JPH0460713A - Input device - 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 [Objective of the Invention (Field of Industrial Application)] The present invention relates to an input device for a calculator, particularly a portable computer, which involves both character code input and coordinate input.

(Prior Art) Computers are generally provided with a keyboard as an input device for inputting (key input) character codes (including function codes).

This keyboard requires the thickness of the keys themselves and the thickness of the keys to be pressed, which is a bottleneck in making computers smaller and lighter. Additionally, because it has mechanically moving parts, it is susceptible to vibrations and is prone to break down if it is constantly being transported.

Now, in recent years, in order to improve the efficiency of image input and visual operability, more and more computers are equipped with a two-dimensional coordinate input device called a pointing device in addition to a keyboard. Typical pointing devices used in the past include a mouse 31 shown in FIG. 3(a) for inputting coordinates using relative coordinates, and a mouse 31 shown in FIG. 3(b) for inputting coordinates using absolute coordinates. ) There is a tablet input device (flat plate coordinate input device) 32 shown in FIG. Providing this type of coordinate input device together with a keyboard poses a problem in reducing the size and weight of a computer, especially a portable computer. Furthermore, in order to input character codes and coordinates, users must frequently move their arms between the keyboard and the coordinate input device, which poses a problem in terms of operability.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As mentioned above, conventionally, in order to realize a calculator that has both character code input (key input) and coordinate input functions, it is necessary to have both input devices, a keyboard and a coordinate input device. I had to. However, keyboards are small and difficult to reduce weight and are susceptible to vibration, making them unsuitable for transportation.
This is especially critical when trying to make portable computers smaller and lighter, and there is also the problem of poor operability since two input devices must be operated.

The second invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to allow the tablet surface of the coordinate input device to double as a keyboard surface, and to have both input functions for character code input and coordinate input, while being small, lightweight, and easy to operate. The purpose of this invention is to provide an excellent input device for users.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention divides the tablet surface of a flat coordinate detector into a plurality of regions, and assigns a unique character code to each region, thereby detecting coordinates. a coordinate-character code conversion means for converting the coordinates detected by the device into a corresponding character code;
A mode switching means is provided for switching between a key input mode in which character code input is performed using the coordinate-character code conversion means and a coordinate input mode in which coordinate input is performed using coordinates detected by the coordinate detector. This device is characterized in that the detector can be used for both key input and coordinate input.

(Operation) In the above configuration, when the operator specifies a position on the tablet surface of the coordinate detector, the coordinates of the specified position are detected by the coordinate detector. If the mode switching means has switched to the coordinate input mode, the coordinate values detected by the coordinate detector are input to the computer main body either as they are or after being scaled appropriately. On the other hand, if it is switched to key input mode,
The coordinate values detected by the coordinate detector are passed to a coordinate-character code conversion means. In the key input mode, the tablet surface of the coordinate detector is managed by being divided into multiple areas (virtual key areas) corresponding to the keyboard key arrangement, and each area has a unique character code (key code). will be assigned. The coordinate-character code conversion means has a correspondence table between each of the above regions and character codes, and when a coordinate value is passed from the coordinate detector in the key input mode, it converts the same coordinate value based on the above-mentioned correspondence table. is converted into the character code assigned to the area to which the same coordinate value belongs, and then input into the computer as if it were input from a keyboard. In this way, in the key input mode, the tablet surface of the coordinate detector is also used as a keyboard surface, and key input can be performed by operating the virtual keys on the tablet surface in the same way as a keyboard.

(Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a portable computer equipped with an input device of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the computer shown in FIG. 1.

In the figure, IO is a computer main body (data processing section), 20 is an input device having both character code input and coordinate input functions, and 30 is a display device.

The input device 20 has a flat coordinate detector 21 having the size of a normal keyboard. This coordinate detector 2
1 is a pressure-sensitive coordinate detector having a tablet 21a having a structure similar to a so-called touch panel in which pressure-sensitive elements are arranged vertically and horizontally, but coordinate detectors of other types, such as a capacitive coupling type or An electromagnetic coupling type coordinate detector may also be used. The tablet 21a surface of the coordinate detector 21 can be used not only for the original coordinate position indication but also as a keyboard surface, and a key arrangement is provided on the tablet 21a surface so that the operator can operate the keys. A pattern (keyboard image) corresponding to is drawn. A unique character code (including a function code) is assigned to each key area on the surface of the tablet 21a. A predetermined coordinate area on the surface of the tablet 21a of the coordinate detector 21 is assigned as a mode designation input section 21b. This mode specification input section 21b is used to select a key input mode used for inputting a character code (key code) assigned to the key area to which the coordinate value detected by the coordinate detector 21 belongs, or to input the same coordinate value to the original coordinate input. This is used to specify the coordinate input mode to be used.

