JPH03282920A - Information reader and its memory cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily check correspondence between each inherent identification(ID) code and a card loaded to a body and to effectively utilize the whole capacity of a cartridge by storing each inherent ID code in a memory cartridge to be loaded so as to be read out. CONSTITUTION:A CPU 13 detects and identifies the code of a loaded card by means of a sensor 9. The inherent ID code is read out from the ROM of the memory cartridge 10 inserted into a connector 11 to discriminate the sort of the card. Then respective key contacts on a touch panel 12 are scanned, a key code is received through a signal line 15, an address corresponding to the combination of the inherent code and the key code is sent through a bus 16 and display data and sound data which are corresponding information are read out. The CPU 13 outputs the read display data to a display part 4 and the sound data are sent to a speaker 8 through a D/A converter 18, an LPF 19 and an amplifier 20 to drive the speaker 8. In said constitution, the validity/ invalidity of the correspondence between the card 3 and the memory cartridge 10 can be instantaneously decided and information corresponding to the combination between the code of the card and the key code of the touch panel can rapidly be read out.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an information reading method for reading information corresponding to input from a key input means using a touch panel and a removable card or sheet from a selectively installed memory cartridge. The present invention relates to a device and its memory cartridge.

[Conventional technology]

In recent years, cards or sheets on which various pictures and characters (including symbols, etc.) are displayed (hereinafter collectively referred to as "cards")
When you selectively touch a picture or text on the card with a pen or finger, the touch panel detects that position, reads out the information corresponding to that position from memory, and displays the touch screen. Information related to pictures and text can be displayed and output as audio.
Educational equipment and the like that apply information reading devices are being developed.

Furthermore, in order to increase the number of cards that can be used in such devices and to enable a large number of information selections, information for selective reading can be stored in multiple memory cartridges (R
Some memory devices are stored in a memory cartridge (OM cartridge) and used by selectively inserting and inserting a combination of the memory cartridge and its corresponding card.

However, in this case, it becomes necessary to check on the apparatus main body side whether the information specified by the currently installed card is stored in the currently installed memory cartridge.

Therefore, in conventional devices, for example, a unique code (hereinafter referred to as "card code") is formed on each card by punching or a bar code, and the card code of each card storing information is stored as a label in the memory cartridge. When the card is installed, the device body detects the card code, searches to see if the card code is stored in the installed memory cartridge, and checks the correspondence between the two. (For example, see Japanese Patent Publication No. 18192/1983).

Furthermore, in such devices, information is read from the memory cartridge from the start address of the memory area corresponding to the combination of the card code of the inserted card and the key code of the position where touch input is made from the touch panel. .

Conventionally, the same capacity memory area was generally allocated to all combinations of card codes and key codes so that the relationship between each combination of card code and key code and the start address of that information was constant for all memory cartridges. Ta.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, in such conventional information reading devices, the card code must be formed in such a way that all cards that can be used can be identified. Not only does it become difficult to form by drilling or cutting, but it also requires a large number of sensors to detect it on the device main body, and the card code stored as a label in the memory cartridge increases. There was also the problem that it took a long time to check the search results.

In addition, if you allocate the same capacity memory area in the memory cartridge to store the read information for all combinations of card codes and key codes, you will have to match the combination to the one with the largest amount of information. Moreover, since extra memory areas are left unnecessarily open for information with a small amount of information, there is also the problem that the entire memory area (total capacity) of the memory cartridge cannot be used effectively.

This invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is possible to easily and quickly check whether or not the card installed in the device main body is compatible with the memory cartridge in the information reading device as described above. The primary objective is to make the system more effective.

Furthermore, a second object is to enable effective use of all memory areas (total capacity) of the memory cartridge.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an information reading device as described above, in which a unique recognition code is readably stored in each attachable memory cartridge.

Further, each of the codes is stored in each memory area at an absolute address that corresponds one-to-one to each combination of a code specific to each selectable card or sheet of each memory cartridge and each key code of the touch panel. We also provide a memory cartridge that stores the start address of information to be read in combination, and a memory cartridge for the same.

