JPH0410020A - Keyboard system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the freedom degree of a program, the program development efficiency, and the maintenance performance of a keyboard system by providing an external keyboard controller and a main body side keyboard controller. CONSTITUTION:A main body keyboard contained in a computer main body 21 is connected to the body 21 via a cable. An external keyboard 26 uses a key matrix 25 in common to the main body keyboard. An external keyboard controller 24 detects the input information on the keyboard 26 via the key matrix 25 and sends a key code obtained from the result of detection to the body 21. Then a mainbody side keyboard controller 23 converts the received key code or the key code obtained from the main body keyboard into a form that can be processed by the body 21. In such a constitution, the freedom degree and the development efficiency of a program are improved together with the maintenance performance of a keyboard system.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Objective of the Invention (Field of Industrial Application) This invention relates to a keyboard system particularly suitable for use in a personal computer.

(Prior Art) In the field of personal computers, the laptop type, which is small, lightweight, and convenient to carry, has become popular and is taking the leading role, replacing the conventional desktop type. In addition to the built-in keyboard, this type of laptop personal computer may be used by connecting an external standard keyboard or keypad. These keyboards have a built-in one-chip microcomputer that performs key scanning control, code conversion, and transfers the converted codes (key codes) to the computer itself.

Conventionally, a one-chip microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as KBC) that controls a keyboard has generated key codes through the following process. First, KBC specifies the scan line to be scanned on the key matrix, and the input state of multiple keys connected to each line (Ma
ke; pressed / B r e a k ; released).

The key human power information obtained in this way is in the form of intermediate code in KB
Processed within C. Here, the key matrix is a circuit that is a collection of scan lines to which a plurality of keys are connected. Figure 4 shows the outline.

Further, the intermediate code is usually a 1-byte value indicating the input state of a certain key, and its outline is shown in FIG. The lower 7 bits of the intermediate code are values unique to each key. Further, the intermediate code can be obtained without using a table using the following conversion formula (1).

Intermediate code - (Key Make) x80h + KBO
T No, *8h + K B RT No, ----= (1
) Note that in the above equation (1), h indicates hexadecimal representation.

Now, when the KBC on the external keyboard side obtains the intermediate code from the key matrix, the same code is the communication code (hereinafter C
0DEI) and then sent to the KBC on the computer main body side. The main unit side KBC converts the C0DEI received from the external keyboard side KBC into a key code (hereinafter referred to as C0DE2) that can be recognized by the CPU using, for example, a conversion table. In addition, the main body KBC converts the intermediate code obtained from the main body key matrix into C0DE2 using a conversion table for input from the main body keyboard.
Convert to Here, the communication code is a code system determined as a standard specification, and the code sent by the external keyboard side MBC to which this code is applied can be recognized by the main body side KBC compatible with this specification. In other words, by applying this code, it is possible to create an external keyboard that can be connected to many systems.

However, if an external keyboard dedicated to one system is required, there is no necessity to apply such a code. Further, when the main body side KBC supports the communication code described above, since the external and main body side key input information hood systems are different, it becomes necessary to manage the states of both keyboards separately, which complicates the processing.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As described above, following the conventional example has the following disadvantages.

■The amount of processing required on the external keyboard, from manual input to key code generation, is several times that of the main unit.

■Tables and programs necessary for data conversion processing are the parts that consume the most ROM capacity in the entire keyboard control program, and the main unit side KBC performs two conversion processes.
The program is a heavy burden.

■Program development efficiency decreases because the processing required for KBC programs is complex.

This invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and by optimizing the program processing that converts the key power of an externally added keyboard into standard key codes,
The purpose is to provide a keyboard system that improves the development efficiency of the program and reduces the cost of the entire system including hardware.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) The keyboard system of the present invention has a main body keyboard built into a computer main body, which is connected to the computer main body by a cable, and an external keyboard having a common key matrix with the main body keyboard. , an external keyboard controller (external keyboard side KBC) that detects the input information of the external keyboard via the key matrix of the keyboard and transfers the key code obtained based on the detection result to the computer main body, and from this external keyboard controller. Main unit side keyboard controller (main unit side KBC) that converts the received key code or key code obtained from the main unit keyboard into a key code that can be processed by the computer main unit.
It is characterized by comprising the following.

(Function) In the above-described configuration, when the external keyboard controller detects a key force on the external keyboard, it transfers the key force information to other keys since the key matrix of the external keyboard is the same as that of the main keyboard. Code (CODEI)
The intermediate code is transmitted to the keyboard controller on the main body side without being converted to , and when the main body keyboard controller receives the intermediate code from the external keyboard controller, it converts it into a key code (CODE2) that can be processed by the computer main body (CPU). By performing direct conversion, it is possible to optimize the program processing up to detecting the keystrokes on the external keyboard and generating the key code.

As a result, the amount of processing for programs executed by both the external keyboard and the keyboard controllers on the main unit is reduced to approximately half of the previous level, increasing the degree of program freedom, improving program development efficiency, maintainability, and Furthermore, cost reduction can be expected.

