JPH02270014A - General-purpose keyboard device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate the key operations by preparing a loadable/unloadable storage part which stores the character patterns and character codes to be displayed on the key tops that can freely change the identification characters of keys and the character set selection keys. CONSTITUTION:When an attachable/detachable storage 8 is put into a storage loading part 7 of a keyboard main body 1, the names of the character sets stored in the storage 8 are displayed on the key tops of the character set selection keys 6. Then the desired character sets are selected with push of the keys 6, and the names of these selected character sets are displayed on a display 5. At the same time, the key tops of the character keys 4 that can freely change the display show the character patterns included in the selected character set. When one of keys 4 is pushed, the code corresponding to a character or a symbol displayed on the top of the pushed key is informed to a terminal equipment, etc., i.e., a host device connected to the main body 1. Thus the key operations are facilitated for a general-purpose keyboard device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a general-purpose keyboard device, and more particularly to a general-purpose keyboard device that can support multiple languages.

[Conventional technology]

Traditionally, keyboards used in computers, etc. required new design and manufacturing for each country's language or each specific task, but in order to provide versatility, multiple characters and symbols were printed on the top and sides of each key. It is engraved and can be used as a dedicated keyboard for each language and specific task.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

The conventional keyboards mentioned above do not allow input of various languages on one machine, requiring a new keyboard to be designed and manufactured for each language.Many characters and symbols are engraved on one key top, making operation easy to confuse. , the key operations are complex and take time to master. There are drawbacks such as.

[Means to solve the problem]

A general-purpose keyboard device according to the present invention includes a key top equipped with a display unit that can freely change the identification character of a key, a removable storage unit that stores character patterns and character codes to be displayed on the key top, and a plurality of and a character set selection key for selecting an arbitrary character set from among the character sets.

〔Example〕

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

FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b) are a plan view and a side view showing an embodiment of a general-purpose keyboard device according to the present invention. In the figure, a keyboard body 1 has a display 2 that displays the meaning of the function keys, a function key 3, and keys 4 and 2 that have a display section that allows you to freely change the key top display and display the name of the selected character set. It consists of a display 5, nine character set selection keys 6, and a storage device mounting section 7 into which one removable storage device is mounted.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the removable storage device 8 inserted into a general-purpose keyboard device. The removable storage device 8 is inserted into the storage device mounting portion 7 of the keyboard body l.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the above-mentioned general-purpose keyboard device. FIG. 3(a) shows the preliminary preparation procedure. First, character patterns and character codes of various character sets (languages) to be displayed on each key top are coded (step 11). Next, the coded results are stored in the removable storage device 8 (step 12). A single storage device can store multiple character sets.

FIG. 3(b) shows the procedure when using the keyboard. First, the removable storage device 8 in which the required character set is stored is inserted into the storage device mounting portion 7 of the keyboard body 1 (step 21).

At this time, the name of the character set stored in the removable storage device 8 is displayed on the key top of the character set selection key 6. Next, by pressing the character set selection key 6, the character set desired to be used is selected (step 22).

At this time, the name of the selected character set will be displayed on display 5.
4 character keys whose display can be changed freely at the same time
The key tops display character patterns included in the selected character set. Next, when you press the - key of the character keys 4, the code corresponding to the character or symbol displayed above that key at that time is transferred to the keyboard body 1.
A notification is sent to a terminal device, etc., which is a higher-level device connected to (step 23).

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a change in the display of one key. For example, the removable storage device 8 stores four types of character sets: English capital letters, katakana, Russian characters, and special symbols, and one of the character keys 4 stores the English capital letter r.
A J, Katakana “A”, Russian letter “ΦJ”,
Assume that the special symbol "*J" is assigned.At that time, if you select an English capital letter using the character set selection key 6, the letter "A" will be displayed on the key top of the key, and if you select 2 Katakana, the letter "A" will be displayed. Characters will be displayed, and if you select a Russian character, the character "Φ" will be displayed, and if you select a special symbol, the "*" symbol will be displayed.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the present invention provides a display part on each key top of a keyboard so that the key top display can be changed freely, and the character pattern displayed on each key and its character code are stored in a removable storage device. , one character set can be selected from a plurality of character sets (languages) using the character set selection key. Therefore, you can easily assign characters and symbols from various character sets to one key.
- Since a variety of character sets (languages) can be input using the keyboard, there is no need to design and manufacture new keyboards for each character set (language).

In addition, since only the characters of the character set (language) to be input are displayed above one key, the function and meaning of each key becomes clear and the key operation can be mastered in a short time.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIGS. 1(a) and (b) are a plan view and a side view showing an embodiment of a general-purpose keyboard device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a removable storage device, and FIG. 3 is an operating procedure. The flowchart and FIG. 4 are explanatory diagrams showing examples of changes in key display. 1... Keyboard body, 2, 5... Display,
3...Function key, 4...Character key, 6...
...Character set selection key, 7...Storage device mounting section, 8
...Arrival Figure 1 (b) East 57 (α) Male 3 Figure (1)]

Claims (1)

[Claims] A key top equipped with a display section that can freely change key identification characters, a removable storage section that stores character patterns and character codes to be displayed on the key top, and arbitrary characters from among multiple character sets. A general-purpose keyboard device comprising a character set selection key for selecting a set.