[For production]

With the above-described configuration, the information reading ratio device according to the present invention can read out the unique recognition code stored in the memory cartridge when it is installed and determine its type. It is possible to easily and quickly determine whether or not the memory cartridge stores information corresponding to the detected code.

Also, when the touch panel is touched and a key code is generated, the memory area of the absolute address of the memory cartridge that corresponds one-to-one to each combination of a code unique to the installed card or sheet and a key code is generated. Necessary information can be read by reading the first address and sequentially specifying addresses from that first address.

Therefore, the storage area of each information for each of the above combinations in the memory cartridge can be allocated to the minimum necessary amount according to the amount of data, so that all the memory areas (total capacity) of the memory cartridge can be used effectively.

〔Example〕

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

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of a learning machine to which the information reading device according to the present invention is applied, and is shown with an illustration card (hereinafter simply referred to as a "card") used therein and a memory cartridge installed. be.

The main body 1 of this learning machine has a transparent touch panel 2 on its upper surface and a display section 4 such as an LCD display that displays characters related to pictures or characters on a card 3 attached to a mounting section provided below the touch panel 2. , a contrast adjustment knob 6 that adjusts the contrast between the power switch 5 and the display section 4, and a volume adjustment knob 7 that adjusts the level of the audio signal output to the speaker 8 and earphone jack 12, which will be described later. A speaker 8 that outputs audio corresponding to the characters displayed on the screen 4 and an earphone jack 12 into which an earphone is inserted are provided.

In addition, when the card 3 and memory cartridge 10 are installed in the back of the installation section provided on the lower side of the transparent touch panel 2,
A sensor 9 is disposed at a position where it can detect an identification part in which a unique code (card code) is formed by cutting or punching in the card 3, and a connector 11 is disposed at a position where it can be connected to a terminal (connector) of a memory cartridge 10. ing.

On the other hand, on the top surface of the card 3, pictures or characters (in the illustrated example, an illustration of a vehicle) are displayed at positions corresponding to the key contacts of the transparent touch panel 2, and together with the transparent touch panel 2 constitutes key input means.

Next, the memory cartridge 10 has a built-in ROM that stores a unique recognition code for each cartridge and all information related to pictures, characters, etc. displayed on all cards that can be used with the memory cartridge 10. , body 1
When attached to the main body 1, data and signals can be exchanged with the control section of the main body 1 via the connector 11.

To attach the card 3 and the memory cartridge 10 to the main body 1 of the learning machine, place the card 3 on the memory cartridge 10 with the side with pictures or letters facing up, and place the card 3 on the memory cartridge 10. Insert the memory cartridge 10 through the insertion slot 1a of the mounting section of the main body 1 with the edge where the card 3 is provided and the terminal of the memory cartridge 10 first.
and push it in until the terminals of the memory cartridge 10 fit into the connector 11.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the main body 1 of the learning machine shown in FIG.

This main body 1 includes a microcomputer (hereinafter abbreviated as rCPUJ) 1 as a control unit that controls the entire device.
3, digital audio processing circuit section (ADPCM) 18, low pass filter (LPF) 19, and amplifier (AMP)
It is equipped with 20.

The CPU 13 and the transparent touch panel 2 are connected by a signal line 14 for scanning each key contact and a signal line 15 for inputting the results.
Between the PU 13 and the connector 11 is an address bus (AO~
A18) 15 and a data bus (Do to
D7) 17.

The CPU 13, ADPCM 18, and connector 11 are also connected to each other by a data bus 17 or the like.

First, the CPU 13 detects the card code of the inserted card 3 based on the detection signal from the sensor 9, and identifies the card 3.

The card code may be formed, for example, by notching or perforating the identification part of the card, or may be provided by printing a bar code, magnetic recording, etc. In the case of notches and perforations, the number and/or arrangement of the holes are varied, and in the case of barcodes, the combination of black bars and white bars of several thicknesses is varied for each card.

