JPH0454516A - computer keyboard - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable even a beginner operator to easily and surely operate a computer keyboard by actuating a light emitting means in response to the key to be depressed next and guiding the operations of the operator. CONSTITUTION:A keyboard C is provided with the light emitting means in response to each key. In other words, a small transparent window 2 is provided on the surface of a key top 1 of each key K. Then an LED 4 is provided at a key main body part 3 independently of a keycontact 5, and the ON/OFF states of the LED 4 can be identified through the window 2. Thus the LEDs 4 of all keys K are kept OFF in a step where no operation of keys is required. However the LED 4 of one or plural keys K to be inputted is turned on to guide the key operations in a step requiring a key input operation. Thus, even a beginner operator can easily and surely operate a computer operator.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention provides a key discrimination means for discriminating a pressed key among a plurality of keys, and a key code generation means for generating a code corresponding to the pressed key. The present invention relates to a keyboard for a combiator, which is provided with a communication means for transmitting the code to a main body device.

[Conventional technology]

When operating a computer, a keyboard is generally used as a means for inputting commands and data to the combicoater. This type of combiator keyboard has a plurality of number keys, alphabet keys, symbol keys, function keys, etc. each arranged in a measured manner.As a general rule, when one of these keys is pressed,
A code corresponding to that key is generated and sent to the computer itself. The combination bin body executes processing according to the received key code. At this time, the operator operates the keys according to information such as messages displayed on a display device connected to the combiator main body.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, for those who are not familiar with the above-mentioned computer keyboard key arrangement or those who are not accustomed to operating the comviator, there are disadvantages such as making mistakes in key operations or taking a long time to operate the keys, so improvements are desired. Ta.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a computer keyboard that can be operated easily and reliably even by an inexperienced person.

[Means to solve the problem]

A computer keyboard according to the present invention includes a key determining means for determining a pressed key among a plurality of keys, a key code generating means for generating a code corresponding to the pressed key, and transmitting the code to a main unit. A communication means is provided, and the first characteristic configuration thereof is that the communication means is configured to also receive data transmitted from the main body device, and the communication means is configured to receive data transmitted from the main body device, and all or one of the plurality of keys A light emitting means is provided corresponding to each of the keys of the unit, a decoding means for decoding the data received by the communication means, and a light emitting control means for controlling the operation of each of the plurality of light emitting means based on the decoding power of the decoding means. It is in that it is provided.

A second characteristic configuration is that a changeover switch for switching the light emission control means between an active state and an inactive state is added to the first characteristic configuration.

[For production]

According to the first characteristic configuration, the main body device transmits the command and data to the keyboard according to the program to activate the light emitting means corresponding to the key to be pressed next. The communication means of the keyboard receives it, the received data is decoded by the decoding means, and based on the decoded output, the light emission control means activates the light emission means corresponding to the key to be pressed next.

According to the second feature, when the changeover switch is ON, the light emission control means operates, but when it is OFF, the light emission control means does not operate, regardless of the command from the main device.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the first characteristic configuration, it is possible to guide the operation by activating the light-emitting means corresponding to the key to be pressed next, so even a person who is inexperienced with the operation can easily and reliably operate the key. We have now realized a computer keyboard that can do the following:

According to the second characteristic configuration, the changeover switch allows
It is convenient to use because the operation guidance by the light emitting means can be directly activated or deactivated without depending on a command from the main unit.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 shows a configuration in which a target system is controlled by a combination machine using a computer keyboard (hereinafter simply referred to as a keyboard) according to the present invention. (A) is the inspection machine as the target system, and the computer is the main unit (B) and the keyboard (C').
, a display (D). The main device (B) runs the inspection device (A) according to the inspection program installed in advance.
control automatically. The operator checks the information displayed on the display (D) and uses the keyboard (
C) - gives commands and data to the main unit (B).

This kind of keyboard operation is relatively simple,
There are many routine key personnel. For example, when an inspection program asks the operator to select a test condition, it displays the test condition and the corresponding number on the display, then waits until the operator presses a number key, or makes a yes/no decision. This type of request requires the input of the "Y" or "N" key in order to perform a certain action.

The keyboard (C) of the present invention is provided with light emitting means corresponding to each key. Specifically, as shown in Figure 2, a transparent small window (2) is provided on the surface of the key top (1) of each key (K), and a key contact (5) is provided on the key body (3).
), and a light emitting diode (4) is provided independently from the small window (2).
), it is possible to identify whether the light emitting diode (4) is on or off.