The input unit ft20 also determines whether or not the coordinate values detected by the coordinate detector 21 belong to the area of the mode designation input unit 21b, and switches the input mode according to the determination result. 22, and a coordinate-character code converter 23 for converting the coordinate values detected by the coordinate detector 21 into a character code assigned to the key area to which the coordinate values belong. This coordinate-character code conversion unit 23 contains a character code conversion table 23 which is a correspondence table between the coordinate values forming the key area on the surface of the tablet 21a and the character code assigned to this key area.
A is provided. The input device 2o further displays the coordinate values detected by the coordinate detector 21 on a display device 30.
The coordinate scale converter 24 converts the coordinates into coordinate values on the display screen 30a, and either the coordinate-character code converter 23 or the coordinate scale converter 24 is selected according to the input mode set by the input mode switcher 22. It has a selection section 25 for selecting.

Next, the operation of the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be explained.

First, in the initial state, the input device 20 is set to the key input mode by the input mode switching section 22. The setting state of the input mode is displayed in a predetermined area of the display screen 30a of the display device 30 or on a mode display lamp provided on the input device 20.

An arbitrary position on the surface of the tablet 21a of the coordinate detector 21 is
When pressed by the operator with a fingertip or a pen, the coordinate value is detected by the coordinate detector 21, and the selection unit 25
is supplied to The selection section 25 includes the input mode switching section 22
When the key input mode is set by the coordinate detector 21, the coordinate values detected by the coordinate detector 21 are passed to the coordinate-character code converter 23, and the converter 23 is activated. As a result, the coordinate-character code conversion section 23 searches the character code conversion table 23a using the coordinate values passed from the selection section 25, and obtains the character code assigned to the key area to which the same coordinate values belong. The character code obtained by this coordinate-character code converter 23 is sent to the computer main body 10 as input data input from a logically independent keyboard. Note that instead of the conversion table 23a, coordinate values are accessed as addresses (for example, in a ROM configuration).
It is also possible to use a character code memory and access it using coordinate values to obtain the corresponding character code, or to use a gate array that can directly obtain the corresponding character code by inputting the coordinate value. be.

Next, the operation in the coordinate input mode will be explained.

When the operator wishes to use the input device 20 as a coordinate input device, the operator points out an arbitrary position within the area of the mode designation input section 21b secured on the surface of the tablet 21a of the coordinate detector 21. The coordinate value of the designated position within the area of the mode designation input section 21b is detected by the coordinate detector 21. The input mode switching unit 22 monitors the coordinate values detected by the coordinate detector 21, and when a coordinate value within the area of the mode designation input unit 21b is detected as in this example,
It is determined that input mode switching has been specified, and if the current mode is the key input mode, the current mode is switched to the coordinate input mode, and if the current mode is the coordinate input mode, the current mode is switched to the key input mode.

Here, the input device 2o is used as a coordinate input device until the key input mode is switched to the coordinate input mode and the position within the area of the mode designation input section 21b is designated again. That is, during the period when the coordinate input mode is set by the input mode switching section 22, the coordinate values detected by the coordinate detector 21 are passed to the coordinate scale conversion section 24 by the selection section 25 and displayed on the display device 30.
The scale is converted to coordinate values on the display screen 30a, and the data is sent to the computer main body 10 as original coordinate data. Here, in order to return to the key input mode again, it is sufficient to specify the position within the area of the mode designation input section 21b again, or to partially turn off the power of the apparatus and then turn it on again.

In the above embodiment, the mode specification input section 21b is a part of the tablet 21a of the coordinate detector 21, but it is also possible to allocate a dedicated tablet. In this case, for example, it is possible to switch to the coordinate input mode only during the period when the position on the dedicated tablet surface is indicated, and set the mode to the key input mode for the other period.

Further, it is also possible to use a mode designation switch in place of the mode designation input section 21b.

[Effects of the Invention] As detailed above, according to the present invention, the tablet surface of the coordinate input device can also be used as a keyboard surface by switching modes, so character code input (key input) and coordinate input re-input functions can be performed. It is possible to create an input device that is small, lightweight, and has excellent operability.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a portable computer equipped with the input device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the computer shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an example of a pointing device. FIG. lO...computer body, 20...input device, 2I...
・Coordinate detector, 21a...Tablet, 21b...
Mode designation input section, 22... Input mode switching section, 2
3... Coordinate-character code conversion unit, 24... Coordinate scale conversion unit, 25... Selection unit, 30... Display device. Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue

Claims (1)

[Claims] In an input device equipped with a flat coordinate detector for detecting coordinates on the tablet surface whose position is specified, by dividing the tablet surface into a plurality of regions and assigning a unique character code to each region. , a coordinate-character code conversion means for converting the coordinates detected by the coordinate detector into a corresponding character code, a key input mode in which a character code is input using the coordinate-character code conversion means, and the coordinate detector. and mode switching means for switching between a coordinate input mode in which coordinate input is performed using the coordinates detected by the coordinate detector, and the coordinate detector can be used for both key input and coordinate input. input device.