The sensor 9 for detecting this card code is composed of a plurality of photosensors capable of detecting the card code if it is formed by a cut or perforation, and if it is a bar code, a scanner or the like is used to detect it. good.

Next, the CPU 15 reads the unique identification code of the memory cartridge 10 inserted into the connector 11 from the ROM in the memory cartridge 10, and identifies the type of memory cartridge.

CPUIE! When the card 3 and the memory cartridge 10 are identified in this way, each key contact point of the transparent touch panel 2 is scanned through the signal line 14, and if any key position on the transparent touch panel 2 is touched, When the key code is received through the signal line 15, it is sent to the memory cartridge 10 through the address bus 16.
The address corresponding to the combination of the unique code and key code of Card B is sent to the card, and the display data and audio data of the corresponding information are read out through the data bus 17.

Then, the CPU 3 reads the read display data and outputs it to the display unit 4 to display characters related to the picture or character specified by key input or touch, and the audio data is output to the digital audio processing circuit unit (ADPCM) 18.
is converted from a digital signal to an analog signal by a low-pass filter (LPF) 19, harmonic components are removed by an amplifier (AMP) 20, and a sound related to the specified picture or text is output from a speaker 8. do.

Further, the audio signal is also output to the earphone jack 12.

FIG. 4 is a pin layout diagram of the ROM in the memory cartridge 10.

This ROM 100 is a read-only memory with a storage capacity of 2M bits or 4M bits, and each terminal with pin numbers 2 to 12, 23, 25 to 31 is connected to each signal line AO to A18 of the address bus 16. , pin number 13-15
．． Each terminal numbered 17 to 21 is connected to each signal line D of the data bus 17.
o-D7, pin numbers 22 and 24 are connected to the /CEI (r/J means illogical) terminal and 10E terminal, respectively, and pin numbers 16 and 32 are connected to G, respectively.
It is connected to the ND (ground) terminal and the power supply Vcc terminal, respectively.

Note that the terminal with pin number 31 is also used as the /CE2 terminal.

That is, when the 10E terminal receives the control signal /RD instructing the CPU 15 of the main body 1 to read information, and the same </CEI terminal receives the chip selection instruction signal /C8, the ROM 100 enters the information readable state. .

When the receiver receives the absolute address sent in response to the key code combination of the input keys on the transparent touch panel 2, the first address of the information to be read out corresponds to that unique code and key code. Display data and audio data are pin numbers 13-15.17-2
The data is read out to the data bus 17 from the No. 1 terminal.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the storage format of information in the ROMIQO shown in FIG. 4, and shows two types of memory cartridges, A and B.

In this example, the number of key contacts on the transparent touch panel 2 is 4.
It is assumed that there are 20 types of cards that correspond to each other.

As shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), the memory area of each ROM of memory cartridges A and B is divided into a reference table area M1 and a data area M2.

The reference table area M1 is divided into unit memory areas of addresses O to N (absolute addresses), that is, N+1 memory columns, and the unique recognition code of memory cartridge A or B is stored in the column of address 0. ``Card 1. Key 1'' ``Card 1. Key 2'' ``Card 1. Key 3'' ``Card 1. Key 4'' ...... ``Card 20. Data area M2 that stores each piece of information corresponding to each combination of “key 4”
The start address of each area within is stored.

On the other hand, in the data area M2, display data and audio data to be read out for each combination of card code and key code of the transparent touch panel 2 are successively stored.

For example, R of the memory cartridge A shown in FIG.
The column at address 1 of the reference table area M1 of OM contains the start address rlo of the area in which display data and audio data corresponding to card 1 and key 1 in data area M2 are stored.
The address ``00'' is stored in the column 2, and the starting address ``r1200'' of the area where display data and audio data corresponding to card 1 and key 2 are stored is stored.

In addition, the ROM of the memory cartridge B shown in FIG.
For example, the address 1 is also stored in the reference table area M1 of
The address column contains the start address rlooo of the area where display data and audio data corresponding to card 1 and key 1 in data area M2 are stored, and the address column corresponds to card 1 and key 2. Start address rl150 of the area where display data and audio data are stored
are stored respectively.