When the above-described keys are operated, the light-emitting diodes of each key are turned on and off in accordance with the execution steps of the inspection program. For example, in a step that does not require key operation, the light emitting diodes of all keys are off, but when a step that requires manual key input is reached, the light emitting diodes of one or more keys that may be input are turned on and the key operation is activated. induce. In this way, even an operator who is not familiar with the keyboard key layout, or an operator who is not familiar with computer operations or the inspection program and is confused about key operations based only on the messages on the display, can easily Able to operate keys accurately.

Next, the internal structure of the keyboard (C) of the present invention will be explained based on FIG. 3.

The contacts (5) of each key (K) are connected to form a matrix, and the key discriminating means (7) scans the on/off information of each contact (5) row by row in the column direction. are collectively input to one input port. Then, which key on the matrix has been pressed is determined based on a combination of the row information of the key scan and the column information of the key input. It should be noted that the number of keys in FIG. 3 is smaller than the actual number and is simplified.

The row/column information of the key discrimination means (7) is converted by the key code generation means (8) into a key code corresponding to the pressed key. The key code is 7-bit ASCII
code, 8-bit JIS code, etc. are used. This key code is transmitted to the main body W (B) by the communication means (9).

Communication between the keyboard (C) and the main unit (B) is performed, for example, by step-synchronous serial communication. In this way, commands and data are input from the keyboard (A) to the main unit (B).

On the other hand, the light emitting diodes (4) of each key (K) are also connected to form a matrix in the same way as the key contacts (5), with each row having a common anode side and a common cathode side. Each column is an anode driver (10a) of a light emission control means (10).
and the cathode driver (]Ob). Therefore, the light emission control means (10) can dynamically light up any one or more light emitting diodes by, for example, scanning the row side and outputting display data for each scan on the column side. Then, the inspection program transmits the lighting command and the code of the light emitting diode to be lit from the device (B) to the keyboard (C) as necessary.

The light emitting diode code, like the key code, is transmitted as 7-bit to 8-bit serial data. On the keyboard side, this data is received by the communication means (9), decoded by the decoding means (11), and then sent to the light emission control means (
10). Based on the data, the light emitting means (lO) lights up the light emitting diode to be lit as described above.

Incidentally, each of the means (7) to (11) is actually composed of a single-chip microcomputer CPU, memory, built-in input/output ports, communication board, etc., and its programs.

[Another example]

In the above embodiment, a structure is adopted in which each key has a built-in light emitting diode as a light emitting means, but it is not necessary to have a light emitting diode built into each key, and if there is space around each key, it can be installed there. You can. Further, it is not necessary to provide the key for all keys, but it may be provided for only the necessary keys.

In order to differentiate key operation guidance based on its purpose and function, we use light emitting diodes with different colors depending on the key.
Blinking control may be performed. Further, the light emitting means is not limited to a light emitting diode, but any display element that can be switched between a lighted state and a lightless state by an electric signal and that can be easily identified by an operator may be used.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a changeover switch (12) for directly switching the light emission control means between an active state and an inactive state may be provided, and may be attached, for example, to the side surface of the keyboard (see FIG. 1). By doing so, it is possible to directly switch between activation and deactivation of key imitation guidance using light emitting diodes using the changeover switch (12) without depending on the inspection program of the main unit, making it convenient for use. . .

Incidentally, although reference numerals are given in the claims section for convenience of comparison with the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the structure of the attached drawings by such entry.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 3 are diagrams relating to a keyboard for a combination coater according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1 shows an example of its application, FIG. 2 shows the structure of each key, and FIG. 3 shows the internal functions of the keyboard. A block diagram is shown. (4)...Light emitting diode, (7)...Key discrimination means, (8)...Key code generation means,
(9)...Communication means, (10)...Emission control means, (11)...Decoding means, (1
2)......Choice switch, (B)...Main device, (K)...Key

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. Key discrimination means (7) for discriminating a pressed key among a plurality of keys (K), and key code generation means (8) for generating a code corresponding to the pressed key. and a communication means (9) for transmitting the code to the main body device (B), the computer keyboard comprising:
) is configured to also receive data transmitted from the main body device (B), and among the plurality of keys (K),
Light emitting means (4) corresponding to all or some of the keys.
), a decoding means (11) for decoding the data received by the communication means (9), and a light emission control means (10) for controlling the operation of each of the plurality of light emission means (4) based on the decoded output thereof. ) computer keyboard. 2. The computer keyboard according to claim 1, further comprising a changeover switch (12) for switching the light emission control means (10) between an active state and an inactive state.