CPU of the personal computer. The built-in CPU of this keyboard detects the pressed key and sends the key code to the main body's CPU K.

By the way, there is a limit to the number of keys that a keyboard can have, as well as the size limit allowed for the keyboard, so it was not easy to increase the number of key code types. To solve this problem〈
Conventionally, if you press the '5HIFT' key and the -A' key, the key code will change.' CTRL
The same applies to the ``key'' and the ``ALT'' key.

However, with this method, it is necessary to have a key code conversion table inside the keyboard controller, which is difficult to implement considering the internal memory capacity of the key code controller. @CTRL When a key such as ``key'', ``ALT'' key, or ``A'' key is pressed, the key code is often sent to the main CPU on the main body side and converted by a program on the main body side.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) Recently, personal computers have been required to have a dual/4-'Sonaliff 4 function, and by switching the O8, computers have appeared that can operate in two modes: Japanese mode and English mode. In this case, there are keys that have different meanings depending on the Japanese mode and the English mode. This f on the 8g4 diagram! i [Computer keyboard layout shown. In Figure 4, Fn/
Kanaki hits K for this.

When you press this key in Japanese mode, it works as the 'Kana 1 key, allowing you to input kana characters from the keyboard.

In the English mode, it functions as the @Fn'' key, and by pressing the PgUp/Pr5v and PgDp/Nrev keys while pressing this key, the processing speed of the CPU can be switched.

This process is only valid in English mode, so it cannot be used in Japanese mode. In other words, @p in Japanese mode.
In order to use the ln#Φ- function, it is necessary to separate the @kana 1 key and the @Fnm key, but for the reasons mentioned above, it is not necessary to add a new key. This was done in view of the current situation, and the object is to provide a keyboard control method that realizes an increase in the number of key codes without increasing the number of keys.

[Configuration of the Invention (Means and Effects for Solving Problems) In view of the fact that there was a strong need to increase functionality even though it was difficult to add new keys, the present invention has developed two keys. The present invention provides a keyboard controller that generates a new key code by pressing keys simultaneously to compensate for a lack of keys. To do this, the keyboard controller is equipped with a buffer that scans the key matrix, stores the key code, a flag that confirms simultaneous input of multiple keys on the key matrix, and a key press interval by counting an appropriate amount of time. It consists of a timer that is used to check and determine whether or not simultaneous input is being performed, and the flag and timer can detect simultaneous pressing of multiple keys and generate a new key code or perform dual/thousand sonality functions. It is used to switch the internal mode.

This allows the types of key codes to be increased without increasing the number of keys.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail using the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is a key matrix 1 on the keyboard.
It is a keyboard controller that scans 2 and detects pressed keys, and has a built-in 1-chip microprocessor.

12 is a key matrix, on which keys are arranged. 13 is the main CPU that controls the entire computer, etc.
It is. 14 is the main CPU 13 has a path (CPU
The key code issued from the keyboard controller 11 is input to the main CPU 13 via this key code. Note that 121 is a scan line, and 122 is a return line.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the keyboard controller shown in FIG. 1, and shows the internal state of the keyboard controller. In the figure, 31 is a keyboard controller, 32 is a key buffer that temporarily stores the key code of a pressed key, and 33 is a buffer (BuF) that stores flag information for determining whether two keys are pressed at the same time. 34 is a tie provided to determine whether or not they are pressed simultaneously! FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the process of generating a new key code when two keys are pressed simultaneously. In this example, we will use the Kanji key and Kana/Fn key in the Japanese mode of a PC with the above-mentioned De, Arno 9-Sonality function.
If the keys are pressed at the same time (within 1 second), the @ p
It shows the process of generating the key code for the n# key.

Hereinafter, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be explained in detail. As mentioned above, it has a sonality function./4'
The Kana/Fn key on the personal computer operates as the "Kana 1" key in Japanese mode, and as the @Fn key in English mode. In other words, the keyboard controller is the Nakana ν key when in Japanese mode, @Fl when in English mode,
# Perform key processing. Here in Japanese mode @
To perform the 1 button for the Fn # key, press the Kana/Kanji key 1 next to the Fn key! : The case of pressing at the same time will be explained.

When you press the Kana/Fn key and the Kanji key at the same time, each key is detected by the keyboard controller (11731).Keyboard controller (11/3
1) performs sequential &l logic, so here, if it is detected in the terms of kana/Fn keys and kanji keys, it will be ignored. Also, @ Kanji 1 key code is 861 (, 'Kana' key code is 87 I (, 'pn# key code' is 88 I (
Assume that (abbreviation for Hij Haxd@ci-maA)
In normal Japanese mode, 86H, 87)I occur, and 88
) (does not occur. Similarly, it is assumed that only 88H occurs in English mode. (Because "Kana"#""" is unnecessary in Kanji English.) When the /Fn key is detected, the buffer 33Vc#i does not contain ``1 kanji'' key code 86) (h, so the buffer 7331c'''' kana 1 key code 87Hf: Save In the first process, the kanji key is When detected, the buffer 33 contains a 1-kana key code 87H.
is entered, so convert it to @pln# key code 88H and save it to the keyboard buffer 32.

As a result, when the kana/Fn key and the kanji key are pressed at the same time in Japanese mode, the 'kana' key code 87H,
@Kanji” key code 86H is ignored, @”Fn1Fn
A single key code of 88H is processed as if an independent F key had been pressed.

The method described above makes it possible to "generate a key code when two keys are pressed at the same time as if a new, different key was pressed".

The timer shown in Fig. 2 is used to determine if the above-mentioned keys are pressed at the same time, and it is desirable to set it to about 20 to 50 m5ec.
Even if you press the n key and the kanji key separately at short intervals, @
Fn” key code will be generated, so be careful.

What I mentioned above is ``When two keys are pressed at the same time,
This is a process that generates a new key code that is different from the key code of one key, but it can also be applied to processes such as switching the mode of the keyboard controller when two keys are pressed at the same time. . In this case, there is no need to generate a key code.For example, in the above example, when the kana/rn key and the kanji key are pressed, the "Fn" mode is activated, and a new process can be performed. In this case Ir
There is no need to generate a l”Fn-key code.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention as explained above, the number of keys is limited.
You can get the same functionality as if you had more keys without adding more keys on your computer.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the keyboard controller shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a key layout tR of a keyboard used in the present invention. 11.31...Keyboard controller, 12...
Imaichi matrix, 32...Keyboard buffer, 33
...Buffer, 34...Timer. Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue Figure 2

Claims (1)

[Claims] A keyboard controller with a built-in microcomputer for a personal computer with a dual personality function, which includes a key buffer that scans the key matrix and stores the key code, a flag that confirms simultaneous input of multiple keys on the key matrix, and an appropriate time count. The microcontroller has a timer that is used to check the interval between key presses and determine whether or not they are input simultaneously.The above microcontroller generates a new key code by detecting simultaneous presses of multiple keys using a flag and timer. Keyboard control method characterized by generating and switching internal modes.