In this way, for example, the display data and audio data corresponding to card 1 and key 2 are stored at different starting addresses such as "r1200 address J" and "r150 address r150" in memory cartridges A and B, respectively. Necessary data can be read by reading respective start addresses from the same address 2 in the reference table area M1 and sequentially addressing the data area M2 from the start addresses.

Therefore, even if the data amount of each information corresponding to the combination of card and key is different, it is possible to have a one-to-one correspondence, and each information is sequentially transferred to the data area of the ROM of the memory cartridge to the minimum necessary capacity. (You can use it and store it in memory), so there is no wasted free space.

An example of the use of the learning machine shown in FIG. 2 will be briefly explained below.

As shown in Fig. 1, when the card 3 on which multiple vehicles are printed and displayed is installed, when you touch the position of the car picture, "Jidoshiya" will be displayed on the display section 4, and the speaker will be activated. From 8 onwards, an explanation such as "A car runs on a road" is output by voice.

Similarly, if you touch the position of the airplane picture, "Airplane" will appear.
is displayed, and an explanation such as ``Airplanes fly in the sky'' is output as voice.

In this way, this information reading device can be used as a learning device for teaching the names and functions of objects to children, for example.

Alternatively, if the display and audio corresponding to the touched picture are made in a foreign language such as English, it can also be used as a foreign language learning device.

In addition, if cards and memory cartridges are manufactured according to the purpose, they can be used for a wide range of purposes such as various educational purposes, games, and advertising purposes.

In addition, what may be displayed on the card may be letters or symbols,
It is possible to select and specify 20 or more types of pictures, characters, etc. with one card and input them using the touch panel.

Also, a flexible sheet may be used instead of a card, in which case a touch panel (which may also be opaque)
The sheet may be placed on top.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily and quickly check whether the correspondence relationship between the card or sheet inserted in the information reading device and the memory cartridge is appropriate.

Further, the entire storage area of the memory cartridge can be effectively utilized, and information corresponding to the combination of the unique code of the card and the key code of the touch panel on a one-to-one basis can be read out quickly.

Therefore, if the present invention is used in a device for learning 9 languages for early childhood education, etc., it becomes possible to provide a learning machine with a rich learning content at low cost.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 shows a ROM in a memory cartridge according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the external appearance of a learning machine that is an embodiment of the present invention with a memory cartridge and card installed, and FIG. 3 is an internal configuration thereof. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the terminal arrangement of the ROM in the memory cartridge. 1... Main body 2... Transparent touch panel 3... Card (illustration card) 4... Display section 8... Speaker 9... Sensor 10... Memory cartridge 11... Connector 1'5 ...CPU1
6...Address bus 17...Data bus 18
...Digital audio processing circuit section (ADPCM) Ml...
・Reference table area M2...Data area Fig. 1 (0) (b) Fig. 2 s3 Fig. 4

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of cards or sheets can be selected for each of a plurality of memory cartridges, and information related to pictures or characters displayed on each card or sheet corresponds to the memory. A touch panel which is stored in a cartridge, to which any one of the memory cartridges and one of the corresponding card or sheet is selectively attached, and which can specify a picture or character on the attached card or sheet as a key input means an information reading device that reads information related to a picture or text designated by the touch panel from the memory cartridge and outputs at least one of a display and a sound; 1. An information reading device characterized in that a recognition code is readably stored therein. 2. The information reading device according to claim 1, wherein each of the absolute addresses corresponds one-to-one to each combination of a code specific to each selectable card or sheet of each memory cartridge and each key code of the touch panel. An information reading device characterized in that a memory area stores a start address of information to be read by each combination of the codes. 3. A memory cartridge used by being attached to the information reading device according to claim 2, which stores a unique recognition code in a readable manner, and also stores a unique code for each selectable card or sheet and each key on a touch panel. A memory cartridge characterized in that a start address of information to be read by each combination of codes is stored in each memory area of an absolute address corresponding one-to-one to each combination of codes. .