(Example) Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 2 represents a computer main body, which is connected to an external keyboard 26 and a cable 27. Reference numeral 22 is a central processing unit (CPU) of the computer main body 21, which receives the key code from the KBC 23 on the main body side. code 2
3 is the main body side KBC, and the external keyboard side KBC24
It receives external key data from the computer via cable 27, converts it into a key code (CODE2), and passes it to central processing unit 22.

Reference numeral 24 is the external keyboard side keyboard controller (
The external keyboard key matrix 25 detects the key force and sends it as an intermediate code to the main body KBC 23 via the cable 27. Reference numerals 25 and 28 are key matrices (external keyboard key matrix, main body side keyboard key matrix), which indicate the state of the keys connected to each key matrix.
Tell BC24, 23. Reference numeral 26 denotes an external keyboard, which is connected to the computer main body 21 with a cable 27. A cable 27 transmits data between the KBCs 23 and 24.

2 and 3 are diagrams for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the program processing of the external keyboard side KBC 24, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the program processing of the external keyboard side KBC 24.
2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for key code generation processing of 2B.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral S31 is a step of detecting the state of key manual operation, in which data specifying the scan line to be scanned is outputted to the external keyboard key matrix 25, and each key connected to the scan line is output from the key matrix 25. Detect conditions. Reference numeral S32 is a step for detecting a change in the state of key human power; the result of the previously saved scan process is compared with the result of the current scan process, and if they are different, it is recognized that the state of key human power has changed. . Reference numeral 833 is a step of calculating an intermediate code, in which the intermediate code corresponding to the key whose change is detected based on the scan result is calculated using the conversion formula (1). Symbol S34 is a step of sending an intermediate code, and the intermediate code obtained in step S33 is directly sent to the main body side MB.
Send to C23.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral S41 is a step of scanning the main body side key hot key matrix 28, and the process is exactly the same as step 8.31 on the external keyboard side KBC 24. Reference numeral S42 is a step of receiving an intermediate code, whereby the main body side KBC 23 detects a change in key pressure on the external keyboard 26. Reference numeral 843 is a step for calculating an intermediate code, in which an intermediate code corresponding to a key whose change has been detected is calculated based on the scan result using the conversion formula (1). Reference numeral S44 is a step of generating a key code (CODE2), in which the intermediate code received from the external keyboard side WBC 24 or the intermediate code obtained by scanning the main body side keyboard key matrix 28 is converted into a key code.

The operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

First, the external keyboard side KBC24 is the external keyboard 2.
6 is detected from the external keyboard key matrix 25 (steps S31, 532), and based on it, an intermediate code is calculated using the conversion formula (1) (step 833).
. Then, the external keyboard side KBC 24 sends the calculated intermediate code to the main body side KBC 23 via the cable 27 (step 534). Conventionally, the intermediate code was once converted to the above-mentioned C0DEI, and this C0DE 1 was sent to the main body, but according to the present invention, this conversion process is no longer necessary.

On the other hand, the main body side KBC23 is the external keyboard side KBC2.
When the intermediate code is received from 4 (step 542), or when the main body side keyboard key matrix 28 is scanned (step 541), the intermediate code is calculated using the same method as the external keyboard side WBC 24 (step 543).
, converts the intermediate code into the above-mentioned C0DE2 (step 544).

In this embodiment, there is only one process for converting the intermediate codes obtained from the above two keyboards into C0DE2. This is because the correspondence between the intermediate code obtained from both keyboards and each key is the key matrix 2528 of both keyboards.
Since they are the same, they are exactly the same, and the correspondence between the intermediate code and C0DE2 is also the same.

Conventionally, the keyboard control program executed on the main body side KBC (23) not only converts the intermediate code calculated on the main body side into C0DE2, but also converts the intermediate code from the external keyboard side WBC (24). Without C0DE
In order to receive a 1, one more process was required to convert C0DE1 to C0DE2.

In this way, conventionally three conversion processes were required for the main unit side KBC and external keyboard side KBC, but according to this embodiment, it is only required once, and optimization of keyboard control program processing can be realized. . Therefore, this embodiment can be used with remarkable effects in a program that controls a keyboard, such as a numeric keypad, that is additionally connected to the computer main body.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

■The amount of processing for programs executed by both the keyboard controllers (KBC) on the external keyboard side and the main unit side has been reduced to about half of the conventional one, increasing the degree of program freedom and improving program development efficiency and maintainability. Improvement is expected.

■Due to the decrease in program capacity, ROM to store it
It becomes possible to use a cheaper, lower-capacity one, and the cost of the entire system can be reduced.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an example of a key matrix circuit used for keyboard control. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the intermediate code. 21... Computer main body, 22... Central processing unit, 23... Main body side KBC, 24... External keyboard side MBC, 25... External keyboard key matrix,
26...External keyboard, 27...Cable, 28
...Keyboard key matrix on the main body side. Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue

Claims (1)

[Claims] A main body keyboard built into the computer main body is connected to the computer main body by a cable, and an external keyboard having a common key matrix with the main body keyboard, and input information of the external keyboard is detected via the key matrix of the keyboard, An external keyboard controller that transfers a key code obtained based on the detection result to the computer main body, and a key code that the computer main body can process by processing the key code received from the external keyboard controller or the key code obtained from the main body keyboard. A keyboard system characterized by comprising a main body side keyboard controller that converts into a main body side keyboard controller.